Love in Bloom's

A thoroughly enjoyable New York story of family, romance, and food, not necessarily in that order. The only thing I found confusing was the point of view. It drove me crazy that Julia's Grandma Ida was referred to as such and her Uncle Jay was referred to as such, but that her mother was always referred to as "Sondra." Did they think if they referred to her as "Mom" it would be too juvenile? I thought the references to the mother by her first name was ridiculous, and it put a huge distance between me and the characters every time I read it.I guess nobody's perfect.

One of the nicest books I've read all year. The family dynamics are so real that you just laugh out loud. Great characters, great humor, great romance. A real winner!

Grandmother Ida is strong and determined and wise. She puts her grandaughter Julia, a lawyer, in charge of Blooms, famous deli in NY. Julia doesn't know about managing a deli, she doesn't know about types of olives or even if this is what she wants to do. But do it she does. While her Uncle Jay works at undermining her, her mother tries to be the president of Blooms, and a reporter looks for problems. Julia does her best to hold it all together. Slowly she finds out who is stealing the bagels, introduces her sister to a true love, and begins managing Blooms. And, all the while, she falls in love herself. What a wonderful romance. Light, fun, a family you can believe in, and love. Using food to bring people together is not new, however, this has the feeling of newness and originality. The zany characters in this novel only make it that much more fun- Uncle Jay the computer man, the bagel counter man, a poet writing sister, a cousin who is a director of sorts, a domineering grandmother and more.Although this is the first book I've read by this author, it won't be the last. This was a joy from beginning to end. Well worth reading. Enjoy.

One year ago Grandam Ida's son died leaving Manhattan landmark Bloom's Deli in trouble. With the business in trouble, the family matriarch decides that a new Bloom needs to run the deli. She surprises the entire family by selecting her granddaughter, divorce attorney Julia. Shocked at first, Julia wants to refuse and remain in her safe world, but her sister Susie persuades her to at least try.Instead of support from her so-called loved ones, Julia faces sabotage and scorn. Her uncle tries to undermine her and her mother believes that Julia is an interim until she takes over. Then there are the unaccounted for bagels that someone seems to abscond with each week. Worse is Ron Joffe, assigned by Gotham magazine to learn if rumors of Bloom's financial troubles are true, because of her attraction to him. Finally, the most absolute catastrophe of all is dealing with her iron maiden grandma. As Julia works on overcoming the plots to destroy her, she falls in love with the nosy journalist.This lighthearted romp is a fun to read tale that pays homage to all those Manhattan romantic comedies such as Crossing Delancy. References to the city add to the tour as the Big Apple comes across as a character more than just a locale. The female lead protagonist is an engaging individual struggling with a family that has their own personal interests and agendas above everyone else including the deli that has made and kept the Blooms wealthy. Judith Arnold furnishes a warm amusing excursion of the New York archipelago.Harriet Klausner

I don't think the back cover copy or reviews are doing this book justice. It's a total joy to read, fun, fast paced--full of terrific, real characters in very real family situations. The food metaphors are all fresh and fun, but it's the story that took my heart. This is a love story you can believe in--poignant, hot and compelling--yet the whole book's done in such a fun, fresh way that it reads like lightning. This author will forever be a must-buy for me.