"Portia Cuthcart and her two sisters find their way from Texas to Manhattan over the years, the heiresses to a dilapidated brownstone on the Upper West Side. Portia is running from a bad divorce and the knowledge that she has always been a little bit different, a little bit strange: the talented cook who knew exactly what to serve on what occasion, even to the point of predicting events that hadn't even happened yet. But she doesn't cook anymore. She has tamped down this "knowing." It has caused her way too many problems. When she meets twelve-year-old Ariel Kane, she sees a girl in desperate need of a mother and a family in dire need of fried chicken, biscuits, and strawberry rhubarb pie. Widowed Gabriel Kane has his hands full with two daughters on the cusp on womanhood, plus the Kane family have so many secrets and rivalries of their own. Ariel, especially, must find a way to bring them all together with the help of Portia: the non-cook, the non-believer in happy endings. Portia, who just might have to rethink the pages of her own story and take a few chances to claim what she wants deep down inside.."--
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Publisher:
New York :, St. Martin's Press,, 2014
Edition:
First edition
ISBN:
9780312382278
Branch Call Number:
FIC Lee
Characteristics:
375 p
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I had a little trouble getting into this novel, but once I did, I must say that it was an enjoyable read. For those out there who love foodie reads with recipes, this one is for you.
Really enjoyed this book. Portia has an uncanny knowledge of food that her sisters Cordelia and Olivia call 'the knowing.' When Portia feels she has to cook, entire meal plans come to her and they either calm, heal or bring people together. After the death of her beloved Grandmother, Portia heads off to the townhouse apartment in New York that was left to her by an aunt. What she's not expecting is Gabriel and his daughters, Ariel and Miranda who also inhabit the same building. It's a romance with many ups and downs and a satisfying ending.
A bit reminiscent of "Chocolat", this novel is about inherited special qualities (the "knowing"), food, family, love, finding oneself, and taking risks. I really enjoyed reading this book; it was yummy -- I had to devour it. I'm definitely going to look for other books by Linda Francis Lee.
A charming read, with a menu of a variety of characters. Not quite a feast, but a nice snack. Sugar for romance, cinnamon for flavor, jalapenos for spicy and stirred in with equal parts of
sadness, disillusionment, regret, along with hope.
a truly inspiring book. the characters are as vivid as ourselves. a great read. I loved it.