Celebrity chef Maxwell Cavanagh 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.
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This was a super cute rom com. It is laugh out loud funny. This is the first book I have ever read by Bethany Turner, but it will definitely not be the last!
Amazing story! I loved this upbeat and hilarious adventure. I thought Hadley and Max’s interaction was full of great dialogue and fireworks. Hadley’s just so much fun! I liked the spark and the drama. All the pop culture references throughout the book were great! It was cool to get a glimpse of what happened behind the scenes of a cooking show. Faith is lightly spread out throughout the story. It would’ve been cool to see a little more of how faith played a part into the character’s life. This is a heartwarming story of second chances and I think the reader can learn right along with the characters.
I highly recommend this story to my family and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. I also purchased a copy for myself. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish
by Bethany Turner
Rating: 4.5/5
How have I never heard of this author before?!! She is unreal! Her writing hits you right in the feels and she tackles emotions like no one I’ve ever read before. I could not put this book down (or stop listening to the audiobook which was really well done). Her main characters are so well written and developed.
Maxwell Cavanagh is a celebrity chef who knows he’s the best with nine Michelin stars and has the top-rated cooking show “To the Max” and is about to win a competition against Hadley Beckett, the Southern host of “At Home with Hadley”. When Max loses it when Hadley beats him, everything changes. While Max enters rehab, Hadley and her show become the top-rated show and she gets offered her dream of being featured on “Renowned”! Unfortunately, this dream comes with having to deal with Chef Max as a partner. As the two explore what it means to forgive and learn to trust each other to be able to work together, can they see past the celebrity personas and find love?
I laughed. I cried. I couldn’t stop reading (or listening). The message about forgiveness and second chances and dealing with the past and your identity is so authentic and ridiculously relatable. I’ve never read so many truths in a fictional book. I will definitely be reading more from Bethany Turner. She has a way with words that acknowledges and validates the character’s feelings but also gives them a way to move on and find healing. I am blown away by the author’s characters and her ability to incorporate faith and truth into real-life situations.
I highly recommend for those that enjoy contemporary Christian romance with humor with the ability to address life’s harder subjects. (I’d also check out the audiobook too!)
My thanks to the author and Revell for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.
What a fun book! Just in time for reading at the beach. Food is such an integral part of our lives – and in this book two totally different types of chefs are pitted against each other on a tv show. Max is the sophisticated, wild chef with exotic dishes and sweet, down-home southern Hadley prepares comfort food with lots of butter. It’s funny and romantic and deep as they realize how their pasts affect their futures. The only thing missing, as they talk about all these delicious sounding foods, are the recipes! Coconut curry chicken on a naan waffle with plum chutney poured on top?
I loved the advice Hadley gave Max at one point in the book, advice that she is trying to follow, as she tells him that her challenge is to not listen to the voice in her head telling her the worst things about herself but instead to shut herself off and listen for that still small voice that will only tell her the truth. But there was not much else talk about Jesus in the book. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I am freely writing a review – all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner is an amazing book, full of laughs and heart. I love this author’s writing so much! Her writing keeps you entertained every moment and she is a master at dialogue. Mostly— her characters are real, flawed, and feel like someone you would know in real life. This book is the perfect summer read or great for any time you need an uplifting book. I adored it and highly recommend it! I received a copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.
I don’t normally like to read a book that is mainly a romance but I am so glad that I read this one. This book made me really laugh. I even had a few tears. I loved Hadley and Max and how they worked out their troubles. They seem to dislike each other in the beginning and then they just work so well together. I did not want to put this book down. I loved seeing how some of these cooking shows might really be run. I received a copy of this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
I was initially drawn to this book by its premise: two famous chefs, competing against each other and trying to form a personal connection. I fell in love with this book because of the amazing writing and fabulous plot.
First, both main characters were wonderful. Hadley (the Southern belle of the kitchen) and Max (the playboy gourmet) were both very well thought-out. Their personalities were detailed and very realistic. I especially appreciated they way the two thought about (and discussed) the differences between their on-screen personas and who they really were. Max, in particular, underwent some significant changes during the story, and this was handled slowly, beautifully, and in a way that seemed very honest and organic.
Several secondary characters were interesting in their own right, especially Twila, Stuart, and Leo. It would be fascinating to read a backstory book about Twila’s past in particular!
The backdrop/setting of the story added a lot to the book for me. Both Hadley and Max had their own nationally-televised cooking shows, and readers got a nice glimpse of what it was like filming Hadley’s show. The two also competed on a competitive cooking show, which was shown briefly. Readers got an even more in-depth look at the behind-the-scenes process of another show the two appeared on together. I enjoyed learning more about how a reality show is made, and watching how the main characters dealt with some of the issues that arose during the process.
What really made this book stand out for me was the slowly evolving relationship between Max and Hadley. I’m not generally a fan of the “enemies-to-lovers” trope, but it really worked here. This was primarily because Max WANTED to change from the beginning, and Hadley was open enough to let that happen. The author does an amazing job with the dialog, allowing the reader to actually observe the things that bring the two closer. This is one of the few romances I’ve read in which I actually believed that the relationship had a long-term chance after I finished the last page.
Kudos to Bethany Turner for writing one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time! You have a new fan, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more of your work!
Five out of five yummy morsels of pepper-jack!
What would happen if the final two chefs competing for the title of America’s Fiercest Chef actually liked each other? That would be much too easy and it wouldn’t be nearly as entertaining and it certainly isn’t the case for Hadley Beckett and Max Cavanaugh. Hadley is as nice and sweet as Max is bad-tempered and annoying and, unfortunately, she becomes the object of his alcoholic tantrum. It is after he returns from rehab and they both are featured together on a cooking show that the real fun begins. Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is filled with witty conversation and amusing interaction between Hadley and Max, along with their very strong chemistry, as they begin working together on a cooking show titled Renowned.
Author Bethany Turner has written an entertaining romantic comedy centered around cooking and I especially enjoyed that she uses different cooking terms in the titles of the chapters, such as Steep for one month, Bring to boil over high heat, and Reduce to simmer. Max’s character evolves from irritating to likable and it’s obvious that a big part of his growth is due to being around Hadley. She is funny, hardworking, and very pretty, so is it any wonder that he begins to see her as more than a competent chef? The question is, will Hadley change her opinion of him?
If you are looking for a clean romance with a very subtle faith message of forgiveness and redemption, you will certainly want to read Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish.
I received a complimentary copy from Revell but was not obligated to leave a favorable review. These are my own opinions
Hadley is charming and fun. I did struggle a little to fully feel her character and what made her tick. The story revolves around her work, so I felt like it was harder to really feel her and feel like I was inside her head.
Max’s transformation takes place in a way that does become believable; it was a little hard for me to really like him for most of the book. I did like him by the end though, and maybe even felt like I knew him better than Hadley.
They both worked through a lot of their own past issues throughout the book, although Hadley is a Christian and open about it in the beginning of the book, the faith theme that I expected was not there. This is an observation, not a complaint. It did make the romance feel not quite as natural as it could have been. The book was still clean and fun and had meaningful messages. There was still a lot signature one-liners that this author is known for, that were really funny!
I received a copy of this book, all thoughts are my own.
I give this book 3.5 stars (rounded up).
The story line of this book was good. One chef has anger issues. The other doesn’t want to make waves. After Max goes through anger management, he is paired with Hadley on a to die for cooking show that all famous chefs aspire to be on. This is not what either of them really want to do. But they want to be on the show. One minute they are getting along they next not so much.
I think this book could have been half the size if there wasn’t so much inner thinking that more or less said the same thing over and over. After about two thirds of the way in the book, it got more interesting. There was more action and not so much inner thinking.
This book was published by a Christian publisher. There was only a few references to Jesus. But it was clean and had no foul language.
I was given this book by Revell Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.
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.
This isn’t the type of book I usually review, but it grabbed my attention since it sounded like it was an amusing read. I wasn’t at all familiar with the author, but I decided to review it anyway….. and I am glad I did.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish isn’t an overtly Christian novel, but that is OK. It is a clean book with Christian themes. And the book is definitely amusing. Throw two very different chefs in the kitchen together and hilarity definitely ensues.
Hadley and Max are both great and likable characters…..well, Max isn’t likable at the beginning of the book. The only thing that did kind of bother me about the book was Max’s transformation from a jerk with a temper who drank too much into a very likable and decent guy abstaining from drinking, bad temper, and cursing…for the most part. Hadley was a Christian, but I would like to have seen Max’s change come from Christ, not from a rehab center. And yes, these kind of books can be predictable with boy meets girl, one is not a Christian, but there is a conversion and they live happily ever after. Slight spoiler: if Max became a Christian, there is no mention of it in the book. It was still cool to see a the change in him throughout the book.
That aside, it was a truly entertaining read. I found myself laughing out loud more than once as these two very different personalities clashed, and Max spent more time apologizing than cooking. It was also interesting to watch as they went from barely tolerating each other, to becoming the most important person in each other’s lives.
On the serious side, were themes of forgiveness, trust, and the lesson that fear can hold us back from happiness and fulfilling lives.
I loved the climatic moment of the book, along with the “6 years later” part at the end. I definitely recommend the book.
I was provided a copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions in this review are my own.
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 received a copy of this novel from Revell Baker Publishing for an honest and unbiased review.
You know what they say if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen…
This was my first time reading a book by Bethany Turner and I loved her sense of humor and style of writing. This story of two chefs learning to work together was filled with several ups and downs and great life lessons. The storyline reminded me of Iron Chef or Chopped , which are some of my favorite shows to watch.
Both Hadley and Max were fun to get to know. The storyline introduces their pasts little by little, giving glimpses into what made them who they are today. I loved Hadley’s home sweet southern roots in contrast with Max’s more northern ways, they played off each other well. I think my favorite part about the story was the themes of being yourself, learning to control your reactions, and how God is there with you through it all. Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish was laced with humor, faith, sarcasm, and a dash of romance, creating a great balance.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, life lessons, and for the smiles it gave me. I recommend reading this book to anyone who loves cooking, smiling, or books by Jessica Kate.
*I volunteered to read this book in return for my honest feedback. The thought and opinions expressed within are my own.
Romantic comedy tends to be a rarity in contemporary CF and Bethany Turner regularly delivers the goods. This author’s debut (The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck) was (and is) an all-time favorite from 2017 and I’ve looked forward to each of her releases since. While I think it would be hard to usurp my love for Turner’s first book, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish had all the elements that continue to make her stories worth coming back to – wonderful characters, wit, heartwarming tenderness, compelling romance, and redemptive love. This book had it all.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is as sharp as a well honed chef’s knife and as hot as the kitchen in which she and Chef Maxwell Cavanaugh spar.
Chef Max’s very public temper fit ruined Chef Hadley’s moment of glory in the finale of America’s Fiercest Chef. Now he’s back from hiatus and smack in the middle of her life, for better or for worse. In fits and starts, they have to figure out how to make the best of the situation, while learning about communication and forgiveness in a way that kneads and stretches them both.
I enjoyed this recipe for disaster, and love, from Bethany Turner. Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read and review it. All opinions in this review are my own and are completely genuine.
Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is both entertaining and humorous with a somewhat heated romance between the two main characters Hadley and Max. Their story begins with them as competitors on a televised cooking competition where Max loses to Hadley and also totally loses his cool leaving Hadley just a tad traumatized. When they once again share a show, they are forced to work together but this time as partners rather than competitors.
I enjoyed how Hadley and Max navigated the trials and errors of the series, especially as they learned that they were being pitted against each other and decided to surprise the director by not falling in with his plans. It was a great example of how our heroes often do not live up to our expectations. Dialogue between Hadley and Max was often witty and fun but it definitely took awhile for them to trust each other. I liked the change in Max that he attributed to Hadley’s influence. What a better testimony it could have been if he changed because he saw Jesus in Hadley’s life.
Although this was a fun book to read, I fear that my age is showing. It is obviously a novel for the younger, more hip gals. I think I may have to bypass the current chick lit in the future and stick with something directed toward us more mature women.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group. A favorable review was not required. All views expressed are my own.
Author Turner has done it again with her third novel. This time with two very popular chef personalities. One, Maxwell Cavanagh, a little bit on the dangerous and angry side- and it shows, and the super sweet southern gal Hadley Beckett.
First off, getting the behind the scenes view of what it might look like on a cooking show and competition was eye opening and had me wanting to turn one on just for fun. How much is acting and how much is reality is line that is often blurry no matter how hard these characters might try to keep boundaries.
Max and Hadley could not have been more different. Their profession was about the only thing they really had in common, but boy do opposites attract.
Second, I really enjoyed the wit and wisdom that went hand in hand with the spiritual lessons lived in the lives of these two. Subtle and perfect.
Third, I really cared about these characters. In fact I have cared about all of author Turner’s leads. Their romance was one I cheered and often was thinking just kiss and make up already. Even though Hadley and Max had a rough beginning, they grew in maturity in such a way that brought tears to my eyes. Especially when it came to their trust issues. There was a couple of beautiful scenes that has replayed often in my head.
Well, now I must wait patiently for the next Turner novel, but I wait in great anticipation.
I was provided a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.
I met Bethany Turner a year ago and I immediately knew I needed to read her books.
In Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish, I found myself laughing out loud, trying to giggle quietly while my husband slept, and thinking about new recipes I wanted to try in my kitchen.
In Bethany Turner style the book is filled with witty banter, a spunky heroine, romantic chemistry – and some not so romantic chemistry. An absolute fabulous array for a contemporary romance!
Redeemable characters are a favorite of mine and especially hero’s. I literally could not stand Max at the beginning yet Bethany Turner made me love him at the end. I love when an author makes a character so unlikable and redeems them throughout the story.
Highly recommended!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The perfect recipe for a romance!