This book combined a lot of my favorite things: lgbtq+ characters, cooking shows, and a mix of humor and more serious themes. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to a few friends. It's a bit spicier than what I typically choose (thought that may be what makes others enjoy it!) I especially appreciated how the cooking competition wasn't the source of all of the tension in the plot.

Navigating through the pages of this book was like embarking on a romantic rollercoaster with a few unexpected twists and turns. It nestled comfortably into the cozy nook of romance that tickles my literary taste buds, and I find myself eagerly anticipating another rendezvous with Kelly's prose.

Now, let's talk guilty pleasures. Imagine reality shows and books having a passionate affair, giving birth to this delightful tale. Picture a culinary extravaganza that's part Top Chef, a dash of MasterChef, and a whole lot of savory drama. The sizzle of the cooking, the intensity of the challenges – I was in for a treat! But oh, the pièce de résistance was the playful dance of flirtation between our two enchanting leads. Alas, there was one teensy hiccup – the supporting cast of contestants seemed a tad one-dimensional, like they were plucked from the same cookie-cutter mold. Sure, we had a designated "villain" who was as charming as a thorny cactus, and yes, she had her transphobic antics, but I yearned for more complexity. Yet, this flaw unintentionally spotlighted the brilliance of our protagonists, making them shine even brighter.

Speaking of our main duo, let's dive into the good stuff. It took a smidge to thaw the icy veneer enveloping London, but oh boy, when the warmth emerged, it was pure magic. Flawed, emotional, and deliciously angsty – they were a symphony of imperfections that orchestrated a mesmerizing tale. Even during the story's slower tempo moments, their chemistry conducted a melodious harmony that kept me entranced. Their connection, while not quite instant, sparkled with an undeniable swiftness, probably because of their constant proximity due to the reality show's dynamic. And let me tell you, dear reader, the intimate scenes ignited the pages with a fiery passion that was both unexpected and utterly divine. But I must raise an eyebrow at the toe-sucking escapade – Kelly, really? A tad too adventurous for my taste.

On a more thoughtful note, let's applaud the delicate brushstrokes of nonbinary representation. London's nonbinary identity was artfully woven into the fabric of the story, like a vibrant thread that enhanced the narrative tapestry. The book's graceful treatment of misgendering demonstrated a commendable finesse in handling such sensitive matters. Amid a sea of nonbinary characters in recent literary voyages, this portrayal stood tall as a paragon of inclusivity and understanding.

In the grand tapestry of my reading escapades, this book sits proudly among the elite, its flaws adding character like the quirks of a beloved friend. So, here's to more mouthwatering romances, reality show rendezvous, and characters that dance off the pages, leaving footprints in our hearts. Kudos to Kelly, and may the literary feast continue!

ARC received for honest review!

A romance between cooking show contestants was practically screaming my name! I went in expecting a fluffy romcom and was completely caught off guard with this one -- in a good way! There was so much to sink my teeth into: the representation, the family struggles, self identity and figuring out who you are. It honestly came to the point where I preferred the non-cooking show scenes more (which I would have never thought possible at the very beginning!) What a great read!

If you love cooking shows and are a rom com fan then this book is perfect for you! Anita Kelly's writing is truly beautiful and full of emotion. This book is a perfect example of queer joy and love. I absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with London and Dhalia's romance. These two characters have my whole heart and I cannot wait to read more from Kelly soon!

This was a fun read. I always love romance stories with really good individual conflicts. It was really cute how they almost always temporarily forget about the things they're grappling with when they get close to each other.

Dahlia seemed like a super nice person so it wasn’t really hard to see why London was attracted to her. This was definitely a time for both of them to feel safe about expressing many insecurities. I wasn’t super convinced of what they felt for each other, but some chemistry was definitely evident. I was satisfied with the ending. I was especially happy with London’s growth and how they were such an inspiration for many like them.

Great read!

This one just wasn't for me. I really wanted to enjoy it, but I just couldn't get into it like I wanted to. I didn't really care what happened to the characters.

*Thank you @readforeverpub for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. What can I say, apparently queer characters falling in love while competing on a reality tv show (Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble, Never Ever Getting Back Together and now Love & Other Disasters) is now part of my wheelhouse! This was steamy, the romance made complete sense, the issues weren't forced, and the resolution was a wonderful HEA. Just a sweet hug of a book with bonus cooking scenes!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC!

I have been reading this book for over a year. I started it with the intention of finishing it--I'm currenty at just over the 50% mark but am struggling to continue and am even finding myself not wanting to continue. I'll be taking a break from it and may return to it in the future.

I thought that I was going to like reading about a romance set during a cooking competition, but this is the second one that I've read/tried to read and it is the second one that I have struggled with.

I am not quite comfortable giving it a star rating less than 3 because it's not fair for me having not finished it.

The characters were underdeveloped. There were several times when I was listening I couldn't tell who was saying one. They weren't completely flat but they just weren't fleshed out enough. And ironically I thought that the book was too long. I could have used some more editing, overall the pace was so slow. I guess I'm realizing that I need higher stakes/more angst/ more drama, just more. I enjoyed the representation, I have never read a nb love story before, but I just had higher hopes.

Why did it take me so long to read this one!! What did I love:
- baking competition setting
- non-binary/LGBTQ+ representation
- complicated family issues

Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for ARC for this one.

3.5 stars rounded down

What I liked:
-Cooking show setting
- Representation of non-binary MC

What missed:
-Side characters felt like an afterthought
-Seemed to drag and felt too long

This would be a cute, light read for anyone who wants to see more LGBTQ+ rep in books, but overall I think it just fell a bit shy of the mark for me.

Dahlia and London are such a great couple. And it was maybe the first romance I had read with a non-binary main character which I hope I see more of. Thank you @readforeverpub for the early copy!
Love & Other Disasters is set on a cooking competition kind of like Master Chef. Dahlia is recently divorced and learned how to cook to help her through that journey. London is non-binary and being out on the show leads to some transphobic hate. But they find each other and there is instant chemistry that comes off the page so well. I adored reading this one and hope others find it too!

I really love this romance. It is well written and enjoyable. It is a great addition to LGBTQ+ romance in our collection.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.

Apologies for the late review, but I have made this book my entire personality and I will psu everyone to read it oh my god! This is the kind of representation we need because this was one of the realest romances, especially queer romances, I think I have ever read. I haven't read a lot of books that handle the cooking subplot as well as I'd like but Anita Kelly really nailed that as well. I admit, it did feel a little slow at first but Kelly's writing style is very easy to get into so I finished pretty quickly regardless. Thank you Netgalley for a eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Unfortunately, I did not finish this book.

I really loved the concept of the story, but for some reason I couldn't get into the writing. I do think that a lot of people might enjoy this read.

Two disaster queers on a cooking show vying for the top spot? Sign me up. Dahlia Woodson is feeling a bit lost - after a divorce and quitting her job, her appearance on Chef's Special is her way of hopefully righting her ship. London Parker, the first openly non-binary contestant on Chef's Special is also feeling lost. After rejection from their father after coming out, London also hopes to find a little balance with their appearance on the show. Over the filming of the competition, the two connect in a way neither of them expected, and both Dahlia and London are soon confronted with choices they never thought they'd have to make. The chemistry in this one was top notch and the pages practically simmer. Also - all the food descriptions made me hungry, so have some snacks nearby when you're reading this one.

<i>Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC and advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was fun! I really loved the cooking show aspect—it brought me back to my days of exclusively watching Food Network. The romance was cute and I really appreciated the queer and nonbinary representation. However, I did feel like it dragged at points, so this took much longer for me to finish than usual. Regardless, this was still a great, lighthearted romance!

This was a wonderful love story between two queer constestants on a cooking show. I loved the representation and the story was filled with such heart and real emotions. Couldn't put it down!

This book took me so long to finish because I didn't want it to end and I think this is my favorite book of 2022. I loved the characters (and representation) and several times their interactions reminded me of myself and my partner. The added cooking competition and stakes throughout the book just made me love it even more.