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Literary Friday: The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer

Friday, October 8, 2021

 



Happy Literary Friday, My Lovelies!  Today I'm reviewing The Gathering Table by Kathryn Springer.  A couple of weeks ago I posted an excerpt you can read HERE.

According to Goodreads:

“A feast of small-town charm and characters who feel like dear friends.” —Liz Johnson, bestselling author of The Red Door Inn

From USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Springer comes a tale of starting over when life takes an unexpected turn.

Winsome Lake, Wisconsin, is postcard-pretty, but for chef Jessica Keaton it’s also a last resort. Fired from her dream job, Jess is starting over as a live-in cook and housekeeper. When she arrives, she finds her new employer is in rehab after having a stroke, and Jess expects she’ll be all alone in Elaine Haviland’s quaint house. A chef with no one to cook for.

But instead, she encounters a constant stream of colorful visitors who draw her back into the world. As Jess contends with local teenagers, a group of scrappy women and a charming football coach, Elaine faces some battles of her own that extend past her physical challenges. For both of them, all the ingredients for a fulfilling life are within reach, if they’re willing to take a leap. And maybe Jess will start to see that it’s not just what’s on the table that matters—it’s the people gathered round it.

A must-read novel from Love Inspired: Stories to Uplift and Inspire.


Connect with Kathryn

Website | Facebook | Instagram








My Review:

I thoroughly enjoyed this faith-based book:  It's the perfect story to read when you're cuddled-up next to a fire this autumn.  What I loved best is the ensemble cast of characters: they're a close-knit, supportive community who welcome chef Jessica Keaton with open arms.  At first, Jessica is overwhelmed with the activity in and around her new employer Elaine Haviland's home.  Elaine's friends, The Scrappy Women, make themselves at home because Elaine has the largest dining room table.  The home is strangely outdated, with the exception of Elaine's beautifully appointed office.  But Elaine's hesitance in touching the rest of the house isn't the only mystery in the novel:  Jessica, as well as Elaine, have secrets and are apt to erect walls when people try to get close to them.  The story arc includes both women's journeys as they come to terms with their past, learn lessons, and realize that they are worthy of love and acceptance from others.

The setting of Winsome Lake, Wisconsin is perfect.  Local football coach Nick Silva is spending his summer renovating an old lakeside supper club as a single family residence to flip.  The place holds a special place in Nick's heart because many family milestones were celebrated there, and he cherishes these memories, especially those of his grandmother.  Jessica and Nick have a sweet first "date" there: Nick serves Jessica a Wisconsin fish fry, and Jessica bakes the dessert.  It's a very sweet scene that sets their romance in motion.  

You should enjoy The Gathering Table if you appreciate lovable characters, sweet romances (yes, there's more than one), and uplifting, faith-based stories.  Novels depicting a strong sense of community are very important to me now: I find I'm drawn to them.  This book reminds us that there are no coincidences, and that God often speaks to us through others.  He can and does gift us with opportunities from very unlikely sources.  I'm looking forward to reading more of Kathryn Springer's books. 



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Purchase Links

Love Inspired | Amazon Barnes & Noble

Connect with Kathryn

Website | Facebook | Instagram









Disclosure:  I received a paperback copy of The Gathering Table from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange from a fair and honest review.  



Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill





7 comments

  1. That really does sound good! Thanks for the review. I'll add it to my reading list! Hugs!

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  2. This really sounds like a great read. I can tell by your review you loved it very much. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend. xoxo Kris

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  3. Sounds great! I love your recommendations. I started watching the Agatha Raisin series on Amazon. I'd love to see how the books compare. This one might be next up!

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  4. What a great book for November! Thank you for being on this tour. Sara @ TLC Book Tours

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  5. Thank you for your glowing review, Ricki Jill. I need to put it on my list!

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  6. This really sounds like a wonderful novel, RJ. I'd heard of it but knew little of it before. Thanks for the good description and your thoughts.

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Hello, Lovelies!

I'm Ricki Jill. Welcome! I'm honored that you're reading my blog. I enjoy sharing my creative lifestyle @ The Bookish Dilettante. For more information about my blog, please read the Start Here page. Thank-you for stopping by, and I hope you'll consider following me via email.

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