The Menu Match

Maple Gardens Matchmakers #3

by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Quinne is a popular social media influencer. Peter is the new chef at Maple Gardens Assisted Living.

They couldn't be more different.

When Quinne's mother - a resident who loves to meddle - comes up with the idea of Quinne showcasing Maple Gardens, it is the last thing the busy and somewhat self-centred young woman wants to do. But Peter's ten-year-old daughter is obsessed with Quinne and persuades her to reconsider. Grumpy cook Peter is less than impressed but what can he do? He just works there and has enough on his plate being a newly single dad.

It is one thing to spend time together because they have to. But as Quinne rediscovers her love of cooking, and Peter watches his daughter come out of her shell, they move past their differences. A long way past, as unexpected feelings grow.

But when an accident reminds them just how different they are, will the matchmaking skills of the Maple Gardens residents be enough to bring together this unlikely pair?

Part opposites attract, part single dad, and a touch of enemies to lovers... all wrapped up in a clean and sweet contemporary romance with a heartwarming happy ever after.

Genres: Romance

228 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 24, 2023

About the author

Phillipa lives just outside a beautiful town in country Victoria, Australia. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop.

She writes from the heart about love, dreams, secrets, discovery, the sea, the world as she knows it… or wishes it could be. She loves happy endings, heart-pounding suspense, and characters who stay with you long after the final page.

With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she is often found in the vegetable garden pondering a new story.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maple Gardens Assisted Living - Quinne's mother was a resident there and she loved it. Vastly different to usual nursing homes, Quinne was also used to the "matchmaking" the ladies attempted. Quinne was a social media influencer and her mother suggested she incorporate what she did with Maple Gardens. The boss was on board, but would the chef of the facility, Peter, be agreeable? When Quinne entered the kitchen to speak with him, his ten year old daughter Kat, was in there - and she knew Quinne from her online presence. She was so excited, but her father wasn't as happy. Would she manage to persuade him?

The Menu Match is the 3rd in the Maple Gardens Matchmakers by Aussie author Phillipa Nefri Clark and it was fun and entertaining. Kat was adorable and a ten year old beyond her years. And Quinne's mum is also a wonderful character - kind and caring. Recommended.

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another lovely romance this time the matchmakers from Maple Gardens decide that Alice’s daughter, influencer Quinne Hart should find her HEA, Alice suggests Quinne do some online videos to showcase Maple Gardens and start with some cooking videos, this is the last thing Quinne wants to do, her videos are all about games and the younger generation, but will it liven up her life?

Meeting the home’s chef Peter doesn’t go that well but Peter’s daughter Kat it totally thrilled, she is a big fan of Quinne’s and does her best to push her father into agreeing with the cooking videos and an agreement is agreed upon as long as Kat is not in any of the videos.

Things move along nicely and soon Kat and Quinne are spending more time together and Kat is coming out of her shell and Peter is seeing that Quinne is not who he first thought she was, add problems with custody agreements and a small accident that sees Quinne spending time at Peter’s house and soon Peter finds it hard to not fall for Quinne and Quinne for Peter.

Love doesn’t always run smoothly and they both have a few hurdles to cross before they finally realise that they belong together their love cannot be denied and their small family becomes a family and beautiful one, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I do recommend it to any romance reader who loves a good romance, I do look forward to Max’s story.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Patty Duplechin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter is a single dad, who is the chef at Maple Gardens. He loves cooking for the residents there. When Quinne, an online social media influencer goes to visit her mother, Alice, she meets Peter’s daughter, Kat, a ten year old. Kat is big fan of Quinne’s online videos. Quinne started a cooking show at first but moved on to other things like video games for a younger crowd. Kat is thrilled to meet her but Peter thinks she isn’t a good influence on his daughter. It’s bad enough that Kat’s mother isn’t around a lot. Kat talks her dad into agreeing to let Quinne cook in his kitchen for her videos. As Quinne starts cooking she’s learning to love it again. She has guest from the retirement home to help while Kat records it. When Quinne gets into an accident, Peter let’s her stay in his guest room until she recuperates. The more time they spend together the more Peter falls for Quinne. He sees Kat coming out of her shell, and it makes his heart happy. The problem is he’s older than Quinne and he comes with baggage. He has an ex and they are going to court for a custody battle. Will they finally settle everything in court? Will the age difference get in the way? Will they end up a family? Quinne is falling for both of them. She maybe young but her heart knows. All the problems can lead to happiness, if you let it. The characters are wonderful. Peter needs to let go of the past and see where their future lies. I loved this story. Worth the read. I received this book for my honest review. I gave it voluntarily

[Ev · Rating 5 out of 5]

***This book was received as an ARC to read and review if I wished to do so. The review is my own opinion and given willingly.***

I have read this author's mysteries, but had not read a romance. I jumped at the chance to see how she would do in a different genre. I was NOT disappointed! What a fun read this was. The plot was totally believable, with likeable characters. The HEA was achieved without being too sappy. Perhaps because I'm of an age of the mother character, I could really relate. Though all of the other books I've read by Ms Clark have been set in Australia, the Georgia setting of this one, I found refreshing. I'm a southern US resident and I feel the location settings were spot on for the Atlanta area.

If you enjoy clean matchmaker romances, you are sure to like this one. I highly recommend it.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance, Peter and Quinne had some rocky patches to work through to get their HEA but none of them were over the top or dragged out. 10 year old Kat makes me glad I don't have kids in these days of online social media where there are bad things and people lurking around, having to decide how much freedom is too much or too little. Personally I'm with Peter, Kat's dad in thinking 10 is way too young to need to be on social media let alone have their own accounts. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Julia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feel good story, surrounding the love of a father and his 10 year old daughter. Who is wise beyond her years. A breath of fresh air arrives, and influencer. With whom he has a bumpy ride to true love. The older generation becoming part of the modern life, getting involved with Tic Toc, to make their lives better in the nursing home . True love wins in the end. Eveyone is happy.

[Virginia L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun in the kitchen!

A short but very entertaining story . It's wonderful what can happen at a senior living facility that has some lively ladies living there. Sparks fly when a residents daughter meets the chef. Very enjoyable! 😊

[Christopher Golden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very nice ❤️

[Jenny Mason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very sweet , single dad chef at a retirement village and a social media star fall in love.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*