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Hungry for Love #1
Hungry for Love
The last thing Ethan Fitzpatrick expects when he signs up for a dating show for chefs is to actually find love. But he’ll do anything to save his family’s pub, even if it means pairing up with his ex-best friend. What could possibly go wrong?
Siobhan Nelson has a lot to prove—to her family, but mostly to herself. She’s ready to take her pop-up kitchen to the next level, and winning the cash prize is just what she needs to do it. Falling in love wouldn't hurt either, but it seems off the table when she discovers her partner is the former friend who ghosted her years ago.
With more than just cash on the line, Ethan and Siobhan must convince the world they’re falling in love. As family secrets boil over and the heat rises in the kitchen, lines blur between reality and Reality TV—and love might just be on the menu.
Hungry for Love is an open door rom-com intended for readers 18+
Siobhan Nelson has a lot to prove—to her family, but mostly to herself. She’s ready to take her pop-up kitchen to the next level, and winning the cash prize is just what she needs to do it. Falling in love wouldn't hurt either, but it seems off the table when she discovers her partner is the former friend who ghosted her years ago.
With more than just cash on the line, Ethan and Siobhan must convince the world they’re falling in love. As family secrets boil over and the heat rises in the kitchen, lines blur between reality and Reality TV—and love might just be on the menu.
Hungry for Love is an open door rom-com intended for readers 18+
386 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2023
29 people are currently reading
243 people want to read
About the author
Liz Zerkel
11 books23 followersLIZ ZERKEL writes romance filled with humor, heart, and spice. She is also a podcaster with various shows, including Dick of the Week, where she and her co-host discuss everything they love (and sometimes hate) about romance.
When not behind the keyboard or microphone, she can be found reading, daydreaming about her next camping trip, or finding her new favorite restaurant to try. She lives in St. Louis with her comedian husband and two black cats, Phantom Cat and Shelley. You can find out more at lizzerkel.com.
When not behind the keyboard or microphone, she can be found reading, daydreaming about her next camping trip, or finding her new favorite restaurant to try. She lives in St. Louis with her comedian husband and two black cats, Phantom Cat and Shelley. You can find out more at lizzerkel.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 21, 2024
4⭐|3🌶|2💞
Take
💍 Married at First Sight (except for the marriage)
🤵♂️ The Bachelor (but not just one guy with many women)
🏝️ Love Island (but without the switching)
👨🍳 Top Chef
🎶 West Side Story (without the singing)
As I said, mix them all together and you will get Hungry for Love 😁 A new reality TV show where 16 cooks (8 men and 8 women) are coupled to find love and win the cooking competition.
Sounds easy, right? But Ethan and Siobhan are former childhood best friends until their families started a family feud.
This book has a lot of action. Some couples are so cute, others aren't just the right for each other.
Ethan is such a wonderful man. He is such a sensitive guy. He isn't too much man to not show feelings. I love that.
Siobhan is a strong woman who knows what she wants. But to pair with the enemy to win a match-making cooking reality TV show?
I don't think I'll say too much when I say it was very funny but also emotional to read how they found her happily ever after. But also to read about the other couples.
As a German, it was so funny to read about Siobhan cooking a German dish 😁 No, I don't say what it is... And for all the Irish people, they will love to read all the Irish dishes she and Ethan make. It's very interesting.
I'm excited to meet a few (or all?) again in the next book 🤩
Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...
Take
💍 Married at First Sight (except for the marriage)
🤵♂️ The Bachelor (but not just one guy with many women)
🏝️ Love Island (but without the switching)
👨🍳 Top Chef
🎶 West Side Story (without the singing)
As I said, mix them all together and you will get Hungry for Love 😁 A new reality TV show where 16 cooks (8 men and 8 women) are coupled to find love and win the cooking competition.
Sounds easy, right? But Ethan and Siobhan are former childhood best friends until their families started a family feud.
This book has a lot of action. Some couples are so cute, others aren't just the right for each other.
Ethan is such a wonderful man. He is such a sensitive guy. He isn't too much man to not show feelings. I love that.
Siobhan is a strong woman who knows what she wants. But to pair with the enemy to win a match-making cooking reality TV show?
I don't think I'll say too much when I say it was very funny but also emotional to read how they found her happily ever after. But also to read about the other couples.
As a German, it was so funny to read about Siobhan cooking a German dish 😁 No, I don't say what it is... And for all the Irish people, they will love to read all the Irish dishes she and Ethan make. It's very interesting.
I'm excited to meet a few (or all?) again in the next book 🤩
Follow me on IG for more
https://www.instagram.com/minnie.love...
June 1, 2023
This was such a great story. I’m relatively new to romance, but for me, this was a wonderfully grounded tale of love that’s accessible, realistic, and the recipes included all sound amazing! Gonna need the Hungry For Love Cookbook now!
Read
April 8, 2024I enjoyed this read! I love a dating reality show, plus Food Network is comfort TV - combine them? Done. Plus it’s set near where I’m living and I NEVER see the Midwest represented so, bonus points! I’m probably weird here but Mike and Zoe won me over before Ethan and Shiv (hey, like viewers of the show, probably)! Some comedic wit, little spice, plus capturing reality TV drama. 🙌🏻 I could read more in this story world for sure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2023
This book was utterly charming and perfectly spiced. (Yes, I’m hungry now)
Shiv and Ethan were great, even though Shiv had a serious butthead moment.
Plus, the supporting cast was great! Luc and Maeve supremacy!!! 😁
Shiv and Ethan were great, even though Shiv had a serious butthead moment.
Plus, the supporting cast was great! Luc and Maeve supremacy!!! 😁
July 17, 2024
my friend wrote this!
June 13, 2023
I really enjoyed this book! There were quite a few typos (spelling errors) but it didn't take to much away from the book. If you enjoy cheesy reality TV shows mixed with cooking.. you should love this! Some family drama, friends to lovers and just spicy enough to keep you going!
May 2, 2023
The romcom I needed this week
Books recipe includes
1 part food network-esque cooking show
1 part bachelor in paradise - esque dating show
A dash of feuding families
3 scopes of spice (🌶🌶🌶)
A dollop of 2nd chance romance
A few dashes of drama
Pressure cook romance under a televised game show
Final result a 5 star read!
I couldn’t help myself 🤣
Books recipe includes
1 part food network-esque cooking show
1 part bachelor in paradise - esque dating show
A dash of feuding families
3 scopes of spice (🌶🌶🌶)
A dollop of 2nd chance romance
A few dashes of drama
Pressure cook romance under a televised game show
Final result a 5 star read!
I couldn’t help myself 🤣
May 21, 2023
This was a very good book - well written, good pacing, with a cast full of interesting, well-drawn characters in addition to the two main characters. However, I'm giving this book 3 stars rather than the 4 stars that the high quality of the writing deserves. While the relationship between the two main characters developed well, and was believable and had depth, there were so many detailed sex scenes that I wanted to pull my hair out. There were multiple detailed sex scenes, with blow by blow (pun intended) descriptions of every single move, thrust, etc. The amount of steam a reader wants is obviously a personal preference, and mine is that I have no interest in these details, and it detracts from the story for me.
September 24, 2024
Love Island meets Chopped in this spicy, summer, reality TV romance!
3.75/5 stars, rounded up to four
Tropes: friends to enemies to lovers, HEA, fake dating, second chance, forced proximity, stuck together, fish out of water, reality TV show, the one that got away
This was the perfect fun and easy summer read. I was a little bit surprised to find out this was the author's debut, which is why I rounded up. The writing, particularly the dialogue, was really natural and the spicy scenes were hotttt without being over the top. Some typos and pacing issues took me out of the story a few times, but overall I can't really complain as a debut from an indie author.
I loved all of the characters, but I wished we got a bit more of Ethan and Siobhan's childhood relationship in flashbacks, because it did feel like sometimes the plot and the stakes were lacking. I'm not too hung up on that, though, because it had more plot than a lot of romance books do. It got more plot-focused towards the end, and that's when I really got invested in what was happening in the story and not just in their relationship.
I also like that the relationship felt real and wasn't this fairytale romance; they had ups and downs and real conversations. The spice was definitely spicing, and there was a really good build-up to the moment they actually got together, which made those scenes so much better.
I LOVED the inclusive of tweets from the outside world at the end of chapters. It really helped with the worldbuilding of the reality TV show.
Overall, I would definitely read more from this author. If you are looking for a quick and fun read with a really unique premise, definitely check it out! It says in the back that there are more books set in this same universe, so you can even read more about some of the characters we've already met in this book.
3.75/5 stars, rounded up to four
Tropes: friends to enemies to lovers, HEA, fake dating, second chance, forced proximity, stuck together, fish out of water, reality TV show, the one that got away
This was the perfect fun and easy summer read. I was a little bit surprised to find out this was the author's debut, which is why I rounded up. The writing, particularly the dialogue, was really natural and the spicy scenes were hotttt without being over the top. Some typos and pacing issues took me out of the story a few times, but overall I can't really complain as a debut from an indie author.
I loved all of the characters, but I wished we got a bit more of Ethan and Siobhan's childhood relationship in flashbacks, because it did feel like sometimes the plot and the stakes were lacking. I'm not too hung up on that, though, because it had more plot than a lot of romance books do. It got more plot-focused towards the end, and that's when I really got invested in what was happening in the story and not just in their relationship.
I also like that the relationship felt real and wasn't this fairytale romance; they had ups and downs and real conversations. The spice was definitely spicing, and there was a really good build-up to the moment they actually got together, which made those scenes so much better.
I LOVED the inclusive of tweets from the outside world at the end of chapters. It really helped with the worldbuilding of the reality TV show.
Overall, I would definitely read more from this author. If you are looking for a quick and fun read with a really unique premise, definitely check it out! It says in the back that there are more books set in this same universe, so you can even read more about some of the characters we've already met in this book.
May 29, 2024
Left me hungry for more
The reality show enthusiast adored the premise of this novel. Zerkel must be a reality show "Stan" as well because she nailed the plot. She wrote the twists and turns beautifully. It was so authentic I felt myself shouting "No!" When cast members were kicked off the show. And cheering for Bon and Ethan. The second chance romance was executed nicely. It's one of my favorite tropes so I read it often.
My only complaint was the spice. I don't think this book needed it at all. I would have much rather this have been a pure romance without erotica weaved into the plot. The plot and the characters were good. And I felt like the spice was added to appeal to the trends. Not because it enhanced their relationship. They could have just had heated moments and then faded to black.
But this is my preference.
All in all it was such a great read. I'm sad I'm done with it!
The reality show enthusiast adored the premise of this novel. Zerkel must be a reality show "Stan" as well because she nailed the plot. She wrote the twists and turns beautifully. It was so authentic I felt myself shouting "No!" When cast members were kicked off the show. And cheering for Bon and Ethan. The second chance romance was executed nicely. It's one of my favorite tropes so I read it often.
My only complaint was the spice. I don't think this book needed it at all. I would have much rather this have been a pure romance without erotica weaved into the plot. The plot and the characters were good. And I felt like the spice was added to appeal to the trends. Not because it enhanced their relationship. They could have just had heated moments and then faded to black.
But this is my preference.
All in all it was such a great read. I'm sad I'm done with it!
April 27, 2025
As someone who loves reality shows, I absolutely adored this book! I enjoyed how it was a combination of Love Island and the kind of cooking competitions that you’d find on Food Network.
The history that extends between Ethan and Siobhan with their families being long-time friends turned rivals adds a really great level of tension and drama to the story. There are so many secrets that get revealed as the book carries on and dives deeper into the past while also highlighting the potential future being built between the two main characters.
I really enjoyed the banter from all the characters and the friendships that they built. I wish we saw a little more of the friendships that existed in the house as well as the relationship between the other couples but I get that they aren’t the main focus of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book if you’re a big fan of reality shows, the childhood friends to lovers trope and the second chance romance trope!
The history that extends between Ethan and Siobhan with their families being long-time friends turned rivals adds a really great level of tension and drama to the story. There are so many secrets that get revealed as the book carries on and dives deeper into the past while also highlighting the potential future being built between the two main characters.
I really enjoyed the banter from all the characters and the friendships that they built. I wish we saw a little more of the friendships that existed in the house as well as the relationship between the other couples but I get that they aren’t the main focus of the story.
Overall I would definitely recommend this book if you’re a big fan of reality shows, the childhood friends to lovers trope and the second chance romance trope!
August 27, 2025
⭐4.75 🌶️3/5
Reading this book felt like binge-watching a reality show, I totally devoured it (pun 100% intended) and now I regret not picking it up way sooner.
Siobhan and Ethan don’t have the smoothest start, but right from the start you could feel the tension and all those pent-up feelings that had been building up for years.
Obviously there's a lot of food and a lot of drama in perfect balance. I really liked that the book also focuses a lot on strong friendships. And the spice is immaculate, it’s been a while since I’ve read a romcom with THIS many scenes, and I was literally dying at every single one 🥵.
Third-act breakups don't usually bother me, on the contrary, I like them because they give depth to the protagonists' relationship, but this one bothered me quite a bit and that's why it's not a 5⭐. I feel like it was a very messed-up situation to be resolved so quickly. But still, I liked how it ended.
Reading this book felt like binge-watching a reality show, I totally devoured it (pun 100% intended) and now I regret not picking it up way sooner.
Siobhan and Ethan don’t have the smoothest start, but right from the start you could feel the tension and all those pent-up feelings that had been building up for years.
Obviously there's a lot of food and a lot of drama in perfect balance. I really liked that the book also focuses a lot on strong friendships. And the spice is immaculate, it’s been a while since I’ve read a romcom with THIS many scenes, and I was literally dying at every single one 🥵.
Third-act breakups don't usually bother me, on the contrary, I like them because they give depth to the protagonists' relationship, but this one bothered me quite a bit and that's why it's not a 5⭐. I feel like it was a very messed-up situation to be resolved so quickly. But still, I liked how it ended.
May 9, 2025
Can a game show change your life forever?
A family fued
A cooking show
And 8 couples to cook and fall in love
When Siobhan and Ethan both entered to be on a new cooking show, Hungry For Love, they never knew the other entered...
Both their families have been fighting for years after they co-owned a restaurant and split ties. Their families became enemies, and the two hadn't talked since their teens.
Now, they are reunited on the show and are forced to work together.
Can used to be best friends, recreate that friendship, and find more?
This was a sweet book that I truly enjoyed. Just enough spice for this type of book.
A family fued
A cooking show
And 8 couples to cook and fall in love
When Siobhan and Ethan both entered to be on a new cooking show, Hungry For Love, they never knew the other entered...
Both their families have been fighting for years after they co-owned a restaurant and split ties. Their families became enemies, and the two hadn't talked since their teens.
Now, they are reunited on the show and are forced to work together.
Can used to be best friends, recreate that friendship, and find more?
This was a sweet book that I truly enjoyed. Just enough spice for this type of book.
January 12, 2026
This book is a delightful mix of a find-your-true-love reality show and Chopped. Our MCs, Ethan and Siobhan, both sign up to go on a reality TV show (Hungry for Love) where they get paired up randomly to compete and the winning couple walks away with $100k. Plot twist: they already know each other, were childhood best friends, and their families despise each other.
I really adored this book. It had the extra bits of drama you'd expect from reality TV, a whole bunch of cooking challenges, the bonding of all the people who are living in this house together, and a lovely dash of spice. I enjoyed Liz Zerkel's writing and hope to read more from her in the future.
I really adored this book. It had the extra bits of drama you'd expect from reality TV, a whole bunch of cooking challenges, the bonding of all the people who are living in this house together, and a lovely dash of spice. I enjoyed Liz Zerkel's writing and hope to read more from her in the future.
May 2, 2024
Married at first sight meets Love Island meets MasterChef but in book form.
Childhood best friends to enemies to lovers.
A quick, fun read, but I just don’t know if reality TV works that well in book form. The best thing about reality TV is all the trashy drama and we didn’t get that much of that. Also Ethan and Shiv were enemies one minute and then lovers the next all before the 50% mark. I think I wanted a slightly more slow burn for their romance and to see the journey of them falling in love with each other again. But overall an enjoyable read and Ethan was a pretty cute love interest
Childhood best friends to enemies to lovers.
A quick, fun read, but I just don’t know if reality TV works that well in book form. The best thing about reality TV is all the trashy drama and we didn’t get that much of that. Also Ethan and Shiv were enemies one minute and then lovers the next all before the 50% mark. I think I wanted a slightly more slow burn for their romance and to see the journey of them falling in love with each other again. But overall an enjoyable read and Ethan was a pretty cute love interest
April 19, 2023
Y’all my friend wrote a book and you need to go read it! If you’re fans of Food Network, Love Island, friends to enemies to lovers, this book is for you. This is how I want to experience reality tv from now on.
When in Rome meets A Guide to Just Being Friends but put it on a tropical island with cameras for extra drama and angst. Liz set this up perfectly to continue exploring new stories with current characters and I cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
When in Rome meets A Guide to Just Being Friends but put it on a tropical island with cameras for extra drama and angst. Liz set this up perfectly to continue exploring new stories with current characters and I cant wait to see what she comes up with next!
November 16, 2023
Wow! This book was so good! The writing was superb. It was an easy read with lots of giggles, a bit of angst, and some hot spicy time. I loved the idea of a cooking match maker show. The characters were excellent. I easily fell in love with them. This includes the side characters. They pull at your heart strings!
If your looking for a cute, sweet romance that will make you giggle, this is definitely a book you will want to read.
If your looking for a cute, sweet romance that will make you giggle, this is definitely a book you will want to read.
April 9, 2024
So sweet!
This was such a great mix of reality tv and a book. I really liked how it was set up, and I loved watching them realize that they were actually really good for each other. The family stuff was an added bonus to the classic reality tv drama, but seeing the behind the scenes really made it for me I think. This was so sweet, and one of the greatest second chance romances I've read in a while!
This was such a great mix of reality tv and a book. I really liked how it was set up, and I loved watching them realize that they were actually really good for each other. The family stuff was an added bonus to the classic reality tv drama, but seeing the behind the scenes really made it for me I think. This was so sweet, and one of the greatest second chance romances I've read in a while!
July 28, 2025
Great book for reality tv lovers!
Rating 4.5 ⭐️
I don’t even remember how I found this book but I am so glad I did! It’s like if Love Island and Top Chef had a baby. I loved Shiv and Ethan together- lots of witty banter and chemistry between them! Had to knock off half a star for not putting which characters POV was happening at the start of the chapters so I got a little confused sometimes. Otherwise it was perfect!
Rating 4.5 ⭐️
I don’t even remember how I found this book but I am so glad I did! It’s like if Love Island and Top Chef had a baby. I loved Shiv and Ethan together- lots of witty banter and chemistry between them! Had to knock off half a star for not putting which characters POV was happening at the start of the chapters so I got a little confused sometimes. Otherwise it was perfect!
October 6, 2023
This delightful, delicious, and decadent romcom was exactly what I needed. The characters were fun and were the only thing standing in the way of their own happiness. If you like romance as well as cooking competition shows, dating shows, or reality TV in general, you're gonna love this book. Nice spice and of course an HEA.
January 25, 2024
What a delight!! I loved the concept for a reality show where you are not only cooking but falling in love. Childhood friends torn apart by family drama and forced together again? Heck yeah!
Lightly spicy, but had some moments that made me say "oh my!"
I laughed, I cried, I went home happy.
Really looking forward to reading more by Liz!
Lightly spicy, but had some moments that made me say "oh my!"
I laughed, I cried, I went home happy.
Really looking forward to reading more by Liz!
April 23, 2023
A wonderful and spicy debut novel!
I absolutely loved the dynamic between the main characters from the beginning. Enough drama to keep you engrossed, but nothing completely unbelievable (which I absolutely LOVE in a romance novel).
I absolutely loved the dynamic between the main characters from the beginning. Enough drama to keep you engrossed, but nothing completely unbelievable (which I absolutely LOVE in a romance novel).
April 28, 2023
a sweet, fun filled romance. Tropical location, amazing cooking skills (that made me so hungry!) and sexy MCs. Author's debut novel and she did a great job weaving a delicious story. only thing I didn't like was the third act breakup, but it fit the story well and she made it work!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
Effing Delightful!
This is one of the best, most clever, adorable romcoms I’ve ever read! And the perfect amount of heat, inside the kitchen and the bedroom! I laughed so many times, got choked up, and fanned myself! READ THIS BOOK!
This is one of the best, most clever, adorable romcoms I’ve ever read! And the perfect amount of heat, inside the kitchen and the bedroom! I laughed so many times, got choked up, and fanned myself! READ THIS BOOK!
July 22, 2023
I loved this book!! It would be a perfect show! Hope there is a season 2! There was arguments, love, competitions, and spice! This book kept me guessing at what would happen next and the ending was perfect!
October 15, 2023
SO. CUTE!!
I absolutely loved this book! I'm OBSESSED with cooking shows but I never really watch dating shows. Putting them together though? OMG I couldn't stop reading! Worth every amazing word!!
I absolutely loved this book! I'm OBSESSED with cooking shows but I never really watch dating shows. Putting them together though? OMG I couldn't stop reading! Worth every amazing word!!
May 7, 2023
This book was adorable! If you like reality competition
Shows and romance, this book is for you! Shiv and Ethan are great, and so are the secondary characters! I want more Luc and Maeve!
Shows and romance, this book is for you! Shiv and Ethan are great, and so are the secondary characters! I want more Luc and Maeve!
June 29, 2023
This book had the perfect mix of sweet and spicy! If you love cooking shows and reality tv dating, this book is perfect. The whole time it felt like I was watching a movie!!
October 2, 2024
The sweetest slow burn I've read! I love that the family dynamics and drama play a part and you get to see the emotions from that. Ethan is seriously the sweetest!
May 1, 2025
i loved the premise of this book but did not enjoy it as much as i’d hoped. i really feel like the chapters from ethan’s pov were unrealistic.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews