Hungry Eyes

by Dawn O’Porter

What happens at your kitchen table can become the blueprint for everything you are. Did you sit alone or with people you loved? Was it fun or tense? Was someone working hard to stop you noticing someone else's mood? Did you take it for granted, or know someone had busted their balls to make it happen?

Was the food thoughtful and delicious, or bland and functional? Was the plate laid down with love or anger?

It all matters. It all stays with us.

I think about this every single day.

For years, Dawn O’Porter believed that fulfilment lived somewhere glamorous – in success, recognition, and a life lived loudly.

Somewhere between grieving loss, learning to cook something vaguely nutritious, Hollywood dreams, raising children, writing bestselling fiction and eating wotsits for dinner, Dawn discovered that the real spotlight wasn’t out there. It was here, at the kitchen table. In the messy moments, and in the meals burned, devoured, avoided and adored. Food became her stage, her comfort and her love language.

Hungry Eyes is a memoir about identity and appetite. The moments and the meals that quietly shape who we become and the ingredients we use to gradually build a life. She explores the lifelong pressure to ‘bring something to the table’, and the hunger that can create inside us as a result.

Warm, sharp and wise, this is Nigella meets Nora Ephron with a side of therapy and served with a little bit of bite; this will definitely make you want to cook for the ones you love.

What if the thing you’ve been chasing your whole life was already sitting at your kitchen table?

Genres: Audiobook, Nonfiction, Memoir

320 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2026

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was aware of Dawn but didn’t actually watch her tv programs until she was on Masterchef. I loved her cooking and her style so was interested in this book. It is obvious, I think, from the title that this book is about food and her relationship to food. I think this would be a triggering book for anyone with a history of an eating disorder, including bulimia or binge eating. A bit of a ⭐️ was removed in my head when she said she would not be bulimic due to fear of teeth damage, I mean that is true but there is also significant risk of death. I think having a helpline or some information added to the end of the book for anyone experiencing an eating disorder would be really helpful and if they add that this would be a 5 ⭐️ book for me. Dawn describes urges for many eating disorder behaviour, including restricting with details of this including calories. There is also discussion about cancer and death of loved ones.
I enjoyed the majority of this book, Dawn uses food to explore her experiences in life and has details of some of her favourite recipes. I’m definitely going for the Mac and cheese which looks good. I think at times I felt envious of her ability to host and her generosity. At the end though I have taken her advice to take care of myself first and have definitely been making my meals with more love. I have started adding a salad to my evening meals using her salad dressing which is very easy and very delicious. I am thinking that I can start small before I start to be more hospitable, maybe.
I think if Dawn had a conversation with me covering this book there would be no issue, I do think some nuances are probably lost in the print. The book feels totally unfiltered, I do have issues with pregnant women and babies and my 1⭐️ dropped towards the end of the book. Dawn describes eating blue cheese just before giving birth, listeria even at the end if the pregnancy is dangerous. Maybe it was cooked but she doesn’t say that. Also she describes drinking alcohol during the pregnancy, not just before knowing she is pregnant. My understanding is that no amount is safe and I wish she would mention that here, not just when she dramatically reduces alcohol later on in the story. I think if she would be talking to me I would be rolling my eyes and she would tell me off and we would laugh, but I’d still ask if they can amend this bit before publishing. The part of the book when she had her babies was not my favourite, but the rest of the book, going from when she was a child to her return to the UK was so good. I loved her descriptions of tactile experiences and her joy of food and people is radiant. I absolutely binge read this book, basically in a day, I think this is testament to how good the book is. It’s definitely a book that will make you appreciate your food more!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinion.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hadn't read any of Dawn O'Porter's books before, but I thoroughly enjoyed Hungry Eyes. As someone with a keen interest in food, I loved reading about how it has shaped her life and the important role it has played throughout her memories and experiences.
The sense of nostalgia was one of my favourite aspects of the book, and I smiled at the references to so many familiar foods that I have enjoyed over the years.

O'Porter beautifully captures the powerful connection between food, memory, family, and identity. The book is well organised into clear chapters, and her writing is warm, engaging, and often laugh-out-loud funny. Filled with honest reflections, entertaining anecdotes, and memorable stories, it was a pleasure to read. I also enjoyed the recipes scattered throughout the book, which added a lovely personal touch.

More than anything, Hungry Eyes inspired me to think more about my own relationship with food and the memories attached to it. I received a free advance review copy from NetGalley, and I now can't wait to read more of Dawn O'Porter's books.

[Aoife D · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too sure what I make of this one, I think framing the autobiography through the lens of food was interesting, as to be honest I think you need to have had a very interesting life for me to consider reading your life story as worthwhile, so framing it in a novel way definitely was good, however, I think it felt a little repetitive to me throughout the book, there’s only so many ways to describe how food can connect people. But also, maybe I just see food as more functional and I’m just not enough of a foodie to get it. I think some chapters would have been interesting as stand alones but didnt love it as a book as a whole.

[Natalie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read from one feeder to another!

[Chloë-Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved everything Dawn has put into the world (on TV) since I was little, this is no different, now to work through her back list!

[Claire Thorpe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Dawn and followed her on Instagram for years. (No i am not a stalker) she is hilarious and I love that she loves food. I listened to this driving to Suffolk and really enjoyed it. It made me very hungry and I had to stop at M&S for car snacks! It's an emotional and loving memoir of her love of food. I could relate to so much that she spoke of as I too love food and it has big emotions for me .

[RudenottoRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC and thank you Dawn O’Porter for writing this beautiful piece!

Oh how hungry for food and reading “HUNGRY EYES” made me feel!
Nostalgia printed in love for food, humans attached to taste you can’t forget, memories you can smell and never come back to.
The comfort of relating and connecting with strangers through food, the touches of humour, the entire journey made me feel this book way more than expected. I could genuinely listen hours and hours and hours to your stories, Dawn.

I finished the book thinking about my mom, cooking with my mom and realising how her recipes are shared far away from home, with people who have parts of my soul now.
P.S. I’ve written down the recipes and CANNOT wait to cook them for my people!

My triggers
* Yep, I was one of them kids: “we’ve got food at home”. Also I was one of the kids, that on Saturday, I’d be in the kitchen helping my mom cooking for the next couple of days; instead of being outside playing the kitchen with leaves and soil (the hypocrisy on me, I know). I hated it then, couldn’t be more grateful now.
* My forever feeling will forever be cooking for people
* This book just touched my heart a LOT. From food to humour, to memories I’ve kept locked for a while, to tears on joy.
* The real (or just being an adult in general) world does make you less courageous. Going from facing the impossible in your 20s to planning your meal calendar in your 30s, to stress over a no answer, to eat better because suddenly your body is a temple. (I do give less of a damn in my 30s though 💅)
* I was tiny until 14 years old. I know how hard it is to compare yourself to different bodies, to ask yourself why is this norm of being skinny a trend to follow.
* Do you associate people with food? I do! And most of my memories are events of good taste and nostalgic days of cooking with my mom.
* No matter what our background is, food will always bring us closer.

[claire mccullough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like a big hug from an old friend ♥️ I’ve always been a big fan of Dawn O’Porter but as someone who was brought up with food used as a means to bring people together and create memories, some that I desperately cling onto now, this was an especially special book.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hungry Eyes was a really compelling memoir by Dawn o’Porter.

Charting her relationship with food, generally, and some specific dishes, she shares snippets of her fascinating and relatable life story across the UK and the US.

Both countries have an impact on her cooking and family traditions around food, so it was interesting to read about how they melded together and the importance of food in her family and with her friendship groups.

She also includes some yummy recipes that I will give a try. I read it in just a few sittings and found it a fun, compelling and easy read.

Thanks to Dawn o’Porter, Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the HarperCollins publishers and Netgalley for accepting the ARC request.

I dived into this book not really knowing much about the person behind the memoir, but the colorful, fun cover and intriguing title immediately caught my eye. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting into it, but about three chapters in, I could not stop reading until I finished it. I loved this book and devoured it in one sitting.

The memoir is about British TV presenter Dawn O'Porter, who delves into her early childhood by reminiscing about food and how it shaped her throughout her teenage years and into adulthood. The book has a great concept of including recipes for the dishes mentioned in each chapter, which gives them even more meaning and allows readers to experience for themselves the deliciousness Dawn talks about. These recipes carry so much more weight when you know the stories behind why they are important to the author. I will definitely be trying out some of them.
The author has a great talent for combining storytelling with occasional humorous moments. She did a great job of painting the atmosphere through the food and the memories connected to it.
The memoir is very well written, touching on difficult moments from her childhood and exploring how she perceived the world around her. Her teenage years are described as wild and free, and she captures the innocence and carefree spirit of that phase beautifully. As she moves into her early twenties and describes the feeling of being lost while having many opportunities ahead of her, I found myself relating to the book even more, as this is the stage of life I am currently in. She vividly portrays her move to the United States, the loneliness that came with it, and how she eventually found her place there, even though it was not by fulfilling her lifelong dream of immense stardom but through the simple act of hosting. Throughout the book, she constantly reminds us that sharing a meal is one of the things that connects people most deeply, and I found that idea beautiful.
Later, she writes about pregnancy and motherhood, and finally reflects on her experience of appearing on Celebrity MasterChef. The conclousion to the whole book is my favorite as she does an amazing job of reflecting on her whole life and how food had many influence on it.
Dawn clearly had many wonderful people in her life, and she honors them throughout the book. I found myself feeling just as grateful for those people as she did, which shows how successfully she captured those emotions on the page.
I should also mention that because food is such a central topic, the memoir includes discussions of body image, societal expectations, and the pressure Dawn placed on herself throughout the years. These reflections never come across as judgmental, although she does judge some of her early eating habits quite harshly at times. Instead, Dawn manages to turn the book into a loving ode to food. She emphasizes that she values food not only for how it affects the body but also for the memories, experiences, and connections that come with it. Later in adulthood, she finds a balance between appreciating food and taking care of her body.

Overall, this was a warm, honest, and nostalgic memoir that made me reflect on my own relationship with food and the people connected to it. I would definitely recommend it to any food connoisseur, amateur cook, or simply anyone who enjoys eating. I will definetly try out some recipes and maybe even try to host at home my favorite people. For that reason I give this book 4,3 stars which rounds to 4 total.

[Michelle Dsouza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this expecting a boring life story with too many details. I came out wondering why I had never read a memoir before.

I almost gave up in the first twenty pages, not because it was bad, but because I had never read a memoir and kept waiting for a plot that was never coming. Then I looked up Dawn O'Porter and fell completely in love with her. After that, the book sailed.

The structure is clever without announcing itself. Each section is anchored by food, not as a gimmick but as the genuine through-line of a life. The meals are not decoration. They are the architecture. What Dawn ate, with whom, and under what circumstances becomes the map of who she was becoming at each stage. The device holds consistently across the full book without ever feeling forced, which is harder to pull off than it looks.

The pacing is one of the book's quiet achievements. Nothing drags. Nothing feels like filler. For a memoir told through a series of distinct moments rather than a continuous narrative, that consistency of momentum is real craft. Every section earns its place.

The writing is raw in the way that means she is not performing rawness. There is a line: "my need to be impressive never taking a day off." I felt that sentence in a way that had nothing to do with Dawn O'Porter and everything to do with myself, which is what good memoir writing does. It uses a specific life to hand you back something about your own.

O'Porter goes deep where it counts. Her childhood grief, her relationship with appetite and ambition, her marriage, her public persona: none of it feels skirted. She faced what she needed to face and trusted the reader to sit with her in it.

Aunty Jane is in a category of her own. The way Dawn writes about her is so pure it makes you want to call your own person, whoever that is for you.

There are recipes. I made the Ultimate Mac N Cheese and the Panettone Bread Pudding in the same week. I am working out extra hard as a direct consequence and I have no one to blame but Dawn O'Porter and myself.

The one thing that would have pushed this to five stars: dialogue. There are moments where scenes are recounted and you feel the people in them without quite hearing them, and a sharper exchange here and there would have made those scenes land harder. That is probably a bias from reading mostly fiction, and I will admit it freely. But it is the one place the book left me wanting a different texture.

A lived life is as interesting as fiction. I did not know that before this book. I do now.

[Helbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hungry Eyes, Dawn O'Porter's memoir is about food, family, friendship, love and loss.
I really appreciated the conversational tone. Reading it was like sitting down for a chat with someone you're gradually getting to know. O'Porter writes with warmth and honesty, making even the most difficult parts of her story feel accessible.
Her childhood was marked by significant loss, including her parents' divorce and the death of her mother when she was still young. Yet despite the sadness, there is also a strong sense of being surrounded by people who loved and cared for her. The book explores how her relationship with food began early and how it became intertwined with family, identity, comfort and connection. It is also a crazy reminder of some of the really bizarre attitudes towards food, dieting and body image that were so prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s.
A key feature of the book is the collection of recipes scattered throughout. Not every recipe appealed to me personally, but they were all simple, achievable and often nostalgic. I especially enjoyed the Scottish influences, and I've already saved the kebab recipe for future reference. I also loved the simplicity and wholesomeness of the wedding menu she describes.
At times, I found the repeated discussions of binge drinking and binge eating an uncomfortable read but I suppose that’s the whole point! However, that honesty is also one of the book's strengths. O'Porter doesn't shy away from the more difficult aspects of her relationship with food and her body, and her willingness to be so open is admirable.
I've previously read some of her fiction and also have her pandemic-era memoir on my Audible TBR list. Reading Hungry Eyes has certainly encouraged me to pick up more of her work. It has also prompted me to learn more about Choose Love, the charity she supports that helps displaced people around the world.
The final pages, where she reflects on the aunt and uncle who helped raise her and the importance of the food shared around their table, were particularly moving. They brought together many of the book's themes in a deeply emotional way.
This is a strong read for anyone interested in memoirs, food writing or family stories. More than anything, I connected with O'Porter's love of food and her belief in feeding people as an act of care and connection. That sentiment echoed strongly with me and is ultimately what made this book an enjoyable read.
Thanks to the author, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.

[Emily Norton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hungry Eyes wasn't the book I was expecting at all. Initially (and rather stupidly!) I hadn't realised it was a memoir, so I went in thinking it would be another fiction novel in the vein of Dawn O'Porter's Cat Lady or Honeybee. Instead, it's a deeply personal memoir combined with a cookbook, and I ended up really enjoying this completely different side of her writing.

The title is a lovely nod to Dirty Dancing — and yes, I had the song stuck in my head for most of the time I was reading!

Having previously read some of Dawn's novels, I loved getting a more personal insight into her life. Food plays such a huge role in shaping her memories, from time spent with friends and family to celebrations and everyday moments. She explores how food can be both influenced by our experiences and become tied to them, creating powerful connections between meals, memories and the people we share them with.

As someone who grew up with family meals around the table, I really related to the way she writes about food and family life. It rang true throughout the book and highlighted how strongly food can evoke memories, emotions and a sense of belonging.

The memoir doesn't shy away from more difficult subjects either, covering topics such as eating disorders and grief with honesty and sensitivity. These moments add depth and balance to what is ultimately a warm, witty and engaging read.

I found the concept really interesting and the pacing kept me turning the pages (read this in a day!). My only criticism is a very personal one: I'm currently trying to lose weight, and some of the recipes sounded absolutely incredible. Reading about them felt both mouth-watering and torturous in equal measure! The mackerel pâté and ultimate mac and cheese are definitely first on my list to try.

Overall, Hungry Eyes is a thoughtful, heartfelt exploration of food, memory, family and identity. If you're expecting another Dawn O'Porter novel, you may be surprised, but if you're willing to embrace something different, it's a rewarding and enjoyable read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and @HarperCollinsUK @harpernonfiction for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shonaigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I inhaled this book, it was an utter joy to read. Dawn O'Porters' warmth comes through the pages, it is very well written and poignant. So many food memories are shared and the book is interspersed with recipes. I have just (via the book), fondly remembered a traditional bake my Grandmother used to make of rock buns. Delicious scone-like, light raisin filled bakes that were so delicious; they scented the kitchen. Especially good warm from the oven. I am quite keen to make them for my partner as he has a sweet tooth and loves raisin baked goods!

It is a voyage through Dawn O'Porters life in food! From the meals that nourished her growing up via her Aunt and Uncle giving her the passion and appreciation she has for food, hosting, ingredients and cooking she holds today. The book takes us through childhood, teens, flat shares, the pandemic years, cooking for children, hosting friends, big meals for celebrations, her travels, competing on Masterchelf, cooking without gluten and so much more. You can alsmost taste as you read, so vivid are the descriptions!

"Passing around a pork pie taking a big bite each. Stinking of sausage and vinegar, country music blaring out the car,"

I was very impressed with openess and honesty it was written It cannot have been easy to write of the loss of her mother at such a young age. Plus the dificult relationship with food as a child, teen and young adult, eating for comfort and not eating well, I remember watching Dawn's documentariy Super Slim Me (BBC) which laid bare the toxicity of the culture at that time. It was such an important documentary. She,whilst being closely monitored medically, partakes in a crazy diet and exercise regime for a period of time, where she is basically in starvation mode for months. It was horrible to see and in the book it is discussed. She recalls how truly terrible she felt, the exhaustion, feeling cold, weak, having no concentation and more. Certainly big topics around food are handled astutely and sensitively throughout.

I know I will read this again and will dip in for the many recipes featuring within the pages. It was so nice to read about sharing food and how it impacts so much of life. As you read, you think of your own memories. It makes you keen to get in the kitchen. I am happy it is summertime when produce is at its best and the herbs in my window box are bursting! I would like to make more time to cook for my family and eat outdoors. Become more experimental when cooking as it is easy to stop making time for it and fall into just the usual, regular favourites!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the privilege of reading this before publication. I have now read all of Dawn O'Porters books!

[Val Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having so enjoyed Grace Dent's food themed biography Hungry, I eagerly looked forward to a similar style book. I know neither woman as I don't watch the TV shows they are on but as long as there is an interesting story this doesn't matter much to me.

I did enjoy Hungry Eyes but wasn't quite as gripped by her writing or story as much as I hoped. The food and drink referenced often seemed over dramatised and not always believable. Dawn would be enormous if she truly ate what she claims too. I was also a little put off by her love of swearing and how seems to assess the sign of a good friend by how much he or she swears or sends "an email absolutely loaded with filth". Also description of friends (maybe they feel otherwise) as having 'massive tits' or in other unflattering terms. I found that side of her quite unlikeable.

There are some bits I take exception to such as her claims of eating good salt as opposed to bad salt. All salt is sodium chloride and is good or bad depending on if you eat too little or too much. I am also astonished by how badly her health suffered by eating gluten for years even though she knew it was making her ill. Then, as a reader, we feel expected to admire her when she finally goes cold-turkey on giving up gluten and raves about the difference in her health. She eats a lot of supplements which I expect will be revealed in years to come as food fads and of no real nutritional use.

She's lived in Los Angeles for many years so there was a fair bit of Americanisms I had to look up such as 'wife-beaters' and Daisy Dukes - both items of clothing. Most of the recipes look appealing and I will try some.

With thanks to NetGalley and on HarperNonFiction for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookish Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Dawn, have done since the early 00s when she did the Dirty Dancing documentary on channel 5*. She kept me sane through lockdown, although I do blame her for my "cocktails and crisps every day after work" habit that took hold that first summer. :D

Life in Pieces is a compilation of writings from her Patreon account written during lockdown in Los Angeles, and it is lots of fun. I read this when it first came out but still dip into it today.

I've just finished Hungry Eyes (yes, Dawn is a huge Dirty Dancing fan!) her new memoir, full of stories about her life and the food memories they envoke. The whole book is delicious and I gobbled it up!

Puns aside, it's a frank and honest account of her life so far - Dawn has experienced such great loss, some of it at a very early age, and she speaks so openly about it. Be prepared for some emotional writing. A few tears were shed.

Of course, with Dawn, there is also a lot of laughter. I loved the stories about Dawn and her sister, Jane, visiting their Dad at Loch Lomond during the summer holidays. Plus some of her university menus were relatable. Who hasn't eaten a crisp sandwich for tea? Nutrition be damned.

The food descriptions are heavenly, but please do not make the mistake of reading it when hungry, you will torture yourself. Each chapter concludes with a recipe, many of which I want to try out.

I'll be getting a physical copy of this when it is published next month, my only quandary trying to decide if it goes on my shelves or on my trolley of cookery books.

Thank you so much to the publishers for my copy in exchange for a review.

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was a different sort of read for me... a memoir disguised as a cook book - or vice versa!
And I have to say that it actually worked really well...!
Speaking as someone who grew up with family meals sat round a table, a habit I still employ to this day, I understand the way that food both influences and is influenced by family life and this too comes across in this book. It's also true that food does evoke memories and she has also used this link between the two herein.
For full disclosure, I'm not a cook. I eat to live with my offerings, but I do love eating out, when someone else has cooked something special! So most of the recipes did somewhat pass me by although I have bookmarked a few to maybe try when I am feeling brave.
The rest of the book - the memoir part - I did find fascinating, and well written. I had no idea of her background, I only know her from her fiction books and who she married! Although I did get a bit weary of being repeatedly reminded that some of what happened in the past would not be suitable / appropriate these days... although I do recognise that this is the world we now live in and this stuff apparently needs said. I do wish common sense would make a reappearance soon!
She is also brutally honest about some quite hard hitting stuff and I can imagine that, along with the self-reflection that she must have done whilst composing it, she found the whole writing it all down thing quite cathartic on a personal level.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

[Emma Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

5 frigging stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Oh Dawn… I absolutely adore you, and I’m convinced we would have been friends if we’d met. From the way you ate your Cadbury’s Boost bars to your love (and slight obsession!) with Dirty Dancing, I related to so much of this book.

As someone who smoked in the 90s too — starting on Lambert & Butler Silver (“sculler silver” 😂) before graduating to Marlboro Lights — this felt so nostalgic and familiar. Dawn writes in such a way that you feel like you’re sat chatting with an old friend.

What really struck me was how much she visualised and manifested the life she wanted. Proper law of attraction vibes, but backed up with years of hard graft and determination.

The heartbreak of losing her mum runs throughout the book, but so does the incredible love she received from her Auntie and Uncle. It was emotional, funny, raw and incredibly honest and her close special Sister Planty Jane ..

I also loved getting more insight into the life I’ve watched through Instagram stories over the years — and finally understanding where the love of cats comes from!

“Has Dawn done a shit yet?” honestly had me crying laughing 🤣🤣🤣

I’m a huge Dawn O’Porter fan already, and this book has made me want to go back and reread Paper Aeroplanes all over again.

This is an absolute must-read, and I’ll be telling — and willing — all my fellow 48-year-old gals to buy it immediately.

[Tara Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book from NetGalley and HarperCollins.

I’ve only read one other book by Dawn O’Porter, but I really enjoy her writing style. It’s engaging, witty, and feels like sitting down with a friend who’s telling you a story over cocktails and a bag of sharing crisps (for me, definitely Kettle Chips salt and balsamic vinegar).

Hungry Eyes is a memoir told through food and the memories it evokes. Dawn grew up in Guernsey in a household where food played a huge role in bringing people together around the table. After losing her mother at a very young age, food became a way of creating connections, but also of suppressing emotions. Through the highs and lows of her life, she explores how food can both fill emotional gaps and help us make sense of the world around us.

Like all great food memoirs, this one is packed with favourite recipes, making it a book I know I’ll return to. Many of the recipes really spoke to me and my own love of food.

I particularly loved the nostalgia woven throughout. Dawn and I are the same age, so many of the cultural references resonated with me. Having also spent time living in the States in my early twenties, I enjoyed her observations on the differences in both relationships and food culture.

I love memoirs that introduce me to interesting lives and experiences, and this one is no exception. A lovely read that I’ll happily be recommending to friends and fellow food lovers.

[Rebecca Dures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Dawn O’porter has written her first autobiography but has written it with a twist. Dawn describes food as her ‘emotional support animal’ and so every chapter focuses on various memories from her life and alongside those memories are food and dishes that Dawn personally connects the memory with, such as ‘Auntie Jane’s sausage stuffing’. Those dishes are given to us in recipe form complete with instructions on how to recreate those dishes ourselves. The pie chapter was a particular favourite of mine!

What this leads to is a half autobiography / half cookbook and is quite unlike any biography I have read before. Fans of Dawn’s previous fiction books will not be disappointed as her usual humour and wit is in full swing and there are some real laugh out loud moments.

However, alongside the more upbeat memories Dawn does explore some harder memories in her life such as her mum sadly passing away from breast cancer when she was just 5 years old.

Dawn is a very eloquent author and her writing style paints a picture in such a way that you could quite easily be there smelling that food for yourself.

Overall, I found this to be a warm, original, and engaging read. The combination of personal stories and recipes worked surprisingly well, making it feel both intimate and practical. I would recommend it to fans of Dawn O'Porter as well as readers looking for a memoir with a unique twist.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Hungry Eyes, Dawn O’Porter’s autobiography, although not in the traditional sense. Dawn weaves her life story around food, connecting memories and recipes in a way that feels a little different.

I have to admit, I found myself skimming over many of the recipes — not because they weren’t appealing, but because I was so invested in Dawn’s story that I wanted to keep reading rather than start cooking.

I found it fascinating to learn just how connected Dawn is to the celebrity and Hollywood world. At the same time, I really appreciated how honest and down-to-earth the book felt. Dawn writes openly, with warmth and humour, which made it easy to connect with. She shares plenty of personal experiences while leaving some areas of her life a little lighter, which actually left me wanting to know more rather than feeling that anything was missing. It struck a lovely balance between openness and privacy.

Overall, this was an interesting and enjoyable read that I’d happily recommend. One warning, though: have some snacks nearby! The descriptions of the food made me feel hungry even when I’d just eaten — the book almost needs a healthy snack list at the beginning!

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, Nonfiction | HarperCollins for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jeanniehay64 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a fascinating insight into Dawn O’Porters life. Told with honestly and self reflection she shares how the tragic loss of her mother at a young age affected her. And although her grandparents and uncle and aunt stepped in to bring her a happy childhood, her feeling of missing something still prevailed. Her fathers attempts to stay in contact with her and her sister were well meaning but still lacking.

I connected with this book personally as my cousins grew up with my grandmother and my parents after losing both their parents. Things were brushed under the carpet in those days and the repercussions were felt for a long time. As Dawn found comfort in food, sadly my cousin went the opposite way and struggled with anorexia for many years.

The love of cooking and food shines through the pages of this book. Cooking a meal and sharing with others is undoubtedly a special act of love. The recipes in the book were an added bonus, I am in awe of anyone who can just throw a meal together and this is what Dawn seems to do effortlessly.

A really good read , I even made mackerel pate from Dawns recipe . I love reading about other people’s lives and this along with the foodie content was the perfect mix.

[Lisa Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is packed with food and Dawn's love for it shines through on every page. Her enthusiasm is infectious and she comes across as relatable, down to earth, very funny and someone you’d want to be friends with.
As someone of a similar age, I found myself connecting with many of the stories she shares from her younger years. So many of her memories made me reflect on my own life which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the book.
I've previously read some of Dawn's novels but I loved getting this more personal insight into her life. Food plays such a huge role in shaping her memories, from time spent with her friends and family to celebrations and just everyday moments. It's a reminder of how closely food and memory are intertwined.
I thought the pacing was excellent and I enjoyed the recipes scattered throughout the book. The chicken parm and the love kebab are definitely on my list to try!
As a huge foodie myself, I found this such a joyful and uplifting read. Seeing someone embrace food with so much pleasure and without any apology whatsoever while sharing her memories and experiences attached to it was an absolute delight

[Hessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Foodoirs (food memoirs) is such an underrated genre and Hungry Eyes by Dawn O’Porter is an excellent example of why more foodoirs should be published!

The book follows Dawn from her early childhood memories, teenage struggles, uni days up to her making it on the silver screen, becoming a mom and founding Choose Love. I felt like tasted every dish that was connected to the memories. I loved how every milestone of Dawn’s life was connected to a dish and a recipe was provided for the reader to make. (I cannot wait to try some!) All the love was translated into the dishes and the writing felt very original. It was raw, funny and emotional at the same time

Food is such an underrated memory enhancer. It made me reflect back to my memories that involved the dining table with my grandparents, parents, siblings, cousins and friends.

Hungry Eyes by Dawn O’Porter would make a wonderful gift for anyone whose love language is cooking and I’m sure it’ll fit either kitchen bookshelf or a main bookshelf.

Thank you HarperCollins Nonfiction & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy!

Hungry Eyes by Dawn O’Porter will be out on June 18, 2026

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Hungry Eyes by Dawn O'Porter as an ARC (thanks Netgalley) and I already know I’ll be buying a finished copy when it comes out.

This is a memoir wrapped up in food — the meals Dawn ate, the memories attached to them, the recipes she makes and loves — and honestly, I swear we’d be friends if we ever met. We seem to love all the same things: food, books, our kids, friends, Dirty Dancing… and we’re both a bit sweary.

The whole book feels like sitting down with a friend while they chat away over coffee (and probably snacks). It’s very stream of consciousness, which occasionally made me feel a little untethered in the timeline, but weirdly, I didn’t mind. That conversational style is exactly what made it feel so warm and personal.

And the FOOD. Oh my god. I loved the recipes and already can’t wait to try the LOVE kebabs and the panettone bread pudding. Also, Christmas needs to hurry up because now all I want is mince pies and blue cheese.

One warning: do not read this book when hungry. I was perpetually starving while reading it. Absolute torture in the best possible way.

[angela higham · Rating 5 out of 5]

★★★★★

Wow… where do I even start with this one? 📚✨

First of all, this is officially my first five star read of the month and honestly it deserves every single star.

Secondly… that title 😂 You genuinely need to read the book to fully appreciate it and once you do, it makes perfect sense.

When I first started reading, I actually had no idea who Dawn O’Porter was, but by the end I completely fell in love with both her and her story. Her writing feels so honest, funny and incredibly real.

From her love of Dirty Dancing, food, wine, Marlboro Lights, The Stinking Rose in LA and even being gluten free… I found myself connecting with so many little parts of her life and personality along the way.

This memoir is warm, witty, emotional and wonderfully addictive. It felt like sitting down with someone and hearing their whole story over a bottle of wine and I genuinely didn’t want it to end.

Such a brilliant read and I’ll absolutely be picking up more of her books and catching up on her TV work too 🩷📖

[Louise Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of *Hungry Eyes* via NetGalley, and as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward non-fiction (I can count the autobiographies I’ve read on one hand), this really surprised me.

Dawn O’Porter’s writing feels incredibly accessible — less like a traditional life story and more like a series of conversations with a friend. That tone makes it easy to sink into, even if memoirs aren’t normally your thing.

I especially loved the way she weaves her relationship with food throughout the book, alongside thoughtful reflections on society’s opinions about bodies, eating, and self-image. It adds a really cohesive and relatable thread that runs through everything.

The only reason I’m knocking off a star is because, while I love the inclusion of recipes, they’re not particularly user-friendly in a Kindle format. This is definitely a book that would benefit from being read in hard copy — and even then, I can imagine it being a bit tricky to juggle as both a memoir and a cookbook.

Overall, a warm, engaging, and refreshingly honest read.

[eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who doesn't usually read memoirs, there was something about this one that just spoke to me, and I am so happy I went with my gut. I had no clue what I was getting into, because other than having had my eye on a few Dawn O'Porter books for a while (which I still have to get to, but definitely will soon now), I had no clue who she was. From the very first few lines, this one hooked me in and kept me entertained the entire time. I love the way it is structured, and the writing is so sharp and to-the-point but so light and fun at the same time, it doesn't shy away from the ugly bits of life, but it knows how to counter it; it truly felt like sitting down with a friend for a chat, and I loved that. The pacing is also so great, nothing ever feels flat, nothing feels out of place, everything just clicks. There is so much heart in this one, I truly loved everything about it.

Many thanks to HarperCollins UK, Nonfiction & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.

[Nicola Mackenzie-Smaller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Dawn O’Porter’s writing but was previously less taken with her Covid diaries, so was a bit apprehensive about this. For the most part I really enjoyed this food memoir. The linking of food with childhood memories and the explanation of an obsession with food which led to some terrible habits in early adulthood, before getting to a healthier place now (probably helped by a rather more financially advantageous budget frankly) was interesting. The childhood experiences of loss and grief and the stability of life with extended family is written in a well-considered way.
I probably could have done with less of the pregnancy and childbirth chapters, but that’s probably because those days are a dim and distant memory to me.
There’s a definite bit of Hollywood madness at times, but it’s tempered by a lovely warm writing style and the recipes look delicious.
Overall, this is an enjoyable read.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dawn O'Porter is a very engaging author and someone I follow on social media. I have read her other books including her previous non fiction book and found them very enjoyable.

Hungry Eyes was easy to get hooked into and I still have the Dirty Dancing soundtrack in my mind because of the title, thanks Dawn!

It's a mix of the story of her life and how food has always been an integral part of her memories. This in turn has led it to be an expression of love, preparing delicious food and sharing it together with family and friends. The book talks of the loss of her mother when she was a child, seeing her father infrequently and growing up on a small island with extended family. This must have been incredibly difficult to feel secure and avoid growing up way too fast.

The recipes sound delicious and there are a few I have bookmarked to try.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the DRC