Belgrave Book Barn's Staff Book Reviews
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren (Publish Date 14th May 2024) Add to Wishlist!
Another fun story from writing duo Christina Lauren. A captivating romantic comedy set on a luxury private island with a convincing plot & well developed characters, it contains all the tropes without feeling overdone! Fake dating, marriage of convenience, opposites attract (funny/chaos meets calm/serious), forced proximity, dual POV, complex family dynamics. Overall a funny & enjoyable read - 4 stars
How To End A Love Story by Yulin Kuang (Publish Date: 9th April 2024) Add to Wishlist!
This book is an outstanding debut & really has it all! It was tragic, heavy with grief & family trauma, yet full of forbidden desire, humor & steamy romance all set against an interesting story line of what it takes for writers to come together & convert a book into a TV series (I love a book that can give me an insight into things I know nothing about.!) The characters are diverse, likable & relatable which is not often the case in romance fiction & the story unfolds at a good pace. If you like Emily Henry you will love this! 5 Stars
Funny Story by Emily Henry (Publish Date: 23rd April 2024) Add to Wishlist!
I think this is Emily Henry's best novel yet! I loved it, I was immediately invested with the characters, the plot, even the town & its quirky community - I binge read the entire book in 1 day. Love her ability to write believable likable characters & good banter, the plot developed at a good pace & she mastered the balance between humour, angst & spice! 5 Stars!
Powerless by Lauren Roberts Buy Now!
An impressive page turning debut from Lauren Roberts. Whilst not the most original of plotlines it had intense battles, great banter, sizzling tension & an unexpected plot twist at the end. Ultimately a highly enjoyable fantasy binge-read that left me wanting to read the next book immediately!
* For readers who enjoy Fantasy, Dystopia, Romance genres (Fourth Wing, Hunger Games, Red Queen etc)
Maude Horton’s Glorious Revenge by Lizzie Pook Buy Now!
“An Arctic expedition. A mysterious death. And the lengths to which one woman will go to avenge her sister.”
If you love historical fiction for its ability to transport you to another time & place, then this is the book for you! The author does such an exquisite job taking you on a gruesome journey through Victorian England & the Arctic you can almost smell the stench & feel the grit whilst reading. I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric tale of mystery & revenge - 3 & ½ stars (Thank you to Pan Macmillan, Picador & Net Galley for an Advance Reading Copy)
The Eleventh Floor by Kylie Orr Buy Now!
Kylie Orr has written a fast paced novel that draws you in from the start. Gracie is sleep deprived & on the brink of a breakdown, struggling with her role as a wife & new mother she checks into a hotel for a night to herself, to rest & recharge without demands from her family. However after the events of that one night, with one dreadful decision after another, Gracie’s life quickly spirals out of control. The Eleventh Floor is an intense yet compelling & thought provoking read. It addresses many issues faced by women today; motherhood, consent, relationships, patriarchy and how these issues intersect. If you enjoy dark, gut wrenching & twisty psychological thrillers then this is the book for you! 4 stars (Big Thanks to Kylie Orr & Harper Collins Publishers for an advance reading copy)
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi Buy Now!
A fresh take on fae fantasy romance with unique magic and rich worldbuilding, Faebound was a gripping story of power that will have you captivated from the early pages. It has themes of war, magic, prophecy, secrets, battle, fae court, elves, family and sisterhood. If you enjoyed Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, or The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart then you’ll enjoy Faebound.
Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, we loved it!
A Fragile Enchantment by Alison Saft Coming Soon- Add to Wishlist
A Fragile Enchantment follows the main character Nimah as she adjusts to life in the royal palace and goes about creating her enchanted garments and attending extravagant court events whilst trying to avoid the prickly and cold prince Kit. There are so many great characters in this book and it's so easy to visualise every facial expression and mannerism thanks to the descriptive details Saft weaves throughout the story. There's found family and friendship as well as understanding for those different from one's self. It's fantasy meets historical fiction and romance in a highly enjoyable read. Alison Saft's writing is lyrical in parts and leaves you captivated by the story. I couldn't put it down and kept wishing the day away so that I could get home and read more. It's become an instant favourite! Thank you Hachette and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
Pasta Grannies by Vicky Benneson Buy Now!
If you're looking to learn the skill of pasta making then this book is for you. Read through the stories and recipes to create traditional pasta dishes from different regions of Italy and using recipes that have been passed down from generation to generation.
In Praise of Veg by Alice Zaslavsky Buy Now.
This book is conveniently organised by vegetable so that you can quickly look up an item that you want to use/ base a meal around and have a variety of recipes to choose from. Lots of delicious, hearty and easy to cook meals. Alice writes entertaining descriptions at the start off each recipe and there is great photography and illustrations throughout
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto Buy Now
A dark fantasy about a disgraced ghost-fighting warrior who must journey into a haunted wasteland to rescue a kidnapped prince.This book has really great world building and well constructed characters with interesting powers and backgrounds. Stick with this one as it really builds into a strong fantasy adventure story with mysterious occurrences that will have you on the edge of your seat.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, it was a captivating read!
First Cream The Butter and Sugar Buy Now
So many delicious recipes in this book! A beautifully created baking book with great photography and illustrations showcasing many mouthwatering treats! The perfect book for anyone who loves a decadent treat and wants to learn how to make it.
Made to Measure by Elisalex Jewell
Made to Measure is the perfect book for those looking to sew perfectly fitted outfits that are flattering on your figure and not to complex to make. Lots of really helpful tips and advice along with many patterns to draft and sew your own outfits. Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
Party Drinks by Rebecca Hubbell
Party Drinks teaches you how to make your own syrups and to create many amazing drinks full of flavour and without alcohol. It will have your mouth watering looking at all all the great recipes including the mango lassi, the strawberry collada, the twilight swim, and the birthday cake milkshake!
Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, we loved it!
Watercolour Made Simple by Nicki Traikos (Coming Soon!)
Watercolour Made Simple is a beautifully designed book with easy to follow instructions to help you learn the art of watercolour painting. The book goes through all aspects of watercolour painting with step by step information including lots of images which is really helpful and easy to understand. It covers the fundamentals, setting up your space, finding time to play,, and more! We would recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn a new skill, or brush up on their existing painting skills too. Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
Grow by Robyn Booth (Coming Soon!)
Grow covers such a huge range of plant related tips and ideas including a guide to the top 10 plants for scent, DIY rosewater, home remedies, cocktails, how to make bird feeder, how to be your own florist, DIY terrariums, sugar flowers, DIY bug hotel, composting, a useful guide to diseases and pests, plus so much more! The book also features great photography and beautiful illustrations throughout. We would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in plants and nature, it's fantastic!
Think Faster, Talk Smarter by Matt Abrahams (Coming soon!)
Think Faster Talk Smarter is full of many helpful tips to build confidence and combat anxiety toward speaking on the spot, including at meetings, conferences, small talk, toasts, and more. It covers everything from mindset to practical examples to help strengthen your communication. Thank you Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
Kawaii Doodle Cafe by Faith Varvara Buy Now!
A cute easy guide to drawing Kawaii cute cafe food such as desserts, snacks, drinks & more. The instructions are so simple and clear with easy to follow step by step instructions. Anyone (of any skill level or age) following this guide will be successfully drawing cute kawaii food in no time!
The Hurricane Wars by Thea Guanzon Buy Now
All Talasyn has ever known are the Hurricane Wars. An orphan of the struggle, she uses the power of light to fight for her people against the Night Empire. All Alaric has ever known is darkness. The son of the Night Emperor and their deadliest weapon, he wields terrifying shadow magic to crush the rebellion.Then he sees Talasyn, his sworn enemy burning bright across the battlefield. The moment they clash their lives are changed forever.Now a greater threat is rising and only they can stop it.The coming storm threatens to destroy everything. If they don’t destroy each other first…
The Hurricane Wars is full of adventure, battles, and magic, plus an enemies to lovers romance making it easy to get swept up in the story. It's perfect for readers who enjoyed The Darkening by Sunya Mara, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, The Mirror Visitor by Christelle Dabos and Star Wars The Force Awakens movie.There’s alot of detail in the world building that helps to envision the different terrains throughout the book as Talasyn embarks on her journey across the continent. Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
Weirdo by Sarah Pascoe Buy now!
Sophie’s life is in absolute shambles. Stuck in a relationship going nowhere, broke, debt collectors hounding her day and night and finding herself in a job she hates, life is rough. But suddenly things are looking up when a former flame walks back into Sophie’s life. Could this be her second chance? An opportunity to finally get her life together and experience this whole happiness thing?
Don’t let this synopsis fool you. This is most definitely not a romance. Rather it is one woman slowly finding her way to change, moving towards self awareness in the adult world while navigating the chaotic relationships in her life. In Sarah Pascoe’s debut fiction novel she writes with a hilarious and brutal honesty that is genuinely entertaining. Sophie’s inner monologue is fantastically abstract, jumping from bizarre thoughts of being spied on through the family cat, to dwelling on the raw memories she can’t quite seem to move on from. Those who struggle with the poor choices fictional characters make may have difficulty with this particular heroine, as her bad decision making and unwillingness to take responsibility for her actions proceeds through the majority of the novel. However, all in all this was a story thoroughly enjoyed, with more than one laugh out loud moment to entertain you along the way.
Starling House by Alix E Harrow
A haunting gothic fantasy (kinda romance) that draws you in with its creepiness & a need to know more about this mysterious haunted house, its warden & beasts! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, and recommend it to fans of horror/fantasy - great characters and a well constructed & atmospheric fantasy world. A perfect Halloween read! However! My only criticism is that I felt the writer absolutely botched the romance aspect & missed an opportunity to create some intense chemistry between the main characters. I was actually oblivious they were even into each other for a good portion of the story, so when they suddenly fell for each other, it seemed so out of place & not very believable. The romance aspect fell completely flat for me, which is a shame as their love story is actually quite integral to the overall story. Perhaps this is her first time trying to write romance, which is clearly harder than people give credit for. Otherwise an entertaining read, it feels like it could be turned into a Tim Burton film!
3 Stars (would've been 4 or 5 if the author had pulled off believable romantic chemistry)
Thank you Pan Macmillan & NetGalley for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Fourth Wing By Rebecca Yarros Buy Now!
Violet was training her whole life to lead a quiet existence as a scribe, recording history in the safety of the grand archives, until she is conscripted as a rider, the most deadly profession there is. She must learn to find her inner and outer strength as she faces a series of deadly challenges that put her at risk daily, not to mention avoiding the numerous classmates who want her dead.I was instantly engrossed in this story and couldn’t put it down. I can see why it’s a bestselling fantasy book! Rebecca Yarros is an excellent writer who keeps you engaged in the story the whole way through. There’s never a dull moment in Fourth Wing, and if you enjoy the fantasy romance genre and books like The Hunger Games, The Atlas Six and anything by Sarah J Maas then this book is for you! And the good news is that it’s not long to wait for book 2- Iron Flame comes out this December 2023!
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross Buy Now!
Iris works at the Oath Gazette newspaper where she spends her days in rivalry with Roman Kitt, and her nights pouring her heart out in letters to her brother who is missing on the frontlines of a war between gods. The story follows Iris as she navigates life and loss through writing letters that are mysteriously getting replies from someone other than her brother. It’s a tender and heartbreaking story of courage, hope, friendship, love, and life. Definitely worth the read!
Happy Place By Emily Henry Buy Now!
Happy Place tells the story of a group of friends, alongside Wyn and Harriet and the heart-squeezing romance between the two exes as they pretend to still be together for the sake of the group. Written between the past and present the story delves into their relationship from when they first met and fell in love to their happy years together and the present day where they can’t bear to be in each other's company. It’s a heartfelt and charming story full of memorable characters that will have you sobbing, smiling, laughing and wanting to escape on a seaside holiday.
The Raging Storm by Ann Cleeves Buy Now!
The Raging Storm, is the third book in the Two Rivers series. This was the first book that I had the pleasure of reading by Ann Cleeves. Even though I did not read the first two books in this series, I had no trouble following this story. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone book. I highly recommend it if you enjoy a compelling police procedural, character driven & atmospheric murder mystery.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Buy Now!
I loved this book. It's such a different and interesting concept of a villain that's been written in a very entertaining way, with lots of humour, action, adventure, magical beasts, royal guards and more. I found myself smiling and laughing at so many moments in Assistant to the Villain, from the concept of an office for a villain, to the witty remarks of Evie to her boss. There are so many great characters in the book and I would 100% recommend it to anyone who likes fantasy with a strong female lead, surprising humour, and a slow burn romance. Thank you Random House, Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, this book was fantastic!
Never A Hero By Vanessa Len Buy Now!
Never a Hero follows the main character Joan as she’s thrown back in time as a fugitive from the Monster Court. She must band together with familiar faces on another quest against deadly enemies to right the timeline and protect humans from monsters. The book follows on from ‘Only A Monster’ drawing in new characters & old, with twists and turns throughout, featuring themes of time travel, special powers, alternate worlds/timelines and family.
Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, we loved Vanessa Len's book!
With Love From Cold World by Alicia Thompson Buy Now!
With Love, From Cold World is a heartwarming, funny story with entertaining characters and a unique setting. Lauren and Asa couldn't be more different or more irritated by the other, but as the story progresses we learn more about their characters and begin to see that they're more alike than they think, and what they once thought was mutual hate may be something else entirely. Thank you Random House, Transworld Publishers and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, this book was a great read!
Once A Monster by Robert Dinsdale Buy Now!
An immersive historical tale that effortlessly blends Greek mythology & gritty Dickensian London, whilst the story is a slow burn it keeps you captivated with interesting characters & the need to know what happens to them. For fans of historical fiction, greek mythology, magical realism - 3 & 1/2 stars
In The Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
In The Likely Event is an epic love story that stayed with me long after I finished reading. Rebecca Yarros has such a captivating writing style and I was instantly gripped and couldn't put this book down! She weaves the story of the main characters Izzy and Nate across many years, cutting between past and present but in an easy to follow way. It had me smiling, crying, and on the edge of my seat hoping Nate would survive each deployment and they would see each other again. There's tragedy, action, high stakes and romance. Definitely worth the read if you enjoy this genre! Thank you Montlake and Netgalley for the advance copy, can't wait for this to come out!
What Happens on Vacation by Jo Watson. (Coming November 2023) Add to Wishlist
What Happens on Vacation is the perfect enemies to lovers holiday romance with sizzling chemistry, chance encounters, forced proximity, and blissful holiday fun. There were many laugh out loud moments, especially from the banter between Margaret and Jagger, the text message threads with Margaret's friends, and the numerous holiday mishaps. I couldn't help but smile while reading it. The story also had alot of realness to it with the early part of the story replicating an office working environment perfectly. It also tackles topics of loss of loved ones, bouncing back from divorce, and some other deeper topics mixed in with the other light hearted holiday side of the story. I honestly loved this book, it had me laughing, crying, and dreaming of a tropical holiday! Thank you Wattpad Webtoon Book Group and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, we love this!
Sing Me To Sleep by Gabi Burton Buy Now!
Gabi Burton's Sing Me To Sleep had me hooked from the start and followed through with great world building, strong and diverse characters, and a surprising and dramatic turn of events towards the end that I didn't see coming. I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend to other Young Adult readers who like stories with found family, magical beings, royal courts, and secret assassins. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
The Curse Of Saints by Kate Dramis Buy Now!
The Curse of Saints is full of adventure, mystery, magic, deception, and desire. I couldn't put this book down! It had me captivated from the very beginning with a great set of characters, each with their own interesting roles and personalities that made me want to know more about each of them and their backgrounds. The story follows Aya, the Queens's eyes, as she embarks on a quest to discover ancient knowledge to help understand her own power and the darkness she fears will consume her. With a slow simmering romance and a will they / won't they trope the book keeps you hanging on, hoping that Aya can work out how to control her power, her anger, and find a way to help the realm in the approaching war.
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey Buy Now!
This was so fun to read I devoured it in one day! So many delightful, hilarious characters & plenty of swoon worthy moments. Overall a captivating, feel good romantic comedy - it will make perfect holiday reading. If you already like Tessa Bailey books, or romantic comedies you won’t be disappointed with this one! 5 Stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper for giving me a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
Sea Change by Gina Chung
What a compelling read, I’m impressed that this is a debut novel!
Gina Chung's character driven writing is refreshing & engaging. I was definitely drawn in by the friendship with Dolores, a giant pacific octopus, the backdrop of a dying planet & missions to mars, however there are many thought provoking layers to this story. Ro is a young woman with unresolved trauma, entering her 30s grappling with alcohol abuse, relationship breakdowns & a sense of giving up on life in general, it also explores the immigrant experience (particularly Korean immigrants) grief & loneliness. Whilst heavy at times there is an undertone of humour throughout & ultimately a feeling of hope for Ro as she navigates through the unwanted changes in her life. Thanks to Pan Macmillan & Net Galley for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Love Me Do by Lindsey Kelk- In Store Soon (Publish date 29th Nov) Add to wishlist
Love me do is a feel good, romantic story about a greeting card copywriter visiting her sister in sunny LA and the friendships she builds while there on holiday. The main character Pheobe had me constantly laughing and smiling throughout the book with her humorous nature and funny comments. She is such a great lead character, very relatable. All of the characters in the book (apart from her ex) are very likeable. Each adding to the main storyline in their unique ways from the new friendships with the bubbly Bel and the elegant former hollywood actress Myra, to the alluring and friendly neighbour Ren that she can’t stop thinking about. Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
The Drowned Woods by Emily Lloyd Jones Buy Now!
The drowned Woods is full of action and takes you on a twisting heist adventure through all kinds of detailed terrain. The book instantly captured my attention with a gripping backstory that had me intrigued and wanting to read more. Emily Lloyd-Jones has a captivating way of writing that really draws readers in and keeps you interested the whole way through. She gives back story to each of her characters in just the right amount, and paints the perfect picture of each setting making it easy to visualise each location and part of the story. It had unsuspecting twists throughout and a great ending. I loved this book and would highly recommend it! Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance reading copy, this book was fantastic!
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Buy Now!
The story follows Emily, a Cambridge scholar, as she travels to the harsh icy wilderness of the far north on her quest to document every species of Faerie. You can really feel the cold winter in this book and vividly imagine the surroundings as she searches through forests & fjords for the Hidden ones and to learn their secrets. For readers who like faerie folk lore, adventures in nature with rival scholars.
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey Buy Now!
Swoon worthy Enemies to Lovers & Happily Ever After romance. This is the follow up to 'Secretly Yours' however can be read as a stand alone. Emotions are intense & at times angsty throughout the book which can at times feel a bit exhausting but there are also plenty of hilarious moments to rejuvenate you. The chemistry between Natalie & August was out of this world, I especially enjoyed their banter! & the love sick August Cates is up there as a new favorite book boyfriend! Fun, sexy, page turner - 4 stars
(Special thanks to NetGalley, Avon/Harper Collins and Tessa Bailey for an advance reading copy in exchange for an honest review)
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten Buy Now!
The story follows a poison runner with a secret power to raise the dead who’s swept into the sainted king's royal court, forced to uncover a mystery plaguing the lands.The book is beautifully written and features a really interesting type of magic, old world gods, extravagant costumes and warrior monks in an unsettling and mysterious tale. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Atlas Six By Olivie Blake Buy Now!
I'd read mixed reviews about this book online and am glad I had the chance to read it myself as It's definitely a book I'd recommend to readers who like fantasy, mystery, and books about books. I really enjoyed the unique structure of the book. The first several chapters introduced one character per chapter delving into details of their abilities, key moments in the past and present, and their interaction with the mysterious Atlas. This way of writing instantly intrigued me and had me wanting to know more about each character and how they will eventually all come together. The book builds suspense from the beginning with mention of the Alexandrian society, their secret libraries, and the question of who Atlas is and why he is choosing these particular 6 magical people for a chance at a place in the society? I read the book quite quickly over 3 nights as I wanted to know the outcome, and was
pleasantly surprised when the book went in an unexpected direction to that that it seemed to
be building towards. After finishing reading I instantly wanted to read more and look forward
to The Atlas Paradox coming out later this year. I also really liked the illustrations of the characters inside the book at the start of the chapters, it was a lovely bonus! Thank you Pan Macmillan for the advanced copy.
To Asia, With Love By Hetty McKinnon Buy Now!
Hetty has done it again with a book equally as great as her first three! She writes interesting descriptions of each recipe including memories or histories tied to the dish, and follows with a neatly laid-out list of ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions accompanied by beautiful photography. Her books are beautifully designed and feature a vast selection of unique and delicious dishes perfect for weekly meals, or a family feast. Try the Cacio e Pepe udon noodles recipe on page 81 and the Potato and leek momos on page 127 for an introduction to what makes Hetty's dishes so fantastic. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for healthy, easy to make, delicious vegetarian meals with an Asian flavour influence. There are so many great choices in this book that are full of flavour and really worth adding to your repertoire of recipes. A big thank you Pan Macmillan for the review copy, we loved this (and every Hetty McKinnon book)!
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen Buy Now!
Romantic, wildly creative, and utterly charming, The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy is a fantasy unlike any I've read before. It takes place in an inventive fantasy setting with old gods, new gods, and talking creatures. I loved every minute of this book.
Meet Me In The Margins by Melissa Ferguson Buy Now!
Sweet & charming book about an editor name Savannah who is secretly writing a romance novel she’s trying to keep from her co-workers. She hides her manuscript in a hidden room at work and comes back to find it full of notes from a mystery editor. The two start exchanging notes back and forth about the manuscript with the notes eventually turning to more personal topics that lead Savannah to start falling for her mystery editor. Loved this book and would definitely read it again! It was full of sweet and funny moments and I couldn’t put it down. The story follows Savannah as she writes back and forth with a mystery man who’s been secretly editing her manuscript. As the two grow close through words, Savannah begins to wonder who her mystery editor could be, and if they could have a future together.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Really enjoyed this book. It was a feel-good magical story about the family you create for yourself. It had so many wonderful characters, each thoughtfully written and with their own strengths and different points of view. I enjoyed reading from both Mika and Jamies perspectives and the slow-building romance between those two characters was a great addition. The book had a strong message of inclusivity and accepting who you are and loving yourself despite what others think of you. Mika really became herself at Nowhere House and found everything she was looking for and more! There was more than one unexpected twist that I absolutely didn't see coming but really made sense as part of the story. Would definitely recommend this book! Thank you Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.
What’s For Dessert Buy Now!
What's for dessert features an impressive number of recipes in a beautifully designed layout. The recipe matrix included in the first pages is unique and frankly I wish all cookbooks had one. It makes it super quick to determine what you want to make based on your time and skill level by quickly glancing at the matrix rather than endlessly flicking through pages, it's incredibly useful. The book also includes helpful recipe principles, which are handy general tips aimed to give you a little more detail as how to best follow the recipes. I loved the retro style photography, it reminded me of 70's cookbooks and design but done in a more upmarket/elegant way. It was fun to look at while also making the desserts look delicious! There are so many amazing sounding desserts in this book, many that i've never even heard of and can't wait to try making. I would definitely recommend 'What's for Dessert' after baking a few of the desserts myself and seeing how the recipes are structured. This book is full of usefull information and easy to follow instructions suited to all skill levels. Thank you Murdoch Books and Netgalley for an advance reading copy.