Delicious: A Heartwarming Contemporary Romance About Reunited Lovers and Family Secrets (The Buchanans Saga Book 1)

Any book that can combine food and romance has already got me interested, and Delicious delivered. It wasn’t the best romance ever, but it was sweet and charming. I’ve been trying to balance out the wheelbarrows of historicals that I’ve been reading lately with some contemporaries, and Susan Mallery’s name popped up on a list of them.The plot is simple: Cal owns a restaurant that’s part of the family chain. He needs a new head chef, and the only one that’s good enough just happens to be his ex-wife. Penny, who divorced Cal when he revealed he didn’t want kids (after a heartbreaking miscarriage, to boot), is pregnant through IVF because she didn’t want to wait for a man. Cal not only has to come to terms with his new hire being pregnant, but he has to acknowledge the mistakes he made during their marriage and how he hurt Penny.Penny is pretty much the best part of Delicious. I love strong female characters, and Penny can hold her own in a male-dominated restaurant kitchen. She’s also smart, sensible, and funny. Unfortunately, she fell for Cal again too quickly, not putting up much resistance after declaring that she was over him. I guess she just has a soft spot where Cal is concerned, even when he’s acting like a total jackass.Delicious wasn’t a memorable or particularly original book, but it was an enjoyable one. The secondary characters, particularly Reid, Cal’s charming baseball player brother, were a great addition. I can definitely see how this book sets up the rest of the series. While I liked reading Delicious, I’m not sure if I would read another Mallery book again, unless the premise really intrigued me. I guess I’m too spoiled by Jennifer Crusie‘s over-the-top, wise-cracking contemporaries to enjoy a milder romance.Check out this review and others on my book blog here: https://ellectricbookreviews.wordpress.com/2015/04/17/review-of-susan-mallerys-delicious-buchanans-book-1/

Susan Mallory is a very well known writer, if you haven’t read her books, then you have been missing out! Not many have not read something she’s written, I would wager! I really liked this book! A very mixed up wealthy family, 4 siblings raised by their domineering grandmother! Much more involved than it sounds! You will love it ! It’s another hit for MsMallory !!

Susan Mallery is, simply put, a great classic romance writer. This introduction to the Seattle-based Buchanan Family saga, focusing on the eldest Cal and his tumultuous relationship with his ex Penny, is really well done. It introduces the family so well, clearly outlining each of their personalities without coming across as muddled. Susan lays out the family history, but also focuses on the real heart of the story, which is Cal and Penny. Really interesting scenario, with them being exes, Penny being a chef of renown, hired to save his sinking family restaurant. The twist of her being single and pregnant with her 'sperm-bank' child makes it extra intriguing. Just a splash of sexual spice to keep it lively. A good dose of angst as well, hits all the high points. Gotta read the whole series after this nice intro.

Cal Buchanan is in a bind. He needs the best chef money can buy to help him turn around his family's declining restaurant. The Waterfront is in such bad shape it has been temporarily closed until major changes can be made. Affording the best money can buy isn't an issue. The issue is that the best chef for the job in none other than Cal's ex-wife, Penny Jackson.Penny is very interested in the opportunity The Waterfront offers. By taking this job, she will be able to save enough money to buy her own restaurant. And now that she is pregnant, at least one of her dreams is coming true. If Penny takes this job, she will be well on her way to achieving another of her long held dreams.Soon things between Cal and Penny start to heat up. Just when it starts to look like they might have another chance at happiness together, a secret from Cal's past threatens their fragile bond.I've been a fan of Susan Mallery for quite some time. But I will admit, Delicious just blew me away. I started reading it after work and stayed up until dawn to finish it. Cal and Penny's story really captured me. I am a fan of second chances, and Cal and Penny satisfied my hunger for another try at happily ever after.Although, Cal made me want to take a baseball bat to him a few times, I could easily see Penny's love for him and her unconscious desire to reunite. Not that I don't adore Cal, I do. Ms. Mallery wrote him, and all her characters in this novel, quite wonderfully, realistically, and humanly flawed. I feel like I know them all and already miss hanging out with them!Of course, I am eager for the other three books in this series. I want happiness for little sister Dani. I think the handsome, tomcat brother, Reid, needs his comeuppance. I want to be around to see that! And the former marine brother, Walker, well... he touched my heart and I am salivating for his book! If you are a fan of contemporary romance, The Buchanans is a series NOT to be missed! I made a glutton out of myself and devoured Delicious!AnnabelleReviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I really enjoy Susan Mallery books. I admired the female lead (Penny) for going after what she wanted in life. I especially liked how she held her own in the confrontations with Cal's grandmother. I had trouble relating to Cal and is obsession with his past (giving up his daughter for adoption when he was just a teenager). Especially when the adoptive parents allowed him to keep up with her life and then to develop a relationship when she got older. I like how Susan develops her characters that will lead into the remaining series. Never the less, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading the remaining books in the Buchanan series.

Penny is s fantastic chef and uses her magic in the restaurant kitchen. She creates menus that keep customers wanting more. Cal is there to support her and falls in love . He has too many secrets that keep him from fully committing to her and the restaurant.

I read this book a few years ago and really enjoyed it. So much so, I decided to read it again now. I enjoyed it just as much the second time around. It’s an interesting twist on a divorced couple finding love again.

i loved the bookit was funny, made me laugth and cry.will get my mother to read it and try get my friends to read itone of the books was by one of my favorite authers

Highly recommended read - kept you on the edge of the seat as to what was going to happen next. Made me want to read more books by this author. Would deifnitely recommend reading anything by this author

Cal Buchanan braucht bei der Neueröffnung des "Waterfront" dringend Hilfe, wer wäre dazu besser geeignet als seine Ex-Frau Penny Jackson, eine sehr erfolgreiche Köchin. Penny ergreift ohne lange zu Zögern die Chance und gemeinsam mit Cal arbeitet sie hart und das Restaurant beginnt das wieder zu florieren. Doch nicht nur das: Zwischen den beiden funkt es wieder wie am ersten Tag und schon bald verbringen sie eine heiße Nacht zusammen. Haben sie noch eine Chance? Doch Cals bösartige Großmutter versucht mit allen Mitteln das Glück der beiden zu zerstören.Ein sehr glanzvoller Auftakt zur Buchanan-Reihe von Susan Mallery, der große Vorfreude auf die nächten Teile in mir geweckt hat. Im ersten Teil lernt der Leser auch die anderen Familienmitglieder kennen und lieben (nicht alle). Die Liebesgeschichte zwischen Cal und Penny ist sehr gefühlvoll und auch nachvollziehbar erzählt.Das Original hat einen mitreisenden Schreibstil und ich hatte kaum Probleme mit englischen Vokabeln. Auch für Leser /innen zu empfehlen, deren Englisch eher mittelmäßig ist.Teil 2: IrresistibleTeil 3: SizzlingTeil 4: Tempting

Great story, parallel to life, complex and simple with some adult growing, steamy romantic parts not shabby either, great read