Title: Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary, Lesbian, Nonbinary, Romance
Length: 285 pages
Book Rating: C
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut that USA Today hailed as “an essential read.”
Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she’s focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.
After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.
As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.
Review:
Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly is an intriguing romance that takes place during filming of a cooking show.
Dahlia Woodson is divorced, heavily in debt and sort of lost. She really has no idea what she wants to do career-wise. She does not know where she would like to live. While her marriage was in steadily going downhill, Dahlia discovered cooking shows and she is now a contestant on cooking show, Chef’s Special. She is bubbly, outgoing and a bit of a klutz which are endearing (but sometimes irritating) traits. However, her emotions swing wildly between high and low as she tries to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life.
London Parker is nonbinary and a bit on the serious and grumpy side. They are close to their twin sister Julie whose drunken dare is the reason they tried out for Chef’s Special. While the rest of the family is accepting of London, their father continually uses the wrong gender. London is open about being nonbinary but they run into prejudice from one of the competitors.
Love & Other Disasters has a cute premise but it is a little angsty. Dahlia and London are reflective so there are long passages of inner monologue from both characters. While they bring out one another’s best qualities, there is a lack of communication between them. The romance is sweet and steamy but neither Dahlia or London discusses what happens to them after filming of Chef’s Special concludes. The storyline is interesting but the pacing is slow and the romance has an insta-love vibe. Both characters undergo growth which is wonderful to watch play out over the course of the novel. Anita Kelly brings this entertaining romance to a satisfying conclusion.
