*Hot and Bothered by Kate Meader (Hot in the Kitchen #3)

4 stars****

Kate Meader has really won me over with this Hot in the Kitchen series. In book three we get to know Tad and Jules a little bit more intimately as their friendship blossoms into love. Friends to lovers are my favorite types of romances... :)
The book opens up with a very touching and emotional scene with Jules delivering her baby with Tad by her side... I already knew I was going to love watching this couple come together after that beautiful moment they shared. Yep, little tears... sniff sniff... I'm such sentimental sap!
Each chapter begins with an Italian proverb.. LOVE when authors do this. Quotes are always a nice touch and a fun way to move into a new chapter.
Jules has Dyslexia and I loved how the author tied this into her character and highlighted how difficult it is for someone with dyslexia to function in a world where reading is a struggle. It also explained some of her wreckless behavior in her youth.
Tad has always been a bit of a player but so much of this is related to his inability to cope with the sudden death of his parents when he was in college.
Jules never intended to be a single mom but it was this unexpected addition to her life that created the magnet needed to pull Jules and Tad together. Sometimes fate has a way of making us stop and take notice even if we don't want too.
I love this big, overbearing, nosey but completely loyal to one another Italian family. This series is a nice mixture of sometimes emotional and sometimes funny moments. And, if you love all things Italian and you love good food then that is just icing on the cake or maybe the cork on the wine bottle!
All of these books can be read as stand alones but going into book three already being invested into this big Italian family full of chefs and bottles of wine makes book three a little more enjoyable. If you're starting with this one it might not have the same punch as those of us who've been following from book one so I do recommend starting there. Besides you'll totally miss out on the Superwoman whacking her man with a skillet! That would be a shame...
Another great installment and I'm looking forward to more from Kate Meader.
ARC provided by FOREVER publishing via netgalley.

A Fire They Can’t Put Out . . .

Although her baby boy keeps her plate full, Jules Kilroy is ready to take her love life off the back burner. Despite a bevy of eligible bachelors, it’s her best friend, Taddeo DeLuca, who's fueling her hormones with generous servings of his mouth-watering Italian sexiness. But Jules learned her lesson once before when she went in for a kiss, only to have Tad reject her. She’s vowed never to blur the lines again . . .

After a lifetime of excuses and false starts, Tad has finally opened a wine bar, a deal made even sweeter when Jules joins his staff. Lovers come and go, and he’s had his share, but friendships like theirs last forever. Still, ever since he tasted her luscious lips, he can’t stop fantasizing about what could be. Then she signs up for an online dating site—and the thought of his Jules with another man makes Tad’s blood boil. Even if he gets burned, Tad can’t stop himself from turning up the heat this time

READING ORDER of this series:
Feel the Heat...  click HERE to read K's review. 
All Fired Up...  click HERE to read K's review.