When in Doubt, Add Butter

A Novel

By: Beth Harbison

Narrated by: Orlagh Cassidy

From the New York Times bestselling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Always Something There to Remind Me, When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison a delicious new novel about the search for true love and all the ingredients that go into it.

As far as Gemma is concerned, her days of dating are over. In fact, it's her job to cater other peoples' dates, and that's just fine by her. At thirty-seven, she has her own business, working as a private chef, and her life feels full and secure. She's got six steady clients that keep her hands full.

There's Lex, the fussy but fabulous department store owner who loves Oysters Rockefeller and 1950s comfort food; Willa, who needs to lose weight under doctor's orders but still believes butter makes everything better; a colorful family who may or may not be part of the Russian mob; an überwealthy Georgetown family; the picture-perfect Van Houghtens, whose matriarch is "allergic to everything"; and finally, a man she calls "Mr. Tuesday," whom she has never met but who she is strangely drawn to.

For Gemma, cooking is predictable. Recipes are certain. Use good ingredients, follow the directions, and you are assured success. Life, on the other hand, is full of variables. So when Gemma's takes an unexpected turn on a road she always thought was straight and narrow, she must face her past and move on in ways she never would have imagined. Because sometimes in life, all you need is a little hope, a lot of courage, and---oh yes---butter.

Critic reviews

“Narrator Orlagh Cassidy brightly inhabits the character of 37-year-old Gemma Craig, a funny, overthinking, unattached private chef. Cassidy brings out Gemma's calm, contemplative moments with smooth sensuality that also makes for mouth-watering descriptions of food…Cassidy's dynamic reading engages the listener and effectively reflects the tone of this chick-lit.” —<i>AudioFile Magazine</i>

Enjoyed

Any additional comments?

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to it in 2 days. I really like the narrator.

Predictable Fun - Audio Book Comfort Food

Would you listen to When in Doubt, Add Butter again? Why?

Maybe, if I wanted something mindless to zone out to again. It's not the kind of book that really merits more than one listen otherwise.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I was rather fond of the crazy Russians, and wish there had been more of them. I would love to read a book just about Vlad's crazy psychic adventures and clients.

Which scene was your favorite?

Not any one scene in particular, but the mini-scenes of cooking in general were great. Harbison has a gift for describing delicious meals, and I'd be lying if I said it didn't inspire me to do a little extra baking of my own.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

You pretty much know exactly what's going to happen next, so it's not one where you're glued to the story. It's funny and nice enough though that I was happy to listen to it fairly quickly, as just a thing to have on in the background.

Any additional comments?

Cassidy has a nice narration overall, but she had a bad habit of giving certain characters extremely nasal voices. This can be pretty grating at times.

As a side note, the audiobook only has a little explicit sex (chapter 4, I think?), but has enough adult language and situations I wouldn't listen to it on speaker around teens or conservative older people. It was still a lot of fun though, that's just an FYI for anyone trying to figure out what they can safely play around grandma (or not).

Great feel good book

Where does When in Doubt, Add Butter rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Loved it! in my top 5 for sure

Have you listened to any of Orlagh Cassidy’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not yet but I will now

Any additional comments?

Such a great story I loved how they connected and you hoped it was him but still weren't quite sure.

Surprisingly good!

It started out a little wobbly, and I wasn’t sure if made a good purchase. But, suddenly, the pace picked up. Then we’re boasting along with a decent enough read then WHAM! Huge surprises everywhere! It turned out to be a really good book.

A Super Summer Read

What a slice of life in one super read. I did not want this story to end. Orlagh Cassidey, as always, a voice that I could listen to all day.
Reading a story is one thing but when listening to a story the narration is what helps to develop the characters, the surroundings...the story. I have listened to all books by BH and look forward to the next!