How Sweet It Is

Deena felt realistic. Both her and Zack felt like real people to me, and not just forced together to make either a romance story or a Christian story work. It felt like the author put more thought into these characters then just slapping labels on and calling that good enough. Maybe Christian Fiction has changed quite a bit since I last read it. Or maybe I was reading different kinds. But this one (and the last) book I read, felt so much… softer? Like I wasn’t being beaten over the head every second page. (Who does that help anyway? At that point, you’ve either got me, or you’re going to scare the bejesus out of me and push me away). Christian aspect is not overpowering. Ok, enough said.

It had enough characters throughout to show more keep it interesting, to provide different interactions, and to learn something different from everyone.

I felt gripped from the beginning of this book by an emotional hook. The first chapter had a little humor, which I like, but you see a lot. I guess it is a good standby way to grab people. But it was the second chapter (about the 3rd page) that got me invested. I like the contrast of the abrupt change. Without revealing anything, Deena has a bit of a panic attack, and I instantly CARED. I felt for her. I wanted to hold her in my arms and soothe her.. I wanted to find out more about what was behind it. And I like her spunk talking herself through it, and making herself push on, despite the fact it is probably the last thing she wants to do at that point in time. I knew I would like her then.

I also like the ending. It was practical. It’s wasn’t a crazy- jump-
Into- each- others- arms- because- everything- is- instantly- better. It was a logical starting place for the characters. Not everything had to be wrapped up perfectly neatly. It was ok to say, hey, look, we have a really good start. (Hm, could there maybe be a sequel? I would LOVE that, and would be out there the day it was for sale.) And yet, when it finished, I felt satisfied. Will definitely read more by this author. =D show less

Oh this one touched close to home. Deena Livingston and her boyfriend are involved in an accident. He doesn’t bother to come see her, he just sends her flowers. When I read this I thought about my cousin. The night she became engaged she and her fiancé were involved in an accident. After emerging from a coma she had to learn to talk all over again, as well as learn to walk. She actually overheard her fiancé tell a friend outside of her door at the hospital that there was no way he would marry her. When the friend asked why, he replied that he would not marry a retard.” He had caused the accident. She was so hurt yet determined to move on with God’s help. Deena is just as determined. She moves to a cabin in the mountains of North show more Carolina. Her grandfather left it to her with the stipulation she will teach cooking classes to a group of middle schoolers. You could see the hand of God in all of this as she begins to heal not only on the outside, but on the inside. It is through learning to know these children and the scars they hide within themselves that she begins to heal. I know as a teacher I often have kids dealing with some pretty terrible things. Sometimes those things resonate with me and I find myself thinking about how much I have felt some of the same things and have harbored hurt or hatred even. It is through helping others we often help ourselves.
I enjoyed this book more than her first one. I look forward to reading more by her. show less

The back cover says it best: "When Deena Livingston moves into her grandfather's cabin in the mountains of North Carolina, she plans to keep to herself, start a cake-decorating business, and recover from the heartbreak she left behind in Atlanta. But a special request from Grandpa Ernest compels her to interact with the Bryson City locals, who have some surprising stories to share with the new girl in town.

Can a Dr. Seuss-quoting plumber who shows up at the most unexpected times, a hansome social worker who seems to know exactly what Deena is thinking, and a classroom full of mischievous middle-school students teach Deena to once again embrace the sweet things in life?"

I enjoyed all the characters in this story! Everyone has "scars" to show more overcome in their life, whether physical or emotional. Deena will learn how to overcome hers with the help of all these other people she will come to know and love. show less

I agree with another reviewer on LT; this book wasn't what I thought it was when I signed up for it. Officially, Wisler is a Christian fiction author; had I known that I'm not sure I'd have requested it. Nonetheless, the book is an interesting read - a young woman moves to the middle of nowhere, and starts to re-invent her life, meeting the local people as she goes. I particular liked the scenes in which Deena was teaching the middle-school kids how to cook - Wisler captures the voice and behaviour of the adolescent perfectly. I wouldn't say that this book offers anything I hadn't read before, but the quirky characters Deena meets makes it worth a read.

After a car accident and devastating break up with her fiancee, Deena leaves behind her job as chef in an Atlanta restaurant and plans to start a cake decorating business in her new home Bryson City, North Carolina. Deena's grandfather left her a cabin there in Bryson City. However, Deena is completely unprepared for the stipulation in her grandfather's will, which she must agree to in order to inherit the cabin. She also has no idea the plans God has in store for her. Once Deena lets God lead her she finally believes her heart can heal and that she can love again.

Every small town has its unique residents and Bryson City is no different. There is the simple, but wise plumber Jonas, the town cheapskate Marble Gray and a whole host of show more characters in between. Wisler unfolds her plot through her characters. The reader truly does come to know them as friends and neighbors. Various culinary dishes are almost characters in and of themselves. Wisler indulges the reader by including recipes for these dishes.

Wisler brings her novel to a satisfying conclusion, but I can see lots of room for sequels or companion novels if she so chooses. And I hope she does. This is a great book for readers of gentle romance, fans of food-based fiction and small town fiction similar to Jan Karon's Mitford series. show less

Deena Livingston, an young Atlanta pastry chef, has been betrayed by her Atlanta fiance. Not only was he seeing someone else during their engagement, but he crashed the car they were in together and she is convinced she is scarred for life in more ways than one. Out of the blue, she finds out that her deceased grandfather has willed her his house in the North Carolina mountains where she decides to move and start her life over. Little did she know, but Grandpa's terms for her ownership of the cabin included teaching cooking to some down-at-luck middle schoolers in the church after-school program. With the help of her students, social worker Zach, and his developmentally challenged brother who have scars of their own, Deena learns to show more open her heart to love and caring again.
Although the writing seems too simplistic at times and the food-related descriptions a bit of a stretch, the reader can identify with Deena and the steps she takes to physical and emotional well-being. The story is told from a Christian viewpoint; prayer and scripture are part of the road to recovery, although a non-fan of Christian literature would probably not feel bombarded by the message. show less

Although I do not actively seek out Christian fiction, I have to say I can appreciate a good story from any genre and I felt How Sweet It Is fits the bill as a good story. This is the story of Deena, a pastry chef from Atlanta who moves to the mountains of NC after experiencing a painful break-up and an accident that leaves her scarred. In order to remain in her inherited cabin Deena must teach a cooking class at the local community center to young teens. Through the kids and the characters she encounters like the Center's social worker, Zack, Deena learns how to heal in this sweet, heartfelt and quirky novel.