Che-Michelle Tales

Book Review

Book: Digging Up Love: Taste of Love

Author: Chandra Blumberg

Published: January 1, 2022

Wine Choice:  Sugar Sweet Wine ( Muscat/Moscato)

Stand Alone, Series, or Other: Series-ish

Type of book: Novel

Genre: Fiction; Romance

How long did it take me to read this book:   Approximately One Week

Audible: One Week

I wanted to start the year with “Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah,” but as I read, I realized that the book had serious themes.  I  wanted to start the year off with a softer note, with some PG-friendly romance.  So, Taste of Ginger will be my next reading conquest at the end of January.

This was an easy romance book; you could finish it in a weekend.  However, I rarely identify with both main characters.  First, Alisha is a family-focused woman but wants to experience life outside her small town.  In the small town, you have a few of the same usual suspects, an overbearing parent, an understanding, loving parent, a noisy neighbor, and a brutally honest best friend, also a sibling that escaped the small-town life.  Next is Quentin, a  brilliant professor who has a career-defining moment.  Quentin’s support included a  reformed playboy best friend, a loveable older sibling, an overbearing parent critical of his son’s life choices, and a  host of supporting characters ( graduate students) that helped showcase his personality.

I wish we would have gotten a bit more of the Alisha and Quentin courtship, but what we did get was two people who understood and appreciated each other.  I realized the toxicity from the parents/guardian, mainly the father figures.  The father figures in the book reminded me of my grandfather, who believed his word was bond and final.  When trying to find your path as an adult, this overbearing nature can make you second guess your decisions.  Alisha always seems to doubt starting her own business.  Quentin constantly dealing with the disrespect of his father made him feel insecure.  I enjoyed how the author integrated different types of toxicity but not from the main characters but from co-workers and parents.   I enjoyed how the author allowed each character to find resolution with their toxic parents and assert themselves as adults.

In honor of Alisha’s baking endeavors, I sip on a Sweet White Wine, which completes the fantasy of Sugar Cookies and other delectable treats.  This sweet wine is made from Muscat/Moscato grape, so a little goes a long way.  It also made me feel like it complimented  Alisha’s naïve nature helped mellow Quentin overbearing times.  I am located in Maryland, so we had a mini snow event, and this book and wine made for a perfect, feel-good read on the weekend. 

Sidenote: I feel horrible saying this, but  I sometimes wish there were more or more minorities that would break into voice acting.  There were times where the vocal affliction of some of the readers felt off, but it was still a great weekend read if you want a lovey-dovey story.  This is a PG-rated book with no hot and heavy schmex scenes, maybe some heavy necking or petting.

Also, this book would make a great Hallmark Movie or even Netflix movie.  I have my vision for Alisha and Quentin, and since the characters are so diverse, we will get a fantastic cast.

I hope you enjoy this review.

Che Michelle

p.s.  Would you like to hear my actor/actress’s choice for each character in this book?  Let me know in the comments.