Cover of Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot
Contemporary

Best Served Hot

by Amanda Elliot

368 pages · Paperback

Julie Zimmerman pays the bills as an executive assistant, but her real passion is reviewing New York restaurants for her social media following, one expensive meal at a time. Her dream job as a critic at the New York Scroll goes instead to Bennett Wright, a well-connected society boy she finds insufferable. When their clash at a food festival goes viral, the paper sees an opportunity and pairs them up to review together. Their tastes could not be more different, but sharing tables means sharing much more than food. A zesty, foodie rom-com about ambition and appetite.

Enemies to Lovers
Editor ReviewedAI-AssistedRomance Profile Available
Your rating:

About This Book

Best Served Hot is a contemporary romance novel by Amanda Elliot, first published in 2023 by Berkley. It runs 368 pages. Readers can expect enemies to lovers.

At a glance

Genre
Contemporary
Trope
Enemies to Lovers
Length
368 pages
Format
Paperback

Where to read or listen

Get Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Should I read this?

Why You May Love This Book

You may love this if…

  • When a viral clash lands two rival food critics a joint column at the New York Scroll, they must learn to swallow their pride and their differences.
  • Fans of foodie fiction
  • Readers who enjoy workplace rivalries
  • Hungry
  • Features Enemies to Lovers
Romance Profile

The Romance

Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.

Relationship Dynamics

Workplace rivalsForced proximity

Details

Type: Contemporary Romance

Pairing: unknown

Power balance: Relatively balanced professional rivalry

Slow BurnStrong (50 out of 100)
Relationship TensionVery strong (75 out of 100)
Emotional Experience

How It Feels

The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.

Moderate tension, moderate humor.

HumorStrong (50 out of 100)
TensionStrong (50 out of 100)
Pacing: medium
Tone:ZestyLightheartedCompetitive
Heat & Explicitness

Heat Level

Based on available metadata and editorial review.

Explicitness: unknown
Heat information is based on available metadata and editorial review. Reader sensitivities vary.
Reader Fit

Who Is This Book For?

Best for

Fans of foodie fictionReaders who enjoy workplace rivalriesRom-com enthusiasts

Reading mood

HungryAmusedOptimistic

Recommended audience: Adult

Story & Themes

The Story

Spoiler-Free Synopsis

Julie Zimmerman works as an executive assistant while building a reputation as a restaurant critic on social media. She misses out on a dream job at the New York Scroll to Bennett Wright, whom she considers insufferable. After an on-camera argument at a food festival goes viral, the paper forces them to collaborate on restaurant reviews, forcing them to spend significant time together.

Central Conflict

Professional rivalry and clashing personal tastes between Julie and Bennett that evolve into a personal relationship.

Setting

New York City, restaurant scene

Strengths

  • Strong premise
  • Clear character motivations
Book Club

Discussion Guide

Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.

  1. 1

    How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?

  2. 2

    How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?

  3. 3

    How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?

  4. 4

    Who would you most want to recommend this book to?

  5. 5

    How did the pacing affect your reading experience?

  6. 6

    Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?

Questions are generated from approved book intelligence and may not reflect every reader's experience.
Trust & Transparency

How This Profile Was Created

Eikna uses book metadata and AI-assisted analysis to create structured romance profiles. Public profiles are reviewed and approved by an editor before publication.

Editor reviewed:
Yes
Last reviewed:
October 13, 2026
Confidence:
Moderate confidence
Profile version:
eikna-public-book-intelligence-v1
Meet the writer

About the Author

AE

Amanda Elliot

Reader Reviews

What Readers Say

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Publication Details

Publisher
Berkley
Format
Paperback
Length
368 pages
Language
English
ISBN-13
9780593335734

Best Served Hot: quick answers

Who wrote Best Served Hot?
Best Served Hot was written by Amanda Elliot.
When was Best Served Hot published?
Best Served Hot was first published in 2023 by Berkley.
What genre is Best Served Hot?
Best Served Hot is a contemporary romance novel, with enemies to lovers.
How many pages is Best Served Hot?
Best Served Hot is 368 pages long (Paperback).

Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.

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Where to read or listen

Get Best Served Hot by Amanda Elliot

These store links are affiliate links (Amazon, Audible, Bookshop.org and Libro.fm). As an Amazon Associate, Eikna earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

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