Why am I passionate about this?

As a food scientist, I’ve always been interested in the processing of food and developing new recipes. Foodie fiction can take us into that process, showing us the behind-the-scenes of what it takes to run a foodie business and how to create dishes that people will love, even if you can only taste them through your imagination. And food and books just go together! Or am I the only one reading while eating?


I wrote

One Tough Cookie

By Delise Torres ,

Book cover of One Tough Cookie

What is my book about?

For fans of Fleabag and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!

One Tough Cookie is a story about a flawed female protagonist who carries…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

The books I picked & why

Book cover of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake

Delise Torres Why I love this book

This is a cute story about finding your path and being true to yourself. I love coconut cake, so the cover really grabbed me (and the author includes a recipe in the book!).

Lou owns a French restaurant because she thought it would help her establish herself and get a steady clientele when, in reality, she would’ve preferred a more intimate restaurant featuring the comfort food she learned to cook from her grandmother. When a food critic gives her a scathing review, and she’s forced to close the restaurant, she hones in on what she actually wants and connects to her authentic self.

The book also explores the foodie scene in Wisconsin, which was a great addition and really makes you want to visit and taste the food.

Book cover of How to Eat A Cupcake

Delise Torres Why I love this book

This is a cute story about friendship, family, and food.

Annie and Julie are childhood best friends who reconnect in adulthood and decide to start a cupcakery called Treat. I loved reading about the start of their business and the descriptions of the cupcakes. I also loved how the title was applied to the story in that each character ate cupcakes differently, which revealed an aspect of their personalities.

Both main characters were well-developed, and I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with their problems and how their perspectives changed over time. 

By Meg Donohue ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Eat A Cupcake as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

"A sparkling, witty story about an unlikely, yet redemptive, friendship....Grab one of these for your best friend and read it together--preferably with a plate of Meyer Lemon cupcakes nearby."
--Katie Crouch, bestselling author of Girls in Trucks and Men and Dogs
"Beautifully written and quietly wise, Meg Donohue's How to Eat a Cupcake is an achingly honest portrayal of the many layers of friendship--a story so vividly told, you can (almost) taste the buttercream." (Sarah Jio, bestselling author of The Violets of March and The Bungalow )

Author Meg Donohue has cooked up an absolutely scrumptious debut novel, How to…


Ad

Book cover of Head Over Heels

Head Over Heels by Nancy MacCreery,

A fake date, romance, and a conniving co-worker you'd love to shut down. Fun summer reading!

Liza loves helping people and creating designer shoes that feel as good as they look. Financially overextended and recovering from a divorce, her last-ditch opportunity to pitch her firm for investment falls flat. Then…

Book cover of The Chicken Sisters

Delise Torres Why I love this book

This is an amazing story about sisters, family secrets, reality shows, and small towns.

The two restaurants, Chicken Mimi’s and Chicken Frannie’s had me craving fried chicken so much that my husband had to make a batch because I wouldn't shut up about the book.

I loved everything about this book: the setting, the reality show, each sister's story of reinvention, their relationship with their mother, and the constant battle between the two. It was so fun seeing how they reacted to each other and all the misunderstandings getting cleared up by the end. 

By KJ Dell'Antonia ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked The Chicken Sisters as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK

"A charming, hilarious, feel-good story about the kind of bonds & rivalries only sisters can share. Also, a great present for your sister for the holidays!!"--Reese Witherspoon

Three generations. Two chicken shacks. One recipe for disaster.

In tiny Merinac, Kansas, Chicken Mimi's and Chicken Frannie's have spent a century vying to serve up the best fried chicken in the state--and the legendary feud between their respective owners, the Moores and the Pogociellos, has lasted just as long. No one feels the impact more than thirty-five-year-old widow Amanda Moore, who grew…


Book cover of A Proposal They Can't Refuse

Delise Torres Why I love this book

This is a cute rom-com featuring unique characters, food, and nosy families. Being Puerto Rican, I gravitated immediately to the Puerto Rican flag on the cover.

I loved everything about it: the characters (especially the abuelos), the setting of the Puerto Rican restaurant and the whiskey distillery, the Spanish sprinkled every now and then, and the plot.

I was rooting for Kamilah and Liam to fulfill their career goals and fall in love. I loved that both Kamilah and Liam are flawed and need to grow in order to achieve their goals and have a mature romantic relationship. 

By Natalie Caña ,

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked A Proposal They Can't Refuse as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

“Utterly charming… A Proposal They Can't Refuse is a surefire winner!” —Mia Sosa, USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man

Natalie Caña turns up the heat, humor and heart in this debut rom-com about a Puerto Rican chef and an Irish American whiskey distiller forced into a fake engagement by their scheming octogenarian grandfathers.

Kamilah Vega is desperate to convince her family to update their Puerto Rican restaurant and enter it into the Fall Foodie Tour. With the gentrification of their Chicago neighborhood, it's the only way to save the place. The fly in her mofongo—her blackmailing abuelo…


Ad

Book cover of Reddy

Reddy by J L Wilson,

This is for those readers who like unusual settings and independent female characters in mid-life.

Book cover of So We Meet Again

Delise Torres Why I love this book

This is a humorous story about starting over, family, and having the courage to take risks.

Jessie starts a business creating meal kit supplements inspired by her Korean heritage. I loved the originality of this business, which combines not only food prep but technology since Jessie uses YouTube cooking videos to promote her business.

Lucky for me, my husband has become an expert in Korean cooking, and I was familiar with some of the dishes described. I, of course, had him cook Korean food while I was reading this book. The author also includes a recipe that I can’t wait to try.

By Suzanne Park ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked So We Meet Again as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

As seen on The Today Show! One of the best fall reads!

"A cinematic, charming heart-squeeze-of-a-book that has found its way to my Ultimate Comfort Reads shelf." -Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author

From the author of the "genuinely funny" and "delightful" Loathe at First Sight (NPR), a young Korean American woman's journey to finding a new career and new love means learning to embrace the awkward and unexpected-exploring familial expectations, finding your voice, and unimaginably falling for your childhood rival.

When investment banker Jessie Kim is laid off in a virtual meeting and then overhears why ("she's…


Explore my book 😀

One Tough Cookie

By Delise Torres ,

Book cover of One Tough Cookie

What is my book about?

For fans of Fleabag and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend!

One Tough Cookie is a story about a flawed female protagonist who carries past trauma related to her mom and how she was raised. She needs to let go of her deeply set misbeliefs about love and relationships, and learn to not judge others and respect their choices.

Perfect for readers who love strong, complex heroines; sweet and spicy romances; and themes of found family and personal growth.

Book cover of The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
Book cover of How to Eat A Cupcake
Book cover of The Chicken Sisters

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,211

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 You might also like…

Book cover of The Flower Queen: A 1970's Suspense Romance

The Flower Queen by Kay Freeman,

It began with a dying husband, and it ended in a dynasty.

It took away her husband’s pain on his deathbed, kept her from losing the family farm, gave her the power to build a thriving business, but it’s illegal to grow in every state in the country in 1978.…

Book cover of A Darling Handyman

A Darling Handyman by Lark Holiday,

She’s hiding from pain. He’s lost everything but his dog. When fresh air and second chances bring them together, can they rediscover true love?

If you enjoy kind-hearted heroes, small towns, and more humor than heat, you’ll adore this contemporary Alaskan romance! A Darling Handyman is the feel-good first book…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in restaurants, romantic love, and food writers?

Restaurants 30 books
Romantic Love 985 books
Food Writers 12 books