Luscious

May 28, 2012
Chef Olivia Marconi, urged along by her domineering mother, has turned over her restaurant to friends Marlene and Joe (familiar from Scrumptious) and fled burnout and divorce for Verona, Italy. It so happens that Olivia’s lawyer, Sean Kindred, has business taking him that way—and decades of a secret crush on Olivia to motivate him. The Marconi family inn is as fabulous as any would-be seducer could desire, but Mamma and Papà do not approve, preferring to match Olivia with Alessandro, the arrogant but undeniably talented chef of the inn’s private restaurant. Usen’s tale is tasty, but the presentation could use more polish. Sean’s ne’er-do-well little brother, Olivia’s unlucky-in-love cousin Giovanna, and some rare wine are the catalysts for subplots that interrupt the romance and often stretch credulity. Still, the travelogue and delectable descriptions of food are satisfying, and sweetheart Sean will appeal to fans of genuinely nice guys.

June 1, 2012
As a chef, Olivia Marconi is used to things running hot and cold in her kitchen, but it is the last thing she needs in her personal life. Sean Kindred, Olivia's longtime friend and current divorce attorney, made it very clear when Olivia suggested they get together while Sean was working out her divorce from her crummy, cheating husband, Keith, that he would prefer they remain friends. Now, just as Olivia is set to leave for Italy for a much-needed fresh start in her life, who should show up on the same flight but Sean, who it seems now wants to take Olivia up on her old offer. Olivia knows full well that she could get burned romantically, but there is no denying the man knows how to argue his case. Usen expertly blends engaging characters with a swoonworthy Italian setting right out of Under the Tuscan Sun (1996) and an abundance of delectably described Italian dishes to create an irresistible literary treat for fans of sizzling hot contemporary romances.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)