From USA Today bestselling author Kilby Blades, the first in the Hot in the Kitchen series…TV chef Cella journeys to an idyllic seaside town to write an Italian cookbook. She’s also mourning a failed restaurant project, dodging her predatory agent, and finding respite from soul-crushing fame. When she learns that her next-door neighbor, hot doctor Max, is the nephew of a late, famed Italian … nephew of a late, famed Italian restaurateur, she convinces him to teach her authentic touches that will help her write the book.
This is a mixed blessing for guilt-ridden Max, who botched his own attempt to become a chef–a failure that’s left his aunt’s gorgeous restaurant sitting empty for years. No one has challenged Cella when it comes to her cooking in ages. Max’s fiery disposition sparks her intuition and reminds her how to feel the food.
But the heat between Max and Cella may be hotter than the flames on the stove. Max’s gentlemanly nature and Cella’s professionalism stop being enough to keep them apart. With Max’s vacation ending and Cella slated to return to L.A., how will they ever say goodbye?
“Blades delivers a saucy romance full of lovely characters who complement each other like a fine wine does a good meal, blending an inviting, homey locale with scrumptious descriptions of Italian cuisine. Romance-inclined foodies will love this contemporary.”
– Publisher’s Weekly
“The Secret Ingredient was a slow-burn, highly developed, and impeccably detailed romance novel.”
– T. Rosado, Goodreads
“I absolutely loved this book. The writing was excellent and the characters well developed. But the thing that made me keep reading was how flawlessly the author told the story.”
– Karen, Amazon reviewer
“By the time I finished this book I felt as tho[ugh] I had taken a trip to Italy. It’s not set there and I’ve never been there but the atmosphere created by this author was absorbing and real.”
– L_iam, Amazon reviewer
Awards and Accolades for The Secret Ingredient
- 2021 Finalist. The RWA Vivian Award
- 2020 Finalist: The HOLT Medallion
- 2019 Quarterfinalist: Publisher’s Weekly BookLife Prize for Fiction
- 2020 Finalist: National Readers Choice Award
- 2020 Finalist: New England Reader’s Choice Award
- 2019 Winner: I Heart Indie Contest
- 2018 Winner: Unpublished Stiletto Contest
- 2018 Finalist: Sexy Scribbles Contest
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I enjoyed the author’s story line which included cooking as a theme.
The author needs to get a good copyreader/proofreader. There are numerous typos, missing words, wrong pronouns, etc.
An entertaining and glamorous read. Loved the characters and enjoyed the romance. The steamy part came as a surprise. Appreciated the fact that it wasn’t all steamy, but kept well balanced and interesting.
Entertaining.
Ugh – treacly.
The Secret Ingredient has put Kilby Blades on my short list of fresh new authors to watch. Sexy and sweet collide with a bang. Cella and Max take readers on a journey from self – doubt to second chances. Cella had to lose her voice to find her heart. Max is the gift, she never thought to find. Max had to lose his heart to find his voice. Brought together by chance, united in a common goal, these two strangers find they just might be the perfect recipe for love. Heart is at the center of this tasty, yet spicy treat.
A terrific slow burn romance! This author always gives us interesting, complex characters with a sexy side and Cella and Max are no exception. They are wonderful. No insta lust/love in this smart romance that takes on a journey with these characters that’s absolutely fabulous. Love the setting and storyline along with the romance. You can’t go wrong with this author.
A chef that was in hiding to write a book, the man and town who loved her as a person, a partner who was trying to get all the money he could out of her, a discovery of shady dealings and more. This was an arc from Hidden Gems and my honest opinion
Excellent seaside small town romance. Cella is a well known chef and cookbook author on vacation/work trip. Max is a plastic surgeon that travels to third world countries helping children in particular from life changing/threatening deformities. He’s on a one month vacation and meets his favorite author/chef living next door. They seem so different yet both have dealt with disappointments. It’s the first book I’ve read by this author but I look forward to reading more in the future. I received a complementary copy of this book via Hidden Gems.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Cella and Max’s story was poignant, romantic, and heartwarming. The characters were well developed and complex while still being relatable. Highly recommend.
What an entertaining story.
The book was beautifully written, flowed smoothly and the characters were complex and well developed.
This was a enjoyable and entertaining read about two people finally get their happy ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am definitely a fan of this author’s adult romance. The Secret Ingredient was a slow-burn, highly developed, and impeccably detailed romance novel. The relationship between Max and Cella might have been the focal point, but the small coastal town, residents, and love of cooking are also prominent. Similar to the author’s previous books, Cella is an independent and capable heroine who finds love with a man who supports her rather than worrying about his fragile ego. Max is another amazing hero with the best of the best beta-male traits. I simply enjoyed going along for the ride with these two wonderful characters while they navigated their way back to each other.