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lbarsk's review
4.0
As I said during my reading updates, this book is COMPULSIVELY READABLE and great fun. Loved the nonbinary rep, loved the flirting and the sensuality between the two characters. The whole thing seemed VERY fast-paced, but because of the reality-show premise that made more sense to me than, say, if this were two teachers falling for each other, or two booksellers, or something along those lines.
What's keeping this at a 4 stars for me instead of a 5 is the ending -- we move right from a really crucial moment of Dahlia realizing what she wants for herself and her future, and a healing between her and her mother that needed to happen... to a super positive and sweet end to their love story... to a flash-forward which, while not unwelcome, definitely shows and doesn't tell! I would've loved to see one conversation between Dahlia and London about their future before... seeing the future. Or some scene to serve as a midpoint between the big ending scene and the Future Vision. But I *am* really glad that these two cooking superstars got their HEA!
What's keeping this at a 4 stars for me instead of a 5 is the ending -- we move right from a really crucial moment of Dahlia realizing what she wants for herself and her future, and a healing between her and her mother that needed to happen... to a super positive and sweet end to their love story... to a flash-forward which, while not unwelcome, definitely shows and doesn't tell! I would've loved to see one conversation between Dahlia and London about their future before... seeing the future. Or some scene to serve as a midpoint between the big ending scene and the Future Vision. But I *am* really glad that these two cooking superstars got their HEA!
frafrin's review
5.0
Around 630pm today I finished dinner and thought, “I’ll read the first few chapters of this book.” It is now 1041pm and I read it. The whole damn thing. In one sitting.
This book is an unbelievable breath of fresh air. Anita Kelly has created a wonderful world infused with a cooking competition, romance, the pressures of living up to your own (or your families) expectations, and I just want more.
London and Dahlia are both contestants on Chef’s Special which in concept sounds a bit like Chopped meets Master Chef? (I’d watch this in real life, obvi).
The story explores London being out as non-binary and the pressures they face from their dad as well as an unwelcoming contestant. Dahlia, a recently divorced queer woman who finds herself drawn more and more to London as the story progresses. It’s funny, witty, charming, and heartfelt.
An absolute delight from cover to cover.
This book is an unbelievable breath of fresh air. Anita Kelly has created a wonderful world infused with a cooking competition, romance, the pressures of living up to your own (or your families) expectations, and I just want more.
London and Dahlia are both contestants on Chef’s Special which in concept sounds a bit like Chopped meets Master Chef? (I’d watch this in real life, obvi).
The story explores London being out as non-binary and the pressures they face from their dad as well as an unwelcoming contestant. Dahlia, a recently divorced queer woman who finds herself drawn more and more to London as the story progresses. It’s funny, witty, charming, and heartfelt.
An absolute delight from cover to cover.
a_schadenfreude's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bbdelphine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
queenjreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
shadyeglenn's review
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
4.25
whatthedeuce's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It was a decent book, overall, but I really felt it went on a bit too long that within the last 90 pages or so I started to find the characters’ handwringing and angst pretty tedious. The angst was understandable for the most part but still drawn out wayyy too long for my taste. The book started off so strongly for me, but the characters started getting on my nerves about halfway through, which I find often happens when the hookup starts too early in the story.
Also London being a rich kid and Dahlia not directly addressing them about her not wanting London paying for anything really irked me. Like they had a whole ass rental car just sitting in a garage for like a month while Dahlia’s all freaked over how she’ll pay rent when she gets home, and then you can tell she’s uneasy or annoyed when London offers to pay for stuff so casually cuz they’re from an affluent family, and yet all it merits is “Let’s find free things to do in LA” but no direct discussion. Why even make one lead character privileged as a contrast to the other if that wasn’t gonna actually factor into anything? It was just to show how noble London is with wanting to set up a nonprofit cuz well, they don’t the damn money! Also I get Dahlia wanting to step into a more confident version of herself, but she was definitely giving some manic pixie dream girl energy that was so grating after awhile.
Also London being a rich kid and Dahlia not directly addressing them about her not wanting London paying for anything really irked me. Like they had a whole ass rental car just sitting in a garage for like a month while Dahlia’s all freaked over how she’ll pay rent when she gets home, and then you can tell she’s uneasy or annoyed when London offers to pay for stuff so casually cuz they’re from an affluent family, and yet all it merits is “Let’s find free things to do in LA” but no direct discussion. Why even make one lead character privileged as a contrast to the other if that wasn’t gonna actually factor into anything? It was just to show how noble London is with wanting to set up a nonprofit cuz well, they don’t the damn money! Also I get Dahlia wanting to step into a more confident version of herself, but she was definitely giving some manic pixie dream girl energy that was so grating after awhile.
louisawilliams's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
nataliekilgo's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
A cute story. I wish they would have spend more time on the actual cooking show because I love watching those lol, but otherwise it was good!