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The Kitchen
Can they stand the heat...?
Maggie’s in the running to be the next head chef at Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant, Jean-Sébastien’s. Unfortunately, she’s competing against notoriously arrogant Ethan to prove she’s the best chef for the job.
Food critic Emily can make or break a chef’s career. When she visits the restaurant to see what interim head chef, Maggie, has to offer, Emily is having a particularly bad day…
Single mum Nayomi needs a job and Jean-Sébastien’s needs a kitchen porter – perfect! She just has to keep her head down and money coming in. But she’s desperate to speak up and help struggling chef Maggie – Nayomi's own skills might be just the recipe to save Maggie’s career and impress Emily.
A delicious story of unexpected friendship and risking it all, for fans of Zara Stoneley and Lauren Weisberger.
Maggie’s in the running to be the next head chef at Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant, Jean-Sébastien’s. Unfortunately, she’s competing against notoriously arrogant Ethan to prove she’s the best chef for the job.
Food critic Emily can make or break a chef’s career. When she visits the restaurant to see what interim head chef, Maggie, has to offer, Emily is having a particularly bad day…
Single mum Nayomi needs a job and Jean-Sébastien’s needs a kitchen porter – perfect! She just has to keep her head down and money coming in. But she’s desperate to speak up and help struggling chef Maggie – Nayomi's own skills might be just the recipe to save Maggie’s career and impress Emily.
A delicious story of unexpected friendship and risking it all, for fans of Zara Stoneley and Lauren Weisberger.
- GenresRomance
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2021
11 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Laura Carter
22 books424 followersAmazon top 10 and internationally bestselling author of romcoms and sports romance, translated into multiple languages. Exploring relationships and getting under the skin of her characters is Laura’s passion. She takes inspiration from everything she loves from sports to law, from music and books to on screen romances, and from her own friends and family (shhhhhh, don't tell them!). Laura lives in Jersey, Channel Islands and loves nothing more than being active outdoors.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
Rep'd by Tanera Simons of Greenstone Literary Agency.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (@lauracarterauthor), Instagram (@lauracarterauthor) and TikTok (@laura.carter.author).
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 13, 2021
4☆ A Compelling and Feel-good Women's Fiction.
The Kitchen is a story about Three Strong Women proving that they belong, Friendships, Dedication, Determination, Forgiveness, Rivalry and delicious food.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Compelling and Heartwarming Story.
I love books that feature foodie delights in any context and this one more than wets your appetite.
Firstly you have two very strong women working in a Michelin-starred Restaurant which is predominantly a male environment. Then you have a foodie journalist who has the power to make or break a Restaurant. Just a brilliant combo!
Maggie has worked so hard to become a sous chef and when Jean-Sébastien’s, mentor/father figure and owner of the restaurant passes away, she becomes next in line to take over his position.
But yet again she finds herself having to prove her worth, when the restaurant owner brings in Ethan famous executive head chef to take over...leaving her future uncertain.
But that's not the only worry Maggie has...her Ex best friend Emily ( well known food critique) and daughter to Jean-Sébastien’s is bitter and jealous of her successes and the bond she had with her late father. After they all became estranged.
So it comes as no surprise the fear and dread she feels when Emily visits to critique the new Restaurant.
Finally we have Nayomi a recent widow and single Mum to two boys. Struggling to find money she takes on two jobs.
She never realised that when Maggie gave her a job as a pot washer it would not only lead to a really lovely friendship, but that she could be the one person that might be able to help Maggie save her beloved job and honour Jean-Sébastien’s memory.
See what a juicy storyline and there's so much more!
I loved all three of the main characters. They were relatable for many different reasons. But what I really loved was the sheer determination and passion they have for their jobs.
Overall The Kitchen is a heart warming, women's fiction, with strong characters, a good dose of drama, a dash of Romance, New Beginnings and plenty of delicious food to have your tummy rumbling!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Canelo for my copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/1...
The Kitchen is a story about Three Strong Women proving that they belong, Friendships, Dedication, Determination, Forgiveness, Rivalry and delicious food.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this Compelling and Heartwarming Story.
I love books that feature foodie delights in any context and this one more than wets your appetite.
Firstly you have two very strong women working in a Michelin-starred Restaurant which is predominantly a male environment. Then you have a foodie journalist who has the power to make or break a Restaurant. Just a brilliant combo!
Maggie has worked so hard to become a sous chef and when Jean-Sébastien’s, mentor/father figure and owner of the restaurant passes away, she becomes next in line to take over his position.
But yet again she finds herself having to prove her worth, when the restaurant owner brings in Ethan famous executive head chef to take over...leaving her future uncertain.
But that's not the only worry Maggie has...her Ex best friend Emily ( well known food critique) and daughter to Jean-Sébastien’s is bitter and jealous of her successes and the bond she had with her late father. After they all became estranged.
So it comes as no surprise the fear and dread she feels when Emily visits to critique the new Restaurant.
Finally we have Nayomi a recent widow and single Mum to two boys. Struggling to find money she takes on two jobs.
She never realised that when Maggie gave her a job as a pot washer it would not only lead to a really lovely friendship, but that she could be the one person that might be able to help Maggie save her beloved job and honour Jean-Sébastien’s memory.
See what a juicy storyline and there's so much more!
I loved all three of the main characters. They were relatable for many different reasons. But what I really loved was the sheer determination and passion they have for their jobs.
Overall The Kitchen is a heart warming, women's fiction, with strong characters, a good dose of drama, a dash of Romance, New Beginnings and plenty of delicious food to have your tummy rumbling!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources and Canelo for my copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2021/1...
January 17, 2022
I thought long and hard about my review for this book because there were some elements that I really enjoyed, but others that felt rather pedestrian.
Focusing on three women in the catering industry, the characters are all very contrasting. Maggie: sous chef at a high-end, classic French restaurant, she strives to keep Jean-Sébastien’s reputation, modelling her cooking on what she believes is his true legacy. On the other hand, there is Emily, Jean-Sébastien’s daughter and food critic for the New York Times. Fallen out with her family, it is clear that jealousy drives much of Emily’s behaviour as she feels ousted by the favouritism she sees shown towards Maggie, like she is an adopted daughter. Contrastingly, Nayomi (loving the unusual spelling here) is financially struggling as a single mum to two boys. She is forced to take on a second job in order to keep afloat and this is how she crosses paths with Maggie, being the new pot washer at the restaurant.
The story follows these three women and how their lives alter. I liked the contrast established between them but felt the narrative did not do them enough justice. For instance, Emily’s behaviour irritated me because she is portrayed as so selfish and arrogant yet, it is clear she is grieving for the loss of her father. I would have liked to have seen a more mature, perhaps vulnerable side to her character, instead of the toughened exterior she presents to most. Also, she shows she is able to cook like her father and I think the writer could have added this more intricately into the story.
The other two women are quite predictable in their behaviours and it was rather evident how their lives would change. When ideas start float about travelling and discovering new flavours, I started to get really inspired by the story – and this is where I think the attention should have been driven (or a sequel in the making!). I wanted to watch the women explore beyond New York, beyond the kitchen, and experience things beyond a rather mundane lifestyle that I have seen in so many books before. Disappointed that this was merely wrapped up in a brief Epilogue, I was hoping that Carter would follow up with a novel about the women’s adventures as they study, train and explore outside of the New York kitchen. I think this was a missed opportunity.
As such, I felt like the story was rather safe and predictable. It is evident that behaviours will change and I appreciated seeing Emily grow more mature and aware of others around her. Yet, I did find it a bit too convenient and something that isn’t too dissimilar to other books of this genre. The flavours of the story were akin to Maggie’s cooking: safe, obvious and predictable.
In conclusion, whilst I enjoyed the kitchen setting, I wanted there to be more from such contrasting characters. Instead, I felt like I was sampling a rather bland dinner rather than exploring new flavours.
With thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Focusing on three women in the catering industry, the characters are all very contrasting. Maggie: sous chef at a high-end, classic French restaurant, she strives to keep Jean-Sébastien’s reputation, modelling her cooking on what she believes is his true legacy. On the other hand, there is Emily, Jean-Sébastien’s daughter and food critic for the New York Times. Fallen out with her family, it is clear that jealousy drives much of Emily’s behaviour as she feels ousted by the favouritism she sees shown towards Maggie, like she is an adopted daughter. Contrastingly, Nayomi (loving the unusual spelling here) is financially struggling as a single mum to two boys. She is forced to take on a second job in order to keep afloat and this is how she crosses paths with Maggie, being the new pot washer at the restaurant.
The story follows these three women and how their lives alter. I liked the contrast established between them but felt the narrative did not do them enough justice. For instance, Emily’s behaviour irritated me because she is portrayed as so selfish and arrogant yet, it is clear she is grieving for the loss of her father. I would have liked to have seen a more mature, perhaps vulnerable side to her character, instead of the toughened exterior she presents to most. Also, she shows she is able to cook like her father and I think the writer could have added this more intricately into the story.
The other two women are quite predictable in their behaviours and it was rather evident how their lives would change. When ideas start float about travelling and discovering new flavours, I started to get really inspired by the story – and this is where I think the attention should have been driven (or a sequel in the making!). I wanted to watch the women explore beyond New York, beyond the kitchen, and experience things beyond a rather mundane lifestyle that I have seen in so many books before. Disappointed that this was merely wrapped up in a brief Epilogue, I was hoping that Carter would follow up with a novel about the women’s adventures as they study, train and explore outside of the New York kitchen. I think this was a missed opportunity.
As such, I felt like the story was rather safe and predictable. It is evident that behaviours will change and I appreciated seeing Emily grow more mature and aware of others around her. Yet, I did find it a bit too convenient and something that isn’t too dissimilar to other books of this genre. The flavours of the story were akin to Maggie’s cooking: safe, obvious and predictable.
In conclusion, whilst I enjoyed the kitchen setting, I wanted there to be more from such contrasting characters. Instead, I felt like I was sampling a rather bland dinner rather than exploring new flavours.
With thanks to Canelo and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2021
This is the first book I have read by this author (even though so has many others!) And I love discovering new authors , this is definitely one I'm going to be looking out more for!
In this book we meet Maggie who is in the running to be Head chef of Michelin star restaurant in Manhatten, she is so passionate about taking that next step up , there is two things standing in her way... her rival Ethan and food critic Emily. We also meet the lovely Nayomi who is someone that I think a lot of people will have things in common with , she is a single mum of 2boys in need of a job... who manages to get a job at the restaurant!
What entails is a story of adventure , motherly love and a brilliant blossoming friendship! The book certainly keeps you hooked on it, I was drawn in by the fact it was in a kitchen as I love my food! The characters that feature in this book all have something to like about them and little aspects that you can identify with. It was really hard to put down this book. I loved it !
In this book we meet Maggie who is in the running to be Head chef of Michelin star restaurant in Manhatten, she is so passionate about taking that next step up , there is two things standing in her way... her rival Ethan and food critic Emily. We also meet the lovely Nayomi who is someone that I think a lot of people will have things in common with , she is a single mum of 2boys in need of a job... who manages to get a job at the restaurant!
What entails is a story of adventure , motherly love and a brilliant blossoming friendship! The book certainly keeps you hooked on it, I was drawn in by the fact it was in a kitchen as I love my food! The characters that feature in this book all have something to like about them and little aspects that you can identify with. It was really hard to put down this book. I loved it !
November 14, 2021
Delectable read is what comes to mind while reading The Kitchen.
The Kitchen was a book I could not put down♥️ I didn’t want the story to end.
The storyline takes you into a Michelin starred restaurant which was very interesting. The descriptions of the food made me hungry!
The main characters are Maggie, Emily and Nayomi. Watching them as they overcome loss, rediscover themselves and finding peace in their life’s makes for a very emotional and beautiful read. With a bit of romance thrown in, The Kitchen makes for a very heartwarming read.
Highly recommend reading The Kitchen…..it highlights the strength we do have to overcome adversity.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Laura Carter and Canelo for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
The Kitchen was a book I could not put down♥️ I didn’t want the story to end.
The storyline takes you into a Michelin starred restaurant which was very interesting. The descriptions of the food made me hungry!
The main characters are Maggie, Emily and Nayomi. Watching them as they overcome loss, rediscover themselves and finding peace in their life’s makes for a very emotional and beautiful read. With a bit of romance thrown in, The Kitchen makes for a very heartwarming read.
Highly recommend reading The Kitchen…..it highlights the strength we do have to overcome adversity.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Laura Carter and Canelo for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 17, 2021
I jumped at the chance to read The Kitchen when it first popped into my inbox. 300 pages later, I’m as satisfied as a food critic after a top-notch meal.
Emily, one of the three MCs, is a food critic too. Her life is in shambles, and she has more than one bone to pick with Maggie, the sous chef at Jean-Sébastien’s. In the middle, sort of, stands Nayomi, a single mother who’s just taken up the position of kitchen porter. These three women hold up the plot of The Kitchen and do so remarkably.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
Emily, one of the three MCs, is a food critic too. Her life is in shambles, and she has more than one bone to pick with Maggie, the sous chef at Jean-Sébastien’s. In the middle, sort of, stands Nayomi, a single mother who’s just taken up the position of kitchen porter. These three women hold up the plot of The Kitchen and do so remarkably.
[Keep reading @ Bookshelves & Teacups]
November 3, 2021
A fun,easy to read story with great female characters and food described in mouthwatering detail. I loved the connection between Maggie and Nayomi - although coming from different backgrounds they hit it off completely and it was great to see both being out this confidence in eachother. Throw Emily into the mix and it added up to three strong women making their way in a very much man’s world.
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November 13, 2021I loved this book! This story gathered me in from the beginning. Maggie is the protege of a chef at a three star Michelin restaurant. When he dies unexpectedly she thinks she will take over running the restaurant. She is allowed to do that - but only until she can be replaced with a culinary school classmate who plans on overhauling everything she loves.
Nayomi is a young Sri Lankan immigrant widow who needs a second job to support her family. She never thought that she would be anything but a wife and mother. Moving out of that sphere is scary and exciting for her. Being asked her opinions and having her recipes valued in a fancy restaurant kitchen is amazing.
Emily is the deceased chef's estranged daughter and Maggie's former best friend. She is self-destructing. She lashes out at Maggie through her high profile column even though she knows that Maggie doesn't really deserve it.
This book is about the relationships of women. It is also about making food that showcases your love and creativity. It is about living your life in a way that brings out the best in you.
The descriptions of the food are lush and inviting. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Maggie and Nayomi grow. There are romantic relationships in the book but I wasn't particularly a fan of them. I especially thought that Maggie's romantic story arc was unnecessary and a bit cringeworthy. I don't enjoy reading about relationships based on the "I hate him so much and he's a horrible person but he's so sexy" dynamic.
Other than that quibble, I would wholeheartedly recommend this book for a glance at life around a high end restaurant.
Laura Carter is the international bestselling author of the Vengeful Love series. Her books are available in English and Italian. Laura writes contemporary romance and women's fiction from her country home in Jersey (UKCI), where she lives with her husband and (gorgeous) dog. She loves all things romance, including paper hearts, flowers, chocolates and champagne (not necessarily in that order). If she isn't writing or hanging around on social media, you can probably find her watching a romcom with a tub of Ben and Jerry's.
Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
Connect with Laura through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/lauracartera...), Twitter (@LCarterAuthor) and Instagram (@lauracarterauthor).Learn more about Laura and her books here: www.lauracarterauthor.com.
This review was originally posted on Based On A True Story
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October 19, 2021This book is a satisfying read on several levels. If you are a “foodie,” you will enjoy the context of a high-end restaurant kitchen and the descriptions of delectable foods. If you enjoy a story that focuses on women owning their power, overcoming obstacles and achieving their potentials, this book fills that niche. And lastly if you like “women’s literature”, this novel explores the emotional high and lows of relationships in romance, friendship and family.
The story is told from the perspectives of three women whose lives converge through their connection with a three star Michelin restaurant. While coming from very different backgrounds, each one is struggling with a lack of faith in their abilities to fulfill their dreams.
When the famous executive/head chef dies unexpectedly, Maggie not one loses her mentor, friend and father-figure, she may also be losing her rightful position as his replacement. All she wants to do is preserve his legacy and establish herself as his rightful heir in the kitchen.
Emily seems to have it all – a career as the senior food critic at a major newspaper, a Wall Street fiancé, and a beautiful apartment. And yet…her relationships are a mess. She is estranged from her parents; she lost her best friend because of her jealousy; and her relationship with her fiancé has been on shaky ground for months.
A young widow, Nayomi, struggles to support her two adolescent sons by juggling multiple low-paying jobs. Maggie hires her to work as a porter in the restaurant and, as the only two women in the kitchen, they bond and become friends. When Maggie discovers Nayomi’s talent in creating dishes with exotic flavors from her homeland of Sri Lanka, the two collaborate to offer Nayomi a future and to save Maggie’s career.
I thought the characters were believable and relatable. It was easier to embrace Maggie and Nayomi due to Emily’s prickly personality, but by the conclusion I was a fan of all three. The descriptions of the challenges facing women as professional chefs seemed congruent with other sources I have read. (I find it ironic that cooking is the domain of women in the home, but they are relegated to lessor roles in professional kitchens dominated by men.) The pace kept me engaged throughout and the prose is evocative of the pleasures of good food and wine. My only criticism is that the course of the relationship between Maggie and Ethan (her competition) is a bit clichéd.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The story is told from the perspectives of three women whose lives converge through their connection with a three star Michelin restaurant. While coming from very different backgrounds, each one is struggling with a lack of faith in their abilities to fulfill their dreams.
When the famous executive/head chef dies unexpectedly, Maggie not one loses her mentor, friend and father-figure, she may also be losing her rightful position as his replacement. All she wants to do is preserve his legacy and establish herself as his rightful heir in the kitchen.
Emily seems to have it all – a career as the senior food critic at a major newspaper, a Wall Street fiancé, and a beautiful apartment. And yet…her relationships are a mess. She is estranged from her parents; she lost her best friend because of her jealousy; and her relationship with her fiancé has been on shaky ground for months.
A young widow, Nayomi, struggles to support her two adolescent sons by juggling multiple low-paying jobs. Maggie hires her to work as a porter in the restaurant and, as the only two women in the kitchen, they bond and become friends. When Maggie discovers Nayomi’s talent in creating dishes with exotic flavors from her homeland of Sri Lanka, the two collaborate to offer Nayomi a future and to save Maggie’s career.
I thought the characters were believable and relatable. It was easier to embrace Maggie and Nayomi due to Emily’s prickly personality, but by the conclusion I was a fan of all three. The descriptions of the challenges facing women as professional chefs seemed congruent with other sources I have read. (I find it ironic that cooking is the domain of women in the home, but they are relegated to lessor roles in professional kitchens dominated by men.) The pace kept me engaged throughout and the prose is evocative of the pleasures of good food and wine. My only criticism is that the course of the relationship between Maggie and Ethan (her competition) is a bit clichéd.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
November 20, 2021
4.5 Stars
Sarah Morgan fans are going to lap up Laura Carter’s The Kitchen, a warm-hearted story of friendship, food and romance.
There is nothing chef Maggie wants more than to become the next head chef at Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant, Jean-Sébastien’s. Maggie has put the work in, paid her dues and made sacrifice after sacrifice in order to reach the very top of her profession and she will not let anyone get between her and the job which she has set her heart on – even if it means going head to head with her fiercest competitor, arrogant chef Ethan. Will Maggie’s dreams fail to come to fruition? Is she destined for disappointment? Or could fate have a couple of surprises up its sleeves?
Food critic Emily has made and broken many a chef’s career. Exacting, demanding and difficult to please, Emily does not suffer fools gladly and if a chef does not measure up to her sky-high standards, then they can kiss goodbye any hope they might have of ever coming anywhere close to a restaurant kitchen. When she hears that Jean-Sébastien has an interim chef, she decides to pay the eatery a visit – even if the day she chooses to dine there happens to be the worst day imaginable.
Single mum Nayomi is looking for a job and as luck would have it, a position as a kitchen porter has become available at Jean -Sébastien’s. This is the perfect job for Nayomi and with a regular wage coming in, she soon begins to feel happy and fulfilled. However, Nayomi cannot help but worry about interim chef Maggie and when she hears that food critic Emily is in the building, she realises that she might just have the perfect recipe that will enable the struggling chef to shine.
Three different women from different walks of life come together and realise that they have got far more in common than they initially thought…
The literary equivalent of a sumptuous meal at a highly-rated restaurant, Laura Carter’s The Kitchen is a deliciously readable charmer readers are going to love. Witty, heartfelt and believable, The Kitchen is a brilliantly addictive tale sprinkled with mouth-watering descriptions of food that will have readers salivating, touching romance that tugs at the heartstrings and scintillating emotional drama that make this book simply irresistible.
Hard to put down, uplifting and highly satisfying, Laura Carter’s The Kitchen deserves plenty of gold stars.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sarah Morgan fans are going to lap up Laura Carter’s The Kitchen, a warm-hearted story of friendship, food and romance.
There is nothing chef Maggie wants more than to become the next head chef at Michelin-starred Manhattan restaurant, Jean-Sébastien’s. Maggie has put the work in, paid her dues and made sacrifice after sacrifice in order to reach the very top of her profession and she will not let anyone get between her and the job which she has set her heart on – even if it means going head to head with her fiercest competitor, arrogant chef Ethan. Will Maggie’s dreams fail to come to fruition? Is she destined for disappointment? Or could fate have a couple of surprises up its sleeves?
Food critic Emily has made and broken many a chef’s career. Exacting, demanding and difficult to please, Emily does not suffer fools gladly and if a chef does not measure up to her sky-high standards, then they can kiss goodbye any hope they might have of ever coming anywhere close to a restaurant kitchen. When she hears that Jean-Sébastien has an interim chef, she decides to pay the eatery a visit – even if the day she chooses to dine there happens to be the worst day imaginable.
Single mum Nayomi is looking for a job and as luck would have it, a position as a kitchen porter has become available at Jean -Sébastien’s. This is the perfect job for Nayomi and with a regular wage coming in, she soon begins to feel happy and fulfilled. However, Nayomi cannot help but worry about interim chef Maggie and when she hears that food critic Emily is in the building, she realises that she might just have the perfect recipe that will enable the struggling chef to shine.
Three different women from different walks of life come together and realise that they have got far more in common than they initially thought…
The literary equivalent of a sumptuous meal at a highly-rated restaurant, Laura Carter’s The Kitchen is a deliciously readable charmer readers are going to love. Witty, heartfelt and believable, The Kitchen is a brilliantly addictive tale sprinkled with mouth-watering descriptions of food that will have readers salivating, touching romance that tugs at the heartstrings and scintillating emotional drama that make this book simply irresistible.
Hard to put down, uplifting and highly satisfying, Laura Carter’s The Kitchen deserves plenty of gold stars.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 12, 2021
I love finding authors I don't already know and Laura Carter is definitely a new one to watch for. The cover to this book made me want to know everything about the chef critic and novice...immediately, so I settled down to find out.
A story set in the world of a Michelin starred restaurant in New York with Maggie, Emily and Nayomi at the very heart of it. These three are all strong in their own individual ways and we learn of all of their stories in this book. Laura Carter has made these characters so they feel so real. I must say that out of the three, Emily took me longer to get to like as she was a bit of a prickly one, although I did get to like her along with Maggie and Nayomi.
All three come from different backgrounds and each has their own issues but as their stories converge within the busy New York restaurant we find them in we see they are all looking for the same thing; to find their place in life.
Such an easy to read book, with characters you can relate to in one way or another. I enjoyed seeing their individual stories merge together and how their friendships blossomed along the way. It was a joy to see them be able to act on their decisions and actually be the change they all wanted.
Be warned! This book includes such delicious food you will either be dribbling or running to the kitchen while you read this book! The food descriptions are to die for! The pacing of the book is perfect. Not too slow so you feel like the story is dragging but not too fast that you can't connect with the characters either.
I was so interested in how everything would work out I didn't want to put it down. Such am engaging, easy and entertaining read for me. If you prefer an easy to read book that will make you need delicious food, pick this up and dive into the world of Michelin starred restaurants.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Canelo for the copy of the book.
A story set in the world of a Michelin starred restaurant in New York with Maggie, Emily and Nayomi at the very heart of it. These three are all strong in their own individual ways and we learn of all of their stories in this book. Laura Carter has made these characters so they feel so real. I must say that out of the three, Emily took me longer to get to like as she was a bit of a prickly one, although I did get to like her along with Maggie and Nayomi.
All three come from different backgrounds and each has their own issues but as their stories converge within the busy New York restaurant we find them in we see they are all looking for the same thing; to find their place in life.
Such an easy to read book, with characters you can relate to in one way or another. I enjoyed seeing their individual stories merge together and how their friendships blossomed along the way. It was a joy to see them be able to act on their decisions and actually be the change they all wanted.
Be warned! This book includes such delicious food you will either be dribbling or running to the kitchen while you read this book! The food descriptions are to die for! The pacing of the book is perfect. Not too slow so you feel like the story is dragging but not too fast that you can't connect with the characters either.
I was so interested in how everything would work out I didn't want to put it down. Such am engaging, easy and entertaining read for me. If you prefer an easy to read book that will make you need delicious food, pick this up and dive into the world of Michelin starred restaurants.
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and Canelo for the copy of the book.
November 15, 2021
The kitchen by Laura Carter
I adored this book, I thought it was going to be standard ‘chick lit’ but it was so good and more than chick lit.
This is the intertwining story of three ladies, Emily, Maggie and Nayomi.
Maggie works at Jean Sebastian’s, a Michelin starred restaurant when the head chef dies, Jean Sebastian himself was Maggie’s mentor and a father figure to her and who is going to become head chef in her beloved restaurant.
Emily is a restaurant critic for The New York Times, when she received a phone call to say her estranged father has suddenly passed away - Jean Sebastian, Emily is an angry young woman and blames her ex friend Maggie for the estrangement from her father and this anger is spilling over all areas of her life.
Nayomi is a widowed young mother from Sri Lanka who is struggling with raising her sons with little support and needs to raise more money to live and she applies for a job as a pot washer in Jean Sebastian’s after the man himself dies and the restaurant is in flux as the owner has decided to get a new head chef: Ethan James, a Heston Blumenthal type chef who went to cooking school with Maggie and has become her nemesis.
Nayomi has a love of her birth countries cooking and her kind nature attracts a friendship with Maggie and a budding romance with one of the chefs in the restaurant.
I really liked Maggie, she is not confident in her cooking and in herself really, at the start of the book she has no friends but her cat and the death of Jean Sebastian just knocks Maggie and she and everyone else in her life- The returns of Emily and Ethan James and a fledgling friendship with Nayomi leave Maggie questioning everything in her life for the better.
Some of the things that happen in the novel are predictable but you are so invested in the lives of these women and I did not care.. I wanted Maggie, Nayomi and even Emily to have there happy ever after and the novel ended really satisfactory with them all happy in there lives.
I loved this book and I will re-read it again when I want a little comfort…
#netgalley #thekitchen #contempary #women #food
I adored this book, I thought it was going to be standard ‘chick lit’ but it was so good and more than chick lit.
This is the intertwining story of three ladies, Emily, Maggie and Nayomi.
Maggie works at Jean Sebastian’s, a Michelin starred restaurant when the head chef dies, Jean Sebastian himself was Maggie’s mentor and a father figure to her and who is going to become head chef in her beloved restaurant.
Emily is a restaurant critic for The New York Times, when she received a phone call to say her estranged father has suddenly passed away - Jean Sebastian, Emily is an angry young woman and blames her ex friend Maggie for the estrangement from her father and this anger is spilling over all areas of her life.
Nayomi is a widowed young mother from Sri Lanka who is struggling with raising her sons with little support and needs to raise more money to live and she applies for a job as a pot washer in Jean Sebastian’s after the man himself dies and the restaurant is in flux as the owner has decided to get a new head chef: Ethan James, a Heston Blumenthal type chef who went to cooking school with Maggie and has become her nemesis.
Nayomi has a love of her birth countries cooking and her kind nature attracts a friendship with Maggie and a budding romance with one of the chefs in the restaurant.
I really liked Maggie, she is not confident in her cooking and in herself really, at the start of the book she has no friends but her cat and the death of Jean Sebastian just knocks Maggie and she and everyone else in her life- The returns of Emily and Ethan James and a fledgling friendship with Nayomi leave Maggie questioning everything in her life for the better.
Some of the things that happen in the novel are predictable but you are so invested in the lives of these women and I did not care.. I wanted Maggie, Nayomi and even Emily to have there happy ever after and the novel ended really satisfactory with them all happy in there lives.
I loved this book and I will re-read it again when I want a little comfort…
#netgalley #thekitchen #contempary #women #food
January 6, 2022
What a beautiful book - my first from Laura Carter and I'm hoping there are many more to come. (Laura if you are reading this I would absolutely love to see a sequel - maybe focusing on the journey of one particular character who is on their own journey - it feels like still has a story of her own to be explored - deliberately trying to be a bit vague here and not give spoilers).
Maggie, Emily and Nayomi are all strong and likeable characters.
Told from the varying view points of the three very different women, we learn about each of their different backgrounds, watch them find common ground and see them develop strong friendships as they support and encourage each other throughout their individual journeys.
Maggie is a career-focused chef who has colleagues rather than friends these days. Food critic Emily used to be her best friend a food critic who used to be her best friend but somewhere along the line became her nemesis instead. Nayomi is a young widow of an arranged marriage from a completely different cultural background. All three, however, are united in their love of good food and all three have something missing in their lives even if they're not quite sure yet what it is.
With an equally likeable supporting cast of characters, and maybe a couple who are deliberately unlikeable, you really can't go wrong with this book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Am I glad I read it - absolutely, I loved it
Was it a waste of my time - not at all
Would I sit down and read it all over again - it would be my absolute pleasure to do so.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes, I will definitely be looking into more books by Laura Carter.
Maggie, Emily and Nayomi are all strong and likeable characters.
Told from the varying view points of the three very different women, we learn about each of their different backgrounds, watch them find common ground and see them develop strong friendships as they support and encourage each other throughout their individual journeys.
Maggie is a career-focused chef who has colleagues rather than friends these days. Food critic Emily used to be her best friend a food critic who used to be her best friend but somewhere along the line became her nemesis instead. Nayomi is a young widow of an arranged marriage from a completely different cultural background. All three, however, are united in their love of good food and all three have something missing in their lives even if they're not quite sure yet what it is.
With an equally likeable supporting cast of characters, and maybe a couple who are deliberately unlikeable, you really can't go wrong with this book.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Am I glad I read it - absolutely, I loved it
Was it a waste of my time - not at all
Would I sit down and read it all over again - it would be my absolute pleasure to do so.
Would I read more by this author based on this book - yes, I will definitely be looking into more books by Laura Carter.
November 15, 2021
The Kitchen is a delectable as the food served within it and I lapped up every tasty crumb with glee.
The story follows three women struggling to overcome a variety of issues. Maggie is a woman working in a male dominated profession and under immense pressure to prove herself as the late Jean-Sebastien’s successor as head chef. She’s determined and talented but is up against a strong candidate and has the additional barrier of a visiting food critic being her ex best friend who has a grudge. Emily is a food critic and the estranged daughter of Jean-Sebastien with a grudge against Maggie for holding a special place in her father’s heart. Nayomi is a widow struggling to make ends meet and provide for her children but may just hold the key to Maggie’s success.
As their paths and relationships become entwined, The Kitchen is a homage to the power and strength of women. Not always perfect, sometimes vengeful but always determined. Despite their imperfections and questionable choices all three women were really likeable and relatable. Who doesn’t have times when they behave in undesirable ways?
The food sounded amazing, and my mouth was watering as I read. Lots if books talk about desserts but I rarely read ones that give me the whole dining experience.
A heart-warming story of three women and their fight to overcome obstacles in their way with a little help from friends is a brilliant read and I cannot wait to read more by Laura Carter.
The story follows three women struggling to overcome a variety of issues. Maggie is a woman working in a male dominated profession and under immense pressure to prove herself as the late Jean-Sebastien’s successor as head chef. She’s determined and talented but is up against a strong candidate and has the additional barrier of a visiting food critic being her ex best friend who has a grudge. Emily is a food critic and the estranged daughter of Jean-Sebastien with a grudge against Maggie for holding a special place in her father’s heart. Nayomi is a widow struggling to make ends meet and provide for her children but may just hold the key to Maggie’s success.
As their paths and relationships become entwined, The Kitchen is a homage to the power and strength of women. Not always perfect, sometimes vengeful but always determined. Despite their imperfections and questionable choices all three women were really likeable and relatable. Who doesn’t have times when they behave in undesirable ways?
The food sounded amazing, and my mouth was watering as I read. Lots if books talk about desserts but I rarely read ones that give me the whole dining experience.
A heart-warming story of three women and their fight to overcome obstacles in their way with a little help from friends is a brilliant read and I cannot wait to read more by Laura Carter.
October 25, 2021
I really enjoyed this book! It's set in a Michelin starred French restaurant in NYC. When the owner/head chef passes away - things get crazy!
The story follows three strong women characters:
Maggie - sous chef in the kitchen, hopes to become the top chef - she's trained under the owner, who's more like a father figure to her, she's got fresh ideas and she gets sideswiped when the co-owner's son decides to hire another executive chef to take her place.
Emily - is the estranged daughter of the chef, and a well published food critic. She's dealing with the aftermath of losing her father after not speaking with him for years. She and Maggie were best friends, until she felt Maggie became more important to her dad when she started working in his kitchen. And her personal life is falling apart.
Nayomi. - is a widow trying to provide for two young sons. She's a seamstress but applies for the kitchen porter job. She soon learns to open up again and shares her Sri Lanka recipes with Maggie and forms a friendship with the kitchen's pastry chef.
Three strong characters and a great story line.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
The story follows three strong women characters:
Maggie - sous chef in the kitchen, hopes to become the top chef - she's trained under the owner, who's more like a father figure to her, she's got fresh ideas and she gets sideswiped when the co-owner's son decides to hire another executive chef to take her place.
Emily - is the estranged daughter of the chef, and a well published food critic. She's dealing with the aftermath of losing her father after not speaking with him for years. She and Maggie were best friends, until she felt Maggie became more important to her dad when she started working in his kitchen. And her personal life is falling apart.
Nayomi. - is a widow trying to provide for two young sons. She's a seamstress but applies for the kitchen porter job. She soon learns to open up again and shares her Sri Lanka recipes with Maggie and forms a friendship with the kitchen's pastry chef.
Three strong characters and a great story line.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
November 13, 2021
🍰 Yum! A tale about three female protagonists trying to figure out how to succeed in a food world predominately ran by men.
⠀
🍰 Maggie is set to be the next head chef at Jean-Sébastien’s, however she has to compete against Ethan for it.
🍰 Nayomi is a widow and a single mom of two boys. Before she meets Maggie, she’s struggling to juggle multiple jobs to take care of her little family. Then Maggie gives her a job in the kitchen and thing go up from there.
🍰Emily is a top level food critic. In the beginning she’s seems to have it all, but nothing is as it seems. And she might actually be the worst off in my opinion because to me relationships are the making of a great and wonderful life, and she doesn’t have any strong relationships (family or otherwise) in her life.
🍰The story is told from all three women’s prospective, and I loved the interweaving of the characters and experience. But my favorite part of this book? The mouthwatering scrumptious descriptions of the food! They made me hungry and want to eat every time. I also loved the strength, tenacity, and growth the three women show throughout the book.
🍰I definitely could see this being a great hit as a November release. It’s perfect for reading around Thanksgiving even though it’s not holiday based at all.
⠀
🍰 Maggie is set to be the next head chef at Jean-Sébastien’s, however she has to compete against Ethan for it.
🍰 Nayomi is a widow and a single mom of two boys. Before she meets Maggie, she’s struggling to juggle multiple jobs to take care of her little family. Then Maggie gives her a job in the kitchen and thing go up from there.
🍰Emily is a top level food critic. In the beginning she’s seems to have it all, but nothing is as it seems. And she might actually be the worst off in my opinion because to me relationships are the making of a great and wonderful life, and she doesn’t have any strong relationships (family or otherwise) in her life.
🍰The story is told from all three women’s prospective, and I loved the interweaving of the characters and experience. But my favorite part of this book? The mouthwatering scrumptious descriptions of the food! They made me hungry and want to eat every time. I also loved the strength, tenacity, and growth the three women show throughout the book.
🍰I definitely could see this being a great hit as a November release. It’s perfect for reading around Thanksgiving even though it’s not holiday based at all.
October 11, 2021
The Kitchen by Laura Carter is a great contemporary fiction that weaves a narrative between three different women all connected into one story.
I really enjoyed this book with the three narratives brought together by one kitchen and one restaurant.
I enjoyed reading the individual stories of Maggie, Emily, and Nayomi. All are different ages, have different backgrounds, and all have their own struggles, problems, and obstacles. However, all are tied together through one busy and upscale restaurant in NYC and all are looking for the same things in life: to find their own place and purpose.
I really enjoyed seeing their individual stories join together, the friendships that developed, and how they were able to forge ahead and be the change that they were hoping for.
Highly recommend this book for any women’s fiction fan or for book club reading.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Canelo Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/11/21.
I really enjoyed this book with the three narratives brought together by one kitchen and one restaurant.
I enjoyed reading the individual stories of Maggie, Emily, and Nayomi. All are different ages, have different backgrounds, and all have their own struggles, problems, and obstacles. However, all are tied together through one busy and upscale restaurant in NYC and all are looking for the same things in life: to find their own place and purpose.
I really enjoyed seeing their individual stories join together, the friendships that developed, and how they were able to forge ahead and be the change that they were hoping for.
Highly recommend this book for any women’s fiction fan or for book club reading.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Canelo Publishing for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 11/11/21.
November 17, 2021
Thank you to Laura Carter and Rachels Random Resources for gifting me a digital copy of The Kitchen in exchange for an honest review.
In the kitchen we follow three women Maggie, Nayomi and Emily; Maggie a hard working chef, Nayomi a hard working mum struggling with 2 jobs and 2 young boys and Emily a spoilt brat with her nose out of joint.
Oh I loved this book so much; I felt emotions alongside all 3 strong women. By the end I was in love with all of them including Emily who I really didn’t like at the beginning (or the middle) the character were so well written and as a reader I went on the journey with them all. When i started reading this book I thought it was another romance book (which I love) but its more that that it’s a sisterhood story and one of self love. I can’t wait to read more books by Laura Carter.
In the kitchen we follow three women Maggie, Nayomi and Emily; Maggie a hard working chef, Nayomi a hard working mum struggling with 2 jobs and 2 young boys and Emily a spoilt brat with her nose out of joint.
Oh I loved this book so much; I felt emotions alongside all 3 strong women. By the end I was in love with all of them including Emily who I really didn’t like at the beginning (or the middle) the character were so well written and as a reader I went on the journey with them all. When i started reading this book I thought it was another romance book (which I love) but its more that that it’s a sisterhood story and one of self love. I can’t wait to read more books by Laura Carter.
October 31, 2021
A great Contemporary Fiction that I'm so happy to have been able to read! The 3 lead female characters were so lovely (well 2 of them were - Emily was a jerk!) that I was captivated by the story.
Nayomi was my favorite character, so timid and shy, trying to take care of her two boys after the death of her husband. I loved the arc of her character within this book and will miss her so much now that the story is over.
The restaurant setting was so fun. I had no idea about the behind the scenes events that take place in upscale restaurants. We get to take a peek of these events in the book and it seems so exciting!
Loved the story and the characters, I even came around to 'like' Emily at the end, sort of.
Contemporary Fiction readers should pick this one up!
Nayomi was my favorite character, so timid and shy, trying to take care of her two boys after the death of her husband. I loved the arc of her character within this book and will miss her so much now that the story is over.
The restaurant setting was so fun. I had no idea about the behind the scenes events that take place in upscale restaurants. We get to take a peek of these events in the book and it seems so exciting!
Loved the story and the characters, I even came around to 'like' Emily at the end, sort of.
Contemporary Fiction readers should pick this one up!
November 11, 2021
The Kitchen was written so I really go to know and love each of the women in the story.
Maggie, Emily and Nayomi are all different women with different lives that that are so interesting. The author made each woman real to me. The connection between them all brings out the personality of each woman showing her strengths and weaknesses.
The setting of the story in a high-end restaurant in New York gave me insight in the world they live in. The descriptions of the food in this book will make your mouth water!
Thank you NetGalley, Laura Carter and Canelo for the copy of The Kitchen. This is my personal review.
Maggie, Emily and Nayomi are all different women with different lives that that are so interesting. The author made each woman real to me. The connection between them all brings out the personality of each woman showing her strengths and weaknesses.
The setting of the story in a high-end restaurant in New York gave me insight in the world they live in. The descriptions of the food in this book will make your mouth water!
Thank you NetGalley, Laura Carter and Canelo for the copy of The Kitchen. This is my personal review.
October 18, 2021
The hopes, dreams, and lives of three distinct women are examined under the eye of the restaurant kitchen that affects all three. For Nayomi, it is a chance for a life she never expected. For Maggie, it is a dream torn asunder. For Emily, it is loss, struggle, and rediscovery. Each relates their own tale, blending into one another while dishing up food of dreams.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 3, 2021
This is a really good book centred around a Michelin starred kitchen. If you like a romantic novel that’s not too soppy or predictable and you’re also enthralled by cooking reality shows on TV, you’ll enjoy this book.
The three main characters are interesting and the authors love of food shines through.
The dialogue is snappy and believable.
All in all, one to get immersed in on holiday or over a nice weekend in front of the fire!
The three main characters are interesting and the authors love of food shines through.
The dialogue is snappy and believable.
All in all, one to get immersed in on holiday or over a nice weekend in front of the fire!
Read
November 17, 2021This was such a delight of a book. I lave any books based around food and kitchens. This did not disappoint in anyway. It is based around three female characters who all work in kitchens or the food industry and each chapter is told from a different characters point of view and there struggles etc in working in high pressure jobs. It is such a wonderful book and the characters all feel so real with real struggles. Highly recommend.
October 6, 2022
The author knows a lot about fine dining. I know nothing, so it was interesting to read about various food combinations without having to pay the exorbitant prices. The kitchen was in a posh hotel in New York City. The main character, Maggie, had to prove herself to be accepted in a male-dominated occupation. There are a couple of love stories too. Having read that the author lives in Jersey, Channel Islands, I see where some of the British terms she uses come from. Profanity.
October 15, 2022
I love food, I do enjoy a little romance, and who can resist the poor girl meets nice guy routine on more than one level, am I right? I found I was able to imagine the characters, food and settings working together well, so much so I am pretty sure I directed this one into a nice Hallmark Sunday afternoon.
December 18, 2021
loved everything about this story. It was light, fun and full of good feelings. I so needed that during this time. The women were all easy to like and I wanted happy endings for all of them. Can’t wait to read more from Laura carter.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
Thank you NetGalley for this arc
April 2, 2025
This is one of those super-gentle reads; the type where you know how it will end and the kind that I occasionally find a bit too easy. However, sometimes you need a big plate of pick-me-up with a side portion of happy-ever-after.
November 17, 2021
Started out good, but then became a very predictable story. There were too many British terms for a story set in NYC. Emily’s Wall Street fiancé reading a newspaper? Hard to believe.
September 28, 2022
perfect escapism
In a world in turmoil, it is comforting to immerse your mind into a world that is delicious and full of hope for bright tomorrows
In a world in turmoil, it is comforting to immerse your mind into a world that is delicious and full of hope for bright tomorrows
October 5, 2022
Very enjoyable read.
October 25, 2022
Good quick read. Finished in a couple days.
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