Scan barcode
haustetter's review
5.0
I read this book right after reading a very dark, intense, psychological thriller. I really wanted to read something light and fun and this was perfect! Loved the characters, the story and conversations! While was was reading this, we were having a large remodel project going on at our house, so this seemed perfect to read during that as well. Recommend because it was fun to read.
thetalesofabookishmom's review
3.0
Slow at first but I really enjoyed this book. The characters were rich and realistic. I was more angry about certain parts than the main character and I wish we had a year for the last page update but I enjoyed the ending.
attytheresa's review
3.0
Very enjoyable watching Anneke come into her own, accepting that she isn't truly a loner, and as a result, gathering people around her. Similar to her personal journey is her journey learning to cook and feed all who enter her orbit. She's always known the kitchen is the heart of any home, always knew how to build one, but now she has learned to live and cook to create one. Everyone in her orbit is quirky, even the dogs. Loved all the construction and rehab info scattered amongst the relationships and cooking tips. Even the marvelous historic house is a fully realized character, critical to the story. I want that house! I will definitely read other books by this author.
jackielk2020's review
4.0
I didn’t like this one as much as her other books at first. Once I got further along it was still a very delightful story
readingactually's review
4.0
my thoughts:
What's not to love about a foodie/house rehab book? Anneke is very easy to cheer on as a main character who loses her job, and fiance in one day. I love reading about old houses and the people who once lived there. Anneke finds an old cookbook/journal and we get a glimpse of life, food and the past life in the old house that she is fixing up. I loved the schnauzer ( Anneke's pet dog) , she hates Anneke but seems to love everyone else. Anneke's relationship, or lack of, with her mother is sad and her grandmother was just so nasty to her as well! This character just had so much going against her in so many ways, at times I thought how can this happen, what more can go wring for her?!! Not to give too much away but I loved the surprise romance for Anneke and I thought that the ending of the book was exactly what I wanted for Anneke.This review was originally posted on
What's not to love about a foodie/house rehab book? Anneke is very easy to cheer on as a main character who loses her job, and fiance in one day. I love reading about old houses and the people who once lived there. Anneke finds an old cookbook/journal and we get a glimpse of life, food and the past life in the old house that she is fixing up. I loved the schnauzer ( Anneke's pet dog) , she hates Anneke but seems to love everyone else. Anneke's relationship, or lack of, with her mother is sad and her grandmother was just so nasty to her as well! This character just had so much going against her in so many ways, at times I thought how can this happen, what more can go wring for her?!! Not to give too much away but I loved the surprise romance for Anneke and I thought that the ending of the book was exactly what I wanted for Anneke.This review was originally posted on
mishale1's review
3.0
I really enjoy Stacey Ballis' books. I like her style of writing, her well rounded characters, the happy endings and the delicious sounding food (and recipes!).
Another enjoyable story.
Poor Anneke catches her fiancé cheating, quits/loses job and her home, and it all happens in one day.
But this gives her a very firm push to start all over. She moves into the home she was renovating, she questions her feelings about love and both appreciates the support of her friends and also hates feeling pitied.
Before she knows it, she has added a few completely unexpected additions to her life.
All the while, there is also a book that she finds and seeks comfort and knowledge from.
I enjoyed it a lot.
Another enjoyable story.
Poor Anneke catches her fiancé cheating, quits/loses job and her home, and it all happens in one day.
But this gives her a very firm push to start all over. She moves into the home she was renovating, she questions her feelings about love and both appreciates the support of her friends and also hates feeling pitied.
Before she knows it, she has added a few completely unexpected additions to her life.
All the while, there is also a book that she finds and seeks comfort and knowledge from.
I enjoyed it a lot.
teresat's review
5.0
I initially didn't like Anneke very much. She was too brassy, too cold and seemed a bit selfish. I think, however, that is how you are supposed to feel. In the course of the book she evolves and restores herself, much as she restores the Palmer home. She discovers what is important and that it is not only okay, but necessary to let people in. She finds the family she never had and they are the perfect family for her. She somehow keeps her amazing friends, even though they seem to be the ones always giving and caring. I guess that's why they're amazing friends. She finds love where she could never imagine she would find it - would never dream she would find it in that person.
I'm not usually one who loves tons of detail, and there is not tons of detail in this book. The details that there are, are vivid and important. The way Ballis describes the restoration of the house is amazing and the description of the recipes Anneke tries (and mostly succeeds) to make are mouthwatering.
Definitely a good read.
I'm not usually one who loves tons of detail, and there is not tons of detail in this book. The details that there are, are vivid and important. The way Ballis describes the restoration of the house is amazing and the description of the recipes Anneke tries (and mostly succeeds) to make are mouthwatering.
Definitely a good read.
runningreader's review
3.0
I liked this book well enough. I mean, I nearly burned dinner one night while reading it, but it just took so. doggone. long. to read it. I don't know why. It was fluffy enough, certainly not great literature, but all the little extra details just took a lot of time. I could have done without all the journal entries...and ended up skipping most of those.