Review: Feel the Heat by Kate Meader

Feel the Heat by Kate Meader
Review Copy Via Publisher
Goodreads 

Photographer Lili DeLuca spends all her time working at her family's Italian restaurant, instead of following her dream of getting an MFA. When famous British chef Jack Kilroy unexpectedly challenges her father to a cook-off, Lili decides she's tired of playing it safe and vows to seduce the tempting Brit. But once a video of her and Jack kissing goes viral and her luscious (if voluptuous) butt starts trending on Twitter, Lili fears she's cooked up a recipe for disaster . . .

Jack Kilroy's celebrity has left him feeling used and used up. While Lili's oh-so-sexy moans when she tastes his delicious creations turn him on, he's even more aroused by how this beautiful, funny woman is unimpressed by his fame. He knows they could be amazing together, if she could only see past his rabid, bitch-fork-wielding fan base. Now as he's about to start a new prime time TV cooking show, can Jack convince Lili to realize her own ambitions-and turn up the heat in his kitchen?

Between her family’s business, self-doubt and her photography, Lili think she doesn’t have time for a man- especially not the too hot to handle British television chef. Who she may or may now have pulled a Tangled on.

So, everyone meet Lili. Hardworking, selfless and surrounded n self-hate that began with school yard bullying, she’s an awesome heroine, even if her . . . what should I call it . . . flimsiness? Annoyed me at times. Her self- doubt showed in everything, so I can understand why sir chef was doubting what Lili’s true emotions were.

Who is this sir chef who Lili’s sister manages, as well as basically shoves at her? Everyone meet Jack Kilroy. Tall, dark (well, not really) and handsome, he’s the eternal optimist. And it makes me feel stabby. For some parts of the book, I couldn’t tell if he loved Lili or the way Lili loved (perhaps adored) his cooking. Also, where can I get some goat cheese and caramel gelato?

Jack has his debut of “Jack of all Trades” in Lili’s family run restaurant. Between Lili, idiot cousins as well as family issues, he has really got his hands full. Entranced by the youngest daughter, he’s rekindling his passion for food again though Lili and her passion for eating. One which I can totally understand. I mean, food, man. Food is life.

I feel like this entire book was Katy Perry’s “Hot and Cold” just because of Lili. Besides her love for all things edible, I found myself not actually being able to relate to her.

Onto the plot. It was sweet; small town girl stuck in her ways meets big city chef who’s always moving and doing. They really do compliment each other. Even if butting heads did seem to be a particular specialty of theirs.

In the end, more than anything the food aspect of this book, especially seeing how different characters reacted to it, was what kept me reading, rather than the story itself. This novel was fun and sweet and made me want to eat gelato and buy photography. Or become and photographer.