Helpful Score: 1
(This reviewer read/reviewed the book as an ARC.)
Im a sucker for any kind of book with recipes, whether its a cookbook with stories, or a fiction/non-fiction book with recipes. Most of the time if its fiction with recipes, I am disappointed with either the recipes, the story, or the writing (generally, the latter, unfortunately). To find an author who writes well, tells a great story, and also develops intriguing recipes is, for me, at least, a rarity. Ms. ONeal has done all three in The Secret of Everything.
The New Mexico town of Los Ladrones, the Green Gate Organic Farms (formerly a Sixties commune), and other locales are richly, but succinctly detailed by Ms. ONeal. Here and there are odd metaphors such as, a watermelon scent of freshly cut grass which may not have lasted to the published edition. The characters and plot develop gradually, keeping the reader (at least this one) intrigued, nugget by nugget, as to the secret.
The secret is not too painfully obvious, but neither are the revelations and resolutions a total surprise, given the genre. Strictly romance novels are not my first choice for the small amount of pleasure reading I do. Thankfully, Tessas search for her place and identity is not overshadowed by the romance.
Being about half-way between the two generations of characters in the book, I found much with which to identify in the elements of the setting of this book, such as the era of the secret and the music. The two main characters are in their late thirties, and a couple of times their remarks seem more likely of twenty-somethings, but I suppose we all pick up the slang of the younger generation.
Im not sure I would reread (except to see if the published edition was a bit more polished), but I would definitely like to read Ms. ONeals previous books, as well as highly recommend The Secret of Everything to others.
Im a sucker for any kind of book with recipes, whether its a cookbook with stories, or a fiction/non-fiction book with recipes. Most of the time if its fiction with recipes, I am disappointed with either the recipes, the story, or the writing (generally, the latter, unfortunately). To find an author who writes well, tells a great story, and also develops intriguing recipes is, for me, at least, a rarity. Ms. ONeal has done all three in The Secret of Everything.
The New Mexico town of Los Ladrones, the Green Gate Organic Farms (formerly a Sixties commune), and other locales are richly, but succinctly detailed by Ms. ONeal. Here and there are odd metaphors such as, a watermelon scent of freshly cut grass which may not have lasted to the published edition. The characters and plot develop gradually, keeping the reader (at least this one) intrigued, nugget by nugget, as to the secret.
The secret is not too painfully obvious, but neither are the revelations and resolutions a total surprise, given the genre. Strictly romance novels are not my first choice for the small amount of pleasure reading I do. Thankfully, Tessas search for her place and identity is not overshadowed by the romance.
Being about half-way between the two generations of characters in the book, I found much with which to identify in the elements of the setting of this book, such as the era of the secret and the music. The two main characters are in their late thirties, and a couple of times their remarks seem more likely of twenty-somethings, but I suppose we all pick up the slang of the younger generation.
Im not sure I would reread (except to see if the published edition was a bit more polished), but I would definitely like to read Ms. ONeals previous books, as well as highly recommend The Secret of Everything to others.
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