The City Baker's Guide to Country Living

By: Louise Miller

Narrated by: Jorjeana Marie

"Mix in one part Diane Mott ­Davidson’s delightful culinary adventures with several tablespoons of Jan Karon’s country living and quirky characters, bake at 350 degrees for one rich and warm romance." (Library Journal)

A full-hearted novel about a big-city baker who discovers the true meaning of home - and that sometimes the best things are found when you didn't even know you were looking

When Olivia Rawlings - pastry chef extraordinaire for an exclusive Boston dinner club - sets not just her flambéed dessert but the entire building alight, she escapes to the most comforting place she can think of - the idyllic town of Guthrie, Vermont, home of Bag Balm, the country's longest-running contra dance, and her best friend Hannah. But the getaway turns into something more lasting when Margaret Hurley, the cantankerous, sweater-set-wearing owner of the Sugar Maple Inn, offers Livvy a job. Broke and knowing that her days at the club are numbered, Livvy accepts.

Livvy moves with her larger-than-life, uberenthusiastic dog, Salty, into a sugarhouse on the inn's property and begins creating her mouthwatering desserts for the residents of Guthrie. She soon uncovers the real reason she has been hired - to help Margaret reclaim the inn's blue ribbon status at the annual county fair apple pie contest.

With the joys of a fragrant kitchen, the sound of banjos and fiddles being tuned in a barn, and the crisp scent of the orchard just outside the front door, Livvy soon finds herself immersed in small town life. And when she meets Martin McCracken, the Guthrie native who has returned from Seattle to tend his ailing father, Livvy comes to understand that she may not be as alone in this world as she once thought.

But then another new arrival takes the community by surprise, and Livvy must decide whether to do what she does best and flee - or stay and finally discover what it means to belong. Olivia Rawlings may finally find out that the life you want may not be the one you expected - it could be even better.

©2016 Louise Miller (P)2016 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Miller elevates the story by turning it into a Pinterest fantasy of rural America.... [Her] visions of bucolic Vermont landscapes, cinnamon-scented kitchens and small-town friendliness make this reverie of country life an appealing one." (The New York Times Book Review)

“This book is super cozy - probably because it takes place in a small town in Vermont, and because the protagonist has a dog named Salty, and because she’s a baker who spends her days working at an inn. Okay, it’s Gilmore Girls.” (Bon Appetit, “8 Food Novels You Need to Read This Summer)

"Add in some romance and mouth-watering food descriptions, and Louise Miller’s debut novel is a giant serving of comfort food. Treat yourself." (RealSimple)

Predicable but fine

Good story, a little simplistic toward the end but a genuine feel good story, be prepared to bake!

A Little Slice of Heaven!

The perfect New England getaway in the form of a delightful story! The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living is a warm-hearted, feel good story about family, love, loss, and finding your own path.

cute and charming as expected

I liked it - overall .. but parts of it were bland tbh. also- the narration annoyed me. her voice made the characters sound immature and babyish .. overall- an okay-ish listen. I didn't hate it.

Somewhat predictable but I liked it

You know where it’s going, but this story is well-written, and the narration is very pleasant and appropriate.

I’m so hungry now

Warning: mind altering food descriptions will cause you to gain 10 fictitious pounds! The foodie in me really enjoyed this fall escape to Vermont while it’s summertime right now.

Olivia (Livvy) is a pastry chef for an upscale club in Boston until she causes a fire and hightails it out of town seeking comfort from her friend Hannah rural Vermont. While there she starts working for an Inn and gets an immediate immersion into small town life and some interesting characters.

From the endless food and the physical setting, the atmosphere really comes alive. You’ll feel transported to Vermont and caught up in these people.

Excuse me, I need to go eat some pie.

Great book

Tremendous story. Could have been out of hallmark hall of fame.
Hope to see many more books from her in future.

So many emotions!

I really loved this book! I don't know if I've ever listened to a book that made me so emotional....I teared up MANY times. She wrote such a lovely story, and the narrator was exceptional. I hope they release more books by this author.

A feel good story that will make you want a slice of pie

I’d recommend this book to someone looking for a feel-good story that will take them away from the craziness of life. Such a good read, I couldn’t listen fast enough!

Enjoyable Story

Enjoyable book to listen to. The story was excellent and the narrator was good to listen to.

A little predictable

A very enjoyable book, though the end seemed a little predictable. it was easy to read and finish and the generator did a good job.