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Soup to Nuts
2020 Next Generation Indie Book Awards WINNER - Best Novella"Full of wonderful sensory details...sizzles with passion and reverence for flavor and spice" - Kirkus ReviewsWhat do you do when your best friend marries someone who isn't you?
Romy Belkin—28, unrepentant English major, a Michelangelo in the kitchen—is the culinary genius behind viral YouTube channel A Dash of Paprika. Its star is the fabulous Pia Zimble, Romy's dearest friend. But one day, a fan of the show materializes—a man Romy has to admit is perfect for Pia—and sweeps her friend out of their kitchen and into a whole new life.
Bereft but trying not to be, Romy throws herself into navigating her new landscape. But the stakes of her explorations are higher than she thinks. If she's not careful, Romy could lose herself along the way—as well as the chance to love and be loved by a soulmate of her own.
A witty and warm-hearted comic love story, Soup to Nuts is a novel about deep and enduring friendship, love in its many varieties, and truly spectacular food.
Romy Belkin—28, unrepentant English major, a Michelangelo in the kitchen—is the culinary genius behind viral YouTube channel A Dash of Paprika. Its star is the fabulous Pia Zimble, Romy's dearest friend. But one day, a fan of the show materializes—a man Romy has to admit is perfect for Pia—and sweeps her friend out of their kitchen and into a whole new life.
Bereft but trying not to be, Romy throws herself into navigating her new landscape. But the stakes of her explorations are higher than she thinks. If she's not careful, Romy could lose herself along the way—as well as the chance to love and be loved by a soulmate of her own.
A witty and warm-hearted comic love story, Soup to Nuts is a novel about deep and enduring friendship, love in its many varieties, and truly spectacular food.
- GenresRomance
204 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 9, 2019
9 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Judith Deborah
4 books44 followersLover of Wodehouse. Writer of novels. Quaffer of gimlets. Mother of three.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 9, 2020
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent novel on January 3, 2019, from Netgalley, Judith Deborah, and Plimsoll Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Soup to Nuts to adult friends and family. It is a bit racy in places, probably only offensive to us old people. Read it yourself before you pass it on to the teens, though.
Soup to Nuts is a warm, fuzzy tale involving best friends as they enter the real adult world, and the importance of friendship, love, and exquisite food. Romy Belkin is seriously shy and retiring, though she is an instinctively wonderful cook and an exceptional friend. Pia Zimble is Vargas girl lovely, blonde and warm and smart but has never been one for kitchen duty. The girls have been best friends since 9th grade in Colville, New York and roomies in college. Currently 28, they are each a shining light, together they are a formidable force. Just out of school they almost accidentally fall into a career of sorts, making YouTube films of Pia pretending to cook Romy's recipes, meals prepared and the action filmed by Romy. With a few sponsors, they are able to support themselves in a small fashion, while they decide what to do with the rest of their lives. There is even a published cookbook in the works...
And so they bumble along, Pia never happy with Romy's refusal to take credit for the recipes, and Romy forever grateful that Pia is willing to front the project. Things are marching along swimmingly - until Pia falls in love with a visiting Italian journalist. Downstairs neighbor Sam Kaminer and gay friend Declan Flom help Romy through the heartbreak of watching her bestie pulled into the next level of adult life. It is hard for Romy - she loses her income as well as the daily companionship of her roommate and bestie - but see it through, she will. With the help of a couple of good friends...
pub date December 9, 2019
received January 3, 2020
Plimsoll Press
Reviewed on January 9, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo and GooglePlay.
Soup to Nuts is a warm, fuzzy tale involving best friends as they enter the real adult world, and the importance of friendship, love, and exquisite food. Romy Belkin is seriously shy and retiring, though she is an instinctively wonderful cook and an exceptional friend. Pia Zimble is Vargas girl lovely, blonde and warm and smart but has never been one for kitchen duty. The girls have been best friends since 9th grade in Colville, New York and roomies in college. Currently 28, they are each a shining light, together they are a formidable force. Just out of school they almost accidentally fall into a career of sorts, making YouTube films of Pia pretending to cook Romy's recipes, meals prepared and the action filmed by Romy. With a few sponsors, they are able to support themselves in a small fashion, while they decide what to do with the rest of their lives. There is even a published cookbook in the works...
And so they bumble along, Pia never happy with Romy's refusal to take credit for the recipes, and Romy forever grateful that Pia is willing to front the project. Things are marching along swimmingly - until Pia falls in love with a visiting Italian journalist. Downstairs neighbor Sam Kaminer and gay friend Declan Flom help Romy through the heartbreak of watching her bestie pulled into the next level of adult life. It is hard for Romy - she loses her income as well as the daily companionship of her roommate and bestie - but see it through, she will. With the help of a couple of good friends...
pub date December 9, 2019
received January 3, 2020
Plimsoll Press
Reviewed on January 9, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo and GooglePlay.
December 22, 2019
“Tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you who you are.” –Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
From Soup to Nuts is the second book I have read by Israeli author Judith Deborah. Like the first book, Soup to Nuts features an impeccably eye-catching artistic and sophisticated cover. Both of these books are part of The Colville Stories series and each one is a complete stand-alone with different characters and plots. What ties the books together is the small city of Colville, near New York City.
A Judith Deborah novel is categorized as women’s literary fiction, or contemporary women’s fiction. What draws me to her stories is the pristine character development, and the sophistication and maturity of the characters. The work of this author is the Ferrari of fiction, the Louboutin of love stories.
Don’t be scared or put off by my description. Soup to Nuts is entirely readable, engaging, enjoyable, even fun. Your pleasure will be more akin to meeting your best friend at a New York café, rather than a strip mall McDonalds.
The quote at the start of this review is featured at the start of Part III of the book. Monsieur Brillat-Savarin was a French lawyer and politician, known for being an epicure and gastronome. “Epicure” is one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking. “Gastronome” implies one who has studied the history and rituals of haute cuisine.
To me, the two friends in the book, Romy and Pia are like epicures. They met at school in Colville, went to college together and now share an apartment in Brooklyn. They both love good food; Romy is an excellent self-taught cook, Pia is beautiful and together they create a hit YouTube series about cooking.
The men who end up loving them are more like gastronomes. They both truly study and love women.
The three parts of the book show us their loves, their strengths and weaknesses and how they come together. This foodie story will make you hungry while you read. And it will also make you want a true and powerful love.
I recommend this book and I thank the author for a digital review copy. This is my honest opinion.
From Soup to Nuts is the second book I have read by Israeli author Judith Deborah. Like the first book, Soup to Nuts features an impeccably eye-catching artistic and sophisticated cover. Both of these books are part of The Colville Stories series and each one is a complete stand-alone with different characters and plots. What ties the books together is the small city of Colville, near New York City.
A Judith Deborah novel is categorized as women’s literary fiction, or contemporary women’s fiction. What draws me to her stories is the pristine character development, and the sophistication and maturity of the characters. The work of this author is the Ferrari of fiction, the Louboutin of love stories.
Don’t be scared or put off by my description. Soup to Nuts is entirely readable, engaging, enjoyable, even fun. Your pleasure will be more akin to meeting your best friend at a New York café, rather than a strip mall McDonalds.
The quote at the start of this review is featured at the start of Part III of the book. Monsieur Brillat-Savarin was a French lawyer and politician, known for being an epicure and gastronome. “Epicure” is one who takes pleasure in eating and drinking. “Gastronome” implies one who has studied the history and rituals of haute cuisine.
To me, the two friends in the book, Romy and Pia are like epicures. They met at school in Colville, went to college together and now share an apartment in Brooklyn. They both love good food; Romy is an excellent self-taught cook, Pia is beautiful and together they create a hit YouTube series about cooking.
The men who end up loving them are more like gastronomes. They both truly study and love women.
The three parts of the book show us their loves, their strengths and weaknesses and how they come together. This foodie story will make you hungry while you read. And it will also make you want a true and powerful love.
I recommend this book and I thank the author for a digital review copy. This is my honest opinion.
September 20, 2020
The synopsis had so much that I was interested in; I love food (and food Youtube), I love friendships and love and friends to lovers.
I can't say it delivered in the way I was anticipating. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't that invested.
This story is centred around Romy, a young Jewish woman who loves cooking and food but feels uncomfortable in the spotlight and always puts herself second. She identifies as straight yet has this infatuation and adoration for her best friend Pia that her friend's whirlwind romance and marriage feel more like a betrayal.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I hated that the epilogue just skips a huge chunk. I found myself frustrated with the characters often. Pia's relationship gets serious basically instantly and it didn't feel trustworthy or genuine to me, although it was intended to be. He is Italian and the narrator attempted an accent which was generally ok although I found there were moments that seemed more French. It was just a few weeks and they were getting married .
Overall it was ok. The audiobook was only 4 hours which is far from a big commitment. The descriptions of food are quite glorious.
I can't say it delivered in the way I was anticipating. It wasn't bad, but I wasn't that invested.
This story is centred around Romy, a young Jewish woman who loves cooking and food but feels uncomfortable in the spotlight and always puts herself second. She identifies as straight yet has this infatuation and adoration for her best friend Pia that her friend's whirlwind romance and marriage feel more like a betrayal.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I hated that the epilogue just skips a huge chunk. I found myself frustrated with the characters often. Pia's relationship gets serious basically instantly and it didn't feel trustworthy or genuine to me, although it was intended to be. He is Italian and the narrator attempted an accent which was generally ok although I found there were moments that seemed more French. It was just a few weeks and they were getting married .
Overall it was ok. The audiobook was only 4 hours which is far from a big commitment. The descriptions of food are quite glorious.
December 28, 2019
I finished this book in a day, which is saying a lot since I have a toddler and life can be busy.
Romy and Pia captured my attention from the get go. I didn't love Pia's absence from much of the book, but I understood it. Much like I also understood Romy's need to go through an extremely uncomfortable phase as she learns what she wants from life and how things should look for her.
I loved Pia's advice to Romy near the end of the novel. I loved her hopefulness and her message that love should always be seen as good - the fact that we can feel so deeply should be celebrated.
This was a feel good read.
Romy and Pia captured my attention from the get go. I didn't love Pia's absence from much of the book, but I understood it. Much like I also understood Romy's need to go through an extremely uncomfortable phase as she learns what she wants from life and how things should look for her.
I loved Pia's advice to Romy near the end of the novel. I loved her hopefulness and her message that love should always be seen as good - the fact that we can feel so deeply should be celebrated.
This was a feel good read.
February 10, 2020
This was a quick read which made the telling aspect of the tale more palatable. The story opens and goes on for the first 20% with mainly telling backstory - I kept wanting it to get to where something happens in the now, and thankfully, because this wasn't a long book, it got there shortly after and carried through in a better vein afterwards. Really enjoyed the lyrical descriptions and the details sprinkled throughout, which brought voice to the tale even through the telling parts
December 18, 2019
I wasn't totally convinced by the characters in this one -- they seemed like cutouts more than believable individuals. Except Pia, whose YouTube channel I would watch any time. But the usual Deborah attention to fine details is there; it's a pleasure to read her descriptions of food and clothes, rooms and smiles. She does leave you wanting more.
(I was provided a copy by the author.)
(I was provided a copy by the author.)
May 23, 2022
Gorgeously written. Such lush and evocative descriptions of food, you will certainly find your mouth watering. I loved the characters too, and find myself missing them. Each is interesting in his or her own way with a wonderful quirkiness that makes them lovable. I will certainly seek out this series! This was an audiobook and the narrator did a great job as well.
January 2, 2020
Really enjoyed this perspective on losing your best friend, while trying to be happy at the same time!
December 13, 2019
This is an endearing story about changes: in friendships, in people, and in relationships.
I voluntarily read a copy of the book provided by the author.
I voluntarily read a copy of the book provided by the author.
February 19, 2020
This was such a sweet and powerful read about friendship and finding oneself outside of your closest platonic relationship. I found the writing engaging and the voice of the narrator relatable. I'll definitely look into more of this author's work! The ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review- thank you!
May 26, 2020
Thanks to the author for this review copy!
SOUP TO NUTS is a sweet romantic comedy about Pia and Romy, two besties who work on a food blog together, happily ever after clearly in sight…. until Pia finds the love of her life. Romy needs to learn to live her life without being joined at the hip with Pia.
Told in Romy’s voice, SOUP TO NUTS takes us through Romy’s journey post-Pia. At first, she is in a type of mourning, as she misses Pia and also laments her own lack of male prospects. A friend of hers helps Romy find some blind dates that are fun, but short-lived. No one is clicking for her, and she keeps looking, even though there already is someone in her life that would be perfect for her. Will Romy realize this in time and open her heart, before he finds someone else?
The author hits the perfect blend of romantic and comedy – not too heavy on either side, which is perfect for me. Both Pia and Romy are developed well, and I was able to feel their emotions clearly, whether it was raucous girl fun or a quick flare of anger. The descriptions of Romy’s relatives, especially her mother, are to die for. The author creates the perfect Jewish mother with both love and laughter.
“What on earth are you doing with that silly man?” Ma asked.
“You mean Chip?” said Romy.
“Chip,” Ma said scornfully. “Chip Scott. Never trust a man with two first names.”
“You’re prejudiced. If his name was Chip Rabinowitz, you’d be calling the caterers.”
At times the dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny, other times it turns poignant. I truly felt as if I knew the girls well, and thus became invested in their future. Romy is a cook, and so the book is filled with descriptions of food, sumptuous and hunger-inducing. She turns to her kitchen in times of need, so there is a lot of cooking after Pia gets married and moves out. Her recipes are therapeutic, and we get to experience them one ingredient at a time. The author is skilled at creating images while stimulating the senses, and this is part of what makes SOUP TO NUTS so enthralling. There is so much delight in this little book that you must experience it for yourself. You will fall in love with these characters during the short period you are with them.
SOUP TO NUTS is a sweet romantic comedy about Pia and Romy, two besties who work on a food blog together, happily ever after clearly in sight…. until Pia finds the love of her life. Romy needs to learn to live her life without being joined at the hip with Pia.
Told in Romy’s voice, SOUP TO NUTS takes us through Romy’s journey post-Pia. At first, she is in a type of mourning, as she misses Pia and also laments her own lack of male prospects. A friend of hers helps Romy find some blind dates that are fun, but short-lived. No one is clicking for her, and she keeps looking, even though there already is someone in her life that would be perfect for her. Will Romy realize this in time and open her heart, before he finds someone else?
The author hits the perfect blend of romantic and comedy – not too heavy on either side, which is perfect for me. Both Pia and Romy are developed well, and I was able to feel their emotions clearly, whether it was raucous girl fun or a quick flare of anger. The descriptions of Romy’s relatives, especially her mother, are to die for. The author creates the perfect Jewish mother with both love and laughter.
“What on earth are you doing with that silly man?” Ma asked.
“You mean Chip?” said Romy.
“Chip,” Ma said scornfully. “Chip Scott. Never trust a man with two first names.”
“You’re prejudiced. If his name was Chip Rabinowitz, you’d be calling the caterers.”
At times the dialogue is laugh-out-loud funny, other times it turns poignant. I truly felt as if I knew the girls well, and thus became invested in their future. Romy is a cook, and so the book is filled with descriptions of food, sumptuous and hunger-inducing. She turns to her kitchen in times of need, so there is a lot of cooking after Pia gets married and moves out. Her recipes are therapeutic, and we get to experience them one ingredient at a time. The author is skilled at creating images while stimulating the senses, and this is part of what makes SOUP TO NUTS so enthralling. There is so much delight in this little book that you must experience it for yourself. You will fall in love with these characters during the short period you are with them.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews