Review – Recipe For Love by Sasha Wagstaff

This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.

The first time I picked up a Sasha Wagstaff novel it was quite by chance – not knowing what I was looking for I grabbed the one I liked the sound of most and made for the checkout. That novel was ‘Changing Grooms’ Sasha’s debut and ever since then I have waited with (mostly) calm patience for each new novel to be published. ‘Recipe for Love’ was no exception. Where better to transport yourself to (especially with all of these April showers appearing at the moment) than Sorrento, Italy, which is where food writer Cassia Marini finds herself after being given the opportunity to write an exclusive access-all-areas interview on celebrated Italian chef Rocco Disanti.  There’s just one hitch…sensible, handsome fiancé Finn has just asked Cassia to marry him which means leaving all of the wedding plans in the hands of the Mother-In-Law from hell, eeeeekkkk! The opportunity to interview such a mysterious and talented (not to mention droolingly handsome) chef is too big to waste, and that combined with the chance to discover more about her Italian heritage and the father that died when she was a child means Cassia hops on a plane and we are transferred to beautiful, sun-drenched Italy. Set amongst a stunning Italian back drop the reader is introduced to the Disanti family, a traditional family that together run their world-renowned restaurant business, each family member has their own story which links perfectly to those of other characters, something that is flawless in Sasha’s writing; each character has their own story and dollop of drama which melts together seamlessly and keeps us utterly hooked. As Cassia struggles to retain control of her wedding plans from Italy, her aging actress Mother tries to revive her career and Cassia’s reckless sister Jules makes a play for Finn’s hunky tennis-pro Brother with a scorching reputation, cue a lot of chemistry and some flushed cheeks! And that is all before we discover the complications within the Disanti family and a mysterious curse… As you read the book you are absorbed into a sun-blushed Sorrento with deliciously detailed descriptions and witty dialogue. The characters are vivid and their personalities all relatable. I found myself transported to Sorrento every time I opened the book, and I couldn’t wait to discover what would happen with every page turn. If you want to lose yourself in a world of smouldering chemistry against an Italian backdrop, with delicious food and equally delicious men then ‘Recipe for Love’ is the perfect choice from the menu. 10/10 Recipe for Love is released tomorrow. MORE ABOUT RECIPE FOR LOVE