Trading her red-dirt roots for the title of Miami’s go-to image consultant, Brett Fontaine refuses to let anything jeopardize her new life. …Not an influential client-turned-stalker who’s up for parole… celeb in ninety days.
Will Te’o can almost taste the dream he sacrificed American Samoa, culture, and cherished family ties for—opening a four-star restaurant in the most cut-throat culinary location in North America.
Unfortunately, that requires navigating its equally ruthless social scene.
When his first public performance ends in a social media spectacle, his only option is turning to the stiletto-wearing nemesis who has invaded his kitchen.
Neither expected to share anything but barbs, yet somewhere between accidentally bonding over comfort food and office-wrecking sex, they’re named South Beach’s hottest pairing!
Until Brett’s stalker engineers an image-shattering reveal and the fallout trashes her reputation. She may be going down, but she’s not taking Will’s dreams with her.
Now Will is pulling out all his new skills and cooking up a last-ditch event. Will it prove to Brett that relying on the right person makes for the perfect recipe? Or will he be left heartbroken in the spotlight?
If you like Kristen Callihan, Nicole Snow, Negeen Papehn, or Penelope Ward, you’ll love this spicy romance with a dash of sultry, a pinch of intrigue, and a cup full of fun!
“Walden-West debuts with a delectable romance between a Miami image consultant and the rough-around-the-edges client she must polish before the opening of his South Beach restaurant…While the sexual tension between the leads sizzles from the get go, it’s the show of mutual support and respect that will make readers swoon.” — Publisher’s Weekly
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Salt + Stilettos immediately grabbed me simply from the title because I am an admitted (but not recovering, because I embrace this particular addiction) shoe addict, especially high heels to make my five foot one inch self feel less inferior. And MOST especially Christian Louboutin. I have a mild (read: severe and overwhelming) obsession with Loubies.
Moving on…
Going into nearly any read I will admit that I have expectations. Based on cover, title, blurb. I mean that is the point of all three things right? So as I digitally cracked open Salt + Stilettos I was expecting a hotter than hades leading man, a kickass woman, and a torrid love affair. Now, I’m not saying those boxes weren’t checked because OH EMM GEE WERE THEY EVER! But this book also has so much more to it.
Brett (side note, love it when typical boy names are used for girls!) is an image consultant in one of the most image-centered cities in North America… possibly the world: Miami.
Will is an American Samoa transplant who has come to Miami in pursuit of the American dream. His particular dream involves creating mouth watering dishes as a professional chef.
These two bring immediate and intense chemistry to the story that lights the pages on fire. Even before we hit the smexy times, Will and Brett were making me melt with the intensity flowing between them.
But as in life, and any good romance story, no matter how perfectly matched they are, they are left with everything on the line when a monster from Brett’s past resurfaces with a menacing new threat that puts their relationship in jeopardy… especially when Brett realizes she loves Will too much to have the darkness following her affect him. But at the same time Will (who, might I add, is an amazing and droolworthy leading man) is trying to prove to Brett that she can trust him with anything including her heart and the fear lingering in the shadows.
If you love contemporary romance with high heat, mega drama, and a leading man inspired by Jason Momoa, you need to grab Salt + Stilettos TODAY.
SALT + STILETTOS (South Beach Romance Book #1) by Janet Walden-West is a new contemporary romance by a new to me author with plenty of food, fashion and love.
Will Te’o is about to realize his dream. He worked his way up from his home in American Samoa to the top of the culinary scene in South Beach. With his partner, he is about to open his first restaurant but as talented as Will is in the kitchen, he has no understanding of the social scene and celebrity status he must now achieve for his and his restaurant’s success.
Brett Fontaine worked hard to raise herself up from dirt poor and hungry to the top image consultant in South Beach. Brett knows image and clothes matter. Her best friend has hired her to take on his partner, Will and get him ready in just 45 days for their restaurant’s grand opening.
Brett and Will butt heads, but slowly they learn to trust each other and the chemistry builds to a flash point. When Brett’s stalker engineers a reputation shattering reveal, Will is determined to prove that Brett can always rely on him. Can Will prove to Brett that he will always be there for her?
I fell in love with Will and Brett. Both are such contradictions and you would think opposites, but under the shell of each is someone so ready for love. Will is six feet eight of talented chef, traditional Samoan, and chief support of his extended family back home. He was so loving and that his character started out so insecure and hurt it broke me up. I was so glad that Brett was able to understand him and build him up rather than hurt him more. Will was so full of love and Brett needed it. Brett had to deal with both her terrible childhood and a stalker which left her traumatized and yet she was still willing to let Will in. When these two finally came together the sex scenes were smokin’ hot. The romance progressed at a realistic pace and the sex scenes were never gratuitous. All the secondary characters were interesting and fully fleshed.
I can highly recommend this contemporary romance and am looking forward to many more books in this series!
Salt+Stilettos tells the story of image consultant Brett and Samoan chef Will. I really loved the characters, they were very likable and I could relate to them. They were so different, but still they fit perfectly together. I liked the setting and the pacing of the book was great, not to slow and not too fast. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes to read contemporary romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you’re looking for a novel to sweep you away and make you forget about your everyday world, this is it. Just don’t pick Salt & Stilettos up unless you’re ready to not put it down until the last word is read. It’s that good.
Other reviewers are going into detail about the plot, so I’m not going to bother with that. I just want to say that both Brett and Will felt totally real, the slow burn and build of the chemistry between them was perfect. The sexy times were super-hot, but more than that I enjoyed their struggles and the perfect ending that left me smiling. This is a don’t miss for any reader who enjoys romance, especially when it’s served with a big dose of Miami South Beach sizzle.
This is one of those “hard to put down” books; it’s extremely well written and the main protagonists are complex and relatable. It doesn’t take long to become emotionally invested in Brett’s and Will’s story. Highly recommended!
Salt and Stilletos is the story of two very opposite people who initially are enemies. This book reminded me of an enemies to lovers story with a little danger, mystery, and scandal all rolled into one. It was a spicy, thrilling read overall and one I hated to put down. This is a new author to me, but she will definitely be added to my to-be-read list.
Let’s start with the characters. Reading through this novel, I felt a connection with the heroine Brett. She’s a woman determined to make it, to prove herself even in the face of the history and ghosts which haunt her. I found her to be a strong character, witty and fun to read.
Will intrigued me. A man willing to give up so much for his dream, yet he had a depth to him I was happy to see. He was well rounded, and 3 dimensional while not stereotypical. Reading about him and meeting him in the pages, I didn’t feel the author had just thrown a character together. She did a great job of developing the characters in a relatable and personable manner.
The plot moved along nice, I didn’t feel there was any lagging or gaps in the story line. It was developed, intense, and kept me moving through the book. At no point did I feel the author hadn’t done her homework, the plot enhanced the characters and vice versa. I was disappointed to get to the end of the novel.
Salt and Stilletos took a basic concept and really made it come alive in the pages. I was drawn into the novel and kept there with fast paced writing, characters who I could see in my mind and laughed, cried, and screamed with. It was a page turner, and one I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to read a contemporary romance.
Set in Miami’s South Beach, this forced proximity romance is one of the best books I’ve read this month. Brett Fontaine is a celebrity image consultant fresh from a traumatic stalker and abduction situation that has left its mark on her in the form of panic attacks and insomnia. She is tasked by her best friend and restaurateur Richard with reforming chef Will Te’o’s image in advance of their four star restaurant opening. Will Te’o is an American Samoan who’s left his family and his island to realize his dream of opening a restaurant in one of the most competitive culinary communities. What starts off with preconceptions and skewed first impressions turns into an undeniable attraction that threatens to up-end both their lives.
The representation is on point in this novel Brett, coming from an impoverished background, possesses all the fears and flaws of a woman who has had to depend on herself and can’t afford the weakness that comes with surrendering herself to someone else. Will is ambitious but carries the wounds of a person rejected for nothing more than who he is and struggles to reconcile his insecurities, ambitions and culture, all while trying to build something solid with a woman who wants nothing to do with commitment. In addition, it’s nice to see the such a wonderfully strong female character depicted unapologetically, and a male character who is strong but also given permission to be vulnerable and emotional. Wonderful read.
A family-oriented chef falls for his all-business consultant.
I’ve been venturing more into contemporary romance, and when I read the blurb of this book, I knew I had to give it a try. I’m so glad I did. If you are into sweet heroes, this book is definitively for you.
William Te’o is an American Samoan chef who finally managed to realize his dream of owning a restaurant in a fashionable area of Miami. He is creative and talented in the kitchen, but awkward and clumsy in the outside world.
When his partner hires a consultant to help improve his public image, he wants nothing to do with it and fights her (very politely) at every turn. The fact that she is beautiful, refined, and attractive does not help at all.
Brett Fountaine is sophisticated, well-spoken, and annoyingly distant. Whenever she enters Will’s kitchen in her high stilettos and fancy clothes, his heart skips a few beats. The sadness in Brett’s eyes calls to Will’s protective nature.
The tension between the main characters is delicious. Sweet Will and practical Brett are adorable together. Will is all family and forevers, and Brett is all business and one-night-stands.
The writing is engaging, and the narrative flows effortlessly. There are some very steamy moments, keep a fan at hand.
This was my first book by this author, but will not be my last. I’m hoping Brett’s friend Richard will get his own story.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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I absolutely loved this book. Not just for the food but the characters were amazing. I loved Will. Nothing gets me more than a shy/ awkward hero who can step up and be an alpha when needed. And boy, is he charming. Brett was okay. I didn’t connect with her as much, but I also read this after watching Draft Day and felt if she was tough in the way Jennifer Garner was able to step up as a business woman, yet have a softer side I would have rooted for her more. The pacing was great and everything flowed so nicely. And I loved the diverse atmosphere of the book. And having been to Miami I could relate to some of that social status and appearance that goes on there. Definitely a book I would recommend.
I simply can’t praise this book or the author enough. With two very unique characters being pushed way out of their comfort zone, neither expected an outcome like this! The story is captivating in every way imaginable and it’s impossible not to become invested in Brett and Will’s unforgettable adventure together. However, it’s not all just about love and lust – there is danger lurking, which really turns up the heat. Together, Brett and Will change each other’s outlook on life and become each other’s safe place. Just beautiful. I also must mention the author’s extraordinary talent for storytelling and flawless use of language. Would wholeheartedly recommend this one for fans of romance!