Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Definitely check some trigger warnings before reading this book — lots of heavy topics

I really really enjoyed reading this book. The writing style was very unique, but I loved getting to know these characters. Although some of the topics were very heavy, the book itself left me feeling very lighthearted and had me both laughing and crying within some of the same chapters.

The optimism and strength of Belladonna were incredible, and I loved the way the story ended. The recipes included throughout were both creative and fun, and maybe even inspired me to get in tune with my cooking spirit as well. Would definitely recommend this book!

A novel which is over the top, poignant, and entertaining. Well plotted, colourful and compelling
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I fell in LOVE with this book from the first chapter on. It was more hilarious than it had any right to be for something so heartbreaking and rough at times. But it had me hooked and I read through it all in one night.

What a story! It wasn’t until I finished the book that I remembered it was inspired by a true story! A wild, heartbreaking, inspiring, beautifully written, adventure! And I will be making those meatballs!

2.5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an arc of this book.

This book was WAY different than I was expecting! Like I'm someone who swears quite a lot I would say, but the amount of swearing in this book still took me off guard, which has never happened to me before!
I wanted to like it, but the writing style just wasn't for me I guess. Still pretty good tho! Just read the trigger warnings before you start the book because some of the topics are extremely heavy!

It was impossible not to fall in love with Belladonna Marie Donato, “The Queen of Steeplechase Park” and her circus filled cast of characters from Jersey to Coney Island. Belladonna is not your typical Italian teenager of the depression, she is a bombshell with the sex drive of a man, the mouth of a truck driver and the balls to back it all up. This book is a roller coaster of a ride, but in the very best way, following Belladonna through her loves and her loses. In the end you’ll want to ride the coaster again, just to find out what happens next.

David Ciminello writes a character that you wish was part of your family, not just for the recipes but for the adventure!

The Queen of Steeplechase Park is a cheeky story written about a young Italian woman in early New York. Unfortunately, this was not a novel for me. It's clearly written by a man who doesn't get women especially with the over-the-top sex scenes and inuendo. So many references that would never be written by a woman author. I'm not sure what audience would enjoy this book.

"Her mini pomidori once sweet cherries, bloomed into bodacious beefstakes.." I logged off at "She was so horney. She was horney every night and every day.... "thinking of F...g Jesus."
I did not finish it. Sorry not sorry.

This book deals with very heavy content such as domestic violence and rape. Please make sure you check out the rest of the trigger warnings before consuming this novel. Overall, I liked this book and the author's writing style. Even when the subject was on the more serious side the author has a great sense of humor.

There are a lot of trigger warnings in this book, rape, incest,and domestic violence. Lots of sexually explicit descriptions of sex.

I loved the recipes throughout the book and the characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Star Rating: 3.5

Content Warning: rape, swearing, mentions of domestic violence, sexually explicit, sexual descriptions of a minor, mentions of minors engaged in sexual acts, LGBTQIA+ slurs, depictions of conversion therapy, mentions of incest, suicide attempt

Notable Quotable: "Meatballs saved my life once...and someday they're gonna save yours!"

To Make it Short: Not a fan of the sex scenes involving minors, big ick. Otherwise, it is a harrowing story, dashed with magical realism and the power of food, about finding yourself amongst found family.

The Long Version: The main things I want to expand on are the incorporation of recipes throughout, the LGBTQIA+ rep, the interconnectedness of the characters' stories, and, last but not least, the ending.

First: The Use of Recipes
List of food recipes: Tomato gravy, chicken parm, risotto, lasagna bolognese, cannolis, chicken cacciatore, gnocchi in bolognese, raviolo, cannoli cake, frittata, seafood stew, stuffed clams, eggplant parmigiana, the magic meatballs, Sicilian baked chicken, and steak pizzaiola.
I loved the incorporation of actual recipes, with personal touches and funny bits thrown in. It helped me understand the significance of food not only in the book and in Belladonna's story but also in Italian culture.

LGBTQIA+ Representation
While I appreciated the queer rep throughout, it was definitely not a focal point, which is fine; it's not an LGBTQIA+-centered book. I love that queer characters can be introduced smoothly in more modern literature and that many authors don't write a page of description explaining the character's identity. The character simply is. And, in this case, a handful of the characters simply like who they like. Period.

Character Connectedness
YES! Multiple character stories overlap others in multiple timelines, and it brought the book together in such a satisfying way! Storylines and character arcs had a sense of finality, significantly helping with any book hangover I might've had. However, I have one issue.

THE END
Okay...I KNOW that it's only semi-biographical, and it is considered fiction, so things in reality will not always end up well, but the ending was DARK!
[So first, Belladonna falls in love with Francis, gets pregnant, doesn't tell him, and pushes him away. THEN, they find each other on Coney Island, realize they are still madly in love, and plan to get married, but Bella gets cold feet and marries the mafia boss (who ends up being a drag queen!! love that plot twist!). Finally, she convinces said mafia boss to help her get their marriage annulled so she can go find Francis and be with him. They find each other and get engaged again, and then on their second wedding day, HE GETS HIT BY A FUCKING BUS?! (hide spoiler)] The poor girl can't catch a break!

Overall, I would like to thank NetGalley and Forest Avenue Press for the eARC!!