Review: Smitten with Ravioli, by Ellen Jacobson

I've been reading Ellen Jacobson's hilarious cozy mysteries for years now, and we are (full disclosure time) fellow members of a cozy-mystery-writers' group and share beta reads, etc. Despite all that, it took me a long time to come around to read Smitten With Ravioli, mostly because I kind of have an unfair attitude about romance. I should have had more faith in Ellen's sense of humor. 

Oh, and yes, I noticed that I'm rather late with this post. It was a busy weekend.

Title: Smitten with Ravioli

Author: Ellen Jacobson

Publication Info: Published 2020. 237 pages (paperback edition)

Source: Honestly, I'm not sure. The author may have given me a review copy when it came out, or I may have picked it up on a free day or as a 99-cent ebook. In any case, the review is purely my own take on the book.

Publisher's blurb:
Love is on the menu in this sweet romantic comedy set in Italy. Ginny's Italian cooking course was supposed to be a peaceful escape from her troubles. But when she meets Preston, an infuriating know-it-all history professor, she quickly realizes her past has come back to haunt her. The last thing Ginny needs is for Preston to find out who she really is. Her plan seems foolproof—assume a fake identity and keep her distance from the pretentious jerk. But when they’re forced to work together, Ginny starts to see a different side of Preston. She’s torn between her desire to reveal who she really is and her fear that she’ll lose everything in the process. Will Ginny be able to trust Preston with her heart, or will love turn out to be the ultimate recipe for disaster? If you like quirky characters, happily ever afters, and the occasional drooling cat, you’ll love Ginny and Preston’s story.

My Review:
There were a lot of great laugh-aloud moments in this book (though those laughs usually came with a cringe), and the ending is truly sweet. The story is a fast, enjoyable read. 

Now, there's no denying that Ginny is an idiot, at least in terms of how she runs her personal life. From my rather cynical (not to say elderly) position, I wanted to administer constant dope-slaps alternating with lecture. Probably it's just as well I'm not her mother, since I doubt either would be helpful.

In spite of my reaction to the myriad ways Ginny is screwing up her life, I cannot tell I lie: I loved the story. Once I got past my own reluctance to read about anyone's romance, I kept turning pages to see how she would trip over her own feet--or her tongue--next. Ellen really is the master of writing the highly intelligent idiot.

My Recommendation:
If you like romance even a little, Ellen Jacobson's "Smitten With..." series looks like a great place to find hours of diversion. The book is, as advertised, squeaky-clean, with neither language or actions to which anyone could object.

FTC Disclosure: I received nothing from the writer or publisher (beyond possibly a review copy) for my honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own and those of no one else.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."  

©Rebecca M. Douglass, 2024
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