We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: A Mom and Daughter Dish about the Food That Delights Them and the Love That Binds Them

by Becky Johnson, Rachel Randolph

Becky Johnson and her daughter Rachel Randolph come from a long line of laughter. The female side of her family tree is dotted with funny storytellers, prolific authors, hospitable home cooks, and champion chatters. In We Love, We Laugh, We Cook, Becky---a butter and bacon loving mama---and Rachel---a vegan bean eating daughter---share stories of their crazy, wonderful, and sometimes challenging lives as Rachel becomes a mother herself. Becky is messy; Rachel craves order. Becky forgets what month it is; Rachel is an organizational genius. (At least before baby arrives.) Sprinkled throughout are the lip-smacking, nourishing recipes they love to make and share. From food for a family reunion of thirty, to lunch for a party of one in a high chair, to a hot meal for a sick friend, the authors demonstrate grace, acceptance, and love to others through the bonding gifts of humor, attentive listening, and cooking ... whether diners prefer beef or tofu in their stew.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Cookbooks, Food, Cooking, Christian, Culinary

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2013

About the author

Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph co-authored the humorous memoir (with recipes): We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook (Zondervan, 2013). Their next book, Nourished: A Search for Health, Happiness and a Full Night's sleep,will address the Top 10 Everyday Stresses Women Face with humor and practical advice. (Zondervan, Jan. 2014) has written dozens of books over the last 20 years ranging from inspirational humor to brain science. (Many were published under her former name, Becky Freeman.) She and Rachel blog at www.welaughwecrywecook.com

Becky also collaborated with Dr. Earl Henslin on two books that appear on GoodReads: This is Your Brain on Joy and This is Your Brain in Love. (Thomas Nelson) and assisted Dr. Daniel Amen with research and interviews for his book, Use Your Brain to Change Your Age.

Becky lives, laughs, loves, and writes near Denver, Colorado. Married to a literary agent, their lives revolve around the publishing world, writing and reading. They have six adult children, most married, and 5 grandsons under age 7. They love entertaining, sharing stories and laughing around the table.

Reviews

[Brooke Dilling · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm TRYING to get through this book... TRYING to like it. I like the recipes there is some good information... but I find the authors to be...a little full of themselves. Does that sound terrible?

I find them a bit annoying. They're seem smug about their ability to whip up a recipe so quickly. Their AMAZING organizational skills... their wit and their beauty.

Mostly, I just want to roll my eyes as I read about how fabulous they are. Because really? Are any of us THAT fabulous?

The recipes seem good. I haven't made any of them, yet.... so I don't really know.

I also don't know that I can stomach the thought of finishing this book... but I'm TRYING.

Update - I'm not going to finish this book. The recipes look good, but I can't handle the authors' writing style. They seem like really wonderful people, with good recipes. I will just use the book for this.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

As seen on The Everyday Reader

Thanks to Zondervan for providing an arc copy of this title.

We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook is an odd book. Mother and daughter tell random anecdotes from their lives with a common thread of food. At the start, I didn’t really want to like it. The narrative is somewhat forced, with switches between Becky and Rachel having to be highlighted with their names before each paragraph. The tone of the book is so positive that it’s almost overwhelming and a bit false, with bad periods in each woman’s life alluded to only in the vaguest terms. There’s not a whole lot of depth. The recipes at the end of each chapter at very Americanised, referring often to pre-packaged ingredients you don’t find even in other parts of the western world (something I find particularly off putting as an international reader. Where am I meant to get canned roast peppers from?).

But somehow, the book . . . works. It made me laugh, more than once. I wouldn’t say its the most hilarious book I’ve ever read, but it has a gently styled humour to it that many will appreciate. Although a lot of the recipes aren’t really to my personal taste, not being vege/vegan or having food allergies, I can see it being a book I would turn too for ideas when catering for friends or family with special dietary requirements. As Becky (the mama) says more than once, cooking for other people is a way of sharing love, and catering for special needs is an increasingly important part of that love. I found Rachel and her family’s journey into veganism genuinely interesting to read about, even if it doesn’t make me inclined to head that way myself. I think her complete lack of pushy aggression about her views on food has actually given me more sympathy for veganism than I’ve had in the past. Ultimately though, Becky and Rachel just have an obvious love for each other that shines through, in a way that makes you forget the books bad points (momentarily at least). Their open affection is to be celebrated and makes this a book that will warm your heart and remind you what family is meant to be about.

3.5/5 Stars

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be good. It's about family and cooking and the cover is beautiful. But...I didn't connect at all with the characters and I care absolutely zero about going vegan and vegan recipes. This book just didn't do it for me at all.

Trying to clear off a backlog of old Netgalley books. I received a complimentary copy, all opinions are my own.

[Angie Dickerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite some clear religious and gender biases, these ladies made a cookbook into a sweet narrative, not just about the joy of food (healthy and the not-so-healthy) but also the joy the food creates around a table of family and friends which is the ultimate food experiences: creating unforgettable food memories filled with love and delicious recipes!

[Jamie Holloway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will be posting a review

[Lucille · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the idea behind the book and the format of mother and daughter sharing their versions of the same story started off ok. While there were a lot of recipes in the book, a gang of them were vegan. And LOTS of narrative was spent on pregnancy, labor, delivery and early childhood of the daughter's son. Also way too much information about how the daughter and her husband ended up vegan. It was not badly written...but I felt more like I was reading a diary with the minutiae of how a child plays with pots and pans and tears kale than a memoir of mother and daughter and their relationship with food and cooking and each other.

[Haley Kittrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and literally devoured it... and bought their other book they wrote together, called "Nourished". I've always loved food and loved cooking for my loved ones. I feel the happiest with my people around a table, sharing love for each other and food. This book describes my mother and I's relationship better than any of my words could.

[Deborah Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected to really enjoy this book, and did not. I'm scratching my head about why.

It seems to be aimed at a very specific demographic (young, having a first child, advice seeking Southern evangelicals), and I am not in that group, so I guess that's it? I think if you are it could be delightful.

[Erika · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hated this book. What I thought would be heartfelt stories and recipes shared between a Mother and daughter, was actually a pregnancy/birth/child raising book. Add vegans. Blergh. So boring. So nauseating. Not just the book was bad but the writers are just not my kind of people. I did enjoy the "I'll bring the meatloaf" story.

Read for PSRC19 - a book by two female authors

[Wendy Wilcox · Rating 2 out of 5]

Readable but not recommendation worthy.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great memoir.

That’s it. That’s the review. :)

Happy Reading, everybody!

[Vera Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now "Why?" I ask you would a lady-of-a-certain-age who has raised five children, married them off, and fed their offspring (13 of them) agree to review a COOKBOOK???? Do I NEED another cookbook? Am I REALLY interested in ANOTHER cookbook? Well, the answer to all of those is NO! But then there is the teaser.......

"A MOM and DAUGHTER DISH
ABOUT the FOOD that DELIGHTS THEM
and the LOVE that BINDS THEM."

That, folks, puts it in a different category altogether. Authors Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph spill the beans (oops! that would be a kitchen mess, wouldn't it?) and share some heart (theirs, of course) as well as ways to cook some good old standbys and some new taste treats. Let's see.

First of all, these two ladies have a great sense of humor. As they tandem write the pages of this "cookbook," the situations they have found themselves in will tickle your funny bone and then tantalize your taste buds.

Becky and Rachel recount the wondrous event of daughter's first pregnancy. All the ups and downs, the emotional rollercoaster, and then especially the occasion when Rachel goes to purchase nursing bras. Rachel began as a tiny little young lady and she, like many other ladies nearing the time of giving birth, grew to great proportions. Then at eight months the search for the new lingerie began. Oh what a tale that was. Having birthed five children of my own and having had three of my own daughters go through several pregnancies, this hit a homerun in the field of humor.

Having a hankering to try one of the recipes these two ladies endorse, I decided to try the meat loaf. The basic meat loaf recipe was very similar to what I always prepare here in my home, the kicker was the topping sauce. I'd never heard of a sweet-tart-tomato sauce topping a meat loaf, so I took the challenge. Now their recipe calls for quality ground beef or bison. But since I have a son that hunts and keeps us all supplied generously with venison, I used that instead. It is "free-range" and hormone and antibiotic free which I feel is a great plus. Pictured is my attempt using their recipe and the picture only shows half of the meat loaf (but it is a large platter and the fork is a serving fork). The instructions are to bake it in a 9x13 pan and actually divide it into 4 sections (making 4 smaller loaves).

I was quite pleased with the flavor and texture of the meatloaf. You blend the ingredients prior to mixing with the ground beef. The sweet and spicy sauce was very good and I enjoyed the way the salsa, ketchup, and sugar blended to tantalize my taste buds.

What this book is really all about is the sharing of love between a mother and daughter. The joy they experience as they bounce ideas, hopes, dreams, recipes and what-all off each other. Being a mother of three daughters, I too know the joy of being there to love and support when the baby is born (or newborn), cooking for them when they are sick, encouraging them when they lose that lovely slim-me shape for the soon-to-be-a-mom shape. In other words, bonds of mother and daughter are precious and this book gives you a glimpse into the beauty of it.

After reading "We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook" it makes me want to have the opportunity to just run next door (well, if Becky and Rachel lived there) and sit down at their kitchen table with a cup of coffee and chat. I think you'll wish for the same thing once you read their delightful book.

GIVEAWAY: One autographed copy of We Laugh, We Cry, We cook is being offered as a blessing to one of Chat With V era's readers from the good folks at Zondervan. Use the Rafflcopter entry form on http://chatwithvera.blogspot.com/2013... . Begins September 1 & ENDS September 21 @ 12:01 a.m. ET. Open to US addresses only

[Darren · Rating 1 out of 5]

Will this book really work for you? This reviewer is unsure. It is probably one of those things you'll either love intensely or be wanting to drop it in the recycling pile within a few pages.

How to describe it? Well it is an attempt to mix humour, lifestyle observations and a few recipes. The marketing material says: "Becky, a butter and bacon loving mama and Rachel, a vegan bean eating daughter share stories of their crazy, wonderful and sometimes challenging lives as Rachel becomes a mother herself."

Maybe this reviewer's sense of humour was on annual leave the day this book was reviewed as he was not left needing surgery due to laughing so much. It didn't raise much of a smile here but, of course, humour can be a personal thing. To this reviewer it just felt a little stretched, over-done and slightly synthetic. There was not even a large cache of recipes to fall back on either and those which did appear will hardly set the culinary world alight and make you buy this book regardless. They just felt like filler material to bolster an already weak book.

When you dig through the poorly-presented recipes they feature solely U.S. imperial units, are just blocks of text and are set out in a rather how-not-to-present-a-recipe style for the year 2013. One cannot even say that the photographs were a great distraction and were of a high quality because, cue drum roll, there were none.

This reviewer started to lose the will to go on. Skipping through the book just revealed the same (perceived) tired old thing. Again, one will be desperately fair and say that you might have a total contrary view to this reviewer and you could, of course, check it out at a bookstore and latterly exclaim what a doofus this reviewer was and how could anybody fail to enjoy this wonderful, engaging, witty book. That's the theory in any case…

That's really all to say. The book ends with an index that just lists the recipes. No alphabetically-sorted index - that would be too simple and conventional to do. Fortunately (!) this review was based on a digital file so sending it to the recycling bin was just a click away. If you have purchased this book and didn't like it, you need to burn a few calories to manually help it on its way.

Memo to the publisher, do you really want to put out this book or delay it for a major internal renovation?

We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook, written by Becky Johnson & Rachel Randolph and published by Zondervan. ISBN 9780310330837, 224 pages. Typical price: GBP9.99. Y.


// This review appeared in YUM.fi and is reproduced here in full with permission of YUM.fi. YUM.fi celebrates the worldwide diversity of food and drink, as presented through the humble book. Whether you call it a cookery book, cook book, recipe book or something else (in the language of your choice) YUM will provide you with news and reviews of the latest books on the marketplace. //

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had thought this was going to be a cookbook, and though it does have some recipes, mostly it is a book about mother and daughter team, Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph.

Becky and Rachel both provide some interesting reminisces about their lives together, and Rachel’s life after she has married and started a family. Some are so funny that I could hardly read them I was laughing so hard. Becky’s description of taking young teenage Rachel to Nashville, and Rachel’s adventure at Babies-R-Us are just hilarious. They also include some really touching moments the two of them have experienced. Rachel’s story of becoming a vegan, and how she has eaten since then, is really interesting. Of course, there are lots of memories from both Becky and Rachel that involve food.

There is one caveat I had with this book. In this day and age when drinking is so pervasive and dangerous, it was troublesome that drinking was referred to so often as a natural outgrowth of people gathering together. It is disappointing that a Christian book would portray drinking in such a positive light.

It is true, the Bible doesn’t say it is wrong to drink. However, it does say it is wrong to get drunk. In my experience, people who drink rarely stop before they get partially or completely inebriated. After experiencing death on both sides of my family that was the direct result of alcoholism, I view alcohol as a poison–and a poor example when young people witness adults partaking of it in their families.

Although this is a quick read, the love Becky and Rachel have for each other, and their families, comes shining through. People who enjoy reading about other’s lives–especially stories that include food–would like this book. I give it four stars.

The publisher has provided me with a complimentary copy of this book through Thomas Nelson/Zondervan Publishing for the purpose of review. All opinions expressed are my own, and I have not been compensated in any other manner. Despite my receiving the book free, it has not influenced my judgment, and I have given an honest opinion.

My blog: http://fushiacat.wordpress.com/2013/0...

Author’s website: http://www.welaughwecrywecook.com

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I started this book I assumed it was principally a cookbook. In reality it is part memoir, part motivational and part cookbook. A mother, Becky Johnson, and her daughter, Rachel Randolph, write of the influence of food preparation and dining in their personal and family lives.

Rachel and her husband Jared have adopted a vegan diet; therefore, her recipes reflect that choice along with numerous tips plus suggestions for converting recipes shared by her mother. Although a vegan diet holds no appeal for me I must admit that many of Rachel’s recipes do sound appetizing and tempting.

Becky admits to a disorganized personality and inattention resulting in a history of kitchen mishaps. Burnt toast was so common that one of her sons, at age five, “...thought we always had to whittle our toast.” Readers who, like Becky, are not natural cooks will find inspiration that it’s not too late to find satisfaction and success in food preparation.

In addition to vegan information much of Rachel’s writing focuses on new motherhood as she gives birth to a son and shares changes for herself and Jackson during his first year.

The over forty recipes range from super simple, two-ingredient Pineapple Coconut Cloud Cake (the frosting requires two additional ingredients) to a more involved 15-ingredient Tortilla Soup. From sangria and smoothies to stew, slaw and sweets recipes will entice readers to their own kitchens.

Strong evidence of faith by both generations is woven throughout the book. This could have been entitled, “We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook, We Pray, We Love.”

This title was provided by Zondervan Non-Fiction through netgalley.com and is scheduled for publication Aug. 6, 2013. The paperback edition may be pre-ordered at amazon.com.

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food and love go hand-in-hand. Both speak a universal language, one that breaks through many barriers and connects us through family, friends, and happy and poignant memories. "We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook: A Mom and Daughter Dish about the Food That Delights Them and the Love That Binds Them" is a delightful foodie memoir by Becky Johnson and her daughter, Rachel Randolph. The differences between mother and daughter are as much a part of their relationship as is the deep love which binds their family together. Becky is a lifelong omnivore, and Rachel and her husband chose to embrace the vegan lifestyle. "We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook" is a recipe-filled chronicle of how Becky and her family experienced the many changes in their life and managed to keep a rich sense of humor along the way. Blending traditional meat-eater foods with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free dishes can be quite a challenge, but mother and daughter are more than able to take on the task. Here's a sampling of recipes from the book: "Becky's Layered Italian Veggie Casserole"; "Bourbon-Brown Sugar Pork Loin"; "Rustic Sausage & Peppers Skillet"; "Tortilla Soup"; "Broccoli-Carrot Slaw"; "Blueberry-Raspberry Oat Bars"; "No-Bake Apricot Bars"; "Yellow Pepper Soup"; "Pineapple-Coconut Cloud Cake"; "Chili-Lime Southern Style Catfish"; and "Sun-Dried Tomato & Artichoke Bowtie Pasta". The recipes are noted if they are vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. Sometimes families may go in different directions, but when they come full-circle, and meet in the middle, the rewards are worth the journey.

Review Copy Gratis Thomas Nelson Books via Booksneeze

[DelAnne Frazee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook
Author: Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph
Publisher: Zondervan
Published: 8-6-2013
ISBN: 9780310330837
E-Book ASIN: B00A9UML1W
Pages: 224
Genre: Cooking


We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook is more than a cookbook. It is a peek into the love between a mother and daughter. Becky, the mother, and Rachel, her daughter, share insights into the lives and the evolve into more than just parent and child they become friends. The first entry is when they have their first mother/daughter trip and progresses from their. Their stories are pure, sweet with a touch of humor. The recipes a varied. Rachel, a vegan, provides some delicious options for meat laden meals to compete with the meat dish recipes for chicken, sausages, beef, fish and more.


The one recipe I could not pass in trying was the Four Day Coconut Cake. It really did take four days, but when I served it my family claimed it was one of the moist cakes they had every had. Mother, the one who loves coconut told me it rivaled even hers which family and friends have requested her to make for Birthdays and Holidays for years. I enjoyed reading Becky and Rachel's story and their recipes even more.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them, it has been a pleasure.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir of food and time spent around the table together, We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook is a joint venture between a mom and her grown daughter. Together, they recount their food-related memories and share their favorite recipes. I enjoyed the honesty in this book, the recognition that food does indeed bring people together, and that grown children make new traditions that the parents can benefit from. Rachel, the daughter, and her husband decide to become vegan, and Becky, the mother, deals with it valiantly. The tone in this book is casual, much like Dinner, A Love Story and makes for a quick read. The recipes are not all vegan, but the ones Rachel does share definitely are on my "try this" list. So far, we've tried the vegan Sweet Potato Oatmeal Breakfast Bake (not sure if that's the precise title), and it was delicious! I can't wait to try some of Becky's recipes, too. Both Becky and Rachel are professing Christians, and they sprinkle in comments related to their faith throughout the book. However, it is not a spiritual meditation on food, and I think nonChristians could still enjoy it. Look for it in bookstores this fall.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy!

[Holly (2 Kids and Tired) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one that I finally dug out of my languishing TBR stack. I was not familiar with these authors or their site. But I love memoirs and I usually love food-related memoirs. The format for this book alternates perspectives from mother and daughter as they talk about life and food and cooking. It is quite funny and there are moments that will resonate with you. Most of the recipes are vegan/vegetarian and if not, there are suggestions for making them vegan/vegetarian or gluten-free. I marked several to try.

What grated on me throughout the book was that these two women have a very high opinion of themselves. It takes nothing to get back into skinny clothes 4 months after having a baby, they can whip up a recipe in no time flat, they're beautiful and stunning and successful and on it goes.

For many, cooking is a love language and my husband says that it is definitely one of mine. Preparing meals is very often an experience, not simply a task. Family kitchens are traditionally places of love and laughter and sometimes tears. Lessons are learned, recipes shared, discussions take place and stories are passed on. In that sense, this is a funny, heartwarming memoir.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sensational read about two very different people, a mother and daughter, who love each other very much and cook up a storm from their unique perspectives that make this one extraordinary cookbook! I guarantee you will find laughter around your table like Becky Johnson and Rachel Randolph have.

Along with family memories being shared in this heart-felt book, you'll glean some new new recipes that for sure are winners in my book, from meat and potatoes to healthy vegan entrees. There's 12 easy chapters to read that will bring a smile to your face, along with a recipe or two to enjoy. I especially like that the recipes are indexed in the back of the book; veg, v, and gf. Congratulations to these authors and food bloggers because I rate this book 5/5 stars and happily welcome this wonderful cookbook to my kitchen library. Get the book. You won't be disappointed.
Comment

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. I really enjoyed how cooking influenced their lives. I wanted to hear more about that. (They talked a bit to much, in my opinion, about the daughter's delivery of her first son.)

The daughter is a vegan, so there were reasons why her family changed their diets and lots of recipes. She wrote about how she deals with big family parties and how she contributes. I have a brother that needs gluten free, so when I know he is coming I try to make something more appropriate for him because even a little can make him sick. I now have a grandson who also has some allergies. This book gave me some ideas on how I can change my eating habits even if a little to feel better and ways to cook to help those around me. At the end of the book it gives their web site where they post pictures and recipes. You can sign up for a daily post if you'd like too.

[Carlie Van Amerongen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a memoir, We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook kind of misses the mark. The back-and-forth style of the mother-daughter writing team seems disjointed, repetitive and superficial. Although the individual sections are enjoyable reading – I especially loved both authors’ perspectives on family time at their beaches, and cooking in the kitchen with children – I’m not sure how well they worked together as a book. It definitely got better towards the end, as if both women had hit their stride.

As a cookbook, it’s great. The recipes I tried were simple and delicious. The arrangement of the recipes seemed as disorganized as the chapters themselves, but there is nothing wrong with the food itself, and I’d recommend this book on the basis of the food alone.

[Gillian Marchenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not much of a chef but this book made me want to cook! We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook reads easy, but is packed with thoughtful insights about family life around the table. This mother and daughter team prove in their writing that although their personalities and culinary practices may vary from each other, they share an appreciation for amazing food and authentic relationships. I especially liked hearing about Randolph's transformation to a vegan kitchen, and about Johnson's zest for life and the people she loved. At the end of each chapter, the authors share the recipes of the dishes described. Fun! If you like cooking memoirs, or if you just want your heart warmed, this book is for you.

Gillian Marchenko
Author of Sun Shine Down, a memoir

[Denise Morse · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this book, I didn't realize that it was part cookbook, part memoir however it worked very well. This mother/daughter duo are lovely people who obviously have a deep bond between them. The stories are both funny and heartwarming, and the recipes tie in very well to the chapters and their subject matter.

The authors capture so perfectly those last few weeks prior to childbirth and the weeks that follow as well, told from both angles of the mother and the daughter. I felt like I should call my Mom to chat after reading the stories.

For the cookbook portion, I thought the recipes looked interesting but not as much that I planned to try. As a person who is gluten free, I did like how each recipe has an option for how to adapt the recipes for multiple dietary preferences.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Not quite a 4 for me; I'd give it a 3.5/5 if I could. For me it was a good, unwind-with-a-cup-of-tea book that made a nice change of pace from some of the heavier books I've been reading lately. It's light-hearted comfort food for your brain.

As some other reviewers have mentioned, the concept of the book--stories about life combined with stories about food and recipes--is interesting and a bit random at times, but I found if I just relaxed and went with it, I enjoyed it. I had read a number of Becky Johnson's earlier books (as Becky Freeman) so it was fun to see her write a book with her daughter Rachel, all grown up and a mom now too ... and to see how far her cooking has come from the days when her kids thought all toast had to be "whittled." ;)

[Mrs Mommy Booknerd http://mrsmommybooknerd.blogspot.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been busy in the kitchen with my last few reviews and I am loving every minute of it. I am a busy full time parent, part time teacher and fitness instructor, so I like easy, fun and healthy food. I was so trilled to get a chance to review We Laugh, We Cry, We Cook. It was such an interesting and fun read, full of amazing recipes. In this foodie memoir by a mother daughter team you will explore the marriage of two different lifestyles with love humor and creativity!!!! My son had gluten issue so this book acted a a guide to help me find some new and interesting food choices that the whole family will love. I rate this book 4 stars

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a humorous food memoir written by a mother and daughter who ultimately started a food blog. The daughter Rachel talks about her decision to follow a plant based vegan diet in hope of achieving better life long health. Each chapter in the book is followed by family recipes that have been adapted to meat eaters and vegans alike. The belief that the mother/daughter share is that a good home cooked meal can be healing and can nourish the mind, body and soul. I enjoyed this heartfelt book but wish there were more recipes included.

[LibraryLaur · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this glimpse into a mother-daughter relationship and the food that defines it. I also found the daughter's "conversion" to veganism very interesting. If I had a physical copy of the book I would likely try out a few of the recipes that appear at the end of each chapter. An enjoyable, hunger-inducing read.

* I received an e-galley of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jordana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the idea of this book. It seemed like a fun, personal way to connect food to people. In the end, I ended up skimming through most of the stories because I really wasn't sure that I cared about these women as much as I thought I did. I was ambivalent about their stories and their recipes. I might pick it up again one day in the future and change my mind- maybe I'll find something in there that calls to me or a recipe that I just have to try. We shall see...

[Gretchen Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read, filled with random stories of food and family, from the point of view of a mother and daughter. I couldn't help but laugh at the mother's tales of distracted cooking--I saw myself in so many of them. Meanwhile, her organized daughter reminded me of my own mom and the countless others who help clean up after me as I whirl about the kitchen.

If you enjoyed Shauna Niequist's Bread & Wine, you'll find this enjoyable, though not nearly so deep.