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Published by She Writes Press
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
Vene feels like she and her mother have always been at odds—since she was a child, the first word she used to describe Olivia was “cold.” When news of her mother’s imminent death comes, Vene returns to her family’s home in Napa to see if their strained relationship can be mended, only to find Olivia as harsh as ever and their reconciliation seemingly unreachable.
But when Vene stumbles upon Olivia’s old cookbook, she discovers a passion within her mother she didn’t know existed. The clipped tone and quick judgments of her dying mother don’t match the young woman whose voice she finds between the pages—one that tells a story of romance, longing, duty, and aching heartbreak. Curiosity consumes Vene, and she embarks on an intimate journey to learn about the Olivia she never got to meet—before it’s too late.
A captivating story told in alternating perspectives a half-century apart, One Friday in Napa explores the pains and joys of devotion as two women learn the price of loyalty, the power of secrets, and the meaning of sacrifice.
But when Vene stumbles upon Olivia’s old cookbook, she discovers a passion within her mother she didn’t know existed. The clipped tone and quick judgments of her dying mother don’t match the young woman whose voice she finds between the pages—one that tells a story of romance, longing, duty, and aching heartbreak. Curiosity consumes Vene, and she embarks on an intimate journey to learn about the Olivia she never got to meet—before it’s too late.
A captivating story told in alternating perspectives a half-century apart, One Friday in Napa explores the pains and joys of devotion as two women learn the price of loyalty, the power of secrets, and the meaning of sacrifice.
Product Details
- Publisher: She Writes Press (August 29, 2023)
- Length: 248 pages
- ISBN13: 9781647425302
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Raves and Reviews
“A touching debut that delights the senses.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“One Friday in Napa is a cross-generational story of losing love and finding it in unexpected places. A delicious read!”
—Miranda Heller, #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Paper Palace
“Hamm delivers to her readers an intimate view of a family and gracefully sifts through the longing and disappointment that all too often accompany love.”
—Corie Adjmi, author of The Marriage Box and Life and Other Shortcomings
“One Friday in Napa is a poignant and heart-achingly beautiful novel about love, loss, and how the choices we make impact those closest to us.”
—Skye Gyngell, Michelin star chef and author of How I Cook
“Exquisitely written, Jennifer Hamm insightfully explores a mother and daughter's journey to forgiveness. Her ability to delicately weave two different time periods side by side while uncovering rich, in-depth characters makes One Friday in Napa a powerful novel you won’t want to miss.”
—Kim Raver, actress, director, and producer
“I’ve never experienced a novel quite like this one. On the surface, it’s a poignant story of a complex mother-daughter relationship fraught with misunderstanding and regret. But a tender love story is slowly revealed, and with it comes an unexpected culinary journey. Foodies will delight in Hamm’s mouthwatering descriptions of California wines and Italian food, while anyone with a beating heart will appreciate her powerful lesson on forgiveness. A stunning debut!”
—Tammy Pasterick, author of Beneath the Veil of Smoke and Ash
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