Eat Post Like

Wells balances a gentle exploration of grief with a charming culinary tour through Europe in her entertaining debut, which walks the line between romance and general fiction with a heroine more focused on finding herself than finding love. Life is passing by workaholic attorney Cassie Brooks. Though her accountant boyfriend, James, encourages her to embrace what brings her joy, Cassie is determined to make partner by 35 and willing to ignore all else to do so. Then James dies unexpectedly, forcing Cassie to reevaluate her priorities—especially after discovering James’s secret life as an internet-famous food critic with the handle @NewYorkSecretDiner. When the Secret Diner Instagram account receives an invitation to travel Europe reviewing prominent restaurants, Cassie takes up James’s mantle and accepts. Leaving her old life behind, she travels to Paris, Venice, and Barcelona, sharing her adventures online while finding her voice and rediscovering her passions. The true love story here is between Cassie and James, whom she grieves throughout, but there’s also a sweet possibility of new love with sommelier Eamon, whom she meets abroad. The emotions are muted, with readers rarely invited into Cassie’s internal monologue, but the far-flung backdrops and descriptions of meals entice. Foodies and armchair travelers will be especially pleased. (June)