I wish I didn’t know how one heartbreak can smash your world to bits.
And really I wish I didn’t suspect it’s why there’s an edge to Lana’s sunshine smile. Hell, I wish I didn’t think of Lana at all.I’m busy busting ass to be the best—and yeah, grumpiest—chef around. There’s a reason I keep people at a distance. My evenings blur with butter and basil and helping my brother. Trying to forget how he wound up in a wheelchair. We’ve got our routine, and there’s no room for sweet smiles or blue eyes or… why is it so damn hot in here? The thing is, Lana spins stories as a PR goddess. I’m all for icing cookies, but sugarcoating the truth? Never. Directness is best, even if it means awkward dessert dates that are definitely not dates, and embarrassing chats with my dog. But one truth I’m terrified to face? I’m nuts for Lana. And the fallout could blow up our lives like a mug cake microwaved in a tin cup.
Lighthearted, grumpy-soft-for-sunshine steamy romance about a surly chef and the sunshiny little sister of a big, messy, loving family.
Review:
Lana and Dal’s story is a grumpy/sunshine romance with a whole lot of family drama thrown in there for flavor. Oh, and he’s a chef–so maybe don’t read this while you’re hungry? Especially if you’re a particular fan of potatoes and/or Nutter Butter cookies 😉
Ms Fenske did a great job of balancing this story’s rom com aspects with more serious topics–neither Lana nor Dal had a completely “normal” upbringing, and that definitely had an effect on the choices that they have made with their lives. I really enjoyed watching them open up to each other as the story progressed, and the way their families inserted themselves into just about every situation was a lot of fun too. (The morning after walk when they ran into just about every single one of Lana’s siblings was laugh out loud funny.) Dal’s grand gesture was–literally–chef’s kiss. Honestly, more GGs should involve food–the fact that they don’t is an oversight, surely?
Show Off is the final story in the author’s Juniper Ridge series, and though it could be read as a standalone, seeing all of Lana’s siblings here and getting hints at some of the things that happened in their stories will likely inspire you to add their books to your TBR before you’ve even put this one down. You’ve been warned!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.