Wedding Cake: A Novel by Lynne Hinton (Avon A, a HarperCollins imprint, May 18, 2010), 304 pages
Summary
Thoughts
This was a really cute, fun book. I’m kind of sad that I came to this set of characters so late in their journey — earlier books in the Hope Springs series include Friendship Cake, Hope Springs, Forever Friends, and Christmas Cake.
Each chapter opens with an hors d’oeuvre recipe, usually associated with the character who takes center stage during that chapter. The recipes felt old to me, but I suppose they would; many of the characters are retirement age. Regardless of their relative trendiness, though, most of them didn’t sound appetizing. Also: The recipes are remarkably unhealthy!
This book has the lightness of chick lit but without the unending fashion talk.
The mix of characters is perhaps the most intriguing aspect of this book (The following may be a spoiler for earlier books in the series!) — one woman’s a former pastor, another’s a lesbian, for example. Hinton did a good job of making everyone’s lives believably messy.
I didn’t love the writing. The book could also have used another set of eyes. It was poorly edited.
Overall the style isn’t my favorite, but it was still a fun read. I enjoyed this book, but I don’t think I’ll be seeking out more of the series.
About the author
In addition to the Holly Springs series, Lynne Hinton is the author of The Things I Know Bestand The Last Odd Day. She is a pastor in the United Church of Christ and lives in Washington.
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Not all chick lit has fashion talk! It evolved past that quite a bit!
Too bad the writing didn’t please you, I generally enjoy these sorts of books.
Yeah, that may not be the fairest assessment. :p And it really does deal with some not-shallow issues.
I read Christmas Cake last year and enjoyed it but didn’t feel the need to rush right out and buy any more of the series. Great review!
I’ve only read the first in the series – Friendship Cake – and enjoyed it very much. Lynne is a good friend of my mom’s, as she and mom were the only two women pastors in the little town of Chewelah, Washington. Lynne was an interim pastor here, and just left to take a year sabbatical in order to write full-time. She is a delightful woman, and I agree, she tackles difficult topics you don’t usually see in faith-inspired fiction.
Oh I like the cover and the title…. I think I am in a “cake craze” after reading Cake Boss and now find myself obsessed with the tv show, watching episode after episode of past seasons on Netflix!
That’s awesome! Have you ever watched Ace of Cakes?
I have not heard of Ace of Cakes….. so interested…. is is tv? Book? OOH I am going to look it up
It’s on Food Network (this is it’s last year, though), but I think they have books, too.