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If You Can't Take the Heat
From James Beard award-winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way.
When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.
But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.
Set in Cleveland, Ohio in 1980, If You Can't Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.
When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.
But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.
Set in Cleveland, Ohio in 1980, If You Can't Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 4, 2024
About the author
Michael Ruhlman
47 books343 followersMichael Ruhlman (born 1963 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American writer. He is the author of 11 books, and is best known for his work about and in collaboration with American chefs, as well as other works of non-fiction.
Ruhlman grew up in Cleveland and was educated at University School (a private boys' day school in Cleveland) and at Duke University, graduating from the latter in 1985. He worked a series of odd jobs (including briefly at the New York Times) and traveled before returning to his hometown in 1991 to work for a local magazine.
While working at the magazine, Ruhlman wrote an article about his old high school and its new headmaster, which he expanded into his first book, Boys Themselves: A Return to Single-Sex Education (1996).
For his second book, The Making of a Chef (1997), Ruhlman enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America, completing the course, to produce a first-person account -- of the techniques, personalities, and mindsets -- of culinary education at the prestigious chef's school. The success of this book produced two follow-ups, The Soul of a Chef (2000) and The Reach of a Chef (2006).
Ruhlman grew up in Cleveland and was educated at University School (a private boys' day school in Cleveland) and at Duke University, graduating from the latter in 1985. He worked a series of odd jobs (including briefly at the New York Times) and traveled before returning to his hometown in 1991 to work for a local magazine.
While working at the magazine, Ruhlman wrote an article about his old high school and its new headmaster, which he expanded into his first book, Boys Themselves: A Return to Single-Sex Education (1996).
For his second book, The Making of a Chef (1997), Ruhlman enrolled in the Culinary Institute of America, completing the course, to produce a first-person account -- of the techniques, personalities, and mindsets -- of culinary education at the prestigious chef's school. The success of this book produced two follow-ups, The Soul of a Chef (2000) and The Reach of a Chef (2006).
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July 24, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“You know, Theo, some ancient societies believed that the gods have to take something away from you, something precious and vital, in order to give you more of something else.”
It is the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. Still feeling the sting of a broken heart after a harsh breakup, sixteen-year-old Theo Claverback's life takes another unfortunate and unexpected turn for the worst, when he breaks his leg in an unforeseen circumstance, thus crushing all his future potential prospects and hopeful dreams of pursuing his lucrative football career in his junior year. From football star to a jock in crutches, Theo doesn't feel like his life has much to offer him - until Julia. 🥲 Julia, who met him on the night when he was still nursing a wounded heart over a girl that held his heart for nearly seven months, Julia, who was with him during the first few challenging days of accommodating his life to the changes that had to be made, Julia, who to help distract him from his gloomy and depressive thoughts, suggested that he take a job offer working at a French restaurant, as an assistant to the Chef as a line cook. Julia, who stole his heart - in more ways than one - that whether it was the heat of the kitchen - or landing himself in hot water - he would do whatever it took to prove how much she mattered to him - how much he loved her - even if it meant playing with fire, himself. 😟
“Your life is not over. It’s beginning. This is just a big pause. Will your life change when the pause is over? Of course.
Of course it will. But you decide how it will change. You choose.”
If You Can't Take the Heat, then stay out of the kitchen! I can't tell you how many times I've heard that before! 😅 Michael Ruhlman's debut novel for Young Adults is a coming-of-age-story that explores the complexity that arises when one dream is crushed and another arises, the spirited desire that comes with first love, and the energetic frenzy of working in a professional kitchen. It's an experience that is both grueling and rewarding that awakens a new kind of love in Theo - a love for cooking that will both teach him what it means about taking risks in the kitchen and with his heart, as well.
When I read the first few chapters, I really thought it would be a typical romance story with the backdrop of working together in a kitchen, hence leading to a jealous rivalry of proving one's capabilities of handling the demands of a heated environment - one that constantly needs you to be on your toes - ever alert for a menu line-up or acting as a replacement - while also fending off the romantic feelings that's constantly brewing between Theo and the girl that stole his heart, Julia. 💔💔 But, the story surprised me - in a positive way. 🙂 One that was enriched not only in the precise and meticulous way in which the author served out the culinary descriptions with immense detail and care, but also how he stirred the contents of Theo's work to dissolve into his own life that really kept my interest. One that had me curious to see what direction the story would take at the end. A bittersweet ending that serves as the reminder of learning the lessons of life the hard way, but still walking away with something much sweeter and pleasant. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Everything changes, I suppose. Always and forever. But how do you brace yourself?”
I don't blame Theo for wanting Julia as desperately as he did - that he fell in love with her so easily and adamantly as he did; she came at a time that he really needed someone to be there for him - a role of consideration and understanding that neither of his two childhood best friends, Johnny and Roger, could have easily filled up. And while his concerned parents may have felt like she was a bad influence, she was daring and adventurous - she was someone who defied the distinctive way in which his rich life followed - an ember that lit a passion inside of him that made him happy just being wither. 🥺 Regardless of the fact that she had a boyfriend, that is. He didn't mind working hard to prove to her just how pure and true his feelings were for her. And while that oftentimes - more often than not - weren't exactly the right decisions - everything he did came from a place of love. Of wanting to show her how grateful he was to her for being there for him, and that even though he knew she wasn't always in the right - he wanted to return that kindness in kind. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Theo grew on me as a character - even when he was repeatedly declaring his affections for Julia, I didn't doubt the sincerity in his heart. Even while I was annoyed at how he convinced himself that just being in her company, even though she was a year older than him and had a boyfriend and all, was better than never having her in his life, I felt for him. 😥 I felt for his innocence and his penchant of wanting to please others. He had a good and caring heart, albeit a bit of a naïve one, which made him joining the workforce a sort of awakening for him. A place which tested his capabilities - pushed him to the limits - and introduced him into a world of cuisine that demanded a certain level of dedication and commitment that he wanted to achieve for himself. 'I wouldn’t recognize this until later. Time seemed to change. Or I changed and everything around me slowed down.' A passionate drive that he had only ever seen existed on the football field, and I think that's why it resonated so much deeper with him - an innate recognition of unity and teamwork, where multiple players unite together to attain the best possible win. 💟
“I wanted him to know that I wanted to be on his team; I didn’t want to be a rich boy who sucked at private school. I wanted to be a cook.”
Theo does grow as a character, too. He learns to question the things of importance - to tell the difference between right and wrong and how necessary it is to follow up on what his heart tells him to do. Being a part of an adult working force makes him appreciate the things that he wasn't aware of before. It was a healing place for him that would allow him to forget about what he had lost - where being on crutches wouldn't be a crutch he would have to think about, but one he could work around, till he would be able to move freely and independently and carry his weight. 'Everyone seemed to be aware of where the others were without even looking.' It's that euphoric feeling that you're making a difference - that your presence and assistance is valued and trusted - that you pay for the mistakes you make and pave the way to earn your respect. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 Chef was a positive influence on him - one he taught him to honor the values of what it means to stand by your word and how to treat others with respect and love and that a well-fed kitchen makes for a happy kitchen. Tasking him with the responsibility of serving the family meal to a group of twenty hardworking and diligent souls was a very clever way of letting him not only expand his culinary talents, but also learn to improve on the skillsets he's lacking in, without directly affecting the professional elements of their menu. 🍽️🍲
I liked how diverse the cast was - a big family of misfits - that didn't openly accept a part of their team, but one in which he steadily proved himself as a person that was both dependable and reliable, and took his job seriously. He didn't immediately win favors with them, but worked hard to earn his place. He started to fall in love with being a cook and it felt believable to me. 'This is where I belong. Thanks to Julia' 🥺 Even when he saw the parts of the cooking world that weren't entirely legal or favorable, he never wavered in standing true to his own convictions, which I thought was really admirable. It's a trait that shines when he is faced with the impossible crossroad that expects him to do the right thing or follow his heart; what he ultimately chooses to do is a decision that really made the story that more -- not convincing, but honest and heartfelt. One that will have you sympathize and empathize with how Theo weighed the possibilities of what was at risk and what was worth it. And in the end, I do think he walked away with the more redeeming gift in the process. ✨
“There’s a certain groove you hit in a football game when everyone, every single player is executing their position perfectly, play by play, and you just steadily march down the field.
It’s as if everyone is connected, and the end zone is inevitable.
It felt like that, like an incredibly choreographed march down the field for the touchdown.”
The author is a well-known culinary writer and has worked extensively in the world of cuisine; it shows in the finesse in which he catered to show how Chef demanded only the best results for his food. And while it does make for some meticulous detail, it also made it at times rather mechanical, too, in the rway Theo described his cooking process. It wasn't a particular bother, but it did show, and tended to take away from the overall personal feeling of the narrative. 😕 But, there is still a lot of love and admiration for the thrill of being a chef - an exhilarating rush that comes with ensuring everything is done in an organized and orderly fashion to make the effort pay off in style. 'There’s a lot of pressure but it’s such a rush that you feel great when you’ve done well. And when it doesn’t, it’s brutal.' I especially appreciated the clever way in which he made football analogies to describe how it compares to the rhythmic groove of working in the kitchen. It was nicely done and it added an extra oomph to Theo's personality at how he was able to compare it to a part of his life that had meant so much to him, and why it was easier for him to blend into it. 🍴🏈
All in all, it was an interactive and engaging read, one that surprised me in how easily I fell into the flow of the storytelling and was interested in Theo's life and the people in his life. Whether you hate Julia or love her - it will be impossible to deny her part in shaping Theo's life - < b>for the better. He will always be grateful to her, that if it hadn't been for her, he would have never discovered his new calling and passion in life - one that proves that one door closes, another opens. But, there will forever exist that wistfulness and longing for a chance that he may have again to show to her just how deeply he had loved her - that the writing conveys with an aching sadness of gratitude - 'she forced me to let her go so that I could move forward'. And for it not being just a simple-minded romance is what made it a stronger book that left a memorable impression on me. 👍🏻👨🏻🍳
“You know, Theo, some ancient societies believed that the gods have to take something away from you, something precious and vital, in order to give you more of something else.”
It is the summer of 1980 in Cleveland, Ohio. Still feeling the sting of a broken heart after a harsh breakup, sixteen-year-old Theo Claverback's life takes another unfortunate and unexpected turn for the worst, when he breaks his leg in an unforeseen circumstance, thus crushing all his future potential prospects and hopeful dreams of pursuing his lucrative football career in his junior year. From football star to a jock in crutches, Theo doesn't feel like his life has much to offer him - until Julia. 🥲 Julia, who met him on the night when he was still nursing a wounded heart over a girl that held his heart for nearly seven months, Julia, who was with him during the first few challenging days of accommodating his life to the changes that had to be made, Julia, who to help distract him from his gloomy and depressive thoughts, suggested that he take a job offer working at a French restaurant, as an assistant to the Chef as a line cook. Julia, who stole his heart - in more ways than one - that whether it was the heat of the kitchen - or landing himself in hot water - he would do whatever it took to prove how much she mattered to him - how much he loved her - even if it meant playing with fire, himself. 😟
“Your life is not over. It’s beginning. This is just a big pause. Will your life change when the pause is over? Of course.
Of course it will. But you decide how it will change. You choose.”
If You Can't Take the Heat, then stay out of the kitchen! I can't tell you how many times I've heard that before! 😅 Michael Ruhlman's debut novel for Young Adults is a coming-of-age-story that explores the complexity that arises when one dream is crushed and another arises, the spirited desire that comes with first love, and the energetic frenzy of working in a professional kitchen. It's an experience that is both grueling and rewarding that awakens a new kind of love in Theo - a love for cooking that will both teach him what it means about taking risks in the kitchen and with his heart, as well.
When I read the first few chapters, I really thought it would be a typical romance story with the backdrop of working together in a kitchen, hence leading to a jealous rivalry of proving one's capabilities of handling the demands of a heated environment - one that constantly needs you to be on your toes - ever alert for a menu line-up or acting as a replacement - while also fending off the romantic feelings that's constantly brewing between Theo and the girl that stole his heart, Julia. 💔💔 But, the story surprised me - in a positive way. 🙂 One that was enriched not only in the precise and meticulous way in which the author served out the culinary descriptions with immense detail and care, but also how he stirred the contents of Theo's work to dissolve into his own life that really kept my interest. One that had me curious to see what direction the story would take at the end. A bittersweet ending that serves as the reminder of learning the lessons of life the hard way, but still walking away with something much sweeter and pleasant. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Everything changes, I suppose. Always and forever. But how do you brace yourself?”
I don't blame Theo for wanting Julia as desperately as he did - that he fell in love with her so easily and adamantly as he did; she came at a time that he really needed someone to be there for him - a role of consideration and understanding that neither of his two childhood best friends, Johnny and Roger, could have easily filled up. And while his concerned parents may have felt like she was a bad influence, she was daring and adventurous - she was someone who defied the distinctive way in which his rich life followed - an ember that lit a passion inside of him that made him happy just being wither. 🥺 Regardless of the fact that she had a boyfriend, that is. He didn't mind working hard to prove to her just how pure and true his feelings were for her. And while that oftentimes - more often than not - weren't exactly the right decisions - everything he did came from a place of love. Of wanting to show her how grateful he was to her for being there for him, and that even though he knew she wasn't always in the right - he wanted to return that kindness in kind. 🫶🏻🫶🏻
Theo grew on me as a character - even when he was repeatedly declaring his affections for Julia, I didn't doubt the sincerity in his heart. Even while I was annoyed at how he convinced himself that just being in her company, even though she was a year older than him and had a boyfriend and all, was better than never having her in his life, I felt for him. 😥 I felt for his innocence and his penchant of wanting to please others. He had a good and caring heart, albeit a bit of a naïve one, which made him joining the workforce a sort of awakening for him. A place which tested his capabilities - pushed him to the limits - and introduced him into a world of cuisine that demanded a certain level of dedication and commitment that he wanted to achieve for himself. 'I wouldn’t recognize this until later. Time seemed to change. Or I changed and everything around me slowed down.' A passionate drive that he had only ever seen existed on the football field, and I think that's why it resonated so much deeper with him - an innate recognition of unity and teamwork, where multiple players unite together to attain the best possible win. 💟
“I wanted him to know that I wanted to be on his team; I didn’t want to be a rich boy who sucked at private school. I wanted to be a cook.”
Theo does grow as a character, too. He learns to question the things of importance - to tell the difference between right and wrong and how necessary it is to follow up on what his heart tells him to do. Being a part of an adult working force makes him appreciate the things that he wasn't aware of before. It was a healing place for him that would allow him to forget about what he had lost - where being on crutches wouldn't be a crutch he would have to think about, but one he could work around, till he would be able to move freely and independently and carry his weight. 'Everyone seemed to be aware of where the others were without even looking.' It's that euphoric feeling that you're making a difference - that your presence and assistance is valued and trusted - that you pay for the mistakes you make and pave the way to earn your respect. 🤌🏻🤌🏻 Chef was a positive influence on him - one he taught him to honor the values of what it means to stand by your word and how to treat others with respect and love and that a well-fed kitchen makes for a happy kitchen. Tasking him with the responsibility of serving the family meal to a group of twenty hardworking and diligent souls was a very clever way of letting him not only expand his culinary talents, but also learn to improve on the skillsets he's lacking in, without directly affecting the professional elements of their menu. 🍽️🍲
I liked how diverse the cast was - a big family of misfits - that didn't openly accept a part of their team, but one in which he steadily proved himself as a person that was both dependable and reliable, and took his job seriously. He didn't immediately win favors with them, but worked hard to earn his place. He started to fall in love with being a cook and it felt believable to me. 'This is where I belong. Thanks to Julia' 🥺 Even when he saw the parts of the cooking world that weren't entirely legal or favorable, he never wavered in standing true to his own convictions, which I thought was really admirable. It's a trait that shines when he is faced with the impossible crossroad that expects him to do the right thing or follow his heart; what he ultimately chooses to do is a decision that really made the story that more -- not convincing, but honest and heartfelt. One that will have you sympathize and empathize with how Theo weighed the possibilities of what was at risk and what was worth it. And in the end, I do think he walked away with the more redeeming gift in the process. ✨
“There’s a certain groove you hit in a football game when everyone, every single player is executing their position perfectly, play by play, and you just steadily march down the field.
It’s as if everyone is connected, and the end zone is inevitable.
It felt like that, like an incredibly choreographed march down the field for the touchdown.”
The author is a well-known culinary writer and has worked extensively in the world of cuisine; it shows in the finesse in which he catered to show how Chef demanded only the best results for his food. And while it does make for some meticulous detail, it also made it at times rather mechanical, too, in the rway Theo described his cooking process. It wasn't a particular bother, but it did show, and tended to take away from the overall personal feeling of the narrative. 😕 But, there is still a lot of love and admiration for the thrill of being a chef - an exhilarating rush that comes with ensuring everything is done in an organized and orderly fashion to make the effort pay off in style. 'There’s a lot of pressure but it’s such a rush that you feel great when you’ve done well. And when it doesn’t, it’s brutal.' I especially appreciated the clever way in which he made football analogies to describe how it compares to the rhythmic groove of working in the kitchen. It was nicely done and it added an extra oomph to Theo's personality at how he was able to compare it to a part of his life that had meant so much to him, and why it was easier for him to blend into it. 🍴🏈
All in all, it was an interactive and engaging read, one that surprised me in how easily I fell into the flow of the storytelling and was interested in Theo's life and the people in his life. Whether you hate Julia or love her - it will be impossible to deny her part in shaping Theo's life - < b>for the better. He will always be grateful to her, that if it hadn't been for her, he would have never discovered his new calling and passion in life - one that proves that one door closes, another opens. But, there will forever exist that wistfulness and longing for a chance that he may have again to show to her just how deeply he had loved her - that the writing conveys with an aching sadness of gratitude - 'she forced me to let her go so that I could move forward'. And for it not being just a simple-minded romance is what made it a stronger book that left a memorable impression on me. 👍🏻👨🏻🍳
July 4, 2024
THANKS TO PENGUIN WORKSHOP FOR THIS PHYSICAL ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR A HONEST REVIEW.
Theo is heartbroken after a breakup and needs something else to break so decides to go for his leg (sorry). Theo is an athlete and got injured playing. The entire summer is ahead of him and he is stuck to his bed for weeks, playing sports might not be possible for at least a year. Theo is spending days watching cooking shows and whatever is on TV. Julie entered his life as a savior when he was going through depression and pushed her to get a job in a restaurant where he could learn more about cooking.
This is a historical fiction set in the 1980s. The entire setting and atmosphere were so real, that they transported me to the book's world. Summer days, chaotic kitchen, and reckless behavior of teenagers. Theo is from a well-off family and can be considered rich but he never behaved like one, it was really different from mainstream YA, where rich teens are mostly spoiled. I didn't exactly ship Julie and Theo but at the same time, I understand why they were behaving in such a way. The story got boring in between, too many cooking details and I kept zoning out. The ending made it better, really liked how the ending was not typical. Overall, liked the vibes of the book, story? not that much.
Theo is heartbroken after a breakup and needs something else to break so decides to go for his leg (sorry). Theo is an athlete and got injured playing. The entire summer is ahead of him and he is stuck to his bed for weeks, playing sports might not be possible for at least a year. Theo is spending days watching cooking shows and whatever is on TV. Julie entered his life as a savior when he was going through depression and pushed her to get a job in a restaurant where he could learn more about cooking.
This is a historical fiction set in the 1980s. The entire setting and atmosphere were so real, that they transported me to the book's world. Summer days, chaotic kitchen, and reckless behavior of teenagers. Theo is from a well-off family and can be considered rich but he never behaved like one, it was really different from mainstream YA, where rich teens are mostly spoiled. I didn't exactly ship Julie and Theo but at the same time, I understand why they were behaving in such a way. The story got boring in between, too many cooking details and I kept zoning out. The ending made it better, really liked how the ending was not typical. Overall, liked the vibes of the book, story? not that much.
Want to read
November 5, 2023i know what i’m reading in 2024
June 3, 2024
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
If You Can't Take the Heat is a lightning in the bottle coming of age story from the past paced world of a restaurant kitchen.
Meet Theo a sweet, sometimes naive, 16 year old boy mourning the loss of the life he loved and adjusting to a new one he never saw coming. Our story starts at the end and goes back in time to lead us through the events that brought Theo to his current predicament. 6 months prior Theo was living his best life, he was looking forward to his 2 a day Football practices and a carefree summer before starting his Junior year of high school at an elite private school. He meets a new girl named Julia and all is looking rosy when tragedy strikes. Theo breaks his leg and all his dreams come crashing down.
The only bright spot in his life is watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia. Julia, who works as a server in an elite French restaurant and convinces the Chef to give Theo a shot at helping around the kitchen while he's recovering.
Theo falls in love twice, first with Julia and then with cooking. He finds solace in the band of misfits in the kitchen and is exposed to lifestyles and choices he's protected from in his privileged suburban life. He thrives in a kitchen and soaks everything up like a sponge. Chef takes a real liking to Theo and teaches him everything he knows. What grows between them is an incredibly loving teacher and student bond that forever changes the both of them.
Author Michael Ruhlman has written countless cooking books, he has a deep love for being in the kitchen and it shows. Every time Theo is in the kitchen it's like a love letter to food. I was never bored with the intricate descriptions of the food and the detailed instructions for preparing it. He successfully captured the angst of being 16 and finding your own voice and path while struggling to please your high expectation parents at the same time.
The characters are incredibly believable and I found Theo to be endlessly charming. While the ending is a bit heartbreaking I appreciated the reality of it. Sometimes in life people really do disappoint you and hurt you, and you have to find a way to move on from that even when it hurts. It's a great life lesson and I think the ending is perfect for Theo's story.
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy. This is a book I will always recommend as a great YA coming of age story.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Finished this in one sitting! Review to come.
If You Can't Take the Heat is a lightning in the bottle coming of age story from the past paced world of a restaurant kitchen.
Meet Theo a sweet, sometimes naive, 16 year old boy mourning the loss of the life he loved and adjusting to a new one he never saw coming. Our story starts at the end and goes back in time to lead us through the events that brought Theo to his current predicament. 6 months prior Theo was living his best life, he was looking forward to his 2 a day Football practices and a carefree summer before starting his Junior year of high school at an elite private school. He meets a new girl named Julia and all is looking rosy when tragedy strikes. Theo breaks his leg and all his dreams come crashing down.
The only bright spot in his life is watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia. Julia, who works as a server in an elite French restaurant and convinces the Chef to give Theo a shot at helping around the kitchen while he's recovering.
Theo falls in love twice, first with Julia and then with cooking. He finds solace in the band of misfits in the kitchen and is exposed to lifestyles and choices he's protected from in his privileged suburban life. He thrives in a kitchen and soaks everything up like a sponge. Chef takes a real liking to Theo and teaches him everything he knows. What grows between them is an incredibly loving teacher and student bond that forever changes the both of them.
Author Michael Ruhlman has written countless cooking books, he has a deep love for being in the kitchen and it shows. Every time Theo is in the kitchen it's like a love letter to food. I was never bored with the intricate descriptions of the food and the detailed instructions for preparing it. He successfully captured the angst of being 16 and finding your own voice and path while struggling to please your high expectation parents at the same time.
The characters are incredibly believable and I found Theo to be endlessly charming. While the ending is a bit heartbreaking I appreciated the reality of it. Sometimes in life people really do disappoint you and hurt you, and you have to find a way to move on from that even when it hurts. It's a great life lesson and I think the ending is perfect for Theo's story.
Thank you so much to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy. This is a book I will always recommend as a great YA coming of age story.
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Finished this in one sitting! Review to come.
September 19, 2024
Written by a man (inconclusive), starring a young man (boring), in a target-like version of The Bear (awful), where the only “good” character is another man (obviously) and the villain is a young woman (sexist), If You Can’t Take the Heat gives vibes I'll be careful not to meet ever again.
Cleveland, 1981: Theo breaks his femur or whatever that is, can't play football anymore and he's miserable because his life is over. Julie, who he has just met but fell in love with instantly, finds him a job in the restaurant she works for, finding him not only a reason to live but a path in his life.
Now, you have to know she tells him right away she has a boyfriend, but he's still shocked when, after some kissing during the summer, she intends to see her boyfriend again, even if it's pretty clear she wants to call it off.
And it doesn't matter if she actually does something bad or if she's just trying to leave a toxic family situation; she's the bitch who broke his heart and left without even saying goodbye or thanks.
Listen, she may have done some bad stuff to excuse herself, but Theo is just a freaking idiot: they have to teach him how to cut an onion and then, after ten pages, he's capable of cooking for twenty people without trouble.
Not to mention the paragraphs - plural, because he was very stupefied - where he tells his friends he’s met a lesbian for the first time.
The ‘80s were something else, I wasn't there and I don't know how badly people used to eat, but the vibes are Kendall Jenner having problems cutting a cucumber, and that's pretty bad.
↠ 2 stars
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Cleveland, 1981: Theo breaks his femur or whatever that is, can't play football anymore and he's miserable because his life is over. Julie, who he has just met but fell in love with instantly, finds him a job in the restaurant she works for, finding him not only a reason to live but a path in his life.
Now, you have to know she tells him right away she has a boyfriend, but he's still shocked when, after some kissing during the summer, she intends to see her boyfriend again, even if it's pretty clear she wants to call it off.
And it doesn't matter if she actually does something bad or if she's just trying to leave a toxic family situation; she's the bitch who broke his heart and left without even saying goodbye or thanks.
Listen, she may have done some bad stuff to excuse herself, but Theo is just a freaking idiot: they have to teach him how to cut an onion and then, after ten pages, he's capable of cooking for twenty people without trouble.
Not to mention the paragraphs - plural, because he was very stupefied - where he tells his friends he’s met a lesbian for the first time.
The ‘80s were something else, I wasn't there and I don't know how badly people used to eat, but the vibes are Kendall Jenner having problems cutting a cucumber, and that's pretty bad.
↠ 2 stars
Thanks to Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
October 5, 2024
A wonderful piece of easy fiction from a masterful writer. Michael Ruhlman reminds us how fantastical and addicting cooking can be. He should know. Recipes are articulated completely but without being lists and steps. He turns that feeling into something more akin to a painter weaving a brush across a canvas.
As a 38-year-old man, I’m sure that the days that would give me the best perspective on the core story are past me. However, I found it very enjoyable and was able to create the people and environments in my mind. I know exactly how I perceive the restaurant and characters’ homes to look. That said, I cannot give this book 5 stars. This is simply because I feel like, as in a lot of the fiction I read when I WAS a young adult, comes to a very sudden halt.
Overall, bravo!
As a 38-year-old man, I’m sure that the days that would give me the best perspective on the core story are past me. However, I found it very enjoyable and was able to create the people and environments in my mind. I know exactly how I perceive the restaurant and characters’ homes to look. That said, I cannot give this book 5 stars. This is simply because I feel like, as in a lot of the fiction I read when I WAS a young adult, comes to a very sudden halt.
Overall, bravo!
June 19, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Michael Ruhlman’s "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a compelling coming-of-age story set against the fast-paced, high-pressure world of a restaurant kitchen. The book introduces you to Theo, a sweet yet naive 16-year-old boy who is grappling with the unexpected upheaval of his life following a severe leg injury. If you’re looking for a book focusing on the culinary arts, while this book definitely has its moments centered in the cooking world, it is also a character exploration through the perspective of Theo. While I did want more of the cooking focus in the beginning of the book, Ruhlman definitely delivers on the teenage angst of a teenager in the 1980s.
At the book's outset, Theo is living his best life, anticipating a carefree summer filled with football practices and youthful adventures. However, everything changes when he breaks his leg, causing his dreams to crumble. Amidst the gloom, Theo finds solace in watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia, a new girl he meets who works as a server in an elite French restaurant. Julia, sensing Theo’s passion for food, convinces the restaurant’s chef to let Theo help around the kitchen during his recovery.
Theo’s journey is beautifully portrayed as he falls in love twice—first with Julia and then with the art of cooking. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary where he finds a new sense of purpose, learning from the chef and bonding with the eclectic group of kitchen staff. This transformation is a testament to Ruhlman’s deep affection for culinary arts, which shines through in his intricate descriptions of food and cooking techniques. I wasn’t too aware of Michael Ruhlman as an author, but after looking at his background and author history, you can tell that Ruhlman is an expert on the culinary arts, and this knowledge shines in the book.
The character development was very well written. His story absolutely captures the quintessential teenage angst and the struggle to find one’s voice amidst high parental expectations. I also liked how this book was set in the 1980s with all the different pop cultures and seeing how the 80s was influencing Theo and his actions/thoughts, like him nonchalantly smoking in front of his father. I think older readers may enjoy this book more than younger readers purely for the nostalgia.
Despite a slow start, the book picks up pace as Theo delves deeper into the world of cooking and navigates the complicated relationships around him. The ending, though bittersweet, offers a realistic portrayal of life's unpredictability and the painful yet necessary growth that comes with it. The romance could have had more development as it often came second to Theo’s growth and/or the cooking aspect. There were times that I didn’t particularly enjoy Julia’s character, especially with certain aspects involving cheating.
Overall, "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a unique blend of culinary passion and teenage turmoil that made it unique and engaging. For readers who appreciate detailed culinary descriptions and a deep dive into character development (and maybe a focus on the 80s), this book is definitely a satisfying read.
Michael Ruhlman’s "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a compelling coming-of-age story set against the fast-paced, high-pressure world of a restaurant kitchen. The book introduces you to Theo, a sweet yet naive 16-year-old boy who is grappling with the unexpected upheaval of his life following a severe leg injury. If you’re looking for a book focusing on the culinary arts, while this book definitely has its moments centered in the cooking world, it is also a character exploration through the perspective of Theo. While I did want more of the cooking focus in the beginning of the book, Ruhlman definitely delivers on the teenage angst of a teenager in the 1980s.
At the book's outset, Theo is living his best life, anticipating a carefree summer filled with football practices and youthful adventures. However, everything changes when he breaks his leg, causing his dreams to crumble. Amidst the gloom, Theo finds solace in watching cooking shows and daydreaming about Julia, a new girl he meets who works as a server in an elite French restaurant. Julia, sensing Theo’s passion for food, convinces the restaurant’s chef to let Theo help around the kitchen during his recovery.
Theo’s journey is beautifully portrayed as he falls in love twice—first with Julia and then with the art of cooking. The kitchen becomes a sanctuary where he finds a new sense of purpose, learning from the chef and bonding with the eclectic group of kitchen staff. This transformation is a testament to Ruhlman’s deep affection for culinary arts, which shines through in his intricate descriptions of food and cooking techniques. I wasn’t too aware of Michael Ruhlman as an author, but after looking at his background and author history, you can tell that Ruhlman is an expert on the culinary arts, and this knowledge shines in the book.
The character development was very well written. His story absolutely captures the quintessential teenage angst and the struggle to find one’s voice amidst high parental expectations. I also liked how this book was set in the 1980s with all the different pop cultures and seeing how the 80s was influencing Theo and his actions/thoughts, like him nonchalantly smoking in front of his father. I think older readers may enjoy this book more than younger readers purely for the nostalgia.
Despite a slow start, the book picks up pace as Theo delves deeper into the world of cooking and navigates the complicated relationships around him. The ending, though bittersweet, offers a realistic portrayal of life's unpredictability and the painful yet necessary growth that comes with it. The romance could have had more development as it often came second to Theo’s growth and/or the cooking aspect. There were times that I didn’t particularly enjoy Julia’s character, especially with certain aspects involving cheating.
Overall, "If You Can't Take the Heat" is a unique blend of culinary passion and teenage turmoil that made it unique and engaging. For readers who appreciate detailed culinary descriptions and a deep dive into character development (and maybe a focus on the 80s), this book is definitely a satisfying read.
June 24, 2024
I requested this novel for two reasons – it’s set in the 80s and the MC works in an upscale restaurant (my son is a chef).
After three sport athlete Theo suffers a devastating injury that takes sports off the table , he feels lost and untethered – his future looks nothing like he’d planned. When he meets Julia, she urges him to talk to the chef at the restaurant where she’s employed part time. Theo’s always enjoyed cooking, and this could be a potential path for him. In the process he finds a new passion for food – and Julia.
This novel is written by a James Beard award winning chef, and it shows. The inner workings of a fast-paced, no-room-for-mistakes kitchen and the dishes prepared by the chefs are very specific and make up a large portion of the novel. It’s something I enjoyed, but non-foodies may find themselves skimming over some paragraphs. Theo is incredibly happy in the kitchen and feels like he’s found a place where he belongs. He and the other misfit employees become a family of sorts, and before long he’s given the responsibility of preparing family (staff) dinner for twenty every night before service. That may sound stressful to some, but Theo thrives on it.
His infatuation with Julia is another matter entirely. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say she’s not worthy of Theo, but he’s head over heels for her. The author does an excellent job at capturing the angst of first love and Theo’s struggles to balance parental expectations, his grades, and the job that’s given him purpose. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story as Theo’s blinders fall away and he learns more about the ways of the world, himself, and the people around him. Don’t expect a happily ever after. The ending is bittersweet, but leaves a feeling of hope.
Recommended for readers interested in the culinary arts, 80s nostalgia, and coming of age stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
After three sport athlete Theo suffers a devastating injury that takes sports off the table , he feels lost and untethered – his future looks nothing like he’d planned. When he meets Julia, she urges him to talk to the chef at the restaurant where she’s employed part time. Theo’s always enjoyed cooking, and this could be a potential path for him. In the process he finds a new passion for food – and Julia.
This novel is written by a James Beard award winning chef, and it shows. The inner workings of a fast-paced, no-room-for-mistakes kitchen and the dishes prepared by the chefs are very specific and make up a large portion of the novel. It’s something I enjoyed, but non-foodies may find themselves skimming over some paragraphs. Theo is incredibly happy in the kitchen and feels like he’s found a place where he belongs. He and the other misfit employees become a family of sorts, and before long he’s given the responsibility of preparing family (staff) dinner for twenty every night before service. That may sound stressful to some, but Theo thrives on it.
His infatuation with Julia is another matter entirely. Without giving away spoilers, I’ll say she’s not worthy of Theo, but he’s head over heels for her. The author does an excellent job at capturing the angst of first love and Theo’s struggles to balance parental expectations, his grades, and the job that’s given him purpose. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story as Theo’s blinders fall away and he learns more about the ways of the world, himself, and the people around him. Don’t expect a happily ever after. The ending is bittersweet, but leaves a feeling of hope.
Recommended for readers interested in the culinary arts, 80s nostalgia, and coming of age stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
July 18, 2024
A book primarily set in a restaurant? Written by an award-winning food writer and cookbook author? How quickly do you think I picked this up?
Cleveland, Ohio, 1980. Theo is a star athlete at his high school, and he’s looking forward to spending the summer practicing with his teammates. It’s the one bright spot for him, since his girlfriend broke up with him a few weeks ago.
And then tragedy strikes: while playing a casual game of football, he breaks his leg severely. He’s bedridden for weeks and he might never be able to play football again. With not much else to do, he starts watching Julia Child and Graham Kerr’s cooking shows, and he becomes more and more interested in replicating what he sees on television.
His friend Julia (with whom he’d like to be more than friends) gets him a chance to help out at Margaux, the fancy restaurant she works at. At first, Theo takes care of lots of prep work for Chef (while he’s on crutches), and he immediately realizes how at home he feels, even while he makes mistakes due to clumsiness or nervousness.
As Theo proves his worth and his skill, Chef gives him more and more responsibility. At the same time, he is dealing with wanting more from his relationship with Julia, and having to convince his parents he can balance high school and working at the restaurant. But when an incident occurs and Theo does what he thinks is right, it complicates things on all fronts.
I really enjoyed this and learned some new cooking things, too. At times I forgot Theo was only 16, and at other times it was obvious based on his decisions. I honestly could’ve done without the romance, but I was definitely hooked on this story.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Cleveland, Ohio, 1980. Theo is a star athlete at his high school, and he’s looking forward to spending the summer practicing with his teammates. It’s the one bright spot for him, since his girlfriend broke up with him a few weeks ago.
And then tragedy strikes: while playing a casual game of football, he breaks his leg severely. He’s bedridden for weeks and he might never be able to play football again. With not much else to do, he starts watching Julia Child and Graham Kerr’s cooking shows, and he becomes more and more interested in replicating what he sees on television.
His friend Julia (with whom he’d like to be more than friends) gets him a chance to help out at Margaux, the fancy restaurant she works at. At first, Theo takes care of lots of prep work for Chef (while he’s on crutches), and he immediately realizes how at home he feels, even while he makes mistakes due to clumsiness or nervousness.
As Theo proves his worth and his skill, Chef gives him more and more responsibility. At the same time, he is dealing with wanting more from his relationship with Julia, and having to convince his parents he can balance high school and working at the restaurant. But when an incident occurs and Theo does what he thinks is right, it complicates things on all fronts.
I really enjoyed this and learned some new cooking things, too. At times I forgot Theo was only 16, and at other times it was obvious based on his decisions. I honestly could’ve done without the romance, but I was definitely hooked on this story.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
January 19, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!
I am a fan of author’s cooking-related books, so I thought I’d give this book a try even though I am long past being a teenager. What follows is a review of an adult reading a book meant for chaotic teenagers for whom everything is the end of the world and who think they know everything, but in fact still have a lot to learn (I would know, I’ve been one). But if you are a teenager, you will probably enjoy it 😊 Mild spoilers below.
Protagonist is a rich kid (with help and all), who somehow does not know he is rich until 70% in (I think this was meant to be character growth but came off a bit tone deaf). He’s not down to earth or anything about his privilege, he’s just confused and completely oblivious.
Julia is a pretty unlikable character (this is my opinion on her 70% in), but my visceral reaction to her is probably because I’ve worked in service ages ago and also got up to some ill-advised stuff (although, none of it included corrupting teenagers with alcohol and smoking).
There is a conversation about virginity that is hella weird. Also, there’s a lot of nonchalant drunk driving, which the author addresses in the final note.
For me the ending is the saving grace because finally something was happening that wasn’t just a lot of lovelorn angst. Naturally, if you enjoy reading about teenage angst, then there is that in spades.
I wouldn’t say I loved the writing itself. While being overly descriptive is great when one is reading a recipe or a description of a cooking technique in a cook book, the same is not always a winning strategy in a novel.
I am a fan of author’s cooking-related books, so I thought I’d give this book a try even though I am long past being a teenager. What follows is a review of an adult reading a book meant for chaotic teenagers for whom everything is the end of the world and who think they know everything, but in fact still have a lot to learn (I would know, I’ve been one). But if you are a teenager, you will probably enjoy it 😊 Mild spoilers below.
Protagonist is a rich kid (with help and all), who somehow does not know he is rich until 70% in (I think this was meant to be character growth but came off a bit tone deaf). He’s not down to earth or anything about his privilege, he’s just confused and completely oblivious.
Julia is a pretty unlikable character (this is my opinion on her 70% in), but my visceral reaction to her is probably because I’ve worked in service ages ago and also got up to some ill-advised stuff (although, none of it included corrupting teenagers with alcohol and smoking).
There is a conversation about virginity that is hella weird. Also, there’s a lot of nonchalant drunk driving, which the author addresses in the final note.
For me the ending is the saving grace because finally something was happening that wasn’t just a lot of lovelorn angst. Naturally, if you enjoy reading about teenage angst, then there is that in spades.
I wouldn’t say I loved the writing itself. While being overly descriptive is great when one is reading a recipe or a description of a cooking technique in a cook book, the same is not always a winning strategy in a novel.
April 1, 2024
📖 ARC REVIEW 📖
Thank you @penguinteen for an early copy of If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: June 18th, 2024
Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑
If You Can’t Take the Heat tells the story of a newly injured athlete Theo, who finds himself working at a French restaurant while recuperating from his leg injury.
Before injuring his leg, he was going through a recent breakup, and his friends Roger and Johnny brought him to a concert to keep his mind off of it. Theo then meets Julia, an incoming senior at an all-girls exclusive high school. She’s dating another senior at Theo’s school, but kisses him in the concert regardless, stating that as a sign of him kickstarting his re-entrance into the dating world. They form an unlikely friendship during his time recovering from his injury and land him a job at the restaurant.
This novel had a slow start and honestly didn’t keep my attention much. The characters didn’t have much to keep my interest in them, although I did find Theo sweet and funny. Julia, however, I have mixed feelings for her – she initially struck me as a cheater and led Theo on, but I was glad she was there for Theo while he was recovering.
I did appreciate the descriptive way of Ruhlman’s writing when it came to Theo’s cooking. His dishes and his descriptive way of how Theo prepares meals made me quite hungry.
Thank you @penguinteen for an early copy of If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5
Release date: June 18th, 2024
Blurb: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑
If You Can’t Take the Heat tells the story of a newly injured athlete Theo, who finds himself working at a French restaurant while recuperating from his leg injury.
Before injuring his leg, he was going through a recent breakup, and his friends Roger and Johnny brought him to a concert to keep his mind off of it. Theo then meets Julia, an incoming senior at an all-girls exclusive high school. She’s dating another senior at Theo’s school, but kisses him in the concert regardless, stating that as a sign of him kickstarting his re-entrance into the dating world. They form an unlikely friendship during his time recovering from his injury and land him a job at the restaurant.
This novel had a slow start and honestly didn’t keep my attention much. The characters didn’t have much to keep my interest in them, although I did find Theo sweet and funny. Julia, however, I have mixed feelings for her – she initially struck me as a cheater and led Theo on, but I was glad she was there for Theo while he was recovering.
I did appreciate the descriptive way of Ruhlman’s writing when it came to Theo’s cooking. His dishes and his descriptive way of how Theo prepares meals made me quite hungry.
August 19, 2024
Welp, Ruhlman didn't miss his calling as a YA author, but good for him for branching out and trying something new. It starts out rough and somewhat hits its stride as it goes on. Among the issues are: 1.) Theo spends the bulk of the novel as more of a narrative technique than a character 2.) Julia is clearly written by a dude (my favorite example of this is the "adorable cooing sounds" she makes when she wakes up) 3.) None of these teenagers feel like teenagers, save maybe Julia, who is a narcissistic, duplicitous, sociopathic psycho. Not that all teenagers are narcissistic, duplicitous, sociopathic psychos! Maybe it's that Julia felt like a character, and her character sucks. 4.) It manages to feel impossibly wholesome, despite the chain smoking, premarital sex, copious underage drinking (and driving), and occasional drug use and swearing. Maybe it's that Theo describes losing his virginity (and Christmas) as beautiful? Maybe it’s his sixteen-year-old Julia Child obsession? Maybe it's that his long-suffering best bros are surreally empathetic, emotionally mature good listeners? Maybe it's a midwestern thing? Not sure how Ruhlman pulled that off, but it's a note this story consistently hits, and it feels false.
Still, it's fun and absolutely worth a read for longtime Ruhlman fans (like me!) and food nerds. But it's not on a level (or anywhere near) with his (excellent) nonfiction.
Still, it's fun and absolutely worth a read for longtime Ruhlman fans (like me!) and food nerds. But it's not on a level (or anywhere near) with his (excellent) nonfiction.
June 21, 2024
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*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
After a devastating injury for high school football player, Theo, he discovers a love for cooking. He gets the opportunity to work in a popular French restaurant, and quickly rises in the ranks and becomes closer with Chef, along with a waitress named Julia.
I thought I was going to like this a lot more then I did, but I found myself bored for the majority of the story. I do think that there was some good character development in Theo, and if I had to pick a character to care about, it would be him. But truthfully, I didn't care about any of the characters, so when the 'danger' arose, I didn't feel the stakes. I'm not a big fan of the cheating trope, which I was unaware that was a big part of this book. I was not a fan of Julia at all, and thought she was a pretty shitty individual overall. I get that the reader was supposed to empathize with her situation, but I just didn't care. I could not get behind the romance at all, and wanted to get Theo away from her as quickly as possible.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
2.5/5 Stars
After a devastating injury for high school football player, Theo, he discovers a love for cooking. He gets the opportunity to work in a popular French restaurant, and quickly rises in the ranks and becomes closer with Chef, along with a waitress named Julia.
I thought I was going to like this a lot more then I did, but I found myself bored for the majority of the story. I do think that there was some good character development in Theo, and if I had to pick a character to care about, it would be him. But truthfully, I didn't care about any of the characters, so when the 'danger' arose, I didn't feel the stakes. I'm not a big fan of the cheating trope, which I was unaware that was a big part of this book. I was not a fan of Julia at all, and thought she was a pretty shitty individual overall. I get that the reader was supposed to empathize with her situation, but I just didn't care. I could not get behind the romance at all, and wanted to get Theo away from her as quickly as possible.
August 6, 2024
i’m very conflicted about this book. i enjoyed many aspects of it, but some annoyed me too.
i found the good descriptions and the overall restaurant setting very fun and exciting, because the author is very clearly knowledgeable about this subject. the descriptions of the food were beautiful, but sometimes, they were too much and slowed down the pace of the story.
another thing that bugged me a little was a description of one of the characters, amanda. during her description, the narrator explained that she had a cleft chin, and other various features. he then said that she could be pretty IF she didn’t have those features. i just found this upsetting and uncomfortable as a reader.
the ending with the love interest was very interesting. i don’t think the reader is supposed to like julia or not, but i know i certainly didn’t. especially not after that ending, which was a wild ride! but i honestly can appreciate the bold ending the author chose, as it is so different than other books i’ve read!
overall, worth the read for any foodies! there were just a few things that bothered me.
i found the good descriptions and the overall restaurant setting very fun and exciting, because the author is very clearly knowledgeable about this subject. the descriptions of the food were beautiful, but sometimes, they were too much and slowed down the pace of the story.
another thing that bugged me a little was a description of one of the characters, amanda. during her description, the narrator explained that she had a cleft chin, and other various features. he then said that she could be pretty IF she didn’t have those features. i just found this upsetting and uncomfortable as a reader.
the ending with the love interest was very interesting. i don’t think the reader is supposed to like julia or not, but i know i certainly didn’t. especially not after that ending, which was a wild ride! but i honestly can appreciate the bold ending the author chose, as it is so different than other books i’ve read!
overall, worth the read for any foodies! there were just a few things that bothered me.
August 5, 2024
3.5 rounded up
There were a few things I really enjoyed about this book. Firstly, there was Theo and his journey into his love of cooking. Once he ends up in the kitchen at Margaux he truly blossoms from floundering jock to focused and dedicated chef. I also really enjoyed that he always had a love of cooking from watching Julia Child cooking shows on PBS to reading cookbooks on cuisines from around the world. He really did find a family in that kitchen. Chef Jackson was also exactly the type of teacher/boss that Theo needed. But Theo was in what was clearly a bad relationship with a shifty and untrustworthy girl, Julia. While Julia had a truly terrible home life, abusive father, dead mother, bad relationship with sister still at home, her actions can’t be excused by that situation. She was a cheater and lead Theo on, and then she willingly endangered Theo’s job through a crime.
Also, I don’t know why this was set in the 80s but it was very nice not to read a realistic fiction that had phones and the internet as a plot assist in situations.
There were a few things I really enjoyed about this book. Firstly, there was Theo and his journey into his love of cooking. Once he ends up in the kitchen at Margaux he truly blossoms from floundering jock to focused and dedicated chef. I also really enjoyed that he always had a love of cooking from watching Julia Child cooking shows on PBS to reading cookbooks on cuisines from around the world. He really did find a family in that kitchen. Chef Jackson was also exactly the type of teacher/boss that Theo needed. But Theo was in what was clearly a bad relationship with a shifty and untrustworthy girl, Julia. While Julia had a truly terrible home life, abusive father, dead mother, bad relationship with sister still at home, her actions can’t be excused by that situation. She was a cheater and lead Theo on, and then she willingly endangered Theo’s job through a crime.
Also, I don’t know why this was set in the 80s but it was very nice not to read a realistic fiction that had phones and the internet as a plot assist in situations.
May 10, 2024
If You Can't Take the Heat is a novel for older teens to young adults. It is a well written story about a boy whose entire future is changed with a shattered leg which ended his football dreams. He ends up working in a restaurant and finds a new passion for cooking. Along the way he meets a girl that fascinates him. Although he is warned by her former boyfriend that she isn't all that she seems, he falls head over heels for her. This not an happily ever after book, but there is hope in the final chapter.
Although this is a story that will probably appeal to some, it wasn't for me. I found the relationship improbable and a bit too whiny. There is strong language, substance use and a tasteful intimate scene.
I received an advance reader copy for free, but all opinions are my own.
Although this is a story that will probably appeal to some, it wasn't for me. I found the relationship improbable and a bit too whiny. There is strong language, substance use and a tasteful intimate scene.
I received an advance reader copy for free, but all opinions are my own.
May 24, 2024
If You Can’t Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
If You Can’t Take The Heat is a coming of age story set in the 80’s. It follows Theo who is finding his way after a life changing injury. Theo lives and breathes for football but following heartbreaking news, he finds a new love in a restaurant. Julia, a fast friend and summer fling, introduces Theo into the world of cooking at the restaurant she waitresses at. Theo finds two loves, cooking and Julia. This book is so incredibly interesting and I can see powerful discussions happening around in for teens and young adults alike. There are so many powerful emotions put into this book and you feel every single one of them through Theo. I was so honored to receive an ARC of this book through Penguin Teen and thank you Michael for sharing your work!
If You Can’t Take The Heat is a coming of age story set in the 80’s. It follows Theo who is finding his way after a life changing injury. Theo lives and breathes for football but following heartbreaking news, he finds a new love in a restaurant. Julia, a fast friend and summer fling, introduces Theo into the world of cooking at the restaurant she waitresses at. Theo finds two loves, cooking and Julia. This book is so incredibly interesting and I can see powerful discussions happening around in for teens and young adults alike. There are so many powerful emotions put into this book and you feel every single one of them through Theo. I was so honored to receive an ARC of this book through Penguin Teen and thank you Michael for sharing your work!
June 2, 2024
If You Can’t Take the Heat follows Theo who breaks his leg after a breakup. This changed everything for him because he is a football player. But Theo also really likes to cook. He gets a job working at an upscale French restaurant. He learns from the chef on to how to be a better cook. He also finds love with one of the waitresses, Julia. Theo learns what it is really like working in the restaurant industry
I thought this book was just okay. I feel like the romance was really lacking. I felt like this book was very slow paced and very boring at times. I did like the parts where Theo was learning about the restaurant industry. But this book just missed the mark. This is this authors first YA book and you can really tell. But I just didn’t really feel a connection with this book. To be honest, if I didn’t get a copy from the publisher, probably would not have finished it.
I thought this book was just okay. I feel like the romance was really lacking. I felt like this book was very slow paced and very boring at times. I did like the parts where Theo was learning about the restaurant industry. But this book just missed the mark. This is this authors first YA book and you can really tell. But I just didn’t really feel a connection with this book. To be honest, if I didn’t get a copy from the publisher, probably would not have finished it.
June 25, 2024
Theo is having the worst time of his life. He’s recently been dumped and suffering and adding to it he just broke his leg and can’t play basketball. So he ends up in a place he’d never see himself in, the kitchen. A kitchen that just fills his life a little more. He finds a new purpose and maybe, just maybe a new romance.
Theo finds himself and his love for something way off his radar… which happens to some and happens along the way for others. He meets Julia who changes him as well. This sweet innocent romantic story was lighthearted yet encouraging. I also love that it was set in he 80s to give a different backdrop to now. Though Theo struggles with parents and those around him, it’s ultimately his obsession with Julia that leads to exploration.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read that was unique on its own.
Theo finds himself and his love for something way off his radar… which happens to some and happens along the way for others. He meets Julia who changes him as well. This sweet innocent romantic story was lighthearted yet encouraging. I also love that it was set in he 80s to give a different backdrop to now. Though Theo struggles with parents and those around him, it’s ultimately his obsession with Julia that leads to exploration.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read that was unique on its own.
June 3, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
my rating: 2.75 ★
I'm a huge foodie, I also love anything related to the 80's so after seeing the cover for this book and reading the description I was really interested / excited to read this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
I did enjoy the writing style, it was easy to read and pretty fast paced.
The MMC Theo was a sweet kid, I loved his character and I enjoyed chief as his mentor.
At times it was just a little boring, and I couldn't stand Julia as a character. I felt bad for her at times, but at the end she truly never deserved Theo and just kept hurting him. I was also upset with the ending, I understand why it ended that way - I just wish we had more closure.
my rating: 2.75 ★
I'm a huge foodie, I also love anything related to the 80's so after seeing the cover for this book and reading the description I was really interested / excited to read this one. Unfortunately it just wasn't for me.
I did enjoy the writing style, it was easy to read and pretty fast paced.
The MMC Theo was a sweet kid, I loved his character and I enjoyed chief as his mentor.
At times it was just a little boring, and I couldn't stand Julia as a character. I felt bad for her at times, but at the end she truly never deserved Theo and just kept hurting him. I was also upset with the ending, I understand why it ended that way - I just wish we had more closure.
June 3, 2024
Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up
Thank to Penguin for the ARC copy of this book.
Link to the synopsis: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Review:
Overall, I didn't love this book. For me, the most interesting part of the book was the parts about the cooking and the food, but they felt out of place in a YA novel. I would have loved less focus on the step by step cooking and more about the relationship dynamics, the background of the restaurant, the characters, the plot. My understanding is that this author has written a lot of non-fiction books about cooking and I think that really shows. While I appreciate that experience, and enjoyed reading the cooking details, I just don't think they translate to a fiction, YA book.
Thank to Penguin for the ARC copy of this book.
Link to the synopsis: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Review:
Overall, I didn't love this book. For me, the most interesting part of the book was the parts about the cooking and the food, but they felt out of place in a YA novel. I would have loved less focus on the step by step cooking and more about the relationship dynamics, the background of the restaurant, the characters, the plot. My understanding is that this author has written a lot of non-fiction books about cooking and I think that really shows. While I appreciate that experience, and enjoyed reading the cooking details, I just don't think they translate to a fiction, YA book.
February 20, 2024
Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me an early copy of this book.
I am absolutely obsessed with this book. If you love YA pick this up as soon as it comes out and even if you don’t love YA please give it a shot. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions - from Theo getting over Heather, breaking his femur, starting a relationship with Julia, to starting a new job at a fancy restaurant. There’s also the mafia! There were so many things that made me sad or mad for Theo, but the entire time I always loved Theo and was hoping for the best.
It’s not the happiest ending but that’s what makes it SO good!!!!!!!!
This comes out June 18 - you’re not gonna want to miss it!
I am absolutely obsessed with this book. If you love YA pick this up as soon as it comes out and even if you don’t love YA please give it a shot. It’s a rollercoaster of emotions - from Theo getting over Heather, breaking his femur, starting a relationship with Julia, to starting a new job at a fancy restaurant. There’s also the mafia! There were so many things that made me sad or mad for Theo, but the entire time I always loved Theo and was hoping for the best.
It’s not the happiest ending but that’s what makes it SO good!!!!!!!!
This comes out June 18 - you’re not gonna want to miss it!
April 5, 2024
Thank you for the arc netgalley and publishers. This book was just not for me. There are quite a bit of ya novels that can be read by adults as well, but this just isn't one of them. This book is literally written as if by a teenage boy. Also, our teenage boy protagonist falls in love faster than a Disney movie after whining about how his life was over after his recent breakup. The pacing of this whole novel was just too fast for my liking despite being over 300 pages. I normally love romance cooking books but not this one. Honestly, the cooking and restaurant parts just stressed me out, which I guess means it's good writing considering that's usually how it is in real life. The money thing was an annoying problem. Our two main characters are so unlikeable that it made it hard to care about them. The ending was the only part of this book that really caught my eye. I thought they were gonna pull a bridge to terebithia move but thankfully, I THINK, they didn't and someone just ups and leaves??? Though interesting, it was also annoying after all our work of reading this book and unsatisfying. I recommend any other ya romance novel.
July 8, 2024
Theo was a three sport athlete until he broke his leg, and when he meets Julia she tells him he should work at the restaurant she works at. As Theo and Julia date, he finds he loves working at the restaurant. He also falls in love with Julia even though her boyfriend is coming back from a summer trip. One day Theo sees men talking to Chef and sees stacks of money on the table. Theo���s friend Johnny tells him that’s mob money. One day money goes missing. Chef asks who took it. When Theo finds out who has the money he makes some big decisions. What happens next? A fun read and you learn so much about working in a restaurant.
February 14, 2024
As someone who is from the Cleveland area, it was cool to read a book not just set in Cleveland but was set in the past in Cleveland. Hearing about places like Hathaway Brown and Blossom, among other places, was a highlight of the book and this book really did Cleveland justice by not playing into the cliches of the city. It was a bit of a slow start, but it picked up about a third of the way into the book. I’ve always been fascinated with chefs and restaurant kitchen culture, and this book does it justice. It’s perfect for fans of the show The Bear, as well.
March 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exhange for an honest review!!!
This is an AMAZING book!!! I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone!!!
Theo is such a great protagonist. I loved him. He is so sweet, funny, relatable, empathetic, and just a good person overall. He is so easy to root for. The gods giveth and they taketh away- something that so deeply intertwines with Theo. I just really admired his hope and enthusiasm despite what life had thrown at him. To lose your dream in such a quick moment only to find something better and makes you feel like your best self- that was such a great journey to follow.
I really enjoyed the rest of the characters as well. Julia was a fully realized and well-developed character as Theo’s love interest. She is highly flawed but the reader just like our protagonist can’t help but be fascinated by who she is as a person. The romance was bittersweet and I felt for the both of them.
Theo’s parents and best friends were great. Chef was such a cool mentor and I loved Theo’s fellow coworkers Amanda, Reggie, and Paul.
Another thing I loved about this book are descriptions!!! I am a sucker for great descriptions and this book excelled at that. Whether it was Theo describing the meal he was either cooking or witnessing being cooked, his home, Julia’s home, the physical appearance of all the characters, etc. It made the book feel so tangible, I felt that I was right beside Theo the entire time.
This is an AMAZING book!!! I cannot wait to recommend this to everyone!!!
Theo is such a great protagonist. I loved him. He is so sweet, funny, relatable, empathetic, and just a good person overall. He is so easy to root for. The gods giveth and they taketh away- something that so deeply intertwines with Theo. I just really admired his hope and enthusiasm despite what life had thrown at him. To lose your dream in such a quick moment only to find something better and makes you feel like your best self- that was such a great journey to follow.
I really enjoyed the rest of the characters as well. Julia was a fully realized and well-developed character as Theo’s love interest. She is highly flawed but the reader just like our protagonist can’t help but be fascinated by who she is as a person. The romance was bittersweet and I felt for the both of them.
Theo’s parents and best friends were great. Chef was such a cool mentor and I loved Theo’s fellow coworkers Amanda, Reggie, and Paul.
Another thing I loved about this book are descriptions!!! I am a sucker for great descriptions and this book excelled at that. Whether it was Theo describing the meal he was either cooking or witnessing being cooked, his home, Julia’s home, the physical appearance of all the characters, etc. It made the book feel so tangible, I felt that I was right beside Theo the entire time.
May 14, 2024
Thank you to the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. I’m a foodie, and love cooking so I thought a YA book centered around a character who starts working in a kitchen would be an enjoyable read for me. I enjoyed this, but at times I got bored and it fell a little flat for me. The descriptions got a little too much at times and I found the love interest a little unlikeable by the end of the book.
July 24, 2024
I thought this was going to be a good one. Theo, football star, breaks his leg and ends up working in a restaurant instead of playing football in the fall. The book just lacked a lot. I liked the pieces with him working and learning in the restaurant but the romance part of this was awful. Julia’s character was terrible and really unlikable and the suspenseful part near the end was just such a stretch.
July 27, 2024
Book #76 read in 2024
I loved two things about this book: the setting, Cleveland in the 1980s, and the culinary world. This was a true depiction of the workings of a busy kitchen. However, the characters were not as easy to love. In fact, I found Theo to be a bit insufferable and Julia downright unlikable. Theo did have a great coming-of-age arc, and I ended up liking the story quite a bit overall.
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary ebook.
I loved two things about this book: the setting, Cleveland in the 1980s, and the culinary world. This was a true depiction of the workings of a busy kitchen. However, the characters were not as easy to love. In fact, I found Theo to be a bit insufferable and Julia downright unlikable. Theo did have a great coming-of-age arc, and I ended up liking the story quite a bit overall.
Thank you to the publisher for the complimentary ebook.
July 15, 2024
I don't really know what to think about this book. Some moments were good but other moments were kind of boring and I felt like the plot line wasn't that great. I really did like the main character and found myself to relating to him throughout the story. I did not like the ending so would give this a 2/5.
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