The Secret French Recipes of Sophie Valroux

 ~ I received no compensation and opinions are 100% my own or my family. ~

Synopsis (from Amazon):  A disgraced chef rediscovers her passion for food and her roots in this stunning novel rich in culture and full of delectable recipes.

French-born American chef Sophie Valroux had one dream: to be part of the 1% of female chefs running a Michelin-starred restaurant. From spending summers with her grandmother, who taught her the power of cooking and food, to attending the Culinary Institute of America, Sophie finds herself on the cusp of getting everything she's dreamed of.

Until her career goes up in flames.

Sabotaged by a fellow chef, Sophie is fired, leaving her reputation ruined and confidence shaken. To add fuel to the fire, Sophie learns that her grandmother has suffered a stroke and takes the red-eye to France. There, Sophie discovers the simple home she remembers from her childhood is now a luxurious château, complete with two restaurants and a vineyard. As Sophie tries to reestablish herself in the kitchen, she comes to understand the lengths people will go to for success and love, and how dreams can change.

One (or more) Sentence Summary:  Very well written and the story ends well. It didn't really grab me.  In fact, I found Sophie and her story to be unbelievable.  If you like a book that takes place in France, hidden family secrets (really liked this part), and cooking, this book is for you.  I wish Sophie wasn't so weak.  I honestly can't imagine someone reacting like she did for so long or have any idea the business (an Inn/kitchen) your grandmother owned and ran.  That just seemed a little off. 

Amazon reviewers have rated this 4.5 stars, so I think it just isn't my cup of tea.

Samantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at home French chef. She lives in southwestern France, where she's married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met in 1989 (but ignored for twenty years), a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to a ridiculously adorable French cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées or embracing her inner Julia Child, Sam is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations. 

Amazon