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The Sunday Potluck Club #1
The Sunday Potluck Club
New friends can be found in unexpected places. For Bridget and Amy, that place was the cancer ward of an Anchorage hospital. Now, as each struggles to overcome loss, they lean on each other for support—sharing suppers, laughter and tears.
Bridget and Amy aren’t about to let hardship knock them down—Bridget plans to return to her veterinarian school studies, Amy to her position as a second-grade teacher—but neither feels quite ready. And so the Sunday Potluck Club is born, a way for Bridget, Amy, and other women who have lost a loved one to find solace and understanding. Savoring favorite dishes while sharing memories and the comfort of connection, the members of the Sunday Potluck Club nourish body and soul.
As weeks go by and the group grows in unforeseen ways, both Bridget and Amy are inspired to find greater purpose. Amy reaches out to a student whose father bravely faces his own struggle. Bridget volunteers at the local animal shelter, rehabilitating dogs whose unconditional love will bring others a chance to heal. And with the help of a very special man, Amy is realizing that there’s always room at the table for love and rekindled joy . . .
Bridget and Amy aren’t about to let hardship knock them down—Bridget plans to return to her veterinarian school studies, Amy to her position as a second-grade teacher—but neither feels quite ready. And so the Sunday Potluck Club is born, a way for Bridget, Amy, and other women who have lost a loved one to find solace and understanding. Savoring favorite dishes while sharing memories and the comfort of connection, the members of the Sunday Potluck Club nourish body and soul.
As weeks go by and the group grows in unforeseen ways, both Bridget and Amy are inspired to find greater purpose. Amy reaches out to a student whose father bravely faces his own struggle. Bridget volunteers at the local animal shelter, rehabilitating dogs whose unconditional love will bring others a chance to heal. And with the help of a very special man, Amy is realizing that there’s always room at the table for love and rekindled joy . . .
272 pages, Paperback
First published March 31, 2020
About the author
Melissa Storm
142 books3,773 followersMelissa Storm is a New York Times and multiple USA Today bestselling author of Women’s Fiction, Inspirational Romance, and Cozy Mysteries.
Despite an intense, lifelong desire to tell stories for a living, Melissa was “too pragmatic” to choose English as a major in college. Instead, she obtained her master’s degree in Sociology & Survey Methodology—then went straight back to slinging words a year after graduation anyway.
She loves books so much, in fact, that she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run a number of book-related businesses together, including LitRing, Sweet Promise Press, Novel Publicity, Your Author Engine, and the Author Site.
When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at her home in the Michigan woods, where she is kept company by a seemingly unending quantity of dogs and two very demanding Maine Coon rescues. She also writes under the names of Molly Fitz and Mila Riggs.
Despite an intense, lifelong desire to tell stories for a living, Melissa was “too pragmatic” to choose English as a major in college. Instead, she obtained her master’s degree in Sociology & Survey Methodology—then went straight back to slinging words a year after graduation anyway.
She loves books so much, in fact, that she married fellow author Falcon Storm. Between the two of them, there are always plenty of imaginative, awe-inspiring stories to share. Melissa and Falcon also run a number of book-related businesses together, including LitRing, Sweet Promise Press, Novel Publicity, Your Author Engine, and the Author Site.
When she's not reading, writing, or child-rearing, Melissa spends time relaxing at her home in the Michigan woods, where she is kept company by a seemingly unending quantity of dogs and two very demanding Maine Coon rescues. She also writes under the names of Molly Fitz and Mila Riggs.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 343 reviews
January 1, 2022
This is a Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit/Romance, and this is the first book in the Sunday Potluck Club series. This book is about a group of women that made a friendship while they where taking care of their parents that had cancer. This book take place after all, but one of the group of women's parents has passed away. The women meet every Sunday to help each other get through loosing their parent. During this book we follow one of the women through out this book. We follow Amy that has only lost her Mom three months ago, and she is a teacher. She does feel in love during this book. I loved this book so much. I really love all the characters in this book, and this book is well written. This is not a light read, but I really enjoyed reading this book. I won an ARC of this book from a goodreads giveaway, but this review is 100% my own opinion.
December 12, 2019
I received a free excerpt of The Sunday Potluck Club #1 by Melissa Storm from NetGalley for my honest review.
I didn't realize it was just an excerpt when I received this. The Sunday Potluck Club is a group of four women who are bound together by the death of someone important in their lives. It is aa story of their friendship and the support they give to each other.
I didn't realize it was just an excerpt when I received this. The Sunday Potluck Club is a group of four women who are bound together by the death of someone important in their lives. It is aa story of their friendship and the support they give to each other.
February 14, 2020
Love Love LOVED The Sunday Potluck Club. And, by the way, this review is about the entire book and not just an excerpt which was previously published.
Four very different women, with distinct personalities, forge a friendship with one another after meeting on a cancer ward. They are the survivors who, with one exception, have lost a loved one to cancer. Amy, who the story primarily revolves around; Bridget, whose mother has just died; Nicole, whose father is in remission and Hazel who lost her mother before the others. Each are grieving and coping with their loss, as well as survivor’s guilt, in their own unique way. Told from Amy’s point of view, we get to know each woman’s strength’s and their flaws as they encourage one another through difficult times. When Amy meets a man whose daughter is in her classroom and who also is coping with loss, she finally begins to see that there can be life after monumental loss.
The Sunday Potluck Club talks a lot about death, grief, and coping with loss but never in a heavy way. Yes, it is realistic to the point that you hurt for some of the women and there were times that I wanted to slap a few of them, but overall, it was a beautiful story of friendship and overcoming challenges. At its heart, it is a well crafted love story between friends as well as possible romantic interests. It’s a book about life, not death. It also is the first in a new series so each woman will have their story told. I cannot wait for the next one!
Four very different women, with distinct personalities, forge a friendship with one another after meeting on a cancer ward. They are the survivors who, with one exception, have lost a loved one to cancer. Amy, who the story primarily revolves around; Bridget, whose mother has just died; Nicole, whose father is in remission and Hazel who lost her mother before the others. Each are grieving and coping with their loss, as well as survivor’s guilt, in their own unique way. Told from Amy’s point of view, we get to know each woman’s strength’s and their flaws as they encourage one another through difficult times. When Amy meets a man whose daughter is in her classroom and who also is coping with loss, she finally begins to see that there can be life after monumental loss.
The Sunday Potluck Club talks a lot about death, grief, and coping with loss but never in a heavy way. Yes, it is realistic to the point that you hurt for some of the women and there were times that I wanted to slap a few of them, but overall, it was a beautiful story of friendship and overcoming challenges. At its heart, it is a well crafted love story between friends as well as possible romantic interests. It’s a book about life, not death. It also is the first in a new series so each woman will have their story told. I cannot wait for the next one!
May 27, 2020
Thanks once again to Sweetreads Box for putting yet another new author/book on my radar :) This was a heartwarming read. I'm looking forward to the next book.
July 23, 2019
This preview about two friends who meet on a cancer ward portends a real winner, one I look forward to reading in full when it becomes available. Bridget is in vet school, Amy a second grade teacher. They bond with other grieving women as members of the Sunday Potluck Club, sharing food, tears, laughter, and hope. I can’t wait to see how their stories unfold! 5/5
Pub Date 31 Mar 2020.
Thanks to Melissa Storm, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheSundayPotluckClub #NetGalley
Pub Date 31 Mar 2020.
Thanks to Melissa Storm, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#TheSundayPotluckClub #NetGalley
June 9, 2020
Sunday Potluck Club by Melissa Storm was a lovely womens fiction book regarding friendship, grief and learning to move forward after the loss of a loved one. Amy, Bridget, Hazel and Nicole bonded after meeting at an Anchorage hospital while their loved ones were getting chemo treatment. It was an emotional story that was also uplifting as a reader watches each one of them begins a new chapter in their lives.
I received a copy of this book from my local library.
I received a copy of this book from my local library.
March 8, 2020
I am rounding this up from 3.5. The Sunday Potluck Club really had the potential to be a downer. Its the story of 4 friends who have lost parents and have formed a form of support group and friendship through their loss. The first 50 pages are pretty heavy in that grief and loss and the main characters sad state of mind following the loss of her mom. (and rightly so) But, it really turned from heavy to uplifting when Amy started to move through her grief and her friends did, too. We get to see the friends each figure out their grief in their own way and especially watch Amy as she grants herself permission to move forward and be happy. This is very well set up to be a series around each friend. The lower star rating for me is because I am not sure I am attached enough to keep going. It was a good, fast, heartwarming read, but maybe not a series I will hang out in.
December 31, 2019
In the end i got to figure out this is an excerpt of the novel. But i'll review it anyway.
It was an easy read but i didn't get time to invest or get the feel to know the characters in such short time.
It was an easy read but i didn't get time to invest or get the feel to know the characters in such short time.
March 26, 2020
The Sunday Potluck Club by Melissa Storm is a book of friendship, grief, love, unconditional love of animals and healing. The beginning of the story is a little depressing, but the tone soon changes. This is a story about people struggling with their grief which can be overwhelming. Amy, Bridget, and Hazel became friends after meeting in the hospital cafeteria. Each one had a parent going through chemotherapy. Nichole is the fourth member of their group and is fortunate that her father’s cancer is in remission. The four ladies meet each Sunday for a potluck meal and friendship therapy. Amy is having a hard time handling her grief over the loss of her mother. This is Amy’s third funeral in less than a year and it is wearing her down. She is hoping that by returning to work, her life will return to normal. Brigit just lost her mother and is handling her grief by keeping busy. Brigit refuses to talk about her grief. She becomes involved with the local animal shelter and becomes determined to make sure every dog is adopted by Valentine’s Day which is in two weeks. The three friends get recruited to help Brigit pull off this massive endeavor. Amy has a new girl in her second-grade class who has just moved to Anchorage with her father. The child just lost her mother to cancer. Amy notices the girl does not talk in class nor smile. Amy wants to help the little girl and contacts the child’s father. There is an instant spark of attraction between Amy and the father. But there is an issue that prevents them from moving forward. As Amy gets involved in activities, her grief lessens. We follow Amy and Bridgit as the deal with their grief in their own way. The Sunday Potluck Club is an uplifting story. I enjoyed the Valentine’s Day event at the animal shelter. It was a cute idea and a good way for people to interact with the animals (and help them find forever homes). I would have liked more details on the characters as well as Anchorage. It would have added more depth to the story. There are several good lessons in this story. That each person handles grief in their own way, you should be honest with your friends, and grief takes time. I liked that the ladies were close friends and willing to help each other out at a moment’s notice. People who are there for you no matter what are true friends. The animals sounded like such cuties. The author’s word imagery really brought them life. You can tell that Melissa Storm has animals of her own from her descriptions. The Sunday Potluck Club is an emotional novel with first class friends, agonizing grief, scrumptious potluck, furry friends, fun forts, and a cold climate.
October 19, 2019
1/5 ⭐️
First a big thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy to read in exchange for a honest review.
Now I know this isn’t the whole book, but frankly, I’m not going to read the rest. Why? The story was flat, characters were flat and like nothing happend.
Also the damn formatting... Uhg!!! It was so bloody difficult to know when a sentence started and ended and one word per line and quotation marks here and there and Uhg.
First a big thank you to Netgalley for giving me a copy to read in exchange for a honest review.
Now I know this isn’t the whole book, but frankly, I’m not going to read the rest. Why? The story was flat, characters were flat and like nothing happend.
Also the damn formatting... Uhg!!! It was so bloody difficult to know when a sentence started and ended and one word per line and quotation marks here and there and Uhg.
April 25, 2020
Although The Sunday Potluck Club by Melissa Storm is about four women dealing with their parents having had cancer and three of them dying, this book focuses the most on Amy, with Bridget getting a larger share of the story too, compared to Nichole and Hazel.
The book had me crying at the beginning and the end, but the middle didn’t have as strong of a pull on me. Having had cancer myself (currently 10 years in remission) and having lost my mother to ALS five years ago, I quickly found a kinship with these women.
I was really hoping for more story with all four of the ladies involved and a lot less of Amy continually lamenting how she doesn’t deserve to find love so quickly after her mom’s death. Some parts of her new relationship with a student’s father, Trent (who also recently lost his wife to cancer) were cute and uplifting, but there was a lot that was repetitive and dragged the story down for me. And for me, there was a huge red flag that went up with Trent when Amy was unable to keep a promise because she had to help Bridget out, who was in a crisis. Trent’s reaction was so violent and extreme, and I know he’s grieving and people can lash out, but it just had domestic abuse written all over it to me.
Bridget’s part of the story showed another way that people grieve and I really appreciate how realistic Storm was able to write it. The extra touch with the animals at the shelter added a wonderful layer to the story for me, and I was happy to see that book two in the series, Wednesday Walks and Wags, will focus more on Bridget and the animals.
Although I found myself skimming a lot when it came to Amy and Trent’s interactions, I would read the next book if I was looking for something light with a chance of tears.
The book had me crying at the beginning and the end, but the middle didn’t have as strong of a pull on me. Having had cancer myself (currently 10 years in remission) and having lost my mother to ALS five years ago, I quickly found a kinship with these women.
I was really hoping for more story with all four of the ladies involved and a lot less of Amy continually lamenting how she doesn’t deserve to find love so quickly after her mom’s death. Some parts of her new relationship with a student’s father, Trent (who also recently lost his wife to cancer) were cute and uplifting, but there was a lot that was repetitive and dragged the story down for me. And for me, there was a huge red flag that went up with Trent when Amy was unable to keep a promise because she had to help Bridget out, who was in a crisis. Trent’s reaction was so violent and extreme, and I know he’s grieving and people can lash out, but it just had domestic abuse written all over it to me.
Bridget’s part of the story showed another way that people grieve and I really appreciate how realistic Storm was able to write it. The extra touch with the animals at the shelter added a wonderful layer to the story for me, and I was happy to see that book two in the series, Wednesday Walks and Wags, will focus more on Bridget and the animals.
Although I found myself skimming a lot when it came to Amy and Trent’s interactions, I would read the next book if I was looking for something light with a chance of tears.
May 5, 2020
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“Dogs are better than dudes.”
A group of four women meet while their respective parents are undergoing cancer treatment and become fast friends. They support each other through the care giving and eventual deaths of their parents. The women come together on Sunday’s for dinner and develop the Sunday Potluck Club. This is Amy’s story and she has lost her mother to brain cancer, leaving her with no family. She loves her job as a second grade teacher. Can she open herself up to love?
Sometimes you come across a book that was everything you didn’t know you needed at the time. This is what I would call women’s fiction with some (totally clean) romance thrown in- and I was here for it! I loved Melissa’s easy writing style and I was hooked from the beginning. This should be a very sad book, but it’s done in such a refreshing way that you are just proud of the characters growth and excited for their relationships. I loved how dogs and cats played such an important role in the book as well. The next book in the series, Wednesday Walks & Wags, is out in September and I can’t wait to read it!!
⚠️: There are serious triggers here with cancer and loss of a parent/spouse.
“Dogs are better than dudes.”
A group of four women meet while their respective parents are undergoing cancer treatment and become fast friends. They support each other through the care giving and eventual deaths of their parents. The women come together on Sunday’s for dinner and develop the Sunday Potluck Club. This is Amy’s story and she has lost her mother to brain cancer, leaving her with no family. She loves her job as a second grade teacher. Can she open herself up to love?
Sometimes you come across a book that was everything you didn’t know you needed at the time. This is what I would call women’s fiction with some (totally clean) romance thrown in- and I was here for it! I loved Melissa’s easy writing style and I was hooked from the beginning. This should be a very sad book, but it’s done in such a refreshing way that you are just proud of the characters growth and excited for their relationships. I loved how dogs and cats played such an important role in the book as well. The next book in the series, Wednesday Walks & Wags, is out in September and I can’t wait to read it!!
⚠️: There are serious triggers here with cancer and loss of a parent/spouse.
April 1, 2020
4*
Amy has been through a lot. Since her mother got cancer things have never been the same. She joined a club where other people share their stories and support each other through this hard times. The book focuses on a group of women that made a friendship while they were taking care of their parents that had cancer.
All these women have to learn to move on after losing someone to cancer. A wonderfully written book with a lot of love, realness, some sad moments but many good messages and above all, hope.
Absolutely loved to meet this women and follow in this book Amy as she struggles to allow herself to be happy again. The characters were so relatable and their struggles felt so real that you just wanted to hear more about their lives and their stories.
A book that is heavily based on the characters and their personalities, so it is a bit more slow paced when it comes to the story development.
The second book will follow one of her friends Bridget and I can not wait to read it.
Amy has been through a lot. Since her mother got cancer things have never been the same. She joined a club where other people share their stories and support each other through this hard times. The book focuses on a group of women that made a friendship while they were taking care of their parents that had cancer.
All these women have to learn to move on after losing someone to cancer. A wonderfully written book with a lot of love, realness, some sad moments but many good messages and above all, hope.
Absolutely loved to meet this women and follow in this book Amy as she struggles to allow herself to be happy again. The characters were so relatable and their struggles felt so real that you just wanted to hear more about their lives and their stories.
A book that is heavily based on the characters and their personalities, so it is a bit more slow paced when it comes to the story development.
The second book will follow one of her friends Bridget and I can not wait to read it.
August 6, 2019
This review is based on an excerpt of the novel. The full novel will be published in March 2020.
This might be a really lovely novel. The excerpt introduces four friends who met at a cancer ward and lost a loved one to cancer. Amy, the main character, is struggling quite hard after losing her mother to cancer, especially since the disease changed her mother's personality.
It's a book about grief, about rebuilding your life after you have lost an important person in your life.
This might be a really lovely novel. The excerpt introduces four friends who met at a cancer ward and lost a loved one to cancer. Amy, the main character, is struggling quite hard after losing her mother to cancer, especially since the disease changed her mother's personality.
It's a book about grief, about rebuilding your life after you have lost an important person in your life.
October 2, 2019
I enjoyed the pre view read I received through Netgalley. Meeting new friends as adults can be hard to do for anyone. meeting on a cancer ward must be even more. However, this is so well written with humor and warmth.
January 7, 2020
Read an excerpt, it was okay, I personally don't like these stories, that's another thing.
February 13, 2022
I really enjoyed this read, it was heartwarming and such a great premise. I liked that dog rescuing was worked into the story as well, this was such a great one overall.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital copy to review.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital copy to review.
November 15, 2020
Ugh. Boring women boring book
April 7, 2020
Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Melissa Storm for an excerpt from an ARC in exchange for an honest book review of The Sunday Potluck Club. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own and independent of receiving an advance copy.
Just to clarify, I received an excerpt only of this book and that is what this review will be based on. Four women meet in a hospital while caring for sick parents and form a friendship. They have a potluck dinner every Sunday to unwind, relax, share some laughs and to lean on each other. As each of the friends go through the grief process they promise each other that they will let them grieve their own way. Easier said than done.
The story is told through Amy’s perspective. She is a teacher who has just returned to work after being off for a year to take care of her mother. She is coming out of the grieving process and just starting to feel more like herself. She is concerned about Bridget who seems to be in denial. Bridget is keeping herself overly busy, setting unrealistic goals for herself and Amy is worried about what will happen when she can’t meet them. Amy has tried to talk to her but Bridget is firm in staying in a happy place. Because this is an excerpt, you get a glimpse of storylines that will happen. Amy has a student, Olivia, who she senses needs her help. Amy gets into a car accident with a handsome man who I believe will be the love interest.
I’m not sure if this book is for me. I was thinking something different when I read the blurb. The tone is very congenial. Everyone is super sweet, caring, always concerned for others with never a thought for themselves and their troubles. Everyone tries to put on a brave face despite the grief they are going through. I was hoping for something more real and a bit more raw. Maybe it is a “me” problem, but I don’t think everyone is on their best behaviour all of the time. At least not with their best friends and family. To be fair, maybe it happens later in the story. Without the whole ARC, it is hard to know. This is the first in a series although I’m not sure what that means. Will it have the same characters? Will it feature other Sunday Potluck Clubs? Who knows? I just wasn’t in the mood for sugar-coated emotions and saccharine sweet personalities that know what their friends need without a word being said.
I am willing to give this book another look and see what develops later on in the story, however, if it continues on in this vein it would be a pass for me. One of the problems that I have with stories like that is what we in the cancer world call the “Lance Syndrome”. Lance Armstrong rode the Tour de France when he had cancer. You know the type. Someone who is going to run a marathon, climb a mountain or do something extraordinary while going through something as tough as cancer. You might say “That is such a great thing to do! What could be wrong with that?”. Well, nothing, except that it becomes the face of How You Should Deal With Getting Cancer.
There isn’t any nuance and it doesn’t allow for everyone’s experience. Everybody’s cancer story is different. Every stage is different, the treatment varies wildly and no two bodies react the same way. Two people with the same cancer and the same treatment will not feel the same way. So if you don’t want to go run a marathon people judge you for not reacting properly, or trying hard enough or be brave enough. But for some people just getting out of bed can be the bravest thing you can do on that day. If you want to do something amazing so you can take your mind off of having cancer and that’s what you choose to do - great, you should. But just because someone else can’t they should be made to feel like they are lazy, negative, uncooperative, and a whole host of other uncomplimentary things that people feel free to say to your face.
Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I love a good, light, upbeat book that isn’t about anything meaningful. It’s just that I tend to respond better to a story when people are more raw, when there is a range of emotions that can help better explain what going through, in this case, grief is like. Usually, the character overcomes their struggle and that can become an uplifting story. I don’t respond well, especially when these are labeled as “women’s stories” or chick-lit when everyone is so upbeat and friendly all the time. I sometimes break out in hives. But don’t get me going on how women are represented in fiction. That would be another rant and I think I should stop this review before it is longer than the excerpt I read.
Just to clarify, I received an excerpt only of this book and that is what this review will be based on. Four women meet in a hospital while caring for sick parents and form a friendship. They have a potluck dinner every Sunday to unwind, relax, share some laughs and to lean on each other. As each of the friends go through the grief process they promise each other that they will let them grieve their own way. Easier said than done.
The story is told through Amy’s perspective. She is a teacher who has just returned to work after being off for a year to take care of her mother. She is coming out of the grieving process and just starting to feel more like herself. She is concerned about Bridget who seems to be in denial. Bridget is keeping herself overly busy, setting unrealistic goals for herself and Amy is worried about what will happen when she can’t meet them. Amy has tried to talk to her but Bridget is firm in staying in a happy place. Because this is an excerpt, you get a glimpse of storylines that will happen. Amy has a student, Olivia, who she senses needs her help. Amy gets into a car accident with a handsome man who I believe will be the love interest.
I’m not sure if this book is for me. I was thinking something different when I read the blurb. The tone is very congenial. Everyone is super sweet, caring, always concerned for others with never a thought for themselves and their troubles. Everyone tries to put on a brave face despite the grief they are going through. I was hoping for something more real and a bit more raw. Maybe it is a “me” problem, but I don’t think everyone is on their best behaviour all of the time. At least not with their best friends and family. To be fair, maybe it happens later in the story. Without the whole ARC, it is hard to know. This is the first in a series although I’m not sure what that means. Will it have the same characters? Will it feature other Sunday Potluck Clubs? Who knows? I just wasn’t in the mood for sugar-coated emotions and saccharine sweet personalities that know what their friends need without a word being said.
I am willing to give this book another look and see what develops later on in the story, however, if it continues on in this vein it would be a pass for me. One of the problems that I have with stories like that is what we in the cancer world call the “Lance Syndrome”. Lance Armstrong rode the Tour de France when he had cancer. You know the type. Someone who is going to run a marathon, climb a mountain or do something extraordinary while going through something as tough as cancer. You might say “That is such a great thing to do! What could be wrong with that?”. Well, nothing, except that it becomes the face of How You Should Deal With Getting Cancer.
There isn’t any nuance and it doesn’t allow for everyone’s experience. Everybody’s cancer story is different. Every stage is different, the treatment varies wildly and no two bodies react the same way. Two people with the same cancer and the same treatment will not feel the same way. So if you don’t want to go run a marathon people judge you for not reacting properly, or trying hard enough or be brave enough. But for some people just getting out of bed can be the bravest thing you can do on that day. If you want to do something amazing so you can take your mind off of having cancer and that’s what you choose to do - great, you should. But just because someone else can’t they should be made to feel like they are lazy, negative, uncooperative, and a whole host of other uncomplimentary things that people feel free to say to your face.
Don’t get me wrong. Sometimes I love a good, light, upbeat book that isn’t about anything meaningful. It’s just that I tend to respond better to a story when people are more raw, when there is a range of emotions that can help better explain what going through, in this case, grief is like. Usually, the character overcomes their struggle and that can become an uplifting story. I don’t respond well, especially when these are labeled as “women’s stories” or chick-lit when everyone is so upbeat and friendly all the time. I sometimes break out in hives. But don’t get me going on how women are represented in fiction. That would be another rant and I think I should stop this review before it is longer than the excerpt I read.
April 28, 2020
2.5*
I received an eARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My first thought when starting this book was that it didnt feel like the start, it felt like so much happened between all of the characters and how much they went through and although they talked about it throughout the book I think it could have made a more emotional story about the woman and the serious issues they were going through. I get how important the message of not overcoming grief but instead learning to live with it and learning to trust and love others enough to share the grief. I wish this story would have included how all the woman came together in the hospital and how they learnt to trust each other enough as they seem like an odd group who made unlikely friends if they hadn't went through their grief together.
One thing that did bother me about this book was the boundaries crossed by Amy from the very first time she meets her student Olivia. The thing is she does mention possibly getting a more appropriate coworker to help Olivia with her grief of losing her own mum she takes it upon herself to go to the child house and 'fix' her rather than letting her express her feelings like any child would. What slightly annoyed me that no one questioned if that was unprofessional for a teacher to do and instead her friends encouraged her by setting up opportunities for them to meet outside of school which is just a big no.
I'll admit I was expecting a bit more of a happy fun read about woman who meet up every Sunday and their romances so I was taken by surprise at how there was such serious topics brought up which made me question my own ideas about grief and losing someone you love.
I received an eARC of this book from netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
My first thought when starting this book was that it didnt feel like the start, it felt like so much happened between all of the characters and how much they went through and although they talked about it throughout the book I think it could have made a more emotional story about the woman and the serious issues they were going through. I get how important the message of not overcoming grief but instead learning to live with it and learning to trust and love others enough to share the grief. I wish this story would have included how all the woman came together in the hospital and how they learnt to trust each other enough as they seem like an odd group who made unlikely friends if they hadn't went through their grief together.
One thing that did bother me about this book was the boundaries crossed by Amy from the very first time she meets her student Olivia. The thing is she does mention possibly getting a more appropriate coworker to help Olivia with her grief of losing her own mum she takes it upon herself to go to the child house and 'fix' her rather than letting her express her feelings like any child would. What slightly annoyed me that no one questioned if that was unprofessional for a teacher to do and instead her friends encouraged her by setting up opportunities for them to meet outside of school which is just a big no.
I'll admit I was expecting a bit more of a happy fun read about woman who meet up every Sunday and their romances so I was taken by surprise at how there was such serious topics brought up which made me question my own ideas about grief and losing someone you love.
March 28, 2020
What a heartfelt read. I really enjoyed it. It was sad, but when you have experienced loss, suffering, and can find yourself relating to the characters within a story you are reading, it does something to you. The manner in which it touches your soul, no words can describe what you feel, how you absorb the story. You simply FEEL it vs go thru it, if that makes sense.
I think everyone should read this story, have the book in your arsenal. While there is death within the pages, I didn’t feel it was a story surrounding death, but more so, life. The lives of those left behind to grieve and get back to some semblance of normalcy after suffering a loss.
Thank you Melissa, for putting such a touching story out there for me to read. Thank you Kensington Books for allowing me first read on this one. I will be sharing it with those I know and I will be reading it again, honestly!
I think everyone should read this story, have the book in your arsenal. While there is death within the pages, I didn’t feel it was a story surrounding death, but more so, life. The lives of those left behind to grieve and get back to some semblance of normalcy after suffering a loss.
Thank you Melissa, for putting such a touching story out there for me to read. Thank you Kensington Books for allowing me first read on this one. I will be sharing it with those I know and I will be reading it again, honestly!
February 16, 2020
The Sunday Potluck Club is a story of friendship, love, healing, and the emotions surrounding the loss of a loved one. Amy, the main protagonist, and her three girlfriends lunch each week in support of one another after their time in the cancer ward with a parent dying from cancer. The period is a time of growth for the young women and a time for the final goodbye to their loved ones.
I received this novel through a goodreads giveaway.
I received this novel through a goodreads giveaway.
July 31, 2019
Dang it! I want to read the rest of this book NOW! The four friends are each already so interesting, I want to get to know them better. The scrapbooker had such an interesting way to help deal with the death of her mother. What about Any & the mysterious Trent who rear ended her? I want to read more.
Want to read
August 6, 2019I read an excerpt of this book and it left me wanting more. I liked the humor intertwined in the text, and the friendships were amazing. It feels like the start of an engaging novel.
I look forward to the full book.
I look forward to the full book.
June 28, 2020
I accidentally requested the sequel on Netgalley so I decided to check for the audiobook and fortunately was available on Scribd. I'm sure since book 2 follows a different character I would have been fine but it was nice having the background from the main character of book 2 in the first book. This was a really cute romance and I definitely enjoyed it.
June 4, 2020
This was a sweet story about a group of women who met while one of their parents were undergoing chemo. Fast forward a few months, and several of the parents have died. The women form a potluck club that meets every Sunday. Amy's mother has died and Amy has gone back to teaching. A little girl in her class is quiet and is very standoffish. The story revolves around Amy, and Olivia's father. Subplot dealing with dogs and cats needing adoption from a local shelter. Not a very deep book.
Read
July 26, 2020That was frustrating. I thought I was invited to review the full book, but it ended up being a very long excerpt. I don't review excerpts. I never read them, even when I'm considering purchasing a book.
No rating on this one as it wasn't a full book to rate. Publishers - take note...please don't mess with a reviewer's time when we could be reviewing someone else's book in full.
No rating on this one as it wasn't a full book to rate. Publishers - take note...please don't mess with a reviewer's time when we could be reviewing someone else's book in full.
February 9, 2020
This is an amazing book. I finished it last night but have been unable to move on. I couldn’t begin the review until I thought about so many things that came at me while reading it. I still am not certain what to say. This book has layers.
I knew, after reading the first two pages, it would make me cry. I was ready for that. I got a box of Kleenex ready. I wasn’t ready for the push, pull of the book. The push to read on, wanting to know what was going to happen next, especially with Amy, Trent and Olivia. The pull to stop and absorb; to exam my feelings and connections.
Maybe it is because my mom has Alzheimer’s. Not the same as cancer but equally hurtful and devastating. There is two deaths in Alzheimer’s. Did you know that? The first death comes when your parent no longer knows you and you only get glimpses of who you knew was your mom, or dad. The second, the final one, the I’m still not acquainted with, the one I dread. My mom will be gone with no glimpses a possibility. I thought about how different it is from cancer yet the same. I thought of Amy and how closely I felt to her. How much I felt understood and validated by her internal emotional swings. I stopped quite a bit to examine her..and me. I wasn’t as close with my mom as Amy. My mom hurt me. I’ll never know why now. It’s locked up. I’ll never get the apology either that I wanted. Though, in reality, I wanted it with no real hope of getting it. I forgave because I needed to move on. I needed to cling to the belief that it wasn’t me, that I was so bad I didn’t deserve to be loved. But even so, I wanted to hear it from her. Now, even if she wanted to tell me it wasn’t me, she can’t. It’s never coming so I have to deal with that.
The book is a romance, a testament to friendships and, in an odd way, a coming of age. A different age from the usual teen into adult, but still, a coming of age. Amy, Bridget, Nichole and Hazel are all becoming someone different yet the same. All but one have gone from being a daughter into some new role. The memories are there. The love remains. But the arms are empty, the ears don’t hear and the only time you see them, is when you catch a glimpse in the mirror or, if you have them, in your children. You are still you but you have been changed. Death has left its mark just as walking the rocky road to adulthood does. So yes, a coming of age book.
Now, go, read the book.
*Thank you to the Kensington publishing family for gifting me this book. No review was requested or expected. It was a gift, unexpected yet delightful. I wrote this review because I was truly touched by this book. I recommend it because I believe you will be touched, too. All thoughts, opinions and ramblings came from my head and my heart.*
I knew, after reading the first two pages, it would make me cry. I was ready for that. I got a box of Kleenex ready. I wasn’t ready for the push, pull of the book. The push to read on, wanting to know what was going to happen next, especially with Amy, Trent and Olivia. The pull to stop and absorb; to exam my feelings and connections.
Maybe it is because my mom has Alzheimer’s. Not the same as cancer but equally hurtful and devastating. There is two deaths in Alzheimer’s. Did you know that? The first death comes when your parent no longer knows you and you only get glimpses of who you knew was your mom, or dad. The second, the final one, the I’m still not acquainted with, the one I dread. My mom will be gone with no glimpses a possibility. I thought about how different it is from cancer yet the same. I thought of Amy and how closely I felt to her. How much I felt understood and validated by her internal emotional swings. I stopped quite a bit to examine her..and me. I wasn’t as close with my mom as Amy. My mom hurt me. I’ll never know why now. It’s locked up. I’ll never get the apology either that I wanted. Though, in reality, I wanted it with no real hope of getting it. I forgave because I needed to move on. I needed to cling to the belief that it wasn’t me, that I was so bad I didn’t deserve to be loved. But even so, I wanted to hear it from her. Now, even if she wanted to tell me it wasn’t me, she can’t. It’s never coming so I have to deal with that.
The book is a romance, a testament to friendships and, in an odd way, a coming of age. A different age from the usual teen into adult, but still, a coming of age. Amy, Bridget, Nichole and Hazel are all becoming someone different yet the same. All but one have gone from being a daughter into some new role. The memories are there. The love remains. But the arms are empty, the ears don’t hear and the only time you see them, is when you catch a glimpse in the mirror or, if you have them, in your children. You are still you but you have been changed. Death has left its mark just as walking the rocky road to adulthood does. So yes, a coming of age book.
Now, go, read the book.
*Thank you to the Kensington publishing family for gifting me this book. No review was requested or expected. It was a gift, unexpected yet delightful. I wrote this review because I was truly touched by this book. I recommend it because I believe you will be touched, too. All thoughts, opinions and ramblings came from my head and my heart.*
Read
May 4, 2020This book had decent ratings and a plot with potential, so I gave it a chance. However I’m about 25% in and nothing is happening. The characters are lifeless and the premise doesn’t even seem to be what the book is actually about. When I went back and looked at the reviews again I noticed many people were reviewing the excerpt, not the book itself. That’s misleading since not as many people as I originally thought read the entire book.
April 4, 2020
Where to start with this book...
The Sunday Potluck kicks off with a bang! It has so much potential. If you are a fan of reading books that deal with grieving characters, this book Starts off really strong and had me thinking it would be a new favorite. Five chapters in and I really thought this was going to be a five star read..and then I kept reading.
We meet Amy and her group of friends-all people who met in a cancer ward while their loved ones battled cancer. Only one of them had a family member survive. Amy, we learn, is living with this kind of built up resentment because her Mom not only had cancer, but hers was in her brain causing her to lose her memory so she feels like she technically lost her mom way before she actually passed. This obviously made it tough for her to see her friends still get to interact with their loved ones until they died. Bridget is the most recent to lose her Mom and throughout the book-Bridget avoids actually mourning. Nichole's Father survived and Hazel was the first to lose her parent so she's had the most time to move on.
The book is basically Amy trying to figure out "what now?" Bridget's mom's funeral is over so there are no more funerals to attend. It's time to start living again. All of the deaths have passed. She goes back to work as a teacher after a year off, has a new student and finds herself in a relationship with that student's dad.
I see what the author wanted to do with this book but in the end, it just didn't translate well. The Sunday Potluck read as though the author did a ton of research on the grieving process and moving on after grieving process-figured out some guided discussion questions and plopped Amy and a fictional story into the midst of it all. I felt really unattached to the story, it almost didn't feel real. It felt like my weekly discussion post questions I have due for my online classes. We as the reader are constantly throughout the book seeing Amy rationalize things in her head rather than just reading Amy DO STUFF.
There is one point where Nichole basically tells Amy that she needs to learn to set boundaries which I thought was a great topic to hit on. The romance wasn't bad but Amy would never have realized it without setting those boundaries first.
I really see what we tried to do here but it just ended up being okay. I felt like we were being reminded "everyone grieves differently" while reading a manual on how to grieve.
The Sunday Potluck kicks off with a bang! It has so much potential. If you are a fan of reading books that deal with grieving characters, this book Starts off really strong and had me thinking it would be a new favorite. Five chapters in and I really thought this was going to be a five star read..and then I kept reading.
We meet Amy and her group of friends-all people who met in a cancer ward while their loved ones battled cancer. Only one of them had a family member survive. Amy, we learn, is living with this kind of built up resentment because her Mom not only had cancer, but hers was in her brain causing her to lose her memory so she feels like she technically lost her mom way before she actually passed. This obviously made it tough for her to see her friends still get to interact with their loved ones until they died. Bridget is the most recent to lose her Mom and throughout the book-Bridget avoids actually mourning. Nichole's Father survived and Hazel was the first to lose her parent so she's had the most time to move on.
The book is basically Amy trying to figure out "what now?" Bridget's mom's funeral is over so there are no more funerals to attend. It's time to start living again. All of the deaths have passed. She goes back to work as a teacher after a year off, has a new student and finds herself in a relationship with that student's dad.
I see what the author wanted to do with this book but in the end, it just didn't translate well. The Sunday Potluck read as though the author did a ton of research on the grieving process and moving on after grieving process-figured out some guided discussion questions and plopped Amy and a fictional story into the midst of it all. I felt really unattached to the story, it almost didn't feel real. It felt like my weekly discussion post questions I have due for my online classes. We as the reader are constantly throughout the book seeing Amy rationalize things in her head rather than just reading Amy DO STUFF.
There is one point where Nichole basically tells Amy that she needs to learn to set boundaries which I thought was a great topic to hit on. The romance wasn't bad but Amy would never have realized it without setting those boundaries first.
I really see what we tried to do here but it just ended up being okay. I felt like we were being reminded "everyone grieves differently" while reading a manual on how to grieve.
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