4.6 Stars Out Of 5
4.6 out of 5
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Quality:
4.6 out Of 5
(4.6 out of 5)
Value:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
Meets Expectations:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
93%
of customers would recommend this product to a friend.
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  1. Britt98
    Grand Prairie, TX
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    A Beautiful Story
    January 20, 2015
    Britt98
    Grand Prairie, TX
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Lizzy & Jane.
    Lizzy & Jane is the first book that I have read by author Katherine Reay. I was pleased to discover how much I love her writing style. She has a wonderful ability to make the characters really come alive in the story. The sisters, Elizabeth and Jane, have built up a lot of resentment between each other over the years. The story of how they come together and learn how to let go of past hurts is at the center of what this book is about.

    I really liked Elizabeths (Lizzys) character. She is a chef and the author did such a beautiful job of convincing me that food preparation truly meant everything to Lizzy. The thought process that Lizzy uses to put together the dishes that she creates is central in this story and so interesting to read about. When she ends up traveling across the country to spend time with her ailing sister, it is not an easy decision. These two always end up at odds with each other. Their interaction throughout the book, and the way that sometimes one or the other would just lose it and say something incredibly insensitive, seemed very realistic.

    I liked Jane, too, even though she had some control issues in life. I felt sorry for all she was going through and felt that both she and Lizzy grew so much in this book. I simply loved the progression of this story. Every bit was worthwhile and added to the overall enjoyment for me.

    Nick was fabulous. He certainly handled many things with grace and frequently ended up being the support that Lizzy needed. He was kind and caring, and not pushy. But even he had some issues to work on in his personal life. There were things he hadnt allowed himself to really hand over to God. All of the main characters grew so much by the end of the book. This story is also packed with wonderful side characters that will pull at your heart. These characters, such as Cecilia, added so much to the book. I enjoyed this story from the beginning to the end. Plus, it has such a cute cover!

    I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through BookLook Bloggers, in exchange for an honest review.
  2. bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Flawed characters in need of healing
    January 18, 2015
    bookwomanjoan
    Oak Harbor, WA
    Age: Over 65
    Gender: Female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Lizzy & Jane.
    I really liked this novel. I really liked that Lizzy and Jane are flawed characters. They are real. I liked that Lizzy has to come to understand what her food preparation means to her and to others. I liked the aspect of the novel dealing with the conditions of chemotherapy, not only for the person receiving it, but those acting in support as well. I liked the references to novels, not only those of Austen, but also Hemingway. I liked all the descriptions of food made me hungry.

    This is a good novel all around. The characters are real and act like real people with issues. There are many themes dealt with in the novel. There is the family issue, Lizzy and Jane losing their mother when still young. There is the idea of supporting those going through chemotherapy and how one can be a help in the right way. The idea of food and tastes and creating food that would taste good to someone experiencing chemotherapy was very enlightening. There is a great deal of love, forgiveness and facing fears in the novel too.

    There would be much to discuss after reading this novel and a discussion guide has been included for reading groups. The only thing missing in this novel is the recipe for Nick's chicken rub. I mean, how can you have a book with food such an important part and not include even one recipe?

    I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher for the purpose of an independent and honest review.
  3. i blog 4 books
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    One of the Most Amazing Books I'll Read This Year
    January 7, 2015
    i blog 4 books
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Lizzy & Jane.
    Oh my! I'm not sure that I have adequate words to express how much I absolutely loved this book, but I'll give it a shot.

    At first glance, this is a simple romance novel featuring a chef who is struggling to rediscover her creativity in the kitchen and leaves town to help her sister as she battles cancer. Of course, she meets a cute guy, flirts a little, and starts to have more than friendship feelings.

    But Lizzy & Jane is about so much more than just romance or even self-discovery. It's about love and family and cancer and grief and loss and survival. It's about the intimate relationships between family members and how much it hurts to lose your mother and how even adults still need their moms and how important it is to stay close even when life pulls you apart. It's about sisters and caring for each other and sacrificing your dreams, wants, desires for another. It's about creativity and scenery and the mundane and the romantic moments in the midst of it all. It's about finding God in the middle of pain and tragedy and discovering hard truths about yourself along the way. It's about food and books. It's about more than just food and books though. It's about how those things tell others a lot about who we are and how they bring us together and help us build community with others. It's about serving and loving and giving. It's about the feast and how it can literally change our lives.

    The book was absolutely beautiful. The story itself was moving, and the writing was magnificent. I found myself staying up way too late to keep reading "just one more page." But getting only 5 hours of sleep was totally worth it. Totally.

    The relationships between every person in the book were just stunning. Jane and Peter. Jane and Lizzy. Lizzy and Nick. Lizzy and the kids. Lizzy and her father. Lizzy and Jane and their mother. All the patients in the cancer center. And Cecelia. Just dynamite! And the result of all of these relationships is a rich, deep, story that felt complete.

    I loved the talk between Lizzy and just about everyone about what books they liked, what foods they enjoyed, what smells, sights, and touches they loved most. It made me think about my own favorites and how all of those things work together to paint a picture of me.

    Some might think that there isn't a very strong faith message. And while it's true that there aren't a lot of direct conversations about the gospel, it's written all throughout the bookalmost allegorical.

    There are tons of references to Jane Austen, Hemingway, and other amazing works of literature. Sadly, I've read almost none of them (and have never really cared to), but reading Lizzy & Jane made me want to! (My TBR list has grown by leaps and bounds over the 355 pages of this book!)

    It's only day 6 of 2015, and I can already tell you with certainty that Lizzy and Jane will be on my "favorites" list this year. Seriously. Go find a copy of this book and read it! [5 stars]

    [One side note for the squeamish ... around page 175 there is a terrible accident involving a very sharp knife and Lizzy's fingers. The description is a little graphic, and I nearly got ill. But I'll just chalk it up to great writing (and a weak stomach!). If you ARE squeamish, just skip ahead a couple of pages, and you'll be fine. :)]

    I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my fair and honest review.
  4. Stacey Zink
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Loved it!
    November 18, 2014
    Stacey Zink
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    I found Lizzy to be a hard character, but then isnt that exactly how you would expect a NYC chef to be? Hard and direct? I grew to love her and sympathize with her. Like any heroine we read about we want to see her happy. But certain things had to play out first. Ill be honest and say I shook the book once or twice wanting Lizzy open her eyes, but that part of the fun. Because every part of this book was FUN! I loved reading it from page one to the last word. I was a bit sad to see the end, but then I felt the same way when I finished Dear. Mr. Knightley. I can't wait for the next book by this author!
  5. STuttle
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Another Great book from Katherine Reay
    November 7, 2014
    STuttle
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    This review was written for Lizzy & Jane.
    First off, this book made me hungry--and in a good way! I'd love to actually meet Lizzy and let her cook for me, because the woman has skills. Setting all that aside though, let's talk about the rest of this book; Lizzy's slow evolution in releasing her past, reestablishing her future, and reclaiming a relationship with her sister...along with finding a handsome man along the way.

    One of the things I really enjoy about Katherine's books is how the romance she adds to her stories is always at a slow burn. It's not the central theme, yet it is still 100% there. I so enjoy watching her characters' lives progress as they work through change and sometimes pain, yet still find happiness--and not simply by falling in love. Lizzy & Jane was no different. Of course with Jane having cancer, this was a hard read, but Katherine handled the situation beautifully. I loved how these two sisters find healing in their relationship after years. I also really, really loved how caring for Jane helped Lizzy rediscover why she's a chef and how she can use that talent.

    All together I loved this book. The characters were all rich and so well written. The romance well placed and incredibly sweet. The plot full of healing and restoration. And the ending brought them all full circle and into a new place that left me with hope and joy for their futures. Always a great way to read The End:)
Displaying items 1-5 of 14
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