Dining with Joy by Rachel Hauck

Dining with Joy (A Lowcountry Romance, #3) (Center Point Christian Romance (Large Print))

by Rachel Hauck

"Chef" Joy Ballard longs for a simpler life. But when a good-looking outsider arrives and spices things up, life becomes deliciously complicated.

Host of a regionally syndicated cooking show, Joy Ballard has a little secret: she can't cook. But when her show is picked up by a major network and given a prime time slot, her world heats up faster than a lowcountry boil.

Enter Luke Redmond: handsome, creative, and jobless after having to declare bankruptcy of his Manhatten restaurant. When her producers ask him to co-host the show, Joy sees Luke as her way out. But Luke sees much more than just a co-host in Joy.

Their relationship begins to simmer on and off set. Until Joy's secret is revealed and her reputation is ruined on national television by her rival, Wenda Devine.

But could Devine's cruelty be a divine gift? Losing Luke--and her sister--forces Joy to consider where her worth really comes from. Could God be cooking up an even bigger adventure from the mess? And will Joy hang on long enough to find out?

Reviewed by cherryblossommj on

4 of 5 stars

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I am in complete love with Rachel's Low Country Romance series. These novels are calm yet romantically tense. The characters are real and quirky and the heroes are heart beating hunks on the page. I thoroughly enjoyed [b:Sweet Caroline|2288199|Sweet Caroline|Rachel Hauck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441507149l/2288199._SY75_.jpg|2294406], and [b:Love Starts with Elle|2288200|Love Starts with Elle |Rachel Hauck|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442881730l/2288200._SY75_.jpg|2294407] remains one of my favorite contemporary Christian romances to this day and ending with "Dining with Joy" I'm a content reader.

Beaufort, South Carolina is the place to be. Joy Ballard leads an interesting life as a faux cooking host for a show becoming more and more popular. Watching the relationship start from the first jingle of the diner door to on camera and cross country with Chef Luke Davis is beautiful and fun. Wondering how it will end and which way they will go when big decisions need to be made was tense. Side characters of Lyric, Rosie, and Anne-Rae bring life elements to the page. Plenty of space for discussion and conversation starters this is a great book for many people to enjoy.

I love Rachel's narrative voice in this series and I cannot wait for more romantic journeys from her imagination in the future. Life decisions and following God's will are not always easy, but watching these characters learn to listen is an inspiration for any reader's own life. Reading about Joy Ballard, was truly a joy. ;)


*Thanks to Jeane Wynn of Wynn Wynn Media for providing an ARC for review.*

Originally reviewed at Creative Madness Mama: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2010/11/16/dining-with-joy-by-rachel-hauck/

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 26 October, 2010: Finished reading
  • 26 October, 2010: Reviewed