Hot and Bothered

Hot in the Kitchen #3

by Kate Meader

A Fire They Can’t Put Out . . .

Although her baby boy keeps her plate full, Jules Kilroy is ready to take her love life off the back burner. Her deepest wish is that her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca, might help with her reintroduction to the dating scene. But she learned her lesson once before when she went in for a kiss, only to have Tad reject her. She’s vowed never to blur the lines again . . .

After a lifetime of excuses and false starts, Tad has finally opened a wine bar, a deal made even sweeter when Jules joins his staff. Lovers come and go, and he’s had his share, but friendships like theirs last forever. Still, ever since he tasted her, he can’t stop fantasizing about what could be. Then she signs up for an online dating site—and the thought of his Jules with another man makes Tad’s blood boil. Even if he gets burned, Tad won’t stop until he makes this amazing woman his . . .

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Foodie, Fiction, Chick Lit

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2014

About the author

Kate writes sexy contemporary, sports, and LGBTQ+ romance with strong guys and amazing women and men who match their heroes quip for quip. She's known for blending heat, humor, and heart into irresistibly romantic stories.

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The Rookie Rebels features a team of heroes who are about to learn that all's fair in love and hockey.
1. GOOD GUY (Levi and Jordan)
2. INSTACRUSH (Theo and Elle)
3. MAN DOWN (Gunnar and Sadie)
4. FOREPLAYER (Cal and Mia)
5. DEAR ROOMIE (Reid and Kennedy)
6. REBEL YULE (Erik and Casey)
7. JOCK WANTED (Fitz and Tara)
8. SUPERSTAR (Bast and Pepper)
9. WILD RIDE (Dex and Ashley)
10. HOCKEY WIFE (Banks and Georgia)

The Hot in Chicago Rookies series heads back to Engine 6 for more steamy firefighter romances.
0. COMING IN HOT (Tyler and Evie)
1. UP IN SMOKE (Roman and Abby)
2. DOWN IN FLAMES (Jude and Hudson)
3. HOT TO THE TOUCH (Sam and Cassandra)

The Laws of Attraction series about sexy divorce lawyers:
1. DOWN WITH LOVE (Max and Charlie)
2. ILLEGALLY YOURS (Lucas and Trinity)
3. THEN CAME YOU (Grant and Aubrey)

The Chicago Rebels series about sexy hockey players:
0.5 IN SKATES TROUBLE (Ford and Addison) - FREE!
1. IRRESISTIBLE YOU (Remy and Harper)
2. SO OVER YOU (Vadim and Isobel)
3. UNDONE BY YOU (Dante and Cade)
4. HOOKED ON YOU (Bren and Violet)
5. WRAPPED UP IN YOU (More Dante and Cade)

The Hot in Chicago series about sexy firefighters:
0.5 REKINDLE THE FLAME (Beck and Darcy)
1. FLIRTING WITH FIRE (Luke and Kinsey)
1.5 MELTING POINT (Gage and Brady)
2. PLAYING WITH FIRE (Eli and Alex)
3. SPARKING THE FIRE (Wyatt and Molly)
3.5 FOREVER IN FIRE (More Eli and Alex)
3.6 COMING IN HOT, Men in Uniform anthology (Tyler and Evie)

The Hot in the Kitchen series about sexy chefs:
1. FEEL THE HEAT (Jack and Lili)
2. ALL FIRED UP (Shane and Cara)
3. HOT AND BOTHERED (Tad and Jules)

... however each book can also be read as a standalone novel or novella.

For excerpts, news, and giveaways, visit: http://katemeader.com

Reviews

[Lyndy Ann ♫ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and Bothered is Jules and Tad’s story, can best friends become more?

Jules Kilroy ran away from London two years ago to Chicago to her big brother Jack for his help and support as she was pregnant. She was taken in by the Deluca family and she became best friends with Tad much to Jack’s annoyance. Jules has always kept the identity of Evan’s father a secret but secrets always have a way of coming out.

Tad Deluca is a hot Italian who has had LOTS of female attention, one night when Jules kisses him Tad stops the kiss but after that night there is no other woman for him but Jules. For the last ten years Tad has been carrying the guilt of his parents death and living half a life and in his mind Jules deserves a better man than him.

Jules decides to start dating and with Lili and Cara’s help signs up for on line dating, seeing Jules on dates makes Tad’s blood boil and thinking of another man raising Evan does not work for him so he is willing to risk their friendship and soon they are tearing each others clothes off while getting hot and bothered. Will their friendship survive when emotions become involved?

This story has emotion, funny banter and lots of sexy times. I love the relationship between Jules and Tad and the bond between Jules, Jack and Shane is sweet and cute at times. It was great catching up with Jack, Lili, Shane and Cara. I have loved this series and I would recommend it to anyone who loves sexy romances that have their ups and downs. Kate Meader has become one of my new favourite authors of 2015.

[Kate Meader]

*** TOP PICK from Romantic Times Book Reviews ***

Here's what they said . . .

A deft and delightful wrap-up for the Hot in the Kitchen series, this book can also stand alone. Meader's writing has continued to pick up steam in this series with fully developed characters who are modern without being raunchy, sex scenes that are steamy without the trite play-by-play and with fast-moving, realistic plots. The dialogue is witty and fun, and the story will warm your heart.

A word from Kate...
This is Book 3 of the Hot in the Kitchen series, and it features Tad and Jules. If you like friends to lovers tales, then you'll enjoy this sexy story about a bad boy wine bar owner and a formerly wicked girl who's trying - and failing - to be good. There's the usual DeLuca snark and meddling as we catch up with Jack, Lili, Shane, and Cara - however Hot and Bothered can also be enjoyed without having read Books 1 and 2. Next up? Chicago firefighters in March 2015!

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup.


Quickie Review:

Very sweet friends to lovers story that they really had to work for. Enjoyed it and looking forward to checking out book 1 and 2 now.

Review:

Yay foodie romances! And friends to lovers romance with oodles of Brits and Italians surrounding them. Even better! Hot and Bothered was such a sweet read as best friends Jules and Tad, well, get manipulated a little by those they love into finally...finally! going after what they want...each other.

I really liked these two. They both balance on that razors edge of confident and insecure which made them both likable and relateable. Both are amazing people but have things that hold them back so badly and really rock their self worth. Tad dealing with the guilt over the death of his parents years ago and Jules with a learning disability (she's dyslexic). You don't see that too often in romance and I really liked how it was handled.

These two have been best friends since she arrived at her brother's restaurant two years back while very pregnant. And despite both loving each other and wanting each other they've kept--for the most part-- just friends since they didn't want to ruin things between them.

But! *yay for buts!* Jules is finally ready to break out of her mommy role and start dating again and, well, that's definitely going to put a hitch in their "just friends" status when the very protective Italian male in Tad surfaces.

These two were sweet. They had some awkward moments. They had ones that made me ache for them because they're both so perfect, so wonderful for each other and just couldn't quite get past their personal insecurities to see they really deserved the other in their lives. Tad was crazy sexy. He's got that whole loving her kid thing going for him too. Can be a little broody and a little outgoing. And Jules was a great mom who loves deeply and is trying so hard to find her spot. Her struggles with her dyslexia just about did me in and there were a couple scenes with Tad over it that just had me melting. Seriously...perfect for each other.

I loved watching them both deal with their issues. Sometimes pushing when it wasn't wanted (but was needed) or being a shoulder for the other. These two have each other's backs and gah that was nice to see. Things do heat up and whew! yeah there were some really hot scenes that were crazy passionate and a little risky location wise which I freaking loved.

All in all, Hot and Bothered was just a heart warming romance with two people who were crazy perfect for each other and just needed a little nudge-push to realize it and take that next step. Meader threw together such a loud and boisterous group and I loved every second of getting to know them. If you've ever been around an Italian family Hot and Bothered is like coming home. It's impossible not to smile and feel like you're a part of the family.

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Review copy provided for an honest review

5 STARS

Every…damn…time…author Kate Meader gets to me. The third book in her Hot and Bothered series is even better than the first two and considering how much I loved them, that’s saying a whole lot. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would that’s how freakin’ fantastic it is and how much I adored it. Simply put Hot and Bothered is sassy, often hilarious, poignant, and incredibly sexy. The characters despite their flaws and issues are relatable and loveable; these are people I want to be friends with despite their complete and udder adoration of wine. In the past few months this author has proven she’s got what it takes to satisfy her readers and I plan on having a long and lasting relationship with her.

Tad Deluca bartender, award winning mixologist, and new owner of a wine bar named after is dearly departed mother Vivi; Tad seems like a good time guy, always flirting, a new woman in his life every week yet underneath that facade is a man who is just trying to get through life bearing the pain of losing his parents way too young and the scars that come with it. In the past two years he’ll admit his life has changed for the better when Juliet (Jules) Kilroy walked into his uncle’s restaurant and dropped a bombshell on her brother his cousin’s now husband. Since that time he’s been her friend, supported her through her pregnancy by another man, her admission of a secret she’s held inside for years, and through the birth of her son and the bright spot in his life, Evan. Secretly he wants her but he knows she deserves better that the man he is and so as hard as it is, he’ll remain her friend no matter how hard it is to deny what he wants but can’t have.

Jules Kilroy wasn’t sure where she was going in life when she busts into one of the big moments in her brother Jack’s life and delivers news that sends him reeling. Never having an easy relationship with her big brother, Tad jumps in to help her and be a buffer between them. She’s never lied to herself about the way Tad makes her lady parts jump up and scream “take me now” but in the two years they’ve known each other Tad has been her friend and other than one embarrassing moment a year ago, that’s apparently all he plans to be. However, now that her precious boy is getting older Jules knows it’s time to start taking care of some of her needs and what she needs is a man.

Seriously, as I’m writing this I’m smiling and giggling to myself over the many, many moments of fun these two share. I love their easy banter, how comfortable they are with each other on all sorts of topics, and how they rely on one another. Their friendship isn’t perfect because deep down they are both denying that their attraction to one another is keeping them from sharing the things in their past they are most ashamed of but as their friendship turns into more, they both begin to discover every facet of the other. I admire the way they both accept each other good and bad, and the way they refuse to let the past get in the way. Jules strength goes beyond words; she’s had to deal with so much in her life and has had a lot to overcome. She still struggles with accepting her worth but I love that once she realizes what she wants from Tad she holds on and doesn’t let go. She absolutely pushes despite what it might mean for their relationship. Tad’s back story was pretty gut wrenching and the fact that Jules was the one that realized what he needed from his family but never got is quite telling to how much she understands this complex man.

I could go on and on about this story but instead I’ll just ask you to buy it and give it a try. I honestly think you’ll love it and this author. Hot and Bothered is a perfect love story; flawed but fascinating characters, entertaining and emotional plot, snappy and smart dialog, and enough smokin’ hot sex to make you well…hot and bothered! This is one series that I can easily read again and again, I love this zany cast of characters so much.

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tad he knows how to defuse labor pains, "so the window for legalized narcotics has passed," Tad said. "But that's okay because I'm here. I'm your drug, baby. Just look at me and tell me you're not addicted to my shocking good looks." Also the boy has an appreciative view on Jules's breasts, "a double gin and tonic." As soon as the words escaped her lips, her mouth watered like she was Pavlov's dog. "Just one, though, because I'll be breastfeeding." Tad's dark brows lifted and his gaze dropped to her breasts, covered by a hospital gown. They'd ballooned to a point where they could be seen from the International Space Station. There was the Great Wall of China, then her massive boobs." Tad the boy is quite considerate, "I offered to take care of your needs," he said loudly." He's fiercely protective, "if Doctor Perfect of that Conor a**hole had so much as laid a finger on her - with or without her permission - he was going to deal a heavy dose of deliverance with his hands." He's quite pushy when it comes to certain things, "he rubbed his sandpapery jaw against her cheek. "Time until your next orgasm." Blimey, were they on a schedule here?" Tad he's also sensitive about certain body parts of his being discussed, "oh, for eff's sake. The bargain had been fulfilled, over and over again. All night, she had been right there with him, alternating between satisfying his starving co** and begging him to feast on her honeyed heat. No part of his anatomy had even flirted with 'flaccid.'" I can't wait to see whose next in this series.

[Susan (susayq ~) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tad DeLuca. I wanted to kiss him and beat him. All at the same time. He was the most loving, caring, uplifting guy, with a dirty streak to him. Just my kind of hero ;) While Tad was all those things, he was carrying a huge serving of guilt that kept him from admitting his feelings for Jules. His guilt was so strong it even had him pushing her away. Thankfully, Jules changed enough through the book that she finally stood up for herself and told Tad that he was missing out on the best thing to ever happen to him :)

This was a great read. Even though it's the third in the series, it can be read as a stand alone, since I didn't read the first two in the series and I didn't feel like I was missing any important info. Will I go back and read the previous ones? Yes, I probably will :)

[DrunkenCherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mit diesem Abschluss der Reihe habe ich mir ziemlich schwer getan. Die Geschichte war ziemlich zäh und langweilig erzählt und kam lange Zeit nicht richtig in die Gänge. Auch hatte ich den Eindruck, die beiden Vorgänger wären weitaus witziger gewesen.
Mit Friends To Lovers Geschichten ist es leider auch immer so eien Sache. Oftmals kommt die Freundschaft nicht besonders gut rüber – und auch hier war es eigentlich von Anfang an so, dass die Hauptfiguren Tad und Jules sich permanent anschmachten und aus irgendeinem unerfindlich Grund, den wohl nur die beiden richtig nachvollziehen können, trotzdem nicht zusammen sein können/wollen. Ja, es werden Gründe genannt, warum beide diesen Eiertanz umeinander veranstalten, aber die waren für mich nicht wirklich nachvollziehbar.
Die Charaktere Jules und Tad fand ich eigentlich recht liebenswert, wobei Tad etwas blass blieb. Ich habe ihn im Buch jetzt weder als den Frauenheld kennengelernt, als der er eingeführt wurde, noch stach eine seiner Charaktereigenschaften besonders hervor.
Jules war etwas ziellos, aber das musste sie sein, um eine Charakterentwicklung zu haben. Bei ihr störte mich am meisten, dass sie sich selbst immer als dumm dargestellt hat, weil sie an einer Lese-Rechtschreibschwäche litt. Dass sie deswegen dazu neigt, Männer zu verführen, um ihr Ego aufzuwerten, fand ich aber sehr lebensnah.
Was aber absolut nicht ging, waren die erotischen Szenen. Wieder mal haben wir hier einen ganz normalen netten Mann, der im Bett plötzlich ganz unvorhergesehen zum Alpha wird, der mit dominantem Dirtytalk daherkommt. Das war so unpassend. Oftmals gab es dann auch Formulierungen, die einfach nur zum Fremdschämen und ganz weit weg von sexy waren.
Zusammen mit der Langeweile im Buch, die einfach entstand, weil es keinen wirklichen Konflikt im Buch gab (mal abgesehen vom Ex-Freund, der aber viel zu spät aufgetaucht ist und auch viel zu schnell abgehandelt wurde), war das Buch für mich einfach ein Flop.
Jetzt hätte mich das Buch noch damit catchen können, dass ich die Figuren aus den vorherigen Bänden wiedersehen darf. Doch auch das war ein Reinfall. Von den Frauen hat man relativ wenig mitbekommen. Der einzige, den man sehr oft in den Szenen hatte, war Jack .- der leider völlig irrational und übergriffig war. Er hat seiner Schwester Vorschriften gemacht, wo er nur konnte und war einfach schrecklich unsympathisch.
Leider wurden auch die Probleme, die Jules hatte, nicht angegangen. Sie fühlte sich dumm,w eil sie nicht richtig lesen konnte – warum wurde das Problem nicht in Angriff genommen?
Sie wollte selbständig Entscheidungen treffen und sich selbst um ihre Zukunft kümmern – letzten Endes haben trotzdem ihr Bruder und ihr Freund sich um ihre berufliche Zukunft gekümmert – das Buch hätte echt toll sein können, aber die Autorin hat in meinen Augen einfach keine lesenswerte Story zustande gebracht.

[Jaime Fiction Fangirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a full novel from Kate Meader, I had previously only read her short story, Rekindling the Flame from the Baby, It's Cold Outside anthology, and swore after reading it that I needed to read ALL of her books. So when I had the opportunity to review this book I jumped at the chance.
From the prologue to the final page I was enamored. I couldn't stop reading. I stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish the story and I have zero regrets about it.
This isn't a story full of twists and turns, there is little to no angst yet somehow I managed to feel just about every emotion possible. The story was funny, a little sad, inspiring and a whole lot romantic. I'm not ashamed to admit that tears were shed during one of the more poignant scenes.
Tad is a perfect example of the ideal book boyfriend. The way he is always there for Jules and Evan from day one had me swooning. The way he encouraged Jules to follow her dreams and to make her own decisions proved that he is the perfect guy for her.
I loved how Kate wrote it so that while Jules was insecure in her own ways, Tad was the more insecure/vulnerable one. I'm so over the woman always being the weaker of the characters. Not that either Jules nor Tad were weak but rather they had weaknesses that kept them from believing they were worthy of the happiness they felt with each other.
The secondary characters and the Italian family atmosphere help to round out this story in all the right ways. The story flowed naturally and felt honest and real. It's the type of story that I'll feel for days. It's the type of story that has me shoving aside the other books on my TBR so that I can read the previous books in the series.

*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

[1-Click Addict Support Group · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say that this book surprised me and it wasn't like what I expected it to be. I thought I would be getting a light, easy, playful book and while some of that is true, it was so much more. Hot and Bothered was deep, meaningful, and beautiful.

Juliet Kilroy loves being a mother, but she longs for someone to share her life with and there's no one she would rather share it with than her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca. He's made it quite clear, though, that they'll never be anything more than friends and she decides to try online dating. What she hoped, but didn't wholly anticipate, was how much Tad would hate the idea of her dating other men. Tad and Jules go on a long, difficult journey in order to get their happily ever after.

Hot and Bothered wasn't the easy read I thought it was going to be, it was hard and full of heartache and tears, but that is what made it such a great book. This book is about letting go, moving on, and forgiving and loving yourself. It was beautiful to see Juliet and Tad become stronger, better, and happier people.

I haven't made this book sound very fun, but it was. It was funny and light and warm. The characters were all awesome and entertaining. It was pretty d*mn HOT too! I just really loved this excellent book!

Hot and Bothered is a standalone told from Jules and Tad's POV and they get their HEA. ~ Paige, 4 stars

[Buch Versum · Rating 5 out of 5]

>> FAZIT: 5/ 5 STERNE <<
…eine erstaunliche Freundschaft, Seelenverwandtschaft und einen Mann, der in alleN Sehnsüchten vorkommt …

Das ist der dritte Teil der Reihe, ihr könnt ihn unabhängig von den vorherigen lesen, verpasst aber definitiv ein geniales Lesevergnügen.

Das Buch sticht mit dem Cover heraus, in wunderschönen hellen blau gestaltet, verzaubert mit seiner wundervollen Veredlung.

Das Werk beginnt mit dem wunderschönen Augenblick zwischen Tad und Jules, der Geburt von Evan, so ein erstaunlicher Moment, das einzige was denen im Weg stehen könnte sind die unausgesprochenen Gefühle zwischen den beiden.
Ihre Freundschaft ist jedoch erstaunlich, daher kein wunder dass man diese nicht so einfach in Gefahr bringen will.

Tad, der sexy Barkeeper Chicagos, der jetzt endlich seinen Traum wahr macht und seine Weinbar eröffnet, die ihm viel mehr als nur Eigenständigkeit, sondern auch die Liebe zu seinem Handwerk präsentiert.
Jules, die an seiner Seite als Freundin als auch kulinarisch unter die Arme greift und sein Menü ergänzt als auch steigert, wird bewusst dass sie trotz erfüllten Leben als Mutter, auch andere Sehnsüchte hat, sie Zeit wird wieder in den Vordergrund zu stellen.

Sie wagt sich in die Welt der Dates, unverfängliche Begegnungen als auch auf die Suche nach dem richtigen. Wer hätte erwartet, dass dadurch nicht nur andere Sehnsüchte in Zusammenhang mit Tad in die quere kommen und ihn die Eifersucht in den Wahnsinn treibt.

Ein tolles und unterhaltsames Buch erwartet euch, dass nicht nur durch den charmanten als auch verführenden Tad sehr einnimmt, durch Jules an sehr viel Emotionen teilhaben lässt und man beiden nur wünscht das ihre Freundschaft sich durch die intensiven Gefühle als auch die Begierde steigert und nicht Gefahr läuft auseinander zu brechen.

Dem Leser wird im dritten Band der Reihe wieder als das Sahnehäubchen mit der kulinarischen Alternative, ob Brot, Käse oder auch die genialen Dipps von Jules oder auch ein Menü zur verlesenden Weinauswahl Appetit gemacht. Besonders die Liebe zum Kreieren als auch die erstaunliche Freundschaft sind das würzende Details der Stärkung des Charakters und dem Mut zum Ergreifen der Chancen, die sich einem im Leben bieten.

Die Persönlichkeiten sind mir schon im vorherigen Teil ans Herz gewachsen und haben mich in ihrem eigenen Werk sehr in ihren Bann gezogen. Herausstechend ihre Stärke und der Wille der Zugehörigkeit, die Selbsterkenntnis und das Zueinanderfinden.

Ich war mitten im Geschehen und dem Gefühlschaos, konnte das Buch nicht aus der Hand legen.
Die Erzählweise ist fließend, locker und leicht, gefühlvoll und mit genialen Humor zugleich, so dass man in das Buch eintaucht und es nicht mehr loslässt.
Besonders waren es die Unterschiede der Charaktere, ihre Stärke als auch Verletzlichkeit, die mich sofort in die Geschichte gezogen haben.
Die Kombination der Protagonisten ist so unterschiedlich, doch perfekt passen und mit der Anziehungskraft unterlegt, dem keiner widerstehen kann.

Das Buch sprüht aber nicht nur von einer sehr mitreißenden, emotionalen als auch amüsanten Erzählung, bietet nämlich auch eine tiefere Botschaft des Vertrauen, der Freundschaft, die Stärke seiner Sehnsucht bewusst und Stolz an den Zielen bis dahin zu arbeiten, als auch eine erstaunliche Freundschaft, die über alle grenzen geht und einen zu tiefst beeindruckt.

Ich bin daher sehr gut unterhalten und begeistert wurden, habe mich köstlich amüsiert, war über die erstaunliche Entwicklung der Charaktere, ihrer Dynamik, Chemie als auch der Vertrautheit zueinander sowie die intensive Freundschaft, die über alles geht sehr beeindruckt und bleibe zufrieden, entzückt, über die schlagfertige und humorvolle Auseinandersetzung sowie natürlich über den emotionsgeladenen Ausgang zurück.

Als Sahnehäubchen bekommt man übrigens eine Vielzahl von Charakteren, die einen Lust auf mehr aus der Welt von den Delucas bzw. Kilroys machen.
Besonders Shane hat mich wieder verzaubert, der irische Charme und Witz sowie über sein Glück mit Cara zum entzücken gebracht. Natürlich durfte Jack auch nicht fehlen, wurde durch seine beschützende Art in den Vordergrund gestellt und hat mich nicht nur über seine ernsten Absichten für sein Schwester als auch die Zärtlichkeit zu Lili begeistert.

Vielen Dank für das Rezensionsexemplar an den Verlag.
Trotz der Bereitstellung hat dies in keiner Weise meine ehrliche Meinung zum Buch beeinträchtigt.

#LoveRecipes
#SüßesVerlangen
#KateMeader
#piper
#rezension

[Steffi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heute habe ich Love Recipes von Kate Meader aus dem @piperverlag für euch. Danke an den Verlag und @netgalleyde für das Rezensionsexemplar.

Love Recipes ist der dritte Teil der Reihe um die italienische Familie DeLuca und erzählt von Taddeo und Jules.

Locker und leicht und zugleich sehr einfühlsam erzählt Kate Meader die Liebesgeschichte der beiden. Zwar fallen hin und wieder Namen und Ereignisse aus den Vorgängebänden, doch man kann das Buch auch ohne große Vorkenntnisse lesen.

Die beiden begleitet von der ersten Seite an eine Chemie, die sich nicht abstreiten lässt, dennoch braucht es relativ lange, bis sie sich zusammenraufen, doch der Weg dorthin ist einfach schön zu lesen und kommt ohne großes Drama aus wie in anderen Romanen.

So ist der Weg von Jules und Tad, die sich eigentlich nur als beste Freunde bezeichnen, gespickt von Hilfsbereitschaft, liebevollen Gesten und einer herzlichen italienischen Großfamilie, die sich natürlich nicht raushalten kann.

Inhalt:
Taddeo DeLuca, der Barkeeper des Ristorante DeLuca, traut seinen Ohren nicht, als seine beste Freundin Jules Kilroy verkündet, per Online-Dating eine neue Liebe finden zu wollen. Tads Beschützerinstinkt ist geweckt, denn wer weiß schließlich, welche gefährlichen Singlemänner in Chicago lauern? Er spürt sofort, dass kein Mann gut genug sein kann für Jules, die sich liebevoll um ihren kleinen Sohn kümmert und ihm einfach nicht mehr aus dem Kopf geht. Schon bald muss Tad DeLuca sich eingestehen, dass seine beste Freundin ihm mehr bedeutet, als er sich lange vorgemacht hat – und er gerät in einen Strudel der Gefühle …

Ich vergebe für diese wirklich zuckersüße Geschichte 5 von 5 Sternen.

[Anaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich muss gestehen, bisher habe ich noch kein Buch der Autorin gelesen und dann gleich beim dritten Band einer Serie einzusteigen ist nicht immer einfach; doch der Klappentext war zu verführerisch.
Insgesamt wurde ich sehr positiv überrascht, das Buch lässt sich leicht ohne jegliche Vorkenntnisse lesen, auch wenn die anderen Charaktere der vorherigen beiden Bände regelmäßig vorkommen und eine gewisse Rolle spielen. Ich muss gestehen, ihr Auftreten hat mir Lust gemacht die anderen Bände ebenfalls zu lesen.
Jules hat mir sofort gefallen eine liebevolle Mutter mit einem zerstörten Selbstbewusstsein und dabei sich selbst wieder aufzubauen. Ted mit seinen versteckten Gefühlen für Jules war ebenfalls leicht ins Herz zu schließen. Er zeigt im Laufe des Buches eine enorme Vielschichtigkeit und ist ein weitaus interessanter Charakter als ich zu Beginn erwartet habe. Mit viel Feingefühl zeichnet die Autorin eine Partnerschaft, in der der andere zugleich der beste Freund ist und die Ängste darum, was passiert diese Freundschaft zu verlieren. Allein diese besondere Beziehung der beiden von Freunden zu mehr ist extrem gut eingefangen.
Die Emotionen haben mich gleich zu Beginn gepackt innerhalb der ersten Minuten hat sich schon mein Bauch verknotet und die Spannung zwischen Ted und Jules war vom ersten Moment da. Die kleinen Andeutungen zu den Momenten die ihre Freundschaft zu mehr gemacht hätte gehen direkt unter die Haut. Sobald die beiden aufeinander treffen knistert es gewaltig. Die permanente Anspannung zwischen den beiden, das Verstecken der jeweiligen Gefühle ist so mitreißend und lässt die Seiten nur so dahin fliegen. Abgerundet wird das ganze durch ein paar prickelnde erotische Szenen, die die tiefe Verbundenheit der beiden unterstreichen.
Die englische Ausgabe ist unter Hot and Bothered (Hot In the Kitchen Book 3) erschienen und der (bisher) letzte Teil dieser Reihe. Ich konnte keine Ankündigung finden, dass weitere Serien der Autorin übersetzt werden. Beim Stöbern bin ich jedoch über mehrere interessante Titel von Kate Meader gestolpert, die ich mir vorgemerkt habe.

[Ela's Welt der Bücher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die ersten beiden Teile konnten mich leider absolut gar nicht überzeugen und ich hatte echt Schwierigkeiten damit. Daher hat es auch sehr lange gedauert bis ich nun den Abschlussband gelesen habe. Der hat mir auf jeden Fall besser gefallen, aber trotzdem konnte mich die Serie nicht ganz abholen. Ist echt schade, da ich mir der Klappentext zugesagt hätte. Dieser Band hat aber die Serie ein bisschen noch hochgehoben, trotzdem werde ich das Buch aussortieren.
4 Sterne

[Mskychick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book as a guaranteed free available read through NetGalley. This is the first book by Kate Meador for me, so I went in with no expectations.

This book started out sweet and light, and I thought it was going to be a fluff book. But it got more serious at the end, with some major growing up and character maturation of both Tad and Jules, which was unexpected and pleasing. Jules came to have a sense of her own sense worth, which was awesome
She deserved to be fought over, to be wooed, to be the center of a man’s world. And until Tad learned to love himself, he wouldn’t be able to give her the all-consuming love she merited.

This book has so many tried and true tropes:
• Friends to lovers
• Just fooling around turns into true love “Their friendship might have placed this in a different category but it didn’t change the fundamentals. He was the unrepentant bad boy and she was the reformed bad girl and they were supposed to screw each other out of their systems and move on.”
• Guy who won't allow himself emotional intimacy because of prior trauma that wasn't his fault
• Playboy guy cock blocked by the magic hoo ha (Jules kisses Tad, then he has no interest in other women for the next year, until Jules and Tad finally get together. This, despite the fact that he's a serial and frequent man ho before that kiss)
And they are tropes, for a reason, because they work. I saw someone commenting last week on Twitter that the people in romance books who hop into bed but say they're not going to go into a relationship are just fooling themselves, because it always matures into true love. So correct!

I found myself irritated with Jules often, because she was such an avoider. She seemed to be so superficial often, and expected those around her to pull up the slack and enable her to slide through life. But she was very admirable as a mother, and her love, both as a friend and as romantic love, for her best friend Tad was great. So I see sawed back and forth for awhile about how I felt about Jules.

I was also somewhat ambivalent about Tad until I found out about the whole backstory about his guilt regarding his parents’ death. I thought he was a terrific guy, but wished he would tell Jules that he loved her and just be her boyfriend, for goodness sake! Then I understood where he was coming from once I learned the backstory. His guilt was out of portion and illogical, but that is so often how it works in real life that it didn’t seem unreasonable for Tad to have the issues that he did.
Since his parents’ death, he was a broken mess, an amalgam of jagged pieces held together by sheer force of will. His need for her in that moment knocked him on his ass, and while he had no doubt she would ease the pain in the short-term, he couldn’t reciprocate. He would take and take from this amazing woman, and give her nothing but heartache in return. With her it would be real and raw and there would be no coming back from it.

Tad really manned up when the father of Jules’ son showed up, and I like how supportive but rational (and correct, in my opinion!) he was about the situation. Hard to do when you’re in love with one of the two parents involved in a custody issue! Even still, after Tad helps Jules see that she needs to step up and be an adult and make her own decisions about herself and what’s best for her child, it still takes some time for them to end up together.
She wanted to thump the living daylights out of something, but not because of Simon and the hurt she felt then, but because the sweet, funny, sexy guy in her arms had shown her how perfect it could be. She had owned her choices and come up with a plan to ensure she never made mistakes like that again. And then she met Tad. Dreamed about him. Acted on her greedy fantasy and now she was back to where she had come from. Wishing for things she couldn’t have.

As the story progressed, I enjoyed it more and more, and was really rooting hard for their HEA by the end of the story.
And here she thought he was the one rescuing her. Truth was they were saving each other and there was no one else she could imagine sharing her life with.
I very much enjoyed this book, and will now look for other books by Kate Meador to try. I’m assuming that the other 2 main couples who are side characters in this story are in her earlier books, and I liked those characters too, and would like to read about their romances as well.

Funny quotes:
For a reason known only to him, he [Jules’ brother] subscribed to the view she’d only had sex once, likely an accidental fall onto a stranger’s penis that had resulted in Evan.
[When Jules is answering a call from Tad] Before she answered, she took a deep breath. “Erotic Circus Clown School. Squeeze more than red noses.” “
She didn’t want gelato… said no one ever.

[Ivy Deluca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Premise
The third book in Ms. Meader’s Hot in the Kitchen series, focuses on Jules Kilroy, and her best friend, Taddeo “Tad” DeLuca. Jules is beginning to stand on her own two feet, taking care of herself and her son, Evan. Tad is finally making it on his own as well, deciding to open up his own wine bar and after losing his chef, asks Jules to step in and help him out. This ratchets up the tension between them, which began to build a year ago when Jules made a pass at him, and Tad rejected her. They are trying not to blur the lines of their friendship, but that’s not as easy as it sounds….


My Thoughts
Jules is a great heroine, a flawed but strong young woman who struggled most of her life trying to find her way out of the shadow cast by her larger than life brother Jack, the hero from the first book. She was the girl that no one wanted, raised by her aunt and uncle because Jack was away building his reputation as a chef, and trying to hide her dyslexia from everyone, working dead end jobs and sleeping with men to compensate for the lack of love in her life. She could easily have devolved into a woe-is-me kind of heroine, but she didn’t - when faced with harsh realities of decisions she’d made, she stepped up and accepted the responsibility for them, which in turn made me respect her as a character all the more. I thought her character arc was lovely and I fell for her just as hard as I fell for Tad.

Which leads me to the hero of this tale - Tad intrigued me from the moment I read about him in Feel the Heat, and I wasn’t disappointed in this book. Taddeo is dark, sexy, tortured hero who takes care of those he loves but doesn’t feel as if he deserves their love in return for an incident that happened years ago involving his parents. His motivations and anguish for the wrongs he feels he committed were believable and his love for Jules was clear as day, even if he had a hard time admitting it to himself. Jules and Tad both have a history of shutting down, but I loved how their love for each other taught them to move on from the past and make their own future.

Having read the first book, but not the second in the series didn’t hinder me and I think this book does well as a standalone. There is a bonus in knowing the DeLuca family and the history involved that enriches the story, though, so I am interested in reading the middle book to get Shane and Cara’s story.


The Bottom Line
Great new series, and this installment is definitely my fave - it helped while away the hours during a blizzard and I found a great little love story as a result. If you haven’t checked out this series yet, I definitely recommend you do so. I was glad I did.

**ARC provided by Forever (Grand Central Publishing) from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This third (and hopefully not last!) book in the Hot in the Kitchen series features Tad and Jules, cousin and sister of the Italian DeLuca and British Kilroy families respectively.

Tad has opened a new bar with hopes of redeeming himself in the eyes of his family for his part in a terrible accident that caused the death of his parents several years earlier. Jules is hoping to get out from under her overly protective big brothers' thumbs and prove to them (and herself) that despite her dyslexia, she can make it in the food industry and is deserving of a loving relationship. Having entered the "friend zone" from their first meeting, their one aborted attempt at passion has left them wary of their attraction to each other yet unable to deny their growing feelings.

Having read and enjoyed the first two books in this series, I was expecting great things from Kate and she delivered in spades. The alternating points of view of Tad and Jules are full of emotional depth that engages the reader and pulls them fully into the story. As readers, we feel that we have a vested interest in how Tad and Jules will reconcile their feelings for each other with their obligations to their respective families.

Family plays a large role in the setting and overall feel of the novel and all the characters come alive with their realistic interpersonal dynamics. At times poignant and thoughtful, the overall humorous and heartwarming tone combined with sensual and steamy love scenes makes this a romance to delight and entice the reader into the Italian kitchen. 5 well deserved stars!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for letting me read this book for my honest review.... Enjoyed this story of love, life, and foodies. This is the third book in the series and includes the couples from the prior books as they are family and such a neat family. Love Jules and her British accent, her little one Evan, and her best friend Tad. I always find it funny when two people clearly are attracted to each other bit fight it so badly because of their friendship. Tad is sweet and loving to Jules and protective and supportive. Jules is a great cook, a sister to a famous chef, and she is dyslexic and struggles with it but Tad encourages her always. I enjoyed this romance it was easy and quick. I would recommend to others.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juliet and Tad became friends as soon as she appeared on her brothers doorstep two years ago, and although they´ve had chemistry all the time, they didn´t act on it. Until a year ago, when Jules tried to kiss him, and was shot down.
Finally in a place where she wants more, Jules is trying on the dating again, but what will Tad say when someone new comes into Jules and her baby boys life?
Will he step up and acknowledge all the feelings, or will he let it slip through his fingers?
Contemporary, smutty fluff and lots of UST (unresolved sexual tension) in a great combo. Love this series and the families you get to follow.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

[Abby Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read from Kate Meader. Each one of these books in the Hot In The Kitchen series is a winner. Characters bursting off the page with sexy charisma & dialogue sharp & witty enough to create serious author envy in this fan ;). Tad and Jules were so real, and relatable that they jumped off the pages. You are so drawn into their world, that it almost felt voyeuristic to read their story even though I'd have rugby tackled any attempt to get the kindle out of my hand before I finished reading it. As for the sex scenes...scorchio. And I love love love Kate Meader's witty Irish voice shining through. More please!

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been waiting for Tad & Jules and it was worth the wait. Love of family, witty banter & HOT!

I love this series and I hope there's more to come.

[sarah.booksanddreams · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Love Recipes – Happy Hour fürs Herz“ ist der dritte und letzte Band über ein Mitglied aus dem Familienbetrieb der DeLucas.
Hier stehen nun Taddeo, vorwiegend Tad genannt, der sonst hinter der Bar sein Wissen und Können zum Besten gibt, und Jules, die vor einigen Monaten auf der Suche nach ihrem Bruder Jack ins Restaurant und in das Leben der Familie gestürmt kam,
im Mittelpunkt.
Ich habe mich schon sehr auf die Geschichte der Zwei, die eine Lovers-To-Friends-Story ist, gefreut!

Das Buch ist ohne Vorkenntnisse aus den anderen Bänden lesbar.
Schöner ist es aber, da man sowohl Jules als auch Taddeo schon kennen und irgendwie auch lieben lernt.

Seit ihrer Ankunft im Restaurant der DeLucas, fühlt sich Jules zwischen den Familienmitgliedern wohl
und auch ihr inzwischen geborener Sohn wurde mit Freude in Empfang genommen.
Doch das beste Verhältnis pflegt sie zu Tad.
Egal, ob sie jemanden zum Reden, Lachen oder Anlehnen braucht,
er ist immer für sie da.
Doch seit einem verhängnisvollem Kuss hat ihre Freundschaft kleine Risse bekommen.
Als Jules dann auch noch beschließt ihrem tristen Single-Dasein ein Ende bereiten zu wollen, kommt es zwischen Tad und ihr immer häufiger zu Unstimmigkeiten.
Eigentlich will Tad nur das Beste für Jules und ihren kleinen Sohn …
und das ist – seiner Meinung nach – nicht er …

Der Schreibstil ist, wie bereits bei den Vorgängern, auch hier angenehm zu lesen.
Die Story wird in der dritten Person erzählt.
Dabei liegt die Konzentration immer abwechselnd auf Tad und Jules, sowie ihren Gefühlen, Empfindungen und Erlebnissen.
Ich konnte der Story gut folgen und mich in die Zwei hineinversetzen.

Jules musste in diesem Band erst zu ihrer alten Stärke zurückfinden.
Sie ist zwar nicht auf den Mund gefallen,
die Umstände haben sie aber doch etwas sensibler und zurückgezogener werden lassen.
Ganz im Gegensatz zu Tad: er hat immer einen kecken Spruch auf den Lippen und lässt keinen Zweifel an seinem unwiderstehlichen Charme.
Doch der sonst so forsche Barkeeper hat bisher niemandem einen Blick hinter seine Fassade gewährt, und ist hier gezwungen aufzuarbeiten, was er bisher stets verdrängt hat.

Nach dem starken Prolog plätscherte die erste Hälfte der Story eher vor sich hin.
Vielleicht liegt es auch daran, dass man schon so genau weiß, worauf es letztendlich hinauslaufen wird.
Die Geschichte der Zwei hatte trotzdem einige Höhen und Tiefen zu bieten.

Besonders gut, fand ich, die Entwicklung der Zwei gelungen.
Zu Beginn ist eher Tad der Starke.
Er hat sich schließlich auch gerade einen lang gehegten Traum erfüllt.
Dahingegen muss Jules erst einmal herausfinden, was sie nun vom Leben will – und das schließt sowohl Berufs- wie Privatleben ein.
Zu Ende hin, ist es eher so, dass Tad an Lebensfreude und Willensstärke verloren hat,
Jules jedoch bereit ist zu kämpfen und inzwischen auch für sich selbst einsteht.
Ihre Geschichte beinhaltet sowohl schöne als auch ungemütliche Momente und Szenen.
Trotzdem hat man auch hier immer wieder das Gefühl, dass die Story nur wenig voranschreitet.
Das große Drama bleibt zwar aus, was irgendwie auch gut ist,
andererseits hätte es vielleicht etwas mehr Pep in die Story gebracht.

Insgesamt fand ich Jules und Tads Geschichte aber dennoch schön.
Sie ist ruhiger, etwas trübseliger, aber auch bewegend.

4 von 5 Sterne.

Ich danke dem Piper Verlag für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionsexemplars via NetGalley!

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the idea of friends to lovers, but I often end up disappointed by the books. Well, not this time.

"Five months ago, she'd made the best choice for her baby when she left London and all the pain behind. Finding the strength to admit she needed help by mending fences with her brother had brought her to Chicago. To a new life and a ready-made family."

If you read book one, you know that Juliet is Jack Kilroy's sister. Jules never told him that her baby's father was one of his friend and she never told the father about the kid they made because the day she was about to, she came accross the wife she didn't know he had and saw the woman was pregnant too.

If you read book one and/or two, you know that Tad is Lili and Cara's cousin. It's not a secret for anyone ; Tad is a player. Or he was, before a kiss changed everything.

" When Jules wore that look, it was easy to remember why they had become friends in the first place. They had connected the moment she showed up in his family's restaurant, knocked up, beat down, and in need of a pal."

Jules and Tad's friendship have always been full of banters and a little bit of flirt. She had a crush on him from the beginning, but when your friend talk to you about his "sexploit", it doesn't really encourage you to tell him how you feel.

"One look at Tad DeLuca; cardio without moving your fat arse."

A few months ago, in a moment of weakness, Jules kissed him but Tad made it clear that nothing romantic could happen between them. Since then, he can't stop thinking about it, but no matter how much he wants her, he think he's no good for her and he doesn't want to love and loose again.But when Jules decide that she had enough of feeling lonely and it's time to get back on the dating horse again, it may be what Tad needed to finally make a move.

This book had one of the sweetest prologue ever. And I cannot not talk again about how much I enjoy this author's writing style. It's always fun, cute, sexy, touching and full of spirit.

""I've got salted caramel gelato,"he said into the steamy silence.
She didn't want gelato...said no one ever."

I'll admit at some point I wondered if Tad and Jules would stop dancing around each other and make a decision already about their relationship, but that doesn't mean the author didn't make things interesting. I liked the cute little nicknames Jules gave her son too.

I don't know about you, but me, I adore series with loving families and seeing previous characters
throughout the series.

[Sina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Das Ende einer tollen Reihe mit viel Humor

Nachdem ich die Reihe die komplette Zeit über verfolgt habe, verabschiede ich mich jetzt mit einem lachenden und einem weinenden Auge davon. Es hat mir unglaublich viel Spaß gemacht die DeLuca Familie auf ihrer Reise zu begleiten und auch der letzte Band konnte mich wieder vollends in diese Welt zerren.

Tad und Jules sind alte Bekannte aus den vorherigen Bänden und so war ich extrem gespannt auf ihre Geschichte.
Es war toll zu lesen, wie ihre jahrelange Freundschaft sich langsam aber sicher in mehr verwandelte. Vor alle das Eingeständnis, dass sie ja eigentlich schon von Beginn an Gefühle füreinander hatten, es jedoch einfach nicht der richtige Zeitpunkt war.
Doch als sie sich endlich wieder, nach der Geburt ihres Sohnes, in die Datingwelt vorwagt, setzt Tad alles daran sie zu beschützen.
Sowohl Tad, als auch Jules haben mit den Dämonen ihrer Vergangenheit zu kämpfen und so gibt es immer wieder Konflikte, Unsicherheiten und unglückliche Situationen, denen sie sich stellen müssen.

Am auffälligsten ist die Charakterentwicklung. Ist Jules zu Beginn des Buches noch eher zögerlich, voller Selbstzweifel, Ängste und Unsicherheiten, gewinnt sie im Laufe der Geschichte mehr Selbstvertrauen. Auch Tad ist anfangs noch sehr Schuldzerfressen und hält sich für nicht gut genug. Das wandelt sich aber, sobald er erkennt, dass niemand ihm die Schuld gibt.

Letztendlich sind allerdings einige Missverständnisse aufgetreten, die mit einer anständigen, erwachsenen Konversation hätten vermieden werden können.

Trotzdem habe ich den Humor der Autorin der durch die Geschichte transportiert wird sehr geliebt und auch die Charaktere und Nebencharaktere, da es sich angefühlt hat wie nach Hause zu kommen.

Fazit:
Ein tolles Buch mit viel Humor, sympathischen, liebenswürdigen Charakteren, einer italienischen Großfamilie in Amerika und einer leichten Handlung.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can pretty much copy & paste my review from the last book in this series here, except the "the men must protect the women, even against making her own choices" was ratcheted up to ten.

[Leiah Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest problem with dyslexic kids is not the perceptual problem; it is their perception of themselves. That was my biggest problem. - Bruce Jenner

I am not dyslexic myself. But, my god, how horrific it must be, to simply not understand. Not understand the concept of reading, how to read, what the words mean. How horrible it must feel, how terrible for the self-esteem for the child affected. Though dyslexia was first coined by Rudolf Berlin of Stuttgart, Germany, in 1887, it simply described the “inability to read.” Nothing was known at that time, or for a long time after, about the causes of dyslexia, or what dyslexia truly “means.”

Today, much more is known about the syndrome, it’s causes, and methods to assist the dyslexic child – and nothing truly helps the dyslexic child in a school setting, where teachers and other children are nothing but cruel. And Jules Kilroy certainly suffered. Dyslexia does not mean that a person is unintelligent, often far from it, as in Jules’ case. But it does destroy self-esteem, and this, too, is something Jules’ suffers from in spades. A victim of poor self-image, and the loss of her family, with no support anywhere, Jules acts out in all the common manners, from alcohol to sex. Sex that leaves her pregnant and alone duped and dumped by a married man. With only her brother, Jack, to turn to, Jules flees London to Chicago, where her brother is a famous chef and restaurateur.

This is apparently a later book in the series Hot in the Kitchen, so there was quite a bit of back-story that was going on, but it still stood well on its own. The story revolves around Jules, of course, and what happens to her and her baby, Evan. It is also a great story of a restaurant family, the DeLuca family. Wonderful food, a warm and loving family, and a ‘behind the scenes’ look at how restaurants and their staff work made the story highly interesting to a non-restaurant person like me. But what I truly liked about the book was Jules growth and development as a person. After a cold and bitter childhood and young adulthood, we watch her gain her strength, to accept herself and her strengths, and to become more than she ever thought she could be. This may be a ‘simple’ romance, but to this reader, it is much more than that. It brings attention to dyslexia and how damaging it can be – and how, with understanding, love, and caring it can be overcome, and provide a platform for growth.

The romance itself (hey, it is a romance novel, after all) is quite well written in many ways. Tad DeLuca, the love interest, is broken in his own way. Blaming himself for the accidental death of his parents in a car wreck ten years ago, Tad becomes the penultimate ‘bad boy’ flitting obsessively from bed to bed, utilizing his (stupendous, of course) looks to rack up enough notches on enough bedsteads to create a pile of kindling. Deeply damaged, he becomes best friends with Jules, even holding her hand through Evan’s birth, and helping Jules to recognize who she is, and what she is capable of.

The family members who circle around Jules are wonderful, well developed and not overblown. Their closeness was warm and loving, quite pleasant overall. If you like a romance novel that is more than a cozy, more than an erotic – that has an important story to tell, this is definitely an excellent series. I would recommend starting with Feel the Heat, the first in the series. The characters in the story are winning and likeable, and should be worth the read.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for a realistic review. All opinions are my own.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and Bothered is hilarious book with sassy characters that will keep you laughing and at the same time dealing with the serious issue of dyslexic but with a splash of humor. I cannot imagine how that must feel not being about to read would devastate me. We have come far in how we deal with dyslexic children. In the past they called them dumb, stupid and lazy to name a few. The truth is just the opposite they are very smart, you would be surprised at the list of famous people who are dyslexic do a search and you will be surprised with the outcome.

This book starts out with being in labor giving birth to the so called demon child which in child birth I would think most of us feel this way. The sense of humor in this book is outstanding I laughed the whole way through it. We might not all say what is on our mind when we are in labor but we sure are thinking it. I remember my husband saying honey don’t look at me like that. My thoughts were BE GLAD I AM LOOKING AND NOT TALKING why I continued giving him that you are an arsehole look.

Jules is a sassy outgoing woman who has had to deal with people not understanding her, thinking she dumb, lazy. She is out to show the world how smart she is. In the past she would use sex to cover up her dyslexic so men would not know and be cruel or demean her. In school they laughed at her, her aunt and uncle thought she was lazy they didn’t try to find out what her issue was. Her brother Jack said when he turned 18 she could come live with him but he moved on and got busy living his life, he had no time to give a child. She had no one to turn to so she became the bad girl. One too many affairs she ends up pregnant with nowhere to turn. She runs to her brother who just doesn’t understand her she has to fight to get her family back. In doing so she met her best friend Tad.

Tad is the playboy with issues of his own, his parents die and he is to blame or so he thinks. He isn’t good enough for any women and doesn’t want to get attached to any. He loves and leaves them until one night, one kiss that changes his world. From the first meeting with Jules sparks fly both are attracted to each other but neither want to give up the best friend they ever had. Neither of them knows the other would give anything to just hold and love the other. Tad was there for all the important things in Jules life from giving birth to dealing with Evan (her sons) father issues. Will they ever work out this attraction or will they forever be blinded to the fact that maybe they should be a family.

I love a book that deals with serious issues, that teaches us a lesson or reminds us to rethink how we deal with people and their issues. If you add humor then I am hooked. I could not put this book down I loved the sassy, fun loving characters in this book. Their smart ass mouth and ways will keep you laughing at the same time make you sad and want to take them in your arms and give them the support they need. Ms. Meader has a way of writing that makes you feel you are one with each character. She has a way with words that flow easy and never looses you in the type. You feel like you are right there with each laugh, tear, hug and slap. I would highly recommend this book for anyone who loves a learning, laughter, tear jerker, soul searching book.

[Jennifer Zorko · Rating 5 out of 5]

"In this scenario, her brothers were Lennon and McCartney, and she was the quiet Beatle. The one who took a while to find his stride but then went on to outdo them all.

Jules Kilroy is a single mother, she is the younger sister of the famous Jake Kilroy and Shane Doyle, she has dyslexia, and to top it all off, she is in love with her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca. After one horrifying night, when she kissed him silly and he turned her down flat, she has been trying to hide her feelings. She is use to feeling inadequate, so all her life she has aimed low, let other people fight her battles, and never taken what she wants. But with Tad, she feels like not such a screw-up, like she has control over her life, like anything is possible. Now, she needs to help her best friend to open up to her, let her in, be the rock for him that he has always been for her. If she can accomplish this, she can accomplish anything.

"I'm crazy about you and Evan - don't ever think I'm not - but if someone tried to keep me from my kid, I would do everything in my power to change that.

Taddeo DeLuca has been in love with Jules since the first minute that she walked into DeLuca Restaurant. From that moment, he has been trying to keep is simple, be her friend, help her with her bonny baby boy, Evan, and keep his hands off. But one kiss from Jules and Tad realizes that no one else will do. But losing his parents, blaming himself and building a wall around his heart make Tad a bad bet in his eyes. But as Jules begins to break through that wall, to let the light back into Tad's life, he begins to wonder if the happiness and love that he never thought he would ever find is right within he reach.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to finally see Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader released. I have followed the ups and downs of Jules and Tad for the last 2 books, and I have to say, that their story was so totally worth the wait.

There are some many wonderful scenes and so many wonderful moments in this story that really touched my heart. Jules and Tad are PERFECT together. Everyone sees it, everyone knows it.....well everyone but them. They both have quick wit, smart mouths and are not afraid to call the other out on their bull. They are also so afraid of the mistakes that they have made in the past, Jules with her baby’s father, Tad with the guilt of his parents death, that they are afraid to believe that they truly deserve to be happy. But once they move their relationship from friends to something more, once they begin to truly open up and let the other in, they begin to see a future full of possibilities that they never thought were possible. I love we got to visit with the characters from the two previous books, I love the humor, the love that these character have for each other, for their families.

"It's the Holy Trinity of how I feel about you. I want you, I need you, I love you. There will never be anyone else for me, Juliet Kilroy.

These two truly deserved a HEA, and that is exactly what they got. If you are looking for a funny, touching, family oriented series, pick up Kate Meader's Hot in the Kitchen series. You will fall in love again and again and again. I loved this book and that is why I am giving it 5 beautiful stars.

[Tee Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules left her home in England and barreled into her older brother Jack’s life two years ago, pregnant and alone, never expecting to find a best friend in her hour of need. But that’s exactly what her brother’s friend Tad Deluca became to her, and he’d been there with her through it all. Now her son is 18 months old and she’s itching to get on with her own life, but having dyslexia and no real work experience that would help her makes it a challenge. And her girlfriends deciding how she should get herself out into the dating world isn’t making it any easier to get her life in order, especially while her enticingly gorgeous best friend Tad sits there disapproving of anyone who comes her way. Like they say, you can’t have your cake and eat it too, so it was about time for Tad to decide just how he wanted Jules in his life—as a BFF or as the woman of his dreams.

Tad and Jules had such an awesome friendship, I loved that they were each other’s go-to shoulder to cry on and shared all of the nitty gritty parts of their lives together. He’d seen her through the tough postpartum ups and downs, the trials of first-time motherhood, and her self-worth issues thanks to her dyslexia. He was one of the few people in her life that didn’t make her feel like she was less of a person because she couldn’t read well, and it was so sweet how he looked out for her. That is, until his ‘looking out’ seeped into her dating life once she decided to get herself out there. Tad became a bit of an ass at times, and I wanted to strangle him on a few occasions. But he had some deep-seated self-loathing that broke my heart, and when his whole story was revealed, I couldn’t help but want more and better and happier for this broken man. Jules was just the woman to give him the happiness he deserved, and I loved watching them become each other’s ‘always’!

This was my first read from the Hot in the Kitchen series, but I’m intrigued enough by the characters in this installment to go back and read the first two books. Kate Meader has created an endearing cast of characters with personalities that had me laughing while loving the relationships between them, and I look forward to seeing everyone’s story from the beginning.


Quotes:

“Don’t use that card, Jules. You have it in you to get anyone you want. I just don’t think that guy’s right for you.”
“Why?”
Because he’s not me. ~Loc 2303

“I’ve imagined experiencing something so good there might be no coming back from it. I’ve imagined my ruin.” ~Loc 2435

“I know,” she whispered around a sobby hitch in her throat. “Blimey, I know. What if we screw up?”
“What if we don’t?” He touched his forehead to hers. “Jules, we crossed the line weeks ago, maybe months before that. We always knew it would be tough to go back.” ~Loc 4541


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[Terisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!

No one really put two and two together when Jules Kilroy when was growing up and really determine that she couldn’t read, she had hid that little tidbit by muddling through school when younger and allowing her dates to order for her when she was older, and eventually by giving herself shamelessly to numerous men which helped to lead her to her current predicament, pregnant and alone. So when she arrived at her big brothers doorstep broke and pregnant, her brother welcomed her with open arms. She took the easy way out and moved in with him and his wife but it’s time to take charge. Take charge of her life, take charge of her dating, something she’s put off since having a baby, and it’s time to take charge or what she wants to do in the kitchen but it’s not gonna be easy because taking charge means that she has to make a certain someone see her once and for all or move on all together even if it means that she will lose her best friend.

Taddeo DeLuca came from a proud Irish family that was born to cook. He used to love cooking with his mom but his dad had other plans for him, now Tad no longer cooks, he avoids it all cost but it’s not because his dad had other plans for him. It’s because he’s lost a part of himself and there is only one person that makes him feel whole and that’s his best friend Jules. Too bad he’s no good for her…but to him, neither is anyone else and the fact that she’s going to start dating again has really got his panties in a wad.

I enjoyed this book immensely! I loved the British references from Jules, I loved the quit witted comebacks between her and Tad and I loved the fact that the men in the book are the books. Nothing is sexier than a hot man in the kitchen!

Jules is a smart, fun loving and very independent women but the fact that she has dyslexia and can’t read has her second guessing herself a lot but she loves to cook and she’s not afraid to try new things when cooking which leads some amazing recipes. I fell in love with Tad from the very beginning. He was an amazing best friend and was always there for Jules when she needed him and always tried to make her see just how special she was even when she didn’t think so. My heart broke for how hard he was on himself though for something that he had no control over and fact that he suffered ten years later believing that he wasn’t worthy of having a happily ever after.

I didn’t realize going in that this was actually book 3 in the series and while you can tell from the beginning that you are missing part of the story, it didn’t take anything away from the plot or the story itself at least I didn’t believe so. I will tell you that this book was good enough that I will be purchasing book 1 and 2 so that I can see what I missed.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate Meader quickly became a new favorite author after reading the second book in her Hot in the Kitchen series, All Fired Up. When the opportunity came to review the third in the series, HOT AND BOTHERED, I couldn’t pass up the chance. I wanted to see Jules get her happily ever after and oh boy did Meader deliver!

We have good character development. Jules Kilroy is a single mother who is struggling with a secret: she’s dyslexic. She’s not very confident, but she has a heart of gold. Jules wants to live her own life and one way to do it, is on her own terms. So she moves out of her brother’s house and she’s ready to start dating. Then we have Tad DeLuca, who’s one of the most eligible bachelors in Chicago with ah well a bit of reputation. He considers Jules a good friend and is horrified to find out she’s interested in going on dates. I adored Tad from the beginning and couldn’t wait to see what his dark secret was and when it’s revealed-it’s a relatable event and one you’ll just cry over. We have a few secondary characters that play a role including Lilli and Jack and the whole DeLuca clan.

Can I take a moment to talk about the attraction between these two? Wow! I’m normally a bit iffy about friends turned to lovers because I always feel as if it’s a convenience. Sort of “well there’s no one around, so why not us?” Meader didn’t make feel that way and I could see Jules and Tad together and I kept wondering why these two didn’t give it a go from the beginning. Their friendship was genuine and the transition from friends to lovers felt natural.

What I adored about Meader’s HOT AND BOTHERED was the humor! It has a memorable opening scene that will leave you wincing and laughing at the same time. The one thing to take away from that scene is how much it sets up the story-I loved seeing Tad be there for Jules when she had no one other than her brother to turn to. HOT AND BOTHERED really is about relationships and the people around us. It’s easy to relate to the characters and think about the issues at hand. Not only do have a heroine who has been abandoned by two men she loved, but we also have a hero who thinks he doesn’t deserve love because of what he’s done. In the end, I just really liked the character growth. Jules becomes the person I knew she was and Tad finally forgave himself.

If you’re a fan of contemporary romance, I highly recommend Kate Meader! And if you’re wondering, HOT AND BOTHERED is a good standalone and it’s not necessary to have read the first two books to enjoy. While Meader does provide us with updates regarding Lilli and Jack and Cara and Shane, it’s not what I would consider spoilers. I’ll just warn you-all the talk about food and drink will make your mouth water!

This review and more are posted at Literary, etc.