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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Well...hmmm. I enjoyed so much of this book. The format in which it was written. The descriptions. The way the story was unwound, through the events of the single day in which the book took place combined with "memory flashbacks." All of that is enough to tip the balance in favor of four stars instead of three. But the ending felt both anticlimactic and forced to me. All that impressive construction of story and fabulous "picture painting with words" was reduced to a singular revelation that almost felt trite, in comparison. Had the first 270 pages not been as incredibly engaging as they were, I might have been trying to decided between a 2 or 3 star rating.
An old Elin Hilderbrand that I hadn’t read. I enjoyed this story that was more about food and family than romance.
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I always love Elin’s books. I always get swept up in them and finish them faster than other authors. This was the first one where I strongly did not like the ending. I would have loved to see a little more of Renata and Marguerite’s relationship grow. And what was going to happen to Renata and her boyfriend. I also felt like there may have been some chemistry between Renata and her best friend which would have been fun to see a same-sex couple.
But the premise was great overall and Marguerite’s hermit-like attitude reminded me of the beginning stages of covid.
But the premise was great overall and Marguerite’s hermit-like attitude reminded me of the beginning stages of covid.
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
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
emotional
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
informative
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Kind of predictable but an engaging read all the same. Former chef Marguerite receives a phone call from her niece Renata who wants to learn about her deceased mother, the two share a dinner where decades worth of memories, guilt, forgiven & healing take place