Reviews with content warning for Infertility - Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love

Absolutely precious book. It's short, it's sweet, it's hopeful. It made me hungry! I find myself absolutely delighted by a love story that is about the love between friends rather than romantic love. "The less we cement ourselves to our certainties, the fuller our lives can be."

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mels_reading_log's review against another edition

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funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

I’m completely in love with this book. It is written as letters between friends, talking about their lives and love for food. Both of their lives are changed for the better through the exploration of international cuisine. As a foodie, and someone who likes to try new foods and cook anything that sounds good, this was my kind of friendship. This is one of my new favorite books and I will recommend it to everyone!

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twistykris's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I simply adored this book. I read it in less than 24 hours and was absolutely enthralled by the soothing, comforting, and often funny letters these two women wrote each other. Lots of talks of food, friendship, and adventures. A wonderful palate cleanser and a quick, darling read that makes me want to cook and write letters to dear friends.

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serendipitysbooks's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.75

I’m not sure why but I’ve got a real soft spot for epistolary novels. Something about the way characters are able to carefully choose what to reveal about themselves? Or because I carried out a long distance friendship and a long distance romance via letter? No internet or cellphone back in the day. Whatever the reason I decided epistolary novels might be just the thing to lift me out of my recent despondent mood.

My first pick was Love & Saffron and it was exactly what I wanted and needed it to be. I loved the personalities of Joan and Imogen - jaunty, curious, vivacious and slightly snarky. In that regard it reminded me of a couple of my all time favourites - The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and 84 Charing Cross Road. I loved the focus on intergenerational friendship. I loved that the two women shared book and food recommendations. As their friendship deepened their letters became more intimate and personal and they shared some of the tougher issues they were facing or had dealt with in their lives - an unplanned pregnancy, PTSD, an interracial relationship, cancer, infertility. This is a book that made me laugh, but it also made me cry. I loved it.

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