Monday, August 22, 2016

The Forgotten Recipe + A Linkup

After losing her fiancé in a tragic accident, Veronica Fisher finds solace in the old recipes stored in her mother’s hope chest—and in a special visitor who comes to her bake stand to purchase her old-fashioned raspberry pies.
Veronica Fisher knows how lucky she is to be marrying her best friend. Seth Lapp is kind, hardworking, and handsome—but most importantly, he loves Veronica.
When an accident on the job steals Seth away from her, a heartbroken Veronica is certain she will never love—or be loved—again. Yet when she discovers a batch of forgotten recipes and opens a bake stand to sell her Mammi’s raspberry pies, Veronica picks up a regular customer who gives her heart pause.
Jason Huyard was with Seth when he lost his life—a memory that haunts him still. So when he seeks out the grieving fiancée to convey his condolences, the last thing he expects—or wants—is to fall in love. Nonetheless, Jason soon finds himself visiting Veronica’s bake stand every week…and it’s for more than the raspberry pies.
Now, as Veronica’s heart thaws, Jason can’t bring himself to tell her he was there when Seth died. Can he ever reveal where he was on the day her life derailed? Or will his secret rob them of the second chance at love they both want?


The Forgotten Recipe is the first book in Amy Clipston’s Amish Heirloom series, but isn’t the first book I’ve ever read by her. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of her Amish novels in the past, so I was really looking forward to getting to read this one. Especially since the whole series sounds absolutely wonderful! Plus, The Forgotten Recipe is such a thoughtful story full of what it’s really like to deal with grief and the feelings of guilt that sometimes come with it, and that made it so much more meaningful to read.
Veronica Fisher’s life is turned upside down when her fiancé Seth is taken from her after a terrible accident on the job, and she fears that her future is ruined forever. Though she struggles to get out of bed every morning, she busies herself to distract her brain from the pain that she’s in, and when she finds old recipes hidden away in the attic, she thinks she’s discovered the perfect way to keep herself busy. After opening up a bake stand to sell her becoming-famous raspberry pies, she meets someone who just might be the perfect person to give her new hope.
Jason Huyard knew Seth before he died; in fact, they were best friends, and Jason was the last person to see Seth before the fateful accident. After witnessing Veronica’s grief firsthand at the funeral, he knows he must meet her and tell her just how sorry he is. When he encounters her at her bake stand, he is floored by an immediate attraction to her, and he can’t find a way to be honest with her about where he was the day of Seth’s accident without putting her through more pain than she’s already encountered. But once he finally gathers up the courage to tell her the truth, will it be too late?
I really enjoyed getting to know both Veronica and Jason, although there were just a few things that bothered me about the two of them. While I understood that Veronica was going through a lot of pain and sorrow, and I was only full of compassion for her for the majority of the book, when I got to the part after Jason told her the truth, it was so difficult for me to understand how she could be so wishy-washy! I was able to get over it because I knew she was going through a lot, but I still got a little frustrated at how she went back and forth so many times. And Jason; while I loved him completely, I couldn’t help but find myself yelling at him over and over for all the times he should have told Veronica the truth but didn’t! If he had just been honest with her from the beginning, all of the pain and confusion that wracks the end of this book could have been avoided, and they could’ve had their “happily ever after” all that much sooner!
All in all, I really enjoyed this story, and I couldn’t get enough of all the hints it dropped for the later books in the series. I loved getting to know Veronica’s sister Rachel, who is the heroine in the next story, called The Courtship Basket, and I can’t wait to read it, though it isn’t at my library so I’ll have to wait whether I like it or not. However, I can still rave about The Forgotten Recipe as long as I want, and I can gladly say that I’ve given it four out of five bookshelves, and I highly recommend it as a fantastic book to read!
Happy reading!!

And now on to the linkup!


FEATURES
First, I’m featuring Ruth from My Little Nest and her post about a fantastic olive skirt she recently acquired and the adorable outfit she created with it!


Second, I’m featuring Kate from The Student’s Wife and her adorable post about how she loves to match her kids and the gorgeous white dress she’s been wearing.


RULES

 -Link back to Spreading His Grace, Bows and Clothes, or both

-Subscribe to both blogs and follow each of us on at least one social media

Mackenzie: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Sarah: Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Bloglovin'

-This linkup has no theme so we encourage you to link any of your recent posts. Also note that we have the right to delete your link if it isn't appropriate. However, we are super excited to read about your passions and are so glad that you've decided to join us!






To see where I’m linking up, check out my Where I Party page.

All credit for the italicized synopsis goes to Amy Clipston and Zondervan Publishing.

4 comments:

  1. This sounds like a fascinating book, although I could see myself getting frustrated with the character Jason--I hate it when you know a character is sitting on a secret and they need to tell but hold out!!

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  2. I love to read, and this book sounds good!!! I'm definitely going to look for it. Thanks for the recommendation...and for hosting the link up. We also do a link up every Tuesday, stop by and join in!!
    Betsy and Katey
    http://www.twopeasinablog.com

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    1. Oh, I love reading too! Haha can't you tell?! I'll definitely have to check out your linkup!

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