Book Reviews: Can't Stand the Heat by Leighann Dobbs

 

This story was so much fun to read with a blend of rom-com and drama movies. Dobbs incorporates multiple layers into the story with Sarah and Raffe pretending to be engaged so they can participate in a televised cooking challenge, Veronica trying to sabotage their chances at winning, and ulterior motives for all of the characters. Sarah is desperate to find her brother who she's hoping to use her winnings to send to rehab but only if she's able to locate him first. Raffe is hoping to prove himself and the challenge could be his ticket to doing just that. There's one catch to their plan that provides romantic comedy elements to the story: the challenge is only for couples married or engaged. This immediately sets up the circumstances for the two of them to spark a connection. First, they have to start with getting along in the kitchen.

The only thing connecting them is their friends that are engaged but as the competition heats up, the chemistry between them does the same. While romance is in the air, the story isn't without its drama with someone working to sabotage their chances but doing so in a way that sets seeds for them to turn on each other. The story has as much drama as it does humor which strikes the perfect balance for fun storytelling. Sarah is driven by the search for her brother who she thinks may be on the island and who she hopes to help by winning enough money to get him into rehab. 

Various perspectives are woven throughout which gives insight into Sarah, Raffe, Veronica, and TJ. The competition gives a variety of characters for Raffe and Sarah to interact with such as couples Rob and Brian, Kim and Dave, and Tony and Gina. The couples are all different with their own problems and goals in hopes of winning money. These range from marital problems to one couple being homeless which puts the couples against each other, but instead of working against each other, they form friendships with each other that help creates connections. The story delves into sabotage but Raffe and Sarah reach out to their fellow competitors in a way that creates heart within the story. Raffe helps two other couples which are actions that provide a little insight to the character. Dobbs has a way of capturing the main characters through their strengths, faults, and goals that create well-rounded people that you can relate to. Can't Stand the Heat has a sizzling plot with sabotage, vengeance, romance, drama, and lots of food.