Viola shipman never disappoints. This was such an amazing book. I can’t waitntonsee what she comes up with next.

This book was delectable! I love the family traditions mixed in with the delicious recipes and the love stories. It reminds me a lot of The School of Essential Ingredients, one of my favorite books. I didn't think I'd ever find a book that I loved as much and The Recipe Box certainly did!

Samantha Mullins was more than ready to leave Michigan and the family orchard behind, but her job in New York was not at all what she expected. Being a sous chef for a spoiled celebrity baker made Sam nervous and stressed, so she quit in a spectacular fashion, leaving Chef Dimples hanging right before his appearance on Good Morning America, and went home to decide her next move. The familiar rhythm of the orchard and the pastry business comforted Sam, though she still longed to make her mark on the world. The love and support from her family and her friend Angelo help Sam determine what is really important in life.

I loved this book! It’s a solid family story, covering five generations in the orchard, and I enjoyed seeing the differences in the women that were still connected by their recipe boxes. The recipes in the book sound delicious and I plan to try several of them. I can relate to Sam’s venture into the big city, and then coming home and realizing that’s where she needed to be. Once again, Viola Shipman has written a sweet story with characters that are true to life.

The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman is a beautiful multi-generational family story. The Mullins family own a farm in Northern Michigan. The recipe box and its contents have been handed down through the years. Not only filled with wonderfully delicious dessert recipes made from their harvests, this box also contains the history and the traditions of this family. Told from the points of view of the women of the family, we learn of the hardships, determination and faith that made them such a tight-knit family. Although a bit sappy at times, I so enjoyed this “sweet” story. Be prepared to smile, cry, and crave sugar! I highly recommend!
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.

The plot of The Recipe Box was too sweet, pun intended, for me.

This book should have been the perfect read for me. I come from a family of strong women, going back through mid-1800s, who held the family together and were excellent at home making skills. I cherish their recipes that we still pass down.

The author is fantastic at writing scenery, and I would read a nature or prose book of hers anytime if she's describing the Michigan agricultural scene, Lake Superior, apple orchards, etc.

The Recipe Box was provided to me by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Readers are in for a literal and literary treat.

Viola Shipman’s delectable story opens in the fall of 1939. Alice Mullins looks out the window of her northern Michigan farmhouse to see her husband, Leo, and their dog Mac approach from the orchard. Alice decides to make something special for Leo with the apples he brings her. While the apple crisp bakes, she writes down the oft-used recipe for the first time. A few days later, Leo presents his wife with handmade locked recipe box. For the next several weeks, Alice writes down every recipe she can think of—and keeps the key on a chain around her neck.

Fast forward to 2017. Sam Nelson, Alice’s great-great-granddaughter, has left home to follow her dream: attend culinary school and work in New York City. The twenty-four-year-old is a pastry chef on a reality TV show hosted by “Chef Dimples,” a pompous man with no culinary skills who relies on his staff’s creations. On a dreary summer morning, Sam arrives at work at the same time as Angelo Morelli, a young man delivering fruit to the bakery. After Angelo expresses his appreciation to the young woman for encouraging him to attend college, the two enter the premises—only to discover that Trish, another chef, has quit rather than continue working for their unscrupulous, callous boss. When Chef Dimples arrives, he orders Sam (in the absence of a “real” pastry chef) to make a pie for the show, which is being featured on Good Morning America.

In the first of many perfectly-placed flashbacks, we meet Sam on her 13th birthday. Disgruntled about having to spend another summer on the Mullins Family Orchard, picking fruit and greeting guests, she shares her desire to see the world beyond northern Michigan with her grandmother Willo and mother Deana. That evening, the new teen is introduced to two family traditions: her own recipe box and key, complete with recipes written over the generations, and a baking session. As grandmother, mother, and granddaughter prepare Sam’s first peach-blueberry slab pie, Willo tells her to make it whenever she wants a “taste of home and family” and to demonstrate that appearances are not what matters; what’s inside is what counts.

Back in the present, Sam recalls her grandmother’s words as she fingers the recipe box key worn on a chain—and bakes the unattractive but delicious peach-blueberry slab pie. Despite the fact that her boss obviously enjoys the pastry, he acts true to form. Chef Dimples throws it into the garbage, ordering Sam to bake a real pie. She has had enough: she quits.

Confused and unhappy, Sam flies back to Michigan, feeling like she is returning with her tail between her legs. Even though she keeps her recent experience a secret, her grandmother and parents sense there is something Sam is hiding—and find opportunities to talk about their own life events. Hearing how a young Willo sought out a deserted spot to rethink her life and whether what others expected of her was what she wanted for herself; the chance her recently-married father had to follow what he thought was his dream until a simple event opened his eyes; and the memory of a story about a teenage Deana’s experiences that mirrored her own all shed new light on Sam’s perception of reality.

However, before Sam has an opportunity to come to terms with everything, she receives two calls: one about a promising job opportunity in New York, and the second from Angelo—who drops the bombshell that he is coming to Michigan. Now Sam—with a little help from family and friends—must discover where her path lies.

Viola Shipman’s heartwarming novel is like a breath of fresh Michigan air. While there are many quality works of fiction published every year, one that tells a memorable story and is free of strong language, sex, and violence is a rarity. From the moment readers meet the scions of the Mullins family and those who carry on their legacy, they are hooked. All the people in Sam’s world—past and present—are believable. The author paints such a vivid picture of the settings, whether crowded Manhattan streets or secluded Lake Michigan beach, the reader can visualize the rain-dampened pavement and see and smell a dew-laden orchard at sunrise. Each chapter centers around a deliciously appropriate dessert, complete with a recipe at its end.

Shipman’s gift of language is nothing short of amazing: “The lake extended as far as Willo could see—a watery blue fabric that moved in the wind, the lighthouse watching over everything.” “Sam expected to smell the spices from the Indian restaurant, Naan Better, that occupied the ground floor of her Brooklyn apartment building and to see a brick wall across the narrow street that served as a sort of Broadway backdrop to the choreographed chaos of the city streets that greeted her every morning: people scurrying to work, cab horns blaring, sirens whirring, a world of music echoing up to her.”

By the time readers reach the end of this achingly lovely tale, they are certain to have a new favorite literary heroine (or two or three). It should not come as a surprise if, like this reviewer, readers find themselves returning to the beginning and treating themselves to a second helping.

MY REVIEW OF “THE RECIPE BOX” BY VIOLA SHIPMAN

Viola Shipman, Author of “The Recipe Box” has written a delightful, charming and heartwarming story of family, love, tradition and change. The Genres of this novel are Fiction and Women’s Fiction. The story takes place in Northern Michigan and New York.

The author describes her characters as likable, resourceful, hardworking, and enterprising. Sam Mullins comes back to the family orchard and pie baking business and shoppes, after a major disappointment in New York City. Sam has trained as a specialty chef, and wanted to leave the family orchard to find herself. Now she finds herself back home.

Sam learns about the history of the women in her family, and how the orchard was saved by the women in the family. . All of the women had a recipe box with a special key to keep their treasured baking recipes a secret to be passed down to the woman in the family. The family loves to bake, and baking is symbolic to showing love and following tradition. There are some wonderful recipes that are shared with the reader.

Is their a recipe that will allow Sam to find where she should be and the answers to her dreams? What does the key to the recipe box represent? I recommend this enjoyable story to those readers of women’s fiction. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Samantha had grand ambitions of going to New York City and becoming a great chef, but her mentor's terrible behavior has her quitting, then returning to her family's northern-Michigan orchard where she grew up. It was a good story, but there was a bit too much "strong woman" emphasis, neglecting the fact that the men in the family worked as hard and sacrificed as much to make the orchard a success.

I could not get into this book. It did not hold my interest.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Sam Mullins grew up on the northern Michigan apple orchard/farm her great-great-grandparents started; her family has been running it for the past 100 years. While she inherited her mom and grandma's love of baking, Sam longs to make her own mark on the world. After culinary school, Sam got a job working for the famous “Chef Dimples” in New York City. Working for him isn't what she expected, though, and after quitting in a dramatic fashion, Sam returns to her Michigan home to figure out what to do next.

This was a sweet family story but very heavy-handed with its message of the importance of tradition and family. Angelo also seemed unrealistic – he had no flaws and the patience of a saint with a woman who showed no signs of being interested in him. The thing that bothered me most, though, was the Family Apple Crisp recipe. This recipe was supposedly created by the family matriarch, Alice, who died in 1939 or 1940, yet it calls for Honeycrisp apples, which were first tested in 1974, patented in 1988, and not released to the public until 1991, well after Alice had died. This is a genre I usually enjoy, but this book was just OK.

Book Review: The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman
Review by Dawn Thomas

336 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press

Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Generational, Food

The book begins in 1939 with Alice watching her husband Leo walking home from the apple orchard with their dog Mac. When they come home with a basket of apples, Alice turns on the oven and begins to prepare an apple crisp (recipe included). Alice thinks about all the recipes she has made for the family and decides it is time to write them down. Leo surprises her with a wooden recipe box with a lock and key so she can keep the recipes a secret.

The story jumps to the summer of 2017 and Sam Nelson is on her way to work for “Chef Dimples.” It is obvious that Angelo, a fruit deliveryman, is in love with Sam but she does not see it. She wonders about her future and after an incident, she returns to the family orchard in Michigan. Sam does not want to be tied to the orchard like the generations of women before her. She wants to go out in the world and make her mark.

These are the recipes in the book.
Apple Crisp
Peach-Blueberry Slab Pie
Cider Donuts
Cherry Chip Cake
Tripe Berry Galette
Thumbprint Cookies
Ice Cream Sandwiches
Two Crust Pastry
Strawberry Shortcakes
Rhubarb Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Apple and Cherry Turnovers
Pumpkin Bars

The book is written in first person in the present tense. The recipes are wonderful and I cannot wait to make them. I enjoyed the book but thought Sam was wishy washy at times. She spends a lot of time bantering back and forth, whether she should stay or go. After a while, it was tiring and I wanted her to just make a decision and go with it. It was a pleasure to read about generations of women working and loving each other. I recommend this book to anyone that loves to bake.

Sam is at a crossroads in her life. She is trying to decide between working for the family orchard and pie pantry or remaining in New York and working for a renowned pastry chef. She has feelings for a produce delivery guy but she is trying to fight those. So many decisions to make and she seems to be unable to make a single one.
I will have to say that Sam's indecisiveness got pretty old but otherwise this was a very heartwarming and enjoyable book.

A charming, heart-warming story! This story is full of family love, traditions and cherishing the present moments as life can be shorter than we think. It showcases the importance of keeping and making new memories. You can spread your wings while still keeping a piece of home in your heart. It reminded me of baking with my mother when growing up in Wisconsin, not a far distance from Michigan. My mother was a terrible cook but a great baker. I still have and use her recipes.

I received an ARC of "The Recipe Box" from NetGalley for an honest review. I wish to thank NetGalley, Thomas Dunne Books, and Viola Shipman for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the third book of the three that Viola Shipman has written that I have read. Each book is lovelier than the previous. This story is about a young woman who comes from a family orchard/bakery in Michigan. It is a wonderful book about love, family, and baking!! The author also includes many yummy sweet recipes in the book that sound amazing!! What a treat - a great story with some family recipes!!

This is a definite recommend - I love the sweet story, yummy recipes, and feel-good appeal of the book!!

“You bake for someone because it is familial and familiar, new yet ancestral, a way of connecting generations.”

This was an easy book for me to get pulled into. The story is set among the backdrop of northern Michigan and New York City and follows Sam Mullins when she suddenly quits her dream job in New York City and returns home to Michigan. Her family is there with open arms, lots of encouragement and words of wisdom to help her decide what to do about her career and her love life.

The story flashes back and forth between Sam and her relatives, with the stories about their life at the Mullins Family Orchard and Pie Pantry and how they prepare it for future generations. It’s an inspirational story that will remind you of the importance of family. I liked how each section of the book was titled with a dessert and the recipe is pulled from the recipe box and prepared during that part of the story. The recipes are included after each section so you can recreate them. It even made someone like me, a non-baker, want to start baking. I had a hard time putting down this book. Not a detail was missed and everything was so vividly written that it felt very real to me. I could easily visualize this book as a movie.

This was an enjoyable multi-generational story that included all types of love! There is a romantic story line, a love for family and a love for home story line. It is also a coming of age story. Sam isn't sure what she wants, except she knows she loves to bake. The family orchard in Michigan isn't for her, or is it? Sam quits a job where she is underappreciated and not respected. She goes home for a surprise visit. She discovers how much she misses Angelo and her life in NYC. This the story of Sam coming to the decisions that are right for her, and understanding her history, her family history the orchard's history. Through the histories she discovers the future.

Viola Shipman has a way of making me long for and treasure my families memories and heirlooms, and making me want to start wonderful traditions like this for my children.

This book inspired me to get out my grandma's old recipe boxes and find new recipes to make for my family. I grew up baking with my other grandmother, just as Sam did, and I have always treasured those memories. This book spoke to my heart in such a glorious way.

This book was so well written and incredibly vivid, I was able to picture the orchard, smell the apples pies baking, and feel the pride at this wonderful family and business. I found myself so engrossed in this book that I didn’t even realize how much time had passed.

I loved this book and cannot wait for the next inspiring and heartwarming book by Viola Shipman.


*I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.*

A sweet, enjoyable read that made me want to get into the kitchen and bake! The Recipe Box by Viola Shipman is one of those lovely stories that focuses on family, finding one’s self, and food. While at times it was a bit cloying for me, I ultimately really enjoyed this and loved the setting of northern Michigan!
Our main character is Sam, a sweet gal who loves to bake and is working in NYC when she loses her job and decides to head home to northern Michigan (near Traverse City area). I absolutely loved this setting! Viola Shipman makes northern Michigan sound like such a lovely place to live, with the orchards and lake, and I spent some time online looking at photos and real estate listings in the area, as it just sounded so enchanting.
When Sam returns home, she gets back into baking family recipes, and hears stories about the women in her family who came before her. The book is broken up into sections, each section focusing on one recipe, and how the recipe came to be such a loved family heirloom. The Recipe Box also contains the actual recipes, for example recipes for Apple Turnovers, or a Triple Berry Galette, or Rhubarb Sour Cream Coffee Cake with Cinnamon Streusel Topping. I actually baked the Rhubarb Coffee Cake recipe, and it was really yummy! I’d definitely make it again when needing to use up some rhubarb from my garden.
The one thing about all these recipes is that each woman in the family has her own recipe box, and wears the key to the box on a necklace that she always wears. I found myself wondering about the logistics of this far too much! I wanted to know how long the necklaces were, as the book never specified taking the necklace off in order to open the recipe box, or bringing the recipe box up to ones neck to open with the key, easily being able to open the box, or having to bend down to kitchen counter level to open the box. I kept trying to picture these ladies all bringing the box up to their neck, and then not being able to see the keyhole, and having trouble with a neck kink! I can’t tell you how many times I was distracted by all of these thoughts, and while having a key around ones neck sounds like a cute idea, it was one that never really worked for me. And none of the recipes were really “secret” recipes from other family members, so I honestly didn’t get the key/locking point of it all.
The characters and plot are fairly predictable, but books like this are enjoyable in their predictability. This was a clean read, nothing graphic about this read at all, and it very much put me in the frame of mind to watch Hallmark movies! I recommend this book to those who enjoy sweet, clean reads with a focus on family, and for those who enjoy reading books about baking. I love reading books with a focus on food, as they always make me want to get into the kitchen and try making something new! This one was no exception.

Bottom Line: A lovely, sweet read that will leave you hungry for baked goods and longing to take a trip to northern Michigan!

Sweet as pie! This is my first book by Viola Shipman and I enjoyed her writing style and her story of love and family and tradition. Reading this brought back so many memories growing up with Mom baking and cooking and friends and family coming over to enjoy it. She still cooks on Sundays for family and almost always has a wonderful homemade cake or pie.

This is the story of Sam Mullins who is at a crossroads in life where she needs to make a choice - stay in New York as a pastry chef or go home to Michigan and work at the family orchard and pie shop. When she quits her job working for a narcissistic tv baker, Sam goes home to Michigan for a visit with her parents and grandmother. The story alternates between present day and stories of the past and how the family orchard began and grew into what it is now. Each chapter contains a special recipe from the recipe box.

There is a lot of good advice in these pages. I love how the story showed the great bonds between great-grandmother, grandmother, mother, and daughter throughout. Four stars for this one!

Many thanks to Viola Shipman and St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy.

A story of generations of women bakers on the family orchard in Michigan. At age 13 the daughters are given a recipe box with a key., and recipes from the women who came before. Sam has grown up with this strong family tradition. She has moved to New York City to be a party chef and her place in life. On an unplanned trip home she searches for her life's meaning and where she belongs. The recipes look yummy, even if the apple crisp recipe is different from my mothers. If you like books with strong femal characters is a cozy setting then you will like this book.