"The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" is a captivating novel written by Rachel Linden. This delightful story takes readers on a culinary adventure filled with love, loss, and the healing power of food. The main character, Penelope Sutherland, finds herself in the quaint town of Swiftwater, where she becomes the manager of a bakery called The Gingerbread House. As she settles into her new role, Penelope discovers a magical recipe for lemon drop pie that seems to have a profound effect on those who taste it. Throughout the novel, Linden weaves together a heartwarming tale that explores themes of forgiveness, acceptance, and the importance of community. Penelope's journey is paralleled by the struggles of other residents in Swiftwater, all of whom find solace and healing through the enchanting lemon drop pie.
Review Quotes
Surprising and empowering, each experience helps Lolly let go of her regrets and realize the key to transforming her life lies not in redoing her past but in having the courage to embrace her present. It s a story of resilience, of having the courage to embrace life as it is, and of holding on to the hope that we can write ourselves a better story despite things not turning out as we expected.
Penelope's journey is paralleled by the struggles of other residents in Swiftwater, all of whom find solace and healing through the enchanting lemon drop pie. As the magic of the pie spreads through the town, relationships are restored, dreams are realized, and lives are transformed. Linden's vivid descriptions of the bakery and its delectable creations bring the story to life, making it impossible not to crave a slice of lemon drop pie.
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie - by Rachel Linden (Paperback)
"An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn't choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees. Lolly Blanchard's life only seems to give her lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother's tragic death, she broke up with her first love and abandoned her dream of opening a restaurant in order to keep her family's struggling Seattle diner afloat and care for her younger sister and grieving father. Now, a decade later, she dutifully whips up the diner's famous lemon meringue pies each morning while still pining for all she's lost. As Lolly's thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift-three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. What if her mom hadn't passed away? What if she had opened her own restaurant in England? What if she hadn't broken up with the only man she's ever loved? Surprising and empowering, each experience helps Lolly let go of her regrets and realize the key to transforming her life lies not in redoing her past but in having the courage to embrace her present"--
Book Synopsis
"Heartfelt, heartwarming, joyful, and uplifting. You can't go wrong with a Rachel Linden book."--#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn't choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees.
Lolly Blanchard's life only seems to give her lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother's tragic death, she broke up with her first love and abandoned her dream of opening a restaurant in order to keep her family's struggling Seattle diner afloat and care for her younger sister and grieving father. Now, a decade later, she dutifully whips up the diner's famous lemon meringue pies each morning while still pining for all she's lost.
As Lolly's thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift--three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. What if her mom hadn't passed away? What if she had opened her own restaurant in England? What if she hadn't broken up with the only man she's ever loved? Surprising and empowering, each experience helps Lolly let go of her regrets and realize the key to transforming her life lies not in redoing her past but in having the courage to embrace her present.
Review Quotes
"The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is a poignant, hopeful must read for anyone who has ever wondered about a different path. Rachel Linden creates unforgettable characters that will work their way into your heart and a compulsively readable story that will keep the pages turning late into the night. Five huge stars!"
--Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times Bestselling author of The Wedding Veil
"A magical novel about second chances! Warm, witty, and wise, I loved it! Linden is a master at creating loveable characters! The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is escapist reading at its best!"
--Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author of The Summer Deal
"The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is an enchanting tale about the one thing we've all imagined: a magical second chance. Rachel Linden expertly mixes romance, mystery and family-drama into a delicious recipe of a story. When Lolly is given three lemon drops, each a chance to do one day in her life over again, she sets off on an adventure that is as charming as it is exciting. With her trademark warmth, Linden delivers a captivating story with a magical heartbeat at its center."
--Patti Callahan, New York Times bestselling author of Surviving Savannah
"Magic, sweet treats, heartfelt charm. this dreamy tale has it all!"
--Woman's World
"A triumphant story about chasing down a destiny, cleverly told and beautifully delivered. Rachel Linden reminds us on every page how wonderful and essential it is to believe in the magic of second chances."
--Susan Meissner, USA Today bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things
"Rachel Linden whips up an irresistible family drama oozing with charm and magic! The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is a must read for anyone who longs for second chances. A gem of a novel that charmed me from get-go, perfect for fans of Sarah Addison Allen and Alice Hoffman."
--Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Star-Crossed Sisters of Tuscany
"A delicious read, down to the very last lemon drop! Rachel Linden delivers a delightful escape, wonderful characters, and a magical experience that will leave readers hungry for her next book."
--Julie Cantrell, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Perennials
"Desperate to save her family's diner and jumpstart her put-on-hold dreams, Lolly Blanchard navigates a 'what could have been?' world thanks to a trio of magic lemon drop candies from her eccentric aunt. With a skillful hand, Linden has filled The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie with well-drawn characters, lush descriptions of both food and locales, and an intriguing touch of magic. Lolly is a refreshing and plucky protagonist, and you'll be rooting for her to find the happily-ever-after of her own choosing!"
--Lauren K. Denton, USA Today bestselling author of The One You're With
"The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is a charming, heart-warming story about 'what ifs' and second chances. Readers will fall in love with the cast of delightful characters, and I defy anyone to read this book and not want to immediately eat lemon meringue pie. A beautiful, life-affirming read."
--Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library
"Simply Delicious! A delightful, page-turning story of first love, second chances, family ties, and mouth-watering pies! With a little magic, engaging characters, and complications we could almost call our own, The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie invites us to consider our own lost or forgotten dreams, and gives us the essential ingredients of hope and courage to pursue them."
--Katherine Reay, bestselling author of The Printed Letter Bookshop and The London House
"The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie is a deliciously sweet tale about refusing to give up on your dreams and finding your bliss against all odds. Linden gives readers so much to enjoy--romance, family drama, and bittersweet second chances--all served up with the perfect dash of magic."
--Kate Bromley, author of Here For the Drama and Talk Bookish to Me
"A heartwarming and uplifting tale about the power of choices and the hope that comes from second chances."
--Fabulous Washington
"This story feels a bit like a mix of What Alice Forgot and A Christmas Story, with similar sweet and heartwarming life-lessons that are seeming to become hallmarks of Linden novels. The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie depicts the importance of letting go of what isn't working and following one's heart, and is a strong recommendation for readers of Katherine Center and Rebecca Serle."
--Booklist
About the Author
Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of Ascension of Larks, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and The Enlightenment of Bees. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island in the Pacific Northwest where she enjoys creating stories about hope, courage and connection with a hint of romance and a touch of whimsy.
Each character is well-developed and relatable, with their own unique hardships and desires. Penelope herself is a strong and resilient protagonist, whose own past experiences contribute to the depth and authenticity of the story. The underlying message of "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" is one of hope and the power of food to bring people together. Through Penelope's journey, we see that sometimes a simple slice of pie can do more than satisfy a sweet tooth – it can mend broken hearts and inspire personal growth. This novel reminds us that there is magic in everyday moments, and that a little bit of kindness and a whole lot of dessert can go a long way toward healing and finding happiness. In conclusion, "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" is an enchanting novel that combines the love of food with the power of human connection. Rachel Linden's storytelling is engaging, and her characters are captivating. This book is a delicious treat for the senses, and readers will find themselves unable to resist the spellbinding allure of lemon drop pie..
Reviews for "Indulge in the irresistible charm of Rachel Linden's lemon drop pie"
1. Jessica - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" because I love baking and magical elements in stories. However, I was quite disappointed with this book. The plot was slow-paced and predictable, and the characters lacked depth and development. The writing style felt amateurish, with awkward dialogue and overly descriptive passages. The magical elements felt forced and didn't add much to the overall story. Overall, "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" fell short of my expectations and I would not recommend it.
2. Brian - 1 star - I found "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" to be incredibly tedious and boring. The story dragged on with unnecessary details and subplots that didn't contribute much to the main story. The characters were flat and uninteresting, making it difficult to connect or care about them. The magical elements felt forced and out of place, adding little to the overall plot. The writing style was also lackluster, with choppy sentences and repetitive phrases. I struggled to finish this book and would not recommend it to others.
3. Emily - 2 stars - I wanted to enjoy "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" as a light, magical read, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, with cliché elements of romance and magic. The characters felt one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to fully invest in their stories. The pacing was slow, and the writing style was unremarkable, failing to captivate or hold my attention. Overall, this book was underwhelming and did not live up to its potential.
4. Michael - 2 stars - "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" was a disappointment for me. The story felt disjointed and confusing, with too many subplots that didn't tie together well. The characters were poorly developed, making it hard to understand their motivations and actions. The magical elements were scarce and lacked explanation, leaving me with more questions than answers. Additionally, the writing style was lackluster, with repetitive phrases and clichés. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and wouldn't recommend it to others.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "The Spell of Lemon Drop Pie" as a whimsical and enchanting read, but I found it to be quite mediocre. The story lacked depth and originality, with predictable twists and unresolved plot points. The characters were forgettable and their relationships felt forced and implausible. The writing style was average at best, with choppy pacing and unremarkable dialogue. While there were moments of charm and sweetness, they were overshadowed by the overall lackluster execution. I was left wanting more from this book.