Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim Published by Berkley on June 11, 2019
Pages: 320
Format: ARC
Genres: Contemporary
Amazon B&N Apple
Lush and visual, chock-full of delicious recipes, Roselle Lim's magical debut novel is about food, heritage, and finding family in the most unexpected places.
At the news of her mother's death, Natalie Tan returns home. The two women hadn't spoken since Natalie left in anger seven years ago, when her mother refused to support her chosen career as a chef. Natalie is shocked to discover the vibrant neighborhood of San Francisco's Chinatown that she remembers from her childhood is fading, with businesses failing and families moving out. She's even more surprised to learn she has inherited her grandmother's restaurant.
The neighborhood seer reads the restaurant's fortune in the leaves: Natalie must cook three recipes from her grandmother's cookbook to aid her struggling neighbors before the restaurant will succeed. Unfortunately, Natalie has no desire to help them try to turn things around--she resents the local shopkeepers for leaving her alone to take care of her agoraphobic mother when she was growing up. But with the support of a surprising new friend and a budding romance, Natalie starts to realize that maybe her neighbors really have been there for her all along.
"Vivid and lyrical with a touch of magic."--Helen Hoang, author of The Kiss Quotient
I think I set myself up for disappointment with Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune. I expected an epic Like Water for Chocolate meets The Joy Luck Club tale. What I got was a cute story, but one that failed to hold my interest.
If you read the synopsis, you pretty much know the entire first half of the book. Nothing substantial is added to the plot and the characters are not particularly developed. The second half of the book is perhaps a bit stronger, but I never felt truly invested in Natalie or her neighbors.
The story relies heavily on the reader’s willingness to believe in magic. The whimsical premise makes that possible. Natalie shines whenever she is cooking, and she delights in seeing the wonderful reactions of those who eat her food. It’s sweet, but I grew bored.
The blurb mentions Natalie’s budding romance; however, there really isn’t much romance. She has a potential boyfriend that she only sees a handful of times, and their interactions are superficial at best.
Ultimately, the author’s style just didn’t suit me. The writing is over-saturated with similes and metaphors, particularly in the first half of the book. Rather than enhancing the story, I found the literary devices to be distracting. The choppy dialogue also gives the storyline a disjointed feel.
Perhaps if I had adjusted my expectations I would have enjoyed the book more; sadly, Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune fell short.
* I received an early copy from the publisher to voluntarily read. *
Get Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune
Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Book Depository | IndieBound
Sorry this didn’t live up to expectations for you.