I loved the growth the characters showed through out the book and the redemption the story gave them. It was fun to read and see the main characters grow individually and as a couple.

There were parts of the story that dragged but that was more an issue with what I like to read then the writing.

Definitely worth a read for anyone that likes seeing a redemption story and two good people falling in love.

Thanks to NetGallery and the published for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Stef Lombardozzi begins the story as an up and coming new chef on the rocket ship to stardom as a contestant on “Kitchen Ballers”. Unfortunately, during the first episode, she ends up in tears after the star of the show cruelly berates her. She is laughed off the show and Kitchen Bawler becomes one of the most popular memes, chasing poor Stef through her life for years. It shoves her right off her path and all the way from Mousselline in Manhattan to Pasta Palooza in Hoboken. One fateful night, the bartender at Pasta Palooza introduces Stef to Mallory, who went to Tisch with the bartender. Mallory is an extreme introvert with a severe anxiety disorder. She lives a mostly self-contained life where she eats the same foods, works on the same stop-motion film from college, and is employed as a wedding videographer. Very vivacious Stef is a jarringly bright light that stabs its way into Mallory’s drab world. As they embark on the creation of Stef’s comeback cooking videos, they change each others lives (and romance ensues). Nan Campbell books are always so well written and Hot Honey Love is no exception. The opening scene introduces us to golden retriever Stef in all her optimistic, go get ‘em glory. In just one single scene, Campbell shows us all of the highs and lows of Stef’s personality and makes her an incredibly sympathetic character. By the time the Kitchen Bawler meme is introduced, it’s almost impossible not to sympathize with Stef. Mallory, on the other hand, is a completely different matter. I have to admit, that at first, it was not very easy to like Mallory. She is rigid and standoffish. While I had confidence that she would, I was curious as to how Campbell would redeem Mallory’s character and somehow still endear her to readers. It did not take Campbell long to begin that transformation. By the time the reader gets to the part where Mallory’s past is revealed, she is such a loveable character that the way she was treated is infuriating. I never should have even remotely thought of doubting Campbell’s skill. Speaking of skill, one of Campbell’s strengths is the depth of research that she does. Mallory’s anxiety, and the depiction of it, is incredibly vivid. I asked and yes, she took the time to research and sought out sensitivity readers to ensure accuracy. That level of dedication led to a character that is memorable and heartbreaking and frustrating and so amazingly real. Campbell created two incredibly dynamic characters. She took these two so dissimilar people and made their coupling seem inevitable as they complemented each other perfectly, even though they should not really fit together. There’s angst, but not the kind that fills the story and frustrates the reader. Campbell nimbly braids the angst into the traits of her characters. They don’t have a miscommunication or something silly like that. The main reason for any disruptions on their pathway to true love has its inception in the personality traits of Stef and Mallory that Campbell had fully established. You understand what puts Mallory into her defensive position. You know why Stef holds on. It’s refreshing to have that approach. It also made the book whiz right by. I didn’t realize that I was almost at the end until I hit the epilogue.
I think that the best part of this book is that you follow along with each step in their everyday lives and become engrossed. As you go through the story, it’s not hard to root for Stef and Mallory to succeed in everything from love to business. And they do, which seems inevitable, but wonderful at the same time. The story leaves you happy to have traveled this path with Stef and Mallory and delighted that they are happy in life and love. I read the last line with a smile on my face. What a great love story.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley.

Right place at the right moment. That's how Mallory and Stef end up meeting and collaborating. Problem is, how can a chef collaborate with the only person who won't even try her food? Can Mallory and Stef work around each other? Are they willing to compromise for the sake of their growing attraction? How much is too much when it comes to love?

Well-developed characters with real personalities and quirks that remind us that even in fiction life isn't always rainbows and butterflies and that the key is to find a way to accept each other. Makes a really nice light read and give us hope for a HEA.

Not a bad read. The middle was dragged out and I felt like it could have had a more satisfying ending, the communication between the mains was a bit obnoxious.
A solid 3 stars

First up the communication style drove me insane however it’s how me and my wife are, she’s autistic and I’m a huge over thinker and emotional so it made me realise how infuriating it is lol.

I enjoyed the book as a whole, I did feel it dragged on a little in the middle as it was just a back and forth and I think I’d of enjoyed it more if it was each POV for a chapter instead of both mixed into one however the writing style does make sense to do it that way

I enjoyed how the relationship grew although it did feel unlikely that Mallory would be able to just jump on the live TV after being too anxious to do a video which she edits and could always edit herself out if she didn’t like it.

Overall a great book :)

*full disclosure I was given this book in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley*

In Hot Honey Love by Nan Cambell we are introduced to Stephanie and Mallory. Stephanie was an up-and-coming chef whose career stalled after an embarrassing cooking competition moment turned her into an internet joke. Mallory is a filmmaker, currently working as a wedding videographer. Stephanie, to change her image on the internet, employs Mallory to help her create an internet cooking show. Stephanie is outgoing, affectionate, and loves food. Mallory has anxiety, is shy, struggles with touch, and is an incredibly picky eater. Despite their differences, Mallory and Stephanie work well together and their show is an instant success.

The characters of Mallory and Stephanie were well developed. Their backstories were interesting. The chemistry between them came through and didn’t feel forced.

I appreciated the representation of anxiety in this book. Nan Campbell did a good job describing Mallory’s anxiety. In addition, the book showed the impact anxiety can have on a relationship for both parties. I found the struggles of both characters as they tried to navigate their feelings as they related to Mallory’s anxiety very relatable and honest.

I did feel that the lack of communication between Mallory and Stephanie dragged out longer than it should have. They both spent too much time assuming and in their own heads. Also, for a book that did such a great job with anxiety representation to start by the end it felt like Mallory’s anxiety was almost a non-issue. This did not feel like an accurate portrayal of managing anxiety.

Overall, there were several things to enjoy about this book, but the ending just wasn’t satisfying.

Thank you NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, and Nan Campbell for the ARC.

2.5 stars

Nan Campbell is one of my favorite Bold Strokes Books authors. This is a rare miss for me.

I love food-based books, and I love mental health rep in stories, so this had all the ingredients of a promising start with Stef as a chef and Mallory as an anxious videographer. I liked the first half with them getting to know each other and starting to make cooking videos together. But then Stef starts pushing against Mallory's boundaries and not really respecting what Mallory is telling her.

The lack of communication drove me wild. They kept assuming something about the other (which I expect from the anxious one but not the talkative one) and when they did talk about something, it was only ever halfway. The treatment of Mallory's anxiety wasn't great either. It read like Mallory "suddenly got better" because she loved Stef, but that's not how mental illness works. Props for positive therapy encouragement, though.

I'd gladly give Campbell another try, but I can't say I'd recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

On paper, I love everything about this - food as a love language, reconnecting with what about your craft brings joy, falling in love with someone through their passion for their craft. And for the most part, that is what happens and for the most part, it's cute and sweet.

The problem for me falls a lot with the treatment of Mallory's anxiety around food and eating. As a dual PoV, we spend a lot of time in her head and see just how uncomfortable she feels with things outside of her control or expectation. Which then makes it very jarring when all of Stef's attempts at courting her go along the same route - assuming what she is going to do is what Mallory wants or would like, without asking, despite the fact that Mallory has told her that she should just ask what Mallory likes or wants to do. Instead, Stef keeps on making assumptions and just presenting Mallory with things, forcing her to make decisions and make comments that have no good way of landing, instead of listening to what Mallory is telling her. We know that food is Stef's love language and she wants to care for the people she loves by feeding them and providing for them, and as a chef she has to know that there are all sorts of particular eaters and how sensory an experience eating can be. It just feels like a constant hurdle or that they can't "really" be together if Mallory doesn't eat her food, and it's something to fix about Mallory, rather than a ground for compromise. And then when Mallory does eat it, it's treated as just that - a hurdle gotten over. It just left a bad taste in my mouth, and unfortunately, while a lot else about their relationship is very cute and supportive, that's prevalent enough that the bad taste never really leaves.

This is a unique take on an opposites attract trope, featuring Stef (a talented chef whose love languages are food and touch) and Mallory (a closed off, self-described anxious, picky eater). Both main characters were super endearing to me. Communication, problem solving, and personal growth were key for both of them, and I loved seeing them learn to meld around each other’s needs and wants. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a low drama, low stress but highly emotionally driven read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Fun opposites attract story. Interesting to have the passionate chef Stef falling for the anxious and extremely picky eater Mallory. Slowly they help each other to move past their issues and fall in love. Nice read I really enjoyed.