His Zesty Marinara

Paolo is at a crossroads and Marina just might be his salvation. It's a steamy yet very heartwarming story. Perfetto! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Mary

6,159 reviews18 followers

I absolutely love this story! It is such a fun story! It blends two of my favorite things to together romance and cooking. The Flirt Club has come up with a saucy theme for their series. This is a short and quick read that was entertaining, cute, sweet and sexy. Paolo and Marina are so perfect together. She comes into his life when he truly needs someone to not only listen to him but be his muse. She brings out the best in him and she loves every minute of their time together. It's not instant attraction, maybe after the ice is dumped, but it's got a great build and is loving, thoughtful and entertaining. I cannot wait to read the other stories in this series of stand alone reads.

11.8k reviews48 followers

September 29, 2020

Cooking up more than just some sauce in the kitchen

His Zesty Marinara by Fiona Starr is part of The Secret Sauce series with each book by a different author. This is the story of Marina Trovato and Paolo Perso.
Marina is just about to get the biggest break in her career to date. She is the assistant to Grace, who is a producer at Eating Channel. When Grace goes into labor a month early she wants Marina to step up and become the producer for a series of five shows they are starting to film the following day with celebrity chef Paulo Perso.
Paolo has worked hard to achieve his career success with a celebrated restaurant in LA, a pasta sauce line, talks of doing a restaurant franchise, a cooking show and more. Heck the guy even has a private plane and a private island. But along the way he has lost his passion, joy and happiness. So his long time business partner and friend along with the rest of his staff have walked out and left the island. Just the reason to get more than a few fingers deep into a bottle and them some.
When Marina arrives Paolo's private island she is greeted with a drunk man, none of his staff and him not even remembering the show was coming to film. She is going to have to come up with a plan and do it quickly if she does not want to go home defeated and hide under the covers for the rest of her life. What she does do is help Paolo reconnect with the reason why he got into cooking, his loving Italian grandma. Along the way they also discover a soul searing passion for each other which ends up with a very sexy kitchen scene.

This is a fun, sweet and zesty hot short story. It is well written, has an entertaining story-line and very likeable characters, even when you want to kick Paolo in his cute tushie. Marina is a young woman that is up for a challenge and is more than willing to change her plans which results in an even better show than originally detailed.

Jenny Harris

4,405 reviews33 followers

I received this short story with the understanding that I could leave a voluntary and honest review.

In this book we meet Marina Trovato and Paolo Perso. When this book opens we find that the person Marina was suppose to work with and actually set up the shoots for this special has just gone into labor. She tells Marina that she knows she has got this and has been planning for this all along just in case. Marina realizes this is something she can do and decides to go to the island and film the specials that will be run later that year. Paolo has burnt out and his team and oldest friend can see it. So they put him on a week long ban from work. The thing is they forgot about the filming of the special. So when Marina comes to the island Paolo is in not shape to do it. Can these two make it all come together and find a HEA or will this just be another thing that drags Paolo down?

This is an amazing short story. It does have its ups and downs I really want to tell you about. However I don't want to ruin the story for any other readers. I will say this story will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. I would highly recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Suzanne Houser

2,488 reviews15 followers

September 19, 2020

The Flirt Club brings us yet another hit thanks to Fiona Starr! In the 9th book from The Secret Sauce series, we meet Paolo, a renowned cooking show celebrity with several other ventures on the go. Yet, despite all of his money and success, he is absolutely lost. Enter Marina. An aspiring TV producer, when her boss goes into labor early, Marina is instantly promoted to the producer of a series of episodes for Paolo's show. Eager to make her mark, she arrives at Paolo's Island home to find him alone and drunk. Not one to be discouraged, Marina manages to sober Paolo up and get him to open up. And from there, these two wonderful characters connect on every level. The chemistry between them is obvious from the moment they first meet. But as Paolo starts to find his way again with Marina's support and encouragement, they endear themselves to us, the readers, in a way that makes me think they could be my favourite couple in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Charity Esparza

908 reviews6 followers

September 18, 2020

One of my favorites of this series! Superstar chef Paolo seems to have the world on a string, but he's lost his fire and passion. His life is spiraling out of control since he's intent on pleasing everyone except himself. Television producer Marina has been inspired by Paolo for years. Arriving at his private island to film several episodes of his cooking show is a dram come true. But the man she finds is nothing like the vibrant personality she expected. Mariana recognizes a soul in distress, and sets out to help Paolo recover his muse. Simple kindness and a heart to heart turns into amazing attraction, then quickly to love. Paolo has a new muse, and Grace is inspired all over again. Sweet and sexy, this is an incredibly heartwarming story. Happy Reading!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Debbie Caswell

6,563 reviews27 followers

This is another fast fun addition to this multi author world Each book has been a great fun read and this one is no exception This book takes about thirty minutes to read so is perfect for wwhen you don't have a lot of time

Television producer Marina Trovato on the island of celebrity chef Paolo Perso to film a television special for later in the year The only problem is that Paolo is burnt out and has lost his muse due to trying to be everything to everybody Marina has been inspired by Paolo for years but the man she meets isn't what she expected she realises that he is totally burnt out She makes it her mission to help him and soon they are falling in love and he has a new muse Can they get the show together even though he and his people had forgotten all about it You will have to read to see

Charmaine Nouwen

5,468 reviews23 followers

September 23, 2020

His Zesty Marinara by Fiona Starr is a short,sweet,fun and exciting instalove romance story of Paolo and Marina..Paolo is a well known chef,with a number one cooking show on TV,five star restaurant,and his new retail sauce line is about to launch but his kinda burn out,hes like a fish out of the water..Marina is a sweet,curvy woman.A long-time assistant producer for The Eating Channel,she's just been given her big break, Producer of her own project; a special series of cooking shows featuring Paolo Perso, celebrity chef. But when the cameras start rolling, its clear this show will end up going from the frying pan into the fire... unless she can whip it all into shape! Will Paolo’s performance prevent Marinas career from reaching her climax, or can she put the flavor back into his sauce?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Raecharmed

9,308 reviews70 followers

September 26, 2020

Paolo is struggling in his personal life and just before his next professional project is to start all of his crew walks out on him. Marina is heading the project up and when she arrives Paolo is wasted. After he passes out she goes and makes coffee before going to toss cold water on him to wake him. Paolo has no idea who the sexy stranger is and is embarrassed when he learns what's happened. Marina gets him talking and together they come up with a plan to help him find a happy medium with work and his personal life. Its not long that Paolo knows that Marina is the one for him. Will Marina give Paolo a chance? can they have a future?

This is a great story that will draw you in from beginning to end. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4,149 reviews21 followers

This is a Secret Sauce series, Flirt Club addition and while I haven't read them all, of the ones I have, this had been my favorite so far. Each in this series can be a stand alone and is a short, fun romance

This read is Marina and Paolo's story. Paolo's has everything he could possibly want but finds himself burned out and feeling guilty for not being happy in his perfect life when Marina flies in and forces him to focus on what really matters and makes him happy.

A well written romance that flows well and develops smoothly and more realistically than in alot of the short insta love romances which I really appreciated. Favorite so far for sure and I look forward to reading more from Starr.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a

Sassy Angel

2,940 reviews

September 23, 2020

This is a quick but great read! I love reading anything by Fiona Starr. I love this latest series by the Flirt Club. I didn't want this story to end. I enjoyed the interactions between Marina and Paolo.

Marina has been an opportunity to produce some episodes for the CCI with Paolo Perso being the chef. Paolo's staff have walked out on him because they claim he needs a break. He doesn't see it though. He has so many people depending on him. Marina shows up to the island where Paolo lives. Marina is surprised to see Paolo in a drunken state. She helps him out by listening to him. Will they find out they are perfect for each other?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Jen

2,200 reviews

This book is part of The Secret Sauce series by the Flirt Club authors. Paolo is huge chef success but he has lost his zest for the legacy he has created. He is supposed to shoot a five shows for the Eating Channel. Marina is the assistant producer but finds herself filling in when her boss goes into labour early. This is her chance to shine, how hard can it be? Neither one of these characters are prepared for meeting one another on Paolo's private island. I enjoyed reading this story, it flows smoothly and provides a short, sweet, instantly steamy story. Enjoy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

JLH

3,533 reviews

October 7, 2020

We are not happy. Paolo is in a rut and he is at his wits end. His business manager agrees and they all make a decision to leave him alone on his island. He is at a loss for what he is to do to make his happiness is gone. Marina shows up on the island and no one is expecting her. Once she gets him talking to her, he realizes that she is the producer to a show that is supposed to happen. But she has other plans. He needs to find his happiness and her ideas could help ground him. No cliff just heirloom veggies and fruit

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Sara Munoz

4,678 reviews9 followers

This is a book in the Flirt Club and it is cooking up something special. The secret ingredient is L-O-V-E. It has the latest recipe for romance, The Secret Sauce Series is spicy series and is full of flavor from nine of your favorite romance authors. This one is from Fiona Starr and it has a good story with great characters. His dream is a cooking show, but it does not seem what he wanted after all. Can she be what he needs instead?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

sherri jones-teachout

2,259 reviews6 followers

Love the name of the book. A play on her name. This was a short romance read but cute. Paolo has become a world famous chef but has lost his love of cooking. When his assistants and crew make an intervention and walk for a week, he goes to his island to laze around, get drunk, and escape his problems. But when Marina arrives to shoot a cooking show that Paolo forgot about, she has to find out what when wrong and bring back his love of cooking. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

casvec

7,458 reviews76 followers

Paolo is a talent cook that has lost his way and his desire. Marina loves to cook and Paolo has been her inspiration. This is a sweet story that will warm your heart. Working with Paolo is Marina's first major job, when she arrives at this home everything is short of go. I love how Marina is not all about the job, how she is able to help and become Paolo's inspiration.

This heart warming story will have you glued to your chair with each turn of the page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Ashleigh

3,411 reviews1 follower

If you can't handle insta-love and need something more drawn out and angsty, go on and skip this one or don't get your panties in a bunch when that's what this ends up being.
You want real-life? Go read a newspaper.

If short, sweet/sexy is your jam, this book is right up your alley!

I felt that the author had the ability to convey some depth to the personalities of the characters bringing a greater sense of reality to her story, which is tough to do in a shorter read.

This review has been voluntarily submitted for your consideration.

Melinda Swaine

2,473 reviews12 followers

Sweet and sexy, this is an incredibly heartwarming story!!

Sweet and sexy, this is an incredibly heartwarming story. One of my favorites of this series! I absolutely love this story! It is such a fun story! This is a short and quick read that was entertaining, cute, sweet and sexy. It does have its ups and downs and I really want to tell you all about them but don't want to ruin the book for any other book lovers out there. I will say this story will have you hooked from the first word to the very end. So grab your copy today. Happy reading everyone!! 4 1/2 stars ⭐️

Amy

3,223 reviews26 followers

His Zesty Marinara was a great story by Fiona Starr. Marina gets career boost when her boss goes into labor and she is assigned her first big project. She is going to produce a documentary on her favorite celebrity chef Paolo Perso. She doesn't expect to find him drunk when she arrives on his private island. She also doesn't expect the intense attraction they feel toward each other. Paolo has lost his direction and he finds no joy in his life anymore. Will Marina bring back his zest for life?

12.3k reviews76 followers

September 16, 2020

The author has given us characters we can care about. Paolo has lost all interest in everything he held dear, cooking, creating amazing recipes and even his television show. When Marina arrives on his private island, she finds someone that has hit rock bottom. She is determined to help him get back to basics.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Syd Springer

4,068 reviews6 followers

September 17, 2020

This was a really sweet insta-attraction book. Marina and Paolo were super sweet together. I really enjoy their connection and their chemistry throughout this book. There was not much drama in is short book but Marina is not afraid to kick some sense into Paolo. Marina was exactly what Paolo needed in all aspects of his life. I would recommend this book and this amazing author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

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Michele

4,350 reviews11 followers

September 19, 2020

Well done, what a fun tasty read. A page turner, with many LOL moments that keep this novella entertaining. The characters are written with charisma and humility, making them seem more real like. Loved the way Marina handled herself in a difficult situation with only her wits and determination. A fantastic storyline to be added to this series, an enjoyable ending with heartfelt emotion.
4 1/2 Stars
I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.

Vinessa

1,951 reviews23 followers

Paolo has his life in order according to everyone around him. But reality is he is burned out and is lacking inspiration , his drive to create is missing.
Enter Marina, she senses his distress and cofronts him. Their talk seems to bring up so deep and emotional issues that she helps him with. The book maybe instant attraction but they work on the love part alot

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Kristine L.

6,168 reviews59 followers

A short steamy story. Very entertaining and page turning addition to the Secret Sauce Series. This is a fast paced, very deep emotional well written story. The characters were great with lots of laughs, great chemistry and instant love between Paolo who's lost his way and Marina helps him find his way and find new goals. I received an ARC copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

adina willis

2,032 reviews12 followers

Marina has been given the job of producing a show with celebrity chef, Paolo. Marina has worked very hard to get to where she is at. This will be her first time producing a show by herself. Paolo has lost his passion for cooking. If Marina cannot help Paolo get his passion back, her first big producing project will go up in smoke. This is a short, sweet read. The characters are relatable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Angela Chin

32 reviews

This was a cute, fun read about an overworked and burnt out TV chef and a young producer who is trying to prove herself to her bosses. Their meeting is slightly unconventional, but as they get to know each other, Marina puts the spark back in Paolo's career that he had been lacking, and Marina gets the work boost she's earned. A very quick and flirty read!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Jeanne Richardson

10.9k reviews126 followers

September 24, 2020

I've read several books written by Fiona Starr; she has done a great job at writing a good short story; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of books her books.

The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.

I loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

Debra

6,577 reviews35 followers

September 17, 2020

A steamy, short, inspiring, and engaging page turner addition to the Secret Sauce series! The story line is well-developed, fast pace, emotionally deep, well written, and relatable. Likeable characters; the chemistry between them is instant and amazing. Definitely recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Victoria

4,793 reviews

4.5 stars.

This quick story has left me with a smile on my face. It was sweet, a little sad, full of love, hopes dreams and a passion for food. I loved how respectful Paolo and Marina were of each other and how they inspired and understood each other. I enjoyed reading thier story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

SEng

2,797 reviews4 followers