Included as a top pick in bimonthly January New Releases post, which highlights and promotes upcoming releases of the month (link attached)

Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed the wrap of the novel in the perfect chop of an onion as well as the romance in between. This is a great novel to spotlight non-binary and queer characters who I do not currently see a lot in the romance genre. London and Dahlia both had their own internal issues to overcome and things they needed, not necessarily from each other. I felt one of the sex scenes was unnecessary (not a fan of food sex) but hey, it's a romance novel and those usually include a lot of sex scenes. I hope this does get some press around it, especially with the cooking show premise for the characters meeting. I hope others enjoy it as much as I did.

My new favorite romances are queer stories set on a reality TV show. The relationship between Dahlia and London is just adorable. I related so much to parts of Dahlia's story of trying to find herself when life doesn't go the way you planned. It took me a minute to get into this, but once I did I couldn't put it down.

Trigger Warnings: Divorce, coming out, transphobia, misgendering, drinking, blood, discussion of past death, sex, therapy, sex in a public place

Representation: Twins, Nonbinary, They/them pronouns, Trans, Queer, Gay, Pansexual, Mental Health

Love and Other Disasters tells the story of Dahlia and London competing on Chef’s Special, a cooking tv show. While competing for the grand prize, the two contestants start to have feelings for each other. Both know this situation is not forever and have to cope with the new changes in their lives when one is sent home earlier than anticipated.

I fricken LOVED this book!! It was such a great story and kept me entertained the entire time! The book is very well written and touches on the different aspects of being a 20-something trying to figure out life.

I absolutely love these messy, vulnerable humans! I loved everything about both London and Dahlia, flaws and all. I loved the dynamic between the two, and I also really enjoyed them as their own beings! I’ve never been divorced and my coming out was pretty good compared to others, but I definitely know what it’s like to be the family disappointment. Whether you have lived the same experiences as these characters or not, they are both very relatable. As a millennial too, Dahlia’s sense of belonging and figuring out who she is, was like someone was writing my story!

I can’t say enough good things about this book! The story is silly and sweet, the sex scenes are spicy and wonderful! The writing is amazing and I’d give this book 11 out of 10 if I could!

I don’t know if words can express how much I loved Love & Other Disasters. Look at this list of all the amazing things it contained!

-diverse representation (queer + non-binary)
-reality TV cooking show
-steamy sex scenes
-CURLY HAIR

Dahlia and London were amazing characters. Dahlia is recently divorced and broke, and working through her insecurities and feeling like a failure. London is more privileged but is struggling with misgendering and acceptance from their family since coming out as non-binary. They have a bit of a grumpy/sunshine trope going on at first until their relationship progresses. While they are at a competition and everything is fast-paced, the progression still felt realistic.

The struggles they both go through was so relatable and made their story feel more real to me. Regarding the steam, I was happily surprised by how hot the scenes were and they really gave me all the feels.

Love & Other Disasters is already one of my favorite books of 2022. I SAID IT.

Reality TV? ✔️
A cooking competition? ✔️
Romance? ✔️
Queer characters, including a non-binary main character? ✔️
Wait… what?!? This was my first Anita Kelly book, AND the first book I’ve ever read with a non-binary (main) character. I mean, it’s about time, right?!

Dahlia is recently divorced, and trying to figure out what she wants in life. She enters the reality TV cooking competition, Chef Special, in order to foster her love of creating through cooking AND hopefully to win $100,000. London, another contestant on Chef Special, announces their pronouns on national TV, and hopes to use their cooking skills to win the $100,000 to launch a nonprofit for LGBTQ+ kids. In the middle of it all, they forge a friendship, which heats up into a romance, but not without complications.

I laughed, cried, gritted my teeth (I’m looking at you, Lizzie), and rooted for Dahlia and London! These characters were relatable on various levels. I love how they were able to access the deepest, most vulnerable parts of each other; the proximity of the weeks-long cooking competition brought them together quickly and intensely. (Hello, steamy scenes!) Both Dahlia and London had personal concerns to work through, and this was messy and real.

Pub date: 1/18/2022
Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the eARC.

Dahlia and London are both contestants on a cooking show with a $100K prize. Despite a rocky beginning and personal challenges — Dahlia is broke and feeling lost & London is nervous about coming out as non-binary on national television —they fall in luuuuurve.

This book was sweet and spicy and adorable. It was quite a switcheroo from my usual murdery business & I loved it. I really enjoyed reading a queer love story with a non-binary main character, and between this book and The Ex Hex, I guess I’m now a romance fan? Definitely a fan of Anita Kelly!

Queer romance + cooking competition = Love & Other Disasters

London is the first nonbinary contestant on Chef’s Special, an amatour cooking competition. Dahlia is looking to break out of the monotony of her post-divorce life, where she lacks dreams of goals.

I adored these MCs. They were so cute, relatable, and fun. Dahlia is a bit chaotic; London is trying to cope with having their family respect their pronouns. Dahlia and London both experienced personal and professional growth as they continue through the competition.

This is such a flirty, fun romance; it’s definitely open-door. This was my first book with a nonbinary lead character and I love seeing that rep.


Recommended if you like:
-cooking/cooking shows
-open door romance
-reality TV shows
-reading diverse reps
-dual POVs


Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for an ARC of this book. Love & Other Disasters is out now.

Love & Other Disasters was incredibly enjoyable for me! It was cute and gently paced (and even steamy at times) and it came right at the moment when I needed to read something like it. I loved reading how Dahlia and London fall for each other even with the stress of the entire situation going on in their lives. (minus one star for the toe-sucking paragraph, but I really liked it besides that)

I absolutely adored this queer romance. It was funny, sweet and also steamy. I even teared up a few times. I was so sad when I finished because I didn’t want it to be over.

Dahlia and London are competitors on the popular reality show Chef’s Special. After a painful divorce Dahlia is ready to reinvent herself and believes the show can finally give her the fresh start she needs. But Dahlia isn’t the only one wanting to win this competition. London, the show’s first nonbinary contestant also as their eyes on winning. After getting off to a bad start, Dahlia and London become fast friends. But as the competition heats up, so does Dahlia and London’s attraction. Can they navigate the challenges of the reality show and explore their newfound feelings?

Once I picked up this book, I couldn’t put it down. Anita did a wonderful job weaving in romance and comedy, while also showcasing the tenderness of this newfound relationship. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry - but most importantly you’ll root for these two characters. And the food challenges will leave you wishing you could be there in person.

It’s such a great book and I’m actively telling my friends to buy it.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVED this book! The only thing I didn't like is that I waited so long to read it.

The things that worked:
- the representation - this is the first book I've read with a non-binary main character. I loved reading about their journey and seeing them fall in love. More of this please!! I also loved that Dahlia was going through a divorce, there isn't enough of that in romance books, I love seeing people in so many different situations.
- the reality TV show - the setting with the reality show kept the stakes high throughout the book. I was always wanting to keep reading and could not put the book down.
- the steam - I was NOT prepared for how sexy this book was. It was so good and I loved every moment of it. And then the food... wow.
- the romance - these two were just so sweet. I just loved their love!

I'm very grateful for this copy in exchange for my review. I will be keeping an eye on Anita Kelly moving forward!!

Dahlia Woodson, recently divorced from her high school sweetheart, and living paycheck to paycheck auditions for the TV show Chef’s Special on a whim for a chance to win the $100,000 prize to get herself out of debt and give herself a fresh start. London Parker auditions on a dare by their twin, and dreams of using the prize money to start a nonprofit for LGBTQ+ youth. When London and Dahlia meet on set, their chemistry is electric, and the competition becomes about more than just cooking. Even as Dahlia and London grow closer, they battle their own insecurities: London, non-binary and pansexal, has publicly declared their pronouns, and now bears a heavier torch in the public eye, while Dahlia fights insecurity, anxiety, and a lack of confidence.

Romantic comedy in attitude, but complete with a lot of complex feelings, Love & Other Disasters was delightful. Highly readable, with memorable characters, and a balance of wonderfully silly and very serious moments. The cooking competition and reality show are obviously a major part of the plot, but I enjoyed Anita Kelly’s ability to let their characters’ love story shine through, rather than become mired in the details of the reality television production. The prose isn’t perfect - I found the writing a little clunky at times, and the character development a little uneven - but the story is lovely, and the fierceness of Dahlia and London’s love, even through their uncertainty, is beautiful.

One of my favorite scenes early in the book, Dahlia and London talk about the simple foods they cook when they “are so sad they can hardly leave the couch.” Sweet Dahlia suggests Rice Krispie Treats, and London, person after my own heart, suggests roasted Brussels Sprouts with garlic and butter. The book is full of charming moments just like that.

Love & Other Disasters was equal parts cute and saucy (almost literally). It follows the story of two contestants on America’s favorite competitive cooking show: London, the show’s first openly non-binary contestant, and Dahlia, who’s recently divorced and feeling restless with life. The setting of the cooking show definitely heightened the stakes, and seeing the two characters grow in and bond over their own love of cooking and food was so fun.

Here’s what L&OD was for me:

- Fantastic non-binary representation that wasn’t centered on seeking acceptance, London accepted themself and that was enough. Additionally, apart from a quick reference to a moment near the beginning, any misgendering or transphobic remarks are not explicitly in the text - which I definitely appreciated.
- A steamy romance between a woman and a non-binary person that, once again, isn’t centered on that non-binary person seeking acceptance. London had their vulnerable moments but otherwise, they seemed comfortable in their body.
- A seemingly high-stakes love story! No, there are no near-death moments or anything, but the characters are feeling the intensity that comes with the unpredictability of how long they’ll truly have together.

If you’re a fan of queer romance, competitive cooking shows, and a book where the MCs kiss (or sleep together) before the last third of the book, this might be up your alley. Other honorable mentions: semi-public sex, sex with food, a dash of yearning, soft moments, and a happy ending.

Love and Other Disasters is such a beautiful love story that I didn't want to stop reading it this week. The story follows Dahlia (she/her) and London (they/them) as they compete in the Food Network-esque competition "Chef's Special" while navigating their feelings for each other in a new and fast-paced environment. The most important aspect, IMO, of this story, is London being non-binary, their perspective, and their realistic experience coming out nationally and personally, which Kelly navigated wonderfully and with so much respect that I felt very touched and appreciated. This is the first (of many fingers crossed) book I've ever read with a nonbinary AND queer main character. Kelly also discusses transphobia and the struggle of acceptance from important family members and society in an honest but sensitive manner. ⁠
⁠
One of the main things that I noticed from this story right off the bat is that it reads like a movie. Literally, every scene was so vivid in my mind, with the descriptions of scenery and emotions well described, that I couldn't put it down. It's a third-person-dual POV story that doesn't make you crave one over the other, but rather seamlessly intertwines both London and Dahlia's perspectives. I loved the love and devotion they both have for each other, and the internal dialogue in each of their POVs for themselves and the other just had my cheeks hurting from smiling so much. ⁠
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I didn't want to finish it and chose it as my BOTM because I knew it was a book I would want to re-read and share with everyone. ⁠
⁠⁠⁠Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC in exchange for an honest review and the opportunity to read this work of art.

Queer romance. Cooking competition. Yes and yes. I really enjoyed the connection between Dahlia, a self-taught cook who is recently divorced and London, a non-binary, talented baker who was taught to cook by their nanny/cook when they were young. The two enter a cooking competition TV show called The Chef’s Special that sounds a lot like Master Chef. I loved the setting of a reality cooking show but I did feel like the pacing of those scenes was so fast that I kept having to re-read those parts to make sure I knew what happened. I also read an uncorrected proof of the novel so some of the character voices got a bit lost at times because there weren’t clear chapter divisions and the design/font used made paragraphs hard to follow.

However, what is really wonderful is the romance, the flirting, the acceptance and admiration that each character feels for the other. No one wants to change the other and there are very open and honest discussions that I appreciated. I liked that the romance felt adult and that both characters have a strong sense of themselves. There is a very sweet undercurrent and many swoony moments that add to the enjoyment of the romance, but there’s also a very strong sense of reality, too. 🥰4.5 stars. I definitely plan to read more books by this author . Thank you to @netgalley and @readforeverpub for the ARC.

(this ARC was sent to me from Forever Grand Central Publishing on Netgalley for an honest review)
This book was amazing. There are not many queer adult romances out there, especially with Non Binary main characters. The cooking show aspect was done amazingly and the trauma of the main characters was realistic and relatable. 4/5⭐️

Dahlia is a little bit of a mess, but she's hoping winning Chef's Special will be the solution to her problems. And then she meets London, and things get even more complicated. London is the first nonbinary contestant on Chef's Special, and everyone can see that Dahlia and London are falling for each other.

This was such a fun book, and while I've recently read several romance books that included cooking shows, this was a fun, fresh take with queer characters. I've not read many books with a nonbinary main character, so it was good to see London representing! A must read for fans of cooking reality TV and rom-coms!

I really enjoyed this book. It is a wonderful read and I would definitely recommend picking it up.

I was initially drawn in due to the cooking show premise but in the end stayed for Dahlia and London’s story. The romance was wonderful as well as the representation. It is a beautiful story of acceptance, struggles and finding love.

I want to thank NetGalley, Anita Kelly and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are honest, my own and left voluntarily.

I've heard nothing but good reviews about Anita Kelly's previous works, so I was so excited to read this!
Love and Other Disasters is so wonderfully written - and with a non-binary main character! It deals with serious issues like misgendering, bullying, and lack of family acceptance. I love both Dahlia and London; they are delightful and pure characters. They are also cute together! They are fun and flirty after getting to know each other more. You just want to root for them, both on the cooking show and their personal life beyond it.

It's so relatable, trying to figure out what you want in life and wanting to be accepted as the person you are, no questions asked. I love this book and what it represents.

Fair warning, this book contains open-door scenes.

Thank you, NetGalley and Forever, for the e-ARC.

My Rating: 4/5⭐️’s

Release Date: January 18th 2022

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Forever Publishing for giving me a copy of Love and Other Disasters for review!

My thoughts: I really enjoyed this book! The main characters are Dahlia who is Queer, and London who is Nonbinary. They are two contestants on the country’s most popular cooking show and this book follows their budding relationship/romance.

So I enjoyed pretty much everything about this book! I loved the relationship between the characters, and I loved the representation! I’ve never read a romance where half of the main pairing was Nonbinary! I’m glad that Nonbinary folks out there are represented in this book. I loved London as a character. Their story is one that a lot of people can relate to, and I feel like it was important to share their story and let people know they aren’t alone!

I also really liked how a character’s past relationship conflict wasn’t because of cheating. That is a pretty common trope within romance, and it can get old. Dahlia’s past relationship brought up a lot of good topics, like how women feel pressured to have children and how its expected of them by society. I also loved how Dahlia handled the conflicts in her life, it was really fun seeing her character get past those obstacles and fight for what she wants.

The reason it was 4 and not 5 for me was because I didn’t enjoy the cooking show aspect of the story so much. I feel like, based on my last book review, that reality tv shows just aren’t something I enjoy reading about in books.

This book comes out this tuesday so go get you a copy when it comes out!