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A Recipe for Love
He has it wealth, treasure, fulfilling work—and a deep loneliness.
Marcus Golde is reinventing his life. As an immortal dragon, every few decades he needs to start again, and now he’s pretending to be his own distant descendant so he can inherit his own company. Moving to New York, he’s occupied with building a comfortable nest and starting his job—until he finds her.
She’s just trying to make a name for herself in the food world.
Elise Wilson is a struggling personal chef with a controlling boyfriend, a food blog, and a job moonlighting as a caterer on the side. When she helps her friend out at a fancy charity event, the guest asks to meet her as soon as he tastes her food.
Marcus is everything she shouldn’t even think about, but he offers her a stable job and treats her like royalty. She needs to get him out of her head—after all, she has a boyfriend.
When she needs saving, Marcus will be the one she turns to.
When her relationship goes wrong, Marcus offers her comfort, a home, and everything she needs to get back on her feet. The question when does he tell her there’s a dragon inside of him, and that the dragon sees her as his mate?
A he-falls-first, mating-bond spicy paranormal romance, A Recipe for Love is a sweet and spicy guaranteed happily ever after standalone book.
Content warnings for domestic abuse (not from the mmc). This is an 18+ book with multiple sexual scenes.
Marcus Golde is reinventing his life. As an immortal dragon, every few decades he needs to start again, and now he’s pretending to be his own distant descendant so he can inherit his own company. Moving to New York, he’s occupied with building a comfortable nest and starting his job—until he finds her.
She’s just trying to make a name for herself in the food world.
Elise Wilson is a struggling personal chef with a controlling boyfriend, a food blog, and a job moonlighting as a caterer on the side. When she helps her friend out at a fancy charity event, the guest asks to meet her as soon as he tastes her food.
Marcus is everything she shouldn’t even think about, but he offers her a stable job and treats her like royalty. She needs to get him out of her head—after all, she has a boyfriend.
When she needs saving, Marcus will be the one she turns to.
When her relationship goes wrong, Marcus offers her comfort, a home, and everything she needs to get back on her feet. The question when does he tell her there’s a dragon inside of him, and that the dragon sees her as his mate?
A he-falls-first, mating-bond spicy paranormal romance, A Recipe for Love is a sweet and spicy guaranteed happily ever after standalone book.
Content warnings for domestic abuse (not from the mmc). This is an 18+ book with multiple sexual scenes.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2024
About the author
Addison James
16 books49 followersAddison James is a romance book author from New England. They are obsessed with all things mythical, mystical, and magical. A lifelong fantasy reader, that evolved to fantasy romance as they grew up. Addison always has a story to tell and is excited to introduce you to their world of fantasy romance.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 15, 2026
3⭐️
“Angel—that’s you. I’ve waited millennia for you. And you’re here, and you’re amazing. I’m in awe of you every day, and you’re right: I’m nothing but hopeful for our future.”
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
🐉 dragon shifter x human
🍳 chief FMC x billionaire boss
🐉 touch her and you die
🍳 he waited millennia for her
🐉 fated mates
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
First of all, the MMC was dreamy and soooo sweeet. He was respectful of her boundaries and patient. I looooved how he treated her. How he didn’t just impose and insert himself into her life forcefully. He was entitled like some MMCs. I mean just because he is her mate doesn’t mean he literally owns her. I love how the MMC was far from this and earned her love and trust.
The fmc was soft and kind in way that didn’t make her naive or insufferable. I loved how she was dedicated to her work and how passionate she was about it.
The story was set in our modern world making by default it easy to understand. However, the book was longer than it should have been. I was somewhat bored during reading it like the second half was drawn out and could have been written in lesser amount of pages.
“Angel—that’s you. I’ve waited millennia for you. And you’re here, and you’re amazing. I’m in awe of you every day, and you’re right: I’m nothing but hopeful for our future.”
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
🐉 dragon shifter x human
🍳 chief FMC x billionaire boss
🐉 touch her and you die
🍳 he waited millennia for her
🐉 fated mates
✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩ ✮ ⋆ ˚｡𖦹 ⋆｡°✩
First of all, the MMC was dreamy and soooo sweeet. He was respectful of her boundaries and patient. I looooved how he treated her. How he didn’t just impose and insert himself into her life forcefully. He was entitled like some MMCs. I mean just because he is her mate doesn’t mean he literally owns her. I love how the MMC was far from this and earned her love and trust.
The fmc was soft and kind in way that didn’t make her naive or insufferable. I loved how she was dedicated to her work and how passionate she was about it.
The story was set in our modern world making by default it easy to understand. However, the book was longer than it should have been. I was somewhat bored during reading it like the second half was drawn out and could have been written in lesser amount of pages.
February 26, 2026
Possessive, millionaire dragon (but in a cinnamon roll, consent-king kind of way) finds his mate in the form of a personal chef who is struggling to survive. She’s in an inexcusable relationship with a dud, apparently as a result of poor self esteem. Even though he follows her home, he doesn’t realize she’s about to be the victim of mild DV. In a silver lining kind of way, she winds up breaking it off with the dud and living with him. Another one of those days where a girl is offered immortality and luxurious gifts, but must act humble because she needs to cook to fulfill a sense of self (???). I think I wanted to love this because the dragon mentality in Manacled appealed to me, yet ended up liking it because the MMC was so sweet, genuine and believable in his yearning/devotion. Also 🌶️🌶️🌶️ level of spice
August 1, 2024
Elise loves her job as a personal chef, but when a new client requests her full-time, she feels out of her element. Marcus is incredibly wealthy, and gives her full control over the menu--and asks her input as he redecorates, making sure his kitchen has everything she needs. But as amazing as this new work opportunity is, her boyfriend Ethan doesn't like her work schedule changing.
I absolutely adored this book and immediately went to download the first book in the series from KU (and was THRILLED when I saw that Addison James has other books out, as well). The characters, the plot, and the spice were all phenomenal!
I absolutely adored this book and immediately went to download the first book in the series from KU (and was THRILLED when I saw that Addison James has other books out, as well). The characters, the plot, and the spice were all phenomenal!
November 15, 2025
3.5 stars
Nice little romance that has a lead character - Marcus - fall for his girl - Elise - first (which is understandable when he knows she is his mate) x
Once again I felt a little like I was missing their background more, yes of course there is mention of what their background is but I just dont feel like I got a true understanding of the characters x
The story that Addison does tell is so cute & romantic - a true fairytale but with twists - because without a twist it just wouldn't be as fun to read x
Looking forward to see what comes next in Addison's 3rd book xxxxxx
Nice little romance that has a lead character - Marcus - fall for his girl - Elise - first (which is understandable when he knows she is his mate) x
Once again I felt a little like I was missing their background more, yes of course there is mention of what their background is but I just dont feel like I got a true understanding of the characters x
The story that Addison does tell is so cute & romantic - a true fairytale but with twists - because without a twist it just wouldn't be as fun to read x
Looking forward to see what comes next in Addison's 3rd book xxxxxx
December 4, 2025
Omg I ate this book up!!!
I absolutely loved Marcus the “hot” billionaire with a hidden secret! And I loved how honest & open Elise was in this book.
She’s a personal chef helping a friend out at an event ,he’s a billionaire at the event and all it takes is one taste of the food she made & he’s taken with her.
I liked all of it & the intense connection they shared, the spice & the plot. I do love how characters from the first book make an appearance, I look forward to reading the next one :)
I absolutely loved Marcus the “hot” billionaire with a hidden secret! And I loved how honest & open Elise was in this book.
She’s a personal chef helping a friend out at an event ,he’s a billionaire at the event and all it takes is one taste of the food she made & he’s taken with her.
I liked all of it & the intense connection they shared, the spice & the plot. I do love how characters from the first book make an appearance, I look forward to reading the next one :)
March 24, 2026
After reading book 1 and book 3 decided to read book 2 in the series by @addyjameswriter
I really love this series and the characters within it.
He is an old dragon who is pretending to his great great grandson to carry on his business. At a evening dinner he comes across the FMC. He has to have more of her cooking and see her more.
A great book with fun, banter and spice. Addison knows how to get her books to hit the mark.
Book quote
“It means you are mine, and I’m yours, and I’ve always been and always will be. It means you complete me, that the dragon inside me has waited for you.
I really love this series and the characters within it.
He is an old dragon who is pretending to his great great grandson to carry on his business. At a evening dinner he comes across the FMC. He has to have more of her cooking and see her more.
A great book with fun, banter and spice. Addison knows how to get her books to hit the mark.
Book quote
“It means you are mine, and I’m yours, and I’ve always been and always will be. It means you complete me, that the dragon inside me has waited for you.
April 7, 2026
A cute fun read.
Billionaire dragon MMC meets his fated mate in a chef-for-hire. Some drama, some sexiness, some humor.
Poor Marcus just wants to give this woman all the things and she won't take his money or gifts. The struggle is real.
Some drama with toxic ex, that took an unexpected twist.
No third act break up!
Billionaire dragon MMC meets his fated mate in a chef-for-hire. Some drama, some sexiness, some humor.
Poor Marcus just wants to give this woman all the things and she won't take his money or gifts. The struggle is real.
Some drama with toxic ex, that took an unexpected twist.
No third act break up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2026
I actually really liked this a lot
It was cute, fun, sweet
I really like this authors writing
I like Elsie and Marcus as separate people and even more as a couple
I love dragon shifter romance typically because of how they care about their women
I like that her ex had a really reason for terrorizing her and not just that he was a bad guy
July 1, 2024
Absolutely loved this book! Addison James never fails to write the most wholesome MMC’s. Looking forward to the next one!
July 6, 2024
Addison writes the most adoring mmcs that we all want to date. Marcus is attentive, sweet, and obsessed (but not in a controlling way). He's also so supportive of her. Love it!
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
November 30, 2025
Amazing
As soon as I saw it was about dragons, I was excited! Marcus ans Elise are so perfect for each other! Absolutely loved this book so much
As soon as I saw it was about dragons, I was excited! Marcus ans Elise are so perfect for each other! Absolutely loved this book so much
February 7, 2026
OH.MY.GOD....this book wass sooo goodddd
March 13, 2026
Cutesy.
March 21, 2026
Just a very very cute read. Slightly short and the relationship is a little flat but cute nontheless
April 23, 2026
Loved it!! Marcus is chef's kiss 💋 😘
May 24, 2026
I haven’t read a lot of dragon shifter books so I dont have a lot to compare this to, but all in all a really cute and wholesome read with a dash of spice.
June 15, 2026
MMC well defined, FMC not as clear. Too dragged out but also rushed
August 18, 2026
DNF 60%
A recipe for inducing yawns 🥱
Boring AF
A recipe for inducing yawns 🥱
Boring AF
March 21, 2026
It was a cute slow burn. Definitely recommend for a pallet cleanse.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews