If You Can't Take the Heat is a novel for older teens to young adults. It is a well written story about a boy whose entire future is changed with a shattered leg which ended his football dreams. He ends up working in a restaurant and finds a new passion for cooking. Along the way he meets a girl that fascinates him. Although he is warned by her former boyfriend that she isn't all that she seems, he falls head over heels for her. This not an happily ever after book, but there is hope in the final chapter.

Although this is a story that will probably appeal to some, it wasn't for me. I found the relationship improbable and a bit too whiny. There is strong language, substance use and a tasteful intimate scene.

I received an advance reader copy for free, but all opinions are my own.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @penguinteen for an early copy of If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: June 18th, 2024

Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201106101-if-you-can-t-take-the-heat?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=J4BNFrmMnN&rank=1

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

If You Can’t Take the Heat tells the story of a newly injured athlete Theo, who finds himself working at a French restaurant while recuperating from his leg injury.

Before injuring his leg, he was going through a recent breakup, and his friends Roger and Johnny brought him to a concert to keep his mind off of it. Theo then meets Julia, an incoming senior at an all-girls exclusive high school. She’s dating another senior at Theo’s school, but kisses him in the concert regardless, stating that as a sign of him kickstarting his re-entrance into the dating world. They form an unlikely friendship during his time recovering from his injury and land him a job at the restaurant.

This novel had a slow start and honestly didn’t keep my attention much. The characters didn’t have much to keep my interest in them, although I did find Theo sweet and funny. Julia, however, I have mixed feelings for her – she initially struck me as a cheater and led Theo on, but I was glad she was there for Theo while he was recovering.

I did appreciate the descriptive way of Ruhlman’s writing when it came to Theo’s cooking. His dishes and his descriptive way of how Theo prepares meals made me quite hungry.

Thank you for the arc netgalley and publishers. This book was just not for me. There are quite a bit of ya novels that can be read by adults as well, but this just isn't one of them. This book is literally written as if by a teenage boy. Also, our teenage boy protagonist falls in love faster than a Disney movie after whining about how his life was over after his recent breakup. The pacing of this whole novel was just too fast for my liking despite being over 300 pages. I normally love romance cooking books but not this one. Honestly, the cooking and restaurant parts just stressed me out, which I guess means it's good writing considering that's usually how it is in real life. The money thing was an annoying problem. Our two main characters are so unlikeable that it made it hard to care about them. The ending was the only part of this book that really caught my eye. I thought they were gonna pull a bridge to terebithia move but thankfully, I THINK, they didn't and someone just ups and leaves??? Though interesting, it was also annoying after all our work of reading this book and unsatisfying. I recommend any other ya romance novel.

This one wasn't really for me. Interesting story and premise, but not my style. An injured football star finds a new spark in a kitchen where the stakes are high.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exhange for an honest review!!!

This is an AMAZING book!!! I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone!!!

Theo is such a great protagonist. I loved him. He is so sweet, funny, relatable, empathetic, and just a good person overall. He is so easy to root for. The gods giveth and they taketh away- something that so deeply intertwines with Theo. I just really admired his hope and enthusiasm despite what life had thrown at him. To lose your dream in such a quick moment only to find something better and makes you feel like your best self- that was such a great journey to follow.

I really enjoyed the rest of the characters as well. Julia was a fully realized and well-developed character as Theo’s love interest. She is highly flawed but the reader just like our protagonist can’t help but be fascinated by who she is as a person. The romance was bittersweet and I felt for the both of them.

Theo’s parents and best friends were great. Chef was such a cool mentor and I loved Theo’s fellow coworkers Amanda, Reggie, and Paul.

Another thing I loved about this book are descriptions!!! I am a sucker for great descriptions and this book excelled at that. Whether it was Theo describing the meal he was either cooking or witnessing being cooked, his home, Julia’s home, the physical appearance of all the characters, etc. It made the book feel so tangible, I felt that I was right beside Theo the entire time.

Thank you for the e-arc for If You Can't Take The Heat. Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. It was just too dramatic and I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to believe any of it being possible.

As someone who is from the Cleveland area, it was cool to read a book not just set in Cleveland but was set in the past in Cleveland. Hearing about places like Hathaway Brown and Blossom, among other places, was a highlight of the book and this book really did Cleveland justice by not playing into the cliches of the city. It was a bit of a slow start, but it picked up about a third of the way into the book. I’ve always been fascinated with chefs and restaurant kitchen culture, and this book does it justice. It’s perfect for fans of the show The Bear, as well.

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book 50 pages in. I was so excited about it because it seemed like something I would love. I actually hated the characters so much, and I just could not keep reading about cheating.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I am a fan of author’s cooking-related books, so I thought I’d give this book a try even though I am long past being a teenager. What follows is a review of an adult reading a book meant for chaotic teenagers for whom everything is the end of the world and who think they know everything, but in fact still have a lot to learn (I would know, I’ve been one). But if you are a teenager, you will probably enjoy it 😊 Mild spoilers below.

Protagonist is a rich kid (with help and all), who somehow does not know he is rich until 70% in (I think this was meant to be character growth but came off a bit tone deaf). He’s not down to earth or anything about his privilege, he’s just confused and completely oblivious.

Julia is a pretty unlikable character (this is my opinion on her 70% in), but my visceral reaction to her is probably because I’ve worked in service ages ago and also got up to some ill-advised stuff (although, none of it included corrupting teenagers with alcohol and smoking).

There is a conversation about virginity that is hella weird. Also, there’s a lot of nonchalant drunk driving, which the author addresses in the final note.

For me the ending is the saving grace because finally something was happening that wasn’t just a lot of lovelorn angst. Naturally, if you enjoy reading about teenage angst, then there is that in spades.

I wouldn’t say I loved the writing itself. While being overly descriptive is great when one is reading a recipe or a description of a cooking technique in a cook book, the same is not always a winning strategy in a novel.

Gorgeous work, utterly fantastically written and my gosh I would recommend it! It was quite great. Thanks for the arc

Theo was a three sport athlete until he broke his leg, and when he meets Julia she tells him he should work at the restaurant she works at. As Theo and Julia date, he finds he loves working at the restaurant. He also falls in love with Julia even though her boyfriend is coming back from a summer trip. One day Theo sees men talking to Chef and sees stacks of money on the table. Theo’s friend Johnny tells him that’s mob money. One day money goes missing. Chef asks who took it. When Theo finds out who has the money he makes some big decisions. What happens next? A fun read and you learn so much about working in a restaurant.

I really liked the kitchen/cooking aspect of this book, but the ending felt unresolved, the main character is so stupid, and Julia is also unlikeable. I get her wanting to escape, but she manipulated his feelings a lot. He was also just really dumb to have given her what he did. I like the Chef character and wish we had gotten to know more about him

I loved this romance. The setting was perfect. I loved the cooking part of this book and the banter was amazing!

God i loved this. Full of romance, chasing your dreams, finding new ones, and all of the drama that comes with a coming of age story, this is absolutely going to be the book of the summer. I loved Theo and his struggles, and really felt for him after life has just kicked him down. But of course that made is journey all the sweeter! I can't recommend this enough- especially if you're a foodie! Written by an actual chef, all the food descriptions will have you on the floor. Don't miss this!

I loved the cover, but for some reason I couldn't get into the story. The writing style wasn't really working to keep me engaged.

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.