Pegged as a "Romantic adventure for foodies," this novel promised to be a great light summer read. I was so ready to love it even before I opened the cover. In a genre inundated with period settings and over idealized characters, I was excited for something in a contemporary setting with relatable characters and a sense of humor, not to mention the culinary themed backdrop. I was however really disappointed by this book.
Everything started off really great. I think it is may be because a couple author this book that the inside voices of the characters were more realistic. In other words, it seemed like a guy wrote what guys think, and a girl what the girl would think. This added to the authenticity of the characters, up to a point. Just before the halfway point, the book started to lose it stability. So much time had been spent on developing a story arc based on an exciting discovery that it would only make sense to follow that path. However, this story was never actually followed. Elements from the discovery were included in later parts, but were certainly not necessary to the late developed "real" plot.
The second half of the book was as rushed as the characters in the midst of their own escape. The main female character Bonnie became more and more unbelievable as it went on, like a manic caricature of who she was in the beginning. There were too many story arcs added into the equation, perhaps for added intrigue, but despite their dire circumstances, they came off almost flippant. There really could have been a profound statement about adoption, as it played a major role in Bonnie's history, and even in the resolution. However, no statement was clearly made. (as one who formerly worked as an adoption coordinator for a third world orphanage, there was just something about the way that was handled in the end that made me cringe a little.) I guess having no defined statement was my biggest issue; there seemed to be no real point to any of the themes that were brought up.
In the end, Bonnie had transformed in attitude, but even that was handled in a haphazard way. Her transformation seemed to be only inspired by a supernatural occurrence and done out of her own will because she saw that selfishness is bad. There was no Christ, no revelation of the need for salvation, just the kind of change anyone can make, regardless of faith. Now, I am not one to prefer heavy-handed preachy novels, but many things were just left a little too ambiguous. I mean I cannot put my finger on any one specific thing and say, "This was wrong and therefore..." but maybe that's a problem. I should be able to know what exactly the authors are saying, whether I agree or disagree. This ambiguity was most evident with Trace, the character who was supposedly the one with faith from the beginning, well I think. He did say "Thank God" once right at the beginning. He just kind of went with whatever. He didn't do anything wrong or bad, but he also didn't do anything remotely related to his presumed faith even in when in crisis.
I really really wanted to like this book. There was so much potential within the first third of it too. I think this might be the authors first novel, in which case I hope they can grow as there is definitely talent. The execution needs some work though. It is such a shame that I have to rate this book as I do.
I give this book 2 out of 5 inkspots.
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I received this book free from the publisher through the Glass Road PR book review for bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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