Et cetera : What We're Reading: Heartburn

Nora Ephron has always had a way of turning life’s biggest heartbreaks into something both funny and deeply human. You probably know her from her classic screenplays (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle), but her novel 'Heartburn' is a gem that shouldn’t be missed.

In 'Heartburn,' we meet Rachel Samstat, a cookbook author who seems to have it all—until she doesn’t. Seven months pregnant and in her second marriage, Rachel discovers that her husband is having an affair with a mutual friend. What could be purely tragic becomes, in Ephron’s hands, sharply witty and surprisingly relatable. She threads together the sting of betrayal with laugh-out-loud observations about love, marriage, and the absurdity of human behavior.

What makes this novel especially unique is Ephron’s blending of narrative and recipes. Yes, actual recipes! From the perfect vinaigrette to mashed potatoes, they arrive at just the right moments, adding both levity and a sense of comfort food therapy to the storytelling. It’s part memoir, part comedy, part cookbook—and wholly Ephron.

Reading 'Heartburn' feels like sitting down with a friend who understands exactly what you’re going through and somehow makes you laugh while your heart is breaking. That, to me, is the magic of Ephron: the power to find comedy in tragedy. I could have really used the wisdom in this book when I went through my own divorce, to be honest.

If you’ve ever loved and lost, or simply adore a smart, witty read with a dash of kitchen wisdom, 'Heartburn' will resonate. And best of all—it’s available right now on the Libby App! Happy reading, friends! ~Heather