Delicious by Sherry Thomas

Delicious by Sherry Thomas (also on Vox)

When Sherry Thomas' first book, Private Arrangements, came out, bloggers everywhere seemed in love with it. I read it and I enjoyed it. But given the high expectations, I enjoyed the book, but I didn't love it as some people did. So when Delicious came out, I was somewhat excited, but wary of the very positive buzz again. I was afraid to read too much about it in case my expectations got too high.

Verity Durant is a notorious chef. Her food is scrumptious and fit for kings. But she is also notorious for her relationship with her employer, Bertie Somerset. When Bertie unexpectedly passes away, his brother, Stuart, inherits everything, including Verity. As we come to find out, Verity and Stuart had one special night ten years ago. Can the two lovers find their way back to each other? Can Stuart, a politician on the rise, marry a nobody like his cook?

I had a bit of a hard time even opening this book because I wasn't a big fan of the concept. It's a bit Like Water for Chocolate. I'll never forget that scene when she started crying into the food and everyone who ate the food started crying. It's a little too fantastic. I never quite bought into the cook cooking with so much passion that those who eat her food will feel the same emotions. Anyway, but I did stay up until 3 am finishing this book.

Unfortunately, I think I read this book in one day not because I loved it, but because I kept waiting for something. But I didn't get it. I didn't feel the bond between the two characters. There was just too much backstory and not enough resolution. There's a secret adopted baby, a hidden inheritance (actually two of those), bastard children, half brothers at war, and more.

Here are my problems with the book (SPOILER AHEAD):

• I didn't feel like Verity really resolved her issues with her family. It seemed like she had all these problems with her family that were just instantly resolved. It seemed like the author was setting her powerful family up to be the bad guy. There were some ominous threatening overtones. But magically, her family loves her and was only mean for her own good? And Verity is okay with that? After 10 years of struggling on her own, she's now just going to be folded back into her family like nothing happened?
  And I felt like Stuart got off too easy. The people he had to make peace with were gone so basically he just had to forgive himself?
• I also didn't understand what made Verity make the mistakes she did when she was young, the one that got her basically into the whole mess she's in now.
  Also, it was a bit weird that Verity is such a notorious figure, but her affair with Bertie actually ended years ago. So she's basically a big harlot for doing ... nothing.
  Then there's Stuart and Verity's relationship. They both held their one night in such high esteem that they both never looked for anyone else for 10 years?? I'm sorry, ONE night with a total stranger??? I guess the idea is romantic, but I wonder if it's not just a bit obsessive.
• In the end, I guess I just wasn't rooting for anyone in particular, which was a problem.

Overall: C+.

p.s. What's the author's obsession with keeping people apart for 10 years? I keep hearing Janicu's voice in my head... tennnn yeeeeaaaarrrrrrs!!!