The Coincidence of Coconut Cake – Review

Thanks to Bestie Bookclub, a book club I’m a part of with girls who all share one thing in common – Lindale, Texas, I was able to check another book of my Beat the Backlist TBR. Each month in Bestie Bookclub, we have new criteria for choosing our next read. January ended up being my pick and the topic was “A Book You Own but Haven’t Read”. Perfect! I wanted to choose something light and easy, something that would keep everyone’s interest and allow us to discuss before the month was over. My last choice, 11/22/63, was a bit of a flop for the group, simply because it was such a lengthy book.

Luckily, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake, a novel I bought two summers ago on vacation in Colorado, ended up being a perfect choice. This book was first brought to my attention by Colleen Hoover when she recommended this one on Instagram, raving about how enjoyable it was for her to read. When I saw it on sale at Barnes and Noble, it was an easy impulse purchase.

I should note, my only real complaint about this book is not in the actual story, but with the blurb, as it gives all of the main plot points away, rather than hooking the reader with a little suspense and allowing them to figure out those points on their own. I hate when I read a book and look back at the blurb to see, I could have read that and taken away everything I needed to know. If you’re like me in that sense and don’t want the story spoiled in the chance that you may want to pick it up, definitely skip over the blurb section of this review.

BLURB:

In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella’s, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé…until the morning she discovers him in the buff—with an intern.

Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella’s, little does he know he’s arrived on the worst day of the chef’s life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service—he unleashes his worst.

The day that Al’s mean-spirited review of Luella’s runs, the two cross paths in a pub: Lou drowning her sorrows, and Al celebrating his latest publication. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee and she’s game—but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city’s local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou’s restaurant faces closure, while Al’s column gains popularity. It’s only a matter of time before the two fall in love…but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?

Set in the lovely, quirky heart of Wisconsin, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is a charming love story of misunderstandings, mistaken identity, and the power of food to bring two people together.

I’m not the biggest fan of cooking or other culinary pursuits, though I do occasionally dabble in baking when the desire for something sweet overpowers my senses, so this book wasn’t something I would normally reach for. As I read, I was pleasantly surprised with just how enjoyable this book was. Though food was one of the main themes of the story, I liked that the author didn’t bore me with foodie facts that would fly over my simple mind. In fact, I surprisingly found a connection to Al, through his restaurant reviews. Some of the dilemmas he faced with his writings about restaurants are things I struggle with in reviewing books.

One of my favorite things about this story was that it took a location not on my radar and made eager to learn more about it. Milwaukee was never a place I really considered wanting to visit, but I would love to visit now, if only to try some cheese curds! Amy Reichert made the city sound ridiculously appealing and homey, an easy and relaxed place to explore at one’s own pace.

I delighted the coincidental meeting of the two main characters in this story. Waiting for the truths to surface between the pair added a bit of anxiety and suspense that I couldn’t help but enjoy as well. It was fun to predict when things might slip out and where the fallout may be, and if after all of it things might be mended.

My favorite characters in this story, the elderly German couple who frequented Lou’s restaurant, had a small part but played a huge role in making this story as heartwarming and enjoyable as it was. I love a story featuring characters who become a voice of reason for the main character, but especially when they have the life experience these two shared. Though they were fictional, their years of wisdom made their advice seem more meaningful.

If you’re looking for a Hallmark-esque, easy weekend read, pick up The Coincidence of Coconut Cake. Just make sure to keep a few snacks close by – this one is sure to make your stomach grumble.

Purchase on Amazon!