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Title: Simmer Down
Author: Sarah Smith
Sub-genre: Contemporary
Trope(s): Enemies to lovers
Alright, first and foremost, if you are looking for an escape as much as I am these days, this book is probably one you should look into. Most of the book is set in Maui, but the characters take a trip to London and there was some much needed escapism and vacations through osmosis here that I really needed.
Nikki moves to Maui to help her parents when her father is diagnosed with cancer. After he passes away, Nikki and her mom decide to fulfill his dream of opening a food truck. They are just barely managing to get by when a new food truck encroaches on their territory. Callum and his brother Finn have relocated from London, and even though they are breaking unofficial food truck etiquette, they refuse to move their truck. Thus begins a stand off between Nikki and Callum that often results in their screaming matches being live-streamed on social media. Their rivalry turns out to benefit both of them, and they make a deal to face-off at an annual food festival, winner takes prime parking spot. Nikki and Callum’s heated arguments quickly turn to plain ole heat, but they run the risk of being disqualified from the food festival should their relationship be discovered, and Nikki and her mom can’t afford to lose the prize. They’ll each have to decide which is more important, their food truck and family, or each other.
Okay, so my favorite thing about this book was the setting. I have a special place in my heart for Maui since my husband and I honeymooned there, and reading this book was almost as good as a vacation. Or at least, the closest we can get to a vacation. I also loved the quick trip to London because it is on my to visit list and it’s one of my favorite book settings. I don’t think I realized how badly I miss vacations until reading this book. My second favorite thing was the food. Don’t read this one on an empty stomach. I thought the whole food truck angle was really fun and I loved that both Nikki and Callum brought food from their childhood to their individual trucks. I’m always here for food in books.
The only complaint I had about this one is I wanted more sparring between Nikki and Callum. Things between them started out super heated and feisty, but they got together pretty quickly and were pretty nice to each other from that point on. I wanted them to be enemies a little longer. But the good thing about moving from enemies to friends with benefits is it meant lots of hot sex, which I can get behind.
Overall, if you are jonesing for an actual escape as much as I am, this is definitely a fun read!
Overall Rating: 4.5 stars
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