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lmrivas54's review against another edition
4.0
This is a very different style from what I was accustomed to read by Susan. That said, it was excellent, plot very carefully developed, characters behaved as you would expect in real life. I missed the steam but loved the book anyway.
Now that I finished the book, I have to say that I loved the romance between Dragon and Violet more than I liked Jenna and Ellington. Althought I liked Jenna, and appreciated how she developed her self esteem and loved the friendship that developed with Violet, Ellington was sorta like a cardboard character for me, not many dimensions, didn't find things to like. Dragon, I loved.
Re the biological parents, at the beginning they annoyed me too, later I could understand why they were so much in her face. Loved the subtlety and charm with which Susan handled the biological vs adoption parents; there was a lot of consideration and good faith, plus some real and normal jealousy; it made it all feel so real and normal.
Now that I finished the book, I have to say that I loved the romance between Dragon and Violet more than I liked Jenna and Ellington. Althought I liked Jenna, and appreciated how she developed her self esteem and loved the friendship that developed with Violet, Ellington was sorta like a cardboard character for me, not many dimensions, didn't find things to like. Dragon, I loved.
Re the biological parents, at the beginning they annoyed me too, later I could understand why they were so much in her face. Loved the subtlety and charm with which Susan handled the biological vs adoption parents; there was a lot of consideration and good faith, plus some real and normal jealousy; it made it all feel so real and normal.
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. The characters in this story lead real lives, everything that happened to them happens to normal people. Jenna's life is in a downward slump after a divorce and she heads home to Texas and on impulse opens a cooking store (she's been a chef). In comes Violet, who has a very sad and tragic past but is rising up and turning her life into a happy one. They become friends as they make the store a success. Jenna's mom and dad are there and very supportive, really awesome parents. Then *surprise* her birth parents show up and things get a little crazy.
The characters are lovable and a little nutty - just like normal people are. I found myself really pulling for them all. It's a very emotional story for everyone involved.
The characters are lovable and a little nutty - just like normal people are. I found myself really pulling for them all. It's a very emotional story for everyone involved.
ks2_alwaysreading's review against another edition
3.0
Some of the characters felt so fake and I thought the ending was a little rushed.
divroyalty's review against another edition
5.0
A completely amazing book that got me feeling so intensely that I burst out crying at so many random spots in the book.
jmj697mn's review against another edition
5.0
First of all, the cover on this book is incredibly beautiful. I know, I know--judging a book by it's cover??? Shocking :) Well, I am just a sucker for romance novels and I adored this one. Judge me if you want, but I thought it was fantastic.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
Jenna Stevens has moved back home to Texas. After splitting from her ex. Jenna is ready for a brand, new start. What she didn’t expect was to purchase a building. It sounded like a good idea when Jenna purchased the place. She was going to open up a store and sell all kitchen supplies. There is just one problem…Jenna does not know the first thing about retail. Besides Jenna is better in the kitchen. Lucky for Jenna, she finds Violet. Violet has lots of retail experience. Now if only Violet can help teach Jenna to loosen up some.
I have not read many books by author, Susan Mallery. Just because, she writes a lot of contemporary romance stories. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I usually limit myself as to how many of these types of books I read a year. Though, when I read the book summary for this book, I thought it sounded interesting and worth my time. I like to read books that involve cooking.
This book could have gone wrong but it ended up just right. Jenna could have been a downer but she was fun, though a little on the boring side but she was working on that, thanks to her mom and assistant, Violet. My favorite was Violet. She had a bubbly personality that was like a rainbow. Which I think she wore just about every color of the rainbow in some fashion or another. Cliff started out a nice guy but he ended up not so nice in the end. This was a bummer. It was nice to see somehow other than the main character, Jenna get all the attention. Already Home is like a slice of warm, apple pie…tasty and satisfying!
I have not read many books by author, Susan Mallery. Just because, she writes a lot of contemporary romance stories. Not that there is anything wrong with that but I usually limit myself as to how many of these types of books I read a year. Though, when I read the book summary for this book, I thought it sounded interesting and worth my time. I like to read books that involve cooking.
This book could have gone wrong but it ended up just right. Jenna could have been a downer but she was fun, though a little on the boring side but she was working on that, thanks to her mom and assistant, Violet. My favorite was Violet. She had a bubbly personality that was like a rainbow. Which I think she wore just about every color of the rainbow in some fashion or another. Cliff started out a nice guy but he ended up not so nice in the end. This was a bummer. It was nice to see somehow other than the main character, Jenna get all the attention. Already Home is like a slice of warm, apple pie…tasty and satisfying!
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
Already Home by Susan Mallery
Includes recipes at the end.
Divorced sous chef Jenna is now back home living with her mother. She has rented space for her store and has Violet to help.
Just letting others watch how a recipe is done isn't making it. Violet tells her to let the woman participate in making the item and after having them buy the ingredients there, make it and get to take it home hits the jackpot.
Erin was the one who had cheated on her with a younger woman and he had called her to tell her somebody had called looking for her.
Jenna's real parents show up on the scene and her family that actually raised her try to smooth things over between them all.
Another part of this book is Violet's dating and her past. Both her and Jenna are now dating and things are going well at the store so much they hire more part timers.
Love the ideas they have for the store and that it works. Hope recipes are included at the back.
I have many connections to this book: cooking, fashion and knitting store right next door are my favorites.
Includes recipes at the end.
Divorced sous chef Jenna is now back home living with her mother. She has rented space for her store and has Violet to help.
Just letting others watch how a recipe is done isn't making it. Violet tells her to let the woman participate in making the item and after having them buy the ingredients there, make it and get to take it home hits the jackpot.
Erin was the one who had cheated on her with a younger woman and he had called her to tell her somebody had called looking for her.
Jenna's real parents show up on the scene and her family that actually raised her try to smooth things over between them all.
Another part of this book is Violet's dating and her past. Both her and Jenna are now dating and things are going well at the store so much they hire more part timers.
Love the ideas they have for the store and that it works. Hope recipes are included at the back.
I have many connections to this book: cooking, fashion and knitting store right next door are my favorites.
machadofam8's review against another edition
2.0
Really a 2.5 stars... Typical story - woman gets divorced and moves back home and starts a business willy-nilly. The twist here - she's adopted and her birth mother and father show up and life isn't the same.
There's intersting side characters - Violet, who manages the store, her adoptive parents, her siblings she didn't know she had. Kept me entertained for a couple of days!
There's intersting side characters - Violet, who manages the store, her adoptive parents, her siblings she didn't know she had. Kept me entertained for a couple of days!
imworthyandenough's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic quick read for me! Loved the characters, and storyline. Be careful for the ending though, I got a wee bit teary!
ryry7878's review against another edition
5.0
I was in a reading slump when I pick this up at the library. I read it in a couple of days. Strong characters. I love the strength of family, both old and new. Family is important, and the growth of family is to be cherished, I couldn't help but to feel the warm fuzzy feelings along with Jenna at the end of the story. Great read, and just the boost I needed to get me out of my slump.