Sometimes when you are going through a somewhat stressful time, you just need to read a book that is not difficult, does not strive to provide social value, and does not provide tears of any kind (good or bad). That is exactly what The Cookbook Club provides, just quiet sentimentality. The characters are predictable, the reader can see the "plot twists" coming, the setting makes the reader feel secure, and the themes are blatant. I know this sounds like a bad review of the book, it is what a novel should not be--but it works. This book wraps itself around the reader like a warm hug and even though the ending can easily be guessed, the reader wants to see the words just to verify it does have that happy ending for everyone.

Another great book by Beth Harbison. Light and easy read. Great for a little escape at the end of the day.

I love books about friendship and books about food. Bring those two subjects together, and we have a match made in heaven. This one slides a little too close to the surface for me to have any deep feelings about it, but I do think that this is a great book if you want something to bring along on a mountain getaway or beach vacation. Easy, light, wholesome!

I really enjoy the books in the Lucy Stone series. However, I need to be alert when checking out new books being released. This one was just a rerelease of two previously published books. I feel taken advantage of because it’s like a ploy by the publisher to sell more copies of the book. That’s my rant, so I’ll move on to the reviews of the book(s).

Turkey Day Murder ~ Lucy Stone #7: Once again, Lucy finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation. The family dynamic is still having some blips. And then celebrating Thanksgiving adds to the family and community vibe in Tinker’s Cove. The murder mystery has you flipping through the pages with twists and turns to keep your attention.

Turkey Trot Murder ~ Lucy Stone #24: This addition to the Lucy Stone series was a great read. There were some very serious but timely issues addressed. The opioid epidemic is something that is affecting so many lives and families. And the issue of immigration which is also related to racism was addressed. The author does a great job of treating these subjects with a level of importance they deserve while being gentle with the sensitive nature. There were several plots going on at the same time but this was not at all distracting. It kept your interest and provided a well developed read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing Corporation for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

The Cookbook Club by Beth Harbison is a women’s fiction title about three very different women who come together and find they do have things in common. The point of view in the story will of course change the during the course of the book.

The story all starts with Trista Walker who has decided to leave her demanding job at a prestigious law firm and open her own restaurant. Trista wants to do something new, something different, but with so many ways to go she decides she wants to test some and puts out an ad for others to join her and test out recipes, thus the Cookbook Club is created.

Margo Everson decides to answer the ad when she sees it being at a place in her life she needs something new. Margo’s husband had asked for a divorce and left her with a rundown house and a lot of cookbooks so why not take up the club as a hobby? Aja Alexander answers the ad looking for something to take her mind off of her relationship and the fact she has a secret that she isn’t sure what to do about.

The Cookbook Club by Beth Harbison was a book that gained my interest quickly and had me engaged as I wondered what would happen with these three very different characters. As the three ladies came together in the book you learn all about them and different their lives were but in many ways much the same. It was great watching the friendships unfold and the growth of the characters that came in the story as it went on. Of course there is some food talk in the book but it didn’t overpower the character growth or their journeys.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This was a lovely book, I enjoyed reading it. A group of foodie women form a club based on their love of cooking and food. Each of them faces personal challenges, and they help one another find solutions.
The recipes all sounded delicious and I’m looking forward to trying some of them.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I, and my patrons, love food books. This one did not disappoint. As a Southerner, food is a love language all it's own and I was delighted to see how this title incorporated all our reasons for eating into it. The friendships formed were beautiful and I think I'm going to recommend this title for our book club! (Maybe we can bring food!)

Calling all foodies! Get your hands on a copy of The Cookbook Club! What a delicious read. The food writing absolutely came to life. And I loved this amazing cast of women. Delightful!

I am always attracted to novels that are about books and clubs but this is the first that I have read that focuses on a cookbook club. It was an enjoyable read.

The members of this newly formed club are Trista, Margo and Aja. They are different from one another but each is at a crossroads in her life. Trista was an attorney but now is working in the bar and restaurant that she hopes to one day own. Margo’s husband has gotten a work promotion that involves a move to California. Margo is surprised to learn that her husband is now soon to be her ex and he plans to go without her. Aja is a yoga teacher and garden aficionado. She has a boyfriend but their relationship is souring. Aja has been left with a bit of a surprise by him. How will she manage?

What happens to these women as they negotiate their friendships, relationships and life changes are the story that is told. In addition to the story line I enjoyed s that these are women who LOVE food. It is a delight to read about what is cooked or even thought about with the feeling that enjoyment may just matter more than calories.

Those looking for a pleasant women’s fiction title should give this one a read. I am glad that I did.

Note: The names of many cookbooks are mentioned in the text. Interested readers and/or cooks can look for them as they all exist.

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A fun story of three women who are all at very different crossroads in their life. They connect through their love of cooking and support each other through difficult times.

I found this to be an ok read. A bit plodding but interesting to power through. Will probably try it again soon. Thanks for the ARC!

A quick, light read about 3 women who become friends when one of them starts a cookbook club. The story doesn't really focus on their friendship much, rather it tells each of the three friends story. One woman, Trista, has left the legal profession to start a pub, another, Aja, is pregnant by an indifferent boyfriend, and the third, Margo, is working her way through an unplanned divorce. I enjoyed Margo's story the most of the three women because she seemed to evolve more as the story progresses. She starts out as a lapdog to by her ex-husband but by the end she has come into her own as an independent, interesting woman.

Really enjoyed this read! The characters are fun , realistic and delightful to get to know as they get to know each other , through the love of cooking . Each character has their own story , they come together through fun recipes each month . I really hope this turns into a series , would love to see these ladies again ..

This was a fun, quick read. A story of women, friendships, cooking and moving on. I liked how everything didn’t end happily ever after for all the characters, but all of them moved forward with a new appreciation for what they had found. And I loved the recipes! Stayed hungry throughout!!

Did you read a book and wish that it was a Netflix series?

I wished for The Cookbook Club by Beth Harbison (@bethharibsonbooks) to become a Netflix series so that I can experience the characters at a deeper level.

The novel is about the friendship between three women and food. Her selfish husband recently divorces Margo, and he leaves her a dilapidated farmhouse. Aja has a pushy boyfriend. Aja is pregnant and is keeping that a secret from her boyfriend and his rich mother. Trista is an ex-lawyer turned restaurant owner who is getting the hang of her losses and her business. All three women meet by chance when Trista posts about a cookbook club.

I loved reading about the challenges faced by Margo, Trista, and Aja, their heartbreaks, and dreams. The novel is written from the perspective of the three women and one guy, Max. Max is Margo’s tenant who is a famous actor. I looked forward to reading each of the women’s lives. I wish the author did not include Max’s perspective. It felt forced and away from the flow of the novel.

The Cookbook Club is a cozy read for these chilly nights. Thank you to @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the eARC.

Category: Adult women’s fiction
Publication date: Oct 2020

Beth Harbison is an exceptional author. She has written many wonderful books. For me, this was not one of them. It just did not hold my interest. I am sorry that I can’t be specific about what I didn’t like. I can only say that it was like going to a party where you don’t care about the people and just want to find an excuse to leave. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a light read about three women who meet once a month to discuss books and food. They develop a friendship that is unshakable. Margo is recently divorced and ends up with a dilapidated farmhouse and a shelf of cookbooks. Aja finds herself pregnant and afraid to tell her wealthy boyfriend and his mother. Trisha has decided to open a restaurant and leave her law career in the dust. As the 3 women bond over food they create their own family and prove that being related by blood isn't real important. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

*** I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***

This is the first book that I have read by Beth Harbison, it appealed to me because I am a member of a Cookbook Club at my local library. I really enjoyed this book, though I feel that it started out slow. I ended up enjoying each of the three women's (Trista, Margo, and Aja) stories and the recipes discussed throughout the book. I really like how at the end of the book is a mini cookbook of many of the recipes that they characters made in the book... I know theres a few that I'd like to try! This is a book of food and friendship (obviously) mixed with some drama and romance. I'd recommend this book to anyone who like to cook and share with their friends!

I would like to thank the author and Netgalley for gifting me the ebook! I really enjoyed this book so much. If you are into cooking and female friendship this is a great book for you! I love how 3 women who were all having something major in their life happening come together randomly and start this Cookbook club every month. I loved every single character, they are fun you can just relate to them! I just love reading a book like this that is about food, the way the author described the way the food tastes and looks just made my mouth water, and made me want to get up and start cooking! Thank you Beth Harbison for writing this book.

This was such a sweet and fun book, and I appreciated the emphasis on friendship and how the bonds we make with others can heal us. The recipes were a lovely touch, too.