Helpful Score: 2
What a great book! From the very first page, I sympathized with Elena who had just been fired from a restaurant she helped to establish by the head chef who just happened to also be her boyfriend. She was then immediately offered a position by the owner of the restaurant, Julian, to be head chef for another restaurant he owned.
I related to Elena in so many ways. She loved her big dog Alvin and she suffered from pain after receiving massive injuries in a car wreck years before where she was the only survivor. I felt her pressure in trying to get the new restaurant established in Aspen and also felt her reluctance to get too deeply involved with the owner, who was a movie director and very rich, even though it seemed so right.
I loved the other characters in the book; Ivan the old chef who was battling issues of his own; Peter, one of Elena's best friends who arrived to help her with the restaurant; Mia, another good friend of Elena's;, and even all of the restaurant help from the immigrants including Juan who was a favorite, to Tansy the pastry chef.
The relationship that developed between Julian's daughter Portia and Elena was also a great addition, but I would say one of my favorite parts was how the author made the food sound so great, the descriptions read almost like poetry and recipes are even included which is another plus.
It is hard to categorize this book; its so much more than chic lit and I certainly recommend it to all who love a great story! I look forward to reading another book by this talented author, Barbara O Neal.
I related to Elena in so many ways. She loved her big dog Alvin and she suffered from pain after receiving massive injuries in a car wreck years before where she was the only survivor. I felt her pressure in trying to get the new restaurant established in Aspen and also felt her reluctance to get too deeply involved with the owner, who was a movie director and very rich, even though it seemed so right.
I loved the other characters in the book; Ivan the old chef who was battling issues of his own; Peter, one of Elena's best friends who arrived to help her with the restaurant; Mia, another good friend of Elena's;, and even all of the restaurant help from the immigrants including Juan who was a favorite, to Tansy the pastry chef.
The relationship that developed between Julian's daughter Portia and Elena was also a great addition, but I would say one of my favorite parts was how the author made the food sound so great, the descriptions read almost like poetry and recipes are even included which is another plus.
It is hard to categorize this book; its so much more than chic lit and I certainly recommend it to all who love a great story! I look forward to reading another book by this talented author, Barbara O Neal.
Helpful Score: 1
What a great book!! I just found out it was the author's debut. And what a debut it was. I wasn't expecting the ending - left me wanting more. But I have her next 2 books on my wish list.
Great read!!
Great read!!
Helpful Score: 1
Having no clue as to how I came across this author, I decided to give her a try.
And, I am so glad I did....the book drew me in and didn't let go.
Not being fond of books that have 'perfect' characters like the stereotypical long legged blond with a face & body that could stop traffic. Ugh! Come on people...have a bit of compassion for us 'real life' people. I'm drawn to characters that are flawed.
These were and you could see the struggles of them trying to be better people and even at the end of the book they still were flawed and not miraculously 'fixed'.
I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it. And, I'm also looking forward to reading more by this author.
And, I am so glad I did....the book drew me in and didn't let go.
Not being fond of books that have 'perfect' characters like the stereotypical long legged blond with a face & body that could stop traffic. Ugh! Come on people...have a bit of compassion for us 'real life' people. I'm drawn to characters that are flawed.
These were and you could see the struggles of them trying to be better people and even at the end of the book they still were flawed and not miraculously 'fixed'.
I enjoyed the book very much and would recommend it. And, I'm also looking forward to reading more by this author.
Helpful Score: 1
A well written story, but to be honest, I'm not sure if I liked it or not.
I did finish it, so that's a plus, and I'm relatively sure this was the author's debut novel, and as such it's pretty impressive. There were parts I liked, some more then others, and parts I like didn't, again some more then others. But having finished it, literally just a few minutes ago, I'm not sure how I feel. I sorta kinda want more, but at the same time don't know if I'd read another book by the author (though I won't rule t out).
A few places call it 'chick lit' and I'm not even sure If I'd apply that label to it. The story seems weightier somehow, so much so, that calling it 'chick lit', doesn't seem to do it justice. (not that there's anything wrong with chick lit)
I can't help but think this is the type of book that would work really well as a group read . The overall story is a busy one, lots of stuff happens, and I just think It would have been easier to process had I someone to discuss it with; maybe then I'd know what I really thought of it!
I did finish it, so that's a plus, and I'm relatively sure this was the author's debut novel, and as such it's pretty impressive. There were parts I liked, some more then others, and parts I like didn't, again some more then others. But having finished it, literally just a few minutes ago, I'm not sure how I feel. I sorta kinda want more, but at the same time don't know if I'd read another book by the author (though I won't rule t out).
A few places call it 'chick lit' and I'm not even sure If I'd apply that label to it. The story seems weightier somehow, so much so, that calling it 'chick lit', doesn't seem to do it justice. (not that there's anything wrong with chick lit)
I can't help but think this is the type of book that would work really well as a group read . The overall story is a busy one, lots of stuff happens, and I just think It would have been easier to process had I someone to discuss it with; maybe then I'd know what I really thought of it!
Helpful Score: 1
I like this book. It made me hungry! I had to go to a Mexican restaurant after reading it to quench my craving!
