Marilyn’s life seems all set. She has settled down from the nomad life of an international journalist to become an editor at Birmingham and O’Malley Press. She’s close to her father and is engaged to a great guy, whose millions are just the icing on the cake. Her main problem at the moment is pinning down Jackson Delacroix, Birmingham and O’Malley Press’s best-selling cookbook author. So far, she has barely been able to get him on the phone -- though when she does, his Creole accent makes her shudder -- and he refuses to do any advertising as per his contract. Drastic measures are called for. If he won’t come to her, she’ll go to him. Without his knowledge or consent, she arranges for the upcoming Larabee Cook Out contest to be held at his trout camp. Then, he’ll have no choice but to participate. Of course, her going has nothing to do with her wanting to meet the gorgeous guy in person, though she has spent a significant period of time admiring his photograph on the book jacket of his cookbooks … Besides, even if she wanted to – which she doesn’t – she couldn’t. She’s an engaged woman, and not the sort to have an affair. Or rather, she was an engaged woman, until her fiancé gave her an ultimatum the day before leaving for the contest: her career or him. No contest there. He wants a stay-at-home wife to support him, she wants a man who will support her. Some things are just not meant to be – but on the other hand, some are … Like maybe she and Jackson. That is, if she can find a way to get them out of hot water. Seems there was a reason he never entered any cooking contest or shows. He didn’t want to advertise the fact that he can’t cook … He can’t even boil water, but their chemistry is definitely heating her up…

Jack is doing what he loves: living on the river, writing up the family recipes with some family history interlaced. He’s living the good life and looking forward to his Navy friend arriving for some quality downtime. Only Chuck turns up with two women in tow whom he met on the plane. All three seem nervous, as if keeping a secret…

Chuck can have the blonde, but Jack wants the brunette. Wowzer, he cannot remember whether he has ever felt this depth of attraction towards a woman before. He knows nothing about her but her first name, but that doesn’t stop him from heating things up between them real quick – within a few hours quick. He completes a little research, and thinks he knows who she is, then finds out he only knows the half of it. His brief internet search told him about her life as a writer, but he logged off before he found out about her other career. As an editor. His editor. Whom he has been avoiding. Now he’s wishing if only … when he’s not thinking of getting a little sweet revenge for her placing him in a cooking contest he can’t possibly compete in. Nobody can learn to cook in three days, especially not someone who can’t even boil an egg. The race is on. He needs to learn to cook something, whilst searing up the sheets with Marilyn day and night. Neither can resist the other, but will everything fall into place? Is there a future for Jack and Marilyn? What’s the secret he’s keeping … and will it damage their fledgling relationship?

This is my first Lyn Cash, and I can tell you, it sure heated me up. Grab some ice (ice cream, even!). You’ll need it to prevent your temperature from shooting off into the stratosphere. The chemistry between these characters will scorch you, and sear them in your heart and mind for a long time to come. They are fabulous characters, as are all the characters in Just Desserts. Beyond likeable, their antics, exploits and mishaps will leave you laughing, and you’ll definitely not want to leave them till the very end. Yep, this is a page turner, one you won’t want to put down ‘til you’ve devoured it cover to cover (so to speak). Just Desserts is full of fun, love and friendship. There’s plenty of sex, in various positions (and locations!), but not inclusive of any taboo sexual acts. If you’re looking for a fabulous read, I’d recommend picking up Just Desserts today. You won’t regret it!

Reviewed by: Elizabeth