Roselle Lim
Genre: Fiction, Magical Realism
Publisher: Berkley Books
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads
At the news of her mother's death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn't spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years ago, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco's Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood is fading, with businesses failing and families moving out. She's even more surprised to learn she has inherited her grandmother's restaurant.REVIEW
The neighborhood seer reads the restaurant's fortune in the leaves: Natalie must cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook to aid her struggling neighbors before the restaurant will succeed. Unfortunately, Natalie has no desire to help them try to turn things around--she resents the local shopkeepers for leaving her alone to take care of her agoraphobic mother when she was growing up. But with the support of a surprising new friend and a budding romance, Natalie starts to realize that maybe her neighbors really have been there for her all along.
Natalie returned home following her mother's death to plan the funeral, and tie up some loose ends. It was supposed to be her goodbye tour of the neighborhood, but she was taken aback to find the once vibrant and flourishing community in dire need of revitalization, and apparently, Natalie was the key to bringing it back to life.
This was such a lovely and feel-good read, and I was happy to be part of Natalie's journey as she found her way back to her roots and herself. There were so many things to praise in this book, and here are five things I loved about Natalie Tan's Book of Luck & Fortune.
- The Food! - I am warning you right now - do NOT read this book on an empty stomach. Lim's love of cooking and culinary delights shines on these pages. She engaged all my senses with her vivid descriptions and full recipes. She included many dishes I have had the pleasure of tasting and even more I hope to taste.
- The Community - Natalie's family was lucky to have landed in this neighborhood, because it was filled with so many wonderful and caring people. It was a delight getting to know all the denizens of this street, and it was beautiful the way they all bonded together to help first, Natalie's mother, and then, Natalie herself. I got some serious warm-fuzzies being around this bunch.
- The Tan Women - Learning about Natalie's mother and grandmother gave me hope for her. She was the product of such strong women, and I knew she would find her inner strength to get through this situation, because she had such stellar role models, who had overcome adversity.
- Chinese Culture - Lim did such a fantastic job weaving the cultural aspects into the story, and I really enjoyed learning more about Chinese customs and traditions.
- Natalie's Personal Journey - Natalie had been untethered for quite some time, and she struggled with making permanent connections. It was wonderful seeing her find herself by digging into her history and also, uncovering some family secrets. With each additional bit she learned, I saw her eyes and her heart opening wider and wider, and the end result was stellar.
Overall, this was a heartwarming tale of love, loss, family, community, and food served up with lots of heart and a dash of magic.
* ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
AND, this just in:
YOU GUYS!!!! IT’S OUT OMFGGGGG— Roselle Lim is on deadline (@rosellewriter) June 20, 2019
NATALIE TAN’S BOOK OF LUCK AND FORTUNE IS BEING DEVELOPED INTO A TV SHOW!!!!!
Thank you @erinjontow!!!https://t.co/8NJZ6ujJZr
BOOK LINKS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
She found her love of writing by listening to her lola (paternal grandmother's) stories about Filipino folktales. Growing up in a household where Chinese superstition mingled with Filipino Catholicism, she devoured books about mythology, which shaped the fantasies in her novels.
An artist by nature, she considers writing as "painting with words."
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What are some of your favorite foods?
Let us know in the comments!
I enjoy multicultural literature. The food, sends of community, and family roots all are things that I enjoy reading about. I'm glad you enjoyed this story, and how awesome that it's going to be turned in to a TV show!
ReplyDeleteLindy@ A Bookish Escape
I thought this story was quite lovely. I read some of the negatives about this book, but I guess, for me, the positives outweighed the negatives, because the only thing I could think of was wanting more romance, but I loved what was there.
DeleteI absolutely love the sound of this one Sam, it sounds really quite charming and I love the authenticity. All too often big corporations buy up traditional neighbourhoods and they tend to lose their sense of identity. I love that Natalie comes from a line of strong women, it's one of the aspects I really look for in a great book, strong female characters. Brilliant review Sam, really enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThat was actually something I thought was pretty interesting in the story. I liked the way Lim approached the issue of gentrification. And, this was all about the ladies, which is something I always love to see in books.
DeleteSounds fun! Thanks for sharing your thoughts
ReplyDeleteIt was fun and charming and gave me the warm fuzzies.
DeleteYou had me at food! Lol this sounds like a really sweet story that celebrates culture and family.
ReplyDeleteThere are actual recipes in the book, but the part I really enjoyed, was the explanation of how that particular recipe can be used to "help" someone.
DeleteI really enjoyed this books too Sam and for all the same reasons! I noticed you didn't mention the romance and I admit it was the weakest part of the story. ❤️
ReplyDeleteI actually loved the romantic interest, however, I felt it was such a tiny part of the story, and actually, something I wish there was more of. I understand that opening her heart to Daniel was an important step for her, and I thought he was swoony and they were lovely together, but it was such a small side plot. I don't know if I feel it was weak, or that it just wasn't explored enough.
DeleteAhhhh, I have this on my TBR and from your review, it is glorious and just the right kind of feel good! I cannot wait to get to this one -- and YAY a TV show!!
ReplyDeleteIt really left my heart brimming with joy and warmth. I can always embrace the idea of "going home again", and trying to make things right, while also, making things right with yourself.
DeleteAhh I'm so happy you enjoyed this one, Sam! I read this a while ago and I really enjoyed it, too, the food, the community, the main character, it all made me happy and warmed my heart so much <3
ReplyDeleteWonderful review <3
The made me really hungry, and reminded me how long it's been since I've been for dim sum.
DeleteThere are books that do make me hungry with wonderful descriptions of food. Finding connections with a loving community is also heartwarming to read about. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one, Sam. :)
ReplyDeleteWhen I initially requested it, I thought it was going to be a romance, which it was not. But, as far as women's lit goes, this one worked for me. Charmed the pants off of me.
DeleteThis sounds so cute! I'm in for the food! And for the family especially her mom and grandma.
ReplyDeleteThe food was amazing! And, when she was cooking with Old Wu, I kept seeing this picture of my daughter making dumplings with her Yei Yei, who's last name is Wu. I got all warm and fuzzy.
DeleteI'm really looking forward to this one, so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!
ReplyDeleteI expected more romance, but I was not disappointed in the story I got. It really heartwarming
DeleteThis sounds like such a lovely read. I love the focus on community and I'm always a sucker for a book that features delicious sounding food, lol.
ReplyDeleteThe food was insane in this book. I should have known from all the amazing food pictures the author posts.
DeleteThis book sounds soo good! I have it in my Amazon cart. I love books about food and this sounds right up my alley! Great review!! =)
ReplyDelete~Kendra @ Kendra Loves Books
Lots and lots and lots of food in there.
DeleteThis just sounds like an overall great read. I love that the food was a positive. When food is done right in a book, it's so much fun. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI liked it, because it was heartwarming and it left me warm and fuzzy (and hungry)
DeleteI've seen mixed thoughts on this one and I was beginning to regret buying it at the airport on my way home so your review has reminded me I had reasons for wanting to read. It sounds like a different book definitely one which is heartwarming. I'll have to start reading it. But maybe I'll wait until I've eaten.
ReplyDeleteI feel like it may be a matter of expectations. This is not a romance - it's women's lit, but I did really enjoy the idea of the story. Was it perfect? No, that's why it got 4 instead of 5 stars, but it definitely made my heart stir, and I enjoyed the story.
DeleteI just got this one on my kindle and I cannot wait to read it! I like the sound of food and community being featured so much. Sometimes books with big community moments are really heart warming <3 And I am always for reading more books about different cultures than my own!
ReplyDeleteThere is food with recipes (so if you're in the mood to cook....) I won't say I didn't want more romance, but I was happy with Natalie's journey and getting to know her family history. It was very heartwarming.
DeleteSounds like a fun book with food - as you know I love food - and a sense of the community and a lot of times you don't see that much in a book. I love learning about different cultures in books. Great review!
ReplyDeleteMary
Yes. Lots and lots of food. I was all over the community aspect and the book left me really happy too.
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