**Thank you to HarperCollins/Quill Tree Books, the authors, and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will release June 11, 2024.**

*The Cookie Crumbles* features best friends Laila and Lucy, two almost-eighth graders who are highly driven when it comes to their respective passions—baking and journalism—especially when they realize that they’ll be going to different high schools unless Laila can win the Golden Cookie competition and a scholarship to a boarding school that has amazing programs for both friends. And then the competition begins, a celebrity judge collapses after eating Laila’s creation, and a storm prevents any outside contact, leaving the two girls to investigate and clear Laila’s name.

I was so excited about this book, I broke my self-imposed eARC ban to read and review it, and I’m glad I did. The authors did a fantastic job with this concept (I mean, a middle grade mystery that’s *GBBO x Knives Out???*) and I accidentally read it in one sitting.

“Accidentally.”

This book is the perfect blend of the setting and atmosphere of a traditional mystery, and some of the situations and elements common in contemporary middle grade. I loved investigating alongside Laila and Lucy, and probably should’ve had cookies on hand. I know that Alechia Dow used to be a pastry chef and does an Instagram series where she bakes a cookie inspired by a certain title and discusses the book with its author; maybe the final version of *The Cookie Crumbles* will have its own recipe featured?

I also discovered that this book is going to have a SEQUEL, so sign me up! I can never have enough food-centric books, especially in the middle grade space (I actually have Tracy Badua’s *The Takeout* on hold at the library right now), and I love cozy mysteries, so a fun series that combines the two takes the cake.

This was such a fun read! Lucy and Laila t tangled up in something bigger than them at a weekend baking competition. All Laila wants to do is bake and win, while Lucy wants to crack a great story for her journalism scholarship.
What they get is more than they bargain for. They make some new friends, find some clues and solve a mystery.
I liked that their friendship wobbled for a minute, like all real friendships do sometimes. But they were still there for each other.
Loved the baking and the baked goods.
A fun elementary read.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!