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ankysbookbubble's review
4.0
I've been reading this series all out of order. I was originally only going to read one of the books, but then I got caught up into the craziness that is the Carlisle family and now I can't get out. They're all so adorably crazy and I absolutely love reading these stories. James and Basiten's story was another quirky and adorable story and I had so much fun reading it.
leelee68's review
5.0
I thought this was a sweet story. They both just fit and this book also made me hungry ;-) They were very sweet and hot together and I loved both of their families.
teresab78's review
2.0
Hate to say but I was bored.
Too much food… eating food, descriptions of food, making food. I found myself skimming even the sex scenes as I wasn’t invested in them at all.
Too much food… eating food, descriptions of food, making food. I found myself skimming even the sex scenes as I wasn’t invested in them at all.
ellelainey's review
5.0
Book – Dinner for One
Author – Meg Harding
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 200
Cover – Very nice.
POV – 3rd person, present tense, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Chef/Critic, Food Porn
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
WARNING: tame BDSM elements (paddle, c-ring and mild dominance), Food Porn – this story will make you hungry!
I loved this! It had food – Yum! – and a food critic (because I'm a meanie like that), so it had absolutely everything I could want from a chef/baking story. The fact that the chef and food critic get together, by accident, was genius. The attraction began before they knew who each other were and that's the best part, because then the rest of the book was spent in nervous anticipation of when the bomb would drop and how.
I wasn't disappointed on that front.
Nor was I disappointed with the characters. Often when books are a dual POV, I find myself hating one of the characters, but these two were equally perfect. Bastien was the big guy with a gooey center, while Jaime was a little pretentious, very opinionated but really sweet and romantic. Together, they were like chocolate and strawberries: perfect!
Even the side characters – Jaime's extended family, as well as Bastien's family and his staff at the restaurant – were intriguing and all vital to the progression of the plot. There wasn't one person who was made more important than the other, but there also was anyone of them added pointlessly. They all had their place and that made it really easy to remember who everyone was and what they were like. I especially liked the twins, Laurence and Marcy, and Jean. They were all so much fun to read.
As for the plot, there wasn't one thing I didn't love about it. From the description of the baking/cooking, the detail of the small but important things and the fact that we actually got to watch the relationship between Bastien and Jaime grow meant that it was a solid 5 star for me. I didn't miss out on any of the important parts of the relationship, nor did I feel like we were given any unnecessary scenes between them. Everything was just so well planned and executed.
I loved that the misunderstanding wasn't blown out of proportion by either of them; that they both knew they'd need to talk, but that they also needed some time apart to think, as well. I loved the way Jaime thought to remind Bastien that eh was there, waiting and ready to talk when he was ready. It was all so natural and not at all overreactive, like I'd feared. Just perfect for how level headed these two are.
Though this is a plain text ARC, with minimal formatting and probably pre-edits, I literally only found 2 problems (both involving a missing word). Now, for an unedited, unformatted ARC, that is almost unheard of and I can only applaud Meg Harding and the team at Dreamspinner for achieving this.
What are my downsides? Well, there are no translations for the French and I didn't want to ruin the flow of reading (because I couldn't put it down) to stop and check Google Translate for what they meant. I'll do that now, though it won't help my understanding of the scenes as I was reading them. Also, there needed to be something more visual to divide the POV's, maybe a dash or the usual three stars you get in most stories. It got a little confusing, at first, when the “gap” of one blank line separating POV's blended far too well into the copy-blank-space of my Kindle app, so that I couldn't see it. A few times I had to flick back a page and forward again, to check that I was actually reading a new POV, just because the gap went unnoticed.
~
Overall, I really loved the detail and attention that the author gave this story. It deserved it and I'm so glad to see that it was given that chance. From the cooking to the drama, to Jaime's gifts, there wasn't one thing I didn't love about the story.
While I would happily read more about these two – or their family members – I also love that this is a solo novel, because I feel it ended just right. So, unless Jean or the twins get a story, I'm happy with the lovely, very well handled ending of this story.
~
Favourite Quotes:
“I totally get why you were flirting with the redhead behind the table. I think you should marry him so we can eat these all the time.”
““Is what right?”
“Adult couples don't have sex all the time. They need to know how to do other things with each other.” Fleur sounds like she's reading off something she found in an article.
Chandler sends Bastien a pitying look, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “It's true,” he says, not sounding like he means it at all. “It's heartbreaking when you find that out. Like seeing a pile of Christmas presents and realizing they're all for someone else.””
“He hears the door open, even with the pillow pressed around his head. His body tenses. Either he forgot to lock the door after Georgina the morning before and someone's coming in to rob him (unlikely sine they rang the doorbell) or one of his siblings has come by. He's half hoping for the robber.”
Author – Meg Harding
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 200
Cover – Very nice.
POV – 3rd person, present tense, dual POV
Would I read it again – Yes.
Genre – LGBT, Contemporary, Chef/Critic, Food Porn
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
WARNING: tame BDSM elements (paddle, c-ring and mild dominance), Food Porn – this story will make you hungry!
I loved this! It had food – Yum! – and a food critic (because I'm a meanie like that), so it had absolutely everything I could want from a chef/baking story. The fact that the chef and food critic get together, by accident, was genius. The attraction began before they knew who each other were and that's the best part, because then the rest of the book was spent in nervous anticipation of when the bomb would drop and how.
I wasn't disappointed on that front.
Nor was I disappointed with the characters. Often when books are a dual POV, I find myself hating one of the characters, but these two were equally perfect. Bastien was the big guy with a gooey center, while Jaime was a little pretentious, very opinionated but really sweet and romantic. Together, they were like chocolate and strawberries: perfect!
Even the side characters – Jaime's extended family, as well as Bastien's family and his staff at the restaurant – were intriguing and all vital to the progression of the plot. There wasn't one person who was made more important than the other, but there also was anyone of them added pointlessly. They all had their place and that made it really easy to remember who everyone was and what they were like. I especially liked the twins, Laurence and Marcy, and Jean. They were all so much fun to read.
As for the plot, there wasn't one thing I didn't love about it. From the description of the baking/cooking, the detail of the small but important things and the fact that we actually got to watch the relationship between Bastien and Jaime grow meant that it was a solid 5 star for me. I didn't miss out on any of the important parts of the relationship, nor did I feel like we were given any unnecessary scenes between them. Everything was just so well planned and executed.
I loved that the misunderstanding wasn't blown out of proportion by either of them; that they both knew they'd need to talk, but that they also needed some time apart to think, as well. I loved the way Jaime thought to remind Bastien that eh was there, waiting and ready to talk when he was ready. It was all so natural and not at all overreactive, like I'd feared. Just perfect for how level headed these two are.
Though this is a plain text ARC, with minimal formatting and probably pre-edits, I literally only found 2 problems (both involving a missing word). Now, for an unedited, unformatted ARC, that is almost unheard of and I can only applaud Meg Harding and the team at Dreamspinner for achieving this.
What are my downsides? Well, there are no translations for the French and I didn't want to ruin the flow of reading (because I couldn't put it down) to stop and check Google Translate for what they meant. I'll do that now, though it won't help my understanding of the scenes as I was reading them. Also, there needed to be something more visual to divide the POV's, maybe a dash or the usual three stars you get in most stories. It got a little confusing, at first, when the “gap” of one blank line separating POV's blended far too well into the copy-blank-space of my Kindle app, so that I couldn't see it. A few times I had to flick back a page and forward again, to check that I was actually reading a new POV, just because the gap went unnoticed.
~
Overall, I really loved the detail and attention that the author gave this story. It deserved it and I'm so glad to see that it was given that chance. From the cooking to the drama, to Jaime's gifts, there wasn't one thing I didn't love about the story.
While I would happily read more about these two – or their family members – I also love that this is a solo novel, because I feel it ended just right. So, unless Jean or the twins get a story, I'm happy with the lovely, very well handled ending of this story.
~
Favourite Quotes:
“I totally get why you were flirting with the redhead behind the table. I think you should marry him so we can eat these all the time.”
““Is what right?”
“Adult couples don't have sex all the time. They need to know how to do other things with each other.” Fleur sounds like she's reading off something she found in an article.
Chandler sends Bastien a pitying look, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “It's true,” he says, not sounding like he means it at all. “It's heartbreaking when you find that out. Like seeing a pile of Christmas presents and realizing they're all for someone else.””
“He hears the door open, even with the pillow pressed around his head. His body tenses. Either he forgot to lock the door after Georgina the morning before and someone's coming in to rob him (unlikely sine they rang the doorbell) or one of his siblings has come by. He's half hoping for the robber.”
crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Bastien isn't known for taking criticism very well. But, then again, he doesn't have much practice. His French restaurant always gets rave reviews, and he's never really had any complaints. So when a respected restaurant critic gives the place a negative review, Bastien is a bit miffed. He channels that energy into making something extra special for his niece's school bake sale. And it's to his benefit when he meets an attractive writer who just might be interested in more than Bastien's food.
Of all the things James expected when he showed up to a school bake sale, meeting someone like Bastien wasn't one of them. The man not only knows how to bake, but he appeals to James in other ways as well. And James thinks they might be a good match--until he learns that Bastien is the owner of a restaurant he recently reviewed. And said review wasn't exactly positive. James knows that if he reveals this to Bastien their potential relationship will stop dead in its tracks. But maybe if Bastien can have the chance to get to know James, he'll see there's something more there? Is it dishonest to omit this fact, when it shouldn't matter anyway if it turns out they like each other?
--
Is omission really dishonesty? Such an age-old question that gets answers all across the spectrum. On one hand, it's not an overt lie by giving misinformation. If a question isn't asked, then is there really an expectation that it should be answered? But if you know sharing a piece of information would matter to someone but you withhold it, isn't that just as bad?
Don't let all the philosophical questions fool you. This is actually a fun and light-hearted book. But it does bring those issues to the forefront. Is building a relationship while you withhold something from your partner that you know would matter to them the right way to go? You know they'll be upset when it all comes to bear. But you also can't help thinking that if you tell them upfront, any chance of a relationship will be lost. James definitely struggles with these questions, and he gets varying advice from other sources in his life. Which goes to show that opinions on this subject haven't really reached a widespread consensus.
This, of course, easily snags a recommendation from me. Especially because of the way everything ends up playing out for these two...
Of all the things James expected when he showed up to a school bake sale, meeting someone like Bastien wasn't one of them. The man not only knows how to bake, but he appeals to James in other ways as well. And James thinks they might be a good match--until he learns that Bastien is the owner of a restaurant he recently reviewed. And said review wasn't exactly positive. James knows that if he reveals this to Bastien their potential relationship will stop dead in its tracks. But maybe if Bastien can have the chance to get to know James, he'll see there's something more there? Is it dishonest to omit this fact, when it shouldn't matter anyway if it turns out they like each other?
--
Is omission really dishonesty? Such an age-old question that gets answers all across the spectrum. On one hand, it's not an overt lie by giving misinformation. If a question isn't asked, then is there really an expectation that it should be answered? But if you know sharing a piece of information would matter to someone but you withhold it, isn't that just as bad?
Don't let all the philosophical questions fool you. This is actually a fun and light-hearted book. But it does bring those issues to the forefront. Is building a relationship while you withhold something from your partner that you know would matter to them the right way to go? You know they'll be upset when it all comes to bear. But you also can't help thinking that if you tell them upfront, any chance of a relationship will be lost. James definitely struggles with these questions, and he gets varying advice from other sources in his life. Which goes to show that opinions on this subject haven't really reached a widespread consensus.
This, of course, easily snags a recommendation from me. Especially because of the way everything ends up playing out for these two...
jenvile's review
4.0
Sweet, passionate, and amazing characters!! James is honestly the man of any persons dreams, and Bastien’s just an all great round guy. The only thing is, * a little spoiler alert*, the way that James was making up to Bastien seemed like James had cheated on him or some shit. Like, it was cute and all, but Bastien held out his not-forgiving-part for too long.
All in all, definitely a reccomend to read the book - it’s great and cute and realllllyy hot.
All in all, definitely a reccomend to read the book - it’s great and cute and realllllyy hot.
suze_1624's review
3.0
3/3.5*
No new theme for this book - relationship created out of back of a deception and despite a few options to come clean, the injured party (Bastien) finds out about James true identity by chance.
However it was quite an engrossing and intense read - and this despite the very odd descriptive narrative which I personally didn't like.
James' family were very intrusive though I did like his apology meals.
So a bit mixed - liked and OK with various parts
No new theme for this book - relationship created out of back of a deception and despite a few options to come clean, the injured party (Bastien) finds out about James true identity by chance.
However it was quite an engrossing and intense read - and this despite the very odd descriptive narrative which I personally didn't like.
James' family were very intrusive though I did like his apology meals.
So a bit mixed - liked and OK with various parts
veritytease's review
5.0
With adorable MC's and ultimate food porn (it's just cruel to google French dishes on an empty stomach), this is a perfect read if you're in the mood for sweet, hot and low angst.