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Hot Mess
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
9 posts | 6 read | 31 to read
Twentysomething Allie Simon is used to playing by the rulesuntil Chicagos most sought-after, up-and-coming culinary genius, Benji Zane, walks into her world and pulls her into his. The only thing more renowned than Benjis mouthwatering masterpieces and equally luscious good looks? His struggle with addiction and his reckless tendency to live life on the edge, no matter the havoc he wreaks along the way. But loving someone means supporting him no matter what, or so Allie tells herself. Thats why, when Benjis offered the chance to light up foodie hot spot Randolph Street with a high-profile new restaurant, Allie takes the ultimate risk and invests her life savings in his dream. Then one day Benji disappears, relapsing to a place where Allie cant reach him. Left with nothing but a massive withdrawal slip and a restaurant that absolutely must open in a matter of weeks, Allie finds herself thrust into a world of luxury and greed, cutthroat business and sensory delight. Lost in the mess of it all, she can either crumble completely or fight like hell for the life she wants and the love she deserves. With razor-sharp wit and searing insight, Emily Belden serves up a deliciously dishy look behind the kitchen doors of a hot foodie town, perfect for fans of Sweetbitter and The Devil Wears Prada.
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review
Ashley_Nicoletto
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Mehso-so

I loved this authors first book and was so excited for this one. That being said - the beginning of this was rough for me. I‘ve loved and lived with a person with addition. It‘s not cute. I hated the relationship for the first 50% of this book. I enjoyed the ending. Overall, ⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Audrey
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Mehso-so

While the book itself wasn‘t a hot mess, it was definitely unevenly executed. The first half was overwritten and if it weren‘t for the amazing food descriptions, it would have been a dnf book. It really started coming together, 200 pages in, when Benji fell off the wagon and Allie had to give up her life to make her investment work. Once the plot reached this point, it took off. But it took forever to get there.

8 likes1 stack add
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intothehallofbooks
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Pickpick

I loved this one! It‘s a lighthearted and funny look at Allie‘s love from codependence to a more independent self. She‘s caught in a tough spot after investing her life savings in her boyfriend‘s restaurant venture, then he relapses and leaves her with the contract. I love books where women are at a crossroads in their lives and have to make some big choices. It‘s hard to watch Allie excuse Benji‘s [addict] behavior, but her journey is awesome.

44 likes2 stack adds
blurb
intothehallofbooks
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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I‘ve been reading this book today and I really like it!

Allie invests her life savings into a trendy restaurant for her famous-former-addict-chef boyfriend Benji, only to have him relapse, leaving her to handle the mess of it all.

I love the cover of this one! So far, Benji makes me feel the same way 🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️ I cant wait to see where this story ends up going.

57 likes4 stack adds
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DebinHawaii
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Pickpick

Got a review up everywhere but Litsy yesterday. It took me time to get into this foodie novel-I'm past the age where a bad-boy addict chef with the #DevilInside & a man-bun appeals & it was a bit too angsty rom-com, but I liked the 2nd half that was more about getting a restaurant open & all the foodie aspects. Allie learns #ItsALongWayToTheTop when she invests her savings in her boyfriend's new restaurant & he disappears. Link👇🏻 #MarchIntoOz

DebinHawaii Link to full review & recipe for Ina's Crispy Iceberg Salad with Creamy Blue Cheese is here: http://kahakaikitchen.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-book-tour-stops-here-review-of-ho... 7y
mcipher Man buns make me angry. 😡But I love kitchen books. 🥗 7y
BethFishReads Bummer. I may give the audio a try anyway 7y
See All 7 Comments
readordierachel You can have a man bun or an addiction, but not both 😂 7y
DebinHawaii @mcipher Hah! 🤣👍👍 @BethFishReads Give it a try, I enjoyed the food & the second half and it might be even better on audio! 📚👍 @ReadOrDieRachel Amen! Hah! 🤣🤣🤣 7y
tpixie Lovely salad. And what a great knife. Handy size and pretty color! 7y
BooksForEmpathy I‘m super into man buns haha! And food! Maybe I should pick this up... 7y
103 likes1 stack add7 comments
blurb
DebinHawaii
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Someone was a bit 'sauce happy' on my avocado toast this morning. I should have taken an above shot so you could see it in all its spicy garlic aioli striped splendor.😆It's not quite a 'hot mess'-but I am trying to finish up this #ARC for a review tomorrow. Working out of the coffee shop this morning as is my Wednesday habit--it eases me over the hump. 🐪Hope your day is going well.🌺

MsLeah8417 Avocado toast is part of my daily breakfast! 7y
LeahBergen Who‘s the overzealous saucer? 😆 Student staff again? 7y
Reviewsbylola 😍😍 7y
See All 8 Comments
DebinHawaii @MsLeah8417 I eat it a couple of times a week--at the coffeeshop & I make it at home. 😋 7y
DebinHawaii @LeahBergen How'd you know?! 😆All pretty new this morning & the owner is taking time off while family is here. I miss my regular staff! 😢 7y
emilyhaldi Ha!! Someone new on staff today 😆😆 7y
Txdmarie Never tried avocado toast but it sounds delicious!!!!!!! Do tell! 7y
laundry_piles Everytime I see this meal I drool 7y
101 likes1 stack add8 comments
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DebinHawaii
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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I was craving poke all week so I grabbed some at the grocery store today for a simple poke bowl dinner. Leftover jasmine rice, Hawaiian-Style & California Roll pokes, cucumber & local cherry tomatoes. It hit the spot. 😋🐟🍚Dipping back into this foodie novel tonight.

tammysue It looks delicious 😋 7y
britt_brooke Yum!! 7y
ValerieAndBooks Looks good! Did Max get some 🐟? Haven‘t “seen” him for a while!! 7y
DebinHawaii @whatshesreadingnow @britt_brooke Thank you! It was good! 😋👍 @ValerieAndBooks I bought a small piece of ahi that we'll share tonight. 😻🐟He's doing well & I will get a pic of him up soon. 🐱❤️ 7y
113 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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DebinHawaii
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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Finally starting this foodie novel for a blog book tour review next week. With pjs & popcorn 🍿 for another wild Friday night. 😆

BookwormM I feel asleep at 21:30 while watching film with hubby at home we are so wild 🤣🤣 7y
BethFishReads I just downloaded the audio of this. Hope it‘s good! 7y
DebinHawaii @Cinfhen 🤣👍 @BookwormM I think I was asleep about 30 minutes later than you! 😴😆👍 @BethFishReads I barely got started & I had to go to sleep. Hoping it's good too! 😆👍 7y
121 likes4 stack adds4 comments
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DebinHawaii
Hot Mess | Emily Belden
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#bookmail #ARC Another book for review that came in this month. A foodie novel that says "for fans of Sweetbitter (didn't read) & The Devil Wears Prada" (read ages ago & liked) so we shall see. Max ?says that he thinks his mom still needs to get her picture taking mojo back in order to truly capture his best.? His mom thinks he still isn't cooperating in giving her much to work with.?#catsoflitsy ?❤️

Dolly I don‘t know if I agree with you both. That‘s quite a cute casual little pose he‘s got going there. 😻 7y
rubyslippersreads ❤️ that look on Max's face! 😹 7y
LauraBeth I‘m sure that Max is actually thinking that he‘s glad you‘re home 🏡 7y
TNbookworm Hi Max😻 7y
105 likes5 stack adds4 comments