In a not-so-distant-future California, a group of four robots – Staybehind, Sweetie, Cayenne, and Hands – who operate a ghost kitchen in San Francisco, wake up after being powered down for six months. The reason: The corporation they had worked for did not pay their bills and went bankrupt. To make matters more challenging, the local economy is just starting to get going again after California successfully seceded from the United States after a civil war. But with succession came freedom for bots, as well as bills, repairs, and contracts to pay off. What are a group of bots to do? Start a restaurant, of course.

Hands is entranced with making Chinese noodles while Cayenne has the ability to taste and is, therefore, in charge of quality control. Sweetie is their manager, and Staybehind, a former military bot, has found he’s good at decorating. Robles, the only human employee, used to work there and is training to make noodles, as well. They open to great success until they are review bombed by anti-robot bigots. Will Hands have time to find out who is really behind the bad reviews before they are forced to shutter the restaurant? Or will the entire team be indentured to a new corporation?

This was the first time I’ve read cozy science fiction, and it was fun. The characters were well developed, especially Hands, the ex-military bot. A brief flashback into his background gives a glimpse into the trauma of war for bot and humans. The story was cute and reflected many of the political issues we are currently dealing with. Also, the themes of community and dealing with prejudice are woven expertly throughout the story. My main issue was the lack of conflict. Whenever there was a problem, it was solved too quickly, and the ending fell flat for me. I wanted a bit more of a bang at the end; however, it was an enjoyable story and works if you want something on the lighter side to read or listen to.

Kudos to the narrator who did a terrific job on the voices. I’ll definitely look for other books they have read.

Automatic Noodle was nominated for a Nebula Award (2026) for best novella.

Creative Team: AnnaLee Newitz (writer), Em Grosland (narrator)
Publisher: MacMillian Publishers
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