Who knew a cooking show could get so messy?Elle FierroAll I have to do is appear as a judge on this cooking show in Hollywood and my restaurant will open to rave reviews. Pretty much my lifelong dream. What I absolutely shouldn’t do is sleep with one of the contestants and ruin everything I’ve worked so hard for. But he gives good hugs, makes me laugh, fills out a simple T-shirt like nobody’s … laugh, fills out a simple T-shirt like nobody’s business, and is sweeter than the maple syrup he dripped all over my naked body last night…
Austin Cox
I may have been drunk when I applied to be on that reality cooking show, which is why it’s hard to believe I’m here. What’s even harder to believe is that Elle, with her painted red lips and fiery disposition, is in my bed and making me forget I need to win this damn show to get my little sister out of the foster care system.
When Elle throws me under the bus to realize her dream, will our love burn out or will we find the missing ingredient to happiness?
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ONE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY!!!
Wow! Man, talk about one thrilling and emotional adventure that keeps you spellbound in this amazing tale that you just can’t put down. Marika puts everything she has into her tales and it flows smoothly along without a hitch. This is one exhilarating, refreshing spin with all the drama you can handle. A strong storyline that keeps this bombshell moving along smoothly. All the uncertainty and intrigue give a performance you can’t get enough of. The characters and scenes are realistic, intriguing and complex with a steamy, sizzling chemistry between the two main characters. Watching as the characters personalities transform and blend as they grow a stronger bond that flows smoothly through the entirety this tale. The scenes were so vividly detailed and descriptive that it gives the illusion you were right there in ground zero with them. Marika doesn’t do smashed up, cut short or blotch as she shares her gifts with us to enjoy. She weaves a world around you until everything else ceases to exist other than this incredible series of events and adventures. Fantastic job Marika, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
This story is fantastic. It’s angst, love, and fiery passion all rolled up into one. Elle and Austin have amazing chemistry, and their story is exactly what you need to feel all giddy inside. This story is cute, and fun, and witty. You’ll probably gain ten pounds from all the food mentioned inside, but this book is an absolute must read!
Austin is great book boyfriend material. He’s sexy, charming, and has a heart of gold. Elle is a badass girl boss on the surface, but there’s a vulnerability that she rarely shows which only makes you love her even more. These two together, while seemingly an odd match on the surface, were actually PERFECT for one another! I really enjoyed The Missing Ingredient from start to finish.
The Missing Ingredient is my first read from Marika Ray is my first from this author and I was pleasantly surprised! Elle and Austin’s story, a older woman and younger man forbidden romance was something new to me and it was enjoyable. An uptight woman and a down to earth guy who made each other better in every way possible, gave this book the right ingredients to make it a fun and sweet story!
I absolutely love this feel good romance. I have never read a romance based on a cooking reality show before and thoroughly enjoyed Elle and Austin’s journey. Both Elle and Austin have big goals they are trying to accomplish and love was not on either of their radars. However, sometimes your in the right place at the right time and meet the person you are destined to be with. I really enjoyed the back and forth banter between them, Elle’s sassiness and her Spanish sayings. I loved Austin’s passion and enthusiasm for cooking and his easy-going nature. This book made me swoon, scream at my kindle and burst with joy at the beautiful ending. This book is packed with emotion and I highly recommend it.
A nice way to pass the afternoon while curled up on the sofa.
Elle, an executive chef, meets Austin, an aspiring chef, when he mistakenly enters her dressing room for the reality cooking show they are both going to be a part of. As the story progresses roles are shaken, perceptions are tested and the wrong choices may cost them everything. Marika Ray has branched out and spread her sassy heroine ‘s wings in The Missing Ingredient. Mixing plenty of humor with everyday issues and adding the reality tv topping pushed this into a nice way to pass the afternoon while curled up on the sofa.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
This is the first book in the Reality of Love Series and starts the series off on a high note. The book is well written with great characters and an entertaining story about a reality TV cooking show. Once you begin you’ll find it hard to put down. I read an advance reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review. Part of the series but is read as a standalone.
A very enjoyable and well written story.
It was a story different to everything else I’ve read previously but in a very good way. I enjoyed the whole storyline from start to finish and I’m very much looking forward to the next one.
This book is super cute! Elle and Austin bring the heat in and out of the kitchen lol! These two are from very different worlds but somehow they work perfectly.
Elle is in control and has the attitude to match. She has gotten where she is by being a ballbuster. She is here for a show and that’s it. She didn’t expect to fall in love and melt a little bit. Her and Austin’s first meet was awkward, like really, really awkward. It seriously cracked me up! These two are like fire and ice.
Austin has another agenda though. His life has been a bit rough but he’s made the best of it. He had to cook for him and his sister. He’s out to win this contest and get custody of his sister. His story will melt your heart for sure. It sure did mine.
Elle is very self centered but that’s how she was raised. Austin brings out a different side to her. He makes her see things differently. The sparks fly and decisions have to be made. Granted there was some work to be done on either part.
The flow was smooth and drew you in so much, you want to be audience for this cooking show. I mean I wanted to eat some of things they made. It all sounded really good!!
There’s nothing I love more than a feisty heroine, and Elle fits that perfectly! She is a strong character and I loved her! And can we talk about the hotness that exudes from a man who can cook like Austin? This was a super fun, light-hearted read with just enough sizzle and drama to make it the perfect story to devour! I really enjoyed Elle and Austin’s story and give it 5 tasty stars!
3.5
This book has really great promise, but there was a lot of back and forth emotions that made me feel like I had whiplash. The ending seemed drawn out and it just wasn’t the book for me. I’m willing to try out the next book and give this author another chance and see their writing grow.
HEA, Romance, Chefs, Reality Tv, Scandal, Taboo, older woman/younger man
Austin just a bit over 20 always knew he loved to make food for people and the enjoyment he finds with satisfying the ladies with his specialties. He enters this cook off competitions as just a joke and he ends up becoming one of the contestants. Elle a very uptight chief around the age of 30 who is remodeling a building to put in her very first restaurant. She is co-hosting a cook off show for the name and notoriety it will bring her and her new restaurant. Austin is very familiar with Elle and he has her cookbook and he really wants to win this cook off to save his baby sister who since there mom passed away is in the foster system. Will he be able to win the cook off challenge and save his sister and win Elle’s heart, that is all to be seen in this super sexy rom-com special from Marika Ray. This is a 5-Star book. I pray you will enjoy it as much as I did.
This book was gifted to me by the Author Marika Ray.
Piece de resistance! I adored this delightful romance. An opposites attract story filled with humor, heat and heart. I thought that Austin and Elle were amazing characters. Austin was so genuine and laid back, while Elle was so fierce and fiery. Their attraction was undeniable and their chemistry off the charts. Add in the older woman/younger man angle, a bit of drama and some emotional turmoil and you have a book that is an incredibly fun and delicious read. This is my frank, freely posted review.
She was El Jefe the head chef and a force to be reckoned with. She wasn’t heartstrings and rainbows she was fierce and respected. He was a jokester, easy going and younger than her but more responsible than she realized. They both had dreams and when they met it was fire and immediate chemistry. The problem?? Yes it was a problem since she was the judge and he was a contestant. What happens when the “ice queen” meets the hot dude who breaks down all her walls and makes her reckless? It’s not a walk in the park but when they both realize what they have is more than they ever imagined somethings are going to have to change since she lives on the east coast and he on the west. Great read and yup passionate. I love the characters and enjoyed the laughs. This author has a great knack for keeping it real and making it fun no matter how hard and how many heartbreaks are along the way.
I love anything Marika Ray writes, and this new piece of deliciousness is no exception! Go one-click it and see what she’s got cooked up in this new romance. These characters are written so well, you feel as if you know them already!
A fun, steamy opposite-attract romance! I can’t wait to read more of this new series!
The Missing Ingredient by Marika Ray is book 1 in her new series ” Reality of Love”.
Elle is a older woman who is a bit uptight, bossy and stresses out over way too much. She is a take charge chef who ends up a judge for a cooking show. Austin is the younger, hot stud who is tatted up as the contestant on this show who finds Elle fascinating and wants to rock her world. Theirs is a slow cooker of a romance but when that pot blows, wow, this story is amazing. Normally I am not one who likes the older woman/younger guy reads but this is smart, witty, steamy and sexy. Just a classic example of a good romance. You will love the pace, characters and plot.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ******
I enjoyed the story of Elle and Austin. To have these two come from two different lifestyles. One who was use to getting everything she wanted and one who had to struggle in life and try to get his sister back from foster care. A definite page turner that kept you wanting more. This book is funny, romantic, happy, sad, and eventful. I look forward to the next book. Thank you they sure found their missing ingredient. 5 star +++
This book is HILARIOUS!!! I absolutely adore Elle and Austin! I love the setting of a reality tv cooking show. I couldnt put it down, it was an amazing read!
LOVED Elle and Austin. This opposites-attract story was made all the sexier by the older woman/younger man element. I loved seeing both characters grow throughout and this story left a huge smile on my face. (It also left me wishing I was a more creative cook, but that’s a whole different thing. 🙂 )