Love from Scratch (Amy Hutton, S&S)

Amy Hutton’s new romance, Love from Scratch, reunites readers with the gorgeous actor Ethan from her previous book, Sit, Stay, Love. Ethan, once terribly fearful of dogs, is now filming another movie with canine castmates, and he even has a dog of his own. With his time taken up on set, Ethan needs a dog-minder. Enter Hazel, a passionate chef on a forced hiatus desperately seeking employment. They aren’t each other’s first choice for dog-minder or employer, and they are sure they both despise each other—Ethan is a little too flirty for Hazel’s liking, and Hazel is too stand-offish for Ethan’s. It’s not until Hazel’s aloof cat, Kevin, takes an unusual liking to Ethan that things begin to shift, including the humans’ first impressions of each other. This Australia-based narrative solidifies Hutton’s place as a go-to comfort-read romance writer, as she captures something for everyone: classic tropes, including opposites attracting, and swoon-worthy characters. Although Love from Scratch is loosely a sequel, it is not marketed as one and can still be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Hutton strikes the perfect balance of acknowledging her earlier work while also providing enough context and character development for new readers. Love from Scratch is an easy and delightful romance that you’ll devour in one sitting, perfect for readers who enjoyed Sit, Stay, Love, as well as fans of Beth O’Leary and Tessa Bailey.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Lisa Schuurman is an editor, writer and book reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Friday Unlocked reviews Reviews