Monday, April 7, 2008

Review: Deep Dish


Deep Dish by Mary Kay Andrews
4 stars


Reasons for reading: I've enjoyed her other books; I love Southern lit; part of my Southern Triple 8 Challenge list

Book description: After years of hard work, Gina Foxton is the host of her own local Georgia public television show called Fresh Start, and she's dating the show's producer. But when her show gets cancelled, Gina sets her mind to getting a gig on national television. And it just so happens that the Cooking Channel is looking for its next big star. Trouble is, the execs also have their eyes on Mr. "Kill It and Grill It" Tate Moody, the star of a hunting, fishing, and cooking show named Vittles. Tate is the ultimate man's man, with a dog named Moonpie and a penchant for flannel shirts. All Gina has on her side are a free-spirited, college-dropout sister and a mother who calls every single day. Little does Gina know, though, that she and Tate are soon to embark on the cook-off of their lives, spiced up by a little ingredient called love.

My thoughts: Great fun and, like Agnes and the Hitman, it made me hungry! I even copied one of the recipes at the end.

This was another fun romance full of Southern flavour and charm from Mary Kay Andrews. Tate's a dreamboat and Lisa, Gina's sister is a wild child who turns out to be quite a powerhouse of an assistant. Special mention must go to the Foxton girls' mother, who always says her full name when leaving a message on Gina's voicemail when she's relaying some "helpful" advice or a report of how Gina's latest TV appearance has gone down at the beauty parlour in their small hometown.

Tate and Gina end up having their cook-off on a reality TV show set on an almost deserted island, where they have to use only basic staples and what they can find or kill themselves in the wilderness. The outcome of both their relationship and the cook-off is never in doubt, but it's an enjoyable, funny journey to get there.

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