Best Served Hot marries two of my favorite types of books: a hilarious rom-com and delicious foodie fiction.
I ended up loving this funny, sweet, and sexy novel by Amanda Elliot, though it admittedly took a few chapters to get into it. This is mostly because of main character Julie. When we first meet her, she spends most of her time scheming about how to get likes and clicks on her restaurant review blog. As a result, she comes across as a little vapid and self-involved, particularly when it comes to her desire to leave her side hustle and become a full-time, paid food critic.
It doesn’t get much better when Julie launches an unprovoked attack on eventual love interest Bennett, another (more successful) restaurant reviewer who landed the job she wanted. She yells at Bennett during an NYC food festival, where she comes across as a little unhinged. I mean, I’m familiar with the classic Pride and Prejudice frenemies-to-lovers trope, but at least Elizabeth Bennet was actually insulted by Mr Darcy before she verbally ripped him to shreds.
But, thank goodness for Bennett, because his entrance into Best Served Hot is what turns everything around. His stand-up character and willingness to call Julie on her shit immediately endeared him to me. Bennett knocks Julie off her high horse and reveals her fun, relatable side, which was much needed in order to keep me interested in the story.
What’s Best Served Hot about?
Once Julie and Bennett get paired up is when Best Served Hot really takes off. There’s a lot of chemistry between these two when they’re thrown together on work “dinner dates” as competing restaurant reviewers. Author Elliot is great at writing dialogue that moves scenes along and reveals more about her characters. The romantic anticipation builds slowly but steadily between Julie and Bennett, and by the time they’re cooking together in Bennett’s kitchen, you’re just dying for their lips to meet.
Best Served Hot is, obviously, a food lover’s paradise. Julie and Bennett share so many delicious-sounding meals as they dine at fancy restaurants and dive joints alike throughout New York City.
And, much like with Chick Magnet, I loved the behind-the-scenes view into Blogger World. Elliot paints a great picture of the decidedly non-glamorous side of food blogging. Every time Julie adjusted a plate to get that “perfect angle,” or every time she and Bennett bit into now-cold appetizers after taking eight bajllion photos to get that one money shot, I felt seen.
Should you read Best Served Hot?
I think Best Served Hot is one of the better rom-coms I’ve read in awhile, so yes, give this one a try. If Julie annoys you at the beginning, just push through – it all becomes worth it. Best Served Hot is basically Pride and Prejudice romping through Food Blogger Land, so if any of that sounds appealing, this is the story for you. Elliot serves up some great writing, witty banter, comical scenarios, and great smolder.
Stay tuned for my book-inspired recipe: Quick and Easy Black Bean Burgers with Peach Guacamole.
Although I received a complimentary advance copy of Best Served Hot from Kaye Publicity and Berkley/Penguin Random House, all opinions expressed in this review are my own, and I was not compensated in any way for this review or for any other promotion/publicity I’ve done related to this book.
Bennett sounds a real sweetheart; I’m guessing you got a lot of recipe-inspiration from this book! 😍
There were so many recipe ideas to choose from! But, in the end, burgers always win my heart. LOL.