A Pinch of Ooh La La - Renee Swindle

4 Stars

ABOUT THE BOOK -

Abbey Ross, who runs her own bakery in Oakland, California, is known for her visually stunning wedding cakes. But lately, Abbey’s own love life has become stale. According to her best friend, Bendrix, Abbey’s not the spontaneous young woman she was when they were teenagers listening to the Cure and creating attention-grabbing graffiti. Of course, her failed relationship with a womanizing art forger might have something to do with that. Nevertheless, it’s time for Abbey to step out of the kitchen—and her comfort zone—and Bendrix has even handpicked a man for her to date.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR -

Renee Swindle is a California native. She grew up in Vallejo and Lynwood and then went on to earn her BA in English from University of California, Irvine and her MFA in Creative Writing from San Diego State University.
Renee is the author of several novels including Please Please Please (Random House/The Dial Press, 1999) which was an Essence Magazine/Blackboard Bestseller; and also Shake Down The Stars (NAL-Penguin Random House/August 6, 2013).
Renee has been featured in Essence Magazine and has also been interviewed on KPFA, Blog Talk Radio and various local radio shows and local cable shows. Her writing group, The Finish Party, was featured in O Magazine. Renee’s work has also been published in Germany and Japan.
Renee currently works as a professor of English at Diablo Valley College at the San Ramon Campus and also at Solano Community College. For the last fourteen years she has lived in Oakland with her dogs and loves it. 

MY REVIEW -

This book was a nice fun Chick-Lit type book to read. I loved Abbey, the main character. She was fun loving, sweet, caring, but a little shy and intimidated at times. It seemed very real to me. I loved how much family meant to her. Her family actually seemed a lot like my family - kind of like Grand Central Station at times. Her home was open to anyone and everyone, cousins, sisters, and friends, all were welcome.

On the other hand, I did not ever like Samuel. He started out OK but then once he turned all "control freak" I would have told him to hit the road Jack! I can not believe how Abbey just put up with it. And his family, strange to say the least.

My second favorite character was Bendrix, the male best friend. I just loved his personality, he was fun and outgoing. You could really tell he really cared for Abbey.
I also liked that her family was kind of unconventional. Lots of exwives etc, certainly made it more interesting and fun.

I don't want to give too much of the book away. So I will leave it at that.

I did like all the talk about Jazz (I am a Miles Davis fan myself) and also that she ran a bakery. I love books that take place in a bakery or coffee shop.

I would say that this is a good book for a fun, quick read (It was a little slow in spots but not enough to deter me from enjoying).

Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me this book for my honest review.

Get your copy from Amazon - HERE