From the publisher:
A Stirring Novel of Self-Discovery, Resilience, and Culinary Adventures from New York to Italy and Paris, Unraveling the Secret Life of a Lost Love—Perfect for Summer Reading
Eat Post Like is a heartwarming debut novel of self-discovery, resilience, and the transformative power of food.
Cassie Brooks has her life all figured out.
- Make partner at the prestigious law firm she works at by age 35
- Put in as much work as required to make goal #1 happen
- Spend as much time as possible with her boyfriend, James Colwell
Work might be exhausting, but for now she’s satisfied making good money and enjoying New York City with James. He’s an accountant but has surprisingly eclectic taste in food. Cassie is starting to think he could be the one when her life flips upside down with one call: James has died tragically.
Months into her grief, she uncovers a worn diary belonging to James and stumbles upon a remarkable revelation: James was the mastermind behind the hottest, anonymous foodie account in the city. With detailed food reviews, lists of new restaurants, and a tantalizing plan to involve Cassie, James had been preparing for an adventure of a lifetime.
When Cassie unwittingly accepts a dinner reservation on behalf of James’s viral account, she embarks on a whirlwind journey filled with unforgettable meals and unexpected connections. She goes from endless hours on-call as a lawyer to savoring exquisite pasta in Italy and indulging in the finest French cuisine in Paris.
But as Cassie navigates the demands of being an influencer and embracing her newfound passions, she struggles to find balance. Does she have what it takes to maintain her secret identity while pursuing her own dreams? Can she balance her grief of losing James with the thrilling possibilities that lie ahead?
Cassie is an ambitious lawyer clawing her way toward partnership, which means she’s perpetually on call and utterly consumed by work. This devotion to her career wreaks havoc on her two-year relationship with James, a man of seemingly infinite patience. In Cassie’s ruthless prioritization, work comes first, she comes second, and James trails a distant third. He endures this treatment because he’s deeply in love and holds onto the hope that someday Cassie will realize he matters more than billable hours. Tragically, that day never comes—James dies in an accident before Cassie can reassess her priorities.
With no family of his own—like Cassie—James leaves everything to her, including his apartment. Cassie steels herself to sort through his belongings. Hidden in his closet, she makes a startling discovery: multiple fake identities complete with costumes, IDs, and credit cards. What initially seems sinister reveals itself as something entirely different—James was secretly @NewYorkSecretDiner, the anonymous and wildly popular food critic with millions of followers.
After accessing his phone and social media accounts, Cassie discovers an invitation for James to join the prestigious Viand review team (think Michelin) for a European food tour. Seizing this opportunity, she requests a sabbatical from work and heads to Europe, determined to honor James’s memory by stepping into his shoes.
Despite having shared countless meals with James and following his Instagram account, Cassie faces the daunting challenge of masquerading as an expert among elite food bloggers and a renowned cookbook author. She throws herself into preparation—studying restaurants, researching chefs, and learning food photography—all while terrified of being exposed as a fraud.
The journey proves transformative. As Cassie navigates grief while experiencing extraordinary restaurants and luxury accommodations, the book becomes rich with meticulously detailed descriptions of real establishments and cuisine. The author, herself a food writer, brings authentic expertise to every page. While I’ll likely never afford to dine at most of these places (Noma has permanently closed, and the others are simply beyond my budget), I savored every description. Though I consider myself something of a foodie, I’m not as adventurous as this author—sometimes I prefer reading about exotic dishes rather than actually eating them.
This is fundamentally Cassie’s story of personal growth and self-discovery. While there’s a touch of romance, food remains the true star. The secondary characters, though not deeply developed, serve their purpose as mirrors reflecting Cassie’s transformation.
If you love food and travel writing, this book will satisfy your appetite. If you’re seeking complex character development or intricate plotting, you might want to look elsewhere. For what it sets out to accomplish, I found it genuinely enjoyable.
7/2025 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
EAT POST LIKE by Emily Arden Wells. Avon (June 3, 2025). ISBN: 978-0063307438. 384p.
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