Kitchen Scandals by Brooke Cumberland Review

**IF YOU HAVEN'T READ KITCHEN AFFAIRS DO NOT READ THIS REVIEW**

From GoodReads:

"**Mature Audiences Only**

She finally found the one…

but he has a hidden secret. Could this be the breaking point for Molly?

Has she endured too much?

Drake and Molly had instant chemistry in Kitchen Affairs, but when secrets go all wrong, their relationship will be tested, feelings get hurt, and limits will be reached.

Someone interferes with their relationship, keeping them distant and longing for answers in all the wrong places. Some people are not who they seem... leaving a betrayal of lies crashing down on them.

Can they recover their once intense, sensual chemistry? Will love be enough?

Secrets, betrayals, and scandals…

Chicago’s hottest couple, Molly & Drake, go through big changes, hidden secrets, and tragedies."

My Thoughts:

Kitchen Scandals stars off with a prologue from Drake that basically summarizes, in his view, what he thought from the second he laid eyes on Molly, up until they finally started getting together. This is definitely something I wish was in the first book, but I love that we finally get to see what Drake was thinking from the start. 

Fast forward.. Chapter 1 begins with Molly and Drake having been together for 12 months. It continues their story from there. In this book we get views from both Molly and Drake as the story goes, it sometimes even backpedals a bit so it overlaps their thoughts on what is going on at the present moment. I actually love when stories go back and forth in POV, it makes both characters feel more real.

My main complaint with Kitchen Affairs was not having enough backstory on the characters from the start. Seeing that a lot of the backstory was eventually brought to light in book 1, Kitchen Scandals is a lot easier to read. The connection with the characters is already there, which helped a whole bunch. 

There is a lot, and I mean a LOT, that goes on in this book. Hidden secrets, twists and turns, new surprising issues thrown in their way, and so many "OH NO REALLY?!" moments. It was slightly overwhelming with how much was thrown at Molly and Drake, definitely a lot to take in, but absolutely keeps you on edge and reading for the whole book!

THANKFULLY most of these issues came to a conclusion in this book, but it definitely leaves you wondering a decent amount of book 3! 

Kitchen Promises, book 3 in the Riverside Trilogy, will be released in December 2013.

Kitchen Affairs by Brooke Cumberland Review

From GoodReads:

"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 a single mom 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.

~For mature audiences, 18+"

My Thoughts:

Let me start by saying, I love love loved the story concept. I will absolutely be reading the next two books the second they come out! I NEED to see where all of this goes from where it left off. 

Molly, a single mom to an adorable little 4 year old girl named Stella, lost her fiance, Liam, in a car accident when Stella was only 2 months old. She has never felt it was a good time to move on, so she has spent the last 4 years staying away from any sort of date or relationship. 

"'I just miss Liam so much, and I don't ever want to forget him.' Liam... I miss you"

Wanting a change, she heads off to a culinary school in Chicago, with Stella and her gay best friend Michael (who I absolutely adore). The three of them have formed a happy little family, Michael has stepped up into almost the role of a father to Stella, and helps Molly wherever needed. He is definitely her sanity over the last 4 years, and he is always there to slap her back into reality, and give some amazing advice.

When Drake, the manager of the Hotel Molly is doing her internship at, makes it his point to win her over, Molly questions if she is actually ready to move on from Liam's death. She also has her career and his career to consider. But quickly Molly gives in to her urges and from there on out it is HOT HOT HOT between her and Drake. 

"Damn, he's hot. No, hot isn't even a strong enough word for what he is. Mesmerizing... yes, thats what he is."

..that is until a video goes public that was never meant for anyone else's eyes..

Now suddenly there are paparazzi, vindictive ex-girlfriends, questionable motives, and new friends (cough TRAVIS cough) thrown into the mix. 

From the first page you are seriously dropped right into the action of it all. There is no build up of characters in the beginning. It starts the second that Drake starts to pursue Molly. As much as I loved the character development throughout the book, it was almost confusing to just be thrown into the story. I actually turned back to see if I had missed a prologue. Once I got a bit more into the book I was sucked in. There are twists and turns through the whole book. Definitely things that I did not see coming!

I cannot wait to see where this goes in Kitchen Scandals! 

Kitchen Scandals (book 2 of the trilogy) will be available July 1st.