Review: Sweet, Multicultural Romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 22, 2013
I received a complimentary copy of this book as a part of a book tour in exchange for a fair and honest review.A single mom raising a kid on her own, a CEO whose company needs a new direction and a broken down car all play a part in Tabitha Foster's Short Order Daddy, Surprise Billionaire, a sweet contemporary multicultural romance. With likable characters, a touch of emotional angst and two people who really need to learn what love and life is about, this story grabbed my attention from the first page and kept it through the end.  The first book in the Van Buren Brothers series, this debut release is a strong start.CEO of Tio Jose's or TJ's, Max Van Buren knows he needs to turn the family's business around.  Deciding to check out the competition across the country himself, Max takes off in a rental car to spy on local Mexican restaurants.  Breaking down in the desert before he makes it to his first destination is not planned, neither is being rescued by a female tow truck driver.  When the woman turns out the be the owner of the restaurant he's planning to check out, things become even more complicated.Single mother and restaurant owner Alejandra "Allie" Rodriguez is used to having men making a pass at her.  She doesn't have the time or interest to deal with any of them.  Helping a friend out by picking up a stranded motorist is something she's done before, hiring said motorist as a temporary short order cook when something happens at her family restaurant is something new.  Falling for him was definitely not a part of her plan.Max and Allie have great chemistry from the very beginning.  Raised in two different worlds, he comes from privilege while she's definitely working class, they find they have quite a few things in common.  As Max begins to realize what's gone wrong with his family's restaurant business, he falls in love with Allie, a woman he's come to respect and admire.Ms. Foster did a good job developing both Allie and Max's individual characters and developing their emotions; while their romance takes place in a little over a week, it doesn't feel rushed or fake.  They genuinely like each other and begin to trust each other - even though Max hasn't really been honest about his identity.Will Allie give Max a chance with her heart once she knows who he really is?  Will Max be able to convince Allie his love for her and her son, CJ, is real and turn his family's company around?  You'll have to read Short Order Daddy, Surprise Billionaire to find out.  I can't wait to read the next story in this series to see which one of Max's brothers will fall in love next.