I dnf. The audio was fine. It was just the topic I couldn’t do it. I live in Texas and all the meat topic just was to close to home. Just not something I care to listen to as an escape for me due to hearing it all my life.

Man I really wanted to like this series, but I think it's just not for me. This audiobook physically pained me. The narrator for Avery was nerdy and goofy sounding and just didn't fit the image I had for Avery and I don't think it was a right fit. I love anything CJ Bloom does though, so she was perfect for Layla. I thought I would give the second book a chance even though I didn't love the first book and it was just as flat, cliche, and cheesy as the first book. Honestly, the spice is hot, but everything else is borderline unbearable. This would be a 1 star review if the spice wasn't so good!

This is my first book by this author. I read the blurb and it sounded like something right up my alley. It took me a little bit to really get into and connect with the characters but once I had, I started to really enjoy it. This is book two of the series and can be read as a standalone without any issues.

Avery and Layla were great. They were very likable characters and you couldn’t help but root for them from the beginning. The moment they locked eyes at the BBQ, they knew they were meant to be together. I thought the spice in this book was the perfect amount. It overshadowed the storyline but it always gave me that delicious smut I love to read in a romance book!

All in all, it was well-written and it was an entertaining, enjoyable read. I recommend giving it a read/listen!

4 STARS!

- Forbidden workplace romance: online cook-off host & contestant
- Insta-love
- Dual POV (3rd person)

The good: The interesting premise and BBQ setting will make you hungry! The MCs also had good banter, and I liked the author's dialogue.

The not-so-good: For a romance book, though, I needed more from the romance. It was extremely insta-lust (they meet and sleep together on the same night). I was missing the slow-burn tension (any tense moments were quickly resolved), the emotional connection, and the chemistry!

The characters were actually quite one-dimensional, and I would've loved more character depth and a slower pace.

DNF for me. And when I say for me it’s probably because this just wasn’t a book i personally could get through. I love a dual POV. But i didn't love the male narrator’s voice and thats just personal preference.

The story felt all over the place? I couldn’t really pay enough attention to it to really know what happening. I found my mind kept drifting away from the book.

Not for me. I wont share my review on socials since its DNF for me

**DNF**
I just could not get into this book. Felt boring and slow paced. I really enjoyed the dual narration as well as dual POV.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced audio copy of Fired Up, in exchange for an honest review.

Layla is a determined woman with a knack for creating mouthwatering dishes. Avery, on the other hand, is a brooding and enigmatic cowboy haunted by a tragic past. Their contrasting personalities and shared culinary aspirations create an undeniable chemistry.

The attraction between Layla and Avery is palpable from the moment they meet. Despite their initial hesitation, they gradually open up to each other, revealing their vulnerabilities and desires. The romance is passionate and believable, with just the right amount of angst to keep readers engaged.

One of the highlights of 'Fired Up' is its detailed descriptions of menus and recipes. Templeton's culinary expertise shines through, providing readers with a tantalizing glimpse into the world of fine dining. While some may find these descriptions a bit excessive, foodie readers will revel in the gastronomic details.

Beyond the romance, 'Fired Up' also explores themes of personal growth and overcoming adversity. Both Layla and Avery have faced challenges in their pasts, and their journey towards healing is an integral part of the story.

While the novel is generally well-written, the pacing can sometimes feel slow, especially during the scenes that focus heavily on culinary descriptions. Additionally, the resolution of the conflict between Layla and Avery seems somewhat abrupt and could have benefited from more development.

'Fired Up' is a satisfying romance novel that combines a passionate love story with a tantalizing culinary adventure. While the detailed descriptions of food may not appeal to everyone, foodie readers will find plenty to savor. Overall, it's a delightful read that will leave you craving both romance and a delectable meal.
This was a 3.5 Star read for me.

I had just finished Reading Spiced Right and dove right in to Fired Up. Fired Up offers a peak in to what's next for Jillian and Jack, but focuses on the ups and down of a put master and reality show host. It was a quick read and kept my attention.

This book was the second I've experienced by Gigi Templeton and I look forward to reading more.

Tropes:
Sexy BBQ pitmaster / cook-off show host
Girl on the run
Insta-spark

Thanks for the ALC, Netgalley

3⭐️
3🌶️

DNF

First of all, I hate DNFing books, but continuing was not a service to either myself or the book, so here we are. That said, even though I did not vibe with this book, I'm still very grateful to have been given the opportunity to listen to an advanced copy of it from Brilliance Audio and NetGalley.

I always like to give the disclaimer when I DNF a book that just because I wasn't vibing with it, does not mean it's a bad book, nor does it mean you won't necessarily like it either.

I love love love C.J. Bloom - she's one of my favourite female narrators. But I didn't vibe with the mal narrator, Eric G. Dove. I honestly don't even know what the big bad thing that happened to the FMC was, because I zoned out.

The premise is that our FMC is working on securing another season of the BBQing competition show by having a particular meat aficionado participate in the up coming show. There are several moments that allude to her looking a lot different than she used to and that something bad happened to her in the past. It was repeatedly commented that she did not have the appearance for on-camera work and was never allowed to host until now because she didn't look the part. This lead me to believe for the first little while that she lost a lot of weight - which honestly, rubbed me the wrong way? Like suddenly she was worthy of being on camera because she was thinner - this didn't end up being the case, but the damage was already done in my mind. Then the book went on to reference her having "ugly duckling syndrome" - except she doesn't blossom into a beautiful swan naturally, no she has full facial reconstruction and looks like a completely different and more pretty person so that she can follow through on her dreams of being an on camera host while still maintaining her anonymity to hide from her ex who busted her up enough to need the surgery in the first place.

There seemed to be a lack of chemistry between the FMC and MMC in my opinion. I got all the way to 83% and just found myself so bored and having a hard time paying attention to the story because I wasn't invested in the story or the characters. I couldn't bring myself to listen to the last hour and a half or so, because I genuinely didn't care what happens.

Overall, this one wasn't for me.

Regrettably, I must give this audiobook a two-star rating. I received an ARC of this audiobook from NetGalley and the Publisher, and I would like to thank them for the opportunity to listen to it.

Initially, I was excited about this title because CJ Bloom was the narrator. However, I found that CJ and Eric, the other narrator, were not a good match. Their performance styles were very different, which affected my overall enjoyment of the audiobook.

I tried to give it a fair chance and managed to listen to about 40% of the book. Unfortunately, I had to stop at that point as it did not capture my interest.

I recently finished a quick audiobook and, overall, I enjoyed it. The story was engaging, and the pacing kept me interested from start to finish. The characters were well-developed and had their own unique personalities, which I appreciated. However, I found it a bit challenging to connect with them on a deeper level. Despite this, it was a pleasant listen, and I wouldn't mind exploring more works by the author in the future. If you're looking for something short and entertaining, this audiobook is worth a try.

Perfect beach read!

The characters are the main selling point for the book. They have fantastic banter and chemistry. I really enjoyed watching their rivalry and slowly fall in love. The steamy scenes were hot but didn’t overwhelm the romance or plot. It was a nice balance. I enjoyed all the chef and BBQ elements. It’s something I don’t know about so it was interesting to see. There’s also a bit of mystery added to keep things exciting.

A quick read that’s perfect for the day at the beach.