Review: One of the best friends to lovers story. Here's another winner from author Kate Meader!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 30, 2014
I always love reading friends-to-lovers stories and this latest installment from Kate Meader for her Hot in the Kitchen series is one of most enjoyable reads I’ve had with this kind of set-up. Hot and Bothered has all the great things that I’ve come to expect from a Kate Meader book: sexy but real characters, conflicts that are familiar and yet given that Kate-Meader-twist, great conversations, and amazing romance trajectory.Early on, in the first two books, there have been hints on the special bond that Tad and Jules have forged, be it friendship or sexual tension, the glaring fact was that it was there and it popped off the pages. So when I found out that the third book is about them, well I couldn’t contain my happiness and was counting the days until its release.More than a year after giving birth, Jules has decided to take charge of her currently non-existent love life and start to date again. And with the help of Lili and Cara, Jules made an online dating profile her starting point. Tad, on the other hand, would have wanted an alternative for his best friend. He couldn’t deny the logic behind Jules’ decision to start dating again but part of his mind and heart struggled heavily against it. He couldn’t even imagine Jules being in a relationship with some guy and what does that say about him and his feelings? He has no freaking idea.I love that more than the very basic conflict of crossing that line from friends to something more, the conflict with Tad and Jules ran deeper. Yes, there is that ever present danger of never being able to go back to what things were like before. And yes, a relationship ending might mean a friendship ending as well. But more than that, there is that very personal struggle within themselves that they must face and overcome. And I think this inner struggle adds to the already layered complications of their relationship.I love watching Jules’ character development. We learned in the earlier books that she has Dyslexia and her fear about her self-worth plus the future of her son was so palpable that my heart goes out to her. But she’s also strong and resilient and is learning to be independent.My initial impression of Tad was that he is an easy-go-lucky, funny, and sexy Italian guy. But I really appreciated the layers of his character that Kate Meader slowly unravels for her readers. I’ve learned a lot about Tad in this book and I can say I know him a lot better than before. I’ve also felt a whole range of emotions for this man. And if you read this story, I’m sure you will too.There were a lot of appearances by the other characters in the series and it was great catching up with them as well. And they reinforce the running thread in the series of the importance of family relationships. And that, for me, is a great message from the author, along with the messages of having faith in yourself, of fighting for the ones you love even if all the odds are stacked against you, and of following your heart.4.5 stars!