I don't normally read romance, but thought I would give this one a try. I'm glad I did. I enjoyed the cooking scenes immensely. This is a quick and heartwarming book.

I would like to thank netgalley, the author and publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

I absolutely loved this book from the very first page! I was sad and mad and incredibly happy and every emotion in between. I rooted for Paul and Nikki from the first time they met. Paul is working in a restaurant making someone else's recipes and Nikki is working for a diner that closed. They both want something more. It is so very good. I was sad when I was finished with it. I highly recommend this book!

This is my first book by Liz Isaacson.

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue

I look forward to reading more from this author.

A sweet story about two people who deserve the best in life and, ultimately, one another's love. A true made for Hallmark work!

Light read! Fun and specially if you love romance and cooking...This is a MUST READ!

Enjoyed this book so much that I read it in one sitting. I did watch this movie and enjoyed the interaction between Nikki and Paul. Reading the book though made me feel as if I was right there with them cooking. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions expressed are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

I read this one primarily because I love a good cheesy Hallmark movie every now and again and I wanted to see if it translated to the page. I have mixed feelings about whether it did. It was interesting being inside the minds of Hallmark-style characters when I'm used to seeing them on screen. I enjoyed getting a better sense of character motivations, and the choice to alternate perspectives between the two protagonists of our love story certainly added a different feel. For those reasons, it both did and didn't feel like watching a Hallmark movie.

There were some deliciously cheesy lines, such as my personal favorite (post hot chocolate because of course): "While the hot chocolate had been delicious, the real treat had been him." There was also, naturally, a near-miss kiss and a moment when things could have gone downhill for the couple. In fact, the epilogue even includes a proposal, because of course. In that way, the book definitely fulfilled exactly what I wanted it to, providing a light-hearted, sweet love story. 

One thing I'm still pondering is that while there was definitely a character development arc for the male main character, I'm not entirely sure whether the female protagonist really had that much growth. At the end, she has her own restaurant, but one that her now fiance bought with his money. She got back her reputation... because he talked to some people he knew. I would've liked to see more agency in the main character rather than having outside forces act on her the whole time. I'm all for a kiss (and even a proposal) at the end, but I also like to see a little bit more depth in the main character's arc. 

All in all, this is a nice, fun read if you're in the mood for a love story, especially one that takes place around Valentine's Day.

Recently, I've enjoyed reading books that Hallmark movies are based on. So when I heard that Hallmark was beginning to publish books based on their movies. I requested A Dash of Love through NetGalley, and here we are!

A Dash of Love is a cute story featuring Nikki, an excellent cook who can't get a cooking job at a restaurant because she doesn't have a culinary degree, and Paul, a trained chef who runs celebrity chef Holly Hanson's kitchen. Nikki gets a job as Holly's assistant, and she and Paul quickly grow close. But when Holly proves she'll stop at nothing to save her struggling restaurant, Nikki and Paul decide to take a leap of faith and try something new.

Let's get this out of the way right away: If you've watched the Hallmark original movie A Dash of Love, you don't need to read this book. As the book is an adaptation of the film (instead of the other way around), it so closely mirrors the movie that there's really not much new except for an epilogue that gives the reader a glimpse at what happened after the film ended. A few conversations are stretched out, and the reader is given a look at what both Nikki and Paul are thinking throughout, but overall the book is so close to the film that it just feels repetitive.

So then I tried to put myself in the place of someone who hadn't already seen the film. Would I have enjoyed the book more in that case? I think so, probably. But I can't go back and unsee the movie. So here's my recommendation: If you enjoy clean romances (and this is just as clean as every Hallmark movie), and you haven't seen the movie, then by all means read the book. But if you've already seen the film, the only reason I can see to read the book is if you're dying to know what happens to Nikki and Paul in the future.

I enjoyed this sweet read so much!

I loved the characters, setting, food, everything!
If you're looking for a sweet read filled with incredible food, helping others and finding love.... you'll enjoy A Dash of Love!!!

4 stars from me.

*Recv'd copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

After already seen the movie, based on this book, on the Hallmark channel, I was delighted to actually be able to ready the story first hand. I found that the movie had perfectly executed the book...which as most know doesn't always happen...The book is typically better then the movie...not here. Every bit of the movie held true, even down the suttle dialogue inflections and bodily movements. I can't say enough of how much I enjoyed this story, going further to say I'm glad there was an epilogue that neatly tied up very nicely Paul and Nikki's story leading to their HEA.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I thought this was a really cute, clean story. I saw the Hallmark movie when it came out last year and I really enjoyed it. I think it is hard to read a book after you've seen a movie and the wording is so identical. However, the book gives more time to the private thoughts of the characters and also gave me what so many Hallmark movies come just a little short on...details on the long term situation of Paul and Nikki's relationship. Thank you, thank you for the epilogue! Overall this was a fun, quick read, and I look forward to Hallmark putting out more books like this.

This was a simple but fun read. I enjoyed my time with these characters, and while the premise isn't especially original, it was definitely worth my time. If you are looking for a simple book to take you away and give you a few laughs, this one is it.

I am a huge fan of this author’s books and she didn’t fail to deliver another great book with this selection. The book is well written with a good plot. Loved the characters. I highly recommend this book.

A cute Valentine read.

Nikki's lifelong dream is to be a chef in a five star restaurant. Her problem: she is not classically trained at such schools at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She thinks she has found the perfect job to learn from THE chef in Lakeside, Holly Hanson. Nikki becomes her assistant, entering receipts and such, as Holly has agreed to let Nikki cook after hours in the restaurant kitchen. Paul, Holly's classically trained chef, has a disastrous run in with Nikki on her first day but he soon finds himself smitten. Paul learns of Holly's generosity in allowing Nikki to cook after hours and becomes suspicious immediately as Holly is known to be quite the opposite. Can Paul figure out what is going on before Holly ruins his chance at love with Nikki?

I am a sucker for Hallmark's romance and mystery movies. Yes, I admit there is a gooey, smushy side to this reader. Sometimes you just have to read about romance, hearts and flowers. I especially love a good, clean romance after reading a book full of mystery and death. It is like a palate cleanser for me. Hallmark Publishing has found the perfect way to accomplish that in writing books based off their movies. They are short (usually under 200 pages) books and always have a smile at the end.

A Dash of Love was sweet, romantic and heated in that there is a lot of cooking going on between Paul and Nikki. My interest in piqued between Nikki's Cinnamon Candy Chili (recipe included in the book) and Peanut Butter Root Beer Beef Stew (yes you read that right). My next mission is to find this movie playing and watch it as I would love to see how the sparks fly on the screen.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for a copy to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

This book is not steeped in reality. A line chef uses bizarre concoctions and then becomes a famous chef? They fall in love in approximately ten minutes? Just a bit too far fetched for my taste.

I have read several of Hallmark's Christmas movies turned books and in every review I said how much I loved them and how I want it to become more of a thing. Well it looks like I'm getting my wish because here's a Hallmark Valentine's Day book! With the Christmas Hallmark books I read, I either hadn't seen the movie or it had been so long that I forgot, so it was great to read the book first and then watch the movie on tv. With A Dash of Love I remember watching the movie last year when it first premiered, so it was fresh in my mind. I still enjoyed reading the book though! It was that sweet, super cute, over the top romance only Hallmark can pull off and get away with. This is the perfect book to read around Valentine's Day. I love these Hallmark books even more than the movies because I love getting inside the characters' heads. I can't wait to keep reading more of these!

When I read the blurb of this book I was excited it was a foodie type book which I love. I was nervous about it being based off of a movie though especially since the book came out after the movie I guess? I haven't watched the movie but plan to when I see that its on.

A Dash of Love was such a cute book. I think my favorite parts were when Nikki & Paul were cooking together those are the moments I loved. I love how much passion they both had for cooking. I legit got teary eyed near the ending.

Overall its a cute short read that I'd definitely recommend! Especially if you love cooking! Reading this book made me want to leave work and cook. It also inspired me to get creative with my food, to really make a recipe mine.

Only two problems with this book.
1. It wasn't long enough!
2. I would have loved to have the recipes mentioned in the book!

Especially that Beef Stew! Can't wait to try the chili and when I do Ill update my review!

*I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to review. Thank you!

Loved it, a must read. A feel good book just like the movie on Hallmark.

If you've seen the movie, this book is a fabulous companion to that. If you haven't, this is a love story that will leave you smiling because it's so sweet. This is a Hallmark story so there is no sex or cursing – if those things bother you, you have nothing to worry about here.

I have to confess that because I've seen the movie, I went into this book apprehensive. How could words on a page convey the kind of adorable effervescence that Jen Lilley exhibits on screen that makes this movie so good? It turns out that my fears were for naught because author Liz Isaacson absolutely nailed it. There are no other words for it. She perfectly captured the bubbly spirit and sweetness that makes Nikki the kind of character that a reader (or viewer) can't help but root for. I've seen the movie more times than I should probably admit, but I still stayed up until one in the morning to finish the book because I needed to see this version of Nikki and Paul get their happily ever after.

This book follows the movie story line accurately, but it adds a ton of humor and heart. Getting a look inside of Nikki's head added so much depth to an already likable character, and even the scenes in Holly's point of view added a lot of background that made what she did make more sense - and it made it more reprehensible. But to me, Paul was the character that I connected with the most while reading this book. His inner voice and his inner thoughts were so enlightening. Paul was no longer just a handsome face (although his crinkly eyes were described perfectly!) but he was a really fabulous character. Ms. Isaacson took Paul from a sexy guy who had a little bit of a backstory to a really deep and surprisingly emotional character who was exactly the kind of book hero I love reading about. And that epilogue? It was so perfect that I was kind of hoping it would never end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a fun to read, sweet love story even if you've never seen the movie because this book will leave you smiling and feeling happy.

The romance here between Nikki and Paul is sweet – slow to burn and full of moments of miscommunication: his own frustrations with her ‘helping’ to see he and his parents reunited and her own inability to share her deepest thoughts as her ex was ‘not interested in her pipe dreams’ all lead to more confusion and back and forth than is truly necessary. With insets about food and flavors, moments of giving back and moving forward and a huge bombshell dropped by Holly in a last-ditch ‘hide the secret’ moment: the story brings Paul and Holly together as they should have been all along. Sweet and clever with character development that tugs at your “I want to know more” string – this is a quick read sure to leave you with a smile.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-9AJ/”> <a> I am, Indeed </a>