What do you think?
Rate this book
Together #1
Learning to Love
After ten years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn’t turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn’t count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he’s buried deep for years.
An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.
An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.
230 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2016
54 people are currently reading
597 people want to read
About the author
Felice Stevens
89 books1,716 followersFelice Stevens writes romance because what is better than people falling in love? Her favorite part of a romance novel is that first kiss…sigh. She loves creating stories of hopes and dreams and happily ever afters. Her stories are character-driven, rich with the sights, sounds and flavors of New York City and filled with men who are sometimes deeply flawed but always real.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Felice writes M/M romance because she believes that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Having traveled all over the world, she can safely say that the universal language that unites people is love. Felice has written in a variety of sub-genres, including contemporary, paranormal and has a mystery series as well.
Felice is a two-time Lambda Literary Award nominee and the Lambda award-winner for Best Gay Romance for her book, The Ghost and Charlie Muir, as well as the e-Lit gold medal winner in romance for Broken Silence.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
May 14, 2016
DISCLAIMER: This review contains a minority opinion.
Even though my track record with Ms. Stevens' work is less than stellar, I talked myself into reading this one because it features two Jewish MCs, one of whom is a rabbi.
Alas, this book was a big fat FAIL.
Does the author actually know people who act like Gideon? I don't. I'm tempted to compare him to a child, but my 10-year-old has far more emotional maturity than he does. Gideon pouts, sulks, throws temper tantrums, stomps off, gets defensive, and pushes Jonah away for the smallest infraction.
And yet Jonah LOVES him. Never mind that the two weren't even friends in high school and that they spend a few hours (if that) together in the present before the declarations of love come hard and fast.
I was hoping for a slow burn, but, nope, the two jump into bed together almost immediately. Then Gideon freaks out and says hurtful things to Jonah, who gets sad and leaves. Rinse. Repeat.
This is not real life, folks.
Learning to Love borders on the absurd. The MCs are so incredibly immature, they don't read like real people but like shadow puppets.
I'm a secular, liberal Jew, but the thought of a rabbi barging into someone's house at 7 a.m. and aggressively shoving his dick in said someone's mouth is more than a little disturbing.
The dialogue is scripted and contrived, the plot overwrought and cheesy: No one has EVER understood my dyslexia before you. All the doctors were WRONG!!! Now we found ONE, just one, who is RIGHT! So I will give you this card. And you will SOB really hard. Because SPECIAL LOVE & also matzah balls.
If I got one more line of woe-is-me internal monologue from Gideon, I was going to poke my eyes out.
Never again with this author; never, EVER again.
Even though my track record with Ms. Stevens' work is less than stellar, I talked myself into reading this one because it features two Jewish MCs, one of whom is a rabbi.
Alas, this book was a big fat FAIL.
Does the author actually know people who act like Gideon? I don't. I'm tempted to compare him to a child, but my 10-year-old has far more emotional maturity than he does. Gideon pouts, sulks, throws temper tantrums, stomps off, gets defensive, and pushes Jonah away for the smallest infraction.
And yet Jonah LOVES him. Never mind that the two weren't even friends in high school and that they spend a few hours (if that) together in the present before the declarations of love come hard and fast.
I was hoping for a slow burn, but, nope, the two jump into bed together almost immediately. Then Gideon freaks out and says hurtful things to Jonah, who gets sad and leaves. Rinse. Repeat.
This is not real life, folks.
Learning to Love borders on the absurd. The MCs are so incredibly immature, they don't read like real people but like shadow puppets.
I'm a secular, liberal Jew, but the thought of a rabbi barging into someone's house at 7 a.m. and aggressively shoving his dick in said someone's mouth is more than a little disturbing.
The dialogue is scripted and contrived, the plot overwrought and cheesy: No one has EVER understood my dyslexia before you. All the doctors were WRONG!!! Now we found ONE, just one, who is RIGHT! So I will give you this card. And you will SOB really hard. Because SPECIAL LOVE & also matzah balls.
If I got one more line of woe-is-me internal monologue from Gideon, I was going to poke my eyes out.
Never again with this author; never, EVER again.
May 22, 2020
Audio 3.5 Stars
Story 3.5 Stars
These guys had an asshole meet doormat relationship in the beginning that had me so close to the DNF finishline. I'm glad I decided to push through that nonsense because they turned into a super supportive and loving couple. The feels were real. 😍❤
Story 3.5 Stars
These guys had an asshole meet doormat relationship in the beginning that had me so close to the DNF finishline. I'm glad I decided to push through that nonsense because they turned into a super supportive and loving couple. The feels were real. 😍❤
May 1, 2016
Learning to Love by Felice Stevens is the story of Gideon and Jonah. The two had crushes on each other in high school but never confessed their feelings because neither felt the other would reciprocate. Fast forward years later Gideon has become a successful caterer, and Jonah is poised to take over his dad's synagogue.
My highlights:
-Story. I love slice of life stories. I'm not big on action or suspense or horror. I enjoy reading about real life people overcoming real life problems. This story was based mainly on them functioning as a couple. Loved that.
-The characters. They were relatable, full of feeling, and people I'd want to meet in real life.
-Great cast of secondary characters. *whispers*Can't wait for Rico's HEA.
-The often asked question-steam? I'd say 3 out of 5.
-And the HEA. ♥
Two things...
-One of the things I did wish for was that the story had been written from an alternating POV. I so wanted inside Jonah's head!
-Two, I did think the "L" word came out rather fast. It wasn't that believable for me at the point that it happened. I would've preferred it down the road.
All in all, though a great little story about overcoming obstacles, believing in oneself, family, friends, and love. 4 Stars.
ARC kindly provided by the author to Gay Book Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
July 18, 2016
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
4.5 stars
A bad boy chef/caterer and a dirty talking Rabbi. I could probably just end my review with that, right? I won’t though. This is yet another feel good read with a sweet and sexy couple from Felice Stevens that’s going to give you feels and leave you smiling.
As teenagers, Gideon gained a reputation as the bad boy kid, who slacked in school and his smart, serious and perfect classmate Jonah never hesitated to show just how superior he was to Gideon. Too bad Gideon wanted to kiss him as much as he wanted to punch him. Ten years have passed and at least smartypants lawyer Jonah won’t be around now that Gideon is back home and ready to show everyone he’s not the failure they expected him to be. Well, that thought gave Gideon comfort until Rabbi Jonah Fine appeared in the synagogue’s kitchen.
Intelligent and outwardly mild mannered, Jonah is determined to get what he always wanted. That happens to be Gideon and even as Gideon tries to push him away, Jonah is more determined than ever to have the man he’s wanted since high school. A lot of things have changed for both of them, but Jonah has never forgotten Gideon and isn’t going to let him get away without a fight.
Gideon has struggled for everything he now has and few people realize what he’s been through and how difficult and frustrating things are on a daily basis. Hard work and determination have propelled Gideon’s success and though owning a catering company with his best friend Rico is a great achievement, Gideon still has times where he feels stupid and unworthy. Jonah’s mere presence around him can be enough to set him off. As unexpected as it is, Gideon can’t ignore the desire he sees in Jonah’s eyes.
Jonah isn’t afraid to show or tell Gideon exactly what he wants. While “Rabbi Jonah” may be buttoned up and humble, Jonah the man, who wants nothing more than Gideon, knows how to use his mouth to get it. Whether he’s talking dirty or saying something swoon-worthy he knows just how to melt Gideon’s defenses.
Who could resist that kind of a declaration! Gideon tries time and time again, but it’s a losing battle. Other than a very brief relationship with his best friend and business partner Rico, sex for Gideon has always just been hooking up, but with Jonah, Gideon is falling hard and fast. The chemistry between them is instant and white hot! These guys burn up the page every time they touch each other.
Just because it’s easy for Gideon and Jonah to fall in love, it doesn’t mean that things go smoothly. Gideon constantly gets lost in his head, believing himself diminished by his disability. He is certain that he is a liability for Jonah and that it’s just a matter of time before Jonah sees it as well. He can’t accept that Jonah’s love and intentions are pure, and when Jonah’s desire to help causes him to overstep some boundaries Gideon is devastated. Jonah, meanwhile is having some professional difficulty surrounding the transition of power at the synagogue from his father to himself.
Finding family is so often a theme in Felice Stevens’ books and it is again here. Jonah grew up in a happy, comfortable home while a teenage Gideon suffered through the loss of his mother and the subsequent downward spiral of his relationship with his nasty drunk of a father. The close relationship Gideon develops with Jonah’s father Ari was beautiful and filled yet another emotional hole in his spirit.
So yes, I completely and quickly fell in love with these guys. The story wasn’t overly angsty and love and hot sex didn’t magically fix everything, but rather Gideon and Jonah built a passionate and supportive relationship that gave them both new strength. I hope this isn’t the last we see of them. In fact, maybe Felice Stevens will be so kind to have them pop in again soon, possibly in a story where we can find out more about the secretive Rico and the interest I detected from the adorable (and familiar) red-haired firefighter Adam Barton.
4.5 stars
A bad boy chef/caterer and a dirty talking Rabbi. I could probably just end my review with that, right? I won’t though. This is yet another feel good read with a sweet and sexy couple from Felice Stevens that’s going to give you feels and leave you smiling.
As teenagers, Gideon gained a reputation as the bad boy kid, who slacked in school and his smart, serious and perfect classmate Jonah never hesitated to show just how superior he was to Gideon. Too bad Gideon wanted to kiss him as much as he wanted to punch him. Ten years have passed and at least smartypants lawyer Jonah won’t be around now that Gideon is back home and ready to show everyone he’s not the failure they expected him to be. Well, that thought gave Gideon comfort until Rabbi Jonah Fine appeared in the synagogue’s kitchen.
Intelligent and outwardly mild mannered, Jonah is determined to get what he always wanted. That happens to be Gideon and even as Gideon tries to push him away, Jonah is more determined than ever to have the man he’s wanted since high school. A lot of things have changed for both of them, but Jonah has never forgotten Gideon and isn’t going to let him get away without a fight.
Gideon has struggled for everything he now has and few people realize what he’s been through and how difficult and frustrating things are on a daily basis. Hard work and determination have propelled Gideon’s success and though owning a catering company with his best friend Rico is a great achievement, Gideon still has times where he feels stupid and unworthy. Jonah’s mere presence around him can be enough to set him off. As unexpected as it is, Gideon can’t ignore the desire he sees in Jonah’s eyes.
Jonah isn’t afraid to show or tell Gideon exactly what he wants. While “Rabbi Jonah” may be buttoned up and humble, Jonah the man, who wants nothing more than Gideon, knows how to use his mouth to get it. Whether he’s talking dirty or saying something swoon-worthy he knows just how to melt Gideon’s defenses.
"No matter what I would’ve ended up doing with my life, Gideon, finding you was always part of my plan."
Who could resist that kind of a declaration! Gideon tries time and time again, but it’s a losing battle. Other than a very brief relationship with his best friend and business partner Rico, sex for Gideon has always just been hooking up, but with Jonah, Gideon is falling hard and fast. The chemistry between them is instant and white hot! These guys burn up the page every time they touch each other.
Just because it’s easy for Gideon and Jonah to fall in love, it doesn’t mean that things go smoothly. Gideon constantly gets lost in his head, believing himself diminished by his disability. He is certain that he is a liability for Jonah and that it’s just a matter of time before Jonah sees it as well. He can’t accept that Jonah’s love and intentions are pure, and when Jonah’s desire to help causes him to overstep some boundaries Gideon is devastated. Jonah, meanwhile is having some professional difficulty surrounding the transition of power at the synagogue from his father to himself.
Finding family is so often a theme in Felice Stevens’ books and it is again here. Jonah grew up in a happy, comfortable home while a teenage Gideon suffered through the loss of his mother and the subsequent downward spiral of his relationship with his nasty drunk of a father. The close relationship Gideon develops with Jonah’s father Ari was beautiful and filled yet another emotional hole in his spirit.
So yes, I completely and quickly fell in love with these guys. The story wasn’t overly angsty and love and hot sex didn’t magically fix everything, but rather Gideon and Jonah built a passionate and supportive relationship that gave them both new strength. I hope this isn’t the last we see of them. In fact, maybe Felice Stevens will be so kind to have them pop in again soon, possibly in a story where we can find out more about the secretive Rico and the interest I detected from the adorable (and familiar) red-haired firefighter Adam Barton.
July 19, 2022
This was all over the chart and there was so much of it that I just didn't "get". These two went to school together ten years ago but they barely gave one another the time of day let alone expressed any romantic feelings. Actually, Gideon hated Jonah and blamed him for something that he thought he had done but was willing to forgive him for ten years down the road. Really??? What exactly was Jonah supposed to have done???? Gideon was a train wreck waiting to happen. He was moody, insecure, hot tempered and too quick to jump to the wrong conclusions. Such an unlikeable character that I thought Jonah should have counted his lucky stars and shut and locked the door. It's a likable enough storyline, but not believable, understandable, or executed very well, which is unusual for this author. Too much was left unexplained. Felice Steven's characters are always "damaged" but so far in all her books that I have read, they have been worthy of the time to "repair" them. Jonah should have just put Gideon back on the shelf.
Read
May 1, 2016Learning to Love is LIVE on Amazon and All Romance!
http://amzn.to/21nKufG
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...
I can't wait for you to read the new and very expanded version of their story, plus some additions at the end!!
http://amzn.to/21nKufG
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/prod...
I can't wait for you to read the new and very expanded version of their story, plus some additions at the end!!
May 3, 2016
5 Stars ~ Loved it!!!
"No matter what I would’ve ended up doing with my life, Gideon, finding you was always part of my plan."
I adored this book! Gideon and Jonah are such a sweet couple. I had previously read a much shorter version of this story when it was included in an anthology so I had met these two before and I was very eager to read their entire story. This isn't an angsty story. Jonah has always loved Gideon and he finally let's him know. We get to see some cameos from a couple guys we love as well, as Felice Stevens continues making happily ever afters in NY for our lovable guys!!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the cover!! For all you cover, Luvers like me...isn't it great?! I just want to hug that cover! Perfection!
P.S. I may have read this story originally in an anthology, I may have also reviewed as an ARC...but I still went and Purchased --(bonus content will get ya every time) excellent!
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
"No matter what I would’ve ended up doing with my life, Gideon, finding you was always part of my plan."
I adored this book! Gideon and Jonah are such a sweet couple. I had previously read a much shorter version of this story when it was included in an anthology so I had met these two before and I was very eager to read their entire story. This isn't an angsty story. Jonah has always loved Gideon and he finally let's him know. We get to see some cameos from a couple guys we love as well, as Felice Stevens continues making happily ever afters in NY for our lovable guys!!
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the cover!! For all you cover, Luvers like me...isn't it great?! I just want to hug that cover! Perfection!
P.S. I may have read this story originally in an anthology, I may have also reviewed as an ARC...but I still went and Purchased --(bonus content will get ya every time) excellent!
❥❥**´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•`*ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Jaime from Alpha Book Club
January 29, 2020
3.5 Stars
May 10, 2016
Slick's review posted at Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
I'm a sucker for a second chance love story and Felice Stevens delivers in Learning to Love. This was an interesting pairing of two men who while in high school ran in different circles, but it never stopped them for wanting the other especially since at the time one was firmly in the closet. Ten years have passed since Gideon Marks fled New York and the hurt he felt from his mother and grandmother's deaths and the drunken words of his father, but he is still affected by the mere presence of Jonah Fine, now Rabbi Fine at the synagogue he attended as a child. There were a lot of pieces to this story and each one affected these two characters and their relationship. I enjoyed this story immensely especially having intimate knowledge of how dyslexia and dysgraphia (something it seemed evident Gideon had, although it wasn't discussed) affects those who deal with it day in and day out. I loved watching these two very different men find common ground, build trust and become the support system they both so desperately needed.
Many times throughout this book my heart hurt for Gideon not only because of his learning disabilities that hampered his life but because of the way they made him feel. He was not an easy man to like often keeping people at a distance so he didn't have to share his secrets with anyone. I was thankful he had a true friend in his ex-lover and now business partner Rico, but even more so that Jonah never gave up on him. Jonah was quite remarkable in his understanding that Gideon needed time to process the changes going on in his life, that while he lashed out he did it mostly to protect himself and that he remained steady throughout their trials and tribulations. I enjoyed watching Gideon learn to accept he deserved more out of life including the love of Jonah and Jonah's father, Ari. I appreciated that Gideon was able to be a shoulder for Jonah to lean on when he had tough decisions to work through and to be the voice of reason when Jonah let his insecurities get the best of him. This really was a great example of two people being there equally for one another through good times and bad.
I rather like that some authors are showing that men (or women) of the cloth want, deserve and crave the love and physical aspects of a relationship. Gideon and Jonah had no problems showing each other just how much they enjoyed each other body and soul. My one complaint about this book was I felt given the time they'd been apart and how contemptuous their earliest meetings went after 10 years that they rushed to the "I love you" stage, I would have like to see them spend more time really getting to know and understand each other better before they moved to that phase of their relationship.
Interesting characters, an intriguing plot and a love story ten years in the making I thoroughly enjoyed Learning to Love.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for a second chance love story and Felice Stevens delivers in Learning to Love. This was an interesting pairing of two men who while in high school ran in different circles, but it never stopped them for wanting the other especially since at the time one was firmly in the closet. Ten years have passed since Gideon Marks fled New York and the hurt he felt from his mother and grandmother's deaths and the drunken words of his father, but he is still affected by the mere presence of Jonah Fine, now Rabbi Fine at the synagogue he attended as a child. There were a lot of pieces to this story and each one affected these two characters and their relationship. I enjoyed this story immensely especially having intimate knowledge of how dyslexia and dysgraphia (something it seemed evident Gideon had, although it wasn't discussed) affects those who deal with it day in and day out. I loved watching these two very different men find common ground, build trust and become the support system they both so desperately needed.
Many times throughout this book my heart hurt for Gideon not only because of his learning disabilities that hampered his life but because of the way they made him feel. He was not an easy man to like often keeping people at a distance so he didn't have to share his secrets with anyone. I was thankful he had a true friend in his ex-lover and now business partner Rico, but even more so that Jonah never gave up on him. Jonah was quite remarkable in his understanding that Gideon needed time to process the changes going on in his life, that while he lashed out he did it mostly to protect himself and that he remained steady throughout their trials and tribulations. I enjoyed watching Gideon learn to accept he deserved more out of life including the love of Jonah and Jonah's father, Ari. I appreciated that Gideon was able to be a shoulder for Jonah to lean on when he had tough decisions to work through and to be the voice of reason when Jonah let his insecurities get the best of him. This really was a great example of two people being there equally for one another through good times and bad.
I rather like that some authors are showing that men (or women) of the cloth want, deserve and crave the love and physical aspects of a relationship. Gideon and Jonah had no problems showing each other just how much they enjoyed each other body and soul. My one complaint about this book was I felt given the time they'd been apart and how contemptuous their earliest meetings went after 10 years that they rushed to the "I love you" stage, I would have like to see them spend more time really getting to know and understand each other better before they moved to that phase of their relationship.
Interesting characters, an intriguing plot and a love story ten years in the making I thoroughly enjoyed Learning to Love.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
October 14, 2017
Unfortunately this was just an okay read for me. If I can't like one of the main characters in a book it's usually a bust for me. Gideon was just to much for me, the issues I had with him were:
He carried around a huge chip on shoulder.
When something wasn't going his way he blew up and never gave people a chance to explain themselves.
Just overall acted like he was the only person in the world to have a shitty childhood.
My issue with Jonah was he let himself be a door mat for Gideon at times.
Normally I do enjoy Felice Stevens books but this one not so much. :-(
He carried around a huge chip on shoulder.
When something wasn't going his way he blew up and never gave people a chance to explain themselves.
Just overall acted like he was the only person in the world to have a shitty childhood.
My issue with Jonah was he let himself be a door mat for Gideon at times.
Normally I do enjoy Felice Stevens books but this one not so much. :-(
November 7, 2017
***3.00 for the book, 3.5 for the Audio***
This is my third Felice Stevens read and I’m beginning to sense a pattern. The landscape is authentic and recognizable along with the usual cast of New York characters. In this case some nice Jewish boys from Brooklyn and their friends and family. I like to read about everyday people but this one was just on the ‘underwhelming’ side.
Usually when I do audios I follow along with the print just to ‘see’ the words or even highlight but in this instance I stuck strictly to my ears and the performance by Derrick McClain. I happen to like Derrick very much and once again he didn’t disappoint. There’s a clear distinction between characters and a nice but not over dramatized narration. He even does nice voices for the women in the story. I’m not sure he did any favors to the main MC, Gideon Marks. No fault on Derrick’s part but rather on who Gideon is or how he is written.
Gideon Marks has come home to Brooklyn from a self imposed Florida exile. He wants to make a success of his catering business but he also wants to rub it in the face of those who thought he wouldn’t amount to anything. He particularly wants to impress one Jonah Fine and Jonah is impressed. So what was my problem? Glad you asked. I had a few, though none of them were deal breakers, more like sand in your shoes. Not as bad as pebbles but annoying nonetheless.
The major stumble for me is Gideon himself and when you sort of dislike the main MC everything teeters. He had the standard issue fraught childhood, his mother and beloved grandmother were killed in an accident leaving him with an alcoholic father who was ill equipped to deal with Gideon’s needs which went beyond the usual teenage growing pains. What said needs were/are the reader can figure out pretty soon before being told. It’s very noble of the author to have a character with these issues and having him deal with them, but Gideon is a bit of an insufferable ass and with something like a boulder on his shoulder. For one thing all those nay sayers he’s come home to stare down are mostly in his head and while this attitude is perfectly believable and understandable in a troubled teenager it gets harder to swallow from an almost 30 successful businessman. It annoys me to no end to have people jump to conclusions about the intentions or motivations of others when their main complaint is being unfairly judged. Also when people do nothing but snap at others when they’re being shown nothing but kindness I want to reach in the book and slap them. I wanted to grab Gideon by his curly locks and drag him around a bit and hug him later.
Another hurdle is that though Jonah and Gideon knew each other since they were teenagers I don’t see how they would get hung up on each other. As far as I could tell they only saw each other at temple; they went to different schools and weren’t even friends. So how smitten could they have been to the point where Jonah seems to have been waiting for Gideon for ten years when they never had anything going?
In any case after some back and forth of Jonah being unbelievably patient with Gideon and letting him figure out that he is and always was into Gideon our love birds are living in bliss when we have the ‘out of nowhere’ righteous indignation from Gideon, subsequent stomping out, and some groveling from Jonah and forgiveness from Gideon. Thing is in my book Jonah had nothing to apologize for. Another instance of Gideon being a prickly diva. More stuff happens, Gideon confronts and makes some sort of peace with his past and Jonah solves his non-problems. Good people doing good things. Amen.
The theme here seems to be that your enjoyment of this book will depend on how much you like or hate Gideon. I don’t hate him but I can see us having words.
This is my third Felice Stevens read and I’m beginning to sense a pattern. The landscape is authentic and recognizable along with the usual cast of New York characters. In this case some nice Jewish boys from Brooklyn and their friends and family. I like to read about everyday people but this one was just on the ‘underwhelming’ side.
Usually when I do audios I follow along with the print just to ‘see’ the words or even highlight but in this instance I stuck strictly to my ears and the performance by Derrick McClain. I happen to like Derrick very much and once again he didn’t disappoint. There’s a clear distinction between characters and a nice but not over dramatized narration. He even does nice voices for the women in the story. I’m not sure he did any favors to the main MC, Gideon Marks. No fault on Derrick’s part but rather on who Gideon is or how he is written.
Gideon Marks has come home to Brooklyn from a self imposed Florida exile. He wants to make a success of his catering business but he also wants to rub it in the face of those who thought he wouldn’t amount to anything. He particularly wants to impress one Jonah Fine and Jonah is impressed. So what was my problem? Glad you asked. I had a few, though none of them were deal breakers, more like sand in your shoes. Not as bad as pebbles but annoying nonetheless.
The major stumble for me is Gideon himself and when you sort of dislike the main MC everything teeters. He had the standard issue fraught childhood, his mother and beloved grandmother were killed in an accident leaving him with an alcoholic father who was ill equipped to deal with Gideon’s needs which went beyond the usual teenage growing pains. What said needs were/are the reader can figure out pretty soon before being told. It’s very noble of the author to have a character with these issues and having him deal with them, but Gideon is a bit of an insufferable ass and with something like a boulder on his shoulder. For one thing all those nay sayers he’s come home to stare down are mostly in his head and while this attitude is perfectly believable and understandable in a troubled teenager it gets harder to swallow from an almost 30 successful businessman. It annoys me to no end to have people jump to conclusions about the intentions or motivations of others when their main complaint is being unfairly judged. Also when people do nothing but snap at others when they’re being shown nothing but kindness I want to reach in the book and slap them. I wanted to grab Gideon by his curly locks and drag him around a bit and hug him later.
Another hurdle is that though Jonah and Gideon knew each other since they were teenagers I don’t see how they would get hung up on each other. As far as I could tell they only saw each other at temple; they went to different schools and weren’t even friends. So how smitten could they have been to the point where Jonah seems to have been waiting for Gideon for ten years when they never had anything going?
In any case after some back and forth of Jonah being unbelievably patient with Gideon and letting him figure out that he is and always was into Gideon our love birds are living in bliss when we have the ‘out of nowhere’ righteous indignation from Gideon, subsequent stomping out, and some groveling from Jonah and forgiveness from Gideon. Thing is in my book Jonah had nothing to apologize for. Another instance of Gideon being a prickly diva. More stuff happens, Gideon confronts and makes some sort of peace with his past and Jonah solves his non-problems. Good people doing good things. Amen.
The theme here seems to be that your enjoyment of this book will depend on how much you like or hate Gideon. I don’t hate him but I can see us having words.
April 29, 2016
When I noticed that the blurb mentioned one of the hero is a rabbi, I get all excited thinking is the same as priesthood. You can imagine how pervy I am and how much I love taboo. Ahem. Anyway, having an openly gay rabbi is great too.
Hot chef, Gideon Marks is back at his hometown to make a show of his success, especially to Jonah, his childhood crush who used to look down on him. Why did the blurb said Gideon is a bad boy? I can't actually detect any bad vibe from him. Mostly he is too adorable and sweetly vulnerable. And his cooking skill, cue FOODgasm, omg!
Jonah Fine, is now a rabbi and on the verge of taking over the synagogue from his dad when Gideon came back into his life. He miss Gideon too much and didn't waste any time to show his intention.
"No matter what I would've ended up doing with my life, Gideon, finding you was always part of my plan."
Okay, the first sexual encounter totally took me off guard because I had no idea Jonah is so efficient in claiming his man. Yowza! I wish I know more about their history during their childhood, maybe a little flashback would be great. Initially I don't understand why Gideon had so much hang up about his past and why he keep alluding that Jonah was a condescending jerk.
The Jonah we know here is a totally fine piece of specimen. The kind and caring boyfriend that everyone wish for. I like how he is always there for Gideon no matter how often Gideon pushed him away or lashing out childishly.
"I look at myself, and I see nothing."
"That's funny. Because when I look at you, I see everything."
The best part of the story is we get to see them being together as a functioning couple for a large part of the story. Both Gideon and Jonah have some issue to deal with, Gideon finding himself lacking since he was a child and had been living with some anger issue towards people in general, and Jonah is also under pressure to step out from under his father's shadow. We get to see how they support each other emotionally and physically. As usual, Felice Stevens story make me into a total sap. When the story end, all I can express is. Le sigh.
"If you'd never found your way back into the light, I would have sat with you in that darkness."
Hot chef, Gideon Marks is back at his hometown to make a show of his success, especially to Jonah, his childhood crush who used to look down on him. Why did the blurb said Gideon is a bad boy? I can't actually detect any bad vibe from him. Mostly he is too adorable and sweetly vulnerable. And his cooking skill, cue FOODgasm, omg!
Jonah Fine, is now a rabbi and on the verge of taking over the synagogue from his dad when Gideon came back into his life. He miss Gideon too much and didn't waste any time to show his intention.
"No matter what I would've ended up doing with my life, Gideon, finding you was always part of my plan."
Okay, the first sexual encounter totally took me off guard because I had no idea Jonah is so efficient in claiming his man. Yowza! I wish I know more about their history during their childhood, maybe a little flashback would be great. Initially I don't understand why Gideon had so much hang up about his past and why he keep alluding that Jonah was a condescending jerk.
The Jonah we know here is a totally fine piece of specimen. The kind and caring boyfriend that everyone wish for. I like how he is always there for Gideon no matter how often Gideon pushed him away or lashing out childishly.
"I look at myself, and I see nothing."
"That's funny. Because when I look at you, I see everything."
The best part of the story is we get to see them being together as a functioning couple for a large part of the story. Both Gideon and Jonah have some issue to deal with, Gideon finding himself lacking since he was a child and had been living with some anger issue towards people in general, and Jonah is also under pressure to step out from under his father's shadow. We get to see how they support each other emotionally and physically. As usual, Felice Stevens story make me into a total sap. When the story end, all I can express is. Le sigh.
"If you'd never found your way back into the light, I would have sat with you in that darkness."
April 13, 2018
Some people say you can never really go home again but I don’t believe that. Gideon left Brooklyn far behind at eighteen, wanting only to leave the places and people who hurt him the most. Ten years later he has returned triumphant as a business owner and his worldview goes through some eye-openers when he begins to realize that everything he thought about his years growing up wasn’t really like he remembered at all.
Jonah only knew the front I put up to the world. The real me, the part I didn’t let anyone see, was too ugly to share. In another world, where I wasn’t who I am, I might have had a chance with someone like Jonah.
It has been a while since I ran into a character with such deep self-confidence (outside of his cooking abilities) issues and almost a loathing for who he believes himself to be. Gideon had a difficult childhood, particularly following the death of his mother and grandmother as his father was an alcoholic who took everything out on Gideon. In his teenage eyes Jonah was smart, perfect, had a loving family, could do no wrong, and viewed Gideon as an idiot. What’s the saying about how you interpret others’ feelings toward you based on your own warped self-image? Gideon saw himself as an idiot and, in fact, still does about most things that don’t involve his business and his cooking.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
Jonah only knew the front I put up to the world. The real me, the part I didn’t let anyone see, was too ugly to share. In another world, where I wasn’t who I am, I might have had a chance with someone like Jonah.
It has been a while since I ran into a character with such deep self-confidence (outside of his cooking abilities) issues and almost a loathing for who he believes himself to be. Gideon had a difficult childhood, particularly following the death of his mother and grandmother as his father was an alcoholic who took everything out on Gideon. In his teenage eyes Jonah was smart, perfect, had a loving family, could do no wrong, and viewed Gideon as an idiot. What’s the saying about how you interpret others’ feelings toward you based on your own warped self-image? Gideon saw himself as an idiot and, in fact, still does about most things that don’t involve his business and his cooking.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
just-no-dnf-changed-mind
May 30, 2016This pains me so much to say, but I absolutely could not finish this. I was just … insulted by the absurdity of these characters. If I hadn’t read previous works by Felice Stevens I would probably never read another - based on this story. But I’ve LOVED some of her other stories so I’m going to mark this as one of those stories that just isn’t for me, and leave it at that.
First, I was put off by the fact that the two MCs weren’t friends in high school, though Gideon apparently had a crush on Jonah throughout, but when they meet again it’s like they’re long lost loves, and they immediately fall into bed together… despite the fact that Gideon is an absolute ASS to Jonah right off the bat.
I get that the author was trying to show us that anything related to Gideon’s learning disability made him react poorly and that he was super defensive and scared about his “condition”, but it was like hitting us over the head with a rock. Instead of any sort of subtlety, we are essentially blasted with this fact over and over – with each interaction Gideon has with other people.
Yet we are given next to no explanation as to why Jonah would even TRY to breach that wall of anger for a relationship. Is Gideon just that hot? Is Jonah just that horny? I didn’t get Jonah’s motivation – AT ALL.
Second, despite the fact that the two MCs spend more time fighting than talking and more time having sex than building a relationship, by 40% the two have declared their love. What??? I saw absolutely no reason for these two to even LIKE each other, and they’re declaring their love??? It was right after Gideon assed out AGAIN and then suddenly turns on a dime and declares his love… I didn’t get it.
Third, what made me stop reading, was Gideon’s completely over the top reaction to a simple act of kindness. Jonah knows how hard it is for Gideon to struggle with his dyslexia. Jonah finds a new doctor who might be able to help him. (Mind you they’ve already declared their love by this point.) Gideon throws a giant fit and tells Jonah he never wants to see him simply because he offers him a potential hand with one of his biggest issues.
I was done.
I couldn’t see why Jonah put up with Gideon – we’re not given enough of Jonah’s POV for this to be clear – and Gideon is just not a person I wanted to care about. I felt sorry for him, but he didn’t feel like a real person. He was a child and not even a realistic child at that.
So…I’m very sorry to say this was a DNF for me. I got about 58% and was done. I’ll still look for more from this author – everyone’s entitled to one dud – but I couldn’t spend more time on this story.
DNF
First, I was put off by the fact that the two MCs weren’t friends in high school, though Gideon apparently had a crush on Jonah throughout, but when they meet again it’s like they’re long lost loves, and they immediately fall into bed together… despite the fact that Gideon is an absolute ASS to Jonah right off the bat.
I get that the author was trying to show us that anything related to Gideon’s learning disability made him react poorly and that he was super defensive and scared about his “condition”, but it was like hitting us over the head with a rock. Instead of any sort of subtlety, we are essentially blasted with this fact over and over – with each interaction Gideon has with other people.
Yet we are given next to no explanation as to why Jonah would even TRY to breach that wall of anger for a relationship. Is Gideon just that hot? Is Jonah just that horny? I didn’t get Jonah’s motivation – AT ALL.
Second, despite the fact that the two MCs spend more time fighting than talking and more time having sex than building a relationship, by 40% the two have declared their love. What??? I saw absolutely no reason for these two to even LIKE each other, and they’re declaring their love??? It was right after Gideon assed out AGAIN and then suddenly turns on a dime and declares his love… I didn’t get it.
Third, what made me stop reading, was Gideon’s completely over the top reaction to a simple act of kindness. Jonah knows how hard it is for Gideon to struggle with his dyslexia. Jonah finds a new doctor who might be able to help him. (Mind you they’ve already declared their love by this point.) Gideon throws a giant fit and tells Jonah he never wants to see him simply because he offers him a potential hand with one of his biggest issues.
I was done.
I couldn’t see why Jonah put up with Gideon – we’re not given enough of Jonah’s POV for this to be clear – and Gideon is just not a person I wanted to care about. I felt sorry for him, but he didn’t feel like a real person. He was a child and not even a realistic child at that.
So…I’m very sorry to say this was a DNF for me. I got about 58% and was done. I’ll still look for more from this author – everyone’s entitled to one dud – but I couldn’t spend more time on this story.
DNF
September 30, 2017
True rating: 3.5 stars :-)!!
Now ...
Okay, not to sound nitpicky [because this is teeny tiny and still important], but I have an issue with Gideon and how he has internally "accused" Jonah of being "dense" when he felt like Jonah was missing the point on something Gideon was dealing with [and as it turns out, Jonah always understood PERFECTLY and was simply coming at it from a different angle], and it all ended up being a matter of miscommunication or misunderstanding. What's "funny" is that Jonah couldn't even call him on it, because it's all internal where Gideon is concerned (but certainly unknowingly put him in his place so to speak). Yes, Gideon, now is the time to turn sheepish!!
To think that Gideon has been through so much with his dyslexia and had to go through the horrors and injustice of being called "stupid" by his father, his teachers, and his peers when he was a child ... you'd think he'd be more careful jumping to conclusions and throwing out accusations, judgements or accusations the way he has been. Gideon, how about instead of calling out ridiculous judgement calls, (however affectionately you might mean them), you stop and think maybe it's YOU that misunderstood?!? Don't do it!!!
Example: “Oh, crap. It’s today?”
The last thing I needed was four kids underfoot, expecting to be trained, when Rico and I were up to our necks in problems. “I totally forgot. The systems crashed, and we have no idea what goes where.”
“First of all, take a deep breath; you look crazed.”
“Of course I do.” I loved Jonah but damn he was dense. “Don’t you understand we have deliveries to make and I don’t have their orders or even their phone numbers to call them to see what their orders are?” I scrubbed my face with my hands. “It’s a goddamn nightmare.”
These two love, are IN love with, respect, and adore one another. Truly, madly, deeply. I KNOW without any doubt whatsoever that Gideon doesn't mean it that way it sounds, not at all, nor would he EVER!! There is COMPLETE trust and admiration here. But this "tiny" little thing still annoys me. Gideon ... if you misunderstand or feel misunderstood, investigate ... ask questions ... give the benefit of the doubt.
Vent aside, I did enjoy the book and DO recommend it :-)!!
*** This isn't a traditional review as much as it is a collection of book musings. I typed this quickly and on the go, so pardon the disjointed thoughts or typos (if there are any) - Siri might have been naughty - I'll revise later if necessary.
Now ...
Okay, not to sound nitpicky [because this is teeny tiny and still important], but I have an issue with Gideon and how he has internally "accused" Jonah of being "dense" when he felt like Jonah was missing the point on something Gideon was dealing with [and as it turns out, Jonah always understood PERFECTLY and was simply coming at it from a different angle], and it all ended up being a matter of miscommunication or misunderstanding. What's "funny" is that Jonah couldn't even call him on it, because it's all internal where Gideon is concerned (but certainly unknowingly put him in his place so to speak). Yes, Gideon, now is the time to turn sheepish!!
To think that Gideon has been through so much with his dyslexia and had to go through the horrors and injustice of being called "stupid" by his father, his teachers, and his peers when he was a child ... you'd think he'd be more careful jumping to conclusions and throwing out accusations, judgements or accusations the way he has been. Gideon, how about instead of calling out ridiculous judgement calls, (however affectionately you might mean them), you stop and think maybe it's YOU that misunderstood?!? Don't do it!!!
Example: “Oh, crap. It’s today?”
The last thing I needed was four kids underfoot, expecting to be trained, when Rico and I were up to our necks in problems. “I totally forgot. The systems crashed, and we have no idea what goes where.”
“First of all, take a deep breath; you look crazed.”
“Of course I do.” I loved Jonah but damn he was dense. “Don’t you understand we have deliveries to make and I don’t have their orders or even their phone numbers to call them to see what their orders are?” I scrubbed my face with my hands. “It’s a goddamn nightmare.”
These two love, are IN love with, respect, and adore one another. Truly, madly, deeply. I KNOW without any doubt whatsoever that Gideon doesn't mean it that way it sounds, not at all, nor would he EVER!! There is COMPLETE trust and admiration here. But this "tiny" little thing still annoys me. Gideon ... if you misunderstand or feel misunderstood, investigate ... ask questions ... give the benefit of the doubt.
Vent aside, I did enjoy the book and DO recommend it :-)!!
*** This isn't a traditional review as much as it is a collection of book musings. I typed this quickly and on the go, so pardon the disjointed thoughts or typos (if there are any) - Siri might have been naughty - I'll revise later if necessary.
May 10, 2016
I received this book for free from in exchange for an honest review.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
3.5 stars
So I ended up eating my words. I had no intention to ever reading another Felice Stevens book. I felt like her and I didn’t go together at all. I use to get exasperated by the end of each book. Well I read a short of this book in a holiday anthology and loved it. When I found out it was a full length novel I decided to eat crow and read this. I enjoyed it just as much as the short. I do feel like it could have been maybe 50 pages shorter and some things could have been cut, but overall I really liked Gideon and Jonah’s love story. I don’t know if I would call it friends to lovers since they share a history from childhood but maybe associates to lovers who reacquaint with each other 10 years later.
Gideon has come back home to New York to show all the naysayers that he wasn’t bad or dumb. He came back to show that he made something of himself with his catering company. One of his first jobs back is at the synagogue he grow up in. He meets Jonah who he swore was mean to him in high school. Jonah who is now a Rabbi is excited to see Gideon. He doesn’t have the same feelings as Gideon about him, in fact he kinda was inspired by Gideon’s resourcefulness at school. They get off to a rocky start but it ends up heated. I liked the relationship build up between the two. Gideon has some sore spots regarding his childhood that’s even affected his adulthood. My heart felt for him, because even with all the obstacles he still made something of himself. As usual the mis-communication and going behind one’s back to ensure his love one gets Jonah in minor trouble. Certain aspects of the story in my opinion could have been excluded. I felt like certain areas weren’t needed and didn’t add to the story for me. I would have rather seen Gideon progress more and more. These two worked well together, we saw the love, we saw the need and fire for one another. I also enjoyed the support that they offered one another. I think the author did a good job, and I might be willing to look for more of her work.
This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review
3.5 stars
So I ended up eating my words. I had no intention to ever reading another Felice Stevens book. I felt like her and I didn’t go together at all. I use to get exasperated by the end of each book. Well I read a short of this book in a holiday anthology and loved it. When I found out it was a full length novel I decided to eat crow and read this. I enjoyed it just as much as the short. I do feel like it could have been maybe 50 pages shorter and some things could have been cut, but overall I really liked Gideon and Jonah’s love story. I don’t know if I would call it friends to lovers since they share a history from childhood but maybe associates to lovers who reacquaint with each other 10 years later.
Gideon has come back home to New York to show all the naysayers that he wasn’t bad or dumb. He came back to show that he made something of himself with his catering company. One of his first jobs back is at the synagogue he grow up in. He meets Jonah who he swore was mean to him in high school. Jonah who is now a Rabbi is excited to see Gideon. He doesn’t have the same feelings as Gideon about him, in fact he kinda was inspired by Gideon’s resourcefulness at school. They get off to a rocky start but it ends up heated. I liked the relationship build up between the two. Gideon has some sore spots regarding his childhood that’s even affected his adulthood. My heart felt for him, because even with all the obstacles he still made something of himself. As usual the mis-communication and going behind one’s back to ensure his love one gets Jonah in minor trouble. Certain aspects of the story in my opinion could have been excluded. I felt like certain areas weren’t needed and didn’t add to the story for me. I would have rather seen Gideon progress more and more. These two worked well together, we saw the love, we saw the need and fire for one another. I also enjoyed the support that they offered one another. I think the author did a good job, and I might be willing to look for more of her work.
May 9, 2016
There was something compelling and warm about the this life choices story. There was realness in the action of each Gideon and Jonah. Each had a life that lead them each in a different direction than when they knew each other from a distance in high school. I enjoyed the overall struggle to get to that point in life where its time to have what you want at any cost.
Gideon and Jonah had to come to those crossroads for themselves to make that a straight decision that would be met with no regrets. I say good job Felice Stevens.
**This ARC was provided via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
Gideon and Jonah had to come to those crossroads for themselves to make that a straight decision that would be met with no regrets. I say good job Felice Stevens.
**This ARC was provided via Tasty Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.**
June 6, 2016
I loved this book. This author is an autobuy for me, I haven't read a book of hers that I haven't loved.
Meeting Jonah again after 10 years brings back bad memories for Gideon.
He is now the owner of a successful catering business and Jonah the local Rabbi.
I liked that this enemies to lovers story wasn't plain sailing but you could see the love of the two men from the beginning.
I'd like a follow up with Rico's story.
Meeting Jonah again after 10 years brings back bad memories for Gideon.
He is now the owner of a successful catering business and Jonah the local Rabbi.
I liked that this enemies to lovers story wasn't plain sailing but you could see the love of the two men from the beginning.
I'd like a follow up with Rico's story.
November 4, 2017
I couldn't stand Gideon, So this book was a no for me.
April 27, 2020
This was just not for me. I’m already not a huge fan of enemies to lovers, but to go from “enemies” to “I love you” within like two days just made it was too unbelievable for me. I also found Gideon to be way too immature and just mean, while Jonah was a complete pushover.
November 5, 2017
2.5 Stars
Gideon Marks has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove to the people he grew up with. After losing his mother and grandmother in a car accident Gideon was raised by his alcoholic, emotionally abusing father. Gideon struggled with dyslexia and his father’s insults thrown at him on a daily basis: queer, stupid, idiot, pansy, were breaking his spirit day by day. After dropping out of high school and leaving home when he was 17, Gideon struggled for years to come to terms with his dyslexia and to make something with his life.
Ten years later, he owns a successful restaurant/take-away business together with his best friend Rico, and he’s ready to prove that he’s not the same worthless teenager he used to be. One thing Gideon hasn’t expected after returning to his home town was to find his childhood crush as the new Rabbi; Gideon isn’t ready to deal with Jonah and no matter how much Jonah tries to get close to Gideon, Gideon tries his hardest to push him away. Good thing Jonah isn’t a quitter and he’s determined to have Gideon, the man he’s always loved.
There were many things I loved and a few that didn’t work for me that much. I loved how Gideon’s dyslexia was handled; it wasn’t made into this big drama, but it also wasn’t brushed under the carpet. It was the disability that shaped Gideon’s life and the person who he has become. I also loved how they functioned as a couple, although it was mostly due to Jonah’s efforts more than anything else. And I really loved the secondary characters, especially Jonah’s father and Gideon’s best friend Rico. And speaking of Rico, I can’t wait to read his story!
What didn’t work for me at all was the insta-love that happened out of nowhere; yeah I understand that Gideon has crushed on Jonah forever, but they were never friends, they’ve never been close and Gideon didn’t even have a clue that Jonah was gay. And a few days after they met they’re exchanging ILY’s and you’re the love of my life kind of cheesy talk. That needed to come MUCH later!
One thing this story was lacking was Jonah’s POV because I didn’t really understand him or get to know him since I couldn’t really tell what was going through his head. Alternating POVs would’ve been perfect here!!! And the last thing I’m complaining about is the somewhat immature behavior Gideon demonstrated at times; no Gideon, storming out of a room, ignoring a person that’s talking to you, and behaving like a toddler throwing tantrums doesn’t look good on a 27 year old.
Overall this was a lot better than the last book I’ve read by this author; I can tell she’s becoming better with time and experience. I’m glad I gave Felice another chance and I’m looking forward to Rico’s story.
Gideon Marks has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove to the people he grew up with. After losing his mother and grandmother in a car accident Gideon was raised by his alcoholic, emotionally abusing father. Gideon struggled with dyslexia and his father’s insults thrown at him on a daily basis: queer, stupid, idiot, pansy, were breaking his spirit day by day. After dropping out of high school and leaving home when he was 17, Gideon struggled for years to come to terms with his dyslexia and to make something with his life.
Ten years later, he owns a successful restaurant/take-away business together with his best friend Rico, and he’s ready to prove that he’s not the same worthless teenager he used to be. One thing Gideon hasn’t expected after returning to his home town was to find his childhood crush as the new Rabbi; Gideon isn’t ready to deal with Jonah and no matter how much Jonah tries to get close to Gideon, Gideon tries his hardest to push him away. Good thing Jonah isn’t a quitter and he’s determined to have Gideon, the man he’s always loved.
There were many things I loved and a few that didn’t work for me that much. I loved how Gideon’s dyslexia was handled; it wasn’t made into this big drama, but it also wasn’t brushed under the carpet. It was the disability that shaped Gideon’s life and the person who he has become. I also loved how they functioned as a couple, although it was mostly due to Jonah’s efforts more than anything else. And I really loved the secondary characters, especially Jonah’s father and Gideon’s best friend Rico. And speaking of Rico, I can’t wait to read his story!
What didn’t work for me at all was the insta-love that happened out of nowhere; yeah I understand that Gideon has crushed on Jonah forever, but they were never friends, they’ve never been close and Gideon didn’t even have a clue that Jonah was gay. And a few days after they met they’re exchanging ILY’s and you’re the love of my life kind of cheesy talk. That needed to come MUCH later!
One thing this story was lacking was Jonah’s POV because I didn’t really understand him or get to know him since I couldn’t really tell what was going through his head. Alternating POVs would’ve been perfect here!!! And the last thing I’m complaining about is the somewhat immature behavior Gideon demonstrated at times; no Gideon, storming out of a room, ignoring a person that’s talking to you, and behaving like a toddler throwing tantrums doesn’t look good on a 27 year old.
Overall this was a lot better than the last book I’ve read by this author; I can tell she’s becoming better with time and experience. I’m glad I gave Felice another chance and I’m looking forward to Rico’s story.
May 13, 2016
One thing I've found I can count on from Felice Stevens--when I pick up one of her books, I know I'm going to get a good, solid story with romance, heat, a bit of drama, and my #1 must have-a happy ending. Every part of this is true for Learning to Love, even if the "L" word is said a bit too early in the story for my liking.
As for me, I'm going to give you the "L" word now--as in I loved both Gideon and Jonah. Gideon is a character that every reader will be proud of for what he's achieved given the adversity he's faced in his life. And Jonah is a man who is strong, compassionate and thoroughly enamored with Gideon-and has been for years. They both perceived each other differently back in high school than what their realities truly were, making Gideon's slightly harsh reaction to Jonah understandable once we find out his reasoning...even if we don't agree with that reaction ten years later.
The two of them together are combustible and everything between them is quite intense. The "L" word pops out very early on which felt a bit rushed to me, but Gideon and Jonah both show us again and again throughout the entire story that it is eventually warranted. I really liked how the two of them supported each other, and by the time I was done reading I couldn't imagine them ever not ending up with each other.
There's a couple of spots with some drama to keep you on your toes. I do think Gideon's reaction to something Jonah does for him is a bit extreme, though I can understand why Gideon would be upset. The other bit of drama on Jonah's end dealing with the temple doesn't quite get all answered in this story, or at least not enough for me to feel like we got all the answers.
A quick aside here for a warning...be sure to keep some hearty snacks on hand while you read. There's plenty of simply scrumptious food going on in the book since Gideon is a caterer with his own storefront-after reading I had to go dig out my own recipe box for my mom's kugel recipe, and I lucked out while reading that my hubby just happened to make brisket for us, otherwise I'd be pulling out that recipe too LOL.
Overall, this is another great story, leaving me happy and satisfied once I was finished reading (oh, and a bit hot and bothered because whoo boy...Gideon and Jonah can really amp up the steam factor!). Learning to Love was a very solid 4-star read for me, and I definitely recommend it to M/M romance fans 18+ (for adult language and that oh-so-scorchingly hot M/M sexual content). I really hope we get a story for Gideon's best friend Rico too-I found him to be sweet, supportive and an all-around wonderful character.
As for me, I'm going to give you the "L" word now--as in I loved both Gideon and Jonah. Gideon is a character that every reader will be proud of for what he's achieved given the adversity he's faced in his life. And Jonah is a man who is strong, compassionate and thoroughly enamored with Gideon-and has been for years. They both perceived each other differently back in high school than what their realities truly were, making Gideon's slightly harsh reaction to Jonah understandable once we find out his reasoning...even if we don't agree with that reaction ten years later.
The two of them together are combustible and everything between them is quite intense. The "L" word pops out very early on which felt a bit rushed to me, but Gideon and Jonah both show us again and again throughout the entire story that it is eventually warranted. I really liked how the two of them supported each other, and by the time I was done reading I couldn't imagine them ever not ending up with each other.
There's a couple of spots with some drama to keep you on your toes. I do think Gideon's reaction to something Jonah does for him is a bit extreme, though I can understand why Gideon would be upset. The other bit of drama on Jonah's end dealing with the temple doesn't quite get all answered in this story, or at least not enough for me to feel like we got all the answers.
A quick aside here for a warning...be sure to keep some hearty snacks on hand while you read. There's plenty of simply scrumptious food going on in the book since Gideon is a caterer with his own storefront-after reading I had to go dig out my own recipe box for my mom's kugel recipe, and I lucked out while reading that my hubby just happened to make brisket for us, otherwise I'd be pulling out that recipe too LOL.
Overall, this is another great story, leaving me happy and satisfied once I was finished reading (oh, and a bit hot and bothered because whoo boy...Gideon and Jonah can really amp up the steam factor!). Learning to Love was a very solid 4-star read for me, and I definitely recommend it to M/M romance fans 18+ (for adult language and that oh-so-scorchingly hot M/M sexual content). I really hope we get a story for Gideon's best friend Rico too-I found him to be sweet, supportive and an all-around wonderful character.
November 5, 2017
* Five Stars ! *
*EDITED*
Re-visiting this book is easy. I adored Gideon and Jonah so much. When I missed them, re-reading is the answer...
OMG I ADORED GIDEON AND JONAH SO MUCH !
Felice teased us so many times about 'the secret project' she'd been working on, and suddenly we have teasers and teasers...
Always love her writing style (because I think Felice writes for me), and this book about Gideon and Rabbi Jonah is really entertaining.
A chef and a Rabbi? The cast alone tickles my curiosity, I mean...come on !
You know how it feels when your teenage crush is suddenly appears in front of you, and he's a Rabbi? And gay, and definitely 'not in the closet'?
But Gideon didn't know that Jonah was also had a crush on him back that younger day...but well...communication seemed 'not' in their dictionary that day.
Gideon has a secret that he wouldn't share to anyone else, not including Jonah. That's why he left town to prove that he can also be a successful businessman with whatever people thinking about him.
Then, he is. He's having his own company. And Jonah still wants him, without knowing his big secret.
But Jonah...Oh, bless his perfect soul, a very patient man, definitely was born to be a Rabbi, he never give up on Gideon, however hard Gideon pushed him away.
I'm glad that Jonah did what he supposed to do, let Gideon arrange his own pace, and waiting. Not leaving.
I'm glad that they don't have to face some 'hard twist' moments in their relationship though I was scared that they'll be having heart broken, again. But , no. This time they talked. Really talk and Gideon is finally let Jonah 'in' and 'help' him.
I cried over how lost young Gideon. He's alone, and thought that nobody cared about him. Losing people you love and ignored by his father, hit him hard. He was still a kid back then. Understandable.
I'm glad that he's finally found 'the real family' in Jonah and Rabbi Fine (Jonah's father). I don't really care about Gideon's father. I think he paid his due, and deserved to be ignored. Whatever.
I always love Felice Stevens's characters...and I loved that I've got two surprises...A Chef and A Rabbi. Two interesting characters that I need more in my books in the future.
Overall, this one is recommended.
Did I mentioned that I love Chef and Rabbi? Yeah, that.
Well done, Felice !
*EDITED*
Re-visiting this book is easy. I adored Gideon and Jonah so much. When I missed them, re-reading is the answer...
OMG I ADORED GIDEON AND JONAH SO MUCH !
Felice teased us so many times about 'the secret project' she'd been working on, and suddenly we have teasers and teasers...
Always love her writing style (because I think Felice writes for me), and this book about Gideon and Rabbi Jonah is really entertaining.
A chef and a Rabbi? The cast alone tickles my curiosity, I mean...come on !
You know how it feels when your teenage crush is suddenly appears in front of you, and he's a Rabbi? And gay, and definitely 'not in the closet'?
But Gideon didn't know that Jonah was also had a crush on him back that younger day...but well...communication seemed 'not' in their dictionary that day.
Gideon has a secret that he wouldn't share to anyone else, not including Jonah. That's why he left town to prove that he can also be a successful businessman with whatever people thinking about him.
Then, he is. He's having his own company. And Jonah still wants him, without knowing his big secret.
But Jonah...Oh, bless his perfect soul, a very patient man, definitely was born to be a Rabbi, he never give up on Gideon, however hard Gideon pushed him away.
I'm glad that Jonah did what he supposed to do, let Gideon arrange his own pace, and waiting. Not leaving.
I'm glad that they don't have to face some 'hard twist' moments in their relationship though I was scared that they'll be having heart broken, again. But , no. This time they talked. Really talk and Gideon is finally let Jonah 'in' and 'help' him.
I cried over how lost young Gideon. He's alone, and thought that nobody cared about him. Losing people you love and ignored by his father, hit him hard. He was still a kid back then. Understandable.
I'm glad that he's finally found 'the real family' in Jonah and Rabbi Fine (Jonah's father). I don't really care about Gideon's father. I think he paid his due, and deserved to be ignored. Whatever.
I always love Felice Stevens's characters...and I loved that I've got two surprises...A Chef and A Rabbi. Two interesting characters that I need more in my books in the future.
Overall, this one is recommended.
Did I mentioned that I love Chef and Rabbi? Yeah, that.
Well done, Felice !
May 12, 2016
Obwohl Gideon es in seiner Kindheit und Jugend schwer hatte und seine beruflichen Aussichten mehr als fragwürdig waren, hat es der junge Koch und Caterer geschafft. Fern von New York hat er sich durchgebissen und sich zu einem erfolgreichen Geschäftsmann gemausert. Nun ist er zurück in New York und will es allen beweisen, die ihn in seiner Jugend unterschätzt und herablassend behandelt haben. Vor allem Jonah, dem Sohn des Rabbis. Dabei erlebt Gideon jedoch eine Überraschung, die ihm schier den Boden unter den Füssen entzieht.
Denn Gideon verkennt Jonah völlig. Der hat doch nicht Recht studiert, sondern ist ebenfalls Rabbi geworden und soll die Gemeinde seines Vaters übernehmen. Doch Ari ist noch nicht wirklich bereit Jonah das Amt zu überlassen, auch wenn er etwas anderes sagt. Jonah hingegen hat nur auf Gideons Rückkehr gewartet und selbst versucht ihn zu finden. Doch Gideon war wie vom Erdboden verschluckt. Dabei hat Jonah ernsthafte Gefühle für ihn und versucht sich dem trotzigen und oft störrischen Gideon zu nähern. Von Jonahs Gefühlen und Geständnis ist Gideon vorerst überfordert und versucht den jungen Rabbi so gut wie möglich auf Distanz zu halten. Doch angesichts seiner eigenen, unterdrückten Gefühle für Jonah ist das sehr schwierig.
Diese Geschicht gibt/gab es bereits als Kurzgeschichten-Beitrag für ein Charity-Projekt, das von der Autorin mit Anderen zu Weihnachten veröffentlich wurde. Schon als KG war die Geschichte von Jonah und Gideon schön zu lesen. Doch jetzt hat Felice Stevens ein kleines Juwel daraus gemacht. Die Story bleibt gleich, doch jetzt bekommen Jonahs Vater Ari und Gideons Geschäftspartner Rico etwas mehr Platz. Und natürlich wird viel eindrücklicher und umfangreicher erzählt wie der ruhige, beständige Jonah den um sich schlagenden und unsicheren Gideon für sich gewinnt.
Beide Protagonisten sind sehr schön, intensiv und ausführlich beschrieben. Man lacht, man leidet, man versteht. Sie sind jeder für sich sehr speziell und besonders, aber auch als Paar sehr angenehm und sympathisch. Vor allem Jonah hat es mir angetan, der sich wirklich ein großes Projekt vorgenommen hat. Gideon ist aufgrund seiner Kindheit sehr vorsichtig und mißtrauisch geworden; ständig hadert er mit seinen Schwächen und fühlt sich auch immer wieder unterlegen. Egal wie erfolgreich er ist und egal wer ihn vom Gegenteil überzeugen will. Doch Jonah gelingt es sanft, aber bestimmt diesen Selbstschutz aufzubrechen. Dabei hat Jonah ebenfalls Selbstzweifel und erst mit der Unterstützung von Gideon gelingt es ihm diese zurückzudrängen.
Hierfür gibt es eine uneingeschränkte Leseempfehlung!
Denn Gideon verkennt Jonah völlig. Der hat doch nicht Recht studiert, sondern ist ebenfalls Rabbi geworden und soll die Gemeinde seines Vaters übernehmen. Doch Ari ist noch nicht wirklich bereit Jonah das Amt zu überlassen, auch wenn er etwas anderes sagt. Jonah hingegen hat nur auf Gideons Rückkehr gewartet und selbst versucht ihn zu finden. Doch Gideon war wie vom Erdboden verschluckt. Dabei hat Jonah ernsthafte Gefühle für ihn und versucht sich dem trotzigen und oft störrischen Gideon zu nähern. Von Jonahs Gefühlen und Geständnis ist Gideon vorerst überfordert und versucht den jungen Rabbi so gut wie möglich auf Distanz zu halten. Doch angesichts seiner eigenen, unterdrückten Gefühle für Jonah ist das sehr schwierig.
Diese Geschicht gibt/gab es bereits als Kurzgeschichten-Beitrag für ein Charity-Projekt, das von der Autorin mit Anderen zu Weihnachten veröffentlich wurde. Schon als KG war die Geschichte von Jonah und Gideon schön zu lesen. Doch jetzt hat Felice Stevens ein kleines Juwel daraus gemacht. Die Story bleibt gleich, doch jetzt bekommen Jonahs Vater Ari und Gideons Geschäftspartner Rico etwas mehr Platz. Und natürlich wird viel eindrücklicher und umfangreicher erzählt wie der ruhige, beständige Jonah den um sich schlagenden und unsicheren Gideon für sich gewinnt.
Beide Protagonisten sind sehr schön, intensiv und ausführlich beschrieben. Man lacht, man leidet, man versteht. Sie sind jeder für sich sehr speziell und besonders, aber auch als Paar sehr angenehm und sympathisch. Vor allem Jonah hat es mir angetan, der sich wirklich ein großes Projekt vorgenommen hat. Gideon ist aufgrund seiner Kindheit sehr vorsichtig und mißtrauisch geworden; ständig hadert er mit seinen Schwächen und fühlt sich auch immer wieder unterlegen. Egal wie erfolgreich er ist und egal wer ihn vom Gegenteil überzeugen will. Doch Jonah gelingt es sanft, aber bestimmt diesen Selbstschutz aufzubrechen. Dabei hat Jonah ebenfalls Selbstzweifel und erst mit der Unterstützung von Gideon gelingt es ihm diese zurückzudrängen.
Hierfür gibt es eine uneingeschränkte Leseempfehlung!
May 22, 2016
Reviewed for www.lovebytesreviews.com
4.5 stars
I was delighted to hear that author Felice Stevens had decided to take her holiday story from the home for the holidays anthology and expand it to a novel. I was so curious to read more about both Gideon as Jonah and author Felice Stevens doesn’t disappoint. Where the basic structure of the story is there, there are so many additions and reworked scenes that makes it a wonderful new reading experience.
When Gideon gets hired to cater the Shabbos dinner for his former synagogue he wants to prove himself and show that he made something of his life in the years he was away shredding the bad boy image. He wants to show he is worthy of catering the Chanukah dinner. Finding out that Jonah, the man he was had a secret crush on all those years ago, is the new Rabbi and that he lives there shakes Gideon to his core especially when he finds out after an unexpected encounter that he is also openly gay. Gideon has some secrets he isn’t willing to share and thanks to his right hand man “Rico” he has managed to keep them secret for so long.
When Gideon and Jonah meet there is instant chemistry even though Gideon would like to deny it and it feels like it is just waiting for it to blow. When it does it opens up different layers and Gideon struggles with how to deal with Jonah, his feelings and the secret he doesn’t really want to share (yet). Jonah has his ways though and when the secret is out, both men feel that there is so much more there.
Author Felice Stevens really added some great extra interaction between Gideon and Jonah, quit a bit of that sexual, but what captured my heart were the small moments with Jonah and his father or the moments when both guys struggle with different issues.
In the end it comes down to trust and love and working out how to deal with both.
Well worth the read especially now it is a complete novel so the people who don’t like a short story can take a happy breath and dive in :)
Felice Stevens drafts a wonderful story about love, acceptance, family and comfort and finding you path in life.
On a side note: I do hope there is a story for Rico there in the future. I would love to see him have his HEA , he is such a kind and sweet man , such an amazing friend and a truly wonderful addition to this story.
4.5 stars
I was delighted to hear that author Felice Stevens had decided to take her holiday story from the home for the holidays anthology and expand it to a novel. I was so curious to read more about both Gideon as Jonah and author Felice Stevens doesn’t disappoint. Where the basic structure of the story is there, there are so many additions and reworked scenes that makes it a wonderful new reading experience.
When Gideon gets hired to cater the Shabbos dinner for his former synagogue he wants to prove himself and show that he made something of his life in the years he was away shredding the bad boy image. He wants to show he is worthy of catering the Chanukah dinner. Finding out that Jonah, the man he was had a secret crush on all those years ago, is the new Rabbi and that he lives there shakes Gideon to his core especially when he finds out after an unexpected encounter that he is also openly gay. Gideon has some secrets he isn’t willing to share and thanks to his right hand man “Rico” he has managed to keep them secret for so long.
When Gideon and Jonah meet there is instant chemistry even though Gideon would like to deny it and it feels like it is just waiting for it to blow. When it does it opens up different layers and Gideon struggles with how to deal with Jonah, his feelings and the secret he doesn’t really want to share (yet). Jonah has his ways though and when the secret is out, both men feel that there is so much more there.
Author Felice Stevens really added some great extra interaction between Gideon and Jonah, quit a bit of that sexual, but what captured my heart were the small moments with Jonah and his father or the moments when both guys struggle with different issues.
In the end it comes down to trust and love and working out how to deal with both.
Well worth the read especially now it is a complete novel so the people who don’t like a short story can take a happy breath and dive in :)
Felice Stevens drafts a wonderful story about love, acceptance, family and comfort and finding you path in life.
On a side note: I do hope there is a story for Rico there in the future. I would love to see him have his HEA , he is such a kind and sweet man , such an amazing friend and a truly wonderful addition to this story.
April 23, 2016
“If we knew each other's secrets, what comforts we should find.” ― John Churton Collins.
When Gideon Marks left home ten years prior, uncertain and unsure, he was full of hatred and frightened of ever believing anyone would want him due to his disability.
He found his joy in cooking and with his best friend and partner, Rico, he returned to the one place he never thought he would return. It was true that you could come home again. However, old hurts and pains remained and Gideon was about to learn that "...when it comes to love, the most important lessons aren't always taught in school"
Jonah Fine was the one boy Gideon loved and despised since school. Jonah had the life he wanted and Gideon was determined to prove to them all that regardless, he had mad something of himself.
What he never expected was to find that Jonah himself had changed also.
The story was well written, and though I have read and enjoyed Felice Stevens prior books, I hesitated when it came to "men of the cloth" and love stories, especially in our ever-changing world. The fact that both Gideon and Jonah had secrets and difficulties realizing things in life, they were able to "man up" and correct these problems.
The heat level for me was a 3, though well written. I felt in the moment with the characters and wanted to strangle Gideon at times, but his frustrations were warranted. Jonah made a good partner and I hope to revisit them in the future, because I smell a second book with Rico.
Read, enjoy and drool over the meals that kept me on edge.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
When Gideon Marks left home ten years prior, uncertain and unsure, he was full of hatred and frightened of ever believing anyone would want him due to his disability.
He found his joy in cooking and with his best friend and partner, Rico, he returned to the one place he never thought he would return. It was true that you could come home again. However, old hurts and pains remained and Gideon was about to learn that "...when it comes to love, the most important lessons aren't always taught in school"
Jonah Fine was the one boy Gideon loved and despised since school. Jonah had the life he wanted and Gideon was determined to prove to them all that regardless, he had mad something of himself.
What he never expected was to find that Jonah himself had changed also.
The story was well written, and though I have read and enjoyed Felice Stevens prior books, I hesitated when it came to "men of the cloth" and love stories, especially in our ever-changing world. The fact that both Gideon and Jonah had secrets and difficulties realizing things in life, they were able to "man up" and correct these problems.
The heat level for me was a 3, though well written. I felt in the moment with the characters and wanted to strangle Gideon at times, but his frustrations were warranted. Jonah made a good partner and I hope to revisit them in the future, because I smell a second book with Rico.
Read, enjoy and drool over the meals that kept me on edge.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Cee from Alpha Book Club
May 5, 2016
I really liked this story from Felice. It didn't have a lot of drama which I enjoyed. Gideon and Jonah were a cute couple. Jonah wanted Gideon since school but he was the brains and Gideon was the bad boy. They didn't get together then but both had crushed on each other. Fast forward about 10 years later and we learn Gideons story which broke my heart. He was told he was dumb and other things because he was gay and had a learning disability. He left NY and made his was to FL where he became a chef and decided to return home to show everyone that he was someone successful. Upon returning his meets Jonah again who also came home to become a Rabbi and take over for his dad. The story builds from there. Gideon fights the attraction for so long before he gives in and they become a couple. Some misunderstandings happen but as I said not much drama but in the end they wind up together and in love and happy.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jodi Marinich from Alpha Book Club
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Jodi Marinich from Alpha Book Club
May 2, 2016
4.5 stars rounded up to 5... This ended up being really good even though Gideon started out as an a**, at least to me. I get why but still, hehe. I thought both he and Jonah were extra hot together and were also very sweet together. I loved hearing about all the delicious food and of course it made me hungry. Not sure if there's going to be another book in this book universe but I would love for Rico to meet up with someone special. Just a little random, not important thing except probably just to me, but because my mind works like this, lol This was my first book purchase of May ;-)
February 15, 2017
This is the first book I have read by this author... and it won't be the last! I have to admit I am a romantic, cry in movies like "Collateral Beauty", etc. This book is so well written I barely put it down during the slightly less than 2 hours it took to read. The only downside was my clogged sinuses after the tears.
Would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great very real love story!
Would highly recommend it to anyone who loves a great very real love story!
May 20, 2016
Drop on 40%. What is this story about? About a rabbi or about a guy with dyslexia (both characteristics are too significant to choose between them) or about reunion? But it's hardly reunion either. I don't beleive in you-are-my-high-school-crash-and-after-ten-years-i-SUDDENLY-love-you-again...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews