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148th out of 204 books
—
186 voters
Beauty and the Feast
Eva Raines is an uncomplicated country girl who's all about food. Eva moves to the Napa Valley where her culinary skills come to the attention of the owners of a start-up, All Things to All People, and Eva finds her niche as a personal chef. Now all she needs is a man as perfect as her cooking, but she has serious doubts that such a creature exists.
When wealthy entrepreneu...more
When wealthy entrepreneu...more
Kindle Edition, 235 pages
Published
April 10th 2012
(first published March 16th 2010)
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Currently rereading
Originally read AUG 2011
Once you get passed the cheesy cover and title, it's a really good book. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. Sweet, romantic and totally hot! And I loved that it takes place in Napa Valley, one of my favorite places in the world.
Originally read AUG 2011
Once you get passed the cheesy cover and title, it's a really good book. I wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did. Sweet, romantic and totally hot! And I loved that it takes place in Napa Valley, one of my favorite places in the world.
I guess the first thing to address is genre, because this one is firmly sat in the middle between Romance and Erotica, while the sex scenes are very graphic they are well spaced out with plenty of story content inbetween, I think I shall classify it as a Raunchy Romance, which should certainly give you an idea of where this review is going. It has been a long time since I stopped reading romances, maybe it is the experiences in life that make you cynical that also make it hard to enjoy many of t...more
Okay, before I get started...recipes from the book are at the end so don't forget! This is for food and romance lovers. It is so food porn.
Eva is a culinary arts graduate and is an employee of ATOP aka All Things to All People. They kind of do whatever needs doing: landscaping, cooking, errands, housekeeping, etc. She gets a job for a man who needs a chef to come up with a dinner for two at his place.
Gabriel has plans for a night of the seduction of one Miss Stephanie Lindstrom. He is looking fo...more
Eva is a culinary arts graduate and is an employee of ATOP aka All Things to All People. They kind of do whatever needs doing: landscaping, cooking, errands, housekeeping, etc. She gets a job for a man who needs a chef to come up with a dinner for two at his place.
Gabriel has plans for a night of the seduction of one Miss Stephanie Lindstrom. He is looking fo...more
This was a book that I picked up for free on Amazon. It wasn't bad, it wasn't great. For a book that is focused on flavorful food, it left me feeling merely meh.
Eva is a chef/housekeeper/whatever you need (hence her working for a company call All Things to All People) and she is hired to cater Gabe's date with another woman. The first meal that Eva cooks for Gabe is actually very sensual and I felt a spark of interest, but it rapidly died under the blandness of the rest of the story.
Something a...more
Eva is a chef/housekeeper/whatever you need (hence her working for a company call All Things to All People) and she is hired to cater Gabe's date with another woman. The first meal that Eva cooks for Gabe is actually very sensual and I felt a spark of interest, but it rapidly died under the blandness of the rest of the story.
Something a...more
I was struck by the sex scenes and lack of STI protection. Turns out, the author is an R.N. say what!!?? Use your words wisely and promote good sexual practices. That was my first big annoyance. Secondly, the chick (Eva) was whining about, "Will you respect me in the morning?" Eh? In this day and age it's more like, will I even want to sleep with you (the guy) again. Eva even mentions buying the cow when you can have the milk for free. What kind of antiquated sentiment is that? I enjoyed the foo...more
I didn't love this book nor did I hate it. As I read it, I asked myself this question: What happened to the love in romances?
I like a good love scene, don't get me wrong. However when I see the words "fuck" and the words pertaining to the male and female anatomy that begin with the letter "C" (NO. I do NOT say those words and don't allow them to be said in my presence. Ironically, I don't find the f-bomb nearly as offensive), it makes me think that these people are in it just for physical grati...more
I like a good love scene, don't get me wrong. However when I see the words "fuck" and the words pertaining to the male and female anatomy that begin with the letter "C" (NO. I do NOT say those words and don't allow them to be said in my presence. Ironically, I don't find the f-bomb nearly as offensive), it makes me think that these people are in it just for physical grati...more
Summer is over, but just because the temperature is dropping, doesn't mean we have to stop reading scorching hot books! Frisky Fall Saturdays is our new weekly post created by The Autumn Review, The Bookish Babe, Hackaroo's Reviews, and Sim-Sational-Books. Feel free to join in. (let us know so we can add a link to your post that week) As those leaves start piling up in the yard, ignore them and pick up a sexy book and tell us about it!
This week I am reviewing:
Goodreads Description:
Eva Raines is...more
This week I am reviewing:
Goodreads Description:
Eva Raines is...more
I think that this is definitely my second favorite Julia book, with Captured still being first :) I really loved this story, the characters, the romance, and how realistic the relationship between Gabe and Eva was...
These characters were both passionate about what they do for a living. Eva Raines is a chef and she works for a company called All Things To All People (ATAP) where she cooks, caters, and cleans for people. Gabriel Abbott is the owner of Abbott Industries which is a wine business. W...more
These characters were both passionate about what they do for a living. Eva Raines is a chef and she works for a company called All Things To All People (ATAP) where she cooks, caters, and cleans for people. Gabriel Abbott is the owner of Abbott Industries which is a wine business. W...more
Though I didn't enjoy this book, I did manage to finish it.
The story was silly. Wealthy Gabe has dated a lot of women and doesn't stay with them very long before moving on. He and Stephanie have been dating and he plans on seducing her for the first time (she's very willing). Gabe hires a catering company to prepare the meal for this date and Eva is the chef. Gabe and Eva (who is sooooo innocent and naive) speak on the phone about the meal and each are immediately smitten. On the basis of this p...more
The story was silly. Wealthy Gabe has dated a lot of women and doesn't stay with them very long before moving on. He and Stephanie have been dating and he plans on seducing her for the first time (she's very willing). Gabe hires a catering company to prepare the meal for this date and Eva is the chef. Gabe and Eva (who is sooooo innocent and naive) speak on the phone about the meal and each are immediately smitten. On the basis of this p...more
Lena’s Review
Can a woman chef and a great winery owner find love with one another?
Eva Raines loves cooking and baking; it’s her whole life. Life to her goes by quick when she is working with food for there are no problems of men leaving her. That is until an appointment brings Gabriel Abbott into her life and somehow into her heart.
She always knew food was to a man’s stomach but something about Gabe brings out more in her. For the first time she feels safe, cherished and loved. Eva knows she...more
Can a woman chef and a great winery owner find love with one another?
Eva Raines loves cooking and baking; it’s her whole life. Life to her goes by quick when she is working with food for there are no problems of men leaving her. That is until an appointment brings Gabriel Abbott into her life and somehow into her heart.
She always knew food was to a man’s stomach but something about Gabe brings out more in her. For the first time she feels safe, cherished and loved. Eva knows she...more
Eva Raines works for a company as a chef and house cleaner. She has worked a lot in order to get where she is. Her food is to die for. Reading the book made me want to try the food she prepares since Ms. Barrett was very detailed as to how some of the food was prepared.
Gabriel Abbott is a rich man who got his wealth on his own. He came from nothing and now has a house, apartment, winery and many more things. He wants to seduce a current woman he is seeing and gets the company Eva works for to ma...more
Gabriel Abbott is a rich man who got his wealth on his own. He came from nothing and now has a house, apartment, winery and many more things. He wants to seduce a current woman he is seeing and gets the company Eva works for to ma...more
I logged on to Amazon today trying to find a good quick read that would help me relax from a very stressful work at week. I got more then I bargained for! Not only did I get this book free, (I would pay the price for it if it wasn't). It was a good fun book.
I loved Eva - what a freaking scream she was! And Gabe, well he'd be one I would want to try Eva's Chocolate sauce on. While many stories might have a good love scene or two - this one is full of some pretty heavy stuff. When you step away fr...more
I loved Eva - what a freaking scream she was! And Gabe, well he'd be one I would want to try Eva's Chocolate sauce on. While many stories might have a good love scene or two - this one is full of some pretty heavy stuff. When you step away fr...more
I truly liked this book. In the front of it the Author has a note discussing her belief in love at first site and why she is such a firm believer. There seem to be a lot of stories with this element and I like that being (as I've stated in other reviews) a firm believer myself. In the case of this story its more of love at first hear.
I recently read somewhere that people have actually been known to ask the husband's of romance authors if they are the inspiration for the sex scenes or if they ev...more
I recently read somewhere that people have actually been known to ask the husband's of romance authors if they are the inspiration for the sex scenes or if they ev...more
Eva Raines grew up as a simple farmer's daughter with a passion for food. After moving to Napa, she uses her culinary skills to help busy families and people in need as a rising talent in the ATAP business.When the very wealthy Gabriel Abbott hires Eva to cater a romantic dinner for two, the outcome for the evening is vastly different than either of them could have imagined.
Food is the central focus here, and the sensuality of it when applied to the right situation. Eva's passion for her job sh...more
Food is the central focus here, and the sensuality of it when applied to the right situation. Eva's passion for her job sh...more
I'm finished.
It was bad. I won't say it sucked, because there are far worse books out there. The story had promise but it fell short. Very short. It wasn't bad I just didn't like it, it was a bit formulaic, which again isn't bad in itself, just poorly executed in this case.
Ava is the kind of heroine with no flaws, she cooks like a dream, and looks like one too. She's so nice the half-crazy villain loves her at the end of the book. Oh and her "phone-voice" is so good even Gabe's older female assi...more
It was bad. I won't say it sucked, because there are far worse books out there. The story had promise but it fell short. Very short. It wasn't bad I just didn't like it, it was a bit formulaic, which again isn't bad in itself, just poorly executed in this case.
Ava is the kind of heroine with no flaws, she cooks like a dream, and looks like one too. She's so nice the half-crazy villain loves her at the end of the book. Oh and her "phone-voice" is so good even Gabe's older female assi...more
Why I read: Author asked for a review.
Favorite Quote: “Try to look at it this way, absence makes the cock grow harder.”
Eva Raines is a top-rate chef working for ATAP, or All Things to All People, a company that provides chefs, house cleaners, interior designers – anything you need to host a party or keep your house running smoothly. Eva loves the people she works for, and has yet to disappoint a client. Her bosses receive a request to cater a dinner party for two for a very well off winery owne...more
Favorite Quote: “Try to look at it this way, absence makes the cock grow harder.”
Eva Raines is a top-rate chef working for ATAP, or All Things to All People, a company that provides chefs, house cleaners, interior designers – anything you need to host a party or keep your house running smoothly. Eva loves the people she works for, and has yet to disappoint a client. Her bosses receive a request to cater a dinner party for two for a very well off winery owne...more
4.5 tasty stars!!!!!
Wow, this was quite the interesting read. Lol.
I'll start with what I loved most. There was no beating around the bush from either main character. No games, no lies, no hiding. It was refreshing to not be constantly annoyed by a whining female character or a jacka** male lead.
There was substance to the story. The characters were in depth enough to understand there feelings and where they stood throughout the story.
While I completely understand that food is actually the thir...more
Wow, this was quite the interesting read. Lol.
I'll start with what I loved most. There was no beating around the bush from either main character. No games, no lies, no hiding. It was refreshing to not be constantly annoyed by a whining female character or a jacka** male lead.
There was substance to the story. The characters were in depth enough to understand there feelings and where they stood throughout the story.
While I completely understand that food is actually the thir...more
I stumbled across the synopsis of this book on one of the blogs that I follow. I was not familiar with the author, but the story line was intriguing and creative. I thought it might be an enjoyable read. And is that ever an understatement! I LOVED this book!!! Eva is feisty, tough, talented, and oblivious to her own charms. Gabriel is determined, intelligent, and appropriately forceful. I was rooting for them both from the start! This book is classified as erotica, so I did have my doubts in the...more
Beauty and the Feast by Julia Barrett.
When I saw Mandi's review for Beauty and the Feast (at Smexybooks), I knew I had to read it. The heroine is a caterer and the hero falls in lust with her before they've ever met, just by tasting the incredible meal she has prepared for him. Holy Mother...the food descriptions in this book are to die for! Check out the first course...chilled melon soup: "...pureed honey melon, a tiny bit of sea salt, a few splashes of a light German Riesling, a squeeze of li...more
When I saw Mandi's review for Beauty and the Feast (at Smexybooks), I knew I had to read it. The heroine is a caterer and the hero falls in lust with her before they've ever met, just by tasting the incredible meal she has prepared for him. Holy Mother...the food descriptions in this book are to die for! Check out the first course...chilled melon soup: "...pureed honey melon, a tiny bit of sea salt, a few splashes of a light German Riesling, a squeeze of li...more
I enjoyed this book immensely.
Eva Raines works for a company that makes life easier for others, her specialty is creating amazing food. She has worked for several restaurants in the San Francisco area but likes the feel of working for this start-up company in the Napa Valley. Eva’s joy in life is making wonderful food for others and did not like working where she felt unappreciated and could not showoff her talents.
Gabriel Abbott is a wealthy business owner who grew up on the mean streets of Chi...more
Eva Raines works for a company that makes life easier for others, her specialty is creating amazing food. She has worked for several restaurants in the San Francisco area but likes the feel of working for this start-up company in the Napa Valley. Eva’s joy in life is making wonderful food for others and did not like working where she felt unappreciated and could not showoff her talents.
Gabriel Abbott is a wealthy business owner who grew up on the mean streets of Chi...more
Wow. Smart and sexy. This was my first novel by Julia Barrett and I loved it. Eva and Gabe fall fast, even before they meet, and I liked how they had several interactions over the phone first. The seduction by-sample-tasting of Eva's food was creative and evocative. I really liked Eva. She was well-rounded, both in terms of her profession as well as her emotionality. Another author could have easily had Gabe stick up for Eva, but I liked how Eva did it for herself (repeatedly). :) The inclusion...more
Mar 11, 2012
Lutawolf
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
reviewed-for-tbr,
straight-romance
While I wouldn’t call the plot original it doesn’t fall into the standard category of plots either and the characters make sure that it’s anything but ordinary. The pace was pretty fast and kept me entertained from start to finish with amusing and sensual, steamy scenes.
There are some editing issues, not a lot but enough that I took note because I would have to try and figure out the correct word needed in the sentence, which did throw me a bit out of the story. There is also no use of birth co...more
There are some editing issues, not a lot but enough that I took note because I would have to try and figure out the correct word needed in the sentence, which did throw me a bit out of the story. There is also no use of birth co...more
The plot was okay, basic romance stuff, but it was rather poorly written. Too many clichés and the dialogue was too cheesy. I'd say it read like a debut novel, but I've read too many authors whose first efforts were way better than this. I did enjoy all the food talk and I really appreciate the recipes at the end. I plan to try the cream cheese brownies, for example. There's a preview for a novel by a different author at the end: Suite Assumptions: A Romantic Comedy. The first chapter of that is...more
I enjoyed this book. It was light, it was fun, it was sexy. Who knew food could be so sensual? I liked the two main characters Eva and Gabe. I liked the supporting characters.
My only complaint stemmed from the fact their relationship was like a whirlwind. I would have liked to see it develop more. After reading the authors note, which was quite charming I might add, I understand why the relationship was written the way it was.
Plain and simple, the book won't keep you up at night pondering the w...more
My only complaint stemmed from the fact their relationship was like a whirlwind. I would have liked to see it develop more. After reading the authors note, which was quite charming I might add, I understand why the relationship was written the way it was.
Plain and simple, the book won't keep you up at night pondering the w...more
2.5 stars
The sex was hot, but there was no discussion or use of protection. I love the heroine, but she can't seem to stand her ground with this guy (or males in general and you would think with 4 brothers she would be a little more assertive with men) and also they both got a little annoying at times. Overall, it was funny and left me hungry...not hungry for more of the story, just hungry in general.
Sidenote:I love food so that probably made the story a little
better for me than it might be for...more
The sex was hot, but there was no discussion or use of protection. I love the heroine, but she can't seem to stand her ground with this guy (or males in general and you would think with 4 brothers she would be a little more assertive with men) and also they both got a little annoying at times. Overall, it was funny and left me hungry...not hungry for more of the story, just hungry in general.
Sidenote:I love food so that probably made the story a little
better for me than it might be for...more
The book seemed to be more about lust than love to me. Insecure heroine falls for rich guy. They almost immediately fall into bed together. When apart for a bit they talk about their genitals missing each other not their hearts (I'm sorry but I can't do actual quotes as I have too many readers that would be offended by the language). That said there are many moments to laugh at in the book. I loved the idea of the book. I think a lot could have been done with the plot. The characters were genera...more
2-6-12
Am starting this one up tonight! I won this copy from Goodreads giveaways -- thanks so much for the signed copy Ms. Barrett :) Hadn't read a romance set in the Napa Valley before, so I thought I'd give it a go... I do have to say though, the cover, not so good. I would think since the main character is a caterer and the book is set in the Napa Valley there might be at least a glass of wine on the cover somewhere, but alas, no. However you know what they say about judging and book covers,...more
Am starting this one up tonight! I won this copy from Goodreads giveaways -- thanks so much for the signed copy Ms. Barrett :) Hadn't read a romance set in the Napa Valley before, so I thought I'd give it a go... I do have to say though, the cover, not so good. I would think since the main character is a caterer and the book is set in the Napa Valley there might be at least a glass of wine on the cover somewhere, but alas, no. However you know what they say about judging and book covers,...more
I read this book a while back in my exams period and I just discovered that I totally forgot to review it in all the stress. And it totally deserves a review. I got this book from Julia and I'm so thankful she send it to me. It really made my day better and let me forget all the stress of the exams for a few hours.
What makes this book so special? I loved that the characters felt this huge attraction to each other even before they met. I think we all know that situation when you hear the voice of...more
What makes this book so special? I loved that the characters felt this huge attraction to each other even before they met. I think we all know that situation when you hear the voice of...more
May 22, 2010
Estara
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
lovers of pure contemporary romance who like their sex hot
Shelves:
ebook
Somewhat uneven in some of the alpha male aspects of the hero at the start of the book, but excellent heroine and excellent supporting characters all around and whenever the plot seems to run towards a cliché big misunderstanding it swerves unexpectedly away. Great detail about the food and the sex is hot, but not too over the top.
I hope this author will write more contemporaries that rely on characters and not any artifical suspense plot to work. And I hope she gets a better cover artist next...more
I hope this author will write more contemporaries that rely on characters and not any artifical suspense plot to work. And I hope she gets a better cover artist next...more
I got recommended this on Amazon and gave it a try. It's foodie soft porn--not sure which is more descriptive the food scenes or the sex scenes-so don't loan it to Grandma unless she likes that kind of thing. ;-) Caterer and food lover "seduces" her rich client via phone and food, lots of lust turns into love. Light, fun, lusty, sexy (both the food and the sex) chick-lit. It was a good no-brainer diversion. There are recipes--I highlighted the Salted Caramel Sauce described to try.
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I write erotic science fiction, paranormal and contemporary romances for Resplendence Publishing, Siren, Logical Lust and Cobblestone Press. In my other life, I write nonfiction. If you ever find me sitting in one place, it’s because I’m reading or writing.
I attended the University of Iowa as a creative writing major. Later I returned to school and became a Registered Nurse. You know, gotta make a...more
More about Julia Rachel Barrett...
I attended the University of Iowa as a creative writing major. Later I returned to school and became a Registered Nurse. You know, gotta make a...more
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22 avr. 21:26
Thanks Dorsey!!
22 avr. 21:39