The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E Reichert

May 24, 2017 Contemporary Fiction, Cozy Lady Fiction 9

Greetings Bookworms!

All apologies for my periodic disappearances. Things that have happened since I talked to you last: I passed the glucose tolerance test meaning that I don’t have gestational diabetes! This is particularly excellent news as I’ve several close friends and family members who have found themselves being stuck with needles and counting their carbs during their final trimester of pregnancy. It seemed extremely unpleasant and I consider myself lucky to have dodged that bullet. Also! I became unnecessarily worried at a doctor’s appointment and had them order extra tests, one of which involved me having to collect my own pee in a jug for 24 hours. That’ll teach me to get worked up over nothing. (So gross. BTW, everything was totally fine. I just have a propensity for foot swelling, nothing more sinister. Because I made them check for everything. They keep claiming I’m nowhere near their most neurotic patient, but I have my doubts.)

Also, I’ve been reading books! One of which was Amy E Reichert’s latest offering, The Simplicity of Cider. *I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through the publisher for review consideration. As per usual, I’m still going to tell you what I actually thought, because that’s how I operate. Terrible manners.*

The Simplicity of Cider takes place at an apple orchard in Door County, Wisconsin. (The Midwest love makes my heart go pitter-pat!) Sanna Lund is single mindedly focused on producing a line of cider from her family’s fifth generation apple orchard. So focused, in fact, that she’s a bit prickly with the rest of the world. Except, perhaps, her elderly father, but that might have something to do with his insistence on having an apple dessert every evening. (It’s hard to be prickly to someone who is willing to make you pie on the regular, you know?) Of course, her father is having a harder and harder time taking care of the orchard, and Sanna’s brother has been pressuring her to consider selling the land.

When Isaac Banks shows up, he is hired to help out with the tasks Sanna’s father finds difficult to do. But, of course, Isaac comes with his own baggage, namely a young son and the specter of the boy’s mother and her troubled past.

I could go on, but this book provided me with everything I wanted. A light read with a little bit of romance and even a tiny dash of Sarah Addison Allen style magical realism. I must admit, I was a little nervous to pick this book up. I loved The Coincidence of Coconut Cake (review) for its light, fun, foodie fiction but wasn’t quite as thrilled with the somewhat more stolid Luck, Love & Lemon Pie (review). I’m so pleased to see that Reichert went in more of a Coconut direction with her latest offering- it was quite the treat. I also ADORED the subtle cameo of a couple of Coconut‘s characters in The Simplicity of Cider. It was the apple dessert to top off this comfort food-esque novel.

Reading this book reminded me of how much I miss hard cider. On the upside, Babysaurus will be here by the fall, so I should be able to sip some cider come apple season. Talk to me, Bookworms. What’s your favorite apple-y treat?

*If you make a purchase through a link on this site, I will receive a small commission.*

 

9 Responses to “The Simplicity of Cider by Amy E Reichert”

  1. Lindsey Stefan

    Mmm….cider. I miss the goodness of apple cider, but I am looking forward to picking some peaches and berries soon. It’s pie time, friends!

    Congrats on a good glucose test! I hope the next few months are nice and easy for you. 🙂

    Reply

    • wordsfor

      Mmmmmmmmmmmm Pie. I could go for some strawberry rhubarb pie with a big old scoop of vanilla right about now.

      Reply

  2. Megan M.

    Hm. I like apple turnovers and apple pie but I can’t say I have them very often. Do those “caramel apple” lollipops count?? LOL

    I’m glad you and Babysaurus are doing well and I’m glad your doctors are taking your concerns seriously. People act like pregnancy is no big deal (and a lot of the time it isn’t) but there are also some very serious complications and no one should be too scared of looking silly to bring up a medical issue. I had what I would call “easy” pregnancies but I still had things happen to me, like sciatica, a kidney infection, and gallbladder issues.

    Reply

    • wordsfor

      I’ve been super lucky in that I have had a very healthy non problematic pregnancy so far, but I’m 34. I’ve seen all of my friends have just about every complication under the sun and I’m only a shade under “advanced maternal age.” Because I’ve seen so many complications in my own circle of humanity, I’m hyper aware of what can go wrong. I’m glad my doctors have been receptive to my concerns and not dismissive. Also, I’ve read A LOT of historical fiction, so I’m also extremely aware of how high the infant and maternal mortality rates were prior to advances in modern medicine… Which makes me one thousand percent sure that birthing a baby in a kiddie pool in my home is NOT the right choice for me (though more power to those brave naturalist moms out there. That takes guts. And a high pain tolerance.)

      Reply

  3. Michelle

    I tend to stay far away from lighter reading fare but there is something about the premise of this one that has me thinking of putting aside my fears and check it out. Plus, hello! Wisconsin!

    Reply

    • wordsfor

      Girl, The Coincidence of Coconut Cake is basically a love letter to Milwaukee. It’s really adorable.

      Reply

  4. Rhian

    Apple crumble, mmm.

    Glad to hear you and babysaurus are doing well.

    Rhian

    Reply

  5. Jenny @ Reading the End

    Congratulations on no gestational diabetes! The path seems v. smooth for Babysaurus so far! My favorite appley treat is apple crisp, which my mum makes an excellent one of. The only tricky thing about it is not eating up all the crisp while you’re waiting for the oven to preheat.

    Reply

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