Aden House, successful but driven chef and TV personality, refuses to slow down. His life implodes one night, damaging him both physically and emotionally. He’s rescued by a woman he thinks of as his angel.Shay McDowell has rebuilt her life after her divorce. She juggles volunteer EMT duties and her job, while dreaming of becoming a chef. She finds her way to Rock House Grill and back into the … life of the man she helped save.Can love be the ingredient needed to survive the many obstacles they face?
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In one devasting moment, Shay’s life changes. Catching her husband cheating on her while she’s on duty as an EMT propels her to start over. She loves helping people and when an opportunity arises, she jumps at the chance to work at Rock House Grill, owned by hotshot tv chef Aden House and his sister. She works hard and gains the respect of Aden. When the head chef has to leave, Shay steps in as the restaurant’s chef for the night. He’s a good teacher, though, and she gets hands-on training as a chef. It would be easy for her to fall in love with Aden but her heart has taken one too many beatings. She slams walls up around her heart, refusing to allow Aden in. Can these two battered souls find comfort in each other’s arms or is love not on the menu at Rock House Grill?
Rock House Grill is an incredibly uplifting story about slowing down, savoring the little miracles in life and taking a chance on love. It’s what I would call an inspirational romance but it’s so much more than that. There’s a mystery sub-plot as well as important life lessons woven throughout. The characters are likable, for the most part, and the more I read, the more I grew attached to both Shay and Aden. Man alive, there was a lot of drama and subterfuge with exes. Talk about wickedness abounding. But like in life, Shay and Aden have a multitude of obstacles to overcome in their own lives before they can come together. Their fortitude in life and love inspired me. The plot moved at a good pace with a few surprises thrown in made Rock House Grill an unputdownable read. The culinary details were 100% accurate and added depth to the story. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this romance and it’s one of the better books I’ve read this year. Highly recommend!
Favorite Character/Quote: Shay. She’s such a fascinating character. No matter how much life kicks her to the ground, she gets back up and moves forward. Her inner strength adds to her beauty and it’s easy to see why Aden falls in love with her. Shay’s a heroine every woman will love, faults and all.
My Rating: 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book that had everything that I look for in a read. DV Stone makes you care about the characters that become your friends at the end of the story. You’re drawn into the challenges they faced and the mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. She gives you insight into the bravery and caring of first responders. Looking forward to other books in this series.
Despite the action and suspense throughout this book, I thought it was a very easy book to read. The scenes are vivid – the characters are three-dimensional – the plot is well thought out. Red herrings go in all directions without being confusing, but the ending is unexpected. This is what I appreciate from a well-written mystery. And, let’s not forget about romance. Shay and Aiden move slowly and gently toward each other like two intelligent, mature, adults actually would. Another thing I appreciate. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.
Rock House Grill is a totally entertaining read. The charismatic characters jump right off the pages. Each one’s woven circumstances into the main story, will have you turning pages to discover what effects each has on the other and the outcome of the tale. A tragic beginning has a fortuitous intervention. This is a heartwarming story of hope, perseverance, second chances, and a belief that everything happens for a reason. I love the never-give-up theme entwined throughout this book regardless of what occurs.
The author’s scene-setting and descriptions will leave you feeling like you’ve experienced the story’s twists and turns, ups and downs, right along with the characters. My favorite kind of a book. I highly recommend this book.
So what are you waiting for? Whether you read romance, suspense, or something in-between, add Rock house Grill to your list of must-read books
Savor a satisfying slice of life
If you love a multi-layered story that pulls you into its world like I do, choose The Rock House Grill. Rock House Grill (its name derives from the fabulous menu of rock songs played there) is the center of the Shay and Aden’s story.
Aden House is a talented chef who loses direction when he becomes the hot-shot chef of a TV cooking show. As a devotee of those shows and their fast paced competitions, I found it easy to see how Aden could be sucked into that world without realizing how it would change his life—for the worse. Shay McDowell is a divorced part-time EMT and part-time head of the house at another local restaurant. When her cheating ex’s current squeeze makes trouble for Shay at her restaurant job, getting her fired, Shay applies for work at The Rock House Grill which is floundering since Chef Aden, distracted by his TV gig, was involved in a life threatening car accident.
Little do either of them know but when Aden had his near fatal accident, it was Shay who assisted in his jaws of life rescue.
I won’t give away more of the actual story. Ms. Stone has filled this slow burning romance with relatable people and realistic situations. With Shay’s dear friend, Joanna and Aden’s twin sister Olivia, other work friends and the aforementioned villainous ex, rounding out a full menu of characters, Ms. Stone has sprinkled moments of realism, sweetness, suspense, pathos, friendship and most of all, resilience. Aden needs to figure out how to recover use of his legs, save his restaurant, and importantly, preserve his friendships. Shay, a spirited survivor, is more talented than she believes, and in spite of misfortune, never lost her giving nature or gift for friendship. We get a look at some other relationships in this story and a bit of a preview of another story which I hope will be coming soon.
D.V. Stone is doing a Goodreads Giveaway of Rock House Grill. Don’t miss it. Takes about 6 seconds to sign up!
Enter to win one of 5 signed copies of 5 star rated #RockHouseGrill
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This is a fast paced story of romance with suspense, and kept me interested the whole time!
I really enjoyed Rock House Grill by D.V. Stone. She was a new author for me and she writes clean, contemporary romance so I was eager to see what this story was about. I found the main characters, Aden and Shay, very easy to relate to for different reasons. Aden, a type-A all the way is so driven by his goals and ambition that he finds himself falling asleep at the wheel and in an accident that almost paralyzes him. Shay, who dreams of being a chef, is a friend to anyone in need and she seems to keep hooking up with people who bring her nothing but trouble at every turn, until she meets Aden and his sister Olivia.
One of my favorite things about this story was how real the characters felt, and how they stuck up for one another and believed in each other even when the chips were down. As Shay seems to keep getting it from every side, there were moments when I thought, a lot of people would have turned their back on this woman but Aden, Olivia and their friends Eli and Margaret believe in one another, and in their new friend Shay, excellent judges of character and good, honest people that they are. Their friendship and spirit is truly inspiring.
I loved the romance that developed between Aden and Shay and I wished they could have met face to face earlier in the story. But I can get past that because these two are so cute when they finally get together. Aden House can take me out to dinner anytime!
Not to give too much away, but I was pleasantly surprised by and greatly enjoyed the reference to the Delaware River, which is one of my favorite places to be, especially nowadays. That definitely made the story real for me.
There are some great twists and turns and plenty of suspense which made for a really fun contemporary romance. I can’t wait to enjoy more stories from this author!
In book one in the Impact series, volunteer EMT Shay McDowell rescues a man from a horrible car crash. Her life has been rough, and though she’s just going through the motions, she enjoys helping people and dreams of becoming a chef. Things start to look up when she applies for a position at Rock House Grill.
Chef, restaurant owner, and TV personality Aden House is on the verge of losing everything, but the crash was exactly what he needed to straighten out his life.
Aden and Shay are great characters. They’re both flawed and stubborn. They have mutual respect for one another and an instant connection. Their romance takes second place to them living their lives, however, and doesn’t actually begin until the mid-point of the story, which made sense because Aden needed time and rehabilitation to heal from the accident. As for the heat level, there’s a little kissing, but no sex and no cursing.
There are technically two couples in this book. Olivia and David (Aden’s sister and his doctor) fall in love. Part of the book follows them and their romance, which is just as clean and sweet as the main couple’s romance.
I read a galley copy of this story. It’s told in alternating POV between Aden, Shay, and Olivia, but all the POV switches have proper scene and/or chapter breaks. For anyone who likes clean-cut romances with a little suspense thrown in, this book is for you.
4 Stars
—4.5 Stars—
This book is a delightful, savory, hopeful, fun, romantic, and warmhearted read!!
This book starts off in one of those totally embarrassing, please say that did not just happen moments where I totally couldn’t help but feel for Shay! EMT’s Shay and Joanna get a call and show up at a domestic disturbance scene. Shockingly this is where Shay finds out her husband Nick is there in a romantic setting with his mistress, Brenda! So embarrassing! Not only to find out your husband is cheating, but to walk into that setting with your co-workers all watching – dreadful! And the story pretty much takes off from there with many more exciting, captivating, intriguing, romantic scenes…
I really liked the main characters, Aden and Shay. They were honest, hardworking, and genuine characters. I liked that Aden was this ambitious, strong-willed, stubborn, determined, and unwavering guy. He was serious and knew exactly what he wanted, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving his dreams. I also really liked Shay! She was smart, caring, kindhearted, motivated, and thoughtful. I really liked Aden and Shay together! They were super adorable! I think many readers will be able to easily relate to and connect with Aden and Shay!
I loved the perseverance theme that is strongly weaved into the story line. These characters are driven, push hard, and never give up. It’s inspiring to see both main characters face different, but still equally difficult challenges and take them head-on. Whether it was Aden recovering emotionally and physically from his major car accident or Shay dealing with the stress and abandonment of her husband, being harassed and tormented by her husband’s mistress, and working hard to rebuild her life. They both kept looking for the silver lining and that everything happens for a reason.
This book was filled with excellent plot obstacles that the main characters had to face. They were well constructed and thoroughly thought-out. These were realistic and practical issues that real couples have to overcome, which made the story even stronger.
I couldn’t help but cheer for Aden and Shay on both personal and professional achievements – and wish success for them to make it as a couple!
This book has a powerfully positive, hopeful, optimistic, have faith themes that are beautifully incorporated into the story line.
I also really enjoyed the cooking theme in the story line! I love watching cooking competition shows and was fond of the cooking references throughout the book.
There are some predictable scenes. However, there are still a few very unexpected twists and turns that you won’t see coming!
All in all, I enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all romance, suspense readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
This story pulled me in from the first page. The descriptions are so vivid, it was like a movie playing in my head and I absolutely LOVE those stories. The developing relationship between Shay and Aden was sweet but there are other couples too, so there’s more than one romance that will make you smile. Aden and Shay are both likeable characters and I just wanted them to get together already. Their histories left them with angst and insecurities that make this a slow-burn and the build-up is great.
While we watch them dance around each other, we see Shay come out of her introvert shell a bit and quickly making friends with Olivia and Margaret. There’s also a cheating ex who expects forgiveness and a bitter other woman, not to mention the woman scorned and all the first responders who can’t keep their eyes off of Shay. In addition to the great cast of secondary characters, there’s also a mystery. Yes, there’s a lot happening, but the pace is great and there’s a perfect balance to tell the stories without overshadowing the love story.
I really enjoyed Rock House Grill and couldn’t put it down.
D.V. Stone’s swift pace and masterful characterizations make Rock House Grill ROCK.
Love how Shay meets Aden, not once, but twice, and how well the juxtapositions play off each other to make the encounters memorable. Add drama from exes, and you have a searing plot.
A whodunit until the very end, with not one, but several romances building to a crescendo, I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced page-turner. I emphatically recommend it—no holds barred!
An exciting story. There was plenty of action, suspense, danger, love, family and friends. I loved both Aden and Shay. Each had their baggage but were honest with each other as misunderstandings arose. Their journey to love and commitment was not easy, but they were determined to make it. Their lives had changed and improved because of their love. I recommend this story.
I received an ARC of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.