Starred review from December 3, 2012
Set in present-day Washington, D.C., Bate’s engaging debut concerns 26-year-old Hannah Sugarman, who continues to let her overbearing, well-meaning parents dictate her life’s trajectory. After her disenchanted boyfriend, Adam Prescott, leaves her for her nemesis Millie Roberts, Hannah moves into Blake Fischer’s basement apartment. Eager to turn over a new leaf and egged on by her best friend Rachel, Hannah decides to covertly pursue her culinary dreams by hosting a
series of imaginative— albeit illegal— supper clubs. After a series of mishaps render Hannah’s apartment unfit for guests, she and Rachel decide to utilize Blake’s impressive kitchen and home without his knowledge. Blake slowly transitions from landlord to friend, but as he works for a congressman and has political aspirations, it becomes clear that he’s against operating an unlicensed business and would never approve of Hannah’s secret life. As her business grows more popular, Hannah grapples with what to do. Bate’s writing is smart and compelling—especially as she chronicles why Hannah’s tedious think-tank job proves to be a wrong fit—and also captures the magic and frustration of dating a seemingly perfect guy who never has any time for Hannah. Even Bate’s implausible happy ending feels right. Agent: Scott Miller, Trident Media Group.
December 15, 2012
Adam's parents have finally invited Hannah to dinner. They have finally acknowledged her existence after an ill-fated luncheon nine months ago. All she has to do is keep her mouth shut. All she has to do is keep the secret that she and Adam have been living together for three months. Can she do it? No. Unable to control her behavior or her tongue, Hannah Sugarman is not having a good year. The political aspirations--not to mention the parents--of her boyfriend, Adam, bump up against her wild, unpredictable spirit. Her own parents, professors who hope she shares their academic tendencies, would be astonished to learn that Hannah actually dreams of attending culinary school, starting a catering company and even running an underground supper club. Sadly, she currently works as a research assistant at the Institute for Research and Discourse, appropriately dubbed NIRD. As if analyzing public policy weren't bad enough, she has to deal with Millie every day. The Millie who introduced her to Adam. The Millie who wants to steal Adam away. The Millie who will very likely have Adam all to herself after Adam dumps her and gives her a matter of weeks to find a new home. Losing her entire social network, however, brings Hannah to the doorstep of Blake Fischer, who offers her a basement apartment. Blake also has his own very tempting kitchen, which he hasn't technically offered to her, but it isn't long before Hannah and her friend Rachel surreptitiously use it for a secret supper club. Hannah's talents reap instant success, a new-but-weirdly-uncommunicative boyfriend, fresh encounters with Adam and Millie, and increasing guilt over deceiving Blake. Journalist and debut novelist Bate deftly conjures up a witty, resilient heroine, surrounds her with delightful friends and frenemies, and sends them all on a rollicking quest for love and delicious food.
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