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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
Accidentally read a Christian Romance with a bit of back and forth her/him perspective that was way more her perspective than his. Listening to the audiobook, he didn't even appear as a love interest in any real way until 1/2 through the plot so I wondered if I had checked out a romance at all for the first 4 hours. So weird pace but pleasant enough plot and would have rated higher if I had known what I was starting.
““Okay, everyone! We’re back in twenty. Places, please.”” - Opening line by Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner
“Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish” is my first time reading Bethany Turner but I’ll be back for more, I love her sassy and well-written dialogue! Hadley and Max are poles apart and the interactions between them cover the range from laugh-out-loud to heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both!
The novel begins slowly but by a quarter of the way through the story had taken enough unusual turns I had to know how it was going to end! The leading characters are set up as opponents, literally on a reality tv show and then in reality by the cooking show business. Hadley, however, refuses to be Max’s enemy and her determination to love her neighbour well allows the story to follow the line it does and builds a relationship between the two. It isn’t sickly sweet or cliched but created through the power of connection, taking time to know someone and believing the best, it”s beautifully done and a reminder to live love out.
The food does sounds delicious, do not read this one hungry! I read it straight through, I highly recommend it. It’s a four out of five on the enJOYment scale.
“Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish” is my first time reading Bethany Turner but I’ll be back for more, I love her sassy and well-written dialogue! Hadley and Max are poles apart and the interactions between them cover the range from laugh-out-loud to heartfelt. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them both!
The novel begins slowly but by a quarter of the way through the story had taken enough unusual turns I had to know how it was going to end! The leading characters are set up as opponents, literally on a reality tv show and then in reality by the cooking show business. Hadley, however, refuses to be Max’s enemy and her determination to love her neighbour well allows the story to follow the line it does and builds a relationship between the two. It isn’t sickly sweet or cliched but created through the power of connection, taking time to know someone and believing the best, it”s beautifully done and a reminder to live love out.
The food does sounds delicious, do not read this one hungry! I read it straight through, I highly recommend it. It’s a four out of five on the enJOYment scale.
Made it 93% through and gave up, wondering what I was doing with my life :(
Sometimes you just need a light, charming, romantic sort of read and Hadley Beckett's Next Dish definitely fit the bill. It's a sweet read without being saccharine with a fresh concept as promised by the synopsis. The characters were interesting with their complete opposite personalities. Chef Max started off pretty much unlikeable but he eventually gets a better version of himself the more he spent time with Chef Hadley. The book kept me engaged and wanting to keep reading to find out what truly happened during their infamous Reality Cooking Competition. But when I finally found it out I honestly had some mixed feelings about it, let's just say I was probably expecting a much heavy drama. Anyway while it may not be my favorite I still appreciated the message of this book about forgiveness, second chances and the importance of self-worth. And like #WooCam my favorite by far from this author, #HadBeck was clean and sweet. Plus, their story was also nicely put together from beginning to end Like Will and Cadie which I truly love.
What a heartwarming story! This was my second read from this author and I can certainly say that I am a fan! At this point, I’m trying not to read all of her books at once, so that I have more to look forward to! Although this is a common trope, I still very much enjoyed the story and the writing. I felt that the characters were perfectly imperfect and loved the will they, won’t they aspect. I truly enjoyed reading their journey as they were on the cooking show. The characters showed a lot of depth and growth. Even though this is a “hallmark” type story, it felt realistic. I also loved the sacrifice and selflessness that was on display.
This book was cute. I really seem to enjoy books that have to do with cooking. I enjoyed the story and I liked the characters and their growth. It was a cute read. I think I will forget almost all of what happened though.
This isn't the type of book I usually review, but it grabbed my attention since it sounded like it was an amusing read. I wasn't at all familiar with the author, but I decided to review it anyway..... and I am glad I did.
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish isn't an overtly Christian novel, but that is OK. It is a clean book with Christian themes. And the book is definitely amusing. Throw two very different chefs in the kitchen together and hilarity definitely ensues.
Hadley and Max are both great and likable characters.....well, Max isn't likable at the beginning of the book. The only thing that did kind of bother me about the book was Max's transformation from a jerk with a temper who drank too much into a very likable and decent guy abstaining from drinking, bad temper, and cursing...for the most part. Hadley was a Christian, but I would like to have seen Max's change come from Christ, not from a rehab center. And yes, these kind of books can be predictable with boy meets girl, one is not a Christian, but there is a conversion and they live happily ever after. Slight spoiler: if Max became a Christian, there is no mention of it in the book. It was still cool to see a the change in him throughout the book.
That aside, it was a truly entertaining read. I found myself laughing out loud more than once as these two very different personalities clashed, and Max spent more time apologizing than cooking. It was also interesting to watch as they went from barely tolerating each other, to becoming the most important person in each other's lives.
On the serious side, were themes of forgiveness, trust, and the lesson that fear can hold us back from happiness and fulfilling lives.
I loved the climatic moment of the book, along with the "6 years later" part at the end. I definitely recommend the book.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish isn't an overtly Christian novel, but that is OK. It is a clean book with Christian themes. And the book is definitely amusing. Throw two very different chefs in the kitchen together and hilarity definitely ensues.
Hadley and Max are both great and likable characters.....well, Max isn't likable at the beginning of the book. The only thing that did kind of bother me about the book was Max's transformation from a jerk with a temper who drank too much into a very likable and decent guy abstaining from drinking, bad temper, and cursing...for the most part. Hadley was a Christian, but I would like to have seen Max's change come from Christ, not from a rehab center. And yes, these kind of books can be predictable with boy meets girl, one is not a Christian, but there is a conversion and they live happily ever after. Slight spoiler: if Max became a Christian, there is no mention of it in the book. It was still cool to see a the change in him throughout the book.
That aside, it was a truly entertaining read. I found myself laughing out loud more than once as these two very different personalities clashed, and Max spent more time apologizing than cooking. It was also interesting to watch as they went from barely tolerating each other, to becoming the most important person in each other's lives.
On the serious side, were themes of forgiveness, trust, and the lesson that fear can hold us back from happiness and fulfilling lives.
I loved the climatic moment of the book, along with the "6 years later" part at the end. I definitely recommend the book.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
This is one of the few I would consider an actual enemies-to-lovers on both sides and it's really well done. Most have one that actually likes the other character a la Gilbert and Anne.
Hadley and Graham have a handful of bad encounters on a TV show as guest chefs. Graham is full of himself and his talent and Hadley is the new kid on the block. Fast forward after her win and Graham's blow up and they have to work together again.
Bethany is a great story teller. I loved the concept and tend to enjoy books that largely feature food, even if they make me into a hungry monster for the majority of the read. I think I go through a lot to try Graham's mushroom risotto.
Hadley and Graham have a handful of bad encounters on a TV show as guest chefs. Graham is full of himself and his talent and Hadley is the new kid on the block. Fast forward after her win and Graham's blow up and they have to work together again.
Bethany is a great story teller. I loved the concept and tend to enjoy books that largely feature food, even if they make me into a hungry monster for the majority of the read. I think I go through a lot to try Graham's mushroom risotto.
This book had weird Christian undertones and it put me off.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes