Slow Burn

By: Nguyen, Trinity

In this YA rom-com two teenage contestants compete on a reality cooking show and dish out a fun enemies to lovers romance.

Lizzie Ly is determined to win when she's invited to compete on Sweet Heat--a reality cooking show where young cooks compete for a mentorship under world famous chef, Harrison Moss. Victory would mean finally fulfilling her culinary dreams and honoring her mother's memory.

But then Ethan Huang walks into the kitchen.

Lizzie never forgot when the arrogant foodstagrammer nearly destroyed her kitchen confidence with a harsh review, and now he's her competition? Ethan, however, has plans of his own. He's ready to prove to his parents and the world that cooking isn't just a hobby, it's his future. And he's not about to let Lizzie Ly stand in his way.

From collaborating on team challenges, enduring the show's meddling producers, and one upping each other in their private late-night cookoffs, Lizzie and Ethan clash at every turn. But as the competition comes to a boiling point, they begin to realize that their rivalry might be the very thing pushing them to become their best selves...

Lizzie and Ethan are falling in love...but can they turn up the heat without getting burned?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0DTYHP3TV
• ISBN13: 9781250410160
• Release Date: December 2026
• Publisher: Henry Holt & Company
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary