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The Love Goddess' Cooking School

Melissa Senate (Goodreads Author)

3.74 · Rating details · 5,512 ratings · 690 reviews

Tutti a Blue Crab Island, nel Maine, chiamavano Camilla la dea dell'amore perché, con il suo talento di veggente era riuscita a salvare matrimoni in crisi. Ma Camilla non era solo un'indovina, era soprattutto una bravissima cuoca, amante della cucina italiana e delle sue specialità. Agli studenti della sua scuola di cucina suggeriva di aggiungere sempre nella pentola un in ...more

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Paperback, 326 pages

Published October 26th 2010 by Gallery

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Lists with This Book

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The School of Essential Ingredients by Erica Bauermeister

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Apr 01, 2013 Darth J rated it liked it

Shelves: magical-realism, cookbook

I read this a few years ago and I guess this is like the Hallmark Channel version of Practical Magic (the movie version, not the book). That is to say that it has elements of magical realism and cooking but there's something too soft, too milquetoast about it. Everything seems to wrap up too neatly in the end, and despite being about cooking none on the characters have much flavor to them. The "magic" here comes from coincidences and the grandmother's fortune telling stones, but again it was rea ...more

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Jul 04, 2011 Jennifer rated it it was amazing

Shelves: food-lit, favorites

I always have a hard time reading romances because they tend to be plot driven instead of character driven. This is not one of those occasions. The Love Goddess' Cooking School is a wonderful, romantic Food-Lit and I can't wait to share it. I think Melissa Senate's writing is much like Sarah Addison Allen without the magical realism... and you all know how much I love Sarah Addison Allen.

Melissa Senate has created characters that are incredibly easy to identify with - flawed but redeemable. It's I always have a hard time reading romances because they tend to be plot driven instead of character driven. This is not one of those occasions. The Love Goddess' Cooking School is a wonderful, romantic Food-Lit and I can't wait to share it. I think Melissa Senate's writing is much like Sarah Addison Allen without the magical realism... and you all know how much I love Sarah Addison Allen.

Melissa Senate has created characters that are incredibly easy to identify with - flawed but redeemable. It's been a long time since I read a novel where I felt connected with almost every character. Ms. Senate does an incredible job of making them empathetic. I loved them all. From Liam, the single dad trying to keep his daughter's world from crumbling without her mother, to the recently divorced Simon who is finding his way as a 'weekend dad', to Mia who is trying so hard to figure out where she fits, to Tamara the frustrated serial dater, and Juliet the heartbroken -whose story definitely struck a chord. It's Holly, however with whom I identify the most. Holly can't seem to find a place for herself, falls for the wrong guys, and sometimes sets too much stock in fate and destiny. I love her determination and her desire to see things through. I love that she chose to continue her Nonna's legacy, even though it meant facing her fears and striking out on her own.

As I mentioned, this book is not plot driven, but the unfolding of the character's lives pulls the reader through it at a wonderful pace so that I wasn't racing to see what was going to happen next, but enjoying what was happening now. Did I know where the book was headed? Yes. But it was one of those rare times when I wasn't in a hurry to get there. I was just enjoying the world of Blue Crab Island and it's inhabitants.

The only thing that seemed a tad out of place were the recipes at the end of the book. Not that they weren't related to the story, they were certainly recipes for the meals made at the cooking school. Perhaps it was because the story was so fabulous, but, in the end, the recipes seemed a little superfluous. I can see not wanting to break the continuity of the story by placing them at the ends of chapters, but I think to be included, they needed to be incorporated into the book somehow because it came off feeling like an afterthought. Though not a bad afterthought and that is only my opinion...

I've used the word loved a lot in this post but that's because I thought this book was marvelous - I'm actually running out of synonyms for excellent. This review has been difficult to write because I don't want to gush about it, I'd rather just curl up inside it. It's the perfect balance of love, friendship, and of course, good food.

http://girlsjustreading.blogspot.com/... ...more

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Aug 19, 2011 Kerry rated it really liked it

Shelves: everything

There is a genre of books where a group of people (usually women with one lone guy thrown into the mix) gather together in some sort of club or class (knitting, quilting, Jane Austen books or in this case, cooking) and by the end of the book, they have formed close friendships and had a major problem in their lives resolved through the magic of whatever interest had drawn them together in the first place. Sometimes, this genre can produce a good book or even a good series of books (for example - ...more

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Jun 29, 2011 Lisa rated it really liked it

Good Chick Lit

1 lost character named Holly
Dash of magical realism
At least one hot guy
Several interesting characters
Secrets, angst and a fun plot to keep readers interested
Delicious recipes to make your mouth water
1 wish

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Jun 02, 2018 Melodie rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction-and-food

Holly has just had her heart broken. What better way to lick her wounds than to fly home to her Nonna's place in Maine? Her Nonna is a culinary teacher with on Blue Crab Island. For years and years she has welded her culinary magic with comfy Italian food and told fortunes on the side.
After Nonna's passing, Holly finds herself the proprietress of her business.However, Holly doesn't possess the magic touch that her grandmother had with food and definitely can't see the future.
Determined to pay ...more

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Nov 26, 2010 Pamela rated it it was ok

Shelves: formerly-owned

A friend sent me this book in exchange for the Cookbook Collector which I lent to her. Warning: this is extreme chick lit. Not the least bit literary. Very formulaic and presses all the comfort, female fantasy buttons-- romantic guy, very nice, self-deprecating woman without a penny to her name who inherits house and business on the coast of Maine, lots of hot baths, good food and wine, nurturing, loneliness blossoming into friendship. Good read for rainy November Sunday afternoon. Watch the num ...more

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Oct 24, 2010 Caitlin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2010

Once again I am won over by a book that transcends its genre and makes me think I should be more broadminded about that genre - chick lit. I've pretty much hated every chick lit book I've ever read. So much of it is about women who care most about shopping, getting into the latest hot new club, their weight, their makeup, and snagging that enormous diamond ring and great big expensive wedding. These characters tend to be so shallow and the books tend to be so thinly written that I end up loathin Once again I am won over by a book that transcends its genre and makes me think I should be more broadminded about that genre - chick lit. I've pretty much hated every chick lit book I've ever read. So much of it is about women who care most about shopping, getting into the latest hot new club, their weight, their makeup, and snagging that enormous diamond ring and great big expensive wedding. These characters tend to be so shallow and the books tend to be so thinly written that I end up loathing them. One exception to this is The Devil Wears Prada, although I probably adored the wrong character - I think Miranda Priestly is a goddess and loved that the book was filled with the kind of couture that transcends fashion and becomes art. The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate just made this list.

The best thing of all about this book is how simple it is - a good story, simply told. No unnecessary embellishments, no cliches, no stereotypes, just an honestly told story about being in your thirties - a time of life when for most people everything is up for grabs. Everyone in this book is at a crossroads in their lives with their old life down the toilet for whatever reason and the course of their new life still uncertain.

It made me think of the time after my divorce when I had to try to sort out who I was going to be, how I was going to live. It was a hard time for me, for my son, and for my ex-husband. Although I never thought it would come to where it has today, it did work out for the best.

The thread that runs throughout this book is all the ways that cooking and eating and sharing both things bind people together and how having a strong connection to the past, like the one Holly has with her grandmother, is so essential to grounding you in the present. The cooking in this book isn't highlighted in any special way, but rather is a constant in the book, as it should be in real life. It's full of as many burnt bechamel sauces as it is sublime risotto. It acknowledges that the fun is in the process, not necessarily in the product (although it never hurts when the product is great, too). There's an important message here about not being afraid to risk, not being afraid to fail that really resonates with me.

The other thread is Holly's relationship with her recently deceased grandmother. They had a very special relationship and that touched my heart. It made think of my grandmothers, both gone now, and how much they each meant to me and how many things I learned from each of them even though they were very different from each other. They were both an enormous part of helping me become the person I am today and I miss them both almost every day.

This is a warm and beautiful book with an honest simple story that is filled with the good smells of garlic and onion and olive oil filling the house with love and companionship. I adored this book. ...more

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Nov 07, 2010 Melissa rated it it was amazing

I have to admit that "The Love Goddess' Cooking School" was the first book by Melissa Senate I've read since "See Jane Date" (back in 2002), which I loved. I have her other books but haven't had a chance to read them yet. I don't think anything was keeping me from reading them, but now that I've finished this book, I definitely will be reading more from Ms. Senate.

"The Love Goddess' Cooking School" is about Holly, a woman who loses a serious relationship, gets fired from her job and is kicked ou I have to admit that "The Love Goddess' Cooking School" was the first book by Melissa Senate I've read since "See Jane Date" (back in 2002), which I loved. I have her other books but haven't had a chance to read them yet. I don't think anything was keeping me from reading them, but now that I've finished this book, I definitely will be reading more from Ms. Senate.

"The Love Goddess' Cooking School" is about Holly, a woman who loses a serious relationship, gets fired from her job and is kicked out of her apartment within a short period of time. She flies across the country, back to her grandmother's home and cooking school in Maine. Her grandmother passes away shortly afterward, leaving her home and cooking school in Holly's care. However, Holly doesn't know how to cook the way her grandmother did. It doesn't help that her grandmother was a fortune teller, a skill that Holly does not possess, which also set a reputation for her with the townsfolk and Holly's own mother. With the help of some new friends, Holly learns how to navigate the world of cooking, teaching and even love in this heartfelt and romantic story.

This novel flowed beautifully with a strong female voice, sympathetic characters, delicious sounding food (except for sa cordula, of course) and breathtaking descriptions of an island in Maine. I loved everything about it and had a difficult time putting it down. I stayed up last night just so I could finish the rest of it in one sitting. There was a sensitive topic that was tackled during the story, which was hard to read about as a mother. However, Ms. Senate handled it gracefully and made it more comfortable for the reader to handle. (Seeing that she's a mother too, I couldn't even imagine her doing it any other way.) The dialogue was natural and realistic throughout the story and each character was portrayed vividly, making them even more dynamic and interesting.

The only criticism I have is that Ms. Senate's editors weren't careful before letting this go to print. I found some spelling and grammatical errors scattered throughout the story. (If she needs an extra set of eyes in the future, I'd be glad to help.) This did not detract from my enjoyment of a truly wonderful story that I hope everyone gets the chance to read.

originally posted here: http://chicklitcentraltheblog.blogspo... ...more

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Nov 09, 2012 Diane rated it really liked it

Shelves: comfort-books, love-stories

This is such a fun and charming book! It's the story of Holly, who moves back into her grandmother's home after a bad breakup, and then has to find a new direction in life when her beloved nonna dies. Fortunately, Holly learns to love cooking and is able to take over her grandmother's Italian cooking class.

I don't read much modern chick lit, but I'm glad I gave this one a try. I could see this book being turned into a delightful movie. And if you like romantic comedies or stories about food, you ...more

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Oct 26, 2010 Susan rated it it was amazing

What a lovely novel! I treated myself to THE LOVE GODDESS' COOKING SCHOOL after a crazy deadline. Then my cat got sick, which didn't exactly alleviate the stress. So I was very grateful for Melissa Senate's new book, which (like those old Calgon commericals), took me away for awhile. It was a pleasure meeting Holly Maguire and learning about her relationship with her Italian grandmother Camilla. Holly just broke up with a man she thought she was in love with and flew to Maine to see Camilla befo ...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Kat rated it did not like it

"Holly Maguire gets her heartbroken and moves from California to Maine into her grandmother's house and kitchen. Her grandmother, Camilla, is known in town as the Italian cooking teacher and even more so, as a fortune teller. When her grandmother passes away and leaves her house and kitchen to Holly, she decides to continue with the cooking classes although she is not as gifted with cooking, or fortune telling, as her nonna.

I wanted to read something fun and got something boring instead. Everyth ...more

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Nov 18, 2011 Jessi rated it liked it

I liked this as a nice and easy read that just makes you feel good. But I don't enjoy the references to current pop culture. It dates it. No matter what, in ten plus however many years, someone reading this book will say "Edward Cullen/Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana - who?". ...more

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Sep 11, 2014 Krystal rated it liked it

3.5 stars. A light, sweet and quick read. The only thing that drove me nuts were the grammar mistakes. There were SO many. I found it distracting at times.

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Feb 23, 2020 Christina rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: dj-jla-vs-jsa-2020, 2020

This book made me feel the feels! I will admit that I am totally an emotional reviewer when it comes to books, which is why on occasion my opinion of a book can change on reread. This is rare but it happens. But, this book falls under one of my favorite genres, magical-realism. Not to mention, it talks a lot about one of my favorite types of food, Italian, so right away I was sucked in.

You follow the story of Holly, who shortly after a heartbreak, decides to move back in with her fortune-tellin ...more

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Dec 10, 2010 Leah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: books-read-2010, favorites

Holly Maguire’s grandmother Camilla was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune-teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can’t make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that’s why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla’s Cu Holly Maguire’s grandmother Camilla was the Love Goddess of Blue Crab Island, Maine–a Milanese fortune-teller who could predict the right man for you, and whose Italian cooking was rumored to save marriages. Holly has been waiting years for her unlikely fortune: her true love will like sa cordula, an unappetizing old-world delicacy. But Holly can’t make a decent marinara sauce, let alone sa cordula. Maybe that’s why the man she hopes to marry breaks her heart. So when Holly inherits Camilla’s Cucinotta, she’s determined to forget about fortunes and love and become an Italian cooking teacher worthy of her grandmother’s legacy. But Holly’s four students are seeking much more than how to make Camilla’s chicken alla Milanese. Simon, a single father, hopes to cook his way back into his daughter’s heart. Juliet, Holly’s childhood friend, hides a painful secret. Tamara, a serial dater, can’t find the love she longs for. And twelve-year-old Mia thinks learning to cook will stop her dad, Liam, from marrying his phony lasagna-queen girlfriend. As the class gathers each week, adding Camilla’s essential ingredients of wishes and memories in every pot and pan, unexpected friendships and romances are formed–and tested. Especially when Holly falls hard for Liam . . . and learns a thing or two about finding her own recipe for happiness.

People have been telling me for ages to read See Jane Date by Melissa Senate but I’ve never gotten around to finding myself a copy. When I saw Melissa had a new book coming out called The Love Goddess’ Cooking School, I loved the sound of it and when a preview finally came up on Amazon, I had a quick sneak peek and I thought the book sounded like my kind of thing so I bought myself a copy. As soon as it arrived, I quickly finished my previous book and got stuck into this one. It took me about a week to read, but not a moment of it was dull.

The Love Goddess’ Cooking School has a wonderful plot, and I was drawn into the book immediately as we find out that when Holly Maguire was told her fortune by her grandmother Camilla and all that she’s told is that the great love of her life will like Sa Cordula, an Italian dish made of lamb intestines that nobody likes. It was a great way to start the novel and I was sad I couldn’t dedicate more of my time to the book. We learn Camilla has recently died and left her business Camilla Cuchinotta’s to Holly so Holly rapidly has to learn how to cook her grandmother’s famous Italian dishes so she can teach Camilla’s cooking class as well as sell her wares. I thought the cooking class plot was fantastic and I enjoyed getting to know Holly and her students, Tamara, Simon, Juliet and young Mia. Throw in Mia’s dad Liam and we have a fantastic and well-rounded cast.

I truly didn’t know what to expect from the novel. Just because the Amazon preview I had was good didn’t mean I would necessarily love the rest of the novel so I was pleased to find that I did enjoy immersing myself in the book. I thought Camilla’s recipes were wonderful, and I liked the way Senate made them unique by making sure every time Holly or one of her students cooked, they added in a memory or a wish to help it along the way. During the novel we also have some diary entries by Camilla written way back when she first started her fortune telling and Camilla’s Cucinotta and I found them incredibly interesting. In fact, I could have read an entire book dedicated to Camilla’s diary during the 60′s at Blue Crab Cove. I must also mention where the book is set, in Blue Crab Cove in Maine. It’s fictional, but it sounds like a wonderful place to live.

I was thrilled that I took the chance on the book. I loved it so much that I’ve ordered myself another Melissa Senate book and should I love that, too, I’ll definitely be getting Melissa’s other books. The setting was perfect, the plot was everything I expected and more and I absolutely loved each and every one of the characters and was rooting for them to get their happy endings. I would hugely recommend the book to all Chick Lit fans. It’s a very sweet read, and one I am so so glad I took a chance on. It’s lovely when you buy a book and it ends up being a fantastic read. ...more

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Oct 15, 2014 Maria rated it liked it

I must confess I have a thing for books that are somehow related to Italy. And when it's through food? Even better! Oh, the wonders of testing a recipe you have read about.

Reading a Melissa Senate book is like sitting down for a long conversation with a best friend. We talk about everything and nothing. There are ups and downs, smiles and tears, laughs and silences that long ago stopped being awkward.

Some might call it a light reading, an easy escape, but I believe The Love Goddess' Cooking Sch ...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Christi rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Do not read on an empty stomach! This is such an enchanting story. I love Camilla’s memories (via her diary) and the tales of her many thriving businesses. The granddaughter that inherits her home, store and cooking school is Holly. She is such a great character to follow as she makes her own discoveries and conquers the kitchen. I love the different, quirky students that attend her class and the way they find their own paths while they discuss their wishes, regrets and memories. It was a super ...more

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Apr 23, 2012 Jane rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommended to Jane by: Lisa

Shelves: 2006-2010-publications, romance, contemporary, chick-lit, cooking-food

This is actually more of a 3 1/2 stars book but I went with 4 because I like the genre and the story sucked me in so that I did nothing else but read all day. It reminds me of The School of Essential Ingredients in a lot of ways. I loved the recipes and really want to try some as the author added them at the end of the book. Great cast of characters and message.
Holly is looking for love but finding that it is harder to find because of the fortune her Italian grandmother told her when she was 16 ...more

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Jul 17, 2011 Marilyn Clay rated it it was amazing

Similar to "The school of essential ingredients' Look forward to it.

This was a charming book, similar, but yet very different from 'The School of Essential Ingredients'. After her grandmother passes away, Holly moves into her cottage/cooking school on an island off the coast of Maine. With her grandmothers recipe binder she learns to cook and registers students. They all are experiencing some kind of life trauma. The recipes they learn all have one 'Final Ingredient' "A wish, a memory, or a true ...more

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Oct 28, 2010 Bridget rated it really liked it

It took me a little while to get into this book. I don't know if it was the actual book or if I just had too much on my mind. Anyway, after I was about a third through it, I found myself engrossed in the book. FYI, if you like italian food, this book will make you hungry. The plot was good and I really liked the character, especially Camilla. When you're looking for a good romance to curl up with on the couch, this is the book you're looking for. Just make sure you have some pasta on hand. ...more

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Nov 27, 2010 Elizabeth rated it did not like it

I can't believe I'm going to write this but... this plot line was too much out of a romance novel for my liking. I wasn't really surprised with anything and I can't say that the "drama" was dramatic. Very predictable but no follow through. I would have rather read more of the fortune-telling Italian grandmother's diary. That was interesting. The rest of the story? Meh. I can't recommend this one. ...more

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Mar 18, 2015 Çimen rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2015

A charming book about discovering where you belong. I liked the characters, especially the lovely Camilla. as well as the plot. Some of the outcomes were quite predictable, still it is a very sweet story. It rekindled my passion for trying out new recipies, making little variations to get them just right and sharing with my loved ones. 3.5

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May 26, 2018 Citra rated it it was amazing

Great story, love the writing style and such a page turner. I wonder what it feels like to have a cooking lesson.

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Feb 12, 2018 Kathleen rated it liked it

The concept was great. I would have liked to have seen the characters developed a bit more. A good light read but beware of the typos. And the continuity with the grandmother's diary. ...more

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Jul 04, 2017 Vickie rated it really liked it

Shelves: chick-lit, 2017, it-s-all-the-same-to-me, a-z-dessert, jelly-belly-challenge, looking-back-on-2016, traveling-with-opi, 1-2-3-challenge-revisited, aromatherapy, romance

What a comfortable book to read over a long weekend! I loved the main characters of Holly, Mia, and Liam and the secondary characters were certainly people I would enjoy meeting. I picked up this book because it fit a requirement for a reading challenge; it is a book that I will be keeping and not donating anytime soon!

Go Cards! L1C4!!

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Aug 16, 2010 Meg rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2010, sent-for-review, women-s-fiction

A word of caution for those picking up Melissa Senate’s new novel, The Love Goddess’ Cooking School: don’t read on an empty stomach. I’ve issued this caution before, I know, but trust me this one time, friends. Since beginning this warm and engaging novel, I’ve been dreaming of tiramisu, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, lasagna and ricotta cheese. As someone who feels she must have been Italian in another life (pasta, I love pasta!), the odd stains scarring the pages of my copy may or may not be A word of caution for those picking up Melissa Senate’s new novel, The Love Goddess’ Cooking School: don’t read on an empty stomach. I’ve issued this caution before, I know, but trust me this one time, friends. Since beginning this warm and engaging novel, I’ve been dreaming of tiramisu, spaghetti with Bolognese sauce, lasagna and ricotta cheese. As someone who feels she must have been Italian in another life (pasta, I love pasta!), the odd stains scarring the pages of my copy may or may not be drool. The prose was just . . . scrumptious. And Senate describes Holly’s creations so well, you’ll want to throw this one down and make dinner every time you finish a chapter.

What I love about this work, Senate’s latest in a long line of great books, is her ability to create likable, friendly and interesting characters who captivate you right from the start. Like the men entranced by the exotic, lovely Camilla Constantina, an Italian immigrant who arrived in America with her young husband and was widowed in the U.S., I was immediately drawn into Holly’s world and felt like I was reading the story of a dear friend. Have I read the running-away-to-find-yourself plots before? Yes, of course. But in Senate’s hands, a familiar story takes on new nuances.

Holly is a bumbling, uncomfortable woman when first we meet her — aching from loss and grief, both in the form of her relationship with John and her grandmother’s unexpected passing; lost as to what to do with her life. Having spent most of her adult years following men from city to city, she has no career or aspirations. She has no calling. And Camilla, when she was living, could tell her little about her future . . . aside from the premonition about sa cordula. She needs guidance. And through her grandmother’s magical recipes, she finds solace and direction.

Liam’s slow pursuit of Holly was magical, too, and felt honest. Though initially attracted to one another, Holly and Liam don’t suddenly find themselves locked in a passionate embrace. There are so many factors to consider: rules to follow; guidelines that should be met. And it takes a whole lot of thinking and analyzing for them to move forward. Of course, when they do? Well. Love can’t happen along someone else’s guidelines . . . sometimes we make the rules up for ourselves.

I’ve read and loved many of Melissa Senate’s novels, including The Solomon Sisters Wise Up, and this was a departure from her usual fare. Still about women, love and family, yes, but there were no sisters here to speak of — and sisters appear often in Senate’s works! I’m happy to report this is my favorite Senate read of all, and a book I’ll still be thinking about in the months to come. Holly is an inspiration.

Now, where’s that tiramisu? ...more

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Mar 17, 2019 Hawley rated it liked it

The description "blueberry-coloured eyes" was used about 6 times too often. ...more

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Oct 14, 2010 Yan rated it really liked it

Everything you need to know about the novel can be surmised from the synopsis. The Love Goddess’s Cooking School makes one reader very, very hungry for some decent Italian cuisine. Thank God that there are recipes readers can follow at the back of the novel or I might have taken a bite of the novel. Yum….

The Love Goddess’ Cooking School was a delicious novel that held different layers like a lasagna with various textures, aromas, and tastes. The novel does not completely focus on cooking and man ...more

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Dec 24, 2013 Limau Nipis rated it really liked it

Shelves: modern-romance, 2013-reads, nook-simple-touch, general-fiction

This one is akin to Sarah Addison Allen writings somehow without the magic.

Melissa Senate weaves a wonderful story filled with Italian cookings, hopes, life, loves, despair.

Holly inherited her grandmother's home and suddenly she was thrown into the role of being a cooking class instructor. Four students stayed with her while other dropped out: Simon, Tamara, Juliet and 12-year old Mia.

Thus, begin a self discovery journey for each character. Holly, who was never a cook finally fitting in her role ...more

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Nov 28, 2010 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-author

The Love Goddess' Cooking School details what happens when a few people introduce a melange of dissatisfaction, fear, sadness, despair, wants, dreams and varied experiences in hopes of changing their life course through the art of cooking Italian food. Creative author Melissa Senate utilizes her deft ability to create both likable and unlikable characters who mix and mingle throughout the novel. The main character, Holly Maguire, has left behind a love in San Francisco and decides to try her ...more

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Discuss This Book

topics	posts	views	last activity
Mom's Book Banter: 2014 Feb Discussion - Love Goddess Cooking School	14	7	Mar 22, 2014 01:12PM
Madison Mega-Mara...: The Love Goddess' Cooking School	2	4	Jul 03, 2012 10:26AM
Portugal: Passatempo De que são feitos os sonhos, Melissa Senate	1	33	Jan 08, 2012 01:17AM

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About Melissa Senate

Melissa Senate

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I'm the author of many novels, including my debut, SEE JANE DATE (also available in cute TV movie form to stream); THE LOVE GODDESS' COOKING SCHOOL; and THE BABY SWITCH. I've had two novels published under a secret pen name, but I will happily share if you message me to ask!

I'm now writing romances for Harlequin Special Edition. Brand new: THE LONG-AWAITED CHRISTMAS WISH. Coming in 2021, look for ...more

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According to some historians, the month of April is actually named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, by way of the Romans....

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“[T]he whole point is the wishing and remembering--not if what you want happens, not if remembering hurts. Because when you wish for something, you're askin. And when you ask, you're trying. And all anyone can do really is try, right?” — 7 likes

“It seems that wishing and hoping and dreaming and remembering can be eve more helpful than knowing what's going to happen.” — 2 likes

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Preview — The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate

The Love Goddess' Cooking School

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Lists with This Book

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About Melissa Senate

Books by Melissa Senate

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