Man nehme: Lust und Leidenschaft (Baccara 2208)

Cress Brothers #2

by Niobia Bryant, Jana Wahrendorff (Translator)

Seit zwei Jahren arbeitet die hübsche Köchin Jillian für den attraktiven Millionenerben und Chefkoch Cole Cress. Und genauso lange knistert es schon heiß zwischen ihnen! Doch ein Happy End scheint unmöglich. Denn seine arrogante Mutter will Jillian unbedingt aus Coles Leben verbannen. Sie macht ihr ein verlockendes Jillian soll ein Restaurant in San Francisco leiten! Aber das Schicksal bringt sie wieder zurück nach Manhattan, wo Cole mit seinem Geheimrezept auf sie Lust und Leidenschaft …

Genres: Romance, Harlequin Desire, Contemporary

167 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2021

About the author

Niobia Bryant is the award-winning and national bestselling author of more than fifty works of romance and commercial mainstream fiction. Twice she has won RT Magazine's Best African-American/Multicultural Romance Award, "Kiss the Ring"--written under the pseudonym Meesha Mink--was listed as one of the Library Journal's Best Books, and her books have appeared in Ebony, Essence, The New York Post, The Star-Ledger, The Dallas Morning News and many other national publications. One of her bestselling books has been adapted to film.

Reviews

[Steph's Romance Book Talk · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars / 4 Steam Fans

The Rebel Heir is the second book in the Cress Dynasty, and Niobia did not disappoint with the heat, twists, and turns. I cannot wait to read more about this family.

Video review available in Week 21: May 23 – May 29, 2021, full weekly book reviews on Steph's Romance Book Talk Patreon.

For other bookish content, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.

[DearBookClub · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love the "Cress Family" series. "One Night With Cinderella," introduced the reader to Cole Cress and the family chef, Jillian Rossi. Even though "The Rebel Heir," is book number two in a series, it can be easily read as a stand alone book. Anyone that has read Niobia Bryant's novels knows she is the queen of romantic suspense, and she absolutely delivered juicy characters in this page turner.

What did I like about, "The Rebel Heir?"
The character development was amazing. You really get to know what Jillian's passion and fears are based on her former marriages and her relationship with her close-knit family. Jillian's passion for cooking was formed making southern soul food recipes with her Grandmother, Ionie.

Cole Cress, the middle brother of five, has a steadfast determination to step outside of his father's shadow and create his own brand/restaurant. Cole and Jillian form a no-strings attached relationship when she begins working at his parents lavish residence two years prior.

You will be intrigued by Jillian and Cole's steamy relationship, as well as the plethora of tasty cuisine's they make in the book. If you are looking for a fun romance novel then this is it!

[Ms. Woc Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jillian works as a private chef for the Cress family who run a culinary dynasty. She and Cole have had a friends with benefits relationship going on for a year now that they've kept secret. Or at least they thought they kept it secret until Cole's mother Nicollette pulls up at Jillian's condo and reveals she's know Jillian is sleeping with her son and she's not paying her for that. So while she fires Jillian she offers her a job as an executive chef at one of Cress Inc's West Coast restaurants. And Cole having heard the entire exchange, is upset when Jillian tells him she can't afford to be homeless and decides to take the job.

Jillian and Cress realize they can't stop thinking about each other while they're apart and realize their feelings for each other are stronger than they thought. But while they reunite and Jillian moves back to NYC, Cress can't fully commit to her because he's afraid of being betrayed. His father cheating on his mother years ago has stuck with him. On top of that both his parents are so controlling he's constantly at odds with them. While Jillian and Cress know they're perfectly compatible in the bedroom it's outside of it where they're still figuring things out.

This is a multicultural romance. Cole Cress has a Black British father and a White French mother. And there's plenty of French sprinkled throughout as the Cress family often switches between speaking French and English. I get a little weary of how biracial men are written in romance because sometimes they're written like their mixedness is what makes them sexy. And colorism and featurism is highlighted. Other than finding it a little odd how every brother's look were compared to a famous biracial celebrity(The Rock, Daniel Sunjata, Lenny Kravitz) I was happy this story didn't play into that.

Niobia Bryant knows how to bring the steam. This might have been the hottest Harlequin Desire story I've read yet. And she brings the drama too. Jillian and Nicollette sparing certainly got my attention. And then you have Cole fighting with his father Phillip over family secrets. Wish the parents would've gotten what's coming to them but I'm sure we'll see more of them in future books in this series.

[Marlanna - facts_from_fiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the prestigious Cress culinary family dynasty, Coleman “Cole” Cress has always been known as the rebel. He plays by his own rules, goes after what he wants…whatever he wants, including becoming involved with his family’s personal chef, Jillian Rossi. The problem? Jillian is considered "the help", and is believed, by some, to be below “Cress” standards. Cole… Mr. “Never Fall in Love” does exactly that and falls for the beautiful Jillian, but not everyone is hoping for Cole and Jillian’s happily ever after.


I loved this story, and Cole was absolutely hilarious to me. I could feel the chemistry between Cole and Jillian, and of course, there was enough drama to keep me thoroughly entertained. I expected nothing less from Niobia Bryant. Really looking forward to the next book in the Cress Brothers series.

[Janice 'Ms_jae' · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving The Rebel

Cole Cress and his family’s private chef Jillian Rossi, year long ‘no strings’ attached affair was very satisfying to them. That is until Cole caught feelings. Once Nicolette Cress, his conniving, manipulating mother determined Jillian was beneath her son (in more ways then one. lol) and she had to get rid of her.

Will secrets, betrayals and fears keep them from love and happiness? You’ll have to read The Rebel Heir, to find out!

The chemistry between Cole and Jillian was of the charts! I couldn’t help being drawn into their sexy, sensual and very hot intimate moments.

Well done Author Niobia Bryant.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef Jillian Rossi was hired by the Cress family. She was drawn to Chef Cole Cress. She did her best to ignor her growing attraction to him. She and Cole both had trust issues. The ups and downs of this relationship were interesting. It was not helped by the interference of others in Cole's family.

[Pamela session · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing❤❤❤

I am loving this series cole and Jillian was off the chain🔥🔥🔥 I love their chemistry❤❤ I love how he fought for their love. These cress brothers🔥🔥🔥😍😍😍 Niobia bryant did her thing. I love all her books

[Dorothy Lewis-Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Rebel Heir.

I had seen books advertised by Ninja but never felt a desire to read one. So far with this book I place her with my favorite romance writer Brenda Jackson. I highly recommend this book.

[Phyllis J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this was my fav in series. Loved it

[LaKenya Robertson-Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jillian was too nice with her comebacks against Nicolette. All the brothers other than Gabe were really starting to irritate me. But all in all a great read.

[Robbie Burnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too much

This book was too long but my favorite character was grandma. I am happy that secrets were revealed and the love was bonded.

[Sharise Hazel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy

I appreciate the way the author bring the world of 2 chefs together through such vivid explanations of their dalliances. Two brothers down for choosing their wants and needs over their mother's attempts. I look forward to reading about the rest of the handsome Cress brothers...ALL of them! This was a great read.

[KAREN MCCRAW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mama doesn't always know best

Cole and Jillian were doing fine when they were sneaking around then mama put her two cents in. Love wins everytime. Loved this.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!

I enjoyed the author's writing ✍🏾 and kept me interested. This second book in the series was thought provoking. A wonderful example again that no one can choose a mate for anyone.

[Lee Holden, E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Cole and Jillian are a good match. However, they both had baggage to overcome regarding relationships to get to their happily ever after.

[Myrlita Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

[Kyra Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

Up and Down

Up and down it’s a series so I assume the rest will continue in the next book. I just wished that mother would have gotten what she deserved.

[Kiela Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way they sacrificed and made the effort to be together...

[Latesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series very much and looking forward to the next story.

[Max Pink · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

The romance between Cole and Jillian was fine. Very smut-centric, and I didn't love how Cole seemingly could not understand why Jillian made career decisions over emotional ones. Like, I'm sorry, my guy, but not everyone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth. Some people need to choose the job over being blackballed by your conniving mother!

Speaking of which, the family drama was where this book really shined. The Cress parents are menaces to society, home-wrecking their sons lives as much as possible. And they get a bit of that thrown in their face in this book, which was very satisfying.

[Lichaun Trotter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ahhhhh...quite the story!!!

I guess when you know you know. I enjoyed this story about different classes mixing, which everyone is a person so it really shouldn't matter. But when you have those who truly believe in classes of people there in lies the challenge, but I definitely enjoyed reading about them find their way.

Very interesting story of lies, betrayal, secrets and love!! Enjoyed the story.

[Dorel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 1st book I read by Niobia Bryant. I loved ❤️ this book's storyline. I loved ❤️ the hot 🔥 & steamy scenes. I loved ❤️ Jillian. I loved ❤️ Cole. I loved ❤️ the ending. Awesome job Ms. Bryant.

[Ondria Bacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

This was way different than I expected. Beautiful story. Of course the Cress’ mother showed out once again. Cole and Jillian did have their sans his morher bur of course a Cress man will make a way.


Happy Reading‼️

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
African American & Black Romance
Miniseries
Cress Brothers (Book #2)

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well written book with some yummy spicy scenes, but the long plot over the course of two years of frustration was really rough to get through at times.