Some Like It Hotter Review

Title: Some Like It Hotter

Author: Roz Denny

Line: Harlequin Romance

Publisher: Harlequin

ISBN: 0373033362

Website: http://www.harlequin.com

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Hallie Bergstrom wanted to save her favorite restaurant and the only way to save it was to beat Chino Delgado in the chili cook-offs.  Chino didn’t want to compete with Hallie.  He wanted to rekindle their relationship but their past and the contest were making it difficult.  But when someone was deliberately harming Hallie to make her lose the contest, Chino needed to protect the woman he loves.

Chili was not the only thing producing heat here.  *Insert sizzle sound here*  Unfortunately, angry heads and drama will overwhelm the taste of this romance.  The chemistry was there and you knew for sure that have a thing for each other because you will be reminded every chapter.  But that kind of got lost when their interactions were filled with nothing but distrust.  Which you will be reminded every chapter as well.  I honestly don’t get how they can secretly love each other but throw baseless accusations at each other all the time.  For example, when Chino found Hallie visiting his sick father at the hospital, the first thing out of his mouth was, “Don’t think I’m going to call you mother.”  Okay.  Where did that come from?  And Hallie and her trust issues were a couple that constantly reminded Chino of the wrong he did her in high school.  So yes, these two were an amusing pair constantly butting heads.  Then finally, three-quarters through the book, the tone changed and they suddenly became lovey-dovey.  So, the pacing was a little off.  Things were revving up and became a whimper at the end.  And I was feeling for Hallie.  Every side character was somehow against her.  She really was a lonely figure until the last few chapters.  But I really admire her gumption to persevere.  Besides the intimated scene in the last chapter, it was clean romance.

 

There were parts that I like but there was too much going on here that I got frustrated.  There was a lot of good drama and awesome heroine but the Delgado family overwhelmed everything.  Their actions hurt the story than create friction.  So, I didn't mind spending time reading the book but I would not be reading this again.