Room for Dessert

Some Like It Haute #1

by Dann Hazel

In this “tasteful” HEA gay romance, not all of the action occurs in the best restaurants!

For almost ten years, Sebastian and Matt lived happily together as romantic partners.

Then, Bobby enters the picture and Matt’s infidelity tears Sebastian’s world apart. For a long time, Sebastian has no appetite for a second course of romance.

That is, until Aladdin casts his unexpected spell during drinks at a tapas and cocktails bar.

Sebastian hadn’t bargained for how sweet a second round of love could be!

Then, something happens. A tragedy which sends Matt back into Sebastian’s life, begging for a second chance.

Hungry for love, Sebastian faces an impossible choice. Should he pick Matt, the man who betrayed him?

Or Aladdin, the troubled man whose family roils in a scathing public scandal?

Tropes : Second Chance Romance, Coming Out, Foodies and Chefs

Trigger Warning : One chapter in this novel focuses on a parent’s suicide.

CONTENTS

Chapter One: The Pasta Duo
Chapter Two: A Tantalizing Appetizer
Chapter Three: A Couple of Florida Crackers
Chapter Four: The Enchanted Rose
Chapter Five: Jello-O, Anyone?
Chapter Six: A Distressing Sour Taste
Chapter Seven: A Sports Pub with Great Food
Chapter Eight: Screw Potluck! A Gutbuster It Is!
Chapter Nine: I Won't Have to Have Dinner with Him. Will I?
Chapter Ten: Cocktails at the Hideaway
Chapter Eleven: A Brother's Brunchtime Call
Chapter Twelve: High Tea, with Darjeeling Tears
Chapter Thirteen: Who Can Think of Food at a Time Like This?
Chapter Fourteen: Ropa Vieja a la Papa's Cuban Grille
Chapter Fifteen: Slow-Roasted Octopus and a Toasted Romance?
Chapter Sixteen: A Distaste for Dad
Chapter Seventeen: Tart, but Surprisingly Sweet
Chapter Eighteen: A Novel Taste? Or One Comfortably Familiar?
Chapter Nineteen: The Wisdom of Cocktails after a Stroke
Chapter Twenty: Forbidden Appetite
Chapter Twenty-One: The Sweetest of Desserts

229 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 12, 2023

About the author

Dann Hazel writes fiction and nonfiction books, articles for magazines, columns for syndication, and short stories. Most of his work deals with gay and lesbian themes and issues. Dann's articles have been published in Atlanta Magazine, Dancemagazine, and The Guide. His book, Moving On: The Gay Man's Guide to Coping When a Relationship Ends, will be released by Kensington in June of 1999.
In 1976, Dann received his Bachelor of Arts degree in English (cum laude) from Newberry College in Newberry, SC. For two years, he studied theology as a pre-ministerial student until he "got cold feet" and decided to pursue another field. His graduate degree in Education, with a concentration in adolescent behavioral disorders, was earned at The Citadel in Charleston, SC, in 1987.

In the past, he has taught high school English and journalism, and has worked as a radio broadcaster. For almost six years, he was an educational therapist for high school and college patients in a psychiatric hospital in the Charleston area. He has also worked as a curriculum designer and director of a grant program in a local college. He is a member of the Board of Directors of WeAreFamily; an organization devoted to educating youth-service organizations of the needs and concerns of gay and lesbian youth. He is also a member of AFFA (Alliance for Full Acceptance). Currently, Dann lives with his partner, Josh, in Summerville, SC.

Reviews

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

2 stars

It is set in central Florida and incorporates real-world themes, including the government undermining LGBTQ rights, fidelity to a romantic partner, and accusations of child pornography. What drew my interest in the book was the potential for a love triangle between Sebastian, Matt, and Aladdin. What I read, however, felt like a series of disconnected events in Sebastian’s life, which all seem like they exist on deserted islands. Each island was inhabited by one character and whatever single issue was affecting that character’s life: his mother and her stroke; his best friend and his imperiled university job; Matt and his bereavement; Aladdin and his two-fold shame (first, for having to stay in the closet, then, for not realizing his father was involved in child pornography). It was odd to read about such intense issues, but to feel like they literally could not have mattered less as soon as Sebastian sailed on to someone else’s island.

The story is also packed with minutia of the most mind bogglingly inconsequential nature.

Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.

[Ida Umphers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I really enjoyed this for a couple of reasons. First, while I wouldn't want a steady diet of romances with cheating in them, once in a while I like a dose of reality and second chances can make for great redemption stories. I won't give the results of this one away as to whether the redemption happens or not, but the right couple get together in the end. Secondly, it isn't often in romance that the author so blatantly takes a political side and I found that nicely acidic addition to the menu enjoyable. If this doesn't fit your political persuasion, your mileage may vary. I thought the older women characters were well done, I enjoyed meeting them immensely and I found their feelings at the end summed things up superbly. I will be looking for more from this author and it will be interesting to see how the choice of tropes and the level of "reality" plays out in future stories.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Decisions, decisions! Sebastian and Matt, were living the good life. Then Matt was tempted and the 10 year relationship was done. Sebastian limped along coping until he met Aladdin and realized life was good. Matt, suffered a tragedy, and wanted to try again with Seb. Does Seb let Matt back into his heart? What about Aladdin? How well can Sebastian, juggle? How does Seb choose? Nice story. The Mothers made the story! A little stilted and I liked the realistic references to real world political situation. It made the story feel more real than just a story. Nicely done. I receivd an ARC and am voluntarily leavng a review.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.
Room for Dessert: Book One in the Some Like it Haute Gay Romance Series.
This book is Dann’s first step into the world of an author of Gay Romance.
I did enjoy this book there is plenty of experiences that Sebastian had to learn.
After 10 years together there is a parting of ways between Sebastian and Matt, it seems that their romance is waning...
Aladdin is serving desserts when Sebastian is in a restaurant besides eating Sebastian thinks that Aladdin could be a delectable dessert!
Vera, Sebastian’s mother is written superbly, she has a lot of character.
The journey Sebastian takes is engaging.
There is tragedy and troubles that get sorted by the end of the book.

[Roger R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet book in the “Some Like It Haute” series by Dann Hazel. I really enjoyed reading “Room for Dessert”. There were lots of humor thrown out by one of the MC’s mother. I could visualize her as Blanche from the Golden Girls since the story takes place in Florida! The minor characters in the story are awesome as well! I think this one would make an awesome Gay Hallmarkesque TV movie! It’s perfect since part of the story focuses on the unfortunate political climate in Florida and the impact it has on one of the minor characters which makes it pretty scary and realistic. I look forward to the continuation of the series! I’d give this book 5 stars!

[Maria771 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Sebastian. Please read the trigger warning. It is the first book in the Some Like It Haute series. It is well written with great characters, especially Vera. The humour and drama keeps you turning the pages. Cant wait to read the rest of the series. Definitely recommended.

I received this book as an Arc and I am happily reviewing it voluntarily.

[Altivo Overo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth reading for the tacky ending?

The writing is good enough, and the occasional humor is fun. The stereotypical characters are more than a bit overdone, though. And the kitschy, tacky and horrendously exorbitant wedding at the end is just too much to be tasteful. I guess that's part of the humor? 😜

[Chelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a while to get into. I wasn't the biggest fan of the first half of the story. It really picked up in the second half and I liked it a lot better. My favourite character was definitely Vera she was such an awesome mum.

Thanks to GRR for the ARC of this book.

[DLB2572 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not Sure How I Feel

I have to say that I'm not quite sure how I feel about this one. I didn't connect completely with the story but I did find myself wanting to see how things ended up.

I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

They have lived together for years when he finally has had enough after yet another affair. So he leaves hoping to get a better life for himself. Things may just go back when fate sends him back to them. Will it work this time round? Can he forgive fully? See just how it will all go

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy meets boy, boy loses boy, boy gets boy. This is how the Sebastian and Aladdin romance works out. It's electric from the beginning, because Sebastian and Al are pretty much made for each other, but you know how gay men and our neuroses work.

[Reader2023 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wasn't able to finish this, the writing was not something I could get into.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read but bad dialogue

People don’t talk like the conversations in this book they are overly wordy and not natural which spoils the otherwise good story.