The Restaurant: Is a second chance at love on the menu?

by Roisin Meaney

The sparkling new novel from the best-selling Irish author Roisin Meaney.

When Chef Emily is left at the altar in front of her family and friends, she swears off love and instead throws herself into her new a restaurant with a difference. There's only one communal table, designed with the single diner in mind.

Now it's two years later, and with her business thriving with regular customers, romance is still the last thing on Emily's mind - until she receives a letter from her ex who is returning home from Canada with a burning question for her....

Will Emily give up her business for the life she used to want, or will she realise that happiness might be on the menu a little closer to home?

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Ireland, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published June 4, 2020

About the author

Born on 3rd September.
A published author of twenty books for adults and three for children, Roisin worked as an advertising copywriter for a number of years, and brings a vast amount of experience to the editing team. Her first novel, The Daisy Picker, won a Write a Bestseller competition. Her third novel, The Last Week of May reached number one on the Irish bestseller list and her fourth, The People Next Door reached number two. Her books have been translated into several languages, and two, Semi-Sweet and Life Drawing for Beginners, have been published in the US. She is currently working on her next book, which is scheduled for publication in autumn 2023. She is also plotting another children's book - shhhhh.

Reviews

[Cam (Lana Belova) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roisin Meaney is a wonderful author who really knows how to bring all the characters to life, making the reader feel a part of a story! I don't know what I enjoy most in all of her books - because she writes about people who make you feel like you already know them for quite some time and want to be friends with, or because all of her stories having a certain type of magic in them is one of those beautiful things that I find special in her writing... Both, I think :)
The Restaurant is a beautifully written and captivating story, a story of friendship, the struggles of life and hope. I really enjoyed this book and didn't want it to end... It'd be fantastic if someday we have a chance to meet this wonderful group of friends again! A definite addition to my favourite reads bookshelf!!! 💗



Images: 1 & 2. Art by Joel Tourlonias
3. Art Photography by Aleksandra Alekseeva

[Mairead Hearne (swirlandthread.com) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Restaurant is the latest novel from bestselling author Roisin Meaney and will be published June 4th with Hachette Ireland. Described as ‘the sparkling new novel about finding happiness in unexpected places' The Restaurant is a book I would describe as a warm hug. Reading Roisin Meaney’s writing brings a glow to your heart. It is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and is really the perfect antidote to the chaos that exists in today’s world.

Emily Feeney had it all planned out. She had a job that paid the bills, plenty of friends, a relationship of sorts with her parents (who had moved to Portugal) and a man she loved. It was to be her special day, her wedding day, the day little girls dream of, but for Emily it was a day to end in sorrow, one that would change the course of her life. With all the guests in the church waiting and Emily arriving in the car, it is soon clear that no groom will be making an appearance. Emily is left distraught, picking up the pieces of a life that has been shattered. Fergal has apparently packed his bags and moved to Canada, with nothing but a note under a doorway to let Emily know.

Emily makes the decision to park love and to immerse herself in a new business idea, one that brings passion back into her life, but not of the heart kind. Emily turns to food and her passion to bring new taste sensations to her local town. With her grandmother bequeathing her a premises with upper living accommodation and a small shop front, Emily is inspired to open a restaurant with a difference and The Food of Love is born.

One table with fourteen chairs, a place with single diners in mind where they can choose to dine in company. Emily realises that this concept is not to everybody’s taste and, in the opening days, she has many doubts. But as the weeks pass, Emily’s restaurant becomes a safe haven for many and a curiosity for others. Emily attracts folk due to her caring and gentle personality. She listens and she knows when to just be there with a warm bowl of soup, a delicious slice of some luscious cake and an invitation to just be yourself.

The Food of Love begins as a business but it soon becomes more than that. Emily invests her whole being into the running of the place every day. She prepares the dishes with love and with a hope that her restaurant, though small, offers respite for those in need of comfort and company. Emily becomes a valued member of the town but when Fergal makes an unexpected appearance, Emily is thrown. He has caused her great pain but is she willing to forgive him? Is she willing to let him back into her life? Is she prepared to give up all that she has built?

Roisin Meaney has created the most gorgeous characters in The Restaurant. As each of their back stories is revealed I was left with tears in my eyes. Their personalities lift off the page with their heartache palpable in every word. I warmed to every single one of them, but it was Astrid who stole my heart. The fear, the pure terror of her early years and the bravery and courage she showed is beautifully captured by Roisin Meaney. I would actually love to read Astrid’s full story as an offshoot of The Restaurant and, now that I’m saying it here, I would actually love to see many of the characters developed further on their own stage. They each have individual stories to tell that I would really like/hope to see elaborated *she hints*

In creating The Food of Love, Emily Feeney becomes a catalyst for change among a community that needed something special. Roisin Meaney explores the impact that a listening ear, a friend can have on the mindset of a person. She skillfully handles many themes including loneliness, drug abuse, physical abuse, mental health, old-age, parenting and much more.

The Restaurant is a beautifully crafted story knitting together the lives of the four main characters. The development of relationships and friendships, the uncovering of past histories, the secrets that people keep are all wonderfully interwoven creating a gorgeous tale that will delight, charm and captivate the reader.

Lose yourself in The Restaurant, a heartwarming read that is guaranteed to uplift and cast a warm glow, perfect for these troubled times.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!!! I think this is my favorite book by Roisin Meaney and I loved so many of her books. I hated that the story ended. I could have kept reading about all the characters. Each of their stories was interesting and they were all so different. I loved how they were all connected, pretty much the restaurant brought them all together. There's so much more I want to learn about each of them. I definitely knew what Emily's second job was, it really wasn't hard to guess. I want to be friends with all of them and eat at the restaurant. Emily was so frustrating. I wanted to shout at her when she was making all those horrible decisions. Her friends and family could see it was a disaster in the making. I couldn't believe she would just give everything up so easily. Astrid's life was very intriguing and I have many questions. I would love to know more about her husband and their life together, the time she spent hiding during the war and how she got to Ireland. She was such an interesting character. I loved how the book alternated between heather, Emily, Astrid and Bill.

Definitely recommend the book. I loved everything about it- the characters, story and writing style. It was full of friendship, love and forgiveness and so much more. I would love to read more about Emily, Bill, Heather, Astrid and all the others. There's got to be more to their stories. Look forward to reading more books by the author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Hachette Books Ireland through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some great ideas, but the writing and audio narration are just ok.

[Obsidian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went on a Meaney and True Crime reading spree during my Christmas break. I have to say that Meaney usually does a better job of drawing together her characters, but in this one everyone besides one of the character was not developed very well. Also I thought it was a bit odd that two of the women ended up with men that were so much older than them. I didn't think that anyone was in "love" with the respective people they ended up with. I do wish that Meaney had gone whole hog about doing a second chance romance. Instead it just read as badly fumbled to me.

"The Restaurant" follows 28/29 year old Emily. We find out that Emily was left at the aisle two years earlier and after some initial heartache, has opened a communal restaurant that means a lot to the people that come to it. When Emily's ex-fiancée comes back to her life though, it becomes a question if she will keep her restaurant going, or live it behind for a new life. The book follows three of her customers, Bill, Heather, and Astrid.

Astrid had the best story-line of any of the characters and honestly her story made me cry.

Bill actually ticked me off. He is almost 50 and is dealing with a daughter who is about Emily's age that is homeless and addicted to drugs. Bill tries to do what he can to help her, and then even suggests that she does some work for Astrid.

Heather has a young daughter that has never met her parents. About 8 years ago Heather stepped off a plane in England and escaped to Ireland to live. She runs into a man she met when she was pregnant who ended up firing her due to her condition.

Bill and Heather's story honestly made little to no sense after a while.

The writing didn't grab me after the initial descriptions of the village and Emily's home and restaurant. Meaney can usually turn a sentence, but I just could not get into this one at all. I was most invested in Astrid and Emily's chapters. Usually Meaney can juggle multiple characters in her books, but this one's flow just didn't work. Maybe because Astrid's story felt like it belonged in a different book?

The ending was a really long sure that happened moment for me.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every now and again, at least once a month, I want to read some Irish fiction. The characters are flawed and have “bad” things happen to them (life 🤷🏻‍♀️) but they have a really good outlook on life without being too optimistic, which I find both real and refreshing.

This is a story about a woman who starts a tiny restaurant after being left at the altar. We learn about the stories of all the people who dine there who are all seeking human connection.

This is not my favourite novel by this author (read The Anniversary!) but I loved it enough to give it 5⭐️

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging story with likeable characters that involved me in their lives. Recommended for a good light read.

[Emma Crowley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh Roisin Meaney, what an absolute gem of a book you have written in writing The Restaurant. It’s a warm hug of a read that embraces you from page one and doesn’t relinquish its hold until the very last page. I’m a huge fan of Roisin’s books set on the fictional island of Roone and they will always hold a special place in my heart but this new book is an utter triumph and truly something very special indeed. This story follows numerous characters all interconnected by their love of the unique restaurant named The Food of Love which Emily Feeney has created.

There is nothing like it anywhere else and it’s a place which brings solace and comfort to those who need it and which provides many opportunities for love to find those who are crying out for it. The story is like a little series or snapshots into the characters lives and there was a danger that each subplot could have read as a little short story, therefore becoming disconnected and disjointed from the main plot, but thankfully this didn’t occur. Instead all the various storylines merge together into one wonderful read that I devoured in one sitting whilst spending a pleasant afternoon relaxing in the garden.

Such elegant, evocative, honest and emotional writing that deals with some pretty serious issues quickly transports you deep into the hearts and minds of the characters to make for one beautifully crafted read that deserves much success.

Emily inherited her grandmothers millinery shop and the flat above it but as she knew nothing about hats she decided to transform the small space into a restaurant. It’s designed to comfort the lonely and offer friendship and support where people can come and eat, chat and exchange stories. In doing this Emily feels that she is doing something right and worthwhile considering her own personal life and planned future fell apart when she discovered her partner Fergal was not all he was cracked up to be and she was dumped on her wedding day. Emily has decided there will not be a next time when it comes to Fergal. She has learnt her lesson and thinks hearts are best left in their owner’s possession. She will surrender to nobody and keep her heart safe and protected. Emily channels her anger, loneliness, frustration and sadness into this new venture and she feels that she is doing good in the world.

What sets this restaurant apart from the many others out there is that there is limited seating and Emily has put communal dining in place. So people may find themselves sitting beside or opposite any sort of character and will have to engage in conversation. The simple yet heartwarming concept of the restaurant was so unique and special and I think Emily knew she was on to a winner but little did she realise just how much her idea would prove to be so beneficial to so many people. In doing this, she was trying to heal her own heart after enduring such hurt and perhaps by helping others she would be able to help herself move forward. Maybe not so much in the romance department as she feels this has become a closed book but in other aspects of her life she would hopefully feel better about herself.

Yes, of course the descriptions of the food were fabulous and so carefully thought out but food wasn’t the sole focus of the book despite the title and themes. Instead the various customers that visit, some of which become firm friends with Emily, take centre stage and it’s the fact that the reader gets to hear each story told in alternating chapters from the different viewpoints that makes this read absorbing and deeply gratifying. All the little connections between everyone that slowly start to become apparent are so wonderfully woven together. The reader can join the dots but the characters don’t really until towards the end so this allows them to take things at face value where as I was making judgements far too quickly.

Bill feels like the restaurant is a home for him as he is widowed and his daughter Christine is more or less estranged from him. She is in a deep dark place that Bill can’t reach and although he tries his best to help her. Unless someone has reached that point where they are willing to accept help then all he can do is wait. Bill was really lost and he craved some love in his life as he feels so lonely. He is heartbroken and in pain and needs someone to put him back together again. He feels such guilt that the situation with Christine is all his own fault and over the course of the story he develops a fondness that morphs into something greater. But he harbours this to himself and all you really want to be able to say to him is Bill just go for it what have you got to lose? Bill writes to an agony aunt in a local newspaper and she offers him advice but it’s the restaurant and the people he meets, in particular the amazing 93 year old Austrian Astrid, that offer him the connections and advice he so desperately needs. I had my suspicions about the agony aunt letters the entire way through this book and I was proven correct, I thought it was so very clever and really helped the book come full circle.

Astrid was just the most amazing character, written with such compassion and warmth and including her family history from the war years went a long way in explaining how she feels at this stage in her life. Astrid was introduced to the café by Heather who was originally from America and who was actually the first customer that Emily greeted. Again Heather was another brilliantly written character, in fact all the female characters were excellent. They wore their heart on their sleeves and although I can’t say that they were strong all the time but they knew just what to say to each other to help each other out and by doing this it as like all their carefully packed away emotions came spilling out.

Heather is a single mum who is doing her best for her child. She works so hard doing odd jobs and is so independent and is like a jack of all trades. I loved how she always said what she thought and knows what she likes and doesn’t like. But despite an affluent childhood she was neglected and the lack of communication with her parents eats away at her. She has a lot to cope with but the past needs to be resolved before she can truly embrace the future. Heather almost seemed older and wiser than her years. She arrived in Ireland at such a young age but the way she went about things and her kind and caring nature particularly when it came to Astrid meant I had nothing but admiration and respect for her.

There is so much that happens over the course of this story that it could have all become rushed and forced with endless events and situations being flung at the reader leaving little or no time to digest anything but Roisin Meaney paced everything to absolute perfection. There are many complexities to deal with but it all felt so natural and it was like all the characters combined to make one big family unit with The Food of Love as their base. Admittedly halfway through the book I found Emily’s actions really went against everything she had professed in relation to her life as outlined in the earlier chapters. I thought what on earth are you doing? She looked to be making the biggest mistake of her life and I think Heather and Astrid could see this too, but they knew not to force things but rather to be there to deal with the fallout if indeed that did happen. If Emily had not come up with such a brilliant idea to transform her grandmother's shop than all this fantastic characters I got to read about would never have met each other and their hearts, souls, minds and problems would never have been exposed in the extraordinary and admirable way in which they were.

If you want a special read to take you away from the world in which we live in today and all the problems in it then I would highly recommend The Restaurant. I loved every minute of it and didn’t want it to end. It’s crying out for a sequel/catch up with all the characters or even to introduce new characters. Hint hint Roisin Meaney. Even if a full length book is not possible, a short story would make me very happy. It’s definitely one for the keeper shelf and it will take pride of place alongside all the other books from this talented Irish writer.

[Alva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Settling down with the latest Roisin Meaney book reminds me of exactly how I felt when settling down with the latest Maeve Binchy story. It's a blanket of storytelling that wraps you up in other people's lives for a while, people you understand, people who frustrate you, people you grow to love as the pages turn and their lives become your life. Emily's restaurant has brought together a group of people you'd want as neighbours and friends. I do hope there's a sequel to The Restaurant because I don't know how Emily, Bill, Astrid, Mike, Heather and Shane can not be revisited! How's that for a subtle message, Roisin Meaney. Wonderful characters here as always from one of Ireland's favourite authors.

[Lisa K. Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet

What a lovely and loving book. This one falls firmly in the “warm hug”category. Characters you’re rooting for, meet-cutes that are pleasingly contrived, villains who deserve your disdain… all in a setting that is warm and welcoming. I’d love to read more about this group.

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story set in a small town in Ireland and how the people come together as a community.

[booksofallkinds · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher

Roisin Meaney's books always feel like a warm hug after a long, hard day, and THE RESTAURANT is no different.

Emily has tried to move on after getting dumped at the altar by the man she had planned her future with. After losing her beloved gran, she took a chance and opened a unique restaurant in what used to be her grandmother's small hat shop, and to her surprise, it proved to be popular. Now, Emily looks forward to seeing new customers mixing with her regulars who have become more like family - Heather who left behind a world of wealth to follow her heart; Astrid who has a traumatic past that nobody knows anything about; and Bill who is struggling with his only daughter and the world she has entered. Each of them finds peace, friendship, and possibly more because of the special place that Emily has created for them all. But when Emily's ex returns to Ireland and into her life again, will she trust him with her heart again and give up everything she knows for a chance at a different future?

Emotionally-charged with characters that feel like family, THE RESTAURANT by Roisin Meaney leaves no stone unturned in this compelling story of life's highs and lows, and the strength that people can draw from other people and from within themselves. Astrid was by far my favourite - strong, determined, and brave beyond words. But I loved all of these characters and the way their lives intertwined at the right moments. The setting of the restaurant was excellent and while there are many sensitive topics broached in this novel, they are all handled in an honest and tender way that worked well in getting the impact across to readers.

THE RESTAURANT by Roisin Meaney is a fantastic book written by a superb Irish author and I look forward to the next book already.

[Loretta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this book if you want to know about adults making stupid decisions .

The only adult I liked was Astrid.

[Mary Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emily has been jilted at the altar, Bill has problems with his daughter, Astrid has lived through the horrors of WWII and Heather has lost a loved one in her childhood.
They meet up time on time in Emily’s little restaurant for the comfort of her lovely food and each other’s company.
The Restaurant is the latest offering from Roisin Meaney and it lives up to the high expectations we have of her. The characters are solid and genuine and a pleasure to be in the company of. The writing is natural and elegant and as always, Ms Meaney does not shy away from real life issues.
The little twist revealed itself to me in that lovely time before you fall asleep at night, thinking over what you have been reading, but it wasn’t a tough one to crack.
The Restaurant is a joy. The writer indulges shamelessly in her obvious pleasure for glorious wholesome food, with descriptions sharp enough to make you hungry. It’s a page turner, a book you are sad to finish and I really look forward to the next.
With thanks to Netgalley and Hatchette Books Ireland

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

NetGalley

Member Review
Cover Image: The Restaurant
The Restaurant
by Roisin Meaney
Pub Date: 4 Jun 2020
Review by

jeanie m, Reviewer
Last updated on 19 Apr 2020
My Recommendation
With thanks to netgalley and hachette books Ireland for an early copy in return for an honest review
Firstly I would just like to say what an amazing book.
Roisin has a way of delivering her characters that you actually feel there real this was quite a complex saga that dealt with quite a few complexities this was dealt with seamlessly the book flowed absolutely perfectly each characters having there own troubles but in the end through friendship trust and help all came good.
A very intriguing and well blended novel.

[Hanlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, thought-provoking and at times heartwrenching read! Do we really know how much hurt/horror is hidden behind a smile? Do we take the time to really get to know the people around us? And finally....can a leopard change its spots......

The Restaurant is a story about; well a restaurant! But not just an ordinary restaurant. There is nothing ordinary about ”The Food of Love". This is a magical place that brings people together. A place people can forget their worries and share a bowl of soup and freshly baked bread. A truly special place.

This is a book that tickles your senses and makes you salivate! A must-read, feel-good story that will pull at your heartstrings.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Books Ireland for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Mags · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! Emily was such a lovely’s character, after getting jilted at the church on her wedding day she leaves and sets up a restaurant in the premises her grandmother left to her. I loved the idea of it just having room for one big table and soon the locals would come to sit around it and chat and eat Emilys gorgeous culinary delights thus forging lovely friendships and getting to know the local community who soon came to rely on Emily’s restaurant for a lot more than the delicious food. But will the sudden appearance of Emily’s ex put an end to the restaurant?

Thank you to NetGalley and Róisín Meaney for the ARC of The Restaurant my review is honest and unbiased.

[Christine Rennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Recommendation
With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading. The Restaurant by Roisin Meaney is a delightful book to sit and relax and enjoy reading. It is the story of the people who live, work and enjoy eating in the Restaurant. It opens for lunch and evening meal 5 days a week. There is only room for one oval table, so everyone must sit together and eat and hopefully talk and enjoy other people’s company. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
Highly Recommended.

[Amy West · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable and at times emotional look into the lives of a number of people who own/frequent a restaurant. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters and their history and found myself staying up late wanting to know more and more about them. I also enjoy any book that has a nod to food or baking so particular enjoyed reading about what was on the menu and the bread baking. Would recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Siobhán Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With sincere thanks to Hachette Ireland and Roisin Meaney for ARC in return for an honest review

I am now looking for a restaurant similar to the one in this book. The authors description makes it so inviting, not only for the great food but the warmth and companionship of the people you can share the table with. While being introduced to some of the regulars, very slowly and with compassion their lives and their stories unfold. I want more. I want to know what happened next. I want to visit The Restaurant

A thoroughly enjoyable read that I’m happy to recommend

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had not read any books by Roisin Meaney but I love Irish Authors so I thought yeah I will give it a go. I liked it although felt it was a bit predictable and I had guessed quite early on how it would all come together. I love a book I cant put down and whose characters I become so involved with I feel like I know them all. I did get involved with the characters, they were all very likeable and normal people although I did manage to lift and lay the book. Will I read any more by Roisin Meaney the answer is yes. I did enjoy it.

[Sarah Hills · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book. Just great.
This is a new author to me but she has already many books to her name. Its obvious she has much skill at her craft as she writes so freely in an easy to access manner.
I love that this book is written from many perspectives which adds so much more to the background and thoughts of each character.
So yes, it's about a restaurant and it's clients but it's so much more. You learn about their lives and there is so much to learn. It had me hooked from the outset and I really didn't want to put it down.
Highly recommended.

[Lee-Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written story by one of my favourite Irish authors. Roisin Meaney’s latest novel “The Restaurant” weaves its story around 4 main characters. Emily who owns a restaurant with one large oval dining table which offers diners the possibility of friendship; Bill, who is a widower and has a troubled daughter; Heather who left the USA when she was sixteen and ran away to Ireland and dear 92 year old Astrid whose past is the saddest of all. A delightful read.

[Kay-Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really lovely read. I loved the characters, all with thoughtfully developed backgrounds and all relatable in some way. This is the kind of novel that reminds us to be kind to each other, to acknowledge everyone person has their own struggle.

Thank you Netgalley and Hachette Books Ireland for the advanced copy! (This is my first Netgalley title and I'm so excited to sell it in store!)

[Kay Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big warm hug of a book.

I loved this latest book from one of my favorite authors. The characters were so real to me, I loved reading about their lives and didn't want it to finish. Anyone who reads Roisin Meaney books will know what I mean. I wait patiently for her latest offering knowing I will never be disappointed.

[Rachel McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Giving this book a 4/5 mainly because it had a very slow start. The book only became interesting about 30% of the way through when the author revealed more about the characters' backgrounds. I also thought some of the age gaps between some of the romantically-involved characters were ridiculous and somehow normalised in the novel. Some of the characters were also inaccurately portrayed, like Heather who sounds neither American nor 25 years old. However, I found the overall storyline interesting and liked how the characters were all connected to each other in some way.

[Aoife · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one of Roisin’s, it was a different story with different characters that I really liked the change in pace. I loved following the stories of all the characters, especially Emily, Bill and Heather. I felt that Astrid’s story was told with pure heart and poignancy with the history involved. I think it’s my favourite of Roisin’s novels - and I adore the novels set in Roone.

[Georgina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was a simple story but what shines through is the depth of the characters. There are a lot of characters with different back stories, all slowly revealed which is fascinating. And the real winner in this story is love of all kinds, romantic, family and friendship. Recommend as a great read.

[kathleen hennessy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lot’s of Love And Friendship

This is a heartwarming read! Great for reminding you that there are still lots of good people out there. But it also deals with some realistic issues that can happen to anyone or any family. Wonderful characters and good story line. A little surprise at the end that I did not pick up while reading the book.

[Alison Goss · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely read, exploring the lives of a small group of people connected via a restaurant that is established with communal dining in an effort to create connections over dinner.

With themes of family, love, loss, addiction and community this is a tale that meanders slowly through the lives of our characters.