Thursday, August 29, 2013

Review : Taste Test


Title - Taste Test
Author - Kelly Fiore
Genre - YA Contemporary 
Published - August 27th 2013
Publisher - Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Format - Ebook Review Copy

Synopsis

If you can grill it, smoke it, or fry it, Nora Henderson knows all about it. She’s been basting baby back ribs and pulling pork at her father’s barbeque joint since she was tall enough to reach the counter. When she’s accepted to Taste Test, a reality-television teen cooking competition, Nora can’t wait to leave her humble hometown behind, even if it means saying good-bye to her dad and her best friend, Billy. Once she’s on set, run-ins with her high-society roommate and the maddeningly handsome—not to mention talented—son of a famous chef, Christian Van Lorten, mean Nora must work even harder to prove herself. But as mysterious accidents plague the kitchen arena, protecting her heart from one annoyingly charming fellow contestant in particular becomes the least of her concerns. Someone is conducting real-life eliminations, and if Nora doesn’t figure out who, 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.


Review 
I received an advanced copy for review in return for an honest review from the publisher Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books via NetGalley. Nora has grown up in her father’s BBQ restaurant her entire life cooking since she was little. Her passion is cooking so when she is selected to compete on Taste Test a teen culinary reality show she jumps at the opportunity. Nora may be a southern cook with a BBQ background but she won’t let that hold her back from winning the competition. She instantly butts head with the handsome rich kid, and befriends two other girls in the competition.  

While the first challenge goes off without a hitch the next one isn't so lucky when a sink explodes hurting Angela and removing her from the competition. Nora suspects foul play from one of her competitors and when Joy is injured during a challenge, she’s sure she has the right suspect. Nora’s toughest competition is the rich guy Christian, the more she gets to know him the harder time she has disliking him. Will Nora win the competition or will she be end up injured or worse before she has the chance?

Nora reminds me of a southern belle, strong stubborn and with good family values. She’s torn between wanting to win so she can go off to Paris for culinary school and staying home to help her father run his BBQ restaurant. Christian is perfect to pit against her you can't help liking him even if he is arrogant the chemistry between the two is on fire. I really enjoyed Nora as a character she’s just so easy to relate to she feels real. The supporting characters help enhance the story with characters that steal your heart and those who you can't help hating.

I was excited to be approved for Taste Test because I’m an addict for reality cooking shows. The book is well written it gives us little insider tidbits you don’t see on TVs which I loved.  A truly captivating story filled with yummy cooking, intriguing mystery, and innocent romance. I enjoyed the mystery in the story I thought I knew who it was only to be surprised in the very end. The story is well written, it flows smoothly creating an intricate story that captures the imagination. I very much enjoyed Taste Test the story is cute perfect for a lazy afternoon read. As the authors debut novel I think she’s done a beautiful job and look forward to seeing what she does next. Plus what’s not to love with the super cute cover. 
 4 out of 5 Stars

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