In The Fire (In The Kitchen #2) by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin

I was so excited to get a copy of In The Fire through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I really enjoyed the first story in this series so I dove right into In The Fire.  Here's the cover and Goodreads blurb:

Because the way to a man's heart…

Eight years ago, the world was their oyster. Until, that is, competing chefs Ethan Martin and James Lassiter's hot and heavy relationship fizzled after Jamie left for an internship in Paris. Even though Jamie's career has taken off since his return to the States, with his own television show and a lot of fame, his feelings for Ethan have never quite gone away.

Ethan's culinary career has developed more slowly, but he's almost saved enough to buy the restaurant where he works and re-open it as his dream spot, Bistro 30. If only he could get the sexy chef who loved him and left him out of his mind.

But when someone starts sabotaging the restaurant and a fire threatens to take away everything Ethan holds dear, his only option is to rely on Jamie for help. Back in close quarters, the two men will have to find a way to work through their past if they hope to save the restaurant and their future.

See how Ethan and Jamie's romance began in In the Raw.

In this book I felt like I do often when reading romance- like I want to strangle the characters. They are both acting so stubborn and stupid that you just want to thrash them. But in the end, it makes it so rewarding when you get to the end of the story and the characters FINALLY get it all together. I was really mad that Jamie and Ethan let their relationship fall apart like they did. But I loved that they let each other go and they then came back to one another- as if they were meant to be. It reminded me that our happily ever afters aren't worth as much if we don't have to work for them. The more we go through in our relationships, the more meaning that they have. I love the way that Michaels and Griffin create their characters. Their realistic story telling style is wonderful as well. I highly recommend their works.

You can find author Nikka Michaels on her website and on Twitter. Author Eileen Griffin can be found on her blog, on Twitter, and Facebook. I gave In The Raw 4 Fairies for a wonderful story of a love that was meant to be.

In The Raw (In the Kitchen Series #1) by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin

I received a copy of In The Raw from Carina Press through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.  I have to say that I really enjoyed this book and was so glad to see that it was going to be part of a series.  Check out the cover and the Goodreads blurb:

If you can't take the heat…

James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn't mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he's secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn't want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he's done fine on his own. Except that he can't get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan's been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn't about to settle for what he needs.

I love Jamie and Ethan. They are adorable! I love that they are so different but they fit together so well. Ethan and Jamie each thinks that the other has everything that they could possibly want but they both feel like they are fighting an uphill battle. Ethan comes from the street and has no money to buy all the advantages that Jamie has. Jamie wants to follow his dream of being a chef and not the dream that his parents have for him. They come together and create amazing things. Ethan just has to let Jamie in and Jamie has to reach out to Ethan. I loved this book. It was a sweet and romantic read while still being realistic.


You can find author Nikka Michaels on her website and on Twitter. Author Eileen Griffin can be found on her blog, on Twitter, and Facebook. I gave In The Raw 4 Fairies for a great romance that I just loved.