Hope was Here Joan Bauer
G.P. Putnam's Sons c2000

This is the story about a 16 year old girl named Hope who was abandoned by her mother and lives with her Aunt Addie. Addie is a cook and Hope a waitress and the two of them are a pair - taking pride in making people happy with good food.

They now settle in Wisconsin working at a small diner for a man named GT Stoop who is dying of leukemia. But he is still going to run for mayor even though here there is small town corruption running rampant.

The story dishes up love for both Hope and her aunt. Hope also finds the father she has always wanted. This is a delicious story with tasty wit added. A much fun read.