Alek Novak didn’t expect to find his personal chef even more intoxicating than her food. Nora is entirely wrong for him, but he can’t seem to keep his distance. A funny, opposites-attract romance. She’s a chef who doesn’t cook… All the trouble started when Nora agreed to anonymously cater a fundraiser. She gave up cooking when her husband died and she had to sell their restaurant to pay the … died and she had to sell their restaurant to pay the medical bills and return to Magnolia Valley. But when her friend asked her for a favor, she reluctantly agreed on the condition she remained anonymous.
And that evening changes everything.
It makes her want to start a restaurant again, unfortunately she doesn’t have the money. So, when the wealthy businessman Alek Novak offers to pay her lavishly to be his private chef for a few months, it seems like a dream come true.
He’s a billionaire businessman used to getting what he wants…
Alek Novak is determined to hire the chef who catered the fundraiser—even if she doesn’t want to be found. He might be temporarily banished from society while a scandal dies down, but he does not intend to deny himself good food.
What he isn’t expecting is to find his chef even more intoxicating than her food. Nora is entirely wrong for him, but he can’t seem to keep his distance. Soon she’s threatening his iron-clad control and he makes her an indecent offer that she can’t turn down—have a no strings attached fling before he goes back to Boston.
But their passion is beyond anything they’ve known and awakens their long-neglected hearts. But when all of the troubles Alek left Boston to escape arrive in Montana, it threatens to destroy their growing love…
Will these opposites be able to defy all odds and find true love?
This book is the second book in the MAGNOLIA VALLEY series. It can be read as a standalone or as part of a larger story line.
- Dreaming of You (Josie & Calvin)
- Destined for You (Ethan & Astrid)
- Fascinated by You (Nora & Alek)
- He was Playing for Keeps (Caine & Quinn)
- Catching Her Wild Heart (Wyatt & Penny)
- Risking it all for Love (Freya & Augustus)
- It was Always You (Simon & Margot)
- They Started with a Kiss (Sebastian & Amelia)
more
I enjoyed reading this story despite Alek’s coldness. I actually felt sorry for little Lucy and how she was treated by her father. I can’t understand why he was the way he was. The plot was interesting. The story-line however, was a little choppy in certain sections. I liked the characters and I could really relate to Nora since I’m going through something similar to what she had been through. I was glad to see them get their HEA in the end.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book…
Fascinated by You is a reminder of what a special gift Cora Reed has. Her ability to see what the heart hides and eloquently put those emotions into words is why I keep coming back for more. From moments of heartache and disappointment, come glimpses of courage and pinches of humor. With an empathetic eye and an open heart, Reed speaks to the Nora and Alek in us all. She puts a face on the feelings we turn a blind eye to and puts us in touch with the hearts we sometimes forget.
Reed is a new author for me, and I was certainly fascinated by Alek and Nora’s story. Nora returns to her small home town after a tragedy in her life. It’s been several years since she put her chef training to use, but after helping out a friend by catering an event, the wealthiest man in town tracks her down after tasting her creations to hire her as his personal chef. As you’ve probably already guessed, there’s more than a little cooking that goes on in Alek’s home.
With a quaint small town setting, a warm cast of supporting characters and a mean girl you’ll love to hate, Reed sets the scene with plenty of interest and color. While I adored Alek and his character really came alive for me, Nora didn’t quite make it to 3D. Although it’s a fine line, I think just a little more internal struggle in moving on from her tragedy and dealing with the mean girl would have brought her fully to life for me. On the other hand, I applauded the way she stood up for herself and was true to her values. This author certainly shows a lot of promise, so I’ll definitely be reading more of her work. If you like small-town romance and a story of opposites attracting, you’ll enjoy this quick, easy, heartwarming read.
She never thought she would cook professionally again but her friend was in a bind and Nora agreed to cater the fundraiser if she could do it anonymously. Alek is in Montana because of a scandal and hopes being there and out of Boston would allow things to calm down. When he goes to the fundraiser and tastes the food, he is in love and wants to hire the chef. It took time but what he found was not expected. He did not expect her to be feisty or have a presence that draws him in. They have both been hurt in the past but can this chef do what no other can and unthaw his heart? I voluntarily agreed to receive an ARC of this book for an honest review.
This is the first book in the series I read, and the first one by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. That said, I am glad I gave both a try.
The story centers around Nora, a widow and a chef, and businessman Alek Novak . Nora has suffered a great loss and returns to her hometown. She now wants to save money to open her own restaurant, while Alek is “hiding” in Montana after a scandal.
When Nora anonymously caters a fundraiser and Alek, attending the affair, tastes her food, he immediately wants to hire her.
Little did they know both their lives would change forever. But both are dealing with baggage, lies of omission and obstacles. Will they be able to overcome them, or will they miss their chance of getting their HEA?
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Hidden Gems. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Urk! Alek was very difficult to warm up to. His upbringing seems almost British with his devotion to a ‘stiff upper lip’. I loved having this chance to get to know Nora. She’s floated around in the background of the previous books and after meeting Calvin, I was dying to know more about his sister. This pairing is a bit of an odd couple, yet their strengths and weaknesses dovetail nicely to support each other. (I especially enjoyed watching the old high school Queen B get her comeuppance.)
This is romantic, entertaining and steamy. Alek is cold, oblivious, determined, inconsiderate and demanding. Nora is caring, generous, vulnerable and friendly. Alek decides that he must find the chef whose food was served at a banquet, and blew him away, and hire her. But he found that it wasn’t so easy. When he does finally find Nora, she names a salary that will give her the restaurant she wants, and he immediately agrees to it. The attraction between them grows stronger as they spend time together, even though both know it’s a no no because not only is Nora employed by Alek, Alek has an agreement to marry someone in Boston. The tension between them is just a little of the drama they face, there’s also an old high school bully and Alek’s daughter. It’s an emotional, heartwarming and enjoyable story.
I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems and am voluntarily reviewing it.
My first read by the author and it did not disappoint. I enjoyed the wonderful storyline and fell in love with the likable characters. The characters had great chemistry and I was invested with their journey that was a joy to follow. The authors writing kept me interested and the story flowed well from the start. A definite must read and recommend for a romance story you won’t forget. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy of this book.
A woman who can’t decide what to do with her life, a man who has everything but still feels hollow, an agreement, an arrangement and a betrayal make this a captivating romance
Fascinated by You is the third book in the Magnolia Valley series, but can be read as a stand alone. Alek is hiding out in a small town in Montana, and he’s determined to get the best chef around. Nora continues to surprise him after not immediately recognizing his name, and soon it’s not just the food that’s capturing his attention. But when his past starts catching up to his present, what will his future look like?
Oh my goodness, I was completely fascinated by this romance! I loved Alek, Nora, and Lucy! Alek was so driven and successful, cold at times, but I loved the person he slowly thawed into when he was around Nora and his daughter, Lucy. Nora has been closed off since her husband had died, but I loved the life she was still willing to live, especially when it came to Alek. She was determined to show him the light, warmth, and goodness, while Alek showed her that he could truly see her wants, needs, and keep her dreams safe. Of course, there’s lots of things that keep getting in their way, like an engagement, family and ex-worker drama, their status differences, and the importance of love in their future, but I enjoyed the ways they fought through all of their obstacles. The ending came together beautifully and while this is the first book I’ve read in this series, I want to go out and read through the first two!
This was a great read. The chemistry between the characters was well constructed and felt real.
The story is well written and had me turning pages until the early hours of the morning. I couldn’t put it down.
Highly recommend
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book for Hidden Gems