The Kitchen Mistress by Kathleen Shoop is book three in the Letter Series and can be read as a stand alone. However, if you have a chance to read the first two before you pick this one up, I would encourage you to do so. I, myself, haven't read the first two but after reading this third book, I will be grabbing the first two and reading them to get a better understanding of what happened to Katherine and her family. However, as a stand alone, this was a great read!
The Kitchen Mistress is a story about a family reunited in their hometown of Des Moines, Iowa in the 1800s. We learn of Katherine's ability to see spirits and angels and loved ones who have passed on, a gift her mother tries to ignore. We also learn of the family's financial struggles, homelessness and challenges of rebuilding a life after a well-known and not so pretty past. Violet Pendergrass takes them in and gives them jobs. Violet allows them to stay in her back property as long as they keep the main house and garden. This is when Kathrine becomes the kitchen mistress and when a blessing of room and board brings Katherine and the family more challenges.
As their family and lives began to slowly fall back into place, it starts to fall apart again as Katherine must choose where her loyalties lie and truly must decide if love is worth losing it all. This story has a thought out plot that carries deep emotions and heartfelt moments. It's a story about family, hardship, love, mystery and survival. I hope there is a book four because I have so many questions!
I rated this book a 4 out of 5. It took me a little bit to get into and didn't capture me right away BUT as I continued to read, I started to get sucked in. This ended up being a great book, even for a reader who doesn't generally read historical books. I felt connected with the characters, especially Katherine. Katherine is a strong woman who tries so hard for herself and her family and who continued to believe in herself throughout the story. I love to read about strong women like Katherine, so I really enjoyed getting to know her better.
There is so much more to write about this book but I don't want to give away too much to any potential readers! I highly encourage you to get this book, cozy up by the fire with a cup of coffee and enjoy a great evening of good reading!
