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Cinnamen
Oliver Douglass’s world flips on its head when he gets a call telling him his mother has been in an accident. He agrees to take over running her bakery until she is back on her feet, even though it means leaving his coveted sous chef job and returning to a town he despises and the life he left behind ten years ago. When Daniel Dawson isn’t in his grad school classes or working as a dancer at Cinnamen, the town’s hottest gay nightclub, he’s spending time with Patty, who has become a second mother to him. After she expresses concern about her son’s non-existent people skills, Daniel agrees to check in on the bakery and make sure things are running smoothly. Daniel’s first run-in with Oliver is anything but pleasant, yet Daniel can’t deny the chemistry between them. Oliver continues to tell himself his hometown holds nothing of interest to him … except a certain happy-go-lucky dancer may show him that isn't the truth. Will Daniel’s affections be enough to thaw Oliver’s heart? Cinnamen is a 35K word contemporary M/M novella containing hot cinnamon rolls, hot Cinnamen buns, and a sugary sweet soon-to-be librarian set on melting the rock candy heart of a grumpy big-city chef.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 22, 2019
30 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Andi James
9 books157 followersAndi James has been in love with books and words her entire life. She writes about people finding things — themselves, happiness, love — and edits all kinds of stories. Her two dogs and three cats are her favorite co-workers. She adores coffee, the night sky, and horror movies.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 2, 2019
~3.5~
Awww, what a sweet surprise!
This enemies-to-lovers novella is uncomplicated, funny, and quite entertaining.
I liked both main characters, including grumpy Oliver (although he really was ridiculously pouty for a grown-ass man).
The secondary characters were a lot of fun, and the "conflict" over the cinnamon roll plushy was hilarious.
I smell a cinnamon*-flavored series in the future!
* not to be confused with Cinna-MEN.
Awww, what a sweet surprise!
This enemies-to-lovers novella is uncomplicated, funny, and quite entertaining.
I liked both main characters, including grumpy Oliver (although he really was ridiculously pouty for a grown-ass man).
The secondary characters were a lot of fun, and the "conflict" over the cinnamon roll plushy was hilarious.
I smell a cinnamon*-flavored series in the future!
* not to be confused with Cinna-MEN.
January 17, 2019
I picked this up as a freebie over the holidays, and finally got a chance to read it, and OMG, this was fabulous. I giggled, I LOL'd, and I aww'd a lot. Grumpy Chef Oliver and happy-go-lucky student Daniel, meeting, meeting again, what with Oliver being all grumpy and rude, and Daniel not letting him get away with that, and spending time together because they both love Oliver's mom, which leads to them getting it on - even with the hiccup in the middle - all that made for an adorable, cute, sweet, and fluffy little romance. I loved this.
I'd really like to see the other Cinnamen get a story too, and I hope the two authors will consider writing more fabulous stories like this one.
I'd really like to see the other Cinnamen get a story too, and I hope the two authors will consider writing more fabulous stories like this one.
January 12, 2019
3.5 stars
Since it's a short story, everything was progressing too fast for me. Nothing new there.
But I really enjoyed it otherwise. Opposites attract. Doom and Gloom meets Mr. Cheer and Optimism. It's a delightful and amusing read.
Interesting array of secondary characters. I hope we see them too.
Since it's a short story, everything was progressing too fast for me. Nothing new there.
But I really enjoyed it otherwise. Opposites attract. Doom and Gloom meets Mr. Cheer and Optimism. It's a delightful and amusing read.
Interesting array of secondary characters. I hope we see them too.
December 31, 2023
cute read
Low-angst and sweet. Marking down because the punchline scene stressed me out. I think anyone who has worked in food service will get that 😄
Low-angst and sweet. Marking down because the punchline scene stressed me out. I think anyone who has worked in food service will get that 😄
Want to Read
December 28, 201812/28/18: Currently FREE as part of the New Year/New Author Giveaway:
"28 new authors coming together to give you a taste of the future of MM Romance."
28 free stories available via (Instafreebie) Prolific Works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/D...
"28 new authors coming together to give you a taste of the future of MM Romance."
28 free stories available via (Instafreebie) Prolific Works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/D...
January 7, 2019
New to me author. This was a short mm contemporary novella about a student/ dancer at a gay club and a grumpy chef. Awesome side characters too. I’ll read more from this author.
December 27, 2020
Not my favorite from these authors, but still a solid story.
December 26, 2019
3.5 stars
January 15, 2022
Letting Go, Letting Love In!
Grumpy/still grieving Chef Oliver comes home to help his injured mother and meets happy-go-lucky Student/Club Dancer Daniel and it’s hate/love at first sight. This is a sweet, low angst, no surprises storyline. The likable Daniel made the tale charming, while Oliver added the spice. Overall, a good lighthearted read. Rating: 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
Grumpy/still grieving Chef Oliver comes home to help his injured mother and meets happy-go-lucky Student/Club Dancer Daniel and it’s hate/love at first sight. This is a sweet, low angst, no surprises storyline. The likable Daniel made the tale charming, while Oliver added the spice. Overall, a good lighthearted read. Rating: 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 25, 2019
I need some cinnamen in my life
First things first, yay for librarians and libraries! This book made me crave cinnamon rolls, and I fell in love with Patty and her pics. She's everyone's favorite mom. I loved how Daniel and Oliver met, and I want my very own stuffed cinnamon roll. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorites and boy, does Oliver fit the bill. He harbors a lot of anger and comes across as grumpy; however, it's really a defense he uses for protection. It's a good thing Daniel's so charming, persistent and has a wonderful, witty sense of humor. He's very good at disarming people and getting his way at the same time. I love how he's goofy and can make Oliver laugh. Plus, they're really hot together.
The scene in the bakery with all the Cinnamen guys touched my heart. What a wonderful family they are and I would never turn down naked baking. As an aside, I loved the Marian book too! Also, I think I need some princess cookies. I hope we see more of these guys in later books. A fun and sweet love story!
First things first, yay for librarians and libraries! This book made me crave cinnamon rolls, and I fell in love with Patty and her pics. She's everyone's favorite mom. I loved how Daniel and Oliver met, and I want my very own stuffed cinnamon roll. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorites and boy, does Oliver fit the bill. He harbors a lot of anger and comes across as grumpy; however, it's really a defense he uses for protection. It's a good thing Daniel's so charming, persistent and has a wonderful, witty sense of humor. He's very good at disarming people and getting his way at the same time. I love how he's goofy and can make Oliver laugh. Plus, they're really hot together.
The scene in the bakery with all the Cinnamen guys touched my heart. What a wonderful family they are and I would never turn down naked baking. As an aside, I loved the Marian book too! Also, I think I need some princess cookies. I hope we see more of these guys in later books. A fun and sweet love story!
April 29, 2019
3.5 stars, rounded up.
This was a cute story. I absolutely adored Daniel and Oliver's mother. Oliver, on the other hand, took a lot to warm up to. He took grumpiness to a whole new level.
A nice, quick read.
Full review can be found at -
This was a cute story. I absolutely adored Daniel and Oliver's mother. Oliver, on the other hand, took a lot to warm up to. He took grumpiness to a whole new level.
A nice, quick read.
Full review can be found at -
February 8, 2019
What a sweet enemies-to-lovers book! Daniel was infinitely cheerful and Ollie was always grumpy. Daniel was a sweetheart as was Oliver once he got over himself.
January 13, 2019
Nicely written sweet story of opposites attract. Very open happy-go-lucky Daniel meets dour closed and angry Oliver when Oliver’s mother Patty winds up in the hospital. Oliver has a backstory that Daniel is determined to get and his persistence in knocking down Oliver’s emotional barriers pays off. Daniel and Oliver make a nice couple and there is great supporting cast courtesy of the club Cinnamen. This book is a perfect set-up for a series that could each focus on one of Patty’s boys. Certainly Owen and Caleb deserve their own stories.
My only real complaint about this book was that the timelines often seemed a bit off. I could never really tell what time of day it was.
My only real complaint about this book was that the timelines often seemed a bit off. I could never really tell what time of day it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2021
This was a really cute book. I love when opposites attract. Daniel is perpetually upbeat and Oliver's a grumpy Gus. It was so much fun watching them butt heads. Oliver didn't stand a chance. I can't even feel bad about laughing when he'd get annoyed over Daniel calling him Ollie. He definitely had valid reasons for his hostility towards the town but I'm glad that his mom and Daniel were able to show him that things weren't so bad there. I really liked that Daniel had such a close relationship with Ollie's mom and how everyone came together to help her. I definitely wouldn't mind seeing the men of Cinnamen serving up buns at my local coffee shop.
April 13, 2019
Git this book as a freebie and enjoyed it from start to end. I liked the way through persistence Daniel eventually gets Ollie to open up and deal with his demons from the past. The side characters are enjoyable, one wonders if there is more coming on them and patty Ollie,s mum a great character. It did not get the final start from me mor due to length be would have liked to get to know more about Daniel. Some of the transitions where a bit too quick and could have done with mor evolution. But a lot in a great HEA HEA . Worth the read. It will lift your heart.
November 14, 2019
A feel-good book
This was a fairly quick read that was full of feel-good moments, no cliffhangers, no angst, and a little steam. If you are wanting a light-hearted romance, this is the one for you. My only warning is you may end up wanting to run to a bakery. ;)
This was a fairly quick read that was full of feel-good moments, no cliffhangers, no angst, and a little steam. If you are wanting a light-hearted romance, this is the one for you. My only warning is you may end up wanting to run to a bakery. ;)
August 6, 2025
Short but cute read.
I loved Daniel...he was so optimistic and determined to break through with Ollie.
Oliver, however, was a bit of a jerk and took some getting use to. The reason for him hating Easton is weak in my opinion and his wrath seemed misplaced.
I loved Daniel...he was so optimistic and determined to break through with Ollie.
Oliver, however, was a bit of a jerk and took some getting use to. The reason for him hating Easton is weak in my opinion and his wrath seemed misplaced.
January 1, 2019
A cute story of Oliver ( the grump) and Daniel. The secondary characters are great and I love the reference to "Borrowing Blue". :-) Bring on more of the cinnamen boys.
January 1, 2019
This was adorable! Even though it was short it was definitely worth it and I can totally see more books coming from this one! Andi and Lila aced it again!
March 5, 2019
Loved it! A enemies to lovers kind of thing, with a slow burn and many, many sugar goodies in between. Sweet Daniel and Grumpy Oliver are lovely together ❤
March 12, 2019
Cute story. Easy read.
April 7, 2019
Loved this sweet novella! I really hope the authors will give us more stories about the Cinnamen! Grumpy Oliver and happy Daniel are just the cutest and matchmaking Patty is an added bonus!
July 26, 2019
Loved this short story...Love the way these ladies write...sweet and sexy, enemies to lovers!!
December 11, 2019
⭐️3.5⭐️
March 24, 2021
3.5 stars
September 20, 2021
Enjoyable!
I enjoyed Daniel and Oliver’s story! It’s a quick, sweet, and low angst read. I’m a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope and this is a fun example.
I enjoyed Daniel and Oliver’s story! It’s a quick, sweet, and low angst read. I’m a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope and this is a fun example.
December 30, 2018
Definitely, authors to watch in 2019.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews