"A Dash of Love" by Liz Isaacson

Recently, I've enjoyed reading books that Hallmark movies are based on. So when I heard that Hallmark was beginning to publish books based on their movies, I was curious ... and it sounded like the perfect thing for my "Book or Movie?" feature. I requested A Dash of Love through NetGalley, and here we are!

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In cooking and in love, 
sometimes you have to improvise... 

When Nikki lands an assistant job at her idol’s restaurant, she’s sure her next big break is around the corner. After a rocky start, she befriends Paul, the handsome executive chef. Although he graduated from culinary school, and Nikki’s a self-taught cook, the two begin bonding in the kitchen. 

But Nikki’s new boss, Holly Hanson, turns out to be anything but admirable. She'll stoop to anything to save her restaurant, and Nikki and Paul both pay the price. 

Can they win against the scheming of a celebrity chef? Maybe, with some creative thinking...and a dash of love. 

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A Dash of Love is a cute story featuring Nikki, an excellent cook who can't get a cooking job at a restaurant because she doesn't have a culinary degree, and Paul, a trained chef who runs celebrity chef Holly Hanson's kitchen. Nikki gets a job as Holly's assistant, and she and Paul quickly grow close. But when Holly proves she'll stop at nothing to save her struggling restaurant, Nikki and Paul decide to take a leap of faith and try something new.

Let's get this out of the way right away: If you've watched the Hallmark original movie A Dash of Love, you don't need to read this book. As the book is an adaptation of the film (instead of the other way around), it so closely mirrors the movie that there's really not much new except for an epilogue that gives the reader a glimpse at what happened after the film ended. A few conversations are stretched out, and the reader is given a look at what both Nikki and Paul are thinking throughout, but overall the book is so close to the film that it just feels repetitive.

So then I tried to put myself in the place of someone who hadn't already seen the film. Would I have enjoyed the book more in that case? I think so, probably. But I can't go back and unsee the movie. So here's my recommendation: If you enjoy clean romances (and this is just as clean as every Hallmark movie), and you haven't seen the movie, then by all means read the book. But if you've already seen the film, the only reason I can see to read the book is if you're dying to know what happens to Nikki and Paul in the future. (It is sweet, but it's not earth shattering. If you can borrow it from your library, then by all means do so. But is it worth your $5.99? I'd say no.) 3-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Check out the Hallmark film.

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Liz Isaacson is the pen name for USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson as she writes inspirational romances. Her Three Rivers Ranch Romance series has multiple #1 bestsellers in half a dozen categories. She loves all things cowboys, and will write romance in Texas, Montana, and anywhere else she can find horses and mountains. Find out more at lizisaacson.com.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."