Time to Rise is the most recent book by Helene Holmström to be translated into English. First published in November 2021 in Holmström’s native Sweden as Eld, snö och stjärnor, it will be released in North America on September 17, 2024. Time to Rise takes readers to a small town in Sweden where a bakery owner struggles to make ends meet. Nora Jansson is a fourth-generation bakery owner struggling to keep afloat in the changing marketplace. Henrik Eklund is a second-generation celebrity chef from a family of bakers. What happens when he shows up and tries to help her keep her business running?
I want to thank Amazon Crossing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Time to Rise. All opinions presented here are my own.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Nora Jansson will do anything to save her parents’ beloved bakery from bankruptcy, even if it means allowing a TV reality crew into her kitchen and her life. Not to mention celebrity pastry chef Henrik Eklund, its impossibly rude host who’s happy to point out Nora’s baking missteps—on cue. It’s bringing out her feisty side.
Nora’s sourdough starter isn’t exactly Henrik’s biggest worry. His popularity is slipping, and his production team has an idea for making this a blockbuster fake flirt. A spicy enemies-to-friends romance will be good for the show and a boon to Nora’s business. So, for the cameras, let the sparks fly.
Somewhere between saffron buns and after-hours mulled wine socials, Nora’s seeing a gentler side to the charismatic star. And Henrik is getting closer to Nora—not just on-screen. What’s pretend, and what’s getting real? Soon, there will be more on the line than high ratings and the bakery’s survival.
Positives
- It is a quick and easy read.
- Set around the Christmas season.
Negatives
- Henrik’s relationship with his father. How can any parent be like that?
My Opinions
The synopsis for Time to Rise neglects to mention that this story is set around the Christmas season. While that isn’t a killer for me, it was a surprise. Thankfully, the way the story is told, the season is a minor character. Yes, it’s set in a bakery at Christmas time, so there’s plenty of discussion of seasonal treats. There’s also a discussion of the decorations. But Christmas isn’t a main character. Does that make sense?
Most of the story is set in a current timeline, but a few chapters hop back to 1945. Initially, those chapters feel out of place and need to be clarified. But the more you read, the more you understand that addition to the story. The time jumps happen every 3-5 chapters and are always labeled so the reader knows what happens.
There are a few toxic relationships in the book. One is between Henrik and his father, Haase. He always seems to be trying to one-up his children. Why would a parent do that? The other relationship issue involves the executive producer of the show.
Who would I recommend read Time to Rise? Do you enjoy opposites-attract romances? Or ones that are enemies to lovers? What about a book whose primary setting is a reality TV show? Or a book featuring a bakery? If you say yes to one of these, you should give Time to Rise the time of day.
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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Hmmm my immediate reaction–bakery in Sweden, celebrity chef was The Bear on Hulu where the guy goes to Denmark–close, not the same country, but that’s what it gave me. Your concerns on the story are well founded, but I may still try this one.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable read. THe toxic relationship is just something that caught me off guard.
Pam
Yes, that does make me go–“will this work for me”?