How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake

Home for the Holidays, Book 2

By: Gina Calanni

Narrated by: Hollie Jackson

Length: 7 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Don't miss the brilliant second book in the Home for the Holidays series from Gina Hennings.

A delicious cake. A guy who is late. Merry Christmas to all.

After the best Thanksgiving of her life, Lauren Hauser can’t wait to see Jack-the-pecan-hoarder so they can finally be in the same place at the same time. Long distance really doesn’t work when you’re head over heels!

But when Jack doesn’t turn up at the airport, Lauren is left wondering if their relationship is really as great as she thought. Sure, Jack’s kisses were delicious, and when he looked at her, her knees felt weak, but what did they really know about each other?

A big Hauser family Christmas is just what is needed for this situation. Not only will her mom be decking the halls with boughs of monstrous Christmas decorations, but Lauren is baking a Christmas cake to once again claim dessert queen of the family! Will Jack fit in with the Hauser clan? Or will Lauren have to face the music…and accept that not every holiday romance was made for a happily ever after?

©2014 Harlequin Books S.A. (P)2015 Gina Calanni

Christmas Chick Lit

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

At just over 7 hours, I think my time was well spent.

Would you recommend How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake to your friends? Why or why not?

I would recommend it to my laid back friends who love chick lit and contemporary romance.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

The only thing I noticed the the narrator could have done better was sing the Christmas carol phone greeting to the correct tune.

Could you see How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Not sure.

Any additional comments?

This is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first book, but there was enough background given that this book could stand alone. Book one explained how Lauren and Jack met, this book continued their courting, so I expect the next book will tell us what happens from here.

I liked Lauren, but thought Jack seemed too good to be true. I spent the majority of the book telling Lauren to put her career first, because I didn't really trust Jack. He grew on me, so now I hope they can both find a way to compromise so neither of them has to give up everything.

I was surprised to find "the perfect Christmas cake" was a red velvet cake. I always think of fruit cakes as Christmas cakes.

I found the writing a little verbose and overly descriptive. I didn't really need to hear every step to Lauren putting on her makeup, every time she did it. Overall I enjoyed the story and the narrator was pleasant to listen to.

Loved it!

Loved this book! It is witty and humorous all while being fun, mysterious and charming - a real Chick-lit adventure! This is my first read by this author.

Lauren and Jack are to meet at the airport. After texting and calls for several weeks, Lauren waits for Jack to arrive at baggage claim. Jack is a no show, which for Lauren is a deal breaker. He didn't even bother to call or text to say he wasn't coming. Lauren was going home for Christmas but has changed her mind too. She just doesn't feel like explaining about Jack and why they aren't together anymore, nor does she want to bump into him. As time goes by Jack shows up one day to explain he had to deal with family business and that his sister had squandered all the funds from that business. Everything is forgiven and Lauren goes home for Christmas. Join with Jack and Lauren to see how Jack will fit in with her family and how Lauren will fit into his family. Jack's Aunt is a hoot too!

The author, Gina Henning did a great job in this story. I enjoyed it, and loved the wit and charm it has to offer along with a great plot. The narrator, Hollie Jackson did a great job delivering this story flawlessly with many different voices which only adds to the excitement! Good job ladies!

Heartwarming weekender

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake is a great piece of chick lit that keeps you smiling all the way through. Lauren is hurt that she has been stood up by Jack at the airport after having what she thought was a marvellous Thanksgiving. When Jack suddenly turns up for the weekend unannounced he explains his actions and whether she wants it or not everything starts to change. Jack seems to be the perfect guy and very quickly Lauren begins to lose herself to him. He woos her, wines her and dines her so to speak, treating her with his own type of personal charm. Jack appears to get away with more than the average guy would but he tries harder too. After the weekend, Jack's 12 days of Christmas presents keep her wanting him more and this keeps building after Lauren heads home for Christmas. With the introduction of Lauren's family and then Jack's Aunt Minnie we start to build some conflict but only a little. This really is a heartwarming story that doesn't need a major conflict to keep the reader interested.

What did you like best about this story?

I loved that this book was fun, romantic, sexy and casual all at the same time. It kept me smiling as I listened and it kept me wanting more.

What does Hollie Jackson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Hollie Jackson's presentation of the characters is great. She really brings them life as she narrates and gives them a real personality.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I just smiled all the way through this book. My cheeks hurt I was smiling so much.

Any additional comments?

I hadn't read the first book and after reading this that is the next book on my to read list.

Perfect Christmas Cake in Time for a Perfect Match

Would you listen to How to Bake the Perfect Christmas Cake again? Why?

Yes, Hollie Jackson's narration is a pleasure to listen to.

Any additional comments?

This is a light Christmas listen. No angst, very little conflict, just full of Christmas trauma when families get together for the holiday with scenes often evoking a chuckle. I believe you’ll enjoy your own family after you hear the antics of the Hauser’s. Jack’s aunt, Aunt Minnie is a piece of cake. Ha! How appropriately said… She turned out to be a charmer, although George, her cat, could take some pointers on how to be charming!

I’m so used to reading something where disaster strikes so I waited for the other shoe to drop on this story. It didn’t come. There wasn’t any real angst to experience, only fun, poking-fun at family and their antics – a perfect Christmas read laced with falling in love. Jack seems to have it all together, however, my suspicious nature felt he was hiding something. He seemed way too smooth to me. Are guys this perfect? I’m a bit like Morgan, Lauren’s sister on this one.

Narrator Hollie Jackson does a great job telling the story. I’ve listened to other of her narrations and she’s very talented. One comment here, small as it was, I noticed. In several places in the telling the editing was not flawless. However, that being said, she does her magic when telling a story. She captures Lauren’s inner sarcastic dialog and uneasiness making some big decisions in her life, not knowing where these decision will take her. She also sparkles sharing Gina Henning’s version of Christmas with grown up siblings and their offspring. It had me stepping back looking at my own family, more fondly then I used to.

Young people have a difficult time of it when both partners of a relationship have budding careers. Who has to give up their dreams and their work career? Does anyone? Can a win-win situation happen? Love and marriage are very much emotional decisions. Lauren is swept off her feet by Jack, but can all the details be worked out? The answer lies in book 3 soon-to-be released in July.

A most enjoyable listen or read. Take on book 1 closer to Thanksgiving, getting into the swing of the holidays and then this one following, although both are stand-alone reads. You’ll be amused AND have a peek into the world where professional career-minded people think on love.

enjoying this series

Any additional comments?

The tales of Lauren and Jack continue .... with all the characters from the first book" How to Bake the Perfect Pecan Pie"- and perhaps the family are even wackier.
If you like reading/ listening to funny holiday season stories then this will not disapoint. (even though I listened in the summer I still found it highly entertaining)
Although this is book two, it could easily bee read alone as there is enough background info til fill you in, but the full apriciation of the situations Lauren gets into , would be improved greatly by reading the first one.
Yet again, great narration by Hollie Jackson, she really brought this story to life .
I was given this audiobook in return for an unbiased review .