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Set to Simmer
Rules for Dakota's new job are pretty simple.-Don't say anything stupid.
-Don't set the house...or yourself... on fire.
-And don't fall in love with your boss's son.
It might be too late for all three
Dumont is made of sarcasm and steel. Despite his career as a cardiovascular surgeon, Sawyer knows very little about matters of the heart. His longest lasting relationship is with his father and his quirky aunt. Now, if he could find them a personal chef to help them through their golden years, then life would be practically perfect.
Slinging drinks is a far cry from the dream Dakota Brightling had when she left home hoping to attend culinary school. Finding an ad for an in-home chef, she knows she's the perfect candidate. She's only missing one thing,professional training. It isn't exactly the path she wanted, but some of the best recipes are often improvised.
With Sawyer's cynicism undermining her every move, she knows she has a lot to prove. Between her lack of schooling, her overbearing mother who thinks she's been abducted, and Sawyer breathing down her neck, things are getting hot in the kitchen. Can she pull it all together in spite of her setbacks, or will her culinary career end as another flash in the pan?
Life is too short to live on the back burner.Note from the This is a slow burn romance with comedy and family relationships. No swearing, violence, or explicit situations. PG-13 by movie standards. Bring snacks, Dakota's cooking might make you hungry.
-Don't set the house...or yourself... on fire.
-And don't fall in love with your boss's son.
It might be too late for all three
Dumont is made of sarcasm and steel. Despite his career as a cardiovascular surgeon, Sawyer knows very little about matters of the heart. His longest lasting relationship is with his father and his quirky aunt. Now, if he could find them a personal chef to help them through their golden years, then life would be practically perfect.
Slinging drinks is a far cry from the dream Dakota Brightling had when she left home hoping to attend culinary school. Finding an ad for an in-home chef, she knows she's the perfect candidate. She's only missing one thing,professional training. It isn't exactly the path she wanted, but some of the best recipes are often improvised.
With Sawyer's cynicism undermining her every move, she knows she has a lot to prove. Between her lack of schooling, her overbearing mother who thinks she's been abducted, and Sawyer breathing down her neck, things are getting hot in the kitchen. Can she pull it all together in spite of her setbacks, or will her culinary career end as another flash in the pan?
Life is too short to live on the back burner.Note from the This is a slow burn romance with comedy and family relationships. No swearing, violence, or explicit situations. PG-13 by movie standards. Bring snacks, Dakota's cooking might make you hungry.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2019
3 people are currently reading
11 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 16, 2019
There are several things I really love about this story. The way it is written is exactly the way Dakota cooks - full of love and brilliance. I love the way the characters are strangers in the beginning and I get to know them along the way, especially Sawyer, not exactly Dakotas employer, but his son, who appears to be very harsh and arrogant at first. The more we get to know him, the more the deep, ragged edges of his personal pain are revealed and he becomes dearer and dearer. I love that Dakota puts her foot in everything, while at the same time excelling at so many other things. I love how she follows her heart, even though it rides her into the deepest muddles. I love the supporting characters, even though some of them never show up except on the phone. Still they have depth and life to them. I love that the story isn't smooth, that things happen you don't want to happen, things that make you cry, things you want to undo, but somehow have to live with. I love the deeply emotional scenes that simply happen without everyone knowing where they will lead and what they mean.
This book is a well crafted menu full of delicious tastes, some raw and gritty, some soft and sweet, but all composed into perfect harmony. A definite must read from me.
This book is a well crafted menu full of delicious tastes, some raw and gritty, some soft and sweet, but all composed into perfect harmony. A definite must read from me.
March 21, 2021
The title is such a fitting analogy...
Keep it in mind when you're feeling frustrated by the protagonists' actions. (Because you will be frustrated by them at times)
The story is well written & does a decent job of pulling you in & getting you to care about the characters. Dakota is trying to not just achieve independence, but fulfill a dream & a promise to her dad. But she's caught up in a losing cycle that she doesn't know how to get out of.
She's sweet, kind of naive, & a little socially awkward. She's also indecisive to the point that she's frequently a pushover.
Her relationship with Fletcher is the most illustrative of her weaknesses - to the point that it's frustrating to watch. She's so desperate to feel that she's accomplished SOMETHING that she's willing to settle for the facade of a relationship.
But she's still a sympathetic character. I loved her passion for cooking which is effectively her love language, & how it built connections & relationships that filled & replaced her previously empty, hamster wheel life
This isn't an action story, but a people one. Particularly, Dakota's growth as a person. Sawyer was an enigma who kept burning hot & cold with Dakota. I was pretty frustrated with him, too, by the denouement, but his growth from there was believable & satisfying.
I enjoyed the story, though I wish we had been given a more extensive ending. After going thru so much with the characters, we needed more time to savor their happily-ever-after.
*Romance level: passionate kisses but nothing graphic
Keep it in mind when you're feeling frustrated by the protagonists' actions. (Because you will be frustrated by them at times)
The story is well written & does a decent job of pulling you in & getting you to care about the characters. Dakota is trying to not just achieve independence, but fulfill a dream & a promise to her dad. But she's caught up in a losing cycle that she doesn't know how to get out of.
She's sweet, kind of naive, & a little socially awkward. She's also indecisive to the point that she's frequently a pushover.
Her relationship with Fletcher is the most illustrative of her weaknesses - to the point that it's frustrating to watch. She's so desperate to feel that she's accomplished SOMETHING that she's willing to settle for the facade of a relationship.
But she's still a sympathetic character. I loved her passion for cooking which is effectively her love language, & how it built connections & relationships that filled & replaced her previously empty, hamster wheel life
This isn't an action story, but a people one. Particularly, Dakota's growth as a person. Sawyer was an enigma who kept burning hot & cold with Dakota. I was pretty frustrated with him, too, by the denouement, but his growth from there was believable & satisfying.
I enjoyed the story, though I wish we had been given a more extensive ending. After going thru so much with the characters, we needed more time to savor their happily-ever-after.
*Romance level: passionate kisses but nothing graphic
November 9, 2019
Fun Clean Romance
I loved reading this fun romance. The story has a perfect measure of romance and humor, and the character depth is an added plus. Author Nellie Neves had me licking my lips when reading about the meals Dakota was making. I will miss these characters, as if they were my real family. Author Neves is an author with skills and she knows how to write a compelling and heart-felt story....one a reader will think about days after it's finished. I look forward to her next book.
I loved reading this fun romance. The story has a perfect measure of romance and humor, and the character depth is an added plus. Author Nellie Neves had me licking my lips when reading about the meals Dakota was making. I will miss these characters, as if they were my real family. Author Neves is an author with skills and she knows how to write a compelling and heart-felt story....one a reader will think about days after it's finished. I look forward to her next book.
February 1, 2020
Wow
Really enjoyed this book. Love food preparation type stories. Like where the characters feel real and grow during the story. I especially like a good ending. This book does that, whilst wringing your heart out with love for this family. I could have read on and on. Enjoyed it all, even the tear jerker parts.
Really enjoyed this book. Love food preparation type stories. Like where the characters feel real and grow during the story. I especially like a good ending. This book does that, whilst wringing your heart out with love for this family. I could have read on and on. Enjoyed it all, even the tear jerker parts.
February 1, 2020
Wonderful!
I immediately got caught up in the story and the characters. The tension and caring woven among the characters kept me engaged. I HAD to finish the book. Wonderful writer!
I immediately got caught up in the story and the characters. The tension and caring woven among the characters kept me engaged. I HAD to finish the book. Wonderful writer!
December 12, 2020
I "devoured" this book in two days - it was that good.
Dakota has wanted to be a chef for as long as she can remember, yet she finds herself a bartender at a resort, no one willing to give her a chance at being a chef. She decides, on a whim, to answer a personal ad seeking a live-in home cook. She lands the job - no one the wiser of her lack of experience - until ...
Mrs. Neves has done a fantastic job of weaving the main story in with several smaller ones.
Read the book!
Dakota has wanted to be a chef for as long as she can remember, yet she finds herself a bartender at a resort, no one willing to give her a chance at being a chef. She decides, on a whim, to answer a personal ad seeking a live-in home cook. She lands the job - no one the wiser of her lack of experience - until ...
Mrs. Neves has done a fantastic job of weaving the main story in with several smaller ones.
Read the book!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews