The story revolves around a young woman named Tessa who discovers a magical recipe book that leads her on a journey of self-discovery and love. The idea of a cookbook with enchanted recipes is delightful and provides a fun twist on the typical feel-good story. The book’s setting and the concept of magical baking offer a cozy, uplifting vibe that is sure to appeal to fans of light, whimsical fiction.

Tessa’s journey, while imaginative, felt a bit predictable and the plot didn’t offer many surprises. The magical elements are cute but didn’t fully capture my imagination. The romantic subplot adds a nice touch, though it often seemed more like a backdrop than a central focus. The pacing was a bit uneven, with some parts dragging and others feeling rushed.

The characters are endearing enough, but they didn’t develop as much depth as I would have liked. Tessa’s personal growth and the resolution of her story are pleasant, but they didn’t fully engage me. The book’s charm lies in its concept and setting, but it struggled to deliver a truly compelling narrative.

Overall, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is a light and fluffy read that might be perfect for those looking for a quick, feel-good escape. It’s sweet and charming, but it didn’t quite leave a lasting impression on me. It’s a fun choice if you’re in the mood for something whimsical and easygoing.

Lolly is stuck in a life she never planned, which she is reminded of after reading life goals she recorded as young teen twenty years ago. Then, her great aunt Gert offers her a unique opportunity- three magical lemon drops that will allow her to live a day in a life that could have been hers. What if she'd opened a restaurant in London? What if her mother hadn't died unexpectedly? And...what if she'd ended up married to Rory, the man she'd always loved? Rachel Linden is deft at weaving a story that stays grounded in reality while also examining what a little magic can do to change your outlook. I absolutely loved this one, with its quirky characters and charming small town feel. I think Rachel Linden has become an auto=read for me.

I very much enjoyed this book. We get a look at not only Lolly's life but what could have been if one thing were different about it. Past, present and future had the reader immersed in her journey of finding happiness, the struggle between love and duty, as well as facing regrets.

Often when books are toted as "women's fiction" they're typically just novels that center around women and their experiences in life. This book gives an insight to the "what ifs" that everyone has so I don't understand narrowing its reach as "women's fiction". It was a quick and easy read but wasn't terribly memorable.

I love the books and movies where they show you what would’ve happened if you chose a different path or made a different decision. But one of the paths she was shown she had children and these two girls sounded so much like my little monsters it was funny, that I felt her pain when she went back to her timeline. This was hurting my heart with all the heartache cause all the paths had something painful, cause life is painful and you can’t escape loss.
It reminded me of the first week my older daughter was born. She was in the NICU and I had deja vu like 15 times. I had been dreaming about her since high school. And my younger in the hospital room just stared at me with this look like we had known each other for lifetimes. So when this character had glimpsed her two daughters like in a dream the heartache of losing that was so much.
This wrapped up so nicely and I loved how it was the grass is always greener lesson then just letting things fall apart to build them back up. Loved the girls and the different businesses she had in the timelines. Loved all the timelines and her Aunt was great! Also just loved Rory in almost every timeline and flashback he was trying to be with her. But timing didn't work out every time for them.

This was such a meaningful and heartwarming book! The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie was a story that I savoured reading and liked the connection between the main characters and the people around her. Everything was perfectly written and wrapped up!

This book was so unexpected. I thought it would be a bit of a trite Mary Sue sorta deal based on the name of the book - like the romance novels that are actually more about the author showing off how Good they are At Food. And to be honest that's why it took me so long to review it. Because I still read those types of books but I just hadn't been in the mood for it for awhile.

Linden managed to craft a story full of feeling. Hope, desperation, desolation. The flash backs to Lolly's romance with Rory were well paced, the three big regrets were incredible to read about. I have personally lost my own mother and I was sobbing so hard reading Lolly spending one last day with her Mum. I'm tearing up even thinking about it now.

And the best part of all, I didn't even see the end coming - it was still such a sweet surprise to me.

I can see myself re-reading this in the future - especially if I'm feeling directionless in my own life.

This book was fabulous and absolutely enchanting!! I was very worried that it'd be just a cheesy, predictable story but I found it so heartfelt and thought-provoking. Plus I'm a sucker for time travel and alt-realities and this one just really hit the mark in a very sweet way. Love it. I keep recommending it!

This book was a roller coaster for me because I was so worried that Lolly would become "the other woman" if she was meant to end up with her long time ex Rory. I was pleasantly surprised by the twist at the end. When Rachel Linden set out to explore the question of what would you do if you could live a day where one of your life's regrets never happened she held little back. Lolly regrets the death of her mother, a dream deferred, and a love lost. In The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie Lolly learns to let go and embrace her life as it is in the present and just possibly everything will turn out okay in the end. If you are a fan of cooking and self discovery this is the book for you! Linden has even kindly included the magical Lemon Drop Pie recipe at the end for you to try. Happy Reading!

“Happiness is fleeting, fickle, often based on our circumstances....If you chase happiness, you will more often than not end up disappointed by the very nature of life. Life is hard, brutal at times, and often unfair. But following your bliss, that's entirely different. It means facing your present reality with honesty and courage and, in the midst of it all, continuing to pursue each spark of joy, even if it is a tiny pinpoint in the darkness of your life. Do not give up. Continue to look for the light in your life--it is always present somewhere, some small thing to be grateful for, something to celebrate, a way to give joy to others, a new way to grow. Move toward the light in life, seek it out no matter what. This is the essence of what it means to follow your bliss. You must be honest. Pay attention. Seek joy.

I think that this is definitely a case of the right book at the right time as I was reading this book while deciding I was going to stop forcing law school on myself and drop out because it was making me miserable. So I think that it was really something to read a book where questions about taking different paths and letting go of things that do not serve you even if you planned for it or thought it was so you, while going through such a pivotal time in my life. Overall I really enjoyed this book and found the overall messages, the magical realism and the characters to be really almost therapeutic to follow along with.

I love magical realism and this book just makes me happy. It is well written and has a beautiful story.

This was a fun refreshing read, a palette cleanser. It's a complicated romance with a pinch of magical realism. It was refreshing because I thought I knew which direction the story was headed and at one point, annoyed at the route used by the author, but it ended up surprising me by going a different way.

Lolly is the main character who has felt trapped in a life she didn't want. Her mother died 6 years ago, she lost the love of her life who married another woman, and she helps her dad keep the family diner afloat, just barely. Lolly is into vintage fashion and music, and while I thought that aspect was over the top, maybe it was just right for other readers who love that. There were certain parts that did actually annoy me, Lolly quoting significant interactions with other characters towards the end, this in itself is not a problem, but she quotes people like five times in close proximity to one another and it loses its impact. It felt like she was trying to hammer her points home at the end by spelling things out to the reader which felt unnecessary since even if you didn't put all the pieces together she shows how things turn out with an epilogue of sorts.

Even though I have a couple critical points about the execution, I still liked this book, and to me it's a bit sweet and sour like a lemon.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This is an adorable and heartfelt read. I will definitely be buying a paperback copy and maybe even listen to the audiobook. I just love stories that give me hallmark vibes, as well as show the beauty of a mother/daughter relationship.

If you are into magical realism, you should pick up The Magic Of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden. This story is about Lolly Blanchard who has essentially been stuck in the ten years since her mother died. She wanted to run her own restaurant in England and was deeply in love. However, she breaks off the relationship and stays home in Seattle to care for her younger sister and help her father run the failing diner. As Lolly's birthday is about to come, her aunt gives her three lemon drops which are magic. Each drop will allow her to live one day if she had made a different choice in life -- stay in England, marry Rory, or what if her mom had lived. Lolly explores the what ifs, but only for a day. What happens though when that one day just isn't enough? Will she find the courage and strength to chase her own happiness?

I was so invested in this audiobook. Largely I could tell this because I got SO mad at one part where Lolly wakes back up in one of her different days and she has the opportunity to seize the life she doesn't but she does not take that chance because of all these other factors but really I feel like if she would have just opened her damn mouth and communicated, she would have been able to make it work. I can understand this narrative choice, particularly as the end is all about how we can't just sit stuck and ruminating on what ifs, we have to choose our happiness. But oh my god it was so frustrating. Other than that, I liked Lolly and her devotion to her family. I also liked Rory, he was a good male lead. The story was pretty solid, cozy, and interesting. The audiobook is narrated by Katie Koster and is 11 hours and 58 minutes -- a good listen.

This book was such a wonderfully, unexpected joy to read. About 15% in, I kind of wanted to hate it and Lolly, but she easily won me over and I couldn't stop smiling like a goofball every time I picked up The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.

I can't really say that I related to Lolly, but I could definitely empathize with her. She was a character that draws you in until you realize you like her and have no clue when that happened. I could've done with a little less of the "woe is me, I need a magical fix" towards the end, but c'est la vie. Everyone throws themselves a pity party now and then.

I enjoyed the idea of seeing other paths your life could've taken, especially as a way to move on and stop idealizing the path not taken. I think we could all use a bit more of that in our lives, especially nowadays.

I didn't 100% understand the draw between Lolly and Rory; I think a few more scenes (maybe during the happiest parts of their relationship) would've helped cement their connection. I was rooting for them, but I wasn't overly invested. I think she could've been happy with someone else if she hadn't continued to be so hung up on Rory.

Overall, I truly enjoyed The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie and that was such a surprise for me. I would definitely recommend it and I'm sure I'll read it again in the near future.

One Italian Summer meets In a Holidaze in this heartwarming read that soothes the soul. It started a little slow but really came through by the end of the novel.

While I am a little late to the party on this one, I am so glad I read it!! All the love and sweet charm passed from one generation to the next helps Lolly find her bliss in life. Full of heart and angsty love that I hope we’ve all experience The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is pure delight and entertainment. Lolly seems to give it all up and when life becomes hopeless she finds her bliss. Couldn’t stop reading!

Thank you so much to the publisher for sending me an ARC!
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Unfortunately I DNFed this, it just didn’t catch my attention and maybe I’ll get into it again when Imm in the perfect headspace to give this another try!

The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden is a smash, five star hit for me. It is women’s fiction and a romance with a kinda magical swirl of meringue on top. The title is a tease about what the book is really about. The main character, Lolly, is stuck in a rut of her own making but all that changes when her sister reads out from Lolly’s middle school diary a list of things Lolly wants to do with her life.

It’s a wakeup call of sorts. We all have one or two things we may have wanted to do but never got around to or decisions we may have regretted. Lolly feels trapped but has a unique opportunity to go back and get a glimpse of what life may have been like had things only been different. Her eccentric Aunt Gert gives her three lemon drops to take for each item on her list.

I love book descriptions that are intriguing, and I love it even more when the novel itself is just as good as its description. This one did not disappoint. I thought it was cleverly done regarding the chance to go back in time for a second chance. Who of us has never had any regrets and thought about what we would have done differently had we been given a second chance?

I liked Lolly as a character and I really felt for her since she lost her mother in death. As a mother myself, I cannot imagine my kids having to go through the most important years of their life without my presence or support. I found the story to be unpredictable, highly readable, and creative.

This novel was heartwarming. A feel-good story for all those struggling to let go of the past and to learn to embrace their future.