***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Two restaurant critics learn their opposing tastes might make for a five-star relationship in the next foodie romantic comedy from the author of Sadie on a Plate.
By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job.
While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie's follower count soars—and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously.
Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they'll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.
Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot is an enemies-to-lovers romance about two New York City food critics. If you like beautiful descriptions of restaurant food, this is the book for you!
Story Recap:
Julie Zimmerman is an administrative assistant by day, but at night she runs a social media site that reviews restaurants in New York City. She’s passionate about food and finding new restaurants, and wants to write for a major New York Newspaper like The Scroll. When she gets rejected to write for the Scroll the only thing worse than losing the job, is losing it to a rich, elite, society boy, Bennett Richard Macalester Wright.
At the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts Bennett and they have an argument about food critiques that are caught on camera and goes viral. Since their interaction was so popular, they decide to review together so they each can get more buzz for their platforms.
As Julie and Bennett spend time together, their shared love of food draws them together.
My Thoughts:
This book needs to come with a warning: “WILL CAUSE FOOD CRAVINGS”. The descriptions of the dishes and food were amazing and had me drooling more than once. The author knows her food.
The romance is a good one. Julie and Bennett start off as enemies, Julie is upset that Bennett got her dream job, and she doesn’t believe he deserves it. And Bennett doesn’t like Julie’s hostility at the beginning. But, they slowly build a friendship over food, and then, the friendship turns into more. I thought their progression from enemies to friends to lovers was a natural one.
I loved the New York City setting as well, and it was clear the author knows this city well.
Overall a mouth-watering romance that I enjoyed!
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Best Served Hot to anyone who loves romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
About Amanda Elliot
Amanda Elliot lives with her husband in New York City, where she collects way too many cookbooks for her tiny kitchen, runs in Central Park, and writes for teens and kids under the name Amanda Panitch.
Photo Credit: Cassie Gonzales 2021
This one sounds yummy! I love a NY setting, too.
I love foodie books that make me hungry! This one sounds perfect. Great review!
I love books with a food element! Fab review.
Thank you, Yvonne
This looks adorable and I love the foodie elements! I definitely need to give this a try!
I can only imagine how hungry this book would make me! It sounds delightful. I like the idea of waring for a job and falling in love. Great review!
I read Sadie on a Plate and this one sounds fun too. It’s going on my list. Your blog is partly responsible for my fast-growing TBR.
I love the foodie aspect! 🙂 This sounds like such a fun one.
Those food descriptions!!! Most of that food I wouldn’t touch with a ten foot pole but this story had me craving them anyway 😂. Excellent review!
This sounds great, I love a good New York City setting. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. I feel like foodie reads always give me the munchies!
I enjoy New York Settings too
This is the second review I’ve seen of this book today and now I want to read it! Great review. 🙂
Thank you, Leslie
I enjoy a good enemies to lovers romance and I love stories about food! I need to add this one to my TBR. Great review as always Wendy!
Books about food are so good!
It’s too bad books don’t come with take-out food! ;D This one sounds like a delicious read.
What a great idea, Lark!
Just what I like – food descriptions that will satisfy cravings enough that I won’t actually go out and buy it, lol. Nice review.
https://bookdilettante.blogspot.com/
Thank you, Harvee!
This sounds like a good book with a fun premise.
Awesome review Wendy! I love the sound of this book. The food descriptions and the New York setting is perfect for me! Thanks for sharing!
I just added this to my TBR.
Oh good, I hope you enjoy it
Another book about food. There seem to be a lot of them about at the moment. Lovely review Wendy.
There are a lot! Thank you, Janette
I love that it’s about two food critics. I’m adding this to my TBR!
If you are a foodie, it’s perfect
I know what you mean about a book giving you food cravings, but it’s enjoyable all the same!
Yes, I agree!
Food in books always make me hungry. But I’ll read it anyway lol.
Me too! It’s so funny
I always want to start cooking if there is food in a book.
Me too!
I just saw a review for this one on Tessa’s blog. It’s been confirmed by two reviewers now that this book is drool-worthy, lol.
LOL! I believe the writer used to be a food writer, so she knows how to describe dishes!
This sounds lovely Wendy! Excellent review!📚💜
Thank you, Susan
This sounds so good! I can’t wait to get to this one. Great review 🙂
Thank you, Amanda. I hope you like it too
I’ve seen 2 reviews of books with food, sounds good, great review 😊
I love good food descriptions! Thanks, Jenny