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Dinner at Fiorello's
Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago’s affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he’s being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello’s, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.
Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking. When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more—something real, something true—to separate the good from the bad and find the love—and the hope—that just might be their salvation.
Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking. When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more—something real, something true—to separate the good from the bad and find the love—and the hope—that just might be their salvation.
210 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2015
6 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Rick R. Reed
118 books1,048 followersReal Men. True Love.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 4, 2016
Henry Appleby is eighteen and basically has his life laid out for him: he'll intern at his father's Chicago law firm, go to NYU in the fall, and eventually become a lawyer just like his father. However, Henry doesn't want that life. He dreams of being a chef, and is at his happiest around food. While struggling with the possibility of disappointing his parent's expectations, he's also dealing with the betrayal of a friend, and finding out his parent's are fallible as well.
Vito Carelli lost everything one night over a year ago. He draws his grief around himself like a cloak and keeps everyone at arms length. He lives for three things, his mother, his two beloved dogs, and his job as Executive Chef at Fiorello's.
When Henry takes a summer job working as a dishwasher/busboy and sometimes sous chef at Fiorello's, it's not just his resemblance to Vito's lost love, but his persistent pursuit that begin to melt away the ice around Vito's heart.
There were two things I loved about the story: first, is the vivid imagery Reed uses in creating this world. Chicago is like another character, and the food is so lovingly detailed that I was hungry through most of Joel Leslie's narration. Which brings me to the second thing I loved, which is Leslie's narration. He drew me in and kept me captivated. I could practically smell the foods, or feel the 'L' train rumbling.
As for the story itself, I was confused as to whether it was a new adult contemporary novel or a romance. From the blurb I thought it was a romance, but it doesn't play out that way for more than 78% of the story. Then, in the end, it's a rushed romance that felt inauthentic and not organic to the story that was being told.
Also, the story contains two things that generally annoy me. First, when there's a, to me, unnecessary build up of a "terrible thing from the past" that's alluded to over and over again, without letting the reader in on it until late in the story. That just drives me nuts. Second, when the "romance" comes out of left field with no previous groundwork built.
In this case Henry has some trouble with boundaries, following Vito home, standing outside his apartment for hours, snooping in the apartment once he's invited in, stripping naked and getting into Vito's bed uninvited...they were troubling things to me that are glossed over in the story. There's also a lot of telling, and almost lyrically so, but not so much with the showing. The two men barely have a few conversations before suddenly they're moving towards a relationship. It was jarring for me, and I didn't believe the romance that did suddenly pop up only in the final chapters and weak epilogue with a nebulous HFN.
All in all, the writing is lovely, with wonderful descriptions of places, and people, and food. The narration is well done, with great character voices and accents. However, the romance of the story left me cold and disappointed.
Audio copy of Dinner at Fiorello's provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
June 14, 2015
Dinner at Fiorello’s
BY Rick R. Reed
Four Stars
Well, I confess I cried rather a lot during this book. If Reed’s “Chaser” irritated me with its somewhat disingenuous “love yourself for what you are” promise, “Dinner at Fiorello’s” fulfilled its straightforward prince-and-pauper-with-food story with exquisite care.
Henry Appleby wants to cook; but his overbearing father and distant, status-conscious mother want him to be a lawyer and make money. He’s not at all worried about being gay, but clearly has a few things to learn about the difference between sex and love.
Vito Carelli is just trying to avoid emotional pain, and the moment when I discovered why was when the first inadvertent sob escaped me. This is a heart-breaker, and is handled deftly to maximize the emotional impact.
This is at least the third food-related m/m novel I’ve read in the past few months. Can’t say I mind, because all the food talk has taught me a lot about running a restaurant (something I would never, ever want to do, by the way). But the passion of chefs for food is a real thing, and Reed makes it vivid and comprehensible to the outsider (i.e. someone who just likes to eat).
Even eerier, I had just last week driven along Sheridan Road from Evanston through Rogers Park in Chicago for the first time in my life; so I had a clear sense of both places as well as the lakefront’s importance.
Both Henry and Vito are nearly archetypes in the world of gay romance, and if I might possibly have rolled my eyes over the clichés, I ultimately didn’t because Reed handles both characters with great affection and individuality. Henry could be callow and superficial; but Reed makes him genuinely interesting and far more complex than his pampered suburban life would have suggested. Vito is similarly layered, and his emotional honesty is at the core of why he is so appealing. Both men first see the other as a physical stereotype that attracts them; both gradually come to understand the depth that changes them from objects of lust to love interests.
And one of the things that Rick Reed can do very well is explain that emergence of a gay self-consciousness—something every gay man goes through, but which non-gay people can never completely fathom. Both Vito and Henry have different stories, each attuned to his specific background; but both stores ring true.
I was concerned that Henry’s parents were going to be two-dimensional stereotypes, but they turned out to be a little more 3-D than that. Although I’d have loved some more development of his father, I appreciated that there were no miracle moments of rapprochement in this narrative; only cautious steps forward toward emotional resuscitation.
“Dinner at Fiorello’s” is a solid, well-crafted, emotionally authentic love story that deals with class and culture in believable ways. But don’t read it on an empty stomach.
BY Rick R. Reed
Four Stars
Well, I confess I cried rather a lot during this book. If Reed’s “Chaser” irritated me with its somewhat disingenuous “love yourself for what you are” promise, “Dinner at Fiorello’s” fulfilled its straightforward prince-and-pauper-with-food story with exquisite care.
Henry Appleby wants to cook; but his overbearing father and distant, status-conscious mother want him to be a lawyer and make money. He’s not at all worried about being gay, but clearly has a few things to learn about the difference between sex and love.
Vito Carelli is just trying to avoid emotional pain, and the moment when I discovered why was when the first inadvertent sob escaped me. This is a heart-breaker, and is handled deftly to maximize the emotional impact.
This is at least the third food-related m/m novel I’ve read in the past few months. Can’t say I mind, because all the food talk has taught me a lot about running a restaurant (something I would never, ever want to do, by the way). But the passion of chefs for food is a real thing, and Reed makes it vivid and comprehensible to the outsider (i.e. someone who just likes to eat).
Even eerier, I had just last week driven along Sheridan Road from Evanston through Rogers Park in Chicago for the first time in my life; so I had a clear sense of both places as well as the lakefront’s importance.
Both Henry and Vito are nearly archetypes in the world of gay romance, and if I might possibly have rolled my eyes over the clichés, I ultimately didn’t because Reed handles both characters with great affection and individuality. Henry could be callow and superficial; but Reed makes him genuinely interesting and far more complex than his pampered suburban life would have suggested. Vito is similarly layered, and his emotional honesty is at the core of why he is so appealing. Both men first see the other as a physical stereotype that attracts them; both gradually come to understand the depth that changes them from objects of lust to love interests.
And one of the things that Rick Reed can do very well is explain that emergence of a gay self-consciousness—something every gay man goes through, but which non-gay people can never completely fathom. Both Vito and Henry have different stories, each attuned to his specific background; but both stores ring true.
I was concerned that Henry’s parents were going to be two-dimensional stereotypes, but they turned out to be a little more 3-D than that. Although I’d have loved some more development of his father, I appreciated that there were no miracle moments of rapprochement in this narrative; only cautious steps forward toward emotional resuscitation.
“Dinner at Fiorello’s” is a solid, well-crafted, emotionally authentic love story that deals with class and culture in believable ways. But don’t read it on an empty stomach.
June 24, 2016
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Henry, eighteen, is what some would call a golden child. He’s the only child of an attorney and his wife. He lives in a nice home and his future is set. He’ll be following in his father’s footsteps by becoming an attorney.
He’d always been the golden boy, doing exactly what his family expected.
He’s just graduated from high school and is set to intern for the summer before college in his father’s law firm. He has money, plans, and everything else a boy his age can want – you’d think. First, there was a issue with his best friend, Kade, who got a bit closer to Henry on graduation night than he was prepared for. Strike that. Henry was all fine and good for the so-called best friend until Henry realized that they were only ‘friends’ when Kade wanted use him. It doesn’t take long for Henry to come to his senses in that regard. Then there is the internship that Henry’s father is so convinced is right for his son. Did he ask Henry what he wanted to do over the summer? Or what he wanted to study in the fall? Of course not. Tank Appleby is the king of his domain and his son will do what he says, regardless of what the boy wants. There is Henry’s mother. Cold is a good way to describe Mrs. Appleby. There’s no outward affection for her son, and this broke my heart early on. Later, I felt a bit of sympathy for the woman, but I got over it quick enough. Then there is Maxine, Henry’s surrogate mother, who is the Appleby housekeeper. I adored Maxine at her introduction and continued to until the very end of the book. Everybody needs a Maxine in their life.
Henry doesn’t want to be an attorney like his father. He wants to be a chef someday, even if that means starting at the bottom at a restaurant and working his way up. He sees an advertisement online for a position at Fiorello’s, a local restaurant, and that’s all he can think about. Does he risk the wrath of his parents by applying for the job? But then again, who is to say he’d get it if he applies? There’s no harm in going across town to check, is there? Fiorello’s isn’t exactly in the affluent part of town where Henry lives with his family, so who would know if he checked it out? Finally, he gets the guts and makes his way to Fiorello’s. There, he meets some interesting people, with one being Rosalie. She’s the owner and takes one look at the little rich boy and doesn’t believe he’s serious about working there. If she hires him she doubts he’ll last a day. She offers him the job anyway – with conditions.
Vito, twenty-six, is a chef at Fiorello’s. He doesn’t come across as the most likable guy. Gruff, he’s the type of man who Henry should run far, far away from. He can’t. He’s attracted the second he lays eyes on the other man and that attraction continues to grow as he (Henry) works to prove himself at the restaurant.
Vito has his own story and it brought me near tears many times as the story went on. While he comes across downright rude on occasion, the reader can tell that this is his way of not allowing anyone or any feelings to intrude on his misery. If he’s rude to the kid, what of it? It keeps him from feeling and feeling is not something he believes he can allow – not anymore. He loved and lost once (in more ways than one) and opening up his heart to Henry will only bring more heartache later. He wants Henry from the moment he lays eyes on him the first time, but he refuses to act on that attraction because in his mind, it’s not the right thing to do.
Now we get to Henry’s family drama. His father is angry he ’embarrassed’ him by working in a lowlife (Tank’s words) position when he could be working under him at his law firm. His mother? Well, let’s just say that she has her own issues. I mention above how I almost felt a bit of sympathy for her at one point, but it took only a few pages for any kind feelings I had for her to go out the window. Neither parent would win a parent of the year award, but Henry’s mother does something that I felt was inexcusable. To take the attention off her own drama (you’d have to read the book to see what I mean), she threw Henry under the bus, so to speak. That, to me, is unforgivable.
“I didn’t mean to tell him. It just came out when we were arguing. I’m so sorry.”
There are several things I really loved about this book. First, we have Henry, an eighteen-year-old man who is just trying to find his way. The author wrote him as an eighteen-year-old. Sure, he’s forced to grow up pretty fast and he’s a bit wiser beyond his years in some ways, but the reader is able to see that he still has quite a ways to go before he could be considered a ‘real’ grownup. Don’t take that to mean he’s overly immature and not ready for a relationship with Vito. That’s not the case at all. Second, this isn’t one of those stories where the main characters instantly fall in love or even fall into bed. Henry and Vito both have their own problems they have to deal with before a relationship of any kind can begin. Had it been written any other way, it likely wouldn’t have worked for me.
The family drama is written perfectly, even if I wasn’t pleased with what Henry was forced to deal with. Vito’s grief over those he loved and lost was written extremely well. Sure, he was a hard ass at times (and downright rude to poor Henry) when I felt he should lighten up a little, but it was easy to see why he was that way.
I chuckled a few times.
Come on, parents don’t even have sex, do they? I mean, like a couple of times, with their spouse on birthdays and stuff and to have kids, but otherwise? Nah….
(I’ve been doing this parent thing wrong for all these years. Who knew? *snort*)
I got teary several times.
This is where you’re supposed to hug me, Mom. This is where you’re supposed to comfort. Henry stared, frozen, at his mother for a long time, waiting. But nothing happened. After a few minutes, she opened her iPad. She smiled a little at something on its surface.
I got angry more times than I could count.
“So take a few minutes, get yourself dressed, and—” Vito smiled but knew there was only cruelty in it, like baring his teeth. “—and get out dude. I’ve done enough.”
~
Don’t kid yourself, kid. This isn’t about you. Henry turned away from Vito and stared at the wall. Amazing how fast a moment can turn to shit.
In the end, everything came together nicely and exactly the way it should have. I loved watching these guys battle with themselves as they stubbornly made their way to each other.
Overall, an excellent love story.
Review can also be found at -
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Henry, eighteen, is what some would call a golden child. He’s the only child of an attorney and his wife. He lives in a nice home and his future is set. He’ll be following in his father’s footsteps by becoming an attorney.
He’d always been the golden boy, doing exactly what his family expected.
He’s just graduated from high school and is set to intern for the summer before college in his father’s law firm. He has money, plans, and everything else a boy his age can want – you’d think. First, there was a issue with his best friend, Kade, who got a bit closer to Henry on graduation night than he was prepared for. Strike that. Henry was all fine and good for the so-called best friend until Henry realized that they were only ‘friends’ when Kade wanted use him. It doesn’t take long for Henry to come to his senses in that regard. Then there is the internship that Henry’s father is so convinced is right for his son. Did he ask Henry what he wanted to do over the summer? Or what he wanted to study in the fall? Of course not. Tank Appleby is the king of his domain and his son will do what he says, regardless of what the boy wants. There is Henry’s mother. Cold is a good way to describe Mrs. Appleby. There’s no outward affection for her son, and this broke my heart early on. Later, I felt a bit of sympathy for the woman, but I got over it quick enough. Then there is Maxine, Henry’s surrogate mother, who is the Appleby housekeeper. I adored Maxine at her introduction and continued to until the very end of the book. Everybody needs a Maxine in their life.
Henry doesn’t want to be an attorney like his father. He wants to be a chef someday, even if that means starting at the bottom at a restaurant and working his way up. He sees an advertisement online for a position at Fiorello’s, a local restaurant, and that’s all he can think about. Does he risk the wrath of his parents by applying for the job? But then again, who is to say he’d get it if he applies? There’s no harm in going across town to check, is there? Fiorello’s isn’t exactly in the affluent part of town where Henry lives with his family, so who would know if he checked it out? Finally, he gets the guts and makes his way to Fiorello’s. There, he meets some interesting people, with one being Rosalie. She’s the owner and takes one look at the little rich boy and doesn’t believe he’s serious about working there. If she hires him she doubts he’ll last a day. She offers him the job anyway – with conditions.
Vito, twenty-six, is a chef at Fiorello’s. He doesn’t come across as the most likable guy. Gruff, he’s the type of man who Henry should run far, far away from. He can’t. He’s attracted the second he lays eyes on the other man and that attraction continues to grow as he (Henry) works to prove himself at the restaurant.
Vito has his own story and it brought me near tears many times as the story went on. While he comes across downright rude on occasion, the reader can tell that this is his way of not allowing anyone or any feelings to intrude on his misery. If he’s rude to the kid, what of it? It keeps him from feeling and feeling is not something he believes he can allow – not anymore. He loved and lost once (in more ways than one) and opening up his heart to Henry will only bring more heartache later. He wants Henry from the moment he lays eyes on him the first time, but he refuses to act on that attraction because in his mind, it’s not the right thing to do.
Now we get to Henry’s family drama. His father is angry he ’embarrassed’ him by working in a lowlife (Tank’s words) position when he could be working under him at his law firm. His mother? Well, let’s just say that she has her own issues. I mention above how I almost felt a bit of sympathy for her at one point, but it took only a few pages for any kind feelings I had for her to go out the window. Neither parent would win a parent of the year award, but Henry’s mother does something that I felt was inexcusable. To take the attention off her own drama (you’d have to read the book to see what I mean), she threw Henry under the bus, so to speak. That, to me, is unforgivable.
“I didn’t mean to tell him. It just came out when we were arguing. I’m so sorry.”
There are several things I really loved about this book. First, we have Henry, an eighteen-year-old man who is just trying to find his way. The author wrote him as an eighteen-year-old. Sure, he’s forced to grow up pretty fast and he’s a bit wiser beyond his years in some ways, but the reader is able to see that he still has quite a ways to go before he could be considered a ‘real’ grownup. Don’t take that to mean he’s overly immature and not ready for a relationship with Vito. That’s not the case at all. Second, this isn’t one of those stories where the main characters instantly fall in love or even fall into bed. Henry and Vito both have their own problems they have to deal with before a relationship of any kind can begin. Had it been written any other way, it likely wouldn’t have worked for me.
The family drama is written perfectly, even if I wasn’t pleased with what Henry was forced to deal with. Vito’s grief over those he loved and lost was written extremely well. Sure, he was a hard ass at times (and downright rude to poor Henry) when I felt he should lighten up a little, but it was easy to see why he was that way.
I chuckled a few times.
Come on, parents don’t even have sex, do they? I mean, like a couple of times, with their spouse on birthdays and stuff and to have kids, but otherwise? Nah….
(I’ve been doing this parent thing wrong for all these years. Who knew? *snort*)
I got teary several times.
This is where you’re supposed to hug me, Mom. This is where you’re supposed to comfort. Henry stared, frozen, at his mother for a long time, waiting. But nothing happened. After a few minutes, she opened her iPad. She smiled a little at something on its surface.
I got angry more times than I could count.
“So take a few minutes, get yourself dressed, and—” Vito smiled but knew there was only cruelty in it, like baring his teeth. “—and get out dude. I’ve done enough.”
~
Don’t kid yourself, kid. This isn’t about you. Henry turned away from Vito and stared at the wall. Amazing how fast a moment can turn to shit.
In the end, everything came together nicely and exactly the way it should have. I loved watching these guys battle with themselves as they stubbornly made their way to each other.
Overall, an excellent love story.
Review can also be found at -
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
July 21, 2021
I first read this book during 2015, and upon rereading it, loved it all over again! Full review to come shortly.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
May 7, 2015
4 Hearts
Reviewed for MM Good Book Reviews click link for giveaway (Ends 15th May 2015)
This story is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Henry knows what he wants to do with his life now that he’s graduated from school and it isn’t what his wealthy father has planned for him, but he doesn’t know if he will be brave enough to go after what he wants until he spots a help wanted ad for a little Italian restaurant called Fiorella’s. Vito was blessed with a good life until a tragic turn of events took what he loved most, now he lives quietly, keeping to himself and working as the chef at Fiorella’s. For over a year nothing has breached the shell he lives in until a blond ‘bubble dancer’ begins to crack his shell, but Vito doesn’t want his safe shell shattered and Henry’s life is falling apart around him. Will either man take a chance on something more or will they retreat to the safety or the world that they know.
Fiorella’s is another wonderful story from Rick R. Reed that touches our hearts. Henry is the typical rich kid who has had everything offered to him on a platter except the love of his parents, his mother is cold and distant and his father is a powerful attorney who has Henry’s life mapped out for him. Henry wants to take a chance of grabbing his dream though, a dream that would have him cooking for other people, a dream that his father would look down on but with only the summer free before he starts collage he decides to grab the chance he is offered. Vito is perfectly with his lonely life working as the chef at Fiorella’s, at least that’s what he wants everyone to believe, the loss of those he loved the most still weighs him down and he never wants to open is heart to that kind of hurt again. Having Henry come into his life has Vito tempted to live again. As Henry’s life begins to fall apart and he turns to Vito, but cracking Vito’s secretive shell isn’t easy.
Henry is a young man who doesn’t want to be caged into a life he won’t enjoy, but going against his father’s wishes isn’t easy especially when he gets no support from his mother. As Henry moves into the world of adulthood he learns that life isn’t easy or going to fit into what he wants, it’s a hard world with realities he might not like and he has to grow up. Vito knows that life is far from easy; he now keeps himself to himself with no interest in love. We don’t get an easy romance, in fact Vito seems to barely tolerate Henry, what we get is a young man on the verge of making his own adult decisions and a jaded man who has turned his back on life.
This is a beautifully written story, we are made to feel both men’s pain in this story, Henry’s pain as his life changes and his solid family base is shaken and Vito’s bleeding pain as he tries to let go of the past. There are some poignant moments as Vito loses himself in his dreams and memories and as he begins to open up to Henry but we also have his anger as he feels that he’s being forced to let go of the past. With Henry we get his excitement of beginning his life, the fear of going against his father, the devastation of his family not being what he thought and the twisting feelings he has for Vito. These two men need each other and it takes a large part of the book to get to that stage, but it fits as we get to know both Vito and Henry, it’s the pace that suits both of them.
I recommend this to those who love stories of embarking on your own path in life, of being poked back to life and the living, of a tentative new love blooming, of grabbing life with both hands and facing the fall out, and of two men who embark on a new stage in their lives.
Reviewed for MM Good Book Reviews click link for giveaway (Ends 15th May 2015)
This story is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. Henry knows what he wants to do with his life now that he’s graduated from school and it isn’t what his wealthy father has planned for him, but he doesn’t know if he will be brave enough to go after what he wants until he spots a help wanted ad for a little Italian restaurant called Fiorella’s. Vito was blessed with a good life until a tragic turn of events took what he loved most, now he lives quietly, keeping to himself and working as the chef at Fiorella’s. For over a year nothing has breached the shell he lives in until a blond ‘bubble dancer’ begins to crack his shell, but Vito doesn’t want his safe shell shattered and Henry’s life is falling apart around him. Will either man take a chance on something more or will they retreat to the safety or the world that they know.
Fiorella’s is another wonderful story from Rick R. Reed that touches our hearts. Henry is the typical rich kid who has had everything offered to him on a platter except the love of his parents, his mother is cold and distant and his father is a powerful attorney who has Henry’s life mapped out for him. Henry wants to take a chance of grabbing his dream though, a dream that would have him cooking for other people, a dream that his father would look down on but with only the summer free before he starts collage he decides to grab the chance he is offered. Vito is perfectly with his lonely life working as the chef at Fiorella’s, at least that’s what he wants everyone to believe, the loss of those he loved the most still weighs him down and he never wants to open is heart to that kind of hurt again. Having Henry come into his life has Vito tempted to live again. As Henry’s life begins to fall apart and he turns to Vito, but cracking Vito’s secretive shell isn’t easy.
Henry is a young man who doesn’t want to be caged into a life he won’t enjoy, but going against his father’s wishes isn’t easy especially when he gets no support from his mother. As Henry moves into the world of adulthood he learns that life isn’t easy or going to fit into what he wants, it’s a hard world with realities he might not like and he has to grow up. Vito knows that life is far from easy; he now keeps himself to himself with no interest in love. We don’t get an easy romance, in fact Vito seems to barely tolerate Henry, what we get is a young man on the verge of making his own adult decisions and a jaded man who has turned his back on life.
This is a beautifully written story, we are made to feel both men’s pain in this story, Henry’s pain as his life changes and his solid family base is shaken and Vito’s bleeding pain as he tries to let go of the past. There are some poignant moments as Vito loses himself in his dreams and memories and as he begins to open up to Henry but we also have his anger as he feels that he’s being forced to let go of the past. With Henry we get his excitement of beginning his life, the fear of going against his father, the devastation of his family not being what he thought and the twisting feelings he has for Vito. These two men need each other and it takes a large part of the book to get to that stage, but it fits as we get to know both Vito and Henry, it’s the pace that suits both of them.
I recommend this to those who love stories of embarking on your own path in life, of being poked back to life and the living, of a tentative new love blooming, of grabbing life with both hands and facing the fall out, and of two men who embark on a new stage in their lives.
June 10, 2015
This review was originally written for Joyfully Jay Book Reviews and can be accessed here.
Henry Appleby is a high school graduate with a college acceptance to NYU. He has grown up in Evanston, IL, the nearest north suburb to kiss Chicago’s border, in an affluent neighborhood and living a privileged life. He is set to intern at his overbearing father’s wealth management company for the summer, yet, what Henry hungers to do is work in a restaurant. And, get a boyfriend. He’s not sure if the fumbling attempt with his best friend will lead to anything more.
Knowing it is unacceptable, but needing to satisfy his keen desire, Henry takes the train into Chicago to inquire about a job at a neighborhood trattoria, Fiorello’s. There Henry finds the warmth and care he lacks in his own sterile home. His mother is a socialite with little interest in him personally, and his strongest connection is to his family’s cook/housekeeper, Maxine. Maxine would love Fiorello’s, Henry thinks, and he submits his application. The owner, Rosalie, doesn’t take him seriously, however, believing that he’d only stay the summer when she needs stable workers. Still, she takes a chance on Henry—hiring him. If he thought his dad was peeved after Henry turned down his internship, that ain’t nothing compared to what happens when he learns Henry’s gay.
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I was just as charmed as before with his characters and the lush setting descriptions. As a native Chicagoan I could see my hometown in the pages, with startling clarity. I, too, sweated along with Henry on sultry walks and sweating ‘L’ rides. I’ve had his same sun-baked feet too exhausted to go forward. I haven’t had his sudden lack of home and family, but Henry never squawks. He’s determined to make his life his own, even when the convenience he’s had growing up is suddenly yanked away.
Henry takes pleasure working near Vito, the large and largely-silent executive chef at Fiorello’s. Vito tells a bit of this story and his piece is tragic. One car wreck stole his husband and child away, and he’s not ready to open up, especially not to the blonde man-child, Henry. Still, Vito is not entirely dead inside and he makes some decisions that help Henry just when Henry needs it. I was torn with Vito, both sympathetic and frustrated, because he’s so determined to stay in his miserable little shell, and lashes out at times. Knowing both sides of the story I just want him to comfort Henry and let himself be comforted, and I got frustrated when he didn’t. Then again, I was overjoyed when he did.
Henry is such a kind and tender young man. He’s hurt, and hurt, and hurt again by the people who should love him, and yet he’s indefatigable and honorable and wonderful. Even when Vito is mean, Henry shows up to work and takes on any and every challenge laid before him. There are a few sexytimes, but they are understated and at times awkward—which is in keeping with the scene and emotional progression of the story. Henry feels he is continually used by his partners, and to some extent he is right, which meant those encounters were bittersweet. Plus, Henry is witness to more than one infidelity in the relationships that surround him, and it’s a lot to absorb on top of his own personal issues. He really grows up a lot in this post high-school summer. The wrap up of this story is so freaking HEA I think I cried a little.
Henry Appleby is a high school graduate with a college acceptance to NYU. He has grown up in Evanston, IL, the nearest north suburb to kiss Chicago’s border, in an affluent neighborhood and living a privileged life. He is set to intern at his overbearing father’s wealth management company for the summer, yet, what Henry hungers to do is work in a restaurant. And, get a boyfriend. He’s not sure if the fumbling attempt with his best friend will lead to anything more.
Knowing it is unacceptable, but needing to satisfy his keen desire, Henry takes the train into Chicago to inquire about a job at a neighborhood trattoria, Fiorello’s. There Henry finds the warmth and care he lacks in his own sterile home. His mother is a socialite with little interest in him personally, and his strongest connection is to his family’s cook/housekeeper, Maxine. Maxine would love Fiorello’s, Henry thinks, and he submits his application. The owner, Rosalie, doesn’t take him seriously, however, believing that he’d only stay the summer when she needs stable workers. Still, she takes a chance on Henry—hiring him. If he thought his dad was peeved after Henry turned down his internship, that ain’t nothing compared to what happens when he learns Henry’s gay.
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I was just as charmed as before with his characters and the lush setting descriptions. As a native Chicagoan I could see my hometown in the pages, with startling clarity. I, too, sweated along with Henry on sultry walks and sweating ‘L’ rides. I’ve had his same sun-baked feet too exhausted to go forward. I haven’t had his sudden lack of home and family, but Henry never squawks. He’s determined to make his life his own, even when the convenience he’s had growing up is suddenly yanked away.
Henry takes pleasure working near Vito, the large and largely-silent executive chef at Fiorello’s. Vito tells a bit of this story and his piece is tragic. One car wreck stole his husband and child away, and he’s not ready to open up, especially not to the blonde man-child, Henry. Still, Vito is not entirely dead inside and he makes some decisions that help Henry just when Henry needs it. I was torn with Vito, both sympathetic and frustrated, because he’s so determined to stay in his miserable little shell, and lashes out at times. Knowing both sides of the story I just want him to comfort Henry and let himself be comforted, and I got frustrated when he didn’t. Then again, I was overjoyed when he did.
Henry is such a kind and tender young man. He’s hurt, and hurt, and hurt again by the people who should love him, and yet he’s indefatigable and honorable and wonderful. Even when Vito is mean, Henry shows up to work and takes on any and every challenge laid before him. There are a few sexytimes, but they are understated and at times awkward—which is in keeping with the scene and emotional progression of the story. Henry feels he is continually used by his partners, and to some extent he is right, which meant those encounters were bittersweet. Plus, Henry is witness to more than one infidelity in the relationships that surround him, and it’s a lot to absorb on top of his own personal issues. He really grows up a lot in this post high-school summer. The wrap up of this story is so freaking HEA I think I cried a little.
June 10, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I was just as charmed as before with his characters and the lush setting descriptions. As a native Chicagoan I could see my hometown in the pages, with startling clarity. I, too, sweated along with Henry on sultry walks and sweating ‘L’ rides. I’ve had his same sun-baked feet too exhausted to go forward. I haven’t had his sudden lack of home and family, but Henry never squawks. He’s determined to make his life his own, even when the convenience he’s had growing up is suddenly yanked away.
Henry takes pleasure working near Vito, the large and largely-silent executive chef at Fiorello’s. Vito tells a bit of this story and his piece is tragic. One car wreck stole his husband and child away, and he’s not ready to open up, especially not to the blonde man-child, Henry. Still, Vito is not entirely dead inside and he makes some decisions that help Henry just when Henry needs it. I was torn with Vito, both sympathetic and frustrated, because he’s so determined to stay in his miserable little shell, and lashes out at times. Knowing both sides of the story I just want him to comfort Henry and let himself be comforted, and I got frustrated when he didn’t. Then again, I was overjoyed when he did.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
This is the second book I’ve read from this author, and I was just as charmed as before with his characters and the lush setting descriptions. As a native Chicagoan I could see my hometown in the pages, with startling clarity. I, too, sweated along with Henry on sultry walks and sweating ‘L’ rides. I’ve had his same sun-baked feet too exhausted to go forward. I haven’t had his sudden lack of home and family, but Henry never squawks. He’s determined to make his life his own, even when the convenience he’s had growing up is suddenly yanked away.
Henry takes pleasure working near Vito, the large and largely-silent executive chef at Fiorello’s. Vito tells a bit of this story and his piece is tragic. One car wreck stole his husband and child away, and he’s not ready to open up, especially not to the blonde man-child, Henry. Still, Vito is not entirely dead inside and he makes some decisions that help Henry just when Henry needs it. I was torn with Vito, both sympathetic and frustrated, because he’s so determined to stay in his miserable little shell, and lashes out at times. Knowing both sides of the story I just want him to comfort Henry and let himself be comforted, and I got frustrated when he didn’t. Then again, I was overjoyed when he did.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
May 3, 2015
5 heart review by Dan
I can’t believe this is only the second work I’ve read by Rick R. Reed. The first one “Matches” his Christmas Story, left me devastated. I’ve been waiting since then to snag another one, and this was a perfect choice.
Henry Appleby is your typical spoiled rich kid, growing up in one of Chicago’s wealthier suburbs. He hasn’t wanted for anything growing up….well, except for a little parental love. His dad is a cold Chicago attorney, who thinks his son will follow in his footsteps and become an attorney, go to work for the firm, have 2.5 children and be happy. His mother is the stereotypical rich housewife, who looks flawless due to a great colorist and liberal use of botox, who has always been cold and a little distant. Luckily he had the cook / housekeeper to talk to! She has always been like a mother to him, but even she he doesn’t know anything about outside of her time at their house. Her personal life is vague to him, even though he knows he should know more. But after all he is only eighteen and the world is still all about him.
Henry’s life is about to wobble. Henry, while fooling around at the beach with his best friend, somehow ended up on his knees getting his first mouthful of cum. Why is his friend so distant? And what about that intern gig that his dad has set up for the summer, prior to him starting pre-law at university? Henry has other ideas. He wants to be a chef, not an attorney. When he finds a Craigslist ad for an all-around helper at a local restaurant, paying minimum wage, he decides it is something he wants to pursue.
What will happen if his dad finds out? Why is he seeing his mom in the slightly rough neighborhood around the restaurant? What will happen when Henry comes out to his parents not only about the job, but also about being gay? Can his life ever be the same? And finally, what is up with that hot, super hairy, sexy Italian chef named Vito? Does he hate Henry for some reason?
Vito Carelli is a closed book. He doesn’t let anyone in. He has closed himself down to allowing only work, his dogs, eating and sleeping in his life. We know something bad happened to Vito, but don’t find out what until part way through the story. Can Henry break through his icy shell to see who the real Vito is, and why he is so closed and hostile?
I loved this book. I had a serious book hangover from a book I finished yesterday that I didn’t like much, and when I went to my kindle, the cover of this book jumped out at me. I hadn’t scheduled it for a few more days, but I moved it forward anyway, and I’m so glad I did. I read most of it last night, and then finished this morning.
I very highly recommend it!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
I can’t believe this is only the second work I’ve read by Rick R. Reed. The first one “Matches” his Christmas Story, left me devastated. I’ve been waiting since then to snag another one, and this was a perfect choice.
Henry Appleby is your typical spoiled rich kid, growing up in one of Chicago’s wealthier suburbs. He hasn’t wanted for anything growing up….well, except for a little parental love. His dad is a cold Chicago attorney, who thinks his son will follow in his footsteps and become an attorney, go to work for the firm, have 2.5 children and be happy. His mother is the stereotypical rich housewife, who looks flawless due to a great colorist and liberal use of botox, who has always been cold and a little distant. Luckily he had the cook / housekeeper to talk to! She has always been like a mother to him, but even she he doesn’t know anything about outside of her time at their house. Her personal life is vague to him, even though he knows he should know more. But after all he is only eighteen and the world is still all about him.
Henry’s life is about to wobble. Henry, while fooling around at the beach with his best friend, somehow ended up on his knees getting his first mouthful of cum. Why is his friend so distant? And what about that intern gig that his dad has set up for the summer, prior to him starting pre-law at university? Henry has other ideas. He wants to be a chef, not an attorney. When he finds a Craigslist ad for an all-around helper at a local restaurant, paying minimum wage, he decides it is something he wants to pursue.
What will happen if his dad finds out? Why is he seeing his mom in the slightly rough neighborhood around the restaurant? What will happen when Henry comes out to his parents not only about the job, but also about being gay? Can his life ever be the same? And finally, what is up with that hot, super hairy, sexy Italian chef named Vito? Does he hate Henry for some reason?
Vito Carelli is a closed book. He doesn’t let anyone in. He has closed himself down to allowing only work, his dogs, eating and sleeping in his life. We know something bad happened to Vito, but don’t find out what until part way through the story. Can Henry break through his icy shell to see who the real Vito is, and why he is so closed and hostile?
I loved this book. I had a serious book hangover from a book I finished yesterday that I didn’t like much, and when I went to my kindle, the cover of this book jumped out at me. I hadn’t scheduled it for a few more days, but I moved it forward anyway, and I’m so glad I did. I read most of it last night, and then finished this morning.
I very highly recommend it!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
May 29, 2015
The thing I love about Rick R Reed's work is that it does not disappoint, mentally or emotionally. It is real and fantastic at the same time. By that I mean, there is this way about how he writes that just draws you in. I can get lost in his storytelling and not realize just how much time has passed or the fact that I am shedding tears of both laughter and sorrow over a fictional character. The books I have read all have happy endings, but the characters have to work for it. Their conflicts aren't manufactured, nor are the endings easily found. It is like life and I love that even in my escapes. There is emotion in the reading that is dramatic, but doesn't feel overwrought. Real life issues and consequences that are believable and feel natural. Wonderfully flawed characters that play perfect on the page.
D@F is no exception. Reed has crafted a lovely and almost heartbreaking story about two men coping with loss. Both of them are young, one more so than the other, but each has had his world torn asunder. Loss affects everyone and this book, dealing with the loss of family in both the physical and emotional aspects, hits its mark.
Vito, adjust to the death of his son and husband, is bitter and has closed himself off to the possibility of love and hope. Henry, young and untried, has just learned his first lesson in life that privileged doesn't always mean perfect. The two men come together in grief and begin the path to healing with one another. I love that this takes place over a summer, across a few months, and that both men struggle accepting what is happening.
The breakdown of Henry's family, the loss of his mother's leaving, and his judgmental father are an all too real thing, and it hurt to read the words Tank spoke to his son. I nearly broke down and cried when Vito was telling his story about Kevin and Sal's deaths due to a drunk driver. As well as the guilt Vito felt because of his last words to Kevin. Again, an ache but one that wasn't forced. More real life incidents that both ripped me apart and made me adore the story all the more for the normality of it.
I would have loved a bit more story before the epilogue wrapped everything up, but I think that is more about me being greedy for the characters and story that it is a complaint about the book. The short chapter details what has been happening with both Vito and Henry and leaves you with a feeling and sense of the hope both men needed.
Thank you for a fantastic read, dear author!
D@F is no exception. Reed has crafted a lovely and almost heartbreaking story about two men coping with loss. Both of them are young, one more so than the other, but each has had his world torn asunder. Loss affects everyone and this book, dealing with the loss of family in both the physical and emotional aspects, hits its mark.
Vito, adjust to the death of his son and husband, is bitter and has closed himself off to the possibility of love and hope. Henry, young and untried, has just learned his first lesson in life that privileged doesn't always mean perfect. The two men come together in grief and begin the path to healing with one another. I love that this takes place over a summer, across a few months, and that both men struggle accepting what is happening.
The breakdown of Henry's family, the loss of his mother's leaving, and his judgmental father are an all too real thing, and it hurt to read the words Tank spoke to his son. I nearly broke down and cried when Vito was telling his story about Kevin and Sal's deaths due to a drunk driver. As well as the guilt Vito felt because of his last words to Kevin. Again, an ache but one that wasn't forced. More real life incidents that both ripped me apart and made me adore the story all the more for the normality of it.
I would have loved a bit more story before the epilogue wrapped everything up, but I think that is more about me being greedy for the characters and story that it is a complaint about the book. The short chapter details what has been happening with both Vito and Henry and leaves you with a feeling and sense of the hope both men needed.
Thank you for a fantastic read, dear author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 24, 2016
I liked this story. There was a thing or two that I wish had been a little different...and really its just that I wanted more, more interaction between the characters, more of the
I did like Henry. My heart broke for him. He had horrible parents. Especially his mother.
Henry. Oh Henry, he was kinda sweetly self-absorbed and did the kind of like head shaking "no" kind of things that only someone young and self centered would do, but he was likable and adorable and you can't help but kind of root for him.
Vito was hard for me. I mean, of course you love him and his heart absolutely breaks for him and its hard and you even understand it, but I wanted to shake the hell out of him a time or two. But I guess I felt that way about Henry too, so match made in heaven yeah? The hot and cold thing was hard for me, well, it was never actually hot, but Vito would just gah...yeah, I wanted to shake him.
I loved the restaurant. I loved the food and the smells and it all seemed alive.
Mostly I just wish we had gotten more. More of the stolen glances and the longing and moments and interactions-in real time, and to just watch them fall in love and after.
Will be reading more from this author.
I did like Henry. My heart broke for him. He had horrible parents. Especially his mother.
Henry. Oh Henry, he was kinda sweetly self-absorbed and did the kind of like head shaking "no" kind of things that only someone young and self centered would do, but he was likable and adorable and you can't help but kind of root for him.
Vito was hard for me. I mean, of course you love him and his heart absolutely breaks for him and its hard and you even understand it, but I wanted to shake the hell out of him a time or two. But I guess I felt that way about Henry too, so match made in heaven yeah? The hot and cold thing was hard for me, well, it was never actually hot, but Vito would just gah...yeah, I wanted to shake him.
I loved the restaurant. I loved the food and the smells and it all seemed alive.
Mostly I just wish we had gotten more. More of the stolen glances and the longing and moments and interactions-in real time, and to just watch them fall in love and after.
Will be reading more from this author.
June 24, 2017
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
*I read Dinner at Fiorello's as part of the Feel-Good True romance bundle.
5 'the feels' stars.
Dinner at Fiorello's is a cross between coming-of-age and second-chance romance. Emotional, fast-paced, the book had an addictive, emotional quality.
Henry is a recent high school graduate, so his narration was befitting of Young Adult on the cusp of New Adult. I'm a sucker for coming-of-age. The boy has been locked-in by his father's life choices. Where he will intern, where he will go to college, where he will work as a grown adult, living in his father's shadow, by his father's rules, never living his own life.
Henry is on the outs with his lifelong best friend. His father is a demanding taskmaster, and his mother is absentee. The only person who is in his corner is his family's housekeeper, the woman who raised him.
Henry is a sweet, caring, and giving boy, motivated to carve out his own life. So when he sees an ad on Craigslist for Fiorello's, he jumps at the chance to go into the food-industry... where he meets Vito.
Vito is almost a decade older, but life choices and harsh reality has him acting more like twenty years older, not a man in his late twenties. Vito's narration follows closely to second-chance romance. Struggling to reach out and connect with his human emotions, Vito would rather be a workaholic and hug his two giant dogs. But he has a hard time ignoring the boy who is growing on him.
Henry and Vito take a journey of self-discovery, with the romance weaving in the background. The story itself is focused on character development, not romance and between-the-sheets action, creating very lifelike, easy to relate to, and highly emotional characterizations.
Dinner at Fiorello's is one of the reasons why I adore Rick R. Reed. I highly recommend to those who love an emotional journey featuring all the hurdles MM Romance generally provides.
*I read Dinner at Fiorello's as part of the Feel-Good True romance bundle.
5 'the feels' stars.
Dinner at Fiorello's is a cross between coming-of-age and second-chance romance. Emotional, fast-paced, the book had an addictive, emotional quality.
Henry is a recent high school graduate, so his narration was befitting of Young Adult on the cusp of New Adult. I'm a sucker for coming-of-age. The boy has been locked-in by his father's life choices. Where he will intern, where he will go to college, where he will work as a grown adult, living in his father's shadow, by his father's rules, never living his own life.
Henry is on the outs with his lifelong best friend. His father is a demanding taskmaster, and his mother is absentee. The only person who is in his corner is his family's housekeeper, the woman who raised him.
Henry is a sweet, caring, and giving boy, motivated to carve out his own life. So when he sees an ad on Craigslist for Fiorello's, he jumps at the chance to go into the food-industry... where he meets Vito.
Vito is almost a decade older, but life choices and harsh reality has him acting more like twenty years older, not a man in his late twenties. Vito's narration follows closely to second-chance romance. Struggling to reach out and connect with his human emotions, Vito would rather be a workaholic and hug his two giant dogs. But he has a hard time ignoring the boy who is growing on him.
Henry and Vito take a journey of self-discovery, with the romance weaving in the background. The story itself is focused on character development, not romance and between-the-sheets action, creating very lifelike, easy to relate to, and highly emotional characterizations.
Dinner at Fiorello's is one of the reasons why I adore Rick R. Reed. I highly recommend to those who love an emotional journey featuring all the hurdles MM Romance generally provides.
May 9, 2015
Cute story!
I think I may need a better word than cute. This story was engaging, funny at times, angsty at times, overall a great story! There is nothing more sexy than a love of food that is so much a part of you its almost a sexual experience in itself. Henry is 18 and in the midst of a huge personal crisis. He decides to take a job at an Italian restaurant where he meets Vito, the chef there. Vito is snarky but is hiding tremendous grief and sadness. Through Henry's perseverance, they kind of become friends, and Vito slowly lets Henry in, breaking down his walls. Vito helps Henry through his crisis and the two of them find hope and love in one another!
I really enjoy Rick's writing style and he creates characters who are flawed but oh so lovable!
I think I may need a better word than cute. This story was engaging, funny at times, angsty at times, overall a great story! There is nothing more sexy than a love of food that is so much a part of you its almost a sexual experience in itself. Henry is 18 and in the midst of a huge personal crisis. He decides to take a job at an Italian restaurant where he meets Vito, the chef there. Vito is snarky but is hiding tremendous grief and sadness. Through Henry's perseverance, they kind of become friends, and Vito slowly lets Henry in, breaking down his walls. Vito helps Henry through his crisis and the two of them find hope and love in one another!
I really enjoy Rick's writing style and he creates characters who are flawed but oh so lovable!
May 27, 2015
FiveStars
Wonderful Italian cooking and two beautiful, troubled men? A fantastic combination. Henry is a brilliant character - I love his independence, his spirit and his bravery. Vito - older, guarded, grieving - is equally as attractive and a perfect match for the younger man.
The secondary characters in this story are just as great as the leads. Henry’s formal, traditional parents are carefully offset by the warmth of the staff at Fiorello’s.
From the characters to the food, Dinner at Fiorello’s is a warm, sweet and emotionally raw story of love and loss, independence and interdependence. I loved it.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sarah
Wonderful Italian cooking and two beautiful, troubled men? A fantastic combination. Henry is a brilliant character - I love his independence, his spirit and his bravery. Vito - older, guarded, grieving - is equally as attractive and a perfect match for the younger man.
The secondary characters in this story are just as great as the leads. Henry’s formal, traditional parents are carefully offset by the warmth of the staff at Fiorello’s.
From the characters to the food, Dinner at Fiorello’s is a warm, sweet and emotionally raw story of love and loss, independence and interdependence. I loved it.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
Sarah
June 12, 2015
Rick R. Reed does it again with "Dinner at Fiorello's!" Once again, we see Reed's excellent character development, plot development and movement and general storytelling. It's the story of a young man, just out of high school, just coming out and two families in crisis--one very much in the present and one that happened in the past. I won't give away any details, but it's great reading.
June 13, 2015
This book will take you on an emotional ride - great book!!!! BUT.... I was left wanting MORE!!!! I'm thinking there is going to be a Book 2 - there is so much MORE to this story!!!! If you read these reviews Rick, PLEASE, PLEASE write a Book 2 - I've already thought of a few story outlines but you're the Author, not me AND you're so good - I'm counting on you. LOL
May 10, 2016
Had me laughing & crying. Superb.
May 27, 2015
loved it!!
I really loved reading this book.
Henry what a sweet young guy
and Vito hmm i wanna find me a Vito!!
April 2, 2016
3.5 Stars - Audio Version
I had to cogitate on this one for a couple of days before I wrote my review. I wanted to come at it from the right perspective to make sure I do it justice and still make sense about what did and didn’t work for me. I came to the conclusion that I needed to look at Dinner at Fiorello’s as more of a coming of age book for Henry and a coming to terms book for Vito and not so much a romance between the two of them. And there was romance, definitely, but it wasn’t front and center to the overall story to me. Once I did that I could appreciate the story for how well it was written and narrated.
I really liked Henry from the very beginning. He’s a rich kid with, what seems like, every advantage, but he doesn’t have it easy. His mom is disconnected, his father is a selfish egotist and his best friend turns out to be a total shitheel. His father is grooming him to become a lawyer just like he is while Henry’s passion lies in the kitchen and the food he can create. He so desperately wants to explore this side of himself and he sees the summer after graduating as possibly his only chance. Then you add in the fact he hasn’t come out to his family and the kid is under a lot of pressure. I say ‘kid’ because he’s 18, but he really is a mature 18 with a pretty grounded sense of self. He didn’t read older than that though, the author balanced enough angst in there to keep his age real.
This was the strongest part of the story for me. The whole thing could have just been about Henry and I would have eaten it up. He was written and narrated so well I had the urge to befriend and protect his character from the baddies, former best friend who shall not be named, I’m looking at you here. I also celebrated his victories with him and when he found the inner strength to be true to himself I was all kinds of happy. I have to say though, I was sad for his friend too. The kid was messed up and obviously torn about his feelings, BUT, you don’t do that shit to my Henry, not cool. I also really liked the narrator’s voice for Henry, it fit perfectly and captured all the emotion without being over the top.
I’m not really sure where to go with Vito. His story is frickin’ heartbreaking and listening to it was just plain sad. I get it, his loss was overwhelming and not that far in the past so it all made sense. I could see why he’d be attracted to Henry but as the story moved on and Vito compared Henry to his former husband on more than one occasion it made me feel like Vito was really not ready for this and Vito readily admits that he isn’t. Again, that all made sense, I think I had just gotten so attached to Henry, that I wanted more for him.
The author made the city of Chicago and its surrounding areas, which I have never had the pleasure of visiting, into another character in the book. I really could visualize every setting clearly and that added to the story in a meaningful way. The narrator does a great job with the Italian accents in the story. Accents can really be a make or break for an audiobook and Joel Leslie made it seem effortless, making it easy to listen to. I really enjoyed the narration throughout, if I’m on the fence with an audiobook in the future and see that he’s narrating, I’m adding that one to the cart.
So, while I was a little torn on how I felt at the end, besides kinda sad that is, I’m glad I waited a couple of days to get my perspective straight. I think if I’d have had more time with them together when I knew Vito was all in, then the romance would have worked better for me. But, I enjoyed Henry and his story so much, I was able to let that go a little and just root for Henry and where he was going. I ended with lots of optimism for him personally even if I wasn’t completely feeling it for Henry and Vito together. I give them a cautious HFN with lots of hope because that’s what Henry wants and deserves. Vito just better appreciate what he’s got there, that’s all I have to say.
**a copy of this audiobook was provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest review**
I had to cogitate on this one for a couple of days before I wrote my review. I wanted to come at it from the right perspective to make sure I do it justice and still make sense about what did and didn’t work for me. I came to the conclusion that I needed to look at Dinner at Fiorello’s as more of a coming of age book for Henry and a coming to terms book for Vito and not so much a romance between the two of them. And there was romance, definitely, but it wasn’t front and center to the overall story to me. Once I did that I could appreciate the story for how well it was written and narrated.
I really liked Henry from the very beginning. He’s a rich kid with, what seems like, every advantage, but he doesn’t have it easy. His mom is disconnected, his father is a selfish egotist and his best friend turns out to be a total shitheel. His father is grooming him to become a lawyer just like he is while Henry’s passion lies in the kitchen and the food he can create. He so desperately wants to explore this side of himself and he sees the summer after graduating as possibly his only chance. Then you add in the fact he hasn’t come out to his family and the kid is under a lot of pressure. I say ‘kid’ because he’s 18, but he really is a mature 18 with a pretty grounded sense of self. He didn’t read older than that though, the author balanced enough angst in there to keep his age real.
This was the strongest part of the story for me. The whole thing could have just been about Henry and I would have eaten it up. He was written and narrated so well I had the urge to befriend and protect his character from the baddies, former best friend who shall not be named, I’m looking at you here. I also celebrated his victories with him and when he found the inner strength to be true to himself I was all kinds of happy. I have to say though, I was sad for his friend too. The kid was messed up and obviously torn about his feelings, BUT, you don’t do that shit to my Henry, not cool. I also really liked the narrator’s voice for Henry, it fit perfectly and captured all the emotion without being over the top.
I’m not really sure where to go with Vito. His story is frickin’ heartbreaking and listening to it was just plain sad. I get it, his loss was overwhelming and not that far in the past so it all made sense. I could see why he’d be attracted to Henry but as the story moved on and Vito compared Henry to his former husband on more than one occasion it made me feel like Vito was really not ready for this and Vito readily admits that he isn’t. Again, that all made sense, I think I had just gotten so attached to Henry, that I wanted more for him.
The author made the city of Chicago and its surrounding areas, which I have never had the pleasure of visiting, into another character in the book. I really could visualize every setting clearly and that added to the story in a meaningful way. The narrator does a great job with the Italian accents in the story. Accents can really be a make or break for an audiobook and Joel Leslie made it seem effortless, making it easy to listen to. I really enjoyed the narration throughout, if I’m on the fence with an audiobook in the future and see that he’s narrating, I’m adding that one to the cart.
So, while I was a little torn on how I felt at the end, besides kinda sad that is, I’m glad I waited a couple of days to get my perspective straight. I think if I’d have had more time with them together when I knew Vito was all in, then the romance would have worked better for me. But, I enjoyed Henry and his story so much, I was able to let that go a little and just root for Henry and where he was going. I ended with lots of optimism for him personally even if I wasn’t completely feeling it for Henry and Vito together. I give them a cautious HFN with lots of hope because that’s what Henry wants and deserves. Vito just better appreciate what he’s got there, that’s all I have to say.
**a copy of this audiobook was provided by Dreamspinner Press for an honest review**
April 2, 2016
Title: Dinner at Fiorello's Audible – Unabridged
Author: Rick R. Reed (Author), Joel Leslie (Narrator)
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press LLC
Reviewer: Mollien
Release Date: February 24, 2016
Genre(s): Gay Male Romance
Listening Length: 7 hours and 11 minutes
Heat Level: # 2 flames out of 5
Rating: # 4 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago's affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he's being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello's, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.
Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello's quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking. When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more - something real, something true - to separate the good from the bad and find the love - and the hope - that just might be their salvation.
Review:
This is a review for the Audible version of Dinner At Fiorello by Rick R. Reed. I loved the narration of this story. Joel Leslie did an excellent job keeping this story interesting and entertaining using different accents for the characters. The story however tended to drag. At chapter 13 I was still trying to figure out where the book was going. I am glad that I stayed with it. The book was good. It had a sweet love story, and was full of yearning.
The plot of the story was a recent high school graduate’s need to follow his dream of working in a restaurant. Not becoming the layer that his father expects him to become. While taking a summer job at an Italian restaurant, he starts to fall for the brooding, angry chief that seems to hate him. There is chemistry between the two main characters. It seems one sided for most of the book, but it is there. Pacing was my big problem with this book. Although it was very descriptive and extremely well written, it didn’t have the passion or drive. It seemed like the characters spent much of the time debating their next move. I am not talking about sexual situations. I am talking about characters that get through one day after another without accomplishing very much. Maybe this book is too realistic for my liking. The ending was worth listening to the book for. The characters did get more animated and alive in the last quarter of the story.
SCORES on a scale of 1-5 Stars rate each of the Following 5 Categories
PLOT 4 Stars
CHEMISTRY 4 Stars
PACING 3 Stars
ENDING 5 Stars
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 4 Stars
Find this book on Goodreads
ARC provided by the author and Dreamspinner Press LLC in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mollien from Alpha Book Club
July 27, 2017
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is an absolute gem of a story. You really should just go and read it and you will know what I mean without needing the rest of my review!
We are given the story of two very different men, at different points in their lives, and yet a look across a busy kitchen and they are fated to be in each other's lives (one hopes - forever). Both Henry and Vito get to tell us their deepest secrets, and we share their losses, their loves and their lives. I love how they are travelling on completely different plains, and yet find each other. I love Henry's innocence and naivety, and Vito's old man world-weariness (even though he is not even 30!) And I enjoyed all the characters that stood around them, whether positive or otherwise - for they all contributed to creating the men that we are given a chance to meet.
Mr Reed, you excelled yourself with this wonderful tale, thank you.
This is an absolute gem of a story. You really should just go and read it and you will know what I mean without needing the rest of my review!
We are given the story of two very different men, at different points in their lives, and yet a look across a busy kitchen and they are fated to be in each other's lives (one hopes - forever). Both Henry and Vito get to tell us their deepest secrets, and we share their losses, their loves and their lives. I love how they are travelling on completely different plains, and yet find each other. I love Henry's innocence and naivety, and Vito's old man world-weariness (even though he is not even 30!) And I enjoyed all the characters that stood around them, whether positive or otherwise - for they all contributed to creating the men that we are given a chance to meet.
Mr Reed, you excelled yourself with this wonderful tale, thank you.
March 13, 2016
Audio book review:
3 stars for the story; 5 stars for the narrator
This was another great performance by Joel Leslie. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the story. This book started out great. Henry is a rich 18 year olf kid from the North Shore of Chicago. He has a desire to cook food, but that does not mesh with his father's expectations. So he secretly applies for a job at Fiorello's as a dishwasher. Vito is the executive chef at the restaurant and has closed himself off to love due to the loss of his family. As the story progresses there is much family drama on Henry's side that cumulates in secrets being revealed and Henry suffering the consequences. Meanwhile, Vito is fighting his attraction to Henry and coming to grips with his grief. So on the surface that is all good. My issue had to do with the development of the relationship between Henry and Vito. It mainly manifested itself with Henry doing stupid, stalker stuff and Vito running hot and cold and acting like a dick to Henry. The result was, I didn't really like either of them. What finally secured the three star rating was that the HFN ending was in the epilogue and all the conflicts were addressed in a few sentences at the end. That just felt rushed and way too simple for the complex situations the MCs were dealing with.
The only saving grace was Joel Leslie's performance. He does a great range of voices, along with a great Italian accent. His pacing is spot on and he conveys the emotions of the story really well. That said, I don't think this story really did justice to his performance. Even though the story is told from both MCs POV, there is not much dialogue. There is a lot of "telling" of the story and not much experiencing the story from the MCs POV.
3 stars for the story; 5 stars for the narrator
This was another great performance by Joel Leslie. Unfortunately, I was disappointed with the story. This book started out great. Henry is a rich 18 year olf kid from the North Shore of Chicago. He has a desire to cook food, but that does not mesh with his father's expectations. So he secretly applies for a job at Fiorello's as a dishwasher. Vito is the executive chef at the restaurant and has closed himself off to love due to the loss of his family. As the story progresses there is much family drama on Henry's side that cumulates in secrets being revealed and Henry suffering the consequences. Meanwhile, Vito is fighting his attraction to Henry and coming to grips with his grief. So on the surface that is all good. My issue had to do with the development of the relationship between Henry and Vito. It mainly manifested itself with Henry doing stupid, stalker stuff and Vito running hot and cold and acting like a dick to Henry. The result was, I didn't really like either of them. What finally secured the three star rating was that the HFN ending was in the epilogue and all the conflicts were addressed in a few sentences at the end. That just felt rushed and way too simple for the complex situations the MCs were dealing with.
The only saving grace was Joel Leslie's performance. He does a great range of voices, along with a great Italian accent. His pacing is spot on and he conveys the emotions of the story really well. That said, I don't think this story really did justice to his performance. Even though the story is told from both MCs POV, there is not much dialogue. There is a lot of "telling" of the story and not much experiencing the story from the MCs POV.
April 1, 2016
**AUDIOBOOK REVIEW**
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book, but I'm not surprised because I have enjoyed every Rick Reed story I've gotten my hands on. He just has such a way with words that it really is special.
There is some angst in this story as both our main men are dealing with a great deal of baggage. Vito has loved and lost.. and that pain is still very real and haunting while Henry is young and still learning who he is. We see him go through his first heartbreak and then some family crisis moments that are really hard for him to deal with. However, the pain within is what draws the men together and what also make this a good story.
Vito's story broke my heart and it made me happy to follow along as he works through it. While I felt for Henry and all that he was dealing with, I got annoyed with his childish look on things at times. But, in the end, I really liked both main characters and the story as a whole.
The narrator did a great job, especially bouncing between Vito's accent and other non-accented narration. It was an added extra that was really neat to have in the book and emphasized Vito's heritage.
Overall, a great story, a great audiobook.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book, but I'm not surprised because I have enjoyed every Rick Reed story I've gotten my hands on. He just has such a way with words that it really is special.
There is some angst in this story as both our main men are dealing with a great deal of baggage. Vito has loved and lost.. and that pain is still very real and haunting while Henry is young and still learning who he is. We see him go through his first heartbreak and then some family crisis moments that are really hard for him to deal with. However, the pain within is what draws the men together and what also make this a good story.
Vito's story broke my heart and it made me happy to follow along as he works through it. While I felt for Henry and all that he was dealing with, I got annoyed with his childish look on things at times. But, in the end, I really liked both main characters and the story as a whole.
The narrator did a great job, especially bouncing between Vito's accent and other non-accented narration. It was an added extra that was really neat to have in the book and emphasized Vito's heritage.
Overall, a great story, a great audiobook.
I received a free copy of this book to read for Inked Rainbow Reads in exchange for an honest review.
November 25, 2015
3.75*
I won this book! Yay me.
I loved both of these characters! Henry is young but knows he wants to cook in a restaurant. He must start at the bottom and go up. His parents are affluent and want him to follow his Dad and become something he doesn't want.
Vito is just trying to get by day by day. His whole world had been taken from him.
As these two grow, they begin to care for each other. So glad for the HEA in this book!
I won this book! Yay me.
I loved both of these characters! Henry is young but knows he wants to cook in a restaurant. He must start at the bottom and go up. His parents are affluent and want him to follow his Dad and become something he doesn't want.
Vito is just trying to get by day by day. His whole world had been taken from him.
As these two grow, they begin to care for each other. So glad for the HEA in this book!
May 15, 2016
I bought "Dinner at Fiorello's" expecting a 'light read' (which speaks volumes about my own expectations and lack of experience with m/m romance as a genre), so I wasn't expecting a novel as sweet and touching as I found this to be. Reed has created a simple and very effective tale about love, grief, fear and courage, and serves it up with a generous sharing of food as a metaphor for how we share and connect. This book made me smile and brought me to tears a few times. Recommended.
May 3, 2015
3.75 Stars
December 7, 2015
3,5 stars
September 27, 2016
That story has a great plot idea and the writing is good too. But for me the pace is off here and it feels unfinished somehow.
Read
July 10, 2020Not sure how I felt about this. Normally this type of book would be a sure-fire fave for me. Age gap, inexperienced younger guy, the writing was good, slow burn... and also, I have a thing for co-dependent dysfunctional relationships.
BUT I don't know if either of them loved each other for the right reasons, or at all. And I had a HUGE problem with the timeframe! The entirety of this book was LESS THAN 6 months, 4 of which were mentioned during the epilogue which is set 4 months in the future. That means, the whole relationship developed in less than 2 months. Ngh. I wouldn't say it was an insta-love book tbh. It had a slow burn element going on... but what actually happened was the timeline felt shifty. The book read like a much longer time frame, but are told that it all is going on in less than 2 months supposedly.
It was a nice book. And I liked the writing. In the end though, I felt more down when I finished than when I started... which is fine, but it didn't read like a positive book to me, although I think it's supposed to be with the ending it had.
----------BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS--------
Their relationship is dysfunctional, that's for sure. As I mentioned before, I don't know if I felt like either of them loved each other for the right reasons (or at all) though.
I think Henry loved Vito because he represented everything he didn't have:
Vito is both physically strong, and weighted to the world
Henry is adrift, socially and mentally. Vito is not only physically imposing, which is everything Henry wants in a lover, but also he is grounded. He is older and (I believe) the kind of man Henry wants to be when he grows up.
Vito is gruff, but has a deep ability to love
The kid is desperate for love. He wants to believe in the kind of love from fairy tales, so strong not even death can break it. His family is dysfunctional, and love has never been a part of his life. To him, food represents love - and Vito is an excellent chef. When he finds out about Vito's past, I think he loves him even more, because he knows Vito knows how to love like a fairy tale and he wants it (or maybe, he doesn't even care if he gets it. he just wants to hold on to the knowledge that it exists)
Henry has daddy issues, and Vito could be his dad
It has to be said. Age gaps are one of my biggest turn ons and they definitely have one. In most relationships with very large age gaps, I think an element of it is that one party wants to take care of the other and one party wants to be taken care of - to some extent anyway. Of course there situations where this is totally not the case. Regardless, it is absolutely clear that Henry finds in Vito what he wanted from his own Father (and Mother).
In the same vein, I think Vito liked Henry because he also represented what he didn't have:
Physically, he resembled Kevin - Vito's late husband
It was made very clear that Henry resembled Kevin physically. But it is also stated that beyond that, his personality was similar enough to Kevin that Vito thought about the similarity multiple times in the book.
Vito needed someone to need him, and Henry needed a lot
Vito clearly excelled in situations where he knew what to do. And in his past, he had something to take care of. After losing that, he defaulted to working and passing the days by taking care of his dogs. Henry was needy (though not annoyingly so) and I think that fulfilled a very large part of Vito needing someone to take care of.
Henry could almost have been his son...
And who did Vito lose? A son. The young, innocent sweetness of Henry was childlike in some ways (although he did not come across as immature or whiny or childish). Much like Vito's late son, Sal, may have been in a few years.
all of these points are fine. In fact, I like a lot of them. But in this book, I don't think they came together in a way that made me feel like they were elements of the MCs' love. Rather, I think they defined the whole relationship, and the love was missing.
And finally, the epilogue.... coming around like that was too much tbh. It was a 'nice ending', but it just felt so paper thin and unrealistic that it ended up taking away from what I thought was a fine ending before that. And his mom also... all of them having a relationship like that after just 4 months seems beyond weird.
BUT I don't know if either of them loved each other for the right reasons, or at all. And I had a HUGE problem with the timeframe! The entirety of this book was LESS THAN 6 months, 4 of which were mentioned during the epilogue which is set 4 months in the future. That means, the whole relationship developed in less than 2 months. Ngh. I wouldn't say it was an insta-love book tbh. It had a slow burn element going on... but what actually happened was the timeline felt shifty. The book read like a much longer time frame, but are told that it all is going on in less than 2 months supposedly.
It was a nice book. And I liked the writing. In the end though, I felt more down when I finished than when I started... which is fine, but it didn't read like a positive book to me, although I think it's supposed to be with the ending it had.
----------BELOW CONTAINS SPOILERS--------
Their relationship is dysfunctional, that's for sure. As I mentioned before, I don't know if I felt like either of them loved each other for the right reasons (or at all) though.
I think Henry loved Vito because he represented everything he didn't have:
Vito is both physically strong, and weighted to the world
Henry is adrift, socially and mentally. Vito is not only physically imposing, which is everything Henry wants in a lover, but also he is grounded. He is older and (I believe) the kind of man Henry wants to be when he grows up.
Vito is gruff, but has a deep ability to love
The kid is desperate for love. He wants to believe in the kind of love from fairy tales, so strong not even death can break it. His family is dysfunctional, and love has never been a part of his life. To him, food represents love - and Vito is an excellent chef. When he finds out about Vito's past, I think he loves him even more, because he knows Vito knows how to love like a fairy tale and he wants it (or maybe, he doesn't even care if he gets it. he just wants to hold on to the knowledge that it exists)
Henry has daddy issues, and Vito could be his dad
It has to be said. Age gaps are one of my biggest turn ons and they definitely have one. In most relationships with very large age gaps, I think an element of it is that one party wants to take care of the other and one party wants to be taken care of - to some extent anyway. Of course there situations where this is totally not the case. Regardless, it is absolutely clear that Henry finds in Vito what he wanted from his own Father (and Mother).
In the same vein, I think Vito liked Henry because he also represented what he didn't have:
Physically, he resembled Kevin - Vito's late husband
It was made very clear that Henry resembled Kevin physically. But it is also stated that beyond that, his personality was similar enough to Kevin that Vito thought about the similarity multiple times in the book.
Vito needed someone to need him, and Henry needed a lot
Vito clearly excelled in situations where he knew what to do. And in his past, he had something to take care of. After losing that, he defaulted to working and passing the days by taking care of his dogs. Henry was needy (though not annoyingly so) and I think that fulfilled a very large part of Vito needing someone to take care of.
Henry could almost have been his son...
And who did Vito lose? A son. The young, innocent sweetness of Henry was childlike in some ways (although he did not come across as immature or whiny or childish). Much like Vito's late son, Sal, may have been in a few years.
all of these points are fine. In fact, I like a lot of them. But in this book, I don't think they came together in a way that made me feel like they were elements of the MCs' love. Rather, I think they defined the whole relationship, and the love was missing.
And finally, the epilogue.... coming around like that was too much tbh. It was a 'nice ending', but it just felt so paper thin and unrealistic that it ended up taking away from what I thought was a fine ending before that. And his mom also... all of them having a relationship like that after just 4 months seems beyond weird.
May 12, 2019
Henry's a sweet kid but Vito takes a while to warm up to
I think I felt bad for Henry for most of this book. It felt like he was constantly getting jerked around by everybody, his parents, his friend Kade, even the people at the restaurant. At least Vito didn't play games, he was up front about not letting Henry in. I liked Henry's tenacity. He knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Even when it cost him. Vito has very good reason to push Henry away. My heart broke for him. For both of them. There are some emotionally charged scenes toward the end that really got to me.
I think I felt bad for Henry for most of this book. It felt like he was constantly getting jerked around by everybody, his parents, his friend Kade, even the people at the restaurant. At least Vito didn't play games, he was up front about not letting Henry in. I liked Henry's tenacity. He knew what he wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. Even when it cost him. Vito has very good reason to push Henry away. My heart broke for him. For both of them. There are some emotionally charged scenes toward the end that really got to me.
October 22, 2018
The backbone of the book, of the plot, is sound: A young man falls in love with the chef he's training under.
However...
Henry is a childish, immature, naïve, spoiled, twit who is chasing after former leather daddy Vito, who's lost both his husband and child to a drunk driver and doesn't want to get his heart hurt again. Henry never really matures and his presence and similarlity to Vito's dead husband forces Vito, rather harshly, to deal with his grief.
However...
Henry is a childish, immature, naïve, spoiled, twit who is chasing after former leather daddy Vito, who's lost both his husband and child to a drunk driver and doesn't want to get his heart hurt again. Henry never really matures and his presence and similarlity to Vito's dead husband forces Vito, rather harshly, to deal with his grief.
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