When In Doubt Add Butter

When In Doubt Add Butter, Beth Harbison, 4 Stars

Reviewed September 2013

 

"Harbison continues to wow readers with her charm and genuine characters." Booklist on Hope is a Jar

Gemma Craig, a 38 year old private chef, prepares meals for different people/families every night of the week. Leaving behind not only a tasty meal for that day, but the other nights she works elsewhere. As she deals with the intricacies of dietary, cultural, and social constraints, her life plays out in the background.

A life changing event in her late teens rules her life and controls the emotional relationships she has. The most important person in her life is her very pregnant bed ridden cousin, and Mr. Tuesday.

Gemma has never met Mr. Tuesday, but he always leaving her a note full of banter about the meals she's prepared, to which she responds, creating a feeling of familiarity. As crises erupt in her life, Mr. Tuesday's world; notes, apartment, penchant for comfort food; provides respite.

Beth Harbison does a great job describing life in New York City, the joy and angst that Gemma feels when her life begins to turn upside down. She creates very relatable characters. Publishers Weekly states, "Harbison dazzles in her latest, a perfect blend of chick lit and women's fiction... with a genuinely surprising twist."

While I would agree with most of that quote, I would say that the story lines are not surprising and there is no twist at the end. Nonetheless, this book doesn't need it. Very enjoyable.