Let me tell you about this book that made me crave pistachio gelato at 2 AM. 'Recipe for Second Chances' isn't just a romance - it's a full sensory experience. The way Ali Rosen describes Italian plazas and simmering sauces had me Googling flight deals to Rome.

What really got me was Samuel - not your typical romance hero. This guy wears his heart on his sleeve without being clingy. When he fell, he fell hard, and Rosen makes you feel every aching moment of those nine lost years. Stella's anxiety? Brutally relatable. That scene where she's mentally spiraling at the wedding? I've been there at parties, minus the gorgeous Italian backdrop.

The food descriptions are lethal. I gained three pounds just reading about the wedding feast. Pro tip: Don't read hungry. That lentil recipe at the end? Made it. Burned it. Tried again. Worth it.

Yes, Stella's constant self-sabotage frustrated me too - I caught myself yelling 'Just kiss him already!' at my Kindle. But that's what makes the payoff so satisfying. When she finally lets herself be happy? Chef's kiss.

Perfect for when you need a vacation but your bank account says 'staycation.' Just maybe skip that awkward epilogue scene - we didn't need that after such a beautiful buildup.