This is the first queer romance with NB character that I have read, so I was very excited to get into it. I listened to the audio while reading the novel. I enjoyed both very much. So much so, that about 1/2 through the book I emailed the author to tell them about it! If you're a reader that likes cooking shows or similar reality based TV, queer romances, open door sex, and HEAs, then please grab this one. This author is now pushed up to the first read status for me.

This was such a lovely, tender and genuine love story between two queer/non-binary people. I simply couldn’t get enough of this relationship. Dahlia and London meet on the set of a cooking competition show where they have to complete challenge after challenge while falling for each other. Dahlia is trying to rebuild her life after divorce and London is out as the first non-binary person on the show, introducing themselves with their preferred pronouns. I’ll admit I wasn’t into the reality show plot, it was uninteresting overall but it didn’t detract from the beauty that was the evolution of London and Dahlia. I absolutely adored London’s perspective, learning about their journey with gender identity, their insecurities, the internal struggle but also how newly confident they were presenting their authentic self and falling for someone when they least expected it. Delightful, funny, touching, romantic, beautiful. Good book with great representation.

I really, REALLY appreciated how sex positive and steamy this was, but the book as a whole fell a little flat for me. Going into this I expected to love the cooking competition elements of the story, but as I was reading I found myself growing more and more bored with those scenes and wishing we were spending more time with just Dahlia and London instead. While I didn't totally fall in love with this book like I was hoping I would, it was still a mostly enjoyable read and I definitely recommend checking it out if you want to read a book features a heck ton of queer representation and some A+ steamy scenes.

CW: transphobia, misgendering, divorce

This book is an amazing and fun queer romcom that everyone should read. Not only was the pacing perfect but the author's way of writing really brought me into the story. I am not ashamed to say that I am deeply in love with London, they were such a fun character to follow throughout the story, as well as Dahlia. The story was tied up perfectly at the end and it was wonderful watching someone who struggles with mental health succeed, find happiness and fall in love. This was a refreshing take on romance and they baking show setting and plot was pulled off beautifully. As a lesbian who uses she/they pronouns this was a wonderful representation of a queer loves story and I cannot wait to see more from this author. As far as I am concerned this book was a 10 out of 10 in my opinion.

"Love & Other Disasters" was a fun and delightful story about baking and falling in love that does a wonderful job in setting its characters in their identity and place.

L&OD follows two contestants on a baking show, Dahlia is on the show to make a name for herself and prove her ex wrong, but she falls flat on her face in the first episode. Instead, she finds Parker, the show's first nonbinary contestant and a person who has caught Dahlia's eye.

The book follows their story as they deal with the producers on the show, as well as their feelings for each other and all the other ups and downs of the hectic life of a cooking show not quite as wholesome as "The Great British Bake Off" but not quite as cutthroat as "Chopped."

This book has many pros with a few cons as well. A part I absolutely loved was the sex scenes and the way they were written, especially with Parker. I haven't read a sex scene with a nonbinary character before and the way it was written was done so delicate and well.

Another aspect I really enjoyed was the pacing. The book follows the episodes quite nicely and the anticipation builds as the show does.

Overall, "Love and Other Disasters" was a fun read. It wasn't my perfect and favorite romance novel, but one I recommend and hope others check out soon.

Loved the representation! Non-binary representation is desperately needed and this did it well. Super cute.

This book sadly just wasn't for me. I do love a romance and food, but this one fell short for me. It was hard to connect with the characters and there were moments that it felt a little bi-phobic and it was hard to get through.

This is a great book about love and food and adventure and I was here for all of it. I really enjoyed the character development and the whole story.

Love and Other Disasters

What a fun read! I requested this because I was excited to see a book featuring a nonbinary main character. And the backdrop being a reality cooking show just further piqued my interest.

I loved the main characters, and found them to both be interesting and complex, I loved the relationship and how that developed. I feel like I could have personally used a little bit more in terms of the reality show–felt that while there was some conflict from a trans-phobic contestant, this portion of the novel could have the opportunity to be a little more developed but overall I really liked the story.

I personally had a few stops and starts in reading this; it was slow for me to get into, then there was a slow bit in the middle but I don’t want to hold that against the fact it was still a great read.

Thanks for the opportunity to review.

I haven’t been this excited to say “read this book!” in a while. This book, these characters, this writer were all soooo good. It warmed my sappy heart so much! Dahlia and London were the absolute cutest and I was dying for them to be together. Dahlia (love her name!) was recently divorced and is a bit of a beautiful disaster, which is one of my favorite types of leading ladies. She was mostly sunshine but with a sad side and London was grumpy at first but loved to make Dahlia smile. They meet on a cooking reality show, which made for the perfect forced proximity and there was just the right amount of food porn.

Dahlia and London’s story of bad first impressions to friends to lovers was a joy to read. It was funny and fun with a side of angst, but I love well done, vulnerable angst.

I’ve never read, or even come across, another nonbinary romance and the way London’s identity and family issues were woven into the story were wonderful. I hope this book finds its way to people who need it to help them feel more hopeful or be more accepting.

Anita Kelly is a fantastic writer! I loved their style, their descriptions, and the way they brought out so much emotion. I will 100% read their next book. I’ll take a Dahlia and London novella, please!

Loved this story the nonbinary representation made me feel seen and I loved the romance between the characters

I will read literally anything that involves queer people and baking/cooking/food, and this knocked it out of the park! London and Dahlia are so lovable and their story had me hooked. Also I may or may not have cried about the ending because the JOY it made me feel is unspeakable in the best way possible. Side effects may include a sudden urge to make rice krispie treats (I think i’ll pass on the brussels sprouts though- sorry London!), binge-watch cooking shows, and a deep need to cry about how beautiful this book was.

This book was so fun and stressful to read at the same time. It’s great for fans of cooking competitions because it really captures the anxiety of wanting your fav to win, but with a queer romcom twist where two of the contestants fall in love. It was funny, charming, genuine, and overall exciting to read. Dahlia’s character in particular was so warm and honest that it made her feel like someone you could easily befriend. I also loved that London never pretended to be someone they weren’t, despite the challenges that came with being an openly non-binary person on national television. Both characters had great chemistry and I wish I could read more from them because they were truly a delight.

This was so delightful! I love a good romance- good banter, relationship building, and some steam. And this book had it all! I haven’t read many LGBTQ romances, probably because there aren’t nearly enough of them. But this was fresh and spicy while still dealing with real issues, like a father’s acceptance of his non binary child. Highly recommend this!

Super cute and fluffy, I really liked this relationship. I do think that putting an essentially low conflict book in the setting of a reality cooking show, which is a high conflict setting, didn't quite make sense, but overall very enjoyable.

This book was really adorable, and I loved London and Dahlia! The way that their unfolding relationship had the backdrop of the cooking competition made it really unique, and I liked the tension that occurred because of that — it progressed and happened naturally, which is the best thing that I can say about problems that happen between main characters in romance novels. The characterization of both London and Dahlia was really realistic, and their struggles were portrayed in a way that felt valid and relatable. I would have liked to have a bit more time at the end of the book to see them work through their relationship kinks together, but overall this book was a treat to read!

I LOVE the premise of this one and I love the idea of a cooking show competition and I love to see a non-binary love interest, I just had a few issues with this one but. I was so happy that I got the opportunity to read Love & Other Disasters early.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A cooking show brings about self-reflection and romance for two people in Anita Kelly's Love & Other Disasters, a contemporary romance that may start off slowly but quickly brings you into the mind of our protagonists Dahlia and London and leaves you feeling every single emotion by the last page.
I'm gonna be honest, Dahlia's inner monologue was a little grating in the first few chapters and left me feeling I knew what kind of romantic protagonist I was in for. But, I was so very wrong and I was wonderfully happy about that.

She's flawed, flailing, and filled with self-doubt at times that you can't help but relate to Dahlia as she tries to get through each round of the competition while also inadvertently trying to find herself.

My heart breaks for Dahlia as we see more and more of the inner turmoil she's dealing with whether placed on her by her mother or herself. It's these moments that has you happily rooting for her as she gets to the point where she falls and decides to just dust herself off and get up again.

It's honestly an inspiring moment at the tail of the novel that is equal parts beautiful and relatable.

Cue London's grumpy introduction!

The pair's initial introduction set the scene for a grumpy/sunshine couple and we learn throughout the novel that they actually share aspects of each archetype.

The way that Kelly slowly lets us into the way London thinks about the world, the competition, and Dahlia is fun and really gives readers a chance to kind of peel back the layers of their being in a way that gives you a more rounded perspective on them.

Compared to Dahlia, they may have a better sense of self but they are plagued with their own doubts as they are still working through issues with their father and the decision of being out publicly on the show as non-binary.

They both come into this relationship with their own baggage, from divorces, family strife, and the very fact that their identities don't fall into the binary society sets out.

It's the quiet moments that we get to see their friendship grow into much more that will make your heart burst. Dahlia and London's interactions are never dull and their chemistry makes their big moments so satisfying to read.

Their love scenes build on their quiet intimate moments where they learn more about each other making them hot and sensual.

I honestly think one of my favorite things about Love & Other Disasters is that London and Dahlia are far from perfect and their relationship is messy, raw, and real which makes their ending that much sweeter.

This book was super cute and I loved the idea of the cooking show setting that added to these characters getting to know each other. Definitely had me wanting to stream some cutthroat kitchen while reading. I also really enjoyed getting to know London as a nonbinary main character! This was never something major while I was in school so I thought it was great to get to read in the they/them pronouns as it can feel a little choppy at first but helped my brain to correct and feel more natural about using they/them as it just hadn't been something I'd been used to growing up and I'm so glad to see these becoming more available and normal for everyone. Overall London and Dahlia were so cute and I loved seeing them both being loose and fun with each other and the kitchen but also their real issues and families that we all can relate to in some way or another. Read this one if you like cooking shows, fun banter, and LA

dnf @ 17%

I hate Dahlia. This book is so boring. Characters are flat. Cooking show is basically pointless. Not even a smidge of diversity in this book. Don’t waste ur time