Tuesday, August 16, 2022

Review & Giveaway - - A Table for Two

A Table for Two
by Sheryl Lister
Publisher: Forever
Release Date: August 16, 2022
Reviewed by PJ


The best meals. The perfect company. And just enough sparks to make it complicated . . .


Serenity Wheeler’s Supper Club is all about getting together with great friends, incredible food, and a whole lot of dishing—not for hooking up. Still, Serenity knows inviting her friend’s brother to one of her dinners is just good manners, but the ultra-fine, hazel-eyed Gabriel Cunningham has a gift for saying the wrong thing at the really wrong time. Especially when it comes to her cooking.

Gabriel isn’t quite sure how they got off on the wrong foot, but something about Serenity makes him nervous. Maybe it’s because he’s new to the small-town vibe. Maybe it’s because the woman is so gorgeous that he can’t think straight. Or maybe it’s because there’s an attraction between them he can’t seem to shake. 

Though refreshments and camaraderie may be the supper club’s mantra, Serenity and Gabriel know there’s more between them than just sharing delicious meals. But she can’t let herself fall for Gabriel. Because while cooking with love is one thing, trusting it is quite another...

PJ's Thoughts:

A word of caution before you pick up a copy of A Table for Two: do not begin reading this book on an empty stomach. Both Serenity and Gabriel love to cook - and I love to eat - so, believe me when I tell you there was a whole lot of drooling and tummy rumbling going on as I read this story. ;-)

A Table for Two is a charming, low-drama, small-town, contemporary romance that moves along at a steady, leisurely pace. I enjoyed Serenity and Gabriel. Both are likeable, relatable characters who have been burned in previous relationships, are reluctant to trust, and not looking for anything permanent in the romance department. Plus, Gabe is only in town for a limited time. He's a big-city boy who has no interest in small town life. Of course, that's before he moves in next door to Serenity. 

Anyone who has read a small-town romance or watched a Hallmark movie knows how this story is going to end. But that's the conclusion we all sign up for - or at least I do. It's the journey that makes the book enjoyable. This journey has some ups and downs, and initial conflict that is pretty quickly resolved, but overall it's low on the angst. What it does have is an interesting supporting cast, a main couple I could happily cheer for, sizzling chemistry, sparkling banter, and plenty of charm. It held my interest, had me rooting for Gabe and Serenity to make things work, and introduced me to some new recipes (did I mention the food?) that I'm eager to make. I loved Serenity's Supper Club, for both the food and the friendship. Also loved the dynamic among Gabe and his business partners/friends.  

I don't know if this book will be a standalone or the start of a series but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for the series. If Lister plans to write stories for the supporting characters introduced in A Table for Two, I will definitely be buying them. I haven't had nearly enough time with Serenity's friends or Gabe's! 
 

Do you enjoy romances that feature food?

Do you like when authors include recipes in their books? Have you ever made any of them?

One person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, August 18 will receive a print copy of A Table for Two.

*U.S. only
*Must be 18
*Void where prohibited


15 comments:

  1. I do love books that feature recipes and have have made several, one namely from a Deb Macomber book, her chocolate fruit cake which is absolutely delicious. Also made a blueberry cobbler from Sheila Roberts' Welcome to Moonlight Harbor, and Lucky's Apple Bread from Wish Upon a Christmas Star. There have been others as well. As you can see I really love to bake. I am having over for lunch tomorrow and am making a Marmalade Cake from Ester's Gift by Jan Karon. I drool over recipes from books and when I am done reading them, rush to library to makes copies. TY for this chance to get more.

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  2. I always think it's fun when an author puts a recipe in the beginning or the end of the book. I like the sound of this romance. Yes, just like yesterday's book review, it will be like a Hallmark romance. But, I like the description of the hero as the one who is a little bit unsure;
    it's usually not like this in a romance story. I look forward to putting this on my TBR list.

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  3. Love books that add food to the story.

    I don't usually try the recipes included, but I have on occasion.

    Denise

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  4. I do love books that feature food whether the character is cooking or they are at a restaurant. Love hen the author is very descriptive about it.

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  5. I love books that feature recipes! Most unique was Susan Mallory’s Fool’s Gold Cookbook with a short story featuring a bit of chefs’ Ana and Greg’s relationship.
    Susan Wigg’s Lakeshore Chronicles series had recipes. Shanna Hatfield, Marie Boswick, Jill Shalvis, Robyn Carr, Sheila Roberts…

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  6. Books with food in the story are very, very dangerous to me, but that doesn't stop me from reading them. ;-) I have tried a few recipes with mixed results.

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  7. New author to me and I love to read books with a food theme

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  8. Love books about food and like when recipes are included tried a few

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  9. I do like to try new recipes but have not tried any from a book yet. This would be a good chance.
    Natty's Mama (Karen T.)

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  10. Food is always a good topic and my collection of cookbooks shows how interested in it I am. Books centered around competitions between cooks and bakers usually are enjoyable. Throw in a few recipes and I am a happy camper. I have tried a few, some good and some not for me.

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  11. I love food books and especially recipes. I love trying new stuff, it makes life fun. This book looks good and a new to me author. Will have to check this out

    Chris Bails
    Christinebails at Yahoo dot com

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  12. This sounds deliciously delightful! I love when authors include recipes in their books, it enhances the book for me!!

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  13. This book sounds great. I always love to see new recipes. Have not made any from a book. I do like sparkling banter and do hope it will be come a series, and if so with more recipes. Patty BCoral

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  14. Was not able to post with gmail showing. Wonder why there has been a problem. Patty BCoral

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  15. I love to read, bake and cook so any book that has recipes included would make me happy. I have not made any recipies from books however. Cathie P.

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