The Coincidence of Coconut CakeBy:
Amy E. Reichert
Published:
July 21, 2015
Publisher:
Gallery Books
Add to Goodreads
Source:
Copy of the book from the publisher for a honest review
GR's Summary:
YOU'VE GOT MAIL meets HOW TO EAT A CUPCAKE in this delightful novel about a talented chef and the food critic who brings down her restaurant—whose chance meeting turns into a delectable romance of mistaken identities.
In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé…until the morning she discovers him in the buff—with an intern.
Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived on the worst day of the chef’s life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service—he unleashes his worst.
The day that Al’s mean-spirited review of Luella’s runs, the two cross paths in a pub: Lou drowning her sorrows, and Al celebrating his latest publication. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee and she’s game—but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city’s local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou’s restaurant faces closure, while Al’s column gains popularity. It’s only a matter of time before the two fall in love…but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?
Set in the lovely, quirky heart of Wisconsin, THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE is a charming love story of misunderstandings, mistaken identity, and the power of food to bring two people together.
Lindy's Thoughts:
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is a sweet and charming love story. If you are like myself, and enjoy decadent descriptions of food and baked goods, romance, and fun loving characters, you need to read this story.
Elizabeth "Lou" Johnson has a passion for food. She is the owner of Luella's, a French restaurant that she named after her favorite grandmother. Lou has a horrible day, when she decides to surprise her fiancee, Devlin, with a delicious homemade coconut cake and breakfast for his birthday. Instead, Lou is the one to get surprised when she walks into Devlin's apartment and see's a woman in lingerie, and her fiancee in his underwear.
Lou is devastated and this effects her restaurant on that day. The food comes out overcooked or undercooked. She's snapping at the workers, who are concerned for Lou, and she accidentally starts a kitchen fire. Of course, as luck would have it, her restaurant gets a horrendous critical review by Al Waters based off of that same day. However, he writes his critiques under the name, A.W. Wodyski. A chance meeting leads Lou and Al to form a deep friendship, and eventual relationship. One rule Lu has enforced is to not talk about work, because it is a sore subject for her now that her restaurant is going out of business. What will happen when Lou discovers that the man she loves is responsible for the scathing review of her beloved restaurant?
I enjoyed the setting of Milwaukee, as Lu took Al to explore the various sights, festivals, and restaurants; I felt like I was sightseeing and taste tasting all that the city had to offer. The plot line offered a few twists, a beautiful romance, and some very touching moments.
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake was very character driven. Lu was a compassionate, loyal, and loving woman; who I enjoyed getting to know. She was surrounded by the warmth of good friends, Sue (her sous chef and best friend), Harley (her pastry chef), and Otto and Gertrude (a sweet older couple, and loyal customers at Luella's). Al was an interesting character as well. He was an Englishman who originally came off as an aloof, unfriendly, and formal person. As he got to know Lu, he changed for the better. Al became warm, more pleasantly passionate, happier, friendlier, and vastly more likeable.
I loved, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, and recommend it to those who enjoy food, romance, and lovable characters! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and it inspired me to get more creative in the kitchen!
Lou is devastated and this effects her restaurant on that day. The food comes out overcooked or undercooked. She's snapping at the workers, who are concerned for Lou, and she accidentally starts a kitchen fire. Of course, as luck would have it, her restaurant gets a horrendous critical review by Al Waters based off of that same day. However, he writes his critiques under the name, A.W. Wodyski. A chance meeting leads Lou and Al to form a deep friendship, and eventual relationship. One rule Lu has enforced is to not talk about work, because it is a sore subject for her now that her restaurant is going out of business. What will happen when Lou discovers that the man she loves is responsible for the scathing review of her beloved restaurant?
I enjoyed the setting of Milwaukee, as Lu took Al to explore the various sights, festivals, and restaurants; I felt like I was sightseeing and taste tasting all that the city had to offer. The plot line offered a few twists, a beautiful romance, and some very touching moments.
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake was very character driven. Lu was a compassionate, loyal, and loving woman; who I enjoyed getting to know. She was surrounded by the warmth of good friends, Sue (her sous chef and best friend), Harley (her pastry chef), and Otto and Gertrude (a sweet older couple, and loyal customers at Luella's). Al was an interesting character as well. He was an Englishman who originally came off as an aloof, unfriendly, and formal person. As he got to know Lu, he changed for the better. Al became warm, more pleasantly passionate, happier, friendlier, and vastly more likeable.
I loved, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, and recommend it to those who enjoy food, romance, and lovable characters! I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and it inspired me to get more creative in the kitchen!
My Rating:
I give, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, by Amy E. Reichert, 4 Serendipitous, Decadent, Flavorful, Romance Filled Stars!
Ro's Take on this Journey:
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, by Amy E. Reichert, was a wonderfully written, aromatic novel. I enjoyed the descriptive writing and storytelling of the entire experience. The story begins with Lou, the owner of Luella's restaurant. Lou is a sweet character, who just happens to be engaged to a jerk. As it happens, Lou decides to surprise her fiancé with a scrumptious Coconut Cake for his birthday. Unfortunately for the kind, thoughtful Lou, her fiancé had other things in mind with someone else.
Lou is devastated, and returns to her restaurant, where everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Unbeknownst to Lou, she is being critiqued by the one and only, Al Waters. Al doesn't miss a beat, as he is trying to make a name for himself, to take advantage of every thing that lies before him. He cleans the floor with Lou, and then throws her to the wolves for dinner!
The bad review sets Lou into an even bigger tail spin, that she doesn't soon come out of. Her beloved restaurant starts going down hill fast. While Lou decides to wash the bad taste out of her mouth with a few drinks, who does she run into at the bar, but the one and only Mr. Waters. Only catch is, Lou doesn't know that he is the man with the dagger driven pen!
Ms. Reichert has a way with words. Her descriptions were delicious. I could smell the aromas, and picture everything as I read each word. I loved this story, how it developed, the fact that it led to a light hearted romance, and the characters were delightful.
I definitely recommend this recipe for romance to all the coconut cake lovers out there. I for one, am going to try out the delicious concoction, as the recipe appears in the back of the book!!! Happy Reading!
I give, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, by Amy E. Reichert, 4 Sublimely Written, Aromatically Sensational, Second Chances, Fate Filled, Coconut Loving Stars!!!
Lou is devastated, and returns to her restaurant, where everything that could go wrong, does go wrong. Unbeknownst to Lou, she is being critiqued by the one and only, Al Waters. Al doesn't miss a beat, as he is trying to make a name for himself, to take advantage of every thing that lies before him. He cleans the floor with Lou, and then throws her to the wolves for dinner!
The bad review sets Lou into an even bigger tail spin, that she doesn't soon come out of. Her beloved restaurant starts going down hill fast. While Lou decides to wash the bad taste out of her mouth with a few drinks, who does she run into at the bar, but the one and only Mr. Waters. Only catch is, Lou doesn't know that he is the man with the dagger driven pen!
Ms. Reichert has a way with words. Her descriptions were delicious. I could smell the aromas, and picture everything as I read each word. I loved this story, how it developed, the fact that it led to a light hearted romance, and the characters were delightful.
I definitely recommend this recipe for romance to all the coconut cake lovers out there. I for one, am going to try out the delicious concoction, as the recipe appears in the back of the book!!! Happy Reading!
My Rating:
I give, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, by Amy E. Reichert, 4 Sublimely Written, Aromatically Sensational, Second Chances, Fate Filled, Coconut Loving Stars!!!
About Amy E. Reichert:
Amy Reichert earned her MA in Literature from Marquette University, and honed her writing and editing skills as a technical writer (which is exactly as exciting as it sounds). As a newly minted member of the local library board, she loves helping readers find new books to love. She’s a life-long Wisconsin resident with (allegedly) a very noticeable accent, a patient husband, and two too-smart-for-their-own-good kids. When time allows, she loves to read, collect more cookbooks than she could possibly use, and test the limits of her DVR. Amy is represented by Rachel Ekstrom at the Irene Goodman Literary Agency.
Why do I want to say this book sounds sweet when in reality it sounds like Lou goes through a horrible time? I cannot imagine her reaction to finding out the awful review comes from her new love. Yikes great reviews ladies.
ReplyDeleteThanks Angela! Yes, poor Lu goes through the wringer, but the romance between her and Al was really sweet :)
DeleteI Loved this book! I am glad you did too!
ReplyDeleteYay!!!! :)
DeleteThis one sounds like such a fun, enjoyable read. I love the sound of Lu. She sounds like a wonderful character. :) Though I cannot stand anything coconut, I think I would enjoy this book!
ReplyDeleteLovely review!
I don't like coconut either. LOL However, I loved the story :)
DeleteDoes sound sweet. I'm not always into food descriptions but this does sound like one I'd like.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd like it Val :)
DeleteI adored this one so I am happy to see that you both had fun with it as well :)
ReplyDeleteIt was such a great read!!!
DeleteI just won a copy and I look forward to reading it. This situation sounds funny, awkward, and sweet. Glad you gals both enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I can't wait to see what you think Sophia!
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