No Place I’d Rather Be

By: Cathy Lamb

Narrated by: Lisa Flanagan, Kate Reading

Length: 14 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's Summary

Food, family, and secrets combine in Cathy Lamb's emotional and deeply honest novel as one woman discovers the recipes and life lessons that have shaped her family's past, and could guide her toward a second chance at happiness.

Two years ago, Olivia Martindale left behind her Montana hometown and her husband, Jace, certain it was the best decision for both of them. Back temporarily to protect her almost-adopted daughters from their biological mother, she discovers an old, handwritten cookbook in the attic. Its pages are stained and torn, their edges scorched by flame. Some have been smeared by water or tears. The recipes are written in different hands and in different languages. In between the pages are intriguing mementos, including a feather, a pressed rose, a charm, and unfamiliar photographs.

Hoping the recipes will offer a window into her grandmother's closely guarded past, Olivia decides to make each dish, along with their favorite family cake recipes, and video record her attempts. The result, like much of her life to date, involves a parade of near-disasters and chaotic appearances by her doctor mother, her blunt grandma, her short-tempered sister, and Olivia's two hilarious daughters. The project is messy, real - and an unintended hit with her viewers.

Even more surprising is the family history Olivia is uncovering, and her own reemerging ties to Montana, and to Jace. Generations of women have shared these recipes, offering strength and nourishment to each other and their loved ones. Now it's Olivia's turn to find healing - and determine where her home and her heart truly belong.

©2017 Cathy Lamb (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Overall good book

The one issue I had was how the main character kept going on and on about having sex with her husband, mentioned once or twice was ok - but over and over was just annoying

Wonderful story!

One of my favorite listens!!!! I fell I love with every character. I want to visit this family! I didn’t want it to end!

I usually love Cathy Lamb

But the writing was too repetitive. How many times do I need to rehear so many explanations of them being tough Montana women, why the girls are with her…. In junior high and high school you are taught not to re use word sand phrases when when writing. This book read like an amateur story. I did like the reminder that we need to learn from WW2.

one of the best books I have listened to.

the story line was soo good that I would rewind if I missed something I thought was important. it's full of love and family with a dash of history that I enjoyed learning and would love to learn more. I wish there was a recipe book that went with this book.

Ten stars

What a beautiful story, sweet, a story of brave women, I really enjoyed it, well performed also
It was a delight

Very repetitive

I will start by saying the Grandmother's story was great. The flow would have been stronger had she been the main character. Honestly, it felt like the author was writing a paper for school that had a word count or perhaps thought her readers were too stupid to remember major details. It was repetitive to the point of being annoying (i.e the Montana woman comment said no less than 100 times that was obnoxious and unbelieveable or the constant rehashing of the items/their history/family members roles and names). The last 3 hours is when the path towards annoyance truly set in. If the repetition was cut out and Chloe's character toned down A LOT I really feel like this book would have been a homerun. Another glaring issue is the use of social media with foster children, very minimal research would have told the author that is not allowed. I know I said a lot of knit picky things but this story is still very worthwhile and you will love Olivia's Grandma instantly. The flashbacks are the highlight and I found myself sobbing during most of those chapters. I liked that the flashbacks had a deeper voice narrator. It felt authentic to their storyline to have a voice that conveyed deep sadness and anguish.

Love Cathy Lamb!!!

Cathy writes with such detail and hilarity!!! I have loved each and every one of her characters. Each one has characteristics you can relate to in some way or another. This particular family I fell in love with instantly! I enjoyed the two different narrators ...this gave the story even more depth when listening.

interesting storyline and performances

Interesting story with great performances. Would like to find more from this author. I like how you learned about each character slowly.

Beautiful and emotional story of family and love

This is a stunning story of love, loss, and triumph. Follow a family for generations as they fight to find a life after every devastation that chased them across time and continentinets. This story feeds the heart with hope for the enduring strength of family, the one you are born to and the one you choose.

Fabulous Story

I'm new to this author & narrators but loved every minute of the story and didn't want it to end. The characters are people that you want to hang out with. I had so much fun listening to the story