Calling all foodies, wanderlusts and workaholics this book is for you! I was very surprised so many people have this as a DNF because I really enjoyed this book. While I would not consider this a romance, as it is a much more emotional and deeper novel about tragedy, grief and growth. I can also see this becoming a big beach read this summer. This book seriously had me thinking that quitting my job as a lawyer, and traveling the world to become an amateur food critic influencer is possible.

When workaholic Cassie's long time and ever waiting boyfriend James dies, (and she discovers he was leading a double life as an accountant and anonymous food critic), it forces her to re-evaluate her life. The book follows Cassie through her grief over James and becoming a food critic influencer as a way to connect with James after his death.

Although the attention to detail of the food and wine was incredible, and the characters so well portrayed that I could actually picture them, I think I would have liked to have seen a little more of their stories. I felt at times the characters were just plot fillers, when they were actually helping Cassie take a look at her life. Overall, I definitely will be recommending this book!

*Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC*

Thank you for giving me the ARC. I really enjoyed Cassie’s story. I feel as though Cassie learned a lot about herself throughout the story and that is something people can both relate to and learn from. If you are someone who loves food/drinks and reading, this is the book for you. Some of the food descriptions were a bit lengthy for my taste/knowledge, but I did love learning about food and culture. This book really made me hungry!

Wanted to give this one a shot, but unfortunately it falls into the cute cover, cheesy plot category. An Emily in Paris type read. Not my style but could be for someone else!

When workaholic Cassie's long term boyfriend dies suddenly, she unearths his hidden persona as an anonymous and trending instagram food critic. As her life is upended, she takes a sabbatical and steps into James' role on a European food critic tour.

This was a decent novel for someone looking to read about a journey of grief and self-discovery. However, it falls short as a romance.

It didn't seem like Cassie liked James very much, let alone loved him. She does acknowledge the fact she was a poor partner, but honestly seemed like she had a better connection with other characters. Most of the story was spent over his grief of him and how much she loved him, which didn't seem to work for me.

It also just didn't seem like she was prepared or thinking logically ever. She skipped reading the itinerary entirely? This seemed unbelievable for a lawyer. She also didn't seem to think through reposting her new account to get more followers.

I also just didn't find it realistic that David would forgive her so easily after expressing so much anger throughout the whole novel. It also didn't seem realistic how easily she jumped into the food critic world, especially as (see above) she was so woefully unprepared. I wasn't a huge fan of the vague ending, either. It summed up the whole book, though. I was just left wanting more answers.

The descriptions of the food and wine were beautiful, however, and this book would be great for any foodie.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager & NetGalley for this ARC. All views and opinions are my own

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this arc!
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!

I saw alot of readers had DNF this book, but I held on. Not because of anything but I am a foodie myself, so the detailed descriptions of food, locale, scenes, that all made sense to me. Which to alot of readers who are not interested in reading or are writing food blogs, who are looking for a light read; this, to them, is not it.

Let's talk about the book. Cassie is this burnt out lawyers and worked herself to the bones for no recognition, and no life even though she has this awesome boyfriend (James), whom she thinks he's an accountant. Sounded great on paper, right? One of them is a lawyer the other is an accountant, they just needed white picket fences outside of Long Island, and that's the picture perfect life. BUT! Cassie is willing to sacrifice time spent with James, and not willing to side-step her job --- there's a reason. She knew he wasn't THE ONE. But guess what, fate had other plans. James dies in an unexpected car accident, and she realized he's not who he said he is. We see Cassie go thru the grieving process, and kept in that pit of grief with James best friend David who is as shallow as they come.

Thru James' hidden life she found out and felt betrayed. Then lightbulb goes off, what if she slip into that and be someone else for a while. So, let's put a pin in that. Here's several points I take issues: 1, being a food critic/food writer is not something that a person can jump into. I myself write for myself for entertainment, I do have to research, do some homework. My writing is not in depth like a piece you see in magazines, but for a lawyer who is used to writing briefs, being a writer is a 180 switch. The author made it sound like it's a hop, skip, and a jump. It would've been more believable if Cassie was a writer of another interest/genre to begin with. Second, if you've been with someone for that long, how does she not know her boyfriend's profession? Mind you, they went to an award together, what if he won it? That one I really have to poke holes at it. Now I appreciated that the author pointed out how she wanted to do a good job and learn how to take better photos, and what voice the article should be pieced in, show growth and distract herself from grieve. Third, for someone who grieved as described, the more she talks about it, the more she revealed, that's just felt disingenuous. Seems like she's truly grieving the fact that she was betrayed and there's no recourse, than for the man she loved, which by the way, you don't get that sense as you continue on with the book. Fourth thing I take issue, the best friend. He is kinda creepy, and he wanted to defend the best friend's work and all that, he would call, texted, DM and the author drips us with that. But the confrontation was anti-climatic at best. Her reaction was cowardice and not-level headed. For a practicing lawyer who wants to make partner, she did not use those skills into good use. Made the story hard to sympathize.

After looking up the author, I realized why the writing style the way it is. She used to be a food writer herself, no wonder the details of the food is so smooth and flowed beautifully. The rest of the story did came together, and I do love the travel companions, Rebecca, Ben, Eamons and even Kelly. They are the very definition of Motley Crew, but they are all good people, which at that time of her realization/transition, they are a good group to be surrounding. They are also generous in sharing their knowledge, which as. you know, that's not realistic ever.

It is not all bad, I will say, the notes of all the world's top notch restaurants were phenomenal, you do feel like you're getting to take a seat at those tables. Of course, that would also mean, the book dates itself because those restaurants are top notch now, won't be for long as more chef and restaurants comes on scene. I really appreciated Eamon as the rebound guy, but I think for as much as Cassie grieved James, I would've like to know him more too, seeing how he obviously loves Cassie more than she loved him.

Thanks NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. I think this is a very mixed review for me on this one. I liked the foodie part because I am one. While the pacing is good, the characters aren't fully flushed. The side characters with lesser roles seems more clear than the main one. The mystery of the best friend could've been done better, it was kinda disappointing when we arrived there. Like how can a guy who's not in the industry just randomly go to the events, they pretty much addressed it because he had money. That's a comp out, could be flushed out better.

This novel was such a delight to read. The plot was well-conceived and well-paced. The characters were, for the most part, developed and engaging. Cassie's journey of self-discovery unfolded quite believably. What truly drew me in were the author's magnificent descriptions of setting and food. Settings were beautifully drawn without being overly so, leaving me feeling as though I were alongside the main character as she traveled. The food descriptions were on par with or exceeded those of chefs on television or food critics in print. I could picture and almost smell the offerings at each meal. I look forward to the author's next novel. Well done.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

This read was full of growth. I loved the wittiness, the handle on grief, the food aspects. Good read.

Absolutely adorable. New age, fun, light and airy. Cassie had real solid love. Until she didn’t. This story of her finding her way through a dark time makes you want to get out there and eat, drink and be merry. Elusive enough to have a sequel, final enough to feel satisfied. Hard to not start critiquing every meal you have while reading. Social media star? Sure why not

Who doesn’t dream of starting life over and fixing mistakes you’ve made? When Cassie’s boyfriend James dies in a car accident, Cassie learns things about him that has her put her current life on pause and follow James’ life. Overall a great book and a great first novel. Thanks NetGalley for an ARC.

When Cassie's boyfriend dies in a horrible car accident, she discovers that he had been deceiving her. He had a completely different identity--one that she had no idea existed. Her first instincts were that he was involved in criminal activity, but it turns out he was doing something far more intriguing. Not only that, she decides to adopt his persona as well. Ditching her excruciatingly boring job as a lawyer, she goes on a European adventure that one could only hope of ever having. It was a fun ride.

"Eat Post Like" is a fun book to read, particularly if a reader is a foodie, a cook, or a restaurant critic. I do not recommend this book to anyone who is on a diet because the descriptions of all the food are just too tempting.

I loved this book! I am in culinary school so I really appreciate the food aspect of this book. And I really enjoyed reading this book and the romance!

Eat Post Like
By Emily Arden Wells
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book caught my eye because it seemed to center around social media. When I realized that it was food review I thought oh this will be fun. She went into a lot of detail about the food. I have seen others complain about that but I enjoyed it.

This book starts with her being a workaholic and not really enjoying her job anymore. When she loses her boyfriend and discovers his secret this is her chance to make a big change in her life.

There was a lot of time spent in the “middle” and I would have liked to spend more time getting involved in either relationship. At the beginning with the boyfriend or towards the end with the new love interest.

She touches on grief beautifully, I really felt for her.

Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I found it to be incredible clever and witty. I love the banter within the book and the adventure of self discovery that the heroine goes on. Very inspiring -an excellent must-read!

The basis of the plot sounded like it could be fun. Unfortunately...

Cassie is a very unlikable character with no personality (but for some reason everyone around her loves her). We're repeatedly told that she's so hardworking - yet she couldn't be bothered to read the itinerary for her trip-of-a-lifetime to review the best restaurants across Europe. We're also told she loved her boyfriend, but she seemed to barely tolerate him in their scenes together, and knew absolutely nothing about what was clearly his passion. And when she has conversations with people, they'll give her paragraphs of life story and advice, and she will respond with "noted", or maybe "isn't that the truth". What?

All the other characters are flat and apparently only exist to tell Cassie she's great.

And the amount of description is so excessive. Not just the food descriptions - the color of the carpet in the hotel lobby, the length of some lady's bob... It was way too much.

I enjoyed this book throughly. I finished it in one day! I loved the idea of your never too late to find your purpose. I was not sure what to expect from the book, it seemed like it was going to be one thing, then it pivoted. I love love learning about the food aspect of the book! As someone who loves cooking shoes such as the bear, it was very enjoyable.

Overall, I think it is a fun and cute story. Would recommend.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/218431675

I was awarded a NetGalley ARC from publisher Avon/Harper Voyager in exchange for my honest review.

This book certainly transported me to a world I don't live in. One of luxurious travel and dining experiences, to places I can only dream of visiting someday. I am NOT a foodie. I have a basic midwestern palette. I have never eaten at a fancy, much less starred restaurant. I had no clue what 90% of the food descriptions were about and honestly, some of them terrified me. But part of what I enjoyed was living vicariously in a world I may never experience. I also love a book about transformation, discovering your true passion and calling, being brave, and taking a chance at scary change. On those levels, this book hit the mark for me.

I would have liked to have been a bit more connected and invested in the characters. It was a good, enjoyable book but I didn't feel completely immersed. I could understand the perspective of the characters and what she was trying to portray, but I would have liked a bit deeper connection and emotion. While there was romance in the story, I definitely wouldn't classify it as a romance genre. It's more of a fiction book with a hint of romance. I prefer a deeper, bolder love story. I would say the ending fell a bit flat for me. Lots of lead-up, some drama, and then poof...done.

Overall, I found this book enjoyable, adequately written, and a journey - 4 stars. I will be recommending this book to others. Well done for a debut novel. I look forward to watching this author grow in the future.

Come follow Cassie on an adventure of a lifetime!

This book was chock full of travel, life lessons, and delicious food. The author has a way of describing restaurants and dishes that makes me feel as if I’m really there. My stomach growled while reading!

Eat Post Like proves that there can be optimism in even the darkest of times. Food, friendship, and a new lover can turn a life around when they need it the most.

4/5

Okay, I’m looking around for someone that believes in any chemistry, because it didn’t come from this book LOLOLOL.

Okay so Cassie “has it all figured out” - think in five years. She is trying to be partner at a law firm (but tbh it sounds like she does a lot of clerical work) and has a handsome long term boyfriend. Here’s where it falls apart for me: we spend the first few chapters reading about Cassie and how shes not sure AFTER TWO YEARS if she’s feeling her long term relationship here. She is real wishy-washy with James and is like “yes please take me to this dinner party but I’ll leave around 10 if my boss calls.” 🚩

So then her guy dies in a random accident and shes upset, rightfully so - but she spends the rest of the book lamenting her loss, being really in her feelings about it (but also like banging this guy on the side), and it just doesn’t feel like she really liked him in the beginning so whyyyy are we spending all this time about how he was the love of her life?! There’s more to it, but for fans of the romance I don’t want to spoil it! All in all, I slogged through this book and was just counting down to the last page.

This book captures grief so perfectly that I often caught myself crying, deeply sympathizing with Cassie as I reflected on my own experiences with loss. While the beginning—when she takes over James’ account—felt a bit slow, the story truly picks up once she embarks on her journey.

I wish there had been more dialogue, as it kept me wanting to dig deeper into the characters. Some parts felt a bit repetitive, and I think the story might have been even more engaging if it had been written in first person.

I found it poetic that Cassie created her Instagram account and structured her reviews as letters to James, mirroring how he once wrote notes about her in his journals. James and Cassie clearly loved each other, but her relationship with her job ultimately strained their bond. They loved deeply in their own ways, but their relationship had grown monotonous. For someone like James—organized and structured—monotony felt stifling. He wanted to live fully with Cassie, to explore and experience life together.

Her relationship with Eamon, on the other hand, felt refreshing. It highlighted what she had been missing with James: praise and adoration. That doesn’t mean James didn’t love her; she just didn’t realize what she truly needed until she experienced it with Eamon.

Rebecca was my favorite character by far, and I loved every scene she was in!

As for the ending, it was a bit underwhelming. It’s open to interpretation, which works for some, but I would have preferred more closure.

Thank you, NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager, for the ARC!