24 Delicious Books About Food to Devour
We thought it would be fun to round up books that had us craving delicious treats, so below are some of our favorite fiction books about food. We’ve all been there. We are reading a book or watching a movie and some delicious dish is brought to our attention.
Then, the cravings begin. And once those cravings begin, we must get the food in question. Like hold the phone, don’t talk to me until that food has been consumed with abandon. These novels about food are as delicious to read as their titles suggest. Enjoy
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Fiction Books About Food
Miss Cecily’s Recipes for Exceptional Ladies
Author: Vicky Zimmerman
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Kate’s life is not exactly where she thought it would be months before her 40th birthday. Her job is not secure and she has had to move back in with her mother after yet another break with her boyfriend.
What she finds is a grumpy, smart, and very smart 97-year-old lady named Cecily. The two ladies begin an unlikely friendship that will change them both forever.
Why Jackie loves it
It is such a feel-good book but a fair warning- reading this book will make you very hungry!
The Audrey Hepburn Estate
Author: Brenda Janowitz
Year: 2023
Genre: Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Emma, a celebrated chef and caterer, is upset that her childhood home is set to be demolished by a developer, Leo, who also used to live at the Audrey Hepburn Estate.
Emma was the housekeeper’s daughter, Leo, the chauffeur’s son, and rounding out their childhood trio was Henry, raised by his grandparents on the rolling estate out on Long Island. Long ago, Emma and Leo discovered a secret about Henry’s family and now that the estate is ready to be torn down, those family secrets are coming to light.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Grief
Why Kirsten loves it
Part mystery, part love-triangle romance, this story has all the drama and intrigue I expect from Brenda Janowitz.
Find this book in: Novels About Food / Jewish Writers / Beach Reads 2023
Plot
Duc is the founder of a chain of sandwich shops around the country. He has 5 estranged adult children and a wife he has not seen in years. When he decides to retire, he gives conditions to his children. His four daughters must revitalize failing shops within a year, but his only son will inherit everything if he gets married. The catch? Whoever does it first wins the whole inheritance.
But the store each sibling is given unlocks bigger mysteries, and soon, everyone will learn the real reasons for this bazaar scheme and the secrets their mother and father kept hidden.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Hate Crimes
Why Kirsten loves it
I love a sibling drama, but I was not expecting to fall in love with this story so deeply. I didn’t want it to end. I loved each sibling’s journey. I loved learning the back story between Duc and Evelyn…and I craved a Bánh Mì the entire time! Gifted by Simon & Schuster & Simon & Schuster Audio
Find this book in: Sibling Books / Books About Food / Best Beach Reads 2025 / Best Fiction Books of 2025 / Family Inheritance Novels / Giftable Books
The Chicken Sisters
Author: K.J. Dell’ Antonia
Year: 2020
Genre: Fiction
More info: December 2020 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is another winner picked by Reese Witherspoon! This was an enjoyable family drama based around two sisters competing in a fictional reality TV food competition.
As the competition turns to tricks and sabotage, the sisters’ war with each other turns ugly. Family secrets just keep getting exposed and the hijinx gets better and better. This was the perfect light read to end 2020 and a perfect pick for a list of books about sisters.
Why Kirsten likes it
I liked the family drama and the silly antics in this book. The relationship between the sisters was a fun read as well.
Find this book in: Books with Food in the Title / Books About Sister and Sisterhood / Ultimate Beach Reads 2021 / Books About Food / Reality TV Novels / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2020
Romance Books About Food
The Cafe by the Sea
Author: Jenny Colgan
Year: 2017
Genre: Fiction
More info: Mure Island #1
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Jenny Colgan churns out another light beach read with heart. Cafe by the Sea is set on the gorgeous island of Mure in Scotland. Scotland shines in this story about life in a town set in its ways and trying to resist the pull of modern life. Flora has returned home because her boss, Joel – who she is secretly in love with – asks her to. She thought she needed to leave Mure to be who she was destined to be, but being back and reconnecting with her family has her questioning who she really wants to be.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is a romance in this story, but the pull was also on the heroine reconnecting with her old life and family.
Find this book in: Bakery Romance Novels / Office Romances / Best Jenny Colgan Books / Books About Food
Fake It Till You Bake It
Author: Jamie Wesley
Year: 22
Genre: Romance
More info: Sugar Blitz #1
Spice Rating:💋💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Donovan is an NFL player who also owns a struggling cupcake bakery with a few of his friends. Jada is internet famous, and not in a good way. She rejected a proposal on a bachelor-like TV show and now she’s got haters all over!
After taking a job at Donovan’s store, she lies to a reporter and says she was still thinking of Donovan when she rejected the proposal.
So now she is fake-dating Donovan and helping the cupcake store in the process. But can they turn this fake relationship into something more?
Why Kirsten likes it
Um yes, and with SIZZLING chemistry to boot! This is a fake dating book at its steamiest.
Find this book in: Ultimate Beach Reads 2023 / Fake Dating / Romance Sports Books / Bakery Romances
Plot
When Charlie Goodwin gets a concussion, and cannot smell or taste, she doesn’t know what to do. Her job as a chef and the promotion she has been working toward is on the line.
She begs her twin sister Cass to switch places like they did when they were kids. She will take over the bakery and Cass will pretend to be her.
Why Jackie loves it
This adorable holiday romance is just the book to brighten your day and put a smile on your face. This is one of the best holiday books I’ve read!
Find this book in: Best Christmas Books Of All Time / Holiday Books / Books About Sisters / Best Canadian Novels / Books About Food / New Christmas Books 2021 / Bakery Romances
Best Novels About Food: Mysteries
The Golden Spoon
Author: Jessa Maxwell
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery
More info: Only Murders in the building meets The Maid
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Every summer for the past ten years, bakers come to a Vermont estate to film a hit television show with the famous host and estate owner Betsy Martin. This year, something is off with the competition as things start to go awry on the set. Suddenly, a body is discovered in this locked room mystery.
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book a day and absolutely loved it. It felt like Agatha Christie meets the Great British Baking Show. There is more than meets the eye with this cozy mystery and I loved every minute. As you get to know each character, the story becomes that much better they are equal parts delightful, hilarious, and suspicious.
Find this book in: Novels About Food / Domestic Thrillers / Books with Colors in the Title / Cozy Mystery Books / Cozy Fall Books
Arsenic and Adobo
Author: Mia P. Manansala
Year: 2021
Genre: Cozy Mystery
More info: Book 1 of 5: Tita Rosie’s Kitchen Mysteries
Age Range: Anthony Award Winner 2022, RUSA Award-winning novel
Plot
From the very first page of this book, I was completely hooked. I loved this book and could not put it down. This book is the perfect mix of cozy mystery and scrumptious food. I felt like Lousie Penny met Jenny Colgan to write this book.
When Lila moves home to help her family with their restaurant, she never dreamed that she would be put in the middle of a murder investigation. A food critic who is known for nasty reviews dies after a confrontation with Lila. The fact that he is also her ex makes her the prime suspect. Now, she has to prove her innocence with the help of her best friend and nosy aunties.
Why Jackie loves it
This is such a light-hearted and fun cozy mystery novel. I was invested from the first page. I also laughed out loud at the antics. #gifted
Find this book in: Books About Food / Best Cozy Mystery Books / Books with Food in the Title
Magical Realism Novels About Food
Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune by Roselle Lim
I had this book in my TBR pile since last year. I don’t know why I did not get around to reading this book sooner but, I am so glad that I waited. After reading Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop, I immediately picked this up.
There should be a warning included- do not read this book while you are hungry! There are so many things about this book that I loved. The relationships between friends and family are warm and wonderful. This book left me with a happy feeling. This is one of my favorite novels about food.
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Author: Heather Webber
Year: 2019
Genre: Magical Realism
Age Range: 16
Plot
Anna Kate has returned to her hometown to bury her beloved grandmother. It is supposed to be a quick trip to close her grandmother’s cafe but, Anna Kate finds herself drawn to the town.
The longer Anna Kate stays, the more she finds out about her family, and the pull to fulfill a promise starts to compete directly with the pull of her heart.
Why Jackie loves it
This pick from novels about food was an unexpected surprise. It has a little element of magic, as well as a fairy tale, feel.
Plot
After Lolly’s mother dies, she abandons her hopes and dreams as well as the love of her life to stay and run the family’s struggling Seattle diner. Now, as her 33rd birthday approaches, she is sad and lost. Everyone seems to be living the life they chose except her.
For a birthday gift, her aunt gives her magic lemon drops which will allow her to relive one day in a life that might have been. What if she never broke up with her fiance? What if her mom didn’t die?
This book is such a thoughtful and original book that really makes you think- is there something you would want a “do-over”? I loved this adorable book from our Ultimate Beach Reads 2023.
Trigger Warnings
Parental Death
Why Jackie loves it
The writing is so good and the story felt fresh and original. I also loved the character development and at the end, I could only smile.
Find this book in: Books With Food in the Title / Books About Food /
Historical Fiction Books About Food
Lessons in Chemistry
Author: Bonnie Garmus
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: April 2022 GMA Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
I don’t even know where to begin with this unique contemporary fiction story. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 50s when women were expected to know their place in society- the kitchen and the home. I did not know what to expect when the book started and I never could have guessed where the story would take me.
Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously in her field and as a single mother, in this amazing book. So when an offer to host a cooking show for women is put in her path, she reluctantly takes it.
She uses her no-nonsense attitude and chemistry principles to teach the women in America how to cook and follow their dreams outside of the home.
Zott is a quirky character like Eleanor Oliphant with a charming daughter and a dog whose inner monologue is as quirky as hers. This is also an absolutely wonderful book about motherhood!
Trigger Warnings
Sexism
Why Jackie loves it
Elizabeth Zott is never characterized as neurodivergent. However, the way that she relates to the other characters leads me to believe that she is. I love the character growth and I was cheering for her success throughout the entire book. Can I also tell you how much I LOVE Six-Thirty?
Why Kirsten loves it
I loved seeing a woman before her time being a powerful strong role-model. She thrived and set a great example for her daughter. That is not even to mention the narration of this book! She is so great and so is six-thirty.
Find this book in: Lessons in Chemistry Book Club Guide / 15 Books Like Lessons in Chemistry/ Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Books Like Eleanor Oliphant / Books About Women in the Workplace / Books About Food / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Books Set in the 1960s
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Author: Fannie Flag
Year: 2005
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Adapted to a film of the same name in 1991 starring Kathy Bates
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Fried Green Tomatoes is a book that I read years ago and have loved ever since. It is a novel about two women: middle-aged Evelyn, who is in a life slump, and Mrs. Threadgoode, who’s telling her life story.
Her story includes two more women, tomboy Idgie and her friend Ruth in the 1930s. The women ran The Whistle Stop Cafe in Alabama. As the story unfolds, it brings us back to the present and reveals the power of love, laughter, and most importantly, friendship.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Domestic abuse
Why Jackie loves it
This book resonated with me because of the power of friendship but also the feeling of no knowing who you are or where your place is. As everyone goes through any changes in life, whether its a new job, growing older, or having a baby, we all at some point see the different paths in front of us. This is one of those books that everyone can relate to and the movie adaptation is fantastic!
Find this book in: Coffee Shop Romance Books / Books About Food / Books With Colors in the Title / Books with Food in the Title
With the Fire on High
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Year: 2019
Genre: YA Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 13+
Plot
This story is set in Philly (which I love) and features a Black woman of Caribbean descent who is entering her senior year of college. Emoni wants to be a world-class chef but struggles with pursuing her passions in the kitchen while balancing the responsibilities of having a toddler.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
After hearing a lot about this particular coming-of-age story, I quickly snatched it up, and let me tell you, the hype is real. It’s a true coming-of-age story that is as delicious to devour as the many recipes described in the book.
Why Jackie loves it
This book reminds me of Lessons in Chemistry because the two main characters have so much in common. Both are trying to balance career and parenthood and both are chefs!
Find this book in: Books Like Lessons in Chemistry / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books set in High School / Fun Books for Teens
