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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
A pleasant read in which family dynamics are central, July 28, 2008
This review is from: A Place to Rest (Paperback)
This book was decent. The author is still often imprecise with her language, and shows a somewhat bothersome tendency to tell us things versus showing us things. By that I mean that we will often get a paragraph of exposition that tells us something about a characters, versus putting said character in a situation in which those personality traits are revealed through action and reaction. This was more of an issue in the beginning of the book, and definitely got better as the story moved along, but it's something for this author to watch.
Still, one of this author's strengths is her flair for characterization. You could tell that she really put a lot of thought into the details of background and motivation, yet she didn't hit the reader over the head with it all, but rather doled out the details as the story progressed. Her characters are flawed, but their motivations have enough detail and consistency to allow the reader to forgive them, and therefore make them sympathetic.
I also enjoy the importance she gives to family dynamics. They're pretty much a central theme in this book as Sawyer is unwillingly drawn into working at the family restaurant in order to help her very pregnant younger sister, who manages the business with her twin brother. Sawyer is drawn to Jori, the new pastry chef, and vice versa, but the potential complications of a relationship between them ending badly, as Sawyer's family is convinced it will, as well as some bad history Jori has with workplace relationships, hinders the development of their romance.
I think I was looking for a bit of a stronger emotional resonance in the resolution of the family dynamics, or perhaps a bit more vindication on the part of Sawyer. Still, I enjoyed the way that important issues were addressed, and I was also satisfied with the progression of Jori's and Sawyer's relationship. The setting was well-wrought, with some detail of food preparation and restaurant management lending a realistic flair.
This book didn't blow my mind, but it was definitely a pleasant diversion. This author is able to construct a good story around ordinary events and lives; her scene transitions and character action/reactions flow smoothly. Her strengths outweigh her weaknesses, and I look forward to her future efforts.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She Once Was Lost But Now Is Found, December 10, 2008
This review is from: A Place to Rest (Paperback)
This reader has read and enjoyed everything written by Erin Dutton. Sometimes an author comes out of the proverbial gate with winner, but subsequent offerings are of lesser quality. Such is not the case with this talented author.
Sawyer Drake is the eldest child of a restaurant family. However, much to her parents' chagrin, she has no interest in participating in the business. Her younger brother is the head chef and her younger sister, who is unmarried and pregnant, is the manager. Sawyer's parents have retired from the business, but her mother convinces Sawyer to help as her sister's pregnancy progresses.
Coming on board with skeptical siblings is only part of Sawyer's problem. She also is immediately attracted to their new, extremely talented pastry chef Jori. Jori has career aspirations and doesn't want to lose her position under any circumstances - especially not by having an affair with Sawyer. However, Sawyer's charming personality is hard to resist.
Taking on Jori's resistance as a challenge, Sawyer is determined to sway the other woman into at least a physical relationship. She almost gives up, but something pulls her back into the game. It is this inner struggle for both Jori and Sawyer that keeps the reader engaged. I couldn't wait to get to the next page. When I finished the story, it was like saying goodbye to a close friend.
Bottom line - Great book. A part of my permanent collection. Buy it, read it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Memorable character, November 25, 2008
This review is from: A Place to Rest (Paperback)
I believe that's the second novel I read by Erin Dutton.
She created a memorable character with Sawyer Drake, lesbian in her early 30s who drifts through life, never stopping anywhere for long, getting restless in both her personal and professional life.
A family emergency, and her insistent mother, make Sawyer work in the family restaurant to help out. There she meets Jori, the pastry chef I believe anyone would fall in love with for her profession alone. I'm serious, could you resist??
The really interesting plot in this book ist the family conflict, where it stems from, how people are affected by it. It's all slowly unraveled, interwoven with the tender romance of Sawyer and Jori who carries her own baggage. Baggage that, in reading, adds depths to Sawyer's conflicts and shows two sides to a story.
All in all a good read, both characters and plot are believable.
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