Review: While Love Stirs by Lorna Seilstad

My rating: 2 stars / It was okay

Synopsis

After graduating from Fannie Farmer's School of Cookery in 1910, Charlotte Gregory is ready to stir things up. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to travel, lecture, and give cooking demonstrations on the very latest kitchen revolution--the gas stove--and certainly doesn't mind that the gas company has hired the handsome Lewis Mathis to perform at her lectures. Lewis encourages her work, especially her crusade to introduce fresh, appetizing, nutritious food to those convalescing in hospitals. But young hospital superintendent Dr. Joel Brooks is not convinced any changes should be made--especially by this outspoken young woman.

When Charlotte and Joel are coerced into planning a fund-raising gala for the hospital, will this combustible pair explode?

My Review

This book has an interesting plot and plenty of historical details, but the main characters were difficult for me to connect with. Charlotte is passionate about the craft and science of cooking, and is single-minded in meeting her goals. Her purposes are to benefit others in need, but her methods, personality, and inner thoughts come across as self-absorbed, entitled, unyielding, and judgemental. After the manner she continued to treat Joel, it didn't seem natural that he would have a friendly or romantic interest in her, especially when he is so arrogantly dismissive of her ideas. I suppose it was meant to be an enemies-to-lovers trope, but I didn't feel that the shift made sense amid their fighting and patronizing that fell short of banter. It was also disappointing the way she treated Lewis. I was most intrigued by the era of moving from wood stoves to gas lines in homes and communities.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.