The Worst Case Scenario Cook Book by Chrissie Manby a winning five-star read. This was great, I adored the characters, they were all unique and had their own story to tell, each one more interesting than the last, each character in this story could have their own book and I would read them all. There are funny situations galore and moments that will have you tearing up. Liz was someone that you wanted to pull up a chair alongside and create the amazing mouth-watering food mentioned in the pages, the sad point was they weren’t included. (I was so hungry after reading I may have tried making one or two)
If you want a funny emotional read that will leave you wanting more then you need this book in your life.

Perfect holiday read. A really lovely collection of characters - I thoroughly enjoyed it

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, Full of interesting yet regular characters with stories that tugged at your heart string, this book has been a perfect holiday read for me and I suspect, will be for many others.

Typical Chrissie Manby, Fun, Frolics, Laughter and romance! A great fun read.

As i wrote this review I followed one of the recipes in the book- how to make a really good tomato sauce. For Aubergine Parmigiana in the novel. As I caramelised the red onions I thought of how this was a new method of caramelising that I had learnt.

I also learnt a wicked Beef Wellington recipe.

So the cookery club of the title was not only brilliant for the 3 novices who attended in the story but for the reader also.

I really liked this novel with its gentle humour and characters that were totally believable. And as for the Waggy Weight Loss Club and the pet owners being called by their pets' names - well. I suppose I could be called Mrs Crackle (if they had Cat Club) so long as they pronounced the 'r' clearly.

Having read a good few crime novels and psychological thrillers recently, this book was just the breath of fresh air that I needed. Liz and her husband have separated after Ian fell in love with 20 something year old lifestyle blogger Brittney.
Having gone through the teenage years with my own 2 children I could relate to Liz's struggle to find any common ground with her daughter Saskia after her split from her husband. I loved her ability to stay strong and not lose her sense of humour through life's trials and tribulations. With greedy but loveable pooch Ted adding to Liz's culinary challenges with fabulous comedy effect this book is really good fun. Between the members of Waggy Weight Loss, the canine version of weight watchers, and the 2 other singletons who have enrolled in a beginners cookery course at the local community centre Liz finds new friends as well as a new focus in her life. My only criticism of this book is that I could have kept reading for many more pages and was disappointed that it had all come to an end so soon.

Chrissie Manby has cooked up a winning recipe of a story that has had me thoroughly enjoying this cold rainy August evening. I even became oblivious to the sound of the rain on our plastic conservatory roof, while I was reading about Liz and her broken marriage!

A year ago Liz’s husband moved out to be with Brittney a considerably younger health and fashion blogger, and Liz is still coming to terms with it, along with 15 year old daughter Saskia. They also have an adorable dog Ted.

Between Saskia and Ted there are loads of amusing incidents, and from various “conversations” between mother and daughter, Liz decides she needs to learn how to cook, she also needs to put Ted on a diet.

In the meantime Alex has set up a beginners cookery lesson course In Newbay, although there are only a handful of people interested in taking part. As the lessons progress Liz, Bella, John and Alex form unlikely friendships, and we learn all about various things hidden in their pasts.

The food described in the lessons are mouth-watering and the only thing missing from this book are the full recipes so you can learn to make the dishes yourself. There are some absolutely hilarious scenes in this book, mainly involving Liz and her family.

From Bella’s story we get some human kindness in her role as public defence lawyer, and one particular client of hers I had a soft spot for. Even John’s story that seemed straight forward isn’t quite as it seems, although listening to him reminisce about his late wife is heart-warming.

As a fan of Chrissie Manby I am delighted to see a return to Newbay, the town featured in A Fairy Tale for Christmas. The NEWTs are mentioned again as is another character who I remember from the previous book. Although the setting may be familiar, this is a whole new story, new cast of main characters and stands completely alone from her previous work.

From the moment I started this book I knew I was reading another fabulous story, from one of my favourite authors, and it wasn’t long before I was telling mum that I need to buy her a copy of the book too, as it is just up her street! I devoured this book from cover to cover and after finishing my main thought was - “it’s a shame I have to wait so long for another book by the author, I need more”!

Thank you to Hodder and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

A brilliant light hearted read where through varying circumstances a group of people come together to learn how to cook.

This journey takes you through how they all ended up at the cooking club learning how to cook and how in 6 weeks their lives all undertake drastic changes.

A lovely lighthearted read that makes for an entertaining read.

An absolute gem of a read - devoured on my sun lounger in a day!!!! Charming characters with real life storylines - a blogger girlfriend- a stroppy teenager - a wife left to pick up the pieces - a sad widower - career woman and ex con turned chef .- not forgetting the dog Ted who has to go on a diet... All this comes together in this great read !!!!

What an absolute joy to read. I found that once I had started this book I couldn't stop until I had finished!

The book stars with Alex setting up a cooking class for beginners and we are introduced to: Bella, a solicitor with a job that appears to be taking over her life. John, a lonely 70+ widower who is still desperately sad at losing his beloved wife and Liz, a 40 something dental hygienist suddenly single after her husband rudely leaves her for a much younger blogger!

We get to know each character through the chapters and begin to learn why they signed up for the class along with learning about Alex and what has made him what to help the students in his class.

This is such a lovely story and I loved each of the characters and finding out about their backgrounds. I was really routing for each character to find the happiness they each deserved. One of my favourite characters was Ted. Not human but in the form of a quite mischievous dog owned by Liz. He also goes through a transformation and helps Liz see what she actually wants! His antics were so funny to read about, I actually read them out loud to my partner as I'm pretty sure we have been through them too!

A lovely book whoch brought a tear to my eye in places but I wouldn't have it any other way..

This is the first Chrissie Manby book I have read and I really enjoyed it.

A lighthearted fun story which made me laugh in places. I enjoyed the backstory of each of the characters and seeing the friendships develop within the group of cookery students. The cookery theme runs throughout the book as expected and adds to the story.

A lovely summer read, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the sun. I shall definitely read more of Chrissie's books.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The main character is Liz, whose husband left her for a clean eating blogger. The book is mainly about Liz and her relationships with her teenage daughter and her dog Ted.

Liz joins a cookery class, where the other characters are introduced: Bella, John and Alex the chef, all have their own story tinged with sadness.

The book is fun and easy to read – I liked the antics of Ted the overweight dog, and the vet they meet along the way.

This is the first book I have read by Chrissie Manby but it makes me want to read more of her work.

A lovely, fun story that helped me to start the summer holidays off relaxed and smiling. The mishaps that happen to Liz had me laughing out loud, probably through empathy! The foodie theme that runs through the book is great and I might even have picked up a few cooking tips. A very warm tale full of different kinds of love, just delicious.

This is one of those books that you start to read and are immediately drawn in by the 'realistic' characters that spill out on the page. Liz is still reeling from her separation from her husband Ian who left her for a twenty-four year old health food blogger. Her fifteen year old daughter Saskia seems to prefer her father's new girlfriend to her own mother and even the dog is overweight.
Introduce Alex, a chef who starts a cookery course and the book really gets interesting. At the class, Liz meets John and Bella, both with their own stories going on in life and the cookery class really brings them all together and creates an unlikely friendship group. When Liz has a meltdown and takes the dog to 'waggy weightloss' she meets Dr Thomas who seems to think that liz is the worst dog owner ever.
When Ian sees sense and tells Liz he wants to come back to her, the story really takes off.
I loved this book. It was cosy and funny; a feel good book that you can't put down. I would,recommend this book for a brilliant beach or summer read or if you feel like curling up on the sofa in the winter with a good book and the fire roaring. This is the first book I have read by Chrissie Manby and I would definitely read more.
Chrissie Manby's writing is funny and entertaining. Her characters are well developed and real and the backstory keeps you guessing. I would certainly recommend this book.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance copy.

Liz’s husband Ian has left her for a blogger who believes in clean eating but also sprouts a lot of rubbish. Liz who is a busy wife and mother uses ready meals for her family and anything left over Ted the dog eats.

Liz decides to join a cookery course on which she meets John whose wife had recently died and he cannot cook and Bella who is a workaholic solicitor whose dad owned the local Italian restaurant until it went bankrupt. Alex is the chef who is determined to teach all three the delights of home cooking.

This was an excellent book, it had a great storyline with a good combination of characters. Ted the dog was one of my favourites who ate whatever he could and his bad eating habits bring Liz to the attention of the local vet. This had a lot of funny moments, Liz was a great character who got herself into all kinds of trouble. This a great, carefree read that I would highly recommend.

I have read all Chrissie Manby’s books and always look forward to the next one. This book didn’t disappoint! It was lovely to be back in Newbay, with mentions of the NEWTS, as I like to return to places and people I’ve read about before, even if it’s not a full sequel. In The Worst Case Scenario Cookery Club, Liz, John, and Bella join Alex’s beginners’ cookery class. They all soon become friends, and each one of them has an interesting back-story. Thanks to the cookery classes, they each grasp the nettle and make a big decision. I loved this book and would highly recommend it. I do hope we visit Newbay again in the future!

Good book for a girlie escape read! Really enjoyed the characters and Liz was brilliant!