Grade: A-L/C Ratio: 40% Literary / 60% CommercialThematic Breakdown:30% - History20% - Romance15% - Slavery15% - Family10% - Time travel10% - FriendshipAddictiveness: HighMovie Potential: 1 Thumb Up (good action and interesting characters, but I’m not sure who the target audience would be as it straddles the line between young adult, historical fiction, and murder mystery)Re-readability: Medium (plot twists are well done, so it would interesting to read the book again knowing the secrets about the characters ahead of time)I don’t typically read historical fiction or murder mysteries, but this book grabbed me from the first chapter and I’m very glad I gave it a shot. It’s enthralling all the way through to the last page, with many intriguing plot twists and gradually revealed secrets. The character development is impressive, although at times cliché, and the author does a fantastic job of getting the reader invested in the story and the lives of the characters.The imagery and descriptions of the setting are also great; it’s easy to lose yourself in the world of Thirteen For Dinner. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down and ended up reading the entire thing in a single day! There are a few noticeable typos/formatting issues and some weaker sections of prose, but overall it is well-written. Some plot points could be better elucidated, but they do not detract from the high entertainment value of this novel. I absolutely loved this story! It's one of those books that was extremely hard to put down, but I had to put it down a few times due to too much excitement. I loved the romance; it wasn't raunchy at all, something I hate, and just subtle enough to cause a big smile to erupt. Historically accurate, it weaves a heartbreaking tale of slavery and also rejoices in the triumph of the Underground Railroad. It's also a fantasy about time travel and the question that has been raised before: if we were to go back in time, could we change the future? I think the most important part of the story is the fact that love does conquer fear. I highly recommend it!
What do You think about Thirteen For Dinner (2013)?
excellent story. I purchased it yesterday and couldn't put it down until I finished it.
—Jasmine
Loved the story! Would have finished sooner but I have 2 small children:)
—darky159
OK mix of history & paranormal. Pretense of title is misleading
—NicoleM
