Author: Dana Bate
Published: November 20th 2014 by Corsair
Amazon | Amazon UK
Blurb: Sydney Strauss is obsessed with food.
Not just with eating it - though she loves that too - but with writing about it as an aspiring cookery reporter. But food journalism jobs are more coveted than cupcakes, and so Sydney is stuck working for one of TV's biggest egomaniacs - until she's left scrambling for shifts at the local farmers' market.
Selling muffins at the Wild Yeast Bakery is hardly going to make her the next Nigella. But soon Sydney is writing the market's weekly newsletter, and her quirky stories gain attention from a prominent food columnist. After years of being left on the shelf, she's even dating again. And then Sydney gets a shot at the story, one that could either make her career or burn it to a cinder - along with her relationship and her reputation.
Not just with eating it - though she loves that too - but with writing about it as an aspiring cookery reporter. But food journalism jobs are more coveted than cupcakes, and so Sydney is stuck working for one of TV's biggest egomaniacs - until she's left scrambling for shifts at the local farmers' market.
Selling muffins at the Wild Yeast Bakery is hardly going to make her the next Nigella. But soon Sydney is writing the market's weekly newsletter, and her quirky stories gain attention from a prominent food columnist. After years of being left on the shelf, she's even dating again. And then Sydney gets a shot at the story, one that could either make her career or burn it to a cinder - along with her relationship and her reputation.
*First of all I would like to thank the publishers for sending me a
copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
Review: The Stall of Second Chances is a really well thought story with more depth than I first expected. I think the title works really well because a great part of the book is about believing in yourself and take all the chances to be happier, better and fight for your dreams. But also about owning your own mistakes and forgiving other's mistakes. For example, the guy Sydney meets screwed up big time in the past and everyone judges him by this, so it was very interesting to read about Sydney's reaction when she finds out about it all and how she sees it all whe she also finds herself in a, let's say, not moral situation.
Another big part of the story revolves around food. I really like stories with descriptions of delish food and Dana certainly is an expert in that topic. I was drooling with all the descriptions of muffins, bread, cookies... and with all the salty food too. And what a pleasant surprise when I saw that at the end of the book there are some recipes to some key food in the story. I can't wait to try some of them!
I found this story highly entertaining, it surprised me more than once with its unexpected plot twists and I found myself quite hooked, especially on the last half as the first one was a bit slow. I must say that for me it has the perfect combination of love, secrets, food and family drama. Plus, it was great to read about Washington, DC. I haven't read a lot of novels set in this city and it's one of those cities full of amazing places that I'd love to visit.
Rating:
