Review: Taste Test by Kelly Fiore

Title: Taste Test
Author: Kelly Fiore
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Publication Date: August 27, 2013

Synopsis: Nora Henderson has been basting baby back ribs for as long as she could reach the counter of her dad's famous barbecue joint. When she's accepted to Taste Test, a teen reality cooking competition, Nora can't wait to leave her humble hometown behind. On set, run-ins with the maddeningly handsome and talented son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, make Nora wonder if it's him or the win she really wants, but as she and Christian emerge as front-runners for the final prize, Nora can't ignore the mysterious accidents plaguing the kitchen arena. Someone is conducting eliminations of their own, and if Nora doesn't stop them, she could be next to get "chopped" for good.

With romance and intrigue as delectable as the winning recipes included in the story, this debut novel will be devoured by all.

Verdict: Taste Test is one of those books that leaves a smile on your face when you're done (and a growling stomach). I loved the spicy competition, the steamy romance, the unexpected mystery, and the really hot chef.... it was an absolutely delicious read that I devoured in one sitting. Okay, I think I'm done with the cooking puns, but you never know what I might stir up later. ;) Nora was quite a force to reckoned with. I loved how she stood up for herself but still managed to maintain this air of vulnerability about her. Christian was a complete jerk that you just love to hate and eventually can't help but fall for. With Nora and Christian, you definitely don't have to worry about there being an insta-love relationship, or even an insta-like one, come to think of it there wasn't an insta-anything-even-closely-resembling-cordial-behavior. Those two were constantly going head to head while throwing verbal knives at each other, and I loved every minute of it. Meanwhile they continue to also battle it out on the show constantly trying to rack up more wins than their opponent. Taste Test is an intense cooking show where the grand prize is $50,000 dollars and a full-ride to this fancy culinary school in Paris. The stakes are high and somebody has decided to sabotage the show. Nora has a pretty good idea of who it is and I agreed with her full heartedly. So the big reveal at the end was definitely a surprise and I loved how non-predictable it was! Overall, I loved this book and I really loved how it ended..... ;D And I definitely wouldn't mind reading a sequel taking place in Paris (*nudge* Kelly Fiore *nudge*).

An ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars

Twitter Response:

-Kristen ♥