The Key Ingredient

Switchback, Vermont #0.5

by Susan Wiggs

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Susan Wiggs comes a wonderful short story, and companion tale to her unforgettable novel Family Tree

Every great love story has a beginning. Annie Rush’s started at a food cart in a vibrant city park. Annie, then a film student, came across a ruggedly handsome, charismatic chef serving up gourmet street food to an ever-growing clientele lining up for his creations. Together, Annie and Martin Harlow conceived The Key Ingredient, a cooking show featuring Martin as the star while Annie handles production.

As they travel to Annie’s Vermont hometown to film their pilot episode, she realizes that she might want to create more than television magic with Martin. But does he feel the same way? The weather is miserable, their shoot is a disaster, and the maple syrup just isn’t flowing. While Annie tries to cling to her vision for their show, she can’t help but wonder if she could be as unlucky in work as she is in love. Is she always destined to stay behind the scenes?

Just as some recipes only come together at the last minute with the addition of a key ingredient, sometimes a single moment can change everything—turning Annie’s life into a cornucopia of good fortune, the feast of her dreams.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Short Stories, Fiction, Womens Fiction, Novella, Chick Lit

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 14, 2016

About the author

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.

According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.

The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.

Reviews

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this e-book out from the library for free. If I had paid for it I would have been upset. This "short story" is okay but not worth buying. I use the term short story very loosely. It is really just a very short cliff hanger/advertisement for her upcoming book. Even though I was able to read this for free, I am disappointed that Ms Wiggs would take advantage of her readers by charging for this probable excerpt.

[Sara Watterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading a few short stories to reach my reading challenge goal. Don't judge. :)

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Key Ingredient is the prequel to Family Tree. It was cute and explained in detail how Annie returns home to her Vermont hometown to film a pilot episode along with Martin, her head chef. This story also shows the relationship that started between Annie and Martin that continues in the next Switchback Vermont book.

[Judy Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Wiggs introduces her upcoming Family Tree with her prequel short story, THE KEY INGREDIENT, with a delicious stunning, front cover - a story of love, recipes, food, and an idyllic Vermont setting.

Annie Rush comes from a history of food. Starting a food cart, she met the charming chef, Martin and together they created the famous cooking show, The Key Ingredient. Martin is the star of the show and Annie handles the production.

In the short charming teaser, Annie travels to Vermont, her hometown to film their pilot episode. Things do not go as planned.

An avid fan of Wiggs, for many years, she is the "queen" of women’s contemporary stories of the heart - from love, family, and hope. The Key Ingredient and Family Tree both have all the essentials for a Hallmark Channel TV series.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christina Traister, delivering a heartwarming performance. A nice promotion as an introduction sneak preview for upcoming Family Tree. Highly recommend; where we continue the saga of Annie Rush.

As sweet as maple sugar, a fan of Vermont, short stories, and the author. A nice way to introduce a new and charming series.

JDCMustReadBooks

[Marleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

“The Key Ingredient” is a short introduction to Family Tree, the full novel by Susan Wiggs, coming out soon. It surely made me curious, even though, in itself, The Key Ingredient isn’t exceptional.
I think writing about the workings of a televised cooking show, which is all the hype these days, is a good move. There are many chefs’ shows on TV, and rare are the exceptional ones. So that piqued my interest. There was also a hint of nostalgia to the short story, which I could appreciate. I will probably read Family Tree, and let you know if it lives up to its promise.

[Myra Marquis Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was a little annoyed that after starting Family Tree I found that there was either a prequel or a portion that was left on the editing floor. Which ever one it is it is The Key Ingredient. Was it an after thought on Susan Wigg's behalf or her editor's remorse for cutting it? Happy I was able to puck it up FREE at the library and honestly it should have been offered free to anyone that purchased Family Tree.

In short it was a cute story and a much needed part of Annie's story.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize this was a short story

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This short story is meant to be a teaser for the The Family Tree which will be released later this summer or early in the fall of 2016. We are introduced to Annie Rush, a television producer who created the idea for a cooking show called The Key Ingredient. She had originally thought she would be in front of the camera but that wasn't what unrolled. The first episode is being filmed at her family's farm in Vermont, a maple sugaring operation. The first person she sees is the man she gave up when she followed her career. She's hoping for a relationship with the show's main talent but she isn't sure if he feels the same way. But as the show starts to come together, the magic starts to shower down in every respect. It was enough of a teaser that I am looking forward to the book. I didn't love Annie so I am looking forward to seeing her growth as a person. Wiggs has a way of making it clear just how much growth you undergo as life passes through you.

[BJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Engaging prequel to author's new novel (Family Tree). Got me interested. Beginning of new foodie show, taping of first episode. Start of relationship between producer and star of show. Made me want to read the book!

[Carole Rae · Rating 2 out of 5]

Been itching for some quick stories. So I grabbed this one because of the author and title. I didn't even read the summary. Weeeee.

Here we follow Annie who is a film student. She meets the rugged and handsome chief named Martin. Together they decide to create a show and they go to Vermont to film the pilot episode. Everything seems to be against them. And now Annie is starting to get feelings for Martin, but she isn't sure he feels the same. However, a single moment can change everything.

Look at that cover! Nommmmmmy!

As much as I wanted to like this....I just didn't. I didn't connect with any of our mains. I didn't dislike this short, but I just flat out didn't care. I read every page, but I felt like I was zoning out throughout the whole story.

Annie and Martin wasn't bad or anything. I just...........didn't buy their chemistry.

I'm curious about book since we get to see more of their journey but I'm not sure. Maybe if I get a fully flushed out story about Annie and Martin I'll care more? Maybe? Mmm.

All-in-all, I wish I liked this more. But...just not for me. The cover is cute and the writing isn't bad! I like this author! 2 stars.



Favorite Character(s): no one
Least Favorite Character(s): myself for not liking this lol

[Lacepaperlife · Rating 3 out of 5]

An engaging short story with rich, realistic characters that draw you in and make you feel like family. Both the lead characters are relatable and truly open up, sharing their highs and lows as they chase their dreams together.

Although I didn’t know this was a short story written to introduce Susan’s upcoming novel Family Tree when I reached the end and was offered to read the first chapter of a Family Tree via kindle I was excited to find the same characters leaping from the pages.

Susan Wiggs has a cleaver writing style that combines heaven subject matter with light and lovable characters that I simply can’t resist.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.3 stars for this quick escape with a PG rating.

[Chris]

THIS SUMMARY/REVIEW WAS COPIED FROM OTHER SOURCES AND IS USED ONLY AS A REMINDER OF WHAT THE BOOK WAS ABOUT FOR MY PERSONAL INTEREST. ANY PERSONAL NOTATIONS ARE FOR MY RECOLLECTION ONLY

This short story is meant to be a teaser for the The Family Tree which will be released later this summer or early in the fall of 2016. We are introduced to Annie Rush, a television producer who created the idea for a cooking show called The Key Ingredient. She had originally thought she would be in front of the camera but that wasn't what unrolled. The first episode is being filmed at her family's farm in Vermont, a maple sugaring operation. The first person she sees is the man she gave up when she followed her career. She's hoping for a relationship with the show's main talent but she isn't sure if he feels the same way. But as the show starts to come together, the magic starts to shower down in every respect. It was enough of a teaser that I am looking forward to the book. I didn't love Annie so I am looking forward to seeing her growth as a person. Wiggs has a way of making it clear just how much growth you undergo as life passes through you.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not sure if this added anything to what I learned in the full-length, but I liked getting to spend a bit more time in this world.

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[Brigid · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to The Key Ingredient on audio after I attended an B&N Author chat with Susan Wiggs. She was funny and charming! I had never read any of her books so this short story was a perfect introduction. It was like food network meets hallmark. Cozy and a bit melodramatic. The recipes added in were a nice treat! I always love a book with recipes.

[KathyB · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a very good prequel. Frankly, based on this short story I'm not that interested in reading the next book Family Tree. I probably should have skipped this one, it wasn't very compelling.

2.25 Stars

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book and it was only 1 hour long. It's like an introduction to a regular length book and in fact it's seems like I've read the big book or maybe another one with the same theme by a different author. What I thought about the story, just a typical love story with nothing to recommend it.

[Caitlyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hi, Costa Ricans have supermarkets that sell chocolate, as well as corner stores (pulperias). So I feel a bit offended about the anecdote about the "village" farmer never having tasted or apparently heard of the stuff.. Seriously? We are not so far behind the times that even the remotest parts of CR don't have chocolate.. Geez, come on

[Bronwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m noticing now that this is almost an intro to the series, which is perhaps why it feels incomplete and difficult to find much depth into the characters. Since my 3-star rating is based on that and not the story itself, I’m going to give the series a go and see if it completes this short story.

[Lu Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

A woman with passion for hosting a cook show at a very early age kept it alive and raced for her dreams to become reality which happened with a flash back into her past and a flash forward to the present day of her life and love life too. Very good book!!!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick listen on audiobook. I see that it is 0.5 to a series. So, I just put the book Family Tree on my book list. Hmm, I'm curious how it all comes together in Family Tree. I didn't really know where it was going because Martin seems like quite the flirt, but okay.

[Patt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was a short story and suddenly I was finished. It was a cute little romance, but I usually prefer longer books where I can get into the characters. Knowing this is a prequel for another book, I will be sure to read it.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Is this a prequel or something? I love Susan Wiggs’s writing and characters. But this felt a little like whaaat?! The it ends on maybe yes or maybe no. C’ mon! It felt familiar so maybe it is part of a longer story?

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok as a prequel. And having started listening to Family Tree, I'm really glad that this wasn't repeated in that book. If you choose not to read/listen to this prequel before Family Tree, you'll be just fine.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was so short I debated even adding it to my goodreads at all. My suggestion would be to read this short story first before reading Family Tree-which is fabulous. Having read Family Tree first and knowing more about each character put a damper on this short story for me.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m confused Martin and Annie never dated. Except he randomly kissed her a few times then proposes? I’m not sure I was even sure he was interested in her.
Anyway. Extremely short.
Listened to on Libby app audiobook

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was anxious to listen to this after reading Family Tree. This short story is the precursor. It really did not provide much entertaining content to the novel. I will look for other Switchback, Vermont books as I did enjoy the characters and the beautiful location in Vermont.

[Aileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe a 3.5 -to be fair I did listen after listening to Family Tree. I loved that one so much that k wanted to try the prequel. It’s not necessary to read this one before reading Family Tree (and vice versa). Everything that is covered here you learn in Family tree.

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful short story that tells the story of Annie Rush and Martin Harlow as they film the start of a new cooking show. It’s called The Key Ingredient after what her Grandmother had taught her about recipes and life. It’s a perfect start to take you into reading The Family Tree next.

[Clara Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but bittersweet because I had already read the Family Tree book.

[Joni Carlton · Rating 2 out of 5]

wth