A lovely heart warmer with an unlikely friendship, middle aged loneliness and lashings of delicious food talk. This book is a slow burner that is well worth sticking with, I absolutely loved it!

Unfortunately this book was not for me, it was a bit slower than I would like and it just didn't hold my attention. I am sure other people will love it!

I loved this book.
Kate is an almost 40 year old on the verge of moving in with her boyfriend when he decides he needs more time.
Kate volunteers at an old people's home and meets Cecily, a belligerent lady who has many a tale to tell.
Through this new friendship and many recipes, Kate finds the courage to make huge changes to her life.
I hope, at the end of my life I manage to leave the sort of impression Cecily did!

I think this book showed me that the obsession with exploring a Nora Ephron style food relationship isn’t really for me in fiction writing. Even when my beloved Dolly Alderton writes about food, it’s my least favourite aspect of her work. The relationships explored in this story were lovely but I think I couldn’t get into the book as a whole piece, maybe becuase I spend my whole summer on a diet.

I really enjoyed this book. A lovely easy read. A really feel good read about friendship, love and food. I would read more by this author.

A bit of a slow starter, but I am so glad I persevered. (I initially didn’t finish it, but gave it another try and it just seemed to “click”).
The story of Kate and Cecily’s friendship is heartwarming and touching. It is so refreshing to read of two women like this. Give this one a go, it’s lovely.

I adored this book which tells the story of Kate Parker, a woman who has up until now, accepted less than she deserves. A job as a copywriter that is deeply unfulfilling, and a relationship that is giving her only crumbs. When her boyfriend Nick asks her to move in, she feels happy. They share a love for food, both cooking it and eating it. But whilst on their first holiday, Nick expresses doubts about her moving in and she is left in limbo.

She starts volunteering at a nursing home, and it is here she meets the formidable Cecily Finn. Cecily has lived a life of adventure and found true love in Samuel. She pulls no punches when she tells Kate that Nick is a waste of her time, and that she can do so much better if only she believes in herself. Kate does not take kindly to this advice, and it seems that her and Nick are moving back to a future together. But when he again lets her down on her birthday and when he puts everyone else before her, she finally listens to the voice inside her head that tells her she can do better. She also quits her soul-destroying job, and when Cecily gifts her the copyright to a cookbook that she had written, her life starts to move in the right direction for the first time. She is fulfilled by her writing in a way she has never felt before, and she finds joy in cooking for herself and her friends, as well as starting a successful supper club.

The friendship between Cecily and Kate is the true love story in this wonderful book. Cecily shows Kate that being on your own side, and not settling for less, paves the way to fulfillment and true happiness.

Inspired by her own grandmother's life, Cecily Finn was a wonderful character who I fell in love with and this book is warm, witty and wonderful.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

Not for me. It was too slow and I stopped reading about half way through. I tried to get back into it, but couldn’t. I wouldn’t read another one by this author. Sorry!

What a wonderful wonderful book. I thought I was in for the same old romance formula that you read a lot but instead I got a tale of friendship and kindness. I found myself I spited to make changes in my own life and loved to see the blossoming relationship between Cecily and Kate.

I found myself on occasion irritated with Kate and wanting her to snap out of her moods. Even though I could see where the story was going it was written so beautifully that I just enjoyed turning every single page.

It is a slow starting book and I honestly questioned whether to continue with it or put it in the I tried but it isn't for me pile.

The second half is better than the beginning largely due to Cecelia and her witty little quips. I ended up quite enjoying it.

Thanks to Zaffre & Netgalley for sending me this in exchange for an open and honest review.

⭐⭐⭐

This was a sweet little book. Kate is 40 and is in a bit of a rut . She has met a wonderful man called Nick but while they are on holiday together he drops a bombshell and Kate just feels wrong-footed and she ends up moving back home with her mother.

Kate is persuaded by a friend to volunteer by a friend and she ends up doing this at an old peoples home for Exceptional Ladies. The women in this home are fantastic and full of fun. One of whom is called Cecily. A 97 year old lady who ends up being a bit of a life coach to Kate.

Although the book starts rather slowly (i was very bored for the first 15% and almost DNF'd) thankfully I persevered and really enjoyed it in the end.

Really enjoyed reading this even though it’s nit my usual genre. Loved the relationship between Cecily and Kate and loved their characters in general. A really likeable book

The Woman Who Wanted More by Vicky Zimmerman begins very slowly and I soon felt this wasn’t a book for me. For a start it’s romantic fiction written in the present tense. Then there is Kate, who is nearly 40, single but preparing to move in with her boyfriend, Nick. But on holiday he tells her that he doesn’t want the commitment and she ends up back home living with her mother. Despite her friends’ warnings that he is not worth the bother, she still gives him chance after chance of starting again. And she goes on and on and on about him.

I breathed a sigh of relief when Cecily meets Kate! Cecily is 97 living in Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies, a grumpy old lady with intense brown eyes and a sharp tongue. When she hears Kate’s story about her relationship with Nick she tells her in no uncertain terms to give him short shrift and to find a man who isn’t too emotionally stunted to love her.

I was thinking of not finishing this book until Cecily came on the scene. After getting off to a bad start, with several cross words, Kate and Cecily get to know each other better and Cecily’s cookery book gives her some helpful advice mixed in with recipes. And when I got to the end of the book and read the Author’s Note I understood why Cecily’s part of the story appeals to me more – the character was inspired by a real person, Vicky Zimmerman’s grandmother. The book is a mix of fact and fiction – and for me Cecily’s story had the ring of truth. I’m glad I read on to the end.

My thanks to the publishers for my review copy via NetGalley.

I didn't know anything about this book when I requested a copy from Netgalley, but whatever subconscious expectations I had were far, far exceeded.

All the technical stuff that comes together to make a book 'good' is here, but ultimately, this book nourishes your soul. It sounds cheesy, but this is a profoundly affecting and life affirming story that makes you more seriously consider your own life and how and with whom you choose to spend it (and also gives some fab recipe ideas). Kate is totally relatable, even if she's 10 years older than I am - and let's be honest, we've all known a Nick and we all wish we'd been lucky enough to know a Cecily. I don't really know what else to say about this book except that I love it unequivocally and it will stay with me forever.

I will be purchasing a hardcopy of this book (you should, too), and I'll be reading it for years to come. It's going to have to battle it out with A Man Called Ove for my favourite book of the year. It really is that good.

What an amazing read! I love cooking and reading and a book that manages to combine both along with a great backstory is a sure winner in my eyes. I loved this book from the get go, Vicky Zimmermann has created loveable characters who made me laugh out loud many times.

This is my favorite read so far this year. I love Vicky's writing style and will definitely be checking out her other titles.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review.

A really great read. An engaging storyline that was thought provoking and warming. Very easy to read.

charming and delightful book with well formed characters! Very engaging writing and well paced plot. Very enjoyable read.

Unusual and interesting story of an acerbic old lady, who I loved, and a young woman who seemed rather foolish. I loved the idea of the Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies, and would like to reserve my place. The only thing I found a little disappointing is that the tagline - 'full of insight and food' - was rather lacking on the food side and I had hoped for a few exciting recipes or ideas. In that, it was a little old fashioned, and slightly American.

I loved the story! Kate's relationship with Cecily really warmed my heart. I loved the way Cecily gave Kate food for thought and made her realise some truths along the way. Very nice read indeed!