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The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum is a fantastic romantic contemporary. I cannot even begin to tell you how long I have been waiting for a book about a cooking competition. Honestly, this one is exactly what I wanted with a high-stakes competition, a rivalry, and some mouth-watering descriptions of food. I wasn’t so sure about the main character at first, but she really turned around. This story is original and cute, and I definitely enjoyed it.
Author: Brianna R. Shrum
Also by this author: Never Never
Publisher: Sky Pony Press
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: June 5, 2018
Rating:
Seventeen-year-old Carter Lane has wanted to be a chef since she was old enough to ignore her mom's warnings to stay away from the hot stove. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: a prestigious scholarship competition in Savannah, where students compete all summer in Chopped style challenges for a full-ride to one of the best culinary schools in the country. The only impossible challenge ingredient in her basket: Reid Yamada.
After Reid, her cute but unbearably cocky opponent, goes out of his way to screw her over on day one, Carter vows revenge, and soon they're involved in a full-fledged culinary war. Just as the tension between them reaches its boiling point, Carter and Reid are forced to work together if they want to win, and Carter begins to wonder if Reid's constant presence in her brain is about more than rivalry. And if maybe her desire to smack his mouth doesn't necessarily cancel out her desire to kiss it.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum
This book tells the story of a cooking competition to win a scholarship. Carter is ready to compete, but ends up with a rough start after getting sabotaged by another competitor. And so begins an intense rivalry. I loved how the book contains some interesting challenges, just like the Food Network shows, and how the reader is taken behind the scenes of the competition. The whole story isn’t just cooking, so there is a lot of time to get to know the characters. Overall, this is a sweet (and spicy) read that is bound to make you hungry.
❀ Well-Developed Characters
I had a love-hate relationship with Carter. At the beginning, she is very self-absorbed and blows things way out of proportion, but as the book progressed, I ended up liking her. Honestly, Carter is just a talented chef who knows what she wants and will do literally anything to get it. She has a sense of humour and her voice is authentic. I would say Carter is a developed main character, but I just wish she was a bit less impulsive.
❀ Perfect for fans of cooking shows
The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum is a cooking story filled with drama. The main character transforms throughout the story and becomes more likeable. If you are a fan of cooking shows, I would definitely recommend this book.
About Brianna R. Shrum
I'm a lover of words. Sometimes weird ones. Sometimes bloody ones. Sometimes kissy ones. I try not to discriminate. Also, all things nerdy. Odds are, if they talk about it on The Big Bang Theory, I like it. Star Wars, superheroes, gaming (BIOWARE. Bioware forever), you name it. Much to the dismay of my much cooler younger sisters.
I live in Colorado with my high-school-sweetheart-turned-husband, two boys, and dog named Sevro, all of whom are pretty great.
Sometimes, I blog about writerly things. I'm an author of YA fiction, and I LOVE what I do. I am represented by Steven Salpeter at Curtis Brown.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.