He has risen from the gutters to become a powerful man--London's foremost barrister, Mr. Gladstone's right hand in the House of Commons. She is a woman who spends her days in the kitchen. A chance encounter changes both their lives, but she disappears at dawn, leaving behind no name, no address, and only a pair of muddy galoshes.
Ten years later, the last thing Stuart Somerset expects, as he arrives at his new country estate following the unexpected death of his elder brother Bertie, is to fall in love with the delicacies from the kitchen of Madame Verity Durant, Bertie's mysterious and notorious cook. Little does he know, Madame Durant and his lost beloved are one and the same, and he stands to lose his hard-won respectability were he to follow the yearnings of his heart.
A Cinderella story as delectable as a belle époque feast, this is a must-read for fans of Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs.
"A Cinderella story with a compelling culinary twist, Thomas' scrumptious Victorian confection proves impossible to resist... Thomas shows that hunger for passion, and madeleines, never dies."
--Publishers Weekly
"A skillful mix of past and present and complex, beautifully realized characters bring to life a unique, multilayered story of love, loss, and reconciliation. Rarely have food and culinary expertise been made so exquisitely essential to the overall feel of a romance... A "delicious" romance meant to be savored."
--Library Journal (Starred Review)
"4 1/2 Stars, Top Pick! Thomas dazzles with her intelligent, compelling story and memorable characters. This well-crafted romance places her among the very finest of the next generation of authors."
--Romantic Times
"Sherry Thomas neatly blends subtly nuanced characters, a stylishly detailed late Victorian setting, and a sublime, fairy-tale inspired romance into an irresistible literary treat."
--Chicago Tribune
"Delicious food and passionate sex make for a delightful and delicious combination."
--Fresh Fiction
"To my happy pleasure and vexing frustration, despite having had exactly 3.5 hours of sleep the night before, Sherry Thomas' Delicious kept me reading when I would have loved to have mashed my face against the bulkhead and slept."
--Smart Bitches Who Read Trashy Books
"Delicious is the second novel from Sherry Thomas, whose dynamite debut Private Arrangements knocked our socks off last year... Delicious is packed with engaging characters, gripping dialogue, a devious plot, steamy sex and smart writing... Get it!"
--Reader to Reader blog
"Delicious abounds in sensual flavors, pleasurable touches, and bittersweet urges... a passionate, amusing, and sorrowful romance that is hard to put down. 4 out of 5 Blue Ribbon Rating."
--Romance Junkies
"Delicious just about says it all: Sherry Thomas's second novel is a multi-course banquet of delectable story-telling, scrumptious characters, and delightful verbal treats."
--The Romance Reader
"I found Delicious to be a fascinating tale written in a very eloquent style."
--Night Owl Romance
"A very enjoyable read."
--Curled Up With A Good Book blog