Kitchen Affairs (The Riverside Trilogy) 

By Brooke Cumberland

$2.99 on Amazon

Drake Stagliano is a high maintenance man from a wealthy empire family in Chicago. He managers The Riverside Hotel/Restaurant where he only expects the absolute best. With a past filled with being used and heartbreak, the last thing he expects is to find a woman he can't control himself around... a chef intern.

Molly Woods is not your typical 23 year old. She's in her last semester of culinary school and interning at Drake's restaurant. She's closed dating off her list - her only priorities are finishing school & her 4 year old daughter. When Molly is pursued by Drake, she does everything she can to deny the chemistry and sexual tension. However, that doesn't last long & she finds herself completely mad over him.

When an intimate video goes public, Molly's internship and credibility is threatened. She's lusts for the one man she's been able to connect with after the sudden death of her late fiancé - but can Drake hold on for the emotional ride? Molly will need to let go of her past in order let Drake in. Fall in love with this steamy, funny, & romantic story of two people who find each other just when they both need someone the most.

Kitchen Affairs by Brooke Cumberland
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm torn. I really wanted to like this book, but it's hard. I love that there's conflict, and you're up and down on the emotional scale. The plot seems like it could be amazing... Rich Drake sweeps Molly off her feet, loves her daughter, what single mom wouldn't like that? But, several times I found myself backtracking because I couldn't figure out who or what was being mentioned. Like, when Drake was in the cooler with Molly, she just says he. No name, and I re read it like 5 times before I figured out what was going on.
The flashbacks of Molly and Liam seem to just "appear" and don't feel right being placed in the center of a chapter or scene.

Molly is dumb, I don't like her. She has a rich, hot, horny man, who she introduces to her daughter, but flirts and kisses Travis? Then, claims to have not realized he wanted to be more than friends?! Come on, are there men that dumb as to believe that? There's some steam in the book. Great build up to the sex, but even that seemed over before it started.
I think with a little tweaking, this could be a 5 star book. But as it sits, it left me confused and wondering if I'll waste my time and money on the next one in the series. The plot is like a base, to soup, but the author watered it down so much, now it's only broth. Put some good meat in there, and thicken it up, add some flavor.

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