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winemakerssister's review against another edition
5.0
I found myself immersed in Tessa's story - and that's all I ask of a book. I pretty much loved all of it: the mystery, the food, the setting, all the doggos, the kids (especially Natalie), and the journeys of forgiveness and redemption. There's a religious/spiritual element (which is not usually my thing) but O'Neal handles it so deftly that I enjoyed it as part of the story.
leasummer's review against another edition
5.0
FirstReads: This is the best book I have read in a while. There is something for everyone: Mystery, Romance, Food, Dogs, Beautiful Scenery. What more could you ask for?
Tessa is injured in a work accident, nearly drowned. This stirs up memories of her long buried childhood. As she recovers from her physical injuries, she is unable to heal as quickly from the emotional ones. Much to her father's dismay, she returns to the town where she was born, in the New Mexico mountains. There she meets many colorful characters, including Vince, a man as lonely and lost as she is, his 3 daughters who are also a bit lost. There are the members of the commune where she was raised the first few years of her life, Vita at 100 Breakfasts and her parole assistant Annie. Such a great cast of characters that bring the story to life, in each of their voices.
A must read for anyone. Fans of Kris Radish will really enjoy Barbara O'Neal.
Tessa is injured in a work accident, nearly drowned. This stirs up memories of her long buried childhood. As she recovers from her physical injuries, she is unable to heal as quickly from the emotional ones. Much to her father's dismay, she returns to the town where she was born, in the New Mexico mountains. There she meets many colorful characters, including Vince, a man as lonely and lost as she is, his 3 daughters who are also a bit lost. There are the members of the commune where she was raised the first few years of her life, Vita at 100 Breakfasts and her parole assistant Annie. Such a great cast of characters that bring the story to life, in each of their voices.
A must read for anyone. Fans of Kris Radish will really enjoy Barbara O'Neal.
_wmjb_'s review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. The author gets the dialog just right. All of her books involve food, dogs, and some child that needs emotional guidance. I think this one was the best and I fell in love with Vince while Tessa did. I was sad to see it end.
zoe_m's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. I felt that the recipes did not fit in this book the way they did in The Lost Recipe of Happiness. It felt more forced. And I think that O'Neal may have tried to tackle too many sub-plots. While the main story arc was nice, some of the others seemed to be rushed, or brushed over, or not fleshed out enough.
Overall a fun summer read, but nothing Earth-shattering.
Overall a fun summer read, but nothing Earth-shattering.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, Barbara O'Neal delivers a beautiful and heart-warming story.
Besides the delicious-sounding recipes, my favorite part of the book is the little girl who just doesn't fit in. She's acting out, and she doesn't know why. Her problems aren't magically solved by the end of the book, but we see adults in her life willing to step outside the box to try to understand her and help her.
Understand, this book is not the little girl's story. It's just the piece that struck me most when I was reading it. The main character, Tessa, goes on a pretty amazing journey in the course of the book, some of which I was able to easily predict, but some that surprised me.
A lovely book.
Besides the delicious-sounding recipes, my favorite part of the book is the little girl who just doesn't fit in. She's acting out, and she doesn't know why. Her problems aren't magically solved by the end of the book, but we see adults in her life willing to step outside the box to try to understand her and help her.
Understand, this book is not the little girl's story. It's just the piece that struck me most when I was reading it. The main character, Tessa, goes on a pretty amazing journey in the course of the book, some of which I was able to easily predict, but some that surprised me.
A lovely book.
brn's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
rebelkiss's review
4.0
Could have done without some of the sex scenes and the narrator was a bit annoying but I do so love Barbara O'Neal's style of writing. A woman returns to where she was born and secrets unfold.
gabmc's review
3.0
This is a lovely book about the importance of love, family and food - and the destruction that secrets can hold. Tessa Harlow is an adventure tour guide, who was recently involved in an accident that left her badly injured and killed one of her clients. She needs to reset and so goes to the town of Los Ladronas, against her father's advice. Tessa spent part of her childhood in Los Ladronas but has no memory of her time there. Her father is holding something back from Tessa but he can't stop her from going there. While there Tessa discovers the 100 Breakfasts Cafe and meets the owner who holds a lot of wisdom. One night at dinner she meets Vince, a single father struggling to cope with the recent death of his wife and three young daughters. Tessa is not in Los Ladrones for a long time so really doesn't want to have a relationship with Vince, but they are drawn to each other.
pattydsf's review against another edition
4.0
I don't know why Barbara O'Neal writes as Barbara Samuel or vice versa. All I know is I like her writing and I thought she had stopped since I couldn't find any new books by Barbara Samuel.
I just read a blog post where Barbara says her "question" (the one she is answering in her novels) is why do some people survive harsh challenges and why don't others. This is why I read her books. I like the way she answers this question.
In The Secret of Everything, O'Neal is looking at Tessa Harlow and the past she doesn't know she has. Tessa has had a flashback to her childhood and she is trying to learn more. I don't want to give away the plot, but rest assured that all loose ends are tied up at the end. As always I really enjoyed Barbara's book and can't wait for another. This was fun.
I just read a blog post where Barbara says her "question" (the one she is answering in her novels) is why do some people survive harsh challenges and why don't others. This is why I read her books. I like the way she answers this question.
In The Secret of Everything, O'Neal is looking at Tessa Harlow and the past she doesn't know she has. Tessa has had a flashback to her childhood and she is trying to learn more. I don't want to give away the plot, but rest assured that all loose ends are tied up at the end. As always I really enjoyed Barbara's book and can't wait for another. This was fun.