Too Hot to Handle

Domestic Gods #2

by Robin Kaye

He sure would love to have someone to take care of…

Dr. Mike Flynn's single mom taught him early how to cook and clean, and there's nothing like vacuuming or doing dishes to help a guy relax. Annabelle Ronaldi is an artist without a domestic bone in her body. Since her fiance's death, she can't paint, and life looks hopeless.

Until the day after her sister's wedding, when she wakes up with Mike next to her in bed, and then she's really beside herself - because the handsome stranger is a dead ringer for her dead fiance.

After their mind-blowing one night stand, Mike is sure this is the woman he wants to take care of forever, but she acts like she's seen a ghost. While Mike sets to work wooing Annabelle, she sets to work sniffing out the truth of the convoluted family secret that turns everybody's lives upside down.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Humor, Adult

419 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2009

About the author

Robin Kaye was born in Brooklyn, New York and grew up in the shadow of the Brooklyn Bridge next door to her Sicilian grandparents. Living with an extended family that’s a cross between Gilligan’s Island and The Sopranos, minus the desert isle and illegal activities, explains both her comedic timing and the cast of quirky characters in her books.

She’s lived in half a dozen states from Idaho to Florida, but the romance of Brooklyn has never left her heart. She currently resides in Maryland with her husband, three children, two dogs, and a three-legged cat with attitude.

Reviews

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Strong main characters and secondary characters.


I think I might have read this one years ago. I bought it on Kindle more than 7 years ago ... pre-Goodreads!


He is Irish, so of course I am going to love him!

"Michael Christopher Flynn."

LOL. Hubby's name is Michael Christopher ...

[Mo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the Irish in him gave him a huge tolerance for alcohol ...

Lets stereotype the fucking Irish, AGAIN, why don't we? Just gets my fucking goat! Oh, Maura, you used the work "fucking" twice in a sentence ... you must be IRISH.


I really shouldn't let it annoy me but it happens too often in books, this stereotyping of the Irish as drunken, backward idiots! It seriously puts me off reading Irish-themed books.

Other than that, I enjoyed the book. I loved Mike ... and his mother (who he called "Mum" - No Irish person ... or very few Irish people would call their mothers "Mum" - it would be "Mam, Mammy, Mom or Momy/Mommy".

OK, got that off my chest. Better go and have that Whiskey now ... and put the red dye in me hair... sure we all have red hair in Ireland! And freckles.

[Jane Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice pleasant story. Easy reading. Good and interesting characters.

STORY BRIEF:
Annabelle loved Chip who died from cancer five years earlier. She meets Mike at her sister’s wedding. Mike looks like he could be Chip’s twin brother. They are immediately attracted to each other. Annabelle is an artist working in an art gallery. Mike is a Doctor (lung specialist). Mike is great at cooking and cleaning, Annabelle is not.

REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I had no complaints other than the method used to separate the couple. Annabelle wants to break up with Mike because she thinks he will be better off without her (so she won’t come between him and his family). This was stupid on her part and not true. Mike gets mad at Annabelle because she kept something secret from him. Some reasonable communication earlier in the relationship would have solved the problem. Other than that it was enjoyable.

DATA:
Story length: 405 pages. Swearing language: strong. Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: 5. Total number of sex scene pages: 31. Setting: current day Brooklyn and Coney Island, NY and Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance.

OTHER BOOKS:
To date, I’ve read one other book by Robin Kaye. My 3 star review of “Romeo Romeo” was posted 1/18/09.

[Ipshita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like the girl at all. I could not even associate with any of them.

[D.L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So far, I love Robin Kaye’s work. Romeo, Romeo was great fun and I think Too Hot to Handle started out on a similar vein. Overall, I’d give it more of a 3.75 than a full 4 stars.

A major problem I had with the book is that the filler was generally very dull. I found myself skimming over Mike’s conversations with patients and nurses and the practice, even though many of them were supposed to be sentimental. Similarly, I too much was revealed through dialogue, which is equally boring. It seems any two characters would end up talking and suddenly explain all their thoughts, feelings, and actions from over the past few years with a new found clarity. There are only so many revelations a person can have in the span of a day. This bothered me more than the unrealistic plot, as contrived behaviors pull me away from a book quicker than contrived situations.

I loved Mike as a hero. I don’t think he can fully be labeled a beta hero- he was definitely in control of many situations, but I loved that he was never overbearing and that he came grips with his feelings before Annabelle. I didn’t become as attached to Annabelle as I did to Mike, but I’m surprised how much I came to like her and understand her actions after how she was portrayed in Romeo, Romeo. I think this says a lot for Kaye’s talent. I am unsure of her character pairing in her next novel (Breakfast in Bed) as it seemed in Romeo, Romeo she was pushing them a different direction, but I am still eager to read it.

[Vina · Rating 4 out of 5]

mana kipaaaaaaaaaaaas....???
OMG... hot banget...sumpah... swear....
please... kipas...hahahaha....

jujur pertama tau yg jadi main role adalah adiknya Rosalie, agak bete gitu, krn di buku pertama kisah Rosalie ama Nick, gak ada bagus2nya tokoh Annabelle ini
tetapi... untung lah aku tetap beli buku kedua ini, gak kecewa, malah duh....! keren deh Robin Kaye menghidupkan tokoh Annabelle, dan membuat aku jatuh cinta ama tokoh Dokter Mike Flynn,
(1) lagi2 cowok Alpha,
(2) yang jago masak (pernah magang di Italian Resto nya Vinny-Mona)
(3) suka bersih-bersihin rumah
(4) Dokter pula....
(5) Ganteeeeng
(6) cinta banget eh tepatnya napsu banget ama Annabelle
... kurang baek apa coba....

baca deh...

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

The heroine was beyond annoying and the circumstances behind the main conflict were contrived and dumb. The hero bugged, too. Very disappointing since I loved her debut release.

[beti_czyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Z lekkim dystansem podeszłam do tej książki spodziewając się zwykłego romansidła.
Jednak dostałam tu lekką dawkę dobrego humoru ,jak i naprawdę dobrego romansu .
Dwoje ludzi zakochuje się w sobie,
lecz to co odkrywają ,może zrujnować ich związek.
Czy uda im się to przezwyciężyć i jednak miłość wygra ?
Fajna ,lekka lektura na jeden wieczór .

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

When I first started reading I had a bad feeling that I would not like this book. I really didn't like Annabelle, the heroine, at all. I have to say that I was so pleasantly surprised at the character development to Annabelle and Mike throughout the book. I ended up liking them both very much. Robin Kaye manages to totally redeem Annabelle about half way into the book. Mike was yummy from beginning to end.

Great follow up to Romeo, Romeo Kaye’s first book in the series.

You will love Dr Mike immediately! Annabelle will grow on you soon after you start this book.

[Cherrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bought this at a clearance fair for a sixth of the original price so I guess it's safe to say I didn't have much of an expectation. And unfortunately, it proved me right.

Overall a very light read with not much of a plot nor character development. It's difficult to empathise or identify with the characters because they are neither memorable, relatable nor likeable. The plot 'twists' can be seen from a mile away.

This is a book that you will read and forget all about it next week.

Conclusion? Meh.

[Cathi Griego · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I love Mike....he is the kind of man I would love my two granddaughters to find some day....That kind of a man with kind heart, patience,can cook, clean house and stand up for what is right. So happy that Annabella finally found a person like Mike who cared for her and didn't care what anyone else thought.

[Erotic Horizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characters

Annabelle Ronaldi – The girl who had too much and nothing going on for her. Caught in the middle of wanting to please her family and needing to find her own independence – toss Mike Flynn into the mix and Annabelle is more confused than ever before.

Dr Mike Flynn – The man who can’t believe his luck when he actually lucks out with a woman who is everything he could ever want. Working, dealing with office issues, being the dutiful son while balancing how much info he gives his nosy friends suddenly seems to all take second place to Annabelle – but does everything take second place in Annabelle live for him or will he have to fight to find his own space.

The Plot

Annabelle Ronaldi could not believe that she had just woken up with the man who was a dead ringer for her dead fiancé. Not only was he exactly alike, he was also exactly different and in all the right places.

Mike Flynn could not believe his luck when not only a hot woman seems to like him, but she likes him for himself and not just as the rebound guy.

Annabelle is experiencing things with Mike that she has never experienced with Chip - her dead fiancé; and Mike is walking that thing line between scared to death of a relationship and going for broke when he starts to get to know the real Annabelle.

The path to Mike’s true love and Annabelle’s hot sex life is not easy, parents, in-laws, best friends, big brother and fairy godfathers all make an impact and give their two cents' worth of opinion, that is not needed or wanted and might end up costing them more than they have to lose.

Predictability

As this was the first book i read by this author, I straight off the bat liked her style, it easy, it’s fun – there’s no deep thinking to it, it just an entertaining read. The Italian family scenario came with the expected nosy parents, larger than life friends and of course a food background. Once the author integrated all of that into the story i enjoyed the ride to the end of this book and it was a pleasure.


Smut/Ick Factor

Dear god did these two get their smut on. They were like the energiser bunnies. Not only were they at it as often as they could, but it was no experimental smut – they lit fires under each other from the moment they set eyes on each other and it only got more intense as the book progressed. LOVED IT.


Positive

As mentioned before Ms. Kaye has some style, it’s easy, it hits the spot and it has everything that you need to get caught up in a wonderful romance.

The characters are loveable and although they have the usual hang ups and chips on their shoulders, they also have the capacity and intelligence to open themselves up to criticisms and a lot of ribbing and more over they had the chance to grow during the length of this book..

Annabelle character was a fun meet for me, I love how Ms. Kaye showed the growth of Annabelle from geeky teen to a strong assertive young woman. there were a few emotional moments �� where Ms. Kaye really showed her love for this character to its fullest – my hats off to her.

Ms Kaye took time to develop almost all the characters introduced in this story to the extend that you connect with them at some level and i really enjoyed meeting this wonderful bunch of people - obviously some more than the others.

The pace of the book was well timed, nothing was rushed - everything in it’s own time and place. TOO HOT TO HANDLE is a solid read at 416pages, however the story was spaced out enough to allow natural death and natural growth to take place in this story.

Supporting cast and hilarious sidekick made this story the wonderful read it was, and I loved the dynamics of who rub who the wrong way, I like the interaction and angtsy situations between individual parent/child scenarios.

I like Ms. Kaye’s attention to detail, there were some major description going on in this book (between brothers, mothers etc), but what impressed me more was the minor things like smell, mannerism, family angst, personal development that made accepting and loving each character all that more easier.

There were a few side stories that were integral to the development of the plot and they worked, the ones that were not tied up i am looking forward to seeing them followed up in the third book to come.

The realness of the book ultimately did it for me. I could understand and relate to so much of what Mike and Annabelle were going through with friends, family and colleague literally doing a circus around their life.

I laugh, I laugh out loud and I laughed alot, not only at the going on’s between Mike and Annabelle, but also the sarcasm of the support cast, the nosy, demanding and determined parents and i really had fun when big brother went into protective mode for little sister and with two very fairy godfathers this book had it all.

As much as i am loving this book, i love the simplicity of the plot, the genuine emotions the characters feel – I like the fact they cried, they laugh and they had great smut as often as they could. However this is not a new plot but Ms. Kaye has certainly made it her own and the sting is definately in the detail.


Negative

As mentioned before this was my first book by this author so therefore i did not have that buffer of ROMEO ROMEO ( First book in the Domestic Gods series) to fall on, i had to struggle to like Annabelle sister Rosalie, the main protag of ROMEO ROMEO – she came across as not a nice person at all and i was very pleased at the minimal contact i had with her.

That said, this is one of the drawbacks of reading books out of sequence, perception are made on the first impression and i certainly did not like her, however i have to now read ROMEO ROMEO, as any sister of Annabelle has to have something going for her.

Cover

There’s not much not to like and it more than accurately depict what was happening in the book. Mike learned right quick that in order to eat – he better get with the program – because his little Italian fire cracker was not gifted in the kitchen department – I like the cover alot.

[Kristen Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this one immediately after the first one in the series was jarring. In the first book Annabelle was written as a hateful shrew who was mean to her sister Rosalie. But in this one she's suddenly sympathetic and grand? It was odd. The story was good once I got past that, and some inconsistencies here and there. A better job was done in this book setting up the next two in the series, but I don't think I'll read them.

[Slick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a bit more emotional than the first one with good reason, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. It took me a bit to warm up to the heroine who I really didn't like in the first book, but the hero was amazing. He had to overcome several obstacles and wrap his head around their situation to realize what he wanted but it was obvious these two were made for one another.

[Sara Laughs · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first book in the series enough to want to read the second one, but it didn’t deliver. While it continued the story of the four siblings, I didn’t feel the connection between the two main characters. I didn’t enjoy this one very much which is why it took as long as it did to get through. Not sure if I’ll bother with the last two books. This one was that much of a disappointment.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I know I gave more stars to book 1. Can’t remember if I liked it better, or maybe I was just in the mood at the time. Either way, this one didn’t work for me. Wound up skim reading the last 100 pages.

[Coral · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot going on, veering into the melodramatic. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s certainly not boring. It’s definitely a product of its late noughties time, with cliches like the gay neighbours with no character development, but in general the writing was good.

[Robyn Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kindle

[Chris]

Couldn't get into this one. :(

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great little story

Such a great story with an interesting twist. Annabelle and Mike meet at her sister's wedding that was suppose to be her wedding.

Great story.

[Paschalis]

elibrary

[Říká Fébříántí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aku gak suka sama tokoh utama wanitanya. jadi bacanya juga gimanaaa gtu karena aku emang gak bisa relate ma sudut pandang Heroine nya

[Pauline Destinugrainy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let’s meet The Domestic God #2, Dr. Mike Flynn. Selain pintar memasak, jago bersih-bersih rumah, dia juga pastinya hot untuk urusan “domestik” lainnya. Lahir sebagai anak tanpa kehadiran ayah, Mike diasuh oleh ibunya dalam kedisiplinan, super hemat, dan bisa diandalkan. Ayahnya meninggalkan ibunya (yang saat itu sedang bertunangan) demi seorang wanita kaya. Yang menyakitkan adalah pernikahan ayahnya itu diketahui lewat pengumuman di surat kabar. Colleen, ibu Mike, yang saat itu sedang mengandung diusir oleh keluarganya dan pergi ke Irlandia. Mike lahir di Irlandia dan tinggal selama 3 tahun kemudian kembali ke Brooklyn. Dengan susah payah dan hanya bergantung pada beasiswa, Mike berhasil menjadi seorang pulmonologist. Bahkan ketika menjadi seorang dokter ahli, kehidupan Mike tetap memiliki tunggakan biaya sekolah. Tidak heran jika Mike tetap hidup hemat dan kerja keras.

Di pesta pernikahan Nick Romeo, sahabatnya, dia bertemu dengan seorang gadis yang tidak lain adalah adik mempelai wanita Rosalie Ronaldi (kisah Nick dan Rosalie dapat dibaca di Romeo Romeo). Anabelle Ronaldi sangat terkejut melihat Mike yang sangat mirip dengan mantan kekasihnya, Chip Larsen. Chip sendiri sudah meninggal beberapa tahun yang lalu karena kanker. Chip menolak menerima pengobatan. Walaupun Anabelle tahu Chip tidak mau berjuang (setidaknya untuk cinta mereka), Anabelle selalu mendampinginya hingga Chip meninggal. Setelah Chip meninggal, Anabelle ditunangkan oleh ibunya dengan seorang pria, yang pada akhirnya mengkhianatinya seminggu menjelang pernikahannya. Untungnya ada Nick dan Rosalie yang “menggunakan” semua persiapan yang sudah dilakukan untuk pernikahannya.

Saking shock-nya melihat Mike, Anabelle tidak sadar sudah banyak minum dan akhirnya menjadi mabuk. Ketika dia berhasil menangkap buket bunga dari Rosalie, dan Mike mendapatkan galter dari Nick, Anabelle mendapatkan dirinya bangun keesokan harinya tanpa busana di samping Mike. Kejadian satu malam itu cukup untuk membuat Mike dan Anabelle tertarik satu sama lain. Hubungan mereka berlanjut dengan didasarkan atas kebutuhan fisik. Apalagi ketika Anabelle mengalami cedera pada kakinya, sebagai dokter Mike punya alasan untuk lebih sering mengunjungi Anabelle. Mike kemudian menyadari bahwa dia mencintai Anabelle dan ingin menikahinya. Sementara Anabelle yang hatinya masih terluka karena Chip belum siap menikah.

Masalah muncul ketika Becca, sahabatnya (yang tidak lain adalah kembaran Chip) menemukan fakta bahwa Mike adalah saudara tirinya. Tidak heran jika Mike sangat mirip dengan Chip. Anabelle sendiri akhirnya mengetahui fakta itu dari ibu Mike, ketika tanpa sengaja Colleen menyebutkan nama ayah Mike sebagai seorang dokter cardiologist terkenal dan sangat kaya, yang tidak lain adalah ayah mantan kekasihnya. Anabelle pernah mengalami masa-masa pahit saat mendampingi Chip, ketika dia dituduh oleh ayah Chip bahwa dia hanya menginginkan uang dengan menjadi kekasih Chip. Anabelle tidak mau lagi berada dalam situasi tersebut. Harga dirinya sudah cukup terluka di masa lalu. Ketika Mike mengetahui fakta itu, dia langsung sadar bahwa Anabelle tidak mencintainya. Dia mau menjalin hubungan dengannya hanya karena dia mirip dengan Chip. Sayangnya, fakta itu didapatkannya sesaat sebelum dia mau melamar Anabelle.

Saya lebih menyukai serial Domestic Gods buku #2 ini dibandingkan dengan kisah Nick dan Rosalie dalam Romeo Romeo. Saya suka dengan tokoh Mike yang berjuang untuk dirinya, ibunya, dan cintanya. Tidak jarang Mike rela menghabiskan uangnya demi Anabelle, walaupun dia sendiri harus berpikir keras mengenai kondisi keuangannya. Bahkan ketika dia ingin menikahi Anabelle, Mike tidak segan untuk berusaha mencari pekerjaan lain demi kehidupannya dengan Anabelle kelak. Di samping itu, dialog-dialog dalam buku ini menyegarkan, cerdas, lucu, tapi romantis. Robin Kaye bisa menjadi salah satu penulis cerita romantic-comedy favorit saya. Tidak sabar ingin membaca kisah Rich Ronaldi dan Becca Larson di buku #3, Breakfast in Bed.

[Your Bae · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun and pleasant story!
I Would like to give a 4.5 stars if I can...

Ada di beberapa momen yang membuatku tidak berhenti gemas dan pengen ketawa.

Dari sisi budaya di lingkup keluarga dan teman-teman Annabelle, nggak jauh-jauh dari kehidupanku sendiri yang aku rasakan.
Contohnya di buku ini, sahabat baik Annabelle, Becca yang akan diam-diam membentuk saluran gossip sendiri pada Rossalie (Kakak perempuan Annabelle) dan Nick (Kakak Ipar Annabelle), atau Ibu Annabelle yang juga memiliki saluran gossip sendiri untuk memata-matai Annabelle...
Ya ampunnn... So like my family.
Yang mungkin pada kenyataannya bebepara orang tidak akan sependapat dan akan merasa bahwa hal tersebut sangat tidak nyaman (lebih-lebih, not so necessary for this life), yang bisa jadi mungkin akan terasa seperti, "apaan-sih-allay-banget-deh-!!!-Gitu-aja-ember." atau "ya-ampunnn-perlu-ya-kaya-gitu-!!!"
Tapi, hey, ayolah... aku rasa semua orang pasti punya lingkaran kehidupan yang seperti itu, kok. (Bahkan, mungkin pernah merasakan seperti itu, baik disadari maupun tidak).

Kemudian, di buku ini, bagian gemas yang lain buatku adalah ketika Annabelle punya janji kencan secara diam-diam dengan Mike, tapi hampir-hampir kencan itu gagal oleh kehadiran dan interupsi oleh kakak laki-laki Annabelle, Richie.
Ya, siapa lagi kalau bukan karena ulah mama yang terlalu khawatir dengan kondisi Annabelle (Baca: Mama takut Aku (Oops, Annabelle maksudnya) tidak akan pernah menikah.

Sisi gemas lain yang menggelitik adalah, ketika orang-orang terdekat Annabelle dan Mike bersekongkol agar keduanya (Si Mike dan Annabelle) tidak berpisah karena alasan masing-masing dan kesalahpahaman yang terjadi diantara mereka.
Penuh intrik dan mendekati realita kehidupan banyak orang pada umumnya, menurutku.

Sayang sekali, untuk cerita seseru ini ada beberapa bagian dari percakapan yang menurutku nggak nyambung karena salag penerjemahan.
Salah satu contoh yang aku tangkap, di buku Nick mengatakan, "Hei, apa gunanya teman?" pada Mike. Padahal yang aku tangkap mungkin Nick secara lugas, spontan, dan sederhana ingin mengatakan, "hey, that is what's friend for..." pada Mike, nah, mungkin maksud Nick adalah "Ya gitu, lah, bro fungsinya teman..."
Nah, sayangnya malah buku ini menerjemahkannya sebagai kalima tanya, bukannya sebagai kalimat pernyataan.
Jadi ya, lumayan agak mengganggu mata dan sinkronisasi di otak karena terhambat oleh percakapan-percakapan yang nggak nyambung kalimat dialognya.
Sayang bangettt kan...

Sisi yang nggak enak kedua adalah, soal typo.
Yup, kesalahan penulisan kata di tambah dengan beberapa kalimat dialog yang kesleo juga... Ugh... bikin aku lama untuk untuk "mencerna" dan "menyerap" imajinasi cerita.

Kemudian, sisi negatif yang ke-3, mungkin soal kehidupan budaya orang Italia atau orang Amerika pada umumnya mungkin ya, sperti contoh umpatan-umpatan mereka atau ketika menyebut nama-nama santo (yang jelas secara total dan buta, aku nggak ngerti itu siapa), acara-acara keagamaan, dan gaya/cara mereka melampiaskan kemaran...
Yah untuk beberapa soal budaya yang memang tidak bisa tercerna dengan baik, aku anggap ringan aja sih, karena kan hidup disana beda dengan hidup disini. Lah, sederhananya, yang hidup sesama di Indonesia aja juga punya latar budaya yang beda kan...

After all, buku ini tetap layak diberi 4.5 bintang dan layak buat dijadikan koleksi buku pribadi.
Sayang bangettt, aku nggak punya buku ini dengan edisi lengkap ke-4 nya.
Masih di jual nggak ya? Seru deh kalo punya 4-4 nya di rumah...

[Yulia Anggraini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annabelle dulu mempunyai pacar yang mirip dengan mike yang bernama chip…yang meninggal karna sakit kanker…chip anak orang kaya yang ortux tidak menyukai Annabelle dan chip tidak pernah sekalipun membela Annabelle dan dy lebih memilih dana perwalianx daripada memperjuangkan Annabelle… Annabelle yang saat itu baru berumur 18 tahun masih terlalu muda untuk membela dirix sendiri dari orang tua chip dan dy juga membiarkan chip memanfaatkanx…klo seandaix kanker yg diderita chip tidak kembali menyerangx cepat atau lambat mereka pasti akan berpisah tp semua itu tidak terjadi cz dy tetap berada disisi chip saat detik2 terakhir hidup chip…orang tua chip yang mengira Annabelle hidup dari uang chip mengambil semua tabungan yang Annabelle punya dan bahkan dy tidak punya uang sepeser pun untuk membeli tiket kereta untuk kembali k Brooklyn…

Setelah kematian chip,Annabelle seperti zombie dan dy membiarkan emakx nan cerewet mengatur pertunanganx dengan pengurus makam keparat tukang selingkuh itu…


Yihaaaaa…Sekali ini mike tidak mengencani mantan2x nick… ;p

Mike walaupun wow diurusan rumah tangga tp dy kere… ;p mike masih harus melunasi hutang kuliahx dan masalah d rumah sakit tempat dy bekerja juga membuat kondisi keuanganx memburuk…tidak punya rumah dan mobil…jd dy hanya pria biasa yang punya masalah biasa dan hanya ingin melamar pujaan hatix yg ternyata sangat keras kepala…

Hubungan Annabelle dan mike memburuk karna mike berpikir Annabelle tidak mencintaix,mereka bersama hanya karna dy mirip dengan chip…Annabelle tidak mau memperjuangkan cinta mereka krna dy tidak mau membuat mike memilih antara dy dan keluarga barux mike…dy takut mike akan memperlakukanx seperti chip…Annabelle takut dy tidak cukup berharga untuk dperjuangkan…

Well,aq jauh lebih suka romeo romeo…ntah kenapa dari awal aq merasa Annabelle itu terlalu dark,selalu dibawah awan hitam,aurax gelap boo… ;p
G sreg aj rasax…dan aq juga g tw n mengerti ap yang membuat dy sperti itu dan masa lalux dengan chip…udah lewat pertengahan cerita baru jelas…

Mike kalah jauh dbandingin nick klo dalam urusan rumah tangga… ;p
Lebih terasa n banyak scene bersih2 dan masakx nick daripada mike…yaaah mungkin karna beban kerja mereka juga beda jauh…

Penasaraaaaann sangaaaaat sama ben… ><
Bos x Annabelle yang sempat melamarx dan membuat mike kebakaran jenggot…hehehe…

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ternyata Annabelle tuh ga bitchy. There are reasons behind her bitchy act in first book. Dia baik, lembut, vulnerable. Begitu ketemu masalah langsung kabur, makanya terima aja ditunangin sama Johnny si brengsek. Ketemu deh sama Mike di pesta pernikahan Rosalie (yg seharusnya pesta pernikahan dia yg sudah dia atur selama setahun) yang ternyata miripppppp banget sama Chip mantannya. Mike yang langsung naksir sama Annabelle pas pertama kali ketemu, langsung mendekati Annabelle saat itu juga. Annabelle ngerasa berada di dunia mimpi, karena bertemu Chip kembali. Mereka end up bobo bareng, dan paginya Annabelle terkejut dikiranya ketemu hantunya Chip. Hahaha. Aslinya sih mereka mabok, terus Mike nganter Annabelle pulang dan ga tau deh selanjutnya.

Terus tar mereka in relationship, tapi pas Annabelle tau kalo Mike tuh saudara tiri Chip, langsung menjauh. Dia ga mau sejarah terulang seperti saat dia bersama Chip. Ternyata, orang tua Chip ini old money family yg terkenal banget di Philadelphia, dan ortu Chip yakin kalo Annabelle cuma ngincer duit Chip, padahal Annabelle lah yg susah2 kerja cari uang supaya dia dan Chip masih bisa makan. Chip ini pelit, egois, dan cuma mikirin diri dia sendiri. Dan yang paling menyakitkan buat Annabelle, pas Chip nyerah terhadap kanker, ninggalin dia, uang kerja keras Annabelle di rekeningnya pun diambil sama mama Chip karena dia ngira itu duit Chip. Dan Annabelle janji ga akan mau deket2 sama keluarga itu lagi (pengecualian buat sahabat dekatnya yang adalah saudara kembar Chip).

Mike pun tahu cerita ini dari Becca, adik tirinya dan sahabat dekat Belle (panggilan Annabelle dari Mike). Mike yang awalnya menjauhi Belle gara2 mukanya yang mirip Chip (udah janji mau ngelamar, declared that he loves her so much) akhirnya sadar dan ngejer Belle lagi.

Menurut saya, buku ini pun ga kalah keren dari Romeo, Romeo. Dan oh my God, emang dasaran seri Domestic Gods, Mike pun bisa bersih2, masakin makanan buat Belle. Mau dongggg cowo kayak gituuuuu *ngigit ngigit kertas* alur lancar, apalagi pas kejar2annya. Hahaha. Konfliknya Annabelle juga kompleks, jadinya ga ngebosenin. Masa lalunya Annabelle rumit, tapi masa lalu mamanya Mike juga. Di buku ini juga disisipin kisah mama dan papanya Mike yang akhirnya nikah juga di buku ketiga.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Domestic Gods??? I never heard of such a thing until I heard of Robin Kaye! I picked up Romeo, Romeo on a whim at the library and I loved it! When I found it that it didn't end at Romeo, Romeo and that there were two more books I ran to the bookstore to pick them up!

Too Hot to Handle was a great book. The title of the book was perfect because the sex scenes sure were HOT but not overdone. I can't stand a book where it's all sex with no storyline. I really liked Mike Flynn! He's a hard working doctor trying to establish his career. He cooks, cleans, and is somewhat of an undercover neat freak. He has some secrets about his past and his biological father, whom doesn’t know he even exists. His entire life it’s only been him and his mother and I thought it was so cute how he could confide in his mother when he had relationship problems.

Annabelle Ronaldi is the youngest of three children. She's independent and trying not to go insane from her mother's constant meddling in her love life. She has a history of dating men who treat her wrong and their mothers not liking her. When she meets Mike at her sister’s wedding (while being drunk as hell), she thinks she sees the ghost of her dead ex-fiance. So when she wakes up the next morning with Mike next to her in bed her face goes stark white!

The story eventually unfolds and Annabelle is pretty shocked when she finds out who Mike’s biological father and his half siblings are. She’s willing to let go of the man she loves so she doesn’t go through the same heartache she went through before. What she didn’t realize is that Mike would never let anyone come between them. I really liked how you get to see a lot of both of their families and how everyone is connected to each other in some way or another. Oh and I cannot forget about Dave, the dog. I just loved him in Romeo, Romeo and I’m glad that he had a big role in this book! Next on my list is Breakfast in Bed which is about the eldest Ronadli sibling!

[Elle ✟ Søren's ♡ (i'm too old for this shite) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 Too Hot stars!!

Buku ke-2 dari Robin Kaye ini merupakan lanjutan dari Romeo, Romeo dengan karakternya berbeda.
Annabelle adalah adik Rosalie yang gagal menikah karena perselingkuhan yang dilakukan si mantan sedangkan Mike Flynn seorang dokter handal yang merupakan teman Nick; suami Rosalie. Pertemuan pertama Belle dan Flynn sungguh diluar dugaan. Belle yang mabuk berat berakhir di ranjang bersama Mike tapi tidak ada 'hal' yang terjadi. Mike begitu mengingatkan Belle terhadap mantannya. Sebaliknya, Mike yang biasanya memacari mantan2 Nick mulai tertarik kepada Belle.

Sejujurnya, ketertarikan Mike kepada Belle dirasa terlalu cepat bagiku namun seiringnya perjalanan cerita mereka berdua aku mulai menyukainya. Mike adalah tipe alpha male idaman dan menjadi salah satu faveku dari seluruh seri ini. Dia orang yang bertanggung jawab dan emm... HOT. Too perfect!! >_< Sedangkan Belle yang menyukai seni cukup berantakan seperti Rosalie. Mike sangat posesif dan cemburu terhadap pria2 yang mendekati Belle dan mengubahnya menjadi serigala yang siap 'menerkam'. Hohoho... Karena sifatnya ini, sex diantara mereka paling WOW buatku. Mike sepertinya menuangkan perasaannya dalam sex *cough* yang cukup HOT walau bukan kategori erotica.

Penulisan yang bagus dan masih berbalut humor dari anjing milik Rosalie hingga pasangan tetangga bak fairy godfather. Aku menyukai perjalanan cinta mereka sampai satu titik dimana konflik berat mulai muncul. Rahasia dan kebohongan mulai terungkap. Menurutku, drama yang disajikan dalam cerita ini tidak terlalu lebay. Hal yang aku kurang suka adalah karakter Belle yang cukup lemah dan kurang bisa 'mencakar' Mike yang dominan. Kegalauan dalam diri Belle juga kadang membuatku kesal karena dia belum bisa move on. Aku dapat merasakan emosi antara hubungan Belle-Mike yang akhirnya mendapatkan HEA. Yay! Well, I'd love to recommend this book. Too Hot to Handle is definitely an enjoyable read with some HOT scene than others non-erotica. It's a simple love story that could happen in reality. Not like a fairy tale and I love it! Originally, this is 3 stars but the sex scene is unforgettable, LMAO.

[Marie Burton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this snappy sequel to Robin Kaye's first Domestic God novel "Romeo, Romeo", the author Robin Kaye brings back supporting characters and makes Annabelle Ronaldi's love life the focus this time around. If you haven't read the first book, there is no need to worry. I haven't read it yet but plan on going back and reading it because "Too Hot to Handle" was so much fun I can't wait for more of it. This was my introduction to a Domestic God: he happily cooks, cleans, does your laundry and looks gorgeous doing it. (SOLD!)

This frisky story brings us to Annabelle and Mike as they meet up at Annabelle's sister's wedding. Mike is perfect in all ways but there are mysterious undertones in each of their lives that makes this book more than just your average romance romp. Annabelle is recovering from her past relationships, and Mike is pretty much the Knight in Shining Armor that any woman would love to have knock on her door, besides the fact that he's a doctor. Yet he too has the troubling background which adds itself to the mystery facet of the novel. As these mysteries unfold, their mutual enchantment with each other is threatened. The favorite characters from the first novel are brought back as the secrets and mysteries unwind, and their dysfunctional family twists add humor and entertainment.

This is one of those books that alludes to the major turning point in the mystery, yet you pretty much know what it is. This is my one criticism especially because it was hinted at immediately in the book, before actually letting the reader get involved in the suspense of it.
But I loved it for the rollicking sexual attraction and for the high-spirited style of writing which made it more than just a erotic love story. If you like Janet Evanovich as I do, you will enjoy Robin Kaye. This book is an easy victory for Robin Kaye and I look forward to more of her accomplishments.
please check out my blog for Robin Kaye's appearance and her Q&A!

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

** Spoilers - LOTS **

I liked the premise of this book - guy you picked up at your sister's wedding looks exactly like your dead boyfriend - antics ensue. And I think if this was the majority of the book I would have enjoyed it more. Instead we started there and headed off the rails into soap opera land. This is the second book in a series (I think) and I started here and it does read as a stand alone. But wow just how much can you dump into a book.

* A mother who obviously thinks very little of you and is solely focused on getting you married.
* A sister who takes over your wedding plans when your engagement fails and has the wedding instead
* A brother who is a jerk and crashes a date (and a father who is rude and dismissive to his wife)
* The mother's day lunch from hell (for both H/h) due to family bringing them a date.
* Two "fairy godfathers" upstairs from your apartment (aka Henry and Wayne)
* A best friend (and boyfriend for that matter) that you've never introduced to your family for reasons??
* A dead boyfriends family that believe you're a gold digging whore for reasons?
* A current boyfriend who you can't share anything personal with.
* Current boyfriend and dead boyfriend are half brothers
* Father of current boyfriend offers him dream job and informs him of his inheritance - millions and an estate
* Father of current boyfriends making moves on his former fiancee (his mother)
* A boss (single, sexy and rich) who sends you mixed signals and tries to mess up dates.
* Same boss offers an "in name only" marriage to secure his inheritance from his grandfather who wants him to marry.

And the book just isn't that big! I started skimming because it was just too much but I was curious about just how much more could fit in the book. The next book is about Rich (the brother) and Becca (the best friend) and whilst I'd like to read about them, I'm not sure I could deal with all the rest that's bound to accompany their story.