Kate & Frida - by Kim Fay (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A buoyant, mouth-watering oasis of a novel, Kate & Frida is a love letter to bookshops and booksellers, to the way stories shape how we perceive ourselves, to the passion we bring to life in our twenties, and to the last precious years before the internet changed everything. Twenty-something Frida Rodriguez comes to Paris in 1991, relishing the city's butter-soaked cuisine and seeking her future as a war correspondent. But when she writes to a bookshop in Seattle, she receives more than just the book she requests. A friendship begins that will redefine the person she thought she wanted to become. Seattle bookseller Kate Fair is transformed by Frida's free spirit, spurred to kiss her handsome coworker, to believe in herself as a writer, and to find beauty even in loss. Through the most tumultuous years of their young lives-personally and globally-Kate and Frida's friendship sustains and nourishes them as they show each other how to overcome self-doubt and the necessity of embracing joy even through our darkest hours"--

Book Synopsis

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

"A highly original, heart-warming story of an extraordinary friendship." --Amy Poeppel, Award-Winning author of The Sweet Spot

From the author of instant national bestseller Love & Saffron, this bright and comforting novel follows the surprising friendship between two young women in 1990s Seattle and Paris, illuminating the power of books to change our lives.

Sometimes a book can change your life...

Twentysomething Frida Rodriguez arrives in Paris in 1991, relishing the city's butter-soaked cuisine and seeking her future as a war correspondent. But then she writes to a bookshop in Seattle, and receives more than just the book she requests. A friendship begins that will redefine the person she wants to become.

Seattle bookseller Kate Fair is transformed by Frida's free spirit, spurred to believe in herself as a writer, to kiss her handsome coworker, and to find beauty even in loss. Through the most tumultuous years of their young lives--personally and globally--Kate and Frida sustain and nourish each other as they learn the necessity of embracing joy, especially through our darkest hours.

This mouthwatering oasis of a novel is a love letter to bookshops and booksellers, to the passion we bring to life in our twenties, and to the last precious years before the internet changed everything.

Review Quotes

A USA Today Bestseller
A Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of the Year
An Indie Next Pick for March
A Christian Science Monitor Best Book of March

"A highly original, heart-warming story of an extraordinary friendship... Two bright, young women, living on different continents, share their experiences of transformative books, fabulous food, and interesting men - along with their regrets, fears, and hopes for the future - bridging the distance between them in their search for meaning and purpose. I loved this delightful and wise novel!" --Amy Poeppel, Award-Winning author of Musical Chairs and The Sweet Spot

"I loved this wonderfully thoughtful and thought-provoking tale of a friendship forged through letters. Confiding in each other about romance, family, work, and ambition, Kate and Frida move through the murkiness of youth and its inevitable mistakes, cheering each other on with friendship's greatest gift: a sense of being found. This is story deftly told, full of wisdom and heart, and a reading experience as memorable and satisfying as a great meal with good friends in a fascinating new place." --Natalie Jenner, internationally bestselling author of The Jane Austen Society and Every Time We Say Goodbye

"In Kim Fay's poignant and nostalgic novel, protagonists Kate and Frida form an epistolary friendship where they are safe to be vulnerable and authentic and, as a result, are each able to grow in unexpected ways. Written in the early 1990s, their letters take the reader to war-ravaged Sarajevo, idyllic Paris, and peaceful Seattle, and show what really matters in life: joy, love, and hope (and also, great books and delicious food). This delightful story made me hug my friends closer!" --Kelli Estes, USA Today bestselling author of The Girl Who Wrote in Silk and Today We Go Home

"Fay (Love & Saffron, 2022) delivers another winning epistolary novel about transformative friendship...Fay does an outstanding job of showing how both [characters] are changed by significant events, like Frida's visit to war-torn Sarajevo and Kate's unexpected romance, while remaining buoyed by their supportive bond. Their observations about writing are thought-provoking and sometimes very funny. Delicious multicultural recipes are highlighted, and readers who lived through the '90s will nod at the cultural touchstones. Fiction lovers will embrace Fay's immensely wise and enjoyable novel." --Booklist

"It's charming to encounter an epistolary novel these days. The once-popular form has fallen out of fashion in the age of digital communication, but Fay resuscitates it ... [Kate and Frida's] voices remain distinct in the letters, often naïve, self-doubting, or overconfident, but authentically the voices of young women finding themselves. The book spans several years with lots of fun '90s pop-culture details, and it often focuses on food, from peanut butter cookies to chiles rellenos, with several recipes included at the end. An old-fashioned form and two lively modern women make for an enjoyable novel." --Kirkus

"Moving, intimate, and deliciously readable--I couldn't put Kate & Frida down!--it offers a winning formula for life lived deeply and richly: good books, good friends, and good food, shared. Recipes included!" --Michelle Huneven, Award-Winning Author of Search

"I devoured Kate & Frida in one lovely, leisurely weekend. It's the kind of book that wraps you in a warm, cozy hug. Fay masterfully weaves Kate and Frida's adventures, challenges, and triumphs together in one delicious bundle of letters with just the right touch of delectable food (it is Paris after all). The story is a poignant reminder of the enduring power of books, food, and friendship. This is a must-read!"--Ellie Alexander, author of the Bakeshop Mysteries

"From Paris to Seattle to Sarajevo, this effervescent, poignant story radiates joy and hope. A savory tale of two young women navigating the tumultuous events of the early 90s with the help of great books, food, and friendships, Kate & Frida explores the sometimes rocky path to finding love, facing loss, and discovering your voice and purpose. I devoured every word!"--Rachel Linden, bestselling author of The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie

"A story of connection, resilience, and the power of life's small joys ... Both women come to understand the importance of finding joy in even the smallest moments and are able to embrace life's unpredictability with courage and optimism ... This is an excellent choice for those who enjoy stories of friendship and personal growth. Historical fiction readers will appreciate the rich cultural and social references to the 1990s." --Library Journal

"Kim Fay's second delightful epistolary novel after Love & Saffron pairs effervescent 20-something pen pals, Kate and Frida...Their embrace of joy, especially in dark times, sends a message of hope." --Christian Science Monitor

"If you're in the mood for a heartwarming read, you'll want to pick up Kim Fay's Kate & Frida ... Much like Love & Saffron, Fay's new novel focuses on friendship and food, with several detailed descriptions of favorite dishes and some recipes at the end. But this one is also a love letter to books and reading, and the power of literature to spread joy and bring people together. Fans of 84, Charing Cross Road will love Kate & Frida. Just be sure to keep a notebook nearby to jot down all the other titles you'll want to check out." --Wichita NPR - KMUW's "Book Review"

"This epistolary novel of books, cuisines, and hopes is a charming homage to friendship and correspondence ... Fans of Kim Fay's 2022 novel, Love & Saffron, will delight in another story told through letters ... A heartwarming link between the two novels enhances the reading experience, but each stands satisfyingly on its own...In letters that read like transcripts of conversations, Kate and Frida cement a friendship based on their shared philosophy: 'It's the words that will last.'" --Shelf Awareness

"A heartwarming novel that looks at life pre-internet, with some fun pop-culture references and a genuine friendship between two women." --Red Carpet Crash

About the Author

Born in Seattle and raised all over Washington State, Kim Fay is the author of the national bestseller Love & Saffron and Edgar Award-nominated The Map of Lost Memories. A former independent bookseller, she lived for many years in Vietnam, the inspiration for Communion: A Culinary Journey Through Vietnam. Fay now lives in Los Angeles with her musician husband, Jim Vitale, and their dog, Mabel.