Recipe for Joy - by Monica Comas (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A grieving woman finds healing and purpose through her late grandmother's cherished recipes in a poignant and hopeful novel about rediscovering the comfort of family in the most trying of times.

Belle Sutton is a little lost these days.

She has a stalled career, a New York apartment she can't afford, and her sister, Lexie, is more estranged with each passing year. Belle's one true consolation is her beloved grandmother, who's powered through her own broken family ties with a tenacious zest for life and a passion for cooking. But when her grandmother suddenly passes away, a grieving Belle feels her only connection to the past is gone forever.

That's when Belle receives a series of letters, along with a cookbook, photographs of Belle and Lexie when they were young and happy, and her grandmother's last wish that the sisters mend severed ties before it's too late. For the love of Gran, a challenge is met that sets Belle and Lexie on a journey of hope, reconciliation, surprising discoveries, and the nourishing power of family, forgiveness, and tradition. All they have to do is follow the directions.

Review Quotes

"Comas gives us characters so real, you'll want to invite them to your own kitchen table." --Lori Foster, New York Times bestselling author

"In Recipe For Joy, two estranged sisters are brought together by their late grandmother's recipes. What begins in heartache becomes a journey of forgiveness and healing--a warm, witty reminder that food and family hold the power to lead us home. With a pinch of memory and a dash of love, Comas's debut is a novel to savor. An absolute joy to read." --Rochelle Weinstein, bestselling author of We Are Made of Stars

"Writing with a deep understanding of grief, grudges, and the difficult but essential path to forgiveness, Monica Comas has spun a heartwarming tale of healing and self-discovery. Recipe for Joy is an old-fashioned, hopeful hug of a novel, complete with recipes that are sweet to the tooth and nourishing to the soul." --Karen Dukess, USA Today bestselling author of Welcome to Murder Week and The Last Book Party

"Recipe for Joy is a hug in book form. Monica Comas's writing delivers tender characters who feel like wonderfully familiar neighbors. I loved the journey this story took me on--from suburbia to rural farms, and then to farmers' markets in the heart of New York City--with intergenerational secrets, never-too-late romance, sibling rivalry, deep friendships, and career changes. Throughout, Comas gives us a bonus of actual recipes of sweet and savory dishes I can try for myself and pass on to others which makes this a book I'll keep in my kitchen as well as on my bedside table." --Jimin Han, author of The Apology

"Recipe for Joy is the farm-to-table edition on grief and family relationships. Comas skillfully bakes in the notion that our past can help us find our future. She also reminds us that, despite distance, our palates can stir memories and lead us home. This savory debut novel is a foodie's meditation on how to thrive." --Ramona Reeves, author of It Falls Gently All Around and Other Stories

"A wonderful and delightful novel filled with warmth, wit, and so much heart. Comas expertly crafts a poignant exploration of loss and love, told through a compelling narrative that champions family, hope, and healing." --Abigail Rose-Marie, author of The Moonflowers