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Falling for Her Rival
You know what they say about playing with fire…
For chef Finn Westbrook, it's time to turn up the heat. Three years ago he hit rock bottom. Now he's ready for a comeback, starting with winning a TV competition to secure a spot running New York's trendiest kitchen! He just didn't count on his attraction to rival Lara Dunham burning a hole in his plans….
Lara has worked her apron off for this opportunity, and total focus on the competition was the plan—which is difficult when all she can think about is wanting her opponent out of the kitchen and in her bed! But there can only be one winner, and sometimes, to win, a girl has to play dirty!
For chef Finn Westbrook, it's time to turn up the heat. Three years ago he hit rock bottom. Now he's ready for a comeback, starting with winning a TV competition to secure a spot running New York's trendiest kitchen! He just didn't count on his attraction to rival Lara Dunham burning a hole in his plans….
Lara has worked her apron off for this opportunity, and total focus on the competition was the plan—which is difficult when all she can think about is wanting her opponent out of the kitchen and in her bed! But there can only be one winner, and sometimes, to win, a girl has to play dirty!
- GenresRomance
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
2 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Jackie Braun
255 books77 followersJackie writes sweet, low-heat contemporary romances. She is a three-time RITA Award finalist and four-time National Readers' Choice Award finalist. RT Magazine named her Series Storyteller of the Year in 2005. She has written 35 traditionally published books, most of which are still in print somewhere in the world. Since surviving two-bone marrow transplants for blood cancer, she has turned her attention to self-publishing. She loves to hear from readers. Email her at authorjackiebraun@gmail.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 21, 2016
3,75 ⭐
Es una historia corta pero graciosa. Me gustaría que fuera un poco más larga para conocer un poco más de los personajes y que así tuviera un poco más de profundidad.
En definitivo es una buena historia para el pasar rato, la lees super rápido.
Es una historia corta pero graciosa. Me gustaría que fuera un poco más larga para conocer un poco más de los personajes y que así tuviera un poco más de profundidad.
En definitivo es una buena historia para el pasar rato, la lees super rápido.
June 9, 2014
If you're a foodie, like me, and love watching food competition shows on TV...this cute book is for you!
June 10, 2021
Hace muchísimo tiempo que no leo una novelita romántica tradicional bajo el sello Harlequin, en este caso Jazmín. Este tipo de novelas llenaban mis horas cuando era adolescente, pero eventualmente me llegué a hastiar de ellas y ahora soy muchísimo más exigente de lo que era a los 15, cuando comencé a leerlas. A decir verdad, hace poco encontré una oferta muy buena en mi supermercado local y no me pude resistir; le echo la culpa a la nostalgia.
Esta fue la primera de las 6 novelitas que compré que me decidí a leer y, francamente, creo que esperaba más de lo que obtuve. No me tomen a mal, me gustó la pareja principal y disfruté del romance que, aunque se puede considerar insta-atracción, no me chocó lo rápido de su evolución, pues era más o menos lo que me imaginaba que sería. Además, pienso que, en general, Lara y Finn son buenos personajes principales y su química era buena. Sin embargo, siento que la autora perdió valiosas oportunidades de “mostrar con acciones en vez de palabras” y, de paso, dar más profundidad y complejidad a sus protagonistas. Es posible que una novelita romántica de este tipo sea profunda y que explore varias líneas argumentales sin descuidar el progreso del romance.
Finalmente, pienso que el concurso de cocina fue tristemente desperdiciado. Si no quería ahondar en los pasados trágicos, al menos podría haber hecho algo interesante con el bendito concurso, que era el marco de la novela, al menos si se toma en cuenta la sinopsis. Sin embargo,
Con todo y mis quejas, le doy a esta novela 3 estrellas. Estuve tentada de darle menos, pero pienso que ahí sí estaría siendo un poco injusta, dado que no podría decir que todo fue malo. Sin embargo, todavía dudo si volvería a leerla. Por lo pronto, continuaré leyendo las otras 5 novelitas que compré.
Esta fue la primera de las 6 novelitas que compré que me decidí a leer y, francamente, creo que esperaba más de lo que obtuve. No me tomen a mal, me gustó la pareja principal y disfruté del romance que, aunque se puede considerar insta-atracción, no me chocó lo rápido de su evolución, pues era más o menos lo que me imaginaba que sería. Además, pienso que, en general, Lara y Finn son buenos personajes principales y su química era buena. Sin embargo, siento que la autora perdió valiosas oportunidades de “mostrar con acciones en vez de palabras” y, de paso, dar más profundidad y complejidad a sus protagonistas. Es posible que una novelita romántica de este tipo sea profunda y que explore varias líneas argumentales sin descuidar el progreso del romance.
Finalmente, pienso que el concurso de cocina fue tristemente desperdiciado. Si no quería ahondar en los pasados trágicos, al menos podría haber hecho algo interesante con el bendito concurso, que era el marco de la novela, al menos si se toma en cuenta la sinopsis. Sin embargo,
Con todo y mis quejas, le doy a esta novela 3 estrellas. Estuve tentada de darle menos, pero pienso que ahí sí estaría siendo un poco injusta, dado que no podría decir que todo fue malo. Sin embargo, todavía dudo si volvería a leerla. Por lo pronto, continuaré leyendo las otras 5 novelitas que compré.
June 14, 2017
Enjoyed the competitors, insta-attraction before they realized they'd be competitors side of this story.
Just wish there was more in the epilogue.
Just wish there was more in the epilogue.
July 17, 2014
Parents often want their children to mirror their own wants, needs and ambitions. If they have raised them to be independent and capable of their own choices, it also means they will choose a path their parents wouldn’t have chosen for them.
Some parents are accepting of this possibility and others never quite get over the fact that their children are neither clones nor mini versions of the parent.
Lara knows exactly how that type of pressure feels and spent a long time pushing buttons in order to get a reaction out of her controlling parent. Unfortunately that also means the friction between them has caused irreparable damage to their relationship.
Lara is set on the road to repair the damage or perhaps just to prove herself worthy to him and even herself. I suppose it is nothing less than fate when she meets Finn, who also has something to prove to the world and himself.
Sounds absolutely idyllic and a recipe for romance, right? Well perhaps if there wasn’t the small issue of deception, false identity and all round lying. Yeh, that sort of thing can tend to incinerate any kind of blossoming friendship or romance for that matter.
Braun manages to keep the readers on their toes and still give them what they need in the end and more, just not the way they were expecting her to.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK and Mills& Boon.
Some parents are accepting of this possibility and others never quite get over the fact that their children are neither clones nor mini versions of the parent.
Lara knows exactly how that type of pressure feels and spent a long time pushing buttons in order to get a reaction out of her controlling parent. Unfortunately that also means the friction between them has caused irreparable damage to their relationship.
Lara is set on the road to repair the damage or perhaps just to prove herself worthy to him and even herself. I suppose it is nothing less than fate when she meets Finn, who also has something to prove to the world and himself.
Sounds absolutely idyllic and a recipe for romance, right? Well perhaps if there wasn’t the small issue of deception, false identity and all round lying. Yeh, that sort of thing can tend to incinerate any kind of blossoming friendship or romance for that matter.
Braun manages to keep the readers on their toes and still give them what they need in the end and more, just not the way they were expecting her to.
I received a copy of this book courtesy of Harlequin UK and Mills& Boon.
June 20, 2014
Review Posted on HarlequinJunkie.com (4.5 Stars)
Who knew a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors would be only the first competition of many for Finn and Lara?
A kiss for good luck. That’s what Finn asked for as she was whisked away in the cab that would have been his. It was kinda crazy, since he really needed to be at the competition. It was going to be a jump-start for the rest of his career, and the woman he just watched drive away took his mind off the prize for a minute. The rain sobered him up quickly enough to make it in time for his spot on Executive Chef Challenge – where he was shocked to see ‘Paper’ was one of his co-competitors. Read More
Who knew a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors would be only the first competition of many for Finn and Lara?
A kiss for good luck. That’s what Finn asked for as she was whisked away in the cab that would have been his. It was kinda crazy, since he really needed to be at the competition. It was going to be a jump-start for the rest of his career, and the woman he just watched drive away took his mind off the prize for a minute. The rain sobered him up quickly enough to make it in time for his spot on Executive Chef Challenge – where he was shocked to see ‘Paper’ was one of his co-competitors. Read More
June 10, 2014
I absolutely LOVED this story!!!
Lara and Finn were both amazing characters with screw-ups in their lives that affected them a lot! I loved how they met, how they made decisions, how they stood by each other and how they loved!
The drama of all the chefs in the competition was perfect. So easy to believe things would go as they did. The insults, the jabs, the temper tantrums.
Although they were different, the family dynamics were well laid out too. And in the end, it was all perfect!!
This story was a page turner. No time to get bored or even wonder what would happen because I was so in the moment.
Lara and Finn were both amazing characters with screw-ups in their lives that affected them a lot! I loved how they met, how they made decisions, how they stood by each other and how they loved!
The drama of all the chefs in the competition was perfect. So easy to believe things would go as they did. The insults, the jabs, the temper tantrums.
Although they were different, the family dynamics were well laid out too. And in the end, it was all perfect!!
This story was a page turner. No time to get bored or even wonder what would happen because I was so in the moment.
August 24, 2014
This book was a pleasant surprise in an otherwise lackluster bundle. I liked both characters, and the storyline was slightly different than I had expected, which was nice. This book definitely claimed its place in the Harlequin Kiss Line.
June 4, 2014
This one was set in a Top-Chef competition and the titular rivalry is between two contestants. Nicely set-up and good plotlines. Very enjoyable.
June 9, 2014
A fun and entertaining read! I absolutely adored it. Great characters and a well written story. I love foodie romances and this is one of the best. Highly recommend it.
July 13, 2014
I actually read a hardcover edition but it's not listed with the June pub date. If you are a fan of cooking reality shows like I am you will enjoy the romance mixed with culinary angst.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews