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Madewood Brothers #3
Recipe for Seduction
Veronica Whitfield feels like a frumpy old maid. After ten years of raising her younger siblings, she’s desperate to get her sexy back. And why not find it with the man she’s been in lust with since she was twelve years old—her brother’s best friend, Finn O’Reilly?
Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.
But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…
Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.
But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…
229 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2014
27 people are currently reading
677 people want to read
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May 24, 2014
FOUR MEANT TO BE STARS.
"Each time they were together she had claimed another piece of his heart."
In and out of the bedroom Gina Gordon is able how to write a storyline that speaks of warmth, love, romance and heat. Unusually for me I jumped right into book three of this series without reading it's predecessors but that didn't stop me from enjoying the family life and plot that this author has obviously developed over time. Great characters, steamy kink and heart warming romance I'm glad that I have spent my time with this novel and it's erotic charm.
For such a short novel I was surprised at how much the author pulled at my heart strings, the book has a great message of family life and achieving your dreams despite your circumstances or lifestyle and aside from the naughty kink and loveable romance I was won over by this authors ability to take me into the character lives and surrounding families. As for the hero and heroine I really loved the journey that I was taken on, as childhood friends Finn O'Reilly and Veronica Whitfield already had a connection that the author made believable. Veronica was a sweet character, I loved her journey from frumpy surrogate mum to her siblings to confident sex siren and the author could not have paired her with a more likeable hero, Finn was equal part sweetheart and kinky master in the bedroom, his dedication to all he loves was a real story telling winner. For readers who like some depth and plot along side the burning passion and hot sex then I think this author balances that out fabulously, 'Recipe for seduction' packed more than a punch and was filled with all the ingredients to make it a well rounded heartfelt story with just the right amount of naughtiness and seduction to feed my book hanky panky addiction. I didn't find much at fault here with this book and I'm sure that those readers who crave that easy reading fix will gobble this short story up no problem.
Final thoughts ...
Undoubtably this author has a great story telling ability and an imagination that allows her readers to enjoy an erotic romance story with plenty of heart. This will certainly not be the last time that I reach out for Gina Gordan novel she has won me over with her sweet but equally sexy writing style and before I go I have to confess that I'm already starting to stalk this author for information about writing a book about Cole and Penn their story is begging to be told and I'm already convinced that they will be the perfect hero and heroine to fall in love with. Overall this short novel provided an escape that was a fast paced, well edited and entertaining. I have no regrets at my time spent with the delicious Finn O'Reilly and his kinky preference with a spatular in the bedroom and after all that I'm excited to go in search for more from Gina Gordan and her romantic but naughty shenanigans.
*ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
"Each time they were together she had claimed another piece of his heart."
In and out of the bedroom Gina Gordon is able how to write a storyline that speaks of warmth, love, romance and heat. Unusually for me I jumped right into book three of this series without reading it's predecessors but that didn't stop me from enjoying the family life and plot that this author has obviously developed over time. Great characters, steamy kink and heart warming romance I'm glad that I have spent my time with this novel and it's erotic charm.
For such a short novel I was surprised at how much the author pulled at my heart strings, the book has a great message of family life and achieving your dreams despite your circumstances or lifestyle and aside from the naughty kink and loveable romance I was won over by this authors ability to take me into the character lives and surrounding families. As for the hero and heroine I really loved the journey that I was taken on, as childhood friends Finn O'Reilly and Veronica Whitfield already had a connection that the author made believable. Veronica was a sweet character, I loved her journey from frumpy surrogate mum to her siblings to confident sex siren and the author could not have paired her with a more likeable hero, Finn was equal part sweetheart and kinky master in the bedroom, his dedication to all he loves was a real story telling winner. For readers who like some depth and plot along side the burning passion and hot sex then I think this author balances that out fabulously, 'Recipe for seduction' packed more than a punch and was filled with all the ingredients to make it a well rounded heartfelt story with just the right amount of naughtiness and seduction to feed my book hanky panky addiction. I didn't find much at fault here with this book and I'm sure that those readers who crave that easy reading fix will gobble this short story up no problem.
Final thoughts ...
Undoubtably this author has a great story telling ability and an imagination that allows her readers to enjoy an erotic romance story with plenty of heart. This will certainly not be the last time that I reach out for Gina Gordan novel she has won me over with her sweet but equally sexy writing style and before I go I have to confess that I'm already starting to stalk this author for information about writing a book about Cole and Penn their story is begging to be told and I'm already convinced that they will be the perfect hero and heroine to fall in love with. Overall this short novel provided an escape that was a fast paced, well edited and entertaining. I have no regrets at my time spent with the delicious Finn O'Reilly and his kinky preference with a spatular in the bedroom and after all that I'm excited to go in search for more from Gina Gordan and her romantic but naughty shenanigans.
*ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
May 19, 2014
He'd never met a woman he felt comfortable enough to play with. To lower his guard and let her see this side of his personality- the controlling, demanding, kinky side. He'd never expected Veronica to be the one to cater to his sexual fantasies
Well, well, well, Mr. Finn O’Reilly, you've been hiding a verra naughty side this whole time? Guess it's true what they say
I'm a fan of this series, but I think Finn was probably a character I was the least excited to read about. Why? He always came off as nice, down to earth, non-manwhorish, 'wants to actually settle down and find love' type. Now you're probably reading this now and thinking to yourself, what the hell is wrong with this bitch? She doesn't like the nice guys? Well...
So I happen to have a type, mkay! I like them man-whorish, broken and broody. Ain't nothing wrong with that.
But all that aside, Gina Gordon managed to deliver a hero that even my messed up pervy self loved the hell out of.
I have to give Miss Gordon props for one big thing. She managed to make Finn just the right amount of kinky without foraying into BDSM. I've read way too many books lately where authors think that just because a spanking or some bondage is involved, it's VOILA! Instant Dom. Throw in a safe word and you've got yourself BDSM. No, authors. Not even a close. Gina Gordon got it just right. There were no BDSM-y elements, just some hot and kinky fuckery.
Oh and there may or may not have been some very creative usage of a spatula...and a few other things :)
Finn and Veronica have been friends since childhood. But since Finn also happened to be Veronica's older brother's best fried, he also had a hands off status. That didn't stop her from fantasizing...and fantasize she definitely did.
Veronica was an incredible endearing heroine. Having spent her 20's raising her 2 teenage siblings, she's looking forward to enjoying the empty nest. She's taking charge of her sexuality, and what better start than with some burlesque classes?
And who else to witness her sexy little graduation dance? None other than Finn himself.
Veronica is finally ready to get some "practice" with seduction, and Finna provides the perfect test subject. The only problem? Finn is looking for forever, and Veronica only wants the right now. But even though they're looking for different things, doesn't mean they can't give in to the scorching hot sexual chemistry they've had brewing between them for years now, right?
I gotta say I really enjoyed the 3rd installment of the Madewood Brothers. Finn may not have been my typical hero to lust after, but he definitely did not disappoint. I loved Veronica and her take-charge attitude. She managed to give as good as she got. Gina Gordon wrote a fantastically steamy and entertaining read.
It was great checking back with the characters from the last 2 books, and finally getting the wedding we've been waiting for with Jack and Sterling.
And then there was that epilogue. Yes it had a little bit of a cheese factor, but I happened to gobble it right up. It was just that perfect amount of cheese to make it cute and satisfying.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to
**ARC courtesy of publisher in exchange for an honest review**
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May 26, 2014
3.5 - She was a model student. Minimum hesitation. Maximum obedience. Stars!
Book three of the Madewood Brothers series, brings us Finn O'Reilly's tale. Finn throughout the first two books has been mediator and peacekeeper, and in Recipe for Seduction, we are given the back-story as to why he is constantly trying to keep everyone else happy, and not make waves.
"Being with me is the one place you don't have to worry about anyone elses feelings. I give you complete control. In my bed. You can take what you want. You can do what you want, whenever you want."
Veronica has been in love with Finn for years. Her brother Mark's best friend (who incidentally I think is prime for his own book/novella), he has been with her through all the good and the bad, the from being in foster care as a child, to helping her now deal with her errant teenage brother Cal. Thinking she is finally going to get her life back after spending the last 8 years raising her younger siblings, V is looking to have some fun, live outside of the box she has been stuck in, and expand her Wedding-Planning business.
After being caught in a sexy, but compromising position by Finn, Veronica decides it's time to take the bull-by-the-horns, or in this case the chef-by-his-spatula and seduce Finn, not knowing that his sexual tastes run over to the kinkier side of play, she is definitely up for a little experimentation, even if it does mean she has to do a little persuading initially.
"You think I'm a straight laced dweeb who doesn't know a penis from a finger."
"You're beautiful everyday, V, half naked or not. You're always the most beautiful woman in the room."
Veronica was an easy character to like, a woman approaching her thirties with goals and determination. Not afraid to push her boundaries in all areas, and happy to go along for the ride in others. Finn is looking for definition in his life, after spending so many years smoothing over everyone elses troubles and making sure that everyone else is happy, he is finally taking something for himself... Veronica, and although it starts out as a no-strings exploration of self discovery for one, and the living out of years of fantasies for another, it soon develops into so much more.
Finn. Her friend. Her lover. Her disaster waiting to happen.
"Make love to me. As if it's the last time." ... "Because it is."
Gina Gordon has again managed in Recipe for Seduction, to intersperse family drama, with an easy going storyline, around a cute and sexy couple extremely well. I can honestly say that book three is hands-down my favourite of the series so far. I loved Cal, he definitely added 'value' to the story. I liked that the book also offers further development in the stories of other characters from the previous books as well.
Lets face it the best-friends brother trope is one that most of us know and love. It is a tried and tested formula, and Gina has ticked all the boxes in giving the reader, a sexy, sweet, and immersive read, it doesn't offer up any surprises, but it left me happy and wanting more from the Madewood brothers. I am looking forward to seeing how Cole and Penn fare together (soon hopefully)!
ARC generously provided by the publisher in exchange for the above honest review.
Book three of the Madewood Brothers series, brings us Finn O'Reilly's tale. Finn throughout the first two books has been mediator and peacekeeper, and in Recipe for Seduction, we are given the back-story as to why he is constantly trying to keep everyone else happy, and not make waves.
"Being with me is the one place you don't have to worry about anyone elses feelings. I give you complete control. In my bed. You can take what you want. You can do what you want, whenever you want."
Veronica has been in love with Finn for years. Her brother Mark's best friend (who incidentally I think is prime for his own book/novella), he has been with her through all the good and the bad, the from being in foster care as a child, to helping her now deal with her errant teenage brother Cal. Thinking she is finally going to get her life back after spending the last 8 years raising her younger siblings, V is looking to have some fun, live outside of the box she has been stuck in, and expand her Wedding-Planning business.
After being caught in a sexy, but compromising position by Finn, Veronica decides it's time to take the bull-by-the-horns, or in this case the chef-by-his-spatula and seduce Finn, not knowing that his sexual tastes run over to the kinkier side of play, she is definitely up for a little experimentation, even if it does mean she has to do a little persuading initially.
"You think I'm a straight laced dweeb who doesn't know a penis from a finger."
"You're beautiful everyday, V, half naked or not. You're always the most beautiful woman in the room."
Veronica was an easy character to like, a woman approaching her thirties with goals and determination. Not afraid to push her boundaries in all areas, and happy to go along for the ride in others. Finn is looking for definition in his life, after spending so many years smoothing over everyone elses troubles and making sure that everyone else is happy, he is finally taking something for himself... Veronica, and although it starts out as a no-strings exploration of self discovery for one, and the living out of years of fantasies for another, it soon develops into so much more.
Finn. Her friend. Her lover. Her disaster waiting to happen.
"Make love to me. As if it's the last time." ... "Because it is."
Gina Gordon has again managed in Recipe for Seduction, to intersperse family drama, with an easy going storyline, around a cute and sexy couple extremely well. I can honestly say that book three is hands-down my favourite of the series so far. I loved Cal, he definitely added 'value' to the story. I liked that the book also offers further development in the stories of other characters from the previous books as well.
Lets face it the best-friends brother trope is one that most of us know and love. It is a tried and tested formula, and Gina has ticked all the boxes in giving the reader, a sexy, sweet, and immersive read, it doesn't offer up any surprises, but it left me happy and wanting more from the Madewood brothers. I am looking forward to seeing how Cole and Penn fare together (soon hopefully)!
ARC generously provided by the publisher in exchange for the above honest review.
May 21, 2014
That old saying the quiet ones are the worst? Created for Finn O'Reilly. I thought Jack and Neil were delectable in the first two books in the series, but Finn? I want to marry him.
Finn is gorgeous inside and out. The peacekeeper of the family, he puts others needs before his own, is selfless, agreeable and remains neutral when his brothers are butting heads. And secretly....he's kinky. Ohhh yes Chef Hottie possesses some wicked skills with a spatula. He's known Veronica Whitfield almost all his life; his best-friends sister, they all went through the foster-care system together. They love each other like family, they understand each other, but secretly she's held a torch for him for almost 20 years. Having spent the last 10 years raising her younger siblings, she's ready to live her life. She wants some fun with Finn, but both want completely different things from life...
“I’m going to make this really easy for you. I’ve only had one recurring fantasy for the last twelve years. Only one. It varied in location, position, and even accessories, but there was always one constant...”
Their passion is explosive; from kitchen counters to empty restaurants, their kinky sexcapades are page-burning, but what I also adored was the deeper angle of the book and the heartfelt touching emotions that came with it; the fact that Finn craves a family, wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't fighting the fact, keeps the series fresh. And the emotion comes from the fact that hearts are likely to be damaged, because Finn and Veronica have a beautiful realistic chemistry.
“You were the hottest, sexiest thing I have ever seen, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You’re beautiful every day, V, half naked or not. You’re always the most beautiful woman in the room.”
With wonderful secondary characters bringing great content, of the three books to date this is my one. I love the family dynamic of the series; each brother is uniquely special (and sexy), their love for one another and their banter is fabulous and I absolutely cannot wait for Cole's book. Whilst the entire book was superb, I do have to say Gina Gordon never fails to bring a satisfying ending; the last 25% was perfection.
I received a copy of this courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion
Finn is gorgeous inside and out. The peacekeeper of the family, he puts others needs before his own, is selfless, agreeable and remains neutral when his brothers are butting heads. And secretly....he's kinky. Ohhh yes Chef Hottie possesses some wicked skills with a spatula. He's known Veronica Whitfield almost all his life; his best-friends sister, they all went through the foster-care system together. They love each other like family, they understand each other, but secretly she's held a torch for him for almost 20 years. Having spent the last 10 years raising her younger siblings, she's ready to live her life. She wants some fun with Finn, but both want completely different things from life...
“I’m going to make this really easy for you. I’ve only had one recurring fantasy for the last twelve years. Only one. It varied in location, position, and even accessories, but there was always one constant...”
Their passion is explosive; from kitchen counters to empty restaurants, their kinky sexcapades are page-burning, but what I also adored was the deeper angle of the book and the heartfelt touching emotions that came with it; the fact that Finn craves a family, wears his heart on his sleeve and isn't fighting the fact, keeps the series fresh. And the emotion comes from the fact that hearts are likely to be damaged, because Finn and Veronica have a beautiful realistic chemistry.
“You were the hottest, sexiest thing I have ever seen, and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You’re beautiful every day, V, half naked or not. You’re always the most beautiful woman in the room.”
With wonderful secondary characters bringing great content, of the three books to date this is my one. I love the family dynamic of the series; each brother is uniquely special (and sexy), their love for one another and their banter is fabulous and I absolutely cannot wait for Cole's book. Whilst the entire book was superb, I do have to say Gina Gordon never fails to bring a satisfying ending; the last 25% was perfection.
I received a copy of this courtesy of Entangled Publishing for an honest and unbiased opinion
May 27, 2014
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Nice family bonding, love the little sister that has a crush on big brothers friend, story kept me entertained.
*ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
Nice family bonding, love the little sister that has a crush on big brothers friend, story kept me entertained.
*ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
May 25, 2014
ARC kindly received from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review..
Veronica Whitfield is on a mission to get her sexy back. Having reared her younger brother and sister since they turned up on her doorstep 10 years ago, she is now ready to invest a little more "me" into her work and playtime.
She is quite keen on the idea of pursuing a life long lustfest with her brother Mark's best friend, Finn O'Reilly, but she doesn't want anything serious.
Finn had spent a long time coming to terms with the fact that him and his three "foster" brothers were brought up in childcare. That was until they were fostered by the rich socialite, Vivian Madewood, following the death of her husband, Arthur. With an already established portfolio of restaurants, the brothers were lucky enough to find themselves working towards placing their own marks in the kitchen.
Having not read the beginning of this series, I missed out on Neil and Jack's stories, which were eluded to within this one. But I wouldn't say I was either at a disadvantage, or that I felt I had a chunk of backstory missing, because this story stood out on its own.
I was most pleasantly surprised by the fixation I very quickly had whilst reading this. Finn was the easygoing peacemaker around his brothers, but he certainly conjured up a delicious dominant when he became hot and heavy with Veronica. She had decided that a game plan was required to lure Finn into appeasing her lust for him, but without creating any ties. She was well aware that his long term aspirations included babies and white picket fences, unlike hers.
Finn was an adoring character, remaining loyal and endearing given any tense situation he found himself in, but then kicking up a notch, wielding kitchen appliances whilst administering his own version of kinky foreplay. Mmmmnnn.....lick-a-licious!
Victoria was a strong character, who knew what she wanted and had no problem grasping to get it!
Suitably satisfied with this, but could have warranted an epilogue, for merely selfish "I'm not finished with you yet" reasons. But I guess that's the beauty of the series; catching up with the previous couples throughout its progression. I will definitely be following this series in the future, and catching up on those I've missed.
Veronica Whitfield is on a mission to get her sexy back. Having reared her younger brother and sister since they turned up on her doorstep 10 years ago, she is now ready to invest a little more "me" into her work and playtime.
She is quite keen on the idea of pursuing a life long lustfest with her brother Mark's best friend, Finn O'Reilly, but she doesn't want anything serious.
Finn had spent a long time coming to terms with the fact that him and his three "foster" brothers were brought up in childcare. That was until they were fostered by the rich socialite, Vivian Madewood, following the death of her husband, Arthur. With an already established portfolio of restaurants, the brothers were lucky enough to find themselves working towards placing their own marks in the kitchen.
Having not read the beginning of this series, I missed out on Neil and Jack's stories, which were eluded to within this one. But I wouldn't say I was either at a disadvantage, or that I felt I had a chunk of backstory missing, because this story stood out on its own.
I was most pleasantly surprised by the fixation I very quickly had whilst reading this. Finn was the easygoing peacemaker around his brothers, but he certainly conjured up a delicious dominant when he became hot and heavy with Veronica. She had decided that a game plan was required to lure Finn into appeasing her lust for him, but without creating any ties. She was well aware that his long term aspirations included babies and white picket fences, unlike hers.
Finn was an adoring character, remaining loyal and endearing given any tense situation he found himself in, but then kicking up a notch, wielding kitchen appliances whilst administering his own version of kinky foreplay. Mmmmnnn.....lick-a-licious!
Victoria was a strong character, who knew what she wanted and had no problem grasping to get it!
Suitably satisfied with this, but could have warranted an epilogue, for merely selfish "I'm not finished with you yet" reasons. But I guess that's the beauty of the series; catching up with the previous couples throughout its progression. I will definitely be following this series in the future, and catching up on those I've missed.
December 4, 2014
Nope. Just nope. Strong independent woman needs a man to make her realize that she really does want babies and a family? That her current choices are invalid because when she was a little girl she wanted a family so he's not going to let her give up on that dream? When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a ballerina, but nobody would argue that it is the right choice for me at 27.
If she has to change a fundamental part of what she wants for her future to be with him, should they really be together? Changing her mind is acceptable, but I would have been much better had she come to the conclusion on her own, without any push from the hero.
Also, their kink is ridiculous. They never talk about safety, he never gets specific consent, they don't talk about limits or anything. Even couples who aren't acquainted with kink should at least check in with each other if they're exploring something they haven't before, and especially if they're new to having an intimate relationship. There's no way to know your partner is into what you're doing unless you specifically ask. And I get it may not seem sexy, but it's sexy to me to have a man checking in with the woman, especially if he's tying her up.
Basically, frustrating on so many levels.
If she has to change a fundamental part of what she wants for her future to be with him, should they really be together? Changing her mind is acceptable, but I would have been much better had she come to the conclusion on her own, without any push from the hero.
Also, their kink is ridiculous. They never talk about safety, he never gets specific consent, they don't talk about limits or anything. Even couples who aren't acquainted with kink should at least check in with each other if they're exploring something they haven't before, and especially if they're new to having an intimate relationship. There's no way to know your partner is into what you're doing unless you specifically ask. And I get it may not seem sexy, but it's sexy to me to have a man checking in with the woman, especially if he's tying her up.
Basically, frustrating on so many levels.
May 26, 2014
*ARC Courtesy of Brazen/Entangled Publishing*
Recipe for Seduction
Main Ingredients
1 x Hot Alpha Male who is also a sexy dominant Chef
1 x Kick ass, take no holds heroine who is spunky as hell
A dash of wonderful supporting characters
A cup of full out steaming sexy scenes that will leave you breathless
A teaspoon of friendship and family drama
A jug of love
Mix all the above together and you have another fabulous new book in the Madewood Brothers series by the talented Gina Gordon.
This is the story of Veronica. For the past 8 years she has been raising her teenage brother and sister. Veronica was a foster child growing up before she was adopted, so she did not want that for her brother and sister, which is why she happily took them in even at 22 years of age. She put her life on hold to become their mom and now they are finally on their way to college. She is looking forward to expanding her wedding planner business and seducing a sexy man.....even maybe her crush of years and years - Finn O Reilly.
After taking a 6 week Burlesque Course, she graces the stage for her final graduation and hallway through her sexy strip tease, who should she see in the audience, but Finn. She finally decides she is going to seduce him because now he will finally see her as more than his best friends little sister, I mean after all she practically got naked in front of him...
Finn cant believe his eyes when he sees his best friends little sister up on that stage. He always knew Veronica was beautiful but now she is a whole lot more. When she corners him and offers to seduce him and make all his fantasies come true, what else can he say but Hell Yes!!!
This is a delightful story of friends to lovers and the sexy metre on this one is off the charts....It may or may not even include a steamy scene in the kitchen with a spatula and a spanking.....just saying!!
This is the 3rd book in the Madewood Brothers series and even though it can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend you pick up all these wonderful books, because I promise you, you will not be sorry.
Recipe for Seduction
Main Ingredients
1 x Hot Alpha Male who is also a sexy dominant Chef
1 x Kick ass, take no holds heroine who is spunky as hell
A dash of wonderful supporting characters
A cup of full out steaming sexy scenes that will leave you breathless
A teaspoon of friendship and family drama
A jug of love
Mix all the above together and you have another fabulous new book in the Madewood Brothers series by the talented Gina Gordon.
This is the story of Veronica. For the past 8 years she has been raising her teenage brother and sister. Veronica was a foster child growing up before she was adopted, so she did not want that for her brother and sister, which is why she happily took them in even at 22 years of age. She put her life on hold to become their mom and now they are finally on their way to college. She is looking forward to expanding her wedding planner business and seducing a sexy man.....even maybe her crush of years and years - Finn O Reilly.
After taking a 6 week Burlesque Course, she graces the stage for her final graduation and hallway through her sexy strip tease, who should she see in the audience, but Finn. She finally decides she is going to seduce him because now he will finally see her as more than his best friends little sister, I mean after all she practically got naked in front of him...
Finn cant believe his eyes when he sees his best friends little sister up on that stage. He always knew Veronica was beautiful but now she is a whole lot more. When she corners him and offers to seduce him and make all his fantasies come true, what else can he say but Hell Yes!!!
This is a delightful story of friends to lovers and the sexy metre on this one is off the charts....It may or may not even include a steamy scene in the kitchen with a spatula and a spanking.....just saying!!
This is the 3rd book in the Madewood Brothers series and even though it can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend you pick up all these wonderful books, because I promise you, you will not be sorry.
May 28, 2014
The madewood brothers, what's not to love they can all cook, all have something endearing about them and all have sex appeal!
This is Finn's book, the quiet one, easy going, keep the peace brother, well get ready to know bit more of Finn....
Veronica she's always about, she's known the brothers for years, always had a secret crush on Finn, but when it's your brothers best friend it's a bit more complicated.
Finn is shocked to see Veronica doing a burlesque strip on stage, well she's about to turn the heat up more while feeling confident she promises to seduce Finn...
This is an easy read but is sexy too, you'll love there journey and conclusion. You also get more of the other characthers as Veronica is wedding planner for Jack and Sterling.
What I like about these brothers is they all have there own personalities and history, they are all generous and want to help other kids in difficulties, at the same time they don't flaunt there money about, did I mention they can cook and are sexy.
Looking forward to Coles story now.
4.5 vampy and racey stars.
This is Finn's book, the quiet one, easy going, keep the peace brother, well get ready to know bit more of Finn....
Veronica she's always about, she's known the brothers for years, always had a secret crush on Finn, but when it's your brothers best friend it's a bit more complicated.
Finn is shocked to see Veronica doing a burlesque strip on stage, well she's about to turn the heat up more while feeling confident she promises to seduce Finn...
This is an easy read but is sexy too, you'll love there journey and conclusion. You also get more of the other characthers as Veronica is wedding planner for Jack and Sterling.
What I like about these brothers is they all have there own personalities and history, they are all generous and want to help other kids in difficulties, at the same time they don't flaunt there money about, did I mention they can cook and are sexy.
Looking forward to Coles story now.
4.5 vampy and racey stars.
May 13, 2014
review to come......ARC generously provided by entangled publishing in exchange for an honest review.*
May 23, 2014
As much as I've enjoyed the previous books in this series I have to confess that Finn and Cole have been the two brothers who I've been most looking forward to getting to know so I was really excited to start reading Recipe for Seduction. I had a feeling that Finn would be something special and I was right - this is definitely my favourite book in the series so far!
Finn is the most low key Madewood brother, he doesn't seek the spotlight of fame and he doesn't care about awards but that doesn't mean he isn't just as committed to charity work and his restaurant as the other brothers - he's just more subtle about it. Finn knows that the most important thing is helping others and giving back to society just like his adoptive mother would have wanted him to. Finn is a people pleaser who wants nothing more than to have a family of his own to love and care for. Growing up in foster care made him into a peacemaker, he always felt that if he could just do what everyone wanted him to do and keep the peace between his brothers then they wouldn't be kicked out of their new home. That need to please has followed him into adulthood and he always puts his desires and dreams on the back burner to support everyone else. I've possibly made it sound like Finn is boring but that couldn't be further from the truth - he may do whatever it takes to keep his family running smoothly but he's just as alpha and competitive as the others and I think he might be the kinkiest of the lot in the bedroom!
Veronica has been half in love with Finn since they were children and met in a foster home. Finn is her brother's best friend though and has only ever treated her like his little sister. Veronica gave up her 20's to be a mother to her younger siblings but now they're growing up and heading off to college she thinks it's finally time for her to have some fun and get her life back on track. She's determined to continue to build up her wedding planning business but she also wants to have fun dating and re-discover her inner vixen. More than anything she would love to explore her feelings for Finn but she knows they have completely different life goals - Finn is looking for love, he wants to marry and have children while Veronica has already raised her siblings and has no intention of starting another family. The chemistry between them is hard to ignore, especially after they discover how well matched they are in the bedroom, but how could they ever find a compromise on their completely opposing desires for the future?
I loved the fact that Finn and Veronica's relationship is built on a strong foundation of friendship, they have a long history together and it's easy to see how important they are to each other. I really admired Veronica and her desire to find herself again, she's spent so long putting everyone else first that she really deserves to have what she wants for a change. I felt exactly the same about Finn though, I so badly wanted to see him fulfil his dreams and I was really worried that there wouldn't be a way for them both to get what they wanted without someone getting their heart broken. They are perfectly matched both in the bedroom and out of it and I loved seeing them spend time together. If you like your books on the hot and spicy side then you're going to enjoy this whole series but Recipe for Seduction was definitely the hottest in my opinion.
I've said before that I'm not a huge fan of big gestures but I absolutely loved how things turned out in this one. I'm going to keep it vague because I don't want to give spoilers but one of the characters does something so perfect that it brought a tear to my eye! The epilogue that follows is a little cheesy but it works so well for these characters that I didn't mind it in the slightest. Although each of these stories works as a stand alone I did really enjoy getting the chance to catch up with previous couples and here we get to attend the wedding of Jack and Story (the stars of Recipe for Satisfaction). The next book in the series is Cole's story and that is one I've been looking forward to from the beginning so I can't wait to get my hands on Recipe for Temptation.
Finn is the most low key Madewood brother, he doesn't seek the spotlight of fame and he doesn't care about awards but that doesn't mean he isn't just as committed to charity work and his restaurant as the other brothers - he's just more subtle about it. Finn knows that the most important thing is helping others and giving back to society just like his adoptive mother would have wanted him to. Finn is a people pleaser who wants nothing more than to have a family of his own to love and care for. Growing up in foster care made him into a peacemaker, he always felt that if he could just do what everyone wanted him to do and keep the peace between his brothers then they wouldn't be kicked out of their new home. That need to please has followed him into adulthood and he always puts his desires and dreams on the back burner to support everyone else. I've possibly made it sound like Finn is boring but that couldn't be further from the truth - he may do whatever it takes to keep his family running smoothly but he's just as alpha and competitive as the others and I think he might be the kinkiest of the lot in the bedroom!
Veronica has been half in love with Finn since they were children and met in a foster home. Finn is her brother's best friend though and has only ever treated her like his little sister. Veronica gave up her 20's to be a mother to her younger siblings but now they're growing up and heading off to college she thinks it's finally time for her to have some fun and get her life back on track. She's determined to continue to build up her wedding planning business but she also wants to have fun dating and re-discover her inner vixen. More than anything she would love to explore her feelings for Finn but she knows they have completely different life goals - Finn is looking for love, he wants to marry and have children while Veronica has already raised her siblings and has no intention of starting another family. The chemistry between them is hard to ignore, especially after they discover how well matched they are in the bedroom, but how could they ever find a compromise on their completely opposing desires for the future?
I loved the fact that Finn and Veronica's relationship is built on a strong foundation of friendship, they have a long history together and it's easy to see how important they are to each other. I really admired Veronica and her desire to find herself again, she's spent so long putting everyone else first that she really deserves to have what she wants for a change. I felt exactly the same about Finn though, I so badly wanted to see him fulfil his dreams and I was really worried that there wouldn't be a way for them both to get what they wanted without someone getting their heart broken. They are perfectly matched both in the bedroom and out of it and I loved seeing them spend time together. If you like your books on the hot and spicy side then you're going to enjoy this whole series but Recipe for Seduction was definitely the hottest in my opinion.
I've said before that I'm not a huge fan of big gestures but I absolutely loved how things turned out in this one. I'm going to keep it vague because I don't want to give spoilers but one of the characters does something so perfect that it brought a tear to my eye! The epilogue that follows is a little cheesy but it works so well for these characters that I didn't mind it in the slightest. Although each of these stories works as a stand alone I did really enjoy getting the chance to catch up with previous couples and here we get to attend the wedding of Jack and Story (the stars of Recipe for Satisfaction). The next book in the series is Cole's story and that is one I've been looking forward to from the beginning so I can't wait to get my hands on Recipe for Temptation.
June 25, 2016
Gina Gordon is a terrific author and her books never fail to disappoint. Recipe for Seduction, is the third installment in her Madewood Brothers series and it is just a good as books one and two. Each story focuses on one of the Madewood brothers and how they all become a success despite spending the major part of their childhood in the foster care system. This book is about Finn O’Reilly, an accomplished chef and philanthropist.
Veronica Whitfield has known Finn most of her life because he is best friends with her older brother Mark. Veronica and Mark, spent some time in the foster care system as well and when they were finally old enough to forge a future, their selfish mother dropped their two half-siblings on their doorstep. Now Veronica is an instant Mom and her dreams are put on hold for the next eight years or so. She is a great sister and mother and the younger kids turn out just fine. Now she is ready to reclaim her sexiness, focus completely on her wedding planning business, and explore the possibility of a fling with her childhood crush, Finn.
Veronica and Finn have great chemistry and their kinkiness is hot. Their intimate encounters together are beyond scorching. They enjoy being together immensely, but they both envision a different future. Finn wants and craves a wife and family, while Veronica wants to live the party life without the responsibility of children. In her mind, she already did the mother thing. As Veronica and Finn spend time together, their amazing friendship evolves into much, much more. However, in order for them to be together, they have to agree to a future they can both live with.
This is a good book and so is the entire series. To begin with, the cover is hot, which immediately draws the reader in. Secondly, Finn and Veronica have exciting passion. Their lust is kinky and amazingly loving at the same time. Ms. Gordon can certainly craft some amazing sex scenes. The drama and emotion between all the characters is tangible and I truly was able to experience their strengths, weaknesses and tenderness for each other. Ms. Gordon is always able to equally combine an engaging plot with a hot romance. Overall, a good book that is worth checking out.
Veronica Whitfield has known Finn most of her life because he is best friends with her older brother Mark. Veronica and Mark, spent some time in the foster care system as well and when they were finally old enough to forge a future, their selfish mother dropped their two half-siblings on their doorstep. Now Veronica is an instant Mom and her dreams are put on hold for the next eight years or so. She is a great sister and mother and the younger kids turn out just fine. Now she is ready to reclaim her sexiness, focus completely on her wedding planning business, and explore the possibility of a fling with her childhood crush, Finn.
Veronica and Finn have great chemistry and their kinkiness is hot. Their intimate encounters together are beyond scorching. They enjoy being together immensely, but they both envision a different future. Finn wants and craves a wife and family, while Veronica wants to live the party life without the responsibility of children. In her mind, she already did the mother thing. As Veronica and Finn spend time together, their amazing friendship evolves into much, much more. However, in order for them to be together, they have to agree to a future they can both live with.
This is a good book and so is the entire series. To begin with, the cover is hot, which immediately draws the reader in. Secondly, Finn and Veronica have exciting passion. Their lust is kinky and amazingly loving at the same time. Ms. Gordon can certainly craft some amazing sex scenes. The drama and emotion between all the characters is tangible and I truly was able to experience their strengths, weaknesses and tenderness for each other. Ms. Gordon is always able to equally combine an engaging plot with a hot romance. Overall, a good book that is worth checking out.
April 1, 2015
Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Reviews
by Kim
There’s just so much to love about Recipe for Seduction, I don’t even know where to start. I love the friends to lovers troupe. Especially when they have known each other for almost half of their lives.
Veronica Whitfield and Finn O’Reilly both grew up in the foster care system. As kids, Finn and Veronica’s brother were best friends. In fact, they still are. Veronica use to tag along with the guys and Finn always looked at her as a little sister. But Finn has always been the guy of Veronica’s dreams and lifetime crush.
Finn is one of my favorite kind of heroes. He’s loving, caring, and passionate. He’s a thinker. He knows how to cook. Plus, without question, he knows that he wants a family of his own, complete with the white picket fence and kids.
For being so young, Veronica is uber responsible. She has sacrificed her life to take care of her half siblings who just showed up out of the blue. Knowing what it was like to be in the foster care system, she didn’t want that for them. Now that the kids are going off to college, Veronica is ready to get her life back and that includes dating and having fun.
When Finn spots Veronica at a burlesque show, he decides that he wants to be the man to welcome her back into the dating world. He also thinks that dating and messing around with his best friend’s sister isn’t something he should do. Veronica just wants to fulfill a lifetime wish and use Finn to get back into the swing of single life. The two have very different plans for the future, but sometimes a little seduction is all you need to have dreams come true.
**Received a copy from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**
Rating: 4.5
by Kim
There’s just so much to love about Recipe for Seduction, I don’t even know where to start. I love the friends to lovers troupe. Especially when they have known each other for almost half of their lives.
Veronica Whitfield and Finn O’Reilly both grew up in the foster care system. As kids, Finn and Veronica’s brother were best friends. In fact, they still are. Veronica use to tag along with the guys and Finn always looked at her as a little sister. But Finn has always been the guy of Veronica’s dreams and lifetime crush.
Finn is one of my favorite kind of heroes. He’s loving, caring, and passionate. He’s a thinker. He knows how to cook. Plus, without question, he knows that he wants a family of his own, complete with the white picket fence and kids.
For being so young, Veronica is uber responsible. She has sacrificed her life to take care of her half siblings who just showed up out of the blue. Knowing what it was like to be in the foster care system, she didn’t want that for them. Now that the kids are going off to college, Veronica is ready to get her life back and that includes dating and having fun.
When Finn spots Veronica at a burlesque show, he decides that he wants to be the man to welcome her back into the dating world. He also thinks that dating and messing around with his best friend’s sister isn’t something he should do. Veronica just wants to fulfill a lifetime wish and use Finn to get back into the swing of single life. The two have very different plans for the future, but sometimes a little seduction is all you need to have dreams come true.
**Received a copy from Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest unbiased opinion.**
Rating: 4.5
January 27, 2015
2.5/5
This book was so disappointing, I already really like Finn from the first two books and was excited to read this one. And this first 15-20% where really good, I loved the both of them and was excited to see where they went with it. However it took a turn for the worst. Finn because very alpha male which is a trope I hate, and the confident, dom Veronica I fell in love with in the first chapter, became compliant. It wasn't totally terrible, however I do think some of the sex they had should have involved a conversation to two before hand, it just wasn't what I was expecting or wanted. It wasn't refreshing for the genre it was just cliche.
Also hated how Veronica had to changed what she wanted out of life. Honestly I wanted them to break up because they weren't the best fit for each other, which never happens to me in romance books, I hate the both of them and still want them to get a happy ending.
This book was so disappointing, I already really like Finn from the first two books and was excited to read this one. And this first 15-20% where really good, I loved the both of them and was excited to see where they went with it. However it took a turn for the worst. Finn because very alpha male which is a trope I hate, and the confident, dom Veronica I fell in love with in the first chapter, became compliant. It wasn't totally terrible, however I do think some of the sex they had should have involved a conversation to two before hand, it just wasn't what I was expecting or wanted. It wasn't refreshing for the genre it was just cliche.
Also hated how Veronica had to changed what she wanted out of life. Honestly I wanted them to break up because they weren't the best fit for each other, which never happens to me in romance books, I hate the both of them and still want them to get a happy ending.
August 5, 2014
*ARC generously provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review *
I loved Finn the best, so far! (Cole's story is still to come!) There's just something about a lifelong friendship that finally becomes realized as a perfect love relationship. Although it took a bit for it to realized. I especially liked Veronica and her coming into her own! I liked how Finn knew what he wanted and was willing to try even if he ended up hurt. Refreshing having the male being the one open to love in this story. Overall it was a nice read and a definite good addition to the Madewood story!
I loved Finn the best, so far! (Cole's story is still to come!) There's just something about a lifelong friendship that finally becomes realized as a perfect love relationship. Although it took a bit for it to realized. I especially liked Veronica and her coming into her own! I liked how Finn knew what he wanted and was willing to try even if he ended up hurt. Refreshing having the male being the one open to love in this story. Overall it was a nice read and a definite good addition to the Madewood story!
November 8, 2015
1. This was really boring.
2. The sex was bad and not realistic at all.
3. Women who don't want to have children are soooo bad, like, they need someone tell them how wrong they are and how they are in this planet just to procreate. If you're a women who don't want to have children, you're failing the human race, you bitch! #Sarcasm
And I thought this was going to be about a woman who didn't want to have children and wouldn't be judge because of that. *sighs*
2. The sex was bad and not realistic at all.
3. Women who don't want to have children are soooo bad, like, they need someone tell them how wrong they are and how they are in this planet just to procreate. If you're a women who don't want to have children, you're failing the human race, you bitch! #Sarcasm
And I thought this was going to be about a woman who didn't want to have children and wouldn't be judge because of that. *sighs*
May 21, 2014
ARC from Gina. Cute and fun read. Review to come.
June 21, 2022
Read on Radish. Adore this series already. Veronica and Finn are cooking in the kitchen. Love how the focus returns to what is important.
August 14, 2015
3.75 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2014
Veronica Whitfield feels like a frumpy old maid. After ten years of raising her younger siblings, she’s desperate to get her sexy back. And why not find it with the man she’s been in lust with since she was twelve years old—her brother’s best friend, Finn O’Reilly?
Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.
But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is the third installment in Gina Gordon’s adult, contemporary Madewood Brothers romance series focusing on four ‘brothers’ who grew up in the foster care system eventually finding a home and acceptance with Vivian Madewood-a woman whose ability to nurture and love extoled a sense of pride and responsibility in four young men whose lives would have otherwise gone in a different direction. This is wedding planner Veronica Whitfield, and executive chef Finn O’Reilly’s storyline. RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION can be read as a stand alone; any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary. The majority of the primary, secondary and supporting characters all grew up in the foster care system, and their life long friendships and love are the backdrop for the Madewood Brothers series.
Told from third person point of view RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION follows a friends to lovers relationship between Veronica Whitfield and Finn O’Reilly. Veronica and her brother Mark are also the product of the foster care system but eight years earlier Veronica discovered her less than responsible mother had a second family, and Veronica soon became a single mother over night to her two younger half siblings. Fast forward and Veronica is preparing to enjoy life for herself now that her younger brother and sister are about to enter university-but life doesn’t always go according to plan when half brother Cal decides higher education is for losers and he has no plans for the future. Enter easy going Finn O’Reilly-Veronica’s brother Mark’s best friend-and the man that Veronica has loved since eleven years old. Finn offers to take Cal under his wing and teach him the ins and out of being a restaurant chef.
Veronica has had a crush on her brother’s best friend Finn O’Reilly since an early age but raising her siblings and holding down a full time job found Veronica will little time left for herself. Knowing that the time had come to act on her feelings, Veronica sets out to seduce Finn O’Reilly and in doing so discovers that the man with whom she had fallen in love wants a future with children and Veronica isn’t willing to follow the same path. Our couple keep secret their relationship from family and friends, and in this, eventual discovery leads to a sense of betrayal and potential loss of friendship.
The relationship between Finn and Veronica is highly sexual; there was never a time that our couple wasn’t actively involved in some sort of physical activity together. Finn is a bit of an a$$ man, and with it comes the need to spank and his use for a spatula whenever Veronica is in the kitchen. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic and intense. Veronica and Finn love one another but their plans for the future are going in opposite directions.
All of the previous storyline couples and characters play a secondary and supporting role. Veronica, as a wedding planner, is planning Jack and Sterling’s (Recipe for Satisfaction 1) wedding, which is a secondary plotline throughout the story. We are also introduced to Veronica’s half siblings , as well as her brother Mark. Mark has some issues that need to be addressed, and I am hoping Gina has plans to either continue the MADEWOOD BROTHERS series or write a spinoff that focuses on Veronica’s extended family.
RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is a story about family; about the bonds that strengthen in face of adversity; about the dynamics that are strained when ‘push comes to shove’. There are moments of humor and fun; heartbreak and sorrow; looking forward and letting go. Gina Gordon’s MADEWOOD BROTHERS series is set in and around Toronto Ontario Canada, and as a fellow Canadian I was very familiar with the sights and sounds of the storyline geography-if you ever have a chance go visit Niagara On The Lake-Veronica and Finn had a romantic getaway-you will too.
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date May 26, 2014
Veronica Whitfield feels like a frumpy old maid. After ten years of raising her younger siblings, she’s desperate to get her sexy back. And why not find it with the man she’s been in lust with since she was twelve years old—her brother’s best friend, Finn O’Reilly?
Finn is looking for love. And not any love—true love. Complete with the white picket fence, two children, and a dog. He’s just been a little unlucky finding it, and he sure as hell isn’t about to consider his best friend’s little sister for the job, no matter how badly he wants her in his bed.
But then Veronica propositions him with a game of dark, delicious seduction. Finn is tempted to indulge his hidden need for kink, but at what cost? Following through could very well ruin their friendship, but maybe—just maybe—helping Veronica rediscover her sexy side is exactly what he needs to find love at last…
•••••••••
REVIEW: 3.75 stars--RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is the third installment in Gina Gordon’s adult, contemporary Madewood Brothers romance series focusing on four ‘brothers’ who grew up in the foster care system eventually finding a home and acceptance with Vivian Madewood-a woman whose ability to nurture and love extoled a sense of pride and responsibility in four young men whose lives would have otherwise gone in a different direction. This is wedding planner Veronica Whitfield, and executive chef Finn O’Reilly’s storyline. RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION can be read as a stand alone; any important information from previous storylines is imparted where necessary. The majority of the primary, secondary and supporting characters all grew up in the foster care system, and their life long friendships and love are the backdrop for the Madewood Brothers series.
Told from third person point of view RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION follows a friends to lovers relationship between Veronica Whitfield and Finn O’Reilly. Veronica and her brother Mark are also the product of the foster care system but eight years earlier Veronica discovered her less than responsible mother had a second family, and Veronica soon became a single mother over night to her two younger half siblings. Fast forward and Veronica is preparing to enjoy life for herself now that her younger brother and sister are about to enter university-but life doesn’t always go according to plan when half brother Cal decides higher education is for losers and he has no plans for the future. Enter easy going Finn O’Reilly-Veronica’s brother Mark’s best friend-and the man that Veronica has loved since eleven years old. Finn offers to take Cal under his wing and teach him the ins and out of being a restaurant chef.
Veronica has had a crush on her brother’s best friend Finn O’Reilly since an early age but raising her siblings and holding down a full time job found Veronica will little time left for herself. Knowing that the time had come to act on her feelings, Veronica sets out to seduce Finn O’Reilly and in doing so discovers that the man with whom she had fallen in love wants a future with children and Veronica isn’t willing to follow the same path. Our couple keep secret their relationship from family and friends, and in this, eventual discovery leads to a sense of betrayal and potential loss of friendship.
The relationship between Finn and Veronica is highly sexual; there was never a time that our couple wasn’t actively involved in some sort of physical activity together. Finn is a bit of an a$$ man, and with it comes the need to spank and his use for a spatula whenever Veronica is in the kitchen. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic and intense. Veronica and Finn love one another but their plans for the future are going in opposite directions.
All of the previous storyline couples and characters play a secondary and supporting role. Veronica, as a wedding planner, is planning Jack and Sterling’s (Recipe for Satisfaction 1) wedding, which is a secondary plotline throughout the story. We are also introduced to Veronica’s half siblings , as well as her brother Mark. Mark has some issues that need to be addressed, and I am hoping Gina has plans to either continue the MADEWOOD BROTHERS series or write a spinoff that focuses on Veronica’s extended family.
RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is a story about family; about the bonds that strengthen in face of adversity; about the dynamics that are strained when ‘push comes to shove’. There are moments of humor and fun; heartbreak and sorrow; looking forward and letting go. Gina Gordon’s MADEWOOD BROTHERS series is set in and around Toronto Ontario Canada, and as a fellow Canadian I was very familiar with the sights and sounds of the storyline geography-if you ever have a chance go visit Niagara On The Lake-Veronica and Finn had a romantic getaway-you will too.
www.thereadingcafe.com
June 16, 2014
My Review:
This book had a bit of everything in it. Veronica and Finn have been friends since they were kids so it's definitely a friends to lovers book. But it's more than that. All of the characters in these books grew up in the foster system...coming from bad home situations. Veronica is lucky in that she had her brother Marc, and later their two much younger siblings. But that bad home situation meant that Veronica ended up taking on the task of raising her younger siblings for the last ten years. Now as they are off to university, she's finally going to get her chance at the single life...something she can't wait for. She's put her life on hold for all of her twenties. It's her time to be selfish...until her younger brother decides he's not actually leaving.
There's a lot going on with Veronica and at first I had a bit of a hard time with her character. Something is definitely going on with her younger brother as he keeps acting out and it seems so selfish for her to be so focused on what she's losing by him staying home. But she knows it's selfish too...but that doesn't change the fact of what she feels. As the story evolved I began to feel for her more and more...she's always been the mom, although she never chose that role. You can't blame her for wanting to escape it at least for a bit.
But that's why things can't work out with Finn either. She doesn't want to be the "mom" anymore. She's done that for the last ten years. But he's a guy that grew up basically without a family...there's nothing he wants more than a family with a room full of kids. Even though she knows she's falling for him, fell for him when they were kids, it's not fair to lead him on when she KNOWS that they don't ultimately want the same things. You have to admire her for that because she really wants and loves Finn. It would be so easy to just give in to what she wants and try to convince him later to wait, but that wouldn't be fair to him. I loved that about that character at the same time that my heart ached for both of them. There's no denying that they both care deeply for each other.
And of course all of this is set in the Madewood family of four men that I have truly grown to love. Veronica is Sterling and Jack's wedding planner so everything about their wedding is happening in the background of the story and I definitely enjoyed that side of it. I also really enjoyed Cal's rebellion story line. My heart hurt for him too in all this.
Just another great installment to this fabulous series. Love those Madewood boys. Only one more left and I can't wait to see what happens between Penn and Cole.
This book had a bit of everything in it. Veronica and Finn have been friends since they were kids so it's definitely a friends to lovers book. But it's more than that. All of the characters in these books grew up in the foster system...coming from bad home situations. Veronica is lucky in that she had her brother Marc, and later their two much younger siblings. But that bad home situation meant that Veronica ended up taking on the task of raising her younger siblings for the last ten years. Now as they are off to university, she's finally going to get her chance at the single life...something she can't wait for. She's put her life on hold for all of her twenties. It's her time to be selfish...until her younger brother decides he's not actually leaving.
There's a lot going on with Veronica and at first I had a bit of a hard time with her character. Something is definitely going on with her younger brother as he keeps acting out and it seems so selfish for her to be so focused on what she's losing by him staying home. But she knows it's selfish too...but that doesn't change the fact of what she feels. As the story evolved I began to feel for her more and more...she's always been the mom, although she never chose that role. You can't blame her for wanting to escape it at least for a bit.
But that's why things can't work out with Finn either. She doesn't want to be the "mom" anymore. She's done that for the last ten years. But he's a guy that grew up basically without a family...there's nothing he wants more than a family with a room full of kids. Even though she knows she's falling for him, fell for him when they were kids, it's not fair to lead him on when she KNOWS that they don't ultimately want the same things. You have to admire her for that because she really wants and loves Finn. It would be so easy to just give in to what she wants and try to convince him later to wait, but that wouldn't be fair to him. I loved that about that character at the same time that my heart ached for both of them. There's no denying that they both care deeply for each other.
And of course all of this is set in the Madewood family of four men that I have truly grown to love. Veronica is Sterling and Jack's wedding planner so everything about their wedding is happening in the background of the story and I definitely enjoyed that side of it. I also really enjoyed Cal's rebellion story line. My heart hurt for him too in all this.
Just another great installment to this fabulous series. Love those Madewood boys. Only one more left and I can't wait to see what happens between Penn and Cole.
June 10, 2014
RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION is the third book in the Madewood Brothers series featuring several delectable foster brothers who are determined to do right in the world as they also find Ms. Right.
Veronica Whitfield simply wanted her sexy back when she signed up for a burlesque class. While on stage during her final exam, she spots the man whose face has haunted her dreams for years--Finn O'Reilly. Finn has made it his mission to stay strictly in the friends zone with Veronica, even though she stars in some of his most wicked fantasies. When he sees her on stage, he's shocked but incredibly turned on...something he should definitely NOT be with his best friend's little sister and fellow foster care survivor he thinks of as family.
Veronica has worked her butt off raising her two younger siblings since they came to live with her eight years ago, but rude or not, she can't wait till they leave for college so she can have a life of her own again! Veronica has loved Finn for years, both brotherly and not so familial-like as she got older. She finally decides to go for it, offering to indulge his kinky desires.
But Finn wants a wife and family, something Veronica won't sign up for-–she just finished raising her siblings! This thing between them has the potential to end very badly, but neither can stay away once they admit to themselves that they are meant for one another.
RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION was a wonderful read, full of sexual tension between Finn and Veronica (not to mention all of the other Madewood brothers and their love interests) and fun banter you could easily picture saying yourself. Finn's kinky desires were the perfect complement to Veronica's needs, and I've never read a spanking story as slyly sensual as this one. That said, the scenes didn't go overboard, which totally could have happened since there was a great deal of encounters in this book.
I appreciated the anger and acting out that Veronica's little brother Cal had going on. He was college age but as frightened as a child about change. Veronica's older brother Mark's reaction to finding out his best friend was sleeping with his sister was classic, especially when you consider the poor sauce injured in the making of this story.
Overall, RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION was a heartwarming story with a lovable and sexy hero and heroine you can root for. I will definitely be going back and reading the previous books in the Madewood Brothers series!
Veronica Whitfield simply wanted her sexy back when she signed up for a burlesque class. While on stage during her final exam, she spots the man whose face has haunted her dreams for years--Finn O'Reilly. Finn has made it his mission to stay strictly in the friends zone with Veronica, even though she stars in some of his most wicked fantasies. When he sees her on stage, he's shocked but incredibly turned on...something he should definitely NOT be with his best friend's little sister and fellow foster care survivor he thinks of as family.
Veronica has worked her butt off raising her two younger siblings since they came to live with her eight years ago, but rude or not, she can't wait till they leave for college so she can have a life of her own again! Veronica has loved Finn for years, both brotherly and not so familial-like as she got older. She finally decides to go for it, offering to indulge his kinky desires.
But Finn wants a wife and family, something Veronica won't sign up for-–she just finished raising her siblings! This thing between them has the potential to end very badly, but neither can stay away once they admit to themselves that they are meant for one another.
RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION was a wonderful read, full of sexual tension between Finn and Veronica (not to mention all of the other Madewood brothers and their love interests) and fun banter you could easily picture saying yourself. Finn's kinky desires were the perfect complement to Veronica's needs, and I've never read a spanking story as slyly sensual as this one. That said, the scenes didn't go overboard, which totally could have happened since there was a great deal of encounters in this book.
I appreciated the anger and acting out that Veronica's little brother Cal had going on. He was college age but as frightened as a child about change. Veronica's older brother Mark's reaction to finding out his best friend was sleeping with his sister was classic, especially when you consider the poor sauce injured in the making of this story.
Overall, RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION was a heartwarming story with a lovable and sexy hero and heroine you can root for. I will definitely be going back and reading the previous books in the Madewood Brothers series!
August 8, 2015
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Recipe for Seduction is the third book in the Madewood Brothers series from Gina Gordon and is Finn O'Reilly, who, like his three other brothers, is a successful chef with dreams that include a wife and children. He's always had feelings for Veronica Whitfield, younger sister of his best friend Mark, but he hasn't really done anything about it. He has no clue that V has loved him since she was eleven, but after spending ten years caring for her younger siblings, she feels frumpy, especially next to Finn's soon-to-be sisters-in-law. With her siblings supposedly going off to college, she'll finally have the time to focus on herself and get her sexy back, and the one person who can help her do just that is her brother's best friend.
This was romance combined two of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers and falling for your brother's best friend (or falling for your best friend's sister). Finn and V have a lot in common and can easily relate to each other's need for and loyalty to family, especially their siblings. However, V's decade-long experience of being more like a mother to her younger siblings has made her feel that she's over the whole parenting thing, leading her to no longer want to have her own kids, a dream she shared with Finn when they were younger. This, of course, complicates things with as far as her blossoming relationship with Finn is concerned because he wants to have a family of his own and he wants to be able to have it with Veronica.
Both Finn and V were highly likable lead characters and with both of them being middle children (just like me), they're used to being mediators in the family, trying to maintain the peace whenever possible. They've always put their families first but being together and pursuing a relationship, even though it was supposed to be purely physical in the beginning, is something they did for themselves, needing to satisfy their own needs and wants. I certainly liked the side story involving V's younger brother Cal and how his relationship with his sister was vital to him and how Finn became a mentor of his. Recipe for Seduction was a lighthearted romance that was a quick but enjoyable read. Book three gets four stars! ♥
Recipe for Seduction is the third book in the Madewood Brothers series from Gina Gordon and is Finn O'Reilly, who, like his three other brothers, is a successful chef with dreams that include a wife and children. He's always had feelings for Veronica Whitfield, younger sister of his best friend Mark, but he hasn't really done anything about it. He has no clue that V has loved him since she was eleven, but after spending ten years caring for her younger siblings, she feels frumpy, especially next to Finn's soon-to-be sisters-in-law. With her siblings supposedly going off to college, she'll finally have the time to focus on herself and get her sexy back, and the one person who can help her do just that is her brother's best friend.
This was romance combined two of my favorite tropes: friends to lovers and falling for your brother's best friend (or falling for your best friend's sister). Finn and V have a lot in common and can easily relate to each other's need for and loyalty to family, especially their siblings. However, V's decade-long experience of being more like a mother to her younger siblings has made her feel that she's over the whole parenting thing, leading her to no longer want to have her own kids, a dream she shared with Finn when they were younger. This, of course, complicates things with as far as her blossoming relationship with Finn is concerned because he wants to have a family of his own and he wants to be able to have it with Veronica.
Both Finn and V were highly likable lead characters and with both of them being middle children (just like me), they're used to being mediators in the family, trying to maintain the peace whenever possible. They've always put their families first but being together and pursuing a relationship, even though it was supposed to be purely physical in the beginning, is something they did for themselves, needing to satisfy their own needs and wants. I certainly liked the side story involving V's younger brother Cal and how his relationship with his sister was vital to him and how Finn became a mentor of his. Recipe for Seduction was a lighthearted romance that was a quick but enjoyable read. Book three gets four stars! ♥
June 1, 2014
Recipe for an Epic Book Hangover
OMG this book. This. Book. *Muppet flail* If you're like me and always fall for a secondary character in a series then sit back and burn until they get their own book you probably couldn't wait for Finn's story. My only problem is that I always have unmeetable expectations going on and tend to be disappointed when the author can't meet them. Gina Gordon, however, is getting a batch of my famous cupcakes if I ever meet her so I can thank her for how much I loved this book.
Veronica has spent the past decade building her wedding planning business and cleaning up after her younger siblings who were dumped into the foster care system by the same mother who had abandoned she and her brother, Mark. As much as Veronica loves Cal and Ali, she's ready for them to head off to college so she can finally have a life of her own which is going to include letting her inner vixen out to play. Meanwhile, Finn has wanted Veronica for far too long considering he'd never go after his best-friend's little sister. But when the two get themselves into a seduction game with one another the feelings they've harbored for years are no trouble compared to the different things they want from their lives. Finn wants a family and V is done raising kids, can love conquer their complications?
If you're familiar with my reviews you know that spanking and bondage are so NOT my thing. In fact, this is probably the very first time I actually liked it. Finn and V have amazing chemistry physically but their emotional connection took something I normally don't like and made it work. Every scene where they got together physically was page melting and intense but in a way that felt like it all mattered emotionally too. They're both excellent characters that I loved individually so I was near-tears waiting for Gordon to make everything work out between them. Even knowing it's a romance novel and going to have a HEA it's a wild ride!
Sexy, intense, emotional, sweet, funny... RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION had it all. It was far beyond my expectations and left me in a warm fuzzy glow for days. I've been begging my friends to read it just so I can gush over it in more detail, so uhm hey, read this one okay?
Notes: ARC received via publisher.
OMG this book. This. Book. *Muppet flail* If you're like me and always fall for a secondary character in a series then sit back and burn until they get their own book you probably couldn't wait for Finn's story. My only problem is that I always have unmeetable expectations going on and tend to be disappointed when the author can't meet them. Gina Gordon, however, is getting a batch of my famous cupcakes if I ever meet her so I can thank her for how much I loved this book.
Veronica has spent the past decade building her wedding planning business and cleaning up after her younger siblings who were dumped into the foster care system by the same mother who had abandoned she and her brother, Mark. As much as Veronica loves Cal and Ali, she's ready for them to head off to college so she can finally have a life of her own which is going to include letting her inner vixen out to play. Meanwhile, Finn has wanted Veronica for far too long considering he'd never go after his best-friend's little sister. But when the two get themselves into a seduction game with one another the feelings they've harbored for years are no trouble compared to the different things they want from their lives. Finn wants a family and V is done raising kids, can love conquer their complications?
If you're familiar with my reviews you know that spanking and bondage are so NOT my thing. In fact, this is probably the very first time I actually liked it. Finn and V have amazing chemistry physically but their emotional connection took something I normally don't like and made it work. Every scene where they got together physically was page melting and intense but in a way that felt like it all mattered emotionally too. They're both excellent characters that I loved individually so I was near-tears waiting for Gordon to make everything work out between them. Even knowing it's a romance novel and going to have a HEA it's a wild ride!
Sexy, intense, emotional, sweet, funny... RECIPE FOR SEDUCTION had it all. It was far beyond my expectations and left me in a warm fuzzy glow for days. I've been begging my friends to read it just so I can gush over it in more detail, so uhm hey, read this one okay?
Notes: ARC received via publisher.
August 4, 2016
Finn O'Reilly & Veronica Whitfield have been friends since they were in the foster care program. Veronica has always had a crush on Finn while he was unaware. Veronica has been taking care of her siblings for 8 years & put her love life on the back burner to raise them. The siblings are getting ready to go to college & Veronica can't wait to get her life back. Her first mission is to seduce Finn. Finn is shocked that Veronica wants to pursue him. Finn is used to being the peacemaker & easy going brother of the Madewood family. Finn gives into the attraction to Veronica because he wants to do something that he wants. Finn & Veronica are similar because they are selfless when it comes to their families. They go into this relationship with the knowledge that it will be a fling, but it turns into love. While they know each other's life plans, they are unwilling to compromise their paths for one another. I liked the way their families were helpful to hear about their feelings for each other while probing at underlying issues. While I haven't read the first two books, I was able to understand the relationships & the brothers. I can't wait to read the rest of the series!
*ARC provided by author
*ARC provided by author
May 29, 2014
Wow. Just…wow.
I reveled in Veronica’s newfound freedom, in her willingness to spread her wings after having them clipped before they should have been. I fist-pumped when she told Finn exactly what she was going to do to him. I grinned like an idiot when she followed through on that promise.
And I like Finn. Really, really like him. The years he spent being the dutiful brother amongst his own siblings helped him navigate the “bed buddy” waters with Veronica. From the beginning, there was more between them than being each other’s booty calls. There was a level of attraction connecting them that was difficult to ignore. Thank God they were willing to explore it despite circumstances.
It was interesting watching Veronica and Finn reconcile the different paths they walked, the different dreams they had. Both characters grew exponentially by the time “The End” came around, but Veronica’s transition was the most stunning to see. The life she thought she wanted wasn’t for her, not when she could see a brighter, happier future in the light of Finn’s love.
(Reviewer’s note: This story involves spanking and light BDSM. If such material offends you, please do not purchase this book.)
***Received from Pump Up Your Book Tours for an honest Review***
I reveled in Veronica’s newfound freedom, in her willingness to spread her wings after having them clipped before they should have been. I fist-pumped when she told Finn exactly what she was going to do to him. I grinned like an idiot when she followed through on that promise.
And I like Finn. Really, really like him. The years he spent being the dutiful brother amongst his own siblings helped him navigate the “bed buddy” waters with Veronica. From the beginning, there was more between them than being each other’s booty calls. There was a level of attraction connecting them that was difficult to ignore. Thank God they were willing to explore it despite circumstances.
It was interesting watching Veronica and Finn reconcile the different paths they walked, the different dreams they had. Both characters grew exponentially by the time “The End” came around, but Veronica’s transition was the most stunning to see. The life she thought she wanted wasn’t for her, not when she could see a brighter, happier future in the light of Finn’s love.
(Reviewer’s note: This story involves spanking and light BDSM. If such material offends you, please do not purchase this book.)
***Received from Pump Up Your Book Tours for an honest Review***
June 5, 2014
Veronica has been in love with Finn since she was a teenager, but believes that he has only seen her as his best friend's little sister. Then she was too busy being momma to her brother and sister to think about a relationship with anyone. Now they are graduating high school and beginning lives of their own and she is ready to start a new beginning herself. She wants that new start to include Finn, but it can't be anything serious because they want different things. Or do they?
Veronica and Finn are delicious. I loved watching them figure out their path to each other. Watching Finn parent without even realizing it and seeing Veronica's brother respond to him when no one else had been able to reach him was just so good. That moment when Finn walks in to a room filled with all those whose lives he has impacted was so moving. I loved it.
I give Recipe for Seduction 4 hearts!
Veronica and Finn are delicious. I loved watching them figure out their path to each other. Watching Finn parent without even realizing it and seeing Veronica's brother respond to him when no one else had been able to reach him was just so good. That moment when Finn walks in to a room filled with all those whose lives he has impacted was so moving. I loved it.
I give Recipe for Seduction 4 hearts!
August 27, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book. I had read the first book in the series a while back and actually haven't read the second book, but it didn't matter. Gina gives the reader enough background without bogging you down. I think you can enjoy these books as a series or stand alone. I loved reading about Veronica and her love Chef Finn. I agree that a man who can cook is very sexy!! This book certainly validates that premise. The book held my attention, and I was invested in their story!! I definitely encourage you to read this book and the others in the series. I just bought Recipe for Attraction and will begin reading it immediately!! I received as ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2014
I truly loved Finn and Veronica's story! So far this is my favorite in the series. I love the whole carrying a torch for your brother's best friend. And when the best friend wakes up to notice the beautiful woman the young girl used to be. Finn was the perfect man, hot, can cook, can satisfy in the bedroom, and a family man. It was no surprise why Veronica loved him. Veronica was a pretty special character too. I loved her willingness to try anything. They were so fun to read. And they complemented each other so well. Great continuation for the series. I am definitely looking forward to read Cole's story.
June 13, 2014
What a great read! I loved Finn and Veronica.
Gina Gordon did a great job with this story. Falling for your brothers best friend isn't always the best idea but you can't help who you love.
I thought the story between Finn and Veronica was plausible. The author didn't create addition drama to their characters. They dealt with everyday relationship issues.
Both Finn and V were able to succeed despite the heartache and challenges early on in life.
I enjoyed it without reading the first in the series. It can be read as a standalone but now I can't wait to read the first and I'm looking forward to read about the other Madewood Brothers.
Gina Gordon did a great job with this story. Falling for your brothers best friend isn't always the best idea but you can't help who you love.
I thought the story between Finn and Veronica was plausible. The author didn't create addition drama to their characters. They dealt with everyday relationship issues.
Both Finn and V were able to succeed despite the heartache and challenges early on in life.
I enjoyed it without reading the first in the series. It can be read as a standalone but now I can't wait to read the first and I'm looking forward to read about the other Madewood Brothers.
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