Book excerpt: Ladies of London star Marissa Hermer grew up in southern California picking avocados from her grandmother’s tree. Weekends meant trips to the Newport Beach pier for fresh fish and bowls of granola baked in the sunny family kitchen. But everything changed when Marissa moved to London to be with the love of her life, a British restaurateur who prefers meat and potatoes to guacamole. A classic Sunday roast replaced her beachside BBQ, and sticky toffee pudding elbowed out the s’mores. But as she made her home in England and started a family of her own, Marissa didn’t want to lose her roots. She began incorporating a bit of California into her recipes, creating homey British favorites with a brighter twist. Drawing inspiration from both her American upbringing and British cuisine, the 120 recipes in An American Girl in London show you how to cook delicious, nourishing, family-friendly fare that earns raves on both sides of the pond. From a flavorful sourdough bread and butter pudding to a rich mushroom and tarragon pie, Marissa shows you how to amp up the flavors of home to keep you, your family, and friends feeling fit, loved, and completely nourished. While her home kitchen might not be the most traditional, it’s a match made in transatlantic heaven.