***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
“Heartfelt, heartwarming, joyful, and uplifting. You can't go wrong with a Rachel Linden book.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
An uplifting novel about a heartbroken young pie maker who is granted a magical second chance to live the life she didn’t choose. . . . from the bestselling author of The Enlightenment of Bees.
Lolly Blanchard's life only seems to give her lemons. Ten years ago, after her mother’s tragic death, she broke up with her first love and abandoned her dream of opening a restaurant in order to keep her family’s struggling Seattle diner afloat and care for her younger sister and grieving father. Now, a decade later, she dutifully whips up the diner’s famous lemon meringue pies each morning while still pining for all she's lost.
As Lolly’s thirty-third birthday approaches, her quirky great-aunt gives her a mysterious gift—three lemon drops, each of which allows her to live a single day in a life that might have been hers. What if her mom hadn’t passed away? What if she had opened her own restaurant in England? What if she hadn’t broken up with the only man she's ever loved? Surprising and empowering, each experience helps Lolly let go of her regrets and realize the key to transforming her life lies not in redoing her past but in having the courage to embrace her present.
The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden is a heartwarming tale of one woman’s journey to discover what her present life would be like if she were able to change her past.
Lolly Blanchard is stuck in a rut. As the manager of her family’s restaurant and the primary pie maker, she’s content with her life, until she finds a list she wrote when she was a child with her life goals and she realizes she hadn’t done any of the items on the list. What if’s plague her. What if she had moved to England to open up her own restaurant? What if her mother hadn’t died ten years ago? And What if she hadn’t left the love of her life?
Her great aunt then gives her a gift of three lemon drops along with instructions to take one at night and wish for the life she wants and she will have one day in the life she’s always dreamed of. What will happen when Lolly sees the lives she could have had?
I enjoyed this book very much. I like the premise of Lolly being able to have a peek at different lives. Lolly is a wonderful character, she is driven to help her family at all costs, and I like her dedication to her family and the business. She has a wonderful relationship with her little sister, who is much younger. While her dedication to her family is admirable, the cost to her own well-being is high, and that’s what this book is about.
The focus of the book is on Lolly, her journey, and also the journey of her family. There is a romance in the book but it’s very secondary to the rest of the story. I thought the lemon drops were a good way to have Lolly reflect on her decisions, and how they affected her present, and her family. The magical realism was light enough, that I was able to believe in the lemon drops.
Also, there is a recipe for Lemon Drop Pie, so that’s a fun little bonus. I highly recommend The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Rachel Linden
Rachel Linden is a novelist and international aid worker whose adventures in over fifty countries around the world provide excellent grist for her writing. She is the author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie, The Enlightenment of Bees, Becoming the Talbot Sisters, and Ascension of Larks. Currently Rachel lives with her family on a sweet little island near Seattle, WA where she enjoys creating stories about strong women facing big challenges, travel, food, and second chances at love. She promises her readers a happy, or at least very hopeful, ending and infuses each of her stories with a touch of magical realism.
This sure does sound like a good read. I think a lot of women have trouble setting good boundaries with family members, and sometimes it comes at the expense of our own hopes and dreams.
Wonderful review, Wendy. I love the sound of this book and definitely want to read it. I was declined for this one, but hope my library gets a copy. I like the premise of this one, very Hallmark movie like.
What a unique storyline! The cover of this book is so lovely. I’m very interested in Lolly’s journey and where she ends up after the lemon drops. Great review Wendy!
Wonderful review Wendy! Its sounds a lovely story, and one I wouldn’t mind having a chance at; what if’s do come to mind some times. And I love the sound of lemon drop pie. Are you planning to try out the recipe?
That’s a really cute cover, and I love the idea of this. I’m not a fan of lemon, but it seems perfect to include a recipe for the pie. Nice review, Wendy!
I just adore the cover of this one. I’m not sure if I’ll get around to reading it since I struggle with “what if” style stories, but it does sound interesting!
The magic of the lemon drops themselves is interesting – I wonder how many people would like to have the opportunity to look at the “what if”. Great review Wendy.
Wonderful review! I’m looking forward to read this one.
It was so good. I hope you enjoy it.
Amazing review, Wendy! This truly was interesting and I also liked that recipe in the end.
This sure does sound like a good read. I think a lot of women have trouble setting good boundaries with family members, and sometimes it comes at the expense of our own hopes and dreams.
That is so true, Lydia!
Wonderful review, Wendy. I love the sound of this book and definitely want to read it. I was declined for this one, but hope my library gets a copy. I like the premise of this one, very Hallmark movie like.
It was a good one, Carla. I think you’d enjoy it.
It would be interesting to see different paths your life might have taken. Sounds like a wonderful story!
Yes, it’s so interesting to see what could have happened.
I’m glad that you enjoyed this book. I enjoy a good story with light magical realism every now and then.
I agree, It’s fun once in a while.
This cover is perfectly summery. 🌞
It sure it! It’s why I requested the book!
It sounds cute. I need to read more magical realism! It’s a strange genre that I would like to get more on board with!
Have a great weekend!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
It is a strange genre, but one i’m starting to enjoy. I
I’m glad you liked it! I enjoyed this one too. I thought the lemon drops were a unique and clever way to look at alternate possibilities.
Yes, they sure were. Thank you, Bonnie!
That’s an interesting set-up, thanks for sharing. Will pick it up next for sure
Thank you!
This sounds like such a sweet story. I think most people can identify with the “what if’s” of life.
Yes, I agree, Linda.
This one is on my wish list! Great review, Wendy!
It’s so good. I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.
Interesting premise. I can see you had a good time with The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie.
I sure did, Nadene!
What a unique storyline! The cover of this book is so lovely. I’m very interested in Lolly’s journey and where she ends up after the lemon drops. Great review Wendy!
Thank you! It was better than I expected.
Fantastic review Wendy! This sounds really fun and thoughtful.
I love this cover so much!
It is so pretty! Like the lavender and the yellow lemons, so complimentary.
Oh Wendy!
I love the sound of this!! The cover and the title drew my attention immediately and now your review just made me add it to my TBR.
Have a wonderful weekend!
I hope you enjoy it! Have a great weekend!
I love the cover.
It’s so pretty!
I have heard great things about this one. Glad you enjoyed it!! Have a great weekend!
Thank you, Cindy!
I’ve been looking forward to your review if this, it sounds great!
Thank you, Rae. It was better than I expected.
I absolutely love the premise of this one! And the recipe – yum 😋. I bet I’d love lemon drop pie ❤️❤️❤️
I would too, Tessa. I’ll have to give it a try.
Wonderful review Wendy! Its sounds a lovely story, and one I wouldn’t mind having a chance at; what if’s do come to mind some times. And I love the sound of lemon drop pie. Are you planning to try out the recipe?
I haven’t tried the recipe yet, but I might try it this week. I’ll post a photo if I do.
The book title is so cute and we like that she learns how to make things happen for herself in the end.
The character growth is excellent in this one.
The book title is lovely.
It is, Rosie! It’s a cute story too.
That’s a really cute cover, and I love the idea of this. I’m not a fan of lemon, but it seems perfect to include a recipe for the pie. Nice review, Wendy!
Thank you, Teri! That cover is very pretty.
Wonderful review Wendy. I’m so excited to read this one too.📚💜
I hope you enjoy it, Susan!
You have mentioned this one a few times, so I know you must really have enjoyed this one 😊 It sounds really good, great review 💕
It was very good. Thanks, Jenny!
I just adore the cover of this one. I’m not sure if I’ll get around to reading it since I struggle with “what if” style stories, but it does sound interesting!
The magic of the lemon drops themselves is interesting – I wonder how many people would like to have the opportunity to look at the “what if”. Great review Wendy.
Yes, it’s an interesting concept for sure. I’m not sure I would want to know “what if”
The cover is very pretty. It’s not for everyone, Amanda. So I understand.