An anonymous gift sends a woman on a journey she never could have anticipated. One afternoon, Julia Evarts and her five-year-old daughter, Gracie, arrive home to find an unexpected gift on the front porch: a homemade loaf of Amish Friendship Bread and a simple note: I hope you enjoy it. Also included are a bag of starter, instructions on how to make the bread herself, and a request to share it with others. Still reeling from a personal tragedy that left her estranged from the sister who was once her best friend, Julia remains at a loss as to how to move on with her life. She’d just as soon toss the anonymous gift, but to make Gracie happy, she agrees to bake the bread. When Julia meets two newcomers to the small town of Avalon, Illinois, she sparks a connection by offering them her extra bread starter. Widow Madeline Davis is laboring to keep her tea salon afloat while Hannah Wang de Brisay, a famed concert cellist, is at a crossroads, her career and marriage having come to an abrupt end. In the warm kitchen of Madeline’s tea salon, the three women forge a friendship that will change their lives forever. In no time, everyone in Avalon is baking Amish Friendship Bread. But even as the town unites for a benevolent cause and Julia becomes ever closer to her new friends, she realizes the profound necessity of confronting the painful past she shares with her sister. About life and loss, friendship and community, food and family, Friendship Bread tells the uplifting story of what endures when even the unthinkable happens. Includes a bonus PDF with Amish Friendship Bread recipes and tips
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"I have received an Amish Friendship bread starter and can completely relate to those that flatly turn them down. Yes the bread is tasty, but fitting in my pants is sometimes more desirable. This novel is about the unexpected impact that receiving a thoughtful gift had on a group of women and a community. Inspired me, reminded me of the importance of family relationships and not holding onto grudges, and to look for those opportunities to serve and make someone else's day brighter"
— Colleen (4 out of 5 stars)
" I loved it. Great story recipes and inspriation to bake nit that I need alot. "
— Susan, 2/17/2014" Very cute story (although sad at times). I am planning on making some Friendship Bread this weekend! Loved the additional recipes in the back of the book. "
— Lexie, 2/14/2014" Chick lit at it's best. Just enough sugar, just enough spice. I enjoyed this far more than the Friday Night Knitters, the last chick lit I read. I'd recommend this to just about any female I know. "
— Tini, 1/26/2014" really sweet story. The bread is good, too :) "
— Chris, 1/24/2014" A great story that had me laughing and crying. "
— Cathy, 1/9/2014" I read quite a few murder mysteries and every once in a while I just need a "feel good" book--and this books fits the bill nicely. I like books where everyone comes together and united for a common cause. "
— Cassandra, 1/3/2014" Yes it was total Chick Lit - but I liked it alot. "
— Penny, 1/1/2014" What a precious book! Had me laughing at times and shedding a tear at others. Made me stop and think about things that are truly important. Looking forward to reading more by this author. "
— Connie, 12/15/2013" One of the slowest books I've ever read. Couldn't finish it "
— Giulia, 12/13/2013" I liked this book alot. It is charming and the characters seem real. I loved how the story started and finished up. I would recommend this book, it is heartwarming. "
— Deanna, 12/1/2013" A sweet story with good moral value. "
— Barbara, 11/12/2013" what a great book. wonderful story. glade ms. gee will be writing further books about the different people in the book. there were a couple of questions about some of the people in the book. "
— Virginia, 5/28/2013" The best words that describe this book are: Simple, yet satisfying. "
— Ami, 4/4/2013" I thought this was a great book. I loved the stories of friendship, trouble, death, life, and helping others. I will probably try the recipe in the future. "
— Shannon, 2/4/2013" I thought the book was really good. I would recommend this book to anyone to read. It's about friendship and tragedy. It makes us realize that know matter how tough things get. It makes us realize how important family is. "
— Darlene, 1/24/2013" Read this awhile ago, but somehow missed tracking and reviewing it. Liked it well enough to read the next book (The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society)by this author. "
— Sherri, 12/26/2012" A book that I was sad to see end. It was heartwarming and witty. A book that evoked all the right emotions to keep me very involved and reflect on various things in my own life. A great read! "
— Joolin, 10/14/2012" A sweet, engaging story. Books like this can be sappy, but this one somehow avoided that trap. I'm looking forward to the next installment! "
— Marianna, 3/24/2012" Kind of painful starting out, but definately healing over all. The next time I get a bag of bread starter, I won't be so bugged /scared. "
— Rachel, 1/10/2012" This was really enjoyable...and it's making me want to make some Friendship Bread again! :) "
— Wendi, 12/2/2011" A wonderful book! Easily read in 2 days, loved the individual stories of each woman as well as how they came together to help eachother heal and start life over again. Would recommend to everyone. "
— Angie, 10/17/2011" I loved this book. I loved the community spirit and the relationship of the characters. Being a baker, I loved all the baking and was glad to see all the recipes at the end. "
— Elaine, 6/30/2011" Great "feel good" read of women's fiction about 3 women, bread, and how it can bring a whole town together for a cause. Perfect summer/beach read! "
— Taneshan, 6/27/2011" Wow, what a great summer read! Chick lit for sure, but so good, sweet for sure, but not too! Just perfect. recommend, especially if you are a foodie. I just loved it! "
— Sarah, 6/22/2011" Loved the book...great story about the power of friendships. "
— Penny, 6/19/2011" sweet sweet story, if only every town was like that! "
— Merry, 6/19/2011" Loved it. Can't say it's shocking or unpredictable but it's a good story well-told. "
— Jean, 6/19/2011" Just into it a few chapters, but it's a page turner. Not the samo - complex characters, I'm really liking this... "
— Jan, 6/14/2011" This was a great read but Julia and Livvy's relationship broke my heart. "
— Kimmie, 6/11/2011" Loved it , story , friendship and wordsmithing ! "
— Jenni, 6/11/2011" Would have given it 3.5. Easy read. "
— Colleenmcmullan, 6/10/2011" There were several stories linked with the wonderful friendship bread saga. I thought it was touching and funny. I give it a thumbs up (but I don't want any bread starter). "
— Cheryl, 6/10/2011" This was a really good book. I listened to it in the car, and sometimes I didn't want to get out of the car. This book also made me want to make some Amish Friendship bread. "
— Kris, 6/9/2011" it was a feel good story......i liked it very much "
— Mrs, 6/7/2011Darien Gee lives in upcountry Hawaii with her husband and three children. She is the author of The Avalon Ladies Scrapbooking Society and Friendship Bread, which was published in eleven countries and was a 2012 About.com Reader’s Choice winner. She also writes under the pen name Mia King.
Nancy Linari is an actress and Eaphones Award–winning narrator. She has appeared on Fringe, Brothers and Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, and General Hospital. Her theater credits include I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road, and I’m Not Rappaport.