Together At the Table by Hillary Manton Lodge

This book is marketed as a Christian novel. It's also a romance. This book is arranged in two parts. Part One is quite a bit longer than Part Two. The 34 chapters are short. Each chapter begins (or ends) with a food-oriented saying. A decoration and the italicized chapter number, line the far top right of each chapter. Each chapter ends with a recipe. The book begins with a forward. It's a letter from the central character to her fiance. In bold, it sets the stage fr the rest of this book. A Reader's Guide of questions for reflection is also included. All is ended with Acknowledgments made to those who made this book possible. The author, Hillary Manton Lodge, is an avid storyteller. She's a novelist, having written series books. These include the Two Blue Doors and the Plain and Simple Series. This book is Book 3 of the Two Blue Doors Series.

This novel failed to hold my interest. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I didn't realize that this is a lighthearted novel and a sentimental romance. In any case, it wasn't wha I expected. The description of this book indicated that a major secret loomed in the primary character's past. At first this caused me to anticipate reading this novel. When I started reading it, though, I never got intersted in this novel. The author writies this story well, from a literary point of view. This book is attractively packaged. It appeals to "foodies" who like to discuss food. The appeal is to those who like to read lighthearted material. This isn't a deep book. It's a book to snuggle up with and read with your coffee. As for me, I don't care to discuss food: I just like to eat it! I discerned little suspense in the story. Even at the end, when the secret was being uncovered, it didn't seem to be major. It seems to be something that is likely in the family trees of many of us. This book is marketed as a Chistian novel. But the only mention of spiritual things is once in the book. That's when the author mentions that the primary character attends her local worship service. I read of no mention of God, Christ, or spiritual things in this book beside this. So this novel is more like a wholesome, lighthearted novel. While the primary character has challenges, they seem to be more of the "mundane" variety.

This book is a lighthearted, wholesome novel. So it won't likely appeal to a broad audience. If you're tired of seedy, salacious novels, this book may be for you. There are many trashy novels out there, which should be burned! If you're a "foodie" who likes to discuss food, you'll enjoy this book. If you enjoy pure sentimental romances, this book is for you. Outside of these groups,I can't see that this book would hold anyone else's interest.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Blogging For Books, in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to give a positive review of this book.

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