One flaky family. One ex-boyfriend who won't go away. And one handsome stranger who probably will ... For fans of Doc Martin and Monica McInerney, a warm, witty novel, brimming with the trademark romance, friendship and eccentricity that Danielle Hawkins's readers adore. On the outskirts of a small seaside town, Lia and her friend Anna work serious hours running their restored cafe. The summer season is upon them, with all its baking, serving, cleaning and buying. On top of that, Anna is about to marry Lia's twin brother, and Lia's ex-boyfriend seems not to understand it's over. When a gorgeous stranger taps on Lia's window near midnight and turns out not to be a serial killer, she feels it's a promising sign. But the past won't let them be, and when things turn nasty Lia must find both some healthy resolve and some virtuous compromise. The Pretty Delicious Cafe will remind you of those special, good things we love about living. And the food is great. Bestselling NZ author Danielle Hawkins lives on a sheep and beef farm near Otorohanga with her husband and two children.

Food, family and fresh new beginnings. On the outskirts of a quiet hamlet on the New Zealand coast, Lia and her friend Anna work serious hours running their restored 'villa' cafe. The busy season, they know, is just around the corner. There are plenty of other things distracting them too. Anna is about to marry Lia's twin brother; Lia's older half-brother, who lives hours away on the family farm, looks like he might be disinherited by their curmudgeonly father; and Lia's ex-boyfriend seems not to understand it's over. And there's all the delicious cooking. Then when a gorgeous stranger taps on Lia's window near midnight and turns out not to be a serial killer, it seems a healthy new distraction could develop. But the past won't let them be, and when Lia's ex becomes dangerous, beginnings start to look like endings. Not only is the special connection between Lia and her twin tested, her fledgling romance looks like it might be just too complicated.

On the outskirts of a quiet hamlet on the New Zealand coast, Lia and her friend Anna work serious hours running their restored 'villa' cafe. The busy season, they know, is just around the corner. There are plenty of other things distracting them too. Anna is about to marry Lia's twin brother; Lia's older half-brother, who lives hours away on the family farm, looks like he might be disinherited by their curmudgeonly father; and Lia's ex-boyfriend seems not to understand it's over. And there's all the delicious cooking. Then, when a gorgeous stranger taps on Lia's window near midnight and turns out not to be a serial killer, it seems a healthy new interest could develop. But the past won't let them be, and when Lia's ex becomes dangerous, she must decide whether events rule her life or she does.

When was the last time you indulged in a sumptuous eggs benedict, an herbaceous and aromatic pasta with pesto, or a soul-satisfying cup of creamy tomato soup with a grilled cheese on the side—without a moment of guilt? The too-good-to-be-true recipes in Pretty Delicious not only look and taste great, but they are as easy on the waistline as they are on the wallet and will keep you lean, sexy, and very, very happy. The secret? Former model-turned-chef Candice Kumai skips "diet" food in favor of smart swaps and delicious real foods that keep fat and calories to a minimum while boosting flavor and plate appeal to the maximum. And by loading her dishes with FWBs (that's foods with benefits, of course!), she ensures that every enticing bite provides the key nutrients your body craves to stay healthy and look amazing. From sliders and mac' and cheese to a lightened-up veggie lasagna and guilt-free BLTs, nothing is off-limits in the Pretty Delicious kitchen. Love Cali-fresh flavors? Try Candice's 470-calorie Fabulous Fish Tacos and a soul-soothing Albóndigas Soup. Making an intimate dinner for two? Almond Pesto Fettuccine with Pan-Seared Scallops or Grilled White Pizza with Mushrooms, Artichokes, and Parm are made to order. Hosting a crowd for brunch? A breakfast burrito bar or make-your-own-mimosas spread will start the weekend off right without weighing you down. And proving that you don't need to be a millionaire to eat like royalty, Candice shares her tips for being fab and frugal, as well as ideas for making smart switches in the kitchen that will save you calories and fat grams without compromising on flavor. For entertaining, for easy weeknight meals, and for simple snacks and everyday indulgences (to be enjoyed in moderation), Candice Kumai's collection of smart, sexy, and truly irresistible recipes is proof that even the most health-conscious cook can dish it up with style and flavor!

In this debut memoir, a James Beard Award-winning writer, whose childhood idea of fine dining was Howard Johnson's, tells how he became one of Paris's most influential food critics Until Alec Lobrano landed a job in the glamorous Paris office of Women's Wear Daily, his main experience of French cuisine was the occasional supermarket éclair. An interview with the owner of a renowned cheese shop for his first article nearly proves a disaster because he speaks no French. As he goes on to cover celebrities and couturiers and improves his mastery of the language, he gradually learns what it means to be truly French. He attends a cocktail party with Yves St. Laurent and has dinner with Giorgio Armani. Over a superb lunch, it's his landlady who ultimately provides him with a lasting touchstone for how to judge food: "you must understand the intentions of the cook." At the city's brasseries and bistros, he discovers real French cooking. Through a series of vivid encounters with culinary figures from Paul Bocuse to Julia Child to Ruth Reichl, Lobrano hones his palate and finds his voice. Soon the timid boy from Connecticut is at the epicenter of the Parisian dining revolution and the restaurant critic of one of the largest newspapers in the France. A mouthwatering testament to the healing power of food, My Place at the Table is a moving coming-of-age story of how a gay man emerges from a wounding childhood, discovers himself, and finds love. Published here for the first time is Lobrano's "little black book," an insider's guide to his thirty all-time-favorite Paris restaurants.

Set on breathtaking Coates Island, off the coast of North Carolina, bestselling author Rochelle Alers’ new series debut brings together three book-loving women whose summer will offer a chance to rewrite their own stories . . . For three decades, the Seaside Café has served delicious meals to locals and island tourists alike. Kayana Johnson has moved home to help her brother run the café—and to nurse her wounds following a deep betrayal. Between cooking favorite recipes—creole chicken with buttermilk waffles, her grandmother’s famous mac and cheese—and spending time reading, Kayana is trying to embrace a life free of entanglements, while staying open to new connections . . . After striking up conversation with two customers, Kayana suggests a summer book club. Each week, they’ll meet on the patio to talk about their favorite novels. But there are plot twists awaiting them in real life too. For schoolteacher Leah, this two-month sojourn is the first taste of freedom she’s had in her unhappy marriage. Cherie, filled with regret about her long-term affair with a married politician, discovers a powerful new passion. And Kayana finds a kindred spirit in a reclusive visitor who’s ready to make his true identity known, and fill this summer with new possibilities . . . "Stunning coastal settings, heartfelt moments...this novel whisks readers away to the beaches of North Carolina...a tale of love, friendship, and new starts." - Woman's World on The Seaside Cafe

‘Full of quirky characters, friendship and humour, you will devour this engaging and heartwarming novel in one sitting’ – Sunday Express‘My new favourite author’ – Holly Martin