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Appetite: A Novel
A propulsive, heartfelt, and utterly original debut about a young chef trying to find her way in a world that’s not built for her to succeed—and the pro wrestler she idolizes who derails everything
Zarina, a prep cook at a fancy New Haven restaurant, is underpaid, overworked, and might as well be invisible. The only they get to take home leftover ingredients. Every night, Zarina whips up modern spins on the Bangladeshi dishes she grew up eating, all while enjoying her second greatest professional wrestling. Namely, Zarina’s hero Sierra Myst—the massively successful, high-flying heel who’s built like a superhero and is every bit as confident and daring as one.
One night, Zarina posts online about one of Sierra Myst’s wins, and the most improbable thing Sierra reaches out to Zarina. Zarina is elated at the chance to become closer with her idol, and at first, their friendship is everything Zarina’s ever dreamed of. Zarina’s confidence grows, their world gets bigger, and opening their own restaurant doesn’t feel quite so impossible. But as the weeks fly by, Zarina starts to feel more like Sierra’s unpaid personal assistant and relationship counselor—and her desire to make Sierra happy eclipses their own goals and threatens everything they’ve worked for.
Deliciously unsettling and ultimately uplifting, Appetite is about the unique torture of being a twenty-something who’s torn between the person someone else wants you to be and the person you really are.
Zarina, a prep cook at a fancy New Haven restaurant, is underpaid, overworked, and might as well be invisible. The only they get to take home leftover ingredients. Every night, Zarina whips up modern spins on the Bangladeshi dishes she grew up eating, all while enjoying her second greatest professional wrestling. Namely, Zarina’s hero Sierra Myst—the massively successful, high-flying heel who’s built like a superhero and is every bit as confident and daring as one.
One night, Zarina posts online about one of Sierra Myst’s wins, and the most improbable thing Sierra reaches out to Zarina. Zarina is elated at the chance to become closer with her idol, and at first, their friendship is everything Zarina’s ever dreamed of. Zarina’s confidence grows, their world gets bigger, and opening their own restaurant doesn’t feel quite so impossible. But as the weeks fly by, Zarina starts to feel more like Sierra’s unpaid personal assistant and relationship counselor—and her desire to make Sierra happy eclipses their own goals and threatens everything they’ve worked for.
Deliciously unsettling and ultimately uplifting, Appetite is about the unique torture of being a twenty-something who’s torn between the person someone else wants you to be and the person you really are.
272 pages, Paperback
First published August 4, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 86 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a good book. It was entertaining and flowed well. It wasn’t what I would call an outstanding novel, but if you are interested in any of the subject matter then I think it would be a very enjoyable read.
Highlights:
-The author did a great job of handling two separate but interconnected plotlines; the cooking and the wrestling fan. The way the story waxed and waned back and forth between the two was well done.
-Great depiction of a parasocial relationship and the corresponding behavior of obsession. This novel showcased the downsides to this sort of dynamic without being overly heavy handed or dramatic; it was very realistic.
-Fandom! Both the wonderful fun parts and the horrible toxic parts. This novel takes you on a tour and it felt very genuine.
-LOTS of food talk. If you love food and cooking then your appreciation of this novel will be higher, that is for sure.
-Despite being full of conflict, this novel wasn’t stressful and the conflicts were relatively mild. This was good in an easy-reading sort of way (though it also made some parts a little underwhelming).
My only real criticism is that it was somewhat underwhelming in parts, including some of the conclusions, but on balance that’s not a terrible thing. I enjoyed this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
Highlights:
-The author did a great job of handling two separate but interconnected plotlines; the cooking and the wrestling fan. The way the story waxed and waned back and forth between the two was well done.
-Great depiction of a parasocial relationship and the corresponding behavior of obsession. This novel showcased the downsides to this sort of dynamic without being overly heavy handed or dramatic; it was very realistic.
-Fandom! Both the wonderful fun parts and the horrible toxic parts. This novel takes you on a tour and it felt very genuine.
-LOTS of food talk. If you love food and cooking then your appreciation of this novel will be higher, that is for sure.
-Despite being full of conflict, this novel wasn’t stressful and the conflicts were relatively mild. This was good in an easy-reading sort of way (though it also made some parts a little underwhelming).
My only real criticism is that it was somewhat underwhelming in parts, including some of the conclusions, but on balance that’s not a terrible thing. I enjoyed this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a free ARC. This honest review was left voluntarily.
July 21, 2026
This review is of an advanced copy from NetGalley.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Dial Press Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most exciting new books in the literary community for me right now - one that defies easy categorization or genre homogenization. This isn’t a book about food, or about sports fanaticism; it’s not the type of mixed-media work we are starting to see more of, written part in narrative style and part text messages or emails. Those are some of its components but primarily it is about a Bangladeshi chef, Zarina, existing under the patriarchal constraints of a career dominated by white men, questioning a body that doesn’t fit into preexisting gender binaries, a solitary person who craves the safety of individual friendships, someone who understands the performativity of social interaction and who’s inability to enact that causes her great anxiety; she is a fiercely talented but lonely human being. She is also a huge fan of WTG wrestling and the character Sierra specifically. That is why, when she finds a group of like-minded Sierra fans online, she feels an acceptance free from the manufactured type of generic in-person interactions, and is able to go bananas behind the safety of the screen. She is fiercely in need of reinforcement of an identity she is still in the process of cobbling together, without realizing that the stones of herself are already enough.
The wrestler Sierra is very important in Zarina’s life as a figure of inspiration, a source of strength, and often the validation of her own tenacity. She is often someone whose gender performance, as a physically strong, muscular, and powerful woman has shaped the way Zarina has scaffolded her own concepts of gender. Gender presentation and performance is something Zarina references a lot in the novel, mostly in relation to how she witnesses it in others (female wrestlers, a gender fluid friend), but once in relation to herself when she explains “I just want to be me…it’s harder in the U.S. with language. In Bangla, we don’t have gendered pronouns. It feels liberating” (85). Although she is entering a metamorphosis, Zarina is still particles of a self she is trying to compose, and like a positive ion, she is drawn toward the negative components of obsessive online life, leading to an even more problematic relationship later with the wrestler Sierra when she befriends her.
Initially, we see Zarina’s online group as a way for her to socialize, although there is a distance between her online self and her “real” self, a chasm between her internet persona, herself as a fan-friend to Sierra/Jenn, and her internal self - her thoughts, emotions, personal agonies, dreams, needs and desires. These are things she doesn’t share (often) with the online group and rarely with Sierra (Jenn), which is what makes their “friendship” so one-sided. Zarina begins to realize that while being popular in the wrestling world gives her a “high”, it is nothing compared to the burning, constant elation she feels from creating new culinary experiences.
One of the primary lessons of the book is that it is possible for people to see you, to encourage you, to support you, and to catalyze your dreams. In Zarina’s case that is her cooking. Without giving any spoilers, the author shows us that even if Sierra/Jenn isn’t the one to support her culinary pursuits, that doesn’t mean that her uniqueness as a person doesn’t make her both a desirable colleague and trusted friend to others in the culinary and wrestling world. She is also able to reconcile these two passions in her life and understand how they intermingle: “creating a successful wrestling match is very much like creating the perfect dish. Finding the right rivalry, the perfect storyline, and getting audience attention by trial and error by mixing different wrestlers in the ring reminds me of picking out the right ingredients, getting the perfect flavor combination, and tasting the marriage of a mixture of perfectly calibrated ingredients “(15).
Reading the book, as I did all at once, was like going to a restaurant you’ve never heard of, finding out the seating is only family style, only knowing three things on the menu, and then ending up having the best culinary experience you’ve had with the most fascinating people you’ve ever hung out with, but whom you’d feel totally fine sitting around in your pajamas too. The book is that kind of special. It’s just that kind of special. Regardless of how autobiographical this book is, I believe we are looking at a phenomenally special writer as well. I was unable to pump the breaks once I started reading this book, and no doubt that will be true for her future writing.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Dial Press Publishing for this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is one of the most exciting new books in the literary community for me right now - one that defies easy categorization or genre homogenization. This isn’t a book about food, or about sports fanaticism; it’s not the type of mixed-media work we are starting to see more of, written part in narrative style and part text messages or emails. Those are some of its components but primarily it is about a Bangladeshi chef, Zarina, existing under the patriarchal constraints of a career dominated by white men, questioning a body that doesn’t fit into preexisting gender binaries, a solitary person who craves the safety of individual friendships, someone who understands the performativity of social interaction and who’s inability to enact that causes her great anxiety; she is a fiercely talented but lonely human being. She is also a huge fan of WTG wrestling and the character Sierra specifically. That is why, when she finds a group of like-minded Sierra fans online, she feels an acceptance free from the manufactured type of generic in-person interactions, and is able to go bananas behind the safety of the screen. She is fiercely in need of reinforcement of an identity she is still in the process of cobbling together, without realizing that the stones of herself are already enough.
The wrestler Sierra is very important in Zarina’s life as a figure of inspiration, a source of strength, and often the validation of her own tenacity. She is often someone whose gender performance, as a physically strong, muscular, and powerful woman has shaped the way Zarina has scaffolded her own concepts of gender. Gender presentation and performance is something Zarina references a lot in the novel, mostly in relation to how she witnesses it in others (female wrestlers, a gender fluid friend), but once in relation to herself when she explains “I just want to be me…it’s harder in the U.S. with language. In Bangla, we don’t have gendered pronouns. It feels liberating” (85). Although she is entering a metamorphosis, Zarina is still particles of a self she is trying to compose, and like a positive ion, she is drawn toward the negative components of obsessive online life, leading to an even more problematic relationship later with the wrestler Sierra when she befriends her.
Initially, we see Zarina’s online group as a way for her to socialize, although there is a distance between her online self and her “real” self, a chasm between her internet persona, herself as a fan-friend to Sierra/Jenn, and her internal self - her thoughts, emotions, personal agonies, dreams, needs and desires. These are things she doesn’t share (often) with the online group and rarely with Sierra (Jenn), which is what makes their “friendship” so one-sided. Zarina begins to realize that while being popular in the wrestling world gives her a “high”, it is nothing compared to the burning, constant elation she feels from creating new culinary experiences.
One of the primary lessons of the book is that it is possible for people to see you, to encourage you, to support you, and to catalyze your dreams. In Zarina’s case that is her cooking. Without giving any spoilers, the author shows us that even if Sierra/Jenn isn’t the one to support her culinary pursuits, that doesn’t mean that her uniqueness as a person doesn’t make her both a desirable colleague and trusted friend to others in the culinary and wrestling world. She is also able to reconcile these two passions in her life and understand how they intermingle: “creating a successful wrestling match is very much like creating the perfect dish. Finding the right rivalry, the perfect storyline, and getting audience attention by trial and error by mixing different wrestlers in the ring reminds me of picking out the right ingredients, getting the perfect flavor combination, and tasting the marriage of a mixture of perfectly calibrated ingredients “(15).
Reading the book, as I did all at once, was like going to a restaurant you’ve never heard of, finding out the seating is only family style, only knowing three things on the menu, and then ending up having the best culinary experience you’ve had with the most fascinating people you’ve ever hung out with, but whom you’d feel totally fine sitting around in your pajamas too. The book is that kind of special. It’s just that kind of special. Regardless of how autobiographical this book is, I believe we are looking at a phenomenally special writer as well. I was unable to pump the breaks once I started reading this book, and no doubt that will be true for her future writing.
April 2, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I’ve been anticipating this book for quite a while and I’m delighted to say that it surpassed my high expectations. I devoured Appetite in one sitting. This book offers a nuanced and compassionate examination of fandom, power dynamics, and the intoxicating allure of obsession. The food writing is delicious and Paramita’s strong narrative voice imbues Zarina, their relationships, and their journey with life. This debut is incredibly compelling and I’m excited to see what Paramita writes next!
April 16, 2026
Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.
Appetite takes Bangladeshi food, professional wrestling, and parasocial fascination and somehow makes them feel like the most natural trio since The Fabulous Freebirds. If you came for the wrestling… you get that reference, right? 😅
Zarina’s need to be seen by her mother, her community, and especially her idol, Sierra Myst, gives the whole story a very relatable vibe as admiration gets… complicated. The food writing will have you salivating, the wrestling is compelling and fun for fans and nonfans alike, and the main event (eh? eh?) is a look at identity and belonging through an immigrant lens.
Anyway… maybe don’t meet your heroes.
Appetite takes Bangladeshi food, professional wrestling, and parasocial fascination and somehow makes them feel like the most natural trio since The Fabulous Freebirds. If you came for the wrestling… you get that reference, right? 😅
Zarina’s need to be seen by her mother, her community, and especially her idol, Sierra Myst, gives the whole story a very relatable vibe as admiration gets… complicated. The food writing will have you salivating, the wrestling is compelling and fun for fans and nonfans alike, and the main event (eh? eh?) is a look at identity and belonging through an immigrant lens.
Anyway… maybe don’t meet your heroes.
August 6, 2026
Every time I heard something about this book I became more intrigued and felt I needed to check it out! I am so glad I did because I really enjoyed it! Also, i'm completely obsessed with the cover of this book!! It's so fun and unique!
As someone with FOUR tattoos for my favorite singer 😅, I strongly related to Zarina and her love and idolization of her favorite wrestler. I know the feeling of being sucked into fandom. How it can take over your life and ruin it at the same time. The attention is addicting. I really felt Zarina's struggles and pain when they realized their fave wasn't who they thought she was after all. The disappointment is real and often heartbreaking.
I loved seeing Zarina pick herself up after several things go wrong and without hesitation, start working toward her dreams. And all the people around her that were willing and ready to help.
The food descriptions in this book are very detailed and sound so delicious, I recommend having snacks with you while reading because you'll be starving when you're done!!
This was such a delightful debut. Identity, belonging, ambition are core themes of the story. I found it to be sweet and and full of heart and of course super relatable. I would recommend this to anyone that's ever been a part of a big, passionate fandom. This was a super quick and easy read and I loved it so much!
As someone with FOUR tattoos for my favorite singer 😅, I strongly related to Zarina and her love and idolization of her favorite wrestler. I know the feeling of being sucked into fandom. How it can take over your life and ruin it at the same time. The attention is addicting. I really felt Zarina's struggles and pain when they realized their fave wasn't who they thought she was after all. The disappointment is real and often heartbreaking.
I loved seeing Zarina pick herself up after several things go wrong and without hesitation, start working toward her dreams. And all the people around her that were willing and ready to help.
The food descriptions in this book are very detailed and sound so delicious, I recommend having snacks with you while reading because you'll be starving when you're done!!
This was such a delightful debut. Identity, belonging, ambition are core themes of the story. I found it to be sweet and and full of heart and of course super relatable. I would recommend this to anyone that's ever been a part of a big, passionate fandom. This was a super quick and easy read and I loved it so much!
August 1, 2026
Zarina was a sweet person with big dreams, a desire to find community, and a fair amount of anxiety. I really related to her struggles with her gender identity and acceptance of her body in a heavily gendered society. I also could appreciate the way they struggled with their mom's lack of enthusiasm for their career goals and that feeling that their parent only wanted braggable "success" from them and not happiness. The way it felt easier to participate in fandom and pump up someone else in a parasocial way, compared to breaking off and creating their own success with a team, was also relatable (if hard to watch). I was warmed by the way Zarina's community tried to uplift and encourage the dreams that felt too big for her to execute on her own and I felt compelled to see the story through - I devoured it quickly. There were a lot of questions raised like "what do white celebrities owe BIPOC communities?" and "what does it look like to have a reciprocal friendship rather than a transactional one?" The way the cooking and wrestling came together felt really unique and I love both those things in a book, so that was great for me. This book reminds me of "Interstellar MegaChef" by Lavanya Lakshminarayan for its exploration of South Asian cuisine and the ambition and pressures of South Asian daughters; and "Ringmaster: Vince McMahon and the Unmaking of America" by Josephine Riesman for the commentary on the politics of wrestling, the history, the behind the scenes stuff, and the gender performance aspects.
NetGalley gift = honest review
CWs - Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Cursing, Infidelity, Transphobia, Classism, Stalking
NetGalley gift = honest review
CWs - Bullying, Racism, Sexism, Toxic friendship, Dysphoria, Body shaming, Cursing, Infidelity, Transphobia, Classism, Stalking
August 3, 2026
A fun debut from an author whose career I’m excited to follow! I really appreciated the themes of this book — especially as a (self-aware) love letter to fandom. I was always engaged in the story and endeared to the protagonist, but the pacing felt off and the ending felt overly sweet. Zarina turns her life around and achieves her dreams so quickly that it was a little unbelievable. But at the same time, real life is hard enough — what’s wrong with a little suspension of disbelief to see an immigrant woman succeed?
Overall, Appetite is a fun, quick, summer book.
Thank you to Dial Press for the arc!
Overall, Appetite is a fun, quick, summer book.
Thank you to Dial Press for the arc!
May 29, 2026
4.5 stars!!!
This one really hooked me. I loved the writing and how everything was written. The writing style was really appealing to me.
It portrays a lot of real issues and hardships; the anxiety and emotion that Zarina feels and how she deals with it felt so real and I felt the writing is very relatable to many people, which I loved!
Overall, I loved this book- especially the detailed descriptions of some of the cuisines and food/ flavors, wrestling and internal struggles.
I love how, towards the end, she learned about herself and her aspirations.
It’s such a beautiful book!
This one really hooked me. I loved the writing and how everything was written. The writing style was really appealing to me.
It portrays a lot of real issues and hardships; the anxiety and emotion that Zarina feels and how she deals with it felt so real and I felt the writing is very relatable to many people, which I loved!
Overall, I loved this book- especially the detailed descriptions of some of the cuisines and food/ flavors, wrestling and internal struggles.
I love how, towards the end, she learned about herself and her aspirations.
It’s such a beautiful book!
July 24, 2026
Never meet your heroes, I guess. A wrestler lover and foodie’s dream. A story about obsession, seeking community and acceptance, and finding your purpose. I really enjoyed how this felt like 2 different stories that meld into each other. One following Zarina and her love of wrestling and the other her love of food. It starts off innocent enough and quickly goes obsessive. She’s not even fully to blame as the person she’s obsessed over feeds into the relationship. She makes friends in the wrestling world and loses them just as fast. Her love for food/cooking quickly gets pushed to the wayside and she has to find her way back to it. I really enjoyed this story and I hope others find it to be as interesting and entertaining as I did.
Did Not Finish
May 7, 2026This leaned way too YA for my taste. Also, I was hoping for more cooking and less wrestling. I picked it up multiple times to try and finish it. I ultimately determined that I actually just don't care to see it through. There are too many other books I rather be reading.
April 24, 2026
The character development really shined in this book. I loved how the main character Zarina figured out who she was and was able to figure out how to make her dream a reality. The anxiety rep throughout this book was written so well! I’m also glad Zarina was able to set boundaries and stick to them along the way.
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Zarina
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🍳🤼♀️🍽️
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship
(Note: I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity.)
POV: First Person
Sad Level: 💧💧
Would I Recommend? Yes
Favorite Character(s): Zarina
Emojis Based on Vibes: 🍳🤼♀️🍽️
⚠️ CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Racism, Toxic relationship
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Appetite is a contemporary novel that tells the story of 24 year Zarina, a Bangladeshi aspiring chef who finds herself becoming closer to her ultimate idol. This book takes you in the mind of Zarina to show that the people you admire aren't who they think they are. Through Zarina, we're taking through a coming of age story where a young POC queer person finds their voice.
I have to admit that I am very conflicted about this book. The reason is because although I did not enjoy it, I know some people that would, and it's because I could see a lot of people relating to Zarina and Zarina's situation with being a POC Queer person in America. Through the entirety of this book, we're in the head of Zarina, and it is so exhausting. She is constantly talking AT the reader. There should always be a balance between when a story is telling vs when it is showing, and most of the time in this book, it's just tells. It quickly becomes overwhelming being in Zarina's mind because she is a very anxious and insecure person who overthinks entirely too much. As a person who is also anxious also thinks too much, I can 100% understand Zarina and what she goes through, but it just gets to a point where every interaction she has, it is just the same thing over and over again until she like miraculously stops being anxious and overthinking by the end of the book (even though it's only been like a year?). It also becomes just unrealistic the character development that happens because the Zarina at the beginning of the book needed THERAPY.
What I will say is that I think the book is a great conversation for parasocial relationships and the overall toxic behaviors in fandoms. We have to understand that behind the screen, there are people with real feelings and lives and the internet is not always what you think of it. Zarina is a prime example that sometimes people are in these fandoms because it allows them to escape the life that they're living. At the same time, Zarina realizes that this isn't helping her and that what does help her is gaining confidence in herself and in her community to change her life.
I personally had my gripes with this book, but I can see a lot of people liking it. If you like queer contemporary fiction, I say give this a try.
Appetite is a contemporary novel that tells the story of 24 year Zarina, a Bangladeshi aspiring chef who finds herself becoming closer to her ultimate idol. This book takes you in the mind of Zarina to show that the people you admire aren't who they think they are. Through Zarina, we're taking through a coming of age story where a young POC queer person finds their voice.
I have to admit that I am very conflicted about this book. The reason is because although I did not enjoy it, I know some people that would, and it's because I could see a lot of people relating to Zarina and Zarina's situation with being a POC Queer person in America. Through the entirety of this book, we're in the head of Zarina, and it is so exhausting. She is constantly talking AT the reader. There should always be a balance between when a story is telling vs when it is showing, and most of the time in this book, it's just tells. It quickly becomes overwhelming being in Zarina's mind because she is a very anxious and insecure person who overthinks entirely too much. As a person who is also anxious also thinks too much, I can 100% understand Zarina and what she goes through, but it just gets to a point where every interaction she has, it is just the same thing over and over again until she like miraculously stops being anxious and overthinking by the end of the book (even though it's only been like a year?). It also becomes just unrealistic the character development that happens because the Zarina at the beginning of the book needed THERAPY.
What I will say is that I think the book is a great conversation for parasocial relationships and the overall toxic behaviors in fandoms. We have to understand that behind the screen, there are people with real feelings and lives and the internet is not always what you think of it. Zarina is a prime example that sometimes people are in these fandoms because it allows them to escape the life that they're living. At the same time, Zarina realizes that this isn't helping her and that what does help her is gaining confidence in herself and in her community to change her life.
I personally had my gripes with this book, but I can see a lot of people liking it. If you like queer contemporary fiction, I say give this a try.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5☆
Big thanks to Netgalley, P. Paramita, Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was such a mixed bag for me!! I was initially attracted by the premise, as I'm a big fan of both wrestling and cooking, so it seemed tailor made for me. Unfortunately, I just didn't click with it the way I wanted to.
The food descriptions in this book are gorgeous. I'd love to try all of Zarina's different dishes. You can tell the author is also passionate about Bangladeshi cuisine. There's so much care put into all the different dishes, so much so you can almost taste them yourself.
I thought that this book was an interesting exploration of the way that parasociality can go both ways. Sometimes, your idols can become dependent on your attention as much as you are on theirs. I just wish there'd been more time and care put into Sierra and Zarina's friendship when it actually starts, when Zarina starts giving Sierra relationship advice, but it feels like from there the novel is rushing to the conclusion with no real time to let the conflict marinate. The ending also felt like it all fell into place way too easily, with everyone rushing to help Zarina complete her dreams. It felt more like wish fulfillment than a satisfying ending, but it was nice to see her restaurant opened.
Zarina, however, was also a really bad friend for 90% of this book. She's young, yes, and I was happy to see her reflect about it a little at the end, but she was so judgmental to everyone she met, and was unkind to most of the people she's supposed to want to be friends with. Their friendship with Aubrey felt like it came out of nowhere. A lot of Zarina's personality and the ways she's developing feel like they'd be better suited to YA than a contemporary adult novel. The writing is very quick to read, but also feels a little young for the target demographic. It's very tell-don't-show, which can get grating in an adult-centered novel.
I feel that this novel might be better for people who aren't familiar with wrestling, or at least are very casual viewers. The explanations in the start of the novel about wrestling were heavy-handed in a way that felt like being taken out of the story to read a wikipedia article. I feel that in the future, a glossary of terms might be a better option so everyone can read the story without feeling taken out of it!
Overall, this is a fun, quick read, but I found it rather frustrating especially after the 50% mark. I'll keep an eye out for this author's future works! And I'll definitely be trying Bangladeshi cuisine as soon as I have the chance.
Big thanks to Netgalley, P. Paramita, Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This book was such a mixed bag for me!! I was initially attracted by the premise, as I'm a big fan of both wrestling and cooking, so it seemed tailor made for me. Unfortunately, I just didn't click with it the way I wanted to.
The food descriptions in this book are gorgeous. I'd love to try all of Zarina's different dishes. You can tell the author is also passionate about Bangladeshi cuisine. There's so much care put into all the different dishes, so much so you can almost taste them yourself.
I thought that this book was an interesting exploration of the way that parasociality can go both ways. Sometimes, your idols can become dependent on your attention as much as you are on theirs. I just wish there'd been more time and care put into Sierra and Zarina's friendship when it actually starts, when Zarina starts giving Sierra relationship advice, but it feels like from there the novel is rushing to the conclusion with no real time to let the conflict marinate. The ending also felt like it all fell into place way too easily, with everyone rushing to help Zarina complete her dreams. It felt more like wish fulfillment than a satisfying ending, but it was nice to see her restaurant opened.
Zarina, however, was also a really bad friend for 90% of this book. She's young, yes, and I was happy to see her reflect about it a little at the end, but she was so judgmental to everyone she met, and was unkind to most of the people she's supposed to want to be friends with. Their friendship with Aubrey felt like it came out of nowhere. A lot of Zarina's personality and the ways she's developing feel like they'd be better suited to YA than a contemporary adult novel. The writing is very quick to read, but also feels a little young for the target demographic. It's very tell-don't-show, which can get grating in an adult-centered novel.
I feel that this novel might be better for people who aren't familiar with wrestling, or at least are very casual viewers. The explanations in the start of the novel about wrestling were heavy-handed in a way that felt like being taken out of the story to read a wikipedia article. I feel that in the future, a glossary of terms might be a better option so everyone can read the story without feeling taken out of it!
Overall, this is a fun, quick read, but I found it rather frustrating especially after the 50% mark. I'll keep an eye out for this author's future works! And I'll definitely be trying Bangladeshi cuisine as soon as I have the chance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 24, 2026As I begin writing this review, it’s 2:55 am on July 9th. I finished P. Paramita’s Appetite at 2:40, my eyes watery with exhaustion from a long, hot day of work. As it often goes with me, I refused to allow myself actual rest until I finished this ARC. I’d been trying to finish it at work for two consecutive days, repeatedly interrupted by my job (don’t tell my bosses that I’d rather be reading, ok?), to no avail. I decided that tonight was the night, though – I would finish Appetite even if it killed me.
I’m not typically the kind of guy who reads anything that even really skirts the line of contemporary fiction, but I loved the pitch in the email I received from Will Lyman and was like… well, let’s give this one a go. And I’m so glad that I did. P. Paramita’s Appetite did a lot for me. It reaffirmed the opinion I have of women’s sports being superior to men’s, made me endlessly curious about Bangladeshi food (which, by the way, I learned that Bangladeshi and Indian foods are similar with their staples and have some overlap… this is great for me and anyone else who loves Indian food), and also made me miss home way more than I could have ever expected it to.
When you grow up white-but-not-really-but-also-still-pretty-white like I did, there’s always going to be some degree of Impostor Syndrome that you’ll need to face and attempt to overcome. I come from a German-Irish-Polish-Korean household, each of my grandparents becoming naturalized citizens after moving to the United States. It’s interesting that, of each of the four cultures I could have connected to, I wound up most involved with the Korean side of things. I never take offence when people look at me and see someone 100% white – my mother’s always said that I look like I’ve just hopped off an Irish potato boat, all freckles and fair skin. But then there’s the moment when I confess that I am Korean, even if only somewhere around a quarter percent, and one of several things happens:
1. Someone says, “Oh! Now I see it – in your eyes!” or
2. I’m accused of lying.
Whatever! Whatever. The middle name my half-Korean mother and Korean-born grandmother gave me is 천사, or Angel (cheonsa), and my poor halmoni would sooner die than let someone tell me I’m not Korean simply for the whiteness of my European ancestors. This is a topic I struggle with regularly. I said on Instagram, “too white for the Koreans, still too Asian for the whites.” White people are often comfortable with me and my whiteness until they learn of the Asianness, and Asians will never see me as anything but white. That is fine. I’ve come to terms with it, but it hurts no less.
What Paramita’s done with this novel – detailing the life of a young queer person with their own wants, dreams, and the lingering disappointment from their Asian parents – has healed a part of me. Food is and always will be one of the primary ways that humans connect. There’s love in cooking, stories in the way a dish is plated, and community in a kitchen. I will never know the kind of life someone like Zarina or Paramita have lived, but I am human, and food connects me to my umma and halmoni when words cannot.
Appetite is an absolutely brilliant novel. If you’ve ever been into wrestling, other women’s sports, cooking, The Bear, trying new cuisine, or have missed home a little more than words can explain, then I think it’s safe to say this book is for you. P. Paramita has healed more of me in the few days I’ve been reading this book than I have in the twenty-six years I’ve been alive. Zarina officially has a place just for them notched into my ribcage, just as a piece of me has nestled himself deep within Appetite’s margins.
Thank you to Will Lyman at Random House / Dial Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Appetite early in exchange for an honest review. This has been rated 5/5 stars across the three book review platforms I use (The StoryGraph, Pagebound, and Goodreads).
I’m not typically the kind of guy who reads anything that even really skirts the line of contemporary fiction, but I loved the pitch in the email I received from Will Lyman and was like… well, let’s give this one a go. And I’m so glad that I did. P. Paramita’s Appetite did a lot for me. It reaffirmed the opinion I have of women’s sports being superior to men’s, made me endlessly curious about Bangladeshi food (which, by the way, I learned that Bangladeshi and Indian foods are similar with their staples and have some overlap… this is great for me and anyone else who loves Indian food), and also made me miss home way more than I could have ever expected it to.
When you grow up white-but-not-really-but-also-still-pretty-white like I did, there’s always going to be some degree of Impostor Syndrome that you’ll need to face and attempt to overcome. I come from a German-Irish-Polish-Korean household, each of my grandparents becoming naturalized citizens after moving to the United States. It’s interesting that, of each of the four cultures I could have connected to, I wound up most involved with the Korean side of things. I never take offence when people look at me and see someone 100% white – my mother’s always said that I look like I’ve just hopped off an Irish potato boat, all freckles and fair skin. But then there’s the moment when I confess that I am Korean, even if only somewhere around a quarter percent, and one of several things happens:
1. Someone says, “Oh! Now I see it – in your eyes!” or
2. I’m accused of lying.
Whatever! Whatever. The middle name my half-Korean mother and Korean-born grandmother gave me is 천사, or Angel (cheonsa), and my poor halmoni would sooner die than let someone tell me I’m not Korean simply for the whiteness of my European ancestors. This is a topic I struggle with regularly. I said on Instagram, “too white for the Koreans, still too Asian for the whites.” White people are often comfortable with me and my whiteness until they learn of the Asianness, and Asians will never see me as anything but white. That is fine. I’ve come to terms with it, but it hurts no less.
What Paramita’s done with this novel – detailing the life of a young queer person with their own wants, dreams, and the lingering disappointment from their Asian parents – has healed a part of me. Food is and always will be one of the primary ways that humans connect. There’s love in cooking, stories in the way a dish is plated, and community in a kitchen. I will never know the kind of life someone like Zarina or Paramita have lived, but I am human, and food connects me to my umma and halmoni when words cannot.
Appetite is an absolutely brilliant novel. If you’ve ever been into wrestling, other women’s sports, cooking, The Bear, trying new cuisine, or have missed home a little more than words can explain, then I think it’s safe to say this book is for you. P. Paramita has healed more of me in the few days I’ve been reading this book than I have in the twenty-six years I’ve been alive. Zarina officially has a place just for them notched into my ribcage, just as a piece of me has nestled himself deep within Appetite’s margins.
Thank you to Will Lyman at Random House / Dial Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Appetite early in exchange for an honest review. This has been rated 5/5 stars across the three book review platforms I use (The StoryGraph, Pagebound, and Goodreads).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Appetite by P. Paramita is a delicious fusion of a Bengali Immigrant story, the spectacle of WWE’s Wrestlemania, and the underdog nature of FX’s restaurant TV show The Bear. Writing this all out on paper sounds like a too many cooks in the kitchen situation but Paramita deftly melds and combines the different flavors of her story into the perfect debut novel dish.
The highlight of the novel for me is the way that Paramita describes the Bengali fusion dishes that her wrestling enthusiast aspiring chef Zarina creates. From the crispy and bite sized Fuchka, the comforting and savory potato based aloo bhorta pancakes, mouthwatering beef kebabs with naan and jhura mangsho and the sweet dessert shahi tukra. The way that food is describes is done in a loving way and is a love letter to Bengali cuisine and Zarina and Paramita’s homeland. These descriptions were so good during reading they made me hungry while reading which is a testament to Paramita’s ability to translate food into written prose.
Keeping with the fusion theme of east and west, a seemingly anachronistic choice in the narrative is to meld Zarina’s enthusiasm for pro wrestling into the story, which was done expertly. Through Zarina eventual friendship with her favorite wrestler Sierra Myst, we explore Zarina’s identity and growth as a POC character and her response to the white-washed and minority underrepresented industry of pro wrestling. In these interactions we see the positives and negatives of the online idol space and the best and worst of Twitter and online communities. Through this relationship Zarina is able to discern authentic friendships that genuinely build up others and recognize minority and LGBTQ+ allies. Paramita makes clear that and loud statements of the importance of providing voices and spaces for underrepresented minorities and to hold people accountable for their own views on race and understanding of their own privilege.
This book is a fast paced and propulsive read and the resolution of it all seemed a bit too tidy for my taste, but overall this was an excellent debut novel that will have me excited for the next 5 seasons of Paramita’s future novels.
Thank you Random House and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this advanced review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The highlight of the novel for me is the way that Paramita describes the Bengali fusion dishes that her wrestling enthusiast aspiring chef Zarina creates. From the crispy and bite sized Fuchka, the comforting and savory potato based aloo bhorta pancakes, mouthwatering beef kebabs with naan and jhura mangsho and the sweet dessert shahi tukra. The way that food is describes is done in a loving way and is a love letter to Bengali cuisine and Zarina and Paramita’s homeland. These descriptions were so good during reading they made me hungry while reading which is a testament to Paramita’s ability to translate food into written prose.
Keeping with the fusion theme of east and west, a seemingly anachronistic choice in the narrative is to meld Zarina’s enthusiasm for pro wrestling into the story, which was done expertly. Through Zarina eventual friendship with her favorite wrestler Sierra Myst, we explore Zarina’s identity and growth as a POC character and her response to the white-washed and minority underrepresented industry of pro wrestling. In these interactions we see the positives and negatives of the online idol space and the best and worst of Twitter and online communities. Through this relationship Zarina is able to discern authentic friendships that genuinely build up others and recognize minority and LGBTQ+ allies. Paramita makes clear that and loud statements of the importance of providing voices and spaces for underrepresented minorities and to hold people accountable for their own views on race and understanding of their own privilege.
This book is a fast paced and propulsive read and the resolution of it all seemed a bit too tidy for my taste, but overall this was an excellent debut novel that will have me excited for the next 5 seasons of Paramita’s future novels.
Thank you Random House and Dial Press Trade Paperback for this advanced review copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🥘ARC review 🥘
2.75 ⭐️
Zarina is a young Bangladeshi chef just starting her career. She works in a high end restaurant but dreams of escaping the toxic work environment to start a fusion restaurant that honors her culture. The story follows her journey to make friends as an adult and to find her own identity and what is important to her. As well as developing a friendship with her coworker and her roommate, she becomes envolved in the women’s wrestling fandom online. When her favorite wrestler and idol Sierra Myst DMs her, her life seems to take a dramatic and exciting turn. The novel explores parasocial relationships and the toxic nature of fandom.
I honestly really struggled to like Zarina for the first part of the book. She was so selectively judgey of people for weird things. I found it super laughable that she immediately thought a white man was “performative” because he is a professor of woman’s lit. It felt like I had fallen into a silly TikTok and had me going “are we actually serious?” She would also get really testy about people using gendered terms around her but then not clarify how she wanted to be referred to. Expect of course when it was her idol Sierra who could do no wrong. As the story went on, she experienced some personal growth and I did appreciate that. (But no one ever challenged the idea that getting a whole PhD in a subject is super unlikely to be a performative act but whatever.) She learned important lessons about parasocial relationships, toxic fandom culture, and the importance of prioritizing our “real life” friends and aspirations.
On thing I loved about the book were the descriptions of Bangladeshi food that she would cook. Makes me want to find a restaurant near me to try! I was also really fascinated by the world of women’s wrestling and the online fan culture. It’s not a fandom I have ever been a part of and the author does a good job making that world come alive on the page. While I overall didn’t find Zarina super relatable, I did really appreciate her struggles to develop these grown up friendships. She would overthink the smallest things about her interactions both online and in person and that felt super real and relatable.
2.75 ⭐️
Zarina is a young Bangladeshi chef just starting her career. She works in a high end restaurant but dreams of escaping the toxic work environment to start a fusion restaurant that honors her culture. The story follows her journey to make friends as an adult and to find her own identity and what is important to her. As well as developing a friendship with her coworker and her roommate, she becomes envolved in the women’s wrestling fandom online. When her favorite wrestler and idol Sierra Myst DMs her, her life seems to take a dramatic and exciting turn. The novel explores parasocial relationships and the toxic nature of fandom.
I honestly really struggled to like Zarina for the first part of the book. She was so selectively judgey of people for weird things. I found it super laughable that she immediately thought a white man was “performative” because he is a professor of woman’s lit. It felt like I had fallen into a silly TikTok and had me going “are we actually serious?” She would also get really testy about people using gendered terms around her but then not clarify how she wanted to be referred to. Expect of course when it was her idol Sierra who could do no wrong. As the story went on, she experienced some personal growth and I did appreciate that. (But no one ever challenged the idea that getting a whole PhD in a subject is super unlikely to be a performative act but whatever.) She learned important lessons about parasocial relationships, toxic fandom culture, and the importance of prioritizing our “real life” friends and aspirations.
On thing I loved about the book were the descriptions of Bangladeshi food that she would cook. Makes me want to find a restaurant near me to try! I was also really fascinated by the world of women’s wrestling and the online fan culture. It’s not a fandom I have ever been a part of and the author does a good job making that world come alive on the page. While I overall didn’t find Zarina super relatable, I did really appreciate her struggles to develop these grown up friendships. She would overthink the smallest things about her interactions both online and in person and that felt super real and relatable.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley and Random House for my e-ARC!
A heartwarming story about a Bangladeshi amateur chef who dreams of being truly seen by the people around her.
The novel follows Zarina Iqbal, a post-graduate prep cook working in an American restaurant who dreams of introducing Bengali cuisine to her small New England town. At the same time, Zarina is an avid professional wrestling fan who becomes deeply involved in the online fandom surrounding her favorite wrestler, Sierra Myst. As her involvement grows into a parasocial relationship with Sierra herself, Zarina's online life begins to overshadow her real one, straining her friendships, affecting her work, and pulling her away from her dream of sharing Bengali food with her community.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of different kinds of relationships. Zarina's friendship with Anna is genuine, reciprocal, and grounded in mutual care, while her connection with Sierra (Jenn) is inherently transactional and shaped by the unequal dynamics between celebrity and fan. The contrast highlights how easy it can be to mistake attention and validation for true friendship.
The novel also offers an insightful commentary on online communities. The wrestling fandom Zarina immerses herself in is often hostile and toxic, with anonymity encouraging bullying and unhealthy behavior. In contrast, the people in Zarina's everyday life—her coworkers, roommate, and Anna—consistently show kindness, support, and genuine concern for her wellbeing. Ironically, while Zarina searches for acceptance online, she overlooks the people who already value and care about her.
Ultimately, this is a warm and thoughtful story about identity, ambition, and belonging. By balancing Zarina's passion for Bengali cooking with her struggle to navigate online fandom and parasocial relationships, the novel delivers a timely reminder that authentic human connection is built through reciprocity, not admiration from afar.
A heartwarming story about a Bangladeshi amateur chef who dreams of being truly seen by the people around her.
The novel follows Zarina Iqbal, a post-graduate prep cook working in an American restaurant who dreams of introducing Bengali cuisine to her small New England town. At the same time, Zarina is an avid professional wrestling fan who becomes deeply involved in the online fandom surrounding her favorite wrestler, Sierra Myst. As her involvement grows into a parasocial relationship with Sierra herself, Zarina's online life begins to overshadow her real one, straining her friendships, affecting her work, and pulling her away from her dream of sharing Bengali food with her community.
One of the novel's greatest strengths is its exploration of different kinds of relationships. Zarina's friendship with Anna is genuine, reciprocal, and grounded in mutual care, while her connection with Sierra (Jenn) is inherently transactional and shaped by the unequal dynamics between celebrity and fan. The contrast highlights how easy it can be to mistake attention and validation for true friendship.
The novel also offers an insightful commentary on online communities. The wrestling fandom Zarina immerses herself in is often hostile and toxic, with anonymity encouraging bullying and unhealthy behavior. In contrast, the people in Zarina's everyday life—her coworkers, roommate, and Anna—consistently show kindness, support, and genuine concern for her wellbeing. Ironically, while Zarina searches for acceptance online, she overlooks the people who already value and care about her.
Ultimately, this is a warm and thoughtful story about identity, ambition, and belonging. By balancing Zarina's passion for Bengali cooking with her struggle to navigate online fandom and parasocial relationships, the novel delivers a timely reminder that authentic human connection is built through reciprocity, not admiration from afar.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
[I received an advance review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley]
This was definitely an interesting read! There’s a combination of such highly specific topics within the pages that worked to make this a layered story. My biggest takeaway is that I need to find somewhere near me that has authentic Bangladeshi food because oh my god, the food descriptions!!! I don’t even have a full grasp of the flavors described, but every time Zarina was cooking I could practically taste the dishes through the descriptions. The food and restaurant storylines were the main drivers of this book, and those were the parts that I found the most heart of the story and characters. Food can be such a powerful thing and I think Paramita’s writing captures that phenomenally.
The parts of the story that I found less compelling were the wrestling elements. There was something about the way that all the characters around that environment were portrayed that always felt a bit stilted and that there was a piece missing. The highlights of those portions of the book were how Zarina was able to connect to the backgrounds of some of the wrestlers and find inspiration and links to their own story of immigration. While that and the social media elements felt so real (often painfully), a lot of the focus on the wrestling began to feel quite dry in contrast to the other sides of the story.
There is a definite and identifiable heart to this story, but it’s a bit of work to get to it. Throughout reading it, there were quite a few sections of the writing that felt more on the mechanical side and removed from Zarina and the other characters. There are a lot of great elements in this book that don’t end up all mixing together well in the execution; so much of it just being conveyed to the reader through explanations by Zarina in a way that takes some of the punch out of the story.
3.75 rounded up to 4.
This was definitely an interesting read! There’s a combination of such highly specific topics within the pages that worked to make this a layered story. My biggest takeaway is that I need to find somewhere near me that has authentic Bangladeshi food because oh my god, the food descriptions!!! I don’t even have a full grasp of the flavors described, but every time Zarina was cooking I could practically taste the dishes through the descriptions. The food and restaurant storylines were the main drivers of this book, and those were the parts that I found the most heart of the story and characters. Food can be such a powerful thing and I think Paramita’s writing captures that phenomenally.
The parts of the story that I found less compelling were the wrestling elements. There was something about the way that all the characters around that environment were portrayed that always felt a bit stilted and that there was a piece missing. The highlights of those portions of the book were how Zarina was able to connect to the backgrounds of some of the wrestlers and find inspiration and links to their own story of immigration. While that and the social media elements felt so real (often painfully), a lot of the focus on the wrestling began to feel quite dry in contrast to the other sides of the story.
There is a definite and identifiable heart to this story, but it’s a bit of work to get to it. Throughout reading it, there were quite a few sections of the writing that felt more on the mechanical side and removed from Zarina and the other characters. There are a lot of great elements in this book that don’t end up all mixing together well in the execution; so much of it just being conveyed to the reader through explanations by Zarina in a way that takes some of the punch out of the story.
3.75 rounded up to 4.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I tend to gravitate more toward romance, so this book was definitely outside of my normal comfort zone. Still, the premise intrigued me right away. The combination of food culture, social media fandom, and professional wrestling felt so different from anything I usually read that I wanted to give it a chance. Since this is also a debut novel, I was curious to see how the author would balance all of those elements together.
What stood out to me most about this book was how realistic the online fandom aspect felt. Watching Zarina slowly become pulled deeper and deeper into Sierra Myst’s orbit was both fascinating and uncomfortable at times in a way that clearly felt intentional. The story does a really good job showing how blurry the lines can become between admiration, friendship, access, and emotional dependence in online spaces. I also appreciated how much the book explored identity and belonging, especially through Zarina’s experiences as a Bangladeshi character navigating both online and real-world relationships.
I also really enjoyed the food and restaurant aspects of the story. Some of my favorite moments actually involved Zarina’s passion for cooking and the people around her who truly saw her potential. Anna especially stood out to me as an important presence in Zarina’s life, and I found myself wanting even more of that relationship throughout the story.
This was definitely a different type of read for me, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do with it. While I did have some frustrations with how certain conflicts were handled toward the end, I still found the story engaging and very easy to fly through. Overall, I am glad I stepped outside of my usual reading preferences and gave this debut a chance.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
What stood out to me most about this book was how realistic the online fandom aspect felt. Watching Zarina slowly become pulled deeper and deeper into Sierra Myst’s orbit was both fascinating and uncomfortable at times in a way that clearly felt intentional. The story does a really good job showing how blurry the lines can become between admiration, friendship, access, and emotional dependence in online spaces. I also appreciated how much the book explored identity and belonging, especially through Zarina’s experiences as a Bangladeshi character navigating both online and real-world relationships.
I also really enjoyed the food and restaurant aspects of the story. Some of my favorite moments actually involved Zarina’s passion for cooking and the people around her who truly saw her potential. Anna especially stood out to me as an important presence in Zarina’s life, and I found myself wanting even more of that relationship throughout the story.
This was definitely a different type of read for me, and I can appreciate what the author was trying to do with it. While I did have some frustrations with how certain conflicts were handled toward the end, I still found the story engaging and very easy to fly through. Overall, I am glad I stepped outside of my usual reading preferences and gave this debut a chance.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Appetite is about the parasocial relationships we develop towards famous people or even just people prominent in the community. Zarina is a prep cook at a fancy restaurant who dreams of opening her own Bangladeshi-fusion restaurant. But in her free time, Zarina loves to watch professional wrestling, particularly the wrestler Sierra Myst. After some twitter interactions, Zarina gets to meet Sierra and starts texting her. They develop a relationship that is... weird.
From the get-go, Zarina's thoughts/feelings/actions towards Sierra made me cringe very intensely. The tattoo, the scrapbook, the texting... yikes. The book definitely hammers home that this is an unhealthy relationship, which, combined with her unhappiness at work, pulls Zarina into a cycle of obsessing over Sierra to keep her mind off of work, and then struggling at work because she's obsessed with Sierra, and around and around. Ultimately she does figure out that Sierra is not the person she imagined in her head, but a real, flawed human being. A similar relationship that Zarina doesn't internally examine, though, is that with Anna, her coworker, who is a well-known and esteemed chef. I wish Zarina had spent some time reflecting on that relationship as well.
I struggled to like Zarina as a character for most of the book. She is obsessed with Sierra, but very judgmental of the particular ways that other fans are obsessed with Sierra. She thinks a male fan is performative for being a women's lit professor. She is very boringly woke (annoyingly woke?) and feels morally superior about it. She struggles to create and maintain friendships in the real world. Basically, she is so Gen Z that it makes my joints hurt. Towards the end, when she started figuring her shit out, I liked her more, but the damage was sort of done for me.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
From the get-go, Zarina's thoughts/feelings/actions towards Sierra made me cringe very intensely. The tattoo, the scrapbook, the texting... yikes. The book definitely hammers home that this is an unhealthy relationship, which, combined with her unhappiness at work, pulls Zarina into a cycle of obsessing over Sierra to keep her mind off of work, and then struggling at work because she's obsessed with Sierra, and around and around. Ultimately she does figure out that Sierra is not the person she imagined in her head, but a real, flawed human being. A similar relationship that Zarina doesn't internally examine, though, is that with Anna, her coworker, who is a well-known and esteemed chef. I wish Zarina had spent some time reflecting on that relationship as well.
I struggled to like Zarina as a character for most of the book. She is obsessed with Sierra, but very judgmental of the particular ways that other fans are obsessed with Sierra. She thinks a male fan is performative for being a women's lit professor. She is very boringly woke (annoyingly woke?) and feels morally superior about it. She struggles to create and maintain friendships in the real world. Basically, she is so Gen Z that it makes my joints hurt. Towards the end, when she started figuring her shit out, I liked her more, but the damage was sort of done for me.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
***I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review
Zarina is a prep cook at a fancy New Haven restaurant. She is estranged from her family back in Bangladesh, she keeps getting passed over for promotions, and doesn't feel like she will ever achieve her dreams of owning her own restaurant. She is overworked, underpaid, and feels invisible. The only time she is truly happy is when she is at home, cooking Bangladeshi meals using leftover ingredients from work, while she watches her hero Sierra Myst, a professional wrestler. One night, Zarina posts about Sierra Myst, and the impossible happens: Sierra responds. At first, it is like a dream come true for Zarina, to have a personal connection with her idol. But as Sierra begins to make more and more requests for Zarina to produce content for her to be able to repost, and she keeps leaning on Zarina asking for relationship advice, Zarina begins to feel like an unpaid assistant. She can't keep juggling everything - she is going to drop something, and she doesn't know what will hurt the most when she does.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I detest wrestling, so I started and stopped this book several times , because I was just not interested in that aspect of it. Once I really got into the story, I became more invested, however. Zarina was a loner. She was friendly with most of her co-workers, but never spent time with them outside of work. So when Sierra Myst responded to a post, all of the different Sierra Myst fan groups noticed & started adding her to their friend groups, and chats, and she had an influx of friends with a common interest. She couldn't seem to compartmentalize though, so something was going to have to give, whether it was losing her job, or losing Sierra Myst & the fan base. Overall, this debut novel was a solid 4 out 5.
Zarina is a prep cook at a fancy New Haven restaurant. She is estranged from her family back in Bangladesh, she keeps getting passed over for promotions, and doesn't feel like she will ever achieve her dreams of owning her own restaurant. She is overworked, underpaid, and feels invisible. The only time she is truly happy is when she is at home, cooking Bangladeshi meals using leftover ingredients from work, while she watches her hero Sierra Myst, a professional wrestler. One night, Zarina posts about Sierra Myst, and the impossible happens: Sierra responds. At first, it is like a dream come true for Zarina, to have a personal connection with her idol. But as Sierra begins to make more and more requests for Zarina to produce content for her to be able to repost, and she keeps leaning on Zarina asking for relationship advice, Zarina begins to feel like an unpaid assistant. She can't keep juggling everything - she is going to drop something, and she doesn't know what will hurt the most when she does.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I detest wrestling, so I started and stopped this book several times , because I was just not interested in that aspect of it. Once I really got into the story, I became more invested, however. Zarina was a loner. She was friendly with most of her co-workers, but never spent time with them outside of work. So when Sierra Myst responded to a post, all of the different Sierra Myst fan groups noticed & started adding her to their friend groups, and chats, and she had an influx of friends with a common interest. She couldn't seem to compartmentalize though, so something was going to have to give, whether it was losing her job, or losing Sierra Myst & the fan base. Overall, this debut novel was a solid 4 out 5.
August 4, 2026
I am SO pleased about how much I enjoyed this book.
If you've never had a parasocial relationship with a celebrity (or knew people who did), this book is going to come off very strange, but as someone who's been deep into fandom all of her life, I LOVED this.
All Zarina wants to do is spread Bangeldesh inspired cuisine and gush over her favorite wrestler, Sierra Myst. One day a GIF Zarina created of Sierra Myst not only goes viral, but gets her in contact with the wrestler herself, Zarina's life is changed. She goes from obsessing over food to obsessing over a wrestler who shows her some time of day.
This story is so good because it's a mix of "oh she's in the wrong, but also SHE's in the wrong." Zarina is unlikable to a degree, but that makes her very enjoyable. Sometimes I can't deal with a book thats too contemporary, and while this book toes the line, it worked so well in its favor that I didn't mind. If you aren't in tune with stan Twitter, this book is actually a great entry point in how that culture is formed. A lot of fans feel so connected to celebrities and their lives because of social media, and now Zarina has front row access.
Sierra Myst (Jennifer Kaplan outside of the ring) is such a good opposite to Zarina. At first you're annoyed that she is ignoring Zarina and then as the story progresses, you see how both of them are feeding off of each other's attention.
In addition to the fandom, this book made me so hungry? Everything Zarina talked about in terms of food sounded SO good . By the end of the book I was really rooting for Zarina and her culinary endeavors.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random house for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
If you've never had a parasocial relationship with a celebrity (or knew people who did), this book is going to come off very strange, but as someone who's been deep into fandom all of her life, I LOVED this.
All Zarina wants to do is spread Bangeldesh inspired cuisine and gush over her favorite wrestler, Sierra Myst. One day a GIF Zarina created of Sierra Myst not only goes viral, but gets her in contact with the wrestler herself, Zarina's life is changed. She goes from obsessing over food to obsessing over a wrestler who shows her some time of day.
This story is so good because it's a mix of "oh she's in the wrong, but also SHE's in the wrong." Zarina is unlikable to a degree, but that makes her very enjoyable. Sometimes I can't deal with a book thats too contemporary, and while this book toes the line, it worked so well in its favor that I didn't mind. If you aren't in tune with stan Twitter, this book is actually a great entry point in how that culture is formed. A lot of fans feel so connected to celebrities and their lives because of social media, and now Zarina has front row access.
Sierra Myst (Jennifer Kaplan outside of the ring) is such a good opposite to Zarina. At first you're annoyed that she is ignoring Zarina and then as the story progresses, you see how both of them are feeding off of each other's attention.
In addition to the fandom, this book made me so hungry? Everything Zarina talked about in terms of food sounded SO good . By the end of the book I was really rooting for Zarina and her culinary endeavors.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random house for an eARC. All thoughts are honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Review of Uncorrected eBook File
Zarina Iqbal, a prep cook at Zero’s, gets to bring home leftover ingredients from the restaurant kitchen. Tonight she has potatoes and is preparing to make aloo bhorta, a Bangladeshi dish she’s eaten throughout her childhood. While she prepares the meal, she’s keeping an eye on the professional wrestling show. Sierra Myst, her hero, may be a heel in the ring, but Zarina enjoys her bold confidence. Out of the ring, Sierra Myst is Jennifer Kaplan; Zarina is overwhelmed by her perfection.
One night, Zarina posts on Twitter about the wrestling match and, to her astonishment, Sierra Myst not only likes the post but replies to it . . . and begins following her on the social media site. Suddenly, Zarina has a slew of followers, all fans of Sierra Myst.
What will come of this?
=========
One of the strengths of this book is its focus on friendship and culture; the various dishes described are mouth-watering and likely to leave readers wishing for a sample. However, the thought-provoking picture of fandom and power depicted here should give every reader pause.
But just how much can you trust people you know only through the internet?
In this unfolding tale, there is often a bit too much “tell” and readers are likely to feel disillusioned by the lack of consequences for many of the characters in the story.
Readers who enjoy books about relationships and culture [and yummy-sounding foods!] may enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House / Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Appetite #NetGalley
Zarina Iqbal, a prep cook at Zero’s, gets to bring home leftover ingredients from the restaurant kitchen. Tonight she has potatoes and is preparing to make aloo bhorta, a Bangladeshi dish she’s eaten throughout her childhood. While she prepares the meal, she’s keeping an eye on the professional wrestling show. Sierra Myst, her hero, may be a heel in the ring, but Zarina enjoys her bold confidence. Out of the ring, Sierra Myst is Jennifer Kaplan; Zarina is overwhelmed by her perfection.
One night, Zarina posts on Twitter about the wrestling match and, to her astonishment, Sierra Myst not only likes the post but replies to it . . . and begins following her on the social media site. Suddenly, Zarina has a slew of followers, all fans of Sierra Myst.
What will come of this?
=========
One of the strengths of this book is its focus on friendship and culture; the various dishes described are mouth-watering and likely to leave readers wishing for a sample. However, the thought-provoking picture of fandom and power depicted here should give every reader pause.
But just how much can you trust people you know only through the internet?
In this unfolding tale, there is often a bit too much “tell” and readers are likely to feel disillusioned by the lack of consequences for many of the characters in the story.
Readers who enjoy books about relationships and culture [and yummy-sounding foods!] may enjoy this book.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Random House / Dial Press Trade Paperback and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving this review.
#Appetite #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I first started reading the book I wasn't sure where it was headed and how the entire wrestling scenario played into the storyline., and honestly not sure that the book was for me. It was kind of odd, at first, but soon became obvious and, in fact, key in the characters growth, emotionally as well as professionally. Finding your self-confidence and power can be challenging at any age, but especially in your mid-twenties, when you've not had a lot of support and your trajectory has been fueled solely by your own drive. The story centers around a young woman who comes to the US for college from Bangladesh and, despite her mom's support of her education, her mom wants her to come home and marry and not be a chef, which is all that the MC wants to be. Zarina is a strong woman but torn between her mom's obvious dislike of her chosen profession, as well as the jabs her mom makes every time they talk on the phone, and her boss, who is rude and dismissive of her talents and skills. She suffers from so many microaggressions that they almost become acceptable...no matter how many times she corrects people, they continue to try to tell her who she is, instead of listening...
Oh, you cook Indian food...You must be from India..," Zarina finds her strength and, despite some missteps in choosing her friends and idols, she ends up connecting with people whoo finally see her for her and support that amazing side of her. This is a good book. It would be a great book for so many girls to ready who get caught up with believing their social media idols are truly who they think they are...I was lucky to have been given an ARC for this book from the author.
Oh, you cook Indian food...You must be from India..," Zarina finds her strength and, despite some missteps in choosing her friends and idols, she ends up connecting with people whoo finally see her for her and support that amazing side of her. This is a good book. It would be a great book for so many girls to ready who get caught up with believing their social media idols are truly who they think they are...I was lucky to have been given an ARC for this book from the author.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Dial Press for the e-ARC.
The irony of a book titled Appetite is that I was left hungering for more. The first 70% of the story moves at the speed of caramelized onions and with much the same result, which is to leave me questioning whether the time and attention needed to achieve the desired result was worth it. The last 30% was too neatly packaged, too pristine, lacking tension or demands of emotional investment from the reader. After everything leading to the critical plot point in the third act, the plot became frictionless.
The writing style was not for me. So much telling and minimal showing. Given the first person POV, the telling over showing style makes sense to some extent, even if it did hinder any emotional engagement on the reader's part. While Appetite attempts to comment on parasocial and transactional relationships, online communities, and fandoms, but there is such limited conviction and so much navel gazing from Zarina, the MC and narrator, that the commentary gets lost. If you get secondhand embarrassment from reading about characters making dumb decisions, brace yourself. As Zarina falls deeper into the online wrestling fandom as the story progresses, their delusions mount. So when these missteps come to a head and lead to Zarina losing their job, I almost hoped that something dramatic would happen to keep the story interesting. Alas, it was not meant to be.
To their credit, P. Paramita's food descriptions were enticing. I appreciated the Bangladeshi representation through Zarina's character, even if much of it centered around that identity being a source of conflict.
The irony of a book titled Appetite is that I was left hungering for more. The first 70% of the story moves at the speed of caramelized onions and with much the same result, which is to leave me questioning whether the time and attention needed to achieve the desired result was worth it. The last 30% was too neatly packaged, too pristine, lacking tension or demands of emotional investment from the reader. After everything leading to the critical plot point in the third act, the plot became frictionless.
The writing style was not for me. So much telling and minimal showing. Given the first person POV, the telling over showing style makes sense to some extent, even if it did hinder any emotional engagement on the reader's part. While Appetite attempts to comment on parasocial and transactional relationships, online communities, and fandoms, but there is such limited conviction and so much navel gazing from Zarina, the MC and narrator, that the commentary gets lost. If you get secondhand embarrassment from reading about characters making dumb decisions, brace yourself. As Zarina falls deeper into the online wrestling fandom as the story progresses, their delusions mount. So when these missteps come to a head and lead to Zarina losing their job, I almost hoped that something dramatic would happen to keep the story interesting. Alas, it was not meant to be.
To their credit, P. Paramita's food descriptions were enticing. I appreciated the Bangladeshi representation through Zarina's character, even if much of it centered around that identity being a source of conflict.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story follows Zarina, a struggling prep cook in New York. She is overworked, underpaid, and just barely getting by. She is unappreciated and often overlooked at work. The small bit of joy she gets is taking leftovers home and working on recipes.
Her goal is to make dishes that fuse Bangladeshi meals from her youth with other popular dishes around her. She spends some free time posting on wrestling Twitter and catches the eye of super famous wrestler, Sierra Myst.
The peacock body suit wearing star is a fan of Zarina's gifs and reaches out. Seeming like an invitation to friendship and getting better access to the star, has Zarina over the moon.
Weeks of obsession, being strung along, barely responded to messages, and sudden popularity make for a dangerous cocktail.
Desperate for her relationship with Sierra to progress and Zarina's noticeable slacking at work put tensions at an all time high.
This story was a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I think the author does a great job at portraying the good, the bad, and the ugly of your early twenties. We can all look back and cringe at some of the things we did or said.
This story was a pretty quick read and I think is definitely doable in a single sitting. This story will deal with some potentially triggering things so heed the warnings ⚠️:
Racism, online bullying, manipulation, obsession, stalking if you squint, etc
This book is set to release on August 4th, 2026. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, then check it out!
This story follows Zarina, a struggling prep cook in New York. She is overworked, underpaid, and just barely getting by. She is unappreciated and often overlooked at work. The small bit of joy she gets is taking leftovers home and working on recipes.
Her goal is to make dishes that fuse Bangladeshi meals from her youth with other popular dishes around her. She spends some free time posting on wrestling Twitter and catches the eye of super famous wrestler, Sierra Myst.
The peacock body suit wearing star is a fan of Zarina's gifs and reaches out. Seeming like an invitation to friendship and getting better access to the star, has Zarina over the moon.
Weeks of obsession, being strung along, barely responded to messages, and sudden popularity make for a dangerous cocktail.
Desperate for her relationship with Sierra to progress and Zarina's noticeable slacking at work put tensions at an all time high.
This story was a bit of a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I think the author does a great job at portraying the good, the bad, and the ugly of your early twenties. We can all look back and cringe at some of the things we did or said.
This story was a pretty quick read and I think is definitely doable in a single sitting. This story will deal with some potentially triggering things so heed the warnings ⚠️:
Racism, online bullying, manipulation, obsession, stalking if you squint, etc
This book is set to release on August 4th, 2026. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, then check it out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Random House, Dial Press Trade Paperback, and Netgalley for this ARC. This review is my honest opinion.
Zarina, a young Bangladeshi chef in America, finds herself working in a kitchen that she really doesn’t like and dreaming of making her own fusion dishes. When away from work she’s a huge wrestling fan and after a random tweet with GIF of her favorite wrestler, Sierra Mist, she finds herself suddenly connected to Sierra and thrown into the world of wrestling fandom. It quickly evolves to Sierra texting Zarina for advice on social media and even her love life. Zarina finds herself unable to balance her professional ambitions and her desire to please her hero. Can Zarina find her way back to what’s best for her?
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt like the cast of characters surrounding Zarina in the kitchen and eventually on her journey to owning her own restaurant felt like the folks I knew during my time in the service industry. The relationship dynamic between Zarina and Sierra added so much tension to the story. I found myself wanting to tell Sierra to pay our girl Zarina for her work and to stop preying on fans for their work. I also appreciated that while it played a big part in this story we got to move past their relationship and witness Zarina going for her dreams. The food described in the book had my stomach growling. Do not pick them up on an empty stomach! This was a quick read and I’ll be recommending it to all of my foodie friends.
Zarina, a young Bangladeshi chef in America, finds herself working in a kitchen that she really doesn’t like and dreaming of making her own fusion dishes. When away from work she’s a huge wrestling fan and after a random tweet with GIF of her favorite wrestler, Sierra Mist, she finds herself suddenly connected to Sierra and thrown into the world of wrestling fandom. It quickly evolves to Sierra texting Zarina for advice on social media and even her love life. Zarina finds herself unable to balance her professional ambitions and her desire to please her hero. Can Zarina find her way back to what’s best for her?
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. I felt like the cast of characters surrounding Zarina in the kitchen and eventually on her journey to owning her own restaurant felt like the folks I knew during my time in the service industry. The relationship dynamic between Zarina and Sierra added so much tension to the story. I found myself wanting to tell Sierra to pay our girl Zarina for her work and to stop preying on fans for their work. I also appreciated that while it played a big part in this story we got to move past their relationship and witness Zarina going for her dreams. The food described in the book had my stomach growling. Do not pick them up on an empty stomach! This was a quick read and I’ll be recommending it to all of my foodie friends.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
This is a strong debut that I thoroughly enjoyed because its protagonist is driven by a number of chaotic elements that make them feel authentically their age and give them unexpected depth.
Zarina feels most authentic when cooking, particularly when the cuisine is Bangladeshi or some kind of fusion. This is the kind of book that made me hungry the whole time I was reading. Show up with snacks, or prepare to be really sad as you progress. There are many great descriptions of different dishes and ideas for dishes, and I loved this element.
Zarina's family is not exactly supportive of her burgeoning career, and she's also largely isolated in general. This makes her parasocial relationship with a pro wrestler totally logical but still cringe worthy. Things take a bizarre turn when Zarina and this wrestler go from parasocial to some sort of mutual relationship. Is it the same relationship for both? Well... Things get complicated fast, but what faster way is there to grow than to be disappointed by someone and have them disappoint you?!
At 25, Zarina has a lot to learn, but it's fun to watch her try. I liked this character and this book, and I'll be back for another helping (sorry) from this author for sure.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Will Lyman at Random House, Hogarth, and Dial for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
This is a strong debut that I thoroughly enjoyed because its protagonist is driven by a number of chaotic elements that make them feel authentically their age and give them unexpected depth.
Zarina feels most authentic when cooking, particularly when the cuisine is Bangladeshi or some kind of fusion. This is the kind of book that made me hungry the whole time I was reading. Show up with snacks, or prepare to be really sad as you progress. There are many great descriptions of different dishes and ideas for dishes, and I loved this element.
Zarina's family is not exactly supportive of her burgeoning career, and she's also largely isolated in general. This makes her parasocial relationship with a pro wrestler totally logical but still cringe worthy. Things take a bizarre turn when Zarina and this wrestler go from parasocial to some sort of mutual relationship. Is it the same relationship for both? Well... Things get complicated fast, but what faster way is there to grow than to be disappointed by someone and have them disappoint you?!
At 25, Zarina has a lot to learn, but it's fun to watch her try. I liked this character and this book, and I'll be back for another helping (sorry) from this author for sure.
*Special thanks to NetGalley and Will Lyman at Random House, Hogarth, and Dial for this widget, which I received in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Random House | Hogarth | The Dial Press for my ARC of this incredible debut. It is a visceral read from mouth-watering descriptions of foods and recipe creations to the cold sweat of online anxiety. The author brilliantly portrayed that online addiction and fandom takeover - it's so true how easy it is to let these tiny screens held in our palms take over our worlds. While there is nothing specific in the book description or ARC overview, I also feel that this book had excellent neuro-diversity representation, and the MC's struggle to understand social dynamics extended past cultural/immigration and I felt very seen in a different way as a reader.
Zarina's interactions and movements also highlighted my own ignorance within this diverse community of women of colour. The author spoke to family expectations, pressure, escape versus alignment, and I COULD NOT PUT DOWN.
"It almost feels as though something inside me is being stitched together, these parts of myself meeting, with such delightful results far beyond what I could have ever allowed myself to hope."
I didn't realize how badly I needed a happily ever after with a woman in her power focusing on her career !!!! This is inspiring and uplifting in the best way - especially when you focus and align with your passions and community.
Zarina's interactions and movements also highlighted my own ignorance within this diverse community of women of colour. The author spoke to family expectations, pressure, escape versus alignment, and I COULD NOT PUT DOWN.
"It almost feels as though something inside me is being stitched together, these parts of myself meeting, with such delightful results far beyond what I could have ever allowed myself to hope."
I didn't realize how badly I needed a happily ever after with a woman in her power focusing on her career !!!! This is inspiring and uplifting in the best way - especially when you focus and align with your passions and community.
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