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alenezela99's review
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Rape
yetanotherbookstagram's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to love this one because Persuasion is my favorite Austen novel and one of my favorite books ever but this one can only barely be called a retelling or a reimagining. A romantic-comedy light on the comedy, there were some heavy topics in here that I wasn't expecting (marital rape; suicide; alcoholism).
Ashna, a chef, agrees to join a show on the Food Network to try to win the prize money that will save her restaurant. Rico is the soccer star, newly retired due to injury and Ashna's high school love, who is assigned as her celebrity partner on the show. Sparks fly, old wounds resurface, etc. There's a side plot of flashbacks revolving around Ashna's mother.
I really disliked the glorification of Ashna and Rico's past relationship and how they were all they would ever need and basically relied upon one another as the only relationship to give them love and support, in a way that honestly screamed "unhealthy". Ashna had some stuff to work through but she didn't need Rico coming back to fix her problems, she needed to go to therapy. Their complete inability to move on from one another was supposed to be romantic but I found it disappointing.
Why was there no Louisa Musgrove and her family? Why were there no allusions to Persuasion other than making this a second-chance romance and an oddly placed quote 3/4 of the way in? For all of the focus on Ashna and her knack for creating tea blends, did the judges not even mention the tea she made for the show finale? So many questions.
Ashna, a chef, agrees to join a show on the Food Network to try to win the prize money that will save her restaurant. Rico is the soccer star, newly retired due to injury and Ashna's high school love, who is assigned as her celebrity partner on the show. Sparks fly, old wounds resurface, etc. There's a side plot of flashbacks revolving around Ashna's mother.
I really disliked the glorification of Ashna and Rico's past relationship and how they were all they would ever need and basically relied upon one another as the only relationship to give them love and support, in a way that honestly screamed "unhealthy". Ashna had some stuff to work through but she didn't need Rico coming back to fix her problems, she needed to go to therapy. Their complete inability to move on from one another was supposed to be romantic but I found it disappointing.
Why was there no Louisa Musgrove and her family? Why were there no allusions to Persuasion other than making this a second-chance romance and an oddly placed quote 3/4 of the way in? For all of the focus on Ashna and her knack for creating tea blends, did the judges not even mention the tea she made for the show finale? So many questions.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Alcoholism
roselaina's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Um...romantic comedy? Did the publishers actually read this book?
Another good book that suffers from poor marketing. It's no wonder Recipe for Persuasion doesn't have a great star rating. If you go into this book expecting the light, fluffy romcom the blurb promises, you're going to emerge disappointed.
It tackles a lot of heavy issues. There are some lighthearted moments, but I certainly would never call it a comedy. And the romance takes a back seat to the main story about Ashna, her family, and dealing with anxiety and the repercussions of the past. Her mother, Shobi, also becomes an unexpected focus, which I found jarring at first but wound up really enjoying.
This is not a romance novel. It is a novel about family, trauma, societal expectations, and love in many forms. It is loosely inspired by Persuasion - and even includes a cheeky reference - but it is its own story.
Another good book that suffers from poor marketing. It's no wonder Recipe for Persuasion doesn't have a great star rating. If you go into this book expecting the light, fluffy romcom the blurb promises, you're going to emerge disappointed.
It tackles a lot of heavy issues. There are some lighthearted moments, but I certainly would never call it a comedy. And the romance takes a back seat to the main story about Ashna, her family, and dealing with anxiety and the repercussions of the past. Her mother, Shobi, also becomes an unexpected focus, which I found jarring at first but wound up really enjoying.
This is not a romance novel. It is a novel about family, trauma, societal expectations, and love in many forms. It is loosely inspired by Persuasion - and even includes a cheeky reference - but it is its own story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Rape
kchambs's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, and Suicide
kizzie982's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you're an Austen fan, check out this series!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicide
Minor: Rape
shelbo's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Alcoholism
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Abortion
taliabasma's review
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Ash Ana and Rico are pretty cute for a second chance romance but I don’t think I full understood why they broke up the first time so messily that they kind of hated each other... I don’t think it was every really addressed. I also don’t love that it was generational HOWEVER I can see the importance of her mother’s story so I wouldn’t want it not there either lol that being said I’m excited for book 3 but book 1 was def better
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Domestic abuse
Minor: Alcoholism
sunshine_lorena's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Rape
bookeduparchivist's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Alcoholism
Moderate: Rape
cassianlynne's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I personally enjoyed this even more than “Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors.” Both are enjoyable and excellently done retellings! I enjoyed Ashna as a main character more than Trisha, and the way Persuasion is retold in this story is so clever and sweet. Also, I really like the family dynamics involved and the story of Ashna and her mom.
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape, Alcoholism, Blood, and Suicide