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Doughnuts for Amy
Doughnuts for Amy is a tender, compassionate and emotional story of romance, redemption and retirement in the best tradition of modern romantic fiction. Doughnuts for Amy takes place at Woodmont, an upscale retirement community on the north side of Greenville, in the upstate of South Carolina. Nick St. Germaine, Woodmont’s Executive Chef is struggling emotionally as he approaches the second anniversary of the death of his wife, Robin. Unable to handle the business of running their successful restaurant, the Stone Avenue Tavern, Nick sells the restaurant then drops out of the public eye. He spends a year bonding with his son, Theo, as they try to come to terms with Robin’s death. When Woodmont’s Chef suddenly falls ill, Jack Carrollton, Woodmont’s developer seeks out Nick and asks him to take over the enormous kitchen. Beset by nightmares and challenged by his son to move forward one day at a time, Nick believes he is doing that, but just barely. Nick takes solace in early morning workouts at his gym, long runs and even longer hours in Woodmont’s kitchen. Things change when Amy Sommers, a divorced nurse with little knowledge of the food & beverage business, becomes the new Director of Woodmont. Nick is quick to show his disdain for Amy, so much so that she comes close to showing Nick the door her first day on the job but eventually, Amy earns his respect. As Amy begins to manage the many facets of Woodmont, she soon realizes her greatest challenge lies in the broken heart of Nick St. Germaine. Filled with delectable food, endearing octogenarians, a few quirky cooks and of course a delicious scene in which Chef Nick makes a certain fried pastry, Doughnuts for Amy is a six course tasting menu of fork-tender romance that will have you asking “what’s for dessert?”
396 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2011
16 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
November 19, 2018
I enjoyed the setting and the quirky senior citizens in the retirement community, and I appreciated the situations involved in operating a facility with so many services. Having firsthand experience with caregiving for dementia patients, I liked Amy's approach and empathy.
I didn't like that Nick had a sexual relationship with the doctor who treated him for a cut on his hand. All through the story, Nick was grieving his late wife and didn't even date another woman for two years. Then he meets a woman when he is her patient and suddenly is ready to hop into bed while still wearing his wedding ring with no angst at all that he was being unfaithful to the memory of his beloved wife. It was too easy and too fast to go from such extreme grief to a passionate relationship without any residual feelings about his marriage--and all while he was falling in love with Amy. There was little attention given to the development of the real romantic relationship.
Foodies and wine connoisseurs will enjoy this story more than I did--the book would have been much shorter without all the descriptions of cooking and eating gourmet food and fine wine.
There were also grammar, clarity (especially in dialogue), and editing issues.
I didn't like that Nick had a sexual relationship with the doctor who treated him for a cut on his hand. All through the story, Nick was grieving his late wife and didn't even date another woman for two years. Then he meets a woman when he is her patient and suddenly is ready to hop into bed while still wearing his wedding ring with no angst at all that he was being unfaithful to the memory of his beloved wife. It was too easy and too fast to go from such extreme grief to a passionate relationship without any residual feelings about his marriage--and all while he was falling in love with Amy. There was little attention given to the development of the real romantic relationship.
Foodies and wine connoisseurs will enjoy this story more than I did--the book would have been much shorter without all the descriptions of cooking and eating gourmet food and fine wine.
There were also grammar, clarity (especially in dialogue), and editing issues.
November 25, 2017
Ok story. Super confusing to read and follow which character was speaking - many characters went by multiple names,
December 23, 2012
This story is definitely not your average romance, perhaps because it is written by a man. Readers, throw away all your preconceived notions of traditional romance, and enjoy the unnusual setting in which this plot is set.
Nick is a charming, gorgeous (of course, that's traditional) chef, and in fact, he is so well built, that when he swims in the pool, a gaggle of elderly ladies hides out to ogle him.
Nick is a widower,thanks to a drunk driver two years previously and has a teenage son to raise. As each anniversary comes around, he struggles to get through the days previous to and on the day.
Amy is a divorced woman with two daughters who comes to manage the facility where Nick is now working and although she is anxious to connect with him, he continues to address her as Ms.
Although there is charm in this story, I found it to be heavy going from time to time. It moves slowly, with several pages of description and recipes at a time - not that there is anything wrong with imagery or recipes - but the descriptions of how Nick is making a dish are detailed and certainly slow the action down to what was for me, an unacceptable level. On the other hand, occasionally a dish he makes is colourfully summed up in a few sentences and is mouth-wateringly described.
The chef's interaction with his staff is unique and warming, but one male character's penchant for calling him "babe" grated. Nick's persistance in addressing his workers as Mr So-and-so is also slightly off-putting.
The love story which runs through the plot is believable but slow, however the ending comes quickly - almost abruptly. There is a running battle with the son of one of the clients in the facility which could have been more prominent throughout.
I think I enjoyed this novel, but sometimes it was a struggle to keep wading through the pages of detailed descriptions of cooking and trivialities of what Chef is doing. One moment he was going to have a date or do something, the next page it was next day or even days later. This is somewhat disconcerting as the reader only finds out what happened in between when a character asks Nick about it.
I do have to say one thing - at least I am still thinking about what I read, which is a compliment to the author :)
Nick is a charming, gorgeous (of course, that's traditional) chef, and in fact, he is so well built, that when he swims in the pool, a gaggle of elderly ladies hides out to ogle him.
Nick is a widower,thanks to a drunk driver two years previously and has a teenage son to raise. As each anniversary comes around, he struggles to get through the days previous to and on the day.
Amy is a divorced woman with two daughters who comes to manage the facility where Nick is now working and although she is anxious to connect with him, he continues to address her as Ms.
Although there is charm in this story, I found it to be heavy going from time to time. It moves slowly, with several pages of description and recipes at a time - not that there is anything wrong with imagery or recipes - but the descriptions of how Nick is making a dish are detailed and certainly slow the action down to what was for me, an unacceptable level. On the other hand, occasionally a dish he makes is colourfully summed up in a few sentences and is mouth-wateringly described.
The chef's interaction with his staff is unique and warming, but one male character's penchant for calling him "babe" grated. Nick's persistance in addressing his workers as Mr So-and-so is also slightly off-putting.
The love story which runs through the plot is believable but slow, however the ending comes quickly - almost abruptly. There is a running battle with the son of one of the clients in the facility which could have been more prominent throughout.
I think I enjoyed this novel, but sometimes it was a struggle to keep wading through the pages of detailed descriptions of cooking and trivialities of what Chef is doing. One moment he was going to have a date or do something, the next page it was next day or even days later. This is somewhat disconcerting as the reader only finds out what happened in between when a character asks Nick about it.
I do have to say one thing - at least I am still thinking about what I read, which is a compliment to the author :)
October 14, 2012
Doughnuts for Amy by John Malik is an inspiring story of healing, forgiveness, and love.
When Nick St. Germaine's wife is killed in a tragic accident his life is shattered. Now, for Nick, just getting though each day is an unbearable struggle. His nights are filled with nightmares of his wife's death and memories of his wife seem to be everywhere. His only peace seems to come from the long hours spent as head chef at the Woodmont retirement community and extensive workouts. But, when Woodmont undergoes management changes, Nick gets a new boss, Amy Sommers. Her lack of knowledge of the food industry, discourages Nick and he tries everything to get fired. Eventually, Amy proves she a very skilled at her job and an ultimate team player. Her kind and gentle nature shows Nick that she genuinely cares and he begins to soften towards her. Could he be falling for Amy?
As a chef himself, author John Malik uses extensive detail in creating his character Nick St. Germaine. The delectable dishes throughout the story will leave your mouth watering. Nick's undying love for his wife is heartbreaking and readers will find themselves longing for Nick to find happiness again.
I recommend reading Doughnuts for Amy.
When Nick St. Germaine's wife is killed in a tragic accident his life is shattered. Now, for Nick, just getting though each day is an unbearable struggle. His nights are filled with nightmares of his wife's death and memories of his wife seem to be everywhere. His only peace seems to come from the long hours spent as head chef at the Woodmont retirement community and extensive workouts. But, when Woodmont undergoes management changes, Nick gets a new boss, Amy Sommers. Her lack of knowledge of the food industry, discourages Nick and he tries everything to get fired. Eventually, Amy proves she a very skilled at her job and an ultimate team player. Her kind and gentle nature shows Nick that she genuinely cares and he begins to soften towards her. Could he be falling for Amy?
As a chef himself, author John Malik uses extensive detail in creating his character Nick St. Germaine. The delectable dishes throughout the story will leave your mouth watering. Nick's undying love for his wife is heartbreaking and readers will find themselves longing for Nick to find happiness again.
I recommend reading Doughnuts for Amy.
May 30, 2012
The story was OK, and the characters had some appeal, but the writing was frustrating. The constant capitalization of the word chef was odd, jarring, even, when Kitchen-Aid (describing a mixer) was not. There were problems, too, with grammar: the use of "that" when about a person, should be some form of "who". It may be colloquially acceptable in spoken English to say, "The person that" but it is de-humanizing to write it, and to use it frequently. The author knows his food, though, except for baking, that is. As a former pastry chef, I would be surprised at a chef who measured for baking; weighing ingredients is much more accurate.
June 28, 2012
Won't will any huge national awards is my guess but if you are looking for a nice story of things that really go on in our lives as far as single parents raising children. Making schedules for everyone. Some suspense and some surprises.N Not the type I pick very often but it was perfect for the beach because I could read the book, watch the people and the birds at the same time and STILL enjoyed and got the entire context of the book. It wasn't expensive and worth every penny
February 8, 2014
A light read, but certainly not your average romance. Written by a male chef, about a male chef, this novel offers a different perspective on elderly care, the grieving process, single parenting, and an office romance.
There were some spelling, grammar and style errors in the writing which threw me.
I am not rushing out to read more by John Malik, but very much enjoyed the read!
There were some spelling, grammar and style errors in the writing which threw me.
I am not rushing out to read more by John Malik, but very much enjoyed the read!
May 27, 2012
Just okay. This first book by a chef turned author needed a good bit of editing and rewriting/reorganizing by an experienced publisher. I am also from Greenville, SC where the story takes place, which made it interesting locally.
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February 25, 2016kindle - chick lit.
May 27, 2012
Liked the story, but nothing overly unique about it. Nice light romance.
May 28, 2012
I really enjoyed this book and loved the ending!!!
June 22, 2012
It was ok. Story line was good, but grammar mistakes made it hard to read. Constantly trying to figure out who was talking did not make for smooth reading.
June 2, 2012
Really enjoyed Ths book.
June 19, 2012
Enjoyed the book. A nice pleasant read which is welcome sometimes.
July 10, 2012
The story was cute. There was a lot of build up and an abrupt ending. There was no closure.
July 12, 2012
I just couldn't waste any more time trying to like this book. I read 30 percent and threw in the towel. To many other good books out there to read. Good thing it was free.
June 20, 2012
There were a few issues with the writing but besides that the story line was sweet and the characters were appealing.
July 27, 2012
LOVED it! :)
August 24, 2012
entertaining lite fiction. romance with recipes. The author is a chef.
December 18, 2012
Enjoyable read from different points of view. Uplifting story, especially if you like to cook.
July 26, 2013
Just barely finished this one. Romance with unbelievable characters. Skip it.
October 10, 2012
Enjoyable
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews