I really liked this book.  I think too much sex detracted from the story and I reduced my rating because of it.  However, the story was great.  I liked that the heroine had synethetic capability, was an interesting twist.  The story had lots of tension and twists and turns.  The heroine turning the tables on her bosses/tormentors was great.  I don’t see any point of the recipes after each chapter but you don’t have to read them.  I didn’t see the movie, but sight unseen, you may want to see it over reading the book.  I expect that the sex will be toned down a lot.  I recommend this book though and plan to read the other books in the trilogy.