Book Review - The Secret Ingredient by Sue Heath

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Title: The Secret Ingredient

Author: Sue Heath

Format reviewed: Ebook

Source: Netgalley

Publisher: One More Chapter

Publication Date: 18th January 2024

Rating: 5 Stars

It’s been three years, two weeks and one day since Kate Shaw’s life changed forever. Three years, two weeks and one day that Kate has been angry – with herself and life.

But today is different. Different because Kate has finally taken the step she’s been avoiding…back into the kitchen. Now, what begins as a (disastrous) attempt to make pancakes becomes a culinary journey that is not only a love letter to someone so important to her, but also an unexpected means of connection to a community she never knew she had…

How on earth has a book this fabulous been sitting on my kindle unread for over a year? That really shouldn't happen, as it really is a wonderful story. 

At points I was on the verge of tears (not great when you are on public transport), but equally there is plenty in this to make you hungry, and also to smile too. 

It's definitely a change of direction for this author, hence her new pen name, but I needn't have worried as the writing is still fabulous, and I really loved seeing all these characters and just how the grew and bonded together, thanks to Charles and Mary. 

It really is a story that brings a street together, and shows you how important it is to surround yourself with people that care for you, and to have good neighbours (and I'm writing this having just watched the Neighbours 40th anniversary tour - so that seems fitting!). 

Kate is the lynchpin of this novel, although we do get chapters from pretty much all the other characters at times during the story, but Kate is definitely the main character.  She is still coming to terms with the loss of Eddie, three years on, but has realised she needs to make changes in her life, to see if she can start living again. 

And one of those is to try to learn how to cook, as he was a fabulous cook, and Kate figures she will feel closer to him, if she tries it herself.  And her first attempt at making pancakes and level of description of where it went wrong, is memorably brilliant. 

There are all manner of characters at various stages in life and they are being brough together by this book's Secret Ingredient, and it was utterly delightful to see. 

I thoroughly enjoyed every second I spent between the pages of this novel. 

Thank you to One More Chapter and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.