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Champagne Taste On A Bad Boy Budget: Don’t miss this sizzling restaurant romance! Perfect for fans of opposites attract, kitchen rivalry, workplace love stories and simmering attraction in 2026!
A recipe for disaster…or redemptionFor Jamilah Carver, a by-the-books entrepreneur with refined tastes, running her own restaurant has been a dream come true…that is, until she’s buried in debt and without a chef, her once-bustling eatery on the brink of collapse. Enter Rashad White, a newly released ex-con who happens to be a culinary genius and likes to play by his own rules.
With nothing in common but their love for food, the two clash at every turn. But when they’re not bickering over menu items or cooking methods, neither can deny the attraction that simmers between them. After Rashad proposes a daring plan, they’ll have to put their differences aside to work together – that’s when things really start heating up in the kitchen…
Out of the frying pan and into his arms–
Perfect for fans
☯️ Opposites attract
👔 Workplace romance
🌶️ Spicy
-
Wondering what to read next? You'll love…Stuck in the Country with You by Zuri Day (Your one-night rebound should never be your younger brother’s rival…)
You Had Me At Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky (Could his no-strings sex pact with the restaurant's hot new hire turn into something more?)
Love and Other Hollywood Endings by Susannah Erwin (An upbeat production exec is tasked with reining in the cynical director)
With nothing in common but their love for food, the two clash at every turn. But when they’re not bickering over menu items or cooking methods, neither can deny the attraction that simmers between them. After Rashad proposes a daring plan, they’ll have to put their differences aside to work together – that’s when things really start heating up in the kitchen…
Out of the frying pan and into his arms–
Perfect for fans
☯️ Opposites attract
👔 Workplace romance
🌶️ Spicy
-
Wondering what to read next? You'll love…Stuck in the Country with You by Zuri Day (Your one-night rebound should never be your younger brother’s rival…)
You Had Me At Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky (Could his no-strings sex pact with the restaurant's hot new hire turn into something more?)
Love and Other Hollywood Endings by Susannah Erwin (An upbeat production exec is tasked with reining in the cynical director)
289 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 18, 2025
1 person want to read
About the author
Zuri Day
105 books275 followersZuri Day is a hopeful romantic. She believes in happy endings, half-full glasses and dreams coming true. That's why she's thrilled to be a contributing writer to this genre...one of her favorites!
Zuri doesn't remember exactly how old she was when she picked up her first romance novel, but she does remember it was love at first sight. "It was probably a Harlequin," she recalled during a recent interview. "And it thankfully took me away from a fairly dull and routine existence growing up in a small Kansas town."
Things aren't dull and routine anymore. Zuri now resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn't writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.
"Many people have given up on love, much less romance," Zuri says. "I'm hoping that somehow, through the love-filled pages of my romance novels, I can ignite the reader's desire to believe again. Because everything is possible, when we believe..."
Zuri doesn't remember exactly how old she was when she picked up her first romance novel, but she does remember it was love at first sight. "It was probably a Harlequin," she recalled during a recent interview. "And it thankfully took me away from a fairly dull and routine existence growing up in a small Kansas town."
Things aren't dull and routine anymore. Zuri now resides in Los Angeles with her family and when she isn't writing loves to travel the world, cook vegetarian food, work out, watch sports, attend concerts and theatre and enjoy the simple things in life.
"Many people have given up on love, much less romance," Zuri says. "I'm hoping that somehow, through the love-filled pages of my romance novels, I can ignite the reader's desire to believe again. Because everything is possible, when we believe..."
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
December 30, 2025
CHAMPAGNE TASTE ON A BAD BOY BUDGET (REVIEW): Meaningful, creative, and such a relaxing read!
Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget
by Zuri Day
MY Synopsis: Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget by Zuri Day is a bit of a handful of a title, but the book most definitely isn't! The book is a standalone and a great read when you need to unwind. Following Jamilah Carver and Rashad White the book explores the struggles of a newly released ex con and making a life after lock up. Additionally, the FMC Jamilah comes from a cop dad, who she struggles to gain independence from. Jamilah and Rashad have great banter and a bond, contributing to insane chemistry. How will the two juggle their new relationship, but working relationship? Only way to find out is to read on! The oil on the pan isn't the only thing these two cooks have sizzling.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5.0)
- Great premise. Super unique, never read anything like it. It has depth and brings a new vibe to romance.
- Good balance of exploring real world issues and being a relaxing read.
- Felt like REAL people. Authentic language and behaviors. No one feels perfect like most authors write their characters. And lines didn't stand out as trying too hard.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️(2/3)
- Even the fantasying is spicy!
- Emotional depth, tender relationship.
- Instant attraction in the best way.
ACCESS: Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC <3
CLOSING COMMENTS:
- This is my first read by Zuri Day, but it most definitely won't be my last!
*You can find me on Instagram @rhiannonreads24.7*
Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget
by Zuri Day
MY Synopsis: Champagne Taste on a Bad Boy Budget by Zuri Day is a bit of a handful of a title, but the book most definitely isn't! The book is a standalone and a great read when you need to unwind. Following Jamilah Carver and Rashad White the book explores the struggles of a newly released ex con and making a life after lock up. Additionally, the FMC Jamilah comes from a cop dad, who she struggles to gain independence from. Jamilah and Rashad have great banter and a bond, contributing to insane chemistry. How will the two juggle their new relationship, but working relationship? Only way to find out is to read on! The oil on the pan isn't the only thing these two cooks have sizzling.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4.5/5.0)
- Great premise. Super unique, never read anything like it. It has depth and brings a new vibe to romance.
- Good balance of exploring real world issues and being a relaxing read.
- Felt like REAL people. Authentic language and behaviors. No one feels perfect like most authors write their characters. And lines didn't stand out as trying too hard.
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️(2/3)
- Even the fantasying is spicy!
- Emotional depth, tender relationship.
- Instant attraction in the best way.
ACCESS: Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC <3
CLOSING COMMENTS:
- This is my first read by Zuri Day, but it most definitely won't be my last!
*You can find me on Instagram @rhiannonreads24.7*
Displaying 1 of 1 review