DESCRIPTION
Culinary student Lexi Berman, 24, has one goal: to make her late mother proud by becoming an executive chef in a Michelin-star restaurant. And she isn’t going to let anything–or anyone–get in the way. But when she meets Jake Taylor, a dive bar musician who charms her with show tunes, she makes a rare exception to her no-dating rule. After a steamy weekend together, Jake leaves for L.A. to record his demo, and Lexi never expects to see him again. And she definitely doesn’t expect him to become an overnight celebrity, with a breakout single that’s almost certainly about her famous blueberry pancake recipe.
As Jake’s star rises and the world speculates about the subject of his song, Lexi keeps the affair to herself. After all, she’s finally found her footing at her new restaurant job, and even has a prospective romance with her coworker. But when a distraught Jake turns up on her doorstep late one night, her carefully-laid plans are thrown for a loop. Though she and Jake try to be friends, things between them soon reheat faster than a bowl of Lexi's matzah ball soup. But a relationship with Jake means risking her face in tabloids, withstanding cruel internet comments, and worst of all, jeopardizing her career. As Jake’s upcoming tour approaches, and rumors swirl about him and another pop star, Lexi has to decide if holding onto her meticulously-planned future is worth walking away from what could be the perfect recipe for love.
Set both in the chaos of fame and the high stakes world of New York City restaurants, this novel sprinkles in a second chance at love and a dollop of celebrity drama to create a romantic romp that will make even the most jaded reader smile.
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
ISBN: 9781250902917
Pub Date: 20 Feb 2024
REVIEW
Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5) Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was an emotional read for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! You’ll love the charm, witty banter, and intrinsic strength of the FMC.
Lexi strives toward becoming a chef, which takes grit and entails dedicating your life to the craft, spending many hours each day in the kitchen. It’s what she’s wanted since she was young, and Lexi is definitely headstrong, focused, and thrives when she’s in control.
But when she meets Georgia-boy Jake at a bar he is performing at, she realizes they have a special connection. Lexi explores that connection by going “off book” and spending the weekend with him. She doesn’t expect much more from Jake after that since he heads across the country to record his demo.
He quickly rises to stardom and reappears in Lexi’s life suddenly, right when she is just establishing herself as a working professional in a new restaurant. Jake is a successful, new artist in the music industry, and a multitude of issues ensue, especially when it comes to being in a relationship with a person not in the public eye.
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride of emotions because there will be angst and anticipation, levity and laughter, and—best of all—humor and a happy ending. This story was well-written, and I certainly look forward to more works by the author.
This review is also posted on Goodreads, here.
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