Tuesday, December 01, 2015

Review: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert

Title: The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
Author: Amy E. Reichert
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 21st July 2015
Pages: 318
Book Source: Own purchase


Synopsis: YOU'VE GOT MAIL meets HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE in this delightful novel about a talented chef and the food critic who brings down her restaurant—whose chance meeting turns into a delectable romance of mistaken identities.

In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé…until the morning she discovers him in the buff—with an intern.

Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived on the worst day of the chef’s life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service—he unleashes his worst.

The day that Al’s mean-spirited review of Luella’s runs, the two cross paths in a pub: Lou drowning her sorrows, and Al celebrating his latest publication. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee and she’s game—but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city’s local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou’s restaurant faces closure, while Al’s column gains popularity. It’s only a matter of time before the two fall in love…but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?

My Thoughts: 
This book will make you hungry ... seriously hungry. Just look at that cover. Add Lou, chef and owner of French restaurant Luella's, Al aka A.W. Wodyski an infamous restaurant critic and a gastronomical tour of Milwaukee and you'll be drooling. Take my word for it, if you don't have treats lined up you'll be desperate enough to raid the cupboard for cooking chocolate. 

A scathing review leaves Lou's reputation in tatters and the future of her restaurant in doubt but she makes it her mission to show jaded new friend Al, the best of Milwaukee. And us lucky readers get a front row seat to Lou and Al falling in love over cheese curds and coconut cake.

The Coincidence of Coconut Cake has one of the best casts of secondary characters I've come across in a long time ... Al's odd coworker John, Lou's pastry chef Harley, and regulars at Luella's, Gertrude and Otto *sigh* ... they stole my heart. 

The story may have flaws but I don't much care ... I'm high on the scent of vanilla. This debut is a foodie's dream story; warm, funny, sweet, delicious, sad and I adored every mouth-watering, lip-smacking minute of it. 

It's about love and forgiveness, squeaky cheese curds and second chances, doing what you love and never giving up on your dreams. And foodgasms ... let's not forget the foodgasms. 

I can't wait for Luck, Love & Lemon Pie, coming Summer 2016.


PS If you want the recipe for Grandma Luella's Coconut Cake, the one on the cover, head over to Kimberly at Caffeinated Book Reviewer. Kimberly made the cake and posted photos and it looks positively decadent.


Connect with Amy E. Reichert












Weekend Cooking is hosted by Beth Fish Reads and open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs.


21 comments:

  1. Ohhhhhhhhh I will have to check this one out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. Lovely review - I NEED to read this book! I have been wanting to forever. I love You've Got Mail, so I know I'll enjoy this.

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    1. Can't wait to hear what you think Brandie, I bet you love it too :)

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  3. Teddyree, looks like a fab book! It would be great if you added your review to the Books You Loved: December/January collection over at Carole's Chatter. Cheers

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  4. This sounds fantastic! I can definitely see why'd you be hungry after reading this. Just the cover has me wanting coconut cake!

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  5. I loved this book and didn't realize she had another coming in the summer! I'll certainly be on the watch for it and will most certainly read it, Lovely review.

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    1. I'm a bit excited about the next one Kathy, it sounds wonderful!

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  6. Love your review. Have it sitting in paperback on my shelf, will be early 2016 before I get to it, but sounds fantastic. Adore great secondary characters. Just had a look at the recipe on Kimberly's blog. Decadent!! Nice to know there is another book in the wings.

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    1. I'd be surprised if you didn't love it Kathryn. I'm putting that cake on my wishlist too lol

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  7. Awesome review, I loved this romance and yes that cake was so good. It makes me drool thinking about it! Thanks for sharing my cooking recipe :)

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    1. ... time to ask the cake fairy to whip one up for me lol

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  8. I know right, hard to resist when everyone you know is raving about it lol

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  9. Sounds like a fun read -- especially full of good foodie scenes.

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  10. I am a late-bloomer when it comes to coconut, and now I love the sound of coconut cake. The book sounds like fun. I'm reading more romance this year than I usually to, for a genre study group, so I'll look for this one.

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  11. Fantastic review! I loved this one too. I didn't know she had a new book coming out next year. I'll be sure to look for it.

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  12. You had me at "You've Got Mail" - my all time favorite movie/story.

    I will definitely check this one out to read over the holidays.

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