Valri Western
I wasn't ready to like this book as much as I did! Ivy has been in all the other books in the series because she runs the diner in town and all the characters have been in and out of the diner at various times in their stories! It was great to get her backstory! There hadn't been any info on Cam except that he was a famous chef and in the first chapter or so, I wasn't prepared to like him but oh how he transformed into someone you loved! That saying that says, "too many cooks in the kitchen...." well, that fits in this story! Ivy and Cam clash from Day One!!! Cam is a famous chef and wants to cook "just so" and Ivy runs the diner so she is cooking "diner food". Cam wants to change everything but Ivy knows that the people in the small town just want simple, basic food. Cam thinks he can bring all his fancy food to the people and they will love it....well, things don't turn out quite that way! Then, there is the personal side! I loved how Cam treated Ivy's young sons. I also loved how Cam and Ivy, even though they butted heads constantly, finally found common ground and their relationship grew! A wonderful story that I fell in love with!
Yvonne Cruz
This 6th book in this series, is a standalone clean romance that is at times heartbreaking as well as heartwarming. Cam Monroe, Michelin star chef and one of the Monroes that owns Second Chance, is in town to cater his cousin’s wedding. He wants the town sold but somehow finds himself cooking at Ivy Parker’s diner. Ivy, a woman who has decided she must “stay in her lane”, considers herself a mother first and foremost. She is not the average cook that Cam assumes she is, but her past is still affecting her. As time is spent together , they both realize their preconceived beliefs of each other is far from the truth. Will Cam and Ivy learn to trust and find a new future, or will the past, keep them from finding their HEA? This was truly a touching story that reminds us that our past does in fact affect our present and our future. I was entrusted a copy of this book. The opinions expressed are solely my own.
Emily Kirkpatrick
"Charmed by the Cook's Kids" (The Mountain Monroe's Book 6) by Melinda Curtis is a terrific read. I loved Ivy and Cam's story. This is a fantastic addition to this series. This story is full of romance, entertaining characters, family, small-town life, twists, and more. I can't wait to see what happens next in Second Chance, and with this interesting cast of characters. Highly recommend to all fans of romance, family, and series.