From the author of NETFLIX SENSATION ANATOMY OF A SCANDAL

There are many reasons to bake: to feed; to impress; and, sometimes, it has to be said, to perfect.

In 1966, Kathleen Eaden published The Art of Baking, her guide to nurturing a family by creating the most exquisite pastries.

Now, five amateur bakers are competing to become the New Mrs Eaden. There's Jenny, facing an empty nest; Claire, who has sacrificed her dreams; Mike, trying to parent after his wife's death; Vicki, who has dropped everything to be with her baby boy; and perfect Karen, who knows what it's like to have nothing and is determined her facade shouldn't slip.

As unlikely alliances are forged, making the choicest choux bun seems the least of the contestants' problems. For they will learn - as Mrs Eaden did before them - that while perfection is possible in the kitchen, it's very much harder in life.


'Delicious . . . Friendship, rivalry and exposed secrets, all gorgeously told' - Elle

'Clever and compelling. I loved this' Nina Stibbe

Five amateur bakers compete in a baking competition and discover that the vision of perfect domesticity they aspire to may not be the whole truth. For book club readers everywhere whose tastes range from The Help, One Day and The Other Hand to Katie Fforde and Gill Hornby.

About the Author

Sarah Vaughan read English at Oxford and went on to become a journalist. After training at the Press Association, she spent eleven years at the Guardian as a news reporter and political correspondent before leaving to freelance and write fiction.

The Art of Baking Blind, published in the UK, US and seven languages, was her debut novel, and The Farm at the Edge of the World, a French bestseller, her second.

Anatomy of a Scandal, her first courtroom drama/political thriller, became an instant international bestseller and Sunday Times top five bestseller. Translated into 23 languages, it was also filmed for Netflix as a six-part mini-series, written by David E Kelley, and starring Sienna Miller, Michelle Dockery and Rupert Friend.

Little Disasters was a Waterstones thriller of the month, a kindle bestseller, and is in the process of being adapted for TV. Her fifth novel, Reputation, has just been optioned by the team that developed Anatomy of a Scandal for TV.

Reviews
Delicious . . . friendship, rivalry and exposed secrets, gorgeously told * Elle *
Heavenly * Candis *
Pick up this tale of five enthusiasts competing to be the new Mrs Eaden - a renowned baker (think an oh-so-glam '60s version of Mary Berry) * Fabulous Magazine *
Warm, wise and inspiring, an utterly delicious novel
Fabulous * Good Housekeeping *
Vaughan's engaging writing is packed with brilliant baking tips not to mention delectable descriptions of the food the contestants create. Enjoy. * WI Magazine *
Kathleen's heartbreaking story is so vivid, I had to check she wasn't a real person. It's a challenge to manage a story with five protagonists, particularly in a debut, but Sarah Vaughan manages it with aplomb. One to add to your holiday reading pile and indulge in. * The Writes of Women blog *
Sarah Vaughan's debut novel is a delicious treat . . . There's plenty of baking and food talk for foodies but it's contained within a wonderful narrative. Sarah Vaughan has perfectly balanced the ingredients of this book . . . Where the baking lends a warm and pleasant tone, this is brilliantly offset by the darker side of the narratives. Each of the stories is compelling. * We Love This Book blog *
5 out of 5. An amazing read. It makes you crave cake and it makes you want to devour the words, enjoying every morsel till it reaches the . . . tear-jerking . . . end. * Random Redheaded Ramblings blog *
The Art of Baking Blind is gorgeous. Not just to look at and touch, but Sarah's writing is beautiful. She pulls you in, she captivates you and you just don't want to leave. Her writing creates such warmth; it really hugs you tightly. She describes the cakes and bakes exquisitely . . . Mouth-watering. * novelicious *
An extremely enjoyable book with strong characters and intriguing story lines. I loved every minute of it. * Bookbag *
Before I knew anything about the contents of this novel I had already fallen in love . . . It begs to be oohed and aahed over, not to mention to be stroked. A lot. And once I started reading, I discovered that the story within was equally beautiful and enthralling . . . A delicious read which I devoured like a freshly baked, homemade bread . . . The lush descriptions of the food made them so vivid that I could almost taste them on the tip of my tongue . . . [and] for all the sweetness of the sugary decadences . . . there is also plenty of drama and intrigue to balance it all out. * novelicious *
A novel to devour. * Maxi magazine, France *
Attention fans of GBBO! If you can drag yourself away from the doughy goings-on in the famous tent, you're sure to love this story * New *



Book Information
ISBN 9781444792256
Author Sarah Vaughan
Format Paperback
Page Count 432
Imprint Hodder Paperback
Publisher Hodder & Stoughton
Weight(grams) 300g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 128mm * 30mm