cover image For the Love of Cake

For the Love of Cake

Erin Dutton. Bold Strokes (boldstrokes- books.com), $16.95 trade paper (288p) ISBN 978-1-626-39241-0

In Dutton’s highly entertaining contemporary, well-drawn characters Shannon Hayes and Maya Vaughn discover romance behind reality TV. Shannon is picked as a contestant for a cake baking and decorating contest show. Having spent her life tending to others’ needs, first in a failed marriage and then in the successful parenting of her adopted daughter, she longs to finally take care of herself, both professionally and romantically. Her motives are refreshingly plausible and relatable. Bisexual pastry chef Maya, a judge on the show, is known more for her party lifestyle than for her cakes; when she falls for Shannon, a longtime fan 14 years her senior, she realizes that her history is going to make it hard to pursue a real relationship. Shannon especially struggles with a rumor that Maya recently had an abortion. Though the reality show’s challenges often lack originality, Dutton’s love story never loses momentum. [em](Feb.) [/em]