Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for The Saturday Night Supper Club by award winning author Carla Laureano. This contemporary romance novel is a finalist in the Romance Writers of America RITA Award (winner to be announced next week) and the ACFW Carol Awards (winner to be announced in late September) and was short listed in the INSPY Awards. Congratulations Carla!
Book Description for The Saturday Night Supper Club:
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!
Available at Amazon.
