This was okay. I didn’t love it but I didn’t hate it either. I was enjoying the story up until the very end. I didn’t love how it ended. I understand the MC was doing what he thought was best but I don’t agree and it kinda ruined the story for me.

Overall I liked the book.

Ruhlman takes the setting of 1980s Cleveland and crafts such a wonderful coming-of-age story! With messages of finding a new path in life and how responsibility and hard work can help you grow as a person, I loved Theo’s character and how he grew throughout the novel.

Having this novel set around a teenage boy working in a restaurant and learning to love cooking was so fascinating and basically felt like all of my favorite cooking shows come to life. Seriously, the descriptions of the food in the book made me so hungry that I was wishing that the food was right in front of me in real life!

I also loved the misfits that made up the kitchen staff and helped Theo find a home with them. It really helped highlight how integral each and every person in a restaurant matters and makes me even more amazed at how much work goes into creating a menu and cooking!

This coming-of-age story was so wonderfully written and I cannot recommend it enough!

If You Can't Take the Heat is a coming-of-age story set on the backdrop of the restaurant industry. It follows high school football star Theo over the summer and fall of 1980 after he sustains a career-ending leg injury. I ended up really liking the early 80s setting because I've never read a book set then, and my parents were teenagers then so I got to see what it may have been like for them. Ruhlman does a great job of exploring how Theo's identity and sense of self-worth are tied to football, and how he now must find a new purpose in life. He copes with the injury by learning how to cook and by having a summer fling with Julia, who ends up getting him a job at the restaurant where she waits tables.

I really enjoyed reading about Theo re-channeling his identity into cooking and how it really becomes a passion for him, as well as Ruhlman's attention to detail in describing the food and the restaurant (even as some shady stuff comes to light). I thought that the relationship between Theo and Julia was done really well too, especially in how it was both sweet in the way that most teenage romances are but also complicated. Theo struggles because Julia sends him mixed messages, and he also has to reconcile his intense attraction to Julia with the unsavory realities that he learns about her. Their romance was realistic, a little gritty even, but not melodramatic and it fit perfectly into the coming-of-age arc. This story is overall very relationship-focused, with Ruhlman exploring how Theo's new role at the restaurant impacts his friendships, his relationship with his parents, and how he relates to his coworkers.

I have been trying to read this one for months but just can’t get into it.

I wanted Hells Kitchen, Food Network vibes and those just aren’t here

I just finished reading If You Can't Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman, and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

This book is a fantastic coming-of-age story that takes you right into the heart of a bustling kitchen. Ruhlman’s writing is both engaging and mouthwatering, making it a treat for foodies and readers alike.

One of my favorite moments is when Theo, the protagonist, finally nails a complex recipe during a busy dinner service. The way Ruhlman describes Theo’s intense focus, the sizzle of the pan, and the aroma of the perfectly cooked dish is so vivid that you can almost taste it yourself. This scene perfectly captures the thrill and satisfaction of mastering a new skill in the kitchen.

What I love most about If You Can't Take the Heat is its authentic portrayal of the culinary world. Theo’s journey from a high school football star to a passionate cook is both inspiring and relatable. The characters are well-developed, and their interactions feel real and heartfelt. The book also beautifully explores themes of resilience, growth, and finding your true passion.

If you’re looking for a book that will make you hungry for more, If You Can't Take the Heat is a must-read. Trust me, you’ll be rooting for Theo every step of the way!

I usually love anything about being a chef or the restaurant industry (being a line cook and restaurant owner myself) but this book was just not it for me. I found the writing to be readable but the way the characters behaved and talked was super unrealistic, even for teenagers in the 80s. I was planning on continuing to read this book, despite it being poorly written, because I was actually having fun with it. But, I did inevitably need to DNF this book because I came across a slur that was directed about/towards a disabled character and there was zero backlash immediately about it. I understand that this book is set in the 1980s and I'm reading it with my 2024 brain, but there is absolutely no reason slurs should be included in YA books published in 2024. I could look past the weirdo behavior of the main character (he meets a girl for the first time, talks to her for about maybe 20 minutes, asks his friend to find out where she lives, and literally SHOWS UP AT HER HOUSE completely unprompted) but I am not able to look past offensive language. Regardless if this character has any development at all, even a "ugh don't say that?" "what we were all thinking about it" would be better than a simple eye roll and move on.

I liked the scenes where the main character was learning to cook but it was obviously written by someone who knows what they're doing and just injecting themselves into the character. Not quite sure if this was going that direction (I DNF'd the book on page 70) but the main love interest also seemed to be a manic pixie dream girl. I can totally roll with a character like that if it's done well but the fact that she is in a "very serious and long-term" relationship and is definitely going to start dating the main character, assumingly behind the boyfriend's back, really put me off.

W ritten by a man (inconclusive), starring a young man (boring), in a target-like version of The Bear (awful), where the only “good” character is another man (obviously) and the villain is a young woman (sexist), If You Can’t Take the Heat gives vibes I'll be careful not to meet ever again.

Cleveland, 1981: Theo breaks his femur or whatever that is, can't play football anymore and he's miserable because his life is over. Julie, who he has just met but fell in love with instantly, finds him a job in the restaurant she works for, finding him not only a reason to live but a path in his life.
Now, you have to know she tells him right away she has a boyfriend, but he's still shocked when, after some kissing during the summer, she intends to see her boyfriend again, even if it's pretty clear she wants to call it off.
And it doesn't matter if she actually does something bad or if she's just trying to leave a toxic family situation; she's the bitch who broke his heart and left without even saying goodbye or thanks.

Listen, she may have done some bad stuff to excuse herself, but Theo is just a freaking idiot: they have to teach him how to cut an onion and then, after ten pages, he's capable of cooking for twenty people without trouble.
Not to mention the paragraphs - plural, because he was very stupefied - where he tells his friends he’s met a lesbian for the first time.

The ‘80s were something else, I wasn't there and I don't know how badly people used to eat, but the vibes are Kendall Jenner having problems cutting a cucumber, and that's pretty bad.

↠ 2 stars

Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Love a good kitchen comeback story. This was constantly a juggle of remembering that the main character is a child. He's 16 or 17. He deals with so much pain and change in the span of one year but grows and finds a new passion. The descriptive language of working in a commercial kitchen really made me reminisce of my own time and was a fun part to expirence.

"If You Can't Take the Heat" by Michael Ruhlman is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at the high-stakes world of professional kitchens, filled with insightful observations and engaging anecdotes. Its blend of culinary expertise and compelling storytelling makes it a must-read for food enthusiasts and aspiring chefs alike.

Respectfully this book could have been better , tho Theo did grow on me as a character I just felt like he was in a slump for majority of it , I understand he was injured and it ended his athletic career ,he had more going for himself !! Tho I respect Julia for being there and helping him through his journey and giving him light in those moments of darkness I feel like self growth would have been better but it felt like she was his crutch !! Good book but again could have been better , over all like the writing style but wished for more !

I loved two things about this book: the setting, Cleveland in the 1980s, and the culinary world. This was a true depiction of the workings of a busy kitchen. However, the characters were not as easy to love. In fact, I found Theo to be a bit insufferable and Julia downright unlikable. Theo did have a great coming-of-age arc, and I ended up liking the story quite a bit overall.

I love stories that are set in a kitchen/restaurant type of setting! This being set in the 80s was a bonus and I always love stories with romance mixed in them. My only complaint is that I did feel a bit bored at times but I did still really enjoy reading this! The romance was sweet and I adored it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Theo is having the worst time of his life. He’s recently been dumped and suffering and adding to it he just broke his leg and can’t play basketball. So he ends up in a place he’d never see himself in, the kitchen. A kitchen that just fills his life a little more. He finds a new purpose and maybe, just maybe a new romance.

Theo finds himself and his love for something way off his radar… which happens to some and happens along the way for others. He meets Julia who changes him as well. This sweet innocent romantic story was lighthearted yet encouraging. I also love that it was set in he 80s to give a different backdrop to now. Though Theo struggles with parents and those around him, it’s ultimately his obsession with Julia that leads to exploration.

All in all, this was an enjoyable read that was unique on its own.

I requested this novel for two reasons – it’s set in the 80s and the MC works in an upscale restaurant (my son is a chef).

After three sport athlete Theo suffers a devastating injury that takes sports off the table , he feels lost and untethered – his future looks nothing like he’d planned. When he meets Julia, she urges him to talk to the chef at the restaurant where she’s employed part time. Theo’s always enjoyed cooking, and this could be a potential path for him. In the process he finds a new passion for food – and Julia.

This novel is written by a James Beard award winning chef, and it shows. The inner workings of a fast-paced, no-room-for-mistakes kitchen and the dishes prepared by the chefs are very specific and make up a large portion of the novel. It’s something I enjoyed, but non-foodies may find themselves skimming over some paragraphs. Theo is incredibly happy in the kitchen and feels like he’s found a place where he belongs. He and the other misfit employees become a family of sorts, and before long he’s given the responsibility of preparing family (staff) dinner for twenty every night before service. That may sound stressful to some, but Theo thrives on it.

His infatuation with Julia is another matter entirely. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say she’s not worthy of Theo, but he’s head over heels for her. The author does an excellent job at capturing the angst of first love and Theo’s struggles to balance parental expectations, his grades, and the job that’s given him purpose. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story as Theo’s blinders fall away and he learns more about the ways of the world, himself, and the people around him. Don’t expect a happily ever after. The ending is bittersweet, but leaves a feeling of hope.

Recommended for readers interested in the culinary arts, 80s nostalgia, and coming of age stories.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Honestly this just made me want to eat.I had such a good time reading this! I really loved the attention to detail and the atmosphere!

2.5/5 Stars

After a devastating injury for high school football player, Theo, he discovers a love for cooking. He gets the opportunity to work in a popular French restaurant, and quickly rises in the ranks and becomes closer with Chef, along with a waitress named Julia.

I thought I was going to like this a lot more then I did, but I found myself bored for the majority of the story. I do think that there was some good character development in Theo, and if I had to pick a character to care about, it would be him. But truthfully, I didn't care about any of the characters, so when the 'danger' arose, I didn't feel the stakes. I'm not a big fan of the cheating trope, which I was unaware that was a big part of this book. I was not a fan of Julia at all, and thought she was a pretty shitty individual overall. I get that the reader was supposed to empathize with her situation, but I just didn't care. I could not get behind the romance at all, and wanted to get Theo away from her as quickly as possible.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Michael Ruhlman’s "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a compelling coming-of-age story set against the fast-paced, high-pressure world of a restaurant kitchen. The book introduces you to Theo, a sweet yet naive 16-year-old boy who is grappling with the unexpected upheaval of his life following a severe leg injury. If you’re looking for a book focusing on the culinary arts, while this book definitely has its moments centered in the cooking world, it is also a character exploration through the perspective of Theo. While I did want more of the cooking focus in the beginning of the book, Ruhlman definitely delivers on the teenage angst of a teenager in the 1980s.

At the book's outset, Theo is living his best life, anticipating a carefree summer filled with football practices and youthful adventures. However, everything changes when he breaks his leg, causing his dreams to crumble. Amidst the gloom, Theo finds solace in watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia, a new girl he meets who works as a server in an elite French restaurant. Julia, sensing Theo’s passion for food, convinces the restaurant’s chef to let Theo help around the kitchen during his recovery.

Theo’s journey is beautifully portrayed as he falls in love twice—first with Julia and then with the art of cooking. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary where he finds a new sense of purpose, learning from the chef and bonding with the eclectic group of kitchen staff. This transformation is a testament to Ruhlman’s deep affection for culinary arts, which shines through in his intricate descriptions of food and cooking techniques. I wasn’t too aware of Michael Ruhlman as an author, but after looking at his background and author history, you can tell that Ruhlman is an expert on the culinary arts, and this knowledge shines in the book.

The character development was very well written. His story absolutely captures the quintessential teenage angst and the struggle to find one’s voice amidst high parental expectations. I also liked how this book was set in the 1980s with all the different pop cultures and seeing how the 80s was influencing Theo and his actions/thoughts, like him nonchalantly smoking in front of his father. I think older readers may enjoy this book more than younger readers purely for the nostalgia.

Despite a slow start, the book picks up pace as Theo delves deeper into the world of cooking and navigates the complicated relationships around him. The ending, though bittersweet, offers a realistic portrayal of life's unpredictability and the painful yet necessary growth that comes with it. The romance could have had more development as it often came second to Theo’s growth and/or the cooking aspect. There were times that I didn’t particularly enjoy Julia’s character, especially with certain aspects involving cheating.

Overall, "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a unique blend of culinary passion and teenage turmoil that made it unique and engaging. For readers who appreciate detailed culinary descriptions and a deep dive into character development (and maybe a focus on the 80s), this book is definitely a satisfying read.

This story was phenomenal!. I love how the main character found himself in the professional cooking realm. The author definitely knows all the proper cooking terms and I really enjoyed reading this story. I love how the main character really finds away to hone his culinary skills after he can no longer play sports. This was a great read

A gifted athlete, but not a gifted student, sixteen-year-old Theo’s, clueless, privileged life is upended the summer before junior year, when a freak accident permanently sidelines him. A pretty, older girl takes him under her wing and lands him a grunt job at a top local restaurant where he finds purpose, community and a glimpse of the dark and dangerous underside of the restaurant business. Set during the early 1980’s in Cleveland, Ohio, the story comes alive in the cooking scenes, which crackle with intensity and mouth-watering detail. While it gets off to a slow start, this rare combination of straight-male-centered romance and the transformative joy of finding job-based identity may appeal to an audience under-served by teen fiction. All major characters are white. Era appropriate drinking, smoking, drug use and consensual sex are included.

Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up

Thank to Penguin for the ARC copy of this book.

Link to the synopsis: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201106101-if-you-can-t-take-the-heat

Review:

Overall, I didn't love this book. For me, the most interesting part of the book was the parts about the cooking and the food, but they felt out of place in a YA novel. I would have loved less focus on the step by step cooking and more about the relationship dynamics, the background of the restaurant, the characters, the plot. My understanding is that this author has written a lot of non-fiction books about cooking and I think that really shows. While I appreciate that experience, and enjoyed reading the cooking details, I just don't think they translate to a fiction, YA book.