Silent Bites

by Melissa Ingoldsby

In the bustling heart of New York City, Arturo dreams of shedding his carefully constructed facade and embracing his true self. Dan, a tough but emotionally closed-off cop, is haunted by past relationships and a life spent repressing his deepest desires. When their worlds collide over a simple coffee mix-up at Salty & Sweet Café, a slow-burning connection ignites between them. But love is never simple. As Sera, the café owner, secretly longs for Dan, and Aki, a man with a shadowed past, enters the mix, each character must confront their own truths. Bites is a rich, emotionally charged story of identity, love, and the courage to break free from the roles society has assigned.

Will Arturo and Dan take the leap toward happiness, or will fear keep them apart?

163 pages, Paperback

Published May 10, 2025

Reviews

[K.D. Lumsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ingoldsby you’ve done it again! Silent Bites pulls at your heart by exploring themes of identity, trauma, love and the unexpected ways our lives intersect. Set primarily in New York City this contemporary novel follows several characters whose paths converge in ways both beautiful and devastating. There’s no shying away from difficult topics, but Ingoldsby treats each with the gravity and respect they deserve.

At the heart, the story centers on Arturo, a young Columbian-American man struggling with gender expression and family expectations, and Dan, a veteran police officer carrying the weapon of past trauma and an abusive relationship. Their slow-burn romance unfolds against the backdrop of a local café, where owner Sera harbors her own unrequited feelings while navigating a new relationship with the mysterious Aki.

The novel’s structure alternates between character perspectives and timelines, gradually revealing how past events shaped present circumstances. While this approach builds suspense effectively, it occasionally feels overwhelming as the reader must juggle multiple storylines and backstories. Silent Bites succeeds as both a character study and a mediation on how our past actions echo through time, affecting not just ourselves but everyone whose lives we touch, this compelling read will resonate with readers seeking authentic LGBTQ+ representation and stories about healing from trauma.

[Cendrine Marrouat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Ingoldsby is a talented author who deserves success. I know that she puts a lot of work into crafting stories that resonate with readers.

"Silent Bites" is well done overall, with good character development. Ms. Ingoldsby did a great job writing from the points of view of male characters.

[Lisa Lachapelle dit Langlois · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic read for anyone who loves suspense and intriguing characters. Storylines runs parallel to create an undertone of mystery that culminates in the ending. I recommend this book.

[Cathrine]

Such a phenomenal book good job you did it another book that I fell in love with I loved Dan and art so much they were such a adorable couple