Recipe for Persuasion

A Novel

By: Sonali Dev

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 13 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the author of Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors comes another, clever, deeply layered, and heartwarming romantic comedy that follows in the Jane Austen tradition - this time, with a twist on Persuasion.

Chef Ashna Raje desperately needs a new strategy. How else can she save her beloved restaurant and prove to her estranged, overachieving mother that she isn’t a complete screwup? When she’s asked to join the cast of Cooking with the Stars, the latest hit reality show teaming chefs with celebrities, it seems like just the leap of faith she needs to put her restaurant back on the map. She’s a chef, what’s the worst that could happen?

Rico Silva, that’s what.

Being paired with a celebrity who was her first love, the man who ghosted her at the worst possible time in her life, only proves what Ashna has always believed: Leaps of faith are a recipe for disaster. 

FIFA-winning soccer star Rico Silva isn't too happy to be paired up with Ashna, either. Losing Ashna years ago almost destroyed him. The only silver lining to this bizarre situation is that he can finally prove to Ashna that he's definitely over her. But when their catastrophic first meeting goes viral, social media becomes obsessed with their chemistry. The competition on the show is fierce...and so is the simmering desire between Ashna and Rico. Every minute they spend together rekindles feelings that pull them toward their disastrous past. Will letting go again be another recipe for heartbreak - or a recipe for persuasion?

In Recipe for Persuasion, Sonali Dev once again takes listeners on an unforgettable adventure in this fresh, fun, and enchanting romantic comedy. 

©2020 Sonali Dev (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Spoiler Alert

Podcast Notes for Romance At a Glance Podcast

Trigger warning
First off I have to say that this is a very loose interpretation of Persuasion. If you are coming with Jane Austen feels then this is not the book for you
However it is a well written story and it works really well.
But I’m torn on my review. If this were a women's fiction book I would have given it 4.5 to 5 stars. The complexity of the world building and character development I thought was superb. Sonali can write. Authors should take note of this woman and how she crafts 3 dimensional characters.

The things that worked for me.
Ashna and her mom trying to find their way back to each other.
The mom sharing her truth though I wish she was brave enough to have just told Ashna without the secret overhearing.
Ashna being as traumatized into adulthood as she was.
She has a narcissistic parent and it is hard to tell you are being manipulated as a child.
I love how vulnerable Rico was and when he told her he didn’t want to be abandoned by her.
There is a disservice because there is no way to know this book has fade to black scenes.
I don not ever want to read fade to black books.
However that is a personal preference.



What Didn’t Work for me
Fade to black sex scenes
Summer quickie need sex and sweet little romance
This book was not for me during summer quickie.
To many heavy subjects in one book.
That it took until the end of the book for people to communicate.
I did not feel like Rico and Ashna earned their love and reconciliation. Because we spent too much time talking about the book.

Loved Listening to it.

While I am not a big fan of Jane Austen I do enjoy Sonali Dev's books and this one was so good. As the backgrounds of the characters are revealed we come to understand each one. Soneela Nankani narrated this in an outstanding way.

The way a love story (or 2) should feel!

Perfectly delicious! The characters were rich in flavor and the plot was just the right blend of angst, sweetness, sadness, and intensity!!

Sonali has done it again

Every book Ms Dev writes is a joy to either read or listen to (listen). There is love, there is passion, there is desire...and there is food! Her plots are well-crafted. We all know in our gut that boy and girl are going to end up together, but Ms. Dev still manages to raise our anxiety and fear levels with plot twists and turns.

I have preferred previous narrators, but this one was not a deal breaker.

I can't wait for the next one!

Love!

It’s safe to say that I love all of Sonali Dev’s books! She is one of my favorite authors. And I always love Soneela’s narration!

Another good book!

Thank you Sonali Dev, another good audiobook. So far I have enjoyed 4 of your books!!!

A Honest and true hearted story...

of the complexities of familial and romantic love. An another amazing love story from Sonali Dev where the love doesn't grow from contrivances but from personal growth. Thank you Sonali Dev for creating honest stories with true heart and three dimensional characters. Thank you Soneela Nankani for bringing this story and these characters to life.

Spoiled by the 1st book

I really enjoyed the 1st book 'Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors' even though it is about different characters they are connected.
' Recipe for Persuasion' was harder to connect with the characters. It is a good summer read without the worry of gaining anything from it.
The narrator was very good in the Audible version and this helped the story.

Great second installment

I enjoyed this as much as the first book in the series. I am already impatiently awaiting the next one.

Corny

I listened to the whole thing but was anxious for it to end. This was not for me.

New favorite Author

My new favorite author. I love the descriptiveness. The author is so up to speed in her stories. If you like Crazy Rich Asians, you’ll also love this!