Death breaks you in ways you never thought possible while grief swallows you whole. After losing my husband I’ve been trapped in emotional limbo, a place I don’t think I’ll ever be able to escape.
Not even the British actor and heartthrob, Ian James, will be able to thaw my frozen heart…at least that’s what I thought.
Being his personal chef is merely a short-term job while he’s working on location in Virginia. But cooking for him five days a week becomes more personal when a mutual attraction starts to burn between us.
I’m hopelessly drawn to Ian and being with him makes it possible for me to breathe again. But I’m wary of the self-proclaimed womanizer who is far too charming and handsome for his own good.
With me a grieving widow, and Ian struggling with his own demons, there are too many variables involved for us to have a future together.
But I can’t stay away from him, and I’m afraid falling for a player might just shatter my already broken heart.
I’ve been so focused on writing and editing ALL THE THINGS for the past several months that my reading time has been very neglected. As you can see by the number of posts going up lately, I am making up for lost time! Continuing that trend, I have a new review for you guys today!
Romance is often focused on the gorgeous twenty-somethings with perfect hair, skin, and curves. But that isn’t real life. Sometimes real life is a more experienced heroine with silver in her hair and smile lines on her face. And I love seeing reality played out in my romances.
Which is exactly what you get with Shelby Durand. She is a chef trained at one of the best culinary schools in the world. And also a woman grieving the loss of her husband and trying to carve a new place for herself, rewriting the life story she thought had ended in a perfect HEA when she married Jean-Pierre. She sort of just floundering through the days when her friend Denny approaches her with an offer: take over his duties as personal chef to celebrity actor Ian James while Denny and his partner travel overseas to adopt their daughter.
Not the glittering life she had once known as the owner of a highly sought after restaurant, but probably a job much more in line with the slower pace her broken heart required.
What Shelby never planned on was Ian and all things… Ian. Let me tell y’all, the only thing that had me drooling more than the delicious meals Ms. Duhamel described to perfection was Ian James himself. I love me an older man to begin with and the graying at the temples made my knees weak, but Ian’s charm was nearly overwhelming. He took Shelby’s somewhat standoffish attitude in stride and she is soon flirting back despite herself.
And that flirting culminates into some steamy times that rival the delicious foods Shelby prepares. If you ever have the notion that smexy stops when the gray appears, y’all better think again because Shelby and Ian have chemistry for days.
Fed Up is a unique and fresh voice in the romance world representing seasoned love interests that are sorely underrepresented. I’d recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, food, and supporting love across all generations.
Amelia Foster 