For What It’s Worth by Karey White
Twenty-four-year-old, Abby Benson has dreams of owning her own wedding cake shop. An inheritance from her aunt gives her the ability to make those dreams come true. She hires Dane, a handsome contractor, to help her get the bakery up and running and soon they’re moving toward their own happy ending.
Unsure what to charge for her cakes, Abby has a crazy idea to let the customer decide what they think their cake is worth. This plan has its ups and downs, but the novelty of the idea makes her a local celebrity. When she is interviewed on television about the unusual idea, business booms and Abby has cake adventures she never dreamed possible. But as her fame grows, Abby is swept up in a whirlwind that threatens everything she values. With the challenges that face her, will she be able to determine what is worth the most?
Praise for For What It’s Worth
Reading Karey White’s books, like eating chocolate cake, is always satisfying and brings a smile to my face. For What It’s Worth is light, romantic, and delicious. It’s a great pleasure read. Sit down and get lost in the charming world of wedding cakes and love. As an added bonus, each chapter starts with a recipe, so it’s a novel and cookbook all in one. A fun read!
—Teri Harman, KSL columnist, Studio 5 contributor, and author of Blood Moon, available June 22, 2013
I just loved the book – loved it. Hated putting it down and hated finishing it. Karey White is my new Maeve Binchy, her writing as warm as the bakery her novel is set in. For What It’s Worth surprised me, made me smile, say “no” out loud in a public place. I love when a character feels like my sister. I didn’t want to finish it, so now I may try the recipes that began every chapter.
—Amanda Dickson, author and radio personality
This book oozes charm, romance, and mouth-watering recipes. If you want to escape reality and curl up with a darling story, For What It’s Worth is the perfect fit. Thank you, Karey White!
—Rachael Anderson, author
This is a book worth every penny of the price. In the business of baking wedding cakes, every detail must be perfection, but this story remembers that real life is oh-so-messy. White’s clear and honest writing left me hungry for good food, a close family, and a little romance. A beautiful marriage of food, family, and faith.
—Regina Sirois, author of On Little Wings, 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award
For What It’s Worth by Karey White
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so pleased to give this book a five-star rating. It is a romance, but it is oh so much more than that. The positives for this book go on and on. I wasn’t sure when I began if this would get that coveted rating–there is some sappiness to the romance–but I can fully recommend this book with no reservations.
First of all, it takes place in Washington state. What a delight to read about Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Mt. Si, Bellevue, Ocean Shores, North Bend, and more. Oh, also, Victoria, B.C. I am amazed at how many books use the great Pacific Northwest as a setting, and this one is just beautiful!
There was so much to love in this book. No sex, no violence, no profanity. It is an LDS book, and I have come to find that these are often the best books out there. And I am not even a Mormon! But the message is uplifting as the characters consider the most important things in life. The romance was mildly sappy at a few minor points, but overall, the romance was nice and sweet. And the romance never monopolized the book. There was plenty more to this book than romance.
I loved the writing style. Every chapter begins with a wonderful recipe that relates to the action of that chapter. Most of the time I saw the correlation, but a few chapters escaped me. It didn’t mean I wasn’t completely drawn into the recipes. In fact, I told my mom about the technique, and she said this made the book more memorable, and I couldn’t agree more. I am definitely ready to make some of these recipes!
I found moments that were light and humorous at times. I found the business practice employed in the book quite intriguing. My mom actually wondered if the book was true, and I only wish it were! I don’t want to spoil anything for potential readers, so I’ll let you read and find out about the business practice.
This book is one I can recommend to anyone. There is nothing that will cause you, your mother, or your teenager to blush. The story is well-conceived and excellently executed. I honestly cannot think of a thing that would make this book any better!
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author Karey White
Karey White grew up in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, and Missouri. She attended Ricks College and Brigham Young University. Her first novel, Gifted, was a Whitney Award Finalist.
She loves to travel, read, bake treats, and spend time with family and friends. She and her husband are the parents of four great children. She teaches summer creative writing courses to young people and is currently working on her next book.
The hardest thing about writing is … writing.
So many things encroach on writing. Some are necessary–housekeeping, laundry, cooking, helping with homework, spending time with my family. Some are not so necessary–too much time on the internet & television.
The trick is carving out those precious minutes to write. Sometimes I’d rather be reading and I have to force myself to put down the book and start writing. Often, especially when I’m working out something tricky in the plot, I do dumb things like play Words With Friends or spend too much time reading blogs and news articles. They’re diversions that take up way too much time and keep me from actually writing.
I’ve found the best solution when I’m feeling a little stuck is just to sit down and start writing. Even if I think it’s terrible. It gets me going and pretty soon the ideas start coming and I’m able to work things out. It also helps to have support. I have a couple of people who are my official brainstormers. If I can talk things through with someone who knows the story, they can help me work out some of the kinks and soon I’m back in the groove.
Even though there are some challenges to writing, I have to say it’s a pretty great job. What other job lets you take your daydreams and turn them into something real? What other job lets you have imaginary friends as an adult and doesn’t call you crazy? What other job lets you take words and move them around until they tell a story–hopefully in an interesting way. I love it.
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2 Comments
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I’m looking forward to reading the book.
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Wow! What a nice review. Thank you so much. I love the Pacific Northwest and I’m glad that came through in the book. Thank you for the review, the guest post and for bringing attention to my book.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas.
