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Kiss the Bride: Angel Food / Just Desserts / A Recipe for Romance / Tea for Two
Contemporary Four young women meet at a restaurant owner's conference-Angel from Florida, Monica from Missouri, Haley from Oklahoma, and Allison from New Jersey-and discover they share the same faiths, fears, and hopes, including a lack of a love story in their lives. They vow to keep in touch, pray for one another, and meet again at next year's conference. What happens in between is an absolute smorgasbord of changed lives, challenged faiths, new dedications and directions, and romantic twists that turn next year's conference reunion plans into reservations for eight.
366 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2006
3 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Dykes
17 books9 followersKristy Dykes—wife to Rev. Milton Dykes, mother to two beautiful young women, grandmother, and native Floridian—was author of hundreds of articles, a weekly cooking column, short stories, and novels. She was also a public speaker whose favorite topic was on "How to Love Your Husband." Her goal in writing was to "make them laugh, make them cry, and make them wait" (a Charles Dicken’s quote). She passed away from this life in 2008.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 9, 2025
Me agradó la confianza y comunicación que tenían con sus parejas y amigas. También la manera en que mantenían su fe viva.💓💓 Mi historia favorita fue: A Recipe for Romance.😊
August 17, 2024
This was an interconnected set of four novellas, each following a different member of a friend group of chefs who meet during a convention. One of them buys an apron with the slogan “Kiss the Cook” on it, and, in a style similar to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the apron gets passed around to each of them after the previous owner has found her guy.
I wanted to read this because I love Carrie Turansky and I have made it my goal for this year to read all of her novels and novellas. This was apparently one of her first stories. It’s called “Tea for Two” and I really enjoyed it. It was the best one in the collection for me.
I really didn’t like the writing style of the first story and the two characters went hot and cold with their feelings several times. The second story was a cute, feuding families story, that I was really enjoying until everything was resolved off screen so to speak. I liked the third story a lot, especially how shy the main guy was. The Carrie Turansky story was definitely the best one.
I wanted to read this because I love Carrie Turansky and I have made it my goal for this year to read all of her novels and novellas. This was apparently one of her first stories. It’s called “Tea for Two” and I really enjoyed it. It was the best one in the collection for me.
I really didn’t like the writing style of the first story and the two characters went hot and cold with their feelings several times. The second story was a cute, feuding families story, that I was really enjoying until everything was resolved off screen so to speak. I liked the third story a lot, especially how shy the main guy was. The Carrie Turansky story was definitely the best one.
July 27, 2012
This was an anthology that had 4 short stories - four contemporary romances are strengthened by the same lasting ingredient per the title - which was the Lord. This was unexpectedly Christian or inspirational fiction and while each story was different all 4 women were cooks and owned a type of restaurant. All 4 women fell in love with their Mr. Right after sharing an apron that said Kiss the Cook on it. It was a cute read but a little too religious for my liking - the one most enjoyable to me was Just Desserts - in which the religion was toned down a bit.
October 9, 2009
Very, very light and fluffy reading. 4 novellas in one, which might have accounted for the lack of development of the characters that I somewhat felt. Some of the stories were better written than others; all had a certain element of predictability but the better written ones also had a certain charm that made the stories a little more than tolerable. Overall, it wasn't thought provoking and had very little depth. It meant well but probably not well enough to leave an impression.
July 14, 2016
refreshing run read :)
March 21, 2018
Fun quick read with Christianity, cooking and love. Nice find at a book sale.
August 23, 2019
This was actually an enjoyable read. 4 stories about different restaurant owners.
January 16, 2025
I read the contemporary story A Recipe for Romance by Vickie McDonough. Inspirational quick read.
August 28, 2009
There are 4 novellas in this one book. Each novella is around 80-90 pages and is centered around four different women. This is a contemporary Christian Inspiration novel, so be warned if you are not interested in reading about God, prayers, and people establishing a firmer relationship with God. But also know that this is not a preachy book that is heavy with sermons. It is four light, inspiring, romantic stories that can't help but make your heart warm and your stomach growl!
In a way, this is an adult version of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," instead of the four women sharing a pair of jeans, they share a comical apron that says "Kiss the Cook." No, they don't believe the apron has magical powers that will produce Mr. Right, instead they trust and have faith in God to bring the right man into their lives at the right time. However, they do believe that wearing an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" can't hurt!
Angel Food: (4 stars)
Angel Morgan (the one who bought the apron) has just received an inheritance from a great-aunt and has bought a place to make her dream of opening a French restaurant a reality. The only problem is that the small town in which she lives does not need an upscale French restaurant. Cyril Jackson befriends this new business-owner and is thinking this may turn into a great relationship, but Angel seems to have her priorities backwards.
Just Desserts: (4 stars)
Monica's family is in the restaurant business, Gil's family is in the restaurant business, Monica and Gil used to date in high school and their families used to be in business together. Fast-forward 10 years, their families are rivals, own separate businesses, and Gil broke Monica's heart when he left for college. Now that their parents have retired they are trying to run their families separate business without ruining them.
A Recipe for Romance (5 stars)
Haley is a dedicated worker, she worked hard through out college and is now working hard to pay off college loans. Her brother asks her to correspond with a lonely soldier in Kuwait. Haley enjoys having a friend that she can share things with and when her parents leave her in charge of their cafe, her correspondent, Scott, is there to help work on the repairs. However, Scott has kept a secret from Haley that might destroy her trust in him and their relationship.
Tea For Two: (5 stars)
Allison is trying to make her Tea Shop a success and when someone from her past offers free advertising she wants to accept. The only problem is that the person who offered the free advertising is the same person who broke her heart 6 years ago. Tyler is trying to make ammends to Allison by doing free advertising for her business, but he also has an ulterior motive.
I gave this book five stars because the last two stories were real captivating and inspiring, I enjoyed the characters, the recipes at the end of each novella, and the lessons of love and faith I learned while read this book. I highly recommend!
In a way, this is an adult version of the "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," instead of the four women sharing a pair of jeans, they share a comical apron that says "Kiss the Cook." No, they don't believe the apron has magical powers that will produce Mr. Right, instead they trust and have faith in God to bring the right man into their lives at the right time. However, they do believe that wearing an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" can't hurt!
Angel Food: (4 stars)
Angel Morgan (the one who bought the apron) has just received an inheritance from a great-aunt and has bought a place to make her dream of opening a French restaurant a reality. The only problem is that the small town in which she lives does not need an upscale French restaurant. Cyril Jackson befriends this new business-owner and is thinking this may turn into a great relationship, but Angel seems to have her priorities backwards.
Just Desserts: (4 stars)
Monica's family is in the restaurant business, Gil's family is in the restaurant business, Monica and Gil used to date in high school and their families used to be in business together. Fast-forward 10 years, their families are rivals, own separate businesses, and Gil broke Monica's heart when he left for college. Now that their parents have retired they are trying to run their families separate business without ruining them.
A Recipe for Romance (5 stars)
Haley is a dedicated worker, she worked hard through out college and is now working hard to pay off college loans. Her brother asks her to correspond with a lonely soldier in Kuwait. Haley enjoys having a friend that she can share things with and when her parents leave her in charge of their cafe, her correspondent, Scott, is there to help work on the repairs. However, Scott has kept a secret from Haley that might destroy her trust in him and their relationship.
Tea For Two: (5 stars)
Allison is trying to make her Tea Shop a success and when someone from her past offers free advertising she wants to accept. The only problem is that the person who offered the free advertising is the same person who broke her heart 6 years ago. Tyler is trying to make ammends to Allison by doing free advertising for her business, but he also has an ulterior motive.
I gave this book five stars because the last two stories were real captivating and inspiring, I enjoyed the characters, the recipes at the end of each novella, and the lessons of love and faith I learned while read this book. I highly recommend!
November 25, 2022
I struggled with Monica's harsh character so much I didn't want to finish it. But in the end I'm glad I did. Very sweet stories.
May 22, 2019
Four women meet at a conference for restaurant owners. All of them are single, but hopeful that someday they will find love. They purchase an apron that says Kiss the Cook and vow to pass it amongst the four of them to see if it might inspire them toward romance.
In Angel Food by Kristy Dykes, Angel Morgan comes to a small town to open her dream French restaurant. She meets fellow business owner Cyril Jackson and is attracted, but the two are direct opposites and rub each other the wrong way. Can they see eye to eye spiritually and emotionally? Aisha Ford's Just Desserts features Monica and Gil, whose parents once owned a thriving restaurant together. Unfortunately, a major feud has kept the families at a distance for many years, each opening their own restaurant. When Monica and Gil have to join forces in business, romantic sparks fly. Can they overcome their families' objections?
Vickie McDonough's A Recipe for Romance showcases Hailey, who has long been ashamed of her parents' restaurant, The Cowpoke Café. Due to health problems, her father must retire and they are giving the business to Hailey. She's excited to remodel and meets Scott, who is willing to help her with the work. Can their budding relationship survive a secret Scott is hiding? Finally, in Carrie Turansky's Tea for Two, Allison and her sister own a struggling tea shop. Allison is puzzled about her active love life, in which she must choose between two men vying for her heart. Peter wants to provide for her, and Tyler, Allison's old boyfriend, wants to show her that he has changed. Which should she choose?
These four stories are heartwarming and sweet romances. The faith message is strong, yet not preachy. The characters are interesting. Their connection through the conference begins and ends the story collection, providing a wonderful introduction and then tying everything together at the end. And fittingly - since all the stories feature restaurants and talk about foods, making the reader's stomach grumble - recipes are included. For a delicious and delightful romance collection, Kiss the Cook/Bride hits the spot.
In Angel Food by Kristy Dykes, Angel Morgan comes to a small town to open her dream French restaurant. She meets fellow business owner Cyril Jackson and is attracted, but the two are direct opposites and rub each other the wrong way. Can they see eye to eye spiritually and emotionally? Aisha Ford's Just Desserts features Monica and Gil, whose parents once owned a thriving restaurant together. Unfortunately, a major feud has kept the families at a distance for many years, each opening their own restaurant. When Monica and Gil have to join forces in business, romantic sparks fly. Can they overcome their families' objections?
Vickie McDonough's A Recipe for Romance showcases Hailey, who has long been ashamed of her parents' restaurant, The Cowpoke Café. Due to health problems, her father must retire and they are giving the business to Hailey. She's excited to remodel and meets Scott, who is willing to help her with the work. Can their budding relationship survive a secret Scott is hiding? Finally, in Carrie Turansky's Tea for Two, Allison and her sister own a struggling tea shop. Allison is puzzled about her active love life, in which she must choose between two men vying for her heart. Peter wants to provide for her, and Tyler, Allison's old boyfriend, wants to show her that he has changed. Which should she choose?
These four stories are heartwarming and sweet romances. The faith message is strong, yet not preachy. The characters are interesting. Their connection through the conference begins and ends the story collection, providing a wonderful introduction and then tying everything together at the end. And fittingly - since all the stories feature restaurants and talk about foods, making the reader's stomach grumble - recipes are included. For a delicious and delightful romance collection, Kiss the Cook/Bride hits the spot.
July 4, 2011
Four women meet at a restaurant convention and one buys a "Kiss the Cook" apron. Each gets to wear it like the jeans in the Sisters of the Traveling Pants. As each one finds the love of their life and a stronger faith in God the apron is sent to the next friend until the last one's man crosses out the word cook and writes in bride. Cute short stories.
366 pages
366 pages
March 3, 2009
Very light reading. Good stories, but not something that you can't put down. I read it little by little before bed. One good thing is the good recipes that go with each story, the sweet potato pie I made right away, delicious!
November 21, 2008
Very Cute!
November 13, 2009
I learned that no matter what God never gives up on you and that TRUE love is always there maybe not right away but it comes...
December 1, 2009
Overall four wonderful stories! A must read if you enjoy reading christian romance novels!
February 20, 2012
This book was fun to read!
November 6, 2011
This book of 4 stories was a wonderful read. Such a great Christian romance collection. You fall in love with the characters and it is a great reminder in your faith in God. Loved it!
April 18, 2013
The first story was very predictable.
May 2, 2015
4 short stories about falling in love based around a "lucky" kiss the cook apron. Cute stories. Lite easy read. The last on was my favorite.
June 12, 2009
Nice light reading.
October 8, 2009
great read
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews