Rating: 4.5
Title: Love & Other Disasters
Author: Anita Kelly
Genre: Contemporary / LGBTQIA+ / Romance
Author Info: Female Author / LGBTQ
Setting: Los Angeles, California
Month Read: January, 2022
Book Type: E-Book!
Publication: January 2022
Pages: 384
*I received an E-copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for this opportunity. I'm incredibly grateful!


TRIGGER WARNING-
Transphobia / Alcohol Consumption / Sexual Themes

"Let us both be sorry. Let's be very sorry people eating barbecue. Okay?"

No Spoiler Summary:
Love & Other Disasters is a Queer Rom-Com set during a prime-time cooking competition, Chef's Special. You follow London (a serious, grumpy, out non-binary contestant), and quirky, clumsy recently-divorced Dahlia as they navigate their way through the competition and maybe also find themeselves (and eachother) on the way.


Review:
I'm so thrilled to have gotten an arc of this book, since I (stupidly) didn't put it in my January Book of the Month box (because I wanted to read more romances in Feburary for Valentine's. I cannot shout from the rooftops enough about how much I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely following the cutesy romance roadmap, but honestly, with everything going on the past few years- it's a little nice to read something slightly expected, and even nicer to curl up with a book that constantly gives you the warm-and-fuzzies.

I was a little nervous going into this book about how Anita Kelly would put the cooking competition show aspect into the book, and was delighted to see how while being a HUGE part of the plot, it wasn't as in the forefront as I thought it would be? I love cooking competitions and absolutely live for Master Chef & Top Chef, but it was interesting to see what London, Dahlia, and the other contestants did outside of the show, and the taping schedule, and all the things you don't really get to see much behind the cameras on the shows. I also loved the snippits of the other characters on the show that we got to see, and I thought the villain in this was someone you'd see on TV. Nothing about this book felt forced, or even fictional.

I also loved London. I haven't read a ton of books in general featuring non-binary characters, but I'm really glad that books like this are becoming mainstream. I enjoyed their family dynamic, and that there was so much support for them. I would say that the only thing I would have wanted a lot more of was Hank- I feel like as much as we learned about them, we never really got to know them the way I would have liked.

I also felt the chemistry between the two leads was SO spicy, and they were so cute, and would love another book following London and Dahlia if ever the chance arose. Anita Kelly has definitely made me a fan, and I can't wait to pick up their next book slated for next year! (2023)


"In that moment, both of their bodies felt, if not perfect, then real, wonderfully so"

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Love and Other Disasters is a cute, queer romantic comedy. It was a quick read that was adorable with a touch of the grumpy/sunshine trope. Set around a food competition, tensions were a little high because the stakes were high but the story kept up with the lightness I felt while reading.
Overall, Love and Other Disasters is a solid, debut queer romance with the right amount of tension, humor, and lightness.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

I'm going to start of by saying that I love romances with a cooking element in them and absolutely loved that aspect in Love & Other Disasters. Dahlia and London are both contestants on a cooking show called Chef's Special. What starts off as a misunderstanding between them slowly morphs into a friendship. But both London and Dahlia start to get feelings for one another. How will they make their relationship work when both of them are competitors?

This book was so cute. It had me laughing out loud as well as holding back tears on more than one occasion. This is the first romance that I have read with a non-binary main character. I really loved London's story - not only because they were non-binary, but everything that they were trying to accomplish if they won.

Dahlia is recently divorced and feels lost. Not quite sure what to do with herself, she enters the cooking competition and is accepted! But imposter syndrome is real and she doubts herself and her choices. Dahlia and London's relationship felt so real, because they always showed their true selves and I loved that the most.

Overall, I really enjoyed Love & Other Disasters.

I really enjoyed this book. London was nonbinary and pansexual (more pan rep, please! If you have any recs, I’d love to hear them), and Dahlia was queer. These two were so cute together. Their first interaction was hilarious and awkward, and I loved watching them become friends and then so much more. They each had their own struggles on top of the tension and stress of the show, and I enjoyed watching them open up to each other and form a strong bond. This book is funny, swoony, and steamy with relatable characters and lots of heart.

I absolutely love this book. It's so fun and so sweet but also absolutely scorching.

I've become a major fan of books set around TV competitions, especially ones with cooking. So this is automatically something I'd enjoy but this is next level. I love Dahlia and London (separately and especially together) but this is just a delightful, delightful book. Also, the way this handles pronouns and non-binary people is an actual revelation. I keep hearing that it's "too complicated" but this book shows how easily it can be done.

And did I mention just how hot this is?

Highly recommended.

!!!!! I liked this book a ton. The non-binary representation really stood out, and the end! I can’t say most of the things I liked or disliked for spoilers, but anyone who likes romance should read it!

I went into this book with high expectations after seeing it recommended and reading other e-galley/ARC reviewers high praise. I’m not sure where the disconnect was for me but I really felt like I had to force myself to finish this one. Maybe it was the reality tv/cooking show aspect that I couldn’t get into but unfortunately I just never felt very caught up in the story. I did love the queer representation and I am always glad for the opportunity to read stories that widen my perspective and normalize LGBTQ+ relationships.

Love and Other Disasters was well written and the world of cooking contestants was very well detailed, The attraction between the main characters was instantaneous; their chemistry wasn't very evident, but they were still likable.

I am convinced that Anita Kelly’s writing is magic, and I’m thrilled that this book is now widely available for the world to appreciate!
I have been eagerly awaiting this book ever since I read a sample from it over 8 months ago. On the one hand, I’ve devoured the author’s indie novellas and loved them so I was optimistic, but on the other hand, that’s still a lot of anticipation and high expectations for a book. I am happy to report that it completely delivered!

Dahlia has come on the cooking competition show Chef’s Special after getting divorced and quitting her job. London is a competitor on the show, open about their non-binary identity to the show’s contestants and judges and crew, and also to the eventual TV viewers. Dahlia and London have a memorable first interaction, and quickly become close friends before falling in love.

I adored how we got to see both main characters falling head over heels for one another, whether they realized it or not. Their vulnerabilities, their strengths, and their honest appreciation for each other all rang so true. The supporting characters were also varied and wonderful, from fellow contestants to family members.

I actually did a buddy read of this with a close friend and we were constantly sharing quotes and comments. The emotions, the humor, the steam - so many feels! London and Dahlia have very different backgrounds and challenges, from financial stability to parental acceptance to post-show career goals, but as a cisgender queer reader I related to both characters in ways I didn’t anticipate. As a fan of Anita Kelly’s novellas, however, I really should have expected this. I think they are broadly human and relatable to a wide variety of readers who are still finding their way in the world.

I have been reading a lot of baking show books, so this cooking show Chef’s Special was a welcome change! The show itself was a factor and setting in the story, but it wasn’t all encompassing. I also live in Southern California and I relished seeing this through the eyes of the characters.

I am so excited for more books in this series!

This book is truly for all the food lovers out there. Anita Kelly has written a book about a televised cooking competition where two contestants can't help falling for one another. Dahlia recently quit her job to head to the west coast and try for the $100,000 prize. After a tough divorce and the feeling that she's still trying to find herself, she's hoping this will be a fresh start. She has no idea that she is about to meet London. London has made the decision to become the show's first openly nonbinary competitor on the show. They have a. dream of starting a non-profit for other LGBTQ people with the prize money. When London and Dahlia meet, the attraction is instant. They just need to figure out what they want to do about it.

The way that Kelly writes about food and cooking in this book is delectable. It made me want to both bake and eat at the same time. I felt every minute on set...the smells, the sounds, the tension. It was a lot of fun. I really felt for London. Their father is not accepting of their non-gendered identity which is understandably both angering and upsetting for them. Dahlia is a blast and the perfect balance to London's calmer, edgier vibe. She is openly vulnerable, colorful, and more adventurous than she even realizes. The two had so much chemistry together I think partly because their differences were a perfect blend when together and they showed so much love for one another. I'm not normally a fan of insta-love but with the writing in this one as well as the cooking competition balancing it all out, it wasn't too much for me. If you are a fan of insta-love, this is pretty close to that.

I love living in a day and age where I can find books with nonbinary and queer characters. As London states in the book, "...there was only ever freedom in continuing to find new names for who we were, who we could be." We need so many more of these. The writing is great. Fans of both Rosaline Palmer Bakes a Cake and One Last Stop will really enjoy this one. I am definitely looking forward to more from Anita Kelly in the future.

This book was gorgeous, tender, and absolutely delicious. London and Dahlia's love story was sweet and so so hot. You'll never look at nectarines the same way again. Highly recommend!

Thanks to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I absolutely love to cook and have been working to improve my skills. My mom always says that anyone who can read can cook - I agree, but I feel like experience definitely helps. Love & Other Disasters is set on an amateur cooking competition tv show. As a Top Chef fan, I knew I would enjoy this one. But it’s much more than just about cooking - London is the first nonbinary contestant, introducing their pronouns on the first episode. Dahlia, another contestant, is struggling to find herself after a recent divorce and quitting the job she didn’t like to join the competition. The romance that ensues between competitors seems genuine, as they both work to handle their personal issues while also competing on the show. The positive representation of queer characters is refreshing but also realistic - negative reactions to London by social media trolls are mentioned, but the emphasis is placed on the positive affirmations they hear from fans and how they respond to those looking for advice. I stayed up way too late (on a school night!) to finish this one - and that is rare for me.

This book had everything - a cooking competition as a backdrop, incredible main characters who experience so much growth, amazing queer rep, and scorching chemistry from start to finish.

I related so much to Dahlia. She's at a crossroads in her life and she has no idea what’s next for her. Dahlia quit her job to join Chef’s Special, because the money she can win can change her life. On the other hand, I admired London’s self-confidence, and how comfortable they are with themself. London is non-binary and they decide to be out during filming, despite the hate they’ll certainly get when the show airs. This all pales however to London’s frustration and hurt at their father - three years on and he still doesn’t care to use London’s pronouns, and is just generally non-understanding towards them.

London and Dahlia have the sweetest meet cute, and I couldn’t get enough of it! Dahlia is all sunshine and rainbows, and London is just there, grumpy as ever, replying with grunts! They eventually get to know each other (after Dahlia suffers through every cooking contestant’s worst nightmare), and I adored all their scenes together! Dahlia and London push each other out of their comfort zones, and I had so much reading about all their adventures throughout LA. I also loved how they’re so supportive and protective of each other! Most importantly though, it was so heartwarming to see how free Dahlia and London are together. They can simply be.

Kelly tackles so much in this book. In the world of Chef’s Special, we have many kinds of people who represent different facets of society. There are people who accept London for who they are, and on the flipside, there are those who are hateful and who have no problem showing zero respect and acceptance. While it was heartbreaking seeing the hate London gets for simply being themself, I loved that Kelly showed how many viewers London inspires with how open they are.

All in all, I'm still drowning in so many happy feels after reading this book. I can't recommend it enough - please read it!!!

A delectable read filled with heart and humor! I gobbled Love & Other Disasters down in one sitting, with a giant grin on my face the whole time. Anita Kelly is an author to watch!

I LOVED this rom-com centered around a reality TV cooking show. It was so fun to read as Dahlia and London's romance blossomed, and it felt very realistic and true, unlike some other romance novels. The representation of LGBTQ+ characters was strong and none of them felt tokenized to me at all.

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

Dahlia’s life is currently on a downward spiral - recently divorced, unemployed, and really close to filing for bankruptcy. Being a contestant in a popular cooking show, Chef’s Special is the one good thing she has going for right now. What else could possibly go wrong when she already tripped and spilled her food on the very first episode of the show? London on the other hand announced resolved to announce their pronouns for the whole nation to recognize, opening themself up for criticism. As if London isn’t feeling enough pressure from coming out as nonbinary, they also now need to juggle their focus between their cooking and the petite fireball of energy that is Dahlia, who’s station is in front of them. What happens next when Dahlia and London gets close to each other while facing the heat of the competition?

I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first book I’ve read with a nonbinary character and I am proud to say it definitely won’t be the last. As part of the LGBTQ community, I have wanted more representation and it is so nice to see it here. This book not only provided nonbinary representation but also trans, pansexual, and possibly homosexuality.

This is actually such a cute rom-com with lots of cheesy, embarrassing moments that just makes you want to cringe but at the same time warms your heart. The book also shows the struggle the LGBTQ community faces through the eyes of London and their experience and journey to coming out. Dahlia’s story also struggles with expectations as a female and certain gender roles. There is also the cooking competition and how through cooking and food, people overcome their troubles in life. Top it up with some hot, sexy romance and spice. This book was just a wonderful journey I am so happy to be a part of.

Book Format & Source: I received a complimentary digital ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Any editing errors noticed are assumed corrected prior to the final published copy release.  

Review & Thoughts:

This wasn't the first lgbtq+ book I've read but it certainly is the first non-binary romance. It was different than what I've read before and it was good. Super steamy warning! Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big fan of cooking reality shows and loved that aspect of the story. I enjoyed the dual perspective from London's and Dahila's characters.
I enjoyed the author's writing and I love reading books that offer perspective and representation. It's so important for people to feel represented and to see part of themselves in the characters they read about or have access to read about. This story deeply touches on an important topic of being seen and accepting people for who they are as a person and how they want to be seen. It was so crazy to me that someone that has had the strength and confidence to tell their families that they are non-binary to have such pushback and disbelief in their identity. So incredibly sad.
I liked that the book touches on the idea that social media is a wonderful resource despite it's downsides. Social media is where London was able to discover their non-binary nature and gave them a community in which to be themselves.
Great example of non-binary language being used properly.
Topics: non-binary and queer representation, mental health, divorce

Favorite Quotes:

Dahila Woodson might have been shit at marriage, but she could dice an onion like a goddamn professional.

Recommend for: fans of lgbtq+ non-binary, steamy romance, cooking shows

My Review Rating: ♥♥♥♥.5

Romance Steam Factor: R - very steamy [lgbtq+/non-binary]

Dahlia Woodson is looking for more. She got married right out of college, to her high school sweetheart. And when she found herself years later, working a job she likes but doesn’t love, her husband wanting to move on to someone who will give him the family he wants, she turns to cooking. The last couple years of her marriage, Dahlia had watched cooking shows and YouTube videos to learn how to cook. It became her passion, her safe place. So when her husband left, and she moved into an apartment, her days filled with the job she doesn’t care that much about, her nights filled with sadness and self-blame. And she cooked.

So when the chance to apply for Chef’s Special, a televised cooking competition came along, she tied out. And when she found out that she made it and had to travel to L.A. from Maryland to film it, she quit her job. Even if she didn’t win, she wanted more for her life than that.

London Parker has a happy life in Nashville. They have caring siblings, including their twin sister Julie, and they love their job as an audio engineer. They have cooked since they were a kid. But they came out to their dad as nonbinary, London knew that they may never be loved by their father for who they really are. But they decide to do a courageous thing anyway, and when they get chosen for Chef’s Special, they come out to the audience in their first interview.

The first day on the set, Dahlia runs into London, literally. She nervously tells a story about how nervous she got at her fourth grade spelling bee, and London doesn’t know what to say to that. They are thrown because Dahlia wasn’t at the contestant meet-and-greet, and they don’t know anything about her. Except that they can’t stop thinking about her, about her wild hair and her enthusiasm and her losing that fourth grade spelling bee.

And then there is the first round of competition. All the chefs have to do is prepare their signature dishes for the tree judges. Dahlia makes fish tacos with lots of great flavor and colors, and everything goes really well, until it’s time for her to walk her dish to the judges for tasting. That’s when she trips on a wire on the floor, going down, fish tacos flying through the air. The producers let her recreate the dish, but Dahlia knows that once the show starts airing, that will definitely make the cut.

Talking later in the hotel bar, London finally gets a chance to learn more about Dahlia, and Dahlia learns that London is nonbinary, and that not all the other contestants were very supportive when they told everyone at the meet-and-greet that Dahlia had skipped out on. Dahlia immediately gets offended on London’s behalf, which makes London like her even more. But Dahlia also realizes that once the show starts airing, London will be the target of a lot of unkind comments online, far worse than her embarrassment at tripping during the first challenge.

As the days go by and the cooking continues, London and Dahlia form a connection that becomes obvious to the other contestants is as much of a flirtation as it is friendship. Dahlia isn’t sure she’s ready for a new relationship, and London isn’t sure that she would want to be in a relationship with someone who is nonbinary, but just as important is Chef’s Special. They are competing, after all. And it’s possible that one of them could go home at any moment. What kind of a relationship could they really have, under the circumstances? And if their attraction grows any stronger, how can they not take the time to find out how they really feel about each other?

Love & Other Disasters is a queer rom com filled with cooking, flirting, fun, and beautiful California sunshine. These characters show a lot of courage, both in signing on for a televised cooking competition and for trying to be who they truly are. They both have challenges to overcome and insecurities to face, but they do it with grace, big laughs, and a lot of heart. Author Anita Kelly creates a world where London and Dahlia can share their feelings, their frustrations, and their futures.

I really enjoyed Love & Other Disasters. This hit me right in the connection of a good rom com and a story with a cooking competition. I loved these characters and could empathize with their insecurities and anxieties. This is a fun romance for the LGBTQ community, but also for anyone who just loves a good rom com. I would say it’s also for the foodie fans who love Masterchef, but the romance takes center stage over the cooking (not that there’s anything wrong with that, but if I had my choice, I would have wanted more of the cooking and filming). Love & Other Disasters is lots of fun, with a big heart and lots of big laughs, and it will take up space in my heart for a while.

Egalleys for Love & Other Disasters were provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) through NetGalley, with many thanks.

This was an amazing book. Thank you Forever Publishing and Netgalley for my arc in exchange for an honest review. I adored this and immediately ordered myself a copy.

I've been loving romance set around food/baking/cooking shows this past year. These are typically enjoyable sweet stories, but London and Dahlia were so sweet and so easy to root for. I haven't read much romance with non-binary characters so I really appreciate Anita Kelly and Forever Publishing sharing this story with the world.. London and Dahlia;s on set friendship quickly turns into much more. I would love to be able to watch their cooking show and see their relationship and chemistry develop. I love how brave and open London was about themselves. I can't imagine the bravery it took to share such a personal detail with the world. I loved the moments on the show, but loved their time off together even more. They had typical communication issues, but seemed to work it out better than most.

I will update with the link when I share on my bookstagram page.

Let’s go into the plot a little bit. We know that Dahlia and London are home-cook contestants on Chef’s Special and the grand prize is $100,000 and eternal glory. Well definitely the money, I guess the glory isn’t guaranteed. Each of them is going through something in their personal lives. Dahlia quit her job to compete on the show and is still getting over a divorce. London is the show’s first nonbinary contestant and is preparing themself for the trolls that will emerge once the show airs. They’re also still dealing with some unsupportive loved ones in their personal lives. When London and Dahlia first cross paths, their interaction is nothing to write home about, but soon they realize that the food they’re cooking isn’t the only hot stuff in the kitchen (too much?). Just how will their feelings for each other affect the competition?

I’ll start with what I think is the best part about this book: the representation! London is nonbinary and the book does a great job of highlighting their nonbinary journey and experience. They were a great protagonist. In addition, Love & Other Disasters has a number of other characters who are in the LGBTQ+ community. The representation in this book is definitely a super-win.

The plot of Love & Other Disasters is also so fun. I was obsessed with Masterchef when I was younger and it was fun to read a book that basically takes place in the show. There were little behind-the-scenes tidbits that really immersed you into the plot and made the reading experience believable and enjoyable. Seeing our protagonists start off in a cooking competition is a great way to see into their mind when they’re at their most stressed, but also most passionate.

Now let’s get into the tea of the novel—the romance. I am a lover of love in just about every way, so obviously I was very excited about the romance aspect of this novel. What I liked about this book is that it throws you into the “will they, won’t they” pretty much immediately. I was invested in the relationship pretty much right from the beginning and kept turning the pages, begging for progress to happen.

Everything about Love & Other Disasters was perfectly enjoyable. I kept turning the pages and looked forward to what was coming, but for me, it never reached the point of “I cannot put this down”. The main characters of Dahlia and London were easy to like and you really wanted the best for them throughout the novel. I was rooting for them (in all aspects) so hard. The secondary characters were even fun, but I wished we had more background information on some of them, especially the Chef’s Special judges. The book was easy to follow and a great read, but for me it was missing something to make me feel something more, to make this a five-star read for me. It was a solid four stars (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) from me and I would recommend it as a fun, lighthearted read with outstanding representation.