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A review by withbdp
The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for an ARC and allowing me to share my independent thoughts on the book.
Where is the Mac and Cheese Recipe!? I just knew we'd get that at the end of the book LOL
An unexpected funeral, an unexpected guest, encounters with an estranged family, an unknown family recipe, and a community of neighbors who become family. "The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster" is literally like a warm and delicious pan of Mac and Cheese straight out of the oven.
After the unexpected death of her black paternal grandmother, Mae decides to attend the funeral in Hobson, North Carolina. What she finds is a family she's never really known but finds familiar after years of feeling other'ed by her white maternal side of the family. After a family dinner she embarks on the mission of organizing the annual 4th of July barbecue and cracking the mystery of her late grandmother's Mac and cheese recipe. What ensues on this quest is a story full of heart, joy and laughter.
The wonderful cast of characters really make this story shine. Ariel was by far my favorite, Wendell a close second. The Townsend's are a lovely beautiful bunch and really make you feel at home in the pages of this book. There are unexpected twists in the story and though a bit predictable, I wanted to continue reading to see how things would shake out.
Mae as a protagonist really grows throughout the story and I loved her quiet resilience. I appreciated her determination to win over her paternal family and the juxtaposition when having to confront and deal with her maternal side of the family. These are real life issues and complex to navigate and Mae really has to work to find her voice and express her feelings.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun family drama-medy and anyone who needs a feel-good story.
Where is the Mac and Cheese Recipe!? I just knew we'd get that at the end of the book LOL
An unexpected funeral, an unexpected guest, encounters with an estranged family, an unknown family recipe, and a community of neighbors who become family. "The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster" is literally like a warm and delicious pan of Mac and Cheese straight out of the oven.
After the unexpected death of her black paternal grandmother, Mae decides to attend the funeral in Hobson, North Carolina. What she finds is a family she's never really known but finds familiar after years of feeling other'ed by her white maternal side of the family. After a family dinner she embarks on the mission of organizing the annual 4th of July barbecue and cracking the mystery of her late grandmother's Mac and cheese recipe. What ensues on this quest is a story full of heart, joy and laughter.
The wonderful cast of characters really make this story shine. Ariel was by far my favorite, Wendell a close second. The Townsend's are a lovely beautiful bunch and really make you feel at home in the pages of this book. There are unexpected twists in the story and though a bit predictable, I wanted to continue reading to see how things would shake out.
Mae as a protagonist really grows throughout the story and I loved her quiet resilience. I appreciated her determination to win over her paternal family and the juxtaposition when having to confront and deal with her maternal side of the family. These are real life issues and complex to navigate and Mae really has to work to find her voice and express her feelings.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun family drama-medy and anyone who needs a feel-good story.