I wanted to love this book. Armour Provence is well written, but it is not so much a novel but a stroll through tiny French villages looking into the lives of a series of characters. The stories of the characters are interesting but lacked overall cohesiveness. Knowing that the book focuses on multiple characters as the main story might have helped me enjoy it more.

It took longer than I expected to be engaged by this story. However, the story really began to unfold once Janie and Dr. Anderson met. It is much more than a story about reincarnation. It is about what a mother will do to help her child. It is about finding answers when none seem to exist. It is about love, forgiveness, and family. The story lends itself well to group discussion as there are many topics to explore. Persevere past the first 70 pages. The story is worth the wait.

The concurrent story lines make for a very interesting approach to the premise of one night, two possibilities. Written in a very engaging manner that keeps you reading, the book will be enjoyed by a wide variety of readers. Very enjoyable as a personal read, but will lend itself to a lively discussion about fate, choices, and the road not taken. My favorite line was one the author wrote for her husband (read the acknowledgments.)

If you enjoy a great recipe and a story to go with it, Three Many Cooks is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Book clubs with "foodies" would enjoy the discussion food plays in our lives - both for sustenance and it's ability to bind people through shared experiences. A feel good read that will have you thinking about your family's favorite meals.

As a foodie, I enjoyed the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from various top notch cookbooks. Any foodie would enjoy the cooking references throughout the book. Initially, I was not drawn to either of the main characters of The Good Luck Girls of Shipwreck Lane. I love Aunt Midge and her attitude about life and the way she helped those she loved work through the troubles they have. Somewhere in the middle of the story, I was drawn into the lives of Janey and Nean. While not a substantial literary read, it is enjoyable and would provide good discussion about life choices, honesty, forgiveness, and second chances.