Scan barcode
cmby's review against another edition
5.0
Heartwarming historical fiction that celebrates the best things in life--food, friendship, and open hearts. Set in 1960s America, this epistolary novel shares the story of two women, Joan and Immy, as they navigate an era of cultural & societal change through a shared love of food, writing, and sharing their favorite recipes. A sweet and gentle story that just may inspire you to cook up something new!
luluread's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
aforeman's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
taniemaree's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
sryoung's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
aksmith92's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cheers to a cute little palette cleanser (kinda?!).
The setup: The book opens with Joan Bergstrom sending fan mail to Imogen Fortier, a 59-year-old woman who writes a monthly column for Pacific Northwest magazine. Imogen lives on Camano Island in Washington outside of Seattle and has lovely things to say about the water, sunset, and oysters. Joan loves this, as she is an aspiring journalist, so she takes it upon herself to write a letter to Imogen with a bit of gift: saffron.
From there, Imogen and Joan begin a beautiful friendship—mainly through wonderful letters back and forth. The letters start in the year 1962, so in their beginning letters, as they get to know each other, we see them grapple with some women's issues, Kennedy's assassination, and the civil rights movement. As their friendship deepens, we see them writing secrets and tales they haven't told anyone. However, their letters mainly include recipes and other foods worth trying. Joan talks about Saffron, and Imogen talks about oysters. Joan takes an interest in local Mexican cuisine since she lives and works in Los Angeles, and she sends the recipes to Imogen for her to try. Imogen loves them all and even shares with Joan that her husband is interested in cooking because of the recipes (WILD for the early 1960s, am I right?!).
We walk through Joan and Imogen's few years together and see a lovely friendship form between two women you likely wouldn't have thought of: a 27-year-old city-loving woman and a 59-year-old columnist who loves her tiny island home.
What I loved: What a great premise! To write a book solely (well, 98%) in letter form was a great take. I'm sure it's been done before, but I haven't read anything like it. Somehow, even though it was just through letters, I felt the relationship and friendship between Joan and Imogen while still learning about them individually. It was fantastic to see the historical complexities of the time weaved in (although brief since this was a short-ish book) and how those impacted the two women. We watched them overcome various challenges, obstacles, and heartache. This was such a cute read, and I loved the recipes involved. Make sure to read the book's ending for a course meal to try! It simply was a feel-good story about an unconventional friendship.
What would have made it five stars? I think we missed some critical individual character development for Imogen. It felt like the story began to focus on Francis, her husband, which I could appreciate for the time, but I wanted more about her. I think we got that with Joan, but then Imogen became a little "parent-y" regarding Joan's life. It wasn't a big deal, but I walked away wanting more from Imogen's character. Thankfully, in the end, we got to read a column from the Pacific Northwest that Imogen wrote, which was nice! This takes place in the 1960s, so there was an element of historical context to this for sure, but I did find it a bit odd that two white women were constantly talking about Mexican food and food from other countries and then somehow profiting from it through their jobs. I wish that were fleshed out more to talk about that irony.
Regardless, this was a cute read, albeit the ending is sad.
The setup: The book opens with Joan Bergstrom sending fan mail to Imogen Fortier, a 59-year-old woman who writes a monthly column for Pacific Northwest magazine. Imogen lives on Camano Island in Washington outside of Seattle and has lovely things to say about the water, sunset, and oysters. Joan loves this, as she is an aspiring journalist, so she takes it upon herself to write a letter to Imogen with a bit of gift: saffron.
From there, Imogen and Joan begin a beautiful friendship—mainly through wonderful letters back and forth. The letters start in the year 1962, so in their beginning letters, as they get to know each other, we see them grapple with some women's issues, Kennedy's assassination, and the civil rights movement. As their friendship deepens, we see them writing secrets and tales they haven't told anyone. However, their letters mainly include recipes and other foods worth trying. Joan talks about Saffron, and Imogen talks about oysters. Joan takes an interest in local Mexican cuisine since she lives and works in Los Angeles, and she sends the recipes to Imogen for her to try. Imogen loves them all and even shares with Joan that her husband is interested in cooking because of the recipes (WILD for the early 1960s, am I right?!).
We walk through Joan and Imogen's few years together and see a lovely friendship form between two women you likely wouldn't have thought of: a 27-year-old city-loving woman and a 59-year-old columnist who loves her tiny island home.
What I loved: What a great premise! To write a book solely (well, 98%) in letter form was a great take. I'm sure it's been done before, but I haven't read anything like it. Somehow, even though it was just through letters, I felt the relationship and friendship between Joan and Imogen while still learning about them individually. It was fantastic to see the historical complexities of the time weaved in (although brief since this was a short-ish book) and how those impacted the two women. We watched them overcome various challenges, obstacles, and heartache. This was such a cute read, and I loved the recipes involved. Make sure to read the book's ending for a course meal to try! It simply was a feel-good story about an unconventional friendship.
What would have made it five stars? I think we missed some critical individual character development for Imogen. It felt like the story began to focus on Francis, her husband, which I could appreciate for the time, but I wanted more about her. I think we got that with Joan, but then Imogen became a little "parent-y" regarding Joan's life. It wasn't a big deal, but I walked away wanting more from Imogen's character. Thankfully, in the end, we got to read a column from the Pacific Northwest that Imogen wrote, which was nice! This takes place in the 1960s, so there was an element of historical context to this for sure, but I did find it a bit odd that two white women were constantly talking about Mexican food and food from other countries and then somehow profiting from it through their jobs. I wish that were fleshed out more to talk about that irony.
Regardless, this was a cute read, albeit the ending is sad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Cancer, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Sexism and Misogyny
Abortion is not completed but implied/talked about.alayna017's review against another edition
5.0
Such a beautiful book, such a great way to spend my time. This book of friendship was wonderful! I love the exploration of a friendship by letters, a slow and steady and deliberate relationship. I love how these characters were in each other’s lives and how both of them immediately wanted to write the other when something significant happened in their lives. If you get a chance, read this one and read it again. I know I will!
whitneymouse's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Read for book club. The book was short and the friendship aspect was well written but the RACISM. The antifeminism. The whole thing was just yikes after yikes. Extra uncomfy as a biracial person listening to them moan about having a biracial child or their interracial relationship. I understand it was the 60s, but so much of this was a yikes for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Racism and Terminal illness
Minor: Death and Misogyny
iffer's review against another edition
3.5
As both a lover of food, and a letter writer who has made lifelong friends through pen palling (oftentimes discussing food), this gave me warm and fuzzy feelings. The one detraction is that I had to suspend my disbelief about the anachronistically progressive nature of the characters. The characters are based on real people, and there were undoubtedly people during the 60s who held their inclusive beliefs, but this also felt like a book about Good WW. It's as though this was written so that (WW) readers could imagine themselves being open-minded during the 60s, while still living a fictionally idealized version of the time period.
hellay's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5