The Lost Recipe for HappinessBy Barbara O'Neal
A Bantam Discovery, 2009. 447 pgs. Romance
Elena Alvarez is fired in the first pages of this engaging story. The same day she's hired as executive chef of a new restaurant in Aspen, Colorado. She's a brilliant chef (which is both why she was fired and hired) with the talent, warmth, and toughness to unite her new staff and make this new restaurant world-class. Although her career is successful she's never found a love that would endure. She might now. Elena also has ghosts that haunt her--a sister and boyfriend who were both killed in the car accident that she alone survived. The supernatural elements reminded me of the Milagro Beanfield War.
This was an enjoyable, quick read, although the last fourth of the book seemed anti-climactic. The romance story line is secondary, so this is really straight fiction. If it belongs in a sub-genre, it would chic lit. The interesting cast of characters include a horror film star and a gay chef somewhat reminiscent of captain Jack Sparrow. Punctuating the story are a number of mouth-watering recipes from the cuisine of the Southwest.
SML
1 comment:
This was not the worst romance I’ve read but certainly not the best. It was interesting to read about a central character with physical disabilities. Both characters were older and had already lived through some of life’s challenges. Elena had some believable psychological problems resulting from her accident and Julian was understandably bitter about love after four Hollywood marriages. The story line was somewhat predictable in outcome. I did like the strong relationship between Julian and his daughter, as well as the relationship between Elena and Portia. There are some sexually graphic scenes. Probably the strongest points of the novel were the sections where Elena had to face her past and accept it. It was also fun to read about the different recipes and the behind the scenes look at a high end restaurant.
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