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A review by mardell
The Romance Recipe by Ruby Barrett
4.0
I typically delight in a good opposites attract romance where, because of the rules of the trope, they have to work together for some common purpose. So I was optimistic starting this one where a chef and an owner battle to save their restaurant.
I'm giving Sophie and Amy a healthy serving of three stars. The plotting and development of their relationship felt fresh, as did the surprise that this is not a faking-a-relationship-for-tv romance despite Sophie's background as a television chef. I also adore a character like Sophie who falls too hard and too fast, and who knows it. Also, she power lifts as a hobby. That's my girl.
Meanwhile, the type-A, hard-edged Amy felt muddy at times. At one point early on, she grabs Sophie and jumps up and down. Squealing. Who exactly is this woman supposed to be? But, whether your click with her, you will be rooting for the resturant.
The fourth star is for Carina Adores giving their LGBTQ+ romance line plenty of hot on-page sex. While I love romances with all different levels of explicitness, it's great to a see a trad publisher keeping things on the page for their queer couples. Also, cooking romances cannot resist playing on 'heat levels' in their taglines, so I appreciate in this foodie romance cooling off in the walk-in refrigerator was actually necessary.
I'm giving Sophie and Amy a healthy serving of three stars. The plotting and development of their relationship felt fresh, as did the surprise that this is not a faking-a-relationship-for-tv romance despite Sophie's background as a television chef. I also adore a character like Sophie who falls too hard and too fast, and who knows it. Also, she power lifts as a hobby. That's my girl.
Meanwhile, the type-A, hard-edged Amy felt muddy at times. At one point early on, she grabs Sophie and jumps up and down. Squealing. Who exactly is this woman supposed to be? But, whether your click with her, you will be rooting for the resturant.
The fourth star is for Carina Adores giving their LGBTQ+ romance line plenty of hot on-page sex. While I love romances with all different levels of explicitness, it's great to a see a trad publisher keeping things on the page for their queer couples. Also, cooking romances cannot resist playing on 'heat levels' in their taglines, so I appreciate in this foodie romance cooling off in the walk-in refrigerator was actually necessary.