This was fine. I read most of it but ended up DNFing it before finishing (however I feel I read enough to review). The premise of the book is right up my alley: food, travel, healing/personal growth but I had a hard time getting into the story due to the writing style. It just wasn’t for me.

Workaholic Cassie, has it all: on track to become partner at her law firm and a great boyfriend. James is an accountant, foodie and is incredibly patient with Cassie. After James tragically dies, Cassie discovers he was an anonymous food reviewer with a huge online following. Cassie accepts an offer intended for James to go to Europe on a high-end food review tour. She discovers much about herself on the journey. Then following an unremarkable third act conflict the book was just done. I loved everything about this book but the ending which felt very rushed and forced.

This is a debut novel and for a debut I think it's fantastic. The author makes this book engaging from the very first page, and her writing style just kind of pulls you in and makes you want more with each turn of the page.

I absolutely adored the banter between Cassie and James - right from the beginning it was cute & fun. Cassie is a super dedicated lawyer with big dreams for her future; she feels like she can just hang on through her relationship now then she'll have more time for it later on. James is a bit of a character - he's sweet and it's easy to see how much he cares for Cassie but there's also a bit of a mystery about him as well.

Tragedy strikes and Cassie is forced with needing to re-evaluate everything; all of her goals, her big dreams, do they really matter in the long run? I really love her journey of self discovery, and how she grows and learns and matures - her discovering James's secret as an intense Foodie and how she chose to lean into that was pretty fun and amusing.

The ups & downs, the whirlwind that follows really is a great story on it's own. The conflict that arises feels so late and then it's just a blurred rush to the end so the ending is not as satisfying as the beginning of the book. However, I still really enjoyed the journey and the food discussions and just all of the intricate details that were included.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review

I enjoyed the depth that this character had. I think her navigating through her grief was important and added a lot to the story however the writing felt clunky at times. It wasn’t a super easy read for me

I wish they had a place to show half stars, because this was a 4.5 for me. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon publishers for an advanced copy of this book. Emily Arden Wells is a new author for me and I really enjoyed this book. If you are a "foodie" you will love this book.
Insert SPOILER-Like most people Cassie and her boyfriend James are caught up in the crazy busy life cycle until one day something happens, and James is gone. As Cassie mourns and goes through all of James things, she discovered a secret about him. He was a secret food critic with an extremely large following. As Emily was processing all this information, she decided to step into that role and take his place. This one decision changes everything for Cassie. The story was very well written, just a little slow for me. There were laugh out loud moments, and mournful moments. Great character development with a sweet closed door romance.

Unfortunately, I did not want to finish this book. I couldn't connect with the protagonist and I didn't buy into her relationship enough to care about what happened to her boyfriend. There was something about the writing style that also just did not jive with me and my taste, although I can't quite put my finger on what it was. I really liked the premise of this book but it didn't captivate me enough to keep on reading. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this arc!

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. Cassie has a perfect life, she works at a law firm and wants to make partner. She also has a great accountant boyfriend, James. When he dies tragically, she finds a journal he had revealing he was the owner of an anonymous food account. She decides to keep his reservations and go on a journey. here she is, a lawyer, but keeps her identity a secret as she takes over Jame's food account anonymously. This was sad, but fun, and depicts finding yourself, while also grieving.

I loved all of the destinations and food references! However, the story itself was just fine. The pacing seemed off and it was very descriptive about random things. Overall, not my favorite but I’m sure there will be readers that it’s a good fit for

THIS WAS TOO GOOD!! If you are a foodie, a lover of travel, or just someone that loves a story about finding yourself in the midst of grief, you need to read this! This is Emily Wells first book, but I love how she has taken her time and experience in the food and alcohol worlds to inform this story to the point I was looking to see if these were real restaurants I could go to one day!
Throughly enjoyed this and can’t wait to get my hands on a copy when it comes out! Can very much see this being a great beach read!

Cassie Brooks' goal is become a partner at the prestigious law firm she works at. When her accountant boyfriend
James dies unexpectedly, she discovers he had a secret life as an anonymous restaurant reviewer and nfluencer
When Cassie accepts an invitation meant for James, she travels to Europe along with a group of other food
reviewers to some of the most exclusive restaurants.. She initially tries her hand at impersonating James and
posting reviews under his name, but eventually creates an identity of her own as a blogger. Interesting travel
companions. Vivid descriptions of restaurants and food consumed.
#EatPostLike #AvonBooks #HarperVoyagerUS #NetGalley

Emily Arden Wells’ Eat Post Like is an engaging and thought-provoking novel that explores the intersection of social media, identity, and the pursuit of self-validation. With its witty writing, relatable characters, and sharp commentary on the online world, this novel resonates with anyone who has ever scrolled through their social media feed and questioned what it all means.

The story follows the protagonist, a young woman who is trying to navigate her career and personal life while grappling with the pressure to present a curated, perfect version of herself online. As she becomes more immersed in the world of social media influencers and the pursuit of digital success, her personal relationships and sense of self begin to fray. Wells captures the modern struggle of balancing authenticity with the desire for online validation with nuance and humor.

Wells' writing is clever and often witty, making the novel an enjoyable read while also tackling serious themes. The pacing is steady, and the plot builds nicely as the protagonist's journey unfolds. The characters, especially the protagonist, are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with her internal conflict and external struggles. There’s a strong emotional core to the story that makes the exploration of social media's effects on personal life feel grounded and real.

One of the novel’s standout features is its insightful commentary on the pressures of social media culture, but at times the narrative feels slightly predictable. Some of the themes are familiar, and the plot's direction can be anticipated if you're used to reading about the digital age's impact on personal relationships. However, Wells' ability to keep things fresh with her engaging writing style and strong character development helps mitigate this.

The ending, while satisfying, leaves some questions about the protagonist's future, which might leave some readers wanting a bit more closure. Still, the open-ended nature of the conclusion reflects the uncertainty many feel in today’s constantly changing digital landscape.

Overall, Eat Post Like is an enjoyable and reflective read that skillfully combines humor with deeper social commentary. Emily Arden Wells delivers a thoughtful exploration of social media’s impact on our lives, wrapped in a fast-paced and accessible narrative. Fans of contemporary fiction that addresses modern societal issues will find plenty to appreciate in this novel.

I was really loving this book up until the end. We get to follow Cassie on a foodie trip through Europe which is just overall a good time. The side plot with "Daniel" was completely unnecessary and really created some plot holes. The resolution after their conflict truly made no sense and there was no reason to even have this character. Additionally the book ended abruptly with no resolution and I HATE a form your own conclusion ending.

It took me a little bit to get into this book but the food descriptions had me coming back for more. Cassie is an overworked lawyer in a relationship with James, a sweet accountant who loves food. When James tragically dies in a car accident (wear your seatbelt everyone), Cassie discovers that James was living a double life, but not in the way anyone expected. Through an unexpected series of events Cassie finds herself on a romp across Europe reviewing fine dining establishments with a cast of characters that teach her all about food - and about herself.

Emily Arden Wells shines in her descriptions of food and how she takes us with Cassie on her beautiful journey back to herself. I thought this book was fun, frothy, thoughtful, and a great summer read. But it in your beach bag and enjoy it on the beach, but fair warning, it will have you reevaluating every meal you have and looking for flavor new profiles for at least a week.

I initially had trouble getting into the book because Cassie isn’t particularly likable: a workaholic lawyer in training who doesn’t give her hot accountant boyfriend enough of her time and attention. They seem to have very separate lives. When James unexpectedly passes away, Cassie discovers he’s been moonlighting as the voice behind an award-winning, anonymous restaurant critic with a huge following. Her regret leads her to follow in his footsteps and begin reviewing eateries riding on his coattails. An invitation to Europe because the sabbatical she needs from her dead-end job. While she does some participating as @NewYorkSecretDiner, she also finds her own voice as @EatPostLike.

I didn’t love the several chapters of telling instead of showing to get us to the plot, or her dishonesty, including wage theft by spending time at work on her new hobby. I don’t want to police anyone’s grief, Cassie’s reaction to a monumental loss is barely-there, and her attraction to Eaton (who says things like “you clean up well” and disses Manhattan as a slum compared to Paris) feels unjustified. I hesitate to say it’s too soon, but because the character doesn’t even think about it, I’m left with a lot of questions. I also wanted more character growth.

A meticulous planner, Cassie doesn’t read the itinerary for the upcoming trip, with necessitates a fun shopping spree, but she doesn’t correct her error by reviewing the itinerary. And caught unprepared with a night out at le Jules Verne, a restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower with two Michelin stars, she doesn’t do her research for the next assigned stop, either. When she finally decided to do her homework, we learn what she’s learning (that the chef wants to build a relationship between the place and the food with his cooking). There was a missed opportunity to create a chef, a vision, and seasonal menu items–or wonder about what might be served, since the chef plans based on the freshest market purchases that day. She doesn’t speak French and doesn’t try to learn a single phrase. Cassie, a bit of a neophyte, barely uses Instagram, so there is a steep learning curve, and her newfound friend Ben introduces meta discussion around the pressure to feed the algorithm and appease followers with content. A question from February 2025, when I read this book and wrote the review: is TikTok going to be around in June when this book comes out?

Her best friend Ruby comes across as either supportive or an enabler of bad ideas. James’s best friend, who might have been in on the secret food reviewing, might be on to Cassie’s takeover of the account,

The food writing is top notch, and Wells clearly knows trends, the restaurant reviewing scene, and good eats. In fact, the writing made me so hungry, I needed a snack, and I’m 100% sure my leftover homemade sushi, which was assembled from rice that was somehow both crunchy and mushy, didn’t hold a candle to the red sea bream described.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #EatPostLike via #NetGalley, courtesy of #Harper.

Cassie is a driven Type A lawyer, trying to stay afloat with the insane work schedule of her current law firm in hopes of attaining partner status one day. James is her long-term boyfriend and they regularly enjoy as much time together as they can, particularly enjoying "foodie" adventures around NYC.

Cassie's carefully constructed life collapses when James dies unexpectedly in a tragic accident.

Overhwhelmed with grief, Cassie tries to come to terms with this unfathomable loss. However, when she discovers a secret life that James was leading as an acclaimed food critic on Instagram, Cassie decides in a fit of inspiration? insanity? to claim James' opportunity to travel to Europe as a restaurant critic for an acclaimed food awards circuit.

As she travels throughout Italy, France, and Spain, Cassie discovers the exquisite pleasures of world-class cuisine, the thrill of new friendships, and the chance to reclaim joy which just might lead to profound changes to her own life.

Arden Wells has a background with food and wine which is evident in the veritable love letter to fine dining that permeates the novel. Cassie, as a character was a little "wooden." I would have loved to see more character development with her and more background in her relationship with James to fully comprehend the significance of her loss.

Ending resolutions of the novel were a little too rushed and some key points were left unresolved to my disappointment. (I'm being purposefully vague to avoid spoilers).

This novel is a fun journey that I would have loved to be taken a few steps further to truly achieve the emotional resonance it was aiming towards.

Eat Post Like is a heartfelt and uplifting debut that blends self-discovery, resilience, and the universal comfort of food into a beautifully written journey.

Cassie Brooks has spent years chasing success at a top New York law firm, content with the demanding hours and the steady presence of her boyfriend, James. But when James tragically passes away, her world is shattered. In the midst of her grief, she stumbles upon his biggest secret—he was the anonymous force behind the city's hottest foodie account. What’s more, he had plans to include Cassie in his culinary adventures.

What starts as a simple attempt to honor James’s memory soon turns into an unexpected adventure. Cassie finds herself stepping out of her rigid, career-driven life and into a world of flavors, travel, and personal reinvention. From indulging in exquisite pasta in Italy to exploring Parisian cafés, she slowly rediscovers joy—but with a new secret identity and a growing following, she faces the challenge of balancing her past, present, and future.

This novel is equal parts poignant and inspiring, with mouthwatering descriptions of food and a touching exploration of love, loss, and second chances. Cassie’s journey of healing and self-discovery made for an engaging and rewarding read. If you love stories about finding purpose after heartbreak—with a side of delicious cuisine—Eat Post Like is a must-read and I cant wait to buy the book!

Cassie has just lost her long term boyfriend when she discovers he has a whole life as a food influencer. She does end up mimicking and eventually taking over the roll for herself.

Here's the thing, I adored the book. It was emotional in all of the right spots. I loved the way the food and the tour of the world was laid out. It felt like I was there getting to experience it myself.

I wish the side characters were fleshed out a little bit more. But overall, I loved the book.

Thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the ARC.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I just finished reading Eat Post Like by Emily Arden Wells, and I’m still buzzing from the experience. The novel follows Cassie Brooks—a lawyer whose world is turned upside down after her boyfriend’s sudden death. What really grabbed me was how Cassie’s journey into her boyfriend’s secret food blogging life became a pathway to healing and self-discovery.

Wells’ writing is immersive; her vivid descriptions of New York and Paris almost make you taste the city’s flavors. Although I felt some of the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, the emotional depth and raw honesty in Cassie’s journey more than made up for it. If you’re into stories where food meets healing and adventure, this one’s a must-read.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced reader copy in exchange for honest feedback.

Eat Post Like is (obviously) a take on Eat Pray Love, but severely lacks the heart it should draw from the inspiring source. The concept is cheesy without much room for redemption, and the romance is sweet albeit boring.

Thanks so much to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the eArc!

3.5 stars

I really did like this one - though a few things took me out of it. As someone who does social media for a living, I found it hard to read about the mistakes Cassie made with her account(s) throughout the book. It was a little frustrating and I wanted to shake her and say “get it together!” because so many of her problems were caused by her own carelessness. Additionally, I found it kind of hard to believe that team who hired Cassie wouldn’t have done a bit more research on who she was leading up to the trip. It seemed a little improbable to me!

Now for what was super appealing - the descriptive and vivid imagery of food, fashion, and travel. I think the writing style is approachable, fresh, and fun, and it felt like talking to a close friend or hanging out to catch up with a coworker. I felt Cassie’s frustration with her job, her pain in her loss, and her anxiety while traveling and exploring places/her new career for the first time. I rooted for her to find her way through to the other side of it all and found the ending to be a fun way to close it out.

I’d definitely read more by Emily Arden Wells! She has a voice made for the contemporary romcom or travel fiction novel. I look forward to seeing what she does next.