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The Secret Ingredient
Two amazing chefs. Two very different restaurants. One recipe for love.
For single mom Adah Campbell, the executive chef job at a posh restaurant in quaint South Bay, Maine is a dream come true—and the perfect opportunity to start over, far away from a home that’s never felt entirely hers. But fitting in has never been easy, and between a new town, a new boss, and the unexpectedly attractive owner of a rival café, things get off to a rocky start.
Never did free-spirited Beth Summers think she’d still be in Maine. Travel the world gathering delicious recipes and finding friends and lovers? Absolutely. Step in to run her family’s small-town café? Not so much. However, once Beth commits to something, that’s it. Soon, The Yellow House is the hottest spot in town, but Beth’s out of energy—and out of ideas for moving forward.
Until Adah Campbell walks into her life. As sparks fly, both chefs have to decide if they are willing to make sacrifices...or if it’s really too many cooks in the kitchen.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
For single mom Adah Campbell, the executive chef job at a posh restaurant in quaint South Bay, Maine is a dream come true—and the perfect opportunity to start over, far away from a home that’s never felt entirely hers. But fitting in has never been easy, and between a new town, a new boss, and the unexpectedly attractive owner of a rival café, things get off to a rocky start.
Never did free-spirited Beth Summers think she’d still be in Maine. Travel the world gathering delicious recipes and finding friends and lovers? Absolutely. Step in to run her family’s small-town café? Not so much. However, once Beth commits to something, that’s it. Soon, The Yellow House is the hottest spot in town, but Beth’s out of energy—and out of ideas for moving forward.
Until Adah Campbell walks into her life. As sparks fly, both chefs have to decide if they are willing to make sacrifices...or if it’s really too many cooks in the kitchen.
Carina Adores is home to highly romantic contemporary love stories where LGBTQ+ characters find their happily-ever-afters.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 27, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 24, 2020
3.50 Stars. This was a sweet foodie romance. I don’t know what it is about books that star chefs or bakers but it is so easy to enjoy a good foodie romance. You could also put the enemies to lovers tag on this. Actually, I think annoyance to lovers might be the better tag for this if I want to get technical. This is my first time ever reading a Fisher book and I would read another.
I really loved the setting of coastal Maine. While I’m only a few hours from Maine myself, where I live is all landlocked and heavily wooded, so there is no ocean around. The smell of the sea and more lobsters than you can eat, Maine is a great state. I also liked the overall premise of two head chefs that have an attraction but also a competitive tension too.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Fisher’s writing style. I think Fisher writes well with a lot of nice descriptions. She is not overly descriptive but just enough which I think was needed for a foodie romance. She also decided to write this book in a way that we don’t see too often. She wrote it in first person, but it was alternating POV. A chapter would be in the head of the main character Beth and then the next chapter would be in the head of Adah. Each chapter is clearly marked so there is no confusion. While I love first person, third is normally the better choice for a romance (unless you want to hide one characters thoughts). But because this was alternating first, you got to understand both character's feelings which was especially important when it came to the character of Adah.
When it came to how much I liked and connected with the characters, I was a tad bit up and down. The character of Adah is hard to like at times. Sometimes she was great other times she was frustrating. The past she had was difficult which makes it so certain things trigger her easily and she shuts down. I totally understood all that and why her character wasn’t always so likeable. The problem was I wanted a bit more about her past. It was briefly talked about a few times, and again I get it, I just felt like it needed to be more developed so that I sympathized and connected with her more. Coming from a controlling religious family that would not accept you, yeah super tough, but I wanted more of the “why” and “how” not just the “what” that affected her if that hopefully makes sense.
On a positive Adah note, I really liked that she was a single mother. I can honestly count on one hand the number of books where the single mom is a butch woman. It just doesn’t happen and I can actually remember the last book I read that had a butch single mom in it which was exactly two years ago. I find that super weird to be so uncommon. Anyway, I also liked the sexual diversity in this book with lesbian, bisexual, and genderqueer characters.
If you are looking for a sweet romance with a little angst, set in a great setting with lots of good food, this book is for you. While I was not blown away, I thought this was a solid first book for me by Fisher. I thought she wrote well and if she writes more wlw fiction I would read her again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
I really loved the setting of coastal Maine. While I’m only a few hours from Maine myself, where I live is all landlocked and heavily wooded, so there is no ocean around. The smell of the sea and more lobsters than you can eat, Maine is a great state. I also liked the overall premise of two head chefs that have an attraction but also a competitive tension too.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked Fisher’s writing style. I think Fisher writes well with a lot of nice descriptions. She is not overly descriptive but just enough which I think was needed for a foodie romance. She also decided to write this book in a way that we don’t see too often. She wrote it in first person, but it was alternating POV. A chapter would be in the head of the main character Beth and then the next chapter would be in the head of Adah. Each chapter is clearly marked so there is no confusion. While I love first person, third is normally the better choice for a romance (unless you want to hide one characters thoughts). But because this was alternating first, you got to understand both character's feelings which was especially important when it came to the character of Adah.
When it came to how much I liked and connected with the characters, I was a tad bit up and down. The character of Adah is hard to like at times. Sometimes she was great other times she was frustrating. The past she had was difficult which makes it so certain things trigger her easily and she shuts down. I totally understood all that and why her character wasn’t always so likeable. The problem was I wanted a bit more about her past. It was briefly talked about a few times, and again I get it, I just felt like it needed to be more developed so that I sympathized and connected with her more. Coming from a controlling religious family that would not accept you, yeah super tough, but I wanted more of the “why” and “how” not just the “what” that affected her if that hopefully makes sense.
On a positive Adah note, I really liked that she was a single mother. I can honestly count on one hand the number of books where the single mom is a butch woman. It just doesn’t happen and I can actually remember the last book I read that had a butch single mom in it which was exactly two years ago. I find that super weird to be so uncommon. Anyway, I also liked the sexual diversity in this book with lesbian, bisexual, and genderqueer characters.
If you are looking for a sweet romance with a little angst, set in a great setting with lots of good food, this book is for you. While I was not blown away, I thought this was a solid first book for me by Fisher. I thought she wrote well and if she writes more wlw fiction I would read her again.
An ARC was given to me for a honest review.
January 10, 2021
Great read!
Leaving everything behind and starting all over again, was the best decision ever. Or not? The past continued to haunt her and there was disaster, both romantic and job related. The Secret Ingredient is a mouthwatering story of love, friendship, unresolved fears and of course food. I loved the glimpses we get into the culinary world, the hustle and bustle of running a restaurant and how the main characters faces their challenges. I really enjoyed this foodie romance. It was my first introduction to this author and I am very curious about her other books.
Leaving everything behind and starting all over again, was the best decision ever. Or not? The past continued to haunt her and there was disaster, both romantic and job related. The Secret Ingredient is a mouthwatering story of love, friendship, unresolved fears and of course food. I loved the glimpses we get into the culinary world, the hustle and bustle of running a restaurant and how the main characters faces their challenges. I really enjoyed this foodie romance. It was my first introduction to this author and I am very curious about her other books.
October 4, 2020
I enjoyed K.D. Fisher's The Secret Ingredient, it's a lovely romance. I would have liked just a bit more character development. Both women are interesting and very likable, and it would have been great to get to know them better. A little more back story would have been great, especially for Adah.
No doubt they have chemistry, whenever they were together that was clear, maybe they simply fell in love too fast?
Still, I adore the way K.D. Fisher writes. Their descriptions are amazing - the charm of this traditional and quirky Maine village, the changeable weather, and the food! Yes, this book will make you want to EAT.
There's a fantastic cast of secondary characters and I really hope K.D. Fisher has more books planned!
a copy of The Secret Ingredient was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
No doubt they have chemistry, whenever they were together that was clear, maybe they simply fell in love too fast?
Still, I adore the way K.D. Fisher writes. Their descriptions are amazing - the charm of this traditional and quirky Maine village, the changeable weather, and the food! Yes, this book will make you want to EAT.
There's a fantastic cast of secondary characters and I really hope K.D. Fisher has more books planned!
a copy of The Secret Ingredient was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review
October 27, 2020
This is a solid 3 1/2 star book for me.
Beth and Adah come from very different backgrounds, nearly everything about them appears to be the opposite of each other, except for their love of cooking - although they both believe that the others philosophy on cooking is different to themselves.
Beth appears to be a fly by night, disorganised character, yet she runs a successful family business that is gaining a reputation on the east coast. Adah is a complicated character due to her background and the majority of her cheffing experience is working at high end restaurants. Both characters shine when they are together. Adah grounds Beth, whereas Beth gives Adah the opportunity to open up and want more.
I enjoyed all of the additional characters in the book, especially Adah’s son Pete and her best friend Jay. Fisher managed to make it so that both MCs were supported by great additional characters who helped to add to the depth of the story and each character.
I loved the amount of representation throughout the book, be it gay, bisexual, genderqueer or a butch single mother and really appreciated Fisher’s style of writing. I will definitely want to read more of Fisher’s work. The writing relating to both the food and the places the story is set work really well - giving you enough information to paint the picture in your head.
There is something missing from the narrative that means the book isn’t elevated into the four star world for me - but I would definitely recommend this to fans of opposites attract romance and another other wlw romance fans.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beth and Adah come from very different backgrounds, nearly everything about them appears to be the opposite of each other, except for their love of cooking - although they both believe that the others philosophy on cooking is different to themselves.
Beth appears to be a fly by night, disorganised character, yet she runs a successful family business that is gaining a reputation on the east coast. Adah is a complicated character due to her background and the majority of her cheffing experience is working at high end restaurants. Both characters shine when they are together. Adah grounds Beth, whereas Beth gives Adah the opportunity to open up and want more.
I enjoyed all of the additional characters in the book, especially Adah’s son Pete and her best friend Jay. Fisher managed to make it so that both MCs were supported by great additional characters who helped to add to the depth of the story and each character.
I loved the amount of representation throughout the book, be it gay, bisexual, genderqueer or a butch single mother and really appreciated Fisher’s style of writing. I will definitely want to read more of Fisher’s work. The writing relating to both the food and the places the story is set work really well - giving you enough information to paint the picture in your head.
There is something missing from the narrative that means the book isn’t elevated into the four star world for me - but I would definitely recommend this to fans of opposites attract romance and another other wlw romance fans.
I received an e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2020
'The Secret Ingredient' by KD Fisher is a charming and funny small-town romance that foodies will love.
It's the story of Adah, a single mom and the head chef of a new high-end restaurant. Adah and Peter, her son, move to Maine for the opening of a new restaurant. She doesn’t have time for relationships as all her time is tied up with her son and making sure her restaurant is a success.
Beth, the owner and baker at her own restaurant doesn’t have time for anything. She’s recently won a prestigious award for her restaurant and it’s brought too much business for her to handle.
They meet when Adah and two associates go around to other local restaurants to meet the competition. Although the first meeting isn’t great, both Adah and Beth are infatuated immediately, it isn't insta-love, more like insta-attaction.
Adah, is pretty cold and standoffish in the beginning but that melts away once you get to know her and realize all the things she's overcome to get to where she is. Beth, on the other hand, is her complete opposite. She's warm, friendly and outgoing. Beth is patient and kind with both Adah and Peter and slowly works her way into Adah's heart and life.
One of the things I really loved about this book was the queer representation in the book. Its got lesbians, bisexuals as well as a non-binary character. And everyone is well developed. I didn’t really feel as any of them were there to just fill a void.
The story is written in first person alternating point of views. I happen to like that as I like knowing the motivation of the character's actions. In this case it was necessary for Adah, as she wasn't one for speaking a lot of her thoughts.
‘The Secret Ingredient’ left a smile on my face and I recommend it to anyone wanting a nice romance with a bit of an ice queen trope. Food lovers will especially love this as there are tons of descriptions of all types of food!
An ARC was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
It's the story of Adah, a single mom and the head chef of a new high-end restaurant. Adah and Peter, her son, move to Maine for the opening of a new restaurant. She doesn’t have time for relationships as all her time is tied up with her son and making sure her restaurant is a success.
Beth, the owner and baker at her own restaurant doesn’t have time for anything. She’s recently won a prestigious award for her restaurant and it’s brought too much business for her to handle.
They meet when Adah and two associates go around to other local restaurants to meet the competition. Although the first meeting isn’t great, both Adah and Beth are infatuated immediately, it isn't insta-love, more like insta-attaction.
Adah, is pretty cold and standoffish in the beginning but that melts away once you get to know her and realize all the things she's overcome to get to where she is. Beth, on the other hand, is her complete opposite. She's warm, friendly and outgoing. Beth is patient and kind with both Adah and Peter and slowly works her way into Adah's heart and life.
One of the things I really loved about this book was the queer representation in the book. Its got lesbians, bisexuals as well as a non-binary character. And everyone is well developed. I didn’t really feel as any of them were there to just fill a void.
The story is written in first person alternating point of views. I happen to like that as I like knowing the motivation of the character's actions. In this case it was necessary for Adah, as she wasn't one for speaking a lot of her thoughts.
‘The Secret Ingredient’ left a smile on my face and I recommend it to anyone wanting a nice romance with a bit of an ice queen trope. Food lovers will especially love this as there are tons of descriptions of all types of food!
An ARC was given to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
October 6, 2020
I really enjoyed reading a book with some characters that go against the norm in these types of books.
Adah just moved to North Port to be the chef at a new fancy restaurant. She lucked out on her tiny apartment and her landlady who just happens to be the nicest person on earth. Not only did Vanessa cut her rent, but she also babysits Adah's son for free every single day. When Adah and her employers check out the local competition they meet Beth. A seemingly go with the flow restaurant owner who actually owns one of the most popular restaurants in the area. To say Beth and Adah immediately click would be a huge stretch. One might say they get on each others nerves, but that's because there is this pull that they both don't want, but also secretly they do. When both their jobs become more and more stressful they need to discover what is really important to them. Beth has a hard time dealing with how reserved and closed off Adah gets when talking about feelings, Adah just pushes everyone away. When they overcome their own issues, they might just make it together.
Adah and Beth are both chefs, where Beth respects Adah's work, Adah doesn't return the favour in the beginning. Adah seems a bit of a snob and I didn't like her character for about 1/3 of the book. I did warm up to her, but I kept having some issues with her. I do like Beth, I wonder if I can borrow some of her patience and positivism. It's nice to read about a butch character mothering a child, these characters don't come by too often. But honestly, Adah is such a softie! She appears butch, but all her emotions are bordeline dramaqueen and this is what bothers me about her character. The story is nothing too special, it's sweet and nice. I did enjoy reading it. I would give it 3.5 stars if it were possible, 4, would be too much so I am going with 3.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
Adah just moved to North Port to be the chef at a new fancy restaurant. She lucked out on her tiny apartment and her landlady who just happens to be the nicest person on earth. Not only did Vanessa cut her rent, but she also babysits Adah's son for free every single day. When Adah and her employers check out the local competition they meet Beth. A seemingly go with the flow restaurant owner who actually owns one of the most popular restaurants in the area. To say Beth and Adah immediately click would be a huge stretch. One might say they get on each others nerves, but that's because there is this pull that they both don't want, but also secretly they do. When both their jobs become more and more stressful they need to discover what is really important to them. Beth has a hard time dealing with how reserved and closed off Adah gets when talking about feelings, Adah just pushes everyone away. When they overcome their own issues, they might just make it together.
Adah and Beth are both chefs, where Beth respects Adah's work, Adah doesn't return the favour in the beginning. Adah seems a bit of a snob and I didn't like her character for about 1/3 of the book. I did warm up to her, but I kept having some issues with her. I do like Beth, I wonder if I can borrow some of her patience and positivism. It's nice to read about a butch character mothering a child, these characters don't come by too often. But honestly, Adah is such a softie! She appears butch, but all her emotions are bordeline dramaqueen and this is what bothers me about her character. The story is nothing too special, it's sweet and nice. I did enjoy reading it. I would give it 3.5 stars if it were possible, 4, would be too much so I am going with 3.
*ARC received in exchange for an honest review*
January 31, 2022
3,5 - simple but it worked most of the time. I enjoyed the cooking and the sweetness, the lesbian representation of older women, one even had a child. And loved how one of the side characters used they/them pronouns. This was definitely comfy reading but with some religious trauma and too many accents in this audio book version I listened to.
May 16, 2021
Cute, but I found Adah irritating and the plot a bit boring after they begin dating.
3 stars
3 stars
November 14, 2020
📚 Read For? Carina Press Blog Tour #NetgalleyNovember #30DaysReviewChallenge Day 8
📚 Series? No.
📚 Genre? LGBT F/F Contemporary Romance.
⚠ Content Warnings: None at the top of my mind.
⚠ Book Tags : Culinary romance. Single mom. Bisexual rep. Lesbian rep. Nonbinary rep. Small town romance. Rivals/enemies turned lovers.
⚠ This Book In Emojis: 👩🍳👩🍳👩❤️👩🥂🦞🦀🏡
Foodie Sapphics In Love
The Secret Ingredient is a story about two chefs, one with more of a technical training and another whose more into homestyle cooking. They meet at a small town and started their story with a little rivalry. Adah is a single mom who is new in town, starting as an executive chef in a fine dining restaurant. On the other hand, Beth is owner and baker of her well-loved homegrown restaurant.
When these two meet the felt sparks flying between them. However, the timing wasn't perfect as both are very busy in how they manage their restaurants that the question of whether it's right to start a relationship poses a threat.
As I read this book, I felt so happy about the LGBT rep in this book, with lesbian rep, bi rep, and nonbinary rep. The writing style is easy to read, with alternating first person POVs, the reader won't be kept guessing on the motivations of the two characters. Foodies will also adore all the food descriptions scattered around the book. My Top Chef fangirl heart was so happy.
If you're curious about how steamy it gets, I'll rate it 🔥🔥🔥/5 flames. There is on page content but the word usage is not to vulgar and the acts are quite vanilla, I guess.
Overall, a fun and entertaining read!
☁ THE CRITERIA ☁
🌼 Blurb:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Main Character:⭐⭐⭐���☆
🌼 Significant Other: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Support Characters:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Writing Style:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Character Development:⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Romance: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
🌼 Ending: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
🌼 Unputdownability: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
Bonus:
🌼 Book Cover:⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
☁FINAL VERDICT: 3.5/5 ☁
Much thanks to Carina Press for this complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and opinions are fully my own. Also, all quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.
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November 6, 2020
Ok, at first I found Beth super preachy and annoying. The kind of friend who is unable to talk about anything other than them being vegan, I don't know if you have this kind of people in your life but they are pontificating all the time about how they're better human beings for eating better. At least that's what I hear everytime they talk and post, etc. So I wasn't feeling it. BUT Adah grumpiness and temper? yeah, that I could relate to, so I kept reading.
At first I didn't get the attraction between them, but that's life I guess, you fixate on a random person for no reason and infatuation begins, and what romance novel is complete without the "I'm never like this, you're the only one that makes me wanna whatever blah"?
The good thing was that on the 3/4 of the book drama I started to like Beth and wanted to shake some sense into Adah, because bad past or not, she was just childish. All in all I ended up likng it, so, go read it, it's entertaining.
At first I didn't get the attraction between them, but that's life I guess, you fixate on a random person for no reason and infatuation begins, and what romance novel is complete without the "I'm never like this, you're the only one that makes me wanna whatever blah"?
The good thing was that on the 3/4 of the book drama I started to like Beth and wanted to shake some sense into Adah, because bad past or not, she was just childish. All in all I ended up likng it, so, go read it, it's entertaining.
November 19, 2020
The Secret Ingredient’s premise appealed to me because it has two chefs falling in love in a small town. I expected a fun comfort read and was pleasantly surprised when it delivered more than that, especially through one of the leads, Adah.
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
January 10, 2021
Really enjoyed this one - my first by K D Fisher (Why do so many les-rom authors have a first initial K - not using 1st name but the initial?) And I'll look out for more by her. Loved the interaction with other characters which opened up a whole new world. Wonderful. ( Ooooh, even gave herself a 5* review.... Love the confidence / a little arrogant - delete as appropriate.)
January 31, 2022
A few days ago I read a book I didn't exactly enjoy and for which I wrote a fairly scathing (though I believe still generous) review. My review focused on the way 1st-person point of view was used in that novel and how it just didn't work, particularly since there were two narrators in the mix. So you'll probably understand my trepidation when I opened this novel to find another 1st-person POV book with two narrators. Bonus points that it's also about food (and I have to say that it's super weird that 4 of the last 5 books I've read revolve around food/foodies). But KD Fisher did not steer me wrong here. They managed to write a book where each of the main characters narrated a portion of the novel and they had distinct voices and personalities and it was a pleasure to read.
Okay, so Adah has just moved to a coastal Maine town where she's been given the opportunity to run her first kitchen as Executive Chef. It's a big deal for the single mom who started as a line cook and she's determined to prove she's more than ready to take on the responsibility.
Off the beaten path of the tourist scene is the Yellow House Café, an award winning, farm-to-table restaurant that's run by Beth, a local woman who transformed her mother's eatery into a bit of a cult phenomenon. You know, the kind of places hipsters will drive from all over the east coast to try because some established food critic stumbled upon it one day. (Beth would roll her eyes at the description but it's true).
Adah has read articles about the restaurant and is super inspired by Beth, who preaches about making good, unpretentious food with local ingredients that anyone can afford to enjoy. She's also openly queer and advocates for the women in the industry. Well, Adah's inspired until she meets Beth, that is. And all she feels is Beth's judgment about the kind of food her restaurant is going to make--expensive, elegant, super pretentious. Adah, who feels she already has a lot to prove, is now at odds with her fiercest competition.
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance that I quite enjoyed. Neither Beth nor Adah fall in love easily in this novel. There are a lot of missteps and misunderstandings and miscommunications, and the stress of Adah's work situation and life baggage is definitely not working in her favour. But I could see how they would work and how they compliment each other and how they drive each other to be better people, better chefs. And while some of the drama goes on a little too long, I was so happy with what Fisher put on the page for me to read.
Okay, so Adah has just moved to a coastal Maine town where she's been given the opportunity to run her first kitchen as Executive Chef. It's a big deal for the single mom who started as a line cook and she's determined to prove she's more than ready to take on the responsibility.
Off the beaten path of the tourist scene is the Yellow House Café, an award winning, farm-to-table restaurant that's run by Beth, a local woman who transformed her mother's eatery into a bit of a cult phenomenon. You know, the kind of places hipsters will drive from all over the east coast to try because some established food critic stumbled upon it one day. (Beth would roll her eyes at the description but it's true).
Adah has read articles about the restaurant and is super inspired by Beth, who preaches about making good, unpretentious food with local ingredients that anyone can afford to enjoy. She's also openly queer and advocates for the women in the industry. Well, Adah's inspired until she meets Beth, that is. And all she feels is Beth's judgment about the kind of food her restaurant is going to make--expensive, elegant, super pretentious. Adah, who feels she already has a lot to prove, is now at odds with her fiercest competition.
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance that I quite enjoyed. Neither Beth nor Adah fall in love easily in this novel. There are a lot of missteps and misunderstandings and miscommunications, and the stress of Adah's work situation and life baggage is definitely not working in her favour. But I could see how they would work and how they compliment each other and how they drive each other to be better people, better chefs. And while some of the drama goes on a little too long, I was so happy with what Fisher put on the page for me to read.
October 27, 2020
I choose to read The Secret Ingredient because of the nice little synopsis that was written. I have read a few other romances that centered about food/chefs and I found that I do like the setting. This one for sure fit into that category and I found that it was a nice enough romance. Nothing stood out that help to make it exceptional.
Adah Campbell and her son moves to a small town in Maine (from Chicago) to run a new restaurant as head chef. She knows this is a really good chance for her to prove that she is an excellent chef. She knows that she will have to work hard to prove herself to the sexist and egotistical General Manager. Beth Summers runs a small restaurant in the same small town. Her restaurant is completely different from Adah's and Beth has proven herself that her restaurant is the real deal. These two get off to a bad start from the very beginning when Adah offends Beth the first time they met.
What I enjoyed most about this romance was Beth Summers. Her character was delightful, forgiving, honest and free. She doesn't have to try to be a good person, she just is. Adah on the other hand is a little off putting. She is distant, cold and not really friendly. Sure there are some things from her past that have shaped the person she is today, BUT it would have been nice to see this early in the book. Since it takes a while to get there I found myself not really caring for her and wondering why Beth really wants to have anything to do with her. Adah is not all bad. She is good with her son and neighbor. I found myself wanting to like her if I could just figure out what was going on with her.
The food aspect of this was really good. I found myself wanting to be able to taste some of the foods or find a recipe similar to the meals being prepared. Out of the few books I have read that centered about food, I liked this aspect the best of all of them.
Despite the difference between the mains, I did find that there was some chemistry between the two. There is some angst in this one. I just wish Adah was more likable so I would not feel like Beth should just walk away. Despite these things, I still overall thought it pleasant read.
3.5 stars
This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Adah Campbell and her son moves to a small town in Maine (from Chicago) to run a new restaurant as head chef. She knows this is a really good chance for her to prove that she is an excellent chef. She knows that she will have to work hard to prove herself to the sexist and egotistical General Manager. Beth Summers runs a small restaurant in the same small town. Her restaurant is completely different from Adah's and Beth has proven herself that her restaurant is the real deal. These two get off to a bad start from the very beginning when Adah offends Beth the first time they met.
What I enjoyed most about this romance was Beth Summers. Her character was delightful, forgiving, honest and free. She doesn't have to try to be a good person, she just is. Adah on the other hand is a little off putting. She is distant, cold and not really friendly. Sure there are some things from her past that have shaped the person she is today, BUT it would have been nice to see this early in the book. Since it takes a while to get there I found myself not really caring for her and wondering why Beth really wants to have anything to do with her. Adah is not all bad. She is good with her son and neighbor. I found myself wanting to like her if I could just figure out what was going on with her.
The food aspect of this was really good. I found myself wanting to be able to taste some of the foods or find a recipe similar to the meals being prepared. Out of the few books I have read that centered about food, I liked this aspect the best of all of them.
Despite the difference between the mains, I did find that there was some chemistry between the two. There is some angst in this one. I just wish Adah was more likable so I would not feel like Beth should just walk away. Despite these things, I still overall thought it pleasant read.
3.5 stars
This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.
August 22, 2020
This was a delightful small town queer romance featuring so much good food I was starving by the time I finished reading. All the characters were lovely, and I really hope there are future stories about Adah and Beth's family and friends so I can go back to this world.
I'm really not sure why there isn't any cover art since The Secret Ingredient will be coming out this fall, but hopefully it do the story justice once created.
I'm really not sure why there isn't any cover art since The Secret Ingredient will be coming out this fall, but hopefully it do the story justice once created.
December 3, 2020
Originally posted on You Have Your Hands Full
Adah and her son have just relocated from Chicago to Maine so she be the head chef for a restaurant group’s newest venture. She doesn’t know a single soul in the entire state, but she’s looking forward to the fresh start after working her butt off for over a decade.
Beth has always lived in Maine, and she transformed her parents’ café into a culinary sensation.
Adah and Beth cross paths via the restaurant scene, and while their first encounter was not as disastrous as when Lizzie met Darcy, it is not much better. But there’s a spark, and curiosity gets the better of them, and they begin to date.
This book was so sweet. Even though both women are chefs, their personalities are completely different. Adah is used to being independent because she’s been on her own for her entire adult life and she doesn’t like to ask for help, even when she needs it. As talented as she is, she’s still at the mercy of the restaurant owner, who doesn’t always read the room—or listen to Adah—when determining dining trends.
On the other hand, Beth is a bit more relaxed. She may have taken over her parents’ restaurant, but its success is due entirely to her hard work (and that of her employees).
Adah and Beth have such wonderful chemistry. It’s clear they care for each other, but love isn’t always easy. One of my favorite scenes was definitely when Beth took Adah swimming at a little beach a little hike away from the crowded tourist spots.
The secondary characters added such lovely layers to the narrative. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, it would be Adah’s friend Jay, who moves to Maine after a breakup. I hope they get their own book next!
I would absolutely recommend The Secret Ingredient. This makes the second romance I’ve read this year set in Maine, and frankly, I want more! I loved the combination of “rival” restauranteurs with a small town. I am looking forward to reading more from Fisher in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Carina Press/NetGalley
Adah and her son have just relocated from Chicago to Maine so she be the head chef for a restaurant group’s newest venture. She doesn’t know a single soul in the entire state, but she’s looking forward to the fresh start after working her butt off for over a decade.
Beth has always lived in Maine, and she transformed her parents’ café into a culinary sensation.
Adah and Beth cross paths via the restaurant scene, and while their first encounter was not as disastrous as when Lizzie met Darcy, it is not much better. But there’s a spark, and curiosity gets the better of them, and they begin to date.
This book was so sweet. Even though both women are chefs, their personalities are completely different. Adah is used to being independent because she’s been on her own for her entire adult life and she doesn’t like to ask for help, even when she needs it. As talented as she is, she’s still at the mercy of the restaurant owner, who doesn’t always read the room—or listen to Adah—when determining dining trends.
On the other hand, Beth is a bit more relaxed. She may have taken over her parents’ restaurant, but its success is due entirely to her hard work (and that of her employees).
Adah and Beth have such wonderful chemistry. It’s clear they care for each other, but love isn’t always easy. One of my favorite scenes was definitely when Beth took Adah swimming at a little beach a little hike away from the crowded tourist spots.
The secondary characters added such lovely layers to the narrative. It’s hard to pick a favorite, but if I had to, it would be Adah’s friend Jay, who moves to Maine after a breakup. I hope they get their own book next!
I would absolutely recommend The Secret Ingredient. This makes the second romance I’ve read this year set in Maine, and frankly, I want more! I loved the combination of “rival” restauranteurs with a small town. I am looking forward to reading more from Fisher in the future.
I received a copy of this book from Carina Press/NetGalley
July 16, 2022
The daughter of a reverend who wasn't a good man and with a family who didn't accepted her as she is, executive chef and single mother Adah Campbell started a new life in Maine. But working at Bella Vista restaurant is not the dream job she wished for. Looking for competition in the area puts in her path Beth Summers, the owner of The Yellow House café. Things doesn't get off to a good start for the two women so why can't they stop thinking about each other ever since?
I loved the friends Adah made in town and the way the author described it made me want to move out there. Adah definitively needed someone like Beth to break down the walls she erected around her heart. I found Beth so forgiving when Adah gave her the silent treatment. This annoyed me a bit but at the same time, I like how it shows that you can always find someone to love you even with your flaws and issues. In case it wasn't clear, I had a great time with this novel.
If you're searching for a good romance with queer representation from both MC and a few secondary characters, that's some of the ingredients you can find in this novel.
I loved the friends Adah made in town and the way the author described it made me want to move out there. Adah definitively needed someone like Beth to break down the walls she erected around her heart. I found Beth so forgiving when Adah gave her the silent treatment. This annoyed me a bit but at the same time, I like how it shows that you can always find someone to love you even with your flaws and issues. In case it wasn't clear, I had a great time with this novel.
If you're searching for a good romance with queer representation from both MC and a few secondary characters, that's some of the ingredients you can find in this novel.
October 28, 2020
The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher
Adah and Beth are wonderful people that deserve to have a happily ever after even if it takes them a bit to work it out. Their backgrounds were so different and yet their goals and dreams similar. I liked them and their story.
What I liked:
* Adah: dedicated to her profession, a loving mother, afraid to trust, has difficulty communicating feelings, ripe for love, a woman with a tough backstory.
* Beth: positive, loving, warm, caring, open, communicates easily, excellent at what she does, an earth mother type, colorful, cheerful, everything that Adah needs.
* Pete: a wonderful son, full of life, giving, caring, a beautiful boy
* Vanessa: retired, great landlord, excellent friend, good with Pet and Adah, nice person
* The story, writing and eventual happy ending
* That the creepy dude didn’t win
What I didn’t like:
* Sean and Ric – out for the profit only and very wrong as bosses to Adah
* What Adah experienced growing up
* Having to say goodbye to the people in the story
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Adah and Beth are wonderful people that deserve to have a happily ever after even if it takes them a bit to work it out. Their backgrounds were so different and yet their goals and dreams similar. I liked them and their story.
What I liked:
* Adah: dedicated to her profession, a loving mother, afraid to trust, has difficulty communicating feelings, ripe for love, a woman with a tough backstory.
* Beth: positive, loving, warm, caring, open, communicates easily, excellent at what she does, an earth mother type, colorful, cheerful, everything that Adah needs.
* Pete: a wonderful son, full of life, giving, caring, a beautiful boy
* Vanessa: retired, great landlord, excellent friend, good with Pet and Adah, nice person
* The story, writing and eventual happy ending
* That the creepy dude didn’t win
What I didn’t like:
* Sean and Ric – out for the profit only and very wrong as bosses to Adah
* What Adah experienced growing up
* Having to say goodbye to the people in the story
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more by this author? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
January 31, 2021
3.5 stars. This is a sweet f/f romance that will make you so damn hungry with all of the farm to table food descriptions. The relationship dynamic is sorta happy-wild-child one is soft for the feral-closed-off-for-their-own-protection one.
October 4, 2023
Another entry for my strange addiction to queer chef novels. Cute, easy, entertaining, and enjoyable. rivals to lovers novel where we explore the lives of two chefs and their career goals, friendships, parenthood, and letting someone in.
May 25, 2021
I hate magic babysitters. Somehow whenever someone has a child in a romance novel a magic Mary Poppins babysitter shows up to make sure our MC's have all the time in the world to spend together. Just take the kid out. Other than being an accessory to complete the readymade Queer family fantasy what purpose did he serve?
April 12, 2021
From competition to cooperation
Two ladies from opposite backgrounds meet in the middle and fall for each other. Through some hardship they wind up together and get their well-deserved HEA.
Two ladies from opposite backgrounds meet in the middle and fall for each other. Through some hardship they wind up together and get their well-deserved HEA.
October 26, 2020
“Oh my god. Seriously? You’re a Virgo? Okay, well you better wife me up now because we are like bonkers compatible!” – Beth to Adah
Adah Campbell has worked tirelessly to provide a loving, safe home for her son Pete and build a career as a chef. When an opportunity arises for her to helm a restaurant in South Bay, Maine, she seizes it, little knowing how life-changing this decision would become. Beth Summers, on the other hand, had fled her South Bay hometown, craving a life spent traveling. She returns, however, after her mother’s retirement, to transform the old family restaurant and search for elusive fulfillment. Their attraction is immediate, though they don’t get off on the right foot at their first meeting. This opposites-attract romance delivers wonderful chemistry between not only Beth and Adah, but with the supporting cast of characters, as well. It contains a heady mixture of workplace drama, personal trauma, and falling in love. There are a lot of food-type puns and comments I can make about how their HEA unfolds (and trust me, I really want to!). It’s especially true in an opposites-attract love story that the unlikely, disregarded ingredients are sometimes just the thing you need to discover what’s your “perfect-for-you-balance” in life.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food. Foodie romances are delicious torture on so many levels (the longing, the push and pull, the menus!) and this year it seems like we’ve been blessed with a smorgasbord of them. If there is one thing I wish I would have done differently while reading this, it would have been to pair it with dinner or snacks, because I was starving! An important and well-done element of Fisher’s writing is her food descriptions. We have two women elbows deep in the restaurant industry, so it has to have a whole lot of tasty descriptions. (Can you smell that wood burning stove? I can!) And trust me, she delivers a full course menu as Beth and Adah navigate careers and romance. One thing I’m curious about is how the audiobook narrator will translate an accent that sounds like “humid thunderstorms and steamy biscuits slathered in home-churned butter”. Omg. Let me know if you listen to this book!
Fisher also has a great ear for fun, playful dialogue. Jay (Adah’s bff and pastry chef extraordinaire, they/them/theirs pronouns), and Adah's friend conversations flow easily, with their energy and perspectives balancing each other's personalities. Where Adah comes off as more reserved and high-strung, Jay is outgoing and optimistic (even when faced with personal setbacks). Their longtime friendship forms a close-knit family, supportive in good times and bad. I love their friendship so much! It’s wonderful and makes my heart happy. The relationships surrounding Beth and Adah, including Adah’s son and landlord/mother-she-wish-she-had, and Beth’s family and staff, make this foodie romance even more satisfying.
This review reflects material from Carina Press’s pre-publication edition of the book. Available October 27th!
Adah Campbell has worked tirelessly to provide a loving, safe home for her son Pete and build a career as a chef. When an opportunity arises for her to helm a restaurant in South Bay, Maine, she seizes it, little knowing how life-changing this decision would become. Beth Summers, on the other hand, had fled her South Bay hometown, craving a life spent traveling. She returns, however, after her mother’s retirement, to transform the old family restaurant and search for elusive fulfillment. Their attraction is immediate, though they don’t get off on the right foot at their first meeting. This opposites-attract romance delivers wonderful chemistry between not only Beth and Adah, but with the supporting cast of characters, as well. It contains a heady mixture of workplace drama, personal trauma, and falling in love. There are a lot of food-type puns and comments I can make about how their HEA unfolds (and trust me, I really want to!). It’s especially true in an opposites-attract love story that the unlikely, disregarded ingredients are sometimes just the thing you need to discover what’s your “perfect-for-you-balance” in life.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the food. Foodie romances are delicious torture on so many levels (the longing, the push and pull, the menus!) and this year it seems like we’ve been blessed with a smorgasbord of them. If there is one thing I wish I would have done differently while reading this, it would have been to pair it with dinner or snacks, because I was starving! An important and well-done element of Fisher’s writing is her food descriptions. We have two women elbows deep in the restaurant industry, so it has to have a whole lot of tasty descriptions. (Can you smell that wood burning stove? I can!) And trust me, she delivers a full course menu as Beth and Adah navigate careers and romance. One thing I’m curious about is how the audiobook narrator will translate an accent that sounds like “humid thunderstorms and steamy biscuits slathered in home-churned butter”. Omg. Let me know if you listen to this book!
Fisher also has a great ear for fun, playful dialogue. Jay (Adah’s bff and pastry chef extraordinaire, they/them/theirs pronouns), and Adah's friend conversations flow easily, with their energy and perspectives balancing each other's personalities. Where Adah comes off as more reserved and high-strung, Jay is outgoing and optimistic (even when faced with personal setbacks). Their longtime friendship forms a close-knit family, supportive in good times and bad. I love their friendship so much! It’s wonderful and makes my heart happy. The relationships surrounding Beth and Adah, including Adah’s son and landlord/mother-she-wish-she-had, and Beth’s family and staff, make this foodie romance even more satisfying.
This review reflects material from Carina Press’s pre-publication edition of the book. Available October 27th!
October 14, 2020
KD Fisher’s The Secret Ingredient made me hungry. It also made me want to travel *stares wistfully out my window .
This is one of those books that’s less plot-driven, more character & setting-focused, & reading it felt cozy & occasionally steamy—a rather nice combo IMO.
Adah Campbell has just moved to Maine to be Head Chef at a fancy restaurant. Years ago, after accidentally becoming pregnant, she left her strict, super religious home & made a life for herself and her son. Serving as Head Chef is the opportunity she needs to provide for her family & to prove that she has what it takes.
Beth Summers is the owner & baker of The Yellow House, a more casual type of establishment that privileges local food & farmers & takes food & the people it can serve through food seriously.
Trope-wise, this book is a classic: opposites attract. Grumpy & the sunshine. But I love how original it is in Fisher’s hands.
The Secret Ingredient gets points for:
Adah’s cute accent, which is pervasive throughout the book. I don’t feel like I’ve often (ever?) seen an Ozarks dialect written in a romance before?
.
.
How ambitious & competitive both women are, in slightly different ways.
.
.
Steam, including the leads sharing forthrightly what they like & don’t like.
.
.
Found family.
.
.
Beautiful descriptions of Maine life (I want to go to there.)
.
.
How soft Adah is underneath her reserved exterior. She’s so earnest & I love it (give me ALL the little signs of vulnerability 🤣).
This was a 4⭐️ read for me, a touching, soft read that also touches on some tough topics.
CW: references to past verbal & emotional abuse. In the present-day Adah still has physical & emotional responses that are affected by those past events.
4⭐️. The Secret Ingredient is out on 10/27. Thanks to Harlequin Publicity Team for the complimentary finished copy. All opinions provided are my own.
This is one of those books that’s less plot-driven, more character & setting-focused, & reading it felt cozy & occasionally steamy—a rather nice combo IMO.
Adah Campbell has just moved to Maine to be Head Chef at a fancy restaurant. Years ago, after accidentally becoming pregnant, she left her strict, super religious home & made a life for herself and her son. Serving as Head Chef is the opportunity she needs to provide for her family & to prove that she has what it takes.
Beth Summers is the owner & baker of The Yellow House, a more casual type of establishment that privileges local food & farmers & takes food & the people it can serve through food seriously.
Trope-wise, this book is a classic: opposites attract. Grumpy & the sunshine. But I love how original it is in Fisher’s hands.
The Secret Ingredient gets points for:
Adah’s cute accent, which is pervasive throughout the book. I don’t feel like I’ve often (ever?) seen an Ozarks dialect written in a romance before?
.
.
How ambitious & competitive both women are, in slightly different ways.
.
.
Steam, including the leads sharing forthrightly what they like & don’t like.
.
.
Found family.
.
.
Beautiful descriptions of Maine life (I want to go to there.)
.
.
How soft Adah is underneath her reserved exterior. She’s so earnest & I love it (give me ALL the little signs of vulnerability 🤣).
This was a 4⭐️ read for me, a touching, soft read that also touches on some tough topics.
CW: references to past verbal & emotional abuse. In the present-day Adah still has physical & emotional responses that are affected by those past events.
4⭐️. The Secret Ingredient is out on 10/27. Thanks to Harlequin Publicity Team for the complimentary finished copy. All opinions provided are my own.
December 3, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an advanced copy of this book. I am providing a voluntary review. All thoughts and views are my own.
Oh my goodness. This book. *heart eyes* I'm going to struggle to give this book the review it deserves because I'm in a place, personally, where I've had to turn off my reviewer brain for a while. Such a long while, in fact, that I've reached beyond rusty to some as-of-yet-unnamed level of inadequacy. However, I will do my best to give this story the attention and praise it deserves.
First of all, one of my absolute favorite tropes/character combinations is grumpy/sunshine, and let me tell you, Adah and Beth fit the bill in all the best possible ways. Their chemistry was palpable, the characterization and personality development was detailed and rich, and the story made my heart melt into a delicious little puddle.
I'm the exact opposite of a chef. In fact, if you ask anyone who knows me, you'll find out I've been banned from more than one kitchen due to my complete inability to do anything even remotely positive with food... beyond stuffing my face with it, of course. However, it was positively charming to read these two chefs living their best chef lives and talking about all the foodie stuffs I know nothing about. In fact, it made me want to learn to cook because Fisher did such a beautiful job of making that world seem inviting and downright delightful.
At the end of the day, this book put a smile on my face, and in 2020, that's saying something. I can't recommend it enough and will definitely be rec'ing this book to anyone who asks for a good romance read with charm, spunk, and seriously good vibes!
Oh my goodness. This book. *heart eyes* I'm going to struggle to give this book the review it deserves because I'm in a place, personally, where I've had to turn off my reviewer brain for a while. Such a long while, in fact, that I've reached beyond rusty to some as-of-yet-unnamed level of inadequacy. However, I will do my best to give this story the attention and praise it deserves.
First of all, one of my absolute favorite tropes/character combinations is grumpy/sunshine, and let me tell you, Adah and Beth fit the bill in all the best possible ways. Their chemistry was palpable, the characterization and personality development was detailed and rich, and the story made my heart melt into a delicious little puddle.
I'm the exact opposite of a chef. In fact, if you ask anyone who knows me, you'll find out I've been banned from more than one kitchen due to my complete inability to do anything even remotely positive with food... beyond stuffing my face with it, of course. However, it was positively charming to read these two chefs living their best chef lives and talking about all the foodie stuffs I know nothing about. In fact, it made me want to learn to cook because Fisher did such a beautiful job of making that world seem inviting and downright delightful.
At the end of the day, this book put a smile on my face, and in 2020, that's saying something. I can't recommend it enough and will definitely be rec'ing this book to anyone who asks for a good romance read with charm, spunk, and seriously good vibes!
September 29, 2020
Adah Campbell is a single mom to ten-year old Peter. They recently moved from Chicago to North Port, Maine, where Adah accepted an executive chef role at Bella Vista. One afternoon Adah and some of Bella Vista’s executive leadership pay a visit to a restaurant in the area called The Yellow House. The restaurant has recently won a prestigious award and they want to learn more about the restaurant and its owner, Beth Summers. Beth doesn’t really have time to talk to the visitors since her restaurant is quite busy. But she does take notice of Adah.
Beth and Adah are quite different in personalities and their demeanor. Beth is very talkative and outgoing while Adah is quiet and reserved. We learn that Adah grew up in Missouri and is actually the daughter of a reverend who found it difficult to accept Adah’s sexuality. Eventually Beth and Adah begin to spend time together while Adah’s landlord and friend, Vanessa, takes care of Peter. They grow close over time. We learn about their developing relationship in the chapters that follow.
The book was a refreshing change of pace since it represented people of different identities and sexualities quite well. It also outlined the challenges that someone can face when their family does not accept these qualities. I also enjoyed the fact that Adah was a butch character and the birth mother of Peter. This is pretty rare in lesbian fiction. I would recommend this sweet romance to other readers, especially for people who enjoy reading about a food and restaurant environment. 3.5 stars
I received an ARC from Carina Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beth and Adah are quite different in personalities and their demeanor. Beth is very talkative and outgoing while Adah is quiet and reserved. We learn that Adah grew up in Missouri and is actually the daughter of a reverend who found it difficult to accept Adah’s sexuality. Eventually Beth and Adah begin to spend time together while Adah’s landlord and friend, Vanessa, takes care of Peter. They grow close over time. We learn about their developing relationship in the chapters that follow.
The book was a refreshing change of pace since it represented people of different identities and sexualities quite well. It also outlined the challenges that someone can face when their family does not accept these qualities. I also enjoyed the fact that Adah was a butch character and the birth mother of Peter. This is pretty rare in lesbian fiction. I would recommend this sweet romance to other readers, especially for people who enjoy reading about a food and restaurant environment. 3.5 stars
I received an ARC from Carina Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 2, 2023
Wat een heerlijk boek! Echt op en top feelgood! Alsof ik zelf in de keuken van Adah stond of een hapje ging eten in The Yellow House!
Dat is vooral te wijten aan de fijne en vlotte schrijfstijl van KD Fisher. Al vanaf pagina een wordt het verhaal neergezet met de zinnen van Adah: 'Mijn hele leven was ik al op de vlucht. Ik rende zo hard weg van alles dat ik mezelf helemaal kwijt had kunnen raken.' Je bent als lezer direct geboeid om er achter te komen wat haar geschiedenis is.
Die eerste zin maakt ook dat je het karakter van Adah goed kan begrijpen; het harde werken en jezelf willen bewijzen. Haar ‘oermoeder’ gevoel om haar zoontje te beschermen en nieuwe mensen niet direct te vertrouwen. Heel anders dan Beth, die uit een warm en begripvol gezin komt en veel opener is in de omgang. Maar waar ook een pittig karakter in schuilt (wat bij de restaurant-test heel goed naar voren komt).
En een van mijn favoriete bijpersonen was buurvrouw Vanessa; ik zag haar helemaal voor me als goedlachse oma die iedereen wilt knuffelen en voor wie niets te gek is. Aan mijn enthousiasme lees je het wel aan af; de karakter en setting van het verhaal zijn heel goed neergezet!
De chemistry tussen Adah en Beth voel je als lezer ook wel echt al ging het ‘haters to lovers’ wel heel abrupt over naar alleen ‘lovers’. Daar had voor mij wel iets langer tussen mogen zitten. Wat vervolgens wel goed naar voren kwam waren de botsingen tussen karakters; zeker het moment wanneer Beth onaangekondigd bij Adah thuiskomt. Met daarna de uitdaging voor Adah om af te rekenen met de demonen uit haar verleden. En ook over dat deel had ik graag meer gelezen, want daar zat zo’n belangrijk deel van haar geschiedenis!
Maar hoe aan het einde alle puzzelstukjes op zijn plek vielen; daarom lees ik feelgood!
Conclusie
Een heerlijke feelgood; boordevol lieve personages en heerlijke gerechten. Perfect voor de luie zondagmiddag!
Dat is vooral te wijten aan de fijne en vlotte schrijfstijl van KD Fisher. Al vanaf pagina een wordt het verhaal neergezet met de zinnen van Adah: 'Mijn hele leven was ik al op de vlucht. Ik rende zo hard weg van alles dat ik mezelf helemaal kwijt had kunnen raken.' Je bent als lezer direct geboeid om er achter te komen wat haar geschiedenis is.
Die eerste zin maakt ook dat je het karakter van Adah goed kan begrijpen; het harde werken en jezelf willen bewijzen. Haar ‘oermoeder’ gevoel om haar zoontje te beschermen en nieuwe mensen niet direct te vertrouwen. Heel anders dan Beth, die uit een warm en begripvol gezin komt en veel opener is in de omgang. Maar waar ook een pittig karakter in schuilt (wat bij de restaurant-test heel goed naar voren komt).
En een van mijn favoriete bijpersonen was buurvrouw Vanessa; ik zag haar helemaal voor me als goedlachse oma die iedereen wilt knuffelen en voor wie niets te gek is. Aan mijn enthousiasme lees je het wel aan af; de karakter en setting van het verhaal zijn heel goed neergezet!
De chemistry tussen Adah en Beth voel je als lezer ook wel echt al ging het ‘haters to lovers’ wel heel abrupt over naar alleen ‘lovers’. Daar had voor mij wel iets langer tussen mogen zitten. Wat vervolgens wel goed naar voren kwam waren de botsingen tussen karakters; zeker het moment wanneer Beth onaangekondigd bij Adah thuiskomt. Met daarna de uitdaging voor Adah om af te rekenen met de demonen uit haar verleden. En ook over dat deel had ik graag meer gelezen, want daar zat zo’n belangrijk deel van haar geschiedenis!
Maar hoe aan het einde alle puzzelstukjes op zijn plek vielen; daarom lees ik feelgood!
Conclusie
Een heerlijke feelgood; boordevol lieve personages en heerlijke gerechten. Perfect voor de luie zondagmiddag!
October 4, 2020
“And what about The Yellow House? I really want to see what they’re doing over there.”
Moving from Chicago to Maine, Adah Campbell had big dreams of starting a new life with her 9 year old son, a new job as the executive chef of a posh restaurant and leaving her past behind. When her recce of potential competitors in the area brought her to Yellow House, she was both enamoured and put off by its owner, Beth Summers.
Beth Summers gave up travelling the world to take over her family’s coffee shop and through hard work with her team made a name for her award winning bakery cum restaurant.
Although first interaction between the pair left much to be desired, they could not deny the instant attraction towards each other. Even as rivals in the industry, it was heartening to see the characters bond over food and their competitiveness spicing up the relationship. All was well until Adah’s past and insecurities halted their progress.
The book gave both main character’s point of views and while it was easy to like Beth, with her resilience and general optimism with life, Adah left readers wanting. With the ghosts of her past and pride to succeed on her own, it was easy to understand where Adah came from but her prolonged reluctance to open and warm up to Beth difficult to relate.
3.5 stars as the book has its charms for a foodie romance and diversity of LGBT characters.
just reviewed The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher. #TheSecretIngredient #NetGalley
Moving from Chicago to Maine, Adah Campbell had big dreams of starting a new life with her 9 year old son, a new job as the executive chef of a posh restaurant and leaving her past behind. When her recce of potential competitors in the area brought her to Yellow House, she was both enamoured and put off by its owner, Beth Summers.
Beth Summers gave up travelling the world to take over her family’s coffee shop and through hard work with her team made a name for her award winning bakery cum restaurant.
Although first interaction between the pair left much to be desired, they could not deny the instant attraction towards each other. Even as rivals in the industry, it was heartening to see the characters bond over food and their competitiveness spicing up the relationship. All was well until Adah’s past and insecurities halted their progress.
The book gave both main character’s point of views and while it was easy to like Beth, with her resilience and general optimism with life, Adah left readers wanting. With the ghosts of her past and pride to succeed on her own, it was easy to understand where Adah came from but her prolonged reluctance to open and warm up to Beth difficult to relate.
3.5 stars as the book has its charms for a foodie romance and diversity of LGBT characters.
just reviewed The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher. #TheSecretIngredient #NetGalley
October 23, 2020
This was a surprising delight!
I was immediately swept into the story by KD’s easy writing style, the beautiful Maine location and the delicious food descriptions.
I especially enjoyed how these two opposites found each other and within that, their other half!
Adah was rough up in a strict religious home and now the single mother of a young boy has taken the opportunity to escape her refuge of the big city to make a hoe in a seaside resort town. She has the been give the hard chef position at anew restaurant… too bad she is still under the thumb of a misogynistic manager who does not respect her and her abilities.
On the flip side , there is chef and owner of the critically acclaimed restaurant across town, Beth. Beth was brought up in a loving home and has had the freedom to follow her dreams. She now lets her creativity flow in her business.
Like two opposite magnets, the attraction between these two is palpable. Both needing to learn to love and trust, in order to find happiness together. I adored both characters and found them both deeply relatable. A truly delicious love story!
The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher is scheduled to release October 27th, 2020.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheSecretIngredient #KDFisher #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
I was immediately swept into the story by KD’s easy writing style, the beautiful Maine location and the delicious food descriptions.
I especially enjoyed how these two opposites found each other and within that, their other half!
Adah was rough up in a strict religious home and now the single mother of a young boy has taken the opportunity to escape her refuge of the big city to make a hoe in a seaside resort town. She has the been give the hard chef position at anew restaurant… too bad she is still under the thumb of a misogynistic manager who does not respect her and her abilities.
On the flip side , there is chef and owner of the critically acclaimed restaurant across town, Beth. Beth was brought up in a loving home and has had the freedom to follow her dreams. She now lets her creativity flow in her business.
Like two opposite magnets, the attraction between these two is palpable. Both needing to learn to love and trust, in order to find happiness together. I adored both characters and found them both deeply relatable. A truly delicious love story!
The Secret Ingredient by KD Fisher is scheduled to release October 27th, 2020.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harlequin and the Harlequin Publicity Team. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#TheSecretIngredient #KDFisher #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads
March 26, 2021
The Secret Ingredient - no surprise that it's a foodie romance, right? It's also a sweet, female/female romance. Now, here's where I'll tell you that foodie romances are a bit of a hit or miss for me, but I picked this one up because I don't often run into female pairings in the genre. About the foodie aspect of this one - KD Fisher does a really good job with the details, which is usually where I struggle with this trope. All too often, we get so much detail about the food that I end up hungry but lost on where the story is going other than the meal. Fisher finds just the right balance between the story and the descriptions so that the romance doesn't get lost. Oddly enough, that's where I struggled with this one. Not with Beth. She comes across as a little flighty but easily likable. Adah, on the other hand, was a hard nut to crack. She's so set on not discussing her feelings and pushing people away that she pushed this reader away more often than not. Her past makes her actions understandable, but I think I needed a bit more development with her character. Nevertheless, I think this sweet foodie romance has its charm and will appeal to many LGBTQIA readers.
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