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kcherry's review against another edition
hopeful
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
4.5
niknak_paddywhack's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I've been a fan of Runyan's writing for many years now, and was very intrigued to hear that she was branching out from her usual historical fiction books to write a contemporary fiction story. The small village in France she created was like a lovely dream, definitely a place I'd like to visit, and the people seemed real. I had some issues with some of the interactions that didn't seem to be realistic, or in some instances weren't fully expressed, such as the resentfulness/anger of Tiberi towards Tempesta. That just never came through and was confusing when it was referred to later on. The magical realism was a fun touch, but I would've liked to see it delved into a bit deeper. The main issue for me was that this story stayed closer to the surface than I'd've liked, and I didn't get a great connection with the characters. I loved that Runyan included recipes for several of the items mentioned during the story, that's always a nice touch. Overall, it was a fun read and enjoyable to spend time in the village.
My thanks to Harper Muse, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
My thanks to Harper Muse, the author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
heidirgorecki's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
3.5
Beautiful descriptions of the food and herbs, and lots of fun in the recipes.
I liked Tempesta as a character and the difficulty she worked thru in belonging somewhere but having to fight to be accepted. I thought it was a relatable and well thought out plot line to invest in a city, but fight for your friends and decide whether to do the same for those who continually discount or reject you, or to let them go.
I do wish there was more description in the emotions of the characters. There were times in the dialogue, there would all the sudden be a basic descriptor on what the character felt and it sort of took me by surprise, as there was nothing else leading up to that emotion. Or it was just a quick mention and not deep where it would have given much more life. The descriptiveness in the recipes, smells, and plants were so well thought out and painted, it just seemed an odd contrast not to do the same for the people.
Also the magic part of this was a little odd. I didnโt hate it but it didnโt feel necessary to the story and made it a little fairy tale-ish.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
I liked Tempesta as a character and the difficulty she worked thru in belonging somewhere but having to fight to be accepted. I thought it was a relatable and well thought out plot line to invest in a city, but fight for your friends and decide whether to do the same for those who continually discount or reject you, or to let them go.
I do wish there was more description in the emotions of the characters. There were times in the dialogue, there would all the sudden be a basic descriptor on what the character felt and it sort of took me by surprise, as there was nothing else leading up to that emotion. Or it was just a quick mention and not deep where it would have given much more life. The descriptiveness in the recipes, smells, and plants were so well thought out and painted, it just seemed an odd contrast not to do the same for the people.
Also the magic part of this was a little odd. I didnโt hate it but it didnโt feel necessary to the story and made it a little fairy tale-ish.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
samanthakreads's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
๐ ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ-๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ผ๐๐ฝ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐๐ถ๐๐ต ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐, ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ, ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐บ๐๐ป๐ถ๐๐, ๐ณ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐บ๐ถ๐น๐, ๐ณ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฑ, & ๐ฎ ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐น๐ฒ ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ.๐
Synopsis:
Food critic Tempรจsta Luddington lost her beloved mother at the age of thirteen and always felt like the odd one in her family with the treatment she received from her father and grandmother. When her father passes fifteen years later, Tempรจsta is left a small inheritance from her mother.
With a little push, she decides to visit a small town in France where her mother grew up and decides to place her roots in the community when she purchases a rundown manor with her inheritance. Her greeting and welcome are not at all what she anticipated, with the mayor of the townโs dislike for her. But she doesnโt let it scare her off as she begins to connect with the community, discover her abilities and strengths with food and herbs, and unravel questions and answers about her motherโs past including the magical gifts she inherited from the generations of women before her.
Thoughts:
This was such a beautiful and charming story! The authorโs writing makes you feel as if you are completely immersed in the story with the descriptions of France, the food, and the small community. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook read by Caroline Hewitt who did a fantastic job and made you feel as if you were in France yourself. I liked the characters and watching Tempรจsta progression as she learns more about her mother, her family, and herself.
I donโt usually read books like this with magical realism elements (this is my first!). I wasnโt sure if I would like it or if it would take away from the story, but I didnโt mind it at all. This book is also marketed as romance but I wouldnโt consider it that, itโs a small subplot which I think fits the story as a whole really well.
I highly recommend this book & will be checking out more of Amie K. Runyanโs work in the future!
Thank you so much Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for sending me an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
My review and others can be found at the links below (let's connect + discuss books!):
https://www.instagram.com/literaryreader_/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/22397377-samantha-literaryreader
Synopsis:
Food critic Tempรจsta Luddington lost her beloved mother at the age of thirteen and always felt like the odd one in her family with the treatment she received from her father and grandmother. When her father passes fifteen years later, Tempรจsta is left a small inheritance from her mother.
With a little push, she decides to visit a small town in France where her mother grew up and decides to place her roots in the community when she purchases a rundown manor with her inheritance. Her greeting and welcome are not at all what she anticipated, with the mayor of the townโs dislike for her. But she doesnโt let it scare her off as she begins to connect with the community, discover her abilities and strengths with food and herbs, and unravel questions and answers about her motherโs past including the magical gifts she inherited from the generations of women before her.
Thoughts:
This was such a beautiful and charming story! The authorโs writing makes you feel as if you are completely immersed in the story with the descriptions of France, the food, and the small community. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook read by Caroline Hewitt who did a fantastic job and made you feel as if you were in France yourself. I liked the characters and watching Tempรจsta progression as she learns more about her mother, her family, and herself.
I donโt usually read books like this with magical realism elements (this is my first!). I wasnโt sure if I would like it or if it would take away from the story, but I didnโt mind it at all. This book is also marketed as romance but I wouldnโt consider it that, itโs a small subplot which I think fits the story as a whole really well.
I highly recommend this book & will be checking out more of Amie K. Runyanโs work in the future!
Thank you so much Netgalley and HarperCollins Focus for sending me an advanced audiobook in exchange for my honest review! All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
My review and others can be found at the links below (let's connect + discuss books!):
https://www.instagram.com/literaryreader_/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/22397377-samantha-literaryreader
jhanway's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
cathy1969's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Tempesta has never felt like part of her family ever since her mom died when she was only 13 years old. Her younger brother was obviously favored by both her dad and grandmother.
Then her father dies at his desk at work when she is in her early 20's and the only thing she is given in the will is her mother's inheritance so she decides to travel to France where her mom grew up.
As Tempesta starts to build a life in the village her mom grew up in, she comes across some people who would rather she not be there, but others welcome her with open arms. The more time she spends there, the more she feels like this is home and where she belongs.
Her family back in the states start to beckon her home, but the people in the France need her help as well to help it come to life and see a return of vacationers bringing income to them all. Tempesta has a way with herbs and is considered her special gift so she creates spice blends, salves and more for everyone and to sell online to help raise money.
Eventually secrets are revealed and dealt with and it is just an all around good story. I received an advanced audiobook and very much enjoyed the narration as well.
Then her father dies at his desk at work when she is in her early 20's and the only thing she is given in the will is her mother's inheritance so she decides to travel to France where her mom grew up.
As Tempesta starts to build a life in the village her mom grew up in, she comes across some people who would rather she not be there, but others welcome her with open arms. The more time she spends there, the more she feels like this is home and where she belongs.
Her family back in the states start to beckon her home, but the people in the France need her help as well to help it come to life and see a return of vacationers bringing income to them all. Tempesta has a way with herbs and is considered her special gift so she creates spice blends, salves and more for everyone and to sell online to help raise money.
Eventually secrets are revealed and dealt with and it is just an all around good story. I received an advanced audiobook and very much enjoyed the narration as well.
aliciag's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
What an enjoyable read! I love any fiction that combines women and their homes but this one goes a little deeper as secrets are revealed and Tempesta learns her family is not who she thinks they are.
I enjoyed all the characters and wanted to know how each of their worlds come together and Aimie's writing really makes you feel as though you are in the small village in France with all of these eccentric villagers.
A cozy read to warm up my winter chills!
I enjoyed all the characters and wanted to know how each of their worlds come together and Aimie's writing really makes you feel as though you are in the small village in France with all of these eccentric villagers.
A cozy read to warm up my winter chills!
actingoutlife's review
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I felt transported to the French countryside and was invested in everyone in the town.
I wish I could have seen more of the village after the grant and updates. The final plan doesn't get mentioned until about 80% through the book so it doesn't get much detail or explanation.
Some moments were a little too long and talked about the same thing over and over but overall the level of description was good.
I like that while Tempestรฉ moved to an out-of-the-way village the book didn't have her abandoning modern life totally. Just because she moved away doesn't mean she had to give up everything from her past.
There were good lessons about being open-minded and taking care of people close to you. Overall its a good reminder to slow down, savor small moments, and make time outside of the hustle of work.
I wish I could have seen more of the village after the grant and updates. The final plan doesn't get mentioned until about 80% through the book so it doesn't get much detail or explanation.
Some moments were a little too long and talked about the same thing over and over but overall the level of description was good.
I like that while Tempestรฉ moved to an out-of-the-way village the book didn't have her abandoning modern life totally. Just because she moved away doesn't mean she had to give up everything from her past.
There were good lessons about being open-minded and taking care of people close to you. Overall its a good reminder to slow down, savor small moments, and make time outside of the hustle of work.