A Table for Four

by Ray N. Kuili

Serving the dish called 'revenge' is not easy, especially when it has been cold for fifteen years and involves your ex, who suddenly decided to show up in your busy but lonely life. Worse, despite your best efforts, meticulous planning, and the well-meaning support of a friend, it may backfire. After all, you're not the only one at the table, and as another piece of popular wisdom suggests, appetite comes with eating.

Audible Audio

Published November 26, 2024

About the author

Ray N. Kuili is a US-based author of novels and short stories, including AWAKENING, OVERDOSE, THE LAST MASK and the new series THE DAWN. His books include elements of science fiction, psychological thriller, and suspense, and explore such themes as integrity, self-discovery and personal freedom.

He is also the publisher of Storius Magazine (http://storiusmag.com) -- an online magazine about the art, craft, and business of storytelling. Featuring perspectives of professional and emerging authors, filmmakers, and other creators, it delivers a rich mix of storytelling facts, news, and techniques to its readers from a network of 200+ contributors

The get a free book and be the first to hear about new releases subscribe at http://raynkuili.com/subscribe.

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Reviews

[Bobby Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Table For Four from Ray N. Kuili is a very engaging and enjoyable vignette that is filled with humor and romance. I love the chosen cover, which works perfectly for the story, transporting the reader perhaps to the very spot where this charming interlude takes place.

We get the entire story from Josh’s perspective, and it's the right narrative choice. Kuili does a deft job of giving the reader such a sense of Josh that we not only like him, but begin rooting for him to come out of this charade with a romantic windfall. Sure, the premise of being asked by his coworker Darcy to pretend to be her husband during a dinner with her ex and his new wife is a shopworn one, but it’s so nicely done we forget about that and enjoy the short journey to its destination; which is also familiar territory. Complaining about the premise however, is tantamount to a cozy reader complaining that an amateur detective was unrealistically able to out-sleuth the professionals and solve the crime; that’s the reason, after all, they picked up the cozy.

The reason to pick this one up and give it a read is it is charmingly relatable. Once Darcy begins to embellish her and Josh’s fictional life — and lifestyle — as a couple it becomes quite humorous, Josh nimbly attempting to keep up. A trip to the restroom by the two ladies gives the suspicious Gary a chance to put Josh temporarily on the back foot. But Josh has a second unforeseen issue to deal with, which is his growing attraction to the wonderful girl across the table; she happens to be Gary’s wife, but quite obviously feels the same magic happening. Readers can rest easy, however, as the author is firmly in control here, never allowing this story to stray into the tawdry or messy; this story in fact maintains its romantic charm from beginning to end.

A Table For Four is set by author Ray Kuili in a busy urban landscape, but he has removed the concrete glare by imbuing this romantic bauble with soft hues reflective of the story’s inviting cover. Because of the charming way this vignette is deftly handled, it’s a real winner anyone with a romantic heart will love.

Listed at twenty-five pages (if it were a print book) this short story finishes up at eighty-five percent on my Kindle; the rest is supplemental teasers for other stories by the writer. Rather than lack of length being a drawback, the brevity of A Table For Four makes this enjoyable vignette a perfect bedtime read, or something to lift your spirits on your lunch hour. Good stuff, and highly recommended for romantics!

[Pat Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so uplifting. All through the book I felt as if I were there and knew the characters personally. his was an exceptional read and I loved it so much I didn't want to get to the end.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story about college exes, who meet up after 15 years of past. Playing a game of one upmanship, Darcy enlists , as “fake husband“ for the evening. Unbeknown to her, Gary, the ex,has brought along a “fake wife“. During the course of their dinner conversations, Darcy‘s “husband“ Josh has become enamored with Gary’s “ wife“ Theresa. Evening continues with one boast after another, until the very ending.

Ray Kuili has written an entertaining story that almost certainly mirrors real life.

[Kasandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing crazy yo write about. Short story about exes