Wednesday 30 August 2017

Book Review & Giveaway - The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club by Chrissie Manby

Amazon UK
Title:  The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club
Author: Chrissie Manby
Format reviewed: Ebook
Source: Netgalley
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publication Date: 24th August 2017
Rating: 5 Stars


In the quaint seaside town of Newbay, a beginner's cookery course is starting. And three very different students have signed up...

Liz's husband has left her for a twenty-something clean-eating blogger, and she's determined to show the world - and her daughter - she's just as capable in the kitchen. John, newly widowed after fifty years of marriage, can't live on sympathy lasagnes forever. To thirty-year-old workaholic Bella, the course is a welcome escape from her high-pressure job. Their only common ground: between them, they can barely boil an egg!

Enter talented chef Alex, who is determined to introduce his pupils to the comforts of cuisine. As Liz, John and Bella encounter various disasters in the kitchen, the unlikely trio soon form a fast friendship. Their culinary skills might be catastrophic - but could the cookery club have given them a recipe for happiness?

Chrissie Manby has cooked up a winning recipe of a story that has had me thoroughly enjoying this cold rainy August evening. I even became oblivious to the sound of the rain on our plastic conservatory roof, while I was reading about Liz and her broken marriage! 

A year ago Liz’s husband moved out to be with Brittney a considerably younger health and fashion blogger, and Liz is still coming to terms with it, along with 15 year old daughter Saskia. They also have an adorable dog Ted. 

Between Saskia and Ted there are loads of amusing incidents, and from various “conversations” between mother and daughter, Liz decides she needs to learn how to cook, she also needs to put Ted on a diet. 

In the meantime Alex has set up a beginners cookery lesson course In Newbay, although there are only a handful of people interested in taking part. As the lessons progress Liz, Bella, John and Alex form unlikely friendships, and we learn all about various things hidden in their pasts. 

The food described in the lessons are mouth-watering and the only thing missing from this book are the full recipes so you can learn to make the dishes yourself. There are some absolutely hilarious scenes in this book, mainly involving Liz and her family. 

From Bella’s story we get some human kindness in her role as public defence lawyer, and one particular client of hers I had a soft spot for.  Even John’s story that seemed straight forward isn’t quite as it seems, although listening to him reminisce about his late wife is heart-warming. 

As a fan of Chrissie Manby I am delighted to see a return to Newbay, the town featured in A Fairy Tale for Christmas. The NEWTs are mentioned again as is another character who I remember from the previous book. Although the setting may be familiar, this is a whole new story, new cast of main characters and stands completely alone from her previous work. 

From the moment I started this book I knew I was reading another fabulous story, from one of my favourite authors, and it wasn’t long before I was telling mum that I need to buy her a copy of the book too, as it is just up her street!  I devoured this book from cover to cover and after finishing my main thought was - “it’s a shame I have to wait so long for another book by the author, I need more”! 

Thank you to Hodder and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily. 


Giveaway to Win a paperback copy of The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club (Europe Only)

I'm not sure how but an extra copy of The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club appeared in my post the other day, and having already read it, I figured I would give it away to one lucky winner! This is an early copy, as the paperback isn't out until toward the end of September! 

Giveaway open internationally, all options are voluntary, but please do what they ask, as I will be verifying the winner. Giveaway closes 23:59 05/09/2017. Winner will be announced on twitter, and they will need to reply within 7 days, or forfeit the prize, and I will re-draw for a new winner.  Good luck everyone.

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