Leave a Comment / Reviews / By admin
I’m a sucker for a good book from a food/travel blogger who attempts to take down the food-industry patriarchy and overall foodie snobbery. Or at least, I guess I am a sucker now after reading Geraldine DeRuiter’s (the “Everywhereist“) hilarious essay collection about food, feminism and fury. How did I get here? I guess I like funny books AND food. The almighty algorithm worked its magic, and for once, I’m grateful.
My If You Can’t Take the Heat Book Review:
Just so you know – I may earn an affiliate commission if you click a link from my site and purchase a product. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything extra! Hopefully, I’ll rack up enough commission to treat myself to a coffee someday—nothing fancy, just a plain small coffee from a gas station on the edge of town. Thanks for supporting the blog!
If You Can’t Take the Heat Book Summary
Geraldine DeRuiter’s If You Can’t Take the Heat: Tales of Food, Feminism, and Fury is not your typical food memoir. Yes, there’s talk of cooking (and eating), but this book is more about the often-infuriating ways food intersects with culture, gender, and identity. DeRuiter delivers a mix of biting sarcasm, self-deprecating humor, and unfiltered social commentary. She dives into everything from the gatekeeping of fine dining (like women’s only menus, with NO prices?) to the everyday nonsense women deal with in and out of the kitchen.
DeRuiter kicks things off by establishing her (lack of) foodie credentials with a look back at her first food memory. Many culinary giants reminisce about childhood bites of caviar or truffle-infused whatever. Her formative taste? Toothpaste. Refreshing and relatable right off the bat!
This book is a chaotic, hilarious, and occasionally rage-fueled journey through DeRuiter’s personal experiences. It’s filled with tales of disastrous meals, feminist insights, and plenty of sharp one-liners. It’s part memoir, part cultural critique, and 100% delicious.
Who is Geraldine DeRuiter?
Geraldine DeRuiter is a writer, humorist, and the mastermind behind the award-winning travel and humor blog The Everywhereist. Known for her sharp wit and self-deprecating humor, DeRuiter has built a loyal following by sharing her adventures (and misadventures) in travel, food, and life.
She’s not your typical travel writer—her blog often takes unexpected detours, focusing more on the awkward, funny, and deeply human side of exploring the world (or sometimes just staying home). Her writing has been featured in numerous publications, and she’s lauded for her ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments and biting social commentary.
In addition to her blog, DeRuiter is the author of two books: If You Can’t Take the Heat and All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft. While food and travel are recurring themes in her work, her stories are ultimately about life’s messiness, and how to laugh through it all.
Now onto the rating! If You Can’t Take the Heat Book Review:
My innovative system for rating humor books is explained here
Wholesomeness Score: 2/5
If You Can’t Take the Heat is sharp, hilarious, and insightful, but “wholesome” isn’t the first word that comes to mind. DeRuiter’s humor is unfiltered, full of sarcasm, swearing, and plenty of justified rage (especially when tackling issues like sexism and toxic masculinity in the food world.) She doesn’t shy away from strong opinions or colorful language, and while that makes the book wildly entertaining, it’s not exactly a cozy, feel-good read.
That said, it does have its heartfelt moments. DeRuiter’s love for her husband, her reflections on personal growth, and even her disastrous cooking adventures add warmth to the chaos. But overall? This book leans more toward “fiercely funny and brutally honest” than “wholesome.”
Hilarity Score: 4/5
If You Can’t Take the Heat is darned funny. A few examples of DeRuiter’s comedic style below:
quote from her own bio on her website:
“Her blog has received accolades from The Independent, Forbes Magazine, and The Huffington Post, because sometimes features editors get drunk.” – Geraldine DeRuiter, talking about herself and her blog’s success in 3rd person.
Questioning the validity of famous food influencer’s “first food memory”. Sounds a little sus…:
“The first thing you remember is eating souffle? Not your own coagulated snot, not a dusty jelly bean you found on the floor, not your older brother’s farts?” – Geraldine DeRuiter
Her love for Red Lobster, a good deal, and (lovingly) arguing with her husband:
“I need endless shrimp for $19.99.”
“No you do not. No one needs endless shrimp.”
“Orcas do,” I say. This is obviously a winning argument. – Geraldine DeRuiter
Overall Book Awesomeness Score: 4/5
This book was highly awesome. As a man, I can’t personally relate to DeRuiter’s experience with sexism. But that’s what I found enjoyable – a chance to see the world through someone else’s exasperated, hilarious lens. Also, this book helped me develop a deep appreciation for rage-fueled humor. Didn’t know I needed that previously.
Things I liked:
- Obvious love for her husband and his love for her. It’s sweet!
- Cheddar Bay Biscuits from Red Lobster
- Challenging the patriarchy. (Wait…am I the patriarchy??)
- Masterfully skewering foodie snobbery
Things I didn’t like:
- Can’t think of anything!
Conclusion: If You Can’t Take the Heat Book Review
In If You Can’t Take the Heat, Geraldine DeRuiter does what she does best—serves up sharp humor, brutally honest observations, and enough self-deprecation to keep things grounded. It’s a book about food and feminism, delivered with the kind of wit that makes you snort-laugh in public (or in your car listening to the audiobook.) Whether you’re a foodie, a memoir fan, or just here for the snark, this one’s worth devouring.
Scott Johnson is a Midwestern humorist, author of Essays Out of Left Field, and the mind behind scottjohnsonauthor.com. He’s also a husband, dad of three, and Data Systems Administrator (whatever that is). Scott is on a mission to find and read all the funny books. He shares his thoughts on those books, author life, and other delightful randomness with his readers on his website.
