nsgold's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
arthcmiss's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.5
I was really looking forward to this one so I was a bit disappointed while reading since I felt the main characters didn't have much chemistry. Or maybe it's just that I was missing a bit more of development at the beginning of their story since them getting together felt really fast and unclear (like, they went from not standing each other to having the hots for each other in 0.5 seconds).
The pop culture references were fun but, in my opinion (and this may be just me disliking pop culture references in general) they were overused and, sometimes, unnecessary.
Overall, it was an entertaining read but I was expecting way more.
The pop culture references were fun but, in my opinion (and this may be just me disliking pop culture references in general) they were overused and, sometimes, unnecessary.
Overall, it was an entertaining read but I was expecting way more.
bibliojax's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ericawrites's review against another edition
2.0
A Dash of Salt and Pepper is all over the place. When it's focused, the passages are lovely, and the connections between the characters are all you want in a romance. But then there are the opening and the parts in between those moments.
I'm pretty tolerant of pop culture references in books, but these opening chapters were too much from our MC and POV character Xavier. Easily half of them could've been cut out, and it would've been a lot still. It was perhaps telling that the places with the least pop culture references are when the characters have profound bonding moments or action scenes.
The timeline was a mess. It's a linear story, but don't try to do the math when we're told about the passage of time, likewise with the seasons.
For example, in the chapter where they have on-page sex, we're told it's chilly and then hot enough for popsicles, and Xavier and Logan get sweaty before we get to the action. In the same scene, we're told they've been together for three months, but this is the first time they've had penetrative sex. Which okay, but it's clear it's not the first time they've touched each other below the belt. I'm not sure why this wasn't sorted out in editing.
I hated the epilogue because it should've been about Xavier and Logan's relationship, and it was taken up by Anne (Logan's daughter) reenacting a scene from The Devil Wears Prada. We already knew that Anne liked her dad dating Xavier and liked Xavier as a person in her life, so this was unnecessary except to make another pop culture reference to the long-running TDWP jokes in the entire book.
Xavier's parents felt dropped altogether halfway through the book. Similarly, many other emotional developments, even between our couple, seem to happen between the time jumps.
A Dash of Salt and Pepper did have elements I enjoyed. I think Jackson has moments of brilliant connections, and he fleshes out characters instantly, and they pop off the page and feel relatable. I recognized the feelings of growing up queer in a small town but also being from a place where you know it. (Xavier's just lucky that place is Stars Hollow.)
I am glad I read this, even if my star rating isn't high, and I'd pick up Jackson's future books.
I'm pretty tolerant of pop culture references in books, but these opening chapters were too much from our MC and POV character Xavier. Easily half of them could've been cut out, and it would've been a lot still. It was perhaps telling that the places with the least pop culture references are when the characters have profound bonding moments or action scenes.
The timeline was a mess. It's a linear story, but don't try to do the math when we're told about the passage of time, likewise with the seasons.
For example, in the chapter where they have on-page sex, we're told it's chilly and then hot enough for popsicles, and Xavier and Logan get sweaty before we get to the action. In the same scene, we're told they've been together for three months, but this is the first time they've had penetrative sex. Which okay, but it's clear it's not the first time they've touched each other below the belt. I'm not sure why this wasn't sorted out in editing.
I hated the epilogue because it should've been about Xavier and Logan's relationship, and it was taken up by Anne (Logan's daughter) reenacting a scene from The Devil Wears Prada. We already knew that Anne liked her dad dating Xavier and liked Xavier as a person in her life, so this was unnecessary except to make another pop culture reference to the long-running TDWP jokes in the entire book.
Xavier's parents felt dropped altogether halfway through the book. Similarly, many other emotional developments, even between our couple, seem to happen between the time jumps.
A Dash of Salt and Pepper did have elements I enjoyed. I think Jackson has moments of brilliant connections, and he fleshes out characters instantly, and they pop off the page and feel relatable. I recognized the feelings of growing up queer in a small town but also being from a place where you know it. (Xavier's just lucky that place is Stars Hollow.)
I am glad I read this, even if my star rating isn't high, and I'd pick up Jackson's future books.
thebashfulbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Four and a Half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson is a small-town romance with a surprising amount of emotional depth. I adored these main characters and loved the small-town Maine setting.
Story Recap:
Xavier Reynolds just returned home from Chicago after a failed relationship and a failed job, and he was passed over for the fellowship he applied for. Now, he has to live with his parents again in the small town in Maine, Harpers Cove, where he grew up. Once he gets home, he gets a call from the fellowship offering him the position in Germany, and he has the summer to save up the money to be able to go. Jobs are not abundant in Harpers Cove, so when a position opens up at a local restaurant, he knows it’s his only hope of raising enough money. But, the chef/owner of the local restaurant is old and cranky.
Logan O'Hare needs help in his restaurant. His tween daughter Anne is helpful, but he needs full-time help, and Harpers Cove, Maine, doesn’t have a lot of options for skilled restaurant work. He meets and hires Xavier, but he doesn’t like his attitude, even if he can dice onions with the best of them. They decide on a truce, but working side by side brings them together and the attraction is strong. But, Xavier is leaving for Germany at the end of the summer, and Logan has to stay in Harpers Cove for his daughter and his restaurant.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this very much. I loved the little town of Harpers Cove, and Xavier’s parents, and his best friend Mya. But it was Logan’s daughter Anne that stole the show for me. She’s cute, funny, and adorable.
The romance was also a lot of fun. Young, and sarcastic, Xavier was a perfect match for older (but not old), grumpy Logan, and their chemistry was strong. Logan was a bit grumpy at first, but when he eventually opened up, he was a lot of fun and was a perfect foil to Xavier’s sarcasm.
Both Xavier and Logan have some baggage and self-doubt. However, we learned a lot more about Xavier because the entire book was told from his POV. I loved Xavier and his inner thoughts were both funny and vulnerable. I just wish I could have learned more about Logan, and a dual POV would have told me more about him.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Dash of Salt and Pepper to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson is a small-town romance with a surprising amount of emotional depth. I adored these main characters and loved the small-town Maine setting.
Story Recap:
Xavier Reynolds just returned home from Chicago after a failed relationship and a failed job, and he was passed over for the fellowship he applied for. Now, he has to live with his parents again in the small town in Maine, Harpers Cove, where he grew up. Once he gets home, he gets a call from the fellowship offering him the position in Germany, and he has the summer to save up the money to be able to go. Jobs are not abundant in Harpers Cove, so when a position opens up at a local restaurant, he knows it’s his only hope of raising enough money. But, the chef/owner of the local restaurant is old and cranky.
Logan O'Hare needs help in his restaurant. His tween daughter Anne is helpful, but he needs full-time help, and Harpers Cove, Maine, doesn’t have a lot of options for skilled restaurant work. He meets and hires Xavier, but he doesn’t like his attitude, even if he can dice onions with the best of them. They decide on a truce, but working side by side brings them together and the attraction is strong. But, Xavier is leaving for Germany at the end of the summer, and Logan has to stay in Harpers Cove for his daughter and his restaurant.
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this very much. I loved the little town of Harpers Cove, and Xavier’s parents, and his best friend Mya. But it was Logan’s daughter Anne that stole the show for me. She’s cute, funny, and adorable.
The romance was also a lot of fun. Young, and sarcastic, Xavier was a perfect match for older (but not old), grumpy Logan, and their chemistry was strong. Logan was a bit grumpy at first, but when he eventually opened up, he was a lot of fun and was a perfect foil to Xavier’s sarcasm.
Both Xavier and Logan have some baggage and self-doubt. However, we learned a lot more about Xavier because the entire book was told from his POV. I loved Xavier and his inner thoughts were both funny and vulnerable. I just wish I could have learned more about Logan, and a dual POV would have told me more about him.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend A Dash of Salt and Pepper to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
lauraleamariereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
So many problems — MISCOMMUNICATION should be banned from all romance novels. Period. The end.
Spoiler
Xavier should of gone to Germany.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Spoiler
Only one graphic sex scene and a few make-out sessions — not sure how this one qualifies as a romance. It felt more like a friendship.alindeman's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Eh. Had a really hard time getting through this. Almost DNF’d multiple times. The book is very slow, the majority of the book is inside the main characters head reflecting on the plot rather than advancing it, and they do this weird thing where any time there’s an important event it just cuts off in the middle and fast forwards to something else- super weird. Main character is low key insufferable, we get it, you hate your small hometown and you’re better than all of them bc you went to school in a big city and got a masters woo hoo. The third act breakup is ridiculously dumb- “what! You had life plans before you met me?!? How dare you!!!” MEH. Don’t recommend
adavidson37's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was pure gay hallmark, which is not my usual cup of tea but I will do anything for Kosoko Jackson tbh. He made me ugly cry with Yesterday is History, so it’s only fair that this one was just pure fluff. It was cute! I love Kosoko’s witty writing, and this books definitely got it, along with a wholesomeness that almost reminds me of Full House. Kosoko has now given us 2 scifi’s and 2 romcoms- cant wait to see whats next!
lliizz12's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
noslowregard's review against another edition
I just don't like contemporaries! And yet I keep trying because that seems to all that's getting published lately in queer romance, but I just! do not! like them!