The Moon Tavern: A Culinary Love Story

by Kurt Johnson, Stephanie Hansen

The Moon Tavern takes the reader on a romantic and culinary journey through the Islands of Croatia, where dark family secrets are revealed, quirky friends and relatives are found, and love is discovered.

Vesna, or Ves, is a cookbook writer from Minneapolis who travels to the remote, exotic island of Lastovo off Croatia's Mediterranean coast to reconnect with her biological grandmother. She'd been adopted as a young child after her parents died in the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s. Ves is also fleeing a frayed relationship with her live-in partner, Reed.

In Lastovo, she meets Dinko, a single, handsome, and wealthy vineyard owner, and his cute daughter Mia. With his help with the translation, Ves discovers her biological family's history and the dark secrets of what happened during the war. Romance, travel, and cooking ensue. She ultimately learns what matters most to simplicity in life, closeness with family, and someone to share love with. And, of course, food!

"The Moon Tavern is a delicious hybrid - a historical novel . . . a contemporary romance . . . a travelogue . . . a celebration of food and wine! With humor and joie de vivre, Stephanie Hansen and Kurt Johnson bring to zesty life both the characters and setting, giving readers a book to savor, as well as the bonus recipes." - LORNA LANDVIK, bestselling author of Patty Jane's House of Curl, Your Oasis on Flame Lake, and The Tall Pine Polka

366 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 2, 2026

Reviews

[Kathryn Burbank · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friend asked me to go to the book signing at urban growler and I don’t say no to beer, food, or books so I left with this 353 page beauty clutched in my hands.

The story was poignant and the characters were spunky. I loved how the authors wove history and food together so I could learn about Croatia, a place they obviously love.

Is it too late for me to abandon Minnesota, my family and my career to find a rich handsome man with a sailboat? Probably.

Is it too late to screw up these delicious recipes with my pathetic chef skills? Probably not.

Do I miss stellas fish cafe? Also yes.

GO BUY THIS BOOK!

[Tina Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful story that included all my favorite things- travel, food, history, a little romance…perfect recipe for a delicious novel!! Well done!

[Erin Feathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute perfection ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic summer read!! The history of Croatia, culture, food, wine, and romance were so fun to read about. I visited Dubrovnik 5 yrs after the war ended and witnessed the aftermath. It’s such a beautiful place.

[Saracollinsemail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to ride along with these characters. I have enjoyed all of Kurt Johnson’s books.

[Moni Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really felt like home. Growing up in Minneapolis, this was a love letter to the state I love. Love the homey recipes and references to things I love including The Jason Show, Lori and Julia, and local comfort foods. I remember hearing Lori saying you should add more sex to the book. But the Croatian side of the book was really important to me since my grandparents were Croatians and the foods were those things my Grandmother made. The only thing missing was there cucumbers with sour cream which is my favorite. Great read, didn't want it to end. Oh and thank you for including me in the book :) (or just my name)

[Laurel Perkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Good!

I loved this book! The writing style is fantastic! I was hooked on Vesna's story from the first page and the end left me wanting more. The recipes included in the story and given, at the end of the book, were inspirational. The descriptions of the foods were woven, wonderfully, into the stories. The storytelling had you right there with her. I could see this as a favorite movie, the scenes unfolded in my head smoothly. But, I suggest you read the book first! More, more!

[Laura Ranweiler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read, especially if you are a food lover and like to dream about travel to interesting places! This book takes place in Croatia, which has now moved higher on my travel list! The main female character is from Minnesota and, as a native Minnesotan, I loved the references to the local people and places. The book was a good combination of romance, family drama, and historical fiction. At the end of the book, I thought, I need a sequel! Also loved the recipes at the end of the book, I’m going to make the pasta puttanesca tonight!

[Lara Durben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! The story was lovely and the setting in Croatia was so lovely. In fact, this seems like a wonderful love story about Croatia, along with the actual love story in the book. The more chapters I read, the more I wanted to book a ticket to Croatia, hop on a book, and visit the islands. I'm also a cook and a baker so the recipes at the end of each chapter were a bonus for me. Such a fun read - highly recommend!

[Melanie Ollila · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a lovely story! I loved reading a book set in Croatia, now I want to go there!

Lots of tropes:
Found family
Female friendship
He falls first

Thoroughly enjoyed the storyline, love that this will he the first in a series!

The FMC, Vesna, has a sad story of loss and abandonment, but her story arc is beautiful and brings closure.

Love all the fun Minnesota references. And all the delicious looking recipes. I don’t know if I should put this on my book shelf or with my cookbooks!

[Liz Powley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book especially since I just returned from an amazing trip to Croatia and if I could I would rate it a 4.5. And I have to admit that Croatia is my most favorite place in the world world right now and this book took me right back to the beauty of the country, the amazing food and wine and the kindness of the people. Well worth the read.

[Katrin Lindberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book of the year. It has everything you could want for a story. Lorna Landvik wrote “A delicious hybrid; historic novel, contemporary romance, travelogue, and a celebration of food and wine.”
Loved it!!!!

[Janna Gallery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed watching Stephanie on the Jason Ahow she listening to her on Saturday mornings on Weekly Dish. This book combines places in Minnesota I’ve been to and lots of recipes. Thanks, Stephanie and Kurt..

[Shannon Thomasser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Makes me want to do some traveling to Croatia. A combination story of love, family and food. Great summer read. As a cook I loved the recipes at the end of the book. Nice way of also shedding light on the history of the area. Highly recommend!

[Michelle Chestovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming story of a woman looking for love and belonging. Loved the recipes and descriptions of food throughout the book and the weaving of her life between Minnesota and Croatia.
Reading this book made me really hungry!! and eager to travel to Croatia.🇭🇷

[alli pace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual, but very cute and easy read. Super fun.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little bit of travel, a little bit of food, and a little bit of romance tossed with discovering your roots. A feel good story that you don't want to put down.

[Paige Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am obsessed with the collab of this book! A culinary story with included recipes is a new genre I hope to see more of from these authors. **insert chef’s kiss**