What do you think?
Rate this book
Ellery #6
Much Ado about Barbecue
Return to Ellery, Tennessee for Sally Kilpatrick’s saucy new novel about two warring barbecue houses.
Emma Sutton promised herself three she would never move back to Ellery, never work in the family barbecue restaurant, and never have anything to do with Ben Cates ever again. Losing her job and her home might’ve forced her to break the first two, but she’s determined to keep the third.
Unlike Emma, Ben Cates has made peace with his hometown. He wants nothing more than to make his restaurant something his father couldn’ a success. But between his hellraising little sister and Emma Sutton’s return to Ellery, his dream could easily be snatched away.
Emma and Ben might’ve made each other’s childhood a living hell with their endless pranks, but the only way to finally get rid of the other is to win the coveted contract for Ellery’s annual barbecue festival. Seems easy enough—until attraction ignites like a charcoal flame, and happiness seeps in like a surprising new flavor.
Can they find the courage to forgive bitter past mistakes and let trust into the mix, or will devastating secrets burn everything down again?
Emma Sutton promised herself three she would never move back to Ellery, never work in the family barbecue restaurant, and never have anything to do with Ben Cates ever again. Losing her job and her home might’ve forced her to break the first two, but she’s determined to keep the third.
Unlike Emma, Ben Cates has made peace with his hometown. He wants nothing more than to make his restaurant something his father couldn’ a success. But between his hellraising little sister and Emma Sutton’s return to Ellery, his dream could easily be snatched away.
Emma and Ben might’ve made each other’s childhood a living hell with their endless pranks, but the only way to finally get rid of the other is to win the coveted contract for Ellery’s annual barbecue festival. Seems easy enough—until attraction ignites like a charcoal flame, and happiness seeps in like a surprising new flavor.
Can they find the courage to forgive bitter past mistakes and let trust into the mix, or will devastating secrets burn everything down again?
344 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2021
About the author
Sally Kilpatrick
19 books428 followersSally Kilpatrick writes...stuff. She prefers fiction to biographies, but here we are. When not fretting over her biography, Sally writes southern fiction, mystery, and lots of to do lists. She lives with her dashing husband, two precocious kids, and two persnickety cats in Marietta, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Visit her author website at sallykilpatrick.com or follow her on BlueSky as @SuperWriterMom.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 26, 2021
Sally Kilpatrick returns with her signature Southern charm and humor in this enchanting romance that will make you hunger for more (pun intended). :-) Fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope will eat up Emma and Ben's relationship transformation. As usual with Sally's books, the cast of characters is filled with bighearted, hardworking, somewhat quirky folks, all of whom you'll want to hang out with long after you finish the story. Nicely paced with some realistic secrets waiting to cause trouble, the engaging story will keep you turning the pages and chuckling as you do. Do yourself a favor--preorder this one and have a big jug of sweet tea ready while you read.
Did Not Finish
January 22, 2022It's rare for me to know exactly what line made me uninterested in reading further, but ever since I reached chapter 12 of this book and saw the following on the first page of my kindle display, I have just not been interested in reading on.
"Emma flounced off. I seethed on the inside. How could such a huffy heifer be wrapped up in such an appetizing package?"
Not into women as livestock, I guess. Who knew!
"Emma flounced off. I seethed on the inside. How could such a huffy heifer be wrapped up in such an appetizing package?"
Not into women as livestock, I guess. Who knew!
Read
August 6, 2021And I have officially finished my last proofread. Print preorders will be available soon.
Y'all, this one was an escape. I had the idea long before the pandemic, but writing this book was a delicious way to get away from what was going on in the world. I hope you'll enjoy it and find it the same.
Y'all, this one was an escape. I had the idea long before the pandemic, but writing this book was a delicious way to get away from what was going on in the world. I hope you'll enjoy it and find it the same.
September 6, 2021
MUCH ADO ABOUT BARBECUE is a treat, a warm hearted romance with a delicious side of humor, down home flavor, and authentic Southern charm.
August 11, 2021
Fun Southern Enemies To Lovers Romance. The title of this review tells you most everything you need to know here. This book has quite a few moving parts, but overall they work together to create a solid, fun Southern romance - in this case, centered on the titular barbecue and the retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The intricacies of barbecue - and no, you damn Yankees and foreigners from other nations (joking, an allusion to Southern comic Jeff Foxworthy's "Redneck Games"), simply putting something on a grill is not "barbecueing", nor is the grill itself a "barbecue" - are discussed well, but always in context with and service to the overall story and character development. Small town southern life, with all of its greatness and pitfalls, are also shown well - yes, including the one person who claims to be able to speak to ghosts. The pranks are mostly in the past, and it is always quite clear that they were in the past. The reasons for the enmity between the leads are compelling, tragic, and completely "reasonable"-ish for where the characters were at those points, and the slow-burn nature of the romance allows both to see that perhaps there is more to the adult versions of each other than they remember of the kid versions. And that perhaps there was more going on with the kid versions that their own kid versions didn't fully know about. For the clean/ sweet crowd, this has very minor cussing - including a grandma who actively admonishes such words in her presence - and no even fade-to-black sex. (Some heavy kissing though, for those more absolutist against absolutely anything physical.) Oh, and there is a more minor subplot - revealing even its nature would be a spoiler - that is refreshing, accurate... and yet still feels mostly thrown in due to the author's own political leanings. It totally works, and it is nice to see an author defying the normal conventions of the genre to even subtly go there, and yet it also *does* feel a bit forced, as though this was a wrinkle intentionally placed to draw the eye away from the actual main subject to a degree. Still, on the whole a solid, fun romance novel that does a great job of explaining Southern Barbecue, and very much recommended.
May 12, 2024
This book! I can’t see pictures in my head when I read, but reading this one got me the closest! I loved all the characters so much, especially Jeremiah! I could absolutely guess what he looked and sounded like.
I’ve loved all Sally’s books, but I can’t tell you the last time I closed one and just wanted to hug it. This is definitely one of my favorites!
I’ve loved all Sally’s books, but I can’t tell you the last time I closed one and just wanted to hug it. This is definitely one of my favorites!
August 23, 2021
Sally Kilpatrick's latest novel, Much Ado About Barbecue should come with a warning label that you're going to crave some good barbecue. This isn't necessarily a terrible thing -- unless you don't have access to good barbecue, that is.
Emma Sutton and Ben Cates have been rivals all their lives. It started in kindergarten when Ben pulled the chair out from under Emma and continued throughout their educational history, including Emma's underpants winding up on the school flag pole. So, when Emma returns to town after a series of disappointments in her life, she quickly finds the rivalry resuming thanks to Ellery's barbecue competition. Both families own barbecue joints in town, each praised and respected for differing ways of cooking the meat. Ben has reluctantly embraced using a smoker, while Emma's family still does whole-hog pit barbecue.
There is a bit more to the rivalry between Ben and Emma than the competition for who has the best barbecue and juvenile pranks. Emma has repressed large portions of junior high school due and she holds a deep secret about possibly raining on Ben's dream of playing baseball at the next level. Needless to say, these two are probably the last two people you'd imagine ending up together.
And like the main dish of the book's title, the potential romantic entanglement is one that roasts slowly, marinating in its own rub of family secrets, long-held resentments, and misunderstandings. Along the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters from Jeremiah, the long-time pitmaster as Emma's family barbecue joint (and a character I'd love to see get his own novel) to Ben's sister, Shero.
Between family secrets, the slow-simmering enemies-to-lovers story, and a colorful cast of characters (including several familiar faces from previous Ellery novels), Much Ado About Barbecue proves to be another winner from Kilpatrick. Filled with the types of characters you'd expect to me in a quirky small town, Much Ado works much like the barbecue does -- as a satisfying, enjoayble meal that left me fully satisfied and yet somehow wishing I had just a bit more room for another bite or two.
Taking a page from Shakespeare (maybe you've heard of him), Kilpatrick gives us her spin on Much Ado About Nothing in her quirky creation of Ellery. As with her other novels, Much Ado About Barbecue is a delightful gem and most likely destined to end up on my list of favorite books I read this year.
Add this one to your to-be-read pile, folks. Just don't do it on an empty stomach.
Highly recommended.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No bribing of barbecue was done or needed....
Emma Sutton and Ben Cates have been rivals all their lives. It started in kindergarten when Ben pulled the chair out from under Emma and continued throughout their educational history, including Emma's underpants winding up on the school flag pole. So, when Emma returns to town after a series of disappointments in her life, she quickly finds the rivalry resuming thanks to Ellery's barbecue competition. Both families own barbecue joints in town, each praised and respected for differing ways of cooking the meat. Ben has reluctantly embraced using a smoker, while Emma's family still does whole-hog pit barbecue.
There is a bit more to the rivalry between Ben and Emma than the competition for who has the best barbecue and juvenile pranks. Emma has repressed large portions of junior high school due and she holds a deep secret about possibly raining on Ben's dream of playing baseball at the next level. Needless to say, these two are probably the last two people you'd imagine ending up together.
And like the main dish of the book's title, the potential romantic entanglement is one that roasts slowly, marinating in its own rub of family secrets, long-held resentments, and misunderstandings. Along the way, we meet a colorful cast of characters from Jeremiah, the long-time pitmaster as Emma's family barbecue joint (and a character I'd love to see get his own novel) to Ben's sister, Shero.
Between family secrets, the slow-simmering enemies-to-lovers story, and a colorful cast of characters (including several familiar faces from previous Ellery novels), Much Ado About Barbecue proves to be another winner from Kilpatrick. Filled with the types of characters you'd expect to me in a quirky small town, Much Ado works much like the barbecue does -- as a satisfying, enjoayble meal that left me fully satisfied and yet somehow wishing I had just a bit more room for another bite or two.
Taking a page from Shakespeare (maybe you've heard of him), Kilpatrick gives us her spin on Much Ado About Nothing in her quirky creation of Ellery. As with her other novels, Much Ado About Barbecue is a delightful gem and most likely destined to end up on my list of favorite books I read this year.
Add this one to your to-be-read pile, folks. Just don't do it on an empty stomach.
Highly recommended.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No bribing of barbecue was done or needed....
October 6, 2021
I received this ARC for an honest review.
This book opens with Emma returning home to the small town which she grew up in, and going back to working with her mother at their barbeque restaurant. She feels like a failure for having to return home but also having to deal with Ben Cates, who since kindergarten have been at each other each thing done to the other one may have started out as simple as pulling a chair out from when she was going to sit down, but by the end of high school it was way worse. Even before that. The story goes through all of that, doing so with a local barbecue competition that also happens to be filmed by some students from the college. There is also a chief from a cooking show just to add to the story.
The main story is not just about barbecue and the old way of all-night cooking with a pit versus the new gas grills. It is also about Emma coming to terms with the death of her father, why Ben always hated her, or that is how she felt, and the two of them needing to grow up as well. With a wonderful cast of characters from Jeremiah the pitmaster and trying to help Emma with words of wisdom that she does not get right away, to Shero Ben’s sister who is the voice in Ben’s ear that he is not living just doing barbecue and nothing else not willing to take a chance. A wonderful story and very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
This book opens with Emma returning home to the small town which she grew up in, and going back to working with her mother at their barbeque restaurant. She feels like a failure for having to return home but also having to deal with Ben Cates, who since kindergarten have been at each other each thing done to the other one may have started out as simple as pulling a chair out from when she was going to sit down, but by the end of high school it was way worse. Even before that. The story goes through all of that, doing so with a local barbecue competition that also happens to be filmed by some students from the college. There is also a chief from a cooking show just to add to the story.
The main story is not just about barbecue and the old way of all-night cooking with a pit versus the new gas grills. It is also about Emma coming to terms with the death of her father, why Ben always hated her, or that is how she felt, and the two of them needing to grow up as well. With a wonderful cast of characters from Jeremiah the pitmaster and trying to help Emma with words of wisdom that she does not get right away, to Shero Ben’s sister who is the voice in Ben’s ear that he is not living just doing barbecue and nothing else not willing to take a chance. A wonderful story and very much worth the read. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 5 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
September 9, 2021
So. Much. Fun. And I'm hungry now!
I loved returning to Ellery, Tennessee for this story! Nothing like a good small-town romance, unless it also involves barbecue. I was drooling the entire time I read this book, and I'm going to have to find some decent pulled pork in the near future!
Kilpatrick's dialog has an authentic voice that had me laughing out loud, and she can also bring me to tears, sometimes in the same paragraph. This volume made reference to many characters from the previous Ellery books, but it is a solid standalone, and a fabulous rendition of enemies-to-lovers.
I loved returning to Ellery, Tennessee for this story! Nothing like a good small-town romance, unless it also involves barbecue. I was drooling the entire time I read this book, and I'm going to have to find some decent pulled pork in the near future!
Kilpatrick's dialog has an authentic voice that had me laughing out loud, and she can also bring me to tears, sometimes in the same paragraph. This volume made reference to many characters from the previous Ellery books, but it is a solid standalone, and a fabulous rendition of enemies-to-lovers.
February 5, 2023
just a fun little time!!
September 16, 2021
I loved this book so much that I read it in one sitting. This book has everything a southern gal like me loves: bbq, an enemies to lovers romance, and even a ghost making an appearance in the story.
Warning: Do Not read this book hungry because even if bbq isn’t your thing the descriptions of the sides and sweets will make your stomach grumble!!
I love the way the tradition of open pit bbq cooking is described because as a kid we used to go to pig pickin’s and eat bbq that had been cooked all night long the way the book described.
Ok..I’ll move on to the story itself.
This is a great enemies to lovers romance that also addresses other topics like racial issues and driving under the influence. It has some fantastic secondary characters that go together as good as Mac and cheese go with pulled pork.
Emma and Ben have been enemies since Kindergarten.
Emma high tailed it out of town as soon as high school ended but had to come back to the small town of Ellery, Tennessee with her tail tucked between her legs asking her mom for a job in the family restaurant, The Flying Pig.
Ben, who helps run his family’s restaurant, Cates BBQ, never got to leave town thanks to a broken leg and pulled baseball scholarship.
A competition in their town to find the best bbq restaurant has Emma and Ben continuing their feud, but after 21 years of fighting will it be time to clear the air and call a truce?
August 6, 2021
❤️Book Review❤️
Title: Much Ado About Barbecue
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
👫🏻2 POVS of main characters.
🖤 Lose of a Parent
👻 Ghost in Story Line
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 Enemy to Lovers - Second Chance
🔥 Slow Burn
👨👩👧👦 Lots is f Focus on Family
🥩🍳BBQ Houses/BBQ contest
🏞 Small town Romance
PUB DATE: Available Sept 2, 2021
Kilpatrick does a wonderful job slowly unfolding this enemies to lovers story. It’s about Emma and Ben, high school enemies that each run their family’s barbecue houses and sign up for a competition where they go head to head to see who’s Restaurant is the best. The story turns out to be so much more than that.
The beginning starts with amazing character development. We learn individually about Emma and Ben, their family members and the history behind each of their family owned barbecue houses. We also learn about the painful tragedy that ties these families together. Several VERY interesting plot twists occur at that point, and then the book becomes impossible to put down after that. As the story unfolds you learn more and more secrets that help tell this story. This was a story about past pain, grief, anger, lose, and forgiveness. Learning how to let go and trust again. My only complaint is I wish there was more of Ben and Emma together as a couple in the end, but I still enjoyed this book a lot.
✨Thank you to @netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my honest opinion ✨
Title: Much Ado About Barbecue
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
👫🏻2 POVS of main characters.
🖤 Lose of a Parent
👻 Ghost in Story Line
👩🏻❤️👨🏻 Enemy to Lovers - Second Chance
🔥 Slow Burn
👨👩👧👦 Lots is f Focus on Family
🥩🍳BBQ Houses/BBQ contest
🏞 Small town Romance
PUB DATE: Available Sept 2, 2021
Kilpatrick does a wonderful job slowly unfolding this enemies to lovers story. It’s about Emma and Ben, high school enemies that each run their family’s barbecue houses and sign up for a competition where they go head to head to see who’s Restaurant is the best. The story turns out to be so much more than that.
The beginning starts with amazing character development. We learn individually about Emma and Ben, their family members and the history behind each of their family owned barbecue houses. We also learn about the painful tragedy that ties these families together. Several VERY interesting plot twists occur at that point, and then the book becomes impossible to put down after that. As the story unfolds you learn more and more secrets that help tell this story. This was a story about past pain, grief, anger, lose, and forgiveness. Learning how to let go and trust again. My only complaint is I wish there was more of Ben and Emma together as a couple in the end, but I still enjoyed this book a lot.
✨Thank you to @netgalley for this Arc in exchange for my honest opinion ✨
August 13, 2021
This is just a fun book to read!
Set in TN, lots of bbq info, fun characters, a quirky town and a big competition.
Emma moves back home, after college and a failed career attempt in the big city, and is working at her family's bbq restaurant. Something she promised herself she'd never do -- but with the wisdom of an old pitmaster, she finds it is exactly where she wants to be.
Ben Cates runs his family bbq place, does his bbq a different way than Emma's family, and they have bad history. But the competition brings them together and they sort out their problems.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
Set in TN, lots of bbq info, fun characters, a quirky town and a big competition.
Emma moves back home, after college and a failed career attempt in the big city, and is working at her family's bbq restaurant. Something she promised herself she'd never do -- but with the wisdom of an old pitmaster, she finds it is exactly where she wants to be.
Ben Cates runs his family bbq place, does his bbq a different way than Emma's family, and they have bad history. But the competition brings them together and they sort out their problems.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.
September 8, 2021
A saucy little romcom, that plays on Shakespeare play for the title. Two dueling barbecue places in Tennessee, bring enemies together for a mouth watering romance full of southern charm and humor.
For fans of enemies to lovers, stoke the fire as much ado about barbecue definitely cooked up something good to devour. WARNING - this novel will leave you craving BBQ with all the scrumptious fixings’. I was an hangry reader with all the delicious descriptions on the prep for all the savory BBQ delights.
Thank you Sally Kirkpatrick, nyliterary and letstalkbookspromo for the complimentary copy.
For fans of enemies to lovers, stoke the fire as much ado about barbecue definitely cooked up something good to devour. WARNING - this novel will leave you craving BBQ with all the scrumptious fixings’. I was an hangry reader with all the delicious descriptions on the prep for all the savory BBQ delights.
Thank you Sally Kirkpatrick, nyliterary and letstalkbookspromo for the complimentary copy.
September 13, 2021
Well, bless my heart for loving this Ellery novel
It has been too long since I've read a new Sally Kilpatrick Ellery novel, and Much Ado About Barbecue made the wait worthwhile. A great, funny southern romance told in Sally's unique voice, set among a barbecue competition, and modeled after Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing.
I loved the appearances of Ellery characters from previous novels, mostly in cameos, but my favorites were the ghost-seeing Presley from Better Get to Livin' and Beulah Land and The Happy Hour Choir from the first Ellery novel, The Happy Hour Choir.
I highly recommend this novel, a wonderful addition to the Ellery Tennessee saga.
It has been too long since I've read a new Sally Kilpatrick Ellery novel, and Much Ado About Barbecue made the wait worthwhile. A great, funny southern romance told in Sally's unique voice, set among a barbecue competition, and modeled after Shakespeare's play Much Ado About Nothing.
I loved the appearances of Ellery characters from previous novels, mostly in cameos, but my favorites were the ghost-seeing Presley from Better Get to Livin' and Beulah Land and The Happy Hour Choir from the first Ellery novel, The Happy Hour Choir.
I highly recommend this novel, a wonderful addition to the Ellery Tennessee saga.
September 3, 2021
Thank you @letstalkbookspromo for a copy of this cute read. This the 6th book of the series and can be read as a stand alone. It was a cute enemies to lover romance with a great casts of characters. This book is a nod to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. I don’t remember reading this play so I’ve have no comparison. I. enjoyed learning more about the art of barbecue and this book made me hungry for some great food.
September 9, 2021
Ok, this book was adorable! You will fall in love with Emma and Ben, and the little town of Ellery. Oh, and also your mouth will be watering the entire time you read it! Two sworn enemies, two barbecue joints-both with history and something on the line, and one coveted competition to see who’s the best. This book will leave you satisfied, but also very hungry!
Thank you for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2021
The best way to end this crazy 2021 summer?? MUCH ADO ABOUT BARBECUE! Sally Kilpatrick's books never fail to deliver the laughs with her quick wit and spot-on Southernisms, and yet still also work my heart over with the depth of her too-true-to-life characters. This is the perfect Labor Day read! And it'll make you hungry, too! However you like your barbecue, this book's for you!
October 20, 2021
I always enjoy Sally’s books, and this one satisfied my reading appetite but left me hungry for barbecue! Well done Sally!
January 12, 2022
Fun retelling of a Shakespearean classic.
I really enjoyed this episode of the Ellery TN series. And now, for some reason, I really want some barbecue.
I really enjoyed this episode of the Ellery TN series. And now, for some reason, I really want some barbecue.
November 28, 2021
Reviewed here for CBR
An enemies to lovers contemporary romance take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, with a side order of family issues and responsibilities, dueling barbeque restaurants, and a grudge that goes way, way back. This one was a less than an easy read for me: The drama between the two main characters (Emma & Ben) seemed to simultaneously be too big to overcome (like they literally hated each other for unknown reasons at the beginning and middle of the story) and so ... secreted that, as a reader, it was hard to understand what the hate was about.
Because of course, they both seem like otherwise reasonable, kind, and responsible humans, (for the most part) but mere mentions of the other one and the hackles are up, defensiveness assumed, arguments with everybody else & themselves are imminent. They can't, as grown ups, hate each other this much because he pulled the chair out from underneath her in kindergarten, and they spent the entirety of their school careers pranking each other, surely? And they don't, in the end, but I felt like the reveal for "why" they don't like each other was left too long, and there was too much time for me, as a reader, to be annoyed & exasperated with them for acting the way they were.
What Kilpatrick did really well was creating the setting for their battle royale: The small, southern town, the two competing family restaurants, both peopled with interesting, vibrant secondary characters, that frankly, I would rather have read about - Jeremiah's story seemed a lot more compelling than these childishly stubborn main characters, up until the last five chapters or so, honestly. I'd still go back to Ellery for his story, even though I don't quite care all that much about revisiting Emma & Ben, checking in on them. Also, the descriptions of the food are startlingly appetizing: I don't even like barbeque, but I wanted some when I was reading this. The dialogue is snappy and smart, there's humor woven through the storyline (I think I would've DNF-ed otherwise), but I just couldn't get past what seemed like an irrational behavior pattern for grow-ass adults.
I got my book via NetGalley, for an honest review.
An enemies to lovers contemporary romance take on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, with a side order of family issues and responsibilities, dueling barbeque restaurants, and a grudge that goes way, way back. This one was a less than an easy read for me: The drama between the two main characters (Emma & Ben) seemed to simultaneously be too big to overcome (like they literally hated each other for unknown reasons at the beginning and middle of the story) and so ... secreted that, as a reader, it was hard to understand what the hate was about.
Because of course, they both seem like otherwise reasonable, kind, and responsible humans, (for the most part) but mere mentions of the other one and the hackles are up, defensiveness assumed, arguments with everybody else & themselves are imminent. They can't, as grown ups, hate each other this much because he pulled the chair out from underneath her in kindergarten, and they spent the entirety of their school careers pranking each other, surely? And they don't, in the end, but I felt like the reveal for "why" they don't like each other was left too long, and there was too much time for me, as a reader, to be annoyed & exasperated with them for acting the way they were.
What Kilpatrick did really well was creating the setting for their battle royale: The small, southern town, the two competing family restaurants, both peopled with interesting, vibrant secondary characters, that frankly, I would rather have read about - Jeremiah's story seemed a lot more compelling than these childishly stubborn main characters, up until the last five chapters or so, honestly. I'd still go back to Ellery for his story, even though I don't quite care all that much about revisiting Emma & Ben, checking in on them. Also, the descriptions of the food are startlingly appetizing: I don't even like barbeque, but I wanted some when I was reading this. The dialogue is snappy and smart, there's humor woven through the storyline (I think I would've DNF-ed otherwise), but I just couldn't get past what seemed like an irrational behavior pattern for grow-ass adults.
I got my book via NetGalley, for an honest review.
August 10, 2021
I expected this to be a light romance with a nod to Shakespeares Much Ado About Nothing. Emma Sutton returns to her hometown in Tennessee after graduating college still not sure what she wants to do with her degree in communications. The NYC internship wasn't a fit and she jumps back into the family barbecue business. Her life long nemesis Ben Cates never left town. He helps run a competing barbecue business owned by his grandmother.
This is supposed to be a childhood enemies to lovers romance but for me it misses the boat. After working ten years in an elementary school I found the pranks childish and rising to the level of bullying. Parents would never allow their child to have to sit next to their bully in this day and age. I might be over empathizing, but Emma has repressed memories, and blotches of time she can't remember as an adult after time in therapy. I would have liked Emma to come home and maybe use her degree to help the barbecue business. She graduated summa cum laude but never acts like it. Instead she pushes in roughshod entering a barbeque competition with some serious consequences. Everything felt very high schoolish and immature. I don't think the couple has an adult conversation that had me thinking they should even be together. I also don't think they would have liked each other with out being tricked into thinking the other person liked them (which is part of the original Much Ado plotting.) And the paranormal aspect was an odd thing to toss into the mix.
I think others are probably going to enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This is supposed to be a childhood enemies to lovers romance but for me it misses the boat. After working ten years in an elementary school I found the pranks childish and rising to the level of bullying. Parents would never allow their child to have to sit next to their bully in this day and age. I might be over empathizing, but Emma has repressed memories, and blotches of time she can't remember as an adult after time in therapy. I would have liked Emma to come home and maybe use her degree to help the barbecue business. She graduated summa cum laude but never acts like it. Instead she pushes in roughshod entering a barbeque competition with some serious consequences. Everything felt very high schoolish and immature. I don't think the couple has an adult conversation that had me thinking they should even be together. I also don't think they would have liked each other with out being tricked into thinking the other person liked them (which is part of the original Much Ado plotting.) And the paranormal aspect was an odd thing to toss into the mix.
I think others are probably going to enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.
September 17, 2022
Being a citizen of Chester County TN I was really excited to read Much Ado about Barbecue. I have only lived here since 2015 but I recognize some of the places and people mentioned in the book. I have read Mrs. Kilpatrick first four books and enjoyed them immensely though I never finished Oh, My stars.
It is true that we have wonderful BBQ places in Our County, one that I can see from my front porch.
When I got this book from our county library I did not realize how much I would enjoy it. I work overnite and read it in two nights by 3AM on the 2nd night.
Emma Sutton was an interesting character , but I loved Ben Cates. These two were enemies doing mean things to each other since kindergarten. Now they are post college age and they are slowly learning how to get along with each other. Each one is a part of a family BBQ restaurant and they are in a competition with each other and two other restaurants for the title of the best of the best of the world at the annual Yessum County Barbecue Festival.
A couple of filmmakers from Memphis are filming all of this as documentary on BBQ. I immensely enjoyed this book.
It is true that we have wonderful BBQ places in Our County, one that I can see from my front porch.
When I got this book from our county library I did not realize how much I would enjoy it. I work overnite and read it in two nights by 3AM on the 2nd night.
Emma Sutton was an interesting character , but I loved Ben Cates. These two were enemies doing mean things to each other since kindergarten. Now they are post college age and they are slowly learning how to get along with each other. Each one is a part of a family BBQ restaurant and they are in a competition with each other and two other restaurants for the title of the best of the best of the world at the annual Yessum County Barbecue Festival.
A couple of filmmakers from Memphis are filming all of this as documentary on BBQ. I immensely enjoyed this book.
August 29, 2021
This is a cute little rom com loosely based off of the Shakespeare play of a similar name. The name choices are similar to the play and the two MCs have a “kind of merry war betwixt [them]”. Although, I think that the feud is not merry but in fact very destructive, especially the painful memories from junior high and high school that are borderline bullying. However, it works as an enemies to lovers and it is very funny. My mouth watered at the descriptions of BBQ and I had a nonstop craving! I really enjoyed the book until a very strange paranormal moment comes out of nowhere. Not a terrible read, but I’m not sure I’d recommend it or read more. I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
December 13, 2022
This is a modern retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing set around a competition to see whose barbecue is the Best of the Best-In-the-World. Emma and Ben are the classic enemies-to-lovers dating back to kindergarten, and we get to read both their perspectives in first person.
There's a meddling community pushing them together, and there are ghosts, crimes, and all sorts of shenanigans.
I do have to warn: read this when you aren't hungry or when you have quick access to barbecue with all the fixings. I felt like I could smell the wood smoke, and I ordered my favorite barbecue for takeout.
Thank you to the author for this advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
TW: drunk driving (off page), racism, stigma against mental illness
3.5 stars rounded up
There's a meddling community pushing them together, and there are ghosts, crimes, and all sorts of shenanigans.
I do have to warn: read this when you aren't hungry or when you have quick access to barbecue with all the fixings. I felt like I could smell the wood smoke, and I ordered my favorite barbecue for takeout.
Thank you to the author for this advanced reader copy. These opinions are my own.
TW: drunk driving (off page), racism, stigma against mental illness
3.5 stars rounded up
September 25, 2021
Emma and Ben have been rivals since they were young children, but even more so now that Emma is back in town and they both enter the town's barbecue competition.
their friends try and get them to see a different side to each other, but will it work out?
A great read, and I like how it is told from both of their points of view.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
their friends try and get them to see a different side to each other, but will it work out?
A great read, and I like how it is told from both of their points of view.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a voluntary and honest review.
Did Not Finish
October 19, 2021I couldn't make it past the 10% mark, but it was probably a me thing and not the fault of the book itself. There was nothing compelling about the characters or the story up to that point that made me want to read on. I left it for a few days before realising I never had any urge to go back to it and finish the story, a clear sign that it simply wasn't meant to be.
(I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
(I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)
April 10, 2022
Love it!!
I just love reading her books. This book was great!! Just like all of them. In dark times right now, this book will pick you up.
I just love reading her books. This book was great!! Just like all of them. In dark times right now, this book will pick you up.
October 1, 2024
Good if u like barbecue, enemies to lovers, or the movie little Italy. That’s the vibes. Didn’t love it. 4/10
September 6, 2022
Kilpatrick does a wonderful job slowly unfolding this enemies to lovers story. It’s about Emma and Ben, high school enemies that each run their family’s barbecue houses and sign up for a competition where they go head to head to see who’s Restaurant is the best. The story turns out to be so much more than that.
The beginning starts with amazing character development. We learn individually about Emma and Ben, their family members and the history behind each of their family owned barbecue houses. We also learn about the painful tragedy that ties these families together. Several VERY interesting plot twists occur at that point, and then the book becomes impossible to put down after that. As the story unfolds you learn more and more secrets that help tell this story. This was a story about past pain, grief, anger, lose, and forgiveness and a ghost. Learning how to let go and trust again. My only complaint is I wish there was more of Ben and Emma together as a couple in the end, but I still enjoyed this book a lot. ✨Thank you to @netgalley and @nyliterary for this ARC in exchange for my honest review✨
The beginning starts with amazing character development. We learn individually about Emma and Ben, their family members and the history behind each of their family owned barbecue houses. We also learn about the painful tragedy that ties these families together. Several VERY interesting plot twists occur at that point, and then the book becomes impossible to put down after that. As the story unfolds you learn more and more secrets that help tell this story. This was a story about past pain, grief, anger, lose, and forgiveness and a ghost. Learning how to let go and trust again. My only complaint is I wish there was more of Ben and Emma together as a couple in the end, but I still enjoyed this book a lot. ✨Thank you to @netgalley and @nyliterary for this ARC in exchange for my honest review✨
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews