The Unwilling Bride

The Hamiltons #1

by L. Steele

He’s my best friend’s brother. My billionaire boss. And now… my fake husband

I walked into his restaurant needing a paycheck.
Now I’m his fake wife.
And if I’m not careful, I might just fall for the man I hate.

James Hamilton is grumpy. Emotionally unavailable. Impossible to reach.
He’s also my best friend’s brother.
The man who broke my heart without even trying.
Now he’s a world-famous chef. Well known for his brilliance.

Working for him is my chance at the career of my dreams.
But when he calls me out in front of his entire staff.
I decide to leave.
But James stops me with an offer I never saw coming.
A marriage of convenience to secure the future of his culinary empire.

In return, he will pay off my debts and help my family.
I should refuse.
Instead, I say yes.

His rules are simple.
This is a contract.
There will be no feelings.
No expectations.
No future.

I agree to keep things strictly professional.
But the longer I share his home and answer to the title of his wife, the harder it is to pretend this is just business.

And when he lets me see the man behind the reputation,
I start to wonder if this fake marriage is the most real thing I have ever known...

Welcome to The Hamiltons. A new emotional romance series from international bestselling author L. Steele, where strong women go toe-to-toe with powerful billionaires… and love never follows the rules. This is James and Harper's story.

Marriage of ConvenienceBest friend’s brotherHate to loveBoss x EmployeeGrumpy x SunshineNeurodivergent former Marine MCCurvy FMC“My wife”Possessive billionaire heroEmotionally wounded heroFound FamilyClose proximityOne bedNo cheatingVery satisfying HEA

Genres: Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Workplace Romance, Contemporary

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Amazon top 4 bestselling author L. Steele is best known for her marriage of convenience, billionaire romance novels.

She writes about powerful men with ice in their veins who are brought to their knees by the curvy, strong women they never saw coming.

She lives for the heart-aching angst, the sharp banter, and the kind of raw, soul-deep connection that makes readers stay up until 4:00 AM because they cannot bear to leave her characters behind.

She strives to create stories that breathe. The kind of magic that imprints on your heart and stays with you long after you have read the final page.

Did she succeed? Message her and let her know. She loves hearing from her readers.

When she is not dreaming up her next OTT possessive MC, she can be found trading trivia with her husband, watching movies, or walking nature trails with a dirty chai latte in hand.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐🎧

This book had one plot and one man determined to ignore it.

The plot: marriage of convenience.
James Hamilton: "What if I simply hoarded hair ties and had an internal crisis for 400 pages instead?"

Reader, I yelled at him and kept reading.

What Worked For Me
(aka: why I couldn't quit this man)

James Hamilton Explained

James is rigid, obsessive, emotionally unavailable, terrifying in the kitchen and somehow one of the most quietly devoted romance heroes I've read in a while.

He doesn't say "I care". He changes work schedules, loads the dishwasher, remembers the little things and gives a rescue cat a luxury penthouse lifestyle instead.

His PTSD and OCD felt like genuine parts of his character rather than plot devices and even when I wanted to shake some sense into him, I couldn't help rooting for him.

Mutual Pining: Michelin Star Edition

The plot itself is fairly straightforward but the chemistry starts almost immediately and never lets up.

The tension is built through tiny moments instead of dramatic declarations. Shared whiskey, almost-kisses, post-nightmare comforts, domestic routines, kitchen power struggles, quiet conversations and dozens of small acts of care slowly layer intimacy until the romance feels lived in rather than simply told.

By the time they're living together, they're already acting like a married couple in every way except admitting they're in love.

Tiny Details, Big Feelings

This book is packed with weird little details that make the romance memorable. The rescue cat, the three ice cubes in the whiskey, the free-diving and the obsessive kitchen rituals all give the relationship a specificity that makes it feel distinctly James and Harper.

Then there are the hair ties. Especially the hair ties.

Somehow the author managed to turn a steadily growing collection of missing hair ties into one of the sweetest recurring elements in the entire book and I was completely seated for every increasingly unhinged addition to the stash.

I switched between reading and listening throughout and it ended up being an immersive way to experience the story. (Although I continue to maintain that Shane East is best enjoyed at 1.5x speed or above)

Where It Lost Me
(aka: my constructive yelling)

A Masterclass In Missing The Point

I understood why James struggled with vulnerability. I understood why he kept people at arm's length and I understood why saying "I love you" terrified him.

The problem is, I understood it long before he did. Fifty pages before. Actually, make that a hundred. Maybe two hundred.

The reader figures out he's hopelessly in love very early on. Harper figures it out. His friends figure it out. Malice the cat probably figures it out. James, however, insists on conducting seventeen separate internal investigations before reaching the exact same conclusion.

Reflection Started Replacing Progression

The first half keeps building.
New dynamics. New revelations. New intimacy.

The second half slows noticeably because James keeps circling the same emotional conflict. "I can't have feelings".

Five pages later:
"She's the missing piece to my equation."
James, respectfully, pick one.

The tension itself never disappeared. In fact, it remained one of the strongest parts of the book. But the pacing couldn't quite keep up with it.

By the final quarter I wasn't wondering whether James loved Harper anymore.

I was wondering how many additional chapters it would take him to admit what literally everyone else already knew.

Powered By Tension And Delusion

This is very much a character-driven romance.

If you're looking for twists, high drama, or a plot constantly moving from one external event to another, this probably won't be the book for you.

The story lives and dies on whether you enjoy spending time with James and Harper.

Thankfully, I did. Even when I was yelling at James to buy a clue.

Final Thoughts

This ended up being less about a marriage of convenience and more about two people quietly becoming each other's home.

James doesn't fall in love through grand gestures. He falls in love through routines, acts of service, and an increasingly concerning stash of stolen hair ties.

The second half drags under the weight of his emotional buffering, but the character work, chemistry, and domestic intimacy kept me invested even while I was begging this man to buy a clue.

Final Verdict

3.75 ⭐️ - Turns out nine stolen hair ties and one rescue cat are a surprisingly effective foundation for a romance.

And I'm still convinced Malice the cat deserved a POV.

Tropes and Vibes:
• Marriage of convenience
• Boss / employee
• Grumpy perfectionist chef
• Best friend's brother
• Mutual pining
• Acts of service = love language
• Domestic intimacy
• Quiet yearning over loud declarations
• Slow burn (emphasis on slow)
• Emotional support hair ties

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Pre-read:
Marriage of convenience ✔️
Best friend's brother ✔️
Grumpy billionaire chef ✔️
Fake husband with rules about "no feelings" ✔️

Sir, those rules have a life expectancy of approximately three chapters.
I'm seated 🤞🏻🎧✨️

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

the setup…
It’s been five years since James Hamilton walked away from Harper Ritchie after she begged him to give them a chance. Now the former Marine is the owner and head chef of The Edge, London’s well-renowned and Michelin starred restaurant. Harper shows up in his kitchen to interview for the chef de partie (head of section) position. She needs this job and, to her surprise, comes out as the new sous chef. After weeks of trial by fire, she stands toe-to-toe with the demanding James who now needs to find a wife or lose funding for his new venture. So, he makes Harper an offer she can’t refuse.

the heart of the story…
There’s grumpy and then there’s James. He’s exacting and runs his kitchen with a rigidity that’s unnerving. It’s borne from his OCD exacerbated by PTSD from his military service. Harper is really good at what she does and isn’t cowed by James and knows how to handle him. Both never forgot the other and the fake marriage was an opportunity to shift things forward. I loved the kitchen scenes and how their romance was given a deserved slow burn.

the narration…
Shane East’s voice is just delicious and I still can’t get enough of him. He was a perfect James and Evelyn Rose was equally great as the sassy Harper. So glad I held out for the audio edition.

the bottom line…
I expected to like this story and ending up loving it. It’s a spinoff series but I never felt lost or confused about any of the secondary characters. I’m also loving the Hamilton family and am eager for whatever comes next. Oh, and the spice level is a 5+ so be prepared. After 16 hours I still wanted more. 4.5 stars

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to the author and Hambright PR for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.)

[Irina (on vacation ☀️) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF'ed after torturous 100 pages of repetitive inner musings and yearning. There's no way I can endure another 450 pages of that!

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

"The Unwilling Bride" by L. Steele is a best friend's brother, boss x employee, fake marriage-of-convenience romance, and the first book in a new series. James (MMC) is Harper's (FMC) best friend's brother. They met five years ago and spent one incredible night together. They galavanted the night away and shared an amazing kiss, but nothing more, despite her trying for it. Spending the night with Harper, whom he has nicknamed Ember, made James want to become a chef, mostly because the precise nature of cooking helped him manage the OCD he was diagnosed with after his time in the military. He is now the owner and head chef of The Edge, a prestigious Michelin-star restaurant where he is known for his ruthless, cold, calculating demeanor in and out of the kitchen. Exactitude, perfection, and exemplary behavior are what he demands from those in his employment. When Harper walks into his restaurant looking for a job, he hires her on the spot as his sous chef, much to her surprise. He is not going to make her job easy. She pushes back against his merciless behavior whenever she gets a chance, going toe to toe with him about anything and everything, and he loves her defiance. After weeks of back and forth, a viral video and the promise of a disinheritance, "force" Harper and James into a marriage of convenience with a monetary offer for her that's too good to be true, life-changing money that will help her take care of her sister and niece for life. I liked this book quite a bit. The audiobook is DELICIOUS. Shane East, I was unfamiliar with your audiobook game, and now I am addicted. My goodness, his deep, gravelly voice is incredibly sexy and perfect for a "b0sshole" like James. East and narrator Evelyn Rose have a wonderful back-and-forth as James and Harper. I love how they played off of one another so seamlessly. Perfect narrations here! Harper and James have such explosive, dynamic chemistry that it's hard *not to* get addicted to their enemies-to-lovers story. I *LOVE* a marriage of convenience story, and this one fit the bill. It was so painfully obvious how smitten James was with Harper from the get-go, but his past has made him unable to express his feelings because of the trauma he has endured throughout his life. I think L. Steele does a good job displaying his trauma in a way that isn't exploitative, but is entirely understandable. Harper eventually begins to learn how to melt his cold, calculating exterior. She is a killer sous chef, but is worried that this fake marriage is going to make it look like she slept her way to the top when she has really worked her entire life for this opportunity. There are a lot of great secondary characters, tons of drama, and some hard-fought battles. I liked this a lot, though, as a whole, it's a bit too long, in my opinion. It could have been a bit shorter, but I'm not *really* complaining because I got to listen to Shane East for a little bit longer.

Thank you to L. Steele and Hambright PR for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

[Sarcasticpageturner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I was sold the moment I found out this book was about a chef and sous chef. Anything with food immediately has my attention. James is a ex Marine, restaurant owner, grumpy, OCD, dealing with PTSD, and absolutely has to be in control of everything, especially his emotions. Then Harper walks in and suddenly this man is hanging on by a thread.

Harper is not intimidated by him one bit and pushes right back, which made their chemistry so fun to read. Add in that she’s his best friend’s sister and they shared a moment five years ago that neither of them ever forgot. Soulmate energy was definitely there.

What starts as a marriage of convenience slowly unravels into so much more, and I ate this up. James is absolutely imperfectly perfect and I loved watching his walls come down.

The audio was perfection with the British accents! Added so much to this one.

If you love marriage of convenience, brother’s best friend, grumpy/sunshine, and boss x employee vibes, pick this one up!

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, I loved the characters and how they grew and changed.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[MOmo · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book felt repetitive and boring. It’s such a disappointment because I was looking forward to this book and the series but I have to be honest with myself. I just couldn’t continue. There was too much telling and it felt like the writing was for people who couldn’t do any critical thinking or inference while reading. I was being spoon fed every single thing. And this was right from the very beginning. I am also TIRED of the portrayal of the MMC and the need to constantly remind us of how mathematical and robotic he is. And then the FMC constantly reminding us of her dream and also of how toxic her boss is. Like I’m so irritated because I spent hours reading this book and for my mental health, I’d stop now. 43% in and it hasn’t been an engaging one

[kesy_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really delivered. I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. Of course fake relationship is my number one favorite trope so that was fantastic. There were so many aspects of the book that I enjoyed. It was well written and I thought this was just like a cute little story, but then it took a really spicy twist that I was not expecting but enjoyed.

The audiobook was good as well I wasn’t a fan of the MMC voice. I thought it was too rough and at times I felt cringe out by him. But I’m still happy. I had the audio because I absolutely loved the FMC.

Tropes
Best friend’s brother
Restaurant
Workplace romance
Forced proximity
Second chance
Fake relationship
Grumpy billionaire
V card

[Chelbie Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the James & Harper novella that came before this full length one! However, I think with the instant spark and chemistry of the novella, I built up my anticipation sky high for the rest of their love story. I may have hyped myself up too much because unfortunately this one just didn’t live up to my expectations.

In no way was this book a flat out “no” for me. I am glad I read it & there was a lot I did enjoy about it! Harper & James’ connection was electric, they worked well together in the kitchen and in life. They each had endearing qualities that were fun to get to know. Having ‘behind the scenes’ insight into a professional kitchen was interesting to explore. I loved the tiny bit of side characters we got. Although, I did want more time spent on some, like Harper’s sister & niece and James’ brothers.

The main drawback for me was that the tension was drawn out to the furthest point possible. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good slow burn 🔥 It just felt like a large amount of filler was added and even some repetitive themes & monologue to make the story longer. James just really couldn’t communicate and even though there were reasons, it just drug heavily for me.

The ending felt more like a set up for the next book with one of James’ brothers, as opposed to James & Harper’s HEA, but I’m neutral on it.

Overall, the writing was great, the MC’s were focused on in depth & their flaws thoroughly addressed. The story explores OCD and PTSD in a very intricate manner & both were definitely main topics in the book.

✨Thank you L. Steele & Hambright PR for the early ARC!✨

I will end this by saying that reading is subjective & what I like/dislike, others may feel the opposite. For me, I simply liked it, for you, you could absolutely love it - And that’s okay!🫶🏻

[BookMarkedbyNicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. I loved this books so much!! Thank you Hambright pr for the alc and the arc for a honest review.

I was hooked the minute I found out this was about two Chefs. The tension between Harper and James in the kitchen was so hot. The way James tried to push her until she broke, and the way Harper wouldn’t put up with his shit, or back down. The marriage of convenience to get the inheritance to save James, restaurant and help Harper financially with her sister and niece. Was done so well. This book had great chemistry, spice with a ice commander chef, who falls hard for the girl.

The audio book was dual narrated, and the narrators did a fantastic job.

Do not sleep on L. Steeles book. I can’t wait to read more

[Sarimarys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to L. Steele and Hambright PR for the gifted physical copy and eARC/ALC before release day! ❤️📚

I read the prequel novella a couple of months ago, and the moment I finished it, I knew I needed James and Harper's story. While you don't have to read the novella before picking up The Unwilling Bride, I definitely recommend it because you'll have a much better understanding of their history, their chemistry, and the spark that has always existed between them. ✨

Set five years after the prequel, a lot has changed. James is now a world famous chef, Harper is determined to build the career she's always dreamed of, and neither of them expects a marriage of convenience to change everything. What starts as a business arrangement soon becomes much more complicated when real feelings get involved. 💍❤️

One of my favorite things about this book was that it centered around a chef and sous chef. Getting a behind-the-scenes look into a professional kitchen was so much fun and added a unique layer to the story. The tension between Harper and James in the kitchen was HOT. 🔥 James constantly pushed Harper, testing her limits and trying to get a reaction out of her, while Harper refused to put up with his nonsense or back down. Their banter, arguments, and chemistry had me hooked from the very beginning.

And can we talk about the spice for a second? 🌶️👀 This book was hot and not just because it takes place in a restaurant! The spice was definitely spicing. The chemistry, tension, and build-up between Harper and James made every romantic moment hit that much harder. If you love a couple that keeps you on your toes, this one delivers.

I also had the chance to do an immersive read with the audiobook, and it was SO good. 🎧✨ The duet narration completely brought the story to life, and those British accents? Absolutely swoon worthy. The narrators captured both the emotional moments and the chemistry between Harper and James perfectly, making it impossible to stop listening.

[Emmy Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a freaking masterpiece and I’m in tears as I’m finishing it! I read the prequel to this book “The Unwilling Love” which is not needed to understand the story but I encourage you to read to it because it just changes the entire vibe and adds so much to the story. The Unwilling Bride takes place 5 years after the prequel and a lot has changed. James Hamilton going from a Marine General to a 3 Michelin Star Chef doesn’t discount the bucketload of trauma he got, yet he still cannot control his feelings for Harper. The quiet yearning in this book had me screaming because he is sooo GONE for her. The hair tie scene was just pure agony and perfection. She’s his new sous chef and when they have a scandal he marries her (may not have been the most logical decision but he’s a man in love who doesn’t know it yet). I love how they try to be“professionals” in the kitchen and keep their marriage as “just a business arrangement” but tense longing glances across the room say much more than that. Their story is emotionally cheated and there are so many obstacles, physical and mental, on their road to happiness. But there’s not doubt their HEA was earned with blood, sweat and tears. There’s so much character development in this book too. It’s around 600 pages yet it didn’t feel a second too long, in fact it even felt short because of how emotional and moving thier story was. Seeing James go from “Ice Commander” in the kitchen to a much nicer boss (head chef) and complete softy for his wife at home changed me forever. I love how Harper was not afraid to put herself first and make the hard decisions for their relationship, she has so much strength and is such an inspiring character. James went through so much and I love the very accurate depiction of OCD and PTSD. I cried and cried and cried my way through this entire book but it was worth it to see how he starts letting go of his 10 foot tall emotional barriers and lets himself be vulnerable and loved. It was such a beautiful story that I definitely will never forget and I give it a 5/5

[Kim McFall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy received from the author.

This was my first book by L. Steele, and now I feel like I need to go binge-read her entire backlist immediately! I absolutely flew through this one and loved every second of it.

✨ Tropes:
• Marriage of convenience
• Best friend’s brother
• Found family
• Boss x employee
• Grumpy x sunshine
• One bed

The characters felt incredibly real and emotionally layered, like they truly came alive right off the page. I became completely immersed in the atmosphere, to the point where it felt less like reading a book and more like watching a beautifully dramatic romance movie unfold in my mind.

The emotional depth in this story completely pulled me in. The vulnerability between the characters, the sharp banter, the tension-filled chemistry, the longing, the emotional push-and-pull… it was all written so well. Every interaction felt authentic and meaningful, making the romance hit even harder.

I loved how the relationship developed through both emotional and vulnerable moments alongside all the tension and sparks. The chemistry between the characters was undeniable, and I found myself completely invested in their journey from beginning to end.

Romantic, emotional, addictive, and impossible to put down! This book made me feel everything, and I already can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Wendy Marie (myrisingphoenixera.reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️
2.5🌶️
🔥Fake Marriage
🔥Boss/Employee
🔥Forbidden Romance
🔥Grumpy/Sunshine
🔥Neurodivergent Former Marine MMC
🔥Curvy FMC
🔥Secret Pining
🔥Forced Proximity
🔥Best Friend’s Brother
🔥Second Chance
🔥Possessive billionaire hero
🔥Found family
🔥Dual First Person POV

It’s been five years since James and Harper spent a magical night together and the connection they both felt that night is still there, like no time has passed. Except they’ve both changed, James has been changed by the terrible loss he suffered on his last mission. Harper has been working her way through some of the best kitchens in London with dreams of owning her own restaurant one day. James is now a three star Michelin chef and the exacting way he runs his kitchen is infamous. James finds he can control his OCD by controlling everything around him, including his emotions. His world gets turn upside down when Harper turns up for an interview and soon that control is hanging on by a thread. The tension in the kitchen is next level with the way James pushed her to see when and if she would brake, making her remake things three times, and never giving compliments. Harper is not intimidated by him or afraid to stand up to him. I loved the sharp banter and push/pull between them as they try to keep control of their emotions. After an argument in the kitchen between them goes viral, James’s investors threaten to back out and with his grandmother’s ultimatum that he to get married to be able to get his inheritance, there is only one woman he would ever consider marrying, and that’s Harper. His walls slowly start to crumble the longer he’s around Harper. They thought they could remain professional in the kitchen and James thought the contract would protect him from his feelings, the man didn’t know what he was in for. The Ice Commander falls hard and he is so gone for Harper he doesn’t know what to with his feelings. The quiet yearning was next level with James’s collection of her hair ties and his secret tattoo. Their chemistry is electric, they work perfectly together in the kitchen and don’t get me started on how well they work in the bedroom. They are perfect for each other with how she softens his edges and she’s there for him so he’s able to be vulnerable and finally admit his feelings.

🚩Be sure to read the author’s note and content warnings before reading.

Plot: 5
Engaging: 5
Character: 5

Thank you L. Steele for the gifted advanced copy.

📚All thoughts and opinions are my own📚
🐦‍🔥Follow me on socials @myrisingphoenixera.reads🐦‍🔥

A Few Favorite Quotes:
“It has to be her. I’ve spent my life looking at people as variables and tools, but I can’t even fathom the idea of anyone else in this role as my wife, fake or real.”

“Next time you try to top from the bottom, I’m going to haul you into my office and spank your arse until you can’t sit down for days.”

“I’m not asking you to forgive me. I’m asking you to let me try to deserve you.”

“You’re beautiful.” He looks deeply into my eyes. “You keep me sane, Ember. You remind me of everything good and real in this world. You’re mine, Ember. Only mine.”

"I spent my life building the rules by which I lived. They made the world stop spinning so fast. But I'd rather live in the chaos with you than be safe in the silence without you."

“You’re mine, Ember. Mine to love. Mine to claim. Mine to protect. Always.”

[itsallaboutbooksandmacarons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story pulled me in quickly with how unpredictable it felt and how much was happening emotionally between the characters. I stayed curious the whole time because I never knew exactly where things were heading.

It made me go through a lot of different reactions while reading, from frustration to excitement to moments where I was completely caught off guard. The shifts in tone and energy kept me fully engaged.

It held my attention right to the end because of how intense the experience felt overall, not just in what happened, but in how it made me react while reading.

[Melanie Dubois · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE TROPE!!

Ugh this book was AMAZING! I love the whole aspect of the book being chefs in a kitchen, it was a nice change of pace and totally fun! James and how hardcore he was, and how much he struggled with his feelings and emotions was everything.

I was swooning for that man! And HARPER!! Her patients and understanding towards him was so affectionate and endearing, I swooned for her too! I couldn't have asked for a better couple😍 I love how supportive her friends and his brothers were too

James had a way with words, I was tearing up at some of his rants.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to the audio and I loved the accents. This was a fun storyline taking place around James a head chef/owner of a michelan star restaurant who is also the brother of the Harper’s best friend. He has some OCD issues and control issues and he is secretly in love with Harper. James needs a wife to get his inheritance so one thing leads to another and he finds himself married to the woman he loves. This was a 3.5 to 4 star read for me with 🌶️🌶️🌶️ spice!

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 ⭐️

Listen, I am usually all for the best friends brother, marriage of convenience, grumpyxsunshine kind of story. But this one wasn’t for me. I found the pace too slow, too drawn out. And the chemistry between the FMC and MMC was just not flowing for me.

High strung perfectionist grumpy chef James is known for his frosty and demanding nature. His restaurant is Michelin star rated and he expects perfection from his staff. But when Harper walks in to interview - he sees an opportunity to renew the spark they had after one night together years ago. But James has changed since that time - military and trauma make him hard and guarded. Harper still can’t resist James, but as a boss, he’s the worst. But when a situation arises and James needs a wife of convenience, he makes Harper an offer she can’t refuse. But the arrangement is to be without feeling, no connection or long term commitment - but can Harper break into James heart of ice and make the temporary, permanent?

[Yadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I love most about this book was the second chances and the yearning oh the yearning was good here. Even though there is physical contact between this character early in the story the yearning still presents for most part of it.

James had a hard time showing and expressing his feelings he had an impressive internal battle for most of the book at time he was too grumpy for my taste. I felt for Harper trying to figure him out he was cold and hot at the same time giving out mixing signals. He did his sweet moments. If this book had not been so long maybe it would have had a better rating from me but I feel that there was no need to make this book so long. There were lots of repetitive internal dialogues.

I did an immersive reading and was an interesting experiment I don’t know it it was a technical problem or that is how the narrations was but for some reason when the woman’s narration was at a higher volume that the guy’s because every time it was his turn I had to out up the volume and then turn down when it was the girl’s because it was too high. Did he recorded in lower volume to make sound his voice more deep? 🤔

💕Thanks Hambright_pr and L. Steele for the gifted book amd audiobook

[Sooz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ and here’s why I loved it:

🖤 audio was SO good with duet narrators with British accents! Highly highly recommend!!
🖤 romance book with depth. DEPTH!
🖤 amazing character arc for the MMC who acknowledges his weaknesses and never gives up
🖤 an FMC who knows her worth
🖤 I love the fake marriage trope!!!

Also the colored artwork is perfect!! I will definitely be continuing the series!

Docking half a star and it’s just really specific to me - I personally don’t love romance books that are over 500 pages. HOWEVER, the audiobook didn’t make this book seem that long at all, but I feel like when I was reading it print or on Kindle I felt like it was a tad bit long sometimes.

Thank you to L. Steele and Hambright PR for the eARC, ALC, and physical copy!

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read other L. Steele books and think this one is my favorite. The angst and tension between the two main characters was great!

James met Harper five years ago and that night meant so much to both of them they never forgot it. But they lost touch even though Harper is James’ sister’s best friend. They reconnect when Harper steps into James’ kitchen looking for a job.

Really looking forward to the next one!

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was so boring I basically skipped the last 20% - nothing really happened and the chemistry was just not there. Ugh waste of 2 days of reading.

[Kelly (aka jsybookworm) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I was so excited to read Harper and James’s story after reading their novella, “The Unwilling Love”, last month and I wasn’t disappointed. What a fabulous 5 star read this was with Harper and James’s chemistry off the charts! I loved every minute of this story!

Five years after their last encounter, a night they both will never forget, Harper and James meet again. Out of work Harper is desperate for a job to support her sister and niece, she is excited but also terrified about the interview at James’s Michelin starred restaurant, “The Edge”, she knows she has the experience but has heard of James’s infamous reputation. James is not the man she met five years ago and now is called “The Ice Commander” for his exacting chef style, he runs his kitchen with extreme precision which has won him three Michelin stars in just five years, but his standards are impeccably high. Within seconds of meeting, James offers Harper the trial role of sous chef and she accepts knowing what the role would do for her future dreams of opening her very own restaurant. However, James doesn’t go easy on her and pushes her to her limit constantly, but Harper never cracks and with her determined sassy attitude she wins the respect of the other chefs in the restaurant but still struggles with getting any approval from James. When James’s grandmother gives him an ultimatum to get married or not receive his inheritance and then soon after tempers run high and a heated incident at the restaurant between James and Harper goes viral, James’s investors threaten to pull out of “The Edge” and James needs his inheritance sooner rather than later and so he proposes a “fake marriage” to the only woman who could possibly fill the role; Harper. Harper agrees knowing that not only will it help “The Edge” but also the money included in the agreement means she could send her talented niece to a renown drawing school which would help her future prospects. But Harper and James find that convincing everyone their marriage is real actually comes very naturally and soon lines begin to blur between them over what is real and what is fake. Will the magic they felt five years ago for each other resurface again or was that a case of different people in a different time?!

As I said about this was a fantastic read and well worth waiting for. I absolutely loved both the characters of Harper and James and loved the story was told from each of their points of view. The standout character from the secondary characters was definitely Freya- what a great girl she was (and I look forward to hearing more about Freya in a future book!). I feel that L Steele captured the tense suffocating atmosphere of the kitchen so well and in fact it sometimes felt like it was Hell’s Kitchen and not “The Edge” and the recipes at the end of the book were certainly a lovely touch that I enjoyed (I will have to try the pasta James cooked for Harper)! The miscommunication between Harper and James drove me crazy…. But in a good compelling way and this was such an addictive read I struggled to tear myself away from the pages. Harper and James’s chemistry was really off the charts and actually I don’t think I can recall another book I have read where the main characters have such insane and amazing chemistry so great writing from L Steele!

All in all, another great offering from L Steele and I can’t wait to read more from The Hamiltons book series. I look forward to book two that is coming out later this year. Utterly deserved 5 star rating and I highly recommend it for anyone who likes the spicy romance genre- you won’t be disappointed!

Thank you to L Steele, Hambright PR and BookFunnel for my advanced reading copy. Out 2nd June 2026.

[Christine Biesheuvel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Combustible
A fire hot love affair and a story I enjoyed very much for the most part. Both MCs are professional cooks and when Harper applies for a job with James’ restaurant, the connection that they shared five years ago comes back in full force. But the horrors he lived through being a Royal Marine has made him suffer from OCD and PTSD and made him put his emotions behind thick walls.
The whole book took me along their ups and downs and their internal thoughts and emotions. Very well written and relatable. The only thing that gave me an off feeling, was Harper’s notion that she couldn’t live with him until he would say ‘I love you’ to her. Actions speak louder than words and James’ actions speak a very loud language. When he tells others how he feels about her (apparently with no difficulty), she doesn’t believe him, thinks he’s acting and not saying the truth. She has so much caring and understanding for him and how he became the man he shows her, I found her leaving him for this reason a bit too harsh. It works out in the end, of course and thankfully!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chaptersxchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The MMC’s obsession with the FMC was one of my favorite parts, and the collection of hair ties was such a cute little detail that had me smiling every time it came up. I also loved the fake marriage and coworker dynamics. Those are always fun tropes for me, and adding the chef element made the story even more entertaining.

The spice was absolutely on point and did not disappoint. My only issue was the length. I’m usually a 300-pages-or-less kind of reader, so this one felt a little long and drawn out at times. The characters definitely went through a lot of trials and tribulations, which kept things interesting, but there were moments where I felt the story could have moved a bit faster.

Even with that, I had a great time reading it. The romance was engaging, the tropes were fun, and the chemistry between the characters kept me invested from beginning to end.

[Enid Pereira · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good premise with decent character growth for the MMC.

What didn't work for the book was the length of the story. For a love story it was too long. The only reason I managed to complete this book was because I started skipping everything that didn't have dialogues. The monologues went on and on which were very repetitive. Also certain proclivities of the FMC didn't match the character. The climax wasn't very satisfying considering it didn't justify the length of the book and the MMC's struggle. The part of the hair tie was cute but not convincing. As women our awareness of our hair tie us acute. We don't open our hair and let the tie fall. I would have liked more interactions between James and Harper's families especially the niece. It would have made certain lines believable.

Overall a decent read if the book is edited.

[Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends brother
Fake marriage,
possessive MMC
Boss
Sous Chef/Chef

Whoa, talk about a hot and steamy book and not just because it takes place in a restaurant!

When head chef and owner James is told by his grandmother that he will only get his inheritance if he’s married he knows exactly who to enlist. Harper is a no nonsense sous chef whom he had a past with and who becomes his wife! They both end up helping eachother out, he is able to save and secure his restaurant, he helps her pay off her debts and help her family.

I was lucky enough to receive this as a ALC and let me tell you it was hot, hot and hot! Shane East and that voice and accent of his🥵🥵🥵 and Evelyn Rose did a fantastic job of relaying Harper’s character.

I loved this book and it was my first read by L. Steele but I am now a fan!

This book and audio releases on June 2 and I highly recommend it on audio!

Thank you to L. Steele and HambrightPR for this ALC!

[Tyla 🧚 🗡️ ☠️ 🩸 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC/ALC
the audio for this was 👌🏽 James’ voice was just 🥵🥵
I love a boss x employee trope but a chef & sous chef?! HUNGRY. The mental health struggles were written SO well, my heart bled for James. Marriage of convenience felt fairly put on the sake of the trope.. and best friend’s brother barely came into the story really? But the tension between the two was DELICIOUS. The yearning just 👌🏽 and the mouth on James was HELLA SPOICY 🌶️ thoroughly enjoyed, overall good time.

[Kelsey 📖 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Hambright PR & the author for the ALC! Here are my thoughts:

5 STARS!!!!
The narration was absolutely phenomenal!

Tropes:
💍 Marriage of Convenience
🚫 Best Friend's Brother
💕 Found Family
💻 Boss x Employee
🌓 Grumpy Sunshine
🛏️ One Bed

James and Harper!!! Also, it’s my first chef book and tbh will NOT be my last! I can’t wait to continue this series!

Also, THE YEARNINGGGGGG! 😮‍💨

[Caitlin Galena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, a great romance. Some banter which is always fantastic. I liked how the mmc the one who wasn’t perfect, the PTSD and OCD were a great change and to bring some awareness to those difficulties. I am a little miffed that you don’t find out what happened to them without continuing the series. I will of course have to read the rest and the others about the rest of the brothers.