Review: Romance is the Entree, Magic is Merely a Side Dish
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 14, 2012
The description for this book focuses on the sorcery that the Kelly uses to entice Meredith to counsel his sister through her grief, but I felt like the magic cookbook played a negligible role in the story and really wasn't necessary because it's almost a non-issue plot-wise. What is more important is the age difference between Kelly and Mery. She's twelve years older and, having already buried two husbands whom she truly loved, she isn't comfortable getting involved with a younger man. The issue that Mery faces is well described and I love the characterization of the two friends that help her get over it.The story starts with Kelly and Mery's first meeting when he presents her with enchanted chocolates to persuade her to help his sister. The "magic" gets a few more mentions in the story, but I think Kelly was adept enough at flirting and making Mery fall in love with him that that's where the true magic was. The romance develops logically and the dates the couple go on are cute and fun reading. There's definite sexual tension, but the sex is all behind closed doors.Where the book lost a star for me was with too many subplots that didn't get fleshed out enough and weren't necessary for the main plot to advance. For example, Kelly and Mery met at a book signing (she's written books on psychology, he's got a new cookbook out). They didn't need the sister's grief counseling to throw them together. In fact, the "counseling" the sister receives is so brief that it really doesn't contribute to the romance plot. Likewise, when Mery attempts to find out about the Kelly's childhood, we get this explanation of his mother's misuse of the magic cookbook and her lack of affection for her son. The woman was simply a bad mother, the use of magic didn't really matter. When Mery finds out about the cookbook, there is a big argument, but as it only lasts for a few pages, I don't think it was necessary at all.I enjoyed Kristen Painter's writing style and her pacing kept the romance moving right along.