Review Detail

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Where There’s a Whisk by Sarah J. Schmitt follows Peyton, a recent high school graduate, as she competes on Top Teen Chef for a chance to win a full paid scholarship to one of the four top culinary schools. This YA contemporary has something for everyone: drama, lots of laughs, a hint of romance, and the excitement of competition.

What I Loved:
Peyton Sinclaire is a relatable character that is easy to cheer on from the first page. I liked seeing her grow as the show progressed. Her willingness to learn from the judges and the other competitors showed that she truly loves and is passionate about being a chef, or in her case a baker. She can be a bit naive at times, especially in how she trusts the other teens on the show, but this is believable in someone who has never been in that particular situation. I admired how she saw the best in all of the competitors, even those that were not the nicest.

I absolutely love that the entire book is set during the show. It opens with Peyton’s first day on set and closes with the finale. It made for an interesting read as we get a glimpse into each aspect of the competition and experience it all through Peyton. The author gives us a behind the scenes tour as we see how Peyton and her other competitors are viewed, the things they do just for the show versus what is real. It was easy to empathize with Peyton as she experienced the harsh reality of learning to decipher the real from the acting.

What Left Me Wanting More:
I struggled in the beginning of the book to keep all the characters straight. There are several competitors, and as everything is told from Peyton’s perspective, it was hard to remember who was who. Once the elimination began, it was easier to differentiate them. They became more fleshed out. I wouldn’t say I was invested in any character aside from Peyton.

The love interest was hard to believe. There was very little building of a relationship between Peyton and the character. I didn’t have any emotions or attachment to him and honestly was surprised to see that Peyton liked him back.

Final Thoughts:
Overall I really enjoyed Where There’s a Whisk. I loved the setting of the competition as it was a driving force of the plot. I also loved Peyton and rooted for her from page one. I would’ve liked to see more fleshed out characters from those that were competing against her as they played a large role in shaping her. Regardless, I enjoyed it. If you enjoy reality TV, drama, and a touch of romance, I highly recommend it.