Together at the Table

GIVEAWAY

LODGE, HILLARY MANTON
TOGETHER AT THE TABLE

Three months ago, Juliette D'Alisa's world changed.

In a bittersweet series of events, her mother's health took a turn for the worse. Juliette and her brother opened their restaurant together to rave reviews, but her romance with Memphis immunologist Neil McLaren ended in anger and tears.

Now as autumn sweeps into the Pacific Northwest, Juliette feels that she's finally on the cusp of equilibrium. The restaurant continues to thrive, and her family is closer than ever. She and sous-chef Adrian are seeing each other, both in and out of the kitchen. Just when she thinks her world might stop spinning, a trip to the waterfront brings a familiar face across her path.

Rather than dwell on her personal life, Juliette throws herself into work and research. After reading her grandmother's letters from war-torn Paris, she still wants to know the full story -- and she'll travel across countries and oceans to find it.

But even Juliette can't outrun the man who stole her heart. As she finally uncovers the truth about her family history, what will it mean for her own chances at lasting love?

My Review:

What a genuinely lovely wrap-up to an amazing series. Be forewarned though that it's probably best to have read A Table at the Window and Reservations for Two before reading this last installment of Two Blue Doors. These three books have connected plots and characters and it just makes sense to get involved right from the very beginning.

First off -- while I'm not a true foodie I've discovered I have a certain weakness for foodie fiction. There's something so delicious (pun intended) about the exotic food references. I might not understand a word I read when it comes to recipe descriptions but I love the flavour they bring to the story.(Okay, last pun, I promise.) And since Juliette's family is foodie obsessed (they all work in the food industry) and they are a crazy mix of French and Italian there is a lot of passionate chef talk going on. So much fun. The author even includes recipes that sound divine but look beginner friendly enough for me to try.

As in the first two books, this one is told entirely from Juliette's witty point of view. There's even sardonic humour in the midst of tough times. And those are plentiful. I love a flawed heroine and Juliette is definitely that. She internalizes things too much, buries herself in her work and generally hides away from the harsh reality of her personal life. Luckily she has an opinionated family who aren't afraid to speak up. Exciting dynamics that left me alternately laughing hysterically or tearing my hair out.

I don't want to say too much about the romance because...well...there's two guys and only one Juliette so no spoilers. I'll just say the best man really did win and I'm a happy camper who has to work at straightening her toes after they've been curled through all those swoony scenes. Blissful sigh.

The intrigue in Juliette's family history is solved at last...a mystery that plagued me through the first two books. Immensely satisfying and well worth the wait. I might have cried a tear or two. An interesting World War II connection in this otherwise contemporary novel.

And a side note: As with the first two books, there is a definite lack of inspirational thread in Together at the Table. Just a fleeting mention of church attendance. I really missed the personal growth that comes with a faith themed story.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

 If you would like an opportunity to win a copy of  Together at the Table please leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoreadATyahooDOTca. If you post a comment and add your email address, please use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in the address to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email please remember to put the title in the subject line so that it's easy for me to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Sunday July 24 2016. Offer open to international readers. Good luck!