Thursday, March 28, 2013

Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky

Secrets both big and small but nonetheless difficult to keep.  

Nicole and Charlotte who had been friends since grade school and who hadn’t seen each other for ten years had secrets they couldn’t tell each other.  Nicole’s secret did come out, but it was good that it did.  Charlotte’s secret was definitely better left unrevealed but eventually does come out.

Sweet Salt Air is set in Quinnipeague, an island filled with quaint citizens and great cooks with wonderful recipes for Nicole’s cookbook and Charlotte’s accompanying narratives.  The island’s characters were diverse and filled with generations of families who lived and worked using their talents in many areas, but specifically cooking and baking.  They also knew everyone’s personal business, and if they didn’t, they would make it their business to find out.  Everyone on the island was family.

The description of the island was heavenly and sounded like a perfect place for a vacation even though some Quinnies were not pleased with outsiders.  What brought the entire book together was the characters. The storyline fell into place around them more than the storyline falling around the characters.  Leo, the son of the town’s herbal genius, was quite odd, but very likable.  Charlotte and Nicole shared a friendship that was good for both of them.  Julian, Nicole’s husband, was an ok character, but you will find out why he was the way he was when you delve into this appealing book.

I enjoyed the book because of the beach setting, the wonderful, homey town, Ms. Delinsky’s writing, and of course the recipe hints.  Warning:  Don't read this book while you are hungry.   I have never read a Barbara Delinsky book before and truly enjoyed SWEET SALT AIR. 

This book is a dream for all readers.  It has books, bloggers, authors and is set in a beautiful location with appealing, unique characters.  It is about life's choices and decisions, families, triumphs, and tragedies, along with a love story thrown in.  It is a quick, delightful and VERY engaging book.  5/5

This book was given to me free of charge by the publisher without compensation in return for an honest review.


14 comments:

  1. This book sounds magnificent! I don't think I've ever read Delinksy.

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  2. I just started reading "Sweet Salt Air," and I'm enjoying it.

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  3. I love Barbara Delinsky - I am putting this on my TBR list. Thanks for the great review and bringing it to my attention.

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  4. Elizabeth, thanks for supporting BYL again. Cheers

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  5. Sounds intriguing. I'm not familiar with the author, but maybe I should get to know her.

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  6. I've always stayed away from Delinksy thinking she wrote romance and I'm not really into that but this sounds good!

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  7. This book sounds good! I've never heard of it before, but it sounds like I'd like it!
    http://hbroadwayphann.blogspot.com/

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  8. I've heard her books are good, haven't read any though.

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  9. Elizabeth Parker...this is the first book I have read of hers.

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  10. This one sounds fascinating. I've read two books by Barbara Delinsky: Lake News and An Accidental Woman and I liked both. Delinsky has a gift for describing characters and settings.

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  11. I've read nearly all of Delinsky's books and really enjoy them. Lake News and Coast Road are a couple that I find myself re-reading. She's a bestselling author, but it amazes me how many people have never heard of her. I'm often telling people about her books, because I'm sure she's influenced my writing. Hope to have her fans one of these days!

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