Dirty cocktails, deadly enemies with a red-hot attraction, and one big, crazy, Greek family–what could possibly go wrong?Hiring my brother’s best friend was not on my to-do list.Neither was he.Expanding my dirty cocktail bar into food was supposed to be easy, except finding a chef in my little town of Whiskey Key is anything but.Until Parker Hamilton comes home—bringing his Michelin starred … his Michelin starred chef’s hat with him.
He has no work. I need someone like him in my new kitchen.
There’s just one problem: I hate his cocky, filthy-mouthed, sexy-as-hell guts.
Even if I might want him. Just a little…
Working for my best friend’s sister? Not on my to-do list.
She’s another story.
Whiskey Key was supposed to be a relaxing vacation, except I haven’t reached the heights I have by lying in a hammock drinking cocktails. So when Raven Archer is desperate for a chef, I offer up my skills.
I’m bored. She needs what I can give her.
Except there’s a problem: I’ve always hated her.
Her and her big, blue eyes, sassy mouth, and killer curves.
If only I didn’t want her.
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Mixed Up is a enemies to lovers standalone romance. I can always count on Emma to make me laugh with sassy and sarcasm. Raven and Parker definitely have plenty of both. And the hate banter between them is epic. Epically hot…
Raven needs a chef since she added a restaurant to her bar. And since her asshole brother Ryan won’t work for his little sister and nobody in their town seems to fit the bill, she has only one choice. To ask Ryan’s best friend and her worst enemy Parker to take over the kitchen. Before she could even ask, he offered. It was only going to be a summer gig anyway since was only on a vacation between chef jobs. They can go three months in the same building without killing each other, right? Sure, why not? What could possible go wrong?
Everything. That’s what. Parker and Raven knew it was a bad idea. They hadn’t seen each other in three years and in those years they somehow got more stubborn. More hateful. More attractive. They both hid what was behind their heated words but when the filthy ones came out, it had to stop. This was his best friend’s sister. She was not to be touched but ignored. But how could he ignore her. She is smart, driven, sassy, sexy, and even a bit classy. He didn’t want to want her but he did. He didn’t know if it was because he wanted a hot hate-fuck or if he had real feelings for this crazy Greek hotshot. And she wasn’t sure if she liked him because he can give her orgasms or if she actually cared about the cocky chef that could make a mean gyro. Even if they figure it out, will they tell Ryan? Is it worth the risk of a lifetime friendship?
Fuck…these two are something else! If I didn’t have a family emergency come up I would had finished this book in one sitting. Instead it took four days but it was exactly what I needed. A humorous fix. I loved Parker. He is a sinfully Sexy chef with a filthy mouth. And I have a total girl crush on Raven. Damn…she is a badass with some sass. She has a sharp tongue and isn’t afraid to use it. She doesn’t give a shit what people think of her attitude because it’s hers. She had zero fucks to give when it came down to it. But, she also has other sides to her that only a lucky few saw. Together, they are fucking hilarious. Sexy. Crazy. And a bit scary. I wouldn’t want to mess with him in the kitchen and I wouldn’t want to mess with her with a bottle in her hand. But, for reals…it’s awesome!
Overall…I loved every minute of it. Its not a flowers and hearts romance. Which I also love but I also need this kind of romance. One filled with hate/lust banter that makes me laugh and feel the heat. And throw in a Greek family reunion and it’s a party.
Quotes:
“I’ll do my best. Although, disclaimer—if you find his body and I’m missing, I’m in Cuba, and I didn’t do it.”
“He’s my kitchen bitch,” I told Brett before he could speak.
“Will you please help me build the pool table?”
“Can I bend you over it after?”
“Only if you want to be punched in the face.”
Another addictive read by a recently discovered author. This book had me rushing through my housework and getting my son to bed so I could continue reading. I love how the passion built between Raven and Parker, and you didn’t know when they’d finally cave to what they were feeling. I’m excited to see if some of the other characters get their own stories!
Emma Hart has once again written a phenomenal, unputdownable novel!
I have been a fan of this author all the way back to when she was writing the Call series! I can say, without a single doubt in my mind, that since then, she has become one of my all time favourite authors, and definitely an auto buy author!
Mixed Up is no exception to Emma’s extraordinary talent! This book had every single detail and aspect that I have come to expect from the author, as well as so much more!
Raven and Parker had such an amazing chemistry and dynamic between them. They sexual tension and facade was smoking hot! You could tell that they always wanted each other!
Beyond the sexual tension and chemistry, there was something so much deeper to these characters! They had the physical connection, but also one on a more intimate and emotional level. They were able to understand each other like no one else really could.
This has quickly made my favourite reads of the year list! I just finished reading it, and I already can’t wait to pick it up for a re-read!
If I could give this novel more than 5 stars I definitely would!
5/5 Stars!
**4,5 stars**
A funny gritty romance story where two sworn enemies, who really can’t stand each other since they were younger, get to know each other more when they have to work together.
Parker and Raven are two opposites but the more time they spend together and get to know each other, the more they feel for one another than just the hatred they have shared for so many years between them. But the sexual tension between them is rising and it’s getting harder for them to deny whatever it is going on between them. But of course nothing goes as planned when they have to get through the family reunion aswell… No matter what, both will have to decide in the end what they want…
Title: Mixed Up
Author: Emma Hart
Publisher: Createspace
Amount of Pages: 271
Genre: Adult, Romance, Humor
Date Read: 27-06-2018 – 28-06-2018
Favorite Quote: “Life would be so much better if it were acceptable to drink something stronger than a mimosa for breakfast. Seriously.”
“I’d spent my entire life hating her, yet now, here I was, falling in love with her.”
Review:
I liked this book. I kinda figured I would because so far I’ve always liked Emma’s writing. This book was a funny, easy read and i really enjoyed reading it.
What is this book about:
This book is about Raven and Parker. Raven is a hot successful mixologist and owner of a cocktail bar named Dirty. She grew up knowing Parker because he is her brothers best friend. And for reasons both of them don’t know, they always hated each other. They went after each other like no bodies business.
Parker is a hot, successful 3 Michelin star chef. He has been away for a few years while working in New York. He decided to come home for a summer after leaving his job.
Raven is currently trying to add food to her bar but can’t seem to find a proper chef, and her menu kinda sucks as well. Raven rather gets pocked in the eyes by a hot spear than ever ask Parker for help but desperate times call for desperate measures. She needs a chef now more than ever because her Greek family is coming over and they want to eat at her bar.
Will Raven and Parker kill each other before the summer is over or will they find out they don’t hate each other as much as they used to?
What did I like about this book:
I liked the banter, the sarcasm, the snark. It was hilarious, Emma is really good at writing great banter. I liked that both Parker and Raven are strong characters, that non changed for the other.
I really enjoyed reading this book, it did however remind me a bit (not much) of Sin (Vegas Nights #1) also written by Emma.
One thing I also loved that the smut! There was enough of it and it was oh so hot. The build up was just as hot as the actual sex.
Rating:
3 1/2 I liked it Stars
Raven knows how to stump Parker with her smart wit, “I don’t know how to respond to that,” I admitted. “That’s the first time anyone has ever called me their b****h, much less their kitchen b****h.” Parker can be a smart man, “I wasn’t doing it to make Raven happy, per se. I was doing it because I wasn’t stupid, and the happier she was, the happier I was likely to be.” I was absolutely in love with Raven and Parker, sexual tension just oozed off the pages.
Laugh out loud funny! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and all its crazy hot, sexy banter! Raven owns a bar/restaurant in Whiskey Key. She’s an amazing mixologist (with crazy dirty names for her drinks) and wants to have food to go with her drinks. Unfortunately she can’t find a chef to take over the kitchen.
Parker is a Michelin star chef in NY that is back in town and currently unemployed. He also happens to be Raven’s brother’s best friend and yet the bane of her existence. For some reason, Raven despises Parker and refuses to ask Parker for any help with her kitchen. Eventually, when she realizes that she can’t find anyone of legal age or with experience, she asks Parker to help her out and take temporary control of the kitchen until she can find someone else.
What can I say? Mix in a nosey Greek family that’s in town for a family reunion including the wacky YiaYia (grandma), even crazier Aunts and some meddling moms (both Raven’s and Parker’s who happen to be best friends) and you have the perfect combination for a fun read! While Raven is a master mixologist, Emma Hart creates the perfect blend of words in this delicious romance filled with tension, chemistry and just enough nuttiness to keep you wanting more.
es. I seriously find myself laughing out loud, crying, and having way too many feels for one story. This is yet another one of those books.
Parker and Raven have been fighting for years. Both are accomplished in their careers, share mutual friends, and are full of clever comebacks. The minute that Parker begins his tenure in Raven’s bar… well, let’s just say “sparks flying” isn’t a strong enough phrase. At every turn they seemed to be fighting one another, disagreeing about something, or just generally causing the other some level of discomfort or annoyance. I loved every minute of it!
Raven’s family is AMAZING! I love how they’re all busybodies, but they mean well. Also, it was interesting to see Greek culture added into a book. I’ve read a lot of fun families, but this one is unique. Also, the cocktails featured in this book sound delicious! I found myself highlighting many of the ingredients so I could suggest them to the drink mixing friends!
This is a great story. It made me laugh, drew me in, and it made my heart feel full. I’m glad I finally got the chance to read Raven’s story. A definite must read.