Forks, Knives, and Spoons by Leah DeCesare

HI there!

Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.

Today, we're diving between the pages of a newish release via SparkPress.  It stars a work of Fiction that will turn your search for "the one" from the nightlife scene to the cutlery drawer.  Yes, you read that right, for you see, as it turns out, every girl is simply looking for her perfect steak knife!  Curious?  You should be, but let's hold off on the explanations until the introductions are over.  Ladies and gents, now on deck is today's book of choice...

Forks, Knives, and Spoons

by

Leah DeCesare

9781943006106

SparkPress

About the book...

There are three kinds of guys: forks, knives, and spoons. That is the final lesson that Amy York’s father sends her off to college with, never suspecting just how far his daughter will take it. Clinging to the Utensil Classification System as her guide, Amy tries to convince her skeptical roommate, Veronica Warren, of its usefulness as they navigate the heartbreaks and soul mates of college and beyond.

Beginning in 1988, their freshman year at Syracuse University, Amy and Veronica meet an assortment of guys —from slotted spoons and shrimp forks to butter knives and sporks—all while trying to learn if the UCS holds true. On the quest to find their perfect steak knives, they learn to believe in themselves—and not to settle in love or life.

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Amy York....college freshman, and future news journalist.  Her life up to this point has been somewhat uneventful, but her first steps toward adulthood are about to get interesting thanks to a little theory introduced by dear old dad.  It's the UCS, aka Utensil Classification System, and though it may sound handy in the kitchen, it's actually meant to be applied to GUYS.  Yes, guys, otherwise known as potential suitors of varying levels of commitment and what level of attention Ms. Amy, as well as any other young lady, should pay them. 

It's quite interesting actually and gradually evolves from the simplistic forks, knives, and spoons, to all cutlerly big and small.  Personally, I'm more for a sharp spoon (hello, Matt!), but Dad has her setting her sights on a steak knife.  The traits assigned to this particular group include being balanced, able to cut through the crud of life, and sharp when needed...among others.  So, you see, it's not a bad group...but it can be when a fork is masquerading as knife.  (Bad fork...bad!)  Anywho, Amy let's the system get a bit out of control, but in the end, learns that it's not simply something to be followed to the letter, but a guideline to help her find her true heart.

When not expanding on her father's theory, Amy is leading quite an interesting life.  First, there's the whole freshman experience, then the almost rape, cheating friends, too-good-to-be-true boyfriends, besties for life, and super cute guy friends that are there through thick and thin.  We go to dances, celebrate birthdays, skip Valentine's Day (gasp!), steal kisses, meet the green-eyed monster several times over, and watch as Amy and friends try time and again to find their way.  At times, I wanted to smack Amy for being so forgiving of her "knife", when he left little reason to do so.  The difference between the two potential leading men in Amy's life is astounding, but the time it takes her to get it right, could leave one overtly frustrated...since you can't reach into the story and legit end him.  (*grr*)  Speaking of other characters, outside of the guy-dom, we've Veronica.  Her bestie was OCD, yet a breath of fresh air.  She'll go through a lot, losing and finding herself along the way, but in the end always seems to manage not only to hold herself together, but to be part of Amy's "glue"..  

In the end, I desperately wanted to fall in love with this book, but it kept me in the friend zone.  While the UCS was intriguing, it often seemed like an afterthought as the story progressed.  True, in their lives, that's how it should've been, but for me, I was anticipating a closer focus on the theory itself, so perhaps a shorter work would have been more appropriate or an additional installment (though search me as for where a good place to split it would have been).  The life and times of Amy and friends was certainly story worthy, and the journey from college kid to new adult was something everyone can relate to on some level, giving this book a broader appeal than at first it may seem.  Recommended read for those starting this journey in their own lives as well as those relishing the memory of what once was.

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About the author...

Leah DeCesare is the author of the nonfiction parenting series Naked Parenting, based on her work as a doula, early parenting educator, and mom of three. Her articles on parenting have been featured in The Huffington Post, the International Doula, and The Key, among others. In 2008, she cofounded the nonprofit Doulas of Rhode Island, and in 2013 she spearheaded the Campaign for Hope to build the Kampala Children’s Centre for Hope and Wellness in Uganda. In a past life, DeCesare worked in public relations and event planning. She now writes, teaches, and volunteers in Rhode Island, where she lives with her family and talking cockatiel.

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Special thanks to author Leah DeCesare for the ARC for review as well as the awesometastic themed swag!  (I've had many compliments on the necklace without anyone knowing what the charms even mean!  ^-^)  For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above.  This title is available now via SparkPress, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.

Until next time, remember...if it looks good, READ IT!