Taste on My Tongue: Kitchen Gods Prequel, Beth Bolden

Landon and Quentin are a sweet couple in the making and I got to know them through the Kitchen Gods series before I read this story.  What I was expecting wasn't exactly what we got, but what was presented was mostly sweet with a bit of secrets that had the potential to complicate things.

Landon's POV is the only one we get and I can't say I was in love with that.  Even with a shorter story, as this one is, we really needed something to balance Landon's more high-strung personality.  He dominated every scene and not only because we're in his head all the time.  There were times that I wasn't convinced of his sincerity because despite the sweeter moments of connection, there were so many times we went straight back into his self-serving behaviors.  Rarely did we see Landon thinking about Quentin's needs, what he deserved from Landon, and I think it became a flaw that didn't really go away.  On the other hand, we can see that most of that is a cover for his insecurities and where we ended up went quite a way to soothing my frustrations.

I felt there was a bit of an imbalance between both characters, not in their relationship, but in the attention given to each of them, and didn't get a chance to connect with Quentin much at all.  He was the softer, more understanding, more grounded of the pair and I would have loved to hear from him.

The whole story would likely have benefitted from Quent's insight though I will say that this story was more about Landon's evolution and Quent was a part of it as well as a catalyst for Landon's new outlook.  It was less about the relationship itself, but how it helped Landon to find what he needed.  What he needed gave him the strength to let go of those things holding him down and ultimately gave him wings, a freedom and a peace he hadn't yet experienced.

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Almost pop-star Landon Patton has just turned a corner on the worst two years of his life: dropped by his label and dumped by his ungrateful ex-boyfriend. However, his new agent's brilliant plan for Landon's superstardom doesn’t have anything to do with his music – it’s called Kitchen Wars, and it’s the hottest new reality show on TV.

Landon wishes he could have nothing to do with it.

Since the first morning he mixed flour and water, Quentin Maxwell knew he wanted to be a baker. After becoming the pastry chef at a popular LA bakery, anyone else might be satisfied. But Quen wants to call his own shots. Going on Kitchen Wars to win the money for his own bakery seems like a huge risk, but maybe it's worth it.

They’re an unlikely pair. Landon can’t even figure out how to turn an oven on, while Quentin makes his living with one. But with each passing week on Kitchen Wars, they discover what a great team they make – on set, off set, and between the sheets.

Winning should be everything, but what happens when the tastiest pairing is their own?