I really liked this book because it's not your typical romance book. It's set on the ninety's, I love the characters because they were really funny. I really liked that starts with an interview like giving you a sneak peak about what's going to happen. The cover is really nice and colourful and it attracts you to read it.

5/5 Stars ⭐️
ARC Review
This book was amazing!! I love how the chapters were formatted like a screen play and it really made the book come to life even more! I loved watching Clay and Kassi overcome their struggles and watch them both grow! This is a slow burn book but I loved every single minute of it!

I like books set in the 90s and culinary romances so I was curious about this one. It totally reminded me of a 90s romcom. It was written in a movie script-like way which was kind of unique. I really liked how diverse the characters were. Kassie and Clay connected instantly and I liked how they grew into more over the time they spent together. Though, the ending could have been a bit different, I wanted something besides the ending of the script.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

Single mom Kassi meets heartbroken Clay. Kassi knows she has to many responsibilities to even imagine start a relationship with her coworker, however both have this instant connection and the more time they spend together it becomes harder to fight these feelings.

I love the setting is in the 90s, I was a kid then so it's cool to see how the lack of modern technology affected the story! Kassi and Clay have deep issues from their previous relationships. I wish we had seen more on how they actually work on their issues so their relationship success.

Crystal is Clay's ex an she is not a good person so how she helped at the end was so out of character and random I did not like it specially because in the parts where she was mention the focus was in her bad behavior!

The book as a whole was a nice read, the interactions in the kitchen were funny and made you like how all the characters interact with each other.

BOOK: KITCHEN HEAT
AUTHOR: KATHLEEN MCFALL AND CLARK HAYS
PUB DATE: 02 NOVEMBER 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
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My favorite part of this book is the workers of Rose and Thorn restaurant, they were so supportive of each other, and the work environment was soothing. Never have I seen such a wonderful working environment. I also liked Kassi's Mother, Gina. She was integral in mending the MC's relationship. I liked how she saw the situation from both of their sides and she gave amazing advice.
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Now, our MCs, I liked Clay better(it might be because he's a chef). I just liked him. I also liked Kassi, she was a wonderful mother and very good in co-paarenting even though her ex was extremely annoying. As usual, the daughter, Samantha, was also a star in the book. I liked how the MCs were driven and determined to achieve their goals.
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Their relationship was very cute too and beautiful, I liked it! I also liked the miscommunication trope. I felt it was needed for both of them to re-discover themselves and let go of past traumas.
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This book was amazing and you should give it a try.
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#kitchenheat #mcfallandhays #kathleenmcfall #clarkhays #romance #netgalleyarc #netgalley #bookstagramnigeria #bookstagramafrica #nigerianbookstagrammer

Loved this book. Got really invested in the romance between Kassi and Clay. Was really pulling for them. And enjoyed the setting, a cool Portland restaurant in the 90s. No smartphones, no influencers. A great escape. The Rose and Thorn was like it’s own character, with very realistic kitchen scenes, a cast of memorable misfits and great banter. Looking forward to more from this author team.

I'm not a fan of the authors writing style I read a few chapters it's not for me. DNF



*****************************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.********************************

"Kitchen Heat" by Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays serves up a delectable dish of steamy romance in the vibrant setting of the Rose and Thorn restaurant.

Kassi, an optimist with a young daughter in tow, has upended her life in an attempt to salvage her failing marriage. Landing a waitress job at the famous Rose and Thorn restaurant in Portland, she hopes for a fresh start. There, she encounters Clay, the head chef, who is nothing short of breathtaking. Their sizzling chemistry is undeniable, but Kassi has sworn off dating and relationships after her marriage fell apart.

Determined to make a new start, Kassi embarks on a project to write a screenplay for a contest. She constructs a plot centered around a passionate romance between a hot chef and a waitress, drawing inspiration from her real-life experiences. The lines between her imaginary relationship and reality blur, and sparks fly, especially in the restaurant's bustling kitchen. However, as their relationship deepens, Clay's painful past casts a shadow, and Kassi must decide if she's ready to risk her heart again.

"Kitchen Heat" is the first installment in the Restaurantland Romance series, and it offers a delicious blend of humor, offbeat characters, and a friends-to-lovers slow burn romance. Set in the pre-internet 1990s, it's a nostalgic trip to a time before cell phones, social media, and streaming services.

This story serves up more than just a romance; it's an exploration of relationships, the complexities of human interaction, and the compromises required to make love work. With an eclectic cast of characters and a backdrop of Portland's quirkiest side, this novel offers a heartwarming and steamy read that will leave you craving more.

As soon as I saw the cover it made me think of the Saved by the Bell era and I love that it was set before technology took over our world. It made me long for those days again.
Kitchen Heat is a slow burn, friends to more romance that is a must read. I loved the complex relationships in the Rose and Thorn. I love how Molly used the restaurant to give back and help others who are down on their luck and just need something to go their way.
I loved Kassi and Clay! I love the slow burn romance that blossomed from their friendship. I loved the conflict between the two of them, I didn’t see it coming at all!
I just wish the story would have been longer!

3.5-3.75 stars. I enjoyed this book. It was dual POV. As I was reading it felt like I was watching it play out in TV. 90s sitcom vibes with all the character banter, interactions, and interference. The beginning of every chapter with the scene intro like a script was clever. I liked the both MC, they both have been hurt in the past and it caused ripples in their present. The tension and miscommunication again felt like TV and fit the screenplay plot line well. I did feel the middle dragged a little, sluggish to get through but worth it. Though a slow burn, I enjoyed the instant attraction, the secondary characters.
Tropes I enjoyed:
Workplace romance
Friends to lovers
Single mom
Past emotional damage

This book was very enthralling. I couldn't put it down. The unique format instantly drew me in! The fast pace, original humor, and original setting/story made it very easy to get lost in this book! I loved it.

This book was awesome, the characters were funny, I loved the setting of the book, where Kassi is being interviewed because her movie is coming out, and how it all started when she was freshly single, with a kid and working at this very eccentric restaurant. The owner of this restaurant hires people from all walks of life who need a second chance, whether it’s with a new job, or a safe place to be, it’s amazing, the people in this book were too funny, and some were really relatable.

Loved the romance shared between Clay and Kassi, it took long enough when it started I couldn’t get enough. I adored clay and Kassi’s daughter Sam. The support of the community was highlighted in this book, from Clay being supportive, to the owner of the restaurant and the people that work there, even the customers, aside from the amazing romance, it was so heartfelt. Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I adore this cover. It is perfect for the setting of the book. I just loved that it was set in the 90's. It made my heart happy. I laughed a good bit in this one, I thought the romance was so good and loved the spice. Clay was such a cinnamon roll and I just ate him up! Kassi was such a strong female character. She did whatever it took to take care of her daughter while also still following her dreams. I am such a big fan of found family and just loved their family at the restaurant. I cannot wait to read more by these authors. Thank you to NetGalley and Pumpjack Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I would like to thank netgalley and Pumpjack Press for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Not interested in the setting of the book.

WOOF this book had me feeling some type of way. I felt like I connected with the characters and could not put it down! Kathleen and Clark killed this one!

First of all, thank You netgalley for the ARC granted to me. Second, I havealways loved stories with culinary theme and this was delightful and enjoyable. I liked.

Kitchen Heat hit all the right notes for me. Funny, good story, sexy, easy to root for the MCs. I worked in restaurants (alot, too much!) and the author obviously has too. Five stars. Roz or Meredith next book?

Overall I enjoyed this book! Easy quick read! My only issue with the story line was the fact that all the issues between the main characters could be resolved if they just talked. It did have a happy ending but I don’t like the not communicating aspect! 4 stars!

Kitchen Heat is book 1 in the Restaurantland Romance series by Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays.
This is one series I’m going to absolutely love.
This 90s slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story was an absolute blast! And I can’t wait for book two.
I have to say…. This cover art is totally giving me Saved by the Bell vibes! 😍
I really enjoyed this book! As soon as I picked it up and started it, I knew that I was going to want to finish it as soon as I could.
I love McFall and Hayes writing style and can't wait to read more of their work!
Kassi and Clay were just amazing and their story was sweet, captivating and charming.

When can I read book two?

I would like to thank NetGalley and Pumpjack Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of its publication date in return for my honest review.

“Kitchen Heat” by Kathleen McFall and Clark Hays is a romance book taking place in the 1990s. Setting - Portland, Oregon. Main Characters - Kassi - single Mom to one; waitress, but wanna be screenwriter - and Clay, chef in the restaurant Rose and Thorn. I found this book to be different- I liked the screenplay aspect - but I felt that it dragged in a number of places. Also, there were a number of minor characters I kept getting confused with one another, which didn’t always help.