REVIEW: Cooking Up Trouble by Judi Lynn

Cooking Up Trouble (Mill Pond #1) by Judi Lynn is the first book in this series. I was a very enjoyable read for me, let’s face it, I am a foodie lover and the sweet treats in this book just keep on coming. This is the story of Tessa and Ian.

Tessa Lawrence has been burned before. Finding out that her fiancee is sleeping with someone else, she threw her ring at him and took over her grandparents farm. Now her life is all about raising fruits, vegetables, baking and canning. She runs a bakery and road side farm stand. Her life is simple and quiet and she has no interest in getting involved with anyone because she does not want to risk her heart again. That all changes when she stops to help Ian McGregor change his tire. Finding out that he is her new neighbor, that he is going to open a hotel and resort on the neighboring farm, and that he is sexy makes Tessa worry a bit. But finding out he is engaged convinces Tessa that her heart is still safe.

Ian McGregor has dreamed of opening his own resort. Wanting to bring the peace and beauty of nature to his guests, in this perfect little town of Mill Pond is truly a dream come true. Now if he can only convince his fiancee, Lily to love it as much as he does. But he knows that will come in time. For now he has a lot of work to do, and with the help of his new neighbor Tessa, he knows that he will be able to turn his hotel into the charming and homey experience that he envisions.

As Tessa and Ian spend more and more time together, the lines between their feelings for each other and the friendship that have forged begins to blur. Neither Tessa nor Ian would ever betray Lily, but the attraction, the chemistry and the understanding that they have for each other in undeniable. In the end, these two will get their HEA and it is as sweet as any treat that Tessa could make.

I loved the connection between Ian and Tessa. They are both thoughtful, helpful, they are not to proud to ask for help or to lend a hand when it is needed. Ian just became a part of the community as if he had been there his whole life. I love how Tessa was just willing help Ian with anything that he needed. She has such a sweet soul, giving her teenage farm worker and his girlfriend a place to stay when then needed it. Helping him to get a job with Ian that would give him more money and insurance. Helping his girlfriend realized her dream of opening a tea shop and teaching her to bake. She even put her ever growing feelings for Ian aside because of Lily. I love how Ian came to Tessa’s defence against Lily, letting her know when she was rude to the people that had come to mean so much to him such a short time.

The only thing that I will say that disappointed me slightly was that the last couple of chapters seemed a little rushed. I mean there was a big build up to the question of would Tessa and Ian get their HEA, or where they destined to be apart, and then, it kinda fizzled a little for me.

Over all I really enjoyed this story, enjoyed the small town charm of Mill Pond and look forward to coming back to visit family and friends in the next installment of the Mill Pond Series.

Book Info:

Publication: April 12th 2016 | Kensington Publishing Corporation | Mill Pond #1

Welcome to Mill Pond and small-town country living, filled with fresh air, fresh food, and plenty of fresh gossip—especially when it comes to romance…
It’s impossible not to notice when someone new shows up in Mill Pond. Especially someone as obviously out-of-place as Ian McGregor. His stylish suit and fancy car scream “city slicker.” And when Tessa Lawrence discovers he can’t even change a tire, she has no choice but to help. That’s just what the locals do. And when she finds out Ian’s her new neighbor, of course she’s obliged to invite him to dinner too…

Turns out Ian’s come from New York to open a luxury resort on the property next door to Tessa’s farm, where she grows berries and sells her famous jams and delectable baked goods. But despite their quickly growing friendship and temptingly close proximity, Tessa plans to keep things with Ian strictly neighborly. For one thing, Ian’s got a fiancée who, unlike Tessa, doesn’t have dirt under her nails. Plus, Tessa knows from bitter experience that a guy this gorgeous is all too likely to break a simple country girl’s heart. Even if he’s as sweet as one of her cinnamon buns—and equally hard to resist…