Making Up for Lost Time

By: Karin Kallmaker

Narrated by: Abby Craden

Master Chef Jamie Onassis has used every penny she has to buy a beautiful country inn she plans to turn into a five-star restaurant. Unfortunately, the inn turns out to be a "handyman's special" and, without the skills or capital to make the necessary repairs, Jamie risks losing everything.

Home and garden expert Valkyrie Valentine is a rising star among the do-it-yourself set. A seemingly perfect homemaker, Valkyrie seems destined to become the next Martha Stewart - as long as no one discovers her embarrassing little secret: she can't cook.

Media mogul Sheila Thintowski is a woman on a mission. ever since meeting the dazzling, dynamic Valkyrie Valentine, she's been determined to interview her - up-close and extremely personally. Sheila suspects that Valkyrie's hands-on skills extend well beyond home improvement - and she's looking for some private lessons.

©1998 Karin Kallmaker (P)2020 Tantor

Rebuilding A Dream

Jamie Onassis, Master Chef, used her inheritance to buy the beautiful country inn where she grew up. Valykie Valentine offers free labor to renovate the inn if she can use it to interview for a show on home and gardens and get free cooking lessons. So she can become the next “Martha Steward”, who also wears a tool belt. It’s gotta be a disaster. Great narration and fun story. Recommend.

sweet

this was a very cute and sweet story. it made me smile chuckle and fell a little sad for the mc. Great listen

Food and love!!

One of the first love stories that made me hungry with recipes spoken of, sweet story,

Excellent book fantastic narration

This was a great book, that I will listen to time and time again. Abby Craden as always sets the bar very high for other narration. Loved it!!

Good story

My only complaint is that I became confused between the young lesbian characters. Once I distinguished them, I was fine. I loved the setting and warm feeling of a town who supported each other. The older relatives (Aunt Em and Liesl) made me feel warm, as well.

Still ... making up for lost time

I first read this book in 2002. I was recently retired from the military, and truly making up for lost time. I had no idea that there were sapphic books, let alone brilliantly written books such as this. I loved the way the book left for my imagination regarding some scenes. 😉 I loved the recipes, the toolbelt, the CHOCOLATE! I love everything about this timeless book, AND that it is only enhanced and made a more complete experience by the EXCELLENT narration that brings it into today's way of enjoying great stories.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Thank you, Karin for adding spice, and, Abby for enhancing my senses.

the reviews saying it ends abruptly are right

it's very fun. I'd call it cozy, crazy, cute. however, it ends SO abruptly, there's not much of a love story, not much interpersonal interaction between leads, though obvious tension. it's hard not to be thrown off by how fast it sunsets, and the major villain is handled too easily.

doesn't feel like it's written by a queer writer... I think because it follows the absurd pacing of a straight holiday hallmark romance? but still enjoyable and fun.

Who could possibly resist a chef’s apron and a tool belt?!

If you feel the same way, you must read/listen to this adorable and occasionally thigh clenching story! I must add that I shall never think of chocolate in quite the same way. It’s funny, it’s (short) sad, it’s family of choice affirming and well, it made me hungry- yes- (roll in the gutter brain that you are, no doubt) in more ways than one. To be clear- cooking tips and recipes are included! I loved these characters, the woman who steps up, the case of mistaken identity and the reappearing robe. No, I will not explain. If you want answers to these delicious questions and a story with great narration, use that credit!

I like Karin Kallmaker’s books

Well written. Consistently good stories. She creates humorous characters. There is good tension and tasteful hot intimacy.

Great combination

Take a writer like Karin Kallmaker, add a narrator like Abby Craden to that mix add food, drama and renovations of an old inn, and you got yourself a pure pleasure.