Foodie Romances to Read If You're Hungry for Love

Yes, chef ;)

Photo by Sebastian Coman Photography on Unsplash

Happy Pi Day! Many folks celebrate 3/14 by picking up a scrumptious pie, but since I can’t hand-deliver baked goods to you all, I’m doing the next best thing: offering foodie romance recommendations.

The last time I did a book rec roundup, I shared the 8 romances to read if wine is your entire personality. Consider this list as the curated food pairing to delight your palette.

Food plays a big role in all of these romances, whether it’s falling in love with a chef or a pitcher of red punch.

Sweet or savory, hilarious or heartfelt—there’s a book on this list for everybody.

Foodie Romances to Sink Your Teeth Into

(Note: All links, if available, lead to Bookshop.org. If you make a purchase, you’ll support local, independent bookstores, and I’ll earn a small commission as an affiliate. It’s a win-win!)

Read and Recommended

If it were up to me, these five romances would receive a Michelin star.

1. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (2004). Crusie is a rom-com icon for a reason, and Bet Me is a foodie romance in a non-obvious way. Although fraught with fatphobia, its plus-size heroine Minerva finds love with Cal, who is turned on by her enjoying decadent meals. Even a decade after reading it, I remember how sensual the food play was in this chick-lit classic.

2. Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander (2022). I’ve already discussed how much I enjoyed this Bon Appetit-inspired romance, but if you’re looking to examine the culinary world through the lens of influencer culture and gender identity, Chef’s Kiss is exactly that.

3. Lavash at First Sight by Taleen Voskuni (2024). Taleen’s sophomore novel takes Armenian culture up a notch with a food competition between rival families. I loved the fake not-dating aspect of this love story as Ellie and Vanya sneak around with their parents none the wiser—until the pot boils over, that is.

4. A Perfect Stuffing by Danielle Allen (2023). Danielle Allen has convinced me there aren’t enough Thanksgiving romances out there, and this novella sets the standard. It’s super hot while also celebrating the reason for the season with a loving found family and lots of amazing food.

5. Cold Sweat by Vera Valentine (2024). Okay, this may take the definition of foodie romance too literally, but Vera Valentine can do no wrong. You come for the “Cherry Chill-Assist Punch,” and you stay for the OHHHHH YEAHHHHH. I don’t make the rules.

On My Radar

I haven’t read these food romances yet, but with how great they sound, it’s only a matter of time.

1. Burn for You by J.T. Geissinger (2017). This first installment of J.T.’s Slow Burn series was free to borrow as an Amazon Prime member, so it’s next up on my TBR. It’s a Beauty & The Beast retelling with a marriage of convenience between a bourbon dynasty heir and a New Orleans chef. What’s not to love with soul food and soulmates?

2. Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings (Aug. 2025). I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this Chicken Shop Date-inspired romance. If you can’t get enough of Andrew Garfield’s sexy glasses and flirty banter, this will be the book of the summer.

3. The Sweetest Fix by Tessa Bailey (2021). Tessa Bailey publishes books faster than I can keep up, but every one I read is an absolute joy. I’m excited to read this story about an aspiring Broadway performer and a baker with a famous dance choreographer father.

4. The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (2024). A European food & wine tour, and a hookup competition between two horny exes? Sign me up. I haven’t read CMQ since Red, White, and Royal Blue, and I hope this book recreates that magic.

5. Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (2021). Yes, I know it’s a crime against humanity that I still haven’t read the first in this series, but I’m already planning on loving all the Brown sisters. I can’t say no to a grumpy B&B owner and a hot mess heroine with purple hair (I might have even wrote one myself 😉).

6. Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan (2021). This personalized book recommendation was described to me as a “billionaire outdoorsy picnic vibe with baking,” so say no more! Consider me convinced.

7. Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley (2022). I visit San Diego multiple times a year—including every Comic-Con—so combining this setting with a cupcake bakery and a fake relationship for the cameras is a recipe for success.

Fan Favorites

I asked my author friends and social media followers what foodie romances they recommend, and these were the top picks.

1. The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain (2024). “Take a workplace romance and add two complex main characters, a heap of emotional investment, and a sprinkle of fake dating, and you have The Slowest Burn—a must-read for all romance-loving foodies.” ~ Jess @thatromancebook

2. Savor It by Tarah DeWitt (2024). “Savor It hit me like the perfectly balanced flavor profile of a Michelin-starred meal—a small-town summer romance with equal parts warm humor, wit, and burning tension, accented with Fisher and Sage’s deliciously spicy one-liners. But the best part? The base of achingly beautiful emotions entwined between two of my favorite characters I’ve ever read.” ~ Kimber @kimmisan16

3. Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev (2020). “Recipe for Persuasion is a deeply emotional, women’s fiction-leaning romance about a professional soccer player that teams up with the one that got away, a chef at a floundering Indian restaurant, for a cooking competition show, and they go viral. It’s a second-chance romance full of cultural heritage, family drama, and cyclical wounds that only love and understanding can heal.” ~ Meghan @m.spelbrink.writes

4. Colton Gentry’s Third Act by Jeff Zentner (2024). “Colton Gentry’s Third Act is a must-read novel that features a country music star who implodes his rising career, gets second chances at love and life, adopts the cutest old dog, and cooks food with descriptions that’ll have you drooling.” ~ Bethany @bethanysallbooked

5. A Banh Mi for Two by Trinity Nguyen (2024). “I learned so much about Vietnam’s people, history, and culture from this sweet sapphic love story. I found myself putting down the book only to look up the foods and places being described so I could plan out my own dream trip to Vietnam.” ~ Brooke @books_with_brooke.c

6. A Thousand Sunsets by Kayla Martin (2024). I met Kayla at Steamy Lit Con last year, and I can vouch for how much passion she has for the romance community. Her debut, starring a culinary school student, recently achieved 100,000 page reads in Kindle Unlimited, so jump on the bandwagon!

7. A Much Kneaded Union by K.E. Monteith (2024). K.E. and I are in the same book marketing group, and I can’t resist a punny title this good. Her marriage of convenience between rival cafe owners sounds adorable. We’re always here to support small businesses!

Don’t Forget to Add Another Place Setting

Of course, in case it wasn’t obvious already, I’m also cooking up a foodie romance: Love and Paklava is the third installment in my Glam Fam series, and it’s officially coming June 17.

Make sure you’re subscribed to the first to know the full details. I’ll be revealing the cover, blurb, and preorder info in two weeks, so stay tuned.

In the meantime, which foodie romances satisfy your cravings, and what others would you add to this menu? Share your recs in the comments!