The Recipe Box (Heirloom Novels)

by Viola Shipman

• ISBN10: 1250146771
• ISBN13: 9781250146779
• Publish Date: 20 March 2018
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 20 June 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: St Martin's Press
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 336
• Language: English

Reviews

[phyllish]

Soulful, nostalgic, searching, hopeful. These are some of the adjectives that went through my mind as I read The Recipe Box. I laughed out loud at parts and was touched and thoughtful in others. This story is full of heritage and family. Although I indicated the time period to be “Contemporary”, it spans many generations. It is not a saga, but is full of snippets from the lives of the matriarchs of Sam’s family.

I loved the way the author wove the history into the present day. She managed to go into the past and back to the present without making the story feel disjointed, giving enough detail to draw you in and get you invested. There were recipes included as well, and each one played a part in the narrative.

My dear friend, Chris, is from Michigan, and I hear her talk about it all the time. After reading The Recipe Box, I really get it. Author Viola Shipman has caused me to fall in love with a place and a lifestyle I have never experienced.

The characters in the story were wonderful. The women had rich wisdom to share. The men were strong and steady. Angelo was charming and delightful. Conner was unexpectedly sweet. Chef Dimples was … Well, let’s just say that he was and let you find out what he was.

Though there were many parts of the book that I loved, I think my favorites were the parts where Sam’s dad talked about the day he decided to not leave Michigan to be an engineer and the ending. I won’t give anything away here, but do want to say that the way the author tied everything up here was masterful.

This review was originally posted on Among the Reads. See my review there for an excerpt from the book

I would like to thank Netgalley for giving me this item. My opinion and review were not influenced by this gift.

[pagesbycyndy]

I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

Review:

I always find myself drawn to books about life, love and food. This story goes back in time to when the apple orchard first started. The descriptions of the apples and the recipes baked with the apples had me craving apple pie and all things apples! Sam left the apple orchard with big city dreams and culinary school in her sights. After culinary school Sam works for the most arrogant Chef Dimples- love that name! When Sam gets fired/quits after a very public and hilarious confrontation with Chef Dimples, she returns home to the apple orchard in Michigan. Sam leaves behind Angelo (who is in love with her) the fruit deliveryman from NYC and it is clear that Sam misses him but cannot admit this to herself. This was a story of family bonds and duty that are important in life. Sam is so torn about her family duty and what she think she wants. Angelo is perfect for Sam, actually Angelo is the perfect male it would seem. Was Angelo realistic? No but to me that isn't always what I look for in a romantic book character.

I enjoyed this book and all of the recipes included.

[chymerra]

The Recipe Box is a book that will make you cry. The characters were well written and had depth. I did get annoyed with Sam and her choices. I felt that she acted like a teenager up until Angelo left her on the bridge. The recipes at the end of each chapter were an added bonus and had me itching to make them. Also, starting the chapters with the recipe that was going to be featured at the end was great. Overall, a great book that I would recommend to family and friends.