Erin Rasmussen and Taylor Mobley have never met, even though both worked in the food industry. Erin was a TV personality bringing her audience to restaurants that were for some reason not bringing in the diners that they should be doing. It’s Erin’s job to assess the situation, finding the problems but she has to observe the going’s on, is the problem management or employee based.
Taylor worked at such a restaurant as the head chef. It’s a job she always dreamed of having. Running a kitchen meant working on the menu and trying to bring each plate a meal worth buying. Taylor followed in the footsteps of her mother, and various family friends who all worked in the business. The restaurant isn’t doing as well as it should be, she knows the problems but is unable to say anything without losing her job.
So making Erin's job easier isn’t something Taylor doesn’t want but how to get that across without putting her and all her staff out of work. The owner isn’t open to making changes even though that’s what he said but turns out he’s just looking for the exposure. Really a good read that I enjoyed very much.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

Off the Menu by Alaina Erdell centres around the Callery restaurant in NYC, and the executive chef Taylor Mobley. The restaurant is not doing great; however, any past suggestion of change has been ignored by one owner, who is stuck in his ways.

Queue Erin Rasmussen, who heads a reality TV show for restaurant make overs and appears at the Callery at the request of the owners.

Despite Taylor and Erin get off to a frosty start, the admiration and chemistry between the two is off the charts. The more time they spend in each other’s company on and off screen, the more frustrating and closer they become.

The ending was spot on and brought a smile to my face.

Great writing style with good pace and an injection of humour which makes for a captivating read, encompassing a full range of emotions, that has you invested into the story and the lives of the Taylor and Erin. It hooked me from the beginning and one for every bookshelf.

I received an ARC copy of this book for my honest review.

My favorite TV shows are Top Chef and Kitchen nightmares so when I read the blurb of this book, I could only dive in.
Erdell's first book took you in the geology world, second book takes you in the cuisine world.
A big part of the story takes place at the restaurant. Erdell did a really good job capturing the rush during services and the rigor necessary to run a kitchen. Like in her first book, the thorough research she makes for her books shows.
At first I thought the whole story was gonna take place during the seven days shooting and I was a bit worried because instalove is not my cup of tea. I was wrong because sure, most of the chemistry building happens during that week but the characters takes more time to deal with their feelings.

The back and forth between annoyance and attraction between the characters was well written. I really enjoyed the dynamic between them and the evolution of their relationship. Chemistry is definitely here.
The characters are both really likable and it's impossible not to root for them. Erin being somewhere in demi sexual spectrum was refreshing to read.
Add to the mix a little kitten and you win my heart.

Off the menu is a well cooked love story. It's a perfect low angst light read with a love declaration I could totally picture in a Hollywood rom com and a big fat lesbian U Haul that will delight most sapphic lovers.

Enemies to lovers is something that needs to be handled very well to not come off as a little problematic and this for me was just an amazing version of this. My father was a pastry chef so anything set in a kitchen immediately has my attention. Funny and just the right amount of vitriol to really make this a very fun read!!

It could’ve just been me but so much of this felt like it dragged. The last 30% was the best part, it was getting there that was the issue. Also, there seemed to be a lot of miscommunication or at the very least, assumptions about what the other person thought or felt.

Entertaining, if slow paced at times.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

If you are one that enjoys the Food Network, restaurant makeovers and reality tv, then this book is for you. There is much to appreciate in this book, from the descriptions of food to the demands of managing a big city restaurant. The inner play between the chefs, the television production crew and the restaurant owners is fast paced and action filled, making Off the Menu an engrossing read from start to finish.

I was pulled into Off the Menu quickly. Erdell’s storytelling is genuine and strong; she makes the sights and sounds of a big city restaurant ring true. That’s probably because she worked as a chef herself. Her insight gives the storytelling an authentic feel for the restaurant business, one that’s compelling as well as absorbing. Readers will no doubt appreciate her sharp and fresh perspective; it’s a behind the scenes look that leaves readers hungry and wanting more!

Taylor Mobley completely works as the chef in this high-stakes, restaurant kitchen redo. She’s passionate, intense and focused—everything a good chef needs to be. Readers find her complex but likable, as Erdell plots her character nicely. There’s an interesting mix of inner and outer conflict battling around Taylor and it makes for some compelling character growth. She’s basically on a journey to find true happiness, and readers are there for it, especially if it involves tv personality Erin Rasmussen.

Erin is also an interesting, likable character. She’s a good fit for this story arc and romance. When readers first meet her, she’s somewhat frosty; one might even label her an ice queen. However, Erdell quickly softens her, using touching scenes that expose a real vulnerability within her. Readers are drawn to this soft side and want more for her, and that includes Taylor.

Final remarks…

Off the Menu is Erdell’s second full-length novel. For those that read her debut Fire, Water, and Rock, they can easily see she continues to have a sharp eye for detail. It’s one of her strengths and it’s why her newest release works. The details make the story world immersive and credible. I have to be honest though; even though I enjoyed the romance between Taylor and Erin, I was most enchanted with her focus on all things restaurant. I just loved the way Erdell pulls back the curtain in Taylor’s kitchen. It’s exciting and fun.

Strengths…

Immersive story world
Fresh, exciting storyline
Interesting characters
Compelling side characters
Sweet romance

This was a good story. I liked that it was kind of based of the reality show Restaurant impossible. I loved the back and forth between Erin and Taylor's relationship. This was a slow burn enemies to lovers romance with a healthy dash of angst and drama thrown in. The support characters were well developed and helped to move this story along. I felt that Erin was the more mature and stable of these two and Taylor was a bit immature, but she did seem to become more mature as the story went along. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.

If there is one thing that is made clear by Off the Menu, it is that Alaina Erdell has done her time in hospitality. The atmosphere was set as soon as I opened this book, and I was thrown into a working kitchen, under the intense scrutiny of an executive chef, and the pressure that comes with it. Though, if I’d worked under Taylor Mobley, I may have stuck around for more reasons than the simple fact that she knows how to run a kitchen.

Taylor is the executive chef at a struggling restaurant, and her suggestions get swept under the rug by one if the arrogant owners When she is told that a prime-time reality tv show will be shooting on location, doing whatever is needed to fix the place, she knows she will be used as a scapegoat.

Erin, TV host extraordinaire, knows what it takes to make a restaurant successful. At first, she suspects Taylor is unhelpful due to her shame of running the business into the ground. When the truth finally hits her, she wants nothing but to right the wrongs done to the woman. Even if she is difficult to like. Or maybe not like!

This enemies-to-lovers romance is low angst and full of surprises. Both MCs are authentic and fighting for a life they get to choose, only to realize that maybe all along, their choices haven’t been their own. Alaina Erdell has written a well thought out, character driven novel, so be sure to check out Off The Menu for a fun romance set in the kitchen.

I have an automatic love for any story that takes place in the restaurant industry and this, including the piss poor management, were pretty spot on. My one gripe was it took me a little bit to like Erin because I was a little irritated with how she was reacting to Taylor at times (like being irritated that Taylor wasn't entirely on boards with how they were coming in, taking over her office and space and almost interrogating her at times when Taylor kept freezing. also I feel like Taylor's reaction to what happened at the end was 100% valid, but again Erin was irritated), that aside though I just had to keep in mind that as a reader we know the shady shit that Taylor's bosses were up to, Erin didn't.
This only took up a few moments in the story, the rest of the time I did love seeing Erin and Taylor interact, going to work with Taylor's mom being one of my favorite scenes. I loved the crew of the restaurant and how they rallied around one another. And I love Gnocci, such an adorable fella.
Overall a really great, sweet read.

Taylor works as executive chef at a NYC restaurant she enjoys working there even though she wants make changes and improvements to the menu but her boss won’t let her. Erin is a TV host with a show called Restaurant Redo who gets assigned where Taylor works who is surprise her boss sign up for this considering how restricted her boss is about changes and have her and their staff sign an agreement banning saying anything negatively. Taylor and Erin definitely get off on the wrong foot especially when Erin thinks Taylor is the problem when it’s Taylor boss the problem. They grow closer this was a good read I like the details of the kitchen and food it felt you were right there with the characters and I enjoy the side characters also I just felt why did Taylor boss wanted to do this because it felt they wanted the publicity instead of improving the restaurant.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

A story of cooking and television, reality show all for the audience. At first I didn't understand very well why Taylor accepted all the responsibility, it doesn't seem like she didn't have any other option no matter how much she repeated it. It has not been clear to me if she did it for her, for her mother or for her employees, in any case not for her employers.

Erin, the woman who hosts the reality show, doesn't have a clear profile at first either. It is unknown if she is empathetic towards Taylor's conflicts, if she just wants the show's success at all costs. Some of her actions are not consistent with her thoughts. But she has been focused on her work for a long time and her private life is almost non-existent, although Taylor awakens an instant attraction in her.

The story develops with the recording of the cooking show, other secondary characters appear, including the city of New York itself, which also plays its role.

And not without wobbling and the occasional misunderstanding, in the end what has to happen happens, nothing unexpected, perhaps a little sweetened. But it doesn't detract from the story.

This is a story about Taylor Mobley who is an executive chef at a NYC restaurant. The owner requests to be featured on a restaurant make over reality tv show. The host of the tv show Erin Rasmussen, has a reputation as a being beautiful and ruthless with her suggestions and changes for improvement to the restaurants she features in her show.

This is an enemies to lovers story that takes a while to develop. Taylor loves her job but hates her boss /owner. He won’t let her make changes and improvements to the menu. Taylor and Erin start off on the wrong foot and there is tension and emotion between the two of them for the whole book. Both have feelings for each other but know that with their jobs being jn different cites, there is no hope for a lasting relationship.

I liked both characters really well - they were smart and fun to read about. I enjoyed watching their relationship sputter and grow over time. Erdell gave several plot twists to keep the story interesting. And I very much enjoyed the restaurant setting and found it to be very true to real life. Having spent a spent 20 years (off and on) in the Food Service Industry it’s fun to read about things you work with everyday.

This is my second Erdell book and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

ARC received from Bold Storks Books through Net Galley for an honest and voluntary review.

I was very excited to get a copy of this book. Firstly, the cover is really appealing. Secondly, I love reality TV and food! So I was thrilled to get my hands on a sapphic romance based on that. Additionally, the enemies to lovers trope is one of my favourites...So the expectation for a good read was there! And I must say…this book did not disappoint.

The story centers around two women, Taylor and Erin. Erin, a restaurant do-over TV host is assigned to try and ‘fix’ a failing fine dining restaurant. There, she meets the executive chef, Taylor Mobley, who is trying very hard to improve the state of the restaurant, but is restricted in what she can do. The two did not get off on a good start, especially in front of the camera. When the camera stops shooting, we see our main characters get to know each other.

I really liked the two main characters. The chemistry between them was palpable. You can see them being frustrated with one another, yet the attraction to each other was there, and strong. The angst between them was usually the result of miscommunication and the situation they were in.

I also enjoyed the restaurant scene. The author gives you a good insight as to what happens in the kitchen and when the restaurant is on service.

The secondary characters were also a nice addition. I liked Taylor’s best friend Jo and would love to see if she would get a storyline of her own as there was a hint of romance for her in the book too. Both families were mentioned in the book and it really helps us understand our MCs more.

Overall, Off The Menu is a must-read. It is a beautifully written book that I can’t wait to re-read again in the future. I now look forward to getting a copy of the author’s first book. Do give this one a try. I highly recommend it!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great read! I really enjoyed this author's debut novel, "Fire, Water and Rocks," and this one is even better. I loved the storyline and the sexual tension between the two main characters is off the charts. The novel kept a good pace and it was hard for me to put it down. I'll definitely be looking for books by Alaina Erdell in the future.

*4.5

I love my sapphic chef books. This book took me as a surprise because they had such chemistry but they didn't properly get together until the end. I feel like this book is heavy on miscommunication so if you don't like that, don't read this book. I loved that even though they weren't actually together they were still thinking about each other the whole time.

I received an arc through netgalley.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
👩🏻‍🍳🥘🐈🎬🎥

Ah Alaina, you've done it again. This book was fantastic. I loved everything about it, from the enemies to lovers, the sexual tension oozing on the page and the food curses. I loved that your love of cooking was shown through the detail of the writing.

These two characters, Taylor and Erin got off to a rough start but it's clear that they're meant to be together. I was rooting for them from the start and loved how their relationship blossomed. Oh and their fur baby. So cute!

I was in tears, laughed out loud and had my heart pounding throughout this book. I also learned a lot about chefs and everything that happens behind the scenes in restaurants. It was informative, as well as a great plot line, had me hooked from page one and made me sad when it ended.

Another great book by Alaina Erdell. If you loved Fire, Water and Rock, you will love this one too.

I received a copy of the ebook from NetGalley and Boldstrokes. My review is left voluntarily

I enjoyed reading this book. As a sometimes fan of reality restaurant shows, it was fun to read about one. The characters were likeable and it was a quick read. I haven't read anything by this author, but will definitely look for more of her titles.

An enemies to lovers between Taylor, a chef that has little control over the faith of the restaurant she’s being the executive chef for, and Erin, the host of a TV show that’s supposed to come in and fix the issues. the problem is Taylor knows how to fix what’s wrong but she has no power to do so. In addition, she can’t even voice her frustrations to which makes her appear an un-cooperant. There’s a lot on how a kitchen works and not so much romance for the first half of the book so I would have liked more of that, but I really enjoyed the ending. 3.5 stars.
Free ARC via NetGalley

Thougt this enemies to lovers stroy was enjoyable. I love when stories are based around food. Would read more by the author.

Taylor Mobley is an executive chef at a NYC restaurant. She is professional, loves her staff but is constrained by the owners from making any changes menus. She is surprised when the owners sign up and are selected for a tv reality show called Restaurant Redo with the crew showing up in days. The show comes in and analyzes how to make failing restaurants more profitable and can include anything from staffing to physical renovations. The popular show is hosted be Erin Rasmussen. She knows the business side of restaurants and has the star quality for being on tv. Taylor is excited about the possibility of changes until the owners make the staff sign NDA’s where they can’t say anything negative about the owners.

The good parts are the characters are well developed. Even side character are unique having personality and backgrounds. The running a kitchen is detailed and makes you feel like you can smell the food simmering. (I’m guessing the author has worked in a kitchen before or did really good research.) The show is a fun premise to get Taylor and Erin together. But I’m not sure what the owners want other than free publicity because they aren’t really honest in letting the show help.

I didn’t buy into the romance as much. They really only have a week to be together and the first few days are spent without much communication as Taylor can’t really answer the questions the show puts to her. By the time Erin figures out the reason there isn’t time for them to work together in any meaningful way. And Erin’s reticence to be open and honest with Taylor even after attraction doesn’t make me see them as a couple. The author gives you the insecurities and what they are thinking privately but that leaves most of the book with them guessing at the feelings and actions of the other. I did enjoy the ending and how they end up. And the petty part of me wanted to the owners to get a comeuppance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. (3.5 Stars)