I enjoyed it but there were things that bothered me. I would actually rate this a 3.5 because of them. I didn't really understand the how and why of some scenes. I don't want to give away anything but there were 2 things that happened that needed better explanations. One involved Jenna's husband and the other her dad. Little by little I did understand it more but I think it started too vague.
I enjoy cooking and love cookbooks. This book has a lot of references to them. That was fun for me. I enjoyed trying to match mine with those mentioned. I thought it was funny that Jenna really has no idea about cooking. It just goes to show that partners in a business may have different roles and experience to offer in making a business successful. If you are the type of reader who wants their story absolutely grounded in reality, this might not be the best fit. I suspended reality and just enjoyed the story. I can't say if I really like Jenna or not. I think she needs a bit more development. However I love Aunt Vera who I thought was fun. I am looking forward to seeing this series develop. I liked the concept of the cookbook shop and the culinary classes. I enjoyed the references to the entertainment industry. That was fun to see. I had an enjoyable night with it.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway on Facebook. A review was not required or requested. ( )

This was a pretty good cozy, had a good plot and interesting mystery that had me guessing to the very end. But as far as character development even Jenna the main character isn't really developed much at all. We know she's widowed and returned home but really learn hardly nothing about her personality, hopes and dreams then she has a new shop to run. I'll probably read more books in the series but I'm not in a rush to binge read them. ( )

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I received this for free and I voluntarily chose to review this. I've given this a 5* rating. The heroine of this story has moved back home, to start over again after the loss of her mother and her husband. This is action packed. While still grieving the loss of her husband, she keeps busy running a business with her Aunt. This story pulled me in from the beginning and it was hard to put down.Along with some recipes, this is centered around a cookbook store. Lots to enjoy. I didn't really guess who did the murder until it was revealed. ( )

Jenna Hart, a recent young widow and ad agency executive decides to move back home to run a culinary bookstore with her Aunt. All was going well as they prepared for the grand opening. Jenna's college friend and TV cooking celebrity was to sign books at the opening. Unfortunately, the friend was murdered and the local police chief pegged Jenna for the murder.

I wasted time reading this. The characters were not believable and some were downright mean. Jenna came off as a flittering empty headed paranoid dope, with not one ounce of common sense. I found it hard to enjoy any of the other characters. This is the first of the series, and the last I will read. ( )

I collect cookbooks. I have two large bookshelves filled with them....nearly every sort....desserts, main courses, foreign cuisines, and even fondue. When I found out there was a cozy mystery series about a cookbook shop, The Cookbook Nook, I knew it was a series I would love.

Final Sentence is the first book in the Cookbook Nook series, and also the first book by Gerber that I have read. She writes another cozy series, The Cheese Shop Mysteries, under the pen-name Avery Aames. There are 4 books in the Cookbook Nook series so far, with the 5th coming out in August 2016. Gerber has also written a suspense novel, Girl on the Run.

Just a quick synopsis: Jenna Hart leaves her job as an advertising executive following the death of her husband. She needs a change of pace so she returns to her hometown, Crystal Cove, CA, to run a bookstore and cafe with her Aunt Vera. To make the opening event something special, Jenna invites an old college friend, celebrity chef Desiree Divine, to attend the grand-opening.

When Desiree arrives in town with two huge Winnebagos and an entourage, her outlandish behavior causes chaos from the start. But, matters get more dire when Jenna finds the husband-stealing, high maintenance diva murdered on the beach. The local police chief seems to suspect that Jenna killed her friend. Jenna knows she must prove her innocence and discover the killer's identity before anyone else dies.

I enjoyed the cookbook/restaurant theme. I kept thinking how much I would enjoy a shop like the one in the book! :) The characters are likeable and the mystery plot was interesting, believable and engaging. The book kept my attention clear to the end.

There are recipes included at the end of the book.They are all cookie recipes. As a person whose sugar intake is very limited due to medical reasons, I was a bit disappointed that there were no main course recipes, or at least something other than desserts. But, that didn't dampen my enjoyment of the book at all. :)

I will definitely be reading more of Gerber's books!

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