About the Book
A disgraced chef rediscovers her passion for food and her roots in this stunning novel rich in culture and full of delectable recipes.
French-born American chef Sophie Valroux had one dream: to be part of the 1% of female chefs running a Michelin-starred restaurant. From spending summers with her grandmother, who taught her the power of cooking and food, to attending the Culinary Institute of America, Sophie finds herself on the cusp of getting everything she’s dreamed of.
Until her career goes up in flames.
Sabotaged by a fellow chef, Sophie is fired, leaving her reputation ruined and confidence shaken. To add fuel to the fire, Sophie learns that her grandmother has suffered a stroke and takes the red-eye to France. There, Sophie discovers the simple home she remembers from her childhood is now a luxurious château, complete with two restaurants and a vineyard. As Sophie tries to reestablish herself in the kitchen, she comes to understand the lengths people will go to for success and love, and how dreams can change.
My Review
I’m a big fan of foodie fiction, and when I read the synopsis about ambitious yet now disgraced chef Sophie Valroux, I knew I wanted to read this. I was seething with anger reading how Sophie was treated in her male-dominated industry, but eagerly followed her to France as she attempted to rebuild her life and reputation. I enjoyed meeting the full cast when she arrived – from her formidable grandmother, sous-chefs, old flames and more – and the setting of the chateau with vineyard and booming restaurant was highly entertaining. The behind the scenes of the culinary world was interesting to read about, and the romance angle had me questioning the characters throughout the chapters. The perfect novel to open a bottle of wine with so you can kick back and get lost in Sophie’s world, and I was entertained throughout.
4 stars
