Any Way You Slice It

a perfect romcom, sweet, light and surprisingly filling. There are recipes scattered throughout, like currants in a bun, and they make this love story even more scrumptious (I’m planning on attempting Carrie’s Seed Cake pièce de résistance). Lovers of gentle romance will find this a very satisfying treat and though we’re listing this in the YA/14+ category it could be enjoyed by readers from the age of twelve

-- Books for Keeps

The baking competition setup is perfect: lots of tension, lots of sweet treats, and plenty of rivalry. Carrie’s ambition is relatable and fun to follow … warm, funny, and charming … The attention to family dynamics and emotional growth alongside romance is a lovely bonus. 

-- ReadAndReviews

a fun, cookery-themed contemporary romance about rival bakers forced to work together and finding out they don’t hate each other as much as they thought …There are so many yummy recipes included in this book. You don’t just get to see them cooking but you can try them yourself without having to infer from the text what they included. It’s a really nice touch – and I’ll probably try a few out!

-- Sifa Elizabeth Reads

Combining the drama of competition with real-life family drama and adding a sprinkle of enemies to lovers - you have all the ingredients for a fantastic romcom here! Any way you slice it, this book is as addictive as the recipes in its pages

-- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner

The baking competition at the heart of the novel creates a momentous narrative that embodies the thrills of competition, flavoured with mishaps, stern judges and unexpected kinship

-- CBI’s The Best Irish Books of 2025

a little slice of heaven! … highly recommended

-- Sarah Webb

This is the most charming YA romance filled with humour, friendship, teenage trials and the yummiest food in a book! … This is just the loveliest YA enemies to friends story and I loved every page, it was joyous, tense, heart wrenching and celebratory!

-- MyShelvesAreFull

fun, tender rom-com … I ate it up in less than 24 hours and can’t wait for the final copy with recipes!

-- Alison Weatherby

a sweet, lovely romance with such a fun premise

-- Alex Dunne

super-sweet, warm as freshly-baked banana bread, yet deeply engaged … a gorgeous summer read

-- Sinead O’Hart

Loved Any way you Slice It. A gorgeous YA romcom that made my mouth water the whole way through. Enemies to lovers sprinkled with recipes, what more could you want?

-- Jenny Ireland

A lovely detail to see in the book is a recipe for some sweet treats at the end of chapters, which I’ve no doubt that readers with culinary interests will adore bringing to life in their own kitchen. An engaging and charming story, suitable for 14+ years

-- Books Ireland

an homage to bake-off … a good old fashioned YA story … I absolutely was engaged from page one

-- The 10 Minute Book Club Podcast

McDonnell is particularly good at conveying that Bake-Off-style pressure - I have never before been breathless over the outcome of fictional macarons. This is - apologies for the pun - a very sweet book.

-- Irish Times

charming tale of reluctant allies … Their slow journey from sworn enemies to baking partners makes for a delightful and gripping read. The baking competition at the heart at the novel creates a momentous narrative that truly embodies the thrills of competition, flavoured with mishaps, stern judges and unexpected kinship. Suitable to all readers, this light-hearted story is also perfect for aspiring bakers themselves who might want to try some of the recipes spread throughout the book

-- Gabriely Pinto, childrensbooksireland.ie

ideal book for teenage readers who also happen to be fans of Bake Off

-- Irish Examiner

A delicious Irish enemies-to-lovers teen romantic comedy, with oodles of humour, crackling dialogue, and so much heart, the pages practically pulse. I loved it

-- Irish Independent

such a satisfying and entertaining read! The depiction of the young teenagers' relationship blossoming from enemies to more than friends is so realistic and authentic. The humour is perfectly pitched and the plotting is fantastic, I loved that there were subplots that added extra depth to the story without retracting from it or becoming confusing. The fact that it includes recipes with handwritten notes and that every chapter is a baking pun is the cherry on top! Perfect for fans of teen romances and baking

-- @Unaagscriobh

Meabh is a brilliant writer

-- Elaina Ryan, CBI on Ireland AM

delicious cakes, cosy recipes and one evil nemesis. This book sees Carrie place her plans for her future as a pastry chef in the hands of the one person who has ruined those dreams before. Carrie has no choice but to team up with Dara, her equally talented enemy, for a baking competition which will decide both their futures. Fans of Jenny Han and Jenny Ireland will love this sweet book

-- Irish Times, Lori Moriarty

A delicious Irish enemies-to-lovers teen romantic comedy

-- Irish Independent

soaked in family drama and friendship trouble, sprinkled with actual recipes, this is a light-hearted, zesty romcom for teens

-- Sunday Independent, Juliette Saumande

 deeply thoughtful themes

-- Sunday Independent, Grainne O’B