The Kitchen We Keep

by Stephanie Nelson

Becoming a chef is her dream, but marrying him could cost her everything. What will she sacrifice to stay in the kitchen—and save her family from ruin?

It’s the summer of 1960 in Chicago, and Rosa Bianchi is determined to make it as a serious chef in her family’s restaurant, even as her future seems already decided. As the daughter of Italian immigrants, she’s expected to marry well and settle down. She’s done everything right so far. But marriage feels less like a beginning and more like an end to the life she wants.

When her father’s mistakes draw the attention of the Chicago mob and put their restaurant at risk, Rosa is forced to fight for the place that shaped her—and the future she’s not ready to surrender. With her engagement unraveling, her sister in danger, and the stakes rising by the day, Rosa must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice to claim a life that’s truly her own.

This forced proximity, friends-to-lovers, love triangle, mafia romance features an ambitious woman and the family who wants her to do things the Italian way. With plenty of closed door steam, and a HEA for Rosa, it is a prequel to book one of the Riverbend Series, A Recipe Called Home. It can be read in any order or on its own.

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 29, 2026

About the author

Stephanie Nelson is the founder of the Coupon Mom website, which launched the coupon movement that took America by storm in 2008. As a savings expert, Stephanie has appeared on many national and local television news shows, including Good Morning America, the Today show, and The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her entrepreneurial Coupon Mom concept started a national cottage industry of other “coupon moms,” as she inspired women to start profitable websites in their communities. Her book The Coupon Mom's Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half was a New York Times bestseller. Stephanie currently hosts her podcast, Pivotal People.