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Recipe for Disaster by Maureen Fergus

"In the great cheesecake of life, dreams are the flour that holds it all together."

Ages 10 to 14

Grades 5 to 9.

Francie Freewater has a lot on her plate for a 9th grader. She has to help out at her parents’ small café, avoid scorching herself on the Bunsen Burner in front of her crush in Chemistry class, attempt to have a vibrant social life, and try to make sure her Grandmother’s parrot, Rory, doesn’t escape from his cage and gobble everything in sight. It seems as though Francie’s life couldn’t be any busier.

When perky, perfect Darlene moves into town, Francie’s world is viciously turned upside down. Darlene singlehandedly shakes the foundation of Francie’s relationship with her long-time BFF, Holly. She also foils any opportunity Francie has to make her gorgeous, hunky crush, Tate Jarvis, fall in love with her.

But the worst thing Darlene does is ruthlessly make fun of Francie’s passion for baking. Celebrity television chef Lorenzo LaRue inspires Francie to spend hours whisking, melting and kneading in the kitchen creating her own recipes. Francie fanaticizes about cooking with dream-boat Lorenzo when she’s not fantasizing about hosting her own cooking show.

Although her dream of becoming a renowned celebrity baker is anything but ordinary, the important life lessons Francie learns through her parents, grandmother, friends and friend-enemies alike – not to mention an assortment of crush-worthy and potentially crush-worthy boys – allow Francie to pursue her dream.

Like raspberry white chocolate scones and hazelnut mocha drops (Francie’s specialties), Recipe for Disaster is a light, entertaining and sweet read.

The book is also occasionally stomach churning with over-the-top with teenage angst and melodrama. Francie’s cooking idol Lorenzo writes books with corny names like Life in the Emotional Bundt Pan and Teflon and the Lady: A Love Story. You might find yourself rolling your eyes, and the writing style probably isn't going to win any awards. But the twists and turns throughout the plot keep Francie’s story and the characters interesting. If all you're looking for is a light, entertaining read to pass the time, then this book will do nicely.

If you enjoy cooking – or even just watching the pro’s whip up delicacies on The Food Network! – you will appreciate Francie’s passion for food and might just be inspired to create some of your own unique recipes!

Genre: Young Adult, Chick lit, Romantic comedy

SmartGirl comments:

by cam, age 13.
I love this book and it is my friend's foster-mom's sister-in-law that writes this book and others. I LOVE IT!

by Elaine, age 12.
I love this book because it is funny and also true because a lot of girls go through this at that age.

by Lisa, age 13.
This book was the icing on the cake for me. It made my heart melt every time something was going to happen. Francie just pulled me into her story, and now I enjoy baking as much as the next person. Thx for inspring me. =)

Have you read Recipe for Disaster? What did you think of it?