Recipe for Love by Dyann Love Barr

ISBN-13: 9781633751521
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publication Date: 17 November 2014
Format: eBook, 334 pgs
Source: NetGalley




Top Chef Tilly Danes is pissed with Maxwell Etheridge, an international food critic who slammed her on his blog, on the day of the big Personal Chef Showdown for the Culinary Channel. If it's not for the owner of the Channel, she wouldn't be rubbing elbows with that man. 

Jordan Kelly shares the same sentiments with Tilly. Like Tilly, he is a chef and both of them own a restaurant of their own. He too, is invited by the Channel to be one of the judging panels for the show. Despite their dislike towards the arrogant man, they aren't really in friendly terms. Tilly thinks Jordan is too charming and a flirt, while Jordan thinks Tilly is too tough and independent for a woman in his opinion. You can say they are nemesis in each other's eyes, still they tolerated each other. 

As much as they dislike Maxwell, they couldn't imagine anyone murdering him, especially not having one of his organs severed. Unfortunately, Tilly and Jordan are the twosome who have found Maxwell's dead body in his suite before the show. And since Maxwell is not a well-liked person, it seems difficult to pinpoint anyone. Everyone becomes a suspect; from the host, the contestants and even Maxwell's lover. 

Added to the story is Detective Jericho's attraction towards Tilly. Though Tilly is somewhat flattered by his admiration, she isn't ready for a relationship, especially she got pregnant when she was fifteen and the two relationships thereafter made her think that it is hard to find a decent man and get settled down. 

Now Jordan and Tilly may hate each other guts, still it doesn't please Jordan to see Jericho and Tilly as a pair. And despite their awkward situation, they find themselves working together with the investigation. The owner of the Channel claimed their involvement in the case might help to boost viewership but they know better. 

Romantic suspense is one of my favourite genres. I think a great romantic suspense is having these two elements well balanced with interesting characters. In this case, I think the suspense (intensity as well as the police procedural) element in Recipe for Love did not feel up to par. However, the exchanges between Tilly and Jordan could be amusing at times, though. And if you are going for the romance the chemistry between Tilly and Jordan is sizzling, from their snarky comments to the opposite attracts. While I find Recipe for Love an entertaining read, I couldn't help feeling let down on the suspense part (and not a glimpse of some food recipes and cooking too? Aw.)