Book Review: "Tart: Misadventures of an Anonymous Chef" by Slutty Cheff

I’ve been wanting to read this for a few weeks, but I’m not ashamed to admit that I was today years old when I realized this is a memoir and not a novel! (That realization didn’t affect me; I clearly didn’t pay close attention to the blurbs I read!)

“There are two things in my life that are a constant reminder that pleasure exists: food and sex. And I am learning about the different forms they may come in.”

Anonymous chef and columnist Slutty Cheff quit her marketing job after a workplace relationship went sour. She decided the thing she enjoyed most was cooking, so she went to culinary school and eventually did a trial run at a London restaurant. The energy, the camaraderie, even the stress captivated her, and the trial run turned into a job.

She is quickly enamored of her job and craves more responsibility. While it’s hard to be the only woman working in the kitchen, she more than holds her own. But the 60+-hour workweek, coupled with late nights fueled by alcohol and drugs with her colleagues, exhausts her both physically and emotionally.

The book follows her love/hate relationship with being a chef and the whole restaurant culture. She gets overwhelmed by the pressure and the lifestyle, but misses cooking when she’s not doing it. At the same time, she gets involved with several men over time, and realizes that sex gives her the same high.

You know how much I like books about chefs, cooking, restaurants, etc., so this was definitely right up my alley. This is one of those books you shouldn’t read on an empty stomach, and at times, it’s quite steamy, so be prepared. It’ll make you think twice about staying until a restaurant is nearly empty, too!

Book Review: "A Gentleman's Gentleman" by TJ Alexander

This was a fun Regency romance with a twist. Thanks so much to Vintage Books and NetGalley for the advance copy!

Lord Christopher Eden has no use for many things that other men of his station desire. He’d rather spend time with his elderly butler and cook than socialize with other people his age, and beyond them, he doesn’t need other servants. He is perfectly happy caring for and riding his horse, spending his free time with his books.

But when he finds out from his solicitors that his late father’s will requires he must marry before he turns 25, it throws his life into chaos. Given that he’s not attracted to women, and as a trans man, has secrets he has kept from most everyone, he can’t imagine he’d be able to make a wife happy.

But in order to ensure his family’s legacy isn’t destroyed, he must go to London for the season and find a wife. He also has to appear to have all of the trappings a man of his station requires, so he must hire a valet to take with him to London, a task he asks his solicitor to handle. And James, his new valet, is exceedingly handsome (although fixated on the traditional role of a valet), which complicates things further.

Christopher and James start becoming friends once they navigate Christopher’s need for privacy. But when they get to London, tensions start to rise, as Christopher has to find a woman to marry. And both men are sharing secrets which could change it all.

I am a fan of TJ Alexander’s books and I definitely loved the concept of this story. It is just the slowest of slow burns and I really wanted things to happen quicker. But I really enjoyed the characters.

The book will publish 3/11/2025.

Book Review: "The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year" by Ally Carter

If you combine an enemies to lovers (sort of) with a locked-room mystery, you’ll get this frothy and fun book. It’s utterly adorable, full of great banter and humor.

An author of cozy mysteries, Maggie would be more than happy to skip over the holidays. Her parents died right after high school and she recently got divorced, when her husband and her best friend had an affair.

One of the things Maggie dislikes most about the holidays is the forced need to socialize with people at parties. That is not Maggie’s thing. But when she is invited to the English estate of her absolute favorite mystery author, Eleanor Ashley (aka The Duchess of Death), she reluctantly accepts the invitation. (Plus, her editor demands she does.)

And then she realizes that she’ll be traveling with Ethan, a fellow author. She hates Ethan. First, he calls her Marcie every time they see each other. Second, he’s ridiculously handsome—and he knows it. And third, his books are huge bestsellers, while hers are, well…

When they arrive at Eleanor’s mansion, Maggie is in awe of meeting her hero. That first night it snows, and the roads are impassable—and yet Eleanor has vanished. Where could an 80-year-old woman with a bad leg go in the middle of a snowstorm? Is this a real mystery, or some type of contest? As Maggie and Ethan try to figure out what happened, they draw closer—and make some real discoveries about one another.

I definitely enjoyed this although it took some time for the pacing to pick up. But I enjoyed the concept and look forward to diving into Ally Carter’s backlist!

Book Review: "This Motherless Land" by Nikki May

How much are our lives defined by the choices our families make? Are we doomed to follow the same paths or can we forge our own? These are questions that came to mind for me when reading This Motherless Land.

Funke is growing up in Nigeria, the daughter of an English mother and an African father. She loves her life, even loves school, and tolerates her annoying brother, although she doesn’t love that because he is a boy he’s considered more important.

When tragedy strikes, Funke is sent to England to live with her mother’s estranged family. Everything is much different than she imagined from the stories her mother told, and her aunt is often rude and condescending to her. But the one bright spot in her life is her cousin Liv, who appoints herself Funke’s protector.

The two cousins become the closest of friends, and that friendship continues into their adulthood. But when another tragedy strikes, the ramifications of the decisions made by Funke’s mother and aunt impact her and Liv. Accusations are thrown and actions are taken which shatter their relationship, leaving them both without their closest friend.

The story takes place from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s, and shifts between Funke and Liv, as well as between Nigeria and England. It’s a story of family, both blood and chosen, and how breaking free of expectations can actually enhance your life.

I enjoyed May’s storytelling, and I also enjoyed her debut novel, Wahala. The book is referred to as a decolonial retelling of Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park, but my understanding is it’s a VERY loose retelling. I found certain characters very difficult and their behaviors irritated me, but I really enjoyed Funke and Liv.

Book Review: "Seven Summers" by Paige Toon

I’ve been trying to think how best to express the way this book made me feel, and then I saw this blurb from Carley Fortune: “This book wrecked me in the best possible way.” Same, Carley, same.

Liv and Finn knew each other in grade school until he moved away. But six summers ago, they meet again at the bar Liv is working at, because Finn is filling in as lead singer for the house band. Their flirtation lasts all summer, and just when they give into their feelings, tragedy strikes. Liv is utterly bereft and Finn is there for her, but ultimately, he has to go back to Los Angeles and his real band.

They love each other deeply, but neither can move to the other. Finn doesn't want to come back to Cornwall because there are too many bad memories (and his music career is taking off), and Liv can't leave her older brother, Michael. So they make each other a promise—Finn will come back to Cornwall every summer, and if both are single, they’ll be together until Finn leaves again. But each summer it gets harder and harder to say goodbye and wait until the next year.

This summer, Liv meets Tom, a brooding man who rents out her guest cottage. At first she thinks he is surly, but she realizes this handsome man has so many layers, and is just as attracted to her as she is to him. As they draw closer, Liv realizes she’s found the reason to move on to a love that will stay all year long. But is that enough to give up on Finn?

The book alternates between the present and each of the previous six summers. Essentially it’s Liv’s story, as you see everything that unfolds through her eyes. Once again, Paige Toon dazzles with her ability to make you smile through your tears and weather the ups and downs with these characters.

I absolutely loved this book and I’m such a huge fan of Toon’s writing. This was a beautiful, emotional story I couldn’t get enough of.

Book Review: "The Last Doorbell" by William Parker

Thanks so much to Pride Book Tours for the advance copy of the book and inviting me on the tour!

This is an utterly charming and sweet story about an enduring friendship between two men over many years. Honestly, if you had told me that this was a book written by Alan Hollinghurst or Edmund White, I wouldn’t have been surprised, as this has a nostalgic feel to it.

Ben is a young actor in England who isn’t particularly ambitious or successful. When a guy he met at the gym suggests he work for an escort service, it’s the last thing Ben could imagine doing. But after a while, with money running low and no real prospects on the horizon, he decides to give it a try.

Ben’s experiences are interesting, as he’s generally sent to provide “massages” to wealthy older gentlemen. While he doesn’t necessarily get enjoyment for the actual act, his knack for conversation and his intelligence makes him a more sought-after companion. And for the first time, he has enough money to pamper himself a bit.

After a random encounter turns alarming, Ben decides he no longer wants to work for the escort service. But just a few weeks later, his ex-boss asks if he could take one more appointment. Although he agrees reluctantly, ringing that last doorbell changes his life.

This is one of those books that gives you the ending at the start, so you ultimately know where the story will lead, but it’s the journey that is beautiful to read about. The prose gets a bit verbose at times, but the main characters are so likable you get caught up in their story.

The book will publish 8/28.

Book Review: "Evenings & Weekends" by Oisín McKenna

London, June 2019. The city is in the midst of a record heatwave. But beyond the joys of summer, London is experiencing chaos, as a large whale has gotten stuck near the shore of the Thames. The world watches as marine biologists try to figure out how to save it.

Maggie can’t believe she’s 12 weeks pregnant, but she and her boyfriend Ed are getting ready to move back to their suburban hometown to start a new chapter. Both are overwhelmed by the stress, and Ed is also dealing with the possibility that some secrets from his past might be revealed.

Meanwhile, Maggie’s best friend Phil is in love with one of his housemates, Keith, but Keith also has a boyfriend. Phil is struggling whether to tell Maggie what he knows about Ed, and he also has to figure out what he truly wants in life.

Phil’s mother Rosaleen is proud of her marriage and her two sons, but at times longs for the illicit friendship she had back in Dublin when she was younger. She’s now dying of cancer, but she can’t seem to get in touch with Phil to tell him.

All of their lives intersect over the course of several days. There will be happiness and tears, life-changing decisions, secrets and betrayals, and plenty of introspection.

This is one of those character-driven, slice-of-life books, in which not a lot happens but there are ramifications for all. I enjoyed this debut novel but at times Oisín McKenna packs so many details into a paragraph that they seem to go on and on endlessly. However, this book definitely highlights his talent!

Book Review: "The Excitements" by CJ Wray

This book was such a fun romp, with some incredibly memorable and endearing characters!

Josephine and Penny Williamson are two sisters in their late 90s. They’re two of Britain’s most revered female veterans of World War II, having served their country as members of the Women’s Royal Navy and the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry. But while they’d have every right to rest on their laurels at this point in their lives, both sisters are still hungry for adventure, for the “excitements” that make everything more interesting.

Archie, their beloved great-nephew, is truly devoted to Josephine and Penny. He’s always been fascinated by the stories they’ve told him over the years of their involvement in the war, and he’s so proud of every accolade they receive. And when they’re chosen to receive the Légion d’honneur for their part in the liberation of France, he’s the one to arrange and accompany their trip to Paris.

But while Archie’s great-aunts appear to be slowing down a bit, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Their return to Paris reawakens memories of the actual things they were up to during and after the war, things that might be hard to believe. And while there are secrets and regrets to deal with, Penny definitely has some plans up her sleeve for one last heist.

All too often older characters are portrayed as curmudgeonly or only capable of doling out advice, so these ass-kicking, Morse code-using nonagenarians were absolutely a hoot. The narrative shifts between past and present, and is funny, moving, and just so entertaining.

Book Review: "The Uncommon Reader" by Alan Bennett

Boy, this novella was utterly charming and delightful!

One day when her dogs are being unruly, Queen Elizabeth leaves the grounds of Buckingham Palace to find that there’s a mobile library just outside. She decides to go inside—much to the shock of the librarian and the one other person in the library—and while she’s there, she might as well pick out a book.

She can’t remember the last time she read something for pleasure, something she didn’t have to. (One doesn’t have hobbies or pastimes as a monarch.) When she returns to the library, she again finds Norman, a young man who works in the palace kitchens. She is taken by his knowledge about books and reading, and she moves him onto her staff.

The Queen’s sudden zeal for reading doesn’t sit well with her private secretary or even the prime minister. Because her reading becomes her singular focus—she doesn’t approach appearances with her usual demeanor, she’s often late, and she always has a book with her. And the truth is, she’s frustrated most of the time because she’d rather be reading.

I thought this was just so enjoyable. The way everyone around the Queen reacts to her sudden love of reading is both funny and a little sad. While I never read this when the book was published in 2007, to read it now, not long after the Queen’s death, gives the book an added poignancy.

How can you not love a book about the love of reading?

Book Review: "The New Life" by Tom Crewe

The New Life is a thought-provoking, emotional look at the way society responds when its old mores are challenged.

In London in 1894, John is a writer and academic. He is also a homosexual, although married with grown daughters. His wife is aware of his orientation and his seeking satisfaction elsewhere; it’s not something she’s happy about but it’s a burden she’s willing to bear for her reputation in society.

John becomes connected with Henry, and the two collaborate on a book together, one which posits that homosexuality is natural and normal, and should not be punished or condemned. The two men have never met, and they lead different lives—John is in the midst of a not-so-secret relationship with a printer, while Henry and his wife have a nontraditional marriage, which becomes more complicated when another woman moves in to be with his wife.

The book is sure to inflame society. And just before the book is to be published, Oscar Wilde is arrested for gross indecency as a consequence of his homosexuality. That incident causes an uproar which leads to a great deal of scrutiny for John and Henry. They must decide whether to risk it all to publish the book or to accept the world isn’t ready to embrace a new way of thinking.

This is really an interesting story, poignant and very steamy in places, and it’s amazing both how much the world has changed and how much it hasn’t.

Book Review: "Hotel Portofino" by J.P. O'Connell

In Hotel Portofino, drama abounds for an English family running a hotel in post-WWI Italy.

Bella fell in love with the Italian Riviera on her honeymoon and always hoped they’d get back there. She finally convinced her husband Cecil that they should buy a hotel there, for English tourists summering in Italy. She knows that running a hotel will be a great deal of work, but she’s hoping that it may distract her adult children, both of whom were drastically affected by the war.

She’s also hoping that the hotel might save her crumbling marriage. But right now she can only concentrate on the chaos around her—a wealthy, old ladyfriend of Cecil’s is bringing her daughter to the hotel as a possible love match for their son. There’s a new nanny on her way, and the Italian housekeeper is acting suspicious. And Bella is not prepared for the theft of a painting or a local acolyte of Mussolini looking to make a name for himself by targeting the hotel.

I read this with a friend and we both agreed that while there was a lot of potential with this book, it really fell flat. The plot was mostly melodramatic and very typical of the Downton Abbey-type programs I think this wanted to be like. I found most of the characters unlikeable (and honestly, couldn’t tell them apart at times) and wanted something unexpected to happen to shake things up, but to no avail.

This is going to be a PBS series later this year so it’s possible the book was written after the show was filmed, and that might explain the hollow feel of the story, almost like it was the novelization of a performance. Still, I had a good conversation about the book with a good friend, so not all was bad!

Book Review: "The Certainty of Chance" by Jacquelyn Middleton

Jacquelyn Middleton's The Certainty of Chance is a gorgeous holiday romance set in London, with lots of serendipity, emotion, and fun.

Madeleine and her actress sister were supposed to be in Paris over Christmas. But the eruption of an Icelandic volcano strands Madeleine in London, her sister in Thailand. The last thing Madeleine wants is to be alone in London as the one-year anniversary of her best friend’s death approaches.

She vows to make the best of it until she can fly to Paris. So when the ultra-handsome cab driver offers to show her around London, she overcomes her initial resistance to companionship and all things Christmas, and allows him to be her guide. It’s not long before the two grow close, although both know their time together is fleeting, so they resist temptation.

But Julian isn’t just a cab driver. He’s a writer with a fierce intelligence and a love for music and all his city has to offer. He’s a joyful person despite dealing with grief and betrayal of his own. Madeleine makes him feel alive, but once airspace opens again she could be gone for good.

The Certainty of Chance is such a fantastic story, one of love and friendship and hope as well as an exploration of grief and grieving and how people deal with it. Sure, it follows some familiar patterns (but not all, which was wonderful) but I was fully immersed in this from start to finish.

Book Review: "500 Miles from You" by Jenny Colgan

According to Jenny Colgan's 500 Miles from You, sometimes a change of perspective can do you good—and sometimes it’s even better.

Lissa is a nurse in London, working in some of the city's grittier neighborhoods. She’s been having trouble keeping it together, though, since witnessing a horrible crime. Her PTSD is making it impossible for her to focus, so her supervisors think a change of scenery will help, and they arrange for her to swap jobs with another nurse.

Cormac is a nurse and former army medic in the small Scottish town of Kirrinfief. He’s easygoing and friendly, a gentle giant, but that calm hides some deeper issues he keeps silent about. He’s only spent a day or two in London but now he’ll be taking Lissa's place while she moves to Kirrinfief.

Although Cormac has an easier time getting acclimated than Lissa, both feel like a fish out of water. Lissa, in particular, is finding it hard to get comfortable in a place where everyone knows everyone’s business and everyone is so friendly and laid back. But little by little, she starts to warm to the town and its people, and they stop thinking she's totally standoffish.

After some initial awkwardness, Cormac and Lissa start emailing each other about their patients, daily occurrences, every little thing, which leads to texting each other. Why is it so easy to unburden yourself to someone you’ve never met?

What happens when they meet each other? And what happens when they have to return to their original homes and jobs?

Unless you’ve never read a rom-com before, you pretty much know what will happen. And even though I did, there is so much charm here to fall for. The characters—not only Lissa and Cormac, but the supporting characters in both London and Kirrinfief—are just so endearing. It took a little longer for Lissa to stop being impolite and disoriented than I would’ve liked, and the roadblocks she and Cormac encounter at one point made me roll my eyes, but I still enjoyed this so much.

I’ve been wanting to read a Jenny Colgan book for so long and now I see why she’s so loved!