I adore everything Anita Kelly. Loved this romance in particular--even if it's taken me so long to review! Also, Anita is just a delightful human.

TBH I was really interested in this book, and I'm super interested in more queer and nonbinary rep in romance, but have been deeply disheartened by the author's comments on current events to which they have no personal stake in or clearly any education in, as well as their blocking and dismissing people who tried to educate them, and it has completely killed my desire to read any of their books.

Anita Kelly's Love and Other Disasters was a beautiful read with well rounded characters and a romance that made sense on all levels. Cooking show romances was all the rage for a minute there but none gave us representation like this book did.

I enjoyed this book but it's been awhile since i've read it. I'm trying to update the books on netgalley that i've read already so I can focus more on the ones that I haven't read. I'm hoping to be better about reviewing books as I read them.

I loved this so much and my heart feels so full!

Reality TV cooking show, messy and beautiful characters, and LOOOOVE.

So adorable and exactly what I was looking for!

I really wanted to love this one, but I just did not and I probably should have DNF'd it. My biggest issue was that I didn't feel chemistry between Dahlia and London. They started out as interesting characters, but I don't feel like either one of them grew or changed throughout the story, nor did I feel much in the way of chemistry or tension between them. I also felt this book was too long - it dragged in the middle and the competition part of the story was just not engaging (and I love cooking competition shows). Finally, I found the dialogue (and internal dialogue) to be clunky and unnatural at times.

This was cute! Very cheesy romcom vibes, which is exactly what I signed up for when I picked this up. I love the representation present as well.

Cute queer romance, and loved the scene involving reality tv and food. I would have preferred a bit more intimacy, beyond them exploring each others' insecurities and vulnerabilities.

I had such a blast reading this book. Being turned onto this by way of reading more diversely, I knew I would enjoy this one.

Anita Kelly has a way with writing that is so wonderful and heartfelt, you are literally transported to into the story.

As a queer person, it’s wonderful to see other queer characters in books, and also lessens the “stigma” against being queer..

I really enjoyed the bake off aspect of this book because since reading the Charm Offensive by Alison Cochran, the TV side of the story adds another dimension to the overall story being told.

The characters were fantastically written and I aspire to write like Anita, but also, I will sit here and observe the masses coming to read her books.

Was happy to include this offbeat and engrossing reality-romance in my January Novel Encounters column highlighting the month’s most anticipated fiction. In Zoomer magazine’s Zed Book Club section. Column at attached link!
2023: Delighted to include this title in my recent round-up “10 Queer Rom-Coms to Read if You Loved ‘Red, White & Royal Blue” for the Books section of Zoomer, Canada’s national culture magazine. (see column and mini-review at link)

This book combined a lot of my favorite things: lgbtq+ characters, cooking shows, and a mix of humor and more serious themes. I really enjoyed it and have recommended it to a few friends. It's a bit spicier than what I typically choose (thought that may be what makes others enjoy it!) I especially appreciated how the cooking competition wasn't the source of all of the tension in the plot.

Navigating through the pages of this book was like embarking on a romantic rollercoaster with a few unexpected twists and turns. It nestled comfortably into the cozy nook of romance that tickles my literary taste buds, and I find myself eagerly anticipating another rendezvous with Kelly's prose.

Now, let's talk guilty pleasures. Imagine reality shows and books having a passionate affair, giving birth to this delightful tale. Picture a culinary extravaganza that's part Top Chef, a dash of MasterChef, and a whole lot of savory drama. The sizzle of the cooking, the intensity of the challenges – I was in for a treat! But oh, the pièce de résistance was the playful dance of flirtation between our two enchanting leads. Alas, there was one teensy hiccup – the supporting cast of contestants seemed a tad one-dimensional, like they were plucked from the same cookie-cutter mold. Sure, we had a designated "villain" who was as charming as a thorny cactus, and yes, she had her transphobic antics, but I yearned for more complexity. Yet, this flaw unintentionally spotlighted the brilliance of our protagonists, making them shine even brighter.

Speaking of our main duo, let's dive into the good stuff. It took a smidge to thaw the icy veneer enveloping London, but oh boy, when the warmth emerged, it was pure magic. Flawed, emotional, and deliciously angsty – they were a symphony of imperfections that orchestrated a mesmerizing tale. Even during the story's slower tempo moments, their chemistry conducted a melodious harmony that kept me entranced. Their connection, while not quite instant, sparkled with an undeniable swiftness, probably because of their constant proximity due to the reality show's dynamic. And let me tell you, dear reader, the intimate scenes ignited the pages with a fiery passion that was both unexpected and utterly divine. But I must raise an eyebrow at the toe-sucking escapade – Kelly, really? A tad too adventurous for my taste.

On a more thoughtful note, let's applaud the delicate brushstrokes of nonbinary representation. London's nonbinary identity was artfully woven into the fabric of the story, like a vibrant thread that enhanced the narrative tapestry. The book's graceful treatment of misgendering demonstrated a commendable finesse in handling such sensitive matters. Amid a sea of nonbinary characters in recent literary voyages, this portrayal stood tall as a paragon of inclusivity and understanding.

In the grand tapestry of my reading escapades, this book sits proudly among the elite, its flaws adding character like the quirks of a beloved friend. So, here's to more mouthwatering romances, reality show rendezvous, and characters that dance off the pages, leaving footprints in our hearts. Kudos to Kelly, and may the literary feast continue!

ARC received for honest review!

A romance between cooking show contestants was practically screaming my name! I went in expecting a fluffy romcom and was completely caught off guard with this one -- in a good way! There was so much to sink my teeth into: the representation, the family struggles, self identity and figuring out who you are. It honestly came to the point where I preferred the non-cooking show scenes more (which I would have never thought possible at the very beginning!) What a great read!

If you love cooking shows and are a rom com fan then this book is perfect for you! Anita Kelly's writing is truly beautiful and full of emotion. This book is a perfect example of queer joy and love. I absolutely fell head-over-heels in love with London and Dhalia's romance. These two characters have my whole heart and I cannot wait to read more from Kelly soon!

This was a fun read. I always love romance stories with really good individual conflicts. It was really cute how they almost always temporarily forget about the things they're grappling with when they get close to each other.

Dahlia seemed like a super nice person so it wasn’t really hard to see why London was attracted to her. This was definitely a time for both of them to feel safe about expressing many insecurities. I wasn’t super convinced of what they felt for each other, but some chemistry was definitely evident. I was satisfied with the ending. I was especially happy with London’s growth and how they were such an inspiration for many like them.

Great read!

This one just wasn't for me. I really wanted to enjoy it, but I just couldn't get into it like I wanted to. I didn't really care what happened to the characters.

*Thank you @readforeverpub for the copy in exchange for an honest review. Review not posted to Amazon/Goodreads because less than 4 stars or DNF.*

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for giving me access to the advanced copy of this book to read.

4.5 stars rounded up to a 5. What can I say, apparently queer characters falling in love while competing on a reality tv show (Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble, Never Ever Getting Back Together and now Love & Other Disasters) is now part of my wheelhouse! This was steamy, the romance made complete sense, the issues weren't forced, and the resolution was a wonderful HEA. Just a sweet hug of a book with bonus cooking scenes!

Thanks to Netgalley for the e-ARC!

I have been reading this book for over a year. I started it with the intention of finishing it--I'm currenty at just over the 50% mark but am struggling to continue and am even finding myself not wanting to continue. I'll be taking a break from it and may return to it in the future.

I thought that I was going to like reading about a romance set during a cooking competition, but this is the second one that I've read/tried to read and it is the second one that I have struggled with.

I am not quite comfortable giving it a star rating less than 3 because it's not fair for me having not finished it.

The characters were underdeveloped. There were several times when I was listening I couldn't tell who was saying one. They weren't completely flat but they just weren't fleshed out enough. And ironically I thought that the book was too long. I could have used some more editing, overall the pace was so slow. I guess I'm realizing that I need higher stakes/more angst/ more drama, just more. I enjoyed the representation, I have never read a nb love story before, but I just had higher hopes.