All Fired Up (Hot in the Kitchen, #2) by Kate Meader

Title: All Fired Up

Series: Hot in the Kitchen

Genre: Contemporary Romance
File Size: 782 KB
Print Length: 333 pages
Publisher: Forever (November 5, 2013)
Sold by: Hachette Book Group
ASIN: B00AG0VOEU

Author's Website: http://katemeader.com/

Notes: Received an eARC from the publisher. Quotes will need to be checked against the final version. 

     "It was a mistake."

     He leaned closer, his forehead almost touching hers, his breath warm on her cheek. "How do we know it was? Maybe it was supposed to happen this way."

One night... 

Too Many drinks...

One six-foot-tall, amber-eyed, mussed-up-haired Irish accented man with a devastating dimple...

One colossal mistake...

They say what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

They lied!

This is the second book of the Hot in the Kitchen series. If you haven't read the first book, don't worry, this one can be read without feeling like you're missing part of the back story. I admit, however, you'll probably want the scoop on Cara's sister's and Jack Kilroy's love story.

Cara Delucca comes from a close tight knit Italian family of cooks. She's the black sheep, always feeling a little like she's on the outside looking in. She has no cooking skills nor wish to pursue a career in the kitchen, something her father had noted years ago and had given up upon. She's more of a planner/perfectionist, and hopes her boss and soon to be brother-in-law will expand his restaurant business to include larger events and gatherings. While attending her cousin's bachelor/bachelorette party, she does something completely out of character--she gets married to a complete stranger. Thought to cold-hearted and insensitive by those who don't really know her, she gives off the vibe of being snooty and cold, when in reality, she feels awkward and uncomfortable in group settings. Now away from Vegas and back to reality and life, Cara wants to undo the mistake she made. As she gets to know her husband, however, she starts to wonder if it truly is a mistake.

Shane Doyle is night to Cara's day. He was raised by a drunkard father with a quick temper who used him as a punching bag more often than not. Never really knowing, but craving a family, he's come to Chicago with only one thing in mind--to get to know his older half-brother, Jack. Knowing Jack's high profile cooking show caused many a distant relative to come out of the woodwork in order to gain a piece of Jack's wealth, he's decided not reveal his connection to the man in order to have a chance at getting to know him. The plan was to get in, get to know his brother to satisfy his curiosity and then get out. Marrying Cara was never part of his plan, but will he be able to convince her of that if she ever finds out? 

A very fun and sweet story that had me grinning and sighing. I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. I loved how we slowly learn about the little imperfections and desires of these two. Both have issues they have to own up to and come to terms with. Those imperfections are what made them perfect for each other by allowing them to understand each other like no one else could. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the series: