PDF Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books
PDF Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books
Download As PDF : Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books
Lizzy and Jane couldn’t be further from Jane Austen’s famous sisters for whom they are named.
Elizabeth left her family’s home in Seattle fifteen years ago to pursue her lifelong dream—chefing her own restaurant in New York City. Jane stayed behind to raise a family. Estranged since their mother’s death many years ago, the circumstances of their lives are about to bring them together once again.
Known for her absolute command of her culinary domain, Elizabeth’s gifts in the kitchen have begun to elude her. And patrons and reviewers are noticing. In need of some rest and an opportunity to recover her passion for cooking, Elizabeth jumps at the excuse to rush to her sister’s bedside when Jane is diagnosed with cancer. After all, Elizabeth did the same for their mother. Perhaps this time, it will make a difference.
As Elizabeth pours her renewed energy into her sister’s care and into her burgeoning interest in Nick, Jane’s handsome coworker, her life begins to evolve from the singular pursuit of her own dream into the beautiful world of family, food, literature, and love that was shattered when she and Jane lost their mother. Will she stay and become Lizzy to her sister’s Jane—and Elizabeth to Nick’s Mr. Darcy—or will she return to the life she has worked so hard to create?
PDF Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books
"I was so excited to read this book, but It wasn't what I was expecting. When I see the names Lizzy and Jane combined, there are expectations attached to it. Don't get me wrong - the book was well written, but I realized early on that it just wasn't drawing me in. First of all, I didn't like Lizzy. She was self-centered and petty, concerned only with her own happiness, and, being in a funk, she made sure everyone around her felt her pain. I kept reading, hoping for improvement. Enter Jane. Jane is in crisis, and Lizzy, supposedly there to help out, remains her self-centered and petty self for the first bit. She gradually thaws some, makes a few gestures that seem to give her something of an arc, but it still felt half-hearted. Finally toward the end, I started to sense some true change in her, but it was simply not gratifying, since it still seemed like she even made that all about herself. The relationship between Lizzy and Jane was the most painful to read, especially since their namesakes are two of the most affectionate sisters in literature. I did read all the way through, and there was at least some resolution, some promise for a brighter future, but I barely cared by that point. It's sad, because I can tell the author is a talented writer. Based on the references made in some of the other reviews, I will probably buy her first book now, since I do like her writing style even though this particular story wasn't my cup of tea.
Edited - I have found myself reflecting on this book quite a bit, particularly in terms of my own relationships. Any book that does that is worthy of acknowledging. I upped from three to four stars."
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Tags : Lizzy and Jane [Katherine Reay] on . <strong>Lizzy and Jane couldn’t be further from Jane Austen’s famous sisters for whom they are named.</strong> Elizabeth left her family’s home in Seattle fifteen years ago to pursue her lifelong dream—chefing her own restaurant in New York City. Jane stayed behind to raise a family. Estranged since their mother’s death many years ago,Katherine Reay,Lizzy and Jane,Thomas Nelson,1401689736,Christian - Romance,Romance - General,Domestic fiction,Domestic fiction.,Seattle (Wash.),Seattle (Wash.);Fiction.,Sisters,Sisters;Fiction.,American Light Romantic Fiction,FICTION / Christian / Romance,FICTION / General,FICTION / Romance / General,FICTION / Women,Fiction,Fiction related items,Fiction - Romance,Romance,Romance Modern,TOPICAL / Christian Interest,TOPICAL / Women's Interest,best sellers; best books of 2017; 5 star contemporary fiction; best christian fiction books 2017; contemporary romance; contemporary; friendship; christian fiction spiritual; christian romance; clean wholesome; love story stories; contemporary romance novels; christian fiction; books for women; womens fiction; Me Before You; Jane Austen Ruined My Life
Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books Reviews :
Lizzy and Jane Katherine Reay 9781401689735 Books Reviews
- **If you’re a skimmer, please be sure to read to the end… this will probably be long.
Lizzy & Jane by Katherine Reay struck my heart very uniquely. This book is about two sisters who live on opposite sides of the country. Lizzy in New York, and Jane in Seattle. Lizzy living the epitome of city life, busy with her restaurant and panicking that she’s about to lose it because she’s lost the spark in her heart for it; Jane determined not to let chemo get the best of her, yet at a loss for how to keep it from derailing her family. Both sisters unwilling to admit how closed off they have become and how guilty they both feel for being absent when loved ones needed them.
These characters became friends of mine.. they had depth, quirks, and flaws.
To be completely honest, I started out very angry with Lizzy. She was full of herself and thought she had the answers to everything. I didn’t like her, and I certainly didn’t appreciate her attitude. After being reluctant to even call Jane, Lizzy decides she’s going to go cook for Jane, as a way of getting inspired to go back to her restaurant… She assures Jane that she won’t be able to turn down her food, and when Jane can’t eat what she makes (or, more accurately, when she gets sick on it and can’t eat any more), Lizzy takes offense. Oh my goodness.. get over yourself, Lizzy, and think about someone other than yourself.
Jane has adjustments to make too though. She’s shut out her husband and her kids as a way of dealing with her cancer. Their life has become routine and monotonous, and I think she thinks she doesn’t really deserve any different. She has lost her joy but would never tell you that.
After much trial and error, Lizzy finally begins to realize that she needs to ask Jane about her life, her cancer, her treatments, what tastes good vs what doesn’t… and not only ask, but actually listen and get to know her sister. If there’s one thing Jane needs as much as food she can eat, it’s a good listener. A true friend in her sister. Loving her where she is. It was a process, but I began to like the character I was seeing in Lizzy. I loved the morphing I saw in both of them.
This was quite a difficult read for me. I don’t know if you picture what you’re reading or not, but I do. And I saw Jane’s Infusion Center as my own, the waiting area at her oncologist’s office as mine. The parking lot? Same. One of our chemo drugs was the same, and not just in my mind. Maybe one of the steroid & anti-sick drug combinations too… (I remember mine but not hers.)
When I was partway through this book, I mentioned some initial thoughts on it to the friend who had asked if I’d read it. I told her that the writer of this book had either been there herself or had really done some thorough research and listened to people close to her who had been there. Because wow. She captured so much, so accurately. Three years ago the day before yesterday was my second chemo. I may forget many things now, but certain dates and experiences are forever etched into my memory. This book brought emotions and physical things to the forefront of my mind that felt like they were yesterday.
A thread of romance runs through this beautiful story too. It just sort of happens. It’s sweet and doesn’t try to take the spotlight.
Lizzy & Jane gripped my heart in a way that rarely happens. Most of the books on my all-time favorites list aren’t stories I’ve connected with like this one. That doesn’t mean I love this one more, but it means I love it unlike most others. I so needed this book. I’m not sure I knew I did for quite a while, but I did.
This book is a hotdog for me, no question. While I’m generally not big on hotdogs and am very picky about them, they were one of the few foods that I could eat consistently throughout chemo. That being said, I’m glad I read it now rather than during chemo when I originally picked it up and discovered I couldn’t read a book.
I’d never read anything by Katherine Reay prior to this, but I will be reading more. (For those wondering, yes, there are connections to Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice, but aside from the pride and preconceived notions involved in this story that I’ve already mentioned, I’m not going to expand on the connections.) - The volatile relationship between the two sisters seemed a bit immature. Would two adult sisters really fight repeatedly over the past without trying to understand the details? Especially when one sister is going through cancer treatment??? The relationship between Lizzy and Nick wasn't believable to me - too much too soon. I also thought adding the Austen and Hemingway perspective to cooking for cancer patients was silly and not realistic. I wouldn't want to be friends with either of these women --- too much self-inflicted drama.
- “Cancer tilted the world sideways†in Lizzy and Jane. I endured a gamut of emotions and all aspects of cancer. The sensitive focus on the heart of the family as well as the struggles of the patient made this story unforgettable. As Jane “struggles to impose order from chaos,†Lizzy is desperate to give, to reach out and to help. “God is there to hold what is too heavy to carry.†I was entranced by the contrast of strength versus vulnerability. This story is truly a study in contrasts Living or dying, Nurse Cecilia or Nurse Donna, Tyler or Brian, watching or seeing, listening or hearing, appearance versus reality. “If there is one thing I’ve learned, it’s that perspective can change everything.†As Lizzy remembers her mother’s fight with cancer, she discovers that her memories are skewed by time and her maturity. This complicated exploration of relationships and emotions was thought provoking. I don’t know if I relate more to Lizzy or to Jane. Beautifully written with wonderful characters and scenes, “living happens when you pay attention.â€
- I was so excited to read this book, but It wasn't what I was expecting. When I see the names Lizzy and Jane combined, there are expectations attached to it. Don't get me wrong - the book was well written, but I realized early on that it just wasn't drawing me in. First of all, I didn't like Lizzy. She was self-centered and petty, concerned only with her own happiness, and, being in a funk, she made sure everyone around her felt her pain. I kept reading, hoping for improvement. Enter Jane. Jane is in crisis, and Lizzy, supposedly there to help out, remains her self-centered and petty self for the first bit. She gradually thaws some, makes a few gestures that seem to give her something of an arc, but it still felt half-hearted. Finally toward the end, I started to sense some true change in her, but it was simply not gratifying, since it still seemed like she even made that all about herself. The relationship between Lizzy and Jane was the most painful to read, especially since their namesakes are two of the most affectionate sisters in literature. I did read all the way through, and there was at least some resolution, some promise for a brighter future, but I barely cared by that point. It's sad, because I can tell the author is a talented writer. Based on the references made in some of the other reviews, I will probably buy her first book now, since I do like her writing style even though this particular story wasn't my cup of tea.
Edited - I have found myself reflecting on this book quite a bit, particularly in terms of my own relationships. Any book that does that is worthy of acknowledging. I upped from three to four stars.
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