Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Books That Made Me Hungry: A Literary Feast of Food, Feels & Fiction.

Welcome back to Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi.

Today’s post is dedicated to something we all secretly (or loudly) love—food in books. These stories didn’t just feed my heart; they made me crave everything from dorayaki to gelato to desi comfort food.๐Ÿ“š๐Ÿ›๐Ÿจ

Okay, so is it just me, or do some books really know how to make you hungry? Like you’re reading a scene and suddenly you’re craving pasta, hot chocolate, or that oddly specific dessert the characters are eating? I’ve honestly stopped mid-read to snack more times than I can count.

In today’s blog, I’m sharing some books that didn’t just feed my soul but made me want to raid my kitchen. Let’s dive into this yummy list, shall we?


๐Ÿฝ️ Books That Made Me Hungry:

  1. Sweet Bean Paste by Durian Sukegawa
    A quiet, heartwarming story filled with gentle food moments — especially the way dorayaki is made, slowly and patiently. The red bean paste feels like a symbol of everything unspoken, everything tender. It’s not just a story about food, but about connection, shame, and finding joy in small routines.
    ๐Ÿต “There’s a story in every bean.” If you want something poetic and warm, this one is a must.                                                                                                                    
    Book link : Sweet Bean Paste

  2. Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch
    Pizza, gelato, cobbled streets, and love in the air — Italy is the real flavor here. Every scene felt like a postcard and a food diary, and the gelato descriptions? Irresistible. It’s light, romantic, and perfect for anyone who dreams of travel and sweet cravings.
    ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ• “Eating gelato is a love language.” If you love YA with wanderlust and whipped cream, add this to your list.                                                                                                 
    Craving a good foodie romance? Love & Gelato is one click away here.

  3. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
    The Italy part? A full-on pasta and pizza party. Food becomes her freedom, her way of reconnecting with joy, and you can taste the happiness in every bite she describes. It's one of those books where indulgence becomes a form of healing.
    ๐Ÿ “I'm having a relationship with this pizza.” Read this if you’ve ever wanted to run away, eat well, and come back to yourself.                                                                   “You can grab your copy of Eat, Pray, Love Here.”

  4. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
    Food here isn't just food—it's comfort, memory, and emotional intimacy. Clementine cooks like she’s trying to say the things she can’t put into words, and every meal she prepares feels like a quiet act of love. The magical time-slip twist adds a layer of longing that’s both beautiful and bittersweet.
    ๐Ÿฒ “Sometimes the best meals are the ones cooked for someone else.” For fans of cozy romance with depth and warmth, this book is a hug in disguise.                              “If The Seven Year Slip sounds like your thing, it’s available on Amazon.”

  5. Luv Shuv in New York by N.M. Patel
    Desi food, big dreams, and messy love in NYC, this one’s as tasty emotionally as it is culturally rich. Akira’s journey, peppered with nostalgia, home-cooked memories, and immigrant dreams, makes every cultural bite feel personal. The way Patel captures love, identity, and food culture together is deeply moving and warming.
    ๐ŸŒ† “It’s not just about falling in love but finding yourself in a world that tells you who you should be.” This quote is from a heartfelt reader review, and it perfectly captures the book’s overall mood.                                                                                       Get the book: Here

  6. Resort to Romance by Kacey Sophia
    Set in a snowy Austrian resort, this story blends cozy comfort food and romance with cultural warmth. Alisha and Felix’s slow-burn journey feels like a snowy day wrapped in hot cocoa—soft, healing, and full of warmth. The descriptions of chalet dinners and fireside chats brought the food and the heart home for me.
    ⛷️ “Be brave enough to take the first step.” This line, spoken by Felix, echoes his emotional growth and healing—and it's directly from the book.                                       
    Buy now: Link


๐Ÿ“ Quote from the Post:

“Some books just get it—food is more than flavor. It’s love, memory, and a warm hug on a rainy day.”


๐Ÿ’ฌ Review:

Each of these books made me pause and think, “Wait… do I have snacks?” But deeper than that, they made me feel seen. Whether it's red bean paste made with care or pizza eaten with joy, these food moments added softness and meaning to the story—and to my reading life. If you love food and fiction, this reading list will warm you inside out.


✍️ About the Authors:

From Durian Sukegawa’s quiet grace to Ashley Poston’s romantic magic and N.M. Patel’s cultural charm, these authors make food feel like emotion on a plate. They don’t just write about meals—they write about moments, love, and all the unspoken things food helps us say. 


๐ŸดFinal Bite:

Books that stir up your appetite aren't just about flavors—they're about memories, comfort, and that deep sense of home. If you’ve ever paused mid-page to look up a recipe or craved a dish you've never tasted, then you know exactly what I mean.                                                   Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to make myself a plate of something sweet… or maybe spicy.

Have a favorite foodie book? Drop it in the comments or DM me—I’m always hungry for the next delicious read! ๐Ÿ“–✨


Disclaimer:

The content on Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes reflects my personal opinions and experiences. All reviews and insights are based on my own observations and preferences.

Thank you for joining me in this exploration. If you enjoyed this review, stay tuned for more insights and discussions on books and dramas that inspire and captivate.

                                   


Copyright:

© 2024 Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is strictly prohibited. All images used in this post for the book belong to their rightful owners. I do not claim ownership of these images. If you are the owner and wish for them to be removed, please contact me.

Contact:

For inquiries or feedback, please contact Moushmi at karmokarmoushmi@gmail.com or Instagram

Happy reading! Thank You for Joining Me!
Stay tuned for more insights and discussions on books and dramas that inspire and captivate.

Warm Regards, 

Catch you next post!

—Moushmi๐Ÿฎ


Monday, July 28, 2025

Cooking, Conversations & Calm Waters – Why Fresh Off the Sea S2 Felt Like a Hug

Welcome back to Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi!

So... I just finished watching Fresh Off the Sea Season 2, and I had to come here and talk about it. If you thought Season 1 was beautiful and breezy, Season 2 is like coming back to the same beach years later—familiar, yet full of new emotions.

Today’s escape is not into a scripted story or a fictional world, but into the heartwarming reality of a Korean variety show that truly feels like a comforting hug—Fresh Off the Sea (Season 2).


๐Ÿ’ญWhy Season 2 Hit Me Harder:

While Season 1 was charming in its own right, Season 2 hit differently—with stronger chemistry among the cast, more comforting meals, deeper conversations, and an even calmer pace that felt like a breath of fresh, salty air. Watching this felt like being on a peaceful vacation with people who laugh easily, cook with love, and find joy in the little things.

If you're someone who enjoys slice-of-life storytelling, coastal settings, food made with soul, and a pace that soothes the soul, this season will feel like home.

My Review—A show that healed me through food, friendships & feelings:

I honestly didn’t expect to fall this hard for a reality show, but Fresh Off the Sea Season 2 really hit different.
It felt like being part of a quiet, cozy dinner party that stretched over days—filled with heartfelt conversations, unspoken bonds, and SO MUCH good food. ๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿš

What stood out the most?

  • Every meal was an experience, from fresh-caught seafood to the tiniest side dishes (I was counting banchan at some point๐Ÿ˜ญ)

  • Two birthday celebrations that were surprisingly emotional. They weren’t over-the-top, but you could feel how deeply the cast had started to care for one another.

  • And the way they took care of each other through cooking, making sure everyone ate, plating food with love, and offering hot soup after a long day. It was soft. It was healing. It was real.

There was no unnecessary drama, just genuine people connecting slowly and organically.
If you’re a fan of slow mornings, shared meals, and people learning to open up, you’ll feel right at home watching this.

๐Ÿœ The Food Scenes Deserve Their Own Show:

The way they chop veggies, plan meals together, and eat outside while talking about literally everything—I swear, it made me crave Korean seafood and ramyeon at 2am. Cooking is low-key the love language of this show.

๐ŸŽง What Made Season 2 Special:

Softer pacing—nothing is rushed

Deeper convos—from work burnout to past relationships

Less awkwardness—the cast warmed up much faster this time

 Shared moments—especially the morning boat routines and evening reflections

This season made space for emotions without overexplaining anything—and I loved that.

Final Thoughts from a Reality Show Addict (me, lol):

If you’ve had a long day and just want something that feels like a warm sea breeze—Fresh Off the Sea Season 2 is your answer. No over-the-top edits, no intense conflicts, just soft moments and real connection.

Let me know your favorite cast member or episode. I’ve got so many thoughts I need to unpack! 

Disclaimer:

The content on Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes reflects my personal opinions and experiences. All reviews and insights are based on my own observations and preferences

Thank you for joining me in this exploration. If you enjoyed this review, stay tuned for more insights and discussions on books and dramas that inspire and captivate.

Copyright:

 © 2024 Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is strictly prohibited.

All images used in this post for the drama belong to their rightful owners. I do not claim ownership of these images. If you are the owner and wish for them to be removed, please contact me

Contact:

For inquiries or feedback, please contact Moushmi at moushmik00@gmail.com or Instagram

Happy reading!

Until next tide,

Moushmi


Sunday, July 27, 2025

Red Flags and Rishtas book by Radhika Agarwal – modern desi rom-com

Welcome to Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi

Hey there! I’m Moushmi. This is my little space on the internet where I talk about books that feel like soft escapes or dramatic whirlwinds—sometimes both at once. If you enjoy stories that blend humor with heart (and occasionally make you crave noodles mid-chapter), you’ll feel right at home here.

                                                                


Blog Overview:

Here, I share honest, spoiler-free reviews, highlight standout moments or themes (such as food, relationships, or career journeys), and provide drama or movie recommendations that match the book’s vibe. This time, we’re diving into a modern Indian rom-com with rishta chaos, career confusion, and desi Chinese cravings—all rolled into one spicy read.  Food. Rishtas. Red flags. And a whole lot of sass๐ŸŒถ️


My Thoughts on Red Flags and Rishtas:

Let me just say that this book was a fun read. It had me smiling through most of it (and craving desi Chinese more times than I’d like to admit).

Red Flags and Rishtas feels like a rom-com with a desi twist. The main character is navigating rishtas, dating apps, career changes, and unsolicited advice from every possible direction. What I really enjoyed was how the characters weren’t stuck in those same old templates. They had jobs you don’t usually see in Indian stories—editors, bartenders, event managers, interior designers—and it made the whole thing feel fresh and relatable.

The writing is witty, the friendships are wholesome, and the red flags? Very much present and so painfully familiar ๐Ÿ˜‚

I did wish the ending wrapped up a little differently—but it still felt honest and true to the tone of the story.

One big takeaway? That it’s never too late to try something new—whether it’s changing careers, standing up for yourself, or giving love another shot (even if it comes wrapped in a momo wrapper). 


Summary (Spoiler-Free, Don’t Worry):

The story follows a woman who’s navigating the modern mess of arranged marriage setups, dating apps, nosy relatives, and the occasional ex popping back in. Through it all, she’s figuring out who she is and what she really wants—with lots of food, friendship, and little rebellions along the way.


Quote That Stuck With Me:

"I’m not against arranged marriages. I’m just against bad ones." 


About the Author:

Radhika Agarwal is a debut author, and I honestly love how her writing feels like a friend narrating their drama-filled weekend over brunch. There’s humor, heart, and lots of moments where you think, yup, been there. Definitely excited to read more from her in the future! 


If You Liked This Book, You Might Also Enjoy...

Looking for similar vibes? Here are some dramas and movies that reminded me of this book:

  • Mismatched (Netflix) – modern desi dating + career chaos

  • Bandish Bandits (Prime Video) – romance, family, and expectations

  • Plan A Plan B (Netflix) – fun take on matchmaking meets opposites attract

  • Made in Heaven (Prime Video) – a more intense take on rishtas + societal pressure

  • Isn’t It Romantic? (Netflix) – light-hearted, self-aware rom-com energy 


Disclaimer: 

The content on Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes reflects my personal opinions and experiences. All reviews and insights are based on my own observations and preferences.

Thank you for joining me in this exploration. If you enjoyed this review, stay tuned for more insights and discussions on books and dramas that inspire and captivate.

                                   


Copyright:

© 2024 Serene Reads & Dramatic Escapes by Moushmi. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s owner is strictly prohibited.All images used in this post for the book belong to their rightful owners. I do not claim ownership of these images. If you are the owner and wish for them to be removed, please contact me.

Contact:

For inquiries or feedback, please contact Moushmi at karmokarmoushmi@gmail.com or Insta- @chatterbox_twetty 

Happy reading!Thank You for Joining Me!
Stay tuned for more insights and discussions on books and dramas that inspire and captivate.Warm Regards, 

Moushmi.


Sand Dollars, Secrets, and Starting Over by Bailey Thomas

Welcome to Serene reads & Dramatic escapes by Moushmi Hey everyone!  Today, I am diving into the book Sand Dollars, Secrets, and Startin...