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Camassia Cove Universe #10
Dirty Chef
Alessia on Adam
He’s a feeling. His energy is a force that makes an impact whether you want it to or not. He’s charming, easygoing, and loved by everyone. Especially me. He’s been the love of my life since I was a fifteen-year-old summer camper and he was a burned-out chef volunteering to make sloppy joes in the dining hall.
Unfortunately, he has a type. Tall, thin, and gorgeous. And I’m...none of those things.
I’m the friend. The roommate. The one he runs a restaurant with.
Adam on Alessia
She’s my past, my present, and my future. She’s my muse. I cook with her tastes in mind. I cook for her. But, as my brother points out, she won’t be my future if I don’t come clean about the fact that I’ve been hung up on her for years.
Coming clean might not be a choice at this rate, though. If I see Alessia on another goddamn dating app, I’m gonna lose my shit. I physically can’t stay away from her any longer, even if I risk losing everything we’ve built together.
The Objective
The sexiest Valentine’s Day menu ever created. And maybe, just maybe, fingers aren’t the only thing getting licked after this meal.
Buon Appetito!
160 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2020
About the author
Cara Dee
87 books3,805 followers
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 5, 2020
5 Stolen Moment Stars ⭐
I'm sorry, but this book was incorrectly titled. It should have been called Sweetheart Chef because Adam Grady was a fucking dream. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his girl. What's not to love about this story? Best friends living and working together and completely oblivious of each other's feelings, I was sold.
Adam and Alessia have been friends for 15 years. Completely in sync, Alessia is practically part of the Grady family. Now successfully running a restaurant together, things are changing. Both are looking to the future and realising that their paths are not necessarily aligned. This depressing notion proves to be the motivator they need. So, in attempt to up her game, Alessia is strategizing.
“Are we gonna talk about this?” he asked behind me.
“Talk about what?” I took the next set of stairs, my heels clicking too loudly.
“Oh, I don’t know. The fact that you look like you just walked out of the Playboy magazine I hid under my bed when I was a kid?”
Poor Adam, he's been lusting after his bestie for years, but ruining a friendship was always the risk. But what's the alternative? Losing her to another man? Nope cos this boy has moves of his own…
“I’ve loved you from a distance for almost ten years, but I’m done pretending it’s enough for me.”
I devoured Dirty Chef in one sitting, while my little heart rejoiced in the background. Where Cara Dee is better known for her spicier reads, this book was sweet and romantic with the right amount of heat to keep me happy. 💙
I'm sorry, but this book was incorrectly titled. It should have been called Sweetheart Chef because Adam Grady was a fucking dream. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his girl. What's not to love about this story? Best friends living and working together and completely oblivious of each other's feelings, I was sold.
Adam and Alessia have been friends for 15 years. Completely in sync, Alessia is practically part of the Grady family. Now successfully running a restaurant together, things are changing. Both are looking to the future and realising that their paths are not necessarily aligned. This depressing notion proves to be the motivator they need. So, in attempt to up her game, Alessia is strategizing.
“Are we gonna talk about this?” he asked behind me.
“Talk about what?” I took the next set of stairs, my heels clicking too loudly.
“Oh, I don’t know. The fact that you look like you just walked out of the Playboy magazine I hid under my bed when I was a kid?”
Poor Adam, he's been lusting after his bestie for years, but ruining a friendship was always the risk. But what's the alternative? Losing her to another man? Nope cos this boy has moves of his own…
“I’ve loved you from a distance for almost ten years, but I’m done pretending it’s enough for me.”
I devoured Dirty Chef in one sitting, while my little heart rejoiced in the background. Where Cara Dee is better known for her spicier reads, this book was sweet and romantic with the right amount of heat to keep me happy. 💙
July 9, 2021
They were so good together, if only they didn’t ruin it by turning it into a lovers relationship.
The beginning was kinda fun, but they lost me once they got into a relationship. Also, they were together for a day, got into a fight the next morning, and made up with a huge grand gesture in front of the whole family the next time they met. The last third of the book was just too fast and kinda unconvincing for me, like wait what? What are you guys even doing? I just think they were better as friends. Or maybe it’s because I’m not fan of the trope, who knows.
The beginning was kinda fun, but they lost me once they got into a relationship. Also, they were together for a day, got into a fight the next morning, and made up with a huge grand gesture in front of the whole family the next time they met. The last third of the book was just too fast and kinda unconvincing for me, like wait what? What are you guys even doing? I just think they were better as friends. Or maybe it’s because I’m not fan of the trope, who knows.
May 28, 2021
ᔰ.ᒣƼ // Ƽ ´★`
ꜱᴏɴɢ ʀᴇᴄ ~ Best Friend (REX ORANGE COUNTY)
【 ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ // ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ 】
~ 🍆✨ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ So, apparently Cara Dee can not only write smokin' hot MM romances, but she can also pen steamy as fuck MF romances as well. . . good to know.
~ 🍆✨ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ I just realized that I don't have an Adam in my life. . . I am very sad about that grim fact. Seriously, get you a best friend // lover who treats you like a literal Queen while you're on your period. Don't settle for anything less than what Adam did for Alessia. He bought Alessia her favorite cookies, he snuggled her on the couch, he bought her tampons, he basically became her second heating pad, and gave her head scratches all unprompted. . . need I go on?
~ 🍆✨ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ Dirty Chef was full of mutual pining, heavy stares, and sweet stolen moments. It was a true, blue, friends-to-lovers romance, and you know what? I fucking loved it. I'm pretty meh on the friends-to-lovers trope as a whole, and I personally think it's one of the hardest romances to get right. But man, CARA DEE hit that shit out of the freaking park. MS. DEE did a great job showing us why it took so long for them to act on their mutual attraction. IMO, that's half the battle. Additionally, Alessia and Adam had so much chemistry as friends that when they "officially" got together the transition felt seamless.
~ 🍆✨ ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ I loved how Adam Grady, Mr. I Don't Want Kids, was out here crib//ring shopping the literal day after he and Alessia slept together. My man was out here like, "I AM LOCKING THAT SHIT DOWN TODAY." It was both adorable and swoon worthy. Moreover, it really spoke to just how great their friendship was built up throughout the entire book. Seriously, I didn't bat a freaking eye. I was over here like, "yes of course he's gonna propose to her. . . why wouldn't he?"
~ 🍆✨ ꜰɪꜰᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰɪɴᴀʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ My only complaint about DIRTY CHEF was the length. I wanted a little bit more. I think with a few more chapters things could've been even more fleshed out between Adam and Alessia. As it stands the book was fabulous, buuuut I think it would've been a firm five stars if we had gotten to see Alessia and Adam together together for a few more chapters. Also, if this book had been full length I would've loved to see their first meeting, and the subsequent "big moments" of their friendship. But alas. . . either way this book was phenomenal and it totally blew me away.
~ 🍆✨ ʙᴏɴᴜꜱ ~ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ Qᴜᴏᴛᴇꜱ ✨🍆 ~
I could certainly think of a few benefits to add to our relationship. Such as filthy sex and my last name in her passport.
ꜱᴏɴɢ ʀᴇᴄ ~ Best Friend (REX ORANGE COUNTY)
【 ᴏᴠᴇʀᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ // ꜰᴇᴇʟɪɴɢꜱ 】
~ 🍆✨ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ So, apparently Cara Dee can not only write smokin' hot MM romances, but she can also pen steamy as fuck MF romances as well. . . good to know.
~ 🍆✨ ꜱᴇᴄᴏɴᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ I just realized that I don't have an Adam in my life. . . I am very sad about that grim fact. Seriously, get you a best friend // lover who treats you like a literal Queen while you're on your period. Don't settle for anything less than what Adam did for Alessia. He bought Alessia her favorite cookies, he snuggled her on the couch, he bought her tampons, he basically became her second heating pad, and gave her head scratches all unprompted. . . need I go on?
~ 🍆✨ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ Dirty Chef was full of mutual pining, heavy stares, and sweet stolen moments. It was a true, blue, friends-to-lovers romance, and you know what? I fucking loved it. I'm pretty meh on the friends-to-lovers trope as a whole, and I personally think it's one of the hardest romances to get right. But man, CARA DEE hit that shit out of the freaking park. MS. DEE did a great job showing us why it took so long for them to act on their mutual attraction. IMO, that's half the battle. Additionally, Alessia and Adam had so much chemistry as friends that when they "officially" got together the transition felt seamless.
~ 🍆✨ ꜰᴏᴜʀᴛʜ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ I loved how Adam Grady, Mr. I Don't Want Kids, was out here crib//ring shopping the literal day after he and Alessia slept together. My man was out here like, "I AM LOCKING THAT SHIT DOWN TODAY." It was both adorable and swoon worthy. Moreover, it really spoke to just how great their friendship was built up throughout the entire book. Seriously, I didn't bat a freaking eye. I was over here like, "yes of course he's gonna propose to her. . . why wouldn't he?"
~ 🍆✨ ꜰɪꜰᴛʜ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰɪɴᴀʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛ ✨🍆 ~ My only complaint about DIRTY CHEF was the length. I wanted a little bit more. I think with a few more chapters things could've been even more fleshed out between Adam and Alessia. As it stands the book was fabulous, buuuut I think it would've been a firm five stars if we had gotten to see Alessia and Adam together together for a few more chapters. Also, if this book had been full length I would've loved to see their first meeting, and the subsequent "big moments" of their friendship. But alas. . . either way this book was phenomenal and it totally blew me away.
~ 🍆✨ ʙᴏɴᴜꜱ ~ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ Qᴜᴏᴛᴇꜱ ✨🍆 ~
The way he treated me when my cramps took over… I’d never really asked him to do that. He’d noticed early on that I suffered. My period only lasted two or three days, but the cramps came straight from hell. And he just knew. Three days every month, he was more attentive than any boyfriend had been throughout our entire relationship.
✳ ✳ ✳
“You’ve met him? Is he good enough?”
“No,” I murmured. “But he’ll spend the rest of his life doing everything he can to be the man she deserves.”
✳ ✳ ✳
“I’ve loved you from a distance for almost ten years, but I’m done pretending it’s enough for me.”
✳ ✳ ✳
“You make me want everything, Alessia. The reason it never appealed to me before was because—what was in my head…it wasn’t the version you spoke of. It had to be your version. As soon as you mentioned having a little kid running around the restaurant, the rest of my life became crystal clear.”
July 5, 2020
4.5 stars!
This is definitely my favorite MF from Cara Dee. Surprisingly, there was no kink. And no external drama. Just two best friends finally doing something about their years-long pining. The character-building was spot on. I love these two!
This is definitely my favorite MF from Cara Dee. Surprisingly, there was no kink. And no external drama. Just two best friends finally doing something about their years-long pining. The character-building was spot on. I love these two!
June 9, 2020
4 stars!!!
This book was sooooooo – ugh! I kinda had a love/hate relationship with it (more love than hate, tbh).
Alessia and Adam. They were so cute. So clueless. And so good together.
They really wasted hella years of being together because they each didn't think their feelings were reciprocated, shaking my head (smh)! This was one of those bffs to lovers, slow burn (kinda) type of books. The tension was so sweet and their cluelessness made me want to smash my head against my phone as I read about their tiptoeing.
In all though, I really did love this read.
One thing was that this book was on the low side of smutty smut, but it was okay, that HEA/epilogue really made up for it.
And yeah, Isabella. R (yknow, homegirl Isabella) is totally right that this book should definitely be "titled Sweetheart Chef because Adam Grady was a fucking dream" --> yes, indeed, hunny!!! (PS, totally just quoted from her review, which can be found here).
This book was sooooooo – ugh! I kinda had a love/hate relationship with it (more love than hate, tbh).
Alessia and Adam. They were so cute. So clueless. And so good together.
They really wasted hella years of being together because they each didn't think their feelings were reciprocated, shaking my head (smh)! This was one of those bffs to lovers, slow burn (kinda) type of books. The tension was so sweet and their cluelessness made me want to smash my head against my phone as I read about their tiptoeing.
In all though, I really did love this read.
One thing was that this book was on the low side of smutty smut, but it was okay, that HEA/epilogue really made up for it.
And yeah, Isabella. R (yknow, homegirl Isabella) is totally right that this book should definitely be "titled Sweetheart Chef because Adam Grady was a fucking dream" --> yes, indeed, hunny!!! (PS, totally just quoted from her review, which can be found here).
June 18, 2020
There’s something about Cara Dee’s writing that draws you in and leaves you panting for more. This book was no different. My god. She created the most sizzling chemistry between these two characters, have my heart going into overdrive needing to take breaks to digest how delicious the scenes are. A spicy, short novella that will fulfill all your needs. Please. Read. It.
April 10, 2020
4.5 stars
I DID NOT EXPECT TO LOVE LOVE I REPEAT LOVE THIS BOOK.
I DID NOT EXPECT TO LOVE LOVE I REPEAT LOVE THIS BOOK.
April 7, 2020
3.5 Stars!
I'll admit, the cover and blurb were the biggest draw for me on this one. That and it was on KU. I don't read a lot of MF, but have read most of Cara Dee's. Another reason I gave this one a shot.
And it was good, but once again it didn't knock my socks off. And quite honestly it was relatively low steam for Cara Dee. It was also a bit shorter in length.
The MCs aren't together most of the book, but I liked their chemistry and the development from friends to more. One of those things where they were both pining for each other but wouldn't admit it.
It was a nice easy read for a lazy Saturday/Sunday.
I'll admit, the cover and blurb were the biggest draw for me on this one. That and it was on KU. I don't read a lot of MF, but have read most of Cara Dee's. Another reason I gave this one a shot.
And it was good, but once again it didn't knock my socks off. And quite honestly it was relatively low steam for Cara Dee. It was also a bit shorter in length.
The MCs aren't together most of the book, but I liked their chemistry and the development from friends to more. One of those things where they were both pining for each other but wouldn't admit it.
It was a nice easy read for a lazy Saturday/Sunday.
May 25, 2020
It was perfectly sweet, tasty and dirty!
With a new to me author, I didn't know what to expect, but I'm glad Isabella put it on my radar, because the writing was great and I enjoyed it a lot.
Ms. Dee pulled off quite an impressive slow burn in only 150 pages and I loved the characters. When the chemistry exploded, it was deliciously dirty, I did not expect that at all!
And yeah, this book made me want to try some alcohol infused desserts.
With a new to me author, I didn't know what to expect, but I'm glad Isabella put it on my radar, because the writing was great and I enjoyed it a lot.
Ms. Dee pulled off quite an impressive slow burn in only 150 pages and I loved the characters. When the chemistry exploded, it was deliciously dirty, I did not expect that at all!
And yeah, this book made me want to try some alcohol infused desserts.
April 18, 2020
5 ”sexy and dirty talking chef” stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
”I’ve been yours since I was fifteen,” I admitted against his lips. I felt them curving into a tender smirk. “You thought it was a teenage crush. I knew better—as always.”
I finally read this after reading so many amazing reviews form my friends. This book ticked all my boxes. It was such a sweet and romantic story. I fell in love with both the MCs. I’m usually picky when it comes to friends to lovers trope since I have been disappointed so many times but fortunately this one exceeded all my expectations 😍
We meet Adam and Alessia who have been friends for years and have a restaurant together. They both want to be more than friends but both are too scared to make the first move. You can feel the pull between the two, the energy and the tension. It completely showed in their banter.
His gaze changed before my eyes. Humour faded, and his brow furrowed as if he was trying to figure something out.
All this couldn’t be wishful thinking.
“I, um..” I swallowed against the dryness in my throat. Completely trapped in his stare. “I should get to Elise.”
He nodded slowly, and for the briefest moment, his eyes dropped to my mouth.
Fuck me.
Hope surged to life in a blaze of fire.
And when they finally got together, it was explosive. It became dirty real quick. The scene where they were trying the recipes and how things got steamy, it was too hot and sensual. I honestly didn’t expect that much heat from this author.
I also enjoyed how their friends and family kept trying to push them towards each other. They all were funny and heartwarming. One should have a family like that.
I loved how amazingly the author wrote the characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love. You could just how good friends they were and so compatible. There was sexual tension from the beginning, chemistry was off the charts hot. It was their friendship that I loved the most though.
If you guys still haven’t read this, I suggest you stop wasting time like I did and get to it fast. ♥️😉
”I’ve been yours since I was fifteen,” I admitted against his lips. I felt them curving into a tender smirk. “You thought it was a teenage crush. I knew better—as always.”
I finally read this after reading so many amazing reviews form my friends. This book ticked all my boxes. It was such a sweet and romantic story. I fell in love with both the MCs. I’m usually picky when it comes to friends to lovers trope since I have been disappointed so many times but fortunately this one exceeded all my expectations 😍
We meet Adam and Alessia who have been friends for years and have a restaurant together. They both want to be more than friends but both are too scared to make the first move. You can feel the pull between the two, the energy and the tension. It completely showed in their banter.
His gaze changed before my eyes. Humour faded, and his brow furrowed as if he was trying to figure something out.
All this couldn’t be wishful thinking.
“I, um..” I swallowed against the dryness in my throat. Completely trapped in his stare. “I should get to Elise.”
He nodded slowly, and for the briefest moment, his eyes dropped to my mouth.
Fuck me.
Hope surged to life in a blaze of fire.
And when they finally got together, it was explosive. It became dirty real quick. The scene where they were trying the recipes and how things got steamy, it was too hot and sensual. I honestly didn’t expect that much heat from this author.
I also enjoyed how their friends and family kept trying to push them towards each other. They all were funny and heartwarming. One should have a family like that.
I loved how amazingly the author wrote the characters that I couldn’t help but fall in love. You could just how good friends they were and so compatible. There was sexual tension from the beginning, chemistry was off the charts hot. It was their friendship that I loved the most though.
If you guys still haven’t read this, I suggest you stop wasting time like I did and get to it fast. ♥️😉
December 3, 2021
3.5
So....
The premises were great and the story is actually nice.
I liked the plot; i liked the characters, especially Alessia because she is one of us and not some perfect dolls; i liked the relationship between Adam and Alessia...
It should have been an amazing read but for some reasons I didn’t feel invested.
So I just liked it and not really loved it 🤷♀️
So....
The premises were great and the story is actually nice.
I liked the plot; i liked the characters, especially Alessia because she is one of us and not some perfect dolls; i liked the relationship between Adam and Alessia...
It should have been an amazing read but for some reasons I didn’t feel invested.
So I just liked it and not really loved it 🤷♀️
April 6, 2020
2.5 stars
Dirty Chef was really cute in the beginning. I'm a sucker for an age gap and a childhood crush which is exactly what we get here. Alessia meets Adam when she's 15 and he is a 27 year old volunteer at her camp. Before you know it she talks her parents into letting her live in America with her aunt and grows up to become best friends with Adam. These two do everything together including their living situation. Like I said the beginning was really enjoyable but then so much food descriptions and overall boring story line. It takes these two forever to get together and honestly I skimmed most of this short book. So many other couples were mentioned but at the moment I have no plans to read anymore.
Dirty Chef was really cute in the beginning. I'm a sucker for an age gap and a childhood crush which is exactly what we get here. Alessia meets Adam when she's 15 and he is a 27 year old volunteer at her camp. Before you know it she talks her parents into letting her live in America with her aunt and grows up to become best friends with Adam. These two do everything together including their living situation. Like I said the beginning was really enjoyable but then so much food descriptions and overall boring story line. It takes these two forever to get together and honestly I skimmed most of this short book. So many other couples were mentioned but at the moment I have no plans to read anymore.
April 5, 2020
As sweet as he could act, nothing overcame the fact that as much as he loved her for years, it didn't stop him from being with OW. It isn't what I expect from H when I read my romances and it doesn't convince me of this great love. Lucky that this time, despite loving him, she wasn't frozen or celibate. The two take almost the entire book to be together and there is a lot of description of foods and things like that. I found it kind of boring and predicable but kind of cute.
August 4, 2020
4 stars(chapters 1-13, first 1/3 of chapter 14 & the epilogue)
3 stars(last 2/3s of chapter 14 - a few things were kinda tacky imo)
3.5-.75 stars overall(haven’t decided yet)
*RTC* (hockey’s calling me right now 😉)
3 stars(last 2/3s of chapter 14 - a few things were kinda tacky imo)
3.5-.75 stars overall(haven’t decided yet)
*RTC* (hockey’s calling me right now 😉)
April 6, 2020
4 stars! what a read! its so sweet and cute. i like how it doesn't jump straight into sex but a slow build up instead. i guess my favourite part was probably because the tension at that scene between both were crazy 🔥Adam is a total sweetheart and the way he called Alessia 'love' was just 😍
April 20, 2020
3.5 stars
I'm sad I didn't love this more because Cara Dee is one of my go to authors. I was bored in the beginning because of all the inner monologues and the food descriptions. Then it picked up for me at around 70 but things escalated pretty quickly from there and I got whiplash. It could definitely be my mood though...
I'm sad I didn't love this more because Cara Dee is one of my go to authors. I was bored in the beginning because of all the inner monologues and the food descriptions. Then it picked up for me at around 70 but things escalated pretty quickly from there and I got whiplash. It could definitely be my mood though...
April 26, 2020
4.25 Stars / 4 Steam Fans
Video review available in Week 17: Apr 19 – 25 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
Video review available in Week 17: Apr 19 – 25 weekly book reviews.
For other video book reviews, check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Romance Book Talk.
February 1, 2023
***3.5***
If like myself you're following the author's suggested reading order of the CCU this novella serves as a buffer to break up the high intensity of the AUCTIONED books. Chronologically it takes place right after Stranded and we get a chance to visit with some folks we've met in & around Camassia. We also get to watch Adam & Alessia (the owners of Coho Bar & Grill) get their heads out of their a***s and behave like the adults they are (43 & 31 respectively). I know adolescence has been extended indefinitely but I have minimal patience for protracted immaturity. In spite of that I enjoyed myself.
This sweet romp is best enjoyed on a full stomach as the food descriptions are mouth watering. I liked the way Adam & Alessia were with each other, affectionate in a pretty tactile way, which made it a bit hard to believe that neither knew the other harbored more than familial feelings. I guess we're blind to what's right in front of us but once they're out to each other they diligently make up for lost time.
As usual in Cara's stories family was front and center and was nice to see people who love each other being lovely.
If like myself you're following the author's suggested reading order of the CCU this novella serves as a buffer to break up the high intensity of the AUCTIONED books. Chronologically it takes place right after Stranded and we get a chance to visit with some folks we've met in & around Camassia. We also get to watch Adam & Alessia (the owners of Coho Bar & Grill) get their heads out of their a***s and behave like the adults they are (43 & 31 respectively). I know adolescence has been extended indefinitely but I have minimal patience for protracted immaturity. In spite of that I enjoyed myself.
This sweet romp is best enjoyed on a full stomach as the food descriptions are mouth watering. I liked the way Adam & Alessia were with each other, affectionate in a pretty tactile way, which made it a bit hard to believe that neither knew the other harbored more than familial feelings. I guess we're blind to what's right in front of us but once they're out to each other they diligently make up for lost time.
As usual in Cara's stories family was front and center and was nice to see people who love each other being lovely.
April 26, 2020
I enjoyed Dirty Chef, although not as much as I liked Path of Destruction or the This Life series, as far as Cara Dee's M/F stories go. Still, I've been eagerly waiting for Adam and Alessia to finally admit their feelings for each other!
Honestly, my only real gripes about the story involve just how fast Adam moved once they had sex. I got a little whiplash, there. I adored their flirtation and the sex was hella hot, just as I've come to expect from this author. I also enjoyed the tiny glimpse we get of Alex, Lola, Justin, Jameson, and Harper at the end. I f'ing can't wait for their book.
Honestly, my only real gripes about the story involve just how fast Adam moved once they had sex. I got a little whiplash, there. I adored their flirtation and the sex was hella hot, just as I've come to expect from this author. I also enjoyed the tiny glimpse we get of Alex, Lola, Justin, Jameson, and Harper at the end. I f'ing can't wait for their book.
April 2, 2020
Dirty Chef
brought us back to Camassia Cove. Alessia and Adam’s friends-to-lover’s story warms my heart. Being roommate and partners of Coho Bar & Grill, these old friends share a unique bond. I loved the dynamics between the couple. They worked like a well-oiled machine from operating a successful business to their everyday life. They were perfect for and meant to be with each other. This easy to read swoonworthy tale pulls on my heartstrings and gave me all the warmth and fluff. I definitely enjoyed this quick read and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet pick-me-up.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Follow Me: Maggie’s Escape Book Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Follow Me: Maggie’s Escape Book Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
December 19, 2021
One of my favorite books in the series was the story of Alessia and Adam, who have been in love for a long time but kept their feelings to themselves for fear of ruining their business partnership and friendship.
I really liked all the food conversations, little flirtations and family meetings.
I really liked all the food conversations, little flirtations and family meetings.
Read
September 14, 2022solid writing. friends to lovers always have potential but these 2 ended up bored me as expected
April 5, 2020
A recommended slow burn romance. The transition from childhood best friend into lovers was slowly but sure; the reasoning, the push and pull, and even how they finished each other sentences was adorable, some sort of they're meant to be. I liked how the book also added details on the cooking prep side and even took us a tour on menu creation and its ideation process. It was like watching the cooking show itself. Those details were well appreciated, no worries.
No Drama/Angst
No family drama
No OW/OM
Both no virgin
No triggers
Overall a 5 stars of slowburn romance :)
No Drama/Angst
No family drama
No OW/OM
Both no virgin
No triggers
Overall a 5 stars of slowburn romance :)
April 21, 2020
3.75*
Woow que j'ai aimé ce roman ! Si je suis une fan de Cara Dee c'est avant tout pour ses romans MM mais j'ai passé un moment très agréable avec Dirty chef.
C'est à chaque fois un bonheur absolu de replonger dans l'univers de Camassia Cove et sa pléthore de personnages. Si au départ j'avais un peu de mal à me retrouver avec tout ce petit monde et bien ce n'est plus le cas, ça y est ! Ils font partie de la famille. D'ailleurs, l'auteure a fait un super boulot sur son site dans la partie dédiée à cette série !
Ce roman est très court mais il n'en demeure pas moi très réussi. Alessia et Adam sont colocataires, amis et partenaires en affaires. Ils possèdent en effet un restaurant, leur bébé et leur passion tout à la fois. Mais les deux amis ressentent bien plus pour l'autre qu'ils ne veulent bien l'avouer...
Cette histoire est vraiment mignonne mais elle sait aussi être plus torride avec une sensualité bien présente. Alessia et Adam sont vraiment passionnés par leur boulot, j'ai adoré les voir à l'oeuvre, leur créativité...franchement cela m'a vraiment fait saliver car les délicieuses recettes de cuisines ou desserts sucrés ne manquent pas.
Alessia et Adam partagent beaucoup, on sent vraiment qu'ils tiennent l'un à l'autre et leurs moments de tendre complicité ont de quoi faire rêver. Et quand cela devient plus pimenté entre eux, là il y a carrément de quoi fantasmer. Il faut dire que les frères Grady sont vraiment sexy !
Et justement, ce tome est une torture car, encore une fois, Jameson Grady vient me titiller, me narguer, me rendre complètement folle ! Je crois que c'est son histoire que j'attends avec le plus d'impatience et cela depuis des années...Pitié Cara, je la veux !!!!!
Une lecture que j'ai dévorée <3
Woow que j'ai aimé ce roman ! Si je suis une fan de Cara Dee c'est avant tout pour ses romans MM mais j'ai passé un moment très agréable avec Dirty chef.
C'est à chaque fois un bonheur absolu de replonger dans l'univers de Camassia Cove et sa pléthore de personnages. Si au départ j'avais un peu de mal à me retrouver avec tout ce petit monde et bien ce n'est plus le cas, ça y est ! Ils font partie de la famille. D'ailleurs, l'auteure a fait un super boulot sur son site dans la partie dédiée à cette série !
Ce roman est très court mais il n'en demeure pas moi très réussi. Alessia et Adam sont colocataires, amis et partenaires en affaires. Ils possèdent en effet un restaurant, leur bébé et leur passion tout à la fois. Mais les deux amis ressentent bien plus pour l'autre qu'ils ne veulent bien l'avouer...
Cette histoire est vraiment mignonne mais elle sait aussi être plus torride avec une sensualité bien présente. Alessia et Adam sont vraiment passionnés par leur boulot, j'ai adoré les voir à l'oeuvre, leur créativité...franchement cela m'a vraiment fait saliver car les délicieuses recettes de cuisines ou desserts sucrés ne manquent pas.
Alessia et Adam partagent beaucoup, on sent vraiment qu'ils tiennent l'un à l'autre et leurs moments de tendre complicité ont de quoi faire rêver. Et quand cela devient plus pimenté entre eux, là il y a carrément de quoi fantasmer. Il faut dire que les frères Grady sont vraiment sexy !
Et justement, ce tome est une torture car, encore une fois, Jameson Grady vient me titiller, me narguer, me rendre complètement folle ! Je crois que c'est son histoire que j'attends avec le plus d'impatience et cela depuis des années...Pitié Cara, je la veux !!!!!
Une lecture que j'ai dévorée <3
September 26, 2020
I really enjoyed this book
December 1, 2020
This was definitely more of a slow burn, but once the fire was going...it didn’t know how to stop.
April 3, 2020
4.5 stars!
April 19, 2024
First thing first: I was a huge fan of Cara Dee as a fanfiction writer and with this novella she reminded me of everything i love about her stories.
This story has one of my favorite tropes: Friends to lovers that have been pinning for each other for years.
This story has one of my favorite tropes: Friends to lovers that have been pinning for each other for years.
April 27, 2020
Steamy, heartwarmingly gooey, and angsty. The perfect combo!
October 28, 2020
Reader Beware: Not to be read on an empty stomach - details attributed to food...may incite hunger.
Dual points off view are spaced out...hopefully the reader is neither diabetic, alcoholic or on a diet since this encompasses many descriptive foodgasms.
Adam’s viewpoint is first introduced in Chapter four, from there, their varying points of view is evenly spaced.
Highlight. The dessert-infused taste test seduction scene. They share their first kiss at the end of Chapter nine. No protection is used as he knows it worsens her menstrual cramps and he failed to use a condom.
Lack of communication-Adam’s been jealous of Alessia’s dates, they’ve withheld their feelings for each other from one another. Alessia believes that although Adam’s dated, they rarely last very long, many of them have visited the restaurant and in her opinion, they’re all tens, thinking he picks them up in model school. He’s loved her from a distance for close to ten years.
His once seemingly carefully executed plan to ensure she didn’t suspect his stalker tendencies, now seemed to backfire especially after sharing a night together.
She thought he was a consummate player engaged in meaningless pursuits as he’s painted himself with an active dating reputation and upheld it. She would laughingly refer to his manwhoring. In reality Adam is someone trying to hide his feelings from Alessia. This also led to a discussion of her wanting a family, whereas he didn’t want a family, although he literally changed his mind overnight. He’d never wanted the stereotypical version of a family, which he’d more than once made abundantly clear.
The morning after she leaves him a note on the bedside table, which he misses, thus seeing her with someone she’s briefly dated, sends him into a tailspin of irrational behaviour and he reacts poorly.
At Grady night, whereby they visit his parents estate, a house full of family and food. All his brothers were present with their significant others, and a set of screaming baby twins. He couldn’t wait to get his eardrums shattered by one of his own.
“It’s okay to only like your own kids, right? Hypothetically. Or do you have to love all kids to love one of your own you have to love all kids to love one of your own?” Alessia wasn’t here, so it was safe to ask his twin brother, Jack.
Jack frowned at me. “Of course you don’t have to like other people’s children. But you do have to love mine.” “Right. Yeah.” No, but it made sense. I did love my niece and nephew—I just didn’t like them very much.
“Why?”
“I was just curious.”
“I have two things to say,” It was like he didn’t even notice that his newborn was screaming in his arms. “One, that looks amazing. Two, who knew my twin brother could be so cute sometimes? This has to mean I’m cute too. I’m gonna go tell Isla I’m cute.” I glared at his retreating form. What was he talking about?
He ventures out to buy a ring and a cradle knowing that she’s not on birth control as it worsens her menstrual cramps. He knows when her cycle is due and buys her tampons and Milano biscuits, accordingly.
“I bought Milanos and the right box of tampons this time,” I said. Her eyes flashed open, and the bewilderment was written all over her—for about a second until it dawned on her. “I completely forgot—wait. Is it weird that you know my cycle?” I grinned and gave her another twirl. “Hazards of living with you, I reckon.” Christ.
“You’re too sweet. Not many have best friends who will buy them tampons.” He ruined her grocery lists every time by texting her to add to the list, and it’d made her forget what she needed for herself more than once. It was only fair I made up for it. “What kind of Milanos?” she asked curiously. I puffed my chest a bit, ready to show off my skills in Alessia trivia. “One orange chocolate and one double milk chocolate for when the cramps are at their worst, one box of raspberry chocolate for when you feel snackish at work—they’re hidden behind the register at the restaurant—and one box of chocolate mint because you want to like them so badly for some reason, but you never really do.”
It was not coincidental that they had unprotected sex and he didn’t accidentally purchase a crib. She’d forgotten about the lack of protection until after the fact which was a first as she’d always been careful, and knew that he had also been. She hadn’t been with anyone in four months.
“You make me want everything, Alessia. The reason it never appealed to me before was because—what was in my head…it wasn’t the version you spoke of. It had to be your version. As soon as you mentioned having a little kid running around the restaurant, the rest of my life became crystal clear.”
This involved both a private and public proposal.
Dual points off view are spaced out...hopefully the reader is neither diabetic, alcoholic or on a diet since this encompasses many descriptive foodgasms.
Adam’s viewpoint is first introduced in Chapter four, from there, their varying points of view is evenly spaced.
Highlight. The dessert-infused taste test seduction scene. They share their first kiss at the end of Chapter nine. No protection is used as he knows it worsens her menstrual cramps and he failed to use a condom.
Lack of communication-Adam’s been jealous of Alessia’s dates, they’ve withheld their feelings for each other from one another. Alessia believes that although Adam’s dated, they rarely last very long, many of them have visited the restaurant and in her opinion, they’re all tens, thinking he picks them up in model school. He’s loved her from a distance for close to ten years.
His once seemingly carefully executed plan to ensure she didn’t suspect his stalker tendencies, now seemed to backfire especially after sharing a night together.
She thought he was a consummate player engaged in meaningless pursuits as he’s painted himself with an active dating reputation and upheld it. She would laughingly refer to his manwhoring. In reality Adam is someone trying to hide his feelings from Alessia. This also led to a discussion of her wanting a family, whereas he didn’t want a family, although he literally changed his mind overnight. He’d never wanted the stereotypical version of a family, which he’d more than once made abundantly clear.
The morning after she leaves him a note on the bedside table, which he misses, thus seeing her with someone she’s briefly dated, sends him into a tailspin of irrational behaviour and he reacts poorly.
At Grady night, whereby they visit his parents estate, a house full of family and food. All his brothers were present with their significant others, and a set of screaming baby twins. He couldn’t wait to get his eardrums shattered by one of his own.
“It’s okay to only like your own kids, right? Hypothetically. Or do you have to love all kids to love one of your own you have to love all kids to love one of your own?” Alessia wasn’t here, so it was safe to ask his twin brother, Jack.
Jack frowned at me. “Of course you don’t have to like other people’s children. But you do have to love mine.” “Right. Yeah.” No, but it made sense. I did love my niece and nephew—I just didn’t like them very much.
“Why?”
“I was just curious.”
“I have two things to say,” It was like he didn’t even notice that his newborn was screaming in his arms. “One, that looks amazing. Two, who knew my twin brother could be so cute sometimes? This has to mean I’m cute too. I’m gonna go tell Isla I’m cute.” I glared at his retreating form. What was he talking about?
He ventures out to buy a ring and a cradle knowing that she’s not on birth control as it worsens her menstrual cramps. He knows when her cycle is due and buys her tampons and Milano biscuits, accordingly.
“I bought Milanos and the right box of tampons this time,” I said. Her eyes flashed open, and the bewilderment was written all over her—for about a second until it dawned on her. “I completely forgot—wait. Is it weird that you know my cycle?” I grinned and gave her another twirl. “Hazards of living with you, I reckon.” Christ.
“You’re too sweet. Not many have best friends who will buy them tampons.” He ruined her grocery lists every time by texting her to add to the list, and it’d made her forget what she needed for herself more than once. It was only fair I made up for it. “What kind of Milanos?” she asked curiously. I puffed my chest a bit, ready to show off my skills in Alessia trivia. “One orange chocolate and one double milk chocolate for when the cramps are at their worst, one box of raspberry chocolate for when you feel snackish at work—they’re hidden behind the register at the restaurant—and one box of chocolate mint because you want to like them so badly for some reason, but you never really do.”
It was not coincidental that they had unprotected sex and he didn’t accidentally purchase a crib. She’d forgotten about the lack of protection until after the fact which was a first as she’d always been careful, and knew that he had also been. She hadn’t been with anyone in four months.
“You make me want everything, Alessia. The reason it never appealed to me before was because—what was in my head…it wasn’t the version you spoke of. It had to be your version. As soon as you mentioned having a little kid running around the restaurant, the rest of my life became crystal clear.”
This involved both a private and public proposal.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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