Wedding Bells are ringing, but someone is out to blow the event out of the water before Jenna and Rhett can get down the aisle! Sinister ex-partner and the people who love to hate her are all on the suspect list, but can Jenna and crew solve the crime before the killer puts a permanent end to the Jenna and Rhett's happily ever after? Great cast of characters that has you feeling like you are visiting old friends rather than reading a story. An intriguing plot that will keep you guessing right up to the end! I absolutely love visiting the Cookbook Nook and can't wait to meet up with these characters again!

The past comes back around in Simmering with Resentment, the 11th Cookbook Nook mystery.
I enjoy visiting Crystal Cove and getting a look into Jenna and friends’ lives.
Jenna is weeks away from marrying Rhett, when his old boss Sarita comes to town. The action takes off from there. There are explosions, theft, a bridal festival, kittens and good food.
It was so interesting watching the story unfold as Jenna gathered clues and worried about whether she should cancel the wedding. There are several good candidates for perpetrator.
I love that the author doesn’t end the book right after the murder is solved. The reader gets to be present for Jenna and Rhett’s wedding. The story feels complete rather than left hanging.
I have read every book in the Cookbook Nook series and I thoroughly enjoyed Simmering with Resentment. I am happy to recommend it to all lovers of cozy mysteries.
As always I am a proponent of reading the books in order, but I do think the book would still be enjoyed by someone new to the series.

“ Simmering with Resentment ” by Daryl Wood Gerber the 11th instalment in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. I really enjoy this series. The Agatha Award–winning author of Wining and Dying returns to the Cookbook Nook, where a killer’s explosive vengeance may lead to Jenna Hart’s happily never after . . .

I loved going back to Crystal Cove California, and visiting Jenna, Tigger and the staff at The Cookbook Nook. I like Jenna as the protagonist she is realistic, relatable and I love Tigger the marmalade cat. The authors descriptions of the Wedding Expo and Crystal Cove had me picturing myself walking down the streets enjoying all the town has to offer and don’t get me started on the food descriptions.

One part of the story I really loved was the fire station kitties all with a fire themed name. I definitely would of adopted one if I had really been there.

As for the mystery it was full of twists, and a few turns which kept me guessing. Overall this was a very enjoyable read, especially if you’re a foodie.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 11 in the series.

I usually love to visit Crystal Cove and the Book Nook, but this is my least favorite book in the series. Maybe it's the wedding theme of the book, but Jenna is rather unpleasant in this installment. And the cast of characters is starting to get a bit out of hand. It doesn't make it more suspenseful for me, it makes it harder to keep track of who is whom. I was getting some of the characters confused and would have to go back and read a bit before I got it straightened out. As a result, this was a slow read for me.

That said, I will continue to read the series as long as it continues.

Simmering with Resentment is the 11th book in the Cookbook Nook series. I have not read any of the previous books in this series, There were a lot of characters and keeping them straight took a great deal of effort. I am a fast reader, but this book was not just a slow read, it included a great deal of filler that bogged me down and that would have been best edited out. I found this book a struggle. I like details, but filler is just that--filler.

This is the first book by Daryl Wood Gerber that I have read. I do not normally pay any attention to the gender of an author, but from the beginning of this novel, I felt like the character of Jenna, the lead protagonist, was not true to character. As I read the book, I had a difficult time trying to understand what was not working. I finally realized that the author simply did not totally grasp the smallest nuances of how women think. The best example is Jenna's idea that the wedding should be postponed. She thought this from the very beginning, even though Rhett was not badly injured. A woman might worry about her fiancé's injuries and if the wedding might not need to be postponed, but a woman would not immediately rush into a decision that the wedding needed to be postponed, especially after being told her fiancé's injuries were not serious. Jenna stated this so often, Rhett finally asked her if she still want to marry him. That very question illustrates what is wrong with Jenna's thinking.

Another example of how Jenna seemed off was how little time she spent with her fiancé while he was an inpatient. She was rarely there. Instead she was everywhere else imaginable.

I want to thank the author and publisher for allowing me to read and review this ARC. I wish I could give it a better review. If possible, my actual review would be 2 1/2 stars. Thank you also to NetGalley for making this book available.

This is the 11th book in the Cookbook Nook mysteries and while reading them all would add to the subtext between characters I haven’t read them all and still thoroughly enjoyed this one. I like the setting Crystal Cove although the bridal expo in the tiny town seemed odd, but I get what it added to the story. My favorite cameo was the 10 fire based named kittens! The main character Jenna is about to get married to her fiancé Rhett, but when things start to go wrong she wonders if it’s a sign that they need to postpone. Of course Jenna stumbles upon a body because that’s what cozy amateur sleuths do but it was quite a bit later than normal since she and her fiancé were attacked instead earlier in the story. The main mystery focuses on Sarita - a woman that tried to frame Rhett for burning down her business to fraud the insurance money and has done her time and returned with a vengeance. The mystery was interesting even if I didn’t find the ending shocking it was fun.

A unique read which cleverly the author smartly blends crime, recipes, and an array of cookbooks that all should covet in a witty, well-plotted whodunit. Definitely worth a read.

Another satisfying entry in the Cookbook Nook series. I like how the characters grow and evolve as the series grows on. And the mystery was well done with plenty of suspects to choose from. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series first since you will get a better feeling for the characters that way.

Simmering with Resentment is the perfectly titled eleventh book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series. Long-held resentments can be dangerous in picturesque Crystal Cove. Jenna and Rhett are soon to be married and are finalizing wedding details when Sarita Stachline returns to town. Jenna helped convict Sarita for arson, and now Sarita is out of jail and back in town. Jenna and Rhett are enjoying a prenuptial dinner when an explosion lands Rhett in the hospital, and it's up to Jenna to figure out if Sarita or someone else is responsible. Unfortunately, things aren't straightforward because Sarita's resentments may not be the only ones uncovered.
I am a sucker for books about books, and Jenna runs a culinary bookshop with a cafe (wish my town had one!) So there are lots of book, cookbook, and food references with great recipes in the back, several of which I intend to try. Favorite characters are back, and it is nice to see them all, but if you aren't familiar with the series, the author brings you up to speed on everyone as they appear. The premise is intriguing, and there are enough red herrings along the way to keep you guessing. Jenna is a feisty and resourceful sleuth. The California coastal setting is idyllic, and the wedding subplot with the bridal expo was fun. Overall, I enjoyed this book; it hit the right notes for a satisfying cozy and is a nice addition to the series! Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for the opportunity to review this ARC.

The newest in the cookbook book mystery series. Jenna’s wedding is almost here and she decides to peruse the wedding expo for any last minute inspiration. Unfortunately it’s not just the expo that’s in town - her fiancé’s previous boss has been released early from jail. Moreover, she blames Jenna for being sent to jail. Soon, a two bombs go off and one person ends up dead. Jenna has to find the killer before she’s next.

This is a great series! If you haven’t read any others in the series, you can jump in here - just know there are spoilers with relationships that developed in previous books. A good mystery though, and like all the others, has recipes at the end.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another good mystery in this series. There is a lot of resentment simmering in this story. Jenna and Rhett are getting ready for their wedding, and everything seems to be going well until the explosion. If Jenna hadn't been in the dining room of the restaurant, she would have been injured too. As it is, Rhett is in the hospital with a concussion. While he is recuperating, Jenna is trying to find out who would plant a bomb in Rhett's restaurant. Is it someone who has a grudge against her or Rhett? When a woman is killed by a bomb, Jenna isn't sure if they are connected or not, but she will find out. Their wedding is soon she can't have something like that hanging over their heads. Will they even get to walk down the aisle?

Bride’s Dream Expo is in town, and Jenna Hart, owner of the Cookbook Nook, is preparing for her own wedding in a few weeks. But a dark cloud is hanging over the festive mood when Sarita Strachline, a woman Jenna helped convict of arson, returns to Crystal Cove bent on revenge. And when Jenna and Rhett’s prenuptial dinner is rocked by an explosion that almost takes Rhett’s life, Jenna can’t help but think Sarita is to blame. With Rhett in the hospital, Jenna is determined to find out the truth about the explosion and Sarita.
This was a very exciting cozy mystery full of suspense, plot twists, and red herrings that confuse you about the identity of the culprit. I was very surprised in the end. However, I felt that the main characters’ speculation was a little repetitive and the story was a bit too long and drawn out. Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond The Page Publishing for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this novel. This review is my unbiased opinion.

Simmering with Resentment: A Cookbook Nook Mystery by Daryl Wood Gerber is another solid addition to this series. I grew up in the Bay Area, so I like her mentioning certain towns and places that I know or can visualize. This was a quick and satisfying cozy mystery. Great recipes at the end, especially the salmon and avocado rolls, the biscuits with chives, and the margarita cocktail. Can't wait to try them all.

#SimmeringwithResentment #NetGalley @BeyondthePage

You'll love this mystery as events start happening as the wedding draws closer. The characters will keep you wondering who could have caused these events. Intriguing and suspenseful.

I enjoyed reading Simmering with Resentment. The story takes place in Crystal Cove, CA. Jenna Hart owner of the Cookbook Nook and Nook Cafe is the main character. Jenna is part owner along with her aunt Vera Hart Jenna is engaged and planning her wedding to Rhett Jackson owner of Intime Restaurant. The supporting characters adds to the story. The town is busy with a .Bride's Dream Expo. Jenna finds out that Sarita Strachline has been released early from prison. She was sent there for burning down her restaurant The Grotto and left town with the insurance money and left Rhett to take the fall. Jenna got the police to open the case which lead to her arrest. When running into each other at the expo they have words. While getting ready at home a brick is thrown threw the window, Jenna suspects that Sarita did it. Jenna meets Rhett at the restaurant to make dinner together. While there a bomb goes off in the kitchen and Rhett is hurt. Jenna again suspects Sarita, There is a second explosion and Sarita is killed. Jenna and her friends try to figure out who bombed the restaurant and the boat and killed Sarita. This is where the reader is taken on a journey to the exciting and surprising end.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page for this ARC.

The Bride’s Dream Expo in town and it’s all things wedding in Crystal Cove, including at the Cookbook Nook, where owner Jenna Hart is preparing for her own wedding in just a few short weeks. But the festive mood is dampened by the appearance of Sarita Strachline, a woman Jenna helped convict of arson and is now out of jail and bent on revenge. When Jenna and Rhett’s intimate prenuptial dinner is rocked by an explosion that nearly takes Rhett’s life, Jenna can’t help but think Sarita is to blame. Jenna is desperate to prove Sarita’s guilt but also consumed by worries over Rhett’s condition, so she reluctantly lays her case out for the police and leaves the investigation in their methodical hands. Still, she can’t help piecing together the clues, and as the evidence begins to mount, Jenna realizes that revenge may not be the answer.....

I am a big fan of this series so was excited to see the newest edition offered by NetGalley and the publisher and promptly requested it. I love the characters in the book and how they have developed over these 11 editions. As an avid cookbook collector for many years, I am always interested in the titles of the cookbooks mentioned. A bonus is the addition of the recipes mentioned in the book.

Title: Simmering with Resentment
Author: Daryl Wood Gerber
Publication Date : April 26, 2022

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Summary:
As Jenna Hart prepares for her own nuptials in Crystal Cove, the Bride Expo has come to town and is in full swing. However, by a murder takes place and the town is in a tizzy. Who committed this terrible crime and why? This cozy mystery is a great introduction to the cookbook nook series.



This is the 11th book in the cookbook nook series. Having not read the previous books, I was new to this set of characters and man there were a LOT! I enjoyed the premise of this book and the setting, but surprisingly the abundance of details overwhelmed me. I appreciate detailed books because they give the reader a clear picture, but there were too many detailsn. The cast of characters began to confuse me since there were a number of them . I’m generally a very fast reader, but this was a slow read for me. I did really like the suspenseful ending. Being a reader of many thrillers, I’m accustomed to page turning suspense. I really enjoyed the whole concept though and plan on starting the series from the beginning. Daryl is a great writer and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Thank you to Daryl Wood Gerber and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Whenever a mystery opens with a cast of characters (with 25+ entries), that concerns me. I have trouble keeping large numbers of characters straight. So I bookmarked the cast of characters to refer to and started reading with some trepidation. It's with relief that I tell you the cast of characters wasn't really needed. Gerber avoids problems like dumping 10 new characters on the reader in just a few pages. All the characters were identified well in context, and I don't think I referred back to the cast of characters at all.

The mystery itself is satisfying. I like Jenna and find her pretty relatable. The dramatic explosion that almost kills Jenna's fiance gives Jenna excellent motivation for trying to solve the crime--both that one and the murder of Sarita. The bridal expo (ack!) lends a layer of additional interest for both Jenna's shop and the town at large. And at the end of the book, a resolution that makes sense ties everything up. There are lots of people and lots of plot elements, but it all feels nicely woven together and presented as an enjoyable read!

Review copy provided by the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I always look forward to reading a new book in the Cookbook Nook series and this new one is an action packed and suspenseful addition. Wedding bells are in the air in Crystal Cove, California with Jenna and Rhett's wedding coming up in a few weeks but, there is also a bridal expo going on. When Jenna and Rhett almost died in an explosion at Rhett's restaurant, she is sure that a woman who set fire to Rhett's old restaurant is responsible. Afterall, she is out of prison since she saw Sarita at the expo. But then the sailboat Sarita is staying on blows up a day or so later. Well, now she has to find out who would want them all dead. Jenna cannot resist investigating even though her friend and police chief, Cinnamon, tries to stop her. A lot of people had a motive to dislike Sarita, but Jenna and Rhett? This is another fun mystery to unravel as Jenna goes through the pool of suspects, putting herself in the eyes of a killer. Festivals also mean fun events, like food demonstrations at the Cookbook Nook Bookstore and Cafe. Lots of recipes are included. Recommended for cozy mystery and foodie lovers.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

This was another lovely addition to the cosy mystery series, Cookbook Nook Mystery. Keep in mind this the 11th book in the series, and I would suggest reading the other books beforehand if you want that connection with the characters. That being said, this book does a good job of catching up the reader with what has happened in the previous books, and does mention any important relationships with characters and notable events that have happened. One thing I wished was improved was the writing— I think the book could've been shortened as some scenes added nothing to the story at all; they acted like filler pages. The revelation wasn't too shocking but the intrigue was well kept till the reveal. This series does have anything you could want in a cosy mystery— a murder mystery, small town setting, interesting characters and a cat sidekick!

I thought that it was quite unique that the main character, Jenna, owns a bookshop that specialises in cookbooks; this is the first time I had ever come across that job in a cosy mystery and its quite charming. There is a romance in this book that is quite central-ish to the story because in this book the main character is engaged and they are wedding planning (fun!). That is until the attempted murder happens...

Its a solid cosy murder mystery and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the genre!

2.5 stars.

Rating scale:
5 stars — Loved everything about this book. Will most likely re-read and would highly recommend to others
4 stars— This book was good. I didn’t love it but I still liked it enough to still rate it highly. I would still recommend this book; it just wasn’t a favourite of mine.
3 stars — I didn’t love it and I didn’t dislike it. There maybe have been a few things that bothered me while reading this book but for the most parts the likes outweigh the dislikes.
2 stars — There might be some things that were lacking in some areas—writing, characterisation, plot etc, but there may have been a few moments that I liked.
1 star — I disliked this book and had lots of issues with it.