Chef Julia Turshen Debuts Queer Romance Novel 'Down to Earth'
Award-winning cookbook author Julia Turshen releases her debut romance novel, 'Down to Earth,' on June 23, 2026. The 190-page book follows Paige, a woman exploring a trial separation from her husband, who moves to upstate New York with her son and falls for Frankie, a vegetable farmer. Turshen, known for her cookbooks and work with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop, draws inspiration from her time at Long Season Farm, where she worked full-time in 2021 and still works two days a week. The novel weaves themes of body image, gender roles, and communication alongside explicit food and sex scenes. Turshen cites queer romance writers Casey McQuiston, Meryl Wilsner, Harper Bliss, Clare Lydon, and Jasmine Guillory as influences. She notes the overlap between cookbook and romance writing: both are popular genres often dismissed as 'just for women,' yet both offer comfort and explore desire. The book is published by an undisclosed imprint.
Key facts
- Julia Turshen releases romance novel 'Down to Earth' on June 23, 2026.
- The novel is 190 pages and follows a queer romance between Paige and Frankie.
- Turshen worked at Long Season Farm in 2021, which inspired the setting.
- She still works at Long Season Farm two days a week.
- Turshen is a bestselling cookbook author and has worked with Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop.
- The novel addresses body image, gender roles, and communication.
- Influences include Casey McQuiston, Meryl Wilsner, Harper Bliss, Clare Lydon, and Jasmine Guillory.
- Turshen compares the formulaic nature of cookbooks and romance novels.
Entities
Artists
- Julia Turshen
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- Casey McQuiston
- Meryl Wilsner
- Harper Bliss
- Clare Lydon
- Jasmine Guillory
- Laurie Colwin
Institutions
- Long Season Farm
- Goop
- CULTURED
Locations
- upstate New York
- United States