How to Bake a Perfect Life

A Novel

By: Barbara O'Neal

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

In a novel as warm and embracing as a family kitchen, Barbara O’Neal explores the poignant, sometimes complex relationships between mothers and daughters - and the healing magic of homemade bread. Professional baker Ramona Gallagher is a master of an art that has sustained her through the most turbulent times, including a baby at 15 and an endless family feud. But now Ramona’s bakery threatens to crumble around her. Literally. She’s one water-heater disaster away from losing her grandmother’s rambling Victorian and everything she’s worked so hard to build.

When Ramona’s soldier son-in-law is wounded in Afghanistan, her daughter, Sophia, races overseas to be at his side, leaving Ramona as the only suitable guardian for Sophia’s 13-year-old stepdaughter, Katie. Heartbroken, Katie feels that she’s being dumped again - this time on the doorstep of a woman out of practice with mothering.

Ramona calls upon a special set of tools - patience, persistence, and the reliability of a good recipe - when rebellious Katie arrives. And as she relives her own history of difficult choices, Ramona shares her love of baking with the troubled girl. Slowly, Katie begins to find self-acceptance and a place to call home. And when a man from her past returns to offer a second chance at love, Ramona discovers that even the best recipe tastes better when you add time, care, and a few secret ingredients of your own.

©2011 Barbara Samuel (P)2013 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This book will have you smiling and crying and pining for an old love, or just a hunk of really good fresh-baked bread. I loved every single delicious bite." (Jennie Shortridge, author of When She Flew)

Great story and lots of bread recipes

Very heartwarming story of family and new beginnings. Loved all the bread recipes in it.

Loved it!!

I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, characters and the narrator. I couldn’t wait until time would allow me to listen. I will definitely look into more books by this author and narrator.

Predictable

I like the inclusion of details of starter doughs and baking breads.Too predictable—No surprises.

Simple story

Would you try another book from Barbara O'Neal and/or Tanya Eby?

No, I don't think so. The writing is good, but the storyline was rather boring - not that problems of the characters are boring, it was just something other writers have covered as well.

What three words best describe Tanya Eby’s voice?

she was ok.

Do you think How to Bake a Perfect Life needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

Any additional comments?

Glad I got it on sale

Barbara is the Best!

Nobody writes a more soul satisfying novel than Barbara O’ Neal!! She is the best!!

Enjoyable read

Love reading stories that bring together family, friends and foods that all warm the heart.

My favorite baking romance

I bought the book back in 2012 and have read it many many times, it is such a heartwarming, emotional story that I absolutely cannot recommend enough. ❤️

The characters…the breadth of the plot

I like the hint of a “history” among ALL the characters. It made me want to peel back the covering up of the understory and the lies and self-lies.

Nice, Easy Read with Recipes

I love when food becomes a character in a book. The story here was warm and sweet, and it was nice to have a relaxing read. Great narration, too.

ONE OF MY FAVORITES OF 2022

I just loved this book. I enjoyed how each of the characters were developed. The author wrote in such a way, that I just fell right into the story. The family dynamics were very believable. I am very happy that I stumbled upon this book! It would be a great book to discuss at a book club! I highly recommend this story!