From 'Be Free' to what comes next: the journey of writing my second book

If you’ve been following my journey, you’ll know that ‘Be Free’ was only the beginning. From the moment I started writing it, I knew my story couldn’t fit into just one book. It had to be a trilogy. So, in many ways, the second book was always waiting to be written.

But something unexpected happened along the way.

When I joined The Great British Bake Off, everything changed. I had so much encouragement, something I wasn’t used it, so honestly it felt surreal. And it showed me that my journey meant something to others too. People told me they felt inspired by what I had lived through. And that, more than anything, gave me the courage to write my first book.

To be honest, I’ve had to return to moments I once tried to leave behind - dark, painful chapters that are not easy to revisit.

There were times I questioned whether I was strong enough, or even ready, to face them again. Writing meant reliving everything all over again. But I also knew something else: my story wouldn’t be complete without baking.

Baking is such a big part of who I am and it’s how people came to know me. It’s always been a source of comfort and healing throughout my life. That’s when the idea came to me: to tell my life story through both words and recipes. And so, that’s how 'Be Free' was born. (If you haven't read my story yet, you can still grab it here - Be Free.)

In my life there have been three versions of me – just like there have been three versions of my name - Petronela, Petra, Nelly. Each name represents a different chapter of my life and a different identity.

In Be Free, you meet Petronela. In the second book, you’ll meet Petra. And in the third, you’ll meet Nelly, the person I’ve become.

My second book takes you through the years that shaped me the most - between the ages of 18 and 32. It’s where I experienced heartbreak, loss and grief. But it’s also the part of my story where something inside me refused to give up. It's where I found the strength to keep going - to fight for my life, even when it felt hard. And that’s exactly why this book matters so much in the trilogy.

This book also follows my journey across countries - from leaving Slovakia to building a life in Austria, and moving to England. And each place left its mark. You’ll find influences from all three countries. Austrian recipes, traditional English bakes with my own Slovakian twist (of course!), and dishes that carry memories from home.

And it’s a real mix – sweet and savoury, simple and more challenging, from soft sponges to hearty breads. And that’s something I love about this book: the variety. No matter who you are or how confident you feel in the kitchen, there’s something here for you.

This part of my story is probably the hardest one to share… because a lot of it is about my journey through cancer.

I don’t want to sugarcoat it. This book tells the truth - the treatments, what it does to your body and your mind, how it changes your life. But also how I’ve kept going. How I’m still here, still fighting. I’ve learned to live for today, not tomorrow. Because the truth is, none of us really know what tomorrow brings.

I’m not sure if you watched Married at First Sight, but I love it. I’m not usually a big lover of these types of programmes but as a palliative nurse some nights I used to find it very difficult to sleep after a challenging night, and when this programme was on I'd watch it. Recently, when I heard about the presenter, Mel Schilling, and her battle with cancer, it hit me deeply. As a mum with children the same age as hers, and as someone who understands that fight it stayed with me. It reminds you how fragile, but also how precious, life really is.

Sometimes I do worry about sharing all of this, especially for my children. I know they’ll read it one day. But I also know it’s important, not just for me, but for anyone going through something similar so they don’t feel alone. Once cancer becomes part of your life, you don’t just ‘move on’ from it, you live with that awareness every day. There are moments in this book that were incredibly hard to write. But I needed to say it: feeling tired, feeling scared, even feeling like you want to give up sometimes, that doesn’t mean you have given up.

There’s a part of the second book you might not expect.

It' s where I talk about planning for palliative care… and even my own death. And I know that might sound shocking. But for me, it’s not about giving up, it’s the opposite. It’s about being ready. Because I truly believe that life doesn’t just end. It carries on in the people we love, in the memories we leave behind. And I know that for those of you that now know me, you will carry my legacy on and that is the biggest gift each of you can give me.

Writing this book has taught me something powerful.

I've learned that no matter what happens, I’m still here. That no matter what everything will be okay and that I will live in people’s hearts forever. No matter what, I’ve been true to myself and life doesn’t need to be complicated. Simplicity can be enough.

There's a recipe for everyone in my second book.

Like everything I do, the recipes in my new book are simple, comforting, and made to be shared. It is food that doesn’t need fancy ingredients or a big budget. I hope that everyone reading it will see that no matter what happens in life, there is always a positive reason why. It’s about perspective. If I hadn’t gone through everything I have, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have come to England. I wouldn’t have met my husband. I wouldn’t have my boys. I wouldn’t have this life.

So as strange as it sounds… I’m grateful for everything I've been through.

You can still buy 'Be Free' here. To here about more updates about my book, why not join my membership where I share behind the scenes updates. Join my community here.