Scan barcode
paperbrownies's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
-lgbtqiap+, adult, contemporary, romance, dual pov, reality tv
- nb|f
- nonbinary pan mc (they/them), queer white mc, white trans sc
initial thoughts: i am the biggest fan of cooking shows doesnt matter that i can only cook a handful of things when left alone in the kitchen but they were the greatest source of serotonin when i was a kid!! i used to Love watching my kitchen rules!! 😂 so yk i was definitely going to pick this book up!!
afterthought:
cw: alcohol, transphobia, misgendering, brief mention of blood, sexual content, discussion on divorce and joblessness
- nb|f
- nonbinary pan mc (they/them), queer white mc, white trans sc
initial thoughts: i am the biggest fan of cooking shows doesnt matter that i can only cook a handful of things when left alone in the kitchen but they were the greatest source of serotonin when i was a kid!! i used to Love watching my kitchen rules!! 😂 so yk i was definitely going to pick this book up!!
afterthought:
cw: alcohol, transphobia, misgendering, brief mention of blood, sexual content, discussion on divorce and joblessness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Transphobia
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
mxlewife's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Sexual content, and Biphobia
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Blood
references to using the wrong pronouns and misgendering, but not on the actual pagepaiges_on_pages's review
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
There is a new niche, and that niche is Reality Show Romance Novels.
It’s hard to blame these authors for creating this eclectic sub-genre. Reality shows include drama, suspense, and occasionally romance on their own, so it’s truly a match made in heaven! Everyone loves wondering what’s really behind the scenes, and these stories give you a glimpse of the many possibilities.
The newest addition to the pile is Love & Other Disasters, by Anita Kelly. Dahlia Woodson and London Parker are cast on the hit show Chef’s Special to take a step in a new direction. For Dahlia, that’s discovering who she is outside of her former marriage, a romance that started in high school. On the other bench, London is the first non-binary contestant on the National cooking competition. While comfortable with this decision, they are on a journey to gain the confidence to stand up to the trolls online and in their family (even if that means ignoring social media for the time being.) Stuck on set and in the same hotel, London and Dahlia decide to stick together and explore the Pacific Coast while eliminating the other contestants. Perhaps they’ll explore something else along the way, too…
This novel was such a delight to read! While it does deal with some darker concepts, such as family acceptance and transphobia, the connection between the two main characters was strong, and it brought tons fun and adventure to the story.
However, just a small warning: Love & Other Disasters is very spicy, and this is coming from someone who reads a lot of romance novels!Keep some ice packs on hand, because they may be needed.
The only reason I docked it 1/4 of a star was for a bit of a biased reason. In the first chapter, Dahlia notes she is from a small East Coast town called New Bedford… which just so happens to be where my family is from. While this minute detail is fine for 99% of other readers, it took me out of the story all three times it was mentioned, especially since I was hoping it would have been revealed she is Cape Verdean or Portuguese, as most families from New Bedford. (Not quite a spoiler alert, but Dahlia is revealed to be Italian. One day, I will finally come across a book with a Cape Verdean character!)
This was my January choice for Book of the Month, and it may be one of my favorite choices yet, and definitely my favorite January read. I would definitely recommend this novel to anyone looking for a juicy LGBTQ romance, especially if they’re someone who can’t stop watching Food Network!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Transphobia
Moderate: Biphobia and Alcohol
Minor: Blood
foreverinastory's review
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved this so much!! I had a smile on my face the whole time.
Love & Other Disasters is an Adult romcom set on a cooking show. Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself, even after falling on her face in the first round of Chef's Special. London Parker has announced their pronouns on international TV for the first time and has way too many things to worry about besides the contestant in front of them falling on her face. But when London and Dahlia start talking there's an immediate connection.
This was such a cute novel! I fell in love with both London and Dahlia. I definitely shipped these two from their first interaction. I loved watching their relationship grow and change. I really wanted them both to be happy. Plus I'm such a sap for the grumpy & sunshine trope which this delivered on.
I need more baking/cooking romance novels. All the ones I've read so far I've absolutely loved.
Rep: white Italian bisexual female MC, white pansexual nonbinary MC, Asian male side character, trans male side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, dysphoria, sexual content, transphobia/transmisia (specifically in regards to nonbinary people). Moderate: Blood.
I loved this so much!! I had a smile on my face the whole time.
Love & Other Disasters is an Adult romcom set on a cooking show. Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself, even after falling on her face in the first round of Chef's Special. London Parker has announced their pronouns on international TV for the first time and has way too many things to worry about besides the contestant in front of them falling on her face. But when London and Dahlia start talking there's an immediate connection.
This was such a cute novel! I fell in love with both London and Dahlia. I definitely shipped these two from their first interaction. I loved watching their relationship grow and change. I really wanted them both to be happy. Plus I'm such a sap for the grumpy & sunshine trope which this delivered on.
I need more baking/cooking romance novels. All the ones I've read so far I've absolutely loved.
Rep: white Italian bisexual female MC, white pansexual nonbinary MC, Asian male side character, trans male side character.
CWs: Alcohol consumption, dysphoria, sexual content, transphobia/transmisia (specifically in regards to nonbinary people). Moderate: Blood.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Dysphoria, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Blood
snowydaze's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley.
Overall I enjoyed the book, the characters were lovable at times but there seemed to be some things glossed over. I loved London however most of their character points seem to revolve around dealing with transphobia and although I am very glad the hateful comments were not actually mentioned in the book, I found London to be lacking in comparison to Dahlia. Their differences of economic status isn't discussed even though it does create problems. Additionally Dahlia seems to get away with a lot in terms of being rude at times. The story also plays into the get with a rich person and all your problems dissappear trope which is sorta problematic.
Otherwise the story was cute and satisfying to read.
Overall I enjoyed the book, the characters were lovable at times but there seemed to be some things glossed over. I loved London however most of their character points seem to revolve around dealing with transphobia and although I am very glad the hateful comments were not actually mentioned in the book, I found London to be lacking in comparison to Dahlia. Their differences of economic status isn't discussed even though it does create problems. Additionally Dahlia seems to get away with a lot in terms of being rude at times. The story also plays into the get with a rich person and all your problems dissappear trope which is sorta problematic.
Otherwise the story was cute and satisfying to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Alcohol, Cursing, Dysphoria, Grief, Homophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Blood
perpetualpages's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CWs: Explorations of divorce, some transphobia, brief descriptions of blood and cooking-related injuries, some sexually explicit content
This is a such a delightful cooking romance! It's rare that we get to see queer romances between a queer woman and a pansexual nonbinary person, and as a nonbinary person myself, it felt like reading this story was an act of healing, in a way, as the story brilliantly fills that void. Also, if you enjoy romances that are about cooking, reality shows, competitors-turned-lovers, or grumpy/sunshine relationships, I have great news for you: this book has all of those things and more!
Dahlia is such a fun, erratic, spontaneous, messy character who's very uninhibited and full of joy, which makes her all the more complex, because she's also dealing with the fall-out of her recent divorce and the consequences of quitting her job to compete in Chef's Special. Her life is full of uncertainty and she has no idea what she should do next, but she doesn't let that stop her from living in the moment and fully embracing the wild rollercoaster ride that is being on a reality cooking show.
I love the dynamic between her and London, who is much more focused and straight-laced, and who's come into this competition with a very clear goal in mind. London is very conscious of their visibility as a nonbinary person on television, and that's a responsibility they don't take lightly. Their goal is to be one of the first out-and-proud television personalities so that they can give other trans and nonbinary people hope and be a positive role model for younger generations. They also know that they would use the prize money to start an LGBTQ+ non-profit organization. So they're definitely a bit more put-together and focused, and I think they balance out Dahlia really nicely and vice versa.
I also really appreciate the ratio of cooking content to romance plot, because I think the story is able to strike a very fine balance. There's enough insight to the on-goings of the cooking show itself to give the reader a sense that these characters definitely know their way around a kitchen and understand the ins-and-outs of producing a high quality dish, while also making space for the characters to get to know each other, spend time together, and begin to break down each other's walls. You definitely get to feel the rising stakes of the competition and you see enough of it to want to root for both characters, but it doesn't detract from the characters spending time together off-camera.
I think it's also important to acknowledge how the story handles transphobia, because London is definitely being put in a position where their visibility also makes them a target in some ways. There are people in their life who don't respect or want to understand their identity, or who give them grief about not wanting to use their pronouns. The story is able to explore that all-too realistic experience without actually subjecting the reader firsthand to that kind of violence. For example, when London is misgendered, the reader isn't put in a position where they have to read the incorrect pronouns. When internet trolls are trying to tear them down online, the reader isn't subjected to having to read those comments. Those are very small details, but they really help to solidify this romance as a safe space for queer readers.
Furthermore, I love how the story embraces Dahlia's messiness. Like I said, she's starting a new chapter in her life where she doesn't have a clear-cut plan or a long-term goal that's she's trying to reach, and the story allows her space to work through that discomfort. I appreciate how the story celebrates that figuring out what *doesn't* work for you and being brave enough to walk away from it is a milestone in and of itself and how it can be a sign of your hard-won growth. The story contains a really important message about being true to yourself and learning to be okay with not having all the answers yet, which I think is so important, especially in adult romance.
With all that said, I did want a little bit more from London's storyline. It kind of feels like, at times, their entire narrative arc is about battling transphobia and proving the transphobes wrong just by existing—which is a worthwhile and important storyline, but I feel like they didn't have as much character growth as Dahlia did. There's also some staggering differences in social status, income, and wealth between Dahlia and London that I don't feel was ever properly reconciled.
Part of what makes this competition so important for Dahlia is that it A) gives her a sense of purpose and B) she could really use the prize money after her divorce depleted a lot of her resources and she quit her job. What's more, she picks up on London's comfort with money pretty quickly, which does unconsciously effect their dynamic in some ways. That monetary stress definitely adds to Dahlia's confusion and her desire to change, and I was a little bit disappointed that the solution to her problem was basically just to get with someone rich and then everything else will magically work itself out. That's one of my least favorite "tropes" in the romance genre, so to speak, and I just wish that conversation was more meaningfully addressed.
But even taking those minor quibbles into account, I still enjoyed this romance so much. It's funny, it's sexy, it's heartfelt, it has great cooking content that made my foodie heart soar, and it has an element of escapism and safety to it that makes it really enjoyable to read. Overall, I would definitely recommend this story and I cannot wait to see what Anita Kelly writes next, because their brand of queer romance is exactly what I need more of in my life!
This is a such a delightful cooking romance! It's rare that we get to see queer romances between a queer woman and a pansexual nonbinary person, and as a nonbinary person myself, it felt like reading this story was an act of healing, in a way, as the story brilliantly fills that void. Also, if you enjoy romances that are about cooking, reality shows, competitors-turned-lovers, or grumpy/sunshine relationships, I have great news for you: this book has all of those things and more!
Dahlia is such a fun, erratic, spontaneous, messy character who's very uninhibited and full of joy, which makes her all the more complex, because she's also dealing with the fall-out of her recent divorce and the consequences of quitting her job to compete in Chef's Special. Her life is full of uncertainty and she has no idea what she should do next, but she doesn't let that stop her from living in the moment and fully embracing the wild rollercoaster ride that is being on a reality cooking show.
I love the dynamic between her and London, who is much more focused and straight-laced, and who's come into this competition with a very clear goal in mind. London is very conscious of their visibility as a nonbinary person on television, and that's a responsibility they don't take lightly. Their goal is to be one of the first out-and-proud television personalities so that they can give other trans and nonbinary people hope and be a positive role model for younger generations. They also know that they would use the prize money to start an LGBTQ+ non-profit organization. So they're definitely a bit more put-together and focused, and I think they balance out Dahlia really nicely and vice versa.
I also really appreciate the ratio of cooking content to romance plot, because I think the story is able to strike a very fine balance. There's enough insight to the on-goings of the cooking show itself to give the reader a sense that these characters definitely know their way around a kitchen and understand the ins-and-outs of producing a high quality dish, while also making space for the characters to get to know each other, spend time together, and begin to break down each other's walls. You definitely get to feel the rising stakes of the competition and you see enough of it to want to root for both characters, but it doesn't detract from the characters spending time together off-camera.
I think it's also important to acknowledge how the story handles transphobia, because London is definitely being put in a position where their visibility also makes them a target in some ways. There are people in their life who don't respect or want to understand their identity, or who give them grief about not wanting to use their pronouns. The story is able to explore that all-too realistic experience without actually subjecting the reader firsthand to that kind of violence. For example, when London is misgendered, the reader isn't put in a position where they have to read the incorrect pronouns. When internet trolls are trying to tear them down online, the reader isn't subjected to having to read those comments. Those are very small details, but they really help to solidify this romance as a safe space for queer readers.
Furthermore, I love how the story embraces Dahlia's messiness. Like I said, she's starting a new chapter in her life where she doesn't have a clear-cut plan or a long-term goal that's she's trying to reach, and the story allows her space to work through that discomfort. I appreciate how the story celebrates that figuring out what *doesn't* work for you and being brave enough to walk away from it is a milestone in and of itself and how it can be a sign of your hard-won growth. The story contains a really important message about being true to yourself and learning to be okay with not having all the answers yet, which I think is so important, especially in adult romance.
With all that said, I did want a little bit more from London's storyline. It kind of feels like, at times, their entire narrative arc is about battling transphobia and proving the transphobes wrong just by existing—which is a worthwhile and important storyline, but I feel like they didn't have as much character growth as Dahlia did. There's also some staggering differences in social status, income, and wealth between Dahlia and London that I don't feel was ever properly reconciled.
Part of what makes this competition so important for Dahlia is that it A) gives her a sense of purpose and B) she could really use the prize money after her divorce depleted a lot of her resources and she quit her job. What's more, she picks up on London's comfort with money pretty quickly, which does unconsciously effect their dynamic in some ways. That monetary stress definitely adds to Dahlia's confusion and her desire to change, and I was a little bit disappointed that the solution to her problem was basically just to get with someone rich and then everything else will magically work itself out. That's one of my least favorite "tropes" in the romance genre, so to speak, and I just wish that conversation was more meaningfully addressed.
But even taking those minor quibbles into account, I still enjoyed this romance so much. It's funny, it's sexy, it's heartfelt, it has great cooking content that made my foodie heart soar, and it has an element of escapism and safety to it that makes it really enjoyable to read. Overall, I would definitely recommend this story and I cannot wait to see what Anita Kelly writes next, because their brand of queer romance is exactly what I need more of in my life!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia
Minor: Blood
More...