Review – The Hungry Heart (Heart’s Desire #1) by Brenda Gayle

Description:
A burned out association executive spices things up with Santa Fe’s playboy celebrity chef.

Child advocate Nora Cross doesn’t have time for the private cooking lesson her sister won at a charity auction. Hunter Graham, the young chef, is the last person she needs telling her she’s forgotten how to have fun. So why can’t she get the very hot, very eligible man off her mind?

After a stellar debut in New York City, Hunter’s back in Santa Fe to open a new restaurant. He lives a charmed life and he knows it. He isn’t interested in a workaholic who’s glued to her smart phone. So why is he trying to convince Nora to relax and enjoy life—with him?

When Nora’s apartment and office are ransacked, Hunter comes to her rescue, surprised to find himself playing knight-in-shining armor to the uptight executive. But when it becomes clear Nora is no random target, Hunter realizes he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

It has been a long time since I have read a book that had me crying at the end. That had me rooting for the hero and heroine. That had my heart strings tugging so much that I fell in love with the main characters and prayed for both of them to win the other. That’s just a little of what The Hungry Heart did to me.

Hunter is a Chef and Nora is a Child Advocate and together they are just sizzling.

What starts off as a “cooking lesson” ends up with opposites totally attracting and with everyone trying to get them together. Karen, Nora’s “sister” (you’ll have to read it to find out why it’s in quotations) wins a cooking lesson with New Mexico’s hottest chef, Hunter Graham. Hunter is also a “player” but Karen wants her sister to get out a little more and have fun! Nora is too wrapped up in her career to enjoy life. This cooking lesson is just taking time away from CAN (Children s Action Network) and she’s worked too hard over the last 10 years to be bothered with a social life. Hunter tries to show her a good time but she is just way to distracted. But, by work or by Hunter? After several hysterical mishaps, Nora finally just walks away from dinner and feels like she’s nothing buy a “screw up”. Enter Karen and Libby (Hunter’s Grandmother)…throw in a little mystery (who and why is someone trying to kill Nora)…add a jealous girlfriend…and you have one fantastic book!

There were times that I didn’t know how to take some of what was happening which only added to the story. Anna, Hunter’s cousin, is still a little bit of a mystery. Taylor was just being a spoiled brat. Karen had her moments when you just wanted to either hit her or hug her. Libby is wonderful – the meddling grandmother – you gotta love them! Hunter’s father and uncle are just self-centered people who only care about “Tres Hermanos”, their ranch. And where does “Gary Smith” fit into the picture? There were a lot of storylines that I felt were left open and I could only hope it’s because she is going to let us visit the Graham’s again. Maybe tell us Anna’s story – let us know what happened to Michael – who ends up running Tres Hermanos?

I was captured by The Hungry Heart from page one. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was captivated by how Ms. Gayle had me guessing and wondering what was going to happen next and how they were finally going to come to terms with what they are really feeling about each other. Now, do you have any idea how I cheered when the older woman won the heart of the younger man when nothing but starlets and models are throwing themselves at him? When Hunter finally realizes what Nora gave up because of him and takes a stand against his family, I was thrilled. When Libby comes walking into Nora’s hospital room and says: “Don’t look so shocked. I may be old, but I’m not blind. Admit you love each other. Kiss already and start the happily-ever-after. It’s not rocket science, you know.” , I fist-pumped! But, what really got me was the horse-back riding lesson, when Nora finally agrees to live a little and Hunter sees that Nora could be so much more that just a “fling”.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading “The Hungry Heart” and I don’t think I ever wanted a Happily-ever-after for two people more than I did for Hunter and Nora. I will probably re-read this book just for pleasure – when I need a little pick-me-up, when I am in the mood for some romance. The Hungry Heart was more than just a love story, it was fun, romantic, sexy, mysterious and romantically erotic. When Hunter and Nora finally do get together, it’s sexy and so very intimate – I honestly felt like a voyeur reading the love scenes because you knew there was love even though they weren’t admitting it. So if you are looking for a romance novel with a little mystery, please indulge me – read The Hungry Heart. I promise that you won’t regret it!