Scott (
The Poppy Wife) delivers a witty and engaging novel. When struggling Yorkshire author Stella Douglas is commissioned in 1932 to write her second book,
How the English Eat, she journeys across the countryside to discover the roots of English cooking. Her first book, a biography of a housekeeper and cookery expert, received good reviews but didn’t sell well, so Stella is determined to make her new work more accessible and profitable. When her car breaks down in Gloucestershire, she meets the charming and handsome Freddie Langham, whose magnetism intrigues her. Since Stella’s complicated feelings for her best friend Michael have been squelched by his engagement, Stella sees no reason why she shouldn’t continue seeing Freddie. But as Freddie’s influence over Stella’s writing grows, she begins to question whether the laissez-faire approach to research he encourages is what she wants. With Michael engrossed in his whirlwind relationship, Stella faces important decisions about not only her career but also her personal life.
VERDICT Scott takes readers on a journey of professional and personal discovery, making the novel an excellent pick for those who enjoy explorations of women’s independence.
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