Are you a fan of The Great British Bake Off or MasterChef? This is the book for you. I love romcoms and baking shows so this book felt like a good fit. I think overall this book is light on the romance angle, and more focused on the food, but it was sweet book. I do feel like the marketing was a little to romcom forward for the actually plot of the book.

I am always going to enjoy a baking competition meets rom com, and Love at 350° delivers. It makes me think of books like Love & Other Disasters.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Their romance is completely prohibited by the show’s rules, but they can’t seem to stop. Great characters and delicious dishes, I had so much fun.

This book was really cute. I loved the representation and the chemistry/banter the two characters had. I liked the premise of the cooking show and the side characters.

I'm a sucker for a romance that features a reality show and I'm a sucker for older couples in romance, so this was a great read!

You are never too old to change the road you are on and Tori is going to prove that by competing in a reality tv baking competition. When she gets there, she’s immediately smitten with one of the judges who just might like her back. Oi vey! Complications.

I really liked this sweet over forty clean romance. Lisa Peers utilizes a form of communication that I use in my own life between Tori and Kendra and it is old-fashioned and romantic. They are both at a point in their lives where change is needed for growth. One is reaching for it and one is fighting against it. Either way, it brings fear and discomfort and Peers manages for them to bring comfort to each other when they are not allowed to associate outside of the tv show. I just love it.

The secondary cast brings their own drama to the show and it flavors (yes, pun intended) the story. I think my favorite character is the cowboy. He just says “home” to me. Once you hear his story, I think you’ll know why. I just want to hug him. Plus, he is so beyond sweet to everyone, especially Tori. A friend to the end is what he is…kind of like Woody (chuckle).

It’s not often that I rave about a clean romance (chuckle, we all know how I like the steam). This one is funny, sweet, and relatable. Love at 350° made me smile and hungry (chuckle).

Love at 350° by Lisa Peers is an absolute treat, especially if you’re a fan of baking shows like The Great British Bake Off. The story centers around Tori Moore, a high school chemistry teacher and home baker, who finds herself competing on the American Bake-o-Rama TV show. As she navigates kitchen challenges and personal doubts, she catches the eye of Kendra Campbell, the tough-as-nails celebrity chef judge. The slow-burn romance that develops between them is sweet, with just the right amount of tension.

I loved how the book blended the thrill of a baking competition with the personal growth of its characters. Tori’s journey, from dealing with self-doubt after her divorce to chasing her dreams, felt genuine and relatable. And Kendra’s tough exterior gradually softening as she balances her career with the unexpected connection she feels with Tori added a lot of depth to her character.

The meta references to baking shows were a delightful touch, adding humor and a sense of familiarity for fans of the genre. This one was sweet as my favorite desserts (which I found myself craving and, therefore, making as I read!).

This was a very cute read. Although there are elements of romance, laying towards rom-com the store was more of the did competition. The story was well written and enjoyable.

*** 3.5 ⭐️ ***

Think Masterchef with a twist and this is the story of Tori and Kendra.

Tori is a high school chemistry teacher, teaching a class called Biochem of Baking. She loves to bake, and her teenage twins sign her up for a reality baking show to advertise her skills.

Kendra is an established chef with a restaurant and other projects; she is also a judge on a reality baking show…

This book was more lust than romance, so it was a bit misleading in its description; it focused more on the baking aspect and the camaraderie between the contestants than the side-long glances between Tori and Kendra. With a twist of sabotage and a wild left turn at the end of the competition, this was an entertaining story if you don’t expect any spicy scenes from the two FMCs. Throughout the book, fiscal and business decisions come into play, which brought another level to each main character’s plight. The supporting characters also lent a flavour to the competition that was both exciting and heartwarming. A special recipe at the end of the book was a nice touch as well.

This ARC was provided by the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

In Love at 350°, Lisa Peers crafts a deliciously immersive world centered around the high-stakes culinary competition. The vivid portrayal of Sonoma's wine country and the behind-the-scenes drama of the baking show create a rich backdrop that enhances the novel’s charm. The competition setting, filled with kitchen mishaps and culinary creativity, adds a layer of excitement and authenticity that anchors the romance.

The pacing of the novel is well-structured, with the slow-burn romance between Tori and Kendra unfolding naturally amidst the backdrop of the competition. As they navigate the challenges and pressures of the show, their evolving relationship is compellingly drawn out, making their eventual connection feel earned and genuine. The book captures the tension and growth in both the characters and their burgeoning romance, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

I would first like to say thank you to netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this book. I tried multiple times to read it and I couldn't get into it. So I'm personally going to dnf and move on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the eARC!

What a fluffy and fun book! While technically a romance there wasn’t too much of that aspect here, but as a casual fan of Great British Bake-off I didn’t mind. This was so cozy and I loved the baking competition scenes and both FMCs.

Full of fun baking scenes, some intrigue with many twists throughout the in-universe production, and lots of pining and letter writing back and forth - this was a great, fast read that was light and enjoyable. I recommend it for any fans of GBB!

I really didnt like this book, it was too.. bland and it was something I had to force myself to finish it wasn't great

This was an interesting take on a cooking romance because there wasn’t much romance at all??

In general I am kind of over cooking romances but gave this one a try anyways.

This novel focuses mostly on the idea of the cooking show and adds just a touch of romance throughout.

This was a breath of fresh air and exactly the book I needed to fend off a threatened book slump. I LOVE a reality show meet-cute and having this one between a judge and a contestant was an especially fun set up.

The competition was definitely more of the focus, but I really enjoyed the tension and the forbidden element of their attraction. I also loved how great of a mom Tori was and how much her twins adored her. It was just an all around feel-good book and I definitely recommend giving it a go.

Final note: This absolutely made me want to go whip up something delicious in the kitchen. Maybe a Paper Bag Apple Pie?

Thank you so much to Random House, Dial Press, and NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

Beautiful queer romance. I love love love anything that is a behind the scenes of a tv show, movie, any kind of set. It’s like a little peak behind the curtain. And this one had a great romance element to it

The tone of this story was a lot different than what I was expecting. It wasn't bad, I just think this book was marketed more as a romance than what it actually is. I also wasn't the biggest fan of the writing style. I think other readers will really enjoy this book, but it wasn't for me.

I really liked the premise of this book. I tried to get into this book multiple times but I could not. I know others will enjoy this book.

A sapphic cooking show-themed romance. It's really cute, super sweet, so if you're into those types of romances, you'd love this. I was half and half on this one.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.