Customer Reviews

Table For Two

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is another reprint of two of Nora Robert's older titles, Summer Desserts and Lessons Learned. I really like these books a lot, especially considering a lot of her reprinted stories aren't as good as you would expect them to be considering they come from Nora Roberts. This reissue on the other hand is excellent (in my humble opinion.)

Summer Desserts is the first of the two stories and it involves dessert chef Summer Lyndon. The hero, Blake Cocharan, wants Summer to come work at his new hotel kitchen in Philadelphia. They meet and instant sexual attraction. But of course they fight it, but Blake is willing to concede that he wants Summer, and proposes. Unfortunately Summer has so of her own issues from growing up that have to be resolved first before we see a happy ending. Definitely a good read, and will probably make you want to go and eat something sweet.

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Lessons Learned involves Carlo Franconi, Summer's best friend, and his publicist for his new Italian cook book, Juliet Trent. Juliet knows of Carlo only as a playboy chef, a womanizer in some aspects. She doesn't want to get to know the actual man. But, Carlo, a great male hero in my opinion, shows Juliet that he is much more than the facade that he puts out to other women. He wants her to trust him, but Juliet can't. He falls in love with her, and she with him, but she is still afraid, and in the end, some strife occurs. But, I really liked this story nonetheless.

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Both of these stories are very good I think. I loved the whole romance and food theme. Desserts and Italian food are both very romantic topics, and Nora Roberts writes about them well in these two novels. Definitely a great addition to any romance collection.

This is another one of those reprints of early Nora Roberts, so if you are not a big fan of category romance, you might want to skip it. I enjoyed these two books. I thought her writing style was not as solid and polished as it was in later books, but still, I found these books to be entertaining. There is no suspense just the story of two couples falling in love.
In the first, Summer Desserts, pastry chef Summer gets tangled up with hotel owner Blake. I did find the obstacle keeping these two apart a little contrived. The book was interesting and kept my attention, but after it was over, I didn't find myself anxious to read it again.
The second novel is about Summer's friend Carlo. He is also a chef, and he is on a book signing tour to publicize his latest cookbook. He wants to help publicist Juliet loosen up and discover romance. Carlos is definitely a hero worthy of Nora Roberts. He manages to be chauvanistic and liberated, laid back and intense, and of course sexy as well. This book had me laughing. Of the two, I think this one is funnier. I expect to find myself reading it more often, but I am glad to have both to round out my collection.

I always enjoyed Nora Roberts, and I always liked reading an author's earlier works to sort of see how their writing has evolved. This is another one of her reprints, and so it is rather more romancy and straitforward, without the depth of her later works. However, I still found both stories entirely enjoyable, if rather light. Plus I always wondered about what exactly was going on in the kitchens of pricey high class restaurants.
Summer Deserts- When famous desserts chef Summer Lyndon ends up agreeing to run the kitchen of an upscale Philadelphia restaraunt for the charming Blake Cochran, sparks explode as these two headstrong people clash repeatedly. Summer is fun and down to earth, and just what Blake needs. A highly entertaining romp full of bickering chefs and a very interesting set of parents.
Lessons Learned- When publicist Juliet Trent, a goal oriented, practical, modern day, and very ambitious career woman, with a weakness for shoes, lands a three week promotional book tour for Carlo Fanconi's newest cookbook, she just knows hes going to be trouble. Good old Carlo, equally famous as both lover and chef, takes one look at Juliet and is determined to teach her all about loving, and maybe a bit about cooking too! Carlo is charming, Juliet is totally easy to sympathise with, from her weakness for wonderful shoes, to her exasperation with helpless authors, department store workers, and erporters. A thoroughly engaging story.

"Table for Two" is a reprint of two of Nora Roberts' classic romances, and it is excellent. The characters are all likable and interesting, and the fact of the matter is, nobody writes romance like Nora Roberts. I thoroughly enjoyed both of the stories that make up this book and find myself halfway in love with both the heroes. Though I giggled at a few of the references that place these stories firmly in the eighties, these few instances are to be expected from books written more than 15 years ago and could not take away from my enjoyment of these stories as a whole.

The first tale, "Summer Desserts", introduces Summer Lyndon, a world-renowned French pastry chef whose life is spent jetting from one exotic locale to another to prepare a single stunning dessert before moving on. Summer has always avoided tying herself down to any one place, so when American hotel magnate Blake Cocharan III asks her to remodel and manage the restaurant of the Philadelphia Cocharan House, Summer's not quite sure why she doesn't just dismiss his request right away. But the truth is, Summer can't dismiss this proposal or Blake himself. There is an instant attraction between the two, and Blake is just as fascinated by Summer as Summer is by Blake. Deciding it might be a welcome change in her lifestyle, Summer agrees to take the job, and gets down to work on the restaurant.
But the dangerously [good looking] Blake is highly distracting to Summer, and though it's against her better judgement, she can't deny the attraction between them any longer. A passionate and exciting romance ensues, and Blake finds himself falling in love with Summer. Knowing his own heart and that Summer has become his life, Blake proposes, only to be rejected by a terrified and confused Summer, who has sworn off marriage because of her parents. But though she has effectively thrown Blake out of her life, it's not so easy to get him out of her heart. Will Summer come to her senses and realize that sometimes love is forever? Or will her fear of commitment keep Blake and Summer apart, and miserable, forever?

The second tale, "Lessons Learned", tells the story of Summer's best friend, Carlo Franconi, a world class Italian chef and notorious playboy. Promoting his newest cookbook, Carlo travels to the U.S. where he meets his pretty publicist, Juliet Trent. The unfailingly organized and proper Juliet intrigues Carlo from the first, and she finds him gorgeous [good looking]and totally off limits. The two begin Carlo's three-week book tour across America, and the chemistry and tension between Carlo and Juliet intensifies each day. Juliet never mixes business with pleasure, but the sight of dozens of beautiful women latching onto Carlo at every stop brings on an unexpected, and unwelcome, flare of jealousy. As the tour goes on, Carlo finds his interest in other women waning rapidly, as his desire for Juliet grows. It takes a while, but a romance between Carlo and Juliet begins. Juliet is surprised by Carlo's innate generosity of spirit and compassion, and the tenderness and passion he shows her begins to break down her emotional defences.
It's not long before Carlo realizes that Juliet means more to him than any woman before her, and he discovers a deep vulnerability where she is concerned. Carlo desperately needs Juliet to trust him, but that is one thing she cannot do. Influenced by his past as a womanizer, Juliet finds it impossible to believe in Carlo's love for her. As the tour comes to an end, Carlo is frantic not to lose Juliet, so he asks her to come to Rome with him and be his wife. But Juliet just can't, or won't, believe in Carlo's sincerity, and so she turns her back on the only man she'll ever love. Will Juliet come to her senses and see what's really in Carlo's heart? Or will she stubbornly refuse to see the truth, forsaking Carlo, and her happiness, for all time?

"Lessons Learned" was perhaps my favourite of the two, though I loved both stories. Reading about Carlo's demonstrations and recipes gave me an intense craving for pasta, which just goes to show you how vivid and engrossing Nora Roberts' writing is. If you enjoy a good love story then this book is for you. With handsome and considerate heroes and strong, independent heroines, "Table for Two" is sure to satisfy your craving for romance. You just can't miss with Nora Roberts, and I hope Silhouette doesn't stop until ALL her old books have been re-printed. "Table for Two" will tantalize the senses and warm the hearts of readers everywhere, and I most definitely recommend it!

Table For Two proves a delectable gormandizing experience with two light-hearted Harlequin romance from Nora Roberts topped with her vast knowledge of Italian and French haute cuisine as a garnish. Summer Desserts, the first story is about the fiercely independent French chef Summer Lyndon finding herself attracted to smarmy and suave hotelier Blake Cochran. Love conflicts with Summer's career and causes an avalanche of control issues in a dramatic high. The more enjoyable fare turns out to be Lessons Learned when notorious skirt-chaser Carlo Franconi unwittingly surrenders to Juliet Trent, his publicist who finds a heart behind his devastating facade. It is fluffy romance with a dose of humor and fairy-tale charm. The insecurities of Juliet and his reputation as a playboy proves disastrous for their fragile trust. What makes this book irresistible is Ms. Roberts's flair and sumptuous descriptions of the dishes which makes it a nice indulgent treat for romance fans.

This is the first Nora Roberts book I have read, but from what I have seen, it certainly won't be my last. I was attracted to Table for Two because I liked the idea of two central characters being chefs. I figured, hey, I love reading, and I love food, so what could be better than a combination of the two? These stories are a meal that leave you satisfied. I'm just disappointed that it's fiction: I wish I could have a guy like Blake Cocharan or Carlo Franconi (yum!) - or at the very least some of the mouth-watering desserts Nora Roberts has her character cook up!

I really, really enjoyed this pair of great stories. Both of the female leads were career women, independent and successful, I found myself admiring Juliet especially. Their careers take unexpected turns when they meet the most exasperating men they will ever work with (and love). In the first story, Summer is hired by hotel mogul Blake Cochran to revamp the kitchen of one of his properties. The second story pairs globetrotting chef Carlo Franconi with straight-laced publicist Juliet Trent as they promote his latest book. Carlo is introduced in the first story as a friend of Summer.

Both stories were extremely enjoyable and a cool glimpse into a world otherwise unknown to me. And food...always a great topic! Highly recommended!

This is by far the worst of the books that Nora Roberts has ever written. To say that I was disappointed is an understatement. I didn't even finish the 2nd book b/c I was so bored with it. There is none of the usual Nora Roberts style in this book. Looks like she just wrote it to meet a deadline. I have 95% of Nora Roberts books from the day she started writing and this is one that has made me feeling really sad, because this is not her usual standard.

I enjoyed this book but was somewhat disappointed. I kept thinking I had read this same book under a different title and with only the names changed. I would still buy the book again and recommend it to someone who enjoys decent, light reading and love stories.

i CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF NORA ROBERTS BOOKS, SHE CAN'T WRITE THEM FAST ENOUGH TO SUIT MY TASTE. TABLE FOR TWO IS ANOTHER GREAT READ BY NORA. I ESPECIALLY LIKED SUMMER DESSERTS, BUT NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT LESSONS LEARNED. I LIKE HER CHARACTERS THEY AS USUAL HAVE A LOT OF DEPTH AND CHARACTER, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU KNOW THEM BEFORE THE END OF THE STORY AND ARE ROOTING FOR THEM. HER LOVE SCENES ARE SENSUAL WITHOUT BEING TOO OVER THE TOP, LETS YOUR OWN IMIGINATION WORK ALITTLE.
KEEP WRITING THOSE WONDERFUL STORIES.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW QUINN BROTHERS BOOK.

DEBBIE T.