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8th out of 58 books
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21 voters
The Blue Bistro
Adrienne Dealey has spent the past six years working for hotels in exotic resort towns. This summer she has decided to make Nantucket home. Left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend, she is desperate to earn some fast money. When the desirable Thatcher Smith, owner of Nantucket's hottest restaurant, is the only one to offer her a job, she wonders if she can get by with no restau...more
Paperback, 384 pages
Published
May 30th 2006
by St. Martin's Paperbacks
(first published June 1st 2005)
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The Blue Bistro is about a woman in her late twenties named Adrienne who comes to a crisis point in her life after her boyfriend, a drug addicted, unemployed loser, steals her life savings and thousands more from her employer. She turns him in to the police and flees town, heading to Nantucket where she hopes to find the next in a long line of hotel resort jobs she has worked since graduating from college.
Adrienne has made a string of bad romantic choices, opting consistently for men who are emo...more
Adrienne has made a string of bad romantic choices, opting consistently for men who are emo...more
I really really wish that goodreads would implement half stars - I truly enjoyed this book - I'd probably give it a 3.5 stars - but I didn't want to mark it down to three.
at 28, Adrienne Dealey has had pretty bad luck when it comes to relationships in her life. The latest was a doozy! Doug ended up stealing all her savings and stealing from customers of the resort she managed and in order to get some perspective she decides to leave town for the summer, heading to Nantucket.
On her ferry trip, a...more
at 28, Adrienne Dealey has had pretty bad luck when it comes to relationships in her life. The latest was a doozy! Doug ended up stealing all her savings and stealing from customers of the resort she managed and in order to get some perspective she decides to leave town for the summer, heading to Nantucket.
On her ferry trip, a...more
Took this on a flight recently - perfectly light and digestible - just what I needed to while away 17 hours in the air. Set in Nantucket, story centers around the Blue Bistro, her staff and her patrons. Just enough romance without being too gushy. I will look for more Elin Hilderbrand to read during the summer (as I think she is the perfect author to read while you are laying in the sun).
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
The Blue Bistro by Elin Hildenbrand
Food menu sounds delicious! Last summer for the bistro to be open on Nantucket Island in MA. Adrian Deely was just on the island from Colorado with borrowed money and a lot of debt. She ends up in a room with other college girls and goes to apply for a job at the bistro.
Thatcher Smith is the owner and he agrees to let her work at the bistro. Love how the bar is blue and the story behind it. The job of hostessing and accepting reservations was something she like...more
Food menu sounds delicious! Last summer for the bistro to be open on Nantucket Island in MA. Adrian Deely was just on the island from Colorado with borrowed money and a lot of debt. She ends up in a room with other college girls and goes to apply for a job at the bistro.
Thatcher Smith is the owner and he agrees to let her work at the bistro. Love how the bar is blue and the story behind it. The job of hostessing and accepting reservations was something she like...more
Adrienne Dealey is a young girl who has spent the better part of her life moving around changing schools, chasing jobs and bad boy friends. While leaving Colorado and a boyfriend who stole all her money, she ends up in Nantucket at the Blue Bistro due to a passing comment from a fellow passenger on the ferry ride over. Adrienne ends up the assistant manager there and in a relationship with the manager/owner Thatcher Smith. I found the kitchen dynamics more interesting than the romance between Ad...more
Every so often I like to pretend I'm an open-minded person. So, one day, when I am innocently shelving this book in the course of my library duties, and for some reason it catches my eye, I check it out and think to myself, why not? I almost never read this kind of thing, so why not try something that goes against my grain? After all, I reason, as a writer, shouldn't I read as widely and voraciously as possible, including stuff I wouldn't normally?
And hey, I like mental mashed potatoes, fluffy...more
And hey, I like mental mashed potatoes, fluffy...more
After having loved Hilderbrand's books, Silver Girl, Barefoot, The Island, etc. I am on a mission to read all of Hilderbrand’s books! Which led me to The Blue Bistro and just like her others this book did not disappoint! In fact I think this is one of my top favorites from her thus far. I have to say I was getting sick of all the cheating Elin likes to incorporate into most stories and thou there was still mention of this with a side character it wasn’t the main focus in this story.
The Blue Bis...more
The Blue Bis...more
Yet another instance if me longing for half stars! lol... I give this novel a very solid 4.5, though it is in the bubble of five for me.
Mrs. Hildebrand is an excellent writer with a unique story telling method. Although I typically prefer an intense murder/thriller/mystery or a soft, quick-to-read and always happilybending romance, I find myself drawn to her books.
I am not sure how the booksellers (or the author herself), classify this book; I am dubbing it "drama". I guess that is likely my own...more
Mrs. Hildebrand is an excellent writer with a unique story telling method. Although I typically prefer an intense murder/thriller/mystery or a soft, quick-to-read and always happilybending romance, I find myself drawn to her books.
I am not sure how the booksellers (or the author herself), classify this book; I am dubbing it "drama". I guess that is likely my own...more
Quick Summary - The Blue Bistro follows a woman with a transient lifestyle as a hotel concierge who starts a job as a Nantucket restaurant assistant manager after being left penniless by her scumbag boyfriend. Over the course of the novel she learns the ways of the restaurant world, rubs shoulders with important and wealthy Nantucket residents, makes friends, and finds love.
The Blue Bistro is an okay beach read - I went in with exactly those expectations and, after the slow-ish start up, was fa...more
The Blue Bistro is an okay beach read - I went in with exactly those expectations and, after the slow-ish start up, was fa...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Rating 4.5
I loved this book. It was fun, refreshing, and as enticing as the menu at the Blue Bistro. The atmosphere created in the restaurant was irresistible and made me want to be there (which is saying a lot since I would never work in a restaurant in real life). I thought the characters were wonderful and I loved the mysteriousness in the novel - It made it very hard to put down. The main character, Thatcher, reminded me of a younger version of Danielle Steel's Cooper Winslow (who I adored)...more
I loved this book. It was fun, refreshing, and as enticing as the menu at the Blue Bistro. The atmosphere created in the restaurant was irresistible and made me want to be there (which is saying a lot since I would never work in a restaurant in real life). I thought the characters were wonderful and I loved the mysteriousness in the novel - It made it very hard to put down. The main character, Thatcher, reminded me of a younger version of Danielle Steel's Cooper Winslow (who I adored)...more
This is the second book by Elin Hilderbrand I have read. Without a doubt, the author is a talented writer with a unique writng style. Both were entertaining and kept me turning the pages. But both books were also flawed. In The Blue Bistro, Hildebrand described the gourmet restaurant business as exciting and unusual. The best parts of the novel detailed the daily adventures in the restaurant and the interactions of the employees. My problem with The Blue Bistro was the relationship between the m...more
When Adrienne Dealey arrives on Nantucket Island, she is broke, rudderless, and running from a life of lost connections and relationship woes.
A motherless child at twelve, most of Adrienne's life has been about fleeing from the past.
On her first day in Nantucket, she meets Thatcher Smith, one of the owners of the Blue Bistro, a legend in its own time, famous for its cuisine and its reclusive chef and co-owner, Fiona Kemp.
When Thatcher hires her, he also lets her know that this summer is the fina...more
A motherless child at twelve, most of Adrienne's life has been about fleeing from the past.
On her first day in Nantucket, she meets Thatcher Smith, one of the owners of the Blue Bistro, a legend in its own time, famous for its cuisine and its reclusive chef and co-owner, Fiona Kemp.
When Thatcher hires her, he also lets her know that this summer is the fina...more
LOVED!! Elin Hilderbrand, author of the enchanting Summer People and The Beach Club , invites you to experience the perfect getaway with her sparkling new novel. Adrienne Dealey has spent the past six years working for hotels in exotic resort towns. This summer she has decided to make Nantucket home. Left flat broke by her ex-boyfriend, she is desperate to earn some fast money. When the desirable Thatcher Smith, owner of Nantucket's hottest restaurant, is the only one to offer her a job, she won...more
I believe this book would be called a summer read or beach book,somewhat out of my comfort zone,however that's what's about a book group, you are introduced to books you wouldn't usually even look at ,and that's a good thing,however this one did not work for me. I did enjoy reading the about the restaurant "the blue bistro" and every thing that is happening behind the scenes of a pricey,high end restaurant , the chef Fiona,the many other cooks,the bussers,the wait staff and floor manger. I will...more
This story is mainly about Adrienne Dealey escaping from a drug addicted boyfriend who stole her life savings. She moves to Nantucket for the sole purpose of making money and paying off her debts. Her mother passed away with pancreatic cancer when she was a young girl. After that, she and her dad moved around from town to town and never really "settled" into one place. Adrienne has traveled all over the world and has worked in the hotel business. She has a history of making poor choices in men....more
Hilderbrand is slowly becoming one of my favorite authors. Sure, her books are fabulous for summer reading on the beach lounge chair, but I think her MFA in creative writing really reflects her writing talent. She certainly captures place (Nantucket)and people (Adrienne and Thatcher) so well.
In Blue Bistro, the novel is set around a Nantucket restaurant run by Thatcher and Fiona where Adrienne stumbles into an assistant manager position. The last summer of the wait listed restaurant is told by...more
In Blue Bistro, the novel is set around a Nantucket restaurant run by Thatcher and Fiona where Adrienne stumbles into an assistant manager position. The last summer of the wait listed restaurant is told by...more
Nov 17, 2010
Holly Schindler
added it
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This is the first book I've read by this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. A Bookcrossing friend of mine loaned it to me, and assured me it would be perfect for my upcoming beach trip. How right she was!!
The author weaved an interesting story, with a perfect mix of just the right number of characters, each character being well-developed and intriguing. I really enjoyed reading about life on Nantucket, as well as the restaurant life -- which I admittedly don't know much about. I always lo...more
The author weaved an interesting story, with a perfect mix of just the right number of characters, each character being well-developed and intriguing. I really enjoyed reading about life on Nantucket, as well as the restaurant life -- which I admittedly don't know much about. I always lo...more
Okay, I just didn't get the obsessive friendship between Fiona and Thatcher. It sure seemed one-sided--all on Thatcher's side. I felt for Fiona, who wouldn't but show a little something--ANYTHING that resembles warmth or friendship. Sure I get really strong, solid friendship--but why did this friendship have to be sooo dramatic to the exclusion of all else for Thatcher? That said, there were some really touching moments between Thatcher and Adrienne--not fully developed, but I felt them. I was t...more
When I first started reading this book, I didn't love it. I thought the description of all the restaurant activity was unnecessary. I kept wondering, "Where is this GOING?" Also, the boss in the story irritated me by not only encouraging his assistant manager to drink, but practically forcing her to drink while she worked. Why would a recovering alcoholic who has to attend AA meetings push alcohol onto someone he cares about?
But I kept reading.
Eventually, the boss grew on me by his undying and...more
But I kept reading.
Eventually, the boss grew on me by his undying and...more
I read this 324 page book over a time span of 37 hours. I couldn't put it down. The author managed to combine 2 of my great loves: food/restaurants and for the reading. What could I possibly enoy more than reading a book set in a thriving Nantucket bistro? Ms. Hilderbrand hooked me at the first page with the scrumptious menu for the last summer season at The Blue Bistro. I find this author's novels to be a great vehicle for escapism, and this book did not dissapoint. At times, I found the descri...more
This was a really good book overall, but I feel like there were points where it lagged. There was a great deal of emphasis placed on the 'mystery' of why the resutarant would be closing at the end of the summer, but when the explanations were finally provided it was almost an afterthought. The ending had the same pattern and, I felt, that a lot was left up in the air in an attempt to create a fairy tale ending. I didn't care for that, so I couldn't award a full 5 stars.
What I truly loved about t...more
What I truly loved about t...more
Normally, I love Elin Hilderbrand's books. This one, I liked. I never did warm up to Adrienne, the main female character. I didn't find the story believable once she got to the restaurant (The Blue Bistro). She questioned everyone about Fiona, the chef, but NO-ONE, not ONE person would tell her what was going on. It wasn't that big a deal, truth be told, but I suppose the author had to have some bit of suspense there.
I also didn't find it believable that the owner would make Adrienne the assista...more
I also didn't find it believable that the owner would make Adrienne the assista...more
Elin Hilderbrand is such a wonderful writer. I seriously could not put this book down and read it in a day. I loved reading about Nantucket and the high-end restaurant business--the employees were like a real family. Adrienne, Thatcher and Finoa were great characters--I want to know more! This is recommended!
Another book set on Nantucket that did not disappoint! This was a great story and reading about the 'inside' of a restaurant business was interesting. The book got a little mushy in a few places but all in all a good read. I've never read a book by Elin Hilderbrand that I didn't enjoy!
When I started this book,it felt like a nothing special lunch.But when I kept going I understood the depth of it.As sometimes,a nothing special lunch becomes a delicious one,The Blue Bistro proved to be worth a sleepless night.
Both the story and the characters became deeper and deeper as the story grew.Even though the story was not full of twists,even the small turns were so unpredictable,especially Thatcher and Adrienne's relationship.I never saw that coming.
Thatcher and Fiona's friendship is s...more
Both the story and the characters became deeper and deeper as the story grew.Even though the story was not full of twists,even the small turns were so unpredictable,especially Thatcher and Adrienne's relationship.I never saw that coming.
Thatcher and Fiona's friendship is s...more
I really enjoyed this book - it was easy to see where it was going for the most part . . I did NOT like the ending - I thought my kindle was missing pages . . . Adrienne was searching for a family and a place to belong throughout and the end did not give you any real indication as to if she found it. And Thatcher . . . what was with his obsession did he love Fiona or Adrienne why did he do what he did? I really didn't want to put the book down but it ended really flat.
I liked the restaurant, I...more
I liked the restaurant, I...more
The Blue Bistro written by Elin Hilderbrand on a story on Adrienne Dealey the protagonist works at her job for six years. As the fiction starts off, “Adrienne needed a job” (Hilderbrand 1) as the first priority because she does not like working in hotels. She is being “trapped” into on place without any freedom. She needs to become “self sufficient” as the second concern about herself. Throughout the entire novel, the protagonist transition from not knowing herself and being trapped to knowing w...more
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Elin Hilderbrand lives on Nantucket with her husband and their three young children. She grew up in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and traveled extensively before settling on Nantucket, which has been the setting for her five previous novels. Hilderbrand is a graduate of Johns Hopkins University and the graduate fiction workshop at the University of Iowa.
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“He has never known a woman so free from conceit, vanity, ambition, pretense. He has never known a woman so willing to show the world that she is a human being.”
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Aug 07, 2012 02:21pm