Thursday, March 7, 2024

Review: Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden

 

Recipe for a Charmed Life by Rachel Linden
Publication Date: January 9th 2024 by Berkley
Pages: 384
Source: Publisher
Rating: 

My Thoughts:
Georgia May Jackson’s life goal has always been to become a top chef in a Parisian restaurant. She’s about to realize her dream when she catches her boyfriend, a fellow chef, cheating and makes a snap decision that derails her career. Not only that, but she’s also lost her sense of taste, and her spark is gone. Getting an email from her estranged mother inviting her to come for a visit seems comes at the perfect time and so Georgia heads off to the small Pacific Northwest Island to sort so many things out. Georgia and her mother have a painful past to reconcile, and Georgia wants the answers she deserves!

There’s a romance between Georgia and Cole, the local Oyster farmer, and although charming, I felt it took a backseat to Georgia’s personal journey. The Pacific Northwest Island was described perfectly, with its glorious pines, and gorgeous sea views, its beauty came through loud and clear! Being on this gorgeous island is the perfect setting to immerse all of Georgia’s senses and hopefully get her joy back.

Recipe for a Charmed Life was a magical story of healing, sorting out what’s important and finding love!

4 Stars


Book Description:

After a day of unrivaled disappointments, a promising young chef finds every bite of food suddenly tastes bitter. To save her career, she travels to the Pacific Northwest to reconnect with her estranged mom, and discovers a family legacy she never suspected in this delicious novel from the bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

American chef Georgia May Jackson has one goal—to run her own restaurant in Paris. After a grueling decade working in Parisian kitchens, she is on the cusp of success. But in one disastrous night, Georgia loses her sous-chef position, her French boyfriend, and her sense of taste! Renowned for her refined palate and daring use of bold flavors to create remarkable dishes, Georgia is devastated to discover her culinary gift has simply...vanished.

When she receives a surprising invitation from her estranged mother, Georgia flees to a small island near Seattle hoping the visit will help her regain her spark in the kitchen. There she tentatively reconnects with her mom, a free-spirited hippie eager to make up for her past mistakes. But there’s something about the enigmatic island Georgia just can’t piece together. Good luck charms keep appearing in the oddest places. Her neighbor is a puzzlingly antagonist (and annoyingly handsome) oyster farmer. And her mom keeps hinting at a mysterious family legacy.

With the clock ticking and time running out to win her dream job in Paris, Georgia begins to unravel some astonishing secrets that make her wonder if the true recipe for a charmed life might look—and taste—very different than she ever imagined.


23 comments:

  1. I don't think the romance was supposed to be the focus. Linden writes women's fiction. I did think it was interesting that she gave him a POV though. I like her books. They make me warm and fuzzy

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  2. This was the first time reading a book by this author. While it did keep my attention most of the time there were periods where I had to push thru.

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  3. I enjoy books with foodie aspects and personal character growth.

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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  4. I'm not familiar with her books, but this one sounds pretty good. Food and good scenery are a bonus.

    Sophia Rose

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  5. Love that Pacific Northwest setting.

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  6. It sounds delightful, Rachel. I have this on my TBR and hope to get to it sooner rather than later.

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    1. Hope you enjoy it too, Carla! Looking forward to your thoughts!

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  7. This sounds like a wonderful blend of women's fiction and romance. I tend to enjoy stories of women who are at a crossroads in life.

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  8. Ugh, I think my comments are falling into the black abyss of the spam folder again. I really do like that Pacific Northwest setting. And I think both this book and Trapped in Yosemite sound like ones I would enjoy, too. :D

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    1. I just rescued your previous comment from the spam folder, Lark. Sorry about that! Blogger can be so annoying sometimes. I love the setting of both books too! :)

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  9. It seems like she needs to leave Paris for the Pacific NW. Which island is it? The San Juans?

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    1. Yes, it was The San Juans. It sounded gorgeous! I love that neck of the woods. I've been to Seattle several times as well as Vancouver Island and Victoria. I want to visit The San Juans after reading this book.

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  10. I've loved the books set in the Pacific NW and wish I could visit some time soon. Such dramatic land and ocean.

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  11. Lovely review. I love the setting and foodie vibe. I think I'd enjoy this one!

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  12. I feel like this one might be more womens fiction? At least that's what I got from her other book I know of. But your review makes it sound like I might still enjoy it. Thanks for sharing this!
    Lisa Loves Literature

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  13. The setting and premise seem perfect for this time of year. I'll have to give this one a try :)

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