Thanks so much to William Morrow Books and Thoughts from a Page Podcast for the chance to read a galley of Good Taste: A Novel in Search of Great Food by Caroline Scott. This book will be out November 7th, 2023 and if you enjoyed books like The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan and Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce, I highly recommend pre-ordering or putting a library hold on this one! I loved it and felt totally transported to 1932 England in the midst of the Great Depression. 

Stella Douglas is the author of a literary biography that didn’t sell many copies and she’s worried when her editor summons her to London for “a chat.” Instead of being fired, Stella is surprised to learn that her editor is commissioning her to write a book on the history of English food and how the English like to eat. Directed to not be as scholarly as her previous works, Stella must create a book that will be “quintessentially English” and give hope to the nation during “the slump.” 

Stella is determined to be successful no matter how daunting a task it is to make oatcakes and gravy exciting. She posts notices in papers throughout England and receives the most wonderful letters and recipes back. Using some of her advance, she decides to travel the countryside to speak to folks in person. On one such trip her car breaks down and she meets Freddie–a handsome and fun loving antiques dealer. Stella must decide if this is the right relationship for her and at the same time is dealing with changing family dynamics and a best friend set to marry someone who seems like a terrible fit. 

I loved this book. It’s a bit more character rather than plot driven and I do love sinking into the story of characters in a certain time of history. I found the details of the time period fascinating as I honestly hadn’t thought of other countries during the Depression era. Stella’s cottage, her relationship with her father, as well as her relationships with neighbors and friends were so detailed that they were brought to life on the page. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this work of historical fiction!