It was cute! Maybe not my favorite from the author, but definitely an easy, low angst read. Foodie romances are always fun, and I loved how these rivals realized that their feuding had mellowed since culinary school. When bickering turns into bantering, things are going well, and the history between this couple just made their bond stronger. There were also some great family moments to tie the series together (while still allowing this installment to stand on its own), and it had a soft, playful feel. So this one sits somewhere between three and four stars for me – I enjoyed it while I was reading, but I fully expect to forget the plot in a week.
The story follows Lennox, a chef whose restaurant is a huge success. It’s a family business and he loves what he does, so things are going just fine… at least, until he discovers who the new catering chef is. Turns out, Lennox’s family members unknowingly hired the one woman who drove him crazy in culinary school. While Lennox’s success is self-made, Tatum is the daughter of a celebrity chef who has given her career a huge leg up. That means Lennox isn’t quite sure what Tatum is doing working for his family business, especially since she knows how much they irritate each other. But the years since culinary school have softened the edges of their feuding, and it’s not long before they’re growing closer.
There’s a lot that I liked about this, especially the friction and banter. I also loved the small town feel and the low angst vibes. It’s got a few sexy moments but remains a slow burn/closed door romance, and it’s an easygoing rom com with feel good vibes. That’s also part of the problem – given the title, I kind of expected more of an enemies to lovers feel. I won’t say it’s instalove, but the transition from rivals to lovers happens a lot faster and easier than I expected. I’m also never a fan of players falling for women they met while they were actively being serial daters, though that’s entirely personal preference. Lennox is a total sweetheart in this, so it was easy to forget about the past for the most part. In the end, I had fun jumping back into the series and following the happenings of the family, but I never became overly attached to the couple at the heart of the story.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43SmAzO
Blurb:
How is it possible for the chemistry between two chefs to be hotter than a ghost pepper yet colder than liquid nitrogen?
When THE Tatum Elliott shows up to run the catering kitchen at my family’s farm and event center, I don’t trust her anymore than I did back in culinary school.
But like it or not, she’s here. On my territory. My turf. In the kitchen that shares a building with my farm-to-table restaurant.
And she can’t seem to keep her hands off my parmesan.
Our old rivalry flares to life faster than a flambé, but there’s something else flaming between us too. And it’s heating up quicker than anything we’re making in the kitchen.
But I can’t forget that Tatum is the daughter of Gordon Elliott—America’s most famous chef. She belongs in a big city, in a restaurant with her name on it. Not running the catering arm of Stonebrook Farm.
Whatever her reasons for being here now, I can’t see her permanently walking away from the fame and fortune her father can offer her, no matter how well she fits in on the farm—how well she fits with me.
She’ll leave eventually—I’m sure of it. I just have to make sure that when she does, she doesn’t take my heart with her.
It’s enemies to lovers foodie edition in this fast-paced, banter-filled romcom from bestselling author, Jenny Proctor.
How to Kiss Your Enemy is a sweet romantic comedy with all the crackling chemistry and sizzling kisses you want in a closed-door romance but no explicit scenes.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43SmAzO
More from the series!
These are easy to read as standalones, and I really enjoyed this one.
Perry Hawthorne is my boss. Only my boss. And I do NOT have a crush.
When one of THE Hawthorne brothers—known by their chiseled jawlines and their family-run farm and event center—hires me to be his virtual assistant, I do everything I can to keep him firmly in the work zone.
His grumpy demeanor helps.
His smoking hot profile picture does not.
But even if I do have a crush (a very tiny one), I can’t catch real feelings for a million different reasons.
Besides the whole business part of our relationship, I’m a single mom. I have to think about what’s best for my son, Jack. And my grumpy, divorced, humorless boss isn’t exactly giving me “ready to be a stepdad” vibes.
When Perry upgrades me from virtual to in-person assistant, I wonder if I’ve gotten him all wrong. He’s actually pretty great with Jack. And with me? Let’s just say the chemistry crackling between us might vaporize all my reasons for keeping my distance.
Trouble is, after his messy divorce, I’m not sure Perry’s ready to bet on a new relationship. But it isn’t just my heart that’s on the line. It’s Jack’s, too. And after everything we went through before my husband died, I’m not sure that’s a gamble I’m ready to take, no matter how desperate Jack is for a daddy.
How to Kiss Your Best Friend is a sweet romantic comedy with all the sizzling kisses you want in a closed-door romance but no explicit scenes.
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3CT6Pf9
About the Author:
Jenny Proctor was born in the mountains of Western North Carolina, a place she still considers one of the loveliest on earth. She and her husband currently reside in the Charleston, SC area and stay busy keeping up with six children and a growing assortment of pets. She loves to hike with her family and spend time outdoors, but she also adores lounging around her home, reading great books or watching great movies and, when she’s lucky, eating delicious food she doesn’t have to prepare herself. Jenny’s romantic comedy LOVE AT FIRST NOTE was a 2016 Whitney Award Winner in the Contemporary Romance category. To learn more about Jenny, visit her webpage at www.jennyproctor.com.
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