Tag Archives: Food

Fresh Brewed Murder by Emmeline Duncan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Fresh Brewed Murder
Author: Emmeline Duncan
Series: Ground Rules Mystery #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Cozy mystery, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book – I’ve never read anything by Emmeline Duncan, and I really only read this for the Popsugar 2025 Reading Challenge. And boy am I glad that I did, I pretty much read this from cover to cover and loved every single minute of it. There was something fun and light about it, even whilst dealing with murder and mayhem. The fact that this cozy mystery also centred on coffee in a lot of ways just made it all that much better. I freaking love coffee, and I seriously enjoyed the process of creating and making throughout. Duncan has such an attention to detail within this, and it was just absolutely fantastic and drool-inducing.

One of the aspects of this cozy mystery that I absolutely adored was the detail which Duncan was able to impart throughout. She created this world and structure to her story that you are plunged into immediately. Then, as the story unfolds, you get drawn deeper and deeper into the world of coffee and a fledgling food truck business. I could almost smell all the different foods in the Rail Yard. I know that the focus of the story is really the mystery aspect, but I definitely focused in on the food aspect a whole lot.

I loved how, throughout this, there are so many Red Herrings. The murderer could have literally been any one of a number of characters within the Rail Yard. Not only was the victim someone who had wronged or annoyed a number of those characters, then there’s Sage’s family and all of the complications there. I was not really sure who the villain was going to be right up until the reveal. Duncan just did such a brilliant job at entangling literally everything, so that it was almost impossible to figure out what was actually going to happen. Which is probably why I just adored reading this cozy mystery so much – I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next.

This would’ve been an amazing story without the complications of Sage’s family. But there are so many more nuances and hints of more complications and horrors in the future. I mean, Sage’s Mum is quite possibly insane, and I have a feeling that there will be more surprises in the shape of Gabby in the future. I may be wrong, but I love that there is so much potential layered into this story, what a brilliant way to start off a series! I can’t wait to dive in again and read more!

<- More Emmeline DuncanDouble Shot Death ->

Image source: Kobo

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Feel the Heat
Author: Kate Meader
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2013

Thoughts

This is probably the third Kate Meader book that I’ve read. And although I enjoyed it, it did take me a little bit longer to get into than her sports romance books. Maybe because I’m kind of hooked into the sports romance stories lately, and maybe it was just the characters. Either way, I did ultimately really enjoy this story, and once I actually got invested (a few chapters in, instead of immediately), I didn’t want to put this down. I wanted to find out how Lili and Jack were going to make their differences work and find their way to a happily ever after.

One of the things I’m really liking about Kate Meader’s stories is that there is a whole lot of character development that each of her protagonists go through on their way to finding their happily ever after. It might be all about the love connection and romance as the main driver, but the fact that this is often just a catalyst for a couple to figure out who they are individually is great. In the case of Lili, her gratefulness that her Mum is alive and role in the family as primary caregiver has seriously shaped her life and approach to relationships. I love that her relationship with Jack is what drives her to start to look at the walls and self-sabotaging behaviours that this has caused. It’s a journey throughout the entire novel, and one that made me think of my own shortcomings and walls caused by very similar circumstances.

Alongside Lili’s journey of self discovery is Jack’s. by being surrounded by Lili and her somewhat chaotic family, he is forced to think though what it is about food that he truly loves. I mean, I was going to enjoy this story with all of the Italian food and family that filled the pages anyway. But that love of food and drive to always learn that completely defines Jack made me (eventually) fall further in love with this whole story. I also love that they are both pushed from their comfort zones. And at different parts of the story, they are both chasing one another, and running. Making it a little bit less one sided with the whole courtship thing.

Aside from how much I enjoyed Lili and Jack and their journey to one another. Particularly with his snobbish beginning and her very hesitant one, I also loved Lili’s family dynamics. It shifted as the story unfolded, but I always dreamed of having a big insane family like this. I kind of have it, but we aren’t quite so in each others’ lives. Then there’s the passion for food and family businesses, the willingness to ultimately be loyal to each other, even if it takes some of them a little bit to find the right way in which to do this… a glorious romance with a great cast of secondary characters.

<- More Kate MeaderAll Fired Up ->

Image source: Kobo

Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Best Served Hot
Author: Amanda Elliot
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I can’t say that the idea of Internet Influencers, or running my own page that brings in traffic as a career has ever been something that I’ve completely understood. It’s just a world that my introverted self doesn’t quite feel the need to enter. However, I absolutely loved reading a story about someone who puts their passions and loves out into the public eye through social media and the public eye. It was an entirely new viewpoint and one that I wasn’t really expecting. But, man, did I enjoy it.

One of the aspects that I loved about this romance is that it took the different modes of food reviewing and highlighting the pros and cons of each style. Julie is the grass roots internet influencer who is all about the hidden gems and is working out how to make her own footprint on the “scene” without much assistance. Bennett on the other hand is from a more privileged background and thus has a greater number of resources to begin with. He also has a different set of limitations to Julie, both have their unique niches that they slot into brilliantly, and, ultimately, neither of them is “better” than the other, rather, they are just two different sides of the same passionate coin.

Even though you know that Bennett and Julie are going to end up together (because romance), I love how well their chemistry reads from the very first moment. There are just sparks flying everywhere, and I couldn’t wait for them to dive in. Plus, the characters that I thought would stand in the way of their happily ever after actually support their attraction! I love that the entire story was a massive slow burn and they really don’t get together to fairly close to the end. Of course, there is that last minute spanner in the works that drives them apart again. But it was still nice to read a good, solid slow burn that had me speed reading through the pages to find when they finally decide to get together.

I must admit, that this is definitely a book I wouldn’t suggest people eat on an empty stomach. It is just filled with wonderful and delicious descriptions of food. Descriptions that, even as I’m writing this review, make me want to get in the kitchen and create something scrumptious. I’m actually not that talented in the kitchen, but it made me want to try. I love that, even when Julie is so dang obsessed with class / social circles, food ends up ultimately being the great equaliser. It’s a great mode in which her big chip on her shoulder is whittled down just a bit. We all enjoy food in our own unique ways, and, whilst our background can and will influence what we are drawn to, we are all drawn to food of some sort. At least, in my experience.

<- More Amanda ElliotLove You a Latke ->

Image source: Penguin

The Secret Ingredient by Kilby Blades

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Secret Ingredient
Author: Kilby Blades
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Food
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2019

Thoughts

The Secret Ingredient wasn’t necessarily my favourite every contemporary romance, but it was very cute and enjoyable. Plus, I tend to really enjoy any kind of novel that combines romance with food. There’s just something about the food focus whilst people fall in love that tends to really draw me in. Maybe because the description of the different meals being cooked never fails to make me stop and imagine just what I want to eat. Then there’s the whole romance factor and the falling in love over the food.

In the case of The Secret Ingredient, the food that Max and Cella fall in love over is Italian. I love that this book is driven primarily by their teaming up to write an Italian cookbook together, and in doing so highlight Max’s passion to be a chef. Plus, there’s his aunts restaurant to rejuvenate and just a whole lot of good hearted, small town joy. I also love that Max is actually more than happy to take a step back and play second fiddle to Cella’s career and drive. No couple can be filled with two people’s ambitions, but they can have ambitions which dovetail nicely together. Which is exactly what Max realises as he works alongside Cella.

I loved all of the cast of this small town and how supportive they are of one another. The fact that they refuse to let a celebrity be preyed upon, and constantly support each other is admirable. As is Max’s drive to financially support the town, even when that means he can rarely be in the place he loves so much. The love and support was one of the things that I loved the most about this story. Along with the quaint seaside setting which bought to mind eating pasta on the beachfront as the waves crash against the shore.

The epilogue of this story kind of made me want to cry. I loved the whole story, but at the end, thinking of family and the moment when I discovered I was pregnant with my second child… the nostalgia made me tear up. I loved the vision of a father and his daughter in the kitchen together, and it honestly made all of my emotions come right to the surface. What a beautiful way to end a romance.

<- More Kilby BladesSpooning Leads to Forking ->

Image source: Goodreads

Side Work by Sara Farizan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Side Work
Author: Sara Farizan
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

One of my favourite things to experience in short stories is the suspense of knowledge. I love spending an entire story trying to figure out what happened to have the characters end up where they are. In the case of Side Work, I spent the entirety of the story wondering what it was that the narrator actually did to warrant her exile and silence from her family.

There were so many tangled threads throughout this short story. Honestly, a surprising number considering the length of the actual story. I love that the drama from the past is all twisted up with self-confidence, discovering who you are and sexuality. You know, the dramas and themes that we all have to come to terms with in our teens and figure out as we grow. This was just a bit of a harsher learning curve than some.

Although there is much pain and silent suffering throughout this story, I love that it all, ultimately ends with the beginnings of a happily ever after. I mean, the protagonist is still young, so there’s probably going to be more suffering in the future. But, there is so much hope and optimism for becoming someone you want to be. Plus, she is able to find forgiveness for her past, and find a way to reconcile with her father. A happy ending if I ever did read one.

<- A Bountiful FilmPanaderia ~ Pasteleria ->

Image source: Goodreads

Panaderia ~ Pasteleria by Anna-Marie McLemore

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Panaderia ~ Pasteleria
Author: Anna-Marie McLemore
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This was a fantastic way to finish out the Hungry Hearts collection. Mostly because Lila is a secondary character who pops up in many of the stories throughout this anthology. Gifting needed pastries and helping people to take a step forwards in their lives. So it was really nice that she got her own story.

I love how calm and accepting of Gael is and how they begin to form a relationship built on the present, not the past. I loved reading about Lila’s acceptance of Gael’s identity and reality, and that she honestly doesn’t even blink at that fact. I always love reading stories about building friendships and being true to oneself. Plus, Lila is so quiet, that it’s nice that she’s finding her own friendships.

Lila’s ability to communicate through her food and cooking is kind of adorable. And that, even if she’s not able to actually articulate her feelings, she is able to show her love through food. Ultimately, it’s this communication through food that really lets her and Gael connect. This was such a cute short story of acceptance and caring. One that was just filled with hope for a close relationship and a bright future.

<- Side WorkHungry Hearts ->

Image source: Goodreads

A Bountiful Film by S.K. Ali

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Bountiful Film
Author: S.K. Ali
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that this is a short story all about making a film for a film competition. The whole time, it is about new beginnings, changing where you are and, finding a way to show who you are through film. As someone who is not even remotely creative in the videographic sense, I found the process of creating a film to be absolutely fascinating. And, then there’s the ever present food intertwined throughout this story.

I really enjoyed getting to know Hungry Hearst Row through the lens of a mystery. The Hungry Hearts anthology has explored this area through many different genres, but this is the first and only mystery within the collection. I loved trying to unravel the different threads throughout and predict just how the mystery ended. I did not get it right in any way, shape or form, but it was still an interesting journey.

I love that, ultimately this was a short story with happy endings all round. It was a sweet and easy read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m intrigued to see what else S.K. Ali writes. All in all, I seriously enjoyed this and want to read more stories like this.

<- BloomSide Work ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hungry Hearts edited by Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Hungry Hearts
Author: Caroline Tung Richmond, Elsie Chapman, Sangu Mandanna, Sandhya Menon, Rin Chupeco, Adi Alsaid, Jay Coles, Rebecca Roanhorse, Karuna Riazi, Phoebe North, S.K. Ali, Sara Farizan & Anna-Marie McLemore
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: Contemporary, Food, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this collection – it was brilliant, light-hearted and fun. Plus, it was filled with many new authors and beautiful stories. A great journey of stories by #OwnVoices authors who gave me a glimpse into a multitude of experiences. Ones that I look forward to repeating again in the future.

As someone who loves her food, I really appreciated that each story in this collection featured food and the many feelings that an accomplish it throughout. Food is a great avenue through which to experience the world, and process feelings. The stories in this collection run the gambit of experiences. And I found it intriguing the different feelings that were expressed throughout.

This is one of those fantastic collections of stories that I will read and reread again and again in the future. I also can’t wait to read more stories by the authors that I’ve added to this collection. There wasn’t one that I don’t look forward to reading again in the future.

<- Panaderia ~ PasteleriaRain ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Missing Ingredient by Rebecca Roanhorse

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Missing Ingredient
Author: Rebecca Roanhorse
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Family, Food, Horror
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I knew from fairly on that the missing ingredient in the mother’s food was going to be heart. I mean, good food always comes from the heart. But, what I really, really didn’t expect was how this story was going to end. That was just disturbed and uncomfortable.

This short story was a whole lot darker than any of the stories in the Hungry Hearts collection so far. And it actually broke my heart a little. I mean, there was dealing with death and the loss of a father. But then the mother-daughter relationship was so completely broken too. And by the end, it was even more disturbingly broken.

The Missing Ingredient was such an amazing story – I honestly need a whole lot more Roanhorse in my life. There is something really intense and wonderful about her words, and I look forward to reading more of her stories in the future.

<- Gimme Some SugarHearts a la Carte ->

Image source: Goodreads

Hearts a la Carte by Karuna Riazi

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Hearts a la Carte
Author: Karuna Riazi
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Food, Superheroes
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

Trying to figure out who you are is difficult at the best of times, but trying to do that whilst surrounded by a overbearingly supportive family. And a family business. I love that Minara is trying to sort this out herself, whilst also taking into consideration the feelings of her family and those she cares about. There’s also the beautiful potential romance angle throughout that made this an even cuter coming of age tale.

Hassan / the Comet is a really cute superhero, and I love the randomness of how he and Minara meet. Although the love potential between Hassan and Minara doesn’t exactly bear fruit, I love that even at the end of this short story, there is so much potential for it. Plus, sometimes it’s nice to end on a friendship with potential, rather than the romance to end all romances.

Although this is a bit of a coming of age short story. And a bit of a superhero short story, I love that a whole lot of this tale is fixated on food. I mean, I tend to fixate a little bit too much on food at times, so it makes sense that I would enjoy a story that does the same. It made me want to try a whole new cuisine that I’ve just never had access to…

<- The Missing IngredientBloom ->

Image source: Goodreads