JORDAN RILEY, a twenty-nine-year-old chef at the luxurious Wilshire Palm Hotel in Los Angeles, California, wants nothing to do with the Hollywood lifestyle sheâs surrounded by. After being abandoned by her father and devastated by her motherâs death, Jordan goes forward alone, knowing that only she can control her future. Her focus becomes convincing her boss to open his own restaurant and hire her as sous-chef, pushing aside any other distractions that may come her way, including love.
Until she meets Hollywoodâs most eligible bachelor, Daniel Hutchinson, who wants nothing more than to settle down with someone he can trust to not use him for his fame. Danielâs previous relationships, including his Hollywood actress ex-wife, have all proved to be fruitless and canât seem to fade into the background. But Jordanâs lack of love in past relationships leads her down a path of self-doubt and fear sheâs never experienced before. Afraid of the media, Danielâs fans, and love itself, Jordan rethinks whether being with a celebrity is worth it at all.
JORDAN RILEY, a twenty-nine-year-old chef at the luxurious Wilshire Palm Hotel in Los Angeles, California, wants nothing to do with the Hollywood lifestyle sheâs surrounded by. After being abandoned by her father and devastated by her motherâs death, Jordan goes forward alone, knowing that only she can control her future. Her focus becomes convincing her boss to open his own restaurant and hire her as sous-chef, pushing aside any other distractions that may come her way, including love.
Until she meets Hollywoodâs most eligible bachelor, Daniel Hutchinson, who wants nothing more than to settle down with someone he can trust to not use him for his fame. Danielâs previous relationships, including his Hollywood actress ex-wife, have all proved to be fruitless and canât seem to fade into the background. But Jordanâs lack of love in past relationships leads her down a path of self-doubt and fear sheâs never experienced before. Afraid of the media, Danielâs fans, and love itself, Jordan rethinks whether being with a celebrity is worth it at all.
Great, that bitch is here. [m1] I rushed to the sitting area of the hotel lobby, avoiding eye contact with the blonde front desk troll I often had run-ins with. She had once strolled over to where I sat to inform me that I smelled like fried meat and appeared âunappealingâ to the guests we served.
âYou should run back to the kitchen where you belong,â [m2] sheâd mused. I had offered her my middle finger and told her to quit using bleach in her hair as it was killing what little brain cells she had left. She had stomped away in a huff. I never bothered to learn her name, but Basic Becky worked just fine. Those little interactions helped shape our hate-hate relationship.
The hotel lobby wasnât my preferred resting place for a break, but it beat the back alley. The chain-smoking hotel employees and homeless men urinating on the dumpsters helped my decision to keep my distance. Lying my feet on the table in front of me, I scanned the rest of the front desk attendants, whoâsadlyâshared Basic Beckyâs view of the chefs in the hotel kitchen. These trolls treated us like we were beneath them. A hierarchy of indentured servants made little sense since we all worked for the one guy who made millions off our backs. We were slaves to the Wilshire Palm HotelâI never understood the disdain.
I strategically chose a spot on the couch blocked by the array of massive plant life. Everyone, including Becky, remained busy answering phones and running to the back office. Thankfully, no one noticed me. I felt confident I could continue to rest in peace since the lobby had a minimal amount of foot traffic.
I left the rest of my kitchen uniform in my locker, leaving me with a white T-shirt and black pants. I pulled out my phone, and then reversed the camera to make sure I wasnât a mess. The light circles that had formed under my eyes indicated I desperately needed a vacation. With a heavy sigh, I sat back and continued to scroll through my phone for the dayâs news.
My head snapped up when I heard a woman yelling at the top of her lungs in the distance. I peered around the plants in front of me and saw the cause of the commotion. She came from the main entrance, fleeing the paparazzi outside. The high-powered flashes continued through the windows, blinding all of us in the lobby.
âYou left me out there!â [m3] she wailed over her shoulder.
She was a stunning, tall, olive-skinned brunette in designer jeans and a crisp, white button-down blouse. I sighed. Her outfit probably cost more than my car. Her extensions draped around her flawless boobs, highlighting her flat stomach. I loathed her already.
âI didnât leave you. I was trying to get away from the goddamn cameras. Had you not stopped like we were on a red carpet, you could have been with me.â[m4]Â Â A man in his early 30s, wearing a simple white T-shirt and jeans, followed behind her. He tried not to yell at her volume but failed, given his obvious irritation. He stopped a few feet from me, looking after her as she continued to move farther away from him.
âDarcy!â he said, exasperated, his hands on his hips.
She barreled towards the elevator doors behind me as they opened, and drove towards the back of the car, ignoring the guests trying to move out of her way. The woman I now knew as Darcy, leaned against the farthest wall and stared daggers at the man by my side.
I put my phone facedown on the couch, fascinated by the spectacle before me. She was pissed at him, while he just looked exhausted. Her high-maintenance, manicured life didnât fit well with this man. I couldnât imagine how tiring it mustâve been to live up to a social media persona, let alone have a relationship with one.
The genuine red leather lounge chair beside me was not as comfortable as the presumed high price tag attached would imply, but it became this manâs landing place to catch his breath. He leaned back, exhaling, and shaking his head.
I worked in one of the most famous luxury hotels in Los Angeles. I was used to seeing stars, but I couldnât place this guy. I stared at his face a little longer than I should have, causing him to look in my direction. I averted my eyes just as he found mine. He continued to stare at me, creating an overwhelming feeling of self-consciousness in the pit of my stomach.
âSo, howâs your day going[m5]Â ?â I said to break the tension, then peeked at him.
He softly laughed while looking around the lobby. âDo you think anyone got any of that with their phones?â His smile faded.
âI wouldnât worry about it. Itâs pretty slow.â My sympathy for him wanted to remove his uneasinessâhe had enough to deal with.
He extended his hand and gave a half smile. âDaniel Hutchinson. Obviously, Iâm a relationship expert.â
I snorted a laugh and extended my hand in return. âJordan Riley. I think Iâm observing the decline of your career, Daniel.â
A full smile spread across his ridiculously handsome face, triggering my memory. He was that music artist who also dabbled in Hollywood. He made a few movies occasionally, but arenas were his home. I wasnât a fan, but Iâd seen him on a couple of late-night talk shows. Iâd also caught one of his unfortunate movie roles while scrolling through channels one night. He wasnât an awful actor, he just seemed to pick fantastically shitty roles. His humor was dry, but he had a good head for comedy. He had also married another stunning woman who acted in shitty movies too. I only remembered because even the news channels had a blurb about his divorce. Apparently, he was a big deal.
His eyes were the color of the deep part of the ocean, almost sapphire. The five oâclock shadow he wore looked good on him but clean-shaven, heâd be just as impressive. He appeared not too stiff or stuck-up. He was cute in a boy next door kind of way. I understood why millions of women adored him. Iâd also caught videos of him dancing. A talented dancer usually equated to being gifted inâŚother areas. I didnât know why or how this stereotype started, but I could personally attest to its validity.
Danielâs warm hand released mine. He set his elbows on his knees, and his hands covered his face.
âAre you okay[m6]Â ?â I asked.
He nodded with his head still in his hands. My sympathy was turning into full-blown heartbreak for this guy. I wanted to help.
âListen,â I leaned forward, âI donât know you or her, but I think you might need a break. I get youâre a ârelationship expert,â but youâre not doing too hot with this one.â
He removed his hands and nodded again, staring at the ground. âYouâre right. I need to get my head together before I talk to her. God knows sheâs probably doing a live feed in tears right now.â He leaned back in the chair. âWhat the hell am I doing?â he whispered.
I hesitated for a few moments. The control freak within couldnât let him sit there, stewing in his own tormentâsomeone needed to take the reins. I grabbed my phone and rose.
âCome on[m7]Â ,â I said, standing over him.
He glanced up at me, confusion washing over his dashing face. âWhere are we going?â
I checked my watch. âYou need another room[m8]Â .â
He waited, then nodded and stood. I turned in the other direction and walked towards the front desk. I peered back at him then faced forward, instantly irritated at the sight of the blonde hotel troll standing before me. Her name tag read Magda. Basic Becky was much more acceptable.
Magda gave me a phony smile as her eyes traveled me up and down. âAnd what can I do for you?â[m9]Â
Really, bitch? I called on my patience to not take hold of her ponytail and slam her pointy chin into the keyboard. I gave her a fuck-you grin right back. âMr. Hutchinson here needs another room.âÂ
She looked past me to see Daniel. Her jaw dropped.
âOh! Um, yes, Mr. Hutchinson. Iâm sorry about that. Is your current room⌠Uh, does it not fit to your liking? I mean, itâs not good for you to be in it?â [m10] She stumbled to get out the right words, and I laughed at her inability to accomplish such a task. She side-eyed me before taking a moment to regulate her breathing. âIs something wrong with the room?â
âThere it is,â I whispered, then smirked.
He moved closer to Magda and smiled. âOh no, everythingâs great. I just need a different room for a night or two, if thatâs alright[m11]Â ?â
She gawked at him and stopped breathing for a moment. I reached six inches from her wicked little nose and snapped my fingers. She blinked, and Daniel chuckled.
âOf-Of course!â Magda typed on her computer. âIâm afraid the other penthouses are taken. Would a suite be okay?â
âYes, thatâs fine. Iâll take whatever you have[m12]Â ,â he said to her as he continued looking at me.
âIâm so sorry about that,â she responded, and glanced at him.
âDonât worry about it.â
She placed the room cards in front of him. âSuite 532.â I saw a twinkle in her eye as courage emerged from her nervousness. âIâll throw in complimentary champagne and strawberries for you too.â[m13]Â Â She suggestively leaned forward, dawning her cleavage at him.Â
I snorted loudly. She glared at me, then relaxed her posture. âThink you can fetch that for him?â[m14]Â
My head snapped in her direction. âYou know whatâ?â [m15]Â
Daniel dragged me by my arm towards the elevator before I could give Basic Becky the verbal beatdown she deserved.
I turned and looked at his hand around my arm. âHey!â I tried to get away, but Daniel was too strong.
Once we reached the polished steel doors, he let me go. âYouâve got a bit of a temper[m16]Â ,â he said with a sideways smirk. âMaybe I should hire you to be my bodyguard.â
I looked at the front desk again. âThat would be very expensive for you.â
âSheâs not coming after you. You can relax[m17] .â He pressed the UP button.
I shifted back to him and straightened my clothes. âSorry, something about those red-and-gray jackets gets to me.â
He chuckled. âYeah, there are several studies on the internet showing how the colors red and gray make people volatile. Triggering hormones that make you wanna punch other individuals in their faces,â he chided.
I smiled. âSee, itâs a legitimate threat immersed in our DNA. I wasnât overreacting at all,â I teased.
He continued to smile at me. I exhaled and turned away. There was too much conversation going on between us. He seemed like a decent guy, not the average overinflated star, but he was a guest who also had a girlfriend, regardless of how immature she was. I was neither a groupie nor a fan. I had a job to do, and I was running late to do it.
I faced him. âMr. Hutchinson, itâs been interesting, but I have to get back to work.â
âWhere do you work?â
âDownstairs in the kitchen. Iâm a chef,â I said, looking at my watch again.
He smiled. âNice.â
I extended my hand. âI truly hope you have a better evening.â
He gingerly took it. âIt was a pleasure to meet you, Jordan. And seriously, thank you.[m18]Â â His eyes softened. I slowly removed my hand from his, feeling the warmth of his fingers slip away, sending goose bumps up my arm.
âNo problem.â I timidly gave him a one-handed wave goodbye, and turned towards the stairwell across the lobby, feeling the weight of his stare as I walked away.
Â
As soon as I started reading this book I knew it was going to be something special. I began reading it on the morning of one day and finished it the following morning. I think I would have had it read sooner, but real life kept me away from it.
The main characters, Jordan and Daniel, are great. Often with this calibre of character - a superstar - there can be an element of conceitedness in that particular character, but Daniel was down to earth and this makes him oh so endearing! Jordan is a lovely character too. Although she is very stubborn, she has good reason to be so and this helps to endear her to the reader.
The author put so much detail into all of the characters, this really came through in the narrative. The same can be said about the area in which the story is based. The author has researched everything superbly and this really adds to the calibre of the characters and their surroundings.
The story is very in depth, both of the main characters are explored in great detail and this adds so much to the storyline. The way they act, how they react, all of this makes sense because the author has put so much detail into this story.
The author has done a brilliant job at capturing the attention of the reader with her very real and loveable main characters, plus a sprinkling of secondary characters who are a delight also. Naturally there are one or two unsavoury characters that cause mischief and mayhem, but they are very much background characters - that said, they also have as much depth and dimension as the main characters.
The storyline fits in really well with the modern day, again, so much attention to detail really brings this story alive. The sights, the sounds, the pace of life in this particular city. How life works in Los Angeles, all the details have been interwoven with the story giving the reader a clear view of the lives of Jordan and Daniel.
In a nutshell, this is a perfect feel good read, highly recommended for anyone who loves this genre. It is very well written, and highly researched, the attention to detail is second to none.
This book is rated as a five-star read and an absolute MUST for all romance novel readers.
SUPERB!