The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano

MY REVIEW

I have been a longtime fan of Carla Laureano’s work and when The Saturday Night Supper Club was set to release this year I could not have been more delighted. Then I cover was revealed and this book nerd-foodie heart was so happy! There was a time when I would read recipe books for fun, from cover to cover….and here we have recipe book cover style meets novel. How perfect is that? (I am talking about the cover here) That cover not amazing, elegant and perfect for this story. I did not realize just how perfect until I read chef Rachel Bishop’s story. Be warned, this book is to be read with a snack on hand and maybe a cup of coffee or tea. When Rachel’s best-laid plans fall apart, things get a little out of control for her. And then there is Alex who is part of the reason why her world is suddenly turned upside-down. Not wanting to give too much away, the interaction between these two characters keeps you turning the pages as fast as your fingers can turn them, and your eyes can take it all in.

What I loved about this book was the interaction between Rachel and her friends Melony and Analyn, and their strong bond. I fell in love with these ladies and how they have got each other’s back while being so different, yet complimenting each other.

Another thing I loved was the fact that the city of Denver felt like an additional character and seeing the vibrant city of Denver through Rachel’s eyes was delightful. All in all, another winner for Laureano!

Copy of the book was provided by the publisher. A positive review was not required.

By the way, you can read more about what happens to Rachel’s friends in the Q & A with Carla.

 READ THE FIRST CHAPTER HERE

ABOUT THE BOOK

Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.

Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.

Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life—and love—outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Carla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.

Melony Teague is a freelance writer who believes everyone has a story to tell and each story is unique and sometimes wilder than fiction. She loves to uncover the good news in society and writes human interest and community pieces. As co-author of As the Ink Flows, she loves to inspire and motivate others through her written words. In her spare time, she reviews books and interviews authors. These reviews can be found right here on her website. Melony Teague was born in South Africa and immigrated to Canada. She now lives in Toronto with her husband and their two children and two cats.