First line: Georgia turned onto a tree-lined street of brick town houses and brownstones, stopping when she reached a gunmetal-gray low-rise that shared none of its neighbors’ quiet charm.
From the back cover: At thirty-three, talented chef Georgia Gray has everything a woman could want – the top job at one of Manhattan’s best restaurants; a posse of smart and savvy gal pals who never let her down; and a platinum-set, cushion-cut diamond engagement ring courtesy of Glenn, the handsome entertainment lawyer who Georgia’s overbearing mother can’t wait for her to marry. The table is set for the ambitious bride-to-be until a scathing restaurant review destroys her reputation. To add salt to her wounds, Glenn suddenly calls off the wedding.
Brokenhearted, Georgia escapes to the Italian countryside, where she sharpens her skills at a trattoria run by a world-class chef who seems to have it all – a devoted lover, a magnificent villa, and most important, a kitchen of her own. Georgia quells her longings with Italy’s delectable offerings: fine wine, luscious cheeses, cerulean blue skies, and irresistible Gianni – an expert in the vineyard and the bedroom. So when Gianni temps Georgia to stay in Italy with an offer no sane top chef could refuse, why can’t she say yes?
An appetite for something larger than love weighs heavy on Georgia’s heart – the desire to run her very own restaurant. But with a ruined career in New York and no business partner in sight, she must stir up more than just the courage to chase after her dreams if she is to find her way home.
My thoughts: This was a light, entertaining and very charming story. Right from the beginning I was pulled in – how would Georgia recover from a day that completely threw her for a loop – losing her job and her fiance within hours of each other. What I really liked about this book is that this isn’t the typical happily-ever-after story where girl loses love, girl finds love and gets all her dreams handed to her. Yes, Georgia does find a hot guy who’s interested in her in Italy and he does try to give her everything she wants, but Georgia realizes, thanks to her mentor, that she has a lot already and just needs to focus on that. Rather than taking the easy way out to get what she wants, Georgia works hard and while there are a few bumps in the road, she is happy with the end result. Jenny Nelson does a fabulous job capturing the details and creating a vivid setting. I felt as if I was alongside Georgia in Tuscany and in New York and the food – I wish I could have tasted all the meals Georgia created – they all sound so tasty!
About the author: Jenny Nelson grew up in Larchmont, NY and graduated with a BA in English Literature from the University of Colorado at Denver. A former web editor and producer, she worked for companies such as iVillage, Vogue.com and Style.com. She lives with her husband, twin daughters and dog in Millbrook, NY and Manhattan. Georgia’s Kitchen is her first novel.
I received a complimentary copy of Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson from Crystal BookSparks PR to review.
GIVEAWAY RULES:
Crystal at BookSparks PR has provided one copy of this awesome book for readers of this blog!
Rules:
- US/Canada only
- No PO Boxes please
- Must include email address to enter
- Book will be mailed out by publicist
To enter (required entry): Leave me a comment letting me know that you want to win Georgia’s Kitchen. Please include your e-mail address in your comment, so that I have a way to contact you if you win. No e-mail= no entry!
Bonus Entry (+1) Become a follower of this blog on Google Friend Connect. Please leave me a separate comment letting me know that you follow. Current followers are eligible as well – just leave a separate comment letting me know that you already do! Not a separate entry = no entry!
Bonus Entry (+2) Georgia escapes to the Italian countryside to soothe her bruised ego. Where would you go to escape? Be sure to leave your email address and it must be a separate entry to count. Not a separate entry = no entry!
Thanks to everyone for entering! Good luck!
GIVEAWAY ENDS
AT 6 PM, EST, SEPTEMBER 2nd
This book sounds very interesting and I would love to win it.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
I follow by google reader.
cenya2 at hotmail dot com
Wow sounds like a great book
GFC follower!!
vidisha
vidishamun[at]gmail.com
I'm a GFC follower.
zohar dot laor at gmail.com
I'd like to win this book 🙂
zohar dot laor at gmail.com
ManOfLaBook.com
Where would I go to escape?
Two options:
1) Anywhere by the water.
2) Tell everyone I went somewhere and stay home 🙂
zohar dot laor at gmail.com
ManOfLaBook.com
I would love to read this book!
jedziedz(at)hotmail.com
I am a follower.
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to run away to the English countryside. I visited York on my trip to England, Scotland, and Wales and the people were so nice. I would love to just walk around, eat great food, and read.
jedziedz(at)hotmail(dot)com
I would love to win a copy of this book. I have seen a lot of good reviews about it. Thank you for the opportunity!
bunnymom1970 at aol dot com
I am already a follower via GFC
bunnymom1970 at aol dot com
I would go anywhere to escape, as long as it is away from our full house! My 25-year old stepdaughter and my parents have moved back in with us! I think I am going insanes! LOL
I am going on a cruise this November though–that seems like enough of an escape for me!
Sounds like a great read – I'd love to enter… my address is reederreads[at]gmail.com
I'd love to win this book!
ruthaw_1974[at]yahoo.com
gfc follower
ruthaw_1974[at]yahoo.com
I would love to go back to England–to Yorkshire-and escape with my best friend. Costs too much, but it's a nice dream
ruthaw_1974[at]yahoo.com
I would love to go back to England–to Yorkshire-and escape with my best friend. Costs too much, but it's a nice dream
ruthaw_1974[at]yahoo.com
2
I would really love to win this book. Have been looking forward to it for such a long time.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I would go to Carlise and Penrith, England to see where my Great Grandfather and Great Grandmother came from and then head to the south east coast to see some my internet friends that I have had since 2003.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I follow this blog with GFC.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I also entered the giveaway for She's Gone Country.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I entered the giveaway for Fragile.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
I entered the giveaway for Fragile.
CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com
Sing me up!! rubbieburns at gmail dot com
Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I would love to win this book.
twigerina[at]hotmail[dot]com
Thanks for hosting this giveaway – I would love to be entered!
booksncity[at]gmail.com
I am a current follower
booksncity[at]gmail.com
I think I would escape to Ireland – I spent many summers there as a child and I think it would comfort me to return there in a crisis. The fresh air and simple lifestyle would help to clear my head!