A.K. Hill

About “The Soup Kitchen”

KATE O’LEARY is at the top of her game. A successful chef with one of the most popular restaurants in Cincinnati. She’s renowned for providing a top-tier dining experience for Ohio’s elite. That is, until a fire destroys everything she’s worked for.

Forced to re-evaluate her lifestyle while she waits for the insurance check so she can rebuild her dream, Kate takes a job at Mary and Martha’s Soup Kitchen on the other side of town. She’s desperate to make ends meet any way she can, and hopeful that the positive publicity will help her relaunch her career when the time comes. But when Kate arrives at her new job, she realizes she is way out of her depth . . .

Mary and Martha’s Soup Kitchen is home to the most down-on-their-luck clientele; people with no money, little prospects and more hardships than she can count. The soup kitchen is also struggling to make ends meet, no matter how hard do-gooder boss Nick tries, so Kate’s mission feels impossible: feed the hungry
her usual high-quality meals, only with a miniscule budget and donated food.

While Kate struggles to come to terms with her new situation – and is made to feel even less welcome by cook Marika, who wanted the job for herself – she slowly gets to know the community around her and realizes sometimes there’s more to people than meets the eye.

Will Kate succeed in her mission of changing the lives of the soup kitchen’s clients—and in return, will they change hers?

Book cover of 'The Soup Kitchen' by A.K. Hill, featuring a blue pot and a wooden spoon.
Pathway lined with cherry blossom trees under a clear blue sky.

I’m a mom. My daughter left for college, and I was searching. What would my next chapter be?  After much prayer, I heard God say, “You should write a book.”

I ignored that whisper and continued to pray for guidance. During that time, I volunteered… on the board at my old high school, as a child advocate, and at Our Daily Bread - a soup kitchen in Greater Cincinnati. The kitchen was amazing, and I loved the dichotomy of two very different worlds engaging.  I heard God say, “You should write about this.”

So, I did…The Soup Kitchen (A Novel).

My Story

Page Turning Praise

  • "Readers will cheer for the characters in this insightful and heartwarming read that showcases A.K. Hill’s natural talent for storytelling."

    Victoria Ryan, bestselling author of When Your Grandparent Dies

  • "I really enjoyed this book! ... I enjoyed getting to know the clients and the volunteers and their experiences/stories. ..."

    Janelle Will - Netgalley Review

  • “…Your characters truly became loved ones to me”

    Rebecca Roy, Bestselling-Fiction Editor

  • "This book and author took me by surprise. I loved the faith element and the characters. It showcases how our lives can change when we take the time to evaluate and prioritize them. There were so many heartwarming, tear jerking moments. I loved the main setting of a soup kitchen. Highly recommend!"

    Susan Fryman - Netgalley Review

  • "I really enjoyed this book, I felt Kate come across as looking down at people at the start but slowly warmed to her character, I loved the way the book was written, I could picture each character and where everything was set out and also how the soup kitchen looked Also enjoyed as a palette cleanser away from thrillers"

    @lilym_booktok 

  • "This is the first time I have read this author and I really loved this book. ... There is so much going on in their little community that a spoiler might happen so I suggest you read this book. It makes you think and makes you see how things can be, A GREAT READ"

    Sheila Penwell - Netgalley Review

  • "The synopsis of the novel does not do it justice. ...it it is so much more. The author has written a heart-warming and heart-wrenching story that weaves together wonderfully complex characters, a contrasting view of two cultures within a city, and themes of love, loss, grief, altruism, compassion, generosity…well almost the entire spectrum of human emotions and behaviors. ... Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I appreciate the author’s insights into a topic that is so relevant in our current milieu and applaud her courage to follow her inner guidance and perseverance in writing and self-publishing this book."

    Karen Axnick - Netgalley Review

  • “I really enjoyed being in M & M soup kitchen. It was interesting to think about all of the different prejudices that come into play regarding people who are in poverty. There were so many different stories that were portrayed throughout the book which enhanced the book so much and gave me a greater perspective …"

    Laura Krooswyk - @kroosreadsandreviews

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I look forward to our conversation!