Title: Yes, Chef

Series: Amuse Bouche 02 / Dreamspun Desires 79

Author: T. Neilson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (193 pages)

ISBN: 978-1-64080-521-7

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2 April 2019)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Prime

Blurb: A savory slice of first love.

Simon’s dad died when he was young, leaving Simon to take the reins of the family restaurant business—and the responsibility for his mother and brothers. His commitment to his duty left Simon time for little else, least of all romance.

Argentinian celebrity chef Luke Ferreya has wanted Simon since their culinary-school days, but for Simon, family always came first. Now Luke’s back in Simon’s life—briefly before he returns to South America—and he’s determined to give Simon a sample of everything he’s missed out on.

Simon’s brothers are grown, and his mother is doing fine on her own, and Luke is offering a second chance for a future full of the pleasures of fine food, wine, and especially love. Without his obligations to hide behind, can Simon finally allow himself to say “Yes, Chef”?

Purchase Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Review: Yes, Chef is the second book in T. Nielson’s series Amuse Bouche, for Dreamspun Desires. I have to admit that I didn’t even realise that there was a book one to this book until I started reading, and to be perfectly honest I can’t remember if I picked up on the fact that this was a series when I read book one some months ago. However, when I did realise it, I was looking forward to it because I did really enjoy Sweet Nothings.

Yes, Chef does work as a standalone book, although there is a number of references/appearances to the couple from book one, considering that the MC, Simon, is the older brother to Tristan from book one.

Simon Love (I assume his last name is love since he is older brother to Tristan Love), has something of a chip on his shoulders. We met him briefly during his brother’s story and he was an arsehole, although to give him a break he did have his brother’s best interests at heart, the problem was that he didn’t understand his little brother and has a clear dislike for Tristan’s boyfriend. The whole family seems to be involved in the restaurant industry, and that is also evident in that Tristan was opening a bakery in book one. This pretty much sums up Simon, after his father died when he and his siblings were still kids, Simon as the older brother took up the mantle to try and fill the void in the family. He took it to extremes, because although he pursued his dreams and went onto become a chef, he allowed his life to remain on hold. This is particularly true when events during culinary had him turning tail and returning to his family, but nevertheless ending up taking lead in the family’s restaurant.

Simon knows Luke Ferreya from culinary school. Luke is Argentinian and has been in New York where he had become a two Michelin Star chef. However, Luke is suffering burn out from being a celebrity and has decided to leave that life behind. He wonders if he has a life in Argentina on his family ranch/farm, but he is making a detour to catch up with Simon to see if there is something else that could keep him. Something that is infinitely more exciting than going back to join his family’s business.

Other than Tristian popping up, there really isn’t much more from the family. I vaguely remember at least one other brother and a mother when I read book one, but there was nothing even from them. Of course, it wasn’t relevant to the story. I’m just wondering if there is going to be more in this series!

This is a really sweet, low angst story. I liked it because the whole point of the story was that Simon had to grow and learn not to be afraid of his thoughts and feelings, while Luke had to figure out what was the next thing in his life that would bring him happiness. Of course, Luke had an idea but both he and Simon had to grow a bit more.

Title: Sweet Nothings

Series: Dreamspun Desires 55 / Amuse Bouche 01

Author: T. Neilson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (248 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (3rd April 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

Tristan Love, the youngest of seven brothers, is back in his hometown. He’s left the New York food scene and an abusive relationship behind him, but he holds his love of French pastries close to his heart and is determined to put his skills to use in a bakery of his own.

Returning to his childhood home means his meddlesome brother Simon will butt into his business, but before the bakery even opens its doors, Tristan’s delectable creations have the town’s mouths watering, and Jake, a cute mechanic, asks Tristan out. It all seems worthwhile….

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-248-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Sweet Nothings was something of an unexpected surprise for me. T. Nielson, the author, is completely unknown to me. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew from the blurb that this was the type of book that I’m a sucker for. Two guys running from their pasts, one a relatively recent relationship and the other a bad boy with a heart of gold. It was the bad boy that got me, I always look forward to when these guys find the one man that can see through the tough façade and find true love and a sweet HEA.

If what I described is your type of book, then Sweet Nothings is totally for you. It’s a sweet and easy read, so it’s good to relax and if you’re like me, I used it as a come down book after recently reading some rather intense books.

Sweet Nothings is the story of Tristan Love. He runs from New York and his controlling, possessive and abusive fiancé back to his home town where is the baby in a family full of boys. His brothers mean well but since they lost their father at a young age, he has brothers that are more interested in replacing their dead father than just being a brother. As part of his plan to get himself back on his feet, Tristan opens a bakery, which had been his dream and something that his ex would never allow him to do. He has a lot to do to get things up and running, yet at the same time is dealing with his over protective brothers and meets Jake.

Jake is a mechanic with a troubled past but mostly because he took the blame for something he never did. The problem being that he had always been something of a bad boy but years later Jake is finally trying to pick up the pieces of his life. While getting his life back together he meets Tristan. The two have instant chemistry but people don’t trust Jake and warn Tristan away from him. These guys have a lot going against them and although the plot is predictable, I really loved the sweetness that underpinned the entire plot.

This is a totally enjoyable book. The pace was great and the chemistry between the guys was wonderful. I found myself relating to both MCs. I even found myself getting annoyed at Tristan’s brothers on his behalf while Tristan was battling the end of his abusive relationship.

I can’t wait to find out what is going to happen in the next book of the series. I really want to know who are going to be the MCs. I’m hoping that they will be some of the minor characters from Sweet Nothings, but at the same time I will be equally as excited for a book based in the same world but with new characters.