Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous

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Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous

by Kathryn Williams (Goodreads Author)

3.59 of 5 stars 3.59 · rating details · 371 ratings · 59 reviews

Can a spot on a teen reality show really lead to a scholarship at an elite cooking school AND a summer romance?

Sixteen-year-old Sophie Nicolaides was practically raised in the kitchen of her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, Taverna Ristorante. When her best friend, Alex, tries to convince her to audition for a new reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, Sophie is reluctant. But...more

Hardcover, 240 pages

Published August 21st 2012 by Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)

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Lists with This Book

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Mar 15, 2013 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sophie has practically grown up in her father’s italian-greek restaurant. Sophie loves going back to the kitchen, throwing on an apron and cooking. Her best friend, Alex, (who Sophie is also seriously crushing on) finds out about a teen reality cooking show and talks Sophie into entering. Now she only has to convince her father to let her go!

This isn’t really spoilery, because it’s in the summary, but Sophie makes it onto the cooking show. But there’s a lot more stewing on the set! There is dram...more

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Feb 13, 2013 Kat rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: borrowed, contemporary, 2013, to-booktalk, ya

Cute and fun. Not the most sophisticated book in terms of plot or characterization but a quick, sweet read (and clean too). Good for grade 7 book talks.

1 like · like · see review

Jan 10, 2013 Amy Wang1 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Everyone has a dream that he or she wants to achieve. As for Sophie Nicolaides, she wants to become a famous chef. For a girl who grew up in her family's pizza shop, she learned to make pizza and the best tomato sauce.
Sophie thought all her life she was going to stay in her family's pizza shop. She was dead wrong though. One day, her friend introduced her to a teen chef television show contest. That was the day she decided to make the first move in being closer to her dream of becoming a famo...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Emily rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-reading-challenges, contemporary, food-fiction, ya-fiction

Why I picked it up: Food fiction!

Sophie works in her father’s restaurant and dreams of becoming a respected chef. When her best friend Alex tells her about a reality TV show called Teen Test Kitchen with a prize of a scholarship to a prestigious culinary school, Sophie auditions. She makes the show, but finds that reality TV is not all about reality.

First of all, let me say that this is true food fiction, meaning the book includes recipes from some of the dishes Sophie makes in the competition....more

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Sep 25, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 3 of 5 stars

Sophie loves working at her families Mediterranean restaurant, Taverna Ristorante, but she thinks she can be a better cook than her father. When her friend/crush Alex finds about a reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, he encourages her to apply and helps her get to the try outs without her overprotective father's knowledge. She makes the cut and is sent to spend seven weeks at a culinary school in Napa, CA with the other finalists. While she learns about cooking, reconnects with her aunt, and flirts...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Wandering Librarians rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: family, fiction, friendship, middle-grade, realistic-fiction

Sophie Nicolaides has grown up in the kitchen of her family's Greek-Italian restaurant. Sophie dreams of becoming a chef, and she might get her chance sooner than she thought when she enters to compete on a reality TV teen cooking contest. But the contest is not what Sophie was expecting. Is having her life exposed worth the possible reward?

This was fast, fun and sweet. It's good to have nice books. Nothing terrible happens, nothing overly sexy besides a few kisses. A little bit of friendship an...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars

Sophie Nicolaides has always dreamed of being a chef. As much as she loves Taverna Ristorante, her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, and particularly getting to help out in the kitchen, she also wants to be bigger than that and to eventually have her own restaurant. But when her best friend Alex tries to convince her to audition for Teen Test Kitchen, a new reality cooking show, as a way to jumpstart her culinary career, Sophie isn’t so sure. She doesn’t think that being filmed constantly and s...more Sophie Nicolaides has always dreamed of being a chef. As much as she loves Taverna Ristorante, her family’s Italian-Greek restaurant, and particularly getting to help out in the kitchen, she also wants to be bigger than that and to eventually have her own restaurant. But when her best friend Alex tries to convince her to audition for Teen Test Kitchen, a new reality cooking show, as a way to jumpstart her culinary career, Sophie isn’t so sure. She doesn’t think that being filmed constantly and subjected to who-knows-how-harsh critiques isn’t really for her, but the prize of a full scholarship to one of the best culinary schools in the country is a tough opportunity to pass up. Soon, Sophie finds herself in Napa, California working and competing with her fellow teen contestants as they cook their way through a summer of drama and good food. If Sophie can weather this through and find a way to be true to herself, both as a girl and as a chef, then this just might be the best summer of her life.

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous is a sweet, quick, and enjoyable contemporary read about life, love, and cooking. I think what made me like this story the most was a combination of Sophie’s strong voice and Williams’ wonderful writing. Even the least culinary-inclined reader is sure to be drawn in by Sophie’s passion for cooking and her desire to, if not be the best, at least do things right. The fact that Williams really knows how to tell a story helps keep everything moving along nicely with a perfect mix of intrigue, on-camera pressure, culinary near-fiascos, and drama of all types. Every new development in the story felt very natural, which greatly helped the plot flow smoothly from the very beginning to the end. In all, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous is a perfectly charming contemporary story sure to satisfy the palate of all readers.

Fans of Williams’ earlier young adult novels, including The Debutante and The Lost Summer, will not want to miss her latest, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous, nor will readers who also enjoyed The Sweetest Thing by Christina Mandelski and Breakfast at Bloomingdale’s by Kristen Kemp.

reposted from http://thebookmuncher.blogspot.com (less)

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Jul 13, 2012 Chelsea rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book has a super cute premise, but fell very short of my expectations. The only really interesting parts were scenes from the show when it was actually filming. The judgment scenes we are so familiar with reality TV contest shows, that I found myself craving them. For everything else in the book, I had to stifle a yawn.

There are a lot of pieces to this story. There's Sophie's strained relationship with her father, her growing attraction to her best friend Alex, her desire to cook and be a c...more

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Jan 20, 2013 Lucinda rated it 4 of 5 stars

A delectable drama full of tantlilizingly tasty treats that will have you sweating with suspense!!

This fantastic Young Adult book is a mouthwatering masterpiece of pure joy and which certainly entertains, as a great page-turner! It did take me a while to ‘get into the story’ but once the heat was turned up in the kitchens, I was absorbed in this thrilling tale of love, friendship, rivalry and intense drama. This is a story that although based around a competition is not about selfish ambition o...more A delectable drama full of tantlilizingly tasty treats that will have you sweating with suspense!!

This fantastic Young Adult book is a mouthwatering masterpiece of pure joy and which certainly entertains, as a great page-turner! It did take me a while to ‘get into the story’ but once the heat was turned up in the kitchens, I was absorbed in this thrilling tale of love, friendship, rivalry and intense drama. This is a story that although based around a competition is not about selfish ambition or reaching that golden trophy, as the moral of the story is about staying true to yourself and always remembering who YOU are as a person. Targeted towards the younger reader this story is dreamy, with romantic references being milder, as soft Cheddar rather than a flavorful Goats Cheese! Ideal for holiday reading or as a fun, light read.

Sophie Nicolaides is a sixteen year-old, Greek-Italian girl with a passion for cooking and a dream. From one minute helping out in her family run restaurant to then suddenly be whisked across America to Napa, California Sophie is tossed into the frying pan with the heat turned up…Teen Test Kitchen (TTK) is a cut-throat reality television show run by top celebrity chefs, where Sophie participates in for the once-in-a-lifetime prize: a full scholarship to America’s finest culinary school, under the guidance of Tommy Chang. For seven long weeks Sophie is away from her family and her best friend Alex, and thrown into a world of grueling challenges and hoaxed reality TV (with much deception diced in the mix). Culturally diverse the clever mix of characters makes this a really interesting story, as you spot each individual’s distinctive flair as well as their food. Alongside the cooking friendships are made, fun times are to be had and even love blossoms – in the form of Luc Renault…

*sighing* he may be the ‘dreamy’ French guy but when it comes to true love, is he really for Sophie? (well, they do kiss but what about the Alex VS Luc love-triangle?!).

Amidst the love triangles and fine dining there is also much meaning behind the fast-paced, beautifully detailed narrative as Sophie discovers more about herself. Fresh, fun and sprinkled with romance this is an enchanting read that will captivate any teenager with dreams of becoming the next finalist on ‘Celebrity Masterchef’ or apprentice to Gordon Ramsey. The further on into the story I read the deeper the plot thickens and unexpected twists and turns add to the thrilling tension that is created, so as to completely hypnotize me! Complete with detailed recipes your tummy will be rumbling, as the concoction of different cultural cuisine takes you on a journey; from France to Italy, to Spain and the exotic – a real feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds.

“…So do you then agree that this is a fantastic, enjoyable read and a brilliant book?”

my reply – “Yes Chef!” (less)

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May 03, 2012 Shawn Lane rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Sophie Nicolaides wants to be a chef, and being raised in a family of cooks that run a family restaurant is the perfect start. But to give her dreams a kick start, her best friend, Alex, convinces her to enter a competition to appear on Teen Test Kitchen, a new reality show where teens face off for the chance to win a scholarship to American's finest culinary school, and an internship with a famous chef. Sophie wins the chance to be on the show and makes her way to the finale while making new fr...more

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Nov 28, 2012 Danielle (Devourer of Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-liked-it, chick-lit, contemporary, covers-that-make-you-jizz

(I'm writing this on my android, so there's going to be a lot of errors. Please excuse it.)

Aww, what a very cute and very delicious novel. This is like a chick-lit version of Hell's Kitchen. PIZZA, LOVE, AND OTHER STUFF THAT MADE ME FAMOUS wasn't what I expected; nevertheless, I was left satisfied.

Our 16-year-old Greek-Italian protagonist Sophia "Sophie" Nicolaides (cute surname!) enters the Teen Test Kitchen reality TV show to become a chef. She wants to open her own restaurant besides working...more

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May 08, 2013 Celeste_pewter rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 20, 2012 Deidra (Simply Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-books-i-own

We’re just going to throw out the normal form for this review because I can’t really think of a line I really liked. That might give you an idea to where this review is going. This was one of the books that I didn’t love, but I didn’t hate either.
There were some really cute things going for it though. I mean I love food and books so when the books are about someone who’s making food, I’m normally pretty happy. I liked the food combination with reality television. Including a French boy is alway...more

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Mar 10, 2012 Ken Kugler rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book but only gave it three stars because it could not stay in the competition that is the basis of this book. The ending was rather weak, it was as if the author was not sure how to really end it and chose a compromise. The scenes at the culinary school for the competition for the reality show, Teen Test Kitchen, were the best part of the book. The rivalry and camaraderie was also well played. I thought that the recipes were also a nice touch and I am going to try two or three of...more

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Feb 12, 2013 Krista rated it 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, and it was a bit different than other books I've read. I've read stories about reality show contestants before, but this one is the.best so far. It felt a lot more real than those others. I also really felt that the characters had realistic personalities and actions. They were well thought-out and complex enough to give the story a good structure.
I also really liked that the events of the story didn't drag on for too long, but there wasn't too much happenning too quickl...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Rosalyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I liked the premise of this story: sixteen-year-old Sophie wins the chance to attend a seven week course at a famous culinary institute in California and compete on a reality TV series, Teen Test Kitchen. I liked Sophie, who knew what she wanted. And I was impressed by Williams' culinary knowledge (I watch enough Food Network to understand most of the terms). The story itself, though, could have had a little more depth: I struggled to remember all the characters competing in the reality competit...more

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Dec 16, 2011 Tee loves Kyle Jacobson added it

Shelves: 2012-books

August 2012

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Oct 18, 2012 Estelle rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ala-2012, young-adult, 2012-new-releases

Originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog

You know how they say you shouldn’t go to the grocery store on an empty stomach?

The same belief could be applied to reading this book. With all the talk of grand food preparation and the recipes included after each “reality show” challenge, my stomach was constantly grumbling. (Williams included two of my absolute favorite foods too — pizza and eggs benedict!)

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff… is a very cute novel featuring Sophie, a 16-year old who comes ac...more Originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog

You know how they say you shouldn’t go to the grocery store on an empty stomach?

The same belief could be applied to reading this book. With all the talk of grand food preparation and the recipes included after each “reality show” challenge, my stomach was constantly grumbling. (Williams included two of my absolute favorite foods too — pizza and eggs benedict!)

Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff… is a very cute novel featuring Sophie, a 16-year old who comes across as very sheltered due to her work at her family’s restaurant. She doesn’t have much experience with boys and it seems like her boy best friend, Alex, is pretty much the only solid friend in her life. (Not including the employees at her dad’s restaurant.) Instead of following in her father’s footsteps, she dreams of being a well-known chef and though she is self-conscious about her talents, she tries out for the reality show and makes it!

In ways, once Sophie makes it to California, this book reminded me of Lauren Conrad’s L.A. Candy trilogy especially when it uncovered just how “unrealistic” reality TV was. Instead of booze and boys, there’s a burn book and a few competitive moments orchestrated by the producers. Sophie is aware of what the producers of the show are trying to do — make TV worth watching and she manages to steer clear and watch what she says. (Although that doesn’t mean these people don’t twist her words when the show finally airs or she doesn’t question the loyalty of her friends at points.) I was happy to see she made two friends right off the bat — the adorable and funny Stan and the focused Shelby. She even reconnects with her mother’s sister, Mary, who owns an organic restaurant on the west coast. There is even the mysterious and European Luc, who sweeps Sophie away and causes her to question her feelings for her bestie, Alex.

Even though the book is description heavy, the pacing is still quick and I got a good handle on who Sophie was as a character. She had a great passion for cooking and she also loved her family. My one qualm were some moments that I felt were glossed over and I would have liked to have either a) more interaction or b) time not to jump so quickly. There’s some sweet innocent romance going on, for sure, (in fact it feels like these kids are 14 and not 16 much of the time) but it never overpowers the true focus of the book: Sophie venturing out on her own and figuring out how she can make the world a better place with her food.

For a feathery, fun read, perfect for the foodie or a person who enjoys spending time in the kitchen — a subject not spotlighted in many the world of YA. Let’s hear it for the pizza!
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Sep 05, 2012 Chelsey rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was not what I expected it to be. It was a cute read but it just lacked something for me. I was not as into it as I hoped that I would be. I really wanted it to be like one of my favorite books, but sadly I was a little disappointed. Not that it was all bad because there were definitely parts that I did like. I loved Sophie’s ambition and her desire to cook. I could feel a passion in her that was so real and I love that she was so connected to her family and really embraced her Greek/I...more This book was not what I expected it to be. It was a cute read but it just lacked something for me. I was not as into it as I hoped that I would be. I really wanted it to be like one of my favorite books, but sadly I was a little disappointed. Not that it was all bad because there were definitely parts that I did like. I loved Sophie’s ambition and her desire to cook. I could feel a passion in her that was so real and I love that she was so connected to her family and really embraced her Greek/Italian culture. I will admit that the cover caught my eye here and the story did not quite match my radiant expectations.

Like I said before it was an enjoyable read, but I never felt a strong pull or connection to the story that made me want to keep reading until I finished the book. First of all I hate reality shows anyway the ones like Jersey Shore, The Bachelor, or The Bad Girls Club. However, I love shows like Chopped and Iron Chef so I thought that maybe I would like this book seeing as how Sophie is a contestant on Teen Test Kitchen. I did not like this reality TV show setting. I felt like parts of it were so generic and that I already knew what would happen next. I feel like I would have like Sophie in a different setting, if that makes sense to readers.

I was left disappointed by the romance side of things as well. I felt like this would be a breezy read with cute and romantic lines from a ridiculously handsome boy, but sadly I was left empty handed in this department as well. I felt like Sophie was even closed off to me sometimes as well in the romance department and I wish I could have known more of her feelings and thoughts in certain parts of the book. I wish Sophie would have been more a go getter!! I did like Sophie but I just felt like sometimes she was too scared to take a chance on things that she knew she wanted.

I did love the recipes that were included in the book and I will treasure the book just for those recipes. It added a nice touch and made Sophie feel more realistic and personable to me as I read her story. Nice touch, Kathryn!! Not an overall bad book if you are looking for a light summer read.

***A copy of this book was generously provided to me for an honest review by Henry Holt & Co. Thank you so much!!***
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Jul 30, 2012 Shreya (CCReviews) rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book was the cutest thing I've ever read! I literally wanted to puke up rainbows and unicorns by the time I was done. Although it was a bit naive, and that could just be to me, it was still a fun experience. This book went by really fast, it was a really quick read. I honestly was not watching the time, and finished it in the span of a few hours. This book just drags you in like that. You're also learning new things, like different recipes that the author throws in here and there, which is...more This book was the cutest thing I've ever read! I literally wanted to puke up rainbows and unicorns by the time I was done. Although it was a bit naive, and that could just be to me, it was still a fun experience. This book went by really fast, it was a really quick read. I honestly was not watching the time, and finished it in the span of a few hours. This book just drags you in like that. You're also learning new things, like different recipes that the author throws in here and there, which is a fun little tid-bit to look forward to after every chapter. The story-line isn't confusing and it's easy to follow/understand. It's funny, charming, and flows very well together.

The author does seem to have a background in cooking, so the novel didn't just spout out random pieces of information that made no sense. The concept of a "teen reality-show" was also a great idea. It was entirely like reality shows that we see on TV these days, and I felt like I was actually watching it as I was reading. There's drama, there're cat-fights, it-couples, and sabotage. But the characters also grow stronger, and develop relationships that'll last a life-time. The language in this book is very modern, which is why it's easier to understand. The dialogue wasn't awkward and the situations don't seem forced. It fit the role of YA contemporary novel very well.

The main character Sophie grew up with a Greek-Italian family, and was practically born with talent in her blood. She loves cooking and it has always been a big part of her life. She is a very down-to-earth character with occasional bursts of anger that come with her Greek heritage. She's an impulsive character, and she loves to try new things. I love how her character knew what she wanted, to be a top-chef, and strives to get there. She forges positive relations and negative ones with the other characters she meets on the set of the reality show. She makes best friends, enemies, and even a secret summer fling with a cute French culinary student on set. She faces a lot of trials, but in the end realizes that her true-self is what will win everyone's heart. The only thing trait I didn't not like about Sophie is that she treated making a decision between two boys like she was contemplating world-peace. She was beyond herself with the romantic part of her life, and I feel like the author shouldn't have spent so much time on the romance. But it all worked out in the end. Without the secondary characters, this book wouldn't have been as good. Sophie made two really good friends, Shelby and Stanley, throughout her show-biz experience. I loved Shelby because she had a great deal of confidence and was really tough. Also, in the end, she always had Sophie's back. Stanley was basically the 'comical relief' to the story. He had the witty repartee, the easy-going style, and the demeanor that you can't help but love.

Overall, this book kept me smiling and flipping through the pages constantly. This was an enjoyable young adult contemporary summer read. I recommend it to those who love a sweet romance with a touch of spice as well as to food-lovers everywhere. This book sent me into constant fits of hunger, and I learned many new facts about international foods from it. It has the humor, drama, innocence, and romance that'll leave you in delighted glee.

My Rating: 3/5 Stars
What the author lacked in details, she made up for in plot.
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Sep 02, 2012 Bonnie at A Backwards Story added it

Shelves: 2012, contemporary

I wasn't expecting much going into this novel, and so my expectations were on par with my reading experience. The book has the same strain of cuteness as its adorable cover, though never deep and meaningful. It's a good light summer read, and clean enough for even tweens to pick up and read.

The novel centers around a girl named Sophie who has grown up in the restaurant business, but wants more for her own career in food services. Her friend helps her get onto a reality TV show called Teen Test K...more

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Aug 14, 2012 Lea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, cute, light-n-fluffy, love-triangle, reality-show, summer-2012-reads

Pizza/Love (my lazy way of writing that super-long title) was a really cute and light-hearted read-- definitely perfect for summertime! I knew from the moment I read this plot summary that this was going to be one of those books that is just a lot of fun to read, and puts you in a good mood :)

Sophie Nicolaides has spent pretty much her entire life living and working in her family's Greek/Italian restaurant, surrounded by the sounds of the kitchen and the smells and tastes of amazingly delicious...more Pizza/Love (my lazy way of writing that super-long title) was a really cute and light-hearted read-- definitely perfect for summertime! I knew from the moment I read this plot summary that this was going to be one of those books that is just a lot of fun to read, and puts you in a good mood :)

Sophie Nicolaides has spent pretty much her entire life living and working in her family's Greek/Italian restaurant, surrounded by the sounds of the kitchen and the smells and tastes of amazingly delicious food. Cooking has become her passion, but it isn't until her best friend Alex convinces her to join a teen cooking reality show that Sophie starts thinking she might have a chance at making it big-- maybe one day owning her own 5-star restaurant. As the show progresses, Sophie finds that being a reality star is nothing like she thought it would be, and she has to figure out how to remain true to herself and her family heritage while also making some of the best food anyone has ever tasted to win...

So this book was actually the second one I have read that centers around a popular kind of reality show-- the first one was The Selection by Kiera Cass, which was a spin-off of The Bachelor. I definitely think that Pizza/Love did a much better job at capturing the action and conflict of being on a reality show, and since cooking reality shows are my all-time favorite, it was a lot of fun to read this kind of plot. The author takes the time to introduce us to all the contestants, and you definitely get a sense of all the crazy drama taking place as the show makes it more and more difficult to compete.

Another fun aspect of Pizza/Love was how it included recipes that were woven throughout the book-- I thought that this just added a unique touch and made you feel more connected to the whole story.

I guess there were only two major problems that I had with this book. The first was that I sometimes found the characters and even some of the writing to be slightly generic, even formulaic, in its style and the way things were presented. There wasn't anything blatantly horrible about either the writing or characters, but at the same time there wasn't anything incredibly mind-blowing or truly memorable about them either. The second issue I had was with the love triangle between Sophie, Alex, and Luc, which got to be sort of confusing. You never really had much of an idea of where Sophie stood-- it seemed as though she chose whatever guy was right there in front of her at the moment, and the other one was just conveniently forgotten.

I think maybe some readers could be a little iffy about this book, thinking that maybe it's a little *too* cutesy. I mean with that quirky title and slightly juvenile cover, I sort of knew going into this one that it was going to be targeted to the younger YA audience. However, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised that there was some edginess to the story-- nothing crazy, but the book wasn't so sickeningly sweet that I couldn't stand it or anything, and it didn't come across as being so juvenile that I felt like I was way too old to be reading it either.

Altogether, this was a fun and entertaining book that provided a really nice break from the darker paranormal/supernatural genres I'm reading this summer. I would say that if you are looking for a light, quick read to add into your summer TBR pile, this one is a good choice! But be warned-- you're going to want to eat a lot after finishing it ;)

~Lea @ LC's Adventures in Libraryland (less)

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May 30, 2012 Vanessa Booke rated it 4 of 5 stars

Pizza, Love and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous is a fun and easy read. Sophie is extremely down to earth, smart, honest and overall likable. I thought the story's concept was original and I enjoyed reading it from font to back. It was interesting reading about the procedures of the reality cook show and the pressure that Sophie, Shelby and Stan were under. It came off as realistic yet funny. I loved the ending and I thought it was a great finish to the story. I couldn't have asked for a better...more

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May 22, 2013 Sharon (A Book Barbie) rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fellow food lovers

*3.5 STARS.

(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)

I was so excited for Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous! What a fun idea! As a self-proclaimed Chopped addict (even though I don't like any other reality shows unless they involve dancing), I was definitely looking forward to this one. The story sounded so cute, and how completely adorable is that cover?

While it was not exactly what I was expecting, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous delivered on the cuten...more *3.5 STARS.

(Review originally posted here at The Book Barbies.)

I was so excited for Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous! What a fun idea! As a self-proclaimed Chopped addict (even though I don't like any other reality shows unless they involve dancing), I was definitely looking forward to this one. The story sounded so cute, and how completely adorable is that cover?

While it was not exactly what I was expecting, Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous delivered on the cuteness level. Which I desperately needed, as I had recently finished sobbing for basically 2.5 hours straight because I went to see Les Mis. It was an entertaining little story with lots of fun drama and antics. Stick a bunch of teenagers in a high-stress environment with little-to-no privacy in which to express their thoughts? Oh, you're going to have drama. But it was pretty authentic. I could see this being a show on the cooking channel. In fact, it would probably be more interesting than several of the shows I've seen (well, at least previews) on the Food Network.

I really enjoyed reading about Sophie's family. Sophie had a large family who owned and ran their Greek-Italian restaurant. I liked the whole atmosphere. While her family could be a bit much, she still loved them. The whole restaurant crew as well as Sophie's best friend Alex were basically treated like part of the family, as well, and they would sometimes sit down to these gigantic, crazy dinners. I felt like I was there in the middle of the chaos, and I loved it!

As for the love story, there are actually some twists you might not expect from the summary, and I don't want to give anything away. But I thought it was interesting how it all played out, even though I was totally convinced of something that was not the case at one point. Although I wasn't a fan of the execution, I did wind up liking the way it ended.

Perhaps my favorite thing about the entire book was the recipes it included! I was so happy about that! I feel like it would be worth buying for the recipes alone. Several of the recipes included looked delicious, and I only wish it had included more.

Overall, I enjoyed Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous. Word of advice, though: I would not recommend reading while you're hungry! Or if so, make sure you have some great ingredients handy, because this book will make you want to embrace your culinary skills (no matter how imaginary they may be) and whip up something delicious.(less)

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Apr 11, 2013 Ange rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, contemporary, romance, young-adult

This was such a fun, cute and light YA contemporary novel that I really enjoyed reading. It’s filled with delectable food, summer romance and kitchen drama.

Sophie Nicolaides grew up with her father who owned an Italian-Greek restaurant called the Taverna Ristorante. Throughout her childhood Sophie grew up in the busy kitchen of the restaurant and soon began to help. She loves everything about cooking and can’t imagine her life any differently. One day her best friend Alex tells her of a new rea...more

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Jul 07, 2012 Amy Rose Thomas rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book really did surprise me. Going off of the cover, I kind of thought would be a frilly sort of contemporary novel. But this story has meat to it. Sophie is a very likeable character who has flaws, is afraid of them and learns to finally embrace them through many embarassing trials. I am not a chef by any means... but I really did enjoy the recipes and all of the cooking terminology. Mostly because I saw this all through the eyes of Sophie, a character who loves cooking with a fervent pass...more

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Oct 02, 2012 Luna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I adored this book! Admittedly it is somewhat predictable but sometimes you just want to read something that will make you happy. Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff That Made Me Famous is just that, a happy book.

Sophie loves cooking and has been working in her family’s restaurant pretty much forever. Talked into entering Teen Test Kitchen by her best friend she makes the final cut and ends up in Napa with the other contestants. There is little ‘reality’ in reality TV and Sophie and her new friends hav...more

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Mar 21, 2013 Sarah McAtee rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: clean-your-shelf-challenge

A book about teens cooking on a reality tv show. Sounded good enough, so I decided to try it.

Didn't realize it would be this...boring. Seriously, there were times when I wanted to just put it down, and walk away.

The love triangle is old, and overused, and the characters really didn't have anything special about them.

Overall, not a great book, not terrible...but not really that great either.

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Aug 28, 2012 Tyler rated it 2 of 5 stars

Before I began reading this book I really thought it was going to be good! I mean a book about love and cooking, what could be better right??? Well I could not have been more wrong. After reading it I was really disappointed and actually kinda regretted reading it which is something that rarely happens. The plot was very shallow and there was not much thought put into it or the characters. I was really hoping this book would be good but sadly it just did not live up to my expectations...

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Feb 13, 2013 Sandy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: librarylinknj-book-eval

16 year-old Sophie becomes a contestant on a realty show Teen Test Kitchen, where she puts her cooking skills to the test. The plot is predictable and the ending obvious, but this is a nice, fluffy, unoffensive read for young teens. Recipes are included.

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Other Editions (3)

Genres

Contemporary

29 users

Young Adult

27 users

Romance

17 users

Womens Fiction > Chick Lit

10 users

Realistic Fiction

5 users

Food And Drink > Cooking

4 users

Young Adult > High School

4 users

Young Adult > Young Adult Contemporary

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Young Adult > Teen

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Food And Drink > Food

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About Kathryn Williams

I hate writing bios almost more than I hate writing thank you notes (they are about as stale), so I will try to make this interesting. I was born on a blustery spring day in [excised], a good year for Republicans and a bad year for zinfandels. I penned my first literary masterpiece in a pink Trapper Keeper soon after: a short story about a wild horse named Babbling Brook. Babbling Brook found hers...more I hate writing bios almost more than I hate writing thank you notes (they are about as stale), so I will try to make this interesting. I was born on a blustery spring day in [excised], a good year for Republicans and a bad year for zinfandels. I penned my first literary masterpiece in a pink Trapper Keeper soon after: a short story about a wild horse named Babbling Brook. Babbling Brook found herself in a pickle when the field she used for grazing froze over in a blizzard and then, still frozen, burned. While my early appreciation for plot and conflict was encouraging, it was also clear that I lacked a basic understanding of the laws of nature.

After graduating from The University of the South (Sewanee) with an English degree, I moved to Washington, D.C., and then New York City to pursue a career in journalism. My coverage of hard-hitting issues of the day, such as the new poncho trend and doggy yoga, appeared in leading publications including Newsweek, Newsweek International, The New York Observer, Shecky’s, and NYMag.com. When I tired of eating ramen noodles and free packets of ketchup, I took a job as an editorial assistant for a book packager. Thanks to clean living and friends in high places, in 2005 an essay I wrote about being “Southern in the City” was noticed by an editor at Disney-Hyperion. As they say, the rest is history (code for “kind of boring”).

I am now the author of the young adult novels The Debutante, The Lost Summer, and the forthcoming Pizza, Love, and Other Stuff that Made Me Famous, as well as an illustrated humor/advice book, Roomies: Sharing Your Home with Friends, Strangers, and Total Freaks. Under my pen name, Lucy Ruggles, I have authored or adapted a number of books, including the bestselling Camp Rock: The Junior Novel. When I am not spending the thousands of gazillions of dollars that I make writing books, I freelance as an editor for Sideshow Media. I also blog regularly for SparkLife and offer freelance writing, editing, proofreading, and photo research services.

I live somewhere between Nashville, Tennessee; New York City; and Richmond, Virginia. I am a strong believer in the healing power of butter, bacon, and Southern rock, and I never, ever wear white after Labor Day…or is it before Labor Day?
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Camp Rock - Second Session #5: Rock Royalty

Roomies: Sharing Your Home with Friends, Strangers, and Total Freaks

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