Kissing in the Kitchen

Seasons of Love #2.5

by Tara Grace Ericson

Ruth Coffman has been a widow for over twenty years and is content in her independence. But when making the plans for an upcoming wedding finds her repeatedly thrown together with the charming new chef from Minden's main restaurant, she starts wondering if God has other plans for her. Should she take the risk of starting a new relationship at this stage of life? Or would she be better off single - like she has been for decades?

Norm recently moved back to the area to help take care of his aging parents after working for nearly thirty years as an executive chef in Chicago. He's always been too busy for relationships or a family of his own, which never bothered him before. As he spends more time in Minden, he starts to imagine a different future for himself - one that might just include sharing his kitchen with the beautiful widow with the fiery red hair. Can he open himself after so many years of self-imposed distance from the people around him? Or will his stubbornness sabotage any chance of a friendship with Ruth?

Please note: Kissing in the Kitchen is a bonus novella within the Main Street Minden Series and is approximately 20,000 words. It is a stand-alone story but does contain spoilers of Books 1 and 2 of the series.

Genres: Romance, Christian, Clean Romance, Contemporary

120 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Tara Grace Ericson

faith, hope, and happily ever after

Tara writes small-town, contemporary Christian romance. She loves stories of modern-day characters struggling to obey God, forgive others, and accept themselves - oh, and finding their happily-ever-after along the way.

She lives in Southwest Missouri with her husband and two sons, writing full-time, in between chasing a two toddlers!

Get a free e-book by signing up for Tara's newsletter at her website!

Follow on instagram: www.instagram.com/taraericsonauthor
Follow on facebook:
www.facebook.com/taraericsonauthor

Reviews

[Grant Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent follow-up to the Main Street Minden series

If you have yet to enjoy reading the other books in the Main Street Minden series, please keep in mind this stand-alone novella is the frosting on a four-layer cake. You’ll likely appreciate this book more after reading the others.

With that said, I relish a clean Christian romance. If you’ve read at least the first book in the series, you’ll especially appreciate the changes introduced into Ruth Coffman’s life.

Tara Grace Ericson creates characters and relationships that engage readers. I hope you enjoy as I did the sweet topping this book adds to the Main Street Minden series.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute little novella that goes with the Minden series. I love that Norm and Ruth are older characters falling in love. I love their banter. I’ve loved roof since book one so I like that she’s getting her own happily ever after.

Please note that while here it says this is book .5 which would make you think it’s a prequel, that is not true. I actually messaged with the author about this. Because I’ve seen something she had written or maybe on her website that showed it as book 2.5. That is the correct order. It needs to come after book 2 in this series as there are things that overlap and spoilers, if you read it out of order.

[Mia2Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had finished the Mindon series, and even read all the Bloom family books before coming back to this novella. But I always liked Ruth and wanted to see her happily-ever-after. I was not disappointed. She and Norm are a great depiction of older people coming together. You have stronger opinions, habits, and your own way of doing things. It isn’t always easy to allow God to form a new relationship. This quick story presented that well. Thanks for a sweet ending for a sweet, godly woman.

[ELMorehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Must Read Christian Love Story!

Ruth Christian Romance is very much like my Grandma's! Thank you Tara Grace Ericson, for this Outstanding Novella, that presents Norm & Ruth's Senior, Love Story! It was easy to read; I read it in one sitting. I love the Setting & the real-to-life Characters. You'll understand it Best, if read between Books 2 & 3 of Tara Grace Ericson's "Seasons of Love" Series.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kissing in the Kitchen

This is a sweet short novella involving two older adults, one a widow and the other never married. They share a love for feeding people. He is a professional chef and she is a self taught cook who loves to share her hospitality with others. Read how they meet and develop feelings for each other even through hardships.

[Gretchen Garrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about two people who are in the middle of life who fall in love. Considering that I am only a few years younger than the character, I could relate. Falling in love when you are more established and settled would be tough. I liked how both characters reasoned through the possibilities. This is a shorter novella that fits well with the series. I enjoyed it!

[ELK Kissling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Miss Ruth is a character that is totally charming and endearing. It is great to see she gets her own second chance at love. I love how Miss Ruth is so intriguing to Norm. I love how their build their relationship over their love for serving food to others and how it builds community and families.

[Rebecca Embry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a sweet and quick read. I liked that the main characters were middle aged. You don’t see many romance books where the main characters are older than 20. The romance was cute & I really enjoyed the whole cooking aspect.

[Rose | Adventurous Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the idea of an older couple
enjoyed seeing characters from the other books (and did I spy a Bloom Sister's reference?)
writing style was a bit clunky

3 stars

[Vandy Dodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

later in life love

Love the silly, awkward yet determined characters. The sweet later in life couple hit all the marks. A short read. A perfect quick read

[Linda Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains an intriguing love story.

Love the way this author has such a beautiful blend o f faith and love. I have really enjoyed the entire series!

[Nelcelis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was sweet. Not my favorite, but it was a cute read.

3⭐️

[Sherry Deatrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this story about middle agers romance.