What does that mean, you ask?
It means it's time for a book recommendation from this one woman peanut gallery. And this week, I chose...
The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand.
Here is the official blurb:
"Adrienne Dealey has spent the past six years working for hotels in exotic resort towns. This summer she has decided to make Nantucket home. Left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend, she is desperate to earn some fast money. When the desirable Thatcher Smith, owner of Nantucket's hottest restaurant, is the only one to offer her a job, she wonders if she can get by with no restaurant experience. Thatcher gives Adrienne a crash course in the business...and they share an instant attraction. But there is a mystery about their situation: What is it about Fiona, the Blue Bistro's chef, who captures Thatcher's attention again and again? And why does such a successful restaurant seem to be in its final season before closing its doors for good? Despite her uncertainty, Adrienne must decide whether she'll move on, as she always does--or finally open her heart…"
So here is my opinion on this book: At first I was nervous that all of the restaurant details/scenes (and believe me, there were a lot of them...they were 75% of the book!) were going to bore me...but I was wrong. I was compelled and fascinated by the inner-workings of a 5 star restaurant. Plus, the cast of characters (which--in my opinion--is Hilderbrand's strong point) was amazing. I cared, really cared about each character in the book. They were flawed and human and made mistakes and acted like jerk offs...just like you and me.
Oh, you don't ever act like a jerk off? Pardon me. ;)
Well, I do.
Anyway...the story was heartbreaking, literally heartbreaking. And I cried. It takes a lot for me to cry while reading a book, and this book does it. The scenes are romantic, but not hot. In fact, my ONLY complaint was that I could have used a teensy tiny touch more heat. Not a lot, but a little would have made me happy. Other than that, the book was stellar, and the ending left me reeling. I literally had to take a day before I could start another book, because all I could think about was Adrienne and Thatch, and everyone who worked with them at The Blue Bistro. It took me back to the summer I was 20, and I spent a summer working on Nantucket, Mass as a nanny. What a fun way to revisit an island I am absolutely h*ll bent on getting back to someday....
My recommendation: Run, don't walk, to the store or to your laptop to purchase this book. It is a wise addition to your library, and you won't be sorry.
<<<Click on dis pic if you wanna order it now....Le sigh....(I sigh in French because my niece says it's more sophisticated.)
I loves me a good book.
Brooke Moss.
