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leisaann's review
5.0
Great quick read! Loved Austin and Elle....their chemistry is undeniable. Austin is a sweetheart of a good guy trying to make a better life for himself and his sister. Elle has never known love and although it takes a few mistakes she is able to figure it out. Loved this book....sweet with plenty of heat
bookedandbusybookblog's review
4.0
The Missing Ingredient is my first read from Marika Ray is my first from this author and I was pleasantly surprised! Elle and Austin’s story, a older woman and younger man forbidden romance was something new to me and it was enjoyable. An uptight woman and a down to earth guy who made each other better in every way possible, gave this book the right ingredients to make it a fun and sweet story!
bookaddictreviews's review
5.0
This is a new to me author and this is a different story but I loved it!
Elle is a chef judge on a new reality cooking competition, she is getting ready to open her own restaurant, so the publicity is good for her career. She is feisty, she is driven, I kept calling her the female Gordon Ramsey in my head while reading.
Austin is a constant on the show, he is surprised to even be on the show, but winning could completely change is life and his sisters life. He has no formal training like others on the show, but definitely has the skill.
Elle and Austin are from completely different backgrounds, but they are perfect for each other. Austin can hep Elle lighten up. I mean, he did teach her how to hug. She was able to help him find the confidence in his cooking to help with his career.
There is a year age gap between Elle and Austin, she is 32 and he is 22. I know that isn’t for everyone, but Austin is mature of his age. He has a good head on his shoulders. The chemistry between the two is sizzling. This story is proof that opposites truly do attract and in the case of Elle and Austin lead to loads of steaminess and a forbidden romance.
This romance was fun from start to finish and I love that they were chefs!
Elle is a chef judge on a new reality cooking competition, she is getting ready to open her own restaurant, so the publicity is good for her career. She is feisty, she is driven, I kept calling her the female Gordon Ramsey in my head while reading.
Austin is a constant on the show, he is surprised to even be on the show, but winning could completely change is life and his sisters life. He has no formal training like others on the show, but definitely has the skill.
Elle and Austin are from completely different backgrounds, but they are perfect for each other. Austin can hep Elle lighten up. I mean, he did teach her how to hug. She was able to help him find the confidence in his cooking to help with his career.
There is a year age gap between Elle and Austin, she is 32 and he is 22. I know that isn’t for everyone, but Austin is mature of his age. He has a good head on his shoulders. The chemistry between the two is sizzling. This story is proof that opposites truly do attract and in the case of Elle and Austin lead to loads of steaminess and a forbidden romance.
This romance was fun from start to finish and I love that they were chefs!
nic_w's review against another edition
4.0
The Missing Ingredient by Marika Ray is Book 1 in the Reality of Love series.
This was sweet almost taboo romance in which a highly respected chef, looking at opening her own restaurant is selected to judge for a reality cooking show and falls for one of the contestants.
Elle and Austin are a fiery combination and the tension between the 2 is obvious.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to more from the series.
This was sweet almost taboo romance in which a highly respected chef, looking at opening her own restaurant is selected to judge for a reality cooking show and falls for one of the contestants.
Elle and Austin are a fiery combination and the tension between the 2 is obvious.
I enjoyed this story and am looking forward to more from the series.
bookishnerdyandcurious's review
4.0
This was book #3 for Romanceopoly 2020.
Elle Fierro is a successful chef in New York, on the verge of opening her own restaurant. We open with her final night at the restaurant where she was an Executive Chef for five years and will be heading to sunny Southern California to be the head judge on a Food-Network-type show called Taste Tests. (Think Chopped or The Next Food Network Star.) While she has never had any desire to be on tv, she knows that this is great publicity and will guarantee she has people interested in her new restaurant. She driven, scary, and commands respect - she wants nothing more than to ensure that her restaurant is successful and doesn't have time for anything else... until Austin.
Austin Cox is a man trying to get custody of his sister and get her out of the foster system, where she's been since their mother died. He's got a natural talent for cooking and ends up as a contestant on the show. He wants to win to become a chef and hold down a steady job so he can prove to the courts that he can support the both of them. While he's not professionally trained and he's not convinced that the network didn't bring him on just for comic relief, he's got his eye on the prize... until he meets Elle.
When Elle and Austin meet, there is incredible electricity between them - and not just because of the manner in which they meet. Their attraction is off the charts, full stop. However, they both have to struggle to keep it under wraps until one unplanned day off from filming...One of Elle's fellow judges notices and while Elle continues to rebuff this guy's advances, he tries to blackmail her into hiring him at her new restaurant - either she hires him (or sleeps with him, I don't think he's picky) or he goes public with the fact that she slept with Austin. Does she betray Austin to save her reputation or does she throw caution to the wind?
Yes, that's a lot to say about the book - yet, I still haven't really spoiled it. You get most of that from the blurb on Amazon. (Okay, I added more detail. Whatever.) I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and full of feels all at the same time - and I would be remiss if I didn't say it, the sex was HOT and well-written. While I could tell what was going to happen about halfway through, it still gutted me - and that was only at 60% in! This was my first Marika Ray book and I'm really looking forward to exploring more of her books once Romanceopoly is over.
- Square: Around Town, Farmer's Market
- Challenge Pack: Moon
- Challenge: Read a romance where the hero or heroine is a chef or works in the food industry, owns a bakery/restaurant/food or drink establishment.
Elle Fierro is a successful chef in New York, on the verge of opening her own restaurant. We open with her final night at the restaurant where she was an Executive Chef for five years and will be heading to sunny Southern California to be the head judge on a Food-Network-type show called Taste Tests. (Think Chopped or The Next Food Network Star.) While she has never had any desire to be on tv, she knows that this is great publicity and will guarantee she has people interested in her new restaurant. She driven, scary, and commands respect - she wants nothing more than to ensure that her restaurant is successful and doesn't have time for anything else... until Austin.
Austin Cox is a man trying to get custody of his sister and get her out of the foster system, where she's been since their mother died. He's got a natural talent for cooking and ends up as a contestant on the show. He wants to win to become a chef and hold down a steady job so he can prove to the courts that he can support the both of them. While he's not professionally trained and he's not convinced that the network didn't bring him on just for comic relief, he's got his eye on the prize... until he meets Elle.
When Elle and Austin meet, there is incredible electricity between them - and not just because of the manner in which they meet. Their attraction is off the charts, full stop. However, they both have to struggle to keep it under wraps until one unplanned day off from filming...
Yes, that's a lot to say about the book - yet, I still haven't really spoiled it. You get most of that from the blurb on Amazon. (Okay, I added more detail. Whatever.) I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and full of feels all at the same time - and I would be remiss if I didn't say it, the sex was HOT and well-written. While I could tell what was going to happen about halfway through, it still gutted me - and that was only at 60% in! This was my first Marika Ray book and I'm really looking forward to exploring more of her books once Romanceopoly is over.
doris1310's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet, sexy and funny story about a cooking tv show!
Normally I don't read books with an age gap because that's not my favorite trope but I couldn't stop reading. I loved Austins funny, laid-back nature and of course Elles ice queen one. I didn't always agree with her decisions, but in the end she did the right thing.
Normally I don't read books with an age gap because that's not my favorite trope but I couldn't stop reading. I loved Austins funny, laid-back nature and of course Elles ice queen one. I didn't always agree with her decisions, but in the end she did the right thing.
doris1310's review
5.0
Sweet, sexy and funny story about a cooking tv show!
Normally I don't read books with an age gap because that's not my favorite trope but I couldn't stop reading. I loved Austins funny, laid-back nature and of course Elles ice queen one. I didn't always agree with her decisions, but in the end she did the right thing.
Normally I don't read books with an age gap because that's not my favorite trope but I couldn't stop reading. I loved Austins funny, laid-back nature and of course Elles ice queen one. I didn't always agree with her decisions, but in the end she did the right thing.
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