The Welcome Home Diner is the story of two cousins who take a chance by opening a diner together in the "fertile ground" of Detroit, betting on the billions of dollars that are going into its revitalization. The Michigan setting makes this book that much more special to me, since I grew up there (minus 3 high school years) and attended college there...although I've always been a "west coast (of Michigan)" girl. But I've been to Detroit and have friends in the area, and have a soft spot for any part of the mitten.
Like I said, go in armed with the knowledge that if you aren't hungry, you will be before too many pages. There are even a handful of recipes included at the end of the book, giving you the option of bringing some food from The Welcome Home Diner to life in your own kitchen.
And while I do feel the main focus is food, there's plenty of relationships, community, family, life, and a cast of colorful characters woven into the pages and storyline. I'd definitely take a little roadtrip to walk through this diner's front doors and sit in a sunny spot.
You inhale a tingling blast of aromatherapy when lavender-lime soda is placed between your hands.
The Welcome Home Diner
author: Peggy Lampmanpublisher: Lake Union Publishing (October 10, 2017)
genre: Women's Fiction
paperback: 352 pages
"foodie" read: Oh yes.
opening sentence: I take my seat behind the breadboard and plunge my hands into the sticky mound.
teaser: Betting on the city of Detroit’s eventual comeback, cousins Addie and Samantha decide to risk it all on an affordable new house and a culinary career that starts with renovating a vintage diner in a depressed area of town. There’s just one little snag in their vision.
Angus, a weary, beloved local, is strongly opposed to his neighborhood’s gentrification—and his concerns reflect the suspicion of the community. Shocked by their reception, Addie and Samantha begin to have second thoughts.
As the long hours, problematic love interests, and underhanded pressures mount, the two women find themselves increasingly at odds, and soon their problems threaten everything they’ve worked for. If they are going to realize their dreams, Addie and Samantha must focus on rebuilding their relationship. But will the neighborhood open their hearts to welcome them home?
about the author: Peggy Lampman was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. After earning a bachelor’s degree in communications—summa cum laude—from the University of Michigan, she moved to New York City, where she worked as a copywriter and photographer for a public-relations firm. When she returned to Ann Arbor, her college town, she opened a specialty foods store, the Back Alley Gourmet. Years later, she sold the store and started writing a weekly food column for the Ann Arbor News and MLive. Lampman’s first novel, The Promise Kitchen, published in 2016, garnered several awards and accolades. She is married and has two children.
connect with the author: website | blog | facebook | twitter
recipe inspired by the book: Lavender Lime Soda
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Yield: varies (+ 3 cups simple syrup)
Lavender-Lime Soda (and Lavender Simple Syrup)
prep time: 1 hour and 30 MINScook time: 1 MINStotal time: 1 hours and 31 mins
This fizzy lime soda is rounded out with smooth, fragrant lavender; it's a delight for the senses!
ingredients:
For the Lavender Simple Syrup:
- 2 cups cold water
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup food-grade dried lavender flowers
For the Lavender-Lime Soda (amount listed for 1 serving, multiply as needed):
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons Lavender Simple Syrup
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (from approx. 4 medium limes)
- 8 ounces (1 cup) cold Club Soda
instructions:
Make the Simple Syrup (yield: 3 cups)
- Combine water, sugar, and lavender in a medium pot and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Once all of the sugar has dissolved, remove from heat and allow to steep for at least 30 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a jar or bottle with a lid (discard solids). Refrigerate until cold before proceeding. Will keep covered in fridge for up to 3 weeks.
Make the Lavender-Lime Soda:
- Stir the lavender simple syrup and lime juice together. Pour the club soda over. Enjoy immediately!
notes
This is easily multiplied (and the recipe makes enough simple syrup for 8 servings), but I recommend making a big batch only if you're going to serve it fairly quickly, so that the club soda does not lose its fizz.
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