Vanity Fare

by Megan Caldwell

[Leah]

Vanity Fare is a novel I’ve only heard of because I use Edelweiss, which allows me to get digital copies of novels before they’re released. The best thing about a company like Edelweiss, and NetGalley, is that I not only get to read some of my favourite authors early on my Kindle, but I also discover brand new authors, ones who I then look out for each year to see if they have a new book. Vanity Fare falls on the latter side, being a) an author I’d never heard of and b) a book I hadn’t known was going to be published. So I had a read of the synopsis and it sounded great, so I requested a copy and was granted access and, let me tell you readers, I loved it.

Vanity Fare really impressed me. From the irrepressible Molly Hagan, to the moody and mysterious and gorgeous Nick, to Simon the smooth talking Brit baker, to the brilliant descriptions of the pastries for Vanity Fare before each chapter, to Molly’s friends Keisha and Lissa and her therapist Dr Lowell, it was all brilliant. American authors are without doubt the best at writing a snarky, sarcastic, witty heroine and Molly is all three. Molly is one of my favourite heroines ever. Despite being dumped by her love-rat husband Hugh, and worrying how she’s going to pay rent/feed her little boy Aidan/survive in Brooklyn, and despite struggling massively feeling unworthy, she still retains her wit. I was mightily impressed by Molly. She may have been forty, and a mother, and worrying about money, but I clicked with her instantaneously. It’s been a while that I’ve felt so much about a character but, man, Molly was just awesome.

I thought the plot was inspired (can’t you just tell what it’s about by the title, Vanity Fare?). Who doesn’t love books and baking? Mix the two up and it’s… perfect. The novel revolves around books and baking, as Molly finds herself hired to work on Simon, the beautiful Brit baker’s, new bakery, which handily, is right next to a bookstore/library (I forget which) and so, he wants a bookish theme to his bakery. Cue Molly and her awesome copy writing skills, and love for puns that aren’t as cheesy as you’d think and bam! you’ve got it. I loved seeing the copy Molly wrote at the beginning of each chapter, along with all the great bookish related names of all the pastries and cakes and bread. I thought the whole relationship plot was also great. At first, like Molly, I was drawn to Simon, but he soon showed his true colours, but through all that time, in the background, there was Nick, Simon’s business partner. Oh, Nick. I liked how he wasn’t entirely happy having Molly on board, and Molly sorta proved him wrong, and as they began working together they soon got friendlier with each other. It was a beautiful thing to witness.

There are so many good things with Vanity Fare. I loved that Molly (for once for a Chick Lit character) thought she was pretty hot. It’s a refreshing change. I thought Molly’s cheerleaders (aka best friends) Lissa and Keisha were just brilliant at rallying Molly and coaching Molly and helping her through her angst. Even Molly’s little boy, Aidan, was such a lovely and well behaved little boy. The book was everything I wanted it to be, and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I just wanted to find the time to keep reading it, until I reached the end. Megan Caldwell has such a good writing style, she was so good at getting us in Molly’s head, and feeling what Molly feels, and she has the writing style that everyone will love. It has everything I could ask for in a book, a brilliant plot, brilliant characters, witty writing (I LOVE witty writing), it’s snarky, it’s just plain fantastic. Do pick up Vanity Fare, it will surprise you — in the best way possible.