Unlikely Pairing

by Sylvia Grant

73 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2025

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely Pairing by Sylvia Grant is a sweet, light romantic novella about two very different people thrown together in a televised cooking competition who find that simmering attraction and shared laughter can transform initial discomfort into something tender and surprising. Sarah, a food critic weary of her reputation and hesitant to step far outside her comfort zone, finds herself teamed with Max, an enthusiastic and charismatic celebrity chef whose charm makes her both exasperated and quietly curious. As they navigate the heat of the competition and their own guarded feelings, moments in the kitchen teach them a great deal about trust, acceptance, and the delicious unpredictability of connection.

What captured my heart most was how cosy and sincere the story feels even in its brief span: Grant uses every page to gently build warmth between Sarah and Max, making their moments together feel playful, vulnerable, and genuine. I loved how the cooking backdrop wasn’t just a setting but a mirror for their growth, with dishes coming together in harmony as their personalities slowly find a rhythm with one another. Sarah’s initial anxiety about being out of her depth and Max’s easy confidence created such a delightful contrast, and I found myself smiling at the small breakthroughs when each let down their guard. Though the novella is on the shorter side at 68 pages, the emotional payoff felt satisfying and left me wishing I could spend even more time with these characters.

My rating: 4 out of 5 stars. I’m giving it four stars because it charmed me with its heartfelt chemistry and gentle sweetness, and while I always long for a bit more length in a romance this lovely, what it offers feels wonderfully complete and comforting.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Opposites Attract, Happiness Ensues -
Sarah was apprehensive about taking part in a televised cooking competition with Max, who has a bouncy personality, but she accepted the challenge even though it was out of her comfort zone. Max felt a pull towards Sarah from the moment he met her and tried everything to make her feeling comfortable, but her insecurities made her keep her guard up. However, Sarah realised after a few days that they seemed to be in sync with each other when they were cooking, so she started letting her guard down and accepted his invitation to spend time outside the show.

Unfortunately, a misunderstanding led to Sarah making a rash decision that caused chaos on the show, but Max found a solution to the situation, that helped settle her anxiety. Luckily, Max was able to convince Sarah to give them a chance at exploring their feelings after the show ended, which led to them having the chance at a happy future together. I am really glad I got to read this remarkable story, that had me hooked from the first page and kept me eagerly turning the pages until I reached the end. This is a new author for me and as I really enjoyable reading the her book, I will be very happy to recommend it.

I received a copy of this book free and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nadia Hemans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlikely Pairing by Sylvia Grant was such an enjoyable read! From the very beginning, the story drew me in with its engaging characters and the unique dynamic between them. I really liked how the relationship developed—there was just the right mix of tension, chemistry, and heartwarming moments that kept me turning the pages.
What stood out to me most was the author’s ability to balance romance with deeper character growth. The interactions felt natural, and I appreciated that the characters weren’t perfect; their flaws made them more relatable and believable. The pacing moved smoothly, never dragging, yet giving enough time for the story to breathe.
While I truly enjoyed the book, I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 simply because I wanted a little more depth in certain parts of the storyline. A few moments felt like they could have been explored further, but that didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment.
Overall, Unlikely Pairing was a delightful and satisfying read. If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance with engaging characters and a storyline that keeps you invested, this one is definitely worth picking up!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a short novella of 68 pages and good cleanser

Career blahs made me say yes to joining a cooking show. Now I’m stuck partnered with a flashy celebrity chef!

You know what they say? Nobody likes a critic. I’m a food critic, and years of dealing with chefs’ delicate egos have left a sour taste in my mouth. I’m done with being cast as the bad guy.

I thought this cooking show might be a chance to rekindle my love of food–and soften my reputation. They paired me with Chef Max Chandler, hoping our personalities would clash on live TV. They weren't wrong. With the timer ticking, I’m eager to get cooking, but Max is too busy juggling cutlery for his fans.

When Max finally realizes I'm way out of my comfort zone, he shows me a different side of him. And that unbelievable backstage kiss makes it hard for me to focus on finishing this competition.

I reach a boiling point when Max’s ex-girlfriend shows up on set. But I didn’t come on the show to get burned. I came to win.

[Sarah Hope · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, definitely a tad more spice and language than what my previous reads have featured, which is glaringly obvious in the few occurrences. Sarah teams up with Max on a televised cooking competition to help shake up her career options, waiting to branch out from being the Gavel of Gourmet; Max, meanwhile, is growing tired of being the clown-ish celebrity chef and wants a new direction for his career. Through banter and a lot of physical attraction, they end up discovering what the other wants and how their separate ideas can meld into one. Predictable happily ever after, yet I could have skipped the sorta open door to their chemistry.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Max and Sarah are paired up for a cooking competition. They each have reputations that precede them. They eventually let their guards down and really get to know each other better. They work really well in the kitchen together, each complementing the other with their knowledge and skills. This was a quick fun read, and I highly recommend it!

[Summan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was cute. Short and sweet with only like 56 pages. I loved the dynamic between Max and Sarah. It made me smile at multiple points. Filled with oohs and ahhs. They make a cute couple with the added bonus of him being a golden retriever who falls head over heels.

[LA FITCH · Rating 5 out of 5]

An entertaining story of a food critic finding her forever with a TV chef in a cooking competition. They banter their way through the show gradually showing their mutual attraction. A great page-turner.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lilly Guirguis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely pallets cleanser!

Nick and Sarah are so funny! 😂

And sweet!

Best quotes?! So many! 😂 I cannot pick just one in this novella!

[Annasarah Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. The only downside is I wanted more romance. I couldn’t get enough of Max and Sarah.

[Tallulah · Rating 5 out of 5]

short and sweet
left wanting more ♡

[Tiffany Farrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet! Not a lot of time for character development but I still enjoyed the characters and the story.