3.5 of 5

Adult Romance

ARC provided for an honest review through NetGalley.

Rita’s stood there and watched as her life burned down around her, literally. Her families’ restaurant was engulfed in flames and wasn’t the only bad thing that had happened, just the cherry on top. Her life was spiraling out of control. As they say, things always get worse to get better.  After deciding to follow her deceased mother’s wishes, taking a road trip with her siblings, they become stranded on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere when their car breaks down. Luckily a handsome man on a motorcycle comes to her – their rescue.

Jasper has a “bad boy” reputation that he cannot get away from. Wanting to be more than a ladies man, he aspires to do greater things in his small hometown. Rita might just be the person to help him.

I REALLY wanted to love this book. There were so many great things that fell a bit short for me. First the idea of this book was fresh and exciting- siblings coming together after their mother’s death to honor her last wish. I felt this was a solid plot that could have been even better with more backstories, more flashbacks or mentions of their mother and them as a whole family. This would have helped  to really get a sense of where each of these characters were coming from, especially Rita.

Rita’s culinary career in comparison with her mother’s culinary career was very intriguing and interesting. I really wanted to see how Rita was like her mother and again, it would have been even better if I could have experienced more of her mother to be able to compare. Rita clearly has a passion for food/cooking and I think this helped bring this story to life. I was intrigued by this therefore I was intrigued by Rita but I wanted to be immersed into Rita’s story and get to know her. At times I felt a disconnect with Rita. I couldn’t quite understand where she was coming from.

Jasper also has an interesting story. Being a ladies man who aspired to be more than that is an interesting detail. I would have liked to “see” more situations that showed this… more women wanting to be with him and bring to the surface some of his dirty past. I think I would have had more sympathy and would have connected more with him if I could have seen the actual change occur.

Overall, I liked the plot and ideas in this book. I am glad that I read it because it made me really appreciate the different aspects that create a great story because this book has them. Although I wasn’t extremely thrilled, I really do like Tessa Bailey’s overall writing and will definitely check out more of her works!

Order here on Amazon!

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