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Hadley Beckett's Next Dish
Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanaugh is known for many things: his multiple Michelin stars, his top-rated Culinary Channel show To the Max, and most of all his horrible temper. Hadley Beckett, host of the Culinary Channel's other top-rated show, At Home with Hadley, is beloved for her Southern charm and for making her viewers feel like family.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.
Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.
When Max experiences a very public temper tantrum, he's sent packing to get his life in order. When he returns, career in shambles, his only chance to get back on TV and in the public's good graces is to work alongside Hadley.
As these polar-opposite celeb chefs begin to peel away the layers of public persona and reputation, they will not only discover the key ingredients for getting along, but also learn the secret recipe for unexpected forgiveness . . . and maybe even love. In the meantime, hide the knives.
Fan-favorite Bethany Turner serves up a heaping helping of humor and romance with this thoroughly modern story centered on cooking, enemies, and second chances.
352 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2020
About the author
Bethany Turner
10 books1,007 followersBethany Turner has been writing since the second grade, when she won her first writing award for explaining why, if she could have lunch with any person throughout history, she would choose John Stamos. She stands by this decision. Bethany now writes pop culture–infused rom-coms for a new generation of readers who crave fiction that tackles the thorny issues of life with humor and insight. She lives in Southwest Colorado with her husband, whom she met in the nineties in a chat room called Disco Inferno. As sketchy as it sounds, it worked out pretty well in this case, and they are now the proud parents of two teenagers. Connect with Bethany at seebethanywrite.com or across social media @seebethanywrite, where she clings to the eternal dream that John Stamos will someday send her a friend request. Text her any time at (970) 387-7811!
Learn more at seebethanywrite.com.
Learn more at seebethanywrite.com.
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March 18, 2022It's got a good beat, and you can dance to it.
October 9, 2019
Bethany Turner is one of my favorite authors--and for good reason! She can make me literally laugh out loud. Take that as a word of caution. Do not read this book or any of Bethany Turner's books in public or you WILL get people giving you strange looks when you chortle for no apparent reason (except there's an awesome reason and that is that Bethany Turner is HILARIOUS). If you watch Food Network, or even if you don't, you'll be giggling up a storm as Hadley and Max go head-to-head and eventually heart-to-heart.
September 20, 2020
4☆ An Uplifting, Fun and Scrumptious Romance.
Hadley Beckett ’s Next Dish is a Scrumptious Romance that will have your tummy rumbling, laughing and championing the main character the whole way through.
Hadley Beckett never thought that being on a reality competitive cooking show would change her life, in more ways than one.
Especially when she was up against Fame Hungry, Arrogant and Ruthless Maxwell Cavanaugh.
After the show finished she vowed she was done with Maxwell, never to see or work with him again.... that is until he rocks up at her work and apologises!
Surely that's not the real Maxwell, Hadley had the pleasure of knowing.... just what is he after!..... is Hadley about to bite off more than she can chew!
Without going anymore into the plot I absolutely loved Hadley's journey.
After her ordeal on the show America's Fiercest Chef, she became so much more confident and assertive, but she was also kind, considerate and had a big heart.
It's no wonder people loved her humble charm.
I would love to see her cooking shows, I'm a huge fan of tv cooking shows and love cooking and baking.
This book was right up my street!
Hadley Beckett ’s Next Dish is an uplifting, witty, heartwarming and very entertaining Romance, with a good serving of humour, drama, wit and delicious delights. It's a story of forgiveness, second chances, moving on, never giving up on your dreams, friendship and love.
If you love all things foodie and love a sweet Romance then this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you to Love Books Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Hadley Beckett ’s Next Dish is a Scrumptious Romance that will have your tummy rumbling, laughing and championing the main character the whole way through.
Hadley Beckett never thought that being on a reality competitive cooking show would change her life, in more ways than one.
Especially when she was up against Fame Hungry, Arrogant and Ruthless Maxwell Cavanaugh.
After the show finished she vowed she was done with Maxwell, never to see or work with him again.... that is until he rocks up at her work and apologises!
Surely that's not the real Maxwell, Hadley had the pleasure of knowing.... just what is he after!..... is Hadley about to bite off more than she can chew!
Without going anymore into the plot I absolutely loved Hadley's journey.
After her ordeal on the show America's Fiercest Chef, she became so much more confident and assertive, but she was also kind, considerate and had a big heart.
It's no wonder people loved her humble charm.
I would love to see her cooking shows, I'm a huge fan of tv cooking shows and love cooking and baking.
This book was right up my street!
Hadley Beckett ’s Next Dish is an uplifting, witty, heartwarming and very entertaining Romance, with a good serving of humour, drama, wit and delicious delights. It's a story of forgiveness, second chances, moving on, never giving up on your dreams, friendship and love.
If you love all things foodie and love a sweet Romance then this is definitely the book for you!
Thank you to Love Books Tours for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
You can Find this Review and all my Other Reviews on My Blog :-
https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/2020/0...
Want to read
March 18, 2020I don't even care that this is christian fiction.
Fun fact about me: I'm OBSESSED with baking/cooking shows.
My current faves are Great British Bakeoff and Nailed It! (American and Mexico versions-- fave Mexican ep is the one with luchador, Psycho Clown)
Fun fact about me: I'm OBSESSED with baking/cooking shows.
My current faves are Great British Bakeoff and Nailed It! (American and Mexico versions-- fave Mexican ep is the one with luchador, Psycho Clown)
April 14, 2020
5 Stars! (More like a bazillion!)
*Picks jaw up off the floor* Wow, I'm speechless in the best way! Fair warning: there will be gushing galore in this review! I loved Hadley Beckett's Next Dish so much that no words I can string together could possibly come close to doing this amazing book justice, but I will try my best!
I loved Hadley! She is my favorite kind of heroine, smart, sassy, spunky, but also kind, caring, generous, and delightfully real! I'm claiming her as my new fictional BFF! Without spoiling anything let me just say that I absolutely loved how Hadley's faith was so evident in the way she treated all those around her and especially Max, such a beautiful reminder of the amazing grace Jesus Christ offers to us all! Hadley I wanna be like you when I grow up! LOL!
And Max, be still my swooning heart, where is my fainting couch when I need it?! I must admit that reformed bad boy isn't generally one of my favorite hero types, but as soon as Max came on the scene, even though he tried his best to keep me from liking him at first, I liked him anyway because I could tell there was more to him than just acting like a jerk, and those feelings promptly turned to love and before I was halfway done I knew without question that he is my favorite hero of Bethany Turner's, and that I had found my newest book boyfriend! Max is definitely one of my favorite heroes of 2020! Why is Max so awesome, and why do I love him so much? Well, you're just gonna have to read the book to find out! ;)
I don't consider myself a foodie, but I do love food and this book gave me an absolutely fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of a professional chef. I felt like I was cooking right alongside Hadley and Max! But make sure you have snacks on hand because reading this book will definitely make you hungry!
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish is a beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances, and a fantabulous romance that will touch your heart and have you grinning and laughing uncontrollably from beginning to end!
In my humble opinion this book is exactly the ray of hope the world needs right now in these scary and uncertain times!
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish is everything I dreamed it would be and so much more!
I absolutely loved every second of this book and it's definitely one of my favorite reads of 2020! Most highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!
*Picks jaw up off the floor* Wow, I'm speechless in the best way! Fair warning: there will be gushing galore in this review! I loved Hadley Beckett's Next Dish so much that no words I can string together could possibly come close to doing this amazing book justice, but I will try my best!
I loved Hadley! She is my favorite kind of heroine, smart, sassy, spunky, but also kind, caring, generous, and delightfully real! I'm claiming her as my new fictional BFF! Without spoiling anything let me just say that I absolutely loved how Hadley's faith was so evident in the way she treated all those around her and especially Max, such a beautiful reminder of the amazing grace Jesus Christ offers to us all! Hadley I wanna be like you when I grow up! LOL!
And Max, be still my swooning heart, where is my fainting couch when I need it?! I must admit that reformed bad boy isn't generally one of my favorite hero types, but as soon as Max came on the scene, even though he tried his best to keep me from liking him at first, I liked him anyway because I could tell there was more to him than just acting like a jerk, and those feelings promptly turned to love and before I was halfway done I knew without question that he is my favorite hero of Bethany Turner's, and that I had found my newest book boyfriend! Max is definitely one of my favorite heroes of 2020! Why is Max so awesome, and why do I love him so much? Well, you're just gonna have to read the book to find out! ;)
I don't consider myself a foodie, but I do love food and this book gave me an absolutely fascinating glimpse into the life and mind of a professional chef. I felt like I was cooking right alongside Hadley and Max! But make sure you have snacks on hand because reading this book will definitely make you hungry!
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish is a beautiful story of forgiveness and second chances, and a fantabulous romance that will touch your heart and have you grinning and laughing uncontrollably from beginning to end!
In my humble opinion this book is exactly the ray of hope the world needs right now in these scary and uncertain times!
Hadley Beckett's Next Dish is everything I dreamed it would be and so much more!
I absolutely loved every second of this book and it's definitely one of my favorite reads of 2020! Most highly recommended!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. Which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!
May 7, 2020
Originally posted on Inkwell Inspirations
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner is the perfect book for foodies and fans of romantic comedies. In this novel, Bethany Turner takes readers on a fun and entertaining journey of romance and redemption. With the two famous chefs competing against each other on a reality show, the banter between Chef Hadley Beckett and Chef Max Cavanagh makes the whole novel a truly satisfying experience for readers.
Along with the developing romantic relationship in Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, the novel takes readers to the heart of the reality cooking show experience and makes them feel like they are part of the journey. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck still contains my favorite storyline of Bethany Turner’s, but Chef Max Cavanagh is definitely my new favorite hero of Bethany Turner’s. His handsome good looks, his charming personality (most of the time!), and his desire to change after a public meltdown make him an irresistible hero who readers will love. In the beginning of the novel, Max is not very likeable by anyone’s standards, but he will easily steal the readers’ hearts through his journey of redemption and second chances. Even if you are not a fan of cooking or fine dining, you need to read this book to meet Max!! He is just the best!!
With pop culture references sprinkled throughout this fabulous novel, readers will easily relate to the story and the wonderful characters Bethany Turner has created. Bethany Turner continues to bring a needed, powerful voice to Christian fiction, and I cannot wait to read more from this author! Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is very highly recommended for readers of Christian fiction who love romance and humor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner is the perfect book for foodies and fans of romantic comedies. In this novel, Bethany Turner takes readers on a fun and entertaining journey of romance and redemption. With the two famous chefs competing against each other on a reality show, the banter between Chef Hadley Beckett and Chef Max Cavanagh makes the whole novel a truly satisfying experience for readers.
Along with the developing romantic relationship in Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, the novel takes readers to the heart of the reality cooking show experience and makes them feel like they are part of the journey. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck still contains my favorite storyline of Bethany Turner’s, but Chef Max Cavanagh is definitely my new favorite hero of Bethany Turner’s. His handsome good looks, his charming personality (most of the time!), and his desire to change after a public meltdown make him an irresistible hero who readers will love. In the beginning of the novel, Max is not very likeable by anyone’s standards, but he will easily steal the readers’ hearts through his journey of redemption and second chances. Even if you are not a fan of cooking or fine dining, you need to read this book to meet Max!! He is just the best!!
With pop culture references sprinkled throughout this fabulous novel, readers will easily relate to the story and the wonderful characters Bethany Turner has created. Bethany Turner continues to bring a needed, powerful voice to Christian fiction, and I cannot wait to read more from this author! Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is very highly recommended for readers of Christian fiction who love romance and humor.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.
April 22, 2020
Bethany Turner is really making a name for herself within the romantic comedy genre. Her humor is spot on and her characters always have great interplay. This book is no exception--the chemistry between Hadley and Max is delightful and their back-and-forth banter never failed to bring a smile to my face. Even the deeper issues of the story are handled with grace, and made me care about the characters even more. Plus...it features cooking shows! If you're a devotee of the Food Network and other such shows, you will certainly feel right at home reading this book (and more than a little hungry as well).
There is so much to adore about this novel, go order it right now!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
There is so much to adore about this novel, go order it right now!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
April 29, 2020
I love Bethany Turner and her novels. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck was my favorite RomCom read in 2017; I was blown away by Turner’s real-to-life characters, witty and hilarious dialogue, and timely themes. Then came Wooing Cadie McCaffrey and I fell in love with Cadie and Will, and could wholeheartedly relate to their unique (but not unrealistic) communication fails. Reading WooCaM was like taking a good look into a mirror for me! And now there is Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, which I believe is Turner’s best book yet. Turner hit this one out of the park!!! Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish has a stellar storyline that is so engaging I read this book in ONE 24-hour period. I just could not put this book down. And, the characters are fantastic. Hadley is a genuinely sweet and wholesome heroine, yet she is also strong and smart and quick-on-the-uptake. And, Hadley is not afraid to stand up for herself when she has to. Max is the best RomCom hero EVER! He is straight-up awful at first, but then he isn’t. I’m so glad I gave his character a chance and read past chapter one. LOL! All in all, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is an excellent read that I won’t soon forget.
“He felt so thrown off his game when it came to romancing Hadley.” – Max Cavanagh
Hadley and Max’s relationship journey is perfect as far as fictional romance journeys go. Yes, at first, Max appears irredeemable. He is a punk who treats Hadley abominably. I wasn’t sure, after reading chapter 1, how Bethany Turner was going to change my heart in regards to Max … but she did, and she did so well! So, Max is the guy. He’s a world-renowned, masterful chef. He is wealthy beyond anyone’s dreams. He is super handsome. When it comes to women, Max can have his pick. He is smooth and debonair … until he meets Hadley and everything goes out the window. I’m not going to tell one single minute of Hadley and Max’s relationship journey because I don’t want to ruin anything. This story MUST be experienced! But I do want to talk about the idea behind Max’s quote above.
When we are first in relationships, we often do all we can to put our smoothest and best foot forward. We want to impress potential mates not make them run off into the hills screaming. We should never lie about who we are, but we do tend to force the uglier parts of ourselves onto the backburner when we first meet people. That baggage comes later! What typically worked for Max in the past with girls was not going to work with Hadley Beckett, mostly because they began their relationship with her witnessing Max at his absolute worst. This means that Max has to be real with Hadley from the get-go. Nothing about who is he, where he has come from, his personality traits (both positive and negative), etc., can be hidden from her. But being that open and honest and real, especially at first, is not an easy thing for anyone let alone a bad-boy, supremely popular, preeminent chef like Max. He admits that romancing Hadley has him feeling off his game because the typical games he would play won’t fly with her. To me, this is a testament to a REAL relationship. Once one realizes that old ways will no longer work AND he makes up his mind to actually change in order to be who that girl needs, you’ve got a serious romance on your hands. I absolutely LOVE that Turner wrote Max in a way that reflects this truth. His character change is glorious, and watching him become the man that Hadley needs is magical, and the BEST part of this fabulous novel.
If you can’t tell yet, I highly recommend Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish. Bethany Turner does NOT disappoint in this story. She has absolutely brought her A-game, and I am one happy and satisfied RomCom reader. I implore you to purchase your copy today. You will not want to miss this read!!!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
“He felt so thrown off his game when it came to romancing Hadley.” – Max Cavanagh
Hadley and Max’s relationship journey is perfect as far as fictional romance journeys go. Yes, at first, Max appears irredeemable. He is a punk who treats Hadley abominably. I wasn’t sure, after reading chapter 1, how Bethany Turner was going to change my heart in regards to Max … but she did, and she did so well! So, Max is the guy. He’s a world-renowned, masterful chef. He is wealthy beyond anyone’s dreams. He is super handsome. When it comes to women, Max can have his pick. He is smooth and debonair … until he meets Hadley and everything goes out the window. I’m not going to tell one single minute of Hadley and Max’s relationship journey because I don’t want to ruin anything. This story MUST be experienced! But I do want to talk about the idea behind Max’s quote above.
When we are first in relationships, we often do all we can to put our smoothest and best foot forward. We want to impress potential mates not make them run off into the hills screaming. We should never lie about who we are, but we do tend to force the uglier parts of ourselves onto the backburner when we first meet people. That baggage comes later! What typically worked for Max in the past with girls was not going to work with Hadley Beckett, mostly because they began their relationship with her witnessing Max at his absolute worst. This means that Max has to be real with Hadley from the get-go. Nothing about who is he, where he has come from, his personality traits (both positive and negative), etc., can be hidden from her. But being that open and honest and real, especially at first, is not an easy thing for anyone let alone a bad-boy, supremely popular, preeminent chef like Max. He admits that romancing Hadley has him feeling off his game because the typical games he would play won’t fly with her. To me, this is a testament to a REAL relationship. Once one realizes that old ways will no longer work AND he makes up his mind to actually change in order to be who that girl needs, you’ve got a serious romance on your hands. I absolutely LOVE that Turner wrote Max in a way that reflects this truth. His character change is glorious, and watching him become the man that Hadley needs is magical, and the BEST part of this fabulous novel.
If you can’t tell yet, I highly recommend Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish. Bethany Turner does NOT disappoint in this story. She has absolutely brought her A-game, and I am one happy and satisfied RomCom reader. I implore you to purchase your copy today. You will not want to miss this read!!!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Revell, via NetGalley in order to review. I also received a paperback copy of this book from the publisher as well. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
April 12, 2020
Chef Max Cavanagh, host of the top-rated culinary show, To the Max, is a temperamental, egotistical narcissist. Too much? Well if the toque hat fits. Authors who begin a story with a self-absorbed bad boy like Max have a lot of personality slicing and dicing to do if you want me to even like a guy like him, much less love him. Honestly, throughout the first half of the book I wanted to take on a Ted Allen voice and say, "Chef Cavanagh, you've been Chopped."
I like how Hadley put it, "..while laying low out of the public limelight, he had probably developed a vitamin D deficiency. He hadn't had nearly enough chances to soak in the rays of his own majestic light." So funny, so perfectly said.
And then there's charming, unassuming, adorable Hadley, host of her own top-rated show, At Home with Hadley. She's so Southerny sweet I'm convinced she has a double-breasted white chef's jacket with a monogram on it. After all, if a recipe calls for "enough cream to take a bath in" you are definitely Southern.
So begins their competition on America's Fiercest Chef and in their personal lives, and the food fight is on. Somewhere along the way, Bethany Turner begins to wave her culinary wand over this far-fetched odd pairing and next thing you know I'm having sympathy pangs for Ole Max! What? Such are Turner's magical powers of persuasion, also known as masterful writing.
By story's end Max is throwing caution to the wind and baring his soul with his on-air confessions, making himself completely vulnerable all for the sake of love. I'm cringing at his revelations, but I kind of love him too. Then Turner does what Turner does, she makes me laugh with Max's reply about what moments will make it into the promos with his sardonic comment, "Yeah I don't know. Do you think we gave them anything to work with?" So self-deprecating and hilarious. Max has miraculously become a likable, dare I say, lovable guy!
I love a good happy ever after and Turner delivers an ending worthy of a Tournament of Champions crown. I appreciate Revell through Netgalley making a copy of Hadley Beckett's Next Dish available for review. All thoughts and comments are my very own.
I like how Hadley put it, "..while laying low out of the public limelight, he had probably developed a vitamin D deficiency. He hadn't had nearly enough chances to soak in the rays of his own majestic light." So funny, so perfectly said.
And then there's charming, unassuming, adorable Hadley, host of her own top-rated show, At Home with Hadley. She's so Southerny sweet I'm convinced she has a double-breasted white chef's jacket with a monogram on it. After all, if a recipe calls for "enough cream to take a bath in" you are definitely Southern.
So begins their competition on America's Fiercest Chef and in their personal lives, and the food fight is on. Somewhere along the way, Bethany Turner begins to wave her culinary wand over this far-fetched odd pairing and next thing you know I'm having sympathy pangs for Ole Max! What? Such are Turner's magical powers of persuasion, also known as masterful writing.
By story's end Max is throwing caution to the wind and baring his soul with his on-air confessions, making himself completely vulnerable all for the sake of love. I'm cringing at his revelations, but I kind of love him too. Then Turner does what Turner does, she makes me laugh with Max's reply about what moments will make it into the promos with his sardonic comment, "Yeah I don't know. Do you think we gave them anything to work with?" So self-deprecating and hilarious. Max has miraculously become a likable, dare I say, lovable guy!
I love a good happy ever after and Turner delivers an ending worthy of a Tournament of Champions crown. I appreciate Revell through Netgalley making a copy of Hadley Beckett's Next Dish available for review. All thoughts and comments are my very own.
April 28, 2020
This is definitely my favorite Bethany Turner book! I love the chemistry between Hadley and Max! Be warned that this book will make you hungry! I love the humor in this, but also the message of forgiveness. This is a very enjoyable book!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
May 22, 2020
We all know when a Southern woman says "bless your heart" that it isn't always an endearment.
I have fallen head over heels for Hadley Beckett and her adorable southern charm. In Next Dish, Hadley’s composure and prayer is put to the test when she goes head to head with renowned Chef, Maxwell Cavanagh. As the competition in the kitchen heats up so does the chemistry between these two and lets just say that I've learned a few new things besides telling someone to kiss my grits.
Hadley is hilarious. As a character she is so easy to connect with. She has her quirks and mental battles that a lot of women have and it makes her feel like she can be your best friend. Almost like I was sitting on the couch with her drinking sweet tea and gossiping about infuriating men. I loved it. It did take me a bit longer to come around to Cavanagh but I think that added to his backstory in the end.
There are really great themes in this book too. Undertones of alcoholism, coping and standing up for your values and dreams are woven through the pages. This is my first contemporary romance with a little bit of prayer and a good bit of humor that kept me flipping pages for the outcome.
Highly recommend for those looking for a bit of laughter, chemistry and heartwarming battle of the sexes.
I have fallen head over heels for Hadley Beckett and her adorable southern charm. In Next Dish, Hadley’s composure and prayer is put to the test when she goes head to head with renowned Chef, Maxwell Cavanagh. As the competition in the kitchen heats up so does the chemistry between these two and lets just say that I've learned a few new things besides telling someone to kiss my grits.
Hadley is hilarious. As a character she is so easy to connect with. She has her quirks and mental battles that a lot of women have and it makes her feel like she can be your best friend. Almost like I was sitting on the couch with her drinking sweet tea and gossiping about infuriating men. I loved it. It did take me a bit longer to come around to Cavanagh but I think that added to his backstory in the end.
There are really great themes in this book too. Undertones of alcoholism, coping and standing up for your values and dreams are woven through the pages. This is my first contemporary romance with a little bit of prayer and a good bit of humor that kept me flipping pages for the outcome.
Highly recommend for those looking for a bit of laughter, chemistry and heartwarming battle of the sexes.
Read
May 26, 2020I needed something light and fun. This book did the trick! Absolutely my favorite of Turner's books so far. The humor is a bit more subtle in this one, which I like!
September 18, 2020
My review on my website www.bookread2day.wordpress.com
Twitter @bookpage5
I love watching cooking contest shows. My favourite cooking show is Sugar Rush where contestants bake cakes.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, dialogue is spot on it comes across so well from the way a film crew would really speak, and with pointing out which camera to look at. It very cleverly written in how the chapters actually makes you feel this is a real live cooking show 🍴 that you are part off watching.
In Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, there’s two days of filming a TV cooking Contest show, 🍽 and Hadley is getting a bit nervous.
Who will win America’s Fiercest Chef? 🏆 Who will the judges chose? Which one chef will carry the mantle and the title?
At the beginning of the show, there was eight contestants, but now there are just two left, that means Hadley Beckett is working alongside Max Canvanagh in the TV cooking contest. 🎛 Max is full of insults and walking all over everyone in the show.
This is the moment when everyone loves watching cooking shows, it’s time for chef Beckett and chef Cavanagh, to bring their dishes 🍛 🍵 forward to be judged. Hadley Beckett couldn’t believe it when her name was announced first as the winner.
This story becomes even more entertaining after Max causing a scene when Hadley won, security removes Max from the set.
After Hadley Beckett winning the show she had the best manager in Nashfield. But Leo Landry wants to be her manager giving her a show of her own At Home With Hadley. Will she accept?
Meanwhile Max Cavanagh visits Hadley.
My favourite line by Max Cavanaugh: I just wanted to apologize I was really awful to you those two days! and you deserved better. Sorry.
Will Hadley Beckett make up with Maxwell Canavagh?
What’s to look forward to s a beautiful story about cooking with plenty of witty humour and giving someone a second chance with romance ❤️ to fill your reading days.
Twitter @bookpage5
I love watching cooking contest shows. My favourite cooking show is Sugar Rush where contestants bake cakes.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, dialogue is spot on it comes across so well from the way a film crew would really speak, and with pointing out which camera to look at. It very cleverly written in how the chapters actually makes you feel this is a real live cooking show 🍴 that you are part off watching.
In Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, there’s two days of filming a TV cooking Contest show, 🍽 and Hadley is getting a bit nervous.
Who will win America’s Fiercest Chef? 🏆 Who will the judges chose? Which one chef will carry the mantle and the title?
At the beginning of the show, there was eight contestants, but now there are just two left, that means Hadley Beckett is working alongside Max Canvanagh in the TV cooking contest. 🎛 Max is full of insults and walking all over everyone in the show.
This is the moment when everyone loves watching cooking shows, it’s time for chef Beckett and chef Cavanagh, to bring their dishes 🍛 🍵 forward to be judged. Hadley Beckett couldn’t believe it when her name was announced first as the winner.
This story becomes even more entertaining after Max causing a scene when Hadley won, security removes Max from the set.
After Hadley Beckett winning the show she had the best manager in Nashfield. But Leo Landry wants to be her manager giving her a show of her own At Home With Hadley. Will she accept?
Meanwhile Max Cavanagh visits Hadley.
My favourite line by Max Cavanaugh: I just wanted to apologize I was really awful to you those two days! and you deserved better. Sorry.
Will Hadley Beckett make up with Maxwell Canavagh?
What’s to look forward to s a beautiful story about cooking with plenty of witty humour and giving someone a second chance with romance ❤️ to fill your reading days.
June 10, 2020
“Hadley Beckett's Next Dish” was an unexpected and well received Christian romance novel that took me by surprise with the character development, heavily culinary focus plot that is typically pushed aside to focus on the romance aspect in other culinary romances and the thoroughly researched behind the scenes food industry details the author included that made the reader feel like they were right there alongside Hadley and Max on Renowned.
This was far more impressive than I initially thought it would be. It was a charming and riveting read filled with second chances, forgiveness, romance, humor, friendship and of course mouthwatering food! The believable characters and gripping storyline made this an instant page turner and a must read for 2020.
May 12, 2020
This is not the first book I have read by this author. I have read another one or two more books from this author and enjoyed them. Therefore, I was excited to read this latest book. I know that there is humor to be expected from reading books by this author.
Yes, this book did have some funny moments that had me laughing. Yet, it was not enough to keep my full interest or love for this book. Hadley is sweet but I would have thought after being crowned the winner that she would have been a bit more assertive. Also, there was not enough lead time to allow me to get to know Max in a better setting before he and Hadley had to work together. Therefore, I found my affection for him to be "mild".
In addition, it really felt like the story took a while to get started. I felt like it started at the midway point; which is a bit long to have a story start. Yet, this is just my personal feelings about this book. Other readers seemed to have connected better with Hadley, Max and the overall tone of this book.
Yes, this book did have some funny moments that had me laughing. Yet, it was not enough to keep my full interest or love for this book. Hadley is sweet but I would have thought after being crowned the winner that she would have been a bit more assertive. Also, there was not enough lead time to allow me to get to know Max in a better setting before he and Hadley had to work together. Therefore, I found my affection for him to be "mild".
In addition, it really felt like the story took a while to get started. I felt like it started at the midway point; which is a bit long to have a story start. Yet, this is just my personal feelings about this book. Other readers seemed to have connected better with Hadley, Max and the overall tone of this book.
Read
April 2, 2020[Gifted]
A fun, lighthearted romance between two celebrity chefs who have been set up by PR to be 'rivals'. A great read but in some places I was confused by the logic of the discussions, and I was left wanting to see more of their world and public reactions to what was happening. But it sucked me in and I read the whole thing in one sitting!
A fun, lighthearted romance between two celebrity chefs who have been set up by PR to be 'rivals'. A great read but in some places I was confused by the logic of the discussions, and I was left wanting to see more of their world and public reactions to what was happening. But it sucked me in and I read the whole thing in one sitting!
April 23, 2020
I think the foodies out there will enjoy this book as it follows two chefs as the main characters. I'm not one to sit and watch the food network, but admit that the premise still drew me in. As is the case with each of Bethany Turner's books, I laughed out loud with some of the one-liners and references to pop culture. I would classify this book as a clean-read rather than Christian fiction.
May 12, 2020
I am fond of Bethany Turner and her off-beat humor especially in her new release Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish. The cover is artfully done and captures the story very well. First blue is my favorite color. The two spotlights hint at the two celebrities, Hadley and Max. The heart apostrophe tells us there is a romance in store. The crossed rolling pin and knife says there is conflict within the pages and the whisk could mean stirring the pot or blending a smoothie.
Readers are in for a treat worthy of any pastry chef or prime grade steak.
Downhome Hadley and sophisticated Max each have their own program on The Culinary Channel and then face off on a competition show. Join them for an unexpected but delicious resolution to what could be a kitchen disaster.
Max learns a lesson in humility and sees that he can change, showcasing Hadley as forgiving and supportive.
As in her other two hooks, Ms. Turner brings in humorous banter and references to iconic films and TV programs. I love how Hadley handles her temper, not by counting to ten, but reciting kitchen terms alphabetically: “Filet knife, Grapefruit knife, Herb knife, Ice pick.” And the cooking related chapter headings was a master stroke.
Of the other characters, Meemaw, is a force to be reckoned with, having once been a manager for the likes of Dolly Parton.
This was an all around triumph in the Rom Com genre. 5 Michelin stars for this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads blogger program. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Readers are in for a treat worthy of any pastry chef or prime grade steak.
Downhome Hadley and sophisticated Max each have their own program on The Culinary Channel and then face off on a competition show. Join them for an unexpected but delicious resolution to what could be a kitchen disaster.
Max learns a lesson in humility and sees that he can change, showcasing Hadley as forgiving and supportive.
As in her other two hooks, Ms. Turner brings in humorous banter and references to iconic films and TV programs. I love how Hadley handles her temper, not by counting to ten, but reciting kitchen terms alphabetically: “Filet knife, Grapefruit knife, Herb knife, Ice pick.” And the cooking related chapter headings was a master stroke.
Of the other characters, Meemaw, is a force to be reckoned with, having once been a manager for the likes of Dolly Parton.
This was an all around triumph in the Rom Com genre. 5 Michelin stars for this one!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Reads blogger program. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
August 6, 2020
Definitely my favorite by Bethany so far!
4/5 stars! Full review to come.
4/5 stars! Full review to come.
April 5, 2020
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is everything I needed from this book. It’s light and funny, but doesn’t shy away from some deeper topics. It’s relaxing to read and just so much fun. It’s sexy but clean, redemptive but not preachy, has lots of yummy food to imagine eating, and have I mentioned how fun it is to read?
Hadley Beckett is an up and coming chef. She has Michelin stars, restaurants, magazines and even her own cooking show, At Home With Hadley. Her latest accomplishment is making it through the finals of America’s Fiercest Chef. But when her competitor, the foul-mouthed and rude Max Cavanaugh, throws a temper tantrum when she wins, her moment of triumph is dampened. A few months on, Hadley is offered the chance to feature on her most favourite cooking show, the only catch is that she must work alongside Max. Max claims he has changed, but Hadley’s not sure she can trust him.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish had me doing a complete 180 when reading it. I went from hating Max and thinking there was no way he was good enough for Hadley (after reading the first chapter, I even went back to check the synopsis because I thought he couldn’t possibly be the love interest) to rooting so hard for the characters. Oh my gosh. I loved them both so much. You know how some books just don’t give you enough time spent between the two love interests and it’s hard to believe their relationship or growing feelings? This is not that book. The majority of the book is spend with the two characters interacting, face-to-face, texting, phone calls, while shooting on the cooking show, cooking, arguing, facing off. We get to see them in so many situations and I adored their banter, teasing, full-out fighting and every moment in between.
Talk about character transformation. Max goes from completely and utterly unlikable to really, really likeable. He learns, but so does Hadley. As they work together, they reveal some hurts from the past and some hard truths. It’s open and raw but ultimately backed with good humour and care. There is also plenty of kissing. Just saying.
I really enjoy Bethany Turner’s writing style. It’s flippant, fresh and funny. I’m going to categorise this book as romance, clean or women’s fiction but not Christian fiction. Hadley mentions Jesus once and forgiveness is also referenced once, but faith isn’t considered beyond that nor are the transformations the characters experience attributed to anything more than “something else out here”. Yes, this is a book about cooking shows but food doesn’t steal the focus from the characters or the relationships too much so I was able to read it without massive cravings.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is guaranteed to have you smiling the whole time and it’s the perfect romantic and lighthearted read.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
Hadley Beckett is an up and coming chef. She has Michelin stars, restaurants, magazines and even her own cooking show, At Home With Hadley. Her latest accomplishment is making it through the finals of America’s Fiercest Chef. But when her competitor, the foul-mouthed and rude Max Cavanaugh, throws a temper tantrum when she wins, her moment of triumph is dampened. A few months on, Hadley is offered the chance to feature on her most favourite cooking show, the only catch is that she must work alongside Max. Max claims he has changed, but Hadley’s not sure she can trust him.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish had me doing a complete 180 when reading it. I went from hating Max and thinking there was no way he was good enough for Hadley (after reading the first chapter, I even went back to check the synopsis because I thought he couldn’t possibly be the love interest) to rooting so hard for the characters. Oh my gosh. I loved them both so much. You know how some books just don’t give you enough time spent between the two love interests and it’s hard to believe their relationship or growing feelings? This is not that book. The majority of the book is spend with the two characters interacting, face-to-face, texting, phone calls, while shooting on the cooking show, cooking, arguing, facing off. We get to see them in so many situations and I adored their banter, teasing, full-out fighting and every moment in between.
Talk about character transformation. Max goes from completely and utterly unlikable to really, really likeable. He learns, but so does Hadley. As they work together, they reveal some hurts from the past and some hard truths. It’s open and raw but ultimately backed with good humour and care. There is also plenty of kissing. Just saying.
I really enjoy Bethany Turner’s writing style. It’s flippant, fresh and funny. I’m going to categorise this book as romance, clean or women’s fiction but not Christian fiction. Hadley mentions Jesus once and forgiveness is also referenced once, but faith isn’t considered beyond that nor are the transformations the characters experience attributed to anything more than “something else out here”. Yes, this is a book about cooking shows but food doesn’t steal the focus from the characters or the relationships too much so I was able to read it without massive cravings.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is guaranteed to have you smiling the whole time and it’s the perfect romantic and lighthearted read.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog Madison's Library
June 11, 2020
Um, I love Bethany Turner's books. That is all.
Just kidding.
I really do love her books. They make my laugh, giggle, and snort - which is great when I'm reading on my lunch break because people wonder what the heck is wrong with me. And sometimes my family will look at me that way too. But Turner's ability to include comedy into her stories so effortlessly is the reason I keep coming back to them. They bring me joy. They pick me up on a bad day. And they are just so fun to read!
Something else Turner is good at? Romance. It's not your everyday, Hallmarky romance that you wish happened in real life. It's today's kind of romance - full of laughs, mistakes, broken promises, driving each other crazy, and the kind of sizzle you can't make up! The characters are relatable, more so than I expected going into this. I mean, what do I have in common with a drunken chef? Or a female chef that has her own show!? Turns out, a lot! Both characters needed growth in their personal lives, which ended up bringing them together in such a sweet, unique way. There's something to be said about a romance between two people that can't stand to be around each other, at least on the surface. Yep, I loved it.
RomCom fans will easily fall in love with Hadley, Max, and their stories. Love, laughter, and second chances fill the pages of this delightful read. Highly recommend!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Just kidding.
I really do love her books. They make my laugh, giggle, and snort - which is great when I'm reading on my lunch break because people wonder what the heck is wrong with me. And sometimes my family will look at me that way too. But Turner's ability to include comedy into her stories so effortlessly is the reason I keep coming back to them. They bring me joy. They pick me up on a bad day. And they are just so fun to read!
Something else Turner is good at? Romance. It's not your everyday, Hallmarky romance that you wish happened in real life. It's today's kind of romance - full of laughs, mistakes, broken promises, driving each other crazy, and the kind of sizzle you can't make up! The characters are relatable, more so than I expected going into this. I mean, what do I have in common with a drunken chef? Or a female chef that has her own show!? Turns out, a lot! Both characters needed growth in their personal lives, which ended up bringing them together in such a sweet, unique way. There's something to be said about a romance between two people that can't stand to be around each other, at least on the surface. Yep, I loved it.
RomCom fans will easily fall in love with Hadley, Max, and their stories. Love, laughter, and second chances fill the pages of this delightful read. Highly recommend!! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 30, 2020
Bethany Turner's latest romantic comedy novel has just the right balance of comedy and depth.
Hadley Beckett and Maxwell Cavanagh are both popular chefs. They are also vastly different. Hadley has southern charm and lives in Nashville. Maxwell is crass, self-centered and travels more than lives at his home in New York. The two chefs compete on a reality show and it's a bit like watching a train wreck as drunken Maxwell unravels.
I loved seeing Maxwell's character change which came across as plausible given he continued to struggle at times with his thoughts and words.
The chapter titles, such as "Allow to cool." were super fun. Favorite quote: "HadBeck has completely rewritten the recipe of my life. She took her sloppy, delicious, maddening technique and got flour all over everything. And now I can't even imagine a version that doesn't have as much butter."
Even the Acknowledgments made me laugh with Turner sharing she always wanted to do something original like write a haiku.
I enjoyed my visit to the reality television cooking world with Hadley and Maxwell. My gratitude to the author and publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Hadley Beckett and Maxwell Cavanagh are both popular chefs. They are also vastly different. Hadley has southern charm and lives in Nashville. Maxwell is crass, self-centered and travels more than lives at his home in New York. The two chefs compete on a reality show and it's a bit like watching a train wreck as drunken Maxwell unravels.
I loved seeing Maxwell's character change which came across as plausible given he continued to struggle at times with his thoughts and words.
The chapter titles, such as "Allow to cool." were super fun. Favorite quote: "HadBeck has completely rewritten the recipe of my life. She took her sloppy, delicious, maddening technique and got flour all over everything. And now I can't even imagine a version that doesn't have as much butter."
Even the Acknowledgments made me laugh with Turner sharing she always wanted to do something original like write a haiku.
I enjoyed my visit to the reality television cooking world with Hadley and Maxwell. My gratitude to the author and publisher Revell for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.
May 10, 2020
3.5 stars
"With her 'y'all come back' and her 'kiss my grits' . . . her?"
Chef Max Cavanagh was a force to be reckoned with under normal circumstances, but under the influence of alcohol on a nationally televised cooking competition (which he mis-understandably thought that he should have won), Max takes out his anger on the wildly popular Hadley Beckett, whose mortification by his behavior only serves to tank his career and elevate hers.
Fast forward. It's time for an apology. Will the sweet, genuine, and talented Hadley Beckett be able to co-exist alongside this new version of Max Cavanagh. . . . . . because there's something marinating in their so-called "kitchen" that will demand spending much more time in each other's company.
From competitors to co-conspirators to companions (if by companions you mean sharing kisses), Max and Hadley will steal the hearts of their readers with their constant, sometimes ridiculous banter. . . ."in sickness, poorer, and worse, right"? Enjoy this clean, romantic comedy for all it's worth!
I receivec a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
"With her 'y'all come back' and her 'kiss my grits' . . . her?"
Chef Max Cavanagh was a force to be reckoned with under normal circumstances, but under the influence of alcohol on a nationally televised cooking competition (which he mis-understandably thought that he should have won), Max takes out his anger on the wildly popular Hadley Beckett, whose mortification by his behavior only serves to tank his career and elevate hers.
Fast forward. It's time for an apology. Will the sweet, genuine, and talented Hadley Beckett be able to co-exist alongside this new version of Max Cavanagh. . . . . . because there's something marinating in their so-called "kitchen" that will demand spending much more time in each other's company.
From competitors to co-conspirators to companions (if by companions you mean sharing kisses), Max and Hadley will steal the hearts of their readers with their constant, sometimes ridiculous banter. . . ."in sickness, poorer, and worse, right"? Enjoy this clean, romantic comedy for all it's worth!
I receivec a copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Read
December 10, 2020What a fun read. I laughed out loud, which was exactly what I needed to do. This is my favorite book from Bethany Turner so far. If you enjoy clean rom coms, she's your girl.
May 24, 2020
The conflict in Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is fantastic. From the initial riveting prologue and story setup, I was anxious to see how Hadley would go from despising Max to liking him – let alone actually finding a friendship and romance with him. But trust Bethany Turner to take all these “seemingly” unrelated ingredients and deliver a “dish” that’s as fun as it is memorable. Filled with all the pop culture (and foodie!) references I’ve come to love in Bethany’s voice, this story is an enemies-to-lovers romance at its finest.
I LOVE MAX. And Hadley, of course 😉
Only Bethany Turner could transform a hero in such a dynamic way. Max has met his match with Hadley, and it’s a thrill to see them pitted against one another — and their grudging friendship turn into sparks of the romantic kind. Aside from the hilarious romcom genius of this story, a strong thread of second chances and healing interweaves the culinary world of Max and Hadley. Facades, public image, and honesty are all dealt with in fresh ways.
The cliMAX (see what I did there?) of the story is unexpected in the most refreshing way! The momentum never stops, and the resolution is played out surprisingly when I would have expected a literary trope or a predictable direction. To reveal just how it stands out and plays on a bit of teamwork would reveal too much, so trust me when I say it is perfection!
I enjoyed all the FOOD, culinary and food-celeb references, and the banter of this novel. The quick wit of Hadley and Max, layered and complicated by their relationship, combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining novel with dimension and plenty of flavor! One of my favorite tiny things about this story was Hadley’s penchant for silently reciting “kitchen ABCs” when she is upset: Apples. Beef stroganoff. Cumin. Dicer.
Now I’m off to cook something, because all the kitchen talk in the novel has made me hungry 😉
Thanks to the publisher, Revell, for the review copy. This is my honest review.
I LOVE MAX. And Hadley, of course 😉
Only Bethany Turner could transform a hero in such a dynamic way. Max has met his match with Hadley, and it’s a thrill to see them pitted against one another — and their grudging friendship turn into sparks of the romantic kind. Aside from the hilarious romcom genius of this story, a strong thread of second chances and healing interweaves the culinary world of Max and Hadley. Facades, public image, and honesty are all dealt with in fresh ways.
The cliMAX (see what I did there?) of the story is unexpected in the most refreshing way! The momentum never stops, and the resolution is played out surprisingly when I would have expected a literary trope or a predictable direction. To reveal just how it stands out and plays on a bit of teamwork would reveal too much, so trust me when I say it is perfection!
I enjoyed all the FOOD, culinary and food-celeb references, and the banter of this novel. The quick wit of Hadley and Max, layered and complicated by their relationship, combine to make this a thoroughly entertaining novel with dimension and plenty of flavor! One of my favorite tiny things about this story was Hadley’s penchant for silently reciting “kitchen ABCs” when she is upset: Apples. Beef stroganoff. Cumin. Dicer.
Now I’m off to cook something, because all the kitchen talk in the novel has made me hungry 😉
Thanks to the publisher, Revell, for the review copy. This is my honest review.
May 4, 2020
This book had me reading into the late hours and into the next day. Although Max did not start off a likable person (Prologue was craziness!) I could tell soon he would be a redeemable hero. My heart melted towards him because I really love a redeemable hero. His growth captivated and pulled me into the story. Now to mention the nods to cooking shows!
If you’re a fan of Food Network, then this book is definitely for you. You'll see bits and pieces from your favorite shows and grin with all the Pop culture references Bethany Turner is known for.
And y’all, #HadBeck had one of the best epilogues ever. Seriously adorable and just the icing on the cake of this delectable read.
Another 5 star read from Ms. Turner!
*I received complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
If you’re a fan of Food Network, then this book is definitely for you. You'll see bits and pieces from your favorite shows and grin with all the Pop culture references Bethany Turner is known for.
And y’all, #HadBeck had one of the best epilogues ever. Seriously adorable and just the icing on the cake of this delectable read.
Another 5 star read from Ms. Turner!
*I received complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.
September 20, 2022
Romcom with LoL moments? Yes, please! This one did not disappoint.
December 31, 2020
Funny and romantic
My rating is 4.5 stars
Food, flirtation, and fun.
After a disastrous meeting on a food competition, in which Max proved himself to be a complete jerk, Hadley would have been happy never to see him again. And yet, life seldom turns out the way we plan, does it?
So, Max. Seriously, he was a real piece of work! Obnoxious, chauvinistic, rude, foul-mouthed. Oh, and drunk on public television. None of the chefs on the show escaped his attitude. And yet, after time in rehab where he truly began to examine himself, he really did change. Was he perfect? Hah! That would have been too easy, as well as unrealistic. However, he certainly changed for the better and had me rooting for him.
Hadley was so cute. A Southern gal from Tennessee, she was very down-to-earth. So much so that Max doubted her to be genuine. I couldn't help but like Hadley right away. I loved her anger-management technique of reciting kitchen items for each letter of the alphabet!
I really enjoyed the cooking aspects of the show. It was fun how different Hadley's and Max's styles and types of foods they specialized in were. They reflected the differences in their personalities well. The behind-the-scenes type details about being a celebrity chef were the whipped cream and the cherry on top!
Despite finding common ground, the two chefs continued to struggle with tempers and trust. The twists were fun as both Hadley and Max experienced personal transformations.
Full of humorous banter, delicious food, and sweet romantic moments, Hadley Beckett's Next Dish was a delight to the senses! Oh, and I had fun with the chapter names, too! Each was named after steps in a recipe. It would have been fun to see them all listed together (my pre-order copy didn't have this) so I could see if they actually made sense as directions for a single recipe. Probably not, but. . .
A few specifics that I enjoyed about the story
When they dissected the smells in the air to figure out what Max wanted to order for breakfast
In fact, all the ways Max encouraged Hadley to use her "greatest tool" for cooking - her nose
The way Hadley's neck colored when she was angry. Or embarrassed. Or thinking about Max.
The transformed Max. He really turned out to be a great guy
The first recipes they cooked on the new program and the process of the cooking
Their escapes from the cameras when things got obnoxious
Although this thoroughly fun and enjoyable story is listed on Amazon as Christian fiction, I don't classify it that way. While it is entirely clean and even has references to prayer and Jesus, there is nothing about Max's life change attributed to the redemptive power of the Lord. The spiritual items were not a theme in the story.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
My rating is 4.5 stars
Food, flirtation, and fun.
After a disastrous meeting on a food competition, in which Max proved himself to be a complete jerk, Hadley would have been happy never to see him again. And yet, life seldom turns out the way we plan, does it?
So, Max. Seriously, he was a real piece of work! Obnoxious, chauvinistic, rude, foul-mouthed. Oh, and drunk on public television. None of the chefs on the show escaped his attitude. And yet, after time in rehab where he truly began to examine himself, he really did change. Was he perfect? Hah! That would have been too easy, as well as unrealistic. However, he certainly changed for the better and had me rooting for him.
Hadley was so cute. A Southern gal from Tennessee, she was very down-to-earth. So much so that Max doubted her to be genuine. I couldn't help but like Hadley right away. I loved her anger-management technique of reciting kitchen items for each letter of the alphabet!
I really enjoyed the cooking aspects of the show. It was fun how different Hadley's and Max's styles and types of foods they specialized in were. They reflected the differences in their personalities well. The behind-the-scenes type details about being a celebrity chef were the whipped cream and the cherry on top!
Despite finding common ground, the two chefs continued to struggle with tempers and trust. The twists were fun as both Hadley and Max experienced personal transformations.
Full of humorous banter, delicious food, and sweet romantic moments, Hadley Beckett's Next Dish was a delight to the senses! Oh, and I had fun with the chapter names, too! Each was named after steps in a recipe. It would have been fun to see them all listed together (my pre-order copy didn't have this) so I could see if they actually made sense as directions for a single recipe. Probably not, but. . .
A few specifics that I enjoyed about the story
When they dissected the smells in the air to figure out what Max wanted to order for breakfast
In fact, all the ways Max encouraged Hadley to use her "greatest tool" for cooking - her nose
The way Hadley's neck colored when she was angry. Or embarrassed. Or thinking about Max.
The transformed Max. He really turned out to be a great guy
The first recipes they cooked on the new program and the process of the cooking
Their escapes from the cameras when things got obnoxious
Although this thoroughly fun and enjoyable story is listed on Amazon as Christian fiction, I don't classify it that way. While it is entirely clean and even has references to prayer and Jesus, there is nothing about Max's life change attributed to the redemptive power of the Lord. The spiritual items were not a theme in the story.
Read my full review at Among the Reads
I was given a copy of this book. I was not required to give a favorable review nor was any money received for this review. All comments and opinions are my own.
May 7, 2020
So I've been on a romance/contemporary kick these last few months and I was super excited to pick this one up - romance, cooking, borderline reality TV, I was set. However, I don't know that this one lived up to my expectations.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for an honest review, as always, all opinions are my own.
This book follows Hadley Beckett of the TV cooking show, At Home with Hadley and Max Cavanagh, host of To the Max. After the two appear on a competition show and Max has a drunken meltdown and gets his show put on hiatus. Months later, Hadley is approached to appear on a season of the cooking show she used to watch with her father as a child and jumps at the chance - the only catch is she has to figure out how to work with fresh out of rehab Max who seems to want to make ammends, but is that actually the truth, or just a way to get himself back on the air?
Going into this book, I was really excited about it. Cooking and romance? What more could I hope for? But I don't know, there was just something about this one that didn't excite me as much as I wanted it too. I didn't mind Hadley as a character, her Southern charm was endearing, but I found the relationship between Hadley and Max a little rushed and not particularly compelling. There was a bit of tension and then next thing I knew, they were kissing. Normally, I don't mind a insta-love story but this was barely even a romance, just two characters thrown together. There was almost no chemistry between them.
Overall, I just felt like aside from the behind the scenes cooking show components, and the fact that this book was fairly short (at least the eARC was), there wasn't a lot that kept me interested in the story itself.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for providing me with an eARC for an honest review, as always, all opinions are my own.
This book follows Hadley Beckett of the TV cooking show, At Home with Hadley and Max Cavanagh, host of To the Max. After the two appear on a competition show and Max has a drunken meltdown and gets his show put on hiatus. Months later, Hadley is approached to appear on a season of the cooking show she used to watch with her father as a child and jumps at the chance - the only catch is she has to figure out how to work with fresh out of rehab Max who seems to want to make ammends, but is that actually the truth, or just a way to get himself back on the air?
Going into this book, I was really excited about it. Cooking and romance? What more could I hope for? But I don't know, there was just something about this one that didn't excite me as much as I wanted it too. I didn't mind Hadley as a character, her Southern charm was endearing, but I found the relationship between Hadley and Max a little rushed and not particularly compelling. There was a bit of tension and then next thing I knew, they were kissing. Normally, I don't mind a insta-love story but this was barely even a romance, just two characters thrown together. There was almost no chemistry between them.
Overall, I just felt like aside from the behind the scenes cooking show components, and the fact that this book was fairly short (at least the eARC was), there wasn't a lot that kept me interested in the story itself.
April 29, 2021
Its official, I just do better with audiobooks. I gave this a 2 star when I read it at first and listening to the book its definitely a 4 star book. One of the things I like about Bethany Turner is she's not afraid to write characters with faults. We as Christian makes mistakes. We all do no matter how hard we don't want too. Maxwell made a huge mistake on a cooking show and after getting help he is out to set things right, especially with Hadley who he hurt terribly. They didn't expect to be paired again on a cooking TV show after there last one that ended in disaster. The thing is both start to like each other. Can they fall in love? Maxwell is troubled and coming to terms with his alcohol problems and making things right for those he's hurt is the main story in this book. Can we made amends to those we hurt. Eventhough Hadley is hurt she shows him grace and this is the main plot in this book. How to give grace to those who has hurt us. Is Maxwell deserving? We all aren't but through God's grace we all can be forgiven. I am so thankful for Bethany writings and feel as a Christian we need to see more people who aren't perfect, flaws and all. I highly recommend this book and I am so glad I gave this book another chance!!
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