Great British bake off, meets murder mystery with a touch of romance. And Anthony Bridgerton is the mmc

A fun clean cozy mystery with romance amid a British baking competition. I loved the characters, the setting, and the delicious descriptions of food. Looking forward to the next in the series!

Claire Walker is a reserved history teacher with a dream, to be on Britain’s Battle of the Bakers. When she is selected for the most recent season that dream is quickly derailed by a ghost, a dead body, and a grumpy viscount.
The first in a cozy mystery this was a fun quick read. I figured out who the murderer was pretty early on though I hadn’t expected the motive. The author did a good job making characters feel like real people. Especially in balancing the stress of a cooking competition, a murder investigation, and romance. I am excited to see how the author keeps Claire and Jonny in each other’s orbit for book 2.

Goodness! That was a fun read! I liked the English manor setting with all the delicious sounding food references! I’ve always been a sucker for baking shows so I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

I will say, this is a hard one when you’re on a diet and really craving pretty much anything loaded with sugar, butter, and carbs. :) If you have enough self-control to abstain from grabbing a treat while reading this, you’re better than me. I caved and had pie with ice cream. 😅

Jonny was adorable with this reclusive personality and how he cared about Claire’s passions. :) I feel like if I say anything else, it would spoil the story. So instead of saying something I shouldn’t, know that it was a fun read and I 10/10 recommend.

The Crime Brûlée Bake Off is a delightful blend of cozy mystery, romance, and culinary charm. Set against the backdrop of a historical baking competition at the picturesque Blackfirth Park, the novel introduces Claire Walker, a talented baker with big dreams, and Jonathan Ainsley, the reluctant Viscount and custodian of the estate. The story is as warm and inviting as the pastries Claire bakes, with the added twist of a death that mirrors a centuries-old mystery. Connolly expertly balances the fun, lighthearted aspects of the baking competition with a darker, suspenseful plot, keeping readers hooked as Claire and Jonathan navigate the investigation while dealing with their budding romantic tension. The contrast between the contemporary competition and the historical ghost story adds an intriguing layer, creating a perfect recipe for a cozy, engaging read.

While the blend of romance and mystery is largely enjoyable, the pacing can feel a bit uneven at times. The relationship between Claire and Jonathan develops in a predictable manner, though their chemistry is undeniable and adds an enjoyable depth to the story. The mystery, though intriguing, takes a backseat to the romance in certain places, leaving some readers wishing for more focus on the suspenseful elements. That said, the charming setting, witty dialogue, and irresistible pastry-filled descriptions make up for any minor shortcomings. Whether you're drawn to the sweet romance, the spooky mystery, or the delicious pastries, The Crime Brûlée Bake Off offers a fun, heartwarming escape that's sure to please fans of cozy mysteries and romance alike.

Wow! What a fun take on a baking competition, a murder, and a fledgling romance.

I never really put my head around how a baking show really worked. If any of this is factual, it is so interesting. And throw a murder into the scenario, brilliant.

We have a school teacher, who loves baking, making it into the coveted baking show in Great Britain. It is a historical theme, in an estate, with a grumpy Viscount. When her friend in the competition is murdered, and the show goes on anyway, someone has to find the truth. The police department is calling it an accident, the locals blame it on a ghost.

But strange things continue to happen, relationships are created, and the crime must be solved, around baking great food.

This is s a fun premise, a clean, cozy who-done-it, with a bit of romance thrown in. I can't wait to read the next one!

#TheCrimeBruleeBakeOff #NetGalley

Claire Walker is a teacher who loves history, but her greatest wish is to be a contestant on the British Baking show. When Claire is selected as one of the contestants, she is excited to be a part of the show at the estate of Blackfirth Park. Unbeknownst to Claire, there is a mystery surrounding the estate in an unsolved murder.
The Viscount of the estate is a reluctant host of the baking show, and he can't wait to get his privacy back once the show ends.
Claire fees like the other contestants could be like close family members until someone is murdered.
There were some loose ends for me and some parts that could have had more details, but overall, I really enjoyed the suspense and romance in this book.

An entertaining mix of romance and mystery with likeable characters. The Bake off setting was well done. Ultimately the mystery part of the book was disappointing with a resolution that seemed completely separate from the rest of the story.

I’m a fan of the TV show The Great British Bake Off so when I heard about this cozy mystery with a similar setup, along with a romance, I was all in. All of the food sounded delicious, the romance between the Viscount and baker was really sweet, and I couldn’t wait for them to discover who the villain was before they could strike again.

Claire is a history teacher who loves to bake and she is thrilled when she is chosen for Britain’s Battle of the Bakers which is being held at the Blackfirth Park. The estate is owned by the handsome and eligible bachelor, Jonathan (Jonny) Ainsley, Viscount Colburn (who is also a successful investment banker.) The money the show is paying him will help with expenses and be good publicity for the estate. The show will have access to the historical kitchens and mill on the estate but his private home will be off limits.

This year the show chose a historical theme and eight bakers have arrived to compete. They are a colorful group of characters full of secrets. There is a murder early on and Jonny and Claire find themselves working together to try and discover the villain. The murder is eerily similar to a past murder of one of Jonny's ancestors, the tenth Viscount’s wife. While the press becomes interested in what is going on at the estate, Jonny becomes fascinated with Claire (who found the body) and together they sleuth to solve the mystery and fall in love along the way. It is a slow burn romance with a few passionate kisses.

One thing that felt a little awkward was when Detective Watson asks for their help (they are only amateur sleuths after all) and I also felt that some things were left hanging, for example, I felt like the villain's motivation for the murder isn’t fully explained. But quibbles aside, I enjoyed reading about the behind-the-scenes goings on at the show, the romance and the mystery.

Readers that enjoy cozy mysteries with a little light romance might want to give this one a try. I was captivated as the suspense built in the story and I look forward to the next book in the series.