I devoured this love story about struggling chef Lou and snobby but endearing food critic Al. Being from the Midwest, I especially enjoyed the regional food references and Milwaukee landmarks sprinkled throughout the novel like the the perfect amount of seasoning. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a fun, satisfying read.

Did not receive/read in time due to technical error on kindle/tablet. Not having left feedback has due to error has impacted my shelves. Leaving 4 stars.

This book had great reviews, and I really wanted to like it. I just couldn't. It was predictable and trite and included way too many paragraphs describing food. I've been ready to move on to my next book for a while.

Note: clearing old books from before 2019

Did not have time to read this book - still on my TBR. Thank you for the opportunity and my apologies for not getting to it.

Reviewed years ago on Amazon and my website, and just forgot to upload it to netgalley! Trying to get everything up to date with older books.

I am so sorry, but this book just wasn't for me. It had a great premise, but unfortunately, it fell just short for me. I was not able to finish the book. I am not using NetGalley’s DNF feature as it negatively affects reviewers.

Lou works hard to make her restaurant, Luella's a success, but balancing a career and a personal life can be difficult for anyone let alone a chef like Lou with a demanding fiance who would rather she give up her business entirely to cater to his needs as an up and coming lawyer. When she finds him cheating on her, she heads back to Luella's for the dinner shift. Lou's heart is broken and her mind isn't in her kitchen and little does she know the town's premier review chose this night to review her restaurant. Al, is a journalist and looking for his way out of Milwaukee. On the worst night of Lou's life, he receives a tip to review her restaurant. After a scorching review, these two strangers meet in a bar and thus begins a friendship that turns to romance. But when they find out the truth, will they be able to move beyond their past?

This quirky romance will appeal to foodies and people who like their romances conflicted. In some ways this book reminded me of a Hallmark Movie, where the viewer knows everything the characters are hiding, and you wait for the big reveal. With this novel, the readers can't help but fall in love with food, Milwaukee, and the charming protagonists Lou and Al. We want their romance to succeed because the two bring out the best in each other. This buildup is slow, but it is worth the wait and we hold our breaths anxiously to find out how everything will turn out. I loved how Lou introduces Al to her city and how the city itself becomes an integral part of the story. The characters in this novel, even the side characters, are well developed and believable. You really want to hang out with these people in Luella's. This really is a charming read. (Recommend it to readers who like chefs, food, local destinations, and romance.)

This is a story about new beginnings and second chances. When Lou dumps her fiancee for cheating on her (although he was not a good man for her, he wanted a housemaid and cook), she falls apart. Her friends at her new restaurant convince her to take the night off. While they are all distracted, the newest food critic, visits the restaurant and writes a scathing review which causes her restaurant to lose almost all its business. She meets a young man while drowning her sorrows and he convinces her that she should show him what is good about Milwaukee. Of course, Lou and Al fall in love over time, but is their feeling for one another enough when she finds out his true identity.

I have never been to Milwaukee but this book does a great job of describing the city that I may have to visit in the near future, of course not in the winter. There is also a side story about an older couple who are regulars at the restaurant and become like family to Lou and her employees, that is also very sweet but sad. If you like sweet romances filled with cooking, food, and fun, you will enjoy The Coincidence of the Coconut Cake.

Just an Ok read for me. I don't know what I was expecting, but it was a little dry for me....

This was a fun and fluffy summer read. Not my favorite, but a good read nonetheless.

Thank you for the opportunity read and review this title! I didn't enjoy it as much as I"d hoped, and rather than post a negative review, I chose to not feature it on my blog. I look forward to seeing what new releases you have in store!