The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake is one of the best books you could choose for summer reading: a summer spent in Italy with a magical cookbook, family, and your teenage love. Jules agrees to spend the summer in Italy at her family house with her half-sister, Alex. Her motive for going is to spark inspiration for the cookbook she is supposed to be writing and she is hoping her Nonna and their family cookbook can help.

The descriptions of Italy and the food are absolutely incredible. For me it was impossible not to make pasta over the course of reading and nearly impossible not to book a trip to Lake Garda. I have added it to list of places I’d like to visit. There is a recipe for orange blossom cake at the end of the book; I love a book with a themed recipe (or recipes) included. I also love Nonna’s big personality. Where do I sign up for a Nonna of my own??

My only real reservation about this book is that in the beginning, Jules comes across as extremely self-centered. She wants her own T.V. show and is hoping that if her cookbook does well it will help her achieve that goal. She hasn’t been back to visit her Nonna in Italy for fifteen years, since her father died. It feels like she is using her beloved Nonna to get what she wants rather than focusing on this chance to be reunited with her. She comes around eventually, but she doesn’t address that she had originally been acting selfishly and I would have liked to have seen that.

Despite some minor character complaints for Jules, I absolutely adored this book. I was completely immersed in it, simultaneously having to know what was going to happen and not wanting it to end. The rich sense of place was irresistible to me.
5/5 Stars

I was given a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake will be released on September 30, 2025.