sstarke's review against another edition
3.0
I will preface this by saying that I am usually not the biggest fan of the romance genre. However, some Romance books have snagged me recently, so I gave this a try. I think I have discovered that the sugary sweet romances just aren't quite for me. I prefer a book with harder edges and I like my romance with a dash of action or adventure or fantasy. I thought the "witch" aspect would do that for me, but it didn't quite get me there.
I did really enjoy the setting and parts of the book remind me of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, which I love. The story is charming, the characters somewhat interesting, and the narration is quite good. I was impressed by the range of voices and accents and how the narrator could keep each character's voice distinct. There was also a lot of emotion that came through in the narration, which added to the experience. Overall, this is a good book - it is just a little too over the top with the romance, especially toward the end, and had me rolling my eyes a bit.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
I did really enjoy the setting and parts of the book remind me of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, which I love. The story is charming, the characters somewhat interesting, and the narration is quite good. I was impressed by the range of voices and accents and how the narrator could keep each character's voice distinct. There was also a lot of emotion that came through in the narration, which added to the experience. Overall, this is a good book - it is just a little too over the top with the romance, especially toward the end, and had me rolling my eyes a bit.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left my honest review. The free copy did not influence my review in any way.
serendipity_viv's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted on www.serendipityreviews.co.ukAAARRRGGGHHH!
This book makes me crazy! Never have I loved and hated a book more and been left so desperate for the next one.
This book is oozing with Southern hospitality in the style of authors such as Fannie Flagg and Beth Hoffman. I found myself desperate to visit the Crossroads Cafe which would definitely give the Whistlestop Cafe a run for it’s money. I fell in love with the quirky, yet vibrant characters who could easily have stepped out of Northern Exposure. The MacBride’s have dug their way into my heart and I can’t wait to find out what happens to Tal’s brother and sister in the future publications.
However I had a couple of really big issues with this book.
Firstly there was far too much information dumped in the first couple of chapters. I really didn’t need to know so much about the characters so soon into the story, especially characters who were barely featured in the story. I can understand that this book is a connected to another and the author wanted to tell us all about the characters, other readers might have already met, but it was too much for me.
Secondly, I actually felt the story could’ve started further in. There is an extremely hilarious incident with a grizzly bear in the car eating cupcakes and I’m convinced the book should’ve started there.
Lastly, it took me far too long to work out who was actually telling the story. I didn’t realise the POV was alternating between Tal and the Scottish Doctor until a quarter of the way through the book.
Having whinged and moaned about all that – I really really did love this story when I got into it. It was descriptive to the point where you mouth watered every time they mentioned food. It was exciting and fast paced at times as Tal confronts her past, to create a new future. And it was full of warmth – family and friendship bonds that no one could ever break, leaving you feeling happy and content by the end of the book.
This is the kind of book that you want to read snuggled up on the sofa in winter.
This book makes me crazy! Never have I loved and hated a book more and been left so desperate for the next one.
This book is oozing with Southern hospitality in the style of authors such as Fannie Flagg and Beth Hoffman. I found myself desperate to visit the Crossroads Cafe which would definitely give the Whistlestop Cafe a run for it’s money. I fell in love with the quirky, yet vibrant characters who could easily have stepped out of Northern Exposure. The MacBride’s have dug their way into my heart and I can’t wait to find out what happens to Tal’s brother and sister in the future publications.
However I had a couple of really big issues with this book.
Firstly there was far too much information dumped in the first couple of chapters. I really didn’t need to know so much about the characters so soon into the story, especially characters who were barely featured in the story. I can understand that this book is a connected to another and the author wanted to tell us all about the characters, other readers might have already met, but it was too much for me.
Secondly, I actually felt the story could’ve started further in. There is an extremely hilarious incident with a grizzly bear in the car eating cupcakes and I’m convinced the book should’ve started there.
Lastly, it took me far too long to work out who was actually telling the story. I didn’t realise the POV was alternating between Tal and the Scottish Doctor until a quarter of the way through the book.
Having whinged and moaned about all that – I really really did love this story when I got into it. It was descriptive to the point where you mouth watered every time they mentioned food. It was exciting and fast paced at times as Tal confronts her past, to create a new future. And it was full of warmth – family and friendship bonds that no one could ever break, leaving you feeling happy and content by the end of the book.
This is the kind of book that you want to read snuggled up on the sofa in winter.
dashausfrau's review
3.0
Well that was short. There wasn’t much space for cooking , but it sure was cute. The Appalachians & feminist power & a whole house full of animals that mysteriously don’t leave sh*t everywhere. If you like the hallmark channel, this is right in your line.
Oh there’s also quite a lot of setup for two more romance books, which look to be even shorter...?
Oh there’s also quite a lot of setup for two more romance books, which look to be even shorter...?
susanscribs's review
4.0
It's been way too long since readers have been treated to the unique voice of Deborah Smith, one of my all-time favorite authors. The Biscuit Witch only whets my appetite for more. While it brims with colorful characters, Southern humor and a sweet romance, there is so much set up required for the rest of the planned trilogy of novellas that the love story at times seems a bit rushed. Tal and Doug are fine characters but with only 100+ pages to play with, something has to go and in this case it's a bit of depth. Doug has come to Crossroads Cove after his wife left him and he descended into a drunken stupor, but by the time Tal meets him he is cleaned up, ready to fall in love at first sight, and darned near perfect (he loves animals! and children! and he has a darling brogue!). Tal is on the run with her young daughter from her rich, famous ex-boyfriend but it's obvious that his hired goons don't stand a chance against the loyal if slightly crazy residents of Crossroads Cove, so even that suspense is slightly muted. Even with those minor complaints, I loved the novella and read it twice in a row - once to quickly reach the HEA and once to savor every delicious word.
I'm looking forward to more fireworks for Tal's sister Gabby and the man who seems destined to challenge her (unlike Tal, who as a baker has a sweet personality, Gabby is known as the Pickle Queen and is full of vinegar). The plot line for Tal's brother Gus also seems to foreshadow lots of tortured angst. I can't wait. Meanwhile I'm off to re-read The Crossroads Cafe. Welcome back Ms. Smith!
I'm looking forward to more fireworks for Tal's sister Gabby and the man who seems destined to challenge her (unlike Tal, who as a baker has a sweet personality, Gabby is known as the Pickle Queen and is full of vinegar). The plot line for Tal's brother Gus also seems to foreshadow lots of tortured angst. I can't wait. Meanwhile I'm off to re-read The Crossroads Cafe. Welcome back Ms. Smith!
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