Book Review: The Missing Ingredient by Marika Ray

Reality of Love Book 1

Who knew a cooking show could get so messy?

Elle Fierro

All 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 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?

The Missing Ingredient is a steamy, laugh out loud RomCom intended to be read as a standalone in the Reality of Love series. If you love an opposite's attract romance unfolding on a Hollywood set during a reality cooking show, then this is the book for you! Warning: prepare for food fights.

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My Review:

This was a rare book for me. One where I spent most of the book thoroughly disliking one of the main characters and yet still loved the story. I adored Austin. He’s so sweet and funny, and his desire to be the one to look after his little sister makes him thoroughly endearing. Elle was much harder for me to like. It might have something to do with how much of myself I can see in her. She’s a perfectionist and so standoffish, making it hard to see her redeeming qualities. Once she’s able to break out of that shell, I can begin to understand what Austin sees in her. This story has everything I look for in good fiction. There’s strong emotional drama along with lots of wonderfully funny moments that made me laugh out loud. I can’t wait to see what the author brings us next. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.