Bake Believe

by Cori Cooper

Baking is messy enough without adding Magic to the mix.

Cat Anderson has everything she could ever want. Her best friend is also her cousin, she's about to start eighth grade, and a cute new boy just moved into the neighborhood. Seriously, best life ever.

So what if her mom refuses to touch the oven? So what if they always eat frozen food or take-out? So what if Cat doesn't know the difference between homemade and store bought? It's just food. Who even cares?

But food, it turns out, is a very big deal.

Cat's family has a secret too fantastic to stay hidden, too incredible to be real. Something happens when they bake, something that changes everything.

Can it be true?

Or is it Bake Believe?

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Magic, Cookbooks

Paperback

Published November 5, 2020

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

[Dash fan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4☆ A Fun and Endearing YA read, that mixes baking and magic, and will certainly have your tummy rumbling!

Teenagers Cat Anderson and Robyn are cousins and bestest friends.
When Cat and Robyn spend the last day of summer swimming, Cat never expected to be enticed by a Pretzel.
But not just any Pretzel it was from a new bakery in town, and since then she doesn't look at food quite in the same way. It's almost like her senses have awoken!

But you see things happen when Cat and her family bake. Magic happens, it changes people. Cat's Mum doesn't want Cat baking! I wonder what she's hiding! But I'll let you discover what exactly happens for yourself.

What I really enjoyed was seeing the all the fun recipes featured after each chapter, so you can bake along with the story if you wanted too. Like Soft Pretzels, Snickerdoodles, home made bread, brownies, YUMMY in my Tummy!! It certainly isn't a book to be read on an empty tummy!

Bake Believe is a Fun and Endearing read about baking, a sprinkle of magic, some mishaps and mayhem, family secrets, first loves, friendships, and coming of age.
The characters were well written, there was a few little twists and Secrets, Plenty of delicious recipes and a great storyline that young readers will love or if like me your a baking fan then this book will definitely leave you wanting more.



Thank you to R&R Book Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.



You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
 
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/0...

[Cori Cooper]

Baking is messy enough without adding Magic to the mix.

Cat Anderson has everything she could ever want. Her best friend is also her cousin, she's about to start eighth grade, and a cute new boy just moved into the neighborhood. Seriously, best life ever.

So what if her mom refuses to touch the oven? So what if they always eat frozen food or take-out? So what if Cat doesn't know the difference between homemade and store bought? It's just food. Who even cares?

But food, it turns out, is a very big deal.

Cat's family has a secret too fantastic to stay hidden, too incredible to be real. Something happens when they bake, something that changes everything.

Can it be true?

Or is it Bake Believe?

[Belles Middle Grade Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man this was SO much fun! I loved this, & had the absolute BEST time! Cat Anderson doesn't want much out of life. Give her a circle of friends to giggle with, a few boys to flirt with, a cute outfit, & she is good to go! She especially could care less about food. 
But food, it turns out, is a very big deal. In Cat's family there is a secret too fantastic to be real. Something happens when Cat bakes. Something amazing. Something impossible. Can it be true? Or is it Bake Believe? Food & magic in MG is always a good time..even just food lol This was no exception. This is a tween read, as the MC is 14. She has a cute crush on a boy & it’s all very innocent & sweet. Just an overall charming & sweet(sweet in every way lol)book. The author nailed that high energy that I remember having at that age(could use some more of that now please), family life, & even the boy craziness-that while obsessed with flirting & boys, it’s still at that innocent stage & is just adorable. The chapters are named with whatever food is baked in that chapter. The really amazing thing is that THEN every chapter ends with a recipe for the baked item! I LOVE that! So needless to say there are quite a few recipes in here & I want to try them all-except the pretzel one(I hate pretzels lol). Such vividly mouth watering food descriptions as well. I was hungry the whole time reading this. I also love her cousin Robyn, & loved that she lived next door, & that they were best friends. Such an amazing dynamic between them. There are so many great messages in here, & all done so well. I love the mystery aspect of what this family can do with baking, as they don’t know much themselves. Plus the diary..so good. I love the way it ended, & I’m excited for where it looks like it’s headed in the next book. I’m so excited for that one. Highly recommend. The sequel comes out May 3rd I believe! Beautiful cover by RLSather as well.💜

[Amy Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a charming book!

Cat Anderson comes from a family that never bakes, but, as she begins to find a passion for it, something crazy happens when she bakes. And I can tell you...it's crazy!

Cat is by far the most realistic portrayal of a preteen girl I have ever seen. So many lines felt verbatim like something I would have said as an eighth grader. I felt like I was stepping inside my own diary. Cooper captured all the energy and spirit and enthusiasm and boy craziness and awkwardness that I remembered.

The magic Cat has is really cool and perfect. I even loved the recipes at the end of each chapter because they felt like AWESOME homemade foods, but they were all simple and with super accessible ingredients. I feel like all my cookbooks are so inaccessible. I'd buy this book for the recipes alone!

The story is funny, magical, and entertaining. Enjoy!

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! It’s quirky and imaginative and so fun! Also my mouth was watering most of the time. The author made the characters so real it transported me back to my early teens! My main question would be- when does the sequel come out? Because there better be a sequel!
Ok, so Cat lives in a home where nothing is ever baked! Ever! I can’t imagine how that would be but for her it is normal because it’s all she’s ever known... what she learns is fascinating and original. This book will be great for all ages, and I can’t wait to try some of these recipes for my family.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book a lot, but I was disappointed when it stopped we’re it stopped. I feel like there could have been more to the story, But it was still a really good book. The way the author wrote it was amazing. She really made me feel like I was there, watching the book like a movie.

-Kaydra Pocock

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper was such a fun book to read. It certainly took me by surprise, in a great way. This is a clever and imaginative YA story- with wonderfully quirky and endearing characters, teenage angst, magic, recipes, romance, and more. I found the story to be charming and sweet- with just enough drama to keep things interesting.
Cat Anderson appears to be your typical teenager- where clothes, appearances, friendship, and the latest crush are what’s most important. But her life will be turned upside down after a scheduling clash means she ends up in a cooking class, where she will make some life changing discoveries. Throw in some great recipes, a little magic, and a wonderful storyline- and this story becomes captivating.
Well worth the read- and I am looking forward to exploring more of Ms. Cooper’s work asap.

Thank you, Cori Cooper!

[Melissa Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is SO much fun! I love Cori's quirky and imaginative voice. There were so many times I laughed aloud while reading it! Cat is an entertaining, dynamic character who reminds me of friends I loved to hang around when I was a teen. Her escapades with her newfound baking "gift" are hilarious and heartwarming. I also loved the delicious recipes between each chapter. Can't wait to try them out! A cookbook and novel in one—fabulous. This is a great read for MG girls who love to bake. Boys too. :)

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper is a YA romantic comedy that will have you laughing. It is a quirky little tale that isn’t just a story it also gives us recipes. The plot is interesting and unique and gives us a little baking magic and the usual raging teen angst. The story is humorous and engaging and fun. With the boy of her dreams and a gift she never knew existed her world is about to be turned upside down. Cori has hit the spot with this culinary delight and the YA’s are going to enjoy each and every step of the way on this adventure.

[Tracy Wilkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bake Believe is a quirky little tale written by Cori Cooper. I went into this not knowing what to expect, and was delighted with the story. It was quite entertaining, with angsty teens going about their lives and experiencing the magical journey into adulthood. With a twist. Drama, magic and mayhem are just a few of the memorable moments of this story. Cat isn't just your regular teen girl. She is so much more, and her and her friends take a reader on a magical mystery filled with fun, laughter and the unexpected. A thoroughly pleasant read. 4 stars.

[Jesika G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute novel made for teenagers and even their parents. If you have a teen that loves to use recipes then they will love this book! At the end of most chapters, baking recipes are shared. Everything from sugar cookies to bread!

I could see a second book be published. I kept thinking more would be discussed about the Arizona trip but it was kind of left open ended. I don't want to say much more as to avoid spoilers.

I would recommend this book to middle age children/teenagers.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. My daughter and I read it together. We laughed and cried at parts. The antics that the main character gets herself is crazy. We loved that it's a cook book too! We can't wait to try some of these out on our own! Looking forward to the sequel!

[Sherry Sharpnack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cat awakens on her last day of summer vacation, itching to get to the pool w/ her best pal and cousin Robyn, so they can flirt w/ boys and live their best lives. She meets super-cute Tobey and they share an amazing soft pretzel from a new bakery next door. Cat didn't realize baked goods could taste so amazing b/c her mom never cooks. I mean, NEVER cooks, like she has a phobia or something.
School starts the next day, and horrors! There is a mix-up in Cat's schedule and she ends up in Culinary class - w/ super-cute Tobey. Cat is SO embarrassed b/c she has NO IDEA how to read a recipe b/c remember, her mom has a phobia about cooking. But Cat's Aunt Marissa is a GREAT cook, which Cat finds out by eating at Marissa's house for once. Which is another thing her mom doesn't usually allow.
Cat helps bake a batch of cookies, feeling very happy to be working w/ Tobey. Robyn helps herself to one of the cookies - and is just over the moon w/ joy. Hmmm? Why is Robyn in such a good mood all of a sudden? Cat's mom and aunt freak out when they hear she's been baking in school, and her mom insists she drop Culinary class. So Cat's all upset when she bakes the next day, and everyone who eats the no-bake cookies from class is in a terrible mood afterwards.
OK, so what is going on? Why are Cat's moods while baking affecting others?
This is an interesting premise to go on for a cute little story that should be entertaining for any middle-schooler. As an adult, we think "Eh, this too shall pass." But the kids? Maybe if they read this, they'll understand that our moods DO affect other people, even if we don't have a "gift" for baking that Cat - or is it her whole family? - apparently does.
Big ideas about emotions are presented in an entertaining way - and each chapter is named for the baked good that Cat makes in that chapter, w/ a mouth-watering recipe for that item closing the chapter. The recipes are given w/ funny instructions, not the typical recipes in culinary cozy mysteries. And I love the unusual font for the chapter names; it looks like icing dripping off a cupcake. 3.7ish stars rounded up to 4 stars.

[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe is a very delightful and alluringly magical read that had me with the first word. The characters are all so very real and relatable. They just come to life right on the page. Bake Believe took me on a surprisingly whirlwind of a ride with all its sweetness. I so enjoyed all the recipes that Cat baked and have plans to try them out myself.

Bake Believe follows the lives of a few eighth-grade girls. Cat Anderson and her family only eat take-out as no one in her family bakes. Cat has always wanted to ask her mother why she didn’t bake but for someone never got up the nerve. But Cat has never had a problem with eating what her mother fixed for them until the first day of eighth grade when her schedule is messed up.

After finding out that her schedule was wrong, Cat has to take a cooking class. Cat is not too thrilled about taking the class at first until she starts baking. When Cat bakes strange, crazy, and magical things happen. It is not long before Cat starts to like baking well, that is until she learns that her baking doesn’t always turn out the way she planned. I totally can not wait for the next book for more from the Bake Believe world as that ending left me in suspense and desperately wanting more.

I would like to recommend Bake Believe to all teens and young adults that enjoy a sweet magical read. One-click your copy of Bake Believe today for and charmingly delightful adventure!

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe
By Cori Cooper
☆☆☆☆☆
This story makes for a great chapter book. That those young teenage readers will come back to many times.It is a full length complete novel, with surprises throughout. Great for the early teens as well as YA. No Spoilers Here!

Cat Anderson is starting 8th grade. First off, none of her friends share classes with her, second she really hates some of the classes. That is until she lands in culinary arts. Where she learns to bake. That was until her mother demanded she get out of that class and into something else. Not understanding and being heartbroken, she needs to find out WHY. Will the family secret prevent her from going back? Or will she be able to get past it and grow from her experiences?

Cori Cooper has written this Must Read novel. It is well written and easy to follow. Young readers as well as old will enjoy Bake Believe. I know I did and I plan to give it to my grandchildren. As the characters are so much like the children I have taught and those I have around me. This is what I call an open ended read. A little fun and a whole lot of secrets. I will be looking forward to finding more Gems from this writer. Well done Cori Cooper! Well Done!

[Pattyrflg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat is a typical 14 year old girl--concerned about her image, wanting her final year in middle school to be the "best ever," and full of teenage-isms. Her best friend and neighbor is her cousin, Robyn, who just wants to be friends with everybody. Cat also has plenty of interest in the "hunky" Tobey.
Cat learns she has an unusual family baking gift and there are some quite funny situations that arise as a result of this gift. I don't want to spoil the surprise, so I won't tell you what the gift is. Cat learns some important lessons about using "the gift," but also has many questions.
It's been a looooong time since I was a teenager, but this book did bring back memories--some of them better than others. I loved the characters, the story concept, and that it was a fun, "clean" read. The recipes were a great bonus, since I am a recipe junkie. You can never have too many GREAT recipe.
Cori did a great job of leaving the ending wide open for a sequel. You'd better give us one soon, Cori!!

[Karen Pearman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS FABULOUS BOOK! This was a first time read by this author, but it will not be my last. The characters were so real that I felt like I was back in the late 80’s/early 90’s in my high school years. This is geared towards middle school/young adult readers but let me just tell you adults that you are missing out if you don’t pick it up and read it for yourself. You will be taken back in time to the teen angst and the years that you “knew it all” but really knew nothing at all. The characters are both adorable and lovable. You may even find that you long for the main character to be your best friend. Or like me, wishing I could have been her in her school years. Some of these recipes had my stomach growling and me feeling as though I needed to get into the kitchen and do some baking. It is so worth taking the time to read especially if you are looking for a great book to read alongside your daughter. Pick it up. You won’t want to put it down. I hope there is a sequel!

[Kerry carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great young adult story but I think any age would enjoy it. The character of Cat is very entertaining and funny and strong willed. I enjoyed reading about her and how discovering something new changed her whole outlook on life.

It's the last day of summer vacation and Cat had an awesome day planned involving the pool, topping up her tan and of course meeting cute boys. What she didn't expect was to have her life turned upside down by a home cooked pretzel.

Cats diet at home is very bland and revolves around food that is frozen or microwaved. Her mother never bakes or cooks so Cat was amazed when she tried the pretzel and decided she couldn't go back to eating bland food. But her mum won't cook or bake. What is the reason behind that? Cats on a mission to find out.

Add to this a mix up with her school schedule that means Cat is taking Culinary class and her world opens up. Something amazing happens to Cat as she bakes which surprises everyone.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe is the first book I have read by Cori Cooper, but I would definitely read more. It was a super cute book, and even tho it is geared toward kids, I enjoyed it as an adult. I think it is a little long for my 11 year old to enjoy, but it is a cute book for those who like reading. It is written from the perspective of Cat, an 8th grader. She has never cooked for real in her life, as everything is microwaved in her home. Her first day of 8th grade lands her in a culinary class, due to a scheduling error. She assumes she will hate it, but turns out she LOVES it. She finds she enjoys baking, and her current crush is in that class, and her group, which is just icing on the cake. See what I did there? You will find lots of that in this book- There are recipes between each chapter, and they are written in the lingo of a teenager- TOTALLY, Super Duper, etc. I found that really fun and look forward to trying the actual recipes from this book.

[Laura Furuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe
By Cori Cooper
5 out of 5 stars

I loved reading the book Bake Believe by Cori Cooper. It is a story that is fun to read and had me laughing out loud. I loved the characters especially Cat Anderson. She finds out that her family has a secret. What will happen next? Read this book to find out. There are also many other additional characters that I enjoyed reading about how they interact with Cat. They are helpful to her and are wonderful friends. The situations that Cat and her friends find each other in are at times comical and I found myself not wanting to put the book down until the final page. The author has done an amazing job of making both the storyline and the characters come alive. Don’t miss out on a story that is exciting and entertaining. I highly recommend reading it.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe by Cori Cooper is a fun and entertaining children’s story that I really think will appeal to readers of all ages. The author has created a story that is perfectly written for the age it is intended for but also has a deeper level that makes it perfect for those of other ages too.
I thought the whole book was a light-hearted and fun story. It was great to learn about Cat and her family secret and see how that played out throughout the book. Cat was so interesting to read about – she is the perfect example of what it is like to be her age and it was so easy to picture being right there next to her.
I also loved the addition of the recipes throughout the book – I thought it was unique and a great way to make the book stand out. I would definitely recommend this book and it is one I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked up the Bake Believe by Cori Cooper. This was my first time reading her and omg this was adorable and fun to read, even at 35. I look forward to sharing this magical book with my teen daughter as well. I must say be prepared and have some munchies available while reading this because goodness the food and recipes make me want to devour a pan of brownies or something comforting and bad for me so much. I loved Cat. She was relatable and realistic and made me believe the magic she and her family hold is very much real and wonderful. I won’t give much more about details because I feel that would ruin this fun gem of a read. This is one if you love some coming of age mixed with magic and good food. I also found laughter to be a big part of my reading experience with this and with the way the world is right now who couldn’t use some laughter and joy.

[Cora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love anything to do with baking so when I found this book I HAD to have it.

This is unlike anything I have read before. It is a very cutesey novel where each chapter includes a recipe for the item they talk about during that chapter. I do not recommend reading this book on an empty stomach. You will be starving thinking about the delicious recipes.

Cat.. yes like the animal not short for anything has some magical powers to bake emotions. Whatever she is feeling transpires into her baking. This is such a funny concept and brings to life the saying "I made this with love".

The characters in the story are fun and you get attached to them from the beginning. Robyn is hilarious and wants to live vicariously through Cat who had no clue how to manage her powers.

The book ended to complete the story however there is potential for a sequel there.. fingers crossed!!

[Ralston Family · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Bake Believe" is a fantastic book encompassing food, magic, humor, and all the uncertainties that come with teenage romance. Cat, the main character, is a fun-loving, good-natured middle-schooler on the brink of a new school year. Determined to make it her best year ever, she finds herself face-to-face with the boy of her dreams and a family gift she never imagined. Be prepared to laugh-out-loud as Cat learns to navigate a whole new world tied up in food, relationships, emotions, and all that comes with it! Also, enjoy the easy recipes attached to each chapter with fun and comical directions that make your mouth water and your heart smile. You just might find yourself cooking up a little magic of your own.

[Erica Fish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cori Cooper is a new author for me and I really liked her story Bake Believe. This book is considered a Young Adult book but I think it can be for anyone. The plotline is simple but interesting. The characters are fully developed and have a personality to fall in love with them. This story is about Cat. She is a teen who wants the life of an average teen. That gets a little complicated when her schedule at school gets upside down and is taking a culinary class. She discovers baking. There is a little secret that her family is keeping from her. Will she learn about the secret? Can Cat cook? The best part of this story is that there are recipes in the story that sound yummy. I highly recommend this book for a fun short read.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give Bake Believe by Cori Cooper, 4 stars.

This is such a fun book, perfect for older children/young teens who like the magical side of things. The characters are fun, the story is interesting without being too dark, and it gives of an overall whimsical vibe. Cat is very superficial in the beginning of the book, but she grows immensely as the book goes on. The concept of this book is so original, that makes it even more interesting. The author is so good at weaving a tale that makes you yearn for more. While it is aimed at a younger generation, it really is enjoyable for all ages. I have not been a young teen in a very long time, yet I could not put this book down.

If you or your child like a light-hearted, magical story, I highly recommended this book.

[Dawn Daughenbaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars
Bake Believe by Cori Cooper

Bake Believe is a super cute young adult story that I truly enjoyed reading. I loved the whole magical vibe it gave off and its not just for younger audiences I think everyone of any age would enjoy it. Plus there’s recipes as well. This was my first book by this author but definitely not my last. Cat is going into eighth grade all is well until a schedule screw up lands her in a culinary class. She’s also about to find out her family has a secret . I just loved Cat's character she’s just quirky enough and I loved her attitude. I’ve already recommended this to my twelve year old niece who loves to read. She’s pretty excited to see what happens. I highly recommend this book. Find out what happens next with Cat and her baking.

[Anantha Rusum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe is a pretty cool book which reminded me of this Netflix show “Just Add Magic”. This is a book on similar lines where the main character gets a family gift she never imagined. The gift is that whatever emotion she feels as she bakes is infused in her creation. This adds more fire to her already raging teenage problems and leads to comic consequences.
I loved this book, it has a dash of magic, humor and innocent school day romance. To top it all, the detailed recipes are a huge bonus. My son is into baking and the recipes in the book are quite elaborate for him to try out.
I absolutely adored this book!

[Meg Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book by Cori Cooper. Once I read the synopsis I was hooked. I love reading YA books. There’s just not the same “drama” as an adult book more often than not. If there is, it’s not the same and it’s a wonderful break from life. This book was so adorable. I love our main female character Cat Anderson. She’s your quintessential teenage girl. There are a lot of supporting cast members that make this book for me. Her cousin Robyn is the sweetest. I also read this book out loud with my son’s at bed time. Now we have to bake every recipe in the book! I recommend this book for a great, sweet, magical read.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bake Believe
By Cori Cooper
5 stars

I loved this book so much! I am so glad I found it to read. The characters were just amazing to read about, I really felt like I knew them. The author really did an amazing job with her character development for this story. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I will absolutely be looking to read more from her again in the future. I love baking so I think that really helped me relate to the main character Cat, I really liked and her and enjoyed reading about her. I loved the recipes too!
A nice quirky read that I absolutely loved reading! I would definitely recommend this book to other readers!