This was a great piece of chick lit focusing on food and friendship. Kate is dumped right before turning 40 and finds an unlikely friendship with 96 year old Cecily when she begins doing volunteer work. Cecily, tired of Kate feeling sorry for herself, gives her a cookbook that features recipes for any situation. Kate and Cecily's bond over this book leads to a real friendship as Cecily's own heartbreak is revealed.

A thoroughly delightful, enjoyable reading experience. Kate is a typical down to earth, relatable, middle-aged woman. She is stronger than she thinks, and I loved how the author brought her through a series of self-discovery moments. Many of those moments were laughable, cringe-worthy, or profound, sometimes all rolled into one. I found myself pondering Kate’s conversations, self-revelations and willingness to stand up for herself even after finishing the book. The supporting characters are just as enjoyable, especially Miss Cecily. I loved how loyal Kate’s friends were and how a solid friendship that defies age barriers blooms between Kate and Miss Cecily. The recipes mentioned made me want to try a few of my own and just enjoy the creative process of unleashing myself in the kitchen. A highly recommendable book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.

Kate is nearing her 40th birthday when her boyfriend admits he isn't sure about their relationship. Kate's response is to take a break and while doing so she decides to fill her weekends doing something she loves, but out of her comfort zone. She agrees to give cooking demonstrations at a retirement home. She doesn't plan to get involved personally, but finds herself drawn to one particular 97-year-old woman, Cecily. Cecily pushes Kate to examine her life and to take some chances. Absolutely charming and hard to put down.

Two lonely women. An unlikely friendship. And one big life lesson: never be ashamed to ask for more . . .

What's not to love about a book that encourages readers to seek their best life and find happiness in all that they do? I absolutely adored this book and highly encourage you to give it a read.

What I loved about this book:

1. I love books that are full of positive friendships, especially when they have a bit of romance thrown in so this book was perfect for me. The friendship between Kate and Cecily was inspiring and it was impossible to put down. Cecily was so wise and witty and I loved how she told a bit more of her life story each time Kate visited.

2. I loved how this book encourages others to seek more out of life and to not settle out of convenience. Life is too short to not enjoy yourself.

3. I loved the cooking aspect of this book. The cookbook Kate reads has a meal for every occasion and I loved how it connected food to special occasions. I find food to be comforting so I was really able to connect with that aspect of the book.

If you're looking for a heartwarming read with friendship and a bit of self improvement, look no further. This book was a quick, but enjoyable read and had the personal touch of being based on the writer's own Grandmother.

A lovely women's fiction read from a new-to-me author, MISS CECILY'S RECIPES FOR EXCEPTIONAL LADIES is a warm and delicious comfort read about an unlikely friendship between two women. This is the reading equivalent of your favorite comfort meal.

This book deserves 100 stars ! It is so wonderful you will read it cover to cover. I was quite enthralled with the charcters and story that is endearing and heartwarming. This is a book that speaks to all of us women that have devoted wasted time in our lives to useless men and bad go no where jobs. I highly recommend you read this enchanting book about starting over, being brave and having the value of women friends no matter the age difference. Thank you with gratitude to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own.

Right away I liked the main charcter and appreciate that the author featured a normal women of 40. This is so rare in books today and this is truly what women want to read about. Kate is in a dead end relationship with a man who refuses to commit but wants her to stay ( a very familiar story to most women today). She is working a dead end job in food service that she is soon to be let go from after years of devotion to her boss and her job. After she is dumped and fired , she moves in with her Mother and indulges herself in to many carbs . She realizes she needs to jump start her new life and make a immediate change so she volunteers at a retirement home. She makes a immediate connection with 96 year old Cecily who is in need of a friend . The two become a unlikely pair of friends as Cecily is revived through telling Kate her life story and sharing receipes. Reading about Cecily as such a outstanding charcter gives us hope that we to will be like Cecily someday. As they share life stories and laughs they find they both need each other .

The receipes shared here at just divine. The women charcters are both strong supportive friends to each other. This book is a 100% one of my favorite books of the year. I adored this book, the charcters, the receipes and the friendship between two strong women. Very highly I recommend this book for your reading enjoyment.

I received a free electronic copy of this excellent women's novel from Netgalley, Vicky Zimmerman, and Sourcebooks Landmark - Zaffre. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am compelled to add Vicky Zimmerman to my must-read author's shelf. Thank you, Netgalley, for exposing me to her work. I encourage friends and family to add this book to their collections.

Kate Parker is a thoroughly modern London woman, still single and pushing 40, and finding herself in a romantic relationship that she hopes is the keeper she has been searching for a long time. She has been employed with the same grocery chain for twenty years, rising steadily up through the ranks and surviving several company cutbacks, has several very dear friends who keep her grounded, including her bestie since they were four years old, Bailey, and of course, there is her mother Rita, widowed when only child Kate was just twenty and even more modern than her daughter, Rita is 'into' holistic healing of all sorts and dating much younger men. Kate is pretty self-sufficient - she's an avid reader, loves to cook, loves to eat, and explore different cultural dishes.

Nick Sullivan is a 44-year-old geek, into classic computer games, legos, and crossword puzzles and existed on fast food before he met Kate but has entered into the spirit of food discovery. Though currently between jobs he is highly sought out in his field of computer coding and cybersecurity and when on a job has a one-track mind and disconnects from his life with Kate until that job is done.

Kate and Nick have dated exclusively for over a year, are together nearly every night, and are talking of children, planning their lives together, set to move in together at Nick's apartment on their return from their autumn holiday. But while in France Nick experiences what he calls a wobble - he loves Kate and does want them to live together and eventually marry but - not yet. He feels like he simply must have more time to adapt to connubial bliss. And Kate's roommate has already sub-leased her room, leaving her homeless on her return to London.

Temporarily moving in with her Mom, Kate is heartbroken and there is going to be another layoff at her job but her boss can't decide who he is going to keep on yet - he will let them know by November. Her world is upside down with no structure that she can count on. The consensus of opinion among her friends, co-workers and her Mom involves kicking Nick to the curb. Kate doesn't give up - on anything - and she wants to give Nick another chance, but is talked into giving him a deadline - they will not see each other until Nick commits and if she doesn't hear from him by her 40th birthday in November, she will have to move on.

Kate and Bailey decide that an advertised animal rescue volunteer job of socializing kittens, just around the corner from her work - Kate doesn't have a personal vehicle - is just the thing to give Kate an emotional outlet from job and man problems - but by the time Bailey drives her over, that position has been filled. Just around another corner is a retirement home also advertising for a volunteer and Bailey has to pick up her daughters from school, so she drops Kate off to explore that option. Kate isn't so sure - she loves kittens. She isn't sure how she feels about old people, never having been exposed to them. And after she meets Miss Cicily, she is pretty sure that if the gig didn't involve cooking she would not be at all interested...

What a wonderful novel this was to read! At first, I wondered what kind of story it would involved. It seemed to focus on a young woman and her relationship issues. It then took a sharp turn to look at the past of a woman in her nineties.

Kate Parker is in a relationship with someone who seems, to her at least, to be perfect for her. She can’t quite understand why people in her life are not as accepting.

An event happens before her 40th birthday that leaves her scrambling for ways to fill her life during what, she insists, is a short setback in her relationship with her boyfriend.

She ends up volunteering at a glorified nursing home, Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies. Kate loves going, for the most part, except for dealing with a crotchety older lady who keeps shouting awful things and quoting from books during Kate’s demonstrations to the group.
That lady is Cecily Finn. Kate is challenged to spend time with Cecily and does so. Cecily does not seem as appreciative but is willing to tell some of her life story to Kate.

The book covers the past of Cecily, what is going on in Kate’s life, and how the knowledge of Cecily’s past has a huge impact on how Kate begins to view her world and her own life.

I was enthralled and couldn’t put the book down. Thankfully, it was a short, short book and I had many hours of enjoyment. I hope that this author writes more books in the future as I loved her style and plot.

I was provided a digital advance reader copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

Oh, how I love this book. I have had many woman in my life who have taught me so much about being a woman, a wife, a mom and I am so grateful for each one. This book got to me to thinking about them and the fun times we had cooking and laughing and learning. I loved this story. Kate and Cecily are wonderful characters and I would love to have been in a corner watching their relationship grow. I highly recommend this book.

This book had a bit of a slow start for me but the friendship between Kate and Cecily was so heartwarming with lots of life lessons, relationship advice, and food talk. I would love to see this book made into a movie! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. This book is available on 6/9/20!

If only the recipes were included! You might think you've read enough novels about an older person imparting wisdom to a younger one but you haven't read this one- and it's a treat. Kate thinks her future is with Nick until, midway through their vacation, he announces that he's just not....ready. Devastated she retreats to her mother's house and to her soul crushing job writing tags for items at the grocers. Then she's dragged to Lauderdale, where she finds herself entranced and insulted by Cecily Finn, who has strong opinions about pretty much everything and a life story to tell. Food runs throughout this wonderful novel- Cecily gives Kate a cookbook, Kate loves to cook (as does Nick), and food just figures big time. You'll eventually understand why Cecily's story feels a bit off in spots (and it might bring a small tear). Kate's dates, on the other hand, will make you laugh and also deeply annoyed. No spoilers on how her romantic life turns out but know that this is as much about her personal growth as anything. She's great, Cecily is terrific, and all in all, it's an excellent read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This left me hungry but also satisfied. PS Make sure to read the afterword!

I am BLOWN AWAY by how much I loved Cecily and this book. I had no idea what to expect when I dove into this one, other than it sounded cute and like a fairly easy, fun read.

Which is was, but it was also a rousing story about loving yourself, demanding better for your life, and reaching for what really makes you happy.

It was a book so beautifully written (the descriptions of food in the book, MY GOD) that I was absorbed page after page and I simultaneously didn't want to finish the book and desperately wanted to know how it ended.

This is the PERFECT summer read - a must for any bookworm!

This book has 65 chapters and it doesn't really pick up and become interesting until chapter 50. While I liked Cecily very much [SO much snark!], Kate just about drove me mad. And the early chapters about her and Nick and all the dysfunction...Yeah, no. Just no.

While the recipes were amazing to read [along with the ideas and advice] and the supper club idea was intriguing, it just wasn't enough to keep my mind from wandering, and for me to not skim [and then have to go BACK and reread when I was confused over something] and the end kind of made up for some of the beginning [though this "happily ever after" trope is really old and actually, not suited here IMO], I truly was hoping for so much more than I actually got.

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a pleasant read. Kate is heading towards 40, unmarried but with a boyfriend she is ready to move in with. He is a commitment-phobe, and "wobbles" while they are on a vacation in France. He is troubled not at all by what he has done, while Kate gives him two months to get his life together and figure out where they, as a couple, go. In the meantime, Kate, stuck in a dead end job she has had since she was 20, moves back home and lives with her mother. She volunteers to do a foods group at a nursing home and there she meets Mrs. Cecily Finn. Miss Cecily is 97, disagreeable, and can't wait to die. As Kate becomes better acquainted with Cecily, she discovers that Cecily has had a very rich, full life. Cecily immediately sees the problems with boyfriend Nick, and encourages Kate to move on with her life.

I wanted a reality check for Kate and to tell her to go forward, that she truly is a worthwhile person, and her value as a person resides with her and not Nick, thus the three rating.

The story is based on Vicky Zimmerman's extraordinary grandmother, also named Cecily Finn.

Kate has had what is possibly the worst “getaway with her boyfriend’ ever. After long years of making excuses for his inattentiveness, his obsession with video games, inability to discuss emotions, and Kate’s oft-heard excuse that he’s ‘most probably on the scale’, Nick has said that despite their plans for her to move in, he’s not ‘sure’ anymore, in France, a day before they are to return. Back in England, Kate’s plans to reclaim her flat share are scuttled, and she resorts to moving in with her mother, a ‘new age’ therapist, one who reads only self-help and finds Kate’s approaching fortieth birthday with no ring on her finger and a job writing packaging copy for food is less than ideal.

Kate was never ‘confrontational’ and is more than a bit of a doormat at the start, but she does have three qualities that redeemed her: her friendships of years, her sense of humor, and her ‘no quit’ attitude that keep her coming back. Sometimes to her detriment, until her best friend suggests a day away to ‘cuddle kittens’ that morphs into a ‘volunteer instructor’ at a local care home, where she’s planning to share some ‘happy recipes’ with the residents. One won’t be ‘charmed’ however, and Kate meets Cecily: brusque, critical, gruff and intelligent: and unwilling to ‘interact’ with Kate in ways other than confrontation.

What a delightful story: Kate’s growth as she spends more time with Cecily, learns her stories, and is loaned a cookbook that is part food, part advice columns and wholly addictive, we see Kate work her way through the recipes that include charming a boss, closing a sales deal, securing an engagement and even making up with family after an argument. With the Nick Situation so unstable, and Cecily instantly seeing that Kate settled, and deserves more: the recipes, Cecily’s no-nonsense advice, her stories and the re-ignition of Kate’s dreams have everything moving to a new outlook for Kate as Cecily’s life, at 97, comes to a close. Truly a lovely story of friendships and discoveries, with some ‘helping hands’ along the way, Kate is able to move on and forward, discover her own voice, find treasures in difficult moments and take steps on a new and more fulfilling career along the way. A sweet and lovely story that shows the power of friendships, confrontation and confidence all packaged with glorious foodie images and moments, laughter and heart.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aIO/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>

Oh my gosh. What an extraordinary book. I have to say, it took me about 10% to get into it because it seemed a bit slow moving but in hindsight, it was essential to the book. I loved the book - I laughed out loud and I sobbed. I want a copy of Thought for Food now - although I can't seem to find a copy anywhere.. The main character Kate reminds me of myself a bit - her world revolves around food and books (hello, its 100% me) and the dishes she makes sound incredible. She is a kind and thoughtful and kickass woman and I wish I were half as awesome as her. The book is perfect for people who need to hear some hard truths, who need to be a little brave, who love food and who need a beautifully written book with so much heart and soul. I can't recommend this book enough - definitely worth a read!!!

The night before her 40th birthday, Kate's life falls apart Deciding to volunteer to do cooking demos at a retirement home, she meets crabby direct-talking Cecily who has no patience for Kate's choices. Cecily loans her a copy of a book, Food for Thought, and Kate begins to find her way. Amazing descriptions of food, witty conversation, insightful exploration of friendship add up to one fabulous meal of a book.

Wow, what a fantastic novel written so well and a real joy to read, you could imagine being there in the middle of what was going on. Then at the end to find that it was based on a true real life story made it even better. Everyone should get a copy and immerse yourself in this book. I would love to give this more than 5 stars but I can't so 5 stars it will be. This is a book that I recommend.

“Cecily’s mind and tongue are as sharp as lime juice on an ulcer.”

Cecily Finn is 97 1/2 years old. What a fun relationship ensues when she meets “almost” 40 year old Kate who is ‘kind of’ separated from her commitment phobic boyfriend, Nick. Kate and Nick reminded me of the Friends episode .... “We were on a break!”

I enjoyed this one, a cute story. Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the e-ARC!

What to do, what to do what to do? What is a girl to do when she is in love with someone who is completely unappreciative of her goodness, worth and devotion? If you are Kate Parker you hang on for any crumb swept your way. If you are Nick Sullivan you take and take and never consider anyone’s needs but your own. If you are ninety-seven-year-old Cecily Finn you see Kate as a woman worth saving and with wit and storied morsels, doled out in equal measure, you try to protect and awaken Kate’s inner warrior goddess.

“Kate is prone to hoping for things that statistically could happen but definitely won’t.” Cecily, who has lived large and loved larger calls Kate out in the most uncharacteristic language; “you’re doing life all wrong, blundering around like a fart in a pickle barrel”. And that pretty much defines their relationship. Miss Cecily definitely has the best lines even if they are an attribution by Kate: “Cecily’s mind and tongue are sharp as lime juice on an ulcer.” Ooh so perfect.

Consider the trauma of turning forty, losing your true love, about to become unemployed, and moving back home with your acerbic tongued mother. Then mix in the support of a few good and supportive friends and the discovery of an extraordinary recipe book of delicious meals paired with any given situation and when properly baked you have a delightful story.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a copy.