While reading the newest Lennox brothers book, it struck me just how sly and out of the box Author Hunter is here, subjugating cliches left and right by using clever comparison and witty dialogue. This book is about Kade, Asher's chef twin brother. Its a second chance story with characters that don't act scripted, giving it a layer of pure authenticity.
So we as the reader get to know Natalie and Kade more, and we find that Natalie broke up with Kade years ago because she didn't think she was getting the whole Kade. In other words: he was such a good emotional wall builder that she just didn't see a future. Fast forward and today Kade is a tv chef, taught by his mentor, Nat's father Mack. He doesn't mind helping her out by cooking for a few weeks...until it opens up a portal to the past. The food related dialogue was painfully funny and smart.
"“Something smells good,” he said. “No, it doesn’t.” I lowered my fork. “And if it does, it’s a lie. Because this...” I used the fork to point at the quinoa. “Is anything but good. If this dish were music , it’d be a beginner’s bagpipe recital. If it were an insect, it’d be pubic lice. If it were email, it’d be trying to sell you a p#n1s enlargement...""
"“No offense, Nat, but I can’t let you cook.” Carlotta folded her arms, her expression stubborn. “People could die.”"
Kade and Natalie are very complex people and Author Hunter refuses to dumb them down for mass consumption. Natalie feels trapped by her father's restaurant, but is it a trap of her own making? Kade is charismatic, good looking and talented, so why doesnt he allow any of his feelings free reign outside of his family? Author Hunter explores these questions and more thoughtfully.
Do you ever get tired of reading descriptions of characters that bore you so much you can't figure out chemistry? Not here. Author Hunter uses terms and phrases that are unique sounding, making you really think that they could have come from these people.
"I choked out a laugh, beating the eggs so fast my whisk was practically smoking. Those enormous eyes of hers killed me. They were slightly magnified and rounded by her thick glasses, giving her a perpetual look of innocence, especially because her irises were such a sweet blue, the color of bluebells and butterflies. But when she let loose with her wicked sense of humor, the effect was devastating. Like being karate chopped by a kitten."
And the banter! Again, so witty, so knowing that before long you are wondering when these two will get a real clue.
"“And everyone in the world is convinced we’re engaged. Any minute, we’ll get a congratulatory telegram from one of those remote villages in the Amazon where they shoot arrows at airplanes that get too close.”"
"“You’re depraved. I can’t decide whether you should see a doctor, or get your own Netflix series.”"
I was relieved that there was limited Trixie and Edward, as they are always funny but too much of a good thing is usually a bad thing. But the romance fizzes and pops.
""You want to hear a secret ?” I whispered in Kade’s ear. “You’re the hero of all my stories. I’m living in a romance novel, and you’re my happily ever after.”"
As well as Nat and Kade's love story, you will be drawn in by a very bad cat, an unfortunately timed poker game, numerous receipes that may or may not be successful, a nude model that is extremely self confident, an evil plot to wreck the restaurant and a very meta epilogue that will make you grin. Trust me, it all makes sense. Except for Kade's pickle cake. I don't care how talented he is, that receipe can't be normal.