Grape Fizz Candy Recipe: Inspired by Jenn McKinlay’s
Cozy Romance
Love at First Book
A follow up, but not a sequel to Summer Reading by Jenn McKinlay, this cozy romance novel is outstanding. Main character Emily deals with family, work, and love conflicts. The book made me laugh and cry. By the end I felt such a strong connection with Em. Her character grows in such a great manner that she is an inspiration for facing struggles.
Release Date: May 14, 2024
- Excited to be getting an advance read of LOVE AT FIRST BOOK!!!
- #loveatfirstbook #emilyandkieran #booklove #jennmckinlay
- Pre-order your copy here:
- Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/ynhum2hp
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- BAM: http://tinyurl.com/2s3ck5ww
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When Em falls for Keir, the reader will find their own heart racing, especially when they play Literary Consequences which is a literary version of strip poker. Emily leaves Martha’s Vineyard for a job in a small town in Ireland. While it may be cliché that a main character falls in love in a new country, there is nothing cliché about how their story plays out.
Book Review Outline and Tone:
Personal growth, loss, and love are the main topics of the novel and I am here for all of that!
The best part of this book is seeing how main character Em (Emily) learns how to deal with her own family issues and become more of who she is meant to be. I was cheering for her and wanted to high-five her every time she stood up for herself!
The book picks up where Summer Reading left off. In Summer Reading, Sam’s friend Emily is a librarian looking for a change and accepts a job in Ireland. Author Jenn McKinlay does a fantastic job of allowing the reader to tag along with Em on this great journey. Emily is working for her favorite author, Siobhan, who wrote a series of books, but hasn’t written in ten years. It is Em’s job to encourage Siobhan to write and keep her secret about how sick she is. This is where a trigger warning may be needed. If you have or have had a loved one who battled cancer, there may be some triggering scenes. I shed tears and I don’t have the burden of a sick loved one. The illness is used not in a trite or formulaic way, but in a way that draws the reader in and allows you to feel the emotions of the characters.
The Best Quotes:
“What a sorry impression I was making. I felt like the human embodiment of embarrassment wrapped in mortification dipped in humiliation.”
“I think once you discover what truly falling in love is then you realize you never really were before; don’t you think?”
Point of View:
First Person told through the main character, Emily (Em).
Recipe Idea:
There were no recipes included in the book, but a quote about candy inspired me. “Siobhan had I discovered we shared a severe sweet tooth affliction, and she introduced me to an entire world of jellies. Sally held up a bag of my favorite fizzy cherry and I nodded in answer to the silent question.” I have included my version of fizzy strawberry candy below.
The author: Jenn McKinlay
Jenn McKinlay is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. Her website not only lists all of her books but has a pretty fascinating bio page. She is a skateboarder, has been in a glider plane, and has lived both on the east coast and in the west. I would tell you more, but I would rather encourage you to check out her website. Jenn McKinlay has an active presence on Facebook, Instagram, and her website. Give her a shout out on social media and let her know what you think of her books and dessert recipes.
What is not to like?:
Maybe, perhaps, possibly it was a little slow to get started. But as soon as Em starts to acknowledge her feelings the rest of the book just made me keep turning pages until it was finished.
The verdict:
It is published 5/14/24 and I guarantee you will love it.
Book Club Books Recommendation:
Read It! 5/5 Books 📚📚📚📚📚
Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).
Fizz Candy
Make it in any flavor with a Kool Aid Packet!
Assemble the Ingredients
Easy dessert to make: 5/5 on the Easy as Pie scale 🥧🥧🥧🥧🥧
Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a sheet of foil. I like to use a silicone baking mat. The candy will not stick to it and it is dishwasher safe.
In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with the corn syrup, and 2 ½ tablespoons water.
Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook the syrup, without stirring, until the thermometer reads 300°, this will take 8 to 10 minutes.
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda, Kool-Aid, and citric acid all at once.
Stir to incorporate the powder into the sugar. Pour the syrup onto the prepared baking sheet then let stand to cool completely. The candy will not spread, so use a silicone spatula to spread it as thin or thick as you like.
Smash the candy into bite-size pieces, and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks
Taste: 5 stars! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So delicious 😋😋😋😋😋
Fizz Candy Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup plus 3 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp light corn syrup
- 2½ water
- 1½ tsp baking soda
- 1 packet Kool-Aid, any flavor, unsweetened
- 1½ tsp powdered citric acid
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or a sheet of foil.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sugar with the corn syrup, and 2 ½ tablespoons water.
- Attach a candy thermometer to the side of the pan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
- Cook the syrup, without stirring, until the thermometer reads 300°, this will take 8 to 10 minutes.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the baking soda, Kool-Aid, and citric acid all at once.
- Stir to incorporate the powder into the sugar.
- Pour the syrup onto the prepared baking sheet then let stand to cool completely. The candy will not spread, so use a silicone spatula to spread it as thin or thick as you like.
- Smash the candy into bite-size pieces, and store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
What would I do differently next time?
When I made this the first time, I left it about 1/2 in thick. The second time I made it, I spread it about 1/4 inch thick. I think I liked it better thinner.
Check out my review of Summer Reading. In this cozy romance novel, we get to meet Emily for the first time.
