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Apron Strings #7
Renee
One cookbook connects them all…
Renee ~ Book Seven in a string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.
Renee Burnette, a widow living in the North Carolina mountains, has longed for two things she never had growing up—a permanent home and a lasting friendship like the one she has with Val from her cooking club. In the summer of 1986, the local apple growers sponsor a bake-off with a monetary prize that would bring Renee closer to her housing goal. But after Renee and Val each enter, their relationship goes from best friends to bitter rivals.
When Renee learns of the opportunity for a promotion at work, she’s determined to prove her qualifications to her handsome, single boss. The closer they draw to one another, though, the more Renee fears that an office romance will jeopardize her job and her housing dream.
As the bake-off competition intensifies, Renee’s office relationships are strained, her sweet son becomes unruly, and the rift with Val widens. Can a decades-old cookbook help Renee restore the bonds every woman needs?
Renee ~ Book Seven in a string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women throughout the decades from 1920 to 2020.
Renee Burnette, a widow living in the North Carolina mountains, has longed for two things she never had growing up—a permanent home and a lasting friendship like the one she has with Val from her cooking club. In the summer of 1986, the local apple growers sponsor a bake-off with a monetary prize that would bring Renee closer to her housing goal. But after Renee and Val each enter, their relationship goes from best friends to bitter rivals.
When Renee learns of the opportunity for a promotion at work, she’s determined to prove her qualifications to her handsome, single boss. The closer they draw to one another, though, the more Renee fears that an office romance will jeopardize her job and her housing dream.
As the bake-off competition intensifies, Renee’s office relationships are strained, her sweet son becomes unruly, and the rift with Val widens. Can a decades-old cookbook help Renee restore the bonds every woman needs?
200 pages, Paperback
Published July 16, 2024
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Ardoin
19 books158 followersSandra Ardoin engages readers with page-turning stories of love and faith. Rarely out of reach of a book, she's also an armchair sports enthusiast, country music listener, and seldom says no to eating out.
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Subscribe to receive updates and specials. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and BookBub.
Visit her at www.sandraardoin.com. Subscribe to receive updates and specials. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and BookBub.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 16, 2024
Renee is a delightful romantic story that gracefully intertwines themes of faith, forgiveness, and friendship, making it a heartwarming read. Set in the vibrant 1980s, the book is filled with charming cultural references that add an extra layer of nostalgia and fun for readers.
July 1, 2024
Leave God in control of everything.
Renee has a busy, hectic life where she tries to do it all. But she learns she can’t do it all without God’s help. This is also a story of relationships: between family, friends, co-workers, and crushes. Relationships can go wrong without God in the center. Little Travis just needs his mom, Val needs a friend’s forgiveness for wrongdoings, and Greg needs a woman with an understanding heart. Renee can’t be what they need without help from God. We can all learn with her on this subject.
I enjoyed the story and also the little reminders of the things from the 80’s: the Aqua Net hairspray, permed hair, shag carpet, and Formica counters. These were things from my childhood that the story brought back to memory. Fun stuff!
I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
Renee has a busy, hectic life where she tries to do it all. But she learns she can’t do it all without God’s help. This is also a story of relationships: between family, friends, co-workers, and crushes. Relationships can go wrong without God in the center. Little Travis just needs his mom, Val needs a friend’s forgiveness for wrongdoings, and Greg needs a woman with an understanding heart. Renee can’t be what they need without help from God. We can all learn with her on this subject.
I enjoyed the story and also the little reminders of the things from the 80’s: the Aqua Net hairspray, permed hair, shag carpet, and Formica counters. These were things from my childhood that the story brought back to memory. Fun stuff!
I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.
August 13, 2024
I don’t know how many times I can say this, but literally, the Apron Strings series just keeps getting better and better with each book that is released! This time Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book travels to the 1980s in Renee by Sandra Ardoin. Renee tells the story of widower Renee who is doing her best to raise and take care of her son Travis after her husband’s tragic death. Renee works at a local real estate office in North Carolina to make ends meet and is doing her best to save up money for a down payment to put on a house so that she and Travis can move out of her one bedroom apartment (and Travis no longer has to sleep on the couch). Renee also longs to have a better paying job within the company, while secretly having a crush on her boss, Greg. Renee’s prayers of money for a down payment may have been answered when her Bible Study and Cooking group, Culinary Capers, encourage Renee to enter the local “An Apple a Day Bake-Off”. Using inspiration from Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book that Renee bought from an used bookstore, Renee gains not only cooking knowledge, but Godly Wisdom as well. As Renee enters the contest, Renee may gain a lot when it comes to having a friendship with Greg, but as Renee soon finds out. she may end up losing those she holds close, like her friend Val, and hurting Travis’ feelings, as her obsession to win the Bake-Off takes flight.
I love how each plot of the Apron Strings series is unique to that time period. Sandra Ardoin truly transports you to the 1980s as a reader with Renee! As I have said before with my reviews of the Apron Strings series, I have been anxiously awaiting each new release. With Renee, this is the case because we are finally in the decade in which I was born. There is also a little bittersweetness mixed in because this series, which is a favorite of mine, is swiftly coming to an end. I love Renee because it was nice knowing I had lived some of the cultural references. I love that Renee is the first working mother of the series. Renee heart truly wants what’s best for her son Travis. (The character of her son Travis is adorable!) I love the heart that Renee has and that she allows God to mold and change her heart by the information she gleans from her relationship with God and what God teaches her through Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. I love the character of Greg too. I love that Greg has components of a strong Christian character like Renee. I also love the relationship that develops between Greg and Renee and Greg and Travis. I thought the way Greg took care and was protective of Renee and Travis was sweet. I felt that the underlying theme of Renee, and the lesson I got Renee, was that God wants to be included in our every day lives and that sometimes when we try to go on with our own plan, God’s just waiting on the sidelines, really wanting us to know that He has His Own Plan each of us that will unfold in His Timing. If you are looking for a encouraging, uplifting read, that reminds you of what’s important, while giving you a nice escape at the same time, then I highly recommend Renee by Sandra Ardoin!
My review is also on Amazon and my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.
I love how each plot of the Apron Strings series is unique to that time period. Sandra Ardoin truly transports you to the 1980s as a reader with Renee! As I have said before with my reviews of the Apron Strings series, I have been anxiously awaiting each new release. With Renee, this is the case because we are finally in the decade in which I was born. There is also a little bittersweetness mixed in because this series, which is a favorite of mine, is swiftly coming to an end. I love Renee because it was nice knowing I had lived some of the cultural references. I love that Renee is the first working mother of the series. Renee heart truly wants what’s best for her son Travis. (The character of her son Travis is adorable!) I love the heart that Renee has and that she allows God to mold and change her heart by the information she gleans from her relationship with God and what God teaches her through Mrs. Canfield’s Cookery Book. I love the character of Greg too. I love that Greg has components of a strong Christian character like Renee. I also love the relationship that develops between Greg and Renee and Greg and Travis. I thought the way Greg took care and was protective of Renee and Travis was sweet. I felt that the underlying theme of Renee, and the lesson I got Renee, was that God wants to be included in our every day lives and that sometimes when we try to go on with our own plan, God’s just waiting on the sidelines, really wanting us to know that He has His Own Plan each of us that will unfold in His Timing. If you are looking for a encouraging, uplifting read, that reminds you of what’s important, while giving you a nice escape at the same time, then I highly recommend Renee by Sandra Ardoin!
My review is also on Amazon and my blog, Leslie's Library Escape.
July 23, 2024
a recipe for love
What ingredients can make true love? It definitely needs some trust, a dash away from past hurts and a whole lot of God’s love. Very well done!
What ingredients can make true love? It definitely needs some trust, a dash away from past hurts and a whole lot of God’s love. Very well done!
July 18, 2024
An appo e pie delicious read
I am grateful for this series. Each book unique yet tied together through a cookbook. By the 80s it was quite old, but still filled with good ideas and wisdom. This story has romance and courage and friendship. I hope you enjoy it.
I am grateful for this series. Each book unique yet tied together through a cookbook. By the 80s it was quite old, but still filled with good ideas and wisdom. This story has romance and courage and friendship. I hope you enjoy it.
August 6, 2024
A sweet romance featuring a widow attempting to provide her young son with the comforts he deserves. It is a touching story of integrity and the values, demands and, sometimes, trials experienced between colleagues and friends.
Renee’s career is limited, and she seeks a way to improve her financial position. She is inspired to enter a baking competition when she finds an old, but unique cookery book in a bookstore filled with recipes and thought-provoking verses about friendship.
The unexpected challenge presented by her best friend in the bake-off competition, a potentially unsuitable romance and both work and home difficulties affect her peace of mind until she questions her priorities and her Christian conviction.
This is my honest opinion of a review copy I received from the author.
Renee’s career is limited, and she seeks a way to improve her financial position. She is inspired to enter a baking competition when she finds an old, but unique cookery book in a bookstore filled with recipes and thought-provoking verses about friendship.
The unexpected challenge presented by her best friend in the bake-off competition, a potentially unsuitable romance and both work and home difficulties affect her peace of mind until she questions her priorities and her Christian conviction.
This is my honest opinion of a review copy I received from the author.
September 15, 2024
This is a neat story set in the 1980s with fun characters, cooking, and dreams of a house. Renee is such a hard working mom of a little boy who is doing her best since her husband died. The characters are all great and the story is well done with great character growth. This can be read as part of the series or on its own.
June 30, 2024
“Renee” (Apron Strings series, book 7) by Sandra Ardoin
A Sweet Clean Contemporary 20th Century Romance
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Renee and her son Travis. A young widow with her world on her shoulders and dreams of what she wants for her son, and herself. Happy Reading ! !
A Sweet Clean Contemporary 20th Century Romance
I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Renee and her son Travis. A young widow with her world on her shoulders and dreams of what she wants for her son, and herself. Happy Reading ! !
July 16, 2024
What a sweet story! The one includes faith, hope, love, family, friends, and even apples. A cooking contest may bring people together. I enjoyed reading this story. I received a complimentary copy of the book. No review was required.
September 4, 2024
The 80's
Another amazing story in this Apron Strings Series. The tying of together of Mrs. Canfield's Cookery book, Christianity, and friends is simply a winner. Renee and Greg's story is every bit as heartwarming as the first. I loved book seven as much as book one.
Another amazing story in this Apron Strings Series. The tying of together of Mrs. Canfield's Cookery book, Christianity, and friends is simply a winner. Renee and Greg's story is every bit as heartwarming as the first. I loved book seven as much as book one.
July 22, 2024
I loved this book as I have all of the others in the series.
January 11, 2025
As always Sandra creates a delightful story that brings to the reader a reminder to trust God in all things.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews