This book is a satisfying read on several levels. If you are a “foodie,” you will enjoy the context of a high-end restaurant kitchen and the descriptions of delectable foods. If you enjoy a story that focuses on women owning their power, overcoming obstacles and achieving their potentials, this book fills that niche. And lastly if you like “women’s literature”, this novel explores the emotional high and lows of relationships in romance, friendship and family.

The story is told from the perspectives of three women whose lives converge through their connection with a three star Michelin restaurant. While coming from very different backgrounds, each one is struggling with a lack of faith in their abilities to fulfill their dreams.

When the famous executive/head chef dies unexpectedly, Maggie not one loses her mentor, friend and father-figure, she may also be losing her rightful position as his replacement. All she wants to do is preserve his legacy and establish herself as his rightful heir in the kitchen.

Emily seems to have it all – a career as the senior food critic at a major newspaper, a Wall Street fiancé, and a beautiful apartment. And yet…her relationships are a mess. She is estranged from her parents; she lost her best friend because of her jealousy; and her relationship with her fiancé has been on shaky ground for months.

A young widow, Nayomi, struggles to support her two adolescent sons by juggling multiple low-paying jobs. Maggie hires her to work as a porter in the restaurant and, as the only two women in the kitchen, they bond and become friends. When Maggie discovers Nayomi’s talent in creating dishes with exotic flavors from her homeland of Sri Lanka, the two collaborate to offer Nayomi a future and to save Maggie’s career.

I thought the characters were believable and relatable. It was easier to embrace Maggie and Nayomi due to Emily’s prickly personality, but by the conclusion I was a fan of all three. The descriptions of the challenges facing women as professional chefs seemed congruent with other sources I have read. (I find it ironic that cooking is the domain of women in the home, but they are relegated to lessor roles in professional kitchens dominated by men.) The pace kept me engaged throughout and the prose is evocative of the pleasures of good food and wine. My only criticism is that the course of the relationship between Maggie and Ethan (her competition) is a bit clichéd.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

The hopes, dreams, and lives of three distinct women are examined under the eye of the restaurant kitchen that affects all three. For Nayomi, it is a chance for a life she never expected. For Maggie, it is a dream torn asunder. For Emily, it is loss, struggle, and rediscovery. Each relates their own tale, blending into one another while dishing up food of dreams.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love chef programmes on the TV, I love being immersed in the action so when the first page throws you into a busy kitchen, I knew it was going to be a good read.

This story follows the lives of three women whose lives are all entangled in some way or another, a friendship is formed and lives change. A new to me author and one I look forward to reading more from.
⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Kitchen by Laura Carter is a great contemporary fiction that weaves a narrative between three different women all connected into one story.

I really enjoyed this book with the three narratives brought together by one kitchen and one restaurant.

I enjoyed reading the individual stories of Maggie, Emily, and Nayomi. All are different ages, have different backgrounds, and all have their own struggles, problems, and obstacles. However, all are tied together through one busy and upscale restaurant in NYC and all are looking for the same things in life: to find their own place and purpose.

I really enjoyed seeing their individual stories join together, the friendships that developed, and how they were able to forge ahead and be the change that they were hoping for.

Highly recommend this book for any women’s fiction fan or for book club reading.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Canelo Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately (as of 10/11/21 no BB listing has been created and link will be updated when it has been added) and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/11/21.