The Secret Ingredient Rivalry — Shari Malin

Julian Dubois is a classically trained French chef, known for his relentless precision and adherence to culinary rules. When he inherits a failing, beloved American diner, his plan is simple: gut the comfort food and install a Michelin-worthy menu to finally prove his worth to his unforgiving father.The only thing standing in his way is the previous owner's granddaughter, Chloe Maxwell, a fiery, self-taught baker famous for her comforting, unconventional recipes—and a wildly popular food blog. She views Julian's upgrade plan as a heartless eviction and an insult to her family's legacy.Forced to pool their opposing skills for a high-stakes local culinary competition, they are thrust into close quarters, where every shared spat, every ruined ingredient, and every forbidden laugh brings them closer to the one thing they refuse to admit: they need each other.The competition demands they master a centuries-old preservation method—one that requires Julian's meticulous precision and Chloe's fearless instinct. But as the rivalry simmers down into something far hotter, they find that the true secret ingredient they must master is the courage to share the vulnerable, bitter truths they've kept hidden for years.Can the rules of a classical kitchen mix with the heart of a home cook, or will their differences—and Julian's sabotaging father—destroy the diner and their chance at a perfect, slow-burn romance?