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Out to Lunch
A touching and hilarious novel from the fabulous Stacey Ballis about best friends, true love, and the joy of food—for fans of Jen Lancaster, Jennifer Weiner, and Emily Giffin...
Jenna has lost her best friend.
With Aimee gone so tragically young, Jenna barely knows where to turn. Aimee was the one who always knew what to do—not to mention what to wear. The two built a catering company together and had so much in common—well, except their taste in men. Jenna never understood what the successful, sophisticated Aimee saw in Wayne, with his Star Wars obsession and harebrained business schemes.
And gained her best friend’s husband�
But Aimee has left a shocking last request: Jenna now has financial custody of the not-so-merry widower. True, Wayne needs someone sensible around to keep him under control, but what was her dear departed friend thinking?
The thing is, as she gets to know Wayne better, his latest moneymaking idea actually starts to intrigue her. Her attractive new lawyer boyfriend doesn’t approve of it—but then, Wayne doesn’t approve of her attractive new lawyer boyfriend. Now Jenna has to figure out what direction her life is going to take next. And she can’t help asking herself: What would Aimee do?
Jenna has lost her best friend.
With Aimee gone so tragically young, Jenna barely knows where to turn. Aimee was the one who always knew what to do—not to mention what to wear. The two built a catering company together and had so much in common—well, except their taste in men. Jenna never understood what the successful, sophisticated Aimee saw in Wayne, with his Star Wars obsession and harebrained business schemes.
And gained her best friend’s husband�
But Aimee has left a shocking last request: Jenna now has financial custody of the not-so-merry widower. True, Wayne needs someone sensible around to keep him under control, but what was her dear departed friend thinking?
The thing is, as she gets to know Wayne better, his latest moneymaking idea actually starts to intrigue her. Her attractive new lawyer boyfriend doesn’t approve of it—but then, Wayne doesn’t approve of her attractive new lawyer boyfriend. Now Jenna has to figure out what direction her life is going to take next. And she can’t help asking herself: What would Aimee do?
403 pages, Paperback
First published December 3, 2013
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1,676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
November 12, 2015
is a standalone novel written by author . This is the first book I have read by Ms. Ballis but it won't be the last. I so enjoyed it! There are a few slow parts but then something would happen or be said that would totally make up for it! This is a story about loss, relationships, and food. It's sad sometimes but hilarious most of the time; it's smart, witty, but realistic. And guess what??? It's got a cookbook at the end with all the amazing dishes that were so elaborately described in the book. I did not know anything about the plot going into this reading experience, and I loved experiencing the story that way so I'm not going to say anymore about this book but if you can appreciate very real characters and if you can enjoy funny chick-lit/women's fiction, then you will love it. Give it a try!
My favorite quote:
“Not every person we love is immediately lovable to everyone else. But that doesn’t mean we are wrong to love them.�
My favorite quote:
“Not every person we love is immediately lovable to everyone else. But that doesn’t mean we are wrong to love them.�
January 29, 2015
I wanted to love this book. The characters wanted me to love this book. The plot wanted me to love this book. Everyone wanted me to love this book except for the person who edited it and thought it was okay to leave five million uses of the phrase "You betcha" and a quarter million uses of the phrase "That's the truth, Ruth" (spoiler: there is no one in the book named Ruth -- this is just a stupid cutesy rhyme that one of the characters uses). This editor also thought that it didn't matter during longer passages of dialogue to make sure it was clear who was speaking, and also that the dialogue should be as awkward and stilted as possible and employ next to no contractions. I hate that. In addition to this poor editing job, I felt distracted by the overabundant descriptions of food. Yeah, I get that they are this author's thing and that's cool, but it's a bit over the top here.
I mostly enjoyed the story though -- which is weird because I didn't connect with the main character. But I did connect with everyone around her, including her two dogs. But my biggest beef with this book is that there is this whole storyline with geeks happening and none of it rang very true and I imagine this is for one of two possible reasons -- either the author is NOT a geek and therefore wrote that entire storyline solely out of research and hearsay; or the the author IS a geek and thus the dislike the main character has for all things geeky feels false and contrived (at one point she refers to The Avengers movie as "pretty awful" -- that's not actually a thing that people say unless they have cold dead hearts). The main character's sort of dislike and contempt didn't feel truthful. And also, in the end, I wanted something a little flashier than what we got.
Sigh. Parts of it I did love -- there were even a couple of moments that made me cry a little. But there were too many distractions for me to really love it.
I mostly enjoyed the story though -- which is weird because I didn't connect with the main character. But I did connect with everyone around her, including her two dogs. But my biggest beef with this book is that there is this whole storyline with geeks happening and none of it rang very true and I imagine this is for one of two possible reasons -- either the author is NOT a geek and therefore wrote that entire storyline solely out of research and hearsay; or the the author IS a geek and thus the dislike the main character has for all things geeky feels false and contrived (at one point she refers to The Avengers movie as "pretty awful" -- that's not actually a thing that people say unless they have cold dead hearts). The main character's sort of dislike and contempt didn't feel truthful. And also, in the end, I wanted something a little flashier than what we got.
Sigh. Parts of it I did love -- there were even a couple of moments that made me cry a little. But there were too many distractions for me to really love it.
April 9, 2019
3.5 stars
January 8, 2016
After losing her best friend Aimee to cancer, Jenna discovers that she has appointed her "financial custody"of Aimee's husband Wayne. In Jenna's opinion, Aimee could have done much better than Wayne (with his geeky Star Wars obsession, his clumsiness, and his tactlessness).
I enjoyed this book very much. At first I did not like Jenna, the protagonist. I didn't like how close minded she was toward Wayne. I felt if she loved Aimee and was so close to her, she would have tried to be more accepting toward Wayne to honor Aimee.
I LOVED how the author kept Aimee's memory alive through out the book.
This book made me laugh and cry; I will be reading more books by this author.
death, grief, new-friendship, self-discovery, foodies, cooking, dogs, recipes included in back of book
I enjoyed this book very much. At first I did not like Jenna, the protagonist. I didn't like how close minded she was toward Wayne. I felt if she loved Aimee and was so close to her, she would have tried to be more accepting toward Wayne to honor Aimee.
I LOVED how the author kept Aimee's memory alive through out the book.
This book made me laugh and cry; I will be reading more books by this author.
death, grief, new-friendship, self-discovery, foodies, cooking, dogs, recipes included in back of book
January 7, 2019
I absolutely love this book! It is beautifully written, witty and smartly funny. At its core this is a story of loss and how loss affects the relationships we have with ourselves, our friends, our enemies. Even though Aimee has died, she is still a central character to this novel and I love how Ballis made Aimee's personality shine through. This book was very raw, realistic and heartwarming.
Bonus: It has a ton of yummy recipes at the end!!
If you're a foodie, definitely give this one a read.
Bonus: It has a ton of yummy recipes at the end!!
If you're a foodie, definitely give this one a read.
April 23, 2017
When Jen Lancaster talks about authors she likes I take note - and she always raves about Stacey Ballis. I've had this book for a while and finally picked it up. A fun read that most of us can all relate to - losing a friend and finding out way without them.
Looking forward to the others by this author I have at home in my bookcase just waiting to be read.
Looking forward to the others by this author I have at home in my bookcase just waiting to be read.
May 3, 2022
Just easy. There’s something to be said for an an enjoyable enough chick lit read. (Not a lot, but something.)
August 24, 2022
Jenna and her team brought home that we are all weird and particular and off-kilter, or else we just aren’t that interesting. The absent but not Aimee added snark and conscience. Wayne and his Hooch-like Chewie kept it lively. Aimee’s right: once you go geek, you won’t go back (or hungry).
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February 22, 2017This book is so terrible I cannot even give it one star and I finally gave up reading it 3/4 of the way through because I was just done.
The main character is horrifically judgy, unlikeable, snotty, and just plain awful.
I should have known at the beginning when she says she's too old to get bisexuality and they should just pick a side. Are you fucking kidding me?
She considered her best friend her soul sister but couldn't be bothered to get to know her husband because she considered him so beneath her despite the fact that her friend was so in love with him and they were incredibly happy.
Shes owned a dog for years but she doesn't know chocolate is poisonous to them and in a terrible part she absolutely loses it on her new puppy and screams at him and smacks him hard with a rolled up magazine because he had an accident in the house leaving him cowering in fear.
I will not be reading this author again, her other books aren't great and after her ignorant LGBT comment she completely lost me.
The main character is horrifically judgy, unlikeable, snotty, and just plain awful.
I should have known at the beginning when she says she's too old to get bisexuality and they should just pick a side. Are you fucking kidding me?
She considered her best friend her soul sister but couldn't be bothered to get to know her husband because she considered him so beneath her despite the fact that her friend was so in love with him and they were incredibly happy.
Shes owned a dog for years but she doesn't know chocolate is poisonous to them and in a terrible part she absolutely loses it on her new puppy and screams at him and smacks him hard with a rolled up magazine because he had an accident in the house leaving him cowering in fear.
I will not be reading this author again, her other books aren't great and after her ignorant LGBT comment she completely lost me.
December 27, 2013
Stacey Ballis won my heart in her last book, Off the Menu! It was one of those books that I got through in one day simply because I refused to put it down. I love books that have anything to do with food and I love the author’s vivid descriptions of the food she writes about. This story was a little more heart-wrenching than her last as it follows Jenna who has just lost her best friend, Aimee. Aimee suffered from a liver disease and gave up her fight. In her passing she left Jenna with a rather odd task: being financially responsible of her less than merry widower, Wayne. Jenna thinks this is strange, but as much as she loved Aimee she is willing to take on the task. She sees quickly how much Aimee really knew what she was doing!
One thing that I found particularly tasteful in this book was the “voice� of Aimee. I am still unsure if she was meant to be a ghost or if this was just Jenna’s coping mechanism, but it was a way for me to get to know Aimee after her passing. I enjoyed reading and hearing her thoughts and responses to Jenna’s actions. I was able to understand the type of friendship that these two shared through this “ghostly� communication. Some might say it was unnecessary or unrealistic, but I think it added a certain spark and twist to an already intimate story!
At first Jenna does not take well to Aimee’s husband, Wayne. When I learned all that Jenna knew, I sided with her. However, by the time I reached the end of the book I had a different view on the scenario and Wayne’s character. At first I thought, how is this character going to be anything I want to read about? But I believe that is one reason that I am attracted to Ballis’s writing skills; she makes me appreciate characters and details that at first seem minute.
The food descriptions and recipes are always a nice touch as well!
***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley Trade in exchange for my honest review***
One thing that I found particularly tasteful in this book was the “voice� of Aimee. I am still unsure if she was meant to be a ghost or if this was just Jenna’s coping mechanism, but it was a way for me to get to know Aimee after her passing. I enjoyed reading and hearing her thoughts and responses to Jenna’s actions. I was able to understand the type of friendship that these two shared through this “ghostly� communication. Some might say it was unnecessary or unrealistic, but I think it added a certain spark and twist to an already intimate story!
At first Jenna does not take well to Aimee’s husband, Wayne. When I learned all that Jenna knew, I sided with her. However, by the time I reached the end of the book I had a different view on the scenario and Wayne’s character. At first I thought, how is this character going to be anything I want to read about? But I believe that is one reason that I am attracted to Ballis’s writing skills; she makes me appreciate characters and details that at first seem minute.
The food descriptions and recipes are always a nice touch as well!
***A copy of this book was provided to me by the publishers at Berkley Trade in exchange for my honest review***
December 18, 2014
Joining a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ chicklit group gave me the kick in the pants I needed to pick this book up. Normally, I don't pay that much for a book, but in this case, you definitely get what you pay for! Funny, sad, honest, thought provoking, and delicious, I truly loved this book!
When her best friend and business partner dies, Jenna discovers that Aimee left some rather unique instructions in her will regarding the financial care of her husband, Wayne. Jenna now has custody of him. There's just one small problem- Jenna can't STAND the man! She never understood what her best friend saw in this geeky, klutzy, picky eater. As Jenna does her best to honor her friend's wishes, she receives guidance from Aimee, who speaks in her head with her usual snarky and sassy commentary. Every mishap and disaster Wayne creates pushes Jenna one step closer to insanity. Of course, she's got her employees/friends, her dainty dog, a therapist, and a new man in her life to keep her from going completely postal. That is until Wayne and his son, Noah, gift Jenna with a giant puppy who wreaks havoc in her careful life.
Wayne and the puppy are a lot a like. Adorable, sweet, and one hell of a mess! Will Jenna give them both the boot? Will she come to grips with her other half- her best friend? Will she open herself up to loss and love?
This witty, well written novel will make you think and make you laugh, and is the perfect blend of serious and sass! Definitely 5 stars!
When her best friend and business partner dies, Jenna discovers that Aimee left some rather unique instructions in her will regarding the financial care of her husband, Wayne. Jenna now has custody of him. There's just one small problem- Jenna can't STAND the man! She never understood what her best friend saw in this geeky, klutzy, picky eater. As Jenna does her best to honor her friend's wishes, she receives guidance from Aimee, who speaks in her head with her usual snarky and sassy commentary. Every mishap and disaster Wayne creates pushes Jenna one step closer to insanity. Of course, she's got her employees/friends, her dainty dog, a therapist, and a new man in her life to keep her from going completely postal. That is until Wayne and his son, Noah, gift Jenna with a giant puppy who wreaks havoc in her careful life.
Wayne and the puppy are a lot a like. Adorable, sweet, and one hell of a mess! Will Jenna give them both the boot? Will she come to grips with her other half- her best friend? Will she open herself up to loss and love?
This witty, well written novel will make you think and make you laugh, and is the perfect blend of serious and sass! Definitely 5 stars!
November 28, 2016
Sometimes I'll take advantage of other ppl's reviews of titles to get a feel for a book. Though it may sound a little counterproductive I read the ones that are 1 or 2 starred. It gives me an idea of what to look out for. I have to say I am in total disagreement w/ them.
Several said they couldn't get into it, yea, I've been guilty of that in the past, but I didn't realize until I was 1/2 way through it that I was 1/2 way through it. It held my attention.
Others said they thought the protagonist was mean. She was. But she saw the light. Basically she lost her soulmate. Her world has upended & she is grieving. Unless you are channeling Mother-freakin-Teresa or Bu-flippin-ddha you are going to, at some point, be angry. It happens. It's part of the grieving process. You are going to be mean. You are going to say things that are hurtful. She is no exception.
The other thing ppl complained about was the protagonist talking to her dead friend in her head. Sorry but that is an integral part of the book. It moves Jenna through her grief. It allows the reader to see what kind of relationship these two actually had.
I think for the most part it was a wonderfully successful book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is b/c a) I'm stingy b) I gagged at many of the food selections. =)
Several said they couldn't get into it, yea, I've been guilty of that in the past, but I didn't realize until I was 1/2 way through it that I was 1/2 way through it. It held my attention.
Others said they thought the protagonist was mean. She was. But she saw the light. Basically she lost her soulmate. Her world has upended & she is grieving. Unless you are channeling Mother-freakin-Teresa or Bu-flippin-ddha you are going to, at some point, be angry. It happens. It's part of the grieving process. You are going to be mean. You are going to say things that are hurtful. She is no exception.
The other thing ppl complained about was the protagonist talking to her dead friend in her head. Sorry but that is an integral part of the book. It moves Jenna through her grief. It allows the reader to see what kind of relationship these two actually had.
I think for the most part it was a wonderfully successful book. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is b/c a) I'm stingy b) I gagged at many of the food selections. =)
November 22, 2015
I've never read this author before, but heard many great things. After reading Out to Lunch in two days, I agree with everything I heard. This book had it all - humor, heartache, romance, friendship, dogs, even recipes! Perhaps it was because I'm still grieving the death of my own best friend, but there were so many lines in this book that had me choking back my tears and nodding in agreement. I especially loved the "conversations" between Jenna and Aimee - I hear my BFF's voice in my head all of the time, too! I suspected how the love story would turn out but I thought it was incredibly sweet - a great slow burn. Jenna was a character to root for - she was far from perfect, but she had a big heart. Finally, I loved all of the comic com references to Buffy, Firefly, the Avengers etc. I will absolutely read this author again.
Warning - do not read this book if you are hungry unless you have a fully stocked refrigerator!
Warning - do not read this book if you are hungry unless you have a fully stocked refrigerator!
June 5, 2016
Jenna has just lost her best friend Aimee to a disease. Aimee was basically the most significant person in her world. They had went to college together, started a business together and shared every little detail with each other.
This leaves Jenna reeling. She has had three years to prepare but it still hurts. And as a parting gift Aimee has left Jenna in charge of her man child husband Wayne's finances to make sure he doesn't blow all his money on his get rich schemes. Jenna is none to happy about this. But between therapy, a crazy new Hooch type dog and her conversations with Aimee in her head she learns to heal and even begin to see Wayne as not so bad after all!
I really really liked this book!! It had me laughing out loud one minute and tearing up the next. It was not your traditional Chick Lit book and I really appreciated that.
This leaves Jenna reeling. She has had three years to prepare but it still hurts. And as a parting gift Aimee has left Jenna in charge of her man child husband Wayne's finances to make sure he doesn't blow all his money on his get rich schemes. Jenna is none to happy about this. But between therapy, a crazy new Hooch type dog and her conversations with Aimee in her head she learns to heal and even begin to see Wayne as not so bad after all!
I really really liked this book!! It had me laughing out loud one minute and tearing up the next. It was not your traditional Chick Lit book and I really appreciated that.
February 16, 2014
I ask myself that question each and every time I read a Stacey Ballis book� I can't help falling in love with all the characters that she creates. They are so real and relatable! As you turn the pages they become your friends. You truly care about them�. Out to Lunch made me laugh (a lot) cry (a little) and gave me the urge to cook (oh yeah and eat). Thankfully there are recipes to go with the delicious dishes she described.
One of the best things about Out to Lunch is that other characters or as they feel "old friends" reappeared. It was great to see Alana and RJ of Off The Menu again. I am hoping that in future Stacey Ballis books we get to see Jenna and Elliot again�. Because I already miss them�.
One of the best things about Out to Lunch is that other characters or as they feel "old friends" reappeared. It was great to see Alana and RJ of Off The Menu again. I am hoping that in future Stacey Ballis books we get to see Jenna and Elliot again�. Because I already miss them�.
May 23, 2017
I must say that was not my favorite book by . I almost gave up on it several times within the first 50 pages and really made myself stick it out to page 100. Then, something happened. I began to like the main character Jenna; Chewbacca was introduced to the story; the action picked up. After I finished the book and before I wrote this review, I realized that the plot is much like Wayne: very frustrating at first and then begins to grow on you until you realize that there is some real substance underneath the geeky exterior.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
June 9, 2015
3.5 stars. This book started slowly for me. It took awhile for me to connect with the characters, so reading was less pleasurable and more like homework. But then, about 30% in, I found myself doing dishes and wondering about Jenna and Wayne and the pups. The story picked up and I found myself really enjoying it.
I got this book from the library, do I don't know if it was self-published or not, but there were quite a few glaring editing errors that I don't normally see in mass publications. They are the reason why I was unwilling to give this guy a 4.
I got this book from the library, do I don't know if it was self-published or not, but there were quite a few glaring editing errors that I don't normally see in mass publications. They are the reason why I was unwilling to give this guy a 4.
February 6, 2014
I think this is, hands down, the most brilliant, perfect bit of chick lit I've read in a long time. I loved the way everything came together, and the concept wasn't one that felt old, overdone or tired to me. I didn't feel like things were predictable and I enjoyed every word of it! There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, and my husband even caught me whispering "Oh, no..." at one point.
July 27, 2016
One of the main characters in this tale is deceased, but the reader is still entertained by her humor, insight, & bluntness. Throughout the story she speaks to the narrator, but not in a weird ghostly manner; it is more of a BFF knowing what her friend would think and say. I enjoyed the characters & their growth as the story weaves its way to a satisfying, if predictable, ending.
January 28, 2015
Total chic lit. Made for a great weekend read (especially bc on $3 on Amazon). I cannot image what I'd do in Jenna's position. I loved her relationship w/ Wayne & the rest of her crew. I learned a lot about food too. A very tough book to read w/out eating!
December 15, 2013
Light easy read. Lots of food, which I like, lots of dogs, which I don't. This author is a lot like Jen Lancaster, but without the potty mouth.
August 29, 2016
Love the mix of food into the story
July 8, 2019
A relative gave me this book for Christmas. This summer, I wanted a mindless book to read by the pool and at the beach, and with this book, that’s exactly what I got. Mindless. The writing is fairly horrible. I agree with what other reviewers said about wanting to like the characters but not being able to like them. The dialogue, especially between the main character and her therapist was largely a painful experience. I also agree with other reviewers� comments on the editing. There would be random punctuation mid-sentence. So many strange style choices. The best thing about this book is the descriptions of the food, but if you’re writing a novel about a grieving woman and the review says “the stuff about the food was good�, obviously something missed the mark. Throughout the book Baliss gives these restaurant reviews that are thinly veiled as narration, but what I found funny is that many of the referenced restaurants (EL Ideas and Kuma, to name two) in Chicago were recently featured on a Best Of episode of “Check Please� which is a restaurant review show on the PBS station out of Chicago. It seems crazy coincidental. The general plot line was pretty unrealistic and the moment the main character went to the comic book store, I figured out a likely plot twist. And yep, I was right. I didn’t think this was the least bit “funny, sparkling, witty� or any other adjective that appears on the book jacket. This was not great. I had just enough patience with it to finish it. If I’m gifted another of this author’s books, it will go straight into the garage sale pile. I won’t waste my time again.
April 26, 2019
I loved this book! I found it when looking for a book to fit a challenge and I'm so happy I read it. Jenna's best friend, Aimee, recently died and Jenna is struggling to find her way without the person she's been closer to than anyone else in the world. The two had run an event planning business together but had sold it several years before Aimee got sick - now Jenna is wealthy but floundering with too much time and no purpose. Then, she learns of a request from Aimee, to take custody of Aimee's husband, Wayne, and help him for a year. Jenna has never liked Wayne and didn't understand what Aimee saw in him. But she can't dismiss Aimee's last wish, so agrees to the request. At the same time, the hot attorney who has been handling their business for years expresses an interest in Aimee and they start dating. These events put Jenna on a journey she never expected, learning to look at people in different ways and opening her heart and mind. With Wayne's disasters, a new puppy, getting to know a group of geeks and Aimee talking to Jenna regularly, her life certainly is no longer dull! I loved how Jenna was able to change her way of thinking about Wayne and his friends and I adored the dogs in this story. I'm not a foodie myself, so many of the dishes described did nothing for me (although there were a few that sounded yummy) and there are recipes at the end of the book. I'm really looking forward to reading more books by this author.
November 20, 2021
This book had me laughing out loud (literally) during some parts of it. It started with a heartbreaker, but through out the book, Aimee (even though she is dead) continues to talk to Jenna. They have been inseparable since their college freshman year when they were random roommates. They grew up, started a business together, and became millionaires together. After Aimee's untimely death (which isn't a big part of the book), she wills her geeky, awkward husband to Jenna for 1 year to make sure Wayne watches his money and doesn't spend it on hair-brained ideas. Jenna never thought Wayne was good enough for Aimee, and has a strong dislike to him. Throughout the book, I started cheering for Wayne...and Jenna. In the end, it all comes together very neatly and somewhat expected. Oh, and another good thing about the book: there are recipes in the back of some of the dishes that are mentioned throughout the book.
I won this book through a giveaway, and was not disappointed. I will definitely be reading more from Stacey Ballis.
I won this book through a giveaway, and was not disappointed. I will definitely be reading more from Stacey Ballis.
January 11, 2018
I loved the characters in this book, and the relationships that defined them. It really made me want to have the type of friendships that Jenna had; friendships that were pure, with depth, heart, and a whole lot of delicious food. The book started out with Jenna having just lost her best friend and business partner, Aimee. As stated in Aimee's will, Jenna is in charge of her husband, Wayne, in terms of financial limitations. At first, Jenna is hesitant to take on Wayne, especially since he comes off as a clumsy and outspoken individual. However, as the book goes on, Jenna sees why Aimee fell in love with Wayne, and the two begin to form a bond that is beautiful in all of the right ways. In the meantime, Jenna falls in and out of love with Brian, then moves towards Elliot, whom I was routing for the entire time; what a sweetheart he was! I loved how Jenna and Elliot meshed so well together, and the food that they cooked for each other made me want to eat all of the time when reading this book! I felt that this book had character, warming my heart with each read. I loved all of the recipes that were included at the back of the book, such a wonderful addition!
January 29, 2018
I'd consider this chick lit at it's best. Meaning, yes it's female skewed, but it's a good story too. Some romance, but not that much. It may make you drool (since the main character is a chef/cook and food plays a big part in the story) and some yummy recipes are included. (I'm happy that there were several that I could try seeing that I have good allergies.)
This is the first novel that I've read by Stacey Ballis, but it certainly won't be the last. (Just hope she is able to live up to this one!)
This is the first novel that I've read by Stacey Ballis, but it certainly won't be the last. (Just hope she is able to live up to this one!)
August 7, 2023
Another book that has a grief/dealing with loss thread running through, that I purchased years ago and never read, that sat on my On Deck shelf for years, and now have read as I continue to grieve. I mean, really? Does every book on that shelf have a grief connection? Because it sure seems like they do.
This one is good. I like the characters, and their attitudes, and the author’s tone. As Jenna does with Aimee, I talk to Steve all the time, too, although I sure wish I heard his voice as clearly as she hears Aimee’s. Well written, funny, touching, relatable. A good read.
This one is good. I like the characters, and their attitudes, and the author’s tone. As Jenna does with Aimee, I talk to Steve all the time, too, although I sure wish I heard his voice as clearly as she hears Aimee’s. Well written, funny, touching, relatable. A good read.
June 5, 2017
Satisfying as a good meal
There's no wasted space in Stacey's books. They are eventful and appetizing from beginning to end. The recipes at the end of the book are fun. I have two comments: I'd like it if the author stayed with the story for a little while longer after the climax. The book itself ended at eighty six percent of the length of the book, and I expected and wanted it to be longer.
There's no wasted space in Stacey's books. They are eventful and appetizing from beginning to end. The recipes at the end of the book are fun. I have two comments: I'd like it if the author stayed with the story for a little while longer after the climax. The book itself ended at eighty six percent of the length of the book, and I expected and wanted it to be longer.
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