Gosh, it's been a hot minute since I read a rom-com with a foodie twist to it. I forgot how much I love food talk in my books. This book is hands-down amazing! I am blown away by Katrina's writing and her ability to create a fun, engaging story with just the right amount of spice. If you like a story with food talk that will have your stomach growling with hunger, this book will be for you. I felt like I could smell and taste the food that Eden and Shang were creating. The food bits in this story were so well done. The story is entertaining and hooks you right from the first chapter.

I love it when an author takes a trope and puts their own unique spin on it. In this case, Katrina has taken the workplace romance trope and spun it so it takes place in this high-pressure, high-end restaurant environment. I loved this twist. The fast-paced, high-pressure work environment meant that we got to see these characters express heightened emotions that are often a result of being under a lot of stress. This means more drama, which we all know I love. I enjoyed just being in that kitchen with Eden and Shang and watching them work together. But it was also really wonderful to watch that working relationship change as Eden and Shang's personal relationship developed. There is also this mystery surrounding Shang and his relationship with his boss, Sebastian, and also this mystery around what caused Shang to change into a cold and distant person. As a reader, you know that these two mysterious are probably connected, but you don't know how.

I adored Eden and Shang. Their characters are just so relatable and likeable. There is this grumpy sunshine feel to their relationship, which I loved. Eden is a glass half full kind of person. She tries to put a positive spin on every situation. She is also a natural in the kitchen. Watching her cook was great; her passion for food leaps from the pages. I just couldn't help but root for her. Shang starts out as the typical broody, grumpy, don't talk to me hero. But that soft side quickly comes out whenever he is alone with Eden. He feels that connection with her almost right away. It is pure catnip to my bookworm soul when a grumpy hero is only sweet and soft to the heroine. It just makes my heart pitter patter a little faster. Shang's character grows tremendously in this story. When we first met him, he had lost his passion for cooking and didn't know what to do to reignite that passion. Of course, as Shang spends time with Eden, he is going to start to remember why he loved cooking and what he really wants to do with his life.

The romance was delicious, and it's pretty clear that Katrina knows what makes a good rom-com. The chemistry between these two was so yummy and real. I loved their fun and witty banter. It was great seeing these two work together. But you know what makes their relationship so wonderful to me was the way they used food as a love language. Eden and Shang create dishes they think the other will love and dishes that mean something to them as a way of sharing their past with each other. It was such a unique way to build that connection between the two MCs.

Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love is a satisfying and easy-to-love rom-com, and I would recommend it to any bookworm who loves books bursting with delicious food talk.

A perfect dash of everything that makes a good romance. Absolutely loved it!
The writing was superb from the get go, I was two chapters in and realized that I was flying through the pages, it was just really engaging.
I need to confess though that I'm a sucker for the whole grumpy × sunshine trope. There's something weirdly heartwarming about a closed off man who only opens up to his girl and turns into a goofball whenever they are together.
Shang and Eden were such a power couple, they had their faults and imperfections but they did own up to them. I liked how adult they were. Especially how the author manged to write Eden as adorable without turning her into a childish mess. A feat nowadays in the genre.
The plot was really great, there were some parts that were handled too conveniently to be considered authentic but I wasn't that effed about it.
Highly recommend.
*I received an ARC of this book through netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Katrina Kwan's Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love is a delightful and fiery workplace romance that expertly blends passion with culinary precision. Alexander Chen, a hotheaded celebrity chef with a chip on his shoulder, is the perfect foil to the bubbly and determined Eden Monroe, his new and inexperienced sous chef. Their dynamic in the kitchen is electric, filled with tension and sharp exchanges that keep the reader hooked. Kwan masterfully captures the high-stakes environment of a top-tier kitchen, where tempers flare as easily as the burners.

The novel shines in its portrayal of Alexander and Eden's evolving relationship. The contrast between Alexander's harsh exterior and his past as the kind-hearted Shang adds depth to his character, making the moments of vulnerability all the more impactful. Eden’s determination to succeed, despite her shaky qualifications and secret past connection with Alexander, adds a layer of intrigue. While the plot follows some familiar romantic tropes, the chemistry between the leads and the intense, flavorful setting make Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love a thoroughly enjoyable read.

OMG I’M LITERALLY OBSESSED!!! I absolutely sped through this, I literally couldn’t put it down and was still reading at 2am. LOVED IT!

Thank you to Netgalley, Penguin Random House Canada, and Katrina Kwan for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fans of high stress kitchen drama, The Bear, will appreciate the tension and grumpiness of our lead. If you've worked back of house before- you'll be scandalized by a Chef/Sous Chef romance. (This comment is deeply sarcastic and also not.. my lived experience is mostly BOH/FOH romances so BOH/BOH would have had me popping popcorn and watching intently from my perch.)

The backstories and trauma really bring this story together. I would have liked to learn more exactly about how Sebastian weasled his way between Shang and his Uncle.. but that's what my imagination is for!

I love the concept of this one but sadly I couldn’t get past the writing style, which is just a personal preference. But I’m here for more chef romance books!!

3/5⭐️

Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan is a sweet and spicy workplace romance that will make you hungry AND thirsty! The characters were interesting, the workplace dynamic created great drama, the plot was mostly believable and the spicy scenes were really HOT!

My one issue stems from some of the dialogue; this is supposed to be set in the US, and the characters are American, yet some of the dialogue is clearly either British or Canadian. This is a major pet peeve of mine: if you are going to set a novel in the US with American characters and then market it in the US, have an editor that can fix the dialogue and make it believable for an American audience. Otherwise, the dialogue becomes a distraction and takes away from the suspended disbelief. But there were only a couple instances of this. Overall, this was a very enjoyable read with some real character development and depth toward the end.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e-galley!

Dual pov, chef romance, workplace romance, orphan, Asian mmc, overcoming life

I am honestly just not in the mood to read right now. If I was in a better mindset I do think I would’ve enjoyed this book more than I did, but I’m not and I didn’t. For me it was just the pacing that was off. I felt like it built up really well and then they went straight from friends to lovers. I would’ve enjoyed seeing them be friends and slowly open up to each other that way than jump straight into a romantic relationship.

I did love the individual plot that the characters went on. Eden finding her birth mother and realizing she was better off and Shang letting go of what he’s been told in the past and reconnecting with his parents.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an early read of this book. All thought are my own, I do not accept money for reviews

A spicy, dual POV, workplace romance between the head chef and his new sous chef. This was full of humor and HEAT and tons of great food. Plus there were a lot of insights into the inner workings of a restaurant kitchen. Great on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jackie Lau or Opal Wei. I look forward to reading more by this new debut Canadian author! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you to Random House Canada for the eARC.

This was the perfect romance novel for people like me, who like fancy food and have watched a lot of Gordon Ramsey TV shows.

Alexander is kind of the Gordon Ramsey here. He has three Michelin stars and his staff are all scared of him. Enter Eden—who once knew him as a shy boy named Shang (but he doesn’t initially remember her). She’s the only one to stand up to the beast and despite denying it, he wants to protect and take care of her.

While the story is a little predictable, I liked that Shang and Eden didn’t immediately fall in love and solve all their professional problems. They both had childhood trauma to deal with but were so supportive of each other. And I loved the little family they form with the other chefs and how everyone welcomed Shang, despite him being a total jerk boss at the beginning.

The epilogue made my heart happy and will absolutely read more from this author.

This is my first Katrina Kwan book and it probably won't be the last.
I must say I was drawn to this book because of the title and the cover. Didn't read the blurb because I like to dive in blind, and I was really surprised.
Chef/sous chef romance is really refreshing, the themes are also not the ones often showcased in romance books; I sincerely had a great time! It definitely screams The Bear and I really feel like this is authentic. The spice is also really spicing and not too cheesy.
But I must say, some details were missing for my liking, some french terms weren't correct (French speaking girly, I'm sorry!) and the layout was a bit wonky.
Also not a fan of 3rd person writing, but it's a personal liking.

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and Katrina Kwan for this ARC


*Workplace romance
*Grumpy x sunshine
*Food love language (duh!)
*Dirty talk

*out August 27, 2024* Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love by Katrina Kwan 4.5/5 🔪

I’m not usually one to super enjoy an instant love story, but I adored this one!! I found the relationship between Alexander/Shang and Eden to be so great. I enjoyed that they briefly knew each other and he couldn’t place her. I thought their relationship was believable enough to navigate their own respective baggage.

What sold me was the grumpy chef, and also being described as similar to the Bear. I really enjoyed the different conflicts in the plot and the reuniting with family components. Sincerely one of my fav romances this year!! PS: loved the spice ❣️

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Penguin Random House Canada for an ARC!

#knivesseasoningandadashoflove #katrinakwan #seattlewashington #randomhousecanada #newbook #booksbooksbooks #netgalley

Holy guacamole if this wasn't the best contemporary romance I've read this year. Coming off watching Bear this summer, jumping into Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love was the perfect combo of all the things I needed in my life.

This was a spicy workplace romance that for lack of better words ATE UP. The tension was so perfectly written and the spice was top tier. I literally couldn't put this book down. It has me saying Yes Chef every time someone brings it up. I loved the chemistry and how well Katrina writes this tension, conflict, and fantastic plot! If you don't have this on your Want to Read, this is your sign to add it! You won't regret it!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

It gets hot in this kitchen! Eden and Shang narrate this second chance (in more ways that one) sunshine/grump workplace romance. Eden, who left culinary school, gets hired for Shang's restaurant to make money to look for her birth family. Shang's stressed because this is his big chance, Sparks fly fast for these two but Kwan does well at keeping this about more than the spice. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Trope-y to be sure but also fun.

Okay - what a cute one! Knives, Seasoning, and a Dash of Love should definitely be added to your (never ending, I'm sure) TBR. Eden and Alexander and the perfect Grumpy Sunshine. They have great chemistry and shake things up in the kitchen. I enjoyed that their journey as they realized they were "missing a secret ingredient all along: a little dash of love."

What I loved:
🙂‍↕️I adored the ambiance of the book. Having worked in a restaurant myself, I appreciated the accurate portrayal of the kitchen environment — the jokes between characters, the kitchen stress, everything felt spot-on. It felt like we were part of the kitchen « family, » and the friend group provided real comfort. I absolutely loved their personalities! It made me miss my old job 🥲

The two main characters had unresolved issues that added depth to the main storyline. I enjoyed seeing them grow and open up, revealing their vulnerable sides. The exploration of burnout about a passion you once had and how it’s okay to not be okay really resonated with me, and I loved how it was approached.🫶🏼

The romance was charming, and the spice didn’t overshadow the plot. It was well-balanced and didn’t become overwhelming. The FMC and MMC were adorable together, she transformed his life, and his love for her was heartwarming. I already miss them🩵

🥹This was a fun rom-com that left me feeling cozy. With some really cute moments, it was an easy and enjoyable read overall!

What I didn’t love :
I’m struggling to pinpoint anything significant that I didn’t like. There’s nothing major that stands out to be honest!🧐

Do I recommend?
Yes I do! If you love a sweet romcom, workplace romance, grumpy x sunshine— seeing characters grow and learn, this is for you! I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did!

3.5 stars rounded up. Ill-tempered celebrity chef Alexander Chen is in dire need of a sous chef after his last one walked out on him. Desperate for a job, the talented but unfortunately underqualified Eden Monroe fudges her resume and lands the position. Mr. Grumpy and Ms. Sunshine butt heads as they run the kitchen of La Rouge, a Michelin 3-star restaurant.

For a novel with great East Asian representation, delicious descriptions of food and plenty of spice, I really wanted to like this more than I did. I found the author’s writing style refreshing and the book had many great elements, but I felt like it was trying to do too many things at once. The camaraderie and chemistry amongst the restaurant team is absolutely delightful, but when it came to the love line, the chemistry between the leads felt a bit forced in the beginning. Like I don’t know where it all began and he’s suddenly really into her. For the FMC, I kind of get it, since she remembers MMC from the olden days fondly. But he FORGOT her? Really??? I wanted to know what caused the MMC to change from cinnamon roll to fire-breathing dragon, but I don’t think I really got a clear answer to that. The third act couples drama was also quite…abrupt.

Without spoiling more of the plot, I can only say that I think were too many issues and emotional struggles the author wanted to cover. Even though I can tell that the author has experience with these topics and knows what’s she’s writing about, there’s too little focus. We end up not covering much ground and everything feels just a tad superficial. I also didn’t like how the emotional backstories were presented like “flashback segments” - the style seems a bit disjointed to me. That said, I did like how everything came together in the end. The ending was gratifying to me and overall, I still found this to be an enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story follows the lives of two chefs that are sent on a crash course into each others lives. In this dual-pov tale, we get to watch these two complex characters find each other in a time of need.
Alexander is the head chef at a popular restaurant and has no interest in making friends. His brutal work ethic causes an efficiently run kitchen while simultaneously leeching away his passion for the culinary arts.
Eden is hastily hired as the sous chef in the restaurant’s time of need, even though her references don’t fit the bill. She knocks the socks off of her grumpy boss on the first day and becomes the sous chef he has always needed.
Although, there is so much more going on behind the scenes for both these characters since their past is always sitting in the forefront of their mind. They need to be able to face their past if they want to be free from the demons haunting them.
It was wonderful to read two people come together when they needed someone the most. To watch their walls fall down and love enter into each of their hearts. This book was such a comforting read and I loved every second!

DNF at 198 pages.
I don't think this book is for me, I try hard to keep reading but after they get together I lose all the interest in it.
I was not too fond of some parts of it. it wasn't interesting and I didn't care about the protagonist.
overall the writing style was good, an ok book.
I am not forcing myself to read more.
Thank you Read Now in Netgalley for the opportunity to read another book.
overall the writing style was good,

I throughly enjoyed this book! I was pulled in from the start. Both Shang and Eden’s characters were intriguing. I enjoyed their back and forth in the beginning and the clear sexual tension between the two of them. Shang was quicker to admit to his attractions but Eden wasn’t far behind. This book was steamy af! Don’t let that illustrated cover fool you at all. But I also liked how complex the characters were. I loved the friends and being in the kitchen with all of them. Though I didn’t understand Eden’s obsession with finding people who clearly abandoned her, I know it was the closure she needed. I liked how Shang finally broke free and realized it was better to walk away than deal with his horrible boss. All and all, I really had a fun time reading this book. It had a little if everything—steam, humor, tear-jerking moments, fun, and so much sweetness. I can’t wait to read more books by this author in the future!