You’ve Got Mail meets How to Eat a Cupcake in this delightful novel about a talented chef and the food critic who brings down her restaurant—whose chance meeting turns into a delectable romance of mistaken identities.In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business … balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé…until the morning she discovers him in the buff—with an intern.
Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived on the worst day of the chef’s life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service—he unleashes his worst.
The day that Al’s mean-spirited review of Luella’s runs, the two cross paths in a pub: Lou drowning her sorrows, and Al celebrating his latest publication. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee and she’s game—but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city’s local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou’s restaurant faces closure, while Al’s column gains popularity. It’s only a matter of time before the two fall in love…but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?
Set in the lovely, quirky heart of Wisconsin, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is a charming love story of misunderstandings, mistaken identity, and the power of food to bring two people together.
And don’t forget to check out Amy E. Reichert’s fun new novel The Simplicity of Cider, available now!
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The story was a bit predictable, but still enjoyable. I kept thinking ‘this is going to be bad’—you know when someone lies and/or keeps the truth hidden and then it comes out. It was hidden, hidden, hidden and then bam. The main female showed strength of character over and over. It was a good story. Hope you enjoy it.
This book was really cute. The characters of Lou and al are truly written as people that I think we all know. And I can say as a chef myself the restaurant scenes are written pretty accurately which I very much enjoyed :). Much like al I k we very little about Milwaukee but now feel like I need to make food pilgrimage to check it out myself. The only thing that bothered me about this book was the ending. It seemed a little rushed and though it tied things up neatly I felt that an epilogue would have been great just to see where the characters truly ended up. Or is there perhaps a sequel in works?!
Very fun and entertaining. A good read with a feel good ending. I love any book with food, cooking, menus, etc. and this fit the bills.
Somewhat predictable but still a sweet story. Food brought them together and will keep them together.
Cute story, likeable characters.
It was pretty sappy and predictable from Chapter 1.
This was a cute, entertaining love story. I would recommend it to anyone that likes to read love stories.
This was a simple and joyful romance story. There is nothing extraordinary about it, but that doesn’t make it bad. I chose romance books for an escape and I don’t want a lot of conflict or sadness in them. I enjoyed the local’s view of Milwaukee, the inside workings of a restaurant and newspaper. The characters were so full of details that made them so real to me. I liked the way the main characters became friends then fell in love. So often now the couple hits the bed before they know they love each other.
Amy Reichert wrote this book so that it flowed and I was involved in the plot immediately. This is the first book I have read (I listened to the audio book) but it will not be the last. I also want to add that I loved the reader of the story, C.S.E Cooney.
I love stories tied to cooking.