Burn for You (Slow Burn) Paperback – October 17, 2017

The banter had me laughing out loud (so glad I wear masks at work lol). Yes, it’s slow burn (smexy times come in around 80%) but man, I didn’t feel the slow burn like I normally would’ve. There’s a lot of kissing and smexiness that held my hunger for the good stuff… and I loved it all.Bianca (31) has a restaurant and she gets pretty busy. One day, Jackson (35) comes in to review her restaurant. One thing’s clear- he’s a grumpy man whom people fear. But don’t worry, sassy Bianca doesn’t let any of this bring her down. In fact, she goes toe-to-toe with him and doesn’t back down from a fight; her mama raised her to be better than that. She knows her self-worth, and she’s never gonna let a man change that about her- no matter who he is. Her ex is trying to get back with her, after two years, because he suddenly found God and finally realizes that cheating on her with one person at a time doesn’t mean he was faithful. On top of this, Bianca‘s mom has stage three lung cancer, and unless they start chemo right away, she won’t have much time to live.Jackson has an Wounded Warrior event coming up, one that requires a five course meal for 300 guests. He has no choice but to ask Bianca to cater for him, and because she needs the money for her mom‘s treatment, she reluctantly agrees. of course, they clash many times, and this is where the smexual tension rises between them🔥. After the event, he finds out that there’s a clause in his trust that requires him to be married by 35 for at least five years. He’s been celibate for four years and hasn’t dated anyone since, which means that the only person he trusts to do this for him is Bianca. He agrees to pay her $1 million, and because her mom has a long way to go with her treatments, she says yes.Holeeee moleeeee- the chemistry, the tension, is so damn mouth watering and STEAMY🔥🥵. Their banter and stolen glances/touches had me swooooning and fanning my face. It takes a WHILE for them to go all the way, but Jeeeezus- it’s soo worth it once they get there 🥵💦🔥😅. They definitely BURN for each other. I loved it 👏🏻.I only wish we had gotten an epilogue- I’m so greedy lol. Jackson- Jackson is everything- so patient, so understanding, so swooooony 🥰😩❤️🥵🔥. I loved him. And Bianca’s sass is 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻. I loved it.⚠️ safety squad ⚠️- no cheating/OWD-OMD- the h’s ex keeps trying to get back with her. He’s a cheater and his attempts fail each time-there’s a scene where the H is with OW, but then he realizes that it’s the h when he wakes up from the dream he had-cancer/struggles/outcome of it

Wow. I can't believe I didn't read this until today! This Beauty and the Beast-inspired romance had everything I want in a book—Enemies to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, Slow burn, a reclusive, arrogant billionaire hero and a sweet and sassy heroine chef. Plus, it's set in New Orleans and features recipes of food in between chapters. Yum.It wasn't love at first sight for chef Bianca Hardwick and bourbon billionaire Jackson "The Beast" Boudreaux. He was rude to her and her staff the first time they meet, plus he kind of threatened to sue her for using his family's bourbon as a key ingredient in her menu. Bianca will not stand for it, and she gives him a tongue lashing no one's ever had the guts to do before.Bianca swears she'll never cook for the man again, but she still ends up catering an event for him when he offers to pay her generously. Beggars can't be choosers, and Bianca can really use the money to help her mother. And when he proposes another opportunity that will give her more than enough to help her mother, she doesn't have it in her to say no.Jackson left Kentucky and moved to New Orleans to run away from his past. But he's reached a dead end when his father reminds him that he might lose his trust if he doesn't take over the business or get married by his birthday, which is only a few weeks away. There's no way he'll return to Kentucky and take over his business, so a marriage of convenience will have to do. He has no romantic prospects except for the sharp-tongued beauty he can't get off his head, so he'll have to offer for her or risk losing his inheritance. And he can't afford to lose it now.It was nice to see the story highlight New Orleans without overdoing or overshadowing the romance between Bianca and Jackson and the multiple plot points related to their story arcs. I've always wanted to visit New Orleans, so books like this never fail to give me a major case of the wanderlust.I love the pacing, the main and secondary characters, and the adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (BATB) into modern times. I love that the author didn't stick to the step-by-step progress of the classic, but still managed to get the essence of BATB while becoming a story of its own. For example, a marriage of convenience can be considered a prison sentence to someone who originally has no romantic feelings for the person she'll be marrying, and there is a loss of freedom there, too.I adore Bianca! She is strong and sassy, but like Belle, she is kind-hearted and will do anything for her loved one—in this case, her ailing mother. She's a great character with flaws and strengths just like anyone else, and it makes her real. Three dimensional.Jackson is my kind of hero. When I meet someone like him in real life, I'd probably hate his guts, but there's just something about a surly and brooding hero in romance books that makes my heart flutter. Despite the reputation, this man has a heart of gold. He's a gentleman, a selfless man, all hidden beneath a rough exterior because of a past that left him scarred. I give you my word that you'll fall for him, too.The chemistry was brewing between them from the very start, and I enjoyed every encounter they had! Bianca never lets him get away with his rude attitude, and it was really funny to see her set him straight. There's some fantastic banter here that will make you smile and laugh. And the feels when he was 'wooing' her. I can't, you guys. Jackson is the sweetest. I love him so much!This is my first J.T. Geissinger read, but it definitely won't be my last. I can't wait to read Melt For You, the next story in this series because it sounds just as good as this one!I'd recommend this to anyone who prefers slow burn romance with fantastic female leads and grumpy heroes who are actually total marshmallows. I'm a complete sucker for 'em, and Jackson Boudreaux fits the bill.Shout out to the cabbie, the trope master, the me in this book. I loved his short appearance!Tropes: Marriage of Convenience, Hate to LovePOV: First Person, Dual POVStandalone: Yes

Only this author can make me laugh out loud or tear up in public. She can do no wrong. This particular book was a delight, I couldn’t stop laughing. I teared up twice while in public. No easy feat. I loved both characters so much. Well done! Can’t wait to read more in the series.