By day, Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant. After hours, she’s @JulieZeeEatsNYC, a social media restaurant reviewer with over fifty thousand followers. As much as she loves her self-employed side gig, what Julie really wants is to be a critic at a major newspaper, like the New York Scroll. The only thing worse than the Scroll’s rejection of her application is the fact that smarmy, social-media-averse society boy Bennett Richard Macalester Wright snagged her dream job.
While at the Central Park Food Festival, Julie confronts the annoyingly handsome Bennett about his outdated opinions on social media and posts the resulting video footage. Julie’s follower count soars—and so does the Scroll’s. Julie and Bennett grudgingly agree to partner up for a few reviews to further their buzz. Online buzz, obviously.
Over tapas, burgers, and more, Julie and Bennett connect over their shared love of food. But when the competitive fire between them turns extra spicy, they’ll have to decide how much heat their relationship can take.
Release Date: Feb 21, 2023
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Julie is a food reviewer/blogger who one daydreams of quitting her nine-to-five and living her passion full-time. She almost had the opportunity to be a food critic for the New York Scroll, but she got snubbed by Bennett. He is the total opposite of her and has all of the connections. No wonder he got the job. Julie thought she was over it until she sees him at the Central Park Food Festival and let him have it.
Bennett is intrigued by Julie and her wild hair. He may have found her cute if her antics at the festival didn’t go viral. Somehow everyone knows about the run-in, and the numbers are steadily climbing. Bennett may not be into social media like Julie, but he does see the potential in her social media presence. He offers her a partnership that she just can’t refuse.
The first interaction with Julie and Bennett is intense and almost comical. At first, Julie comes off as a strong-spirited independent woman. It is only halfway through the story that her antics started to grow thin. She is immature and oftentimes very judgmental. The author distracts from the enemies-to-lovers vibe with Julie’s behavior. She never shows growth.
Bennett became a saint in my eyes by the end. I don’t know how he fell in love with Julie. The romance is spotty and unrealistic in my eyes. I really end up liking this book better as a chick lit instead of the rom-com that it is intended to be. The vibe of New York, the friendship, and most importantly, the food is all that appealed to me.
Overall, this may not have been my cup of tea, but there are some enjoyable parts.
~ Samantha
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