Helpful Score: 3
I love this new series. I can't wait to read the second one. It was quirky, cute, and easy to read.
Helpful Score: 3
I was looking forward to reading a cozy with a younger sleuth and this was definitely that. The mystery was solid and the story included a romance that was a little more prominent than in most mysteries. I didn't feel any real attachment to the characters, but I'll keep reading to see where the authors go with the series. It has the potential to be really good.
Helpful Score: 3
Not a bad first in a series book, could be a bit heavier on the mystery part. Seems like this series focuses mainly on the cooking and food aspects instead of the murder and mystery.
Helpful Score: 3
This book started out sooo slow for me. In fact, I kept starting and stopping it for over a month after receiving it until I made myself keep plowing ahead and then... I started to like it. It's different than most other cozies, other mysteries. There's just so many inconsequential details discussed and thought about. Probably too much but you know, I somehow found myself liking the main character and her friends and enjoying some of the extra stuff about their lives. I am near the end and have a few guesses about the murderer but nothing definite and that's always a big plus for me. I love when an author can fool me. I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.
Helpful Score: 2
Keeps you guessing to the very end. I would definatly read more by this author.
Helpful Score: 2
Very good book with fun characters. If you are not into gourmet food you will still like the story. I really was hooked by the first few pages. Good mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
I enjoyed this book---part chicklit--part cozy--good mystery.
Helpful Score: 1
Started very slow to the point of being dull but did pick up towards the end
First in a series written by a mother-daughter team. I enjoyed the characters; anytime I alternately cheer and boo the same person, I can tell the character is well-rounded. Being surprised at the ending never hurts either LOL! Recipes in the back of the book help make this a "keeper" series.
I'm not usually into mysteries. However, the plot grabbed me right away and never let go. I liked all the characters.
I picked up this book because it's a cozy about food! I had a hard time identifying with the heroine (except for views on gourmet food). She worried too much about her looks and what men thought about her. However, I did enjoy the story, though it was fairly predictable.
Cute new series and fast read.
Although a bit cheesy at times, I thought this was a great start to a new series! Chloe loves gourmet food, but finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery when he date winds up dead in the restaurant bathroom. Along the way she meets a gorgeous cook that curls her toes. Fun read!
Reviewed by Carrie Spellman for TeensReadToo.com
Chloe Carter is not exactly having the best week of her life. For starters, she's about to attend graduate school, studying social work. Not because she wants to but because that's the only way she can get her inheritance from her uncle. He didn't specify social work; it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Now that school is about to begin, Chloe's not so sure. Secondly, her downstairs neighbor/sometimes boyfriend is outside kissing some tiny blonde chick. Sure, he said he wasn't looking for a relationship, but that doesn't give him the right to parade around with the blonde. Well, maybe it does, but that's not the point! And she can't even use her backup date to make him jealous, since he has a girlfriend now! Not to mention the disaster her apartment has become since her last half-accomplished attempt to redecorate.
Chloe is desperate for something good in her life. It's time for drastic measures. It's time to try the Internet dating service her sister keeps pushing. It worked for her, she's married and has kids and is happy, so maybe it'll work for Chloe. That's the decision she comes to at 3am. A decision she regrets the minute she wakes up. What was she thinking? Normal people don't date through the Internet! Her membership must be cancelled and her profile deleted immediately! Though she could check the messages first, since the people did take the time to write them and all. Wonder of all wonders, there is a normal-seeming guy who seems to like food as much as she does. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Chloe and "DinnerDude" agree to meet at a new high-end restaurant that he's thinking about investing in. If this works out, just think about all of the great free dinners!
First instincts are usually right -- this was a bad idea. Chloe's week is rapidly spiraling from bad to worse. Her blind date is rude, overbearing, and completely self-absorbed. And the food -- well, it started off great, and now it's starting to mirror her week. After waiting for what seems like forever for her blind date to return from the phone call he answered during dinner, Chloe decides to hunt him down. She finds him in the bathroom. On the floor. Dead. Talk about the worst blind date ever!
From the date, to grieving parents who seem to think that Chloe was about to be their daughter-in-law, to the cute chef at the dinner after the funeral (who happens to be the main suspect), Chloe's life has certainly altered drastically. She's just not sure which direction it's headed in!
Chloe is neurotically, obsessively hilarious! And the situations she gets herself stuck in are absurd, but possible. They really could happen -- you just hope they would never happen to you. The characters are all well-drawn. They're all a little bit odd, which makes them that much more lovable and easy to relate to. The story takes awhile to get moving, but when it finally does, it's a whirlwind. Plus, it has recipes! Good story, fun characters, lots of food, AND recipes? Count me in! My only real question is why no one seems to notice that Chloe has missed her calling. She should be a detective, not a social worker.
*Disclaimer for those concerned that this is a book for adults: The main character is in her 20's. Sex is discussed and alluded to, but never described. The murder doesn't come off as gruesome or graphic. There is a limited amount of swearing.
Chloe Carter is not exactly having the best week of her life. For starters, she's about to attend graduate school, studying social work. Not because she wants to but because that's the only way she can get her inheritance from her uncle. He didn't specify social work; it just seemed like a good idea at the time. Now that school is about to begin, Chloe's not so sure. Secondly, her downstairs neighbor/sometimes boyfriend is outside kissing some tiny blonde chick. Sure, he said he wasn't looking for a relationship, but that doesn't give him the right to parade around with the blonde. Well, maybe it does, but that's not the point! And she can't even use her backup date to make him jealous, since he has a girlfriend now! Not to mention the disaster her apartment has become since her last half-accomplished attempt to redecorate.
Chloe is desperate for something good in her life. It's time for drastic measures. It's time to try the Internet dating service her sister keeps pushing. It worked for her, she's married and has kids and is happy, so maybe it'll work for Chloe. That's the decision she comes to at 3am. A decision she regrets the minute she wakes up. What was she thinking? Normal people don't date through the Internet! Her membership must be cancelled and her profile deleted immediately! Though she could check the messages first, since the people did take the time to write them and all. Wonder of all wonders, there is a normal-seeming guy who seems to like food as much as she does. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all. Chloe and "DinnerDude" agree to meet at a new high-end restaurant that he's thinking about investing in. If this works out, just think about all of the great free dinners!
First instincts are usually right -- this was a bad idea. Chloe's week is rapidly spiraling from bad to worse. Her blind date is rude, overbearing, and completely self-absorbed. And the food -- well, it started off great, and now it's starting to mirror her week. After waiting for what seems like forever for her blind date to return from the phone call he answered during dinner, Chloe decides to hunt him down. She finds him in the bathroom. On the floor. Dead. Talk about the worst blind date ever!
From the date, to grieving parents who seem to think that Chloe was about to be their daughter-in-law, to the cute chef at the dinner after the funeral (who happens to be the main suspect), Chloe's life has certainly altered drastically. She's just not sure which direction it's headed in!
Chloe is neurotically, obsessively hilarious! And the situations she gets herself stuck in are absurd, but possible. They really could happen -- you just hope they would never happen to you. The characters are all well-drawn. They're all a little bit odd, which makes them that much more lovable and easy to relate to. The story takes awhile to get moving, but when it finally does, it's a whirlwind. Plus, it has recipes! Good story, fun characters, lots of food, AND recipes? Count me in! My only real question is why no one seems to notice that Chloe has missed her calling. She should be a detective, not a social worker.
*Disclaimer for those concerned that this is a book for adults: The main character is in her 20's. Sex is discussed and alluded to, but never described. The murder doesn't come off as gruesome or graphic. There is a limited amount of swearing.
This is Susan and her daughter. No about her dogs.. A chef oriented story.
Chloe Carter is forever on a quest for the perfect meal and the perfect man. Getting both in one shot is irresistible, which is why Chloe accepts a online date from DinnerDude. Too bad her fellow food lover is just another cheap, pompous, well-fed bore. But there must be an easier way to run out on a tab than being stabbed to death in the men's room of the restaurant.
According to Publisher's Weekly - Steamed has it all, charming characters, snappy dialogue, and mouthwatering recipes.
According to Publisher's Weekly - Steamed has it all, charming characters, snappy dialogue, and mouthwatering recipes.
