Set in England in 1932 this is a story of Stella Douglas, who is a food writer. Currently she has been asked by her publisher to write a book about the history of English food. The nation is in the throes of a Great Depression, not to mention that currently Stella is grieving the loss of her mother, a book that we previously written but not doing well and her best friend, Michael, who has become engaged to someone else, along with her rather tense relationship in the midst of her travels. Stella takes on the assignment and with that the hope this book will do better. Given 40 pounds advance, she is able to take trips to find recipes from long ago. However, what she learns is surprising as many English recipes and foods have their foundation from foreign places.

As we read along there are letters she receives from many people all over England with family recipes and their stories. You would think that the English subsist on oatcakes and various buns, along with their "taste" for eels. This novel brought to life England in the 1930'a giving he reader a great description of what life was like at that time. I found Stella to have a good sense of humor, and the novel is written with wit and style. The research for this book was extensive, as I fell in love with the protagonist and the country, what!! Highly recommended.

My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. My thanks go to Caroline Scott as well for a book that was quite enjoyable.

Historical fiction is my favorite genre--but I'm pretty "meh" on historical fiction set in England. I find it to be too twee for my taste (I'm also quite bored with World War II historical fiction, no matter if it's female spies, librarians, booksellers--I'm over it--and there's an abundance of historical fiction about WW II set in England. Someone please discover other timelines in British history--hello, the Swinging Sixties, anyone?!). However--I'm a sucker for food-related historical fiction, so I gave this one a go. This is set in 1930s England (pre-World War II, and there is talk about Hitler and Mussolini), so that also caught my attention.

If you're in the mood for a cozy, warm, and quite delicious read about a smart (book smart, but not always street smart or emotionally smart!) single woman writer traveling around England investigating the origins of traditional English food, this is for you. If you adore English historical fiction like The Jane Austen Society by Natalie Jenner or The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin, you will adore this. There's also some drama, a comeuppance, and a sweet romance near the end....and you may even look at traditional English food in a new appreciative manner. A great read for cooler fall weather, so its November publication will be perfect timing. This will be a hit with many patrons.

Many thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free e-arc of this book through Netgalley.
This book is set in the 1930s, but I think I could see it happening today as well. Stella is a struggling writer whose first book did not sell well. Her publisher gives her an assignement to write about the History of English Food. Stella is swept up in a new romance who heavily influences her book project, but then she has a wake-up call and realizes she's gone too far. Can she fix things before it's too late? She also has a lovely relationship with her dad and I really liked that part of the book more than Stella's dating life. It was a bit dry in places which made me want to skim some paragraphs, but if you are really interested in the food of England, then jump in.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy in exchange for a review which will appear on Goodreads.
Stella is tasked with writing a historical book - one that will tell of the history of food in England. For many an outsider who latches on to rumors about English food, one would think this book would be short. In her attempt to visit with British women to share their recipes - she meets Freddie and everything changes.
A sweet, cute and sometimes funny book, Stella is trying to make her way on her own, but is pulled back in more ways than one to the past.
3* I liked it, but wouldn't reach for it for my book club peeps.

I loved this!! I loved the the story line of this book and it was so interesting to me that I read this in one sitting. The pace of this is great and it keeps you wanting more. Absolutely perfect.
I just reviewed Good Taste by Caroline Scott. #GoodTaste #NetGalley
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Good Taste is exactly what the title promises. Caroline Scott has written a novel about food and not just any food, either. Scott was inspired by a 1932 book/cookbook about the kinds of food that the English were eating. In response to her new literary find, Scott decided to have her heroine become a writer, who is in the process of writing her own book about the history of English food. Good Taste is a novel about food, cooking, history, culture, economics, and love and loss. Scott's resulting historical fiction is also great fun.

When Stella Douglas' publisher gives Stella an assignment to write a book about English food and cooking, she quickly realizes she must undertake a year of research, interviews, and taste tests of English food. Good Taste is Stella's story and the story of English food. She learns that the history of English food is not as simple as might have been expected. Some of her research is tedious and some fascinating. She solicits letters about food, and some are hilarious, some sad, and some profound. All are fascinating. Stella discovers that romance is not love and that they should not be confused. Good Taste is filled with humor and sadness and a selection of characters who will linger in the reader's imagination.

Good Taste is a delight. Caroline Scott has crafted a novel rich in history and turned it into a romantic novel about food Thank you to Scott and to her publisher, William Morrow, for providing me with this ARC to read and review. I hope this review captures the enjoyment that I found in reading this novel. Thank you also to NetGalley for introducing me to another new author.

What a charming book about food in the 1930s. Stella sets out to find good food across England. Along the way she finds food, but also finds love and a way to grieve her mother.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

What a wonderful novel! Good Taste is Caroline Scott’s latest book that surprised me in the best way! This enjoyable novel is set in the 1930’s and centers around Stella Douglas, as she sets to write a novel about the history of English food. Still grieving her mothers death as well as trying to comfort her heartbroken father, Stella diligently researches her novel in hopes of becoming a successful author.

I adored following Stella on her journey, both personally and professionally. Although this novel takes place during the the the Great Depression, I found Caroline and some of the situations she found herself facing were very relatable to todays day and age which completely surprised me. Good Taste is a heartwarming novel that I truly recommend!

Stuck at home with her newly widowed father, Stella has been given a commission to write a book about English food. She's using notices in newspapers and field trips. When her car breaks down on a trip she falls under the sway of Freddie, an antiques dealer as she is on the rebound from the recent engagement of her best friend, Michael. With charming characters, a good plot, and lovely insights into English food, this is a delightful novel.

A sweet book merging life, healing, and cooking. Love the historical setting -- England in 1932. British ingenuity in the face of hardships and deprivations have always made intriguing reading for me and this book does not disappoint.