What do you think?
Rate this book
Burning Up
Somebody get some ice... it's steamy in here! Spending a month as personal chef for an overindulged--and mouthwatering--man? Sophie Gallagher is so up for the challenge. She's immune to charm...or so she thinks. Because when big-screen star Lucas Grant turns up the temptation, she discovers--up close and personal--he's earned the name hottest man alive. Sophie is fun, vivacious and couldn't be further from Lucas's bimbo bombshell type. Much to his surprise, she's captivated him. But as sizzling as they are between the sheets, once his hiatus is over, the credits will roll on this fling. Saying goodbye, however, isn't as easy as he'd thought. Will this production be The End of the Affair... or Love Actually?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 2, 2008
11 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,150 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
May 27, 2017
Resolution didn't really work for me, and it seemed like everyone was wearing their stupid pants during the fire sequence.
December 28, 2010
4 star contemporary romance
Lucas Grant, famous movie star and notorious playboy needs to recuperate to recover from a torn ligament on his knee. One of his friends offers him their place up on the Blue Mountain and its just him and his personal chef Sophie Gallagher all alone for the next four weeks.
Sophie is the exact opposite of Lucas. Being dumped by her boyfriend of fourteen years which had propelled her to take the job in the first place, Sophie isn’t one who takes risks or rush headlong into things without thinking them to death first. However things get interesting for Sophie when its lust at first sight for her with Lucas.
At first, Lucas thinks he might go stir crazy if he has to stay around the quiet place for four whole weeks. However, with Sophie around and the anticipation of working and wooing a woman into his bed for the very first time, Lucas rises up to the challenge to get more than what he bargained for.
Their relationship was supposed to be strictly about sex and nothing more. Until Sophie went ahead and confessed her love for Lucas which didn’t bode very well for Lucas as he was scared shit about love. A childhood tragedy which had landed up Lucas in the state ward care, and Lucas’s refusal to face his past demons eventually break these two apart until Lucas finds the strength to lay his past to rest and really and truly love and be loved by the only woman who means everything to him.
February 22, 2010
This is one of those books where the hero is a selfish movie star who is emotionally unavailable. It's so cliche, yet so nice to read.
The H/H have a nice interaction, which started off pretty awkward, but naturally became steamy. The heroine, Sophie had just broken up from a long-term relationship and takes a job to be Movie star, Lucus Grant's chef. After Sophie transcend her own emotional baggage, she decides to start a casual relationship with Lucus. Lucus is a little slower and does a few stupid things, but eventually he overcomes his past with Sophie's help. I know, its all very patterned, but SM does a wonderful job making the story new and appealing. She does this without some crazy forced pretend relationship, and produces a romance that is mostly honest and straightforward. There was a dangerous incident that helped move the story, but considering Lucus, it made sense.
My favorite part is the naughty scrabble. But, even the other (non-smutty) parts of the story was told to amuse readers. It's atypical from many of the other Blaze authors. Even if it falls under the starstruck category, it is not the focus, just a part of the hero's identity, so I recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood for a good romance about a couple kinda stuck in seclusion.
The H/H have a nice interaction, which started off pretty awkward, but naturally became steamy. The heroine, Sophie had just broken up from a long-term relationship and takes a job to be Movie star, Lucus Grant's chef. After Sophie transcend her own emotional baggage, she decides to start a casual relationship with Lucus. Lucus is a little slower and does a few stupid things, but eventually he overcomes his past with Sophie's help. I know, its all very patterned, but SM does a wonderful job making the story new and appealing. She does this without some crazy forced pretend relationship, and produces a romance that is mostly honest and straightforward. There was a dangerous incident that helped move the story, but considering Lucus, it made sense.
My favorite part is the naughty scrabble. But, even the other (non-smutty) parts of the story was told to amuse readers. It's atypical from many of the other Blaze authors. Even if it falls under the starstruck category, it is not the focus, just a part of the hero's identity, so I recommend this book to anyone who is in the mood for a good romance about a couple kinda stuck in seclusion.
December 31, 2012
Sarah Mayberry does the best kind of quickie escape books and with 'burning up' she has done it again.
Sexy, sweet, a predictable but heartwarming happily ever after, I will never tire of these quick but satisfying romance stories! *sigh*
Solid 3.5 stars
Sexy, sweet, a predictable but heartwarming happily ever after, I will never tire of these quick but satisfying romance stories! *sigh*
Solid 3.5 stars
April 1, 2019
Not one of Mayberry's best.
June 22, 2010
I haven't read many book that have the heroine as a chef and there were times that I got hungry while reading this one. :) Sophie Gallagher is a gifted chef who has been working at the same restaurant ever since she graduated culinary school. The restaurant is owned by her boyfriend Brandon's family and Brandon also works there. Sophie has also been with Brandon for 14 years, since she was 17 years old. She leads a safe, steady life of predictability. Then all that changes overnight. Sophie is set adrift and isn't sure how to get back on course. She takes the job as personal chef to Lucas Grant out of desperation. What Lucas expects and what he actually gets with Sophie are two very different things.
On the surface Lucas was a stereo-typical movie star. Expecting first class treatment and he definitely expects to get his way. He's used to having women practically fall at his feet. In fact the book opens with a woman in his hot tub waiting for him in nothing, her swimsuit removed for his viewing pleasure. Lucas wasn't exactly surprised to find her there. He might have been more surprised if there hadn't been a woman, or two, waiting for him. This is his world so when that world changes overnight and he's forced to take refuge at a mountain cabin he doesn't expect his star treatment to change. But he's in for a rude awakening when Sophie rebuffs his offer of spending some time between the sheets.
Sophie isn't immune to Lucas' gorgeous looks and smooth ways. I like the fact that she's honest enough to admit that she finds him attractive but she still has unresolved issues with Brandon to work through. Lucas also has issues from his past that are about to come to light when he would prefer they stay buried.
Sophie and Lucas had an intriguing relationship because neither thought the other was their type. Lucas was so used to movie starlets and cover models that he was surprised that he was so attracted to Sophie. Physically she was the opposite of what he thought he wanted in a woman. Emotionally Lucas doesn't do long term relationships. Sophie was used to steady, safe Brandon. Not someone who lived in the limelight and did things on the spur of the moment. Once they did give in to their attraction Lucas just assumes that the end will come when their time at the cabin ends. Sophie knows this but it doesn't make it any easier when she starts to care for Lucas.
I really like the way Mayberry writes. I'm not sure how to explain it other than to say that she writes the way people talk. There is some Aussie lingo/words in there but the dialogue and emotions are incredibly genuine. Sophie and Lucas are very real, flaws and all. And with the short format there was still lots of story packed into this book. No short-changing of the character development or the environments where these two remarkably different people came from. I think that's something that I expected when I started this challenge (the short-changing) and have been pleasantly surprised at the depth of the characters in these shorter novels.
There was one part towards the end when I thought Lucas was a first class jerk. I know why he did what he did but it still royally pissed me off and I felt such overwhelming sympathy for Sophie. I can't tell you how mad I was at him. I swear if I had been there I would have told him off! (Yeah, I know it's a book but you guys know what I mean.)
And the end, it was perfect how they came together after their time at the cabin. Don't want to spoil it but it worked for me. :)
On the surface Lucas was a stereo-typical movie star. Expecting first class treatment and he definitely expects to get his way. He's used to having women practically fall at his feet. In fact the book opens with a woman in his hot tub waiting for him in nothing, her swimsuit removed for his viewing pleasure. Lucas wasn't exactly surprised to find her there. He might have been more surprised if there hadn't been a woman, or two, waiting for him. This is his world so when that world changes overnight and he's forced to take refuge at a mountain cabin he doesn't expect his star treatment to change. But he's in for a rude awakening when Sophie rebuffs his offer of spending some time between the sheets.
Sophie isn't immune to Lucas' gorgeous looks and smooth ways. I like the fact that she's honest enough to admit that she finds him attractive but she still has unresolved issues with Brandon to work through. Lucas also has issues from his past that are about to come to light when he would prefer they stay buried.
Sophie and Lucas had an intriguing relationship because neither thought the other was their type. Lucas was so used to movie starlets and cover models that he was surprised that he was so attracted to Sophie. Physically she was the opposite of what he thought he wanted in a woman. Emotionally Lucas doesn't do long term relationships. Sophie was used to steady, safe Brandon. Not someone who lived in the limelight and did things on the spur of the moment. Once they did give in to their attraction Lucas just assumes that the end will come when their time at the cabin ends. Sophie knows this but it doesn't make it any easier when she starts to care for Lucas.
I really like the way Mayberry writes. I'm not sure how to explain it other than to say that she writes the way people talk. There is some Aussie lingo/words in there but the dialogue and emotions are incredibly genuine. Sophie and Lucas are very real, flaws and all. And with the short format there was still lots of story packed into this book. No short-changing of the character development or the environments where these two remarkably different people came from. I think that's something that I expected when I started this challenge (the short-changing) and have been pleasantly surprised at the depth of the characters in these shorter novels.
There was one part towards the end when I thought Lucas was a first class jerk. I know why he did what he did but it still royally pissed me off and I felt such overwhelming sympathy for Sophie. I can't tell you how mad I was at him. I swear if I had been there I would have told him off! (Yeah, I know it's a book but you guys know what I mean.)
And the end, it was perfect how they came together after their time at the cabin. Don't want to spoil it but it worked for me. :)
June 8, 2013
A cook, who's just split from her one and only lover, and a famous actor with a lot of emotional baggage, stay in a secluded villa up in the mountains for a month. Now, what could possibly happen to these two up there? Being chased by the local chainsaw-wielding maniac would be my first thought (or maybe the guy goes Here Comes Johnny and hacks the cook to pieces using her own knife collection), but since we're reading Harlequin Blaze and not a horror story, you know that steamy sex (sans monsters) will soon follow.
Having one of the characters in a romance story being a Hollywood star is tricky. It requires an extra dose of disbelief suspension in order to enjoy the story, IF it's well-written, and that's a big if, because otherwise it ends up cornier than those fields where Stephen King likes to position his monsters and creepy kiddies. That's the reason I avoid like the plague books with celebrity heroes. Alas, already in a quest of finding out if Ms. Mayberry has written anything better than (or at least as good as) Her Best Worst Mistake, I picked up this one. Well, reading Burning Up didn't make me want to claw my eyeballs out and I actually finished the book in two sittings, so that went well. Plus, as I've already mentioned, the heroine may have been with only one guy prior to her meeting the hot movie star, BUT (and I cannot stress enough how important this is) she enjoys sex and knows what she freakin' wants, in and out of the bedroom. Add to the mix that she's an extremely likeable character and ladies and gentlemen, we've got a winner. Doux points for the way Lucas seems to grow emotionally through his relationship with Sophie. At first, he's an ass. In the end, you root for him.
Le sexytimes were all well-paced and well-written, sensual and consensual. All in all a good read, regretfully not comparing to Her Best Worst Mistake, but fun nonetheless.
Having one of the characters in a romance story being a Hollywood star is tricky. It requires an extra dose of disbelief suspension in order to enjoy the story, IF it's well-written, and that's a big if, because otherwise it ends up cornier than those fields where Stephen King likes to position his monsters and creepy kiddies. That's the reason I avoid like the plague books with celebrity heroes. Alas, already in a quest of finding out if Ms. Mayberry has written anything better than (or at least as good as) Her Best Worst Mistake, I picked up this one. Well, reading Burning Up didn't make me want to claw my eyeballs out and I actually finished the book in two sittings, so that went well. Plus, as I've already mentioned, the heroine may have been with only one guy prior to her meeting the hot movie star, BUT (and I cannot stress enough how important this is) she enjoys sex and knows what she freakin' wants, in and out of the bedroom. Add to the mix that she's an extremely likeable character and ladies and gentlemen, we've got a winner. Doux points for the way Lucas seems to grow emotionally through his relationship with Sophie. At first, he's an ass. In the end, you root for him.
Le sexytimes were all well-paced and well-written, sensual and consensual. All in all a good read, regretfully not comparing to Her Best Worst Mistake, but fun nonetheless.
July 22, 2023
Re-read July 2023
Re-read July 2018
More stars than I usually give this kind of book.
The emotionally unavailable and selfish movie star who falls for the "normal" girl. It's so cliche, yet so nice to read. It worked for me. :)
Re-read July 2018
More stars than I usually give this kind of book.
The emotionally unavailable and selfish movie star who falls for the "normal" girl. It's so cliche, yet so nice to read. It worked for me. :)
March 8, 2015
Cute, if predictable with likeable leads and the HEA you expect. If you're into HQP, it's not bad.
November 15, 2016
This one started off a little rocky for me, but around the halfway point it got adorable, fast.
Also, there was a scene involving a rescued wombat.
Also, there was a scene involving a rescued wombat.
June 22, 2018
Very short and simple, not that it is necessarily a bad thing, I was just expecting more. I have both liked Sarah Mayberry in the past and been disappointed, but most of the disappointments have been rereleases of old books. If you are looking for literally nothing to digest or think about, this could be a fine book for you. There's a lot of sex.
Lucas was a real asshole in the beginning of the book and then seems like a different person for most of it, as opposed to growth or Sophie bringing something new out in him. I know I've stated this in Mayberry books before but... the word "boner" isn't sexy and stop using it when trying to be, thank you. I also didn't believe that they would make it as a couple outside of the "bubble" they had made for themselves. Lucas thought a bit about how he didn't miss his old friends or lifestyle but we don't see him making a change, just talking on a tv talk show. Not even any discussion of seeing a therapist, which is frustrating.
Lastly, I must nitpick that the celebrity references feel pretty dated, even for 2008. Sophie is 30 and Lucas is 35 but they namedrop 90s stars a lot. Dating Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell? Sophie immediately thinks of Tommy Lee when thinking of celebrity dick size, and like... I get that reference but maybe just because of VH1 Remember the 90s. Colin Farrell is still relevant but not so much as a party boy anymore, at least not that I'd immediately pick him as a reference point. Leo DiCaprio and the Pussy Posse, maybe. They were around in 2008. Perhaps the pop culture scene is a bit different in Australia.
Lucas was a real asshole in the beginning of the book and then seems like a different person for most of it, as opposed to growth or Sophie bringing something new out in him. I know I've stated this in Mayberry books before but... the word "boner" isn't sexy and stop using it when trying to be, thank you. I also didn't believe that they would make it as a couple outside of the "bubble" they had made for themselves. Lucas thought a bit about how he didn't miss his old friends or lifestyle but we don't see him making a change, just talking on a tv talk show. Not even any discussion of seeing a therapist, which is frustrating.
Lastly, I must nitpick that the celebrity references feel pretty dated, even for 2008. Sophie is 30 and Lucas is 35 but they namedrop 90s stars a lot. Dating Tyra Banks and Naomi Campbell? Sophie immediately thinks of Tommy Lee when thinking of celebrity dick size, and like... I get that reference but maybe just because of VH1 Remember the 90s. Colin Farrell is still relevant but not so much as a party boy anymore, at least not that I'd immediately pick him as a reference point. Leo DiCaprio and the Pussy Posse, maybe. They were around in 2008. Perhaps the pop culture scene is a bit different in Australia.
March 4, 2018
Perfectly paced!
July 27, 2023
Hot hot hot 🔥
April 15, 2018
A nice and credible story with good characters
September 20, 2012
Setting :
Sydney, Australia
Theme:
Childhood traumas; love
Character:
Lucas Grant - bad boy, good looking, superficial, man’s man, love ‘em and leave them, famous actor. At age of 4 ended up in the foster system – moved from home to home – had nightmares of bicycling up to a house and going inside looking for (his family?) and room after room is empty.
Derek Lambert-
Lucas’ agent – not in sync with Lucas’ goals – pushing him for publicity opportunities, and to make deal after deal.
Sophie Gallagher – chef, with her high school sweetheart for 15 years, working in his family’s restaurant. A twin, both a bit wild (when 15 they tried to sneak out, neighbor caught them, and she deadheaded all her roses), and her sister snuck out another time with a boyfriend, with Sophie covering for her, and they hit a tree with the car and her twin died. She’s taken the safe way since – with her boyfriend, with her cooking, with her choices. When her boyfriend walks out, she impulsively takes a job (by invitation of a long time patron) of cooking for a month for someone using the customer’s mansion for another friend that is recuperating.
Brandon Sorrentino – Sophia’s boyfriend… who’s been dissatisfied … and realized that though they love each other, they are not in love with each other… and he leaves her.
Summary:
After a stupid accident causing damage to his knee, he is recuperating for a month in solitude. Sophie, his chef, though fascinated with him says no to him … for a day, until she realizes that Brandon is right and she hasn’t been taking risks… so she decides to discard that part… and they spend a blissful 3-weeks having a lot of sex… she sees the deeper, generous side of him… she shares herself… he has a few nightmares, and shares a bit of himself… and on their 3rd week, she realizes and tells him that she loves him… which scares him… and he invites party friends over… she says goodby… there’s a fire… he leaves at her insistence, but when he realizes that the fire is jumping, he goes back for her – she has a flat tire… a storm fire crosses over them, he protects her and realizes he loves her… and tells her… and then indicates that he is still waiting for them to break up (he doesn’t trust love)… and she realizes it’s tied to his youth… and she can’t be with him until he faces it… she wants him whole… he tests her with showing up, sending gifts, calling… but she stays strong… and he realizes that she’s right, and he wants to be whole for her… so a month later without contact (and she hibernates and second guesses herself)… then he shows up on tv talking about his youth and confessing he fell in love – and would she please call him… she does, he comes over (she showers, shaves, and waits outside for him)… and tells her he found out his mother was an Englishwoman who was traveling in Australia – they were ‘adopted’ by an elderly woman when he was one, when he was three his mother died in a car accident, the woman couldn’t find any relatives and did her best to care for him, when he was 4, she went out for the mail, died of an aneurism, and he wasn’t found in the house for 3 days.
Sydney, Australia
Theme:
Childhood traumas; love
Character:
Lucas Grant - bad boy, good looking, superficial, man’s man, love ‘em and leave them, famous actor. At age of 4 ended up in the foster system – moved from home to home – had nightmares of bicycling up to a house and going inside looking for (his family?) and room after room is empty.
Derek Lambert-
Lucas’ agent – not in sync with Lucas’ goals – pushing him for publicity opportunities, and to make deal after deal.
Sophie Gallagher – chef, with her high school sweetheart for 15 years, working in his family’s restaurant. A twin, both a bit wild (when 15 they tried to sneak out, neighbor caught them, and she deadheaded all her roses), and her sister snuck out another time with a boyfriend, with Sophie covering for her, and they hit a tree with the car and her twin died. She’s taken the safe way since – with her boyfriend, with her cooking, with her choices. When her boyfriend walks out, she impulsively takes a job (by invitation of a long time patron) of cooking for a month for someone using the customer’s mansion for another friend that is recuperating.
Brandon Sorrentino – Sophia’s boyfriend… who’s been dissatisfied … and realized that though they love each other, they are not in love with each other… and he leaves her.
Summary:
After a stupid accident causing damage to his knee, he is recuperating for a month in solitude. Sophie, his chef, though fascinated with him says no to him … for a day, until she realizes that Brandon is right and she hasn’t been taking risks… so she decides to discard that part… and they spend a blissful 3-weeks having a lot of sex… she sees the deeper, generous side of him… she shares herself… he has a few nightmares, and shares a bit of himself… and on their 3rd week, she realizes and tells him that she loves him… which scares him… and he invites party friends over… she says goodby… there’s a fire… he leaves at her insistence, but when he realizes that the fire is jumping, he goes back for her – she has a flat tire… a storm fire crosses over them, he protects her and realizes he loves her… and tells her… and then indicates that he is still waiting for them to break up (he doesn’t trust love)… and she realizes it’s tied to his youth… and she can’t be with him until he faces it… she wants him whole… he tests her with showing up, sending gifts, calling… but she stays strong… and he realizes that she’s right, and he wants to be whole for her… so a month later without contact (and she hibernates and second guesses herself)… then he shows up on tv talking about his youth and confessing he fell in love – and would she please call him… she does, he comes over (she showers, shaves, and waits outside for him)… and tells her he found out his mother was an Englishwoman who was traveling in Australia – they were ‘adopted’ by an elderly woman when he was one, when he was three his mother died in a car accident, the woman couldn’t find any relatives and did her best to care for him, when he was 4, she went out for the mail, died of an aneurism, and he wasn’t found in the house for 3 days.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2015
The art department outdid themselves with this cover, truly. The hero's hair is the wrong colour, and the heroine's hair is the right colour but completely wrong length. Also I dread to think how many babies went into all the oil they used... sorry, moving on to the actual story now! In the event that Sarah Mayberry doesn't write a specific textbook on how to make a M&B Blaze/Harlequin Presents story, you could pretty much use this book as that text (cover and all, to be frank. It's a valuable lesson in what the art department thinks of pixie-cut hair). The hero is rich, famous and drop-dead gorgeous, and troubled but not in a completely off-putting way. The heroine is smart, capable and in need of some fun in her life. When they get together, both of them insist it's strictly casual - but circumstances beyond their control conspire to show them that their true feelings are much deeper... you know the drill. It's a quick and easy read, engaging and polished (oiled?) and my only criticism is that we didn't find out the fate of the baby wombat.
September 3, 2012
You know, I forget just why I LOVE Sarah Mayberry books until I start rereading them, or read a new one. As I mentioned before, I'm rereading some "set in Australia" ones to get me pumped for my upcoming trip. I LOVE this one. I love how real the characters are. I mean, Lucas starts out very flawed...but he is a 3 dimensional jerk you know?? And when he does dickish things, he feels bad and you see him working through it. It's hard to explain unless you read a lot of Harlequin and then read this and realize how refreshing it is. Sophie and Lucas are just so fabulous together...more steamy scenes, more fabulous chemistry, more witty banter...more heartwrenching situations. Such good stuff.
And the scrabble just sort of puts the icing on that cake. It's the little things like that that put it over the top. Sophie's whimsical meal creation. The water bombing in the pool. The piggy back. Yup, it just makes them so real and fabulous and...yeah, enough gushing. Just read it.
And the scrabble just sort of puts the icing on that cake. It's the little things like that that put it over the top. Sophie's whimsical meal creation. The water bombing in the pool. The piggy back. Yup, it just makes them so real and fabulous and...yeah, enough gushing. Just read it.
March 27, 2013
I usually dislike books with celebrity heroes/heroines, but I read this anyway, and I found it quite cute. (Although reading the heroine's descriptions of food definitely made me hungry. And since I lack cooking talent, I was forced to suffer.)
But then I got to the end. And the last conflict pretty much ruined it for me.
But then I got to the end. And the last conflict pretty much ruined it for me.
June 21, 2010
I enjoyed this little book. I used to read these bits of brain candy in my younger days and it wasn't until recently that I realized that the settings were usually down under. This one was no exception.
I enjoyed this one. It was a wonderful and easy diversion.
I enjoyed this one. It was a wonderful and easy diversion.
May 12, 2011
Arrogant movie star breaks his leg and recuperates in the mountains with a personal chef on the rebound. Lots of sex, heavy emo, Aussie dialogue - great vacation read. oh, and there's a wombat rescue.
December 30, 2012
I had to look up which one this was--I've read a lot of Mayberry in the last month or so. This was a solid Blaze read--quick and fun, with a tiny dollop of angst. I like the "he's a movie star, she's an ordinary girl" trope, so I liked this one.
December 1, 2016
Is all blaze this good or is it just Sarah that never failed to capture my heart with her stories. This storyline seemed cliché at first of course, but it got a lot of potential and depth that made you kinda hard to stop reading.
September 25, 2009
Modern
Read
January 9, 2010Amazon preorder
January 12, 2011
SIMPLY A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LOVED IT <3
January 18, 2011
Sexual affair between a chef and a movie star turns to love. Well-written as all of Mayberry's books but in this one the hero is jerkier than in her later books.
August 4, 2011
Audiobook. Started off bad, ended up decent.
October 29, 2011
this was a cute, fun, read with some hotness thrown in and a predictable but sweet HEA. :) I really enjoyed it.
November 5, 2012
Skimming 1.5 stars.
August 4, 2013
Ah! This book was so predictable!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews