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How to Cook Up a Disaster
Sadie Dawson's mother goes into labor hours before her great-grandfather's 100th birthday party and Mom refuses to cancel the festivities. Now it's up to domestically-challenged Sadie to host the dinner party--only she hasn't a clue how to cook a turkey.This could be the mother of all culinary disasters, but with the help of her two best friends, Sadie is determined to pull off the best dinner party in a hundred years. And maybe land Mr. Right, too. How to Cook Up A Disaster is a breezy chick lit novelette which should also appeal to romantic comedy fans.The DIY Dating How to Cook Up a DisasterBook How to Knit a Tangled MessBook How to Wallpaper a Catastrophe
76 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Elizabeth Cole
20 books38 followersRachel Elizabeth Cole loves bunnies, tea, autumn, and working in her pyjamas. She lives just outside Vancouver, British Columbia, with her husband, their two sons, and two very spoiled house rabbits.
Along with children's books, she also writes literary women's fiction and chicklit. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines both online and in print.
Along with children's books, she also writes literary women's fiction and chicklit. Her short stories have appeared in literary magazines both online and in print.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews
June 23, 2013
This is a well written novella about a young woman left to prepare the family dinner for her grandfather’s milestone birthday when her mother goes into labor almost as soon as she arrives on the scene to help her. Sadie Dawson is not a cook, not by a long stretch, but she is learning fast how to cook. She is also taking the normal precautions of a young single girl to keep her eyes open for “the man”, who appears in the form of the great looking firefighter who arrives to take her mother to the hospital. Still, the reader is left wondering whether these two will ever get together as the plot unfolds. One thing is certain. Sadie has a very dysfunctional family, who arrive for the birthday dinner and go through a series of crazy antics from spiking and drinking spiked punch to a lip lock between Sadie’s divorced father and his once upon a time girlfriend, Sadie’s mother’s sister. This book was delightful, if a bit trite in the plot area. The author has interjected a lot of things in a rather short novella quite successfully. I hope she aspires to writing something longer, as I would love to read what she could do with a full length storyline. I received this free to read and review from Library Thing.
August 26, 2013
Reviewed by: JoAnne
Book provided by: book was won in a contest at LibraryThing for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was a cute novella that had an actual complete storyline along with lots of action all packed into one day – Thanksgiving. There were adventures and misadventures throughout and poor Sadie was involved in it all from beginning to end in all 43 pages. There was a different premise to the story than I expected and there was too much family, most of whom were not too likable, and some friends involved too. Grampy was a hoot.
There was sweet closure on two fronts but there was so much more story to tell and I felt it ended abruptly so much so that I didn’t realize I reached the end on my ereader until I turned the page and reached the “About the Author” page.
I would give other books by Cole a try hoping for a little better closure and a book at least somewhat longer.
Book provided by: book was won in a contest at LibraryThing for review
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book
This was a cute novella that had an actual complete storyline along with lots of action all packed into one day – Thanksgiving. There were adventures and misadventures throughout and poor Sadie was involved in it all from beginning to end in all 43 pages. There was a different premise to the story than I expected and there was too much family, most of whom were not too likable, and some friends involved too. Grampy was a hoot.
There was sweet closure on two fronts but there was so much more story to tell and I felt it ended abruptly so much so that I didn’t realize I reached the end on my ereader until I turned the page and reached the “About the Author” page.
I would give other books by Cole a try hoping for a little better closure and a book at least somewhat longer.
December 9, 2015
Full Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the author, via LibraryThing, in exchange for an honest review.
My Thoughts: Sometimes you just want a cute, quick read that'll take your mind off of things. I generally don't like to put a lot of brain power into things like that because I usually need the escape from a buttload of stress.
How to Cook Up a Disaster was perfect for this. It's short, sweet and doesn't try to extend itself into a drawn out novel. It was a clean, sweet story that kind of makes me wish I had a reason to meet an attractive fireman.
The main character, Sadie was easy to follow. She wasn't irksome or frustrating (except that she really isn't a very good cook). Her friends didn't seem very helpful, but that may have been the point. I'd like to read more by this author in the future. I would recommend How to Cook Up a Disaster.
For more reviews, check out Reviews in a Pinch today!
My Thoughts: Sometimes you just want a cute, quick read that'll take your mind off of things. I generally don't like to put a lot of brain power into things like that because I usually need the escape from a buttload of stress.
How to Cook Up a Disaster was perfect for this. It's short, sweet and doesn't try to extend itself into a drawn out novel. It was a clean, sweet story that kind of makes me wish I had a reason to meet an attractive fireman.
The main character, Sadie was easy to follow. She wasn't irksome or frustrating (except that she really isn't a very good cook). Her friends didn't seem very helpful, but that may have been the point. I'd like to read more by this author in the future. I would recommend How to Cook Up a Disaster.
For more reviews, check out Reviews in a Pinch today!
January 5, 2015
HOW TO COOK A TURKEY is such a well written story. The main character, Sadie, has a wonderfully quirky and engaging voice. All she has to do is take over from her mother in the kitchen to prepare for her great-grandfather's milestone birthday, but of course everything that can go wrong does. The story is fast paced and rarely lets up but this is a good thing, as one comical thing after another befalls poor Sadie, who's trying her best. The story is rollicking and unpredictable and Sadie is well supported by a host of other brilliantly drawn characters. A perfect, easy read with a sweet ending. Highly recommended.
May 22, 2014
What a good recipe !
You mix a little bit of romance, family troubles and a teenager trying to cook and you end up with this amazing short story !
This is efficient and can be read quickly if you are in need of a good story to cheer you up or entertain you.
We definetly get attached to the characters, all of them, and even want to know more after we finish the story. I liked that it depicted situations that we find in our actual society as well as the light humour that can be find sometimes. The story is refreshing, funny and super optimistic ! It is even surprising sometimes. I wouldn't have mind more chapters !
Loved it and will recommend it for sure.
You mix a little bit of romance, family troubles and a teenager trying to cook and you end up with this amazing short story !
This is efficient and can be read quickly if you are in need of a good story to cheer you up or entertain you.
We definetly get attached to the characters, all of them, and even want to know more after we finish the story. I liked that it depicted situations that we find in our actual society as well as the light humour that can be find sometimes. The story is refreshing, funny and super optimistic ! It is even surprising sometimes. I wouldn't have mind more chapters !
Loved it and will recommend it for sure.
January 30, 2013
Are you someone who recently moved out on your own? What about someone who has had to entertain guests and then burnt the food or forgot to get drinks? This novella will have you alternatively laughing and cringing as one disaster after another follows Sadie. The ending was sweet, and though I knew she’d end up with the guy, the way it happens is surprising. I think this short story would make an excellent couple scenes of a movie and that the author should consider expanding it into a screenplay or full-length novel.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
August 26, 2014
A fantastic cute novella with a complete story line. Poor Sadie when her Mother goes into labor on Thanksgiving it's up to Sadie to take over in the kitchen to help prepare for her Great Grand Father's milestone birthday. There is plenty of adventure .Sadie Dawson is not a cook, but she is learning fast. And of course anything that can go wrong goes wrong The characters are like able and funny.I could not stop reading till the very end . Laugh out loud funny at times. I highly recommend if you like your romance stories with a bit of laughter
March 10, 2013
When her mom goes into labor the day of her great-grandpa's 100 th birthday, Sadie finds herself trying to cook all the food for his party. Small problem, neither Saie or her two friends know how to cook turkey or anything else for that matter. Will the party be a disaster or will the trio pull it off?
This book is absolutely hilarious. The characters are funny and likable. The plot is entertaining and well-done. My only complaint was it was over. A must-read for anyone.
This book is absolutely hilarious. The characters are funny and likable. The plot is entertaining and well-done. My only complaint was it was over. A must-read for anyone.
March 27, 2015
This was a cute little novelette that I hope will one day be expanded into a novel. Sadie and her family make very interesting characters and I would like to see that expanded upon, along with the sudden romance that was introduced.
Mary Jane Wells gives a great narration. Her pacing was great and her accent was surprisingly appropriate. Excellent inflection.
Cute story that I hope gets expanded.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
Mary Jane Wells gives a great narration. Her pacing was great and her accent was surprisingly appropriate. Excellent inflection.
Cute story that I hope gets expanded.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
May 24, 2014
I found in this book a very funny short story. A real disaster with a bit of romance.
I could not stop reading until I reach the end. I think that all characters create a very familiar and realistic scenario.
There are days that we should not even go outside!
If it can go wrong...
I won this e-book through a LibraryThing giveaway.
I could not stop reading until I reach the end. I think that all characters create a very familiar and realistic scenario.
There are days that we should not even go outside!
If it can go wrong...
I won this e-book through a LibraryThing giveaway.
July 18, 2014
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun, quick read. It is one day in Sadies life, but it is filled with hysterical moments. The characters were relatable and likable. The storyline was well developed. The only downfall is I wanted more! Guess I will have to wait for boom 2.
This was a fun, quick read. It is one day in Sadies life, but it is filled with hysterical moments. The characters were relatable and likable. The storyline was well developed. The only downfall is I wanted more! Guess I will have to wait for boom 2.
April 24, 2015
This was a fast,fun read.It's grandpes 100th birthday,Mom goes into labor and 1 20 something is left to figure it all out for the first time ever!Mary Jane Wells did a great job narrating this story!I was gifted a copy for a fair review.
October 29, 2012
Fun short story. Romance is a little light but fun all the same.
June 16, 2013
Read my review on Romancing-the-Book.com by clicking on the link below:
http://romancing-the-book.com/2013/06...
http://romancing-the-book.com/2013/06...
May 28, 2014
This short story would appeal more to young adults who are just learning to cook or those wanting to remember their early disasters. A lively, funny, quick read.
March 29, 2015
Hilarious family, lovely story, I really wanted more of it :D
Thanks a lot Rachel Elizabeth Cole for this book
Thanks a lot Rachel Elizabeth Cole for this book
July 20, 2015
Very short story
This is a cute short story. It only took me about 30 minutes to read it. . . . .
This is a cute short story. It only took me about 30 minutes to read it. . . . .
January 27, 2013
Cute short story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 19 reviews