Miss Cecily's Recipes for Exceptional Ladies

A Novel

By: Vicky Zimmerman

Narrated by: Beth Chalmers

When her life falls apart on the eve of her 40th birthday, Kate Parker finds herself volunteering at the Lauderdale House for Exceptional Ladies. There she meets 97-year-old Cecily Finn. Cecily's tongue is as sharp as her mind, but she's fed up with pretty much everything. Having no patience with Kate's choices, Cecily prescribes her a self-help book with a difference.

Food for Thought, a charming 1950s cookbook high on enthusiasm, features menus for anything life can throw at the easily dismayed. So begins an unlikely friendship between two lonely and stubborn soul - one at the end of her life, one stuck in the middle - who both discover one big life lesson: no one should ever be ashamed to ask for more.

©2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC (P)2020 Dreamscape Media, LLC

I liked that she had different recipes for different occasions.

I enjoyed the stories and that she had recipes for certain dishes, over and over again!

lovely!

This is a great reminder of what the elderly among us can offer society, and that a person's best days do not have to be behind them. Living happens until the very end and wise teachings based on a life full of experiences, memories, triumphs, and mistakes are some of the most valuable contributions and gifts one can provide. We are too short on these lessons today and as the collective loses those from the early 20th century, may we continue to strive to pass on simple humanity.

4.5 stars with the benefit of the doubt

Well conceived and nicely told story about a woman figuring out how to define herself rather than let others define her, not through some catastrophic event or crisis, but realistically by learning and growing and listening to other points of view. Kate has always just let life take her where it will. After she meets Cecily she begins to learn to steer her own ship of purpose. Not all of us figure it out by 25, for some of us it takes a little longer. if you like cooking, food, recipes, and women who get smarter, you'll enjoy this book.

Fun read

Great easy read for the beach or vacation. Fun and heartwarming that makes you laugh and cry.

Memorable characters

This was a heartwarming and feel good read. I loved Cecily’s character and the stories she shared of her life.