Prep Work by P.D. Singer
August 17, 2011
M/M Romance
E-Book, Novella
Dreamspinner Press

Reviewed by Mandi

All celebrity chef Jude Marshall wants is an easy, plain meal. On a one night break from shooting his show, Jude Marshall Tastes. he finds himself in London at a pub. He doesn’t want to eat any more insects, or crazy spicy food that he often finds himself eating for his show. He wants something simple. So when he orders split pea soup, and it comes out with a fancy garnish, Jude can’t hold his complaints in.

But he quickly shuts up when the chef of the pub, Tommy Bell comes out. Tommy recognizes him from the show – and actually is a huge fan of his. Tommy owns the one cookbook Jude wrote a long time ago and wants him to autograph it. Realizing Tommy is very busy in the pub and itching to be back in a kitchen, Jude offers to help out for the night. After some flirting in the kitchen, their time together extends to overnight.

Prep Work is a short novella, about 50 pages, but really provides a nice story in a short amount of time. Jude is a little more on the cranky side, tired from traveling, eating crazy food and always being alone. He is known for not always having a filter and just saying what is on his mind. At first he likes that he is recognized by Tommy, but after just a few minutes with him in the kitchen, he wants to get to know him better. With the ebb and flow of being back to cooking in a kitchen, it reenergizes Jude. He is able to teach Tommy some short cuts in the kitchen and he admires the kind of food and philosophy Tommy brings to his pub.

Let’s not forget the smexy romance scenes either. And the author reminds us that Tommy has worked in a kitchen all day:

“Not yet. You smell too good.” I stroked my cheek against his on the way to his neck; it was late enough that our almost –stubble rasped together, and then I could breathe deeply of warm Tommy and his craft. The butter and herbs that had glazed the filet clung to his hair, faint traces of the spicy tomato-based sauce for the eggplant wafted from his skin, and I tried to devour them all.

While Jude enjoys the different aromas, he quickly get to body parts that were not exposed to the kitchen all day. *ahem*

The drama comes into play when it is time for Jude to get going back to New York City, after only one night with Tommy. Again, for a novella, I like how the conflict plays out. It doesn’t feel rushed, nor does the end feel unrealistic.

This is the first I’ve read of P.D.Singer but I enjoy her voice in this one.

Rating: B

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