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Garnished
Not yet published
Expected 24 Nov 26Sutton
To the outside world, I had it all. By all, I mean a husband and my two boys, Jonah and Xander. The perfect family. But perfection was just a veil–disguising years of more than the bruises I hid from my family.
When you’ve been married to the only man you’ve ever loved, you eventually lose yourself. I did. Staying just feels… easier. You spend every day justifying the behavior, gas-lighting yourself into believing it’s never really as bad as it seems. You tell yourself it’ll get better. Until it doesn’t. And one day, you make the brave choice to take the kids and run. To start a new life, closer to family. With a new job teaching at Chicago’s premiere culinary school, The Epicurean Institute.
Starting over is hard, but I did it. And somewhere along the way, I found myself again. I also found him. Dominic Stone.
Dom
Growing up in foster care, I’ve always been a bit of a loner. Yeah, I had my best friend, but I’ve never had a real family. I’m creating a brand on social media combining my two favorite things: food and me… without clothes. I even enrolled at the Epicurean Institute to help improve my content. I’m creating a perfect little life for myself that I can be proud of. For the most part.
It isn’t until I see her. Sutton Sinclair. Or should I say… Chef? Yeah, that last part, because she’s my new chef instructor for my first term. Every single part of me recognizes her as mine from the moment I lay eyes on her. Unfortunately, that’s something we don’t quite see eye to eye on.
Since she’s a single mom with two boys and a past that clearly haunts her, she believes her life is too complicated. That she’s not enough. Oh, and I guess it’s frowned upon to get involved with a student. There’s that. But, I’m nothing if not persistent. I’ll do whatever it takes to show her how precious she is and what it looks like to truly be loved by someone. For her and her boys. And if I play my card right, I’ll gain the family I never knew I always wanted in the process.
To the outside world, I had it all. By all, I mean a husband and my two boys, Jonah and Xander. The perfect family. But perfection was just a veil–disguising years of more than the bruises I hid from my family.
When you’ve been married to the only man you’ve ever loved, you eventually lose yourself. I did. Staying just feels… easier. You spend every day justifying the behavior, gas-lighting yourself into believing it’s never really as bad as it seems. You tell yourself it’ll get better. Until it doesn’t. And one day, you make the brave choice to take the kids and run. To start a new life, closer to family. With a new job teaching at Chicago’s premiere culinary school, The Epicurean Institute.
Starting over is hard, but I did it. And somewhere along the way, I found myself again. I also found him. Dominic Stone.
Dom
Growing up in foster care, I’ve always been a bit of a loner. Yeah, I had my best friend, but I’ve never had a real family. I’m creating a brand on social media combining my two favorite things: food and me… without clothes. I even enrolled at the Epicurean Institute to help improve my content. I’m creating a perfect little life for myself that I can be proud of. For the most part.
It isn’t until I see her. Sutton Sinclair. Or should I say… Chef? Yeah, that last part, because she’s my new chef instructor for my first term. Every single part of me recognizes her as mine from the moment I lay eyes on her. Unfortunately, that’s something we don’t quite see eye to eye on.
Since she’s a single mom with two boys and a past that clearly haunts her, she believes her life is too complicated. That she’s not enough. Oh, and I guess it’s frowned upon to get involved with a student. There’s that. But, I’m nothing if not persistent. I’ll do whatever it takes to show her how precious she is and what it looks like to truly be loved by someone. For her and her boys. And if I play my card right, I’ll gain the family I never knew I always wanted in the process.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication November 24, 2026
About the author
Ellie Gates
5 books57 followersEllie Gates is a contemporary romance author, that is just starting to put to paper the dirty things in her brain.
When she is not writing, she lives in Michigan with her husband, wife and daughter. She is a family-centered, home body that picks up new crafts on the fly and masters them just as quickly. She loves her cats, her coffee and exploring all the kinks you will be reading about
When she is not writing, she lives in Michigan with her husband, wife and daughter. She is a family-centered, home body that picks up new crafts on the fly and masters them just as quickly. She loves her cats, her coffee and exploring all the kinks you will be reading about
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September 30, 2026✨Alpha/ Beta reread✨
RTC
RTC
Review of advance copy received from Author
Beta Reader - this one is GOOD y’all! If you haven’t read the first 3 books; start now you have until 11/24/26.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews