This was such a sweet read! I had not read anything by this author before and wasn't quite sure how it would go. Sometimes new authors are a disappointment to me but this one was amazing.

I loved watching Hadley rise to success after her disaster of a show with Max. But now Max is back and Hadley just got a major upgrade to her contract. Why is he here?

Then it hits her. The show she's always wanted to be on? Yeah, that major cooking show. She's on it! But the kicker is it's her and Max together. They don't want just her. They want the chemistry that she and Max have. The fights and the anger because that's what boosts ratings.

Can Hadley and Max become friends and work together to have a good show? Or will the claws come out?

A great read that I highly recommend. It read fast and I loved the recipes they created and getting to know the characters better.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful light book that is quite charming. It is full of fun chapter titles and a love story that is as sweet as pie. I loved this story immediately as it combines my love for cooking and good chemistry between characters. I highly recommend this book as a summer read or cozy rainy day read!

I so wanted to love this book, but in the end I only really liked it. It was a good read, but for my personal taste, it lacked a little flavor (yes, that is a cooking joke).

I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, and while the chemistry between Max and Hadley was good enough, I personally like a little more spice, sarcasm, and witty banter. I went into this book without knowing that it is technically classified as a "Christian Romance". While that is not a problem for me, it did catch me a little off-guard with the themes of forgiveness - it made it less light-hearted than I was expecting.

Somewhere within the wide web, this book caught my eye and ended up on my TBR. More than anything, I was curious to read a contemporary Christian romance, since I haven’t read one in years! Bethany Turner, you made a FAN out of me! This deliciously charming, enemies-to-lovers tale of two rival celebrity chefs is just what your summer ordered. Hadley and Max won my heart!!! Refreshing, touching, completely clean and so entertaining, their story will melt you like butter cake. Stick this one in your beach bag for some amazing grace with a dash of spice. It is so heartfelt and so much fun. Thank you so much to NetGalley for my review copy!!!

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner is a perfect summer read! It's the story of two rival chefs, Hadley Beckett and Maxell Cavanaugh, who are at the top of the culinary world complete with restaurants, products, and cooking shows. They face off in a cooking competition that goes horribly wrong with hurt feelings and career-ending repercussions. Can each put aside their differences, learn to forgive, and trust one another? Bethany Turner has once again created a world that draws you in with snappy dialogue and memorable characters.

I love watching cooking competition shows like Chopped, Iron Chef, Cake Wars, Gordon Ramsey in Hell’s kitchen, and The Worst Chefs, Anne Burrell and Tyler Florence, with my family. These shows are fun, I learn a lot. I especially like the part before the show or in between segments where you get to know the competitors. The audience gets a feel for the person’s passions, and why they became a Chef, what they will do with the prize money, why they do what they do and/or why they want to donate their winnings to their charity. The audience gets to know the competitors before they go into battle. I felt that this story jumped over that part and just started the battle. I missed that part of the process which made connecting to these top chefs hard.

The story is told from Hadley Beckett (Southern bell type Chef) and Maxwell Cavanagh (a Chef who is not a very nice person) alternating point of views. I couldn’t connect with Hadley and I was not fond of Max. I watched an interview with the author who said that during the writing of this book she didn’t like Max very much either. She found it hard to believe these polar opposite people would connect. I found it hard to relate with either one of these characters as Max is throwing tantrums and Hadley is trying to not get caught up in this man’s drama. I really thought I’d love this book because we enjoy cooking shows so much. But I found it hard to connect with the story line (and the characters). Maybe I had high expectations because I’ve watched so many of these types of shows. Another thing I missed was the natural spiritual thread I usually enjoy with this publishers’ books. There was a hint that Hadley was a Christian because she mentions it a few times. Max warms up to the idea near the end, but nothing is settled (I’m ok with that too but wanted more). Mind you I do not like when a book is preachy either but a wonderful blend of spiritual soul searching, repentance, forgiveness in the story line is why I read novels like this. The faith element and/or awareness affects everything in the story.

Everyone is different. Just because I could not get into this story, doesn’t mean someone else won’t love it. This is the first book I have read by this author. I will most definitely give another one of her books a try in the future.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

I love culinary shows like Top Chef and this book made me think of that world and it was like bingeing a TV show in book form, with all the behind the scenes details.
However, the characters themselves failed to catch my interest. It was very hard for me to see how Max would come back from being the utter jerk he was at the start (first impressions do count, unfortunately, so I could not stop seeing the jerk throughout). Hadley also seemed just … flat and 'meh' throughout. I just failed to find the character compelling enough to really want to root for them to get to a happy ending

Sometimes, it takes several books by an author to find one you really love. This was the case with Bethany Turner's Hadley Beckett's Next Dish. I wasn't thrilled with her other two books (although there were parts of them that were good), but I really enjoyed this one. Maybe it's that I enjoyed the cooking show aspect since I love to cook, or maybe it was that the characters were fun to spend time with, or maybe it's that the romance was a sweet, Hallmark movie style romance, but whatever, the reason, this was a very enjoyable book for me to read. I definitely recommend this book for those who enjoy contemporary romance books and books dealing with food and cooking.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Really enjoyed this book. Steady paced, great characters, I was absorbed throughout. Will be reading more books by the author in the future!

“Hadley Beckett's Next Dish” was an unexpected and well received Christian romance novel that took me by surprise with the character development, heavily culinary focus plot that is typically pushed aside to focus on the romance aspect in other culinary romances and the thoroughly researched behind the scenes food industry details the author included that made the reader feel like they were right there alongside Hadley and Max on Renowned.

This was far more impressive than I initially thought it would be. It was a charming and riveting read filled with second chances, forgiveness, romance, humor, friendship and of course mouthwatering food! The believable characters and gripping storyline made this an instant page turner and a must read for 2020.

Hadley Beckett's Next Dish by Bethany Turner, and my first book by this author. Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is a high rated chef with multiple Michelin stars and a top rated show, until he blows it with his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett is the host of the other top rated show, with her southern charm for family viewers. When Maxwell is ready to come back, he must work with the beloved Hadley. They are opposites in every way, what could possibly go wrong. I really enjoyed this book, perfect rom-com that kept me laughing and reading. If you enjoy romantic comedy's I highly recommend this book. I am looking forward to reading more books by this author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The conflict in Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is fantastic. From the initial riveting prologue and story setup, I was anxious to see how Hadley would go from despising Max to liking him – let alone actually finding a friendship and romance with him. But trust Bethany Turner to take all these “seemingly” unrelated ingredients and deliver a “dish” that’s as fun as it is memorable. Filled with all the pop culture (and foodie!) references I’ve come to love in Bethany’s voice, this story is an enemies-to-lovers romance at its finest.

I LOVE MAX. And Hadley, of course 😉

Only Bethany Turner could transform a hero in such a dynamic way. Max has met his match with Hadley, and it’s a thrill to see them pitted against one another — and their grudging friendship turn into sparks of the romantic kind. Aside from the hilarious romcom genius of this story, a strong thread of second chances and healing interweaves the culinary world of Max and Hadley. Facades, public image, and honesty are all dealt with in fresh ways.

The cliMAX (see what I did there?) of the story is unexpected in the most refreshing way! The momentum never stops, and the resolution is played out surprisingly when I would have expected a literary trope or a predictable direction. To reveal just how it stands out and plays on a bit of teamwork would reveal too much, so trust me when I say it is perfection!

I enjoyed all the FOOD, culinary and food-celeb references, and the banter of this novel. The quick wit of Hadley and Max, layered and complicated by their relationship, combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining novel with dimension and plenty of flavor! One of my favorite tiny things about this story was Hadley’s penchant for silently reciting “kitchen ABCs” when she is upset: Apples. Beef stroganoff. Cumin. Dicer.

Now I’m off to cook something, because all the kitchen talk in the novel has made me hungry 😉

Thanks to the publisher, Revell, for the review copy. This is my honest review.

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is an enemy to lover’s romance, full of witty banter and passionate kisses.
It starts out funny but gets serious as it goes along. This book deals with the difficult topic of alcoholism and the damaging effects it has on life.
As a fan of Food Network, I enjoyed the cooking show backdrop to the story. I liked seeing the “behind the scenes” type scenes.
The character of Max is not a Christian, and so, his lifestyle and sometimes his language reflects that. I was disappointed that the book didn’t end with a redemption scene for Max. I enjoyed how he changed over the story, but I felt it fell one step short when he didn’t have a conversion. I would have loved to see him come to Christ, not just turn over a new leaf. Hadley’s faith, too, played such a small part in the story. Maybe the whole thing just needed to be longer.
There’s lots of arguing, and sometimes the characters are downright mean to each other. The romance between Hadley and Max moved quickly and it was kind of weird how they would go from screaming at each other to kissing.
I was saddened by the amount of euphemisms used throughout the book. Words like gosh, golly, dang, darn, sucks, and screwed. I’m also not a fan of the word, sexy, which was also used on more than one occasion.
I think some of the humor is lost on me because I’m not familiar with most pop culture, but if you like that stuff, this is so your book!
I wouldn’t recommend this book for conservative Christians, and I don’t think that’s her intended audience anyway. I do recommend this book for anyone who’s looking for a comedic romance, with a light faith-based message, and is not bothered by anything negative that I mentioned above.
Bethany Turner is an amazing storyteller. Her books, I believe, are a great outreach to the modern Christian, sharing the love of Christ in a way to which they can connect.

2.5 stars

the great

- parts of this book were laugh-out-loud funny
- Hadley learns how to stand up for herself and her career. This book captured the struggles of working in a male-dominated field and dealing with general patronizing behavior.
- Hadley and Max's backstories and baggage were fully fleshed out

everything else

- the pacing of this book was odd, and it took me more than halfway through the book before I really cared much about what happens to the characters.
- I wish that instead of a string of misunderstandings and fights between the halfway point and end of this book, that there was one or two conflict points. the conflict was coming at you from every angle, and I think with a more concentrated conflict, it would have had more oomph

to conclude

Not sure why this was categorized as 'Christian fiction' other than that the steam factor was set firmly to zero. This book didn't do a whole lot wrong, but it didn't do a whole lot right, either.

I received an ARC from Revell via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story sizzles like frying bacon! I am not a foodie and I don't tend to watch reality TV but I absolutely adored this book. It is very character driven and the two main characters, Hadley Beckett and Maxwell Cavanagh have chemistry.

That chemistry is pretty explosive in the beginning. The two chefs are appearing in a reality TV celebrity chef cooking competition. Hadley drips Southern charm and Max radiates his bad boy persona. The camera loves the tension but behind the scenes it's just ugly.

If you are looking for a good summer read put this at the top of your list. I enjoyed the exploration that actions have consequences. Max is just volatile but what if he decides to change? Is it possible? And if it is how do you overcome other people's expectations? The story also looks at the hurts from the opposite side. Hadley knows that forgiveness is expected when you are a believer. But what does that look like and how to you go forward once you make the decision to forgive?

I've read several of Bethany Turner's books and they just seem to get better and better. If you have the opportunity to read any of her other books, do it! But by all means get this one . . . I think it's her best yet.

I received a copy of this book to facilitate my review.

For me, Hadley Beckett's Next Dish (HBND) was more than a story. It was an experience. Not to be overly dramatic, but that's genuinely how I felt while, and after, reading it. it gets 4.4 stars from me for the quality of writing and a delightfully constructed plot. The author pieces together multi-textured elements from different geographies and a range of culinary 'escapades' that take readers on a very engaging story arc.

I selected this book because I really enjoyed the humour and writing style in The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck (TSLSH) - also by the author. In that regard, this one didn't disappoint. HBND is super funny and well-written. One thing to note, though, is that the numerous US-focused cultural references will likely go over the heads of readers who are unfamiliar with American pop culture, leading to quite a few missed 'punchlines'. This was a surprise for me because I've consumed quite a bit of content from the US over the years, but many of the Americanisms in this book were totally lost on me.

The evolution of Max and Hadley from almost-enemies to couple was great to read. The characters were humanly multi-layered, and peeling back each layer presented in the story was a lot of fun. However, another thing that stood out to me was the scarcity of 'concrete' physical descriptors - something that can be a bit disconcerting for 'visual readers'. Although, this didn't detract from the obvious chemistry between the characters, it felt strange to not be able to have a definite image of them in my mind even after completing the book. I also noticed this in TSLSH. And I'm guessing this is a deliberate technique that Ms Turner employs. Perhaps to focus less on the physical and more on the personalities of the characters?

My main grouse with this book is that it gives too light a touch on the subject of faith. Jesus is too much of a secondary plot point. In fact, I would say He was more tertiary or even fourth-removed from the core of the story. If a Christian author is going to address the experience of blissful grace that exudes from unreserved forgiveness specifically, I would've thought a bit more attention would be given to the faith behind it.

Many thanks to Revell and Ms. Turner for a complimentary copy via NetGalley. These opinions are mine.

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner is an amazing book, full of laughs and heart. I love this author’s writing so much! Her writing keeps you entertained every moment and she is a master at dialogue. Mostly— her characters are real, flawed, and feel like someone you would know in real life. This book is the perfect summer read or great for any time you need an uplifting book. I adored it and highly recommend it! I received a copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.

When Max experiences aery public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.

As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.

The story line of this book was good. One chef has anger issues. The other doesn't want to make waves. After Max goes through anger management, he is paired with Hadley on a to die for cooking show that all famous chefs aspire to be on. This is not what either of them really want to do. But they want to be on the show. One minute they are getting along they next not so much.

I think this book could have been half the size if there wasn't so much inner thinking that more or less said the same thing over and over. After about two thirds of the way in the book, it got more interesting. There was more action and not so much inner thinking.

This book was published by a Christian publisher. There was only a few references to Jesus. But it was clean and had no foul language.

I was given this book by Revell Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

I love cooking shows and food and this book captures the stress, excitement, and love of food that is found in those shows. Hadley Beckett is a Southern cook, sweet and kind, but with enough fire to hold her own. Max Cavanagh is the exact opposite, harsh, loud, and full of insults. With Max blowing up his career in alcohol flames (though not from flambeing), he is trying to get his life back on track and to do that he needs Hadley. As they work on a new show together, Hadley and Max learn more about forgiveness, their own flaws, and what love really is.

A solid step up from Bethany Turner’s previous novel, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is a fine contemporary romance about two chefs with clashing personalities who find love.

The titular Hadley Beckett is a wiz in the kitchen. With two Michelin stars to her name, she’s sugar sweet and southern charm, inspiring waves of followers who consider Hadley their wholesome girl next-door.

Celebrity chef Max Cavanagh is anything but wholesome.  A bad boy chef with a worse reputation, he has nine Michelin stars, several restaurants and is Hadley’s competition on an episode of America’s Fiercest Chef (Think Iron Chef or Chopped).

When Hadley and Max aren’t playing good cop/bad cop on the show as they cook for their lives, they’re hosting two shows constantly jockeying for the top slot on the Culinary Channel; Max’s show is the Gordon Ramsay-ish/Bobby Flay-like To the Max, and Hadley’s is the predictably sweet-natured At Home with Hadley.  So it’s not shocking that when Hadley’s dish beats Max’s during their AFC episode, he throws a huge tantrum.  Since the show’s pre-taped for edit, Hadley presumes the scene will never see the light of day, but it’s leaked, and Max’s show is suspended, his career in jepoardy.

Soon after, Hadley is approached by Leo, Max’s big-time agent, who wants to make over her show and boost her career by putting her on Renowned, a show she watched in her childhood that she’s always dreamed of appearing on, in return for her assistance in relaunching Max’s career by sharing the season with him.  Hadley’s been managed by her no-nonsense – and never-has-any-time-for-Hadley - Meemaw since her career started, and to take up the offer, she needs to finally confront the woman.

Max and Hadley begin spending time together to prepare for the series, and soon the two of them are doing more than bonding over food.  She soon learns there’s a devoted, detail-orientated side to Max, and Max learns that there’s more to Hadley than her sugar-sweet exterior.  But can they develop trust in one another when so many differences seem to stand in their way?

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is a surprising charmer of a novel, a heartfelt southern production with a sense of humor and a lot of cute ideas.  

Max’s arrogance is a nice counterbalance to Hadley’s kindness – but Hadley isn’t so kind as to be unbelievable, nor Max too over the top to be sensible.  Both simply work as characters, and together.

But the romance suffers from a bit of a case of insta-love. While the pair does take the time to get to know one another, when Max kisses Hadley for the first time, it feels a bit sudden, as if it were in need of more time to percolate.

I enjoyed Hadley’s pushy-but-not-evil Meemaw, and I liked the surprisingly kind agent Leo, who bucks all agent-in-romancelandia stereotypes on the way to being one of the books’ best things.

Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish’s inclusion of faith-based elements comes in a more subtle format than in the author’s previous book, Wooing Cadie McCaffrey. The religious faith of the characters feels more of a background subject compared to the book's simple message of redemption and its simple plot construction.  That construction is what kept the book from a higher grade, its predictable no-one-is-going-to-talk-this-out plot twists are a groan, and the characters deserve better. The book’s best plot devices revolve around Hadley’s struggles to command respect as a serious chef in the television world.

In the end Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish isn’t going to be every romance fan’s main course – but it’s good enough to earn a solid passing grade.

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