A sexy category romance from Entangled's Brazen imprint...
Mixing business with pleasure has never been so sexy...
Being the financial caretaker for her deadbeat parents isn’t the life professional organizer Sterling Andrews dreamed of. Tired of being the dependable—and boring—daughter, Sterling decides to have a little fun. And what could be more fun than seducing rich bad boy chef, Jack Vaughn? Except, after one scintillating night together, Sterling’s not only lusting for Jack, she’s working for him. And remaining professional becomes harder every day.
Already a major success thanks to his exclusive restaurants, Jack Vaughn is looking for something more. Ultra responsible Sterling is unlike anyone Jack has met…but she’s his employee. Unwilling to give her up, Jack makes Sterling an offer she can’t refuse—for four sexy weekends, he’ll indulge her most wicked fantasies with no professional strings attached. But will mixing business with pleasure spell disaster? Or will they find the recipe for satisfaction?
3.5 Getting the Recipe Right Stars * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free It is comforting to know when you click a Brazen book, they always deliver smexy times wrapped with a storyline of two people who don't think they match for whatever reason, but then see they really are good together. This is Gina Gordon's wheelhouse. There is a new series coming out of this and more will be coming.
In this first entry, we met all of the Madewood Brothers, all chefs with their own ways of doing things. This book primarily is about sexy bad boy Jack and Sterling, a responsible, professional organizer who is seeing herself as boring and tired of being taken advantage by her parents.
Sterling is in a tricky situation...she's around this temptation, wants to be the professional she is, yet also feels the pull and want for this man who happens to be her boss...
Jack sees Sterling with different eyes... He doesn't see her as boring, no... He sees what lies beneath and wants to give Sterling a way to release it...
A Sexual Deal is Struck... Pure Freedom and no worries about their professional ties... Intriguing and something Sterling cannot turn away from... But what will be the results besides major O's...
Gina Gordon puts all of this together along with hints of more stories with these brothers.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
This book was a suprise, a real little gem! Gina Gordon, please tell me we will be seeing more from the Madewood brother!! I can just see a beautiful little series being made from this family of boys.
Brothers by circumstance we have, Finn, Cole, Neil and Jack, all taken from foster care to live with, wealthy woman Vivien Madewood. She helps these boys grow into the men they are, she loved them and they loved her back. Unfortunately when you start this book , their mother has just passed away from a long battle with breast cancer. All the boys are feeling it. This book was based around Jack and Sterling. Beautiful, caring, "doormat" Sterling, has been taken advantage of by her parents since she can remember. Her parents are gambling addicts and are in debt up to their eyeballs and dragging Sterling down with them. Poor girl needs some fun and this is where Jack comes in. Bad boy Jack has a reputation as a ladies man and all around hedonist. Sterling is tired of being responsible all the time and it getting her no where, so they make a deal to "help" each other. This is where the book got fun,this is where the book got steamy.The back and forth conversations between the couple were lively. Jack was the perfect gentlemen but also(hot) the perfect date for Sterling, broadening her horizons, getting her to let her hair down. The steam factor was zinging, Jack is a master at looking after the ladies, if you know what I mean. Very caring, just what you want in a man. So my amusement level was very high, I was well entertained and well satisfied. Very pleasant read, I would recommend it to all those who love a nice contemporary romance.
Recipe for Satisfaction is a great introduction to the Madewood brothers – Jack, Neil, Finn & Cole, all chefs, with varying degrees of ink and piercings!
The chemistry between Sterling and Jack is like a smoking wok right from the start, I liked that both of these characters were not afraid to take what they wanted from each other sexually at any given time.
”There’s plenty of time for me to give you pleasure. But first, take it for yourself. Fall over that edge. Let me watch you. Let me hear you scream.”
Sterling has been dared by her best friend Penn, to ‘live a little’ and step out of her comfort zone. Not wanting to be considered boring anymore she agrees and bumps into Jack, while suffering from a nasty bout of seasickness.
”There’s no way you could be boring, Sterling” ... “Boring girls don’t come in public”
There were a couple of things that let this book down a little for me. Firstly, Jack has a pierced tongue, and after their first initial encounter it isn’t mentioned again, I was expecting lots of pierced sexyness and it turned out to be a one hit wonder. I also got a tad bored with all of Sterling’s family drama; for the most part it didn’t really seem necessary to the story, but as always this is just my opinion.
With a simple look he had managed to get her to open up, let go, and push through every barrier she’d ever erected to protect herself.
That said, overall it was another enjoyable Brazen read, a start to a series that has huge potential, and I am looking forward to seeing where Gina Gordon takes us with Neil, Finn & Cole as it progresses.
My review can also be found on my blog Collections.
2.5 stars
I don't think this book is bad. But my reason for the rating is because Recipe for Satisfaction is a story I've read before with just slightly different characters and the main differences being the setting and the characters' careers. A lot of the contemporary romances I've read seem to share the same basic plot. Uptight woman and bad boy, who isn't really as bad as the rumors claim, fall for each other and have the best sex of their lives with each other. But their relationship isn't suppose to be serious, so they are too afraid to admit that they're deeply in love. Complications from their past cause them to argue and fight and break off whatever they had. Someone or something brings them back together, making them realize how wrong they were, and they declare their love for each other and live happily ever after. See? I think everyone knows exactly what I mean.
I know these stories are suppose to be fun and straight to the point. And there have been some I've really enjoyed, but those were mostly the first ones I've ever read. It's not as exciting as it was in the beginning because it's the same story and I already know what's going to happen. I think readers who don't mind that at all and are just looking for a quick romantic read will no doubt have fun with this book.
I'm a publicist with Entangled, but Gina Gordon is not my client. I'm writing this disclaimer because her book is published by Entangled.
I've been a pretty active book reviewer for years, but I wanted to make all the above clear before you read my review. Many might say my opinion is swayed because of my affiliation, but I'll leave that up to you to judge.
During my latest binge into contemporary romance, I purchased Recipe for Satisfaction. It was the first book of three (I bought this book, Game for Marriage, and Vanilla on Top). Actually, these books are all the January releases from Entangled's Brazen line. If you follow me on twitter, you know I'm obsessed with these books. The covers are killer and the stories teeter the line between erotica and adult romance. Ugh...I love them.
Recipe for Satisfaction is a contemporary romance with meat. Beyond the steamy romance, Sterling Andrews is dealing with some major family drama. Having known a person who had parents like hers, I could relate to her emotions. It's a tough position to be in as a child and I thought she handled it well. This chick is tough and I absolutely fell in love with her. Unlike many of the weak female characters in contemporary romance, this girl holds her own.
Now that I got that out of the way, I can discuss my favorite part of this book: Jack Vaughn! This guy is yummy and a half. First of all, a guy who can cook wins major points with me. Also, the love scenes in this book are like whoa-baby hot. Everything from the positions to the locations. Seriously, where can I pick-up my own Jack Vaughn? He also has a few smexy brothers that make my insides vibrate when I imagine the next books in the series! So, yeah, I'm a fan. ;-p
Bottom line: Read this book. It's $2.99 for freaks-sake. It's so worth it!
The title for this book is spot on, because between these pages Gina Gordon really has created a recipe for satisfaction.
Sterling Andrews; professional organizer, parental baby-sitter, woman in need of one wild night. With bad boy Jack Vaughn, Sterling knows she is way out of her league but gives into temptation, regardless. Unfortunately, an untimely interruption puts a quick end to the night and Sterling never expects to see Jack again afterwards. Until he wants to hire her to organize and pack up his mother's house, who recently passed away. And despite the fact that Sterling never mixes business with pleasure, she cannot get the sexy chef out of her head. When he makes a seductive deal with her for the next four weekends, she can't refuse and is taken on a whirlwind journey of passion and romance. But what will happen when their time is up?
I really liked this story. Right away I connected with Sterling Andrews. Wow, what a crappy home life she has come from and really surpassed to be a competent and successful business woman. She's strong, independent, and I loved her. Jack Vaughn was very much a swoon-worthy leading man. Fed up with the life-style he was living and the image the media projected about him as well as coping with the death of his foster mother, he's ready for a change. With Sterling he has found someone that see's the real Jack Vaughn, the real challenge is getting Sterling to let go, forget all of her responsibilities, and live in the moment. But Jack quickly comes to realize that he wants more than just a moment with Sterling. Jack turns Sterling's perfectly ordered world on its ear. The chemistry between the two is undeniable and the love scenes heated up the kitchen, bedroom, limo...and a few other interesting places!
Recipe for Satisfaction was an enjoyable and engaging read filled with relatable characters, lively banter, spine-tingly passion and heartwarming romance. I'm looking forward to the other smexy chef brother's stories! A wonderful and quick contemporary romance to pick up!
How did I feel about this book? Yum. Wow. Holy crap, that's hot. How was that? :)
Sterling Andrews is dependable. So dependable that her parents routinely take advantage of her and are slowly killing any chance she has for a happy future. Her best friend, Penn, forces her to attend a snazzy cruise/charity event for the Madewood brothers. There, as she is turning green from seasickness, Sterling decides to throw caution to the wind (and hopefully not upchucking in the process) and ditch her reputation by jumping one of the hottest guys I've read about in a book...Jack Vaughn. He is the youngest of four foster brothers of the late Vivian Madewood. He's hot, he can cook, and the man can make Sterling swoon with one glance. After their night together, Jack is desperate to see Sterling again and decides to help her be more daring as he takes her on a whirlwind romance of sex, sex, food, and more sex.
I felt incredibly sad for Sterling. Her parents really suck. Quite honestly, they are sucking the future from her. She's struggling to stay postive while she's putting her sisters through school and while her parents drain her bank accound with their gambling. She needed someone to be on her side. Jack... Jack, Jack, Jack. Where can I get one of him? Jack was what Sterling needed. He was gentle and kind when she needed it. He was hot and demanding when Sterling wanted that. And the fact that he was one of four foster brothers makes me love him even more now I know there will be three more books. :) And with the secondary characters (*ahem* Penn and Cole), the next books in the series will be just as hot.
I loved the book. It was filled with lots of different emotions from fury (how I felt towards Sterling's parents) to laughter (poor Sterling on the boat) to needing a fan (any scene between Sterling and Jack). Can't wait for the next book in the series...
This was sexy and sweet, a great combo for a fun romance to curl up with at night. Sterling didn't really wow me, but she was interesting enough with her 'bad girl side' wanting to come out and play with the sexy and suave playboy Jack. Sterling is a hard-working, plain-jane type who has been taken advantage of by her family her whole life. Her useless parents (oh, I hated them!!) did everything in their power to take, take, and take again from her, and she'd always just put up with it. I'm glad she was over all that when we meet her, because honestly I couldn't have put up with her letting them walk all over her! She's finally getting a backbone, partly in thanks to the stronger woman that Jack has enticed out of her. What started out as a one-night night to be 'wild' turned into another...and another...and maybe some weekends were thrown in there...yep, they couldn't keep their hands off each other for long, and it awoke the part of Sterling that she never knew existed. And womanizer Jack of course realized he wanted more from the alluring Sterling. I can't say that this was anything new, and the storyline was fairly predictable, but I did enjoy it. Will definitely be checking out more of Gina Gordon's work in the future!
If you are after a quick hot read this fits the bill. Great romantic escapism, I devoured it in an evening. Yes it's a tad predictable, but it's well-written, has endearing characters, a decent storyline and is steamy yet has some nice romantic moments.
The relationships between the Madewood brothers brings wit and humour and they are all pretty delectable. Whilst this book focusses on Jack and his sexcapades with Sterling, the foundations have been set for his brother's stories. Jack was easy to love; the bad boy of the brothers, he is surprisingly kindhearted, a romantic and he oozes appeal. Took me bit longer to warm to Sterling, she came across as weak at first but hidden away is a strong woman who just needs a helping hand with her confidence and a bad boy to show her.
Definitely worth reading if you like this genre of book and dont want anything too taxing on the brain. I look forward to the next one.
This was a fun, sweet , and quick read. This is the first book in a series I would the next book, about the next brother. I do agree with the reviews of a predicable story line, but it didn't bother me. Sterling was a sweet and lovable (h), I liked the twist with her parents its not used that often as a vise in most stories that I read. Jack are (H) was still yummy, he had great chemistry with Sterling. The end was a bit abrupt it was way to easy and rushed.
RECIPE FOR SATISFACTION (Madewood Brothers #1) by Gina Gordon
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 1, 2013
Being the financial caretaker for her deadbeat parents isn’t the life professional organizer Sterling Andrews dreamed of. Tired of being the dependable—and boring—daughter, Sterling decides to have a little fun. And what could be more fun than seducing rich bad boy chef, Jack Vaughn? Except, after one scintillating night together, Sterling’s not only lusting for Jack, she’s working for him. And remaining professional becomes harder every day.
Already a major success thanks to his exclusive restaurants, Jack Vaughn is looking for something more. Ultra responsible Sterling is unlike anyone Jack has met…but she’s his employee. Unwilling to give her up, Jack makes Sterling an offer she can’t refuse—for four sexy weekends, he’ll indulge her most wicked fantasies with no professional strings attached. But will mixing business with pleasure spell disaster? Or will they find the recipe for satisfaction?
REVIEW: Recipe for Satisfaction is the first storyline in Gina Gordon’s new Madewood Brothers series. Gina invites the reader into the world of the Madewood Brothers by introducing Jack and his older siblings and we know each will have a story to tell. Recipe for Satisfaction is Jack and Sterling’s story.
Although Recipe for Satisfaction is an introductory storyline I did not feel overwhelmed with information. There is just enough background information about the brother’s and their family history that the reader is left wanting more.
The four Madewood brothers are each successful in their own right, owning and operating a string of nightclubs, restaurants and eateries around North America but when Jack comes home to Toronto for a few weeks of R&R, the last thing he wanted was a relationship. But the death of their mother has left a hole in the family and Jack needed someone to help organize and pack his mother’s belongings. Enter Sterling Andrews-an organizer and planner who would be perfect for the job. But Jack has other plans for Sterling and makes her an offer that she cannot refuse.
The relationship between Jack and Sterling begins as a torrid but not quite one-night stand. Each looking for a night of passion, without commitments, and yet each discovered they wanted something more. As the storyline progressed, Jack and Sterling develop feelings for one another but Sterling’s extended family’s financial problem drives a wedge between Jack and Sterling when Jack accidently discovers the final notice invoices and credit card receipts. Believing Sterling wants only one thing, Jack pushes away the one woman who could make him happy.
Recipe for Satisfaction is a contemporary romance with a predictable happily ever after that is fast paced and fun to read. There are no thought provoking diatribes about life and love, only two people meant for each other who must overcome some personal obstacles as well as some private heartbreaks.
I only had one problem and that was the ending. It was rather abrupt and Sterling’s last pronouncement to the man she loves, should have pushed him away-in my opinion.
Professional organizer Sterling Andrews was hoping to step outside herself to find happiness in the arms of man for just one night. One night where she didn't have to worry about money or what her parents may or may not be doing. A party on a private yacht, a bout of sea sickness and playboy Jack Vaughn turn Sterling's life upside down.
Jack Vaughn was trying to deal with the death of his foster mother and the ramifications the press had in making him seem like an uncaring cad. He'd stayed away from woman and hidden with his brothers hoping to make sense of his life. An encounter with Sterling makes Jack bargain with her to ensure he can spend more time with her. He starts to wish for things he'd never wanted before and wondering if the dreams he had for his family's foundation could come true and keep him home with his brothers.
Sterling had a pretty tough life and right away, as a reader, you can connect with her. You want her happy and you want her to get out from underneath the burden that is her parents. When she's with Jack, she sheds her obsessive compulsiveness and lives in the moment. She's more willing to try new things and open herself up to just being with Jack. And spending quality time with Jack isn't much of a hardship, even if she knows the there is a time limit for them.
Jack is a soul who is torn between his public persona and the person he really is. He doesn't let many see the real Jack, but there is something about Sterling that has him immediately opening up and being himself. That ability to open up and know that he always has someone in his corner gives Jack the push he needs to do what he's wanted to do for the family's foster kids cooking program. While deep down he knows the difference in his life is Sterling, it takes an intervention from his family to realize just how important she is.
I like the story. Jack is one sexy chef and Gina Gordan gives him charisma that seems to ooze off the pages. Jack and Sterling had chemistry together that made them a pleasure to read. Such a pleasure that I am anxiously awaiting the next Madewood Brother book.
If you're looking for a sexy, quick read, this is definitely one that should be picked up.
I love I love I love this story!! Gina Gordon has written a fantastic romance with plenty of heat, sweet filled moments, and swoon worthy characters.
Sterling is a professional organizer and when Penn, her best friend, talks her into going to an event to find a man for the night she agrees knowing that she needs fun in life. Sterling has tons of baggage that is not her own, but is still responsible for and all she wants is to have one night of fun. Que Jack Madewood! This many is SEXY! Let me give you a run down...swirling tattoos which includes a panther, a tongue piercing, a very talented chef, and gorgeous...really what more do you need to know??! Sterling and Jack meet and well after Sterling stops getting sick from seasickness the sparks fly. Both Jack and Sterling have things that they need to get straight in their lives and I was totally rooting for them the entire book. This story is filled with so much hope and love that it really is bursting from the pages.
Like I said I loved this story. It was amazing watching Sterling and Jack find each other and so fun to watch them fall. There were bumps along the way that I was really nervous about, but I kept hope that each could see through the craziness and still want each other. I really felt for Sterling and I don't think I have ever rooted for a character more. I think adding in her younger sisters really added to the story, yes it added more responsibility for Sterling but it just showed you how determined she was to save the people that she loves. I have to say too that I did indeed cry at the end. I never cry in books but there is one scene at the end with all four boy (Jack and his brothers) that totally had me tearing up! Bravo Ms.Gordon!
If you are looking for a fun filled steamy book with an awesome storyline then go grab Recipe for Satisfaction! Hurry up what are you waiting for?!! GO people GO!!!
Recipe for Satisfaction was a really entertaining story. We have the gorgeous Jack Vaughn who is a ladies man and is far far away from looking for a relationship. And then we have Sterling who is just looking to learn how to have a little fun and to get away from all the problems in her life. These two meet and they make an interesting agreement between them. Of course I don't believe in friends with benefits relationships, they will always bring feelings to the surface and these two characters thought they could pull it off.
This story wasn't bad but it just didn't do it for me. It was really predictable. The pacing of the story was really quick and it made up for a really enjoyable read even though it wasn't one of my favorites. And I would definitely read more about his gorgeous brothers and who they fall in love with!
In conclusion Recipe for Satisfaction was a flirty and fun story and everyone who is looking for a quick, sexy read should definitely read it.
Sterling Andrews life is filled with takers who do nothing to take care of themselves and Sterling is left putting her needs aside. After breaking up with her boyfriend, Sterling decides to try an experiment and try new things outside of her sheltered box. Enter playboy chef Jack Vaughn whose magnetism draws Sterling in, when he offers to help with her new venture it comes with no strings attached conditions, four weekends of letting Jack take charge and then they both walk away or do they?
I thought it was good but I had a few issues with Jack's character. Sometimes it felt as though the author had a checklist of things that women find sexy in romance novels. One by one they got ticked off: tattoos-check, rich-check, assertive/alpha-check, dances-check, motorbike-check, loves a woman to eat food not salads-check, etc, etc. For me, it just didn't quite work all of the time.
My thoughts (Theo): I just finished this book and all I can say is: Holly Mother of Mine!!! It was mind-blowing, extremely well written and AWESOME!
Yes, yes, you have read me right! It was an amazing book to which I pay all my respect!
Let me start with how the main character simply made me feel all her emotions as if it were mine. Starling is the woman whom you might only find at the kind of party that brings all your good manners to the surface. She seems stilled, classy and with a lot of assets to show. She has those killer long-legs you always have fantasized about even if you are a girl. She is the beauty you want to find for every single beast you might find. She is also hard-working and always knows how to make you smile. I loved her because even though she is all those from above, she also has all the insecurities a woman has: she sees herself as any other woman, she has her own big problems and she falls for the best beast for herself.
Jack Madewood is strong, tall; sex-on-a-stick kind of guy whom might have has already slept with half the population from the globe. He is the bad-tattooed-awesome-boy you want to find for yourself, to drag you out of your shell and make you scream because of all the pleasure he can provide you with!
So, how does Starling – the shy and I’m-in-my-own-shell girl meets Jack? Oh, well it is easy. The two of them meet at the fundraising put in place by Starling and Penn [her best friend] for the foundation of the deceased mother of Jack and other three brothers [Neil, Cole and Finn]. He is feeling sad, repulsed and wanting to lose himself for a bit. She is out of her shell, ready and looking for a nightstand only.
They kind of get drawn together and then it is almost impossible to keep them apart. They never get to finish their only one nightstand due to some family problems from Starling’s parents that show at the last minute. She is forced to go back and deal with all the bulls*it they are making her go through every single time. She is now demonstrating how powerful she really is and how hard she is working for herself and her parents and two little twins.
The story keeps evolving around some sort of bet the both of them finally get to put together and from here on is all about the fantasies, dreams and beauty. They learn how to explore each other as if it is the most important thing in the world and maybe it is! But what is going to happen when the one nightstand tens to repeat itself for more than one occasion and it ends up bringing to their casual relationship the only feeling they both might not want: love?
How will things go from there? Will Miami be as beautiful as ever? Will their pasts middle in their business? Will all of them cause heart-attacks for every one?
I loved this book! I loved it from the start. The way that let me connect with the characters, the idea of such passion making my skin crawl! Loved it!
I am recommending it to any one! Ready or not this book will smash you world upside-down making you believe in everything you might have thought might be just a lie.
Thank you Mrs. Gordon for letting me read one of your most amazing books and for sending me an e-copy! Truly loved it!
Recipe for Satisfaction definitely has what I’ve come to expect with Brazen books, HOT sex and lots of it. This is the first book in Gina Gordon’s Madewood Brothers Series and it does a nice job of setting you up and introducing you to all the brothers. First up is youngest brother, Jack Vaughn. Jack along with Neil, Finn and Cole were all foster kids taken in by Vivian Madewood as teenagers. Unlike his older brothers who joined the family business, Jack felt the need to prove himself and branch out on his own. Consequently, his brothers are constantly giving him a hard time, thinking that what he’s doing isn’t important.
Sterling Andrews is a professional organizer. It’s her job to keep people organized although her life isn't organized at all. Sterling makes a modest salary and should be having fun and living a great life. But she’s pigeon-holed herself into being extremely sensible and not allowing herself to have fun at all.
Sterling and Jack are two people who are more than what people see and more than what they view themselves as. The two meet on board a yacht that is hosting a charity event for Cooking for the Future, the charity program created by Vivian Madewood. The attraction is instant and the two agree to a one night “help each other get back on the horse” fling. After all, Jack is known as a ladies man and Sterling has no time or desire for anything more than that. She just wants to allow herself one night of being exciting Sterling instead of boring Sterling. Unfortunately, Sterling's parents get in the way and her plans fall through.
Sterling inspires Jack and he just can’t get enough of her. He convinces her friend, Penn who works for the Madewood family to give him Sterling’s phone number. Jack then offers Sterling a job as a way to spend more time with her. Jack then convinces/challenges Sterling to step out of her comfort zone, have fun, and spend the next four weekends in his bed.
During their month together, they each see the good in each other that no one else sees. Jack shows and shares things with Sterling that no one knows. Sterling unfortunately reveals very little. As things heat up to the point of no return, Sterling’s family issues get in the way.
I immediately fell in love with Jack. No only is he a talented chef; he’s smart, caring, hot and oh my...the things he can do both in and out of the bedroom. Sterling is a heroine that I like. She’s a little tightly wound up, but it’s because of her past. I hate that she’s so hard on herself all the time. She let’s her deadbeat parents guilt trip her constantly. Jack and Sterling are really good together.
I’m looking forward to the other books in this series.
For some reason chef heroes never work for me. Why is that? So I’m not sure why I accepted a book for review that features four brothers (foster brothers) who are all chefs. But I’m glad I did because this one is cute. They are all in this profession because their foster mother who they all loved and adored (she passed away recently) brought them into her home and loved them all in the kitchen.
These four brothers are very wealthy (of course!) and have invited the elite onto a boat to raise money for a charity they run which teaches cooking skills to troubled youth. Our heroine, Sterling meets Jack on this boat. She was invited by her best friend to hopefully meet a man now that she has been single for some time. Sterling is a professional organizer who has her life in order, but unfortunately, she has a mess of parents. Her parents are addicted to gambling, have missed mortgage payments and have opened up credit cards under her name. She has tried to help them so much in the past, yet they never seem to stop.
Sterling meets Jack while getting seasick over the rail, but he is a true gentleman. He helps her feel better and then wants to get to know her. He hires her to help organize his late foster mother’s house, but all he really wants is to hang around her more.
This is a pretty cute book. It’s very light and sexy. Jack has a fun relationship with his brothers and I really like how they all loved their foster mother so much. Sterling flip flops between the intense pressure she has with her parents situation and feeling like she needs to concentrate on that, to wanting to live a wild life and trying to be “exciting Sterling” for once. They have a nice build up to their romance and some very sexy scenes.
I thought this was a really cute and adorable book right up to the end. Then there is this big forced fight between Jack and Sterling and a very weak resolution. I don’t understand why this conflict had to be introduced. Every romance book does not need to end this way. I would have been so satisfied to just have Sterling finally tell Jack her secret (which she held onto for too long) and just had a happy, flirty ending which matched the tone of much of the book.
Otherwise cute and I’ll definitely be checking out the other brother stories.
My Review: This is a hot, sexy little book with some interesting characters. I love the set up for this series. Four teenage boys in foster care were taken in by a single, well-to-do lady who gave them a purpose in life. She taught them all to cook and urged them to pursue various cooking careers. At the start of this book, she died two months before from cancer. The four boys who have become extremely successful in their cooking ventures (which include cooking schools for troubled teens) are reeling from her death. The black sheep among the boys is Jack. He's the one of the four who left home to pursue his own dreams rather than the dreams of the group, although he is still involved with the group's ventures...he just normally does it via long-distance.
Sterling's best friend, Penn, works for the Madewood brothers and she drags Sterling along to one of their benefits where she meets Jack. They have an immediate attraction and are both looking to burn off a little mutual, no-strings attached, satisfaction. Things are explosive between them when it comes to their chemistry. But they both have issues....Jack is tired of being seen as only a sexy playboy wallet, and Sterling is in trouble financially because of her irresponsible parents. Not a good combination.
Sterling is also a professional organizer so Jack hires her to organize their foster mother's things because the four men are so overwhelmed by the prospect. She works on his mother's house during her free time during the week, but Jack wants her free time on the weekends.
Like I said, I really love the set-up for the series and am already looking forward to the brother's stories. For this particular book, I enjoyed the chemistry between the two a LOT and I really liked both their characters. I had just a small issue with the way that Jack was presented. He's really freaked out about the possibility of a woman dating him for his money and I felt that a couple of his reactions were just too over-the-top to be believable. Those two events were really my only issue with the book though. I enjoyed reading it a lot and the smexy scenes were FABULOUS!
Like I said, I can't wait to read more from this series. Already the contention between Cole and Penn is setting up for a great book for them!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest revie
Review in a few words: Awesome Characters | Brothers | Hot Boys | Sexy Story | Well Developed
Review Details: Men who can cook… and are sexy as hell… and have tats… and ride motorcycles… whelp yes all of that is in this book – need I say more?! I thought not ;)
Jack Vaughn and his brothers are delicious – smart, sexy, amazing, etc etc etc. I can’t wait to read the other three stories in this series.
I absofuckinglutely loved Sterling as well – she is awesome! She’s funny, strong, determined, vulnerable, and beautiful in an unassuming way. I want to be her friend! I loved that she stepped outside her comfort zone and was soooooooo rewarded for it. She figured out through the story what she really wanted and what she really needed – from a guy and from herself. I love that this story, although totally sexy and delicious, was really about a woman and a man figuring themselves out.
Ummmm…. Lemme see – I can’t say too much more since I don’t want to spoil this for you all! I will give you a few of my favorite quotes from the story, along with a little song that I had running through my head the ENTIRE story. Trust me – read it and you’ll figure it out ;)
Quote #1 from page 92 of my Review Galley: “She needed to get back on her own horse. And boy did she need someone to saddle her up good. And fast. And hard. And – shut it, Sterling. Pull up your professional pants and get back to work.” This just had me laughing so hard – out loud might I add – I just loved Sterling’s internal dialogue <3
Quote #2 from page 96 of my Review Galley: “He grabbed at the neck of his shirt and pulled it over his head. Sweet. Mother. Mary. So worth it.” Now, this is out of context here but I can’t give you all of it since it would tell you too much – let me just tell you this… Sterling is thinking this, not saying it, about Jack.
Quote #3 from page 81 of my Review Galley: “He was sex on a stick and she wanted to lick him like a lollipop” This is what prompted the song below to run through my head the entire story… oh and this is kind of a random video… the song actually starts at 2:15 into the video, but check it out HERE
5 sexy stars as emotionally satisfying and very sexy book.
Sterling has been dragged along to a fancy party by her friend who wants her to have some fun, but boats don't agree with sterling and she soon feels ill. While feeling seasick she tries to find a toilet, she runs into Jack a Madewood brother and his gorgeous, before she knows it his comforting her while she throws up!!!
Sterling hasn't had an easy childhood, and even as a grown up life is tough for her, but she fights on.
Now jack isn't your normal rich boy character, his tongue is pierced, he has tattoos and is known as a playboy, but Sterling doesn't get that feeling from him as he helps her, later they have a few moments together in a limo.... :). Jack decides he needs to see Sterling again but how??? She can pack up his deceased mums house after all she is a professional organiser.
Well as you can imagine when there's a spark between two people its hard to stay away from each others bodies! So they make an agreement, to work and play separately for a limited time.
As time goes by they discover more about each other, but sterling keeps some secrets. Jack is swoon worthy and is so well rounded as a character as was Sterling, and I went through so many emotions with the pair of them.
Wow jack has a talented tongue, or maybe it's his piercing! But the sex is hot 6/5 sizzle factor.
But this story is more than sex, it's about discovering, sharing, enjoying, learning its a journey their journey and its lovely.
In a way it reminded of pretty woman obviously Sterling is no call girl though.
Now girls Jack has 3 brothers who are all introduced in this book, and if there as hot as bad boy Jack I'm in on reading their story too.
The ending was.............
You will have to read it and find out!!
It's the next day and damn I can't get jack out my mind he was so yummy, maybe it was cos he could cook, or was just sexy. I must start a new book !!
*i received a copy if this via the publisher via netgalley for an honest review*
Oh, how I love a good book with a BUNCH of irresistible, hot, successful men. And boy, does Recipe for Satisfaction have it! Yes, this is the story of Jack and Sterling, but did you know Jack has three, count ‘em, THREE brothers! All of them are hot and successful, not to mention, they can all cook! Ah, a woman’s dream come true!
I think it was the characters that did it for me in this book. It’s not very often that I like all the characters in a book, but Gina did an excellent job at creating a cast that I loved and was always entertained with. The brothers really do speak for themselves. They all have troubled pasts, but are united by a love for cooking and their wonderful mother. I can tell that they’re all equally passionate and even though you only catch a glimpse of them, I loved every minute of it. Sterling’s best friend, Penn, was a delight also and her moments with Sterling was hilarious. Even the characters I seriously hated, like Sterling’s parents (ARGH!!!!), made me like the story more, because I really felt for Sterling and her predicament is realistic and emotional.
Sterling is a lovable female lead who grows a lot throughout the book and learns how to really live, with the help of Jack. Now Jack is the kind of guy who can sweep any girl off her feet and he definitely does so with Sterling. I loved getting to know him and seeing him realize what’s truly important in life and finding his true happiness.
My only gripe with this book, was the sorta anti-climactic climax of the plot. I was expecting it to be a little more explosive and intense, but it was kind of downplayed, in my tastes, but it was okay. If anything, it didn’t make me not like the book as a whole, I just wish there was more too it. The plot as a whole though, was pretty good.
Recipe for Satisfaction has amazing characters, a blazing romance, and a fun plot. I really enjoyed this book and am seriously contemplating begging Gina for more of the Madewood brothers. Please let there be a story for each of them because I’ll want to read them all!
The full review, with quotes and stuff can be found on the Fictionators.
You guise. This. book. is. hot.
I'm not sure if it's because I've been reading mediocre smut lately or what, but I seriously loved this book.
Sterling Andrews meets bad boy Jack Vaughn when her friend drags her to a fundraiser benefiting a charity that his recently-passed-away mother started. Sparks between the two immediately ignite. There's a lot that I can say about gorgeous Jack Vaughn. He's beautiful. He's a chef. He has tatts. His tongue is pierced. He wears button fly jeans. *grin* He knows what he wants.
"Please, Sterling, let me have you."
Their night of debauchery is cut short when Sterling gets a phone call, alerting her to the fact that her parents have been running up her credit cards again. Jack is only planning to be in town for the next month, and in that time, he needs to pack up his mother's belongings. He hires Sterling for the job. And he has a proposition for her:
"I have four weeks until I need to take off again. For the next four Saturdays, you belong to me."
You know what happens. Counter sex. Beach sex. Public sex. Motorcycle sex. It's hot. And then the shit hits the fan, and when it does, it really does. It's all worth it in the end, though, and I loved it!
What didn't I like? There were some words that made me cringe (like "channel" ewwww). I also didn't love that he was so wishy-washy about their relationship. Not every woman in the world is after the same thing. I loved that she had a backbone, though, and stood up to him.
Recipe for Satisfaction is a story with two strong characters that I really liked and a storyline that was realistic. I loved the lemons and loved their relationship even more. I seriously can't wait to read more from this author.
I really wanted to like Recipe For Satisfaction but unfortunately it just didn’t do it for me. It had all the right ingredients but somehow it just didn’t come together.
One of the problems was that it held little substance. Every chapter seemed to begin on a Saturday, when the two main characters would meet up, and exclude a majority of the week leading up to that meeting. It might have been ok if there wasn’t a secondary storyline involving Sterling and her good for nothing, gambling parents. I wanted the romance and the family issues to be more on an equal footing but instead the romance got most of the time, which lead to a lot, maybe too much, sex.
I did like the characters. Jack is charming and exactly my kind of guy, there were times where he could be a little pushy but not pushy enough to put me off him. I liked Sterling too, she is sweet and likeable but (like so many other female characters in this genre) she was a bit of a push over. The treatment she received from her parents is utterly appalling, yet she continues to bail them out after they have lied, betrayed and stolen from her. They treat her like dirt and she lets them get away with it for a really long time. I understand that they are her family but when they start putting you in serious debt something had to be done.
Recipe for Satisfaction was not a bad book but I wanted a little more from it.
The publisher provided me with a free copy of this book in exchange for and honest review
Jack is a playboy & chef. And his family is full of money. Instead of inherit it, he started his own business and that made his brothers concern. Due to his bad reputation as a playboy and as the youngest of all four Madewood brother, He feel like his brother lack of trust in his responsible while women wanted him because his money. But then He found Sterling, girl who love him for him.
Sterling is a professional organiser. Organising thing is her obsess. As the oldest child of non-function parent, she took care every penny spends by her parent and her sister. Thing was even worse because of her parent's gambling-addiction Nearly mentally broke down, Her best friend took her out to the fund-raising party.
There's she found Jack. after bubbling about she wanted something for her pleasure. They have a deal, One night stand only. But Jack found he wanted more, all of hers. He employed Sterling to be home organiser in day and also his date by night. Sterling can't resist his tempting propose. And found that having him as a date is the best time of her life.
I really love how they brought the best out of each other. Seeing how their relationship ships from attraction to love is really sweet and interesting
But I disappointed not to see what will happen to Sterling's parents and how will their gambling-addict solve? : ( I am very curious to see it.
Anyway,This book is very good. It made me smile and feel heart-warming : ). I absolutely love this book. : ))
The only reason this book isn't getting five stars is the end. There was build up, and build up followed by a sudden and abrupt ending that left you wanting WAY more!! I am understanding that the author is probably heading into a series with this family, there absolutely is the potential for a full series, but there was no real indication if that is what is coming. So the story has you going and moving and then suddenly you run end to the brick wall that is the end...very much a let down.
I was very drawn to Jack in the story and I wanted to know more about him, and I was thankful that he was one of the "bad boys" who didn't miss his playboy ways and wanted the space from that lifestyle. I also appreciated sterling, but her whole family and personal story was just weak. I really could have done without all that.
I know I've focused mainly on the negative, but I also want to know the flaws of the story before I decide to read it and so that's what my reviews focus on. I did feel this was a strong 4 star story which means I would recommend it to anyone who is considering it, just be ready for a VERY abrupt end to hit you.
Just finished reading "Recipe for Satisfaction" by Gina Gordon. I had not read anything by this author before, but I now want to read more by her. This story has great characters, an interesting storyline that keeps you turning the page, and most of all, is well paced. This book was a real treat for me as a Canadian. It is not often that I get to read a story that has been set in a familiar setting. I know these places, and that makes the story all the more enjoyable. Sterling and Jake are 2 people who have both been hurt by life, who decide to take a chance on someone different. Most of the time that doesn't always work out so well. And I had my doubts at one point, that things would not. Miss Gordon was able to twist and turn these characters lives so that a reader would be able to say " wow, I have felt like that", and still be intrigued to find out how the story ends. I look forward to reading more by Gina Gordon, and hope that she will write the stories of the other 3 brothers soon!
3.5 stars First book in the Madewood brothers series . It's the story of Jack and Sterling. Being the sole provider for her gambling parents is no fun. So Sterling decides to look for some fun and have a one night stand. She meets Jack and the chemistry is explosive. Jack is not done with Sterling yet. He has the perfect plan : hire her to organize his dead mother's home and occupy her weekends with surprising fantasies. Sterling can't afford to lose her job. She need the money to pay her good-for-nothing parents' debts. Jack likes the fact that Sterling is the only woman he knows who wants him for himself not for his money or his lifestyle. But when he accidentally discovers her bills and bank statements, he jumps to the wrong conclusion due to his own insecurities. The plot is simple and predictable with no twists to keep the reader's attention from wandering. the characters are likeable but need more depth. The interaction between the four brothers is fun to read. I am looking forward to read the other brothers stories.
Brazen knows how to publish a sexy love story. Recipe for Satisfactions was funny and sexy, and had relatable characters. I love a great story about men who cook; there is nothing sexier than a man in the kitchen. Well maybe a man doing dirty things to his lady in the kitchen, but I digress. I really liked that neither character was prefect and that they were fully aware of their flaws. I so wish I could have a best friend like Penn. I think every girl needs a friend that not only has her best at heart but is willing to push you to get what you need/deserve. The Madewood brother series has the potential to be a very an amazing. Looking forward Gina Gordon's next book and hoping that we get to see what lays ahead for Jack and Sterling.