Simmer Down

Starred review from July 20, 2020
Feuding food truck owners make a sizzling connection in this enthralling romance from Smith (Faker). Nikki DiMarco spent the last year and a half learning to run her family’s Maui food truck, Tiva’s Filipina Kusina, to fulfill a promise she made to her late father. Then a competitive new business, Hungry Chaps, breaks food truck etiquette by parking right next to Nikki’s spot and luring away her customers. The livid Nikki enters into a petty battle with Hungry Chaps’ handsome owner, Callum James—and their daily drama “becomes a top-selling menu item,” as viral videos of their shouting matches draw tourists from across the island. Nikki and Callum agree to settle their dispute once and for all by competing in the Maui Food Festival: whoever scores higher keeps the spot. But underpinning the rivalry is a burning chemistry neither can deny, leading to a casual affair that deepens into something more—but their connection could get them disqualified from the food festival if the organizers think they’re collaborating. Nikki desperately needs the prize money to keep her business afloat and continue her father’s legacy, forcing her to make a difficult choice. While the enemies-to-lovers romance is irresistible, it’s the sincere, well-developed characters and heart-tugging family dynamics that make this fulfilling love story stand out. This is a winner. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary.