Luscious Lemon Quotes and Reviews
From the American Library Association’s Booklist magazine
Feisty Ellie “Lemon” Manelli finally seems to have everything she has always wanted. Her eponymous New York restaurant has just celebrated its first anniversary, with reservations in demand. When she unexpectedly finds herself pregnant, Lemon’s not quite sure how she is going to balance the stress of the growing popularity of her restaurant with caring for a baby. Her old-fashioned Southern boyfriend, Eddie, is determined to have a real family, but Lemon doesn’t want to give up her independence and career and resents anyone’s suggestion that she slow down. Then Ellie loses her baby, and is forced to realize that her stubbornness has damaged her relationships with her employees, her friends, and Eddie, maybe for good. Swain deals with the powerful emotions of pregnancy and miscarriage with seriousness, sensitivity, grace, and humor. The care she takes with her characters shines throughout the book, and readers are sure to respond.
–Aleksandra Kostovski
Excerpted from Arizona Republic New & Notables
“The narrator and heroine of this appealing novel is 30-year-old Ellie Manelli, known as Lemon to her friends and her large Italian family. Lemon’s parents were killed in a train accident when she was 6, and she was raised by her grandmother and aunts, who are a loving but meddlesome audience to all that goes on in Lemon’s life. She is in love with her longtime boyfriend, Eddie. She and her trendy restaurant, also called Lemon, are the toast of New York City . She suspects that she might be pregnant, a prospect that is both daunting and exhilarating. What lifts this novel above cute family banter and the behind-the-scenes life of a busy restaurant is something that Swain makes very real indeed: Lemon miscarries, and experiences all of the sorrow, anger and guilt that such a loss entails. Particularly effective are short passages in which we follow the development of the baby (unlike Lemon, we know it’s a girl), and contemplate her connection to her young mother and to the grandmother who died so long ago.”
–Anne Stephenson
“Swain has a talent for getting into the gritty reality of a situation, whether she’s describing the manic kitchen at Lemon’s restaurant or the quirks of her bitter, crazy aunt. Every character is fully developed, from Lemon’s stoic grandmother to her delicate, wise pastry chef. Among chapters are poetic vignettes describing the development of Lemon’s baby. Readers looking for a breezy chick lit novel won’t find it here. [Swain] tackles a heartbreaking turn of events with a winning style.”
Excerpted from Midwest Book Review
“Ellie Manelli has gone around the world tasting exotic food everywhere, but now in her twenties she opens up an East Village restaurant she names after her nickname, Lemon, which is a success. Her Brooklyn based Italian family could care less about Lemon as they want her to come home to her roots, marry, and have a ton of bambinos. Eddie wants to be that man having proposed several times, but Ellie puts him off having commitment problems traced back to her deceased wanderlust parents who dumped her on relatives when she was a child. However, the dynamics change when Lemon hit the roof once too many and becomes pregnant. Eddie is thrilled and wants to do the right thing although he doubts his wealthy Georgia family will welcome an Italian person into their blue blooded lives. Her family led by her overbearing drill sergeant aunts pushes her to wed the father though he is not Italian. However, before she decides, the dynamics change when she miscarries. Depressed will Ellie marry Eddie, a Brooklyn Italian, or stay single? This is a gloomy look at the single life in New York though readers will appreciate Ellie’s lust for life.Readers will appreciate this well written urban drama and look forward to the next fruitful Heather Swain novel.”
Excerpted from Chicklitbooks.com
“Ever read a book so good that it makes you cry? I have to admit I’m not one much to cry over movies and books very often. But [ Luscious Lemon ] was so painfully honest and touching that I really couldn’t help myself. There are some serious undertones to the story, such as loss and grief, and the author handles it outstandingly well. [Swain's] descriptions of loss and grief in particular really stood out to me because it is right on target. Anyone who has lost someone in their lives will be able to appreciate this book.”
Excerpted from Curled Up with a Good Book
“Luscious Lemon is a surprisingly poignant chick-lit novel. I almost even hesitate to call this chick lit because the subject matter is much more touching and deep than the cover art and back cover blurb make it seem. Above all, this is a story about an unplanned pregnancy and the effects that has on all of the people it touches. Author Heather Swain deals with the subject of loss in a way that only someone who has been there can.
The exquisite food references, deep emotional resonance, and an intriguing plot all make Luscious Lemon a delight to savor. Ultimately, the humor and compassion Swain brings to her story uplifts rather than drags the reader into depression. For a heartfelt look at life and love, Luscious Lemon is one to move to the top of your list.”
Excerpted from AOL Online Book Review
“On the surface there are little vignettes of life on the cusp of age thirty and mouth-watering descriptions of Lemon’s epicurean delights, but despite its sassy tone, this novel may surprise readers with its deeper, very human story. Older characters, well-seasoned by life, offer advice to Lemon that will reverberate in readers’ hearts, and friends and lovers offer forgiveness, despite their own heartaches. Most inspiring is Eddie’s tenderness toward Lemon. Here are two lovers whose story should be lingered over and savored. Treat yourself well; treat yourself to LUSCIOUS LEMON.”
Excerpted from Romance Junkies
“While LUSCIOUS LEMON may be part of the “chick-lit” genre, it takes the entire genre and turns it up on its head in some ways. Deeper and more reflective, Lemon’s story will touch the soul of each and every person who reads it. I was laughing, crying, and remembering my own wacky family as I read this heartfelt story about some of life’s biggest changes.”
