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A Slice of Life
This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN: B006XL9420
Originally published in the anthology, A Walk in the Woods, with six other stories.
Grace Coulter has been hiding in the kitchen of her family restaurant since she was eight years old. That’s when the name-calling began. Stretch, skinny-minny, boy in girl’s clothes, all because of the slender height that had her towering over even the tallest boys in the class.
Now, nearly thirty years later, Grace is head chef of the failing restaurant and still hiding in the kitchen. Like many businesses during the current recession, Coulter’s may have to start laying off employees or even close. But Grace has a plan to save the restaurant and the people she’s known all her life; a plan that will force her to go out into the world and face her fears.
Originally published in the anthology, A Walk in the Woods, with six other stories.
Grace Coulter has been hiding in the kitchen of her family restaurant since she was eight years old. That’s when the name-calling began. Stretch, skinny-minny, boy in girl’s clothes, all because of the slender height that had her towering over even the tallest boys in the class.
Now, nearly thirty years later, Grace is head chef of the failing restaurant and still hiding in the kitchen. Like many businesses during the current recession, Coulter’s may have to start laying off employees or even close. But Grace has a plan to save the restaurant and the people she’s known all her life; a plan that will force her to go out into the world and face her fears.
70 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2012
52 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 3, 2015
Cute, heartwarming fun. Oh, it's completely improbable, but it's the kind of story you read for the comfort feel-good. Lot like Misha Crews work. Being a novella, it develops points and characters quite quickly; the characters are likeable and you root for them immediately. It reminds me of those old Harlequin stories that used to come out at Christmas, designed to be touching and a snapshot of all the best things in people.
Recommended for romance readers who enjoy sweet, heartwarming romances.
Recommended for romance readers who enjoy sweet, heartwarming romances.
January 4, 2024
What a sweet story. Again, I only found this because of the narrator of the audiobook, Gail Shalan. She brings stories to life in such a heartfelt way for me.
This is extremely light and feel-good, like a hallmark movie in novella form. I thought there was a surprising amount of backstory and character development for a 2.5 hour story, and I definitely wished it was longer! I listened to it twice because it was just so darling, and the perfect story to fall asleep to.
This is extremely light and feel-good, like a hallmark movie in novella form. I thought there was a surprising amount of backstory and character development for a 2.5 hour story, and I definitely wished it was longer! I listened to it twice because it was just so darling, and the perfect story to fall asleep to.
October 4, 2019
Ok, so now that I've finished this and awoken from my diabetic coma....and I don't say that in a mean way...this novella is just so sweet. If you've had a bad day and you just want a quick, adorable read to put you in a better frame of mind, this is the thing for you. It's just one lovely event after another. Everyone and everything receives all the support and goodness that the immediate surroundings can provide and if our world operated more closely to this one, what a lovely world it would be. Gracie, the shy, retiring daughter of a couple of restaurant owners who are struggling to stay in business decides to write a cookbook. Her goal is to collect bios, photos and recipes from folks that she meets on the bus route. It's difficult for her to do this, to overcome her shyness enough to approach anyone but once she starts...the rest of the book is just a runaway coaster ride full of cotton candy!!!
January 17, 2019
This was a cute, fun story with a little romance built in. I enjoyed reading about Grace grow and experience new things and I love how she helped someone else do that. Hank is a sweet guy that made everyone feel good and a great father. Great ending, can’t wait to read the Christmas book with these characters.
January 20, 2023
Is simple story of love
I enjoyed this very short and quick read. The characters were Easily understood And we're well rounded. The setting was mainly a bus and a restaurant but the story about individual people that I really wanted to get to know more about I realized the end the writer did write more about some of the people.
I enjoyed this very short and quick read. The characters were Easily understood And we're well rounded. The setting was mainly a bus and a restaurant but the story about individual people that I really wanted to get to know more about I realized the end the writer did write more about some of the people.
October 1, 2017
A slice of life
A Slice of Life by Margaret Lake was such a charming novella. I enjoyed reading about overcoming shyness and finding courage to move on.
A Slice of Life by Margaret Lake was such a charming novella. I enjoyed reading about overcoming shyness and finding courage to move on.
February 8, 2018
Cute read.
Very nice story about consideration for others needs in a relationship. I related to the shyness and her anxiety over meeting new people.
Very nice story about consideration for others needs in a relationship. I related to the shyness and her anxiety over meeting new people.
October 7, 2019
Not blatantly Christian, but definitely has that aspect. I enjoyed it. Sweet story.
November 9, 2020
Cute little story.
March 31, 2021
Too predictable and overly sweet. Written like a YA novella.
December 22, 2023
What happened to my review?
July 19, 2012
This book took a little for me to get into it. I startef it probably in May and then read several other books before getting back to finish it. I hate to leave a book unfinished. I'm glad I did come back to it, because I enjoyed reading it. As an educator, I come acrosss students all the time that feel inferior to their peers. That's the way Grace had felt her whole 37 years of her life. She lives about the family business, a restaurant, and keeps to her daily routine until she decides to write a cookbook to help her family save the restaurant during the recent recession. Her family is amazed at the change that takes place, and of course it leads her to Hank, the bus driver of a metro bus and this widow has a daughter that Grace can relate to. You see his daughter Mandy was injured in an accident and has scars on her face that make her pull away from people and public places, I know a little predictable, but it fits nice into the story. I felt that the whole transformation that Grace goes through to overcome her shyness was a little too quick to be truly believable, but who knows what determination and falling in love can accomplish. It does reinforce the need to create an enviornment in our schools and work places where people feel safe.
July 13, 2012
Coulter's restaurant has been apart of Grace's live since she was born. Her parents opened the place not to long before Grace was born. As long as she can remember Grace has been shy around people. She would do whatever she could so that people wouldn't notice her. She is now thirty-seven-years-old. The family restaurant is struggling and Grace thinks that a cookbook might revitalize the family business along with the other businesses in the area. Her idea is for a cookbook with submitted recipes including a bio of the person contributing.
Grace never dreamed that taking that first bus ride, going out of her comfort zone, would changer her live forever.
I loved, loved, loved this story. It is tender and sweet and made me cry. The story flows along taking you along for the ride. It wraps you in its pages so that you become invested in the characters. Beautifully written. I got this free and had no great expectations for it, but what a pleasant surprise.
Grace never dreamed that taking that first bus ride, going out of her comfort zone, would changer her live forever.
I loved, loved, loved this story. It is tender and sweet and made me cry. The story flows along taking you along for the ride. It wraps you in its pages so that you become invested in the characters. Beautifully written. I got this free and had no great expectations for it, but what a pleasant surprise.
February 24, 2021
Grace is a painfully shy individual. She’s 37 and has never been on a single date, ever! Her parents thought she might have been agoraphobic but the psychiatrist deemed her as extremely painfully shy. She hides in the kitchen of her family’s restaurant. She’s finally venturing out a bit because in an efforts to help her family’s business.
This was short and sweet and I read it in one evening. I enjoyed the story of Grace and watching her journey of self-discovery. I can’t imagine that someone could be so shy that they could reach the age of 37 and have never been on a single date! I feel for anyone that may actually be in a situation like this.
4/5 Stars
This was short and sweet and I read it in one evening. I enjoyed the story of Grace and watching her journey of self-discovery. I can’t imagine that someone could be so shy that they could reach the age of 37 and have never been on a single date! I feel for anyone that may actually be in a situation like this.
4/5 Stars
August 11, 2016
I enjoyed this audio very much. Even though there is some romance in this story, it is more of a coming-of-age story even though the main character is 37. The main character, Grace, decides to write a cookbook to help her parent's failing restaurant. Along the way, she has to overcome her extreme shyness and finds the man of her dreams.
Gail Shalan narrated this audio. I give her 3 out of 5 stars for her narration.
Gail Shalan narrated this audio. I give her 3 out of 5 stars for her narration.
January 7, 2014
This is a sweet romance that tells the story of a woman who finally learns to come out of her shell and make friends (and fall in love).
The romance was cute and a little sappy. But what really made this novella was the glimpse of real people and community on Hank's bus. All the characters were unique, and the author really brought them to life with her writing. I wish there had been more scenes on the bus or with all the characters from the bus.
The romance was cute and a little sappy. But what really made this novella was the glimpse of real people and community on Hank's bus. All the characters were unique, and the author really brought them to life with her writing. I wish there had been more scenes on the bus or with all the characters from the bus.
September 24, 2016
Oh those happy tears!
This story had me from the first chapter. The characters are just so real and relatable, you can't help but keep turning pages as you get to know them. For once, it is so refreshing to read a story with such emotion and a truly happy ending. Very sweet and exciting with a real feel-good vibe!
This story had me from the first chapter. The characters are just so real and relatable, you can't help but keep turning pages as you get to know them. For once, it is so refreshing to read a story with such emotion and a truly happy ending. Very sweet and exciting with a real feel-good vibe!
August 10, 2016
A nice story that is all about the stereotypical way you first view people versus the way they really are once you get to know them. Or a shy girl who finally comes out of her shell because of a new found purpose in life.
August 25, 2012
This was a very easy, quick read which I really enjoyed reading. I can relate a bit to Grace and her shyness, though I'm not nor was quite as shy as she is. I enjoyed watching her come out of her shell, making friends and finding love!
January 19, 2015
Some readers may think this book is cloyingly sweet, but I loved it. Grace comes out of her shell and finds friends, purpose, love, and family when she starts thinking more about others and a project she's excited about than about her own shyness.
February 3, 2015
Loved this Novella. Listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. A light, good quality read with endearing characters... And food! Audiobook is well done and the different character are wonderfully done!
October 16, 2016
Caught by Surprise
My usual reading material is quite different and I kept waiting for this one to fall apart, but it never did. I committed to my usual first chapter test and then another, etc. Great characters one and all. Heartwarming.
My usual reading material is quite different and I kept waiting for this one to fall apart, but it never did. I committed to my usual first chapter test and then another, etc. Great characters one and all. Heartwarming.
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February 25, 2016kindle - Novella
April 21, 2012
I really enjoyed this story about a very shy girl, now as an adult finding her way in the world for the first time.
Read on my ipod. Was a free kindle download.
Read on my ipod. Was a free kindle download.
April 27, 2012
A very sweet story that makes a great short read.I am looking forward to reading more from this writer in the future.
June 12, 2012
A fantastic story of a shy woman who blossoms before your eyes and in doing so finds love in the most unexpected place.
Truly worth your time.
Truly worth your time.
July 12, 2012
Short story of a young woman who is painfully shy - and her awareness that she needed to overcome the shyness and take control of her life.
March 13, 2013
sweet but fun quick read reminding us all that people are what is important
May 12, 2016
I loved this book.Only one complaint,it ended
July 10, 2016
Loved this story
Felt like I was right there with the characters...the descriptions of people and places take you right into the story.
Felt like I was right there with the characters...the descriptions of people and places take you right into the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews