Chick-lit is all grown up in this novel by food writer, Sharon Boorstin. Miriam Levy is an L.A. wife and mother of three who spends her days mixing recipes for the fabulous and famous so they can “author” their cookbooks.
She is dealing with an aging parent, an older child who springs a surprise on her which could have huge ramifications on her lifestyle, and a husband who is really not that interested in, well, anything. So when her best friend, Kate, wants her to join her in Malaysia she decides to go for it.
The two embark on a trip destined to change their lives. Kate is hoping to reconnect with “The One” whom she had met while she and Miriam backpacked through Europe in the 70s. Hence the trip to Malaysia, as it just so happens that after Kate googled his name she learned he is the Swiss ambassador to Malaysia.
Cautious Miriam seems to be looking for a sign of what to do with her life. Should she succumb to the charms of a rich doctor? Several zany escapades ensue and in true chick-lit fashion everything is resolved nice and neat in the end.
There were times when I really wanted to shake Miriam and tell her to wake up, and perhaps that is what the author was trying to get across. Here is a woman who is not living life and is putting up with a lot. A light read with recipes sprinkled through out the book for such mouth-watering delicacies as To-Die-For Truffles and Love Nest Rice Pilaf.