No Place I'd Rather Be

by Cathy Lamb

Food, family, and secrets combine in Cathy Lamb’s emotional and deeply honest novel as one woman discovers the recipes and life lessons that have shaped her family’s past, and could guide her toward a second chance at happiness.

Two years ago, Olivia Martindale left behind her Montana hometown and her husband, Jace, certain it was the best decision for both of them. Back temporarily to protect her almost-adopted daughters from their biological mother, she discovers an old, handwritten cookbook in the attic. Its pages are stained and torn, their edges scorched by flame. Some have been smeared by water . . . or tears. The recipes are written in different hands and in different languages. In between the pages are intriguing mementos, including a feather, a pressed rose, a charm, and unfamiliar photographs.

Hoping the recipes will offer a window into her grandmother’s closely guarded past, Olivia decides to make each dish, along with their favorite family cake recipes, and records her attempts. The result, like much of her life to date, involves a parade of near-disasters and chaotic appearances by her doctor mother, her blunt grandma, her short-tempered sister, and Olivia’s two hilarious daughters. The project is messy, real—and an unintended hit with viewers.

Even more surprising is the family history Olivia is uncovering, and her own reemerging ties to Montana, and to Jace. Generations of women have shared these recipes, offering strength and nourishment to each other and their loved ones. Now it’s Olivia’s turn to find healing—and determine where her home and her heart truly belong.

• ISBN10: 1496709810
• ISBN13: 9781496709813
• Publish Date: 29 August 2017
• Publish Status: Inactive
• Out of Print: 1 May 2024
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Kensington Publishing
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 416
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/isbn/9781496709813

Reviews

[wcs53]

I really enjoyed this book. It has strong characters and a plot that moved along at the right pace. Most of the story was told by the main character, Olivia, but I loved the way that the story was interrupted with snippets of the life of her grandmother, from Odessa to Montana, via Germany and England. Central to the story was a battered old cookbook that had also made that journey, which becomes the thing that offers healing to a number of the characters.

[pagesbycyndy]

I cannot get enough of this authors books and this one was a great one from start to finish. The characters as usual were fun, quirky and lovable. The plot was well written and grabbed me from the beginning to the last page. As usual Cathy Lamb delivered a great book!