This was a fantastic first queer love story set in Los Angeles. Dahlia has just divorced and is trying to decide what she wants to do with her life, while London is nonbinary and is still struggling to gain acceptance from their entire family. When the two meet on the cooking show, sparks fly, and I was completely invested in this slooooow, open-door affair. It made me swoon and blush.

This wasn't just about queer romance; it was also a learning experience in the lives of these characters. There were some fantastic sexual moments and a sweet chemistry between the characters. With books that have to do with food, you'll find me there. Nothing makes my mouth swim like a culinary competition. The intrigue was tremendous, and I was rooting for Dahlia and London.

Can we have another book! I am ready to read more.

If you've ever wondered what would happen if contestants on Chopped get together, but one main character is nonbinary, and the other is also a queer woman, then you'll love Love and Other Disasters. London, our nb main character is so adorable and I want to protect them with my whole heart AND we get their POV, along with Dahlia's.

Give me a minute to put my thoughts together, because I'm still reeling from how much I enjoyed this book. The first half of this book flew by and had me smiling like crazy and laughing along with the characters. London and Dahlia's budding romance is absolutely adorable and watching them grow together is so cute. The second half of the book dragged on a bit, but it wasn't insurmountable. I managed to fly through this 600+ page book in a day, suffice to say it was sufficiently engaging, even at the end. The whole thing was corny as hell and I kinda loved that about it.

My criteria for rating romance are pretty simple and not all that deep. Did I not want to put it down? And Did it make me inexplicably happy? To which I answer yes, for both of these questions. Everything beyond that is just nitpicking. London is written in such a compelling way and I love getting their POV, and that alone made this is a standout from all of the other romance I've read. Dahlia has my heart, personally, because I can't help but love her klutzy, yammering personality, which is written in such an endearing way. Together, they make an adorable grumpy-sunshine couple.

If I was really going to nitpick, I'd say that I didn't love how the cooking show itself boiled down, and I think there are a lot of directions that it could have taken that I might have liked better, but it was fulfilling and I didn't hate it at all. I think that the author did their story justice, and I'm happy about it.

All in all, this didn't feel like a wildly original plot, but the representation in this book was so stinking good and well done that I can't even complain. I'll give it points for setting it in a cooking show too. Cooking isn't really my thing, but I think the author did justice to London and Dahlia's story, and I look forward to their future works.

This was a cute romcom that I devoured in one sitting. The rep in this is some of the best I've seen in the genre, and it honestly is the type of romcom that warms your heart and has you squealing with glee. Dahlia and London have such a cute relationship and I loved the cooking show element.

I love cooking competitions and really enjoy books that involve them so I was very excited to read this book. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at the show. One of the characters in this book was non-binary, which was very unique to other romcoms I’ve read.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read, original and cute.

I really wanted to love this book. The whole premise of a cooking show and falling in love really sucked me in. I'm a big fan of Master Chef and this was basically the book version of that ... except... it wasn't. For me, this book was extremely slow. Nothing really happened until the very end of the book. I guess I just need more action in my books, or perhaps I had the wrong idea of what this book would be. I thought there would be more cooking show and less hotel so I was a bit disappointed reading it. I'm glad I stuck it out until the end because truthfully the last 20% or so was a 4 star read. Thanks #NetGalley for giving me an opportunity to read and review #LoveOtherDisasters!

Thank you Forever, NetGalley, and Anita for the advanced copy of this book, and the hours I spent shrieking because London and Dahlia are so cute. Given the competition setting, I don’t think I expected this romance to be so sweet, but both characters are so absolutely pure, and I found this uplifting and lovely.

That said, both London and Dahlia deal with things that make them sad and angry and lost, so don’t expect all fluff. There’s definitively some angst, which I appreciated, and London deals with prejudice for their identity, and that was written in a deeply specific, moving way that speaks to lived experience, which might be upsetting for readers who have dealt with transphobia, so be warned that is there. It’s there, and it’s beautifully written, and I walked away from the book feeling like I was in the clouds, but I thought I’d make a note of it anyway.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: gaslighting, misgendering, divorce, family tensions

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-F/NB friends to lovers
-cooking competition
-close-proximity
-grumpy/sunshine
-amazing banter
-an obsession with freckles and hair ties
-so much delicious food
-sex on the beach

I'm going to try to do this coherently but to put it simply I adored this book and I have now been wrecked. I honestly slowed down reading it just to deal with all of the emotions it invoked in me and to have it never end, but of course I wanted to keep reading, so here we are. Trying to figure out what I do next.

I adored London and Dahlia. Opposites in some ways and yet so similar. These two had almost frenemies level banter, all while figuring things out at a cooking competition. Neither on their home turf, they become almost allies, friends, not trusting it but unable to fight their feelings and become something more. The sexual tension in this book is wowza level amazing. Consent and just figuring out what your partner wants, exactly how they want it is hot. Both turning the chapter in a lot of ways, fiercely protective of the other and achingly insecure, I wanted to hug both of them.

This book is about the brave act, and it is, of falling in love. Of letting yourself be vulnerable, be yourself, and trust yourself with another person. Of sharing your emotions, your hurts, not expecting them to make it better, but because it makes you feel better sharing them. Sharing the load, becoming a we. Of how scary it is to let yourself loved for just being you. What this books says broadly and lyrically about gender and identity is thought-provoking, achingly true and just beautifully put. Everyone deserves to be loved for being exactly themselves.

I really can't say enough good things about this book and I need to sprint to go grab Anita Kelly's novellas and I can't wait for anything they write next. Just go preorder this one now.

Rating: 5
Steam: 3.5

yay for representation! this was one of the few books I have read that features a nb main character and the only one that is a nb/f romance. this book was such cute premise with dahlia and London competing against each other on a cooking show. the two of them formed such a cute friendship. it took me a bit to fully get into this boo, but once I did the book really sped by especially the part that spanned the time of the show.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy in this book in exchange for a fair review.

Anita Kelly is one of those authors I recently discovered and just LOVE! They create some of the most endearing characters who are just looking for love and to be loved, and Dahlia and London are no exception!

Love & Other Disasters is a delectably fun, heartwarming story about finding love and yourself again, no matter where you are on life's journey. Dahlia and London's fast friendship and budding romance really takes the spotlight in this book. Sure, the foodie plot is visible and makes for great situational humor, tension, and character development, but this one is really about the characters as they discover themselves and what it feels like to truly be loved and seen by another human.

The emotions in this are palpable. The smut is steamy and totally relatable (because sometimes first times with people are awkward and you make jokes and I just loved that). And who doesn't love reading a book that describes food?

Definitely one you will want to get your hands on in January! 10/10 recommend!

i really wanted to love love & other disasters because it had the perfect set-up for a book i’ll adore – and yet it let me down. i love the fact that it had a nb main character – i can say london was the only character i actually liked. i loved the cooking show parts – the challenges were fun to read about, but i wish we saw more of that. the show was just the background for the romance and i would’ve enjoyed it a lot more if we’d seen more of the casts or the judges, if the set-up was explored more.

I give it 3.75 stars.

I liked the story line of this book and thought it was cute that it was based surrounding a cooking competition that would be televised later. I've watch far too many cooking challenges over the last year. I found this assuming and a new idea something I hadn't read about before. It is the first book I read with a non-binary character in it. The thought London was a really interesting character. I enjoyed Dahlias character as well although from the reviews many didn't appreciate her.

*Thank you to NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This 2022 release follows London, the first openly nonbinary contestant on a popular cooking show, and Dahlia, another contestant trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life. London is pansexual, but hasn't really had any serious relationships since they came out as nonbinary, and they are determined not to fall for anyone, not even Dahlia Woodson...who just got divorced from her husband. L&OD is an adorable reality show romcom similar to One to Watch and The Charm Offensive.

I was super excited when I saw this on NetGalley because I haven't seen many adult (or just non YA) books with a nonbinary MC. Also, this is a dual POV romcom, which is one of my weaknesses, especially if its queer.

I definitely really enjoyed this book. It is fast paced and insanely sweet. If you like the grumpy/sunshine trope, friends to lovers, and some good old cooking drama, this is probably perfect for you.

My only issue was that I felt the POVs could have been a bit more distinct, and the ending felt a bit rushed, but I didn't really mind.

Top tier romance!!

CONTENT WARNINGS: transphobia, misgendering, homophobia

Loved it! Super original, thoughtful, and cute. Loved the non binary rep and the exclusivity in contemporary romance mainstream

Love & Other Disasters is a beautiful story of love and life. I was drawn in at first by the witty humor and drama of the cooking show competition setting. Then, the complexity of the characters motivations and relationships completely blew me away. I adored both of the main characters and their developing relationship. The lgbtq representation in this book was fantastic. I loved everything about it and couldn't put it down!

A romance between a woman looking for direction in her life and a non-binary person desperate to prove themselves, all with an LA backdrop of a televised cooking competition. A wonderful premise that was well-executed with surprising charm.

This book explores queer identities in a way that feels both genuine and fresh. As a queer adult, I very much appreciated seeing characters in their twenties who are still coming out to their parents, or struggling with acceptance, even though they have felt secure in their own identities for some times. These are not struggles that only affect teens or younger adult characters, and I deeply appreciated reading about Dahlia and London.

The romance between the two main character is swoony, romantic, and filled with sparks. I enjoyed the pacing of the relationship and the way in which each character realized and expressed their feelings for the other. The dual points of view are a definite strength for this novel. The voices felt distinct and fully fleshed out. I, personally, had a hard time connecting to Dahlia as a character, and I did feel a bit exasperated by her at times. Although this did slightly impact my overall enjoyment of the book, I can definitely see the charm and sincerity of this novel. I expect lots of readers to have an easier time connecting with both main characters, and I would definitely recommend this book.

I'm such a huge nerd for cooking shows, so of course I was going to love a queer romance set at one. This book was so fun and sweet and sexy. It's the first adult romance I've read with a nonbinary main character, and only one of a handful across age groups, which was so awesome. I feel like I get the most invested in a romance when I can see the two characters start to become friends and London and Dahlia had the most adorable friendship stage that hooked me right in.

As an avid watcher of any and all cooking and baking competitions, the prospect of a book set on a cooking competition TV show--with two contestants who fall for one another--was an immediate draw, and this book didn't disappoint. I loved reading about the cooking challenges and the many descriptions of food (a book has never made me crave Brussels sprouts before, but did I buy some after reading this? Yes, yes I did). Beyond that, Dahlia and London are great characters to root for, each with their own struggles that felt very real. But I probably would have loved this even if they weren't great characters. Because food.

I loved this book a stupid amount. I didn't realize how much I needed to be seen in a romance book until now. I'm nonbinary, and I've only ever read two other romance novels with nonbinary MCs. This book made me feel worthy of real love. Of course, I'd known that before this, but it feels different to see it in print. I'm not sure how to express what this book means to me. Dahlia and London are both disasters, but they fall together so easily. This could easily be my book of 2022 and the year hasn't even started yet.

I loved loved loved this book.

First, non-binary representation with a POV and consistent use of correct pronouns throughout - YES.

Second, a cooking competition. Loved it! Food itself played a prominent role in this book. From why the characters cooked, to how they cooked, to what they cooked and what they ate.

Third, for a debut novel, this is very well written. And well edited. The pacing was great. There were no distracting typos (I can't believe I even have to say this but I see it so often).

I have but two small quibbles,
1. I will not be able to share this NB representation with my family because of the sex scenes, sorry Aunt Sarah.
2. I do wish that the voices of each character were a bit more distinct in the alternating POV. I felt it at the beginning but as the story progressed they blended together a bit and sometimes I would forget which POV I was reading.

Highly recommended, will re-read, best part of 2021 (thanks ARC) so far.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a great debut queer love story between two contestants on a reality tv cooking competition in LA. Dahlia is fresh off a divorce and trying to figure out what she wants to do with her life and London is nonbinary, still trying to find acceptance from their whole family. When the two meet on the show, sparks fly and I was totally there for this slow burn, open door romance.

I thought the author did such a great job with London's struggle to find acceptance and getting people to use their proper pronouns. This is the kind of romance we need more of - two queer characters, open about their sexuality and fully deserving of a HEA!! So glad Anita Kelly has written a contemporary romance I'm sure lots of people are going to fall in love with.

Also, the FOOD. I am always there for books about food and I loved that this story was about two budding chefs. Highly recommended for fans of The charm offensive, Chloe Liese or other romances about reality cooking shows like Recipe for persuasion, Rosaline Palmer takes the cake and Sadie on a plate. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy!!