Hazel is a chef, who is doing a bit of dog-minding while she is between jobs. Ethan is a rising actor, who needs someone to look after his dog while he is on set (so said dog, Henry, doesn't destroy his house). In true romcom fashion, after Ethan hires Hazel, sparks fly, although Hazel is jaded by past experience with celebrities and is the one person not dazzled by Ethan.

And so we begin the dance of friendship and relationship building (I'm not going to go into tropes) with straight-talking Hazel and Ethan determined to prove he's not as shallow as she thinks. There are misunderstandings, sad backstories, a diabolical cat called Kevin (totally the star of the book!) and a couple of sex scenes.

(For those who want spice ratings, this is sort of middle of the road - neither overly explicit, but not completely closed door, either. This was mostly about the relationship itself rather than sex for sex' sake)

This was a delightful Aussie romcom, that feels made for the screen - I read it in a day.

(And I loved the fact that this was 100% local content - from the settings to the characters to the irreverent language used. It's refreshing to have Aussie voices represented. )

~ Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ~

// love from scratch

‘Opposites attract in this laugh-out-loud rom-com about a heart-throb actor, the grumpy woman who minds his beloved dog, and the cat that steals his heart.’

i love finding new australian authors!

this was set on the sunshine coast, where i live, which was so fun! the beach front homes and the hinterland made it very recognisable.

i found out after reading this that it is a sequel 😬 however it did work as a standalone if you haven’t read the first book

this was a fun, easy to read, feel good romcom. the characters are likeable, there’s some good character development throughout. i enjoyed the food/cooking storyline, and the pets were a fun addition also

thankyou to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster Australia for the advanced copy 🫶🏼

Love From Scratch is crying out to be made into a bright, sparkling romcom movie. The setting is Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, the hero is a Hemsworthian hunk, the heroine is almost as gorgeous as the hero, and it’s all topped off with an adorable cat and dog.

Ethan is a movie star best known for his looks. He is well aware that that is what gets him starring roles and he is quite matter-of-fact about maintaining his appearance. He is, however, a very nice, genuine man with a great appreciation for the success that has come his way so far.

Hazel is a chef whose confidence has been shattered by a particularly horrible customer. She has, sadly, lost her passion for cooking beautiful food, and she takes a job as a dog minder for Ethan’s Jack Russell while Ethan is filming.

This is not my usual kind of book; however, Amy Sutton’s writing about the cat and dog was tender, sweet and real which absolutely won me over; and another point I would like to make is that Amy knows how to write a sex scene, a skill a lot of authors aspire to but not many do really well. The movie which I hope will eventuate will be a winner if it is filmed on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and Sydney’s Northern Beaches: heaven on earth!

Published by Simon & Schuster

Movie star Ethan meets Chef turned pet sitter Hazel in Love From Scratch, a sweet Aussie romcom set in the Sunshine Coast.
It is the second book in a series but can be read as a standalone novel.

I really enjoyed reading about Ethan and Hazel and watching their romance unfold whilst being overshadowed by their adorable pets.

For fans of:
- Grumpy x Sunshine (reverse)
- He falls first
- Cats & Dogs

Thank you Netgalley for generously providing me with a review copy.

This was my first book by Amy Hutton, and I found it to be a very cute, very light hearted read about an up and coming actor and an aspiring chef.

Ethan and Hazel are a good example of grumpy x sunshine, and it was refreshing to see that it was the FMC who was the grumpy one in this dynamic. Throw in uncooperative (as they all are at the best of times) but adorable pets, and this book is perfect for anyone in the mood for a fun read

This is a young, light, easy-to-read romance perfect for a holiday. There was a lot of swearing at the beginning, which almost put me off, but it was an enjoyable story about two characters struggling to get over their respective traumas. Set in North Queensland, it involved Ethan, a movie-star working with dogs in spite of his fear of them, and Hazel, a chef who lost her job. When Hazel starts taking care of Harry, Ethan’s lovely little dog, sparks fly between she and Ethan. The animals in the book are very sweet. I especially liked Kevin.

This wasn’t my usual type of book but I will look out for Amy Watson’s other novels.



I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This was a feel good, light-hearted, easy to devour book!

Hazel is an aspiring Chef...down on her luck at the moment after a scorching review left her defaulted, with no confidence and her love of cooking gone. Somehow Hazel has become a pet minder...not her dream job, but it will do for now!

Ethan is an actor...an extremely hot actor who needs a dog minder....Hazel has never watched one if his movies and is not impressed by his status or his charm.

Love From Scratch is a story about opposite worlds colliding, where anything can happen as long as you let yourself be free.

This is a slow burn, flirtatious book that hits you in the heart (and other places...especially the kitchen!!).

Not only does this book revolve around 2 very good looking MCs, but we also get to meet their pets, Harry (a cute and friendly Jack Russell) and Kevin (a brooding black cat).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more from Amy Hutton! I love a good book from an Aussie Author 🇦🇺

A slow burn easy read. I enjoyed seeing Ethan overcome his dog fear but I would have liked a more indepth exploration of how he overcame it instead of briefly mentioning Sera helping. I liked it mentioned Australia. I enjoyed Hazel standing up for herself when she came face to face with her harsh critic. The ending felt a little rushed. I would have liked it to have been expanded.

Thanks netgalley for providing my copy.

Hazel is a chef, part time dog minder, who has recently moved up the coast to escape a bad memory.

She ends up getting hired to look after Ethan James’ dog, Harry whilst filming his newest film. It was love at first glance for Ethan, which I wasn’t too sure how I felt about it. It was sweet but didn’t seem to be enough context besides *she’s pretty* which is the essence of it I guess.

I loved the addition of a grumpy cat who softens for the golden boy (looking at you Kevin). I enjoyed the Aussie setting (as an Aussie myself) and the passion the two main characters had for their careers.

The relationship breakdown point felt realistic and relatable, it didn’t feel toxic which is quite refreshing! I found towards the end it was a bit rushed but I love reading couples in love and we didn’t get that as much as I’d like.

Overall, a quick and fun read for anyone looking for a down to earth famous guy/normal girl love story based in the best place (Aus!).

Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.

Unfortunately I didn’t really get wowed by this book.
I didn’t like either of the characters. I think Hazel came across as very rude and abrupt and Ethan was quite shallow.

The book was almost like it was an inbetween book. Like I felt like they referenced Ethan being in love with Sera and Hazels previous issues at the restaurant a bit but didn’t give it much depth.

I loved this story, Amy is a new to me author but the cover looked so fun so I picked it up.
Ethan is an actor, a pretty smile and dimples kind of guy. The total opposite of the kind of guy Hazel usually goes for. Hazel lost her chef job and picked dog minding to cover her bills. Taking on Ethan's little pooch they get to know each other and the flying sparks took them by surprise. She thinks he's too flirty but when her evil cat is all over him she looks twice.
This is there story of a fling that's not really a fling, careers in different cities then countries. I really enjoyed their banter, their goodbye which may or may not be permanent. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Such a fun light hearted story, I look forward to seeing what else this author has written.

♡ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 ♡
🌶️ 0.5/5

I loved this book. It was light-hearted, sweet, and so fun to read. It was full of romcom moments that had me grinning and giggling.
It was my first time reading anything by Amy Hutton, so I didn’t realise this book was the second in a series before I started to read it, but I found I didn’t feel like I was missing anything by not reading the first book (Sit, Stay, Love).
I’m weak for books with animals, so I was immediately in love with Harry and Kevin. I also really enjoyed that it was set near to where I live on the Sunshine Coast, and I got to read the descriptions of Queensland for the first time in a book (here’s to me searching for more QLD-based books 😝)
The reverse grumpy/sunshine-ish trope was a nice change, but I did struggle with finding Hazel a little too judgmental at times. I like that both Hazel and Ethan faced their demons in their own way. I also really enjoyed that it was a realistic look at two adults chasing their own dreams and ambitions in life - it was a really nice change from many of the romances you can usually find.
I also don’t know if it was just me, but I really struggled with the lack of support Hazel’s sister gave her. Her sister just felt mean most of the time, and I would have liked to see more of the friendship and support Hazel spoke about within the book.

I had so many moments of giggles and feet kicking reading this.
It was a sweet and easy read that I’d recommend to anyone looking to add a little romcom to their day! 💖💖

*I received an eARC copy in exchange for my honest review of this book*
Big thank you to NetGalley, Amy Hutton and Simon & Schuster Australia for the chance to read this book.

I thought this book was absolutely adorable, a cutesy, light-hearted romcom that had me giggling, smiling like a loon so much that my husband kept asking me what I was doing on my phone smiling like that & at times shocked.

We follow dreamy movie star Ethan James and chef turned pet sitter Hazel in this Aussie situated romance. Hazel & Ethan were destined to be, their chemistry was felt through the pages and it had me rooting for them from the beginning. Hazel was such a grumpy and black cat character and had the pet (Kevin) to match her and Ethan her sunshine, with the dog to match (Harry). Amy Hutton aced the character banter which just made the story flow and made it that much more entertaining. It was such an easy, fast paced & highly enjoyable romance with a hint of spice

Thank you to NetGalley, Amy Hutton & Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for my honest & candid review.

Ok I have to be honest here. I was so excited for this book and it was my first time reading this author too. I did love the characters, and pets but it was just something with the storyline that made me not really love it. It was like things were written to just fill the pages and also I didn’t feel the chemistry with these two. There was a disconnect with them. I did like how he wanted her more than she wanted him this time!

When I picked up this read I was worried I would need to have read the author's first book, though it is mentioned in the book you can read this one without reading the first book. You may be coming in a little late but its manageable,
Saying this I love a cute read especially Australian based ones recently and if it has dogs I am hooked! I fell in love with the MMC Ethan right away and it took me a little while to love the FMC Hazel she was hard to love. It was very enjoyable and it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Ethan James is about to start shooting a movie and he needs someone to mind his anxious dog, Harry. However, Hazel Conor, the new minder is proving to be a distraction that he can’t afford. She is gorgeous and funny but interestingly, finds Ethan annoying and flashy. However, Hazel has lost her job as a sous chef and needs the job. Her grouchy cat Kevin loves Ethan, so she begins to rethink her initial perception.
This was an easy, sweet read between two characters are interesting characters. They both struggle with their past demons and grow to enjoy each other’s company, in part due to their pets, which was a cute addition. There was just the right amount of spice to the book that didn’t overwhelm the story. To add to this story, is the description of the amazing Australian landscape.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This rom-com was pure joy and full of swoon-worthy moments!
I absolutely loved both Ethan and Hazel and appreciate how genuine their connection felt while reading. Hazel was an ambitious and strong independent FMC and it was so refreshing! And Ethan, oh boy, he is the movie star hottie of your dreams 😍
The writing flowed beautifully and really captured the essence of Queensland, Australia (which as an Aussie I totally get.) I had so many giggles while reading, and the light-hearted nature of the writing made it so easy to devour!

Tropes:
🐈‍⬛ he falls first
🐕 grumpy x sunshine (he’s the sunshine)
🐈‍⬛ meet-cute
🐕 opposites attract

‘Love from Scratch’ by Amy Hutton is a delightfully light read where opposites attract mixed with a pinch of humour, a dash of childhood backstory, and a dollop of pets! Ethan James is an upcoming and gorgeous actor who is about to start filming a movie in Australia, but needs someone to mind his pet dog, Harry. Hazel Conor, an unemployed sous chef in a city away from her family, takes on the task of minding Harry and enduring Ethan’s celebrity ways.
A contemporary romance that will draw you in with likeable and relatable characters and keep you page turning to the very end.

I really enjoyed Amy's book. I have just got back into the romance genre and I'm glad that Amy is helping me build my enjoyment in reading it. This is a really lovely read, the addition of the pets - a dog and a cat really appealed to me. I liked the character development for both Ethan and Hazel. Hazel's character is really interesting and I enjoyed her development, she felt like a real person which added to her appeal. Ethan was a likeable character and his back story was interesting to learn. Overall, I really enjoyed the story and the characters and I look forward to reading more from Amy in the future.

Cute, Aussie, light hearted romance.

Ethan, a Hemsworth/Dr. Chris -esque mmc “ cracked it big” movie star needs a pet sitter for his anxious jack Russel, Harry, while on set. Enter, Hazel, a Chef on a “career break” as pet-sitter. Ethan falls first and is faced with a refreshing change, a non-swoony femme who is unimpressed by his Hollywood persona. A persona that is to all intents and purposes very “guy next door”. I'm loathe to call it reverse grumpy sunshine because I don't think Hazel was grumpy. I think she's just cautious of sparking dimple toting hot shots.

Kevin, the devils spawn with c-attitude sees the potential in the match and softens Hazel’s opinion towards Ethan in more ways than one.

It was lovely seeing Hazel fall in love with cooking “for” someone again. The love language of food and cooking was a delightful part of the story.

The landscape was recognisable as quintessential Gold Coast from beach front homes, to the hinterland, the geographical language choices made it clear it was an Australian filmmaking location.

There were a couple of sweet romance scenes that I found myself smiling while reading. I did appreciate the author not hopping them straight into bed but having awkward “getting to know you” scenes. The spice scenes (3🌶️ ) were respectful and if they are not your cup of tea, could be read around.

This was a first Amy Hutton read for me, without reading the first book in the Sit, Stay, Love world, Love from Scratch stands tall as a standalone.

With thanks to the author, Simon & Shuster and Netgalley for the opportunity to read Love from Scratch ahead of general release. All opinions are my own.