Love, Lies and Lemon Pies

by Katy Cannon

Love, Lies and Lemon Pies, the debut YA novel from Katy Cannon, is the perfect summer read for fans of Sarah Dessen and Louise Rennison. With a Bake Club recipe at the start of each chapter, this book perfectly captures the current appetite for all things baking! Lottie, our narrator, captures the experience of a young teenage girl navigating the world of school cliques, difficult teachers and new romance, creating a world that young readers are sure to recognize. Since her dad died, life hasn't been the same for Lottie - it was easier to push her friends away than cope with their awkwardness. But when the school suggests she joins Bake Club to get her back on track, Lottie reluctantly agrees. But Lottie's uncertainty about Bake Club melts away as she rekindles her love of baking and gets caught up with Mac, the school rebel and another unwilling Bake Club member. Both Lottie and Mac have secrets to keep, and as Bake Club progresses towards an end-of-year competition, the tension rises between the Bake Club members. Can Lottie keep up the facade of her perfect life without the others finding out what's really going on at home? Can Mac keep his demanding, heavy-handed father off his back - not to mention the school counsellor who's written him off as a no-hoper? And can their bubbling romance survive the pressure?

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, British Literature, Young Adult Contemporary, Teen

329 pages, Paperback

First published May 5, 2014

About the author

Katy was born in Abu Dhabi, grew up in Wales, went to university in Lancaster, spent a few years splitting her time between London, Hertfordshire, and an assortment of hotels across the world. She now lives in a little market town not far from Cambridge. She has a husband, two children, a goldfish, and far too many notebooks.

Katy likes to write stories about the importance of friends and family, and especially those friends who become family. She considers herself most fortunate to have been blessed with an abundance of all three.

As a teenager, Katy was constantly in trouble for reading when she should have been doing something else. These days, she mostly gets in trouble for dreaming up new stories when she should be writing the ones she’s already working on.

Katy’s debut YA novel, LOVE, LIES & LEMON PIES, has been translated into eight languages. Her next book, AND THEN WE RAN, will be released in April 2017.

Katy is represented by Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.

Reviews

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be very enjoyable! Good story about a teenage boy and girl who, at the suggestion of the school counselor, join the Bake Club. Both kids are experiencing personal problems at home that they would prefer to stay secret. As they work together in the Bake Club, they begin to open up to each other, more than either of them have to anyone for a long time.
The British Setting was a bonus to me. I loved reading the different words that are used for things in the U.K.!

[Laurence R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dammit, now I want to eat dessert.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly entertaining and filled with many heart-warming moments Love, Lies and Lemon Pies delivers in every way!

After the death of her father, Lottie’s life hasn’t been the same. Her mother has become a hoarder and rather than trying to deal with her mother’s issues, Lottie finds it easier to push everyone around her away including her friends, so she doesn’t have to deal with the embarrassment that her life has become. When her school principal tells her to start involving herself in more school activities, Lottie has no choice but to join the only club that has any appeal to her – the school bake club. She loved baking with her father so surely this can’t be any different? What Lottie isn’t prepared for are the other people who have also joined the club, suddenly Lottie has people around her that care about her – especially the school bad boy Mac. But with Lottie telling more lies than she can count to try and keep her home life private, she finding it’s harder and harder to keep up the act when the people around her are trying there hardest to get close to her.

This was such a super cute read that left a great impression. If you know me, then you know I love baking. I love being able to make cupcakes or cakes for people to eat, and of course I love reading too. Combine both reading and baking and honestly, this was a perfect read for me. What made it so unique were the recipes at the start of each chapter. I found it very inspiring especially for anyone who wants to start baking, or even if you already know how to bake. The recipes are simply mouth-watering and sound so delicious. I came away from this book knowing I definitely need to try one of the recipes from the book, and also feeling inspired to try something new myself. I also loved that this book is based around a British school. Being British myself, I found the school experience very relatable. I’m so used to reading about characters based around American schools, so this was very refreshing for me.

The story was absolutely fantastic. It’s fun and made me smile a lot, but then it also deals with some serious issues – like the loss of a parent, teenage struggles like expectations from parents or an ill family member. I really felt for a lot of the characters, not just Lottie because there is more than one character suffering with their own issues. It made it all the more realistic to believe that a lot of teenagers nowadays are struggling with everyday life and hopefully, they have help at hand.

Lottie is a great main character. She wasn’t perfect but I liked that she had some flaws. She’s dealing with a lot and suddenly, her only outlet is Bake Club. She loves baking. She’s made new friends – even though she didn’t want too. She’s opening up again. Bake Club did wonders for her character. Then there is Mac. He’s Lottie's love interest. Local bad boy who is always getting himself in trouble, but deep down, he’s just a misunderstood teenager. I loved that he wasn’t what he seems and I really enjoyed how his and Lottie’s relationship developed. And of course this story wouldn’t be the same without the secondary characters, and who else is excited Grace will get her own story in Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines. The release seriously can’t come quick enough.

In all, Love, Lies and Lemon Pies is an inspiring YA contemporary romance story that hits all the right spots, and I cannot wait for more from Katy Cannon.

Favourite Quote:He leaned forward and kissed me again, long and sweet. “You know that I want to be with you too.”
And I did. He’d shown me, through cake, through every moment we spent together and every lie he never told me – even when he told them to everyone else. Will Macintyre wanted to be with me – just me. And I felt like the luckiest girl in the world."

Thank you to Stripe Publishing for giving me the opportunity to review this book, in exchange for an honest review.

[shannon✨ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book and I liked how the story was told around the recipes and all the baking. But honestly, there was nothing special at all, so that's why I only gave it three stars.

[The Candid Cover (Olivia & Lori) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come!

[Stacey | prettybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the Great British Bake Off was about to begin, it was the perfect time to pick up Love, Lies and Lemon Pies. Lottie has been struggling with everything since her dad died and the only way she can prove to her school that she is coping is to join the school's new Bake Club.

Love, Lies and Lemon pies is a super quick, entertaining read that I flew through blissfully. As soon as Lottie and Mac meet, they work together wonderfully (even if not without arguments!). Mac has some disdain for baking at first, but I enjoyed watching Lottie help him through his troubles, right up until their end-of-year competition. It was also great to see Lottie develop a lot of self-confidence and start to believe that she can win the competition, with support from the rest of Bake Club – Jasper, Jasmine, Grace and Ella. Even though she's not the most likeable character, I'm looking forward to getting to know Grace more in Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines !

Love, Lies and Lemon pies is a delicious young adult contemporary novel to devour – there's even recipes at the beginning of each chapter to help you on your way!

I also reviewed this book over on Pretty Books.

[Robin Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Great British Bake-Off meets The Breakfast Club, this is a delightful, delicious and feather-light YA romance that still manages to deal beautifully with some deep issues. And there's a fully useable recipe at the beginning of each chapter. What could be better?

[Enchanted fox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute quick book. Nothing impactful, but still it did what was expected. If I had read this years ago I would have loved it!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Love, Lies and Lemon Pies. It was everything you could ever want from a contemp, and I already know that I'll be picking up whatever Katy Cannon writes next.

I loved the main character, Lottie. Her dad died a year ago, and a result, she had stopped talking to her friends, stopped participating in school...generally just stopped doing anything. The staff at her school were worried about her and wanted to talk with her mum, but Lottie's mum wasn't exactly dealing with her grief very well, and to stop anyone investigating any further, Lottie joined the Bake Club at school. And little by little, even though she really only joined as a distraction, Lottie started making friends again, met Jasper and Ella and Mac, took part in competitions...I loved watching her character grow. She really cared about her new friends (and I have to say, I loved her friendship with Jasper in particular, he really made me laugh) and was starting to realise that no-one was without their own problems - even Grace, the girl she thought had a perfect life. It was easy to relate to Lottie; it can be really hard to try at things when there's nothing to motivate you. So reading about her finding things worth trying for and seeing her character develop was just so great. She also had a fab sense of humour and I remember laughing at a lot of her internal thoughts.

Mac was a character with his own issues, hiding his own secrets, and I liked how we slowly got to know him more throughout the course of the book. His relationship with Lottie was interesting because he seemed to be able to get through to her in a way that no-one else could, and even though they fought about stuff, and were rivals when it came to baking, they were so great together. Mac was more than just the rumours about him, in the same way Lottie was more than "the girl whose dad died" and they both had their problems but eventually were able to start to work them out together.

The book was mainly about Lottie trying to keep everyone from finding out her secret, while also trying to fit in at Bake Club and think more seriously about a future in baking. I liked how every Bake Club character sort of got their own mini storyline about the problems in their lives, and how Lottie recognised with each one that nobody's life was perfect. Lottie kept feeling guilty for continuing to lie to everyone even as they had gotten a lot closer, and when her secret finally came out, I really liked the way everyone reacted (especially Jasper) and how things worked out in the end. The whole baking idea as well was just fantastic, and as I do enjoy baking, I will definitely be trying out some of the recipes included in the book! The way baking tied in with everything was awesome and it was nice to see Lottie remember how much she loved baking, before when she used to bake with her dad, and get back into it again.

Overall, Love, Lies and Lemon Pies was a really lovely contemp and touched on a range of issues whilst being funny and cute. Recommended.

[Melwasul · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'intégralité de ma chronique ici: http://lune-et-plume.fr/cook-and-love...

Voilà une petite romance young-adult qui m’a régalée ! C’est vraiment tout ce que j’attends d’une romance pour adolescents et même à bientôt 26 ans, je continue de lire ce genre de roman avec grand plaisir quand ils sont très bien écrits, qu’ils sortent de l’ordinaire, ce qui est le cas de Cook and Love.

J’ai complètement adoré le personnage de Lottie. Lorsque son père est décédé un an plus tôt, elle s’est complètement refermée sur elle-même. Elle a tourné le dos à ses amis, elle a arrêté de parler à ses camarades de classes, elle a arrêté de s’investir dans la vie du lycée, elle a tout quitté : son poste de délégué de classe, les différents clubs auxquels elle participait. Une vie qui, elle le pensait, lui convenait parfaitement, le plus important étant que personne, personne, ne s’intéresse à sa mère. Et cela a marché jusqu’au jour où le proviseur la convoque dans son bureau et la menace de convoquer sa mère si elle ne parle pas à la psychologue du lycée une fois par semaine et qu’elle ne s’intéresse pas à nouveau à la vie du lycée. C’est ainsi qu’elle rejoint le club des Cuistots. Petit à petit, ce club qui lui rappelle les bons moments passés avec son père à cuisiner, va lui permettre de se ré-ouvrir aux autres, de se faire de nouveaux amis, Jasmin, Jasper, Ella, Grace et surtout Mac, le mauvais garçon. Elle va réaliser finalement que tout le monde a ses secrets, qu’elle n’est pas la seule à cacher des choses et que c’est toujours plus facile quand on les partages avec ses amis. [...]

[Anna S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was perfect in every way! I loved how at the start of each chapter there was a recipe to follow. I have tried most of them and they all work and are delicious. Mac seemed dreamy and helpful to Lottie. Lottie seemed like a great baker but she kept pushing Mac away which frustrated me because they were perfect for each other. Cooking is also something I love and I like that Katy Cannon found a way to incorporate it.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️
Leitura leve e simples em que cada capítulo começa com uma receita.
Romance YA que aquece o coração, combinando amizade, romance e partilha de emoções; mas também aborda temas como o luto, rivalidades e problemas familiares.

[Fernanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delicioso!!!
Adorei!!!!

[Sahina Bibi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you first off, to Stripes Publishing for being the wonderful people they are and sending me this, and another book for review. The sequel, but also standalone book, Secret Schemes and Sewing Machines is due to release on February 2nd and I’m on the blog tour roll for it. So stop by on February 14th ;) yes, Valentines day *makes schmooching noises* to see my review and an extra little surprise for you all on zee blog.

For now, on to the review we go! *pumps fist valiantly*
I’ve had LLLP (for short) on my to read list since last year, and after finally getting my hands on it, I can rest in peace. This was a cute and simple read - the kind of book you’re after to snuggle up in bed with, a mug of hot chocolate at your side, and of course, a slice of lemon pie.

I know there’s probably quite a few books out there who have done this, incorporated cooking or something otherworldly in the YA genre, into their books - but for me, it felt like a new refreshing take on baking and booking. (yes that is now a word I will use).

With Cannon’s easy going and fun writing style, littered with baking recipes at the start of each chapter, I really really enjoyed reading this book in the span of a handful of hours (hours it takes to read, directly correlates to how much I enjoyed the book, it’s a science thingymajiggy).

We are introduced to Lottie, Mac, Jasper (who I adored), Grace, Jasmine, Ella. I feel like each of these individual characters need their own book, which I’m sending is where the author is going with this since the next book (like mentioned before, Secret Schemes and Sewing Machines) is based on Grace. Anyway. These kids come together to join Bake Club - whilst some are there to avoid a hectic home life, others are there as punishment - it seems none of the characters really wanted to join for their love of baking - yet that’s what happened. They each fell for it.

I felt like the characters really made up this book for me. They were all individual, well rounded characters with hidden depth - and though I would have liked to explore each of them further, I understand that the main focus of this book was Lottie, and Mac. Lottie - who’s trying to keep it all together after her Dad dies, with her Mum resorting to hoarding as a way to stem the grief, and Lottie cutting everyone off to avoid the dreaded sympathetic stares. The memories of her Dad keep her going, but things are slowly slipping out her hands (like her grades and her home life). With a chance encounter with Mac outside the principles office and as an even unlikelier pair at the Baking Club - Mac and Lottie develop a friendship that brings both solace in times of hardship.

As for Mac? I loved Mac. Mac Mac Mac. *starts saying Mac and Cheese in head* He’s your typical misunderstood bad-boy-turned-baker, which I seriously loved. His passion for baking takes him away from the troubles of home and subtly battles the stereotype that boys don’t bake. It’s not a manly thing to do, say like working at your Dad’s garage or playing football/rugby. But Mac battles such notions and is brave enough to treat a path he enjoys, which I admired.

As for the rest - Jasper is one of my favourite characters from the book. With 2 parents as psychologists, that poor boy is under scrutiny all the time - what better way to rebel against that than by becoming a goth armed with a black hoody and black eyeliner - a sure way to worry the pants off your parents it seems. But under that image, Lottie discovers he’s one of the most cheerful characters, almost like a puppy, who’s just treading the familiar path of teenage rebellion - which goes to show, that first appearances aren’t everything. Lottie took the time to get to know Jasper, and he ends up becoming her best friend. Oh Jasper, you cutie.

All other characters provided a great backdrop to a heart warming story, that I really enjoyed. A quick and easy read that will leave you smiling, I’d definitely recommend LLLP, to any and everyone, especially with a slice of pie to keep you company.

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[Helena Rodrigues (Aromas de Cor ~ Livrólicos de Cá e de Lá) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Um livro que mistura doces, lágrimas e muita coragem. Uma história de um primeiro amor doce e cativante!

[Samantha (A Dream of Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sounded exactly like my cup of tea and proved to be a real five star read!

The story is about a group of teenagers who form an unexpected friendship when they all join the school's new Bake Club. It centres mainly on Lottie, who, desperate to escape her problems at home, throws herself into her passion for baking - a way for her to feel close to her deceased father. Although she tries to keep the truth about her home life secret from her teachers and her fellow students, because of her involvement in the club she makes new friendships, finds romance and gradually learns how to open up to those around her.

I love the fact that the characters perhaps wouldn't have ordinarily have become friends but because of Bake Club they form a solid friendship through their shared love of baking. They begin to help each other with their personal problems and their bond with each other was something that I really loved. There are some great secondary characters in the story and I found myself wanting to know more about all of them.

The romance between Lottie and Mac is so sweet and cute. He's the school bad boy but underneath his tough exterior he is a caring and considerate boy. He's misjudged by a lot of the adults in the book but with Lottie by his side he begins to turn his life around and build a new future for himself.

What I particularly adored about this book was the way it combined my love of reading and baking. I am a massive baking fan and I never miss an episode of the Great British Bake Off, therefore I absolutely loved the bonus addition of some wonderfully tasty recipes. I've already made the pumpkin pie and blueberry muffins and the chocolate chip cookies are to die for! Like Lottie and co, when I'm baking, I can forget about anything else that I have to do and just focus on the mixing, beating, measuring and stirring. This is captured perfectly in the pages of the story and was something I loved about the overall book which was truly as sweet and delicious as a cupcake!

Katy Cannon's next book is out in February 2015 and will be called 'Secrets, Schemes and Sewing Machines'. It's already top of my list of books I absolutely need to buy next year.

[The Yogi Writer · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Love, Lies and Lemon Pies" o "Gli ingredienti della felicità" (i titoli tradotti non rendono mai giustizia).

Dopo la morte di suo padre, Lottie non è più la stessa persona. Nonostante la sua giovanissima età, si trova a far fronte a problemi più grandi di lei, con una madre che non si è mai ripresa e che soffre di un disturbo ossessivo complusivo che non permette alle due di avere una vita normale e sociale. Dopo il dolore della perdita, Lottie si trova quindi ad affrontare la vergogna e la sofferenza di un segreto che tiene nascosto, per paura che a scuola tutti sappiano e che le portino via l'unico genitore rimasto.
Lottie allontana da sé i suoi amici e le persone che le vogliono bene, per evitare che vengano a conoscenza della verità. Ma i suoi voti a scuola peggiorano e gli insegnanti la esortano a prendere parte alle attività scolastiche e a interagire con i suoi compagni, così decide di iscriversi al Bake Club, un corso dopo scuola in cui imparare a preparare dolci, sua grande passione fin da bambina, passione condivisa con suo padre.
Nonostante cerchi di tenersi alla larga da tutti evitando la socializzazione, Lottie comincia suo malgrado ad avvicinarsi ai membri del club e a stringere nuove amicizie, soprattutto con Mac, suo compagno di tavolo e di ricette. Un ragazzo bellissimo, ovviamente, ma con una reputazione tutt'altro che raccomandabile, anche se non tutto è sempre come sembra.

Un libro davvero carino, devo ammetterlo, non pensavo mi sarebbe piaciuto. Forse più adatto ai giovanissimi, per via dell'età dei personaggi, ma leggibile e godibile anche per un lettore più adulto.
In esso ci sono tutti gli elementi principali per una buona trama: i personaggi carismatici e problematici, l'amicizia, l'amore che nasce poco a poco, le incomprensioni, l'allontanamento e l'evento scatenante che ci mette di fronte alla realtà, che ci aiuterà a prendere la giusta decisione. Inoltre c'è l'elemento cucina, da non sottovalutare, con tanto di ricette da poter sperimentare, il che mi sembra proprio una buona idea, diciamo la ciliegina sulla torta per un libro riuscito.
I personaggi sono stati ben delineati: oltre ai due pricipali, Lottie e Mac, ci sono gli amici del Club, ognuno con la sua personalità ben distinta e la sua situazione familiare. Tutti diversi tra loro ma che s'incastrano intelligentemente nella trama.
La psicologia dei personaggi viene snodata mano a mano che si va avanti nella lettura, fino a farci amare e odiare le loro scelte e le loro implicazioni. Non si tratta di un romanzo passionale e tormentato, ma dolce e delicato, che ti lascia con un sorriso e la sensazione di non aver perso tempo nella lettura.
Alcuni aspetti forse sono stati trattati un po' velocemente e con un tantino di superficialtà, soprattutto sulla parte finale, che si decide nelle ultimissime pagine, ma devo dire che alla fine dei conti non è proprio un male, dato che ho letto alcuni romanzi in cui davvero si sarebbero potute tagliare 200 pagine di inutili tira e molla, di incomprensioni e di lotte interiori ripetute fino allo stremo.
Direi un romanzo essenziale, semplice e lineare, delicato e talvolta un po' ingenuo (ma non in senso negativo), da leggere in una serata tranquilla con una tazza di té.
Volevo dare tre stelle, però mi sbilanco e ne do quattro proprio per premiare la spontaneità e la naturalezza della scrittura e anche per ringraziare l'autrice di avermi risparmiato una serie di improponibili risvolti, guidandomi senza ansie verso un finale che mi ha soddisfatta sicuramente.

"Love, Lies and Lemon Pies"

After the death of her father, Lottie is no longer the same person. Despite her young age, is faced with the biggest problems for her, with a mother who has never been shot and who suffers from an obsessive compulsive disorder that does not allow the two to have a social life. After the pain of loss, Lottie is therefore to face the shame and suffering of a secret that keeps hidden, for fear that at school everyone can know and move away from the only remaining parent. Lottie pull out from her life her friends and the people who love her, so that they are aware of the truth. But at school teachers are worried about her situation and suggest her to take part in school activities, so she decides to join the Bake Club, an after school club in which to learn to make cakes, her great passion shared with her father.
Despite trying to keep away from all avoiding socializing, Lottie starts against her will to approach the members of the club and make new friends, especially with Mac, a beautiful guy, obviously, but with a reputation far recommended, although not everything is always as it seems.

A book really cute, I must admit, I did not think I would liked it. Perhaps more suited to the young, because of the age of the characters, but readable and enjoyable even for a more adult reader. In it are all key elements for a good plot: the colorful characters and problematic, the friendship, the love that comes little by little, the misunderstandings, the removal and the triggering event that confronts us with the reality, that will help us make the right decision. In addition, there is the element of the kitchen, not to be underestimated, with lots of recipes you can experiment, which seems a very good idea.
The characters were well defined: in addition to the two main, Lottie and Mac, there are the friends of the Club, each with its own distinct personality and his family situation. All different but which fit very well in the plot.
The psychology of the characters is articulated as we go forward in reading, until we love and hate their choices and their implications. This is not a tormented and passionate novel, but sweet and delicate, that leaves you with a smile and the feeling of not having lost time in reading.
Some aspects have been treated perhaps a bit faster, especially on the final, which will decide in the last few pages, but I have to say that is not really a bad thing, since I've read a few novels in which really could have been cut 200 pages of useless back and forth, misunderstandings and inner struggles repeated until exhaustion.
I would say an essential novel, simple and straightforward, sensitive and perhaps a bit naive (but not in a bad way) to read in a quiet evening with a cup of tea.
I wanted to give three stars, but I'll give four to thank the author for having saved me a series of preposterous implications, guiding without anxiety towards an ending that I enjoyed for sure.

[Jessica G · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

My review is finally here!! *silence*

First of all I have to thank Maddie and Bea from 'Heart Full of Books' on YouTube for introducing me to this wonderful fluffy contemporary.
The only thing I can think to compare this to are two of my favourite cooking manga - Kitchen Princess and Yumeiro Patisserie. As a huge lover of those two manga, this book was really appealing to me.
The Love was cute, the Lies were creative and hilarious to watch unravel (I'm a horrible human being - sorry!!) and Lemon Pies...they're my weak point. I love lemon pies so much...why am I even telling you this?
So basically what I'm trying to say is that this book and I were meant to be.

Savour it, contemporary lovers, because this book is one delicious mouthful.

[Aide au lecteur Drummondville]

Laurie a toujours été une excellente élève, sage et sans histoire. Mais aujourd'hui, elle a un secret. Depuis que son père est décédé, sa mère a perdu le contrôle. Personne ne doit le savoir. Surtout pas ses camarades de classe. Surtout pas ses professeurs. Surtout pas la psychologue scolaire. Pour garder son secret, Laurie est prête à faire n'importe quoi. Même à s'inscrire au nouveau club de pâtisserie pour leur faire croire que tout va bien.
Naturellement douée pour la cuisine, son talent derrière les fourneaux va faire des étincelles et séduire le mystérieux Léo, un jeune pâtissier surdoué au passé trouble. Peu à peu, une recette après l'autre, Laurie retrouvera le goût du bonheur, le goût de l'amitié et le goût de dire la vérité. Un savoureux récit, émaillé de recettes à croquer.

[Claire Fayers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lottie joins her school bake club to keep the counsellor off her back after her father's death. She soon finds out that the other members of the club all have their own reasons for being there, most of them nothing to do with baking. As the secrets come out, Lottie tells more and more lies to hide what is happening at home. Can she face up to the truth and win the heart of bad boy Mac?

This is a lovely, sweet romance, light as a choux bun but with real depth to the characters. Each chapter begins with a recipe - I dare you to get past chapter 2 without stopping for chocolate chip cookies.

[Rosita Alfieri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo libro è un concentrato di semplicità e dolcezza.
Credo che questa storia possa definirsi una fiaba moderna.
Non si tratta certo di un romanzo perfetto, credo che sia un pò affrettato, sopratutto all'inizio; ma è scritto in modo semplice e lineare. E le ricette! Secondo me hanno aggiunto un pò di magia in tutto l'insieme.
Consiglio questa lettura a un pubblico giovane o a quello più adulto che a voglia di cimentarsi con qualcosa di tranquillo e poco impegnativo.

[Just_me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant really impressed with this book a very easy enjoyable read.

The topics (bake offs, hoarding, teenager issues with school and parents) are very current, the characters are likeable, it is realistic and very well written and I love the recipes.

I received my copy free through goodreads first reads but I shall be purchasing a copy for my baking mad teenage niece.

[Inkandpen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I could relate to some parts because Lottie was obviously a teenager and so am I. One of the best books that I have read, can't wait for the sequel that comes out in February 2015 it's a long wait but it's really worth it. Would definitely recommend it to teenagers maybe.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so incredibly cute. I love Lottie and Mac. I loved all the baking and I liked that there was more than meets the eye to the series. Reminded me of a Sarra Manning title but aimed at a younger audience.

[Charli - To Another World · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 :)
loved this and couldn't stop reading! only tiny faults, review to come :)

[Tracey De · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sneaked a read before passing 'Love, Lies and Lemon Pies' onto my niece for Easter. Simple, straightforward recipes AND a good storyline. What more could be needed in a YA book?

[Chantelle Hazelden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A great easy read, full of love humour and some recipes to boot!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

best book i read in 2014 i love books with sad romance in them! OMG BEST BOOK EVER!

[Lola (Reading by Lamplight) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is more of 3.5 star rating. Nothing too profound, but rather enjoyable! It was a light and fun read. Looking forward to the next book!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 13 year old absolutely daughter loved this book. The perfect mix of love story and baking! What's not to love.