What Would Mary Berry Do?

What Would Mary Berry Do? follows Marie Dunwoody, a wife, mother to three children and a business woman as she struggles to keep all aspects of her life under control. Her business is threatened by a rival across the street, her husband is facing redundancy, her son has become distant and her neighbour takes every opportunity to show off her perfect life and family whenever she can. After a disastrous day on the bake stall at her twin daughter’s school fate, Marie vows that next year she will do better and decides to follow recipes from the Queen of Baking, Mary Berry. Through Marie’s journey she starts to realise that the wise words of Mary Berry are helping in more ways than just cakes as the people around her turn to her for help with their own lives.

This novel is a delightful story, with moments that bring true laughter as well as tears. Author Claire has brought to life a typical British family facing everyday problems, making a story that is loved by many of all ages – proven to me by the fact that I, my friend and both my parents loved it! Of course we are all huge fans of the TV show The Great British Bake Off which is fronted by Mary Berry so this novel is an added extra for us as we wait for the next series. However, I believe that even if you don’t like The Bake Off (if some such person can actually exist!) you will not be disappointed by this novel. Yes Mary Berry is mentioned a lot and cakes are made, but ultimately it is about a family pulling together through tough times and how not everything is as it may seem to the outside world.