Spooned

A Lighthearted Utensil Romance #2

by Ruth Cardello

Just another case of Forking leading to Spooning . . .

When a WWII super soldier trapped in cutlery discovers he can transform back into a man by being intimate with a woman, he seeks to free the rest of his unit via some unconventional matchmaking.

But how do you find a woman willing to take a chance on a spoon?

Cheryl isn’t prepared to hear her friend is getting it on with a Fork.

Or that her friend’s hot fiancé is the result.

Cheryl wants nothing to do with their cutlery kink . . . until she holds the spoon for the first time and it feels meant to be.

The dating pool has proven unsatisfying.

Battery-operated devices don’t cuddle you afterward.

Your friend claims a kind-hearted, huge, super soldier is trapped in your spoon, and only you can free him.

Wouldn’t you give it a try?

Just once?

Just to make sure?

Genres: Romance, Novella, Paranormal Romance, Contemporary, Fantasy

176 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 29, 2024

About the author

Ruth Cardello hit the NYTs and USA Today for the first time back in 2012. Millions of sales are evidence that her books are akin to potato chips, addictive from the first one. She has created a multi-series billionaire world with a combination of escapism and realism that has gained her a faithful following of readers.

What Kindle Reviewers write about her:

"Wow hot at every page. Heart stoping, fear raging, mind blowing wonderful."

"I'm a true fan of Ms. Cardello. I ran on to her first book a few years back and have been hooked ever since. I could go on and on about the story like of this book, but I'm not. All of her books are total page turners, unique, heart wrenching, and I love them all. There isn't two alike in the bunch and I feel like i know the characters personally. I personally read 97 authors books. And I buy every book they put out. This author is in my top 10. Great job and keep them coming."

"Love this series. Got me to start reading again. I look forward to the next book. Thank you for giving me the love of reading back."

Ruth Cardello was born the youngest of 11 children in a small city in northern Rhode Island. She spent her young adult years moving as far away as she could from her large extended family. She lived in Boston, Paris, Orlando, New York--then came full circle and moved back to New England. She now happily lives one town over from the one she was born in. For her, family trumped the warmer weather and international scene.

She was an educator for 20 years, the last 11 as a kindergarten teacher. When her school district began cutting jobs, Ruth turned a serious eye toward her second love- writing and has never been happier. When she's not writing, you can find her chasing her children around her small farm or connecting with her readers online.

Email Notice of New Releases: www.RuthCardello.com/Signup

You can find her on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/RuthCardello

Follow her at Twitter @RuthieCardello

If you'd like to email her directly, you may contact her via her website: www.ruthcardello.com

Lone Star Burn Series
Book 1: Taken, Not Spurred
Book 2: Tycoon Takedown
Book 3: Taken Home
Book 4: Taking Charge

Want to hear the song Charles proposed to Melanie with? https://youtu.be/SGZT5nVKfMs

The Legacy Collection
Book 1: Maid for the Billionaire (FREE on Amazon!)
Book 2: For Love or Legacy
Book 3: Bedding the Billionaire
Book 4: Saving the Sheikh
Book 5: Rise of the Billionaire
Book 6: Breaching the Billionaire: Alethea's Redemption
Book 7: (Novella) A Corisi Christmas

The Andrades:
Book 1: Come Away With Me (FREE on Amazon)
Book 2: Home to Me
Book 3: Maximum Risk
Book 4: Somewhere Along the Way
Book 5: Loving Gigi
Christmas Novella: A Recipe for Love (Maddy and Richard)

The Barrington Billionaires:
Book 1: Always Mine
Book 2: Stolen Kisses
Book 3: Trade It All
Book 3.5: A Billionaire for Lexi
Book 4: Let It Burn
Book 5: More than Love
Book 6: Forever Now
Book 7: Never Goodbye
Book 8: Reluctantly Alpha
Book 9: Reluctantly Rescued
Book 10: Reluctantly Romanced
Book 11: Loving a Landon
Book 12: Loathing a Landon


For a more complete list visit her website at www.ruthcardello.com

Reviews

[mica · Rating 2 out of 5]

La parte más impactante de toda esta historia no es que el protagonista sea un super soldado con poderes que fue reclutado en la segunda guerra mundial para infiltrarse entre los alemanes y robar la bomba atómica o que se convierta en una cuchara y la protagonista 80 años despues tenga que cojerselo en esa forma para que se transforme en humano otra vez... si no que siendo un yankee nacido alrededor de los 20' el libro no te da ningun indicio de que el chabon sea racista o homofobico o gorila o facho o nazi o misogino etc etc realmente una falopa el libro este

[Youssra (semi ia) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serious question: If your celebrity crush was trapped in some kind of silverware, would you not do ANYTHING possible to free them?? BE COMPLETELY HONEST WITH YOURSELF 🤣🤣🤣

Anyways😅 this was fun little novella though not as funny as Forked, I still had some laugh out loud moments. The mmcs actually have some depth believe it or not and their dynamic was enjoyable.
The romance was cute but I'm actually more invested in the plot lmao. I have to know what happened to these super soldiers and why they were turned to silverware🤣
4 stars purely for the vibes and the entertainment 🤣

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all: ruth you’re my hero HAHAHA

second of all: thank you for blessing me with an arc🫶🏼

to explain to my friends as to why i’m so invested in a FORK SPOON AND A KNIFE?! foul. you’re foul for that.

anyway, once again a great addition to this world. The scientific research that went into this one? uhm. hello? it made sense, and it wasn’t expected in a utensil romance, but i’m happy about it!

i can’t wait for Ray’s book. i need it to be longer Ruth. it has to be longer.

[Gohnar23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an 'erotica' book actually has good plot and interesting characters. Compared to the first book where we barely knew who Hugh is and just focuses on the world building in this world where somehow super soldiers could now turn into silverware.....This book took a turn and introduces us to Jay who even when transported to the present world, of all the advancements it brings he still want to go back because of his values and motivations being his own family aed fiancé, lovee a family orientated character. And Cherylll.....uh i think her character arc is literally just 'me don't believe that silverware can turn into guys' to 'me now believe that silverware can turn into guys' which just makes Cheryl as a much forgettable character that i thinkkkkkkkkk is a self insert tbh.


4.5★

[Britt N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why do I like the plot of these ridiculous books so much?

[Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised on how much I enjoyed it, loved it s much. Was fun, bit silly but had me wanting books for every kind of cutlery.

[Beth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was forked but alas, I was not spooned.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

These books are wild 🤣 “Are you ladle-curious?”
Come on. Gold. 24K gold.

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous story! Spooned did not disappointed and it’s a charming book! Cherly and Jack are an adorable couple! Enjoyed reading this story with amazing characters! A must read!

[Corrine Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good time. I am hooked on this series and need Knifed ASAP. I love the characters, the utensil jokes, and the mystery!

Warning: this one ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.

Thanks for the gifted ARC!

[Wioletta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the series about super soldiers trapped in cutlery.
This book is about spoon...I mean Jack, Cheryl is the one who brings him back.
Storyline is sweet and fun.
Enjoyed a lot.

[ayd · Rating 2 out of 5]

i cannot stop laughinh guys these books are like crack

[Brecht Denijs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly more of the same, though I did like Jack and Cheryl better than Hugh and Mercedes. It even had a few good moments in it and the bit with the spoon was actually better than the one with the fork.

Having said that, I don't think I'll ever be the greatest fan of this author, because the things that sort of turn me off aren't the weird and out there elements of the novella's, it's actually the characters. The women are the whole "I'm a strong woman but someone I still want a dominant man in my life who doesn't seem to really care about my agency" and the men are the type of "old fashioned" men's men that I really don't understand why women find them attractive. It all seems very shallow. This author also writes regular romance and something tells me I wouldn't like those either.

It is commendable that she tries to expand the plot, but unfortunately this reveals that the women didn't really need to have sex with the utensils to advance the plot, so it kind of ruins the zany vibe which made me pick these up in the first place. Like I said previously, if I were writing this I would have gone with some kind curse rather than secret government program.

One more to go and this time it's going to be a "bad boy". Something tells me I'm going to like him even less than the other two...

[Livy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I have to wait a whole month for the final book to find out why and how World War 2 super soldiers were turned into cutlery. My life is just incomplete without this knowledge.
I would like to end this review with a real quote from this book:
"I couldn’t let go of the image of her with another spoon."

[bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

art in its highest form

[Ashley Schantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

i hate how much i enjoyed this. i’ll be reading knifed immediately

[Liz Osborne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This story had me laughing out loud while I was reading in the garden. Have no idea what the neighbours must have thought. Spooned is the second instalment of this series, and I found it be intriguing and towards the end mysterious.
Ruth has a great way of writing and I highly recommend this to be read. Although it can be read as a stand alone, it is probably better to read Forked first, to get the background.
Congratulations on another brilliant book Ruth.

[Hanah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still giggling at a super soldier trapped as a piece of cutlery

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

The bizarre world of silverware continues. The book talks about a something that makes a person feel drawn to a particular piece of silverware. That is how I feel about this series in a sense. The ridiculousness pulls me right in to the story.

I am drawn to the whole concept of the utensils and their transformation. The information about the Inkwell project and that last dinner is so intriguing.

This book with Jack and Cheryl take us further down what seems to be a somewhat dark path. Jack's reunion and Cheryl's introduction opens up more possibilities , questions, and maybe even solutions to what happened to the men of Inkwell.

4.5 stars. I would have like more details on how Jack and Hugh sussed out the information about Cheryl's incident. I know they are super soldiers. I would have enjoyed reading about that excursion.

I am looking forward to the next wonderfully weird and intriguing book. If it is about the character mentioned in the book, I will be surprised. I was thinking he would be saving for further down the road. Yet, tbh, I don't know how many utensils are involved, lol.

[Seta OcultaVida · Rating 4 out of 5]

pooned by Ruth Cardello is a charming continuation in the Lighthearted Utensil Romance series, delving deeper into the quirky, imaginative world where everyday objects take on an entirely new life. The story follows Jack, a former WWII super soldier, who finds himself trapped in the form of a spoon—a fate that leads to both comedic and poignant moments. His journey to regain his humanity through an unexpected and heartwarming romance makes for an engaging and enjoyable read. Cardello excels in bringing her characters to life, and Jack is no exception. He’s a complex character, struggling with his past while trying to adjust to his bizarre present situation. The chemistry between Jack and the female lead is both tender and humorous, adding a delightful spark to the narrative. Spooned skillfully balances whimsy with depth, making it a perfect choice for readers who enjoy lighthearted romance with a unique twist. The blend of humor, romance, and a touch of magic creates a delightful story that will leave you smiling. While it stands strong on its own, it also serves as a wonderful continuation for fans of the series.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

“It could be the same with you. You might really have a thing for spoons and any spoon will do. I could walk in one day and find you in bed rolling around with a ladle between your legs.”

🥄

…sigh. It wasn’t *awful* but it fell into the same trappings of the first one. It was boring as hell. Again, idk how you involve cutlery and somehow it’s still duller than a plastic knife, but… it is.

Jack was sweet.

That’s about all I got.

And I know the last is supposed to be the bad boy knife, but I don’t think I can do it. I really, really don’t.

And you know it’s saying something when we still don’t know how they got turned into silverware and we might get answers in the next one, and I just… don’t care. lol.

Two stars for a unique premise, and a sort of sweet love interest. Knocked off three for how bored I was through most of it.

[Raven Breads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooned was exactly what I needed in a second in the series! I loved the cutlery club! And the humor behind the entire process of finding a new love for a cutlery soldier! I laughed so many times but am so so insanely invested into seeing how the rest of the group is freed and who they fall in love with! I loved the set up for knifed in this book! And can’t wait to see how it unfolds! But spooned is the perfect second book for the series Cheryl is so confident but is also so human in needing to feel safe. Jack is so kind and respectful and so funny! They balance each other so well! I 100% suggest reading forked so then you can read spooned!

[Taylor H · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cant believe I'm rating this book 3.75 ⭐️, but here we are!
March BCB: okay, so imagine a horny jason bourne being trapped inside of a spoon and you have to use the spoon to get jason into physical form.
I went into this expecting to be entertained and I was not wrong. Idk but the FMC being named Cheryl is so fitting, like "god damnit cheryl, you just had to fall for a spoon, huh?"

but her friend Ashley stole the show for me. During a hilarious banter, Ashley says that if her current boyfriend was cutlery he'd be a teaspoon 🤣 and she ended up breaking up with him bc she couldn't get that image out of her head. "I dont even like tea." ABSOLUTELY GAGGED ME.

I probably will read the next one in series. These are cute for in between palette cleansers and super quick reads.

[Bobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spooned is another short novel in an lighthearted series that Ruth Cardello is writing and I have throughly enjoyed both books in the series so far. In this story Cheryl is friends with Mercedes and Hugh (from the first book) where soldiers from WW2 have been changed into silverware. You have to suspend belief and just go along for the ride! In any event Mercedes gives Cheryl a spoon that is connected to Jack and she and only she can bring him to life in 2024. It makes for a fun, interesting one sitting read, and if you enjoy a bit of shake your head silly, this will definitely give you a break from reality for a short time.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even funnier than the first but with an equally complex backstory. This was so much fun to read, especially since I was in physical pain at the time, it was a perfect distraction. I enjoy this series the the cutlery crew so much. It ends on a cliffhanger to lead into Knifed, and I can't wait.

Also, for the record, I am here for a spinoff with called Sporked.

There's also a moment when Hugh, the hero of the previous book, uses a quote from the movie the Town and I laughed so hard when I saw it because seeing people use that Tiktok audio is one of my favorites.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the “utensil series” is just as quirky and funny as “Forked.” I must say that I am eagerly awaiting the publication of “Knifed.” This story line is very whimsical with an element of science fiction, another genre I enjoy. I think I have read every book by Ruth Cardello so I am pleasantly surprised to see how much I am enjoying her departure from the expected billionaire/trillionaire romance. Disxlosure: I was given an advance copy of this book to read and review.

[Jennifer Artiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part 2 of a very unconventional group of characters. While unusual, this is a diverting plot line with quirky characters that are endearing. It's easy to be sucked into their form of reality and now the mystery is heating up as to why they were turned into cutlery. With the world as crazy as it is these days, it's fun to have something to just kick back and enjoy without taking things too seriously. Jack and Cheryl are wonderful together and I look forward to seeing them more in the following books. Highly recommended.

[M Cabral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This quirky series draws you in and you can’t help but get caught up in the story. Obviously it’s a fantasy type storyline with Cheryl finding her love via Jack that was trapped inside a spoon. It is not just a romance but there is some hidden government cover up brewing. I was so caught up in the possibility of a government conspiracy that the only bad thing I can say about the book, was it ended too quickly. Now I have to wait for the next one!

[Anne Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the second book in this quirky series, where soldiers from WW2 have been existing as cutlery ever since till they re materialise when they come in contact with the right woman. Turns out the were no ordinary soldiers but all had a disability who after joining a secretive unit and being given medication developed special skills which they still have in the twentieth century, a fun quirky romance with an intriguing storyline. Looking forward to the next in the series

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just keep loving this series more and more. It gets more interesting as the story evolves. This book is not a standalone so you need to read the first book in order to fully enjoy the story. The heroine initially is very skeptical about the events that are unraveling in front of her but as the story evolves she realizes that things are not so strange after all. I still kept an open mind about it and I must say that things are not so weird but logical and engaging. I can’t wait to read the next book and see what really happened to these courageous soldiers.