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Discovered by Love #1
Jilted
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More details on author's web site.
Three days. Two jaded hearts. One unexpected love.
Bethany Hall is hiding out on a remote private island off the coast of Belize, creating romantic meals for the rich and the privileged. But when her client Derek Moretti’s bride jilts him at the altar, he’s left with a bitter view on love, a $30,000 a week bungalow, and for the first time in his life, nowhere else to be.
After Derek overhears his beautiful personal chef talking about how he dodged a bullet when his bridezilla left him, he begins to think that maybe she’s right. He convinces Bethany to act as his personal tour guide for the remainder of his trip, but neither expect that their purely platonic arrangement could shake their preconceptions about love.
Could Derek have been in the right place at the right time…just with the wrong woman?
120 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 2016
5 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Carla Laureano
23 books916 followersCarla Laureano is the RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary inspirational romance and Celtic fantasy (as C.E. Laureano). A graduate of Pepperdine University, she worked as a sales and marketing executive for nearly a decade before leaving corporate life behind to write fiction full-time. She currently lives in Denver with her husband and two sons, where she writes during the day and cooks things at night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 20, 2016
Y'all. This novella. The characters. The writing. That KISS.
I should probably mention that if you're on a diet, this might not be the best story to read while hungry ;) But do grab a healthy snack and press on anyway because Carla's writing voice is just so fabulous. You will be immediately drawn to the characters, to the plot, and ... whew... that KISS is sooooo worth a little hanger!
From start to finish, this is an absolutely delightful novella - full of everything that makes a great contemporary romance.
I should probably mention that if you're on a diet, this might not be the best story to read while hungry ;) But do grab a healthy snack and press on anyway because Carla's writing voice is just so fabulous. You will be immediately drawn to the characters, to the plot, and ... whew... that KISS is sooooo worth a little hanger!
From start to finish, this is an absolutely delightful novella - full of everything that makes a great contemporary romance.
November 14, 2017
*** Note: I received a review copy of this book from the author, in exchange for an honest review. ***
This story was so nice and romantic about two person with similar view on love because of their experiences in life. It was about coming out of shell and preconception, living the world that you have shut down because bad experiences. All this set in most exotic place in world, Belize.
Characters-
I loved both MCs of the book Bethany and Derek. They were well written, developed, and perfect for each other.
Bethany– smart, beautiful, talented and was very practical person. Her past made her staying hidden under her chef coat and bandana on head with less make-up, a deliberate simple less attracting life. Behind this she was fun loving, smart, creative, and strong willed person who loved to read romance novels.
Derek– was Rich, handsome, smart and sensible, finance person. He was very much affect by his father’s marriages. I liked him for his honest nature and the way he handled things at the end.
Mariska– Bethany’s best friend. She was such lively efficient sous chef. She was carefree but such a great friend and support to Bethany. I wish I could see her more in next books of the series.
What I liked-
First of all the setting. Narration of Belize and all the places characters visited was so beautiful. It sounded so heavenly that I instantly googled all of them and oh my, I badly want to spend a week there now. It was perfect setting for this sweet, clean romance novella.
Exotic island and exotic food added a very romantic element in the book. As Bethany was chef, food was also important in the book. All Belizean specialties like, Conch Fritters, Johnny Cakes, Lobster and places where best food is served were mentioned. What to do in Belize, places to visit everything was there with the story. I will take this book as tour guide with me whenever I get a chance to visit this place. 😉 It was really amazing and best part of the book. It gave feeling of being transported to Belize.
Jilted was narrated from viewpoint of both protagonists- Derek and Bethany. I enjoyed Bethany’s thoughts more than Derek. She was such an interesting character. I hated it when she minimized herself because of someone else’s mistake. The way she came out when she was free on tour with Derek was such beautiful thing to read in the book.
Climax was unexpected but end was expected and obvious. I liked the story even more from climax to end. Deep thoughts of Mariska and slow revelation of love by Derek was so adorable. Poor guy, he understood situation and person so well but it took long to understand his feeling and what he was doing. But his words at the end were so beautiful that made me fall in love with him.
It’s bad that it was novella, I just wanted to keep reading and never stop. It was best vacation and beach read.
Overall, well written, well developed characters, perfect pace, clean romance and lovely story. I so damn strongly recommend this book.
This story was so nice and romantic about two person with similar view on love because of their experiences in life. It was about coming out of shell and preconception, living the world that you have shut down because bad experiences. All this set in most exotic place in world, Belize.
Characters-
I loved both MCs of the book Bethany and Derek. They were well written, developed, and perfect for each other.
Bethany– smart, beautiful, talented and was very practical person. Her past made her staying hidden under her chef coat and bandana on head with less make-up, a deliberate simple less attracting life. Behind this she was fun loving, smart, creative, and strong willed person who loved to read romance novels.
Derek– was Rich, handsome, smart and sensible, finance person. He was very much affect by his father’s marriages. I liked him for his honest nature and the way he handled things at the end.
Mariska– Bethany’s best friend. She was such lively efficient sous chef. She was carefree but such a great friend and support to Bethany. I wish I could see her more in next books of the series.
What I liked-
First of all the setting. Narration of Belize and all the places characters visited was so beautiful. It sounded so heavenly that I instantly googled all of them and oh my, I badly want to spend a week there now. It was perfect setting for this sweet, clean romance novella.
Exotic island and exotic food added a very romantic element in the book. As Bethany was chef, food was also important in the book. All Belizean specialties like, Conch Fritters, Johnny Cakes, Lobster and places where best food is served were mentioned. What to do in Belize, places to visit everything was there with the story. I will take this book as tour guide with me whenever I get a chance to visit this place. 😉 It was really amazing and best part of the book. It gave feeling of being transported to Belize.
Jilted was narrated from viewpoint of both protagonists- Derek and Bethany. I enjoyed Bethany’s thoughts more than Derek. She was such an interesting character. I hated it when she minimized herself because of someone else’s mistake. The way she came out when she was free on tour with Derek was such beautiful thing to read in the book.
Climax was unexpected but end was expected and obvious. I liked the story even more from climax to end. Deep thoughts of Mariska and slow revelation of love by Derek was so adorable. Poor guy, he understood situation and person so well but it took long to understand his feeling and what he was doing. But his words at the end were so beautiful that made me fall in love with him.
It’s bad that it was novella, I just wanted to keep reading and never stop. It was best vacation and beach read.
Overall, well written, well developed characters, perfect pace, clean romance and lovely story. I so damn strongly recommend this book.
February 28, 2016
This has been nominated for a 2016 Swoony Award. Share the love and vote for it here.
Loved it!
Bethany is the head chef at an exclusive resort, she ran away from her cheating fiancé and never looked back, starting a new life in Belize. She's good at what she does, she loves her job, the island and the life she has created for herself. She is content. Or so she thinks, but once Derek enters the picture she starts to question the walls she's built up.
Derek is about to get married and doesn't understand the cold feet he's been having. When his fiancé leaves him at the alter he feels relief. He also is intrigued by the cute chef and figures since he's there might as well convince her to play his tour guide for the week.
I thought this was just a fun read, a quick escape. Bethany and Derek were both very likable characters, its easy to see why Bethany falls so quickly for Derek. They have a fun relationship, but how serious can things get in only a few days? I loved the setting and the fun memories it brought back from my own trip to Belize a few years ago. It makes for a great setting for a story and a romance. Since it is a novella, things move along quickly. I loved that we get an epilogue, but a part of me would have liked to see a peek at all the in-between. Overall, an enjoyable read with a sweet romance.
Content
Romance: Clean
Language: None
Violence: None
Religious: None
Source: Free via authors newsletter
February 29, 2016
What a fun story! He's been jilted at the altar, she's his personal chef turned tour guide. What they didn't plan for was the attraction they'd feel for each other. Predictable but still a great story.
Content: Clean (passionate kissing)
Source: Free ebook for subscribing to her newsletter
Content: Clean (passionate kissing)
Source: Free ebook for subscribing to her newsletter
February 4, 2025
Cute story on being left at the alter, and finding someone to love again. It was a quick romance novella, so it all happens in 3 days. But the story was good on how some don't see their whole potential, some think they are not the person others see, and in the end they discover they are perfect for each other.
Would not classify this as a Christian book, but it was a clean romance.
Would not classify this as a Christian book, but it was a clean romance.
October 17, 2017
I'm not always a fan of novellas, but this one hits the spot. It's a tropical holiday, a fine dining experience, and a romance all rolled into one! Great writing that manages to fit a well-developed story into a short amount of space. Just right for a little night-cap after a hard day!
September 9, 2017
Really cute story. Well developed for being a novella.
October 14, 2017
This is such a fun destination romance! There's seriously a part of me that wants to move to a foreign country now. Private island, tropical climate, loads of delicious food, adventurous exploring, and a sweet friends to more romance make this a can't put it down read!
April 16, 2021
Such a sweet, if a bit too short love story.
I loved the locale, all the tart of belizean food, it’s beauty, it just totally put me in the mood to go on a tropical vacation.
Chef Bethany Hall is a sweet heroine, and I loved reading her story.
I loved the locale, all the tart of belizean food, it’s beauty, it just totally put me in the mood to go on a tropical vacation.
Chef Bethany Hall is a sweet heroine, and I loved reading her story.
January 20, 2016
Carla Laureano does it again! Once I got started on this novella, I could not put it down, and no one was going to interrupt my reading time with these characters. (Thankfully I was able to read uninterrupted. Best gift ever from hubby and kids!) From scene one I just knew this one was going to be an entertaining read and carry me away to Belize for a few hours as Bethany Hall’s story unfolded.
Set in the Caribbean paradise of Belize, this book not only tells the story of Bethany Hall while she plays tour guide to a jilted groom, Belize becomes a character too. You can almost feel the warm breeze on your face and smell the salty air. This is not your typical scuba diving adventure though, which I loved, Bethany finds other interesting things to do and leaves the scuba diving and snorkeling out of it. Instead we are taken on a tour not only of this beautiful setting, but also we get to watch the emotional struggles develop between these two characters who are disillusioned with love.
The best thing about this novella is the pace at which the story progresses, you are not left in agony waiting in anticipation while the story slowly develops. Carla jumps right in, and from the opening line, “Bridezilla! Incoming!” you are hooked until the very last page! Romance at it’s best!
This author is one to watch. I can’t wait to see what she has for her readers next! Talented, smart and contemporary, Carla Laureano delivers top quality writing time and time again!
Set in the Caribbean paradise of Belize, this book not only tells the story of Bethany Hall while she plays tour guide to a jilted groom, Belize becomes a character too. You can almost feel the warm breeze on your face and smell the salty air. This is not your typical scuba diving adventure though, which I loved, Bethany finds other interesting things to do and leaves the scuba diving and snorkeling out of it. Instead we are taken on a tour not only of this beautiful setting, but also we get to watch the emotional struggles develop between these two characters who are disillusioned with love.
The best thing about this novella is the pace at which the story progresses, you are not left in agony waiting in anticipation while the story slowly develops. Carla jumps right in, and from the opening line, “Bridezilla! Incoming!” you are hooked until the very last page! Romance at it’s best!
This author is one to watch. I can’t wait to see what she has for her readers next! Talented, smart and contemporary, Carla Laureano delivers top quality writing time and time again!
March 4, 2016
Such a fun, quick read! Ms Laureano did a wonderful job with this delightfully enjoyable romantic comedy.
Even though it was a novella, it didn't feel at all lacking or rushed. It was the perfect escape.
I saw that this is #1 in a series. Hopefully that means we'll see more of Derek and Bethany! Maybe Mariska will get her own HEA?
Final thoughts: Ms Laureano's descriptive storytelling is at the top of my favorites list. She can describe something so well that I feel like I'm seeing the place or eating the food myself. 1) all that description of their dinners made my mouth water! 2) up next on my travel bucket list: Belize!
Even though it was a novella, it didn't feel at all lacking or rushed. It was the perfect escape.
I saw that this is #1 in a series. Hopefully that means we'll see more of Derek and Bethany! Maybe Mariska will get her own HEA?
Final thoughts: Ms Laureano's descriptive storytelling is at the top of my favorites list. She can describe something so well that I feel like I'm seeing the place or eating the food myself. 1) all that description of their dinners made my mouth water! 2) up next on my travel bucket list: Belize!
November 1, 2018
Just got my hands on this story recently, but I couldn't help thinking of Laureano's 'Saturday Night Supper Club' as I read this one. With plenty of chef dialogue, as Bethany is cooking in the kitchen for the resort guest, I recalled how much I loved the author's foodie style.
Short, novella with lots of great interaction between Bethany & Derek - its worth the read.
Short, novella with lots of great interaction between Bethany & Derek - its worth the read.
March 10, 2016
Short, fun, full of sparks and romantic tension. Fantastic setting! (I have been reading about Belize for months- I want to go there. This book made me want it even more!)
July 23, 2020
Just not my cup of tea...
November 27, 2021
A fun romantic novella with a journey of personal growth and great banter between Chef Bethany Hall and Derek Moretti. So enjoyable! Planning on binge reading all the novellas in this series next!
July 27, 2016
Loved it from beginning to end!
January 28, 2016
I love the way this author works a mini travelog into her stories. This one had me enjoying the tropical breezes, sights, and smells of Belize. It was a great read; I loved it!
November 21, 2021
What a fun and engaging read! I really loved my time reading Jilted by Carla Laureano. The first thing to know about this book is it’s a novella, so it’s a super fast-paced story. The romantic chemistry between Bethany and Derek ignites fairly immediately, but that’s to be expected. It is a novella after all. I have to say the insta-attraction is well written. Sometimes, you really know when you meet the one. And, even though they are reluctant to admit it because they are both love cynics, Bethany and Derek know they’ve met someone different, someone special. Laureano does a great job pacing Bethany and Derek’s meet-cute, their blossoming friendship and attraction, and their inevitable happily ever after. I found their story believable. The issues that Bethany and Derek struggle with in regards to matters of the heart are quite relatable. And, the yummy food and beautiful settings described in this story make me long for a vacation to Belize like yesterday! All in all, Jilted is a really sweet, really enjoyable Contemporary Romance I highly recommend. Head on over to Laureano’s website today to grab your copy of this fun read.
I received a copy of this novella in eBook form from the author, Carla Laureano, via her website in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I received a copy of this novella in eBook form from the author, Carla Laureano, via her website in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 7, 2021
In the novella Jilted by Carla Laureano, this reviewer found a romance worthy of a Hallmark movie.
Bethany Hall is the love-scarred heroine hiding out as the chef of a Belizean restaurant. It is her duty to feed the wedding party and guests of the handsome, financial-wizard groom and his supermodel fiancé.
The bride-to-be suddenly abandons Derek Moretti, the groom. Frustrated, Moretti decides to complete his vacation time alone in the Belizean tropics. And to keep his mind off the aborted nuptials, he hires the now severely less busy chef Hall as his island guide.
One thing leads to another and the two awkward singles find ways to soothe each other, mending wounds each slowly opens up about and eventually own.
Both characters are fully developed. Their emotional scars and life missteps are vividly drawn.
There is nothing graphic or steamy in this island romance, but the attraction is evident. For a fun summer read, I recommend this clean and rewarding love story.
Bethany Hall is the love-scarred heroine hiding out as the chef of a Belizean restaurant. It is her duty to feed the wedding party and guests of the handsome, financial-wizard groom and his supermodel fiancé.
The bride-to-be suddenly abandons Derek Moretti, the groom. Frustrated, Moretti decides to complete his vacation time alone in the Belizean tropics. And to keep his mind off the aborted nuptials, he hires the now severely less busy chef Hall as his island guide.
One thing leads to another and the two awkward singles find ways to soothe each other, mending wounds each slowly opens up about and eventually own.
Both characters are fully developed. Their emotional scars and life missteps are vividly drawn.
There is nothing graphic or steamy in this island romance, but the attraction is evident. For a fun summer read, I recommend this clean and rewarding love story.
November 23, 2021
(4.5 stars) - Truly scrumptious!
This amuse-bouche is a quick but savory read!
It's difficult to find a novella that doesn't leave you feeling unsatisfied in some way. However, this 14 chapter novella is one of the closest to successfully pulling it off that I've ever read.
The pace is pretty brisk, but things develop in a way that feels natural & without making the story feel rushed. The denouement is where it sacrifices some of the story's development for brevity & was a little too patly resolved. However, it's still a very satisfying happily-ever-after!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
This amuse-bouche is a quick but savory read!
It's difficult to find a novella that doesn't leave you feeling unsatisfied in some way. However, this 14 chapter novella is one of the closest to successfully pulling it off that I've ever read.
The pace is pretty brisk, but things develop in a way that feels natural & without making the story feel rushed. The denouement is where it sacrifices some of the story's development for brevity & was a little too patly resolved. However, it's still a very satisfying happily-ever-after!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
April 13, 2020
I enjoyed this novella about Bethany, a chef who left Miami for Belize after her fiance cheated on her. She enjoys working on a private island that caters to the rich and famous. Derek is a wealthy financier who is jilted at the altar, feeling humiliation but also relief. When he decides to stay on the island for the week, he persuades Bethany to be his private tour guide for some excursions in Belize. They are both pretty jaded about love so neither expects anything to change that.
January 27, 2019
When I read a book written by Carla Laureano, I suddenly want to cook or bake something!
She bring such fun adventures into her books. I loved reading about Belize because I've never been there before. It sounds like an amazingly romantic place!
This was a fun book to read!
I received this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
She bring such fun adventures into her books. I loved reading about Belize because I've never been there before. It sounds like an amazingly romantic place!
This was a fun book to read!
I received this book from the author for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
June 17, 2017
Novellas are not usually very satisfying to me but Jilted by Carla Laureano was absolutely delightful. It moved at a good pace but never felt rushed. The characters, Bethany and Derek, were well developed and seemed real. I liked them. It was clean, funny, and a wonderful romance novel romance.
July 2, 2019
This takes place over three days on an island off the coast of Belize. It was a quick read with a happy ending. The food was the best part of this story. The romance was clean, which I liked. I thought it was a Christian romance, but there isn't any religion.
February 3, 2021
4.5 Stars
Steamy but clean with great characters you can't help but fall in love with. Excellent quick read, best for the beach... Or when you're dreaming of one ;)
Warning: may provoke am intense desire to visit Belize.
Steamy but clean with great characters you can't help but fall in love with. Excellent quick read, best for the beach... Or when you're dreaming of one ;)
Warning: may provoke am intense desire to visit Belize.
June 19, 2023
Anything She Writes
I’m such a fan.
Scenes/setting, dialogue/banter, layered characters…Laureano has it all.
There’s a quick-to-slow burn about this read I really like. Nice combination. And she does it so well.
I’ve read every book and enjoyed them all .
I’m such a fan.
Scenes/setting, dialogue/banter, layered characters…Laureano has it all.
There’s a quick-to-slow burn about this read I really like. Nice combination. And she does it so well.
I’ve read every book and enjoyed them all .
January 13, 2019
Cute novella. Would make a great hallmark movie.
August 21, 2020
Recommended by a friend. Although contemporary romances aren’t generally my jam, this little novella was an excellent and quick beach read. And now I’m hungry and want to go to Belize.
November 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. It was a wonderful romance with an adventure on an island. This book was a clean read.
April 21, 2021
This was a sweet, clean romance novella. This would be a great read while on the beach for a day.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews