Member Reviews

This book bounced around too much for me and it felt like connections between different plot points were lacking. It felt like it was trying to do too much and be too cute. There was no depth to the relationships and I kept forgetting who characters were because they would jump in and out.

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Tori is still reeling from her divorce and is a bit stuck. She loves her job as a teacher and adores her students, but her unrealized and potentially unrealistic (for financial reasons) dream is to open her own bakery. With her twins readying to leave for college they are worried for what is next for her so behind her back, they submit her application for a new reality baking show. Unsurprising to everyone except Tori, she makes the cut. The instant connection she makes with Kendra, one of the hosts is off the charts, but both do everything they can to ignore their feelings due to their contractual requirements, restrictions and guidelines The cast is an interesting mix of personalities both behind and in front of the camera, the baking so much fun and sounded delicious. I’m not sure I’d call this a romcom, but more women contemporary fiction, but it’s a fun road to Tori’s obvious and eventual life changing happily ever after.

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This book did not disappoint. What a fun story, entertaining from start to finish. Thank you for my copy in exchange for a review.

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Love at 350 Degrees is a Food Network watchers dream - a judge and contestant on a baking competition fall into an unexpected and forbidden slow burn romance as their show films. The high stakes baking and their high stakes romance unfolds as both Tori and Kendra find a balance between their hopes and dreams for their lives, and their realities.

What I absolutely loved about this story were the characters - these two women were powerhouses, established, and at a fork in the road in their lives. They aren’t your normal rom com protagonists - they’ve lived life, had wins and loses, and are trying to figure out their next act. Tori had an incredible compassion and empathy for everyone she encounters, and Kendra’s assertive and direct personality brought her to peaks in her careers. Both women were inspirational and they complimented each other so well - I was rooting for them from the start.

The baking show aspect of this book was so fun as well - it was a fun take on a baking competition, and the big twist of sabotage was stressful but kept me turning the pages. The entire cast of characters on the show was fantastic as well - the representation of various walks of life felt very true to how a show and I would love to have been a viewer.

Overall, this book was a true five star read for me and I cannot wait to see what Lisa Peers brings us next.

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I really enjoyed this! I love the baking challenge tv show concept. There was one moment towards the end that I found to be a bit too over the top for my taste. But overall, this was a fun take on a romance.

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This book goes no further than kissing, but it's ok, because the protagonists are adorable! A romance novel about women who are about 40, which is shockingly rare! I am always up for reading about people in my general age range finding happiness, and this offered that both romantically and professionally. There were some ridiculous "risks" the characters took that stressed me out but still an overall good read.

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Lisa Peers' "Love at 350°" is a heartwarming tale of love and self-discovery set against the backdrop of a baking competition. Tori Moore, a high school chemistry teacher and aspiring baker, takes a leap by auditioning for the American Bake-o-Rama TV competition at the urging of her twin teenagers. The narrative unfolds as Tori captures the attention of Kendra Campbell, a celebrity chef and Bake-o-Rama judge known for her tough exterior.

The characters, particularly Tori and Kendra, are beautifully crafted with layers of depth and relatable struggles. This was thanks to Peers's choice of putting the spotlight on protagonists in their forties, a refreshing departure from the typical youth-centric focus of many romance novels. The baking competition adds a delightful touch to the story, providing an engaging backdrop for the characters' personal growth.

However, the romantic elements might not be as featured as expected. While the connection between Tori and Kendra is palpable, those seeking a more intense focus on romance might find it lacking. Nevertheless, "Love at 350°" offers a solid and enjoyable read, especially for those who appreciate a blend of personal growth and the reality show romance trope. If you're a fan of romance novels like "Love and Other Disasters" and "Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble," this book is worth adding to your reading list.

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I love a good game show rom com, and nothing is better than when they involve dessert! Love this slow burn, definitely recommend it!

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I have no idea why this is listed as a romance. This is literally just a book about a baking show and I feel like I already read this same exact book - Love and Other Disasters by Anita Kelly. At least that book was actually good and gave me some romance. If I have to read about Kendra and Tori making another flirty glance I'm gonna puke. Maybe I just expected more romance. Not the book for me.

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What a cute rom-com! I absolutely love watching baking competition shows and this book is that with some added romance, mystery and a bit of sabotage.

Loved the characters and the fact that they were finding love again later in life. Starting new careers or new career paths as well.

The baked goods made me so hungry! I loved how Tori was a science teacher but used that in applying it towards baking with her students. I think if I had a teacher like that I might have enjoyed science more. That aspect reminded me of the book Lessons in Chemistry.

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Cute romance. I love all the baking reference, especially using baking terms as swear words. A cute book to read, especially around the holidays.

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Trigger Warnings: past cheating, cursing, sabotage, side character mentions past dead wife

Representation: twins, Lesbian

Love at 350 is a lesbian rom com about an unexpected and forbidden attraction that starts to simmer between judge and contestant on the set of a TV baking competition.

Tori Moore, popular high school chemistry teacher, avid home baker, and soon-to-be empty nester, auditions for the American Bake-o-Rama TV competition at the urging of her twin teenagers. If she somehow makes it all the way, the prize money could allow her to finally open her own bakery. Still reeling from her divorce and being naturally risk-averse, it’s not just money that’s standing between Tori and her dreams.

Once on set, Tori catches the eye of Kendra Campbell, the notoriously ruthless celebrity chef and Bake-o-Rama judge. Kendra is desperate to save her restaurant and expand her Chippy Chunk cookie empire, and the show is her ticket to financial security. She’s already been told to soften her approach in order to appease viewers seeking feel-good entertainment. After years spent fighting for space in a male-dominated industry, Kendra finds it challenging—and surprisingly rewarding—to make the shift from harsh critique to encouragement.

Tori, drawn to the uncompromising way Kendra moves through the world, senses a tenderness beneath her tough exterior. She and Kendra find it increasingly hard to keep their distance amid six weeks of cooking challenges and kitchen disasters. For both of them, the best prize of all might just be love.

This is another great example of a foodie romance with all of the best parts of a book wrapped in one! Perfect for fans of Anita Kelly and TJ Alexander! The story is funny and swoony with some angsty slow burn. A great read for anyone who prefers closed door romance! I do wish the story was a bit longer so we could see the relationship develop more! The story is very food centric, which is awesome but made me so hungry while reading! It was a ton of fun to be behind the scenes of a reality cooking show, especially since I love them so much in real life!

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This one was just lovely! This book made me feel the way I do when I watch Great British Bake Off... warm, cozy, and content. It was a sweet, slow burn that had a very satisfying pay off in the end.

I couldn't guess what was going to occur in each "episode" but the story itself was well developed and I loved the leads. Kendra, the prickly celebrity chef, and Tori, the sweet at-home baker with a dream, were as good of a match as peanut butter and chocolate!

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This book was an absolute delight, though readers should know the main dish was the reality TV baking competition, and the romance is a slow burn side dish.

I blew through this book. Peers's writing is fun and fresh, and she immerses the reader in the life of the reality TV baking competition. The food descriptions were droolworthy and I Googled more than one dish while reading. The drama on the set kept the book moving at a good pace.

I absolutely loved having two adult woman MCs in their 40s. Love after a messy divorce and while simultaneously becoming an empty nester? Perfection. Love after realizing you're a workaholic who refuses to open herself to others because vulnerability is the most terrifying thing on Earth? Iconic.

I love a solid queer romance with no queer angst!!! While angsty stories have their time and place, so do stories of queer joy with no homophobia, biphobia, and microaggressions. These women just got to be their best sapphic selves.

This book is a fabulous addition to the new subgenre of queer reality TV baking romances & any queer romance shelf! I can't wait to see what sumptuous story Peers offers us a taste of next.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC, all thoughts my own.

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I absolutely adored this book. The great American bake-off needs to have more queers. I loved it. I loved it was a later in life romance too.

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A British bake off inspired, forbidden- queer romance?? This was definitely heavy on the food scene, which as someone who works in the food science industry, I am here for. The romance was a slow slow burn because Kendra and Tori were on a contract to not fraternize between judge and contestant. I enjoyed their flirting throughout and it was mature. Overall, if you love British Bake Off with a side of romance, this is for you.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC!

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Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read the advanced copy of this book.

'Love at 350' is a contemporary love story as sweet as the baked goods it features. Kendra Campbell is a fierce and famous celebrity chef known for her no-nonsense judging style on the reality tv competition series 'American Bake-O-Rama.' New contestant Tori Moore is a divorced mother of twins who are heading off to college and leaving her to contemplate whether her teaching career or her love of baking will guide the next step of her future. When these two enter each other's lives, Tori helps soften Kendra's sharp edges, while Kendra provides Tori with the clarity and confidence to chase her dreams.

I won't lie; the first few chapters of this book were a little rocky for me. I felt like there was too much telling and not enough showing when it came to the introductions of the characters and their backstories. I was so put off by Kendra and Alden calling each other "Ken" and "Den" or using each other's full names multiple times that I actually groaned out loud, "we get it, they're related" - so that was a bit rough. And of course I have to take off a few points for "Food & Drink TV Network" because, c'mon, we couldn't have come up with a snappier name for a fictional channel?

But with all that negativity out of the way, once we got to the actual competition portion of the story, I loved it to pieces and enjoyed it right up through the end. The baking challenges were entertaining and so realistic. As someone who grew up watching those types of shows and who still devours them to this day, it was like getting to binge a whole season of one of my favorite shows in one sitting, and it was glorious. I was a little surprised that we never really got to see what a real romance between Tori and Kendra would look like by the end, but I don't hate it. The journey they took to get to where they did was a good one even if we didn't get a huge "onscreen" pay off.

If anything, I think the way the book ended leaves open a great possibility for a sequel that shows us where these two end up together (and maybe even introduces some spice to all this sweetness, if you know what I mean). I would love to read about Tori's bakery and show, Kendra's next forays into the restaurant world, and how Bake-O-Rama changes with Kendra as an EP.

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LGBTQIA+ chef romance? Check. Honest representations of queer divorce? Also check. Foodie romance that balances the food and love? Check yet again. Love at 350° also squeezes in a bit of mystery and some seriously good contract tomfoolery. My only complaint is that this was marketed as a rom-com and that is not at all central to what it was - maybe more women's/LGBTQIA+ general fiction? Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

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As a lover of baking/cooking competition shows, this book fed my soul! I went into it expecting 90% romance 10% baking but it was the complete opposite. I will say that this book was marketed as a romance and I feel as if it was a subplot. The competition was the main story which I loved, but if you are reading this for the romance you will be disappointed as I found it to be lacking. If this was marketed better I think it would find it's target audience. Loved the writing and detail, loved the characters and the light-hearted feel of the book.

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Nov 04, 2023 · edit
liked it

If it isn't clear by now, I love a baking trope. I see baking or a bakery in the synopsis or food on the cover, and it is immediately marked "Want to Read." It's honestly a problem, but here we are.

Mileage will vary with Love at 350⁰, as the romance takes a backseat to the baking competition aspect of the plot. The lack of a romantic focus made it hard for me to connect with the main characters and root for their connection. If you require spice, look elsewhere. There is nothing beyond a little bit of kissing.

I enjoyed the baking show aspect. I found the ins and outs of the show to be interesting, as I have always wondered how these types of shows work. I enjoyed the side characters from the show and wish we could have gotten a bit more of them.

If you enjoy "women's fiction" with romance as a subplot instead of the main focus, this will probably work for you. Love at 350⁰ is also perfect for fans of Sapphic Romance, The Great British Bakeoff, The Food Network, 40ish Year Old Main Characters, Squeaky Clean Romance, and No Third Act Breakup. There are mentions of past traumas, like divorce.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Random House, and Dial Press Trade Paperback for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

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