If you need a lovely escape, especially if you are a fan of magical realism, Roselle Lim’s debut novel Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune is a must-read! Read on for why I loved this book so much! Netgalley and Berkely Publishing Group thoughtfully provided an advanced reader copy for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links and if you click on one, I might receive a commission. My Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Y’all, I liked Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune SO much I’m leaving my star rating at the TOP of the review instead of at the end. This is one of my favorite books so far this year and is the perfect beach read. (Or waiting for your kiddo to finish practice/dance lessons/dentist appointment read.) IF you are a fan of magical realism (like me), this is the book for you. For Natalie, food is tightly entwined with her family and her memories. This book centers around food – what she cooks, her mother and grandmother’s relationship with food and their recipes – as much as her complex relationship with her mother. Lim’s writing is so sumptuous and magical and VISUAL: “Tears slid down my cheeks. Tiny crystals sang a sorrowful melody against my skin before trickling down into a glittering pile on my lap.” Magical, because Natalie’s tears left tiny crystals, which her mother had collected and saved in a bowl. The food descriptions were also deliciously vivid and gorgeous and made me hungry! While many recipes are included for interest, they become a creative plot device here. Natalie’s grandmother’s cookbook included descriptions which explained how each recipe could be used to help aid a particular need; they are magic in their own right. Her characters are delightful (even when infuriating). Natalie is flawed and bruised and angry – and full of FEELINGS as she returns home; her character is complex. The author also paints a vivid sense of place; you can imagine and feel the tiredness of the neighborhood. The plot was entertaining, and there are a few bits I didn’t see coming which tied up the story neatly. My only wish for this book was that she had further developed the relationship blooming between Natalie and Daniel. There was chemistry but not enough interaction between the two of them. Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune explores the relationships between daughters and mothers, mental illness, and community and culture. This is a story of forgiveness and healing and understanding, as well as one of following your dreams. There is an ethereal, magical feel throughout, and was a wonderful escape. Roselle Lim’s debut novel left me hungry for more from her. I cannot wait to see what she has up her sleeve for her next book! You can grab a copy of Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune on Amazon by clicking here OR find it at your local indie bookshop by clicking here!