In the Raw by Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels

Title: In the Raw
Series: In the Kitchen, #1
Author: Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novel (209 pages)
Publisher: Carina Press (October 6th 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: James Lassiter has had a crush on fellow culinary student Ethan Martin for three years, but has never had the guts to make a move. Putting himself out there is hard, especially when under the thumb–and wallet–of his overbearing parents. Now that bad boy Chef Ethan–who is always vying with Jamie for best in class–is struggling with the pastry course, Jamie suddenly has a reason to reach out.

Ethan doesn’t mean to be an ass–okay, so mostly he does–but even though he’s secretly hot for Jamie, he sure as hell doesn’t want help with pastry. Ever since his dad walked out, Ethan has been the one to hold things together and he’s done fine on his own. Except that he can’t get his cake to rise.

Jamie could be the answer to what Ethan’s been missing his whole life–someone to depend on. But with the two competing for the same scholarship, things suddenly get too hot to handle. And if Jamie finds the strength to go for what he wants, he isn’t about to settle for what he needs.

ISBN: 978-1-42689-911-9

Product Link: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/B7247C3A-0EFD-44BC-9856-A9004C56E9C8/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=8C44110F-0A10-44DE-AF86-8E151D8E55CE

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Oh. My. God. I have totally fallen in love with this book. There’s lots of cooking and some real macho men going head to head.

This is a romance following two culinary school students: Ethan, who is kind of like the guy from the wrong side of the tracks complete with piercings and his only family he has is his sister, and Jamie, the rich kid trying to get away from his suffocating parents.

Both characters are wonderful – super relatable. It’s all fun, too, if you’re into cooking and find the culinary school setting interesting.
In fact, I have to say that I love surly Ethan, though probably because I identify with his grumpy character. But Ethan is a guy who has had some real downs in his life and since he supported himself and his sister for so many years, he is severely lacking in social graces.

Which brings me Ethan’s sister, Claire, she was a brilliant character, and was used as a bridging type of character.

With things moving along at a nice pace, it surprised how quick I was able to read this one. The writing style is great because thinking on it, this book could have so easily have been boring and slow – something that this is not. However, the entire plot hinges on the fact that these two guys suck at communication, even though I was cheering for this guys to get some sort of HEA.

Now, time for me to read book 2, cannot wait! ☺

* I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com *