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The Dangers of Truffle Hunting
True desires will be unearthed … For readers of Zoe Foster-Blake, Candace Bushnell and Gourmet Traveller, a delightful sexy story that spans the Australian wine country, the French provinces and hip bars of Melbourne.
Is life too short to play it safe?
Kit Gossard's life is neatly mapped out. A secure photographic job. A partner ready to commit. A wedding in the family vineyard for her mother to preside over. So why the apprehension? Why a hunger for something ... more?
Then someone new appears. Earthy, reserved, magnetic, this new man brings out feelings she has long suppressed, and suddenly Kit can't contain her simmering discontent. Black truffle hunting, illicit pastry lessons, vine fruit on flesh - Kit is seduced. It feels right. Before it all goes wrong.
Artful, sexy, sophisticated, The Dangers Of Truffle Hunting explores how a man can be more to a woman than a destination.
Is life too short to play it safe?
Kit Gossard's life is neatly mapped out. A secure photographic job. A partner ready to commit. A wedding in the family vineyard for her mother to preside over. So why the apprehension? Why a hunger for something ... more?
Then someone new appears. Earthy, reserved, magnetic, this new man brings out feelings she has long suppressed, and suddenly Kit can't contain her simmering discontent. Black truffle hunting, illicit pastry lessons, vine fruit on flesh - Kit is seduced. It feels right. Before it all goes wrong.
Artful, sexy, sophisticated, The Dangers Of Truffle Hunting explores how a man can be more to a woman than a destination.
352 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2016
21 people are currently reading
720 people want to read
About the author
Sunni Overend
3 books87 followersSunni Overend is a graphic design graduate, and the daughter of the late, award-winning children’s author Jenni Overend. Sunni worked briefly in creative advertising before building an online fashion store and concurrently wrote several contemporary fiction manuscripts. In 2015 she signed a two-book deal with HarperCollins Publishers and now lives with her architect husband in Melbourne where she writes full-time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
February 16, 2017
I loved every character, every flaw and every word. Two things I took away from this book is 1. To live your life and 2. Live your passion.
This one will make it to my favourites of 2017 list.
This one will make it to my favourites of 2017 list.
December 29, 2017
I picked this book on a whim when I was at the library.
I read many books set in wineries. The Yarra Valley and Melbourne are the main two locations in this book. The protagonist of this novel is Kit Grossard, thirty, a food photographer, about to get married to Scott Baldwin, an up and coming industrial designer. As a keen photographer myself, I enjoyed the bits about photography.
When at her parents' estate, she runs into the new employee, Raph. I take it he was handsome, under all that manliness, and dirt and sweat. A complete opposite to Kit's pedantic and very metrosexual fiance.
As it's almost always the case in romance books, the dude barely utters two words, because he's mysterious and sexy and smouldering, I guess. I get it, when you really don't know someone you can imagine them being the way you want them to. Still, I may be a fool for demanding articulation of thought in order to grasp someone's personality. Especially a character in a novel, where words are all we have.
I've read plenty of romance novels, so I know there's a formula, the guy always gets the girl. So why do I still read them? Because sometimes their journeys to getting together will provide entertainment and give you some feels. Unfortunately, the two protagonists didn't make me feel anything much outside some incredulity and slight annoyance. I didn't buy the story, the coincidences, not to mention that Kit was kind of annoying. I'm sorry to be blunt, but the characters were either undeveloped, cliche and/or cartoonish.
F-bombs abound in this novel. I'm not that bothered, but I did notice them and thought that there was a lot of cussing for a novel. It's trying to be contemporary, modern, edgy? so I let it go. But it's a fair assumption that most of us draw the line at the use of the c-word. While I can accept its use in, say, a street brawl description, used within certain echelons of society etc, I find it such a turn off when used to describe a woman's genitalia in a hanky-panky situation, that's supposed to be sexy and all that. I don't understand why the editors, publishers kept it in. The one time use of the c-word wasn't my main grumble. The tedious plot and the lack of chemistry between the protagonists were what made this novel forgettable.
So, in case I haven't made myself clear, despite being in the mood for a lighter, summer read, this novel was a disappointment.
I read many books set in wineries. The Yarra Valley and Melbourne are the main two locations in this book. The protagonist of this novel is Kit Grossard, thirty, a food photographer, about to get married to Scott Baldwin, an up and coming industrial designer. As a keen photographer myself, I enjoyed the bits about photography.
When at her parents' estate, she runs into the new employee, Raph. I take it he was handsome, under all that manliness, and dirt and sweat. A complete opposite to Kit's pedantic and very metrosexual fiance.
As it's almost always the case in romance books, the dude barely utters two words, because he's mysterious and sexy and smouldering, I guess. I get it, when you really don't know someone you can imagine them being the way you want them to. Still, I may be a fool for demanding articulation of thought in order to grasp someone's personality. Especially a character in a novel, where words are all we have.
I've read plenty of romance novels, so I know there's a formula, the guy always gets the girl. So why do I still read them? Because sometimes their journeys to getting together will provide entertainment and give you some feels. Unfortunately, the two protagonists didn't make me feel anything much outside some incredulity and slight annoyance. I didn't buy the story, the coincidences, not to mention that Kit was kind of annoying. I'm sorry to be blunt, but the characters were either undeveloped, cliche and/or cartoonish.
F-bombs abound in this novel. I'm not that bothered, but I did notice them and thought that there was a lot of cussing for a novel. It's trying to be contemporary, modern, edgy? so I let it go. But it's a fair assumption that most of us draw the line at the use of the c-word. While I can accept its use in, say, a street brawl description, used within certain echelons of society etc, I find it such a turn off when used to describe a woman's genitalia in a hanky-panky situation, that's supposed to be sexy and all that. I don't understand why the editors, publishers kept it in. The one time use of the c-word wasn't my main grumble. The tedious plot and the lack of chemistry between the protagonists were what made this novel forgettable.
So, in case I haven't made myself clear, despite being in the mood for a lighter, summer read, this novel was a disappointment.
February 18, 2017
Sunni Overend has written a fabulous debut novel with The Dangers of Truffle Hunting.
Set in the Yarra Valley and taking readers as far as Milan and the French provinces, the various settings provide a rich backdrop for what is an addictive, luxurious read.
Kit Gossard lives a seemingly charmed life, and yet as her wedding edges closer, she can't help but question if the path she's chosen is right for her. While ultimately a love story, I enjoyed following Kit on her journey of self exploration as she questions not just her relationship, but the many facets of her life.
Overend's exploration of all things food, photography and design, coupled with a warm and well developed secondary cast had me devouring the pages and longing for more. Add to this Overend's elegant prose, and The Dangers of Truffle Hunting was easily one of my favourite books of 2016.
February 7, 2017
Raw and real.
Sunni has a beautiful and unique voice. I haven't read anything else quite like this. I loved the contrast of the down to earth sibling relationship with the stilted mother-daughter relationship, then the romance - swoon. The food. The photography. I felt like I was there, seeing it all, and that's a huge thing for me because I struggle to visualise things.
Sunni has a beautiful and unique voice. I haven't read anything else quite like this. I loved the contrast of the down to earth sibling relationship with the stilted mother-daughter relationship, then the romance - swoon. The food. The photography. I felt like I was there, seeing it all, and that's a huge thing for me because I struggle to visualise things.
February 5, 2017
...Kit Gossard's life is neatly mapped out. A secure photographic Job. A partner ready to commit. A wedding in the family vineyard for her mother to preside over. So why the apprehension? Why a hunger for something... more?...
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is the debut novel from Australian author Sunni Overend. Before you even read a word, you will fall in love with the gorgeous cover, and the words inside are just as beautiful.
Sunni Overend has delivered a sensual, seductive novel that will have your mouth-watering, and your mind wandering. She delivers descriptions that are vivid, and deliver in all five senses. From the scenes involving delectable food, to picturesque and aromatic scenes of life on a working vineyard, Overend creates Kit's world in living colour right before your eyes. And it doesn't end there.
The characters Overend has created are not only believable, but will have you feeling all the feels. The main protagonist Kit, is at times frustrating and self-absorbed. For many readers that may be a turn off, but Overend has masterfully sculpted Kit's character so that you actually feel for her rather than roll your eyes at her actions. Sometimes it's so bleeding obvious what she should do, (and what she shouldn't!), but as with real life, things are never that simple. The secondary characters - her fiance Scott, mother Annaliese, brother Marc, and the alluring Raph - have been richly developed and add to the story in the perfect way.
The storyline evolves slowly at first, which some have criticized .But once you pass the half way point, the plot comes thick and fast. Twists and turns you don't see coming, and the scenes at Rosa's French school are exquisite. I devoured the second half of the book in super quick time.
I can't leave this review without mentioning the way Overend uses Kit's job as a photographer throughout the narrative. Previous to reading this book photography wasn't much I thought about. I admire great photography, and love looking at amazing photos, but had never given much thought to the process, inspiration, and creativity behind the lens. (I am an awful photographer!) But Overend had me totally enthralled with seeing the possibilities through the lens of a camera. The way Kit sees her photos before her with such passion and creativity was just beautiful. If only I had time to take up another hobby!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a provocative, sophisticated read, that will leave you hungry for more.
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is the debut novel from Australian author Sunni Overend. Before you even read a word, you will fall in love with the gorgeous cover, and the words inside are just as beautiful.
Sunni Overend has delivered a sensual, seductive novel that will have your mouth-watering, and your mind wandering. She delivers descriptions that are vivid, and deliver in all five senses. From the scenes involving delectable food, to picturesque and aromatic scenes of life on a working vineyard, Overend creates Kit's world in living colour right before your eyes. And it doesn't end there.
The characters Overend has created are not only believable, but will have you feeling all the feels. The main protagonist Kit, is at times frustrating and self-absorbed. For many readers that may be a turn off, but Overend has masterfully sculpted Kit's character so that you actually feel for her rather than roll your eyes at her actions. Sometimes it's so bleeding obvious what she should do, (and what she shouldn't!), but as with real life, things are never that simple. The secondary characters - her fiance Scott, mother Annaliese, brother Marc, and the alluring Raph - have been richly developed and add to the story in the perfect way.
The storyline evolves slowly at first, which some have criticized .But once you pass the half way point, the plot comes thick and fast. Twists and turns you don't see coming, and the scenes at Rosa's French school are exquisite. I devoured the second half of the book in super quick time.
I can't leave this review without mentioning the way Overend uses Kit's job as a photographer throughout the narrative. Previous to reading this book photography wasn't much I thought about. I admire great photography, and love looking at amazing photos, but had never given much thought to the process, inspiration, and creativity behind the lens. (I am an awful photographer!) But Overend had me totally enthralled with seeing the possibilities through the lens of a camera. The way Kit sees her photos before her with such passion and creativity was just beautiful. If only I had time to take up another hobby!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a provocative, sophisticated read, that will leave you hungry for more.
January 3, 2017
My holiday read! I couldn't put it down :-)
March 15, 2017
Such a lovely and enjoyable book.
November 24, 2016
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of THE DANGERS OF TRUFFLE HUNTING from HarperCollins Australia who also publish my books. This did not effect my review.
THE DANGERS OF TRUFFLE HUNTING is a moreish treat. Sumptuous, seductive and darkly funny, it pulls you in from page one.
Food photographer Kit Gossard - creative, passionate, messy - is preparing to marry her industrial designer fiance Scott Baldwin - precise, focused, orderly - when a trip to her family's winery in the south eastern corner of Australia disrupts her life.
Raph is the new worker Kit's viticulturist father Connor has hired to help with a special project. Capable, masculine and quiet, the dark stranger is as magnetic as he is mysterious. When Kit claps eyes on Raph in his dirtied moleskins, he inspires in her a feverish hunger she cannot contain.
As her desire for Raph simmers, it seems the world around Kit is conspiring to constrain her. Her employer, prim food mag Hamper, is forcing her to comply with their spartan aesthetic. Her critical mother is pressuring her to pick a dress and settle on a wedding date. Kit rages against these attempts to rein-her-in through her art - but soon even that is not enough.
Kit Gossard is a strong, compelling protagonist whose inscrutable exterior is softened by her friendship with the straight-talking Piper and her affection for her rakish brother, Marc. The scenes in which she spars with Piper, Marc, and her mother lend the book a levity and welcome counter-balance to the heady lust that dominates her interaction with Raph.
The narrative crackles with tension but doesn't follow the usual love triangle path. Just when you think you know where Overend is heading she pulls a switch, the scenery changes and a new story begins.
It's tempting to compare Kit to a modern Lady Chatterley, with her rambling family estate and penchant for dalliances in the worker's cottage. In truth, the Dangers of Truffle Hunting is more like Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate, with food playing a key and evocative role.
For Kit, "food was a subject her lens had long loved," and it seems she has this in common with her author. Overend is never better than when she is describing a meal.
In addition to the gorgeous depictions of food are luxurious locations and spritely, dialogue that is funny and true. Overend's writing luscious and the story is well-paced.
Sensuous and sexy, THE DANGERS OF TRUFFLE HUNTING is a mouth-watering debut.
THE DANGERS OF TRUFFLE HUNTING is a moreish treat. Sumptuous, seductive and darkly funny, it pulls you in from page one.
Food photographer Kit Gossard - creative, passionate, messy - is preparing to marry her industrial designer fiance Scott Baldwin - precise, focused, orderly - when a trip to her family's winery in the south eastern corner of Australia disrupts her life.
Raph is the new worker Kit's viticulturist father Connor has hired to help with a special project. Capable, masculine and quiet, the dark stranger is as magnetic as he is mysterious. When Kit claps eyes on Raph in his dirtied moleskins, he inspires in her a feverish hunger she cannot contain.
As her desire for Raph simmers, it seems the world around Kit is conspiring to constrain her. Her employer, prim food mag Hamper, is forcing her to comply with their spartan aesthetic. Her critical mother is pressuring her to pick a dress and settle on a wedding date. Kit rages against these attempts to rein-her-in through her art - but soon even that is not enough.
Kit Gossard is a strong, compelling protagonist whose inscrutable exterior is softened by her friendship with the straight-talking Piper and her affection for her rakish brother, Marc. The scenes in which she spars with Piper, Marc, and her mother lend the book a levity and welcome counter-balance to the heady lust that dominates her interaction with Raph.
The narrative crackles with tension but doesn't follow the usual love triangle path. Just when you think you know where Overend is heading she pulls a switch, the scenery changes and a new story begins.
It's tempting to compare Kit to a modern Lady Chatterley, with her rambling family estate and penchant for dalliances in the worker's cottage. In truth, the Dangers of Truffle Hunting is more like Laura Esquivel's Like Water for Chocolate, with food playing a key and evocative role.
For Kit, "food was a subject her lens had long loved," and it seems she has this in common with her author. Overend is never better than when she is describing a meal.
In addition to the gorgeous depictions of food are luxurious locations and spritely, dialogue that is funny and true. Overend's writing luscious and the story is well-paced.
Sensuous and sexy, THE DANGERS OF TRUFFLE HUNTING is a mouth-watering debut.
December 7, 2019
This book grabbed my attention from the get-go. Beautifully written: undoubtedly modern yet a through-back to classic Australian authors such as Miles Franklin, with how the landscapes are described. The characters came to life, the story had twists and turns that I didn't anticipate, and the way the book travelled through different settings was fantastic. Will be reading again!
March 23, 2017
It was staring at me from the coffee table after my wife brought it home. I decided to pick it up and read the blurb. Yarra Valley... photography... truffles... I'll just have a quick flick through.... *reads entire book*... what just happened?
July 3, 2017
Kit has the "perfect" job and fiancé on paper. She's silenced her true creative and passionate identity in order to fit in with other people's expectations - namely her critical mother, but learns to be true to her self. I loved the setting, characters and message in this book. The coincidence surrounding Raph's mother worked out a little too neatly in the story to feel realistic, but I can forgive the book that because it was enchanting and lovely. I loved her character, her dad, brother & best friend - in a short book I felt connected to them.
March 19, 2017
This book made me HUNGRY! I wanted to drink good wine, eat amazing food and make sweet love to my hubby. It will take you from wine country in Australia all the way to a France and provide the perfect escape you need. Sunni is an excellent writer and will keep you glued!
I also loved the mother - daughter relationship as well as the main character's issues with marriage. This is an honest and empowering book! Total must read.
I also loved the mother - daughter relationship as well as the main character's issues with marriage. This is an honest and empowering book! Total must read.
February 2, 2017
Great read. Smashed it out over a few days and a sleepless night. Lots of romance.
March 22, 2017
Could not put it down! The perfect book to escape from reality with characters that i feel like i now know and love! Can't wait for this author to give me my next indulgence
August 11, 2017
Hooked from start to finish! Great characters. And great setting (Yarra valley, Victoria australia everyone should visit!)
I'll be keeping an eye on this author!
I'll be keeping an eye on this author!
September 5, 2018
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The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a viciously indulgent read, best enjoyed with a glass of fine wine and a plate of good food. Sunni Overend’s book reminds us of how life is too short to make unwise choices. Sometimes it is worth taking the risk and throwing caution into the wind!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting introduces lead protagonist Kit Gossard. Kit has a keen eye for photography and food. She melds these two passions into the one career as a food design photographer. In her personal life, Kit is engaged to industrial designer Scott and she is also the daughter of winery royalty. Her family owns one of the largest winery operations across the Yarra. Despite the excitement of her upcoming wedding nuptials, Kit feels like life is passing her by and she may be making decisions to please others, not herself. When a new worker arrives on her family’s winery, his appearance seems to have come at the right time for Kit. She soon finds herself longing to break free from her current relationship and indulge in an illicit dalliance with this mysterious man. Kit’s attraction to Raph plays out on a stage filled with delectable truffles, a stunning apple orchard backdrop and a picturesque vineyard setting. Kit must decide if she is to follow her heart, or do what she believes is the right path in life to take.
I was immediately attracted to The Dangers of Truffle Hunting due catchy title, the absolutely stunning cover and the promise of a foodie themed read. I found Sunni Overend ‘s novel sumptuous and a lot more seductive than I imagined. Overall, it was the perfect reading treat and I consumed this novel in a couple of sittings.
At the base of Sunni Overend’s novel is the lead character of Kit. Overend does a good job of revealing all aspects of her lead protagonist. We learn of Kit’s hopes, dreams, fears, love, life and the important figures in her life. I kind of had a love/hate thing going on for Kit. I loved her career and personal pursuits, but her decisions (or lack there of) seemed to get right under my skin!
The secondary characters supporting Kit are a good crowd. I liked Kit’s family, including her brother Marc and her larger than life mother Annalise. Overend explores the dynamic between mother and daughter very well. The relationship between Scott and Kit is not quite so clear cut. I could see from a mile away that these two were not a good match at all and things really did need to come to a head. I liked the involvement of Piper, Kit’s friend in the mix, she bounced off Kit really well. I must also mention Raph, the mysterious man who enters Kit life at a pivotal point. I liked how Raph was cast with areas of uncertainty, he came across as quite alluring in the page. I certainly saw Kit’s attraction for him. The love triangle that ensues between Kit, Scott and Raph shakes this story up perfectly and I enjoyed being an onlooker!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a rich sensory and grand gastronomic journey. There are plenty of references to fine food, thanks to Kit’s career and interest in food design. Photography features significantly in the novel and I was able to learn a thing or two from Kit. In addition, if you love a good drip of wine, expect to be dazzled by some stunning descriptions of vineyards through Kit’s family business. Furthermore, there is the business of truffles, an aspect of the book I found very enlightening, along with the secret cider work!
Overend’s setting is breathtaking. Through this book I whisked from one locale to another, from the rolling vineyards of the Yarra, through to the beautiful provinces of France. It was a journey I appreciated taking.
The romance in this novel is complicated, fun, sizzling and contemplative. I felt a little indulgent while reading this novel, it is the perfect pick me up! For me personally, The Dangers of Truffle Hunting was a welcome distraction from day-to-day life. I felt satisfied by the final turn of events and I agree with the direction that Overend took her characters.
All in all, I found this a pleasurable read. I loved the good food and wine elements. The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a sultry read, that I recommend.
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting, is book #113 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a viciously indulgent read, best enjoyed with a glass of fine wine and a plate of good food. Sunni Overend’s book reminds us of how life is too short to make unwise choices. Sometimes it is worth taking the risk and throwing caution into the wind!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting introduces lead protagonist Kit Gossard. Kit has a keen eye for photography and food. She melds these two passions into the one career as a food design photographer. In her personal life, Kit is engaged to industrial designer Scott and she is also the daughter of winery royalty. Her family owns one of the largest winery operations across the Yarra. Despite the excitement of her upcoming wedding nuptials, Kit feels like life is passing her by and she may be making decisions to please others, not herself. When a new worker arrives on her family’s winery, his appearance seems to have come at the right time for Kit. She soon finds herself longing to break free from her current relationship and indulge in an illicit dalliance with this mysterious man. Kit’s attraction to Raph plays out on a stage filled with delectable truffles, a stunning apple orchard backdrop and a picturesque vineyard setting. Kit must decide if she is to follow her heart, or do what she believes is the right path in life to take.
I was immediately attracted to The Dangers of Truffle Hunting due catchy title, the absolutely stunning cover and the promise of a foodie themed read. I found Sunni Overend ‘s novel sumptuous and a lot more seductive than I imagined. Overall, it was the perfect reading treat and I consumed this novel in a couple of sittings.
At the base of Sunni Overend’s novel is the lead character of Kit. Overend does a good job of revealing all aspects of her lead protagonist. We learn of Kit’s hopes, dreams, fears, love, life and the important figures in her life. I kind of had a love/hate thing going on for Kit. I loved her career and personal pursuits, but her decisions (or lack there of) seemed to get right under my skin!
The secondary characters supporting Kit are a good crowd. I liked Kit’s family, including her brother Marc and her larger than life mother Annalise. Overend explores the dynamic between mother and daughter very well. The relationship between Scott and Kit is not quite so clear cut. I could see from a mile away that these two were not a good match at all and things really did need to come to a head. I liked the involvement of Piper, Kit’s friend in the mix, she bounced off Kit really well. I must also mention Raph, the mysterious man who enters Kit life at a pivotal point. I liked how Raph was cast with areas of uncertainty, he came across as quite alluring in the page. I certainly saw Kit’s attraction for him. The love triangle that ensues between Kit, Scott and Raph shakes this story up perfectly and I enjoyed being an onlooker!
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a rich sensory and grand gastronomic journey. There are plenty of references to fine food, thanks to Kit’s career and interest in food design. Photography features significantly in the novel and I was able to learn a thing or two from Kit. In addition, if you love a good drip of wine, expect to be dazzled by some stunning descriptions of vineyards through Kit’s family business. Furthermore, there is the business of truffles, an aspect of the book I found very enlightening, along with the secret cider work!
Overend’s setting is breathtaking. Through this book I whisked from one locale to another, from the rolling vineyards of the Yarra, through to the beautiful provinces of France. It was a journey I appreciated taking.
The romance in this novel is complicated, fun, sizzling and contemplative. I felt a little indulgent while reading this novel, it is the perfect pick me up! For me personally, The Dangers of Truffle Hunting was a welcome distraction from day-to-day life. I felt satisfied by the final turn of events and I agree with the direction that Overend took her characters.
All in all, I found this a pleasurable read. I loved the good food and wine elements. The Dangers of Truffle Hunting is a sultry read, that I recommend.
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting, is book #113 of the Australian Women Writers Challenge
March 19, 2017
Its an engaging and interesting read. I highly recommend this novel!
February 25, 2017
don't know why I even finished this book
some good characters - I enjoyed the cooking school part
but too much angst and mixed emotions repeated over and over and over....... again!
some good characters - I enjoyed the cooking school part
but too much angst and mixed emotions repeated over and over and over....... again!
February 9, 2017
I love the food channel and watching people cook and I also love reading books that feature food or revolve around it in some way. In this novel, Kit’s parents own vineyards and her father is planning on purchasing the land next door where he has been cultivating crops for a new venture. Kit is a food photographer but she seems to have been pushed into this sort of work by her fiance Scott, who is seen as very “steady” and “stable”. He designs/creates furniture and doesn’t give Kit the sort of passion or encouragement that she craves anymore. He thinks that she should focus on her food photography despite the fact that it doesn’t fulfill her at all.
What Kit actually wants to photograph are messier, dirtier things. She doesn’t want food sitting looking perfect and fake, she wants to see it enjoyed, crushed, smeared etc. She begins photographing her own things for her own online magazine as part of a creative outlet…..inspired by a worker at her parent’s vineyard, someone who is everything that her staid fiance is not.
Kit is an interesting character but she was also quite a frustrating one although on some levels I can understand it because it seems to many people seem to want to shoehorn her into being something that she isn’t. Scott doesn’t play a particularly large role in this story and although he does seem to care for Kit, it’s in a sort of distracted way, like he cares about how their lives look. The foodie photographer and the hot furniture designer getting married and setting themselves up for a charmed life. Kit is at times, crying out for attention from him, desperately trying to get him to notice her or show her some affection but he’s disinterested and yet Kit keeps persisting with this for far longer than really seems realistic. Even after she meets someone else that challenges her and inspires her. Even after she realises that this buttoned up life is not really what she wants. She does have to deal with the fact that Raph, the person she meets working on her parent’s farm, is not exactly who she thought he was….and that seems to be her motivation for going back to what she knows is safe and secure. But….I’m not sure why she had to keep persevering with Scott when it clearly wasn’t satisfying her. Her mother is overly critical of Kit’s weight and appearance and seems more suited to being some sort of Paris fashionista rather than the wife of a vineyard owner. She’s always questioning her daughter in a manner that borders on cruel and Kit seemed wearily conditioned to accept this judgement of her looks. Her mother also pressures her to set a wedding date to Scott, accompanying her wedding dress shopping, taking over and just being generally horrible about everything. Likewise in her professional life, Kit finds herself so constricted by her uptight food magazine employer and every time she tries to attempt to add some of her own creativity to the brief, she is shot down. Everywhere she turns in her life……..except in one or two directions, there are people and things working against her.
Perhaps that is why I did love the dynamic between Raph and Kit….he had this whole mysterious “slightly assholy but not completely” thing going on and the way in which his story played out was really enjoyable and I actually didn’t see it coming which made the reveal pretty shocking. I really liked the way that he brought out Kit’s personality, made her want things and focus on the sort of photography that she was really interested in. Raph was my sort of character….interesting and hiding quite a large secret. He’s not entirely likable for a large portion of the story because he’s so mysterious and stand offish and clearly there are some possibly nefarious things afoot when his secrets begin to come out but he’s also not unlikable either. He and Kit both heave their flaws but you can see how they would actually work together whereas it was impossible to see Scott as doing anything other than stifling Kit and making her feel as though she needed to act in a completely different way.
I did enjoy this book although it was not without a few issues for me…..I didn’t really see the necessity of the plot featuring Kit’s friend and brother, which seemed random and sloppily constructed with no real sort of direction. Kit’s relationship with Scott also felt drawn out for too long to be believable, especially when people are trying to reason with her and she seems to be deliberately burying her head in the sand and ignoring all of the glaring signs. But ultimately I did very much like the read, especially the settings and the descriptions of food and the workings of the vineyard.
What Kit actually wants to photograph are messier, dirtier things. She doesn’t want food sitting looking perfect and fake, she wants to see it enjoyed, crushed, smeared etc. She begins photographing her own things for her own online magazine as part of a creative outlet…..inspired by a worker at her parent’s vineyard, someone who is everything that her staid fiance is not.
Kit is an interesting character but she was also quite a frustrating one although on some levels I can understand it because it seems to many people seem to want to shoehorn her into being something that she isn’t. Scott doesn’t play a particularly large role in this story and although he does seem to care for Kit, it’s in a sort of distracted way, like he cares about how their lives look. The foodie photographer and the hot furniture designer getting married and setting themselves up for a charmed life. Kit is at times, crying out for attention from him, desperately trying to get him to notice her or show her some affection but he’s disinterested and yet Kit keeps persisting with this for far longer than really seems realistic. Even after she meets someone else that challenges her and inspires her. Even after she realises that this buttoned up life is not really what she wants. She does have to deal with the fact that Raph, the person she meets working on her parent’s farm, is not exactly who she thought he was….and that seems to be her motivation for going back to what she knows is safe and secure. But….I’m not sure why she had to keep persevering with Scott when it clearly wasn’t satisfying her. Her mother is overly critical of Kit’s weight and appearance and seems more suited to being some sort of Paris fashionista rather than the wife of a vineyard owner. She’s always questioning her daughter in a manner that borders on cruel and Kit seemed wearily conditioned to accept this judgement of her looks. Her mother also pressures her to set a wedding date to Scott, accompanying her wedding dress shopping, taking over and just being generally horrible about everything. Likewise in her professional life, Kit finds herself so constricted by her uptight food magazine employer and every time she tries to attempt to add some of her own creativity to the brief, she is shot down. Everywhere she turns in her life……..except in one or two directions, there are people and things working against her.
Perhaps that is why I did love the dynamic between Raph and Kit….he had this whole mysterious “slightly assholy but not completely” thing going on and the way in which his story played out was really enjoyable and I actually didn’t see it coming which made the reveal pretty shocking. I really liked the way that he brought out Kit’s personality, made her want things and focus on the sort of photography that she was really interested in. Raph was my sort of character….interesting and hiding quite a large secret. He’s not entirely likable for a large portion of the story because he’s so mysterious and stand offish and clearly there are some possibly nefarious things afoot when his secrets begin to come out but he’s also not unlikable either. He and Kit both heave their flaws but you can see how they would actually work together whereas it was impossible to see Scott as doing anything other than stifling Kit and making her feel as though she needed to act in a completely different way.
I did enjoy this book although it was not without a few issues for me…..I didn’t really see the necessity of the plot featuring Kit’s friend and brother, which seemed random and sloppily constructed with no real sort of direction. Kit’s relationship with Scott also felt drawn out for too long to be believable, especially when people are trying to reason with her and she seems to be deliberately burying her head in the sand and ignoring all of the glaring signs. But ultimately I did very much like the read, especially the settings and the descriptions of food and the workings of the vineyard.
July 11, 2017
The Dangers of Truffle Hunting didn't disappoint. While the story sometimes required the suspension of disbelief (this is fiction after all); the desires, needs and emotions of the characters were true blue. I found Kit's journey of self discovery and awakening inspiring. The Dangers of Truffle Hunting isn't Mills and Boon. Phah. I loved this book.
March 29, 2018
This would make for a great summer read for most, but the story didn't grab me. A great shame because I liked how modern everything felt from the food styling to Kit listening to TED Talks in her car. I'd imagine every character would have an awesome Instagram feed.
To put it simply: a contemporary take on chick-lit full of good food and wine that falls short of a decent story.
To put it simply: a contemporary take on chick-lit full of good food and wine that falls short of a decent story.
May 8, 2017
I thought it was hard to get into but all in all a sweet book, would be a great movie.
February 11, 2018
Finally finished the danger of truffle hunting by Sunni Overend...and I was not a fan. I found the storyline and writing very weak and basic. I felt at times the author was a bit all over the place. I get she’s trying for a steamy romance to get our panties in a twist, but I could get interested or invested in any of the main characters. Just wasn’t my cup of tea. More character development and set up needed to happen I think. It was just all over the place.
March 21, 2017
Could have been published by Mills & Boon. Totally forgettable plot.
December 25, 2016
3.5 stars
Kit Gossard seems to have it all. A successful freelance photographer with the offer to be permanent staff on the high end 'Hamper' food magazine, a stable relationship with up and coming industrial designer Scott Baldwin and her family owns successful vineyards in the Yarra and Barossa Valley. So why is it that when she meets the new vineyard worker Raph, her world is turned upside down? It's Raph that awakens her senses to new things even though there is no relationship, just being in his presence a few times has made her become alive. Her photography shoots become a bit more dark and 'suggestive' for the food magazine she works for and she looks for another creative outlet. Meanwhile her family is trying to resurrect a secret cider recipe and they are expecting to acquire an adjoining apple orchard land block that also grows truffles but their competitor has got wind of the deal and brought it first.
A richly evocative story, I think I had a love/hate relationship with book. I loved the descriptions of Kit's food photography they appeared so sensuous, in fact her brother Marc described her work as 'food porn' and I would imagine he's right. I didn't really warm to Kit and I became frustrated with her and her relationship with Scott, it just seemed so cold and I'm not even sure why she was in it, perhaps it was 'safe'. It was her best friend and fellow magazine worker Piper and her brother that I enjoyed. They recognised Kit's need for something more, even though Kit herself didn't. I guess I felt that this novel was quite oppressive and for a long time there was no lightness but at the same time I couldn't let it go and I wanted to see the outcome for Kit.
It was a story that did satisfy me in the end and I thank Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
Kit Gossard seems to have it all. A successful freelance photographer with the offer to be permanent staff on the high end 'Hamper' food magazine, a stable relationship with up and coming industrial designer Scott Baldwin and her family owns successful vineyards in the Yarra and Barossa Valley. So why is it that when she meets the new vineyard worker Raph, her world is turned upside down? It's Raph that awakens her senses to new things even though there is no relationship, just being in his presence a few times has made her become alive. Her photography shoots become a bit more dark and 'suggestive' for the food magazine she works for and she looks for another creative outlet. Meanwhile her family is trying to resurrect a secret cider recipe and they are expecting to acquire an adjoining apple orchard land block that also grows truffles but their competitor has got wind of the deal and brought it first.
A richly evocative story, I think I had a love/hate relationship with book. I loved the descriptions of Kit's food photography they appeared so sensuous, in fact her brother Marc described her work as 'food porn' and I would imagine he's right. I didn't really warm to Kit and I became frustrated with her and her relationship with Scott, it just seemed so cold and I'm not even sure why she was in it, perhaps it was 'safe'. It was her best friend and fellow magazine worker Piper and her brother that I enjoyed. They recognised Kit's need for something more, even though Kit herself didn't. I guess I felt that this novel was quite oppressive and for a long time there was no lightness but at the same time I couldn't let it go and I wanted to see the outcome for Kit.
It was a story that did satisfy me in the end and I thank Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy to read and review.
July 26, 2018
3.5 stars
It took me a little while to get comfortable with this book but before long I settled into this sparkling, hot and tangy tale, and nearing the end a sprinkling of spice is thrown into this nicely seasoned story.
An easy (and terrific) read for those times you need something light and frivolous.
*Book ‘o’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
It took me a little while to get comfortable with this book but before long I settled into this sparkling, hot and tangy tale, and nearing the end a sprinkling of spice is thrown into this nicely seasoned story.
An easy (and terrific) read for those times you need something light and frivolous.
*Book ‘o’ of the a-z author challenge 2018
February 18, 2022
Absolutely loved this book…
March 6, 2017
This is a bit like the book form of an Epicurean feast. The main theme is that life is too short for self-denial, when it comes to those sensual things that make it worth living - and that obeying social cues isn't always as sensible as it may sound.
Kit Gossard's pressure to conform comes from all areas of her life, work, family and romantic. She's a food photographer who works for an elegant, minimalist magazine, and hides her desire to take more decadent, elemental photos. Her mother always criticises everything about her, and Kit is engaged to marry high profile furniture designer Scott Baldwin, although her heart yearns for the earthy, rugged Raph, a simple worker at her father's vineyard.
It's the sort of story that surprises the heroine with serendipitous twists coming from seemingly nowhere when she decides to follow her heart, even though she expects her rebellious attitude to lead to disaster. For such a free thinker, Kit actually digs her heels in and tries to cling tight to all those conventional expectations, kicking and screaming. We all know it's not strictly true that things always slot into place for anyone who chooses their own path as brilliantly as they do for Kit, yet it's an easy-reading, relaxing formula. In fact, I can imagine this story as a rom-com movie.
Scott is that successful-but-preoccupied fiance character who clearly needs to get his marching orders. Yet he's a nice guy in his own way. He's designed to cop some flak, but I often think it's probably essential for people like him to prioritise their careers, if they want to retain their illustrious reputations. Often people who have achieved any type of fame have had to make sacrifices, because there's just not enough hours in the day to dazzle fans and also give personal relationships the depth they deserve. He's the sort of person we like to admire in the media, yet sling abuse at when we find out what he's given up to achieve the notoriety. I feel sorry for him, in a way.
The family dynamics of the Gossard family is fun to read. I'm sure we've all come across eye-rolling, down-their-nose snobs like the mother, Annalese, and I wonder if they recognise themselves in books like this. I couldn't warm to her at all, even when she decided to muster a bit of kindness toward the end. But Kit's father and brother, Connor and Marc, are supportive and lovable, as is her best friend, Piper. They can always be relied upon for a bit of fun dialogue, even though the family business is shown to be stressful.
Sexual references and swearing are fairly thick throughout the book. The characters themselves even discuss their fondness for the F-bomb, and spread it around with a shovel. I don't think I'm a prude, but I get bored with any word which is used whenever characters open their mouths. If there has to be swearing, I like it best when characters do it sparsely and under great provocation rather than all the (beep)ing time. Readers who hate swearing would certainly have issues with the quantity in this book, but surely those who don't mind wouldn't ever complain that a novel didn't have enough swearing! For that reason, I think Sunni Overend overdid it a bit, but you do get used to it (which isn't necessarily a good thing.)
Overall, it's not a bad read, with some thought-provoking quotes. 'Scott sensed that Kit didn't like what she did, and thought the solution was what he did. His success was, by default, hers.' This sort of relationship clearly won't cut it. Not when you compare it to Raph's, 'I came seeking nothing, but found everything.'
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Net Galley for my review copy.
For more reviews and book chat, check out my blog, http://vincereview.blogspot.com.au/
Kit Gossard's pressure to conform comes from all areas of her life, work, family and romantic. She's a food photographer who works for an elegant, minimalist magazine, and hides her desire to take more decadent, elemental photos. Her mother always criticises everything about her, and Kit is engaged to marry high profile furniture designer Scott Baldwin, although her heart yearns for the earthy, rugged Raph, a simple worker at her father's vineyard.
It's the sort of story that surprises the heroine with serendipitous twists coming from seemingly nowhere when she decides to follow her heart, even though she expects her rebellious attitude to lead to disaster. For such a free thinker, Kit actually digs her heels in and tries to cling tight to all those conventional expectations, kicking and screaming. We all know it's not strictly true that things always slot into place for anyone who chooses their own path as brilliantly as they do for Kit, yet it's an easy-reading, relaxing formula. In fact, I can imagine this story as a rom-com movie.
Scott is that successful-but-preoccupied fiance character who clearly needs to get his marching orders. Yet he's a nice guy in his own way. He's designed to cop some flak, but I often think it's probably essential for people like him to prioritise their careers, if they want to retain their illustrious reputations. Often people who have achieved any type of fame have had to make sacrifices, because there's just not enough hours in the day to dazzle fans and also give personal relationships the depth they deserve. He's the sort of person we like to admire in the media, yet sling abuse at when we find out what he's given up to achieve the notoriety. I feel sorry for him, in a way.
The family dynamics of the Gossard family is fun to read. I'm sure we've all come across eye-rolling, down-their-nose snobs like the mother, Annalese, and I wonder if they recognise themselves in books like this. I couldn't warm to her at all, even when she decided to muster a bit of kindness toward the end. But Kit's father and brother, Connor and Marc, are supportive and lovable, as is her best friend, Piper. They can always be relied upon for a bit of fun dialogue, even though the family business is shown to be stressful.
Sexual references and swearing are fairly thick throughout the book. The characters themselves even discuss their fondness for the F-bomb, and spread it around with a shovel. I don't think I'm a prude, but I get bored with any word which is used whenever characters open their mouths. If there has to be swearing, I like it best when characters do it sparsely and under great provocation rather than all the (beep)ing time. Readers who hate swearing would certainly have issues with the quantity in this book, but surely those who don't mind wouldn't ever complain that a novel didn't have enough swearing! For that reason, I think Sunni Overend overdid it a bit, but you do get used to it (which isn't necessarily a good thing.)
Overall, it's not a bad read, with some thought-provoking quotes. 'Scott sensed that Kit didn't like what she did, and thought the solution was what he did. His success was, by default, hers.' This sort of relationship clearly won't cut it. Not when you compare it to Raph's, 'I came seeking nothing, but found everything.'
Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and Net Galley for my review copy.
For more reviews and book chat, check out my blog, http://vincereview.blogspot.com.au/
March 7, 2018
Sexy and escapist as well as well written and real. If you’re looking for by-the-numbers “chick lit” this isn’t for you but if you’re after a fun, foodie, millennial tale that’s full of design and great banter, you’ll love The Dangers.
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