Cover Image: The Ingredients for Happiness

The Ingredients for Happiness

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Thank you everyone for letting me review this good feel good easy to read book. I shall definitely by looking out for this author.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. A wonderful and charming summer read, this book made me put my phone on do not disturb because I couldn’t bear to be distracted. This is my first read by Lucy Knott but it definitely won’t be the last. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Was this review helpful?

This is the second book in this series, which I didn’t know. That explains why it felt like I was missing something. The relationships between family and friends was displayed beautifully. The food sounded amazing. You simply can’t go wrong with a book featuring Italian cooking!

Was this review helpful?

Amanda, Sabrina, and Louisa are three sisters from Manchester who are following their dreams as a cafe owner, pop band manager, and clothing designer. They all three have perfect boyfriends and a loving family as well as a fantastic support system.

I was looking for a cute, light, summer read and thought this would fit the bill perfectly. While the book is well written, if repetitive, there just was no substance to this novel. It was a follow-up to her debut, which I did not know when I picked it up. Unfortunately, all the conflict and action happened in the first book and this was just a continuation of that story line. These three women lead outrageously charmed lives. Two of them are dating rock stars and the third is living in Italy with extended family and dating a hot Italian foodie. The boyfriends are two dimensional and pretty much "perfect". There is no conflict except a little jealousy. There wasn't even the pretense that something *might* actually go wrong. So, I found myself flipping through pages and scanning some of the chapters because it just didn't keep my interest. I wouldn't recommend this book.

Was this review helpful?

This book contained all my favourite things - Italian food, entrepreneurship and romance! For me, it is the quintessential summer read to have on the plane going on holiday. Plus I loved the writing! Going to really push it on my library patrons that like Cathy Bramley and Jenny Colgan.

Was this review helpful?

Loved this book. Great characters, easy read, uplifting, funny, romantic and charming. A really nice story that is the perfect sumer read.

Was this review helpful?

On a dready day in England this book is a breath of summer! I loved it. Well written, rich with imagery and lovely characters. The cover is very invtiting too. A gorgeous summer read.

Was this review helpful?

Take one copy of this book, add a comfortable seat, turn off your phone and enjoy this wonderful book.

This is the first book I have read by Lucy Knott and I loved it. The Italian recipes are delightful and the story of the three sisters balancing their careers with their friendships and other relationships is a page turner - I devoured this book in a day.

Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Books for a digital copy in return for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This book is amazing I want to try every recipe that's in it now.
I think Lucy knott should write a little cook book with all her recipes in.
The story was so heart warming how the 3 sisters love each other and got on with their own lifes as well as being there for each other when needed.

The love storys where nearly in the background which is brilliant as it's not just the only thing going on like a lot of romance/chick lit books.

After reading this book I want to go and sit in Amanda's cafe, see Sabrina's wedding dress that Louisa is making for her.
Will definitely be reading more of Lucy knotts books, and buy this one when I find it in the shops.
Keep up the good storys and writing Lucy. Now to find food as book made me hungry

Was this review helpful?

What an accomplished second book this is from Lucy Knott.

I was onboard with the plot really quickly, and loved how the book alternated between Amanda, Sabrina and Louisa, so we could really see everything about all three of the sisters, who are all so different.

There is Aamanda who is following her dreams of opening an Italian Cafe in Manchester, Sabrina living in the states and managing a very popular band, and Louisa who is following her dreams in Italy of being a fashion designer.

Add into the mix that Amanda and Sabrina are both dating men from the band Sabrina is managing, and the extended Italian family out on the Amalfi Coast and you have a fabulous selection of characters to discover.

As much as I loved the various storylines featuring each sister, to me the hear of the book is food. Every chapter starts with a family recipe for something Italian. Of course with the way Italian families work, a lot of the recipes involve remembering how your grandparents do it, instead of written instructions - so if you are partial to bit of cooking perhaps best to check the recipes against real life versions instead.

Not only that but between the recipes on each chapter, and the setting up of a cafe, there is food to be had in all chapters. It may make you crave some Italian food.

This is s a story about sisterly relationships, dealing with fame and interfering family,. It's a really lovely book and I really enjoyed every moment of it. I enjoyed Lucy Knott's debut but I feel this one kicks her writing up a notch and I can definitely say that I look forward to more from her.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?