What do you think?
Rate this book
A Recipe for Family
Perfect for fans of Meg Mason and Sally Hepworth; a powerful and heart-rending story about how food connects us and assumptions divide us – and how true family can come from where you least expect it.
Things are getting slippery for Stella. With her husband away she’s juggling a full-time job, a tricky stepdaughter and a relentless four-year-old – all while trying to find her footing in her spouse’s shiny world. Joining the throng of local mothers, she reluctantly hires an au pair in the hope that it will lighten the load.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, thinks this is a rotten idea. An industrial chemist and staunch feminist, she finds the ethical murkiness surrounding the au pair solution difficult to swallow. But she’s promised her son not to meddle, has her own career battles to slay and ghosts of her own past to contend with.
For Ava, life in Sydney as an au pair could help fill the void left by the loss of her mother. With her family recipes in her hand and hope in her heart, she sets off to reinvent herself in a place far away.
Three women, drawn together by impossible circumstances, will discover that the greatest comfort can often be found in the mess.
Praise for A Recipe for Family
‘A powerful and hilarious take on the many hurdles women face and how we can overcome them together. Brimming with heart and deliciously wise, A Recipe for Family made me want to go back for seconds.’
Sally Hepworth, author of The Younger Wife
‘An elegant depiction of three generations of female overwhelm. A Recipe For Family is powerful, slyly funny, and studded with sharp observations about the impossible expectations of contemporary motherhood. The kind of storytelling that elicits affirming nods, snort-laughs, and the occasional tear.’
Holly Wainwright, author of I Give My Marriage a Year
‘Tori Haschka’s A Recipe for Family is an antidote to the rigours of 2020s parenting, filled with solidarity, laugh-out-loud moments, and delectable page-turning tension.’
Victoria Brookman, author of Burnt Out
Things are getting slippery for Stella. With her husband away she’s juggling a full-time job, a tricky stepdaughter and a relentless four-year-old – all while trying to find her footing in her spouse’s shiny world. Joining the throng of local mothers, she reluctantly hires an au pair in the hope that it will lighten the load.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, thinks this is a rotten idea. An industrial chemist and staunch feminist, she finds the ethical murkiness surrounding the au pair solution difficult to swallow. But she’s promised her son not to meddle, has her own career battles to slay and ghosts of her own past to contend with.
For Ava, life in Sydney as an au pair could help fill the void left by the loss of her mother. With her family recipes in her hand and hope in her heart, she sets off to reinvent herself in a place far away.
Three women, drawn together by impossible circumstances, will discover that the greatest comfort can often be found in the mess.
Praise for A Recipe for Family
‘A powerful and hilarious take on the many hurdles women face and how we can overcome them together. Brimming with heart and deliciously wise, A Recipe for Family made me want to go back for seconds.’
Sally Hepworth, author of The Younger Wife
‘An elegant depiction of three generations of female overwhelm. A Recipe For Family is powerful, slyly funny, and studded with sharp observations about the impossible expectations of contemporary motherhood. The kind of storytelling that elicits affirming nods, snort-laughs, and the occasional tear.’
Holly Wainwright, author of I Give My Marriage a Year
‘Tori Haschka’s A Recipe for Family is an antidote to the rigours of 2020s parenting, filled with solidarity, laugh-out-loud moments, and delectable page-turning tension.’
Victoria Brookman, author of Burnt Out
Audible Audio
First published August 2, 2022
10 people are currently reading
430 people want to read
About the author
Tori Haschka
9 books33 followersTori Haschka is a Sydney based author, food writer and mum of two. Her articles have featured in Grazia, The Times, the Guardian, Mammamia and the Sydney Morning Herald and her blog eatori.com was ranked by Saveur as one of the five best food and travel blogs in the world. Grace Under Pressure is her first novel. Her cookery books include 'Cut the Carbs!' and 'A Suitcase and a Spatula/ 'Travels with my Spatula'.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
December 2, 2022
This book presented me with many conflicts. Women on the Northern Beaches of Sydney, where the need for women to have ‘more’ led them to hiring nannies. Au pairs.
Lots of these women were superficial, but they all wanted more time to be able to chill out a little, maybe go on a date night with their husbands, and more time to be able to work. Nothing wrong with this I guess, but most of these husbands were awful, as were many of the women. I felt sorry for their children. The men who displayed this unacceptable behaviour were NEVER held to account! This made no sense; there were no ramifications.
I also had three children under three, never once considered paying anyone, and just got on with it. I didn’t really even have any family help. Not that this should make or break a book experience, but my emotions got in the way. Lots of entitlement and warped thinking.
The voice of reason was Elise, the mother-in-law of the main character, Stellar. Stellar always had good intentions and did end up demurring and hired a young live-in help, Ava, from America. The frustrating thing about these group of Au pairs was that they only socialised with each other, lots of drinking and quite simply, shitty behaviour.
Lots of themes are presented, ageism, alcohol misuse, the perils of social media, and plain out disrespectful and rude behaviour of men – and poor behaviour from husbands! There were many threads from a Facebook local parents’ group, too – oh man. The stuff they talked about.
This book was very well written and I was engaged, but the content drove me bonkers. I really have no idea how to rate this. I will say though, I did have to wait for weeks for the audiobook through my library system, which may be a sign of popularity.
But this non-social media woman, mother, and reader, I was sick of these themes and everyone being constantly pi**ed, shirking their responsibilities and somehow having the money to pay for live in help. I don’t know how their killer mortgages would have been able to support that. The homes talked about would be a couple of million each!
There was a pyramid scheme, but the name of this in the book was the name of a clothing store in Australia, and this was annoying.
I also don’t understand why Stellar’s name in the blurb is written in the traditional spelling, but in the text she spells it as in stellar.. as in something that is really great; superb. I didn’t hold the book in my hand so I can’t say.
Maybe my stickler attitude of the above mentioned themes meant I was the wrong demographic, and others will probably enjoy this more. I wanted to know what happened in the end, but the fallout was too maddening.
Lots of these women were superficial, but they all wanted more time to be able to chill out a little, maybe go on a date night with their husbands, and more time to be able to work. Nothing wrong with this I guess, but most of these husbands were awful, as were many of the women. I felt sorry for their children. The men who displayed this unacceptable behaviour were NEVER held to account! This made no sense; there were no ramifications.
I also had three children under three, never once considered paying anyone, and just got on with it. I didn’t really even have any family help. Not that this should make or break a book experience, but my emotions got in the way. Lots of entitlement and warped thinking.
The voice of reason was Elise, the mother-in-law of the main character, Stellar. Stellar always had good intentions and did end up demurring and hired a young live-in help, Ava, from America. The frustrating thing about these group of Au pairs was that they only socialised with each other, lots of drinking and quite simply, shitty behaviour.
Lots of themes are presented, ageism, alcohol misuse, the perils of social media, and plain out disrespectful and rude behaviour of men – and poor behaviour from husbands! There were many threads from a Facebook local parents’ group, too – oh man. The stuff they talked about.
This book was very well written and I was engaged, but the content drove me bonkers. I really have no idea how to rate this. I will say though, I did have to wait for weeks for the audiobook through my library system, which may be a sign of popularity.
But this non-social media woman, mother, and reader, I was sick of these themes and everyone being constantly pi**ed, shirking their responsibilities and somehow having the money to pay for live in help. I don’t know how their killer mortgages would have been able to support that. The homes talked about would be a couple of million each!
There was a pyramid scheme, but the name of this in the book was the name of a clothing store in Australia, and this was annoying.
I also don’t understand why Stellar’s name in the blurb is written in the traditional spelling, but in the text she spells it as in stellar.. as in something that is really great; superb. I didn’t hold the book in my hand so I can’t say.
Maybe my stickler attitude of the above mentioned themes meant I was the wrong demographic, and others will probably enjoy this more. I wanted to know what happened in the end, but the fallout was too maddening.
August 11, 2022
https://theburgeoningbookshelf.blogsp...
Tori Haschka asks, in A Recipe for Family, what makes a family? Can you bring in a total stranger and make them a family member?
This is a story about working mother's and the pressure of working two jobs, that of mother and employee, and trying to do it all under the burden of guilt and judgement.
Tori Haschka includes situations and circumstances we may have found ourselves in at times and gives them a humorous twist.
Life is messy and brimming with disasters and Stella and her friends are full of advice for each other. Everyone keeps telling Stella an au pair will solve all her problems.
A Recipe for Family is a modern story, for our time, where both parents need to work to survive financially. The story follows a group of mums living on Sydney's Northern Beaches but I think mothers everywhere will relate to the theme, and the characters, in some way or another.
I liked the addition of the social media posts in a local Facebook group asking for advice under an anonymous guise, although others new exactly who the posters were. This was funny in its truth.
I loved all the mentions of food as it brought people together and was used to remember a loved one. I was delightfully surprised, after reading about all those wonderful dishes, that the recipes are all there in the back of the book.
I enjoyed Stella's final reflection that she needed to open up more and I felt her and her peers finally became friends rather than competitors by the end of the novel.
The story is told through the eyes of Stella, Elise, her mother-in-law and Ava, The 18yo au pair. I feel each of these characters will be viewed differently depending on the readers age and circumstances.
A Recipe for Family is an observant novel. A satirical look at family and mothering.
*i received my copy from the publisher
Tori Haschka asks, in A Recipe for Family, what makes a family? Can you bring in a total stranger and make them a family member?
This is a story about working mother's and the pressure of working two jobs, that of mother and employee, and trying to do it all under the burden of guilt and judgement.
Tori Haschka includes situations and circumstances we may have found ourselves in at times and gives them a humorous twist.
Life is messy and brimming with disasters and Stella and her friends are full of advice for each other. Everyone keeps telling Stella an au pair will solve all her problems.
A Recipe for Family is a modern story, for our time, where both parents need to work to survive financially. The story follows a group of mums living on Sydney's Northern Beaches but I think mothers everywhere will relate to the theme, and the characters, in some way or another.
I liked the addition of the social media posts in a local Facebook group asking for advice under an anonymous guise, although others new exactly who the posters were. This was funny in its truth.
I loved all the mentions of food as it brought people together and was used to remember a loved one. I was delightfully surprised, after reading about all those wonderful dishes, that the recipes are all there in the back of the book.
I enjoyed Stella's final reflection that she needed to open up more and I felt her and her peers finally became friends rather than competitors by the end of the novel.
The story is told through the eyes of Stella, Elise, her mother-in-law and Ava, The 18yo au pair. I feel each of these characters will be viewed differently depending on the readers age and circumstances.
A Recipe for Family is an observant novel. A satirical look at family and mothering.
*i received my copy from the publisher
August 17, 2022
Stella Prentice feels like she is drowning. With her husband, Felix, rarely home, she’s struggling to manage her full time career as a brand manager for an upmarket grocery chain while raising her bright four year old, Natalie, and resentful teenage stepdaughter, Georgia, along with fulfilling life’s everyday tasks. Stella’s friends amongst her well-off Northern beaches community insist that a live in au pair is the life raft she needs, but will it be enough to save a sinking ship?
Set within the same community as Tori Haschka’s debut novel, Grace Under Pressure, A Recipe for Family shares the exploration of similar themes such as work/life balance, marriage, motherhood, family, friendship and the stresses of modern living.
As an overwhelmed working wife and mother, Stella is an easy character to relate to as she attempts to juggle the demands on her time, struggling with guilt and resentment when she inevitably drops a ball. Hiring an au pair is an impulsive move, and though Stella is hopeful it will work out, she is uncomfortable with the arrangement. Subsumed by her own issues however, Stella does not handle the situation well, and her relationship with Ava becomes increasingly strained.
I felt very sorry for Ava, still grieving the recent loss of her mother, she is very far from home, and still so young. Ava attempts to draw comfort and advice from notes and recipes left to her by her late mother, but it quickly becomes clear, though she bonds well with Natalie and Georgia, that she doesn’t quite have the maturity or experience to negotiate the awkward situation she finds herself in.
There’s also a third narrative strand in A Recipe for Family which involves Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise. I liked the character, and enjoyed many of her observations, but I didn’t feel the features of her storyline fit comfortably in the novel. I thought the glimpses into the lives of Stella’s and Ava’s friends and acquaintances were more relevant, providing some interesting context and contrast to their circumstances.
Food, and in particular its associations with motherhood, is a linking motif in the novel, from Stella’s repeated attempts to connect with Georgia by preparing meals to honour her stepdaughter’s late mother, to the comfort food Stella prepares for herself at a low point, to the recipes that Ava cooks for the Prentice’s. I think many of us have at least one recipe that serves as a connection to family - for me, it’s my mother’s meatloaf, and I enjoyed this aspect of the novel. I also really liked that Haschka thoughtfully includes the recipes mentioned through the story in full.
Warmly written, with relatable characters, and thoughtful observations, A Recipe of Family is an engaging novel. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the last few lines of the novel had quite the unexpected kick, and I hope that Haschka decides to explore its consequences, (particularly for Eve) next.
Set within the same community as Tori Haschka’s debut novel, Grace Under Pressure, A Recipe for Family shares the exploration of similar themes such as work/life balance, marriage, motherhood, family, friendship and the stresses of modern living.
As an overwhelmed working wife and mother, Stella is an easy character to relate to as she attempts to juggle the demands on her time, struggling with guilt and resentment when she inevitably drops a ball. Hiring an au pair is an impulsive move, and though Stella is hopeful it will work out, she is uncomfortable with the arrangement. Subsumed by her own issues however, Stella does not handle the situation well, and her relationship with Ava becomes increasingly strained.
I felt very sorry for Ava, still grieving the recent loss of her mother, she is very far from home, and still so young. Ava attempts to draw comfort and advice from notes and recipes left to her by her late mother, but it quickly becomes clear, though she bonds well with Natalie and Georgia, that she doesn’t quite have the maturity or experience to negotiate the awkward situation she finds herself in.
There’s also a third narrative strand in A Recipe for Family which involves Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise. I liked the character, and enjoyed many of her observations, but I didn’t feel the features of her storyline fit comfortably in the novel. I thought the glimpses into the lives of Stella’s and Ava’s friends and acquaintances were more relevant, providing some interesting context and contrast to their circumstances.
Food, and in particular its associations with motherhood, is a linking motif in the novel, from Stella’s repeated attempts to connect with Georgia by preparing meals to honour her stepdaughter’s late mother, to the comfort food Stella prepares for herself at a low point, to the recipes that Ava cooks for the Prentice’s. I think many of us have at least one recipe that serves as a connection to family - for me, it’s my mother’s meatloaf, and I enjoyed this aspect of the novel. I also really liked that Haschka thoughtfully includes the recipes mentioned through the story in full.
Warmly written, with relatable characters, and thoughtful observations, A Recipe of Family is an engaging novel. I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the last few lines of the novel had quite the unexpected kick, and I hope that Haschka decides to explore its consequences, (particularly for Eve) next.
August 6, 2022
Thank you Simon & Schuster for sending us a copy to read and review.
A recipe is an amalgamation of ingredients to make something very edible and delicious.
Food, of course, is a social glue and at times an emotional comfort.
These motifs have combined to highlight how families and the joy of food are really core attributes to the fabric of family.
Every family has its own recipe.
An inter generational family epic that is rich in detail, oozes some reality checks and gives an insight facades that are behind big glossy homes.
Stella is a working mum and a step mum feeling immense pressure and never having enough time.
She hires an au pair, a remedy that might give her some normality.
Catering to an indulgent and often absent husband and not quite gelling with her mother in law she has to address issues that her perfect facade hides.
Elise has raised her son single handedly and should be at that stage of life where financial, family and emotional issues are not at the forefront.
Ava has lost her mother and needs a change of scenery.
An experience in Australia as an au pair the antidote that will help her move on.
Her mothers recipes and lovingly scrawled notes keep her heart abuzz with attachment.
Take a peak behind the high fences into the mansions of Sydney’s beachside suburbs.
Loved the concept, loved how the story evolved and loved the realness that revealed itself.
A well written, addictive and engaging book.
An assortment of characters that worked well together.
I thought Stella was a little prickly and would love to have seen more of Elise.
A similar satisfaction to eating a good meal.
A recipe is an amalgamation of ingredients to make something very edible and delicious.
Food, of course, is a social glue and at times an emotional comfort.
These motifs have combined to highlight how families and the joy of food are really core attributes to the fabric of family.
Every family has its own recipe.
An inter generational family epic that is rich in detail, oozes some reality checks and gives an insight facades that are behind big glossy homes.
Stella is a working mum and a step mum feeling immense pressure and never having enough time.
She hires an au pair, a remedy that might give her some normality.
Catering to an indulgent and often absent husband and not quite gelling with her mother in law she has to address issues that her perfect facade hides.
Elise has raised her son single handedly and should be at that stage of life where financial, family and emotional issues are not at the forefront.
Ava has lost her mother and needs a change of scenery.
An experience in Australia as an au pair the antidote that will help her move on.
Her mothers recipes and lovingly scrawled notes keep her heart abuzz with attachment.
Take a peak behind the high fences into the mansions of Sydney’s beachside suburbs.
Loved the concept, loved how the story evolved and loved the realness that revealed itself.
A well written, addictive and engaging book.
An assortment of characters that worked well together.
I thought Stella was a little prickly and would love to have seen more of Elise.
A similar satisfaction to eating a good meal.
July 16, 2022
With comparisons to Meg Mason and Sally Hepworth I went into this with pretty high expectations. There were aspects I appreciated – the perspectives of three different women and the various personal struggles they’re all shouldering on their own was something that’s important to bring to light and in my opinion not written about enough. As a full-time working mum with two young kids I also found it entirely relatable. The observations about juggling motherhood alongside a demanding job and a hectic household, while carrying the mental load and the weight of mother’s guilt was all too accurate and I felt a close affinity to Stella. However, I felt that the book was missing an element of ‘oomf’ – I didn’t find it funny as others have and there wasn’t a great deal of drama to keep you hooked. I felt as a reader I was more just an observer of Stella’s life rather than being pulled into a compelling narrative. At about three quarters of the way through some drama did start to build, but it was a slow burn to get to this point and then from this point on it all wrapped up quite quickly. It’s always disappointing to not love something that is obviously the result of a great deal of hard work by the author, and so I’m sorry to say this wasn't a standout read for me.
March 8, 2025
As a former au pair on Sydney’s Northern beaches, the blurb immediately drew me in, and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed Haschka’s commentary on the complicated dynamics of the au pair world and the acute insights into the lives of families in then upper echelons of Sydney society.
This engaging novel boasts relatable characters, thoughtful observations and beautiful quotes, all intertwined with the motif of food.
All in all a great read ☺️
This engaging novel boasts relatable characters, thoughtful observations and beautiful quotes, all intertwined with the motif of food.
All in all a great read ☺️
August 6, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of A Recipe for Family by Tori Haschka.
A story centred around 3 different people trying to do their best.
Stella - a mum and step mum, pushed to her limits without enough hours in her day.
Elise - Stella's Mother-in-law, struggling with unexpected changes in her life.
Ava - an au pair trying to find her way in the world, away from her family and stepping up to help Stella with hers.
Unexpected friendships and challenges faced with many of today's social challenges addressed all held together by the sharing of food.
A story centred around 3 different people trying to do their best.
Stella - a mum and step mum, pushed to her limits without enough hours in her day.
Elise - Stella's Mother-in-law, struggling with unexpected changes in her life.
Ava - an au pair trying to find her way in the world, away from her family and stepping up to help Stella with hers.
Unexpected friendships and challenges faced with many of today's social challenges addressed all held together by the sharing of food.
December 11, 2023
"Trying to explain the scope of motherhood would be like trying to illuminate the dimensions of water."
This whole book had so many relatable quotes.
I read A Recipe for Family at the right time. As someone going through motherhood myself I could relate to Stella so much it was scary.
Being able to read from both Stella's and Ava's perspective was interesting because both had really good points for what they were doing and neither seemed to be in the wrong.
I loved how this book gave me big litte lies vibes.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
This whole book had so many relatable quotes.
I read A Recipe for Family at the right time. As someone going through motherhood myself I could relate to Stella so much it was scary.
Being able to read from both Stella's and Ava's perspective was interesting because both had really good points for what they were doing and neither seemed to be in the wrong.
I loved how this book gave me big litte lies vibes.
Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc.
November 27, 2022
There were many aspects of this book that I liked, but I really felt it lacked true substance. For me, there were a few too many characters and the main characters were not fleshed out enough for me to connect with.
A few too many tragedies, life events, family secrets and other influences that made the whole book too fantastical. I would have liked more of the cooking and the back story of the recipes. For the two main characters, Stella and Ava, they had a common bond of food but this was not really elaborated upon.
On the positive, I found the insight into upper middle class inner Sydney and their lifestyle was interesting and thought provoking. Flawed women trying to appear that they have it all together. The public face we show, and then how others perceive us can really be a fiction.
A few too many tragedies, life events, family secrets and other influences that made the whole book too fantastical. I would have liked more of the cooking and the back story of the recipes. For the two main characters, Stella and Ava, they had a common bond of food but this was not really elaborated upon.
On the positive, I found the insight into upper middle class inner Sydney and their lifestyle was interesting and thought provoking. Flawed women trying to appear that they have it all together. The public face we show, and then how others perceive us can really be a fiction.
August 15, 2022
First time reading a book by Tori Haschka. A Recipe for Family was a great book that involved the lives of three different women and navigating the ups and downs of motherhood, parenting, and friendship while living in Sydney.
I loved how the recipes were incorporated into the book and how you were able to make the recipes if you choose to.
I give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
I loved how the recipes were incorporated into the book and how you were able to make the recipes if you choose to.
I give this ⭐⭐⭐⭐.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Simon & Schuster Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 8, 2022
Firstly, thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this ARC. It was a most enjoyable read, with a lot of heart and emotion. I loved getting to know each of the characters as their lives unravelled while simultaneously entwined with each other.
Told in several POVs, this story highlights the pressure in the relationships we have, both familial and other, and how we navigate them. What we choose to share and what we keep to ourselves. Everyone is struggling. Even those whose lives look perfect on screen.
I also love that the recipes mentioned throughout the story are shared at the end. Baking with my grandmother was always a highlight of my youth, and it’s often the way I express my gratitude to others - with food. I could relate to this part of the story well.
A fabulous story that will make you laugh, while also tugging at your heart strings.
Told in several POVs, this story highlights the pressure in the relationships we have, both familial and other, and how we navigate them. What we choose to share and what we keep to ourselves. Everyone is struggling. Even those whose lives look perfect on screen.
I also love that the recipes mentioned throughout the story are shared at the end. Baking with my grandmother was always a highlight of my youth, and it’s often the way I express my gratitude to others - with food. I could relate to this part of the story well.
A fabulous story that will make you laugh, while also tugging at your heart strings.
August 12, 2022
This was a really interesting read, different to my usual choices but I definitely enjoyed it.
It’s an honest look at family life with all the minefields that parenting now includes. I liked the exploration of friendships and the feminist vibe of story. I will definitely look for more from this author.
I received an arc of this book.
It’s an honest look at family life with all the minefields that parenting now includes. I liked the exploration of friendships and the feminist vibe of story. I will definitely look for more from this author.
I received an arc of this book.
August 1, 2022
This was the perfect book to read while recovering from a bout of winter illness. The author is a food writer and there were lots of instances of cooking throughout the text and some great recipes at the back. Though some of the descriptions of facial expressions and emotional reactions which related to food felt a little over the top at times! That said, the storyline is something most women can relate to — regardless of whether you have or don’t have kids — the struggle to “do it all,” and juggle too many competing priorities in our lives, without adequate support. There are three main female protagonists: marketing manager Stella, her engineer mother-in-law Elise, and the au-pair, Ava. But it would also have been nice to have had a chapter or two from the point of view of the step-daughter, Georgie, and the husband, Felix. Some of the other women characters in the novel were really just “hangers on” and it would have been great if the story had been pared back slightly to really just focus on the one family, and flesh out some of the issues a little more. But ultimately, the story was amusing at times, full of warmth and some moments of wisdom from mothers (and the mother figures) in our lives. I’m giving this 4 stars out of 5. Thank you to Simon & Schuster (Australia) for the gifted copy via NetGalley, ahead of this book’s release on August 3. I look forward to reading more from Tori Haschka.
August 3, 2022
the blurb drew me in but i must admit i was a little worried i wouldn’t relate to this book because i’m not a mother but i was pleasantly surprised by how quickly i was drawn into Stella’s world, by the end of the first chapter i was hooked.
i thoroughly enjoyed reading the different perspectives of Stella, Elise and Ava and how they each dealt with the ups and downs of their daily lives. i’m a baker/cook myself and especially liked the way food was woven into the story and thought the recipes were a beautiful touch.
this is a story full of warmth, has a lot of heart and was an absolute pleasure to read.
thank you to net galley and simon and schuster for the advance copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
i thoroughly enjoyed reading the different perspectives of Stella, Elise and Ava and how they each dealt with the ups and downs of their daily lives. i’m a baker/cook myself and especially liked the way food was woven into the story and thought the recipes were a beautiful touch.
this is a story full of warmth, has a lot of heart and was an absolute pleasure to read.
thank you to net galley and simon and schuster for the advance copy, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 8, 2022
Even though I don’t have children of my own I have family and friends that do so can relate to the mothers in this story. I found the book very engaging and I wanted to keep reading to see how they were all going to cope.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this ebook.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this ebook.
August 6, 2022
If you love reading Monica McInerney or Liane Moriarty then ‘A recipe for family’ will be the perfect read for you.
Following the lives of three women at varying stages of their life, Haschka delves into the difficulties and joys of loss, love and just trying to figure out that next stage in life.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
Following the lives of three women at varying stages of their life, Haschka delves into the difficulties and joys of loss, love and just trying to figure out that next stage in life.
A thoroughly enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley for this eARC.
August 1, 2022
I had heard so much hype about this novel and it did not disappoint. I really love new Australian authors and the drama of this book will keep you hooked and wanting more. Loved it and can't wait for the next novel
November 16, 2022
As someone who has spent many years as a nanny and also has three young children and a fulltime job.. This book resonated with me to my core.
For me, the biggest success of this book, is the way Haschka has crafted this book in a way that allows us to empathise with both conflicting sides of the story.
When it comes to Ava, I really felt her frustration and confusion at the mixed messages she was recieving, and the feeling she had of not being able to get anything right at any point. Buuuuut I also really felt for Stella and her overwhelming "mumma bear protecting her cubs" mentality too. I also empathised with her losing her sense of who she was in the the new space of motherhood and aging.
In the end this was a 4 star read for me, mainly because I thought some of the au pair drama was a bit unneccessary and some of the "my step daughter doesn't love me" drama got a bit blah, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
For me, the biggest success of this book, is the way Haschka has crafted this book in a way that allows us to empathise with both conflicting sides of the story.
When it comes to Ava, I really felt her frustration and confusion at the mixed messages she was recieving, and the feeling she had of not being able to get anything right at any point. Buuuuut I also really felt for Stella and her overwhelming "mumma bear protecting her cubs" mentality too. I also empathised with her losing her sense of who she was in the the new space of motherhood and aging.
In the end this was a 4 star read for me, mainly because I thought some of the au pair drama was a bit unneccessary and some of the "my step daughter doesn't love me" drama got a bit blah, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
August 9, 2023
I really enjoyed the different dynamics between each of the women whose POV we see, and those we don’t.
It’s a good eclectic mix of characters with a compelling plot.
Stella; I relate to her so much with her overflowing plate and essential single parenting despite having a husband (who it probably the most irritating man). Her desire to hold it all together amid superficial friendships and social expectations. Her pain at being an unwelcome step-mother to a teen is relatable.
Elise is not a typical grandmother - in the sense of how grandmothers are perceived. She’s furiously independent and proud. Unsure of how much to step into her daughter-in-laws life without overstepping.
I enjoyed reading her finally say something to Stella.
Ava is the youngest of the three and the most sympathetic. A girl in a foreign country after losing her mum would be terrifying. She’s shy and kind and the way her mother stays connected with her after her death is beautiful.
I enjoyed the realistic insight into families in the upper echelons of Sydney society. The pressures placed on them by societal expectations, those who butt against these expectations and those who play the game.
Truths are revealed that shine some parents in new lights.
The ending was great, I did with Stella had more of a backbone in some situations.
I received a copy of this via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
It’s a good eclectic mix of characters with a compelling plot.
Stella; I relate to her so much with her overflowing plate and essential single parenting despite having a husband (who it probably the most irritating man). Her desire to hold it all together amid superficial friendships and social expectations. Her pain at being an unwelcome step-mother to a teen is relatable.
Elise is not a typical grandmother - in the sense of how grandmothers are perceived. She’s furiously independent and proud. Unsure of how much to step into her daughter-in-laws life without overstepping.
I enjoyed reading her finally say something to Stella.
Ava is the youngest of the three and the most sympathetic. A girl in a foreign country after losing her mum would be terrifying. She’s shy and kind and the way her mother stays connected with her after her death is beautiful.
I enjoyed the realistic insight into families in the upper echelons of Sydney society. The pressures placed on them by societal expectations, those who butt against these expectations and those who play the game.
Truths are revealed that shine some parents in new lights.
The ending was great, I did with Stella had more of a backbone in some situations.
I received a copy of this via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
September 27, 2022
Surprisingly I read this book quite quickly, however didn’t really enjoy it? For some reason it gave me SUCH A FUN AGE vibes and I didn’t really like that book either. The story mainly follows Stella as she navigates full time work, children, marriage, schools amongst a sea of other mothers (both judgey and accepting). Enter stage right; Ava, the young au pair brought in to help Stella. In terms, of storyline, it fell short. Nothing blew me away and the story for me, just pottered along. Elise (the mother-in-law) was by far the best character. She was a driven woman, who offered advice to all when needed. She sounded like a ball-tearer and I was here for it.
I also enjoyed the recipe references throughout, in which Ava was provided these recipes from her own mother. I thought it tied the book together and allowed the reader to relate to the different characters and their journey.
I also enjoyed the recipe references throughout, in which Ava was provided these recipes from her own mother. I thought it tied the book together and allowed the reader to relate to the different characters and their journey.
September 9, 2022
I did not finish this book, which is a shame because it was well-written and held some promise at the beginning. I identified with two of the three main characters and recognised a lot of detail included by the author that made the story feel very real. It just didn't really go anywhere.
The book was quite long, and I made it to about halfway through, however I found myself growing bored with the story. While I did initially like the characters, I wasn't invested enough in their trials to continue reading without some massive hook to drag me along. Perhaps it is just not the right story for me at this time, but it has the makings for an exciting tale for someone looking for more realism and less drama in their books.
The book was quite long, and I made it to about halfway through, however I found myself growing bored with the story. While I did initially like the characters, I wasn't invested enough in their trials to continue reading without some massive hook to drag me along. Perhaps it is just not the right story for me at this time, but it has the makings for an exciting tale for someone looking for more realism and less drama in their books.
February 18, 2023
DNF at 90%, yes 90%, though to be honest I kind of spaced out after about 40%.
I was bored and simply didn’t care.
I was bored and simply didn’t care.
August 25, 2022
“A Recipe for Family” is a piece of writing that feels like chick lit in terms of the reading experience, but which is a little too grounded in reality and a little too dark for most people to classify it that way. It is, however, a hugely enjoyable and thought provoking novel.
In Sydney’s Northern Beaches most of the Mums are desperate to present their lifestyle as idyllic and themselves as the perfect mother. There’s a lot of money sloshing around, and that helps to gloss over quite a few things – but it’s far from enough for Stella Prentice.
Stella is going under for the third time – or perhaps the fourth? She doesn’t have time to count. She’s got a four year old daughter who’s terribly sweet, but as demanding as any young child. She’s got a prickly teenage step daughter who lives with her full time. She’s got a husband who’s away far too often, and is far too unhelpful when he’s around. She’s got a demanding job. She’s surrounded by mothers who all seem to have it far more together than she does.
One of the other Mums has been earnestly spruiking the idea that au pairs are the perfect solution to everything. An extra pair of hands, less expensive than professional care, flexible, and almost like part of the family. Stella eventually succumbs to this siren song, and invites Ava, a young American, into her home. Ava, however, has her own problems, and brings them to Stella's home.
There are parts of this novel that feel quite predictable, but that’s mostly because they’re so recognisable. When Haschka depicts the kinds of responses that you get when you ask advice on the internet? Spot on. It feels predictable because you absolutely will get that mix of patronising, hippy dippy, critical, subtly undermining, and practical advice. Probably in very much the tones of voice Haschka’s “posters” use. And it made me both laugh and roll my eyes in equal measures.
In honesty, there’s nothing terribly new here. Any mother, particularly of young children, can tell you how much she’s expected to do, how little she’s acknowledged for it, and how impossible the overall weight of expectations can be. But you’ll enjoy reading this story of women slowly losing their grip and what they do about it.
This is very funny in places, often in a way that borders on black humor. I laughed quite frequently, but often winced, too. I read the novel quickly; it’s not so much that I was desperate to know what would happen next, as that I was completely engaged in the characters’ lives, and Haschka’s writing style made it easy to keep gliding through.
I recommend this highly. It’s a little bit funny, and lot realistic. If you’re a mother, it’ll make you flinch in sympathy. And it may well cause you to take a good look at your coping mechanisms.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
In Sydney’s Northern Beaches most of the Mums are desperate to present their lifestyle as idyllic and themselves as the perfect mother. There’s a lot of money sloshing around, and that helps to gloss over quite a few things – but it’s far from enough for Stella Prentice.
Stella is going under for the third time – or perhaps the fourth? She doesn’t have time to count. She’s got a four year old daughter who’s terribly sweet, but as demanding as any young child. She’s got a prickly teenage step daughter who lives with her full time. She’s got a husband who’s away far too often, and is far too unhelpful when he’s around. She’s got a demanding job. She’s surrounded by mothers who all seem to have it far more together than she does.
One of the other Mums has been earnestly spruiking the idea that au pairs are the perfect solution to everything. An extra pair of hands, less expensive than professional care, flexible, and almost like part of the family. Stella eventually succumbs to this siren song, and invites Ava, a young American, into her home. Ava, however, has her own problems, and brings them to Stella's home.
There are parts of this novel that feel quite predictable, but that’s mostly because they’re so recognisable. When Haschka depicts the kinds of responses that you get when you ask advice on the internet? Spot on. It feels predictable because you absolutely will get that mix of patronising, hippy dippy, critical, subtly undermining, and practical advice. Probably in very much the tones of voice Haschka’s “posters” use. And it made me both laugh and roll my eyes in equal measures.
In honesty, there’s nothing terribly new here. Any mother, particularly of young children, can tell you how much she’s expected to do, how little she’s acknowledged for it, and how impossible the overall weight of expectations can be. But you’ll enjoy reading this story of women slowly losing their grip and what they do about it.
This is very funny in places, often in a way that borders on black humor. I laughed quite frequently, but often winced, too. I read the novel quickly; it’s not so much that I was desperate to know what would happen next, as that I was completely engaged in the characters’ lives, and Haschka’s writing style made it easy to keep gliding through.
I recommend this highly. It’s a little bit funny, and lot realistic. If you’re a mother, it’ll make you flinch in sympathy. And it may well cause you to take a good look at your coping mechanisms.
If you enjoyed this review, please visit www.otherdreamsotherlives.home.blog to read more.
August 23, 2022
Stella feels like she is drowning in her life. With her husband, Felix, hardly ever home, she’s struggling to manage her career as a brand manager for a grocery chain as well as family responsibilities. She has a four year old daughter, Natalie.. Her difficult stepdaughter, Georgia, adds to her stress. Stella’s rich and cosseted friends suggest that she get an au pair to alleviate her issues.
There are themes here such as work/life balance, marriage, motherhood, friendship and the heinous hassles of everyday living.
The Au- pair, Ava, lost her mum and is understandably unhappy. The relationship between the women is strained. Ava’s immaturity compounds Stella’s difficult situation.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, an interesting character, adds to the complexities of Stella’s life.. Her friends aren’t really a great help.
Food, and its associations with motherhood, feature strongly in this story. Stella tries to connect with Georgia by preparing meals to honour her late mother. Ava cooks for the family to try to connect.with them as well.
I liked this book. The ending was interesting. The book didn’t really gel with me as a whole though..
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange fo giving a frank review.
There are themes here such as work/life balance, marriage, motherhood, friendship and the heinous hassles of everyday living.
The Au- pair, Ava, lost her mum and is understandably unhappy. The relationship between the women is strained. Ava’s immaturity compounds Stella’s difficult situation.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, an interesting character, adds to the complexities of Stella’s life.. Her friends aren’t really a great help.
Food, and its associations with motherhood, feature strongly in this story. Stella tries to connect with Georgia by preparing meals to honour her late mother. Ava cooks for the family to try to connect.with them as well.
I liked this book. The ending was interesting. The book didn’t really gel with me as a whole though..
Many thanks to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange fo giving a frank review.
January 12, 2023
Set in the northern beaches of Sydney, Recipe for Family is the story of three women of three different generations.
Stella is a working mother of a four-year-old and step mother to a 14 year old. Her husband’s job has him for long periods and her mother has dementia. Her job is demanding and she finds herself struggling to balance job, family, house and a social life.
She is convinced to hire an au pair. Eighteen-year-old Eva arrives from the USA to fill the role. Ava has her own struggles following the death of her mother, but her memories are kept alive through a series of envelopes with messages, and recipes, to cope with any situation.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, is a highly qualified industrial chemist and staunch feminist. She has her own issues with her job and matters from the past.
The story follows each of the women and their struggles to juggle expectations and relationships.
It was an interesting concept and enjoyable enough read but I felt it was a bit slow in parts.
Throughout the story reference is made various food and dishes appropriate for occasions. The recipes for these are included at the back of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Tori Haschka for providing a copy for review.
Stella is a working mother of a four-year-old and step mother to a 14 year old. Her husband’s job has him for long periods and her mother has dementia. Her job is demanding and she finds herself struggling to balance job, family, house and a social life.
She is convinced to hire an au pair. Eighteen-year-old Eva arrives from the USA to fill the role. Ava has her own struggles following the death of her mother, but her memories are kept alive through a series of envelopes with messages, and recipes, to cope with any situation.
Stella’s mother-in-law, Elise, is a highly qualified industrial chemist and staunch feminist. She has her own issues with her job and matters from the past.
The story follows each of the women and their struggles to juggle expectations and relationships.
It was an interesting concept and enjoyable enough read but I felt it was a bit slow in parts.
Throughout the story reference is made various food and dishes appropriate for occasions. The recipes for these are included at the back of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Tori Haschka for providing a copy for review.
September 1, 2022
First time reading this author thanks to @netgalley.
.
I wasn't totally sure what i was reading. I struggled to remember characters between pick and put down. The chapters relate to a different food which was a bit unexpected but it's not a cookbook you don't get the full ingredient list or method, well actually you do at the end.
.
It's a story that took me a good few chapters to get into and it also took me a while to work out who was who.
.
It's a book about life, the struggle is real when you have children, whether you have full glasses of champagne and diamonds dripping like Brie Jones or find yourself with a dwindling bank account searching for cut price groceries like Stella Prentice. Sunshine and sea views can still hide mountain sized problems that we all face, just some of us don't have the view.
This book is a journey traversing through teens, stepmothers, toddlers and kindly age children bound together by wisdom and food lovingly made by the unseen hands of Ava's mother.
The final question though should be....does Stella really think 2020 will be any better!
.
I wasn't totally sure what i was reading. I struggled to remember characters between pick and put down. The chapters relate to a different food which was a bit unexpected but it's not a cookbook you don't get the full ingredient list or method, well actually you do at the end.
.
It's a story that took me a good few chapters to get into and it also took me a while to work out who was who.
.
It's a book about life, the struggle is real when you have children, whether you have full glasses of champagne and diamonds dripping like Brie Jones or find yourself with a dwindling bank account searching for cut price groceries like Stella Prentice. Sunshine and sea views can still hide mountain sized problems that we all face, just some of us don't have the view.
This book is a journey traversing through teens, stepmothers, toddlers and kindly age children bound together by wisdom and food lovingly made by the unseen hands of Ava's mother.
The final question though should be....does Stella really think 2020 will be any better!
September 25, 2022
FIrst time reading this author thanks to @netgalley.
.
I wasn't totally sure what i was reading. I struggled to remember characters between pick and put down. The chapters relate to a different food which was a bit unexpected but it's not a cookbook you don't get the full ingredient list or method, well actually you do at the end.
.
It's a story that took me a good few chapters to get into and it also took me a while to work out who was who.
.
It's a book about life, the struggle is real when you have children, whether you have full glasses of champagne and diamonds dripping like Brie Jones or find yourself with a dwindling bank account searching for cut price groceries like Stella Prentice. Sunshine and sea views can still hide mountain sized problems that we all face, just some of us don't have the view.
This book is a journey traversing through teens, stepmothers, toddlers and kindly age children bound together by wisdom and food lovingly made by the unseen hands of Ava's mother.
The final question though should be....does Stella really think 2020 will be any better!
.
I wasn't totally sure what i was reading. I struggled to remember characters between pick and put down. The chapters relate to a different food which was a bit unexpected but it's not a cookbook you don't get the full ingredient list or method, well actually you do at the end.
.
It's a story that took me a good few chapters to get into and it also took me a while to work out who was who.
.
It's a book about life, the struggle is real when you have children, whether you have full glasses of champagne and diamonds dripping like Brie Jones or find yourself with a dwindling bank account searching for cut price groceries like Stella Prentice. Sunshine and sea views can still hide mountain sized problems that we all face, just some of us don't have the view.
This book is a journey traversing through teens, stepmothers, toddlers and kindly age children bound together by wisdom and food lovingly made by the unseen hands of Ava's mother.
The final question though should be....does Stella really think 2020 will be any better!
July 23, 2022
The blurb of this book appealed to me as I enjoy women's fiction stories. It is set in Sydney and tells the story of Stella and her family. Stella has a high powered job and her husband Felix is an aspiring actor. They have one child Natalie together and Felix has a 14 yo daughter Georgie. All is very hectic in this household and Stella takes the advice of her friends and employs Ava to come from America as an au pair. This is where expectations on all sides start to go terribly wrong. Ava has no experience and finds that Stella is not that lovely person she met on Zoom for an interview. Felix is a very absent father and the other au pairs Ava deals with have very different ideas about what an au pair does!
There was also a side story about Stella's mother in law, which I felt added little to the book. It was a pleasant enough read but dragged a tad in parts. 3 1/2 stars from me.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and net galley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
There was also a side story about Stella's mother in law, which I felt added little to the book. It was a pleasant enough read but dragged a tad in parts. 3 1/2 stars from me.
Many thanks to Simon & Schuster and net galley for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
August 17, 2022
I fell in love with Tori’s writing style when I read her debut novel Grace Under Fire and her new novel has carried on in the same vain. Grace even gets a cameo in this book which was pretty cool.
For me this was a story about three women, Stella, Ava & Elise, who needed to rediscover who they are while navigating the expectations people already have of them.
With in only a few chapters I was full invested in these characters and tears were shed within the first 50 pages… that damn green card!
Motherhood struggles are definitely something I can relate to and I really liked how this was explored through out this story from many different perspectives.
During some of the final chapters I was sat bolt upright with my hand of my mouth repeating “no, no, no” in my head.
The ending was perfect, and tears were shed again at the mention of a handful of sand… Tori Haschka definitely tugged at my heartstrings!
For me this was a story about three women, Stella, Ava & Elise, who needed to rediscover who they are while navigating the expectations people already have of them.
With in only a few chapters I was full invested in these characters and tears were shed within the first 50 pages… that damn green card!
Motherhood struggles are definitely something I can relate to and I really liked how this was explored through out this story from many different perspectives.
During some of the final chapters I was sat bolt upright with my hand of my mouth repeating “no, no, no” in my head.
The ending was perfect, and tears were shed again at the mention of a handful of sand… Tori Haschka definitely tugged at my heartstrings!
August 25, 2022
Set mostly in Sydney in the present time.
Stella Prentice is a working mother with a four year old daughter and a fourteen year old stepdaughter. As her life falls apart Stella decides to employ an Au Pair. Ava is struggling with grief after her mother’s recent death and is encouraged to take up an offer as an Au Pair by her cousin.
Ava tries to help Stella but does not understand why Stella is so overwhelmed and Stella does not take the time to find out about Ava’s life and her grief. When life gets bad for Ava, she turns to her mother’s handwritten advice and recipes to cook meals to try and please Stella and her family. I loved the way each chapter was titled with comfort food.
I loved how this unfolded with the story of Stella and her mother-in-law Elise intertwined with Stella’s friends and their struggles with being mothers and trying to cope with working and juggling their family responsibilities.
This was about grief, family relationships and working mothers.
Stella Prentice is a working mother with a four year old daughter and a fourteen year old stepdaughter. As her life falls apart Stella decides to employ an Au Pair. Ava is struggling with grief after her mother’s recent death and is encouraged to take up an offer as an Au Pair by her cousin.
Ava tries to help Stella but does not understand why Stella is so overwhelmed and Stella does not take the time to find out about Ava’s life and her grief. When life gets bad for Ava, she turns to her mother’s handwritten advice and recipes to cook meals to try and please Stella and her family. I loved the way each chapter was titled with comfort food.
I loved how this unfolded with the story of Stella and her mother-in-law Elise intertwined with Stella’s friends and their struggles with being mothers and trying to cope with working and juggling their family responsibilities.
This was about grief, family relationships and working mothers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews