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Sunday Night Dinner Club #3
Dinner at Eight
Sunday Night Dinner Club, Book 3
It’s been eighteen months since Ava Torres last saw her best friend, Jared Thurston. In that time she’s been married, separated and gone all the way to hell and back as a wife. She keeps her emotional scars buried deep beneath the surface, loath to let the world know they exist.
Jared had no choice but to leave Sydney. The alternative meant staying and watching the woman he secretly loved marry another man. Now it’s time to go home and pick up the pieces of his broken heart.
Ava is both thrilled and thrown by Jared’s unexpected return. While seeing him brings true happiness for the first time in months, it also presents a new batch of problems. Jared won’t let Ava hide from her pain any longer, nor will he let her hide from him. He’s determined to show her that true love doesn’t just exist in fairy tales. If Ava is willing to fight for it, together they can find their very own happy ever after.
Warning: Please don’t go thinking this is your regular fairy tale. No one under the age of 18 should be reading the tale of this ridiculously sexy Prince Charming.
(This book is the third in the Sunday Night Dinner Club series. Although each book stands alone, they can be better enjoyed read in order. )
It’s been eighteen months since Ava Torres last saw her best friend, Jared Thurston. In that time she’s been married, separated and gone all the way to hell and back as a wife. She keeps her emotional scars buried deep beneath the surface, loath to let the world know they exist.
Jared had no choice but to leave Sydney. The alternative meant staying and watching the woman he secretly loved marry another man. Now it’s time to go home and pick up the pieces of his broken heart.
Ava is both thrilled and thrown by Jared’s unexpected return. While seeing him brings true happiness for the first time in months, it also presents a new batch of problems. Jared won’t let Ava hide from her pain any longer, nor will he let her hide from him. He’s determined to show her that true love doesn’t just exist in fairy tales. If Ava is willing to fight for it, together they can find their very own happy ever after.
Warning: Please don’t go thinking this is your regular fairy tale. No one under the age of 18 should be reading the tale of this ridiculously sexy Prince Charming.
(This book is the third in the Sunday Night Dinner Club series. Although each book stands alone, they can be better enjoyed read in order. )
ebook
First published February 20, 2015
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109 people want to read
About the author
Jess Dee
55 books539 followersJess Dee lives in beautiful Sydney, Australia, with her husband, their two sons and their insane dog - a ridiculously overweight puggle named Luigi.
An avid romance reader since her early teens, Jess knew one day, when she grew up, she’d have to write her own love stories. It might have taken a while, but in December of 2005, she finally got “the call.” Her first book, Photo Opportunity had been contracted. Now you can’t hold her down. She’s completed a whole host of books, and is finally doing the work she loves most— writing romance.
An avid romance reader since her early teens, Jess knew one day, when she grew up, she’d have to write her own love stories. It might have taken a while, but in December of 2005, she finally got “the call.” Her first book, Photo Opportunity had been contracted. Now you can’t hold her down. She’s completed a whole host of books, and is finally doing the work she loves most— writing romance.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 19, 2015
I've said it over and over again how talented of a writer I believe Jess Dee to be, but this book is simply incredible. Dinner at Eight is a powerful and moving story, and I loved each and every moment of it. Jess has never been one to shy away from an emotional story, which is why I love her so much, but this one had so much more depth to it than any of her previous books with maybe the exception of her Circle of Friends series. What made this book so special for me was the subject matter. Ava feels broken inside. She put her trust in the wrong man and now, although she is just going through the motions of living life and taking back what pieces she can, she still feels that some aspects of her previous life are never going to come back again because she just can't trust others and most of all herself.
When Jared, her long-time best friend, returns from being in the states for the last year and a half, you can automatically tell by her reaction to him that they have an undeniable and very powerful connection. Ava is such a deeply strong character, but she also had this hidden vulnerability too that just nearly breaks your heart as you find out more about what happened during her marriage. I also don't think anyone else could have been more compassionate or caring towards Ava as Jared was. He holds the title as my second favorite hero ever, because of his unwavering support and love for Ava as she pushes to take back all aspects of her life. You know, I'm amazed that it took so long for them to get together, but then again I honestly think that the timing was quite perfect as well.
Overall, I feel that Dee has something pretty amazing here that you should all read. It is an emotional roller coaster, but when you get to the end it will leave you with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling inside. So needless to say, Jess Dee delivered in a BIG way with Dinner at Eight, and I promise you guys are going to love every single moment of it just as I did.
*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review*
Check out this and more of my reviews on my blog
Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
When Jared, her long-time best friend, returns from being in the states for the last year and a half, you can automatically tell by her reaction to him that they have an undeniable and very powerful connection. Ava is such a deeply strong character, but she also had this hidden vulnerability too that just nearly breaks your heart as you find out more about what happened during her marriage. I also don't think anyone else could have been more compassionate or caring towards Ava as Jared was. He holds the title as my second favorite hero ever, because of his unwavering support and love for Ava as she pushes to take back all aspects of her life. You know, I'm amazed that it took so long for them to get together, but then again I honestly think that the timing was quite perfect as well.
Overall, I feel that Dee has something pretty amazing here that you should all read. It is an emotional roller coaster, but when you get to the end it will leave you with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling inside. So needless to say, Jess Dee delivered in a BIG way with Dinner at Eight, and I promise you guys are going to love every single moment of it just as I did.
*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review*
Check out this and more of my reviews on my blog
Blending Perspectives Book Reviews
February 23, 2015
Slick's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
4.5 Stars
**Reviewer warning: Dinner At Eight deals with the aftermath of domestic violence and includes a retelling of several accounts of abuse. Because we are aware that reading this might be a trigger to some people, we wanted to include this warning.
Each book in Jess Dee's Sunday Night Dinner Club has presented the characters with a unique or difficult challenge but in Dinner At Eight she steps up the game quite a bit and this book is far more serious and in reality could potentially same someone's life. So now you are thinking this is a really heavy book and do I really want that in a romance and I'm going to tell you that yes it is a heavy subject matter, but it is important and you should absolutely read this book because one day you might be in the position to help someone or need help. Domestic abuse and violence affects way more people than it should on daily basis and this book brings it to light; the shame, the helplessness, the acceptance, the courage, and the aftermath. While not pretty this is a story of one woman's struggle to get her life back and the man who has the courage to help her do it even when he risks his heart in doing so. A thought provoking story and if helps even just one person make their way to a better life then this author by taking a chance on writing a romance like this one deserves all the accolades in the world.
All of her friends know that something hasn't been right with Ava Torres since she left her marriage after only 4 months and while they've tried to get her to talk she has refused to open up. Out of respect they stick close but they don't push because they just feel like they got her back and the last thing they want is to make her stay away from them. When her best friend, Jared Thurston, returns to Sydney and their close group of friends he refuses to let her hide and in addition to making sure she knows he's been in love with her for a long time he works at getting her to unburden herself and tell him everything even knowing it be just as hard on him as it is on her.
I really loved how this story played out and the fact that Jared knew just how to handle Ava and her issues. I will admit at times I snickered a little at his analogies between her and the animals he's treated as a vet, but in reality he was pretty spot on so even that was forgivable. I liked that he knew when to press, when to back off, and when to comfort; he really was the only person who would have ever dared to break through the walls she'd put up around herself. It was amazing watching Ava transform as she truly began healing her heart and rediscovering the woman she once was. While I understood her friends unwillingness to push her into answering their questions, and her reluctance to share I think this book brings up the point that sometimes even if it's hard and could at first cause damage to your friendship you must be strong and ask the tough questions and not stop until you get the answers. So much shame is associated with abuse that it sometimes takes someone really overstepping boundaries to make the abuse victim understand you aren't going away until you've helped.
While not a sexy as some of her previous works, I think Ms. Dee did a fantastic job of allowing Ava to overcome her fears, understand her needs, and even more that she realized that not every partner or every man wants to break her.
While Dinner at Eight is the most serious book to date in this series it is also the most heartfelt, the most inspiring, and perhaps the most important due to the subject manner. I admire authors who jump outside the box and take a risk on writing a romance that doesn't fit into a nice, neat package and author Jess Dee has done that in more and I for one applaud her. Well done Jess and thank you!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
4.5 Stars
**Reviewer warning: Dinner At Eight deals with the aftermath of domestic violence and includes a retelling of several accounts of abuse. Because we are aware that reading this might be a trigger to some people, we wanted to include this warning.
Each book in Jess Dee's Sunday Night Dinner Club has presented the characters with a unique or difficult challenge but in Dinner At Eight she steps up the game quite a bit and this book is far more serious and in reality could potentially same someone's life. So now you are thinking this is a really heavy book and do I really want that in a romance and I'm going to tell you that yes it is a heavy subject matter, but it is important and you should absolutely read this book because one day you might be in the position to help someone or need help. Domestic abuse and violence affects way more people than it should on daily basis and this book brings it to light; the shame, the helplessness, the acceptance, the courage, and the aftermath. While not pretty this is a story of one woman's struggle to get her life back and the man who has the courage to help her do it even when he risks his heart in doing so. A thought provoking story and if helps even just one person make their way to a better life then this author by taking a chance on writing a romance like this one deserves all the accolades in the world.
All of her friends know that something hasn't been right with Ava Torres since she left her marriage after only 4 months and while they've tried to get her to talk she has refused to open up. Out of respect they stick close but they don't push because they just feel like they got her back and the last thing they want is to make her stay away from them. When her best friend, Jared Thurston, returns to Sydney and their close group of friends he refuses to let her hide and in addition to making sure she knows he's been in love with her for a long time he works at getting her to unburden herself and tell him everything even knowing it be just as hard on him as it is on her.
I really loved how this story played out and the fact that Jared knew just how to handle Ava and her issues. I will admit at times I snickered a little at his analogies between her and the animals he's treated as a vet, but in reality he was pretty spot on so even that was forgivable. I liked that he knew when to press, when to back off, and when to comfort; he really was the only person who would have ever dared to break through the walls she'd put up around herself. It was amazing watching Ava transform as she truly began healing her heart and rediscovering the woman she once was. While I understood her friends unwillingness to push her into answering their questions, and her reluctance to share I think this book brings up the point that sometimes even if it's hard and could at first cause damage to your friendship you must be strong and ask the tough questions and not stop until you get the answers. So much shame is associated with abuse that it sometimes takes someone really overstepping boundaries to make the abuse victim understand you aren't going away until you've helped.
While not a sexy as some of her previous works, I think Ms. Dee did a fantastic job of allowing Ava to overcome her fears, understand her needs, and even more that she realized that not every partner or every man wants to break her.
While Dinner at Eight is the most serious book to date in this series it is also the most heartfelt, the most inspiring, and perhaps the most important due to the subject manner. I admire authors who jump outside the box and take a risk on writing a romance that doesn't fit into a nice, neat package and author Jess Dee has done that in more and I for one applaud her. Well done Jess and thank you!
Review copy provided for an honest review.
February 26, 2015
Very touchy subject matter given ultimate respect and consideration by author Jess Dee.
When an author can take a tragedy, turn it around and give a character a believable happy ending. Well, for me, that's the sign of a truly gifted author. Jess Dee accomplishes that and more in the third book in the Sunday Night Dinner Club series. From the moment Ava laid eyes on her best friend Jared, who'd come back to town after an eighteen month absence, I was sucked in. Hoover style sucked in. At some points in the read I held my breath, at others I read so fast I had to back up and re-read important sections. This story had me on pins and needles yet never afraid it wouldn't come to a beautiful conclusion. And it did. It SO did.
What I've always adored about this authors stories is her ability to make them believable. They are not just fantastic, panty-melting tales, with little to no substance. The characters feel real. They come to life and are memorable. It's something every author strives for but Jess seems to be able to do effortlessly.
If you want a tale that's wicked hot, romantic, agnsty, loving, filled with friendship and a woman's journey to pick herself back up from tragedy and a mans strong arms to help her along the way...this story is for you.
When an author can take a tragedy, turn it around and give a character a believable happy ending. Well, for me, that's the sign of a truly gifted author. Jess Dee accomplishes that and more in the third book in the Sunday Night Dinner Club series. From the moment Ava laid eyes on her best friend Jared, who'd come back to town after an eighteen month absence, I was sucked in. Hoover style sucked in. At some points in the read I held my breath, at others I read so fast I had to back up and re-read important sections. This story had me on pins and needles yet never afraid it wouldn't come to a beautiful conclusion. And it did. It SO did.
What I've always adored about this authors stories is her ability to make them believable. They are not just fantastic, panty-melting tales, with little to no substance. The characters feel real. They come to life and are memorable. It's something every author strives for but Jess seems to be able to do effortlessly.
If you want a tale that's wicked hot, romantic, agnsty, loving, filled with friendship and a woman's journey to pick herself back up from tragedy and a mans strong arms to help her along the way...this story is for you.
August 27, 2018
2.5*
I liked Ava very much in Table for Two, Liv and James' book. I liked Ava in the beginning of this book, her friendship and love for Jared was so intense.
What I didn't like was the Ava when she was with her ex, Anthony. To put it bluntly she was bedazzled by a successful, older and controlling man. She was such an easy victim. I know it's a sensitive topic and I don't want to be seen as victim shaming, but the more details about her courtship and marriage with Anthony was revealed, the more stupid she had seemed. I guess it was easy to say this when I wasn't in her shoes, but she sure helped Anthony isolate herself by not confiding in any of her family or friends. Cos she was embarrassed. Pride! Because she thought she was getting a Prince Charming and ideal marriage but within days and weeks it all went wrong! If she could go to the hospital, it meant she could have gone to the police, or her family! Instead she waited and gave Anthony chance after chance...
She had enjoyed Anthony's possessiveness and jealousy in the beginning, happily giving up her group of friends... Even now with perfect hindsight, she knew she'd have gone ahead to marry Anthony had Jared confessed his love!!!
Brava to her for rescuing herself and extracting herself from the nightmare. Taking up MMA for self defence was a great move, yet her inability to confide in her friends after so long showed her pride was more important. She even lied about going to yoga when it's MMA classes!
I think the author dealt well with the sensitive subject. I'm just sorry I ended up not liking the heroine very much but her ability to move on is a very positive step message.
We see very little of the Dinner Club in this book, it's really all Ava and Jared.
I liked Ava very much in Table for Two, Liv and James' book. I liked Ava in the beginning of this book, her friendship and love for Jared was so intense.
What I didn't like was the Ava when she was with her ex, Anthony. To put it bluntly she was bedazzled by a successful, older and controlling man. She was such an easy victim. I know it's a sensitive topic and I don't want to be seen as victim shaming, but the more details about her courtship and marriage with Anthony was revealed, the more stupid she had seemed. I guess it was easy to say this when I wasn't in her shoes, but she sure helped Anthony isolate herself by not confiding in any of her family or friends. Cos she was embarrassed. Pride! Because she thought she was getting a Prince Charming and ideal marriage but within days and weeks it all went wrong! If she could go to the hospital, it meant she could have gone to the police, or her family! Instead she waited and gave Anthony chance after chance...
She had enjoyed Anthony's possessiveness and jealousy in the beginning, happily giving up her group of friends... Even now with perfect hindsight, she knew she'd have gone ahead to marry Anthony had Jared confessed his love!!!
Brava to her for rescuing herself and extracting herself from the nightmare. Taking up MMA for self defence was a great move, yet her inability to confide in her friends after so long showed her pride was more important. She even lied about going to yoga when it's MMA classes!
I think the author dealt well with the sensitive subject. I'm just sorry I ended up not liking the heroine very much but her ability to move on is a very positive step message.
We see very little of the Dinner Club in this book, it's really all Ava and Jared.
September 29, 2018
Not enough meat in the bones of what could have been a fantastic story
March 23, 2015
4,5 stars
When I finished the previous book (TABLE FOR TWO) in this series I was hoping the next would be about Ava. And when I read the blurb for DINNER AT EIGHT and saw that it was, I was ecstatic. But the blurb also gave me this funny feeling that Ava's story was going to be an emotional heavy one as I was going to find out what happened in her short-lived marriage. As I told the author on Twitter when I was about 25% in, this book had the potential of emotionally breaking me and turning me into a sobbing mess.
And it proved me right with the very first kiss Jared and Ava share. That kiss scene and its aftermath was everything at once and brought all my feelings out at once. There were also scenes that just broke my heart, like the one in Ava's kitchen after a particularly sexy scene. I was crying and outraged...on Ava and Jared's behalf.
And lest we forget, this book is HOT! The sexy scenes are tinged with tender protectiveness from Jared and careful deliberation from Ava but this doesn't affect the sexy or take away from the dirty at all! OMG that icecream scene, people!!! Also loved how Jared would turn into a 2-word sentence caveman every time Ava would touch him in a sexual way.
This series just keeps getting better and better and I love how no book is the series is the same. Even these last two I've read that had the same friends-to-lovers theme were as different from each other as could be and yet the coherence within the series remains because of the group of friends cast that forms the base around which all the books are centered. I now have to wait until May for the next story and already looking forward to it a lot!
When I finished the previous book (TABLE FOR TWO) in this series I was hoping the next would be about Ava. And when I read the blurb for DINNER AT EIGHT and saw that it was, I was ecstatic. But the blurb also gave me this funny feeling that Ava's story was going to be an emotional heavy one as I was going to find out what happened in her short-lived marriage. As I told the author on Twitter when I was about 25% in, this book had the potential of emotionally breaking me and turning me into a sobbing mess.
And it proved me right with the very first kiss Jared and Ava share. That kiss scene and its aftermath was everything at once and brought all my feelings out at once. There were also scenes that just broke my heart, like the one in Ava's kitchen after a particularly sexy scene. I was crying and outraged...on Ava and Jared's behalf.
And lest we forget, this book is HOT! The sexy scenes are tinged with tender protectiveness from Jared and careful deliberation from Ava but this doesn't affect the sexy or take away from the dirty at all! OMG that icecream scene, people!!! Also loved how Jared would turn into a 2-word sentence caveman every time Ava would touch him in a sexual way.
This series just keeps getting better and better and I love how no book is the series is the same. Even these last two I've read that had the same friends-to-lovers theme were as different from each other as could be and yet the coherence within the series remains because of the group of friends cast that forms the base around which all the books are centered. I now have to wait until May for the next story and already looking forward to it a lot!
February 13, 2017
Oh wow with each of this series I think wow my favourite so far, I think definitely this is my fave so far our of this series, cried and laughed with them on their journey and antics through their story, thrilled with how this book ended I adore Av and Jazza totes thank you Jess and luckily I have just found book 4 so I'm off to read it
May 25, 2015
This book is a good book to read but hard to read. Please be aware it deal very heavily with the aftermath of domestic violence and includes a retelling of several accounts of abuse. This could cause problems if you have had physical or mental abuse in your past.Jess Dee can write a story like no other and her stories have plots are both deep with meaning and also are hot as hell.
This is Ava and Jared's story. I have wondered about Ava for a while now. Sweet quite Ava... and Jar her best friend who has been away in American as a vet to large animals. He comes home ready to finally claim his women now that she is divorced. First he needs to figure our what is really going on with Ava. Why all the changes in her...not only in her physically but also in how she carries herself and how she acts around the group. This story like I mention is very deep and i times had me in tears. It does have some very hard to read parts but it also has some very hot sex scenes too. I am very glad to read Ava and Jar's story and look forward to their live together in future stories.
This is Ava and Jared's story. I have wondered about Ava for a while now. Sweet quite Ava... and Jar her best friend who has been away in American as a vet to large animals. He comes home ready to finally claim his women now that she is divorced. First he needs to figure our what is really going on with Ava. Why all the changes in her...not only in her physically but also in how she carries herself and how she acts around the group. This story like I mention is very deep and i times had me in tears. It does have some very hard to read parts but it also has some very hot sex scenes too. I am very glad to read Ava and Jar's story and look forward to their live together in future stories.
May 14, 2016
Call me cold hearted, but I don't suffer abused women very well. I get too annoyed with reading about them because I hate the ones who stayed with their abuser for too long. In real life, I have helped pregnant abused women escape their abusers, so I cannot stand the ones that aren't willing to escape or ask for help.
All in all, I did like the book. I liked Jared.
I didn't dislike Ava, other than the things mentioned above.
Less of the rest of the Dinner Club was around this time.
But yeah... I did like the book.
All in all, I did like the book. I liked Jared.
I didn't dislike Ava, other than the things mentioned above.
Less of the rest of the Dinner Club was around this time.
But yeah... I did like the book.
November 17, 2015
This book is the third in this series. I thought it was very, very sexy with a decent story. Ava and Jared were best friends and inseparable. But when Ava meets and marries the man of her dreams, it is too much for Jared who has secretly been in love with his best friend. Skip to present day, Jared returns to town to find that Ava is divorced after a brief marriage and a completely altered person. No one in their Sunday night dinner club has the details and Ava is not talking. But Jared is the one person that Ava was always able to turn to and tell everything to. As he digs to find out what happens, he tries to get Ava to see him more than just a friend (and here is where Jess Dee knows how to write sexy!)
March 1, 2015
Jess Dee has proven once again why she is one of my absolute favorite authors with her latest book, Dinner at Eight. This story was beautifully written, the scenes were filled with raw emotions that just pulled at my heartstrings and brought tears to my eyes. I loved the characters of Jared and Ava so much and the undeniable love they had for one another touched me deeply. I adored Jared and the length he went to in order to make Ava feel safe and protected. Ava showed remarkable strength in reclaiming her life after the pain she had to endure. This author is brilliant with her storytelling and she always manages to get me to connect emotionally with her characters.
March 14, 2015
I love this series
Jess Dee writes so well that you believe you are there with the characters as they go through their trials and tribulations. I felt this way especially when I heard Ava's story. The love Jared feels for Ava is real and true. I hope someday I find my version of Jared.
Jess Dee writes so well that you believe you are there with the characters as they go through their trials and tribulations. I felt this way especially when I heard Ava's story. The love Jared feels for Ava is real and true. I hope someday I find my version of Jared.
February 26, 2015
Jess sure knows how to rip the heart from you chest, and then put it back together. I absolutely adore these characters!!! This group of friends have been some of my favorites to read about! I'm so ready for the next story!!!
March 16, 2015
Swoon for Jared
Everyone needs a Jared Thurston in their life. Protective, loving, supportive, and smoking hot! His love for Ava is truly a thing of beauty.
Everyone needs a Jared Thurston in their life. Protective, loving, supportive, and smoking hot! His love for Ava is truly a thing of beauty.
February 23, 2015
Love the friends become lovers genre but as usual Jess Dee takes it to a whole new level. Loved how this story unfolded.
March 25, 2017
I love this entire series by Jess Dee, but this one truly struck a cord with me, making it my favourite in the series so far. Jared is home from the USA and his love of his lifelong friend, Ava hasn't lessened. When he learns of the trauma she went through while he was away, he is filled with guilt over not being there to help her.
Jess does a great job of tackling a difficult topic and does so with grace, and brutal truth. As someone who went through similar trauma, I can see all of the comparisons between my own experiences and those of Ava's. Jess has the ability to write rich stories with well developed characters that you fall head over heels for in a short time with these novellas. 5 stars.
Jess does a great job of tackling a difficult topic and does so with grace, and brutal truth. As someone who went through similar trauma, I can see all of the comparisons between my own experiences and those of Ava's. Jess has the ability to write rich stories with well developed characters that you fall head over heels for in a short time with these novellas. 5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews