Taste Test by Kelly Fiore

Taste Test by Kelly Fiore

Release Date: August 27, 2013
Publisher: Walker Childrens
Age Group: Young Adult
Pages: 352

Summary: 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.

My Thoughts: This was one so cute! We are introduced to Nora who just wants to cook, like her father. She enters a competition that airs on tv and whoever wins gets to go abroad and cook. Sounds perfect, right? It is, except that she has to leave her family and her best friend Billy whom she thinks is becoming more. Maybe a new potential boyfriend?

Nora gets to the competition and things aren't what they seem. Nobody is really that trustworthy except for a few friends she makes. Of course, she also meets a boy there. His name is Christian and everyone knows who he is. His dad is famous so that makes him a huge competition for Nora.

I loved seeing Nora interact with all the contestants. It was fun. I loved listening to her cook and what recipes everyone tried. And, I loved the constant banter between Christian and Nora. They sure did get under each other’s skin, even if I did sense some major chemistry.

When people start getting hurt, Nora starts to get cautious. She doesn’t understand why anyone would hurt the contestants and she’s on a mission to find out who's doing it.

This novel was cute! I really enjoyed it! I was a little surprised by the ending but that threw me for a big enough loop that it made the book even better.

Loved Christian and the few moments spent with Billy. Tough choice there!

Liked the plot and characters.

Overall: This was a cute one! I do not watch cooking shows at all. So this was a nice little book for me that I normally wouldn't read. I really enjoyed this debut. And I liked Nora a lot. I could relate to her in many ways.

Cover: Like it! Its really bright and neat.  And love how we can’t see their faces so we can imagine what they look like.  

What I'd Give It: