Title: Lose You to Find Me
Author: Erik J. Brown
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication date: May 16, 2023
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Summary
Tommy has been working at Sunset Estates, a retirement community, in order to gain experience to get into culinary school. Which means he also needs a letter of recommendation from his manager. In order to get it, he has to complete three tasks–including training the new hire.
But it just so happens that the new hire is someone Tommy knew. An old crush from childhood named Gabe. However, it appears that Gabe doesn’t remember Tommy. And training him proves difficult when old feelings start to resurface for Tommy. Will he be able to push those aside and finish his tasks to get into culinary school? Or will his feelings overcome him?
Review: Lose You to Find Me
Thanks to NetGalley and Balzer + Bray for an advanced copy of Lose You to Find Me by Erik J. Brown to review! My second food themed rom-com in a row–maybe it’s a trend for May? Either way, this is a different direction for Erik J. Brown, and I loved it. Once again, he has created great characters with witty banter that you’re going to love from the beginning.
Of course, Tommy and Gabe are the highlight of the book. That childhood friends to possible lovers thing is a great trope, even if it appears only one of them remembers. Brown does a good job of creating that romantic tension right from the beginning, punctuating it with a great cast of side characters who are also rooting for them. Plus, using the setting of the restaurants adds to the tension, having to always work together. It really is a fantastic premise for a book.
Not necessarily a fan of the fact that Tommy makes moves when Gabe has a boyfriend, but you know. They’re teenagers. It happens. The story overall is pretty character-driven, with some twists that might make you gasp. I also appreciated that not necessarily everything works out the way Tommy wants, and that’s okay. It’s a great message to have a book for teens, because no matter how much you plan, not everything works out the way you want it to.
All in all, this is another great book to put on your summer TBR if you’re looking for another fun rom-com!
4.5/5 stars