I really enjoyed her writing style which was laid-back, and I enjoyed seeing that she added the recipes that are mentioned in the story. Also, since the main love interest lived in Memphis, I pricked up my ears. Reading about my hometown was a treat, and Lodge hit on Memphis spot on. No fake accents, and no making fun of the Southerners. We get that all the time! Made me wonder if either she or someone close to her lived here. It's easy to poorly portray characters from varied parts of the country, and it's refreshing to see it done well.
There was lots going on, and honestly, she tells the story of Juliette so well, I'm thinking this will be a book I'll remember. I read a lot and often as soon as I finish a book, unless it has something pretty good going for it, I forget the main thread. This one isn't like that. It's light, yes, but solid enough to stay with you. There's a mystery involving her French-born grandmother, some hidden genetics going on, a serious illness, a long-distance romance, beautiful food descriptions and a story of faith that holds it all together. Plus, the end of the book contains a few pages of the sequel.
Many thanks to Hillary Manton Lodge for writing what I wanted to read. No drama that was so overbearing that I got edgy, but just enough to intrigue me. Well done. Very well done.
(i received this book to review from waterbrook/multnomah)
