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The Menu: Room 4
STANDALONE as part of a series.
When it comes to love and kink, the lines are blurred, tensions are high, and there is everything to lose.
Ryder Stevens is the golden boy of Manhattan’s fine dining.
A Michelin star chef with very distinct tastes, and a regular at Club V, Ryder finds himself newly single and jaded as a Dom.
Brought into the lifestyle at nineteen, Ryder promised himself he would never willingly introduce a woman to kink. It’s not until he discovers one of his waitresses is a promising, potentially amazing chef, who also calls to his dark side, that his carefully constructed plans start to crumble.
“Naughty little thing. I’m in control here.”
Aspen Struthers is an aspiring chef.
Working as a waitress in the hottest restaurant in Manhattan for a glimpse of the great Ryder Stevens, Aspen is given a chance to learn from him. She is all in, until her feelings for the enigmatic chef threaten to ruin her shot. She’s been saving to buy her own restaurant, and it could all come tumbling down when she pushes to know more about the elusive Club V.
Will the allure of Ryder and Club V derail her life, or will she find everything she never knew she needed?
When it comes to love and kink, the lines are blurred, tensions are high, and there is everything to lose.
Ryder Stevens is the golden boy of Manhattan’s fine dining.
A Michelin star chef with very distinct tastes, and a regular at Club V, Ryder finds himself newly single and jaded as a Dom.
Brought into the lifestyle at nineteen, Ryder promised himself he would never willingly introduce a woman to kink. It’s not until he discovers one of his waitresses is a promising, potentially amazing chef, who also calls to his dark side, that his carefully constructed plans start to crumble.
“Naughty little thing. I’m in control here.”
Aspen Struthers is an aspiring chef.
Working as a waitress in the hottest restaurant in Manhattan for a glimpse of the great Ryder Stevens, Aspen is given a chance to learn from him. She is all in, until her feelings for the enigmatic chef threaten to ruin her shot. She’s been saving to buy her own restaurant, and it could all come tumbling down when she pushes to know more about the elusive Club V.
Will the allure of Ryder and Club V derail her life, or will she find everything she never knew she needed?
- GenresRomance
381 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
29 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Eva Haining
32 books270 followersI'm happiest when wandering through the unchartered territory of my imagination. You'll find me curled up with my laptop, browsing the books at the local library, or enjoying the smell of a new book, taking great delight in cracking the spine and writing in the margins!
Eva is a native Scot, but lives in Texas with her husband, two kids, and a whizzy little fur baby with the most ridiculous ears. She first fell in love with British Literature while majoring in Linguistics, 17th Century Poetry, and Shakespeare at University. She is an avid reader and lifelong notebook hoarder. In 2014, she finally put her extensive collection to good use and started writing her first novel. Previously published with Prism Heart Press under the pen name Sienna Parks, Eva decided to branch out on her own and lend her name to her full back catalogue! She is currently working on some exciting new projects.
Eva is a native Scot, but lives in Texas with her husband, two kids, and a whizzy little fur baby with the most ridiculous ears. She first fell in love with British Literature while majoring in Linguistics, 17th Century Poetry, and Shakespeare at University. She is an avid reader and lifelong notebook hoarder. In 2014, she finally put her extensive collection to good use and started writing her first novel. Previously published with Prism Heart Press under the pen name Sienna Parks, Eva decided to branch out on her own and lend her name to her full back catalogue! She is currently working on some exciting new projects.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 13, 2026
This standalone within the Club V series delivers heat, tension, and just the right amount of emotional bite.
Ryder Stevens is the kind of MMC you love to hate at first — arrogant, controlled, and entirely too aware of the power he holds. A Michelin-starred chef by day and a Dom at Club V by night, he’s sworn off mixing business with pleasure. But the moment Aspen steps into his orbit, that resolve starts to crack.
Aspen is ambitious, talented, and determined to build her own future in the culinary world. I loved that she wasn’t just another wide-eyed heroine swept away by a powerful man. She has goals, drive, and something to lose — which makes the push-and-pull between her and Ryder even more delicious. The dynamic between them simmers from the very first interaction. The kitchen tension? Immaculate. The Club V intrigue? Addictive. Ryder’s need for control versus Aspen’s curiosity creates a charged atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.
What really worked for me was the balance — it’s steamy and seductive without losing sight of Aspen’s dreams or the emotional vulnerability beneath Ryder’s dominant exterior. Watching him struggle between protecting her and wanting her was a chef’s kiss.
If you love:
🔥 Powerful, dominant heroes
🔥 Workplace tension
🔥 Kink dynamics with emotional depth
🔥 Ambitious heroines chasing their dreams
Then this one will absolutely hit the spot. I've been loving this series so much and being back in Club V and the D/s dynamics that play out there has been very fun to read.....as I'm part of the BDSM community myself and this has been written and researched perfectly by Eva I've absolutely loved every book
Ryder Stevens is the kind of MMC you love to hate at first — arrogant, controlled, and entirely too aware of the power he holds. A Michelin-starred chef by day and a Dom at Club V by night, he’s sworn off mixing business with pleasure. But the moment Aspen steps into his orbit, that resolve starts to crack.
Aspen is ambitious, talented, and determined to build her own future in the culinary world. I loved that she wasn’t just another wide-eyed heroine swept away by a powerful man. She has goals, drive, and something to lose — which makes the push-and-pull between her and Ryder even more delicious. The dynamic between them simmers from the very first interaction. The kitchen tension? Immaculate. The Club V intrigue? Addictive. Ryder’s need for control versus Aspen’s curiosity creates a charged atmosphere that keeps the pages turning.
What really worked for me was the balance — it’s steamy and seductive without losing sight of Aspen’s dreams or the emotional vulnerability beneath Ryder’s dominant exterior. Watching him struggle between protecting her and wanting her was a chef’s kiss.
If you love:
🔥 Powerful, dominant heroes
🔥 Workplace tension
🔥 Kink dynamics with emotional depth
🔥 Ambitious heroines chasing their dreams
Then this one will absolutely hit the spot. I've been loving this series so much and being back in Club V and the D/s dynamics that play out there has been very fun to read.....as I'm part of the BDSM community myself and this has been written and researched perfectly by Eva I've absolutely loved every book
Review of advance copy
Deliciously spicy
The doors are once again open to Club V , and Eva Haining delivers another deliciously spicy story in THE MENU: ROOM 4. Emotions, passion, desire, humour, all play a role in this boss/employee, he falls first, alpha hero, workplace romance which melted both my heart and my panties. Eva hasn't held back with this story igniting a burning fire in the kitchen.
Ryder Stevens, chef extraordinaire and owner of Dulip, one of Manhattan's most popular restaurants, is questioning his personal life after a betrayal he never saw coming. Aspen Struthers is a waitress at Dulip with aspirations of becoming a chef in her own restaurant. She's dedicated, hardworking, sweet yet spicy, and has a secret.
For Ryder all it took was a moan and knowledge of food to see Aspen as more than a waitress, then he tastes her food. There is more to Aspen than her cooking ability and it doesn't take long for Ryder to fall hard for her. Learning of her dream he offers her a position at a new restaurant he is opening at Club V. Being a Dom and having a woman he is attracted to working beside him at Venom, he worries that he will corrupt her. Aspen has secret desires for Ryder, constantly teasing and taunting him, curious about his life, can she get him to finally open up to her?
I loved the way Ryder and Aspen's relationship evolved. It wasn't an easy one, they both had hurdles to jump over, and Ryder needed to trust in what Aspen was trying to tell him. Their spice may have begun as "vanilla", as Ryder was holding back, but oh how quickly Aspen had his mind changing, but could she bring out his natural Dom personality? When tragedy strikes their world is turned upside down, Ryder is given advice he needed to act on, but will he follow through?
THE MENU: ROOM 4 was another exceptional read from Ms. Haining, a wonderful addition to this already spicy series. The emotions were visceral, the heat volcanic, the friendships important, and the storyline faultless. Ms Haining has once again shown why she excels in writing sexy, addictive stories that I don't want to put down, stories which I love devouring.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS
The doors are once again open to Club V , and Eva Haining delivers another deliciously spicy story in THE MENU: ROOM 4. Emotions, passion, desire, humour, all play a role in this boss/employee, he falls first, alpha hero, workplace romance which melted both my heart and my panties. Eva hasn't held back with this story igniting a burning fire in the kitchen.
Ryder Stevens, chef extraordinaire and owner of Dulip, one of Manhattan's most popular restaurants, is questioning his personal life after a betrayal he never saw coming. Aspen Struthers is a waitress at Dulip with aspirations of becoming a chef in her own restaurant. She's dedicated, hardworking, sweet yet spicy, and has a secret.
For Ryder all it took was a moan and knowledge of food to see Aspen as more than a waitress, then he tastes her food. There is more to Aspen than her cooking ability and it doesn't take long for Ryder to fall hard for her. Learning of her dream he offers her a position at a new restaurant he is opening at Club V. Being a Dom and having a woman he is attracted to working beside him at Venom, he worries that he will corrupt her. Aspen has secret desires for Ryder, constantly teasing and taunting him, curious about his life, can she get him to finally open up to her?
I loved the way Ryder and Aspen's relationship evolved. It wasn't an easy one, they both had hurdles to jump over, and Ryder needed to trust in what Aspen was trying to tell him. Their spice may have begun as "vanilla", as Ryder was holding back, but oh how quickly Aspen had his mind changing, but could she bring out his natural Dom personality? When tragedy strikes their world is turned upside down, Ryder is given advice he needed to act on, but will he follow through?
THE MENU: ROOM 4 was another exceptional read from Ms. Haining, a wonderful addition to this already spicy series. The emotions were visceral, the heat volcanic, the friendships important, and the storyline faultless. Ms Haining has once again shown why she excels in writing sexy, addictive stories that I don't want to put down, stories which I love devouring.
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS
February 10, 2026
Who knew a Chef could be this HOT?!
Room 4 has been highly anticipated for me. Room 3 was my favorite so far so I had high expectations. Ryder and Aspen did NOT disappoint. You have two people who come from different worlds but flow into the same vine; cooking.
Ryder is someone who was pulled into the D/S lifestyle and falls for sweet “Vanilla” Aspen who is a Waitress at his restaurant and is also an aspiring chef. I appreciate how much Ryder wants to be Vanilla for her but he also doesn’t even want to talk about the D/S lifestyle with her for fear of loosing her.
Aspen has big dreams but also has some secrets too. She is a strong, intelligent, independent woman who is trying to make it in a male dominated world. She’s not afraid to ask for what she wants but this often gets her in hot water with Ryder when pushed too far.
Their love story was fast paced and often gave me whiplash for how quickly their relationship would shift. They are both stubborn and unwilling to bend in their stances. I love the strong FMC presence and how she didn’t let any man tell her who she can or cannot be.
Eva has never disappointed me when it comes to her books! I look forward to release and enjoy the ride! Can’t wait for Room 5!
Room 4 has been highly anticipated for me. Room 3 was my favorite so far so I had high expectations. Ryder and Aspen did NOT disappoint. You have two people who come from different worlds but flow into the same vine; cooking.
Ryder is someone who was pulled into the D/S lifestyle and falls for sweet “Vanilla” Aspen who is a Waitress at his restaurant and is also an aspiring chef. I appreciate how much Ryder wants to be Vanilla for her but he also doesn’t even want to talk about the D/S lifestyle with her for fear of loosing her.
Aspen has big dreams but also has some secrets too. She is a strong, intelligent, independent woman who is trying to make it in a male dominated world. She’s not afraid to ask for what she wants but this often gets her in hot water with Ryder when pushed too far.
Their love story was fast paced and often gave me whiplash for how quickly their relationship would shift. They are both stubborn and unwilling to bend in their stances. I love the strong FMC presence and how she didn’t let any man tell her who she can or cannot be.
Eva has never disappointed me when it comes to her books! I look forward to release and enjoy the ride! Can’t wait for Room 5!
February 7, 2026
Another great addition to the Club V series. Ms. Haining has given us a very hot, sexy storyline (please be wary of triggers) with Ryder and Aspen’s story. Ryder is everything you would think a young hot owner/chef of a High Class Manhattan Restaurant would be and then some. Behind closed doors, a Club V, he is a Dom with a voyeur kink. However his latest sub, who cheated on him, has left him a bit jaded on any hope for a long term relationship. But there is something about his new waitress/aspiring chef, Aspen, that calls to him both professionally and personally. But Ryder sees her as innocent and doesn’t want to introduce her to his darker side. But is she? As Ryder hopes to open a rooftop restaurant on top of Club V with Aspen as his chef, can he keep his dark thoughts to himself especially when Aspen wants to know more about the club and his personal life in the club?
This is a very exciting storyline and the interactions between Ryder and Aspen are definitely worth the read. Their path isn’t an easy one, but what things worthwhile are.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars
This is a very exciting storyline and the interactions between Ryder and Aspen are definitely worth the read. Their path isn’t an easy one, but what things worthwhile are.
2 Thumbs Up and 5 Stars
Review of advance copy received from Author
I must admit that I was on the fence on how to rate this book. I enjoyed the backstory of both Ryder and Aspen, but by about 70%, I was finished with them both. How Ryder acted at times was beyond unforgivable. Also, I think Aspen should have held her ground. She said one thing, but did another. I also didn't care for the side characters either in this book. If so called Mistress Genevie ever spoke to me like that, I'd tell her to take a flying leap and walk out the door. Then there's Nadia. She did absolutely nothing wrong and her so called Master of a husband treated her like crap. There is no way on earth I would ever allow a man to treat me that way. I would use a BOB before ever subjecting myself to that. In the end I decided on 3.5 stars rounded up to four as I thought Ryder redeemed himself near the end.
February 6, 2026
We start out meeting Aspen and Ryder in this story. Aspen aspires to be a chef and open her own restaurant one day. The journey we see her taking is definitely a fantastic ride. Ryder is already a young Michelin Star chef. He has been through some things recently that has given him setbacks in his personal life. We watch these two come together as he starts to train her to work for him in his kitchen. The story is extremely well written and developed. There were times that you kind of thinking that Aspen doesn’t think clearly before she speaks and it at times had me thinking WOW, she didn’t just say that. This causes her personality to take a dip for me at times. But we see the growth and it completely turns around how you think. The ending was fabulous and the story was definitely a fantastic read.
February 11, 2026
Spoilers up ahead
For some reason this book fell flat for me. It felt very push and pull, too much back and forth, and just some absolute nonsense with how they acted towards each other. First the FMC is confident and self assured then the next second she’s timid and shy. The MMC is so strange about bringing someone “innocent” into the club and answering questions about it. Actively going against his “Dom” role. The endearment ‘baby girl’ is used far too many times imo. The mystery of her side gig is insane, how do you do that with such confidence and then you’re shy everywhere else? Their fighting about that is repetitive as well. The ‘incident’ is so fast, like wdym it was two pages and that much happened?? Their journey back to each other was good, not my fav, still good. I liked the other books, this one just wasn’t it for me unfortunately.
For some reason this book fell flat for me. It felt very push and pull, too much back and forth, and just some absolute nonsense with how they acted towards each other. First the FMC is confident and self assured then the next second she’s timid and shy. The MMC is so strange about bringing someone “innocent” into the club and answering questions about it. Actively going against his “Dom” role. The endearment ‘baby girl’ is used far too many times imo. The mystery of her side gig is insane, how do you do that with such confidence and then you’re shy everywhere else? Their fighting about that is repetitive as well. The ‘incident’ is so fast, like wdym it was two pages and that much happened?? Their journey back to each other was good, not my fav, still good. I liked the other books, this one just wasn’t it for me unfortunately.
February 11, 2026
This is a great addition to this amazing series, and this is Ryder and Aspen’s story.
Ryder is the golden boy of Manhattan fine dining, and is Michelin star chef, who is a regular at Club V, but he is newly single and feeling jaded as a Dom, while Aspen is his new waitress / aspiring chef, and she calls to his dark side.
This is a well written story which has emotions, tension, workplace romance, friends / lovers, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, Dom / sub, BDSM, humour, palpable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, spicy, and unpredictable page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
Ryder is the golden boy of Manhattan fine dining, and is Michelin star chef, who is a regular at Club V, but he is newly single and feeling jaded as a Dom, while Aspen is his new waitress / aspiring chef, and she calls to his dark side.
This is a well written story which has emotions, tension, workplace romance, friends / lovers, grumpy / sunshine, opposites attract, Dom / sub, BDSM, humour, palpable chemistry, and love, which leads to an entertaining, spicy, and unpredictable page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
February 5, 2026
"Will the allure of Ryder and Club V derail her life, or will she find everything she never knew she needed?"
OMG! I am just loving this series!
Ms. Haining is doing one awesome job pulling me into every addition to the series!
Wait until you meet Ryder and Aspen! PHEW!
Their path was not an easy one, and the spice...
Well he's a Michelin star rated chef and she's aspiring to open her own restaurant!
Of course I'd expect their recipe to be spicy!
I truly hope there will be more doors to open!
OMG! I am just loving this series!
Ms. Haining is doing one awesome job pulling me into every addition to the series!
Wait until you meet Ryder and Aspen! PHEW!
Their path was not an easy one, and the spice...
Well he's a Michelin star rated chef and she's aspiring to open her own restaurant!
Of course I'd expect their recipe to be spicy!
I truly hope there will be more doors to open!
February 15, 2026
BDSM is not really my cup of tea but this series has me in a chokehold. I love everything about it.
I this story we have an FMC that has never had a desire to try the lifestyle until she meets the MMC. The previous FMC in this series were in the lifestyle or wanted to try it.
This dynamic was a bit different and it kind of showcased how what was needed is the let go of the old ideas of who we are to be able to step in this new dynamic that is right for them. And this goes for both FMC and MMC.
I this story we have an FMC that has never had a desire to try the lifestyle until she meets the MMC. The previous FMC in this series were in the lifestyle or wanted to try it.
This dynamic was a bit different and it kind of showcased how what was needed is the let go of the old ideas of who we are to be able to step in this new dynamic that is right for them. And this goes for both FMC and MMC.
January 31, 2026
Eva Haining what a book!!! Not only did I feel a little how do I put this?????? Let’s keep it PG dam girl you can write! I love how everything wasn’t all wrapped up in a neat little bow. Aspen bless her cotton socks wasn’t like all the other female characters out there. I liked her so much. The story line was so dam good the characters very likeable. Absolutely enjoyed readying Aspen and Ryders story.
February 10, 2026
A passion that threatens to pull them apart...
After being cheated on with another Dom, Ryder swears off being anyone's dominant...not committed to find a willing submissive to quench his thirst for the lifestyle. Placing all his focus on his restaurant and his new venture at Venom he meets Aspen... and something inside him begins to stir. How can he trust anyone again...let alone a woman out of his lifestyle? Watch Ryder and Aspen knock down both their walls and insecurities in this spicy as hell novel. 5 Burning Hot Stars for "The Menu"... an undeniable chemistry between two people who free each other from their own darkness.
After being cheated on with another Dom, Ryder swears off being anyone's dominant...not committed to find a willing submissive to quench his thirst for the lifestyle. Placing all his focus on his restaurant and his new venture at Venom he meets Aspen... and something inside him begins to stir. How can he trust anyone again...let alone a woman out of his lifestyle? Watch Ryder and Aspen knock down both their walls and insecurities in this spicy as hell novel. 5 Burning Hot Stars for "The Menu"... an undeniable chemistry between two people who free each other from their own darkness.
February 1, 2026
In the end, author Eva Haining came through with The Menu making for a thoroughly enjoyable read.
It allowed for the perfect combination of Fiery, Spicy steam alongside a well written and developed storyline that showcased a passionate journey for Ryder and Aspen.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
RTC
It allowed for the perfect combination of Fiery, Spicy steam alongside a well written and developed storyline that showcased a passionate journey for Ryder and Aspen.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
RTC
February 15, 2026
Loved this book. Loved the story and the characters. Ryder is a sweetheart and Aspen is perfect for him. It was so great to see their romance blossom and her curiosity about BDSM grow . The Menu is very well written and quite informative about the lifestyle. It’s a joy to read. The Menu is a must read. Highly recommended
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an interconnected standalone part of the Club V series. This is based in Manhattan in a kink club. This will have you staying up late and giggling like a school girl.
February 16, 2026
I love all of these books in the club v series! I feel like this one was a bit much with their problems but I still loved every bit of it! Eva is can not wait for room 5 🤞
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