Thank you to Tessa Afshar, NetGalley, and Bethany House for this #gifted book!*
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Title: The Queen’s Cook
Author: Tessa Afshar
Genre: Biblical Fiction
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Synopsis: “Unlike him, Roxannah had learned to guard her heart because of unhappiness…she has closed the gates of her heart, lest the quakes of pain dismantle the beams of her very being.” Roxannah has grown up in a troubled home for many years and has felt forced to hide because of the actions of her father. Her dreams of the future feel crushed beneath the weight of his choices. But when life’s circumstances introduce her to a kind Jewish royal physician, she notices something very different about him and his faith. Adin is at peace even when an edict from the Persian king threatens his future. Given the chance he to defend himself, Roxannah’s and Adin’s worlds collide and change forever. Shame, bitterness, and grief threaten to topple the growing relationship they have. But Adin still seeks to help Roxannah by finding her a place as a cook in the queen’s court. As palace life unfolds, so do the schemes of those who would harm the royal family. Adin and Roxannah must work together to overcome their pasts, preserve their present, and fight for the future.

Analysis: Queen Esther’s story is an extremely familiar one for any woman who has studied the Bible any length of time, but you probable haven’t seen it quite like this! In this book, you’ll follow the timeline of Esther’s story through the eyes of Roxannah, the queen’s cook. I thoroughly enjoyed her character and the Jewish physician Adin who helped open her eyes to faith in the One True God. Another thing I loved about this book was the layers! You get recipes, mystery, royalty, romance, and faith plus a strong female lead. If you’re looking for a unique perspective on a popular Bible story, Tessa Afshar does a beautiful job with bringing Queen Esther’s court to life.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions ťexpressed in this review are my own.