AUDREY LANE STIRS THE POT

It’s a new season of a famous British baking show, and among the contestants are an inquisitive journalist and an elderly woman with a personal history related to the grounds where the show is filmed.

Working for Shropshire’s second largest regional newspaper isn’t exactly exciting for Audrey Lane—and for sure wouldn’t impress her ex-girlfriend—but her life becomes more interesting when her drunken application to appear on Bake Expectations is accepted. Soon she’s spending her weekends at Patchley House, where the baking challenges are far more complicated than the “back to basics” theme of the season would suggest, and the hot-headed, foul-mouthed producer, Jennifer Hallet, quickly gets under Audrey’s skin. It’s not all bad, though, as Audrey connects with her fellow contestants, including 96-year-old Doris Rice. Always fascinated by people’s stories, Audrey learns Doris was a World War II evacuee who lived at Patchley House as a child and later returned to work as a housemaid. During that time, she had a secret romantic relationship with the daughter of the house. Audrey wants to publish Doris’ story, but that means getting permission from prickly Jennifer. Despite how much Audrey and Jennifer exasperate each other, there’s clear sexual tension between them, and they begin to see just how well they complement each other. Curvy, crafty Audrey is a delightful lead. While at first it can be hard to comprehend why she’s attracted to Jennifer, as their romance develops it becomes clear she’s good for Audrey, especially compared to Audrey’s controlling ex. The plot flows steadily through the weeks of the show, interspersed with snippets of Doris’ past, and Jennifer’s role lends itself to a compelling behind-the-scenes look at the competition. The importance of stories as a touchstone for human connection is adroitly emphasized.

Two charming romances in one humorous and earnest tale.