I LOVED THIS BOOK! It was funny, sad, vivid...

The descriptions of Oregon were strong enough to make me feel as though I were there.

All of the characters felt very real. The author managed to juggle Eleanor's professional, family, personal and love life without diminishing any of them.

In the course of the novel, Eleanor evolves, but it's a slow, unfolding process, not a simplistic straight line journey to perfection.

It had all the familiar plot lines of a fluffy little novel, but the sincerity of the story and the depth of all of the characters make it rise above a simple story of a woman weathering the passing of her beloved "uncle."

I know I'm not doing this book justice. It's appealing on so many levels! To the food lover, the food addict, the romance novel reader, the professional, daughters, sisters... It's beautifully written, the pacing is excellent, the story is gripping. I unreservedly recommend it.

Eleanor has been hiding her past and burying her future under shopping bags full of food for so long that even she is surprised at what she finds during her moments of introspection.
The illness of a beloved family member and the love of a needy cat are what finally push Eleanor into taking a look at her life - what it really was and what it might be.
This book speaks not just to those who find solace in food but to everyone who has been loved by a family.

I can't simply say enough great things about this book. Although the topics covered throughout the novel (eating disorders, dysfunctional families, terminal illness) remind the reader of the sadder parts of life, I finished this novel feeling uplifted and happy! The main characters were masterfully developed and I enjoyed every minute of reading this book. I am recommending it to everyone I know.

I highly enjoyed this book. The characters in the book are relatable to people who you may have met or already know.
The author draws you into the story with the main character, Eleanor, who has some things going on her life. She is an excellent cook, who freelances by writing articles for cooking magazines. She left her last job due to a broken heart. Her uncle, that she loves dearly becomes ill, and she is the one who deals his care.

The author lets us in on the various emotions and changes that goes with Eleanor and the unexpected changes in her life. Her connection to her sisters, her strange relationship with her mother, her father and Uncle Benny.

Eleanor learns the true nature of the relationship between her mother and Uncle Benny. She also learns the inner strength that she really and manages to find a new love in her life.

I enjoyed the book, liked the characters and would recommend it for good discussion.

While a few thought the book was a little slow to begin, the ending left us in tears. It let us explore our own habits and how we deal with everyday life: eating, loving, and caring for others.

Our group had a really good discussion about the family and food aspects of this book. Many in our club said that this was a book they never would have picked so they were glad we had read it. We enjoyed this.

The book was cute, but not everyone in our club liked it. I enjoyed it, but thought the ending was rushed and kind of a let down after all the build up.

This was a good book - not great though. It was very slow to start and as a group we felt like it lacked pace. The ending was good. Very real picture of this character. Good starter book because it is not easily defined by one category. Easy read.

Our group had a great discussion which included the author by speakerphone! There is so much here to discuss, including eating disorders, relationships with parents, siblings, and men, family secrets, caring for the terminally ill. The book leaves you with questions, but that's what makes it interesting. Two in our group didn't like the book very much: one was uncomfortable with the food aspects of the book, having had an eating disorder herself. The other just couldn't get into it. The rest of us enjoyed it. I would highly recommend it for discussion.

I read this all in one day. It's a simple read, but there is enough depth to have a great discussion with three or more people. It's not in my top ten favorite books, but I do recommend it as a starter book for new book clubs. Have fun!

This book was a good read. Be careful if you have eating issues. The main character is a compulsive eater. Also,
if you have ever watched a person die of cancer, this will bring up those memories. Surprisingly, even with those unpleasant topics, it was a good book to discuss.

This book is enjoyable, and an easy read, but it's not fluff, either. Our club had a lot to say about it and found that discussion flowed very easily. We used the reading guide in the back, and felt free to veer off topic, as well. It didn't become anyone's favorite novel, but the general concensus was positive. We would recommend this as a great starter pick.

All the characters are refreshingly complex, the setting evocatively drawn, and the story engaging and universal. The book follows the evolution of the main character, Ellie, as she marches through familiar and poignant difficult territory, on the cusp of 40 and having achieved a superficially successful but soul-killing professional life, and a woefully limited personal life. While the details may be different, many of us in midlife or beyond will see ourselves, perhaps with no small discomfort, somewhere in the cast of characters. I loved this book. It is about to start making its rounds through the hands of all my friends.

OVerall a good read that makes for fun discussion

This was a pleasant, quick read. I felt like I knew Eleanor instantly and could relate to her life quirks. I wanted more from her romance with a local chef, but maybe there will be a part II.
I have since passed this book on to friends, who have passed it on. Everyone enjoyed it immensley.

I very much enjoyed the story itself and wanted more details about each of the characters. I thought each character could use more rounding. Just my opinion though-

This book was surprising in the fact that it grips you right from the start & you are capitivated until the very end. It was well written, insightful and sweet. It has subtle twists and turns and I was hooked until the very last page.

I liked the book, I liked that there were not a lot of characters to keep track of. A very easy read.

The book really keeps you waiting, but does not give you the answers you are looking for. It was ok and I have loaned my book to a friend, but I would rate it a 6 out of 10!

I couldn't put it down. It started a little slow but as you get into the book you begin to relate to the characters. There were parts that made me cry!

I really enjoyed this book even though it did take me the first 30-50 pages to really get into it. At first the main character comes off as a bit negative, but then the real story/plot begins and it is excellent. Grab the tissues near the end.

I love books that go back and forth from present to past to fill you in on important details or backstory. Jennie Shortridge does that here beautifully!

Eleanor Samuels lives in her rent controlled apartment with a picture of her pretend boyfriend and the real love of her life - her kitchen, stocked with all the high tech equipment she can get! Eleanor is a free lance writer for several cooking magazines and spends her time trying to adapt recipes to the magazine's genre (light, quick, easy, etc.) Eleanor thinks food is the answer to everything and is quick to indulge for any reason - to celebrate or eat her sorrows until she's swallowed them away. All until "Uncle" Benny gets diagnosed with terminal cancer and she becomes his primary caregiver. Eleanor learns more about herself and her family than she ever knew or envisioned.

Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant..always entertaining. Brought tears to my eyes and really made me root for Eleanor.

The beginning started a little slow but keep going!! It's well worth the investment.

A dramatic story about everyday life and the struggles of caring for someone who is dying. A touching story about families, sisters and relationships with a little fun thrown in from food and its role in our lives.