Excellent Recipe From a Debut Author. This story uses dates rather than chapter numbers, which can be a bit confusing but clearly establishes when each event is taking place. As a story, it works well to show the full cycle of a marriage and all of the messiness that goes into it.

The one quibble I have as a childfree person is that the author never allows Elle, the main character, to truly be comfortable with what she knows about herself. ( )

🎂🎂🎂🎂🍰 (4.5)

A delicious debut novel from Jennifer Gold. Perfect summer read and when you are done, you will have a few yummy dessert recipes!

This book goes back and forth in time, effortlessly from Elle and Tom’s courtship till their present troubles. Anyone who has ever dealt with insecurities in your self or a relationship, will see yourself in Elle. Tom, is searching for something also.

The recipes described follow the storyline completely along with the references of food describing certain characters and feelings. Take the time to read them because they add so much to this story. Just when you think you know where the story is going, the author changes direction in subtle ways. Just as you bite into a new dessert, this book revels many surprises.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union for this ARC, a sweet work of fiction. Opinion is mine alone. I look forward to reading this author again.
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This light well written debut novel is a perfect summer read. No only do you get a great plot with interesting characters but there are also lots of fantastic recipes, too. The recipes are for everything from blackberry jam to lemon tarts and espresso seduction brownies. Even if you aren't a baker, these recipes will make you wish that you were!

Elle owns her own bakery and has been baking for her entire life. She bakes when she's depressed and she bakes when she's happy - baking is her personal therapy. The book begins with Elle finding out that her husband has been cheating on her. She knew that they weren't as close as they had been but had no idea that he was cheating on her. As she works through her emotions, she continues to put long hours in at her bakery aware that she won't be able to expand her business. Her recipes tie in with what is going on in her life. For example in a chapter that is about her best friend, she bakes "Ginger Peach Pie with a Friend". Will Elle be able to move on with her life without her husband - the only person that she loved more than she loved baking?

This book is told in a unique time frame. It jumps back and forth from present day to past days but not in a linear way. Chapter 1 is "six days after Elle found out' and Chapter 2 is "Eight days before Elle found out". It's an interesting way of writing the story and isn't difficult for the reader to follow all the time changes.

This is a light read full of interesting characters along with mouth watering recipes. Have a snack close at hand when you read it - you're going to need it. ( )

Linda's Book Obsession Reviews 'The Ingredients of Us" by Jennifer Gold, Lake Union Publishing, July 1, 2019

Jennifer Gold, Author of "The Ingredients of Us" has written a delicious, delightful, entertaining, and emotional novel. In addition to the novel are the most amazing recipes for desserts of all kinds. The Genres for this novel are Domestic Fiction, Women's Fiction, and Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes back nine years when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as flawed, complex and complicated.

Ellie is a successful partner in a bakery and can figure out almost any recipe and what ingredients can be used to make it foolproof. Ellie lovingly mixes her ingredients and makes and bakes the most wonderful creations. Ellie can bake almost anything to go with any situation. She is stumped when she accidentally finds out her husband Tom has been cheating. Clearly, Ellie doesn't have a recipe that will be an easy fix for her heartbreak.

Ellie does look back to see what clues or ingredients have been missing from the relationship. I love that the author actually has the most tantalizing recipes for the reader. I also appreciate that Jennifer Gold discusses the importance of family, friends, emotional support, and communication. If something happens to a special dessert, it can be made again sometimes, under the proper circumstances.

This is an emotional and entertaining story that I would highly recommend, Just be sure to have some Kleenex handy. ( )