A Well-Read Tart

A Food and Book Lover’s Blog

I LOVE YOU: RECIPES FROM THE HEART Book Review

I thoroughly enjoyed reading I Love You: Recipes from the Heart. And nothing has surprised me more. Why? Because the author is… Pamela Anderson. Yep, my fellow Elder Millennials. That Pamela Anderson. Has written. A COOKBOOK. An absolutely wonderful cookbook that you need to buy and read and start cooking from.   What’s I Love You: Recipes from the Heart about? Pamela Anderson’s cookbook overflows with cozy, simple, rustic, nature-based...

KEEP ON GLOWING Book Review

You know I’m all about the self-help, self-care, and woo-woo stuff these days, Tartlets. So, I was excited when author Robin Emtage offered me an ARC of her new book Keep On Glowing: Your Guide to Graceful Empowerment and Unstoppable Glow. It sounded right up my alley.   What’s Keep On Glowing about? Keep On Glowing is a guide to helping women rediscover and maintain a sense of self-confidence so that they can “glow” from within. Your...

JAMES (Pulitzer Prize Winner) Book Review

Given that James was recently awarded a Pulitzer Prize, I figured it might be a good time to post my book review of this reimagined masterpiece by Percival Everett.  This one is worth the hype, Tartlets.    What’s James about? James is a retelling of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of the enslaved man Jim (James), who accompanies Tom and Huck along their adventures in the original Twain story. We...

THE ALCHEMY OF FLOWERS Book Review

I had really high hopes for The Alchemy of Flowers by Laura Resau. This women’s fiction novel promised magical realism, romance, mystery, and lots and lots of flowers. While all these things appear in the book, I still feel there could have been more.  A little more magical realism. A little more suspense. And a lot less romance. Let’s get into it.   What is The Alchemy of Flowers about? The Alchemy of Flowers is about mid-forties...

SMOKE ON THE WIND Book Review

Smoke on the Wind is the perfect read for #cozygirlsummer. This novel by Kelli Estes is set in the glorious Scottish Highlands. It transports you to a land steeped in ancient Celtic folklore and mystery; a starkly beautiful landscape amidst rolling fog; and fires burning in the hearth after long country walks. Are you looking for a summer read that's not set on a sun-drenched tropical island? Then run to your nearest bookstore to pick up Smoke...

BETWEEN THE DEVIL AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA (DNF Book Review)

I wanted to read all of Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. But I DNF’d this women’s fiction novel about a bitter woman who's a shitty friend, mentally absent and resentful mother, obnoxious daughter-in-law, and iffy wife. Oh, yeah, she's also an alcoholic.  I could easily go on a ten-page rant about all the things that bothered me about this book. But, I’m going to keep this review concise. Kinda.   What’s Between the Devil and...

BROKEN COUNTRY Book Review

Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall is the hot new book in town. It’s being compared to Where the Crawdads Sing, and it was the March 2025 pick for Reese’s Book Club. I’m sure a movie adaptation is in the works, whether we’ve heard of it or not. What did I think of Broken Country? I liked it. But, I didn’t love it. It’s no Where the Crawdads Sing, I’ll tell you that much. Let’s get into it!   What’s Broken Country about?...

THE MEDICI CURSE (DNF Book Review)

Tartlets, I was super excited when I saw the publication announcement for The Medici Curse by Daco S. Auffenorde. It promised Gothic suspense, missing family jewels, a potential family curse -- and, it's set in Italy. It all sounds so good.  Unfortunately, I added The Medici Curse to my DNF pile. Let's talk about why.    What’s The Medici Curse about? In The Medici Curse, Anna de’ Medici Rossi inherits her childhood home: an opulent...

THE PARIS EXPRESS Book Review

I’m just gonna say it: The Paris Express is my least favorite Emma Donoghue novel. *cries* But I’ve loved so many of this author’s books that I suppose she’s allowed a clunker here and there, right? Right???? *sigh*   What’s The Paris Express about? The Paris Express is a multi-POV novel (yep, another one) about people aboard a fast-moving train traveling across France that is – not a spoiler – doomed to crash. It’s based on a...

THE AMALFI CURSE Book Review

I’m announcing it right now: the book of the summer is The Amalfi Curse. Tartlets, I devoured this new novel from Sarah Penner in a little over one day. I could not put it down, and I adored every page of this literary blockbuster.   What’s The Amalfi Curse about? The Amalfi Curse introduces us to modern-day Haven, a nautical archaeologist (aka, a scuba diver who loves exploring shipwrecks) who’s sent on a diving expedition off the coast...