What do you think?
Rate this book
Stone Fruit Summer: A Deliciously Messy Friends to Lovers Summer Romance
From the author of THE GATHER SERIES...
He spent seven years feeding everybody but himself.
Chef Dillion Duckworth III can braise an oxtail until it surrenders, run the most exclusive restaurant in Westonberry, and smile for a magazine that just named him Most Eligible Bachelor. What he cannot do is tell his best friend he's been in love with her since the day she walked into his kitchen out of the rain — soaked to the bone, with the wrong order and no apology for it.
Seven years of holding the door. Seven years of picking up the phone at 2 a.m. Seven years of watching a woman he'd burn the world for keep choosing a man who wouldn't cross the street for her.
Then one Valentine's night forced his hand, and what's between him and Aurelia has been curdling quietly for four months since.
Now it's summer on Everhart Hollow, the island where the wealthy summer and everybody's grandmother owns a house with a name. Dillion has brought Madeline Dubois to his family's estate. She's beautiful, she's certain about him, and she's asking for the one thing he swore he could finally give a clean start, with nothing simmering underneath.
He almost believes he can do it.
But summer in Roena County means storm season. And the thing about an island is that the ferry runs both ways.
Stone Fruit Summer is a steamy, food-drenched, all-male-POV Black contemporary romance about the cost of loving somebody right, the mess of loving somebody late, and the summer that finally forced a good man to choose. Guaranteed happily ever after. No cliffhanger.
Turn the first page and take the ferry.
Also by Jhéanell Promise, Books 1 & 2 (The Gather Series) and Everyone Falls in 14 Valentine's Day Stories From Around Roena County
He spent seven years feeding everybody but himself.
Chef Dillion Duckworth III can braise an oxtail until it surrenders, run the most exclusive restaurant in Westonberry, and smile for a magazine that just named him Most Eligible Bachelor. What he cannot do is tell his best friend he's been in love with her since the day she walked into his kitchen out of the rain — soaked to the bone, with the wrong order and no apology for it.
Seven years of holding the door. Seven years of picking up the phone at 2 a.m. Seven years of watching a woman he'd burn the world for keep choosing a man who wouldn't cross the street for her.
Then one Valentine's night forced his hand, and what's between him and Aurelia has been curdling quietly for four months since.
Now it's summer on Everhart Hollow, the island where the wealthy summer and everybody's grandmother owns a house with a name. Dillion has brought Madeline Dubois to his family's estate. She's beautiful, she's certain about him, and she's asking for the one thing he swore he could finally give a clean start, with nothing simmering underneath.
He almost believes he can do it.
But summer in Roena County means storm season. And the thing about an island is that the ferry runs both ways.
Stone Fruit Summer is a steamy, food-drenched, all-male-POV Black contemporary romance about the cost of loving somebody right, the mess of loving somebody late, and the summer that finally forced a good man to choose. Guaranteed happily ever after. No cliffhanger.
Turn the first page and take the ferry.
Also by Jhéanell Promise, Books 1 & 2 (The Gather Series) and Everyone Falls in 14 Valentine's Day Stories From Around Roena County
272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
September 16, 2026
3.5⭐️
The beginning of the book had me locked in. Funny, cute banter, messy, and emotional…. But somewhere along the way it lost me with all of the flashbacks to the past. Butttttt that could be me because I hate flashbacks. Especially when they are long and excessive. It was very hard to care about any of that. But then 50% in it pulled me back and that was some messy ass shit indeed. Whew. I loved the aspect of this being told solely from the MMC’s pov…… butttt I am a dual pov person when it comes to romance so that too pulled me out of the story at times. I feel like if we had gotten some of Ru’s thoughts about what was going on while it was happening it would have made the story stronger. All in all I enjoyed the story for what it was. Bestfriends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.
The beginning of the book had me locked in. Funny, cute banter, messy, and emotional…. But somewhere along the way it lost me with all of the flashbacks to the past. Butttttt that could be me because I hate flashbacks. Especially when they are long and excessive. It was very hard to care about any of that. But then 50% in it pulled me back and that was some messy ass shit indeed. Whew. I loved the aspect of this being told solely from the MMC’s pov…… butttt I am a dual pov person when it comes to romance so that too pulled me out of the story at times. I feel like if we had gotten some of Ru’s thoughts about what was going on while it was happening it would have made the story stronger. All in all I enjoyed the story for what it was. Bestfriends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.
September 4, 2026
I throughly enjoyed this messy book! Dillion and Aurelia were made for each other. Everyone knew it but they were denying it as to not ruin the “friendship” which irritated me.
Do I dislike Dillion? No.
Was he wrong? Yes.
Could he and Aurelia have waited? Yes, but that scene created the drama and I was here for it.
Do I feel for Madeline? No, she should have trusted her intuition and walked away from the situation. Follow his actions, not listen to his words.
Overall this was a good read and a new to me author that I can’t wait to read more from.
Do I dislike Dillion? No.
Was he wrong? Yes.
Could he and Aurelia have waited? Yes, but that scene created the drama and I was here for it.
Do I feel for Madeline? No, she should have trusted her intuition and walked away from the situation. Follow his actions, not listen to his words.
Overall this was a good read and a new to me author that I can’t wait to read more from.
August 24, 2026
This was soooo MESSSY!!! However I loved the writing and I loved that it was from the MMC pov very different and entertaining. Dillion and Aurelia know they wrong for how they did Madeline they could have waited.
September 21, 2026
Dillion Duckworth III is the man around town. He’s the head chef and owner of the popular restaurant Capa Dillion and he’s recently been named the Most Eligible Bachelor of Westonberry. Life is pretty damn good right now and Dillion has everything he wants except for the one thing he can’t have. He’s been in love with Aurelia since the day they met seven years ago but, she’s currently entangled in a relationship she can’t seem to find her way out of. When he puts his heart on the line and tells Aurelia how he really feels about her, things don’t go as he hoped they would. Four months later, Dillion is in Everhart Hollow still tryin’ to get over the pain of losing his best friend and movin’ on with someone new. But, it’s hard to move on when the past comes knockin’ at your door.
I straddled the fence with these characters because, all of em’ were likable and dislikable at the same time. Dillion was in love with his best friend who was in a relationship and didn’t have the emotional maturity to walk away. When he couldn’t have the woman he wanted, he did what all men do. He settled for someone else and hoped for the best. Aurelia was an enigma because, the author didn’t give us a lot of background on her. Other than a reference to her being a former model in Paris, we don't really know anything about Arelia. So, it was hard to understand why she refused to leave a relationship that was clearly toxic and borderline abusive. Madeline is that girl. She comes from an affluent family that has strong ties to Westonberry and she’s been not so secretly attracted to Dillion since they were teenagers. She finally shoots her shot and gets the man she’s been wanting since she was 16 years old. Or, so she thought. Any sympathy I may have had for Madeline quickly evaporated when she turned a blind eye to the red flags two piecin’ her in the face. After the conversation they had, she knew exactly what it was with Dillion but, she refused to take the out. Madeline definitely didn’t deserve the shyt Dillion and Arelia pulled but, the choices she made afterwards, were on her. Stone Fruit Summer is another small town messy read and I was here for all the salaciousness. I absolutely loved that this book was completely written from Dillion’s POV. More of this please. Jhéanell Westonberry is a NTM author and I look forward to reading more from her.
I straddled the fence with these characters because, all of em’ were likable and dislikable at the same time. Dillion was in love with his best friend who was in a relationship and didn’t have the emotional maturity to walk away. When he couldn’t have the woman he wanted, he did what all men do. He settled for someone else and hoped for the best. Aurelia was an enigma because, the author didn’t give us a lot of background on her. Other than a reference to her being a former model in Paris, we don't really know anything about Arelia. So, it was hard to understand why she refused to leave a relationship that was clearly toxic and borderline abusive. Madeline is that girl. She comes from an affluent family that has strong ties to Westonberry and she’s been not so secretly attracted to Dillion since they were teenagers. She finally shoots her shot and gets the man she’s been wanting since she was 16 years old. Or, so she thought. Any sympathy I may have had for Madeline quickly evaporated when she turned a blind eye to the red flags two piecin’ her in the face. After the conversation they had, she knew exactly what it was with Dillion but, she refused to take the out. Madeline definitely didn’t deserve the shyt Dillion and Arelia pulled but, the choices she made afterwards, were on her. Stone Fruit Summer is another small town messy read and I was here for all the salaciousness. I absolutely loved that this book was completely written from Dillion’s POV. More of this please. Jhéanell Westonberry is a NTM author and I look forward to reading more from her.
August 30, 2026
The story was good
I enjoyed reading about this couple. It wasn't a traditional love story, yet it was a very good idea.
I enjoyed reading about this couple. It wasn't a traditional love story, yet it was a very good idea.
August 24, 2026
4.5⭐️
Ducky & Ru 🫶🏽 Was it messy to get to their HEA? Yessss but can’t nothing or nobody stop what was meant to be!
Ducky & Ru 🫶🏽 Was it messy to get to their HEA? Yessss but can’t nothing or nobody stop what was meant to be!
September 2, 2026
This just wasn't for me. I like characters that I can root for and these two were not it.
The entire book was written in the male POV, which I was initially intrigued by, but at some points, I found myself wanting Aurelia's POV. Despite all Dillion's yearning, I didn't feel like there was enough of her shared to be yearning for. Her character felt too flat and it was hard to see exactly what he saw in her. I love a doting MMC but he literally was just taking care of her all the time.
Then after months of minimal contact, Aurelia came back outta nowhere on Little Caesar's time (hot and ready). It was mentioned she went to therapy in a sentence, but we didn't get to see that. It made their reunion feel one dimensional, even with all the dramatic monologues.
And when they damn near had sex with Madeline upstairs, all Dillion's yearning became fuck boy cover up. He really played with that woman's time and right in her face too. All the yearning, the care for Aurelia he kept going on and on about was supposed to make me understand his plight. Nuh-uh. After how he did Madeline, it just made him cringey for me. I'm sure Madeline will find her HEA in another book and I look forward to hearing about it.
I'd give the writing a solid 3.5. There were very minimal typos, but it was repetitive and long-winded. Probably could've shaved at least 30 pages off this book and nothing would be changed. Things were told to us and then shown too. There were flashbacks we didn't need that weren't always well-placed. For example, that long flashback during the first penetrative sex scene was disruptive. And there were a lot of lengthy emotional declarations that happened too often for me.
All that said, I finished the book and there were things I liked about Stone Fruit Summer. The characters felt Black without leaning on harmful stereotypes or trying too hard. The male voice in Dillion's POV was good. It felt like I was actually inside a man's head. And I really liked the setting too. It gave Martha's Vineyard.
While Stone Fruit Summer missed the mark for me, I'd recommend it to those who like a good messy read. I'm clearly in the minority so don't let my review stop you from checking it out.
The entire book was written in the male POV, which I was initially intrigued by, but at some points, I found myself wanting Aurelia's POV. Despite all Dillion's yearning, I didn't feel like there was enough of her shared to be yearning for. Her character felt too flat and it was hard to see exactly what he saw in her. I love a doting MMC but he literally was just taking care of her all the time.
Then after months of minimal contact, Aurelia came back outta nowhere on Little Caesar's time (hot and ready). It was mentioned she went to therapy in a sentence, but we didn't get to see that. It made their reunion feel one dimensional, even with all the dramatic monologues.
And when they damn near had sex with Madeline upstairs, all Dillion's yearning became fuck boy cover up. He really played with that woman's time and right in her face too. All the yearning, the care for Aurelia he kept going on and on about was supposed to make me understand his plight. Nuh-uh. After how he did Madeline, it just made him cringey for me. I'm sure Madeline will find her HEA in another book and I look forward to hearing about it.
I'd give the writing a solid 3.5. There were very minimal typos, but it was repetitive and long-winded. Probably could've shaved at least 30 pages off this book and nothing would be changed. Things were told to us and then shown too. There were flashbacks we didn't need that weren't always well-placed. For example, that long flashback during the first penetrative sex scene was disruptive. And there were a lot of lengthy emotional declarations that happened too often for me.
All that said, I finished the book and there were things I liked about Stone Fruit Summer. The characters felt Black without leaning on harmful stereotypes or trying too hard. The male voice in Dillion's POV was good. It felt like I was actually inside a man's head. And I really liked the setting too. It gave Martha's Vineyard.
While Stone Fruit Summer missed the mark for me, I'd recommend it to those who like a good messy read. I'm clearly in the minority so don't let my review stop you from checking it out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2026
Very messy indeed!! 😌 But I’m glad Ducky and Ru got it right.
September 3, 2026
Messsssy HEA
Chillllle this was me as all the MESS was unfolding!
So boom imagine loving your best friend for 7 years and when you spill your heart to her she isn't ready to choose you. So, you TRY to move on. You are stumbling along like a newborn trying to find their footing and after several months you are finally walking straight, but every now and then you still lean slightly because that one person isn't there to keep you on the straight path. You finally decide to settle. You can have a good life, maybe not the best but some version is better than nothing. However, the love of your life comes through like a WRECKING BALL💣 and baby you lose your logical mind. I love when a man is UNDONE about a woman and that is what Dillion was. Despite everything he has been taught, all that ish goes out the door and these two see and feel nothing but each other leaving all types of mess in their wake. They know they were dead wrong with how they handled that Madeline situation. But with the prize being their HEA, the cost seems to fit the bill🤷🏾♀️
I loved that this was from the male pov. I am not sure I've ever read a book where it's 100% the male pov 🤔 I was iffy at first, but that's why I'm not an author because it was executed perfectly. I feel like Dillion was really a good man, but even a good man can be flawed especially when love is on the line. The love was loud and strong the way I like it. The pacing was just right, it kept you on edge just enough to feel the heartbreak, pain, and the love.
Chillllle this was me as all the MESS was unfolding!
So boom imagine loving your best friend for 7 years and when you spill your heart to her she isn't ready to choose you. So, you TRY to move on. You are stumbling along like a newborn trying to find their footing and after several months you are finally walking straight, but every now and then you still lean slightly because that one person isn't there to keep you on the straight path. You finally decide to settle. You can have a good life, maybe not the best but some version is better than nothing. However, the love of your life comes through like a WRECKING BALL💣 and baby you lose your logical mind. I love when a man is UNDONE about a woman and that is what Dillion was. Despite everything he has been taught, all that ish goes out the door and these two see and feel nothing but each other leaving all types of mess in their wake. They know they were dead wrong with how they handled that Madeline situation. But with the prize being their HEA, the cost seems to fit the bill🤷🏾♀️
I loved that this was from the male pov. I am not sure I've ever read a book where it's 100% the male pov 🤔 I was iffy at first, but that's why I'm not an author because it was executed perfectly. I feel like Dillion was really a good man, but even a good man can be flawed especially when love is on the line. The love was loud and strong the way I like it. The pacing was just right, it kept you on edge just enough to feel the heartbreak, pain, and the love.
September 7, 2026
I loved this book. This was friends to lovers on a different level. Aurelia in the beginning was super selfish. I was staring to really hate her character. The fact that she was letting that man play in her face was nuts. then she had someone that was there for her time after time... Damn Dillion was on that shit with that kitchen scene. Madeline should have popped them both in the mouth.
September 2, 2026
2.5 Dillion still trash for what he did to Madeline and I don’t care if he continue to say he is a good man. He deserves to be with Ru and all of her chaos. This book was longer than it needed to be and I didn’t care for the flashback. I do like the small town feel and the fact that Ru was the one to try and get him back because he begged to be with her. Overall this is a BOOKCLUB read that will be discuss soon. I do like the fact that the FMC was a chief and the FMC was a stay at home fiancé basically.
August 23, 2026
7 years = Completion
I didn’t expect this book to have me captivated. I’ve rarely read a romance book from the male perspective but I loved every bit of it. The vulnerability displayed throughout the pages showcase the type of man Chef Dillion Duckworth is. Patient, protective, professional, and primal to the core. Longing for his best friend Aurelia who to me didn’t seem to know her worth in gold and took for granted the friendship Dillion gave her.
The internal dialogue of Dillion gave more depth of the man he became. The inner conflicts, flashbacks, and self reflections made the internal dialogue texts creatively placed throughout the storyline.
Messy friends to lovers is an understatement. The mess they left in their aftermath was as vast as ship wreckage. I mean Dillion & Aurelia left some causalities trying to find their way to each other. 7 years to realize they were each other’s perfect match.
I didn’t expect this book to have me captivated. I’ve rarely read a romance book from the male perspective but I loved every bit of it. The vulnerability displayed throughout the pages showcase the type of man Chef Dillion Duckworth is. Patient, protective, professional, and primal to the core. Longing for his best friend Aurelia who to me didn’t seem to know her worth in gold and took for granted the friendship Dillion gave her.
The internal dialogue of Dillion gave more depth of the man he became. The inner conflicts, flashbacks, and self reflections made the internal dialogue texts creatively placed throughout the storyline.
Messy friends to lovers is an understatement. The mess they left in their aftermath was as vast as ship wreckage. I mean Dillion & Aurelia left some causalities trying to find their way to each other. 7 years to realize they were each other’s perfect match.
September 2, 2026
Well this was different! I don’t think I’ve ever read a book solely with the mmc’s POV. Dillion had been pining for his bff for so long, it was interesting to get only his inner dialogue, to hear his conflicts, reflections, and vulnerability.
Now Dillion & Aurelia know they did Maddy wrong but nothing wasn’t holding them apart anymore after 7 years they finally figure it out.
Now Dillion & Aurelia know they did Maddy wrong but nothing wasn’t holding them apart anymore after 7 years they finally figure it out.
September 16, 2026
4⭐️ Miss Jheanell the author you are. You wrote this book so beautifully . The analogies, The Yearning, the emotions you did that. I really enjoyed this book from the Male perspective. I think it was unique especially since 98% of books are told from the woman . .
Dillion AKA dilly duck was a chef . . A damn good one. The author had me wanting to eat some of his creations especially that short rib & ice cream. . I didn’t like the way he did Madeline . . I don’t think she deserved that. Especially after she kept asking him the hard questions & he kept telling her lies . In the end i was happy he was honest with himself & knowing it was never going to be her . .
Madeline a better woman than I’ll ever be . After chapter 6 it wouldn’t have been no book because all the characters would’ve been dead 😭
Ru …… idk how you put up with Asher for 6 years idk girl did that man ever like you ???
Overall im happy Dilly duck & Silly duck got their HEA ❤️. .
Dillion AKA dilly duck was a chef . . A damn good one. The author had me wanting to eat some of his creations especially that short rib & ice cream. . I didn’t like the way he did Madeline . . I don’t think she deserved that. Especially after she kept asking him the hard questions & he kept telling her lies . In the end i was happy he was honest with himself & knowing it was never going to be her . .
Madeline a better woman than I’ll ever be . After chapter 6 it wouldn’t have been no book because all the characters would’ve been dead 😭
Ru …… idk how you put up with Asher for 6 years idk girl did that man ever like you ???
Overall im happy Dilly duck & Silly duck got their HEA ❤️. .
October 23, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
¡Mierda! Cinco estrellas, seis estrellas, ocho estrellas, nueve estrellas… ¡las que hagan falta! ¡Qué buen libro! ¡Qué buena narración! ¡Qué buena historia! No sé cómo explicarles lo que sentí mientras leía este libro. Me lo leí todo de seguido y, de verdad, estoy demasiado feliz de haberme encontrado con esta historia.
Yo entré únicamente por la portada, porque era exactamente lo que quería leer. Vi que era un friends to lovers y dije: «Adentro». Pero lo que no sabía era todo lo que me iba a encontrar una vez que comenzara a leer. Dios mío, ¡fue buenísimo!
Hablemos de que el prólogo tiene más de ochenta páginas. ¡Una locura! Pero, nena, ese prólogo estuvo perfecto de principio a fin. Yo sentí absolutamente todo. Me encapriché de los personajes desde esas primeras páginas y supe que estaba dentro. Solo con ese prólogo ya me tenían atrapada, y valió la pena cada segundo.
Dios mío, cada vez que avanzaba un capítulo y la pareja no estaba junta como yo quería, me dolía. ¡Me dolía de verdad! Yo me sentía como si fuera la protagonista. Él estaba sufriendo por amor y yo estaba sufriendo por amor. Ella estaba triste y yo estaba triste. No sé cómo explicarlo, pero terminé sintiendo la historia como si me estuviera pasando a mí. Me reía cuando no tenía que reírme, me emocionaba cuando no tenía que emocionarme y amaba cada vez más a estos personajes.
¡Qué historia tan buena! Me encantó la incomodidad, la tensión, la llegada de los demás personajes, los momentos bonitos, los momentos dolorosos… Todo. Absolutamente todo.
Y hablemos de ellos dos, porque esta pareja estuvo buenísima. Los actos que él tenía con ella, los actos que ella tenía con él y esa manera de complementarse… ¡Dios mío! Es que ellos ya eran un equipo. Desde el momento en que cruzaron miradas cuando ella llegó al restaurante empapada por la lluvia, ellos ya eran un equipo. De principio a fin, desde el inicio hasta el final, siempre lo fueron.
Y eso es lo que más me gustó de su relación: que, aunque otras personas intentaran interferir o separar ese equipo, había algo entre ellos que permanecía. Se conocían, se entendían y tenían una conexión que se sentía incluso cuando las cosas no estaban saliendo como yo quería. Me encantó verlos juntos, me encantó verlos sufrir y me encantó ver cómo se complementaban. ¡Me encantó todo!
Por cierto, este es el primer libro que leo narrado completamente desde la perspectiva de un hombre, y fue una experiencia demasiado interesante. Me gustó muchísimo porque siento que esta historia necesitaba precisamente una narración masculina como la de él. Si el protagonista hubiera sido otro tipo de hombre, probablemente la narrativa, las expresiones y las situaciones habrían sido completamente diferentes. Su manera de ver el mundo le dio algo especial a la historia.
Incluso cuando él tenía actitudes crueles, la forma en que estaban narradas me hacía entender mejor su personalidad y sus motivaciones. No significa que todo lo que hiciera estuviera bien, pero sí que podía comprenderlo desde su perspectiva. Y eso me encantó.
También amé el dialecto y la manera en que se comunicaban. ¡Dios mío, cómo me gustaba cuando empezaban a hablar en francés de repente y los demás no entendían nada! Ellos ahí, hablando francés como si nada, mientras el resto se quedaba fuera de la conversación. Me encantaba esa complicidad.
Y después estaba la manera en que utilizaban el lenguaje de él, el de la cocina, para hacer referencias y comunicarse entre ellos. Al principio yo no terminaba de entender algunas de esas cosas, pero, a medida que avanzaba la historia, todo iba cobrando sentido. Y cuando finalmente entendías las referencias y los chistes, pensabas: «¡Guau! ¡Todo este tiempo!». Me voló la cabeza. Me encantó cómo la autora construyó esos detalles y cómo consiguió que tuvieran significado dentro de la relación.
Estoy muy feliz de estar viva para haber leído esta historia, ¿sabes? Este libro me dio algo que todavía no sé explicar bien, pero fue precioso. Me hizo sentir viva cada vez que lo leía. Si tuviera que elegir una de mis historias favoritas, creo que esta estaría entre las primeras, porque me encantó de principio a fin.
Y no era para nada lo que esperaba. ¡Para nada! Cada cosa que sucedía me hacía reaccionar. Cuando el señor de la tienda le dijo que su apuesta era su mejor amiga, yo estaba como: «¡Dios mío! ¡Dios mío! ¿Qué está pasando aquí?». Cada momento me hacía sentir algo diferente, y yo solo podía pensar en lo bonitos que eran esos dos.
Es una pareja que me hace sonreír incluso cuando recuerdo la historia después de haberla terminado. Son demasiado lindos, a pesar de todas las situaciones por las que tuvieron que pasar.
También me gustó muchísimo cómo ella explicó lo que estaba ocurriendo. No se limitó a justificarse ni a responder como si no hubiera nada que explicar. Se plantó firme y expresó lo que tenía que decir. Me gustó que pudiera defender su posición y explicar sus razones sin dejar que los demás decidieran por ella cómo debía sentirse o actuar.
De verdad, fue una historia preciosa. La narración, los personajes, la tensión romántica, los detalles de su relación y la manera en que todo se iba conectando hicieron que disfrutara muchísimo la lectura. No sé cómo expresarles todo lo que sentí, pero hacía tiempo que no me encontraba con una historia que me hiciera involucrarme de esta manera.
Ahora bien, aunque le estoy dando todas las estrellas posibles, hay algunas cosas que quiero comentar porque también me hicieron reflexionar. A partir de aquí hay SPOILERS IMPORTANTES. Si todavía no has leído el libro, bebé, detente aquí y vuelve cuando lo hayas terminado.
SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS.
Cuando Madeline —creo que ese era su nombre, porque entre Catherine y Madeline ya no sé cuál era— baja y encuentra a los dos protagonistas en esa situación, Ru se esconde detrás de él. Entonces ella empieza a insultar a Aurélia y a decir que ahora entiende por qué él no podía tener una relación: porque su mejor amiga era una puta.
Y aquí tengo que reconocer que el protagonista actuó muy bien. No permitió que Madeline descargara toda su rabia contra Aurélia. Le dijo que, si tenía algo que reclamar, lo hiciera con él, porque las promesas se las había hecho él y no ella. Él era quien tenía que hacerse responsable de sus propias decisiones.
Eso me encantó. La defendió, puso los límites y le dio a cada quien su lugar. En ese momento pensé: «Perfecto. Espectacular. Premio para ti».
Pero hay algo que no me terminó de cuadrar de Madeline. Al final, ella salió de toda esa situación como una reina, como una auténtica iconica, pero, si nos fijamos en lo que dijo, a él solamente le reprochó que fuera malo, mientras que a Aurélia sí la llamó puta.
Y, mi linda, aquí es donde me entra la duda.
Madeline sabía desde hacía tiempo que existía esa historia entre mejores amigos. Sabía que había una mujer importante en la vida de ese hombre. Si conocía su reputación y sabía el nombre de su mejor amiga, ¿de verdad nunca relacionó las cosas? Y cuando el señor de la tienda mencionó que había apostado por Aurélia, ¿cómo no iba a sospechar?
Ella misma reconoció que lo sabía, pero que se estaba engañando. Y entiendo que estuviera enfadada, que se sintiera herida y que reaccionara desde el dolor. Eso no lo discuto. Pero me pareció injusto que toda esa rabia terminara convirtiéndose en un insulto dirigido a la otra mujer y no al hombre....
Ahora, vamos con Aurélia, porque aquí también tengo algo que decir.
Cuando ella decidió involucrarse con él, sabía que había otra mujer en su casa. Él nunca se lo ocultó: siempre le dijo que tenía a alguien, que había una persona importante. Y ella decidió que no le importaba. Básicamente, dijo: «Este es mi hombre».
Y, Aurélia, mi linda, yo te beso y te aplaudo por tener claro lo que querías. Si tú sabías cuál era la situación y decidiste seguir adelante, esa fue tu decisión.
Pero entonces, ¿por qué después te afecta tanto que la otra mujer te insulte? ¿Por qué empiezas a preguntarte si te odia?
Bebé, tú sabías que ella existía. Sabías que él debia tener una historia con ella y que esa ida a su casa significaba algo. No puedes decir que no te importaba cuando decidiste involucrarte con él y, después, sentirte tan afectada por la reacción de esa mujer. Si tomaste esa decisión sabiendo lo que había, también tenías que entender que podía haber consecuencias emocionales.
Y no estoy diciendo que Madeline tuviera derecho a insultarla. No lo tenía. Lo que digo es que me pareció un poquito contradictorio que Aurélia aceptara la situación cuando le convenía, pero después pareciera sorprendida por el dolor y la rabia que esa misma situación podía provocar en otra persona.
También me hizo pensar el tema de la infidelidad de Aurélia a su exnovio. Él era una mala persona, sí, pero eso no cambia el hecho de que ella le fue infiel. Y también estuvo la situación en la que acepta que este chico se acostara con ella mientras había otra mujer arriba.
La propia Aurélia vuelve sobre esas situaciones y plantea la posibilidad de que estuviera convirtiéndose en alguien que no quería ser. Y ahí me quedé pensando: si en ese momento no te importó lo que estabas haciendo, ¿por qué empezar a castigarte después por ello?
No sé, mi linda. Siento que hay una diferencia entre reconocer que hiciste algo que pudo lastimar a otra persona y empezar a cuestionar tu valor como mujer por lo que hiciste. Son dos cosas diferentes, y creo que esa distinción es importante.
En definitiva, hay decisiones de estos personajes que me hicieron reflexionar y que no necesariamente comparto, pero eso no cambia cuánto disfruté la historia. De hecho, me gusta que un libro que me encantó también me haga detenerme a pensar en las acciones de sus protagonistas, en sus contradicciones y en las consecuencias de sus decisiones.
¡Mierda! Cinco estrellas, seis estrellas, ocho estrellas, nueve estrellas… ¡las que hagan falta! ¡Qué buen libro! ¡Qué buena narración! ¡Qué buena historia! No sé cómo explicarles lo que sentí mientras leía este libro. Me lo leí todo de seguido y, de verdad, estoy demasiado feliz de haberme encontrado con esta historia.
Yo entré únicamente por la portada, porque era exactamente lo que quería leer. Vi que era un friends to lovers y dije: «Adentro». Pero lo que no sabía era todo lo que me iba a encontrar una vez que comenzara a leer. Dios mío, ¡fue buenísimo!
Hablemos de que el prólogo tiene más de ochenta páginas. ¡Una locura! Pero, nena, ese prólogo estuvo perfecto de principio a fin. Yo sentí absolutamente todo. Me encapriché de los personajes desde esas primeras páginas y supe que estaba dentro. Solo con ese prólogo ya me tenían atrapada, y valió la pena cada segundo.
Dios mío, cada vez que avanzaba un capítulo y la pareja no estaba junta como yo quería, me dolía. ¡Me dolía de verdad! Yo me sentía como si fuera la protagonista. Él estaba sufriendo por amor y yo estaba sufriendo por amor. Ella estaba triste y yo estaba triste. No sé cómo explicarlo, pero terminé sintiendo la historia como si me estuviera pasando a mí. Me reía cuando no tenía que reírme, me emocionaba cuando no tenía que emocionarme y amaba cada vez más a estos personajes.
¡Qué historia tan buena! Me encantó la incomodidad, la tensión, la llegada de los demás personajes, los momentos bonitos, los momentos dolorosos… Todo. Absolutamente todo.
Y hablemos de ellos dos, porque esta pareja estuvo buenísima. Los actos que él tenía con ella, los actos que ella tenía con él y esa manera de complementarse… ¡Dios mío! Es que ellos ya eran un equipo. Desde el momento en que cruzaron miradas cuando ella llegó al restaurante empapada por la lluvia, ellos ya eran un equipo. De principio a fin, desde el inicio hasta el final, siempre lo fueron.
Y eso es lo que más me gustó de su relación: que, aunque otras personas intentaran interferir o separar ese equipo, había algo entre ellos que permanecía. Se conocían, se entendían y tenían una conexión que se sentía incluso cuando las cosas no estaban saliendo como yo quería. Me encantó verlos juntos, me encantó verlos sufrir y me encantó ver cómo se complementaban. ¡Me encantó todo!
Por cierto, este es el primer libro que leo narrado completamente desde la perspectiva de un hombre, y fue una experiencia demasiado interesante. Me gustó muchísimo porque siento que esta historia necesitaba precisamente una narración masculina como la de él. Si el protagonista hubiera sido otro tipo de hombre, probablemente la narrativa, las expresiones y las situaciones habrían sido completamente diferentes. Su manera de ver el mundo le dio algo especial a la historia.
Incluso cuando él tenía actitudes crueles, la forma en que estaban narradas me hacía entender mejor su personalidad y sus motivaciones. No significa que todo lo que hiciera estuviera bien, pero sí que podía comprenderlo desde su perspectiva. Y eso me encantó.
También amé el dialecto y la manera en que se comunicaban. ¡Dios mío, cómo me gustaba cuando empezaban a hablar en francés de repente y los demás no entendían nada! Ellos ahí, hablando francés como si nada, mientras el resto se quedaba fuera de la conversación. Me encantaba esa complicidad.
Y después estaba la manera en que utilizaban el lenguaje de él, el de la cocina, para hacer referencias y comunicarse entre ellos. Al principio yo no terminaba de entender algunas de esas cosas, pero, a medida que avanzaba la historia, todo iba cobrando sentido. Y cuando finalmente entendías las referencias y los chistes, pensabas: «¡Guau! ¡Todo este tiempo!». Me voló la cabeza. Me encantó cómo la autora construyó esos detalles y cómo consiguió que tuvieran significado dentro de la relación.
Estoy muy feliz de estar viva para haber leído esta historia, ¿sabes? Este libro me dio algo que todavía no sé explicar bien, pero fue precioso. Me hizo sentir viva cada vez que lo leía. Si tuviera que elegir una de mis historias favoritas, creo que esta estaría entre las primeras, porque me encantó de principio a fin.
Y no era para nada lo que esperaba. ¡Para nada! Cada cosa que sucedía me hacía reaccionar. Cuando el señor de la tienda le dijo que su apuesta era su mejor amiga, yo estaba como: «¡Dios mío! ¡Dios mío! ¿Qué está pasando aquí?». Cada momento me hacía sentir algo diferente, y yo solo podía pensar en lo bonitos que eran esos dos.
Es una pareja que me hace sonreír incluso cuando recuerdo la historia después de haberla terminado. Son demasiado lindos, a pesar de todas las situaciones por las que tuvieron que pasar.
También me gustó muchísimo cómo ella explicó lo que estaba ocurriendo. No se limitó a justificarse ni a responder como si no hubiera nada que explicar. Se plantó firme y expresó lo que tenía que decir. Me gustó que pudiera defender su posición y explicar sus razones sin dejar que los demás decidieran por ella cómo debía sentirse o actuar.
De verdad, fue una historia preciosa. La narración, los personajes, la tensión romántica, los detalles de su relación y la manera en que todo se iba conectando hicieron que disfrutara muchísimo la lectura. No sé cómo expresarles todo lo que sentí, pero hacía tiempo que no me encontraba con una historia que me hiciera involucrarme de esta manera.
Ahora bien, aunque le estoy dando todas las estrellas posibles, hay algunas cosas que quiero comentar porque también me hicieron reflexionar. A partir de aquí hay SPOILERS IMPORTANTES. Si todavía no has leído el libro, bebé, detente aquí y vuelve cuando lo hayas terminado.
SPOILERS, SPOILERS, SPOILERS.
Cuando Madeline —creo que ese era su nombre, porque entre Catherine y Madeline ya no sé cuál era— baja y encuentra a los dos protagonistas en esa situación, Ru se esconde detrás de él. Entonces ella empieza a insultar a Aurélia y a decir que ahora entiende por qué él no podía tener una relación: porque su mejor amiga era una puta.
Y aquí tengo que reconocer que el protagonista actuó muy bien. No permitió que Madeline descargara toda su rabia contra Aurélia. Le dijo que, si tenía algo que reclamar, lo hiciera con él, porque las promesas se las había hecho él y no ella. Él era quien tenía que hacerse responsable de sus propias decisiones.
Eso me encantó. La defendió, puso los límites y le dio a cada quien su lugar. En ese momento pensé: «Perfecto. Espectacular. Premio para ti».
Pero hay algo que no me terminó de cuadrar de Madeline. Al final, ella salió de toda esa situación como una reina, como una auténtica iconica, pero, si nos fijamos en lo que dijo, a él solamente le reprochó que fuera malo, mientras que a Aurélia sí la llamó puta.
Y, mi linda, aquí es donde me entra la duda.
Madeline sabía desde hacía tiempo que existía esa historia entre mejores amigos. Sabía que había una mujer importante en la vida de ese hombre. Si conocía su reputación y sabía el nombre de su mejor amiga, ¿de verdad nunca relacionó las cosas? Y cuando el señor de la tienda mencionó que había apostado por Aurélia, ¿cómo no iba a sospechar?
Ella misma reconoció que lo sabía, pero que se estaba engañando. Y entiendo que estuviera enfadada, que se sintiera herida y que reaccionara desde el dolor. Eso no lo discuto. Pero me pareció injusto que toda esa rabia terminara convirtiéndose en un insulto dirigido a la otra mujer y no al hombre....
Ahora, vamos con Aurélia, porque aquí también tengo algo que decir.
Cuando ella decidió involucrarse con él, sabía que había otra mujer en su casa. Él nunca se lo ocultó: siempre le dijo que tenía a alguien, que había una persona importante. Y ella decidió que no le importaba. Básicamente, dijo: «Este es mi hombre».
Y, Aurélia, mi linda, yo te beso y te aplaudo por tener claro lo que querías. Si tú sabías cuál era la situación y decidiste seguir adelante, esa fue tu decisión.
Pero entonces, ¿por qué después te afecta tanto que la otra mujer te insulte? ¿Por qué empiezas a preguntarte si te odia?
Bebé, tú sabías que ella existía. Sabías que él debia tener una historia con ella y que esa ida a su casa significaba algo. No puedes decir que no te importaba cuando decidiste involucrarte con él y, después, sentirte tan afectada por la reacción de esa mujer. Si tomaste esa decisión sabiendo lo que había, también tenías que entender que podía haber consecuencias emocionales.
Y no estoy diciendo que Madeline tuviera derecho a insultarla. No lo tenía. Lo que digo es que me pareció un poquito contradictorio que Aurélia aceptara la situación cuando le convenía, pero después pareciera sorprendida por el dolor y la rabia que esa misma situación podía provocar en otra persona.
También me hizo pensar el tema de la infidelidad de Aurélia a su exnovio. Él era una mala persona, sí, pero eso no cambia el hecho de que ella le fue infiel. Y también estuvo la situación en la que acepta que este chico se acostara con ella mientras había otra mujer arriba.
La propia Aurélia vuelve sobre esas situaciones y plantea la posibilidad de que estuviera convirtiéndose en alguien que no quería ser. Y ahí me quedé pensando: si en ese momento no te importó lo que estabas haciendo, ¿por qué empezar a castigarte después por ello?
No sé, mi linda. Siento que hay una diferencia entre reconocer que hiciste algo que pudo lastimar a otra persona y empezar a cuestionar tu valor como mujer por lo que hiciste. Son dos cosas diferentes, y creo que esa distinción es importante.
En definitiva, hay decisiones de estos personajes que me hicieron reflexionar y que no necesariamente comparto, pero eso no cambia cuánto disfruté la historia. De hecho, me gusta que un libro que me encantó también me haga detenerme a pensar en las acciones de sus protagonistas, en sus contradicciones y en las consecuencias de sus decisiones.
September 17, 2026
left me… heated
Well, this was my last summer romance read and it left me… heated!
So heated that I DNF’d it, walked away for a few days…and then came crawling back because apparently I needed to know how this mess ended. 😂
Chef Dillion is a tattooed, talented chef, and hopelessly devoted to ONE woman—his best friend, Ru. Sounds romantic, right? Wellllll… 👀
So, what didn’t I like? This seemingly one-sided obsession with Dillion and Ru. I honestly couldn’t understand what had this man magnetized to her… a little later on there were some tender flashback scenes between them where I could see care, but not necessarily an undying romantic bond.
I felt like the first 30% of the story was one drawn out conversation of Dillion begging her to leave her no good man for him. The next 30% was him repeatedly thinking about how there’s only her. Ok, we get it already, but why? I read it numerous times, but I didn’t feel it. Maybe if we had a second pov from Ru?
Also, one scene that’s been highly talked about on threads as messy, but I just found it trifling. But, what I’d like to discuss is who was in the wrong - someone using someone to test things out, or the one who goes along knowing there’s another person standing in their way?
What I enjoyed most was that the story is told from a male POV, ((but it’s a man written as a reformed bad boy unicorn))…. I loved the some tender family flashbacks with Dillion being reared by his father and grandfather, and there was enough mouthwatering food descriptions to make me hungry!
Messy romance. Questionable decisions. Mouth watering cuisine! And a man who simply REFUSES to let that woman go.
Well, this was my last summer romance read and it left me… heated!
So heated that I DNF’d it, walked away for a few days…and then came crawling back because apparently I needed to know how this mess ended. 😂
Chef Dillion is a tattooed, talented chef, and hopelessly devoted to ONE woman—his best friend, Ru. Sounds romantic, right? Wellllll… 👀
So, what didn’t I like? This seemingly one-sided obsession with Dillion and Ru. I honestly couldn’t understand what had this man magnetized to her… a little later on there were some tender flashback scenes between them where I could see care, but not necessarily an undying romantic bond.
I felt like the first 30% of the story was one drawn out conversation of Dillion begging her to leave her no good man for him. The next 30% was him repeatedly thinking about how there’s only her. Ok, we get it already, but why? I read it numerous times, but I didn’t feel it. Maybe if we had a second pov from Ru?
Also, one scene that’s been highly talked about on threads as messy, but I just found it trifling. But, what I’d like to discuss is who was in the wrong - someone using someone to test things out, or the one who goes along knowing there’s another person standing in their way?
What I enjoyed most was that the story is told from a male POV, ((but it’s a man written as a reformed bad boy unicorn))…. I loved the some tender family flashbacks with Dillion being reared by his father and grandfather, and there was enough mouthwatering food descriptions to make me hungry!
Messy romance. Questionable decisions. Mouth watering cuisine! And a man who simply REFUSES to let that woman go.
September 7, 2026
I don’t know what I was expecting going into this, but it definitely wasn’t wrists getting broken in the prologue. This definitely started strong but I had a number of issues that didn’t exactly make it a 5-star read for me.
First of all, I didn’t particularly like the FMC. Sorry. Cheating with your best friend then going back to a man you know is clearly not good for you? The self-sabotage was pissing me off especially since she kept hurting Dillion in the process. And her whole excuse of not telling him she needed time because she would’ve run to him if she heard his voice — girl, so just text him?? You could text him morning greetings but not that you needed time? Sis,please.
My biggest issue though was pacing. There was SO MUCH inner monologue, so much rambling about love and feelings instead of just moving the story forward. I’m pretty sure I skimmed through multiple paragraphs just to get to the meat of the story. And the metaphors. Do people talk like this? Who talks like this? Maybe I’m tripping. I practically yelled “Thank you!” when Madeline mentioned it 🤣
There’s also a lot of repetition, and I caught a few grammatical errors so I think this may have needed at least one more round of editing.
Chapter 6 was something else though. The audacity was pissing me off, then I remembered it’s meant to be a messy story…BUT STILL!
Also, I actually need to know. Do the French really translate “Daddy” to “Papa” in the bedroom? Because there is nothing remotely sexy about that word, I’m sorry 🤣
Overall: a rollercoaster of a read, occasionally frustrating and definite messy, made me talk to the book out loud more than once.
⭐️3.5 stars because it drew up more emotion in me than most books do, even if the emotion was annoyance.
First of all, I didn’t particularly like the FMC. Sorry. Cheating with your best friend then going back to a man you know is clearly not good for you? The self-sabotage was pissing me off especially since she kept hurting Dillion in the process. And her whole excuse of not telling him she needed time because she would’ve run to him if she heard his voice — girl, so just text him?? You could text him morning greetings but not that you needed time? Sis,please.
My biggest issue though was pacing. There was SO MUCH inner monologue, so much rambling about love and feelings instead of just moving the story forward. I’m pretty sure I skimmed through multiple paragraphs just to get to the meat of the story. And the metaphors. Do people talk like this? Who talks like this? Maybe I’m tripping. I practically yelled “Thank you!” when Madeline mentioned it 🤣
There’s also a lot of repetition, and I caught a few grammatical errors so I think this may have needed at least one more round of editing.
Chapter 6 was something else though. The audacity was pissing me off, then I remembered it’s meant to be a messy story…BUT STILL!
Also, I actually need to know. Do the French really translate “Daddy” to “Papa” in the bedroom? Because there is nothing remotely sexy about that word, I’m sorry 🤣
Overall: a rollercoaster of a read, occasionally frustrating and definite messy, made me talk to the book out loud more than once.
⭐️3.5 stars because it drew up more emotion in me than most books do, even if the emotion was annoyance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2026
4 ⭐️ I love a bestfriend to lovers romance … the guy who yearns all these years for his bestfriend… who protects, love and puts her before everyone. Ughhh only for her to keep giving her love and time to the dude she knows is no good for her ! All because she doesn’t want to loose the friendship 🤨.
The only downfall to a love like is …is the woman who is there as a place holder until the bestfriend finally steps up smh .
September 6, 2026
Sweet. Savory. Sexy.
Dillion is a MAN who knows what he wants and there’s something attractive about a man who knows how to use his hands. Can’t wait to dive into the Westonberry universe!
Dillion is a MAN who knows what he wants and there’s something attractive about a man who knows how to use his hands. Can’t wait to dive into the Westonberry universe!
August 28, 2026
3.5. Beautifully written story. I just don’t care for the storyline of hurting someone else to get a HEA.
August 21, 2026
Where do I even begin.
Chef Dillion. Dilly. The big D not the little one. Oh how I enjoyed reading your story so much. Your words captivated me to the point where I could not put it down. I had to read it in one sitting and savour the words. I didn’t think there was room on my book boyfriend roster after big smoke took the last seat BUT I STAND CORRECTED. Turns out, the guest of honour has arrived because I didn’t even know I was waiting for him until I read his story.
Seriously though, this book was everything and more. I was so excited to read more about Dillion and Aurelia from the everyone falls in love story and was excited but also nervous to see if their full story lived up to what I hoped it would be in my head.
It surpassed it.
This book was *Chefs kiss! — pun intended*
This book was more than I could’ve
wanted and even dreamed of.
We got deeper into who they are and how they’ve shown up for each other over the years. We got food that sounds so good I wanna try it through the page. We got mess… oh baby did we ever get some mess…. I haven’t read mess like that in a LONG TIME!
But we got love so deep, so real, so inevitable that you can’t help but root for because when it’s that season… it’s inevitable.
Last thoughts I promise:
- Dillion I was not aware of your game being able to pull a Dubois👀
- I will never look at peaches the same🍑😮💨😂
- YALL IS MESSY LMAO!!! (Pun intended!)
- I just knew that comment about *REDACTED* was gonna come back and bite him in the ass😂😂 — whack him again Dillion!
I have no notes. Nothing I would want changed, nothing I feel like was left on the table with questions. I feel absolutely and utterly complete with this story!
10’s across the board!
And the jade and big smoke cameo! Ugh, Mrs. Westonberry you know the way to my heart!
Go read it asap if you haven’t!
Chef Dillion. Dilly. The big D not the little one. Oh how I enjoyed reading your story so much. Your words captivated me to the point where I could not put it down. I had to read it in one sitting and savour the words. I didn’t think there was room on my book boyfriend roster after big smoke took the last seat BUT I STAND CORRECTED. Turns out, the guest of honour has arrived because I didn’t even know I was waiting for him until I read his story.
Seriously though, this book was everything and more. I was so excited to read more about Dillion and Aurelia from the everyone falls in love story and was excited but also nervous to see if their full story lived up to what I hoped it would be in my head.
It surpassed it.
This book was *Chefs kiss! — pun intended*
This book was more than I could’ve
wanted and even dreamed of.
We got deeper into who they are and how they’ve shown up for each other over the years. We got food that sounds so good I wanna try it through the page. We got mess… oh baby did we ever get some mess…. I haven’t read mess like that in a LONG TIME!
But we got love so deep, so real, so inevitable that you can’t help but root for because when it’s that season… it’s inevitable.
Last thoughts I promise:
- Dillion I was not aware of your game being able to pull a Dubois👀
- I will never look at peaches the same🍑😮💨😂
- YALL IS MESSY LMAO!!! (Pun intended!)
- I just knew that comment about *REDACTED* was gonna come back and bite him in the ass😂😂 — whack him again Dillion!
I have no notes. Nothing I would want changed, nothing I feel like was left on the table with questions. I feel absolutely and utterly complete with this story!
10’s across the board!
And the jade and big smoke cameo! Ugh, Mrs. Westonberry you know the way to my heart!
Go read it asap if you haven’t!
September 22, 2026
wow!!
First of all, Dillion?! SIR. This man had been in love with Aurelia for SEVEN YEARS and when I say he was down bad… DOWN HORRENDOUS! 😭 I love me a MMC that YEARNS and Dillion was definitely giving “it’s always been you.”
I was a little nervous when I realized we were getting the whole story from Dillion’s POV because I normally love hearing both sides, but I actually loved being inside his head. Getting to feel all that love, frustration, hurt and longing from his perspective made me understand him so much more. Now Aurelia… GIRL. 😒😂 There were definitely times I wanted to shake her because ma’am, this man has been RIGHT THERE loving you correctly while you’re over there playing in our faces!! But I also understood that sometimes you can know you love somebody and still be scared of what happens if you actually cross that line.And then we have the Madeline situation… 😭 Chileeee. Dillion and Aurelia KNOW THEY WERE WRONG! I was rooting for my babies but I was also sitting there like, “Now y’all could’ve handled this a LITTLE differently!” 😂 The mess was MESSING.
But underneath all that mess was a love story about two best friends who had been loving each other for years and were terrified of ruining the one thing neither of them wanted to lose. 🥹❤️ Dillion being a chef?! The food descriptions, the intimacy, the yearning, the spiceeee?! Jhéanell knew EXACTLY what she was doing. 😮💨🍑
This book had me smiling, fussing at Aurelia, side-eyeing Dillion, feeling a LITTLE bad for Madeline and STILL wanting Ducky & Ru together. 😂
First of all, Dillion?! SIR. This man had been in love with Aurelia for SEVEN YEARS and when I say he was down bad… DOWN HORRENDOUS! 😭 I love me a MMC that YEARNS and Dillion was definitely giving “it’s always been you.”
I was a little nervous when I realized we were getting the whole story from Dillion’s POV because I normally love hearing both sides, but I actually loved being inside his head. Getting to feel all that love, frustration, hurt and longing from his perspective made me understand him so much more. Now Aurelia… GIRL. 😒😂 There were definitely times I wanted to shake her because ma’am, this man has been RIGHT THERE loving you correctly while you’re over there playing in our faces!! But I also understood that sometimes you can know you love somebody and still be scared of what happens if you actually cross that line.And then we have the Madeline situation… 😭 Chileeee. Dillion and Aurelia KNOW THEY WERE WRONG! I was rooting for my babies but I was also sitting there like, “Now y’all could’ve handled this a LITTLE differently!” 😂 The mess was MESSING.
But underneath all that mess was a love story about two best friends who had been loving each other for years and were terrified of ruining the one thing neither of them wanted to lose. 🥹❤️ Dillion being a chef?! The food descriptions, the intimacy, the yearning, the spiceeee?! Jhéanell knew EXACTLY what she was doing. 😮💨🍑
This book had me smiling, fussing at Aurelia, side-eyeing Dillion, feeling a LITTLE bad for Madeline and STILL wanting Ducky & Ru together. 😂
September 20, 2026
Ate this book up! Whole book in the male perspective? Chef’s kiss (pun intended).
That prologue was so long but it really was the set up for the rest of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed being inside the head of Dillion. This book being from Dillion’s POV, we were able to feel the yearning, love, vulnerability, conflicts and reflections as they happened. Dillion didn’t pretend to be a perfect man, but from being the spotlight, he seemed to always be interview ready. Aurelia personally annoyed me by being indecisive in the beginning of the book and then just popping up out of no where months later. But, I was happy that it was her who was fighting for him. It was nice to see Dillion be happy and out of the mental torture he was going through by not haing access to the woman you truly wanted. Hearing Aurelia and Dillion choose each other was very cute. Also, that kitchen scene was wild all around. It was steamy but also a little trifling. Madeline is a better woman than me cause no way I could have walked in on that and remained so poised throughout. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I believe Madeline was just as essential to their story as Aurelia taking time to heal. Madeline gave Dillion the perspective that a woman can be perfect and still not be who you want/ need. I also loved that Madeline challenged him, forcing himself to be honest with himself more than anything. Timeline wise, this was a quick and I would have enjoyed more of them.
That prologue was so long but it really was the set up for the rest of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed being inside the head of Dillion. This book being from Dillion’s POV, we were able to feel the yearning, love, vulnerability, conflicts and reflections as they happened. Dillion didn’t pretend to be a perfect man, but from being the spotlight, he seemed to always be interview ready. Aurelia personally annoyed me by being indecisive in the beginning of the book and then just popping up out of no where months later. But, I was happy that it was her who was fighting for him. It was nice to see Dillion be happy and out of the mental torture he was going through by not haing access to the woman you truly wanted. Hearing Aurelia and Dillion choose each other was very cute. Also, that kitchen scene was wild all around. It was steamy but also a little trifling. Madeline is a better woman than me cause no way I could have walked in on that and remained so poised throughout. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I believe Madeline was just as essential to their story as Aurelia taking time to heal. Madeline gave Dillion the perspective that a woman can be perfect and still not be who you want/ need. I also loved that Madeline challenged him, forcing himself to be honest with himself more than anything. Timeline wise, this was a quick and I would have enjoyed more of them.
August 31, 2026
4.75 stars ⭐️
I love a good friends to lovers story, the yearning, and the consistent MMC POV. The descriptiveness in the writing was chef’s kiss (no pun intended), my only gripe is the storyline direction. I hateeee how they did my girl Madeline. Kind of made the last part of the book hard to read because I wasn’t rooting for the main characters to be together. In all honesty, I didn’t really like Aurelia’s character at any point in the story. She seemed completely self absorbed. At the beginning of the story she’s monopolizing the conversation about her boyfriend, knowing how he feels about her, and then when she showed up to the house unexpectedly, expecting him to just welcome her with open arms after months of silence. I couldn’t understand exactly what he loved about her because he was the one constantly giving in the relationship, and she took. She never did anything that made the relationship seem like it wasn’t one-sided, to me. She was right about not jumping from one relationship to the other, but a conversation about just needing time and space could’ve cleared up the rejection her felt in those next few months. All in all, I wish the FMC was a bit more likeable, and no one innocent had to get hurt in the process of their relationship growing. But I like this author and will read more from her.
I love a good friends to lovers story, the yearning, and the consistent MMC POV. The descriptiveness in the writing was chef’s kiss (no pun intended), my only gripe is the storyline direction. I hateeee how they did my girl Madeline. Kind of made the last part of the book hard to read because I wasn’t rooting for the main characters to be together. In all honesty, I didn’t really like Aurelia’s character at any point in the story. She seemed completely self absorbed. At the beginning of the story she’s monopolizing the conversation about her boyfriend, knowing how he feels about her, and then when she showed up to the house unexpectedly, expecting him to just welcome her with open arms after months of silence. I couldn’t understand exactly what he loved about her because he was the one constantly giving in the relationship, and she took. She never did anything that made the relationship seem like it wasn’t one-sided, to me. She was right about not jumping from one relationship to the other, but a conversation about just needing time and space could’ve cleared up the rejection her felt in those next few months. All in all, I wish the FMC was a bit more likeable, and no one innocent had to get hurt in the process of their relationship growing. But I like this author and will read more from her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
Miss Westonberry has a way with words. None of it felt like fluff to fill some word requirements. I went into this not knowing it was a MMC’s pov only and as a dual pov Stan it was kind of refreshing. I’m overly critical of friends to lovers because they are normally somewhat the same storyline or over dramatic. This had just the right amount of flash backs to build us through the 7 years of longing and to see the type of friendship they have.
Now to address the Madeline situation of it all. I think some are being way too hard on Dillion. They had been seeing each other for a month and getting to know each other and Madeline was continuously pushing their relationship to a place Dillion wasn’t ready for and he was showing her that even she admitted that. Was it a lil messed up that they gave in to 7 years of feelings with her right up stairs yes BUT she dragged it speaking on him in that article like she was a woman scorned. You wanted to be able to go around town saying you got the prize that is the hottest Chef in the area and now you’re salty because he was never yours and showed you that throughout your time getting to know each other!? That’s not fair.
I say all that to say I enjoyed this read and am looking for to reading more from this author
Miss Westonberry has a way with words. None of it felt like fluff to fill some word requirements. I went into this not knowing it was a MMC’s pov only and as a dual pov Stan it was kind of refreshing. I’m overly critical of friends to lovers because they are normally somewhat the same storyline or over dramatic. This had just the right amount of flash backs to build us through the 7 years of longing and to see the type of friendship they have.
Now to address the Madeline situation of it all. I think some are being way too hard on Dillion. They had been seeing each other for a month and getting to know each other and Madeline was continuously pushing their relationship to a place Dillion wasn’t ready for and he was showing her that even she admitted that. Was it a lil messed up that they gave in to 7 years of feelings with her right up stairs yes BUT she dragged it speaking on him in that article like she was a woman scorned. You wanted to be able to go around town saying you got the prize that is the hottest Chef in the area and now you’re salty because he was never yours and showed you that throughout your time getting to know each other!? That’s not fair.
I say all that to say I enjoyed this read and am looking for to reading more from this author
August 21, 2026
After reading Stone Fruit Summer, you’ll never look at peaches the same 👀.
In this outing in Westonberry’s fictional Rowena County, we’re following our MMC Dillion in a single POV, friends to lovers romance. Dillion has been yearning after his best friend Aurelia for years. And when I say yearning, I mean YEARNING. But after one tumultuous Valentine’s Day night, he starts to believe it’s time to move on.
Westonberry has a knack for perfectly capturing the intensity and tension between partners that’s sometimes lacking in today’s romance novels. When you read the opening prologue of the book, you might find yourself actually rooting for Dillion to find his happily ever with someone else. When Aurelia returns later in the book though, baby that tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
If you’re a fan of the friends to lovers trope, please pick up Stone Fruit Summer, what Westonberry calls her messiest story to date. It’s not a simple story of two people denying what’s obvious to everyone else. It’s the story of two people breaking before they can come together and create something beautiful.
In this outing in Westonberry’s fictional Rowena County, we’re following our MMC Dillion in a single POV, friends to lovers romance. Dillion has been yearning after his best friend Aurelia for years. And when I say yearning, I mean YEARNING. But after one tumultuous Valentine’s Day night, he starts to believe it’s time to move on.
Westonberry has a knack for perfectly capturing the intensity and tension between partners that’s sometimes lacking in today’s romance novels. When you read the opening prologue of the book, you might find yourself actually rooting for Dillion to find his happily ever with someone else. When Aurelia returns later in the book though, baby that tension was thick enough to cut with a knife.
If you’re a fan of the friends to lovers trope, please pick up Stone Fruit Summer, what Westonberry calls her messiest story to date. It’s not a simple story of two people denying what’s obvious to everyone else. It’s the story of two people breaking before they can come together and create something beautiful.
August 22, 2026
After reading Everyone Falls In Love, the book that introduced me to the messiness that was Dillion and Aurelia, I knew I wanted more of their story and it did not disappoint! While some may consider how Dillion navigated his feelings for Ru messy (and it definitely was), I also viewed the decisions Dillion made from the perspective of a man who was trying to navigate his feelings for someone that seemed unsure of something that he’d felt from the beginning. Unfortunately it came at the expense of hurting someone else that was innocent in all of it. However, accountability was taken and I felt like the very imperfect situations that both Dillion and Aurelia were a part of needed to be present for them both to finally wake up and get it together.
With all that being said, I love a yearner and Dilly was down bad. lol The story wraps beautifully and I loved the cameo of one my favorite couples written by Jheanell Westonberry toward the end ☺️ I can’t wait to read more from the author.
4.5/5 stars. Highly recommended!
With all that being said, I love a yearner and Dilly was down bad. lol The story wraps beautifully and I loved the cameo of one my favorite couples written by Jheanell Westonberry toward the end ☺️ I can’t wait to read more from the author.
4.5/5 stars. Highly recommended!
September 6, 2026
MESSY IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD!!!!! 4.5 ⭐️
Jhéanell Westonberry can do no wrong in my book. The way she writes romance will have you SWOONING. And her MMCs are always the biggest yearners, down BAD for the FMCs.
I was always here for Dillion and Aurelia aka Ru. I loved their friendship and it only made sense that they would become lovers. Dillion all but worshiped the ground Ru walked on! Ru got a lil side eye from me bc she took advantage of the safety she found in Dillion while still being in a relationship with her no-good boyfriend.
When the moment came for Aurelia to finally confess her feelings and her readiness to be with Dillion romantically, she couldn’t have come at a worse time—which is really where the mess begins. Dillion’s trying to move forward from Ru’s rejection with a childhood crush named Madeline when Ru appears at his doorstep in a storm.
Y’all. The most beautiful, poetic, chaotic, MESSY scene ensued and I ate up every bit of it.
In the end, the couple I wanted to make it, made it. Not withstanding heartbreak and disappointment. This book was the perfect read for me while I was on my cruise and the best way to round out my summer reading!
Jhéanell Westonberry can do no wrong in my book. The way she writes romance will have you SWOONING. And her MMCs are always the biggest yearners, down BAD for the FMCs.
I was always here for Dillion and Aurelia aka Ru. I loved their friendship and it only made sense that they would become lovers. Dillion all but worshiped the ground Ru walked on! Ru got a lil side eye from me bc she took advantage of the safety she found in Dillion while still being in a relationship with her no-good boyfriend.
When the moment came for Aurelia to finally confess her feelings and her readiness to be with Dillion romantically, she couldn’t have come at a worse time—which is really where the mess begins. Dillion’s trying to move forward from Ru’s rejection with a childhood crush named Madeline when Ru appears at his doorstep in a storm.
Y’all. The most beautiful, poetic, chaotic, MESSY scene ensued and I ate up every bit of it.
In the end, the couple I wanted to make it, made it. Not withstanding heartbreak and disappointment. This book was the perfect read for me while I was on my cruise and the best way to round out my summer reading!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2026
I enjoyed this story. It was TRULY a messy friends-to-lovers, but it felt like a novella. It lacked a bit of depth and felt rushed. There was a bit of repetition.
My critiques :
However, I enjoyed the flirting in French and the solo MMC POV. That uniqueness was refreshing to see the inner workings of a man stuck in a love triangle.
My critiques :
However, I enjoyed the flirting in French and the solo MMC POV. That uniqueness was refreshing to see the inner workings of a man stuck in a love triangle.
August 27, 2026
Juicy Fruit!!!!!
Jhèanell!!!!!
This book was like your cool auntie’s spiked peach cobbler recipe: you put your FOOT in it!
Dillion and Aurelia are beautifully flawed characters with a tie that binds them, even when life, bad decisions, and a whole lotta mess get in the way. Stone Fruit is the perfect end-of-summer friends-to-lovers romance.
It’s sweet, grown, complicated, and messy in all the right ways.
And Dillion? Come to the front of the congregation and REPENT OF YOUR SINS, SIR!!! Because whew. 😭
But underneath the mess is a story about true love, accountability, forgiveness, and growth. It’s about recognizing that sometimes the love you need isn’t somewhere new, it’s right where you left it.
Jhèanell, you did your thing with this one. 🍑❤️
Signed,
Roena County Resident Chanell Nicole
Jhèanell!!!!!
This book was like your cool auntie’s spiked peach cobbler recipe: you put your FOOT in it!
Dillion and Aurelia are beautifully flawed characters with a tie that binds them, even when life, bad decisions, and a whole lotta mess get in the way. Stone Fruit is the perfect end-of-summer friends-to-lovers romance.
It’s sweet, grown, complicated, and messy in all the right ways.
And Dillion? Come to the front of the congregation and REPENT OF YOUR SINS, SIR!!! Because whew. 😭
But underneath the mess is a story about true love, accountability, forgiveness, and growth. It’s about recognizing that sometimes the love you need isn’t somewhere new, it’s right where you left it.
Jhèanell, you did your thing with this one. 🍑❤️
Signed,
Roena County Resident Chanell Nicole
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews