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kmoz's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Biphobia
andelock's review against another edition
I wanted to like this book, but I had to stop. This is one of those books where most of the dialogue takes place in the character’s heads and nothing is said out loud because that might actually progress the story. So we get to hear a nice alternate reality conversation that never actually materializes. Again and again and again. In a very meta exchange in Ch. 7, Sophie even says to Amy “listen, I think we should talk” and Amy thinks “that is the last thing we should do”. Clearly this is not going to get better.
We’re told how nice Amy is supposed to be (aspires to foster a safe workplace, wants to pay a fair wage, etc) but her actions and words paint her as an asshole, and, most importantly, she is a total idiot when it comes to running a restaurant. How are we to believe she supposedly used to be successful at it?
Also, the Hollywood nickname is incredibly cringe. It took me out of the story every time Amy utters it. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
I tried to push through so I could mark this as finished and give a low star rating, but I just couldn’t do it anymore.
We’re told how nice Amy is supposed to be (aspires to foster a safe workplace, wants to pay a fair wage, etc) but her actions and words paint her as an asshole, and, most importantly, she is a total idiot when it comes to running a restaurant. How are we to believe she supposedly used to be successful at it?
Also, the Hollywood nickname is incredibly cringe. It took me out of the story every time Amy utters it. Stop trying to make fetch happen.
I tried to push through so I could mark this as finished and give a low star rating, but I just couldn’t do it anymore.
kaylaogle's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.25
zia_tiffah's review against another edition
3.0
this is quite possibly my first wlw adult romance I've read. two incredibly stubborn women and i love it
pineconek's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Factors that drew me to this book:
- The only reality TV that I've consistently indulged in have been cooking shows
- I'm currently on a "give modern romance a chance" kick
This book toed the line between kinda cringey and very entertaining (some of the smut was uh questionable at best), but both held my attention. We follow a restaurant owner and her head chef. They're both great at their jobs, messes in their personal lives, and need to save the failing business. What better way to do that than to appear on the cooking reality TV show hosted by the head chef's ex? And let's not forget the restaurant owner's awful father coming in to judge this place for not serving rapini (or broccoli? one of the two).
Recommended if you're looking for something light and silly and sexy and, damn it, we have to save the restaurant!! And our love for one another!! 3 stars.
- The only reality TV that I've consistently indulged in have been cooking shows
- I'm currently on a "give modern romance a chance" kick
This book toed the line between kinda cringey and very entertaining (some of the smut was uh questionable at best), but both held my attention. We follow a restaurant owner and her head chef. They're both great at their jobs, messes in their personal lives, and need to save the failing business. What better way to do that than to appear on the cooking reality TV show hosted by the head chef's ex? And let's not forget the restaurant owner's awful father coming in to judge this place for not serving rapini (or broccoli? one of the two).
Recommended if you're looking for something light and silly and sexy and, damn it, we have to save the restaurant!! And our love for one another!! 3 stars.
scarlettereads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
While The Romance Recipe didn’t really do much for me in the way of the narrative, the audio narration performances were great! Natalie Naudus is the queen of audiobooks—especially sapphic stories—so that was to be expected, but I wish she'd performed the whole book herself so there wasn't such a jarring change between perspectives when the narration changed.
It's been nine days since I finished the book and I couldn't even tell you the characters' names, so it hasn't had much staying power in my mind, but if you like foodie romances and sapphic stories this might be a great novel for you.
It's been nine days since I finished the book and I couldn't even tell you the characters' names, so it hasn't had much staying power in my mind, but if you like foodie romances and sapphic stories this might be a great novel for you.
abbyynormal's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 and only because the ending felt a little rushed. Per the usual with romance novels though. Big thanks to the author for this book making me feel the most validated in my sexuality than ever before.
betris's review
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? Yes
3.0
whatcassiedid's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
I feel like this was light on plot but it was fun!
carsonelainee's review against another edition
3.0
this book is just aggressively fine. it’s a great concept with great rep but there’s something that’s getting lost in translation. it’s a very forgettable story with forgettable characters.
and i HATED the hollywood nickname. it filled me with such anger. i love nicknames in romance books. there one of my biggest weaknesses in the genre. but hollywood was horrendous and made me cringe every time it was said.
i will say though that this is possibly the raunchiest book i’ve ever read/listened to. there were moments when my jaw was literally dropped.
and i HATED the hollywood nickname. it filled me with such anger. i love nicknames in romance books. there one of my biggest weaknesses in the genre. but hollywood was horrendous and made me cringe every time it was said.
i will say though that this is possibly the raunchiest book i’ve ever read/listened to. there were moments when my jaw was literally dropped.