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

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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.

Review: If You Only Knew by Kristan Higgins

Title: If You Only Knew
Author: Kristan Higgins
Genre: Women's Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 1st September 2015 (1st published 25th Aug 2015)
Pages: 412
Book Source: Harlequin Mira AU & NetGalley

Synopsis: Letting go of her ex-husband is harder than wedding-dress designer Jenny Tate expected…especially since his new wife wants to be Jenny’s new best friend. Sensing this isn’t exactly helping her achieve closure, Jenny trades the Manhattan skyline for her hometown up the Hudson, where she’ll start her own business and bask in her sister Rachel’s picture-perfect family life…and maybe even find a little romance of her own with Leo, her downstairs neighbour, a guy who’s utterly irresistible and annoyingly distant at the same time.

Rachel’s idyllic marriage, however, is imploding after she discovers her husband sexting with a colleague. She always thought she’d walk away in this situation, but her triplet daughters have her reconsidering her stance on adultery, much to Jenny’s surprise. Rachel points to their parents’ perfect marriage as a shining example of patience and forgiveness; but to protect her sister, Jenny may have to tarnish that memory — and their relationship — and reveal a family secret she’s been keeping since childhood.

Both Rachel and Jenny will have to come to terms with the past and the present, and find a way to get what they want most of all.

Our Thoughts:

My friend Karen, some-time-guest-reviewer-on-the-eclectic-reader, fellow Higgins fan, instigator of my growing KH book collection, partner-in-stalker-ing at ARRC 2013, read If You Only Knew around the same time I did so we decided to share the Kristan Higgins love and combine our thoughts on her latest with some fangirl ramblings a semi coherent joint review.

Karen, the very lovable Kristan and me at ARRC, Brisbane

What did you think?

Karen: I loved it. I know when I open a Kristan Higgin's novel it's going to brighten my day and If You Only Knew didn't disappoint.

Me: I loved it too. If You Only Knew has major 'feels' and kudos to Kristan for transitioning deftly into the field of women's fiction.

The story?

Karen: I'm trying to think of a way to describe the storyline and this conversation between Jenny and Leo on Jenny's return from the grand opening of her bridal design store, Bliss, sums it up ….

“Well, let’s see.  My mom told at least nine people how wretched she’s been since my father died twenty-two years ago, my ex-husband, his beautiful wife and perfect baby showed up, and my sister’s husband confirmed that he’s having amazing sex with someone else.”

“Shit.  Now I wish I’d gone.” He sits down in the chair across from me.  “I’m sorry about Rachel.”

I’m still trying to decide which aspect of the story I enjoyed the most.  

Me: It's all about relationships. The bond between sisters Jenny and Rachel, the girls' testy relationship with their widowed mother, Jenny's oddly intimate relationship with ex-husband Owen and his new family, Rachel and Adam's marriage, Rachel, supermum to adorable triplet daughters, Jenny's desire for a relationship with reclusive landlord Leo.  

I loved the emotion, the laughs and tears, the snerk-funny stuff and I particularly loved that it was all so firmly centered in realness. I liked that I felt angry and frustrated with them all at different times. I wanted both Jenny and Rachel to value themselves more. 

Any surprises?

Karen: I think what surprised me most was the emotion I felt, reading about Rachel dealing with her husband’s infidelity. Kristen has written some very powerful paragraphs about what a real marriage might go through….not just “he cheated, it's over.” Struggling with your feelings, when you obviously still love your husband.

It’s the first time I’ve really cried in front of him since I found that horrible picture.  “Oh, sweetheart,” he says, pulling me into his arms and I hate that it feels so good to be held, and I hate that we fit together so perfectly, and I love that he knows just how to rub my back and stroke my hair.  I love him.  I hate him.  And I’m so tired of feeling both ways.

Me: not surprise, more like relief, that whilst this story is about the very real and heart-breaky experiences in life, Kristan's trademark snarky humour remains firmly entrenched. 

take Rachel's conversation with old Mrs Donovon and her weeping outie-snoutie-belly-button. Only Kristan Higgins could turn a visit to the Doctor for an STD panel, courtesy of your lying, cheating husband ... into emotional hilarity.

Do you know how challenging it is to gag and laugh at the same time??

or Jenny accompanying Rachel to the plastic surgeon .... liposuction, labia plumping and tears.

"You don't need anything changed about you," I say, my voice shaking. 

"I know," she whispers, "I just can't ... I can't help... I hate myself for coming here, but I can't help it! Emmanuelle is so beautiful Jenny! She's so scary beautiful! She's Maleficent beautiful." 

... "I bet she's not that beautiful."

"She is," my sister says.

"Well, she has a very ugly vagina," I say, and my sister bursts into that mixture of laughter and crying. 

Final thoughts?

Karen: I want more Jenny and Leo and I want to know what happens with Rachel down the track ... they need their own book.

Me: I want a night at the Tribeca Grand ... 

But I also agree with Karen, I want more of it all. 

Connect with Kristan Higgins

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US cover is pretty

Review: The Paris Key by Juliet Blackwell

Title: The Paris Key
Author: Juliet Blackwell
Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 26th August 2015
Pages: 384
Book Source: Penguin Books Berkley/NAL

Synopsis: As a girl, Genevieve Martin spent the happiest summer of her life in Paris, learning the delicate art of locksmithing at her uncle’s side. But since then, living back in the States, she has become more private, more subdued. She has been an observer of life rather than an active participant, holding herself back from those around her, including her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

Paris never really left Genevieve, and, as her marriage crumbles, she finds herself faced with an incredible opportunity: return to the magical city of her youth to take over her late uncle’s shop. But as she absorbs all that Parisian culture has to offer, she realizes the city also holds secrets about her family that could change her forever, and that locked doors can protect you or imprison you, depending on which side of them you stand.

My Thoughts: 

Ooh I loved this ... falling in love with a cover paid off this time.

Why I loved it? ... just because. Does that cut it? It's a story that spoke to me for no one reason I can put my finger on ... it just did. 

... "there is something delightful about helping a key find its way back to a lock, so it can do the work it was meant for. "

"Are you going to let yourself be defeated by a little lock? Remember Genevieve: Love laughs at locksmiths! Trust your old uncle."

The story moves seamlessly from Genevieve in the present day to her time in Paris as a teenager staying with uncle Dave and tante Pasquale, to her mother Angela's bittersweet time in Paris. I was captivated by it all. 

I loved the symbolism ... secrets, locks ... opening your heart to new experiences, life and love.

All the talk about boulangerie's, baguette's, pain au chocolat had me longing once more for Paris. 

The story felt like Paris ... that beguiling mix of old fashioned values and sophistication, lingering over conversations, good food and wine, enjoying simple pleasures. 

Walking in Paris with Genevieve felt intimate, discovering along with her, places I've visited and some I'm adding to the bucket list ... Village Saint-Paul, Montparnasse cemetry, Le Pont Traversé (the old butcher's bookshop.) I loved her interactions in Paris, her struggles with French bureaucracy and efforts to learn the language.   

I adored Genevieve's Parisian friend Sylviane. I could read a book about her ... how 'bout it Juliet? 

The Paris Key is a story about secrets, family, friends and discovering one's true self ... in Paris. 

It's warm and touching and delightful. 

A just-because-favourite-read this year. 

Connect with Juliet Blackwell

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Linking up with Paulita's Dreaming of France meme over at 

An Accidental Blog

Review: The Color of Light by Emilie Richards

Title: The Color of Light
Author: Emilie Richards
Genre: Women's Fiction
Series: Goddesses Anonymous #4
Publication Date: 28th July 2015
Pages: 496
Book Source: Harlequin Mira & NetGalley

Synopsis: The deeper the darkness, the brighter the light 

For more than a decade minister Analiese Wagner has felt privileged to lead her parishioners along a well-lit path. Her commitment has never been seriously tested until the frigid night she encounters a homeless family huddling in the churchyard. Offering them shelter in a vacant parish house apartment and taking teenage Shiloh Fowler—a girl desperate to rescue her parents—under her wing, she tests the loyalty and faith of her congregation. 

Isaiah Colburn, the Catholic priest who was her first mentor and the man she secretly longed for, understands her struggles only too well. At a crossroads, he's suddenly reappeared in her life, torn between his priesthood and his growing desire for a future with Analiese. 

Divided between love and vows they've taken, both must face the possibilities of living very different lives or continuing to serve their communities. With a defeated family's trust and her own happiness on the line, Analiese must define for herself where darkness ends and light begins.

My Thoughts:

This is one of my favourite series, Emilie Richards' signature poignant style hasn't disappointed and The Color of Light is no exception. 

I loved seeing Reverend Analiese 'Ana' Wagner get her own story, she's been there from the beginning of the series providing wise counsel to previous main characters. Obviously given her calling, The Color of Light is quite spiritual but it's not preachy, which I appreciated. 

Emilie Richards highlights the demands, rewards and struggles of a minister dealing with the many personalities in a congregation, some not so christian attitudes, juggling work and private life. 

Enter Isaiah, a Catholic Jesuit priest, Analeise's former mentor and old friend. Richards explores their relationship with sensitivity and respect as they wrestle with issues of faith and heart. 

Homelessness is at the core of The Color of Light and the fate of the Fowler family Reverend Ana has invited to stay in the parish apartment. The relationship between Ana and 14 year old Shiloh was really special and highlighted Ana's realness as well as her sense of humour. 

Reverend Ana's gift is compassion; providing assistance and support to those in need while encouraging self respect and independence. But seeing her very human side was such a delight ... her frustration as she urges the committee to put people before church. I liked seeing her 'fire up' ... showing not only her compassion which she has in spades, but her passion. 

"I will help the Fowlers pitch their tent in the churchyard again, right where I found them the first time. Hopefully there will be a huge star shining in the sky, even if we can't count on a single wise man."

If I was part of a church I'd want the minister to be Reverend Ana.

Warmth and compassion dance on the page. Thank you Emilie Richards for another beautiful instalment.

One Mountain Away ~ 5 star sobfest
Somewhere Between Luck and Trust ~ 4.5 star
No River Too Wide ~ 4.5

Connect with Emilie Richards

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Review: Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

Title: Eight Hundred Grapes
Author: Laura Dave
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 2nd June 2015
Pages: 272
Book Source: own purchase  

Synopsis: There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…

Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets… 

My Thoughts: 

I'm drawn to stories about family dynamics and secrets and wine and Brandie's glowing review had me pushing this to the top of my reading list. Thanks for giving me a new author to stalk Brandie ;)

A week before her wedding Georgia discovers her fiance Ben has been keeping secrets. She hightails it back to the family vineyard and finds her family unraveling with secrets of their own. 

Set on a Sonoma vineyard, Eight Hundred Grapes has a wonderful sense of place. I loved the details on the wine varieties and the winemaking process especially since Georgia's father is a biodynamic winemaker. 

I liked Georgia but she also frustrated me, her on-again-off-again indecision drove me a little nuts but I guess she just had to get there in her own time. Ben ... hmm I actually thought he was a bit of a dick. It didn't really lessen my enjoyment of the story, probably because there was so much to love. 

Eight Hundred Grapes is about about family, love, forgiveness and finding your place and it left me smiling. 

A gorgeous summery read to enjoy while guzzling savouring a glass of wine.

"You have to grow about eight hundred grapes to get just one bottle of wine. If that isn't an argument to finish the bottle, I don't know what is."  - Anonymous

I'm linking up to weekend cooking because wine totally counts as a food group ... right?

Fox 2000 has optioned the movie rights, this will be wonderful on the big screen.

Connect with Laura Dave

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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.

Review: The Guest Cottage by Nancy Thayer

Title: The Guest Cottage
Author: Nancy Thayer
Genre: Women's Fiction
Publication Date: 12th May 2015
Pages: 336
Book Source: Own purchase

Synopsis: Sensible thirty-six-year-old Sophie Anderson has always known what to do. She knows her role in life: supportive wife of a successful architect and calm, capable mother of two. But on a warm summer night, as the house grows quiet around her and her children fall asleep, she wonders what’s missing from her life. When her husband echoes that lonely question, announcing that he’s leaving her for another woman, Sophie realizes she has no idea what’s next. Impulsively renting a guest cottage on Nantucket from her friend Susie Swenson, Sophie rounds up her kids, Jonah and Lacey, and leaves Boston for a quiet family vacation, minus one.

Also minus one is Trevor Black, a software entrepreneur who has recently lost his wife. Trevor is the last person to imagine himself, age thirty and on his own, raising a little boy like Leo—smart and sweet, but grappling constantly with his mother’s death, growing more and more closed off. Hoping a quiet summer on the Nantucket coast will help him reconnect with Leo, Trevor rents a guest house on the beautiful island from his friend Ivan Swenson.

Best-laid plans run awry when Sophie and Trevor realize they’ve mistakenly rented the same house. Still, determined to make this a summer their kids will always remember, the two agree to share the Swensons’ Nantucket house. But as the summer unfolds and the families grow close, Sophie and Trevor must ask themselves if the guest cottage is all they want to share.

My Thoughts:

My first Nancy Thayer read but it won't be my last and luckily I have a bunch of her books waiting for me. The Guest Cottage was just the incentive I needed to make a dent in that backlist. 

When Sophie Anderson rents a Nantucket cottage with her two children for 2 months of summer and finds Trevor and his young son Leo have rented the same guest cottage they decide to make the best of the odd situation and share the house and their holiday.

It's a chance for both adults to take an honest look at their lives and for everyone to enjoy a summer of discovery, growth and healing.

The Guest Cottage is a lovely summer beach read and if you live in the southern hemisphere like moi`it's the perfect read to bring the promise of summer to a chilly winter's day. I guess this was somewhat predictable but that also made it an easy, relaxing read which added to the holiday vibe. 

Nantucket seems to be the idyllic setting for many a novel ... I'm definitely adding this place to my travel bucket list. 

Connect with Nancy Thayer

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Review: The Girls of Mischief Bay by Susan Mallery

Title: The Girls of Mischief Bay
Author: Susan Mallery
Genre: Women's Fiction/Contemporary Fiction
Series: Mischief Bay #1
Publication Date: 1st March 2015
Pages: 352
Book Source: Harlequin Mira & NetGalley

Synopsis: Nicole Lord wants to be a good wife, but there’s a difference between being supportive and supporting her husband, who quit his job to write a screenplay she’s never seen. He won’t even help take care of their son, leaving Nicole to run the house and work full-time at her Mischief Bay Pilates studio. Can she say enough is enough without losing the man she loves?

Sacrificing a personal life for her career is how Shannon Rigg rose to become vice president in her firm, but she wonders now whether she made the right choice. An exciting new relationship with a great guy convinces her that it might not be too late — until he drops a bombshell that has her questioning whether she can have it all. And if she can, does she want it?

Although Pam Eiland has a beautiful house and a husband she adores, she feels...restless. She wonders who a stay-at-home mom becomes after the kids are grown. Finding sexy new ways to surprise her husband brings the heat and the humour back to their marriage, but when unexpected change turns her life upside down, she’ll have to redefine herself. Again.

Through romance and heartbreak, laughter and tears, three very different women will discover that friends can become family, and that life is richer with sisters at your side.

My Thoughts:

Loved it! I've been craving another heartfelt series from Susan Mallery. I loved the first two books in her Blackberry Island series (not so much the last one) and The Girls of Mischief Bay has a similar feel ... warm and real.

For me, friends are the family you choose for yourself, the strength and security that true friendship brings is a beautiful thing and you can see how true this is for Nicole, Shannon and Pam.  

30 year old Nicole with her oxygen-bandit narcissistic husband, Shannon almost 40, successful business woman, ready for a partner in life and Pam at 50, empty-nester, doting mother to delicate fur-baby Lulu, seeking to spice up her 30 year marriage. They're an unlikely trio but I loved what each brought to the friendship, their journey individually and together. 

Susan Mallery has a knack for writing women's friendships, real women with heartaches, insecurities, strengths and flaws. Mallery doesn't gloss over the trials and sadness of life familiar to many of us or the pain and frustration of watching a loved one coping with the challenges and changes dealt them but there's also a lot to be said about the value of friendship, laughs and good wine. 

A big slice of life in these pages.

Of course the residents of Mischief Bay have favourite restaurants they frequent and Susan Mallery has put together a yummy selection of recipes from these restaurants. Here's a quick easy one I'd love to try ... plenty more on the website.   

Chicken-Bacon Pesto Pizza

 from THE SLICE IS RIGHT

• 1 store bought pizza crust

• 1 jar pesto, 6 oz

• 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast

• 2 strips of bacon, cooked and crumbled

• ½ small onion, sliced

• ¼ C pine nuts

• 1 C shredded mozzarella

• ¼ C shredded parmesan

• 3 mushrooms, sliced

Preheat the oven to 425. Spread the crust with pesto. Add remaining ingredients. Bake directly on center shelf of oven until cheese is bubbly and starts to turn brown at the edges, 12-15 minutes. 

Connect with Susan Mallery

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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.