ARC Review: Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader




Publisher: Forever
Series: Hot in the Kitchen #1
Pages: 416 Pages
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: January 28, 2014
Summary:
IF YOU CAN'T STAND THE HEAT . . .

Photographer Lili DeLuca spends all her time working at her family's Italian restaurant, instead of following her dream of getting an MFA. When famous British chef Jack Kilroy unexpectedly challenges her father to a cook-off, Lili decides she's tired of playing it safe and vows to seduce the tempting Brit. But once a video of her and Jack kissing goes viral and her luscious (if voluptuous) butt starts trending on Twitter, Lili fears she's cooked up a recipe for disaster . . . 

Jack Kilroy's celebrity has left him feeling used and used up. While Lili's oh-so-sexy moans when she tastes his delicious creations turn him on, he's even more aroused by how this beautiful, funny woman is unimpressed by his fame. He knows they could be amazing together, if she could only see past his rabid, bitch-fork-wielding fan base. Now as he's about to start a new prime time TV cooking show, can Jack convince Lili to realize her own ambitions-and turn up the heat in his kitchen?

Rating: 

Review:

Funny enough I read the second one of this series a couple of months back... when I requested this on Netgalley I thought this was the third book and thought I give this series another try, but this is a re-release. So I kinda by accident ended up reading the first one. And boy am I glad. Because I like this one better.
The series is can be read as standalone by the way. And while there was a wee bit of spoilers in the second one,  it was very minimal. I still would advice you, to read it in order, just because...

The plot is actually quite fun. In some ways it's your typical contemporary romance- but there is the foodie bits added to it. And we all know how much I adore good food novel. And to be honest, the story line kinda became second in this one, because this is definitely character driven. And we all know how much I love good character driven novels... I liked this one so much that I didn't mind the big 'confessions' at the end- at all. No I was a gooey grinning mush by that time anyway. There are several really cute and unique details Meader added to the couple which makes them unique - spoiler -  and I really appreciated those!

The novel is written from Lili and Jack POV in 3rd person. Meader made their POV's quite distinctive.
I connected to both of them really well and totally adored them by the end of the novel.
Jack is totally my dream man! I mean green eyes, yummy body and a passion for food and cooking? What else can a girl want?! I call dibs by the way - so back of my darling reading buddies! *insert sneaky giggle*
But as much as this started as a lust thing, as their feelings grew, one slowly got to know them, saw their fears and their strengths - and they both changed and grew through this, struggling with their past and overcoming difficulties. Which is what made this in my opinion a good book. I felt for them- no that's not quite right- I felt with them! I was moved, excited, sad, worried, happy and exhilarated. I identified with them and as I said, I ended up really caring for them.
All of the support cast were just enough cliché to make it fun but not over the top to become a caricature. I really like Tad (who will star in the third novel) and Laurent! I hope Mead will write a novel with him? Though he is New York most of the time....
The support cast is what made this fun. They were all totally unique and despite there being a huge amount of them, one got to know them surprisingly well.

If I had to describe Mead's prose the words sensual and straight forward come to mind. She has a way to bring through a good sense of humor, doesn't unnecessary flourish things but her food writing is beautiful. I love food and having worked as a chef I totally get the drive Jack and Il Duce have. Also love how she describes the foods. I seriously felt like cooking after reading this. Oh and then there is Lili's passion for photography! I would buy her pieces, by way Mead described things.
The smut is good- but let me warn you, there is a hell of allot of getting hot and bothered before you get to it!

A fun mix of cute and fluff, some serious character building, great humor and delicious food writing. I can't wait to read Tad story!


ARC was provided by Publishers through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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