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Small Town Romance #2
The Bad in Each Other
Sous Chef, Birdie Malone is willing to do anything to disprove the rumor "she doesn't play well with others."
Even if it means taking a job as a line cook at a local meat and three while trying to be the superhero her five-year-old daughter Amara believes her to be. Competing in her hometown’s yearly foodie competition would definitely help. If she wins, she will finally get the position and recognition she's been desperate to receive. Even if Saxon Turner, world renowned chef and ruiner of her life is one of the judges. No one ever needs to speak about what happened between them. She can keep her secrets.
Chef Saxon Turner is in danger of having his foodie travel show canceled after he gets caught in a dark room with the Governor's daughter. Luckily, a long time friend steps in and offers him an opportunity to judge a foodie competition and a chance to lay low until it all blows over. Maybe this time he will be able to shed the bad boy image he's carried with him through most of his life.
Or at least he thought it would be until he saw that one of the contestants is Birdie Malone.
It's been six years since he’s seen Birdie and he’s more than surprised to find the petite, brown-skinned, talented chef competing in a small town food competition when she should be commanding a kitchen of her own. When they met, the passion between them was hotter than a pit barbecue fire and the way he left things between them when she got kicked out of culinary school is chief among his regrets. Now that she’s back in his life, he can only hope that she will trust and respect him again.
Birdie just wants to win the money to start her own catering business and ignore the fact that Saxon has unexpectedly become an unwanted distraction. But the passion, intensity, and creativity he inspires in her can’t be denied. Will she be able to keep him out of her bed and her head in the game?
Even if it means taking a job as a line cook at a local meat and three while trying to be the superhero her five-year-old daughter Amara believes her to be. Competing in her hometown’s yearly foodie competition would definitely help. If she wins, she will finally get the position and recognition she's been desperate to receive. Even if Saxon Turner, world renowned chef and ruiner of her life is one of the judges. No one ever needs to speak about what happened between them. She can keep her secrets.
Chef Saxon Turner is in danger of having his foodie travel show canceled after he gets caught in a dark room with the Governor's daughter. Luckily, a long time friend steps in and offers him an opportunity to judge a foodie competition and a chance to lay low until it all blows over. Maybe this time he will be able to shed the bad boy image he's carried with him through most of his life.
Or at least he thought it would be until he saw that one of the contestants is Birdie Malone.
It's been six years since he’s seen Birdie and he’s more than surprised to find the petite, brown-skinned, talented chef competing in a small town food competition when she should be commanding a kitchen of her own. When they met, the passion between them was hotter than a pit barbecue fire and the way he left things between them when she got kicked out of culinary school is chief among his regrets. Now that she’s back in his life, he can only hope that she will trust and respect him again.
Birdie just wants to win the money to start her own catering business and ignore the fact that Saxon has unexpectedly become an unwanted distraction. But the passion, intensity, and creativity he inspires in her can’t be denied. Will she be able to keep him out of her bed and her head in the game?
324 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 23, 2020
33 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Tasha L. Harrison
30 books435 followers#Author of dirty talking, nasty, where-do-you-want-me-to-put-it, cinnamon roll heroes | creator of #20kin5Days | host of #Wordmakers Community
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@tashalharrison on Twitter and Instagram.
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@tashalharrison on Twitter and Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
August 25, 2021
SERIES: Small Town Romance #2 - can be read as standalone
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: age gap, secret baby, second chance romance
CLIFFHANGER: no
RATING: 4.5 ⭐
HOTTIE METER: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
random ramblings & spoilers:
❤ splendid story with some exceptional steamy times which can be this author talent to add to her books and now I am spoiled for all of her next books I read
❤ secret baby trope, which I don't mind
❤ I like my contemporary romances messy with flawed characters, so if you are not a romantic purist I think you might enjoy this .. to me, it gives a story more of a realistic feel and makes me connected to the characters more
❤ both the hero and heroine made mistakes and I get it in the end they just trying to do better
❤ all the food made me so hungry
❤ love the audiobook and narrators, and just kudos to the author for including acknowledgments in it..as someone who reads books from front to back cover we don't get that in audiobooks like ever
❤ def recommend this author work if this doesn't work for you check her other books out
GENRE: contemporary romance
TROPES: age gap, secret baby, second chance romance
CLIFFHANGER: no
RATING: 4.5 ⭐
HOTTIE METER: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
random ramblings & spoilers:
❤ splendid story with some exceptional steamy times which can be this author talent to add to her books and now I am spoiled for all of her next books I read
❤ secret baby trope, which I don't mind
❤ I like my contemporary romances messy with flawed characters, so if you are not a romantic purist I think you might enjoy this .. to me, it gives a story more of a realistic feel and makes me connected to the characters more
❤ both the hero and heroine made mistakes and I get it in the end they just trying to do better
❤ all the food made me so hungry
❤ love the audiobook and narrators, and just kudos to the author for including acknowledgments in it..as someone who reads books from front to back cover we don't get that in audiobooks like ever
❤ def recommend this author work if this doesn't work for you check her other books out
April 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Birdie & Saxon really fit together and their chemistry was scorching hot.
January 18, 2022
Birdie & Saxon’s story was a bit complex and I believe matters could have been resolved faster if not for Saxon’s selfishness and Birdie’s insecurities…this couple really did fit….nice narration.
dnf
June 15, 2020 UPDATE
Per the author's tweet, that comment has been removed and the Kindle copy updated. I am glad to hear this and hope more authors learn from this as well.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/tashalharrison/st...
DNF
Look, I loved book 1. And I was excited for Saxon and Birdie's story.
Until, just a few chapters in, I hit a throwaway line about the MC's previous boss being an "arrogant, chauvinistic pig with too little talent and too much belly."
I'm so tired of the fatphobia. So. Tired.
Was there more in the book? IDK, probably not. But the throwaway line was enough to make me want out.
I will say I did go back and search for the sex scenes, and Tasha did not disappoint there (damn! super hot, A+)
WHICH only makes me more sad, that authors continue to throw these lines and comments in, hurting fat readers like myself. There was zero fucking need for that line. As someone else said, when I complained about this line on Twitter, this line could have been such an easy fix: "too little talent and too much ego". Fixed, further illustrating his flaws & character without being a POS."
Sigh.
Per the author's tweet, that comment has been removed and the Kindle copy updated. I am glad to hear this and hope more authors learn from this as well.
Tweet: https://twitter.com/tashalharrison/st...
DNF
Look, I loved book 1. And I was excited for Saxon and Birdie's story.
Until, just a few chapters in, I hit a throwaway line about the MC's previous boss being an "arrogant, chauvinistic pig with too little talent and too much belly."
I'm so tired of the fatphobia. So. Tired.
Was there more in the book? IDK, probably not. But the throwaway line was enough to make me want out.
I will say I did go back and search for the sex scenes, and Tasha did not disappoint there (damn! super hot, A+)
WHICH only makes me more sad, that authors continue to throw these lines and comments in, hurting fat readers like myself. There was zero fucking need for that line. As someone else said, when I complained about this line on Twitter, this line could have been such an easy fix: "too little talent and too much ego". Fixed, further illustrating his flaws & character without being a POS."
Sigh.
March 6, 2023
This book was fantastic! It involved so much of my favorite things about South Carolina—food! Some of the dishes made in this story I could actually taste in my brain while reading. Saxon and Birdie made cooking so freaking sexy too. This is a second chance romance and a secret baby so it was all kinds of good. It took me a while to warm up to Saxon, but he eventually won me over. Birdie was my absolute favorite though. I just love her.
June 4, 2020
Fun but...
This story was fun but Saxon seems in need of therapy. The amount of his self-destructive nature doesn't seem like something that goes away just because of the "love of a good woman." I like how authentically the author painted Saxon. He isn't super lovable. I didn't like him all that much. But he was human.
That said, I loved Birdie. Would have been happier had she landed someone better for her (in my opinion) but loved her nonetheless. She is fun, feisty, and strong. I loved reconnecting with the Malone sisters and Atlas. I missed the witchy elements in this story so am VERY excited for Aggie's book because I know I'm gonna get my fill of witchery.
General note about this series so far: there's a LOT of editing issues. In the first book Soni was spelled Sonni, Sonny, you name it, it was used. And this one wasn't better. Words missing, spelled wrong, etc. Definitely needs to be looked over more times to catch these things. I know the author is an editor herself. I didn't look to see if she used another company or is doing it on her own. Editing your own stuff is hard and if she is using someone else, she needs to fire them, immediately.
This story was fun but Saxon seems in need of therapy. The amount of his self-destructive nature doesn't seem like something that goes away just because of the "love of a good woman." I like how authentically the author painted Saxon. He isn't super lovable. I didn't like him all that much. But he was human.
That said, I loved Birdie. Would have been happier had she landed someone better for her (in my opinion) but loved her nonetheless. She is fun, feisty, and strong. I loved reconnecting with the Malone sisters and Atlas. I missed the witchy elements in this story so am VERY excited for Aggie's book because I know I'm gonna get my fill of witchery.
General note about this series so far: there's a LOT of editing issues. In the first book Soni was spelled Sonni, Sonny, you name it, it was used. And this one wasn't better. Words missing, spelled wrong, etc. Definitely needs to be looked over more times to catch these things. I know the author is an editor herself. I didn't look to see if she used another company or is doing it on her own. Editing your own stuff is hard and if she is using someone else, she needs to fire them, immediately.
August 19, 2020
CW: death of character close to the heroine (not any of her sister's or family members don't worry!!)
Right, so boy was the title of this one accurate. Saxon is an entire fuck boy mess and frankly I never really warmed up to him. Because he kept effing up!! And doing selfish shit. The entire Paula situation, i felt like he didn't get why she was pissed (Although, Paula was wrong for blurting out about Birdie and Amara like that >.> )
Honestly, Birdie could do so much better. These two are smoking hot together, I can't lie about that but Saxon had me side eyeing him right through. This man is made of bad decisions and Birdie should have told him off foreverrrr. I know people are flawed, i like seeing the flaws in characters, but IDK Saxon just never grew on me.
Birdie was great except for forgiving Saxon lol. I loved seeing her in her cooking element. And with her sisters. We get cameos from Soni and Atlas and Agostina. I'm intrigued by Agostina alo. Can't wait to see who she gets paired up with.
And the food!! I swear I'm never prepared when I read a book about food, because I was hungryyy.
Back to Saxon, that scene where he chooses not to tell Birdie about what happened that brought him back to her town in the first place. She literally asked him to be honest and man decides well she won't want me if i tell her truth. I knew that would come back to bite him in the ass and yup it was the source of their blow up. You had one job man!!
While I didnt like Saxon, it's not to say I hated the book, I didn't...i just couldnt stand hiiiim because i felt he needed more grovel. like..way more grovelling.
Also, there were some grammar things that threw me off...this book is in written in first person alternating POVs, but there was a random small scene, maybe two sentences that popped up written in third?? Just confused me a bit there.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book for the other sister. maybe by then Saxon will grow on me since we should be seeing him in small doses??? LOL
Right, so boy was the title of this one accurate. Saxon is an entire fuck boy mess and frankly I never really warmed up to him. Because he kept effing up!! And doing selfish shit. The entire Paula situation, i felt like he didn't get why she was pissed (Although, Paula was wrong for blurting out about Birdie and Amara like that >.> )
Honestly, Birdie could do so much better. These two are smoking hot together, I can't lie about that but Saxon had me side eyeing him right through. This man is made of bad decisions and Birdie should have told him off foreverrrr. I know people are flawed, i like seeing the flaws in characters, but IDK Saxon just never grew on me.
Birdie was great except for forgiving Saxon lol. I loved seeing her in her cooking element. And with her sisters. We get cameos from Soni and Atlas and Agostina. I'm intrigued by Agostina alo. Can't wait to see who she gets paired up with.
And the food!! I swear I'm never prepared when I read a book about food, because I was hungryyy.
Back to Saxon, that scene where he chooses not to tell Birdie about what happened that brought him back to her town in the first place. She literally asked him to be honest and man decides well she won't want me if i tell her truth. I knew that would come back to bite him in the ass and yup it was the source of their blow up. You had one job man!!
While I didnt like Saxon, it's not to say I hated the book, I didn't...i just couldnt stand hiiiim because i felt he needed more grovel. like..way more grovelling.
Also, there were some grammar things that threw me off...this book is in written in first person alternating POVs, but there was a random small scene, maybe two sentences that popped up written in third?? Just confused me a bit there.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book for the other sister. maybe by then Saxon will grow on me since we should be seeing him in small doses??? LOL
June 21, 2023
3.5 ⭐😋😍
I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Trope: IR, surprise pregnancy, single parent, food competition
Enjoyment: 3⭐
Character development: 4 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 2.65 ⭐
Romance: 2.5 ⭐
Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐
Intrigue: 3 ⭐
Action: 0
Violence: 1 ⭐
Story\plot: 3 ⭐
World Building: 3 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
I really enjoyed this story; I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Trope: IR, surprise pregnancy, single parent, food competition
Enjoyment: 3⭐
Character development: 4 ⭐
Emotional: 3 ⭐
Sweet: 2.65 ⭐
Romance: 2.5 ⭐
Heat\steam: 3.5 ⭐
Intrigue: 3 ⭐
Action: 0
Violence: 1 ⭐
Story\plot: 3 ⭐
World Building: 3 ⭐
Enjoy!!!
August 5, 2020
An absolute added gem to the Malone sisters small town universe! I loved all of the messiness of Birdie's particular story. The hate, love, sex, and everything in-between was at 💯 in the best ways. Birdie is bold and empowered with her actions in the kitchen, but still struggles with her self esteem. Reading about how she confronts sexual harassment in the workplace was important to see because we get to understand Birdie is dealing with a lot of baggage that keeps her from being fully aware of how much of a bad bitch she is. She's dealing with a bit of that imposter syndrome all of us women of color have to deal with at times especially in fields where we're underrepresented like being a chef. That profession is hella problematic don't even get me started on the inequality of black women not getting paid or recognized for work they've been doing in the kitchen foreverrrrr but a white man in a chef's coat does!
Anyway this is about romance! Lol Even though I wanted to slap Saxon, the man Birdie loves, across his entitled white man face sometimes, Tasha brought the story around quickly which gave him some much needed depth. Like her first book in the series, A Taste of Her Own Medicine, she gives us generational matriarchy, sisterhood, the journey to mastery of your purpose, manyyyyyy wise words I'm gonna use as affirmations, a bunch of tears and characters that I absolutely love (again Saxon may be hot but he's on thin ice tho). Birdie's skill as a chef is equally as admirable as Sonia's skill as a conjure woman. Their rootedness in ancestors, tradition, family and land is beautiful to read about. I can't wait for Agostina’s story!
Some excellent quotations:
“Everything that belongs to you is making it’s way toward you right now. What flows, flows. What crashes, crashes. Make space and save your energy for the things that are meant for you.”
“I made the mistakes and you… you just got to do what men always do. You got to leave.”
“Do you even know how difficult it is to live up to what you expect of me?”
“Who asked you to be so damn insightful?”
“You’ve got to let go of this self doubt and lean into what’s meant for you.”
“She was hurting. Doubting herself. I wanted to stop that hurt and those tears. Convince her that she doesn’t need my help. Convince her of her magnificence.”
Anyway this is about romance! Lol Even though I wanted to slap Saxon, the man Birdie loves, across his entitled white man face sometimes, Tasha brought the story around quickly which gave him some much needed depth. Like her first book in the series, A Taste of Her Own Medicine, she gives us generational matriarchy, sisterhood, the journey to mastery of your purpose, manyyyyyy wise words I'm gonna use as affirmations, a bunch of tears and characters that I absolutely love (again Saxon may be hot but he's on thin ice tho). Birdie's skill as a chef is equally as admirable as Sonia's skill as a conjure woman. Their rootedness in ancestors, tradition, family and land is beautiful to read about. I can't wait for Agostina’s story!
Some excellent quotations:
“Everything that belongs to you is making it’s way toward you right now. What flows, flows. What crashes, crashes. Make space and save your energy for the things that are meant for you.”
“I made the mistakes and you… you just got to do what men always do. You got to leave.”
“Do you even know how difficult it is to live up to what you expect of me?”
“Who asked you to be so damn insightful?”
“You’ve got to let go of this self doubt and lean into what’s meant for you.”
“She was hurting. Doubting herself. I wanted to stop that hurt and those tears. Convince her that she doesn’t need my help. Convince her of her magnificence.”
June 30, 2020
Not enough groveling, unsafe sex that is just so dumb (the condoms are ON THE BED) especially knowing the hero has been sleeping around with lots of people, and once again, not enough groveling. The hero isn’t entirely to blame, and he does grovel but she accepts everything at face value and immediately has sex with him (both times). Like... can he prove himself for a few months at least? I guess they are like Fated Mates and they are so attracted to each other logic & reason don’t matter as much as sexual chemistry. Sexy times were VERY sexy.
May 9, 2023
the first 40 percent was on a roll and then it hit 50 percent? and i couldn’t stand how pathetic birdie was. like girl if you don’t stand the fuck up???
September 20, 2020
Okay.
I thought this was a really interesting addition to this author’s Small Town series that started with “A Taste of Her Own Medicine.” I went into this book knowing that I was going to have difficulties “liking” the main characters, particularly the hero who was 100% eff-boy.
The premise is that nearly six years ago, Saxon broke Birdie’s heart by abandoning her with no explanation after she sacrificed her dreams of completing culinary school for him. Now a single mother down on her luck and depending on her family’s help, talented chef Birdie has one last chance to fulfill her dreams and win $50,000 by winning the local cooking competition judged by celebrity chef and food and travel food tv star, Saxon, who’s burned all his bridges and is looking for a way to rescue his reputation.
As expected, I struggled with Saxon’s character. I just feel like his deeper problems that lead to his borderline sex, drug and alcohol addictions were never really dealt with. I felt like he could really have benefited from some counseling. The books sexual encounter at the beginning of the story and his general sexual history which he kind of vaguely confessed to the heroine made me question their decision not to use protection even though he hadn’t been tested. I usually don’t mind unprotected encounters in a romance but because of his history of black outs and not remembering sexcapades, it just felt sleepy and I think Birdie should have been more concerned. I didn’t feel like this was a particularly healthy relationship where all the issues were dealt with and I really would have liked to see them seek help because that can be sexy as well. There were a few typos in this although not enough to bother me, I counted 5 or less so it’s not a huge issue except the writing was otherwise excellent so they stood out. Despite my few niggling issues with this book, I think I’m a fan of this authors writing and she’s definitely going on my must-read list.
I thought this was a really interesting addition to this author’s Small Town series that started with “A Taste of Her Own Medicine.” I went into this book knowing that I was going to have difficulties “liking” the main characters, particularly the hero who was 100% eff-boy.
The premise is that nearly six years ago, Saxon broke Birdie’s heart by abandoning her with no explanation after she sacrificed her dreams of completing culinary school for him. Now a single mother down on her luck and depending on her family’s help, talented chef Birdie has one last chance to fulfill her dreams and win $50,000 by winning the local cooking competition judged by celebrity chef and food and travel food tv star, Saxon, who’s burned all his bridges and is looking for a way to rescue his reputation.
As expected, I struggled with Saxon’s character. I just feel like his deeper problems that lead to his borderline sex, drug and alcohol addictions were never really dealt with. I felt like he could really have benefited from some counseling. The books sexual encounter at the beginning of the story and his general sexual history which he kind of vaguely confessed to the heroine made me question their decision not to use protection even though he hadn’t been tested. I usually don’t mind unprotected encounters in a romance but because of his history of black outs and not remembering sexcapades, it just felt sleepy and I think Birdie should have been more concerned. I didn’t feel like this was a particularly healthy relationship where all the issues were dealt with and I really would have liked to see them seek help because that can be sexy as well. There were a few typos in this although not enough to bother me, I counted 5 or less so it’s not a huge issue except the writing was otherwise excellent so they stood out. Despite my few niggling issues with this book, I think I’m a fan of this authors writing and she’s definitely going on my must-read list.
October 6, 2020
Oh man, Tasha Harrison definitely pulled out all the stops when she created the fuckboy hero. Saxon was A LOT and I wasn’t sure if I would ever warm up to him because of his absolute disregard for other people. Birdie and Saxon have a history. We know from the previous book in the series that she doesn’t like to talk about the father of her sweet little bebe.
Now we know why! Saxon is a little immature (emotionally) and a lot self-destructive. He can’t help but cause drama and leave a mess in his wake. Of course Birdie would be less than enthused when he crashes back into her life as she gears up to win a cooking competition. But how can she when he is one of the judges?
I will say, though I didn’t love Saxon as a character and would have like him to do some more groveling before Birdie gave him another chance, their chemistry is sizzling especially when they cook together. I’m a sucker for foodie romances and these two have the sort of in-sync rhythm in the kitchen that is downright sensual!
I wish Saxon had a little more self-actualization and growth to be worthy of Birdie, but I still really enjoyed them as a couple.
Now we know why! Saxon is a little immature (emotionally) and a lot self-destructive. He can’t help but cause drama and leave a mess in his wake. Of course Birdie would be less than enthused when he crashes back into her life as she gears up to win a cooking competition. But how can she when he is one of the judges?
I will say, though I didn’t love Saxon as a character and would have like him to do some more groveling before Birdie gave him another chance, their chemistry is sizzling especially when they cook together. I’m a sucker for foodie romances and these two have the sort of in-sync rhythm in the kitchen that is downright sensual!
I wish Saxon had a little more self-actualization and growth to be worthy of Birdie, but I still really enjoyed them as a couple.
April 26, 2021
I say this as someone who loves gingers - Saxon wasn't shit and didn't do a damn thing to deserve any of the chances Birdie gave him, full stop.
Loved the descriptions of the food though.
Loved the descriptions of the food though.
did-not-finish
April 30, 2024DNF 4h 11m into audio
I really wanted to read this cuz I loved Birdie in the first book and Amara is so precious and messy second chance romances can be so fun. But honestly? Fuck Saxon - he’s a garbage man worthy of whole man disposal system. I thought I’d push through, but this point was just getting on my nerves to the point that, ya know what, life is too short for books that don’t bring you joy! I didn’t like how Saxon kept laying his claim on Amara and “correcting” Birdie when she called her “her daughter” and emphasizing “our daughter” instead when this man had been out of the picture since before Birdie knew she was pregnant because he was quote-unquote “doing what he believed best for her future.” But what really ground my gears was the sex scene because Birdie is all “you have my joyful and enthusiastic consent” while Saxon is trying to stop the situation - yes, man-angst so Birdie won’t regret things, but still, to me, that doesn’t read as any flavor of consent, let alone joyful and enthusiastic. I also wasn’t super jiving with Birdie wanting to have sex sans condoms and thinking about having another baby with Saxon when (1) he was notorious for having fucked his way through half the globe and (2) they just reconnected and Amara still is wholly unaware of Saxon’s connection to her, so why are you thinking of having sex with no condoms without testing and thinking about a baby when y’all literally just reconnected?! I will say that, before I stopped, Birdie and Saxon were discussing the recklessness of having sex without condoms or testing first and I didn’t see how that resolved itself, but I’m also still stuck on the consent aspect cuz men need to give consent as well, and I’m honestly surprised with the execution coming from Tasha.
I really wanted to read this cuz I loved Birdie in the first book and Amara is so precious and messy second chance romances can be so fun. But honestly? Fuck Saxon - he’s a garbage man worthy of whole man disposal system. I thought I’d push through, but this point was just getting on my nerves to the point that, ya know what, life is too short for books that don’t bring you joy! I didn’t like how Saxon kept laying his claim on Amara and “correcting” Birdie when she called her “her daughter” and emphasizing “our daughter” instead when this man had been out of the picture since before Birdie knew she was pregnant because he was quote-unquote “doing what he believed best for her future.” But what really ground my gears was the sex scene because Birdie is all “you have my joyful and enthusiastic consent” while Saxon is trying to stop the situation - yes, man-angst so Birdie won’t regret things, but still, to me, that doesn’t read as any flavor of consent, let alone joyful and enthusiastic. I also wasn’t super jiving with Birdie wanting to have sex sans condoms and thinking about having another baby with Saxon when (1) he was notorious for having fucked his way through half the globe and (2) they just reconnected and Amara still is wholly unaware of Saxon’s connection to her, so why are you thinking of having sex with no condoms without testing and thinking about a baby when y’all literally just reconnected?! I will say that, before I stopped, Birdie and Saxon were discussing the recklessness of having sex without condoms or testing first and I didn’t see how that resolved itself, but I’m also still stuck on the consent aspect cuz men need to give consent as well, and I’m honestly surprised with the execution coming from Tasha.
November 19, 2024
Second chance/secret baby, they will never make me hate you 🥹
I liked this story a lot.
Saxon was an ass and I actually appreciated the third act breakup because it made sense for him not to experience overnight maturity and growth. He needed that time away to really think about his life.
I liked this story a lot.
Saxon was an ass and I actually appreciated the third act breakup because it made sense for him not to experience overnight maturity and growth. He needed that time away to really think about his life.
February 22, 2024
3.5
After reading the first book in this series last year, I knew I wanted to get to this one. I've been on a cooking show kick lately and I was excited for the plot of this one. Right away you are pulled into the story due to Saxton's shenanigans, and I really thought that he would not be a MMC that I would be rooting for, but in the end I really was. I liked Birdie a lot as the FMC, I loved her love for her child and family, her determination and I loved seeing her get her HEA. This was a fun plot, I loved the cooking element, and as someone who is not a hate of the "secret child" trope, I thought that was done well. I will say that it was 100% instalovey, and it was second chance, and I personally thought there was not enough groveling. This has been a great series so far and I am looking forward to the third book.
After reading the first book in this series last year, I knew I wanted to get to this one. I've been on a cooking show kick lately and I was excited for the plot of this one. Right away you are pulled into the story due to Saxton's shenanigans, and I really thought that he would not be a MMC that I would be rooting for, but in the end I really was. I liked Birdie a lot as the FMC, I loved her love for her child and family, her determination and I loved seeing her get her HEA. This was a fun plot, I loved the cooking element, and as someone who is not a hate of the "secret child" trope, I thought that was done well. I will say that it was 100% instalovey, and it was second chance, and I personally thought there was not enough groveling. This has been a great series so far and I am looking forward to the third book.
May 22, 2020
First of all I want to commend the author on the cover choice. The model was beautiful and it was refreshing not to have the same recycled cover.
The book was also beautifully written with an exciting take on a food competition and an insightful journey around the Carolinas and their specificities. Both Saxon and Birdie were somewhat relatable.” Now onto what I really didn’t like with the book. Let’s start easy with Paula. It really annoyed me that Saxon took anything Paula said to heart because it’s obvious that she was just bitter that things didn’t work out between her and Saxon. She hung around for years hoping that by going above and beyond her job description (although not that much, she is an entertainer’s assistant after all, that he would turn around, let the women go and choose her. That’s on her as Brett pointed out in a way.
Another thing I didn’t like, and unfortunately it’s the case for a lot of small town romance, it’s the idea that if you settle in a small town, you cannot still work on a national or international platform. For instance, I know that Saxon wanted to stay closer to home and overhaul his image, so what was wrong with him for instance, devising a show around Carolinas food (Restaurants, food trucks, the farmers etc..) and drinks. He seems to have a passion for Bourbon. He could make the season shorter with less travel with maybe an international special to find a similar taste abroad or how foreign ingredients can elevate local cuisine. Basically, I hated the idea that what he had done for the past 6 years was discarded by his friends and Birdie as him just living an hedonistic life and of no value or use. Given how the entertainment business works he would have crashed and burned before if he didn’t work hard.
However what really turned me off was the Saxon bashing and everybody accepting Birdie’s selfishness as normal. Don’t get me wrong, leaving her without a word was awful, however her not telling him about their daughter was equally if not worse. She basically decided that her daughter and herself were a package deal. Well as painful as that might be, It’s not. A lot of parents were terrible partners but are great at co parenting. The whole he ruined her life, well he didn’t, she decided to leave with him. He was fired so they both have to own up to the consequences. The cake for me though was her reaction after the funeral. Yes, he didn’t tell her the details about the governor’s daughter but he did say that his career was on the line so her reaction was over the top and worse ill timed. Again she never owned up to that but went on a communication freeze. Clearly him hitting Hendricks was stupid but did she really think that no one would have a similar reaction once it came out that Saxon ans herself knew each other and had a daughter? She accused him of leaving again but what did she want? He called, texted, apologized time and time again. Was he suppose to sit on her porch and beg? She was also selfish because she wanted him to share her dream of a restaurant but never asked him what his dream was. As he turned out he said clearly to a friend that he didn’t want that responsibility. She assumed that he would drop everything and support her. The fact that until the end, she never apologized for her behavior and attitude and actually thought she was in the right and he had something to beg forgiveness for really grated.
Another issue I had with the book is how passive Saxon was about Amara. I would have preferred for him to push to share custody, spend time with her rather than FaceTime and try to prove his love to Birdie. Amara is who he should be wooing. Basically their relationship was unbalanced and too much was done to make him fit into this “fantasy “ life while it’s not his personality. The book would have been more interesting to me if both their passions had somewhat been blended, rather than making it appear that his past 6 years were just a parenthesis and of no value.
The book was also beautifully written with an exciting take on a food competition and an insightful journey around the Carolinas and their specificities. Both Saxon and Birdie were somewhat relatable.” Now onto what I really didn’t like with the book. Let’s start easy with Paula. It really annoyed me that Saxon took anything Paula said to heart because it’s obvious that she was just bitter that things didn’t work out between her and Saxon. She hung around for years hoping that by going above and beyond her job description (although not that much, she is an entertainer’s assistant after all, that he would turn around, let the women go and choose her. That’s on her as Brett pointed out in a way.
Another thing I didn’t like, and unfortunately it’s the case for a lot of small town romance, it’s the idea that if you settle in a small town, you cannot still work on a national or international platform. For instance, I know that Saxon wanted to stay closer to home and overhaul his image, so what was wrong with him for instance, devising a show around Carolinas food (Restaurants, food trucks, the farmers etc..) and drinks. He seems to have a passion for Bourbon. He could make the season shorter with less travel with maybe an international special to find a similar taste abroad or how foreign ingredients can elevate local cuisine. Basically, I hated the idea that what he had done for the past 6 years was discarded by his friends and Birdie as him just living an hedonistic life and of no value or use. Given how the entertainment business works he would have crashed and burned before if he didn’t work hard.
However what really turned me off was the Saxon bashing and everybody accepting Birdie’s selfishness as normal. Don’t get me wrong, leaving her without a word was awful, however her not telling him about their daughter was equally if not worse. She basically decided that her daughter and herself were a package deal. Well as painful as that might be, It’s not. A lot of parents were terrible partners but are great at co parenting. The whole he ruined her life, well he didn’t, she decided to leave with him. He was fired so they both have to own up to the consequences. The cake for me though was her reaction after the funeral. Yes, he didn’t tell her the details about the governor’s daughter but he did say that his career was on the line so her reaction was over the top and worse ill timed. Again she never owned up to that but went on a communication freeze. Clearly him hitting Hendricks was stupid but did she really think that no one would have a similar reaction once it came out that Saxon ans herself knew each other and had a daughter? She accused him of leaving again but what did she want? He called, texted, apologized time and time again. Was he suppose to sit on her porch and beg? She was also selfish because she wanted him to share her dream of a restaurant but never asked him what his dream was. As he turned out he said clearly to a friend that he didn’t want that responsibility. She assumed that he would drop everything and support her. The fact that until the end, she never apologized for her behavior and attitude and actually thought she was in the right and he had something to beg forgiveness for really grated.
Another issue I had with the book is how passive Saxon was about Amara. I would have preferred for him to push to share custody, spend time with her rather than FaceTime and try to prove his love to Birdie. Amara is who he should be wooing. Basically their relationship was unbalanced and too much was done to make him fit into this “fantasy “ life while it’s not his personality. The book would have been more interesting to me if both their passions had somewhat been blended, rather than making it appear that his past 6 years were just a parenthesis and of no value.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2020
It was good to finally here Birdie's story and learn about her daughter's father and the past they shared. I would of been nice to have more flashbacks of Sax and Birdie's time together to get a better feel of the dynamic they shared. At times I felt their relationship relied heavily on the physical aspect of the relationship.
I'm happy Sax finally figured out what was missing from his life, but it took too much time and too many mistakes for that to occur. For them to have been apart for six years, I would of liked to see them reestablishing their relationship with more maturity.
Their were alot of topographical , grammatical and editing issues that affected this rating
I'm happy Sax finally figured out what was missing from his life, but it took too much time and too many mistakes for that to occur. For them to have been apart for six years, I would of liked to see them reestablishing their relationship with more maturity.
Their were alot of topographical , grammatical and editing issues that affected this rating
July 22, 2020
I have a lot of mixed feelings so I’m not sure if this is my final rating.
Saxon was on a pretty destructive path and it kind of seems like Birdie & his relationship was unhealthy.
Also, the disregard for practicing safe sex? When they both knew how much a second baby would not help matters at all.. idk. Much to think
Saxon was on a pretty destructive path and it kind of seems like Birdie & his relationship was unhealthy.
Also, the disregard for practicing safe sex? When they both knew how much a second baby would not help matters at all.. idk. Much to think
December 8, 2020
Real
I liked this book more than the first one in the series and I really like Atlas. The dynamics between Birdie and Saxon would make Birdie look weak in some ways but it does not. She loves hard and the man she loves is selfish but not unredeemable.
I liked this book more than the first one in the series and I really like Atlas. The dynamics between Birdie and Saxon would make Birdie look weak in some ways but it does not. She loves hard and the man she loves is selfish but not unredeemable.
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February 1, 2023L'Histoire : 2,5
L'Audio : 3 (le narrateur était sympa, la narratrice j'ai moins aimé)
Je recommande vraiment pas ce livre, c'est une perte de temps à mes yeux. L'histoire aurait pu être cool mais ya aucune substance, aucune profondeur.
Vraiment déçu par ce livre. C'était l'histoire qui m'intéressait le moins, de base je voulais lire le troisième tome mais j'aime bien lire dans l'ordre et les deux premiers livres avaient l'air bien selon les reviews. Et c'était le cas pour le 1er tome, même si c'est pas mon livre préféré j'aime passé un plutôt bon moment et l'histoire était well crafted.
Mais alors ce tome-ci mais au secours,
L'Audio : 3 (le narrateur était sympa, la narratrice j'ai moins aimé)
Je recommande vraiment pas ce livre, c'est une perte de temps à mes yeux. L'histoire aurait pu être cool mais ya aucune substance, aucune profondeur.
Vraiment déçu par ce livre. C'était l'histoire qui m'intéressait le moins, de base je voulais lire le troisième tome mais j'aime bien lire dans l'ordre et les deux premiers livres avaient l'air bien selon les reviews. Et c'était le cas pour le 1er tome, même si c'est pas mon livre préféré j'aime passé un plutôt bon moment et l'histoire était well crafted.
Mais alors ce tome-ci mais au secours,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2025
3.5⭐️ Thanks to kindleunlimited, I’ve been able to find some new indie books! I love to support and highlight books by authors who are either just starting out or don’t have the financial backing for mass marketing.
I read The Bad in Each Other on my kindle and listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! It is small town interracial / second chance / a little something extra that I don’t want to give away romance.
The characters - you either love them or hate them, especially Saxxon. He is a gingered hair playboy chef who stays getting into mess. He had a summer romance with Birdie 6 years before, but left her heartbroken on a whim.
Now, Saxxon is back in town to judge a local cooking competition which Birdie is competing in. Will their history ruin Birdie’s big chance to win the $50,000 prize, or will it give her a little edge?
The story starts with a bang - literally! Saxxon was crazy and reckless, which I liked because I was always wondering what is this a-hole up to now 😅 There are lots of yummy food descriptions that kept my mouth watering! I was so hungry, wanting to try this southern Gullah cuisine for myself!
But, besides the food, heating things up even more was the hot sex served up on a platter. Let me just say that the author’s GR bio says that she writes “dirty-talking, nasty, where-do-you-want-me-to-put-it, cinnamon roll heroes” and… I’m not mad at that! Saxxon is a real piece of work, honey! The sex is steaming and very descriptive so proceed with caution!
The romance… hmm, it was a bit lacking because although I feel like the sex and chemistry were magnetic, the romance just wasn’t there. Gifts, small sweet gestures, gazing in their eyes, sparks flying, getting to know you all over again dates… I would’ve loved that. I also wasn’t a fan of the expected breakup because… why get mad over something that happened before reconnecting?
I read The Bad in Each Other on my kindle and listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it! It is small town interracial / second chance / a little something extra that I don’t want to give away romance.
The characters - you either love them or hate them, especially Saxxon. He is a gingered hair playboy chef who stays getting into mess. He had a summer romance with Birdie 6 years before, but left her heartbroken on a whim.
Now, Saxxon is back in town to judge a local cooking competition which Birdie is competing in. Will their history ruin Birdie’s big chance to win the $50,000 prize, or will it give her a little edge?
The story starts with a bang - literally! Saxxon was crazy and reckless, which I liked because I was always wondering what is this a-hole up to now 😅 There are lots of yummy food descriptions that kept my mouth watering! I was so hungry, wanting to try this southern Gullah cuisine for myself!
But, besides the food, heating things up even more was the hot sex served up on a platter. Let me just say that the author’s GR bio says that she writes “dirty-talking, nasty, where-do-you-want-me-to-put-it, cinnamon roll heroes” and… I’m not mad at that! Saxxon is a real piece of work, honey! The sex is steaming and very descriptive so proceed with caution!
The romance… hmm, it was a bit lacking because although I feel like the sex and chemistry were magnetic, the romance just wasn’t there. Gifts, small sweet gestures, gazing in their eyes, sparks flying, getting to know you all over again dates… I would’ve loved that. I also wasn’t a fan of the expected breakup because… why get mad over something that happened before reconnecting?
August 31, 2022
Birdie Malone needs to get her shit together. She needs to disprove a rumor that she's not a team player, that she's "difficult". She's been fired from too many jobs and everyone knows she came home from culinary school without her degree and pregnant to boot. The only place that will hire her is the local "meat and three", so when the opportunity arises to participate in a cooking competition, she jumps on it. She wasn't counting on one of the judges being Saxon Turner.
Saxon Turner is also in a bad place. Too many drunken nights, too many shenanigans, too many fuck-ups, and he's at risk of losing his cushy job as a travel show host. This travel show was the lifeline he grabbed on to when he was fired from his teaching position at the culinary school for getting involved with - you guessed it - Birdie Malone.
They both hoped they had gotten over each other, but as soon as they lay eyes on their past love all goes to hell. Saxon can't jeopardize her chances in the competition, ruining her life again and Birdie has to confess that, when he left her, his parting gift is now five years old, looks exactly like him and is called Amara Rose.
This series is great! I'm not a fan of the secret baby plot but this one is done really well.
Birdie thinks she doesn't share the same "magic" as her sisters, but when she cooks, she gets into a "zone" that's almost transcendental. Saxon has the famous bad boy persona and, at 40, is still very immature, but when it comes to Birdie he wants to be the man she deserves. I loved how different they were without being opposites.
Again, the family is a big part in this story and I love their dynamics.
A plus: a book about chefs and cooking! Love it!
(Side note again: I can't ignore the amount of typos, incorrect use of words and cooking terms, and just bad proofreading in this book too. After the 12th note on my Kindle I decided to stop highlighting. Makes me sad.)
Rep: interracial couple; black author, Gullah heritage. Misogyny in the workplace, allusions to sexual harassment, drug use,
Saxon Turner is also in a bad place. Too many drunken nights, too many shenanigans, too many fuck-ups, and he's at risk of losing his cushy job as a travel show host. This travel show was the lifeline he grabbed on to when he was fired from his teaching position at the culinary school for getting involved with - you guessed it - Birdie Malone.
They both hoped they had gotten over each other, but as soon as they lay eyes on their past love all goes to hell. Saxon can't jeopardize her chances in the competition, ruining her life again and Birdie has to confess that, when he left her, his parting gift is now five years old, looks exactly like him and is called Amara Rose.
This series is great! I'm not a fan of the secret baby plot but this one is done really well.
Birdie thinks she doesn't share the same "magic" as her sisters, but when she cooks, she gets into a "zone" that's almost transcendental. Saxon has the famous bad boy persona and, at 40, is still very immature, but when it comes to Birdie he wants to be the man she deserves. I loved how different they were without being opposites.
Again, the family is a big part in this story and I love their dynamics.
A plus: a book about chefs and cooking! Love it!
(Side note again: I can't ignore the amount of typos, incorrect use of words and cooking terms, and just bad proofreading in this book too. After the 12th note on my Kindle I decided to stop highlighting. Makes me sad.)
Rep: interracial couple; black author, Gullah heritage. Misogyny in the workplace, allusions to sexual harassment, drug use,
September 7, 2020
3.5. I have an aversion to “secret baby” plotlines (although it’s not as big as my aversion to “accidental pregnancy”), but Tasha L. Harrison managed to make it, and the associated baggage of the initial breakup, another potentially contentious issue for me, work. And while it doesn’t quite meet the levels of love I had for the first book (and I did not expect it to, unless this too had one of my favorite tropes), it is still a pretty good story from an author who I’m slowly coming to love for her original take on the romance genre.
For one, I love Birdie. She’s as complex as, if not more than, her sister, and I loved seeing her thriving in her career, as well as all the moments she has with her sisters. It’s nice to see recurring characters again, although they are very much supporting players, making this very much a standalone, in typical romance fashion.
Saxon, however, did bother me, and hampered my enjoyment somewhat. He’s, as another reviewer bluntly put it, a “fuck boy,” and while I did really like the electric chemistry betwee him and Birdie, and appreciated that there was some reckoning for what happened between them in the past, but I did still feel like she forgave him a little too easily.
While I had a lot of issues with this one, I think some were subjective, although this one does seem to have a more mixed reception than the first one. I suggest, if the book interests you, or if you like Harrison’s writing style from the first book or her other work, then it’s still worth giving a shot and forming your own opinion.
For one, I love Birdie. She’s as complex as, if not more than, her sister, and I loved seeing her thriving in her career, as well as all the moments she has with her sisters. It’s nice to see recurring characters again, although they are very much supporting players, making this very much a standalone, in typical romance fashion.
Saxon, however, did bother me, and hampered my enjoyment somewhat. He’s, as another reviewer bluntly put it, a “fuck boy,” and while I did really like the electric chemistry betwee him and Birdie, and appreciated that there was some reckoning for what happened between them in the past, but I did still feel like she forgave him a little too easily.
While I had a lot of issues with this one, I think some were subjective, although this one does seem to have a more mixed reception than the first one. I suggest, if the book interests you, or if you like Harrison’s writing style from the first book or her other work, then it’s still worth giving a shot and forming your own opinion.
October 3, 2022
I loved the first book in this series and was excited to buy this one. A cooking reality show is the backdrop for a steamy second chance romance. I liked that Birdie had clearly grown into being more independent and a stronger partner since her first go-around with self-destructive Saxon. They both made mistakes and had clearly learned from them. And I loved the evocative descriptions of food.
This is a secret baby/child story, which isn’t my fave but it’s well done here. Saxon probably needed therapy more than a relationship, he’s a serious f-boy. But my main problem with the book is distraction of unsafe sex for absolutely no reason.
I don’t mind a romance that pretends STDs aren’t a thing. But in this one, they talk SO much about how they need to use condoms b/c of the long list of Saxon’s recent sexual partners (the book opens with him having drunken sex with a random) and Birdie’s sexual history. It’s a whole plot point, because they decide to delay penetration. So I found it really strange that they eventually rawdog it anyway, with the box of condoms next to them on the bed.
The first book also made a big production out of how sexy it was to not use protection, so if that’s your thing, this is the series for you. It was only a mild annoyance in the other book. But since this couple has a history of making terrible choices and I was already skeptical of them together, it made me feel like the whole relationship was bad news, at least for Birdie. I didn’t get why they were talking about making another baby together when Saxon hadn’t met baby #1 yet.
I DNFd it mid-sex scene, but I liked the book up to that point so I’m still giving it 3 stars.
This is a secret baby/child story, which isn’t my fave but it’s well done here. Saxon probably needed therapy more than a relationship, he’s a serious f-boy. But my main problem with the book is distraction of unsafe sex for absolutely no reason.
I don’t mind a romance that pretends STDs aren’t a thing. But in this one, they talk SO much about how they need to use condoms b/c of the long list of Saxon’s recent sexual partners (the book opens with him having drunken sex with a random) and Birdie’s sexual history. It’s a whole plot point, because they decide to delay penetration. So I found it really strange that they eventually rawdog it anyway, with the box of condoms next to them on the bed.
The first book also made a big production out of how sexy it was to not use protection, so if that’s your thing, this is the series for you. It was only a mild annoyance in the other book. But since this couple has a history of making terrible choices and I was already skeptical of them together, it made me feel like the whole relationship was bad news, at least for Birdie. I didn’t get why they were talking about making another baby together when Saxon hadn’t met baby #1 yet.
I DNFd it mid-sex scene, but I liked the book up to that point so I’m still giving it 3 stars.
January 3, 2022
The truth will set you free
I enjoyed the story of Saxon and Birdie. I was wondering when I read the first book what all happened at culinary school. I knew it had to be a deep story of how she just did not complete it but was with child once she returned home. She definitely had a background with Mr. Saxon. Saxon was a story of his own his past was just extensive with all the past encounters in his life. They finally realized they were the one for each other. They also made a beautiful child out of the mess at culinary school. It will be good to see where they are in the next book.
I am looking forward to Aggie's story. I am also hoping that Soni and Atlas finally gets engaged. I think the bond that Atlas has with Amara is adorable. He needs his own little girl to spoil. I know this next installment is going to be great.
I enjoyed the story of Saxon and Birdie. I was wondering when I read the first book what all happened at culinary school. I knew it had to be a deep story of how she just did not complete it but was with child once she returned home. She definitely had a background with Mr. Saxon. Saxon was a story of his own his past was just extensive with all the past encounters in his life. They finally realized they were the one for each other. They also made a beautiful child out of the mess at culinary school. It will be good to see where they are in the next book.
I am looking forward to Aggie's story. I am also hoping that Soni and Atlas finally gets engaged. I think the bond that Atlas has with Amara is adorable. He needs his own little girl to spoil. I know this next installment is going to be great.
July 12, 2022
Small town. Second Chance. Secret Baby.
Birdie & Saxson
I’m not a fan of the secret baby trope but I knew that going into this book because it’s part of a series.
My problem with this story is how they just got back together with out resolving the issue that kept them apart for 6 yrs, mid conversation they are hot & horny.. Then here comes the 3rd act break up over something that happened prior to them getting back together. And I still don’t understand why Paula was so furious for so long I get jealous vibes from her.
The characters and the story are well written & developed. It’s part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Also the group competition meal didn’t seem competition worthy( pork chop & Brussel sprouts). I recommend this story if you like a second chance love story.
Birdie & Saxson
I’m not a fan of the secret baby trope but I knew that going into this book because it’s part of a series.
My problem with this story is how they just got back together with out resolving the issue that kept them apart for 6 yrs, mid conversation they are hot & horny.. Then here comes the 3rd act break up over something that happened prior to them getting back together. And I still don’t understand why Paula was so furious for so long I get jealous vibes from her.
The characters and the story are well written & developed. It’s part of a series but can be read as a standalone. Also the group competition meal didn’t seem competition worthy( pork chop & Brussel sprouts). I recommend this story if you like a second chance love story.
February 8, 2021
Content notes for accidental pregnancy, sexual harassment, death of an older friend, alcohol and drug use, neglectful parent.
I really enjoyed this, and I was so surprised by it. I fell for Birdie right away, but Saxon took a while. I wasn't sure I was going to love him. But! Even though stuff he was doing didn't really work for me, we were right there in Birdie's head, and it was clear how well it worked for Birdie. Chalk it up to Tasha L. Harrison being great at communicating the interiority of her characters.
I also thought the chef stuff was really well done! None of the drama with the challenges felt artificial, and the food sounded wonderful. Real knowledge of the dynamics of a working kitchen.
I really enjoyed this, and I was so surprised by it. I fell for Birdie right away, but Saxon took a while. I wasn't sure I was going to love him. But! Even though stuff he was doing didn't really work for me, we were right there in Birdie's head, and it was clear how well it worked for Birdie. Chalk it up to Tasha L. Harrison being great at communicating the interiority of her characters.
I also thought the chef stuff was really well done! None of the drama with the challenges felt artificial, and the food sounded wonderful. Real knowledge of the dynamics of a working kitchen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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