Kiss, Marry or Kill: 33

Succession meets The Bear but with two Michelin stars. Plus household hacks, an easy meal planning reminder, four lessons we can learn from the super-happy, and 3 questions to improve our leisure time

This is my weekly series for subscribers only, where I’ll share things that caught my eye this week in a fun and flirty way (kiss), a sustainable way (marry), or a not-so-good way (kill). And yes, this trendy game is technically “f***, marry, or kill” but we run a family-friendly-ish show around here.

Kiss (things I like right now)

Family Reservations, Liza Palmer

I got this as an Amazon First Read, and I’ve never had a first read be a 10/10. This book has all of the manipulation, back-stabbing, magnificent egos, and complex family ties of Succession set inside a Michelin-star restaurant, and I ATE IT and left no crumbs.

Maren Winter is an icon, shattering glass ceilings and breaking every barrier while accumulating countless “firsts” and accolades over the course of her decades-long career. Now, with her three daughters by her side, she is on the precipice of expanding her empire yet again, further cementing her place in history.

What the press and critics see, however, is a far cry from their true family dynamics. Each sister has her own motivations, with plots inside reassurances wrapped in promises of fidelity and loyalty. And when Maren makes an explosive public decision, the gears start to grind and each sister tries to find her own way in—or maybe out.

The characters are rich, deep, and complex. You know I love books that masterfully show us that we are never just one thing, and making these characters sisters and a mother made it all the more real for me. (I have one sister, and though we haven’t had this kind of love/hate relationship since Junior High, it’s relatable. Also, my mom would never—Maren is a real piece of work, but you’ll also empathize, which makes for a much more compelling story.)

You’ll find so many strong, direct, powerful women in Family Reservations, and the ending was even more satisfying for me than Succession. You’ll also find some gorgeous descriptions of food and ingredients, which was a delicious bonus for me. It releases on April 1st, so pre-order now and you can be the first to recommend it to your friends.