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Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies #2
Chef Sugarlips Lib/E
Sean Bracelyn can whip up a saffron-laced lobster risotto in his sleep, but relationships? That's one recipe he hasn't nailed. Not that he has time, between launching a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his awkwardly-blended family. But when his dream girl nearly knocks him unconscious with a dead turkey, it's all Sean can do to keep his eyes on the gazpacho and off Amber King's perfect curves. Amber's done with guys propping her on a pedestal. Transforming her family's reindeer ranch into a country chic wedding venue is consuming enough, and the last thing she needs is an extra serving of love drama. So what is it about the stupid-sexy chef that gets her desires bubbling like a pot of hot spaghetti? Keeping their distance is tough enough before Sean and Amber get tossed together by wacky weddings, lingerie mishaps, and a surly three-legged cat. When Sean's mom shows up to dish out huge helpings of family drama, a big secret threatens to spread faster than a kitchen fire. Can Sean and Amber find the right blend of sugar and spice, or will love fall flat as a burnt soufflé? Contains mature themes.
Audio CD
First published May 18, 2018
905 people are currently reading
1368 people want to read
About the author
Tawna Fenske
73 books1,616 followersWhen Tawna Fenske finished her English lit degree at 22, she celebrated by filling a giant trash bag full of romance novels and dragging it everywhere until she’d read them all. Now she’s a RITA Award finalist, USA Today bestselling author who writes humorous fiction, risqué romance, and heartwarming love stories with a quirky twist. Publishers Weekly has praised Tawna’s offbeat romances with multiple starred reviews and noted, “There’s something wonderfully relaxing about being immersed in a story filled with over-the-top characters in undeniably relatable situations. Heartache and humor go hand in hand.”
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
Tawna lives in Bend, Oregon, with her husband, step-kids, and a menagerie of ill-behaved pets. She loves hiking, snowshoeing, standup paddleboarding, and inventing excuses to sip wine on her back porch. She can peel a banana with her toes and loses an average of twenty pairs of eyeglasses per year. To find out more about Tawna and her books, visit www.tawnafenske.com.
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November 11, 2023
Chef Sugarlips is book two in the Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies series by Tawna Fenske. I read the first book in this series, Studmuffin Santa, where we met Jade and Brandon, forever ago. For some reason, I did what I am known to do and got distracted by all the other shiny books and forgot to come back. Well, I finally did. Now it’s Amber and Sean’s turn!!
Amber King is Jade’s sister. They are working hard to transform her family’s reindeer ranch into a wedding venue in Central Oregon. Amber has had terrible luck with men. She knows she needs to just stay away from men and concentrate on their business. But doing so is that last thing on her mind when she comes face to face with the sexy chef from the new Luxury Ranch Resort that is about to open next door.
Sean Bracelyn, his cousin Brandon, and his assortment of siblings are turning their late father’s ranch into the Ponderosa Luxury Ranch Resort. They are almost to the finish line. Sean is the chef of the family and will be in charge of their restaurant. He has always known who Amber was and since he was a kid has had a bit of a crush on her. Now that they are face to face as adults, he can’t even think straight she’s so beautiful.
Amber and Sean’s first time seeing each other is hilarious. And there are so many other laugh out loud moments in this book. But Sean keeps himself tightly closed off. He has secrets he has carried most of his life. Things that have kept him from ever really letting anyone in. He wants things to be different with Amber. But can they be?
I loved this book. I loved these two together. There are so many funny moments but it’s not over the top at all. It’s the perfect mix of funny and serious. There is also some steam, plenty of swoon, and lots of smiles. Now I can’t wait to start the next book, Sergeant Sexypants, which is Sean’s sister, Bree’s book.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/14513...
Amber King is Jade’s sister. They are working hard to transform her family’s reindeer ranch into a wedding venue in Central Oregon. Amber has had terrible luck with men. She knows she needs to just stay away from men and concentrate on their business. But doing so is that last thing on her mind when she comes face to face with the sexy chef from the new Luxury Ranch Resort that is about to open next door.
Sean Bracelyn, his cousin Brandon, and his assortment of siblings are turning their late father’s ranch into the Ponderosa Luxury Ranch Resort. They are almost to the finish line. Sean is the chef of the family and will be in charge of their restaurant. He has always known who Amber was and since he was a kid has had a bit of a crush on her. Now that they are face to face as adults, he can’t even think straight she’s so beautiful.
Amber and Sean’s first time seeing each other is hilarious. And there are so many other laugh out loud moments in this book. But Sean keeps himself tightly closed off. He has secrets he has carried most of his life. Things that have kept him from ever really letting anyone in. He wants things to be different with Amber. But can they be?
I loved this book. I loved these two together. There are so many funny moments but it’s not over the top at all. It’s the perfect mix of funny and serious. There is also some steam, plenty of swoon, and lots of smiles. Now I can’t wait to start the next book, Sergeant Sexypants, which is Sean’s sister, Bree’s book.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/14513...
January 6, 2020
This is second in a series and people and events from the other are prominent enough that I'd recommend reading in order, though that's not really necessary.
I'll admit that I pushed this up on the to-read pile because I kind of love the title (though that cover is kind of weird). I knew that I'd like Amber and was happy to find her as amazing as I thought she'd be. I liked how much she worked to get people what they need and I liked her unabashed personality as she weathered emotional hits from people who write her off for various reasons. Sean was good, too, when he got out of his own way. Unfortunately, that wasn't as frequent as it should have been and he has this weird dissociation thing going on where he breaks himself into different versions based on circumstances. And some of those versions are high-order jerkwads.
Which is where this story ran into real trouble. The timeline of this story is really short and a believable long-lasting attachment in that short timeframe requires a degree of honesty that this story just didn't deliver. Even the supposed "Real Sean" hid too much from Amber, avoiding uncomfortable realities that he didn't want to deal with. So the fact that this dissociative furtiveness leads to a dark moment isn't really the problem (though that dropped the story another full star). No, the real issue is that he isn't open enough, long enough for me to buy the relationship as given.
So this is a two-star story that left me dissatisfied. I wanted more for Amber, frankly. Sean may be the right guy for her, but by the end of this story, that's still rather an open question.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene that's detailed enough that, for such a short work, it puts this in the middle of my steam tolerance.
I'll admit that I pushed this up on the to-read pile because I kind of love the title (though that cover is kind of weird). I knew that I'd like Amber and was happy to find her as amazing as I thought she'd be. I liked how much she worked to get people what they need and I liked her unabashed personality as she weathered emotional hits from people who write her off for various reasons. Sean was good, too, when he got out of his own way. Unfortunately, that wasn't as frequent as it should have been and he has this weird dissociation thing going on where he breaks himself into different versions based on circumstances. And some of those versions are high-order jerkwads.
Which is where this story ran into real trouble. The timeline of this story is really short and a believable long-lasting attachment in that short timeframe requires a degree of honesty that this story just didn't deliver. Even the supposed "Real Sean" hid too much from Amber, avoiding uncomfortable realities that he didn't want to deal with. So the fact that this dissociative furtiveness leads to a dark moment isn't really the problem (though that dropped the story another full star). No, the real issue is that he isn't open enough, long enough for me to buy the relationship as given.
So this is a two-star story that left me dissatisfied. I wanted more for Amber, frankly. Sean may be the right guy for her, but by the end of this story, that's still rather an open question.
A note about Steamy: There's a single explicit sex scene that's detailed enough that, for such a short work, it puts this in the middle of my steam tolerance.
December 7, 2021
This cover is hideous. I actually downloaded Just a Taste for free on Amazon, but decided to add each book individually (mostly in case I don't read the five books). So, here we are.
I guess it was ok (and I'm feeling a bit generous).
I guess it was ok (and I'm feeling a bit generous).
April 3, 2025
Chef Sugarlips is the second delightful book in the Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies series.
I fell in love with Tawna's Rom Com's after reading her wonderful Assassin in Love series, Killer Instincts. It has the right mix of humour, angst, trouble, heartache, insecurities, haunted pasts, and longing. I laughed and sighed my way through the book as our couples come together with hope in their hearts.
This delightful book has big tough men brought to their knees by sassy women. But there are moments of tension and suspense to give the story another layer.
I can't wait to read more.
I fell in love with Tawna's Rom Com's after reading her wonderful Assassin in Love series, Killer Instincts. It has the right mix of humour, angst, trouble, heartache, insecurities, haunted pasts, and longing. I laughed and sighed my way through the book as our couples come together with hope in their hearts.
This delightful book has big tough men brought to their knees by sassy women. But there are moments of tension and suspense to give the story another layer.
I can't wait to read more.
Want to read
June 15, 2023🎁 FREE on iBooks today (3/22/2019)! 🎁
May 21, 2018
**3.5 Stars**
Sean can create the most intricate of delicious meals, but relationships elude him. He just can't get the recipe correct. Add in that he's quite busy with a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his family, and yeah, time is an ingredient he doesn't have enough of. At least that's what he thinks until he gets the stuffing almost knocked out of him by a turkey wielded by his dream girl. Suddenly focusing on food is increasingly difficult as his eyes are continually drawn to Amber, and her curves.
Amber has put her feet down, tired of the pedastal the men she dates continually tries to place her on, viewing her as nothing but a pretty face. She's done. Instead she'll spend her time helping her family transform their reindeer ranch. She has plans, and they don't include falling for a chef, even though he definitely brings on the steam.
Sean and Amber try to keep their distance, but fate disagrees and throws them together every chance it can. They begin to wonder if fighting it is futile, especially when they both want to give in so badly. However, there's one more obstacle coming their way, Sean's mom and the secrets she brings with her.
Will Sean and Amber gather up their courage and take a risk? Yes, they could lose something, but they could gain so much more. Are they ready to explore what's been brewing between them? What happens when Sean's mom barges in? Will the relationship they've started to build crash and burn? Or will it withstand the obstacle and only come out stronger? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people finally take a chance and see what could be.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
Sean can create the most intricate of delicious meals, but relationships elude him. He just can't get the recipe correct. Add in that he's quite busy with a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his family, and yeah, time is an ingredient he doesn't have enough of. At least that's what he thinks until he gets the stuffing almost knocked out of him by a turkey wielded by his dream girl. Suddenly focusing on food is increasingly difficult as his eyes are continually drawn to Amber, and her curves.
Amber has put her feet down, tired of the pedastal the men she dates continually tries to place her on, viewing her as nothing but a pretty face. She's done. Instead she'll spend her time helping her family transform their reindeer ranch. She has plans, and they don't include falling for a chef, even though he definitely brings on the steam.
Sean and Amber try to keep their distance, but fate disagrees and throws them together every chance it can. They begin to wonder if fighting it is futile, especially when they both want to give in so badly. However, there's one more obstacle coming their way, Sean's mom and the secrets she brings with her.
Will Sean and Amber gather up their courage and take a risk? Yes, they could lose something, but they could gain so much more. Are they ready to explore what's been brewing between them? What happens when Sean's mom barges in? Will the relationship they've started to build crash and burn? Or will it withstand the obstacle and only come out stronger? Is a HEA possible?
One-click now and follow along as two people finally take a chance and see what could be.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.**
February 28, 2021
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Kindle freebie on March 21, 2019
(currently $4.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
I read the first in the Ponderosa Resort series as part of my Holiday freebie reads. So it worked to continue them as part of this LOVE edition. I don't know how but I managed to get nearly all of these free over the years.
I love the characters with their quirky town and fascinating businesses. I love the sexy banter, somewhat ridiculous humor, and often hilarious situations. I really enjoy the business and marketing aspects. It may not be quite realistic but I'm delighted reading them.
Sean is a chef, so that's yummy to read. Amber is the marketing sister for the reindeer ranch. They are lovely people with relatable issues but also have to work on themselves like everyone. I liked seeing that growth.
There is also a Chef Sugarlips Bonus epilogue novella which isn't on Goodreads but somehow I managed to get, probably from the author newsletter or something. I enjoyed having that additional peek into their relationship a year later.
Kindle freebie on March 21, 2019
(currently $4.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as of writing this post)
I read the first in the Ponderosa Resort series as part of my Holiday freebie reads. So it worked to continue them as part of this LOVE edition. I don't know how but I managed to get nearly all of these free over the years.
I love the characters with their quirky town and fascinating businesses. I love the sexy banter, somewhat ridiculous humor, and often hilarious situations. I really enjoy the business and marketing aspects. It may not be quite realistic but I'm delighted reading them.
Sean is a chef, so that's yummy to read. Amber is the marketing sister for the reindeer ranch. They are lovely people with relatable issues but also have to work on themselves like everyone. I liked seeing that growth.
There is also a Chef Sugarlips Bonus epilogue novella which isn't on Goodreads but somehow I managed to get, probably from the author newsletter or something. I enjoyed having that additional peek into their relationship a year later.
November 30, 2018
4 Crazy About You Stars
This was such a cute story, that for me was perfect for this time of year. The reindeer spirit was strong with this one.
Sean and Amber were amazing together, I really liked their transition from easy friends to lovers. They were perfectly flirty, and really sweet. Also this story was adorably funny. I truly enjoyed Sean's siblings (I hope all of them will get their own books).
I was ready for some easy fluff, but this story had really great plot, and the characters were dimensional, it was more than just romance without much of the story.
So if you need a cute, short story that flows, with really great characters, and not much angst, and drama - this one is just perfect!
This was such a cute story, that for me was perfect for this time of year. The reindeer spirit was strong with this one.
Sean and Amber were amazing together, I really liked their transition from easy friends to lovers. They were perfectly flirty, and really sweet. Also this story was adorably funny. I truly enjoyed Sean's siblings (I hope all of them will get their own books).
"I've always been in love with her, but this is different. I'm in love the real Amber. Not some fantasy mermaid girl, but the one who makes me feel like this. The Amber who makes me my very best self."
I was ready for some easy fluff, but this story had really great plot, and the characters were dimensional, it was more than just romance without much of the story.
So if you need a cute, short story that flows, with really great characters, and not much angst, and drama - this one is just perfect!
April 21, 2018
Attention: NSFPT - Not Safe For Public Transportation, might induce mid-swoon snort-laughing!
Tawna Fenske has done it again and delivered another story that is equally hilarious, heart-warming, and swoon-worthy, while tackling some serious issues as well.
What I love about Tawna Fenske's books in general (at least the ones I've read so far), and this book in particular, are the family dynamics - both functional and dysfunctional. ;)
I definitely want to read more stories about these characters!
Even though this is the second book in the Ponderosa Resort series, this story can be read as a standalone.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tawna Fenske has done it again and delivered another story that is equally hilarious, heart-warming, and swoon-worthy, while tackling some serious issues as well.
What I love about Tawna Fenske's books in general (at least the ones I've read so far), and this book in particular, are the family dynamics - both functional and dysfunctional. ;)
I definitely want to read more stories about these characters!
Even though this is the second book in the Ponderosa Resort series, this story can be read as a standalone.
Disclaimer: I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 29, 2018
Absolutely the most fun I've had in a kitchen in very long time! Chef Sugarlips can preheat my oven anytime. ;)
May 22, 2018
Sean and Amber are two people not looking for a relationship. He's busy working alongside his family to build and open a luxury resort and launch a new restaurant while Amber is determined to make a go of the country chic wedding idea she has for her family's reindeer ranch. However, when Amber turns to Sean for help, he's more than happy to lend a hand. Yet, the more time they spend together, the more they find themselves falling for the other. Will Sean and Amber take a chance on each other or will family drama force them apart?
Ms. Fenske writes some wonderful romances that encompass a good dose of comedy and fantastic characters and this book was such a pleasure to read with the hero and heroine's growing relationship making me smile constantly. The way this story had me hooked, especially from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time because of what happens. Certainly, the heroine knows how to surprise a guy.
As for the dialogue, it was a delightful combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and playful banter between the hero and heroine that had me loving their every interaction. Moreover, the hero is hard-working, determined to do what's right and I liked the relationship he has with his siblings. Certainly, they're supportive, even with the trouble they face due to family secrets. Will Sean open up to them about what's going on? While the heroine, she's determined to prove she's just like every other woman. That there's nothing special about her. Why does every guy put her on a pedestal? Furthermore, Amber is determined in her pursuit of turning her family's reindeer ranch into a country chic wedding venue and I loved that she would do anything to achieve it, even if it means keeping a bride happy by doing something requested of her.
Overall, Ms. Fenske has delivered a captivating read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was powerful; the romance was heady, convincing and showed how right these two are for each other; and the ending had me loving the hero's determination to win back the woman he's fallen for. I would recommend Chef Sugarlips by Tawna Fenske, if you enjoy romantic comedies or books by authors Penny Reid, Jana Aston, Emma Hart and Erin Nicholas.
Ms. Fenske writes some wonderful romances that encompass a good dose of comedy and fantastic characters and this book was such a pleasure to read with the hero and heroine's growing relationship making me smile constantly. The way this story had me hooked, especially from the moment the hero and heroine come face-to-face for the first time because of what happens. Certainly, the heroine knows how to surprise a guy.
As for the dialogue, it was a delightful combination of intense moments due to the main characters back stories and playful banter between the hero and heroine that had me loving their every interaction. Moreover, the hero is hard-working, determined to do what's right and I liked the relationship he has with his siblings. Certainly, they're supportive, even with the trouble they face due to family secrets. Will Sean open up to them about what's going on? While the heroine, she's determined to prove she's just like every other woman. That there's nothing special about her. Why does every guy put her on a pedestal? Furthermore, Amber is determined in her pursuit of turning her family's reindeer ranch into a country chic wedding venue and I loved that she would do anything to achieve it, even if it means keeping a bride happy by doing something requested of her.
Overall, Ms. Fenske has delivered a captivating read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was powerful; the romance was heady, convincing and showed how right these two are for each other; and the ending had me loving the hero's determination to win back the woman he's fallen for. I would recommend Chef Sugarlips by Tawna Fenske, if you enjoy romantic comedies or books by authors Penny Reid, Jana Aston, Emma Hart and Erin Nicholas.
May 18, 2018
4.5 Stars
Chef Sugarlips is the second book in the Ponderosa Resort series. If you missed the first book (Studmuffin Santa,) I recommend reading it, but this book reads perfectly well as a standalone. In this outing, Amber from Reindeer Ranch is seeking catering assistance from head chef/co-owner Sean of Ponderosa Ranch and once again, humor and romance abounds.
This book was a quick read, because I was consistently intrigued and invested. Purposefully, Sean's backstory is a bit of a mystery and there was so much to discover. I enjoyed the slow reveal of Sean's character and what in his life has shaped him. In true Fenske fashion, not all is light and humorous. This author is very adept at mixing humor with poignancy and personal struggles without making light of the deeper subjects. So while I found myself smiling and giggling throughout the story, my empathetic heart was also tugged with the poignancy of Sean and Amber's wavy road to happily ever after. While I found Sean and Amber easy to relate to and enjoy, I was equally intrigued by Sean's siblings and can't wait for their stories - especially, Mark. He sounds like the broody lumberjack I love in all my romances! 😍😜 (This is my voluntary and unbiased review of an advanced copy of Chef Sugarlips.)
June 8, 2018
Laugh out loud fun with all the feels…
I couldn’t wait to get back to the Reindeer farm! I needed sweetness and light. Emotion and feels. And puns and laughter. I got it all with Amber and Sean’s story!
“It’s not every day a guy comes face to face with the girl he’s had a crush on since he wore Batman Underoos.”
Re-united over weddings, over food, these two gelled like reindeer and oats, champagne and caviar, and love spuds? Yes, the puns have it and they were everywhere – hilarious and laugh out loud. The characters invited me along on their journey and every scene had me feeling along with them. Whether it it was uniting over food (gone wrong) or oh so right, I felt like I was a part of their journey…
“Oh…It’s smaller than I thought it would be.”
“There’s something every guy wants to hear in the bedroom.”
The feels, the heat, the fun, the food! There is everything to love about this fun-filled romance and I can’t wait for more!
*5 Testie Festie Stars*
I couldn’t wait to get back to the Reindeer farm! I needed sweetness and light. Emotion and feels. And puns and laughter. I got it all with Amber and Sean’s story!
“It’s not every day a guy comes face to face with the girl he’s had a crush on since he wore Batman Underoos.”
Re-united over weddings, over food, these two gelled like reindeer and oats, champagne and caviar, and love spuds? Yes, the puns have it and they were everywhere – hilarious and laugh out loud. The characters invited me along on their journey and every scene had me feeling along with them. Whether it it was uniting over food (gone wrong) or oh so right, I felt like I was a part of their journey…
“Oh…It’s smaller than I thought it would be.”
“There’s something every guy wants to hear in the bedroom.”
The feels, the heat, the fun, the food! There is everything to love about this fun-filled romance and I can’t wait for more!
*5 Testie Festie Stars*
May 16, 2019
When the true-blue, flesh and blood version of your fantasy girl is so much better than you imagined.
When Sean Bracelyn bumps into his childhood crush years later, all his teenage fantasies come rushing back to life... winning "Flawless Amber's" heart is his top priority... but having a serial philanderer for a father has made him have loads of trust issues... issues which may cost him the love of his life! A hilariously, sweet Romantic Comedy I highly enjoyed reading. 5 Mirth-Filled Stars for "Chef Sugarlips"... and learning the hard way that glossing over the bad stuff does not always pay off... best face them head on... who knows? Maybe it will be worth it.
When Sean Bracelyn bumps into his childhood crush years later, all his teenage fantasies come rushing back to life... winning "Flawless Amber's" heart is his top priority... but having a serial philanderer for a father has made him have loads of trust issues... issues which may cost him the love of his life! A hilariously, sweet Romantic Comedy I highly enjoyed reading. 5 Mirth-Filled Stars for "Chef Sugarlips"... and learning the hard way that glossing over the bad stuff does not always pay off... best face them head on... who knows? Maybe it will be worth it.
April 19, 2018
This book is really, really funny. Yes, it touches on some serious subjects with sensitivity and feeling but overall it is hilarious. Amazing first meeting, questionable cookies, lingerie shenanigans, plus more awkward reindeer mating facts equals a quirky book that actually made me spit tea from laughing. I was rooting for Sean and Amber from that first meeting. Their chemistry is amazing. Loved it!!
April 23, 2019
4 stars
This was a very enjoyable story. I liked both Sean and Amber and found their story to be very engaging. Although this is book #2 in the series, it does fine as a standalone (I haven't read #1 yet).
Amber is the co-owner of a reindeer ranch with her sister, Jade. Amber has a degree in marketing and holds events at the ranch, like weddings and such. Amber was known as "flawless Amber" in high school (much to her chagrin) because of her brains, looks and great personality. Unfortunately, that reputation is hard to live up to in real life and the issues it's caused have left Amber a bit sensitive about it and trying to avoid men for a while.
Sean is a chef and will be running a restaurant that's part of a luxury tourist resort he and a number of his half-siblings are opening together. Sean's father was rich and liked to get married but the marriages didn't last long...hence the load of half-siblings. Sean's mother is a chef on a TV show and their relationship is rather strained.
Amber has a wedding coming up at the ranch and the bride and groom want the catering to be fancier than the normal caterers Amber has available. On the advice of Jade, Amber goes to talk to Sean about catering because he studied in Paris and the resort isn't open yet so Jade figured he had the free time. When Amber and Sean meet, it's quite the meet-cute with blinding sun, a bit of a fall and a stunned recognition from a childhood crush/fantasy (on Sean's part, not Amber's). There is an instant mutual attraction but Amber is determined not to get involved so she secures Sean's promise to cater the wedding but makes it clear they wont bet getting involved.
Amber's attempt to make things clear doesn't last long and it's a mutual failing. They find themselves spending time together and things go well between Amber and Sean, naturally moving into more relationship territory (but with little discussion). While Sean is enthusiastic about his fledgling relationship with Amber, there's some family drama that is plaguing him and he's reluctant to tell anyone about it, especially Amber. As you might expect, things do go wonky and drama ensues but thankfully, it doesn't take long before things are straightened out. Once everything is settled, Amber and Sean are firmly together and heading towards and HEA.
This was a very enjoyable story. Amber was a good heroine. She wasn't perfect but I liked her personality and spunk. Sean was great...except for his bout of relationship dumbassedness towards the end...but he was willing to grovel to get the girl back so I was content. Overall, this was a very enjoyable and engaging story that I would recommend. :)
This was a very enjoyable story. I liked both Sean and Amber and found their story to be very engaging. Although this is book #2 in the series, it does fine as a standalone (I haven't read #1 yet).
Amber is the co-owner of a reindeer ranch with her sister, Jade. Amber has a degree in marketing and holds events at the ranch, like weddings and such. Amber was known as "flawless Amber" in high school (much to her chagrin) because of her brains, looks and great personality. Unfortunately, that reputation is hard to live up to in real life and the issues it's caused have left Amber a bit sensitive about it and trying to avoid men for a while.
Sean is a chef and will be running a restaurant that's part of a luxury tourist resort he and a number of his half-siblings are opening together. Sean's father was rich and liked to get married but the marriages didn't last long...hence the load of half-siblings. Sean's mother is a chef on a TV show and their relationship is rather strained.
Amber has a wedding coming up at the ranch and the bride and groom want the catering to be fancier than the normal caterers Amber has available. On the advice of Jade, Amber goes to talk to Sean about catering because he studied in Paris and the resort isn't open yet so Jade figured he had the free time. When Amber and Sean meet, it's quite the meet-cute with blinding sun, a bit of a fall and a stunned recognition from a childhood crush/fantasy (on Sean's part, not Amber's). There is an instant mutual attraction but Amber is determined not to get involved so she secures Sean's promise to cater the wedding but makes it clear they wont bet getting involved.
Amber's attempt to make things clear doesn't last long and it's a mutual failing. They find themselves spending time together and things go well between Amber and Sean, naturally moving into more relationship territory (but with little discussion). While Sean is enthusiastic about his fledgling relationship with Amber, there's some family drama that is plaguing him and he's reluctant to tell anyone about it, especially Amber. As you might expect, things do go wonky and drama ensues but thankfully, it doesn't take long before things are straightened out. Once everything is settled, Amber and Sean are firmly together and heading towards and HEA.
This was a very enjoyable story. Amber was a good heroine. She wasn't perfect but I liked her personality and spunk. Sean was great...except for his bout of relationship dumbassedness towards the end...but he was willing to grovel to get the girl back so I was content. Overall, this was a very enjoyable and engaging story that I would recommend. :)
April 19, 2018
Amber and Sean were awesome together. I laughed until my side hurt. Your sense of humor is epic. The way you slide in the funniest phrases is just great. It was good to see Sean’s insight into his Mom come to fruition. The incident at the first wedding was hilarious. No wonder I can’t put your books down until I’m done reading. Keep them coming ❤️❤️ received ARC for review.
January 12, 2023
I want to thank Tawna Fenske, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle Copy of Chef Sugarlips ~ Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies ~ Book 2 that I won in the Giveaway.
Sean Bracelyn, one of the owners and chef at the Ponderosa Resort and Amber King from the reindeer ranch close by meet and the humor continues from the first moment. Sean is extremely busy getting his new kitchen and restaurant read at the resort, has an unexpected visit from his mother and still he makes time to cater a wedding for Amber. Then a wedding with meatballs exploding at the reception and so many more humorous incidents that I smiled through the entire sweet romance.
Sean Bracelyn, one of the owners and chef at the Ponderosa Resort and Amber King from the reindeer ranch close by meet and the humor continues from the first moment. Sean is extremely busy getting his new kitchen and restaurant read at the resort, has an unexpected visit from his mother and still he makes time to cater a wedding for Amber. Then a wedding with meatballs exploding at the reception and so many more humorous incidents that I smiled through the entire sweet romance.
February 4, 2021
This second in series book was a nice standard romance. It was not as funny as the first book. The hero was a great guy. He was a chef and descriptions of the gourmet foods were lost on me. So it was just okay.
July 30, 2019
This is not my type of humor. Childish jokes and references to pop culture. I was hoping this would be something light and quick. It was quick but not enjoyable for me.
December 7, 2019
Sean as a character is well developed. He's a chef, and boy! does he know food and kitchens, as shown by the details the author provides. Amber's not as well developed, but Sean's broken enough for the story. It's pretty cool the sisters are still dealing with high school issues: Jade being bullied for being heavy and Amber with seeming to be perfect. Good thing they're 5y apart so their relationship is solid!
Sex: multiple scenes
Language: 20 F words, 73 Lord's name in vain, 22 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but makes it better
Would I read more of the series: yes, I'm curious about Bree
----SUMMARY----
Amber shows the barn to an engaged couple who need a speedy wedding; they need a caterer. Jade asks her to deliver a taxidermied turkey to the luxury resort next door, recommends Sean as a Michelin-starred chef. She walks into the lodge, sees a handsome specimen of manhood on a ladder. He faints.
For the record, I didn’t faint. Okay, I got rattled when I saw this angelic silhouette in the doorway, feathered wingtips arching toward opposite windows and dark hair shimmering like a sunlit halo. Sean has had a crush on her for 19y. “I was visiting my dad here at the ranch that summer. You came over with your mom, looking for a pig that escaped.” He also saw her skinny dipping in the pond.
She suggests catering weddings, he's eager. She starts to leave, asks for his number. She puts it in her phone, calls him. I tap to answer Amber’s call, doing my best to keep a straight face. “Hello?” She grins at me, but plays along. “Hey, is Sean there?” “Speaking.” “Sean, this is Amber.” “Amber who?” Her eyes dance as her smile widens. “Amber King. I was wondering if you’d be willing to stop by my ranch tomorrow between five and six. You can take a look at the space and we can talk more about the wedding.” “I’m going to need to look at my calendar. Can you hold, please?” “Certainly.” I pull the phone from my ear and hold it against my chest. Amber gives me a curious look. “It’s a bad idea to seem too available,” I whisper. “My sister told me that.” “Ah.” Amber smiles and nods. “Good thinking,” she whispers back. I bring the phone back to my ear. “Amber?” “Yes?” “Yeah, I can do tomorrow evening. Want me to bring dinner?” “Dinner?” “Sure. Some samples of wedding food you can taste test.” “Oh, that’s an awesome idea. Yes, please.” “It’s a date, then.”
Jade's making heart cookies, Amber frosts. Jade: So did you get Sean to do the weddings? I mean before you stuck your tongue down his throat? “I told you, I didn’t actually kiss him. I hardly even groped him.” Amber is, again, making cookie porn with her frosting.
Sean comes over. He wants to see the venue first. “So, uh—I hear you had a bit of an issue out here last month.” “You mean the fact that I held my ex-boyfriend at gunpoint after he tried to burn down our barn? The whole thing is kind of embarrassing.” “How so?” “I guess I feel like an idiot for thinking he was a devoted boyfriend instead of a psycho jerk.” “That’s on him, not you. It wasn’t your fault you trusted a guy who turned out to be a jerk.” She shows him the chapel her great-grandparents built. A beam has “JK + SP forever.” “My grandpa carved it when he was 13. He fell in love with a girl who lived 2 farms over. They were married 53 years before he died. It seemed like good luck.” Jade told her dust motes were fairies. His dad told him mermaids lived in the pond. “So that’s why you were spying on me that night? You were mermaid hunting?” “You did seem like some kind of mythical creature. I always wondered what you were really like. In real life, not in mermaid fantasies.” “And now that you’ve met me?” “You’re different than I expected. You’re more…real. Complex.” They eat, kiss, interrupted by Sean's phone. He has to go.
Mom, better known as Chef Melody on the Food Network, might still own part of the ranch. “Bottom line, it’s possible your father didn’t have the legal right to will this property to anyone.” She'll stay in his cabin while this gets sorted.
James, Bree, and Mark have questions. “You have to admit, your mother has a reputation for shady real estate deals.” “Keep your eyes open. We love you. And we don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” “Or to the rest of us. We’re in this together.” “Like the Brady Bunch. With adultery and backstabbing.”
Amber promises Beth to spy on the decor at her ex's wedding so she doesn't duplicate it at hers. She smells something funny, narrows it to her bra. “You were always so damn perfect. Flawless Amber, captain of the soccer team, student body president, nicest person anyone could hope to meet.” Beth leaves, Amber slips her bra off under her shirt, is smelling it when Sean comes in. “Right, see, there are certain things no one really tells you when you’re a girl. Like everyone knows you wash your panties every day, right? But no one ever sits you down and says, ‘here’s how often you should wash your bras.’ Like is it once a week? Every few days? Monthly? I honestly don’t know, and then how do you remember which ones you washed....” Sean smiles. “You remember what I said in the chapel? About how you’re way different from Ethereal Mermaid Amber I used to imagine? I like this Amber better.” Sean gets up to leave. You don't want to talk about the kiss? “We’re really doing this? Talking about it, I mean?” “You were planning to avoid this conversation?” “Always. That’s kinda my MO.” “Good to know.” He kisses her. “I don’t regret it. Not one bit.” “Neither do I.”
At family dinner, Bree tells Mom the only investors are the siblings, who have all invested time, money, talent, and work. Mom asks about Sean's love life, wants grand babies. Sean thinks of Amber, wants to protect her: There's no one.
A few days later, Sean goes to the pond to escape Mom. Amber's there, wanting to see her initials she carved at 18. “We all have relationships that don’t work out. It’s normal to circle back to the wreckage every now and then to figure out what the hell went wrong.” He'd been engaged once. “She said I was too closed off, and she couldn’t be with someone who didn’t know how to open up emotionally.” Sean bought her a ticket, asked for one more chance; the plane crashed. “It wouldn’t have worked out. With Sarah, I mean. I regret that I didn’t let go sooner.” Amber says planning all these weddings has her wondering why only some work. Sean: “The only difference between couples who make it and the ones who don’t is a decision to dig in your heels and fight for it. But what the hell do I know? I’m the unmarried offspring of a guy who should have bought a discount punch-card for divorces. I’ve never even kept a plant alive, let alone a marriage. I have been thinking about a cat, though.” Jade has a neuter clinic tomorrow for stray cats; if he volunteers, he can adopt. He'll bring breakfast for the volunteers. He kisses her. It moves into petting. “You’re missing something here.” “All my bras are in the wash.” Because yes, that bra did stink. “I—uh—wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here.” “Lucky me.” Lucky me!
In the morning, Mom wants to see her grandparents’ house. Sean'll show her later. At Jade's clinic, Amber moans over the food. He remembers Sarah said, “Let [a future girl] see the real Sean sometime. Not Prep School Sean. Not Damage Control Sean. The real Sean.” As I watch Amber devour the burrito, I’m positive I’m getting there. Maybe it’s her zest for life. Maybe it’s her kooky humor or her kindness toward animals or her passion for food. Maybe I’m just really, really hot for her. It’s all of those things in Amber that bring out the best version of me. Tomorrow's the wedding she's supposed to spy on, Sean offers to be her date. Sean adopts a 3-legged cat, names him Gordon Ramsay.
At the wedding, everything goes wrong for Greg and Alien (really Aline, but the priest keeps messing up); they whisper smiling while best man races to get the ring. “That’s what I meant. When I said the secret is work. Getting mad right now would be the easiest thing in the world for them. Blaming someone else? Simple. Doing the opposite is what’s hard. It takes work to decide you’re going to love someone even when things aren’t as perfect as they were in your head.” They go to the reception across the street. Exploding chafing dishes of meatballs and marinara everywhere. Sean saves the day, recreating the meatball dish. Greg's mom says thank you, talks Amber up to Sean, and Amber keeps unsuccessfully shifting the conversation. The bride and her mom want to dry clean their clothes and have them stay the night at a hotel suite they reserved for guests. Amber says yes; Sean is agog.
Amber's super nervous. Sean's just glad for time with her. While showering, she calls Jade, worried Sean's going to do the same thing her first sex partner did: dump her after finding out what the fuss was about Flawless Amber. “The chick all the girls wanted to be and all the guys wanted to screw. Maybe that guys who get too close to the real me don’t end up liking what they see.” She sees the tattoo he got to match Sarah's. He thought about covering it up, but it's part of who he is and how he got here. They make love.
They prep all week for the hurried wedding. She goes to taste cupcakes for them, bumps into Bree. Who knows about Flawless Amber. “I’m a snoop. Comes with the territory for women with trust issues.” “Want to sample some flavor combos with me?” Bree meets Chelsea, owner of Dew Drop Cupcakes; will tell her brother with a sweet tooth. She also tells Sean's mother is visiting. “Between finishing the restaurant and getting things ready for inspections and the stress of having his damn mother under the same roof, he’s been working nonstop. He must really like you.” Bree looks at Amber. “Sean’s always been weird about his mom. Don’t take it personally. She’s a real piece of work. She’s been here more than a month, and we’ve spent the whole time freaking out that she’s going to file some stupid suit and try to claim part of our property.” I don’t know where things are headed with us, but I can’t sabotage things by worrying he’s another jerk who’s destined to shut me out now that he’s gotten what he wants.
While Sean works at the reception, he hears his mother's laugh. She's drunk, telling Amber stories that never happened. He texts Bree in all caps for help. “Darling, Amber tells me the two of you are very serious. Wedding bells, maybe?” Amber’s eyes go wide, and the color drains from her face. “I never said—” “We’re just friends,” I blurt, needing my mother to drop this. Needing to get her the hell out of here before she does any more damage. “I’m sorry there’s been a misunderstanding, but we really do need to get you out of here.” Bree's here!
Amber is in shock. Just friends. Jade: “Whatever happens, give him a chance to explain. Don’t sabotage this.” She leaves the barn, runs into Sean. “You’re an amazing girl, but—” “No, it’s fine. Whatever, it’s no big deal.” Sean shakes his head, hands still clenched in fists. “Things are a little complicated for me right now.” “Complicated. You mean the fact that your famous mother has been staying with you all month and you never once mentioned it? That kind of complicated?” “You’re an amazing girl. I just don’t think I have the bandwidth for this right now.” “The bandwidth.” “I really have enjoyed your company. And maybe once things aren’t so messed up—” “Sure, that’s fine. It’s been nice knowing you. I’ll see you around I’m sure.”
Sean makes sure Mom is still breathing (biggest fear since he was little, that she wouldn't sleep it off). Bree makes tea. “So. Your mom’s not a greedy bitch who came to steal our ranch. She’s an alcoholic.” “You think I don’t know that?! Sorry. I just—I’m not reacting well today.” “So you’ve been covering for her. Because she’s famous or because she’s your mother?” “Yes.” “She masks it well. So do you.” I’m not used to having anyone else know my secrets. I feel exposed and embarrassed and horribly, horribly ashamed. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. So many times over the last year. Longer than that. It would have been nice to confide in someone.” “We all would have supported you, you know.” “I know. It would destroy her if it got out.” “It’s been destroying you. Keeping that secret? That’s no way to live. No way to build relationships.” I’ve never wanted to tell someone before, to usher her through the carefully guarded door and show her all the battered, dingy furniture and holes in the drywall. The ugly scenery of my real life. No one but her has ever come close to seeing that. “Why’d you break up with Amber?” “I panicked. I just—I went into damage control mode, and I started saying stupid crap. It’s like I’ve spent so long covering for my mother that I forgot that’s not the only priority in my life. Or even the most important one.” “Your mom has to face her own demons sooner or later.” Bree leaves after a hug. Mom comes in. “Look, I know you’re upset that I showed up uninvited, but I—” “That’s not what this is about. It’s about your drinking. It’s always about your damn drinking.” He insists on professional help; her agent's got her a place. “That was your girl, right? Amber? The one at the wedding.” I hesitate, then nod. “Was.” “You know I’m proud of you, right? Of the man you’ve become?” “You might want to take a raincheck on that pride. I messed up royally today.” “With Amber?” I nod. “Are you sorry?” “Yeah. I’m sorry. For all the good it does.” “Then say so. If you’ve hurt someone, you always have the chance to go back and try to make it right.” “I don’t think it’s that simple.” “You have to start somewhere. We all do.” Her eyes shimmer with tears, and she reaches across the chasm between us and puts a hand on mine. “I’m sorry. So sorry for everything.” I swallow hard and place my other hand on hers, giving a soft squeeze. “I forgive you.”
Jade waxes Amber's eyebrows while they eat chocolate. “You don’t know what’s going on in his world. In his head.” “You’re right, I don’t. Because he never let me in. Not about his mother or his career or everything that’s been happening at the ranch.” “He must have reasons for all that.” “Yeah. Like the fact we weren’t actually serious after all? That he turned out to be another guy looking to nail Flawless Amber and then lose interest afterward? It wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t started to think he was different, you know? I swore I wouldn’t do this again. That I wouldn’t get so drunk on infatuation that I failed to notice the guy wasn’t really seeing me at all. That I was just a piece of furniture in his world. An armchair to be hauled off to Goodwill when it doesn’t fit the color scheme.” “You think that’s what happened?” “I know it is. You should have heard him. 'You’re an amazing girl, but I just don’t think I have the bandwidth for this right now.' He wasn’t in it for me. Not the real me. He was in it to nail his fantasy version of me. Once the box was checked, he didn’t have the damn bandwidth for the rest.” “I have it on good authority that it’s possible to love someone and say crappy things to them. It’s how you respond afterward that counts.” Sean rings the doorbell, calls her name. “Go put on some clothes and fix your hair. I’ll stall. Or wait—let me at least pull off that strip so you can—” “No.” I get to my feet, not interested in being pretty or perfect or amazing. I don’t know who Sean expects to answer the door, but it won’t be Flawless Amber. “I’ve got this.” She answers the door, Sean asks if she's OK. She wails on him about being a real woman with faults and flaws, and feelings too. “I put curlers in my hair sometimes,” I shout, gesturing to the wild nest on top of my head. “I wax my eyebrows!” “I get it. I just—” “Sometimes I wear granny panties instead of sexy thongs, and you know what? That’s okay!” His green eyes are clear and calm as he lifts a hand to touch me. “Are you done?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. Just skims a thumb over the corner of my mouth. “Jelly. Or syrup. I thought you were bleeding. That’s why I asked if you were okay.” “Oh. Fine.” "I'm sorry.” “I thought we were on the same page. That we were building something together. But you cut and ran as soon as Fantasy Amber turned into Real Life Amber.” There’s something heartbreakingly sad in his eyes as he shakes his head. “No. Damage Control Sean is a damn jerk sometimes, but I promise you the Real Me sees Real You. He sees the bra-sniffing, tree-carving, dust-mote-fairy-chasing version of you, and he loves that version more than the fantasy one. That’s the honest truth. I’m crazy about you. So crazy that when my mother showed up, I panicked. I was embarrassed and ashamed and—” “Ashamed? Of me?” “No, Amber. Not even close. I’m ashamed of myself. And embarrassed that I never told you my mother is an alcoholic.” “But—on TV. She’s—I don’t—” “It’s been a big secret for a long time.” “And you’re the one who’s had to keep it. I don’t know what to say. Sean, I’m sorry. I had no idea.” “No one did. I never let anyone in. It never mattered before, though. Not until I met you. I didn’t mean what I said. About this being a mistake. That’s not even close to how I feel about you.” “I thought you were ashamed of me. That maybe that’s why you didn’t introduce me to your family or even tell me your mom was in town.” “No. I want everyone to know I’m crazy about you. My whole family. The whole world. As a matter of fact—” People start pouring out of his Audi. Mom, Bree, Brandon, a guy in a starched shirt with sleeves rolled up, and Paul Bunyan get out, too. “Is there a reason you dragged us all out here?” “Yes. I’ve been guarded about a lot of things.” He flicks a quick glance at his mother, then fixes his eyes back on mine. “Closed off and secretive instead of opening up the way I should. But right now, I want everyone to know that I’m crazy about you.” “Oh. I’m crazy about you, too.” “No, it’s more than that. I love you, Amber. I love the real you. All of you. And that’s the truth.” “I love you, too.” Sean smiles like a guy who’s won the lottery as he pulls me into an embrace. Jade herds everyone else inside. Sean asks, “You forgive me?” “Absolutely. As long as you forgive me.” He smiles and reaches up to skim a thumb over linen strip I forgot was glued there. “I love you whether you’re dolled up in a fancy dress or covered in meatball guts. I love you in smelly bras or totally braless. I love you in perfect makeup, or with a weird piece of cloth stuck to your face with green goo. What the hell is this anyway?” “Sugar wax. You know, this isn’t how I would have liked to meet your whole family.” “Don’t worry, it’s not my whole family. Not even close.”
A month or so later, they go skinny dipping and discuss Mom's new show and book The Virgin Chef. The land title has been cleared up. They kiss. My dream girl. It’s true I got the girl of my fantasies, but also true she’s so much more than that. The flesh and blood version of Amber is so much better than the one I imagined.
Sex: multiple scenes
Language: 20 F words, 73 Lord's name in vain, 22 S words
Violence: no
Cliffhanger: no
Do I need to read books before this one: no, but makes it better
Would I read more of the series: yes, I'm curious about Bree
----SUMMARY----
Amber shows the barn to an engaged couple who need a speedy wedding; they need a caterer. Jade asks her to deliver a taxidermied turkey to the luxury resort next door, recommends Sean as a Michelin-starred chef. She walks into the lodge, sees a handsome specimen of manhood on a ladder. He faints.
For the record, I didn’t faint. Okay, I got rattled when I saw this angelic silhouette in the doorway, feathered wingtips arching toward opposite windows and dark hair shimmering like a sunlit halo. Sean has had a crush on her for 19y. “I was visiting my dad here at the ranch that summer. You came over with your mom, looking for a pig that escaped.” He also saw her skinny dipping in the pond.
She suggests catering weddings, he's eager. She starts to leave, asks for his number. She puts it in her phone, calls him. I tap to answer Amber’s call, doing my best to keep a straight face. “Hello?” She grins at me, but plays along. “Hey, is Sean there?” “Speaking.” “Sean, this is Amber.” “Amber who?” Her eyes dance as her smile widens. “Amber King. I was wondering if you’d be willing to stop by my ranch tomorrow between five and six. You can take a look at the space and we can talk more about the wedding.” “I’m going to need to look at my calendar. Can you hold, please?” “Certainly.” I pull the phone from my ear and hold it against my chest. Amber gives me a curious look. “It’s a bad idea to seem too available,” I whisper. “My sister told me that.” “Ah.” Amber smiles and nods. “Good thinking,” she whispers back. I bring the phone back to my ear. “Amber?” “Yes?” “Yeah, I can do tomorrow evening. Want me to bring dinner?” “Dinner?” “Sure. Some samples of wedding food you can taste test.” “Oh, that’s an awesome idea. Yes, please.” “It’s a date, then.”
Jade's making heart cookies, Amber frosts. Jade: So did you get Sean to do the weddings? I mean before you stuck your tongue down his throat? “I told you, I didn’t actually kiss him. I hardly even groped him.” Amber is, again, making cookie porn with her frosting.
Sean comes over. He wants to see the venue first. “So, uh—I hear you had a bit of an issue out here last month.” “You mean the fact that I held my ex-boyfriend at gunpoint after he tried to burn down our barn? The whole thing is kind of embarrassing.” “How so?” “I guess I feel like an idiot for thinking he was a devoted boyfriend instead of a psycho jerk.” “That’s on him, not you. It wasn’t your fault you trusted a guy who turned out to be a jerk.” She shows him the chapel her great-grandparents built. A beam has “JK + SP forever.” “My grandpa carved it when he was 13. He fell in love with a girl who lived 2 farms over. They were married 53 years before he died. It seemed like good luck.” Jade told her dust motes were fairies. His dad told him mermaids lived in the pond. “So that’s why you were spying on me that night? You were mermaid hunting?” “You did seem like some kind of mythical creature. I always wondered what you were really like. In real life, not in mermaid fantasies.” “And now that you’ve met me?” “You’re different than I expected. You’re more…real. Complex.” They eat, kiss, interrupted by Sean's phone. He has to go.
Mom, better known as Chef Melody on the Food Network, might still own part of the ranch. “Bottom line, it’s possible your father didn’t have the legal right to will this property to anyone.” She'll stay in his cabin while this gets sorted.
James, Bree, and Mark have questions. “You have to admit, your mother has a reputation for shady real estate deals.” “Keep your eyes open. We love you. And we don’t want anything bad to happen to you.” “Or to the rest of us. We’re in this together.” “Like the Brady Bunch. With adultery and backstabbing.”
Amber promises Beth to spy on the decor at her ex's wedding so she doesn't duplicate it at hers. She smells something funny, narrows it to her bra. “You were always so damn perfect. Flawless Amber, captain of the soccer team, student body president, nicest person anyone could hope to meet.” Beth leaves, Amber slips her bra off under her shirt, is smelling it when Sean comes in. “Right, see, there are certain things no one really tells you when you’re a girl. Like everyone knows you wash your panties every day, right? But no one ever sits you down and says, ‘here’s how often you should wash your bras.’ Like is it once a week? Every few days? Monthly? I honestly don’t know, and then how do you remember which ones you washed....” Sean smiles. “You remember what I said in the chapel? About how you’re way different from Ethereal Mermaid Amber I used to imagine? I like this Amber better.” Sean gets up to leave. You don't want to talk about the kiss? “We’re really doing this? Talking about it, I mean?” “You were planning to avoid this conversation?” “Always. That’s kinda my MO.” “Good to know.” He kisses her. “I don’t regret it. Not one bit.” “Neither do I.”
At family dinner, Bree tells Mom the only investors are the siblings, who have all invested time, money, talent, and work. Mom asks about Sean's love life, wants grand babies. Sean thinks of Amber, wants to protect her: There's no one.
A few days later, Sean goes to the pond to escape Mom. Amber's there, wanting to see her initials she carved at 18. “We all have relationships that don’t work out. It’s normal to circle back to the wreckage every now and then to figure out what the hell went wrong.” He'd been engaged once. “She said I was too closed off, and she couldn’t be with someone who didn’t know how to open up emotionally.” Sean bought her a ticket, asked for one more chance; the plane crashed. “It wouldn’t have worked out. With Sarah, I mean. I regret that I didn’t let go sooner.” Amber says planning all these weddings has her wondering why only some work. Sean: “The only difference between couples who make it and the ones who don’t is a decision to dig in your heels and fight for it. But what the hell do I know? I’m the unmarried offspring of a guy who should have bought a discount punch-card for divorces. I’ve never even kept a plant alive, let alone a marriage. I have been thinking about a cat, though.” Jade has a neuter clinic tomorrow for stray cats; if he volunteers, he can adopt. He'll bring breakfast for the volunteers. He kisses her. It moves into petting. “You’re missing something here.” “All my bras are in the wash.” Because yes, that bra did stink. “I—uh—wasn’t expecting to see anyone out here.” “Lucky me.” Lucky me!
In the morning, Mom wants to see her grandparents’ house. Sean'll show her later. At Jade's clinic, Amber moans over the food. He remembers Sarah said, “Let [a future girl] see the real Sean sometime. Not Prep School Sean. Not Damage Control Sean. The real Sean.” As I watch Amber devour the burrito, I’m positive I’m getting there. Maybe it’s her zest for life. Maybe it’s her kooky humor or her kindness toward animals or her passion for food. Maybe I’m just really, really hot for her. It’s all of those things in Amber that bring out the best version of me. Tomorrow's the wedding she's supposed to spy on, Sean offers to be her date. Sean adopts a 3-legged cat, names him Gordon Ramsay.
At the wedding, everything goes wrong for Greg and Alien (really Aline, but the priest keeps messing up); they whisper smiling while best man races to get the ring. “That’s what I meant. When I said the secret is work. Getting mad right now would be the easiest thing in the world for them. Blaming someone else? Simple. Doing the opposite is what’s hard. It takes work to decide you’re going to love someone even when things aren’t as perfect as they were in your head.” They go to the reception across the street. Exploding chafing dishes of meatballs and marinara everywhere. Sean saves the day, recreating the meatball dish. Greg's mom says thank you, talks Amber up to Sean, and Amber keeps unsuccessfully shifting the conversation. The bride and her mom want to dry clean their clothes and have them stay the night at a hotel suite they reserved for guests. Amber says yes; Sean is agog.
Amber's super nervous. Sean's just glad for time with her. While showering, she calls Jade, worried Sean's going to do the same thing her first sex partner did: dump her after finding out what the fuss was about Flawless Amber. “The chick all the girls wanted to be and all the guys wanted to screw. Maybe that guys who get too close to the real me don’t end up liking what they see.” She sees the tattoo he got to match Sarah's. He thought about covering it up, but it's part of who he is and how he got here. They make love.
They prep all week for the hurried wedding. She goes to taste cupcakes for them, bumps into Bree. Who knows about Flawless Amber. “I’m a snoop. Comes with the territory for women with trust issues.” “Want to sample some flavor combos with me?” Bree meets Chelsea, owner of Dew Drop Cupcakes; will tell her brother with a sweet tooth. She also tells Sean's mother is visiting. “Between finishing the restaurant and getting things ready for inspections and the stress of having his damn mother under the same roof, he’s been working nonstop. He must really like you.” Bree looks at Amber. “Sean’s always been weird about his mom. Don’t take it personally. She’s a real piece of work. She’s been here more than a month, and we’ve spent the whole time freaking out that she’s going to file some stupid suit and try to claim part of our property.” I don’t know where things are headed with us, but I can’t sabotage things by worrying he’s another jerk who’s destined to shut me out now that he’s gotten what he wants.
While Sean works at the reception, he hears his mother's laugh. She's drunk, telling Amber stories that never happened. He texts Bree in all caps for help. “Darling, Amber tells me the two of you are very serious. Wedding bells, maybe?” Amber’s eyes go wide, and the color drains from her face. “I never said—” “We’re just friends,” I blurt, needing my mother to drop this. Needing to get her the hell out of here before she does any more damage. “I’m sorry there’s been a misunderstanding, but we really do need to get you out of here.” Bree's here!
Amber is in shock. Just friends. Jade: “Whatever happens, give him a chance to explain. Don’t sabotage this.” She leaves the barn, runs into Sean. “You’re an amazing girl, but—” “No, it’s fine. Whatever, it’s no big deal.” Sean shakes his head, hands still clenched in fists. “Things are a little complicated for me right now.” “Complicated. You mean the fact that your famous mother has been staying with you all month and you never once mentioned it? That kind of complicated?” “You’re an amazing girl. I just don’t think I have the bandwidth for this right now.” “The bandwidth.” “I really have enjoyed your company. And maybe once things aren’t so messed up—” “Sure, that’s fine. It’s been nice knowing you. I’ll see you around I’m sure.”
Sean makes sure Mom is still breathing (biggest fear since he was little, that she wouldn't sleep it off). Bree makes tea. “So. Your mom’s not a greedy bitch who came to steal our ranch. She’s an alcoholic.” “You think I don’t know that?! Sorry. I just—I’m not reacting well today.” “So you’ve been covering for her. Because she’s famous or because she’s your mother?” “Yes.” “She masks it well. So do you.” I’m not used to having anyone else know my secrets. I feel exposed and embarrassed and horribly, horribly ashamed. “I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. So many times over the last year. Longer than that. It would have been nice to confide in someone.” “We all would have supported you, you know.” “I know. It would destroy her if it got out.” “It’s been destroying you. Keeping that secret? That’s no way to live. No way to build relationships.” I’ve never wanted to tell someone before, to usher her through the carefully guarded door and show her all the battered, dingy furniture and holes in the drywall. The ugly scenery of my real life. No one but her has ever come close to seeing that. “Why’d you break up with Amber?” “I panicked. I just—I went into damage control mode, and I started saying stupid crap. It’s like I’ve spent so long covering for my mother that I forgot that’s not the only priority in my life. Or even the most important one.” “Your mom has to face her own demons sooner or later.” Bree leaves after a hug. Mom comes in. “Look, I know you’re upset that I showed up uninvited, but I—” “That’s not what this is about. It’s about your drinking. It’s always about your damn drinking.” He insists on professional help; her agent's got her a place. “That was your girl, right? Amber? The one at the wedding.” I hesitate, then nod. “Was.” “You know I’m proud of you, right? Of the man you’ve become?” “You might want to take a raincheck on that pride. I messed up royally today.” “With Amber?” I nod. “Are you sorry?” “Yeah. I’m sorry. For all the good it does.” “Then say so. If you’ve hurt someone, you always have the chance to go back and try to make it right.” “I don’t think it’s that simple.” “You have to start somewhere. We all do.” Her eyes shimmer with tears, and she reaches across the chasm between us and puts a hand on mine. “I’m sorry. So sorry for everything.” I swallow hard and place my other hand on hers, giving a soft squeeze. “I forgive you.”
Jade waxes Amber's eyebrows while they eat chocolate. “You don’t know what’s going on in his world. In his head.” “You’re right, I don’t. Because he never let me in. Not about his mother or his career or everything that’s been happening at the ranch.” “He must have reasons for all that.” “Yeah. Like the fact we weren’t actually serious after all? That he turned out to be another guy looking to nail Flawless Amber and then lose interest afterward? It wouldn’t be so bad if I hadn’t started to think he was different, you know? I swore I wouldn’t do this again. That I wouldn’t get so drunk on infatuation that I failed to notice the guy wasn’t really seeing me at all. That I was just a piece of furniture in his world. An armchair to be hauled off to Goodwill when it doesn’t fit the color scheme.” “You think that’s what happened?” “I know it is. You should have heard him. 'You’re an amazing girl, but I just don’t think I have the bandwidth for this right now.' He wasn’t in it for me. Not the real me. He was in it to nail his fantasy version of me. Once the box was checked, he didn’t have the damn bandwidth for the rest.” “I have it on good authority that it’s possible to love someone and say crappy things to them. It’s how you respond afterward that counts.” Sean rings the doorbell, calls her name. “Go put on some clothes and fix your hair. I’ll stall. Or wait—let me at least pull off that strip so you can—” “No.” I get to my feet, not interested in being pretty or perfect or amazing. I don’t know who Sean expects to answer the door, but it won’t be Flawless Amber. “I’ve got this.” She answers the door, Sean asks if she's OK. She wails on him about being a real woman with faults and flaws, and feelings too. “I put curlers in my hair sometimes,” I shout, gesturing to the wild nest on top of my head. “I wax my eyebrows!” “I get it. I just—” “Sometimes I wear granny panties instead of sexy thongs, and you know what? That’s okay!” His green eyes are clear and calm as he lifts a hand to touch me. “Are you done?” He doesn’t wait for an answer. Just skims a thumb over the corner of my mouth. “Jelly. Or syrup. I thought you were bleeding. That’s why I asked if you were okay.” “Oh. Fine.” "I'm sorry.” “I thought we were on the same page. That we were building something together. But you cut and ran as soon as Fantasy Amber turned into Real Life Amber.” There’s something heartbreakingly sad in his eyes as he shakes his head. “No. Damage Control Sean is a damn jerk sometimes, but I promise you the Real Me sees Real You. He sees the bra-sniffing, tree-carving, dust-mote-fairy-chasing version of you, and he loves that version more than the fantasy one. That’s the honest truth. I’m crazy about you. So crazy that when my mother showed up, I panicked. I was embarrassed and ashamed and—” “Ashamed? Of me?” “No, Amber. Not even close. I’m ashamed of myself. And embarrassed that I never told you my mother is an alcoholic.” “But—on TV. She’s—I don’t—” “It’s been a big secret for a long time.” “And you’re the one who’s had to keep it. I don’t know what to say. Sean, I’m sorry. I had no idea.” “No one did. I never let anyone in. It never mattered before, though. Not until I met you. I didn’t mean what I said. About this being a mistake. That’s not even close to how I feel about you.” “I thought you were ashamed of me. That maybe that’s why you didn’t introduce me to your family or even tell me your mom was in town.” “No. I want everyone to know I’m crazy about you. My whole family. The whole world. As a matter of fact—” People start pouring out of his Audi. Mom, Bree, Brandon, a guy in a starched shirt with sleeves rolled up, and Paul Bunyan get out, too. “Is there a reason you dragged us all out here?” “Yes. I’ve been guarded about a lot of things.” He flicks a quick glance at his mother, then fixes his eyes back on mine. “Closed off and secretive instead of opening up the way I should. But right now, I want everyone to know that I’m crazy about you.” “Oh. I’m crazy about you, too.” “No, it’s more than that. I love you, Amber. I love the real you. All of you. And that’s the truth.” “I love you, too.” Sean smiles like a guy who’s won the lottery as he pulls me into an embrace. Jade herds everyone else inside. Sean asks, “You forgive me?” “Absolutely. As long as you forgive me.” He smiles and reaches up to skim a thumb over linen strip I forgot was glued there. “I love you whether you’re dolled up in a fancy dress or covered in meatball guts. I love you in smelly bras or totally braless. I love you in perfect makeup, or with a weird piece of cloth stuck to your face with green goo. What the hell is this anyway?” “Sugar wax. You know, this isn’t how I would have liked to meet your whole family.” “Don’t worry, it’s not my whole family. Not even close.”
A month or so later, they go skinny dipping and discuss Mom's new show and book The Virgin Chef. The land title has been cleared up. They kiss. My dream girl. It’s true I got the girl of my fantasies, but also true she’s so much more than that. The flesh and blood version of Amber is so much better than the one I imagined.
June 29, 2018
Another fabulous romp through love and humor. Can't wait for the next one!
September 25, 2020
This was a fun light entertaining rom com with a few LOL moments. 4 stars.
September 4, 2019
I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book :) this is the first book in Tawna's new series, and it's a hit right from the start :) for such a quick read I have surprisingly a lot of things to say about it, so let's just dive straight into my review... which, because of my spoiler free rule might not be as long as I initially anticipated... ;) anyway, moving on :)
Let's start with some basic informations... this may be the beginning of a brand new series, but it's not the first book set in that place... very quickly after I started it, I stumbled upon mentioning of a couple, and I was sure that there was already a story about them... I was correct :) after a quick search I saw that "Studmuffin Santa" is the prequel-ish story, about the heroine's sister from this book and one of the owners of the resort next to their farm... I won't go into any more details because #1 that book is not the subject of this review and, more importantly, #2 I haven't read it yet... I was tempted to sneak in reading it before I finished this one, but I already started this gem and was unable to put it down... ok, enough rambling, let's talk more details about our main couple :) so we have Sean and Amber :) Amber runs with her sister a raindeer ranch, that also serves as a wedding venue... :) they are situated next door to the currently being restored Ponderosa resort, that's owned by a whole lot of rich half-siblings / cousins... basically just a big related bunch of people :) I fell in love with Amber from the start :) she was amazing... hilarious and clumsy, I definitely related to her ;) a big plus: her relationship with Jade, her sister :) Sean on the other hand... don't get me wrong, I really liked him, but there were times when I wanted to smack him for being stupid... :) he had a crush on her for the longest time, so when they actually have a reason to spend more time with each other, because he's helping her with one of the weddings... cause of course I forgot to mention that he's also a chef... ;) sparks fly... and the hilarious banter begins... :) that's all I'm gonna say about the actual plot of the book... it's not very long and I don't want to spoil any surprises along the way... ;) so let's jump into all the reasons why I adored this story :)
This was only my second novel by Tawna Fenske that I read so far ("The list" being the first) and I am more and more convinced that her hilarious humor is the best way to brighten your day... come on, we all need to snort-laugh in public every once in a while, am I right? :) because that was my main reaction during my read of this book :) I just couldn't stop myself :) sarcastic banter, hilarious one-liners... witty dialogue... :) the writing style is absolutely phenomenal in this one :) you want proof? I finished this in a day... with the one and only break I took was to go to work... *grumbles to herself* stupid adulting... earning money to pay for food *mumbles some more* ;) because right after I got home, I had to finish it :) the main couple was great, with sizzling chemistry, the secondary characters were just as wonderful... I am already dreaming about all the possible stories we can get... :) it was just a fast paced super fun read... word of advice though... don't read it when you're hungry :) Sean is a chef, and every time there were mentions of the food... *sighs* I started salivating ;) #TrueStory :) the whole book is written in 2 POVs which means we get chapters from Amber's perspective as well as from Sean's point of view, and that's definitely my favourtie kind... I love to be able to glimpse inside the heads of our main couple, to connect with them more and to understand their motivations better... :) I highly recommend you guys to pick this gem up :) you will not regret it... :) I even thought about maybe quoting some of the funny bits, but then I would have to start quoting whole pages... you'll understand once you start reading this amazing novel :) so definitely go pick it up as soon as possible... and then enjoy your great mood :) you're welcome ;)
XOXO
A
Let's start with some basic informations... this may be the beginning of a brand new series, but it's not the first book set in that place... very quickly after I started it, I stumbled upon mentioning of a couple, and I was sure that there was already a story about them... I was correct :) after a quick search I saw that "Studmuffin Santa" is the prequel-ish story, about the heroine's sister from this book and one of the owners of the resort next to their farm... I won't go into any more details because #1 that book is not the subject of this review and, more importantly, #2 I haven't read it yet... I was tempted to sneak in reading it before I finished this one, but I already started this gem and was unable to put it down... ok, enough rambling, let's talk more details about our main couple :) so we have Sean and Amber :) Amber runs with her sister a raindeer ranch, that also serves as a wedding venue... :) they are situated next door to the currently being restored Ponderosa resort, that's owned by a whole lot of rich half-siblings / cousins... basically just a big related bunch of people :) I fell in love with Amber from the start :) she was amazing... hilarious and clumsy, I definitely related to her ;) a big plus: her relationship with Jade, her sister :) Sean on the other hand... don't get me wrong, I really liked him, but there were times when I wanted to smack him for being stupid... :) he had a crush on her for the longest time, so when they actually have a reason to spend more time with each other, because he's helping her with one of the weddings... cause of course I forgot to mention that he's also a chef... ;) sparks fly... and the hilarious banter begins... :) that's all I'm gonna say about the actual plot of the book... it's not very long and I don't want to spoil any surprises along the way... ;) so let's jump into all the reasons why I adored this story :)
This was only my second novel by Tawna Fenske that I read so far ("The list" being the first) and I am more and more convinced that her hilarious humor is the best way to brighten your day... come on, we all need to snort-laugh in public every once in a while, am I right? :) because that was my main reaction during my read of this book :) I just couldn't stop myself :) sarcastic banter, hilarious one-liners... witty dialogue... :) the writing style is absolutely phenomenal in this one :) you want proof? I finished this in a day... with the one and only break I took was to go to work... *grumbles to herself* stupid adulting... earning money to pay for food *mumbles some more* ;) because right after I got home, I had to finish it :) the main couple was great, with sizzling chemistry, the secondary characters were just as wonderful... I am already dreaming about all the possible stories we can get... :) it was just a fast paced super fun read... word of advice though... don't read it when you're hungry :) Sean is a chef, and every time there were mentions of the food... *sighs* I started salivating ;) #TrueStory :) the whole book is written in 2 POVs which means we get chapters from Amber's perspective as well as from Sean's point of view, and that's definitely my favourtie kind... I love to be able to glimpse inside the heads of our main couple, to connect with them more and to understand their motivations better... :) I highly recommend you guys to pick this gem up :) you will not regret it... :) I even thought about maybe quoting some of the funny bits, but then I would have to start quoting whole pages... you'll understand once you start reading this amazing novel :) so definitely go pick it up as soon as possible... and then enjoy your great mood :) you're welcome ;)
XOXO
A
June 28, 2019
I liked this book but ... >.>
Just a few days later [namely now] had to look up Sean and Amber's names so ... oops.
I ... I dunno - it was super cute how Sean had had a crush on Amber forever, although the "I'm in love with you" before he even really knew her... I did like how he was so gone for her once he did get to know her but man I hated hated hated the "cyborg" Sean.
And the "I just don't have the bandwidth for you" like - I get the why ... kinda? But like - your mom is a fucking vampire and this is the woman you supposedly LOVE. You jackass asshole.
And sure he "makes up" for it a few hours later but ... I guess I feel like I was more mad about it than Amber was. (Then again I'm not in love with Sean. So.)
... >.> although I didn't so much identify with Amber either, although I'm still clearly firmly Team Heroine here - but ... I've never been "the perfect girl." Smart, beautiful, beloved by all, wanted by all the men, envied by all the women ... or boys and girls - what have you depending on age group.
It was ... a lot.
And she's pretty damaged by it, which was an interesting take.
Cute story, nothing I'd be "!!!!" about
Nice sexy read
A C read
Just a few days later [namely now] had to look up Sean and Amber's names so ... oops.
I ... I dunno - it was super cute how Sean had had a crush on Amber forever, although the "I'm in love with you" before he even really knew her... I did like how he was so gone for her once he did get to know her but man I hated hated hated the "cyborg" Sean.
And the "I just don't have the bandwidth for you" like - I get the why ... kinda? But like - your mom is a fucking vampire and this is the woman you supposedly LOVE. You jackass asshole.
And sure he "makes up" for it a few hours later but ... I guess I feel like I was more mad about it than Amber was. (Then again I'm not in love with Sean. So.)
... >.> although I didn't so much identify with Amber either, although I'm still clearly firmly Team Heroine here - but ... I've never been "the perfect girl." Smart, beautiful, beloved by all, wanted by all the men, envied by all the women ... or boys and girls - what have you depending on age group.
It was ... a lot.
And she's pretty damaged by it, which was an interesting take.
Cute story, nothing I'd be "!!!!" about
Nice sexy read
A C read
May 5, 2018
When Tawna Fenske writes a follow-up novel, it’s always worth a double take. “Chef Sugarlips” did not disappoint. This book is not short of laugh out loud moments. Amber is smart, funny, and the "girl" that mothers want their sons to marry. Sean is handsome and a Master Chef that hides a lifelong secret. Can these two overcome their fears and insecurity to fall authentically in love? My only complaint is having to wait for the next installment of Ponderosa Resort Romantic Comedies.
February 21, 2019
3.75 stars-
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 18, 2018
Sean Bracelyn can whip up a saffron-laced lobster risotto in his sleep, but relationships? That’s one recipe he hasn’t nailed. Not that he has time, between launching a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his awkwardly-blended family. But when his dream girl nearly knocks him unconscious with a dead turkey, it’s all Sean can do to keep his eyes on the gazpacho and off Amber King’s perfect curves.
Amber’s done with guys propping her on a pedestal. Transforming her family’s reindeer ranch into a country chic wedding venue is consuming enough, and the last thing she needs is an extra serving of love drama. So what is it about the stupid-sexy chef that gets her desires bubbling like a pot of hot spaghetti?
Keeping their distance is tough enough before Sean and Amber get tossed together by wacky weddings, lingerie mishaps, and a surly three-legged cat. When Sean’s mom shows up to dish out huge helpings of family drama, a big secret threatens to spread faster than a kitchen fire.
Can Sean and Amber find the right blend of sugar and spice, or will love fall flat as a burnt soufflé?
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars- CHEF SUGARLIPS is the second instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult PONDEROSA RESORT ROMANTIC COMEDIES romance series focusing on the Bracelyn siblings. This is twenty-seven year old chef Sean Bracelyn, and twenty-five year old, marketing specialist and co-owner of Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch Amber King’s story line. CHEF SUGARLIPS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Amber and Sean) CHEF SUGARLIPS follows the building romance between twenty-seven year old chef Sean Bracelyn, and twenty-five year old, marketing specialist Amber King. Sean Bracelyn has lusted after Amber King for close to ten years but Amber had no idea about the who and how of Sean Bracelyn. Desperate for someone to cater a wedding at their family owned Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch, Amber, along with a crossbow and stuffed turkey make Sean an offer he cannot refuse. What ensues is the building romance between Sean and Amber, and the potential fall-out as Sean struggles with family secrets, secrets that are about to be revealed.
The relationship between Sean and Amber is one of immediate attraction but Amber’s history is men is questionable, and Sean battles between head and heart knowing not everything is as it appears to be. Embarrassed by the possibility of the truth being revealed, Sean is willing to push Amber out of his life, leaving a devastated and heart broken woman in its wake. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters include Sean’s mother Melody, and his large assortment of half-siblings: sister Bree, brother and lawyer James, Mark and Jonathon, and cousin Brandon Brown (Studmuffin Santa #1), and Amber’s sister Jade; and an assortment of bridal clients, and friends. Bree Bracelyn’s story is next in Sergeant Sexy pants.
CHEF SUGARLIPS is another story of family, secrets, friendship and love. There are moments of heart break, fun, humor, and laughs-wait for the meatball massacre. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is flirty and sexy; the characters are energetic and colorful. The conflict is limited to our hero’s inability to look beyond the past.
Copy supplied for review
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 18, 2018
Sean Bracelyn can whip up a saffron-laced lobster risotto in his sleep, but relationships? That’s one recipe he hasn’t nailed. Not that he has time, between launching a new restaurant and building a luxury resort with his awkwardly-blended family. But when his dream girl nearly knocks him unconscious with a dead turkey, it’s all Sean can do to keep his eyes on the gazpacho and off Amber King’s perfect curves.
Amber’s done with guys propping her on a pedestal. Transforming her family’s reindeer ranch into a country chic wedding venue is consuming enough, and the last thing she needs is an extra serving of love drama. So what is it about the stupid-sexy chef that gets her desires bubbling like a pot of hot spaghetti?
Keeping their distance is tough enough before Sean and Amber get tossed together by wacky weddings, lingerie mishaps, and a surly three-legged cat. When Sean’s mom shows up to dish out huge helpings of family drama, a big secret threatens to spread faster than a kitchen fire.
Can Sean and Amber find the right blend of sugar and spice, or will love fall flat as a burnt soufflé?
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars- CHEF SUGARLIPS is the second instalment in Tawna Fenske’s contemporary, adult PONDEROSA RESORT ROMANTIC COMEDIES romance series focusing on the Bracelyn siblings. This is twenty-seven year old chef Sean Bracelyn, and twenty-five year old, marketing specialist and co-owner of Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch Amber King’s story line. CHEF SUGARLIPS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Amber and Sean) CHEF SUGARLIPS follows the building romance between twenty-seven year old chef Sean Bracelyn, and twenty-five year old, marketing specialist Amber King. Sean Bracelyn has lusted after Amber King for close to ten years but Amber had no idea about the who and how of Sean Bracelyn. Desperate for someone to cater a wedding at their family owned Jingle Bell Reindeer Ranch, Amber, along with a crossbow and stuffed turkey make Sean an offer he cannot refuse. What ensues is the building romance between Sean and Amber, and the potential fall-out as Sean struggles with family secrets, secrets that are about to be revealed.
The relationship between Sean and Amber is one of immediate attraction but Amber’s history is men is questionable, and Sean battles between head and heart knowing not everything is as it appears to be. Embarrassed by the possibility of the truth being revealed, Sean is willing to push Amber out of his life, leaving a devastated and heart broken woman in its wake. The $ex scenes are passionate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
The secondary and supporting characters include Sean’s mother Melody, and his large assortment of half-siblings: sister Bree, brother and lawyer James, Mark and Jonathon, and cousin Brandon Brown (Studmuffin Santa #1), and Amber’s sister Jade; and an assortment of bridal clients, and friends. Bree Bracelyn’s story is next in Sergeant Sexy pants.
CHEF SUGARLIPS is another story of family, secrets, friendship and love. There are moments of heart break, fun, humor, and laughs-wait for the meatball massacre. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is flirty and sexy; the characters are energetic and colorful. The conflict is limited to our hero’s inability to look beyond the past.
Copy supplied for review
September 8, 2023
Fun book. Amber is the co-owner of the local reindeer ranch, along with her sister Jade. Her love life has been unsatisfactory, thanks to guys who stick her up on a pedestal instead of seeing the woman she is. So, she is concentrating on turning the ranch into a wedding venue. When she runs into a catering issue, she heads next door to the soon-to-open Ponderosa Resort to talk to Sean, the chef at the resort's restaurant.
Sean is a Michelin-starred chef who is heavily involved in the start-up of the resort and his restaurant. That leaves no time for relationships, which is okay with him. His success rate is dismal, with women claiming he is too closed off. He has no idea how his life is about to change.
I loved the initial meeting between Sean and Amber. He's so stunned by her beauty that he falls off the ladder. Once he recovers, they talk about a few things, including that neither is looking for a relationship (despite the sparks flying between them) and that Amber is looking for someone to cater one of their weddings. Sean's enthusiasm was adorable, especially as he won't be doing catering on a regular basis.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Sean is adorably tongue-tied and/or flummoxed whenever he is around Amber. Seeing him impress her with everything from cooking to helping with her sister's cat clinic was fun. He has a savior complex, as he seems compelled to want to help whenever he sees someone in trouble. Amber is just as attracted to Sean and often gets flustered around him, too. Plenty of sweet moments between them, and some funny situations bring them closer together. I especially enjoyed the wedding reception he rescued and its unexpected aftermath.
But not everything is smooth sailing. Sean's mother unexpectedly visits the resort, leaving Sean wondering what she's up to. Theirs is a strained relationship, the reasons for which are heartbreaking and the root cause for Sean's inability to be open with those closest to him. Keeping his mother's presence secret eventually comes back to bite him when Amber believes he doesn't trust her or care for her. I ached for them both, especially for Sean, as he had to face the issues he's been burying for years. I liked the ending and the realism of knowing they each have work to do, but doing it together is best for both.
I loved seeing the family dynamics. Amber's relationship with her sister is close, and I like how they support each other. Sean's family has an interesting background, and it is easy to see the effects on each sibling. I loved how they are developing the resort together, each having a particular set of needed skills. I especially enjoyed how everyone stood behind Sean to support him while he was dealing with his mother. I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
Sean is a Michelin-starred chef who is heavily involved in the start-up of the resort and his restaurant. That leaves no time for relationships, which is okay with him. His success rate is dismal, with women claiming he is too closed off. He has no idea how his life is about to change.
I loved the initial meeting between Sean and Amber. He's so stunned by her beauty that he falls off the ladder. Once he recovers, they talk about a few things, including that neither is looking for a relationship (despite the sparks flying between them) and that Amber is looking for someone to cater one of their weddings. Sean's enthusiasm was adorable, especially as he won't be doing catering on a regular basis.
I enjoyed watching their relationship develop. Sean is adorably tongue-tied and/or flummoxed whenever he is around Amber. Seeing him impress her with everything from cooking to helping with her sister's cat clinic was fun. He has a savior complex, as he seems compelled to want to help whenever he sees someone in trouble. Amber is just as attracted to Sean and often gets flustered around him, too. Plenty of sweet moments between them, and some funny situations bring them closer together. I especially enjoyed the wedding reception he rescued and its unexpected aftermath.
But not everything is smooth sailing. Sean's mother unexpectedly visits the resort, leaving Sean wondering what she's up to. Theirs is a strained relationship, the reasons for which are heartbreaking and the root cause for Sean's inability to be open with those closest to him. Keeping his mother's presence secret eventually comes back to bite him when Amber believes he doesn't trust her or care for her. I ached for them both, especially for Sean, as he had to face the issues he's been burying for years. I liked the ending and the realism of knowing they each have work to do, but doing it together is best for both.
I loved seeing the family dynamics. Amber's relationship with her sister is close, and I like how they support each other. Sean's family has an interesting background, and it is easy to see the effects on each sibling. I loved how they are developing the resort together, each having a particular set of needed skills. I especially enjoyed how everyone stood behind Sean to support him while he was dealing with his mother. I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
May 19, 2018
Another amazing read by the great Tawna Fenske!
Amber is the beautiful girl next door. Only she’s tired of being the girl guys dream to take home—and then ditch once they’ve tasted the dream. Sean’s one of the heirs taking over Ponderosa Resort. As a world renowned chef, he’s hailed as having great taste. Sounds like a recipe for success, until their pasts sneak up on them both. Can they make something sweet?—or will they burn to a crisp??
Amber is skittering after her last boyfriend tried to sabotage her and sister’s reindeer Ranch. She’s always been the “pretty face” but she wants to prove she’s more than that. Her marketing skills have helped take them from a Christmas attraction to a year round opportunity.
When she meets Sean, she’s tempted to do some serious asset marketing!! The hunky Chef is helping his brothers, sister and cousin open up a getaway catering to the more discerning clients. But he’s got some tricks up those apron ties!!
When Sean’s mom comes for an open ended visit, things get interesting. Is their dream getaway at stake? Is Sean capable of being open with Amber? Is Amber able to see herself as more?
Tawna is known for quirky, sexy, and funny Roms. This one follows those traits but offers a truly new story.
I’ve read a lot of Fenske stories and she melds quirky with funny—without making the reader cringe too much! Haha I love how relatable her characters are. I mean, you could only see Amber as a flighty pretty girl—high school Ms. Popular. Easy enough to make a caricature. But Tawna keeps her likeable. She’s got faults and sees them honestly.
Sean is hot. Even on paper he’s drool worthy. But he’s not perfect. (A man who cooks?!? Gotta have a flaw!)
This is a stand alone from Studmuffin Santa. You can read it solo and enjoy it completely. It is (will be) part of a series, each expanding of the previous one. A great thing about Tawna is her series are great together or on their own.
Want a fun sexy read? Definitely check this out!!
**want a taste of the holidays in the summer? Get Studmuffin Santa!
Amber is the beautiful girl next door. Only she’s tired of being the girl guys dream to take home—and then ditch once they’ve tasted the dream. Sean’s one of the heirs taking over Ponderosa Resort. As a world renowned chef, he’s hailed as having great taste. Sounds like a recipe for success, until their pasts sneak up on them both. Can they make something sweet?—or will they burn to a crisp??
Amber is skittering after her last boyfriend tried to sabotage her and sister’s reindeer Ranch. She’s always been the “pretty face” but she wants to prove she’s more than that. Her marketing skills have helped take them from a Christmas attraction to a year round opportunity.
When she meets Sean, she’s tempted to do some serious asset marketing!! The hunky Chef is helping his brothers, sister and cousin open up a getaway catering to the more discerning clients. But he’s got some tricks up those apron ties!!
When Sean’s mom comes for an open ended visit, things get interesting. Is their dream getaway at stake? Is Sean capable of being open with Amber? Is Amber able to see herself as more?
Tawna is known for quirky, sexy, and funny Roms. This one follows those traits but offers a truly new story.
I’ve read a lot of Fenske stories and she melds quirky with funny—without making the reader cringe too much! Haha I love how relatable her characters are. I mean, you could only see Amber as a flighty pretty girl—high school Ms. Popular. Easy enough to make a caricature. But Tawna keeps her likeable. She’s got faults and sees them honestly.
Sean is hot. Even on paper he’s drool worthy. But he’s not perfect. (A man who cooks?!? Gotta have a flaw!)
This is a stand alone from Studmuffin Santa. You can read it solo and enjoy it completely. It is (will be) part of a series, each expanding of the previous one. A great thing about Tawna is her series are great together or on their own.
Want a fun sexy read? Definitely check this out!!
**want a taste of the holidays in the summer? Get Studmuffin Santa!
May 18, 2018
A tasty new RomCom!!
I loved this new book from Tawna Fenske. It is a great little romp into a world with a hunky guy, fabulous food, and excellent humor. What more could a person want in a romance read?
This new novel is part of an upcoming series and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the stories that will be coming as part of the series. The books are in a great setting, and the characters are all great so far. In fact, I think that the author does a fabulous job of focusing on the main characters in the story while also introducing juicy enough tidbits of supporting characters that it leaves you anticipating and wanting to see & hear more from them in the upcoming books in this series. I know I’m already excited to read more for and with those characters.
Now here is the really meaty part of this review. One of the best things about this author (besides her outstanding sense of humor) is how she can blend a romantic comedy with a difficult topic. This is another instance of where the blending of a difficult situation between the characters is interwoven into the book to present a deeper story in the midst of a romantic comedy. My belief is this adds to the story rather than takes away from the romance, or the comedy. I feel it make the story more believable and realistic. I also don’t like to read books that are too predictable (I’ve failed to finish more than a few for that reason) and that is definitely not something that happens with a book like this. It held my interest to the end even as the HEA was approaching.
Now to find someone in my local area to make me some of the great food that I read about in this book…..that is the next challenge. Until then, I’ll be looking for what is next at the Ponderosa Luxury Ranch Resort series. I’ll be hoping for more cupcakes, lumberjacks and a few surprises along the way.
I loved this new book from Tawna Fenske. It is a great little romp into a world with a hunky guy, fabulous food, and excellent humor. What more could a person want in a romance read?
This new novel is part of an upcoming series and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the stories that will be coming as part of the series. The books are in a great setting, and the characters are all great so far. In fact, I think that the author does a fabulous job of focusing on the main characters in the story while also introducing juicy enough tidbits of supporting characters that it leaves you anticipating and wanting to see & hear more from them in the upcoming books in this series. I know I’m already excited to read more for and with those characters.
Now here is the really meaty part of this review. One of the best things about this author (besides her outstanding sense of humor) is how she can blend a romantic comedy with a difficult topic. This is another instance of where the blending of a difficult situation between the characters is interwoven into the book to present a deeper story in the midst of a romantic comedy. My belief is this adds to the story rather than takes away from the romance, or the comedy. I feel it make the story more believable and realistic. I also don’t like to read books that are too predictable (I’ve failed to finish more than a few for that reason) and that is definitely not something that happens with a book like this. It held my interest to the end even as the HEA was approaching.
Now to find someone in my local area to make me some of the great food that I read about in this book…..that is the next challenge. Until then, I’ll be looking for what is next at the Ponderosa Luxury Ranch Resort series. I’ll be hoping for more cupcakes, lumberjacks and a few surprises along the way.
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