Name: K's review of Simmer Down by Sarah Smith
Item: Simmer Down
Rating: 4
Author: K

Sarah Smith

A PopSugar Must-Read for October! In this finger-licking good rom-com, two is the perfect number of cooks in the kitchen. Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn't be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn't expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten--or the competition to be so smoking hot. But Tiva's Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn't care how delectable the British food truck owner is--he rudely set up shop next to her coveted beach parking spot. He's stealing her customers and fanning the flames of a public feud that makes her see sparks. The solution? Let the upcoming Maui Food Festival decide their fate. Winner keeps the spot. Loser pounds sand. But the longer their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki starts to see a different side of Callum...a sweet, protective side. Is she brave enough to call a truce? Or will trusting Callum with her heart mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

Simmer Down

A PopSugar Must-Read for October! In this finger-licking good rom-com, two is the perfect number of cooks in the kitchen. Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten—or the competition to be so smoking hot. But Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn’t care how delectable the British food truck owner is—he rudely set up shop next to her coveted beach parking spot. He’s stealing her customers and fanning the flames of a public feud that makes her see sparks. The solution? Let the upcoming Maui Food Festival decide their fate. Winner keeps the spot. Loser pounds sand. But the longer their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki starts to see a different side of Callum…a sweet, protective side. Is she brave enough to call a truce? Or will trusting Callum with her heart mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

cutest!! i love enemies into lover trope! so I enjoy this book sooo much! 💛💛💛💛 Calum and Nikki is so cuteeeeee!!

Anna Ureta

*read audiobook and ebook*

I read this because of the representation to my culture - and there was like....barely any Filipino representation to it... so....yeah. 

If this is your first step into adult contemporary romance with characters in their late 20s and you're looking for a hot, perfect romance, with food trucks and a hot British male lead then this is definitely for you. 

DO NOT READ AHEAD
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But someone who's been reading contemporary romance for over a decade I'm kinda like... over this. 
It was just too perfect. 
The main character was a little childish in my opinion and just didn't do the right things... trying not to spoil. 

I'm ready for more realistic late 20s-early 30s romances, you know?
Where there's work and communication and this guy is just....way too forgiving?

Lauren Attaway

Simmer Down is an enjoyable enemies to lovers story that will make you hungry for delicious food and romance. I love when people say , "Normally I don't like _, but this really changed my mind!" I am not about to do that here because Simmer Down is exactly my type of enemies to lovers romance. You have Callum, the gorgeous British guy, who challenges the heroine Nikki for her food truck parking space and her heart. I was so hungry every time I read this book because the descriptions of food really came to life for me. The romance was sweet but still believable, and I understood Callum and Nikki's actions even as they made mistakes. This book is a fun break for romance readers and foodies. 

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for the ARC!

Linda Quintanilla

We got another enemies to lovers trope in our hands. And it’s such a delighted read. It’s touching yet refreshing that will make your day so much brighter. And we get diversity characters in Simmer Down which is another winner for the romance books community. Nikki did not think that it was going to be heated competition when she helped her mother food trucker especially when competition is hotter than ever. But it does not stop her from sparking off with Callum at every chance she gets. The more she fights with him, the more she realizes how attractive Callum is. And he knows it too. Their relationship cannot go public since they are both competing in the same foodie competition. But it does not stop them from spending every moment together in secret. Their chemistry is off the charts. But nothing is ever perfect when you keep your relationship in secrets. Expect some struggles between them.

Samantha Seeman

Nothing ground-breaking, but it was a cute, steamy, food-centered romance. Some of the writing was a little repetitive. The author used a lot of the same words and phrases to describe the same things over and over again, but other than that, it was your average comfort read.

Lisa W.

The first 70% of the book went by lightning fast which was exactly what I needed. Good chemistry and steamy love scenes but poor communication. It’s easy to say that they should be adults and should express their feelings. However I found this to be very relatable and common.

Alexis 

3/5 Stars 

This was a very middle of the road book for me. I do enjoy books about food and the food truck aspect was a fun touch. The romance was okay, I just wasn't a fan of the love interest. Overall a quick and easy romance read, It's great if you're looking for something fluffy.

Deborah Kerr

So, I really loved the concept of the book--enemies/rivals to lovers and food trucks in a tropical setting? Plus a tall-ass Brit love interest? Sign me the hell up.

But good lord, is the MC draining. She is a thirty-year-old woman who can't just get over herself long enough to have a five-minute adult interaction with the man she loves. And considering the MC's obstinant nature in every aspect of her life, it does drag out what should be a quick read.

I understand miscommunication/inability to communicate is a MAJOR trope in romance but if it is the absolute crux of your entire plot...maybe, rethink the strength of your plot?

The sex scenes are... awkward and weirdly unadult? The way it's written is supposed to be "wild and sexy and carefree" and it honestly just feels super restrained and vanilla.

It was an easy read and overall I enjoyed it, but it was not mind-blowing by any means.

maruell

The characters of the story could get frustrating sometimes but I like their chemistry. The plot I would say is unique, as I have never read something like this before. The fact that Filipino culture was shown gave the story a kick.

Chelsea White

Closer to 3.5 but I rounded up.
Overall a cute book, with a few extra details to keep it from feeling TOO predictable. I loved how Nikki and Callum got together, and I wish we had seen more of their dynamic while they were together, rather than hearing repeatedly about how hot Nikki thought Callum was.
Their tradition of champagne and The Office was honestly ideal

Jenna Pederson

Cute and not overly cheesy but very predictable.

Irin 

Simmer Down was really enjoyable and binge-worthy! This is the first book that I picked up from Sarah Smith, and I absolutely loved how she crafted the story for Simmer Down. Nikki and Callum were really HAWT together and I loved their chemistry to the fullest. I did think that the enemies-to-lovers part of the romance was resolved a bit too easily, but the story developed in the best way after the first 40 percent.

I’ve read a lot of books featuring food – I think Simmer Down is the best one from the “Books and Food” category for me so far. I loved loved loved the descriptions of different types of items that Callum and Nikki served in their respective food trucks. I wanted to visit their trucks so badly while reading the book. Since we’re talking about food, I want to mention that Nikki and Callum’s relationship towards the end of the book was *CHEF’S KISS* I loved how they expressed their feelings towards each other. Also, I swooned over Callum endlessly. He’s British, so London Boy was always playing on my mind.

 I really appreciated how the author chose to address some family issues in the book. It was refreshing to read a romance novel where the couple faced realistic problems and fought through them together. Simmer Down could have a solid 5 star read, but Nikki did some really unlikable stuff throughout the story. I also think the book demanded some chapters from Callum’s side of the story.

Simmer Down is definitely one of my favorite romance books of 2020. GO READ IT.

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Simmer Down by Sarah Smith

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