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

DNF at 21%. The writing was good and it was easy to read, but the story did not hold my attention. I can see why people would like it.

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.

4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

If You Can't Take the Heat is a lightning in the bottle coming of age story from the past paced world of a restaurant kitchen.

Meet Theo a sweet, sometimes naive, 16 year old boy mourning the loss of the life he loved and adjusting to a new one he never saw coming. Our story starts at the end and goes back in time to lead us through the events that brought Theo to his current predicament. 6 months prior Theo was living his best life, he was looking forward to his 2 a day Football practices and a carefree summer before starting his Junior year of high school at an elite private school. He meets a new girl named Julia and all is looking rosy when tragedy strikes. Theo breaks his leg and all his dreams come crashing down.

The only bright spot in his life is watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia. Julia, who works as a server in an elite French restaurant and convinces the Chef to give Theo a shot at helping around the kitchen while he's recovering.

Theo falls in love twice, first with Julia and then with cooking. He finds solace in the band of misfits in the kitchen and is exposed to lifestyles and choices he's protected from in his privileged suburban life. He thrives in a kitchen and soaks everything up like a sponge. Chef takes a real liking to Theo and teaches him everything he knows. What grows between them is an incredibly loving teacher and student bond that forever changes the both of them.

Author Michael Ruhlman has written countless cooking books, he has a deep love for being in the kitchen and it shows. Every time Theo is in the kitchen it's like a love letter to food. I was never bored with the intricate descriptions of the food and the detailed instructions for preparing it. He successfully captured the angst of being 16 and finding your own voice and path while struggling to please your high expectation parents at the same time.

The characters are incredibly believable and I found Theo to be endlessly charming. While the ending is a bit heartbreaking I appreciated the reality of it. Sometimes in life people really do disappoint you and hurt you, and you have to find a way to move on from that even when it hurts. It's a great life lesson and I think the ending is perfect for Theo's story.

Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy and the arc! This is a book I will always recommend as a great YA coming of age story.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

my rating: 2.75 ★

I'm a huge foodie, I also love anything related to the 80's so after seeing the cover for this book and reading the description I was really interested / excited to read this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.

I did enjoy the writing style, it was easy to read and pretty fast paced.
The MMC Theo was a sweet kid, I loved his character and I enjoyed chief as his mentor.

At times it was just a little boring, and I couldn't stand Julia as a character. I felt bad for her at times, but at the end she truly never deserved Theo and kept hurting him. I was also upset with the ending, I understand why it ended that way - I just wish we had more closure.

If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
If You Can’t Take The Heat is a coming of age story set in the 80’s. It follows Theo who is finding his way after a life changing injury. Theo lives and breathes for football but following heartbreaking news, he finds a new love in a restaurant. Julia, a fast friend and summer fling, introduces Theo into the world of cooking at the restaurant she waitresses at. Theo finds two loves, cooking and Julia. This book is so incredibly interesting and I can see powerful discussions happening around in for teens and young adults alike. There are so many powerful emotions put into this book and you feel every single one of them through Theo. I was so honored to receive an ARC of this book through Penguin Teen and thank you Michael for sharing your work!