A delicious read from Dawn O'Porter!

Written exactly in her voice (Which I know sounds obvious, but it's not a given!) this easy to read memoir is structured through food. Through Dawn's relationship with food, through the delicious and not delicious things she's eaten and how that has shaped her life - through opportunities, relationships and more.

It's an easy read, entertaining and yet also emotional at times. Peppered with recipes throughout, the book is one that I greatly enjoyed. I think if you're a fan of O'Porter's fiction, you'll enjoy this too!

If comfort food were a book....

Well, for starters, I'd be 100lbs lighter.. (Books contain far fewer calories!)

Lovely, Dawn O'Porter, has been through some, really, difficult times and food has been a great comfort, to her, throughout.

I feel like Dawn writes, very much, as she speaks, you can, almost, hear her voice in your head, as you read this book.

The addition of some beloved recipes, only enhanced this book for me. So much so, that my 'gyro spike' arrives tomorrow, and the ingredients for 'Surprise Soup' are already on my shopping list!

I don't think there's a single person who'd fail to love this book...

I devoured it in one sitting!!!

Special thanks to, Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for providing this book for review consideration.

All opinions are my own.

This book is the gift that keeps on giving … not only giving an in depth insight into Dawn’s life growing up, facing tragedy at an early age and career highs and lows it lets you into her real passion food, I wasn’t expecting the wonderful recipes this book contained from a perfect salad dressing to an indulgent and healthier Mac n cheese . I found myself googling where to watch Extreme Wives which sadly isn’t available anymore. I applaud Dawn O’Porter for letting us into her life and having loved her fictions books this was even better

You cannoli say yes to reading this!!

I read Hungry Eyes by Dawn O'Porter as an ARC (thanks Netgalley) and I already know I’ll be buying a copy when it comes out.

This is a memoir wrapped up in food — the meals Dawn ate, the memories attached to them, the recipes she makes and loves — and honestly, I swear we’d be friends if we ever met. We seem to love all the same things: food, books, our kids, friends, Dirty Dancing… and we’re both a bit sweary.

The whole book feels like sitting down with a friend while they chat away over coffee (and probably snacks). It’s very stream of consciousness, which occasionally made me feel a little untethered in the timeline, but weirdly, I didn’t mind. That conversational style is exactly what made it feel so warm and personal.

And the FOOD. Oh my god. I loved the recipes and already can’t wait to try the LOVE kebabs and the panettone bread pudding. Also, Christmas needs to hurry up because now all I want is mince pies and blue cheese.

One warning: do not read this book when hungry. I was perpetually starving while reading it. Absolute torture in the best possible way.

I love Dawn, have done since the early 00s when she did the Dirty Dancing documentary on channel 5*. She kept me sane through lockdown, although I do blame her for my "cocktails and crisps every day after work" habit that took hold that first summer. :D

Life in Pieces is a compilation of writings from her Patreon account written during lockdown in Los Angeles, and it is lots of fun. I read this when it first came out but still dip into it today.

I've just finished Hungry Eyes (yes, Dawn is a huge Dirty Dancing fan!) her new memoir, full of stories about her life and the food memories they envoke. The whole book is delicious and I gobbled it up!

Puns aside, it's a frank and honest account of her life so far - Dawn has experienced such great loss, some of it at a very early age, and she speaks so openly about it. Be prepared for some emotional writing. A few tears were shed.

Of course, with Dawn, there is also a lot of laughter. I loved the stories about Dawn and her sister, Jane, visiting their Dad at Loch Lomand during the summer holidays. Plus some of her university menus were relatable. Who hasn't eaten a crisp sandwich for tea? Nutrition be damned.

The food descriptions are heavenly, but please do not make the mistake of reading it when hungry, you will torture yourself. Each chapter concludes with a recipe, many of which I want to try out.

I'll be getting a physical copy of this when it is published next month, my only quandary trying to decide if it goes on my shelves or on my trolley of cookery books.

Thank you so much to the publishers for my copy in exchange for a review.

I first encountered Dawn's work through the documentaries she made. I loved her fresh, all in approach to the subjects she tackled and I am glad to see that her willingness to be vulnerable and to express herself comes through on the page in this food infused memoir. I think there's a great balance here between the memoir sections and the recipes, which leaves you feeling satisfied with both aspects of the writing. Funny, touching and frank, this was an engrossing read.

I really loved this. I loved the way dawn wove her stories around the food she made. I can’t wait to try the indulgent bolognaise, stocking up on both vermouth and red wine (to try two different ways) I was approved to read this on Monday, it’s now Wednesday.
Dawn writes in such a fascinating and engaging way.
Thank you #Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this before publication.
Five stars all the way.
#Netgalley #HungryEyes