Just Desserts

Tales of the Curious Cookbook #5

by Mary Calmes

Boone Walton has tried hard to create some distance between himself and his past. He's invested in his new life, his New Orleans art gallery, and his friendship with Scott Wren. Things finally seem to be settling down to normal, and Boone couldn’t be happier.

Chef Scott Wren wants much more than normal with Boone. He wants to raise things to the next level, but Boone is terrified—and not because of the ghost in Scott’s apartment or Scott’s relatives. No, Boone's past is about to pay him a visit, and the only thing that can get between Boone, Scott, and a hinky recipe for chocolate mousse found in a curious cookbook is the river of pain Boone had to swim across to get to this side of The Big Easy. There’s a secret behind the ingredients, though—one that might reveal the trust and love that have been missing from Boone’s life.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Friends To Lovers, Audiobook, Paranormal, Contemporary Romance

152 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 29, 2015

About the author

Mary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semi-colons~✡~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hot damn, this is my favorite Calmes book since Frog.

The theme of MAGIC in cooking is perfectly executed. One of the MCs is a chef, and the story takes place in New Orleans, that place of spirits and haunts.

There is a (bitchy except to those she likes) ghost named Florence, traditional Japanese irezumi (a method of tattooing the body by hand), yakuza on the prowl, and two best friends missing the moment.



Boone, an art gallery owner, has loved and lost. Raised in Japan, Boone is a big, burly man, a little scary looking until he smiles.

Boone is the first-person narrator of the story, and it isn't until halfway through that we realize he's not a particularly reliable one.

Scott, the chef, is the light to Boone's growliness. Scott flits from man to man, filling his time.

His latest conquest is Daniel, a rather stuffy doctor, but the chocolate mousse for sorting (recipe courtesy of Granny B, of course!) that Scott prepares has something to say about that.



This story is sweet and very sexy.

Both Scott and Boone get rather possessive. The scene in the kitchen where Boone strips and Scott is all, Back off, bitches, is hilarious.

Boone's past with his first love is heartbreaking (grab a hankie or two), and I was glad to see he found closure.

And the ending, oh yes, the ending is a FOREVER kind of HEA.



What a lovely conclusion to an all-around awesome series. I liked four out of the five stories.

You can't go wrong with the Curious Cookbook!

[BWT · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great short story with a lot packed into it. Greg Tremblay's incredible narration is just the whipped cream on this fabulous confection.


I enjoyed (and there was maybe a tear or two for) Boone's back story in Japan, which made me see why he had been reticent to pursue a relationship with Scott.

See, I look at the Haru situation as Boone being a kid when he fell in love with him, in that sort all encompassing Romeo and Juliet "I'm an idiot who'd rather die than live without you because I'm too young and stupid to know things change and eventually you'll become a heroin addict and die leaving me anyway" sort of way.

I also loved the way it was left open for his pseudo little brother, Satoru, to maybe have his own story. *hint, hint*


As an aside, only Mary Calmes could have two men who have been sleeping around with multiple different partners for years throw away the condom for their first time and say they're doing it bare without getting tested or already having test results and not have me lose my mind. Well, only Mary Calmes and Cardeno C.



Also, for those of us nerds: I love "Easter eggs" in movies or when a book references another character or series...and we get that here!

I absolutely LOVE Boone got some of his ink at Hizoku Ink, Ichi's Shop from Rhys Ford's novels, which ties in perfectly to the shout out Rhys gave Mary Calmes at the end of Dirty Deeds. Anyway...I'm a nerd and it's awesome.

RECOMMENDED!

This review has been cross-posted at Reviews by Jessewave

Read: 04/29/2015, 08/15/2015

[Gigi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really should have read the other books in this series because it took me awhile to figure out the paranormal part of the cookbook, but I enjoyed this tale of friend-to-lovers and their angst in getting there. Sweet and romantic.

[Renée · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally go out on a limb and call Calmes out for her typical Calmes-ness, and she goes and mixes it up! I bow to the greatness that she is. But this was actually one of her better shorts! I really, really liked it.

Best friends to lovers - hell yeah!

And it takes place in my hometown - check!

Calmes wrote it - check!

Really, there was virtually no chance this was NOT gonna rock my socks.

Regarding the drinking game the girls below had lined up - well the coordination and drinking didn't go quite as planned. But we still loved it, and I will list below the Calmes formula that DID happen here:

1. First person POV of one of the MCs (I never mind this, but it is typical Calmes)
2. Gun mentioned at 11%
3. "It was not lost on me" at 30%
4. "Forgive me" at 36% (Calmes always uses this in dialogue instead of "I'm sorry")
5. "Make no mistake" at 80%
6. "It was not lost on me" at 91%

This was a really great short story. I loved the lady ghost that haunted the apartment, too! And can I just give a shout out to the crawfish and gumbo that were mentioned - because I really couldn't live without either in my diet. And it is now crawfish season, and we've already had 3 family/friend crawfish boils in the past month. There is nothing quite like Louisiana cuisine.

Check this one out. If you're a Calmes addict like me, you'll LOVE it. And if you're not, I still think you will enjoy this one.
_______________________________________



Drinking game BR with Dani, Eleftheria, Catherine, and anyone else who wants to join us! Because we either love or love-to-roll-eyes-at the typical Calmes formula, you must drink each time you see one of the following in this book:

To start us off - single shot and a loud scream of CHEERS right off the bat if the story is told in the first-person POV of one of the MCs

1. The quote "Make no mistake"

2. The quote "It is not lost on me...."

3. The quote "You're so tight and hot" (or "hot and tight")

4. Each time a gun appears or is mentioned

5. Each time a peacoat appears or is mentioned

6. If one MC is loved and adored by everyone

7. If the other MC is only likable when the other MC is around

8. Crazy jealous and possessive MC

9. The word "mine" during sex (even though it's pretty hot)

10. "Forgive me" instead of "I'm sorry"

[Ami]

DNF at 42%

I guess there is a reason why I stopped reading Mary Calmes. Taste and preference change over time, right? Her stories just don't do it for me anymore. So this one became another 'failure-to-connect' story with me.

Too many characters going in and out aside from our main characters (let's see Eiyad, Sergio, Elaine, Danie, Tate, Phillip, Justin ... eh, I lost track). And what could be a very good best-friends to lovers tale (one of my favorite themes!) was filled with meandering discussions that went nowhere. And from what I saw from other reviews, there would be, what, ghost and Yakuza? Huh???? Not exactly a treat to look forward to.

I could try skimming to the end (as I did with Amber Kell's Cookies for Courting ) ... but you know what, I didn't have enough patience. And maybe my mood was all wrong. But hey, on the good side, since this is a DNF, I leave it unrated.

PS: On that note, nope, not going to read another Kell or Calmes for the future.

[Sun · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Those who know me in the reading world know that I heart me some Mary Calmes. Now, saying that, I'm not someone who blindly loves all her books. I just know what to expect, and know when I need that, and more often than not, she delivers. So, though "Just Desserts" never had been on my radar, I was still happy to read it.

Brace yourselves...

Other than the fact that I love Jory and Sam with all my heart, and other than the fact that I've read Frog 3 times and just finished the audiobook, and other than the fact that Rand is my one of my TOP TWO book boyfriends...this book...randomly...may just be...

MY FAVORITE MARY CALMES TO DATE.

Now, I feel nervous saying this. But I just...loved it. Maybe because I didn't really know it existed and it was a nice surprise. And maybe because I was in just the right mood. But, mostly because, though not the highest rated nor the most talked about nor the most obvious of her books, it was just a GREAT story! All the best parts of Mary Calmes in a tidy package that had me reading straight through and then going right back and reading it again...and I NEVER do that.

Looking through other ratings, I noticed it's not a slam dunk among her fans. But here's why I loved it:

Boone & Scott are best friends. Like codependent type of friendship (which I love...see " Take My Picture "). Like know-each-other-better-than-anyone-else type friendship. Like need-you-to-breathe type friendship. Love.

Scott is a chef. Love. 

Boone is a man with a mysterious past. Love.

There's some unintentional jealousy that leads to revelation of feelings. Love.

There's some funny bits. Love.

There's some sexy bits. Love.

Then there's this whole unfolding of Boone's past...really REALLY love.

There's a bit of supernatural what-the-heck'ery with a dessert in a mystery cookbook...didn't think I would but I did love. 

And there you have it...a book that made me suuuuuper happy.

LOVED IT.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calmes is usually more miss than hit for me, but I'll shout it from the rooftops: I absolutely loved this one! It was a sweet and sexy friends-to-lovers story that makes me believe in soulmates and second chances and just a touch of magic.

I highly recommend this to friends.

[Tara♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is the beginning of my dream; you want to take a ride with me?"



A Mary Calmes 'friends to lovers' that made me cry like a big sap. It's the first time she's made me cry.

It's also a growly alpha POV so I for one LOVED it. Boone and Scott are all kinds of adorable and yummy. It's got all the Mary Calmes markers that I've come to expect. Twas rather lovely. I think I want a Boone now.

"Knowledge fixed nothing, but it granted some measure of peace."

Also New Orleans is the backdrop for this story and that just made me incredibly happy.

Any excuse to post a holiday snap!! :D

[Elsbeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Narrator: Greg Tremblay

I wanted to like this more!!! I mean Greg Tremblay was great again.. He really carried this story.

But I didn’t really connect with the characters. Sure, Boon and Scott were fine. And it was cute seeing them pining for each other.

“Let me hold you, kiss you, love you,” he whimpered, squirming in my hands, tightening his long muscular legs. “It’s time for you to stop pushing me off on other people and keep me.”

Boon’s backstory in Japan about his ex-boyfriend Haru was horrifying and I didn’t expect this at all, this being a sweet love story!

Of course I loved the friends to lovers theme but the chocolate mousse that said you belong to each other??

Was there actually something magical about the mousse, or was it just the natural time for them to get together?

[Bitchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think this was really your typical Mary Calmes? There wasn't really a "Jory" here, although there was a bit of "Sam" in Boone. The cookbook itself didn't play as prominent a part in this story as it did in the others I read. Instead of the POV MC getting the book and doing the cooking, with love interest, Scott, finding the book, which meant we didn't get to see as much of the recipes as we have before. I loved the New Orleans setting, and the ghost in Scott's house, even the side characters were good.

[Emma Sea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I finished it. I kinda of hated myself for reading each page. I have some feelings towards Mary Calmes I need to work through. These feelings include annoyance and exasperation. I have read 33 Mary Calmes books. The MC is "gold all over" in every one of them.

I gotta stop reading these because it's not doing it for me any more, and clearly it is working for 95% of readers out there still. Calmes is going on the shelf with Sean Michael (unless the drinking game is involved.)

[SheReadsALot]

There's something in the blurb about New Orleans, a chef and friends to lovers. I'm down. Even with the ghost. :/

At this point it's an auto purchase for me. Calmes could write about a pizza slice falling in love with a crayon - I'm reading it. OMG if she writes this, I'm ALL OVER that sucker!

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Calmes + Greg Tremblay = crack on steroids

3/21/2018 continuing my low angst, nothing but happy rereads
5/9/2018 Month of Mary reread
5/2/2019 Month of Mary reread- I guess this was among the first I read last year too.

[Ele · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5 stars*

BR and drinking game gone bad and now I can see why. This is a real page turner, once you start you can't put it down.

I admit that at first I wasn't crazy for it, but later on the story picks up and it is awsome.This is a friends-to-lovers story. Boone and Scott are friends, but it is the magic chocolate mousse "for sorting" of Granny B that brings them together.

I loved Florence the ghost and Boone's friends. What I liked the most though was the whole backstory of Boone's past in Japan. I freaking love all these Asian stuff and the story itself is heartbreaking.

Admittedly, I only read three books of the series but I loved them all(with the Sexton being my favourite). Definately recommended.

[Jessie Potts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't know what this book was going to be (I mean it's a Mary book so it'll be good!), but I really liked the paranormal 'dollop' Mary added to the story.

I read this in just under two hours, couldn't put it down, and now have to read the other books in the series. Boone and Scott were cute. Yes a bit dense with the whole falling for each other, but adorable. I also really liked how the Japanese dark past added depth to the otherwise light story. The paranormal element also made everything make sense when ghosts of Boone's past showed up.

All in all if you are in the mood for some fun, if you like hot steamy bedroom scenes, and of course chocolate pick up Just Desserts.... now i'm off to read Food for Thought by Amy Lane from this series.


**I love the audio version and I still say that this needs to be expanded and Mary needs to write some yakuza!**

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book didn't really do it for me. The characters were fine, although I felt they lacked a bit of depth, even though we hear about Boones history, it just seemed to lack emotion or something. The writing style seemed a bit pedestrian as well. I've enjoyed MC books before so I know its not the author, maybe I've read to many amazing books lately so this just fell flat. The relationship was also super rushed once they got together.

With all that said, it was a sweet friends to lovers story and some hot sex and possessiveness. I won't read it again but that's just personal taste and I would still recommend it to people.

[Valerie ❈M/M Romance Junkie❈ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a classic Mary Calmes. Easy reading. Not full of angst. Just a pleasant way to spend a few hours. Poor Boone was lying to himself about his feelings for his best friend Scott. He always seemed to be looking for a way to take care of Scott. Scott, for his part, seemsoblivious to Boone's feelings for him. He flits from man to man while Boone watches (and steers the creeps away from Scott with hard looks and threats). Enter Granny B's cookbook and a recipe for mousse. Thanks to the mousse, with a little help from a ghost living in Scott's apartment, Boone and Scott are able to be together the way they both have wanted since meeting.

re-read 2/18/2021 I enjoyed this very quick re-read, but I didn’t find the Mary Universe connection I was looking for 😕

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Re-read December 21, 2024

Re-read January 23,2023

I liked it, but I'd rate it probably 3.5 or 4 stars. I'm keeping the original rating because I loved it the first time around.

[Mirjana **DTR - Down to Read** · Rating 4 out of 5]

***4.5 Stars***

Well this was downright charming. That Mary Magic does it again!

Mary Calmes gave me friends to lovers in her own signature way and I gobbled up every second of this. Add in an amazing New Orleans vibe, a small touch of paranormal (Florence is the ghost in Scott's apartment that makes sure it's known how she feels), a magical mousse that pulls your head out of your ass...and two endearing characters that I instantly fell in love with.

My only issue is that the part where Boone deals with his past feels kind of out of place. It changes the mood of the book and feels awkward since that chapter is bracketed with much more lightheartedness. Don't get me wrong, I was completely glued to the pages reading about Boone's life in Japan....but I don't know, it just felt heavy and melancholy.

But even with that little bump on the happy train, I loved the crap out of this book.

If you're looking for a quick read to whisk you away with some great food, great sex, and great romance....pick up this book!

And now for one of my favorite scenes. Sorry for the long quote, but I just love how easy things are between Boone and Scott. Scenes like this are one of my favorite things about friends to lovers stories. The ease of talking with your best friend about everything and anything....from the mundane to the building of a relationship, but now with the added benefit of FINALLY throwing passion and desire into the mix.

"It's just nice that we're talking and making plans like we've always done, and at the same time you are frantically squirreling crap away like you're worried I'm gonna change my mind."

He squinted and shook his head like I was nuts.

"Oh no?"

"No. You're not gonna change your mind."

"Uh-huh. And why's that?"

"The mousse, stupid," he explained, climbing into my lap, straddling my thights and shoving his firm, round ass over my groin. "We're supposed to be together."

"Because of a dessert."

"Yes."

I was going to tell him it was crap, that there was a logical explanation for all of it and that he shouldn't put such faith in magic or anything else but me finally pulling my head out of my ass. But he kept kissing me decadently...

"Not" - I huffed out - "magic."

"You and me," he panted, "are magic."

"That's the cheesiest thing I've ever heard."

"Yes, well, so what. You make me a big romantic sap. I love you and your ridiculous bone structure and your great big heart."

"I love you back."

"Show me."

[Serena Yates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some people take their past with them wherever they go, and sometimes for a very long time and despite other options available to them. Boone faces the need to finally deal with his past in this story, and it isn't easy - mainly because he doesn't even want to admit that's what he needs to do. And when he finally does, it looks as though he is too late... If it weren't for Granny B's "magical" cookbook, I'm not sure he would have made it.

Boone has created a new life for himself after what was clearly a traumatic event in his past. The truth only comes out after a while, and not before he is ready for it. His friendship with Scott means everything to him, but the fear of losing what they have holds back Boone, and I only understood the significance of his hesitation once some of the reasons began to surface. It added so much credibility to his character, and increased the depth of my understanding of where he came from.

Scott seems to be the oblivious one for the longest time, but once he opens up, it becomes obvious that not all is as it seems. Scott is a very quirky character, just look at how he obsesses over his job as a chef and his restaurant, the ghost he lives with, and his need to be protected from himself. He's a great guy and definitely right for Boone. I loved how he insisted on doing what was right for both men - never mind what anyone else might think. Not that anyone in their right might would have an objection...

This is a wonderful story with a great mix between darkness, a bright ray of hope on the horizon, supportive friends, and a lesson about the need to let go and be open to new experiences. The supporting characters are as much fun and as interesting as the two leads, and some of the quirky details of what happened made me laugh.

If you like stories about men who don't have it easy before finding "the one" for them, if you believe everyone deserves a second chance, and if you’re looking for an emotional read that deals with loss, a newly recognized love, and hope, then you will probably like this novella as much as I did.


NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

[Stella ╰☆╮╰☆╮ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I FREACKING LOVED IT!!!!!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was just lovely! Boone and Scott are wonderful! I wanted more!

Highly recommended!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boone Walton betreibt eine Kunstgalerie in New Orleans und ist damit sehr erfolgreich. Richtig enge Beziehung führt er keine, nur den Koch und Restaurantbesitzer Scott Wren lässt er nahe an sich heran. Boones andere Freunde sehen das skeptisch und behaupten, dass der etwas verpeilte Scott Boone möglicherweise ausnützen würde. Und tatsächlich gibt es wohl nichts, das Boone nicht für Scott tun würde.

Dabei hat Scott gar kein Interesse Boone auszunutzen. Er will ihn für sich gewinnen, doch Boone hält ihm immer geschickt auf Distanz und lässt Scott dabei immer wieder auflaufen. Also muss Scott härtere Geschütze auffahren und versucht es mit einem Rezept aus einem alten Kochbuch, das er zufällig gefunden hat.

Am Anfang bekommt man von Scott einen völlig falschen Eindruck. Und ich vermute, das war auch durchaus von Mary Calmes so gewollt. Man hat das Gefühl, dass er wirklich oberflächlich ist und keine Skrupel hat Boone auszunutzen. Doch das löst sich mit der Zeit Stück für Stück auf und beim Showdown zwischen Boone und Scott wird dem Leser dann alles klar, was sich natürlich im Laufe der Geschichte auch schon abgezeichnet hat.

Der letzte Teil dieser Reihe hat mir wieder richtig gut gefallen. Die Geschichte ist richtig schön, cozy und auch romantisch geschrieben. Boone muss erst aus seinem Schneckenhaus hervorgeholt werden und Scott ist zum Ende hin ein wirklich guter und starker Charakter. Das hätte man zu Beginn von ihm gar nicht erwartet. Boones Vergangenheit lastet wie ein Mühlstein um seinen Hals und gibt der Story phasenweise einen etwas düsteren Touch. Doch auch dieser Teil von Boones Leben wird am Ende hin gut aufgelöst und vieles wird dem Leser klarer und verständlicher.

Gelungener Abschluss für eine etwas durchwachsene Reihe!

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Audio**

Funny. I always go read my original review before I post my re-read review and honestly, my original review is exactly what I wanted to write for my new review, minus one star.

For some reason I think I liked it a little less than I did the first time.

I think it is because of Scott. I am not a fan. Maybe with more pages I could have gotten there but there was so much other stuff that took the focus it was hard for me to get there.

I do recall liking the series though.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved every story so far in this series and this one was just the cherry on the cake. No, the cake was not from Granny B - lol! Going by the title then you usually have your dessert last, so I decided to keep this book until last. This one is a beautiful story that deals with unrequited love and how with the intervention of a sneaky dessert from Granny B’s cookbook all dreams come true.

Boone is an interior designer with an art gallery and this is how he meets Scott, a chef and restaurant owner, while Scott is looking around his gallery. the attraction is there immediately but it most definitely isn’t instalove as Boone plays his cards very close to his chest and Scott reads the signals all wrong. I just love these stories that are based on getting the signals and signs all wrong and then getting things sorted which is exactly what Granny B’s chocolate mousse dessert is designed to do.

Scott is looking for the one partner and although he seems to appear to be in and out of relationships it’s really only because of his trusting and loving nature. You could say a little gullible but he is the type of person who always tries to see the good in everyone and then ends up disappointed when things don’t turn out the way he would like. Boone is his exact polar opposite. Reserved, a little cynical and suspicious of anyone’s motives, he is just down for the one night stands for physical relief and no emotional attachment. However, we get the vibes early on that Boone has a past, a past that stops him from forming any kind of relationship on an emotional level has he is afraid of getting hurt.

He has a past and when his past does catch up with him we learn why he has been the way he is. OMG! I was once again reduced to tears. Seriously, what it is with this collection of stories and authors? Anyway, Boone is a man that had a great love but lost it all. This is why he is so afraid of loving again as he doesn’t want that hurt. A man that has had to start over again from nothing and worked hard to build up what he has achieved today. They say it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all and this is so true for Boone. So Scott and Boone remain “friends” believing” that they rather have the friendship as to take the next step. As friends they are made for each other, but Boone denies himself that he is in love even though all his friends can see it is as plain as the nose on his face. However, he first needs to put the ghosts of his past at peace. The only thing is he is missing out on any happiness that someone could give him.

So this is where Granny B’s dessert for sorting comes into action. Again I just loved the way that The Curious Cookbook arrives on the scene and works its magic with Boone and Scott. The situation between them seriously need sorting or more’s to the point give them both a wake up call. So dangerous desserts or just desserts, Granny B’s chocolate mousse recipe was exactly what was needed!

So this collection of stories for me represent some of the finest authors in M/M romance and couldn’t have been better. Loved all audiobooks and a great collection to have.

NARRATION

Again Dreamspinner Press have chosen a great selection of narrators for this series and Greg Tremblay was by no means an exception. His voice felt comfortable on the ears from the very beginning, his voice characterisations perfect and even his Japanese sounded at lest to my ears convincing. Not that I would be able to tell the difference anyway. Will have to leave that assessment to a Japanese native speaker – lol! Why Japanese? Well, you’ll have to listen to the book and find out about Boone’s history. SO all in all loved the books, loved the narrations.

[Makhda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical Mary Calmes's character. I can't help with the Joryness. But in this book, Jory is Boone. A gentle giant who's always pick the wrong time to worked up the nerves to ask Scott out because he's already with someone new. Boone was afraid of losing his best friend of two years over a hot one night stand. And Scott... My god, if he's in love with Boone too, he did not do anything better to convinced him. He's just jump from man to man in front of his eyes. They're both clueless. You know what? This kind of thing is a little bit old for me, but I guess I still like it. Lol.

As my friends would know that I love possessive men in my books. And in here I'm not only get one, but instead I got two! Yaay, I'm a happy girl. They're so possessive with each other. Crazy jealous. The way Scott says 'forgive me' instead of 'I'm sorry', I liked that a lot. And of course 'Mine' during sex.

I think you know when you've become addicted with Mary Calmes. For those of you who have not tried her books and you're a person like me who dig with possessiveness, my advice : try this one or "Frog", "Again", "Timing". ;)


What I disliked :
I have to say I'm pissed at Scott. Just because Boone took off his shirt to shown his tattoo to Scott's friends, Scott being possessive all of sudden. I'm pissed. That was a dick move. He had no right to be possessive. My goodness, he's in relationship with someone else.

[Jennifer☠Pher☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Mary, but I didn't love it. Kind of but not fully.

This was a fun series to read.

[Karen Wellsbury · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is defiantly something about Mary that makes me happy

[Risa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Auch im 5. Teil des Kuriosen Kochbuchs geht die Liebe wieder durch den Magen. Diesmal steht Mousse au Chocolate auf dem Speiseplan.

Zur Handlung. Boone Walton hat seine teils unrühmliche Vergangenheit und seinen verstorbenen Geliebten in Japan zurückgelassen. In New Orleans hat er sich eine erfolgreiche Kunstgalerie aufgebaut.
Restaurantbesitzer und Koch Scott Wren stolpert zufällig in diese Galerie und das ist der Beginn einer tiefen Freundschaft zwischen den beiden Männern. Obwohl sie heimlich etwas füreinander empfinden, hat keiner von ihnen den Mut, dafür ihre Freundschaft zu riskieren. Stattdessen haben die beiden nur One-Night-Stands und besonders Scott kurze Beziehungen, die genauso schnell wieder vorbei sind, wie sie begonnen haben. Doch dann findet Scott in einem alten Kochbuch das Rezept für die Mousse au Chocolate der Erkenntnis. Ein Dessert, das nur zwei Menschen schmeckt, die füreinander bestimmt sind. Scotts derzeitige Affäre Daniel findet die Mousse grässlich, aber für Scott ist sie ein Genuss.

Die Geschichte von Boone und Scott hat mir gefallen, die Idee von dem Hausgeist in Scotts Wohnung fand ich witzig und sie sorgt für einen zusätzlichen Mystikfaktor. Zum Schluss erfährt man noch einige traurige Details aus Boones Vergangenheit. Doch erst das Schokoladendessert und eine gehörige Portion Eifersucht Scotts lässt Boone über seinen Schatten springen und den Mut finden, die Liebe wieder in sein Leben zu lassen.

Die Story erhält von mir 5 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.

Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute.

Just Desserts has been on my tbr shelf for years, so I'm glad I finally got a chance to read (listen to) this one. A nice story, and Mary Calmes is always Mary Calmes, so you know well in advance what you're going to get lol.

Good performance by Greg Boudreaux in the audio version.