So Irresistible

September 2, 2013
Plumley pairs up a corporate raider and a pizza chef in this middling prequel to Together for Christmas. Gabriella Grimani is out to save her family’s struggling restaurant, Campania; Shane Maresca is on a stealthy mission to buy it. After the two meet at a local bar and share a steamy evening, Shane applies for a job at Campania to do a little reconnaissance. He doesn’t expect to fall in love with the plucky chef, who’s got something to prove to her staff, to her family, and most of all to herself. As minor crises—including a broken oven and a destroyed tomato shipment—start to look like sabotage, Shane wonders whether there’s another “fixer” trying to get the Grimanis to sell. But Shane has a bigger fear: that once Gabriella discovers his agenda, she’ll ditch him. Plumley’s lovably flawed protagonists are charmers, and their story will win hearts despite a somewhat predictable ending. Agent: Karen Solem, Spencerhill Associates.

November 1, 2013
Competitive, demanding, and driven are three words that describe both Gabriella Grimani and Shane Maresca. So when the two meet in a bar, both looking to blow off steam for a night, the sparks fly, and their chemistry is undeniable. Gabby is struggling to save her family's pizzeria business, so when Shane offers to lend an extra hand around the restaurant, she is more than willing to accept his help. What Gabby doesn't know is that Shane is gathering intel on her restaurants for his father, who wants to implement a corporate takeover of the Grimani family business. Shane's cutthroat resolve doesn't last long, however, in light of Gabby's fiery personality and her family's dedication to tradition. Just as Shane starts to develop genuine feelings for Gabby, her restaurant, and the customers they loyally serve, someone begins sabotaging the restaurant, threatening everything the Grimani family has built. Plumley delivers yet another witty romance with this fun read featuring likable characters and plenty of steamy scenes.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)