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The Doctor, the Chef or the Fireman
Kendra King ran away from her boyfriend so fast, she almost left her favorite Louis purse behind. Newly-minted doctor Christopher Randall had been the man of her dreams, until she uncovered his dangerous secret.
Moving from Richmond, Virginia to nearby Cory City was easier for the 26-year-old than confronting her ex, and she busied herself with her new career. Soon, handsome fireman Matt Livingston softens her broken heart and life in Cory City looks as rosy as the flowers Matt sends her every week. Even daily breakfast at the local diner seems magical, and she quickly bonds with a misfit group of regulars including young chef Nolan Ford, who warms her soul with his blueberry pancakes and adorable southern smile.
But when one of her new friends becomes suspiciously ill and scandal engulfs the fire department, Kendra sets out with Matt to prove his boss is crooked. She learns nothing in Cory City is as it seems and when her ex arrives in town, Kendra’s not sure who to trust. She begins to uncover the good, the bad and the ugly among the three men closest to her: the doctor, the chef and the fireman. And if she’s not careful, she might unleash the evil in one.
Moving from Richmond, Virginia to nearby Cory City was easier for the 26-year-old than confronting her ex, and she busied herself with her new career. Soon, handsome fireman Matt Livingston softens her broken heart and life in Cory City looks as rosy as the flowers Matt sends her every week. Even daily breakfast at the local diner seems magical, and she quickly bonds with a misfit group of regulars including young chef Nolan Ford, who warms her soul with his blueberry pancakes and adorable southern smile.
But when one of her new friends becomes suspiciously ill and scandal engulfs the fire department, Kendra sets out with Matt to prove his boss is crooked. She learns nothing in Cory City is as it seems and when her ex arrives in town, Kendra’s not sure who to trust. She begins to uncover the good, the bad and the ugly among the three men closest to her: the doctor, the chef and the fireman. And if she’s not careful, she might unleash the evil in one.
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 12, 2017
About the author
Debbie K. Lum
5 books75 followersDEBBIE K. LUM is an unlikely author, a non-reader who was inspired by a self-esteem ad campaign encouraging little girls to dream big. Her romantic suspense novels feature fun, flawed characters with steamy and complicated relationships (and plenty of surprises!) In 2018, Lum released I CAN HANDLE HIM, which was called "A fresh, enjoyable tale." by BlueInk Reviews. Reviews for the book have been published in Booklist Magazine and Kirkus Review Magazine. Her 2017 novel, THE DOCTOR, THE CHEF OR THE FIREMAN, was called “A quick, satisfying romantic mystery.” by Kirkus Reviews. In 2016 she debuted PLEBEIAN REVEALED, PLEBEIAN IN DANGER and PLEBEIAN REBORN, a series about a married woman who finds sudden fame with her ex-boyfriend.
Debbie splits her time between Florida and Georgia and drinks more unsweetened iced-tea than she probably should.
Debbie splits her time between Florida and Georgia and drinks more unsweetened iced-tea than she probably should.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
October 15, 2018
I'll start by saying I'm giving this one 4.5 stars. I'm only knocking it down a bit because I wish we got a little more follow up with some of the characters at the end. I can't tell you who because it ruins it a bit.
In this story we have Kendra who is fresh off a not so great relationship with the doctor. She's left him, moved into a new place and is starting over in a new town with a new job and soon, a new boyfriend. Immediately upon moving in she meets Matt, the firefighter. Attraction flies both ways and soon she finds herself in a fast paced romance with him. She discovers the local watering hole, Silver Spoons diner and see the chef's hot buns. Literally. Nolan is swoon worthy and can work a frying pan like nobody's business. BUT, she's with Matt right now so she's in a complicated space.
Soon things start unraveling. Her ex comes to town, her current boyfriend is trying to uncover possibly corrupt city leaders, and the chef is getting a little flirty with her. People in town are mysteriously getting sick and more and more evidence starts to pile up to prove Matt's theory right. But who is really behind all of this? Is the ex really the dirt bag she thought he was? Is Matt really the genuine guy she thinks he is? Is Nolan more than she thinks? You don't know and you're left guessing right to the end.
For being only 174 pages we get a lot of story, a lot of characters, and a sweet romance. If you are in the market for a romance without all of the sex (but implied sex) this is going to be your read. Perfect to throw into your purse and read between hauling kids to different activities, this book kept me glued to it and I flew through this in a day. No joke. I'm a fast reader anyways, but I wanted to know who the heck she picks!! Don't you dare cheat and skip to the end either, the unraveling of it all is the gem of this.
In this story we have Kendra who is fresh off a not so great relationship with the doctor. She's left him, moved into a new place and is starting over in a new town with a new job and soon, a new boyfriend. Immediately upon moving in she meets Matt, the firefighter. Attraction flies both ways and soon she finds herself in a fast paced romance with him. She discovers the local watering hole, Silver Spoons diner and see the chef's hot buns. Literally. Nolan is swoon worthy and can work a frying pan like nobody's business. BUT, she's with Matt right now so she's in a complicated space.
Soon things start unraveling. Her ex comes to town, her current boyfriend is trying to uncover possibly corrupt city leaders, and the chef is getting a little flirty with her. People in town are mysteriously getting sick and more and more evidence starts to pile up to prove Matt's theory right. But who is really behind all of this? Is the ex really the dirt bag she thought he was? Is Matt really the genuine guy she thinks he is? Is Nolan more than she thinks? You don't know and you're left guessing right to the end.
For being only 174 pages we get a lot of story, a lot of characters, and a sweet romance. If you are in the market for a romance without all of the sex (but implied sex) this is going to be your read. Perfect to throw into your purse and read between hauling kids to different activities, this book kept me glued to it and I flew through this in a day. No joke. I'm a fast reader anyways, but I wanted to know who the heck she picks!! Don't you dare cheat and skip to the end either, the unraveling of it all is the gem of this.
June 27, 2018
This was a great summer read. It was about a girl, Kendra, who leaves her boyfriend doctor and moves to a small town. She left her boyfriend doctor due an illegal issue she knew about him. Kendara then meets the fireman who she becomes interested in. While she starts dating the fireman, she also meets a chef that she likes at a local restaurant. the story evolved into a conspiracy about how this small town hospital is so busy and why that is and what is causing everyone to be so ill. This a great summer read. Check it out!
October 26, 2018
Can she really be smitten with three men at once?
Kendra makes a move to escape her past and heal her broken heart; and while she is surprised by the number of good-looking men in such a small town, seems there are also secrets to be unraveled. Things are not what they appear on the surface, but who can she trust?
Kendra makes a move to escape her past and heal her broken heart; and while she is surprised by the number of good-looking men in such a small town, seems there are also secrets to be unraveled. Things are not what they appear on the surface, but who can she trust?
February 7, 2019
Kendra has a dilemma over which eligible bachelor attracts her more: a doctor, a chef, or a fireman. They all have their advantages and personality quirks. All she wants to do is blend into the small town that she just moved into. She doesn't want to get pulled into the politics of a small town, but it seems unavoidable.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story to find out who Kendra realized was the man she wanted to be with.
I enjoyed the twists and turns of the story to find out who Kendra realized was the man she wanted to be with.
November 3, 2018
Thank you to Debbie K. Lum and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
Very quick, funny and intriguing story that ended up not what I expected. Had a great tempo and kept my interest with a little romance, a little mystery and of course a happy ending.
Very quick, funny and intriguing story that ended up not what I expected. Had a great tempo and kept my interest with a little romance, a little mystery and of course a happy ending.
October 21, 2018
Who was it?
This is a good book. Who did Kendra fall for. You will have to read it and see. Can you pick out the bad boys?
This is a good book. Who did Kendra fall for. You will have to read it and see. Can you pick out the bad boys?
October 25, 2018
I won this ebook in a Goodreads Giveaway. It was a surprising mystery-romance, wkth the mystery being the better part. The heroine is a little fickle and too quick to fall for a guy. Good read.
November 13, 2018
A well written mystery/romance novel. I can totally relate to Kendra in some aspects. Everything is not as it may appear. A love triangle? Or a personal journey to find the perfect mate? A page turner as the plot twist. A must read
June 15, 2019
Perfect book for a beach day or poolside read. Easy read with tidy ending.
July 2, 2017
A mysterious, hang on the edge of your seat story, with a romantic twist!
Upon reading the title and synopsis to the book that I was to excited to win via a giveaway, I expected to read a story about a woman in the midst of some drama, with three men pining after her.
Boy was I wrong!! The book focuses mostly on the happenings of a small town. Those of us who grew up in small towns know that many things go on behind the scenes and sometimes things are swept under the rug. This made the mysterious events that occurred in the book seem plausible! It wasn't such a far fetched idea that corruption could happen in the happiest of towns! And that it did!
Though most of the story revolved around the ins and outs of the town, there was a bit of romance added in with the main character, Kendra.
Unraveling the mystery of the men in her life was just as thrilling as the corrupt city mystery!
Although, I must say, I would have loved to have read more about her personal relationships with each man. More of an in depth story line of her actual romance with the Doctor, the Chef, and the Fireman.
My favorite snippet in the book was when Kendra figured out which man was made for her.
'Click! Perfect match!' ❤️
Let's say that now that I've read this book, I know that 'No man can be a man until he knows how to______'...and boy is that true! 😉
Find out the mysteries in love and life and what makes a man a man in this short and sweet crime mystery romance!
Thank you SO MUCH, Debbie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to get my hands on the Plebeian series! **I loved the reference to that series in this novel!**
Upon reading the title and synopsis to the book that I was to excited to win via a giveaway, I expected to read a story about a woman in the midst of some drama, with three men pining after her.
Boy was I wrong!! The book focuses mostly on the happenings of a small town. Those of us who grew up in small towns know that many things go on behind the scenes and sometimes things are swept under the rug. This made the mysterious events that occurred in the book seem plausible! It wasn't such a far fetched idea that corruption could happen in the happiest of towns! And that it did!
Though most of the story revolved around the ins and outs of the town, there was a bit of romance added in with the main character, Kendra.
Unraveling the mystery of the men in her life was just as thrilling as the corrupt city mystery!
Although, I must say, I would have loved to have read more about her personal relationships with each man. More of an in depth story line of her actual romance with the Doctor, the Chef, and the Fireman.
My favorite snippet in the book was when Kendra figured out which man was made for her.
'Click! Perfect match!' ❤️
Let's say that now that I've read this book, I know that 'No man can be a man until he knows how to______'...and boy is that true! 😉
Find out the mysteries in love and life and what makes a man a man in this short and sweet crime mystery romance!
Thank you SO MUCH, Debbie! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to get my hands on the Plebeian series! **I loved the reference to that series in this novel!**
November 27, 2017
I received a copy of this book from Goodreads in exchange for a review.
First, I have to comment on the great cover…love it.
Kendra King jumped form the frying pan into the fire when she left her doctor/boyfriend, Dr. Christopher Randall, and their high-end lifestyle for the small town of Cory City. But she didn’t really have a choice. When she discovered Christopher had lied about something HUGE, living with him and covering up the lie just wasn’t an option. So off to Cory City and her BFF to lick her wounds and restart her life. It didn’t take long for her to fall into the arms of fireman, Matt Livingston. But her new home town has problems and Matt insists they are a result of nefarious dealings between the town’s mayor and the chief of the fire department. Kendra is quick to jump into the mystery with a little snooping of her own. Along the way she meets chef Noland Ford, who runs the Seven Spoons restaurant. His brisket is enough to send anyone into a food-swoon and he’s not bad on the eyes either.
When the town’s residents begin falling ill, Kendra and Nolan set out to get to find the source of mysterious sickness. However, very quickly things go from a simmer to a full boil and Kendra finds herself having to choose between the fireman or the chef. Knowing that she can’t be a part of a cover-up in Cory City any more than she could in Richmond, she sides with….. [nope not gonna spoil the fun].
First, I have to comment on the great cover…love it.
Kendra King jumped form the frying pan into the fire when she left her doctor/boyfriend, Dr. Christopher Randall, and their high-end lifestyle for the small town of Cory City. But she didn’t really have a choice. When she discovered Christopher had lied about something HUGE, living with him and covering up the lie just wasn’t an option. So off to Cory City and her BFF to lick her wounds and restart her life. It didn’t take long for her to fall into the arms of fireman, Matt Livingston. But her new home town has problems and Matt insists they are a result of nefarious dealings between the town’s mayor and the chief of the fire department. Kendra is quick to jump into the mystery with a little snooping of her own. Along the way she meets chef Noland Ford, who runs the Seven Spoons restaurant. His brisket is enough to send anyone into a food-swoon and he’s not bad on the eyes either.
When the town’s residents begin falling ill, Kendra and Nolan set out to get to find the source of mysterious sickness. However, very quickly things go from a simmer to a full boil and Kendra finds herself having to choose between the fireman or the chef. Knowing that she can’t be a part of a cover-up in Cory City any more than she could in Richmond, she sides with….. [nope not gonna spoil the fun].
March 22, 2018
I won this book from Goodreads!!
There is a whole lot going on in the quick romantic mystery. Kendra breaks up with her doctor boyfriend when she finds out his dirty secret and runs away to small town with a lot of scetchy things going on like political corruption and mysterious illnesses. This where Kendra meets and befriends the title characters, the chef and the fireman, but not all is what seems.
The title of this books makes it pretty obvious that one either the doctor, the chef, or the fireman has something do with the scetchy goings on in the town, however I was quite surprised to see who the bad guy was. This book could have benefited from a little more character development.
The ending was unecessarily long. After we find out who did it there is still 20% left in the book. She really did not have to spend that much time wrapping up the happily ever afters. Despite this too long ending I still enjoyed reading this book.
There is a whole lot going on in the quick romantic mystery. Kendra breaks up with her doctor boyfriend when she finds out his dirty secret and runs away to small town with a lot of scetchy things going on like political corruption and mysterious illnesses. This where Kendra meets and befriends the title characters, the chef and the fireman, but not all is what seems.
The title of this books makes it pretty obvious that one either the doctor, the chef, or the fireman has something do with the scetchy goings on in the town, however I was quite surprised to see who the bad guy was. This book could have benefited from a little more character development.
The ending was unecessarily long. After we find out who did it there is still 20% left in the book. She really did not have to spend that much time wrapping up the happily ever afters. Despite this too long ending I still enjoyed reading this book.
December 3, 2017
This is an energetically written, quite funny, romance/mystery. I was pleasantly surprised at the wit of the author's writing and
the story revolves around the main character, Kendra King, who moves away from her boyfriend in one day, because of some mystery and possibly criminal activity on the part of the former beau. She settles in small town Cory City, and bonds with a group of townies including a hunky fireman and a hunky chef. But her story gets complicated by scandal in the fire department, as well as her ex arriving in town. The mystery surrounds the men she knows, and of course there's lots of swoony romance.
It's a fun read with some nice plot twists.
the story revolves around the main character, Kendra King, who moves away from her boyfriend in one day, because of some mystery and possibly criminal activity on the part of the former beau. She settles in small town Cory City, and bonds with a group of townies including a hunky fireman and a hunky chef. But her story gets complicated by scandal in the fire department, as well as her ex arriving in town. The mystery surrounds the men she knows, and of course there's lots of swoony romance.
It's a fun read with some nice plot twists.
March 19, 2018
I received this book for free from a goodreads giveaway. It was a very quick read and I enjoyed the gist of the book. What I found unbelievable was how fast the main character moved jumped from one bed to another. And seriously?!? After two previous relationships were something sketchy happened she was super quick to jump into the third one and agree to marriage. That part felt pretty unrealistic and fantasyland to me.
April 14, 2018
***I won this book via the Goodreads Giveaway program. This has not influenced my review.***
What a cute, sugary-sweet book! I read it in one day easily. Perfect for the beach or a sick day.
Because it's a quick read, it doesn't contain complex plot lines or in-depth characters. However, the storyline has enough hooks and the characters make sense for this book.
If you like fun romance novels, you'll like this. I especially enjoyed one hilarious scene in the hospital - no spoilers!
What a cute, sugary-sweet book! I read it in one day easily. Perfect for the beach or a sick day.
Because it's a quick read, it doesn't contain complex plot lines or in-depth characters. However, the storyline has enough hooks and the characters make sense for this book.
If you like fun romance novels, you'll like this. I especially enjoyed one hilarious scene in the hospital - no spoilers!
November 7, 2018
Couldn't finish
Not that it's a poorly written book, but it just wasn't for me.
This book is tagged as a Romantic Suspense, but there was really no "suspense". Got a bit over half way and it couldn't keep my intrest. Sad, because I tend to finish everything even if I dont like it. This one just dragged too much for me.
Not that it's a poorly written book, but it just wasn't for me.
This book is tagged as a Romantic Suspense, but there was really no "suspense". Got a bit over half way and it couldn't keep my intrest. Sad, because I tend to finish everything even if I dont like it. This one just dragged too much for me.
March 19, 2018
If I could give half stars this would be getting a 4.5. It starts out great and ends up with a big twist! I would definitely recommend this book if your looking for a quick read that's also a great story.
This book was received as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
This book was received as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
February 23, 2019
Received this free from a Goodreads Giveaway.
This was a quick and easy read, but I only gave it a three because it felt too short and rushed and the main character was too weird about men. Not weird, really, but the relationships seemed too simple or forced.
This was a quick and easy read, but I only gave it a three because it felt too short and rushed and the main character was too weird about men. Not weird, really, but the relationships seemed too simple or forced.
February 24, 2019
Meh
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not at all believable. Martin character sleeps with three different men in the space of just a few weeks and ends up engaged at the end? I think it could've used a bit more thought.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Not at all believable. Martin character sleeps with three different men in the space of just a few weeks and ends up engaged at the end? I think it could've used a bit more thought.
May 30, 2017
Goodreads win
This was a fun read. The author threw in some great twists.
This was a fun read. The author threw in some great twists.
June 29, 2017
A great nice and easy read. Strong characters, a combination of mystery and love. Kept me guessing till the end.
August 9, 2017
Fast paced, fun romance! I enjoyed the twists and turns in Kendra's journey to find the love of her life!
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway.
April 17, 2018
This was a fast fun romantic book with a great twist at the end.
July 23, 2018
Ok
Flaky can’t make up her mind female. Flitting from one guy to the next without trying to find out what she really likes. Not my kind of story
Flaky can’t make up her mind female. Flitting from one guy to the next without trying to find out what she really likes. Not my kind of story
June 24, 2019
Cute short read. I enjoyed it. And happy with the ending and the ‘twist’ was fun to read.
February 9, 2021
This was such a fun book with many unexpected twists and turns. It is a short story that has romance and mystery. Such a great book!
April 15, 2017
Keeping me on my toes......
Your style is what I like. Just when I know I have everything figured out, you go all 'squirrel' on me and take a hard left turn.
Your style is what I like. Just when I know I have everything figured out, you go all 'squirrel' on me and take a hard left turn.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews