The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
lexa's review against another edition
4.5
I struggled a bit with the format and all the characters, but overall loved it. Recommended for readers who:
- are foodies+++ (don’t go in on an empty stomach)
- enjoy a series of interconnected people and stories
- are foodies+++ (don’t go in on an empty stomach)
- enjoy a series of interconnected people and stories
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Animal death, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Drug use, and Drug abuse
decie's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
kgb20's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Loved this book!! It was written in an interesting format where you are learning about the main character through the stories of other people. From birth to adult you get to see how different interactions impacted the character and made her into the person she is. Cute narratives and engaging plot.
Want to find other books like this one!
Want to find other books like this one!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Alcohol, Grief, Car accident, Cursing, and Drug abuse
annaledbetter's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Fatphobia
Minor: Abandonment, Abortion, Car accident, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity
sleeson's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Terminal illness, and Infidelity
keatynbergsten's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, and Death of parent
aimzthereader's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
JRyan Stradal writes amazing books and especially has a strength of writing real, stong female characters which is amazing coming from a man. The layout of this book was very unique because each chapter was its own shot story and it was centered aound a specific food dish, but most of the stories had a common thead (Eva) throughout.
Dont read this book on an empty stomach because OMG the way food is described is drool worthy. I really enjoyed all the characters, story lines and the writing style. My favorite chapter had to be the last one fo sure but Pat's bars chapter was suberb as well. I found myself grrowing bored on the 1-2 chapters that had the male gaze but I bet that is saying more about me than the bool itself.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary fiction, enjoys reading stories that feel VERY real and relatable, enjoys food, and/or is looking for more fiction with stronger female representation.
Dont read this book on an empty stomach because OMG the way food is described is drool worthy. I really enjoyed all the characters, story lines and the writing style. My favorite chapter had to be the last one fo sure but Pat's bars chapter was suberb as well. I found myself grrowing bored on the 1-2 chapters that had the male gaze but I bet that is saying more about me than the bool itself.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes contemporary fiction, enjoys reading stories that feel VERY real and relatable, enjoys food, and/or is looking for more fiction with stronger female representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Abortion, Death of parent, Addiction, Vomit, and Pregnancy
angelaf's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Meh . . . I really only enjoyed about 50 pages near the end of the book. The tone of the rest of the book just wasn't for me. It felt too harsh and edgy, neither of which I particularly enjoy. However, I did find the food portions of the book enjoyable, and I also rooted for Eva. It was great to see her succeed in the end. Read if you enjoy: foodie books, interlocking short stories, edgy tone, characters who triumph over challenging circumstances
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Death of parent
a lot of gratuitous languageglitteringeyes418's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
On this snowy day, I finished Kitchens of the Great Midwest. I wanted to dig back into the author's backlist after reading The Lager Queen of Minnesota. This novel gave similar warm and fuzzy familiar vibes but perhaps a little more sadness/darkness than his sophomore novel.
I really can't explain too much of the plot without giving much away but the novel begins with Lars Thorvald and his wife Cynthia raising their daughter Eva in Minnesota. Lars is an amazing cook and his daughter Eva also becomes a talented and enigmatic chef over the years. This novel is delicious, outlines many recipes throughout the chapters and brings us through many character's perspectives and interactions with Eva Thorvald.
I do think that the varying perspectives could have been more seamlessly integrated (at times, the various chapters read as disjointed short stories) but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the juxtaposition of stuffy foodie culture with cozy comfort Midwestern cooking, the coming-of-age of Eva and the exploration of family, whether close bonds or those severed long ago. The ending, like Lager Queen's, made me want to hug the book.
CW: death of a parent, abandonment of a parent.
I really can't explain too much of the plot without giving much away but the novel begins with Lars Thorvald and his wife Cynthia raising their daughter Eva in Minnesota. Lars is an amazing cook and his daughter Eva also becomes a talented and enigmatic chef over the years. This novel is delicious, outlines many recipes throughout the chapters and brings us through many character's perspectives and interactions with Eva Thorvald.
I do think that the varying perspectives could have been more seamlessly integrated (at times, the various chapters read as disjointed short stories) but otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I loved the juxtaposition of stuffy foodie culture with cozy comfort Midwestern cooking, the coming-of-age of Eva and the exploration of family, whether close bonds or those severed long ago. The ending, like Lager Queen's, made me want to hug the book.
CW: death of a parent, abandonment of a parent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
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