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Rating: 
Summary: Girl Cook, Good Book
Review: I found more reality in this book than most other people, it appears. I am currently a student at Le Cordon Bleu. This is the reason I bought the book. I feel very much like Layla. Unsure of myself at times, trying to play it cool, wanting a job in the restaurant industry. Certainly it was odd how Layla continuously ran into Dick Davenport and practically began a relationship with him before they even had a first date. The book does end abrubptly but it leaves readers with a smile (or scowl); the future for Layla can be as happily-ever-after as readers decide. Women can relate to Layla, at least I did. I may have bought the book because of the fact that the author, main character, and myself have all attended Le Cordon Bleu, but I read it because Layla is a real woman I can indentify with - her ability to continue soldiering on gave me motivation to do the same. Hannah McCouch wrote this book in a manner in which it's entirely believable. She may not be an A-list author, but I'm not sure that matters. A lot of A-list authors aren't there because they write well but rather because they're marketed to be best-sellers. The book is too short and Layla can make you feel fat - she's 5'7" and 140 lbs., a perfectly respectable weight and yet she thinks she's a hippo. I got past those two dislikes easily enough; this is a book I won't be selling on Amazon marketplace.
Rating: 
Summary: A cutesy summer read...
Review: Layla Mitchner dreams of becoming a chef and of true love. Instead, she works as a lowly salad tosser under the watch of a seemingly misogynistic boss. Under increased pressure from her semi-famous actress mother and her friends, she finally quits. Best bud Billy tries to hook her up with Dick Davenport, but Layla thinks he might be a little too uptight for her. (He wears shoes with tassels for goodness sakes!) She then meets a broody mysterious musician named Frank, but everything isn't always what it seems with him. Layla continues to try and get back on track with her career, while constantly finding herself running into Mr. Davenport, whom she seems to be unable to get out of her head. While some parts are a tad predictable, I really enjoyed Layla's cast of friends, which besides flamboyant Billy, include Austrian cook Gustav and bartender Dina.
Rating:
Summary: Girl Cook, Good Book
Review: This book was a delightful and easy read. It's humorous and realistic. Layla thought things I've often found myself thinking and laughing. I enjoyed her writing style, she wasn't trying to be a writer she just wrote. I would definately recomend this book to anyone that's had moments of self doubt about themselves, their careers and their relationships.
Rating: 
Summary: Intriguing fluff
Review: This book won't disappoint you as long as you have realistic expectations. The themes aren't new- twentysomething girl trying to find love in the big city and struggling for success in a man's world- but it's a good little piece of fluff, nonetheless.
'Girl Cook' is a quick read, and the humor is sharp and witty. The plot is predictable, but is entertaining enough to keep you reading. If you enjoyed 'Loose Lips' by Claire Berlinski or the Bridget Jones' Diary books, then this will probably be a good book for you.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous, Fun Read
Review: This slim little book packs quite a punch. McCouch's Layla is the kind of character that sticks with you after you put the book down. The author has a deft hand with characterization and, with a few adroit phrases, brings even her supporting players to vivid life. I didn't want the book to end and was only consoled by the preview of McCouch's next book (Mountain Betty) that is included in the paperback edition. Hannah: if you read this - I'm hoping for a sequel! Well done!
Rating:
Summary: A Delicious Blend of Food and Romance
Review: Treat your taste buds to this delightful book from first time author Hannah McCouch. Enter the kitchens of New York restaurants with Layla Mitchner, a Cordon Bleu graduate who is desperate to move from salads up to finer cooking. The degree of chauvinism she encounters is frightening in modern times, and readers will be rooting for Layla as they enjoy the scrumptious descriptions of food throughout the book. Layla has relationship problems as well, with bad dates after almost humorously bad dates with a decidedly Mr. Wrong. Mr. Right is in the picture, but Layla will see it long after readers do. GIRL COOK is refreshing. Fans of the young woman/diary/relationship genre will literally eat this up, but it has an edge not always seen in those titles. In addition to the fun setting of kitchens and cookery, Layla is passionate about her work and not obsessed with men. She is more interested in making this career work than waiting by the phone. But readers looking for romance will not be disappointed. McCouch has a gift for creating a believable cast and setting. This book will leave readers hungering for more of her work. --- Reviewed by Amy Alessio
Rating: 
Summary: Worse than a bad meal out...
Review: Two of my favorite genres are "chick lit" and "food lit". Sadly, this novel is an embarassment to both. While the culinary aspects of the novel do seem realistic, I had no empathy for Layla. As the main character, I found her utterly unlikeable and the plot to be completely unrealistic (especially the ending). I was not rooting for her... she was whiney, bitchy and a bit emotionally disturbed. The supporting characters were one-dimensional stereotypes at best. Even though it's a quick read, don't waste even a few hours on it.
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