Can This Be Real by L.E. Franks

Title: Can This Be Real
Series: N/A
Author: L. E. Franks
Genre: Contemporary
Length: Novella (135 Pages)
ISBN: MLR-1-02014-0238
Publisher: MLR Press (April 24th, 2014)
Heat Level: Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥4Hearts
Reviewer: Lisa

Blurb: Chef Christian De Guisse can’t trust a man who doesn’t love his food, while Detective Andrew Simmons won’t let any man close who thinks he’s broken—somewhere between these two points, love is possible, but only if they get real.

When Chef Christian De Guisse accidently outs Celebrity Chef Jordan Slayer during a fight in front of The Times entertainment reporter—it only gets Christian ex-boyfriend status and a one-way plane ticket to culinary exile in Oregon. But a fortuitous meeting with Detective Andrew Simmons at the Portland airport keeps Christian and his collection of exotic herbs out of the hands of Homeland Security, starting the chemistry simmering between them. Andy isn’t much of a foodie and for a chef who communicates love through his cooking this may be one hurdle too high…until they’re finally ready to get real.

Purchase Link: http://www.mlrbooks.com/ShowBook.php?book=LEF_CTBR

Review: This is an awesome book. I love the way the characters just seem to work together. L. E. Franks has a very sweet gift at telling stories. Christian had been with Jordon since graduating cooking school until he finds out that Jordon had been cheating on him with a woman. He was so upset that he goes and confronts him only to realize that he had outed him in front of an entertainment reporter for the Times. It gets him fired from there. But to his amazement, Jordon’s business starts going downhill. However, his best friend comes to his apartment and pretty much drags him to Oregon. Telling him that he can start all over and have a new life again.

What he did not expect was to get brought in by Homeland Security right off the plane to Oregon. Now that is a bad sign, however when Detective Andrew Simmons comes in and takes him back to the station he finds himself drawn to this sexy man. The problem was the Andy didn’t appreciate his cooking, or so he thought. Andy had been hurt several years ago and lost his sense of smell and taste. It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate Chris’s cooking it was just that he could taste it.

At first Andy thinks Chris is trying to fix him, thinking him broken but after some time and a lot of talking realizes he just wants to teach him about what Chris taste. That cooking to him is like a song, or a poem to many. It is his gift and his love. He however wants to show Andy that he loves him for himself. Andy had always feared that starting a relationship would always fail because someone would think he was broke and they wanted to fix him. It takes him time but learns that Chris doesn’t think he is broken and that he is loved.

This is a great story. I love the way the story comes together just right. It is the perfect length and each person comes off so real to you. You can feel the love between them, as well as the fear each of them have. It will catch your attention from the start and will keep it all the way to the end. That is what this story did for me. I cannot wait to read more stories like this from L. E. Franks. I would recommend this tender loving story.