Reviews

TAKE A BREAK & BINGE ON THESE …

Our local experts have found you the perfect superstar trio!

When you are born to be a star, can you ever settle for a life of mediocrity? Carrie Soto, daughter of famed tennis player Javier Soto, was hitting tennis balls before she could walk. A formidable opponent, Carrie soon became the greatest tennis player the world has ever seen. Carrie’s fierce determination and all-consuming competitive streak doesn’t win her a lot of friends in the game – when an injury forces her retirement, most are glad to see her go.

Fast forward six years, and retirement does not exactly suit our ferocious heroine. Refusing to accept the limits of her ageing body, Carrie makes the monumental decision to come out of retirement and be coached by her father for one last shot at victory.

This novel is an immersive and gripping look at the mental strength required for elite sportspeople, and the inherent sexism and unrealistic expectations that often hinder female athletes in their pursuit of greatness.

Fans of Jenkins Reid’s previous bestseller The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will relish this exhilarating story featuring another strong female lead. BOOK: Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid RRP $32.99.

Available at Bookface, Pacific Fair. T: 07 5592 1700

Book recommendation by Bookface’s Sophie Jorgensen-Smith.

Pinot Noir – an overall favourite when it comes to wine and one of the most prized red varieties in the world!

There’s something magical about Pinot Noir. Everyone seems to love it, growers, winemakers, sommeliers! Great Pinot Noir is hard to find, however they are always worth the search. One of our favourites we’re drinking at the moment is Hughes & Hughes Pinot Noir 2021 from Tasmania. Juicy and concentrated with generous blue fruits adding to crunchy red foundations with subtle reductive edges. Rich tannins support full flavours and ripe acidity. This is delicious and amazing value. A superstar, just like great tennis players! WINE: Hughes & Hughes Pinot Noir 2021 RRP $40.

Available at Somm Wine Store, 2245 Gold Coast Hwy,

Mermaid Beach.

T: 07 5647 6057

Wine recommendation by Somm Wine Store’s Joe Caruso.

One of the reasons I love working with chocolate is the variety and combinations of flavours I can incorporate into the chocolate itself, in layers between chocolate, or into the soft fillings of chocolate pralines.

However if there is an outright flavour favourite – a solid gold superstar in the sweetstakes – then it has to be a salted caramel.

Customers often tell me how much they enjoy the rich, buttery and luscious salted caramel filling in my chocolate pralines. Caramel is also a joy to make – the slow bubble, sweet aroma and gradual change in colour and thickness as gentle heat and constant stirring works its magic on staples of butter, sugar and cream. As with fashion, food can follow trends; wax and wane; come and go. However I’m pretty confident the salted caramel will be a regular on my flavour card. It is somehow classic and contemporary. It’s delicious and literally oozes decadence. It’s also familiar and comforting. What’s not to love? CHOCOLATE: 12-piece box, Salted Caramel Chocolate Pralines RRP $33.

Made to order for you by Little Cocoa. www.littlecocoa.com.au

Chocolate recommendation by Little Cocoa’s Alicia Chapman.

the book, the wine AND the chocolate!

(Valued at over $105!)

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T&Cs apply, see insidegoldcoast.com.au for details. Winners must be over 18 years of age.