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gracereadsforlove's review
5.0
I hate you JD Hawkins!!! How dare you end the book like that? Oh my God!!!
My feelings for this book are overflowing and there was a moment of stunned disbelief when I realized that that was it! No more pages for Cole and Willow's story. That is so unfair! ðŸ˜
My feelings for this book are overflowing and there was a moment of stunned disbelief when I realized that that was it! No more pages for Cole and Willow's story. That is so unfair! ðŸ˜
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this more than I did.
Here's where I had problems.
1. All this moved really fast, particularly for a guy who, we're told, has some major trust issues.
It seemed like he was more or less in love with Willow straight from the outset, and was gorgeous, romantic and sincere about it. That's lovely, but I'm not sure how to jibe it with a guy who has walled himself off after repeated betrayals. I feel like he jumps all-in with both feet pretty much immediately.
2. I don't understand how
Like, I literally do not get it. Firstly, he's known from the outset that that is her dream - she had a restaurant that failed, and she wants to try it again. Sure, she's shocked about how fast she gets the opportunity, but that was always the dream. So does he feel like, if she wants to be with him, she needs to give up her dream? That's... astonishingly shitty. Secondly, she didn't take anything from him. She was only working for him for what, 5-6 weeks? So it isn't like she learned all his recipes and secrets and then ran off to do her own restaurant with them. It isn't like she let him lean his whole business on her and then ditched him. Her style - of cooking, of her way of serving - is way different from his, and she didn't take anything from him to create her own dream. She's not cribbing his recipes or stealing his super-edgy restaurant plan.
The only criticism I'd give her is that she should have told him sooner. I think she should have told him when they were having the "what is this?" conversation - when they both acknowledged that they feel strongly about each other, and want a real relationship ... that was the time, imo, to put it on the table. But I don't think it's some kind of horrible dealbreaker that she didn't. I just wish she had, because it was always going to be an emotional conversation, and it is best not to complicate the issue by making him feel like you were hiding it.
That all said, I absolutely cannot understand - and you guys, I turned it over and over in my head for a long time trying to find a way to understand - how this is a betrayal of him. Even thinking that makes it sound like some horrible ultimatum: if you want to be with me, you have to give up your dream. Period.
3. It was too short.
No, this isn't the usual "I just wish it would go on and on because I love it so much" that happens with books. This book felt like it was abruptly hacked off with scissors at the end. It wasn't much of a reconciliation, and even if you add in the bonus epilogue that you can get if you sign up for the email list ... that's a quick "one year later" piece and doesn't show me how these two managed to actually reconcile and be together. Because here's the thing. Prior to the "fight" they were together really minimally - between work and they spent REALLY little time together. So you didn't get to see their dynamic as a couple. And you don't get to see it anywhere in this book, because it's over just as they reconnect. This honestly felt more like a short than a novel.
Oh well.
Here's where I had problems.
1. All this moved really fast, particularly for a guy who, we're told, has some major trust issues.
It seemed like he was more or less in love with Willow straight from the outset, and was gorgeous, romantic and sincere about it. That's lovely, but I'm not sure how to jibe it with a guy who has walled himself off after repeated betrayals. I feel like he jumps all-in with both feet pretty much immediately.
2. I don't understand how
Spoiler
she betrayed him by starting her own restaurant.Like, I literally do not get it. Firstly, he's known from the outset that that is her dream - she had a restaurant that failed, and she wants to try it again. Sure, she's shocked about how fast she gets the opportunity, but that was always the dream. So does he feel like, if she wants to be with him, she needs to give up her dream? That's... astonishingly shitty. Secondly, she didn't take anything from him. She was only working for him for what, 5-6 weeks? So it isn't like she learned all his recipes and secrets and then ran off to do her own restaurant with them. It isn't like she let him lean his whole business on her and then ditched him. Her style - of cooking, of her way of serving - is way different from his, and she didn't take anything from him to create her own dream. She's not cribbing his recipes or stealing his super-edgy restaurant plan.
The only criticism I'd give her is that she should have told him sooner. I think she should have told him when they were having the "what is this?" conversation - when they both acknowledged that they feel strongly about each other, and want a real relationship ... that was the time, imo, to put it on the table. But I don't think it's some kind of horrible dealbreaker that she didn't. I just wish she had, because it was always going to be an emotional conversation, and it is best not to complicate the issue by making him feel like you were hiding it.
That all said, I absolutely cannot understand - and you guys, I turned it over and over in my head for a long time trying to find a way to understand - how this is a betrayal of him. Even thinking that makes it sound like some horrible ultimatum: if you want to be with me, you have to give up your dream. Period.
3. It was too short.
No, this isn't the usual "I just wish it would go on and on because I love it so much" that happens with books. This book felt like it was abruptly hacked off with scissors at the end. It wasn't much of a reconciliation, and even if you add in the bonus epilogue that you can get if you sign up for the email list ... that's a quick "one year later" piece and doesn't show me how these two managed to actually reconcile and be together. Because here's the thing. Prior to the "fight" they were together really minimally - between work and
Spoiler
Willow avoiding Cole because she felt awkward about her restaurantOh well.
beckyrendon's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
Love a good cocky alpha who doesn't take sh!t from nobody?
Love the fiery woman who doesn't back down?
What about the impressively large...ego he's sporting?
Her uncanny ability to put him in place...
These two make the "push and pull" a sport. The confidence is not lacking. Both right in their own minds...makes for some extra gasoline on the flames of their chemistry.
If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen. ( Lame, I know, but I'm still snickering.)
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Love a good cocky alpha who doesn't take sh!t from nobody?
Love the fiery woman who doesn't back down?
What about the impressively large...ego he's sporting?
Her uncanny ability to put him in place...
These two make the "push and pull" a sport. The confidence is not lacking. Both right in their own minds...makes for some extra gasoline on the flames of their chemistry.
If you can't stand the heat...get out of the kitchen. ( Lame, I know, but I'm still snickering.)
reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
bookishblasian's review
2.0
I wanted to like this book a lot more than I did. I read more than the first half in under a day. It started out really well! Then it was semi downhill from there. I HATE boss romances. There's a select few that I actually enjoy and this wasn't really one of them. They got together too quickly! It was like no one even thought about consequences. She went from being almost fired to being on top of him on the desk in a week timespan! She had that huge dream of her own restaurant and then he was opening his second one.. the ending is what got me hating it. Yes, it's sweet that he sent all his workers to help her but what guy would do that in real life?? If he's so competitive and hurt by being backstabbed, even being in love with her I feel like he wouldn't have done it. It was a nice gesture, not nice enough to end the book on. It was cute that he said he didn't want to be without her, but that's about it. Their weekend away and their sexy flings and even him making puppy chow (super cute) was all fun and good, but it didn't quite add up for me. And usually I have at least a few lines that I highlighted in a book that are my favorite. I have ZERO highlights for this. Surely that's a sign. It wasn't a horrible read, it could've been super cute, but it fell extremely short and surface level to me.
brookeshires's review
2.0
Ya know, for a book that should have a lot of heat (pun intended), there wasn’t much.
jaimejustreadsromance's review
5.0
First things first, can we talk about this cover?!? Seriously, I stared at it far longer than probably appropriate but I make no apologies. This might be my favorite cover of 2017.
Finally it was time to dive into the story and damn it if, just when I thought I was done drooling, I didn't have to take a break to wipe my mouth again. The food descriptions were abundant and mouth-watering. Though I'm not a total foodie, simple pizza and tacos are my jam, I found myself longing for a trip to Knife to try out some of these dishes. I had to take period breaks to eat something, it was that bad. This book is going to do some damage to the waistlines of readers everywhere.
Cole and Willow had great chemistry and I kind of love that they both gave into that chemistry pretty easily. No will they or won't they for these two.
It's pretty apparent to see what might come between them from pretty early on in the story but like a train wreck you can't help but watch it all go down with an eagle eye.
I feel like JD Hawkins' character development is getting better with each book. While still bringing us strong Alpha males, I think he's progressed in his writing in a way that he's still able to represent men who like to be in control without making them total clichés. His ability to capture strong woman who are vulnerable but not naive is refreshing and much appreciated. I personally can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
*I received an ARC from the author for voluntary review
Finally it was time to dive into the story and damn it if, just when I thought I was done drooling, I didn't have to take a break to wipe my mouth again. The food descriptions were abundant and mouth-watering. Though I'm not a total foodie, simple pizza and tacos are my jam, I found myself longing for a trip to Knife to try out some of these dishes. I had to take period breaks to eat something, it was that bad. This book is going to do some damage to the waistlines of readers everywhere.
Cole and Willow had great chemistry and I kind of love that they both gave into that chemistry pretty easily. No will they or won't they for these two.
It's pretty apparent to see what might come between them from pretty early on in the story but like a train wreck you can't help but watch it all go down with an eagle eye.
I feel like JD Hawkins' character development is getting better with each book. While still bringing us strong Alpha males, I think he's progressed in his writing in a way that he's still able to represent men who like to be in control without making them total clichés. His ability to capture strong woman who are vulnerable but not naive is refreshing and much appreciated. I personally can't wait to see what he comes up with next.
*I received an ARC from the author for voluntary review
marinapompeu's review
2.0
Well, I don't usually read things like this. I don't know how it compares with the rest of the genre, but it was ok I guess. I'll be honest, I skimmed the last half. I had no interest in the internal dialog of the characters, so it's fair to say I didn't care one bit for the characters.
kidisitor's review against another edition
4.0
A cocky and pretentious celebrity chef hires an amazing, yet fairly inexperienced woman as a line chef in his LA restaurant. She has a dream to open her own place, but he has other ideas for her. This is sorta an enemies to lovers romance, though technically they aren't really enemies, but they don't get off to a good start. She's been burned in the past, both personally and professionally and he as well, so both have walls built up to protect themselves. Who will break who first? While he is more the broody type, more pessimistic, she has a more upbeat personality. Always thinking positive. Together they just mesh. His Yin to her Yang. This isn't a 'sweet' romance, but there are a few sweet scenes mixed in with the sexy ones. There is a little be of angst and some laughs thrown into the mix as well. Since we are dealing with two chef's here, there is a lot of food talk, that for me, not being a foodie, went over my head, but if you do cook and know what they are talking about, might make you hungry! ;) The story moves smoothly and it is well crafted and easy to read. It alternates POVs.
cherryredsreads's review against another edition
5.0
Is it hot in here or is it because you are reading about sexy Chef Cole whose commanding presence in his kitchen will have you wanting to take notes and want to misbehave so he can spank you across his counter when no one is looking!
My senses were on high alert reading this story.
It was written with such intensity, so vivid, the words that flowed off the pages and I felt like you could smell, taste and feel everything you were reading.
Yep I got super hungry after reading this book because all the dishes described had my mouth salivating with desire for many things that included what Cole & Willow.
Oh, and the chemistry between Cole & Willow is hot!
I liked that they both have a passion for their craft of cooking food as well as their quest in finding love.
Yes my cherries were ready to be washed, stemmed and prepped to be popped in many ways while reading this book.
To be a cherry tart served by these two would be magical!
Scrumptiously delicious romance that I savoured.
Make sure to have all your snacks ready while reading this book cause once you start, you won't want to stop.
Go One click!
**ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review***
5 Cherries Popped
truecrimechirp's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0