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3 of 3 copies available
For Maggie Arnaud and her siblings, childhood Christmases meant lavish feasts and beloved rituals. The day began with hot chocolate and cougnole de Noel—the sweet, rich bread traditional in their parents' native Belgium. Those special holidays ended with their mother's death, and their father has grown more distant each year. But now, he has summoned his grown children once again. And none of them is eager to expose their imperfect lives to his scrutiny...
Jacqueline is an opera singer living in Brussels—outwardly successful but yearning for a deeper fulfillment. Near Philadelphia, cookbook writer Maggie's career and marriage are in turmoil. Colette, an aspiring clothing designer in California, lost her boyfriend and her savings in one blow. And roving younger brother Art is still searching for something—or someone. Armed with their insecurities, rivalries—and their mother's most delicious recipes—the Arnauds gather in Pennsylvania. But a good meal does more than feed the body—it awakens memories, nurtures bonds, and might even bring a family back together.
Includes classic Belgian recipes
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Creators
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Publisher
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Release date
October 1, 2015 -
Formats
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Kindle Book
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OverDrive Read
- ISBN: 9781496700247
- File size: 389 KB
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EPUB ebook
- ISBN: 9781496700247
- File size: 389 KB
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Languages
- English
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Reviews
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October 15, 2015
This debut novel is women's fiction with a Belgian twist, and includes tempting classic Belgian recipes. The Arnaud siblings--Magali (nickname Maggie), Colette, Jacqueline, and Art--are scattered across the world, living separate lives, until their father summons them to his home in Pennsylvania for Christmas. Busy dealing with the challenges of careers, spouses, children, or the lack of offspring, they reluctantly agree, but they'll have to overcome past hurts and sibling rivalries before finding any joy this Yuletide. VERDICT Defrise's characters are dealing with real and relatable issues, but they occasionally veer into being annoyingly self-absorbed and whiny. Readers will still want to see how the story plays out, though, and the heavenly descriptions of food, cooking, and Belgian culture give the novel extra appeal.
Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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