Title: For Butter or Worse
Author: Erin La Rosa
Genre: Romance
Rating: DNF
All chef Nina Lyon wants is to make a name for herself in the culinary world and inspire young women everywhere to do the same. For too long, she’s been held back and underestimated by the male-dominated sphere of professional kitchens, and she’s had enough. Now, as co-host of the competitive reality TV series The Next Cooking Champ!, she finally has a real shot at being top tier in the foodie scene.
Too bad her co-host happens to be Hollywood’s smarmiest jerk.
Restaurateur Leo O’Donnell never means to get under Nina’s skin. It just seems to happen, especially when the cameras are rolling. It’s part of the anxiety and stress he has come to know all too well in this line of work. So nothing prepares him for the fallout after he takes one joke a smidge too far and Nina up and quits—on live TV.
To make matters worse, the two are caught in what looks like a compromising situation by the paparazzi…and fans of the show go absolutely nuts. Turns out, a “secret romance” between Nina and Leo may just be what their careers need most.
Now all they have to do is play along, without killing each other…and without catching feelings. Easy as artisanal shepherd’s pie. Right?
Initially, I liked Nina, and thought Leo was a total tool. Then I realized they were both jerks and stopped reading. Nina’s best friend was great, but Nina herself and Leo were both so selfish and concerned only with what made them look better. And they were just mean. No, thank you.
Erin La Rosa lives in Los Angeles. For Butter or Worse is her newest novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/HQN in exchange for an honest review.)
Tomorrow Is Another Day 