Brighton Walsh
Contemporary New Adult
Releases November 4th from Berkley
In this emotional and sexy New Adult debut from Brighton Walsh, the only thing more frightening than commitment is hope…
Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…
Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.
But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want…
Aspiring chef Cade Maxwell is immediately, viscerally attracted to Winter Jacobson. But it’s not her mouthwatering curves he’s drawn to—it’s the strange emptiness in her eyes. When Cade saves her from a drunken customer with grabby hands, he’s shocked at her response…
Winter doesn’t need Cade’s help. After a lifetime of getting by on her own, she’s happy to rely on herself. She’s exactly seventy-six days away from graduating college, and if she can hold it together that long, she’ll finally be able to rise above the crappy hand she was dealt.
But now, every time she turns around, Cade is there, ready to push her, smile at her, distract her from her plans. Winter knows she can’t afford to open up—especially to a man she’s terrified to actually want…
Confession: I cannot cook to save my life. Okay. That's probably an exaggeration. I probably COULD cook if I wanted to, but I so dislike it (it causes me stress!) that I avoid it at all costs. It comes as little surprise then that a favorite trait in a book boyfriend is someone who's good in the kitchen. Well hello there, chef Cade! I also thoroughly enjoy reading about strong, self-sufficient women who have to learn to lean on other people every now and then, so this book seems like an all-around winner to me.
As a special add-on to my Waiting on Wednesday feature, I have an excerpt to share with you!
CADE:
“Okay, now add the flour, but—” It’s too late, a puff of white exploding in Winter’s face before I can get the words out or reach to flip the switch. “You need to turn the mixer to low.”
She spins around, her cheeks covered in random white spots, some of the flour dusting her hair. “You couldn’t say that before, ‘Now add the flour’?” Her voice is low, her eyes narrowed, and I take a step back.
“Well, yeah, I guess I could’ve, but I just sort of figured you’d know enough not to add loose flour to a wildly spinning mixer.”
“Oh, you figured I’d know enough for that, huh? Even after I told you I’ve never made cookies before? Even then?”
She’s advancing on me now, and I shouldn’t be retreating like a scared animal. I have more than a foot on her, a hundred-plus pounds, but she looks pissed. And that glint in her eye tells me she’s up to something. I glance down at her hand, seeing a measuring cup half filled with flour, and I realize what she’s going to do a split-second before she does, but not soon enough to dodge it.
A cloud of white powder hits me straight in the face, and I cough as I inhale some. Wiping away the dust from my eyes, I say, “I can’t believe you did that.”
“Oh, well, I just figured you’d know enough to duck.” She shrugs and offers me a saccharine smile.
“I don’t think you want to start this with me, baby.”
“In case you missed the flour in your face a second ago, I already started it, baby.”
I stare her down, then reach over, grabbing the bowl of melted chocolate—my mom’s secret ingredient in her cookies—and dip my fingers into it. Winter narrows her eyes at me and takes a step back. “Don’t you dare.”
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BRIGHTON WALSH
Brighton Walsh spent nearly a decade as a professional photographer before deciding to take her storytelling in a different direction and reconnect with writing. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and two children.
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GIVEAWAY
I didn't know about this one but it sounds like an interesting one! thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteNice pick! Not sure if it's my kind of read but hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteHere's my WoW
Have a GREAT day!
Old Follower :)
Awesome pick, Jenny, and thanks for the great giveaway. I am not the best cook either…I have been trying much harder the past two years, but it is a talent that does NOT come easy to me. ;)
ReplyDeleteFun excerpt! This sounds like a great escape read perfect for those both who like and those who dislike to cook with its humor and romance. Thanks for the giveaway, Jenny!
ReplyDeleteThis does look good! Thanks for the giveaway as well Jenny!
ReplyDeleteI like cooking but I need to be alone, cos else I get stressed
ReplyDeleteI can cook to save my life but everyone else swears I'm trying to kill them. ;) LOL This one sounds very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI have this and can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteSounds great! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love cooking, and especially baking. I consider it therapy and do it to calm my nerves after a long, long day. The book sounds great. I only think that the names are a bit confusing. Both are gender-neutral and I can't seem to remember who is who.
ReplyDelete