Messy Rom-Com Makes Char Laugh
When a book dedication tells their kids not to read a book because it has spice in it, it only gives the reader, if you like romance, more of a reason to pick it up and binge it. This happens in The Naked Truth by Ana Kirk Shaw. Follow the two childhood friends who turn enemies and ultimately become lovers in this spicy romcom.
After torching what was left of my reputation at my twin sister’s engagement party, I’ll do anything for redemption—even if it means traveling for a week in a car with my oldest nemesis: the smug, infuriatingly rich and successful Nico Giannuzzi. My plan? Keep my head down, survive this sister-mandated road trip, ignore the driver (even if he ruined my entire life), and focus on flirting with—sorry—ghostwriting the cookbook for the anonymous por—sorry—adult content creator chef whose emails make me smile. Even if Nico apologizes for my favorite foods. Even if he defends me in public, cooks for me in private, and looks at me like I’m the next thing on his menu. Even if he tries to uncover my secrets… and starts to share some of his own. Getting my act together means not letting Nico under my skin. Or my shirt. But… why won’t he take his off? Why does the way he moves in a kitchen seem so familiar? And why does this man, making me laugh over breakfast, suddenly feel exactly like the one who’s been lighting up my inbox for months?
I have never read a book that I felt was so real until now. Ana Kirk Shaw got into Annie’s head and showed how childhood trauma can shape who you are as an adult. I thought it was beautifully written. This story is unique and so funny. Both points of view made me laugh. I loved Annie’s friends and Nico’s warm personality. This is going to sound so bad, but my favorite part of this book is actually the dedication. If I were ever to write a book, I don’t think I would want my kids to read it either. I am such a foodie, so I really enjoyed the food science thrown in with the regular cooking. It’s great. Annie and Nico were the chaos couple you love and hate. The chaos they bring to any moment when they are together makes their love story even better. I really liked that it was messy and not perfect. It really felt like a true love story and not the Disney version.
