Overworked and underappreciated, single mom Amy Byler needs a break. So when the guilt-ridden husband who abandoned her shows up and offers to take care of their kids for the summer, she accepts his offer and escapes rural Pennsylvania for New York City.
Usually grounded and mild mannered, Amy finally lets her hair down in the city that never sleeps. She discovers a life filled with culture, sophistication, and—with a little encouragement from her friends—a few blind dates. When one man in particular makes quick work of Amy’s heart, she risks losing herself completely in the unexpected escape, and as the summer comes to an end, Amy realizes too late that she must make an impossible decision: stay in this exciting new chapter of her life, or return to the life she left behind. But before she can choose, a crisis forces the two worlds together, and Amy must stare down a future where she could lose both sides of herself, and every dream she’s ever nurtured, in the beat of a heart. 
Now, I am pretty vocal about my dislike to the first person point of view, and then when I miss the point of doing the proper research before agreeing to review a book I let myself down at times.
But Amy's emotion-filled continues strain of thoughts starts to make sense as it paints a demonstrative picture of her chaotic life after her husband and the father of her children walked out on them three years ago. This story was a challenge to me, I admit, and sometimes it is good to be challenged out of our comfort zones. There were parts that I really enjoyed, like Amy's kids and especially her daughter with her wit and son with his smarts. The banter was lively, and the emotions as Amy is first time faced with her ex-husband were genuinely true. The foodie part was delicious to read, who wouldn't want to spend a week in New York eating yourself through the city! And as an avid reader, the talk about books, and the classics were endearing. Now, the project Amy was doing to get the kids to read more was fascinating but it got way too much attention to my liking, even to the point of starting to sound like a filler and slowing the flow of the mid part of the story. Just cause the humor wasn't really lining with mine, does not mean that it wouldn't be funny for someone else. There were many lines and scenes I could see had the potential for laughs, and still entertaining for all of us, I am sure. The time Amy spends in New York, with the free makeover, and meeting new people, trying new things, new scenes for her, they were fun and light, including amusing situations and humorously awkward turns. The energy of those scenes is one of an overly strained and stressed out person finally letting it go, Amy was like college freshman after the finals week, ready to let it loose while feeling guilty of not studying - in Amy's case being with her kids - after that has come all they know. In the end, Amy's story turns into fairytale-like happiness, her worries and struggles being washed away with a chance of romance as well. For me, a three Spoon book is a good story, it is not one of my favorites, but that's okay, not every book can be that. Amy's story is filled with her love and passion for her kids, books, and food, and I appreciate all of that. I can see why this book has been so wildly popular, even if it just missed the bullseye with me. From heartbreak to happiness, Amy navigates her life spicing it up with humor, turning difficult situations to a learning experience, and daring to trust her heart again, even after all the bruises it has received, with the new self-confidence she found through the polishing makeover the magazine gave her. ~ Three Spoons 
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