Quint McCoy couldn't come to terms with his beloved father's sudden death. He took out his black moods on everyone, his family, his business, and his loving wife. A brief divorce later, his real estate firm on the rocks, he drives back into town from a fishing trip to discover that his practical mother has taken over his neglected office to turn it into a pie shop. DELECTABLE is just one way to describe the luscious recipes on offer, and his ex-wife Callee has been persuaded to sit there and sample the goods.

Montana needs hard workers, not idlers, is Molly McCoy's philosophy, and being a widow hasn't changed her attitude. She's very fond of Callee and doesn't want to lose her. Big Sky Pie is her answer to both those issues. Callee has enrolled in college in Seattle. But when Molly falls ill in turn, Callee is persuaded to take over the pie shop and cafe temporarily. She can't cook, but that doesn't seem greatly to concern anyone. Quint, horribly guilty, agrees to pull his weight. He's been hiding the fact that he learnt to make pie dough as a boy, thinking it wasn't a manly accomplishment. Now he has no option but to put the skill to work, at least until they can find a suitable trained applicant.

Practical crafts are known to be good therapy, and cooking and gardening are two of the best. The scents, textures and finished produce combine to provide relatively quick achievement and may garner praise. Working together in a close environment also allows the two people to appreciate each other again and form a new relationship. Callee's girl friend warns her that 'go-backs' are often the last gasp of a couple's relationship; they think everything will be better this time, but often it isn't.

There are helpful details about heart bypass patients and it is good to be reminded that women can suffer heart attacks as well as men, and need to watch out for danger symptoms. Overall I found this an interesting and friendly short novel, the first of a series; Delicious will be the next and there is a short excerpt at the back, as well as a recipe for sweet cherry pie using frozen cherries. The author Adrianne Lee lives in Washington State and summers in Montana. I would visit her DELECTABLE pie shop anytime!