Book Review: "Jump to Recipe" by Jena Wade

I love finding recipes online and am always in awe of the work people put into their food blogs. I will admit, though, that when I’m in a rush I love the “Jump to Recipe” link, which is why the title of this book caught my eye.

Sam is an amazing baker. His bakery and his blog, both called “Whisk Me Away,” are tremendously popular. In addition to sharing his recipes, he shares a bit of himself and life in the town he grew up in.

One secret that Sam hasn’t shared with his customers or followers is that he’s in love with Graham, his brother’s best friend and business partner. Well, he hasn’t shared it until now, as his confessing his love for Graham amidst a recipe—inspired by too much wine—has just been published. And now the secret is out.

Graham is a travel writer whose blog is also quite popular. In fact, he and Sam often fight to be the first person to comment on each other’s posts. He loves Sam’s baking, and he loves how Sam always has cookies waiting for him when he comes home from a trip. But even with all that, Graham is surprised—and very pleased—to read Sam’s confession.

The whole town is abuzz with gossip and they all are rooting for Sam and Graham to end up together. Sam is embarrassed and worries that Graham isn’t interested in him. He quickly finds that’s not an issue!

This was all kinds of fun and adorable, and sweeter than a bakery confection. I hope Jena Wade will give us more of these characters and this town!!

Book Review: "For the Love of Friends" by Sara Goodman Confino

Too many bridesmaids’ gigs can drive a woman mad! At least that's what happens in For the Love of Friends, the debut novel from Sara Goodman Confino.

Lily is 32 and single, much to her mother’s horror. She’s always dreamed of being a writer—so what if she has a boring job at a foundation?

The thing about being single in your early 30s is that everyone around you—family, friends, etc.—is getting married. And while that’s all well and good in theory, Lily suddenly finds herself as a bridesmaid for five weddings in six weeks.

It’s a lot to handle—her friends are turning into demanding monsters, she’s constantly being shamed and criticized and judged, the expense of being a bridesmaid FIVE TIMES is killing her, her friends' friends are ridiculous and unrealistic, and she can’t even figure out what she wants from her own love life. So she does what anyone else would do—she creates an anonymous blog and vents online.

Of course, what’s said anonymously online never stays that way. Can she mend fences, do what’s expected of her, squeeze into those bridesmaids' dresses, and chart a course for her own happiness?

I so enjoyed this!! For the Love of Friends has familiar elements (it may sound a little like the movie 27 Dresses), but Confino weaved them into a story all her own. It’s funny, emotional, sarcastic, insightful, and just downright fun. It was the change of pace I needed after some heavy books and some books that weren’t as good as I’d hoped.

Thanks so much to Kate Rock Book Tours and Lake Union Publishing for inviting me on the tour for this book, and for providing a complimentary advance copy in exchange for an unbiased review!!