A review by nehaha
The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

ugh a waste of time! The restaurant owner is incredibly annoying and such a difficult character to care about. She is incredibly insecure and makes it everyone else’s problems and continuously self victimizes. Her and Amy’s relationship is not believeable - I still don’t understand the attraction and chemistry between them. There are some good sex scenes especially in the beginning of the book, which is the only reason this book got 1 star. But unfortunately the worsen as the book progresses. I’m unsure who the audience of this book is supposed to be but it definitely is not sapphics because they’re sex feels so much like what cis het people think of sapphic sec to be. There is little to no character development especially for the restaurant owner. The chef is likable but we do not much of her character other than that she is bi (was engaged to a man), is a chef and obsessed with the restaurant owner. She does not have much of a personality and character development outside of Amy - most of her decision and thinking are tied to the restaurant owner. Sophie has a lot of plot outside of Amy, esp relating to her family. Her toxic relation with her dad is mentioned and shown a lot however the reason for what that is is never explained nor there is any resolution to that. Overall, terrible book, would not recommend!!!

Oh and also the restaurant owner sucks at making spreadsheets- literally the core of her business.