Simmer Down
Nikki DiMarco gave up her dream job to help run her family's Filipino food truck on Maui, keeping a promise to her late father. Then charming Callum James parks his rival truck right next door, breaking every rule of food truck etiquette. Their feud heats up ahead of the Maui Food Festival, where the winner keeps the prime parking spot. Beneath the competition, Nikki starts to see a protective, genuine side of Callum. A sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance.
About This Book
Simmer Down is a contemporary romance novel by Sarah Echavarre Smith, first published in 2020 by Berkley. It runs 336 pages. Readers can expect enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers.
At a glance
- Genre
- Contemporary
- Trope
- Enemies to Lovers
- Length
- 336 pages
- Format
- Paperback
Where to read or listen
Get Simmer Down by Sarah Echavarre Smith
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Why You May Love This Book
You may love this if…
- When a food truck rivalry in Maui turns personal, Nikki DiMarco must decide if she can look past the competition to find something more with her handsome competitor.
- Fans of culinary-themed romance
- Fans of lighthearted, high-stakes competition stories
- competitive
- Features Enemies to Lovers
The Romance
Tropes, dynamics, and the chemistry that drives this story.
Relationship Dynamics
Details
Type: Contemporary Romance
Pairing: unknown
Power balance: Competitive/Equal
How It Feels
The emotional landscape you'll move through while reading.
Moderate tension.
Heat Level
Based on available metadata and editorial review.
Who Is This Book For?
Best for
Reading mood
Recommended audience: Adult contemporary romance readers.
Content Guidance
The Story
Spoiler-Free Synopsis
Struggling to keep her family's Filipino food truck running, Nikki DiMarco finds her business threatened when Callum James parks his rival truck in the space next to her. As they compete for a premier parking spot at the upcoming Maui Food Festival, their professional feud masks a growing personal attraction, forcing Nikki to confront whether Callum is as insufferable as he seems.
Central Conflict
The professional rivalry over food truck territory and the Maui Food Festival prime parking spot between Nikki and Callum.
Setting
Maui, Hawaii; food truck scene.
Strengths
- Compelling, high-stakes rivalry premise
- Vibrant setting
Discussion Guide
Questions to deepen your reading experience or spark a book club conversation.
- 1
How does the central conflict shape the relationship between the main characters?
- 2
How does the setting influence the characters' decisions and their relationship?
- 3
How do the relationship dynamics evolve throughout the story?
- 4
Who would you most want to recommend this book to?
- 5
How did the pacing affect your reading experience?
- 6
Which aspect of the story did you find most compelling?
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
About the Author
Sarah Echavarre Smith
What Readers Say
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Publication Details
- Publisher
- Berkley
- Format
- Paperback
- Length
- 336 pages
- Language
- English
- ISBN-13
- 9781984805447
Simmer Down: quick answers
- Who wrote Simmer Down?
- Simmer Down was written by Sarah Echavarre Smith.
- When was Simmer Down published?
- Simmer Down was first published in 2020 by Berkley.
- What genre is Simmer Down?
- Simmer Down is a contemporary romance novel, with enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers.
- How many pages is Simmer Down?
- Simmer Down is 336 pages long (Paperback).
Are you the author? Verify your author profile to manage this book.
This is my book — sign inWhere to read or listen
Get Simmer Down by Sarah Echavarre Smith
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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