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hca's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia
kbrimull's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Deadnaming and Transphobia
criticalgayze's review against another edition
This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year so far, but it was a struggle.
What I wanted was the extra queer cooking competition sibling of The Charm Offensive, but Love & Other Disasters lacked any sense of connection.
First, the backdrop of the reality show is not utilized to any sort of advantage here. While I get that it would likely be difficult to write a riveting cooking narrative not bogged down in detail, the story would often introduce a competition segment and then zoom ahead hours or even days to tell us that the two leads had luckily avoided elimination.
Also, the two main characters do not SHOW any real chemistry. They TELL us they’re interested in each other, but I didn’t feel the connection at all. I think the lack of intensity from the cooking show spills over into the romance and leaves this one feeling flavorless.
What I wanted was the extra queer cooking competition sibling of The Charm Offensive, but Love & Other Disasters lacked any sense of connection.
First, the backdrop of the reality show is not utilized to any sort of advantage here. While I get that it would likely be difficult to write a riveting cooking narrative not bogged down in detail, the story would often introduce a competition segment and then zoom ahead hours or even days to tell us that the two leads had luckily avoided elimination.
Also, the two main characters do not SHOW any real chemistry. They TELL us they’re interested in each other, but I didn’t feel the connection at all. I think the lack of intensity from the cooking show spills over into the romance and leaves this one feeling flavorless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
larainsidebooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Homophobia
amym84's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
4.5
Newly divorced Dahlia Woodson is trying to figure out what she wants out of her life. Determined to reinvent herself, Dahlia tries out for and is accepted on Chef's Special - America's favorite cooking reality show. Cooking was something Dahlia turned to in the last couple of years as her marriage was crumbling and she's very proud of all she's learned and accomplished. Of course, no one ever prepares you for falling flat on your face on reality tv...so Dahlia has that going for her.
London Parker becomes the first openly nonbinary contestant on Chef's Special after deciding to announce their pronouns during their individual interviews on camera. Bracing for the worst commentary on social media, London doesn't have time to pay attention to the gorgeous accident-prone contestant at the table in from of them.
While romance was not something either Dahlia or London were looking for when they started Chef's Special, they slowly form a bond with one another. But as the weeks go by and contestant after contestant are sent home, they begin to realize that there's more at stake than a $100,000 prize.
I am a big fan of reality baking/cooking competitions so when I read that Anita Kelly's book would revolve around two contestants falling for each other while competing I knew I would read this. It's always interesting to see the behind-the-scenes workings of these types of shows and the friendships and bonds formed between the people through their shared experiences.
Love & Other Disasters really delivers on all fronts. What really got me about the story was the vulnerability that both Dahlia and London exhibit throughout. They are both putting themselves out there so openly and honestly even without knowing exactly how things are going to play out.
The slow build of their initial friendship to something more was so sweet. Seeing two people from different parts of the country meeting by chance (on a reality show of all places) and recognizing something that has been missing from their lives. Dahlia had been unhappy in her marriage for years and wasn't seeing eye-to-eye with her husband on what their future looked like. And London who is finally able to say who they are and who they want to be, but still experiencing those who can't just let them live their truth - including their own father. Together, Dahlia and London make all that doubt and uncertainty go away. They truly see each other. They fit together so effortlessly I loved every minute.
Coupled with the delicious food descriptions and this was such a great comfort read by a new-to-me author.
Newly divorced Dahlia Woodson is trying to figure out what she wants out of her life. Determined to reinvent herself, Dahlia tries out for and is accepted on Chef's Special - America's favorite cooking reality show. Cooking was something Dahlia turned to in the last couple of years as her marriage was crumbling and she's very proud of all she's learned and accomplished. Of course, no one ever prepares you for falling flat on your face on reality tv...so Dahlia has that going for her.
London Parker becomes the first openly nonbinary contestant on Chef's Special after deciding to announce their pronouns during their individual interviews on camera. Bracing for the worst commentary on social media, London doesn't have time to pay attention to the gorgeous accident-prone contestant at the table in from of them.
While romance was not something either Dahlia or London were looking for when they started Chef's Special, they slowly form a bond with one another. But as the weeks go by and contestant after contestant are sent home, they begin to realize that there's more at stake than a $100,000 prize.
I am a big fan of reality baking/cooking competitions so when I read that Anita Kelly's book would revolve around two contestants falling for each other while competing I knew I would read this. It's always interesting to see the behind-the-scenes workings of these types of shows and the friendships and bonds formed between the people through their shared experiences.
Love & Other Disasters really delivers on all fronts. What really got me about the story was the vulnerability that both Dahlia and London exhibit throughout. They are both putting themselves out there so openly and honestly even without knowing exactly how things are going to play out.
The slow build of their initial friendship to something more was so sweet. Seeing two people from different parts of the country meeting by chance (on a reality show of all places) and recognizing something that has been missing from their lives. Dahlia had been unhappy in her marriage for years and wasn't seeing eye-to-eye with her husband on what their future looked like. And London who is finally able to say who they are and who they want to be, but still experiencing those who can't just let them live their truth - including their own father. Together, Dahlia and London make all that doubt and uncertainty go away. They truly see each other. They fit together so effortlessly I loved every minute.
Coupled with the delicious food descriptions and this was such a great comfort read by a new-to-me author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Deadnaming
outtoexist's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I. Loved. This. Book. SO MUCH!! It was quite explicit, so if that isn't your thing definitely move along. No fade to black scenes here, which I was a bit surprised by. BUT!! A nonbinary person falling in love with a beautiful, complicated woman on a COOKING SHOW?! It was written for me! The characters are hilarious, loveable, and flawed. The setting is, obviously, perfect - I'll never watch cooking shows the same way again, and I watch a lot of cooking shows! The sexy scenes were tender, consentual, and fantastic. The themes of transphobia were delicately addressed, but not constantly centered or overly violent. An absolutely incredible book for sure!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia and Deadnaming
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