When in Doubt, Add Butter: A Novel

Written by Beth Harbison

Narrated by Orlagh Cassidy

From the New York Times bestselling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Always Something There to Remind Me, When in Doubt, Add Butter by Beth Harbison a delicious new novel about the search for true love and all the ingredients that go into it.

As far as Gemma is concerned, her days of dating are over. In fact, it's her job to cater other peoples' dates, and that's just fine by her. At thirty-seven, she has her own business, working as a private chef, and her life feels full and secure. She's got six steady clients that keep her hands full.

There's Lex, the fussy but fabulous department store owner who loves Oysters Rockefeller and 1950s comfort food; Willa, who needs to lose weight under doctor's orders but still believes butter makes everything better; a colorful family who may or may not be part of the Russian mob; an überwealthy Georgetown family; the picture-perfect Van Houghtens, whose matriarch is "allergic to everything"; and finally, a man she calls "Mr. Tuesday," whom she has never met but who she is strangely drawn to.

For Gemma, cooking is predictable. Recipes are certain. Use good ingredients, follow the directions, and you are assured success. Life, on the other hand, is full of variables. So when Gemma's takes an unexpected turn on a road she always thought was straight and narrow, she must face her past and move on in ways she never would have imagined. Because sometimes in life, all you need is a little hope, a lot of courage, and---oh yes---butter.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Jul 17, 2012
• ISBN: 9781427221704

Beth Harbison

New York Times bestselling author Beth Harbison started cooking when she was eight years old, thanks to Betty Crocker’s Cook Book for Boys and Girls. After graduating college, she worked full-time as a private chef in the DC area, and within three years she sold her first cookbook, The Bread Machine Baker. She published four cookbooks before moving on to writing women’s fiction, including the runaway bestseller Shoe Addicts Anonymous and When in Doubt, Add Butter. She lives in Palms Springs, California. 

Reviews for When in Doubt, Add Butter

[Carolyn Hedley · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It was really heart warming and I enjoyed the characters. I admit, I got a little confused by all the characters and it became difficult for me to keep remember which character was which.

[ms_rowse · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Pretty predictable (which isn't always bad), and a couple of laugh-out-loud moments. This was a nice fluffy read that I knocked out at the end of a really bad day. Glad I had it in my stack of library books; a good escape from my life for a couple hours.

[jessbass87 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I literally sat down and read this in one sitting, it was that good. Unfortunately it was also extremely predictable. I felt like I knew pretty much what was going to happen within the first three chapters, and I was pretty much right. That does not, however in any way hurt the book or the story. It was so incredibly cute. And Beth Harbison is amazingly funny. I laughed out loud several times. I give this book a DEFINITE two thumbs up and highly recomend it.

[maydacat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Gemma makes her livelihood by cooking for people in their homes and by catering larger events. And though she is 37 years old, she is still maturing. She doesn’t have much savings, so she has nothing for a rainy day. And yes, she soon finds herself in a downpour. She loses some of her steady jobs, though no fault of her own, just when she finds herself needing extra cash. She needs more than butter - she needs help, fast! This romantic novel has endearing and interesting characters in a delightful plot. Gemma is still finding herself and how to be grownup, and to watch her journey is wonderfully entertaining. This audio version is superbly performed by Orlagh Cassidy, which only adds to its enjoyment.

[mlake_22 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was your typical chick lit. Gemma was a likable enough heroine. The plot was more predictable than I would like.

[oldriverbooks · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received this book free from goodreads. This is a well written story featuring Gemma Craig a personal chef who is looking for her true love. The story is easy to read and has some interesting character personalities. I enjoyed the story but it was not something that will stick with you for long. This book is due out in July. published by St. Martin's Press.

[aam_mommy · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

cute, predictable to a certain extent. would make a nice romantic comedy movie. I was drawn to the undertones of cooking/recipes/serving others and all the varied diets of her clients. there is a touch of adoption grief which added meaning and lots of fun, cutesy, falling-in-love feelings the second time around.

[nyiper · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Quite cute---I enjoyed the interview at the end with the author at the end of this audio version. I wondered about her food knowledge as Gemma, in the book, lives it, and of course that is a big part of Harbison's personal background. You can hope for what will happen as you read/listen to it so it's quick and fun.

[alphawoman_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Cup cake of a book.

[marlene9nl · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Forgot to write a review immediately after I'd read it which sucks cause those are the best.
I tend to forget very quickly.
Okay let me think.
It was an enjoyable read. not as good as Shoe Addict. I only read the first book, but it was definitely not bad.
Okay, I did not laugh out loud (If an author manages to make me do that, they will always end up getting a good review ;) )
What I liked is the narrator's job. That was fun. Too bad it ws obvious to me who was her one night crush.

I give it 3.5 stars.

[mchwest · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a fun and easy read. Very enjoyable ot sit down with. It not only made me want to get up and cook, it made me want to eat a little healthier too. The plot moved along nicely and I hope she writes more like this.

[mcelhra · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When In Doubt Add Butter is a great beach read or in my case, car book. (I like to listen to light, beachy chick-lit books when I’m driving.) Gemma is was so sweet and likeable that I wanted good things to happen for her. The plot is somewhat predictable but that’s almost to be expected in this genre. I knew who Mr. Tuesday was and some other things that would be spoilers if I mentioned them way before Gemma did. However, I think that it may have been the author’s intent for the reader to have some things figured out before Gemma did and then root for Gemma to hurry up and figure it out herself.The large cast of secondary characters was entertaining and fun. The narrator, Orlagh Cassidy did a great job of giving each person a unique voice that fit his or her personality. The ending wrapped everything up in a nice little package, which I actually liked but I thought it ended too soon. I would have loved a sequel instead of an epilogue – I didn’t want to let Gemma go and I wanted know the details of what happened in the year between the last chapter and the epilogue.If you are a fan of chick-lit, then this is a great book for you.

[dgmlrhodes · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was a fun summer read perfect for a day at the pool or the beach. The tone was light and fun and the characters were well developed. While I didn't particularly care for the life choices or thought processes of the main character, I still enjoyed reading her story. The descriptions of the food made me hungry although the cover seemed a bit out of place being of cupcakes and the main character was not a cupcake maker. Overall though, a light and fun read. Reader received a complimentary copy from Good Reads First Reads