Book Review - Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim

Photo Credit - Amazon

After news of her mother's sudden death, Natalie Tan returns home. Natalie left home in anger seven years ago and hasn't spoken to her mother since their disagreement over Natalie's career choice. Natalie wants to become a chef like her grandmother but, her mother wants Natalie to follow her own path. When Natalie returns back to her childhood home, she is shocked by how the once vibrant neighborhood is suffering from failing businesses. 

The neighborhood fortune teller reads Natalie's fortune in the leaves and tells Natalie she has the power to help the neighborhood succeed. She has to cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook for three people who need help. Unfortunately, Natalie struggles to find three people to help and she is hesitant because she resents the neighbors for not helping her and her mother in the past. During her quest to save the neighborhood, Natalie realizes that she has people who care about her whether she realizes it or not.

The novel was an interesting and magical read. I love how the author weaved a creative tale of friendship, family, and having a place to call home. I liked that the author included recipes that Natalie made but, I think it would have been better if she added it in an appendix so, it wouldn't take away from the story. While, I enjoyed the story and found Natalie to be a relatable main character but, I wasn't blown away. Mostly because I felt that Natalie gave up on her dreams easily without trying to fight for her passions. The twist ending was partially predictable but, it was emotionally satisfying. However, I would be open to reading another one of her novels.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center

Photo Credit - Amazon

Cassie Hanwell strives under pressure, especially during emergencies. As she is one of the only female firefighters in her Texas firehouse, she has dealt with a fair share of them. She can handle other people's tragedies but, any of her own. When Cassie's ailing and estranged mother asks her to move to Boston to help take care of her, Cassie is suddenly thrown into an emergency of her own. 

Cassie finds a new job at an old-school Boston firehouse that is completely different from her old job. The new firehouse lacks proper facilities, equipment, funding, and the crew regularly hazes each other. None of the firemen on staff is happy that their captain hired a lady to be on their shift, even if Cassie comes highly recommended.  

The only person that doesn't mind having Cassie around is the handsome rookie, Owen. Cassie feels drawn to him but, she knows firemen can't date each other and she doesn't believe love is her thing.  However, the more Cassie learns about the rookie, the more she feels her resolve to stay away from him slipping away. Will Cassie open up herself to love even if it means losing the only job she ever loved?

I have read the author's other book, How to Walk Away and enjoyed it. I was excited to read this book as the previous novel was an emotionally captivating book. While, this book delivers a powerful message about forgiveness, love, courage, and vulnerability, I didn't find myself feeling much for the characters. I didn't feel invested in Cassie and had a hard time relating to her. I felt like the story was missing an emotional connection for me like the previous book had. It is a good book if you are a fan of the author but, to me it felt like a giant fluff piece.

 **Disclosure - This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel

Photo Credit - Amazon

Sophia Barrett is a trained counselor who helps patients deal with their burdens. After taking time off because of a tragic accident, Sophia returns to work. However, when she meets a patient who has similar troubles as her, Sophia realizes she hasn't dealt with her loss. Deciding she needs some space and time to heal, she heads to Cornwall, England to heal. She moves into an apartment above a charming bookstore where is she surrounded by her favorite thing: books.  Will Sophia be able to heal from her past trauma? 

Ginny Rose is the bookstore owner and she is desperate to save her husband's dream business. She can't even ask her husband for help as he decided to take a break from their marriage. She is trying to keep her husband's dream alive but, she feels that she is missing something in her life. But, with an unexpected friendship emerges between her and Sophia; Ginny is hopeful that together with her brother-in-law, William,  they can save her bookstore. Will Sophia be able to save her bookstore and find herself in the process?

While organizing the bookstore's rare book inventory, Sophia finds a notebook containing journal entry from Emily Fairfax. Emily was a governess who lives in Cornwall more than 150 years ago.  Emily has a secret dream of being an author and she writes about her secret crush on her childhood friend, Edward. However, Edward is above her class and their union would be frowned upon.

Sophia is drawn and feels connected to Emily's story. Curious to learn more about Emily, Sophia enlists William and Ginny to research Emily's past. Together, Ginny realizes that she wants to save the bookstore on her accord and not because she thinks it would save her marriage. Sophia finds a new purpose and a way to heal during her journey with Ginny and William.

I thought the novel had an enjoyable but, predictable story. The author's idea of combining three different points of views of the women added an extra dimension to the story. It allowed the readers to understand and feel for each character. I enjoyed seeing two strong females helping each other heal and move on. However, if you are expecting a novel with secrets, suspense, and thrills, you would be better off reading another book.

 **Disclosure - I received a free  copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no any extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Blue Apron Delivery - August 21st, 2015

Tandoori - Spiced Chicken

The first dish I tried from this delivery was the tandoori - spiced chicken. It was delicious and super easy to make. My own qualm is that most of the dishes rely a lot on the seasoning with mostly salt and pepper like every other step. The tandoori chicken was delicious but they have a bit too much of lentil for my liking. 

Seared Cod & Fregola Sarda

This was delicious but I found the green beans weird combination. As noted below, my beans had moss and I had to throw away some of it. The pasta was an okay choice would have prefer couscous as a better option. I added some crushed garlic to the final product as it lacked a bit taste and depth.


Seared Pork Chops and Kamut

I can't eat pork but my boyfriend found the dish to be okay. He did like the use of the stone fruit as it added a nice complexity to this dish. The corn side dish was delicious and made a great side dish for other dinner entrees in the future.


As a note, my delivery was for Friday but I cooked my meals on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday but I noticed most of my food were showing spoilage. The greenery items started to wilt noticeably and my green beans had white moss on Monday. Some of the veggies also came blemished and visibly wilted. The expiration date on the meat was within 5 - 7 days of delivery. The fish had no expiration or labeling.  As the cheaper of the food delivery programs, I was looking forward to the delivery but was disappointment by a) the seasonings & taste b) the food quality and condition c) the combinations are interesting but lack intrigue.