Perhaps the first, most important thing to know about Little Beach Street Bakery
is that contrary to the title and the delicious cover art this is not a cookbook. The book follows a period in Polly Waterford where her life is falling apart and she needs to find a different place to live…one that is cheap enough for her to actually be able to afford. She winds up in a small island along the Cornish coast and rents an apartment above a dilapidated, closed bakery.
Polly tries to fit into a close-knit community of about a thousand people as she also tries to figure out her life. Author Jenny Colgan takes us on Polly’s journey of discovery, heartbreak and fun. The cover art is a bit deceiving as Polly actually loves to bake…
“Polly was very specific about bread. She loved it. She had loved it in fashion and out of fashion; as a child, as an adult. It was her favorite part of going to a restaurant. She loved it toasted or as it was; she loved bagels, and cheese on toast, and pain d’epices, and twisted Italian plaits.”
I found the novel entertaining and a worthwhile book to read. While it was a rather “light” read there was a depth, love and sorrow it was all well balanced.