Member Reviews

For Butter or Worse is an adorable and satisfying enemies-to-lovers story with a fake dating twist. I had a great time reading it and really liked the concept of two celebrity chefs getting a little romantic. However, I wish they had spent more time actually participating in the reality cooking show. That aspect really drew me in, so I was a bit let down that it didn’t play a bigger role in the story.

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I think I would’ve liked this book a lot more if:
A. The miscommunication trope wasn’t used as heavily as it was. It’s my least favorite trope and it was everywhere in this book. I need adult characters to act like actual adults and own their shit.
B. It was about 25% shorter. A good edit would’ve improved this so much.

I’m glad Nina and Leo finally communicated! And I loved the food element. Not my favorite book, but a fun time.

Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

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I value the opportunity I was given to read this in advance, but it has been three years and I still haven't read this. With so many books ahead of me, I cannot return to this title.

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Thanks to the publisher for the review copy! This one wasn’t for me or the right fit for my mood at the time.

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Thank you to the publisher for the review copy! I just couldn't get in the mood for this one, but I do love this author!

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DNF'd after chapter 3. I've tried, truly, but there is something so deeply offputting about these characters that I cannot bear to sit through this anymore.

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For Butter or Worse by Erin La Rosa was such a fun read! I absolutely loved it. The characters were charming and relatable, and the storyline had just the right balance of humor and heart.

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I just didn’t like the characters. I’m okay with enemies to lovers if they are good people who just don’t know each other well enough or have preconceived notions, but I thought he was just not a good guy from the beginning. She drove me crazy how she was all “no second chances” and not forgiving people. I just don’t think that’s realistic in a relationship with a human who is going to need some forgiveness at some point. I did like the food descriptions and the topic of sexism in the restaurant/food business. I felt like that was important.

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this book is the best book ever and I am not biases when I said it was my favorite because it was released on my birthday, Erin is such a good writer and this made me smiled and kicked my feet in the hair. I AM OBSSESED WITH BOTH Charathers

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FOR BUTTER OR WORSE by Erin La Rosa was such a fun enemies-to-lovers romance! The foodie element as well was such a great touch -- it made this one very fun and unique!

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Nina and Leo could not despise each other more! This was a nice twist on the typical enemies-to-lovers romcom. I’m such a foodie so I thoroughly enjoyed the cooking aspect of the story. This story is told by both the POVs of Nina and Leo. Both characters were relatable and made this story a great read! It was full of witty comments and snarky responses.
The book also tackles Mental Health. Leo has anxiety and we get to walk through this story with him and his struggle with mental health. As someone with anxiety, I found it very accurate and relatable (even though mental health can be different for everyone).
This book tackles many heavy topics (mental health, loss of a parent) but keeps the story light-hearted.

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Enemies to lovers is my fav trope. The writing was very well but the story wasn't as entertaining as I would have liked it to be.

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"For Butter or Worse" by Erin La Rosa is a charming and lighthearted read, perfect for those times when you need a break from more intense stories. It's a cute and fluffy book that provides a pleasant escape without demanding too much from the reader.

The story centers around two characters whose lives revolve around food, and their chemistry is delightful. The playful banter and the enemies-to-lovers dynamic create a fun and engaging atmosphere. La Rosa does a great job of weaving humor and romance together, making the interactions between the protagonists enjoyable.

However, while the book is certainly entertaining, it doesn't delve too deeply into the characters' development or explore complex themes. The plot is somewhat predictable, and the conflicts are resolved fairly easily, which can make the story feel a bit superficial at times.

Despite these shortcomings, "For Butter or Worse" succeeds in being exactly what it sets out to be: a sweet and enjoyable romance. If you're looking for a book that is easy to read and leaves you with a smile, this one is a good choice. Just don't expect too much depth or serious drama.

Overall, Erin La Rosa delivers a delightful, if somewhat fluffy, tale that is perfect for a cozy afternoon read.

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Writing was great but the story was a bit boring. I think I personally wasn’t in a mood for this type of romance so I’ll definitely give this another shot later on.

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Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Erin La Rosa for this ARC.

“For Butter or Worse” is a delightful blend of baking puns and romance tropes that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. With its enemies-to-lovers and fake dating storyline, it's a fun and engaging read that kept me entertained throughout.

While the plot felt somewhat familiar, reminiscent of another baking-themed rom-com, this book has its own charm and unique twists. Nina Lyon, a talented chef determined to make her mark in the culinary world, finds herself co-hosting a cooking competition show with her ex-boyfriend, Leo O’Donnell, a restaurateur. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, but off-screen, tensions run high.

One of the highlights of the book was watching Nina and Leo's relationship evolve from animosity to something deeper. The moments when they let their guard down and showed their true feelings were heartwarming and authentic. However, there were parts of the book that felt a bit drawn out, detracting from the overall storyline.

Overall, “For Butter or Worse, is a fun and light-hearted read that will appeal to fans of the romance genre. The characters are engaging, the chemistry is palpable, and while it may not be groundbreaking, it's definitely an enjoyable addition to the genre.

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This one was cute! Overall I didn't find it super memorable, but I did enjoy it and loved the cooking + fame concepts. I love a good enemies to lovers trope!

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A clever and fun culinary romantic comedy. Perfect for when you’re in the mood for a true comfort read.

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This had all the elements of a book I figured I would love, enemies to lovers/fake dating, and it involves cooking, but not only cooking but a cooking show!? I mean that's just up my alley. I felt like the first half of the book was really slow on the plot. We didn't get as much of the cooking show as I had hoped and it took me a month to get through. I was a little worried that I wasn't going to like it at all but then the last half picked up and I really enjoyed it. I liked the fake dating set up for this one and liked Nina a ton. Leo is kind of a prick but I feel like he came around in the end and did what he should have done all along. Overall, will be continuing the series.

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I loved this book! It's well-written, enjoyable, and a great read. The author did a great job of writing in a way that captures the readers attention, and makes you not want to put it down until you're finished! I would highly recommend it!

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