Really had a lot of fun reading this queer romance! It's my first romance with a nonbinary lead. London is nonbinary and pan, and Dahlia is queer and I enjoyed their chemistry with each other. I definitely think London was my fave character in the whole book. The cooking show was a fun backdrop to their story but there were parts that also seemed very formulaic. Perfectly fun romance read but the draw for me was the queer representation!

I couldn’t connect with this as much as I wanted ! But it was really well written and I would try this author again in a heart beat.

This was great! I loved reading about a non-binary character, I think this was the first book I've read with an NB love interest. This was fun and cute! Highly recommend.

I really enjoyed Love & Other Disasters. In a story about a competitive baking show, we find friendship, love, strength, and compassion. It was wonderful to also see non-binary and bisexual representation and have it be centered more on joy rather than trauma of the lived experience.

What worked for me:
- baking competition setting
- fantastic representation
- owning and being proud of identities/who they are as individuals
- the acknowledgment of past experiences and how that impacts them currently as they move forward.

What I would have liked more of:
- a bit more of the engagement with the baking competition
- a bit more of the development of the relationship - it happened over a relatively quick time period (a few weeks) but the story felt a bit slow in parts or like there was something missing.

Look at this title. Look at this cover. Tell me what it brings to mind. Omg.. you didn't say a nationally broadcast cooking competition? However did you miss all the clues??

I mean, frankly, not even one disaster happened in this book? And they could have AT LEAST been wearing aprons on the cover?!?!?! It was damn near a jumpscare when I found out that this book is about cooking lmao blame me not reading the synopsis but idk, not sure why I am so bothered by this

Ok so we have Dahlia and London. Dahlia is your typical little romance protagonist moron who is a clumsy mess with a small stature and a lack of direction in life. I do like the fact that she has been through a divorce - I think it's details like that that can really bring a book to life and make the characters feel more real. She divorced her high school sweetheart, and was working a job she felt nothing for, until she randomly decides to go on Top Chef. I can't remember the actual name of the cooking show, so it will henceforth be known as Top Chef in this review.

London is another contestant on Top Chef, and they have the luck (or maybe misfortune) of being the first openly nonbinary contestant. It's part of their "about me" for their introduction to the show. So, it's out there basically immediately, and for the most part it goes well. One contestant doesn't "agree" with London's identity, and basically the show ends up pitting them against each other in a #TeamLondon or #TeamLizzie situation that's really gross.... but whatever. Anyway, London is already kind of used to this sort of thing, because their dad doesn't use their pronouns either.

Then these two numbskulls start to be friends and then more than friends, and it's sweet. They get to know each other pretty well pretty quick, but I don't think it's oddly paced or instalovey or anything. There's even still enough of the cooking competition left in the book to make it still make sense to the plot... ya'll don't know how many romances I've read that completely abandon the PLOT of the book as soon as the characters meet........ Faker by Sarah Smith ring a bell......

Dahlia soul searches over the course of the story; she finds out who she is and wants to be outside of her long term relationship and her perception of her mom's expectations. London grapples with their dad's acceptance of them and conversely whether they should accept their dad. These people do have real life problems outside of their romance.

Part of my issue is that their problems within their romance are kind of.... stupid. The big problem is that they are from different states outside of the competition and when the competition is over they will have to split up. Especially knowing that either of them could go home at any time. It got to the point that you wanted to yell at them to just go visit each other!!!! They were acting like they were getting kicked off the HUNGER GAMES and DYING, not just going home from LA......

Oddly enough they were both allowed to have their phones the whole time? And I've always been under the impression that you don't have your phone during reality TV? Like that's usually the whole purpose of a tearful reunion with your family once you've been on screen for long enough, but maybe I've been naive this whole time. But the fact that they had their phones made it even STUPIDER for them to not pursue a relationship for fear of going home, because they could literally just fuckin text each other the next day .....

We DID have sex scenes, blessedly, and they weren't half bad. Someone's toe did get sucked... which was like another jump scare... but hey, different folks are into different things, man. There was an outdoor scene that was plenty fine, plenty fine indeed

The epilogue was weird and I wasn't a huge fan of it. But in the end, we get both Dahlia and London's main issues solved, and that's all we can ask for

I was mainly just here for the representation, and as far as I, a straight cis gal, can tell, it was well-done representation. There was a little bit about dysphoria, about hormones, about one's relationship with makeup/femininity, basically you weren't spoon fed info about being non-binary but there were basics for anyone reading who is new to the concept. London was that representation in the book, too, because they became an inspiration for a lot of queer folks at home watching the show, young and old alike. Dahlia was queer too, but had never been with anyone other than her ex-husband, so it was nice to see her grow romantically too.

Basically, this is a good book for the rep and just something light to read, avoid if you are not into hair fetishes

I was not a fan of this book at all. It seemed to have all the makings of a book I would enjoy but I just did not enjoy it. I could not connect with the characters at all and the romance fell flat for me.

I really loved this book. It made me feel seen with the representation, as I haven't read many romances with non-binary characters,

I keep going back and forth on my rating of this book and I think it falls solidly between a 3.5 and 4. Let's get into it a little more deeply. I think Anita Kelly has done queer and non-binary rep amazingly in the sense that they've built two really well-developed personalities. They've gone and done my favorite thing, which is grumpy/sunshine. And yes. London is a grump. They GRUNT IN RESPONSE for christs sake. And hot... so very very hot. Dahlia is that brand of sunshine that's just so energetic and fun and downright ridiculously silly at times. Dahlia didn't cross the line into that territory of so quirky and awkward and silly that it was cringey. She was still real and had depth. The storyline was so fun. I loved following the whole competition cooking show. It really brought up some fond memories of watching Food Network when I was younger. The issue with this book, is that it is meant to be a romance. I liked the characters, I liked the plot, I liked what the character did together. However, I did not feel an ounce of the passion or love between London and Dahlia. Yes, after they got together I could tell they cared deeply for each other. And before they got together there were the classic grump moments on London's end (frowning rudely at those who are rude to Dahlia, the 'inexplicable urge to hold her', inappropriate expressed urges to taste her). However, I never found myself willing these two together. I didn't have the 'on the edge of my seat hoping this close encounter would be the moment they finally kiss' moment. I wasn't screaming at these two to just finally kiss because they are clearly pining for each other. It's unfortunate that the little spark was missing for me since I think Kelly has crafted great queer characters and this book provides the non-binary rep the romance world is missing. I truly enjoyed so much about this book and flew through it, but after finishing I definitely found myself realizing I wasn't nearly as invested in their relationship as I was in who was going to win the $100,000 dollar cash prize of Chef's Special.

Dahlia is throwing a hail mary when she goes on the competitive cooking show Chef's Special. After marrying her childhood sweetheart and checking all the boxes you're supposed to check, she's divorced, nearly bankrupt, and at loose ends. London doesn't have money problems, but they did just announce their pronouns on national television, their can't-take-it-back way of forcing their parents and the wealthy social set they're a part of to finally acknowledge who they are.

Both have a passion for cooking; neither is looking for love. Attraction is on the menu nonetheless (SORRY, that's the only food pun). What they do with that attraction though, and where their grudging alliance-turned-friendship will lead them, is where the meat of this story is. Especially when only one of them can emerge a winner.

Grump & sunshine is probably my LEAST favorite romance trope . . . and Anita Kelly still managed to have me rooting for Dahlia and London by the end of this book! Highlights were plenty of humor, an ecstatic oceanic moment of self-reclamation, accurate depictions of anxiety/depression, and fantastic non-binary rep (maybe the first I've seen in a MC in romance ever??).

I absolutely devoured this one, and then immediately bought a finished copy. This was my first romance with a nonbinary love interest and now I just want more! The chemistry was palpable, their relationship had me smiling the whole time, and I adored everything about the relationship between London and Dahlia. This has been described as a hug in book form and I couldn't agree more. Plus, it taking place on a cooking show was an added bonus. Give me more food-related romance, please! For fans of Talia Hibbert.

This is a cute romance about a woman and a non-binary person who fall in love while competing on a cooking show. I seriously wanted more about the food (and more diversity in the contestants) but it wasn't *really* about the food.

The gendering (and discussion of misgendering) and the consent were well done. I actually wasn't expecting such explicit scenes, though. 3.5 stars.

Newly divorced Dahlia enters a televised cooking competition for a chance to have a fresh start. The first non binary contest London meets clumsy Dahlia on the first day when she trips and her fabulous fish tacos go flying. As the show progresses, they start a deep friendship that could be more, until Dahlia is sent home from the competition.

Emotional and hilarious, Love & Other Disasters is one of the most current, refreshing romances I’ve read recently. Both characters open themselves up and are real with each other, but there are still scenes that are laugh out loud funny. And the remaining cast of contestants are equally relatable and entertaining. Great summer read!

This was a fantastic read!! I liked the setting of the cooking competition I loved the characters and the balance between their lives together and outside of the competition bubble. Couldn't put it down!

I really liked this book. The chemistry between London and Dahlia was fantastic. More importantly, the representation in this book is so needed and we need to see it more! Although I don't personally relate to their journeys, I loved reading about them and learning more about both someone who is non-binary and their struggles, especially with their family; and with a woman who decides she wants the exact opposite of what society expects from her. Both of the characters are so brave, fighting for what they want and for their true selves despite the feeling of disappointing their loved ones. I read this via audiobook and it was a great listen. I also loved seeing how cooking helped both London and Dahlia in their lives.

A romance that is both like and not like any other! Romance readers often read for the familiarity in the plot progression and this one will not disappoint on that front but with a very wonderful difference, one of the main characters is non-binary. I have read a few other books with a nb character, but I have never read a book where the main character is nb and really enjoyed it! I love reading romances of all kinds and have been super excited that there are so many wonderful queer romances being published. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

After realizing she doesn’t want kids and divorcing her husband, Dahlia Woodson is ready for a fresh start and a new her on the popular reality cooking show Chef’s Special. The $100,000 grand prize could go a long way toward that, too.

London Parker is ready to make a change in their life, as well. After announcing their pronouns on Chef’s Special, they’re eager to prove the trolls wrong, stand up to their dad, and start an LGBTQ+ nonprofit for kids with the grand prize winnings.

Little do they know that love might just throw a wrench in their plans. Can Dahlia and London stand the heat, or is it time to get out of the kitchen?

I loved, loved, loved this book! But, just like @katieneedsabiggerbookshelf , I also feel the need to come clean. This was the first book I’ve ever read with a non-binary character, so the they/them pronouns initially threw me. Once I became used to that, though, I also quickly realized that there need to be more non-binary characters and books like Anita’s out there. Everyone’s identity should be accepted and celebrated, and I completely fell in love with London, as well as their dynamic with Dahlia and their family. I also adored Hank, Julie, and both Dahlia’s and London’s moms.

Can we also talk about how hungry this book made me?!? The food descriptions and recipes left my mouth watering, and I loved having the cooking show as a backdrop fir Dahlia and London’s growth.

This book hits shelves Jan. 18, but definitely give it a pre-order because you won’t want to miss it!! Thank you so much to @readforeverpub and @anitakellywrites for my gifted e-copy!!! Anita, I absolutely can’t wait to read more of your work!!

**DNF'd so my star rating does not reflect accurate feelings and representation of this novel

Not my cup of tea. To start, the book opened with a lengthy food description but unfortunately, made my mind wander instead of making my mouth water. Although the premise surrounds a cooking show, I felt like the author was too heavy-handed with the character's love for food and didn't dive deep enough into their personalities outside of the kitchen. I tried picking this up a few times but ended up DNF'ing. I am hoping to try again in the future but I have lost all immediate motivation.

UGHHHH when I tell you that I absolutely LOVE cooking show. or competition books in general! UGHH. This book was unique in the fact that it has a non-binary character and I absolutely loved it, and hope that it starts being a usual thing in books. Dahlia and London are competing on an amateur chef cooking competition and although they try to ignore the connections they feel with one another they cannot. They worked so well together. I loved how the author portrayed the characters and gave them so much depth and really showcased their backgrounds. This is definitely a cute book if you want an easy romance, perfect afternoon read for me.

4 Stars. I had a great time with this book. This is a romance between two contestants on a "Great British Baking Show", but a less nice version. Each of the main cast has their own goals with what they want from the show, and how those goals bump up against each other makes this a darned good book. Also, that it is a book that pairs a lady with a Non-Binary person and the drama isn't just around the couples' identity is amazing.

It certainly had some issues with pacing mostly (for me), but I had a great time watching both Dahlia and London grow throughout the process of shooting the show. For Dahlia, it was picking herself up after a recent divorce, and London learned to stand up for themselves with their dad. They helped each other out in different ways. That, to me, was the best part of the book: Dahlia and London both have confidence issues, but those issues manifest in unique ways. There are little details that help a ton - Dahlia and her trans sibling are very close, and Dahlia's experience with being a good trans ally gives her the tools to do the little things to help London feel more comfortable. London, themselves, is very confident in their cooking/ baking but gets hurt every time they talk to their dad. Their dad doesn't really accept their identity, and often makes harmful remarks that makes it hard for them to feel confident in their own skin. Outside of that, London uplifts Dahlia with her own goals and lifts her up as well.

This is a sweet and at times very emotional book. Despite there being some pacing issues with regards to some of the relationship stuff, this was a perfect romance for me. Dahlia and London are excellent complimentary personalities and their banter is amazing. Just a great read all around.

* I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed a lot of elements of this book, but there was an element that greatly detracted from it. The whole sub plot with the producer telling Dahlia about the semi- fixed results felt very rough, and unneeded. There was no real resolution to it, and based on the relationship built throughout the book it would've been something she eventually mentioned to London. overall, I'd give it 3.5 stars but will round up here.