I like the concept but this book reminded me too much of some of the other recent sapphic books I have read with the opposites attract storyline.

I reaaally wanted to love this book! I thought the premise was so interesting and could make for such an interesting interplay between the characters. However, I found the largest complication of the novel to be heavily cliche/expected (built up and therefore predictable) and I didn't wholly agree with who was in the wrong there (especially due to the emphasised past between the characters). That being said, I did like the characters and their romance + the development that was present over time despite the shortness of the novel (short and sweet perhaps). Moreover the end was very tied-in-a-bow and expected albeit a nice simple addition (I'd have loved a later epilogue but that's just me). Overall it may be worth a read for avid romance readers as a short and sweet book but for myself I found it off putting at times in its stereotypical adherence to the genre and microtropes (it felt a lot longer than it was!!!).

Whisk Me Away is must-see TV. When the famous host arranges a retreat for up-and-coming pastry chefs, Regan Callahan applies. Everything she’s been working for is served up hot and delicious right under her nose: recognition of her self-taught skills, learning from a master, there’s even been a secret prize hinted at that just might give her the means to buy her boss’s bakery when he retires. It’s not supposed to be a competition, but if it is, she’ll do anything to win.

Ava Prescott has no intention of allowing that to happen. Not that she’s worried. Regan doesn’t have what it takes. Just like she couldn’t excel with Ava as her boss when they worked together at the high-end restaurant in New York City. Their rivalry sharp as a lemon tart, Ava’s going to win, then she’ll ditch the high-pressure kitchen and open a small restaurant where she’ll have the creative freedom to follow her instincts, and her unique desserts will blossom.

I adored this story! Georgia Beers is the queen of cozy romance for me, and I really enjoyed this food-centered delight! Ave and Regan were perfect, their chemistry was hot, and the retreat was the perfect setting for a romance. Loved this! 5⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

Tension and drama all the way!

Regan applies to a retreat for pastry chefs that is run by her idol and host of the TV show Whisk Me Away, Ava has also applied and she and Regan have a past. The retreat isn’t a completion, but Ava is determined to win the prize on offer at the end.

Right from the start there was drama in this story. Regan and Ava being at the retreat together brought instant tension in such a good way, especially when fate also had them sharing a room. For a long while they avoided talking about the issue they had with one another, but in a way only fate can it had other plans for them. When events bring them closer together, denial they have feelings for one another is then the catalyst as they try to hold onto past resentments. Again events take turns beyond their control though and make sure they are going to brought closer together, their emotions and hearts have other plans. They were surrounded by other attendees at the retreat that also brought extra levels to the story with their own worries and dreams to win, so it wasn’t just a rivalry between Regan and Ava that could change their ability to win.

While Ava and Regan were opposites, they actually did have a lot in common, especially their admiration for their idol. There was more than just their abilities to bake being tested at the retreat, and some of the tasks really took their toll on them all. More than once Ava took a knock and her confidence suffered. While Regan could have used that to her advantage, she didn’t, and that really won me over. I knew she was just hurt by what happened between her and Ava and had been protecting herself before, but when it really came down to it she really cared about Ava and went out of her way to support her, try to build her up, and help her in any way she could when she was allowed to. It was an interesting play on reality competitions without it being a television show that really exposed true natures of people when under pressure and feeling threatened. It also held an important messages that kindness always wins out and should be practiced always. After all, you never really know what someone else is going through.

Really loved the story and it had all I have come to know and love from a Georgia Beers romance. I cannot wait to read this story again, it was fun, yet deeply emotionally charged.

Georgia Beers’ latest novel, Whisk Me Away, invites readers into a world where ambition meets artistry in the high-stakes arena of elite pastry chefs. With its cozy-yet-competitive setting, familiar warmth, and a dash of romantic tension, the novel has all the ingredients of an enjoyable read. While it may not rise to the heights of Beers’ most emotionally stirring stories, Whisk Me Away still offers a charming escape filled with sugar, spice, and a touch of rivalry.

At the center of the novel are Regan Callahan and Ava Prescott, two talented bakers with a tangled professional history. When they’re both chosen to attend an exclusive baking retreat hosted by a celebrity chef, they’re forced to share space, confront old wounds, and—possibly—discover something new between them. The set-up promises a classic slow burn: rivals with history, forced proximity, and emotional baggage. There’s a natural tension built into the premise, and Beers uses it to create an appealing framework for a story about growth, forgiveness, and second chances.

For some readers, however, the romance between Ava and Regan may feel a little too easy. The story introduces their past conflict—Ava’s role in Regan losing a job—but resolves it quickly, with little of the lingering tension or gradual emotional buildup that characterizes Beers’ best romantic arcs. While the story certainly embraces warmth and optimism, those who crave more complexity in their love stories might wish for a few more layers and slower development. Still, for readers who enjoy a gentler romantic journey without prolonged angst, this approach could feel like a refreshing change of pace.

One of the more polarizing elements of the novel is the retreat host, a larger-than-life TV chef who brings a strong (and sometimes perplexing) presence to the story. Her actions—tough love or just plain tough—spark tension throughout the retreat. While her character arc may leave some readers scratching their heads, it does add dramatic flavor and raises interesting questions about mentorship, expectations, and the cost of ambition.

Where Whisk Me Away truly shines is in its immersive story world. Beers excels at creating settings that readers can simply lose themselves in, and the retreat, with its cozy kitchen drama and low-key reality TV vibes, feels both aspirational and intimate. The ensemble cast of diverse pastry chefs brings texture to the story, offering moments of humor, camaraderie, and friendship. And, as always, Beers’ accessible prose and natural dialogue keep the story flowing smoothly.

That said, the novel sometimes feels caught between two tones: it flirts with being a sharp-edged competition story, while also leaning into the warmth of a mentorship retreat. This tonal ambivalence may make the story feel a bit uneven in places. Still, there’s an underlying sweetness that carries the narrative, and many readers will appreciate its lighter touch.

In the end, Whisk Me Away may not be Georgia Beers’ most layered or emotionally intense offering, but it remains a pleasant, easy-to-digest romance. It’s a gentle read with a compelling premise, likable leads, and just enough kitchen drama to keep things interesting. Fans of Beers’ comforting style will find much to enjoy here, even if the emotional impact is a little softer than expected. For newcomers, it serves a solid introduction to her lovely storytelling style, delivering a feel-good experience with heart, humor, and a spoonful of sweetness.

Another good read by Georgia Beers. It was engaging enough that I finished quickly, but it missed that spark that she knows how to add to her books. I felt that the wrap up/letter from the Martha Steward wannabe was ridiculous and the break up/make up happened way to quickly. Like I said, I know she can write better stories than this because I've read all of her books - she's written books that have made me cry and read countless times. This unfortunately isn't one of those books. That's not to say it wasn't a good read - it just wasn't what I was hoping for.

Solid read but not the best, I was promised by someone else I would love it because it was just like the <Aubrey McFadden Is Never Getting Married > but I disagreed. All in all, I enjoyed it but not my favorite.

Another book by the one and only Georgia Beers. Another book that I just had to read, so I did. Ava Prescott, along with Regan Callahan were chosen to join four other pastry chef’s to attend a retreat run by none other than Master Pastry Chef Liza Bennett-Schmidt. Each year she chose six pastry chef’s to come to her very private retreat.
Regan and Ava didn’t know any of the other chef’s but they did know each other. Having worked together in a restaurant but they did not get along. Regan felt Ava was too much of a know it all, while Ava thought Regan didn’t have the chops to work in the finer restaurants. It did give Ava a chance to fire Regan. They haven’t seen each other since but they didn’t forget what had happened.
All the chef’s were here to learn all they could from one of the best pastry chefs, Ms. Bennett-Schmidt. Over her career has grown using her TV show, numerous cook books, and even has her own line of cookware. What she didn’t tell them was that they'd have a chance to win a hundred thousand dollars.
Oh, did I mention Ms. Bennett Schmidt had room set up for the pastry chefs, two to a room and just their luck, Regan and Ava had to share. Ms Georgia still surprises me with the journey her characters go through. Lots of laughs along the way make this one a very, very enjoyable read.
ARC via NetGalley/Bold Stroke Books

Ava and Regan have both been invited by their idol to a sort of 8 week intensive master class with 4 other bakers. Except, it turns into more of a competition. And, even though Ava and Regan have a bit of a past, they get closer. But, then, thanks to the famous chef and a bunch of other stuff too, it gets even more complicated for the two of them.

I didn't love the end, or the part right before the end. It seemed imbalanced and just made me wince, hard, repeatedly. I did like all the characters, well, except for the famous chef, but I'm pretty sure I wasn't supposed to like her. It was a solid book. Not my most favorite, but, not the worst I've read either.

Whisky Me Away by Georgia Beers had a really compelling setting—high-end kitchens and bakeries are notoriously toxic and competitive, so even the wilder plot twists (no spoilers!) didn’t feel as far-fetched as they might in a different context.
The dynamic between Ava and Hailey leans into the classic enemies-to-rivals trope, though it’s only lightly touched on. Honestly, if someone had gotten me fired, I’d be a lot more upset and way less quick to forgive—but maybe that’s just me being petty.
The story was enjoyable overall, but the romance felt a bit too easy. The relationship shift happened without much buildup or fanfare, and once feelings were in the mix, every disagreement was smoothed over almost instantly. It left me wanting more tension, more slow burn, more emotional stakes.
All in all, it’s a well-written romance—as Beers always delivers—but not one of my favorites from her. I’ve definitely fallen harder for other couples she’s created.

I am always happy to read Georgia Beers! Whisk Me Away is a great read with a full cast of characters and a little bit spice. A fab sapphic book for any sapphic fan! Bold Stroke Books needs to keep publishing books like this! :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Stroke Books for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Offered a chance to attend an exclusive 8 week baking retreat under the tutelage of a famed tv baker, Ava and Regan find themselves thrust together. It isn't quite the cosy learning experience they hoped for, with competition and stress part of each day. Despite a fraught interaction in the past, as roommatea on the retreat, these two womennfind themselves dealing with feelings they didn't expect.

This is a other great story from Georgia Beers. It has a number of tropes like enemies to friends, and forced proximity. I personally enjoyed the baking theme, though the food descriptions definitely left me with a few cravings. The tension and relationship are steamy. If you enjoy stories about professionals building relationships, you could enjoy this one.

Ava and Regan, two bakers with a complicated past, end up at the dame baking retreat, hosted by a famous tv chef and host. While there, they sort out their past, fall for each other, learn new baking techniques, and get messed with by the host. We get to follow along as we watch to see if their relationship can stand up to the heat.

This book was a lot of fun. I enjoyed all the cooking adventures, though I will admit U was a little disappointed that, while it was a competition, it wasn’t a tv show, which is what the description made it sound likes.

The romance was nice, though I wish they had had a few more actual conversations to build a relationship, instead of what felt like just a lot of physical activity. But that might be a personal preference.

I found both women interesting, and enjoyed the rest of the cast of characters, besides head chef, but I suppose that’s the point.

This is a very sweet book and will make you very hungry. The whole retreat concept is slightly awkward but it doesn't take anything away from the book. All characters are very likeable, especially Regan. Lovely book overall.

thank you to netgalley and bold strokes books for this arc!

as a baker who is also sapphic seeing this book on netgalley was an immediate request, and it did not disappoint. it was very cute, with the right amount of angst mixed in, dare i say exactly like baking is!

i loved the cast of characters, and the concept of whisk me away, as well as regan and ava's relationship. whilst i didn't love liza, i thought her character was a really good way of executing the story, and the different plot points and bumps in the road really made the development work well.

Beers is hit or miss for me, and unfortunately this one was a miss. I'm not sure what to rate it. If you've been dying to read a simple queer romance, especially one set in a kitchen, then go for it! but be prepared for it not to satisfy you're craving.

Ava got Reagan fired years ago, so there's some animosity, but they apologize for what each did wrong back then and forgive each other. Enemies to lovers this is not. They're technically rivals at the retreat but that doesn't affect the way they treat each other. There's no banter. No chemistry. Besides being the only two queer girls, and thinking the other was hot, I honestly couldn't see why they get together. And yeah sometimes that works. But this isn't 8th grade summer camp, I need more than that or for it to at least be written well, and for me, this wasn't.

The characters don't feel fleshed out either. The story drags on, though the relationship isn't slow-burn, and it's utterly predictable though it pretends not to be.

I really liked the concept, I thought it was tailor made to please me. I love baking, had a brief stint as a pastry chef, adore the TGBBB, and am queer af. So the disappointment stings more. I thinks Beers struggled with finding the appropriate amount of tension and it's source.
If the retreat had been as advertised, solely a calm mentorship type holiday, then more focus could've been on creating attraction and letting the tension be solely between the romance, like maybe the head chef kept forcing them to work together to get over their issues. Or it could've been a proper competition, where the tension came from them being rivals, and slowly falling for each other and having a sweet romance that is tested by their circumstances and drive to succeed.
Unfortunately it was neither, and turned out anticlimactic and unsatisfying for us the readers, as the retreat was for the attendees.

And don't get me started on the head chef, that kady was just a huge cow. I truly do not how her character added anything to the story. Her saying "you're a black woman in a male dominated field, so I was extra hard on you to help you" like what??? You're supposed to be mentoring them, you picked them as the best from a huge pile of qualified applicants. Do you not think that passing down your knowledge, and reassuring her she belongs there, would've been more helpful. I'm pretty she knows how hard it is lady.
The parting letter did not change my mind about her at all, and just seemed incongruent with her character if taken at face value, instead of as a way to cover her ass.

Also mega spoilers:
I hate Ava's ending, like im happy she got her dream, but like its super unrealistic that 50k would get you to buy or rent a place in NYC, revamp it to fit your needs and start a business from scratch. Using as a down-payment for an existing business, that is going to sell it to you cheaper because they know you, is way more likely. I thought Reagan was going to offer Ava a job, and maybe turn the bakery into a wine and dessert bar at night. That would've made more sense.

This was cute! It’s a pretty quick read, with a couple of spicy scenes, but is more focused on the cooking aspect and the dynamics between the different characters.

The plot wasn’t super flushed out, but that’s to be expected with such a short book. Although I wanted more, I didn’t feel like there were any huge gaps.

This book is third person dual POV, and the POV frequently switched multiple times during a chapter. Since it was third person and wasn’t noted, I found it a bit hard to follow at times.

Regan Callahan and Ava Prescott are two of six pastry chefs invited to a very exclusive two month mastery course. The host/teacher is renowned but is eccentric in her behavior. This isn’t supposed to be a competition but a hint of prize money is thrown in when the chefs arrive. Ava currently works at a high end NYC restaurant and Regan at a beloved bakery in the city as well. The two worked together once and it didn’t end well.

I am always a fan of Beers and her easy going writing. Her characters are down to earth, have good friends and usually have pets, in this case cats. The pair are assigned to room together so they need to work out their differences. I don’t think either was expecting the attraction to spark between them. I didn’t love that the hosts' motivations were not explained better. Of course there is a happy ending but it was a little clunky getting there. This is an enjoyable story and I can tell Beers’ has done her homework on pastry baking.

Whisk Me Away serves up an enemies-to-lovers F/F romance, set against the high-stakes backdrop of a baking retreat turned competition. Regan and Ava have a tangled history, and now they’re not only at the same retreat, but they are stuck being roomies for 8 weeks.

This book is a fun treat: sweet, lightly spiced, and packed with the kind of female friendships that feel authentic and comforting. There’s a twist near the end that adds a little extra flair to the otherwise cozy vibe, and the slow-burn tension between the leads is satisfying.

While a few of the descriptions and passages felt a little clunky at times, the strength of the character development more than made up for it. Beers does a lovely job balancing fun banter, emotional depth, and the warmth of found family vibes.

If you’re looking for a light, feel-good sapphic romance with competitive energy, a few surprise layers, and a whole lot of heart, Whisk Me Away is worth adding to your TBR.

Thanks to Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my voluntary honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really good book. The main characters were well written, and the story just put me in the setting of a reality cooking show competition. I like anything to do with baking and competition. The main characters had a lot of drama and angst throughout their relationship and it made this story even better and helped to keep me engaged. I also liked the slow build of the romance in this story, it just made it better. I would recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.