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Life in Saltwater City #1
Practice Cake
There’s one thing Maddie finds more tempting than red velvet cake: her coworker, Drew. All it takes is one of his sly winks or a playful hip-check by the cooler, and she’s incinerating the cookies. Her boyfriend would not approve.
When a reality TV crew descends upon the bakery, her simple summer job gets even more complicated. Maddie could become the Bakery Network’s next breakout star, if she can handle the heat of being cast as a show villain. Drew has an alternate idea: run away from everything, with him and his sexy tousled hair. She decides to take the leap, but when she finds out Drew’s been hiding a shocking secret, Maddie looks down at her packed suitcase and takes a moment to think. Should she fly off to Australia with a guy she hardly knows, or should she pick up her suitcase and hit him with it?
Chock full of imperfect people behaving badly, Practice Cake is for readers who enjoy a good laugh.
When a reality TV crew descends upon the bakery, her simple summer job gets even more complicated. Maddie could become the Bakery Network’s next breakout star, if she can handle the heat of being cast as a show villain. Drew has an alternate idea: run away from everything, with him and his sexy tousled hair. She decides to take the leap, but when she finds out Drew’s been hiding a shocking secret, Maddie looks down at her packed suitcase and takes a moment to think. Should she fly off to Australia with a guy she hardly knows, or should she pick up her suitcase and hit him with it?
Chock full of imperfect people behaving badly, Practice Cake is for readers who enjoy a good laugh.
Kindle Edition
First published October 20, 2011
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About the author
Dalya Moon
16 books79 followersHello, and thanks for your interest!
For news, please see my web site at www.dalyamoon.com.
For news, please see my web site at www.dalyamoon.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
February 10, 2012
Practice Cake is about Maddie, a recent high school graduate torn between childhood and adulthood. Unfortunately, she exhibits her childish side by making every single possible wrong decision for the entire book. She exhibits her adult side by...
Sorry, I got nothing.
Maddie takes a job at a bakery to pay for her dream car. She then stumbles into reality tv, has a lot of boy problems that could be solved by TALKING to the people she's necking with, spends all of her car money on frivolous things, and invents a really stupid new cookie that a) already exists and b)crispy cookies suck.
The book claims to be a romantic comedy love triangle. If the choice is between Parker, the insufferably smug potential lawyer who treats her like dirt, and Drew, the hot-cold flirt, I'd date Snackboy. (Her sister's gross hipster boyfriend who cheats, but totally changed this time until Maddie taught her sister the value of self-worth, I guess.)
A lot of the language and descriptions do feel like they were written by authentic teenagers, which makes things like unicycles and two seated bikes feel even more out of place. There's a lot of references to Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, and Amy Winehouse's death that I think aren't going to age well. Oh, there was this conversation:
“Like Sex and the City?” Echo asked, her penciled-in light brown eyebrows raised.
In unison, the three of us said, “Yes, but without the readhead.”
…
“I’m the Miranda because I’m the sensible one,” Jaslene said.
I don't really have a point about that, except that it's wrong and weirdly annoyed me.
The end was rushed and none of the characters were enjoyable or relatable. The only nice thing to say is it was an incredibly fast read.
Sorry, I got nothing.
Maddie takes a job at a bakery to pay for her dream car. She then stumbles into reality tv, has a lot of boy problems that could be solved by TALKING to the people she's necking with, spends all of her car money on frivolous things, and invents a really stupid new cookie that a) already exists and b)crispy cookies suck.
The book claims to be a romantic comedy love triangle. If the choice is between Parker, the insufferably smug potential lawyer who treats her like dirt, and Drew, the hot-cold flirt, I'd date Snackboy. (Her sister's gross hipster boyfriend who cheats, but totally changed this time until Maddie taught her sister the value of self-worth, I guess.)
A lot of the language and descriptions do feel like they were written by authentic teenagers, which makes things like unicycles and two seated bikes feel even more out of place. There's a lot of references to Facebook, Twitter, Angry Birds, and Amy Winehouse's death that I think aren't going to age well. Oh, there was this conversation:
“Like Sex and the City?” Echo asked, her penciled-in light brown eyebrows raised.
In unison, the three of us said, “Yes, but without the readhead.”
…
“I’m the Miranda because I’m the sensible one,” Jaslene said.
I don't really have a point about that, except that it's wrong and weirdly annoyed me.
The end was rushed and none of the characters were enjoyable or relatable. The only nice thing to say is it was an incredibly fast read.
October 29, 2011
I hereby profess my love for Maddie, the lovable protagonist of Practice Cake. See Maddie isn't sure where her life is taking her, but she does know that for now baking is something she really enjoys doing. Being around all those gorgeous cakes and pastries is pure heaven. Of course, it doesn't hurt that her coworker is rather yummy himself! Never mind the fact that her current boyfriend thinks it's a waste of time. What does he know? Maddie is a teenage girl at her best and worst, all at the same time. She's perfectly flawed, hilariously honest, and I loved every minute of reading about her struggle to just figure herself out.
The people who drift in and out of her life really craft the person Maddie is, and I can't explain enough how fantastic it all is. You'll just have to read for yourself. Maddie and her friends are constantly bickering and joking. Their personalities shine off the page. There isn't a single character in Practice Cake who isn't given the same love and attention as Maddie herself. They are all well formed and wonderfully flawed themselves. Jealousy, pettiness, it's all there in black and white.
My favorite part overall though? The humor! Let me share with you one of my favorite quotes from the book. Jaslene and Maddie have some great conversations, but this one made me giggle out loud.
Jaslene was already twirling one of her long, dark ringlets and reading an article titled, Ten Things Your Guy Really Wants.
I pointed to the magazine, and said to Jaslene, "The answer is nine dumb girls and a double-bacon cheeseburger."
It's really the honesty in this book that allowed me to be so immersed in it. As I mentioned above, Dalya Moon gives her all her characters flaws. It makes them so much more realistic. Whether it's a hot boy, a best friend, or a popular girl turned mother, each character has their personality that shines off the page. I fell in love with each an every one of them, even as they drove me crazy with their decisions. Maddie learns a lot in this book, and it's all thanks to the author who allowed her to be so honest with the reader. Thanks for that Dalya!
So as you can plainly tell, I adored this book! One of my favorite things about discovering a particularly delicious self-published book, is that I get to scream it's praises to you, my dear followers. Practice Cake and Dalya Moon definitely fall into this category. I ate this book up. Great characters, fantastic story line, ample humor, it's all there! If you are looking for something light, sweet, but with a purpose, welcome to your next read.
The people who drift in and out of her life really craft the person Maddie is, and I can't explain enough how fantastic it all is. You'll just have to read for yourself. Maddie and her friends are constantly bickering and joking. Their personalities shine off the page. There isn't a single character in Practice Cake who isn't given the same love and attention as Maddie herself. They are all well formed and wonderfully flawed themselves. Jealousy, pettiness, it's all there in black and white.
My favorite part overall though? The humor! Let me share with you one of my favorite quotes from the book. Jaslene and Maddie have some great conversations, but this one made me giggle out loud.
Jaslene was already twirling one of her long, dark ringlets and reading an article titled, Ten Things Your Guy Really Wants.
I pointed to the magazine, and said to Jaslene, "The answer is nine dumb girls and a double-bacon cheeseburger."
It's really the honesty in this book that allowed me to be so immersed in it. As I mentioned above, Dalya Moon gives her all her characters flaws. It makes them so much more realistic. Whether it's a hot boy, a best friend, or a popular girl turned mother, each character has their personality that shines off the page. I fell in love with each an every one of them, even as they drove me crazy with their decisions. Maddie learns a lot in this book, and it's all thanks to the author who allowed her to be so honest with the reader. Thanks for that Dalya!
So as you can plainly tell, I adored this book! One of my favorite things about discovering a particularly delicious self-published book, is that I get to scream it's praises to you, my dear followers. Practice Cake and Dalya Moon definitely fall into this category. I ate this book up. Great characters, fantastic story line, ample humor, it's all there! If you are looking for something light, sweet, but with a purpose, welcome to your next read.
November 12, 2012
Brief summary:
Maddie, a recent high school graduate has taken a bakery assistant's job at Angelo's bakery. There she meets Drew, her hot colleague, who she can't help but flirt with despite already having a boyfriend. Pretty soon, though, things change. She's single, acting a little boy crazy and she's the star of a new reality show filming at her bakery. Over the course of book, Maddie learns about family, friendship and knowing herself.
Review:
This wasn't always an enjoyable read. On the surface this book is chick lit, but sometimes I really felt like Maddie had some serious issues in her life to deal with and was walking around with a lot of emotional baggage. Her character's sudden self realization at the end was good enough, but on some level felt like the author was just trying to tidily wrap things up. Also...this book felt mostly like a one character book to me. With the exception of Maddie's sister, I never really connected with the other characters.
Maddie, a recent high school graduate has taken a bakery assistant's job at Angelo's bakery. There she meets Drew, her hot colleague, who she can't help but flirt with despite already having a boyfriend. Pretty soon, though, things change. She's single, acting a little boy crazy and she's the star of a new reality show filming at her bakery. Over the course of book, Maddie learns about family, friendship and knowing herself.
Review:
This wasn't always an enjoyable read. On the surface this book is chick lit, but sometimes I really felt like Maddie had some serious issues in her life to deal with and was walking around with a lot of emotional baggage. Her character's sudden self realization at the end was good enough, but on some level felt like the author was just trying to tidily wrap things up. Also...this book felt mostly like a one character book to me. With the exception of Maddie's sister, I never really connected with the other characters.
October 1, 2012
See full review here!
3.5 stars
I received this book from the author, and here is my honest review:
I really enjoyed reading this one. I read it pretty quickly, and I was always looking forward to picking it back up. I loved the fact that the story wasn't thoroughly predictable and the characters weren't so typical and were very random. Maddie is a fun MC, and getting inside her head is certainly an adventure. She grows quite a bit during this novel, and it's a frustrating but fun journey.
Maddie is dating Parker at the beginning of this novel. He's heinous. He's the worst excuse of a boyfriend. While he doesn't physically hurt her, he's mean and oblivious. I absolutely HATED him. I was on the fence about Chloe, and Jaslene is fun but too jealous and irksome sometimes. Melanie, Maddie's sister, is a bit wishy-washy, especially with Snackboy, who is also heinous. (Does Dalya Moon hate men? lol) Jaslene's cousin, Hudson, is pretty adorable but mostly absent. And the bakery gang is just strange. Drew always made me suspicious. Echo and Angelo are completely opposites, and Echo isn't completely explained. Then they have Robin, their daughter, who only makes a couple appearances.
Soon after Maddie starts working at Angelo's Bakery, she comes up with a new cookie idea. It catches the attention of a TV crew and before she knows it, they're filming a TV show at the bakery. Her life gets turned upside down with that, and then there are the boys. I don't feel like the story gets flushed out all the way, but it's still very satisfying. I would definitely read more by this author, mostly because I loved the randomness and creativity of this contemp. novel. Her characters made me laugh a bunch of times, so it's easy to enjoy this novel.
3.5 stars
I received this book from the author, and here is my honest review:
I really enjoyed reading this one. I read it pretty quickly, and I was always looking forward to picking it back up. I loved the fact that the story wasn't thoroughly predictable and the characters weren't so typical and were very random. Maddie is a fun MC, and getting inside her head is certainly an adventure. She grows quite a bit during this novel, and it's a frustrating but fun journey.
Maddie is dating Parker at the beginning of this novel. He's heinous. He's the worst excuse of a boyfriend. While he doesn't physically hurt her, he's mean and oblivious. I absolutely HATED him. I was on the fence about Chloe, and Jaslene is fun but too jealous and irksome sometimes. Melanie, Maddie's sister, is a bit wishy-washy, especially with Snackboy, who is also heinous. (Does Dalya Moon hate men? lol) Jaslene's cousin, Hudson, is pretty adorable but mostly absent. And the bakery gang is just strange. Drew always made me suspicious. Echo and Angelo are completely opposites, and Echo isn't completely explained. Then they have Robin, their daughter, who only makes a couple appearances.
Soon after Maddie starts working at Angelo's Bakery, she comes up with a new cookie idea. It catches the attention of a TV crew and before she knows it, they're filming a TV show at the bakery. Her life gets turned upside down with that, and then there are the boys. I don't feel like the story gets flushed out all the way, but it's still very satisfying. I would definitely read more by this author, mostly because I loved the randomness and creativity of this contemp. novel. Her characters made me laugh a bunch of times, so it's easy to enjoy this novel.
December 15, 2011
Practice Cake is a feel good YA novel. The concept and the plot were a lot of fun. I rooted for Maddie throughout the story as she goes from not very sure of herself to assertive. The other characters? Not so much. It seems that every single person Maddie meets, with the exception of her male boss, is both mean and vain. They also don't seem believable as real people. Her friends are an actress and a fashion blogger. She goes clubbing with her boss's wife. Many of the side characters are one dimensional and stereotypical. We have the best friends who are always green with envy. The boyfriend who is a verbally abusive jerk. The boss's hot wife who finds pleasure getting away from her kid and husband to go clubbing and doesn't seem to be super happy in her marriage. The hot guy at work gives mixed signals. However, the reality show was fun and there was a lot going on in the book, so I never got bored. In the end, good triumphs and Maddie finds her career and decides what she's going to do with her life now that high school is over. Is the ending a little cliche and silly? Yes, but so it the whole book, so I saw it coming and I enjoyed the predictable ride yet inevitable happy ending. It was a cute YA read.
December 6, 2011
Another win for Author Dalya Moon!
This book was simply amazing!
Dalya Moon gives us a tale of a young woman who just graduated high school and is searching for something she wants to do in life. She gets a job at a bakery, and eventually, the bakery becomes the hot spot for a TV show. Things get complicated for Maddie as it does in real life. And this tale is a journey of discovery for Maddie.
As with real life, Maddie makes mistakes that seem to blow up in her face like always falling for the wrong guy, but isn't life like that? She was a completely relatable character. Some of what she went through, I experienced right after graduating. I think every young girl should read this book.
This book was simply amazing!
Dalya Moon gives us a tale of a young woman who just graduated high school and is searching for something she wants to do in life. She gets a job at a bakery, and eventually, the bakery becomes the hot spot for a TV show. Things get complicated for Maddie as it does in real life. And this tale is a journey of discovery for Maddie.
As with real life, Maddie makes mistakes that seem to blow up in her face like always falling for the wrong guy, but isn't life like that? She was a completely relatable character. Some of what she went through, I experienced right after graduating. I think every young girl should read this book.
July 30, 2020
There are some books that it is hard to find anything good to say about it other than at least it was over quickly. Practice Cake is one of those books. Fresh out of high school, Maddie ends up taking a job at a local bakery, balancing her time between her rich boyfriend, work, and her attractive coworker. New to the world of baking, Maddie tries her best to help the struggling bakery survive and winds up bringing a serial documentary TV show producer to the bakery. Reality TV, baking, and boy drama - nothing could go wrong here.
In this book, I was introduced to the phrase “what the fugly” and the swear word “shapoopie”. I think I could’ve gone my all life much happier, never having read such horrible things. As a whole, a lot of the dialogue was just out of place in a book for the characters. There’s a casting director who says “me likey” about a human being. I’d be more okay about that phrase if it was used facetiously about an inanimate object, but they’re really taking the male eye candy trope a bit far here. Maddie is supposedly 18, just graduated from high school, and yet she talks like how my friends and I talked in middle school. I can’t say I’ve ever heard people of this age talk the way they do, with all this random slang thrown in, questions written as statements, and cringey lines that hurt to read. There are lines of dialogue like “smoke break, come with”, and I don’t know who thought that was something anyone would ever say in real life and that it should be included in this book. Moon also wrote out laughter, as “heh”, “ha ha”, and so on, but not even sarcastically. I know I have said “ha ha” out loud before but always sarcastically. You’re not limited to so-and-so said this; your dialogue tag can include something about laughter so you don’t have to write it out because that’s just bad writing. It would be different if it was a text conversation, but this is an in person conversation between people in the book, more than once.
The characters are completely unrelatable and underdeveloped. Maddie has no plans for the future even though she just graduated high school. I understand not knowing what you want to do with your life after graduating, but she has absolutely no plans outside of not going to college. She’s taking a year off but to do what? At the time she decided to take the year off, she didn’t even have a decent enough job to make and save money. She’s never baked before, so she gets a job at a bakery immediately and then is thrown into making everything without anyone questioning her lack of knowledge and abilities? It doesn’t make sense. Then there’s Drew, Maddie’s hot coworker, who we know even less about. It’s hard to see a connection between them because all we know about him is that his last name is Drew, he has a roommate, and he wants to go to Australia. That’s it. Why’s he working at a bakery? Is he really this vain? Echo, one of Maddie’s bosses, has no problem getting underage girls and employees drunk and hooking up with younger male employees. She also has no qualms discussing her sex life with the younger employees. There’s so much wrong about this. Finally, there’s Jaslene: Maddie’s best friend (who she conveniently forgets about when asked about her friends) who wants to be an actress. At 18, she’s already getting into nude acting, and her only defining personality trait is jealousy of Maddie. I guess this is better than Maddie, who has no defining personality trait, but it’s not good by any means either.
The plot is just absolutely ridiculous. After two days at the bakery, Maddie has a new idea for a cookie: a doughnut cookie - all edge. Keep in mind that this is not a new cookie at all; it has been done before, and I highly doubt that it would instantly become their best selling product, with zero promotion. Then there’s self-conscious Maddie, convinced she��s not attractive, who has at least four guys interested in her (even though there’s no connection or chemistry between any of them). She just goes from guy to guy, who are all into her for sex, and doesn’t even say no. During one of her dates, the guy asks for a blow job in public, and she just laughs it off and continues on the date. This is not okay on so many levels. But then there’s the reality TV storyline. While the best friend wants to be the famous actress, Maddie is the one who ends up connecting with a TV producer at Jaslene’s audition. It just so happens that this producer is looking for a bakery for a new TV series, so of course it’s fate. Maddie, who has never expressed interest in acting, is obviously taken with the idea, and it’s greenlighted so quickly. The whole thing is just bad on so many levels, with them calling the producer Roxzilla, completely redesigning the bakery, cameras filming 24/7, and no one signing off on anything. There’s no contracts, no parental permission forms (since Maddie technically is underage, something that literally everybody forgets, including all of the bars), and so on. Maddie’s parents aren’t even in the picture, so I guess this is for the better.
I could keep going on about how bad this book was, but really I’m just grateful that it was relatively short and quick to read. Don’t put yourself through the trouble of reading Practice Cake; it is not worth it.
In this book, I was introduced to the phrase “what the fugly” and the swear word “shapoopie”. I think I could’ve gone my all life much happier, never having read such horrible things. As a whole, a lot of the dialogue was just out of place in a book for the characters. There’s a casting director who says “me likey” about a human being. I’d be more okay about that phrase if it was used facetiously about an inanimate object, but they’re really taking the male eye candy trope a bit far here. Maddie is supposedly 18, just graduated from high school, and yet she talks like how my friends and I talked in middle school. I can’t say I’ve ever heard people of this age talk the way they do, with all this random slang thrown in, questions written as statements, and cringey lines that hurt to read. There are lines of dialogue like “smoke break, come with”, and I don’t know who thought that was something anyone would ever say in real life and that it should be included in this book. Moon also wrote out laughter, as “heh”, “ha ha”, and so on, but not even sarcastically. I know I have said “ha ha” out loud before but always sarcastically. You’re not limited to so-and-so said this; your dialogue tag can include something about laughter so you don’t have to write it out because that’s just bad writing. It would be different if it was a text conversation, but this is an in person conversation between people in the book, more than once.
The characters are completely unrelatable and underdeveloped. Maddie has no plans for the future even though she just graduated high school. I understand not knowing what you want to do with your life after graduating, but she has absolutely no plans outside of not going to college. She’s taking a year off but to do what? At the time she decided to take the year off, she didn’t even have a decent enough job to make and save money. She’s never baked before, so she gets a job at a bakery immediately and then is thrown into making everything without anyone questioning her lack of knowledge and abilities? It doesn’t make sense. Then there’s Drew, Maddie’s hot coworker, who we know even less about. It’s hard to see a connection between them because all we know about him is that his last name is Drew, he has a roommate, and he wants to go to Australia. That’s it. Why’s he working at a bakery? Is he really this vain? Echo, one of Maddie’s bosses, has no problem getting underage girls and employees drunk and hooking up with younger male employees. She also has no qualms discussing her sex life with the younger employees. There’s so much wrong about this. Finally, there’s Jaslene: Maddie’s best friend (who she conveniently forgets about when asked about her friends) who wants to be an actress. At 18, she’s already getting into nude acting, and her only defining personality trait is jealousy of Maddie. I guess this is better than Maddie, who has no defining personality trait, but it’s not good by any means either.
The plot is just absolutely ridiculous. After two days at the bakery, Maddie has a new idea for a cookie: a doughnut cookie - all edge. Keep in mind that this is not a new cookie at all; it has been done before, and I highly doubt that it would instantly become their best selling product, with zero promotion. Then there’s self-conscious Maddie, convinced she��s not attractive, who has at least four guys interested in her (even though there’s no connection or chemistry between any of them). She just goes from guy to guy, who are all into her for sex, and doesn’t even say no. During one of her dates, the guy asks for a blow job in public, and she just laughs it off and continues on the date. This is not okay on so many levels. But then there’s the reality TV storyline. While the best friend wants to be the famous actress, Maddie is the one who ends up connecting with a TV producer at Jaslene’s audition. It just so happens that this producer is looking for a bakery for a new TV series, so of course it’s fate. Maddie, who has never expressed interest in acting, is obviously taken with the idea, and it’s greenlighted so quickly. The whole thing is just bad on so many levels, with them calling the producer Roxzilla, completely redesigning the bakery, cameras filming 24/7, and no one signing off on anything. There’s no contracts, no parental permission forms (since Maddie technically is underage, something that literally everybody forgets, including all of the bars), and so on. Maddie’s parents aren’t even in the picture, so I guess this is for the better.
I could keep going on about how bad this book was, but really I’m just grateful that it was relatively short and quick to read. Don’t put yourself through the trouble of reading Practice Cake; it is not worth it.
abandoned
September 6, 2020The following text before the book began helped me know this wasn’t for me:
Genre/Audience: YA to adult; Main character is 18.
Content Warning: Contains some swearing, underage drinking, talk of sex.
Synopsis: Set in Vancouver, Canada, during the summer of 2011. There’s one thing Maddie (18) finds more tempting than red velvet cake: her co-worker, Drew. All it takes is one of his sly winks or a playful hip-check by the sink, and she’s incinerating the cookies. Her boyfriend would not approve. When a reality TV crew descends upon the bakery, Maddie's "simple" summer job gets even more complicated. Who can Maddie turn to for advice? Her sister has terrible taste in boyfriends, so she’s out. Roxanne, the charismatic reality TV show producer, has some interesting opinions, but may be more interested in ratings. Maddie’s best friend keeps pushing her cousin Hudson, a guy who thinks he’s too cool for entry-level jobs, but makes origami. Come on. Origami?
Genre/Audience: YA to adult; Main character is 18.
Content Warning: Contains some swearing, underage drinking, talk of sex.
Synopsis: Set in Vancouver, Canada, during the summer of 2011. There’s one thing Maddie (18) finds more tempting than red velvet cake: her co-worker, Drew. All it takes is one of his sly winks or a playful hip-check by the sink, and she’s incinerating the cookies. Her boyfriend would not approve. When a reality TV crew descends upon the bakery, Maddie's "simple" summer job gets even more complicated. Who can Maddie turn to for advice? Her sister has terrible taste in boyfriends, so she’s out. Roxanne, the charismatic reality TV show producer, has some interesting opinions, but may be more interested in ratings. Maddie’s best friend keeps pushing her cousin Hudson, a guy who thinks he’s too cool for entry-level jobs, but makes origami. Come on. Origami?
September 14, 2015
I really liked this book. It was funny, had a very authentic voice, and was very well-written. Full review to come.
Full review:
Confession: I used to really enjoy reading contemporary women's lit, but then I gave up on it. There was a golden age of romantic comedies and contemporary women's lit where the stories were great, the heroines were admirable even with their flaws, and the heroes were worth a woman's notice. Nowadays, not so much. Maybe I'm just not seeing the right movies or reading the right books, I don't know. What I do know is that every time I do give a rom com a try or I read a new contemporary woman's books, I am assaulted by how vapid and shallow they are. I was thrilled to read this book and find that, yes, there are still writers out there who are writing really, really good fiction about the everyday lives of women. Some minor spoilers to follow, including a little hinting about the ending, though I won't give it away entirely.
One of the major things that kept me hooked on this book was how real it felt. Maddie's voice is so authentic. It genuinely felt like I was seeing what was going on inside her head. She was sometimes contradictory, sometimes exasperating, but she always felt like a genuine, thinking woman. I could really identify with her struggles as she flails a bit through her life because, really, who hasn't ever felt that way? I liked the way she expressed her insecurities, and I especially loved that, though she sometimes couldn't avoid succumbing to them, she always ended up being true to herself. I feel like this is a quality in short supply in some of the new books and movies of this genre. I loved that this book understood that going through a transformation doesn't mean that Maddie becomes a completely different person, it means that she gains more insight into herself and her actions, and she learns how to react in a more constructive way.
I also really enjoyed the humor in this book. There are some lines that are just so priceless, and there are some pretty outrageous situations, but they never felt over-the-top ridiculous. I particularly loved the bungee jump scene. I could perfectly picture it in my head. The dialog also lent a lot to the humor, and I thought that the back and forth between the characters felt like something I'd see in real life.
Another really strong aspect of this book is the relationships between female characters--and they have actual relationships! Yes, sometimes their love lives do influence their relationships with one another, but the friendships don't revolve around the characters' relationship antics. Though some of the tension between Maddie and her sister is caused by Melanie's relationship with her boyfriend, there is still plenty of meat to their relationship. Melanie is impatient with Maddie because she thinks Maddie is just drifting aimlessly through life, and Maddie is upset with Melanie because she thinks Melanie is being a nag and refusing to see what it is Maddie really wants out of life. Couple this with Maddie's complex relationships with her female friends--and particularly her relationship with Jaslene, which has sharp edges caused by career jealousies, and you have a book where female characters have actual friendships rather than using each other as free therapists for their romantic woes. I really loved reading Maddie's and Jaslene's interactions because they felt so genuine.
Most of all, what I loved about this book was the way romance was handled. It's pretty clear early on that Maddie doesn't really know how she ought to be treated in a relationship. She takes her own insecurities and uses them as support for why she shouldn't expect more than a boyfriend who mocks the choices she makes, or a guy who is just using her for his own convenience. Maddie drifts for a while, but she ultimately makes the decision to demand more out of her romantic relationships, and I loved this. It irritates me how many books targeted at grown women and young women portray unequal, unhealthy, and sometimes downright dangerous relationships between a man and a woman and try to color them as romance. I cannot praise this book enough for having a heroine who has enough self-respect to decide that she requires a relationship in which she not only gives, she takes. That, dear reader, is what a healthy romantic relationship ought to look like.
This is a really great book. It's well-written, it's fresh, and it packs a lot in its pages without feeling like it's being bogged down. The characters are well drawn, and the setting is vivid, yet the plot moves along nicely. It was so satisfying to find a book that has all the elements that make a book really stand out for me. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.
Full review:
Confession: I used to really enjoy reading contemporary women's lit, but then I gave up on it. There was a golden age of romantic comedies and contemporary women's lit where the stories were great, the heroines were admirable even with their flaws, and the heroes were worth a woman's notice. Nowadays, not so much. Maybe I'm just not seeing the right movies or reading the right books, I don't know. What I do know is that every time I do give a rom com a try or I read a new contemporary woman's books, I am assaulted by how vapid and shallow they are. I was thrilled to read this book and find that, yes, there are still writers out there who are writing really, really good fiction about the everyday lives of women. Some minor spoilers to follow, including a little hinting about the ending, though I won't give it away entirely.
One of the major things that kept me hooked on this book was how real it felt. Maddie's voice is so authentic. It genuinely felt like I was seeing what was going on inside her head. She was sometimes contradictory, sometimes exasperating, but she always felt like a genuine, thinking woman. I could really identify with her struggles as she flails a bit through her life because, really, who hasn't ever felt that way? I liked the way she expressed her insecurities, and I especially loved that, though she sometimes couldn't avoid succumbing to them, she always ended up being true to herself. I feel like this is a quality in short supply in some of the new books and movies of this genre. I loved that this book understood that going through a transformation doesn't mean that Maddie becomes a completely different person, it means that she gains more insight into herself and her actions, and she learns how to react in a more constructive way.
I also really enjoyed the humor in this book. There are some lines that are just so priceless, and there are some pretty outrageous situations, but they never felt over-the-top ridiculous. I particularly loved the bungee jump scene. I could perfectly picture it in my head. The dialog also lent a lot to the humor, and I thought that the back and forth between the characters felt like something I'd see in real life.
Another really strong aspect of this book is the relationships between female characters--and they have actual relationships! Yes, sometimes their love lives do influence their relationships with one another, but the friendships don't revolve around the characters' relationship antics. Though some of the tension between Maddie and her sister is caused by Melanie's relationship with her boyfriend, there is still plenty of meat to their relationship. Melanie is impatient with Maddie because she thinks Maddie is just drifting aimlessly through life, and Maddie is upset with Melanie because she thinks Melanie is being a nag and refusing to see what it is Maddie really wants out of life. Couple this with Maddie's complex relationships with her female friends--and particularly her relationship with Jaslene, which has sharp edges caused by career jealousies, and you have a book where female characters have actual friendships rather than using each other as free therapists for their romantic woes. I really loved reading Maddie's and Jaslene's interactions because they felt so genuine.
Most of all, what I loved about this book was the way romance was handled. It's pretty clear early on that Maddie doesn't really know how she ought to be treated in a relationship. She takes her own insecurities and uses them as support for why she shouldn't expect more than a boyfriend who mocks the choices she makes, or a guy who is just using her for his own convenience. Maddie drifts for a while, but she ultimately makes the decision to demand more out of her romantic relationships, and I loved this. It irritates me how many books targeted at grown women and young women portray unequal, unhealthy, and sometimes downright dangerous relationships between a man and a woman and try to color them as romance. I cannot praise this book enough for having a heroine who has enough self-respect to decide that she requires a relationship in which she not only gives, she takes. That, dear reader, is what a healthy romantic relationship ought to look like.
This is a really great book. It's well-written, it's fresh, and it packs a lot in its pages without feeling like it's being bogged down. The characters are well drawn, and the setting is vivid, yet the plot moves along nicely. It was so satisfying to find a book that has all the elements that make a book really stand out for me. I can hardly wait to read the next book in the series.
Read
December 21, 2015Title Thoughts: It's perfect.
Cover Thoughts: I think it is adorable and it makes me think of the flowers Maddie had to put on a cake.
If you are a friend of mine on Goodreads, then you know one thing that I loved about this book was how I could relate to it simply because of the depiction of real events. An example would be that the Canucks losing the Stanley Cup and going bonkers. There were riots and everything. Maddie experiences the side effects of that in this book and I thought it was cool that I was able to experience what happened in Vancouver with her. It was as if I was there and experienced it first hand. I loved feeling as if I was walking among the pages and being with these characters.
Moon did a job well done on this book. Maddie is a girl who is just trying to figure out her life. She wants to take a break from school and work for a while, but her sister thinks she should go ahead to school. I can definitely relate to how Maddie feels about this. My best friend's mom shares the same view as her sister. That if you don't go ahead to college, you might never go. Anyways, I'm glad that it was revealed why the sisters were living on their own. I kept wondering and finally, it was revealed. It was a bit of a shocker, but I could understand it. I do wish Moon had went more in depth with that back story, because I enjoyed the characters and would like to know.
I was very happy with the way Moon interacted the characters. I was interested in every character, even the minor ones, and Moon showed us a piece of each of their lives. It made me feel as if I got to know everyone better, instead of the main characters.
Addict's Last Words: Practice Cake is an enjoyable read that I would recommend. I will be reading more of Moon's work.
To Buy or To Borrow: I enjoyed it too much and therefore, it is a buy!
Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided for me by author. No payment was recieved by me in exchange for this review. There was not any obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist, or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Cover Thoughts: I think it is adorable and it makes me think of the flowers Maddie had to put on a cake.
If you are a friend of mine on Goodreads, then you know one thing that I loved about this book was how I could relate to it simply because of the depiction of real events. An example would be that the Canucks losing the Stanley Cup and going bonkers. There were riots and everything. Maddie experiences the side effects of that in this book and I thought it was cool that I was able to experience what happened in Vancouver with her. It was as if I was there and experienced it first hand. I loved feeling as if I was walking among the pages and being with these characters.
Moon did a job well done on this book. Maddie is a girl who is just trying to figure out her life. She wants to take a break from school and work for a while, but her sister thinks she should go ahead to school. I can definitely relate to how Maddie feels about this. My best friend's mom shares the same view as her sister. That if you don't go ahead to college, you might never go. Anyways, I'm glad that it was revealed why the sisters were living on their own. I kept wondering and finally, it was revealed. It was a bit of a shocker, but I could understand it. I do wish Moon had went more in depth with that back story, because I enjoyed the characters and would like to know.
I was very happy with the way Moon interacted the characters. I was interested in every character, even the minor ones, and Moon showed us a piece of each of their lives. It made me feel as if I got to know everyone better, instead of the main characters.
Addict's Last Words: Practice Cake is an enjoyable read that I would recommend. I will be reading more of Moon's work.
To Buy or To Borrow: I enjoyed it too much and therefore, it is a buy!
Disclosure: A copy of this book was provided for me by author. No payment was recieved by me in exchange for this review. There was not any obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely mine and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, the book's publisher and publicist, or the readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
August 1, 2013
3.5~
originally posted here: http://alwayslostinbooks.wordpress.co...
This is the most accurate line in the synopsis: “Chock full of imperfect people behaving badly, Practice Cake is for readers who enjoy a good laugh.” I think that pretty much explains what one should expect to find in this book. Everyone’s pretty messed up.
Maddie’s group of friends don’t treat each other right. They were all being judgmental and uncaring towards each other that I wonder how they’re even really friends. Maddie doesn’t live with her parents, but her sister, Melanie, acts like her mother when she took Maddie in to live with her. She’s a dental hygienist and she pushes Maddie to also take up this career. Her boss’s supposedly perfect family that they wanted to promote in the TV show wasn’t so perfect after all. And worst of all, this book was full of detestable men who mistreat women. Bad boys will always be bad boys?
That’s a lot to deal with along with Maddie’s personal drama. She doesn’t have her life figured out. After high school, her only goal was to earn enough money to buy a Beetle. She has a very low self-esteem that she lashes out on other people, mostly in her mind though. She acts very judgmental. But she’s not all bad. She was also ambitious for the bakery shop. That’s why she considered being on TV, and she also worked hard to create new products.
Reading this book definitely made me hungry. I think anyone would be hungry when a book revolves around food. This also made me want to bake, even though I’m not that good at it. Also, there was one point where Maddie just kept on eating, and I was just so jealous. I want cupcakes!
Some of the problems that I encountered with Practice Cake is that the romance wasn’t properly built up so it felt lacking. I wasn’t able to feel the love. Also, I feel like there were too many things going on that a lot of the elements of the story were not properly tied up together. I think that some things just didn’t add up.
I think that it’s a good sign that I finished this book in one sitting. I don’t think I fell in love with any of the characters, and there was some drama I didn’t really care much for. However, this book is funny and entertaining, and there were a couple of good lines so it was enjoyable enough. This is more of a 3.5 for me~
originally posted here: http://alwayslostinbooks.wordpress.co...
This is the most accurate line in the synopsis: “Chock full of imperfect people behaving badly, Practice Cake is for readers who enjoy a good laugh.” I think that pretty much explains what one should expect to find in this book. Everyone’s pretty messed up.
Maddie’s group of friends don’t treat each other right. They were all being judgmental and uncaring towards each other that I wonder how they’re even really friends. Maddie doesn’t live with her parents, but her sister, Melanie, acts like her mother when she took Maddie in to live with her. She’s a dental hygienist and she pushes Maddie to also take up this career. Her boss’s supposedly perfect family that they wanted to promote in the TV show wasn’t so perfect after all. And worst of all, this book was full of detestable men who mistreat women. Bad boys will always be bad boys?
That’s a lot to deal with along with Maddie’s personal drama. She doesn’t have her life figured out. After high school, her only goal was to earn enough money to buy a Beetle. She has a very low self-esteem that she lashes out on other people, mostly in her mind though. She acts very judgmental. But she’s not all bad. She was also ambitious for the bakery shop. That’s why she considered being on TV, and she also worked hard to create new products.
Reading this book definitely made me hungry. I think anyone would be hungry when a book revolves around food. This also made me want to bake, even though I’m not that good at it. Also, there was one point where Maddie just kept on eating, and I was just so jealous. I want cupcakes!
Some of the problems that I encountered with Practice Cake is that the romance wasn’t properly built up so it felt lacking. I wasn’t able to feel the love. Also, I feel like there were too many things going on that a lot of the elements of the story were not properly tied up together. I think that some things just didn’t add up.
I think that it’s a good sign that I finished this book in one sitting. I don’t think I fell in love with any of the characters, and there was some drama I didn’t really care much for. However, this book is funny and entertaining, and there were a couple of good lines so it was enjoyable enough. This is more of a 3.5 for me~
November 27, 2011
Originally posted on These Pretty Words.
I really wanted to love this book. I gave it more than a fair shake considering I was ready to flounce at chapter four, but I held on until the end because the author is such a sweetie. Unfortunately the story never really grabbed onto me. I loved Maddie – she's funny, brazen, a little blunt, a lotta snarky –but in my opinion the other characters were written without clear characterizations. There were many moments throughout the book where I had to double back and reread to be able to figure out who was doing what. That really pulled me out of the story and frustrated me as a reader.
I also didn't feel a strong draw to any of the three boys in Maddie's life. I didn't swoon over any one of them, even though I wanted to. And the girls around her? There were times when I wanted to throw my Nook across the room because of how her friends and sister were behaving. I will admit that Maddie's wit was quite a treat. There were many moments when my husband came to check what I was doing because he heard me giggling away during a particularly good section of dialogue.
I was also very impressed with some of the scenes Dalya described. One in particular is an evening of drinking and dancing for the underage Maddie. While most authors tend to tell the reader how much their character drank and how 'wobbly' they felt, Dalya was able to write a scene from the point of view of a tipsy eighteen year old that made me give my tea the sniff test to make sure I hadn't poured in any Bailey's. The lady knows how to write good drunkenness.
In the end, I liked the book but didn't fall in love with it. The basic premise of Practice Cake is intriguing (reality TV baking show? YES!) so give it a go if you think you might enjoy it. If it helps, I would recommend this book to someone looking for a light, fun read with a snarky leading lady. I've already recommended it to a few friends who I think will enjoy it, flaws and all.
I really wanted to love this book. I gave it more than a fair shake considering I was ready to flounce at chapter four, but I held on until the end because the author is such a sweetie. Unfortunately the story never really grabbed onto me. I loved Maddie – she's funny, brazen, a little blunt, a lotta snarky –but in my opinion the other characters were written without clear characterizations. There were many moments throughout the book where I had to double back and reread to be able to figure out who was doing what. That really pulled me out of the story and frustrated me as a reader.
I also didn't feel a strong draw to any of the three boys in Maddie's life. I didn't swoon over any one of them, even though I wanted to. And the girls around her? There were times when I wanted to throw my Nook across the room because of how her friends and sister were behaving. I will admit that Maddie's wit was quite a treat. There were many moments when my husband came to check what I was doing because he heard me giggling away during a particularly good section of dialogue.
I was also very impressed with some of the scenes Dalya described. One in particular is an evening of drinking and dancing for the underage Maddie. While most authors tend to tell the reader how much their character drank and how 'wobbly' they felt, Dalya was able to write a scene from the point of view of a tipsy eighteen year old that made me give my tea the sniff test to make sure I hadn't poured in any Bailey's. The lady knows how to write good drunkenness.
In the end, I liked the book but didn't fall in love with it. The basic premise of Practice Cake is intriguing (reality TV baking show? YES!) so give it a go if you think you might enjoy it. If it helps, I would recommend this book to someone looking for a light, fun read with a snarky leading lady. I've already recommended it to a few friends who I think will enjoy it, flaws and all.
November 2, 2012
*sigh* I have always been a star girl here in goodreads and I'm sad to let go of that status... If it isn't for the reading challenge I created, I wouldn't be writing a review at all. Anyway, here it goes:
Practice Cake is a light and fun summer read. The story was slow and a little predictable but it was a good read.
Maddie (Madeleine) applied for a summer job as an assistant baker for Angelo's, there she met her co-worker Drew, whom she started crushing on. But Maddie have a boyfriend! Parker is her high school boyfriend and she planned on marrying him. Things gets a little more complicated when Maddie was accidentally scouted for a baking show while she was accompanying her bestfriend Jaslene for her audition. Now, her bestfriend isn't talking to her, her sister gets back with her hockey rioter ex- boyfriend and Maddie gets dumped by Parker after their bungee jump! Few weeks later, Parker updates his relationship status in Facebook stating that his in relationship, and guess what? Parker is dating her friend Chloe. Only Angelo's Bakery is keeping her sane, but her solace found in the bakery is now threatened by Roxzilla and her film crew for the baking show gig. How did Maddie's life became so complicated over the summer? All she wanted was to earn some money to buy her dream car and bake. Now, she's boyfriendless and miserable, will she fight or flight?
I wasn't expecting much when I picked Practice Cake because I'm not really into chick literature, but I did enjoy the humor in this book! Maddie's spoiler alerts and her life's crappy events made me laugh. The girl just couldn't get a break, poor Maddie. I really liked the characters in this book, especially Maddie. She's flawed and easy to relate to. At her age, making mistakes about career and relationships are inevitable. Anyway, I'm glad that she didn't leave for Australia with the man-whore Drew! She finally got her Beetle and might have a happy ever after with Jaslene's cousin Hudson. Oh and Bakery Confidential was picked up for another season with full thirteen episodes! Good Job Maddie! =p
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 3, 2011
Practice Cake not only talks about baking, or cookies recipes, but also talks about problems that normal people can affront in their life. Maddie is a normal young girl, who lives with her sister, she has a boyfriend that doesn't understand why she is working at a bakery, he doesn't like her new job, and every single opportunity he has he lets her know his opinion. But she loves her job, is tiring, but she likes it, specially her co-worker, Drew. Is in that moment when everything gets a little bit more complicated.
Dalya Moon never disappoints me. Not only her writing style is amazing, but also her stories are wonderful. First she introduced me Charlie, a really sweet girl, but at the same time, very strong and brave.( Her first book) And now, she comes with another lovely story full of incredible characters and real life situations. Maddie is, like I said before, like any girl. She can be your neighbor, a friend of yours, or just like you. She have her worries, her problems, and her necessities, and just for that reason, for been so real, is why I like her so much. Even though the story focus in Maddie, it also talks about the people around her, like for example, her sister and her problems, her boyfriend, her best friend and how she feels and how she behaves when she thinks that Maddie is affecting her career and of course, about Drew. Is he the enchanted prince Maddie is waiting for?
This book is really enjoyable. It caught my attention from the very first line and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I love Dalya Moon's writing and I think that I will love every book she writes. Her stories are always sweet, with a touch of reality, with really well developed characters that stay a little bit more in your mind after you've finished reading the book.
So, the only thing I can do is recommend you to read this wonderful book, because I know you'll like it as much I do.
Happy Reading!
Dalya Moon never disappoints me. Not only her writing style is amazing, but also her stories are wonderful. First she introduced me Charlie, a really sweet girl, but at the same time, very strong and brave.( Her first book) And now, she comes with another lovely story full of incredible characters and real life situations. Maddie is, like I said before, like any girl. She can be your neighbor, a friend of yours, or just like you. She have her worries, her problems, and her necessities, and just for that reason, for been so real, is why I like her so much. Even though the story focus in Maddie, it also talks about the people around her, like for example, her sister and her problems, her boyfriend, her best friend and how she feels and how she behaves when she thinks that Maddie is affecting her career and of course, about Drew. Is he the enchanted prince Maddie is waiting for?
This book is really enjoyable. It caught my attention from the very first line and I couldn't put it down until I finished. I love Dalya Moon's writing and I think that I will love every book she writes. Her stories are always sweet, with a touch of reality, with really well developed characters that stay a little bit more in your mind after you've finished reading the book.
So, the only thing I can do is recommend you to read this wonderful book, because I know you'll like it as much I do.
Happy Reading!
December 22, 2011
First I would like to thank the author, Dalya Moon, for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book. I'm so glad I requested a copy because I really enjoyed reading it!
Practice Cake proved to be a cute, delightful and enjoyable read. The story flows really well and I didn't find myself getting bored with it once. This book is also very well-balanced; with the right amount of humor, heartache and serious dilemmas. There is also a wide range of characters that are woven into the plot and you'll find yourself wanting to either smack some of them or laugh with them. I admit that going into it I thought the plot was going to be pretty predictable, but I was completely wrong and was pleasantly surprised by things that went in directions I wasn't expecting.
The female protagonist, Maddie, was extremely entertaining and had me chuckling several times. This is a girl that I would love to be friends with! She's extremely ambitious, despite what some of her family and friends say, and she's a very strong individual. Maddie is also very relatable; with very real family problems and boy trouble (speaking of boy trouble, her dating misadventures were quite comical!!). Her sister, Melanie, was one of my favorite characters. I envied their bond and got a kick out of their banter. I also liked Maddie's best friend, Jaslene. She could be a bit passive-aggressive at times but overall her presence complimented Maddie well.
The bakery where Maddie works is an interesting setting, especially when you combine the reality t.v. crew that wouldn't be there if it wasn't for her. Despite all of the drama going on in that place, it seemed like a fun place to work. There was definitely never a dull moment where Maddie was concerned.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, real and satisfying read filled with unexpected laughs-- you won't be disappointed!
My reviews can also be found at: http://escapingwithfiction.blogspot.com/
Practice Cake proved to be a cute, delightful and enjoyable read. The story flows really well and I didn't find myself getting bored with it once. This book is also very well-balanced; with the right amount of humor, heartache and serious dilemmas. There is also a wide range of characters that are woven into the plot and you'll find yourself wanting to either smack some of them or laugh with them. I admit that going into it I thought the plot was going to be pretty predictable, but I was completely wrong and was pleasantly surprised by things that went in directions I wasn't expecting.
The female protagonist, Maddie, was extremely entertaining and had me chuckling several times. This is a girl that I would love to be friends with! She's extremely ambitious, despite what some of her family and friends say, and she's a very strong individual. Maddie is also very relatable; with very real family problems and boy trouble (speaking of boy trouble, her dating misadventures were quite comical!!). Her sister, Melanie, was one of my favorite characters. I envied their bond and got a kick out of their banter. I also liked Maddie's best friend, Jaslene. She could be a bit passive-aggressive at times but overall her presence complimented Maddie well.
The bakery where Maddie works is an interesting setting, especially when you combine the reality t.v. crew that wouldn't be there if it wasn't for her. Despite all of the drama going on in that place, it seemed like a fun place to work. There was definitely never a dull moment where Maddie was concerned.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, real and satisfying read filled with unexpected laughs-- you won't be disappointed!
My reviews can also be found at: http://escapingwithfiction.blogspot.com/
December 10, 2011
In Practice Cake by Dalya Moon, Maddie is in her last weeks of high school, when she takes a job at a local bakery. Her first day at the bakery is a disaster, when her new co-worker Drew distracts her. Drew is gorgeous, and Maddie develops a crush, the problem being her boyfriend Parker. It does not help matters that her best friend, Jaslene, does not like Parker at all. Parker also does not approve of her taking a lowly job on being a baker’s assistant.
In the beginning of Practice Cake, the bakery Maddie works for is not doing extremely well. After hearing a large chain bakery store was moving in a few blocks down, Maddie is determined to come up with a unique idea to attract new customers, and save the bakery. Coming up with this new baked good, attracts the attention of the Bakery Network. They want to film a reality TV show at the bakery where Maddie works, and make Maddie the star. While Maddie is nervous about being on TV, she knows if it goes well it could save the bakery. Maddie grows closer to Drew, and further away from Parker.
I really enjoyed read Practice Cake, The whole story, Maddie struggles trying to save the bakery, dealing with friends and family, and her feelings with Drew. At times, her friend, Jaslene, gets jealous, because of the reality show. Maddie is a very relatable character, and I really felt for her when things did not go her way. I have not really read a contemporary book in a while, so it was great to escape into Practice Cake.
I think anyone enjoys a good contemporary book would enjoy Practice Cake. This book is geared towards a YA audience, with underage drinking preferably an older YA audience. Thank you Dalya for letting me read your amazing novel! I truly enjoyed Practice Cake!
**Unabridged Bookshelf recived this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
In the beginning of Practice Cake, the bakery Maddie works for is not doing extremely well. After hearing a large chain bakery store was moving in a few blocks down, Maddie is determined to come up with a unique idea to attract new customers, and save the bakery. Coming up with this new baked good, attracts the attention of the Bakery Network. They want to film a reality TV show at the bakery where Maddie works, and make Maddie the star. While Maddie is nervous about being on TV, she knows if it goes well it could save the bakery. Maddie grows closer to Drew, and further away from Parker.
I really enjoyed read Practice Cake, The whole story, Maddie struggles trying to save the bakery, dealing with friends and family, and her feelings with Drew. At times, her friend, Jaslene, gets jealous, because of the reality show. Maddie is a very relatable character, and I really felt for her when things did not go her way. I have not really read a contemporary book in a while, so it was great to escape into Practice Cake.
I think anyone enjoys a good contemporary book would enjoy Practice Cake. This book is geared towards a YA audience, with underage drinking preferably an older YA audience. Thank you Dalya for letting me read your amazing novel! I truly enjoyed Practice Cake!
**Unabridged Bookshelf recived this book from the author in exchange for an honest review**
February 5, 2012
First off, I must admit that this is certainly not my genre of choice. However, as I have said before, I think it is good to go outside your comfort zone once in awhile.
Practice Cake sounded like a cute, quick read and the author is from Canada! Thus, I agreed to take it on for review. Sadly, it did not deliver for me. While the storyline would have made for a quick, fun read, the writing lacked in most areas. I am assuming this book is being pushed out as a YA Contemporary as the main character, Maddie, is a young 18 year old girl fresh out of High School. However, through most of the book I found her to be much younger. This one is hard to classify for me. I think it would be more enjoyable to a younger teen, but there is some subject matter that is more suited to an older teen.
I also had some difficulty with the slang used throughout the book. Maybe coming from an Adult prospective has tainted my opinion, but I just found it annoying.
Overall, I just had a very hard time connecting to these characters. I also had a hard time with the pacing and flow in general. I found myself turning back the pages to see if I had missed something. I kept thinking that perhaps Maddie had ADD or something of that nature. I just found the dialogue and scenes bouncing around too much and did not flow with any normalcy.
I must admit, however, that author, Dalya Moon, redeemed herself in the final chapter. It was wonderfully written. The pacing, the internal dialogue and just the general depth of characterisation was spot on. This final chapter was so well written that I have no doubt that Dalya Moon's next book will only get better.
In the end? While this may have not been my cup of tea, I am sure someone out there would enjoy this nice light read. However, if YA Contemporary is not your thing? You may want to pass on this one.
Practice Cake sounded like a cute, quick read and the author is from Canada! Thus, I agreed to take it on for review. Sadly, it did not deliver for me. While the storyline would have made for a quick, fun read, the writing lacked in most areas. I am assuming this book is being pushed out as a YA Contemporary as the main character, Maddie, is a young 18 year old girl fresh out of High School. However, through most of the book I found her to be much younger. This one is hard to classify for me. I think it would be more enjoyable to a younger teen, but there is some subject matter that is more suited to an older teen.
I also had some difficulty with the slang used throughout the book. Maybe coming from an Adult prospective has tainted my opinion, but I just found it annoying.
Overall, I just had a very hard time connecting to these characters. I also had a hard time with the pacing and flow in general. I found myself turning back the pages to see if I had missed something. I kept thinking that perhaps Maddie had ADD or something of that nature. I just found the dialogue and scenes bouncing around too much and did not flow with any normalcy.
I must admit, however, that author, Dalya Moon, redeemed herself in the final chapter. It was wonderfully written. The pacing, the internal dialogue and just the general depth of characterisation was spot on. This final chapter was so well written that I have no doubt that Dalya Moon's next book will only get better.
In the end? While this may have not been my cup of tea, I am sure someone out there would enjoy this nice light read. However, if YA Contemporary is not your thing? You may want to pass on this one.
November 17, 2011
Near the very end of this book, all that Maddie has gone through comes into a brilliant focus with this clear line:
"The world is full of people who are willing to use you, and they aren't always who they seem."
I barely learned this lesson only a few years ago, and I daresay that some never learn it. What Ms. Moon has wrought with "Practice Cake" is a beautiful novel for young women everywhere by giving voice to a protagonist called Maddie who seems to meet all the wrong men.
At first, I was annoyed with Maddie. She didn't seem to have any spine at all. She was a tumbleweed, a victim that things happened to, and she rarely took charge of her life. Instead events just happened to her and she seemed entirely out of control of her own decisions even when they came to something as large as moving to Australia with a man that she hardly knew.
But Ms. Moon also gives Maddie great strength. And this comes full circle in the end when Maddie learns to pay attention to that voice inside. The last few chapters of this book turn this novel into more than just a slice-of-life story about a girl that works in a bakery. Ms. Moon sticks the ending as solid as a gold-medal figure skater can perform a quad.
In "Practice Cake" Maddie grows as a person and the journey is filled with great lines, whimsy, and the voice of a girl that is leaving her teen years behind and becoming a young woman. And in the end, Maddie realizes that family has got her back and that the man of her dreams is right there in front of her (and has been almost the whole time). All she needed to do is say "I choose the car" and just like in a game show, what's behind door number 2 becomes "the road less traveled by and it makes all the difference". And to boot, he smells like sunshine. :)
"The world is full of people who are willing to use you, and they aren't always who they seem."
I barely learned this lesson only a few years ago, and I daresay that some never learn it. What Ms. Moon has wrought with "Practice Cake" is a beautiful novel for young women everywhere by giving voice to a protagonist called Maddie who seems to meet all the wrong men.
At first, I was annoyed with Maddie. She didn't seem to have any spine at all. She was a tumbleweed, a victim that things happened to, and she rarely took charge of her life. Instead events just happened to her and she seemed entirely out of control of her own decisions even when they came to something as large as moving to Australia with a man that she hardly knew.
But Ms. Moon also gives Maddie great strength. And this comes full circle in the end when Maddie learns to pay attention to that voice inside. The last few chapters of this book turn this novel into more than just a slice-of-life story about a girl that works in a bakery. Ms. Moon sticks the ending as solid as a gold-medal figure skater can perform a quad.
In "Practice Cake" Maddie grows as a person and the journey is filled with great lines, whimsy, and the voice of a girl that is leaving her teen years behind and becoming a young woman. And in the end, Maddie realizes that family has got her back and that the man of her dreams is right there in front of her (and has been almost the whole time). All she needed to do is say "I choose the car" and just like in a game show, what's behind door number 2 becomes "the road less traveled by and it makes all the difference". And to boot, he smells like sunshine. :)
March 21, 2012
Moon has created a hilarious novel; she’s a wonderful storyteller, capturing the reader’s attention from the very beginning with her true to life characters and their amusing circumstances. Practice Cake is about Maddie’s struggles—a coming of age story, if you will—in which she has to deal with a controlling boyfriend, a crazy job, her sister and her sister’s unfaithful boyfriend, and an unhelpful egotistical friend, all while taking part in a reality TV show that begins to consume her life. I spent much of the novel scoffing as I read, especially as Maddie tells it like it is, without sugar coating anything. She’s a fresh and intriguing main character and I really enjoyed her.
Drew is also a very interesting character. He’s aloof and sexy, yet his secret is a bit overpowering and may change the readers perceptions of him upon completion of the novel. At least, it did for me. Moon does a wonderful job fleshing him out and making the reader interested, but also cautious of his presence, adding a bit of suspense as the plot unfolds. And yet, while Drew is a constant presence throughout the novel, the giant leap the synopsis touches upon above, concerning Drew and Maddie’s escape to Australia, really isn’t expanded upon until the very end of the novel. This causes the reader to continue to turn the pages in rapid succession as he/she desires to know the truth about Drew, and even though most of the focus of the novel is actually on Maddie as she attempts to survive her day-to-day life, Moon has set up her novel to quickly intrigue and captivate her readers...
To see my full review upon release (3/22/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
Drew is also a very interesting character. He’s aloof and sexy, yet his secret is a bit overpowering and may change the readers perceptions of him upon completion of the novel. At least, it did for me. Moon does a wonderful job fleshing him out and making the reader interested, but also cautious of his presence, adding a bit of suspense as the plot unfolds. And yet, while Drew is a constant presence throughout the novel, the giant leap the synopsis touches upon above, concerning Drew and Maddie’s escape to Australia, really isn’t expanded upon until the very end of the novel. This causes the reader to continue to turn the pages in rapid succession as he/she desires to know the truth about Drew, and even though most of the focus of the novel is actually on Maddie as she attempts to survive her day-to-day life, Moon has set up her novel to quickly intrigue and captivate her readers...
To see my full review upon release (3/22/12):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
August 1, 2013
3.5 stars, rounding up. Character complexity you don't often find in romantic-comedy, which I enjoyed! They are not all likable characters, but I don't prefer perfect people in my fiction anyway. Most of them are interesting, though if you're looking for a romantic lead, you will likely not find one you can swoon over (consistently). Later you'll realize why -- this book is more a coming-of-age story than it is a romance, though it does have a happy ending for our dear Maddie.
The plot is unfocused in the beginning, but eventually finds its footing as Maddie tackles some of the immense coming-of-age hurdles of becoming a fully capable adult, such as learning whom to trust, earning her own money, being responsible for her own decisions and their consequences, and learning to trust her instincts. The characters are eighteen year-olds, and they act like true-to-life eighteen year-olds, some of their antics coming off as shallow or catty at times. But if you can look past that, you'll find that Maddie is adorable, quippy, honest, fun, and comes into her own over the course of the book in a spectacular way.
The writing was my favorite thing about this -- witty, sharply detailed, the kind of strange and fabulous detail I usually only find in literary fiction. Very nice. The plotting leads the book along compulsively despite not knowing exactly where you'll end up.
I liked the ending. I actually didn't see it coming, and it was satisfying, though maybe a little cheesy. I liked that for a rom com, most of the book rarely lost itself in cheese. Overall, this was an endearing and delightful book. Recommended for fans of quirky, sharp writing, charming coming-of-age stories, and non-traditional romances.
The plot is unfocused in the beginning, but eventually finds its footing as Maddie tackles some of the immense coming-of-age hurdles of becoming a fully capable adult, such as learning whom to trust, earning her own money, being responsible for her own decisions and their consequences, and learning to trust her instincts. The characters are eighteen year-olds, and they act like true-to-life eighteen year-olds, some of their antics coming off as shallow or catty at times. But if you can look past that, you'll find that Maddie is adorable, quippy, honest, fun, and comes into her own over the course of the book in a spectacular way.
The writing was my favorite thing about this -- witty, sharply detailed, the kind of strange and fabulous detail I usually only find in literary fiction. Very nice. The plotting leads the book along compulsively despite not knowing exactly where you'll end up.
I liked the ending. I actually didn't see it coming, and it was satisfying, though maybe a little cheesy. I liked that for a rom com, most of the book rarely lost itself in cheese. Overall, this was an endearing and delightful book. Recommended for fans of quirky, sharp writing, charming coming-of-age stories, and non-traditional romances.
March 6, 2013
Laut Klappentext dreht sich die Geschichte um eine Realityshow, die in einer Bäckerei gefilmt wird... die Storyline beginnt aber erst in der Hälfte des Buches und wirkt mehr wie Dekoration, als ein zentrales Thema.
Im wesentlichen dreht sich die Story um Maddie, die gerade die High-School hinter sich gelassen hat und nun in einer Bäckerei jobbt, um sich ihr Traumauto zu kaufen – und um Maddies Männergeschichten. Da ist Parker, anfangs ihr fester Freund, aber jede Zeile über ihn schreit schon danach, dass er ein arroganter Snob ist und sie sich im Laufe des Buches von ihm trennen wird.
Dann ist da ihr Mitarbeiter Drew, der sie mit seiner heiss-kalten Art verwirrt und um es nicht zu sehr zu einer Dreiecksgeschichte ausarten zu lassen, werden völlig zusammenhanglos vorübergehend noch ein dritter und schließlich ein vierter Kerl in die Geschichte geworfen.
Man liest Szenen und Dialoge von denen man das Gefühl hat, dass sie völlig unwichtig sind, alles wirkt seltsam zusammen gestückelt. Die Charaktere inklusive der Protagonistin sind allesamt farblos und eindimensional. Die Geschichte scheint mir eher ein Mosaik aus Momenten aus Maddies Leben zu sein, als einem Handlungs- oder Spannungsbogen zu folgen.
Die Atmosphäre des Cafés, in dem Maddie arbeitet ist allerdings ganz charmant beschrieben und es gibt immer mal wieder witzige Momente, aber viele der Witze wirken konstruiert und sind eher als „bemüht“, als als „komisch“ zu bezeichnen. Hin und wieder gibt es aber dann auch wirklich komische Gedankengänge von Maddie.
Das Cover gefällt mir sehr gut, der Inhalt leider fast gar nicht.
Im wesentlichen dreht sich die Story um Maddie, die gerade die High-School hinter sich gelassen hat und nun in einer Bäckerei jobbt, um sich ihr Traumauto zu kaufen – und um Maddies Männergeschichten. Da ist Parker, anfangs ihr fester Freund, aber jede Zeile über ihn schreit schon danach, dass er ein arroganter Snob ist und sie sich im Laufe des Buches von ihm trennen wird.
Dann ist da ihr Mitarbeiter Drew, der sie mit seiner heiss-kalten Art verwirrt und um es nicht zu sehr zu einer Dreiecksgeschichte ausarten zu lassen, werden völlig zusammenhanglos vorübergehend noch ein dritter und schließlich ein vierter Kerl in die Geschichte geworfen.
Man liest Szenen und Dialoge von denen man das Gefühl hat, dass sie völlig unwichtig sind, alles wirkt seltsam zusammen gestückelt. Die Charaktere inklusive der Protagonistin sind allesamt farblos und eindimensional. Die Geschichte scheint mir eher ein Mosaik aus Momenten aus Maddies Leben zu sein, als einem Handlungs- oder Spannungsbogen zu folgen.
Die Atmosphäre des Cafés, in dem Maddie arbeitet ist allerdings ganz charmant beschrieben und es gibt immer mal wieder witzige Momente, aber viele der Witze wirken konstruiert und sind eher als „bemüht“, als als „komisch“ zu bezeichnen. Hin und wieder gibt es aber dann auch wirklich komische Gedankengänge von Maddie.
Das Cover gefällt mir sehr gut, der Inhalt leider fast gar nicht.
November 17, 2011
First of all, I want to thank the author of this book (Dalya Moon), for giving me the awesome opportunity to read this book. I fell in love with the book straight away and like her first book, I could not put it down. It was so intense, with always something happening. Also, everything was explained in great detail so I understood every word she wrote in this book. Well done, Dalya!
I could really connect with all the characters and it almost felt like it was written for me, and me only! I know that everybody who reads this book will have that feeling, because it is truly so personal and engaging that you find a piece of yourself in every part of this book. To me, these realistic environments and real life problems changed my perspective of life. I'm sure that when I am the character's age (18-20), that I will know what to do.
I recommend this book to both boys and girls, but mainly between 13-19. That is because this book does include some underage drinking, characters making bad decisions, swearing and a word you would hear in sex Ed. Of course, if you are younger you could ask a parent to read it before you would start reading it. And if you are older, you can read it with ease, but you may not have as much to learn because you have already passed the character's age and problems you could experience in that age. Of course, again I am saying that everybody could read this book and enjoy it!
Thanks again Dalya for the awesome opportunity to read this absolutely fabulous book!
I loved it!
Hugs,
Lisa
I could really connect with all the characters and it almost felt like it was written for me, and me only! I know that everybody who reads this book will have that feeling, because it is truly so personal and engaging that you find a piece of yourself in every part of this book. To me, these realistic environments and real life problems changed my perspective of life. I'm sure that when I am the character's age (18-20), that I will know what to do.
I recommend this book to both boys and girls, but mainly between 13-19. That is because this book does include some underage drinking, characters making bad decisions, swearing and a word you would hear in sex Ed. Of course, if you are younger you could ask a parent to read it before you would start reading it. And if you are older, you can read it with ease, but you may not have as much to learn because you have already passed the character's age and problems you could experience in that age. Of course, again I am saying that everybody could read this book and enjoy it!
Thanks again Dalya for the awesome opportunity to read this absolutely fabulous book!
I loved it!
Hugs,
Lisa
September 5, 2012
Here's a rundown of some of the things I loved about this book:
1. Maddie. She is such a great female character. She has flaws, good traits, makes mistakes, and is just so believable. I could really relate to her.
2. Actual relationships between female characters. Maddie has a sister with whom she clashes over her decision to eschew becoming a dental hygienist in favor of working in a bakery. She has several female friends, and has to deal with her would-be actress best friend's jealousy when she lands a spot in a reality TV show. It's awesome to read something where the relationships between the female characters are so three-dimensional.
3. A great message about how a woman should be treated in a relationship. I'll leave it at that, lest I spoil anything.
4. The setting and overall feel of the novel. From the dialog to the descriptions of locations, everything in this book felt so real to me. I could honestly imagine the characters having the conversations they have in the book, and I felt like I was actually spending some time in Vancouver--a place I haven't yet had the fortune to visit.
5. Maddie's character growth. I think many of us have an experience where we're not sure what we want to do with our lives and, when we think we know, we hesitate because we're afraid it's not practical, and that's right where Maddie is. She also learns from her mistakes and, by the end of the book, I really felt as thought Maddie had a better grasp of who she was, what she wanted out of life, and what she would and wouldn't accept from those she loved.
1. Maddie. She is such a great female character. She has flaws, good traits, makes mistakes, and is just so believable. I could really relate to her.
2. Actual relationships between female characters. Maddie has a sister with whom she clashes over her decision to eschew becoming a dental hygienist in favor of working in a bakery. She has several female friends, and has to deal with her would-be actress best friend's jealousy when she lands a spot in a reality TV show. It's awesome to read something where the relationships between the female characters are so three-dimensional.
3. A great message about how a woman should be treated in a relationship. I'll leave it at that, lest I spoil anything.
4. The setting and overall feel of the novel. From the dialog to the descriptions of locations, everything in this book felt so real to me. I could honestly imagine the characters having the conversations they have in the book, and I felt like I was actually spending some time in Vancouver--a place I haven't yet had the fortune to visit.
5. Maddie's character growth. I think many of us have an experience where we're not sure what we want to do with our lives and, when we think we know, we hesitate because we're afraid it's not practical, and that's right where Maddie is. She also learns from her mistakes and, by the end of the book, I really felt as thought Maddie had a better grasp of who she was, what she wanted out of life, and what she would and wouldn't accept from those she loved.
March 28, 2012
Meet Maddie Bird , one day a Checkout Operator asking customers "paper or plastic?" and the next day working as a Bakery Assistant at Angelo's. What started off as a new career move ended up being a whole lot of firsts for Maddie. The first is Drew , her co-worker - he is hot, handsome and can bake . Even though Maddie has a boyfriend already called Parker , she can't help but feel drawn to Drew and starts to wonder whether it is possible to have a love triangle like they do in the movies - think Edward, Bella and Jacob or Peeta, Katniss and Gale. We read as Maddie struggles to come up with the right decisions regarding her love life with advice coming from her best friend Dave (who's a girl). The next first is another major that could change Maddie's life as the Bakery becomes part of a reality TV show , Can Maddie handle the public pressure or will Maddie start to turn into a Jane from Lauren Conrad's "LA Candy" series ? The major twist at the end of the story is though as we see Drew and Maddie leaving the airport to fly to Australia together , will Maddie leave with her so-called Prince Charming or will she discover last-minute what the real "Drew" is like ?
A fun , light-hearted story about life after High School and the perils of Growing Up and that sometimes making the right decision for yourself can be the hardest choice ever.
A fun , light-hearted story about life after High School and the perils of Growing Up and that sometimes making the right decision for yourself can be the hardest choice ever.
July 21, 2012
Dalya Moon has a fantastic writing style that carries wit, entertainment, and oh JOY for the geek references mixed into Chick Lit! Bonus points for including mentions of Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Cyborgs, and even Helvetica - in the context of Chick Lit no less!
At first I thought Maddie's experiences really seemed more like a 21 year old than an 18-year old, but then the memories of MY 18th year started tumbling back as I continued to read. It's much more fun to read about being 18 than it was to actually BE 18 - and Dalya Moon handles it splendidly and everything feels very age-appropriate.
Several quotes were highlight-worthy and are now safely stored in my Kindle's "My Clippings" file but I'm afraid of including spoilers so on my Kindle they will stay.
The only criticism I have of Practice Cake… is the title (and cover). Neither really caught my attention and given the strength of style and writing of the book, that's a shame. So, if the title or cover doesn't grab you, be sure to check out the sample and give it a try!
At first I thought Maddie's experiences really seemed more like a 21 year old than an 18-year old, but then the memories of MY 18th year started tumbling back as I continued to read. It's much more fun to read about being 18 than it was to actually BE 18 - and Dalya Moon handles it splendidly and everything feels very age-appropriate.
Several quotes were highlight-worthy and are now safely stored in my Kindle's "My Clippings" file but I'm afraid of including spoilers so on my Kindle they will stay.
The only criticism I have of Practice Cake… is the title (and cover). Neither really caught my attention and given the strength of style and writing of the book, that's a shame. So, if the title or cover doesn't grab you, be sure to check out the sample and give it a try!
May 8, 2013
All in all this story was adorable. Now, that word is simply meant to be my opinion. Here are the facts.
1 - The main character is easy to relate to. Not the best parents, wants a car, her boyfriend is a weirdo and all of her feelings I had at eighteen as well. She is moody when appropriate and the rest of the time she is unintentionally witty and fun. The writing sometimes sounds like the author is trying too hard to be upbeat but that is ok.
2 - Development. Every story has a hero and a villain and the best books don't make the bad guy super obvious. And sometimes, the people who start off bad end up good and vice versa. Other times, people just give into their flaws. No one in Practice Cake is perfect and each character comes to a realization of that.
3 - Just enough drama. No one likes drama but us readers LOVE it, and the book gave just enough to keep me reading but not so much that it was bleh. Well done.
4 - Last part I promise. Side stories are a huge part of books. There is always a side story and in this one there are several. Most of the time it is hard to tie everything up neatly but Dalya did and congrats on that.
Read this book. It is quick, fun, and will keep you laughing at the antics of everyone making practice cake.
1 - The main character is easy to relate to. Not the best parents, wants a car, her boyfriend is a weirdo and all of her feelings I had at eighteen as well. She is moody when appropriate and the rest of the time she is unintentionally witty and fun. The writing sometimes sounds like the author is trying too hard to be upbeat but that is ok.
2 - Development. Every story has a hero and a villain and the best books don't make the bad guy super obvious. And sometimes, the people who start off bad end up good and vice versa. Other times, people just give into their flaws. No one in Practice Cake is perfect and each character comes to a realization of that.
3 - Just enough drama. No one likes drama but us readers LOVE it, and the book gave just enough to keep me reading but not so much that it was bleh. Well done.
4 - Last part I promise. Side stories are a huge part of books. There is always a side story and in this one there are several. Most of the time it is hard to tie everything up neatly but Dalya did and congrats on that.
Read this book. It is quick, fun, and will keep you laughing at the antics of everyone making practice cake.
November 12, 2011
Maddie starts out with a carefree simplicity and I love her sense of humor, especially the discussion of the name of the cookies and Mrs. Henderson. Life, being life however, changes and so does Maddie and life has her soon maturing.
She lives with her older sister Melanie and works at Angelo’s Bakery with hunky Drew but dates Parker. Her friends are Jaslene, Chloe, and Zoe. Because Chloe desperately wants to avoid wrinkles, she refrains from showing expressions, either happy or sad, causing Maddie and Jaslene to make fun of her poker face behind her back.
Her best friend Jaslene’s aspirations are in acting but she’s not the first to be in the media’s limelight, causing some friction between friends. Having accompanied Jaslene to an audition, Maddie gets discovered by a casting director and before Maddie knows it, she’s going to be on television with her co-workers and her life becomes chaotic.
Maddie’s in some tough dating situations with immature males in her life. She’s not the only one with guy trouble though as you’ll discover when you read “The Practice Cake.”
She lives with her older sister Melanie and works at Angelo’s Bakery with hunky Drew but dates Parker. Her friends are Jaslene, Chloe, and Zoe. Because Chloe desperately wants to avoid wrinkles, she refrains from showing expressions, either happy or sad, causing Maddie and Jaslene to make fun of her poker face behind her back.
Her best friend Jaslene’s aspirations are in acting but she’s not the first to be in the media’s limelight, causing some friction between friends. Having accompanied Jaslene to an audition, Maddie gets discovered by a casting director and before Maddie knows it, she’s going to be on television with her co-workers and her life becomes chaotic.
Maddie’s in some tough dating situations with immature males in her life. She’s not the only one with guy trouble though as you’ll discover when you read “The Practice Cake.”
September 8, 2012
This is a hard book to rate. Dalya Moon is a good writer and the writing is humorous enough to make you laugh out loud. The story however, is dull and very slow. I kept reading becasue I was hopeful and it is a quick read. I was 90% finished before it ever really grabbed my attention. The central character Maddie, is a young woman who goes to work at a bakery and ultimately creates a product that gets the attention of a food network producer. The story is about her and the people in her life including a high school boyfriend who dumps her for one of her friends, a hot co-worker who faints at the sight of a rodent and a sister who in in love with a repeat infidelity offender. You get snippets of information about these and other people and relationships around her but never with enough depth to make the story interesting. Very late in the book you learn more about her relationship with her stuff-hoarding mother which if introduced earlier might have contributed to the story. However, Maddie's internal conversations and musings over her life circumstances are very funny. I will probable check out another book by this author for this reason.
January 29, 2012
Practice Cake is the delicious story of Maddie and what happens when reality show cameras are brought into the bakery where she works. I really like Maddie. She is a smart girl who makes age appropriate mistakes. It makes the story feel believable and I always appreciate that. Maddie deals with a lot in this story including a friend dealing with jealousy issues, a crush on a coworker, family drama and so much more. The story still manages to be well written and all these issues combine seamlessly into one great book.
One thing I loved about this story was that I doubted it so many times but in the end it never let me down. I kept thinking "NO!!... Don't let her do that!" or "No way! He can't be lying about this" or "Ahhhhh, don't let that be true" and every time Dalya Moon proved to me that she was in control of the story the whole time. This is one of those books that I think the synopsis gives away way too much! Just start reading and enjoy the story as it comes.
BOTTOM LINE: Interesting characters and a well thought out plot make this book one not to be missed!
One thing I loved about this story was that I doubted it so many times but in the end it never let me down. I kept thinking "NO!!... Don't let her do that!" or "No way! He can't be lying about this" or "Ahhhhh, don't let that be true" and every time Dalya Moon proved to me that she was in control of the story the whole time. This is one of those books that I think the synopsis gives away way too much! Just start reading and enjoy the story as it comes.
BOTTOM LINE: Interesting characters and a well thought out plot make this book one not to be missed!
December 30, 2011
Honestly, I'm not sure what this book is even classified as. YA fiction, contemporary, maybe romance?...who knows. The genre wasn't clear and the story was "ok" at best. I actually stopped reading this book for almost a week before I picked it back up and forced myself to finish it. It wasn't a horrible read, but it's hard to like any of the characters. It has an odd mix of characters and situations. The story didn't really flow smoothly to me. I wasn't sure where this story was going until the last quarter of the book. This book focused on Maddie, a 18 year old Canadian who experiences a lot of drama over the summer while working at a bakery. During her time at the bakery she and her co-workers work on a new reality TV show, which she starts by contacting a producer she met. I won't to get into the details, but basically in the end, Maddie finds out more about herself, her friends,and her sister. She also manages to grow up a bit in the process and appears to end up with a good guy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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