What do you think?
Rate this book
Hannah Swensen #19
Wedding Cake Murder
Everyone in Lake Eden, Minnesota, may have had their doubts, but at long last, Hannah Swensen is getting married!
Hannah is thrilled to be marrying Ross Barton, her college crush. And her excitement only grows when she learns he’ll be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. They get a taste of the Big Apple before Hannah wins the Hometown Challenge and the producers bring all the contestants to Lake Eden to tape the remainder of the show. It’s nerve-wracking enough being judged by Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But it’s even more chilling to find him stabbed to death in the Lake Eden Inn’s walk-in cooler—before he’s even had a chance to taste Hannah’s Butterscotch Sugar Cookies! Now Hannah has not only lost her advantage, she’ll have to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…
Hannah is thrilled to be marrying Ross Barton, her college crush. And her excitement only grows when she learns he’ll be able to join her on her trip to New York City for the Food Channel’s dessert chef contest. They get a taste of the Big Apple before Hannah wins the Hometown Challenge and the producers bring all the contestants to Lake Eden to tape the remainder of the show. It’s nerve-wracking enough being judged by Alain Duquesne, a celebrity chef with a nasty reputation. But it’s even more chilling to find him stabbed to death in the Lake Eden Inn’s walk-in cooler—before he’s even had a chance to taste Hannah’s Butterscotch Sugar Cookies! Now Hannah has not only lost her advantage, she’ll have to solve a mystery with more layers than a five-tiered wedding cake…
356 pages, Hardcover
First published February 23, 2016
1625 people are currently reading
13301 people want to read
About the author
Joanne Fluke
134 books8,589 followersLike Hannah Swensen, Joanne Fluke grew up in a small town in rural Minnesota where her neighbors were friendly, the winters were fierce, and the biggest scandal was the spotting of unidentified male undergarments on a young widow's clothesline. She insists that there really are 10,000 lakes and the mosquito is NOT the state bird.
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
While pursuing her writing career, Joanne has worked as: a public school teacher, a psychologist, a musician, a private detective's assistant, a corporate, legal, and pharmaceutical secretary, a short order cook, a florist's assistant, a caterer and party planner, a computer consultant on a now-defunct operating system, a production assistant on a TV quiz show, half of a screenwriting team with her husband, and a mother, wife, and homemaker.
She now lives in Southern California with her husband, her kids, his kids, their three dogs, one elderly tabby, and several noisy rats in the attic.
Series:
* Hannah Swensen
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,187 reviews
February 23, 2016
This is a pretty rough book. I haven't been happy with the past several in the series, and this one only escalates the writing problems. Almost every chapter has nearly two full pages of weird stiff dialogue that is basically a commercial for the recipe which follows. This is supposed to be a mystery, a cozy but still a mystery- I don't want to read about people moaning over desserts that are 'so clever and just the right amount of crispy around the edges' and then hear everyone else agree for a good third of the text. It is almost becoming a 'have got to hit the word count without wanting to put in the effort of coming up with an actual compelling story' situation. Along those lines of no actual story- Wedding Cake Murder still bills itself as a mystery book, but there was not even a dead body until halfway through the pages.
The prudish-ness of Hannah- and the fact that people put up with it- is bizarre. She wishes her fiance could stay the night? Aren't you both like, forty? Why does everything have to work out for Hannah? First class flights, winning everything (including stuff she doesn't even remember entering for- think back to the exercise machine of a past book). She is a Mary-Sue trope at this point and it is a little insulting to the reader's intelligence.
I have been reading this series for over 10 years, and will continue to read the installments but doubt I will enjoy them ever again the way I used to.
P.S. At least Tracy didn't make an appearance and spout off the most unrealistic child dialogue you've ever heard this time around.
The prudish-ness of Hannah- and the fact that people put up with it- is bizarre. She wishes her fiance could stay the night? Aren't you both like, forty? Why does everything have to work out for Hannah? First class flights, winning everything (including stuff she doesn't even remember entering for- think back to the exercise machine of a past book). She is a Mary-Sue trope at this point and it is a little insulting to the reader's intelligence.
I have been reading this series for over 10 years, and will continue to read the installments but doubt I will enjoy them ever again the way I used to.
P.S. At least Tracy didn't make an appearance and spout off the most unrealistic child dialogue you've ever heard this time around.
February 8, 2019
I've been waiting for the Hannah Swensen series by Joanne Fluke to bounce back from a few lackluster books, and Wedding Cake Murder made it happen. I'd give this fun caper somewhere between 4 and 4.5 stars.
After 18 books debating between Norman and Mike, Hannah finally makes a decision when a third man's proposal suddenly enters the ring. Ross Barton was a great friend in college, and we saw some hints of romance in one of the earlier books, but nothing came of it. In the last book in the series, Ross came back into her life and proposed... Wedding Cake Murder is all about Hannah's wedding. But besides that wonderful sub-plot, we also see Hannah as a contestant in the Food Network's latest dessert show. She's actually on TV! She's competing against professional dessert chefs. And she finds another dead body. We must be up to 20 at this point, as a few books had multiple murders, and she didn't actually discover every single one herself.
When you strip away the recipes, you're down to about 200 pages, but they are packed full of drama and witty conversations. I love the bonds between Hannah and her sister. I like her romance with Ross, but something seems a little shady. I'm still rooting for Norman even though Hannah's now married. :O Yes, I said it out loud. Nonetheless, these are Fluke's best desserts and the description of the Food Network show is spot on. Loved everything about it. The culprit really could have been at least five different killers which helped round out this story more than others. It was like an early book in the series where the balance between fun and mystery was a fair split.
I can't wait to dive into the next one... already ordered two more from the library so I can hopefully catch up this fall to be current.
After 18 books debating between Norman and Mike, Hannah finally makes a decision when a third man's proposal suddenly enters the ring. Ross Barton was a great friend in college, and we saw some hints of romance in one of the earlier books, but nothing came of it. In the last book in the series, Ross came back into her life and proposed... Wedding Cake Murder is all about Hannah's wedding. But besides that wonderful sub-plot, we also see Hannah as a contestant in the Food Network's latest dessert show. She's actually on TV! She's competing against professional dessert chefs. And she finds another dead body. We must be up to 20 at this point, as a few books had multiple murders, and she didn't actually discover every single one herself.
When you strip away the recipes, you're down to about 200 pages, but they are packed full of drama and witty conversations. I love the bonds between Hannah and her sister. I like her romance with Ross, but something seems a little shady. I'm still rooting for Norman even though Hannah's now married. :O Yes, I said it out loud. Nonetheless, these are Fluke's best desserts and the description of the Food Network show is spot on. Loved everything about it. The culprit really could have been at least five different killers which helped round out this story more than others. It was like an early book in the series where the balance between fun and mystery was a fair split.
I can't wait to dive into the next one... already ordered two more from the library so I can hopefully catch up this fall to be current.
February 26, 2016
It only took me a full day to finish because I had to keep putting it down and walking away.
So, so bad.
Why do I keep reading this series? After the last five or so books, I promise/threaten myself with 'I'm breaking up with Hannah', but I always take her back.
is it masochism? I don't know.
Eight pages in and I was already regretting it.
At least we were spared the 'Moishe/Cuddles table chase' sequence this time...
Too much focus on some things, sudden, last-minute revelations about others and a general feeling of 'Yes, this is another poorly-plotted, rush job'.
Continuing sense of 'must meet word count so I'll over-describe inanimate objects with four adjectives and modifiers'.
I love books and reading too much to give it a truly dismal rating, but there's no way I'm praising it, either.
So, so bad.
Why do I keep reading this series? After the last five or so books, I promise/threaten myself with 'I'm breaking up with Hannah', but I always take her back.
is it masochism? I don't know.
Eight pages in and I was already regretting it.
At least we were spared the 'Moishe/Cuddles table chase' sequence this time...
Too much focus on some things, sudden, last-minute revelations about others and a general feeling of 'Yes, this is another poorly-plotted, rush job'.
Continuing sense of 'must meet word count so I'll over-describe inanimate objects with four adjectives and modifiers'.
I love books and reading too much to give it a truly dismal rating, but there's no way I'm praising it, either.
August 14, 2021
In this 19th book in the 'Hannah Swensen' series, the baker/amateur sleuth is finally getting married - but she has to solve a murder first! 😲 The book provides enough background to be read as a standalone, but familiarity with the characters is a plus.
*****
Hannah Swenson, owner of 'The Cookie Jar' bakery in Lake Eden, Minnesota, has a lot going on in her life. Right after she competes in the Food Channel's 'Dessert Chef Competition', which is scheduled to take place in a couple of weeks, Hannah is marrying her fiancé Ross Barton - a college friend who recently re-entered her life.
This breaks the hearts of Hannah's two longtime beaus, Norman Rhodes (the dentist)....
and Mike Kingston (the cop), but c'est la vie. 😪
While Hannah is baking cookies for her shop and preparing for the contest with her sister Michelle, who will be her assistant......
......Hannah's mother Delores and sister Andrea are planning the hasty nuptials.....including the venue, guests, decorations, refreshments, flowers, dresses, and so on. (Can you imagine a bride being this hands off?)
Hannah is a talented home baker but her competitors are professional chefs, so Hannah badly needs an edge. As it happens a Lake Eden resident is acquainted with the contest's head judge Alain Duquesne (nee Alan Duke), and tells Hannah that - as a schoolboy - Alan loved Jello and butterscotch pudding. So Hannah plans to make a Jello-infused rainbow wedding cake and butterscotch cookies as two of her entries in the competition.
Since this is a cozy mystery there has to be a murder victim, but the body doesn't appear until about halfway into the book - when Michelle finds the corpse in a walk-in refrigerator. By this point in the story, the dessert competition and wedding plans are well under way.
The deceased is closely associated with the baking contest, so Hannah makes it her mission to uncover the killer. Hannah obtains police reports and coroner's findings, questions people, examines videotapes, etc., until she zeroes in on the murderer - who's not about to go down easily. This leads to a dramatic climax that would give a wedding planner a coronary.
Favorite recurring characters appear in the story, including: Hannah's cat Moishe - who likes to eat shrimp and sleep on Hannah's pillow; Norman Rhodes' cat Cuddles - who comes over to play; and Hannah's business partner Lisa - who's the 'town crier' about Lake Eden's murder victims....attracting extra customers to 'The Cookie Jar'.
I was especially intrigued by groom-to-be Ross, who seems to be unusually flush with money. Ross routinely 'upgrades' Hannah's travel arrangements for the contest: from van to limousine; from coach to first class; from ordinary hotel room to luxury suite; and so on. I think Ross bears watching. 👀
In the course of the story Hannah and her sister Michelle prepare and eat about a billion calories of cookies.....as well as waffles, pancakes, pizza, burgers, desserts, etc. (Really? And these gals are not only svelte but getting ready for a wedding?) A good part of the book's dialog is chitchat about baking and eating cookies, which feels forced and unrealistic. On the upside recipes are included.
Sadly, the last few mysteries in the series have sacrificed 'plot and characterization' for 'cooking and eating' and this novel follows the trend. I'm hoping for a course correction in future books.
Still, I'd recommend the novel to avid Hannah Swenson fans, who'll be interested in this (presumably) new direction in her life.
Your can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
September 28, 2025
Hannah and her sister Michelle have been invited to a baking competition in New York City. Also, Hannah’s wedding to Ross is coming up, tongues are wagging in Lake Eden, and it’s causing quite a bit of tension with former boyfriends Mike and Norman. Hannah solves this by throwing a big wedding and asking them to be Ross’s groomsmen. Ouch.
This was one of those murder mysteries where the murder doesn’t take place until halfway through the novel, which ordinarily is a trope I don’t particularly care for, however since I was rather enjoying the other stuff going on in the novel (mainly the baking competition, somewhat Hannah’s man troubles), I thought it worked here. The baking competition was lots of fun and I especially enjoyed the recipes this time around.
This was one of those murder mysteries where the murder doesn’t take place until halfway through the novel, which ordinarily is a trope I don’t particularly care for, however since I was rather enjoying the other stuff going on in the novel (mainly the baking competition, somewhat Hannah’s man troubles), I thought it worked here. The baking competition was lots of fun and I especially enjoyed the recipes this time around.
March 10, 2016
4 Stars
I felt a little let down and disappointed by this book. Don't get me wrong. I love this world. The Cookie Jar and the residents of Lake Eden are my jam. But I expected more.
I felt like Hannah's choice of Ross over Mike or Norman was the chicken's way out. (I know that choice happened in the previous book but it does effect this book.) We, the audience, have become so invested in these two men that Hannah not choosing either of them was like a slap in the face of the reader. It was just unthinkable. I felt slighted. I think I have always leaned toward Team Mike more than Team Norman but Team Ross just wasn't on the scoreboard for me. So the idea of Hannah getting married was just meh. I wasn't interested in these festivities. Ross just seemed so non-chalent about the wedding I wondered if he even wanted it to occur.
I may have been influenced to not liking the wedding due to the groom alone. All the wedding festivities felt dull and almost like an after thought. The Food Network contest was the true gem and focus of this piece. The characterization of the head judge was excellent. I was loving to hate him. What a schmuck!
I was so mad at Hannah's mom in the beginning for the underhanded way she forced Hannah into having a big wedding that I wrote a whole blog about that small fact. It really bothered me. Bad you, Delores!
I loved how Michelle has become such an integral character in the last few books. But in this tome, where was Mike, Lisa and Norman. I totally missed them. They had tiny bit parts here, barely background characters. It is my feeling when you have this trio front and center, Hannah really shines. I hope to see more of them in future books.
The recipes that were sprinkled through out the book in the past have seemed to just flow with the text, but this time felt like product placements. It was as if the author said, I need so many recipes and I will put them here, here and here, and now I have to write something awkward in the text about them to make that recipe appear to make sense in the paragraph. It was annoying me. I never really noticed it before but it really stood out in this book.
Since I am not a Ross fan I kept finding myself hoping that he would turn out to be the killer and then my Team Mike/Team Norman rivalry would live on. Near the end, Hannah says how Ross loves his red wine and I was like "EUREKA! He did it!" and I speedily read to see if I was right! But I once again did not discover the true killer and the motive eluded me. Many of the true clues about who the killer turned out to be was kept under wraps and not revealed to the reader making it harder for us to figure out whodunit.
All in all, the book had good bones but lacked a bit on follow through. I hope the next book offers more for us readers to dig our teeth into.
I received this book as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this title.
I felt a little let down and disappointed by this book. Don't get me wrong. I love this world. The Cookie Jar and the residents of Lake Eden are my jam. But I expected more.
I felt like Hannah's choice of Ross over Mike or Norman was the chicken's way out. (I know that choice happened in the previous book but it does effect this book.) We, the audience, have become so invested in these two men that Hannah not choosing either of them was like a slap in the face of the reader. It was just unthinkable. I felt slighted. I think I have always leaned toward Team Mike more than Team Norman but Team Ross just wasn't on the scoreboard for me. So the idea of Hannah getting married was just meh. I wasn't interested in these festivities. Ross just seemed so non-chalent about the wedding I wondered if he even wanted it to occur.
I may have been influenced to not liking the wedding due to the groom alone. All the wedding festivities felt dull and almost like an after thought. The Food Network contest was the true gem and focus of this piece. The characterization of the head judge was excellent. I was loving to hate him. What a schmuck!
I was so mad at Hannah's mom in the beginning for the underhanded way she forced Hannah into having a big wedding that I wrote a whole blog about that small fact. It really bothered me. Bad you, Delores!
I loved how Michelle has become such an integral character in the last few books. But in this tome, where was Mike, Lisa and Norman. I totally missed them. They had tiny bit parts here, barely background characters. It is my feeling when you have this trio front and center, Hannah really shines. I hope to see more of them in future books.
The recipes that were sprinkled through out the book in the past have seemed to just flow with the text, but this time felt like product placements. It was as if the author said, I need so many recipes and I will put them here, here and here, and now I have to write something awkward in the text about them to make that recipe appear to make sense in the paragraph. It was annoying me. I never really noticed it before but it really stood out in this book.
Since I am not a Ross fan I kept finding myself hoping that he would turn out to be the killer and then my Team Mike/Team Norman rivalry would live on. Near the end, Hannah says how Ross loves his red wine and I was like "EUREKA! He did it!" and I speedily read to see if I was right! But I once again did not discover the true killer and the motive eluded me. Many of the true clues about who the killer turned out to be was kept under wraps and not revealed to the reader making it harder for us to figure out whodunit.
All in all, the book had good bones but lacked a bit on follow through. I hope the next book offers more for us readers to dig our teeth into.
I received this book as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this title.
February 29, 2016
Having read 14 of the books in the series, and then giving up due to the absolutely ridiculous love triangle, I went back to the series knowing that the love triangle had been done away with in the previous book. I THOUGHT that was a positive, but no. The writing is so awful. It is almost as if the author is being paid by the word. At least the character of Tracy was MIA in this book, but Hannah's new love is now featured & wow...what a bore! Snooze alert. Here we have two independent people in their 30's who have no idea if they are compatible financially or sexually, because THAT would just be awkward to talk about something like that before you hitch you wagon to someone for the rest of your life?!? Do yourself a favor, and skip this yawner.
March 3, 2016
Disappointed.
I absolutely love the Hannah Swenson series, but the past two books have been disappointing. The last book didn't even sound like Joanne Fluke wrote it. I have only negative feelings about Ross and Hannah. Ross came from out of nowhere. I really hope he dies on their honeymoon. I've always wavered between Mike and Norman, and I really like them and their relationships with Hannah. You just don't know how much I wanted there to be no wedding. Add to this The Murder She Baked movies in which the characters have changed so much, especially Hannah, that some are unrecognizable. I can't t wait for the next book and I will keep my fingers crossed that things go back to normal otherwise I just may not read the series any more.
I absolutely love the Hannah Swenson series, but the past two books have been disappointing. The last book didn't even sound like Joanne Fluke wrote it. I have only negative feelings about Ross and Hannah. Ross came from out of nowhere. I really hope he dies on their honeymoon. I've always wavered between Mike and Norman, and I really like them and their relationships with Hannah. You just don't know how much I wanted there to be no wedding. Add to this The Murder She Baked movies in which the characters have changed so much, especially Hannah, that some are unrecognizable. I can't t wait for the next book and I will keep my fingers crossed that things go back to normal otherwise I just may not read the series any more.
July 5, 2019
*Warning, there will be mild spoilers*
I tried to finish this book; I really did. But unfortunately, this didn't keep me invested enough to read more.
The mystery is better than Double Fudge Brownie Murder. I will say that. But it takes more than 50% of the book for the actual murder to take place. It worked fine in Cream Puff Murder; it didn't here. I wasn't really invested at all in the daily life of Hannah Swensen as she strives to win the Food Channel dessert competition. Those parts weren't as interesting as I thought they were going to be, because they were so dull, and we all know Hannah's going to win anyways.
Also, the writing was really choppy in this book more than it normally is. Things are repeated within a page, and some of the dialogue felt kind of forced. Also, there was indirect slut shaming of another competitor. Lovely. -_-
I flipped to the end though to see who the culprit was. Like I expected, it was someone in the competition, but not the person who did it. That was also better than last book, as the culprit's name just popped up out of nowhere right before he officially claimed responsibility.
As it is, I'm not going to continue to follow this series. I am, however, going to read some previous books to see if the series has dulled as a whole in between 2014 and 2015, or if its my interest that has gone away. Good news is that the recipes that I'm interested in will always be good.
7/7/15 (Before Reading)
Did anyone think Ross was going to be the murder victim by first looking at the cover? That would have been so awesome TBH.
Because I swear, the romance between Hannah and Ross:
Its just as bad as the worst insta-love you can find in YA.
Well, let's hope this book is better than Double Fudge Brownie Murder.
I tried to finish this book; I really did. But unfortunately, this didn't keep me invested enough to read more.
The mystery is better than Double Fudge Brownie Murder. I will say that. But it takes more than 50% of the book for the actual murder to take place. It worked fine in Cream Puff Murder; it didn't here. I wasn't really invested at all in the daily life of Hannah Swensen as she strives to win the Food Channel dessert competition. Those parts weren't as interesting as I thought they were going to be, because they were so dull, and we all know Hannah's going to win anyways.
Also, the writing was really choppy in this book more than it normally is. Things are repeated within a page, and some of the dialogue felt kind of forced. Also, there was indirect slut shaming of another competitor. Lovely. -_-
I flipped to the end though to see who the culprit was. Like I expected, it was someone in the competition, but not the person who did it. That was also better than last book, as the culprit's name just popped up out of nowhere right before he officially claimed responsibility.
As it is, I'm not going to continue to follow this series. I am, however, going to read some previous books to see if the series has dulled as a whole in between 2014 and 2015, or if its my interest that has gone away. Good news is that the recipes that I'm interested in will always be good.
7/7/15 (Before Reading)
Did anyone think Ross was going to be the murder victim by first looking at the cover? That would have been so awesome TBH.
Because I swear, the romance between Hannah and Ross:
Its just as bad as the worst insta-love you can find in YA.
Well, let's hope this book is better than Double Fudge Brownie Murder.
March 30, 2016
2.5 stars. This has been my favorite cozy series but this installment was disappointing. It was pretty simplistic and in the end I didn't even care who did it. I still dislike Ross and the whole thing about Norman and Mike being happy to serve as groomsmen was ridiculous. Team Norman!
March 3, 2016
Why is it so hard to find a good cozy mystery series? If you have any recs, please comment. I read the first of this series AGES ago and thought it was rather dim. But after I exhausted my other cozy options and was trying to save money by getting more books at the library, I picked these back up. I don't think I've actually liked any of these books. I don't know why I keep reading them. If I had to pay for them, I certainly would not.
The writing here is HORRIBLE. The conversations are extremely stilted and unrealistic. The characters are all cardboard cutouts of real people. All the characters are extremely prudish. The author tries to portray Hannah as very smart, but the way she does it makes me loathe Hannah even more. Her way of showing her smarts is to randomly spout out what sounds like wikipedia summaries of random facts about things.
And the ending! I won't spoil it, but I'll say, who in the hell does that? No one. She's a giant idiot!
The writing here is HORRIBLE. The conversations are extremely stilted and unrealistic. The characters are all cardboard cutouts of real people. All the characters are extremely prudish. The author tries to portray Hannah as very smart, but the way she does it makes me loathe Hannah even more. Her way of showing her smarts is to randomly spout out what sounds like wikipedia summaries of random facts about things.
And the ending! I won't spoil it, but I'll say, who in the hell does that? No one. She's a giant idiot!
May 25, 2016
Spoilers
I entered this giveaway as I've read each one of the books in the series despite its steady decline.
After listening to the book, I decided that this will be the last I read of the Hannah Swensen series as the majority of the book was dedicated to recipes, stating the obvious, and providing sterile factoids about spices and home improvement projects. Indeed, I tracked how much of the book was actually dedicated to the mystery and I noticed that I fast forwarded through the majority of the chapters due to the inclusion of recipes, sometimes by as much as half a chapter. I understand that the Swensen series is cozy and the main character is a baker, but really, half a chapter dedicated to recipes???
With regard to the actual mystery, I found myself bored. The author seems to struggle with creating new plots surrounding a murder mystery as the mystery didn't begin until half way through the book. The murder of Chef Duquesne was clumsy in writing, the plot line didn't flow well and this reader became quite bored. And, this is such a shame! Ms. Fluke had such a great opportunity to create a great murder mystery surrounding a food competition.
The romantic aspect of the plot was highly unrealistic. I always thought that the author wrote this series in the wrong time period, nothing resonated as realistic for a 30+ year old woman in the modern era. Her romance with two men was utterly ridiculous and the introduction of Ross was a whirlwind that left little closure for her relationship with Norman & Mike. And, don't ask me my thoughts on Mike & Norman agreeing to be a part of her wedding to Ross. The only realistic aspect to this plot line was Norman's brutally honest assessment of his feelings for Hannah & her choice to marry Ross.
With regard to the reader, she did a decent job with what she had to work with. Her voice for many of the female characters struck me as being too old for their actual age and many of her male voices were read in a halting fashion. And, Moishe's meowing was way over the top, but again, it's what she had to work with.
In summary, this was a terrible story. The book was more of a cookbook than a mystery, perhaps the author should change her focus?
I entered this giveaway as I've read each one of the books in the series despite its steady decline.
After listening to the book, I decided that this will be the last I read of the Hannah Swensen series as the majority of the book was dedicated to recipes, stating the obvious, and providing sterile factoids about spices and home improvement projects. Indeed, I tracked how much of the book was actually dedicated to the mystery and I noticed that I fast forwarded through the majority of the chapters due to the inclusion of recipes, sometimes by as much as half a chapter. I understand that the Swensen series is cozy and the main character is a baker, but really, half a chapter dedicated to recipes???
With regard to the actual mystery, I found myself bored. The author seems to struggle with creating new plots surrounding a murder mystery as the mystery didn't begin until half way through the book. The murder of Chef Duquesne was clumsy in writing, the plot line didn't flow well and this reader became quite bored. And, this is such a shame! Ms. Fluke had such a great opportunity to create a great murder mystery surrounding a food competition.
The romantic aspect of the plot was highly unrealistic. I always thought that the author wrote this series in the wrong time period, nothing resonated as realistic for a 30+ year old woman in the modern era. Her romance with two men was utterly ridiculous and the introduction of Ross was a whirlwind that left little closure for her relationship with Norman & Mike. And, don't ask me my thoughts on Mike & Norman agreeing to be a part of her wedding to Ross. The only realistic aspect to this plot line was Norman's brutally honest assessment of his feelings for Hannah & her choice to marry Ross.
With regard to the reader, she did a decent job with what she had to work with. Her voice for many of the female characters struck me as being too old for their actual age and many of her male voices were read in a halting fashion. And, Moishe's meowing was way over the top, but again, it's what she had to work with.
In summary, this was a terrible story. The book was more of a cookbook than a mystery, perhaps the author should change her focus?
March 24, 2016
I am so very, very unhappy with this book. After 19 books or back and forth between Mike and Norman, Hannah is going to marry Ross. Ross. A guy we have met a grand total of what 3 other times? It's terrible. Norman was hardly in the book at all, Mike was in the book only out of necessity, it's just a horrible ending to their love triangle. I can't stand it. The murder was obvious and the investigation was sloppy. The food channel competition was stupid. A very disappointing book all around.
November 6, 2019
Release Date: February 23, 2016
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Culinary Mystery | Cozy Mystery
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is by far my favorite cozy mystery series! I know there are a few readers who feel like the series is getting old and redundent but I just don't feel that way. In fact, I could read these books from beginning to end over and over again and still not get enough of them! Every time I read an Hannah Swensen mystery I feel like I'm visiting with an old, beloved friend. My only real issue is that I am getting close to catching up in the series. When that happens, I'll have to wait a full year in between books! That's just sad. I do hope though that Joanne Fluke writes many more in the series as I truly love it.
If you're a cozy mystery fan and haven't read this series you are truly missing out! It's one of my absolute favorites. The series is very wholesome, sweet, and charming. There's no sex or swearing at all. There are however, murderers and sleuthing! Oh, and I don't want to forget the delicious recipes that Hannah shares within the book. I've made a few myself and LOVED them!
That being said, I recommend this entire series!
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Culinary Mystery | Cozy Mystery
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this is by far my favorite cozy mystery series! I know there are a few readers who feel like the series is getting old and redundent but I just don't feel that way. In fact, I could read these books from beginning to end over and over again and still not get enough of them! Every time I read an Hannah Swensen mystery I feel like I'm visiting with an old, beloved friend. My only real issue is that I am getting close to catching up in the series. When that happens, I'll have to wait a full year in between books! That's just sad. I do hope though that Joanne Fluke writes many more in the series as I truly love it.
If you're a cozy mystery fan and haven't read this series you are truly missing out! It's one of my absolute favorites. The series is very wholesome, sweet, and charming. There's no sex or swearing at all. There are however, murderers and sleuthing! Oh, and I don't want to forget the delicious recipes that Hannah shares within the book. I've made a few myself and LOVED them!
That being said, I recommend this entire series!
December 28, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The last book in this series, Double Fudge Brownie Murder, was a little off for me, so I was a little nervous about reading this one, but I love these characters so I dove right in. Sadly, Hannah has cast both Mike and Norman aside and it really going to marry Ross. Shockingly, both her past loves vow to remain friends and even become part of the wedding party. I have always been Team Mike so I was heartbroken. Truthfully, Ross seems shady, I was hoping he was the victim or the killer.
Aside from the wedding, Hannah and Michelle are participating in the Food Channel’s Dessert Chef Contest and Ross is going along to New York to film interviews and background for the hometown station. He uses his clout to upgrade the group’s flights and hotel rooms. When Hannah wins the first round, the contest moves back to Lake Eden, a big event for the entire town. That is until one of the judges is found dead in the walk-in cooler at the Lake Eden Inn. With the other judges and contestants on the suspect list, Hannah is sleuthing out a killer, while trying to win the biggest cooking contest of her life and still be standing to take her vows.
__________
The first half of the book is introducing the chefs and the judges, prep through the first round of the contest, and Hannah’s mother and grandmother taking over the wedding planning. All Hannah had to do was pick out her dress and show up for the wedding. Of course, she did have her hands full with other things. I did enjoy several of the new characters. The judges were not as realistic as on the actual cooking shows we see on television but they fit in well with the plot as did the other contestants. The cast regulars continue to gather to go over evidence and theories, but there still seems to be a strong connection between Hannah and her former loves.
The mystery portion is well-plotted with several twists have and after this many cases, everyone knows Hannah is investigating. She does continue to leap into situations without a clear plan, which brings some tense moments. I did not sleuth out the killer myself until Hannah did, and it was kinds a surprise for both of us. 🙂
About a third of the book is yummy recipes for cookies and desserts that are featured in the story. The author includes them at the end of chapters and I sometimes feel they should all be at the end to not mess with the flow of the story but I have become accustomed after this many books to skipping them over and reviewing them when I complete the book when I can scan the ones I want to try into my recipe folder on my computer.
This series continues to be one of my faves. I am anxious to get caught up and see what Hannah gets herself mixed up in next.
The last book in this series, Double Fudge Brownie Murder, was a little off for me, so I was a little nervous about reading this one, but I love these characters so I dove right in. Sadly, Hannah has cast both Mike and Norman aside and it really going to marry Ross. Shockingly, both her past loves vow to remain friends and even become part of the wedding party. I have always been Team Mike so I was heartbroken. Truthfully, Ross seems shady, I was hoping he was the victim or the killer.
Aside from the wedding, Hannah and Michelle are participating in the Food Channel’s Dessert Chef Contest and Ross is going along to New York to film interviews and background for the hometown station. He uses his clout to upgrade the group’s flights and hotel rooms. When Hannah wins the first round, the contest moves back to Lake Eden, a big event for the entire town. That is until one of the judges is found dead in the walk-in cooler at the Lake Eden Inn. With the other judges and contestants on the suspect list, Hannah is sleuthing out a killer, while trying to win the biggest cooking contest of her life and still be standing to take her vows.
__________
The first half of the book is introducing the chefs and the judges, prep through the first round of the contest, and Hannah’s mother and grandmother taking over the wedding planning. All Hannah had to do was pick out her dress and show up for the wedding. Of course, she did have her hands full with other things. I did enjoy several of the new characters. The judges were not as realistic as on the actual cooking shows we see on television but they fit in well with the plot as did the other contestants. The cast regulars continue to gather to go over evidence and theories, but there still seems to be a strong connection between Hannah and her former loves.
The mystery portion is well-plotted with several twists have and after this many cases, everyone knows Hannah is investigating. She does continue to leap into situations without a clear plan, which brings some tense moments. I did not sleuth out the killer myself until Hannah did, and it was kinds a surprise for both of us. 🙂
About a third of the book is yummy recipes for cookies and desserts that are featured in the story. The author includes them at the end of chapters and I sometimes feel they should all be at the end to not mess with the flow of the story but I have become accustomed after this many books to skipping them over and reviewing them when I complete the book when I can scan the ones I want to try into my recipe folder on my computer.
This series continues to be one of my faves. I am anxious to get caught up and see what Hannah gets herself mixed up in next.
February 9, 2017
Whenever you finish reading a chapter in a book and you roll your eyes or audibly gag or groan it's probably time to stop reading that book. That's how I feel about these books. This series started off strong and used to be Fantastic but the last few books have not been that good at all. I always find myself confused when I'm reading them. I know it's supposed to be set in modern times but it feels like it's set in the 1950's. The characters are becoming more and more pretentious and outright lame. It's also irritating how the author obviously just wants to give " shout outs" to people she knows that have nothing to do with the story whatsoever. For instance a sentence might say. "Hannah was pouring coffee and looked out the window and watched as Joan Smith, Sandy Jones, Carmen Sanchez and Tanya Little passed by" Ugh!! We never hear those names ever mentioned again in the book. This is happening more frequently in each of these books. This book also must of somehow been sponsored by the spice Cardamom!! It was mentioned several times even complete with a page long history on the origins of the spice. The only saving grace is i've read this series since the beginning (this is #19) i'd like to see how it wraps up. It needs to wrap up soon!! Reading one of these books is like visiting an old friend. One that kinda irritates you and you can't be around for a long time but you're fond of because you have a shared history. At the end of each book Hannah always discovers the killer and he or she tries to kill Hannah. I don't think it was a good sign when I was hoping that the killer in this book would finally do her in!!! Lol
January 23, 2019
Honestly, at this point, reading these books is just a form of self-punishment.
February 11, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Audiobook 🎧
Why?!!
Why?!!
January 13, 2016
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thoughts and theories are my own.
I have been reading this series for at least 13 years, give or take. I have read the opinions about her Norman/Mike romance, I have read all the negative opinions as well as the positive.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion and I think everyone is entitled to state their opinion as well. This is mine:
I feel like I know all the Swenson sisters as I have read each book more than once. I am happy with the marriage between Ross and Hannah, I believe Hannah deserves happiness and contentment and I don't think she would find it with Mike or Norman. We all know Mike has a wandering eye and he can be very arrogant at times. Norman is sweet, kind, caring and he does love Hannah, however, I think the author would feel obligated to keep up that image if they were to marry, and to be honest, the book would go from mystery to romance in a flash. With her marriage to Ross, her college friend, a man we know very little about, it can lead to all kinds of wild ideas for further books.
In this book, Hannah is preparing for the Dessert Chef Competition, as well as her up and coming wedding. As nervous as she is, Hannah really wants to win the competition and with having her sister Michelle by her side, it could be a win win situation. When the competition is moved to an earlier date, Hannah has no choice but to leave the wedding plans in Andrea and Delores' hands, and well, we know how that can be!
As Hannah prepares for the competition, she gets some insight on one of the judges and hopes her stunning desserts will land her a win.
Unfortunately, the judge Hannah hopes to impress is a nasty piece of work and someone decides to take him out, literally. Now Hannah has a competition to win, a wedding to prepare for and a murder to solve, all in a few days!
Will she make it to the altar on time?
I think the wonderfully talented Joanne Fluke did a marvelous job with this book. The story was well developed and fast paced. There were times I actually suspected Ross as being the murderer. This story really blends the relationship of Hannah, Ross, Mike and Norman. It didn't feel overdone or too mushy. There are so many Hannah fans that will appreciate the smooth writing style as well as the story itself.
Well done and I can't wait for the next one.
I have been reading this series for at least 13 years, give or take. I have read the opinions about her Norman/Mike romance, I have read all the negative opinions as well as the positive.
Everyone has a right to their own opinion and I think everyone is entitled to state their opinion as well. This is mine:
I feel like I know all the Swenson sisters as I have read each book more than once. I am happy with the marriage between Ross and Hannah, I believe Hannah deserves happiness and contentment and I don't think she would find it with Mike or Norman. We all know Mike has a wandering eye and he can be very arrogant at times. Norman is sweet, kind, caring and he does love Hannah, however, I think the author would feel obligated to keep up that image if they were to marry, and to be honest, the book would go from mystery to romance in a flash. With her marriage to Ross, her college friend, a man we know very little about, it can lead to all kinds of wild ideas for further books.
In this book, Hannah is preparing for the Dessert Chef Competition, as well as her up and coming wedding. As nervous as she is, Hannah really wants to win the competition and with having her sister Michelle by her side, it could be a win win situation. When the competition is moved to an earlier date, Hannah has no choice but to leave the wedding plans in Andrea and Delores' hands, and well, we know how that can be!
As Hannah prepares for the competition, she gets some insight on one of the judges and hopes her stunning desserts will land her a win.
Unfortunately, the judge Hannah hopes to impress is a nasty piece of work and someone decides to take him out, literally. Now Hannah has a competition to win, a wedding to prepare for and a murder to solve, all in a few days!
Will she make it to the altar on time?
I think the wonderfully talented Joanne Fluke did a marvelous job with this book. The story was well developed and fast paced. There were times I actually suspected Ross as being the murderer. This story really blends the relationship of Hannah, Ross, Mike and Norman. It didn't feel overdone or too mushy. There are so many Hannah fans that will appreciate the smooth writing style as well as the story itself.
Well done and I can't wait for the next one.
May 31, 2016
Ugh. I like this series less with each installment. I kept hoping Ross would turn out to be either the murder victim or the killer. But no. Hannah ends up marrying him. Maybe he will fall overboard on the honeymoon cruise. And Norman and Mike agree to be in the wedding? And they will all remain friends? Really!?!
I keep reading for the recipes, but I am tired of the condescending tone and the ridiculous instructions as if no one had ever read a recipe before. (re: eggs "just whip them up in a glass with a fork" I KNOW already! You don't have to tell us in every recipe in every book!) A jello cake for her wedding? Seems tacky to me.
Has the author ever watched a dessert competition on TV? I can't believe Hannah wins with jello cake and apple pie! The desserts on these competions are usually much more exotic and elaborate. And what a wonderful coincidence that Lisa's Aunt Nancy just happened to grow up down the street from the head judge and could provide such insightful inside information.
The "filler" is really getting on my nerves as well. When Ross, Hannah and Michelle are laughing about Delores's role in the wedding, Hannah starts spouting dictionary definitions, "It's a little like a mouse....As a matter of fact, it's sometimes called a shrew mouse. My dictionary describes it as a mole-like creature between three and four and a half inches long." STOP. Leave it out. It just interupts the flow of the story and makes Hannah out to be a pretentious jerk. It's not neccessary, not needed, not wanted.
And I know there has to be a dramatic conclusion, but really, Hannah couldn't just pick up the phone to call Sally to ask about the wine? And does Hannah have to dive into a dumpster? Why couldn't she have jumped into the cab of the truck?
Annoyed was my overall reaction to this book.
I keep reading for the recipes, but I am tired of the condescending tone and the ridiculous instructions as if no one had ever read a recipe before. (re: eggs "just whip them up in a glass with a fork" I KNOW already! You don't have to tell us in every recipe in every book!) A jello cake for her wedding? Seems tacky to me.
Has the author ever watched a dessert competition on TV? I can't believe Hannah wins with jello cake and apple pie! The desserts on these competions are usually much more exotic and elaborate. And what a wonderful coincidence that Lisa's Aunt Nancy just happened to grow up down the street from the head judge and could provide such insightful inside information.
The "filler" is really getting on my nerves as well. When Ross, Hannah and Michelle are laughing about Delores's role in the wedding, Hannah starts spouting dictionary definitions, "It's a little like a mouse....As a matter of fact, it's sometimes called a shrew mouse. My dictionary describes it as a mole-like creature between three and four and a half inches long." STOP. Leave it out. It just interupts the flow of the story and makes Hannah out to be a pretentious jerk. It's not neccessary, not needed, not wanted.
And I know there has to be a dramatic conclusion, but really, Hannah couldn't just pick up the phone to call Sally to ask about the wine? And does Hannah have to dive into a dumpster? Why couldn't she have jumped into the cab of the truck?
Annoyed was my overall reaction to this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 10, 2016
I have faithfully read every Hannah Swensen since the first one, but I've grown weary as each one seems more ridiculous than the last. Especially the last 3-4. I always thought the exceedingly drawn out triangle between Hannah, Norman and Mike was off putting. Mike is sort of an ass and Norman is waaay too nice (as in doormat nice) and I thought it verged on cruelty that Hannah could not decide between the two of them so continued to 'have them' both. That whole scenario became more sickening with each book and I can't help but wonder if it's the author's biggest fantasy to have two (3?) men madly in love with her. I like Hannah but nothing about her strikes me as a femme fatale. I've always found it hard to believe that both of these men would be so in love with her that they wouldn't even mind each other as competition. It makes Hannah seem weak, disingenuous and greedy...traits that I don't think the author means to insinuate about the character. Then...lo and behold...a third man comes out of nowhere and ends up being her groom. Yawn. Okay...whatever. I think Ross is another tactical mistake. If nothing else, he is boring and we hardly known anything about him before Hannah is off and running with him while still retaining Norman and Mike as friends. Give me a freaking break. Old habits die hard, but I was so disappointed in the last book that I vowed never to buy another one. I borrowed this one from the library so I will not continue to line Joanne Fluke's pockets. I'm not even sure, at this point, if I will continue reading them if she writes more. They're a quick read but all the fun seems to be entirely gone~
August 24, 2019
I loved this installment in the Hannah Swensen series. Hannah is chosen for the Food Network Dessert challenge and one of the judges is murdered. Hannah and her sisters work to figure out who did it...before Hannah can get to the church for her wedding.
March 18, 2017
My library has all of these on CD so I check them out listen to them in the car since they're so light, but I need to stop because for the past 2 or 3 I've been rolling my eyes so much its become unsafe to drive. I don't know if I can finish this one since the only person I want to be the killer is Ross and I've read enough reviews to know he's not.
The dialogue is ridiculous, I want to scream every time a recipe calls for flour and she says, "pack it down in the cup when you measure," or, "spray the pan with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray," and the Ross character as her fiance is so out of nowhere I can't remember from the last book why Hannah even likes him. There's all these silly additions, like why even create a "twist" in the food channel contest where the winner of the hometown challenge gets the competition moved to their hometown? There wasn't ever even a chance that Hannah wouldn't win, they'd already gotten Sally to agree to host. There's this big to-do about how, "she really couldn't possibly be pregnant," that seems like the author really wants to convince us that Hannah is a virgin, which seems a little crazy since she's been romantically involved with 2 guys for years now. She makes a wedding cake with Jell-o in it? I kind of wanted that to be a stand for equal rights but I think it was just a nod to some retro recipe from the 70s. No food channel judge is going to like a cake that includes so much artificial flavoring. For a final point in my rant against ridiculous-ness: the wedding dress turns inside out to become 7 different outfits? I even searched for this on the internet to see if it was a thing...it is definitely not a thing.
Thanks to all the people who gave recommendations for better cozy mystery series, this is the end of Hannah Swensen for me.
The dialogue is ridiculous, I want to scream every time a recipe calls for flour and she says, "pack it down in the cup when you measure," or, "spray the pan with Pam or another nonstick cooking spray," and the Ross character as her fiance is so out of nowhere I can't remember from the last book why Hannah even likes him. There's all these silly additions, like why even create a "twist" in the food channel contest where the winner of the hometown challenge gets the competition moved to their hometown? There wasn't ever even a chance that Hannah wouldn't win, they'd already gotten Sally to agree to host. There's this big to-do about how, "she really couldn't possibly be pregnant," that seems like the author really wants to convince us that Hannah is a virgin, which seems a little crazy since she's been romantically involved with 2 guys for years now. She makes a wedding cake with Jell-o in it? I kind of wanted that to be a stand for equal rights but I think it was just a nod to some retro recipe from the 70s. No food channel judge is going to like a cake that includes so much artificial flavoring. For a final point in my rant against ridiculous-ness: the wedding dress turns inside out to become 7 different outfits? I even searched for this on the internet to see if it was a thing...it is definitely not a thing.
Thanks to all the people who gave recommendations for better cozy mystery series, this is the end of Hannah Swensen for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2016
Even though there are moments in Fluke's books that drive me absolutely mad (the unnecessary info dumps--did we really need to know where cardamom originated, and why on earth would Hannah know and why would her fiancé ask?, the excruciatingly annoying mother and sister, the unrealistic virginal nature of the protagonist), I will drop everything to read each new release. Her books are also the only ones that drive me to join a chat group so I can discuss the plots with other readers.
I've banged my head against the wall, trying to figure out why I love these novels so much. Hannah, the protagonist, is bossy, condescending, judgmental and catty. Her family is mostly insufferable (I give her youngest sister a pass). Hannah can't even plan her own wedding or go out on a date without every single person in her life tagging along, including two ex-boyfriends. The murders have gotten more and more farfetched, without even the slightest hint of who the killer is. The recipes are usually variations on the same theme (add one cup of butter to two or three cups of sugar, some flour, a few spices, and roll the balls in sugar).
And yet, this series is just awesome. Fluke's books are FUN. They make me happy. No matter what else is going on in my life, they make me smile. I may scream in frustration at Hannah's meddling mother or roll my eyes at the way Hannah judges another woman just because the woman's skirt is short, but I never put the book down.
That is the power of Joanne Fluke. I suspect she may be magic.
I've banged my head against the wall, trying to figure out why I love these novels so much. Hannah, the protagonist, is bossy, condescending, judgmental and catty. Her family is mostly insufferable (I give her youngest sister a pass). Hannah can't even plan her own wedding or go out on a date without every single person in her life tagging along, including two ex-boyfriends. The murders have gotten more and more farfetched, without even the slightest hint of who the killer is. The recipes are usually variations on the same theme (add one cup of butter to two or three cups of sugar, some flour, a few spices, and roll the balls in sugar).
And yet, this series is just awesome. Fluke's books are FUN. They make me happy. No matter what else is going on in my life, they make me smile. I may scream in frustration at Hannah's meddling mother or roll my eyes at the way Hannah judges another woman just because the woman's skirt is short, but I never put the book down.
That is the power of Joanne Fluke. I suspect she may be magic.
May 20, 2016
Now that I've finished the series (so far) I feel the need to comment. Firstly, I listened to most of these books. I got into the series to have a light series to listen to on walks and before bed. So, for a long time I didn't care that the books were predictable and that Hannah herself is pretty annoying. Then, as the series wore on, I got more and more irritated that Hannah was stringing Norman and Mike along and that she acts like a 60 year old woman instead of the 30ish year old woman she supposedly is. It's not that she was dating two guys, that's fine, but dating two guys and being super prudish due to ONE bad past relationship seemed very weird. THEN, just when I hoped she would settle down with Norman (who is the obvious choice) she marries the 3rd guy? REALLY?!?
Throughout this whole book I hoped Ross would be the killer and she could marry Norman but no. She marries Ross. Another issue I had with this particular book is her complete acquiescence to Ross's bougie attitude about flying and stuff. Hannah is supposed to be a simple Minnesota woman, and she is SO impressed with the luxuries Ross can afford. I found it antithetical to everything Hannah is supposed to believe in.
So, in the end, will I read the next book? Probably, only in the hopes that Ross dies a horrible death. But only because I've already invested so much time on this series and I still live in hope that Norman will flip out and tell her to f off as he should have done a long time ago.
Throughout this whole book I hoped Ross would be the killer and she could marry Norman but no. She marries Ross. Another issue I had with this particular book is her complete acquiescence to Ross's bougie attitude about flying and stuff. Hannah is supposed to be a simple Minnesota woman, and she is SO impressed with the luxuries Ross can afford. I found it antithetical to everything Hannah is supposed to believe in.
So, in the end, will I read the next book? Probably, only in the hopes that Ross dies a horrible death. But only because I've already invested so much time on this series and I still live in hope that Norman will flip out and tell her to f off as he should have done a long time ago.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2016
As someone who has been a loyal fan of this series from the beginning, I can honestly say I'm still a fan, 19 books later. I may not love who Hannah has married, but I still enjoy the mysteries, town, and the characters. I have been a Norman fan from the beginning, and have always hoped she would marry him, but alas! But putting that aside, I still do enjoy the books. I found myself hoping that Ross would be the killer, so she could get back to Norman, but I guess that just shows how much I like Norman. I hope Ross grows on me because I find him a bit boring and flat. And I sense foreshadowing of some issues in the future: bad finances, Hannah not calling him immediately after she receives important news, and Mike made a comment about him to her. So I don't think she is in for a perfect marriage. Whereas, Norman and her built a dream house together and he knows her so well, that after a big day, he pours her wine and brings her Chinese takeout. Okay, okay, we all get it...I'm team Norman. I'll drop it now. But I like to think that my passion for this shows that I am emotionally invested in the books and that I have enjoyed them immensely.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 15, 2016
This was disappointing. I have read every book in the series and, as other reviewers have stated, it didn't seem like Joanne Fluke wrote it. The dynamics of the wedding party were unbelievable (who's this Ross guy anyway?). I was actually annoyed by some of the awkward banter between the characters that was supposed to be humor, I think. As a member of "team Norman", I am wishing Hannah a fond farewell.
September 14, 2016
You wouldn't know it from my two stars, but I have actually loved this series. I wouldn't miss reading one for the world. That being said, I'm sooooo disappointed in this book - it's just dumb! I'm kinda hoping it's all over now, but if there's another book coming, I'll be right there in line to read it.
August 8, 2021
3.75-4 stars
This was basically all about having the best of luck in a competition and getting married to the man she loves. Really enjoyed the theatrics of the Food Channel Dessert Chef competition. It had to be my favorite part as we got to see Hannah, Michelle, Ross, and his KCOW coworker travel to New York in luxury and style. The romance between Ross and Hannah was super sweet even if I still feel unsure about the man. Hannah got to have hard and uncomfortable talks with Norman and Mike. Super glad Norman showed his righteous anger at Hannah. Glad everyone is willing to remain friends and not too bitter.
As a big fan of the series I have to say this is one of the weakest books in the entire series if you look at it as a mystery. The murder case didn’t seem as important as in past books, which kind of messed with the flow of the story. It was 3rd in important behind the food competition and romance (in that exact order). It was great seeing more of Michelle and Hannah interacting and working together in the competition. Also, was interesting to see Hannah not find the deceased or solving everything so quickly. She made a stupid decision when she did solve it. I know she’s an amateur but she’s solved 17 crimes so far and doesn’t know not to confront a possible murderer?!
I had fun with this book but it wasn’t my favorite in the series. Looking forward to seeing how married life treats Hannah.
This was basically all about having the best of luck in a competition and getting married to the man she loves. Really enjoyed the theatrics of the Food Channel Dessert Chef competition. It had to be my favorite part as we got to see Hannah, Michelle, Ross, and his KCOW coworker travel to New York in luxury and style. The romance between Ross and Hannah was super sweet even if I still feel unsure about the man. Hannah got to have hard and uncomfortable talks with Norman and Mike. Super glad Norman showed his righteous anger at Hannah. Glad everyone is willing to remain friends and not too bitter.
As a big fan of the series I have to say this is one of the weakest books in the entire series if you look at it as a mystery. The murder case didn’t seem as important as in past books, which kind of messed with the flow of the story. It was 3rd in important behind the food competition and romance (in that exact order). It was great seeing more of Michelle and Hannah interacting and working together in the competition. Also, was interesting to see Hannah not find the deceased or solving everything so quickly. She made a stupid decision when she did solve it. I know she’s an amateur but she’s solved 17 crimes so far and doesn’t know not to confront a possible murderer?!
I had fun with this book but it wasn’t my favorite in the series. Looking forward to seeing how married life treats Hannah.
December 26, 2015
This is the first book I’ve ever read by this author so not being familiar with prior stories or the characters, my perspective is going to be quite a bit different than someone who has followed the series.
Hannah has been accepted to participate in the Dessert Chef Competition put on by the Food Channel. And her wedding to Ross will take place immediately afterward. Of course, as apparently happens in all of the books, there is a murder and Hannah feels the need to investigate. So the story is split up between baking, the competition, murder investigation and the wedding.
What made the story of particular interest to me was the Food Channel competition. I’ve watched quite a few of those types of shows on that channel. But I did enjoy the overall story, the characters and there are a number of recipes that I would like to try. Twenty recipes are provided taking up roughly eighty of the printed pages in the ARC.
The reader isn’t given a great deal of background on whose who which makes it a little more difficult for a first time reader, but you eventually figure out most of it. By the end of the story, though, I’m still not clear if Grandma Knudson is Hannah’s grandmother or if that’s a title of respect to a local favorite. I expect it’s the latter.
The mystery was handled well in that many people have a motive and I didn’t guess whodunit until the author was ready to reveal it.
There are a few minor things that annoyed me. The constant use of the word “Mother” whenever Hannah talks to her mother. It’s way overdone, apparently on purpose. There are a few things done that I’m surprised weren’t questioned. And lastly, does Hannah ever make something that isn’t perfect, even when experimenting for the first time? The fact that everything she made was just “wonderful” or “the best” just doesn’t come across as realistic.
But I did enjoy the story enough that I’ll be reading more books from the series.
Read via an ARC from Amazon Vine.
Hannah has been accepted to participate in the Dessert Chef Competition put on by the Food Channel. And her wedding to Ross will take place immediately afterward. Of course, as apparently happens in all of the books, there is a murder and Hannah feels the need to investigate. So the story is split up between baking, the competition, murder investigation and the wedding.
What made the story of particular interest to me was the Food Channel competition. I’ve watched quite a few of those types of shows on that channel. But I did enjoy the overall story, the characters and there are a number of recipes that I would like to try. Twenty recipes are provided taking up roughly eighty of the printed pages in the ARC.
The reader isn’t given a great deal of background on whose who which makes it a little more difficult for a first time reader, but you eventually figure out most of it. By the end of the story, though, I’m still not clear if Grandma Knudson is Hannah’s grandmother or if that’s a title of respect to a local favorite. I expect it’s the latter.
The mystery was handled well in that many people have a motive and I didn’t guess whodunit until the author was ready to reveal it.
There are a few minor things that annoyed me. The constant use of the word “Mother” whenever Hannah talks to her mother. It’s way overdone, apparently on purpose. There are a few things done that I’m surprised weren’t questioned. And lastly, does Hannah ever make something that isn’t perfect, even when experimenting for the first time? The fact that everything she made was just “wonderful” or “the best” just doesn’t come across as realistic.
But I did enjoy the story enough that I’ll be reading more books from the series.
Read via an ARC from Amazon Vine.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,187 reviews