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Book Review: Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kaye

April 27, 2009 by Darlene

Too Hot to Handle by Robin Kaye is the second installment in the Domestic Gods series. The first was Romeo, Romeo which was a huge hit with me and Too Hot to Handle wasn’t any different. Robin has a definite knack for writing a captivating romantic comedy that will have you laughing one minute and blushing the next.

In Too Hot to Handle we meet Dr. Mike Flynn. He’s single, gorgeous and a doctor. To top that off he loves to cook and clean. He grew up with a single mother and she made sure to teach him right. On the other hand we have Annabelle Ronaldi who couldn’t cook to save her life, nor is she very interested in keeping house. She used to be an artist but since her fiance’s death years ago she’s been unable to paint. She’s coming off of a breakup with her latest boyfriend who was pretty much a loser.

Annabelle and Mike meet at her sister, Rosalie’s wedding. They’ve both had too much to drink but when Annabelle first sees Mike she is reminded of her deceased fiance and she is stunned. They end up going back to Annabelle’s place and have a hot and steamy night together. When they wake up in the morning Mike is sure this is the woman he’s always dreamed of spending his life with but Annabelle insists on keeping him at arm’s length. It’s kind of creepy how much he resembles her dead fiance yet she can’t help but be really attracted to him.

So begins what makes this story a little more than just a standard romantic comedy—you’ve got the added element of the mystery surrounding just why Mike looks so much like Annabelle’s dead fiance. What unfolds is a web of family secrets and lies that threaten the very foundation of the relationship that Mike and Annabelle are building. Mike is a character that you can’t help but love. He’s good looking, good in the kitchen and bedroom and he’s a kind and compassionate doctor. I really liked Annabelle too-she’s quite funny in her complete inability to do anything domestic and her constant running and hiding from her Italian mother who wants nothing more than to have her married off.

As with her first novel, Robin Kaye had me hooked with this one too. It’s a fun break for me to read her novels and when I had the chance to read Too Hot to Handle I jumped at it. Certainly I wanted more of the Ronaldi family and I can’t wait for more. I’m not usually one for romantic novels at all anymore but Robin Kaye has become a favorite author of mine with this series. I love when a novel has me laughing out loud and cheering on the characters as if they were my own friends and family. There is quite a bit of hanky panky within the pages of Too Hot to Handle to spice up anyone’s life. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to get away from life for a while and be hugely entertained. As a note you don’t have to read Romeo, Romeo first to read this one. They both stand alone just fine but if you’re anything like me and get hooked on the Ronaldi family, you’ll find yourself wanting to read both.

Too Hot to Handle releases on May 1, 2009 and you can purchase it here in the US and here in Canada. Also, be sure to pop over to Robin’s website and take a look around.

Thanks go to Danielle with Sourcebooks for sending me Too Hot to Handle and be sure to pop by tomorrow for a guest post with Robin Kaye along with a giveway of my very own copies of Too Hot to Handle and Romeo, Romeo.
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Filed Under: 100+ Reading Challenge 2009, 2009 ARC Reading Challenge, 2009 Book Reviews, Sourcebooks Blog Tours

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mary says

    April 27, 2009 at 3:08 pm

    Another one to add to the list! Fun review, Dar. I have Romeo, Romeo on my Kindle just waiting for me 🙂

  2. Blodeuedd says

    April 27, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    Sounds fun, and who wouldn’t want a man like that 😉

  3. Violet says

    April 27, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    I had heard lots of good things about Romeo Romeo. Glad to know this one’s good too.

  4. Sandy Nawrot says

    April 27, 2009 at 4:05 pm

    I’m not a big romance girl, but they are a nice change, huh? The only issue I think I would have is that I truly don’t believe they make guys that are all of the things you described…if I can’t find a defect, even a small one, I’m suspicious!!

  5. Nely says

    April 27, 2009 at 4:28 pm

    This sounds absolutely adorable. I love books like this. I squeeze them in every time I get a chance. Mind candy!

  6. Julie at Outlandish Dreaming says

    April 27, 2009 at 4:51 pm

    I’m eager to read this one too, I loved Romeo, Romeo, so I’m delighted to hear this one is as good! Great review!

  7. Serena says

    April 27, 2009 at 5:07 pm

    sounds like a good book!

  8. Toni says

    April 27, 2009 at 5:28 pm

    Sounds like a fun change Dar… might have to have fun with this series sometime. You had me on this one.

  9. Marie Burton says

    April 27, 2009 at 6:50 pm

    And don’t forget to send your Friends over Here at The Burton Review for the Q&A with Robin 🙂

    Great Review!

  10. Amber says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:12 pm

    “Follow Me by Joanna Scott is many things; a tale of heartbreak, tragedy, guilt and redemption. You will be drawn into Sally’s life and journey and you will want to know where she lands when it’s all over.”

    Great summary!

  11. MJ says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:43 pm

    This sounds really good. You’ve made me want to read it!!

  12. Staci says

    April 27, 2009 at 7:47 pm

    Good lord, I had a hard time getting my eyes off that bright yellow towel!! Loved your review Dar!!

  13. Robin Kaye says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:25 pm

    Thanks so much for the great review, Dar! I’m thrilled you liked Too Hot to Handle. I’m just doing revisions for Breakfast In Bed which should be out November or December–I’m having such a good time with it, I hope you will too.

    All the best,

    Robin 🙂

  14. The Book Resort says

    April 27, 2009 at 9:55 pm

    What a cover… I mean, sounds like a good read. lol.

  15. Melody says

    April 28, 2009 at 1:18 am

    Sounds like a fun read, Dar!

  16. carolsnotebook says

    April 28, 2009 at 5:19 pm

    Sounds fun.

  17. naida says

    April 28, 2009 at 9:38 pm

    sounds good, great review!
    I like it when a book can make me luagh out loud too.
    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

  18. Ladytink_534 says

    April 29, 2009 at 6:13 pm

    I might have to pick up the first one in this series! This sounds like a fun read too.

  19. Wrighty says

    April 30, 2009 at 8:39 am

    This sounds like a really good series! I’m going to have to read both of these. I have an award for you HERE.

  20. Melissa says

    May 3, 2009 at 3:32 am

    This sounds cute. I almost entered your giveaway, but I have SO many books I need to read right now, I’d better refrain. (You saw my mailbox post!) 😀

  21. Dar says

    May 19, 2009 at 12:54 am

    Robin, thanks so much for popping in. I’m very late replying back but I can’t wait to read your next book!

    Mary, I hope you get a chance to tackle Romeo, Romeo on your Kindle soon.

    Sandy, lol. I have a hard time believing a man like that exists too but it’s sure fun imagining that one might.

    Everyone else, thanks for popping by. I hope you get a chance to read Too Hot to Handle and if you do, stop by and let me know so I can check out your review.

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