Set in Kansas City (which, as a non-American, I have to continually remind myself is not in Kansas!), I'll Have What He's Having is a dual narrative romance featuring Farzan Alavi and David Curtis, two mid-to-late-30-somethings staring down the cliff of their forties with unfulfilled dreams and a reluctance to let others in emotionally. For Farzan, it's because he has significant self-worth and self-esteem issues, event though his family and friends continually reinforce that he's the most supportive person they know. For David, it's because he's a workaholic and doesn't want friends or dating to get in the way of becoming a master sommelier and making a name for himself in California or New York. One mistaken identity later, and both of them are in a situationship that definitely has boundaries... or maybe has boundaries... oh crap there's no boundaries and they're in love. But David is leaving after he gets his master somm, so this can only end in heartbreak.

Part of providing a review is identifying the audience a work is intended for, and comparing that to whether the work successfully writes for that audience. Unfortunately, I felt the young adult background from Khorram coming through in many places of this adult romance. Perhaps this wouldn't have felt as strongly dissonant if the characters were young 20-somethings, like a lot of romances are. However, for nearing 40, there are some weird interactions or dialogue choices. One of the biggest reasons for my overall rating actually comes in part because of this feeling. At the end, when the third-act break-up occurs, the lack of communication really felt like teenagers rather than nearly-40s. This lack of meaningful communication skills occurred a few times, but this car ride from the airport was the worst of them.

A much smaller critique is that, to get into the first part of the book, you have to suspend disbelief for a bit. The opening conflict, as described even in the synopsis, is this mistaken identity - Farzan uses the name Frank Allen (his "White" name for when folks can't understand "Farzan Alavi") and David believes this is the Frank Allen, critic extraordinaire. Except... if you're a director at a restaurant, you're going to know what all the influential names look like. Often critics will avoid giving their names because they want to leave an honest review, which is near impossible once the staff know you're a critic (and therefore will give you "the best" rather than "the norm"). And it's clear David does know what Frank Allen looks like because, in the epilogue, Kyra points him out at Farzan's grand reopening and David recognizes him.

Now, for the positive, and perhaps seemingly at odds with some of the above paragraph, the first thing I want to highlight is that these characters are old (relatively speaking, for romance novels). This is something I wish there was more of in the genre. Also, if you're looking for a good and truly diverse OwnVoices book, this is excellent. Especially the Alavis, who are intimately connected to the food of Iran, but also some cultural practices that are as natural as breathing are written in such a smooth way that a reader can experience them without them seeming out of place. It was quite enjoyable! The awkward meeting of the parents on both sides was nice, as it made the scenes feel a little more real than many romances tend to feel. And the reality of the intimate scenes was also nice, though maybe the two of them need to take some Pepto-Bismol or Tums if they're going to burp or fart on each other nearly every single time.

Listen, I’m a simple human. Give me a foodie romance with a one night stand that leads to more between two people who obviously love each other but have questionable communication skills, and I’m happy. That’s exactly what Adib Khorram delivered with this read and I’m a happy little clam.

Adib Khorram has done it again, this time with wine instead of tea (well, technically both). A bighearted romance with just the right notes of spice.

Another hit by Adib Khorram.
How I love Adib’s books, doesn’t matter if they are YA or adult, they all have such heart and character so full and alive and relatable and this was no different.
The difference is this one was centered in the romance, the relationship between Farzan and David and how they navigated their lives and dreams, disappointments and expectations.
And finally how Adib writes about Iranian culture, I love it, now I want to find an Iranian restaurant close by.

What a delightful HOT contemporary romance. I loved that the characters were mid-aged and struggling with finding who they were. Their respective journeys discover who they were through each other was fantastic and uplifting.

From the first sip to the last drop, I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING will have you kicking your feet at the sweet and sensual relationship between Farzan and David that celebrates love and aging, just like a fine wine. Pro-tip: you’ll want a glass of wine and french fries nearby while reading this.

The story finds both characters at a crossroads in their lives. Both barrelling toward 40 years old, Farzan is unfulfilled after a series of dead-end jobs and relationships and David has sworn off relationships while studying for his master sommelier test, only using the move back to his hometown as a temporary stopping point on the way to bigger and better things. When the two collide in a case of mistaken identity, their lives are changed for the better and dreams change to adapt to the person who feels like home.

This was a great lesson in the importance of love and family. There are far more important things in life than just working your life away, and an envious resume or job title won’t feel like home after a rough day. I loved how Farzan and David evolved in the story and found themselves and their true happiness when finding each other. I wish there had been a little more depth to their romance (lots of miscommunication from men in their upper 30s) but I more than appreciated the many wine and food references and loved that this had Iranian-American and LGBTQ rep. This is a great summer romance read for readers who go for happily ever after’s and swoon-worthy romance!

Thanks @readforeverpub for the digital ARC copy! I’LL HAVE WHAT HE’S HAVING is out August 27.

Rich worldbuilding and high heat! This was so much fun. I was immediately pulled in by the delicious chemistry between Farzan and David, but what sets this novel apart is the sharp writing and authoritative voice Adib conjures here. I'm a food person so I was delighted by the detail here--you can tell Adib really loves food - this is a book you can taste and smell and indulge in. A healthy dollop of spice too - what more could you want?!

Thank you to Net Galley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved the prose in this book. The author made someone who’s never tried wine (me) be able to imagine the taste the characters were experiencing.

I do love a good smut occasionally, but this one felt overly focused on it at times and it took from the story,

I didn’t finish this one for many of the same reasons I had for not loving the Au Pair Affair - too much gritty sex. I love this author and I thought I was getting his latest YA novel. And I don’t dislike books with smut at all…in fact I read them quite often. But this was more than I enjoyed I guess. Here’s the thing: the sex seemed like the story. Like, that’s kind of all there was. I dunno. Not my cup of tea.

This. Is . What. I'm Talking. About. When. I. Say. We. Need. More. Diverse. stories. I ate this up. Give me more more more more more more more.

this was the cutest story. i loved Farzan & David’s first meet up— i can’t think of a better way for their relationship to have started. restauranteur (and amazing cook) meets master sommelier is my newest favorite couple. i couldn’t get enough of all the food and wine references!! the development of each MC’s storyline and the way they intertwined made for such a smooth storyline. i loved how the author emphasized Persian heritage, the importance of friendship as an adult and also highlighted the general idea of feeling lost on a career path. it was a very loving and cozy romance that i will definitely recommend for many months to come!

This was a cute romance! I loved the premise - a chef/restaurant owner x sommelier, older (late 30s) characters, a very diverse cast.

While the plot was great, the book did fall a little short for me in a couple places. This was a fairly spicy book, but all of these scenes fall a little flat for me, based on the dialogue used that felt a little cringy. Additionally, one of the MCs felt a bit whiny at times. I also had a hard time buying into their romance - it seemed like one of the MCs just wanted anyone who would be with him, and the other MC just needed a friend. There wasn’t quite enough drawing them together for me.

Overall, it was still an enjoyable read! It moves pretty quickly and the plot flows well.

This one absolutely blew me away. First I loved that both characters were older, it's just always a great change of pace when characters aren't young all the time. Second, I love how this book approached sex. Consent was a big factor and it was written so well, so other authors really have no excuse. Also that sex can be silly and awkward sometimes and you can still make the best of it. This was just so refreshing, made 100x better by the fact that it was queer (I don't know that I would have been as invested if they weren't).

The sweetest love story about overcoming the journey of finding your career while also prioritizing your happiness and ones you love! Farzan and David’s story is so unique and hopeful, you will be rooting for them from the start. Also, you will most definitely crave wine and have your mouth watering over the food descriptions during reading!

If you're looking for a spicy gay romance book, look no further! Adib Khorram's next adult romance novel, "I'll have what he's having" has it all!
I am genuinely impressed of how funny and good this book was. This book goes to all the immigrant kids who are not fancy doctors o layer or even engineers, but they're trying their best. After all, who are the people who brings the community together, and make sure there's always spaces for people being themselves? Farzan is one of those community jewels. He has a heart of gold, but recently he has been struggling with his love life. He's trying to do the best for his family, his Iranian community, his queer community, and his love life, but this is just too much to handle from time to time. Will he try to save his family's business or his love life?

2024 is the year of YA authors releasing adult books. And I’m not sure if I’m always a fan.

Don’t get me wrong. I really love some of these books; Kacen Callender’s Stars in Your Eyes is even one of my favorites. But I’m also wondering why all those authors want to write adult books and if the magical attraction I found in their YA stories also works in an adult version. I’m not convinced, to be honest.

Adib Khorram’s YA books are fantastic, especially the Darius series. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for a third installment. I was over the moon when he announced releasing an adult book because I wanted more of his writing. And now?

You know, this book is nice, but not special, as I felt with his Darius series. It feels like mainstream MM; the only different angle is the Iranian heritage (which I liked) and the older characters (I liked that too; we need more of them!). I enjoyed reading this story, but I wanted more. More mental health rep, more character depth, more emotional connection. And less sex.

So, if you love lighthearted, well-written, spicy MM, this might be your book. But I was just a little disappointed.

I was so excited to see that after writing several terrific YA novels, Adib Khorram is making his first foray into adult romance—and it was really good!⁣⁣

⁣⁣Farzan may be the oldest of three children, but he’s not been the stellar success that his siblings have, either professionally or romantically. He’s a substitute teacher, which is exhausting, and he’s just had another relationship end really before it began.⁣⁣

⁣⁣To drown his sorrows, Farzan goes to Aspire, one of Kansas City’s hottest wine bars. He gets fantastic personal attention from Aspire’s wine director, David, who is not only tremendously knowledgeable, but he’s the sexiest man Farzan has ever seen. They flirt over each pour, and both feel the intense attraction. David thinks Farzan is a restaurant critic—a hilarious misunderstanding that gets cleared up during post-meal passion.⁣⁣

⁣⁣After an incredibly steamy night, David tells Farzan that he’s taking the master sommelier exam in a few months, and once he passes, he’s planning to leave Kansas City. Farzan doesn’t want just a casual fling, but when he decides to take over his parents’ restaurant, he needs David’s help—and David could use a study buddy—so they agree to be friends with benefits.⁣⁣

⁣⁣Of course, the no-strings-attached thing rarely succeeds, and it’s not long before both have fallen for each other. But if David is going to leave, what’s the point in giving into their feelings? Are they running the risk of losing the best thing that has happened to both of them?⁣⁣

⁣⁣This was a moving, romantic, fun, and incredibly steamy book. It’s a story of family, friendship, love, food, wine, and trusting your heart and your dreams. And boy, did it make me hungry!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy. The book will publish 8/27.

This was such a fun and cute little romance! I loved the added bonus of all the delicious food and wine descriptions which made it extra enjoyable with a glass of wine in hand. While there wasn't anything spectacular about this book, I did really enjoy your classic little romance story. There were many moments that made me giggle and truly root for the MCs to work it out. Thank you to NetGallley and Forever Publishing for a chance to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

When you get a new Adib Khorram book, you know you have to read it asap. This is his first adult book, and as an avid romance reader, I was so excited to dive in! And I had an absolute blast, this was such a good time.

You can't read this without getting hungry, because all the food and wine descriptions made my mouth water. They added so much atmosphere to the story.

But I mainly loved the chemistry between both of the main characters, especially since we got to spend so much time with them! I love romance books where you actually see the couple together for a good amount of time, so this felt like such a treat.

If you're looking for a romance that involves mistaken identity, spicy scenes, or wine and french fries, you have to check out I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram.

David and Farzan meet when David mistakes Farzan for an important food critic and after a passionate hookup, they fumble through some awkward encounters before eventually realizing that they may be interested in being more than just friends with benefits. Once they get there, what will that mean to David's dream to leave Kansas City and Farzan's plan to very much stay there?

David and Farzan were both really well developed as characters and their chemistry together felt real from the very first scene in Aspire. I think seeing these two men in their late-thirties still exploring and finding love was really special. While the spicy scenes were plentify and really (really) fun, I thought the touching scenes, like the Alavi family dinner (and other spoiler-laden scenes), really shined through with the strength of Khorram's writing.

As a longtime reader of Adib Khorram, this branching off into adult romance was a homerun! A flawless switch from his well-known YA novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for early access!