A Table by the Window, by Hillary Manton Lodge

From the Publisher:

Heirloom recipes, family secrets…and a chance for love

The youngest heir to a French-Italian restaurant dynasty, food writer Juliette D’Alisa has spent her life negotiating her skill with words and her restaurant aspirations. When her brother Nico offers her a chance to open a restaurant together, she feels torn—does she really have what it takes? Should she risk leaving her journalism career?

After the death of her grandmother, Juliette discovers an antique photograph of a man who looks strikingly like her brother. As the truth behind the picture reveals romance and dark secrets, Juliette struggles to keep the mystery away from her nosy family until she can uncover the whole story.

Inspired by her grandmother’s evolving story, Juliette resolves to explore the world of online dating. To her surprise, she finds a kindred spirit in Neil McLaren, a handsome immunologist based in Memphis, Tennessee. With a long-distance relationship simmering, Juliette faces life-shifting decisions. How can she possibly choose between a promising culinary life and Neil, a man a world away in more ways than one? And is it possible her Grandmother’s story can help show the way?

My Review:

The Plot -- I enjoyed the plot of this book and the subject matter. I love cooking, so reading about others with a passion for cooking interested me. I liked the mystery of the Juliette's family secret and the struggle that she had with deciding the direction of her life.

The Characters -- I feel that the characters fell a little flat. That being said, they were very likable. While they could have been more developed and more complex, they are still interesting as they are.

The Writing -- I think that this book was written in such a way that it flowed easily and made you want to keep turning the pages for more!

What I didn't like -- I didn't like that the book didn't tie up loose ends. I assume that there will be a sequel. If you like sequels, you'll like this book. I'm not a big fan, myself. I prefer stand-alone novels.

What I did like -- RECIPES!!!!! And cooking techniques. I loved all the cooking stuff and want to bake now!!

Summary -- This is a 3-star book. I enjoyed it and don't feel like it was a waste of time, but neither was it memorable. If a sequel was put in my hands tomorrow, I'd read it. If it is more than a month from now, I will have completely moved on with my life and forgotten this book.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.