Calla Bond needs a rebound, and unfortunately so does her cooking. The chef and restaurateur lost her edge right about the time she found her fiance in bed with another woman. For the last year, the only thing saving her restaurant has been her family of friends willing to pick up the slack while she nursed a deeply broken heart. Now, however, Calla’s nearly out of credit with her closest pals, … pals, and they’re determined to help her heal her spirit and find her cooking mojo again.
Wes Westminster adores Calla, but his close relationship with Calla’s brother – not to mention Calla’s engagement – has ensured the two have been strictly friends. Even now, with no fiance in his way, Wes isn’t ready to jeopardize both of those friendships just to pursue the girl of his dreams. But Wes will have to make peace with his inner conflict soon, because Calla’s restaurant family is setting her up, and Wes is the one pushing her to move on.
Calla’s Kitchen may be read and enjoyed as a standalone contemporary romance!
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Calla’s Kitchen was a fun friends to lovers romance. I really enjoyed the relationship Calla had with all of her friends and how they really looked out for her. The chemistry between the characters was out of this world and there were definitely so many moments that my emotions were all over the place. I also wanting to shake some sense into Wes a few times until he told Calla how he really felt.
With some hot steamy moments and some drama this book had me on the edge wondering what was going to happen next multiple times. A book worth reading for sure. – By Alisa
5 Star Review by Jodi for Ruby Red Romance Review
Calla and Wes are amazing. I love them to pieces. I’m new to Teresa Crumpton and I’m happy to report she has a new fan. I loved every single second of this story. Calla has been in a slump since her douche canoe of an ex cheated on her. Deciding she’s had enough of her slump, she starts to move forward. Calla is strong. Far stronger than she gives herself credit for. I love her spirit. I love how hard she wants to move forward, but isn’t exactly sure how to do that.
Wes, Wes, Wes, he wants what is best for Calla, which is obviously him, but he’s to stubborn to put himself out there. He wants Calla, but pushing her to put herself out there may just hurt him more than her thought. Wes is sweet. I get where he’s coming from not wanting to be the rebound, but damn man. Get it together. I wanted to slap him a few times. And I’ll admit, my heart broke for Calla at times. Men can be so stupid!
In the end Calla got her HEA. I love all the secondary characters in this story. They each made me smile so much. I can’t want to see what Teresa Crumpton has in store next for this group.
Calla is nursing a broken heart. Betrayal has left the once confident connoisseur of food, questioning her skills in the kitchen and her choices in life. Wes is fighting a losing battle. He lost his heart to the one girl who he may never have. Is a case of lovesick blues worth losing a friendship over? Calla’s Kitchen is a tale of devoted friends and second chances. There is more to life than morning the one that got away. Perhaps appreciating the ones that were left behind. A witty introduction to an enchanting author.
As much as I was really hoping to enjoy this book I had a really hard time getting into it. There was a lot going on and a lot of secondary character’s that confused me a bit. Don’t get me wrong, all the character’s seemed wonderful and these best friend’s had a great bond. But it was hard to stay focused and follow through. My biggest issue was Wes. He was so in love with Calla that he just wanted to see her happy, even if that happiness meant that he was unhappy. He was in a loveless relationship with a woman who couldn’t take a hint, and he had friend zoned himself so hard core that Calla couldn’t even see beyond that friendship, even though she admitted to having feelings for him. Then not only did he keep pushing her to get laid by some random guy but he got jealous and pissed off jumping to conclusions that could easily have ruined them. I’m giving this 3.5 stars cause though the story was good it just didn’t do it for me.