Review: Cooking Up A Storm by Sue Welfare (review)

Cooking Up A Storm
written by Sue Welfare
published by Lodge Publishing

find it here: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I was asked by the author to review her book. I happily agreed. I love chick lit! (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It was typical chick lit – a woman newly on her own trying to make it, a seemingly helpless man, and a romance with some cooking thrown in for good measure. It was a good story.

Sarah is a good person who is doing the best she can given her current situation. I could not imagine going through what she was going through. Sarah is strong and knows when to give in to a situation – Magda and a job! – and when to walk away – Colin! She loves her kids and tries to do right for them given the difficult-ness of Colin. She even gives him more than she should in my opinion. Sarah is a great lead in a chick lit novel. I wanted the best for her.

My favorite character was Kit. He was fantastic. I fell in love with him from the beginning. He’s that big kid that hasn’t really grown up but can be grown up and very aware when the need arises. He’s lovable and kind and funny. The interaction and chemistry between he and Sarah was well-written. I could see them together acting out this script for his cookery show. I could see them together getting along, but not getting along while she is teaching him how to cook and while he is helping with her boys.

Colin is an ass, plain and simple. I cannot stand him and every time he came around I wanted to gauge my eyes out so I didn’t have to read his drivel. He was written wonderfully. All of his unbelievable-ness was believable. Peony was a trip, especially at the end. Shaun was a wonderful match as well. Magda was a hard-nosed boss who went after what she wanted, and she usually got it.

The recipes all sound delicious. I’ll have to try some soon! My only criticism with the recipes is that the author should have included a recipe after every chapter, not just some chapters, or just left them all at the end of the book. I would have preferred to have them all at the end of the book. I found the recipes at the end of most chapters was quite distracting and took away some of the flow.

Other minor issues with Cooking Up A Storm…some typos throughout the book. They weren’t plentiful but there were a few that stood out. And the ending wrapped up very quickly in the epilogue. I wanted more out of that. I wanted to know more. It was too quick of an ending for me. I almost didn’t get what happened with the characters.

Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book if you like chick lit, and if you like British chick lit.

Will I read it again: I will not.

About the book – from Goodreads: When newly single Sarah Peterson rents a cottage on Kit Roseberry’s country estate and swops cooking supper for rent, she isn’t expecting TV producer, Magda Holmes, to fall for Kit and his culinary skills, or offer him a slot on her TV show.

Kit can’t boil water, but he’s got the look and needs the money. Magda is keen to go for a traditional feel, happy families, picnics on the beach and birthday teas, so Sarah – along with her two boys – finds herself as undercover cook, and an instant wife and family for Kit’s TV debut.

But what will that do to Sarah’s fresh start, her new man, ex-husband and the rest of her life? Is it a recipe for disaster or does it have all the ingredients for a great romance?

Cooking Up A Storm is a classic Rom-Com, and includes recipes for all the dishes cooked by Sarah and Kit.

 

Happy reading wherever you are and whenever you get a free chance!!!