Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. It's a solid 3.5 stars for me because it's a VERY cute and wholesome queer romance that is not about 20-somethings. I love the cooking competition angle, even if I've read similar stories before. I'd definitely read a sequel!

While I absolutely adored Love at 350, I have to start by saying that while billed as a romance, the actual romance in the book takes us less that ten percent of the actual book.

Putting that aside, I can say that Love at 350 was a delightful book that had me often salivating from the tempting descriptions of delicious foods throughout its pages. Both Tori and Kendra are likable in their own ways and I loved the part Tori's kids played in the story--always rooting on their mom from behind the scenes.

If you're looking for a full on romance, you may want to look elsewhere. However, if you are okay with a major slow burn with little sizzle with complex characters that grow throughout the book, you'll love Love at 350.

Tori Moore, high school chemistry teacher and amateur baker, knows she will be dealing with an empty nest once her twins Milo and Mia head off to college in the fall. What she doesn't expect is for them to decide she needs to test her own limits -- and to sign her up for the American Bake-o-Rama program. But hey, maybe the experience will help her decide whether or not to follow her dream of starting her own bakery!

Kendra Campbell, known as the Cookie Queen for her chain of Chippy Chunk cookie places, is facing a difficult decision over her failing restaurant, Gamma Raye. Her brother Alden (also her financial adviser) wants her to renew her contract as a judge for the Bake-o-Rama in order to ease their finances, but he warns her that she has to gentle her harsh comments about the contestants. And when she meets Tori in the audition interview, she's impressed by Tori's willingness to find out what she's capable of creating as a baker... as well as attracted to the lovely woman with the warm smile.

Of course, their contracts rule out any kind of relationship between judge and contestant, but that doesn't mean they can't get to know each other, right?

This sweet and slow-burn sapphic romance hits all the right notes. I really appreciated seeing two love interests in their 40s, both with enough experience and heartbreak in their past to know that it's better to move slowly toward a potential relationship. Tori has a wonderful personality, warm and compassionate without being unrealistic in her positivity. She brings her teacher skills to the competition and not only is able to break down recipes and make magic with them, but also is a natural at narrating what she's doing for the cameras. Kendra slowly reveals her more vulnerable side at the same time that she learns how to recognize and reward the contestants' efforts without being so judgmental. The two women balance each other well and remain mindful of the ethics of their situation, taking a mature and cautious path to their HEA.

I cannot resist a baking competition romance and the chaos and fun that ensues, and this did not disappoint. 4 sweet, sweet stars.

Thank you, Dial Press and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this book. Opinions expressed here are solely my own.

What a cute book! Tori, our main lady is a chemistry teacher who will soon become a divorced one. Her twin girls signed her up without her knowledge in a TV baking competition that could change Tori's life. The prize? $100,000. The prize will surely help Tori open her dream bakery. She goes into the competition and shows her talents but also catches the eye of one of the judges. The tough and ruthless Kendra. This book is set on beautiful Sonoma and will keep you engaged from beginning to end. How much are Tori and Kendra willing to sacrifice for this mutual attraction. Will Kendra be able to find and discover the softer side of Kendra? I read this book in one sitting. It's a very entertaining lesbian rom-com that will make you believe in true love again.

A delightful romance novel!

Tori Moore, a chemistry teacher and single mom enters a television baking competition at the insistence of her children which will change her life.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an arc of this book,

First of all, I started my journey with no expectation at all, except this book would do me good. And it somewhat did. First, I love the idea of sapphic romance in broadcasting industry. Personally, I'm always thinking that broadcasting is a place full of hardworker people, and one of my dream job, so having this as background in a book is a blast.

But, I must say, this book is lacking something. I don't sense any chemistry between two main characters, and it was kinda rushy.

The writing was not spectacular but it has something to make me sat my ass down for a while. It was a heartwarming story, perfect for night reading.

Tori teaches biochemistry and Della teaches Skills for Living (aka Home Economics). One day, a few years ago, they had a brilliant idea, which was to combine forces and design “Biochem of Baking”, a course they could dual teach. It quickly became the most popular courses at Sequoia High School. Tori loves spending time with Della, but the less than subtle hints about introducing her to single women are getting a bit exhausting. It doesn’t help that Tori’s ex cheated on her, moved to New York with a new girlfriend, and her twins are heading off to college in the fall. Kendra is a reluctant judge on the baking show that is the center of this book. She is the “mean one” who expects the best and offers constructive criticism to the home bakers who don’t bake to perfection. Little did Tori know, her kids signed her up for the show. And drama and excitement ensues! I loved that this featured two queer teachers (yay LGBTQIA rep) and that it was set in high school with a baking sort of spin. It really made it fun! I liked that the MCs were around 40 and the book is a dual POV. The side characters really made this such a fun book that made me really invested. The other baking contestants were wonderful and really added to the story! I wish there was more chemistry and that it wasn't so instalove with these two, but overall this was a great book that I enjoyed and would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC of this book.

Love at 350° by Lisa Peers--Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC of this upcoming romance novel which releases in October. Love at 350° is a cute queer romance set on a baking competition à la Great British Baking Show. Tori is a contestant and Kendra is a chef & judge on the show. Show contracts prohibit relationships between contestants and judges, for obvious reasons. Told from alternating POVs, the reader follows the competition and the developing crush between Tori & Kendra. I was way more interested in the baking part of the story and the romance part fell kind of flat for me. I liked the side characters and how they enhanced the plot.

A sweet and cozy read! Tori has dreamt of opening a bakery for a long time but her practical nature and insecurities caused her to put those dreams aside. When she has the chance to win $100K on a baking competition reality series, Tori begins to believe in her dreams once again. But will her attraction to one of the show’s judges put those dreams at risk?

This was a cute story - I enjoyed getting to know Tori and Kendra and there is good chemistry between them. There is not much drama which makes for a comforting, low-anxiety read. At times, the romance felt like a subplot as the focus is largely on Tori and her aspirations (though I did not mind as I loved reading about all of the delicious things she and other contestants were making).

Love at 350 is delightful - if you are a fan of baking competition shows and romance, give this a read!

Thank you very much to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

If you are as big of a fan of the Great British Baking Show as I am, then you are going to really enjoy this book! It's got similar challenges, endearing contestants, and complicated bakes! In this book, one of the contestants starts falling for the judges, which is strictly against their contracts. The baking show definitely took center stage of this book, whereas the romance had a very far backseat. I would've liked more romantic aspects than baking show drama, which I can get from turning on my TV. There was opportunity in the ending for that romantic chance to be taken, but it was just lacking. Definitely still a fun and easy read if you're looking for one.

I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun romance that really focused more on the growth of the characters and their experience on a baking reality show, than whatever was happening between them. And I liked that, because those two pieces were so strong. It was easy to imagine what the baking competition actually felt and looked like - the author did a great job of making that experience feel relatable and real - everything from the anxiety of a certain mistake, or the uncomfortable doubt that creeps in from trying to understand how a total stranger is reacting to you as either a fellow contestant or a judge.

The two characters, despite being older lesbians (a demographic I want to see EVEN MORE of in the books I read), had quite a bit of growth over the course of the book. I especially liked that the growth came from within each of the characters, and even started before they met each other. But was encouraged to grow and bloom as the two love interests came into contact.

One detail that I really liked was the way Tori reacted throughout the novel to her ex-wife Shelby. At points, Tori was angry, ashamed of falling behind, resolute in her decisions to stay away. Given the complexity of a divorce, especially with kids in the picture, I thought the author did a great job capturing all the feelings and how they might even overlap.

This was a super fluffy, light read with a lot of heart. I did find the second half to be kind of slow and expected a little more from the ending, but it was still cute and enjoyable. Perfect for fans of Great British Bake Off and wholesome romances.

Thank you to Random House for the ARC of this book!

Fun, light read. Low-key romance but very sweet story. Loved the side characters and the premise. Well
Done!

Thanks to Random House and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a sucker for foodie romances and this book did not disappoint. The combination of a baking competition and love story of two chefs falling in love hit the spot. I’m this author is new to me and I’m looking forward to reading more!

I enjoyed this, but I didn’t love it. The slow burn tension is lovely, but the climax left me wanting. I wish there was an epilogue or something else to give us a little more to the story. Some of the conflict felt contrived, but overall it was a fun read.

3.5/5 stars! I love food-based books so the premise of this sounded super cute. I really liked the pacing of this story and the inclusion of really focusing on the baking and not just the romance. I loved Tori and Kendra and their swoony chemistry.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

3.9

Thanks so much to Netgalley and The Dial Press for an advance readers’ copy of this title! Love at 350° is a delightful story about two older lesbians that have been through love before finding love on a baking reality show — as judge and contestant. Both leads were endearing and brought their own separate personalities to the table — Kendra’s dry wit and Tori’s can-do attitude. The creations made by the contestants sounded mouthwateringly good and reminded me of the weekends I would spend plugged into Food Network shows like Worst Cooks of America and Cupcake Wars. This book’s only setback in my opinion is that the slow burn felt…too slow at times. Kendra and Tori primarily communicate through letters (like we’re in Mr. Malcom’s List or something) and only kiss in the final pages of the book. I’m all for slow burn but when the competition Tori faced on page only heated up, her relationship with Kendra was practically nonexistent. Otherwise, I had an amazing time reading this book and would love to award it 3.9 out of 5 stars!

What an utterly delightful romance! Tori and Kendra are lovely characters in their own right and it’s impossible not to root for them to find a way to be together (even if the supervising contract was a TAD unbelievable).
I thoroughly enjoyed this but was disappointed that we got a single kiss between our leads. If you like your romance with any sex you will be disappointed

Love at 350 combined my love of baking competitions with my love of tension-filled romance. I really enjoyed this story about a slow-burn relationship between two talented chefs, complicated by real-life situations. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes details, as well as the swoon-worthy descriptions of the delectable baked goods. I look forward to Lisa Peers' next novel.

I have found myself in a very specific niche of LGBTQIA chef romances, and TBH? I’m not mad about it. Love at 350° by Lisa Peers on a one that I’m so happy to add to my read-and-loved list! It follows an amateur baker onto the set of a baking challenge, where she rekindles her dreams and kindles a whole new love. It was such an interesting concept and well executed. Tori and Kendra are great main characters and you can’t help but keep your fingers crossed for them. Even though this book was fairly lighthearted, it touches on some very real every day struggles AND does a great job at recognize that life doesn’t end at 40. All told, it’s an excellent romance that I was so happy to add to my list.


Special thanks to Net Galley and Random House for providing an advanced reviewer copy to me in exchange for my honest review and opinion!