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If You Can't Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman
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If You Can't Take the Heat

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman

By Michael Ruhlman
Read by Dan Bittner

By Michael Ruhlman
Read by Dan Bittner

Best Seller
Paperback $12.99

May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593523452 | Young Adult

Hardcover $19.99

Jun 04, 2024 | ISBN 9780593523445 | Young Adult

Ebook $10.99

Jun 04, 2024 | ISBN 9780593523469 | Young Adult

Audiobook Download $25.00

Jun 04, 2024 | 484 Minutes | Young Adult

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    If You Can't Take the Heat by Michael Ruhlman
    Paperback $12.99
    May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593523452

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    • $12.99

      May 13, 2025 | ISBN 9780593523452 | Young Adult

      Preorder from:

    • $19.99

      Jun 04, 2024 | ISBN 9780593523445 | Young Adult

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jun 04, 2024 | ISBN 9780593523469 | Young Adult

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jun 04, 2024 | ISBN 9780593867198 | Young Adult

      484 Minutes

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    About If You Can’t Take the Heat

    From James Beard Award–winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way. Out now in paperback!

    When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on crutches: the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.

    But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.

    Set in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, If You Can’t Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.

    About If You Can’t Take the Heat

    From James Beard Award–winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way.

    When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on crutches: the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.

    But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.

    Set in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, If You Can’t Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.

    About If You Can’t Take the Heat

    From James Beard Award–winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way.

    When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on crutches: the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.

    But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.

    Set in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, If You Can’t Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.

    About If You Can’t Take the Heat

    From James Beard Award–winning author Michael Ruhlman, a coming-of-age story about finding a new life and love in the kitchen…and trying not to get burned along the way.

    When high school football star Theo Claverback breaks his leg just weeks after a devastating break-up, he’s forced to call an audible on his summer plans and put his college ones on hold. He soon finds himself in the most unlikely of places for a jock on crutches: the kitchen of an upscale French restaurant, where he’ll work as a prep cook while his heart and leg heal.

    But it’s in the kitchen where Theo finds new purpose and a new romance. As he becomes a trusted employee to Chef and is welcomed into his inner circle, Theo begins to discover the true costs of running a restaurant—and what happens when you get into hot water with the wrong people.

    Set in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1980, If You Can’t Take the Heat is a gritty look inside the belly of an upscale kitchen where love and danger boil behind closed doors.

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    Listen to a sample from If You Can’t Take the Heat

    Also by Michael Ruhlman

    Grocery
    Michael Symon's Live to Cook
    The Reach of a Chef
    House
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    See all books by Michael Ruhlman

    Also by Michael Ruhlman

    Grocery
    Michael Symon's Live to Cook
    The Reach of a Chef
    House
    Walk on Water
    See all books by Michael Ruhlman

    Also by Michael Ruhlman

    Grocery
    Michael Symon's Live to Cook
    The Reach of a Chef
    House
    Walk on Water
    See all books by Michael Ruhlman

    Also by Michael Ruhlman

    Grocery
    Michael Symon's Live to Cook
    The Reach of a Chef
    House
    Walk on Water
    See all books by Michael Ruhlman

    About Michael Ruhlman

    MICHAEL RUHLMAN is the author of twelve nonfiction books, including The Soul of a Chef, and has coauthored many cookbooks, such as The French Laundry Cookbook with Thomas Keller.

    About Michael Ruhlman

    MICHAEL RUHLMAN is the author of twelve nonfiction books, including The Soul of a Chef, and has coauthored many cookbooks, such as The French Laundry Cookbook with Thomas Keller.

    About Michael Ruhlman

    MICHAEL RUHLMAN is the author of twelve nonfiction books, including The Soul of a Chef, and has coauthored many cookbooks, such as The French Laundry Cookbook with Thomas Keller.

    About Michael Ruhlman

    MICHAEL RUHLMAN is the author of twelve nonfiction books, including The Soul of a Chef, and has coauthored many cookbooks, such as The French Laundry Cookbook with Thomas Keller.

    Product Details

    Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Social Issues

    Paperback | $12.99
    Published by Penguin Workshop
    May 13, 2025 | 320 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593523452

    Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Social Issues

    Hardcover | $19.99
    Published by Penguin Workshop
    Jun 04, 2024 | 320 Pages | 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593523445

    Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Social Issues

    Ebook | $10.99
    Published by Penguin Workshop
    Jun 04, 2024 | 320 Pages | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593523469

    Category: Teen & Young Adult Fiction | Teen & Young Adult Social Issues | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $25.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Jun 04, 2024 | 484 Minutes | Young Adult | ISBN 9780593867198

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    Praise

    “Food writer Ruhlman employs exacting verisimilitude to bring the heat of the kitchen and sensory details of the dishes to life in this vivacious debut.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

    “This human story is the book’s real strength, as is the care given to detailing the operations inside a restaurant kitchen, lending power and authenticity.”—Booklist

    “A refreshingly different take on the romance genre, written from the male perspective, and a great purchase for all libraries.”—School Library Journal

    “Ruhlman’s writing is at its best when Theo is in the kitchen. The hustle and passion that flow during service drop readers squarely in the middle of the action…The well-realized foodie elements are the highlight.”—Kirkus Reviews

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