Perfect Pairings

Perfect Pairings: Books and Food Network Shows

[Note from Frolic: This post is brought to you by our friends at Kensington. Looking for your next yummy read? Look no further than Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas!]

Whether you’re looking to unwind or looking for some great new recipes, watching the Food Network is a great way to unwind! Just make sure you’re not hungry while you watch, or you may find yourself having WAY too much food delivered by accident.

…just me?

Anyways, what goes well with a good meal? A good book, of course! Today, we’re pairing some of our favorite books with the Food Network shows that go perfectly with them. Read on to discover your new favorite book, show or both!

Picnic in Someday Valley by Jodi Thomas and The Pioneer Woman

If you’re in love with America’s Heartland, this is the book–and show–for you! Author Jodi Thomas is not only New York Times bestselling author, she is also the host of Down Home Reads, a book club perfect for fans of cooking, southern living and more. Picnic in Someday Valley is one of our favorite books from her charming Honey Creek series. Like the Pioneer Woman’s food, this series is absolutely heartwarming and fun. Here’s more about the book:

Marcie Latimer longs to run away from Someday Valley—especially since her ex-boyfriend spun a web of lies that almost led to tragedy in neighboring Honey Creek. Little wonder so many locals have turned their backs on her. But not Brand Rodgers. The quiet cowboy comes to listen every time she sings at Bandit’s Bar, offering a glimpse of safety and calm that Marcie’s rarely known.

After Texas Ranger Colby McBride saved Honey Creek’s mayor, Piper Mackenzie, from a fire, she claimed him with a kiss. That was five months ago, and Colby still isn’t sure where they’re headed. Piper loves her town—but does she love Colby? And is he even ready for what comes next?

Pecos Smith, Honey Creek’s emergency dispatcher, is grateful to have a new bride he adores and a baby on the way—even if one vital piece of the puzzle is missing. But as trouble comes stalking through the valley, lives will cross surprising paths. And Marcie, who’s always felt that a forever love was out of reach, might discover that Someday is the perfect place to find it . . .

Simmer Down by Sarah Smith and The Great Food Truck Race

The Great Food Truck Race is an absolutely fantastic show. It’s high stakes, quirky and fun. Each contestant is given a food truck and sent to different locations around the country to see who can sell the most food. You really choose sides and root for your favorites! This show pairs perfectly with Simmer Down by Sarah Smith, a sweet romance about rival food truck owners. Here’s more about the book:

In this finger-licking good rom-com, two is the perfect number of cooks in the kitchen.

Nikki DiMarco knew life wouldn’t be all sunshine and coconuts when she quit her dream job to help her mom serve up mouthwatering Filipino dishes to hungry beach goers, but she didn’t expect the Maui food truck scene to be so eat-or-be-eaten—or the competition to be so smoking hot.

But Tiva’s Filipina Kusina has faced bigger road bumps than the arrival of Callum James. Nikki doesn’t care how delectable the British food truck owner is—he rudely set up shop next to her coveted beach parking spot. He’s stealing her customers and fanning the flames of a public feud that makes her see sparks.

The solution? Let the upcoming Maui Food Festival decide their fate. Winner keeps the spot. Loser pounds sand. But the longer their rivalry simmers, the more Nikki starts to see a different side of Callum…a sweet, protective side. Is she brave enough to call a truce? Or will trusting Callum with her heart mean jumping from the frying pan into the fire?

Arsenic & Adobo by Mia P. Manansala and Chopped

Chopped is one of Food Network’s most iconic shows, not least for its signature phrase “you have been chopped.” Mia P. Manasala’s Arsenic and Adobo features a very different kind of elimination when a food critic drops dead in the first book in this cozy mystery series. More about the book below!

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She’s tasked with saving her Tita Rosie’s failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she’s the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila’s left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

A Game of Cones by Abby Colette and Ben & Jerry’s Clash of the Cones

What does a cozy ice cream murder mystery pair well with? An ice cream TV show, of course! Clash of the Cones is a fun, bite-sized series best enjoyed with a pint of ice cream in hand. And Abby Colette’s A Game of Cones, a murder mystery set in an ice cream parlor, is the perfect pairing for this sweet show. More about the book below:

In this charming mystery series set in an ice cream shop, no case is too cold to crack!

Bronwyn Crewse is delighted that Crewse Creamery, the ice cream shop her family has owned for decades, is restored to its former glory and serving sweet frozen treats to happy customers in the picturesque small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. But when a big city developer comes to town intent on building a mall, a killer with a frozen heart takes him out.

After literally stumbling across the body, one of Win’s closest friends becomes the prime suspect, and to make things worse, Win’s aunt has come to town with the intention of taking command of Crewse Creamery. Even though Win has a rocky road ahead to help her friend and keep her ice cream shop, it’ll take more than a sprinkle of murder to stop her from solving the crime and saving the day.

If you’re now hungry, you’re not alone! Grab a good meal and your copy of Picnic in Someday Valley wherever books are sold!