Ruth Reichl is a born storyteller. Through her restaurant reviews, where she celebrated the pleasures of a well-made meal, and her bestselling memoirs that address our universal feelings of love and loss, Reichl has achieved a special place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of readers. Now, with this magical debut novel, she has created a sumptuous, wholly realized world that will enchant … you.
Billie Breslin has traveled far from her home in California to take a job at Delicious!, New York’s most iconic food magazine. Away from her family, particularly her older sister, Genie, Billie feels like a fish out of water—until she is welcomed by the magazine’s colorful staff. She is also seduced by the vibrant downtown food scene, especially by Fontanari’s, the famous Italian food shop where she works on weekends. Then Delicious! is abruptly shut down, but Billie agrees to stay on in the empty office, maintaining the hotline for reader complaints in order to pay her bills.
To Billie’s surprise, the lonely job becomes the portal to a miraculous discovery. In a hidden room in the magazine’s library, Billie finds a cache of letters written during World War II by Lulu Swan, a plucky twelve-year-old, to the legendary chef James Beard. Lulu’s letters provide Billie with a richer understanding of history, and a feeling of deep connection to the young writer whose courage in the face of hardship inspires Billie to comes to terms with her fears, her big sister and her ability to open her heart to love.
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Ruth is one of my favorite cook book writers. Who knew she can also write a fun fiction story. I suspect this is partially autobiographical. In nany case I enjoyed it very much.
Nicely built around food
Parallel storylines keep the reader riveted. Interesting view into world of food journalism and the New York restaurant scene as well as flashbacks to WWII and theUnderground Railroad.
What a wonderful book. Filled with cooking ideas and descriptions that you can almost taste. It leads you on a scavenger hunt of emotions that the main character is emotionally running from. Witty and well written. Clean and entertaining. Refreshing for sure!
A delicious book!
What a great read! Delicious food stories, delicious romance, delicious mystery, delicious personalities! What more could you ask for in a book?!
I reread this book and I NEVER DO THAT.
I love Ruth Reichl. The book was entertaining and thought provoking. I loved the characters and story. Knowing that the author was being autobiographical in her fiction was also something I enjoyed. A Great read!
There are several intriguing plots that make it hard to put this book down.
very enjoyable, but don’t read on an empty stomach!
I absolutely loved this book. The letters and correspondence with James Beard were delightful. The characters were well developed with a little mystery.
I enjoyed it; it held my attention throughout. Different.
Love it!
This book provides a glimpse of the inside world of food magazines from the viewpoint of a newbie. I love behind the scenes books that take you to different worlds. Reichl, whose food writing is always mouth watering and whose memoirs are heartfelt, gives us the same level of quality in her fiction. Just yummy…
Almost finished this one, and can’t wait to finish it tonight, really keeps me eager for the nights reading time. I remember the time era of the story so it really makes sense from the “letters”.. give me more from this author. Patti A.
Love Ruth… Tender at the Bone is an all time favorite book. Loved this book too.
I can’t wait for her next book.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have enjoyed all of Ruth Reichl previous books and was intrigued by the fact that she had written a novel. I really enjoyed it! There were lots of interesting plot shifts, the characters were real enough that I cared about what happened to them.
Enjoyable read- especially the story/mystery within the plot set back in the war years.
it was delicious!