This is a new kind of review post, as part of the wonderful book tours Jenny In Neverland offers, I got the chance to read a proof of The Sinking Chef by Sylvia Ashby. I was immediately drawn in by the the Bridget Jones vibe and the fact that it was set in London. Not a lot of the books I read in my spare time are set in real life locations. As fantasy is a top genre of mine, so a healthy dose of reality and humour was definitely welcome!
A little bit about the Author!
Sylvia Ashby is fond of the written word: books, blog posts, recipes, even an explanation to the HM Revenue & Customs as to why she thinks skirts should be exempt from VAT – she’s written it all!
She likes travelling and has lived all over Europe – London, Brussels, Amsterdam and Sofia, Bulgaria. Currently, she lives in Leuven, Belgium with her husband, daughter, son and a sparrow called Jack, who comes occasionally to peck the seeds she leaves for him on top of the garden shed.
Website: http://www.sylvia-ashby.com/
Twitter: @bysylvia_a
Plot Overview:
“Bridget Jones meets Burnt in this delightful comedy novel about a talented YouTuber and the guy who keeps trying to bring her down. Although part of a series this book is completely standalone, as are all other novels in the Pot Love Series.
In Belsize Park, London, Ashley works hard on her daily YouTube channel “The Sinking Chef”. It’s filmed right in her kitchen, so she doesn’t go out much.
James is a gruff British TV director, turned publisher, who Ashley had a crush on ages ago. She has moved on but when he calls with an offer to take her out to lunch she doesn’t say no. It’s only lunch – what can go wrong?
The day Ashley meets James for lunch and he promises her a book deal, she makes the worse decision in her life – to hide the book deal from her boyfriend, Giacomo. As things progress Ashley’s secrets mount up and other things in her life unravel. Is there a connection? And how is she going to get out of this without losing Giacomo and the life she loves?
Set in the heart of fast-paced London, The Sinking Chef is a charming story of love, recipes, secrets, and the determination to do things right by those you love most in your life.
My Review:
- Lighthearted – I particularly enjoyed how easily accessible and fun this book was. Many of the references had me laughing and also relating to Ashley a lot more than I initially expected. Some of the stuff she gets up to during the novel is outrageous and beyond belief, and that’s where that Bridget Jones-esque element comes in to play! If you’re a Bridget fan, you’ll definitely enjoy this book! I’d like to think she and Ashley would be friends…or maybe that’s too much chaos?
- Emotional – While a great portion of the book is following Ashley and all the many situations she gets herself in to, the story also does well with depicting slightly dysfunctional familial relationships. There were heartfelt moments where you really empathise with the characters and root for them.
- Recipes – I really like the fact that at the beginning of each chapter there’s a recipe! It really adds to the story, as Ashley is a chef and youtube personality and is all about making delicious sounding food…seriously going to try making some of these. I felt many cravings kicking in whilst reading, I’ll tell you that!
All in all, I enjoyed this book and would definitely read another book in the series! It’s the perfect little escape and a good holiday or cosy up and read book I’d say!
Until next time,
Rumaanah x
P.S: There’s an exciting giveaway happening! So go ahead and enter :
1st prize: £25 Amazon voucher and an eCopy of the book
2nd and 3rd prize: ecopy of the book
INTERNATIONAL
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If you like the sound of ‘The Sinking Chef’ and want to buy a copy, you can do so here:
The book is exclusive for Amazon & in Kindle Unlimited
US https://www.amazon.com/Sinking-Chef-Pot-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B06ZYGMPLB
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sinking-Chef-Pot-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B06ZYGMPLB
Australia https://www.amazon.com.au/Sinking-Chef-Pot-Love-Book-ebook/dp/B06ZYGMPLB
Canada https://www.amazon.ca/Sinking-Chef-Sylvia-Ashby/dp/1548021784
