Table for One by Ros Clarke

Table for One Reviews

• 
  Penny Watson

  This has some of the most mouth-watering descriptions of food I have ever seen in romance. The food shines in this book...it is sensual, thoughtful, inspired. As always, Clarke's writing is lush and descriptive.
  
  I really liked the premise for the romance, too..."secret" food critic and hunky chef. My only disappointment was that this story was way too short. Just as their relationship was heating up, the story ended. I would love to see a follow-up story with these two characters.
  
  This quickie is a true amuse-bouche. One quick bite, absolutely delicious, a nice introduction to Clarke's writing voice.
  
  
• 
  Katie_la_geek

  
  
  It was alright for a short but nothing amazing.
• 
  Evie

  Table for One is delicious. Prepare to be seduced...
  
  Decadent food + sexy, what's not to like?
  
  Claudia's boyfriend, Andrew, breaks up with her on Valentine's Day, the jerk. Of all days, he chooses Valentine's to end their relationship, or what's left of it anyway. After both agree being in each other's company would only prove miserable and will do nothing to prevent their irrevocable break up, they part ways. Claudia makes up her mind and decides to go thru with what she's planned for that night. Guy or no guy, she's determined to dine at Ward's. Who wouldn't? The place takes reservations only, and to get on the list can be a matter of months. She's not about to wait months, plus she's there on a business mission not pleasure, or so she thinks.
  
  Ward, not only happens to be a recognized Chef; he's one of the top ten sexiest men in London (imagine that). What a combination, decadent food + sexy, NOT a recipe for disaster. This is a recipe for seconds, thirds, fourths, and however many more servings one might like. He finds the table originally reserved for two, is now for one. He sorta feels sorry for the woman that's been stood up, and decides the menu she is there to have, is simply not fit for a solo. He doesn't think anything of it until he catches a glimpse of her. Then, his seduction begins...
  
  Ward concoctes the most delightful courses. Claudia finds herself almost expiring in food ecstasy. The prelude to his seduction, is making love to her tastebuds first. You ought to read it, then you'll know what I mean.
  
  I can't say much more because I'll spoil it. The story is mouthwatering. Don't be surprised if it gets you craving seafood, a filet mignon, sweet potato casserole, sparagus, garlic rosemary potatoes, blue crab cakes, and a good bottle of wine...may I suggest a Cabernet Sauvignon? Oh I forgot... how's a creme brule and berries for dessert?
  
  Anytime I read short stories, I never know what to expect. Many romance shorts rush thru the character interactions, leave out details or jump quickly on to the next scene without full closure on the previous one. Table for One, however,goes above and beyond all expectations. In fact, the story is so well written, it doesn't even feel like a short but a full blown romance instead.
  
  One thing for sure, I'll be dreaming with food tonight. ;0)
  
  Book overview:
  
  "When food critic Claudia Thomas gets dumped on Valentine’s Day, she finds herself occupying a table for one at London’s hottest new restaurant. If her job wasn’t on the line, she’d skip the whole affair, but her editor’s waiting for a review—and with luck, an interview with sexy chef Ward Nicholls.
  
  Ward, intrigued by the single woman in a restaurant full of couples, sets out to tease her palate. Claudia has never tasted anything so luscious as the special meal Ward prepares for her, but when the seduction moves from the restaurant to his bedroom, Claudia discovers the only thing more tempting than his food is the chef himself.
  
  Their connection is instantaneous, sizzling, and spicy—until Claudia comes clean about her job, reopening a wound Ward had thought long-healed. Could one accidental lie of omission end a delicious relationship before it even has a chance to start?"
• 
  Stella

  My Thoughts: One tends to be sceptic when they see that a story is only 52 pages long, wondering how anyone could tell a good story with a beginning and an end, developed characters, detailed and rich writing, in short a riveting and enchanting story that doesn't leave the reader unsatisfied? Well I can only say that after you read Table for One by Ros Clarke (a mere morsel of story if you only look at its page count) you won't be a sceptic anymore. She demonstrates how it can be done and does it masterfully!
  
  Claudia has one of the best jobs in the world (at leats in my opinion): she is a restaurant critic. She spends her days and nights eating out at fashionable restaurants, sampling their specialties and then writing about her enjoyment of the meals. That's how she meets Ward, one of London's top chef and "Seventh Sexiest Man in London".
  
  "What could she say in her review? The scallop was delicious, especially when served by the sexiest man she’d ever met. If he were the Seventh Sexiest Man in London, what on earth were the top six like? They probably gave women spontaneous orgasms on sight."
  
  
  Ward besides being a droolworthy male specimen, is an incredibly creative and visionary chef. His goal is not just to create succulent and extraordinary culinary treats but bring people to experience emotions through eating his creations.
  
  "He couldn’t serve the Valentine’s Night menu to a woman who’d been stood up. She didn’t need food to fall in love to. She needed food to make her feel fabulous. He had just the thing in mind."
  
  "“You didn’t just like that food, Claudia. You let it seduce you.” He was wrong. She hadn’t just let his food seduce her; she’d let it thoroughly debauch her. And she had enjoyed every moment."
  
  
  The culinary seduction is masterfullly interwoven with the romantic one giving the reader a feast for the senses. Ros Clarke's evocative descriptions of gourmet meals and especially the characters' enjoyment of these succulent bites will give you goosebumps and shivers of excitement and pleasure by proxy.
  
  Besides the wonderfully vivid descriptions that brought the gourmet creations to life at times there was no transition between the scenes, it didn't really hinder the reading experience, just made the story not that fluent.
  
  
  Verdict: If you only have half an hour or an hour and want to sink your teeth into a well developed entertaining story Table For One is the perfect choice, I'm sure you won't find anything lacking with the story, though you most certainly will be left craving some delicious treats ;-) Table For One is an explosion of the senses, a virtual orgasm for the tastebuds. It was a culinary and sensual experience, if only I could have tasted some of the foods Claudia sampled *sighs* (or look at the delicious eyecandy that Ward is ;-)
  
  
  Plot: 10/10
  Characters: 8/10
  Writing: 9/10
  Ending: 9/10 - Great ending, sexy and flirty, left me with a happy sigh :-) (And the reuinion scene was pure genius, completely original.fresh and witty)
  Cover: 8/10
  
  I give Table for One 4.5 stars!
• 
  Helyce

  Previously reviewed at
  www.smexybooks.com
  
  Claudia Thomas certainly did not expect to be eating alone at Ward’s, a new, very trendy restaurant in London; but that is exactly where she finds herself when her boyfriend breaks up with her on Valentine’s Day. While it’s the last place she wants to be, she really has no choice. Her job as a food critic was the reason she had the reservation in the first place—she needs to check out the food and if the opportunity presents itself, check out the restaurant’s owner, Ward Nicholls, as well.
  
  Ward Nicholl’s is surprised to see a young woman dining alone on Valentine’s Day. He decides that the fixed menu for the evening just won’t do and sets out to dazzle her senses with a special menu he creates just for her. When she sends back one of the offerings, telling her waiter that she’d prefer the fixed menu, Ward takes matters into his own hands, and delivers the next course personally.
  
  Claudia is shocked out of her sense of sadness when Ward approaches and sits with her at the table. Up close, Ward is even more attractive than she expected and their mutual attraction is instant. She can’t believe that he’s coming on to her and through the meal he prepares especially with her in mind, things quickly move from the restaurant to Ward’s apartment upstairs. But Claudia’s conscience won’t let things progress and when she blurts out that she’s a food critic, Ward’s quick anger and apparent disgust send Claudia running.
  
  Table For One is a really short 52 pages and my reader’s heart wanted more! The opening scenes where Ward realizes that Claudia is dining alone and starts to prepare and cook special items to seduce her taste buds are nicely written to the point where I wanted to be there eating the food myself. Ward’s intent is clear, however; he intends to seduce Claudia as well. Just when things start to get interesting, the main conflict is introduced when Claudia tells Ward that she’s a food critic. From here, the story moves quickly as Claudia tries to understand Ward’s reaction and deal with the fact that she has no review to write and her job may be on the line because of it.
  
  As is, this story is enjoyable because the author has a way with words and I liked the premise and the use of food to enhance all of the senses as Claudia and Ward explore their attraction. The conflict is resolved quickly, and while it’s not glossed over, for it being such a traumatic experience for Ward, he gets over his feelings and is willing to work it out with Claudia too easily. All in all quick read that left me a bit unsatisfied.
• 
  Kayleigh {K-Books}

  This is the third short contemporary romance novella I have read by Entangled Publishing and I don't think I could ever get bored of them. Maybe it's the hopeless romantic in me but man did I enjoy this book. It involved my favourite things, romance, a hot guy and food. Seriously could you get anything better in this story? I think not.
  
  Claudia is disappointed when her boyfriend breaks up with her on Valentines Day. Heartbroken? No but disappointed? Yes. It means she has to go to her dinner reservation by herself. But when she feasts her eyes upon the super hot chef cooking for her all that disappears. Ward always knows what to cook for people and when he sees Claudia in his restaurant alone he know just what to cook for her to seduce her. But will their relationship be sweet, or will his seduction food turn a little bit too sour?
  
  I really enjoyed this novella. Considering how short it is, it took me around half an hour to read, I really fell in love with the story and the characters. Yet again with all romance books when I could see things going a little south I wanted to reach into the book and rearrange the characters so that everything happened the way I wanted to do. Yes, I know I couldn't do that. So what did I do? I refused to put the book, well kindle down until I had finished the book and boy was I glad. The more I read the more I enjoyed it and I so wish that it was just a little bit longer so I could read more about the amazing Ward. I definitely fell in love with him. He can cook for me any day. I might get very fat but never mind, he would so be worth it! I really wish it had gone on a little longer so that I could find out more about the characters and I would love to see what happened to their relationship after it had ended.
  
  All in all I think this is a great story and I can't wait to read more from this new talented author. A great quick, easy read that I could read again and again and still end up swooning a few times, and making me very hungry as well. A great story for a hopeless romantic like me.
• 
  Simply Love Book Reviews

  Slick's review posted on
  Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
  
  2.5 Stars
  
  I always enjoy books that center around holidays like Valentines Day especially when they are somewhat different than most. When food critic Claudia is dumped on Valentines Day, she keeps her reservation at Ward’s, an up and coming restaurant. When owner and chef, Ward Nicholls, finds she’s dining alone he prepares a special menu to seduce more than her taste buds.
  
  This couple moves very quickly into a sexual relationship without knowing much about each other. It soon turns sour and although we do find out why, it just felt abrupt and rushed. I would have liked a little more time getting to know the characters and their backgrounds.
  
  Claudia takes a big risk career wise and in confronting Ward and for that she’s to be admired. While I am sympathetic to what happened in Ward’s life, I felt he acted irrationally. I’m still not convinced I like him. This book is only four chapters so keep that in mind when you read it. It is fine for a short, quick read but it’s not something you can sink your teeth into. It bothers me that Ward claims he wants to slow down because he doesn’t trust Claudia and the next minute he’s asking her if she’s going to get undressed. Overall the story was good but I would have liked to have known more about Claudia’s background and would have liked to see them discover more about each other.
  
  Review copy provided for an honest review.
• 
  Lillie

  See the full review at:
  Read My Mind
  
  
  My Review:
  TABLE FOR ONE was sexy. There's something about a seduction via a really good meal, and I loved the set-up for Claudia and Ward's relationship. Going into the reading I knew that this was going to be a novella, and that it would probably be quite titillating, because of the moniker FLIRTS given to the imprint. All of my expectations for the novella were met with resounding success.
  
  Ward was a very tempting character to fall in love with. Not only does he whip up delicious-sounding recipes, but he almost has this need to match up a customer with the perfect food. Even without knowing Claudia in the very beginning, he wants to give her the food that he feels is the right meal for a person alone on Valentine's Day. Ditch the menu and go by gut instinct, because to accept less is, well unacceptable.
  
  There is a great attraction between the two, and Clarke really had me smiling at the heat they generate. To say that I wanted more is true, but I wouldn't want to invalidate how well I think Clarke did in telling a complete, short, flirty and mesmerizing tale. Sometimes and appetizer can be just as filling and enjoyable as an entree, and that was certainly the case here.
  
  4.5/5 for plot
  5/5 for characters
  5/5 for language
  
  My Rating: 14.5/15 (5 stars) Must Read
• 
  Taryn Elliott

  What a delightful read. I'm not a foodie, but by the end of this story I was starving for everything that Ward put on the table. Sexy, sensual flavors and textures heightened the experience and they began a journey of self-awareness.
  
  Of course we can't have the road go too smooth. All those overwhelming passions make for high emotions and Mz Clarke uses them beautifully. I love the backstory and the reasons why Ward is so wary about journalists. It suits the story and isn't too over the top. It also gives really good background as to why he doesn't trust easily.
  
  Claudia has her own problems with falling in love, but she realizes that Ward is different. And holding back isn't something she wants to do. The little twist was great and made me love the story even more. Taking the plunge in a relationship isn't easy, but I think these two make a great study in how compromise and trust is the true basis for a relationship. And while they found each other through passion, they stayed together because of so much more.
• 
  Erin

  This short, sexy romp is a perfect appetizer for your next romantic read. It also works well as a sort of palate refresher between novel-length reads, giving you a fun story with a unique premise--but without the commitment.
  
  The only critique I have is that I wish I'd gotten more background on Claudia. She's an interesting character and I wanted to know more about her past, about her job, etc. Even so, I found this story to be very enjoyable and certainly worth the short time it took to read. :o)
• 
  Wendy Sparrow

  I should know better than to read a book about food and cooking while I'm dieting. The author was brilliant at drawing you in and getting you to salivate over the food and the leading man. The details on the dishes he prepared for her! Oh, wow, all the descriptions of food... so good. Of course the romance and the sizzling attraction between Claudia and Ward was awesome too... BUT THE FOOD. READ THIS FOR THE FOOD. So, I guess on the one hand--this left me satisfied and was zero calories, so maybe it is the perfect diet read.
• 
  Connie Keenan

  This was delicious, literally! Actually, it was a loan from a friend. Read the whole thing on the treadmill, so it's novella-length. Very romantic, very flirty, with a great hero and heroine that I really enjoyed. Throw in the foodie element and it was great fun! I'll be looking for more books by this author.
• 
  Jessi

  I flew through this novella. It's sweet and sexy and pretty much everything I was looking for in a romantic novella. I would have loved to spend more time with these two characters as I felt like I was just getting to know them. :)
• 
  Lori Green

  The romance in the book was unbeleivable in such a short story. The premise was good and the writing solid but this needed more between the H/h to work for me. And by the end I thought the heroine was just a little too horny for her own good.
• 
  Paige Cuccaro

  This book will make you hungry...in more ways than one. Steamy hot!! Quick easy ready and lots of fun!
• 
  Robin Bielman

  I didn't want this quick, wonderful read to end.
• 
  Amy

  
  I'm reviewing Table for One today at
  http://www.fictionvixen.com/2012/04/r...
• 
  Netty

  Read this morning when I couldn't sleep and it was rather good. A nice short book, not only did I warm to the characters but it made me very hungry.
• 
  Michela Walters

  Cute, very quick read. Wished it was abit longer to add more depth to the characters and plot. But was cute easy read.
• 
  Katrin

  A lovely short-story about the power of food! Great read for the chef and the romantic in everyone of us.
• 
  JenRider

  Why was it so small???It could have easily been a whole novel..I liked it, but I would have liked it more if it was bigger :(
• 
  Britt Marczak

  Loved the instant chemistry! Great short.
• 
  Roxanne Snopek

  A gorgeous, sensual read in every way.
• 
  Elaine

  Boring