Thursday, April 7, 2011

Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson

4 Star

At thirty-three, talented chef Georgia Gray has everything a woman could want—the top job at one of Manhattan's best restaurants; a posse of smart and savvy gal pals who never let her down; and a platinum-set, cushion-cut diamond engagement ring courtesy of Glenn, the handsome entertainment lawyer who Georgia's overbearing mother can't wait for her to marry. The table is set for the ambitious bride-to-be until a scathing restaurant review destroys her reputation. To add salt to her wounds, Glenn suddenly calls off the wedding.

Brokenhearted, Georgia escapes to the Italian countryside, where she sharpens her skills at a trattoria run by a world-class chef who seems to have it all—a devoted lover, a magnificent villa, and most important, a kitchen of her own. Georgia quells her longings with Italy's delectable offerings: fine wine, luscious cheeses, cerulean blue skies, and irresistible Gianni—an expert in the vineyard
and the bedroom. So when Gianni tempts Georgia to stay in Italy with an offer no sane top chef could refuse, why can't she say yes?

An appetite for something more looms large in Georgia's heart – the desire to run her own restaurant in the city she loves. But having left New York with her career in flames, she'll need to stir up more than just courage if she's to realize her dreams and find her way home.


Lydia - 4 Star

Georgia’s Kitchen is a story about a woman who is close to having it all, but suddenly finds herself with nothing when her world is torn apart.  Rich with detail, delectable food, and a delightful contrast between the hustle and bustle of NYC and the relaxed Italian countryside, this novel was a pleasure to read.  But how could you not enjoy a novel about food, New York City and Italy?

Georgia’s Kitchen is a story about a woman who is close to having it all, but suddenly finds herself with nothing when her world is torn apart.  Rich with detail, delectable food, and a delightful contrast between the hustle and bustle of NYC and the relaxed Italian countryside, this novel was a pleasure to read.  But how could you not enjoy a novel about food, New York City and Italy?

I could relate to Georgia’s character with some of her insecurities and dilemma when life throws you a giant curveball you weren’t expecting.  She’s a strong character and I loved watching her grow even stronger and coming to realize what she wants to accomplish after the upheaval. I felt most connected to her towards the end of the novel, so much so that I actually wished we had arrived at the last third of the book sooner and that it was lengthier.  I also think I wanted to see a bit more out of her friends. Maybe some of their dilemmas or insecurities and how Georgia deals with them? It was lovely that they were there for Georgia, but we never got to see how she would be for them in a crisis which might have endeared her to me more. 

I enjoyed the ‘it’s not too late’ theme of the novel for the thirty-something, or even younger, woman who may not have everything they pictured for themselves by a particular point in their lives.  This is a great lesson to be reminded off, in times of good and bad.  I also loved that her accomplishments didn’t come easily as some chick lit seems prone to have happen.  Georgia works hard, she’s disciplined and even then her dream was a long shot – which was difficult and frightening to swallow for someone who just took a year off work to write a book - yet it was also inspiring!  Women of all ages and places in life will be able to take something away from this novel. 

Even though I did find Georgia’s Kitchen a bit predictable, it did have me smiling at the end as well as various stages throughout and made me – yet again! – want to hop on a plane to New York and Italy.  I look forward to seeing what else Jenny Nelson has in store for us! 

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