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Cooking up a Storm
The Coates Inn restaurant in Cape Cod is about to go out of business when its striking owner, Abby, jumps at a stranger's offer of help—both in her kitchen and her bedroom. Storm, a handsome chef, claims to have a secret weapon: an aphrodisiac menu that her patrons won't be able to resist. It certainly works on Abby—who gives in to the passions she has denied herself for years. But can this playboy chef really be Abby's hero if her body means more to him than her heart, and his initial plan was to steal the restaurant from under her nose?
Storm soon turns the restaurant around, but Abby's insatiable desires have taken over her life. She's never known a guy into crazy sex like him before, and she wants to spend every spare moment getting as much intense erotic pleasure as she can. Meanwhile, her best friend Marissa becomes suspicious of the new wonder-boy in the kitchen.
Before things get really out of control, someone has to assume responsibility. But can Abby tear herself away from the object of her lustful attention long enough to see what's really going on?
Storm soon turns the restaurant around, but Abby's insatiable desires have taken over her life. She's never known a guy into crazy sex like him before, and she wants to spend every spare moment getting as much intense erotic pleasure as she can. Meanwhile, her best friend Marissa becomes suspicious of the new wonder-boy in the kitchen.
Before things get really out of control, someone has to assume responsibility. But can Abby tear herself away from the object of her lustful attention long enough to see what's really going on?
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 18, 1998
31 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Emma Holly
93 books1,269 followersI'm a USA Today bestselling author who LOVES the hot stuff, both to read and to write. My favorite obsessions are all things coffee, almost everything on HGTV, and dreaming up new stories.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
July 6, 2010
Wow. Ok. I have never read anything quite like this. The characters were sort of neutral to me, I didn't really like them or care what happened to them but I didn't dislike them either; they just sort of were.
Why did this book get a high rating? It's different. I haven't come across a book quite like this. Sure, it ends with a monogamous (basically) HEA. But getting to that HEA is ... well interesting.
This is erotica hands down. There isn't really another subplot that makes it the book less like porn and more like a romance. All of the major plots of to do with sexual relationships. I suppose what I liked was that it wasn't always conventional. I've read erotica before but it is generally more conventional (boy meets girl, they get their kink on, overcome personal barriers, boy loves girl). Usually from the moment boy meets girl they don't involve themselves in sexual activity outside that relationship (without force or soul crushing guilt) but in this book that doesn't happen. So it's different and I (as a rule) like different.
Will I ever read this book again. Probably not. But I did appreciate it as far as alternative literature goes.
Why did this book get a high rating? It's different. I haven't come across a book quite like this. Sure, it ends with a monogamous (basically) HEA. But getting to that HEA is ... well interesting.
This is erotica hands down. There isn't really another subplot that makes it the book less like porn and more like a romance. All of the major plots of to do with sexual relationships. I suppose what I liked was that it wasn't always conventional. I've read erotica before but it is generally more conventional (boy meets girl, they get their kink on, overcome personal barriers, boy loves girl). Usually from the moment boy meets girl they don't involve themselves in sexual activity outside that relationship (without force or soul crushing guilt) but in this book that doesn't happen. So it's different and I (as a rule) like different.
Will I ever read this book again. Probably not. But I did appreciate it as far as alternative literature goes.
March 28, 2008
Okay, I've been wondering "how much is TOO much?" and I think I have my answer. I would have added a half-star if I could, because I actually did like parts of this book. That's the trouble with Emma Holly - she makes most of her characters so endearing that you care about them in spite of what they do! What they do in this book is: have sex. Lots of kinds. Lots of places. Lots of partners. There's no monogamy to be found. Our heroine drops her boring S.O., meets the hero, and in two encounters loses ALL her inhibitions and begins to pair up with half the town. Even the so-called HEA was tainted for me, as the hero professes his love and INSISTS that when she's going to have sex with other people, she let him know! As I said - too much. I won't quit reading this author, but I will consult with my friends to find out which books of hers stick to pretty much one man/one woman throughout. Gotta' love her characterizations...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2007
As soon as she starts having sex with every named character in the damn book, I threw it across the room.
September 7, 2009
This book is erotica, so if that's not your thing, stop reading.
This a a sweetly romantic, alpha-male-finds-his-true-love-and-changes-his-tomcatting-ways kind of book featuring a chef and the owner of an inn. But it's Emma Holly's version of that story line, so the hero is an amazingly skilled lover, and the end result of getting together is a somewhat open relationship after a sizzling courtship. Along the way, there's very creative foreplay, auto-eroticism, toys, lighthearted bondage, group scenarios of all types, and September-May relationships (not the primary couple - the hero and heroine are both late 20s/early 30s). As always, Emma Holly delivers a smoking hot, lovable story.
This a a sweetly romantic, alpha-male-finds-his-true-love-and-changes-his-tomcatting-ways kind of book featuring a chef and the owner of an inn. But it's Emma Holly's version of that story line, so the hero is an amazingly skilled lover, and the end result of getting together is a somewhat open relationship after a sizzling courtship. Along the way, there's very creative foreplay, auto-eroticism, toys, lighthearted bondage, group scenarios of all types, and September-May relationships (not the primary couple - the hero and heroine are both late 20s/early 30s). As always, Emma Holly delivers a smoking hot, lovable story.
June 26, 2010
From this book, I learned that I don't want to read any more Emma Holly except her paranormal stuff.
I saw no plot, just a series of loosely related events punctuating a series of sex scenes. Now, I like steamy well-written sex scenes when the promote character growth, move the plot forward, or help the characters realize something about their feelings for each other. This was none of the above; it was just sex for the sake of thrills, and I felt dirty reading it. Me, who can read a Jaid Black or a Lora Leigh with relish.
What kind of happily ever after is it when the protagonists never commit to monogamy? This book was not for me. I'm surprised I finished it.
I saw no plot, just a series of loosely related events punctuating a series of sex scenes. Now, I like steamy well-written sex scenes when the promote character growth, move the plot forward, or help the characters realize something about their feelings for each other. This was none of the above; it was just sex for the sake of thrills, and I felt dirty reading it. Me, who can read a Jaid Black or a Lora Leigh with relish.
What kind of happily ever after is it when the protagonists never commit to monogamy? This book was not for me. I'm surprised I finished it.
August 13, 2010
How did I come across this title? I was checking out an author’s massage boards when I came across a discussion titled “hottest sex scene you’ve ever read”. Of course, I had to click on that and read away. “Cooking Up a Storm” by Emma Holly came up often. So that made it official – I had to read this book. And boy oh boy, it really did have a lot of hottish sex in it, let me tell you…
Well, I didn’t think such a thing was possible, but I found this book had too much sex in it! Just as I was learning something about the characters and finally starting to give a damn about them, up starts another sex scene! Goodness gracious, there is even a sex scene that involves harem dancing and togas! (How the heroine kept a straight face during that, I’ll never know! lol) And the men involved were not even considered all that good looking. If I have to suffer through a foursome that includes stage props, the least you could do is include “too beautiful to be true” men.
The book starts off alright. Abby seems cute and Storm (a french-canadian named Storm?!…) was intriguing enough. But I never quite had the opportunity to relate to any of the characters on enough of a level to hope it would all work out in the end for them. There was even an “attempted lesbian love scene” sub-plot and a “my father’s friend wants to do me” story line that made me just scratch and shake my head. The idea behind the story was good (a down on her luck inn keeper and a famous chef who saves the day), but there just wasn’t enough juice in the bottle to make is a great book.
So there it is: Is it possible for there to be too much sex one book? Yes, yes it is. Especially when it gets in the way of your really caring for the characters. Not an awful book, but I was a little disappointed in the end.
Well, I didn’t think such a thing was possible, but I found this book had too much sex in it! Just as I was learning something about the characters and finally starting to give a damn about them, up starts another sex scene! Goodness gracious, there is even a sex scene that involves harem dancing and togas! (How the heroine kept a straight face during that, I’ll never know! lol) And the men involved were not even considered all that good looking. If I have to suffer through a foursome that includes stage props, the least you could do is include “too beautiful to be true” men.
The book starts off alright. Abby seems cute and Storm (a french-canadian named Storm?!…) was intriguing enough. But I never quite had the opportunity to relate to any of the characters on enough of a level to hope it would all work out in the end for them. There was even an “attempted lesbian love scene” sub-plot and a “my father’s friend wants to do me” story line that made me just scratch and shake my head. The idea behind the story was good (a down on her luck inn keeper and a famous chef who saves the day), but there just wasn’t enough juice in the bottle to make is a great book.
So there it is: Is it possible for there to be too much sex one book? Yes, yes it is. Especially when it gets in the way of your really caring for the characters. Not an awful book, but I was a little disappointed in the end.
March 19, 2013
WOW. That's really all I can say. You know, I read everyone's reviews and they all claimed this book was just something you HAD to read to experience it. And I went into it thinking, eh it can't be that over the top....
Boy was I wrong.
After I read this book, I realized I've never properly read erotica before. I have read a lot of what I call "dirty romance" which is click-lit with some heavy sex scenes. I've even read some kinkier "dirty romance" books. But those are NOTHING compared to this book.
For my first taste into the true erotic fiction category, I have to say this was a good choice. I first thought this was a "dirty romance" book and put it on my to-read list a year ago because it was set on the Cape and I have spent many summers there. The book had great characters and despite how much sex was going on, I really liked the story. As for the actual content of the sex scenes, it was probably a little past my personal comfort zone in several of the scenes. I just kept thinking, "there can't be people who really have this.much.sex are there?"
Maybe so, maybe not.
As another reviewer said - would I read this again? No. Am I glad I read it? Yes. I won't be rushing out to find another erotic fiction book to read, but if I did (slash maybe if I DO), I'll look to another Emma Holly book because I thought she did a GREAT job!
Boy was I wrong.
After I read this book, I realized I've never properly read erotica before. I have read a lot of what I call "dirty romance" which is click-lit with some heavy sex scenes. I've even read some kinkier "dirty romance" books. But those are NOTHING compared to this book.
For my first taste into the true erotic fiction category, I have to say this was a good choice. I first thought this was a "dirty romance" book and put it on my to-read list a year ago because it was set on the Cape and I have spent many summers there. The book had great characters and despite how much sex was going on, I really liked the story. As for the actual content of the sex scenes, it was probably a little past my personal comfort zone in several of the scenes. I just kept thinking, "there can't be people who really have this.much.sex are there?"
Maybe so, maybe not.
As another reviewer said - would I read this again? No. Am I glad I read it? Yes. I won't be rushing out to find another erotic fiction book to read, but if I did (slash maybe if I DO), I'll look to another Emma Holly book because I thought she did a GREAT job!
July 14, 2008
Very fun book, with a great many different scenarios, some of which didn't really interest me that much. It's a very well-grounded story, which made it believable or probable. The characters were diverse and you get more than Abby and Storm's story. I would have liked for the ending (not the Epilogue) to be a bit longer; it seemed to come together in too much of a rush for it to be properly savoured. But I like her writing style and she certainly doesn't give you a chance to be distracted - I read this in just a few hours.
August 10, 2011
I read a lot of erotic romances, and this was a first for me. I have to say that wanted to put this one down after the first 15 pages. I'm not one to write bad reviews, but I feel I must express my displeasure, as I was misled by the good reviews. I felt the book had real potential, but the author takes a sweet girl that everyone likes into a "sexual awakening" that gives her no moral compass what so ever. She takes her new found sexual freedom, and basically screws every guy she comes in contact with. I'm not saying that the book didn't have its steamy moments, but I just didn't find this story appealing in the least. To each their own, but this is just my opinion.
December 26, 2015
Oh by gosh, this book is filled with exotic scenes. Honestly, the main woman character was so promiscuousis, I began to feel uncomfortable reading and lost interested in the storyline. I have never read a book, where the main character had so many meaningless sexual experiences with different partners. The books starts with Storm being the one with the repution- a hounddog out for a good time. But things quickly change, and it is Abby that is behaving badly, that Storm's behavior seems mild in comparison.
The best part of this book was the epilogue.
The best part of this book was the epilogue.
June 13, 2015
Steamy does not begin to describe this novel - it's more like smokin' hot. There's not much in the way of action that isn't done in this book - almost any combination of men and women. Definitely not for the faint of heart. This is fairly well written erotica - Holly is a good writer and there is a plot to drive the action. The story centers on Abby and Storm. She's got a restaurant in need of a chef and Storm fits the bill. This is a fun, quick read.
September 3, 2010
I couldn't even finish this. I'm giving this one away.
February 27, 2020
This is the second book that I have read by Emma Holly and again in this book, the female character is definitely one to take charge of their sexual side and are not afraid to explore themselves or with others.
This book is not your typical erotica, where the sexual scenes are predictable, one dimensional and vanilla. The erotic moments and encounters are much bolder, allowing each character to embrace their inner selves and explore their primal side in the safety and comforts of friends and loved ones. Oh and there is also the chance for orgies and group participations and of course pushing the boundaries. There is definitely more inclusion of the male's perspective and hands on role in all this.
I did not like the direction that the story went....where the female character starts discovering her sexual side and ends up sleeping with basically everyone that crosses her path. That got a tad excessive and over the top and completely unnecessary.
This book is not your typical erotica, where the sexual scenes are predictable, one dimensional and vanilla. The erotic moments and encounters are much bolder, allowing each character to embrace their inner selves and explore their primal side in the safety and comforts of friends and loved ones. Oh and there is also the chance for orgies and group participations and of course pushing the boundaries. There is definitely more inclusion of the male's perspective and hands on role in all this.
I did not like the direction that the story went....where the female character starts discovering her sexual side and ends up sleeping with basically everyone that crosses her path. That got a tad excessive and over the top and completely unnecessary.
February 11, 2021
Emma Holly's early works are equal parts examples of cultural foresight and equal parts passé. Her treatment of women's autonomy and consent is rare for the genre in works prior to the mid-2000s and while her inclusion of LGBT characters was a rarity 23 years ago when this was published, their personhood and sexual identity is questionable. (They serve basically as testing grounds for the straight heroine to confirm her own identity against.)
Ultimately, this serves up a very thin plot with wall-to-wall sexual escapades between...literally everyone. Was it meant to be more than it ended up being? Possibly not. But the fact that Holly has written books later in her career that both deliver the genre expectations while also elevating them makes me think that this one is actually just a dud within her oeuvre.
Ultimately, this serves up a very thin plot with wall-to-wall sexual escapades between...literally everyone. Was it meant to be more than it ended up being? Possibly not. But the fact that Holly has written books later in her career that both deliver the genre expectations while also elevating them makes me think that this one is actually just a dud within her oeuvre.
October 25, 2017
Everything people said in their reviews is correct.
Yes, this is hard core erotica BUT the characters are 'meh' and when the main character all of a sudden found her sexual awakening and starting having extremely adventurous liaisons with almost everyone in town? It went beyond ridiculous. And her having sex with her father's friend she has known since childhood was really icky.
also, the ending was a little up in the air, she seemed noncommittal but I wasn't sure; did they or didn't they decide to get married and have an open marriage?
and, did I miss something or did he tell her that his initial plan was to buy the place out from under her?
I appreciate Ms Holly's dedication to erotica and I wanted to like the story but the characters were pretty awful.
Yes, this is hard core erotica BUT the characters are 'meh' and when the main character all of a sudden found her sexual awakening and starting having extremely adventurous liaisons with almost everyone in town? It went beyond ridiculous. And her having sex with her father's friend she has known since childhood was really icky.
also, the ending was a little up in the air, she seemed noncommittal but I wasn't sure; did they or didn't they decide to get married and have an open marriage?
and, did I miss something or did he tell her that his initial plan was to buy the place out from under her?
I appreciate Ms Holly's dedication to erotica and I wanted to like the story but the characters were pretty awful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2022
This book taught me new things about food and cooking, as well as which foods are considered aphrodisiacs. I liked the book but chapter fourteen was unnecessarily raunchy, not sexy. I had a lot of thoughts while reading this. While I know it's a book full of fantasies, I felt like Abby kind of became a bit too wild. That being said, I really enjoyed the seduction between Abby & Storm. That's what kept me reading. The other scenes were just...filler to be honest. Fans of erotic fiction will enjoy this because it's full of steamy sex scenes, but it's DEFINITELY not going to be for everyone. It's WILD!
April 24, 2019
I did like the characters in this book but there was too much sex. In particular, I didn’t like how the, initially, reserved main character became a slut during the book.
I was also expecting more conflict from Abby’s ex Bill as it seemed to be set up that way in the beginning when he told Storm that this was not the end of the relationship but nothing. He just disappeared.
And the epilogue - disappointing. I hoped we would see where Abby’s and Storm’s relationship had ended up but they weren’t even featured!
I was also expecting more conflict from Abby’s ex Bill as it seemed to be set up that way in the beginning when he told Storm that this was not the end of the relationship but nothing. He just disappeared.
And the epilogue - disappointing. I hoped we would see where Abby’s and Storm’s relationship had ended up but they weren’t even featured!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2020
There was no plot. The characters lacked background and I felt no connection to any. It was literally chapter after chapter of poorly written sex scenes. I found numerous grammatical errors and the language was trivial. Do not recommend unless you want a change from watching porn, then probably could work for you.
Would have rated 0 if possible. Glad I only spent 99p on purchasing on a whim.
Would have rated 0 if possible. Glad I only spent 99p on purchasing on a whim.
February 8, 2023
Just okay for me. Stuff that isn't fantasy is harder to get interested in for me. Took me forever to finish
September 22, 2009
Abby runs an inn that is owned by her and her sisters. the inn needs quite a bit of work and a new cook. in comes Storm. his all aphrodisiac menu quickly fills the dining room and sets the inn on the right path for financial success.
right before his arrival at the inn abby broke up with her boyfriend. storm took the opening as a perfect opportunity to give the woman her sexual awakening. and boy does he. apparently abby is the only single woman in all of cape cod. as soon as the town finds out she's single they are lining up (literally) to try to take her out. the inn's dining room is full with apparently every single man on the east coast. brazen after her encounters with Storm and trying to convince herself tat not only does she not have feelings for him but neither does he, she takes up the offer of, well, everyone it seems. abby does her father's long time best friend. then she does a trio of buddies who decide to knock her socks off by staging a full on roman orgy at town hall (!!!). there is scenery, costumes, music, the entire nine yards. at town hall. in their ballroom at midnight, but still town hall. lets see, after that she does a waitress that works for her that is so infatuated with abby she cant even think right. oh, and said waitress is also doing abby's father's BFF i mentioned before. i may be missing some one else she hopped onto but the finale was the best of all. she climbed up on her desk and did a construction worker who was fixing her inn. aka a complete and total stranger.
all this time Storm is pining away for her, trying to figure out exactly how much he loves her and what to do now. going a little crazy that abby seems to have no desire to be monogamous with him. even after the stranger on the desk he still professes his love, proposes a business merger, and a wedding.
err. ok. so it would seem that Storm and Abby would have somewhat of an open marriage if they do go through with it, but i mean enough is enough. the woman is literally humping everything that moves. granted most of them were people she seems to have known forever, but i call that a little out of control. leaving one bed and hopping into 3 others the same night wouldn't make me want to look in the direction of the nearest chapel.
right before his arrival at the inn abby broke up with her boyfriend. storm took the opening as a perfect opportunity to give the woman her sexual awakening. and boy does he. apparently abby is the only single woman in all of cape cod. as soon as the town finds out she's single they are lining up (literally) to try to take her out. the inn's dining room is full with apparently every single man on the east coast. brazen after her encounters with Storm and trying to convince herself tat not only does she not have feelings for him but neither does he, she takes up the offer of, well, everyone it seems. abby does her father's long time best friend. then she does a trio of buddies who decide to knock her socks off by staging a full on roman orgy at town hall (!!!). there is scenery, costumes, music, the entire nine yards. at town hall. in their ballroom at midnight, but still town hall. lets see, after that she does a waitress that works for her that is so infatuated with abby she cant even think right. oh, and said waitress is also doing abby's father's BFF i mentioned before. i may be missing some one else she hopped onto but the finale was the best of all. she climbed up on her desk and did a construction worker who was fixing her inn. aka a complete and total stranger.
all this time Storm is pining away for her, trying to figure out exactly how much he loves her and what to do now. going a little crazy that abby seems to have no desire to be monogamous with him. even after the stranger on the desk he still professes his love, proposes a business merger, and a wedding.
err. ok. so it would seem that Storm and Abby would have somewhat of an open marriage if they do go through with it, but i mean enough is enough. the woman is literally humping everything that moves. granted most of them were people she seems to have known forever, but i call that a little out of control. leaving one bed and hopping into 3 others the same night wouldn't make me want to look in the direction of the nearest chapel.
July 15, 2013
4.5
Abby Coates owns and operates The Coates Inn in Cape Cod, but business isn’t doing so well. She needs a chef and an infusion of cash to do renovations to get her lovely inn back in the black. If she can’t do either she’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
Enter Storm Dupre. A very talented chef from California, Storm needs to get away from the atmosphere of fakeness that surrounds him. When he spies Abby’s ad in the back of a food magazine he falls instantly in love. With The Coates Inn. He senses the owner is desperate and he plots to buy out the inn and make it his own. But we all know about best-laid plans, right?
Ah, Emma Holly, how I love thee, let me count the ways. While this book was originally published in 1998, I didn’t discover Emma Holly until about seven years ago. She has a way of putting the reader right there among her characters and when the scene gets smokin’ hot, well, a voyeur would be right at home.
Take Abby and her sudden need to dump her long term boyfriend who just wasn’t doing it for her just before Storm rolls into her life. Storm loves cooking and sex and he’s made it his life’s passion to be the best at both. He unlocks something in Abby that she didn’t even know was there and now she’s free to explore. And boy does she explore, with Storm and with others. *fans self*
I loved Abby taking charge of her sexual exploration. Some might call her a slut for it, but how can a person know what they like if they don’t experiment? If she were a man no one would raise an eyebrow and that double standard pisses me off. Go, Abby, go!
I didn’t expect to love Storm and his cocky attitude, but underneath it all he has some vulnerabilities that he has to deal with and it makes him an endearing character rather than an irritating one.
Secondary characters are well-fleshed and add a lot to the quality of the story. I wouldn’t mind seeing more stories involving everyone mentioned. All-in-all a smokin’ hot romance.
*Book source ~ My home library.
Abby Coates owns and operates The Coates Inn in Cape Cod, but business isn’t doing so well. She needs a chef and an infusion of cash to do renovations to get her lovely inn back in the black. If she can’t do either she’ll have to declare bankruptcy.
Enter Storm Dupre. A very talented chef from California, Storm needs to get away from the atmosphere of fakeness that surrounds him. When he spies Abby’s ad in the back of a food magazine he falls instantly in love. With The Coates Inn. He senses the owner is desperate and he plots to buy out the inn and make it his own. But we all know about best-laid plans, right?
Ah, Emma Holly, how I love thee, let me count the ways. While this book was originally published in 1998, I didn’t discover Emma Holly until about seven years ago. She has a way of putting the reader right there among her characters and when the scene gets smokin’ hot, well, a voyeur would be right at home.
Take Abby and her sudden need to dump her long term boyfriend who just wasn’t doing it for her just before Storm rolls into her life. Storm loves cooking and sex and he’s made it his life’s passion to be the best at both. He unlocks something in Abby that she didn’t even know was there and now she’s free to explore. And boy does she explore, with Storm and with others. *fans self*
I loved Abby taking charge of her sexual exploration. Some might call her a slut for it, but how can a person know what they like if they don’t experiment? If she were a man no one would raise an eyebrow and that double standard pisses me off. Go, Abby, go!
I didn’t expect to love Storm and his cocky attitude, but underneath it all he has some vulnerabilities that he has to deal with and it makes him an endearing character rather than an irritating one.
Secondary characters are well-fleshed and add a lot to the quality of the story. I wouldn’t mind seeing more stories involving everyone mentioned. All-in-all a smokin’ hot romance.
*Book source ~ My home library.
May 22, 2020
DNF. Honestly, the main character irritated me from the first scene and nothing could save this story for me. It just went further downhill from there. I gave up at 18%. I’ll post the items that irritated me between spoiler tags below and/or you can just look at my activity on this one.
That was before the French-Canadian character who had lived in the US since he was sixteen used the words “flat”, “hire-car firm” and “boot” and before the American woman from Cape Cod used a British slang term for vagina that I admit, I had to go look up. ? There was a hot solo/voyeur scene right before I gave up on the book so if you’re looking for smut and can look past the rest then this book was probably pretty hot for the rest of the story, I just couldn’t go there.
That was before the French-Canadian character who had lived in the US since he was sixteen used the words “flat”, “hire-car firm” and “boot” and before the American woman from Cape Cod used a British slang term for vagina that I admit, I had to go look up. ? There was a hot solo/voyeur scene right before I gave up on the book so if you’re looking for smut and can look past the rest then this book was probably pretty hot for the rest of the story, I just couldn’t go there.
November 10, 2007
Before I went to work one day, I decided to check out the new fiction shelf at work. Among all the bestsellers,I saw this book. Now when I first saw the cover of "Cooking Up a Storm," it was just showed a woman carrying a basket of fruit and label as an "erotic romance".What does that mean? I figured that it was just one of the boring, plotless books that the library buys. Boy, was I wrong.
Before I began reading, I found out some things about the author. Emma Holly is an author for Cheek Press, a publishing company out of London.This piqued my interest and I wanted to see how a Englishwoman would write about Americans.She impressed me a great deal.Now,on to the book.
As I began to read this book about a french chef with plans to take over a small Cape Cod restaurant, I was completely drawn into this book. Not only are the characters well written, but the sex scenes are spectacular. I loved this book so much, I ran out he next day and bought all of Emma Holly's books. Yeah, they're that racy.
Abby is a character that I really enjoyed. She is like a lot of women I know, including myself. She is the type of woman that is full of untapped potential and is afraid of her fully exploring her sexuality. However when Storm is finished with her, she is more than ready to fully embrace any experiences that come her way be it professional or sexual.
Storm is portrayed as a cad when the book first begins. I really felt that he was a guy who was willing to do whatever he had to in order to reach his goal. It is only seen later in the book that we find out the source of his behavior.
I can't stress enough how much I love this book. Not only is it a well written story with a great plot, it also has enough hot scenes to get anyone's pulse racing.
Before I began reading, I found out some things about the author. Emma Holly is an author for Cheek Press, a publishing company out of London.This piqued my interest and I wanted to see how a Englishwoman would write about Americans.She impressed me a great deal.Now,on to the book.
As I began to read this book about a french chef with plans to take over a small Cape Cod restaurant, I was completely drawn into this book. Not only are the characters well written, but the sex scenes are spectacular. I loved this book so much, I ran out he next day and bought all of Emma Holly's books. Yeah, they're that racy.
Abby is a character that I really enjoyed. She is like a lot of women I know, including myself. She is the type of woman that is full of untapped potential and is afraid of her fully exploring her sexuality. However when Storm is finished with her, she is more than ready to fully embrace any experiences that come her way be it professional or sexual.
Storm is portrayed as a cad when the book first begins. I really felt that he was a guy who was willing to do whatever he had to in order to reach his goal. It is only seen later in the book that we find out the source of his behavior.
I can't stress enough how much I love this book. Not only is it a well written story with a great plot, it also has enough hot scenes to get anyone's pulse racing.
November 23, 2012
Didn't really get this book, a lot of sex and very little plot, which is not always a bad thing but in this case not very good either.
It starts out with Abby who is not happy in her current relationship and also in financial trouble with her restaurant. She breaks up with her boyfriend and hires a new chef, Storm, to increase her business. She is attracted to Storm and they start a sexual affair with no strings. Now this is where I get a little confused, she refers to the fact she has only been with her boyfriend and one other man, then she starts an affair with Storm and suddenly she becomes a sex maniac sleeping with everyone? She is frustrated because although they said no strings she finds herself falling in love with him, but apparently not enough to not sleep with anyone who makes an offer.
Storm is the sexy, mysterious new chef who apparently has a troubled past, but you never really learn that much about it, even though they keep refering to it, other than his mother basically abandoned him at age 16. He doesn't want a relationship with Abby other than sex, then he realizes he does even though she is sleeping with everyone else. He goes from this confident sexy womanizer to this guy willing to belittle himself for Abby and ask not that she stop sleeping with other people to be with him but just that she ask him before she sleeps with anyone else.
There were some other characters thrown in I think mostly just to add more people to throw in the sex pot but they didn't really add anything interesting to the story and none of the characters really had enough character development to really get you to care about them anyway.
After reading the synopsis of this book I really thought I would enjoy it but is was just okay.
It starts out with Abby who is not happy in her current relationship and also in financial trouble with her restaurant. She breaks up with her boyfriend and hires a new chef, Storm, to increase her business. She is attracted to Storm and they start a sexual affair with no strings. Now this is where I get a little confused, she refers to the fact she has only been with her boyfriend and one other man, then she starts an affair with Storm and suddenly she becomes a sex maniac sleeping with everyone? She is frustrated because although they said no strings she finds herself falling in love with him, but apparently not enough to not sleep with anyone who makes an offer.
Storm is the sexy, mysterious new chef who apparently has a troubled past, but you never really learn that much about it, even though they keep refering to it, other than his mother basically abandoned him at age 16. He doesn't want a relationship with Abby other than sex, then he realizes he does even though she is sleeping with everyone else. He goes from this confident sexy womanizer to this guy willing to belittle himself for Abby and ask not that she stop sleeping with other people to be with him but just that she ask him before she sleeps with anyone else.
There were some other characters thrown in I think mostly just to add more people to throw in the sex pot but they didn't really add anything interesting to the story and none of the characters really had enough character development to really get you to care about them anyway.
After reading the synopsis of this book I really thought I would enjoy it but is was just okay.
June 20, 2013
This is the only Emma Holly book I have not really liked. First is Ms. Holly's ubiquitous use of the word "gate" to describe pussy. She is the only author I have ever seen to use "gate" and it drives me insane. Then there is this passage: "Your mouth is as sweet as spring flowers," he said as he pulled her on to his lap. "But it's your pussy that's been giving me wet dreams for the last fifteen years, and I've just got to have another poke." WTF??? How is that ever supposed to turn someone on?
Abby goes from having only 2 lovers in her life to being the town bicycle after having met Storm. This too, left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Pun definitely intended.
Overall I enjoyed the story line, but could have done without Abby being the town bicycle. If it would have been just her & Storm it would have been plenty. The sex scenes between them were hot. And I felt like the ending was rushed and left hanging.
Abby goes from having only 2 lovers in her life to being the town bicycle after having met Storm. This too, left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Pun definitely intended.
Overall I enjoyed the story line, but could have done without Abby being the town bicycle. If it would have been just her & Storm it would have been plenty. The sex scenes between them were hot. And I felt like the ending was rushed and left hanging.
September 4, 2011
Well, what is there to say about this book! The story line is very basic and there is only the odd paragraph here and there to remind you of what the story is supposed to be about. There is no real relationship between many of the characters and the friendships that have been described are not very intense apart from all the sexual tension (which may sound interesting to most, however there is no real build up. It all just seems to happen.)
When one thinks of a novel, one thinks of profound description, twists and turns in the story and a layered story line with great social relations/tensions between characters.
Maybe, I was reading this too seriously. If you want to read a fun, naughty little book that involves many sexual scenes (almost on every page) then, yes, this book could be for you. There are a couple of scenes that did make me laugh, but overall I was hoping for a more profound story. It is very naughty in places and there is definitely something for all, regardless of the readers' sexual orientation. And the choice of language is quite crude and I found this quite laughable. Definitley not a book to take seriously!
When one thinks of a novel, one thinks of profound description, twists and turns in the story and a layered story line with great social relations/tensions between characters.
Maybe, I was reading this too seriously. If you want to read a fun, naughty little book that involves many sexual scenes (almost on every page) then, yes, this book could be for you. There are a couple of scenes that did make me laugh, but overall I was hoping for a more profound story. It is very naughty in places and there is definitely something for all, regardless of the readers' sexual orientation. And the choice of language is quite crude and I found this quite laughable. Definitley not a book to take seriously!
September 6, 2011
If you like erotica with a lighthearted twist this book is for you.Follow Abby on her sexual awakening after she employs uber chef Storm to stir up passionate aphrodisiac dishes in the kitchen of her struggling restaurant and turn up the heat of her own sexual desire which has lain dormant too long. The text and the antics of the hero and heroine are playful and Emma Holly does not shy away from introducing a variety of sexual scenarios to illustrate Abby's liberation. These scenarios had me literally laughing out loud. Whilst the plot is not as multilayered as that employed by erotica authors such as Robin Schone I felt that this did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel. I was particularly interested in Storm's character development and how his views on longterm relationships changed, progressing to his HEA with Abby.
June 7, 2011
I'm giving up on this one. I was thinking initially that this was a solid 3/5 stars book. But when she just causally hooks up with her dad's old buddy, that's borderline incest. And she's a cheater, she is seeing the chef, even if they're not serious yet.
I had to stop here and read other reviews. Finding out the main character whores around town, and ends up with an open relationship with the chef (he wants her to tell him when she goes out and cheats), that's it.
What I read, wasn't all that good. I've had trouble getting into the book from the very beginning, and even though I'm almost half way through the book, I can't connect with any of the characters. Oh, and yes, there is such a thing as too much sex. Even in erotica books.
I had to stop here and read other reviews. Finding out the main character whores around town, and ends up with an open relationship with the chef (he wants her to tell him when she goes out and cheats), that's it.
What I read, wasn't all that good. I've had trouble getting into the book from the very beginning, and even though I'm almost half way through the book, I can't connect with any of the characters. Oh, and yes, there is such a thing as too much sex. Even in erotica books.
April 15, 2012
The plot is thin but sometimes you read erotica not for the plot but for the hot sex! I didn't enjoy this story as much because I was distracted by how Abby did not protect herself. She's a business owner, she's intelligent (one would think), she has a college degree.
And yet, she has unprotected sex with Storm on their second coupling. She has unprotected sex with Jack on their first coupling. She has unprotected sex with Peter on their first coupling. This novel is not based in the 70s where such behavior would be acceptable. I kept thinking about all the diseases that they could pass to each other. Doesn't help when reading erotica.
I enjoyed Marissa and Jack's coupling more than Abby and Storm's.
And yet, she has unprotected sex with Storm on their second coupling. She has unprotected sex with Jack on their first coupling. She has unprotected sex with Peter on their first coupling. This novel is not based in the 70s where such behavior would be acceptable. I kept thinking about all the diseases that they could pass to each other. Doesn't help when reading erotica.
I enjoyed Marissa and Jack's coupling more than Abby and Storm's.
December 20, 2015
Yummy! Yummy!
This was by far the best and most beautiful book of erotica
I have ever read! The characters were so well developed I felt like I had grown up in the community. The sexually explicit scenes so tastefully done that they never felt lewd or over done as in so many novels I've read. Emma Holly
has a real gift for writing beautiful, tasteful erotica! I loved all her characters & all their individual sexual quirks that made them each lovable in their own way. The growing
affair/turns to love between Abby and her chef d'jour, Storm, is both touching and hilarious! Anyone who likes
really well written erotica will not want to miss this one.
I know I will be looking for more of Ms. Holly's books!
This was by far the best and most beautiful book of erotica
I have ever read! The characters were so well developed I felt like I had grown up in the community. The sexually explicit scenes so tastefully done that they never felt lewd or over done as in so many novels I've read. Emma Holly
has a real gift for writing beautiful, tasteful erotica! I loved all her characters & all their individual sexual quirks that made them each lovable in their own way. The growing
affair/turns to love between Abby and her chef d'jour, Storm, is both touching and hilarious! Anyone who likes
really well written erotica will not want to miss this one.
I know I will be looking for more of Ms. Holly's books!
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