Title: Georgia’s Kitchen
Author: Jenny Nelson
Publisher: Gallery
Publication Date: August 3, 2010
Hardcover: 336 pages
ISBN: 978-1439173336
Genre: Fiction
From the Publisher:
At thirty-three, talented chef Georgia Gray has everything a woman could want—the top job at one of Manhattan’s best restaurants; a posse of smart and savvy gal pals who never let her down; and a platinum-set, cushion-cut diamond engagement ring courtesy of Glenn, the handsome entertainment lawyer who Georgia’s overbearing mother can’t wait for her to marry. The table is set for the ambitious bride-to-be until a scathing restaurant review destroys her reputation. To add salt to her wounds, Glenn suddenly calls off the wedding.
Brokenhearted, Georgia escapes to the Italian countryside, where she sharpens her skills at a trattoria run by a world-class chef who seems to have it all—a devoted lover, a magnificent villa, and most important, a kitchen of her own. Georgia quells her longings with Italy’s delectable offerings: fine wine, luscious cheeses, cerulean blue skies, and irresistible Gianni—an expert in the vineyard and the bedroom. So when Gianni tempts Georgia to stay in Italy with an offer no sane top chef could refuse, why can’t she say yes?
An appetite for something more looms large in Georgia’s heart – the desire to run her own restaurant in the city she loves. But having left New York with her career in flames, she’ll need to stir up more than just courage if she’s to realize her dreams and find her way home.
My Review:
Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson is an excellent woman-conquers-adversity summer read. Georgia is the head chef at Marco, “the” swanky Manhattan restaurant, a job she is truly passionate about and she is about to marry Glenn, a successful attorney. Suddenly, in a series of rather bad luck events, her world begins to fall apart leading to the demise of Georgia’s career at Marco and for me, the beginning of the novel. Nelson writes a charming, feel good novel, which is a quick read with precise details and fabulous characters. The reader can almost see, feel, hear and taste everything experienced in Tuscany, due to Nelson’s rapt attention to details. Georgia is an immensely likeable main character the reader will be rooting for as well as enjoying Huggy’s enthusiasm, being enchanted by Bernard’s devotion and enamored with Ricky’s sweet nature. My first impression of the novel was not a positive one with the superficial attitude of Marco himself, the snobbery and the illicit drug use. Had I not been reviewing this book I would have quit at that point, but I am glad I persevered. Georgia’s Kitchen, while fairly predictable, is a delightfully charming feel good book. I would recommend Georgia’s Kitchen to anyone who is looking for a light and happy read.
Jenny Nelson lives with her husband, twin daughters and dog in Millbrook, NY and Manhattan, where she was editor and producer at iVillage.com, Vogue.com and Style.com. This is her first novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson from BookSparks PR. Receiving a review copy in no way reflected my review of aforementioned novel.
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