Logan Blaise comes home to Red Hook, Brooklyn, to keep an eye on his sick father and the family restaurant and ends up falling in love with the talented but secretive chef he hires. This is the second installment of Kaye's Red Hook trilogy (Back to You, 2012).
Logan’s life is easygoing and uncomplicated. He runs a San Francisco vineyard; he’s engaged to the owner’s daughter; and no one makes any emotional demands on him. But when he comes back to Red Hook to keep the family restaurant going while his brother Storm is on his honeymoon, things get complicated. The chef quits with no notice, and at first, Logan considers it a miracle that Skye, an amazing replacement, walks in off the street as soon as he posts the sign. Unfortunately, she’s beautiful, full of secrets and the first woman ever to make him believe he’s capable of falling in love. Forced by his attraction and newly discovered emotions to break it off with his fiancee, Logan then has to convince Skye that he’s worth the risk while trying to figure out what she’s hiding. Turns out she’s from San Francisco, too, from a veritable restaurant dynasty, determined to make it in her own restaurant kitchen, on her own merits and away from her paternalistic family. Navigating meddling friends, angry families and a skittish Skye, Logan must gain her trust in spite of obstacles in his path. Good thing he’s discovered his heart; Skye’s the one he’s determined to give it to. While the book's concept is strong, and there are plenty of romance fans who will enjoy the sparks flying and the sexy attraction between Skye and Logan, there are too many missed opportunities to show growing trust and emotional connection. Also, the condescending tone of the female characters continually putting up with the idiotic antics of their male counterparts grows thin.
An adequate effort for the right romance audience but a step down from Back To You.
