Top critical review
3.0 out of 5 starsNot A Keeper
Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2014
I had high expectations for enjoying Barbara O'Neal's newest release. I've read several of her previous books and they have a home on the shelves with my cookbooks to keep those delicious recipes close at hand. In addition, I live in an Oregon county adjacent to the Yamhill County setting for much of this book.
I didn't have a specific dislike about The All You Can Dream Buffet, I just didn't click with it. Food and recipes have figured prominently in O'Neal's previous books, and while a few recipes are included in Dream Buffet, blog entries and emails seemed to take center stage in this one. For all of the drama that the characters brought to the table (pun in intended) for one character's 85th birthday bash, I didn't feel the same level of intimacy among these characters as I've felt with other characters in O'Neal's other books. I also felt that too many rather intriguing loose ends were unresolved for my satisfaction. While I appreciate O'Neal's effort for trying something new with her storyline, this one didn't work for me.
