Did not enjoy this book as much as did "Good Things". It was kind of clunk and meaningless. Th plot with Marla was boring and didn't go anywhere. Diedre seemed a little boring as well. The impromptu trip to Paris was long- over due and rather dull.

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Alright, I started this one thinking it was a cooking mystery and did have a grumpy moment when I realized it was 'just' a romance. So I shifted gears - made a cup of tea, straightened up the house a little, and sat down in a calmer place - and read one of my first purely romance novels. There were no vampires and no zombies, no murder, and and no blackmail - ok, just the tiniest bit of blackmail. What this story was was a very sweet story where in the end every character came out well.Every character grew and developed in a positive way - there were no losers - and I loved that. I really did. I also love any book that loves food - and this one certainly did. Our outdoor Farmer's Market starts this Saturday and the descriptions of Paris and the wedding have gotten me even more excited about it, even though in Wisconsin in April, it will be a completely different experience - lots of cheese, not many green things yet. I would love a murder or two folded into the mix but I'm thinking today I will go down and find her first novel because this made one just made me feel happy in the end. ( )

I ate Table Manners up in one sitting almost! Mia King weaves her story and characters so well it felt like I had been picked up and plopped right dab in the middle of the action with them! The most impressive thing I loved about Table Manners was the characters were so down to Earth and so very believable. They didn’t seem fictional at all.

My heart went out to Deidre for the struggles she endured in Table Manners with her new business, trying to fit in with her wealthy boyfriends lifestyle, putting up with his nosy sister and ex-girlfriend and yet still having time to put her friends problems first. She is an inspiration to all women who struggle to balance a family and career in these hard and trying times.

Table Manners revolves around food and Mia has added some yummy recipes that are sure to tickle the taste buds! I have big plans on trying a few of them for an upcoming family celebration.

http://jensbooktalk.blogspot.com/ ( )

I really have grown to love Mia King's clear writing style and voice. This style really helped me learn to love her main character, Deidre even more in book two. The one part I found surprising and satisfying was Deidre's reactions to really difficult situations or strife. In my head I could see the main character lashing out, showing what a strong woman can do, but Deidre didn't need to do that. Somehow this character continued to make choices that felt low impact, not as emotionally ridden as I would have thought the author would take them. I kept waiting for tears, yells, or quiet wallowing. Instead, Deidre methodically faced her circumstances, and I really admired that. Also, even though I felt like I sometimes knew the storyline, it still surprised me. For me, I found Mia King's second novel to be a fun, sweet success! ( )

Synopsis:

Mia King's Table Manners opens just a few months after the first novel, Good Things, ended.

Deirdre has her television show up and running but her gourmet cookie line is stalled in production. Deirdre's friend William is preparing for his commitment ceremony with his live-in partner. Lindsay is recovering from illness but has lost interest in her diner Wishbone. While Kevin and Deirdre are still very much in love, the sudden appearance of Kevin's ex-fiancee Sabine causes Deirdre anxiety.

Is Deirdre's happy ending starting to unravel?

Review:

I had loved Good Things and was so excited to read the sequel Table Manners. But just as I was about to start, I was worried that I wouldn't enjoy the sequel as much as the first book because Good Things was just so fun. I couldn't see how Mia King could add to Deirdre and Kevin's love story. I was wrong again!

Table Manners does just that! In Table Manners, Deirdre continues to care for her many friends, bond with Kevin's family, and support Kevin with the same humor and spirit that made endeared her to readers in Good Things. Meanwhile, Sabine and Marla Banks add just enough spice to the story for us to worry.

If you enjoy books that incorporate food into the plot, you'll love that food is an important part of the story in Mia King's books. As in Good Things, this book includes recipes of dishes mentioned in the novel. Here are some of the recipes you'll find: Leek and Proscuitto Tart, Summer Beef Bourguignonne Skewers, Pan-Seared Rainbow Trout with Warm Summer Tomato-Olive-Caper Salad, Hunan-Style Marinated Lamb Lollipops with Nicoise Vegetable Ragout, Ricotta Cheesecake with Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Green Tea Tart with Lychees and Raspberries, Macarons Chocolat, Sparkling Pomegranate Lemonade, Lemongrass Green Tea, Lychee Martini with Crystallized Ginger.

I highly recommend Table Manners to anyone looking for a fun love story. It's a great summer read! If you haven't read Good Things yet, start the love story from the beginning. Here's the link to my review of Good Things http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/2009/06/book-review-good-things-by-mia...

Publisher: Berkley Trade (August 4, 2009), 336 pages.
Courtesy of the author and publisher. ( )