#BookReview: One Friday in Napa by Jennifer Hamm @shewritespress ~ Crossroad Reviews

Synopsis: Vene feels like she and her mother have always been at odds—since she was a child, the first word she used to describe Olivia was “cold.” When news of her mother’s imminent death comes, Vene returns to her family’s home in Napa to see if their strained relationship can be mended, only to find Olivia as harsh as ever and their reconciliation seemingly unreachable.

But when Vene stumbles upon Olivia’s old cookbook, she discovers a passion within her mother she didn’t know existed. The clipped tone and quick judgments of her dying mother don’t match the young woman whose voice she finds between the pages—one that tells a story of romance, longing, duty, and aching heartbreak. Curiosity consumes Vene, and she embarks on an intimate journey to learn about the Olivia she never got to meet—before it’s too late.

A captivating story told in alternating perspectives a half-century apart, One Friday in Napa explores the pains and joys of devotion as two women learn the price of loyalty, the power of secrets, and the meaning of sacrifice.

This title will be released on August 29, 2023.

Goodreads | Amazon

Rating: 4 Stars
My Review: A wonderful debut that was a joy to read. I loved the flow and pace of the story and the characters that lie within. I will be looking forward to more by this author.

Review

“A touching debut that delights the senses.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“One Friday in Napa is a cross-generational story of losing love and finding it in unexpected places. A delicious read!”
—Miranda Heller, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Paper Palace

“Hamm delivers to her readers an intimate view of a family and gracefully sifts through the longing and disappointment that all too often accompany love.”
—Corie Adjmi, author of The Marriage Box and Life and Other Shortcomings

“One Friday in Napa is a poignant and heart-achingly beautiful novel about love, loss, and how the choices we make impact those closest to us.”
—Skye Gyngell, Michelin star chef and author of How I Cook

“Exquisitely written, Jennifer Hamm insightfully explores a mother and daughter's journey to forgiveness. Her ability to delicately weave two different time periods side by side while uncovering rich, in-depth characters makes One Friday in Napa a powerful novel you won’t want to miss.”
—Kim Raver, actress, director, and producer

About the Author

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jennifer Hamm graduated with a BA in English at UCLA and began her writing career developing screenplays for movies and television. As a travel writer, she has covered the globe on assignment for various magazines and brands. She also writes It’s Only for A Year, a long-running blog chronicling her adventures raising her four boys in two countries. Hamm currently splits her time between London and Los Angeles. Friday in Napa is her first novel.

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