Australian movie star Lucas Grant is very unhappy when he
learns that a lowlife opportunist is attempting to publish a
tell-all biography about him. The unwelcome tale paints
Lucas as a sad, little boy lost, who grew up in foster care
and never knew his biological family. And Lucas Grant, bad
boy of Australian cinema, does not want anyone's pity. In a
fit of anger, he kicks the side of his hot tub after reading
the tome and winds up injuring his foot. Laid up and told to
rest for 4 weeks, Lucas recuperates at the remote mansion of
a friend. Since he's used to being surrounded by various
hangers-on, Lucas is sure that boredom and loneliness will
overcome him within a few days. That is, until he meets the
personal chef assigned to cook his meals, and decides that
he can find some other way to amuse himself.
Sophie Gallagher has led a pretty boring life. She's dated
the same man for more than a decade, and worked as the head
chef at his family's restaurant for almost that long. During
that time, things have stayed the same. The sex, the
relationship, the restaurant's menu... and people have
started to notice. No one more than Sophie's boyfriend who
ends their relationship. Though Sophie is devastated, she's
forced to acknowledge that the break was a long time coming.
In order to get her mind off of things, she accepts a
private catering job as the personal chef to Lucas Grant in
a remote location. Sophie is aware of Lucas's bad boy
reputation, but she's determined to resist his charms. That
is, until she starts to wonder why she's bothering to resist
at all...
BURNING UP is a hot, entertaining story that gets to right
to the point. Serial novels don't have as much room for
exposition or character planning, I've found, but Sarah
Mayberry has managed to present two thoroughly drawn
characters who each have a past, a history, and goals. Lucas
Grant is the quintessential celebrity with his dashing good
looks, string of broken hearts in his wake, and refusal to
settle down. All he needs is an unrepentant good girl like
Sophie who forces him to face what he's running away from
and makes him want to be a better man. This book squeezed in
so much emotion, entertainment, and passion into such a
small amount of space that I'll definitely have to check out
more of Mayberry's work in the future. For the present time,
however, just know that BURNING UP sears the pages and will
leave you thirsty for more.
Spending a month as personal chef for an overindulged—and
mouthwatering—man? Sophie Gallagher is so up for the
challenge. She's immune to charm…or so she thinks. Because
when big-screen star Lucas Grant turns up the temptation,
she discovers—up close and personal—he's earned the name
hottest man alive.
Sophie is fun, vivacious and couldn't be further from
Lucas's bimbo bombshell type. Much to his surprise, she's
captivated him. But as sizzling as they are between the
sheets, once his hiatus is over, the credits will roll on
this fling. Saying goodbye, however, isn't as easy as he'd
thought. Will this production be The End of the Affair…
or Love Actually?