Review: SEA SHELLS, SPELLS, AND CARAMELS by Erin Johnson

Imogen Banks works as a medical billing administrator, but her true passion lies in baking. Somehow, she ended up taking the task of baking a wedding cake for her horribly demanding boss. But, hey, we’re talking three thousand dollars here. And even though Imogen would feel like strangling the little Bridezilla, this pay-out would bring her closer to her goal: opening her own bakery.

 

At the rehearsal dinner, people raved about the baked goods, indicating that they must possess magic, which then leads to entering in the “The Magnificent Contest for the Water Kingdom’s Next Royal Baker.” And that’s how she finds herself in Paris, France.

 
I admired Imogen’s bold cahonies at quitting her job, throwing away everything (even though she had nothing left after the fire,) and just flew to France. Just like that. Most of us wish we could be that brave.

Story had an interesting premise, but it might’ve been a tad slow and complex. I mean, this involved Earth and Water Kingdoms along with shifters and Badlanders (whatever the heck that was.) Was this some sort of mermaid tale? Imogen was certainly a witty and relatable character.

 
In a nutshell, story consisted of baking and magic; however, the combination of it all made it a little hard to swallow as there were too many elements thrown in there, like an abundance of characters and far-fetched settings. I guess I would’ve preferred a more simplified structure.

 

My rating: 3 stars