Hey all, I'm back with another (shorter) book review! I wanted to squeeze in another one before the year ended, so I'm excited to share this one with you all. I had originally planned to read and review a Christmas story, but I've been reading this since before "A Touch of Darkness". This review will contain a few spoilers, so beware! *image above is not mine*
Synopsis: This story is one of love, loss, and learning to trust again. Margot, a barbecue cook and restaurant owner, has had a difficult past she wishes to escape. When she meets Jerome, the owner of the bakery next door, romance sparks for the first time in years for the pair. When Margot's past comes back to haunt her, she must learn to face it, all the while trying to maintain a flourishing relationship.
Writing: 4/5
I definitely enjoyed the writing in this book. The author mentioned many important topics such as racism, sexism, and the corruption in the judicial system. It was interesting to see Margot's broken past in her own point of view. The author did well conveying the pain Margot felt, even when she became close with Jerome. The writing was well done, and there were a couple comical sentences as well. While reading, I experienced many feelings of frustration, giddiness, and sadness. The author did a great job evoking feelings unto the reader. Also, there are many scenes with delicious food being described. I found myself hungry during many of these scenes.
Dialogue: 4/5
The dialogue was all pretty well done. Each of the characters had their own way of speaking which made them unique. For example, Margot is a Texan, and Susan Wiggs does great giving her the Texan accent and love for greasy cooking. I particularly liked the dialogue between Jerome and his two boys. It was endearing, and the author did a great job portraying the children in a believable way. However, some of Jerome's dialogue was very curt, and it sort of made him feel like he was nothing more than a male love interest. I do think that he was trying to be portrayed as sort of shy and quiet, but it did make him seem a bit dull for awhile.
Characters: 4/5
I liked the characters a lot. They all had backstories which were important to their characters as well to the overall story. I liked Ida, Jerome's mother, and Francis the most. Their story was unique and such an important testimony of true love. Ida's character was sweet but mysterious, as she hid her past just as well as Margot did. I do think, however, that Jerome's character was a bit two dimensional. His immediate attraction to Margot was endearing, but he did seem to fall in love a bit too fast for my taste. Like I said above, Jerome did come off as dull in certain passages. Otherwise, I enjoyed all the relationships in this novel.
Plot: 5/5
I really liked the plot of this book. It had depth, and it talked about things that really matter. I often like reading books with a deeper message and a story beyond the plot to tell. I found myself defending the main character and rooting for her victories, whether they be small or large. I did also like how the story did not only focus on Margot's past and present. It also focused on Ida and her past of being in love. My favorite part of the book was when we dove into Ida's past.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
I give this book a 4 out of 5 rating as a whole. It's a good read for those who enjoy romance mixed with an important message about today's world and community.
What are your thoughts?