Delicious

By: Sherry Thomas

Narrated by: Virginia Leishman

Length: 11 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

Famous in Paris, infamous in London, Verity Durant is as well-known for her mouthwatering cuisine as for her scandalous love life. But that's the least of the surprises awaiting her new employer when he arrives at the estate of Fairleigh Park following the unexpected death of his brother.

To rising political star Stuart Somerset, Verity Durant is just a name and food is just food, until her first dish touches his lips. Only one other time had he felt such pure arousal - a dangerous night of passion with a stranger, who disappeared at dawn.

Ten years is a long time to wait for the main course, but when Verity Durant arrives at his table, there's only one thing that will satisfy Stuart's appetite for more. But is his hunger for lust, revenge - or that rarest of delicacies, love? For Verity's past has a secret that could devour them both even as they reach for the most delicious fruit of all....

©2008 Sherry Thomas (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic Reviews

"A Cinderella story with a compelling culinary twist, Thomas's scrumptious Victorian confection...proves impossible to resist." ( Publishers Weekly)

A light historical romance

There was good and bad for me with this one. The narration was great and the ending came together, and I liked Stuart and Verity enough to want to find out how their story ends. But for much of the story we go back and forth through time, which made it a difficult story to listen too. I think this would be a better story in book form as you are less likely to get lost. I rewound a lot to see what date the story was in. It was a cute historical regency romance, but there are some plot twists that I felt was too unbelievable to swallow without rolling my eyes. But this author can write, and despite some big flaws in the story it held my interest to the end. Also, the speaker was fantastic, which helped make this one a good listen.

Sherry Thomas, Wonderful as Always!

I avoided this title for years because I got it in my head that it was a book about food. Ha! Sherry Thomas could write a shopping list about food, and it would still be worth reading. This was a lovely, poignant romance about love and loss, pain and endurance, with some delicious descriptions of various dishes, and a well-fought-for happily-ever-after. I'm so glad I came to my senses!

So perfect

Rarely are the principal characters of a Regency story in the more “mature” stage of life. I adored that the heroine isn’t an inexperience no-nothing. I loved that the hero isn’t some titled noble who can use his money/status to make everything right. I treasured the description of their not-so-perfect bodies. But I my heart swelled at the devotion detailed — Verity and Stuart. Verity and Michael. It was such a well-done book. Brilliant!

Utterly wonderful

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, because the quality of writing, the inventive storyline, and the sympathetic characters all add up to an exquisite gem of a book.

What other book might you compare Delicious to and why?

Story-wise, nothing really comes to mind. It's a unique take on the Cinderella fairy tale, so it's difficult to find anything comparable. But writing-wise, she's right up there with Diana Gabaldon. Thomas can describe things so richly, with such attention to choosing the precise word or phrase, that it makes the reader feel as if she is witnessing the scene first hand.

Which scene was your favorite?

Probably the second bathtub scene, and its aftermath. I also liked the confrontation near the very end. I won't say more because to do so would be giving away too much.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I loved the scene where Verify explains things to Michael. She had been holding so many secrets for so many years, and this scene just undid me as the truth, at long last, is revealed.

Any additional comments?

I don't do many reviews, but this book was so intoxicating, beautifully imagined, exquisitely written, and profoundly touching for me that I wanted to weigh in.

It's a take on the Cinderella fairy tale, so a certain amount of suspension of disbelief is required here. There are actions and experiences, especially on the part of the two leading women that are unlikely to have happened in that time and place. (Late Victorian England) So just accept the premise of a fairy tale as you read, and you'll be fine.

The narration is also spot-on; a perfect, well-modulated voice makes this book come alive. I plan to look for other books by this narrator, something I've never done before. That's how much I loved it!

The prose in Delicious is decadent and rich. Food descriptions are sensual, seductive and bold. You can feel the heat of the kitchen, smell the fragrances of decadent foods wafting through the air, you can hear the snaps and pops of meat being gently fried...all of your senses are engaged in Ms Thomas's glorious prose. She brings this story to life, creating a fully dimensional experience for the reader/listener. This is romantic literary fiction at its finest.

I loved the story, a loving look at a very grown-up Cinderella. Verity, the heroine, has created a place for herself through hard work and exacting patience. She is self-sufficient, glamorous in a hot and sweaty kitchen environment, and exceedingly smart. There's Stuart, brilliant, driven, single-minded; a man who has risen from nearly nothing to the halls of Parliment. These two have much in common, but both have had their hearts broken and know they cannot endure another such failure. They dance around each other, tempted, drawn by forces they don't clearly understand. Obstacle after obstacle stands in their way, daunting and implacable. No longer young, each realizes that this is their last chance to grab that brass ring, the love each desperately wants. But their fears and insecurities hobble them, haunt them, nearly freezing them in their tracks. Nearly.

For me, this book was un-put-downable. It held me, enraptured, from beginning to end. Nothing in my life was as important as this novel, at least not on that day! If you want to read something unusual, if you like your heroines strong and smart, if you fall for heroes who have quiet charisma and kind hearts, if you long to drown yourself in a rising tide of elegant, passionate prose, this is your book. Just remember...it's a fairy tale. Let go of the reins, accept the world Thomas has created and relax....you'll be glad you did!

put the narrator on 1.5 x speed shes so slow

Would you listen to Delicious again? Why?

yes!!! it was a crazy and wonderful book!!!

Any additional comments?

The narrator was far to slow at reading.

Delicious Read

Great book for food and romance novel lovers. Well written and great storyline. Tugs at the heart. A book worth the hours. Some books will drag on but this was well thought out and well researched.

A Cinderella story

The audio of this was fantastic! I feel like I gained 10 pounds listening to this lol
The story itself was good but the fact that Verity and Stuart didn't get together until well over half way irritated me. But it was still entertaining.

One of the Best Romances, Ever

This has to be the most wonderful stories. Delicious is a great title because that’s exactly what this story is. I almost had to stop listening every once and awhile so I could think about the prose , the plot and the characters.
The actor reading the story added so much to the experience. Well done all.

Didn’t love

I’ve listened to a few Sherry Thomas books, this was by far my least favorite. I don’t get food as sensual. I also really don’t like when a relationship is developed in a book only physically. I can’t buy in and care enough, when that’s the only thing the 2 have. And that’s exactly what this book was.

Loved this book, highly recommended

Everything about this book is wonderful. The writing, the performance, the recording. I don’t want to give any spoilers so will just say that it is a rarity among romance novels - it is grownup, humorous, touching, sensual, suspenseful , honest, and thoughtful. Definitely goes on the re-listen/re-read list.