What do you think?
Rate this book
My overprotective Italian mother would drown me in holy water if she knew I applied to an international cooking show—or how dirty my mind truly is.
Now, I’m Paris bound as one of eight contestants.
I know I’m one of the best new chefs and soon the world will know it, too.
The only thing standing in my way is a bad boy chef with more tattoos than skin.
He’s brilliant in the kitchen and so smoking hot I’d probably need a pair of oven mitts to touch him.
Not that I’d want to. The last thing I need right now is a distraction.
But he’s currently looming in my hotel room with a proposal.
My knowledge of Italian cuisine in exchange for his German sausage.
Sweet Mary, Mother of God, that’s a lot of sausage.
Seared is a sweet and sexy romantic comedy featuring a slow-burn romance between a bad boy chef and a doe-eyed virgin. Travel the world on a global cooking competition and watch as these rivals balance their powerful desire for each other with their intense will to win. HEA and no cheating, Seared is a full-length novel that’s perfect for those who love fine food, celebrity chefs, and reality TV.
Now, I’m Paris bound as one of eight contestants.
I know I’m one of the best new chefs and soon the world will know it, too.
The only thing standing in my way is a bad boy chef with more tattoos than skin.
He’s brilliant in the kitchen and so smoking hot I’d probably need a pair of oven mitts to touch him.
Not that I’d want to. The last thing I need right now is a distraction.
But he’s currently looming in my hotel room with a proposal.
My knowledge of Italian cuisine in exchange for his German sausage.
Sweet Mary, Mother of God, that’s a lot of sausage.
Seared is a sweet and sexy romantic comedy featuring a slow-burn romance between a bad boy chef and a doe-eyed virgin. Travel the world on a global cooking competition and watch as these rivals balance their powerful desire for each other with their intense will to win. HEA and no cheating, Seared is a full-length novel that’s perfect for those who love fine food, celebrity chefs, and reality TV.
265 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2019
215 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Want to read
March 4, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/4/2020)! 🎁
May 28, 2020
I enjoyed this story, the plot and characters were strong. The story was written well. Clara and Liam were made for each other, the connection was strong between them, so wasn't the chemistry, it was sexy. Liam and Clara were good together.
Read
April 20, 2020This was my first time ever reading this sort of romance story, so I'm not sure how to evaluate it. Personally, this sort of romance is not for me - I don't think I find this sort of emotional landscape relatable but I am in "research this genre" mode and even though I don't feel right on an emotional level recommending this one it was a fun place to start. It probably reveals a lot about me that I enjoyed the food writing parts of this book the most haha! Wanted to explore "spicy romance" and I'll leave my overall thoughts at a pleasant "curiosity satisfied." On a professional level, I can't help but admire the hustle of lady romance writers self publishing on Amazon. Honestly, get that coin girl!
November 3, 2020
Seared is an entertaining contemporary romance by Hadley Harlin. Ms. Harlin has provided readers with a fast-paced story. I enjoyed the characters in this book. Clara is a new graduate from CIA and wins a spot in a culinary reality show. Liam's career as a chef was destroyed when he is accused of eating the beef and making a mess of the vegetables at the restaurant where he worked, he joins the competition hoping to get a second chance. Liam and Clara's story is packed with drama, humor, sizzle (not only the cooking) and just a touch of angst. Seared is book 1 of the Cooking Up A Celebrity Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
July 22, 2020
This is the third book of the Celebrity Chef Series by Hadley Harlin and features Clara, a new chef who is on an International Cooking Show, and Liam, who is the bad boy chef of the contest. Both characters are drawn to each other, but the competition keeps interfering in their path to love. I recommend this well written book which is a fun read with amazing characters, an interesting storyline, and steamy attraction.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 6, 2020
Seared and well steamed!!
I've been reading all romance genres, the first when I was 12 and reading any book I could find. I've never been into food for tv or anything other than sustenance. But having said that, here comes a Clara like pun: it was raw, it was sweet, it was deliciously sinful. Being just over twice Clara's age, I still felt some kinship to her journey. And as for the sex, it was steamy and hot and raw. I'll definitely be reading more Hadley Harlin romance. Thanks for adding a little flavor to my piece of the World.
I've been reading all romance genres, the first when I was 12 and reading any book I could find. I've never been into food for tv or anything other than sustenance. But having said that, here comes a Clara like pun: it was raw, it was sweet, it was deliciously sinful. Being just over twice Clara's age, I still felt some kinship to her journey. And as for the sex, it was steamy and hot and raw. I'll definitely be reading more Hadley Harlin romance. Thanks for adding a little flavor to my piece of the World.
June 17, 2020
This was a good book for me at a time when I needed a little laugh, romance and smut. Are you all as down as I am? I needed something to make me laugh a little more than 90 day Fiance. I met the author online, as I do a lot and I gave this series a try. The begining is set up for the series with a cutesy Clara. She is lacking confidence, naive and talented in the kitchen. Stepping into the unknown she applies for a cooking show. I used to watch a lot of Cooking Channel so picturing that she was competing for her own show by entering was easy to imagine. She tells herself she is good and tries really hard. You all know I am an Italian American born and raised in Brooklyn, that qualifies me to understand her mother. I too am very traditional and would break some legs if any of my kids didnt follow my sort of strict rules. First comes love and then life. We don't believe in out of wedlock kids, living together and shared bank accounts before marriage. Don't like it, too bad! I know that women having career paths isnt a favorite either, but off to Paris we go.
This is a sexy, fun and enjoyable read! Parts are a little little cliche, but that's necessary to get you to love Clara. The rivals did keep me amused. This a great and I will finish the series on the beach as summer in So-Cal heats up and the beaches are finally going to open. Seared is quiete sizzling so grab it and enough. You are welcome!
This is a sexy, fun and enjoyable read! Parts are a little little cliche, but that's necessary to get you to love Clara. The rivals did keep me amused. This a great and I will finish the series on the beach as summer in So-Cal heats up and the beaches are finally going to open. Seared is quiete sizzling so grab it and enough. You are welcome!
May 27, 2020
This is the story of Clara and Liam. These two are contestants in an international cooking competition. They are undeniably attracted to each other. Things are going to heat up in and out of the kitchen. I enjoyed this fun entertaining romance. I received an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2020
Seared was my first read by Hadley Harlin and I loved it. Clara are Liam are contestants on a International cooking show that starts in Paris. Liam and Clara could not be more different. Clara is a virgin still living with her very overprotective mother and Liam is the bad boy chef and recovering addict. Their story was well written and I look forward to reading more!
May 31, 2020
This is the 4th book I've read written by Hadley Harlin; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2020
This is my first read from this author and I enjoyed this book. Clara is a virgin who lives at home who is a contestant on a cooking show when she meets a contestant named Liam. He is tattooed and gorgeous who propositioned Clara to her disbelief. The story line is entertaining as are the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 30, 2020
This is a different kind of book, a contestant on a show to win a contest. It showed strengths, weaknesses, how they reacted towards each other and the competition. Also some of the regional foods they had to present. They even had time for romance. A very good book. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and gave my honest opinion.
November 18, 2020
Steamy chefs
Loved this story of chef contestants on a world wide tour with challenges along the way which results in a narrowing of the field of contestants. Clara is the youngest in the field having just finished culinary institute. Liam has been well known but has had a fiery crash of his career. The two become acquainted and makes for an interesting contest.
Loved this story of chef contestants on a world wide tour with challenges along the way which results in a narrowing of the field of contestants. Clara is the youngest in the field having just finished culinary institute. Liam has been well known but has had a fiery crash of his career. The two become acquainted and makes for an interesting contest.
April 2, 2020
Loved this book!! The dynamic between Clara and Liam kept me coming back for more. Both characters are torn between the competition and their raw attraction to each other. As the competition heats up, so does their passion...
April 7, 2020
Good story line... liked both characters but didn’t love either one... too many outside story lines... jumped around at some points and then was kinda dragging at others... nothing overly memorable.
April 11, 2020
Enjoyable read
A very sweet, funny story. I loved Liam (most of the time) and thought he was perfect for Clara. Plus the competition adds an interesting edge to their relationship. Enjoyable read!
A very sweet, funny story. I loved Liam (most of the time) and thought he was perfect for Clara. Plus the competition adds an interesting edge to their relationship. Enjoyable read!
April 21, 2020
2.5 stars
Omg I wanted to love it, and I kinda did in the beginning. I love Top Chef and this book is similar to that competition. Honestly, without giving spoilers, I don’t know where it went wrong but so many places. Ugh
Omg I wanted to love it, and I kinda did in the beginning. I love Top Chef and this book is similar to that competition. Honestly, without giving spoilers, I don’t know where it went wrong but so many places. Ugh
May 17, 2020
The story is good and pretty funny, even if for most of the book Clara is kind of a spoil brat.
On the other end the struggle facing by Liam are well described.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
On the other end the struggle facing by Liam are well described.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 24, 2020
Extremely entertaining, captivating and interesting sexy read. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. I want to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 28, 2020
This is a fun book to read. The characters are well developed and engaging with undeniable chemistry between the couple which made for a great storyline that kept me entertained throughout the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2020
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing!
The author had a unique way of telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The author had a unique way of telling the story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 3, 2020
This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
March 12, 2021
DNF - 31%
Lawd, that was torture. I wanted to like this book but I couldn’t get past the writing and how immature it was. Don’t get me started on the main characters themselves — they were even worse. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to pull the plug at 31%. Next!!
Lawd, that was torture. I wanted to like this book but I couldn’t get past the writing and how immature it was. Don’t get me started on the main characters themselves — they were even worse. I couldn’t take it anymore and had to pull the plug at 31%. Next!!
July 21, 2021
Cute
Rate: 4.1
Chapters: 34 & epilogue
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was a cute storyline to begin with.
Claraws an innocg child ho loved to cook. She applied for a cooking show herdhr meets Laim.
Rate: 4.1
Chapters: 34 & epilogue
Really enjoyed reading this story. It was a cute storyline to begin with.
Claraws an innocg child ho loved to cook. She applied for a cooking show herdhr meets Laim.
November 29, 2021
Yeah wasn't keen on this as soon as the male MC was introduced.
I get some people want to read about a man child down on his luck but straight away I thought oh no thanks. I can appreciate this perhaps is more realistic but I don't read romance for realism!!
I get some people want to read about a man child down on his luck but straight away I thought oh no thanks. I can appreciate this perhaps is more realistic but I don't read romance for realism!!
March 19, 2020
Loved it...
May 25, 2020
Light cooking romance between two cooks with plenty of heat and plot. I received an ARC copy and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2020
Overall an interesting story concept. Good writing and characters. I liked how quickly the book moved along.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 24, 2020
This was a fast, fun and sexy read. Look forward to reading more of this author’s work.
May 27, 2020
Descriptive Food and Venues - 3.5 Stars
The build up to this story I found a bit slow. As the story took off, it became more interesting but I found as well that the ending was a bit lacking, romance-wise. This was an original story, with the two main male and main female characters well developed. The back drop for each food venue was quite descriptive. I found the fishing expedition in Vietnam to be amusing. Overall a nice read.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
The build up to this story I found a bit slow. As the story took off, it became more interesting but I found as well that the ending was a bit lacking, romance-wise. This was an original story, with the two main male and main female characters well developed. The back drop for each food venue was quite descriptive. I found the fishing expedition in Vietnam to be amusing. Overall a nice read.
I voluntarily received an advance review copy of this novel via Booksprout and I am leaving an honest and unbiased review. I have no affiliation to this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews