Review: emotional romance
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 13, 2013
This is the second book in a series but can easily be read and fully understood as a standalone.Cara DeLuca is back in Chicago trying to reconnect with her family.  She's always been controlling of herself and everything else around her.  Unfortunately that perceived self-discipline was a bit more so now she's also recovering from an eating disorder no one knows ever existed.  Cara's still on the outside trying to toe her way back into the family fold.  As a former producer and now events planner, this restraint is a positive trait making her extremely successful in the family restaurant.  Her personality, on the other hand, has earned her the nickname of Lemon Tart by her coworkers.During a bachelorette weekend in Vegas, she completely lets go of her self-control and marries the hot new guy from work.  Enter Shane Doyle.  Hot, yummy Irishman!  Don't worry, there's much more to him.  He has had his own share of turmoil.  His mother died when he was young so he was left in the care of an abusive, alcoholic father who probably couldn't care less about him.  To get past a nasty childhood, he found a passion in baking and has spent years becoming an accomplished patissier.  He also uses this as a connection to his famous chef brother who doesn't know Shane exists.  Shane goes to Chicago to scrutinize his brother Jack and then move on, only he finds Cara and hope for a future and a family.I read this story over a couple of nights.  On the first night, I felt like it may be too descriptive and verbose...but really I think that had more to do with my mood than the book.  On the second night, it flew by.  It's perfectly emotional for my cranky ovary mood (i.e. PMS'ing).This book is full of friction and strife which inspires immense poignant reactions.  While there are a couple of sex scenes that definitely sizzle, most of the heat takes place elsewhere.  The two characters have a primal connection on varied levels which, as a reader, is more intriguing to watch the action and reactions of broken and layered people who deal with real sentiments and still have the palpable chemistry to make the story volatile.  It's a great read for anyone who wants a good romance and a happily ever after.Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review