From the frying pan… Abby Manning has to take home first prize in an amateur cooking competition to save her town’s landmark inn–and longtime home for her ailing grandmother. Too bad the Butterfly Harbor innkeeper is a complete disaster in the kitchen. Undeterred, Abby asks her latest guest to teach her the basics. A family tragedy and ensuing scandal derailed Jason Corwin’s high-profile … high-profile career. But is the gifted celebrity chef going to let one mistake define the rest of his life? Add in a generous helping of mutual attraction and another burgeoning scandal, and it could be a recipe for star-crossed romance…or disaster, especially if a win for Abby costs Jason his professional future.
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Recipe for Redemption continues the Butterfly Harbor series with an unlikely romance between a woman who sets off smoke alarms just looking at the inn’s oven, and a famous chef who made a mistake, a huge mistake that cost him so much personally and professionally. One who has no talent or confidence in their cooking abilities, one who has the knowledge, the talent yet is taking a frightening second chance doing what he loves most far, far from his past. I adored Jason and Abby so much, and I can’t remember the last time I snort-giggled this much in one story.
When Abby takes over the daily running of the inn she’ll discover that the trouble she thought they were in runs far deeper than she’d ever expected. The only way she can see out of this mess is by entering a cooking contest that is offering a very large winner’s prize. Enough to save the inn, and secure her grandmother’s future. There’s just one teeny, tiny problem – Abby can’t boil water without setting off alarms and the sprinkler system let alone cook up the winning prize… but when did details ever stop Abby from something that needs to be done?
Jason has left New York after a disaster of a decision that cost him just about everything. He’s in Butterfly Harbor with an idea to take back his life, but he never expected Abby… or to be pulled into her unbelievable need to win a cooking contest with a very popular cooking show. A show that Jason has a history with.
The Butterfly Harbor series is a community-rich series, and we’ll not only run into the main characters from The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor but all of the residents we met before, and even more now. This small town thrives on the interactions of the residents, most are friends or at least friendly with the other residents. Sure, there are those who simply have to do bad things, make wrong choices but for the most part, this town sticks up for its own and that is so clear as Abby begins her quest to win that prize money. Simon and Charlie are up to their usual shenanigans, and friends are supportive if uncertain of Abby’s success. Add Jason’s past into the mix, some annoyances from the new mayor, and some new challenges for this small town – then you’ll find a really good, believable, realistic romance with small-town touches galore. I had a blast back in this world, so consider me hooked for life in Butterfly Harbor for as long as there are books about it – then I’ll just re-read them again. Yeah, it’s that good.
I own a Kindle edition of Recipe for Redemption.
Recipe for Redemption by Anna J. Stewart is a great love story between a teacher and an adult student. Well, if the student is so bad that they have a nickname for her, that isn’t a flattering one.
Will Abby and Jason do what they set out to do?
Abby Manning
Abby Manning is the manager of Flutterby Inn of Butterfly Harbor. She is a hilarious character in that besides knowing that she isn’t that great in the kitchen, she still tries to make something in it. Abby makes decisions without thinking them through or attempts to do a shortcut that ends badly. She means well, but that doesn’t make her a good cook.
What I like about Abby is that she loves a lot of people and is trying to put their wellbeing first. Even if that causes her a lot of stress, another thing that I like about her is that despite knowing that she isn’t useful in the kitchen, she still decides to enter a competition where it matters that she is good in the kitchen. Never give up.
Jason Corwin
Jason Corwin is a chef that is hiding out in Abby’s inn. He gets talked into helping her with the competition, and Jason starts to see that living in the small town isn’t quite as bad as he thought it would be. Jason is a charming man when he starts to open up to people. He does love to cook but lost his way after his twin brother died.
What I like about Jason is that yes, he may seem like a jerk at first, but he is trying to adjust to something. Another thing that I like about Jason is that he seems to be settling into small-town life without even realizing that he is.
Five Stars
Recipe for Redemption by Anna J. Stewart is one of the earlier books in the series called Butterfly Harbor, and it became one of my favorites. Ms. Stewart has the knack of creating a story that hooks the reader in and has them wanting to know what happens until the very end. I love stories like that, and especially ones that have a happy ending. I also wanted to read this book before seeing the movie so that I can be able to compare the two.
I am giving this book five stars and recommending it to everyone that loves sweet romances.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Recipe for Redemption by Anna J. Stewart.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Abby Manning, aka “ 5-Alarm Manning,” is possibly the worst cook ever. When she might lose her beloved Flutterby Hotel, where she works as a manager, she enters a cooking contest. Of course, Jason Corwin, world famous chef is staying at her hotel. Jason is licking his wounds after losing his twin brother, being in the middle of a scandal, and possibly losing his business. Abby convinces Jason to teach her how to cook, and a very sweet, clean romance ensues. I won a copy of this book from Harlequinjunkie.com and the author and an offering my unbiased review.
Cooking in Butterfly Harbor has never been sweeter. Abby doesn’t know what she’s doing in the kitchen. But She needs the money to help keep the Flutterby afloat. So entering an amateur cooking contest could work or it will be a complete flop. The winning ticket is when a chef stays at the inn. She needs to ask for his skills to help her out. What could go wrong?
Jason doesn’t know what he was thinking of saying yes to giving cooking lessons to Abby. She is a disaster in the kitchen. There’s no way.
But he promised her. He’ll do what he can.
What a pair these two are. I just loved Abby and Jason. So much more to come.
Buy and find out.