- LAVASH AT FIRST SIGHT had such promise but totally fell short for me. I loved the idea of PakCon - who doesn’t love a highly competitive niche industry story? and the idea of a story focused on two queer Armenian women. But all the elements felt sort of half-baked.
- Nazeli and Vanya’s romance didn’t have much to it. They virtually only ever talked about work and their parents, and Vanya didn’t so much have a personality as a small collection of details we’re told about her.
- The food competition was fun, but also a lot of the elements of it didn’t make any sense. Who was manning their booth while they were competing? Why was it being filmed? Why did just that one moment get shown on the screens for the rest of the competitors to see and nothing else ever?
- I can’t speak to the portrayal of Armenian culture, but the best thing about this book was the food descriptions. The dishes were showcased with such love, it made me want to hurry out and eat some myself.

Taleen Voskuni’s "Lavash at First Sight" nails it as her second novel, blending queerness with a deep dive into family vibes. It steps away from the teaching style of her first book, "Sorry, Bro," and lets the characters just be themselves, fully living out their complex identities without worrying about explaining things to anyone. It’s like "Sorry, Bro" was the intro, and "Lavash" is where things get real.

Set in Chicago during a food conference, the story is a sapphic spin on Romeo and Juliet, with two families alike in culture thrown into a mix of collaboration and rivalry in a cooking contest. The plot kicks off when Nazeli and Vanya meet, but their families’ old beef throws a wrench in things right from the start. As the cooking heats up, so does their chemistry, all while they try to keep things chill in front of their parents.

It’s a fun, heartwarming read about love, family, and culture, all served up with a side of humor and charm. Definitely a page-turner that’s easy to love.

I previously read Voskuni’s previous novel (Sorry, Bro), which has many similarities (good and bad) to this novel. I actually like Lavash at First Sight much more overall because I found the cooking competition aspect and family involvement super enjoyable. Both sets of Armenian parents were wonderful in different ways, and I liked seeing how Nazeli navigated their relationship alongside her romantic one.

The romance portion of the book, for me, was fine. There was pacing that made more sense to me than most romance books, and while there is the dreaded third act breakup, it makes perfect sense in the context of the story. More importantly, there are actual consequences to the actions that led to said break up and the romance doesn’t immediately pick back up again, which sat well with me. If you’re looking for something spicy, though, this book won’t have that. Sex scenes are present, but not a huge focus.

All that said, this novel suffers from much of the same weaknesses as its predecessor. There is a breakup with a boyfriend at the beginning that is periodically brought up but serves no real narrative purpose. It mostly felt like a way to signify Nazeli’s bisexual status to me, which was unnecessary. We could have just had Nazeli state that later. Additionally, there is a plot element of Nazeli having to balance her tech job with working with her parents and it just… was again, unnecessary. The book would have been just fine with her getting the time off and still worrying about her big project without her nagging boss. They detracted away from the main focus of the narrative and, honestly, felt too much like rehashed territory from Sorry, Bro.

Set primarily at a food packaging conference in Chicago, Lavash at First Sight is a sapphic rom-com that features two Armenian-American women who have each come to the conference to help their families.

When we first meet Ellie, she is tired of dealing with the stresses of her tech job. When her slightly overbearing but loving parents ask if she can come to Chicago and help them win an ad in the next Superbowl for their business, Ellie agrees, thinking it will be a nice break and change of scenery for her. She has no idea how life changing this trip will be for her until she arrives at the conference and meets Vanya.

Vanya is smart, sexy, beautiful, and a fellow Armenian-American, and Ellie is thoroughly enjoying her time getting to know her, that is, until she realizes that Vanya also happens to be the daughter of her parents’ sworn enemies and biggest rivals. Is there any way Ellie and Vanya can be together without ripping their families apart?

I had such a good time with this book! The story is well paced and just so easy to binge. I loved the chemistry between Vanya and Ellie and all of the forbidden love vibes of their relationship, as well as the drama and tension surrounding the two rival families. I also thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere of the competition, the glimpses into Armenian culture, and of course all of the delicious food descriptions!

The audiobook is narrated by Christine Mirzayan, who does a wonderful job bringing this story to life. I very much enjoyed my listening experience.

If you’re in the mood for a charming rom-com that also has a strong focus on family, be sure to check out Lavash at First Sight!

This was cute! It was closed door, and I do think this is one of those fluffy romances that would have benefited from some spice. I did love learning a bit about Armenian food and culture and the parents in this book were so so fun. Overall a very cute fluffy romance that makes for a quick read and palette cleanser.

Huge thank you to @berkleypub @berittalksbooks @thephdivabooks @dg_reads and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Star crossed love, well, more like families who are business rivals, but when Ellie and Vanya meet and sparks fly they don’t realize that. They met at a food packing conference where, a Super Bowl commercial is on the line as well as their families very businesses. They couldn’t believe how much they have in common. They were both from the same city, Armenian and families are in the food business, until they realize their families are sworn enemies. This was a fun one plus I love when a book is set in Chicago.

Ugh.... For the love of everything I really need people to stop over using the term rom-com. This is not a romance book. There is technically a romance and they get together in the end but there's no on page relationship happening. This is a family drama a slice of life competition book. It is way more about Armenian culture and cuisine and getting over family conflicts then it is about romance. Honestly this book is not good. I kind of liked it at first but the writing is just very Wattpad-y. Nothing is fleshed out and it's not super exciting. I feel like the only reason I finished this book is because I listened to the audiobook at 2.5x.

I am also a little bit hesitant about this author because of what I heard from Queer Armenian bookstagrammers about the representation in her first book. I don't know. I think this author is going to be a write-off for me and when I'm not going to read anything else from.

A very sweet story of two women finding their life passions as well as love for each other! A really enjoyable short read!

There is so much I loved about this book, I loved that the relationship didn’t feel forced and they had cute chemistry and were honest with each other, I loved the Armenian culture were taught and food, I loved her writing, and the overall plot. I got a little too lost in the competition, and felt it was a little more central than the relationship - which is fine! Just - I like a relationship to be more central, and more time in between and chapters with our FMCs. Overall it’s a 3.5 for me!

This one wasn’t bad or anything but I found t
Last 50% or so to just go so slowly for me and I really didn’t care about the characters at all.

The reality tv sort of setting was fun and learning about the Armenian food and culture.

But I don’t think I will return to this author. But I’m glad I tried!

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
A fun and entertaining read that will leave you hungry for more (see what I did there lol)

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Enemies to lovers
Armenian culture
Sapphic romance
Cooking competitions
Meet cutes
Strong family bonds
Character growth
Insta love
Closed door romance

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
All the food descriptions
Banter and feud between the two families

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
I wanted more romance, it fell a little flat for me

Twenty-seven-year-old Nazeli “Ellie” Gregorian is growing tired of her job and daily encounters with her ex-boyfriend. When her parents ask her to attend a food packaging conference in Chicago to promote their company and compete for a Superbowl ad slot, she jumps at the chance for a change. At the conference, Ellie meets Vanya Simonian, and they bond over their shared Armenian heritage and backgrounds, but their budding connection is threatened when it is revealed Vanya is the daughter of their rival. Despite their families' rivalry, Ellie and Vanya find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other while navigating the competitive pressures and their growing feelings.

I’m so happy to add this book to my collection. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this author’s work! I would recommend this book if you like:
🧡 Sapphic romance
🧡 Bi Rep
🧡 Armenian Rep
🧡 Cooking competition

This book was such a delicious read and the food mentioned had me drooling the entire time. I am kicking myself for letting this author's book sit on my shelf for so long, and I am looking forward to going back and reading her debut novel. I loved the Armenian representation and queer representation in this book. As well as the connections with their families. I was happy to see both FMC's find a way to work things out, and to see their bond grow. Such a cute story overall!

This queer romance has so many fun elements: rivalry, forbidden romance, competition, food, anti-capitalism sentiments, and cultural pride. This is such a fun ride, watching two women fall in love. It's so refreshing that both characters are out and neither of their brown parents are ashamed or shun them. This is the fun brown femme romance we deserve.

Not very spice, but the steaminess is made up with the intimacy and connection in the book. Can't wait for more from this author!]

I really loved the Romeo and Juliet/feuding families aspect of this book! It made the tension feel real and the stakes high. I love watching our two characters come together, but I also really enjoyed seeing Nazeli deal with her parents and work on that relationship. Taleen's books always make me hungry, and this one was no exception so have some tasty snacks on hand!

I really enjoyed the Armenian representation in LAVASH AT FIRST SIGHT, and realized I haven't seen much Armenian rep in the books that I read -- definitely something I'd like to change! I found the family endearing and the food description mouth-watering. Some of the marketing talks a bit about the rivalry between the two MCs, but really it's the families that take issue with one another. I did NOT like the third-act break up and it brought the book down by a whole star, unfortunately...

This was such an interesting book with the situations our fmcs were in. They are at a food conference showing their families foods that are both Armenian. One of them still is expected ft work output even on PTO. I'm getting PTSD lol.

Nazeli who is bi and just getting out of a hookup situation she thought was more but the guy was a dbag. And don't get me started on her boss. My work does not bother me when I'm on a trip; they don't even message me when I have cpe.
I loved the two families and the Romeo and Juliet feel but gender bent, forbidden romance, families fighting for decades etc. She meets Vanya and she's entranced but then it quickly becomes more difficult than she realized.

The competition segments were fun and I always love listening to anything about food. They were talking about the SF Bay Area which in this instance was Saratoga to SF, so pretty big area. I have lived in or have family in both of those areas so i love that I can picture it all. Though the competition takes place in Chicago which I've also been. So had a fun time traveling.

This was an insta attraction and dating situation since it was a week of them knowing each other even less really. But it helped for Nazeli to realize what she had before was severely lacking and her work situation was very toxic. Just because it's the “culture” doesn't mean it's ok. And mistakes were made so be ready for some drama cause it was like a televised show in a way.

Thank you berkleyromance for this #gifted copy!

Another delightful queer enemies to lovers romcom featuring two Armenian American women whose families are bitter rivals. I loved the cultural references, the meet-cute, the competition aspect, ALL the food and the two female leads. I could have done with a little more steam and more on page romance between the women but overall it was still entertaining and good on audio. Recommended for fans of authors like Ashley H Blake or Uzma Jalaluddin. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Steam level: closed door/kissing only

I really love this book. Vanya and Elli are great matches. This had the most relatable chemistry and the family drama was executed perfectly. I had never read a book with Armenian characters. Let alone with a sapphic romance. I would highly recommend.

I didn’t “warm” to this cooking-themed romance as much as I’d hoped to. The romance felt much too easy and there wasn’t a lot of internal growth for each character, aside from making some career decisions.

I did enjoy the setting of the novel, which was a food-vendor conference in Chicago. Ellie is helping her parents with their Armenian-American food company, when she meets Vanya, who is working with her family’s Armenian-American food line. The two hit it off immediately, until they learn their parents hate each other. Both families’ livelihoods are on the line when they enter a reality show cooking competition at the conference. The warring families make great TV coverage as the producers manipulate events to pit them against each other. At the same time, Ellie is struggling with a project that will make or break her career in tech marketing, and she has to balance helping her family and staying on top of her demanding job.

I liked that Ellie had to struggle with how to work with her parents, and how to balance her career ambitions and her love of her family and their business (Natalie Cana’s A Proposal They Can’t Refuse was similar). Another aspect I found interesting was Ellie’s ambivalence about San Francisco, her home, as she’s exploring Chicago. This isn’t a big part of the story, just something I connected with, as I felt similar ambivalence when I lived in SF, and moved to DC (SF a city you’re expected to LOVE, but what if it doesn’t love you back?).

Unfortunately, I felt like the connection between the two main characters was largely superficial. Ellie is dishonest about a lot of things – she lies to her parents, she lies to Vanya about how she feels about her family’s food, and she doesn’t even mention the boyfriend who broke up with her days ago. It never feels like they really get to know each other. Vanya is lovely but didn’t feel fully developed. This might be me, though, as I prefer much angstier romances, where the characters are dealing with serious emotional issues (a good example is the Bright Falls series by Ashley Herring Blake). Although, considering that the book begins with Ellie completely in love with a boyfriend who doesn’t even want to tell people they’re dating, it seemed like she had some issues that needed to be resolved.

One thing I noticed as I was comparing this book to Voskuni’s first book, Sorry Bro, is that she writes fairly unlikeable main characters. Most romances try to balance the flaws and strengths of each main character, but in both of Voskuni’s books, it’s the narrator who has the flaws (including dishonesty, poor decision-making, lack of self-confidence). That’s not a pro or con, just an interesting difference.

This book will appeal to those who are looking for diverse romances, especially readers who are Armenian-American. It will also appeal to those looking for romances about cooking or about reality show competitions, and I know that’s a huge trend right now. I enjoyed those elements of the book, but felt like too much time was spent on the cooking competition and the parents’ rivalry, at the expense of building a deep relationship between the two main characters. It’s got a beautiful cover and a much better title than Voskuni’s first novel.

Note: I received an advance review copy of this novel from NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. It published May 7, 2024.

Thank you netgalley and Berkley for the e-arc. My opinoons are bwing left voluntarily. I was so intruiged by this authors 2nd romance book with Armenian leada and the cover immediately got me. Although i loved all the food references and family dynamic it left me wanting more romance, connection, nust more romance. I feel if tnis would have been marketed as a fiction book rather then romance would have adjusted my expectations and wpuld have read differently.

#Berkleybuddyreads #berkleywritesstrongwomen

3.5/5