Review: Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader

“…This book takes the time of making you believe they are falling in love.” ~Under the Covers

HOT AND BOTHERED is book 3 in the Hot in the Kitchen series.  Of course, I was in the mood for a good chef romance and this was there so…. I read out of order.  Someone call the OCD reading police on me!  There are some things that I feel I would’ve enjoyed more or understood faster had I read in order, because there’s plenty of history, but that did not take away from enjoying this book as a standalone.  Nevermind my shock at the first scene.

Jules is the sister of a big shot chef.  She came to the US from the UK after she ended up pregnant and alone.  She hasn’t told anyone who the baby daddy is and pretty much wants to do things on her own.  She also has a major crush on her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca.  Who just opened up a wine bar and is giving her a job.

Taddeo has a reputation of being a player and one of the city’s most eligible bachelors.  Did I mention he’s a sexy bartender who now opened up his own wine bar? Sexy!  Jules is struggling with being a single mother now, trying to find her own way in life and her purpose.  And part of that is being ready to get back in the dating game.  And that’s not something Tad is ready to let her do without thinking of him first!

As much as I love a sexy italian hero who can lure me with a tasty drink and his good looks, I loved his personality.  He’s fun and easy going.  He’s the perfect match for Jules because they are so comfortable together and their personalities just complement and understand each other.

I was expecting this book to sizzle a bit more than it did, but this was a sweet read.  They both have their pasts to deal with and hold them back but it was never dragged out or too heavy.  They both get to help each other overcome some.  And even when the groundwork was laid out (seems like) in the previous books, this book takes the time of making you believe they are falling in love.

*Review copy provided by publisher

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[about-author author=”Kate Meader”]