People , A Best New Book & A Most Anticipated Book of the Year Southern Living , A Most Anticipated Book of the Year "Yes, it's a mash-up of locked-room mystery and The Bear , but it's also a beautifully crafted novel in stories that reveals characters' essential loneliness right beside their cravings for true connection." --Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times " The Bear fans will say, 'Yes Chef!'" --Lizz Schumer, People "Virginia author Rebecca Kauffman keeps lots of plates spinning as various members of the staff--from lead line cook and busser to bartender and pastry chef--weigh in on the mysterious goings-on."--Suzanne Van Atten, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution "The novel is engaging not so much because of what happens but rather in the portrayal of the characters and how they view each other . The Reservation has spot-on observations about human nature." --Mary Ann Zehr, The Harrisonburg Citizen "Both peppery and poignant." --Erin Douglass, The Christian Science Monitor "Rebecca Kauffman does an incredible job in bringing this restaurant and all its employees to life on the page, and the result is a madcap mystery that makes The Bear seem calm and collected. This utterly delightful novel is a full feast for readers. " --Michael Welch, Chicago Review of Books "Entertaining .
[T]he story develops into a profound meditation on what it means to be connected, which Kauffman elucidates with a light touch when a bar guest reflects on the nature of storytelling . It's a pitch-perfect mash-up of Clue and The Bear ." -- Publishers Weekly (starred review) "Readers who enjoy character-driven stories and TV's The Bear will find much to appreciate." -- Booklist "The characters are engaging, sympathetic, and portrayed without judgment. The staff members are so much more than the work they do, and the care and curiosity that Kauffman brings to all of them is effective and purposeful. The gustatory details, too, are rich and delightful as the story unfolds. Observant, wry and witty, The Reservation is a joy--just don't read it while you're hungry." --Freya Sachs, BookPage "Kauffman explores her characters' interactions and backgrounds with aplomb .
The Reservation is a big-hearted novel perfect for J. Ryan Stradal's fans." -- Shelf Awareness "A restaurant-based mystery reveals more than just the culprit in this sprightly drama . [A] tender tale that seeks the 'immeasurable satisfaction' of an ordinary job well-done. In what is largely a light and funny novel, Kauffman nevertheless touches some of the deeper mysteries of the human condition: desire, longing, and an inchoate sense that there is something larger than our circumstances which binds us all together. A book that proves light touches can leave lasting impressions." -- Kirkus Reviews "This is Big Night , but with sandy blond hair and a Southern drawl! So, so good." --Emma Straub "Rebecca Kauffman is brilliant and her books keep getting brillianter.
" --David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo and Although Of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself "One thing I love about fiction is that it can take you anywhere. For instance, an entire novel can take off when a whole bunch of steak are stolen from a restaurant refrigerator. That this relatively small theft can change the trajectory of people's lives. With The Reservation , her sixth novel, Rebecca Kauffman has proven herself to be a master of documenting ordinary life--revealing how complicated, rich, puny, funny, beautiful, and absolutely bittersweet it can be." --Marcy Dermansky, author of Hot Air.