The first openly nonbinary contestant on America’s favorite cooking show falls for their clumsy competitor in this delicious romantic comedy debut “that is both fantastically fun and crack your heart wide open vulnerable.” (Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate)
Recently divorced and on the verge of bankruptcy, Dahlia Woodson is ready to reinvent herself on the popular reality competition show Chef’s Special. Too bad the first memorable move she makes is falling flat on her face, sending fish tacos flying—not quite the fresh start she was hoping for. Still, she’s focused on winning, until she meets someone she might want a future with more than she needs the prize money.
After announcing their pronouns on national television, London Parker has enough on their mind without worrying about the klutzy competitor stationed in front of them. They’re there to prove the trolls—including a fellow contestant and their dad—wrong, and falling in love was never part of the plan.
As London and Dahlia get closer, reality starts to fall away. Goodbye, guilt about divorce, anxiety about uncertain futures, and stress from transphobia. Hello, hilarious shenanigans on set, wedding crashing, and spontaneous dips into the Pacific. But as the finale draws near, Dahlia and London’s steamy relationship starts to feel the heat both in and outside the kitchen—and they must figure out if they have the right ingredients for a happily ever after.
- A Book of the Month selection
- Starred Reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, Library Journal, and BookPage
- Named a “must-read” by USA Today, PopSugar, SheReads, and Harper’s Bazaar
- Published in January 2022 by Forever, an imprint of Grand Central/Hachette, edited by Junessa Viloria
- Incredible cover by Hattie Windley
- Available now wherever books are sold (paperback, ebook, and audio)
- If interested in a signed copy, order from Annie Bloom’s Books with a request for a signature
- Audiobook narrated by Lindsey Dorcus
- Add L&OD on Goodreads
Love & Other Disasters is also published in the UK by Headline Eternal.
“Kelly’s novel illustrates the truth that love calls for vulnerability from both parties—not merely in expressing honest feelings, but in accepting the other person for exactly who they are without limits. Kelly will whet your appetite from the first page, capping off the wonderful feast with the absolute sweetest of happy-ever-afters. A delectable queer romance.” — Kirkus, Starred Review
“Kelly perfectly captures the zeal Dahlia and London have for cooking as well as the passion they discover for each other in this chef’s-kiss debut that brilliantly explores the idea of being true to yourself with insight and compassion.” — Booklist, Starred Review
Love & Other Disasters is the first book in a three book series. While each book can stand alone, they all feature characters loosely connected to the Parker family of Nashville, Tennessee. Each book is queer and features a different gendered pairing. (HEAs guaranteed, always!)
The second book in the series is Something Wild & Wonderful (m/m), to be followed by soon-to-be-titled Book 3, Julie Parker’s story (f/f).
Thank you so much for your support of this book. ❤
Anita Kelly 