A fun story reminiscent of The Charm Offensive. I loved the non-binary love interest, it's something you don't see often (if at all?) and that kind of diversity is more than welcome. The romance itself, while I initially didn't buy it (how quickly they fell for each other), was very sweet and earnest. The backdrop of the cooking show was a lot of fun and an interesting way to pull the story forward. There was a lot of great banter, and it was lovely watching these characters realize things about themselves.

3.5 stars. The story follows Dahlia and London as they compete on a cooking show and have a whirlwind romance.

I struggle with this one because I liked it but was also kind of bored by it. I appreciated seeing a non-binary main character represented in a romance and watching how their relationship unfolded and the challenges they faced.

I struggled with Dahlia and London’s connection though — while there was plenty of steam I feel like they always had heightened emotions and yet were still lacking a spark or chemistry. I also always love a reality competition but the cooking show felt like background noise and a bit of an after thought sometimes instead of being woven more intentionally throughout the story.

The author handled the representation and conversations about identity really well so I still would recommend giving it a try.

Thanks Forever for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I love when you can tell that a book was written from an authentic place, that the author is taking their own feelings, their own emotions, and building out from there to tell an honest story that they hope will resonate with readers. Anita Kelly does just that in Love & Other Disasters and I’m so glad to have been able to spend time with it and its characters over the past several days. I was initially pulled in by its arrestingly pretty cover which I was pleased to discover is a faithful representation of the actual characters.
Love & Other Disasters is an nb/f adult contemporary romance centered around contestants on a televised cooking show for non-professionals. There’s a significant cash prize for the winner, and it would make an immense difference in the lives of our leads Dahlia and London. Neither dream of becoming a professional chef, but each wants to take their love of cooking, and what it gives them, and turn it into something more. Anita Kelly built characters of equal footing on parallel arcs, and it serves the story so well – each are struggling with emotional baggage from their “real” lives, each have uncertainty waiting for them upon their return, each are not really sure what their next steps are, and each is hesitant about what even to do with all these emotions they are feeling about each other.

One of the dynamics I loved about this was that Dahlia and London don’t necessarily instantly fully grapple with their attitudes and attraction to one another but find that they are drawn to each other over time and have feelings that they can’t ignore, and everyone else has already noticed. Since the narrative is handed back and forth, we are also treated to each character’s inner monologue and motivations, which makes some scenes so funny (the cows!) and others so painful (the fight!). Kelly makes sure the reader has the information to understand the full emotional landscape of her characters, weaving it in as they go, and then drops the reader in to enjoy the fully realized ride.

This is Kelly’s full-length debut, and it is a stunning work. It is also first in a series of three and I am SO intrigued by what will come next based on Anita Kelly’s website blurb and mood boards.

“Love & Other Disasters” by Anita Kelly
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Release Date: 1/18/21

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC! I loved this story! I love the show MasterChef and this books setting reminds me of that, but back stage with romance! This story is lively, funny, charismatic, and steamy. All while bringing awareness!

London is the first openly nonbinary contestant and they want to win to use the money to create a non-profit. While they have most of their families support they still have a few that are struggling. They believe while being on the show they can show support and awareness around the world.
Dahlia is recently divorced with piles of debt, but wants to find her independence and prove she is worthy of the title. She discovered her love of cooking after her divorce and can’t wait to show American what she can do.

On set the first day London felt an undying connection to Dahlia. The way she put her hair up while she cooked and her glowing smile made every part of their body spark. While Dahlia felt London was cranky and a jerk. Not realizing the tension from the show didn’t make the best first impression.
The banter between these two was magnificent and the steamy parts were hot 🥵
The connection was uncanny making this a clear page-turner. I couldn’t wait to see how this story was going to end. Between the competition, delicious food, and the steamy romance I couldn’t put it down!

This was one of my favorite books--non traditional characters and HEAT (no pun intended). A book like this is a good rec for people who like traditional romance but want it diversed up~

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy of this one in exchange for a review.

Although I am not a huge fan of cooking reality shows, I really enjoyed that this book had a nonbinary character. It made the story a little more interesting as the story dealt with their struggles with their personal relationships and the reactions from viewers on the show. Plus it is great to have the representation.

Overall I liked this book but parts did drag on for me and I skimmed them. It seems like it could have been edited down more.

From the moment I heard about this book when its cover was revealed, I was excited to read it! I am therefore so grateful to have received an early copy and to have had a chance to read and promote this book. I have read many romances over the years, but none that followed a non-binary lead and I couldn't wait to see what I thought about this book. All that being said, after reading the book itself my feelings are a bit more mixed, so I'm glad that I have this review to work out all my thoughts.

Love & Other Disasters follows Dahlia and London as they both enter a culinary TV competition. Dahlia is recently divorced and she discovered her love of cooking while her marriage was failing. London on the other hand has always loved to cook and they are excited to be out as a non-binary contestant, with hopes to win the competition and use the prize money to help LGBTQ+ kids in their hometown. These two meet on set and have a whirlwind romance that is only marred by the knowledge that at some point this competition will abruptly tear these two apart.

To start with, I really enjoyed watching the relationship form between Dahlia and London. Their initial meeting and subsequent interactions were so much fun to read about. You watch these two strangers slowly bond over little things and it was easy to see how a romance could bloom between them.

I also really appreciated the support systems that these two had with their families. Dahlia has her older brother Hank who she knows she can reach out to at any moment, while London has their twin sister, Julie. Even though Dahlia and London each have frayed relationships with specific other family members, the fact that families played such a big role just made me happy.

As for the actual cooking competition, I loved it so much that I actually wish we had more of it. The competition was used more as a backdrop for the relationship, rather than an integral piece of how their romance evolved, and that frustrated me. I felt as though we didn't get enough of Dahlia and London's interactions on set, and I wish that we had gotten more of each of their fears and worries about each challenge, rather than most of the elements related to the show having some romantic lens as well.

In fact, I wish that there was a little bit more to this book besides just the romance. These two get together relatively quickly, and from there on I felt the book was lacking in some ways. These two spent so much time talking to and spending time with one another, yet it rarely felt like they were communicating anything of worth. It frustrated me to see certain topics avoided, which led me to having very little sympathy when those topics became a source of conflict later on. I would even have traded a steamy scene or two for some more raw and difficult conversations .The two had so much time and no real reason NOT to discuss these matters. So why didn't they?

In the end I had to give this book 3.5 stars. I really appreciated the representation, and the familial aspects. I loved when we got some resolution with specific family members at the very end, and how things ended up, but for the majority of the book I really was just wanting more. More communication, more of the competition, and more of the other contestants. However, since I know that these are all personal preferences, I'm really hoping that this book will resonate with so many others in a way it just didn't with me.

When Dahlia Woodson enters a cooking show, the last thing she expects is to fall in love. Particularly considering that she only got into cooking due to her unhappy marriage and subsequent divorce and really needs the money that winning the show would provide. London Parker joins the show with the goal of opening a nonprofit for LGBTQ kids in their home state of Tennessee and coming out as non-binary on national television. Though they try to keep their distance from Dahlia, the connection that they feel is too irresistible.

I really really liked this book! The representation was great and one of the first books I've read with a non-binary main character that also has "spicy" scenes, which felt really important! It definitely was a bit "insta-love" which isn't exactly my favorite and I would have liked to see more of the actual competition (there were a lot of time jumps), but this overall was lovely! Would definitely read again and will recommend to others.

Trigger warnings for transphobia

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so tender and romantic. I loved it. Sad sunshine meets a grump person. Highly recommend for readers looking for queer rep especially a non-binary love interest.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC!

*4.5 stars rounded up*

Setting a queer love story with nonbinary representation in a competitive cooking show setting sounds like a recipe for success. In this case, it absolutely is.

I loved this novel. The representation was incredibly well-written, there was a good mix of individual character growth, fluffy romance, and spice, and the cooking show itself was also fun to follow. I really appreciated how the author tackled London's identity in particular. Transphobia was mentioned and the story felt realistic in terms of both the support and bigotry they faced. However, London was never misgendered once on the page. I also liked how Dahlia's character developed throughout the story. I think the dual POV added to the development of both main characters and strengthened the story. Lastly, while I wasn't really into some of what happened in the spicy scenes, they were unique and original, which I liked.

Overall, this was a realistic, well-rounded, and incredibly fun rom com with excellent representation. I highly highly recommend, and am excited to see what Anita Kelly writes next!

- SO SO GOOD
- everything i could ask for in a romance
- the nonbinary rep?!?!?!? some of the best i've ever read
- i will not get over how well kelly handled the conversations and intricacies of dating as a nonbinary person
- again!! to read a character who uses they/them pronouns in a normalized relationship was so beautiful
- london and I are so similar (not just bc we're both in love with dahlia)
- each character had their own great arc and growth
- their individual family problems were also really well talked about and overcome in realistic ways
- HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Actual rating is like a 3.5! I liked this! I LOVED London. Sooo much. London was a really well developed character. Dahlia was great too and quite messy, but she was down-to-earth and a nice balance to London's grumpy nature. Together, they were quite cute. I normally prefer slow burns, but I didn't mind the borderline insta-love of London and Dahlia because it almost felt like a love at first sight kinda thing and I actually thought it worked for them and was super cute.

I know this is a romance so obviously the romance would be the focus, but I actually wished we had more on the cooking show aspect of it. I was REALLY interested in that part of the story and we got the cooking show mostly in the background. Honestly, I wasn't even fully always aware how Dahlia and London were doing in the competition except for the few throwaway lines we got. Which is a shame because they both so obviously loved cooking and I really felt their bond over it at first, but then it faltered as the story went on. The entire cooking aspect took a backseat and I was a bit disappointed in that. I just wish it could've been more front and center. That said, I wish the side characters were slightly more developed too (especially the contestants Dahlia befriended). I loved London's twin sister, but the other side characters were forgettable (except Lizzie, of course, but she was problematic and I hated her).

Finally, I didn't like the third act breakup. It happens frequently in romance where these third act breakups feel forced and this one definitely did to me. I understand that it's the structure of these kinds of books, but I wish it had felt more meaningful rather than just a random thing thrown in. Overall, though, I loved London and Dahlia so much and they were the heartbeats of this novel. Their backstories were deep and I loved reading as they learned about each other!

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this so much!! I had a smile on my face the whole time.

Love & Other Disasters is an Adult romcom set on a cooking show. Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself, even after falling on her face in the first round of Chef's Special. London Parker has announced their pronouns on international TV for the first time and has way too many things to worry about besides the contestant in front of them falling on her face. But when London and Dahlia start talking there's an immediate connection.

This was such a cute novel! I fell in love with both London and Dahlia. I definitely shipped these two from their first interaction. I loved watching their relationship grow and change. I really wanted them both to be happy. Plus I'm such a sap for the grumpy & sunshine trope which this delivered on.

I need more baking/cooking romance novels. All the ones I've read so far I've absolutely loved.

Rep: white Italian bisexual female MC, white pansexual nonbinary MC, Asian male side character, trans male side character.

CWs: Alcohol consumption, dysphoria, sexual content, transphobia/transmisia (specifically in regards to nonbinary people). Moderate: Blood.

This book was an absolute delight! Swoony romance, yummy food, and some serious spice -- what more could you want? Also love seeing such a sweet romance with a nonbinary lead!

I enjoyed the story. Not sure if it was because it’s more British but I didn’t understand some of the jokes. Otherwise I enjoyed the character development.

A huge thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book!!
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First things first, make sure you have some snacks on hand while reading this book! A reality cooking show is the perfect backdrop for this contemporary romance between Dahlia and London. The show does fade into the background fairly quickly, and while it is occurring throughout the novel, much of the action takes place outside of filming hours. I loved that both characters were out of their elements both in California and even as chefs. I would have loved some more development of the supporting cast, but ultimately the story doesn't need it.
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This is the first novel I've read with a nonbinary main character, and I so appreciated the author's care to be sure that their identity was handled correctly and with nuance. There are moments of discussed misgendering, but at no point is London actually misgendered in the writing. Their identity is upheld and valued, and for that I am thankful. This is not a story of London's gender or Dahlia's sexuality, but rather these are facets of their personalities that come up naturally and without judgment.

This was the perfect book to close out the year with. A lovely, soft romance between two lovely, soft (though London would probably disagree) people, on the set of a MasterChef type cooking competition that plays out in a realistic, satisfying way. It's fun, and hot, and heartbreaking, and inspiring all at once.

the queer great british baking book of my dreams!! dahlia woodson is a recently divorced 28 year old contestant on chef's special, a cooking show based in los angeles. she's just flown across the country to compete - if she wins, she'll use the $100,000 prize money to pay off some of her debts. she's there for a fresh start and to try to figure out her life a bit.

she meets london parker, a nonbinary contestant who throws her off her feet - not literally, but dahlia does trip and fall during the first competition. london has a dad who refuses to use their pronouns and a fellow contestant who doesn't accept them. what they didn't expect was their sudden crush on dahlia. if london wins, they'll use the prize money to help trans kids in their home state of tennessee.

i did think the pacing on this one got a bit weird and sometimes i was confused which character was which, but the love and care with which london's story was written outweighs absolutely everything else.

Check for TW and CW

Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly is a fantastic LGBTQIA+ romance novel. I loved the dual POV in the book, which brought to the book's entirety. I loved the non-binary rep; it was written elegantly and nicely. Anita Kelly wrote the book in such an uplifting mood and it helped reading the book quickly. I found this book to be a lot of fun and surprisingly touching. The characters Dahlia and London were great together. The couple's chemistry is everything!!! I loved how this took place during a cooking competition because it showed a common interest between the love interests. Dahlia and London are a couple who balance each other and complement one another, aka they're perfect for one another. Some tropes in the book are -cooking competition, close proximity, grumpy/sunshine, amazing banter, and F/NB romance. Love & Other Disasters is a sweet, warm queer romance that I can tell was written with joy and care. London & Dahlia feel real, messy, relatable. I enjoyed how they navigated their different personalities and approaches to life. I would 10/10 recommend reading this book ASAP.

Love & Other Disasters pairs a couple of my favorite things - competitive food reality TV, and tender love stories. It's an emotionally moving romance with plenty of spice, and though I felt early on like the stakes were pretty low, but in the latter half, the conflicts and obstacles were better established and kept the plot moving along to a definitely satisfying conclusion, for both London and Dahlia's individual journeys, and their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review!