Simmer Down is a literary fiction book by author Sarah Smith.
In this cool rom-com, two are the ideal number for chefs in the kitchen.

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mother serve delicious Filipino food to hungry beachgoers, but she didn’t expect the scene of the car selling Food in Maui is so interesting. -eat – or the competition to be attractive.

Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki didn’t care how delicious the British food truck driver was – he rudely opened his shop next to the beach car park she coveted. He robbed her client and fanned the flames of public hatred that made her see sparks.

Solution? Let the upcoming Maui Food Festival decide their fate. The winner holds the position. The loser weighs the sand. But the more their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki begins to see another side of Callum…a sweet, protective side. Is she brave enough to call a truth? Or does trusting Callum with her heart mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

This is my first book by Sarah Smith, and it’s delightful. I love the story, the atmosphere/set, the characters and the plot. Seriously, this story makes me hungry. I enjoyed the feeling of family and loyalty to the family played out in the story.

The romance is *chef’s kiss*, the enemies of lovers and interracial couples. Our hero starts off as a moron (you’ll find out why later on, and that’ll make it a little easier to understand) and is a total gentleman. He’s the kind of hero that makes your heart melt. I also love our heroine, and everything her ancestors brought to the story. Being Filipino, we get a glimpse of the foods her culture eats, especially since the story is based on food cart competition.

Another great read from Sarah Smith. Her character development is profound. Her ability to set the scene often allows you to be in Maui, especially if you’ve been there. Her ability to tweak the setting with her characters takes you there on the beach watching Nikki slowly walk along with the crowd. The emotions of the characters are clearly defined and real. A great story.

The story starts off strong with the usual squabbles and disagreements you’d expect from enemies to lovers and set in Hawaii. I love the food truck element and the fact that Callum loves cats too! However, I feel like the ‘hate’ is resolved fairly quickly and then the rest of the book relies on misinformation and other conflicts causing it to be stretched piecemeal.

• Simmer Down

• By: Sarah Smith

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