In Old Town Alexandria, New York transplant and former model and a recent CIA grad (Culinary Institute of America that is) Roxanne Rayeaux opens up a new restaurant Charters Fish House where she will also serve as the pastry chef. She leaves open the door to her new Virginia apartment so after knocking, her upstairs neighbor historian and bartender Steve Serrano enters to introduce himself to his new boss. Instead he frightens Roxanna and her cat Cheeto before she throws him out.

Steve works at the Charters Fish House to give him access to the restaurant as he is actually looking for a historical document that he thinks is somewhere on the premises of this old edifice. Roxanne meets the current workers of the failing restaurant and lays down her changes starting with organs to a disbelieving staff and puts Steve in his place when he tries to explain that before management ruined the place six months ago, it was a success. As he and his boss argue they fall in love while break-ins and other nasty activity occur as others seek what Steve wants (that is besides his employer). Steve also worries that Roxanne will end their relationship once she learns about his undercover sleuthing.

This is a fun contemporary romance starring two likable lead protagonists and a terrific support cast. The war of words between them is worth the price of admission as the two combatants battle with one another as much as each one wrestles with their growing attraction to each other. Elaine Fox provides a sly sweet tale of love in the kitchen and a few other places.

Harriet Klausner