Love & Other Disasters

By: Anita Kelly

Narrated by: Lindsey Dorcus

Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic-comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate).

Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying - not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she's focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.

After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls - including a fellow contestant and their dad - wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.

As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Good-bye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen - and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.

©2022 Anita Kelly (P)2022 Forever

Critic reviews

"Sweet and sexy and wholly delicious. I'm head over heels for these two delightful disasters - three if you count Dahlia's magnificent hair as a separate character. Anita Kelly writes with tremendous warmth and care, and these pages shine with joy." (Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk)

“Kelly writes wildly charming, exquisitely vibrant, and achingly tender prose and has a unique gift for making readers feel safe, loved, and understood within her pages. This story is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable. I can’t wait to buy it for everyone I’ve ever met.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate)

"Sweet, spicy, with characters you won’t forget! I loved Dahlia and London’s growing chemistry and witty banter in this amazing foodie romance that had me wanting to eat all the food! But the perfect ingredient in this delicious story was watching how they each carved out space in their lives for each other." (Farah Heron, author of Accidentally Engaged)

title

the narrator doesn't know how to pronounce macarons 😂






words words words words words words

DNF

I just got bored. It felt kind of like an instructional video on transphobia. I suspect if I was non-binary I might find it soothing. I have enjoyed some books like that about identities I own. But a couple hours in and nothing has actually happened other than the characters existing. I was hoping for a little food porn to keep me interested but the dishes are boring too.

I love seeing this kind of representation

I loved reading a romance with a non-binary main character. Everyone regardless of gender identity deserves a happy ending and I love to see representation in romance!! Love and Other Disasters is a fun romance that takes place on the set of a reality cooking show. I liked the chemistry between Dahlia and London and was rooting for them. One plot line I wish had been resolved better is Dahlia’s feelings that she didn’t get as much attention on the show as London or Lizzy on the show because she wasn’t as controversial.

perfect cute cooking competition romance

I absolutely loved this book, I was already excited based solely off the premise and it exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend it.

Sweet & sexy queer love story

I really enjoyed this book. I loved that there was non-binary representation and presence of both supportive but also realistically difficult family relationships. The narrator did a great job creating distinct voices for the various characters, making it an easy listen. The love between the MCs was so sweet, my little gay heart loved it!

Adorable

Totally worth reading! My first time listening to a book with an obviously Non-Binary lead and it was so well written! If you’re usually a fan of sapphic/wlw romance, don’t brush past this one! The story is so sweet and worth the read.

LOVE IT!

Do yourself a favor and read this book! the narrator nailed it too! Such an original storyline and great representation

good book

The story was very good since it is about cooking and food. The performance was great. But it was terrible the way she treated her father. He loved his daughter, then she tells him she is no longer his daughter. That is confusing, what she? To cut him off just because he wants his daughter is wrong. Also the use of plural words when talking about a single person was hard to follow.

Love!

I honestly can't get enough. Well written, lots of tender moments. Honestly felt like I was there for all of the emotions.

Super cute!

Started off a little slow but ended up being such a heartwarming story and I ended up falling in love. This should be turned into a hallmark movie!