Book review: The Love Goddess' Cooking School

I just finished the Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate, and was rather impressed. This is the first time I've read this author, and I could tell from reading the synopsis of the book on the back cover that it was a more literary "chick-lit" book. you'll note from my previous reads that this is not a problem for me, but I wasn't sure what to expect from this one...basic premise is after losing at love once again, Holly Maguire (female protagonist) returns to her grandmother's home and business in Maine and tries to follow in her footsteps as a well-known Italian cook and fortune teller. Holly does not have "the gift" and barely knows how to boil water much less make pasta from scratch and run a successful cooking school. Her 4 students all have various life issues going on, and it's a bit predictable that Holly and her cooking class bring them together as they solve their problems. Holly finally finds love with the father of one of her students, but when his estranged ex-wife returns.....well, the ending is predictable too.

I give this book a solid B+ for good writing, even though the storyline is predictable, Melissa Senate keeps it moving along and a truly sweet story enfolds. I definitely wanted to finish the book to the end, versus put it down as I have so many books with plots like this. There was just something quaint and heartwarming about this book that made me glad to read it.