I have forgotten how much I love Marie Sexton's writing, and this book did a good job reminding me.
The story drew me in right away and didn't let go until the end. Loved every minute of it! ( )

‘Lost Along the Way’ is an excellent title for this story about Daniel, who suddenly finds there are more issues than he thought possible in the relationship he’s had for fifteen years. In a difficult situation with having to consider what’s next for him, the recipes in Granny B’s mysteriously appearing cookbook offer the nudge into action and the support he needs. This is a sad story of old things ending, but it also offers hope for new things beginning – if Daniel gives them a chance. Daniel has some help, as the blurb says: “Food created out of love casts a spell all its own, but Granny B’s recipes add a little something extra.” They definitely do!

Daniel has made a life with Chase, despite his parents disagreeing and not wanting him to be gay. And just after they finally begin to come around, they die. Daniel is devastated. Then two things happen. Chase is not as supportive as he should be, according to Daniel, and Chase, who spends his weekends cleaning out his parents’ house, begins to see their relationship from a distance. He suddenly sees things differently, and when Granny B’s recipes add their magical touch, a few things Daniel has tried to ignore suddenly jump out at him and he sees Chase for who he really is.

In a touching story of loss and love, the death of Daniel’s relationship with Chase still only takes up about half the focus of this book. The other half is the slow rebuilding of Daniel’s life – in a totally unexpected but not unwelcome direction. As he rediscovers the town he grew up in and gets to know Landon, the man who spent a lot of time with Daniel’s parents, Daniel slowly realizes how much of a rut he has been in, and how different his life could be – if only he gives fate another chance - with the help of Granny B’s peculiar and delicious recipes, of course.

If you like bittersweet stories of tragedy and love lost, if you believe everyone deserves a second chance, no matter how “magical” the source of that hope may be, and if you’re looking for an emotional read that deals with the realities of life in a sensitive and touching way, then you will probably like this novella.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews. ( )

3.5 ( )