Publisher's Weekly Review
Readers seeking sweet and funny romance will be delighted with this food-centered series opener from Laureano (London Tides). Rachel Bishop finds purpose in creating a fine dining experience as the head chef and part owner of an upscale Denver restaurant. But her dream job is suddenly ripped away by the unwitting hands of writer Alex Kanin: his New Yorker article about internet trolling that mentions a spurious, negative review of her restaurant goes viral-and business at her restaurant dries up. Alex feels guilty about the fallout, so to combat the negative publicity he joins forces with Rachel to restart her career, creating a unique supper club for Denver's foodies. A growing connection between Rachel and Alex adds unexpected spice to their partnership, leaving Rachel to discover whether the demise of one dream can lead to another coming true. Through Alex's Russian Orthodox roots Laureano explores, with a light touch, how different faith traditions can lead people towards the same convictions. Bright, jovial, and peppered with romance and delectable cuisine, this is a sweet and lively love story. (Feb.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
RITA Award-winning author Laureano (London Tides, 2015) will entice readers with more than just romance in this first novel in a new series. The Saturday Night Supper Club follows Denver chef Rachel Bishop as she tries to rebuild her culinary career after a social-media incident gets her fired from her current restaurant. Helping her is writer Alex Kanin, the man who inadvertently caused the online snafu that got Rachel ousted. In an effort to assuage his guilt, Alex proposes that he and Rachel take advantage of an emerging trend in fine dining and host an exclusive pop-up dinner party. While Alex offers his connections and his home, Rachel will wow guests with her culinary expertise in hopes of redeeming her image. But as she and Alex work together, workaholic Rachel finds that there may be room for love in her life after all if she would only let it in. Writing charmingly about faith, love, friendship, and food, Laureano will leave readers hungry for the next installment in the Supper Club series.--Wathen, LynnDee Copyright 2018 Booklist
Library Journal Review
When Alex Kanin posts an online editorial underscoring the pitfalls of online criticism, it goes viral and inadvertently leads to Denver chef Rachel Bishop losing her job. Alex offers her an opportunity to display her cooking skills at a series of exclusive pop-up Saturday night dinner parties for Denver's elite. Neither expects to fall in love while trying to restore Rachel's professional reputation and revive Alex's flagging career, yet that is exactly what happens. Teri Schnaubelt's range and clear pronunciation enable distinct identification of multiple male and female characters. A nicely paced, professional production with excellent volume control. -Verdict This well-written modern romance with a strong female professional protagonist will appeal to listeners interested in romance, personal growth, and the food/restaurant industry. ["Romance aficionados and fans of stories about overcoming obstacles and the role of faith in everyday life will eagerly await the next entry in this sweet food-centered series": LJ 2/1/18 starred review of the Tyndale House hc.]-Laurie Selwyn, formerly with -Grayson Cty. Law Lib., Sherman, TX © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.