The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman

The Recipe Box is a novel steeped in family traditions with a sprinkling of romance and a dash of self discovery mixed in.  Sam is trying to make her way as a pastry chef in New York while she tries to move past the mark of her family's orchard in Michigan.  When things in New York suddenly take a turn, Sam returns home, but is it for a brief visit or is it her turn to head up the family orchard business?  As Sam struggles to define herself and her future, she turns to what she loves best - cooking.  All the women in her family have an exact copy of a recipe box that is filled with all the family's favorite recipes and it is through these recipes that Sam begins to find her way and see different paths to a bright future.  

Viola Shipman's novels take me back to a place where I can feel the past generations of the women in my family looking down on me and reminding me of all the wonderful family traditions we have had, whether it be the meaning behind family jewelry (The Charm Bracelet), the memories behind our family heirlooms (The Hope Chest) or the stories behind our family's favorite dishes (The Recipe Box).  As always, I enjoyed this book journey and look forward to the next Viola Shipman novel.  

Book club members, take note.  The Recipe Box would make a fun book club selection that could be enhanced by making and sharing the recipes included in the book, and maybe making one of your family favorites too.  

I received this book courtesy of St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.    

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