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Francesca's Kitchen
No one writes about Italian-American families with the humor, warmth, and heart of Peter Pezzelli. With Francesca's Kitchen, he delivers a winning novel about how much we need the closeness of family--even if we don't know it.
Where There's Food, There's Family
For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters. It was wonderful.
But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. What she needs is another family who needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons's ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she's sure she's found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it's obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need a lot more. Loretta's struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance--and a little lasagna, frankly. It's time for Francesca to work her magic…and the best place to start is the kitchen.
Funny and moving, with a heroine to adore, Francesca's Kitchen is a delicious story about sharing love, life, advice, and, above all, food.
"Home cooking, good pasta, and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story." -- Publishers Weekly
Where There's Food, There's Family
For years, Francesca Campanile was the queen of her home. Standing in her Rhode Island kitchen, Francesca dispensed advice as liberally as she did the garlic, arguing nonstop with her son and two daughters. It was wonderful.
But now, her children and their children have moved away. And for the widowed Francesca, no longer having a family around to pester, annoy, guide, love, and, of course, cook for, makes her feel useless. What she needs is another family who needs her, and when she sees Loretta Simmons's ad in the Providence paper for a part-time nanny, she's sure she's found it. All the single mom wants is someone to fill in for a few hours a day. But it's obvious to Francesca that Loretta and her kids need a lot more. Loretta's struggling to make ends meet. Every man she brings home is a disaster. And her kids could definitely use some guidance--and a little lasagna, frankly. It's time for Francesca to work her magic…and the best place to start is the kitchen.
Funny and moving, with a heroine to adore, Francesca's Kitchen is a delicious story about sharing love, life, advice, and, above all, food.
"Home cooking, good pasta, and traditional family values conquer all in this amusing and touching story." -- Publishers Weekly
352 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2002
150 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
Peter Pezzelli
26 books65 followersPeter Pezzelli was born and raised in Rhode Island. A graduate of Wesleyan University, he lives with his wife, two children and their dog in Rhode Island where, most days, he is busy at work at his next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 199 reviews
June 3, 2013
What a delightful book and very well written. Being a grandmother, I was in the moment. It takes a grandmother to have a little wisdom, a lot of patience and a love of cooking to solve all problems. Lots of family values in this book. I would recommend it.
June 20, 2014
This is a cute story. Okay, so it's not necessarily totally realistic, since things eventually fall perfectly into place. However, being the child of Italian Americans, I really appreciate Francesca. She is a combination of my mother and grandmother. I enjoy the cooking in the story because I love to cook, and so much of my growing up involved activities in the kitchen. It is a good reminder of how, when people get older, they may begin to feel unneeded, yet we really need them to share their wisdom and guidance. It's funny how her son is really spoiled...she does his laundry still, for heaven's sake! But, that is part of the Italian tradition, if you research those Italian mama's boys!
September 12, 2011
Your stereotypical Italian-American grandmother, Francesca Campanile finds her happiness in caring and cooking for others. For much of her life, those others were her husband and children. Now, bereft of their company due to her husband's death and her childrens' relocation, she finds herself depressed and lonely. It's no fun cooking for only one! Add to that the dreary Rhode Island winter weather and it's easy to understand why Francesca feels a need for someone - anyone - with which to occupy her time and, more importantly, her heart. Francesca needs to feel needed, and she finds that need fulfilled in a most unlikely way. When she sees a want ad in the newspaper for a part-time nanny to help a single mother, she takes the plunge and finds herself in the midst of Loretta Simmons' chaotic life. Her bravery is rewarded as Loretta and her children open up their disorganized home and world to her, allowing her the chance to do what she does best: nag, encourage, guide, love and, of course, cook! In the end, she and Loretta benefit each other, providing just the tonic that they need, and, not surprisingly, both end up being blessed with one more thing that's been missing for quite a while in their lives: romance.
I adore Pezzelli's books. His prose flows effortlessly, his characters are realistic and his books teach excellent family values. Their plots might not be very intricate and the storylines may be simple, but they all impart a warm, tender feeling that will soothe your heart. This book is no exception. It's a great read...especially if you need a lift to your heart and encouragement to look around you and find someone that needs your help...and who just might help you, in the process!
I adore Pezzelli's books. His prose flows effortlessly, his characters are realistic and his books teach excellent family values. Their plots might not be very intricate and the storylines may be simple, but they all impart a warm, tender feeling that will soothe your heart. This book is no exception. It's a great read...especially if you need a lift to your heart and encouragement to look around you and find someone that needs your help...and who just might help you, in the process!
February 10, 2016
Francesca’s Kitchen is a thoroughly sweet little story about a widowed grandmother, living in Providence, RI, and who’s two daughters and their husbands and children have moved to Oregon and to Florida for job purposes some time ago. Luckily for Francesca, she has her youngest son, Joey, in his thirties, who lives nearby. He’s single and if it wasn’t for him bringing around laundry from time to time, or cooking for him on Sunday that still gives her bit of purpose. Still Francesca feels a bit lost and believes that she has a lot more to offer to others. So one day she answers an ad to baby-sit for young Loretta Simmons’ two kids, when they come home from school.
Francesca’s values are strong family values and I enjoyed how she went about her way to help Loretta, who worked hard to support her two kids, but had very little stamina left to cook or keep house.
Little by little, Francesca shows Loretta that preparing a good home cooked meal to be enjoyed around the table is the start of how pick yourself up. I believe in that too.
Like I said, a sweet story – no great depth, but a lovely message nonetheless. It was something different – it held values that made so much sense, and aren’t around enough these days, unfortunately.
Francesca’s values are strong family values and I enjoyed how she went about her way to help Loretta, who worked hard to support her two kids, but had very little stamina left to cook or keep house.
Little by little, Francesca shows Loretta that preparing a good home cooked meal to be enjoyed around the table is the start of how pick yourself up. I believe in that too.
Like I said, a sweet story – no great depth, but a lovely message nonetheless. It was something different – it held values that made so much sense, and aren’t around enough these days, unfortunately.
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June 13, 2011I read a previous book (given to me by TFQ) by Peter Pezzelli, Every Sunday and I really enjoyed it. I have wanted to read other books by Pezzelli and thought that he might be a good author to use to test out the Kindle eReader.
This is the kind of book that I like- a book about people going about their every day lives and trying to do the best they can. It is also a book about people needing to feel useful and use their skills. It is also a book about not being able to be Superwoman and needing help in life. I also liked this book, because it dealt, if a tiny bit superficially, with how people fell when trying to deal with how they feel about not feeling useful or feeling overwelmed.
I liked the element of discipline that Francesca brought to her adopted family and I think that Pezzelli accurately described the reaction of the children.
I was a little surprised at how the book ended, but the author did open the door for a sequel.
This is the kind of book that I like- a book about people going about their every day lives and trying to do the best they can. It is also a book about people needing to feel useful and use their skills. It is also a book about not being able to be Superwoman and needing help in life. I also liked this book, because it dealt, if a tiny bit superficially, with how people fell when trying to deal with how they feel about not feeling useful or feeling overwelmed.
I liked the element of discipline that Francesca brought to her adopted family and I think that Pezzelli accurately described the reaction of the children.
I was a little surprised at how the book ended, but the author did open the door for a sequel.
November 28, 2015
If you don't belong to BookBub or Early Bird Books or any of the other sites for downloading discounted e-books, my advice is either do so because you will find gems like this book or don't subscribe to their daily newsletters because you will buy and buy and buy. This is a warm, as in your heart, novel about a woman that I wish I could be more like. Happy my family is all within a few hours drive and I get quality time with my children and grandchildren. Just wish I could walk to the pantry and put together a delicious meal out of what happens to be there. Ha-ha! And I do like happy endings!
September 7, 2015
I loved this book. It reminded me of my Italian grandmother. Fast read.
March 30, 2023
Miejscami nudnawa, ale ogólnie bardzo sympatyczna.
November 8, 2021
Would have been a four star book easy had the lasagna recipe in the back not called for cinnamon. Abhorrent.
January 18, 2019
I had read many of Peter's previous books, and wasn't too pleased with how they turned-out. However, after reading this one, I was impressed with how wonderful this particular story was, and would definitely be intrigued to read another book of his. The story starts out by introducing Francesca, as she is going home after spending time with her daughter's family. We then learn of Francesca's desire to do more for herself, considering that all of her children have moved-on with their lives. She then applies for a job as a nanny, and meets Loretta, who is a mother to Penny and Will. At first, Francesca has difficulty relating to the children however, after a bit of time, they warm-up to her, and the story begins to take shape. We then read about how Loretta is looking for love, and the love that she ultimately finds is in the most unlikely of places. I really loved how Peter outlined the uniqueness of Francesca's culture, and how she was able to form a bond with both Penny and Will once she was able to find common ground with them both. The relationship between Francesca and Loretta was heartwarming, and I enjoyed reading about the mother/daughter bond that they shared, despite not even being related. I absolutely loved the recipes at the back of the book, and will even try to make some of them! Would love to see a sequel to this book, as there is definitely the potential for it!
October 14, 2008
This is the third book I have read by Peter Pezzelli. I enjoyed this book very much. I would like to see Peter Pezzelli write another book to continue the story of Francesca. I love stories about Italians. Reading about all the good Italian food Francesa would make made me hungry!
December 31, 2012
Sweet but predictable. Could have been condensed into about 100 pages because the plot is pretty thin.
November 21, 2020
Warm and cozy, this book is just full of love and sass. I love Francesca so much!
August 12, 2021
Bardzo sympatyczna lektura. Oczywiście nie jest to wybitne dzieło literackie z głębokim przesłaniem i rozbudowanymi portretami psychologicznymi postaci. Jest to typowa powieść obyczajowa służąca rozrywce. Bardzo dobra książka na odpoczynek po ciężkich lekturach, albo na zastój czytelniczy.
Nie jest pozbawiona wad. Przede wszystkim zaskoczyła mnie lokalizacja, gdyż po opisie z okładki i notatce wydawcy, byłam przekonana, że akcja toczy się we Włoszech. Nic bardziej mylnego. Książka jest również przewidywalna i bardzo "uładzona",ale nie toporna, rozwiązania nie są z wprowadzane na siłę i nie spadają z sufitu, tylko wynikają z przebiegu fabuły. Czytelnik bardzo szybko zdaje sobie sprawę, że w normalnym życiu sprawy nie toczą się tak szybko i gładko.
Dużym plusem jest postać głównej bohaterki, która mimo wieku, nie jest zmęczoną życiem osobą, tylko optymistką z własnymi zainteresowaniami i pasjami.
W moim przypadku lektura spełniła swoje zadanie: zrelaksowała mnie i odprężyła, na pewno sięgnę nie raz jeszcze po twórczość Petera Pezzellego, w czasie wakacyjno-urlopowym, co również innym polecam.
Nie jest pozbawiona wad. Przede wszystkim zaskoczyła mnie lokalizacja, gdyż po opisie z okładki i notatce wydawcy, byłam przekonana, że akcja toczy się we Włoszech. Nic bardziej mylnego. Książka jest również przewidywalna i bardzo "uładzona",ale nie toporna, rozwiązania nie są z wprowadzane na siłę i nie spadają z sufitu, tylko wynikają z przebiegu fabuły. Czytelnik bardzo szybko zdaje sobie sprawę, że w normalnym życiu sprawy nie toczą się tak szybko i gładko.
Dużym plusem jest postać głównej bohaterki, która mimo wieku, nie jest zmęczoną życiem osobą, tylko optymistką z własnymi zainteresowaniami i pasjami.
W moim przypadku lektura spełniła swoje zadanie: zrelaksowała mnie i odprężyła, na pewno sięgnę nie raz jeszcze po twórczość Petera Pezzellego, w czasie wakacyjno-urlopowym, co również innym polecam.
July 30, 2023
Wonderful ending!!!
March 13, 2017
If you are looking for a good "vacation read," this might be a great choice. It is a warm, uncontroversial, well-written book by Peter Pezzelli about a widow whose family members have moved away from home. She misses their Sunday dinners together, and most of all, she misses making lots of good Italian food. An independent sort, she decides (against the advice of her widowed friends) to take an after school job as a babysitter for two children whose mother works each day. She finds their home devoid of the practices she most values -- it is messy, disorganized, and most important, devoid of home-made food. The children dump their book bags when they walk in from school. Their family meals consist of carry-out. Enter Francesca.
This is a warm-fuzzy book, a good vacation read. If politics are wearing you down and over-opinionated people are taking the joy out of life for you, this book will bring you comfort, some smiles, and even some good recipes. I recommend it as a book that heals, just like Francesca's lasagne does.
This is a warm-fuzzy book, a good vacation read. If politics are wearing you down and over-opinionated people are taking the joy out of life for you, this book will bring you comfort, some smiles, and even some good recipes. I recommend it as a book that heals, just like Francesca's lasagne does.
October 13, 2022
Cozy and predictable but sometimes that's just what you need.
April 29, 2016
Francesca's Kitchen by Peter Pezzelli
What appealed to me about this book was the fact the woman had raised her Italian family in RI-where I live and now that all the kids have grown and moved away.
She keeps busy by learning new things from books at the library. She's got her act together-she travels to visit all the kids two times a year and they visit her. Some days it's still not enough-too much silence.
The story is depicted in January and it's described exactly how it feels in RI at that time of the year when the big snow storm hits. Love memories myself of the 78 blizzard-the weekend of our marriage, marooned for a whole week with no travel on roads possible.
Story also follows Loretta Simmons, the mother of children who want her to actually get out of bed to take them to school....
Francesca needs to find something new to do-to feel useful again. She loves cooking and searches through the local ads for a job. A babysitting job just a few hours til the mother returns from her work at the lawyer's firm for her 2 kids...
Loretta dates and Francesca babysits more hours for them. She's got them eating real food and picking up after themselves which makes Loretta feel like she's not a good mother....
Fran's kids have no idea she's been working as she talks to each of the girls weekly with the same stories of shopping at the local grocery and going to get books from the library...when Loretta becomes sick for a week Francesca takes over and even meets one of Loretta's bosses.
They get to chat while doing house chores and having tea and Loretta takes an interest in cooking as they clear the skeletons from their closets.
They become better friends as time goes on til the kids have a week off and Francesca isn't needed....or is she? Like the religious interventions along the way-really fits in with the whole story.
Author Q&A and recipes at the end. Will be looking for more from this author. Like how he describes things, makes you feel like you are there experiencing it for yourself.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
What appealed to me about this book was the fact the woman had raised her Italian family in RI-where I live and now that all the kids have grown and moved away.
She keeps busy by learning new things from books at the library. She's got her act together-she travels to visit all the kids two times a year and they visit her. Some days it's still not enough-too much silence.
The story is depicted in January and it's described exactly how it feels in RI at that time of the year when the big snow storm hits. Love memories myself of the 78 blizzard-the weekend of our marriage, marooned for a whole week with no travel on roads possible.
Story also follows Loretta Simmons, the mother of children who want her to actually get out of bed to take them to school....
Francesca needs to find something new to do-to feel useful again. She loves cooking and searches through the local ads for a job. A babysitting job just a few hours til the mother returns from her work at the lawyer's firm for her 2 kids...
Loretta dates and Francesca babysits more hours for them. She's got them eating real food and picking up after themselves which makes Loretta feel like she's not a good mother....
Fran's kids have no idea she's been working as she talks to each of the girls weekly with the same stories of shopping at the local grocery and going to get books from the library...when Loretta becomes sick for a week Francesca takes over and even meets one of Loretta's bosses.
They get to chat while doing house chores and having tea and Loretta takes an interest in cooking as they clear the skeletons from their closets.
They become better friends as time goes on til the kids have a week off and Francesca isn't needed....or is she? Like the religious interventions along the way-really fits in with the whole story.
Author Q&A and recipes at the end. Will be looking for more from this author. Like how he describes things, makes you feel like you are there experiencing it for yourself.
I received this book from The Kennsington Books in exchange for my honest review
June 15, 2019
I have a huge stack of books to read, as well as a large digital backlog, so I did the only logical thing and picked up a book from 2006. But I’m glad I did.
Francesca Campanile feels like something is missing from her life. Widowed, with two daughters living out of town, and her son vacationing in Australia, her winter blues seem worse than usual, so she decides to get a job. Babysitting two children for a few hours after school seems a good choice, and she soon realizes single mom Loretta needs more than a part-time nanny. Francesca gradually becomes more involved in the lives of Loretta, Penny, and Will, but none of them can anticipate the role Francesca ultimately will play.
This book is a quick heartwarming read. The romance aspects are a little awkward, but the recipes are an added bonus. It made me homesick for brutal northern winters and ethnic neighborhoods.
Francesca Campanile feels like something is missing from her life. Widowed, with two daughters living out of town, and her son vacationing in Australia, her winter blues seem worse than usual, so she decides to get a job. Babysitting two children for a few hours after school seems a good choice, and she soon realizes single mom Loretta needs more than a part-time nanny. Francesca gradually becomes more involved in the lives of Loretta, Penny, and Will, but none of them can anticipate the role Francesca ultimately will play.
This book is a quick heartwarming read. The romance aspects are a little awkward, but the recipes are an added bonus. It made me homesick for brutal northern winters and ethnic neighborhoods.
June 24, 2009
It was a cute, predictable, simple read. It was a sugary snack. Sometimes sugary snacks hit the spot. I am a little surprised at the high ratings it has recieved-but maybe most of the people rating this book, read books of this sort and this deserves a high rating in their genre. (Could I be any more of a snob....)
February 27, 2015
I got this as a free e-book and I didn't really have any real expectations about the book when I started reading it. I couldn't put it down! It's a wonderful book about an older woman finding a new purpose in life after her children are grown and moved away and her husband has died. 5 stars!
August 19, 2016
Loved this little feel-good book. Maybe I'll be a nanny when my kids are gone & I'm an old lady.
March 20, 2019
A realistic theme plaguing the world--loneliness due to families no longer residing near each other--highlighted and addressed here in a sweet, charming way.
Francesca's personality at times was prickly but mostly thinly-veiled endearing. Her loneliness, mostly missing her deceased husband, distant children, and grandchildren was palatable. I could feel her seeking her husband's existence in her daily home life and could relate to her talking out loud to his phantom presence which was so touching and sad.
I believe the Dream Team would be if Peter Pezzelli met Adriana Trigiani met at a writers' conference event or through their publishers and connected professionally and, why not?, also personally. Both are inspired by their Italian-American heritage and hold family and food dear to them. Both are married to others and have children, but if only they could meet, as Joey and Loretta did in this book and instantly know they've found their writing soulmate. :-)
Francesca's personality at times was prickly but mostly thinly-veiled endearing. Her loneliness, mostly missing her deceased husband, distant children, and grandchildren was palatable. I could feel her seeking her husband's existence in her daily home life and could relate to her talking out loud to his phantom presence which was so touching and sad.
I believe the Dream Team would be if Peter Pezzelli met Adriana Trigiani met at a writers' conference event or through their publishers and connected professionally and, why not?, also personally. Both are inspired by their Italian-American heritage and hold family and food dear to them. Both are married to others and have children, but if only they could meet, as Joey and Loretta did in this book and instantly know they've found their writing soulmate. :-)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2023
I grew up Catholic. But not Italian. Youngest of Five kids. Always lots of people in the kitchen. The biggest room in the house. The last Christmas Eve, after Midnight Mass, dinner at 3 am, that I will as in my mother's kitchen for, was more than 30 years ago. There were 22 of us at the table and counter. ( My father had just passed, the month before.)
A sad, but joyful time to be with my family. I moved away, 1500 miles away, about 5 months later.
So all the food, church and family references in this book, struck home. My heart was hurting for Francesca. Alone & lonely. Kids grown. Quiet house. She needed someone to love. Winters do get long. (S.A.D. is a real thing, here in Northern Wisconsin! )
When she decided to be a babysitter, or more like a substitute grandma...excuse me...Nonna., God may have been using her, to help her son find love again.
But I think the ones who benefited the most, were Penny & Will. Maybe Francesca, too.
A sad, but joyful time to be with my family. I moved away, 1500 miles away, about 5 months later.
So all the food, church and family references in this book, struck home. My heart was hurting for Francesca. Alone & lonely. Kids grown. Quiet house. She needed someone to love. Winters do get long. (S.A.D. is a real thing, here in Northern Wisconsin! )
When she decided to be a babysitter, or more like a substitute grandma...excuse me...Nonna., God may have been using her, to help her son find love again.
But I think the ones who benefited the most, were Penny & Will. Maybe Francesca, too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2018
I had to overcome some issues to like Francesca's Kitchen.
Issue #1: It shouldn't take 60 pages to get across that Francesca is lonely.
Issue #2: Francesca's son is 32 years old which would put her age at about 62. Yet she was referred to as an old woman throughout the book. Her age was never given but she was described as if she were in her eighties. I thought the author must be an ignorant young man who thinks women's lives are meaningless when they hit 60. But from his picture with grey hair, I know he's old enough to know better. Shame on him!
Issue #3: **Spoiler alert** Francesca liked Loretta and wanted her son to find someone nice and settle down. So why were Loretta and Joey trying so hard to hide that they were dating?
Once I set aside these glaring problems, the book was enjoyable albeit predictable.
Issue #1: It shouldn't take 60 pages to get across that Francesca is lonely.
Issue #2: Francesca's son is 32 years old which would put her age at about 62. Yet she was referred to as an old woman throughout the book. Her age was never given but she was described as if she were in her eighties. I thought the author must be an ignorant young man who thinks women's lives are meaningless when they hit 60. But from his picture with grey hair, I know he's old enough to know better. Shame on him!
Issue #3: **Spoiler alert** Francesca liked Loretta and wanted her son to find someone nice and settle down. So why were Loretta and Joey trying so hard to hide that they were dating?
Once I set aside these glaring problems, the book was enjoyable albeit predictable.
June 27, 2020
I absolutely loved reading this story. A widowed mother of 3 lives alone in her home. The author really captures the loneliness she feels as soon as she walks through the front door to an empty house. Her day is made up of meeting with friends, going to the library, and shopping at the local market. One day, she decides to answer an ad for a single working mother of 2 who needs help with her children after school until she gets home from work. She soon learns how this family is so disconnected with one another - there is no unity as a family. She slowly takes matters into her own hands by the only way she knows how....cooking! This is where I really enjoyed the story, the descriptions of her preparing the food, I could just smell the garlic and onion sautéing on the skillet. This story ends in a very happy ending. End of the book contains bonus recipes that she cooked.
December 31, 2020
3.5 rating rounded up to 4.
I needed a specific kind of book to fulfill a reading prompt for a reading challenge. A book by a local author.
Well, I live in a tiny little state, Rhode Island, so local could pose a challenge. I was delighted to find Peter Pezzelli in my research. An added bonus with this book is that it also takes place in Rhode Island. Double bonus score?!
It took a bit to get into this one as we follow the main character, Francesca, as she deals with the reality of being older and alone. She is widowed and her children are grown. Her personality is a bit gruff, but she soon grows on you. She likes to cook and read and learn. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share and you should give her a chance.
I needed a specific kind of book to fulfill a reading prompt for a reading challenge. A book by a local author.
Well, I live in a tiny little state, Rhode Island, so local could pose a challenge. I was delighted to find Peter Pezzelli in my research. An added bonus with this book is that it also takes place in Rhode Island. Double bonus score?!
It took a bit to get into this one as we follow the main character, Francesca, as she deals with the reality of being older and alone. She is widowed and her children are grown. Her personality is a bit gruff, but she soon grows on you. She likes to cook and read and learn. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share and you should give her a chance.
July 8, 2020
Francesca is feeling empty. She is a widow and her three grown children have their own lives, although she still sees her son for the occasional dinner. Encouraged by her library friends, she seeks out a new opportunity by applying for a part-time child minding position for a single mom. When she arrives, she sees that the family needs more and slowly begins to help out by her wonderful Italian cooking and encouraging the two children to help out with the household. As she breaks through their shells, she not only helps her life, but brings great change to her own through her determination and kindness.
May 10, 2021
Francesca is a widow who lives alone. She misses her two daughters and their families who live in different states. When Loretta, a harried divorced woman, advertises for someone to look after her two school age children until she returns home from work, Francesca applies. Soon she becomes part of the children’s lives treating them as they were her own grandchildren. Soon order and stability becomes part of Loretta’s and her children’s lives. It is a “feel good” story where all the difficulties and trials of everyday life are resolved.
August 29, 2021
Even though this book would be considered “Hallmarky”, I could overlook it because I really liked Francesca and her wisdom in dealing with those around her. I felt like I was a part of the cast of characters. There aren’t really any surprises, but in this instance, I was ok with it. It never hurts to include salivating foods in a book as well! The recipes at the end of the book are a nice addition! The male author does a wonderful job in making the female characters believable. Just a nice, heart-warming story!
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