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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Bethany Turner’s never disappoints.
One of the most beautiful things about the book I loved was the humour filled conversations Hadley and Max had in their heads.
Ha! I was expecting Hadley and Stuart or Hadley and Leo but definitely not Hadley and Max!!! I just loved the turn of events.
Beautiful and so much humor filled romantic story of arch rirvals turn super sweet couple with a lot of drama between them. This book cracked me up.
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads and this is my honest opinion.
Bethany Turner is one of my go-to authors for contemporary romantic comedy. Her sense of humor and fun shines in her writing and always tickles my funny bone. This story starts out with a totally unlikeable, annoying, and maddening version of Max Cavanaugh and a sweet, charming, endearing Hadley Beckett who, unfortunately, bears the brunt of Max’s bad temper tantrum. While I was prepared to dislike Max, I was surprised by his resolve to change, and eventually I admired his determination. The witty banter and snarky, humorous comments between the two made for an entertaining read. Turner’s signature pop culture references add an amusing element to the story.
I enjoyed the epigraphs at the start of each chapter which gave a hint, using cooking terms, as to what was ahead: Chill overnight, Bring to boil over high heat.
Although this is categorized under Christian Fiction, it has only a light faith element to it. It’s definitely a clean, wholesome book which has a thread of redemption and forgiveness. I’m already looking forward to Turner’s next book, and this one has a reserved spot on my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Revell publishing. All opinions are my own.
This is definitely my favorite of Bethany Turner’s books (so far)! With her signature witty dialogue and pop culture references, readers are transported into the world of culinary television. Max and Hadley certainly seem like an unlikely pairing as they get off to a rocky start, but their relationship is transformed in a way that feels true to their characters. I love Hadley’s southern charm, and you have to admire anyone who uses that much butter in their cooking! 😉 Max’s struggles with alcohol and anger are portrayed with grace and authenticity. The perfect mixture of sweet and savory, this book will be a winner for foodies and romantic comedy fans alike!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, Revell!
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 review of Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish by Bethany Turner at AmongTheReads.net
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.
I needed a book to get me out of a minor reading slump, and Bethany Turner’s “Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish” was the perfect medicine. Turner perfectly combines entertainment, romance, and inspiration in a new book setting for me: cooking shows. As an avid watcher of the Food Network channel, this premise drew me right in and captivated me until the final fulfilling pages.
This novel tackles real issues in a balanced manner that is enlightening and entertaining all at once. The theme of forgiveness is superbly portrayed, as it was not instantaneous but rather gradual and moving and real. Neither Max or Hadley were as perfect, or perfectly imperfect, as their TV personas made them appear to be, which set the stage for deep personal revelations that made their relationship raw and humbling. Without revealing any spoilers, Max’s speech at the end of the book is so perfect in the way it encapsulates what a relationship and romance novel as a whole should be like.
This was the first novel by Turner I have read, and it most certainly won’t be the last. A solid 4.5/5 stars for this wonderful story!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I like how Bethany Turner incorporates humor into her romantic novels! This book is a great romantic comedy full of cooking puns and likeable characters. Max grows and changes for the better, and I always like a good redemption story. It is also nice to read how even Hadley improves and flourishes, too, becoming more confident in herself and her career. I do wish there had been a bit more Christian principles and themes incorporated into the book rather than simply a story of changing for the better. However, the novel definitely is clean and the romance never crosses an inappropriate line. The internal dialogues of the characters and their interactions are easy to read, and the writing style contributes well to the overall story. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more by this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
When it comes to romantic comedy, hilarity, and honest-to-goodness characters whose personalities leap off the page, Bethany Turner just has that natural knack. It’s as if she always gets into my head and writes exactly how I would think or how I would say something or feel about something at any particular moment. It’s why I adore her writing so much because it’s totally relatable to me.
Now on to Max Cavanagh and Hadley Beckett; these two are totally opposite in personality which plays out on the pages. After a very public temper tantrum by Max when Hadley wins the Fiercest Chef contest on TV, life takes a very different role for them both. A very sincere apology months later from Max brings these two together working on the prestigious cooking show Renowned. And that, my dear reader friends, is where the fun begins! Snarky remarks, under-the-breath comments and a slow budding friendship blossoms between them. It’s quite funny to watch these two in the kitchen, both on and off the cameras view. I’m still not quite sure how I feel about Max, he’s frustratingly lovable one moment and totally strangle-able the next! But I guess for me, that was his appeal and what made his redemption so real & genuine. Because really, can’t we all be that way sometimes? Hadley was just a gem! She’s all southern hospitality and big-hearted warmth rolled up into one. Her personality really charmed me and won me over, definitely the kind of character I could see myself becoming friends with. I don’t know how she put up with Max and other characters in the story so easily with grace and a smile on her face. That’s just part of her charm, what makes her the kind of person she is and the kind of character I think other readers will love.
I also enjoyed the many references to Food Network shows I have watched, which in turn made the whole story so fantastic. I knew most of the shows and the people who starred on them so I easily “got” what Bethany Turner was referring to and how it played so perfectly into the story. No worries if the reader has no idea what the author is talking about, I think her wit will still make you chuckle and go along for the ride. Because really, Turner does completely charm you with her snarky humor and totally redeemable characters. At least, that’s my opinion on the subject anyway (insert a wink emoji here).
I really believe if you love rom-com with a deeper message of redemption and two total opposite people falling in love in spite of themselves, you will adore this story. It charms you in a way that’s uniquely Bethany Turner style. There’s nobody like her in my opinion that can write like this, she stands out on her own.
Note: While this is published by Revell, a Christian fiction publisher, it has a very lightly sprinkled faith message. Not the usual level I expected from them.
*I received a complimentary copy from Revell publishing and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
Looking for some great laughs, a good, clean romance, with tension and twists right up to the end? Look no further. Bethany Turner’s Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is a great read. Hadley Beckett is a sweet, country, Southern gal who has her own homey-type cooking show. We meet her as she faces off against infamous bad-boy chef Max Cavanaugh in a taped cooking contest.
This novel is both comic relief and one to make you introspective. As the point of view switches between Hadley in first person and Max in third, we get to see both characters struggle against themselves and each other. Can Max the terrible re-invent himself into a lovable, likable person? Can Hadley trust that love doesn’t have to end badly? And, of course, can they prove to their Renowned tv audience that two chefs are not too many for one kitchen?
Ms. Turner has penned a book I couldn’t put down, with twists in just the right places. Bethany Turner likes to challenge the reader to think about things differently. This time one of the topics is alcoholism.
Not everyone who crashes and burns due to alcohol is an alcoholic. This is a message that Max strives to give out.
Hadley mentions a few Biblical characters, and Max mentions wanting to find out what causes her to be different. Beyond that, Turner chooses not to elaborate. I was disappointed, as I love to carry away a few spiritual nuggets of wisdom. All in all, a very fun, clean book, just without the raisôn d’être I hoped for.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and Revell through RevellReads via NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.
Thank goodness for this author giving us fun and fulfilling stories such as this. This is the perfect distraction from everyday stress, escapism at its best! Oh what witty and laugh-out-loud banter between Max and Hadley. Pop culture references made me giggle, sarcasm made me proud, recipes made me hungry and the romance made me squeal with delight. Another one knocked out of the park for a unique rom-com read! Go grab this and you won’t be sorry. Bookshelf keeper!
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!
Any book that reference Matt Damon, The West Wing, and Nashville (the city, not the show) has my attention. And Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish definitely lives up to the set up.
This is a book about two chefs who have competing shows on a cooking channel and very different styles. Max is a man who needs a lot of work. Prideful, cocky, rude, and more, he is in for a long fall. Hadley is as sweet as southern iced tea, but she isn’t perfect either.
That’s what I loved most about this book (although the food was pretty incredible too). Bethany Turner gives readers two characters who butt heads from the start but through forgiveness and grace, they come to appreciate each other. And that forgiveness and grace? It’s given over and over again because human beings are fallible and continue to make mistakes.
There are also a few laughs and a wonderful romance to entertain readers. Whether you are interested in the food, the pop culture reference, the enemies-to-lovers trope, or something else, it’s the message of the power of forgiveness that makes the most impact.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Hadley Beckett is a Southern cook with a lot of sass, but has she is in a competition with the best with Maxwell Canvanaugh, and his acting like a jerk, you wonder if she will lose to him.
While you could see how the network/agent would love the bickering between these two, you wonder how they can forge any kind of relationship.
While watching these two, we do get an in-depth look into their lives, and what is the driving force behind their them.
There are some laughs here, along with some deep sadness, but will they resolve their differences, and we get to what or read what happens.
I loved that there is an epilogue at the end, and with it we see how everything turns out, and more!
I received this book through Revell Reads Blogger Team, and was not required to give a positive review.
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.
This was such a delightful romcom that I completely devoured it!
Hadley is sweet, smart and kind with a touch of sass and spunk. Max is pretty much an arrogant, self-centered jerk at the beginning of the story. He goes through quite an amazing transformation by the end of the book. Hadley is able to forgive Max for his horrible behavior and a friendship begins to develop. The humor, tender moments, witty banter and chemistry between Max and Hadley will keep you turning the pages.
I loved the behind the scenes look at a reality tv cooking show. I did wish there had been a bit more spiritual lessons/depth. But overall, I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it.
**I received a complimentary copy from Net Galley. All opinions expressed are my own.**
This was an interesting book. It’s based upon the many cooking shows that many of us have grown to love (or hate) on popular cooking channels. This story is based around two chefs, one who had anger management issues and the other who just happened to be in his way for his last major blowout.
The story reads along nicely and there is a delightful plot, so the ending of the show is actually pretty good.
The start of the book was just a bit slow and tedious, along I stuck with it enamored by the “behind the scenes” action on the shows. Whether or not that’s truly how it is, I don’t know, but for now I will take it for face value.
I believe I’ve learned something about Revell Publishing. Just because they are a division of Baker Books, doesn’t mean that Revell necessarily means Christian. I believe it just means that the reading will be clean with no excessive R-rated scenes. Because in this book, religion and any talk of Christianity was no where to be found. So if you pick up the book thinking you are going to get a Christian experience, don’t. It was a nice, enjoyable clean reading book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Revell Publishing, in exchange for my honest review.
You know, I really liked Bethany Turner’s last two books, but this one seemed on another level for me. I was grabbed from page one, and unlike many books where your attention (and devotion to binge reading) wavers, I was fully committed to ‘what happens next’ until the very end.
I often find myself not thrilled by heroines, but I was firmly Team Hadley right away, and enjoyed her southern charm immediately. Max (the cad) also wormed his way into my affections quite quickly, so then I was Team Max too, which was an interesting place to be! Overall, this book was a lovely lift from some trying circumstances right now, and a highly amusing, heartwarming and entertaining story. Highly recommended.
This is another fabulous and funny book by Bethany Turner. Bethany is a master at integrating all we love about pop culture into the fictional lives of her characters.
The references and humor shines through and makes me laugh out loud, literally!
If you like cooking shows and your go to TV station is the Cooking channel, this book is definitely for you. It is about 2 television chefs who are competing to be the best chef, have the greater audience and the coveted number 1 spot on television. And it is filled with yummy sounding dishes.
If cooking isn’t your thing, read this book anyway. It is also filled with funny situations, a lovable main character and a loathsome antagonist. It is a wonderfully romantic story of enemies to friends (maybe) to lovers you won’t soon forget. It makes you want to believe the best in people even when all the evidence shows that you shouldn’t.
Bethany is a wonderful, fun loving author that brings laughter and fun into her stories, with a healthy dose of references to make you smile!
I received an advanced reading copy of “Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish” by Bethany Turner for honest feedback of the book.
I have always grabbed a Bethany Turner book expecting a lighthearted funny romance with a great message.
I really liked all the food! Its books like these that make me want to cook (and eat)! Seriously I could go for Max’s Chicken wraps right now!
I really love the hate/love trope and this one definitely was a good embodiment of one of my all time favorite tropes.
Bethany Turner’s characters always come to life for me and Hadley and Max are no exception, they are well developed, they have depth and flaws and I loved rooting for them.
Perhaps it was because of what was going on in my personal life at the time, but I didn’t find this one humorous like her previous two.
This book was unique for a couple reasons.
#1 I found this book to be more of a contemporary romance than a Rom-com. There was light and humorous moments, but it was more about the story than the comedy. (Again, this could just be me, I was in a real low spot when I read it).
#2 I found this book to be much lighter in the Christian element than her other two. I know some people prefer this and I’m not saying that I need a Bible verse on every page, but I would have liked to see Max’s spiritual journey develop a bit more for my taste.
That being said it was a entertaining enjoyable read.
I recieved a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally. All opinions are my own.
Let me just say, cooking shows are not my thing. Never have been. I mean, I cook and bake. People in my house want to eat every single day, so I figure I might as well try to enjoy it. But it isn’t a passion.
Bethany Turner’s writing will, however, always be my thing. Somehow she manages to whip up a situation that is both familiar and bizarre then lets it spin – characters and all. While you furiously turn pages, the characters become people who make you laugh (sometimes snort) right out loud while their hurts start dripping off your chin. By the time you hit those last few pages, you half-think to yourself, “Maybe I should slow down? Nah! I gotta find out how she lands this thing!!”
Reading this Turner means you take a sticky situation, fold in an unlikely romance while stirring the pot well, then let the whole mess rise in anticipation of how it will all come together while setting a few cups of powdered sugar aside to coat while still hot out of the oven! #HadBeck
“He’d even try to refrain from kissing her, but he made no guarantees.” Whew…Max Cavanaugh is the guy you love to hate. However, watch out Hadley Beckett or he might just steal your heart, or your next dish!
Oh my goodness y’all… This book has so many feels and just touched that happy place in my heart. If you’re looking for an uplifting, laugh out loud, heartwarming read, Hadley Beckett’s Next Dish is the book for you. Filled with heartwarming moments, a passion for cooking that inspired me to step into the kitchen and create…It’s just not to be missed. This contemporary romance just jumped up in competition with other phenomenal contemporary romance authors like Becky Wade‘s Stay With Me. Both releasing at the same time and at the top of my list for contemporary romance this year. Max and Hadley have so much chemistry it leaps off the page. They are total opposites attract and their witty banter will keep you flipping the pages long into the night. I really don’t know what to say other than just read it!!! The spiritual aspect of this book is a sweet and calm assurance of turning to Him and listening for His still calm voice in the midst of life’s busyness. Hadley Beckett maintains a calmness that draws Max’s heart.
“See! I am doing a new thing!” And the new things scared the living daylights out of me. But day by day, I fell even more in love with him and his new things.” The spiritual aspect is a whisper of romance in this book, which I loved!
Beautifully written. Contemporary genius. A refreshing play on love in the kitchen that you won’t want to miss. Hadley is like a calmness to Max’s passion in the kitchen and off screen. Their chemistry makes for a delightfully delicious read! This just became my favorite Bethany Turner book! Highly recommended for contemporary romance fans or anyone that loves the cooking channel.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy through NetGalley and the publisher, Revell. All reviews given are only my honest opinion.