REVIEW: "Love & Other Disasters" by Anita Kelly

 

"Love & Other Disasters" by Anita Kelly

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

(4/5 Stars)

SYNOPSIS:

Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.

After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.

As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.

REVIEW:

What a delightful read!

If you're like me - and you enjoy watching cooking and baking shows, devouring every single episode of The Great British Bake Off etc - This is a book for you!

Full with humour and aww-worthy moments, and ticking the sunny vs grumpy trope, this is definitely a rom-com read I'd recommend. Predictable at times, but I guess that's to be expected. Lovely queer representation! Be prepared for a few steamy scenes.

TW: There is some enbyphobia (not sure that transphobia, as mentioned in the book itself, is the proper use for a discrimination against a non-binary character, but I might be wrong? Unless I didn't understand that said character is trans, rather than NB) towards London, one of the two main characters. However, Whenever it does happen it is quickly shut down by their friends and they're truly surrounded by a bunch of great people. Just thought it should be mentioned in case it is a triggering topic for any potential readers.

Really enjoyed it and I think it's well written. Would recommend to any rom-com lovers out there looking for their next summer read! Especially if you want queer relationships to be the main focus!