Please note: My sweets, please forgive me if you've commented and I haven't replied. I blame summer. Rest assured, I am reading them, I do love them, I appreciate each of you, and I promise to catch up. Soon. *hugs*

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The Love Goddess' Cooking School

Recipe for The Love Goddess' Cooking School:
6 deliciously flawed main characters
1 pretty coastal town in Maine
1 darling cottage/cooking school
1 handful of pain and disappointment
2 heaping handfuls of friendship, love, and wishes

3 ingredients that brought me to the The Love Goddess' Cooking School:
1. My love for the kitchen, especially the faucet, on the cover.
2. My affection for stories with elements of cooking magic.
3. My admiration for the sweet complexities I enjoyed in The Secret of Joy.

The Love Goddess' Cooking School didn't disappoint. The characters were easy to relate to, root for, and ultimately care for. The drama was just thick enough to keep me interested but never thick enough to feel heavy. The setting is full of oodles of charm. All in all it's cute and would make an adorable movie. I would love to see Alexis Bledel play Holly.

 Whine: The last 1/4 is a bit predictable but there is nothing wrong with that. By that point you're invested and itching to read the last pages of nonna's diary.

Whimsical: Some of the charming Italian recipes that call for memories and wishes are featured in the back of the book.

 Whippersnappers: Mild mentions to infidelity, sex, death.

 Wisdom: "What I've learned, Mia, and what my grandmother always said, is that the whole point is wishing and remembering - not if what you want happens, not if remembering hurts. Because when you wish for something, you're asking. And when you ask, you're trying. And all everyone can really do is try, right?"

 3 stars 

 Review Copyright © of Tales of Whimsy.com
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67 comments :

  3. Your review is awesome! I like it.
    And I like the sound of this book. One of my favourite books is Like Water for Chocolate & I loved the book & movie (and the real thing) Chocolat!
    Sounds great!

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    1. Thanks!
      I remember our shared love for Like Water for Chocolate. :)

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  4. The book sounds great and I love the fun way your reviewed it!!

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  5. Great review! I have had this book on my TBR list for a while.

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  6. Oh gosh, I love the cover and you made the inside sound even better. Have you read The School of Essential Ingredients? It's another good grown-up cooking novel :) Thanks for the tip!

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    1. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Katie! Are you back? *hugs* I've missed you.

      I haven't read that one.
      But funny enough, I was just eyeing it.
      I will take your recommendation and check it out.
      Thank you!
      :)

      Delete

  7. Terrific review. I really liked this one too.

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  8. There is just something about books like this one that are quietly enjoyable. I loved it when I read it.

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  9. I love books about food and cooking. They feel like an escape to me.

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  10. adorable review! and what a great cover! I want that kitchen :-D

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  11. Sounds like a fun read with some great food! Puts me in the mind of Mary Kay Andrews!

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  12. Sounds great! Exactly my kind of thing! :) I love when food and books mix together!

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  13. I think I tried to read this one. There are so many similar though!

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    1. I feel ya. The distinction is in the writer. I'm a fan of Senate.
      :)

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  14. I do love food books, and this sounds cute. I would expect such novels to be somewhat predictable, but as long as the characters are lovable and the plot enjoyable, it is forgivable.

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  15. I adore this review! This sounds great. I loved the magical cooking in Simply Irresistible, so this book definitely has me curious :)

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    1. Thank you shug!
      :)

      It's not as magical as Simply Irresistible but is pretty cute.

      I loved the crab in SI.

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  16. This sounds delightful! And that cover is so charming. I also loved Chocolat and Simply Irresistible! Haven't seen Like Water for Chocolate. :(

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    1. Ooooo you should. It's Indie and subtitled, but awwesome.

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  18. Love your reveiw for this one. Its' different/new and matches with the book.

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  19. Love your recipe review, this is so cute! I really loved Chocolat, and thought Simply Irresistible was really fun, so it sounds like I'd love this book too. And that cover is beautiful! Plus, love the added bonus of Italian recipes in the back. :-)

    Awesome review, thanks for sharing!

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  21. I think the recipe review works for this one! Probably not for me but it does look like it was a pretty decent read :)

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    1. Thanks! I like doing them from time to time and it really spoke to me with this one.

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  22. This is one that I've been meaning to read FOREVER! I'm glad it was enjoyable, even if it was a bit predictable. I love your review format for this one - how fun!

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  23. I love this review! It really made me smile!

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  24. It sounds like I need this book in my life. Sarah Addison Allen is another example of the little hints of magic (sometimes food magic) that I love. Lovely review, as always :)

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  25. Wonderful review! I love magical cooking stories.

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  26. i am loving your "recipe"! i thought that was so cute. i've got to pick this up! i loved like water for chocolate and chocolat.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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  28. This sounds like something up my alley. Would be a terrific read for my Foodies Read challenge. Thanks so much for posting, as I hadn't heard of this one :)

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    1. Ooo yes it would.

      I can't wait to see what other books you use for that challenge.

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  29. Sounds like a real pick me up. What a cute concept for a story. I like wishing and I'm always trying extra hard!

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  30. I'm loving your recipe form review. I really enjoyed this book. I was so happy to see your review.

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    1. Thanks :) Got any other foodie book recommendations?

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  31. Adore your review Juju...really, the set up and ingredients are simply marvelous! I've wondered about this one for some time; sounds like it might be something to take down off the "wish" shelf. ^_^

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  32. OK! This is on the book club list to read! :)
    Thank you!

    ~Liz

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  33. This looks good! My foodie book club would love it :) xo

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  34. Okay, I have this thing for books that include recipes. And this one looks cute (and yummy). :0)

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    1. Me too ;)
      This one is particularly fun because the recipes call for fun magical things like a wish.

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  35. Oh my goodness I LOVE the way you reviewed this one, SO cute!
    I love that it takes place in Maine and that a cooking school is in the setting, so unique! I've been wanting to cook more so maybe reading about book with characters that cook will inspire me, haha! :)

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    1. Thank you :)
      Right?
      I secretly dream of visiting Maine.

      Maybe!
      What's your best dish?

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  36. Ok TOTALLY want to read this!!!!! Food in books theme is one of my great favs :)

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  37. Melissa Senate is one of those authors I know I can pick up and I'll enjoy hands down. This is one of the few of hers I haven't read yet and I need to apparently. Loved your review and the "recipe" format. So adorable! And I love the wisdom at the end. SO so good.

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    1. Yes you should!
      Have you read See Jane Date?
      I've been contemplating that one.

      Thank you :)

      Delete

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