All Is Fair in Food and War

By: Samantha Baca

Narrated by: Elizabeth Benincasa

It all started with a competition.

If he won, I’d agree to go on a date with him.

If I won, he’d leave me alone.

Miles Sexton was the kind of guy I avoided at all costs. The man’s confidence and good looks screamed heartbreaker, and I’d had enough of that for a lifetime.

But it wasn’t easy to avoid someone when they parked their food truck right outside the upscale restaurant you worked at as the executive chef. Or when they constantly came in, asking to borrow ingredients because they failed to be prepared.

Miles got under my skin in more ways than I could count, so when he proposed the stupid cook-off, I figured it would be an easy way to get rid of him. Quick. Easy. Done.

But luck wasn’t on my side when my nosey boss found out about it and offered to not only host the event, but to let him work there every day to prepare for it.

Having Miles constantly in my space was even harder than I imagined. It was more than the heat in the kitchen that set things ablaze between us. There was a chemistry there, sizzling beneath the surface, ready to explode.

With my reputation at stake and a heart to protect, I couldn’t afford to lose.

May the best chef win!

©2022 Samantha Baca (P)2023 Samantha Baca

Perfect story for a summer read!

This book was definitely the perfect book to end my reading slump! I found myself really enthusiastic every-time I got to listen! I often made excuses just so I could find a quiet spot to listen.

I love how sweet and attentive miles was. No over the top drama. He was a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t going to settle for less.

grumpy sunshine in reverse

One of my favorite Samantha Baca stories. grumpy heroine, sunshine hero
a food truck, a fancy restaurant, and a little bit of friendly competition.
lots of spicy steam

the narrator does a decent job of distinguishing between voices while still letting you hear the characters emotions.

Getting Spicy in the Kitchen!

Kat and Miles add steam to the kitchen in more ways than one. I loved how I could read this novella over a few days and it still felt complete, like a full length novel. This novella might be short, but Samantha Baca doesn't leave anything out of it.

I love how this book shows you that not all dreams are meant to come true. Kat thought she knew what she wanted for year's, but what she really wanted was a different version of it. Elizabeth Benincasa narrates this book well and easily differentiates between the many characters she voices.

Kat is a chef at a fancy restaurant and Miles owns a food truck that happens to be parked in front of Kat's restaurant. Miles often comes to Kat looking for spare ingredients and flirting. Kat thinks Miles is into her for only a hookup, but Miles proves to her that he wants more than what she thinks. Kat comes up with a friendly cooking competition between the two of them. Will it bring them closer or will the competition drive a wedge between them?

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You are looking for a cute, no fluff, fun, quick read.

Cute & Fun

This book was so much fun to listen to!

It would have been better with two narrators since it was very much in dual POV.

However the story was cute and the narrator did a great job overall!

The narrator is new to me Elizabeth Benincasa. She has a lovely speaking voice and is wonderful narrating the females. Her male voice could use some work but wasn’t unpleasant

3.5 stars

First read & listen from this author & overall wasn't disappointed. Not much of an audiobook person but decided to try & thoroughly enjoyed the narration. (One narrator in a dual POV story.) The novella all together was good but found that after the "food war" was over so to speak, it kind of plateaus a smidge to where I almost lost interest but forged on. Side characters added depth & laughter. The ending could've maybe been fleshed out more but this novella is a good palate cleanser after reading a heavy story or if you're looking for a quickie to brighten up your day. Will definitely read/ listen from this author again.

a fun and steamy novella

Miles and Kat start off on the wrong foot, although their chemistry was red from the beginning. Miles was smitten from the beginning he was persistent and Kat was worth the wait!

Yes, Chef!

I'm a huge Samantha Baca fan and this one didn't disappoint! Miles owns a food truck and parks it outside the upscale restaurant where Kat is the executive chef. He wants her, she doesn't want anything to do with him because she's over men. When a friendly cooking competition between them (he wins a date, she wins him not asking anymore) turns into a major event, both Miles and Kat feel the pressure on their steamy chemistry. This delicious story is funny, heartwarming, and has the perfect amount of spice. Another great one from this author!

The narration was good. Elizabeth Benincasa is a new narrator to me. She was able to distinguish voices for the characters with ease.

Fun spicy novella

Samantha has done it again with a short and sweet story that will keep you entertained for sure! Kat and Miles have a ton of chemistry but she is doing her best to ignore him because she is convinced there are no good guys out there. Miles wants a date and challenges her to a cook-off to make that happen. One thing leads to another and now the simple competition is no longer simple. Will the attempt to get to know Kat ruin everything? Read to find out!

Fun listen

This was a fun and delightful listen. Loved the characters, the banter and the fun story.

Elizabeth Benincasa is a great job with the narration - she gave the characters perfect voice, emotion and personality.