cross-posted to goodreads

DNFed not 10% of the way through because every single contestant in this show is the most stereotypical you could possibly make them. let me introduce you! we have:

- peyton, our main character from the panhandle of florida who learned to bake from her grandma
- malik, the token black character who loves to barbecue
- lola, the token latinx character who refers to her grandma as her “abuela” in front of a group of obviously non-spanish-speaking strangers she’s just met
- adam, a blonde boy from california who has tattoos, loves to surf, and is a vegan
- hakulani, another surfer but from hawaii who, i kid you not, introduces himself by saying “aloha”
- paulie, an italian from new jersey who says he will destroy all the contestants if they have to make pasta and actually admits he is a walking stereotype
- dani, from manhattan, a super rich snob

look i don’t care if these first impressions are later questioned throughout the course of this book and we find out the rich girl has a soft side or that the vegan has daddy issues or whatever, i cannot make it past the first few chapters knowing this is the way the author chose to introduce her characters

Thank you Netgalley and Perseus Books for sending me the book to read in exchange for a honest review.

WHERE THERE'S A WHISK is about a Food TV competition in NYC for teens who are competing to win a scholarship for college/culinary school. Peyton is from a struggling family who try to make ends meet and lives with her Aunt while her father is in prison and her mother is having a hard time keeping up. Peyton is one of the selected competitors to cook/bake on the show and do challenges to advance further in the ranks. Little does Peyton realize that the show is nothing as it seems and the producers are controlling more than what any of the teens are prepared for.

The story is a quick, easy, and fluffy contemporary read. I did enjoy Peyton as the main voice for the most part but felt some of the scenarios were a little bit unreal. The romance didn't feel right and kind of came out of no where. I understood the fake romance with one of the characters but the main love interest didn't connect with me. I think if Peyton had had more interactions and hang out time with that particular character then maybe I'd find it cute and sweet instead of forced.

Towards the end the book picks up the pace quite a lot and doesn't slow down for no one, as if the author was running out of time to finish the book and had to quickly settle things. There were some moments I raised an eyebrow to and some others that felt unnecessary as the author never went into more depth. For example Peyton's family drama and other characters backgrounds. I wish there was more development so I could care more for whether or not they won. Even Peyton didn't get a lot of development as the narrator of the story.

If you watch the Food Network and like watching the competitions like Master Chef and Cutthroat Kitchen, you may like this book. The book takes place entirely in the competition. The teens were never able to leave their assigned apartment unless told to do so by higher ups. The characters were able to explore NYC and visit main tourist attractions but that was pretty much it. We got random moments of Peyton learning about lemurs but not going anywhere else and the history lessons on the Statue of Liberty were okay. I'm from Brooklyn NY and it would have been cool if the contestants were able to actually leave their rooms.

I felt like the author had experience with cooking shows but barely explored NYC and kept to the basics.

With more development, and fleshed out characters and setting, this book could have been great but just sunk in like a soufflé.

3 stars

This book is like The Great British Bake Off with teenagers in America! Except instead of watching the show, we’re living it by following Peyton as she competes as one of the contestants on a new teen food completion show.

I really enjoyed this book! The friendships and camaraderie despite the competition, the delicious food, the anxiety of being filmed nearly 24/7 for a TV show, and the behind the scenes of being on a show like this.

Every single character feels like a real person and like someone you’ve encountered before — both the good ones you’re rooting for and the bad ones you don’t want to win. Peyton is so genuine and hard on herself and is trying to hard to succeed at something she loves. I loved being in her shoes and seeing how much she loves to cook and bake, and how badly she wants to change her circumstances. Not only her but I couldn’t help but love Inaaya, Paulie, Hakulani, and Malik. The friendships Peyton made while on the show are so genuine and fun.

The completion show feels so real too. I’ve never experienced anything like that, but the producers, the PAs, the host (and her dramatic pauses), and twists, and elimination rounds made me feel like I was living through it too. I enjoyed the Landmark Challenges and all of the twists sprung on the contestants.

If you’re a foodie or a food competition lover this book is for you!

*Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Peyton Sinclaire gets the opportunity of a lifetime to make her dream of going to culinary school come true - Top Teen Chef, food's TV's new reality TV show/culinary competition. Peyton wants to prove that she deserves to win and that where you come from, does not determine where you can go.

I really enjoyed this! I enjoyed the friendships Peyton made during the competion, as well as, the romance side plot. There were many small plot twists here and there that kept me reading to see what would happen next. This book had many funny moments and I thought the cooking competition scenes and challenges were very interesting.

However, I thought the beginning was a bit slow. Also, I wish we could have gotten to know the characters a bit more and what happened to them after the show, not just Peyton.

Overall, this was a very nice read!

Rating is more a 3.5. I really wanted to love this. The premise is absolutely my speed as a frequent Masterchef and Masterchef Jr. watcher. While I liked this novel, there were quite a few things missing to make me love it.

To start with the positives, Peyton is a pretty good protagonist. You can really empathize with her and fully understand her motives. While I wish her backstory was fleshed out a bit more, we learn enough to know why she needs the show so much to make her dreams come true. The setting is great, I loved reading about the different NYC landmarks and thought the challenges were cool enough to be used in a real cooking competition show. The show felt real and I loved how the author lampshaded common reality television conventions. The cast is diverse and I wish we had gotten more time with the other characters. Lastly, the ending was pretty much perfect.

As for the not-so-positives...the writing is so-so. The content is rather surface level; some things are brought up and never really mentioned again and others are wrapped up much too quickly. Most of the relationships feel forced, especially the romance(s). We learn next to nothing about any of the other characters and what we do get are pretty much ethnic and regional stereotypes (this is by design since the show wants the characters to be stereotypical, but even when the cameras are off the writing tends to rely on them too much). The pacing could be better - certain scenes that feel like they should be important go by in half a page. And while I liked the ending, all the loose ends got wrapped up in the blink of an eye.

Overall, it's a cute novel and I enjoyed it, I just had higher hopes for a story with such a cool concept!

4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-
Thank you to the publishers and Net Galley for giving me a copy of this book! This is my honest review, all views are my own.
-
Where There’s a Whisk is a super light-hearted and fun book about a reality TV cooking competition, complete with a full cast of 8 teens—including our dear protagonist, Peyton! She’s a pastry chef with a desire to get out of her small Florida town, leave her rough life behind, and make it big. Of course, success is far from easy, and in order to have a chance at the big culinary scholarship, Peyton needs to be smart, creative, and careful with her heart and who she trusts.
This book was exactly the sweetness I expected! While at times the writing style made it all too easy to skim and miss important information, the novel was a delight to read! Some parts were rushed over—likely due to the aforementioned writing style, which sometimes did not place enough emphasis on important context—and I wish there was more elaboration on things like Peyton’s past and the other contestants, but it was a fun book filled with classic reality TV and cooking competition vibes. The side characters are all very memorable and distinct without overpowering the main character. Peyton seemed to lack distinction at first, but grew into herself as she moved throughout the competition. In general, I just wish this book took a bit more time with fleshing out the characters and their relationships, as it felt like it was over all too quickly. That being said, I really liked the romance and the small twists! They made this book more impactful and kept me on my toes. Where There’s a Whisk did a great job with its characters and descriptions, and it was a very cute book that I will definitely be buying when it officially comes out - A solid 4 stars!

A must-read for anyone looking for a light, quick read and anyone who enjoys a good cooking show! At points I wanted more from the book, but in general it was an easy read, and an enjoyable one at that.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Perseus Books for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This light read will find an audience among food competition show fans. Peyton is a believable character who has a life many of the contestants have never experienced. The reader will go along for the ride and possibly never look at cooking competitions the same. Are the out of the kitchen time scences scripted? What would you do or allow to get a full ride scholarship? A light romance keeps those loving a little drama turning the pages. Recommend for teens that like a quick enjoyable read that feels like a behind a scenes peak to the cooking competition world.
I received an ARC ebook from NetGalley and the publisher, Perseus Books, Running Press, in exchange for an honest review.

Mix several cups of drama with a tablespoon of showtime pizzazz and a pinch of romance to get a mix of nerves, concerns, mistrust and simple fun.

Peyton can't believe she was chosen to participate in the first Top Teen Chef cooking show. The prize, a scholarship to a culinary university, is the only way she believes she can escape her otherwise difficult life. But not only her past becomes a part of the show's scripted drama, but the relationships with the other contests are throwing loops she'd rather avoid. Still, she may not be able to if she wants to win the show.

I grabbed this one up with very high hopes, and while this wasn't quite as good as I was wishing it might be, it still held its own. The novel starts at the cooking show, a few moments before Peyton makes her first walk out into the spotlight. Her confusion and nerves are clear as she meets her contenders one by one for the first time. That this isn't only a cooking show but a reality show, the cameras follow them everywhere, the contestants live together, and scenes (faked as also real) play a role. It's cooking with a huge heap of drama...and that's why it wasn't as I'd hoped.

In the first part of the book, we do see Peyton cooking a bit and hear her thoughts as she chooses her recipes. The actual cooking is summed up pretty fast (which it needs to be to avoid boredom), and it is fun to picture her working through the kitchen with the different themes and difficulties. Unfortunately, the cooking only stays front and center during the first part of the book and slowly fades into the background as the drama of the set takes over. Now, drama is necessary to hold the plot. But there are so many plot threads weaving along...or possible plot threads is a better term.

There a many characters, which each bring a different background and twist, but they pop in and out without ever gaining much depth. Peyton has a tough past, but it's basically ignored. Her 'enemy' during the show is never fleshed out or the problem really addressed. The romance is superficial. Friendship is a glance. Even the difficult judge is there as required but without reason. This book could have gone in so many directions and it took none of the paths. What was left was an entertaining read but it lacked any depth...which is too bad because it could have been an awesome read.

Still, I wouldn't say this one isn't worth picking up. It's an easy read with a very quick pace, tons of humor, enough tension to keep those pages turning, and Peyton is a character to like. I did enjoy reading this one and read it in one sitting. It just that it was good when it could have been great. I received an ARC through Netgalley.

This book is a light, easy, cute YA novel about a teen cooking competition with some drama thrown in. We follow Peyton who is the main character and the other characters around New York for the show and we get to learn about the characters backgrounds and life's.

There were parts I enjoyed and parts I wanted more because something was missing. All in all, Where There’s a Whisk was a cute, easy read.

Thank you NetGalley and Perseus Books, Running Press for giving me this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

DNF @50% The writing style is is just not working out for me and it’s miserable to read. The interactions between the contestants and Peyton’s thought was very awkward to read. There’s also a developing love triangle that felt very strange to me?

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the earc in exchange for honest opinions.

Thank you to Running Press and NetGalley for providing me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly, I wasn't super excited for this book at first — I was more intrigued. I hadn't read a book with a TV show premise before, so I was looking forward to seeing how a story like this could play out, particularly when it comes to romance. Where There's a Whisk turned out to be a twisty and entertaining tale that held my attention the whole time.

Peyton Sinclaire is a small-town teen waitress who is cast on the emerging reality show Top Teen Chef, which pits talented young foodies from around the country against each other with the promise of a full scholarship to culinary school for whoever comes out on top. As she works her way through the show's challenges, she starts to figure out that the reality part of reality TV isn't as real as it seems; in order to avoid losing her shot, she has to figure out which parts are real and which parts are for show.

I'll start with what I was disappointed by. There were some characters in the story — particularly Malik, Lola, and Adam — that I felt could have been better fleshed out. I barely knew these people even by the end, and it made it hard for me to appreciate their wins and losses. I was also kind of thrown by the fickle line of romance running throughout the book, which felt weak especially as it crescendoed at the end. I couldn't be excited the kiss between Peyton and the love interest, as it felt very sudden and unfounded.

I was impressed, however, by how well the author had researched and crafted this world, particularly with regards to the dishes that all of the contestants created. They all sounded well thought out and the judges' feedback on them felt just like something you would hear from a real culinary personality. This made it feel fun and suspenseful like a real reality show. I also just loved the friendships that Peyton established along the way, which felt whole and true no matter what deceptions the showrunners tried to pin on them.

If you're looking for a fun, light, and fast-paced read, this book might be for you. Be on the lookout for it when it comes out in October!

I picked this book out because, one of my favourite things are cooking shows. I wanted to see how one of my favourite things could be turned into a book.
This book included loads of drama, and I love drama. I kept turning the pages to see how it would all end. And it was worth it.
I especially loved the last chapter, which showed us the future, although I wish we had more information about what happened with the rest of the participants.
The only thing I would have loved is if the author gave us more information about the rest of the contestants, everyones backgrounds and more info about them.
Overall if Schmitt writes another book I will definitely be picking it up.

I would like to thank Running Press Kids and NetGalley for an eARC. What can I say I enjoyed this book immensely! Sarah J. Schmitt wrote a great story. I loved the characters. The food that they made I wanted to reach in the book and try it. I recommend Where There's a Whisk to anybody that likes cooking competition shows like Master Chef. I give this a 4 out of a 5 a stars. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book. I loved all the details of the food competitions. And the story kept me guessing until the end.

I absolutely loved reading this book!
Peyton Sinclaire is the daughter of a fraudster serving time in jail. She is from a small town, lives in her aunt's trailer, and works at a diner to support herself. But, she has a passion. Passion for cooking. And when she gets a chance to compete for a scholarship to American Culinary School at a reality teen cooking show, she is going to do anything to win.

This book stood out from all other YA books that I've read so far. The experience of being in a reality TV show, that cutthroat competition, and friendship. The author explores all the themes well, be it the competitive spirit of the cast, or the bond between them. It also showcases the dirty side of show business, which was as much entertaining as it was enraging. It will full of drama, yet I can see at least some reality in this. Because, all the reality shows that I've watched so far, follow similar storylines. Be it two cast members falling in love, or two cast members fighting each other for life.

I love the cast members. The group is diverse, and the character development is done so well I could connect with most of them. I love Paulie, especially since he is so sweet. Italian, bad boy vibes, leather jacket and has 7 sisters. He reminds me of Joey Tribbiani from friends.

This is Not the Jess Show meets your favorite cooking competition in Where There’s a Whisk!

This novel is a behind the scenes look at what could be going on during a reality tv cooking competition. We follow Peyton, a baker from a small town life, trying to beat other teen contestants to win a scholarship to a culinary school and change her future. While she starts with this goal in mind, her new friends and self realizations end up changing her outlook and even her overall idea of how to achieve her goals.

I loved the other 7 contestants and how they all formed such interesting bonds- even if some of it was fake for the reality tv. These teens dealt well with navigating their own hearts and the influence of the producers. I enjoyed the cooking challenges and I think the way the entire story wrapped up was so well done.

I think some parts felt a little underdeveloped, like Peyton’s backstory, especially since she’s the main character. I know she didn’t want to be defined by it but it still seemed like she was a very basic profile to start out with. I don’t remember any mention of her friends or really anything but a basic description of her parents, her aunt’s trailer, and the diner,

I found a couple misspellings, but this is an arc so I am not judging that at all!

Where There's a Whisk, there's a way; I think that's the motto of this book. I thought it was fun and lighthearted, but sometimes a bit too rushed, which is probably a given when a full season of a cooking show is forced into limited amount of pages. I missed some in depth moments about the other contestants, even if they left first or second. I wanted to know more about the dynamics in the group.

Nevertheless, this was a very enjoyable read! I do hope this is not how actual cooking shows are done, but you never know. It's tv, right?

Okay so let’s talk about Where There’s A Whisk. So, when I’m watching reality shows, like cooking shows, I always wonder how did they film this? Is it all spontaneous or is it all staged ?

I freaking loved this book, cause it gave me all the answers to the questions I was too lazy to google 😂.

There is romance, rivalry, cooking, and competition! The best combo for an amazing young adult book ever.

Top Teen Chef is a reality cooking show, and Peyton wants to win it. But she has to beat other participants. And since they all have to live together for a few weeks, well, friendships happen, love happens, and even a rivalry between Peyton and another girl !

It felt like I was reading a documentary about a reality cooking show, and I’m living for it.

It comes out on the 5th of October ! You love romance, reality shows, and most important, you love cooking and food ? Then go check this one out !

I'll be posting my review on my Bookstagram the day the book will come out! So make sure to check it out on ted_and_her_books

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review, All views are my own.

When I saw this book, I instantly thought of some of my favourite cooking/baking shows: The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef and somehow my favourite musical: Waitress.

I had such high hopes for this book. I was expecting the characters to be really well developed, for there to be some full-on rivalry, for there to be more suspense, but there was none of those. It felt really bland. In addition to that, the style in which the filming scenes were wrote seemed forced. I've never seen hosts talk in the way the host in this book, Jessica, does. Even in children's versions of the cooking and baking competition TV shows I've never seen hosts sound so forced and tense. It ruined the atmosphere reading Jessica in this way.

I didn't like this book at all. It was just sub-par. There was quite a bit of info-dumping which made the story seem messy. I really want to find something that I really liked about this book but I don't think I can.