Member Reviews
First of all thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have loved the Hawthorne family so far. I am so happy that Lennox got his happily ever after. Lennox was super sweet and understanding in this book. Loved Tatum and who hasn't had a bit of a crisis about what they want to do in their lives?
Excited to read more about the Hawthorne family in the next book, not excited for the stories to end though.
A Recipe for Romance
How to Kiss Your Enemy was such a cute book that left me so excited to lean about ALL of the Hawthorne brothers. "I could hover in the warmth of this man's intoxicating gaze all day..." Tatum and Lennox's story is full of so many moments and the slow burn just keeps you ready for more.
Jenny Proctor writes such nice romances and I loved this one! the enemies to lovers aspect was so fun and chemistry filled
Sucha fun story! I had read Jenny Proctor's first couple of books, years ago, so I was thrilled to return to some of her more recent books. This one is a fun RomCom!
This just wasn’t for me. It was cute and fun but I just need more spice in my books. I couldn’t get past it lack of it here.
Jenny Proctor serves up a delectable treat in "How to Kiss Your Enemy," a delightful enemies-to-lovers rom-com that sizzles with chemistry and charm. Set against the backdrop of a farm-to-table restaurant and event centre, this novel follows the fiery rivalry and unexpected romance between two chefs with a shared past and a simmering attraction.
At the heart of the story are Tatum Elliott and the charming narrator, whose rivalry flares to life when Tatum arrives to run the catering kitchen at the family farm. Sparks fly in the kitchen as they clash over culinary creations and compete for dominance, yet beneath the surface, there's an undeniable chemistry that refuses to be ignored.
Proctor infuses the narrative with humour, heart, and plenty of foodie flair, creating a fast-paced and entertaining read that is as satisfying as a gourmet meal. From the mouth-watering descriptions of dishes to the banter-filled exchanges between Tatum and her rival, every page is infused with wit and warmth.
What sets "How to Kiss Your Enemy" apart is its authentic portrayal of the challenges and triumphs of pursuing one's passion. Tatum's struggle to prove herself in a male-dominated industry, coupled with her desire to break free from her father's shadow, adds depth and complexity to her character. Likewise, the narrator's journey of self-discovery and growth as he confronts his feelings for Tatum is both relatable and compelling.
Moreover, the romance between Tatum and the narrator is irresistibly sweet and steamy, as they navigate the rocky road from enemies to lovers. Proctor skilfully builds tension and anticipation, keeping readers guessing until the very end.
Thank you Netgalley for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love this small town and family! I skipped ahead and read Flint’s story first and went back to this one. There were lots of foreshadowing for his book. I loved getting to know Lennox. You see him in the other books making food, but we didn’t know much about him. This was a very sweet romcom and you will fall in love with all the characters.
I unfortunately didn't get to read/review this book, as I was hospitalized for the Spring of 2023. Cleaning it up now to remove it from my feedback loop. I apologize for the lack of review!
This was a great addition to this series. I really love it and will be sad when it's over! I will definitely read everything that Jenny Proctor writes.
Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed it. It was also a quick read.
I loved everything about this book. It kept me up late, desperate to read more about Lennox and Tatum: their banter as rivals, their flirting as semi-friends, and then their falling in love. I can't decide who my favorite Hawthorne brother is, but it might just be Lennox. Jenny Proctor is an automatic read for me. Her books are always entertaining, perfectly edited, and all round amazing! Highly recommended!
4,5 ⭐️
I'm always down for an enemies to lovers but this has felt more like a rivals to lovers and I also don't feel that they have lasted long as rivals, although I found the romance between them very cute with all the banter about their past. Tatum's character (and her dog)... chef's Kiss <333. Lennox also seemed really cute to me and although I already had the feeling that I was going to like it, it far exceeded my expectations.
This book dives into the comedic romance of two chefs, Lennox and Tatum, reigniting an age-old culinary school rivalry. While Lennox carved his way to owning a restaurant, Tatum, the offspring of the famous chef Christopher Elliot, seemingly had a silver spoon in her culinary journey. Lennox is skeptical about her move from a posh LA restaurant to his family's establishment, anticipating chaos. Their competitive nature ignites sparks, which gradually hint at deeper feelings beneath their rivalry.
This light-hearted read offers a blend of rivalry, a chef-centric theme, a charming family farm setting, and the evolution of competition into affection. Set amidst the scenic backdrop of Carolina's woodlands, it intertwines forced closeness with genuine moments of connection. A breezy read with a dash of romance and minimal drama. For those familiar with the series, this third entry promises to be as delightful as its predecessors.
thank you to victory editing and netgalley for access to this title! now available as of may 9th, 2023!
<i>lennox hawthorne can’t believe his old culinary school rival, tatum elliot, is moving to his family’s estate, stonebrook farm, to run the catering side of their kitchens. owner and head chef of the farm-to-table restaurant only feet away from the catering kitchens, lennox thinks he knows what’s in store for her arrival. tatum has been living in her father’s shadow for as long as she can remember. on a whim, she decides to apply for the job at stonebrook farm, finally wanting to make her own path with a big decision looming over her.
when she finally arrives, although it’s been years since culinary school, the rivalry is alive as ever… but with a new element hiding just below the surface?</i>
this was so CUTE! i wasn’t sure what to expect going into this but it blew away my expectations! i love that it centers on cooking and running a restaurant, it made me reminisce on the times i’ve worked in restaurants (the good times, at least lol).
my favorite part of all is there’s NO miscommunication! they were open and honest with each other, and the banter and tension were amazing.
this is definitely a palate cleanser, a clean and fluffy, heartwarming read. tatum finding family in the hawthornes was so nice to see.
there is very little conflict, but it’s believable to a certain extent. it doesn’t take much for them to get their HEA.
i so wish i read the other books in the series before this, the family and characters are very intertwined, and at three books into the series the previous MCs are very established in their relationships. at least i can look forward to seeing how it all started with them!
The cover initially attracted me but I stayed for the story. This was my first book by the author and it was such an enjoyable story. The banter is so entertaining!
This was a fun book and I am a sucker for an enemies to lovers story add in a second chance romance and I am always happy to read the story. I can easily see how this story could play out in real life. Lennox and Tatum's story was so much fun to watch and using the culinary world as a setting for their rivalry was a great way of keeping them connected but still allowing them enough space to grow, mature, and begin to understand who they are as individuals. Also, although it appears to be such a big world in theory, The World of The Kitchen is a very small one so the chances of them bumping into one another is something very real. As a Foodie, I liked this glimpse into the world behind the kitchen doors.
This was a great weekend read and I love Jenny Proctor's writing style and voice. Her characters always speak with such great individuality that they feel like people I know. This is the first book I have read in this series though, and even though it can be read as a stand alone, I sometimes felt I was missing some of the in-jokes between the characters because this is a new series for me.
Thank you to Jenny Proctor for a free copy of this book! All opinions are my own.
Lennox and Tatum were rivals in culinary school. So competitive that they were happy to get 10th out of 11th place if the other one got 11th. But now that's all behind them, or is it? Lennox is running his own restaurant on his family's farm and Tatum is hired as the catering chef. Can they put the past behind them, or must they face the tension that is boiling over between them in the present?
What an absolutely fun read. The way they have to lean on one another even when they don't think they even like the other one as a person is so good and makes sense why they are drawn to one another. I also like the way they are willing to stand firm in what they want while being willing to compromise for the other. Their relationship has so much fun banter but isn't over the top and it feels natural. Plus reading this book made me very hungry!
This is a closed door romance.
I couldn't get into this book. I didn't care about either of the main characters and I struggled to get through this book. It could have been a me issue so use your own judgement and other reviews to make your decision. * I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest revew.
I absolutely loved this story! Lennox and Tatum… their names alone are adorable! But i loved the cooking aspect and the way they interacted! Loved it!
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily!
Rating: 3.5/5
Read it for the:
-Rivals to lovers
-Fun food-centered plot
-Work place romance
-Hawthorne family cameos
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭:
TW: mention of death of a parent (past)
Romance: clean - kissing only
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
A fun new addition to the Hawthorne brothers series, How to kiss your enemy is the story of two competitive chefs with a years long rivalry, falling in love.
I enjoyed Lennox and Tatum’s story! While it was easy to spot why they would be considered enemies in their early years in culinary school, a strong rivalry kept up between them as they reconnected again after Tatum was hired to work as a chef for the Hawthorne family. They had great chemistry and it was fun to watch them come to terms with the fact they no longer hated each other, but felt attraction.
I liked the conflict Tatum’s relationship with her famous father added to the plot. It was good to see her struggle to separate herself from her fathers shadow and coming to terms with what she wanted in life. Lennox also had some development, going from renown playboy to settling down in a committed relationship.
Overall, How to kiss your enemy was a sweet, quick read, that’s perfect for Foodies and closed door readers alike. While this can be read as a standalone, I do recommend reading in series order.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.