The lake in the middle of her father’s kitchen is only the first in a series of disasters in Zeina’s life. Nassar’s recent health crisis has seen his well-established community restaurant, Casablanca, losing ground and customers to trendier competition.
Casablanca’s deterioration is not the only chaos in Zeina’s world but, unlike her husband who won’t speak to her, her best friend who is sliding towards self-destruction, and her cousin who is stealing Zeina’s life story for content, the restaurant is something she can fix. And Zeina, lonely and adrift, needs something she can fix.
Taking leave from her prestigious chef position, Zeina throws herself into caring for her ailing father, immersing herself in the familiar foods and flavours of her childhood, trying to save both him and his restaurant. But working in the kitchen – and her childhood home – brings memories, secrets, and unexpected ambitions simmering to the surface. When it comes time to make hard decisions, Zeina will have to accept that growing up is an ongoing process – one that never gets any easier.
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A beautiful tale of personal growth. Everything around Zeina is in trouble: her father, his restaurant, her best friend, her marriage, and in the middle of it all, Zeina’s own sense of self. She might be an accomplished chef, but as the tagline says, “Life doesn’t follow a recipe”. What a pleasure to read! Zeina’s journey of self-discovery takes the reader through her current challenges, interspersed with flashbacks to her past. Highlights for me included the relationship with her father, and the descriptions of mouth-watering Palestinian meals. It was also great to read a story with strong cultural representation that was integral to the characters and events and not simply included to create plot conflict. I really enjoyed the gentle pace of the story, as we gradually learn more about how Zeina met her husband and why they are now separated. The ultimate resolution to this storyline was beautifully written, and felt so right. I’ll definitely be seeking out this author’s back catalogue! Lisa, QLD, 5 Stars
It starts with a lake in her father’s restaurant kitchen. Zeina has left her husband and has gone to try and look after her father when he got ill. The story goes back ten years to when she started to be a chef overseas, and when she met her husband, then what happens during the next 10 years, why she left her husband and how she puts her life back together. There are great descriptions of the meals she cooks, and the ingredients she uses. Christine, VIC, 5 Stars
I loved this book. The storyline and characters had me hooked from the beginning and I loved the way it was written. Combining reading and food, it was a book written for me. I see this book being turned into a movie and can’t wait to see it on the big screen. Kim, NSW, 5 Stars
The lake in the middle of her father’s kitchen is one of many disasters in Zeina’s life. Nassar’s recent health crisis has left his fading restaurant losing ground and customers to trendier restaurants. The deterioration of Restaurant Casablanca adds to the chaos that is Zeina’s life. Her husband is not speaking to her, her best friend is sliding into self-destruction and her cousin is stealing Zeina’s life for content. Zeina takes leave from her prestigious chef position to care for her ailing father and save his restaurant. While working in the kitchen, it brings back memories, secrets and unexpected ambitions to the surface. I enjoyed this book and Zeina’s ability to lose herself in her cooking for the restaurant and the mouth-watering dishes she creates. Zeina seems to be quite a strong character with tremendous courage to soldier on despite the difficulties she is facing in her life while also trying to support her family and friends, while also trying to keep her father’s restaurant afloat. Carolyn, WA, 5 Stars
Another beautiful novel from Amal Awad, rich with emotion, character and tantalising tastes. Amal knows how to cut right to the core of human emotions and examine them with a magnifying glass. As a reader, you can’t help but feel the intensities of her characters’ lives; sometimes it burns your chest, other times it will make you want to soar. Cooking is once again woven through the pages of this book. Zeina, a Palestinian-Australian, grew up in her father’s kitchen. Awad brings to life Zeina’s love for spice and flavours, appealing to the readers’ senses to the point that you will be sure you can not only smell the food, but taste it on your lips too. We meet Zeina at a time in her life when she is trying to make sense of what happened to her. Her marriage has ended and the life she imagined for herself no longer stretches out in front of her. Zeina’s father is sick and his run-down restaurant is in need of care. Zeina isn’t sure she can face such a task. Zeina is forced to reflect, to re-assess and reevaluate. We go on this emotional and engaging journey, Amad’s writing carrying us through to the very last word. Kaneana, NSW, 5 Stars
Amal Awad’s wonderfully entertaining novel engages all the senses of the reader. Each section: cascade; erosion; plunge; cleanse; purify; attrition; stillness; flow; sediment and fertile set my imagination racing. I associate all of these words, except attrition, with the fluidity of water and my mind went wild imagining how the plot would unfold for Zeina’s life to grow, move and reshape. The recipes whet my appetite with the smells and tastes that tantalised and added a layer of sensuality to the plot as it developed. Most mornings I started to read with a strong coffee with cardamom in my hand. At least that aroma I could replicate to immerse myself completely. The drive to the mountains on the apple pie ride seemed so incongruous with the Middle East food flavours but it really fitted with Noor’s character to suggest such an activity. Zeina was very much my favourite character but I had to warm to Noor, whom I later loved. Janelle, NSW, 5 Stars
A story of love, loss and self-discovery, richly cultural and with an undercurrent of food running through the story. Best to not read on an empty stomach! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Rachel, QLD, 5 Stars
Amal Awad’s new novel Bitter & Sweet is a story of love and loss, of the joy of cooking and of new beginnings. Zeina, a Palestinian-Australian, was raised by her father in inner-city Sydney. Zeina’s life is changed when she separates from her husband, Ray, and takes leave from her job as a chef at a prestigious restaurant so she can look after her father who is ill. Her father’s restaurant needs upgrading but she is not sure that she wants the responsibility of running a restaurant full time. Growing up in her father’s kitchen at his Restaurant Casablanca, she learnt to cook and appreciate the tastes, smells and aromas that emanate from the exotic spices used in Arabic cookery. The description of the food she prepares leaves a mouth-watering yearning to savour these exotic dishes. A truly enjoyable story and a joy to read. Robyn, NSW, 5 Stars
Bitter & Sweet is a wonderful life-awakening journey. Amal Awad’s leading lady Zeina is a complex young Arab woman living in Sydney, who deals with life’s challenges and tribulations by seeking refuge in her chosen career as a chef while sharing her love of creating food bursting with flavour. A very incisive exploration of relationships from immediate family to Zeina’s best friend Noor. The effect of intimate relationships is explored in depth, shining a light on the strength of Zeina. A fabulous life journey. Lyn, NSW, 4 Stars
Bitter & Sweet was a well-written novel. The author did a beautiful job of painting a picture of the characters and locations – I could almost smell the spices and taste the goodies. Initially, I did find some of the terminology tricky to get a handle on, but appreciated the list that the author provided and quickly began to understand and feel as though I was immersing myself in culture. A lovely read! Nicole, NSW, 4 Stars
Bitter & Sweet is a story of love, family and food. Leaving her prestigious chef position, Zeina cares for her ill father and immerses herself in the aromas of Middle Eastern food. It was an exquisite story and the descriptions tantalised me. I loved the section headings – cascade, erosion, plunge, cleanse, purify, stillness, flow, sediment, fertile, and seeing Zeina evolve through the novel to find herself. Teresa, VIC, 4 Stars
Bitter & Sweet, set amongst Sydney’s restaurant scene, takes the reader on a spice-filled sojourn through family obligation, love and friendship. The ever-talented chef, Zeina, effortlessly weaves her way around the prestigious kitchen of Salud and the crumbling one of her father’s beloved Casablanca. As Zeina precariously tries to balance her future career, family obligations, and relationships, the reader vicariously devours the tasty Arabic treats she prepares and plates up throughout the story. Amal Awad seamlessly explores the cultural nuances of the various characters she has created and captures the joy that the art of cooking is able to bring to people and how it can also bring people together. I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys cooking, dining out and learning about different cultures and traditions. Maria, NSW, 4 Stars
Meet Zeina. With an unwell father, challenging job at a swanky restaurant, and a newly separated ex, things are about to get complicated. Is it okay to leave your job when there’s nothing really wrong with it? Is it okay to leave a relationship that just doesn’t feel right? How much should you embrace your heritage? How well do we know our parents? Grappling with all this at once, Zeina takes us on a journey through grief, resilience and making your own way as an Arab-Australian. Gorgeous descriptions of food and dissections of Zeina’s thoughts add extra colour to this book. Alex, SA, 4 Stars
This book approaches subjects that a lot of people are living with. Marriage breakups, ailing parents, trying to support others while trying to look after yourself. I really enjoyed it as it basically sums up my life. Christine, QLD, 4 Stars
A really sweet story. It was very nicely written and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Once I got into it I was fully invested in the characters and found it hard to put down. Samara, QLD, 4 Stars
I found it to be a nice light read and easygoing. I enjoyed how the author put a lot of thought into the culture surrounding the storyline, making it a pleasing read. It was very well written and the characters within the book were captivating. Katrina, TAS, 4 Stars
When Zeina takes leave from her job as a chef at a prestigious restaurant to care for her ailing father, she soon realises the extent of not only her father’s health concerns but the deterioration of her father’s restaurant, Casablanca. Once a bustling restaurant, it is now losing business to the newer restaurants in the area. Zeina is faced with some hard decisions to make, not only about the future of Casablanca, but her relationship with her husband Ray. In order to move forward Zeina must confront events of the past, which sets her on a journey of self-discovery. The narrative alternates between the past and the present, with the events that have led to Zeina’s current dilemmas gradually revealed to the reader. Set against a backdrop of inner-city Sydney restaurants, Bitter & Sweet is ultimately a story of family, community and love. It is told with warmth and hope, along with stunning descriptions of the food of Zeina’s childhood and her present – a recommended read. Holly, WA, 4 Stars
Sometimes everything comes at you all at once! This is certainly the case for Zeina, with an ailing father, a family business that’s falling to bits, a broken marriage, and a best friend in need. I enjoyed this story, particularly being able to see how Zeina’s emotions and ideas about things changed along the way. I also enjoyed that the story included snippets from the past that allowed me to see why Zeina felt the way she did, and why things had come to pass in the way that they did. Dari, WA, 4 Stars
To be honest it was a little annoying at first going back and forth to the Glossary at the front for a translation of the Arabic words and phrases but once I got into the story it was soon forgotten about. I did love that there was a glossary though as I felt the use of the Arabic words and phrases made it more authentic. It was a great read, following the ups and downs of Zeina’s new life after separation. Overall an enjoyable read. Katrina, QLD, 4 Stars
A story that will pull on your heartstrings, it is a tale of love and of loss, of place and displacement. The characters are endearing and likeable. They are connected in different ways and throughout the story these connections are tested, challenged and at times unravelled. The story feels like a banquet that will test your palette in many ways. The protagonist must look after her ailing father and in doing so plunges into her childhood memories of food and what food can do to nourish the soul, the mind, and the body. Quite a different book that you will surely enjoy. Samantha, QLD, 4 Stars
This is a story full of love. Love for food, family and friends. The flavours of the rich cuisine are woven through tales of heartache and loss. Zeina struggles to find her own place in the world and navigate change while grasping onto the comfort in her life from food. Tina, QLD, 4 Stars
Bitter & Sweet was a bit of a slow burn for me. It took a while to sink my teeth in, but I was glad I did. This was a beautiful story of self-discovery, growth and healing when your world turns upside down. The story is told between present day and chapters from the past, elaborating on Zeina’s relationships with other characters. Zeina felt like a well-developed character, who was easy to like and feel empathy for. Her growth throughout the book was lovely to read, and I felt proud of her progress. A really enjoyable read, and one that left me hungry for the perfect apple pie. Hayley, VIC, 3 Stars
There is a lot going on in the beginning, and slow in parts. But comes together at the end. An interesting storyline and strong characters. Lynette, NSW, 3 Stars
An enjoyable easy read tells the story of Zeina and her loves and losses, her friendships, and personal highs and lows. She is a likeable character who goes through many life experiences. We hear about her memories – good and bad, her relationships with friends, lovers and her family, and how her love of food binds it all together. Through it all, her friend Noor is a constant. Although their friendship has its rocky moments, the longevity of their history together and their love for each other help them to help each other through good times and through tragedies. I loved reading about the food she prepared and the happiness and togetherness this fostered for her friends, family and customers. It was like being in the kitchen and smelling and tasting the ingredients as she created her favourite feel-good dishes. If you love people and how they interact and support each other through their many ups and downs, you’ll enjoy this book as much as I have. Robyn, VIC, 3 Stars
Bitter & Sweet is very much a tale of finding yourself and true friendship. It reminds me of a lazy Sunday. It is slow, comforting and wholesome. Zeina is at a crossroads in her life and trying to navigate the many changes and responsibilities that come with being a wife, daughter and a friend. She is torn between her career as a chef at an upmarket restaurant working for her ex-lover, and caring for her ill father and his popular but run-down restaurant that is desperately in need of her attention, all the while navigating confusing but important relationships in her life. Awad has also given readers a unique glimpse into the culture of Arab Australians. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the culture and the different traditions and dishes mentioned throughout the story. The music playlists were a nice touch, another way to connect with the characters that I had come to know and love. Sarah, VIC, 3 Stars
The main character, Zeina, a Palestinian-Australian, was raised and grew up in her father’s restaurant. It was here she learnt to appreciate food and the love involved in making it and the enjoyment it provides. She pursues a career as a chef until her father becomes ill and she leaves her job to care for him. She is also contending with the emotions of separating from her husband. Gradually she comes to terms with the responsibility of taking over the family restaurant. This involves renovating, refurbishing, and a menu overhaul. The book explores love, loss and family. The food descriptions throughout the book are fantastic and whet the appetite. I found the book enjoyable to read. Julie, QLD, 3 Stars
A complex story, a mixture of a belated coming of age and fascinating relationships. The storyline revolves around Zeina and her relationships which include a breakup with her husband and a reuniting of understanding with her best friend. There is also an underlying theme of family complexities for the three characters and the impact that their culture has on their lives. Add to this a continual discussion on Arabic foods and recipes, and this is quite a refreshingly different book. Ainsley, QLD, 3 Stars
I embarked on the literary journey of Bitter & Sweet with high hopes, eager to explore the flavors of a rich cultural experience woven into the story. Amal Awad’s approach of infusing spices with the delivery was a delightful touch, adding a unique and personalized element. Throughout the narrative, I couldn’t help but be hindered by the excessive use of names when referring to the characters. It seemed as though almost every sentence included a character’s name, which became quite distracting and disrupted the flow of the story. This made it challenging to immerse myself in the plot and connect with the characters. On the positive side, the way the author intertwined culinary experiences was a standout aspect of the book. This added a vivid and sensory dimension to the narrative, making the cultural exploration all the more immersive and intriguing. This creative touch demonstrated the author’s ability to craft a story with a unique blend of elements, which I genuinely appreciated. Jess, QLD, 2 Stars
A touching story that could be true in life. I can try contexto unlimited
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This sounds like a really compelling story about family, self-discovery, and the challenges of life. I’m particularly drawn to the descriptions of food and the cultural elements mentioned.
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This heartfelt story about family, heritage and finding yourself through food really pulls at your heartstrings. I especially love how cooking and carrying on family food traditions becomes Zeina’s anchor through all the chaos in her life—it shows how the things we love can ground us when everything feels unsteady. If you’re the kind of person who loves diving into immersive stories like this, and you also have a soft spot for unique fandom collectibles, you should check out our curated collection of scp merch. From subtle logo pieces to detailed figurines of your favorite anomalies, there’s something for every SCP fan who wants to bring a little bit of the foundation into their daily life, just like Zeina brought her heritage into her cooking.