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Attorney Mike Tucker had spent his life trying to deny feelings for his best friends little sister Patrice – after all, there was a seven year difference in age. The day he’d made partner at his law firm Patrice, now a renowned chef, along with his housemates planned a surprise congratulatory party. The party was going well until Patrice surprised him with an elaborate crème brulee concoction she’d crated just for him. Totally caught off-guard by Patrice’s sudden appearance and loving remarks, Mike accidentally dumped her masterpiece all over her chef’s dress whites. His reaction and harsh remarks sent Patrice running; heartbroken and embarrassed she didn’t think she could ever face him again let alone speak to him. Mike would have to do some slick talking and even slicker moves to not only get back in Patrice’s good graces, but to out-maneuver her new suitors. *** Laurel Bradley is batting a thousand with this newest novel after her outstanding time-travel debut A WISH IN TIME. Her Crème Brulee Upset is wonderful and I thought it a complete delight from beginning to end. Bradley put together an absolutely divine cast of characters who not only added to, but balanced this story the way a superb cast of ensemble actors would in a hit television sit-com. It all made perfect sense that with both sets of parents as best friends Mike, Randy (Patrice’s older brother) and Patrice grew up rather close. The problem began with the seven year age difference between Mike and Patrice. Let’s face it; Mike at seventeen would have felt ridiculous admitting to admiring Patrice, a ten year old, so he did what he could to deny his feelings and chase her away. Patrice had staked her claim on Mike from the very beginning (I loved the way a three year old staked her claim!) and no matter how badly he treated her she’d always come back. Finally after college separations and Patrice had come back from four years in Paris, she still dreamt of a life ever after with Mike; until the crème brulee incident. Now that the tables had been turned and Patrice had given up hope of Mike with the able and comical assistance of her best friend David (aka Dr. Delicious), a Superstar NFL football player Bubba, and numerous other good friends. Their treatment of Mike was pretty comical and even though he deserved all of it for his treatment of Patrice, one could almost feel sorry for him. Mike had a lot of “crow” to eat as well as managing to keep his foot out of his mouth every time he attempted to apologize and let Patrice know how he really felt. Bottom line: Expertly paced, humorous and poignant CRÈME BRULEE UPSET is a delicious gem of a story with not only the requisite likeable lead characters, but an entire ensemble giving the reader a smorgasbord of superb entertainment. Reviewed by Marilyn Rondeau, for CK2S Kwips and Kritiques
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CRÈME BRULEE UPSET
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