Sauerkraut Cake by Sophie

Old Timey Holiday Kitchen, Book 13

By: Janice Cole Hopkins

Narrated by: Douglas Birk, Victoria Phelps

Sophie Zimmermann and her father leave Illinois after her mother dies to make the long trek on the California Trail to Genoa, near Lake Tahoe in Utah Territory, to join her aunt’s family. Sophie finds men interested in her for the first time, and she ends up taking her aunt and cousin’s advice to let Baxter Cobb court her. Baxter is a wealthy businessman that any woman should appreciate, so why can’t Sophie forget Abel Boles, the first man she meets in Genoa. Things come to a head at a baking contest. Can Sophie’s unusual recipe for a sauerkraut cake somehow end up showing her what she should do?

©2022 Janice Cole Hopkins (P)2022 Janice Cole Hopkins

Trying this recipe!

What a fun listen! Janice Cole Hopkins shines with Sophie as she begins her new life! Moving west seemed like the right thing to do after her mother's death. Being teased and bullied in Illinois, she was looking forward to starting new. Settling in Genoa, she finds that several men have taken a liking to her and after some consideration and advice, she chooses Baxter to court her. Is he the man for her? He seems like a good catch, but where is the spark? And why does she keep thinking about Abel? Grab this wonderful listen to enjoy Sophie's choices. She has some thinking to do, and some soul searching to make the right decision. Hopkins has wonderful characters throughout this story, even the ones I love to hate since they make the listen that much more realistic! It's a pleasure to hear and I think I am going to try that Sauerkraut cake recipe!

Douglas Birk and Victoria Phelps give a fabulous duet performance. Each finding the essence of their characters, they bring to life all the personality traits perfectly. Their narration brought me into this small town and made me feel like part of the community. I really enjoyed this listen.

Lovely book

I enjoyed listening to this book. It was interesting to listen to. Story told very well

Great story

I have read this book and I have listened to it on audio as well. It is as if they are two different books. The book itself is very good. I did like how the author brought her skin condition in. It was very realistic. I loved how the story progressed and I could picture it clearly. When I listened to it on audio. Sigh. I just did not enjoy it overly much, and I love audiobooks. The gentleman narrating was a bit...whiny. I do love that there is a recipe in the book. I will probably try it out. I remember years ago my great grandma mentioned that she made it.

Sweet and Clean

Sometimes it is hard to know the right path to take in life and Sophie experiences that when making a decision that will have lifelong consequences. Abel learns to be patient and wait on the Lord for the answer to his prayers. It's a sweet story about how God can take even our bad decisions and bring about His plans even when we get in the way. This is a sweet, clean story and as always with this author is inspirational.

The narration was a bit different with two voices performing, but it was good. Honestly though, I think my preference is to have just one narrator.

I requested this audiobook from the author and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

good book, eh on the audio

I have read this book and I have listened to it on audio as well. It is as if they are two different books. The book itself is very good. I did like how the author brought her skin condition in. It was very realistic. I loved how the story progresses and I could picture it clearly. When I listened to it on audio. Sigh. I just did not enjoy it, and I love audiobooks. I do love that there is a recipe in the book. I will probably try it out. I remember years ago my great grandma mentioning it.

Another lovely story

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I've enjoyed the books that I've read or listened 3by Janice Cole Hopkins. I also thought that Douglas Birk and Victoria Phelps did an excellent job narrating the story.
I can't wait to bake the Cake.

Loved It

Few will remember a time of sauerkraut cakes, and this was a well written plot, that one will enjoy.
With good narration added to.the story. Another winner for the author
.Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

Sweet Baking Romance

While I enjoyed the story, there were a few moments I almost stopped listening. Sophie kept making excuses for a certain gentleman instead of recognizing the red flags that kept coming up.
I did enjoy that she matured and grew throughout the story, but she really needed more of a backbone.
I also wish they had discovered for sure who attacked Abel. It felt like a loose end. The story does have a HEA and she chose wisely in the end.