"Hadley Beckett's Next Dish" by Bethany Turner

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."

Chef Hadley Beckett is speechless when her competition on a reality TV cooking show throws this famous phrase at her as an insult. Max Cavanaugh is brash and daring with a flamboyant reputation, but in Hadley's opinion he's nothing but a first class jerk.

After Max's choices catch up to him and he's spent some time in rehab, he's ready to rebuild his career on the Culinary Channel. The only problem is that the TV executives aren't interested in him unless he's paired up with Hadley. The fiery rivalry between them is ratings gold. Can he convince her to accept his apology and give working together a try? Why should she trust anything he has to say after how he treated her before?

Hadley's new manager has big things in store for her. She's got a new studio for her show At Home With Hadley and she's the #1 chef on the network. When an offer comes that she's dreamed about her whole life, she can't imagine turning it down, even if it means having to be in close proximity to Max Cavanaugh. Surely she can put up with anything for a few weeks for this opportunity of a lifetime.

Max and Hadley are like oil and water at best, vinegar and baking soda at worst. As they navigate a tremulous friendship in their personal lives they must also deal with the fierce conflict of their on-air personas and the various things the network tosses their way.

As a reader, I found I enjoyed Max more as a character, which surprised me given our rough introduction to him. I just couldn't quite grasp Hadley or where she was coming from or why she was making certain choices. I also felt the lack of a faith aspect in this novel. There was quite an opportunity to explore one, so it left a noticeable hole.

If you enjoy watching cooking shows or are a fan of enemies-to-lovers stories, you might want to check this out. It's full of sharp jabs and twists and turns.

I received my copy of the book from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.