Review: Love from Scratch by Amy Hutton

If you’ve been here before you probably know I love an Aussie romcom novel, and I enjoyed Amy Hutton’s Sit, Stay, Love so much that there was no question I was going to pick up her latest novel Love from Scratch as soon as I could get my hands on it! Here’s the blurb from the publisher’s website – check out my review below!

What is Amy Hutton’s Love from Scratch about?

Ethan James has a problem: he’s about to start shooting a movie and he needs someone to mind his anxious dog, Harry. This film could make or break Ethan’s career, and he knows he has to give it all his attention, but Harry’s new minder turns out to be more of a hindrance than a help. She’s gorgeous and funny, and throws so much shade in his direction that Ethan can’t think straight. 

Hazel Conor has a problem: she’s just lost her job as a sous chef at the fancy beachside restaurant she uphauled her life for. And if she doesn’t get another job soon, she won’t be able to afford food – or worse, cat food, and then her grouchy cat Kevin will finally murder her in her sleep. So when she sees an ad for an easy dog minder job, she goes for it. 

Hazel finds everything about Ethan annoying; he’s flashy, flirty, and a total charmer. She probably wouldn’t look at him twice if it wasn’t for her cat. Because Kevin, the cat who hates everyone, is totally smitten with Ethan James. And with each purr, cheek rub and head bump that Kevin bestows on Ethan, Hazel begins to wonder if there’s something her cat can see that she can’t. 

My review of Love from Scratch

Ok so it completely didn’t occur to me that Love from Scratch would follow on from Sit, Stay, Love, and I was thrilled when I realised we were back with Ethan again! I really love the way linked romance books like this, where it’s sort of a series but also stand alone, give us the chance to check back in with favourite characters, and it was fun to follow along with Ethan onto the set of his new movie.

Hazel made a great leading lady opposite Ethan’s move star hero, I liked the way she was tough and slow to trust, but at the same time so kind and gentle – she is a great example of people not always being quite wat they seem (of course same goes for Ethan and his celebrity facade, one of the reasons they are such a good pair!). I do love a foody focus in a book, so she also gets extra points for being a chef! I liked seeing their relationship develop, and the way they both helped each other through some difficult issues and feelings caused by traumas in their past. Like in Sit, Stay, Love, the banter worked really well for me. Amy Hutton writes such good dialogue between her characters, and this really helped make the relationships feel authentic.

I absolutely recommend this one to anyone who loves a romcom novel and is looking for something a bit spicy with a gorgeous beachy setting and lots of fab food. Let me know if you’ve read this one or are planning to pick it up!

xo Bron
***

Love from Scratch by Amy Hutton
Out now from Simon & Schuster
Source: I received an ecopy from Simon & Schuster via NetGalley
Category: Contemporary romcom
Format: Ebook

Love from Scratch on The StoryGraph and Goodreads

Keep up with Amy Hutton on her website here or Instagram account here.
My review of Amy Hutton’s previous novel, Sit, Stay, Love is here.

Want to hear about more romance reads? Click here.