i wasn't able to finish this book. the main character's personally and narration was insufferable. she was annoying and two faced, and i just can't see myself ever enjoying her storytelling, no hate to the author or anyone involved, but it was just not my cup of tea. i got maybe 75 pages in before it was just too much for me. going in the did-not-finish pile.

I was excited to read this book and more than a little disappointed to only get the first few chapters. I figured (and as the publisher probably planned) that if I liked those chapters enough, I would buy the book once it's been published. I liked it well enough - the story was engaging and the characters were relatable. However, once I finished those chapters, I didn't really feel like reading the rest of the book. A little disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced preview of this title in exchange for an honest review.

The Romance Recipe follows Amy, a restaurant owner, who hopes that wooing a celebrity chef— Sophie— to run her kitchen will turn around her failing restaurant. Unfortunately, with the business still floundering after Sophie’s hire, Amy decides that the best way to improve their fortunes would be for Sophie to represent their restaurant on Sophie’s ex-fiance’s new reality TV cooking show. The kitchen and the competition are heating up, and Amy and Sophie find that sparks are flying between them as well. Will they be able to work together to save Amy and May’s, and potentially discover more in the process?

I so enjoyed getting to read this extended preview of the Romance Recipe. I’ve heard good things about Hot Copy, Barrett’s previous book, but hadn’t gotten the chance to read it myself. This was a great introduction to Barrett’s writing and the worlds of these characters, and I am definitely looking forward to reading more when the full book is out. 4 stars.

I was only able to read a preview of this book (first 5 chapters). But I can't wait to get my hands on the full version. As a queer woman who didn't figure it out until her late twenties, I really identify with folks like Sophie. I think more narratives like this should exist and I'm excited to see where this story leads.

I just read the preview of this book and oh my. I love it sm, I mean you have two people who have a crush on one another YET they are so oblivious to it they have to act like they don’t. I love that trope so much. Even in the first few chapters I’ve already fallen in love with Amy and Sophie, both such cutie but also badass. I cannot wait to be able to read this book when it comes out!!

I love these chapter, they are really funny and nice. I think this will be a very comfort book and I hope to read soon the whole book! I fell in love with the main characters, two women so different but so complementary, I really ship them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina for a copy of the preview.

Food and romance are two of my favourite things in life so a book centered on both seemed like a dream. The mutual pining in this book was great, and the first 5 chapters provided were chaotic and fun to read. They definitely hooked me into the story and I'm excited to see what happens between Amy and Sophie. There was so much tension between the characters which I love love love.

The writing was easy to read and enjoyable, and the premise of the story grabbed my attention. However, I am worried Amy and Sophie's relationship will be rushed as it seemed very fast paced in the first 5 chapters. I'm a lover of slowburn so that is a personal preference but I look forward to reading the rest of the book to continue their journey and see what happens.

After reading the preview, I noticed it was alot of exposition. I didn't feel like I could get into the story at all and that it was extremely slow going. I know that this is only 5 chapters but it was hard to get through them. I am not interested in reading the entirety of the book after reading the preview but it is possible that the book gets much better.
Other than that, the characters are interesting and the premise sounds like something that could definitely bring in some readers.

After reading the first 5 chapters of this book, I would say that I would read the rest. Sophie works at the head chef of a restaurant that is owned and managed by Amy. While they are trying to regain their footing and improve business, there is a simmering attraction between the two of them. I would definitely read the rest of the story to find out what happens next!

This was such a great teaser for THE ROMANCE RECIPE! It definitely left me hungry (food pun intended) for more and I am excited to read the full book this summer.

I received a free extract in exchange for a fair review.
I find it hard to say much about a book I've read only the first few chapters of, you never know how it turns out- but what I did get from the romance recipe was both hot and intriguing. Though I'm not sure how I feel about the characters so far, I quite liked the fact that it explores bisexuality and how your current partners may react to a coming out. Will definitely check out the rest when it comes out.

This is a story about a girl name Amy, who owns a restaurant and is controller af, and for promote her restaurant she hires Sophie, a agirl, who just got her divorce and love and just wants to cook. But right in the beginning, sophie see herself fallin for that girl, and Amy do too. What makes their professional life difficult. With the restaurant havin a hard time, Amy see a chance in the end of the tunnel. Inscribe her restaurant in a cooking show, but not just any cooking show, sophie's ex cooking show. And even though sophie doesn't like the idea very much, she accepts it, because she can't say no to her crush. And over the course of the program we will see the unfolding of their relationship.

I really love the idea in mix a cooking book with a sapphic couple, amy is so quiet and so grumppy, in the other side we have sophie, who is a woman discovering her bisexuality. They look like such a beautiful couple. I'm in love with them

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Food isn't the only thing that's sizzling in this kitchen...

I saw this one on my Goodreads recommended, and the awesome cover immediately made me click on it and run to see if there was an ARC available.

The story follows Amy Chambers as she tries to keep her restaurant afloat with the help of Sophie Brunet, former reality TV star and her current head chef. When the opportunity to be featured in a new foodie TV show appears, Amy knows it's just what she needs to fill her tables. Except, Sophie is burnt out from her brush with fame, heartbroken, and frustrated with her boss.

I saw Ruby referring to them as sunshine/grump, but I actually think they're both sunshine thinking the other is a grump. The premise reminded me of "Recipe for Persuasion", which I really liked, except queer and with slightly less family drama.

I really enjoyed it so far! The UST is great from the start, I liked seeing each character fighting their own battles yet trying to come together (pun not intended), and I can't wait to see what trouble they cook up in the show! (pun intended)

Thank you for this preview!

Sadly, the preview I got to read had words overwritten over one another in all the 53 pages provided.

I wish to get a readable copy for reviewing.

Thank you, Carina Press.

One of my friends who is also a reviewer on the platform, talked to me about how amazing this ARC was so I was so curious if I would like the author's writing style and I thought what's best than having the opportunity to read a preview of the book in order to get an idea of the book and its story. I was plesantly surprised by it to be honest so I would be checking the book and more about the author!

Wow. Talk about tension and secret pining. I can't wait for the release of this one. It's going to be so good! It must be the year of books with cooking competitions and I'm here for it. I love the use of the dual POV and am excited to see where this story goes.

Amy hearts Sophie. Sophie hearts Amy. Their mutual massive crushes are super obvious, but evidently not to each other! This opposites attract workplace romance touches on all your favorite fire/ice, boss/employee, success/failure, closeted/out-and-proud tropes, but it's these contrasts that make it fresh.

This little amuse-bouche is definitely not enough. I, like Amy and Sophie, am ready for more spicy romance!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing a copy of this preview in exchange for my honest review.

This was amazing. From page one, I was hooked. I cannot wait for more chapters. I laughed at how Sophie and Amy interact, which I think draws me to keep reading. Cannot wait to see what happens between these two!!

While this preview is a tad intriguing, I feel like we didn't get enough exposition. There wasn't enough buildup. I think the characters have their own clear sense of self, but I would've loved more background.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina for the chance to read a preview of this book!

Oof, this sample was STRESSFUL. It is jam-packed with flawed protagonists and lots of conflicts and problems to solve--way more angsty than that super-cute cover indicated. To use a tired food phrase--I can't take the heat, so I'm going to get out of the kitchen. Nothing wrong, just REALLY not for me.