Synopses & Reviews
Stacey Ballis cooks up a delicious broth of a novel about a woman whose perfect life falls apart in spectacular fashion--leaving her with a house to restore, an antique cookbook (but no cooking talent), and one very unhappy schnauzer. For fans of Jen Lancaster, Jennifer Weiner, and Emily Giffin. and#160;and#160; To an outside observer, Anneke Stroudt is a messand#151;her shirts are stained, her fingernails stubby, her language colorful. But, despite her flaws, Annekeand#8217;s life is close to perfect. She has a beautiful historic house to restore and a loving fiancand#233; who cooks like a dream.
and#160;
Until Annekeand#8217;s charmed existence falls apart when she loses both her job and her future husband in one terrible day. In need of a new start, she packs up her disgruntled schnauzer and moves into her half-finished home, where she throws her pent-up frustrationand#151;and what little savings she hasand#151;into finishing the renovation.
and#160;
But at the first step into the houseand#8217;s overhaul, Anneke is sidetracked when she discovers a mysterious leather-bound book, long hidden away, filled with tempting recipes and steamy secrets from Emma Ditmore-Smythe, the cook for the houseand#8217;s original owners. Slowly, with the help of some delicious food and Emmaand#8217;s life lessons, Anneke begins to realize that, just like a flawless recipe, sheand#8217;s been waiting for the right ingredients to cook up a perfect life all alongand#133;
and#147;With the perfect blend of humor and heart, Ballisand#8217;s writing is powerfully honest and genuinely hilarious.and#8221;--Jen Lancaster
INCLUDES RECIPES
and#160;
Review
Praise forand#160;OUT TO LUNCH "Ballis delves again into foodie womenand#8217;s lit with flavorful results. Some of the story's pleasure derives from the sheer Pinterest-quality abundance of goodsand#8212;cookies, cashmere andand#160;Chicagoand#160;restaurants abound. A recipe index is offered for aspiring chefs. But Ballis has real things to say about relationships and grief, and at its best, this book is honest and touching. A cozy meal, with dessert."and#8212;
Kirkus Reviews "A unique and satisfying story which slowly gains momentum like a carefully cooked meal."and#8212;
Booklist and#8220;Heartfelt and hilariousand#8230;.A deeply satisfying look at food, friendships and the families you create for yourself when you need them most.and#8221;and#8212;Jen Lancaster, author ofand#160;The Tao of Marthaand#160;andand#160;Here I go Again "A sparkling, heartwarming novel with all the elements of a can't-put-it-down read--a heroine you'll root for, unexpected plot twists, and dangerously good descriptions of food!"and#8212;Sarah Pekkanen, author ofand#160;The Best of Us "A funny and heartfelt tale of friendship, food, and how difficult it can be to open yourself up to love, youand#8217;ll want to devourand#160;Out to Lunchand#160;in one delicious bite. This is Stacey Ballis at her witty and chef-tastic best."and#8212;Amy Hatvany, author ofand#160;Heart Like Mineand#160;andand#160;Best Kept Secret
About the Author
Stacey Ballis is the author of eight foodie novels: Inappropriate Men, Sleeping Over, Room for Improvement, The Spinster Sisters, Good Enough to Eat, Off the Menu, Out to Lunch, and Recipe for Disaster. She is alsoand#160;a contributing author to three nonfiction anthologies: Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys, Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and Living Jewishly.