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Summer Creek #6
Challenging the Chef
When an interloper arrives in his kitchen, will romance start to simmer?
Chef Owen Thorpe left behind his celebrity status when he moved to Summer Creek. The quaint town and country atmosphere allow him to seek solace in his recipes. His peace and quiet is threatened when he’s coerced into being part of a big auction package that includes the winner spending a week cooking with him in his restaurant. The last thing he wants is some chef wannabe in his way. However, the real danger he faces is losing his heart when the winner turns out to be a beautiful woman who knows her way around a kitchen.
Burdened by the weight of her demanding career as a school psychologist, Tawni Young turns to cooking and gardening to escape from the never-ending stress of her work. When her aunt gifts her an auction package that includes cooking lessons in the small town of Summer Creek, Tawni realizes the chef she’ll be working with is none other than a celebrity she had a huge crush on during her college years. From the moment the two of them meet, an undeniable attraction sizzles while wits collide.
As they embark on a tantalizing journey of culinary delights, will Tawni and Owen discover the most important ingredient is love?
In this heartwarming and deliciously wholesome tale, Challenging the Chef takes readers on a savory adventure filled with sweet romance.
Chef Owen Thorpe left behind his celebrity status when he moved to Summer Creek. The quaint town and country atmosphere allow him to seek solace in his recipes. His peace and quiet is threatened when he’s coerced into being part of a big auction package that includes the winner spending a week cooking with him in his restaurant. The last thing he wants is some chef wannabe in his way. However, the real danger he faces is losing his heart when the winner turns out to be a beautiful woman who knows her way around a kitchen.
Burdened by the weight of her demanding career as a school psychologist, Tawni Young turns to cooking and gardening to escape from the never-ending stress of her work. When her aunt gifts her an auction package that includes cooking lessons in the small town of Summer Creek, Tawni realizes the chef she’ll be working with is none other than a celebrity she had a huge crush on during her college years. From the moment the two of them meet, an undeniable attraction sizzles while wits collide.
As they embark on a tantalizing journey of culinary delights, will Tawni and Owen discover the most important ingredient is love?
In this heartwarming and deliciously wholesome tale, Challenging the Chef takes readers on a savory adventure filled with sweet romance.
- GenresRomanceClean Romance
375 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 19, 2023
104 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Shanna Hatfield
164 books1,322 followersA hopeless romantic with a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, Shanna Hatfield is a best-selling author of clean romantic fiction written with a healthy dose of humor.
In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield
In addition to blogging and eating too much chocolate, she is completely smitten with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”
She is a member of Western Writers of America, Women Writing the West, and Romance Writers of America.
To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her blog http://shannahatfield.com
or find out news at her facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/shanna.hatfield
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 19, 2023
If you’re a “foodie” as well as an incurable romantic, you’ll be in heaven reading the sixth installment of author Shanna Hatfield’s Summer Creek series. How on earth did Celebrity Chef Owen Thorpe end up in tiny Summer Creek, Oregon, far from his lofty status as the king of the eating capital of the world, New York City? Well, the residents of Summer Creek seem to have a loving hold on anyone who decides to live and work among them. So it was that school psychologist Tawni Young was gifted with a prize package that included a week of personal cooking lessons with Chef Owen! It seems Tawni has honed her cooking and gardening skills as a means to settle the non-stop stress of her career. Little does Chef Owen know that this beautiful and smart young woman has idolized Owen and his former TV persona in New York and she is about to turn his comfortable world upside down. They get off to a more then rocky beginning but the heat of their attraction to each other is undeniable. Revisit all of the denizens of the quaint little community of Summer Creek, from the lofty to the quirky as they work their matchmaking magic on Owen and Tawni. The cooking challenge between Chef Owen and Tawni is worth the price of admission alone! For this reader and reviewer, the Summer Creek series is the author’s very finest work to date. Where else could you find a princess, a billionaire, naughty blue-haired old ladies, a beautiful heiress, a young woman on the FBI’s protected identity list, and of course, Ethel the goat, the town’s goofy mascot. What else can I say about this, other than I would love to live in this magical town, full of love, friendship and community pride.
November 23, 2025
DNF. Too much telling and not enough showing.
October 7, 2024
Challenging the Chef by Shanna Hatfield is a fantastically adorable romance.
Will Owen and Tawni find their happily ever after?
Chef Owen Thorpe
Our secretive former celebrity chef, who left the spotlight and moved to Summer Creek, is known for being possessive of his kitchen and privacy. He is a busy man who doesn't want to waste his free time dating someone who isn't in sync with his future plans. That in itself is hard since how can he find someone if he doesn't get out of the kitchen? Enter Emery, the town's energy magnet. She seems to magically put the right people in town so the lovely citizens can find their soul mates. Or is it divine faith? Either way, Chef Owen found his special person.
Owen is a great character. I love the way he takes time for the older ladies who come into his restaurant or how he allows Emery to talk him into doing things that will make him uncomfortable but help the town grow. Even though he is quiet and doesn't always smile, he loves his community and is a part of it. Also, the man can cook. Who doesn't love a man that can cook?
Tawni Young
Tawni is a school psychologist who lives and works in Portland. She doesn't have a lot of time for herself, but what she does, she spends cooking, baking, and gardening in her little balcony garden. Then, her aunt purchases a week-long trip to Summer Creek with time spent with Owen in his kitchen. Tawni knows who he is and remembers him from his celebrity days.
I love Tawni. She has a magical power with children and can usually see through most people's smile screens. However, I think she let her past knowledge of him cloud her perspective when it came to Owen. Initially, he wasn't open with her, but that was his way. However, it's all water under the bridge now.
I like these two together. They both love a lot of the same things. Tawni brings more smiles and happiness to Owen's quiet and brooding presence. It was wonderful to watch these two interacting with Own's nephew. I love a happy ending.
Summer Creek
The one thing about reading a series is that the original characters keep popping in, so you get to see how they are progressing in life. Cricket is getting more mature but still loves being a kid, which is so adorable. We have the newest member of the Cole family, baby Maverick, introduced in this book. Nell is still one of my favorite characters in the series.
Ethel the goat—wow, she is a mess. Ethel does what she wants, and yet she knows what not to mess with. I love the rain boot that she kept digging out of the trash. Summer Creek is such a fantastic place. I wish it were real.
Five Stars
My rating for Challenging the Chef by Shanna Hatfield is five stars. It is always a joy to return to Summer Creek. Owen and Tawni didn't disappoint. I hope to get to the newest book, Marrying the Mechanic, sooner than I was able to get to this one.
I can't wait to make the Brookies (1/2 browning and 1/2 cookie). The recipe is included in the book.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Challenging the Chef by Shanna Hatfield.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
Will Owen and Tawni find their happily ever after?
Chef Owen Thorpe
Our secretive former celebrity chef, who left the spotlight and moved to Summer Creek, is known for being possessive of his kitchen and privacy. He is a busy man who doesn't want to waste his free time dating someone who isn't in sync with his future plans. That in itself is hard since how can he find someone if he doesn't get out of the kitchen? Enter Emery, the town's energy magnet. She seems to magically put the right people in town so the lovely citizens can find their soul mates. Or is it divine faith? Either way, Chef Owen found his special person.
Owen is a great character. I love the way he takes time for the older ladies who come into his restaurant or how he allows Emery to talk him into doing things that will make him uncomfortable but help the town grow. Even though he is quiet and doesn't always smile, he loves his community and is a part of it. Also, the man can cook. Who doesn't love a man that can cook?
Tawni Young
Tawni is a school psychologist who lives and works in Portland. She doesn't have a lot of time for herself, but what she does, she spends cooking, baking, and gardening in her little balcony garden. Then, her aunt purchases a week-long trip to Summer Creek with time spent with Owen in his kitchen. Tawni knows who he is and remembers him from his celebrity days.
I love Tawni. She has a magical power with children and can usually see through most people's smile screens. However, I think she let her past knowledge of him cloud her perspective when it came to Owen. Initially, he wasn't open with her, but that was his way. However, it's all water under the bridge now.
I like these two together. They both love a lot of the same things. Tawni brings more smiles and happiness to Owen's quiet and brooding presence. It was wonderful to watch these two interacting with Own's nephew. I love a happy ending.
The secret ingredient is always love, no matter the recipe.
Summer Creek
The one thing about reading a series is that the original characters keep popping in, so you get to see how they are progressing in life. Cricket is getting more mature but still loves being a kid, which is so adorable. We have the newest member of the Cole family, baby Maverick, introduced in this book. Nell is still one of my favorite characters in the series.
Ethel the goat—wow, she is a mess. Ethel does what she wants, and yet she knows what not to mess with. I love the rain boot that she kept digging out of the trash. Summer Creek is such a fantastic place. I wish it were real.
Five Stars
My rating for Challenging the Chef by Shanna Hatfield is five stars. It is always a joy to return to Summer Creek. Owen and Tawni didn't disappoint. I hope to get to the newest book, Marrying the Mechanic, sooner than I was able to get to this one.
I can't wait to make the Brookies (1/2 browning and 1/2 cookie). The recipe is included in the book.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Challenging the Chef by Shanna Hatfield.
Until the next time,
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
November 16, 2023
Owen used to be a famous chef who relocated to the small town of Summer Creek after inheriting his uncle’s house and land. Owen is not looking forward to tutoring anyone in his kitchen. And when Tawni arrives and is much more attractive than he anticipated, he does his best to discourage her in various ways, hoping she’ll quit the cooking course. Tawni is actually very good at cooking and used to look up to Owen, knowing him from his days as a celebrity chef on TV.
I had a bit of trouble with Owen being a cranky jerk to Tawni because he didn’t like her ‘invading his kitchen’ after he himself agreed to give her a four day cooking workshop. If you agree, you know someone will be in your kitchen and then you should do as you promised. So he was a total jerk but after meeting her again when she’s staying in town for the summer, he suddenly invited to teach her on his day off, at his house? That I would consider someone in your personal space, and all that on a rare day off? That is O.K. but having her in his restaurant is not?! I found that a bit weird. And Owen being “tense, on edge, short-tempered, and cranky” (Tawni’s words) was a bit of a turn-off for me. But after that first encounter Owen showed Tawni that he really is a nice guy. Tawni is also very sweet and the Summer Creek community is a very loving, tight-knit community. You get to know all the secondary characters and it is clear some of them starred in previous books. The way the story is written makes you want to read about them, too.
The pace is very easygoing, a bit slow maybe, but you do get a feel about country life, where the pace is slower than in a big city. The writing often paints a beautiful picture of what is happening:
Since it was nearing noon, Owen seared a handful of scallops in butter, topped them with the sauce he’d created, and added a generous serving of risotto to his plate. After pouring a cup of coffee, he sat down at the table and ate his meal, critiquing flavors and textures with each bite. Not bad for out-of-season produce and scallops that had been in the freezer. It was nearly impossible to get fresh seafood in Summer Creek right now. He made a mental note to add more lemon to the sauce and less asparagus to the risotto and to serve the meal with a hearty whole-wheat dinner roll on the side. Perhaps he’d check with Gabe Gatlin and see if he’d bring back fresh scallops the next time he was on a coastal trip. Owen leaned back and glanced out the small window by the table, another reason he liked to work there.
Big pro: a clean story. Better to invest in the emotional relationship IMO.
Con: hearing ‘dead people’. Weird and fake, it has no place in a book.
I loved the new mailbox!
And last but not least: I love the brookies recipe at the end of the book!
Great idea by the way to use a toy to put dino tracks into sugar cookies.
All in all a light and easy read, a sweet and feel-good story!
Thank you Netgalley, Shanna Hatfield and Wholesome Hearts Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I had a bit of trouble with Owen being a cranky jerk to Tawni because he didn’t like her ‘invading his kitchen’ after he himself agreed to give her a four day cooking workshop. If you agree, you know someone will be in your kitchen and then you should do as you promised. So he was a total jerk but after meeting her again when she’s staying in town for the summer, he suddenly invited to teach her on his day off, at his house? That I would consider someone in your personal space, and all that on a rare day off? That is O.K. but having her in his restaurant is not?! I found that a bit weird. And Owen being “tense, on edge, short-tempered, and cranky” (Tawni’s words) was a bit of a turn-off for me. But after that first encounter Owen showed Tawni that he really is a nice guy. Tawni is also very sweet and the Summer Creek community is a very loving, tight-knit community. You get to know all the secondary characters and it is clear some of them starred in previous books. The way the story is written makes you want to read about them, too.
The pace is very easygoing, a bit slow maybe, but you do get a feel about country life, where the pace is slower than in a big city. The writing often paints a beautiful picture of what is happening:
Since it was nearing noon, Owen seared a handful of scallops in butter, topped them with the sauce he’d created, and added a generous serving of risotto to his plate. After pouring a cup of coffee, he sat down at the table and ate his meal, critiquing flavors and textures with each bite. Not bad for out-of-season produce and scallops that had been in the freezer. It was nearly impossible to get fresh seafood in Summer Creek right now. He made a mental note to add more lemon to the sauce and less asparagus to the risotto and to serve the meal with a hearty whole-wheat dinner roll on the side. Perhaps he’d check with Gabe Gatlin and see if he’d bring back fresh scallops the next time he was on a coastal trip. Owen leaned back and glanced out the small window by the table, another reason he liked to work there.
Big pro: a clean story. Better to invest in the emotional relationship IMO.
Con: hearing ‘dead people’. Weird and fake, it has no place in a book.
I loved the new mailbox!
And last but not least: I love the brookies recipe at the end of the book!
Great idea by the way to use a toy to put dino tracks into sugar cookies.
All in all a light and easy read, a sweet and feel-good story!
Thank you Netgalley, Shanna Hatfield and Wholesome Hearts Publishing for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 23, 2023
sweet and saucy!
Shanna Hatfield has a way of making her characters come to life and Challenging the Chef has it ALL !! What started out being a fund raiser turns into so much more for Chef Owen Thorpe . Owen left the big city life in New York as a world renowned chef to live the quiet life in Summer Creek. He’s been a private person , now because of some fundraiser he has to teach this person how to cook in HIS kitchen, his famous recipes and be NICE !
Tawni Young has won a four day cooking class with the famous Chef Thorpe who she once had a huge crush on. When Tawni gets to meet Owen the sparks fly and not in a good way !! He definitely has control issues and makes it known he’s not happy she’s in his kitchen.
When Owens young nephew Austin has to come stay with him for 3 weeks, Tawni sees the side of Owen that nobody knows. His secret weekends, the mystery behind his leaving for days at a time. Tawni and Owen will pull together to bring Austin the happiness he deserves, and the folks at Summer Creek will all pull together to help.
I loved Challenging the Chef, it was funny, emotional,and some fun flirting and there was a lot more cooking than in the kitchen .
Shanna Hatfield has a way of making her characters come to life and Challenging the Chef has it ALL !! What started out being a fund raiser turns into so much more for Chef Owen Thorpe . Owen left the big city life in New York as a world renowned chef to live the quiet life in Summer Creek. He’s been a private person , now because of some fundraiser he has to teach this person how to cook in HIS kitchen, his famous recipes and be NICE !
Tawni Young has won a four day cooking class with the famous Chef Thorpe who she once had a huge crush on. When Tawni gets to meet Owen the sparks fly and not in a good way !! He definitely has control issues and makes it known he’s not happy she’s in his kitchen.
When Owens young nephew Austin has to come stay with him for 3 weeks, Tawni sees the side of Owen that nobody knows. His secret weekends, the mystery behind his leaving for days at a time. Tawni and Owen will pull together to bring Austin the happiness he deserves, and the folks at Summer Creek will all pull together to help.
I loved Challenging the Chef, it was funny, emotional,and some fun flirting and there was a lot more cooking than in the kitchen .
October 24, 2023
This is a sweet, wholesome romance about a city girl that gets drawn in to small-town charms and falls in love with everything about the town *except* the Chef, who she finds to be rude and disappointing.
Of course, the story gets good when they keep getting thrown together and sparks fly regardless of how much neither of them want that to happen.
I love how they tied in a cooking competition to the small town theme. And included fantastic descriptions for us foodies…I was hungry and inspired to bake after reading this 😅😋
My favorite character was definitely Tawni, because she was so relatable. She was smart and independent so she didn’t come off as a pushover, yet she was overall very much a Suzy homemaker and super tender…which I don’t feel like I see very much in romance novels anymore.
There are also very lovable side characters who we get to see quite a bit of as the town comes together time after time to help each other. I love that whole vibe, so now I definitely want to read about the rest of the town in the other books in the series.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Wholesome Hearts Publishing for allowing me the privilege of reading a complementary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Of course, the story gets good when they keep getting thrown together and sparks fly regardless of how much neither of them want that to happen.
I love how they tied in a cooking competition to the small town theme. And included fantastic descriptions for us foodies…I was hungry and inspired to bake after reading this 😅😋
My favorite character was definitely Tawni, because she was so relatable. She was smart and independent so she didn’t come off as a pushover, yet she was overall very much a Suzy homemaker and super tender…which I don’t feel like I see very much in romance novels anymore.
There are also very lovable side characters who we get to see quite a bit of as the town comes together time after time to help each other. I love that whole vibe, so now I definitely want to read about the rest of the town in the other books in the series.
A big thank you to NetGalley and Wholesome Hearts Publishing for allowing me the privilege of reading a complementary digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
October 28, 2023
Tawni is a school psychologist that loves to cook and garden to de-stress from her job. Her aunt wins a silent auction package that allows her to spend a week in Summer Creek. It also includes 4 days of training with celebrity chef Owen.
Owen had moved back to Summer Creek when his uncle got sick. He took care of him and his uncle gave him his restaurant. It's a small dive bar in a small town, but Owen has settled in to small town life and isn't interested in going back to NY.
He agrees to letting the winner of the auction basket shadow him for 4 days, but he isn't happy about it. Tawni realizes that she is "invading his space" and tells him that she doesn't have to complete the rest of the week. He realizes he has been a jerk and lets her continue.
Tawni makes friends in the week that she's there and is invited to come back and work in a garden center for the summer. She accepts. As she and Owen seem to be running into each other constantly, they realize that they should try to be friends.
When Owen needs to take care of his 6 year old nephew for 3 weeks, Tawni steps in and makes him feel comfortable. Feelings grow as they spend time together.
There are lots of recipes throughout the book. Loved this book! So fun!!
Owen had moved back to Summer Creek when his uncle got sick. He took care of him and his uncle gave him his restaurant. It's a small dive bar in a small town, but Owen has settled in to small town life and isn't interested in going back to NY.
He agrees to letting the winner of the auction basket shadow him for 4 days, but he isn't happy about it. Tawni realizes that she is "invading his space" and tells him that she doesn't have to complete the rest of the week. He realizes he has been a jerk and lets her continue.
Tawni makes friends in the week that she's there and is invited to come back and work in a garden center for the summer. She accepts. As she and Owen seem to be running into each other constantly, they realize that they should try to be friends.
When Owen needs to take care of his 6 year old nephew for 3 weeks, Tawni steps in and makes him feel comfortable. Feelings grow as they spend time together.
There are lots of recipes throughout the book. Loved this book! So fun!!
October 13, 2023
I just love this whole series. The characters are great. In this story, I especially love Austin and Cricket. Tawni is stressed and her aunt gives her a week in Summer Creek where she will get to have a few days with Chef Owen teaching her some tricks of the trade. Owen does not want anyone in his kitchen that will distract him. Tawni is a distraction. No because she knows nothing about cooking, because she does, it is because she is beautiful, fun and just a really nice person. They do not get off to a great start and when she leaves, she knows that she will never see him again. Well, things don't always go as planned. Owen is sure he will never see Tawni again, but here she is back in town for the summer. As Tawni gets to know Owen, she realizes that his grumpy exterior isn't who he is. Owen gets a call and needs to take care of his nephew for three weeks. Tawni comes to the rescue and really helps him out. Tawni not only fell in love with Owen, but she also fell in love with his nephew, Austin, and the whole town. Will she be able to stay in town? Does Owen feel the same way?
October 11, 2023
What an absolutely “delicious” treat this novel was to devour! The setting of Summer Creek was so beautiful I could see every bit of it in my mind’s eye and the characters, especially Chef Owen Thorpe, and the enchanting Tawni Young, whose aunt had won the prize package that included a trip to Summer Creek and the opportunity to spend some time learning from the culinary genius Chef Owen, who had been a very famous personality chef on his own television show. Tawni had had a crush on him when she was in college and had wondered what had happened to the man. Now she knew where he had gone. This tiny little spot in Oregon! This book is filled with spirited discussions, lively banter, a lot of peaceful coexistence, and then, some times of misunderstandings. I laughed, sighed, smiled, (a lot), and cheered this couple on to the end of the book, through all kinds of adventures. You will absolutely love this book, as I certainly did! It’s definitely a 5 🌟 novel! You better get your own copy! I was given an advanced reader copy and the opinion is my own. 🙏♥️🥰
October 24, 2023
Owen is a celebrity chef who now runs his own café. He agrees to provide four days of allowing the winner of a fundraiser prize to shadow him. He dreads having someone in his space and fully expects to have a miserable time with a rich, elderly lady. He is totally blown away when Tawni shows up. She is a bit younger than him , beautiful, and a talented cook. Her aunt gifted her with the prize package because she knew Tawni had a crush on Owen from watching him on cooking tv shows. Because of his immediate attraction to her, Owen does everything possible to keep his distance and is rude to her. When the four days are over and Tawni returns home, Owen is both relieved and disappointed. When she returns to spend the summer at a nearby ranch, he is determined to avoid her. Will it take a match-making goat or an entire small town to push them together?
This is a very enjoyable book with lots of humor, romance, lovable characters, and Christian principles displayed.
I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
This is a very enjoyable book with lots of humor, romance, lovable characters, and Christian principles displayed.
I received a copy of this book from the author. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
October 24, 2023
Challenging the Chef is a super sweet clean romance by Shanna Hatfield that is simply super wonderful too. Chef Owen Thorpe is more than a little CO about his restaurant kitchen, but that may be the way many top chefs behave. I so enjoyed seeing Tawni Young mess with that. For if anyone needed shaking up it was Owen.
This is a slow burn and building romance especially since Owen has trouble for quite a while being in the same space as Tawni. It is a remarkable fate that she ever gave him a chance at friendship let alone romance. For a patient, kind female lead, and a grumpy uncommunicating male who makes a habit out of sabotaging his chance at true love, this is one to read. You will cheer Owen on when he finally opens his heart to Tawni.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
This is a slow burn and building romance especially since Owen has trouble for quite a while being in the same space as Tawni. It is a remarkable fate that she ever gave him a chance at friendship let alone romance. For a patient, kind female lead, and a grumpy uncommunicating male who makes a habit out of sabotaging his chance at true love, this is one to read. You will cheer Owen on when he finally opens his heart to Tawni.
The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 21, 2023
It may have been family that brought him to Summer Creek, but Owen has found he prefers the slower pace that the town offers over the life he has left behind. Under duress he finds himself agreeing to auction off the opportunity to work in his kitchen for one week however the feelings he is developing for Tawni, the winner, were not part of the package.
When her aunt wins the auction Tawni is happy to not only escape her life for a little while but to have the opportunity to learn from a chef she has always admired. She didn’t expect him to be so irritable and infuriating but when they find themselves spending the summer together, she realizes that there is a lot she doesn’t know about him.
This is an enchanting romance as Tawni and Owen find love where they least expect it with the help of the town and the people who live there.
When her aunt wins the auction Tawni is happy to not only escape her life for a little while but to have the opportunity to learn from a chef she has always admired. She didn’t expect him to be so irritable and infuriating but when they find themselves spending the summer together, she realizes that there is a lot she doesn’t know about him.
This is an enchanting romance as Tawni and Owen find love where they least expect it with the help of the town and the people who live there.
October 27, 2023
I was delighted to read another book by Shanna Hatfield after quite some time, and I am grateful for finding this little gem on Netgalley. The book had me craving for the delicious food described throughout the story.
The story follows a wholesome romance between a city girl and the small-town charm she falls in love with, except for Chef Owen Thorpe, who she finds rude and disappointing. Owen and Tawni have a rough start with each other, but the plot thickens when Owen's nephew Austin comes to live with him for three weeks during the summer while Tawni returns to Summer Creek to work in the nursery. Tawni discovers a new side of Owen that he keeps to himself.
The story flows well and is enjoyable to read. The characters are relatable, and the plot has real-life drama thrown in along the way. I am sharing my sincere review of the book that I have recently read.
The story follows a wholesome romance between a city girl and the small-town charm she falls in love with, except for Chef Owen Thorpe, who she finds rude and disappointing. Owen and Tawni have a rough start with each other, but the plot thickens when Owen's nephew Austin comes to live with him for three weeks during the summer while Tawni returns to Summer Creek to work in the nursery. Tawni discovers a new side of Owen that he keeps to himself.
The story flows well and is enjoyable to read. The characters are relatable, and the plot has real-life drama thrown in along the way. I am sharing my sincere review of the book that I have recently read.
November 10, 2023
Challenging The Chef by Shanna Hatfield was such a superb and delightful escape.
I’d love to live in Summer Creek, Oregon.
The town, it’s history, and the community’s acceptance of newcomers is so inviting.
When Tawni is given a gift from her aunt and uncle to spend a week in Summer Creek, Oregon, plus cooking lessons from a world famous chef, she never expects how one week can change her life.
Owen left New York and his famous lifestyle to go back to Oregon and the old farm house and Bar and Grill his Uncle Charlie left to him.
He’s loving the slow pace and the time he has to create amazing cuisine recipes for the little town.
But, his life is about to change when Tawni enters his controlled world.
Shanna Hatfield has an amazing writing style that draws her fans in for a lifetime.
I’d love to live in Summer Creek, Oregon.
The town, it’s history, and the community’s acceptance of newcomers is so inviting.
When Tawni is given a gift from her aunt and uncle to spend a week in Summer Creek, Oregon, plus cooking lessons from a world famous chef, she never expects how one week can change her life.
Owen left New York and his famous lifestyle to go back to Oregon and the old farm house and Bar and Grill his Uncle Charlie left to him.
He’s loving the slow pace and the time he has to create amazing cuisine recipes for the little town.
But, his life is about to change when Tawni enters his controlled world.
Shanna Hatfield has an amazing writing style that draws her fans in for a lifetime.
October 8, 2023
First impressions aren’t always right!
Owen and Tawni both get off on the wrong foot with each other. They assume that first look is right …… so wrong! Tawni is kind, compassionate with so much to give but can’t find the right one. Owen is private, serious and closed off from grief but oh so lovable when you look deeper. Can they forget the first impression and see who the other really is? Mix in a little nephew, a cooking competition, and a large dash of attraction and you have the recipe for a HEA.
I enjoyed the story; clean, wholesome, touches of romance, and trusting in God to lead them to the right one. A story worth revisiting. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions.
Owen and Tawni both get off on the wrong foot with each other. They assume that first look is right …… so wrong! Tawni is kind, compassionate with so much to give but can’t find the right one. Owen is private, serious and closed off from grief but oh so lovable when you look deeper. Can they forget the first impression and see who the other really is? Mix in a little nephew, a cooking competition, and a large dash of attraction and you have the recipe for a HEA.
I enjoyed the story; clean, wholesome, touches of romance, and trusting in God to lead them to the right one. A story worth revisiting. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions.
October 9, 2023
She always wanted to meet this Winning chef and now she has been handed a gift package which contains a 3 day stint with him. Oh oh! First meeting does not go well as his is quite proprietary with his kitchen. Her fascination turns to trepidation and she wants to just disappear. However, she is so desperate to learn from him, she is going to bite the bullet and stay. He appears to have no patience for people, but learns first hand how cordial and attentive he can be, especially with children. Who is this man? Join the journey she will take throughout the summer in honing the skills to find a way to his heart, past the prickly nature he displays. This author does a super job with the human nature of her characters and helps them wind their way through discord and eventually love.
October 11, 2023
Tawny and Owen have both been gruff or off putting others to protect their hearts. Tawny had a crush on Owen when she was in college and didn't think it could last that long, but when she walked into the Broken Bucket Bar and Grill she knew instantly she was still in love with chef. When she walked in Owen dropped a pan, burned vegetables, and a sauce he was working since he couldn't take his eyes off her. The longer they worked together and caring for his nephew the stronger their love became. Some idiot she dared decided he wanted his minute in a spot light even though the cameras were packed and gone caused a scene between them. After two weeks apart they both realized they were both deeply in love and to work things out. Excellent book definitely worth the 5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 12, 2023
You will love Summer Creek! Chef Owen Thorpe is not looking for romance. Tawni Young is just spending her Spring Break taking a few cooking lessons that were given to her by her Aunt. She finds out the Chef she has idolized is obnoxious but the town of Summer Creek captures her heart and she comes back to spend the summer. Of course romance blooms—but not without a lot of ups and downs! You will love the descriptive way this author spins a tale—you will smell the flowers and taste the cookies! You will fall in love with the kids (and Ethel) and laugh out loud at their antics. If you love clean, funny, inspirational romance don’t miss Challenging the Chef! This is a stand-alone book but I recommend you read the series from the beginning—you will love them all!
October 13, 2023
This wonderful series by Shanna Hatfield makes me want to visit Summer Creek.
How Emery has talked Owen, the award winning chef, into agreeing to do a four day total immersive experience in his kitchen is beyond him. Well, not really Emery always gets her way in town.
Tawni is a school psychologist for five schools in the Portland area. Her aunt wins the bid for the four day experience with Chef Owen and insists Tawni be the one to use it.
Their first encounter doesn’t go well for either of them and when she returns for the summer things aren’t better. However, when Tawni offers to help him with a family emergency things start to improve.
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
How Emery has talked Owen, the award winning chef, into agreeing to do a four day total immersive experience in his kitchen is beyond him. Well, not really Emery always gets her way in town.
Tawni is a school psychologist for five schools in the Portland area. Her aunt wins the bid for the four day experience with Chef Owen and insists Tawni be the one to use it.
Their first encounter doesn’t go well for either of them and when she returns for the summer things aren’t better. However, when Tawni offers to help him with a family emergency things start to improve.
*I received this book as an ARC reader and am leaving my unbiased review.
October 19, 2023
When Tawni receives a gift from her aunt and uncle she’s delighted. Meeting her favorite chef and working together is a dream come true. But Owen was somewhat forced to cooperate. ( when you’ve read the previous stories you know by who) . The time spent together was not what they both expected, but Tawni had a great time meeting everyone in town. When she got an invitation to come back to Summer Creek she accepts. What will happen when Quentin and Tawni meet again, can their first impression be forgotten while building a friendship?
I really enjoyed reading this story, the mail characters are so lovable and catching up up with all the characters from previous stories is so much fun. This author can build a community as no other.
I really enjoyed reading this story, the mail characters are so lovable and catching up up with all the characters from previous stories is so much fun. This author can build a community as no other.
October 8, 2023
Another sweet love story in Summer Creek. When Tawni Young is given a week in Summer Creek and the chance to work with Chef Owen, she is excited to meet the famous chef she had a crush on when she was in college. Chef Owen is not thrilled to have an amateur in his kitchen and is not welcoming, but he can't deny the attraction he feels for her. When she returns to town for the summer, he does his best to make up for the way he acted and their relationship blossoms. There are a few bumps in the road, but they eventually find their happily ever after. It was so fun to see all the residents of Summer Creek again and the way they all pull together to help each other.
October 8, 2023
I loved reading Challenging
The Chef & I truly enjoyed
every page.
Owen, was asked to donate his
time & chef skills for a charity
Emery, was involved in.
Everyone has learned, you don't say no to her. But this is the last thing Owen wanted to do.
Tawni's aunt bid on the prizes
offered at the fundraiser.
But the prize wasn't for herself.
Great descriptions, yummy sounding food, beloved characters, a engaging friendships that kept me reading, and a happy ending.
I adored this book & recommend this
must read story.
The Chef & I truly enjoyed
every page.
Owen, was asked to donate his
time & chef skills for a charity
Emery, was involved in.
Everyone has learned, you don't say no to her. But this is the last thing Owen wanted to do.
Tawni's aunt bid on the prizes
offered at the fundraiser.
But the prize wasn't for herself.
Great descriptions, yummy sounding food, beloved characters, a engaging friendships that kept me reading, and a happy ending.
I adored this book & recommend this
must read story.
October 9, 2023
Tawni is given a trip to summer creek and to meet the chef that she has had a crush on for a long time .when she does meet him they do not get along. but she comes back to help poppy in the nursery. and Owen takes time off to watch his nephew when his mother has to go out of town. this is a wonderful story and the way Cricket takes to Austin is great, this is a heart warming story if you like animals kids ,and cowboys you will love this story. Shanna writes wonderful stories i was given a copy of the book but this is an honest review
October 17, 2023
Tawni never expects her Aunt to bid on a chef's package at the auction and Chef Owen had tried to stay out of the lime light as he prefers his kitchen time ALONE to get things done his way - training someone with no experience is a daunting task that he doesn't want to do even if it benefits a good cause - they but heads from the very beginning he is downright rude and the adventure takes many turns down that road to their final HEA! I read a bookfunnel beta version and freely leave my opinion!
October 17, 2023
Another addition to the Summer Creek family of books! And how awesome it was! I loved Owen and Tawni’s story. They certainly got off on the wrong foot, but glad that they were willing to give each other another chance. Tawni sees another side of Owen when he steps in to take care of his nephew. Owen learns Tawni is someone he can easily work with and lean on as she helps get his nephew settled in and helps with his restaurant. I also loved catching up with our other friends in Summer Creek.
October 19, 2023
Owen Thorpe leaves behind the celebrity chef life to become chef in a small-town restaurant that his uncle left him after he passed. Owen finds himself roped into participating in donating something for a charity event and must give cooking lessons to someone. Tawni finds herself at a charity event with her aunt and ends up the recipient of the cooking lessons with Chef Owen Thorpe. I couldn’t put this book down! This was a sweet, clean, small town, strangers to lover's romance with characters you can’t help but love!
October 19, 2023
I loved this story! The characters were interesting and I couldn't stop myself from reading to know what would happen to them next. I didn't know it was part of a series though. It wasn't a problem to understand and to appreciate the book. But I'll definitely look for the previous ones to know more about this lovely community I enjoyed so much! Plus: I couldn't stop my mouth from watering because they spend a lot of time cooking and the recipes seemed so yummy: hopefully I didn't get extrra pounds since it was only virtual tasting!
October 19, 2023
This book was so yummy, I mean, delicious, I mean fun to read.
The food in this book sounded soooo good, I was wanting to try all the different dishes!
I liked how the main characters didn't have an instant attraction and they needed another go to get things right. :) Owen and Tawni were so much fun to read about, they cooked some great dishes and they had interesting conversations. I like how they could just hang out together and enjoy each other's company, for the most part. :)
I was completely absorbed in this book and loved it.
The food in this book sounded soooo good, I was wanting to try all the different dishes!
I liked how the main characters didn't have an instant attraction and they needed another go to get things right. :) Owen and Tawni were so much fun to read about, they cooked some great dishes and they had interesting conversations. I like how they could just hang out together and enjoy each other's company, for the most part. :)
I was completely absorbed in this book and loved it.
October 21, 2023
This is a terrific addition to the Summer Creek Series. We have seen snippets of Chef Owen in prior books and it was great to see who the real Owen is. Tawni is a newcomer and was simply great. Owen was difficult at first and Tawni had no problems calling him on it when she had had enough of his shenanigans. They each had a few things to overcome to see if a future together would work. It is great to catch up on the lives of others in the same series. Kudos to the author who did a great job of pulling together another wonderful, well-crafted story.
January 10, 2024
Challenging the Chef
Tawni’s aunt has gifted her a chance to take a cooking lesson with her celebrity crush, Chef Owen Thorpe. When she arrives, he is the only person in town to make her feel unwelcome. Then she is invited back to Summer Creek while she is on summer break from her school psychologist position to help Princess Poppy with her nursery business. She cannot avoid him in the small town but she can tolerate him. He calls on her for help cooking at the restaurant and they develop feelings along the way. What will happen when her ex boyfriend shows his face?
Tawni’s aunt has gifted her a chance to take a cooking lesson with her celebrity crush, Chef Owen Thorpe. When she arrives, he is the only person in town to make her feel unwelcome. Then she is invited back to Summer Creek while she is on summer break from her school psychologist position to help Princess Poppy with her nursery business. She cannot avoid him in the small town but she can tolerate him. He calls on her for help cooking at the restaurant and they develop feelings along the way. What will happen when her ex boyfriend shows his face?
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