Mistletoe On Main Street by Olivia Miles

 

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The Gist:

Returning home for Christmas, Grace is full of trepidation.  She left her small-town home in Briar Creek five years ago to pursue her dream of being a writer, and stayed away to avoid the man that she left behind.  This Christmas is her family’s first without her dad, and, as long as she can avoid Luke Hastings, she is excited to revisit her dad’s bookstore and spend a picture perfect Christmas with her mom and sisters.

Of course fate has other plans for her.  The show home that her mom always creates for the holidays is bare, her sisters are each battling their own demons, the bookstore that always meant so much to her is closed, and soon to be gone, and Luke seems be there every time she turns around.

Since her latest book was met with unfavorable reviews, and she had ended her comfortable relationship with her fiancé in New York, Grace decides that it is up to her to restore the bookstore, and help her family get back into the spirit of Christmas.  As the snow falls and the town glistens with the lights of the season, it might just be possible for Grace to discover where she was always meant to be, and who was always meant to be hers.

What I Thought:

           

      As an avid reader of books, who favors Christmas storylines, it seems to take a lot to impress me these days.  A Christmas romance needs to not only tell a great story, but also leave a reader with that beautiful hot-cocoa-in-front-of-the-fire warmth and a quiet smile as the book is closed.  This story does just that!

      This was my first opportunity to read an Olivia Miles story, and I was thoroughly impressed.  Miss Miles was able to combine the magic of Christmas, the comfort of a small town, and the electricity of two people fighting the fact that they are truly meant to be.  I honestly loved every aspect of this story from the characters, to the setting, to the themes, but my favorite part was how the author chose to tell the story.

      Miss Miles does not give readers the whole story in order.  She leaves gaps in the pasts of the characters, but expertly answers all questions in the most smooth and satisfying way.  I cannot remember the last time I read a novel in which every question that I wondered throughout reading was tied up in such a pretty bow by the end of the experience.

      If you are looking for the perfect holiday read, that will put you right in the Christmas spirit, pick up Mistletoe on Main Street.  I personally cannot wait for the next installment of the series to learn more about the Madison and Hastings families!

The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane by Sheila Roberts

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The Gist:

      After her dreams of catering for the stars are shattered by a fake food poisoning, and tons of bad publicity, Bailey Sterling returns home to Icicle Falls to figure out a new path for her life.

Living with her sister Cecily seems to be a perfect fit for her to lick her wounds and come up with a plan, until that plan involves Todd Black (one of the men that Cecily has recently begun dating).

      As life begins to fall into place for Bailey, setting up a tea shop in her hometown with the help and financial backing of Todd, questions and complications arise as to who is meant to be with whom.  Cecily gets along great with single-dad and long-time friend Luke, but with Todd the sparks are as big as fireworks. While working together Bailey and Todd fall into a comfortable and amazing platonic (although flirtatious) relationship, leaving her wondering about what could be.

      Life has a way of working out, and soul mates will eventually figure it out.  In Icicle Falls, each relationship will grow and change to meet the perfection that we all wish for.

What I Thought:

      I LOVE THIS SERIES!  If you are a fan of good, happy stories that draw you in, introduce you to characters that quickly become friends, and let you return, novel after novel, to a town where you wish you could move, you should really check out the Icicle Falls series.

      The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane is no exception!  I loved the character of Bailey, as well as both of the men- which is refreshing, since so much of the time there is a good guy and a bad guy.  I am a big believer that life works out the way that it is meant to, as long as you listen to the signs, and this book fits right in with that belief.

      The battle between Bailey and Cecily was a little tough for me, but that is probably because I do not have a sister, and idealize how that relationship should go.  When these ladies are fighting, I found myself feeling conflicted as well.  I wanted to jump into the book and talk to them (bravo Miss Roberts).

      All in all, this story left me feeling content, happy and ready for the next installment.  If you are looking for a great escape into a chick-flick book, pick up The Tea Shop on Lavender Lane!

Munsch Mini-Treasury Three by Robert Munsch

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Robert Munsch is a must-read author for all parents and educators.  His stories are always extremely engaging, and funny to both children and adults.  In this treasury, readers will delight in the stories of Mortimer, Purple, Green and Yellow, Show and Tell, Something Good, and David's Father.

Mortimer fit my five-year-old daughter (aka the queen of bedtime stalling) to a tee!  She laughed hysterically as Mortimer fought bedtime, and I wondered if she noticed the correlation...  Purple, Green and Yellow and Show and Tell are two of my beginning of kindergarten read a louds, and help me to have a serious, yet funny talk about different procedures in the classroom.  Something Good and David's Father are both wonderful stories that include key character traits of material worth vs. actual worth and not judging a book by its cover.

Honestly, if you see Mr. Munsch's name on the cover of a book, you cannot go wrong, and this treasury is no exception!

Room for Love by Sophie Pembroke

 Title: Room for Love

By Sophie Pembroke

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The Gist:

Carrie Archer gets much more than she bargains for when she takes on the task of turning her grandmother’s inn (her inheritance) into a wedding destination.  Along with the outdated, falling apart building comes a group of retired senior citizens, a scattered receptionist, a single dad for a chef, and an extremely handsome gardener.

Working to prove that she can succeed single-handedly is an impossible task; luckily her group of quirky helpers are determined to help achieve Carrie’s vision.  When an opportunity to throw a big wedding for her cousin on Christmas Eve arises, this group must band together to get the job done right.

Limited funds, an ex-boss set on revenge, and the distraction of a sizzling attraction all threaten to derail Carries efforts, but with a little planning, and a lot of help, she just might find that there is always Room for Love!

What I thought:

You know those books that allow you to enter their pages, float through their chapters, and close them with a smile on your face?  That is just what you will get from this book.  It is a light, fun romance that gives many heart flutters throughout (especially the singing scene- trust me).

I really loved the character of Carrie.  Although you could see (from an outsider’s perspective) that she should gladly welcome the help of the wonderfully written seniors, I don’t think anyone among us wouldn’t battle to accomplish a task ourselves if we had been told adamantly that we could not do it by an important person in our lives.  The romance is introduced, and fought from early in the pages, making the undeniable chemistry that much sweeter. 

This is the second novel that I have read by Sophie Pembroke, and I am so happy to have discovered her for myself.  Reading her stories is like a happy vacation into a chick-flick, and what lady doesn’t need that every now and again!  This is the first novel in The Love Trilogy, and I am very excited to read more!

The Beekeeper's Ball by Susan Wiggs

 

Title: The Beekeeper’s Ball

By Susan Wiggs

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The Gist:

Isabel Johansen has decided to turn her dream into a reality, transforming a portion of her family’s estate in the Sonoma Valley into a destination cooking school.  As she is preparing for this new adventure, and planning for her half-sister’s wedding (The Beekeeper’s Ball), she is thrown for a loop by Cormac O’Neill, a journalist who came to Bella Vista to write about her grandfather’s role in WWII.

As stories of the past, and promises for the future combine with amazing food and recipes, Isabel and Cormac must decide if they can each let down their guard, and find a way to their own happy ending.

What I thought:

Susan Wiggs does it again!  I had not read the first book, The Apple Orchard, in the Bella Vista Series, but had no trouble sinking into the storyline of this novel.  Although this story reads a bit heavier than what I am use to from Ms Wiggs (Lakeshore Chronicles), it was wonderfully well written with amazing descriptions of both scenery and food.

I loved the subtlety of the character of Isabel, you could tell that she was working towards her dream by how seamlessly everything flowed.  Even when there was stress and trouble, you could see that she would come out with a hint of a smile, and probably a bee sting cake (mmmmm)!

I felt that the second story in this novel was thoroughly researched and told with the tension and seriousness that it deserved.  I found myself holding my breath quite a few times as Isabel’s grandfather told of his participation in the Danish resistance.

All in all, this was a wonderful story, beautifully written, and I cannot wait to read the first installment, and any more that are to come.

The Night Before by Luanne Rice

 

Title: The Night Before

By Susan Wiggs

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The Gist:

The night before a wedding, a big storm overtakes the Connecticut Christmas tree farm.  The extra time afforded by being woken from sleep allows Lydia Madison to reflect on a chance meeting from her past, that lead her, not only to meeting her best friend, Sara, but also, eventually, to caring for Sara’s daughter Isabel- the bride.

As family and friends pull together to clean up the damages, love leaps from the pages and envelops the reader in a family with a lot of love to share.

What I thought:

Susan Wiggs can always be counted on for vivid, emotional stories, but I have to say, I was incredibly impressed that she was able to capture such strong feelings in such few pages.  I was very excited to see Danny, from Silver Bells, reappear as the groom, and was more excited to return to Black Hall and Hubbard’s Point.

My favorite part of the story however was the emotion behind the ring of trees planted by Lydia’s parents.  Wow!  Trust me, pick up a copy of this story, and allow yourself a few minutes to escape into someone else’s life!

A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

 Title: A Fool’s Gold Christmas

By Susan Mallery

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The Gist:

After an injury forces Evie to move close to her estranged family, she figures that she will just keeps her head down while she saves up enough money, teaching dance, to move away again.  Little does she know that, in the town of Fool’s Gold, it is impossible to not become part of something much bigger than yourself.  While this Christmas obsessed, close-knit community welcomes her with open arms, her mother and brothers try to make amends for their past, and a sizzling attraction begins with her neighbor Dante, Evie must decide if she is ready to open herself up, and let people into her life.

What I thought:

I have had the pleasure of reading a few books by Susan Mallery, but this was my first Fool’s Gold novel.  This story was absolutely wonderful!  It combined so many of the things I love, dance, Christmas, involved communities, and sweet love stories, and left me with a quite smile, and a warm heart.

The characters of Evie and Dante were well written; both had deep scars from their pasts, which have them running from love.  Miss Mallery wove these characters together so intimately; in such a way that each of their individual healings could not happen without the other person.  This is not a story that explicitly describes each physical intimacy, which I appreciate, favoring more of the emotional connection of these two wonderful people.

If you like a good romantic story, full of Christmas cheer, community service, and personal healing, pick up A Fool’s Gold Christmas!

Dreamweaver Trail by Emily March

 Title: Dreamweaver Trail

By Emily March

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The Gist:

Gabi Romano is searching for a new direction in her life.  Still shaken up from a traumatizing incident from her previous career in law enforcement, she accepts a job pet sitting for a wealthy family on a Caribbean island.  While enjoying relaxing in the sun and playing with a rambunctious puppy, Gabi discovers two new passions, glass blowing and Flynn Brogan.

These newfound interests revive Gabi, bringing her back to life, but when another violent situation shakes this new bliss, and secrets are uncovered, Gabi and Flynn must decide if the possibilities that this new relationship holds would be able to heal the old wounds that need to be opened up.

What I thought:

I LOVE this series!!  Book after book leaves me feeling warm and happy, and this new installment is no different.  Miss March has an amazing gift to transport readers to each setting used with her flowing descriptions and relatable characters.  In this story, the trip to the beach was exactly what I needed!

Following Gabi through learning how to blow glass to exploring the neighboring islands with her handsome neighbor put me in a happy vacation-daze.  This book, however, spiced up the rom-com norm with some intense suspense.  I was glued to the pages, and unable to stop reading because I had to see how everything turned out.

Gabi is the definition of a strong woman who is brave enough to drop everything to find her true passion, and will not hesitate to fight for what she wants.  I really appreciated seeing a woman drop a life that was not feeling right, and taking time to discover what she really wants, and I loved taking this journey with her.

If you are looking for a good book with a lot of heart and suspense, pick up Dreamweaver Trail on May 27, 2014.

The Kissing Bridge

 

Title: The Kissing Bridge

By Tricia Goyer

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The Gist:

Rebecca has everything she needs to begin following her calling of becoming a nurse.  The problem is that Amish women are not suppose to following any calling other than being a wife and a mother.  But when the time comes, she leaves a note for her family, and walks away from the life that she’s know to continue her education.

On her way to Oregon, Rebecca decides to make a stop in Montana to visit a friend of hers that had left the Amish for love.  Little did she think that she would get her own shot at love in the form of risk taking Amishman Caleb. 

A trip into the wilderness reveals that there is also more to Caleb than meets the eye.  Only time, and this story, will tell if these two young people, hanging by the fringes of being Amish are really meant to be together.   

What I thought:

This story was very enjoyable.  It moved quickly, and smoothly, taking readers along on the love story of Caleb and Rebecca.  The characters introduced in Montana were wonderfully introduced, and I was very happy to find out that I will be able to return to this happy little town since this book is a part of a series!

I love reading Amish fiction, and this story had an angle that I hadn’t read before, with Rebecca wanting to keep being Amish, but needing to become a nurse.  The love story between her and Caleb was written exquisitely.  I always judge a love story by if it makes me smile, and this novel pasted that test with flying colors.

My only critique is that I felt the writing got a little flustered in the middle when Caleb and Rebecca were trying to weed through each other’s lies and omissions.  They seemed to be pretty wishy-washy with each other going from lust, to disgust, and straight back to puppy love in a very short time.

All in all, I very much enjoyed this story, and look forward to reading more of the stories in the Seven Brides for Seven Bachelors series.

The Here and Now

 Title: The Here and Now

By Ann Brashares

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The Gist:

In the far future, our world is ravaged by horrible illness spread by mosquitoes.  As people begin dying quickly, a group of citizens discover a way to travel through time to our present time.  In order to avoid detection, the leaders of the time travelers set up a set of very strict, and important rules that everyone must repeat often, and obey always.  At the top of the list, do not become intimate with a time-native.

A hard rule to follow for 17-year-old travel Prenna James, who has, for the past five years, had an undeniable connection with her schoolmate Ethan Jarves.  When the two are thrown together in an attempt to change the future that Prenna knows is coming, the two must decide if their connection is worth the risk that the travelers warn of.

What I thought:

This story is very imaginative, and full of suspense.  The premise really makes you think; it is always interesting to read about possibilities of a future world, especially when the author is able to lead readers on the path from present day to the future in their story while answering many questions about how the changes occur.

I enjoyed the speed at which the story moved, and I was truly interested to see how things would turn out.  I’m not going to lie- there were a couple of parts that I had to revisit to fully understand what was going on- sometimes the lines between present and future were a little blurred.  The organization of the time travelers, and the lengths that the leaders felt they needed to go to to maintain their cover was very well thought out and interesting.

I loved the characters that were introduced in this story, but I wish that a little more time had been spent on the development of the feelings between Ethan and Prenna, I’m just a love story kind of gal.  I wanted to feel the spark and watch it get stronger and stronger as the two worked together.  That being said, the relationship did seem genuine enough to make me want to know what happens next with these two characters.

All in all, if you are looking for a fast paced, interesting read full of suspense, thought, and a touch of romance, pick up The Here and Now.

Blossom Street Brides

 Title: Blossom Street Brides

By Debbie Macomber

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The Gist:

When Lauren receives the news that her younger sister is pregnant, she cannot help but feel a sting.  She has been with her boyfriend, a guy who is everything that she thought she wanted, for years, but is no closer to the alter.  As she begins to brainstorm the qualities that are actually important for her future husband to exhibit, she is forced to decide if the guy she’s with is truly what she wants.

Bethanne is head-over-heels in love with her second husband Max, but the stresses of working in different states are only exacerbated by a meddling ex-husband and a daughter that still dreams of her parents getting back together.  In search of a compromise, this couple must decide what they can live without in order to finally live together.

Lydia is a happily married mother of two who is living her dream of running a yarn shop on Blossom Street, a place where women come to talk, listen and knit.  The finances of the shop are looking dire, until baskets, with an open invitation to knit begin showing up all over town.  Suddenly A Good Yarn is generating buzz and turning a profit, but who is to thank?

What I thought:

This was a great feel-good read.  I have not read any of the other Blossom Street novels, but I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber.  This story will whisk you away to Seattle where you will find yourself dreaming of the one with Lauren, holding tight with Bethanne, and following a passion with Lydia.  All the while you will have a smile on your face as you flip page after page to find out how everything will turn out for these women.

Miss Macomber did an absolutely wonderful job of blending three entirely different storylines together into one cohesive novel.  I enjoyed how the women appeared and helped each other get to the point of resolution.  I never once felt that the writing jumped to quickly or that it left any loose ends untied.   

If you are looking for a good love story full of romantic gestures, family drama (and resolution), a little knitting, and a great group of friends, check out Blossom Street Brides.

Cassidy Lane

Title: Cassidy Lane

By Maria Murnane

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The Gist:

Although Cassidy Lane walks in to her twenty year high school reunion a successful author of a number of novels, she can’t help but feeling like the same old straight-A student that was never asked to the prom.  That is until Brandon Forrester, a man with striking grey eyes, who she doesn’t even remember from her past, takes an interest in her. 

The two embark on a virtual relationship (since they are living on opposite coasts) that brings about all of the feelings that were normally reserved for the pages of Cassidy’s books.  As Cassidy struggles with her current novel, and Brandon struggles with a bad run of luck in his family, Cassidy must figure out not only what kind of author she is to become, but also what path she should take to her own personal happily ever after.

What I thought:

Beautiful!  This was a wonderfully written story that had a unique quality that touched my heart, and made me smile.  The character of Cassidy is impossible not to like, and hope for, and her collection of friends and family are so real to life that you will feel as though you truly know them.

This story flows so smoothly from beginning to end, making it easy to get lost in Cassidy’s life.  I appreciated that this wasn’t the typical chick-flick storyline of boy meets girl, boy and girl fight, boy and girl fall in love and live happily ever after.  This novel will hold your heart, break your heart, and put it back together, leaving you with hope!

As wonderful as the entire story is, this novel is entirely made by its ending.  I won’t spoil it for you, but I do not believe that an ending has had such a profound effect on me... ever!  I can only hope that Miss Murnane will continue with this character, because I cannot wait to read more!

The Chase by Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

 Title: The Chase

By Janet Evanovich and Lee Goldberg

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The Gist:

The unlikely pair of world-class con man Nick Fox, and special agent Kate O’Hare team up again, this time in a matter of national security.  Their target- former White House chief of staff Carter Grove, who now heads up an elite security agency staffed by ruthless assassins.  Their mission- to re-steal a piece of art that had been promised to the Chinese, and could squash goodwill between the countries if the original theft was ever discovered.

      Kate and Nick battle the clock in an attempt to steal back the art, switch it with the replica, and keep their lives while this mission takes them from Washington D.C., to Scotland, to Shainghai.  Little do they know that this heist is only the beginning of the chase in the bigger goal of taking down one of the most powerful men, and unknown thieves, in the United States.

What I thought:

The Chase was a wonderfully suspenseful read that will grab you from the first chapter straight through the last.  The twists and turns developed by this team of authors keeps readers wondering how everything will work out, which, in turn, keeps you turning pages far longer than you will plan to. 

This is the second book in a five part series.  I had not read The Heist (book one), but I had no trouble sinking straight in to this story.  That being said, I have already downloaded the first book so that I can keep reading about Nick and Kate.

The characters were written wonderfully, Kate was strong, independent, and smart while Nick was crafty, charming, and surprisingly caring.  The attraction between these two characters crackles throughout this edition, but never comes to a full spark- which I appreciate.  I think that relationships (even in books) that build over time are far more believable and satisfying.

If you are looking for a deep, intellectual thriller, this is probably not the book for you, however if you want to take a easy and entertaining ride through a story that will keep you flipping pages long into the night, pick up The Chase.

Franklin's Day With Dad

 

Title: Franklin’s Day With Dad

By Caitlin Drake Smith (adapter)

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The Gist:

When Franklin swings by his friend Fox’s house to see if he wants to play, he find out about the wonderful idea of a day with dad.  He immediately begins planning many fun activities that he and his dad could do together.

But when problems arise with the turtles’ friends, Franklin wonders how he will ever get his “day with dad.”

What I thought:

Don’t you just love Franklin books?  If you haven’t yet met this young turtle, trust me, your child (and you) will love him.  The illustrations in this book are absolutely beautiful, they are big, colorful, and really enhance the happy mood of the story.

The theme of this story is absolutely perfect for young children.  So often it seems that children have one idea in there head of how things need to go, and it is hard for them to realize that, with the right attitude, any activity can be pleasurable.  Quality time together is the focus here, and helping friends is rewarded both extrinsically and intrinsically.

My four-year-old daughter loved this story (we had to read it three times in the first day!), and she has already started asking for her very own “day with dad.”

Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Bella Andre

Title: Kissing Under the Mistletoe

By Bella Andre

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The Gist:

While decorating the tree in anticipation of her grown children’s arrivals for the holidays, Mary Sullivan lets her mind wander back in time to her own love story with her late husband Jack.  As the snow falls, she relives the initial spark that she felt when she first set eyes on the man that was to be hers, as well as the doubt that plagued her, the undeniable pull that wouldn’t let her go, and some very memorable kisses under the mistletoe.

What I thought:

I have heard about the Sullivan books before, but this was my first read in the series.  Let me tell you, I started with the right book!  I really like the idea of beginning with the love story of the parents, and then finding out how their influence affected their children’s love stories.

I knew that I was going to love this story from the prologue, and I’m sure that if you are a mom like me, who loves a warm happy story, you would agree that watching this mom unwrap Christmas ornaments and remembering Christmases past really hits home, but it was the last line that gave me that “wow” feeling... “And as Mary closed her eyes to savor her memories of falling in love with Jack Sullivan, the first snowflakes of winter began to fall...” (Andre, location 146)

This story was the absolute perfect example of love at first sight, and two people who were completely meant to be.  You could feel the sizzle right through the pages, even without the bedroom scenes.  I appreciated that even though these two people were made for each other, they still had to overcome insecurities from the past, as well as doubts because everything seemed too perfect. 

This story takes readers from California to Italy on a journey of true love that made not only a couple, but a family.  I am excited to return to the Sullivan’s and meet the children of Jack and Mary.  With an example like this couple, I’m sure that there is much more love in those pages. 

Evening Stars by Susan Mallery

 

Title: Evening Stars

By Susan Mallery

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The Gist:

Nina has always been in charge.  She gave up her childhood to raise her sister, Averil, gave up her dreams so that Averil could have a chance at her own, and continued living with, and taking care of her mom instead of taking a chance at her own life.  Then everything changes.  Two men from Nina’s past come back into her life, both interested in pursuing a relationship with her, Averil takes a break from her husband and winds up back in Washington living in the family house, and the girls’ mom makes a discovery that could turn out to mend the family’s money problems, and help to fulfill all of their dreams for the future.

Now Nina needs to figure out if she can let go of control in her family for a chance to find the person that she truly wants to be, as opposed to the person that she feels obligated to be.

What I thought:

This was my first visit to Blackberry Island, but it definitely won’t be my last.  I enjoyed meeting the Wentworth family, and the Washington island/ small town setting was perfect for this story.  The characters were very well written, and Miss Mallery did a wonderful job switching between the different storylines seamlessly.

I related very well to the character of Nina, and her journey from trying to take care of everything for everyone to figuring out that she can let go in order to find her own happiness.  It’s funny how it takes reading about a character similar to yourself to realize that you might want to make some of the same changes. 

The character of Averil was harder for me to relate to, but that did not make her any less likable.  I did have a few problems with her until I realized that perhaps Nina’s attempted help was coming across as controlling and putting unintentional pressure upon the younger sister.

My favorite part of this story however was the love story.  I enjoyed seeing how Nina’s confidence grew with these two men’s interest in her, and I really appreciated how there wasn’t a bad guy, forcing Nina to choose based solely on her heart.  The love that grows is a beautiful slow deep connection that I don’t see a lot in books.

This novel was wonderfully written, full of family, love, and even a few margaritas.  I have already purchased the other Blackberry Island books, and cannot wait to return and see what else Miss Mallery has in store!

The Madhouse Cookbook

 

Title: The Madhouse Cookbook

By Jo Pratt

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The Gist:

This is a cookbook written by a British Food Host, and mother, with the intension of giving mom’s an easy way to cook good, healthy meals for their children, husbands, and even friends.  The book is split into three chapters, “Monday to Friday Survival,” “Busy Weekends,” and “Cling to Your Social Life.  It includes recipes for breakfast, lunch, dinner, desserts, and drinks.

What I thought:

 This is a wonderful concept for a cookbook!  As a mom of two little ones, I am constantly looking for ways to simplify meal preparation without sacrificing quality and taste.  Unfortunately, this was not the cookbook for me.  Perhaps it is because the author is British, or maybe my family just has much simpler taste, but most of the recipes in this book did not appeal to me...

For the sake of argument, I wrote out ingredients for a couple of recipes that had a few ingredients that I had never heard of, and was actually unable to find them in our small town grocery store.  There were a couple of recipes that I tried, that were big hits with my family, including the Broccoli, Mushroom and Parmesan Gnocchi, the Simple slow-roast Chicken dinner, and the Hot Fudge sauce (if you can find golden syrup)- yum!

Miss Pratt’s recipes are easy to follow, and it is very evident that she is a wonderful cook, it is just simply not my cup of tea (please excuse the pun).  If your family has an experimental palate, and you live in a place with access to a wide selection of grocery ingredients, you would probably get a lot of use out of this cookbook!