The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

By: Amy E. Reichert

Narrated by: C.S.E Cooney

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

In downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Lou works tirelessly to build her beloved yet struggling French restaurant, Luella's, into a success. She cheerfully balances her demanding business and even more demanding fiancé...until the morning she discovers him in the buff - with an intern.

Witty yet gruff British transplant Al is keeping himself employed and entertained by writing scathing reviews of local restaurants in the Milwaukee newspaper under a pseudonym. When an anonymous tip sends him to Luella's, little does he know that he's arrived on the worst day of the chef's life. The review practically writes itself: underdone fish, scorched sauce, distracted service - he unleashes his worst.

The day that Al's mean-spirited review of Luella's runs, Lou and Al cross paths in a pub. As they chat, Al playfully challenges Lou to show him the best of Milwaukee, and she's game - but only if they never discuss work, which Al readily agrees to. As they explore the city's local delicacies and their mutual attraction, Lou's restaurant faces closure, while Al's column gains popularity. It's only a matter of time before the two fall in love...but when the truth comes out, can Lou overlook the past to chase her future?

©2015 Amy Reichert (P)2015 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Deliciously entertaining!" (Meg Donohue, author of Dog Crazy)

Cute story, terrible narrator

This is a good comfort read, but the narrator was very monotone and mispronounced many words.

Such a yummy read!

I was extremely impressed by this book. I'm not sure what I expected going in, I've read plenty of positive reviews before picking it up, but for a debut novel, Reichert just blew me away.

Such a cute storyline and incredible writing in this book. Set in Milwaukee, the city and all of the things it has to offer provided much of the purpose of the plot, and I loved every bit of it. There aren't many things I miss about living up north, but Summerfest and cream puffs and cheese curds would show up on the list of things I miss every once in a while (when I forget about the cold and the snow). Milwaukee does have such great character, I loved how Reichert chose to use it in such a way to mold this story.

I loved Lou and after a while I loved Al too, as well as the conflict that brings them together or the one that pushes them apart. I loved the details in the supporting characters - Sue and Harley and the elderly German couple who were regulars at Lou's restaurant. They truly heightened the story and really tied it together nicely. The descriptions of the food were mouth-watering. I have never once wanted to try coconut cake until this book. That recipe sounds delicious and I may just have to give it a shot.

This is a story about fighting for your dreams, never settling, finding the good in things, friendship, love and second chances. You won't be disappointed if you give this one a read.

The narrator also did a great job at bringing the characters to life.

I loved this book!

This was a nice love story, and while it was predictable, I loved the book. Narration was really good, too.

Come for the charming love story; stay for the love letter to Milwaukee

This book held my hand and made me smile, sniffle a little and ultimately feel satisfied and content. It reminded me of summer nights listening to music, happy afternoons sampling Sprecher sodas and beers, and the joy of being hand in hand with someone special.

sweet cute

it's nice to have some romantic stories without all the cursing and sexual innuendos. I wish they had more stories like that

Milwaukee Meets "You've Got Mail"

Absolutely loved the writing! The plot was alluring which made it impossible to stop listening.

A little predictable but an enjoyable story for foodies

This was a sweet break from some of the more suspenseful and tragedy based fiction that is popular now. The performance was excellent and easy to listen to.

Fun and oh so sweet!

I really enjoyed this romance that is all the more realistic for how the two come together, become friends with their feelings growing over time. Not a perfect book but one I enjoyed enough to listen to in just two sittings.

Read it, don’t listen!

I really wish I would have read this book instead of listening to it. The story was very enjoyable & I really liked the characters, but the narrator was horrible. Her voice was flat & boring, she mispronounced words, & her attempt at a male British accent & elderly Germans was abominable… so painful. I should’ve quit the audible & just read the book. I stuck with it because I enjoyed the story, & as someone who lives in Milwaukee, I loved the familiarity of all the places referenced. Don’t miss the book, but read it, don’t listen.

A really fun story

A really fun story made you feel like you were in Milwaukee and you actually got to know the people