Between years of juggling multiple jobs and, more recently, her very own bunny colony, Chloe Garland is exhausted and, despite her best efforts, no closer to her goal of opening a gourmet, Southern cuisine restaurant. So when she lands an opportunity to work as a personal chef for a high profile client, Chloe eagerly signs the dotted lines of a lengthy NDA without reading the fine print, confident this will be her big break—until she learns that her new boss is not only her major Hollywood crush, but he’s been keeping a secret from the world that she’ll officially be responsible for.
Roman Rivers has portrayed adventurous characters for years, but the role of pseudo-dad to a feisty little girl—now teen—was one he never saw coming, especially at the height of his career. Though he’s managed to keep her out of the limelight, it’s come at a cost, which is why he decides to bring a woman into their world, hoping she’ll be a positive influence on the girl he’ll do anything for. But Roman never expected that woman to challenge everything he thought he knew about parenthood or to stir up a longing for a life more enticing than he’d ever imagined.
Cookin' up something sweet has never been this delicious... But they didn’t prep for romance on the menu.
B.R. Goodwin is a Georgia native, married to her college sweetheart, and the mother of three wild animal children she adores. When she isn’t writing Christian Fiction, she’s reading, hiking, bee-keeping, soccer mom-ing, homeschooling, or planning her family’s next big adventure while drinking copious amounts of tea and coffee.
Above all else, the heartbeat of everything she does in life, friendship, and writing is with an eye to sharing the Good News of salvation through Jesus Christ with everyone she meets.
She recently dove head & heart first into the contemporary rom-com genre and is having the time of her life cackling at her own jokes and dreaming up swoon-worthy storylines for her characters.
Couldn’t be more delicious. From a hopping beginning to a delectable end, this story was sweet and savory throughout. Goodwin’s classic banter and quick swoony romance were in full flavor and well seasoned. Topped with the sweetest, most authentic helping of faith, this dish was utter perfection!
I was so happy to beta read this one! This story was so great! It had all the funny and sweet moments. Roman is so good. He’s loyal and protective over his family. Chloe is hilarious! I laughed so much during this book. Roman is famous and Chloe gets hired on as his personal chef. I’m not a big fan of the famous movie star romance books but this one was so good! There were many faith themes throughout and I loved how Roman was very adamant about physical boundaries within their relationship. The movie premier where he walked her through everything and was by her side was so precious. I loved the text messages & contagious compliments too!!
Quotes ✨
And it’s that simple. I’m undone. I hold her precious face in my hands, thinking of how God has used this single woman to change so much in my life in such a short amount of time, and how I never want to go another day without her.
This woman has chosen love, every day since I met her. Because she was loved by Him—Jesus—first.
The exposure now may be a hiccup in how I live day to day, but it’s also a glaringly obvious message from the Lord telling me it’s time to step out and live boldly for Him in everything that I do.
You have got to be kidding me!!! Just when I think B.R.'s books can't get any better, she goes and knocks my socks off with this adorable, HILARIOUS Christian RomCom. To say that I'm obsessed with Chloe and Roman's love story would be an understatement. The small town feel, the dreamy love story, and the jokes kept me sucked in to the point where I had to force myself to stop reading some nights. B.R. Goodwin has such a gift for painting a beautiful picture, making you feel like you're literally watching a movie you never want to end. The worst part about the book is that it had to end. If you need me I'll be curled up in the corner with a book hangover, dreaming of the day her next RomCom is released.
Goodwin is one of my auto-read authors, and this one didn't disappoint. There were some moments that were so hilarious, my husband thought I was crazy I was laughing so hard. I love that it touched on foster care. The romance was adorable. A must read for romcom and sweet romance lovers.
absolutely swooning over this eARC by the fab B.R. Goodwin (which releases 9/8) 💖
GRITS & GLAMOR is book one of the #RomanceontheMenu series!
chosen family, bunnies, ice cream sundaes, contagious compliments + rogue pirates. what a delightful celeb romance with sprinkles of following God’s plan and placing your trust in him.
I laughed, I cried, I wanted to sample every meal that Chloe made.
I am so honored to have received an early copy of Chloe and Roman’s story and revisiting the lovely world that B.R. Goodwin has curated (we get to meet up with other characters from Sugartree and Honey Hill)!
make sure to preorder your copy and check out the awesome playlist that Goodwin made to go along with each chapter. 💖
AMAZING, FANTASTIC, SWEET, HILARIOUS…never wanted it to end. B. R. Goodwin does it again. Such an amazing author. Roman and Chloe’s story is everything and then some. I’ll probably write more later but you get the gist. Read this book, you won’t regret it!
"“I kept this warm for you. It’s my specialty. Sweet and savory grits.” “And probably includes a pool of butter,” I mutter, unable to help myself. “Now who’s being rude?” Livie holds her bowl of breakfast mush close to her body like she’s afraid I’ll snatch it out of her hands. I’m half tempted, but only because it smells so good. Far better than the lawn smoothie Chloe whipped up for me. “I think what my brother meant to say is”—Livie changes her voice to something gruff and low, in a terrible impersonation of me—“thanks for feeding my ward, Chloe. I haven’t cooked breakfast in years.” “No problem, girl. And he’s just grumpy because he spit out his food like a toddler.”
While Roman may have advertised for a personal chef, he really wanted someone to be a companion to his teenage sister. Even if her liberal use of butter at times makes health conscious Roman cringe, Chloe wins the hearts of everyone around her, including his. But is she strong enough to manage movie star status?
I have learned the hard way that I cannot read any books by this author late at night because I wake up my husband with my loud laughing. The book has so many hilarious parts, yet the heartfelt moments are equally as frequent. And the call to faith and the love of family is so prevalent.
B.R. Goodwin has officially become a must read author for me. I have read both books in her "Romance on the Menu" series and loved them. I'm hoping she has another book coming soon. In the meantime, you will find me catching up on her back list. Clearly I didn't start reading her books soon enough.
Grits and Glamor is a sweet, fun read with great characters, laugh-out-loud moments, text messages, teen angst, and bunnies. I enjoyed learning about Roman's backstory, yet there were a few surprises for him as he raises his teen sister Livvie, whom he met but didn't know existed when she was younger. Chloe was perfect not only for Livvie by encouraging and complimenting her but also for Roman.
She’s done it again!! Just when I think I can’t love her books anymore, Goodwin comes along and whips up this beauty! With a feisty and lovable FMC and a way too serious gorgeous MMC, the laughs just kept coming! The family dynamics added a fun twist to your typical romcom storyline! Cleverly written and obviously funny, you won’t be able to put this one down! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Bunnies, cooking, pirates, and fantastic arguments. Oh how I loved savoring every bite of Chloe and Roman in this lovely romance with just a sprinkle of spice. There were so many scenes that had me giggling and almost waking my sleeping husband next to me. 🤭B.R. Goodwin does it again! I will read everything that she creates. Her characters draw me in quickly and I try to read slowly so I don’t have to come to the end so quickly! Please give us more, B.R.! The readers crave more sweet reads!
I loved this book. The characters are absolutely amazing. You will find yourself laughing out loud swooning and falling in love with pirates and bunnies
“I don’t need a map, love…” If you know, you know! 😂🫠😍❤️ And if you don’t know, it means you need to read this book!!
Seriously, this was such a fun read! Like a happy little sweet treat in story form, and I could have gobbled it up in one sitting if I’d had the time for that. From the first chapter, I was giggling, laughing out loud, and gasping because of second-hand embarrassment on Chloe’s behalf 😂 And all three of those things continued throughout the book LOL! So cute, so fun, so swoon-worthy, faith-filled, and heartfelt, and a true contender for my “favorite reads list” this year. If you love a good rom-com, or if you’re just in the mood for a fun change from your usual reading fare, this book should be at the top of your list!
**I received a copy of this book from the author for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
The perfect blend of sweet romance, laugh out loud humor and strong faith--- all the things I have come to expect in a B.R. Goodwin novel... and this one was certainly no exception. Right from the start, I found myself laughing out loud at Chloe's rather unfortunate job interview... let's just say it involved a litter of bunnies! And yet, she managed to still score the job... which she later discovered was for her biggest celebrity crush- Roman Rivers... which brought on several more laugh out loud awkward moments throughout. Beyond that though, this story was also really sweet and tender, taking on topics like foster care and abandonment. I loved how deeply Roman cared about his sister Olivia and his family... and how perfectly Chloe managed to fit right into it. Olivia was such a fun character too with her lack of filter and that little hint of mischief she brought into the story. But mostly, I just loved Roman and Chloe together... they had great chemistry and banter and I just couldn't get enough of the two of them. If you love books with celebrity romance, a strong sense of found family, and that doesn't shy away from faith, this is one you won't want to miss! I loved it.
Grits and Glamor is a Christian closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. It is part of the Love on the Menu multi-author series and can be enjoyed as a standalone.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
BR Goodwin never fails to infuse her romcoms with a delightful combination of humor, faith, family, and romance. This one has all of those and a bag of bunnies. From the awkward meet-cute to the I-love-yous, the romance was so sweet. Chloe's bubbly personality was perfect for Roman's broodiness and I loved their banter over ice cream and grits. As with most celebrity romances, there was the moment where the paparazzi had to be dealt with and Roman did it in such a chivalrous way. I liked how he looked out for the interests of those he cared for. I loved seeing Chloe's sisters tease her endlessly about the relationship. They added vibrancy to the story. And Chloe's parents were excellent supporters when she needed it. It was also fun to see a few brief glimpses of characters from Sugartree and Honeyhill again. I really appreciated the emphasis on sharing the gospel. Both MCs are Christians in this story, but Roman, in his reclusiveness, doesn't talk to others about his faith. It was encouraging, to see him, with Chloe's help, learn that hiding away with his faith was not what God wanted him to do. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. If you like Christian romcoms, or if you'd like to try a new-to-you genre, I highly recommend you read this book!
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Christian Romance | Celebrity Romance | Found Family | Faith-filled & Uplifting
Wow. I loved Grits and Glamor by B.R. Goodwin so incredibly much! Every time I pick up one of her books, it immediately becomes my new favorite. 💜
This story had me laughing from page one (a certain bunny-filled job interview, anyone?) and smiling through all the awkwardly adorable moments as Chloe discovers her new boss is none other than her Hollywood crush—Roman Rivers. 🐰🎬 Their banter, chemistry, and undeniable connection made my heart so happy, while Roman’s fierce devotion to his sister Olivia brought such depth and tenderness to the story. Olivia herself was an absolute delight—mischief, sass, and all!
Beyond the humor and swoon-worthy romance, this book is packed with encouragement and hope. The faith messages were beautiful and uplifting, and I especially loved the contagious compliments sprinkled throughout—it made me want to start doing this in my own life. 🌸
If you love books that blend celebrity romance, small-town charm, found family, and faith, this one is a must-read! It’s part of the Love on the Menu multi-author series, but can easily be enjoyed as a standalone.
Closed-door romance (kisses only) Christian & faith-centered Encouraging, heartwarming, and full of joy
Thank you to the author for the ARC—this story was such a gift!
Grits and Glamor is the first of three books in the Romance on the Menu series and it comes with all the sass, banter, family shenanigans and faith themes that you can expect from a B.R. Goodwin book.
It’s a fast paced celebrity romcom with some characters you might already know from previous books, but you will definitely fall in love with old and new characters no matter if you have read books of the Honey Hill or Sugartree series or not.
My favorite parts were Chloe’s relationship with Olivia and of course Roman. - Sorry guys, I don't mean the MMC. *shrug* Honestly, the meet-cute-disaster was absolutely adorable and I just LOVE bunnies. I think I haven’t read a book with a bunny as an “animal companion” (I mean we all know books with cats and dogs and horses, sometimes wolves or foxes, frogs, swans or even raccoons or spiders, but not one with a bunny comes to mind…) and I was so on board for it. *heart eyes*
Grits and Glamor is a sweet and charming Christian romance which I especially recommend if you need a laugh or two but don’t want to miss out on uplifting faith messages or characters with depth.
* Thank you to the author for letting me read an advanced copy of this book. I leave this review voluntarily and the expressed opinions are my own.
Celebrate this new release of Grits & Glamor, the first book in the Romance on the Menu multi-author series!
"Footsie, ice cream sundaes, and secret romances?"
Yes, please! From full out guffaws to silent, heartfelt tears, this story was absolutely perfection. I love it when I pick up a book and think, "I need to tell everyone about this!" What's even cooler is I would hand this story to my teens without a second thought. There is something for everyone to love, and I feel 100% confident that I could put this in anyone's hands, and they would love it too.
This story is an enemies-to-more at first glance, but it's really a case of a bad first impression (and a smoothie that tastes like grass). It's genuinely a God-honoring celebrity romcom. It's all the sweet and sizzle without the spice or language. I loved the surprisingly down-to-earth Roman, the magnetic Chloe, and the mischievous Livie. All the fun family and found-family members were such a sweet supporting cast of characters.
I'll be buying this one for a permanent place on my shelves!
I received a copy of this delightful story from the author. All thoughts contained here are my own honest opinions.
A hilarious read from the very first page. One can't help falling in love with Chloe and Roman is such a charming man. Olivia, Grant and Chloe's family added lots of spice and family love to this book. Grits and Glamor is a book filled with realistic characters, true to themselves and also reflecting God's love as they navigate the path of love. I really like how Chloe and Roman set boundaries as they discovered their love for each other. Their interactions with themselves and other characters is heartwarming and filled with love. Chloe's influence on Roman, Olivia and all around her reveals the depth of love, care and understanding she possesses, one that attracted Roman to her. Roman's desire to be a blessing despite his past, his fame and wealth was a green light for Chloe and together they formed a formidable team. A beautiful story where dream meets reality and grows to be a blessing. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“I’m scattered, but at peace. I feel like I’m exactly where I should be at exactly the right time. I feel blissfully happy.” - Chloe
“Being loved fully by the people in your little world who matter most has a way of erasing the background noises of voices suggesting you deserve otherwise.” - Chloe
I loved this novel so much, there was such a beautiful sense of found family, joy in the ordinary, and trusting in God to lead us to the life we’re destined for. The relationships in this book were genuine, gracious and so loved filled I was so sad to say goodbye. Without spoiling the book, this is an amazing story filled with joy, wholesome connections, and trust. I want an epilogue of my little family of Chloe, Roman and Livie. The last few chapters of this book have my entire heart and I enjoyed all of the side characters - Josie, Grant, Chloe's mom and dad, they were all fantastic additions to the story. Hands down a beautiful, lovely laugh-out-loud story that really touched my heart.
Rabbits, romance and REALLY delicious sounding food; this book is The Food Network meets Hallmark in the best way possible! I absolutely LOVED this book!! I devoured it in 2 days (yes, food pun intended) and all I can say is B.R. Goodwin has a new fan🙋♀️. I laughed through the entire thing, (even when I got a little emotional toward the end) and found myself SO invested in all the characters, that I want books from everyone's perspective. Roman's struggles with being a single 'parent' were handled with so much empathy, I found myself really feeling for him when some of that weight got lifted. Chloe is officially my girl, eldest daughters unite!! And through it all, their reliance on Jesus to meet their needs, and their unexpected circumstances, really brought the whole story together beautifully. This is the perfect fall read for anyone looking for some swoon worthy romance and mouth watering cuisine. And bunnies. And a pirate. 😉
Grits and Glamour has all the ingredients of a cozy rom-com: a caring chef heroine, a reformed celebrity love interest, and strong family themes that tie everything together. The writing is smooth and the faith aspect is handled gently, which I appreciated.
That said, a few tropes just didn’t land for me. The sunshine-quirky heroine is one I often struggle with because her optimism tends to feel unrelatable and her conflicts surface-level. Chloe’s caretaking nature is admirable, but it left her feeling too perfect at times. The precocious child side character also wasn’t my favorite, since that dynamic usually pulls me out of a story more than it adds charm. These are purely personal taste issues, not quality ones.
Overall, a sweet, clean romance that I think will really click with readers who love bright, optimistic heroines and faith-centered storytelling. It just wasn’t the right flavor for me.
This is my new favorite B. R. Goodwin Rom/Com! Chloe, Roman, Livie, and the rest of the cast of characters will delight you as you journey with them through the ups and downs of Chloe’s impetuous nature and Romans’ quite close to the vest private life. Goodwin writes with humor and snark while still having believable, relatable characters. Characters with real hopes and dreams, struggles and failures continually trying to push forward with faith and family foremost on their radar. It is so refreshing to read a book that leaves you feeling good – after you rest from staying up all night reading, because you cannot make yourself put it down. Grits and Glamor can easily be read as stand-alone; however, there is a full and better understanding of Chloe’s community of friends if you have read Goodwins Sugar Tree and Honey Hill books.
Grits and Glamour is the first book in the new multi-author romance on the menu series and it sets the stage incredibly high.
B. R. Goodwin has written another gem. A hilarious romcom with an awesome faith thread. Chloe is an amazing character, and so is Roman. I mean who doesn't love an actor who plays a pirate? B. R. Goodwin has created a flawless lineup of side characters, from the bunnies to the sisters. It was a nice touch to see some old friends from Sugartree make an appearance.
If you enjoy faith-filled romcoms with lots of laughter, actors, chefs and crazy younger siblings then I'm sure you'll enjoy Grits and Glamour.
I received a complimentary copy from the author, but I wasn't required to leave a review. This does not impact my thoughts or opinions on this novel.
I truly did not anticipate laughing as much as I did through this book! Brianna’s humor and joyful personality is throughout - such an amazing author and I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by her!
Chloe + Roman’s story is a journey full of love - figuring out how to be your authentic self and knowing your worth in the Lord while falling in love along the way.
- Closed door, swoony kisses only (also does a good job of exhibiting physical boundaries in faith) - Found family, older brother/guardian - No 3rd act breakup - Famous MMC - Amazing sister/girl gang - focus on Faith and living boldly
I truly loved this book and will definitely reread!
This book was so cute! I loved the characters and the plot was so super cute. Roman is a super famous protective big brother and Chloe is a supper adorable chef with big dreams. I loved the relationship both main characters had with Roman’s sister, Olivia. It was so sweet to read! I also found myself really liking Grants also and seeing his relationship with Roman. The banter between the main characters was great and I found my self giggling a few times 🤭 There are faith themes throughout the book, which I appreciated. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a sweet read, it’ll cheer you right up!
🐰
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Grits and Glamor by B.R. Goodwin was a sweet, contemporary, clean Christian romance with a touch of faith woven throughout. It gave off strong Hallmark or Great American family movie vibes — wholesome, heartwarming, and easy to read.
I really liked that the male main character was instantly drawn to the heroine — his quiet obsession and admiration made the romance feel genuine and adorable. However, the relationship did develop a little too quickly for my taste. While the story was cute, I felt like it needed a bit more depth or tension to really keep me turning the pages.
Overall, it was a sweet, feel-good read — perfect if you’re in the mood for a light, clean romance with faith and charm, even if the plot felt a bit simple at times.