8 novels with recipes Archives

Waiting for the Flood (Spires #2)

by Alexis Hall

Brigid says: Recommended to me by team member Leigh, I completely adored this contemporary MM romance novella! It follows book restorer Edwin over a few particularly rainy flood days that bring environmental engineer Adam into his life. The immersive writing was tender and the details of Edwin’s work with old books and ephemera were delightfully nerdy. I was rooting for these two to find happiness together so hard! The slight humor was great, including the hilarious inclusion of Edwin’s not-always-successful elderflower wine recipe. This one was fantastic on audio read by Will Watt, making me realize I have not read enough Alexis Hall books. (Closed door.)

The Lost Apothecary

by Sarah Penner

Brigid says: A book club darling for good reason, this dual timeline historical fiction bounces between modern day and late 1700s London. Caroline is unexpectedly alone for her wedding anniversary and makes a surprise discovery while on a mudlarking tour in the Thames. An old apothecary vial sparks this touching tale into motion. I had a wonderful time chatting about the setting, plot, and themes with my book club a few years back. The characters may sell murderous poison to women in dire circumstances, but I assure you the recipe for Rosemary Shortbread is delicious, not deadly.

Aunt Dimity’s Death (Aunt Dimity Mystery #1)

by Nancy Atherton

Brigid says: Cozy mysteries often include recipes since the main characters frequently work in food — owning a bakery, running a restaurant, catering, or managing coffee shops. That is not the case for this first in a long-running series which instead centers on Lori, a former book restorer who lost her job to budget cuts and is currently working as a temp. The book opens with Lori discovering the Aunt Dimity of her mother’s bedtime stories was actually a real person who left her a large inheritance. Of course, it comes with the stipulation that Lori investigate an old mystery stemming from Dimity’s letters with her mother, Beth. While Lori is getting to the bottom of it all, the recipe for Beth’s oatmeal cookie makes its way to her. Fans of mysteries without murder will delight in this whimsical and slightly magical tale. The premise, humor, and quirky characters are wonderfully similar in tone to The Gilmore Girls. (Paging Amy Sherman-Palladino to adapt this one!)

How the Dukes Stole Christmas: A Holiday Romance Anthology

by Joanna Shupe, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, Tessa Dare

Brigid says: All the Christmastime feels abound in this historical romance anthology. Each tale features possibly magical shortbread cookies (even if they are slightly burnt), a handsome Duke, and a guaranteed happily ever after. I picked this up because I saw Tessa Dare’s name on the cover. I am happy to report that her Meet Me in Mayfair was my favorite of the collection. She always writes top-notch banter with clever premises and swoony-worthy love stories. Add in the festive setting and I had a merry old time reading this! (Open door.)

Ayesha At Last

by Uzma Jalaluddin

"Because while it is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single, Muslim man must be in want of a wife, there’s an even greater truth: To his Indian mother, his own inclinations were of secondary importance." In this P&P-inspired retelling, set in contemporary Toronto, Darcy becomes Khalid, a devout Muslim man whose mother is trying to marry him off. Elizabeth becomes Ayesha, a teacher who'd much prefer to be a poet. When they first meet, it's utter disaster: she thinks he's rigid and judgmental; he thinks she's not a good Muslim because she's holding a drink (virgin) and cigarette (not hers). But circumstances bring them together again, of course. I loved the supporting cast featuring good friends, a cousin dreaming of a Bollywood-inspired wedding, an embarrassing mother, and a Shakespeare-quoting grandpa. If you're a P&P devotee, this is a delight. If you've never read the original, you can still enjoy this story about love, family, obligation, and romance.

Wahala

by Nikki May

May's debut has been patiently waiting for me since its January 2022 release on my "sounds good, maybe I'll read it soon" bookshelf. This month it vaulted to the top of my TBR for reasons I'll get to talk about soon. The story revolves around a tight-knit group of three Anglo-Nigerian best friends living in contemporary London—but then a fourth insinuates herself into their group, and though they don't yet know it, her explicit goal is to sow chaos in all their lives. With heaps of secrets, lies, and ultimately, betrayal, this tale of female friendship was a real pageturner. I listened to the audio version narrated by Natalie Simpson.

Graveyard Shift

by M.L. Rio

Brigid says: An eerie, strange tale with creepy cocktail recipes appropriately named The Corpse Reviver and The Honeydew or Die. When an open and unmarked grave suddenly appears in the local cemetery, a group of nightshift workers band together to investigate. Strange secrets ensue. The print copy is hauntingly beautiful and fabulous to read in the fall while enjoying one of the drinks and listening to the recommended playlist to really set the spinetingling mood. (I particularly liked The Corpse Reviver!) While I always appreciate the short length of novellas, this might have benefitted from being a longer story. Content warnings apply.

An Earl, the Girl, and a Toddler (Rogues and Remarkable Women #2)

by Vanessa Riley

Brigid says: Vanessa Riley writes such lush historical romances filled with detail and care! This is the second in the Rogues and Remarkable Women series but I speak from experience when I say it can be read as a standalone. It’s got shipwrecks, amnesia, exciting covert missions, adorable chapter titles, and fantastic dual perspective between the main characters, Jemina and Daniel. The author's note at the end shares much of Riley’s research into the Regency era and is so informative. I loved making a batch of Daniel's favorite currant and caraway shortbread biscuits that he brings on a picnic with Jemina. Plus, it is absolutely awesome on audio narrated by one of my all time favs, Bahni Turpin. (Closed door.)

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