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The Romance Recipe
A fiery restaurant owner falls for her enigmatic head chef in this charming, emotional romance
Amy Chambers: restaurant owner, micromanager, control freak.
Amy will do anything to revive her ailing restaurant, including hiring a former reality-show finalist with good connections and a lot to prove. But her hopes that Sophie’s skills and celebrity status would bring her restaurant back from the brink of failure are beginning to wane…
Sophie Brunet: grump in the kitchen/sunshine in the streets, took thirty years to figure out she was queer.
Sophie just wants to cook. She doesn’t want to constantly post on social media for her dead-in-the-water reality TV career, she doesn’t want to deal with Amy’s take-charge personality and she doesn’t want to think about what her attraction to her boss might mean…
Then, an opportunity: a new foodie TV show might provide the exposure they need. An uneasy truce is fine for starters, but making their dreams come true means making some personal and painful sacrifices and soon, there’s more than just the restaurant at stake.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
Amy Chambers: restaurant owner, micromanager, control freak.
Amy will do anything to revive her ailing restaurant, including hiring a former reality-show finalist with good connections and a lot to prove. But her hopes that Sophie’s skills and celebrity status would bring her restaurant back from the brink of failure are beginning to wane…
Sophie Brunet: grump in the kitchen/sunshine in the streets, took thirty years to figure out she was queer.
Sophie just wants to cook. She doesn’t want to constantly post on social media for her dead-in-the-water reality TV career, she doesn’t want to deal with Amy’s take-charge personality and she doesn’t want to think about what her attraction to her boss might mean…
Then, an opportunity: a new foodie TV show might provide the exposure they need. An uneasy truce is fine for starters, but making their dreams come true means making some personal and painful sacrifices and soon, there’s more than just the restaurant at stake.
Carina Adores is home to romantic love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2022
266 people are currently reading
24577 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,056 reviews
October 30, 2023
**'Don't overindulge and overuse words that's not needed. Tell the perfect story using words that should mean something about any subject/topic that you're exploring. In the end, don't try to appease readers..'
4.5stars!
Such a really nice romantic storyline -- w/ lots of intimate moments and incredible chemistry between the two leading characters (Amy & Sophie).
Highly recommended book!
4.5stars!
Such a really nice romantic storyline -- w/ lots of intimate moments and incredible chemistry between the two leading characters (Amy & Sophie).
Highly recommended book!
August 15, 2022
The tension Sophie and Amy had was really sexy, but then they got together and started doing the nasty and then I lost interest. I don’t know why. Other than their romance, I found the other bits interesting: both of them fighting to save a restaurant, Amy learning to not make decisions for Sophie, Sophie learning to understand herself, and Amy grappling with family acceptance. They were both trying to find fulfillment in many ways throughout the book and it was cool being on the journey with them.
July 18, 2022
The plot of this one was whatevs but the (many!!!!) steamy scenes were A+
February 28, 2022
4.5 stars
Wow, this was so freaking good. Right from the start the premise and characters were really strong, then the romance developed really naturally and with the inclusion of a ton of good tropes (and so much pining <3 ), and the conversations surrounding queer identity and self acceptance were super relatable and well written. I can't recommend this book enough!
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Wow, this was so freaking good. Right from the start the premise and characters were really strong, then the romance developed really naturally and with the inclusion of a ton of good tropes (and so much pining <3 ), and the conversations surrounding queer identity and self acceptance were super relatable and well written. I can't recommend this book enough!
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2022
Amy Chambers opened her own restaurant before she was thirty and she’s very proud of that fact. Unfortunately, the restaurant isn’t doing as well as she’d like. She’s also a total control queen and her head chef, Canadian former reality-show star Sophie Brunet, would love a little more freedom in her own kitchen. And who knows, maybe that would help the restaurant… Mutual (but hidden) attraction complicates things further, with Sophie having only recently acknowledged her bisexuality. A new TV show promises much-needed visibility for the restaurant and so many opportunities to mess everything else up.
It could have gone two ways with this book. The miscommunication and at times immature characters could have irritated the hell out of me. Or – and this is what happened – I could have loved them at first sight. I’m honestly surprised I didn’t mind the miscommunication more but I think it’s because it’s used as a flaw of one of the MCs, on which the other calls her out several times, and not as a shortcut to create drama.
The Romance Recipe is about finding yourself, believing in yourself, loving yourself enough to let others in. I think what I love best is that both characters go on this journey, towards the same goals, but from completely different starting points. Their roads run parallel at times then intersect, then go back to diverging. Each has her own issues to deal with and I loved the way they’re supportive of each other. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also very hot together. And good for each other. I loved Amy’s words when Sophie tells her for the first time about being bi, I loved Sophie’s vulnerability and willingness to trust despite previous experiences.
To be honest, I loved everything about Sophie. She’s a wonderful character. Her coming to terms with what she loves in a woman’s body is at once relatable and adorable. Amy was slightly harder to root for, she’s so frustrating. Her hardheadedness allows her to grow, however, and character growth is always interesting.
I thought for more than half the book that this would be a 5⭐️ review but the story lost its momentum for a while and the ending, while sweet, is a bit confusing. It’s a perfect beach read, however.
I didn’t mention secondary characters. One of them is Wes, Amy’s twin brother. Ruby Barrett told his story in Hot Copy, the first book in this series. I’m not into hetero romance and I probably never will find time to read it, but if you enjoy m/f stories, judging from what I’ve seen of Wes and Corinne in this book, theirs sounds very cute.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog: Jude in the Stars
It could have gone two ways with this book. The miscommunication and at times immature characters could have irritated the hell out of me. Or – and this is what happened – I could have loved them at first sight. I’m honestly surprised I didn’t mind the miscommunication more but I think it’s because it’s used as a flaw of one of the MCs, on which the other calls her out several times, and not as a shortcut to create drama.
The Romance Recipe is about finding yourself, believing in yourself, loving yourself enough to let others in. I think what I love best is that both characters go on this journey, towards the same goals, but from completely different starting points. Their roads run parallel at times then intersect, then go back to diverging. Each has her own issues to deal with and I loved the way they’re supportive of each other. It doesn’t hurt that they’re also very hot together. And good for each other. I loved Amy’s words when Sophie tells her for the first time about being bi, I loved Sophie’s vulnerability and willingness to trust despite previous experiences.
To be honest, I loved everything about Sophie. She’s a wonderful character. Her coming to terms with what she loves in a woman’s body is at once relatable and adorable. Amy was slightly harder to root for, she’s so frustrating. Her hardheadedness allows her to grow, however, and character growth is always interesting.
I thought for more than half the book that this would be a 5⭐️ review but the story lost its momentum for a while and the ending, while sweet, is a bit confusing. It’s a perfect beach read, however.
I didn’t mention secondary characters. One of them is Wes, Amy’s twin brother. Ruby Barrett told his story in Hot Copy, the first book in this series. I’m not into hetero romance and I probably never will find time to read it, but if you enjoy m/f stories, judging from what I’ve seen of Wes and Corinne in this book, theirs sounds very cute.
I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read all my reviews on my blog: Jude in the Stars
March 26, 2023
More like a 3.5 ⭐ This was really cute, but severely lacked plot. Nicely written, showed some character development which I always enjoy 💓💓
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December 23, 2022For the first time ever, I’m reviewing two audiobooks as one (The Romance Recipe and People We Meet on Vacation).
Also, I’m not rating either book because romance as a genre (not as a real-life pursuit) feels like a foreign tongue in a country I’m only visiting once. I could learn the language, sure, but I’d rather invest in mastering a language I already conversationally understand.
I will tell you this, though. One of these books came as an incredibly kind (considerate of my personal interests) recommendation from my bookclub, which doesn’t read assigned novels. Instead, we just come together, whenever we can, and gab about what we’ve been reading.
Anyway, some of the group loves romance, and I’m always asking them to explain, just so I can understand (it’s not a judge-y group, it’s a safe space).
And out of several very reasonable explanations, here’s the one that finally convinced me to take the plunge:
“It gets me off.”
I heard that and thought, “Well, okay. Now, that’s a compelling reason!”
Note: if you’re a dirty-birdy like me, your mind has begun wondering if these novels made good on that masturbatory promise.
My response?
“Go ask your friend, Mr. None-Ya!”
Sufficed to say, this wasn’t a total waste of my time 😉
Romance Recipe Book/Song Pairing: 6's to 9's (Big Wild, ft. Rationale)
People We Meet on Vacation Book/Song Pairing: The Way I am (Ingrid Michaelson)
Also, I’m not rating either book because romance as a genre (not as a real-life pursuit) feels like a foreign tongue in a country I’m only visiting once. I could learn the language, sure, but I’d rather invest in mastering a language I already conversationally understand.
I will tell you this, though. One of these books came as an incredibly kind (considerate of my personal interests) recommendation from my bookclub, which doesn’t read assigned novels. Instead, we just come together, whenever we can, and gab about what we’ve been reading.
Anyway, some of the group loves romance, and I’m always asking them to explain, just so I can understand (it’s not a judge-y group, it’s a safe space).
And out of several very reasonable explanations, here’s the one that finally convinced me to take the plunge:
“It gets me off.”
I heard that and thought, “Well, okay. Now, that’s a compelling reason!”
Note: if you’re a dirty-birdy like me, your mind has begun wondering if these novels made good on that masturbatory promise.
My response?
“Go ask your friend, Mr. None-Ya!”
Sufficed to say, this wasn’t a total waste of my time 😉
Romance Recipe Book/Song Pairing: 6's to 9's (Big Wild, ft. Rationale)
People We Meet on Vacation Book/Song Pairing: The Way I am (Ingrid Michaelson)
August 25, 2022
So I absolutely didn’t hate anything about this but I simply couldn’t wait for it to be over. Where was the show aspect??? Bc that’s what I thought I was getting
March 19, 2022
Chef in love.
There is an earlier book that is set in the same universe as The Romance Recipe but Hot Copy is a heterosexual romance involving the brother of one of the main characters of this book, Amy, so it's perfectly fine for lesfic readers to skip it and dive straight into this one instead. Lol.
I picked up this book for the workplace romance but continued for the sex. I know some readers have issues with the repeated push/pull between the characters but I love it. Amy is a restaurant owner and Sophie is her grumpy celebrity head chef but their working relationship feels more like a partnership than a boss/subordinate one. Sophie can hold her own against her micromanaging boss and they end up knocking heads over business decisions. But at the same time, they also lust after each other and I love the dynamics between them because it really drives up the sexual tension. And the sex, I like.
I received an ARC from Carina Press and Carina Adores (Harlequin) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
There is an earlier book that is set in the same universe as The Romance Recipe but Hot Copy is a heterosexual romance involving the brother of one of the main characters of this book, Amy, so it's perfectly fine for lesfic readers to skip it and dive straight into this one instead. Lol.
I picked up this book for the workplace romance but continued for the sex. I know some readers have issues with the repeated push/pull between the characters but I love it. Amy is a restaurant owner and Sophie is her grumpy celebrity head chef but their working relationship feels more like a partnership than a boss/subordinate one. Sophie can hold her own against her micromanaging boss and they end up knocking heads over business decisions. But at the same time, they also lust after each other and I love the dynamics between them because it really drives up the sexual tension. And the sex, I like.
I received an ARC from Carina Press and Carina Adores (Harlequin) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 2, 2022
oh so sweet sapphic love shown through a slowburn blend of pining and sexual attraction that progresses into genuine romantic love by the end. the writing here was nowhere near perfect and could have been so much better but overall was very enjoyable due to it being an easy read with delicious payoff. would recommend if you want an easy read.
August 17, 2022
Word of warning, I finished this a while ago and forgot to review it. So this review might be a little rough… But I really enjoyed this one!!! Actually, I’d really like my own Sophie, please and thank you!!
Sophie is clearly my favorite character, a newly minted bi woman who is just sweet, smart, attractive, and just so stinking adorable. Those first exploring the world of lgbtqia+ are generally great main characters because they’re so easy to relate to. At least for me. Sophie is no different and I found myself putting myself in her shoes and agreeing with how she felt. Especially when someone invalidates who she is and how she reacts. That sort of this eventually happens to everyone and I just love her reaction because of how real it seems.
Amy is fun too, definitely not a newly minted lesbian, but her experience makes her an interesting individual as well. She does get a little annoying at times, but nothing major. She adds great dynamic to Sophie’s sweetness.
The falling in love and the physical aspect of this book are great!! I mean, if you’re going to have a sex scene, have a great sex scene!!! I hate books that gloss over these times because it seems either unrealistic or rushed. Not with this read!! Nothing was glossed over and the descriptions were on point.
I recommend this to romance lovers who enjoy lgbtqia books with fun characters and a good amount of heart. Not my favorite book, but still so good!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin), and Ruby Barrett for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Sophie is clearly my favorite character, a newly minted bi woman who is just sweet, smart, attractive, and just so stinking adorable. Those first exploring the world of lgbtqia+ are generally great main characters because they’re so easy to relate to. At least for me. Sophie is no different and I found myself putting myself in her shoes and agreeing with how she felt. Especially when someone invalidates who she is and how she reacts. That sort of this eventually happens to everyone and I just love her reaction because of how real it seems.
Amy is fun too, definitely not a newly minted lesbian, but her experience makes her an interesting individual as well. She does get a little annoying at times, but nothing major. She adds great dynamic to Sophie’s sweetness.
The falling in love and the physical aspect of this book are great!! I mean, if you’re going to have a sex scene, have a great sex scene!!! I hate books that gloss over these times because it seems either unrealistic or rushed. Not with this read!! Nothing was glossed over and the descriptions were on point.
I recommend this to romance lovers who enjoy lgbtqia books with fun characters and a good amount of heart. Not my favorite book, but still so good!!
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Carina Press & Carina Adores (Harlequin), and Ruby Barrett for the opportunity to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
May 11, 2023
Overall this book did what it set out to do very well. It's about a sort of celebrity chef and her restaurant owner, both of whom are already pining for each other when the book begins. I've realized this romance set up doesn't interest me much compared to a enemies to lovers or something where we get to see the people developing feelings, not just overcoming obstacles to their relationship.
But there are a few things this romance does very well. The chef, Sophie, is a newly out bi woman who's just come out at 30 and the depiction of her coming out, encountering biphobia, and exploring her new queer identity was excellent, so thoughtfully done. Also, if you like steamy sapphic sex scenes, Sophie and Amy will not let you down!! Also, the setting of wintery Boston was nicely integrated into the story, as was Sophie's francophone Montrealer background.
Some downsides: the ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic and I wanted Paul's biphobia to be explicitly addressed and not for him to be narratively rewarded in the epilogue!
But there are a few things this romance does very well. The chef, Sophie, is a newly out bi woman who's just come out at 30 and the depiction of her coming out, encountering biphobia, and exploring her new queer identity was excellent, so thoughtfully done. Also, if you like steamy sapphic sex scenes, Sophie and Amy will not let you down!! Also, the setting of wintery Boston was nicely integrated into the story, as was Sophie's francophone Montrealer background.
Some downsides: the ending felt a bit rushed and anticlimactic and I wanted Paul's biphobia to be explicitly addressed and not for him to be narratively rewarded in the epilogue!
March 19, 2022
The first 5 chapters of The Romance Recipe were so good. It was just enough information about the characters and their lives to get me hooked and wanting more. I loved the dynamic of the 2 main characters, very relatable. This book will be published on June 28th, 2022. Rating it 4 stars, but I'm sure once I read the rest of the book, it will be 5 stars.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Carina Press, and Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC Preview of the first 5 chapters.
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Carina Press, and Carina Adores (Harlequin) for the ARC Preview of the first 5 chapters.
March 21, 2022
this shit was so cute im crying but the ending is giving rushed shes giving unfinished
November 28, 2022
“The Romance Recipe” is the second in Ruby Barrett’s workplace romance series. It follows “Hot Copy” which is a m/f romance but each can be read as a standalone.
Amy Chambers is trying to keep her restaurant afloat. Her head chef, Sophie, was once famous for being on a competitive cooking show but her 15 minutes of fame is over and she isn’t bringing in the clientele she used to. They need to work together to try and fill seats but they have a hard time communicating. Amy is the boss and a control freak. She doesn’t want to listen to anyone else, including Sophie. Sophie just wants to control her kitchen and the menu but Amy keeps blowing her off. Things are further complicated because they both unknowingly have crushes on each other.
This wasn’t bad but I didn’t love it. My major complaint was that Amy and Sophie have already established a working relationship when we meet them. Some of my favorite parts of romances are them meeting and getting to know one another. We don’t get any of that here. They’re already crushing on each other and it isn’t long before they start hooking up. There’s plenty of steam and physical chemistry. However, for me, the emotional connection that I prefer, was lacking.
One of the things I absolutely loved was Sophie’s story. She’s “come out” later in life, at 30. She was previously engaged to a man and doesn’t feel queer enough as she’s never even kissed another woman. Her learning to accept and embrace that over time was really touching.
I received an ARC from Carina Press and Carina Adores (Harlequin) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Amy Chambers is trying to keep her restaurant afloat. Her head chef, Sophie, was once famous for being on a competitive cooking show but her 15 minutes of fame is over and she isn’t bringing in the clientele she used to. They need to work together to try and fill seats but they have a hard time communicating. Amy is the boss and a control freak. She doesn’t want to listen to anyone else, including Sophie. Sophie just wants to control her kitchen and the menu but Amy keeps blowing her off. Things are further complicated because they both unknowingly have crushes on each other.
This wasn’t bad but I didn’t love it. My major complaint was that Amy and Sophie have already established a working relationship when we meet them. Some of my favorite parts of romances are them meeting and getting to know one another. We don’t get any of that here. They’re already crushing on each other and it isn’t long before they start hooking up. There’s plenty of steam and physical chemistry. However, for me, the emotional connection that I prefer, was lacking.
One of the things I absolutely loved was Sophie’s story. She’s “come out” later in life, at 30. She was previously engaged to a man and doesn’t feel queer enough as she’s never even kissed another woman. Her learning to accept and embrace that over time was really touching.
I received an ARC from Carina Press and Carina Adores (Harlequin) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2022
ive hit the point in my life where romances are not fun to read anymore. they just remind me of how alone i am and how i don't have a hot chef to make out with in the kitchen as soon as the workers aren't looking.
July 22, 2022
A perfect recipe for romance, heat and sweetness
I’ve never heard of this author before but this book came recommended by my friend and co-reviewer Jude from judeinthestars.com and features Natalie Naudus, one of my favorite narrators. Plus, it’s available in Scribd, so it’s risk-free. I’m glad that I’ve given it a try as it was a very good listen.
Amy Chamber’s restaurant is in trouble and she decides to hire Sophie Brunet, a former reality-show finalist, as head chef hoping her celebrity status and skills will bring a solution to her financial woes. Sophie Brunet just wants to cook and forget her reality-tv past but a new foodie tv show might provide exposure to save Amy’s restaurant. If only both women could stop fighting and ignore the mutual attraction simmering between them…
The Romance Recipe is book two, following after Hot Copy which is an m/f romance featuring Amy’s brother Wesley. Even though Wesley plays an important role in this novel, these are stand-alone stories so there’s no issue if you choose to skip book one as I did.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story, or at least, both characters have strong convictions on how to run a restaurant and kitchen and have trouble finding common ground. They are also very attracted to each other. When all that repressed tension inevitably explodes, sparks fly and the sizzling chemistry between them is super hot. Ruby Barrett knows how to exploit this and writes a series of very steamy sex scenes.
Food is the other essential ingredient in the plot (sorry for the bad pun). As with the romance part, the author knows how to make use of the sensuality of food. As a matter of fact, her description of the culinary art – in Amy’s words – is fantastic and sets the tone for the character’s admiration and feelings for Sophie:
"Food is a biological necessity, it’s breathing, but within that basic human need is art. Unlike paintings and sculptures, literature or music, we get to consume this art and Sophie’s art melts on my tongue. I get to tear it with my teeth. Food is visceral and pleasurable and I’m not bragging when I say I am a good cook but that’s like saying I draw well and Sophie painted the Sixtine Chapel."
Amy is a hard-to-like character, she’s grumpy and hard-headed, but her journey of growth and redemption is a pleasure to follow.
Sophie’s journey, on the other hand, isn’t easier either. She’s reconciling with her recent discovery of being bisexual, her coming out which destroyed her relationship with her former fiancé, and her romantic feelings for Amy. All of these emotions simmer inside her and she sometimes doesn’t know how to handle them. Her coming out scene with her mother is very relatable to anyone who’s been in a similar situation.
The book is written from both characters’ points of view in alternate chapters. The audiobook version features two narrators: Natalie Naudus who performs Amy’s point of view and Chelsea Stephens who reads Sophie’s. I’m normally not a fan of two narrators but these two have a similar quality to their voices which made the transition between chapters effortless. Once again, Natalie Naudus shows the difference between reading and performing a story, absolutely fantastic.
If you are looking for a steamy romance with a very good narration, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
Available in Scribd
I’ve never heard of this author before but this book came recommended by my friend and co-reviewer Jude from judeinthestars.com and features Natalie Naudus, one of my favorite narrators. Plus, it’s available in Scribd, so it’s risk-free. I’m glad that I’ve given it a try as it was a very good listen.
Amy Chamber’s restaurant is in trouble and she decides to hire Sophie Brunet, a former reality-show finalist, as head chef hoping her celebrity status and skills will bring a solution to her financial woes. Sophie Brunet just wants to cook and forget her reality-tv past but a new foodie tv show might provide exposure to save Amy’s restaurant. If only both women could stop fighting and ignore the mutual attraction simmering between them…
The Romance Recipe is book two, following after Hot Copy which is an m/f romance featuring Amy’s brother Wesley. Even though Wesley plays an important role in this novel, these are stand-alone stories so there’s no issue if you choose to skip book one as I did.
This is an enemies-to-lovers story, or at least, both characters have strong convictions on how to run a restaurant and kitchen and have trouble finding common ground. They are also very attracted to each other. When all that repressed tension inevitably explodes, sparks fly and the sizzling chemistry between them is super hot. Ruby Barrett knows how to exploit this and writes a series of very steamy sex scenes.
Food is the other essential ingredient in the plot (sorry for the bad pun). As with the romance part, the author knows how to make use of the sensuality of food. As a matter of fact, her description of the culinary art – in Amy’s words – is fantastic and sets the tone for the character’s admiration and feelings for Sophie:
"Food is a biological necessity, it’s breathing, but within that basic human need is art. Unlike paintings and sculptures, literature or music, we get to consume this art and Sophie’s art melts on my tongue. I get to tear it with my teeth. Food is visceral and pleasurable and I’m not bragging when I say I am a good cook but that’s like saying I draw well and Sophie painted the Sixtine Chapel."
Amy is a hard-to-like character, she’s grumpy and hard-headed, but her journey of growth and redemption is a pleasure to follow.
Sophie’s journey, on the other hand, isn’t easier either. She’s reconciling with her recent discovery of being bisexual, her coming out which destroyed her relationship with her former fiancé, and her romantic feelings for Amy. All of these emotions simmer inside her and she sometimes doesn’t know how to handle them. Her coming out scene with her mother is very relatable to anyone who’s been in a similar situation.
The book is written from both characters’ points of view in alternate chapters. The audiobook version features two narrators: Natalie Naudus who performs Amy’s point of view and Chelsea Stephens who reads Sophie’s. I’m normally not a fan of two narrators but these two have a similar quality to their voices which made the transition between chapters effortless. Once again, Natalie Naudus shows the difference between reading and performing a story, absolutely fantastic.
If you are looking for a steamy romance with a very good narration, this one is for you. 4.5 stars.
Length: 8 hrs and 48 mins
Available in Scribd
July 12, 2022
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
4.5 We’re not even half way through July and I already know this is going to be one of my favorite reads of the month. Hell, I pre-ordered a physical copy when I was halfway through my ARC.
And then I put the book down for two days because it was flaying my heart open and I needed time to p r o c e s s okay??
Sometimes I go into a book with the preconceived notion that I’m going to identify more with one of the main characters, and most times I’m right. But every once in a while an author will prove me very wrong and I’m always extremely grateful.
I jumped into this one knowing I’d find kinship in Sophie, a chef who broke things off with her fiancé Paul after coming out to him as bisexual. Fresh off a reality TV competition, Sophie gets offered the job of executive chef at Amy & May’s, a restaurant in Boston owned by one Amy Chambers. If only she didn’t spend most of her waking moments daydreaming of exploring Amy’s body and mapping out the steps in her head like a recipe.
My surprise gift was Amy. Amy who only ever lets herself rely on her twin brother and childhood best friend. Amy who is still grieving the loss of her mom, her barely there relationship with her father, her struggling restaurant, and her annoying crush on her new head chef.
This was funny, sexy, smart and unapologetically queer. It also felt like a conversation I was overdue to have, in its insightful moments, and even the heartbreaking ones.
I have more than a handful of saved quotes I wanted to share, but for now I’ll leave you with one that I wished someone had told me 15 years ago.
“You don’t need to have known you were queer since you were a kid. You can go your whole life never touching a woman and you’ll still be queer. It’s not about performing your sexuality or your gender for everyone else. Being queer is about what you know to be true about yourself, in here.”
Thank you so much for Sophie & Amy, i’ll carry them with me always.
4.5 We’re not even half way through July and I already know this is going to be one of my favorite reads of the month. Hell, I pre-ordered a physical copy when I was halfway through my ARC.
And then I put the book down for two days because it was flaying my heart open and I needed time to p r o c e s s okay??
Sometimes I go into a book with the preconceived notion that I’m going to identify more with one of the main characters, and most times I’m right. But every once in a while an author will prove me very wrong and I’m always extremely grateful.
I jumped into this one knowing I’d find kinship in Sophie, a chef who broke things off with her fiancé Paul after coming out to him as bisexual. Fresh off a reality TV competition, Sophie gets offered the job of executive chef at Amy & May’s, a restaurant in Boston owned by one Amy Chambers. If only she didn’t spend most of her waking moments daydreaming of exploring Amy’s body and mapping out the steps in her head like a recipe.
My surprise gift was Amy. Amy who only ever lets herself rely on her twin brother and childhood best friend. Amy who is still grieving the loss of her mom, her barely there relationship with her father, her struggling restaurant, and her annoying crush on her new head chef.
This was funny, sexy, smart and unapologetically queer. It also felt like a conversation I was overdue to have, in its insightful moments, and even the heartbreaking ones.
I have more than a handful of saved quotes I wanted to share, but for now I’ll leave you with one that I wished someone had told me 15 years ago.
“You don’t need to have known you were queer since you were a kid. You can go your whole life never touching a woman and you’ll still be queer. It’s not about performing your sexuality or your gender for everyone else. Being queer is about what you know to be true about yourself, in here.”
Thank you so much for Sophie & Amy, i’ll carry them with me always.
Read
December 15, 2022This is the first book I finished since August, it took me...three? months? more? But it's me not the book. I actually really enjoyed it and I realized that at this point in time, sapphic romances are the only books that being me joy.
April 23, 2022
Sometimes I enjoy reading novellas, while this was a full book it has this novella for me. This isn’t necessarily a compliment. What I mean to say is that I think the premise of this book is thin at best. For me it never shakes this distinct novella vibe and I just can’t get invested in this story.
I like the alternating first person POV chapters of our main characters Amy and Sophie. This is a style I enjoy when it’s done well because you get the best sense of your main characters. While I think the execution is fine in this book it’s just the story that falls flat.
I like Sophie, she’s the insecure chef of the story and if I were being very nice I would say you see the most character development in her. Amy is a bit of a harder nut to crack and I don’t really warm up to her. She runs all hot and cold and is just a mess of a character.
This book is ok, as said it feels like a novella, a very long one. And to be honest it could have been a lot shorter as well and maybe even be an actual novella.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
I like the alternating first person POV chapters of our main characters Amy and Sophie. This is a style I enjoy when it’s done well because you get the best sense of your main characters. While I think the execution is fine in this book it’s just the story that falls flat.
I like Sophie, she’s the insecure chef of the story and if I were being very nice I would say you see the most character development in her. Amy is a bit of a harder nut to crack and I don’t really warm up to her. She runs all hot and cold and is just a mess of a character.
This book is ok, as said it feels like a novella, a very long one. And to be honest it could have been a lot shorter as well and maybe even be an actual novella.
*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*
July 13, 2022
One thing about Ruby Barrett?? She serves on the horny content. These two were feral for each other and they deserved every orgasm!!
June 11, 2022
On my blog.
Rep: lesbian mc, bi mc, Black side character, East(?) Asian American side character
CWs: toxic parents
Galley provided by publisher
The Romance Recipe is a book that had to grow on me, in all honesty. In the end, I liked it, but it was a slow start and it took me a while to get into.
The book follows Amy and Sophie, who own and work at a restaurant, respectively. The restaurant is losing money, so Amy needs a plan to get money and publicity and get it quick. Enter Sophie’s ex-fiance, who is producing a new show with a celebrity chef, which Amy determines they must put the restaurant forwards for.
So, why the slow start? Namely it was because I didn’t feel any of the supposed tension between Amy and Sophie, not until they started hooking up. So I spent a good quarter of the book wondering if I was going to be bored by it. Add into that the fact that the plot seemed to just be following them in their usual life, instead of throwing in something new—I mean, we don’t even see the meet cute, we’re just told at the start they’re attracted to one another: it was an inauspicious beginning.
However, I persevered and, once they were hooking up, I conversely found there was much more tension, and I started to enjoy the book a lot more. Amy and Sophie were hot together, I think I can admit that, and this ended up being a pretty solid friends-with-benefits to lovers romance novel.
Here is the next sticking point though: everything in this book happened way too fast. I said we missed the meet cute, and they’d known each other a while by the time the book opens: that’s somewhat indicative of the book as a whole. They start hooking up, but then you rarely get scenes between them that aren’t a) the hook ups, or b) restaurant business related. And yet, you’re supposed to believe they’re falling in love. I couldn’t. I still can’t. I didn’t get enough scenes where I could see the relationship developing, frankly. A lot of that seemed to happen in scenes which were referenced but not shown (which really screwed with my perception of how much time was passing, because there were a number of times I thought less had passed than actually had).
But. Despite that, and the slow beginning, I did enjoy this book. I have probably high standards for romances, so this one getting a 3-star rating is a good sign. I enjoyed it and I would recommend it. I just didn’t love it.
Rep: lesbian mc, bi mc, Black side character, East(?) Asian American side character
CWs: toxic parents
Galley provided by publisher
The Romance Recipe is a book that had to grow on me, in all honesty. In the end, I liked it, but it was a slow start and it took me a while to get into.
The book follows Amy and Sophie, who own and work at a restaurant, respectively. The restaurant is losing money, so Amy needs a plan to get money and publicity and get it quick. Enter Sophie’s ex-fiance, who is producing a new show with a celebrity chef, which Amy determines they must put the restaurant forwards for.
So, why the slow start? Namely it was because I didn’t feel any of the supposed tension between Amy and Sophie, not until they started hooking up. So I spent a good quarter of the book wondering if I was going to be bored by it. Add into that the fact that the plot seemed to just be following them in their usual life, instead of throwing in something new—I mean, we don’t even see the meet cute, we’re just told at the start they’re attracted to one another: it was an inauspicious beginning.
However, I persevered and, once they were hooking up, I conversely found there was much more tension, and I started to enjoy the book a lot more. Amy and Sophie were hot together, I think I can admit that, and this ended up being a pretty solid friends-with-benefits to lovers romance novel.
Here is the next sticking point though: everything in this book happened way too fast. I said we missed the meet cute, and they’d known each other a while by the time the book opens: that’s somewhat indicative of the book as a whole. They start hooking up, but then you rarely get scenes between them that aren’t a) the hook ups, or b) restaurant business related. And yet, you’re supposed to believe they’re falling in love. I couldn’t. I still can’t. I didn’t get enough scenes where I could see the relationship developing, frankly. A lot of that seemed to happen in scenes which were referenced but not shown (which really screwed with my perception of how much time was passing, because there were a number of times I thought less had passed than actually had).
But. Despite that, and the slow beginning, I did enjoy this book. I have probably high standards for romances, so this one getting a 3-star rating is a good sign. I enjoyed it and I would recommend it. I just didn’t love it.
July 15, 2022
DNF @ 60%
I tried so hard and got so far, but in the end, it doesn't even matterrrrrrrrrrr....
I feel like I've been done dirty. I wanted to read this so much that I pre-ordered it. Where is the plot from the blurb? The pacing was agonisingly slow and by 60% almost nothing had happened. Neither Amy or Sophie were particularly likeable. Quite frankly, Amy was a biotch. Sophie a doormat. I didn't feel any of the sexy tension, just workplace tension and then suddenly a description of nipples. Do these two characters even like each other? I honestly don't see it.
I tried so hard and got so far, but in the end, it doesn't even matterrrrrrrrrrr....
I feel like I've been done dirty. I wanted to read this so much that I pre-ordered it. Where is the plot from the blurb? The pacing was agonisingly slow and by 60% almost nothing had happened. Neither Amy or Sophie were particularly likeable. Quite frankly, Amy was a biotch. Sophie a doormat. I didn't feel any of the sexy tension, just workplace tension and then suddenly a description of nipples. Do these two characters even like each other? I honestly don't see it.
October 16, 2022
3.5 stars. I was really enjoying this until the end. Those who have followed me on here and Instagram will know I hate the 3rd act break up, and they broke up like 3 chapters before the end in this. Really lessened my enjoyment of the whole book.
Sophie was great. Definitely my favourite character. Amy was good too (great name ;) ) but Sophie was the stand out for me. I just liked her better, y'know?
This was on track to be a lovely little romance, and the ending was nice, but yeah. The ridiculous fight and break up was too irritating to ignore.
Sophie was great. Definitely my favourite character. Amy was good too (great name ;) ) but Sophie was the stand out for me. I just liked her better, y'know?
This was on track to be a lovely little romance, and the ending was nice, but yeah. The ridiculous fight and break up was too irritating to ignore.
October 2, 2022
So, I'm obviously a sucker for any book about cooking or chefs and especially about reality tv cooking competitions - but that being said the reality tv cooking show was barely a part of this book.
I also could not get more into this book because while I loved Sophie, I did not love Amy. By the time I finally warmed up to her, it felt like too little too late.
Sophie's final recipe completely saved the book for me though!
I also could not get more into this book because while I loved Sophie, I did not love Amy. By the time I finally warmed up to her, it felt like too little too late.
Sophie's final recipe completely saved the book for me though!
July 17, 2022
It was funny and engaging at the beginning, but I don't know what happened, and I got lost along the way. This is not a bad read...it just didn't work well for me.
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dnf
January 3, 2023Not feeling it at all
April 5, 2024
2 stars
I generally love foodie books. Sadly I can't recommend this one.
Amy annoyed me. And I'm saying that as an anxious micromanager myself. There is a fine line between "prefers to be in control" and "is being stupidly stubbornly obstinate despite the expert having a different opinion". Amy is the second case.
And Sophie is a talented doormat that lets herself be bowled over and over again and accepts apology after apology when Amy decides to grovel.
The story was basically a person A "I don't respect your opinion on anything including your thoughts or expertise but I wanna fuck you, so I'll apologise if you indicate you might leave me, but I won't change my behaviour" dating a person B "I find you hot, but you bulldoze all over me and I let you (except for moments when I don't, but I will always accept your apology, so it's kinda redundant)".
Not my preferred dynamics in the slightest.
This isn't even "opposites attract", this is an unhealthy "let's see, how much can the controlling one get away with before the doormat snaps".
Can't even tell you much about the story, if there actually was one at all. Mostly it felt like a character exposition for the two MCs)
So yeah. Only gets points for premise, grammar and decent editing.
I generally love foodie books. Sadly I can't recommend this one.
Amy annoyed me. And I'm saying that as an anxious micromanager myself. There is a fine line between "prefers to be in control" and "is being stupidly stubbornly obstinate despite the expert having a different opinion". Amy is the second case.
And Sophie is a talented doormat that lets herself be bowled over and over again and accepts apology after apology when Amy decides to grovel.
The story was basically a person A "I don't respect your opinion on anything including your thoughts or expertise but I wanna fuck you, so I'll apologise if you indicate you might leave me, but I won't change my behaviour" dating a person B "I find you hot, but you bulldoze all over me and I let you (except for moments when I don't, but I will always accept your apology, so it's kinda redundant)".
Not my preferred dynamics in the slightest.
This isn't even "opposites attract", this is an unhealthy "let's see, how much can the controlling one get away with before the doormat snaps".
Can't even tell you much about the story, if there actually was one at all. Mostly it felt like a character exposition for the two MCs)
So yeah. Only gets points for premise, grammar and decent editing.
June 17, 2022
In theory, this was the perfect book for me. I loved Amy, I loved Sophie, I loved the setting. I love romances focused on restaurants, cooking, and baking, so I was hoping to have a lot of fun with this.
I didn't end up feeling as invested as I would have liked though, so ultimately this didn't completely work for me. I think that's partly a mood thing - I was looking for something fun and uplifting but this was pretty focused somewhat heavier things, like the restaurant struggling, Amy losing her mother in the past and having a bad relationship with her father, and Sophie recovering from a past break-up with an ex who didn't react as well as she'd hoped when she came out as bi.
I personally struggled a little with these things because I felt like the tone of the book didn't always match the content or there would be sudden shifts that took me by surprise a little. That's a very personal thing though, like sometimes a book's writing just doesn't really work for you.
I was kind of hoping we'd see more of the reality show the restaurant is featured in, but that was a much smaller part of the book than I would have expected. I think there was a lot of potential for this to be more fun than it was, as harsh as that sounds.
I was also glad to have read Hot Copy before this, because I feel like otherwise I would have been a little confused when it comes to Amy's characterization and background, and I would have felt like I was missing some context.
I didn't end up feeling as invested as I would have liked though, so ultimately this didn't completely work for me. I think that's partly a mood thing - I was looking for something fun and uplifting but this was pretty focused somewhat heavier things, like the restaurant struggling, Amy losing her mother in the past and having a bad relationship with her father, and Sophie recovering from a past break-up with an ex who didn't react as well as she'd hoped when she came out as bi.
I personally struggled a little with these things because I felt like the tone of the book didn't always match the content or there would be sudden shifts that took me by surprise a little. That's a very personal thing though, like sometimes a book's writing just doesn't really work for you.
I was kind of hoping we'd see more of the reality show the restaurant is featured in, but that was a much smaller part of the book than I would have expected. I think there was a lot of potential for this to be more fun than it was, as harsh as that sounds.
I was also glad to have read Hot Copy before this, because I feel like otherwise I would have been a little confused when it comes to Amy's characterization and background, and I would have felt like I was missing some context.
April 19, 2022
Sophie Burnet has just left her fiancée after finally admitting to herself and him that she is bisexual. She’s had crushes before but the one she has on Amy, the owner of the restaurant where she works as head chef, is beyond anything she’s experienced. Especially when Amy wears that one shirt…
I enjoyed this one, the back and forth with the characters was a lot but it felt right for the story and for Sophie and Amy. Usually when there are so many side plots going on it feels like it strains the plot and makes the reader feel like a ping pong ball with no direction as they try to understand everything happening. I didn’t feel like this book had that issue though and all the plot road blocks felt like they belonged in the story. Sophie and Amy’s romance seemed to happen organically throughout the story and I loved them, both characters seemed so real. I do see there is a prequel to this as well and I may pick it up next time I’m in the mood for a m/f rom com.
I enjoyed this one, the back and forth with the characters was a lot but it felt right for the story and for Sophie and Amy. Usually when there are so many side plots going on it feels like it strains the plot and makes the reader feel like a ping pong ball with no direction as they try to understand everything happening. I didn’t feel like this book had that issue though and all the plot road blocks felt like they belonged in the story. Sophie and Amy’s romance seemed to happen organically throughout the story and I loved them, both characters seemed so real. I do see there is a prequel to this as well and I may pick it up next time I’m in the mood for a m/f rom com.
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