Scrumptious by Amanda Usen

Title:Scrumptious
Author: Amanda Usen
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: January 1, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Romance | Culinary Romance
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Book Summary

Sparks fly between pastry chef Marlene Bennet — known for her "love 'em and leave 'em" reputation — and traveling chef-for-hire Joe Rafferty when they’re forced to share a kitchen. But a string of suspicious accidents at the restaurant pushes the two culinary perfectionists to team up and uncover the saboteur. Between high-stakes poker, sizzling chemistry, and a dash of intrigue, these foodies may find the perfect recipe for love.

My Review

This book combines two of my favorite things: cooking and romance. My mouth was watering as I read about the dishes the chefs whipped up — I only wish some of the recipes had been included at the end! Amanda Usen captures the rhythm of a professional kitchen beautifully, even if the diner lingo occasionally sent me scrambling for my Kindle’s search feature. (For instance, “in the weeds” had me laughing once I realized it wasn’t what I first thought!)

The banter between the characters is sharp, quick, and often laugh-out-loud funny. A few exchanges, especially the one about the monkfish, genuinely made me grin:

“Don’t expect much from her, Rafferty. She’s like ice in the sack.”
“You can’t melt ice with a limp torch, Keith,” Olivia pointed out.

I also appreciated the bond between Marly and Olivia — the sister-like friendship that shaped both women. However, I struggled to believe that two women that close wouldn’t discuss Marly’s ambition to become head chef. It felt like a missed opportunity for emotional depth.

Joe and Marly’s chemistry is undeniable. The tension builds naturally and leads to some steamy, heartfelt moments that fit perfectly within the story’s culinary heat. However, the ending didn’t quite land for me — it felt rushed, almost like the author wasn’t sure how to wrap things up. The final scenes with Nooni and Big Daddy felt slightly out of step with the otherwise smooth pacing.

Overall, Scrumptious is a fun, flirty romance with plenty of spice (in and out of the kitchen). Despite a few uneven moments, I enjoyed Amanda Usen’s blend of food and passion and plan to explore more of her work.

If all that culinary chemistry left you craving something delicious, why not bring a little Scrumptious into your own kitchen? Try my Turkey Piccata recipe — tender, lemony, and just the right balance of comfort and sophistication. It’s exactly the kind of dish I could picture Marly cooking to win Joe over.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

About the Author

Amanda Usen knows two things for certain: chocolate cheesecake is good for breakfast, and a hot chef can steal your heart. She met her husband on the first day of class at the Culinary Institute of America, and together they live in Western New York with their three children and an ancient beagle.

Join the Conversation!

Have you read Scrumptious or another foodie romance that made you hungry for more? Share your thoughts — and your favorite comfort dish — in the comments below!

From the Kitchen

Love foodie fiction? Pair this read with another taste of comfort — explore my recipe collection for book-inspired dishes and cozy favorites.

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