Let me start by saying this book is a stunner. The cover? Gorgeous. The photos? Mouthwatering. It's the kind of cookbook you'd proudly display on your kitchen counter. But is it perfect? Well... let's peel this apple layer by layer.

The good stuff first: James Rich clearly knows his apples. The recipes are creative and go way beyond basic apple pies (though his 'Ultimate Apple Crumble' is worth the price alone). I particularly loved the Chicken, Cider and Cheddar Crumble - comfort food heaven! The Apple, Date and Coffee Loaf became an instant favorite for weekend brunches.

Now for the worm in the apple: the editing. Oh boy. I nearly cried when my Apple Crumble Muffins turned into a disaster because of a typo (50g flour instead of 150g). Pro tip: if a measurement seems off, trust your instincts and Google it first!

The book shines as a gift - especially paired with that cute metal apple holder. But as a working cookbook? It's inconsistent. Some recipes get lavish 4-page spreads while others are crammed together. And why no photo for that beautiful-sounding Roast Duck with Cider Brandy Sauce?

Bottom line: If you're apple-obsessed, you'll find plenty to love here. Just keep your baking wits about you and maybe bookmark the errata page on the publisher's website!