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You Were Always There: Notes and Recipes for Living a Life You Love
"In ten years of tender lessons, I have learned to hear this message:
You were always there. You never left. You were never not you. Now walk with me a while and uncover that girl again. She's not far
."
When we face setbacks and obstacles, it's easy to feel alone and unsure of who we are. At some point, we've all felt like we have lost our identities entirely. Drawing from her own life-changing disasters and surprising blessings, former restaurateur and up-and-coming cooking maven Danielle Kartes serves up perfectly portioned stories to remind us we are never truly lost.
With the decadent warmth of a Brown Butter Chocolate Bundt Cake, You Were Always There assures us that our even most challenging moments have their own glory. Mixing anecdotes of motherhood, cooking, and chasing your dreams with delicious, comforting recipes, You Were Always There is a devotional memoir that will inspire love, faith, and patience through the growing seasons of life. Take a little time each day to indulge in this conversation, reflect as you cook something delicious, and love yourself exactly where you are.
Here, the sweet is always generously folded into the sour, great joy shares space with great sorrow, and we learn that every single moment in our lives is worth savoring. You Were Always There is an uplifting, life-affirming book that will become a new favorite for readers of bestselling authors like Joanna Gaines, Shauna Niequist, and Brené Brown.
When we face setbacks and obstacles, it's easy to feel alone and unsure of who we are. At some point, we've all felt like we have lost our identities entirely. Drawing from her own life-changing disasters and surprising blessings, former restaurateur and up-and-coming cooking maven Danielle Kartes serves up perfectly portioned stories to remind us we are never truly lost.
With the decadent warmth of a Brown Butter Chocolate Bundt Cake, You Were Always There assures us that our even most challenging moments have their own glory. Mixing anecdotes of motherhood, cooking, and chasing your dreams with delicious, comforting recipes, You Were Always There is a devotional memoir that will inspire love, faith, and patience through the growing seasons of life. Take a little time each day to indulge in this conversation, reflect as you cook something delicious, and love yourself exactly where you are.
Here, the sweet is always generously folded into the sour, great joy shares space with great sorrow, and we learn that every single moment in our lives is worth savoring. You Were Always There is an uplifting, life-affirming book that will become a new favorite for readers of bestselling authors like Joanna Gaines, Shauna Niequist, and Brené Brown.
256 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
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114 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 9, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Danielle Kartes writes a very transparent, real memoir about the struggles she has experienced in life, as well as the triumphs and lessons she has learned through those struggles. From the failure and loss of her restaurant to marriage issues, bankruptcy and health crises, Kartes bares her soul to the reader and helps everyone to see the hope and light that exists despite the obstacles.
Sprinkled throughout are delectable sounding recipes for the comfort food Kartes is known for cooking on various shows and in her cookbooks and on her website. Many of the stories of her life she tells feature a food dish that provided comfort, nourishment and grounding through the pain, and those are provided for the reader.
A couple of things that I would have liked: she and her husband have developed a food photography business, so it was a bit sad to not have photos accompanying the recipes, even in black and white. I think that would have enticed me to cook the recipes more than just reading the words. Also, the stories she told weren't linear, we skip back and forth in time so occasionally things seemed repetitive since I already knew the outcome of a particular situation. I like a memoir to be more straightforward with the timeline.
Kartes is unapologetically Christian and her stories reflect her faith and how God has shown up in her life. I think readers should know this going into the book because Danielle's faith is as much a part of her writing as the food and cooking.
This book is very relatable for me and I really appreciated her honesty about herself and the things she has endured. She has a prominent social media presence and I plan to look for her cookbooks so I can prepare some of the delectable sounding dishes.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
Danielle Kartes writes a very transparent, real memoir about the struggles she has experienced in life, as well as the triumphs and lessons she has learned through those struggles. From the failure and loss of her restaurant to marriage issues, bankruptcy and health crises, Kartes bares her soul to the reader and helps everyone to see the hope and light that exists despite the obstacles.
Sprinkled throughout are delectable sounding recipes for the comfort food Kartes is known for cooking on various shows and in her cookbooks and on her website. Many of the stories of her life she tells feature a food dish that provided comfort, nourishment and grounding through the pain, and those are provided for the reader.
A couple of things that I would have liked: she and her husband have developed a food photography business, so it was a bit sad to not have photos accompanying the recipes, even in black and white. I think that would have enticed me to cook the recipes more than just reading the words. Also, the stories she told weren't linear, we skip back and forth in time so occasionally things seemed repetitive since I already knew the outcome of a particular situation. I like a memoir to be more straightforward with the timeline.
Kartes is unapologetically Christian and her stories reflect her faith and how God has shown up in her life. I think readers should know this going into the book because Danielle's faith is as much a part of her writing as the food and cooking.
This book is very relatable for me and I really appreciated her honesty about herself and the things she has endured. She has a prominent social media presence and I plan to look for her cookbooks so I can prepare some of the delectable sounding dishes.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 27, 2022
I've been a fan of Danielle's for years. In fact, in 2021 I decided to cook through her entire "Generations" cookbook, so I am familiar with her as an author. This memoir was incredibly vulnerable and well written. I loved how she tied in her real life experiences and consistently connected it back to her faith. There are also some recipes sprinkled throughout the book which I am excited to try, and It was fun to be able to read a story that involved food and then at the end of the chapter see the recipe mentioned. Do know - this book is definitely faith-based and she talks consistently about her relationship with God. She is encouraging and uplifting while also being so honest about some of the darkest times in her life. I absolutely would gift this to a friend going through a hard time. She writes as if she is talking to a friend, and if you follow her on social media - you will recognize her voice through the words on the page. She is vibrant and dynamic and I really enjoyed this one,.
Thank you to SourceBooks and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to SourceBooks and NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 3, 2022
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
There's more religious focus than I expected. This book blends memoir and recipes. There's a handful of recipes throughout the book based on experiences or themes. There aren't any pictures of the recipes. The stories are fairly short, some are just a few pages. There's a lot of emotion and vulnerability shared, but because the stories are short and jump around it's hard to get invested at times.
This book was around 3.5 stars for me.
There's more religious focus than I expected. This book blends memoir and recipes. There's a handful of recipes throughout the book based on experiences or themes. There aren't any pictures of the recipes. The stories are fairly short, some are just a few pages. There's a lot of emotion and vulnerability shared, but because the stories are short and jump around it's hard to get invested at times.
Currently reading
June 22, 2022DNF
I thought I would have liked this because it was a book and cookbook together. I really liked the cover. Thought it had potential But it got too religious for me right in the beginning. To each their own but I just felt it was a bit overwhelming in my opinion.
I thought I would have liked this because it was a book and cookbook together. I really liked the cover. Thought it had potential But it got too religious for me right in the beginning. To each their own but I just felt it was a bit overwhelming in my opinion.
January 26, 2022
YOU WERE ALWAYS THERE: NOTES AND RECIPES FOR LIVING A LIFE YOU LOVE
BY: DANIELLE KARTES
Danielle Kartes has generously shared in this honest memoir that life has its ups and downs which I am sure that we are all aware of as humans. She is very honest about a failing marriage that was headed for divorce but was saved when she and her husband learned they were expecting their first child. This took for both of them to take a good hard look at themselves and they were both invested in working things out. It always takes a concerted effort of both partners to be able to work together and themselves.
She loves to cook and throughout this book she has sprinkled in some very delicious recipes which I am grateful to acquire and gain access to via this book.
I found a lot of inspiration and maturity in this Author's courageous willingness to be so open about the high and low parts of her life experience. She is very religious and gained perseverance with her strong faith. I loved reading about her experiences such as a restaurant that had meant everything to her. You could easily see her passion for creating a place that she turned into an oasis but sadly it lead to bankruptcy.
She and her husband both enjoy the thrill and overwhelming love of having a first child. I could relate to that magical or rather what a miracle having children is and how they enrich our lives. Mine are all young adults but her devotion and overpowering love was easy to relate too. I think her focal point for sharing the trials and tribulations she shares are meant to lift up and give hope that we are never alone with our own challenges we face in both the welcome experiences and also the unexpected. I found her to be warm in her writing and she spoke to me in a conversational way. I very much enjoyed this book and it came along at just the right time.
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
A Huge debt of gratitude to Net Galley, Danielle Kartes and SOURCEBOOKS for graciously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#YouWereAlwaysThere #DanielleKartes #Sourcebooks #NetGalley
BY: DANIELLE KARTES
Danielle Kartes has generously shared in this honest memoir that life has its ups and downs which I am sure that we are all aware of as humans. She is very honest about a failing marriage that was headed for divorce but was saved when she and her husband learned they were expecting their first child. This took for both of them to take a good hard look at themselves and they were both invested in working things out. It always takes a concerted effort of both partners to be able to work together and themselves.
She loves to cook and throughout this book she has sprinkled in some very delicious recipes which I am grateful to acquire and gain access to via this book.
I found a lot of inspiration and maturity in this Author's courageous willingness to be so open about the high and low parts of her life experience. She is very religious and gained perseverance with her strong faith. I loved reading about her experiences such as a restaurant that had meant everything to her. You could easily see her passion for creating a place that she turned into an oasis but sadly it lead to bankruptcy.
She and her husband both enjoy the thrill and overwhelming love of having a first child. I could relate to that magical or rather what a miracle having children is and how they enrich our lives. Mine are all young adults but her devotion and overpowering love was easy to relate too. I think her focal point for sharing the trials and tribulations she shares are meant to lift up and give hope that we are never alone with our own challenges we face in both the welcome experiences and also the unexpected. I found her to be warm in her writing and she spoke to me in a conversational way. I very much enjoyed this book and it came along at just the right time.
Publication Date: May 3, 2022
A Huge debt of gratitude to Net Galley, Danielle Kartes and SOURCEBOOKS for graciously providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#YouWereAlwaysThere #DanielleKartes #Sourcebooks #NetGalley
January 5, 2024
First Impressions
I began listening to this audiobook last year because I was intrigued by the title and it felt like a self-help book that enabled your mind to be at peace while learning something new. I enjoyed the author's perspective and how she, like myself, learned to move past life's obstacles and appreciate life as it is.
Personal take
Danielle Kartes tells the truth about her life and how she navigated through challenging situations with emotion and courage; from the passionate dream to bring life to her restaurant to mending the shattered relationship with her husband and nurturing two beautiful children.
I found myself relating to many of her topics, sometimes thinking about serious life issues and other times laughing my heart out. Danielle enjoys her life and is completely committed to her success.
What I liked best about this book was Danielle's love of faith and God, and the fact that she was not embarrassed to express it. I appreciated how, despite the ups and downs of life, she always found the fortitude to not turn away from God, but invite Him completely into her life, molding it for the better.
I particularly like the recipes scattered throughout the book and the passion with which she presents them. There is a particular enthusiasm and excitement that fills your heart to brimming. Danielle is enthusiastic and engaged, and listening to her audiobook was a delight.
I began listening to this audiobook last year because I was intrigued by the title and it felt like a self-help book that enabled your mind to be at peace while learning something new. I enjoyed the author's perspective and how she, like myself, learned to move past life's obstacles and appreciate life as it is.
Personal take
Danielle Kartes tells the truth about her life and how she navigated through challenging situations with emotion and courage; from the passionate dream to bring life to her restaurant to mending the shattered relationship with her husband and nurturing two beautiful children.
I found myself relating to many of her topics, sometimes thinking about serious life issues and other times laughing my heart out. Danielle enjoys her life and is completely committed to her success.
What I liked best about this book was Danielle's love of faith and God, and the fact that she was not embarrassed to express it. I appreciated how, despite the ups and downs of life, she always found the fortitude to not turn away from God, but invite Him completely into her life, molding it for the better.
I particularly like the recipes scattered throughout the book and the passion with which she presents them. There is a particular enthusiasm and excitement that fills your heart to brimming. Danielle is enthusiastic and engaged, and listening to her audiobook was a delight.
April 13, 2022
Danielle Kartes calls her book, "notes about life," and I would too. While Kartes has written a number of cookbooks, You Were Always There is part memoir, part cookbook, part devotional. Kartes details how cooking became "her lifeline" after facing the closing of her restaurant, problems in her marriage, two difficult pregnancies, as well as a bankruptcy filing.
Her premise is simple -- despite all that we endure in life, we often lose sight of ourselves, but in essence, we are "always there." I liked Kartes' writing style -- it's fresh and engaging but also raw and brutally honest as well. And while the devotional aspect of this book could be a little much for me, I became a Danielle Kartes fan and have since ordered two of her cookbooks.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC of You Were Always There by Danielle Kartes.
Her premise is simple -- despite all that we endure in life, we often lose sight of ourselves, but in essence, we are "always there." I liked Kartes' writing style -- it's fresh and engaging but also raw and brutally honest as well. And while the devotional aspect of this book could be a little much for me, I became a Danielle Kartes fan and have since ordered two of her cookbooks.
I would like to thank #NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this ARC of You Were Always There by Danielle Kartes.
April 28, 2022
This is a book of enjoyable essays, all interwoven but able to be read individually. The author covers her history, including marriage (and struggles), opening and closing a restaurant, pregnancy/childbirth/motherhood, cooking, writing, friendship, financial ruin and starting over, and letting God lead you. I am not super religious but was not opposed to the religious mentions in the book.
The stories were heartfelt and relatable. While the book does cover her restaurant and later food styling and writing business, I would not consider this a cookbook. There are only a handful of recipes. They do sound good. The one addition I would have enjoyed would be photos of the dishes, or some type of visuals added throughout.
The stories were heartfelt and relatable. While the book does cover her restaurant and later food styling and writing business, I would not consider this a cookbook. There are only a handful of recipes. They do sound good. The one addition I would have enjoyed would be photos of the dishes, or some type of visuals added throughout.
May 8, 2022
This book was not what I was expecting. I re-read the publisher’s promotional introduction as I hoped I had just missed some cues. It was not presented as religious a book as it progressively became, the further into the chapters I read. The recipes were few and while obviously beloved to the author, not inspirational or unique in any way to this reader. The timeline of this memoir jumped about and it was hard to discern what, if any, thread was being woven. Not to my taste, and I’d recommend the promotional material make more explicit the strong Christian religious tenor of this work.
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC.
2.5 stars rounded to 3
May 2, 2022
I found this book difficult to relate to. Danielle is obviously a very talented chef with a wealth of experience, but for me the side helping of God was too much. For a person of faith I'm sure this would be a great book but for me personally it got on the way.
The handful of recipes look good and I will definitely try one or two of those. I may even take a look at Danielle's cook books.
I thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review.
The handful of recipes look good and I will definitely try one or two of those. I may even take a look at Danielle's cook books.
I thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this title in exchange for an unbiased review.
May 3, 2022
This book is heavy on the religious aspect, but it doesn't detract from the material. I think many people will find it comforting. You Were Always There feels like essays that happen to have great recipes. I enjoyed the overall concept and the writing is relaxing. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
April 19, 2023
This book is absolutely perfect! I laughed, cried and felt inspired! You feel like you are listening to an old friend tell you some of her favorite stories and most importantly see how God is always with us. Even in the hardest most humbling times Danielle shows us that even though things don’t go according to our plans all of the time God’s plans are perfect!
June 29, 2022
Danielle has a talent of reminding who I am in God.
December 28, 2025
Lovely and heartwarming memoir ❤️
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews