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Vanity Fare: A Novel of Lattes, Literature, and Love
Vanity Fare is a charming tale of food, family, literature, and romance in which a 40-year-old newly single Brooklyn mother embarks on a culinary writing career and finds herself at the center of a deliciously tempting love triangle.
Molly Hagan—“a heroine who’s wittier than Ellen DeGeneres on speed” (New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries) is overwhelmed. Her cheating husband left her for a younger blonde, her six-year-old son is questioning her authority, and she’s starting a job as a copywriter for a local Brooklyn bakery.
She doesn’t need the complications of a new love. But the bakery’s sexy British pastry chef is determined to win her heart. And there is his intimidating and oh so irresistible business partner...who happens to have a secret that might prevent Molly from getting her own Happily Ever After.
Funny and sweet, Megan Caldwell’s charming romantic novel includes five delicious recipes developed with the pastry chef from Union Square Café.
Molly Hagan—“a heroine who’s wittier than Ellen DeGeneres on speed” (New York Times bestselling author Sabrina Jeffries) is overwhelmed. Her cheating husband left her for a younger blonde, her six-year-old son is questioning her authority, and she’s starting a job as a copywriter for a local Brooklyn bakery.
She doesn’t need the complications of a new love. But the bakery’s sexy British pastry chef is determined to win her heart. And there is his intimidating and oh so irresistible business partner...who happens to have a secret that might prevent Molly from getting her own Happily Ever After.
Funny and sweet, Megan Caldwell’s charming romantic novel includes five delicious recipes developed with the pastry chef from Union Square Café.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 26, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 280 reviews
August 5, 2016
Sometimes you find books that you hear are either good or not, depending on the ratings sometimes. And then when you read the book yourself, you find that they were right. Or you find a nice surprise and actually like the book.
I really liked this one. The writing was good, especially the food mentions and descriptions of the different food book titles for each chapter.
Oh right, the book. I wasn't sure I was going to like this. But the more I read it, the more I wanted to see the MC succeed for herself and son.
The characters I liked as well, like John, Lissa and her therapist. Especially Nick. I mean near the end, I had a big smile on my face. And was like, thank you an MC using the common sense. Much appreciated book. And character development.
Also, that cover is eye catching. Cookies and books. A good combo.
Basically, this was a good book themed book. And glad I finally read this one.
I really liked this one. The writing was good, especially the food mentions and descriptions of the different food book titles for each chapter.
Oh right, the book. I wasn't sure I was going to like this. But the more I read it, the more I wanted to see the MC succeed for herself and son.
The characters I liked as well, like John, Lissa and her therapist. Especially Nick. I mean near the end, I had a big smile on my face. And was like, thank you an MC using the common sense. Much appreciated book. And character development.
Also, that cover is eye catching. Cookies and books. A good combo.
Basically, this was a good book themed book. And glad I finally read this one.
November 15, 2015
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
A copy of Vanity Fare was provided to me by William Morrow for review purposes.
Molly thought she had hit rock bottom when her husband of 10 years left her and their six year-old son for a younger woman. That wasn't rock bottom though. Rock bottom came when she finds out her soon to be ex-husband has also lost his job (and his ability to pay her child support) and also depleted their savings leaving Molly with nothing to pay the bills. She ends up being hired as a copywriter for a new up and coming bakery. But on top of finding a job she may have also found a new romance. Or two.
Anyone who knows my typical book preferences would likely find it laughable that I decided to read a book regardless of the fact that it stated in the summary that there was a love triangle. Typically? I'd be running for the hills but the concept of this story was too cute to pass up.
I am total sucker for foodie type books in general but I completely fell in love with the concept for this book. I also made full scale plans of starting my own bakery just to be able to do something like this. Molly is hired to come up with a 'hook' for potential customers and it needed to be closely related to the library (which the bakery is across the street from) and/or literature in general. She comes up with the idea to use double entendres to name menu items and the store itself (Vanity Fare). A few of my favorites? The Bun Also Rises. A Room of Ones Scone. Of Mousse and Men. Much Ado About Muffins. And the best? Tart of Darkness. There are even real recipes included at the back of the book for several of these (including Tart of Darkness which I will so be trying, it sounds delicious!)
The romance(s) played a huge part of the story (and possible more than I would have preferred) which I suppose should have been expected as this can definitely be considered a chick-lit novel. But I have a total soft spot for chick-lit and these romances were quite entertaining. The main character, Molly, truly made this book though. She was witty, had a wonderful dry sense of humor, and was such a realistic character just struggling to not give in and let life beat her down. I found the story (and Molly) to be quite inspiring.
A four star rating (and possibly more) was totally in the bag but alas, I found the ending with Nick's big "secret" to not be worth all the build up that led up to the reveal. Overall though this is a fun and delightful chick-lit novel that manages to be charming while still full of laughs.
A copy of Vanity Fare was provided to me by William Morrow for review purposes.
Molly thought she had hit rock bottom when her husband of 10 years left her and their six year-old son for a younger woman. That wasn't rock bottom though. Rock bottom came when she finds out her soon to be ex-husband has also lost his job (and his ability to pay her child support) and also depleted their savings leaving Molly with nothing to pay the bills. She ends up being hired as a copywriter for a new up and coming bakery. But on top of finding a job she may have also found a new romance. Or two.
Anyone who knows my typical book preferences would likely find it laughable that I decided to read a book regardless of the fact that it stated in the summary that there was a love triangle. Typically? I'd be running for the hills but the concept of this story was too cute to pass up.
I am total sucker for foodie type books in general but I completely fell in love with the concept for this book. I also made full scale plans of starting my own bakery just to be able to do something like this. Molly is hired to come up with a 'hook' for potential customers and it needed to be closely related to the library (which the bakery is across the street from) and/or literature in general. She comes up with the idea to use double entendres to name menu items and the store itself (Vanity Fare). A few of my favorites? The Bun Also Rises. A Room of Ones Scone. Of Mousse and Men. Much Ado About Muffins. And the best? Tart of Darkness. There are even real recipes included at the back of the book for several of these (including Tart of Darkness which I will so be trying, it sounds delicious!)
The romance(s) played a huge part of the story (and possible more than I would have preferred) which I suppose should have been expected as this can definitely be considered a chick-lit novel. But I have a total soft spot for chick-lit and these romances were quite entertaining. The main character, Molly, truly made this book though. She was witty, had a wonderful dry sense of humor, and was such a realistic character just struggling to not give in and let life beat her down. I found the story (and Molly) to be quite inspiring.
A four star rating (and possibly more) was totally in the bag but alas, I found the ending with Nick's big "secret" to not be worth all the build up that led up to the reveal. Overall though this is a fun and delightful chick-lit novel that manages to be charming while still full of laughs.
July 24, 2022
2Ugh, this is one where I was so close to liking it a lot more, but the bottom line is that the H didn't tell her he was married and kept becoming more and more emotionally close with her, and it left a bad taste in my mouth. For me it meant that the author chose the wrong vehicle for keeping her characters apart or that the H was a person of limited character. He also kissed the h passionately before disclosing his marriage, so that was just not working for me. He had plenty of time to disclose and he didn't. He's either dishonorable, cagey, or ambivalent, and none of those work for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2013
It needed a better story. Too much telling, not enough showing. It’s missing the feel-good that I expect from romance.
This was first person. The author did not show enough about other characters’ motivations or actions. That should have been done with dialogue and actions. Instead it felt flat. All feelings were in the head of Molly for example: I’m tired. I need my coffee. This guy hires me. He says I did a good job. That guy wants to have sex with me. I say no. He’s too self absorbed. I like this other guy. I don’t know why he doesn’t want me.
Two client guys are interested in Molly. As a reader I did not know why they liked her or what they saw, and I wanted to know. It felt incomplete.
Molly has a happy ending with a guy, but there was no emotional relationship development. It’s just told at the end, hey they’re together.
Molly has an English degree and is doing paperwork to get a job as a teacher. Her friend John hires Molly to come up with marketing ideas for his client. He knows she can do it. I’m told she made a good impression at the client meeting, but I did not hear what she said or what they said. I did not see interesting or smart interactions.
Molly’s mother has financial problems. She did some things to make her situation better. I don’t know what those things were. Again told, not shown.
I liked the subject matter. Molly is in process of divorce. She is caring for a 6-year-old son, has no money and needs a job.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person. Kindle count length: 5,572 (583 KB) 419 pages (includes a few recipes). Swearing language: moderate to strong, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one, referred to no details shown. Setting: current day New York, NY. Copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
This was first person. The author did not show enough about other characters’ motivations or actions. That should have been done with dialogue and actions. Instead it felt flat. All feelings were in the head of Molly for example: I’m tired. I need my coffee. This guy hires me. He says I did a good job. That guy wants to have sex with me. I say no. He’s too self absorbed. I like this other guy. I don’t know why he doesn’t want me.
Two client guys are interested in Molly. As a reader I did not know why they liked her or what they saw, and I wanted to know. It felt incomplete.
Molly has a happy ending with a guy, but there was no emotional relationship development. It’s just told at the end, hey they’re together.
Molly has an English degree and is doing paperwork to get a job as a teacher. Her friend John hires Molly to come up with marketing ideas for his client. He knows she can do it. I’m told she made a good impression at the client meeting, but I did not hear what she said or what they said. I did not see interesting or smart interactions.
Molly’s mother has financial problems. She did some things to make her situation better. I don’t know what those things were. Again told, not shown.
I liked the subject matter. Molly is in process of divorce. She is caring for a 6-year-old son, has no money and needs a job.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person. Kindle count length: 5,572 (583 KB) 419 pages (includes a few recipes). Swearing language: moderate to strong, but rarely used. Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: one, referred to no details shown. Setting: current day New York, NY. Copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.
April 23, 2013
This is a light entertaining contemporary romance novel about a woman who has to get onto her two feet and rejoin the world after her husband leaves her for another woman.
Molly Hagen has been left in a lurch. Her slimeball husband Hugh left her and her young son for a younger woman. But to make matters worse, Hugh now claims that he lost his job and has no money for support. Molly calls on her Mom for help, but the Mom has lost a mint day trading, and actually has to come live with Molly, as well. The world is collapsing.
Molly, forty something and not in the work force for years could have folded the tent then and there, but John, an old college friend, who owns an advertising agency, wants her to come in and do some copy editing for him. It seems he has a new client, a high end bakery, and he knows Molly’s ability and thinks she can work with his new partner Natalie to design an ad campaign for the bakery.
Molly meets with Simon the baker and Nick, his business partner and goes to the site of the bakery –across from the famous lions of the New York Public Library and comes up with the cutesy idea of naming the bakery and its products after books. Thus we get little chapter headings about proposed ads for food products at the bakery. "The Catcher in the Rye Bread", "The Bun also Rises", Gravity's Rainbow Cookies". I have to say I was enchanted by some of these little vignettes about the baked goods. They were way too cute, but funny in a foodie and literary way.
The story was fun and cute too. Molly has a good home network of friends, Lissa the beautiful babysitter for her son who is dating Tony, a seemingly stuck up guy, Keisha, her friend in California, who has fallen in love with a guy she did not want to date, but who is always trying to get Molly to do more with her life, and her therapist, who keeps pushing Molly to do more. Then there is Molly herself unsure of herself, tiptoeing back into life, work and love because of course there are two men in her life now.
Should she choose Simon, the gorgeous wealthy baker or Nick his very handsome business partner. Molly starts out with Simon, but soon is more attracted to Nick. It helps that Nick likes Molly's son Aiden as well.
This book was everything you would want in a change of pace from a harder diet of thrillers and mysteries. The characters had depth, and although light and entertaining, the getting back into the real world of work and life story is very timely in this world of lost jobs and unemployment.
Plus the novel’s conceit of food and literature was fun.
Molly Hagen has been left in a lurch. Her slimeball husband Hugh left her and her young son for a younger woman. But to make matters worse, Hugh now claims that he lost his job and has no money for support. Molly calls on her Mom for help, but the Mom has lost a mint day trading, and actually has to come live with Molly, as well. The world is collapsing.
Molly, forty something and not in the work force for years could have folded the tent then and there, but John, an old college friend, who owns an advertising agency, wants her to come in and do some copy editing for him. It seems he has a new client, a high end bakery, and he knows Molly’s ability and thinks she can work with his new partner Natalie to design an ad campaign for the bakery.
Molly meets with Simon the baker and Nick, his business partner and goes to the site of the bakery –across from the famous lions of the New York Public Library and comes up with the cutesy idea of naming the bakery and its products after books. Thus we get little chapter headings about proposed ads for food products at the bakery. "The Catcher in the Rye Bread", "The Bun also Rises", Gravity's Rainbow Cookies". I have to say I was enchanted by some of these little vignettes about the baked goods. They were way too cute, but funny in a foodie and literary way.
The story was fun and cute too. Molly has a good home network of friends, Lissa the beautiful babysitter for her son who is dating Tony, a seemingly stuck up guy, Keisha, her friend in California, who has fallen in love with a guy she did not want to date, but who is always trying to get Molly to do more with her life, and her therapist, who keeps pushing Molly to do more. Then there is Molly herself unsure of herself, tiptoeing back into life, work and love because of course there are two men in her life now.
Should she choose Simon, the gorgeous wealthy baker or Nick his very handsome business partner. Molly starts out with Simon, but soon is more attracted to Nick. It helps that Nick likes Molly's son Aiden as well.
This book was everything you would want in a change of pace from a harder diet of thrillers and mysteries. The characters had depth, and although light and entertaining, the getting back into the real world of work and life story is very timely in this world of lost jobs and unemployment.
Plus the novel’s conceit of food and literature was fun.
January 9, 2013
Books? Check.
Book puns? Check.
Fun love story ala Pride & Prejudice? Check.
And yet -- ho hum.
I wanted to like this book, but I didn't care for the main character. She was so needy that I wondered how her friends could stand her. It's been a year since her separation and she still hasn't tried to find a job? Come on. Even the puns didn't liven things up much, and the story seemed predictable. Eventually I started reading just the chapters beginnings to see the puns, but even that got boring after a while. So it was a great idea, but the writing just didn't do it for me.
Book puns? Check.
Fun love story ala Pride & Prejudice? Check.
And yet -- ho hum.
I wanted to like this book, but I didn't care for the main character. She was so needy that I wondered how her friends could stand her. It's been a year since her separation and she still hasn't tried to find a job? Come on. Even the puns didn't liven things up much, and the story seemed predictable. Eventually I started reading just the chapters beginnings to see the puns, but even that got boring after a while. So it was a great idea, but the writing just didn't do it for me.
April 28, 2013
I liked this book, it was not life changing, but I have been where Molly was. I enjoyed her finding herself, and realizing that she can take care of herself and her her son, she got her self confidence back, and then in the end, Molly was open to a great relationship with a wonderful man.
This is a fast read...likeable characters...and a happy ending....YEA!
This is a fast read...likeable characters...and a happy ending....YEA!
July 13, 2017
Favorite Quote: “What was wrong with us that people kept leaving?”
Molly Hagan is having a bad day. Her husband has not only left her for a younger woman but has also lost his job in the process. With a small child to care for and no steady income, Molly needs to step up her game. When an old friend offers her a plum position of writing copy for an up and coming bakery, Molly jumps in feet first only to find herself swiftly rethinking her plans when the job threatens to overwhelm her. Engaging in a battle of wits and scones keeps Molly on her toes once romance rears it’s fickle head in the form of sexy British baker,Simon but Molly isn't interested in love until a certain snarly business partner, Nick, enters the fray. Molly begins to settle and begins to imagine a silver lining might be in her future but soon learns that happily ever after isn’t always as easy to get as it is to write.
First off, I must let you all know that Megan Caldwell, aka, Megan Frampton, is my boss at HeroesandHeartbreakers.com. She at no time approached me to review her novel. I requested on Edelweiss and was approved by HarperCollins.
Megan Caldwell’s debut release, Vanity Fare, gives us an intimate ring side seat into the life of Molly Hagen as she deals with divorce, finances, employment, and suddenly becoming a single parent. Liberally laced with humor and grace, I found myself laughing and nodding as Molly slowly finds herself again after 20 plus years of being a married stay at home wife and mother. I enjoyed the fact that we aren’t inundated with off the cuff plot gimmicks or implausible situations as Molly begins to live and deal with being alone. The literary pun angle was cute and added a touch of whimsical to the story. What I really enjoyed about Vanity Fare is that the heroine is a 40 year old woman. Too often it’s the young, gorgeous 20 somethings who get the HEAs and the older women are regulated to the “wise, advice giving friend” role. Divorce is hard enough but it’s even harder when you're tossed aside for someone younger. Caldwell doesn’t sugar coat the ups and downs of divorce for the sake of an HEA in here. She shows us it’s messy, heartbreaking, unfair, and presents it all clearly and without apology.
Character driven, it’s the fast pacing and conversational style writing that enhances the appeal of this story. All the characters are delightfully flawed and engaging. Caldwell has a gift for drawing out her character’s personalities and producing a cast that is not only appealing but familiar. I saw a little of everyone I know in each of them. Aiden, Molly’s six year old, helps seal the deal with his impetuousness and love of Pokemon. Molly’s mother provides an excellent look at turbulent parental relationships and the way love and forgiveness can often heal breaches.Molly’s bff has her back always and she meets some new friends and discovers a new hobby that produces some interesting results.
The romance reveals at a delightfully speed as Molly tries to suss out her attraction to one man while reluctantly dating another. I found her dates with Simon to be humorous while I fell in love with Nick myself. It all develops slowly and though some situations aren’t perfect, they are genuine. I liked that Molly isn’t portrayed as needing to find a replacement for her ex husband to save her. She understands, correctly, that she isn’t in a good place right now and her family and financial needs take precedence over her physical ones. Yet, she has wants, needs, and reading her thoughts on those will bring a chuckle.
Molly’s journey towards financial and emotional independence is a wonderfully witty, charming, and yummy tale that is sure to appeal to readers and foodies alike. Caldwell’s debut is a winner across the board and a perfect addition for everyone’s romance shelf.
Overall Rating: B
Molly Hagan is having a bad day. Her husband has not only left her for a younger woman but has also lost his job in the process. With a small child to care for and no steady income, Molly needs to step up her game. When an old friend offers her a plum position of writing copy for an up and coming bakery, Molly jumps in feet first only to find herself swiftly rethinking her plans when the job threatens to overwhelm her. Engaging in a battle of wits and scones keeps Molly on her toes once romance rears it’s fickle head in the form of sexy British baker,Simon but Molly isn't interested in love until a certain snarly business partner, Nick, enters the fray. Molly begins to settle and begins to imagine a silver lining might be in her future but soon learns that happily ever after isn’t always as easy to get as it is to write.
First off, I must let you all know that Megan Caldwell, aka, Megan Frampton, is my boss at HeroesandHeartbreakers.com. She at no time approached me to review her novel. I requested on Edelweiss and was approved by HarperCollins.
Megan Caldwell’s debut release, Vanity Fare, gives us an intimate ring side seat into the life of Molly Hagen as she deals with divorce, finances, employment, and suddenly becoming a single parent. Liberally laced with humor and grace, I found myself laughing and nodding as Molly slowly finds herself again after 20 plus years of being a married stay at home wife and mother. I enjoyed the fact that we aren’t inundated with off the cuff plot gimmicks or implausible situations as Molly begins to live and deal with being alone. The literary pun angle was cute and added a touch of whimsical to the story. What I really enjoyed about Vanity Fare is that the heroine is a 40 year old woman. Too often it’s the young, gorgeous 20 somethings who get the HEAs and the older women are regulated to the “wise, advice giving friend” role. Divorce is hard enough but it’s even harder when you're tossed aside for someone younger. Caldwell doesn’t sugar coat the ups and downs of divorce for the sake of an HEA in here. She shows us it’s messy, heartbreaking, unfair, and presents it all clearly and without apology.
Character driven, it’s the fast pacing and conversational style writing that enhances the appeal of this story. All the characters are delightfully flawed and engaging. Caldwell has a gift for drawing out her character’s personalities and producing a cast that is not only appealing but familiar. I saw a little of everyone I know in each of them. Aiden, Molly’s six year old, helps seal the deal with his impetuousness and love of Pokemon. Molly’s mother provides an excellent look at turbulent parental relationships and the way love and forgiveness can often heal breaches.Molly’s bff has her back always and she meets some new friends and discovers a new hobby that produces some interesting results.
The romance reveals at a delightfully speed as Molly tries to suss out her attraction to one man while reluctantly dating another. I found her dates with Simon to be humorous while I fell in love with Nick myself. It all develops slowly and though some situations aren’t perfect, they are genuine. I liked that Molly isn’t portrayed as needing to find a replacement for her ex husband to save her. She understands, correctly, that she isn’t in a good place right now and her family and financial needs take precedence over her physical ones. Yet, she has wants, needs, and reading her thoughts on those will bring a chuckle.
Molly’s journey towards financial and emotional independence is a wonderfully witty, charming, and yummy tale that is sure to appeal to readers and foodies alike. Caldwell’s debut is a winner across the board and a perfect addition for everyone’s romance shelf.
Overall Rating: B
November 14, 2012
"A novel of lattes, literature, and love"? Sounds like the story of my life, if you change "lattes" to "coffee" or "espresso" and don't mind the loss of alliteration. Fortunately for me, but unfortunately for Molly, the 40-something discarded wife/single mother involved, my life is safely my own. Still, this made an amusing diversion from some of other stuff I'm reading of late (Sholem Aleichem for a book club, sequel to a complex science fiction as an AR, a Nordic noir that's being passed around amongst friends, and some occupationally related reading.)
Molly's left facing a future of no money, no job, no support from the scummy ex, and has to reshape her world. Lucky for her, she's able to get work from an old college friend, who plops her in as the marketing/copy-writing person for a new bakery opening up near the New York City Library. Did I mention that the chef/owner is handsome, and sexy, etc? Yeah, well, he is, as is his associate who appears to despise Molly as much as I despise the word "sexy" as a descriptor.
So here were the problems for me. Molly loves "literature" but is busy reading romance novels (which is fine to do, but own it, don't be ashamed of a good bodice. Heck, act it out, even. It's great fun.) And when her non-reading friend wants to start reading good literature, Molly starts her out on Ethan Frome. Ethan Frome??? I'd be surprised if the chick ever picked up a book again.
Molly loves "coffee", but thinks nothing of drinking stuff that's been sitting on a warmer all day. The coffee geeks I know would be horrified at that, or by the pre-ground coffee she scoops out to make her bucket 'o coffee. I know there's the whole crowd out there that thinks Starbucks or Dunkin' Doughnuts reigns supreme, but not the folks I hang with. They'd shudder, and that's before knowing that the perfect cuppa in this book has milk and one sugar in it. Undoubtedly perfect for some, but not for the purists.
So if I put my judgmental snob hat aside, and focus on the story, it was fine. Molly is faced with some really awful stuff, and faces challenge. She also has a son, who she wants to keep unharmed from his father's desertion. Her mother is a little off kilter, but Molly deals with it well. She's got two great girlfriends to help her, with good shoulders to cry on and ears for listening. She's got a great shrink, another friend who gives her a job, and her health is insurance covered for at least a little while. And she's got a good enough head on her shoulders to not be ruled by her libido.
All in all, a fine escape read for a chilly autumn day. The references to books, in the copy Molly supposedly came up with for the bakery products, were entertaining. The recipes for those products a nice touch. A little more of Brooklyn would have been just great. The best thing would have been if the bakery was real, and I could order one of those muffins to have with my freshly brewed, black coffee.
Many thanks to LibraryThing and the publisher for sending along this copy of Vanity Fare.
Molly's left facing a future of no money, no job, no support from the scummy ex, and has to reshape her world. Lucky for her, she's able to get work from an old college friend, who plops her in as the marketing/copy-writing person for a new bakery opening up near the New York City Library. Did I mention that the chef/owner is handsome, and sexy, etc? Yeah, well, he is, as is his associate who appears to despise Molly as much as I despise the word "sexy" as a descriptor.
So here were the problems for me. Molly loves "literature" but is busy reading romance novels (which is fine to do, but own it, don't be ashamed of a good bodice. Heck, act it out, even. It's great fun.) And when her non-reading friend wants to start reading good literature, Molly starts her out on Ethan Frome. Ethan Frome??? I'd be surprised if the chick ever picked up a book again.
Molly loves "coffee", but thinks nothing of drinking stuff that's been sitting on a warmer all day. The coffee geeks I know would be horrified at that, or by the pre-ground coffee she scoops out to make her bucket 'o coffee. I know there's the whole crowd out there that thinks Starbucks or Dunkin' Doughnuts reigns supreme, but not the folks I hang with. They'd shudder, and that's before knowing that the perfect cuppa in this book has milk and one sugar in it. Undoubtedly perfect for some, but not for the purists.
So if I put my judgmental snob hat aside, and focus on the story, it was fine. Molly is faced with some really awful stuff, and faces challenge. She also has a son, who she wants to keep unharmed from his father's desertion. Her mother is a little off kilter, but Molly deals with it well. She's got two great girlfriends to help her, with good shoulders to cry on and ears for listening. She's got a great shrink, another friend who gives her a job, and her health is insurance covered for at least a little while. And she's got a good enough head on her shoulders to not be ruled by her libido.
All in all, a fine escape read for a chilly autumn day. The references to books, in the copy Molly supposedly came up with for the bakery products, were entertaining. The recipes for those products a nice touch. A little more of Brooklyn would have been just great. The best thing would have been if the bakery was real, and I could order one of those muffins to have with my freshly brewed, black coffee.
Many thanks to LibraryThing and the publisher for sending along this copy of Vanity Fare.
November 14, 2012
I won this book from Library Thing, and it arrived the day after I finished Heading Out to Wonderful. I was in a funky frame of mind, suffering from book hangover, so I picked it up and immediately started reading it. It was fun and silly, and the perfect antidote to the heaviness I was feeling. This is normal for me, I do usually try to balance the books I read so if I read something pretty emotional I follow up with something easy. I started this when I was reading Joyce Carol Oates books’ back to back to back and started feeling grumpy and depressed. Her stuff is so good, but so dark! So I don't like to be all serious all the time.
Vanity Fare is about a forty year old rich woman named Molly whose husband abruptly leaves her, and not only is he gone, but so is their money and his job. She is forced to get a job, but after being a stay at home with a liberal arts degree, she feels she has few options. In the past, she had dabbled in freelance proofing and editing for her friend’s marketing firm, and when he calls with an opportunity, she has to check it out, for the sake of herself and her son Aidan. The job is writing copy for a celebrity chef, Simon from Britain, who is opening a new bakery – and he wants his products tied into the library next door, hence the name Vanity Fare. She writes lots of puns, reworking book titles to have to do with baked goods. Molly ends up dating Simon a few times, but really has her eye on Nick, the financial guy behind Simon. There are a few hiccups along the way to happiness for Molly, but ultimately this book has a happy ending.
One thing did bother me- Molly was always going on about her internal editor, and would mentally note if someone used the same word more than once in a paragraph or a document. But I counted the author using the word surreptitiously at least 6 times, and 3 times out of the 6 was on the same page. I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be ironic or if it was a mistake, but it bugged me after reading how the character hated when that happened.
This book is an easy feel good book. Not too serious or dramatic, just something to read when you need a pick me up. I could easily see reading it, while drinking a peppermint mocha latte and eating something equally indulgent.
Vanity Fare is about a forty year old rich woman named Molly whose husband abruptly leaves her, and not only is he gone, but so is their money and his job. She is forced to get a job, but after being a stay at home with a liberal arts degree, she feels she has few options. In the past, she had dabbled in freelance proofing and editing for her friend’s marketing firm, and when he calls with an opportunity, she has to check it out, for the sake of herself and her son Aidan. The job is writing copy for a celebrity chef, Simon from Britain, who is opening a new bakery – and he wants his products tied into the library next door, hence the name Vanity Fare. She writes lots of puns, reworking book titles to have to do with baked goods. Molly ends up dating Simon a few times, but really has her eye on Nick, the financial guy behind Simon. There are a few hiccups along the way to happiness for Molly, but ultimately this book has a happy ending.
One thing did bother me- Molly was always going on about her internal editor, and would mentally note if someone used the same word more than once in a paragraph or a document. But I counted the author using the word surreptitiously at least 6 times, and 3 times out of the 6 was on the same page. I wasn’t sure if this was supposed to be ironic or if it was a mistake, but it bugged me after reading how the character hated when that happened.
This book is an easy feel good book. Not too serious or dramatic, just something to read when you need a pick me up. I could easily see reading it, while drinking a peppermint mocha latte and eating something equally indulgent.
January 17, 2013
Yes I am a shallow book reader, the cover alone drew me in. Chocolate chip cookies, old books on the cover, literature and love (I am not a latte person, but a cup of tea would work well with me).
This is the book I took home with me on the plane at Christmas. It was the perfect read. Molly the main character is faced with major financial challenges after her cheating husband walks out on her and her 6 year old. Molly finds herself with a job helping Simon open up a pastry shop. The job seems perfect for Molly-the pastry shop is to have a literary theme. Simon has other ideas.
Used to getting all the women he wants Simon is thinks he is the perfect dessert. Initially Molly is beyond flattered by the hot, sexy green eyed British chef. This is never the type of man who was attracted to her. Intimidated by both her own insecurities and Nick, Simon's business partner Molly is not sure whether to devour Simon or abstain. She cannot risk losing the job and the income it will generate.
I devoured the story with all it's delicious and sometimes sour ingredients as Molly starts to discover herself as a newly divorced mother raising a child.
Caldwell gives her readers a fast paced book, while exposing the harsh realities of many women who find themselves single with a child and no current skills after years of child rearing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially enjoyed Molly's transformation through the various chapters. While the book does not center on food, I liked the idea of a literary pastry shop and at the end of the book there are also a few recipes.
My one criticism of the book was the use of the "F" word. There was no need for it and I am not sure why Caldwell felt the need to interject it in an otherwise wholesome book.
You should pick this one up. You will not be disappointed.
This is the book I took home with me on the plane at Christmas. It was the perfect read. Molly the main character is faced with major financial challenges after her cheating husband walks out on her and her 6 year old. Molly finds herself with a job helping Simon open up a pastry shop. The job seems perfect for Molly-the pastry shop is to have a literary theme. Simon has other ideas.
Used to getting all the women he wants Simon is thinks he is the perfect dessert. Initially Molly is beyond flattered by the hot, sexy green eyed British chef. This is never the type of man who was attracted to her. Intimidated by both her own insecurities and Nick, Simon's business partner Molly is not sure whether to devour Simon or abstain. She cannot risk losing the job and the income it will generate.
I devoured the story with all it's delicious and sometimes sour ingredients as Molly starts to discover herself as a newly divorced mother raising a child.
Caldwell gives her readers a fast paced book, while exposing the harsh realities of many women who find themselves single with a child and no current skills after years of child rearing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and especially enjoyed Molly's transformation through the various chapters. While the book does not center on food, I liked the idea of a literary pastry shop and at the end of the book there are also a few recipes.
My one criticism of the book was the use of the "F" word. There was no need for it and I am not sure why Caldwell felt the need to interject it in an otherwise wholesome book.
You should pick this one up. You will not be disappointed.
December 26, 2012
Molly Hagan wants to be a good mom to her son, especially now that her newly separated husband won't be able to pay the bills. She also wants to feel more fulfilled than she has as she's let her needs be subsumed in her marriage. Enter a copywriting job helmed by two hot men, kitchen whiz Simon and serious but hunky Nick. She's soon working closely with both of them, dreaming up literary paeans to Simon's baking skills leading up to the launch of his bakery, while dealing with her mom moving in and her son's demands. Caldwell makes it clear that Molly's libido hasn't been allowed to flourish since before her marriage ended; her ex is a comical character, but it's not as funny when Molly starts to feel the burden of being a single mom. Yet even though there are moments of despair, this isn't a dark book. Rather, it's a sweet (on several levels) romance whose protagonist wants to lose her head and let go, but is smart enough to keep her wits about her even as she dreams of something she wants but doesn't think she can have. I liked that while I suspected where this novel was going, I wasn't totally sure, and didn't mind because the unfolding story went at a perfect pace. Make sure to have snacks handy while you read, because the interludes of Molly's copywriting flair will very likely make you hungry.
April 2, 2013
I loved this book. I loved the main character's sense of humor. Molly has a way about her I can relate to. I love how the book has little blurbs at the beginning of the chapters, and recipes in the back of the book. I read this book in one day because it flowed nicely and I kept waiting to see what else was going to happen. I really enjoyed it and can't wait to read more of Megan Caldwell's works.
Read
December 19, 2012Molly Hagan is still struggling to adjust to life as a newly-single mother when she receives notice that her soon-to-be-ex can no longer afford child support. Suddenly that world that seemed intimidating but doable is a lot more treacherous as with no job and no child support, she has no money in which to feed her child. Much to her chagrin and dismay, she is forced to quickly find a job for the first time in six years. Enter her friend John, with whom she has worked in the past, and who has a timely offer for freelance copywriting work about a hot new bakery complete with its very own hot pastry chef. One taste of his pastries and one glimpse of his British sexiness, and Molly knows her life will never be the same again.
Such is the basic plot of Megan Caldwell’s latest novel, Vanity Fare. Women’s literature at its finest, it has the added bonus of a main character that is an English major and bibliophile. Gorgeous men, compassionate and truth-talking best friends, and an adorable son round out this romantic comedy. The literary comments, as well as the fact that Molly is an avowed romance fan whereas her mother all but denounces her genre of choice, are an absolute blast. Molly herself is realistic and witty. She has a wicked sense of humor and a tendency to forget to filter her comments. This leads to some hilariously awkward moments that are as cringe-worthy as they are funny. Better yet, she is not a model, nor is she fabulously wealthy. She is not a rising star in her chosen field, and she definitely struggles with cleanliness and organization. She is a mother through and through – harried, disorganized, and just trying to provide a stable and loving home for her son. She is a character that is instantly recognizable and relatable for millions of readers.
Vanity Fare is exactly what it sets out to be - good, light-hearted fun – and that is perfectly okay. In fact, with its literary puns, delicious descriptions of the various baked goods, its awkward heroine, and not-so-awkward romantic interest, it is more than perfectly okay; it is absolutely fantastic. As a soon-to-be divorced mother with major self-esteem issues, Molly’s struggles are heart-wrenchingly and yet endearingly realistic. They are made all the more so by her support network, all of whom are not afraid to tell her to shut up and stop her whining, as any true friend would. As the love interest, Nick is appropriately sexy, and even though the big secret is anything but to savvy readers, it does not prevent one from enjoying the sparks. Vanity Fare is just a delight to read and quickly devoured with its humor, character growth, and romance. Just be warned – reading it may induce carbohydrate cravings!
Acknowledgments: Thank you to LibraryThing’s Early Reader program for my review copy!
Such is the basic plot of Megan Caldwell’s latest novel, Vanity Fare. Women’s literature at its finest, it has the added bonus of a main character that is an English major and bibliophile. Gorgeous men, compassionate and truth-talking best friends, and an adorable son round out this romantic comedy. The literary comments, as well as the fact that Molly is an avowed romance fan whereas her mother all but denounces her genre of choice, are an absolute blast. Molly herself is realistic and witty. She has a wicked sense of humor and a tendency to forget to filter her comments. This leads to some hilariously awkward moments that are as cringe-worthy as they are funny. Better yet, she is not a model, nor is she fabulously wealthy. She is not a rising star in her chosen field, and she definitely struggles with cleanliness and organization. She is a mother through and through – harried, disorganized, and just trying to provide a stable and loving home for her son. She is a character that is instantly recognizable and relatable for millions of readers.
Vanity Fare is exactly what it sets out to be - good, light-hearted fun – and that is perfectly okay. In fact, with its literary puns, delicious descriptions of the various baked goods, its awkward heroine, and not-so-awkward romantic interest, it is more than perfectly okay; it is absolutely fantastic. As a soon-to-be divorced mother with major self-esteem issues, Molly’s struggles are heart-wrenchingly and yet endearingly realistic. They are made all the more so by her support network, all of whom are not afraid to tell her to shut up and stop her whining, as any true friend would. As the love interest, Nick is appropriately sexy, and even though the big secret is anything but to savvy readers, it does not prevent one from enjoying the sparks. Vanity Fare is just a delight to read and quickly devoured with its humor, character growth, and romance. Just be warned – reading it may induce carbohydrate cravings!
Acknowledgments: Thank you to LibraryThing’s Early Reader program for my review copy!
January 14, 2013
Full review coming at www.bookcrack.com but just have to cheer for this book as it really stands out as a favorite since the beginning of 2013.
Vanity Fare took me completely by surprise and by that I mean that I knew I would like it ( I mean if the heroine's love of coffee alone didn't make me feel a kinship with her I'd be lying) but in the end I loved it. Why? It had the look and feel of NYC (which I miss), a relatable heroine, and quick, snappy, not overly snarky dialogue that I love. Plus, the heroine's plight and her predicaments had me cringing, laughing, and loving this book at page one.
This book is entirely relatable without weighing the reader down and quick-witted enough to have me smirking all the way through. And the romantic entanglements? I didn't know who to root for most?!? The unabashed, sexy-as-hell and he wields it like a weapon Simon or the Unassuming Nick or BOTH?!?
Much like the beloved Bridget Jones Diary (novels and movie) and Love Actually (movie) the ending of VF had me saying -"Oh I should have seen this coming, but damn it all, now I want MORE!" LOL.
Tis the sign of a great romance IMHO. Vanity Fare will hold a strong appeal for rom com/women's fiction/Jane Austin fans and all those who like a little snark and female empowerment with their love story. Not to mention coffee or baked goods.
I can just imagine what Nora Ephron would have done with this material and I want to weep at the loss of opportunity. This is definitely a NYC romantic gem for readers like me who can't get enough of NYC romances, nods to great literature and love triangles (or is this a quadrangle?) run amuck.
-Definitely a romance/literature lover's delight.
Only downside: I had to go bake something immediately afterward. My family however says that was the upside! My scale would agree.
-Enjoy!
Quick note: I am familiar with Megan Caldwell via Macmillian's www.heroesandheartbreakers.com site where she is the community manager and I am an occasional blogger. This was book was self purchased via Amazon and is in at Bookcrack.com for an unsolicited, fair review.
March 12, 2013
I actually liked this more than I thought I would. Or should? Look, it's not our beloved Jane or Lucy M. It's not Dickens or Tolstoy or the consistently depressing Hardy {author got bonus points for feeling the same way I do about Thomas Hardy}. But being honest, that's not why we pick up chick lit like this.
It's formulaic, certainly. But despite that, I enjoyed it. I was invested in the girl getting the guy - the right guy, that is. I disliked Romantic Interst #1 fairly quickly. She took a little longer to catch on to what a knob he was, but I was so pleased that she did.
So for a light, easy, quick and pleasant read - exactly what I was looking for when I started it last night - it fit the bill exactly. The Bakery Puns at the beginning of each chapter - fantastic. Gave me a good chuckle.
It's formulaic, certainly. But despite that, I enjoyed it. I was invested in the girl getting the guy - the right guy, that is. I disliked Romantic Interst #1 fairly quickly. She took a little longer to catch on to what a knob he was, but I was so pleased that she did.
So for a light, easy, quick and pleasant read - exactly what I was looking for when I started it last night - it fit the bill exactly. The Bakery Puns at the beginning of each chapter - fantastic. Gave me a good chuckle.
October 3, 2012
Cute. Fans of pastry and puns will eat it up!
May 3, 2013
Thankfully the contents of this book are just as appealing and delectable as the pile of old books (and even the plate of chocolate chip cookies) on the cover that drew me in.
Molly is middle-aged and suddenly a single mom after her scummy husband left her for a younger woman. The cherry on top is that he lost his job at the same time, leaving him unable to pay child support or alimony. Suddenly it's imperative that she find a job, not an easy feat for someone who has been out of the workforce for so long. Then into her lap falls the perfect position: writing copy for a new bakery in town. With it comes the company of two charming men as well.
Caldwell has a way with words as she weaves together Molly's personal and professional lives. I really enjoyed her descriptions, especially of the various people throughout. The main character is realistic in that she's sometimes frustrating but most of the time easily the one the reader is rooting for. For once, the conversations between people are so natural! I feel like everything I've picked up lately has felt so forced and stilted.
The pacing was also handled excellently. It was fast for the reader but also felt a little slower for Molly, in a good way. So many romance novels rush into those immediate primal urges where all that's driving the plot is lust. Caldwell completely avoids this, sprinkling in Molly's work and her fledgling social life to keep it interesting.
Plus, I'm an absolute sucker for a Byronic hero. While Nick's big reveal may be underwhelming and the closest thing to a plot device to be found, it didn't detract from the journey getting there.
Favorite quote: "Green eyes. Brilliant, emerald green eyes. Man, did I love green eyes. Hugh's eyes were brown, a fact I'd always secretly resented." I also loved the reliance on the NYC public library and, of course, all the literary references.
The most annoying thing I could find about this one was the fact that there was actually a crossed out phrase in it. I find it hilarious on the internet but think it needs to stayon the internet out of print.
I recommend it for chick-lit fans who don't mind a generous spattering of (unnecessary) swearing. The romance is a strong enough element that most genre readers would also enjoy, though there is nothing beyond steamy kissing.
Molly is middle-aged and suddenly a single mom after her scummy husband left her for a younger woman. The cherry on top is that he lost his job at the same time, leaving him unable to pay child support or alimony. Suddenly it's imperative that she find a job, not an easy feat for someone who has been out of the workforce for so long. Then into her lap falls the perfect position: writing copy for a new bakery in town. With it comes the company of two charming men as well.
Caldwell has a way with words as she weaves together Molly's personal and professional lives. I really enjoyed her descriptions, especially of the various people throughout. The main character is realistic in that she's sometimes frustrating but most of the time easily the one the reader is rooting for. For once, the conversations between people are so natural! I feel like everything I've picked up lately has felt so forced and stilted.
The pacing was also handled excellently. It was fast for the reader but also felt a little slower for Molly, in a good way. So many romance novels rush into those immediate primal urges where all that's driving the plot is lust. Caldwell completely avoids this, sprinkling in Molly's work and her fledgling social life to keep it interesting.
Plus, I'm an absolute sucker for a Byronic hero. While Nick's big reveal may be underwhelming and the closest thing to a plot device to be found, it didn't detract from the journey getting there.
Favorite quote: "Green eyes. Brilliant, emerald green eyes. Man, did I love green eyes. Hugh's eyes were brown, a fact I'd always secretly resented." I also loved the reliance on the NYC public library and, of course, all the literary references.
The most annoying thing I could find about this one was the fact that there was actually a crossed out phrase in it. I find it hilarious on the internet but think it needs to stay
I recommend it for chick-lit fans who don't mind a generous spattering of (unnecessary) swearing. The romance is a strong enough element that most genre readers would also enjoy, though there is nothing beyond steamy kissing.
November 3, 2014
Molly Hagan's husband has left her and she needs to get a job -- quick. Said husband has just informed her that he's lost his job and can no longer provide child support and Molly's insurance is running out. Fortunately a friend comes through with some temporary contract work that involves copywriting for an up and coming bakery in the city. The chef behind the concept is a hot (literally and figuratively) Englishman hoping their location near the New York Library will draw crowds. Molly's well read and has an English major so the job seems just about perfect. With just one exception, the chef's business partner is a bit of a cold fish. But when Molly begins to connect with both men, things start to get very interesting. Little does she know, they're both hiding things from her.
VANITY FARE is super cute! Molly is addicted to coffee and romance novels, spends much of her time worrying about how best to provide for her son, and is funny to boot. This combination makes her the kind of heroine I can really get behind!
The progression of the story is pretty great. I don't know that I'd have invited Nick into my life as quickly as Molly did with this story -- that was the only thing I had a little tough time swallowing. Other than that, I was laughing out loud and drooling over the descriptions of the pastries inside.
The book does include a few recipes for some of the mentioned baked goods. Unfortunately, baking at high altitude comes with many challenges and temper tantrums on my part so I didn't try any of them. I'd be interested to hear how they come out if other readers are inspired to try them though.
If you're in the mood for a light read that's both filling and funny, I'd highly recommend checking this one out (sorry, I'm not as good at puns as Molly is!). Just be prepared and have some cookies handy :)
VANITY FARE is super cute! Molly is addicted to coffee and romance novels, spends much of her time worrying about how best to provide for her son, and is funny to boot. This combination makes her the kind of heroine I can really get behind!
The progression of the story is pretty great. I don't know that I'd have invited Nick into my life as quickly as Molly did with this story -- that was the only thing I had a little tough time swallowing. Other than that, I was laughing out loud and drooling over the descriptions of the pastries inside.
The book does include a few recipes for some of the mentioned baked goods. Unfortunately, baking at high altitude comes with many challenges and temper tantrums on my part so I didn't try any of them. I'd be interested to hear how they come out if other readers are inspired to try them though.
If you're in the mood for a light read that's both filling and funny, I'd highly recommend checking this one out (sorry, I'm not as good at puns as Molly is!). Just be prepared and have some cookies handy :)
January 13, 2013
Molly Hagan must get her feet wet and enter the working class world again. Her husband has left her and their son, Aidan for a younger woman. This means that Molly must find a way to support her and Aidan and pay for insurance.
Molly’s friend, John offers Molly a job opportunity being a copy writing for a new bakery. The chef is Simon, who is one of the most in demand and hottest chefs around. Besides working with Simon, Molly will be working with Nick. This would not be a problem if Nick was not such a bore.
I enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I would. Molly and her son, Aidan were good. I am glad that Molly ended up with the right guy. I was rooting for Nick way before Molly realized that he was the one for her. I knew exactly why he was acting aloof when it came to Molly and Simon. There were some funny moments. Like the ones between Molly and her psychologist. It was the lists that Molly would write up to give to Dr. Lowell during their sessions together. Lists like: Thing Every Newly Single Woman Must Do. As much as I did enjoy reading this book, I did feel like it could have been shortened about a hundred pages and still have been good.
All of the write ups on the pastries had my mouth watering. I could picture each one and imaging how they would taste. Now I get to actually taste some for real. There are about four recipes inserted in the back of the book for me to make and try. Of course, I would love to have all the recipes as they all sounded wonderful. In addition, I could not believe all the different book references. I admit that I was not familiar with some of them so I will have to check up more on the books called out by the author. Vanity Fare is a good beach or book club read with the ladies.
Molly’s friend, John offers Molly a job opportunity being a copy writing for a new bakery. The chef is Simon, who is one of the most in demand and hottest chefs around. Besides working with Simon, Molly will be working with Nick. This would not be a problem if Nick was not such a bore.
I enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I would. Molly and her son, Aidan were good. I am glad that Molly ended up with the right guy. I was rooting for Nick way before Molly realized that he was the one for her. I knew exactly why he was acting aloof when it came to Molly and Simon. There were some funny moments. Like the ones between Molly and her psychologist. It was the lists that Molly would write up to give to Dr. Lowell during their sessions together. Lists like: Thing Every Newly Single Woman Must Do. As much as I did enjoy reading this book, I did feel like it could have been shortened about a hundred pages and still have been good.
All of the write ups on the pastries had my mouth watering. I could picture each one and imaging how they would taste. Now I get to actually taste some for real. There are about four recipes inserted in the back of the book for me to make and try. Of course, I would love to have all the recipes as they all sounded wonderful. In addition, I could not believe all the different book references. I admit that I was not familiar with some of them so I will have to check up more on the books called out by the author. Vanity Fare is a good beach or book club read with the ladies.
January 4, 2013
I devoured Vanity Fare, relishing and savouring the ingredients therein. A delicious mix of a snarky protagonist, attractive men and humour made this novel so much fun to read! Add some decadent recipes at the end (courtesy of Emily Isaac of Trois Pommes Patisserie) and you have a complete package for an afternoon of you time!
Faced with the uncertainty of a single mom raising a six year old with no income, Molly must do things she would never do in a million years like taking on a copywriting job for an ad agency representing a new destination bakery in her city, New York; facing her ex; scrapbooking; to name a few. With the support of two very good friends (we all need friends like these two), her therapist and her mother; Molly finds the strength to face the challenges life has dealt her. What she wasn't counting on is the sexy and very attentive baker; nor his business counterpart, the serious and very handsome brooding man with whom she must work closely in preparation for the grand opening and for whom she tries to fight an overwhelming attraction. (Whatever is a girl to do?)
Vanity Fare, however, is not just a piece of fluff women's fiction nor a romance. It has substance in plot development, with well-rounded and imperfect characters, and the struggles Molly faces and must overcome are tangible and relatable. All the necessary ingredients and excellent writing, make this novel a satisfying and palatable read.
See my full review here: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
Warning to sensitive readers: sexual references (not explicit) and some language
Faced with the uncertainty of a single mom raising a six year old with no income, Molly must do things she would never do in a million years like taking on a copywriting job for an ad agency representing a new destination bakery in her city, New York; facing her ex; scrapbooking; to name a few. With the support of two very good friends (we all need friends like these two), her therapist and her mother; Molly finds the strength to face the challenges life has dealt her. What she wasn't counting on is the sexy and very attentive baker; nor his business counterpart, the serious and very handsome brooding man with whom she must work closely in preparation for the grand opening and for whom she tries to fight an overwhelming attraction. (Whatever is a girl to do?)
Vanity Fare, however, is not just a piece of fluff women's fiction nor a romance. It has substance in plot development, with well-rounded and imperfect characters, and the struggles Molly faces and must overcome are tangible and relatable. All the necessary ingredients and excellent writing, make this novel a satisfying and palatable read.
See my full review here: http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.c...
Warning to sensitive readers: sexual references (not explicit) and some language
February 20, 2013
This was mutton dressed as lamb; just a formulaic romance with predictable characters and plot elements pretending to appeal to foodies and literature lovers. About-to-be-divorced Molly Hagan, a financially-challenged mother of one 6 year-old son, is hired as a copywriter for a celebrity chef's new Manahattan baker. Because the shop is near NY Public Library, the bakery has a literary theme. Thus the overly punnish chapter headings (Much Ado About Muffins, Portrait of a Ladyfinger, Remembrance of Things Yeast) supposedly written by Molly. Yet she never seems to eat any of the proposed goodies, nor is the chef ever seen baking. So the whole thing seemed like a pastiche to me, full of air, without real substance or flavor. I almost skipped to the end halfway through, since I knew which one of the two men she was attracted to would be The One; any reader would... But perhaps because of the New York setting, I kept reading.
December 30, 2012
Vanity Fare
by
Megan Caldwell
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Divorce turns Molly into one heck of a new woman.
My thoughts after reading this book...
I found this book to be fun, absorbing and thoughtful. Molly's husband Hugh leaves her...alone with their son and almost no money. Molly steps up, grows up and deals with life. Molly has great friends, an amazing therapist and a fab sense of humor. These attributes help her to deal with her new life circumstances.
What I loved about this book...
Molly and her situations. The problems were believable. The way she dealt with them relatively real. She was funny with a unique sense of humor.
What I did not love...
The way she fed her son...she never had anything in the house except for stale cookies, crackers and chicken nuggets and pop tarts.
Final thoughts...
A fun book about dealing with life when you are dumped!
by
Megan Caldwell
My " in a nutshell" summary...
Divorce turns Molly into one heck of a new woman.
My thoughts after reading this book...
I found this book to be fun, absorbing and thoughtful. Molly's husband Hugh leaves her...alone with their son and almost no money. Molly steps up, grows up and deals with life. Molly has great friends, an amazing therapist and a fab sense of humor. These attributes help her to deal with her new life circumstances.
What I loved about this book...
Molly and her situations. The problems were believable. The way she dealt with them relatively real. She was funny with a unique sense of humor.
What I did not love...
The way she fed her son...she never had anything in the house except for stale cookies, crackers and chicken nuggets and pop tarts.
Final thoughts...
A fun book about dealing with life when you are dumped!
Read
December 6, 2016The library recommended this book to me "while you wait" for a book I placed on my hold shelf. I'm not sure why; it's a completely different genre. I was expecting something light, fun, and yet still a little literary. This one didn't work for me and I no longer remember all the reasons why. It felt like an old draft hastily updated to sound contemporary, with online dating a quirky new idea done through the newspaper's website, mobile phones an afterthought, day trading a new craze, etc. I was frustrated by the main character for several reasons, not least of which was that I couldn't figure out how she spent all her time. But for me the kicker was that the primary relationship developed suddenly, very very quickly, and primarily off-page. I liked the idea of this literary-themed cafe marketing project romance but it felt clunky to me.
December 29, 2012
Vanity Fare is tagged as a novel of lattes, literature, and love and that’s a perfect description of the book. Molly Hagan is a 40-year old woman living in Brooklyn, who’s been recently divorced and faced with finding a way to support herself and her son with only an unused English degree. Through a friend, Molly finds herself working as a freelance copywriter for a sexy British chef opening a pastry cafe. Her idea? Matching pastry items with long-loved novels.
This book is for anyone who has even a passing interest in scones or Sense and Sensibility. Megan Caldwell crafts an interesting tale that follows Molly’s journey from a jilted housewife to an independent, strong woman. As a bonus, Caldwell includes recipes for some of the more delicious sounding pastries.
This book is for anyone who has even a passing interest in scones or Sense and Sensibility. Megan Caldwell crafts an interesting tale that follows Molly’s journey from a jilted housewife to an independent, strong woman. As a bonus, Caldwell includes recipes for some of the more delicious sounding pastries.
January 26, 2013
Quite enjoyable! Though when I asked for it on my Amazon wish list, my husband misunderstood and got me a magazine subscription to Vanity Fair. Oops! We sorted that our quickly. I really enjoyed the characters and especially liked how the main character (gese it's only been a few weeks and I forgot her name - mommy brain!) dealt with all that was thrown at her. Liked the leads into each chapter. It was a very cute idea and nice way to show progress on the work project without taking away from the fun part of the story. I enjoyed the Brooklyn tie as well, had I stayed living in NYC, I'm sure I would have been doing a lot of the same mom things. Looking forward to future reads by Megan Caldwell!
March 17, 2016
I love novels that are basically completely character driven and don't have crazy complex plots. It's a nice change of pace to go on complex emotional journeys with characters.
Molly certainly goes on a serious journey. Not only internally but romantically as well. I was charmed by Molly and thoroughly enjoyed watching her figure herself out as a woman, mother, and partner. Finding herself takes time and with her husband having left her for a younger woman she struggles with how to redefine what kind of woman she is. She needs to find her path professionally as well. (All of her marketing puns had me chuckling while reading)
Overall the writing was great, kept me entertained and in to the story.
Molly certainly goes on a serious journey. Not only internally but romantically as well. I was charmed by Molly and thoroughly enjoyed watching her figure herself out as a woman, mother, and partner. Finding herself takes time and with her husband having left her for a younger woman she struggles with how to redefine what kind of woman she is. She needs to find her path professionally as well. (All of her marketing puns had me chuckling while reading)
Overall the writing was great, kept me entertained and in to the story.
November 21, 2012
Vanity Fare, the story of a 40-something woman, Molly, recently left by her husband for another woman is a cute, light read. I enjoyed the parallels to famous romances like Pride and Prejudice and the recipes and clever descriptions of the baked goods were a fun touch.
I appreciated Molly's journey (although it was a bit unrealistic) but I have to say that even though this was a romance I was a bit disappointed that she found her happiness wrapped up in a man, even if he was a Mr. Darcy.
Overall, it is a fun, light read. Perfect for a vacation, but not good to read when hungry or dieting!
December 18, 2012
First, a disclaimer: I received this book in a goodreads giveaway.
This story of forty-something Molly Hagan is pretty well summed up by the books subtitle: literature, lattes, and love. She is a mother in the middle of a divorce trying to find happiness( and a way to make a living) on her own. So she begins writing copy for a new bakery.
My favorite part of the book was actually Molly's pun-full descriptions of the bakery items. I always love a good pun, cheesy as they may be. This book was a little more chic-lit than what I usually read, but it was fun. It was a pleasant diversion from real life for the duration of the book.
This story of forty-something Molly Hagan is pretty well summed up by the books subtitle: literature, lattes, and love. She is a mother in the middle of a divorce trying to find happiness( and a way to make a living) on her own. So she begins writing copy for a new bakery.
My favorite part of the book was actually Molly's pun-full descriptions of the bakery items. I always love a good pun, cheesy as they may be. This book was a little more chic-lit than what I usually read, but it was fun. It was a pleasant diversion from real life for the duration of the book.
April 20, 2013
Okay, I might gush about this book a little, because I absolutely adored it! Heartfelt, witty, and emotional. I usually gauge a good book by whether or not it makes me cry, and I teared up more than once while reading this. I could relate to Molly's character, her insecurities, and I cheered her on as she found her inner strength.
I loved the food/literature puns that preceded each chapter and the supporting characters were wonderful. There was nothing overdone about this story. It felt real. The characters felt real. Molly's divorce, her son, and her life were real.
And to top it all off, there are recipes at the end of the book! For pastries! You just can't beat that.
I loved the food/literature puns that preceded each chapter and the supporting characters were wonderful. There was nothing overdone about this story. It felt real. The characters felt real. Molly's divorce, her son, and her life were real.
And to top it all off, there are recipes at the end of the book! For pastries! You just can't beat that.
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