The ingredients are all here, Food Person makes my mouth waters with its detailed description of dishes, the New York food scene, the encyclopedic knowledge of cook books, as well as sprinkles of publishing musing—overall a very pleasant, charming reading experience.

It is in the plotting and characterization where traces of debut rough edges are still present: the balance between earnest drama and breezy comedy doesn't always feel dialed in, intense mental health issues seem to be resolved in the blink of an eye, and while the moments of levity are effective on their own, they sometimes clash tonally with what's surrounding them (the romance is so, so cute, but feels like it belongs in a totally different book). The protagonist is intentionally set up as a flawed individual, but the writing decision in certain scenes makes her character more frustrating and irrational than perhaps what the author has originally intended.

Food Person's highbrow cover art (which I love!) had me anticipating a biting, attitude-filled narrative in the flavor of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, but the story turns out to be more of a conventional dramedy similar to The Devil Wears Prada. Still, I had a good time reading it, and would be curious to see what fictional culinary adventure Adam Roberts will cook up next!

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC. I love food novels and thought this would be a love letter to food. While there are references to cooking, what grabbed my attention was the drama between friends, family, and a frenemy turned friend. Each character was complex and multifaceted with varying personalities. I’m interested to see if there’s a sequel. What happens to Isabella?

I found the main character to be very annoying and difficult to like. I stopped reading at 32% DNF.


*******************I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion.*************************

Isabella’s passion for food leaps off the page—her vivid musings are enough to make any reader’s mouth water. Yet, her struggles as a jobless food writer bring a relatable undercurrent to her otherwise enviable life steeped in gastronomy. Her sharp humor and neurotic tendencies make her endearing, even as she stumbles her way into a ghostwriting gig for Molly Babcock, a woman who couldn’t be more her opposite.

Molly is a train wreck in the best possible way—her chaos and indifference to food make her the perfect foil for Isabella’s disciplined obsession. What begins as a seemingly doomed partnership transforms into an unexpectedly heartfelt dynamic. Their clashing personalities and unlikely camaraderie make for delicious drama, spiced with laugh-out-loud moments and touching revelations.

The novel excels in its ability to balance humor and heart and its keen insight into the world of food writing, celebrity culture, and personal growth. The stakes feel real, the characters are multidimensional, and the tension builds toward an unpredictable but thoroughly satisfying conclusion.

This was a smart read that celebrated the messiness of creativity, the complexities of relationships, and the joy of food. I knew I would love it, and it did not disappoint.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Isabella just got fired but she stumbles upon an opportunity to ghostwrite a cookbook for a celebrity. Unfortunately, her client seems to hate cooking and food in general. Still, Isabella is determined to make the best of the situation and create a cookbook that she can be proud of (and if it gets her a James Beard win, even better!).

This was so much fun to read. The characters are an intriguing combination of delusional, likable, and annoying yet charming! Recommended for anyone interested in food writing, delicious meals, and a delightful story of finding your voice.

Thank you very much to Knopf and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I really liked this book! I would highly recommend this book if you like to watch cooking shows and even reality TV. It was entertaining and fun to read. I liked it!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

A behind the scenes story about food writers and cookbooks that celebs produce... fascinating topic. Roberts crafted a very entertaining book. I loved it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for the copy of Food Person by Adam Roberts. If you remember the heyday of food blogs about twenty years ago you might have read and loved The Amateur Gourmet, which is obviously where Roberts honed his writing skills. I loved how he brought his food expertise and humor to Isabella, and while she wasn’t likeable she was interesting and complicated. Then, about 50% through, I started to appreciate her relationship with food and started to like her despite her flaws. The first half of the book was funny, and the last half was more serious; in fact I might have shed a tear or two. You won’t be disappointed if you love great writing, an engaging, surprising story, and three-dimensional characters. You might even feel like revisiting some old food blogs. 5 stars

TBQH, I hate cooking and baking; I’m more of a frozen pizza person than a foodie. That being said, I cannot fully express just how much I enjoyed *Food Person* by Adam Roberts.

This novel is a fun, sarcastic comedy about two young women trying to get ahead. One is a foodie and a struggling writer, while the other, Molly, is an actress whose reckless past has made her a target for going viral, potentially jeopardizing her career. These two are like oil and water.

When Isabella lands a job to ghostwrite Molly’s cookbook and help relaunch her career, she hopes it will also launch her own. Thus begins a nightmarish but hilarious collaboration.

This novel is laugh-out-loud funny, but it also has a sincere vibe. Readers who enjoyed Alison Espach’s *The Wedding People*, Steven Rowley’s *The Guncle*, Samantha Allen’s *Roland Rogers Isn't Dead*, and Swan Huntley’s *I Want You More* may find this work appealing.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. You don’t have to be a foodie to appreciate this read. Thank you to Knopf and NetGalley for the ARC.