The Memory of Lemon

⭐⭐⭐/5

The author of The Cake Therapist returns with another sweet and emotional tale featuring Neely, the baker with a knack for finding exactly the right flavor for any occasion...

A crisp tang of citrus that is at once poignant and familiar, sharpening the senses and opening the mind to possibilities once known and long forgotten...

Claire “Neely” Davis is no ordinary pastry chef. Her flavor combinations aren’t just a product of a well-honed palate: she can “taste” people’s emotions, sensing the ingredients that will touch her customers’ souls. Her gift has never failed her—until she meets a free-spirited bride-to-be and her overbearing society mother. The two are unable to agree on a single wedding detail, and their bickering leaves Neely’s intuition frustratingly silent—right when she needs it most.

Between trying to navigate a divorce, explore a new relationship, and handle the reappearance of her long-absent father, Neely is struggling to make sense of her own conflicting emotions, much less those of her hard-to-please bride. But as she embarks on a flavorful quest to craft the perfect wedding celebration, she’ll uncover a family history that sheds light on both the missing ingredients and her own problems—and illustrates how the sweet and sour in life often combine to make the most delicious memories...

Where do I start with this one?

Expectations - loved the baking theme - the flavors, the colors, the creation; anticipated light and fluffy story and a quick read.

Reality - a touching story of family, forgiveness, redemption, old love, new love and the beauty of fresh baked treats! Oh - and wedding pie.

I grew up in my family's bakery and this truly gnawed at my memories of early mornings, the smell of fresh baked bread, colorfully decorated cookies and whipped cream covered cakes. As the author described several scenes I could only connect my personal memories to the story.

What I loved is that it was multi-layered - like a cake I guess - in the way it unfolded and connecting everything together. Yes, there was a happy ending but not without a few curves to navigate and learn from along the way.

Thank you Judith for a beautiful story, that was not too sweet and not too light!

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