Review: "In the Raw" by Eileen Griffin & Nikka Michaels
Note: This ARC was provided by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
In the Raw is the first book in the In the Kitchen series by authors Eileen Griffin and Nikka Michaels. Readers are introduced to Ethan Martin and Jamie Lassiter, two culinary arts students who are both considered the best in their class but have different approaches, not just in terms of cooking, but in the way they carry themselves and deal with life. You would think two polar opposites would have nothing in common other than their love for cooking, but they're both hiding an attraction they've had for each other from the time they first met three years ago.
Ethan Martin hasn't had it easy but he carries with him a confidence that most would probably label cockiness when it comes to cooking in the kitchen. However, this talented student seems to have his own personal Waterloo in the form of baking...and when it comes to his feelings for his fellow student, the equally talented Jamie Lassiter. When Jamie offers to tutor him on his baking skills, Ethan isn't exactly thrilled, believing that Jamie is interested in his younger sister and fellow student, Claire, and the fact that he doesn't like being treated like a charity case.
Jamie Lassiter comes from a family that is known in the restaurant business and he's always been expected to join the company. The thing is, Jamie's always wanted to be a chef and his own person but he still hasn't been able to openly admit to them that he's gay and that he has not intention of following his father's footsteps. Being around Ethan makes Jamie realize just how comfortable the object of his affection is in his own skin and how he wants to be just like that...and to have Ethan return his feelings as well.
Ethan and Jamie obviously have their own personal issues that they need to get over in the story and it's interesting to see how being around one another opens their eyes to their own misconceptions about the other and how there's a lot for them to learn from each other, not just in cooking but in life in general. I liked that, even though there was an attraction from the beginning, neither seemed aware how mutual it was, so there wasn't this insta-love or insta-lust going on. Their relationship was tenuous and you can see how it developed over time. There was no rushing it, even though the book isn't overly long, so it progressed rather nicely. ^.^
I loved Ethan and Jamie but Claire, Ethan's sister and Jamie's baking class partner, deserves special mention because she was, after all, the voice of reason in the story. She was funny but also sensitive to what was going on between her brother and her friend. There was quite a bit of angst happening with Ethan and Jamie and having Claire say what was in my own head had me feeling less frustration had both guys continued to muddle along and stumble at every turn.
I enjoyed In the Raw but, heads up, fellow bookaholics! This book does end on a cliffhanger. The sequel, In the Heat, is due for release in a month's time and is set eight years after the events of this first book. If you read the synopsis of the second book, you'll get an idea of what happened in between but, if you're like me, it'll whet your appetite (pun intended) for more Ethan and Jamie. ^.^ I'm going to give In the Raw four stars and will count the days until the sequel's release! ♥
Release Date: 06 October 2014
Date read: 04 October 2014
Grab a copy of In the Raw and Ms. Griffin's and Ms. Michaels' books on Amazon (EG) | Amazon (NM) | Barnes & Noble (EG) | Barnes & Noble (NM).
Comments
Post a Comment