Book Review: Eating Heaven by Jennie Shortridge

By Amanda Linsmeier

Eating Heaven, a novel by Jennie Shortridge, is a lovely and bittersweet novel about family and truth. Eleanor Samuels is a food writer with plenty on her plate- both literally and figuratively. Besides her (un) healthy appetite for food, she is also dealing with the sudden and frightening decline of her favorite uncle’s health. Uncle Benny is not really her uncle but he’s been a part of her life since she was a child, and she’s going to discover, perhaps much earlier. Caring for Benny becomes a full-time job and Ellie is the only one willing and able to do so. While she spends her time cooking and nurturing Benny, Ellie is forced to take a hard look at herself and her family. She soon discovers that things aren’t as confusing as she thought but in many ways, they are much worse.

Eating Heaven was real. I enjoyed every last bite of it! From the first page to the last, Ellie took me on a journey of family secrets, romance, self love (and sometimes hate) as well as a heavy dose of delicious foods- from diet foods all the way to full fat pineapple upside down cake and lard-laden fried pork chops. I thought the journey Ellie had with herself was inspiring and something I could really connect to. I think readers who have dealt with the serious illness of a close family member, particularly an older member, will relate to this novel. I also believe any woman who has ever put anyone before herself will enjoy it as well. And if you have a good appetite, that probably wouldn’t hurt!