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A Pinch of Ooh La La
To get to happily ever after, sometimes you need to start from scratch.... Abbey Ross, who runs her own bakery in Oakland, California, is known for her visually stunning wedding cakes. But lately, Abbey’s own love life has become stale. According to her best friend, Bendrix, Abbey’s not the spontaneous young woman she was when they were teenagers listening to the Cure and creating attention-grabbing graffiti. Of course, her failed relationship with a womanizing art forger might have something to do with that. Nevertheless, it’s time for Abbey to step out of the kitchen—and her comfort zone—and Bendrix has even handpicked a man for her to date. Samuel Howard is everything Abbey’s dreamed handsome, successful, and looking to raise a family. But a creamy icing might be needed to hide a problem or two. When Samuel complains about disrespect for the institution of marriage, Abbey’s reminded of her nontraditional family, with thirteen children from various mothers. And when Samuel rails about kids having kids, Abbey thinks of her twenty-year-old sister who’s recently revealed her pregnancy. Soon Abbey is facing one disaster after another and struggling to make sense of it all. Her search for love has led her down a bitter path, but with the help of her unique family and unwavering friends, she just might find the ooh la la that makes life sweet.READERS GUIDE INCLUDED
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 5, 2014
4 people are currently reading
1161 people want to read
About the author
Renee Swindle
7 books132 followersRenee Swindle is the author of Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn, A Pinch Of Ooh La La, Shake Down The Stars, and Please Please Please.
Instagram: reneewritesnovels
Facebook: www.facebook.com/reneeswindlebooks
Pre-order Francine's Spectacular Crash and Burn: https://bit.ly/FrancinesCrashandBurn
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 63 reviews
July 7, 2015
4.5/5
In a word, this book is fantastic!
The story centers around Abbey Ross, a soon-to-be 40, single bakery owner in California. After being cheated on in the public eye several years before, by her famous artist fiance, she’s been afraid to date. Her best friend, however, has plans for her, and manages to find her Samuel on an online dating site. He is handsome, successful, and they both share a dream of having children, and soon. His upbringing was quite different from hers though, which has the potential to cause some tension in their budding relationship. Abbey grew up the daughter of a famous jazz musician, in a home full of love and family, with over a dozen different children and quite a few stepmoms, all still friends. While her family was vibrant, fun loving, huge, and nontraditional, Samuel’s family was incredibly strict and unloving with parents who often abused him, all in the name of their beliefs, and though his strict parents taught him to be successful and smart, he is quite uptight and closed off. If the two can manage to overcome their differences, things may work out, but it might just be too much for the couple to overcome.
So I really, really found myself enjoying this book. It had such a vibrant cast of characters with such big and distinct personalities, from Abbey’s famous father, to her best friend since childhood, Bendrix, to all of the stepmoms and ex-girlfriends who still gathered together on a regular basis. I LOVED Abbey’s crazy family and couldn’t believe all the fun and love there was between ALL of them. I loved hearing about their big dinners and parties filled with live music played by her very own father and siblings. They were a whacky clan, but seemed to have so much going for them, anyway. These characters truly seemed to jump off the page.
I loved Abbey’s evolution as a brokenhearted, humiliated woman to someone who was willing to try again (after much pushing and prodding). She was also successful and passionate about baking, which helped her heal in ways that nothing else could. Her relationship with Samuel sucked me in, and I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen to them at the end of it all.
All in all, I have to say I loved this book. It had some comical, lighthearted moments, but also some serious ones too. It speaks a lot on the love of family and friends which I enjoyed immensely. The characters are unforgettable ones and I was sad to have to let them go as I turned the last page. I would highly recommend this one to all fans of women’s fiction, especially those interested in family relationships.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In a word, this book is fantastic!
The story centers around Abbey Ross, a soon-to-be 40, single bakery owner in California. After being cheated on in the public eye several years before, by her famous artist fiance, she’s been afraid to date. Her best friend, however, has plans for her, and manages to find her Samuel on an online dating site. He is handsome, successful, and they both share a dream of having children, and soon. His upbringing was quite different from hers though, which has the potential to cause some tension in their budding relationship. Abbey grew up the daughter of a famous jazz musician, in a home full of love and family, with over a dozen different children and quite a few stepmoms, all still friends. While her family was vibrant, fun loving, huge, and nontraditional, Samuel’s family was incredibly strict and unloving with parents who often abused him, all in the name of their beliefs, and though his strict parents taught him to be successful and smart, he is quite uptight and closed off. If the two can manage to overcome their differences, things may work out, but it might just be too much for the couple to overcome.
So I really, really found myself enjoying this book. It had such a vibrant cast of characters with such big and distinct personalities, from Abbey’s famous father, to her best friend since childhood, Bendrix, to all of the stepmoms and ex-girlfriends who still gathered together on a regular basis. I LOVED Abbey’s crazy family and couldn’t believe all the fun and love there was between ALL of them. I loved hearing about their big dinners and parties filled with live music played by her very own father and siblings. They were a whacky clan, but seemed to have so much going for them, anyway. These characters truly seemed to jump off the page.
I loved Abbey’s evolution as a brokenhearted, humiliated woman to someone who was willing to try again (after much pushing and prodding). She was also successful and passionate about baking, which helped her heal in ways that nothing else could. Her relationship with Samuel sucked me in, and I couldn’t stop wondering what would happen to them at the end of it all.
All in all, I have to say I loved this book. It had some comical, lighthearted moments, but also some serious ones too. It speaks a lot on the love of family and friends which I enjoyed immensely. The characters are unforgettable ones and I was sad to have to let them go as I turned the last page. I would highly recommend this one to all fans of women’s fiction, especially those interested in family relationships.
Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2014
Well damn, that was good.
There's so much to love about this book. At first glance, it may seem like a typical girl meets boy story, but it's so much more. I'll get into what really won me over, but first let me give you a quick synopsis.
A bad breakup left Abbey Ross living on her couch with too much time on her hands. Reliving the public humiliation of finding out on the big screen that her fiance was cheating on her dealt her a huge blow. But out of that incident is born her idea to attend culinary school and then open her own bakery in Oakland. With her bakery a success, her best friend since high school, Bendrix, pushes her to get back out on the dating scene; when she doesn't take enough of an initiative, he does it for her.
By all accounts, Samuel Howard is a catch. A grown man with an adult job and his own house, he's definitely got a leg up on other men Abbey has run across. Polite and attentive, he's the man Abbey has dreamed of for so long. She's hesitant to get involved with him, but throws caution to the wind and dives head first into a relationship with the successful attorney.
Now that you have a basic idea of the story line, let's get into why I loved it so much. Abbey's father is a famous pianist. A jazz master, he's named all of his kids after other jazz musicians. Before I even knew this, I wondered what the history of Abbey's name was. My first thought was, oh, like Abbey Lincoln, since most of the time the name is spelled without an e (i.e., Abby). Reading further confirmed this, so then I was excited as I stumbled upon more of Abbey's siblings. Her father was quite prolific in the baby making department and, as such, has 13 children in total. Each time a new offspring was mentioned, I immediately started trying to figure out which musician they were named for. As a jazz fan, I adored the part of the story.
Another thing I really liked was Abbey's unconventional family structure. Papa was definitely a rolling stone, but insisted that his children and their mothers know each other. I was fascinated by Abbey's relationships with her father's ex-wives and how each one played a different role in her life. It's almost like the joke about women creating the perfect man from several different men. By gifting Abbey with the different stepmothers, Swindle created the perfect mother for her. To have the ability to turn to this person for a specific need and another one for a different need just sounds absolutely amazing.
I was way too invested in Abbey's story. How do I know this? Any time I start talking to characters in the book like they can hear me, I know that I am doing the absolutely most. At the heart of it, A Pinch of Ooh La La is a love story made up of the perfect ingredients of family, friends and self-discovery. Renee Swindle definitely has another hit on her hands.
There's so much to love about this book. At first glance, it may seem like a typical girl meets boy story, but it's so much more. I'll get into what really won me over, but first let me give you a quick synopsis.
A bad breakup left Abbey Ross living on her couch with too much time on her hands. Reliving the public humiliation of finding out on the big screen that her fiance was cheating on her dealt her a huge blow. But out of that incident is born her idea to attend culinary school and then open her own bakery in Oakland. With her bakery a success, her best friend since high school, Bendrix, pushes her to get back out on the dating scene; when she doesn't take enough of an initiative, he does it for her.
By all accounts, Samuel Howard is a catch. A grown man with an adult job and his own house, he's definitely got a leg up on other men Abbey has run across. Polite and attentive, he's the man Abbey has dreamed of for so long. She's hesitant to get involved with him, but throws caution to the wind and dives head first into a relationship with the successful attorney.
Now that you have a basic idea of the story line, let's get into why I loved it so much. Abbey's father is a famous pianist. A jazz master, he's named all of his kids after other jazz musicians. Before I even knew this, I wondered what the history of Abbey's name was. My first thought was, oh, like Abbey Lincoln, since most of the time the name is spelled without an e (i.e., Abby). Reading further confirmed this, so then I was excited as I stumbled upon more of Abbey's siblings. Her father was quite prolific in the baby making department and, as such, has 13 children in total. Each time a new offspring was mentioned, I immediately started trying to figure out which musician they were named for. As a jazz fan, I adored the part of the story.
Another thing I really liked was Abbey's unconventional family structure. Papa was definitely a rolling stone, but insisted that his children and their mothers know each other. I was fascinated by Abbey's relationships with her father's ex-wives and how each one played a different role in her life. It's almost like the joke about women creating the perfect man from several different men. By gifting Abbey with the different stepmothers, Swindle created the perfect mother for her. To have the ability to turn to this person for a specific need and another one for a different need just sounds absolutely amazing.
I was way too invested in Abbey's story. How do I know this? Any time I start talking to characters in the book like they can hear me, I know that I am doing the absolutely most. At the heart of it, A Pinch of Ooh La La is a love story made up of the perfect ingredients of family, friends and self-discovery. Renee Swindle definitely has another hit on her hands.
August 23, 2014
It took me longer to read this it should've because a few days after I started it, chaos, injustice and tragedy erupted in Ferguson, MO and I've had a difficult time prying myself away from the coverage. In this way, Swindle's confection of a novel was a welcome distraction. The story of a woman unlucky in love, who's thrown herself into a career to compensate for an disappointing love life, A Pinch of Ooh La La is a light read with interesting characters, two of which you just want to yell at a lot. The protagonist, Abbey Lincoln Ross, is one of them. The guy she's dating, after her best friend convinces her to enter the online dating scene, is the other. As many characters point out to her fairly often, Abbey is a whiner whose woe-is-me approach to life makes her troubles a little difficult to empathize with. And her paramour is very clearly wrong for her, a point she notes *very* early on and ignores for the bulk of the book.
This makes both of them realistic and believable characters, if annoying at turns. The most interesting thing about this work (for me) were Abbey's large, artsy family. (The patriarch is a jazz legend and I don't want to give away many of the family's idiosyncrasies, but scenes where her siblings or matriarchs appeared were my favorites.) The other cool things about this narrative were Abbey's daydreams, which always began as moments to be taken at face value before growing increasingly absurd within a sentence or two.
The story's resolution seemed a little rushed. A key conflict is really easily resolved and a reunion is abruptly cut short. Also: because Avery, Abbey's ex-fiance, is so frequently mentioned, I thought he might appear at some point (either by phone, letter or in person). That might've proven useful, in one way or another.
This makes both of them realistic and believable characters, if annoying at turns. The most interesting thing about this work (for me) were Abbey's large, artsy family. (The patriarch is a jazz legend and I don't want to give away many of the family's idiosyncrasies, but scenes where her siblings or matriarchs appeared were my favorites.) The other cool things about this narrative were Abbey's daydreams, which always began as moments to be taken at face value before growing increasingly absurd within a sentence or two.
The story's resolution seemed a little rushed. A key conflict is really easily resolved and a reunion is abruptly cut short. Also: because Avery, Abbey's ex-fiance, is so frequently mentioned, I thought he might appear at some point (either by phone, letter or in person). That might've proven useful, in one way or another.
July 27, 2014
This is a fun, quick, cozy, read. Most of the characters in this book are quirky. Which made them entertaining and fun to be around. Abbey grew before my eyes in this book. By the end of the story, she could stand on her own two feet. I liked this about her. However I have to say that my favorite person is Abbey's best friend, Bendrix. However a warning message as your best friend knows all your dirty secrets and those secrets can come back to bite you in the butt. Especially when it comes to the fact that it has been a long time since you have seen any action in the bedroom and your friend decides to create you a online dating profile. You could end up hearing comments like these:
"If you don't have sex soon, that vagina of yours is going to dry up and wither away."
"Your vagina is as dry as the Sahara."
"Your vagina is so dry it crunches."
There were many other comedic moments. Which is another reason that I enjoyed this book. A Pinch of Ooh La La is a sweet treat of a read!
"If you don't have sex soon, that vagina of yours is going to dry up and wither away."
"Your vagina is as dry as the Sahara."
"Your vagina is so dry it crunches."
There were many other comedic moments. Which is another reason that I enjoyed this book. A Pinch of Ooh La La is a sweet treat of a read!
June 30, 2014
Swindle takes readers on an unconventional roller coaster ride with this book. The characters leap off the page and readers are left to ponder the true definition of family. Bravo, Swindle!
June 18, 2020
I will give it a star because I did enjoy her writing but I hated the majority of the characters.
July 28, 2017
3.5 stars.
Maybe it was a matter of great book at the wrong time, but I didn't fall in love with this book like everyone else. I liked it a lot, but Abbey and Samuel just got on my nerves at times. I will say that I loved her family and friends, most especially Bendrix, who brought life to the story. Abbey's ignoring the red flags is spot on; every woman has had the experience of asking herself
how much am I compromising to be in this relationship
. However, I think the pacing of the book was a little off for me, too. I think re-reading it later might make a difference.
April 24, 2019
Easy read, nice storyline, nothing to write home about...
October 23, 2014
more like 3.5 stars -- Abbey, the daughter of a famous jazz legend, owns a bakery, named Scratch, in the Temescal area of Oakland (a bakery that I wish was real, by the way lol). She's known for her fabulous wedding cakes, but unfortunately, she's also known for being engaged to a famous painter, who was exposed as a forger... and a cheater. Years have passed and Abbey has yet to recover from the heartbreak and embarrassment of finding all of this out while watching a documentary of her lover's life at the Sundance Film Festival...ouch. Her best friend decides to create an online dating profile for her to push her back into love, and the results flip her world upside down. Add a rambunctious nontraditional family, a handsome but very neurotic boothang, a peek into the world of jazz, and plenty of drama (had to grasp my pearls multiple times near the end), and you have a cute, entertaining, quick read. Not your typical Oakland novel, and so much potential for a sequel!
September 29, 2014
This is not your standard chick lit or love story. If you like romance, jazz, baked goods, quirky characters, and ooh la la, check out A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle.
I loved spending time with Abbey 'Lincoln' Ross, the protagonist and narrator, so much that I did not want this book to end. Abbey is a fresh, fun, engaging character. I got immersed in her world and the quirky characters in it as she took me on her journey. I hope a list of jazz songs referred to in this book is made because I want to listen to all the songs. And I'm craving some good pastry. All of Swindle's novels are must-reads!
I loved spending time with Abbey 'Lincoln' Ross, the protagonist and narrator, so much that I did not want this book to end. Abbey is a fresh, fun, engaging character. I got immersed in her world and the quirky characters in it as she took me on her journey. I hope a list of jazz songs referred to in this book is made because I want to listen to all the songs. And I'm craving some good pastry. All of Swindle's novels are must-reads!
August 26, 2014
I love when a book makes me hate someone so much! Swindle developed the characters just enough that I fell in love with Abbey and absolutely hated Samuel and his family. Fast paced and a real family-centric story. I really enjoyed the locations - wish Scratch was in my neighborhood and my bestie was Bendrix.
September 12, 2014
I'm a huge fan of Renee Swindle's writing. Loved "A Pinch of Ooh La La" as well as her earlier novel, "Shake Down the Stars." She creates great characters who are complex, funny (even as they find themselves in challenging situations) and totally relatable. "Shake Down the Stars" and "A Pinch of Ooh La La" are the kind of books that stay with you long after you finish reading them.
April 10, 2018
I was expecting a chick-lite romance but got a story about the complications of love. Abbey Ross is recovering from a disastrous love affair and her friends are pushing her into dating again. They feel like she has walled herself away long enough and her biological clock is ticking. The fulfillment of starting her own bakery in Oakland, California, and making people happy with her cakes and pies and cookies isn't enough. Her best friend since high school, Bendrix, sets her up with an online dating site and she actually finds a successful, handsome guy. And that's where this novel moves out of romance novels to general literature, exploring how people learn how to interact with each other and the give-and-take of personalities and likes and families. Abbey comes from a large extended family of musicians with lots of stepmothers and half siblings and her father is a noted jazz musician (and in fact that's a great element of the story, the jazz world) while Samuel comes from a driven-to-succeed, judgmental, uptight family who have little tolerance for any approaches to life other than their own religious one. The book raises lots of questions about compromise and expectations, about making adjustments and sacrifices to keep things fair and the relationship happy and balanced.
January 26, 2018
This is the story of Abbey Ross who wants to find happiness and have a baby with a man she loves. Abbey is in her thirties and knows time is not on her side but she has issues. She owns a bakery and is growing her wedding cake business. She comes from a large blended family that she loves even with all their quirks. She goes online and meets Samuel Howard who is a lawyer with issues. Samuel comes a very strict upbringing that feels he must prove himself to be the best. The book was a quick easy read.
June 6, 2020
With equal parts baking, jazz, numerous family members and throw in a good looking man, it's a recipe for a delightful book. I've been wanting to read this for many years and I'm so glad I did. A quick read.
August 17, 2017
Great summer read. Once I got started I couldn't put it down. I loved Abby so much!
September 12, 2017
Very Meh.
May 1, 2018
It got an extra star because of the whole bakery element. Her writing isn’t bad but I just didn’t care for this book. I skipped chunks of it in order to finish
November 20, 2015
I'd like to start by saying I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and after finally receiving it, I was excited to start reading it
At first I thought this would be categorized as a cozy genre type book, but it's not. It's a nice light read but has certain key points she writes about throughout the book
It's a story about Abbey Ross who owns her own bake shop & her best friend Bendrix whom she knows since their "graffiti days". The author goes into describing a huge family of which Amy is 1 of 13 children & her dad is the baby daddy to several wives & he also has x-gf's. He wants the family to get along as if it's one big happy family so he stays in touch with all his ex-wives & gf's. We meet many of the ppl in her family at her dad's BD family. Her siblings whether full, or half or step children all get along & are there. Her siblings were named after jazz musicians since most of the family is musically talented & have a love for jazz
She finds out at her dads BD party that 1 of her younger sisters is pregnant & wants to help her & lets her know she's there for her but the sister doesn't know if she wants to keep the baby or not? Abbey doesn't tell her what to do but would like to take her to the clinic to be checked by a dr
In the meantime, during the party, her friend Bendrix set up an online dating profile for Abbey & the other wives were in on it too checking out a guy who looked to be a good catch since she was no longer seeing her last bf, Avery. They didn't want her to be alone all her life & were trying to find someone good for her. At first glance he seemed nice enough & hot looking but during the story is he really what Abbey is looking for? Does she still miss Avery?
As the book progresses more things happen wth Abbey. Her & Bendrix start taking up the graffiti world again as ways of expressing themselves but this time does it come with consequences? What happens to the sister who was pregnant in beginning of book? Does she keep the baby? Give the baby away? Tell the man that's the father? Do they get together?
It's a story of how this family helps support the members in it regardless of the "labels" attached such as step sister or half brother, full brother, ex wife, ex girlfriend. The family may be confusing at first since there are so many in it but they all support each other as one big family from all kinds of nationalities
Music is another clear point in the book in that majority of family are musicians but some aren't such as Abbey who's art lies in her graffiti
Does Abbey find her happily ever after ? Does her friend, Bendrix ? Which , if any, of the guys she dates does she get involved in on more intimate level? Is there something that she picks out on her blind date guy that makes her wonder if things could work out between them?
It's a nice light read but has its ups & downs, troubled times, sad times when a family member passes , & finding Abbey the perfect guy for her that she likes
I rate it 5* since the author is well knowledged about jazz & music & she makes this crazy family of hers not one dimensional but multi racial with all of the family members caring about each other as though they were all from one mother & father. The father wants it that way & has made sure that all are supportive of each other & look after each other. A family with 13 children is crazy enough but when there's so many baby mammas & gf's in the mix who all get along, you think it impossible but when the Ross family has a party--they have FUN The author could've made it a very unexciting story by making the family either very small, or just having one set of parents but made more interesting that all these other women came from all different types of backgrounds allowing a very diverse family for reading & what each ones priorities and strengths brings to the story
I'd recommend this for those wanting a lighter funnier take on family life & dating nowadays with online dating Alsofor readers who have diverse family could probably relate to this book but everyone can find something in the story I believe, that they've experienced or come across at some time in their life also :)
At first I thought this would be categorized as a cozy genre type book, but it's not. It's a nice light read but has certain key points she writes about throughout the book
It's a story about Abbey Ross who owns her own bake shop & her best friend Bendrix whom she knows since their "graffiti days". The author goes into describing a huge family of which Amy is 1 of 13 children & her dad is the baby daddy to several wives & he also has x-gf's. He wants the family to get along as if it's one big happy family so he stays in touch with all his ex-wives & gf's. We meet many of the ppl in her family at her dad's BD family. Her siblings whether full, or half or step children all get along & are there. Her siblings were named after jazz musicians since most of the family is musically talented & have a love for jazz
She finds out at her dads BD party that 1 of her younger sisters is pregnant & wants to help her & lets her know she's there for her but the sister doesn't know if she wants to keep the baby or not? Abbey doesn't tell her what to do but would like to take her to the clinic to be checked by a dr
In the meantime, during the party, her friend Bendrix set up an online dating profile for Abbey & the other wives were in on it too checking out a guy who looked to be a good catch since she was no longer seeing her last bf, Avery. They didn't want her to be alone all her life & were trying to find someone good for her. At first glance he seemed nice enough & hot looking but during the story is he really what Abbey is looking for? Does she still miss Avery?
As the book progresses more things happen wth Abbey. Her & Bendrix start taking up the graffiti world again as ways of expressing themselves but this time does it come with consequences? What happens to the sister who was pregnant in beginning of book? Does she keep the baby? Give the baby away? Tell the man that's the father? Do they get together?
It's a story of how this family helps support the members in it regardless of the "labels" attached such as step sister or half brother, full brother, ex wife, ex girlfriend. The family may be confusing at first since there are so many in it but they all support each other as one big family from all kinds of nationalities
Music is another clear point in the book in that majority of family are musicians but some aren't such as Abbey who's art lies in her graffiti
Does Abbey find her happily ever after ? Does her friend, Bendrix ? Which , if any, of the guys she dates does she get involved in on more intimate level? Is there something that she picks out on her blind date guy that makes her wonder if things could work out between them?
It's a nice light read but has its ups & downs, troubled times, sad times when a family member passes , & finding Abbey the perfect guy for her that she likes
I rate it 5* since the author is well knowledged about jazz & music & she makes this crazy family of hers not one dimensional but multi racial with all of the family members caring about each other as though they were all from one mother & father. The father wants it that way & has made sure that all are supportive of each other & look after each other. A family with 13 children is crazy enough but when there's so many baby mammas & gf's in the mix who all get along, you think it impossible but when the Ross family has a party--they have FUN The author could've made it a very unexciting story by making the family either very small, or just having one set of parents but made more interesting that all these other women came from all different types of backgrounds allowing a very diverse family for reading & what each ones priorities and strengths brings to the story
I'd recommend this for those wanting a lighter funnier take on family life & dating nowadays with online dating Alsofor readers who have diverse family could probably relate to this book but everyone can find something in the story I believe, that they've experienced or come across at some time in their life also :)
October 2, 2014
The main character is Abbey Lincoln Ross, and you will simply adore her. Even Abbey’s family is amazingly cool! Her father has thirteen children, some siblings from different mothers. Abbey is the eldest daughter. He is presently married, with four ex-wives and four ex-girlfriends. Some of his children had children, so to say this is a huge family is not a fair and accurate statement. It is a monumental family!
This family had jazz legend, Lincoln T. Ross at the helm. He was truly a force to be reckoned with. There was not one thing I did not adore about this man. Renee Swindle created characters that you really grow to like, and enjoy reading about. This made the story such a fun read! I was amazed at how Renee Swindle was able to introduce us to so many characters, yet not take away from the story. Everything flowed so nice and easily.
Abbey’s father had wonderful relationships with all of his children and exes. He truly believed in the importance of family, for example; he did not like the term “step” or “half”. To this end, they considered one another Brother and Sister, and loved and treated each other with the love that a full-blooded sibling would be expected to. It was refreshing to read about a family with all of these dynamics going on, rise to respect the entire family as a whole unit; and not break them up. It was great to read about the force of love a family can have, as opposed to often reading about the failure of a family. Each ex-wife helped with the others children. They were a beautifully decorated group, and I would have loved to spend a night of partying with them.
The story really begins with Abbeys’ fiancé, Avery; walking out of her life after a documentary was about to expose him as a fraud in the world of art, as a forger. She was with Avery for three years. Abbey was in this documentary, so she and her best friend; Bendrix attended the Premiere, only to find out that Avery cheated on her with two different women! These two women were interviewed for the documentary, so “Total Shocker” to Abbey to find this out while sitting in the theater. Not one of her finer moments.
Since her break up with Avery she purchased her own home and a Bakery of her own, named “Scratch”, but had not given men a thought. In her words ‘Dating Sucked”! I really wanted to taste one of her pastries or wedding cakes.
Bendrix and Abbey have been Best Friends since childhood, and he is always by her side. He has always supported her, telling her once that “She was the star of her own show”! He was one of the most loving Best Friends Ever! He became relentless in finding her a man, at least for a quick sexual romp! It had been four years since she had even kissed a man, and if Bendrix and the Ex-wives had anything to do with it, that was going to change.
Bendrix was not going to give up too easily, so he set up a profile for her on a dating website without her knowledge. This is how she meets Samuel….. And, so the roller coaster ride begins again for Abbey and, as it turns out Bendrix too.
I enjoyed each page of this book. Renee Swindle is a gifted writer, and I am so excited to read the two other novels she has published already. I am sure I will adore her characters just as much.
SIDE NOTE: This book should have come with a CD or iTunes gift card, because there were so many amazing jazz references. I personally had to listen to some of them, because this story was about the Ross Family; with Jazz Legend, (as stated above) Lincoln T. Ross at the helm. And, this family knew Jazz; they breathed it….and NOT the slow smooth Jazz either. The musical notes in the background of this story really made it sing to me! No pun intended. So, yes; I now have a list of jazz songs to purchase for my IPod!
This family had jazz legend, Lincoln T. Ross at the helm. He was truly a force to be reckoned with. There was not one thing I did not adore about this man. Renee Swindle created characters that you really grow to like, and enjoy reading about. This made the story such a fun read! I was amazed at how Renee Swindle was able to introduce us to so many characters, yet not take away from the story. Everything flowed so nice and easily.
Abbey’s father had wonderful relationships with all of his children and exes. He truly believed in the importance of family, for example; he did not like the term “step” or “half”. To this end, they considered one another Brother and Sister, and loved and treated each other with the love that a full-blooded sibling would be expected to. It was refreshing to read about a family with all of these dynamics going on, rise to respect the entire family as a whole unit; and not break them up. It was great to read about the force of love a family can have, as opposed to often reading about the failure of a family. Each ex-wife helped with the others children. They were a beautifully decorated group, and I would have loved to spend a night of partying with them.
The story really begins with Abbeys’ fiancé, Avery; walking out of her life after a documentary was about to expose him as a fraud in the world of art, as a forger. She was with Avery for three years. Abbey was in this documentary, so she and her best friend; Bendrix attended the Premiere, only to find out that Avery cheated on her with two different women! These two women were interviewed for the documentary, so “Total Shocker” to Abbey to find this out while sitting in the theater. Not one of her finer moments.
Since her break up with Avery she purchased her own home and a Bakery of her own, named “Scratch”, but had not given men a thought. In her words ‘Dating Sucked”! I really wanted to taste one of her pastries or wedding cakes.
Bendrix and Abbey have been Best Friends since childhood, and he is always by her side. He has always supported her, telling her once that “She was the star of her own show”! He was one of the most loving Best Friends Ever! He became relentless in finding her a man, at least for a quick sexual romp! It had been four years since she had even kissed a man, and if Bendrix and the Ex-wives had anything to do with it, that was going to change.
Bendrix was not going to give up too easily, so he set up a profile for her on a dating website without her knowledge. This is how she meets Samuel….. And, so the roller coaster ride begins again for Abbey and, as it turns out Bendrix too.
I enjoyed each page of this book. Renee Swindle is a gifted writer, and I am so excited to read the two other novels she has published already. I am sure I will adore her characters just as much.
SIDE NOTE: This book should have come with a CD or iTunes gift card, because there were so many amazing jazz references. I personally had to listen to some of them, because this story was about the Ross Family; with Jazz Legend, (as stated above) Lincoln T. Ross at the helm. And, this family knew Jazz; they breathed it….and NOT the slow smooth Jazz either. The musical notes in the background of this story really made it sing to me! No pun intended. So, yes; I now have a list of jazz songs to purchase for my IPod!
December 4, 2014
Thought it would rise above standard chick-lit...then it got weird. Abbey Ross comes from a large extended family with multiple siblings (her father married five women and had children outside of marriage), runs a bakery in Oakland, California and is looking for love after her last relationship ended in a total disaster. Then she meets Samuel, who seems totally perfect for her.
Thus we begin a tale of love, marriage, relationships and more. We follow Abbey as she emerges from her last relationship with Avery, an artist and falls in love with Samuel. They have a wonderful courtship (mostly, despite her misgivings about his family and parts of his upbringing), and they get married. Both desperately want to have a child and begin a family, which was also something that drove Abbey in the beginning of the story.
The book was enjoyable, for the most part. Author Renee Swindle gives Abbey a compelling voice and I enjoyed reading Abbey as a narrator. Her loves, her relationships (both romantic and platonic), her work at her bakery, Scratch and just living life in Oakland. But towards the end of the book, things got a little weird and I felt the story just meandered a bit.
All is not quite what it seems with Samuel, and after trying for a child for more than a year, the cracks in their marriage show. And that is where some of the cliches start coming in. A romantic conflict I expected to show up early and/or throughout the book didn't happen, and another romantic relationship I thought would start sooner only shows up on the last couple of pages. I also thought the author telegraphed another romantic transgression early on, but it didn't quite happen when or how I thought it would.
Although these surprises were fine, I felt towards the end it wasn't clear to me where the author wanted to take it. In retrospect, I wondered if she wanted to end the book in a certain way but felt she couldn't without falling into those traps. Or perhaps she just ran out of steam and didn't know how to end it.
Overall though, it was a pleasant read. As I mentioned, Abbey is an engaging and funny narrator. Swindle does a pretty good job overall in drawing the characters, but there were definitely some that I didn't remember exactly how they were important (or related, in this case) to Abbey. And it's a book that you can pick up again the next day and not be mired down in plot points and twists in storylines.
I bought it with a coupon, but I'd recommend it as a bargain/used book or borrow it from the library instead. It looks pretty (literally, the cover caught my eye at Barnes & Noble), but perhaps like the wedding cakes Abbey creates you won't really remember it once you're done.
Thus we begin a tale of love, marriage, relationships and more. We follow Abbey as she emerges from her last relationship with Avery, an artist and falls in love with Samuel. They have a wonderful courtship (mostly, despite her misgivings about his family and parts of his upbringing), and they get married. Both desperately want to have a child and begin a family, which was also something that drove Abbey in the beginning of the story.
The book was enjoyable, for the most part. Author Renee Swindle gives Abbey a compelling voice and I enjoyed reading Abbey as a narrator. Her loves, her relationships (both romantic and platonic), her work at her bakery, Scratch and just living life in Oakland. But towards the end of the book, things got a little weird and I felt the story just meandered a bit.
All is not quite what it seems with Samuel, and after trying for a child for more than a year, the cracks in their marriage show. And that is where some of the cliches start coming in. A romantic conflict I expected to show up early and/or throughout the book didn't happen, and another romantic relationship I thought would start sooner only shows up on the last couple of pages. I also thought the author telegraphed another romantic transgression early on, but it didn't quite happen when or how I thought it would.
Although these surprises were fine, I felt towards the end it wasn't clear to me where the author wanted to take it. In retrospect, I wondered if she wanted to end the book in a certain way but felt she couldn't without falling into those traps. Or perhaps she just ran out of steam and didn't know how to end it.
Overall though, it was a pleasant read. As I mentioned, Abbey is an engaging and funny narrator. Swindle does a pretty good job overall in drawing the characters, but there were definitely some that I didn't remember exactly how they were important (or related, in this case) to Abbey. And it's a book that you can pick up again the next day and not be mired down in plot points and twists in storylines.
I bought it with a coupon, but I'd recommend it as a bargain/used book or borrow it from the library instead. It looks pretty (literally, the cover caught my eye at Barnes & Noble), but perhaps like the wedding cakes Abbey creates you won't really remember it once you're done.
September 26, 2014
A Pinch of Ooh La La has good ideas, yet doesn't execute them well. I went into the book thinking it'd be a cutesy story about Abbey's search for love as well as finding herself. Unfortunately I was disappointed with how this book played out.
Abbey is nearing forty and sees her chance to be a mother ticking away as time goes on. There's no harm in her worry because I think that she'd be a wonderful mother; seeing the way she interacted with her younger siblings as well as nieces and nephews only confirmed that. But she's much too eager to find a man to 'complete' her life, especially when she's doing very well on her own and has had terrible experiences with men in the past. Enter online dating (as it always happens in novels, she's forced into it by her friends; I've never seen a story where online dating is the woman's idea) and finally Samuel. He's gorgeous, successful, and is quite nice to her. Unfortunately, as soon as Abbey meets him in the book, that's when the plot begins to get awkward. She goes on a few dates with him and all of a sudden the novel skips ahead nine months. Then it starts skipping years. When I picked up this book I never imagined that the plot was going to cover such an enormous time span! It felt too forced and I couldn't grasp how characters were developing when we weren't given a chance to see them.
I also didn't enjoy how predictable this novel was. While I really did like Abbey's character, I didn't understand some of the things that she put up with. She had such a strong family preaching great values to her, even if they were an unconventional family, that I can't fathom some of her decisions. I'm not going to spoil anything, but during the novel I knew that I'd be extremely mad if it didn't end the way that I was thinking it should. Some of the relationships in this book just aren't healthy and it's frustrating when characters, through no explanation, deal with insulting circumstances without a fight.
While I do think that so much could have been done with this book, I'm not sure that others will like it more than I did. Perhaps people who are older, closer to Abbey's age, might enjoy reading such a novel because it does end with a good message. I particularly appreciated that. Yet for now, I think I'd say to skip this book.
Abbey is nearing forty and sees her chance to be a mother ticking away as time goes on. There's no harm in her worry because I think that she'd be a wonderful mother; seeing the way she interacted with her younger siblings as well as nieces and nephews only confirmed that. But she's much too eager to find a man to 'complete' her life, especially when she's doing very well on her own and has had terrible experiences with men in the past. Enter online dating (as it always happens in novels, she's forced into it by her friends; I've never seen a story where online dating is the woman's idea) and finally Samuel. He's gorgeous, successful, and is quite nice to her. Unfortunately, as soon as Abbey meets him in the book, that's when the plot begins to get awkward. She goes on a few dates with him and all of a sudden the novel skips ahead nine months. Then it starts skipping years. When I picked up this book I never imagined that the plot was going to cover such an enormous time span! It felt too forced and I couldn't grasp how characters were developing when we weren't given a chance to see them.
I also didn't enjoy how predictable this novel was. While I really did like Abbey's character, I didn't understand some of the things that she put up with. She had such a strong family preaching great values to her, even if they were an unconventional family, that I can't fathom some of her decisions. I'm not going to spoil anything, but during the novel I knew that I'd be extremely mad if it didn't end the way that I was thinking it should. Some of the relationships in this book just aren't healthy and it's frustrating when characters, through no explanation, deal with insulting circumstances without a fight.
While I do think that so much could have been done with this book, I'm not sure that others will like it more than I did. Perhaps people who are older, closer to Abbey's age, might enjoy reading such a novel because it does end with a good message. I particularly appreciated that. Yet for now, I think I'd say to skip this book.
January 24, 2015
After putting down A Pinch of Ooh La La, Renee Swindle’s third novel, I felt like I’d eaten a wonderful, albeit rich meal.
That’s because much of Ooh La La is set in Scratch, a fictional Oakland, California, bakery and cafe that serves up homemade cakes, cookies, muffins, and other decadent delights washed down with just-brewed strong coffee.
And did I mention that there is always a vintage jazz soundtrack playing? That alone is enough to capture my fancy.
Enter Abby (named for jazz great Abby Lincoln), Scratch’s owner and wedding cake entrepreneur—a terminally single women who has been hitting the snooze button on her biological alarm clock to no avail. Abby is recovering from a publicly humiliating relationship with Avery, an artist with his own demons. Putting her love life on hold while she nurtures Scratch, won’t do for Abby’s gay bestie Bendrix. With a little unwanted help from her friends (and an online dating site), Abby finds herself in relationship with Samuel, an uptight lawyer who loves Abby but can’t quite connect with her unconventional family.
It’s Abby’s extended family, both blood and family of choice, is at the heart of Ooh La La. Abby’s charismatic jazzy musician father, his ex-wives, ex-girlfriends, children, stepchildren, and fellow musicians form a protective, loving, and sometimes irritating membrane around Abby. I particularly enjoyed the passages describing the family dynamics, at once loving and eye rolling that are familiar to families the world over.
Swindle contrasts Abby’s freewheeling family where everyone wears their emotions on their sleeves, to Samuel’s nearly Mormon family where love is conditional and joy in meted out in tablespoons. As much as you cheer for Abby and Samuel, it’s hard to see how love can triumph when family and values clash. A Pinch of Ooh La La shows that love, like cakes, can come in many different flavors.
Head down to your favorite neighborhood coffee shop, download some Nina Simone and Charles Mingus, and enjoy A Pinch of Ooh La La with a croissant or chocolate layer cake to nibble on.
And don’t worry about the calories...A Pinch of Ooh La La will leave you deeply sated and happy.
That’s because much of Ooh La La is set in Scratch, a fictional Oakland, California, bakery and cafe that serves up homemade cakes, cookies, muffins, and other decadent delights washed down with just-brewed strong coffee.
And did I mention that there is always a vintage jazz soundtrack playing? That alone is enough to capture my fancy.
Enter Abby (named for jazz great Abby Lincoln), Scratch’s owner and wedding cake entrepreneur—a terminally single women who has been hitting the snooze button on her biological alarm clock to no avail. Abby is recovering from a publicly humiliating relationship with Avery, an artist with his own demons. Putting her love life on hold while she nurtures Scratch, won’t do for Abby’s gay bestie Bendrix. With a little unwanted help from her friends (and an online dating site), Abby finds herself in relationship with Samuel, an uptight lawyer who loves Abby but can’t quite connect with her unconventional family.
It’s Abby’s extended family, both blood and family of choice, is at the heart of Ooh La La. Abby’s charismatic jazzy musician father, his ex-wives, ex-girlfriends, children, stepchildren, and fellow musicians form a protective, loving, and sometimes irritating membrane around Abby. I particularly enjoyed the passages describing the family dynamics, at once loving and eye rolling that are familiar to families the world over.
Swindle contrasts Abby’s freewheeling family where everyone wears their emotions on their sleeves, to Samuel’s nearly Mormon family where love is conditional and joy in meted out in tablespoons. As much as you cheer for Abby and Samuel, it’s hard to see how love can triumph when family and values clash. A Pinch of Ooh La La shows that love, like cakes, can come in many different flavors.
Head down to your favorite neighborhood coffee shop, download some Nina Simone and Charles Mingus, and enjoy A Pinch of Ooh La La with a croissant or chocolate layer cake to nibble on.
And don’t worry about the calories...A Pinch of Ooh La La will leave you deeply sated and happy.
October 4, 2014
This was the bit of fresh air that I needed and wanted in my life right now. The story is about Abbey and her inability to want to get back into the dating world. After being humiliated by her ex she focuses on herself and her business, her bakery SCRATCH. All aspects of her life seem to be in gear except her love life. With encouragement from her huge family and best friend she enters the online dating world. She meets a bunch of losers but soon meets a guy who is maybe too good to be true. Samuel is everything she has ever wanted in a man and soon she finally finds herself in a relationship. However after she is married she founds out Samuel has issues and a family that is the totally opposite of her own. But like all things she soon finds herself making excuses and compromising in her new life. She finds herself unhappy and wondering if she’s not being true to herself.
I found myself at times in the beginning very upset with Abbey. I felt she wasn’t being true to who she was after she met Samuel. I felt she was compromising who she is and what she really wanted. I thought at times if she was just settling thinking her time was running out in order to have a family and love that she really wanted. At times I thought she didn’t stick up for herself and just did whatever Samuel wanted. I get that in relationships it’s a give and take but I felt she was just giving and wasn’t getting anything in return. Needless to say I wasn’t a fan of Samuel. However later on I see he has issues that made him the way he was.
On the other hand I totally loved Abbey’s family and best friend Bendrix. They were both funny and so relatable. She has the best people who supported her though everything and we should all be so lucky to have that in life. The journey that Abbey takes is so amazing. Seeing her experiencing the lows makes it so much sweeter when she finally hits her highs. This is one read that will make you laugh and makes you root for a woman whom you want to see have it all. This story is as sweet and rich as those delicious concoctions that are being made at Abbey’s wonderful bakery SCRATCH. So do yourself a favor and savor this book as your next read.
I found myself at times in the beginning very upset with Abbey. I felt she wasn’t being true to who she was after she met Samuel. I felt she was compromising who she is and what she really wanted. I thought at times if she was just settling thinking her time was running out in order to have a family and love that she really wanted. At times I thought she didn’t stick up for herself and just did whatever Samuel wanted. I get that in relationships it’s a give and take but I felt she was just giving and wasn’t getting anything in return. Needless to say I wasn’t a fan of Samuel. However later on I see he has issues that made him the way he was.
On the other hand I totally loved Abbey’s family and best friend Bendrix. They were both funny and so relatable. She has the best people who supported her though everything and we should all be so lucky to have that in life. The journey that Abbey takes is so amazing. Seeing her experiencing the lows makes it so much sweeter when she finally hits her highs. This is one read that will make you laugh and makes you root for a woman whom you want to see have it all. This story is as sweet and rich as those delicious concoctions that are being made at Abbey’s wonderful bakery SCRATCH. So do yourself a favor and savor this book as your next read.
August 22, 2014
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kim
I have never read anything from this author until this book and was not disappointed. She has a way of adding layers of people and personalities and it works. I was a little intimidated at first with so many people in the mix but Renee made it work, it went smoothly and I didn’t get lost.
Abbey Ross comes from a large family, with many step-mothers and quite a few siblings but they all had something to offer in Abbey’s upbringing. Her father, a famous Jazz musician and world traveler brought lots of culture and love into Abbey’s life and he made it a point to make each child feel special.
Abbey, almost 40 and unmarried, was hurt from a relationship that absolutely left her devastated. What made it so bad was the fact that her fiance’s betrayal was so blatant and was done in the eye of the public. Finally, her best friend forces her to join a dating web site and after a couple of disastrous dates, then she meets Samuel.
Samuel is smooth, charming and a good-looking young man. He’s a corporate lawyer, works hard and like Abbey, has never been married. They see each other for months and finally he pops the question and Abbey says yes. As they continue to see each other Abbey’s noticing things that make her uncomfortable but she ignores them because she’s so focused on getting married and wanting kids that she ignores the red flags. They marry and suddenly she is seeing things in a whole new light. After counseling and the death of her father, Abbey realizes that she doesn’t like what she is seeing.
You know, I can see how someone can get so lost and consumed by one thought that they oftentimes lose themselves and in this book Renee shows us how life and surroundings can make or break a person and how a person can come out of bad situations but come out better and stronger than before. Renee shows life, love, mistakes and forgiveness in this book, a book well done.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kim
I have never read anything from this author until this book and was not disappointed. She has a way of adding layers of people and personalities and it works. I was a little intimidated at first with so many people in the mix but Renee made it work, it went smoothly and I didn’t get lost.
Abbey Ross comes from a large family, with many step-mothers and quite a few siblings but they all had something to offer in Abbey’s upbringing. Her father, a famous Jazz musician and world traveler brought lots of culture and love into Abbey’s life and he made it a point to make each child feel special.
Abbey, almost 40 and unmarried, was hurt from a relationship that absolutely left her devastated. What made it so bad was the fact that her fiance’s betrayal was so blatant and was done in the eye of the public. Finally, her best friend forces her to join a dating web site and after a couple of disastrous dates, then she meets Samuel.
Samuel is smooth, charming and a good-looking young man. He’s a corporate lawyer, works hard and like Abbey, has never been married. They see each other for months and finally he pops the question and Abbey says yes. As they continue to see each other Abbey’s noticing things that make her uncomfortable but she ignores them because she’s so focused on getting married and wanting kids that she ignores the red flags. They marry and suddenly she is seeing things in a whole new light. After counseling and the death of her father, Abbey realizes that she doesn’t like what she is seeing.
You know, I can see how someone can get so lost and consumed by one thought that they oftentimes lose themselves and in this book Renee shows us how life and surroundings can make or break a person and how a person can come out of bad situations but come out better and stronger than before. Renee shows life, love, mistakes and forgiveness in this book, a book well done.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*
August 15, 2017
I've now read all three of Renee Swindle’s books and love how she draws me in with unbelievably fun, creative, intense, layered characters I love to cheer on, and sometimes scream at. It’s as if her books are interactive: I feel myself taking part in the stories, telling the characters to do A or B, and then they go and Z, and I had no idea that would happen, or what comes next. In A Pinch of Ooh La La, we get a great new heroine, Abbey, who bakes the most delicious sounding cakes and goodies (and all I had were rice cakes on hand, but I used my imagination). Abbey is struggling to get past a heartbreaking break up (that’s also really funny to read about). She’s surrounded (as were the heroines in both previous novels) by a wonderful cast of friends and family. Swindle has an incredible grasp on writing families we’d either want to be a part of or are so thankful we’re not a part of. But Abbey’s family is wild and fun. I don’t want to reveal too much plot because I think it’s better to jump in and go on a ride with an engaging crew of characters. (They’re kind of like you wish your own friends and family could be a little more like, well, sometimes.) I adored Shake Down the Stars in no small part for the over-the-top yet somehow warm and believable family life surrounding main character Piper, and now here’s a family with even more presence and charm, not to mention musical talent. The novel takes on the idea of figuring out who you are, who your family is, and how you’re a part of it; and also how you’re part of your community, and just what it means to you. It’s about what role Abbey wants to play; what’s the truest role for her. The novel is a delight, and Swindle, unlike some authors I would never actually name (or review), really knows how to write an ending. But get something sweeter than rice cakes for this read, and your favorite mocha/cappuccino/latte/chocolaty/swirled up drink. Leave everything and everyone you know behind for a while, and see how the uber-cool and extensive Ross family lives. And laugh.
August 13, 2014
I was lucky enough to receive a review copy of the novel from the author. After reading Shake down the stars I knew Swindle was an author to watch and support. A Pinch of Ooh La La does not disappoint. Abbey Lincoln is a young modern sophisticate with a heart of gold and it just so happens she gave her heart to the wrong one. Haven't we all been there before? With her heart still in rehab and her va jay jay permanently parked all seems loss for our heroine after four years of public humiliation. Not to worry. Abbey , has a good Judy by the name of Bendrix and he is an unforgettable and love able character. Bendrix being the good loving friend that he is creates a dating profile for Abbey. After a few bumps in the road to finding love Abbey falls head over heels in love with sexy Samuel.
Just when you think he's too good to be true, Swindle doesn't disappoint, She delivers multi-layered characters with more depth than usual for a modern day romance novel. Readers will find themselves cheering for Abbey to find love and at one point wishing she'd wake up and take heed to all the warning signs. Heavily infused with Jazz references and sweet and delectable treats. Readers will be inclined to read this novel with a glass of wine and jazz in the background. ( I'm sure Swindle can help us with that...lol)) A Pinch of Ooh La La will make you laugh out loud, believe in love, and give you a realistic approach to dating in the 21st century. Readers are not only in for a good love story, but an education on culture. It's dinner with dessert, ya!!! Readers will absolutely love Abbey for her dedication and unconditional love for her family and always seeing the glass half full approach on life. Swindle doesn't leave us empty handed, she brings the funny with a great supporting cast with wives, girlfriends, and family. I vote to see a film adaptation of this novel. Book clubs order your copies today!!
Just when you think he's too good to be true, Swindle doesn't disappoint, She delivers multi-layered characters with more depth than usual for a modern day romance novel. Readers will find themselves cheering for Abbey to find love and at one point wishing she'd wake up and take heed to all the warning signs. Heavily infused with Jazz references and sweet and delectable treats. Readers will be inclined to read this novel with a glass of wine and jazz in the background. ( I'm sure Swindle can help us with that...lol)) A Pinch of Ooh La La will make you laugh out loud, believe in love, and give you a realistic approach to dating in the 21st century. Readers are not only in for a good love story, but an education on culture. It's dinner with dessert, ya!!! Readers will absolutely love Abbey for her dedication and unconditional love for her family and always seeing the glass half full approach on life. Swindle doesn't leave us empty handed, she brings the funny with a great supporting cast with wives, girlfriends, and family. I vote to see a film adaptation of this novel. Book clubs order your copies today!!
February 8, 2015
As I mentioned before, I was expecting something different from this book. This book spoke of contemporary life and love with a storyline that makes you think this chick has it all going right. But that isn’t the case at all.
When I first started the book, I had a hard time getting into the story. I am not sure why exactly. But the further I read, the more I realized that Abbey and I had soooo much in common. The book really started moving for me then.
Abbey is older, in terms of contemporary romance book standards, and she is realizing that finding the right man – or any man for that matter, is tough. (been there done that) Her bad luck with men is no laughing matter and her best friend steps in to help. Thanks goodness for the internet. But what seems to be perfect in everyone’s eyes is not perfect for Abbey. She realizes that she is not living her life the way that she wants and begins to make changes. (I can relate to that).
What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the characters are not young and yuppy like most of the books you find today. I related a lot to the storyline; the area the book was based – my old work area – and the relationships that were explored in this book. The feeling that the author expressed and wrote made me feel like she was talking right to me in many places.
This is not a heavy book in any way. Abbey is light-hearted, full of passion and love, and a free spirit in many ways. There was humor and despair and above all healing and acceptance. I really enjoyed this book and this new author. It is a well written story with fully developed characters that you will love or dislike a lot! This book is loaded with a passion that will leave you wanting to know the rest of the story!
I received a copy of this book for my full review published on Two Classy Chics
When I first started the book, I had a hard time getting into the story. I am not sure why exactly. But the further I read, the more I realized that Abbey and I had soooo much in common. The book really started moving for me then.
Abbey is older, in terms of contemporary romance book standards, and she is realizing that finding the right man – or any man for that matter, is tough. (been there done that) Her bad luck with men is no laughing matter and her best friend steps in to help. Thanks goodness for the internet. But what seems to be perfect in everyone’s eyes is not perfect for Abbey. She realizes that she is not living her life the way that she wants and begins to make changes. (I can relate to that).
What I enjoyed about this book is the fact that the characters are not young and yuppy like most of the books you find today. I related a lot to the storyline; the area the book was based – my old work area – and the relationships that were explored in this book. The feeling that the author expressed and wrote made me feel like she was talking right to me in many places.
This is not a heavy book in any way. Abbey is light-hearted, full of passion and love, and a free spirit in many ways. There was humor and despair and above all healing and acceptance. I really enjoyed this book and this new author. It is a well written story with fully developed characters that you will love or dislike a lot! This book is loaded with a passion that will leave you wanting to know the rest of the story!
I received a copy of this book for my full review published on Two Classy Chics
January 16, 2016
This book was a nice fun Chick-Lit type book to read. I loved Abbey, the main character. She was fun loving, sweet, caring, but a little shy and intimidated at times. It seemed very real to me. I loved how much family meant to her. Her family actually seemed a lot like my family - kind of like Grand Central Station at times. Her home was open to anyone and everyone, cousins, sisters, and friends, all were welcome.
On the other hand, I did not ever like Samuel. He started out OK but then once he turned all "control freak" I would have told him to hit the road Jack! I can not believe how Abbey just put up with it. And his family, strange to say the least.
My second favorite character was Bendrix, the male best friend. I just loved his personality, he was fun and outgoing. You could really tell he really cared for Abbey.
I also liked that her family was kind of unconventional. Lots of exwives etc, certainly made it more interesting and fun.
I don't want to give too much of the book away. So I will leave it at that.
I did like all the talk about Jazz (I am a Miles Davis fan myself) and also that she ran a bakery. I love books that take place in a bakery or coffee shop.
I would say that this is a good book for a fun, quick read (It was a little slow in spots but not enough to deter me from enjoying).
Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me this book for my honest review.
On the other hand, I did not ever like Samuel. He started out OK but then once he turned all "control freak" I would have told him to hit the road Jack! I can not believe how Abbey just put up with it. And his family, strange to say the least.
My second favorite character was Bendrix, the male best friend. I just loved his personality, he was fun and outgoing. You could really tell he really cared for Abbey.
I also liked that her family was kind of unconventional. Lots of exwives etc, certainly made it more interesting and fun.
I don't want to give too much of the book away. So I will leave it at that.
I did like all the talk about Jazz (I am a Miles Davis fan myself) and also that she ran a bakery. I love books that take place in a bakery or coffee shop.
I would say that this is a good book for a fun, quick read (It was a little slow in spots but not enough to deter me from enjoying).
Thank you Penguin Random House for sending me this book for my honest review.
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July 19, 2018Not as fluffy as a whimsical wedding cake cover might suggest, but neither is it as dark or raw as Shake Down the Stars. It shares with that book, though, a seriousness about its protagonist and her agency, and it sets its arc the protagonist's ability to live--survive, thrive--after terrible things happen, after mistakes have been made. It can be harrowing to know your own heart and not look away, and like in SDtS, Swindle describes that journey very beautifully. The last few chapters felt more sketchy and stereotypical than fully-realized, but I still believed in them as the ending to Abbey's arc.
The tone of this book was a delight, from the jazz song titles for chapter titles to the brief interruptions of imagined dialogue and imagery and other sudden breaks in reality--a fantasy Terry Gross interview sequence, brief visits and benedictions from ghostly jazz legends. I also really adored how Swindle portrays and examines the idea of family in this. In the author interview at the end, she says her "intention was to explore the idea that family is whatever want it to be," which kind of sounds simple and obvious, but in truth, it feels kind of radical to imagine it, and to act upon it when there are social conventions trying to demand otherwise.
The tone of this book was a delight, from the jazz song titles for chapter titles to the brief interruptions of imagined dialogue and imagery and other sudden breaks in reality--a fantasy Terry Gross interview sequence, brief visits and benedictions from ghostly jazz legends. I also really adored how Swindle portrays and examines the idea of family in this. In the author interview at the end, she says her "intention was to explore the idea that family is whatever want it to be," which kind of sounds simple and obvious, but in truth, it feels kind of radical to imagine it, and to act upon it when there are social conventions trying to demand otherwise.
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