Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for The Saturday Night Supper Club by RITA Award winning author Carla Laureano.
In recent months we’ve shared a few posts on our blog on the topic of book awards. Cecelia Dowdy posted in February and asked the question: Do Awards Really Matter? Last month Lee Tobin McClain shared a post on Book Awards on the day the Romance Writers of America RITA Award finalists were announced. Congratulations to Carla Laureano on The Saturday Night Supper Club being a finalist in the 2019 RITA Award!
Book Description:
Denver chef Rachel Bishop has accomplished everything she’s dreamed and some things she never dared hope, like winning a James Beard Award and heading up her own fine-dining restaurant. But when a targeted smear campaign causes her to be pushed out of the business by her partners, she vows to do whatever it takes to get her life back . . . even if that means joining forces with the man who inadvertently set the disaster in motion.
Essayist Alex Kanin never imagined his pointed editorial would go viral. Ironically, his attempt to highlight the pitfalls of online criticism has the opposite effect: it revives his own flagging career by destroying that of a perfect stranger. Plagued by guilt-fueled writer’s block, Alex vows to do whatever he can to repair the damage. He just doesn’t expect his interest in the beautiful chef to turn personal.
Alex agrees to help rebuild Rachel’s tarnished image by offering his connections and his home to host an exclusive pop-up dinner party targeted to Denver’s most influential citizens: the Saturday Night Supper Club. As they work together to make the project a success, Rachel begins to realize Alex is not the unfeeling opportunist she once thought he was, and that perhaps there’s life—and love—outside the pressure-cooker of her chosen career. But can she give up her lifelong goals without losing her identity as well?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading The Saturday Night Supper Club. Rachel Bishop is a hardworking chef who, since the age of fifteen, has devoted her life to building a successful career in the restaurant industry. The gruelling hours of her work-a-holic lifestyle have taken a toll. Rachel is exhausted and running on fumes. She doesn’t have a life away from Paisley – the fine dining restaurant she co-owns. When her career and reputation is targeted by an online troll, she makes a major blunder that has big consequences.
Alex Kanin is a psychologist turned author who is feeling the pressure after his debut book sales tanked. He has defied his parents by turning his back on academia to follow his writing dream, and he is looking for inspiration for his second book. When an article he writes that’s inspired in part by his real life experiences with online reviews goes viral, he’s unaware that his writing will have massive and unintended negative consequences on a young female chef in Denver who he has never met.
Rachel blames Alex for initiating the chain of events that derail her career. Alex ‘rescues’ people, and he wants to do something positive and helpful for Rachel where his actions will speak louder than the simple words of his apology. He is a to-die-for hero with noble intentions and a big heart.
Their first meeting in person is emotion-charged and leads to the creation of The Saturday Night Supper Club to resurrect Rachel’s career. The attraction between Rachel and Alex is strong, and Rachel struggles with deep-seated trust issues. Their romance is fun and engaging and I wanted to see them overcome all the obstacles on their journey to happily-ever-after.
The faith element in the story is subtle and understated. You won’t see the characters attending church every Sunday, but you will see how their faith influences their thoughts and decisions.
I highly recommend The Saturday Night Supper Club to readers who love contemporary inspirational romance and appreciate delicious and wholesome food. This is not the book to read if you’re feeling hungry and having difficulty sticking to a boring and bland diet!
Learn more about Carla Laureano and her books at her website.
The Saturday Night Supper Club will delight foodies who enjoy reading CCR books. Do you enjoy reading books with a ‘food’ theme? If yes, is there a particular type of food or story line that appeals to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Hi Narelle! I enjoy reading books with food themes. Many of our Inspy Writers incorporate food themes in their stories – Valerie Comer in her Farm Fresh and Urban Farm Fresh series or Elizabeth Maddrey Baxter Family Bakery series. I enjoy many different food themes – farm to table, Italian, French, food trucks, bakeries, tea houses and more. When authors include a recipe with their food themed stories, I am in heaven. Best wishes and happy writing.
I agree with Renate in all her foodie book mentions! I also love when recipes are at the end, Hallee Bridgemann does that, mmmm!
Hi Narelle, I thoroughly enjoyed The Saturday Night Supper Club- great story (as is Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe).
I enjoy books with a food theme- Renate has mentioned 2 excellent series that I also enjoyed. I like the bakery and food truck themes, the farm to table… all great to read and be inspired by.
Blessings:)
I have read her Five Days in Skye and after reading your synopsis I plan on reading this book too. It sounds very good.
I read this book and loved it, as I have all of Carla’s books. A few years ago I read a series of books where the heroine was a pastry chef and really enjoyed them.
I love food in books! It doesn’t matter what kind, all food is great!
I love food in books! It doesn’t matter what kind!
I really enjoyed this book, but it did make me hungry! LOL
I’ve heard good things about this book. I enjoy books with food in them.
I also enjoyed Cecelia Dowdy’s The Bakery Romance Series.
This is a great series, can’t wait for the third release!
I enjoyed this book also. I just finished Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe a couple of days ago and thought it was excellent too. I admit my dining is very much simpler than that of Carla’s characters but her writing is so good that it doesn’t matter.
Hi Renate, yes, food is definitely a popular theme with our Inspy Romance authors! It’s fun when a recipe is included. :)
Hi Paula Marie, Yes, me too! Hallee has also published a parody cookbook series, and I’ve always thought ‘Fifty Shades of Gravy’ was a clever title. :)
Hi Wemble, I have Brunch at Bittersweet Cafe sitting on my bedside, awaiting its turn to be read. I’m looking forward to having the time to read it! :)
Hi Bernice, The Saturday Night Supper Club is now my favorite Carla Laureano book, and I’m really looking forward to reading more books in the series! I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read it! :)
Hi Jessica, I love bakery and pastry chef books and movies! Lots of fun to read and watch. :)
Hi Toni, I agree! Being an Aussie, the foodie books set in the US are also educational. When I visit the US, I will specifically go looking for certain foods. I absolutely adore your cinnamon rolls, and it’s hard to find ones that taste as good in Australia. :)
Hi Kimberly, Yes, I quickly learned to read it after I’d eaten a meal, lol. :)
Hi Lucy, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read it. :)
Hi Patty, I’m looking forward to reading the second book soon! :)
Hi Sherri, yes, my dining is a lot simpler and I rarely eat dessert. It’s fun to read about the fancy food. :)
I have a copy of this book on my shelf, waiting to be read! I definitely do like food books, but only if there are good snacks in my cabinet.
Hi Dianna, I hope you’ll have a chance to read it soon, and also have a supply of snacks ready to go! :)