EVERYONE NEEDS TO DROP EVERYTHING AND GO GET THIS BOOK!

Dahlia, a recently divorced copy editor, takes her chances on Chef's Special, a reality cooking show that she's loved for years. She wants to finally get her life right, and hopefully the prize money can help. Enter London Parker, a nonbinary chef from Nashville who is absolutely stricken by her. Together, they navigate the show, the messy relationships within the show, and their own. Will their love take the cake, or will it crumble under the pressure?

Okay I need to talk about the representation in this book. I can't tell you the last time I read (or if I have ever) a book with a nonbinary main character. London was a tad messy but I still loved them regardless. A lot of their experiences felt very real and the discussions they had with both Dahlia and their family were really well done! There was a whole talk about straight passing people using queer people as "experiments," as well as parental figures constantly misgendering their own children. Even at the end, London has a very important monologue moment with their father, and it made me tear up and cheer in pride for London for setting the bar for their relationship. Also, pansexual rep! Not something I see much of in stories and I love it.

Dahlia also has her own struggles with her sexuality, especially because she had no prior experience with dating someone who was queer or not cis. Her being able to explore that and also have that discussion with people later down the line was something I personally related to, even though Dahlia and I are completely different. Also, she just identifies as queer, and I don't think I've read a story with someone who purely identifies as queer, and I was absolutely here for it. Dahlia's brother is also trans and he was amazing.

This story also does an amazing job at highlighting media's role when it comes to LGBTQ+ people being "out" on shows or any form of media, really. It can completely agitate the scenario and make things worse with discrimination and hate speech, but it can also give voice to those who felt that they haven't been seen in media before, and let them know that their voice is heard and important.

The plot was simple and wasn't, in my opinion, too invested in the whole cooking competition aspect. It allowed actually for a lot of freedom outside of the show, where we see Dahlia and London have the best bonding time. I've read another book as an ARC, Where There's a Whisk, and it leaned too heavily on the scripted aspect of the show as well as basically dialoguing word for word what is said on the show. The author didn't do that, and instead it opened up the way for a lot of narrative choices and important moments between Dahlia and London.

I was hooked. I teared up. I was screaming and laughing and flustered throughout this entire book. Love & Other Disasters is fast-paced and absolutely loveable. This might be my new favorite romance and it's only a few days into 2022. PLEASE go get this book and support an amazing, queer author and story.

I received a copy of this story as an e-ARC from NetGalley. Any and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you Forever Pub and Anita Kelly for the eARC of LOVE & OTHER DISASTERS!
Why hello queer romance that I didn’t know I needed in my life!

Y’all I LOVED this book. It was so cute and just made me so happy. And for some reason I was not expecting that level of steam (I think because the cover is so cute?!) but it was SO GOOD.

I love books about food and cooking so the setting of this one being a part of a cooking competition is what first intrigued me. I also have never read a book with a non-binary person as the main character and wanted to see this person fall in love and get an HEA. I loved London’s chapters and POV. I learned a lot about a non-binary person’s experience through this book. I see a lot more queer romance in my reading future!

London and Dahlia are messy and imperfect characters. They share their traumas with each other and the reader but the book isn’t about their trauma. Instead it’s about falling in love and growing as a person and adult outside of a relationship, finding and pursuing one’s passions.

I am a straight, cis-woman so I really encourage you to seek out Own Voices reviews from the queer community as well! Seriously, go read the Goodreads reviews for this one. And be sure to grab a copy for yourself when it comes out on January 18, 2022!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CYmOT8FJY-F/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4216657104

Really enjoyed this book. One if not the first book I have read with a nonbinary character in the romance genre (sad but true). Anita Kelly makes you want to fall in love on a cooking show which before this book honestly sounded like a nightmare. Can't wait to read more of her books. Had non-binary rep and bi rep. Great also to get into the romance genre.

- To absolutely no one's surprise, welcome to my queer screaming about LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS!
- Honestly, I don't even know if I can summarize everything I loved about this book. Grumpy/sunshine. Cooking competition. Self discovery and reinvention. Nonbinary representation. Characters gently taking care of each other and supporting each other through hard things.
- I love a romance novel that really digs into character backstories and growth, and LOVE AND OTHER DISASTERS is one of the best examples of that I've ever read. Dahlia moving on from divorce. London dealing with their dad. And both of them learning more about themselves and each other as the story progresses.
- Also, I loved that even though some transphobia was part of London's story, they were never misgendered or deadnamed on the page. Their identity was taken seriously and as incontrovertible fact, not as something they needed to prove as part of coming out.

Love & Other Disasters follows London, the first openly nonbinary contestant on a long-time running and beloved American cooking show, and Dahlia, their clumsy competitor as they fall in love with each other on set. Both dealing with their own detrimental issues, neither comes on the show to find the love of their life—yet that’s exactly what ends up happening while they’re competing against each other.

What an affirming romcom this turned out to be! London and Dahlia proved to be such interesting characters. My favourite romances are those where I’m equally invested in both characters’ separate lives as I am in their romance and Kelly truly delivered.

On one side, we have London, who entered the cooking competition because they want to make a difference for nonbinary individuals like them with the prize money—and on top of that—being the first openly nonbinary contestant on the show. Anxious about trolls and haters, they’re having a hard time focusing which isn’t made any better when Dahlia quite literally stumbles into their arms and life. And then we have Dahlia, who’s struggling with her finances after a divorce that’s left her reeling in more ways than one. Completely recalibrating her life, she is in desperate need of that prize money to alleviate some of her debt—if only there wasn’t that annoying yet total dreamboat London occupying her thoughts.

What I think Kelly did exceptionally well was how they balanced the sweet romance between London and Dahlia with the more hard-hitting topics of gender identity, divorce and bankruptcy. While London has to deal with misgendering, not only from strangers but also from someone in their family (which, by the way, is one of the best-laid subplots I’ve ever read in my life), Dahlia has her own struggles with her past and her being queer that are dealt with with such a tender touch in this novel. There’s also a plethora of discussions of the future, anxiety of not being where you want to be in your life at a certain age, and transphobic comments online that makes you want to punch someone. Yet these topics are all discussed with a delicate hand that offers more insight on who London and Dahlia truly are instead of overshadowing their dreams and ambitions.

The romance between London and Dahlia is also so well done. Both characters bring dry humour, witty banter and a whole lot of heart to their romance and their back and forth as well as the obstacles in their way felt so real that I was actually aching because I wanted a happy ending for them. The pacing flows nicely and just when you think this is going to be a super fluffy romance, Kelly throws a curveball with downright steamy scenes to make you fan yourself. I also love how neither of them has to change themselves for the other—London loves Dahlia and her chaotic mess of a life, and Dahlia is head over heels for their dry humour and general no-bullshitting-allowed stance in life. There’s such a genuine connection between them that I’m sure readers will have no choice but to devour this novel in one sitting.

I also really enjoyed the cooking competition. In books with similar premises this year, I always felt like the cooking show was just a backdrop that was ignored about a third into the book, yet here, we get the whole competition perfectly interwoven with the romance between Dahlia and London. I loved getting to know the other contestants and even seeing how London and Dahlia had to think quick on their feet when challenges arose that they didn’t see coming.

All in all, this is such an addictive, affirming and uplifting queer romance read. I kind of want to throw this book at everyone who ever intentionally misgendered someone who is nonbinary and hold this up as an example of just how validating and important it is to listen to queer people. This debut makes me so excited to read more from Kelly in the future.

If you’re a fan of baking competitions, authentic queer representation and lush, tender yet steamy romances, then Kelly’s Love & Other Disasters is the perfect read for you!

Love And Other Disasters by Anita Kelly was a fun tale of queer romance with a fancy backdrop of cooking show!

I have been meaning to pick up Anita Kelly’s moonlighter series and after reading this beauty, I am definitely in market for her other books. The romance is so well written and the story is very heart warming, joyous and full of cozy vibes.

Dahlia and London are exactly opposite but as they say opposite attracts each other! Their budding romance, hot chemistry inside and outside the kitchen and quirky bantering makes this one of the cutest queer read!

Thank you Forever pub, Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for gifting me the advance galley of the book that hits the shelves on January 18, 2022

I didn’t love this book to be honest. It felt unnecessarily cheesy to me, and it seemed to have too many sex scenes which started to feel awkward. I did love the NB representation, and I think this book will be enlightening to those who do not understand gender identity and why using appropriate pronouns is so important and validating.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I wasn't sure what to expect, because I don't generally read contemporary romance, but I saw 'queer and nonbinary' and took a chance, and I'm SO glad I did.

The representation in this book was SO SO good. As a queer, nonbinary person myself, so much of what London said and was rang true. And I loved queer disaster Dahlia so much for her warm acceptance of them. They were just so good together and (almost) everyone in the book was surprisingly cool with respecting them and their pronouns.

I also loved how well-written this was. I was totally invested in this fictional cooking show and I don't even watch real life cooking shows. Dahlia's and London's love of cooking came through so well, I could almost taste the dishes they were creating.

I was also totally invested in their relationship. And the writing was just so beautiful and there were so many passages that just viscerally struck true. I loved the discussion of Dahlia's divorce, and the way she was trying to reinvent herself in LA, and when London realized that exuberant Dahlia was just... sad.

Gah I just loved it so much.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for providing an e-arc for review.

After her recent divorce, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on Chef's Special. Unfortunately, her first memorable move is falling on her face and sending a plate of fish tacos flying - not quite the fresh start she was looking for. After announcing their pronouns on national TV, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the person stationed in front of them. As the competition goes on, Dahlia and London get closer and reality starts to fall away. But as the finale draws near, London and Dahlia must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after,

Dahlia and London were both fantastic characters to read about. Dahlia is trying to pick up the pieces of her life and move on from her past relationship, while also trying to navigate her new queer feelings. London is the first non-binary contestant on Chef's Special, and I applaud them for coming out and competing on the show, and also ignoring what the trolls are saying online. Considering that the plot revolves around a cooking show, I would've liked to see more of that aspect. The romance was good and quick to develop, I just wish we could've seen more of London and Dahlia post-Chef's Special!

TW: transphobia, coming out, toxic family dynamics

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

Okay this is such a cute story! I absolutely love the behind the scenes look into a cooking show. I loved the chemistry between the two MC. I felt like the non binary character was a good and true representation.

This book may have tropes and concepts similar to other books, but it is also unique and has a great story of its own. The setting is a cooking competition which I always enjoy reading about. I would have loved more details about the dishes, the cooking, as well as the other contestants. It was more of a background setting and we didn't learn too much about the show or contestants.
I absolutely loved Dahlia and London! Dahlia is divorced and struggling to find her place in her new life. London is nonbinary and has family support except from her dad. There is also an issue with a fellow contestant who doesn't want to understand London's they/them/theirs pronouns. I really liked Dahlia's lively energy and how London couldn't resist her.
Although I enjoyed reading this book, I did feel like there was a lot of telling instead of showing. I felt like it was a bit long and dragged in parts. However, there is still a great romance story here and I would still recommend this book to others!
Thank you NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this advanced copy!

[5 enthusiastic stars!!!!]

This is everything I never knew I wanted in a book. I was SMITTEN with the romance and loved both characters, together and independently. I read this in essentially a 24 hour fever dream - it was gripping, steamy, and made me very hungry.

4.5 stars

I can't start this review without saying right away that I had SO MUCH fun with this book!

Confession: I've never watched a cooking competition show?? But I have a general idea of how both cooking and how reality shows work, so... I just had to check out this contemporary nb/f romance. But I didn't expect to like it so much and, again, have so much fun with it.

I think both main characters, Dahlia and London, were very were fleshed out and their POVs felt distinct enough that I had no issues remembering whose POV I was reading at any given time. I can't judge/speak of London's experience but I think the author managed to balance showing some of the negative experiences of a lot of (at least afab) nonbinary people and the joy of being seen (both by other queer people and by allies) for who they are, and they did it in a way that didn't feel too heavy (of course some of it could still be too much for trans/nonbinary readers). I also loved how London managed to set their boundaries and send the message that blood family should face consequences for not respecting who you are.

Dahlia was a little of a mess, and she had some typical over-the-top-romance-novel-heroine especially at the beginning. But while the second-hand embarrassment was definitely there a couple of times, I really ended up loving her and her backstory and arc. I could relate to a lot of the experiences she faced as a queer woman when it comes to relationships and also getting to a point where you realize you're just going with the flow without really liking where the flow is supposed to bring you to.

The actual romance, after a bit of a wild first meeting, felt very organic and real. I can't stress enough how much I love a queer romance that is HORNY and where the characters aren't two cis guys or two straight people. That isn't to say it didn't have its sweet moments, because it did! And they were so sweet! But it was also sexy and while I wasn't a fan of everything they did (iykyk) I still appreciate the author taking some slightly nonconventional routes for the sex scenes.

With that said, there were still some small elements that didn't make this a full 5 stars for me. Like the fact that, while the ongoing narrative about the difference in privilege was good, I felt like it ended up going nowhere (and most of all, Dahlia and London didn't really have a proper conversation about it). For a book that confronted so many issues, the conclusion to that arc within the romantic art felt a little cheap.

But overall I really loved this and and I can wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone in need of a sexy queer romance with a pansexual nonbinary character who exclusively uses they/them pronouns, a queer (that's the actual label she uses! yes!!) heroine that doesn't have any of her shit together, and lots of food.

TWs: transphobia, minor cooking injuries, food (+ slightly uhhhh,,, inappropriate use of food i guess)

Wow wow wow. I can't stop thinking about London and Dahlia! This was so cute and funny and heartwarming and I've already recommended it to every queer person in my life.

a truly squeal-worthy romance. i love dahlia and london so much, their chemistry was clear (and sizzling) from the start and i loved the slow development from immediate connection to friendship to love. i could read a book on each of these contestants, they’re all so interesting and i want to know more about them and their relationships with london and dahlia (except some, they know who they are). but overall, i don’t feel like it’s lacking in side characters/relationships because the main romance is so well-done, and the familial relationships are so well-developed.

taylor swift vibe: dress

recommended for: fans of reality competition shows who are also soft romance bitches at heart (hi, it’s me)

if you’ve read it please yell with me about: the alley scene!!!!!

(thank you to netgalley and hachette book group for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review)

I couldn’t have asked for a better first adult romance of the year!
This book is about two cooking show contestants who fall in love! It’s not a Great British Bake-off sort of show, it’s set in America where the contestants can cook or bake what they want as they compete for $100,000. We do see parts of the show, the interviews, the reactions from the viewers, but overall, the book is very internal. We see a lot of the character’s thoughts while they’re cooking, their reactions to who wins and loses the challenges. This is also a book about food that doesn’t have paragraphs long descriptions of food and tastes every page, which I honestly appreciate. I can sometimes get lost in those, so there are only some lengthy food descriptions sprinkled throughout.
For a little bit on our main characters, Dahlia is a queer woman going through divorce and dealing with the debt from that. London is pansexual and nonbinary. Also, this is the first traditionally published romance where not only is the main character nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, they also get their own POV! And I just loved that a lot!
Throughout the whole book, you were rooting for these two, both in terms of the show and for where their relationship goes. Speaking of their relationship, the sex scenes were everything I wanted, fun, with a lot of communication, but also sexy!
Dahlia was a little more fleshed out in terms of B-plot. London did too, but it was to a lesser extent and wasn’t really there for the whole book. Meanwhile, Dahlia is dealing with questioning who she is after her divorce for most of the book. I just wanted London to be going through it a little more throughout the book, but their personal plotline was good as well.
I also liked the supporting characters! The author has confirmed that Dahlia and London will make a cameo in future books, so I can only hope those books will center or at least feature Julie or Hank or Cath or Barbara!
I rated this book 4 stars! This book was funny with a solid cast of characters!

Love & Other Disasters was a cute love story centered around a cooking competition.

Dahlia is recently divorced and she's a self taught cook who is ready to try her hand at this TV competition, Chef's Special. She end up befriending a couple of individuals, one being London, a non-binary contestant. The chemistry between them is evident from the first time they meet.

The relationship between Dahlia and London evolved over time and it built slowly. They were both interested, but the competition, their "real" lives and the distance between where they live are causes for concern. They finally can't fight the attraction and embark on a journey together that is sweet, steamy and tender.

This story felt very relatable. The two characters were easy to like and you felt like you were there as they navigated their relationship and the stress of being on the cooking show. I'm very glad I picked this one up and I strongly suggest it.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

4.5 rounded up!

I had a great time rooting for Dahlia and London. I like a romance where they hang out and do stuff, instead of just sexytimes (tho there was definitely the latter too!)

There's lots to like (see other reviews) but let me point out a few less obvious things I enjoyed:

Both characters had family issues, and both of them dealt with it. Yay for opening your mouth and communicating!!

Also, the 3rd act breakup: This is tough to get right, and I HATE when it's tacked on. However, I thought Kelly did a good job here because the one character's emotions were understandably all over the place for Reasons, so of course the two of them couldn't sit down and have a reasonable conversation. It wasn't the right time!

Reading this novel after the WONDERFUL novellas of the Moonlighters series, I'm now an Anita Kelly auto-buy reader.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC, opinions are my own.

the worst part about reviewing books is that every once in a blue moon(ie’s) you read a book that makes it really damn hard to articulate how deeply it moved you

enter Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly

I just— ✨OOF✨

reading L&OD felt revelatory. The word that I kept thinking of as i obsessively turned pages was JOY— the cozy kind, that nestles in your chest and just ~glows~🥰 while there were definitely some challenges or bleak moments in London & Dahlia’s romance (heLLO, who doesn’t have a few when falling in love these days) there was always an underlying warmth & hope that really shone through Anita’s writing🙌🏻

and what a damn love story😍Literally from page one I was such a goner for these two, like the quiet yearning across baking stations?! The angst over untamed hair and FOREARMS?!?! UGHHH😩 <—— the number of times I attempted to draw that emoji on sticky notes is criminal (swipe 2 see it & also some related memes lol)

i don’t think Dahlia was deliberately coded as having ADHD, but ~damn~ did I see myself in her!! Her spontaneity, her playfulness, the “oops i overshared but my mouth is working a little faster than my brain right now” chattiness was just so on the nose 😂 And watching her struggle w/ wanting ✨more✨ but not knowing exactly what that looked like, or feeling like she wasn’t enough but also was maybe just a bit much—ooof, it felt achingly familiar. But then, there’s something really magical about watching someone who looks like you being loved so fiercely🥺 i only ~narrowly~ escaped a good cry with this book

I absolutely adored this book and I’m so grateful to Forever and Netgalley for advanced copies💖

I was so excited when I heard about this book, a queer romance, with a non binary main character! After a slow start I really enjoyed this read. Both of the main characters were so loveable, their relationship was so cute, and the steamy scenes had great consent! I was a bit hesitant about the cooking show setting, but I found that it was handled well for the most part (not that I know anything about the behind the scenes of cooking reality shows).

The only thing that made this not a 5 star read for me was that I found it hard sometimes to differentiate between the 2 characters voices. It was very clear that they were written by the same author, and even though they had different character traits and backgrounds, I would sometimes find myself getting them mixed up.

I am very excited to pick up the next books in this character universe when they come out!