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Master Chefs #1
Seared
It's been 10 years since Naya saw her stepbrother, Lachlan Christie. In that time, he's become a famous chef, complete with his own hip and trendy Manhattan restaurant...and she's become the woman who can give him everything -- especially her body and soul. But the past doesn't always stay dead, and you can't escape it, no matter how far you fly or how hot you burn.
Naya's determined to win Lachlan and secure them a happily ever after, no matter what it takes -- but is love enough to save her master chef?
In the first book in the Master Chefs series, the forbidden meets the possible -- and passion cooks up a storm.
"SEARED is scorching hot and wicked good fun. The chemistry between Naya and Lachlan is off-the-charts. It's the kinky romance I've been waiting for. If you can stand the heat, buy this book right now!" --Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of the Original Sinners series
Naya's determined to win Lachlan and secure them a happily ever after, no matter what it takes -- but is love enough to save her master chef?
In the first book in the Master Chefs series, the forbidden meets the possible -- and passion cooks up a storm.
"SEARED is scorching hot and wicked good fun. The chemistry between Naya and Lachlan is off-the-charts. It's the kinky romance I've been waiting for. If you can stand the heat, buy this book right now!" --Tiffany Reisz, international bestselling author of the Original Sinners series
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2017
27 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
About the author
Suleikha Snyder
29 books322 followersEditor, writer, American desi and lifelong geek Suleikha Snyder is an author of contemporary and erotic romance. A passionate advocate for diversity and inclusivity in publishing, Suleikha is frequently ranting when she should really be adding to her body of work.
Suleikha lives in Chicago, finding inspiration in genre fiction, daytime and primetime soaps, and anything that involves chocolate or bacon. Visit her online at www.suleikhasnyder.com and follow her on Twitter @suleikhasnyder.
Suleikha lives in Chicago, finding inspiration in genre fiction, daytime and primetime soaps, and anything that involves chocolate or bacon. Visit her online at www.suleikhasnyder.com and follow her on Twitter @suleikhasnyder.
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September 28, 2017Recommended by Tiffany Reisz. Enough said!
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April 24, 2018Erotic romance with tropes up the wazoo--stepbrother, evil manipulating parents, billionaires, soap-operatic antics--done in a very funny, conscious, intelligent way.
I took a while to get to this because ugh stepbrother, and also I'm not into formalised BDSM with people being official subs and calling each other Master and what have you. The BDSM remained a closed book to me, though evidently it works very well for those who like it--if Tiffany Reisz says so, I'm taking her word--but the stepbrother element was, I thought, handled very well and didn't squick me out at all (they don't grow up together). It came across more as a highly inconvenient way to meet underpinning the later conflict, rather than sexy taboo faux incest, and as such it worked very well.
And the story outside the bonking was fantastic. Naya is a great character **who writes soap operas for a living omg** which the author uses to joyous effect to undercut the wild soapy-tropiness of the plot and Lachlan's Hero Behaviour. It is an extremely funny book with some great lines and knowingly absurd plotting: you can really tell the author had a lot of fun, and thus so does the reader. And while there's plenty of 'meant to be together' and submission stuff, we also get a strong sense that the MCs really enjoy one another's company and make a great couple outside the bedroom/dungeon. If you want an erotic romance that delivers on plot and fun and characters, here you go. And a lovely cover too.
I took a while to get to this because ugh stepbrother, and also I'm not into formalised BDSM with people being official subs and calling each other Master and what have you. The BDSM remained a closed book to me, though evidently it works very well for those who like it--if Tiffany Reisz says so, I'm taking her word--but the stepbrother element was, I thought, handled very well and didn't squick me out at all (they don't grow up together). It came across more as a highly inconvenient way to meet underpinning the later conflict, rather than sexy taboo faux incest, and as such it worked very well.
And the story outside the bonking was fantastic. Naya is a great character **who writes soap operas for a living omg** which the author uses to joyous effect to undercut the wild soapy-tropiness of the plot and Lachlan's Hero Behaviour. It is an extremely funny book with some great lines and knowingly absurd plotting: you can really tell the author had a lot of fun, and thus so does the reader. And while there's plenty of 'meant to be together' and submission stuff, we also get a strong sense that the MCs really enjoy one another's company and make a great couple outside the bedroom/dungeon. If you want an erotic romance that delivers on plot and fun and characters, here you go. And a lovely cover too.
December 17, 2017
I’m not even going to lie to you, I asked for this ARC sight unseen and knowing nothing about it just because I think Suleikha Synder is a BAMF on Twitter. As soon as I started reading, I wondered if perhaps I was not the intended audience. It’s a stepbrother romance, which isn’t my favorite; Lachlan and Naya are in a dominant/submissive relationship, which is sometimes too much for me personally; but most damning, Lachlan is a celebrity chef, and I really hate cooking. Like. A lot. (I especially hate people who tell me to watch cooking shows when they hear I don’t like cooking. This is not helpful advice, and I’d sooner watch a show about cooking as I would about doing laundry.) But not to worry, this book is freaking great and all of my doubts were quickly swept away by this amazing writer and her utterly fantastic characters.
Naya and Lachlan are step-siblings, but their parents married when she was 16 and he was 20. Although there was a flirtation, feelings of connectedness, and the beginnings of a nebulous something between them, Naya was sent off to boarding school. Now it’s 10 years later and Lachlan’s father is dead. There are no more impediments to them finally getting together, which they both crave. I could probably go on and on about all the things that work for me in this book, but I’m going to restrict myself to talking about three things I think Seared does superbly well.
First, Suleikha Snyder builds fascinating, well-rounded, believable characters. I wouldn’t call this a second chance at love romance, because although there was chemistry, their relationship was platonic when they were younger. One of my biggest problems with the second chance at love trope is when one of the characters gets put on ice after the separation--and let’s be honest, it’s usually the heroine. People grow and change and experience new things. It’s cheap, lazy writing to halt a character’s emotional development after a failed romance. So imagine my delight at Naya’s description of her last 10 years. She thinks, “I wasn’t one of those girls--those women, I should say--who withered away without their man or turned into a blank page. My pages were all full, with scribbles in the margins. And now that I was back in Lachlan’s world, I knew we had entire books to fill together.” Thank you, Suleikha Snyder! When characters have a gap in their relationship, I expect their time apart to be more formative than the time they spent together. Otherwise, why bother separating them? Both Lachlan and Naya have lived full, meaningful lives. When they reunite, it’s not only that they are more interesting to each other, but they are also more interesting to me as a reader.
Second, although there is a ton of dramatic plot in this book, but it never overshadows the romance. As it turns out, it was Lachlan’s father that separated them, and he did it in the worst possible way. Lachlan thinks, “the cruel bastard had known how much they adored one another. First he’d made it ugly. Then he’d taken it away.” Even from the grave, he’s determined to keep them apart. There’s some lawyerly blackmail in the will, and Lachlan is furious that his father is still trying to manipulate him from the grave. By the way, I loved the Iago-like nature of these machinations. There’s no real satisfying reason for Lachlan’s father to be such a dick, he just is. The question isn’t why, but instead it’s how: how will Lachlan and Naya move forward given these new constraints?
Finally, let’s talk about the care and handling of the male ego. Lachlan isn’t entirely honest about Naya regarding the contents of the will, but Naya knows damn well something happened with it. Lachlan decides he should follow the terms of the will, not because he cares about the money, but because of the threats towards Naya and her mother. Naya knows full well that he is trying to push her away. This is where we get the payoff from those 10 years apart: she was sent away once before, she’s not going to let that happen again. Suleikha Snyder shows Naya to be both heartbroken and also determined to fight for him---and I loved that. Women can be sad and pissed and crying and determined to fight for their happiness all at the same time.
One last thing, the book is super hot and sexy. On Goodreads, Tiffany Reisz said, “It's fan-fucking-tastic with the emphasis on the "fucking." OMG so hot.” It would be downright churlish to question Tiffany Reisz on a heat rating, right? I also want to address my initial worry that the BDSM scenes would be too intense for me, but it was fine. The kink they are exploring is what worked for them, and I could see how the scenes built intimacy between them.
Even an anti-foodie like me thought this one was a delicious treat. And trust me, I’ve been trying like hell to avoid all food-related metaphors for this entire review. Just read this delightful book!
crossposted from The Book Queen's site!
Naya and Lachlan are step-siblings, but their parents married when she was 16 and he was 20. Although there was a flirtation, feelings of connectedness, and the beginnings of a nebulous something between them, Naya was sent off to boarding school. Now it’s 10 years later and Lachlan’s father is dead. There are no more impediments to them finally getting together, which they both crave. I could probably go on and on about all the things that work for me in this book, but I’m going to restrict myself to talking about three things I think Seared does superbly well.
First, Suleikha Snyder builds fascinating, well-rounded, believable characters. I wouldn’t call this a second chance at love romance, because although there was chemistry, their relationship was platonic when they were younger. One of my biggest problems with the second chance at love trope is when one of the characters gets put on ice after the separation--and let’s be honest, it’s usually the heroine. People grow and change and experience new things. It’s cheap, lazy writing to halt a character’s emotional development after a failed romance. So imagine my delight at Naya’s description of her last 10 years. She thinks, “I wasn’t one of those girls--those women, I should say--who withered away without their man or turned into a blank page. My pages were all full, with scribbles in the margins. And now that I was back in Lachlan’s world, I knew we had entire books to fill together.” Thank you, Suleikha Snyder! When characters have a gap in their relationship, I expect their time apart to be more formative than the time they spent together. Otherwise, why bother separating them? Both Lachlan and Naya have lived full, meaningful lives. When they reunite, it’s not only that they are more interesting to each other, but they are also more interesting to me as a reader.
Second, although there is a ton of dramatic plot in this book, but it never overshadows the romance. As it turns out, it was Lachlan’s father that separated them, and he did it in the worst possible way. Lachlan thinks, “the cruel bastard had known how much they adored one another. First he’d made it ugly. Then he’d taken it away.” Even from the grave, he’s determined to keep them apart. There’s some lawyerly blackmail in the will, and Lachlan is furious that his father is still trying to manipulate him from the grave. By the way, I loved the Iago-like nature of these machinations. There’s no real satisfying reason for Lachlan’s father to be such a dick, he just is. The question isn’t why, but instead it’s how: how will Lachlan and Naya move forward given these new constraints?
Finally, let’s talk about the care and handling of the male ego. Lachlan isn’t entirely honest about Naya regarding the contents of the will, but Naya knows damn well something happened with it. Lachlan decides he should follow the terms of the will, not because he cares about the money, but because of the threats towards Naya and her mother. Naya knows full well that he is trying to push her away. This is where we get the payoff from those 10 years apart: she was sent away once before, she’s not going to let that happen again. Suleikha Snyder shows Naya to be both heartbroken and also determined to fight for him---and I loved that. Women can be sad and pissed and crying and determined to fight for their happiness all at the same time.
One last thing, the book is super hot and sexy. On Goodreads, Tiffany Reisz said, “It's fan-fucking-tastic with the emphasis on the "fucking." OMG so hot.” It would be downright churlish to question Tiffany Reisz on a heat rating, right? I also want to address my initial worry that the BDSM scenes would be too intense for me, but it was fine. The kink they are exploring is what worked for them, and I could see how the scenes built intimacy between them.
Even an anti-foodie like me thought this one was a delicious treat. And trust me, I’ve been trying like hell to avoid all food-related metaphors for this entire review. Just read this delightful book!
crossposted from The Book Queen's site!
February 14, 2018
I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS GOING TO BE A BDSM STORY.
Ok, now that that's out there, I can breathe again. I don't mind BDSM stories, and I've enjoyed several in the past, but it would have been nice to know it was one going in.
But honestly, that was torture, and not of a good kind. It started out ok, if a bit more on the erotica-sans-plot side. Then a plot was introduced, but I never cared. Because I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters.
Fine, I cared enough to force myself to the finish line, but only because the book is like 150 pages long. And yet it took a lot of willpower to read one page after the next. But I got there, and I can say with 100% certainty that this book and I were not meant for each other. I just found it increasingly dull.
There was a lot of weirdness, with everyone having "kinks". Like I know everyone has their own particular tastes in the background, but it was super weird that stepsiblings were even beginning to explore D&S in a non-sexual way when one was underage. Plus the totally random nuggets of info about other people's "kinks"? Were they necessary??? I mean, I would not want my mom to know what I get up to in the bedroom, and it's not even that kinky. Wow.
I keep using the word "kink" because the author kept using it. Over and over, always talking about kinks and rules and spanking. WE GET IT. It's almost like the author did all this research on the subject and felt the need to drive it home how much she knew. It was never subtle. She wanted to prove a point, prove she was not E.L. James (who gives BDSM a bad name). But instead, it was like the whole book was primarily about Being a Submissive or Being a Dominant and oh, aren't we just perfectly imperfect? Everything suffered at the hands of the need to make this A BDSM Book: the characters, the plot, my will to live. All I can say about Lachlan is he is a chef who likes to have control; likewise, the only things I know about Naya are that she's a writer for a German soap opera who likes pain. (And she had to keep bringing it up.) It was all just sex in this book, and not anything that got me excited because it was too forced.
I will say that the one thing the book had going for it was that it featured a POC for its heroine, and not in a stereotypical way. I could relate to Naya on the international upbringing and having a chameleon accent, so it was nice to see that. I also liked how she pushed for clear boundaries and consent, even when Lachlan initially tried to impose his control on her at their reunion at the start.
I can't really say anything more because that was basically the whole book. It was painful, and I am just glad it's over. Let's hope the next book I read for this month's food romance theme is better...
This review was originally posted on Love in a time of Feminism
Ok, now that that's out there, I can breathe again. I don't mind BDSM stories, and I've enjoyed several in the past, but it would have been nice to know it was one going in.
But honestly, that was torture, and not of a good kind. It started out ok, if a bit more on the erotica-sans-plot side. Then a plot was introduced, but I never cared. Because I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters.
Fine, I cared enough to force myself to the finish line, but only because the book is like 150 pages long. And yet it took a lot of willpower to read one page after the next. But I got there, and I can say with 100% certainty that this book and I were not meant for each other. I just found it increasingly dull.
There was a lot of weirdness, with everyone having "kinks". Like I know everyone has their own particular tastes in the background, but it was super weird that stepsiblings were even beginning to explore D&S in a non-sexual way when one was underage. Plus the totally random nuggets of info about other people's "kinks"? Were they necessary??? I mean, I would not want my mom to know what I get up to in the bedroom, and it's not even that kinky. Wow.
I keep using the word "kink" because the author kept using it. Over and over, always talking about kinks and rules and spanking. WE GET IT. It's almost like the author did all this research on the subject and felt the need to drive it home how much she knew. It was never subtle. She wanted to prove a point, prove she was not E.L. James (who gives BDSM a bad name). But instead, it was like the whole book was primarily about Being a Submissive or Being a Dominant and oh, aren't we just perfectly imperfect? Everything suffered at the hands of the need to make this A BDSM Book: the characters, the plot, my will to live. All I can say about Lachlan is he is a chef who likes to have control; likewise, the only things I know about Naya are that she's a writer for a German soap opera who likes pain. (And she had to keep bringing it up.) It was all just sex in this book, and not anything that got me excited because it was too forced.
I will say that the one thing the book had going for it was that it featured a POC for its heroine, and not in a stereotypical way. I could relate to Naya on the international upbringing and having a chameleon accent, so it was nice to see that. I also liked how she pushed for clear boundaries and consent, even when Lachlan initially tried to impose his control on her at their reunion at the start.
I can't really say anything more because that was basically the whole book. It was painful, and I am just glad it's over. Let's hope the next book I read for this month's food romance theme is better...
This review was originally posted on Love in a time of Feminism
January 3, 2018
A very fun, fast, HOT read. I adored their affection for each other. I don’t usually go in for stepsibling romances (as a stepsibling myself), but this was handled in such a way that it was clear they never considered each other brother and sister, but rather best friends.
May 24, 2021
I am not a big fan of step-sibling romances but this one was really well done and I loved that it features a more diverse cast that is typical. I just wish it had more cooking in the book. I love descriptions of food in my romances.
I purchased the version with only the hero on the cover. I am not sure what is happening with this Goodreads version of the cover since the main character is a person of color.
I purchased the version with only the hero on the cover. I am not sure what is happening with this Goodreads version of the cover since the main character is a person of color.
December 12, 2017
3.5 stars
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the heroine in this story a lot. She’s complex and compelling, she knows what she wants and goes after it, she’s got a tremendous amount of strength and a lovely vulnerability. She is badass and awesome and deserves someone who would step up for her and be brave and match her vulnerability and honesty.
I wasn’t sure that the hero deserved her. Her feelings for him, her trust in him, didn’t feel earned in the context of the story. The thing I liked best about him was that her awesome mom thought he was good for her. But I honestly wasn’t sure I agreed. I felt like I was told about their being fated and right for each other, but I didn’t get to see that in action, really.
Perhaps because of that, for me, this story was more effective as erotica than it was as romance. It’s very much a stepbrother fantasy kink. In the present, you will find D/s, pain play, fisting, orgasm control, a range of sex acts, all deeply consensual between adults. In references to the past, when he was the older stepbrother and she was a teenager, it teases at dubcon elements (like grooming) without going full-on there, in a way that feels like it’s mostly about evoking the this is forbidden but we can’t help ourselves kind of stuff. It also plays with the chef as dominant thing, and is the first story I’ve read that does that. I liked that element a lot.
Seared brings the heat, and the UST, and makes a clear consistent effort to show the heroines consent to, desire for and pursuit of the kink that occurs. I really enjoyed that about it.
The descriptions of fisting did not fit my experience of it, but it’s rare that I find erotica that describes fisting in ways that resonate for me. Early in the story, the diversity of sex acts was something I really appreciated about the erotic scenes in the book. So I was caught off guard by the later quite marked framing of PIV as the ultimate and most real and most intimate sex act.
The heroine references being into bottoming to folks who are a range of genders, and only wanting sex with men. I really appreciated the way it differentiated between attraction for sex vs attraction for kink, something I would love to see more stories do, as it resonates both with my own experience and with what I see in kink communities. I hesitate to call the heroine bisexual or pansexual, as it’s about kink, not sexual attraction, and we don’t really have current shorthand for kink-focused attraction.
The story has a lot of lovely humor. I especially appreciated the jokes about chef rivalries, the soap opera references, the food jokes, and the jokes about 90s music. I enjoyed the way the book felt a bit cheeky and like it was winking at me, while also being unabashedly cheesy in other moments, and full of angst at yet other moments. That more than anything (except perhaps the way it embraced the forbidden aspect) made it feel like a soap opera, which added an enjoyable element to my reading experience. When it ends, it feels like there is more to come, while still feeling like this arc is resolved. Which also feels a bit like a soap opera, now that I think of it!
Trigger warnings
A copy was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
I really liked the heroine in this story a lot. She’s complex and compelling, she knows what she wants and goes after it, she’s got a tremendous amount of strength and a lovely vulnerability. She is badass and awesome and deserves someone who would step up for her and be brave and match her vulnerability and honesty.
I wasn’t sure that the hero deserved her. Her feelings for him, her trust in him, didn’t feel earned in the context of the story. The thing I liked best about him was that her awesome mom thought he was good for her. But I honestly wasn’t sure I agreed. I felt like I was told about their being fated and right for each other, but I didn’t get to see that in action, really.
Perhaps because of that, for me, this story was more effective as erotica than it was as romance. It’s very much a stepbrother fantasy kink. In the present, you will find D/s, pain play, fisting, orgasm control, a range of sex acts, all deeply consensual between adults. In references to the past, when he was the older stepbrother and she was a teenager, it teases at dubcon elements (like grooming) without going full-on there, in a way that feels like it’s mostly about evoking the this is forbidden but we can’t help ourselves kind of stuff. It also plays with the chef as dominant thing, and is the first story I’ve read that does that. I liked that element a lot.
Seared brings the heat, and the UST, and makes a clear consistent effort to show the heroines consent to, desire for and pursuit of the kink that occurs. I really enjoyed that about it.
The descriptions of fisting did not fit my experience of it, but it’s rare that I find erotica that describes fisting in ways that resonate for me. Early in the story, the diversity of sex acts was something I really appreciated about the erotic scenes in the book. So I was caught off guard by the later quite marked framing of PIV as the ultimate and most real and most intimate sex act.
The heroine references being into bottoming to folks who are a range of genders, and only wanting sex with men. I really appreciated the way it differentiated between attraction for sex vs attraction for kink, something I would love to see more stories do, as it resonates both with my own experience and with what I see in kink communities. I hesitate to call the heroine bisexual or pansexual, as it’s about kink, not sexual attraction, and we don’t really have current shorthand for kink-focused attraction.
The story has a lot of lovely humor. I especially appreciated the jokes about chef rivalries, the soap opera references, the food jokes, and the jokes about 90s music. I enjoyed the way the book felt a bit cheeky and like it was winking at me, while also being unabashedly cheesy in other moments, and full of angst at yet other moments. That more than anything (except perhaps the way it embraced the forbidden aspect) made it feel like a soap opera, which added an enjoyable element to my reading experience. When it ends, it feels like there is more to come, while still feeling like this arc is resolved. Which also feels a bit like a soap opera, now that I think of it!
Trigger warnings
February 11, 2020
4 1/2 STARS Sexy, kinky, and emotional. Loved it. I need book 2 though. I need Wil's story. And I need some unanswered questions wrapped up! <3
December 18, 2017
5/5 stars for heat + 3/5 stars for plausibility of plot = 4/5 stars
I just kept thinking about the ethics violations the evil lawyer was opening himself up to and it distracted just a smidge from the kink, but otherwise, I was super into this and can't wait to read more in this series.
I just kept thinking about the ethics violations the evil lawyer was opening himself up to and it distracted just a smidge from the kink, but otherwise, I was super into this and can't wait to read more in this series.
August 7, 2018
→ new fave!!
→ forbidden romance
→ ex step sibilings!
→ Indian-American heroine
→ she's a writer, he's a celebrity chef
→ BDSM/kink
→ super interesting power dynamics and relationships
→ they've loved each other for 10 years💖
→ forbidden romance
→ ex step sibilings!
→ Indian-American heroine
→ she's a writer, he's a celebrity chef
→ BDSM/kink
→ super interesting power dynamics and relationships
→ they've loved each other for 10 years💖
Read
September 21, 2022DNF at 10% - didn’t realize this was step-siblings, and leans hard into the sister/brother stuff. Not my thing at all.
August 22, 2018
I got this book because of the gorgeous cover. And that's pretty much the best thing about it.
The premise and plot were just too much. If you're a multimillionaire and someone blackmails you, you lawyer up, not engage in illegal hacking. Too much ridiculousness without a sense of fun.
The story switched between the heroine's first person POV, and the hero's third person POV. The switch between the two was very distracting.
I finished, but it was a struggle.
The premise and plot were just too much. If you're a multimillionaire and someone blackmails you, you lawyer up, not engage in illegal hacking. Too much ridiculousness without a sense of fun.
The story switched between the heroine's first person POV, and the hero's third person POV. The switch between the two was very distracting.
I finished, but it was a struggle.
March 1, 2022
3 stars.
So there was a lot of sex mentioned in this book. That’s basically all the MCs are doing for vast swathes of the story. But we don’t actually see that much of it? A couple briefer scenes. Plus a ton of “we fucked all night” or “her ass was bruised.” For a book where all the characters do is think about doing it, I expected/wanted to see a lot more of that play out on page.
Instead we mostly got “we belong together” thoughts and plot about the asshole dad
Contains: ex-step siblings (met at 16f, 21m — story set at ~27f, 32m), formal D/s, master, airplane sex, impact play, shower sex, fisting, lube in MF, mention of past sex club experience, jealous hero, reunited after 10 years, forbidden by dad, desi heroine/Scottish hero, celeb chef hero, soap opera writer heroine, blackmail, intercontinental travel
3.5/5🔥
So there was a lot of sex mentioned in this book. That’s basically all the MCs are doing for vast swathes of the story. But we don’t actually see that much of it? A couple briefer scenes. Plus a ton of “we fucked all night” or “her ass was bruised.” For a book where all the characters do is think about doing it, I expected/wanted to see a lot more of that play out on page.
Instead we mostly got “we belong together” thoughts and plot about the asshole dad
Contains: ex-step siblings (met at 16f, 21m — story set at ~27f, 32m), formal D/s, master, airplane sex, impact play, shower sex, fisting, lube in MF, mention of past sex club experience, jealous hero, reunited after 10 years, forbidden by dad, desi heroine/Scottish hero, celeb chef hero, soap opera writer heroine, blackmail, intercontinental travel
3.5/5🔥
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2018
Not sure if this wanted to be a contemporary romance or an e-rom; it seemed to hang on their sexual relationship, but then would flip over to real plot and skip over all of the sex that was so important to their connection. And I wasn't clear on what exactly the relationship between them was when they were younger; only close to the end is it spelled out that there was no physical relationship before, but enough that there were pictures that were later doctored? The switch between first-person POV for Naya and third-person for Lachlan was also really jarring to me. Naya is a great character and smart and aware of her role in this meta-soap opera, but she couldn't save this one for me.
April 21, 2018
3.5 Very engaging and sexy story - I liked the main characters who despite one major plot point, were very straightforward and open with each other. It’s hot and I enjoyed the setting.
I had questions that I didn’t feel were answered 100% but I guess that’s life. We don’t always know what motivates people.
I had questions that I didn’t feel were answered 100% but I guess that’s life. We don’t always know what motivates people.
July 4, 2018
Very fun and fast. I don't know if it'll stick in my mind at all in the future, but I have it on ebook if I'd like to revisit it. I will keep an eye out for the sequels as I can already see some of the possible characters for those books.
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July 18, 2018A perfect marriage of tone, plot, and characters. Also, delightfully soap-y: so over the top in its dramatic situations, so committed to slam-dunking wonderfully set-piece-y character moments and exchanges. It also probably sets a record for the amount of joyful food puns. I was pleasantly surprised that the POV choice (Naya in first-person, Lachlan in third-person) worked so well thematically and, aside from noting it when it first occurred, I wasn't jarred by it at all. I wouldn't recommend this to readers who would mind frequent mini flashbacks (short italicized dialogue exchanges from the past); that was actually the writing quirk I was most tripped up by.
I'm still skeeved out that their attraction and their dynamic started when Naya was sixteen (and Lachlan was twenty-one), though. Even if they didn't touch, they didn't do anything aside from banter, even if Lachlan was a responsible adult. Because: still ADULT. :/
I'm still skeeved out that their attraction and their dynamic started when Naya was sixteen (and Lachlan was twenty-one), though. Even if they didn't touch, they didn't do anything aside from banter, even if Lachlan was a responsible adult. Because: still ADULT. :/
September 21, 2018
So, this book came from a Smart Bitches recommendation. Amanda also shared a fantastic cocktail recipe. I've been drinking this all summer. It's really good. https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/2...
Though, Amanda has had me drinking whiskey/bourbon drinks for the past several summers.
Back to the story.
This is a short read. Shorter than I anticipated. There is sex. A lot of it. The BDSM is sort of glossed over. It's there in some open door scenes, but there is definitely more explicit scenes in a Cherise Sinclair novel. Overall, this is a love story. They have some bumps to work through, but this is most definitely a soul-bonding love story. The concept if very taboo, but this story is not. Ms. Snyder does a wonderful job of making the taboo not taboo. I was very happy for Naya and Lachlan finding their HEA. This book is worth any uncomfy feelings you think it will give you.
Though, Amanda has had me drinking whiskey/bourbon drinks for the past several summers.
Back to the story.
This is a short read. Shorter than I anticipated. There is sex. A lot of it. The BDSM is sort of glossed over. It's there in some open door scenes, but there is definitely more explicit scenes in a Cherise Sinclair novel. Overall, this is a love story. They have some bumps to work through, but this is most definitely a soul-bonding love story. The concept if very taboo, but this story is not. Ms. Snyder does a wonderful job of making the taboo not taboo. I was very happy for Naya and Lachlan finding their HEA. This book is worth any uncomfy feelings you think it will give you.
July 26, 2022
Really nice control of narration--1st person for FMC, 3rd limited for MMC. The variation was well done! I liked both parts. I really liked that the FMC's job as a writer of soaps helped her to be a major player in the resolution of the (boring/ stupid) obstacle. I loved the way the author had the main characters get the impetus/ encouragement they needed to solve the (boring/ stupid) obstacle.
As a Gordon Ramsey fan, I liked the premise and the characterization. I liked the setup (unrelated stepsiblings acting on a previously forbidden attraction). The chemistry was good and would've been better if the story had a different timeline--as it was, it began at the moment they could start acting on their initial attraction. The obstacle was boring/ stupid. as I've mentioned before.
So--in general, a lot of potential, and powerful writing! I think better advice from a better editor would've made for a better book.
As a Gordon Ramsey fan, I liked the premise and the characterization. I liked the setup (unrelated stepsiblings acting on a previously forbidden attraction). The chemistry was good and would've been better if the story had a different timeline--as it was, it began at the moment they could start acting on their initial attraction. The obstacle was boring/ stupid. as I've mentioned before.
So--in general, a lot of potential, and powerful writing! I think better advice from a better editor would've made for a better book.
January 15, 2018
Opening 10 years after its two protagonists last saw each other, Naya returns to New York City after the death of her stepfather to attend his funeral—and to see her stepbrother/love of her life/Dom in waiting Lachlan. I had a hard time with the way the two step immediately into a relationship after ten years apart (especially a kinky one), as well as with the melodramatics that kept them apart in the past (and which still threaten to keep them apart in the present). Also did not understand how or why Naya's mother and Lachlan's father ended up together in the first place; mom seemed far too smart to fall for such a jerk.
Despite these plausibility issues, the kinky sex and love and trust between Naya and Lachlan were portrayed with appealing flair.
Despite these plausibility issues, the kinky sex and love and trust between Naya and Lachlan were portrayed with appealing flair.
December 29, 2017
I read this one over Christmas break and it was so much fun! The heroine is a soap opera writer and it works so well when her life takes a turn for the dramatic. I loved the hero, too, though he’s a chef so that was a bit of a forgone conclusion. Everything about the plot was over-the-top but the story really leaned in and embraced that so that part worked REALLY well and it made me laugh and there were even a few touching moments involving the heroine’s mom, an A+ secondary character. Plus, the chemistry between these two was so hot!
January 2, 2019
I. Am. Hooked.
First of all, any author that is going to reference two of the most dastardly soap opera villains is my heroine for life. I loved this book for many reasons, but I absolutely adored the connection between the MC’s Naya & Loch were destined to be together. Their chemistry was beyond sizzling and their banter beyond compare. This was a story that pulls you in from page one and does not let you go. I’m on a mission to read everything Suleikha Snyder has written, short of her grocery list. They are just so freaking fabulous!!!
First of all, any author that is going to reference two of the most dastardly soap opera villains is my heroine for life. I loved this book for many reasons, but I absolutely adored the connection between the MC’s Naya & Loch were destined to be together. Their chemistry was beyond sizzling and their banter beyond compare. This was a story that pulls you in from page one and does not let you go. I’m on a mission to read everything Suleikha Snyder has written, short of her grocery list. They are just so freaking fabulous!!!
January 2, 2018
Having read other books by Suleikha Snyder, I expected hot and this book delivers in spades (spatulas, maybe?).
I thought the whole step-brother plot would be weird, but it was dealt with in a surprising fashion (they didn't meet until they were teens) that made it palatable. The mystery was nicely done with no jarring plot holes.
Did I say hot? Oh, yeah!
I thought the whole step-brother plot would be weird, but it was dealt with in a surprising fashion (they didn't meet until they were teens) that made it palatable. The mystery was nicely done with no jarring plot holes.
Did I say hot? Oh, yeah!
April 6, 2018
I read it -AND LOVED IT!
5 stars if you get me to read and love a trope I roll my eyes at. The chemistry between Lachlan and Naya is off the charts sexy. The writing is sophisticated, fresh and tight. And this book was FUN, just what I needed.
5 stars if you get me to read and love a trope I roll my eyes at. The chemistry between Lachlan and Naya is off the charts sexy. The writing is sophisticated, fresh and tight. And this book was FUN, just what I needed.
July 5, 2019
This book is so good. I was really into this book, everything that was happening in the book, I felt like I am actually there with the characters watching and observing them. Even their banters were like I am actually listening to them😍. I really like this book and it's scorching hot af.
December 12, 2019
Equal parts kinky and sweet, Seared is the only stepbrother romance that didn't make me wanna throw up in the back of my mouth a little! Snyder does a great job of taking this trope and turning it on its head so that it actually makes sense and doesn't feel like incest.
May 29, 2023
So hot, so wrong, and absolutely perfect. Both Naya and Lock are adults who can make choices for themselves and admit if they're wrong, and that makes their relationship work instead of being an dramedy of angst and miscommunication. They know each other so well, and it shows.
June 26, 2018
Dull. Underdeveloped in both plot and character. I skimmed the last 15% because I just wanted it to be over.
June 24, 2018
Enjoyable read, but probably not for everyone. Did a good job with what could be squicky - stepsiblings in a relationship thwarted by a super toxic parent.
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