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In the Kitchen #3
In the Distance
Tyler Mitchell has worked hard to rebuild his life after his family kicked him out. A culinary student and sous chef who spends his spare time volunteering with kids, he’s happy enough even though he has no time to consider a relationship.
Trevor Pratt is finally getting over losing his best friend and the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but it’s taken screwing every cute guy in Manhattan to get there. He’s vowed to repair the friendship he endangered, but that’s hard to do when his friend’s new employee catches his eye. Despite being warned to stay away from Tyler, Trevor knows the sous chef is more than just a hookup.
Romance is a terrible idea. Trevor is ten years older and a relentless playboy. Tyler is still unsure of his place in the world. Neither of them is ready for life-changing love, but as things heat up, their chemistry in the bedroom might just take that decision out of their hands.
Trevor Pratt is finally getting over losing his best friend and the one person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, but it’s taken screwing every cute guy in Manhattan to get there. He’s vowed to repair the friendship he endangered, but that’s hard to do when his friend’s new employee catches his eye. Despite being warned to stay away from Tyler, Trevor knows the sous chef is more than just a hookup.
Romance is a terrible idea. Trevor is ten years older and a relentless playboy. Tyler is still unsure of his place in the world. Neither of them is ready for life-changing love, but as things heat up, their chemistry in the bedroom might just take that decision out of their hands.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2015
7 people are currently reading
172 people want to read
About the author
Nikka Michaels
19 books42 followersNikka Michaels lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest where she spends her time cooking, laughing and crafting romantic tales to satisfy her craving for HEAs with heat. A voracious reader, novice knitter and music lover she’s been known to multitask without breaking a sweat. She believes everyone deserves a love story.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 1, 2015
4.0 Sweet and Spicy Stars!
In the Distance has all the aspects of a solid MM read for me. We are introduced to Tyler Mitchell, a young sous chef (20 yrs old) working day and night to get himself through culinary school. He was previously homeless, kicked out of his religious home by his bigoted parents, and found on the streets by Bistro 30's owners Ethan and Jamie. This is book three in the series, and I hadn't read the first two. Usually I can muddle through okay but this is a book where I'd really wished I'd read Jamie and Ethan's books. They're pretty strong secondary characters and both the heroes of this book were apparently introduced back then. Ethan is a grade-A jackass and I'd have loved to get his story. I think I'd really like him!
Trevor Pratt is a very successfultrust fund man, agent for the wealthy and successful. He'd met Tyler in previous books and had been surprisingly attracted to the quiet, introspective kid new sous chef at Jamie's restaurant. Jamie makes it no secret that he demands manwhore Trevor to stay away from the sweet impressionable Tyler. Ten year age difference aside, Trevor was way too worldy for Tyler and everyone seemed to threaten him to keep his distance. You know what happens when everyone steers you the other way...your sights hone in even more on the something you just can't have. Or can he have Tyler? He's a one night stand kind of guy but something about Tyler pushes him to be a better person. To be a friend first. Instead of a f*ck buddy.
This is one of those books that when the story gets going, you simply don't want to put it down. I do have to admit, I was totally on team Trevor and was a bit miffed about the way everyone treated him related to the slightest potential interest he might have in innocent Tyler. I get it. The kid has had a sh*t life and he's just getting on his feet but NOBODY had an ounce of faith in Trevor or that his feelings or actions were heartfelt. This is one of those situations where maybe if I'd read the first two books, maybe I'd have the same preconceived issues with Trevor, but because I didn't, I had no issues with him as a person. In fact, I'd gotten a bit irritated at times with Tyler! I get that he's an inexperienced 20-year old kid but his lack of communication and completely shutting out Trevor every time he was upset about something got a bit tiresome for me. My heart broke for Trevor. It's like he was convicted before he ever committed a crime just because he's wealthy, successful, and had a history of whoring around.
Steam factor- I always need fair amount of steam in my MM reads and this delivered enough but not copious amounts. It's sweeter than sexy, in my opinion. A book I enjoyed but I really think I'd have given it an even higher rating had I read the previous books and had a more vested interest in ALL the characters.
Advanced copy received by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
In the Distance has all the aspects of a solid MM read for me. We are introduced to Tyler Mitchell, a young sous chef (20 yrs old) working day and night to get himself through culinary school. He was previously homeless, kicked out of his religious home by his bigoted parents, and found on the streets by Bistro 30's owners Ethan and Jamie. This is book three in the series, and I hadn't read the first two. Usually I can muddle through okay but this is a book where I'd really wished I'd read Jamie and Ethan's books. They're pretty strong secondary characters and both the heroes of this book were apparently introduced back then. Ethan is a grade-A jackass and I'd have loved to get his story. I think I'd really like him!
Trevor Pratt is a very successful
This is one of those books that when the story gets going, you simply don't want to put it down. I do have to admit, I was totally on team Trevor and was a bit miffed about the way everyone treated him related to the slightest potential interest he might have in innocent Tyler. I get it. The kid has had a sh*t life and he's just getting on his feet but NOBODY had an ounce of faith in Trevor or that his feelings or actions were heartfelt. This is one of those situations where maybe if I'd read the first two books, maybe I'd have the same preconceived issues with Trevor, but because I didn't, I had no issues with him as a person. In fact, I'd gotten a bit irritated at times with Tyler! I get that he's an inexperienced 20-year old kid but his lack of communication and completely shutting out Trevor every time he was upset about something got a bit tiresome for me. My heart broke for Trevor. It's like he was convicted before he ever committed a crime just because he's wealthy, successful, and had a history of whoring around.
Steam factor- I always need fair amount of steam in my MM reads and this delivered enough but not copious amounts. It's sweeter than sexy, in my opinion. A book I enjoyed but I really think I'd have given it an even higher rating had I read the previous books and had a more vested interest in ALL the characters.
Advanced copy received by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
May 15, 2015
Overall I enjoyed this book. I'm a sucker for age differences storyline and the fact that one of them is a chef just added to the allure. We have Tyler the 20 yr old sous chef and student. Then Trevor, who's 10 yrs older and already established.
What I liked:
*May/December romance
*Good character depth and growth
*The text messages
*The friendships
What irked me:
*The miscommunications. I understand that they happen, but it happened a lot in this book.
*Trevor constantly having to apologize. I understood why Tyler was sensitive about certain things, but it seemed like he never tried looking at things from Trevor's perspective. He would throw these tiffs and do the silent treatment. I loathe the silent treatment.
Yes, I understand he's very young, but they often said how mature he was for his age and that "he's an old soul". He sure didn't act it like it sometimes.
Steam level? Kind of low.
Another thing I wanted to address: it's the 3rd in a series. I didn't read the previous two books. Do you need to read the first book? Eh, technically no, but it's probably ideal. Throughout the book it's mentioned that Ethan hates Trevor but I had no idea why cause I didn't read the other books.
In the end, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to other readers. 3.5 Stars
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.**
What I liked:
*May/December romance
*Good character depth and growth
*The text messages
*The friendships
What irked me:
*The miscommunications. I understand that they happen, but it happened a lot in this book.
*Trevor constantly having to apologize. I understood why Tyler was sensitive about certain things, but it seemed like he never tried looking at things from Trevor's perspective. He would throw these tiffs and do the silent treatment. I loathe the silent treatment.
Yes, I understand he's very young, but they often said how mature he was for his age and that "he's an old soul". He sure didn't act it like it sometimes.
Steam level? Kind of low.
Another thing I wanted to address: it's the 3rd in a series. I didn't read the previous two books. Do you need to read the first book? Eh, technically no, but it's probably ideal. Throughout the book it's mentioned that Ethan hates Trevor but I had no idea why cause I didn't read the other books.
In the end, I did enjoy it and would recommend it to other readers. 3.5 Stars
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.**
May 17, 2015
In the Distance is the third book in Nikka Michels & Eileen Griffin’s “In the Kitchen” series. After dealing with Ethan and Jamie’s relationship in the previous two books, this one brings forth Tyler Mitchell and Jamie’s best friend, Trevor Pratt.
I was excited when I saw the ARC being offered in Netgalley because I was very much fond of Tyler. Tyler first starts his story in book 2, a homeless young man who practically has been adopted like little brother by Ethan and Jamie then works his way around the kitchen, being taught by the two chefs. In this book, Tyler juggles the life as culinary student as well as the sous chef for Ethan and Jamie’s bistro.
I thought Tyler is a darling – he is determined to ‘pay forward’ the kindness that have been given to him by Ethan and Jamie. He volunteers at shelters and is also involved in shelter’s program at local schools. He comes a long way from that homeless teenager who is thrown out of his home because of his sexuality. It is always an admirable traits – someone who paves his (or her) way out of bad situation and makes the most of it.
Although, Tyler also suffers from trust issues – stems from being cast off by the people who supposed to love him unconditionally. This frustrated me somewhere along the way; because I thought Tyler is being too harsh to Trevor, when the other man made a mistake of telling Ethan and Jamie about Tyler’s ‘secret’. It is clear for me that Trevor only wants the best for Tyler, even if he might done it wrong. I admit that I wanted to reach inside the pages, took Tyler aside and told him to stop being too stubborn about it.
BUT, at the same time, I did enjoy reading how Trevor must work harder to get Tyler. Trevor is quite the opposite of Tyler – he comes from a privileged family, whose parents still love each other, being together for over three decades, and accept their son’s sexuality. Ethan mockingly calls Trevor “Trustfund” and I guess Trevor is used to get his way a little easier. Heck, even when Trevor spectacularly made a mess over his friendship with Jamie, when he contributed to Ethan and Jamie’s break-up, Jamie didn’t cut off friendship with him. So this is a new territory for Trevor, working hard to get Tyler to be friends with him, understanding Tyler’s issues about money, and so on.
There is a ten-year age gap between Trevor and Tyler but I was happy that it didn’t become a huge problem between the two of them. I mean, reading about one agonizing about age difference can be repetitively boring. Instead these two strike friendship before moving forward to the next step in their relationship. Yes, Trevor is careful because Tyler is younger than him, but he never rationalizing the age gap by pulling himself away from connecting with Tyler. We do get Ethan and Jamie being over-protective meddling brothers, but Tyler has a mind of his own, and refuses to just let both men control his choice.
Bottom line, the story has great slow-build progress of two men falling in love and maturing up together in the process. Definitely MY kind of story, which is why this is my favorite book in the series so far. I wonder if the authors plan to continue the series. Maybe with Nick, the young man from the LGBTQ-shelter who also starts working at Bistro 30? I would love to read about him...
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
I was excited when I saw the ARC being offered in Netgalley because I was very much fond of Tyler. Tyler first starts his story in book 2, a homeless young man who practically has been adopted like little brother by Ethan and Jamie then works his way around the kitchen, being taught by the two chefs. In this book, Tyler juggles the life as culinary student as well as the sous chef for Ethan and Jamie’s bistro.
I thought Tyler is a darling – he is determined to ‘pay forward’ the kindness that have been given to him by Ethan and Jamie. He volunteers at shelters and is also involved in shelter’s program at local schools. He comes a long way from that homeless teenager who is thrown out of his home because of his sexuality. It is always an admirable traits – someone who paves his (or her) way out of bad situation and makes the most of it.
Although, Tyler also suffers from trust issues – stems from being cast off by the people who supposed to love him unconditionally. This frustrated me somewhere along the way; because I thought Tyler is being too harsh to Trevor, when the other man made a mistake of telling Ethan and Jamie about Tyler’s ‘secret’. It is clear for me that Trevor only wants the best for Tyler, even if he might done it wrong. I admit that I wanted to reach inside the pages, took Tyler aside and told him to stop being too stubborn about it.
BUT, at the same time, I did enjoy reading how Trevor must work harder to get Tyler. Trevor is quite the opposite of Tyler – he comes from a privileged family, whose parents still love each other, being together for over three decades, and accept their son’s sexuality. Ethan mockingly calls Trevor “Trustfund” and I guess Trevor is used to get his way a little easier. Heck, even when Trevor spectacularly made a mess over his friendship with Jamie, when he contributed to Ethan and Jamie’s break-up, Jamie didn’t cut off friendship with him. So this is a new territory for Trevor, working hard to get Tyler to be friends with him, understanding Tyler’s issues about money, and so on.
There is a ten-year age gap between Trevor and Tyler but I was happy that it didn’t become a huge problem between the two of them. I mean, reading about one agonizing about age difference can be repetitively boring. Instead these two strike friendship before moving forward to the next step in their relationship. Yes, Trevor is careful because Tyler is younger than him, but he never rationalizing the age gap by pulling himself away from connecting with Tyler. We do get Ethan and Jamie being over-protective meddling brothers, but Tyler has a mind of his own, and refuses to just let both men control his choice.
Bottom line, the story has great slow-build progress of two men falling in love and maturing up together in the process. Definitely MY kind of story, which is why this is my favorite book in the series so far. I wonder if the authors plan to continue the series. Maybe with Nick, the young man from the LGBTQ-shelter who also starts working at Bistro 30? I would love to read about him...
The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
April 20, 2015
4.5 stars!!!
This was a great book, I enjoyed it a lot!
I haven't read the two previous books in this series and I didn't feel like I missed much, so I would say this book can definitely be read as a standalone. The only reason I would think reading the first two books is important, is because as much as I tried, I couldn't really understand why James hated Trevor so much. I mean I got the idea that Trevor played a role in the break-up between Ethan and James in the previous books, but James got on my nerves with this grudge he was holding against Trevor.
Trevor is one of our MCs in this book, and I really liked him. He's the perfect example that growing up, maturing, and redeeming oneself is totally possible, and it was beautifully done. I liked how much Trevor changed once him and Tyler became friends. Their relationship didn't happen overnight, it was a nice transition from friendship to lovers, and they both had to put effort to make it work.
Tyler and Trevor couldn't be any more different from each other. Tyler was kicked out by his family when they found out he was gay, and he spent a few years from his youth on the streets and in shelters. Tyler is a very kind person with a big heart, he spends a lot of his time giving back to those in need. He volunteers for different LGBT shelters and organizations while struggling to go through culinary school and working full time. I loved him to pieces, and I appreciated the fact that he wasn't jaded, even though life hasn't been kind to him.
Trevor grew up rich, he's a trust fund baby, never had to work hard to get what he wanted, and his parents always stood by his side and supported him. For Trevor, life is a big party, he has no idea how hard it is for those who are struggling to put food on the table each day. But once he starts to know Tyler better and they form a reluctant friendship, Trevor starts to change for the better. Their relationship is rocky at best, because they're so different, and Trevor has the best intentions, but they end up backfiring. Spoiling Tyler with dinner at a very expensive restaurant is not appreciated by Tyler, who feels uncomfortable and awkward. But they work around the problems that arise, and while they do have a happy ending, their relationship is not insta-love. Their relationship is the real deal, they had to work for it, make sacrifices and compromises, which is the way most relationships work.
This book needs editing, a lot of it, but I knew that from the beginning since this is the arc and publisher warned me about it, so no deductions for that. There is a time issue I discovered that needs to be fixed before this books is released. Chapter 34 takes place during the second week-end of June, and chapter 35 takes place Six Months Later: Thanksgiving. That's not accurate, since Thanksgiving takes place a the end of November so it's not 6 months later. This timeline needs to be revised!!!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a great book, I enjoyed it a lot!
I haven't read the two previous books in this series and I didn't feel like I missed much, so I would say this book can definitely be read as a standalone. The only reason I would think reading the first two books is important, is because as much as I tried, I couldn't really understand why James hated Trevor so much. I mean I got the idea that Trevor played a role in the break-up between Ethan and James in the previous books, but James got on my nerves with this grudge he was holding against Trevor.
Trevor is one of our MCs in this book, and I really liked him. He's the perfect example that growing up, maturing, and redeeming oneself is totally possible, and it was beautifully done. I liked how much Trevor changed once him and Tyler became friends. Their relationship didn't happen overnight, it was a nice transition from friendship to lovers, and they both had to put effort to make it work.
Tyler and Trevor couldn't be any more different from each other. Tyler was kicked out by his family when they found out he was gay, and he spent a few years from his youth on the streets and in shelters. Tyler is a very kind person with a big heart, he spends a lot of his time giving back to those in need. He volunteers for different LGBT shelters and organizations while struggling to go through culinary school and working full time. I loved him to pieces, and I appreciated the fact that he wasn't jaded, even though life hasn't been kind to him.
Trevor grew up rich, he's a trust fund baby, never had to work hard to get what he wanted, and his parents always stood by his side and supported him. For Trevor, life is a big party, he has no idea how hard it is for those who are struggling to put food on the table each day. But once he starts to know Tyler better and they form a reluctant friendship, Trevor starts to change for the better. Their relationship is rocky at best, because they're so different, and Trevor has the best intentions, but they end up backfiring. Spoiling Tyler with dinner at a very expensive restaurant is not appreciated by Tyler, who feels uncomfortable and awkward. But they work around the problems that arise, and while they do have a happy ending, their relationship is not insta-love. Their relationship is the real deal, they had to work for it, make sacrifices and compromises, which is the way most relationships work.
This book needs editing, a lot of it, but I knew that from the beginning since this is the arc and publisher warned me about it, so no deductions for that. There is a time issue I discovered that needs to be fixed before this books is released. Chapter 34 takes place during the second week-end of June, and chapter 35 takes place Six Months Later: Thanksgiving. That's not accurate, since Thanksgiving takes place a the end of November so it's not 6 months later. This timeline needs to be revised!!!
I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 9, 2015
Tyler Mitchell’s parents kicked him out of the house when they caught him kissing another boy. Since then, he has lived on the streets and was adopted by Jamie and Ethan as a “little brother” of sorts. Tyler now has his life on track. He has an apartment, going to Culinary school and working in Jamie’s and Ethan’s restaurant, Bistro 30’s, as a sous chef. Although he is happy, he is also very lonely. It isn’t until Jamie’s bestfriend, Trevor Pratt, drops into the restaurant one day. Although Tyler has met Trevor before, he realizes he is attracted to him.
Trevor Pratt is a manwhore who has no intention on settling down any time soon. When he visits his friend Jamie, he talks to Tyler and is warned by Jamie and Ethan to stay away from Tyler. Just to annoy Ethan (which Trevor loves to do) Trevor asks Tyler if he needs a ride home. It is then Trevor realizes there is something more to Tyler and is attracted to this quiet young man.
Sweet and quiet Tyler finally stands up for himself and decides to out with Trevor. Watching Tyler struggle was hard, because he is still just a kid and he never had any type of relationship. Trevor also struggled with his feelings he never had before and was unsure of how to be with Tyler with them living on opposite coasts. But can a manwhore change his ways? Can Tyler learn to trust again?
I must admit, I did not realize this was a series when I requested it from NetGalley, but I was o.k. and was able to understand the story with no problem. Overall it was a sweet story and now I think I will go back and catch up and read the first two books.
***I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
Trevor Pratt is a manwhore who has no intention on settling down any time soon. When he visits his friend Jamie, he talks to Tyler and is warned by Jamie and Ethan to stay away from Tyler. Just to annoy Ethan (which Trevor loves to do) Trevor asks Tyler if he needs a ride home. It is then Trevor realizes there is something more to Tyler and is attracted to this quiet young man.
Sweet and quiet Tyler finally stands up for himself and decides to out with Trevor. Watching Tyler struggle was hard, because he is still just a kid and he never had any type of relationship. Trevor also struggled with his feelings he never had before and was unsure of how to be with Tyler with them living on opposite coasts. But can a manwhore change his ways? Can Tyler learn to trust again?
I must admit, I did not realize this was a series when I requested it from NetGalley, but I was o.k. and was able to understand the story with no problem. Overall it was a sweet story and now I think I will go back and catch up and read the first two books.
***I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
August 16, 2017
Decisamente il più bello dei tre!!!
June 20, 2015
As I read the In The Kitchen series, I secretly fell in love with Trevor. I know I wasn’t supposed to. I know I was supposed to think he was a big, fat jerk for what he did to come between Ethan and Jamie, but I couldn’t help that my heart went out to him. I knew from practically the first scene Trevor was in that he was in love with Jamie. I understood his motivation and felt sorry for him, so when I heard that he was getting a story of his own, I cheered – and what a story it is – and, just for the record, I wasn’t wrong about him!
In The Distance is perhaps my favorite book of the series. Ethan and Jamie are overly protective of Tyler, who they’ve taken under their wings, almost as an adopted son. They warn love-em-and-leave-em Trevor to keep his hands off.
I love the carefully orchestrated dance that Tyler and Trevor perform on the knife-edge of friendship. They both know that one misstep and they not only will bring down the wrath of Ethan and Jamie upon them, but they risk severing the beautiful, fragile comfort zone they’ve created for themselves.
And therein lies the angst of the story (my favorite part). They both crave the warmth and coziness of the mundane – watching TV together, just hanging out, texting and sharing a laugh, but they both feel the pull of something deeper, something more, and Trevor, especially, is terrified of it.
The text messages between the two are some of the most deliciously angst-ridden parts of this story. One exchange, in particular had me snot sobbing at 2 a.m. #JustInCaseYouWereWondering.
You could read this as a standalone, but why would you want to when the prior books are so wonderful? Fans of In The Raw and In The Fire will love how often Ethan and Jamie (and even Claire and others) are in the scenes. The vitriol between Ethan and Trevor is heavy and dripping and culminates in an awesome scene at a hotel bar when a tipsy Trevor calls on Jamie for support.
I haven’t said much about Tyler and that’s only because I love Trevor so much, but Tyler is such a complex character that I almost think you’re better off discovering all his layers and letting him develop in your eyes right along with Trevor. It won’t take long before you are smitten with him too.
In The Distance is perhaps my favorite book of the series. Ethan and Jamie are overly protective of Tyler, who they’ve taken under their wings, almost as an adopted son. They warn love-em-and-leave-em Trevor to keep his hands off.
I love the carefully orchestrated dance that Tyler and Trevor perform on the knife-edge of friendship. They both know that one misstep and they not only will bring down the wrath of Ethan and Jamie upon them, but they risk severing the beautiful, fragile comfort zone they’ve created for themselves.
And therein lies the angst of the story (my favorite part). They both crave the warmth and coziness of the mundane – watching TV together, just hanging out, texting and sharing a laugh, but they both feel the pull of something deeper, something more, and Trevor, especially, is terrified of it.
The text messages between the two are some of the most deliciously angst-ridden parts of this story. One exchange, in particular had me snot sobbing at 2 a.m. #JustInCaseYouWereWondering.
You could read this as a standalone, but why would you want to when the prior books are so wonderful? Fans of In The Raw and In The Fire will love how often Ethan and Jamie (and even Claire and others) are in the scenes. The vitriol between Ethan and Trevor is heavy and dripping and culminates in an awesome scene at a hotel bar when a tipsy Trevor calls on Jamie for support.
I haven’t said much about Tyler and that’s only because I love Trevor so much, but Tyler is such a complex character that I almost think you’re better off discovering all his layers and letting him develop in your eyes right along with Trevor. It won’t take long before you are smitten with him too.
June 19, 2015
Tyler has trust issues. He was kicked out of his “loving” family for being gay, forced to the streets, but rescued by Ethan and Jamie – two restaurateurs who help him to become a sous chef and get him enrolled in school.
Trevor is Jamie’s best friend, the proverbial playboy, and is 10 years Tyler’s senior. Trevor sees Tyler and wants to bring him out of his shell, help him to explore his new sexuality, but knows he will bail at any sign of drama or permanence.
Tyler is captivated by the older man but leery. Both Jamie and Ethan tell Tyler to stay away from Trevor, in fact they practically forbid it. But he can’t stay away and a tenuous relationship begins.
Oh, Tyler lives in Seattle and Trevor in New York – so there’s that, too.
Through some stolen weekends and many phone conversations and texts, the couple draws closer, but Trevor refuses to take it that ultimate step, fearing for Tyler’s heart.
Just when it seems the couple might be crossing some bridges, trust on Tyler’s part, commitment on Trevor’s, something comes up. They reconcile. Then something else comes up. They reconcile… etc.
Finally, after facing his awful family, coming to grips with what he really wants for his future and deciding that he has to value himself first, Tyler essentially boots Trevor to the curb.
When faced with absolutely no connection to Tyler, Trevor also begins to re-consider his values, fears and desires and decides that nothing is going to keep him from Tyler, especially not Tyler’s fears.
**
First let me say that I didn’t read books one and two. But I read the blurb and this sounded really intriguing and it sounded like a standalone.
I believe you didn’t have to have the background from books one and two – per se- but it would have made the story so much richer. Trevor and Jamie and Ethan have a LONG history together that totally shapes the story. Add to that, this is a long book, much of it filled with Jamie/Trevor/Ethan interactions that probably held more appeal for followers of the series.
There was a lot to like in this story. The characters are very well developed, and there is as much development of the secondary characters as the MCs. The emotions feel mostly authentic and each hurdle is handled realistically and thoroughly. I really liked Tyler’s character as well as Claire and found Trevor’s family adorable. The banter between Jamie and Ethan was fun and the text messages between Tyler and Trevor were cute.
The May/December aspect was maybe downsized and rolled into the lack of experience/trust/playboy hurdle more than an actual issue of age.
The distance is handled really well, and very realistically.
There were also things I didn’t like so much. I never felt that connected to Trevor. The authors did too good a job setting him up as an unfeeling ass, and though he was good to Tyler, Tyler was so shiny and good that he really needed someone as wonderful to balance him out. (Tyler works all the time, volunteers when he’s not at school or at work, won’t take a handout, is demure about his talents, etc., etc.) Trevor just shows up, is hot, works a lot, pines over Tyler and never really shows himself as NOT being the playboy his reputation leads us to believe. He just wasn’t as likable as Tyler.
Add to that, Ethan, one of Tyler’s heroes, absolutely despises Trevor for some past sin (undoubtedly found in the other books) and this shades the reader’s opinions as well.
Another thing I didn’t care for was Tyler’s seemingly split personality. He’d be at once flirty and adventurous, then suddenly give Trevor the cold shoulder.
There wasn’t much time with the couple as a couple, and most of their interactions were via text or the phone, which were nice ways to develop their relationship, but we aren’t given much time at all to see them in a relationship on the same coast. It didn’t make me feel that the couple had a lot of potential longevity.
So, overall, I wasn’t that impressed by this. I liked the writing, the editing, the characters and most of the plot, but I wasn’t crazy about this couple or the length. Far too much time was spent on Tyler’s insecure waffling and it got a bit monotonous.
If you have read books one and two, this will undoubtedly be something you should read, and perhaps had I read the first two I’d have felt more warmly about this.
3.5 of 5 stars
Trevor is Jamie’s best friend, the proverbial playboy, and is 10 years Tyler’s senior. Trevor sees Tyler and wants to bring him out of his shell, help him to explore his new sexuality, but knows he will bail at any sign of drama or permanence.
Tyler is captivated by the older man but leery. Both Jamie and Ethan tell Tyler to stay away from Trevor, in fact they practically forbid it. But he can’t stay away and a tenuous relationship begins.
Oh, Tyler lives in Seattle and Trevor in New York – so there’s that, too.
Through some stolen weekends and many phone conversations and texts, the couple draws closer, but Trevor refuses to take it that ultimate step, fearing for Tyler’s heart.
Just when it seems the couple might be crossing some bridges, trust on Tyler’s part, commitment on Trevor’s, something comes up. They reconcile. Then something else comes up. They reconcile… etc.
Finally, after facing his awful family, coming to grips with what he really wants for his future and deciding that he has to value himself first, Tyler essentially boots Trevor to the curb.
When faced with absolutely no connection to Tyler, Trevor also begins to re-consider his values, fears and desires and decides that nothing is going to keep him from Tyler, especially not Tyler’s fears.
**
First let me say that I didn’t read books one and two. But I read the blurb and this sounded really intriguing and it sounded like a standalone.
I believe you didn’t have to have the background from books one and two – per se- but it would have made the story so much richer. Trevor and Jamie and Ethan have a LONG history together that totally shapes the story. Add to that, this is a long book, much of it filled with Jamie/Trevor/Ethan interactions that probably held more appeal for followers of the series.
There was a lot to like in this story. The characters are very well developed, and there is as much development of the secondary characters as the MCs. The emotions feel mostly authentic and each hurdle is handled realistically and thoroughly. I really liked Tyler’s character as well as Claire and found Trevor’s family adorable. The banter between Jamie and Ethan was fun and the text messages between Tyler and Trevor were cute.
The May/December aspect was maybe downsized and rolled into the lack of experience/trust/playboy hurdle more than an actual issue of age.
The distance is handled really well, and very realistically.
There were also things I didn’t like so much. I never felt that connected to Trevor. The authors did too good a job setting him up as an unfeeling ass, and though he was good to Tyler, Tyler was so shiny and good that he really needed someone as wonderful to balance him out. (Tyler works all the time, volunteers when he’s not at school or at work, won’t take a handout, is demure about his talents, etc., etc.) Trevor just shows up, is hot, works a lot, pines over Tyler and never really shows himself as NOT being the playboy his reputation leads us to believe. He just wasn’t as likable as Tyler.
Add to that, Ethan, one of Tyler’s heroes, absolutely despises Trevor for some past sin (undoubtedly found in the other books) and this shades the reader’s opinions as well.
Another thing I didn’t care for was Tyler’s seemingly split personality. He’d be at once flirty and adventurous, then suddenly give Trevor the cold shoulder.
There wasn’t much time with the couple as a couple, and most of their interactions were via text or the phone, which were nice ways to develop their relationship, but we aren’t given much time at all to see them in a relationship on the same coast. It didn’t make me feel that the couple had a lot of potential longevity.
So, overall, I wasn’t that impressed by this. I liked the writing, the editing, the characters and most of the plot, but I wasn’t crazy about this couple or the length. Far too much time was spent on Tyler’s insecure waffling and it got a bit monotonous.
If you have read books one and two, this will undoubtedly be something you should read, and perhaps had I read the first two I’d have felt more warmly about this.
3.5 of 5 stars
May 31, 2015
Out of the hundred or so books I read every year, sometimes I find a story that is so good, writing a review becomes harder than usual because I worry that whatever I say just won't do it justice.
In the Distance took me completely by surprise, the blurb appealed and despite not having read any of the previous two novels In the Kitchen series - I thought I would take a chance (I just wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did). Now weeks after finishing Trevor and Tyler's story I find myself regularly reminded of it. That is quite an achievement because of the volume of books I read, many are quickly forgotten. In the Distance is definitely on my keeper shelf for re-reading.
So what is it that appeals so much? There are at least four really good reasons for me:
First off, I really engage with the trope of a young person kicked out on the street and fending for themselves, determined to make a go of their life. I enjoy determination and grit in my reads.
Secondly, age difference. A recent discovery for me. I love the complication this adds. Always interesting how much of an obstacle this can be for protagonists to come to terms with, especially when their friends directly or indirectly express disapproval.
Thirdly, there's the opposites attract element, isn't that sexy? Especially in this case, where worldly and gregarious Trevor finds himself drawn to reserved and financially struggling Tyler.
Thirdly, Tyler's passion and love of food. Yes, I fully admit I live to eat, and the food and dishes both eaten and prepared were an extra level of indulgence and enjoyment for me.
Fourth, I really enjoyed the personality clashes particularly between the irascible Ethan (husband of Trevor's best friend Jamie; and mentor to Tyler) and suave Trevor. Ethan and Trevor really did not care for each other and their exchanges were a highlight for me. I am all for a bit of conflict, and the fact that Ethan disdainfully refers to Trevor as Trustfund amused me greatly.
Which brings me to another element that I loved about this romance. You know in some of the more tedious romances the wealthy prince can ride in and rescue their love from a life of penury? Well in this case, Trevor had to tread carefully and sensitively to overcome some of Tyler's inverse snobbery. I loved the extra levels of complexity that treating the person you love may make them feel inadequate because they cannot reciprocate (or feel totally out of their comfort zone). Very clever.
Finally both characters are brimming with integrity, and I loved them both. There were moments in each of their pasts that they could have handled better; but they could appreciate each other's qualities that others maybe overlooked; and past mistakes perhaps lead to other people's assumptions and behaviour towards them. A further level of complexity. Oh joy.
Tyler and Trevor share an attraction to each other that is hot. It made them strive to be a better person for one and other, to face some uncomfortable home truths, and ultimately to take risks.
I loved this book, the themes the characters. I would heartily recommend it to my friends. It made me both laugh and cry as I rooted for Tyler and Trevor to work out their differences and find happiness together.
Perhaps this book has a bit of a slow burn, but I appreciated the pace. I found it both realistic and indulgent (none of this instalove nonsense) instead the characters work through their attraction and reflect on the pros and cons, particularly in the light of resistance from their friends before deciding to give in to their hearts. In the Distance works as a standalone novel, and a delightful love story too.
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.**
In the Distance took me completely by surprise, the blurb appealed and despite not having read any of the previous two novels In the Kitchen series - I thought I would take a chance (I just wasn't expecting to like it as much as I did). Now weeks after finishing Trevor and Tyler's story I find myself regularly reminded of it. That is quite an achievement because of the volume of books I read, many are quickly forgotten. In the Distance is definitely on my keeper shelf for re-reading.
So what is it that appeals so much? There are at least four really good reasons for me:
First off, I really engage with the trope of a young person kicked out on the street and fending for themselves, determined to make a go of their life. I enjoy determination and grit in my reads.
Secondly, age difference. A recent discovery for me. I love the complication this adds. Always interesting how much of an obstacle this can be for protagonists to come to terms with, especially when their friends directly or indirectly express disapproval.
Thirdly, there's the opposites attract element, isn't that sexy? Especially in this case, where worldly and gregarious Trevor finds himself drawn to reserved and financially struggling Tyler.
Thirdly, Tyler's passion and love of food. Yes, I fully admit I live to eat, and the food and dishes both eaten and prepared were an extra level of indulgence and enjoyment for me.
Fourth, I really enjoyed the personality clashes particularly between the irascible Ethan (husband of Trevor's best friend Jamie; and mentor to Tyler) and suave Trevor. Ethan and Trevor really did not care for each other and their exchanges were a highlight for me. I am all for a bit of conflict, and the fact that Ethan disdainfully refers to Trevor as Trustfund amused me greatly.
Which brings me to another element that I loved about this romance. You know in some of the more tedious romances the wealthy prince can ride in and rescue their love from a life of penury? Well in this case, Trevor had to tread carefully and sensitively to overcome some of Tyler's inverse snobbery. I loved the extra levels of complexity that treating the person you love may make them feel inadequate because they cannot reciprocate (or feel totally out of their comfort zone). Very clever.
Finally both characters are brimming with integrity, and I loved them both. There were moments in each of their pasts that they could have handled better; but they could appreciate each other's qualities that others maybe overlooked; and past mistakes perhaps lead to other people's assumptions and behaviour towards them. A further level of complexity. Oh joy.
Tyler and Trevor share an attraction to each other that is hot. It made them strive to be a better person for one and other, to face some uncomfortable home truths, and ultimately to take risks.
I loved this book, the themes the characters. I would heartily recommend it to my friends. It made me both laugh and cry as I rooted for Tyler and Trevor to work out their differences and find happiness together.
Perhaps this book has a bit of a slow burn, but I appreciated the pace. I found it both realistic and indulgent (none of this instalove nonsense) instead the characters work through their attraction and reflect on the pros and cons, particularly in the light of resistance from their friends before deciding to give in to their hearts. In the Distance works as a standalone novel, and a delightful love story too.
**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review.**
June 18, 2015
After being kicked out and forced to live on the street when he came out to his parents, Tyler Mitchell is slowly rebuilding his life. With the help of his honorary big brothers, Ethan and Jamie, Tyler found a job, acquired an apartment and is attending culinary school. Everything seems to be going in the right direction, but different professional interests and his desire to have the sort of love Ethan and Jamie share weighs heavily on his mind.
Trevor Pratt is rich and successful in all things except love. He nearly lost his friendship with Jamie when he tried to meddle in his relationship with Ethan for selfish reasons. Even though he's no longer in love with his best friend, it still stings. While visiting Seattle on business, Tyler catches Trevor's eye, much to the chagrin on both Ethan and Jamie. Will he be able to prove himself worthy or will he fall back into his old habits?
I first want to say that I did not read the first two books in this series, but I never felt lost. Sure, there were instances in which I wish I had a just a little more information, but I don't think it's completely necessary to read other books first.
I really enjoyed this book and felt that all of the characters were well-developed and complex. The story moved quite steadily and I never found myself bored with the interactions between the main characters or the secondary characters. I was instantly pulled into Tyler, Trevor, Ethan and Jamie's worlds and how they deal with their professional and personal lives.
I think my biggest complaint about the book was how often Trevor felt the need to apologize and atone, whether it was for past behavior or a misunderstanding in the present. Just from his early descriptions, I knew that he was going to be the one to somehow mess up and have to beg on his knees for forgiveness, and I was right. It's stated many times that Trevor is the "love 'em and leave 'em" type who doesn't believe in relationships. The one person he did fall in love with didn't love him back, so he's scarred and very apprehensive. No one, not Tyler, Jamie and especially Ethan gave Trevor the benefit of the doubt. They always thought he was manipulating, lying or scheming when it came to Tyler. Even though Tyler was more apt to try, he often took the victim stance when things were misunderstood or didn't go the way he thought they should. Thus, Trevor was forced to apologize.
* He apologized to Jamie for his relationships (and lack thereof) in the past.
* He apologized to Ethan for jeopardizing his relationship with Jamie.
* He apologized to Tyler for treating him to expensive dinners and attempting to make him feel special.
Granted, Trevor is no angel. He often didn't see things from others' perspectives, but I truly thought his heart was in the right place much of the time, but everyone continued to knock him down a peg and distrust him. Again, these behaviors most likely stem from things that happened in the second book, which I did not read.
Out of all of the characters, I liked Ethan the least. I've read in reviews for the other books that he is definitely a difficult character to like, and not much changed in this book. He's hot tempered, sarcastic, mean, stubborn and very childish at times. There were a few glimpses of a good guy, but I often wondered how Jamie could stand living with the man.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and am happy I gave it chance. You should too.
A copy of this book was provided by Carina Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
Trevor Pratt is rich and successful in all things except love. He nearly lost his friendship with Jamie when he tried to meddle in his relationship with Ethan for selfish reasons. Even though he's no longer in love with his best friend, it still stings. While visiting Seattle on business, Tyler catches Trevor's eye, much to the chagrin on both Ethan and Jamie. Will he be able to prove himself worthy or will he fall back into his old habits?
I first want to say that I did not read the first two books in this series, but I never felt lost. Sure, there were instances in which I wish I had a just a little more information, but I don't think it's completely necessary to read other books first.
I really enjoyed this book and felt that all of the characters were well-developed and complex. The story moved quite steadily and I never found myself bored with the interactions between the main characters or the secondary characters. I was instantly pulled into Tyler, Trevor, Ethan and Jamie's worlds and how they deal with their professional and personal lives.
I think my biggest complaint about the book was how often Trevor felt the need to apologize and atone, whether it was for past behavior or a misunderstanding in the present. Just from his early descriptions, I knew that he was going to be the one to somehow mess up and have to beg on his knees for forgiveness, and I was right. It's stated many times that Trevor is the "love 'em and leave 'em" type who doesn't believe in relationships. The one person he did fall in love with didn't love him back, so he's scarred and very apprehensive. No one, not Tyler, Jamie and especially Ethan gave Trevor the benefit of the doubt. They always thought he was manipulating, lying or scheming when it came to Tyler. Even though Tyler was more apt to try, he often took the victim stance when things were misunderstood or didn't go the way he thought they should. Thus, Trevor was forced to apologize.
* He apologized to Jamie for his relationships (and lack thereof) in the past.
* He apologized to Ethan for jeopardizing his relationship with Jamie.
* He apologized to Tyler for treating him to expensive dinners and attempting to make him feel special.
Granted, Trevor is no angel. He often didn't see things from others' perspectives, but I truly thought his heart was in the right place much of the time, but everyone continued to knock him down a peg and distrust him. Again, these behaviors most likely stem from things that happened in the second book, which I did not read.
Out of all of the characters, I liked Ethan the least. I've read in reviews for the other books that he is definitely a difficult character to like, and not much changed in this book. He's hot tempered, sarcastic, mean, stubborn and very childish at times. There were a few glimpses of a good guy, but I often wondered how Jamie could stand living with the man.
All in all, I did enjoy this book and am happy I gave it chance. You should too.
A copy of this book was provided by Carina Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
For more m/m romance reviews, visit Slashsessed.
June 21, 2015
The first two books of the In The Kitchen series, In The Raw and In The Fire, followed bad boy chef Ethan and “Golden Boy” chef Jamie on their journey to a hard-won Happily Ever After. In The Distance, the third book in the series, has Ethan and Jamie stepping back into secondary character roles, giving center stage to the developing relationship between Jamie’s best friend Trevor, a New York-based Entertainment Manger/Trust-Fund Baby/playboy, and Tyler, a young culinary student and sous chef at Ethan and Jamie’s restaurant in Seattle who dedicates all his free time to volunteer work and giving back to the community.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book – Trevor wasn’t exactly my favorite character after the role he played in Ethan and Jamie’s break-up and separation, but he grew on me. He’s not really a bad guy, just someone born with privilege, who’s used to getting everything he wants except the person he wants the most. He couldn’t get Jamie to fall in love with him and he’s so scared that he won’t be able to get Tyler to love him either.
Tyler has never known the kind of privilege that Trevor takes for granted. Thrown out by his religious parents for being gay, Tyler was living on the streets when Ethan found him scrounging for food behind the restaurant he worked at. Ethan and Jamie have both taken him under their wings as a kind of an honorary little brother, giving him a job as sous chef at their restaurant and helping him out with culinary school. The two chefs are very protective of Tyler and when Trevor starts to show interest they both warn him away. But Tyler isn’t a kid anymore, and there’s a connection between him and Trevor that’s too strong to ignore.
I really enjoyed the love story between Trevor and Tyler. The two men are so different – in age, experience, social standing – they even live on opposite sides of the country. But they make it work. It’s not easy, they’re two very busy guys and miscommunications keep tripping them up, but what they have is worth it and they both know it. Even though I know it was awful of me, some part of me appreciated the karma of Trevor trying so hard to hold on to a long distance relationship after the way his meddling broke up Ethan and Jamie when they were struggling with their own long distance relationship. (I also really enjoyed the glimpses of Ethan and Jamie as co-chefs at their own restaurant and living a happily married life together)
I recommend this book to lovers of a good, ansty romance – In The Distance doesn’t have the focus on food that the first two books had, but it does have the same kind of opposites-attract, angsty romance and compelling story-telling that makes it hard to put down. While In The Distance can be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading the other two books of the In The Kitchen series for a more complete picture (and also because Ethan and Jamie’s love story is really worth reading).
*I received an ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book – Trevor wasn’t exactly my favorite character after the role he played in Ethan and Jamie’s break-up and separation, but he grew on me. He’s not really a bad guy, just someone born with privilege, who’s used to getting everything he wants except the person he wants the most. He couldn’t get Jamie to fall in love with him and he’s so scared that he won’t be able to get Tyler to love him either.
Tyler has never known the kind of privilege that Trevor takes for granted. Thrown out by his religious parents for being gay, Tyler was living on the streets when Ethan found him scrounging for food behind the restaurant he worked at. Ethan and Jamie have both taken him under their wings as a kind of an honorary little brother, giving him a job as sous chef at their restaurant and helping him out with culinary school. The two chefs are very protective of Tyler and when Trevor starts to show interest they both warn him away. But Tyler isn’t a kid anymore, and there’s a connection between him and Trevor that’s too strong to ignore.
I really enjoyed the love story between Trevor and Tyler. The two men are so different – in age, experience, social standing – they even live on opposite sides of the country. But they make it work. It’s not easy, they’re two very busy guys and miscommunications keep tripping them up, but what they have is worth it and they both know it. Even though I know it was awful of me, some part of me appreciated the karma of Trevor trying so hard to hold on to a long distance relationship after the way his meddling broke up Ethan and Jamie when they were struggling with their own long distance relationship. (I also really enjoyed the glimpses of Ethan and Jamie as co-chefs at their own restaurant and living a happily married life together)
I recommend this book to lovers of a good, ansty romance – In The Distance doesn’t have the focus on food that the first two books had, but it does have the same kind of opposites-attract, angsty romance and compelling story-telling that makes it hard to put down. While In The Distance can be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading the other two books of the In The Kitchen series for a more complete picture (and also because Ethan and Jamie’s love story is really worth reading).
*I received an ARC of this book to review. You can find this review and others like it at BookAndCoffeeAddict.com, along with recommendations for a fantastic cup of coffee.
June 15, 2015
My Review:
I read the first two books in this series back-to-back, never having read either of the authors before, and absolutely loved those books. And honestly, I kind of thought it was a fluke...I was in a really good mood when I read those books and I thought it just put me in the right frame of mind to just really enjoy them. So I entered reading this book with a bit of trepidation. What if it didn't live up to those first two? *shaking head* What was I worried about? OMG, I really and truly loved this book and DEVOURED Tyler and Trevor's story!
Trevor is Trustfund from book #2...he's the reason Jamie stayed away from Ethan for so long. As a result, Ethan and he do NOT get along. It doesn't help that Trevor thought he was in love with Jamie, too. He has an interesting relationship with these two guys, but both Jamie and Ethan agree on one thing...Trevor needs to stay away from Tyler, who is basically their adopted little brother.
Tyler has a rough history, but he's young and resilient and is bouncing back with Ethan and Jamie's help. He works hard, he studies hard, and is doing everything he can to make them proud. The one exception to that is Trevor. Trevor and he connect. They just mesh together really well. It doesn't matter that they are ten years apart in age, or that they live 2000 miles apart, or that his "big brothers" continually warn him off Trevor. They FIT and it's beautiful between them when it's working.
I loved how the authors wrote Trevor's character. He's an unapologetic man-whore, but he realizes really soon that Tyler is worth more...so on the sexual side, things move really slowly between them...Trevor's call and I loved that. It made me instantly love him more.
And Tyler...there's just no way not to like him. He's 20 and was kicked out of his home for being gay and spent 6 months living on the streets. He's going to culinary school full time, works two different jobs, and volunteers to help other homeless at two different shelters. Oh, and he's working at a new healthy foods initiative with school children. Seriously, when does the guy sleep? He's an incredible character...so strong and resilient, but still just a nice guy. But his history has left him with his own issues...he doesn't trust or reach out easily. That's why his relationship with Trevor is so big...he doesn't connect like that normally with other people.
The book was a great read. It certainly works well as a stand-alone, but I bet you that after you read it you will want to go back and read the first two books which chronicle Jamie and Ethan's rocky relationship. It was also really good to see them in this one on such stable, committed, truly gorgeous relationship-ground. They are another couple that just FIT and you can see that with every interaction between them.
I highly recommend this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
I read the first two books in this series back-to-back, never having read either of the authors before, and absolutely loved those books. And honestly, I kind of thought it was a fluke...I was in a really good mood when I read those books and I thought it just put me in the right frame of mind to just really enjoy them. So I entered reading this book with a bit of trepidation. What if it didn't live up to those first two? *shaking head* What was I worried about? OMG, I really and truly loved this book and DEVOURED Tyler and Trevor's story!
Trevor is Trustfund from book #2...he's the reason Jamie stayed away from Ethan for so long. As a result, Ethan and he do NOT get along. It doesn't help that Trevor thought he was in love with Jamie, too. He has an interesting relationship with these two guys, but both Jamie and Ethan agree on one thing...Trevor needs to stay away from Tyler, who is basically their adopted little brother.
Tyler has a rough history, but he's young and resilient and is bouncing back with Ethan and Jamie's help. He works hard, he studies hard, and is doing everything he can to make them proud. The one exception to that is Trevor. Trevor and he connect. They just mesh together really well. It doesn't matter that they are ten years apart in age, or that they live 2000 miles apart, or that his "big brothers" continually warn him off Trevor. They FIT and it's beautiful between them when it's working.
I loved how the authors wrote Trevor's character. He's an unapologetic man-whore, but he realizes really soon that Tyler is worth more...so on the sexual side, things move really slowly between them...Trevor's call and I loved that. It made me instantly love him more.
And Tyler...there's just no way not to like him. He's 20 and was kicked out of his home for being gay and spent 6 months living on the streets. He's going to culinary school full time, works two different jobs, and volunteers to help other homeless at two different shelters. Oh, and he's working at a new healthy foods initiative with school children. Seriously, when does the guy sleep? He's an incredible character...so strong and resilient, but still just a nice guy. But his history has left him with his own issues...he doesn't trust or reach out easily. That's why his relationship with Trevor is so big...he doesn't connect like that normally with other people.
The book was a great read. It certainly works well as a stand-alone, but I bet you that after you read it you will want to go back and read the first two books which chronicle Jamie and Ethan's rocky relationship. It was also really good to see them in this one on such stable, committed, truly gorgeous relationship-ground. They are another couple that just FIT and you can see that with every interaction between them.
I highly recommend this one!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
August 1, 2017
Fra tutti e tre, credo che questo sia il libro che ho preferito. Anche il primo mi era piaciuto tantissimo, ma questo ancor di più. Sarà che parte avvantaggiato perché ho un debole per le coppie con un po’ di differenza d’età e per le dicotomie ricco-povero, esperto-vergine, ecc… Ma c’è anche da dire che Trevor, nel libro precedente, era sulla mia lista nera. L’ho perdonato solo alla fine, quindi apprezzarlo qui è stata una bella sorpresa e ho parteggiato per lui dall’inizio alla fine, tanto che – a mio parere – è stato fin troppo bistrattato dagli altri personaggi. Certo, ha le sue colpe e la sua fama non lo aiuta, ma mi è parso volenteroso e propositivo fin da subito, mentre Tyler (pur con i suoi mille problemi, i dubbi, le paure lecite) ha tirato parecchio la corda della mia pazienza.
Ethan e Jamie hanno un grande spazio nel volume, anche se talvolta li avrei presi un po’ a ceffoni, perché le loro buone intenzioni erano troppo invadenti. Alla fine, però, tutto ha un suo perché ed è bello vedere come tutti i personaggi sono cresciuti un po’, facendo pace col passato o emancipandosi dalle paure per raggiungere la serenità.
Per Claire e per i genitori di Trevor ho solo parole di apprezzamento: piccole particine, che però arricchiscono la trama.
Beh, questa è la degna conclusione di una bella saga, dove non manca nulla: amore, dolore, patimenti, ottimi amici, coccole, tenerezza e del buon sesso. Consigliata? Sicuramente sì.
Ethan e Jamie hanno un grande spazio nel volume, anche se talvolta li avrei presi un po’ a ceffoni, perché le loro buone intenzioni erano troppo invadenti. Alla fine, però, tutto ha un suo perché ed è bello vedere come tutti i personaggi sono cresciuti un po’, facendo pace col passato o emancipandosi dalle paure per raggiungere la serenità.
Per Claire e per i genitori di Trevor ho solo parole di apprezzamento: piccole particine, che però arricchiscono la trama.
Beh, questa è la degna conclusione di una bella saga, dove non manca nulla: amore, dolore, patimenti, ottimi amici, coccole, tenerezza e del buon sesso. Consigliata? Sicuramente sì.
October 17, 2015
Angsty and sweet
4.0 Stars
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I love the chosen family at Bistro 30. I hated Trevor in book 2 but fell in love with him here. Tyler was a tad immature and insecure but he grew on me as well (especially after he came into his own). I can't wait for book 3. Nick?
4.0 Stars
I am thoroughly enjoying this series. I love the chosen family at Bistro 30. I hated Trevor in book 2 but fell in love with him here. Tyler was a tad immature and insecure but he grew on me as well (especially after he came into his own). I can't wait for book 3. Nick?
June 18, 2015
4.5 Heart Review by Carissa
I took a deep breath as I watched Tyler make up his mind, my hope slipping away, when he finally looked at me and said, “I want you to come up. Not because of anything or anyone else, but because I don’t want you to leave.” Tyler blurted out.
I couldn’t contain my smile when those irresistible hazel eyes were back on me. Unable to stop myself, I slid my hand across his shoulder to cup the back of his neck. “I’d love to.”
When Tyler’s family threw him out of the house after being caught kissing a guy, he lost everything. It wasn’t until Jamie and Ethan took him into their weird little family of crazy chefs that he started to find pieces of himself that he thought were lost forever. Now, as a sous-chef-in-training at Jamie and Ethan’s restaurant, Bistro 30, Tyler is coming back together; piece by piece. But for all that he loves his job, his opportunity to go to culinary school, and his slightly-overprotective big brothers, Tyler still can’t trust that one wrong move will shatter him all over again.
Trevor has never wanted for money, companionship, or family. He genuinely loves his job managing the careers of celebrity chefs, and now that he is no longer pining for his friend Jamie, he is ready to get their friendship back to the way it once was. But when his feelings for Tyler grow–into something he never planned on–he starts to wonder what exactly he has been missing all his life–and if it matters if he has, because there is thousands of miles and a world of difference between Tyler and him.
When I first saw that there was going to be a third book in this series, I kinda panicked a bit. It took a whole lot of fighting and like a thousand angsty moments to get Jamie and Ethan together, and I was sort of horrified that Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin were going to go at them again. Then I read the blurb and felt all kinds of relief. Not only were the authors not going to traumatize me by splinting up Jamie and Ethan (again), but they were instead writing a story about Tyler. And Trevor–must not forget that asshat (all judgements made pre-reading are still valid, if a bit harsh).
This was my second ‘got to love them assholes’ book that I read this week. Totally not on purpose, but since both of them were great reads I am so not going to complain. Trevor, when we meet him in In the Fire (book two in this series), does not show his best face. He manipulates Jamie and Ethan’s relationship, leading them to splitting for 8 years. He was someone who I was totally willing to stab with a spork if I ever met in person. But like all good characters he is not just some bad guy. He has (bad) reasons for what he does, and once you spend a little time with him, you start to understand why Jamie was his friend for so long.
And when he starts interacting with Tyler you can’t help but start to fall in love with him. Because these two are just…awesome. There are all kinds of mixed signals and screwups. Tyler has trust issues about his trust issues. Trevor doesn’t know how to fix things w/o throwing money at it. They really are a hot mess for most of this book. But there is something about them that makes you certain that they belong together. Trevor sees Tyler. Like, really sees him; the good, the bad, the awesome. And Tyler, despite having to deal with Ethan’s constant issues with Trevor, gets that Trevor is more than just a trustfund.
By far my favorite part of this book (and what makes it my favorite of the series) is that there is no bad guy this book. There is no shadowy figure in the background trying to ruin their lives. It is just the mistakes and misunderstandings that these two make that are pulling them apart–and back together. They are drawn together like magnets, but at times they are too similar and they can’t quite figure out how to bridge the gap between them. Money, age, trust, and just plain geography are what they have to fight. And those are not things so easily beaten.
If there is one thing I had issue with in this book (and really, it is the only thing I can think of that I had problems with) it is that these two had way too similar names. Tyler and Trevor…dear lord, those two ‘T’s just screwed with head something fierce before I got a handle on ‘em. It doesn’t help that this was a similar problem I had in the two previous books (and at least Jamie and Ethan had totally different looking names). I got it, finally, but man, it was not fun sitting there and going, ‘wait, which one was which?’
If you liked the two previous books in this series, I honestly think you are going to love this one. And if you haven’t yet read them, I would say that maybe you should give this one a shot. I wouldn’t say that it is completely stand alone, but there is a lot here that can be enjoyed even if you don’t know the back-story in detail. I liked all three books, though, so you know what…just read the whole series. The angst of the first two books totally pays out in this book and makes it really enjoyable.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
I took a deep breath as I watched Tyler make up his mind, my hope slipping away, when he finally looked at me and said, “I want you to come up. Not because of anything or anyone else, but because I don’t want you to leave.” Tyler blurted out.
I couldn’t contain my smile when those irresistible hazel eyes were back on me. Unable to stop myself, I slid my hand across his shoulder to cup the back of his neck. “I’d love to.”
When Tyler’s family threw him out of the house after being caught kissing a guy, he lost everything. It wasn’t until Jamie and Ethan took him into their weird little family of crazy chefs that he started to find pieces of himself that he thought were lost forever. Now, as a sous-chef-in-training at Jamie and Ethan’s restaurant, Bistro 30, Tyler is coming back together; piece by piece. But for all that he loves his job, his opportunity to go to culinary school, and his slightly-overprotective big brothers, Tyler still can’t trust that one wrong move will shatter him all over again.
Trevor has never wanted for money, companionship, or family. He genuinely loves his job managing the careers of celebrity chefs, and now that he is no longer pining for his friend Jamie, he is ready to get their friendship back to the way it once was. But when his feelings for Tyler grow–into something he never planned on–he starts to wonder what exactly he has been missing all his life–and if it matters if he has, because there is thousands of miles and a world of difference between Tyler and him.
When I first saw that there was going to be a third book in this series, I kinda panicked a bit. It took a whole lot of fighting and like a thousand angsty moments to get Jamie and Ethan together, and I was sort of horrified that Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin were going to go at them again. Then I read the blurb and felt all kinds of relief. Not only were the authors not going to traumatize me by splinting up Jamie and Ethan (again), but they were instead writing a story about Tyler. And Trevor–must not forget that asshat (all judgements made pre-reading are still valid, if a bit harsh).
This was my second ‘got to love them assholes’ book that I read this week. Totally not on purpose, but since both of them were great reads I am so not going to complain. Trevor, when we meet him in In the Fire (book two in this series), does not show his best face. He manipulates Jamie and Ethan’s relationship, leading them to splitting for 8 years. He was someone who I was totally willing to stab with a spork if I ever met in person. But like all good characters he is not just some bad guy. He has (bad) reasons for what he does, and once you spend a little time with him, you start to understand why Jamie was his friend for so long.
And when he starts interacting with Tyler you can’t help but start to fall in love with him. Because these two are just…awesome. There are all kinds of mixed signals and screwups. Tyler has trust issues about his trust issues. Trevor doesn’t know how to fix things w/o throwing money at it. They really are a hot mess for most of this book. But there is something about them that makes you certain that they belong together. Trevor sees Tyler. Like, really sees him; the good, the bad, the awesome. And Tyler, despite having to deal with Ethan’s constant issues with Trevor, gets that Trevor is more than just a trustfund.
By far my favorite part of this book (and what makes it my favorite of the series) is that there is no bad guy this book. There is no shadowy figure in the background trying to ruin their lives. It is just the mistakes and misunderstandings that these two make that are pulling them apart–and back together. They are drawn together like magnets, but at times they are too similar and they can’t quite figure out how to bridge the gap between them. Money, age, trust, and just plain geography are what they have to fight. And those are not things so easily beaten.
If there is one thing I had issue with in this book (and really, it is the only thing I can think of that I had problems with) it is that these two had way too similar names. Tyler and Trevor…dear lord, those two ‘T’s just screwed with head something fierce before I got a handle on ‘em. It doesn’t help that this was a similar problem I had in the two previous books (and at least Jamie and Ethan had totally different looking names). I got it, finally, but man, it was not fun sitting there and going, ‘wait, which one was which?’
If you liked the two previous books in this series, I honestly think you are going to love this one. And if you haven’t yet read them, I would say that maybe you should give this one a shot. I wouldn’t say that it is completely stand alone, but there is a lot here that can be enjoyed even if you don’t know the back-story in detail. I liked all three books, though, so you know what…just read the whole series. The angst of the first two books totally pays out in this book and makes it really enjoyable.
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
June 19, 2015
Review can be read at It's About The Book
I really liked this book. I liked it enough I’ll probably be going back and reading the first two. I believe this is one of those series you’ll want to read in order to get all the inside jokes but I did not and seemed to follow along just fine. It’s possible some back story may have helped or swayed my opinion of Trevor. Who knows. I know I liked him a lot. My favorite in this one.
Twenty year old Tyler is finally in a place in his life he’s proud off. His parents kicked him out of the house after catching him kissing a boy when he was a teenager. It was rough but he survived it. He’s made his way from living on the streets to having an apartment of his own and a promising career as a sous chef thanks to Ethan and Jamie (couple from previous book) taking him under their wing. Tyler is going to culinary school and working. He also volunteers in the very little free time he has. He’s so busy he doesn’t realize he’s missing something in his life until Trevor offers to take him out one night.
Trevor is a charming and handsome rich guy in his early thirties. He’s always been happy to find a bed mate whenever one catches his eye. No commitments. Just fun. Life has been pretty easy for Trevor. His parents provided a healthy trust fund and a loving home. Yeah he’s a fun and mostly carefree guy but nobody ever takes him seriously or expects him to be all that emotionally deep. When he sees Tyler again he feels a need to help the kid have some fun. Trevor never expects to develop feelings for him.
I really liked the slow seduction of this book. The guys were hot and cold. Mostly because of Tyler and his issues with trusting people. I do love some delicious tension. Lots of teasing of those will they or won’t they moments. Trevor and Tyler developed a friendship that eventually became more. There was always an attraction but Trevor was warned off pursuing Tyler by Ethan and Jamie because they just see him as a playboy. Tyler thinks Trevor is way out of his league and probably just out for a bootie call because why would he want a guy who was homeless and takes the bus. Trevor is pretty persistent about wanting to get closer to Tyler while Tyler is constantly confused and overwhelmed by Trevor’s actions. For the most part I loved all this. And then it got to be too much. It went too far IMO. Trevor is NOT a bad guy. He obviously had feelings for Tyler but Tyler was forever obtuse in realizing it. Tyler misconstrued many situations and lashed out too frequently at Trevor who, from my POV, was just trying to be nice. It made me pretty uncomfortable how Jamie, Trevor and Tyler all disregarded Trevor’s feelings about pretty much everything. Being a rich guy doesn’t make him heartless and cold. Tyler’s feelings don’t deserve more consideration than Trevor’s. It all felt very one sided. Which ultimately dropped my rating of this book because I became so frustrated with how it was handled. I know Tyler had it rough and has a ton of shit to work through but I do not excuse hurting someone over and over. I just can’t.
Like I said above. I liked this book quite a bit more than I expected. I’ve never read these authors but will be checking out their other work. Trevor was so fun and charming. I’d totally be a fan of his. Tyler for the most part was adorable and self conscious with these bouts of bravery. He was pretty complex while Trevor added the sexy and fun element to keep the story from being too heavy. Trevor also had some depth that too many people overlooked. So yeah I had some issues with this one but I still really liked it. Great characters. Good tension. Some pretty funny moments. I’d recommend checking this one out!
I really liked this book. I liked it enough I’ll probably be going back and reading the first two. I believe this is one of those series you’ll want to read in order to get all the inside jokes but I did not and seemed to follow along just fine. It’s possible some back story may have helped or swayed my opinion of Trevor. Who knows. I know I liked him a lot. My favorite in this one.
Twenty year old Tyler is finally in a place in his life he’s proud off. His parents kicked him out of the house after catching him kissing a boy when he was a teenager. It was rough but he survived it. He’s made his way from living on the streets to having an apartment of his own and a promising career as a sous chef thanks to Ethan and Jamie (couple from previous book) taking him under their wing. Tyler is going to culinary school and working. He also volunteers in the very little free time he has. He’s so busy he doesn’t realize he’s missing something in his life until Trevor offers to take him out one night.
Trevor is a charming and handsome rich guy in his early thirties. He’s always been happy to find a bed mate whenever one catches his eye. No commitments. Just fun. Life has been pretty easy for Trevor. His parents provided a healthy trust fund and a loving home. Yeah he’s a fun and mostly carefree guy but nobody ever takes him seriously or expects him to be all that emotionally deep. When he sees Tyler again he feels a need to help the kid have some fun. Trevor never expects to develop feelings for him.
I really liked the slow seduction of this book. The guys were hot and cold. Mostly because of Tyler and his issues with trusting people. I do love some delicious tension. Lots of teasing of those will they or won’t they moments. Trevor and Tyler developed a friendship that eventually became more. There was always an attraction but Trevor was warned off pursuing Tyler by Ethan and Jamie because they just see him as a playboy. Tyler thinks Trevor is way out of his league and probably just out for a bootie call because why would he want a guy who was homeless and takes the bus. Trevor is pretty persistent about wanting to get closer to Tyler while Tyler is constantly confused and overwhelmed by Trevor’s actions. For the most part I loved all this. And then it got to be too much. It went too far IMO. Trevor is NOT a bad guy. He obviously had feelings for Tyler but Tyler was forever obtuse in realizing it. Tyler misconstrued many situations and lashed out too frequently at Trevor who, from my POV, was just trying to be nice. It made me pretty uncomfortable how Jamie, Trevor and Tyler all disregarded Trevor’s feelings about pretty much everything. Being a rich guy doesn’t make him heartless and cold. Tyler’s feelings don’t deserve more consideration than Trevor’s. It all felt very one sided. Which ultimately dropped my rating of this book because I became so frustrated with how it was handled. I know Tyler had it rough and has a ton of shit to work through but I do not excuse hurting someone over and over. I just can’t.
Like I said above. I liked this book quite a bit more than I expected. I’ve never read these authors but will be checking out their other work. Trevor was so fun and charming. I’d totally be a fan of his. Tyler for the most part was adorable and self conscious with these bouts of bravery. He was pretty complex while Trevor added the sexy and fun element to keep the story from being too heavy. Trevor also had some depth that too many people overlooked. So yeah I had some issues with this one but I still really liked it. Great characters. Good tension. Some pretty funny moments. I’d recommend checking this one out!
May 30, 2015
4.5 stars
I'm so glad to have read this book. Tyler and Trevor's story was so well written. I felt everything that they went through... Felt pretty natural.
All the up's and down's of the beginning of a relationship.
I also loved reading more about Jamie and Ethan and Claire! Just knowing how happy Jamie and Ethan were! Made me love this story even more!
This book was definitely a slow burn.
Good...but I think certain parts were left simmering when they should have been at a boil.
Which is not a bad thing. I just wished things would have heated up in the bed room a little faster than they did. Since months would past before they saw each other again.
Tyler's life growing up was an ok one. But once his mom and dad found out he was gay... They throw him out.
From that day on.... Tyler had to find his place in the world. And he did find it. With the help of Ethan. Ethan really helped Tyler get his life in order. That's all Tyler needed... was a chance to make something of himself. I think he proved that in this book.
Trevor never had to worry about anything growing up. He grew up wealth. He lived life to the fullest. Never getting close to anyone but his best friend Jamie. He put his all in one person and it just didn't work out for him. Leaving him kind of standoffish with other people. Never giving anyone a chance to break his heart.
When Trevor met Tyler at first. He never thought about him in that way. He just thought about him as some kid that needed help. Having already knowing his story from Jamie.
Something changed when Trevor asked Tyler out to celebrate a new client... Trevor wasn't counting on having such a good time with Tyler. He was different. And that caught him off guard.
I felt so bad for Tyler. He always felt socially awkward around Trevor. He knew he wasn't in the same league as he was. But he was trying to open up.
Trevor kept talking to Tyler about Jamie. Which I think was a little to much. I know that he was the one thing they had in common. But it was getting pretty old.
I love Ethan and Jamie... but they were just too much in this book.
I hated how they treated Tyler.
They treated him like a little kid. Not some one that is 20 going to be 21.
I think they should have pulled back a little more. Let Tyler be. And experience life. Sometimes you have to let people go in order for them to learn their lesson.
I loved how in the end... He stood up for himself. He was so scared to do it... but, I think he did a good job doing it.
The chemistry between Tyler and Trevor was pretty hot!
I loved all the text messages between them. And the sex/ fooling around was pretty explosives!
I think they both came into each others life at the right time.
Overall...
I liked this book.
I really liked how Tyler and Trevor took their time getting together. I liked how Trevor put himself out there and really tried.
The internal dialogue was a bit much. I prefer a conversation with a person than a whole whole conversation in someone's head. But, It wasn't a deal breaker for me in this book.
And... I really enjoyed catching up on with all past characters.
I would love to read more books by these authors...
*ARC provided via Netgalley *
-Michelle
I'm so glad to have read this book. Tyler and Trevor's story was so well written. I felt everything that they went through... Felt pretty natural.
All the up's and down's of the beginning of a relationship.
I also loved reading more about Jamie and Ethan and Claire! Just knowing how happy Jamie and Ethan were! Made me love this story even more!
This book was definitely a slow burn.
Good...but I think certain parts were left simmering when they should have been at a boil.
Which is not a bad thing. I just wished things would have heated up in the bed room a little faster than they did. Since months would past before they saw each other again.
Tyler's life growing up was an ok one. But once his mom and dad found out he was gay... They throw him out.
From that day on.... Tyler had to find his place in the world. And he did find it. With the help of Ethan. Ethan really helped Tyler get his life in order. That's all Tyler needed... was a chance to make something of himself. I think he proved that in this book.
Trevor never had to worry about anything growing up. He grew up wealth. He lived life to the fullest. Never getting close to anyone but his best friend Jamie. He put his all in one person and it just didn't work out for him. Leaving him kind of standoffish with other people. Never giving anyone a chance to break his heart.
When Trevor met Tyler at first. He never thought about him in that way. He just thought about him as some kid that needed help. Having already knowing his story from Jamie.
Something changed when Trevor asked Tyler out to celebrate a new client... Trevor wasn't counting on having such a good time with Tyler. He was different. And that caught him off guard.
I felt so bad for Tyler. He always felt socially awkward around Trevor. He knew he wasn't in the same league as he was. But he was trying to open up.
Trevor kept talking to Tyler about Jamie. Which I think was a little to much. I know that he was the one thing they had in common. But it was getting pretty old.
I love Ethan and Jamie... but they were just too much in this book.
I hated how they treated Tyler.
They treated him like a little kid. Not some one that is 20 going to be 21.
I think they should have pulled back a little more. Let Tyler be. And experience life. Sometimes you have to let people go in order for them to learn their lesson.
I loved how in the end... He stood up for himself. He was so scared to do it... but, I think he did a good job doing it.
The chemistry between Tyler and Trevor was pretty hot!
I loved all the text messages between them. And the sex/ fooling around was pretty explosives!
I think they both came into each others life at the right time.
Overall...
I liked this book.
I really liked how Tyler and Trevor took their time getting together. I liked how Trevor put himself out there and really tried.
The internal dialogue was a bit much. I prefer a conversation with a person than a whole whole conversation in someone's head. But, It wasn't a deal breaker for me in this book.
And... I really enjoyed catching up on with all past characters.
I would love to read more books by these authors...
*ARC provided via Netgalley *
-Michelle
May 31, 2015
4.5 stars
I'm so glad to have read this book. Tyler and Trevor's story was so well written. I felt everything that they went through... Felt pretty natural.
All the up's and down's of the beginning of a relationship.
I also loved reading more about Jamie and Ethan and Claire! Just knowing how happy Jamie and Ethan were! Made me love this story even more!
This book was definitely a slow burn.
Good...but I think certain parts were left simmering when they should have been at a boil.
Which is not a bad thing. I just wished things would have heated up in the bed room a little faster than they did. Since months would past before they saw each other again.
Tyler's life growing up was an ok one. But once his mom and dad found out he was gay... They throw him out.
From that day on.... Tyler had to find his place in the world. And he did find it. With the help of Ethan. Ethan really helped Tyler get his life in order. That's all Tyler needed... was a chance to make something of himself. I think he proved that in this book.
Trevor never had to worry about anything growing up. He grew up wealth. He lived life to the fullest. Never getting close to anyone but his best friend Jamie. He put his all in one person and it just didn't work out for him. Leaving him kind of standoffish with other people. Never giving anyone a chance to break his heart.
When Trevor met Tyler at first. He never thought about him in that way. He just thought about him as some kid that needed help. Having already knowing his story from Jamie.
Something changed when Trevor asked Tyler out to celebrate a new client... Trevor wasn't counting on having such a good time with Tyler. He was different. And that caught him off guard.
I felt so bad for Tyler. He always felt socially awkward around Trevor. He knew he wasn't in the same league as he was. But he was trying to open up.
Trevor kept talking to Tyler about Jamie. Which I think was a little to much. I know that he was the one thing they had in common. But it was getting pretty old.
I love Ethan and Jamie... but they were just too much in this book.
I hated how they treated Tyler.
They treated him like a little kid. Not some one that is 20 going to be 21.
I think they should have pulled back a little more. Let Tyler be. And experience life. Sometimes you have to let people go in order for them to learn their lesson.
I loved how in the end... He stood up for himself. He was so scared to do it... but, I think he did a good job doing it.
The chemistry between Tyler and Trevor was pretty hot!
I loved all the text messages between them. And the sex/ fooling around was pretty explosives!
I think they both came into each others life at the right time.
Overall...
I liked this book.
I really liked how Tyler and Trevor took their time getting together. I liked how Trevor put himself out there and really tried.
The internal dialogue was a bit much. I prefer a conversation with a person than a whole whole conversation in someone's head. But, It wasn't a deal breaker for me in this book.
And... I really enjoyed catching up on with all past characters.
I would love to read more books by these authors...
*ARC provided via Netgalley *
I'm so glad to have read this book. Tyler and Trevor's story was so well written. I felt everything that they went through... Felt pretty natural.
All the up's and down's of the beginning of a relationship.
I also loved reading more about Jamie and Ethan and Claire! Just knowing how happy Jamie and Ethan were! Made me love this story even more!
This book was definitely a slow burn.
Good...but I think certain parts were left simmering when they should have been at a boil.
Which is not a bad thing. I just wished things would have heated up in the bed room a little faster than they did. Since months would past before they saw each other again.
Tyler's life growing up was an ok one. But once his mom and dad found out he was gay... They throw him out.
From that day on.... Tyler had to find his place in the world. And he did find it. With the help of Ethan. Ethan really helped Tyler get his life in order. That's all Tyler needed... was a chance to make something of himself. I think he proved that in this book.
Trevor never had to worry about anything growing up. He grew up wealth. He lived life to the fullest. Never getting close to anyone but his best friend Jamie. He put his all in one person and it just didn't work out for him. Leaving him kind of standoffish with other people. Never giving anyone a chance to break his heart.
When Trevor met Tyler at first. He never thought about him in that way. He just thought about him as some kid that needed help. Having already knowing his story from Jamie.
Something changed when Trevor asked Tyler out to celebrate a new client... Trevor wasn't counting on having such a good time with Tyler. He was different. And that caught him off guard.
I felt so bad for Tyler. He always felt socially awkward around Trevor. He knew he wasn't in the same league as he was. But he was trying to open up.
Trevor kept talking to Tyler about Jamie. Which I think was a little to much. I know that he was the one thing they had in common. But it was getting pretty old.
I love Ethan and Jamie... but they were just too much in this book.
I hated how they treated Tyler.
They treated him like a little kid. Not some one that is 20 going to be 21.
I think they should have pulled back a little more. Let Tyler be. And experience life. Sometimes you have to let people go in order for them to learn their lesson.
I loved how in the end... He stood up for himself. He was so scared to do it... but, I think he did a good job doing it.
The chemistry between Tyler and Trevor was pretty hot!
I loved all the text messages between them. And the sex/ fooling around was pretty explosives!
I think they both came into each others life at the right time.
Overall...
I liked this book.
I really liked how Tyler and Trevor took their time getting together. I liked how Trevor put himself out there and really tried.
The internal dialogue was a bit much. I prefer a conversation with a person than a whole whole conversation in someone's head. But, It wasn't a deal breaker for me in this book.
And... I really enjoyed catching up on with all past characters.
I would love to read more books by these authors...
*ARC provided via Netgalley *
May 30, 2015
IN THE DISTANCE was just such a joy to read. The story had plenty of conflict for the characters—both past and present bits—but the real gem of this book is how believably and organically the characters develop over the course of the story.
Tyler is a young man who was thrown out of his parents’ home when he came out as gay. He lived on the streets for a while and in shelters, until he was “adopted” as a little brother by married couple and restaurant owners Ethan and Jamie and given a job with lots of support and guidance. Trevor is Jamie’s best friend—or he was. They’re trying to repair their relationship, but both of them know it’ll never quite be the same, especially with Ethan constantly glaring at Trevor and calling him Trustfund. (There are hints to why this is in the book, but for the full story, check out IN THE FIRE.)
Tyler’s an old soul, aged by circumstance, but he’s still a young man trying to figure out life at the same time. After his parents’ betrayal, he doesn’t really know how to let anyone else in and he is terrified of disappointing Ethan and Jamie. So he keeps his head down and goes along with what he thinks they expect of him.
When Trevor visits and Jamie doesn’t have time to spend with him, he asks Tyler out for dinner. It’s the start of a friendship that morphs into a slow-burn relationship as they both try to figure out how to navigate not only the geographical distance between them—Trevor lives in NYC and Tyler lives in Seattle—but the 10-year age difference, too. Not to mention the fact that both Ethan and Jamie are constantly warning to two of them away from each other.
Watching Tyler’s and Trevor’s arcs was a real pleasure. I loved how they both had to grow up, in their own ways, in order to make a relationship feasible. Tyler needed to learn to stand up for himself. Trevor needed to learn that loving someone wasn’t about himself. Both of them needed to learn to that trusting people and being vulnerable is part of loving—either a boyfriend or an adopted family. Their character arcs were similar and complementary. These developments don’t happen quickly, which made them all the more poignant and gave the story that much more of an impact.
There was one chapter in particular that just punched me, right in the feels. My breath caught and I just wanted to gather Tyler and Trevor close and keep them away from their evil authors.
IN THE DISTANCE is easily a standalone, but I think you’ll want to read the first two books anyway. They’ve all been five-star reads for me, because of the characters, the emotions, and the wonderfully satisfying endings. Not to mention the food! I highly recommend the entire series and I’m eagerly awaiting to see what Eileen and Nikka offer readers next!
Tyler is a young man who was thrown out of his parents’ home when he came out as gay. He lived on the streets for a while and in shelters, until he was “adopted” as a little brother by married couple and restaurant owners Ethan and Jamie and given a job with lots of support and guidance. Trevor is Jamie’s best friend—or he was. They’re trying to repair their relationship, but both of them know it’ll never quite be the same, especially with Ethan constantly glaring at Trevor and calling him Trustfund. (There are hints to why this is in the book, but for the full story, check out IN THE FIRE.)
Tyler’s an old soul, aged by circumstance, but he’s still a young man trying to figure out life at the same time. After his parents’ betrayal, he doesn’t really know how to let anyone else in and he is terrified of disappointing Ethan and Jamie. So he keeps his head down and goes along with what he thinks they expect of him.
When Trevor visits and Jamie doesn’t have time to spend with him, he asks Tyler out for dinner. It’s the start of a friendship that morphs into a slow-burn relationship as they both try to figure out how to navigate not only the geographical distance between them—Trevor lives in NYC and Tyler lives in Seattle—but the 10-year age difference, too. Not to mention the fact that both Ethan and Jamie are constantly warning to two of them away from each other.
Watching Tyler’s and Trevor’s arcs was a real pleasure. I loved how they both had to grow up, in their own ways, in order to make a relationship feasible. Tyler needed to learn to stand up for himself. Trevor needed to learn that loving someone wasn’t about himself. Both of them needed to learn to that trusting people and being vulnerable is part of loving—either a boyfriend or an adopted family. Their character arcs were similar and complementary. These developments don’t happen quickly, which made them all the more poignant and gave the story that much more of an impact.
There was one chapter in particular that just punched me, right in the feels. My breath caught and I just wanted to gather Tyler and Trevor close and keep them away from their evil authors.
IN THE DISTANCE is easily a standalone, but I think you’ll want to read the first two books anyway. They’ve all been five-star reads for me, because of the characters, the emotions, and the wonderfully satisfying endings. Not to mention the food! I highly recommend the entire series and I’m eagerly awaiting to see what Eileen and Nikka offer readers next!
June 18, 2015
Check out the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
Note: This ARC was provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
In the Distance is the third novel in the In the Kitchen series by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin and shifts the focus from the original lead characters, Ethan Martin and Jamie Lassiter, from the first two books to Tyler Mitchell, sous chef at Bistro 30, culinary school student, and unofficial adopted brother to Ethan, Jamie, and Ethan’s sister Claire, and Trevor Pratt, Jamie’s best friend and agent and Ethan’s nemesis of sorts. Both Tyler and Trevor were introduced in the second novel and while Tyler was this kid who Ethan took under his wing, Trevor was somewhat of an ass, especially after how unwittingly ended up destroying Ethan and Jamie’s relationship during their first go-around. Thankfully, though, enough time has passed between the second and third books, so my dislike for Trevor dissipated right in time for me to like him here, plus he was able to redeem himself somewhat by the end of book number two.
With Tyler and Trevor coming from two very different worlds, it’s easy to see why Ethan and Jamie were less than thrilled about the two spending any time together. Tyler’s sexuality was rejected by his parents, seeing him as an abomination, while Trevor’s parents accepted him for who he was. Tyler’s experience with other guys was very limited, while Trevor’s, well, wasn’t. Tyler knew what it was like to fend for yourself on the streets of Seattle, while Trevor’s been fortunate enough to have anything and everything he’s wanted or needed right there within reach. The age difference, about ten years or so, and the distance, what with Tyler living in Seattle and Trevor living in New York, only add on to the already seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against them. Having an unlikely friendship that flourishes is one thing, but the underlying attraction is something neither of them can deny and then too many things come into play.
I really liked Tyler and Trevor together and those text messages they would send one another were funny and sweet. There was definitely no rushing into anything for these two, something I appreciated because you’re able to enjoy the whole progression of their relationship, going through the growing pains along with them while having a front row seat to them falling in love. I sighed more times than I thought possible, both in satisfaction and sadness, because I became invested in Tyler and Trevor as individuals and as a couple. How could you not want them to have even a semblance of what Ethan and Jamie have, especially since Tyler seriously deserves to have his own share of happiness? I loved that Ethan and Jamie were still in the story but didn’t steal any of limelight from Team TNT, and Claire is still the kickass female with a huge heart that I expected her to be. I adore this series and In the Distance is one hundred percent squee-worthy. Five stars! ♥
Note: This ARC was provided by Carina Press in exchange for an honest review.
In the Distance is the third novel in the In the Kitchen series by Nikka Michaels and Eileen Griffin and shifts the focus from the original lead characters, Ethan Martin and Jamie Lassiter, from the first two books to Tyler Mitchell, sous chef at Bistro 30, culinary school student, and unofficial adopted brother to Ethan, Jamie, and Ethan’s sister Claire, and Trevor Pratt, Jamie’s best friend and agent and Ethan’s nemesis of sorts. Both Tyler and Trevor were introduced in the second novel and while Tyler was this kid who Ethan took under his wing, Trevor was somewhat of an ass, especially after how unwittingly ended up destroying Ethan and Jamie’s relationship during their first go-around. Thankfully, though, enough time has passed between the second and third books, so my dislike for Trevor dissipated right in time for me to like him here, plus he was able to redeem himself somewhat by the end of book number two.
With Tyler and Trevor coming from two very different worlds, it’s easy to see why Ethan and Jamie were less than thrilled about the two spending any time together. Tyler’s sexuality was rejected by his parents, seeing him as an abomination, while Trevor’s parents accepted him for who he was. Tyler’s experience with other guys was very limited, while Trevor’s, well, wasn’t. Tyler knew what it was like to fend for yourself on the streets of Seattle, while Trevor’s been fortunate enough to have anything and everything he’s wanted or needed right there within reach. The age difference, about ten years or so, and the distance, what with Tyler living in Seattle and Trevor living in New York, only add on to the already seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against them. Having an unlikely friendship that flourishes is one thing, but the underlying attraction is something neither of them can deny and then too many things come into play.
I really liked Tyler and Trevor together and those text messages they would send one another were funny and sweet. There was definitely no rushing into anything for these two, something I appreciated because you’re able to enjoy the whole progression of their relationship, going through the growing pains along with them while having a front row seat to them falling in love. I sighed more times than I thought possible, both in satisfaction and sadness, because I became invested in Tyler and Trevor as individuals and as a couple. How could you not want them to have even a semblance of what Ethan and Jamie have, especially since Tyler seriously deserves to have his own share of happiness? I loved that Ethan and Jamie were still in the story but didn’t steal any of limelight from Team TNT, and Claire is still the kickass female with a huge heart that I expected her to be. I adore this series and In the Distance is one hundred percent squee-worthy. Five stars! ♥
May 20, 2015
I received one copy of this book at no charge via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. Review first appeared on Nautical Star Books.
In the Distance is the third book in Nikka Michels & Eileen Griffin’s “In the Kitchen” series. I have not read the previous books but was able to follow the storyline quite easily. I did wonder about the previous characters and their earlier interactions so I will have to go back and read the others to find out why Ethan and Trevor hate each other so much!
In the Distance is all about Trevor and Tyler falling in love. Tyler is young (only 20) and a sous chef in Ethan and Jamie’s restaurant. After getting kicked out of his home for being gay and living on the streets, he has some major trust issues. He is incredibly grateful for having been given a second chance in life but is lacking in self confidence. I will say that his character was a bit two sided in this book. In some ways he is incredibly mature…supporting himself, going to school, working a job and planning for the future. However, many of his interactions with Trevor are incredibly immature. Due to his age and lack of relationship experience, I am not surprised but the dichotomy threw me a bit. He jumps to conclusions far too quickly about Trevor and gives him the cold shoulder on a number of occasions.
Trevor is a fairly wealthy playboy but he has his good qualities. He works in public relations and marketing, even though he has enough money to support himself without working at all. Generally, he seems like a really nice guy…just one who has no desire to settle down. Tyler is a temptation that he has been warned to stay away from but just can’t help himself. I like that they become friends first and that nothing is too rushed. The book focuses on the falling in love and the developing of their relationship rather than them jumping into bed.
In the Distance highlights the issue of homeless GLBTQ youth in the city. Tyler lived on the streets and in homeless shelters until someone gave him a chance at a new life. Jamie, Ethan and Tyler continue to work in the shelter as volunteers and I would love to learn more about Nick, one of the homeless teens from the shelter. I love the ‘pay it forward’ mentality that prevails in this story.
Both Trevor and Tyler mature a LOT from the beginning of the story to the end. They grow as individuals but they also grow together as a couple. The story is told from both main characters’ POV so you really get inside their heads throughout the whole book. The kitchen setting was a huge perk for me as a foodie and the descriptions of some of the dishes made my mouth water.
I really enjoyed In the Distance and am so glad that Tyler has an adoptive ‘family’ to love and finally decided what he wanted to do in life. There is a wonderful HEA and I finished the book with a smile.
In the Distance is the third book in Nikka Michels & Eileen Griffin’s “In the Kitchen” series. I have not read the previous books but was able to follow the storyline quite easily. I did wonder about the previous characters and their earlier interactions so I will have to go back and read the others to find out why Ethan and Trevor hate each other so much!
In the Distance is all about Trevor and Tyler falling in love. Tyler is young (only 20) and a sous chef in Ethan and Jamie’s restaurant. After getting kicked out of his home for being gay and living on the streets, he has some major trust issues. He is incredibly grateful for having been given a second chance in life but is lacking in self confidence. I will say that his character was a bit two sided in this book. In some ways he is incredibly mature…supporting himself, going to school, working a job and planning for the future. However, many of his interactions with Trevor are incredibly immature. Due to his age and lack of relationship experience, I am not surprised but the dichotomy threw me a bit. He jumps to conclusions far too quickly about Trevor and gives him the cold shoulder on a number of occasions.
Trevor is a fairly wealthy playboy but he has his good qualities. He works in public relations and marketing, even though he has enough money to support himself without working at all. Generally, he seems like a really nice guy…just one who has no desire to settle down. Tyler is a temptation that he has been warned to stay away from but just can’t help himself. I like that they become friends first and that nothing is too rushed. The book focuses on the falling in love and the developing of their relationship rather than them jumping into bed.
In the Distance highlights the issue of homeless GLBTQ youth in the city. Tyler lived on the streets and in homeless shelters until someone gave him a chance at a new life. Jamie, Ethan and Tyler continue to work in the shelter as volunteers and I would love to learn more about Nick, one of the homeless teens from the shelter. I love the ‘pay it forward’ mentality that prevails in this story.
Both Trevor and Tyler mature a LOT from the beginning of the story to the end. They grow as individuals but they also grow together as a couple. The story is told from both main characters’ POV so you really get inside their heads throughout the whole book. The kitchen setting was a huge perk for me as a foodie and the descriptions of some of the dishes made my mouth water.
I really enjoyed In the Distance and am so glad that Tyler has an adoptive ‘family’ to love and finally decided what he wanted to do in life. There is a wonderful HEA and I finished the book with a smile.
July 14, 2015
In the Distance is Book3 of the In the Kitchen series, and it is the sweetest of the three. Stormy Ethan is still around but he’s not the center of the story this time. The young boy Ethan rescued from a life on the streets is now a sous chef and student at the culinary school where Ethan and Jaime trained several years ago. Tyler is still quite young at 20 years old and often taken for being naïve and unable to make mature decisions; however, nothing could be farther from the truth.
Now that Jaime is settled down in the kitchen again, and off the lecture, TV personality tours, his agent and Ethan’s nemesis, Trevor, is no longer a central part of Jaime’s life, but is still his best friend. Ethan does not take kindly to Trevor’s presence but Trevor tries very hard to bring Ethan around and show him he is no threat to Ethan’s marriage to Jaime. Trevor notices Tyler and against his own better judgement starts flirting with him. This brings out the Papa Bear in Ethan and the youthful rebellion in Tyler. Side note: this book has one of the hottest cherry popping scenes I’ve ever read. Bring a fan and a glass of ice water to read that particular part of the book.
Tyler has a secret dream that he has not shared with anyone, most especially not with his mentors Ethan and Jaime. When he finally lets someone else know what that dream is it sets off all kinds of repercussions that rock everyone to the core and puts Tyler’s future at risk.
Tyler and Trevor’s relationship is no fairy tale. When Trevor tries to take charge of Tyler and use his own experiences to “help” Tyler it becomes obvious that Tyler is no child who needs that kind of parental concern, nor will he allow it. I loved watching Tyler show everyone, including the reader, how truly intelligent, mature, and strong he is. My favorite books are those that show growth in the MCs and this book does that in spades. I love the way Ms Griffin and Ms Michaels write characters. I don’t know if one character belongs to one writer and the other character belongs to the other or if they share them, but whatever they are doing works beautifully. The fact that this third book in the series takes on a new couple and a completely different plotline shows just how robust their writing skills are and how far they can take a story.
I suppose you could read In the Distance as a stand alone book. You’ll miss some of the development of the story that tells how we got to this point, but you will be solid with the characters and plot of this book. I do recommend that you read all three books, in order, though, just because the entire series is so delightful and worth being sure you don’t miss a thing. The In the Kitchen series includes In the Raw, In the Fire, and In the Distance. This is a delightful book in a well-presented series.
Now that Jaime is settled down in the kitchen again, and off the lecture, TV personality tours, his agent and Ethan’s nemesis, Trevor, is no longer a central part of Jaime’s life, but is still his best friend. Ethan does not take kindly to Trevor’s presence but Trevor tries very hard to bring Ethan around and show him he is no threat to Ethan’s marriage to Jaime. Trevor notices Tyler and against his own better judgement starts flirting with him. This brings out the Papa Bear in Ethan and the youthful rebellion in Tyler. Side note: this book has one of the hottest cherry popping scenes I’ve ever read. Bring a fan and a glass of ice water to read that particular part of the book.
Tyler has a secret dream that he has not shared with anyone, most especially not with his mentors Ethan and Jaime. When he finally lets someone else know what that dream is it sets off all kinds of repercussions that rock everyone to the core and puts Tyler’s future at risk.
Tyler and Trevor’s relationship is no fairy tale. When Trevor tries to take charge of Tyler and use his own experiences to “help” Tyler it becomes obvious that Tyler is no child who needs that kind of parental concern, nor will he allow it. I loved watching Tyler show everyone, including the reader, how truly intelligent, mature, and strong he is. My favorite books are those that show growth in the MCs and this book does that in spades. I love the way Ms Griffin and Ms Michaels write characters. I don’t know if one character belongs to one writer and the other character belongs to the other or if they share them, but whatever they are doing works beautifully. The fact that this third book in the series takes on a new couple and a completely different plotline shows just how robust their writing skills are and how far they can take a story.
I suppose you could read In the Distance as a stand alone book. You’ll miss some of the development of the story that tells how we got to this point, but you will be solid with the characters and plot of this book. I do recommend that you read all three books, in order, though, just because the entire series is so delightful and worth being sure you don’t miss a thing. The In the Kitchen series includes In the Raw, In the Fire, and In the Distance. This is a delightful book in a well-presented series.
June 14, 2015
Let me start by saying this book is probably my favourite of the three In the Kitchen novels. Don’t get me wrong, I loved both In the Raw and In the Fire but Tyler and Trevor’s story touched me on a deeper level than Jamie and Ethan’s did, even if I couldn’t begin to explain why that might be. And just for the record; while I would strongly advise anyone to read the two earlier titles before reading In the Distance – if only because they’re great books – it isn’t necessary. This book stands on its own as well as it does as part of a trilogy.
From the moment I was introduced to Tyler he captured a spot in my heart. He’s such a loving, kind and generous soul despite being rejected by his family and having survived on the streets before Ethan found him. He has every reason to be angry with the world and act out, but does the exact opposite. In the hands of lesser authors Tyler might have ended up as a boring, saintly, caricature; in In the Distance, he is fully rounded, totally recognisable and an utter sweetheart all at the same time.
Trevor, at first glance at least, is much harder to like. And, if you’ve read the previous two books, you know there are good reasons why Ethan doesn’t trust Trevor and warns him away from Tyler. But it didn’t take Trevor long to change my views about him. It was impossible to stay upset with him when he’s all too aware of his shortcomings and the first to beat himself up over them. And the care he took with Tyler took my breath away. Trevor had me convinced he wasn’t all bad long before he was willing to believe that of himself. And, honestly, few things are as mesmerizing to read about as a formerly flawed character redeeming himself. And Trevor redeems himself in the best possible way in this book.
I love how these two authors always manage to pull me into their stories. They introduce me to their characters and a few pages later those characters have risen from the page and become real personalities I enjoy having in my life. The conversation between the characters in their books sparkles and sounds real and convincing. What’s more, the story flows with an ease and hooks the reader from the very first moment. With a just about perfect balance between angst and smiles and a total absence of boring moments, In The Distance, will keep you reading until you reach the happy ending.
From the moment I was introduced to Tyler he captured a spot in my heart. He’s such a loving, kind and generous soul despite being rejected by his family and having survived on the streets before Ethan found him. He has every reason to be angry with the world and act out, but does the exact opposite. In the hands of lesser authors Tyler might have ended up as a boring, saintly, caricature; in In the Distance, he is fully rounded, totally recognisable and an utter sweetheart all at the same time.
Trevor, at first glance at least, is much harder to like. And, if you’ve read the previous two books, you know there are good reasons why Ethan doesn’t trust Trevor and warns him away from Tyler. But it didn’t take Trevor long to change my views about him. It was impossible to stay upset with him when he’s all too aware of his shortcomings and the first to beat himself up over them. And the care he took with Tyler took my breath away. Trevor had me convinced he wasn’t all bad long before he was willing to believe that of himself. And, honestly, few things are as mesmerizing to read about as a formerly flawed character redeeming himself. And Trevor redeems himself in the best possible way in this book.
I love how these two authors always manage to pull me into their stories. They introduce me to their characters and a few pages later those characters have risen from the page and become real personalities I enjoy having in my life. The conversation between the characters in their books sparkles and sounds real and convincing. What’s more, the story flows with an ease and hooks the reader from the very first moment. With a just about perfect balance between angst and smiles and a total absence of boring moments, In The Distance, will keep you reading until you reach the happy ending.
June 14, 2015
20% into this book I purchased the first books in the series. It wasn't because I was confused or felt lost... it was because I NEEDED to know Jamie and Ethan's full story ;)
Now that I've gotten that out of my system... on to Tyler and Trevor's story.
I loved Tyler. I can see why Jamie and Ethan cared about him so much. He was more than an employee, he was part of their family. On the flip side I can also see why Tyler felt like he was being smothered. He worked hard at being independent and he didn't want people thinking he couldn't take care of himself. He usually took it in stride, but when it came to who he could and couldn't spend time with it became a little too much.
I suppose if I had read the first two books in the series it might have taken me a little longer to warm up to Trevor. I didn't always agree with his methods, but it was obvious that his heart was in the right place. He never planned on starting a romantic relationship with Tyler. Besides the age difference, he didn't think he was good enough for Tyler. That didn't mean that he wasn't hurt by Ethan and especially Jamie's assumption that he would use Tyler as another conquest.
For as much as the characters in In the Distance cared about each other, they didn't communicate very well. Trevor acted before he thought. Tyler jumped to conclusions before getting all the facts. Jamie and Ethan didn't really give Trevor a chance to prove himself before jumping to the most obvious conclusion. Despite all the stumbling blocks, things eventually worked out. There were times when I wished I could have jumped in and set the characters straight. I love it when authors make me care about characters that much.
I might have to read this one again after I read In the Raw and In the Fire. You know, just to make sure my perspective doesn't change any. ;) I'm also kind of hoping that readers see more of Trevor and Tyler in future books in the In the Kitchen series.
I received In the Distance in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Now that I've gotten that out of my system... on to Tyler and Trevor's story.
I loved Tyler. I can see why Jamie and Ethan cared about him so much. He was more than an employee, he was part of their family. On the flip side I can also see why Tyler felt like he was being smothered. He worked hard at being independent and he didn't want people thinking he couldn't take care of himself. He usually took it in stride, but when it came to who he could and couldn't spend time with it became a little too much.
I suppose if I had read the first two books in the series it might have taken me a little longer to warm up to Trevor. I didn't always agree with his methods, but it was obvious that his heart was in the right place. He never planned on starting a romantic relationship with Tyler. Besides the age difference, he didn't think he was good enough for Tyler. That didn't mean that he wasn't hurt by Ethan and especially Jamie's assumption that he would use Tyler as another conquest.
For as much as the characters in In the Distance cared about each other, they didn't communicate very well. Trevor acted before he thought. Tyler jumped to conclusions before getting all the facts. Jamie and Ethan didn't really give Trevor a chance to prove himself before jumping to the most obvious conclusion. Despite all the stumbling blocks, things eventually worked out. There were times when I wished I could have jumped in and set the characters straight. I love it when authors make me care about characters that much.
I might have to read this one again after I read In the Raw and In the Fire. You know, just to make sure my perspective doesn't change any. ;) I'm also kind of hoping that readers see more of Trevor and Tyler in future books in the In the Kitchen series.
I received In the Distance in exchange for a fair and honest review.
January 16, 2016
3.5 stars
Tyler is a college student who is working his way through culinary school while working at a famous restaurant. Tyler has had a hard life after being thrown out by his parents while still a teen. He has worked hard for everything he has in life and while he's thankful, he's lonely. When his employer's friend Trevor comes in to town for business Tyler finds himself attracted to him despite everyone's warnings that Trevor is a bad guy and he should stay away from him.
The story is a slow burn and follows as the two men become friends and then lovers. Months go by before the men take their relationship to the next step. I thought the characters were well developed and I liked the slow pace of the relationship. It made sense to me. They both had some issues and there was a ten year age gap. While Tyler was not immature he was very inexperienced and I liked that the story showed him taking his time making choices about love and sex. Trevor respected that and gave Tyler his time and space to come to those decisions. Both of the main characters were realistically portrayed and I liked them both a lot.
This was the third book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. I had not read the first two and was able to easily follow along. My only thought was that I might be missing something in regards to Trevor. He was apparently supposed to be a bad guy from the first two books but not having read them I didn't see it here at all. I thought he was a really good guy who made some small mistakes but I didn't really understand the restaurant owner's constant warnings to Tyler. I think I missed out on some of that due to not reading the previous books. That being said, I enjoyed this book enough to go back and read books one and two.
This was my first time reading either author and I was quite pleased. I will definitely be reading more of this series as soon as possible.
Tyler is a college student who is working his way through culinary school while working at a famous restaurant. Tyler has had a hard life after being thrown out by his parents while still a teen. He has worked hard for everything he has in life and while he's thankful, he's lonely. When his employer's friend Trevor comes in to town for business Tyler finds himself attracted to him despite everyone's warnings that Trevor is a bad guy and he should stay away from him.
The story is a slow burn and follows as the two men become friends and then lovers. Months go by before the men take their relationship to the next step. I thought the characters were well developed and I liked the slow pace of the relationship. It made sense to me. They both had some issues and there was a ten year age gap. While Tyler was not immature he was very inexperienced and I liked that the story showed him taking his time making choices about love and sex. Trevor respected that and gave Tyler his time and space to come to those decisions. Both of the main characters were realistically portrayed and I liked them both a lot.
This was the third book in the series and can be read as a stand alone. I had not read the first two and was able to easily follow along. My only thought was that I might be missing something in regards to Trevor. He was apparently supposed to be a bad guy from the first two books but not having read them I didn't see it here at all. I thought he was a really good guy who made some small mistakes but I didn't really understand the restaurant owner's constant warnings to Tyler. I think I missed out on some of that due to not reading the previous books. That being said, I enjoyed this book enough to go back and read books one and two.
This was my first time reading either author and I was quite pleased. I will definitely be reading more of this series as soon as possible.
April 25, 2015
This story is how Tyler Mitchell and Trevor Pratt fall in love. Tyler works for Trevor's best friend and his husband. Trevor comes to town and visits and they start up a friendship of their own. Is there something more? Do they want there to be?
Tyler was kicked out of his home for coming out. His parents chose their religion over their own son. He feels rejected by everyone, before they even get a chance to reject him. Work an school are what he lives for. Now, he realizes just how lonely the life he is chosen feels.
Trevor used to party all the time. Take someone home and leave. Nothing serious - not since his best friend found love with someone else. He does not want that kind of pain again. He is just being a player since that is the best way to protect his heart, or so he thinks.
Tyler and Trevor find they have a lot in common. They like one another. Genuine like one another. They find each other witty, charming, fun and yes attractive. It is nice to flirt and feel like a human again. Both of them have locked up their emotions and play it safe. Until now.
I found this story to be extremely compelling. I liked the strong and honest characters and I felt at the end, that I had witnessed the development. I missed the first books in the series, In the Kitchen - you do not need to read it to enjoy this book, however, I enjoyed the characters so much I cannot wait to read it!
***This ARC copy was given free from Netgalley.com and its publishers, for review purposes only. My honest opinion does not reflect Netgalley nor its affiliates.
Tyler was kicked out of his home for coming out. His parents chose their religion over their own son. He feels rejected by everyone, before they even get a chance to reject him. Work an school are what he lives for. Now, he realizes just how lonely the life he is chosen feels.
Trevor used to party all the time. Take someone home and leave. Nothing serious - not since his best friend found love with someone else. He does not want that kind of pain again. He is just being a player since that is the best way to protect his heart, or so he thinks.
Tyler and Trevor find they have a lot in common. They like one another. Genuine like one another. They find each other witty, charming, fun and yes attractive. It is nice to flirt and feel like a human again. Both of them have locked up their emotions and play it safe. Until now.
I found this story to be extremely compelling. I liked the strong and honest characters and I felt at the end, that I had witnessed the development. I missed the first books in the series, In the Kitchen - you do not need to read it to enjoy this book, however, I enjoyed the characters so much I cannot wait to read it!
***This ARC copy was given free from Netgalley.com and its publishers, for review purposes only. My honest opinion does not reflect Netgalley nor its affiliates.
May 27, 2015
When I initially requested In the Distance on NetGalley I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t realize it was a series. I’m sure it was there on the synopsis and the notes but all I saw was “ooohh…mm romance” that I know I wasn’t paying very much attention when I requested to read it. Once I did realize it though, I went onto Amazon and decided to play catch up. I bought both In the Raw and In the Kitchen and when I tell you that I couldn’t get enough of this series, it isn’t an exaggeration.
Ethan and Jamie. Couldn’t have two different people from two totally different worlds. While they aren’t the focus of In the Distance, they are the whole reason our main characters even meet. Trevor had a lot of redeeming to do, probably the most but Tyler, he was given a crap deal out of life. Sure there was an age difference as well but Tyler was well beyond his age in maturity.
I think out of the entire series, In the Distance was my favorite. I don’t know if it was because I hated Trevor in the previous books but somehow by the end of this one I loved him. Or if it was because Tyler and his selfless ways had me loving him from page one. I can’t tell. But I will say that this series is full of love, friendship, and a whole lot more.
Ethan and Jamie. Couldn’t have two different people from two totally different worlds. While they aren’t the focus of In the Distance, they are the whole reason our main characters even meet. Trevor had a lot of redeeming to do, probably the most but Tyler, he was given a crap deal out of life. Sure there was an age difference as well but Tyler was well beyond his age in maturity.
I think out of the entire series, In the Distance was my favorite. I don’t know if it was because I hated Trevor in the previous books but somehow by the end of this one I loved him. Or if it was because Tyler and his selfless ways had me loving him from page one. I can’t tell. But I will say that this series is full of love, friendship, and a whole lot more.
September 12, 2015
You know, I have to say that this entire series was like a perfect vacation. One book after another of wonderful and fabulous writing. When Eileen and Nikka introduce us to Tyler in book 2 I was hoping we’d hear his story. I didn’t in a million years think it would entwine with Trevor. Perhaps it’s true that opposites attract.
So, Tyler was kicked out of his home for being gay. He doesn’t get to see his brother or sister, he was homeless until Ethan found him and he and Jamie adopted him (Not officially) “Tyler’s gay daddies” lol. In comes rich, handsome, charismatic Trevor. Trevor can’t understand the life Tyler has lived, but one thing that I noticed was even though Trevor’s life has been easy peasy I imagine that’s just as frustrating getting people to understand.
I thought Tyler was a little hard on him at times and though I’m glad Trevor stuck with it “All in the name of love” I know if I was Trevor I’d have been a bit peeved. BUT all’s well that ends well. Each man is the hero. They save each other and the heal each other. Most importantly, they love each other.
In the Kitchen series has got to be one of the best culinary love story series I’ve ever read and I very highly recommend all 3 of these books.
So, Tyler was kicked out of his home for being gay. He doesn’t get to see his brother or sister, he was homeless until Ethan found him and he and Jamie adopted him (Not officially) “Tyler’s gay daddies” lol. In comes rich, handsome, charismatic Trevor. Trevor can’t understand the life Tyler has lived, but one thing that I noticed was even though Trevor’s life has been easy peasy I imagine that’s just as frustrating getting people to understand.
I thought Tyler was a little hard on him at times and though I’m glad Trevor stuck with it “All in the name of love” I know if I was Trevor I’d have been a bit peeved. BUT all’s well that ends well. Each man is the hero. They save each other and the heal each other. Most importantly, they love each other.
In the Kitchen series has got to be one of the best culinary love story series I’ve ever read and I very highly recommend all 3 of these books.
November 4, 2015
What a turnaround - from a character I really hated in the last book - Trevor turns out to be such a sweetheart. So patient and giving. Don't get me wrong he is still snarky with Ethan as it should be but he really becomes someone that we feel for. Tyler's character is a bit wishy washy. I understand that he can't trust anyone and is shy, but he ran so hot and cold. I would have been okay with it since he is really just a kid but the storey touts how mature and 'old soul' he is. I did see that some but mostly it was making Trevor feel guilty about a lot of things.
Did really like that e characters took time to get to know each other and even when they finally 'hooked up' it was sweet, gentle yet oh so hot. LOVED the interaction texting/calls between the two when they were apart.
Did really like that e characters took time to get to know each other and even when they finally 'hooked up' it was sweet, gentle yet oh so hot. LOVED the interaction texting/calls between the two when they were apart.
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