Outside of my typical reading genre, this book is a re-read from 2011. What will this book nerd think this time around?
Something I like to do, and probably every one of us avid readers out there does, is re-read a book for one reason or another. Nearly five years ago the online book group I spent time with came up with a reading challenge: read a book that would be unlike anything that you would typically read. We were to open our minds up to something different and report back on our thoughts and how it felt to go outside the norm. This past week I wanted to revisit the book that pleasantly surprised me.
Jezebel (Jezzie) Thibodeaux lives her life in Louisiana, growing up with her mother and aunt who want nothing more than to marry Jezzie off to the right man. The man that only Jezzie would know when she met him. The family is incredibly close knit who own and operate a family bakery specializing in doberge cakes. I have to pause here and state that once again I’m dying for a doberge cake after reading this book; however, their methods can be a bit unconventional while building the cakes, which makes me wonder about the local bakeries in my town and the ladies who work in them. It’s a little freaky… just you wait.
This story spans over 25 years with lots of fun events, lighthearted moments, and loads of laughter. This is where I give the book only four stars again. Real life has its twists and turns, yet these ladies simply swoosh through them without a single emotional scar. They take life a bit too casually, just not seriously enough to make this story feel genuine.
I’ll admit to enjoying the giggles and imaginative characters. It was nice to take a trip down memory lane and realize that a book nerd doesn’t have to remain strict in genre favorites. I appreciated discovering new or forgotten details of the story and can certainly recommend it, whether it’s something you’d pick up or put down at the bookstore. Definitely a nice way to spend a hot weekend day escaping from reality.
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewer: Jules
Title: Cake Icing, Butt Budder & Tea Lids
Author: Renee Andrews
Release Date: October 25, 2011
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