Bake Off

by Cori Cooper

Now that Cat knows what her baking can do, it's time to discover why and how!

Cat and her family road-trip all the way to Arizona for Thanksgiving break to find the answers they need at the family bakery. Instead of resolving her bazillion questions, Cat finds herself in the middle of a bakery showdown with suspicion as the main ingredient. Emotions are all over the place as Cat and Robyn learn the hard way that reckless baking and magic is a recipe for disaster.

Bake Off, the sequel to Bake Believe, is a high-jinx urban fantasy for fans of Just Add Magic.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published June 21, 2023

About the author

Story-obsessed author with more books than bookshelves.

Most days you'll find me in my favorite fluffy chair with a computer on my lap, a dog at my feet, a ridiculous number of crazy cats reeking havoc, and my favoritest family milling around.

I love stories that suck me in, make me laugh and leave me wondering!

Reviews

[Ami Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Verified ARC Reader
Bake Off was a fun read! Just right for a clean teen read with enough twists & turns that you aren’t quite sure you’ve guessed right, & a pinch of romance along with the humor! I like the recipes that are included too!
by Ami

A very nice sequel to book one in the series! The story picked up right where the last one ended, so it was easy to follow. A great take on early teen angst, a sprinkle of parent silliness, a bit of romance, quite a lot of humor, silly jokes that a family would share, etc. This was a fun book to read & I would call it parent approved. The book also contains most of the recipes mentioned in the story, which I found both fun & satisfying! It was a very satisfying read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura Miller]

I loved Bake Believe and this sequel is extra fun. Our protagonist Cat grapples with the ethics of using her gift, learns some family history, and eats a nearly impossible amount of deliciousness in the form of baked goods. Recipes after every chapter! A cozy and delicious read that will have you licking your lips and headed to the kitchen.

[Cal Grant-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Off had some really fun laugh out loud moments! Plus there were some unexpected twists in the story which kept my anticipation on high alert! Of course the recipes had me drooling and I couldn’t help regarding Cat and her family as close friends; the author’s descriptions of their personalities and traits was so relatable. Loved it!

[Jerricka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quick fun read. I enjoyed that it includes recipes. I found myself trying a few of them. The baking and fantasy aspects worked perfectly together. It made it enjoyable. The author knows how to get the attention of teens and adults alike with this one.

[Hazel · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read! Characters are well developed and feel as if they are dear friends. I especially enjoyed reading about the relationship between the grandmother and her granddaughters. It reminded me of baking with my own grandmother and learning how to make our family’s favorite treats. Wide variety of recipes included, can’t wait to try them.

[Hepzibah Becca Jael · Rating 5 out of 5]

BAKE OFF
Cori Cooper

Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 yup six stars out of 5 read to find out why😉

Favorite Quote (from a gazillion others)

“Let’s add a pinch of patience, okay? I think that it will go a long way.”
It might, but how in the frosting am I supposed to get my legs to stop jiggling? I cross one over the other and concentrate on not wiggling my foot.

Review:

Cori Cooper has a peculiar style of writing that will connect with children, teen, tween, adult and everyone no matter the age and such is the spectaculous book BAKE OFF!

Bake Believe is the first in the series and the second book carries a journey into the roots of baking emotions! Cat loves baking and her mom lets her bake as long as she doesn't bake emotions but now that they're going to her GG's place she's free to bake anything she wants! But.... Oh the but is the plot so better buy the book and get to know the hunky villian that you'll fall in love with but will want to win the bake off and smear the win on his face!

Beautiful characters that you'll relate to, brilliant plotline, the pace of the book is normal for any kind of reader, lucid writing style, a bit on the whimsical and fancy but you'll love the way the book is written!
Also those amazing drool worthy recepies after every chapter!!!! YUMmmmmmmmmmm factor! Can't wait to read more from the author about this series!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Bake Off, we continue to read the story of Cat, Robyn, and their family. This book starts off with a trip to Arizona to Spend some time with GG and Josey to learn more about this weird family stuff. Cat and Robyn have had some adventures and now they are coming of age to learn more about why Cat's mom won't bake and why Robyn's mom loves it!

GG and Josey are ready for the town Bake Off. There are several bakeries in town and there is a restaurant wanting to partner with one of them. How can the family restaurant stand out amongst the others? Cat finally enjoys waking up at 5 am to bake with her GG and she's loving what she's learning but what sets their bakery apart? And what in the world is up with Josey and the delivery guy?

This story gives you more background from Evie, the family baking matriarch. Cat and Robyn have some fun adventures in baking during this story as well. I found it as equally enjoyable as book 1 in this series.

I highly recommend this to those who love the show "Just Add Magic" as it follows a similar story line. Like Book 1, this one also includes recipes with a lot of humor at the end of each chapter!

Just don't read this one while hungry!! :)

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author continues the tale of Cat and her discovery of the family secret. This time the family is off to Arizona to visit the matriarch, Grandma Ginny, known to most as GG. GG is the daughter of the original baker in the family, Evie. GG holds the answers to all the questions Cat and Robyn have been asking. However, GG lives with Jojo, Cat’s mother’s sister. Cat’s mom, Bridget, and Jojo had a disagreement 15 years ago and have not spoken since. Getting the answers that Cat needs might not be as easy as pie.

Once in Arizona, Cat is faced with many challenges, getting up at 5 to bake with GG, distance from Tobey, GG’s unwillingness to provide answers, a new mystery man, and a Bake-Off for a huge restaurant contract!! While Cat and the family figure out the perfect recipe for the bake-off, Cat explores the town and her heritage through a scavenger hunt meant to provide Cat with clues to the answers that GG will provide once Cat completes the hunt. Hilarity ensues.

This continuation provides answers to some questions but leaves new ones!! Looking forward to the next book in the series! A great read for all ages.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book two in the series about Cat Anderson and her magical baking for YA, and it was nice being back with Cat. Cat is a very likeable and realistic teenager who not only has the usual ‘growing up’ issues, but she has also discovered that, ‘something’ happens when she bakes, something magical. In this story Cat wants to learn more about her ‘gift’, as now she knows what her baking can do but not why or how. To find the answers Cat and her family go on a road trip to the family bakery in Arizona, for Thanksgiving. However, instead of finding the answers to all her questions, Cat finds herself under suspicion and in the middle of a bakery showdown. Cat and Robyn soon learn that reckless baking, emotions and magic is a recipe for disaster. This is a fun and lighthearted read with a quirky and unique storyline, and a great main character in Cat. I was hooked from page one, and I felt engaged with the characters and immersed in the story due to the descriptive narrative. An enjoyable read for both YA and adults alike.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper

Bake Off is the second book in the Bake Believe Trilogy. This is a cute YA / Fantasy/Kids book that was really fun to read. I truly enjoyed reading this book its got all the ingredients to make a quirky and fun story mixed with a bit of drama, magic and adventure. I do recommend reading the first book if you haven’t already as this book follows it. This author knocked it out of the park with this one. Cat is back and this time we find her and her family going on a Thanksgiving holiday and ending up in the middle of a baking showdown. Cat and Robin find out what happens when you add to much magic and reckless baking together it makes for a nice little disaster. Can Cat figure out more about her baking including the how’s and why’s of it all. I highly recommend reading this book and I cant wait to read more from this Author.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can a book be delicious? I’ll tell you- at the end of every chapter there are delicious recipes.. I know they are delicious because we have tried almost all of them! What a fun book to read with your kids, tweens, or even teens and then cook the recipes together!
I absolutely love the family dynamics in this book, the questions that are answered from the first book… though I have even more questions after finishing this one… no spoilers but I am SO excited for book three. This is one of those rare books that is great for kids, tweens, teens AND fun loving adults! Cat her main character is just too adorable. Cori has an amazing voice and an incredible talent of creating characters with amazing depth and humor. I so look forward to the next book and whatever else she has up her sleeve for future works!

[SaviLeeLind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally started the series listening on Audiobook. I fell in love with audiobooks because of the first book. I knew I had to read book 2 once it was out. This is a great kids book and I think it will show kids the fun of reading, and just the fun of being a kid/teenager. A lot of relatable things happen, and I can myself remember being a teenage girl with hormones and angst.
Cat and Robyn are a lot of fun and as Cat explores this new gift more we see her developing into a whole new girl. They of course have hijinks, crushes, drama, and of course delicious food as they navigate these newly teenage years.

[Karen Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number two is this series and was just as much fun as the first one. I am truly in love with these characters and their story. Once again, there are some amazing “family” bakery recipes included in this book that I intend to make some time this year. I love how the author took this story on the road for some laughs, drama, and lots of baking. I couldn’t put this book down and I highly recommend you read it. This is even a phenomenal story to share with the teenage girls in your life because it is so wholesome. I recommend reading the books in order, so you know the story and how this family baking business works on magic to succeed.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Details
Bake Off (Bake Believe Series Book 2) by Cori Cooper. This was such a fun read. Its the 2nd book in the Bake Believe series and I suggest reading the 1st one to get to know the characters first. This is a fun, imaginative, young adult fantasy read. Its the story of Cat Anderson who loves to bake and in the last book we found out when Cat bakes she has a gift. During this addition Cat's family travel for the Thanksgiving holiday and end up in the middle of a bake off. Of course there are a few mishaps with the baking but its all in fun. Lots of laughs and a little bit of romance thrown in. Great teenage read!

[Melissa Hansen]

I love Cori Cooper's writing style! Her books are always fun and entertaining, yet include themes perfect for tweens and teens. I loved reading this sequel to Bake Believe and especially watching Cat's character unfold as she learns (and doesn't learn) from her mistakes and mishaps in baking. This charming story continues Cat's adventures as she seeks to understand her gift and the mystery behind her family's baking curse. Along with the cute plot twists and fun recipes, I enjoyed the development of Cat's character and her relationships with her family. Some of my questions were answered, but many left me eager for more. I'm really looking forward to the conclusion of this fun story!

[Bobbi Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this children’s chapter book. This is the second book in this series by this author. This is a great young adult story that brings baking and magic together and what happens when you. Cat and Robyn are about to find out what happens when you mix the two. I enjoyed their characters and how they brought the story to life. They are supportive and relatable. They have great growth throughout and kept the story engaging. This is a great book for any child that loves to read and would certainly enjoy the characters. I highly recommend this book.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat returns in this YA fantasy that is original, a little quirky and cleverly imaginative sequel to Bake Believe. It’s a feel-good fun and entertaining story. The story picks up where the first one ends. Cori not only entices you with the story but she gives you the added benefit of recipes. The story is humorous and engaging as we journey along with Cat and her family as she learns more about her magic. This is also as story about family and is a captivating culinary delight for tweens and most definitely families.

[Javon50 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sweet, coming-of-age story finds 14-year-old Cat Anderson visiting her great-grandmother, GG in Arizona and discovers that baking with emotions may not always be the best way to proceed. She must learn to bake with intention and not bake to change someone else’s feelings. Her one-week journey visiting with GG will help her find out more about herself and her family history. I loved this book and look forward to seeing where Cat’s story continues. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Mikaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Off is the second book in The Bake Believe Trilogy and it follows the same wit, humour, and challenges the first novel encompassed. With strong characters who hold relatable personality traits, Bake Off provides a wholesome YA experience for readers. The family history, uncovering powers behind baking, and normal teenage drama, ensure readers are held captive to the pages. The exploration of recipes is probably my favourite part of the novel. A great YA read!

[Tahnia Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourteen-year-old Cat and her family live in Idaho and are on their way to Arizona to visit relatives. Cat wants to find out about the family weirdness that is their ability to bake emotions into everything they bake. The family owns a bakery in the small town of Show Low. Cat has always been a flirt but never realized it until this trip. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Cori Cooper's Bake Believe with our awesome Cat. She continues to learn her family's history, how and when to use her gift. I truly enjoyed watching the relationships between Cat and her family and friends.

This is a perfect pre-teen and up book to share with the young person you love. 5 star winner again!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical baking
Book two in the Bake Believe trilogy - Cat and Robyn are up to more crazy mischief. Their magical baking is becoming stronger and family secrets are being uncovered. The story is a fun read with twists and magical mayhem that I have come to expect from this author. The story takes off from book 1, so it does help to read that first. This is aimed at anyone from early teens and up that loves magic and baking. More great recipes in this book too. Bring on book 3.

[Jerrilynne Evitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book from Booksprout and I’m writing a review because I loved it! This is a sequel to Bake Believe and it’s a great read for preteens and teens. It’s a good family story. Highly recommended!

[Jena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a charming story that taught several life lessons to the main character and her friends in fun and entertaining ways. As a once boy-crazed teen girl myself, Cat (the main character) is relatable, facing many of the “world-ending” struggles only a girl of 14 can. A short, easy, fun read. I especially loved the recipes between every chapter and will definitely be trying some of them out!

*I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.*

[Terri McClean · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute charming fun read that is loaded with recipes that are doable. This part of a series but it stand on its own. Even the recipes are fun and quirky with personalized notes. We could all use a bakery like this in our lives.

[Stephanie Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is well written and the Characters are funny. The author knows how to make you feel like you are in the story, so good.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful follow to the first book. It was lovely to pick back uo with these characters and their stories. It was so easy to slip right back in as though you had never stopped reading about them.
The author has done another great job of creating a fun and exciting story that is well matched to its audience. The pace of the book was perfect and certainly held my attention. This is a well written book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Trish Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun sequel to Bake Believe. Again, loved the recipes after each chapter. The relationship of the grandmother with the granddaughters was really special and something I can connect with. This is another book I would definitely recommend for middle school age/pre-teen. I look forward to book three to see where the story goes.

[Anita Beaty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great, wholesome book for teens and preteens. The recipes included are interesting and enticing to try. It was hard to put the book down once o started it!

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good follow-up and second book in this series. This book covers Thanksgiving vacation and Cat (along with her family, and Robyn) visiting the family bakery in Arizona and learning more about the family secret and how it works. There was plenty of mystery and fun, along with new information and new characters to enjoy. I am excited to see what comes next in this series.