I wasn't familiar with this blogger/recipe developer prior to requesting this ARC on Netgalley, but the title and description seemed promising, and I was excited to get it! I was somewhat less excited to learn after I received the ARC and realized that it was only for half the book--I'm still very much grateful to receive even that much, but I do think having an incomplete copy of a cookbook makes it far more difficult to review, and to be honest, I wouldn't have put in my request had I realized that it wouldn't be for the full copy. But I got what I got, so here I am!

I'm actually very impressed with this one, and it makes me even sadder I don't have the full book! I always love when cookbooks are divided by season, as that is the way I try to cook. I got the Spring & Summer sections, which at least makes the most sense in terms of the current seasons, and there are a lot of recipes I'm looking forward to trying! This is probably the best digital cookbook ARC I've received, in that there were zero formatting issues with the file, and I found the cookbook layout quite clear and easy to read and aesthetically pleasing. Both Spring & Summer sections (and I presume Fall/Winter) contain recipes that cover Breakfast/Meals/Desserts, as well as a page at the end with some fun seasonal projects, such as drying edible flowers to use in your baked goods, which I thought was a fun touch. Some of the desserts are a bit fussy/decorative/OTT for my personal preferences (which seems to be on brand based on his blog) but for the most part the recipes are quite straightforward and not overly complicated, without difficult to source ingredients, and with flavors that definitely appealed to me! I bookmarked a LOT of recipes to make in the coming months, and I'm really quite excited about a lot of them. I also LOVED that every single recipe (in my half) had a photograph--not only were the photos gorgeous, but if a cookbook recipe doesn't have a photo, the likelihood that I'm going to make it rapidly decreases. There were a couple of no-meat recipes in my half, but most of those were for desserts or sides, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend for vegetarians, though there are definitely some recipes in here that would appeal. Overall, I thought this was a really solid and well curated cookbook, and I'll definitely keep an eye out for it when it comes out so I can take a peak at the fall & winter sections!

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a beautiful cookbook! Fantastic pictures and interesting recipes. There are tips and tricks (like using extra Flatbread like a taco shell) and introductions as well.

Wow, the work that went into this book shows! It is fantastic! The book made me just feel...happy. A much-needed lift from the heavy world. John Kanell knows how to take food and exalt it into beautiful works of art. He makes it look easy. I on the other hand wanted to be his guest at his place and be served his beautiful cooking, visit his farm animals and sit underneath that majestic tree with his family and have a meal and celebrate just living.

The book is gorgeous. Gorgeous photos, scenery, and food. The serveware, the cakes, the entrees he has created feed my soul. As a farmer, I greatly appreciate that he has formated his book into the four seasons. I cook this way and eat this way especially since I am a big farm-to-table type eater where I eat what's in season from our farm most of the time and this is how John presents his book. That also makes me want to cook recipes in a cookbook more because I'll pull it out and go okay need some inspiration it's summer what should I make and bam I'm pumped to make this recipe of his. I think my favorite is his desserts. At least that is what made me feel the happiest throughout the book. The Lemon Berry Meringue Pie I am making soon. And the Weck page, I am a Weck lover and this page was gold for me. I made pickled purple onions to top sandwiches after I saw his Weck page and of course a fan of loving the pretty also I Wecked them up. I collect Weck jars like I'm not ever going to see another one again in my life. Speaking of life John and his family are living their best life on their farm in Conneticut and I just want to be a guest after reading his book. His book makes you feel lifted and happy. His love for food, of showing people love through food and living his passion shows in this book.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher Simon Element Publishing for the opportunity to read this wonderfully inspiring uplifting book by John Kanell.

Preppy Kitchen provides elegant, yet simple, recipes for anyone who wants to try their hand at cooking what we would consider fancy food, but has felt intimidated previously.

Although not complete, I was given enough of the book to get an idea of what it will look like when complete.
It's organized by season. and every recipe has a gorgeous, full color photo, which I find a plus in cookbooks.
The recipes also provide tips and tricks on how to change these recipes up and with substitutions.

Overall, I feel it's definitely a great cookbook for when you feel like making something fancy and stylish without all the fuss.

Thank you to Simon Element and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.