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Hot in Here
A sizzling debut novel starring a sexy TV chef who steams up more than just entrees...
She wasn't his kind of dish-until someone turned up the heat...
Celebrity chef and infamous ladies' man Bryce Ryder can't believe the thoughts he's having about his old friend Jenna McCabe. She's always been the shy girlnext- door, but when some bad publicity threatens everything he's built, Jenna gets down to business- and shows a side of herself that is take-charge and totally irresistible.
Soon things are heating up in and out of the kitchen-and all of Jenna's secret fantasies about Bryce start coming true. But will she be the one to tame his heart, or is the sexy chef just indulging another one of his cravings?
She wasn't his kind of dish-until someone turned up the heat...
Celebrity chef and infamous ladies' man Bryce Ryder can't believe the thoughts he's having about his old friend Jenna McCabe. She's always been the shy girlnext- door, but when some bad publicity threatens everything he's built, Jenna gets down to business- and shows a side of herself that is take-charge and totally irresistible.
Soon things are heating up in and out of the kitchen-and all of Jenna's secret fantasies about Bryce start coming true. But will she be the one to tame his heart, or is the sexy chef just indulging another one of his cravings?
277 pages, Paperback
First published April 21, 2009
19 people are currently reading
3384 people want to read
About the author
Sophie Renwick
7 books216 followersI'm an erotic romance writer, (I also write as Charlotte Featherstone) who loves to cook, look through recipe books, read and daydream!
I'm not a domestic goddess, and usually avoid housework like the plague!
I enjoy hearing from readers and talking about great books.
Some of my favorite authors are JR Ward, Shayla Black, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Gurhke and Mary Balogh.
I'm not a domestic goddess, and usually avoid housework like the plague!
I enjoy hearing from readers and talking about great books.
Some of my favorite authors are JR Ward, Shayla Black, Lisa Kleypas, Laura Lee Gurhke and Mary Balogh.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 10, 2014
Minor plot spoilers, nothing too detailed
This was exactly the kind of read I needed right now. Fun, sexy, light but not fluffy, awesome characters, believable plot – indeed, it was exactly what I needed!
Bryce Ryder is a celebrity chef with a playboy reputation whose mouth has gotten him into trouble with his fans. His ratings are sinking and he’s about to lose the financial backing necessary to open a new restaurant. What he needs now is some serious damage control.
Enter Jenna McCabe, Public Relations specialist and Bryce’s longtime best friend. She’s come up with a plan to repair Bryce’s damaged image and bring back his housewife fan base, putting him back on the road to success. And if her plan also happens to make him notice her as more than a friend, that’s all the better. But Bryce has never seen her that way and in fact, seems attracted to women who are her exact opposite, so she knows she has her work cut out for her. So, with her sister Sarah’s encouragement, Jenna sets out to make Bryce sit up and take notice.
As they meet at his restaurant, Cravings, to discuss her new strategy, for the first time since he’s known her, Bryce sees a different side to Jenna. He’d always known she was smart, fun to be with and an all around good person, but on this night he sees so much more. She’s sexy in a natural way, not rehearsed or forced. She doesn’t have the stick thin model body he’s normally attracted to, but he finds her lush curves very appealing and sexier than anything he’d ever seen on any woman. He tries to shake it off, but there’s no denying it; he wants her, and he’s going to do whatever he needs to do to make Jenna notice him. With a little unexpected help/interference from his brother, Trey, Bryce comes up with a plan of his own.
As a side note, it would appear that there might be a little something brewing between Trey and Sarah, and I sure hope that’s the case because I can see where their story would be an amazing one.
Normally a book where there is this much plotting and conniving really turns me off, but Sophie Renwick made it work for me because it was done in such a way that we, the readers, were in on it. There was very little stress, only mild tension, and no worrying about someone getting hurt. And what really made it fun was that even though Bryce and Jenna were plotting behind each other’s back, they were on exactly the same page. Now, there were moments when I wanted to smack Jenna, don’t get me wrong, she did have her flaws, but for the most part, she was a good, decent person who wouldn’t dream of hurting a soul.
I’ve never really thought of food as being sexy, but Bryce made it more than that, he made it romantic, too. I really enjoyed how much passion he felt when cooking for Jenna, feeding her, and using the food to seduce her, but it was as much about love as it was about desire. I really, really enjoyed how Bryce talked his way through seduction, whispering the things he wanted to do to Jenna, telling her what he wanted her to do to him, and never holding back his feelings for her. He told her how much he cared for her, how much he desired her and how he found her body beautiful even though she herself was embarrassed by her fuller figure, and it was all done so well. This book has one of the most erotic scenes I’ve ever read. It was hot, risky and kinky but not at all dirty, and I can promise you, I’ll never look at gelato the same way again.
While many reviews are calling Hot In Here a hot, naughty, sexy read, I think it’s all that and more. It’s a wonderful happily ever after that shouldn’t be missed.
Sexuality lots of passionate sex involving food, oral sex and a couple of back door scenes involving fingers, but nothing too, too descriptive.
Sophie Renwick also writes under the name Charlotte Featherstone.
August 13, 2010
Ohhh, my heart starts to race just thinking about this memorably sexy read! Oh God, if you like a bad boy hero who specializies in dirty talk and dirty, sexy deeds, then you will love, love, love this book! This book certainly lives up to its title, let me tell you. Oodles and oodles of hot, steamy, sensual, passionate, no-holds-barred sex--all expertly related by the author with some smokin' hot, dirty dialogue and vivid descriptions that make the pages come alive! And thankfully, it's not all about the sex between the smoldering hot celebrity chef Bryce ("I like my women the way I like my recipes: fast, easy, and full of variety") Ryder and his farm-girl-next-door best friend of ten years, marketing whiz Jenna McCabe. Both are fully fleshed-out characters--and there's actually a nice story to go along with all the hotness too.
I don't want to get into the plot much...let's just say that because of an unflattering portrayal in a celebrity magazine that's affected his business empire, tall, dark, and handsome Bryce (28) needs the help of a marketing pro to right his sinking ship. And best friend Jenna (who has secretly loved him for 10 loooonnng years), who runs her own marketing/publicity agency, is the one he calls on for help. Full figured, strawberry blonde Jenna (28) has a plan to help fix Bryce's reputation and his business, and she has a plan to make Bryce finally see her as a woman, and not just his best friend.
I actually can't say anymore--there's no way I can do this book justice. Let me just assure you that you will fall in love with Bryce (for when he finally notices Jenna, he falls hard, and puts his whole self out there). He is just one sweet, romantic, silver-tongued devil! Jenna, although very likable and relatable (a real "girl's girl") will probably bug you a bit because she's got lots of insecurities and major problems with trusting Bryce's feelings for her, and she does tend to make a lot of assumptions where Bryce is concerned. A couple of times she had me wanting to reach inside the book and give her a little shake! I wanted her to stop her game-playing, confront Bryce with her doubts and questions and not always assume the worst--my, she really put Bryce through the ringer! But it was so worth it, because Bryce's reassurances of his devotion to Jenna and their subsequent make-ups were sooooo passionate and so sensual....whew! Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention their time in Tuscany, where Bryce finally realizes his feelings---probably my favorite chapter of the book (*fanning self*)
If you're looking for an erotic read that's not all about the sex, but actually has a story that tells you something about the characters, and makes you care about what happens to them, then get a hold of this book--now! I am hoping that this book turns into a long series, because so much was hinted at regarding the supporting characters, especially Bryce's outwardly cynical older brother Trey, and Jenna's beautiful plus-sized sister Sarah--do they share a past or not?
This was easily one of the best erotic romances I've read this year. Thanks to all my GR buddies for calling it to my attention! 5 steamy stars.
Warning: This book contains explicit sex, including oral and some anal play; a male 'solo' scene; some almost public sex; explicit language featuring one expertly awesome dirty-talker; the use of some food during love making (peaches, chocolate); and some light bondage using the heroine's lingerie. Not for the faint of heart!
My image of Bryce...
I don't want to get into the plot much...let's just say that because of an unflattering portrayal in a celebrity magazine that's affected his business empire, tall, dark, and handsome Bryce (28) needs the help of a marketing pro to right his sinking ship. And best friend Jenna (who has secretly loved him for 10 loooonnng years), who runs her own marketing/publicity agency, is the one he calls on for help. Full figured, strawberry blonde Jenna (28) has a plan to help fix Bryce's reputation and his business, and she has a plan to make Bryce finally see her as a woman, and not just his best friend.
I actually can't say anymore--there's no way I can do this book justice. Let me just assure you that you will fall in love with Bryce (for when he finally notices Jenna, he falls hard, and puts his whole self out there). He is just one sweet, romantic, silver-tongued devil! Jenna, although very likable and relatable (a real "girl's girl") will probably bug you a bit because she's got lots of insecurities and major problems with trusting Bryce's feelings for her, and she does tend to make a lot of assumptions where Bryce is concerned. A couple of times she had me wanting to reach inside the book and give her a little shake! I wanted her to stop her game-playing, confront Bryce with her doubts and questions and not always assume the worst--my, she really put Bryce through the ringer! But it was so worth it, because Bryce's reassurances of his devotion to Jenna and their subsequent make-ups were sooooo passionate and so sensual....whew! Oh, and I don't want to forget to mention their time in Tuscany, where Bryce finally realizes his feelings---probably my favorite chapter of the book (*fanning self*)
If you're looking for an erotic read that's not all about the sex, but actually has a story that tells you something about the characters, and makes you care about what happens to them, then get a hold of this book--now! I am hoping that this book turns into a long series, because so much was hinted at regarding the supporting characters, especially Bryce's outwardly cynical older brother Trey, and Jenna's beautiful plus-sized sister Sarah--do they share a past or not?
This was easily one of the best erotic romances I've read this year. Thanks to all my GR buddies for calling it to my attention! 5 steamy stars.
Warning: This book contains explicit sex, including oral and some anal play; a male 'solo' scene; some almost public sex; explicit language featuring one expertly awesome dirty-talker; the use of some food during love making (peaches, chocolate); and some light bondage using the heroine's lingerie. Not for the faint of heart!
My image of Bryce...
January 3, 2015
5 stars – Contemporary Romance/Erotica
Food and sex, two of life’s greatest pleasures, are a celebrated erotic treat for the senses in this contemporary romance gem with a friends to lovers theme.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Bryce Ryder is getting some negative press for his playboy ways, so he decides to hire his lifelong best friend Jenna McCabe, who now owns a successful marketing firm to do a PR campaign to help him get back in the good graces of his female fan base. Jenna’s always been the quintessential good girl next door (or farm in her case) and the exact opposite of the kind of woman he’s usually attracted to; she’s a voluptuous size 14 redhead, shy, and sweet. He normally goes for shallow, thin, model, society types who are interested in casual, sex only trysts. When he meets to talk business with Jenna, suddenly he’s noticing her luscious ample curves, confidence, can do attitude, sultry blue green eyes, and how sexy it is that she actually enjoys and savors his food, and he can’t stop imagining them together in all kinds of provocative positions. But she’s the same, innocent Jenna and his best friend, what’s wrong with him?
Jenna’s been in love with Bryce all her life and has been waiting for the right opportunity to turn their friendship into a lifelong commitment, complete with romance, marriage, and kids. But she knows she’s not Bryce’s usual type and that he’s not exactly a relationship kind of guy. She decides to play up her inner vixen a little and to handle his budding attraction for her with a casual flare to keep from scaring him off. Jenna pretends that she’s okay with a sex only fling, but what happens when he wants more and gets mixed signals about what she wants? All kinds of hot and cold misunderstandings ensue, and it takes some intervention and scheming by his brother and her sister to get things sorted out.
This is a super steamy read with all kinds of yummy, romantic scenes involving smokin’ hot sex and decadent, sensual food. Bryce is a hunk and a half and totally to die for, and it’s so sexy the way he’s always feeding and talking dirty to Jenna. I’d weigh 200 pounds if I was in a relationship with a man like Bryce! Jenna sometimes got on my nerves because it takes her forever to trust Bryce’s attraction and feelings for her, but I can understand a woman like Jenna struggling with insecurities about her body, looks, and appeal to a hot playboy like Bryce since our society is so unfairly harsh and critical of any woman who’s not a size 2 or smaller.
Hot in Here is a sweet, steamy contemporary romance with sexy characters and a terrific friends to lovers story. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book in the Ryder Brothers series and look forward to more from this very promising and talented author! Big 5 stars!
Food and sex, two of life’s greatest pleasures, are a celebrated erotic treat for the senses in this contemporary romance gem with a friends to lovers theme.
Celebrity chef and restaurateur Bryce Ryder is getting some negative press for his playboy ways, so he decides to hire his lifelong best friend Jenna McCabe, who now owns a successful marketing firm to do a PR campaign to help him get back in the good graces of his female fan base. Jenna’s always been the quintessential good girl next door (or farm in her case) and the exact opposite of the kind of woman he’s usually attracted to; she’s a voluptuous size 14 redhead, shy, and sweet. He normally goes for shallow, thin, model, society types who are interested in casual, sex only trysts. When he meets to talk business with Jenna, suddenly he’s noticing her luscious ample curves, confidence, can do attitude, sultry blue green eyes, and how sexy it is that she actually enjoys and savors his food, and he can’t stop imagining them together in all kinds of provocative positions. But she’s the same, innocent Jenna and his best friend, what’s wrong with him?
Jenna’s been in love with Bryce all her life and has been waiting for the right opportunity to turn their friendship into a lifelong commitment, complete with romance, marriage, and kids. But she knows she’s not Bryce’s usual type and that he’s not exactly a relationship kind of guy. She decides to play up her inner vixen a little and to handle his budding attraction for her with a casual flare to keep from scaring him off. Jenna pretends that she’s okay with a sex only fling, but what happens when he wants more and gets mixed signals about what she wants? All kinds of hot and cold misunderstandings ensue, and it takes some intervention and scheming by his brother and her sister to get things sorted out.
This is a super steamy read with all kinds of yummy, romantic scenes involving smokin’ hot sex and decadent, sensual food. Bryce is a hunk and a half and totally to die for, and it’s so sexy the way he’s always feeding and talking dirty to Jenna. I’d weigh 200 pounds if I was in a relationship with a man like Bryce! Jenna sometimes got on my nerves because it takes her forever to trust Bryce’s attraction and feelings for her, but I can understand a woman like Jenna struggling with insecurities about her body, looks, and appeal to a hot playboy like Bryce since our society is so unfairly harsh and critical of any woman who’s not a size 2 or smaller.
Hot in Here is a sweet, steamy contemporary romance with sexy characters and a terrific friends to lovers story. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next book in the Ryder Brothers series and look forward to more from this very promising and talented author! Big 5 stars!
January 31, 2014
WOW! This book was HAWT! Where can I find my own Bryce? ;)
I was going to write a review, but several of my GR friends have already written great reviews and I agree with all of them. Plus, I'm feeling lazy, LOL.
So, I'm just going to share with you one of my favorite scenes:
Bryce: "I came in here, not knowing what I was doing. Everywhere I looked, everything, it just brought me back to you. Everything in this house, this kitchen, is a reminder of you — of us. It’s the memories of the past — it’s the glimpses of the future. Even when I closed my eyes, I could see you, hear you, smell you. So, I did the only thing I could: I put everything that reminds me of you into this dessert."
Jenna: "I remind you of a pie?"
Well, wasn’t that romantic? A fattening piece of lard and sugar. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Bryce reached up and pulled the elastic from her ponytail. Her thick hair tumbled to her shoulders and Bryce smoothed it back, caressing her collar bone.
Bryce: "The crust is made with buttermilk. It made me think of your skin: white, creamy, smooth, rich. The peaches are for how you blush. I’ve never been able to look at a peach and not think of you. The almonds, they remind me of the way you smell, the way your skin tastes when I trail my tongue all over you. And you know what the honey reminds me of. I can still taste your honey, Jenna, the way it drips onto my hand, my tongue."
Romantic and dirty, that's Bryce to you. Needless to say, Jenna turned into a pile of liquid honey rigth there on the spot. Dirty mouth, silver tongue... and he could cook! How could anyone resist Bryce? Why would anyone want to? ;)
Overall, this was a fun, sexy read that left me very hungry - not only for food, if I may say so. The story wasn't perfect, some events semmed "forced" and Jenna will never be one of my favorite heroines, but who cares? Bryce alone is worth 5 stars. Do you think I'm too shallow and easily persuaded by a hot, sexy stud muffin? Oh yes, have no doubt about it! LOL
I was going to write a review, but several of my GR friends have already written great reviews and I agree with all of them. Plus, I'm feeling lazy, LOL.
So, I'm just going to share with you one of my favorite scenes:
Bryce: "I came in here, not knowing what I was doing. Everywhere I looked, everything, it just brought me back to you. Everything in this house, this kitchen, is a reminder of you — of us. It’s the memories of the past — it’s the glimpses of the future. Even when I closed my eyes, I could see you, hear you, smell you. So, I did the only thing I could: I put everything that reminds me of you into this dessert."
Jenna: "I remind you of a pie?"
Well, wasn’t that romantic? A fattening piece of lard and sugar. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Bryce reached up and pulled the elastic from her ponytail. Her thick hair tumbled to her shoulders and Bryce smoothed it back, caressing her collar bone.
Bryce: "The crust is made with buttermilk. It made me think of your skin: white, creamy, smooth, rich. The peaches are for how you blush. I’ve never been able to look at a peach and not think of you. The almonds, they remind me of the way you smell, the way your skin tastes when I trail my tongue all over you. And you know what the honey reminds me of. I can still taste your honey, Jenna, the way it drips onto my hand, my tongue."
Romantic and dirty, that's Bryce to you. Needless to say, Jenna turned into a pile of liquid honey rigth there on the spot. Dirty mouth, silver tongue... and he could cook! How could anyone resist Bryce? Why would anyone want to? ;)
Overall, this was a fun, sexy read that left me very hungry - not only for food, if I may say so. The story wasn't perfect, some events semmed "forced" and Jenna will never be one of my favorite heroines, but who cares? Bryce alone is worth 5 stars. Do you think I'm too shallow and easily persuaded by a hot, sexy stud muffin? Oh yes, have no doubt about it! LOL
August 10, 2010
This book was so darn good that I read it in less than 24 hours because I could not put it down. Bryce, the hero was to die for sexy, knew his way around the kitchen and more importantly the bedroom too. Jenna the heroine had been in love with Bryce from the moment they met 10 years ago. This was one SCORCHING romance and I have to Thank my good friend AJ for getting this book for me. I had no idea about this book and she knows how much I love Charlotte Featherstone's book's so she sent it to me as a surprise and what a surprise it was, I absolutely LOVE IT!!!!!
My only wish is that the series would continue. Sophie had made a comment to Dina as to why there has not been a second book yet. Maybe some day we will be able to read book 2. I know I will be waiting as long as it takes and buy it the very day of it's release.
My only wish is that the series would continue. Sophie had made a comment to Dina as to why there has not been a second book yet. Maybe some day we will be able to read book 2. I know I will be waiting as long as it takes and buy it the very day of it's release.
September 1, 2010
I swear, there must be something wrong with me. Everywhere I looked people were reading this book and talking about how smoking hot it was. I heard it again and again and again. How could I not try it too? Well, obviously my idea of hot and the majority's opinion of hot do not align. The main phrase that comes to mind when I think of the sex scenes in this book is "trying too hard." It was so over descriptive and wordy that I was bored. I like dirty talk, but you're doing something wrong if you guys are full out monologuing each other during sex. Shouldn't you be just a smidge more carried away by the moment?
The fact there were sex scenes constantly meant that I was bored the majority of the book. When I wasn't bored, I was usually pissed off. The object of my rage was Jenna. I wanted to reach through the pages and take her out of my misery so badly! She was completely mental! Seriously, what was going on in her brain??? She said she wanted a relationship with Bryce, but I honestly don't think she did. No one could be that stupid without trying to deliberately sabotage things!
Jenna decided to give Bryce a "taste of his own medicine" and play the playgirl because...why exactly? Anytime he made a move toward building a relationship she treated him like a booty call. All to keep him panting for more, of course. Right... Also, what kind of drugs was this girl on? She was so hot and cold she seemed bipolar! She made it impossible for him to approach her for anything but sex, but then she sobbed and whined about him only wanting her for sex. I seriously wish Bryce had just dumped her and taken up with his hand. At least then I could have understood why he even liked his love interest.
Bryce wasn't a bad guy, but there wasn't anything about him that really stood out. He was just a prop for Jenna's lust and craziness. I was way more interested in Trey and Sarah. Now there's a couple who seems to have some tension. Maybe their relationship would actually be more interesting than watching paint dry!
The only conflict in this story was manufactured. If Jenna hadn't descended into her neurotic, whiny behavior (for no real reason) the book would have only been about 50 pages at the very most. It was just sex scene-Jenna drama-sex scene-Bryce tries to understand crazy Jenna drama-more sex, rinse and repeat.
Toward the end we got The Big Misunderstanding. It was resolved easily, but I was still ticked that Bryce was the one begging for another chance when Jenna's the crazy chick who has been lying to him the whole time. After The Big Misunderstanding was resolved I thought it would be smooth sailing. Nope! Right before the end another Big Misunderstanding popped up. It related to the first one, but wasn't resolved when that one was. It seemed to be there solely to give Jenna another excuse to have a meltdown and Bryce another reason to crawl for her. Not what I find interesting...
I was going to give this book a 1 star grade, but I liked the interactions between Trey and Sarah enough to bump it up to a 2 star.
The fact there were sex scenes constantly meant that I was bored the majority of the book. When I wasn't bored, I was usually pissed off. The object of my rage was Jenna. I wanted to reach through the pages and take her out of my misery so badly! She was completely mental! Seriously, what was going on in her brain??? She said she wanted a relationship with Bryce, but I honestly don't think she did. No one could be that stupid without trying to deliberately sabotage things!
Jenna decided to give Bryce a "taste of his own medicine" and play the playgirl because...why exactly? Anytime he made a move toward building a relationship she treated him like a booty call. All to keep him panting for more, of course. Right... Also, what kind of drugs was this girl on? She was so hot and cold she seemed bipolar! She made it impossible for him to approach her for anything but sex, but then she sobbed and whined about him only wanting her for sex. I seriously wish Bryce had just dumped her and taken up with his hand. At least then I could have understood why he even liked his love interest.
Bryce wasn't a bad guy, but there wasn't anything about him that really stood out. He was just a prop for Jenna's lust and craziness. I was way more interested in Trey and Sarah. Now there's a couple who seems to have some tension. Maybe their relationship would actually be more interesting than watching paint dry!
The only conflict in this story was manufactured. If Jenna hadn't descended into her neurotic, whiny behavior (for no real reason) the book would have only been about 50 pages at the very most. It was just sex scene-Jenna drama-sex scene-Bryce tries to understand crazy Jenna drama-more sex, rinse and repeat.
Toward the end we got The Big Misunderstanding. It was resolved easily, but I was still ticked that Bryce was the one begging for another chance when Jenna's the crazy chick who has been lying to him the whole time. After The Big Misunderstanding was resolved I thought it would be smooth sailing. Nope! Right before the end another Big Misunderstanding popped up. It related to the first one, but wasn't resolved when that one was. It seemed to be there solely to give Jenna another excuse to have a meltdown and Bryce another reason to crawl for her. Not what I find interesting...
I was going to give this book a 1 star grade, but I liked the interactions between Trey and Sarah enough to bump it up to a 2 star.
April 20, 2010
4.5 Stars
Hot in Here
This book should have been named Hot as Hell in Here!!! NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY, DiRtY Talkin Chef Bryce Ryder can cook for me any day!! This is one hot and steamy book with lots of super sexy dirty talk, smoking hot sex and some very decadent and naughty food + sex scenes!!!! Sophie Renwick has given us a beautiful, sexy, romantic, friends to lovers story that does not disappoint!! I really love the way she writes!! Her stories just flow and she keeps it real so it’s easy to connect and fall in love with her characters. Bryce and Jenna will steal your heart! I hope she finds a way to continue this series, I’m dying to know what happens with the two other Ryder brothers!!
April 27, 2012
A miss... HUGE miss! Sorry, but this is so wrong that it's "I need to do a review" level of wrong.
Here goes...
Bryce is a chef with some reputation trouble, caused by his “I like my women the way I like my recipes: fast, easy and full of variety.” blabber, that made his fans turn their backs on him. He needs a U-turn in his career, so he calls his friend Jenna - PR girl - to make a strategy. The same Jenna - plain Jane, shy and insecure - that's in love with him for ten years... ever since she spotted him in school cafeteria, and dumped a tray of meat loaf and mac and cheese in his lap.
Anyway, they're discussing the perfect plan for bringing Bryce's fans back to him, while at the same time she's thinking of ways to make him notice her as a woman, and he's so hot for her it's almost unbelievable.
Did I say almost? I meant un-fuckin'-believable!
What happens next is my first big issue with this book.
Bryce shows up at her apartment, one thing leads to another, and they end up having sex.
News flash? BORING!
The next morning Jenna suddenly decides that's not how her plan should go, she doesn't want him to regret it, and - what a marvelous idea - she'll be a player. Hard to get, just sex, no emotions involved kind of player.
Bryce, on the other hand, decides she's great, he wants more, he wants it all, and he'll do anything to get it.
Is it me? Like three pages before this she was shy, insecure, soooo in love with her friend, but couldn't make herself do anything about it. And, he was a serious player, who "went through women like NASCAR drivers went through tires". YES, that's a quote!
Suddenly, it's like reading about some other characters that have the same names like the ones at the beginning of the story. WTF?!
I won't tell you what happens after that. Mostly because it's sex-misunderstanding-sex-plot-sex-plot-sex...
Sex that was NOT hot, and the rest of the story that was so poorly executed I wanted to cry.
It's suppose to be sizzling, burning, over the top sex. There's a lot of food play (well, he is a chef!) and quite graphic descriptions all the way.
It was BORING!
There was lots of it, so I was bored a lot.
When they weren't having sex, it was even more boring, and frustrating, because there were like fifty different things going on - none of which was explained, or made sense.
He's a player/He's in love with her for years. ?
She's shy/She's hell on wheels and spineless. ?
His brother has some serious issues with their father. ?
His brother and her sister have something going on, but why, how...?
You know what? This is a case of an erotic story where the sex is boring, characters are cardboard-ish and I have no idea what they're actually suppose to be like, and adding all that unexplained pieces of drama just makes this too much for me.
I. AM. SO. FRUSTRATED.
Once again, I'll overlook the cover, and think of the title as a joke. In a very, very bad way!
Here's the BAD godzilla facepalm to prove it!
Here goes...
Bryce is a chef with some reputation trouble, caused by his “I like my women the way I like my recipes: fast, easy and full of variety.” blabber, that made his fans turn their backs on him. He needs a U-turn in his career, so he calls his friend Jenna - PR girl - to make a strategy. The same Jenna - plain Jane, shy and insecure - that's in love with him for ten years... ever since she spotted him in school cafeteria, and dumped a tray of meat loaf and mac and cheese in his lap.
Anyway, they're discussing the perfect plan for bringing Bryce's fans back to him, while at the same time she's thinking of ways to make him notice her as a woman, and he's so hot for her it's almost unbelievable.
Did I say almost? I meant un-fuckin'-believable!
What happens next is my first big issue with this book.
Bryce shows up at her apartment, one thing leads to another, and they end up having sex.
News flash? BORING!
The next morning Jenna suddenly decides that's not how her plan should go, she doesn't want him to regret it, and - what a marvelous idea - she'll be a player. Hard to get, just sex, no emotions involved kind of player.
Bryce, on the other hand, decides she's great, he wants more, he wants it all, and he'll do anything to get it.
Is it me? Like three pages before this she was shy, insecure, soooo in love with her friend, but couldn't make herself do anything about it. And, he was a serious player, who "went through women like NASCAR drivers went through tires". YES, that's a quote!
Suddenly, it's like reading about some other characters that have the same names like the ones at the beginning of the story. WTF?!
I won't tell you what happens after that. Mostly because it's sex-misunderstanding-sex-plot-sex-plot-sex...
Sex that was NOT hot, and the rest of the story that was so poorly executed I wanted to cry.
It's suppose to be sizzling, burning, over the top sex. There's a lot of food play (well, he is a chef!) and quite graphic descriptions all the way.
It was BORING!
There was lots of it, so I was bored a lot.
When they weren't having sex, it was even more boring, and frustrating, because there were like fifty different things going on - none of which was explained, or made sense.
He's a player/He's in love with her for years. ?
She's shy/She's hell on wheels and spineless. ?
His brother has some serious issues with their father. ?
His brother and her sister have something going on, but why, how...?
You know what? This is a case of an erotic story where the sex is boring, characters are cardboard-ish and I have no idea what they're actually suppose to be like, and adding all that unexplained pieces of drama just makes this too much for me.
I. AM. SO. FRUSTRATED.
Once again, I'll overlook the cover, and think of the title as a joke. In a very, very bad way!
Here's the BAD godzilla facepalm to prove it!
April 21, 2011
WHEW!!! It’s definitely HOT IN HERE!!! *wipes sweat from brow* Our womanizing Bryce Ryder who has a very blasé attitude toward women since being betrayed by one, suddenly finds himself lusting over his best friend since high school Jenna McCade. Jenna who has secretly been in love with Bryce since high school , would love nothing more than a happily ever after with Bryce. But Jenna knows all to well Bryce’s womanizing ways, and feels like she’s not at all his type, since he has always been with the runway model types. Our smexy Bryce goes after the voluptuous Jenna full speed ahead, as Jenna plays “playgirl” to his “playboy”, Friends become lovers and so much more.
This is a great story and Bryce is as delicious, as he can be, as he makes a culinary delight out of Jenna, you might just find youself wishing you were her!!
HOT HOT HOT READ!! Highly recommended!!
This is a great story and Bryce is as delicious, as he can be, as he makes a culinary delight out of Jenna, you might just find youself wishing you were her!!
HOT HOT HOT READ!! Highly recommended!!
November 19, 2010
Stephanie has a new favorite author....
Whew, did this book ever live up to its name! I needed a glass of water and a towel the whole time I was reading.
This was a great story with characters and secondary characters that I loved right away, despite Jenna's tendency to jump into a fit before she got her facts straight. However annoying, it was easy to understand considering Bryce’s track record with women. This is a classic best friend’s to lovers’ story, and WELL worth the read!!!!!
The author sets the book up so that you think there will be more books surrounding this wonderful cast of characters. I for one hope so!
Whew, did this book ever live up to its name! I needed a glass of water and a towel the whole time I was reading.
This was a great story with characters and secondary characters that I loved right away, despite Jenna's tendency to jump into a fit before she got her facts straight. However annoying, it was easy to understand considering Bryce’s track record with women. This is a classic best friend’s to lovers’ story, and WELL worth the read!!!!!
The author sets the book up so that you think there will be more books surrounding this wonderful cast of characters. I for one hope so!
May 21, 2010
Sizzling hot, laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreakingly beautiful!
It was perfect. Love scenes were so different to other erotic novels. And God, NO ONE can talk dirty like Bryce does! Their thoughts at the beginning were just breathtaking. Thank God I didn't to go to work today; I couldn't have laughed, cried or enjoyed its hotness if I did.
P.S. Will there be a book for Trey and Sarah? They deserve one. Soon.
It was perfect. Love scenes were so different to other erotic novels. And God, NO ONE can talk dirty like Bryce does! Their thoughts at the beginning were just breathtaking. Thank God I didn't to go to work today; I couldn't have laughed, cried or enjoyed its hotness if I did.
P.S. Will there be a book for Trey and Sarah? They deserve one. Soon.
July 8, 2010
Too many conflicts based on inaccurate assumptions and vague communication. The story was weak. I wanted it to be over.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
There were two events causing the couple to have two “big fights.” Both events were too predictable to be interesting. For example, someone sends an email to Bryce which would hurt Jenna if she saw it. Does Bryce delete it? No. Does Jenna see it later and break up with Bryce? Yes. She assumed that Bryce agreed with what the other person wrote which was not true. The second event had Bryce seeing something which he should have mentioned to Jenna. But he didn’t which was being “stupid for the sake of the plot.” When Jenna later learned about it, she thought Bryce was involved, which he was not. Of course she’s mad again.
There was too much pondering and too many uninteresting conflicts caused by unaccurate assumptions. For example: Bryce told Jenna that Estella had done something for him. Jenna immediately assumes Estella is one of Bryce’s lovers. We are in Jenna’s mind for a while seeing her hurt, angry, and jealous until she meets and discovers that Estella is an elderly woman.
A couple of scenes would have been better if shown, not told. Something that would have been interesting to hear: Trey knew a secret about his father. Trey threatened to tell unless the father did something. We aren’t told what the secret was – that would have been interesting. There are a lot of sex scenes but not special enough to make up for the story weaknesses.
STORY BRIEF:
Bryce and Jenna grew up together in a small town – best friends. Bryce became a celebrity chef. He dated Chrissy who burned him. She was a gold-digger after his wealth. Bryce now fears commitment. He’s known for dating a different woman every night, all of them thin. Jenna is a size 14 and has her own marketing and PR firm. A tabloid printed some lies about Bryce which are hurting his business. He hires Jenna to repair the damage. She has loved him all her life and decides to play hard to get, acting like a playgirl wanting sex and nothing else. For a good part of the story Jenna is lying to Bryce and acting like she doesn’t want him. Some of her lies cause conflict and anger (which were not that interesting.)
DATA:
Story length: 277 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong with a small amount of rear door activity. Number of sex scenes: 9. Approximate number of sex scene pages: 44. Setting: current day city and rural town in the U.S. plus Italy. Copyright: 2009. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
There were two events causing the couple to have two “big fights.” Both events were too predictable to be interesting. For example, someone sends an email to Bryce which would hurt Jenna if she saw it. Does Bryce delete it? No. Does Jenna see it later and break up with Bryce? Yes. She assumed that Bryce agreed with what the other person wrote which was not true. The second event had Bryce seeing something which he should have mentioned to Jenna. But he didn’t which was being “stupid for the sake of the plot.” When Jenna later learned about it, she thought Bryce was involved, which he was not. Of course she’s mad again.
There was too much pondering and too many uninteresting conflicts caused by unaccurate assumptions. For example: Bryce told Jenna that Estella had done something for him. Jenna immediately assumes Estella is one of Bryce’s lovers. We are in Jenna’s mind for a while seeing her hurt, angry, and jealous until she meets and discovers that Estella is an elderly woman.
A couple of scenes would have been better if shown, not told. Something that would have been interesting to hear: Trey knew a secret about his father. Trey threatened to tell unless the father did something. We aren’t told what the secret was – that would have been interesting. There are a lot of sex scenes but not special enough to make up for the story weaknesses.
STORY BRIEF:
Bryce and Jenna grew up together in a small town – best friends. Bryce became a celebrity chef. He dated Chrissy who burned him. She was a gold-digger after his wealth. Bryce now fears commitment. He’s known for dating a different woman every night, all of them thin. Jenna is a size 14 and has her own marketing and PR firm. A tabloid printed some lies about Bryce which are hurting his business. He hires Jenna to repair the damage. She has loved him all her life and decides to play hard to get, acting like a playgirl wanting sex and nothing else. For a good part of the story Jenna is lying to Bryce and acting like she doesn’t want him. Some of her lies cause conflict and anger (which were not that interesting.)
DATA:
Story length: 277 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: strong with a small amount of rear door activity. Number of sex scenes: 9. Approximate number of sex scene pages: 44. Setting: current day city and rural town in the U.S. plus Italy. Copyright: 2009. Genre: erotic contemporary romance.
May 24, 2010
Great book... lots of steam... very hot hero, Bryce!! Bryce is a chef and owner of a restaurant and has a cooking show on television... he gets very creative with his food and loves a woman who can enjoy eating his creations as much as he enjoys making them... and he also enjoys using his woman as a dinner plate!
Fun book and I hope that Sophie Renwick will be able to continue with the other characters from this book... Bryce's brothers Trey and Tyson... and the heroine Jenna's sisters Sarah and Emily!!
Fun book and I hope that Sophie Renwick will be able to continue with the other characters from this book... Bryce's brothers Trey and Tyson... and the heroine Jenna's sisters Sarah and Emily!!
September 18, 2010
The book was fun,fast,hot,sweet and everything in between. It is a super fast read (after pg. 40 for me) I recommend it highly.
WHAT NO BOOK FOR TREY????? I can't stand this! Although Bryce and Jenna got an HEA I still need more from Trey. I love him!
Note to Renwick - Pick up that pen. This mans story needs to be told!
Is Sarah to be his HEA? What the hell happened with the two of them?
The banter and chemistry between them is smoking off the page!
WHAT NO BOOK FOR TREY????? I can't stand this! Although Bryce and Jenna got an HEA I still need more from Trey. I love him!
Note to Renwick - Pick up that pen. This mans story needs to be told!
Is Sarah to be his HEA? What the hell happened with the two of them?
The banter and chemistry between them is smoking off the page!
May 11, 2017
*** 2nd Time Impression: 3½ stars ***
Yesterday I was feeling kinda down and I wanted to read something cute and quick to sweeten my mood. What can go wrong if I pick one of my favorite romance novels, right?
Obviously, a lot of things.
Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed friends to lovers aspect of the story and delicious descriptions of food. But somehow in the five years since I read Hot in Here the first time I became old and boring.
For example: He puts her on the table. Dumps some creamy desert on her. Lick it all off. They have sex. They move to bed. They have sex again. They fall asleep. I remember this scene was SO HOT to me. Do you know what I was thinking now? "EEEEWWW". They didn't shower and change the sheets. I have a small kid now and now just how sticky and gross can sweets on the bedsheets can be. No thank you.
Also for the part set in Tuscany I was sad there were no descriptions of scenery. I really wanted to find out more about San Gimignano, it sounded like a must-visit kind of place.
One aspect of the book that I totally forgot about and that I liked very much is that heroine is not perfect. She is size 14. And hero helps her cure her insecurities about her body.
In the end, if you can turn off the rational part of your mind, this is a hot sexy little book. Not recommended for reading if you are on a diet. ;)
Yesterday I was feeling kinda down and I wanted to read something cute and quick to sweeten my mood. What can go wrong if I pick one of my favorite romance novels, right?
Obviously, a lot of things.
Don't get me wrong I still enjoyed friends to lovers aspect of the story and delicious descriptions of food. But somehow in the five years since I read Hot in Here the first time I became old and boring.
For example: He puts her on the table. Dumps some creamy desert on her. Lick it all off. They have sex. They move to bed. They have sex again. They fall asleep. I remember this scene was SO HOT to me. Do you know what I was thinking now? "EEEEWWW". They didn't shower and change the sheets. I have a small kid now and now just how sticky and gross can sweets on the bedsheets can be. No thank you.
Also for the part set in Tuscany I was sad there were no descriptions of scenery. I really wanted to find out more about San Gimignano, it sounded like a must-visit kind of place.
One aspect of the book that I totally forgot about and that I liked very much is that heroine is not perfect. She is size 14. And hero helps her cure her insecurities about her body.
In the end, if you can turn off the rational part of your mind, this is a hot sexy little book. Not recommended for reading if you are on a diet. ;)
July 21, 2009
This was a great friends to lovers read for those of us who like our sweet romance with a bit more heat and wow did things get hot:).
Bryce and Jenna have known each other for years but have never got past the friends stage. Bryce needs Jennas help to get him out of a predicament and her business skills are called upon. Both them start to realize what the other means to them and with (unsolicited) help of some mischievous matchmaking from Bryces brother and Jennas sister (for Bryce) and some "make him sweat" advice from one of Jennas employees (who is unaware of the intervention for Bryce) things start to heat up. Of course the information given to Bryce (and the way he acts on it) differs greatly from that given to Jenna and the romance runs from hot to cold until eventually everything happily sorts itself out.
I think Jenna and Bryce are great together and the sex between them is extremely hot and good (and no I'm not spilling the beans because that would spoil things:)). I also enjoyed the fact that food and family play a really important part too, with some nice girly moments between Jenna and her sisters, and a nice relationship between Bryce and his older brother Trey who I have hopes for with Jennas sister Sarah, I think potentially there's a great story in the making for them.
So if you like nice sweet romance with a bit of a sexier edge then this book may well be for you too!
Bryce and Jenna have known each other for years but have never got past the friends stage. Bryce needs Jennas help to get him out of a predicament and her business skills are called upon. Both them start to realize what the other means to them and with (unsolicited) help of some mischievous matchmaking from Bryces brother and Jennas sister (for Bryce) and some "make him sweat" advice from one of Jennas employees (who is unaware of the intervention for Bryce) things start to heat up. Of course the information given to Bryce (and the way he acts on it) differs greatly from that given to Jenna and the romance runs from hot to cold until eventually everything happily sorts itself out.
I think Jenna and Bryce are great together and the sex between them is extremely hot and good (and no I'm not spilling the beans because that would spoil things:)). I also enjoyed the fact that food and family play a really important part too, with some nice girly moments between Jenna and her sisters, and a nice relationship between Bryce and his older brother Trey who I have hopes for with Jennas sister Sarah, I think potentially there's a great story in the making for them.
So if you like nice sweet romance with a bit of a sexier edge then this book may well be for you too!
May 6, 2010
WOW!! Talk about a HOT book!!! I loved Jenna & Bryce! This book was fun, sweet and very NAUGHTY all wrapped into one! Jenna and Bryce, who have been friends forever finally take the leap to lovers and it couldn't be more explosive! I loved this book and really hope that we are well on our way to getting Trey and Sara's story, which IMO, I believe will be just as hot!!!
December 31, 2018
Thanks to one of my GR groups for recommending this book. Loved it! The begining wonderful, but the end was a little slow. Though it was ok because there was the promise of a sequel with Sarah and Trey. Also hoping there will be a book about Emily.
November 25, 2012
I LOVED THIS STORY!!
Sophie Renwick (aka Charlotte Featherstone) is one of my FAVORITE erotica writers.
The things that I loved about this story:
* Bryce & Jenna.
Bryce is an attractive, famous Chef with a cooking show.
Bryce grew up in a home where his parents ignored him and his brother. His parents were wealthy, but the children were their 'trophies' and that was all. So, when Bryce met Jenna in high-school, they became friends and Bryce ended up spending all his free time at the McCabe farm where there was love, stability, and acceptance.
Jenna is a brilliant business women with a marketing company.
She grew up as a shy, awkward farm girl. She loved spending time with Bryce, but always thought she wasn't good enough to be anything more than just a sisterly-friend.
I LOVED their characters, the past they shared, and their relationship as friends, and later as lovers.
**The Cooking.
I LOVED how 'Sexy' the author made cooking, eating, and dessert in the book. I seemed whatever Bryce prepared it was described as some sort of 'Sex'....GAWD! *fanning face because overheating*
It was such a great 'ride' reading their relationship progress from friendship to total and complete love.
*** The sex. OH. MY. GOD! Friggn Hot!!
.... on the table
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.... in the shower
... up against the wall
In bed, Bryce and Jenna had no inhibitions, and they bring out the best in one another. (This one of Ms. Renwick greatest gifts.... describing the scenes with such sensuality, and believability..that you 'crave' it yourself).
Outside of the bedroom, Jenna is trying to figure out a way for Bryce to fall in love with her, and not just become another one of the many women Bryce goes through because he's afraid of commitment.
Bryce is trying to convince Jenna that he's 'not that guy' anymore, that he actually loves her, and wants her forever.
This is where the story gets really good, and well worth the wait for the characters in the story, as well as for the reader.
If you love a hot, contemporary romance with lots of cooking, chemistry between the characters, and hot sex... then you won't be disappointed.
May 18, 2010
Wowzers, that was hot, and not in one of those ways that borders on icky like you sometimes get with Maya Banks or Lora Leigh. No, this was just hot.
Although I didn't particularly like Jenna (and her crazy plans) or Bryce (and his reluctance to "love") I loved their dynamic, heat and romance. And there sex scenes. Whoo!HAWT. Sometimes cook or kitchen romances fall a little flat, but food, cooking food and eating food was super sexy in this story.
I loved the secondary characters. I am so curious about what will happen with them. Will there be further books Sophie? About Trey? Or Emily? Does Emily turn into a sexy swan or does she always remain sort of awkward, geeky and unlusted after? I have so many questions. I really really really hope there will be further books.
Although I didn't particularly like Jenna (and her crazy plans) or Bryce (and his reluctance to "love") I loved their dynamic, heat and romance. And there sex scenes. Whoo!HAWT. Sometimes cook or kitchen romances fall a little flat, but food, cooking food and eating food was super sexy in this story.
I loved the secondary characters. I am so curious about what will happen with them. Will there be further books Sophie? About Trey? Or Emily? Does Emily turn into a sexy swan or does she always remain sort of awkward, geeky and unlusted after? I have so many questions. I really really really hope there will be further books.
May 20, 2010
To say this book was HOT....Is an understatement!!!
I loved Bryce..wow, can that man dirty talk! I enjoyed watching him and Jenna's story unfold. I loved how they had such a history together and he took the initiative to go back "to the beginning" of were their friendship started in order to build a relationship from there.
The other characters in the story..which included Jenna's sisters and Bryce's brothers were a great compliment to the story.
I can only hope that we get to see the rest of their stories told..I would love to see into the future of Jenna and Bryce's lives together.
I loved Bryce..wow, can that man dirty talk! I enjoyed watching him and Jenna's story unfold. I loved how they had such a history together and he took the initiative to go back "to the beginning" of were their friendship started in order to build a relationship from there.
The other characters in the story..which included Jenna's sisters and Bryce's brothers were a great compliment to the story.
I can only hope that we get to see the rest of their stories told..I would love to see into the future of Jenna and Bryce's lives together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 23, 2010
I loved, loved, LOVED this book.
What's not to like about a sexy cheff who knows how to play with food?
This story was sexy, fun, and heartbreakingly romantic. I trully enjoyed to see how Bryce and Jenna went from friends to lovers and had an awesome time getting to know all the great characters of this book.
I really hope Sophie Renwick is writing Sarah and Trey's story right now, 'cause i kinda fell in love with the older Ryder brother already.
What's not to like about a sexy cheff who knows how to play with food?
This story was sexy, fun, and heartbreakingly romantic. I trully enjoyed to see how Bryce and Jenna went from friends to lovers and had an awesome time getting to know all the great characters of this book.
I really hope Sophie Renwick is writing Sarah and Trey's story right now, 'cause i kinda fell in love with the older Ryder brother already.
July 5, 2010
Jenna McCabe has been in love with Bryce Ryder since she was 16, but for the last 10 years he has always seen her as just his best friend. But things begin to change as he realizes she is now a confident and sexy woman, and all the licentious things he is fantasizing about are not what one should imagine about doing to their best friend...
As the title implies, this book is certainly hot, and I loved it. You could see the attraction to each other bubbling under the surface. And not only does this book get your heart racing, it also made me very hungry! Bryce is a chef and golly, he not only knows how to cook some delicious food he also really knows exactly how to eat it, much to the pleasure of our curvy heroine Jenna.
However, what I really liked about this book was that as well as being very steamy, you could also see the romance and feelings between the characters, and you really are rooting for them to get together. What I also liked were Bryce's brothers and Jenna's sisters, and I am hoping that books on these character will be coming out as well.
A very enjoyable book, that I would recommend to anyone who loves romance with a reformed rake and the woman who tames him. Oh and also those who want to find new and interetsing uses for peaches!
As the title implies, this book is certainly hot, and I loved it. You could see the attraction to each other bubbling under the surface. And not only does this book get your heart racing, it also made me very hungry! Bryce is a chef and golly, he not only knows how to cook some delicious food he also really knows exactly how to eat it, much to the pleasure of our curvy heroine Jenna.
However, what I really liked about this book was that as well as being very steamy, you could also see the romance and feelings between the characters, and you really are rooting for them to get together. What I also liked were Bryce's brothers and Jenna's sisters, and I am hoping that books on these character will be coming out as well.
A very enjoyable book, that I would recommend to anyone who loves romance with a reformed rake and the woman who tames him. Oh and also those who want to find new and interetsing uses for peaches!
October 15, 2009
Being someone who almost never cooks (hate it) I wondered if I would enjoy a storyline with a chef as our hero. What would be the selling point for me. Well that answer was easy after reading 10 pages of this book. Witty, sexy, funny and oh so lovable characters.
I fell for Bryce almost immediately. Sexy alpha male who is a little to used to getting his way. Poor guy never knew what hit him when his best friend Jenna decides she wants something more from him than friendship. Trust me when I say Bryce delivers and we're not talking take out.
I love reading about strong assertive women. Jenna knows what she wants and she's going for it. Even if it means she has to play a few games to win the prize. I found myself cheering her on "You go girl, make him beg".
I can't wait for the next book in this series. Bryce has a smokin hott brother I would like to know more about. There's just something about a brooding male I find absolutely irresistible.
I fell for Bryce almost immediately. Sexy alpha male who is a little to used to getting his way. Poor guy never knew what hit him when his best friend Jenna decides she wants something more from him than friendship. Trust me when I say Bryce delivers and we're not talking take out.
I love reading about strong assertive women. Jenna knows what she wants and she's going for it. Even if it means she has to play a few games to win the prize. I found myself cheering her on "You go girl, make him beg".
I can't wait for the next book in this series. Bryce has a smokin hott brother I would like to know more about. There's just something about a brooding male I find absolutely irresistible.
February 1, 2011
I read this one with my husband for a steamy read on our cruise, not that we needed to create any mind you but sometimes its fun to read together. We're both hoping to read the next one in what looks to be a series. I'm not sure where to start except to say wow as my first thought and its a wonder Bryce isn't tubby. Maybe the only time he eats is with Jenna. Its amazing the amount of times you hear or learn about the couples that kept getting it wrong because they didn't see what was in front of them or were afraid to try the next step. Course there are probably equal numbers as to those it worked for and those who it didn't and it ruined the friendship as well because you can't go backwards. It seems one of the most romantic eliminates is the boy\girl next door and another is the idea of marrying your best friend. This story had both which is definitely one of the things that made it so good. Theo other of course is the parts that gave the book its title.
February 9, 2017
Bryce Ryder is the ultimate player. After being burned before by a woman who nearly took him for everything he had, Bryce is terrified of commitment and has resolved to only partake in the one night stand. It's so much safer. Besides his number one loves are his restaurant and TV show, Heating It Up. When a gossip rag misconstrues the context of Bryce's words, he suddenly finds his reputation in ruins, not to mention the fact that Greenwood Financial is now ready to back out of a major deal that has become near and dear to Bryce's heart. He's got four weeks to turn this catastrophe around and Bryce knows just the woman who can pull him out of hot water.
Jenna McCabe is turning 28 today and she's going to get her birthday wish - Bryce naked in her bed. For ten years she's been in love with him and enough is finally enough. Well aware of Bryce's reputation with woman, Jenna has a master plan on how to get Bryce and keep him. His call for help is the perfect opportunity too. Owning her own marketing firm and working tirelessly to build a solid reputation, Jenna knows she can help Bryce with his current dilemma.
Meeting Jenna for dinner at his restaurant, Bryce is appalled by Jenna's suggestions on how to recoup his reputation. He didn't ask that his fans be house wives. But unfortunately they're what bring in the money and they're also the ones that his words offended. He has to make amends but not by cooking with the elderly. No way! There must be something wrong with Jenna. Not only does she propose this horrible plan but she's also acting totally out of character. His best friend has suddenly developed a back bone where he's concerned and Bryce can't help but stand up and take notice and that's not the only thing that's standing up. Jenna totally has his blood fired up and his cock standing at complete attention. He wants her. Bryce wants shy Jenna McCabe. What is going on?
Jenna's in the mood to play a little hard to get. She certainly just can't hop into bed with Bryce the first night. That would be too easy for Bryce and Jenna would just be one more in a long list of romps in the sack. But Jenna's plans are soon tossed out the window after Bryce shows up unannounced at her apartment carrying a steaming hot platter of something that smells positively sinful.
Plying her with dessert is exactly what Bryce has in mind. He's not at her apartment for sex, he just wants an excuse to try and understand these new feelings that are bombarding him over Jenna. But his good intentions fly out the window when Jenna opens her apartment door dressed in a silky chemise that leaves little to the imagination. As one hot and delicious spoonful of custard dripping with chocolate and Carmel leads to another, Bryce and Jenna are soon overwhelmed by the eroticism of the moment and it's not long before these two get hot and heavy between the sheets.
Completely humiliated by last night's bed play and afraid that it all was one big fat lie on Bryce's part, Jenna escapes the confines of her apartment and heads to work. Shaken to the core, Jenna could kick herself for deviating from her plan of playing hard to get. Bryce's nonstop phone calls and unexpected visit at her office with breakfast is making things even worse. Jenna needs time to think and plan her next form of attack. Besides her emotions are completely raw and a moment to regroup is really all she wants. Well that and Bryce's cookie dough pancakes!
Now Jenna has a new plan with the help of her gorgeous and confident employee, Rachael. Give Bryce a little dose of what he's been dishing out all these years: hot sex with no strings.
When a marketing deal near and dear to Jenna's heart goes sour, Jenna hightails it Italy to save the account. Bryce is steaming over the fact that Jenna didn't tell him she was leaving the country. If it wasn't for his brother, who unbeknownst to both Bryce and Jenna is conspiring with Jenna's sister Sarah in an effort to get Bryce and Jenna together once and for all, he never would have known she was gone. But Bryce sees where he can possibly take advantage of this situation by whisking Jenna away to his Tuscan villa.
The days in Tuscany with Bryce are some of the best days of Jenna's life. In a perfectly sublime moment, Bryce tells her that he loves her. While her own heart has been engaged for years on end, Jenna's hesitant to tell Bryce her own words of love. She still can't believe that what he's saying is real. But what Jenna doesn't say she shows Bryce her love with her body as the two embark on some of the steamiest love scenes in the novel.
Of course when everything is just starting to feel secure for Jenna, disaster strikes. A rather nasty email was sent earlier to Bryce by his conniving brother Trey, all in the effort to get Bryce to realize his love for Jenna. While at the time Bryce thought of Trey's words as cruel, it did work to get his attention. But having the email read by Jenna turns the words into a whole new context.
Horrified by her behavior and her near proclamation of love to Bryce, Jenna is hit hard by the email's revelations. Those hesitant feelings with regards to Bryce's words of love are proving not only to be her savior, but reaffirming her earlier denied knowledge that Bryce simply can't commit. Humiliated, Jenna takes off for some much needed time alone on her family's farm.
Bryce is not about to let the one woman he's ever loved get away. With true heroics, Bryce tracks Jenna down with the drive of a hungry lion stalking its prey. He will win her heart no matter what it takes. But as more lies pile up, Bryce needs to do some fast talking or he may very well end up the way he'd always imagined - alone.
'Hot In Here' was a fantastic escape read. Bryce is an intense hero who is originally a bit frightened by the sudden spark of lust that he feels for his long time friend. But he shows real strength with his fast and determined commitment to Jenna. If anything, Jenna is the one with commitment issues, IMO, but much of that can be blamed on Bryce's earlier behavior with women.
Also, food has never read so sexy. I've developed new meaning to words like custard, gelato, and Carmel. Chocolate needs no added eroticism, it's a dessert that's always been associated with sex and boy was I reminded why.
Jenna McCabe is turning 28 today and she's going to get her birthday wish - Bryce naked in her bed. For ten years she's been in love with him and enough is finally enough. Well aware of Bryce's reputation with woman, Jenna has a master plan on how to get Bryce and keep him. His call for help is the perfect opportunity too. Owning her own marketing firm and working tirelessly to build a solid reputation, Jenna knows she can help Bryce with his current dilemma.
Meeting Jenna for dinner at his restaurant, Bryce is appalled by Jenna's suggestions on how to recoup his reputation. He didn't ask that his fans be house wives. But unfortunately they're what bring in the money and they're also the ones that his words offended. He has to make amends but not by cooking with the elderly. No way! There must be something wrong with Jenna. Not only does she propose this horrible plan but she's also acting totally out of character. His best friend has suddenly developed a back bone where he's concerned and Bryce can't help but stand up and take notice and that's not the only thing that's standing up. Jenna totally has his blood fired up and his cock standing at complete attention. He wants her. Bryce wants shy Jenna McCabe. What is going on?
Jenna's in the mood to play a little hard to get. She certainly just can't hop into bed with Bryce the first night. That would be too easy for Bryce and Jenna would just be one more in a long list of romps in the sack. But Jenna's plans are soon tossed out the window after Bryce shows up unannounced at her apartment carrying a steaming hot platter of something that smells positively sinful.
Plying her with dessert is exactly what Bryce has in mind. He's not at her apartment for sex, he just wants an excuse to try and understand these new feelings that are bombarding him over Jenna. But his good intentions fly out the window when Jenna opens her apartment door dressed in a silky chemise that leaves little to the imagination. As one hot and delicious spoonful of custard dripping with chocolate and Carmel leads to another, Bryce and Jenna are soon overwhelmed by the eroticism of the moment and it's not long before these two get hot and heavy between the sheets.
Completely humiliated by last night's bed play and afraid that it all was one big fat lie on Bryce's part, Jenna escapes the confines of her apartment and heads to work. Shaken to the core, Jenna could kick herself for deviating from her plan of playing hard to get. Bryce's nonstop phone calls and unexpected visit at her office with breakfast is making things even worse. Jenna needs time to think and plan her next form of attack. Besides her emotions are completely raw and a moment to regroup is really all she wants. Well that and Bryce's cookie dough pancakes!
Now Jenna has a new plan with the help of her gorgeous and confident employee, Rachael. Give Bryce a little dose of what he's been dishing out all these years: hot sex with no strings.
When a marketing deal near and dear to Jenna's heart goes sour, Jenna hightails it Italy to save the account. Bryce is steaming over the fact that Jenna didn't tell him she was leaving the country. If it wasn't for his brother, who unbeknownst to both Bryce and Jenna is conspiring with Jenna's sister Sarah in an effort to get Bryce and Jenna together once and for all, he never would have known she was gone. But Bryce sees where he can possibly take advantage of this situation by whisking Jenna away to his Tuscan villa.
The days in Tuscany with Bryce are some of the best days of Jenna's life. In a perfectly sublime moment, Bryce tells her that he loves her. While her own heart has been engaged for years on end, Jenna's hesitant to tell Bryce her own words of love. She still can't believe that what he's saying is real. But what Jenna doesn't say she shows Bryce her love with her body as the two embark on some of the steamiest love scenes in the novel.
Of course when everything is just starting to feel secure for Jenna, disaster strikes. A rather nasty email was sent earlier to Bryce by his conniving brother Trey, all in the effort to get Bryce to realize his love for Jenna. While at the time Bryce thought of Trey's words as cruel, it did work to get his attention. But having the email read by Jenna turns the words into a whole new context.
Horrified by her behavior and her near proclamation of love to Bryce, Jenna is hit hard by the email's revelations. Those hesitant feelings with regards to Bryce's words of love are proving not only to be her savior, but reaffirming her earlier denied knowledge that Bryce simply can't commit. Humiliated, Jenna takes off for some much needed time alone on her family's farm.
Bryce is not about to let the one woman he's ever loved get away. With true heroics, Bryce tracks Jenna down with the drive of a hungry lion stalking its prey. He will win her heart no matter what it takes. But as more lies pile up, Bryce needs to do some fast talking or he may very well end up the way he'd always imagined - alone.
'Hot In Here' was a fantastic escape read. Bryce is an intense hero who is originally a bit frightened by the sudden spark of lust that he feels for his long time friend. But he shows real strength with his fast and determined commitment to Jenna. If anything, Jenna is the one with commitment issues, IMO, but much of that can be blamed on Bryce's earlier behavior with women.
Also, food has never read so sexy. I've developed new meaning to words like custard, gelato, and Carmel. Chocolate needs no added eroticism, it's a dessert that's always been associated with sex and boy was I reminded why.
February 16, 2018
3 1/2 stars
I did like the story line in this book, and I thought the author did a nice job of turning life-long friends into lovers. I didn't really care for how the heroine Jenna decided to play around like she was only in the relationship for the physical aspect, instead of showing her true feelings, then whined and acted shocked when she didn't like the results. I liked the main character Bryce, although I think the author could have done more with his job as a chef.
There is some definite potential for a sequel with Bryce's brother Trey & Jenna's sister Sarah that I'll be watching for... I think it'd be worth the read.
In my opinion, the author could also have done a better job with fitting in the love scenes... some of them almost felt like they'd been edited in after the original story was written, and I think some of the more "erotic" parts were a little over the top & the book would have been better off without them- (a stranger watching them from the end of the alley... and with no real reason for him to be there?... hmm...)
Otherwise, a fairly good story.
I did like the story line in this book, and I thought the author did a nice job of turning life-long friends into lovers. I didn't really care for how the heroine Jenna decided to play around like she was only in the relationship for the physical aspect, instead of showing her true feelings, then whined and acted shocked when she didn't like the results. I liked the main character Bryce, although I think the author could have done more with his job as a chef.
There is some definite potential for a sequel with Bryce's brother Trey & Jenna's sister Sarah that I'll be watching for... I think it'd be worth the read.
In my opinion, the author could also have done a better job with fitting in the love scenes... some of them almost felt like they'd been edited in after the original story was written, and I think some of the more "erotic" parts were a little over the top & the book would have been better off without them- (a stranger watching them from the end of the alley... and with no real reason for him to be there?... hmm...)
Otherwise, a fairly good story.
August 2, 2009
Review
Characters
Bryce Ryder – Son, brother and first class cad when it comes to the ladies. Burnt once and not willing to take a chance again, he is looking at the real deal and don’t even realise it until it hits him in the face.
Jenna McCabe – Daughter, sister and stead fast friend to Bryce over the many years that they have known each other. The best at what she does, she takes no prisoners when it comes to business. Bryce needs her to help him and as much as it is business – she is pushing for pleasure.
Surprise element
I must mention here that I was thoroughly impressed with Ms. Renwick's voice. I am a big fan of the voice of Charlotte Featherstone and Ms. Renwick takes the best of Featherstone style and made it into an edgy erotic experience– that has me thinking dirty, dirty thing.
I will be following Ms. Renwick for a long while yet.
Plot
Chef extraordinaire Bryce Ryder’s reputation is in tatters or going that way, all due to a gossip columnist, his only way out of this dilemma lays in the hands of his childhood friend – Jenna McCabe.
Jenna has her own ulterior motive for helping Bryce and most of it does not include getting Bryce’s reputation back. While Jenna plan started off just as she expects – Bryce being his unpredictable self take over from there and this is when the fun and games begin.
Smut Ick/Factor
What can I say but the man knows his way around his food and a woman's body. From the moment Bryce opens his mind to the fact that he wanted Jenna, he sensualises everything and anything that comes into contact with her.
He is quick on the uptake to not miss a sure thing when he sees it and he knows how to care and cherish a treasured possession. I have to also admit he does last the distance and what a finisher he is.
Jenna is no slouch in the fantasy department as well – There was a voyeuristic moment that just about set the book on fire. She has a huge amount of confidence issues but when she lets her inhibitions reign free – she is definitely a class act.
Predictability
I would say only the fact that I knew the HEA was assure was about the only sort of predictable in this book. The angst was relentless through the book. There was not a steady and peaceful 10pages – it was upheaval after upheaval and I was liking it alot.
Positive
I am noticing more and more how an author draws me in from the moment I open the book – some get it and some don’t. Hot in here was one smooth start
“I like my women the way I like my recipes: fast, easy and full of variety.”
There was a pregnant pause, followed by a raised brow and
a fl ash of blue- green eyes above the spine of the glossy magazine.
“Did you really say that?”
Hot in Here © Sophie Renwick
This is a solid read – with back history, a support cast that played a full part and evidence of a follow up within the story
The main protags themselves were fully developed and I love how Ms. Renwick gave them their own identity – they were themselves first before we see them as a sister, a brother, a daughter or a son.
The plot was a nice mixture of a combination of a whole lot of familiar plots. Ms. Renwick has pulled it all together and made a story line that made me laughed, sighed and I even had the OOHHH moment – well done.
The were a few side stories running through the book that tied in nicely with the main plot. The support cast came into their own and it is definitely a credit to Ms. Renwick for reigning in some of the more assertive characters so they did not hog the limelight.
Although I mentioned the smut earlier, I must applaud the author for bringing this wonderful element of Featherstone style into play. Her words are magic and she clearly has an angle on the different voices.
The book had a good pace and with the changing scenery I was not bored at all with the drive of the book.
Bottom Line
A sweet story with loveable characters that is a credit to Ms. Renwick. With a distinct voice she rushes out of the stable with this fun loving and funny story that gives a nice balance between wanting and needing. She has gotten the art of anticipation down on her first book and has nicely laid the ground work for a series that looks to set our hearts on fire. Well done Ms. Renwick.
Niggles
Jenna has so much confidence issues that she gave me a whiplash moment as well as she played the TSTL card as well. While she started off as this assertive, in your face chick – she quick went from bitch to bitchy and I was not liking her after a while. She came back around but by that time – I was at the point of “What Now”.
There was an undeveloped scenario between Trey and his father, but as this is the first book – I am reserving judgement until the other book in the series are released.
Bryce took a little while for me to warm up to – After having a bad relationship and cutting himself off from “commitment” , he was downright possessive and single-minded in his pursuit of Jenna. It was too quick too fast for me.
Characters
Bryce Ryder – Son, brother and first class cad when it comes to the ladies. Burnt once and not willing to take a chance again, he is looking at the real deal and don’t even realise it until it hits him in the face.
Jenna McCabe – Daughter, sister and stead fast friend to Bryce over the many years that they have known each other. The best at what she does, she takes no prisoners when it comes to business. Bryce needs her to help him and as much as it is business – she is pushing for pleasure.
Surprise element
I must mention here that I was thoroughly impressed with Ms. Renwick's voice. I am a big fan of the voice of Charlotte Featherstone and Ms. Renwick takes the best of Featherstone style and made it into an edgy erotic experience– that has me thinking dirty, dirty thing.
I will be following Ms. Renwick for a long while yet.
Plot
Chef extraordinaire Bryce Ryder’s reputation is in tatters or going that way, all due to a gossip columnist, his only way out of this dilemma lays in the hands of his childhood friend – Jenna McCabe.
Jenna has her own ulterior motive for helping Bryce and most of it does not include getting Bryce’s reputation back. While Jenna plan started off just as she expects – Bryce being his unpredictable self take over from there and this is when the fun and games begin.
Smut Ick/Factor
What can I say but the man knows his way around his food and a woman's body. From the moment Bryce opens his mind to the fact that he wanted Jenna, he sensualises everything and anything that comes into contact with her.
He is quick on the uptake to not miss a sure thing when he sees it and he knows how to care and cherish a treasured possession. I have to also admit he does last the distance and what a finisher he is.
Jenna is no slouch in the fantasy department as well – There was a voyeuristic moment that just about set the book on fire. She has a huge amount of confidence issues but when she lets her inhibitions reign free – she is definitely a class act.
Predictability
I would say only the fact that I knew the HEA was assure was about the only sort of predictable in this book. The angst was relentless through the book. There was not a steady and peaceful 10pages – it was upheaval after upheaval and I was liking it alot.
Positive
I am noticing more and more how an author draws me in from the moment I open the book – some get it and some don’t. Hot in here was one smooth start
“I like my women the way I like my recipes: fast, easy and full of variety.”
There was a pregnant pause, followed by a raised brow and
a fl ash of blue- green eyes above the spine of the glossy magazine.
“Did you really say that?”
Hot in Here © Sophie Renwick
This is a solid read – with back history, a support cast that played a full part and evidence of a follow up within the story
The main protags themselves were fully developed and I love how Ms. Renwick gave them their own identity – they were themselves first before we see them as a sister, a brother, a daughter or a son.
The plot was a nice mixture of a combination of a whole lot of familiar plots. Ms. Renwick has pulled it all together and made a story line that made me laughed, sighed and I even had the OOHHH moment – well done.
The were a few side stories running through the book that tied in nicely with the main plot. The support cast came into their own and it is definitely a credit to Ms. Renwick for reigning in some of the more assertive characters so they did not hog the limelight.
Although I mentioned the smut earlier, I must applaud the author for bringing this wonderful element of Featherstone style into play. Her words are magic and she clearly has an angle on the different voices.
The book had a good pace and with the changing scenery I was not bored at all with the drive of the book.
Bottom Line
A sweet story with loveable characters that is a credit to Ms. Renwick. With a distinct voice she rushes out of the stable with this fun loving and funny story that gives a nice balance between wanting and needing. She has gotten the art of anticipation down on her first book and has nicely laid the ground work for a series that looks to set our hearts on fire. Well done Ms. Renwick.
Niggles
Jenna has so much confidence issues that she gave me a whiplash moment as well as she played the TSTL card as well. While she started off as this assertive, in your face chick – she quick went from bitch to bitchy and I was not liking her after a while. She came back around but by that time – I was at the point of “What Now”.
There was an undeveloped scenario between Trey and his father, but as this is the first book – I am reserving judgement until the other book in the series are released.
Bryce took a little while for me to warm up to – After having a bad relationship and cutting himself off from “commitment” , he was downright possessive and single-minded in his pursuit of Jenna. It was too quick too fast for me.
April 3, 2012
Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick is a title that has been sitting like forever in my to-be-read pile. Somehow I ended up reading a couple of pages into this romance penned by author Sophie Renwick aka Charlotte Featherstone that managed to grab my attention and hold on to it just because of the hero Bryce Ryder of whom I could not get enough.
27 year old Jenna McCabe who is to turn 28 that very night is a woman on a mission. That is the mission of making the man who has been in her heart for 10 long years fall in love with her. But Jenna knows in her heart Bryce would not be a man who would succumb that easily to happily ever after, given the number the one woman he had trusted had done on him.
Bryce might want to lump Jenna his childhood friend into the category of women he considers as sisters. Even though Bryce would rather die than admit that his attention towards Jenna had veered off course every now and again, Bryce is steadfast in his belief that nothing good would ever come out of tangling with the likes of Jenna who would want much more than he is capable of offering.
What surprises Bryce and Jenna both the night she turns 28 is the way their passion for each other practically sets both of them afire, leaving them both wanting more. But Jenna has a plan, a plan that would draw Bryce towards her and finally accept her as his one and only and it doesn’t include her being available for Bryce at the drop of a hat.
Bryce is confused as to the hows and whys of the way he cannot get enough of his long time friend Jenna. The way her body seems to respond to his every caress and touch drives him crazy and for the first time in 5 long years Bryce considers the prospect of turning his life around and settling down. But the new Jenna that emerges after their night of feasting on each other is one that has no resemblance whatsoever to the woman who appeals to his senses and who owns his heart more than he lets on.
For a woman who professes to have loved Bryce almost half her life, Jenna surely has a funny way of showing it to him. The reason I lowered the book’s rating to 4-stars was because I just couldn’t handle the way Jenna acted towards Bryce for the most part of the book. While Bryce is the person who is portrayed as the guy who loves to sleep around, who doesn’t empathize and doesn’t want to forge a deeper emotional connection with any woman, it is Jenna’s character that seemed shallow to me.
Yes, Bryce might want to indulge and immerse himself in the heady sensation of being thoroughly satisfied in the sack. But that doesn’t mean he is not sensitive towards others. He might be a tad arrogant and pushy but the love he has for the food that he cooks up is just to die for. What I had a problem with was how ready Jenna was to lump him with men who wouldn’t understand or give two cents about her emotions when she has known Bryce for far longer and knows who he really is. If I had been Jenna, I would have grabbed Bryce with both my hands and never ever looked back!
For me, the best thing about the novel was Bryce Ryder. He has that undefinable quality that makes a hero worth your time and the desire that he feels for Jenna is a vivid and all encompassing one that just left me breathless at all times. When Bryce steps into the picture, you know instinctively that you are in for the ride of a lifetime and Sophie Renwick has done such a swell job in bringing his character to life.
As soon as I finished Hot in Here, the question that popped into my mind was what happened to Trey and Sarah who definitely needs their own story. They have got so much pent up desire for each other that I would dearly love to see what Sophie can do with their story.
Recommended for those who love highly sensual and erotic contemporary romances with a hero who can cook up a storm.
Hot in Here is a sumptuous feast for all your senses. Trust me on that.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Quote(s) posted below.
27 year old Jenna McCabe who is to turn 28 that very night is a woman on a mission. That is the mission of making the man who has been in her heart for 10 long years fall in love with her. But Jenna knows in her heart Bryce would not be a man who would succumb that easily to happily ever after, given the number the one woman he had trusted had done on him.
Bryce might want to lump Jenna his childhood friend into the category of women he considers as sisters. Even though Bryce would rather die than admit that his attention towards Jenna had veered off course every now and again, Bryce is steadfast in his belief that nothing good would ever come out of tangling with the likes of Jenna who would want much more than he is capable of offering.
What surprises Bryce and Jenna both the night she turns 28 is the way their passion for each other practically sets both of them afire, leaving them both wanting more. But Jenna has a plan, a plan that would draw Bryce towards her and finally accept her as his one and only and it doesn’t include her being available for Bryce at the drop of a hat.
Bryce is confused as to the hows and whys of the way he cannot get enough of his long time friend Jenna. The way her body seems to respond to his every caress and touch drives him crazy and for the first time in 5 long years Bryce considers the prospect of turning his life around and settling down. But the new Jenna that emerges after their night of feasting on each other is one that has no resemblance whatsoever to the woman who appeals to his senses and who owns his heart more than he lets on.
For a woman who professes to have loved Bryce almost half her life, Jenna surely has a funny way of showing it to him. The reason I lowered the book’s rating to 4-stars was because I just couldn’t handle the way Jenna acted towards Bryce for the most part of the book. While Bryce is the person who is portrayed as the guy who loves to sleep around, who doesn’t empathize and doesn’t want to forge a deeper emotional connection with any woman, it is Jenna’s character that seemed shallow to me.
Yes, Bryce might want to indulge and immerse himself in the heady sensation of being thoroughly satisfied in the sack. But that doesn’t mean he is not sensitive towards others. He might be a tad arrogant and pushy but the love he has for the food that he cooks up is just to die for. What I had a problem with was how ready Jenna was to lump him with men who wouldn’t understand or give two cents about her emotions when she has known Bryce for far longer and knows who he really is. If I had been Jenna, I would have grabbed Bryce with both my hands and never ever looked back!
For me, the best thing about the novel was Bryce Ryder. He has that undefinable quality that makes a hero worth your time and the desire that he feels for Jenna is a vivid and all encompassing one that just left me breathless at all times. When Bryce steps into the picture, you know instinctively that you are in for the ride of a lifetime and Sophie Renwick has done such a swell job in bringing his character to life.
As soon as I finished Hot in Here, the question that popped into my mind was what happened to Trey and Sarah who definitely needs their own story. They have got so much pent up desire for each other that I would dearly love to see what Sophie can do with their story.
Recommended for those who love highly sensual and erotic contemporary romances with a hero who can cook up a storm.
Hot in Here is a sumptuous feast for all your senses. Trust me on that.
Rating=4/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
Quote(s) posted below.
May 5, 2016
The other day I was in the mood for a Contemporary Romance that was a little bit more on the sexy side. Think something like Toni Blake’s Destiny series and Marie Harte’s McCauley Brothers. So I went to Goodreads and searched for similar titles. I came across HOT IN HERE, a title that’s been on my TBR pile for years now and by reading the blurb, I realized that this was exactly the type of book I was in the mood for. Hot chef. Dirty talk. Ssssssmokin’ hot sex? Hell yeah!
I should say upfront that this book is more Erotic Romance with the amount of sex in this book. But obviously, that’s nothing I would complain about. Bryce Ryder is a celebrity chef and a bad boy womanizer. He goes through women so quickly that his reputation is starting to take a hit. So he has a consultation with one of his oldest friends, Jenna McCabe.
Jenna has everything she wants in her life. A good career, wonderful friends and family, but one thing has always managed to escape her grasp – Bryce Ryder. So in an effort to make a move for what she’s always dreamed of, Jenna takes a more aggressive approached and so far, it’s getting the results she wants. Bryce has finally taken notice of her. But instead of allowing herself to fall deeper in love with him, Jenna decides she wants to play the game. She’s going to string Bryce along until she has him begging.
Bryce comes off as a bit of a douche in the beginning of the book. And I think that’s entirely intentional with the author. She needed to make him a jackass so that there was a reason for Jenna to be there. However, that soon changes and I actually found myself liking Bryce way more than Jenna as the book went on. My issue with Jenna is the fact that she’s trying a play a game that is way out of her league. She wants to string Bryce along but we all know that it’s just bullshit. Everyone seems to be warning her off the idea, but she completely ignores it and continues on, aggravating Bryce- not to mention herself- with her hot and cold act. This makes tremendous leaps backwards after the awesome sex that these two have so that was a little disappointing – and annoying – because I think it would’ve been a stronger book if Jenna didn’t try to play games.
Speaking of hot sex though…If you are looking for a book that delivers on that front, look no further. This book has some of the best sex I’ve read in a long time. That peach bellini scene will forever change how I see fruity drinks. And there are so many other dirty scenes that will make the pages between your fingers burn. The sex scenes are definitely the best thing about this book. I have a feeling that at least one of these scenes will be featured in my top fave sex scenes of the year but of course, we’ll have to see if that’s the case ;P
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