Professional event planner Meredith Guidry makes a New Year's resolution: that she'll get over an eight-year-long infatuation so she can fall in love and end her still-single status before New Year's Eve rolls around again. Executive chef Major O'Hara wishes he could admit his feelings for and share his life with Meredith, but he knows he could never saddle the woman he loves with a family situation like his.
Meredith Guidry, the main character in Kaye Dacus’ novel Menu for Romance, has been in love for eight years. Dacus explores Meredith’s longing to be married, after she has had little luck in love for the first thirty-four years of her life.
When Meredith decides that she has waited long enough for Major O’Hara to return her feelings, she goes on a few casual dates with another man, not knowing that Major does love her. He has been hesitant to pursue a relationship with Meredith because he is afraid to tell her about his schizophrenic mother.
Although Meredith’s situation is one that many single women can relate to, Dacus misses the opportunity to teach through Meredith’s circumstances. Rather than waiting on God’s timing and seeking her fulfillment in Christ alone, Meredith attempts to “awaken love before its time” (Song of Songs 8:4) by trying to feel a romantic attraction for the man who is pursuing her.
Imaginative descriptions and witty dialogue fill this novel. The characters are believable and likable. The experiences seem authentic, from meetings with Meredith’s family and best friends to her attempts at romantic relationships.
This book is well-written and, though predictable at times, is enjoyable within its genre. Young women in a similar stage of life would likely empathize with the situations in which Meredith finds herself. – Alyssa Ruthanna Guebert, www.ChristianBookPreviews.com
Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars(4.5 out of 5 stars)
8 of 13 Reviews Showing:(View All Reviews)
3.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Chelsea Winer (Los Angeles, CA), September 15, 2009
Kaye Dacus takes us back to Benneterre, this time with characters more interesting than the first book, STAND-IN GROOM. Meredith pledges that this year will finally be the year she gets a man in her life. However, when not one but TWO guys come knocking, it doesn't feel right. The only person who could possibly understand her busy lifestyle is Major O'Hara, the sweetest guy ever. (And a world-class chef!) Though there could not possibly be a couple better suited for each other, it is entertaining to watch these two come to grips with their mutual feelings.
One of the pleasures of reading this series is that it deals with real people, real jobs, and real life concerns. Readers from all walks of life will be able to identify with loving someone close to you and/or dealing with a family secret. Her writing style is easy and lightweight.
I am looking forward to the third book, where we finally get to learn more about Forbes!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sharon A Lavy (New Carlisle, OH), September 06, 2009
A Sweet Love Story. To those of us looking on it takes some people a long time to make up their minds. I can't imagine waiting for a man to notice me for eight years. But there were many circumstances that interfered with the romance. I found myself rooting for Meredith and Major. I liked Meredith's ability to do most things for herself. I enjoyed reading about the remodeling. Author Kaye Dacus has a smooth writing style and took me on a delightful journey in her book Menu For Romance.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Terri Haynes (Fort Washington, MD), August 26, 2009
If I had to name an author who is quickly earning the right to be listed as one of my favorites, it has to be Kaye Dacus. I read her first book, The Stand-in Groom and was quite impressed. I love the fact that she brings freshness to the Christian fiction.
Menu for Romance is the continuation of the Guidry sagas and the story of Meredith Guidry, a successful event planner. She desperately wants to find love and make a New Years resolution to find someone. It's also the story of Major O'Hara (cute man with extreme name), an Executive Chef who feels his life is to crazy for love.
Dacus creates a realistic look into the "behind the scenes" world of food service. She puts the reader right in the world with all it's tastes and smells. The novel also depicts the thrills of secrets: both secret love and secret issues.
Another very strong theme in the novel is family. The Guidry family is a loving bunch, but their inter-family dynamics always makes for exciting reading. I love the way Dacus makes me feel like I could be reading about my family of four sisters.
I suspect that Dacus will be making waves in the Christian fiction world for a long time to come.
4 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Jenn (FL), August 17, 2009
This was a very enjoyable read. One thing I really liked about it was the hero and heroine weren't your perfect model-types, and they seemed more real and relatable because of that. If you're looking for a few hours of clean, fun reading, Menu For Romance is a good choice.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Keli Gwyn (California), August 15, 2009
Kaye Dacus has done it again! I had such fun revisiting the fictional town of Bonneterre, Louisiana and spending time with her great cast of characters. The biggest thrill was that party planner Meredith Guidry and executive chef Major O’hara, whom readers met briefly in Dacus’s delightful debut novel, Stand-in Groom, get a story all their own.
Meredith has been secretly in love with Major for eight l-o-n-g years. Both work for her parents’ mega firm, which puts them in the other’s path on a daily basis. She’s his boss, so she has to keep things professional and accept the fact that they’re just friends. Her heart protests regularly, making for an intense struggle. In an act borne of desperation, she asks God to help her get over Major and find the man of her dreams.
Unbeknownst to Meredith, Major is crazy about her and wishes he could make her his wife. However, he harbors a secret he’s afraid would ruin everything. Not only that, but he’s been offered the chance to open his own restaurant and feels it would be unfair to ask her to be his when he’d be working more hours than ever. When Mere meets a handsome contractor who’s not only remodeling her house but building a relationship with the woman Major loves, he’s forced to make a choice. Will he fulfill his lifelong dream, or will he take a risk, trust Mere with the truth and concoct a Menu for Romance?
Dacus tells a wonderful story, one I thoroughly enjoyed from first page to last. Her characters are captivating. I fell hard for Major and admired Meredith’s dedication and determination. And yet I hurt for these two who so obviously want to be together but are kept apart by circumstances they must overcome. Only when they deal with their difficulties and look to God for the answer to their dilemma, can they find peace in His plan for their lives. I heartily recommend Menu for Romance, the second in the Bride of Bonneterre Series, as a story that is sure to satisfy your appetite for a good read.
4.5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Shannon McNear (Goose Creek, SC), July 31, 2009
I loved this story ... the way the author weaves in the sense of years of longing and paints the characters with enough depth that I felt I’d always known Major and Meredith ... the complexity of their relationships with others--Meredith and her family, Major with his mother. Although I haven’t yet read the first book, I’ll definitely be purchasing both that and the third book of this series, both for the joy of the smooth-as-silk writing and to get the whole story. Thank you, Kaye, for a darling story and a wonderful read!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Kristi Gregory (Whitehouse, TX), July 30, 2009
I really enjoyed this story. The characters are unique, yet they face challenges that are common to all. Major learns that it's always easier to tell the truth up front than hide what you think might be a problem in a relationship. Mereidith learns that we should talk to those that hurt us before we hit the point of exploding. Direct and non-confrontational addressing of an issue works best for all involved. Leaving ourloved ones out because we feel they'll get hurt, only causes more in the end. The author shows great depth to each person and you find yourself in them. I laughed at their quirks and pet peeves.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sherri (Columbus, Ohio), July 25, 2009
Excellent book overall. The characters are well-developed and make you feel like you know them. Major was a wonderful "hero" in the story and his character was very believable. I look forward to reading the next installment in this series just to find out what these characters are up to next.
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