Hot Chocolate Marshmallow Coffee - 1 cup of brewed coffee, 3/4 ounce of cocoa (single serving envelope) 1 tablespoon of marshmallow whip or cream, a dash of cinnamon. Stir coffee and cocoa together until well mixed. Top with marshmallow and cinnamon. Serve hot and pair with a good book.
The Coffee- THE LAST CHANCE MATINEE is about three sisters with the same father. Fritz Hudson married Honora and had two daughters, Allie and Des. The marriage was a rocky one, and after the birth of Des, Fritz met Susa Pratt and married her. They had one daughter named Cara. Somehow Fritz managed to keep both families a secret. The girls meet at the reading of Fritz's will. To gain their inheritance, they must live together and restore an old movie theater in their father's childhood town. While the premise isn't unique, Stewart weaved in elements to make it her own, adding quaint touches and complex characters.
The Cocoa-
- Allie is the oldest. An out of work actress with a vibrant teenage daughter. At the time of her father's death, she was putting her beloved home up for sale. Allie is troubled and comes off cold and uncaring. She was hard to like, but there are moments where we catch glimpses of something special. Stewart did a great job of showing Allie's many sides and sharing her secret. Interaction with the local law was interesting, and I am looking forward to seeing what develops.
- Des is a former child movie star and is the quietest of the bunch. She loves nothing more than taking care of abused animals and finding them their forever homes. Des is easy going, low maintenance and someone I quickly identified with. However, she doesn't have any close personal ties, and her relationships are superficial at best. Could her desire to help local animals, lead to more with a local politician?
- Cara, daughter of Fritz's secret family. She grew up well-adjusted and is a yoga instructor. She is recovering from a divorce. She is very inquisitive and rather than be angry at her father; she longs to learn more about him. Their handsome and reliable contractor has his eye on Cara, but can she learn to trust again? Cara was easy going and the most vibrant of the sisters.
The Marshmellow- I loved the small Pennsylvanian town where the sidewalks roll up at dusk and everyone attends the monthly town hall meeting. From the old buildings to the gorgeous Victorian home that was the Hudson homestead, I felt right at home. The old Art Deco theater and the rich descriptions of the decor were delightful. I enjoyed hearing about its use during its heyday. Stewart had me wanting to travel back in time. We learn about the locals, the falls, and the Hudson family who have a deep history with the town.
The Cinnamon- Fully developed secondary characters from the girl's aunt to Allie's daughter added touches that gave the story depth and the town to life. I got caught up in their enthusiasm, the project, and politics of small-town life.
Copy provided by publisher This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer