What do you think?
Rate this book
Dinner at Home
It only takes a few days for Ollie D'Angelo to lose his boyfriend, his job, and his home. Instead of mourning what he doesn't have, Ollie celebrates what he the freedom to pursue his real passion -- cooking. He begins Dinner at Home, a home-catering business, and it takes off. Late one night, Ollie catches Hank Mellinger, a streetwise hood down on his luck, about to rob his car. Ollie soon discovers that appearances aren't necessarily what they seem. Hank isn't a criminal caught red-handed, but a hungry young man trying to make a life for himself and the four-year-old niece he's trying desperately to take care of. Instead of calling the cops, Ollie offers Hank a job and a way to pull himself up by his bootstraps. Together, they discover they can really cook ... and that their shared passion for food just might lead to a passion for each other.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 8, 2014
14 people are currently reading
345 people want to read
About the author
Rick R. Reed
118 books1,046 followersReal Men. True Love.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
Rick R. Reed is an award-winning and bestselling author of more than sixty works of published fiction, spanning genres such as horror, psychological suspense and love stories. He is a Lambda Literary Award finalist and a multiple Rainbow Award winner.
Entertainment Weekly has described his work as “heartrending and sensitive.” Lambda Literary has called him: “A writer that doesn’t disappoint…”
Find him at www.rickrreedreality.blogspot.com. Rick lives in Palm Springs, CA, with his two rescue dogs, Kodi and Joaquin.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
May 6, 2014
Dinner at Home is not at all what I expected. I thought I was getting a foodie romp, but there's nothing light about this book. It deals (on the surface at least) with some serious issues, including homelessness and drug abuse.
Ollie, 31, loves to cook. His life changes in 48 hours when he's dumped by his boyfriend of one year and loses his advertising job to a company layoff. Ollie takes the opportunity to soul search and start a home catering business. When he catches 22-year-old Hank breaking into his car one night, he feels empathy for the near homeless, hungry man who's taking care of his 4-year-old niece and offers him a job and place to stay.
I don't mind heavy themes in books, but this lacked the depth to really explore any of the issues raised. There was very little relationship development between the MCs. We see them on the night of the car break-in and then weeks later when they're already comfortable working as friends. The move from friends to lovers was abrupt. There were few scenes of them cooking together or enjoying each other. I didn't get what connected them, other than circumstances.
For a third of the book, Ollie is preoccupied with his ex-boyfriend. The prologue shows us Ollie cooking breakfast for his ex, and later .
There was an odd side story line about a young woman who also works for Ollie who had a very rough upbringing. Her background is shocking, but it's literally mentioned and left. Later, she finds love, and all is well. I didn't see the point of including this at all.
Also, Hank's 4-year-old niece was too much. I have a 4-year-old and spend time with his preschool friends, and I can say with conviction that no 4-year-old ever talks like this:
"Get in here and come to bed before I come out there and slap you both silly."
"Put me down, damn it. I'm hungry. Are we gonna eat or stand around all day kissing?"
Look, kids say some funny, precocious shit, but Addison sounded like a 40-year-old jaded broad.
Addison's mom (Hank's sister) seems to have a miraculous change of heart between the first scene she's in and the last.
There were sweet moments in the book; I liked the ending, even if I didn't fully buy into it. But how can a book about food with recipes lack a scene where the MCs use food as foreplay? Ollie imagines it at the beginning with his ex, but it never happens.
I'm still giving this three stars, because it was a quick read and well written. I just thought it was missing something.
Ollie, 31, loves to cook. His life changes in 48 hours when he's dumped by his boyfriend of one year and loses his advertising job to a company layoff. Ollie takes the opportunity to soul search and start a home catering business. When he catches 22-year-old Hank breaking into his car one night, he feels empathy for the near homeless, hungry man who's taking care of his 4-year-old niece and offers him a job and place to stay.
I don't mind heavy themes in books, but this lacked the depth to really explore any of the issues raised. There was very little relationship development between the MCs. We see them on the night of the car break-in and then weeks later when they're already comfortable working as friends. The move from friends to lovers was abrupt. There were few scenes of them cooking together or enjoying each other. I didn't get what connected them, other than circumstances.
For a third of the book, Ollie is preoccupied with his ex-boyfriend. The prologue shows us Ollie cooking breakfast for his ex, and later .
There was an odd side story line about a young woman who also works for Ollie who had a very rough upbringing. Her background is shocking, but it's literally mentioned and left. Later, she finds love, and all is well. I didn't see the point of including this at all.
Also, Hank's 4-year-old niece was too much. I have a 4-year-old and spend time with his preschool friends, and I can say with conviction that no 4-year-old ever talks like this:
"Get in here and come to bed before I come out there and slap you both silly."
"Put me down, damn it. I'm hungry. Are we gonna eat or stand around all day kissing?"
Look, kids say some funny, precocious shit, but Addison sounded like a 40-year-old jaded broad.
Addison's mom (Hank's sister) seems to have a miraculous change of heart between the first scene she's in and the last.
There were sweet moments in the book; I liked the ending, even if I didn't fully buy into it. But how can a book about food with recipes lack a scene where the MCs use food as foreplay? Ollie imagines it at the beginning with his ex, but it never happens.
I'm still giving this three stars, because it was a quick read and well written. I just thought it was missing something.
May 14, 2014
I’m hungry.
You know how they say you shouldn't grocery shop while you are hungry? Well, you shouldn't read this book if you are hungry! It is filled with the most mouthwatering recipes, I found myself nearly drooling with anticipation for the next chapter/recipe. I especially appreciated the collection of recipes at the end.
Per Rick Reed’s style, things begin rather lovely. Warm and comforting even. Almost as if you are invited in for an afternoon of relaxing nibbles and beverages, but as you go to sit down at the table *crash* he pulls the chair out from behind you. Now don’t worry. He’ll pick you back up and settle you into another chair, a better chair, the chair you were meant to be in. But it doesn’t erase the sting you are nursing.
One of my favorite things about Reed’s books would have to be how ‘real’ they are. His characters aren’t airbrushed to perfection; they are everyday ‘you and me’ real. I tend to connect easily and fall even easier. The problem with genuine characters is sometimes they hit a bit too close to home. That was my downfall here. I didn’t connect with a few of the characters (or truthfully, really like them) and at times, the plot was a bit erratic.
Did I still enjoy it? Yes, but sadly not as much as I anticipated.
Ollie is a big teddy bear. Yes, he’s really a big ol’ furry bear, but it’s more than that. He has a natural soothing sense about him and delivers comfort to those in his life. When his world is tossed upside down he is given a clean slate. He picks himself back up and takes this blessing in disguise and runs with it.
When he catches a thief red-handed he caves to his marshmallow nature and gives him the benefit of the doubt. Ollie is great. I adore how he views the world with rose-tinted glasses, thrives on taking care of people, and always finds the silver lining.
The concept of Dinner at Home is brilliant. We have something similar in my town and I've pounced on taking advantage of their delectable meals for countless occasions. I loved everything about his comfort cooking business and I can't wait to try some of Ollie's recipes. Things are falling into place and he's a man with a plan. Falling for Hank wasn't part of this plan, but sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you never see coming.
Hank was difficult for me to love. With nearly everything but the kitchen sink throw in his path, his chance for success was blocked from the get go. Unfortunately, he fell to temptations and barely survived his love affair with ‘Tina’. He's become a homeless meth addict hooking to stay alive when mercifully he catches a small break. Cooking at Haven, a local shelter, gave him a chance to begin rebuilding his life. Climbing this slippery slope turns into a near impossible feat when he suddenly gains responsibility for his young niece. This brings us to Addison. I didn't get her. As much as it pains me to say, I did not care for her. Her role was almost convenient and I certainly wasn't a fan of her mother. She just didn't fit.
Ollie and Hank hit the accelerator with their relationship and I felt slightly gypped on the growth between them. They are a decade apart in age, from completely different worlds and truly a mismatched pair. I really wanted to see the heat crank up between them. It never really happened.
Mike was a brief hook-up and his part was a bit of a turn off. Rose? She was altogether confusing. I think this was merely an introduction to her and we’ll see her in the future, but it seemed out of place.
The final dessert was rushed and though I believe the intention was to give closure, I felt nothing but frustration. Even the sex was off the mark.
Goodness me, it sounds like I’m doing a whole lotta bitchin’ and I don’t mean to. Despite my grumblings it was quick, enjoyable read that kept my attention.
But I gotta say…this was an edgier Reed. If you are a fan already, I imagine you’ll find this a tasty treat. If you are new to his bookshelf, there are other delights I would recommend sampling first.
*3 tasty-thoughtful-tough stars*
You know how they say you shouldn't grocery shop while you are hungry? Well, you shouldn't read this book if you are hungry! It is filled with the most mouthwatering recipes, I found myself nearly drooling with anticipation for the next chapter/recipe. I especially appreciated the collection of recipes at the end.
Per Rick Reed’s style, things begin rather lovely. Warm and comforting even. Almost as if you are invited in for an afternoon of relaxing nibbles and beverages, but as you go to sit down at the table *crash* he pulls the chair out from behind you. Now don’t worry. He’ll pick you back up and settle you into another chair, a better chair, the chair you were meant to be in. But it doesn’t erase the sting you are nursing.
One of my favorite things about Reed’s books would have to be how ‘real’ they are. His characters aren’t airbrushed to perfection; they are everyday ‘you and me’ real. I tend to connect easily and fall even easier. The problem with genuine characters is sometimes they hit a bit too close to home. That was my downfall here. I didn’t connect with a few of the characters (or truthfully, really like them) and at times, the plot was a bit erratic.
Did I still enjoy it? Yes, but sadly not as much as I anticipated.
Ollie is a big teddy bear. Yes, he’s really a big ol’ furry bear, but it’s more than that. He has a natural soothing sense about him and delivers comfort to those in his life. When his world is tossed upside down he is given a clean slate. He picks himself back up and takes this blessing in disguise and runs with it.
When he catches a thief red-handed he caves to his marshmallow nature and gives him the benefit of the doubt. Ollie is great. I adore how he views the world with rose-tinted glasses, thrives on taking care of people, and always finds the silver lining.
The concept of Dinner at Home is brilliant. We have something similar in my town and I've pounced on taking advantage of their delectable meals for countless occasions. I loved everything about his comfort cooking business and I can't wait to try some of Ollie's recipes. Things are falling into place and he's a man with a plan. Falling for Hank wasn't part of this plan, but sometimes the best gifts in life are the ones you never see coming.
Hank was difficult for me to love. With nearly everything but the kitchen sink throw in his path, his chance for success was blocked from the get go. Unfortunately, he fell to temptations and barely survived his love affair with ‘Tina’. He's become a homeless meth addict hooking to stay alive when mercifully he catches a small break. Cooking at Haven, a local shelter, gave him a chance to begin rebuilding his life. Climbing this slippery slope turns into a near impossible feat when he suddenly gains responsibility for his young niece. This brings us to Addison. I didn't get her. As much as it pains me to say, I did not care for her. Her role was almost convenient and I certainly wasn't a fan of her mother. She just didn't fit.
Ollie and Hank hit the accelerator with their relationship and I felt slightly gypped on the growth between them. They are a decade apart in age, from completely different worlds and truly a mismatched pair. I really wanted to see the heat crank up between them. It never really happened.
Mike was a brief hook-up and his part was a bit of a turn off. Rose? She was altogether confusing. I think this was merely an introduction to her and we’ll see her in the future, but it seemed out of place.
The final dessert was rushed and though I believe the intention was to give closure, I felt nothing but frustration. Even the sex was off the mark.
Goodness me, it sounds like I’m doing a whole lotta bitchin’ and I don’t mean to. Despite my grumblings it was quick, enjoyable read that kept my attention.
But I gotta say…this was an edgier Reed. If you are a fan already, I imagine you’ll find this a tasty treat. If you are new to his bookshelf, there are other delights I would recommend sampling first.
*3 tasty-thoughtful-tough stars*
June 22, 2014
I enjoyed reading this although it did make me feel hungry. It is a nice comfort read story about Ollie who loses his job and his boyfriend, but uses these misfortunes as an opportunity to turn his life around. He starts to focus on his passion - cooking and sets up his own business. Ollie eventually meets Hank who is seriously down on his luck. Together the two men learn to work together, creating food, falling in love and then creating family.
It is al lovely story about a journey to new love and new family. I really liked the way the author's personal passion for food, love and family came through the pages of the story.
I also loved the recipes and I am determined to try some of them out. I just wish I could order for someone to cook me some of the delightful recipes in the story.
There are some scenes which were laugh aloud funny and others that were heart string pulling all of which combined to make a lovely story. This is a great comfort read, gentle and without angst and very much left me feeling good, but hungry.
It is al lovely story about a journey to new love and new family. I really liked the way the author's personal passion for food, love and family came through the pages of the story.
I also loved the recipes and I am determined to try some of them out. I just wish I could order for someone to cook me some of the delightful recipes in the story.
There are some scenes which were laugh aloud funny and others that were heart string pulling all of which combined to make a lovely story. This is a great comfort read, gentle and without angst and very much left me feeling good, but hungry.
March 8, 2017
This book is 75% drama, 20% recipes and 5% romance.
Is harsh in a lot of scenes that I feel were totally innecesary! It gets pages and pages speakeng about recipes and the making of them and then we have these MC that they meet like around the middle of the book, with very strange time lapses and like 2 or 3 good scenes together :/
+ The sex scene with another character was longer and more detailed that the ones with the actual other MC !! (Sorry but I HATE when they show us in precision the sex with another random character :( )
Very disappointing!
February 26, 2016
I didn't read far enough for the two characters to meet, wouldn't normally rate without getting further but the struggle it took to get as far as I did was telling. I've not even bothered to skim further.
Italics - it's a strain of willpower to get me to read anything over a paragraph, add pages of italics and you're losing me.
Recipes - If I want to read a recipe I own several very nice cookbooks. I buy romance to read romance. If there's a recipe of note in the text and it's added at the end then okay; but starting chapters with recipes seemingly unconnected to anything is jarring, ruining the flow of the story.
The story starts with Ollie's break-up (it's in the blurb!) it should have been emotional but was overwhelmed by details about scrambled eggs!
Hank's mother changed character and motivation in the turn of a recipe-free page.
I may return but it's unlikely, the story is hidden by the courses.
Italics - it's a strain of willpower to get me to read anything over a paragraph, add pages of italics and you're losing me.
Recipes - If I want to read a recipe I own several very nice cookbooks. I buy romance to read romance. If there's a recipe of note in the text and it's added at the end then okay; but starting chapters with recipes seemingly unconnected to anything is jarring, ruining the flow of the story.
The story starts with Ollie's break-up (it's in the blurb!) it should have been emotional but was overwhelmed by details about scrambled eggs!
Hank's mother changed character and motivation in the turn of a recipe-free page.
I may return but it's unlikely, the story is hidden by the courses.
June 3, 2014
Dinner at Home the book creates the same feeling of contentment in the reader that Dinner at Home the business portrayed in the book tries to create in its customers. It is warm and cozy and fulfilling. Everything one expects from a Rick R. Reed novel.
Ollie D'Angelo loses his boyfriend of one year, the house said boyfriend owns and then his job. All in the course of four days. But Ollie is surprised by how little he is emotionally affected by the losses, especially the loss of his job. Instead of feeling bereft, he realizes he wasn't as happy with his life as he thought. He suddenly feels free for the first time to do what he wants, be who he wants and love whom he wants. Thankfully, he has a healthy savings account and wealthy parents to fall back on if needed. He decides to follow his true passion: cooking.
Hank Mellinger is living and working at Haven. Haven is a half-way house that also functions as a career training center. Hank works in the kitchen and is training to be a cook. While there, an unpleasant surprise shows up from his past and brings along his four-year-old niece. He isn't able to take care of her but is forced to when he's the only family there for her.
Ollie and Hank meet under less than ideal circumstances. Hank is trying to rob Ollie's car. Hank and his niece are living in a hole-in-the-wall attic room and literally have nothing to eat. This breaks Ollie's heart and he feeds them. And hires Hank to help with his business preparing old-fashioned home cooked meals and taking them to people's homes to serve them.
It broke my heart to watch Hank deal with his family issues way more than it did when Ollie lost his boyfriend. I don't know if Mr. Reed should have given more emotional weight to their break up or not. I thought it may have gone a little too easily. He more than made up for it while writing the drama surrounding Hank and his family though.
I fell totally in love with Addison. That little spitfire of a girl just won over the hearts of everyone around her, including Ollie. Hank knew from the start that Ollie's gay, but didn't come out himself, so when Ollie is attracted to Hank he doesn't act on it. It is really hot when Ollie first becomes aware of Hank's reciprocal attraction. It happens while they are serving dinner to one of Ollie's former lovers. Hank trying to not be jealous when he was green with it was in turns funny and sad. I wanted Hank to just tell him already. But it never happens that easily!
Mr. Reed did a great job of keeping the angst to a manageable level so it didn't drive me insane. Just enough to add drama without making me scream at my Kindle. Don't judge, you've all done it. As an added bonus, there are great recipes included in the book. They are for the food that Ollie and Hank prepare for Dinner at Home. Dinner at Home is a sweet, satisfying beach read.
Ollie D'Angelo loses his boyfriend of one year, the house said boyfriend owns and then his job. All in the course of four days. But Ollie is surprised by how little he is emotionally affected by the losses, especially the loss of his job. Instead of feeling bereft, he realizes he wasn't as happy with his life as he thought. He suddenly feels free for the first time to do what he wants, be who he wants and love whom he wants. Thankfully, he has a healthy savings account and wealthy parents to fall back on if needed. He decides to follow his true passion: cooking.
Hank Mellinger is living and working at Haven. Haven is a half-way house that also functions as a career training center. Hank works in the kitchen and is training to be a cook. While there, an unpleasant surprise shows up from his past and brings along his four-year-old niece. He isn't able to take care of her but is forced to when he's the only family there for her.
Ollie and Hank meet under less than ideal circumstances. Hank is trying to rob Ollie's car. Hank and his niece are living in a hole-in-the-wall attic room and literally have nothing to eat. This breaks Ollie's heart and he feeds them. And hires Hank to help with his business preparing old-fashioned home cooked meals and taking them to people's homes to serve them.
It broke my heart to watch Hank deal with his family issues way more than it did when Ollie lost his boyfriend. I don't know if Mr. Reed should have given more emotional weight to their break up or not. I thought it may have gone a little too easily. He more than made up for it while writing the drama surrounding Hank and his family though.
I fell totally in love with Addison. That little spitfire of a girl just won over the hearts of everyone around her, including Ollie. Hank knew from the start that Ollie's gay, but didn't come out himself, so when Ollie is attracted to Hank he doesn't act on it. It is really hot when Ollie first becomes aware of Hank's reciprocal attraction. It happens while they are serving dinner to one of Ollie's former lovers. Hank trying to not be jealous when he was green with it was in turns funny and sad. I wanted Hank to just tell him already. But it never happens that easily!
Mr. Reed did a great job of keeping the angst to a manageable level so it didn't drive me insane. Just enough to add drama without making me scream at my Kindle. Don't judge, you've all done it. As an added bonus, there are great recipes included in the book. They are for the food that Ollie and Hank prepare for Dinner at Home. Dinner at Home is a sweet, satisfying beach read.
October 12, 2014
Full review can be found at -
My enjoyment of this author's work is well known. After the last book I read of his, I was eager for something a bit lighter. Dinner at Home fit the bill perfectly. Don't get me wrong, this is not all rainbows and roses. It covers real issues that had me teary almost from the first page. But it still ended nicely and with a perfect HEA. The story is also unique, as recipes are placed in front of some of the chapters. I found myself highlighting or scribbling them down, eager to try more than one of them.
This has quite a few things I love. I am all about characters with substantial age differences and Ollie and Hank have ten or eleven years between them. I love opposites attract stories and these guys are as different as night and day. I also love books with kids in them and in this one, we have Addison. Granted, Addison comes across more as a brat (with a potty mouth) than the kids I normally like to read about, but thankfully she wasn't in the story enough to be too much. Then we have the overall theme of this story and that is of people helping each other. In this case, it's Ollie taking a chance when he catches Hank trying to steal from him. I love how all of that was written.
Overall, this is another nice story by Rick R. Reed. There are a couple of things I wasn't too keen on (Addison's attitude, her mother) but overall it was a very entertaining read.
This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.
December 15, 2015
Overall book rating: 4 stars
Audio book: Narrator Michael Anthony 4 Stars
Book cover: 3.5 Stars
This was a sweet, sweet book Ollie and Hank made an awesome couple. This was truly a feel good book. It was sad at times but with a HEA story. Ollie will always be there to catch Hank no matter what.
Audio book: Narrator Michael Anthony 4 Stars
Book cover: 3.5 Stars
This was a sweet, sweet book Ollie and Hank made an awesome couple. This was truly a feel good book. It was sad at times but with a HEA story. Ollie will always be there to catch Hank no matter what.
May 19, 2014
3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this one. It was all about family, whether it was by blood or by choice. A cute love story.
I didn't care about the recipes though. Those could have been left out and I would have been fine. Of course, I burn water so I really can't say much about recipes.
May 7, 2014
3.5 stars.
This was well written, and a quick read, too, but it lacked depth in exploring the heavy themes it raised.
What I liked:
- The recipes. I have plans to try out every one of them - they all sounded quite yummy, and easy enough to make. I loved the idea of the Dinner At Home business, and I loved that the recipes were mostly comfort food - good, hearty meals, the kind you would cook at home, if you had the time and inclination.
- Ollie - he was honest, straightforward, good-hearted, empathetic. After having been dealt a double-blow of losing not only his boyfriend, with whom he lives, but also his job in a 48 hour time period, he felt adrift for a while, but then pulled himself up by his bootstraps and forged a new life and new career for himself.
- Hank - he's had a difficult life, and he's made some serious mistakes, but he's paid for them, and he was trying to get back on his feet. When confronted with a terrible situation, he did the best he could, even if his desperation drove him to do something stupid. I could feel that Hank really cared about his mother, and his niece, but had no idea how to help them, without being helped himself.
The writing itself. It flowed well, kept me interested, and though it got a little purple on occasion, the tone of the novel was romantic and sweet.
What I didn't like:
- Addison - I usually like books that include small children, but this 4 year old didn't talk like any 4 year old child I've ever known. She sounded much too old for her age, and the phrases she used were things not even my oldest at 12 has ever used. She didn't sound realistic at all, and even if I were to believe that she's an old soul in a young body, having seen too much hardship early on, I can't buy that she would talk like that.
- The lack of realistic development of the relationship between Ollie and Hank. It was sweet, sure, but didn't feel organic at all, which is possibly due to the time jumps from Ollie catching Hank breaking into his car and taking him home, fast-forwarding to a few weeks later when they're happily cooking together for their clients. Fast-forward again, and Hank is having jealous fits when their next client turns out to be someone Ollie had a hook-up with when Hank wasn't even in the picture yet.
- The heavy themes weren't fully explored in this novel, including the side story with Rose, a young girl whose back story is told, but then immediately dropped again, with the reader being given information at the end that she's found romance too. The same goes for Stacy, Hank's sister and Addison's mother, who we're told is in jail at first, but who then shows up to be a bible-thumping homophobic born-again Christian. I'll spare you my thoughts on those types of people, but let it suffice to say that her first scene in this novel didn't gel with her final scene, and thus her character isn't realistic or believable.
Overall, despite the lack of depth, this was a sweet romance that focused heavily on food, as expected, and included a few rather romantic moments as well. A good book to read while swinging lazily in the hammock in your backyard during a nice summer day.
** I received a free ARC from the publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
This was well written, and a quick read, too, but it lacked depth in exploring the heavy themes it raised.
What I liked:
- The recipes. I have plans to try out every one of them - they all sounded quite yummy, and easy enough to make. I loved the idea of the Dinner At Home business, and I loved that the recipes were mostly comfort food - good, hearty meals, the kind you would cook at home, if you had the time and inclination.
- Ollie - he was honest, straightforward, good-hearted, empathetic. After having been dealt a double-blow of losing not only his boyfriend, with whom he lives, but also his job in a 48 hour time period, he felt adrift for a while, but then pulled himself up by his bootstraps and forged a new life and new career for himself.
- Hank - he's had a difficult life, and he's made some serious mistakes, but he's paid for them, and he was trying to get back on his feet. When confronted with a terrible situation, he did the best he could, even if his desperation drove him to do something stupid. I could feel that Hank really cared about his mother, and his niece, but had no idea how to help them, without being helped himself.
The writing itself. It flowed well, kept me interested, and though it got a little purple on occasion, the tone of the novel was romantic and sweet.
What I didn't like:
- Addison - I usually like books that include small children, but this 4 year old didn't talk like any 4 year old child I've ever known. She sounded much too old for her age, and the phrases she used were things not even my oldest at 12 has ever used. She didn't sound realistic at all, and even if I were to believe that she's an old soul in a young body, having seen too much hardship early on, I can't buy that she would talk like that.
- The lack of realistic development of the relationship between Ollie and Hank. It was sweet, sure, but didn't feel organic at all, which is possibly due to the time jumps from Ollie catching Hank breaking into his car and taking him home, fast-forwarding to a few weeks later when they're happily cooking together for their clients. Fast-forward again, and Hank is having jealous fits when their next client turns out to be someone Ollie had a hook-up with when Hank wasn't even in the picture yet.
- The heavy themes weren't fully explored in this novel, including the side story with Rose, a young girl whose back story is told, but then immediately dropped again, with the reader being given information at the end that she's found romance too. The same goes for Stacy, Hank's sister and Addison's mother, who we're told is in jail at first, but who then shows up to be a bible-thumping homophobic born-again Christian. I'll spare you my thoughts on those types of people, but let it suffice to say that her first scene in this novel didn't gel with her final scene, and thus her character isn't realistic or believable.
Overall, despite the lack of depth, this was a sweet romance that focused heavily on food, as expected, and included a few rather romantic moments as well. A good book to read while swinging lazily in the hammock in your backyard during a nice summer day.
** I received a free ARC from the publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
May 19, 2018
This is such a sweet story, with wonderful recipes to boot. We meet Ollie DeAngelo, a romantic guy ready to celebrate the one year anniversary of their relationship with a celebratory breakfast. Unfortunately, said boyfriend, whose house Ollie has moved in has news to tell Ollie. The boyfriend has fallen in love with a coworker. He didn't mean to (which rightfully laughs at) and to show what a "good guy" he is he wants Ollie to stay in the house for a month or more so he can find a place. Also, he's willing to reimburse Ollie for the possessions he sold and give him guilt money to start a new life. Ollie says bell to the no to both things, and tells the toad off. He also he will be out of the place that very day.Ollie considers himself lucky, he has rich and supportive parents, he has a well paying job, and he has a nice sum in the bank. He does find a place and though it ain't what he left, he won't be homeless in Seattle (where he lives). Ollie plans to furnish his place post haste. In the meantime, since this is the weekend, he tries to cheer himself up with the comfort food his Sicilian mother taught him to make. Ollie goes to work and the other shoe drops, the advertising firm where he's worked for, for 10 years is making huge cutbacks. The woman who hired him fires him. Ollie comes to realize that the job he had, though it paid well, he wasn't passionate about ..At the age of 33, he's wondering what's next? He would love to talk about it with his parents, but they're on a big cruise . One day he decides to go out for a cup of java. He meets a cute guy in line and talking leads to walking to his apartment and doing the bedroom tango.Try as they might, they can't do it and leave the bedroom for a serious talk. Ollie tells him all about his bad break up and loss of a job. Mike, (the man's name) gives great advice which leads to them getting it on.....Soon after we see Ollie has found a career that he's passionate about. He's open up his own catering business where he makes comfort food for either singles, couples, small dinner parties/families. At any rate, it's good for those who really don't have the time to do so.On one of Ollie's catering jobs he meets Hank who is attempting to burglarized his car.Hank at the tender age off 22 has lived a nightmare life on and off the streets. He has a story to tell, but will Ollie listen? What do you think? This is a wonderful story that is for the romantic in us all. Go ahead, read it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2023
I read this book for a challenge and it was pretty good. Ollie D'Angelo woke up on a Saturday morning to fix his live in boyfriend Walker breakfast its their one year anniversary when Walker breaks up with him he is devastated when he goes to work on Monday he is laid off from a job that he didn't even like. This was a pretty good read Ollie starts his own catering business making comfort food. Hank Mellinger is a former crystal meth addict working and living in a homeless shelter when his mother drops in with his 4 year old niece when she tells him that she is sick. After being fired from his job he goes out to find something to steal so he can feed his niece he goes into Ollie's car. Ollie feeds him and he also gives him food to take home to Addison he also offers him a job. This was a good read this was my first time reading this author. When a family crisis comes Ollie tries to help but is unable to. The guys also help a young painfully shy woman Rose who was kidnapped and abused as a child. When Ollie agrees to go out with a client Hank gets jealous he has never told Ollie that he is gay. I wished that the author wrote the sex scenes a little more descriptive. The author also included recipes at the beginning of the chapters and I will be making a few of them the stuffed artichokes I don't like them but the author made me want to try this one. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
June 15, 2014
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.75 stars
Dinner at Home was an interesting read for a few reasons. It was an easy, enjoyable story that had quite a bit of depth and complexity. Reed focussed on creating a realistic snapshot of a man’s life and those who end up caught up in his gravitational pull. The main characters, Ollie and Hank, are complex and well formed with strengths and weaknesses, pasts and goal for the future. The secondary characters were also well thought out and have layers, depth, and emotion without having them overpower the main characters and cause confusion, such as the simple tears shed by Walker as he breaks up with Ollie, and Rose, who has obviously suffered abuse in her past, and now has such difficulty interacting with others.
Read Jason's review in its entirety here.
4.75 stars
Dinner at Home was an interesting read for a few reasons. It was an easy, enjoyable story that had quite a bit of depth and complexity. Reed focussed on creating a realistic snapshot of a man’s life and those who end up caught up in his gravitational pull. The main characters, Ollie and Hank, are complex and well formed with strengths and weaknesses, pasts and goal for the future. The secondary characters were also well thought out and have layers, depth, and emotion without having them overpower the main characters and cause confusion, such as the simple tears shed by Walker as he breaks up with Ollie, and Rose, who has obviously suffered abuse in her past, and now has such difficulty interacting with others.
Read Jason's review in its entirety here.
June 8, 2014
I am quickly becoming a huge fan of this author. This was a feel good book with some angst, but not enough to take away from the warm and fuzzy feeling this book brought me. The food sounds delicious and made me so hungry. Ollie is a big cuddly bear of a man with a huge heart. Hank makes me want to wrap him up and keep him safe, he is perfect for Ollie, and their relationship is wonderful. OMG Rose just about broke my freaking heart. Great book.
June 17, 2014
Rick Reed AGAIN turns me into romantic mush. The man can make me LAUGH, CRY, LOVE AND become HUNGRY in this book. Funny, I think Rick must have written the Ollie character based on my Partner - I couldn't help but instantly fall in love with Ollie. Rick Reed is always a MUST read for me!!! LOVED this book!!!!!
August 21, 2020
Another good book
When things look like they won't be together. They do along with their new friends called family. A delicious blend of people
When things look like they won't be together. They do along with their new friends called family. A delicious blend of people
February 1, 2023
I have real mixed feelings about this book.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters. The story was sweet. It had a lot of potential.
But there was too much that I didn't like. I feel it's a 2.5 star read for me. The two main characters spend the first third of the book not meeting. Then, when they do meet, there are time skips that mean we miss out on a lot of the character development. I wanted more of the slow burn of Hank and Ollie getting to know and trust each other. Instead, I got a time skip to when they're settled. I wanted longer after Hank realised he liked Ollie, but instead it all happens in one night and then we get another time skip. I really felt I was missing a lot of the good bits of the story. I also had issues with how the one disabled side character was treated, the way the women were described, and the fact that a lot of the dialogue felt kind of stilted.
But at the same time, I cared deeply about the characters, and their happy ending was lovely.
On the one hand, I really liked the characters. The story was sweet. It had a lot of potential.
But there was too much that I didn't like. I feel it's a 2.5 star read for me. The two main characters spend the first third of the book not meeting. Then, when they do meet, there are time skips that mean we miss out on a lot of the character development. I wanted more of the slow burn of Hank and Ollie getting to know and trust each other. Instead, I got a time skip to when they're settled. I wanted longer after Hank realised he liked Ollie, but instead it all happens in one night and then we get another time skip. I really felt I was missing a lot of the good bits of the story. I also had issues with how the one disabled side character was treated, the way the women were described, and the fact that a lot of the dialogue felt kind of stilted.
But at the same time, I cared deeply about the characters, and their happy ending was lovely.
December 11, 2014
Note: This audiobook was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Ollie D’Angelo is a tall, bearded, handsome Italian guy who loves to cook. He’s also the guy who lost his lover, his home, and his job all over the course of a few days. Talk about bad luck! But Ollie isn’t the kind of guy to mope around and he uses the opportunity to tap into his savings and furnish his tiny new apartment and to stop and think about what he really wants to do with his life. The result? He’s decided to run a catering service, “Dinner at Home”.
In the early days of establishing the business, he’s his own boss, chef, and paperwork manager, and it’s not long after he decides that he needs to expand that he finds Hank Mellinger rooting around for change in his car after he leaves the door open while unloading supplies into the house. Hank is down on his luck but it wouldn’t have been so devastating for him if he wasn’t also trying to support his four-year-old niece, Addison. The child is starving and he’s left her sleeping in his one-room dump while he tries to find something to sell to pay for food for them. Ollie, always a kind-hearted man, can see how much Hank is hurting and he takes him inside to feed him. He knows that might be a dumb thing to do, but he can’t resist. After feeding Hank and hearing his story, he trusts his gut again and offers Hank a job. This is the beginning of the best times of Hank’s life—
Until his sister shows up to reclaim Addison, having gotten out of jail and found God. She takes Addison just as Hank and Ollie have finally admitted their attraction to each other and had high hopes for a future with Addison at the core of their family. Emotionally hurting and feeling lost, Hank runs, but after a night spent in reflection, he decides to man-up and tell Ollie how he feels. From that point on, their relationship gets stronger and the two move toward their HEA.
Although the story was good, it was a poor choice for an audiobook since most of the first few chapters start with a recipe and there’s nothing more boring than listening to a recipe recitation. There are other chapters interspersed throughout the story that start the same way and another list of recipes at the end of the epilogue.
Narrated by Michael Anthony, though he did his best with the recipes, there really wasn’t anything outstanding in his narration. In fact, I didn’t really see any distinction between the two MCs voices and the female voices weren’t much different in tone. Though his narration didn’t detract from the story, it didn’t enhance it either.
That all being said, this is a nice simple romance with an uncomplicated storyline which might be good for those who don’t want a lot of angst or drama in their romances. I have enjoyed this author’s work in the past, but this one just didn’t meet the standard I’ve come to expect. Again, that may possibly be due to the monotony of listening to recipes, so I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook over an e-book.
Ollie D’Angelo is a tall, bearded, handsome Italian guy who loves to cook. He’s also the guy who lost his lover, his home, and his job all over the course of a few days. Talk about bad luck! But Ollie isn’t the kind of guy to mope around and he uses the opportunity to tap into his savings and furnish his tiny new apartment and to stop and think about what he really wants to do with his life. The result? He’s decided to run a catering service, “Dinner at Home”.
In the early days of establishing the business, he’s his own boss, chef, and paperwork manager, and it’s not long after he decides that he needs to expand that he finds Hank Mellinger rooting around for change in his car after he leaves the door open while unloading supplies into the house. Hank is down on his luck but it wouldn’t have been so devastating for him if he wasn’t also trying to support his four-year-old niece, Addison. The child is starving and he’s left her sleeping in his one-room dump while he tries to find something to sell to pay for food for them. Ollie, always a kind-hearted man, can see how much Hank is hurting and he takes him inside to feed him. He knows that might be a dumb thing to do, but he can’t resist. After feeding Hank and hearing his story, he trusts his gut again and offers Hank a job. This is the beginning of the best times of Hank’s life—
Until his sister shows up to reclaim Addison, having gotten out of jail and found God. She takes Addison just as Hank and Ollie have finally admitted their attraction to each other and had high hopes for a future with Addison at the core of their family. Emotionally hurting and feeling lost, Hank runs, but after a night spent in reflection, he decides to man-up and tell Ollie how he feels. From that point on, their relationship gets stronger and the two move toward their HEA.
Although the story was good, it was a poor choice for an audiobook since most of the first few chapters start with a recipe and there’s nothing more boring than listening to a recipe recitation. There are other chapters interspersed throughout the story that start the same way and another list of recipes at the end of the epilogue.
Narrated by Michael Anthony, though he did his best with the recipes, there really wasn’t anything outstanding in his narration. In fact, I didn’t really see any distinction between the two MCs voices and the female voices weren’t much different in tone. Though his narration didn’t detract from the story, it didn’t enhance it either.
That all being said, this is a nice simple romance with an uncomplicated storyline which might be good for those who don’t want a lot of angst or drama in their romances. I have enjoyed this author’s work in the past, but this one just didn’t meet the standard I’ve come to expect. Again, that may possibly be due to the monotony of listening to recipes, so I wouldn’t recommend the audiobook over an e-book.
September 12, 2020
Dinner at Home has an interesting premise. I was intrigued by the synopsis and had to give it a read. But man, am I glad that I did. It kept my attention throughout the entire book and I did not feel that it dragged on at all.
The unlikely meeting of Ollie and Hank blossoms into something more imaginable. Finding love with the person who was trying to rob your car sounds impossible. Yet for both of them, it grew to something great.
Ollie went through a lot of change throughout the course of Dinner at Home. So did Hank. Ollie started his own business with cooking for people in their homes. It was a niche that hadn’t been capitalized on yet. It just so happens that Hank also shares the love of cooking.
During the reading, you can not deny the chemistry between Ollie and Hank. But nothing everything is perfect. Just like every relationship it has, it’s ups and downs. But it does take Ollie a bit to find out with Hank is gay or not. But that is all part of the ride.
I really enjoyed the ending of Dinner at Home as well. It brought everything to a nice close. The pace of the book helped reach the end of the goal nicely. Overall I really enjoyed the book.
This review was originally posted on Charles Reads
The unlikely meeting of Ollie and Hank blossoms into something more imaginable. Finding love with the person who was trying to rob your car sounds impossible. Yet for both of them, it grew to something great.
Ollie went through a lot of change throughout the course of Dinner at Home. So did Hank. Ollie started his own business with cooking for people in their homes. It was a niche that hadn’t been capitalized on yet. It just so happens that Hank also shares the love of cooking.
During the reading, you can not deny the chemistry between Ollie and Hank. But nothing everything is perfect. Just like every relationship it has, it’s ups and downs. But it does take Ollie a bit to find out with Hank is gay or not. But that is all part of the ride.
I really enjoyed the ending of Dinner at Home as well. It brought everything to a nice close. The pace of the book helped reach the end of the goal nicely. Overall I really enjoyed the book.
This review was originally posted on Charles Reads
July 22, 2016
For my honest and true view of this book, please read …MORE
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
Goodreads TOS-compliant review (I think, let me know when they tell us what the rules are):
"The book I just read is about two (or three) lovely people, written in beautiful language, by a very good and prolific author. I liked it very, very much.
It is for sale on Amazon.”
DISCLAIMER: My reviews now all have this pretty face, so that all and everyone on Goodreads can stay happy and beatific. I’ll let you know if I change my mind. See the real review above for my thoughts on this book.
September 22, 2014
This was my first book by Rick Reed. It is not a food story, or a foodie story, it’s a love story. It is also a story about family ties and how they are forged, but also so very fragile. I think readers who enjoy hurt/comfort themed books will like this one. It’s not always shiny, but it has some very bright spots and some equally delicious moments.
Please see my full review at Prism Book Alliance
Please see my full review at Prism Book Alliance
May 15, 2014
4.5
“Well, there’s that. But I’m serious. We’re both about feeding people and showing love through what we put on the table. Feeding them is loving them, and I don’t think there’s a better or more basic way of letting someone know you love them than by giving them something wonderful to eat and filling up their bellies.”
Excerpt From: Rick R. Reed. “Dinner at Home.” iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
“Well, there’s that. But I’m serious. We’re both about feeding people and showing love through what we put on the table. Feeding them is loving them, and I don’t think there’s a better or more basic way of letting someone know you love them than by giving them something wonderful to eat and filling up their bellies.”
Excerpt From: Rick R. Reed. “Dinner at Home.” iBooks.
This material may be protected by copyright.
July 9, 2015
I really enjoyed this story; it just kept tugging at my heartstrings. Ollie was a sweetheart with a huge heart. I enjoyed the food and will definitely try the Bad Ass Broccoli Soup. Addison was a scene stealer when she was on page. Hella funny as well.
I liked Hank and Ollie as a couple and they definitely made their own family.
I liked Hank and Ollie as a couple and they definitely made their own family.
May 20, 2014
3.5 stars
Wow I got so much more than I expected from this book.
I expected....light, fun, food porn, slightly angsty but easy read at least that's what I was thinking....
What I got was an, emotional, heartbreaking, at times tear inducing read. That covered some really heavy topics.
It was not what I was expecting but I'm glad I read it.
Wow I got so much more than I expected from this book.
I expected....light, fun, food porn, slightly angsty but easy read at least that's what I was thinking....
What I got was an, emotional, heartbreaking, at times tear inducing read. That covered some really heavy topics.
It was not what I was expecting but I'm glad I read it.
June 20, 2014
Beautiful
I've laughed. I've cried. what can you say when you've just read a perfect story. I really never wanted to stop reading.
I've laughed. I've cried. what can you say when you've just read a perfect story. I really never wanted to stop reading.
May 21, 2014
Original Blog Post: http://www.multitaskingmommas.com/201...
Dinner At Home. A book with recipes. When I saw that teaser from the author, knowing his talent in the kitchen from all the mouthwatering pics he posts on his FB page and finally his recipe blog, I had no doubt this was one book I would love to read. Well, I did have fun reading this book: it was such an adventure, getting caught in the midst of a voyeuristic adventure - what with all the orgasmic moans and groans.
This is a story of one man's love affair with food. It is erotic. It is hot. It is dramatic.
It is delicious!
Ollie sleeps and dreams food, he loves ingredients and just dreams of the ways he could create comfort home cooked meals. Meals his mother had lovingly taught him from an early age. Meals he learned from his nona's knees.
The saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" is at the forefront of this story. Ollie is basically a loving, caring and nourishing kind of guy. His relationships, however, left much to be desired as was apparent when in one weekend, not only does he lose his partner of almost one year, but his job as well. Love and food don't seem to digest well with his romantic life, it seems, so he decides to just open a business doing something he loves: cater home cooked dinners for those who are in need and are just too tired.
Hank is an ex-con. He had not grown up in the best environment, his experimentation with drugs took him to low levels he is ashamed to face. Having a young niece dumped on him, losing his sister to jail and his mother to the Big C, he has nowhere to go, no way to feed either himself or his niece. Taking a chance on theft, he is caught by Ollie, but instead of getting cuffed and offed to jail, Ollie takes a chance, feeds Hank and eventually gains an unexpected family.
Ollie's and Hank's relationship developed fast but there was gratitude and trust between them. Their developing romance was just simmering on low heat until neither men could ignore the other. Their romance should have been happy, but life throws them curve balls and they need to learn to go with the flow or get burned in the process.
The way I read it, this is Reed's way of paying homage to two important women in his life, through the recipes they had learned from their own mothers and eventually handed over to him. The whole story is a love affair with food laced with the romance between two men. This much was evidenced by the level of eroticism over food which surpasses the erotic scenes between the men. This is definitely a food lover's book with the added bonus of romance to spice it up. As an individual who practically lives in the kitchen myself, I have not only read a beautiful romance but I have found myself with a treasure horde of recipes.
Dinner At Home is a romance and it is also a cook's answer to the secrets of great Sicilian and basic Italian techniques. Delicious. Scrumptious. Romantic. Erotic. This is a must read for all those who love food and men, and believe that one sure way to snare that partner for a forever kind of love, is through their stomach.
Dinner At Home. A book with recipes. When I saw that teaser from the author, knowing his talent in the kitchen from all the mouthwatering pics he posts on his FB page and finally his recipe blog, I had no doubt this was one book I would love to read. Well, I did have fun reading this book: it was such an adventure, getting caught in the midst of a voyeuristic adventure - what with all the orgasmic moans and groans.
This is a story of one man's love affair with food. It is erotic. It is hot. It is dramatic.
It is delicious!
Ollie sleeps and dreams food, he loves ingredients and just dreams of the ways he could create comfort home cooked meals. Meals his mother had lovingly taught him from an early age. Meals he learned from his nona's knees.
The saying "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" is at the forefront of this story. Ollie is basically a loving, caring and nourishing kind of guy. His relationships, however, left much to be desired as was apparent when in one weekend, not only does he lose his partner of almost one year, but his job as well. Love and food don't seem to digest well with his romantic life, it seems, so he decides to just open a business doing something he loves: cater home cooked dinners for those who are in need and are just too tired.
Hank is an ex-con. He had not grown up in the best environment, his experimentation with drugs took him to low levels he is ashamed to face. Having a young niece dumped on him, losing his sister to jail and his mother to the Big C, he has nowhere to go, no way to feed either himself or his niece. Taking a chance on theft, he is caught by Ollie, but instead of getting cuffed and offed to jail, Ollie takes a chance, feeds Hank and eventually gains an unexpected family.
Ollie's and Hank's relationship developed fast but there was gratitude and trust between them. Their developing romance was just simmering on low heat until neither men could ignore the other. Their romance should have been happy, but life throws them curve balls and they need to learn to go with the flow or get burned in the process.
The way I read it, this is Reed's way of paying homage to two important women in his life, through the recipes they had learned from their own mothers and eventually handed over to him. The whole story is a love affair with food laced with the romance between two men. This much was evidenced by the level of eroticism over food which surpasses the erotic scenes between the men. This is definitely a food lover's book with the added bonus of romance to spice it up. As an individual who practically lives in the kitchen myself, I have not only read a beautiful romance but I have found myself with a treasure horde of recipes.
Dinner At Home is a romance and it is also a cook's answer to the secrets of great Sicilian and basic Italian techniques. Delicious. Scrumptious. Romantic. Erotic. This is a must read for all those who love food and men, and believe that one sure way to snare that partner for a forever kind of love, is through their stomach.
June 13, 2014
Dinner at Home, the book, creates the same feeling of contentment in the reader that Dinner at Home the business portrayed in the book tries to create in its customers. It is warm and cozy and fulfilling. Everything one expects from a Rick R. Reed novel.
Ollie D’Angelo loses his boyfriend of one year, the house said boyfriend owns, and then his job. All in the course of four days. But Ollie is surprised by how little he is emotionally affected by the losses, especially the loss of his job. Instead of feeling bereft, he realizes he wasn’t as happy with his life as he thought. He suddenly feels free for the first time to do what he wants, be who he wants and love whom he wants. Thankfully, he has a healthy savings account and wealthy parents to fall back on if needed. He decides to follow his true passion: cooking.
Hank Mellinger is living and working at Haven. Haven is a half-way house that also functions as a career training center. Hank works in the kitchen and is training to be a cook. While there, an unpleasant surprise shows up from his past and brings along his four-year-old niece. He isn’t able to take care of her, but is forced to when he’s the only family there for her.
Ollie and Hank meet under less than ideal circumstances. Hank is trying to rob Ollie’s car. Hank and his niece are living in a hole-in-the-wall attic room, and literally have nothing to eat. This breaks Ollie’s heart and he feeds them, and hires Hank to help with his business, preparing old-fashioned home cooked meals and taking them to people’s homes to serve them.
It broke my heart to watch Hank deal with his family issues way more than it did when Ollie lost his boyfriend. I don’t know if Mr. Reed should have given more emotional weight to their break up or not. I thought it may have gone a little too easily. He more than made up for it while writing the drama surrounding Hank and his family, though.
I fell totally in love with Addison. That little spitfire of a girl just won over the hearts of everyone around her, including Ollie. Hank knew from the start that Ollie’s gay, but didn’t come out himself, so when Ollie is attracted to Hank he doesn’t act on it. It is really hot when Ollie first becomes aware of Hank’s reciprocal attraction. It happens while they are serving dinner to one of Ollie’s former lovers. Hank trying not to be jealous when he was green with it was in turns funny and sad. I wanted Hank to just tell him already. But it never happens that easily!
Mr. Reed did a great job of keeping the angst to a manageable level so it didn’t drive me insane. Just enough to add drama without making me scream at my Kindle. Don’t judge, you’ve all done it. As an added bonus, there are great recipes included in the book. They are for the food that Ollie and Hank prepare for Dinner at Home. Dinner at Home is a sweet, satisfying beach read.
Reviewed by Tina at The Novel Approach
Ollie D’Angelo loses his boyfriend of one year, the house said boyfriend owns, and then his job. All in the course of four days. But Ollie is surprised by how little he is emotionally affected by the losses, especially the loss of his job. Instead of feeling bereft, he realizes he wasn’t as happy with his life as he thought. He suddenly feels free for the first time to do what he wants, be who he wants and love whom he wants. Thankfully, he has a healthy savings account and wealthy parents to fall back on if needed. He decides to follow his true passion: cooking.
Hank Mellinger is living and working at Haven. Haven is a half-way house that also functions as a career training center. Hank works in the kitchen and is training to be a cook. While there, an unpleasant surprise shows up from his past and brings along his four-year-old niece. He isn’t able to take care of her, but is forced to when he’s the only family there for her.
Ollie and Hank meet under less than ideal circumstances. Hank is trying to rob Ollie’s car. Hank and his niece are living in a hole-in-the-wall attic room, and literally have nothing to eat. This breaks Ollie’s heart and he feeds them, and hires Hank to help with his business, preparing old-fashioned home cooked meals and taking them to people’s homes to serve them.
It broke my heart to watch Hank deal with his family issues way more than it did when Ollie lost his boyfriend. I don’t know if Mr. Reed should have given more emotional weight to their break up or not. I thought it may have gone a little too easily. He more than made up for it while writing the drama surrounding Hank and his family, though.
I fell totally in love with Addison. That little spitfire of a girl just won over the hearts of everyone around her, including Ollie. Hank knew from the start that Ollie’s gay, but didn’t come out himself, so when Ollie is attracted to Hank he doesn’t act on it. It is really hot when Ollie first becomes aware of Hank’s reciprocal attraction. It happens while they are serving dinner to one of Ollie’s former lovers. Hank trying not to be jealous when he was green with it was in turns funny and sad. I wanted Hank to just tell him already. But it never happens that easily!
Mr. Reed did a great job of keeping the angst to a manageable level so it didn’t drive me insane. Just enough to add drama without making me scream at my Kindle. Don’t judge, you’ve all done it. As an added bonus, there are great recipes included in the book. They are for the food that Ollie and Hank prepare for Dinner at Home. Dinner at Home is a sweet, satisfying beach read.
Reviewed by Tina at The Novel Approach
June 29, 2014
This was such a lovely story. There was a little angst throughout but not too much, just enough to keep the tension. Both main characters were well written with strong, believable secondary characters to add depth to the story.
Ollie is not your average M/M pin up model hunk which is a refreshing change. He doesn't have a six pack or abs to die for. What he does have is a lovely nature and a warm heart with a love of cooking which gives him the skills to start his own business.
The story begins with him being dumped by his boyfriend who has "found someone else" and then, in the same week, losing his job through no fault of his own. When Ollie could have easily acted the victim he didn't, he was suitably upset, but saw the opportunity to begin again rather than allowing himself to wallow in self pity.
Ollie was interesting and a little sassy to be honest, which I liked very much. He isn't afraid to go and get what he wants but he does it in a nice way. He is confident and patient and has the financial backing of rich parents without being spoiled or materialistic.
Hank is also nice but he was born on the other side of the tracks. He's not had a very good time of it and he has a past of drug abuse and prison. Circumstances have him looking after his four year old niece and scraping by on nothing. With no job and no money and a little girl who has gone to sleep hungry yet again, Hank takes desperate steps and gets caught red handed trying to steal from Ollie's car. Instead of calling the police Ollie helps him and there is born the real story.
Together they become a family and everything seems to be about to have a happy ending when, boom, the rug is pulled from under their feet when Hank's sister turns up out of the blue and demands her daughter back, whom she takes that day under extremely distressing circumstances and leaves Ollie and Hank with nothing but themselves and another housemate whom Ollie had also taken under his wing.
In the end it was all very emotional, and I was left feeling a little disappointed that the sister taking Addison kind of overshadowed Ollie and Hank's romance. When Ollie proposed it seemed like an anti-climax really.
I did enjoy reading this story though, despite my dissatisfaction with the end out come (I do think There was enough room in Ollie's heart for another waif and stray in the form of Hank's sister. They could have rented a bigger house). The characters were interesting and real and I would be very willing to read more about them. I wonder if Rick is planning a sequel :)
Ollie is not your average M/M pin up model hunk which is a refreshing change. He doesn't have a six pack or abs to die for. What he does have is a lovely nature and a warm heart with a love of cooking which gives him the skills to start his own business.
The story begins with him being dumped by his boyfriend who has "found someone else" and then, in the same week, losing his job through no fault of his own. When Ollie could have easily acted the victim he didn't, he was suitably upset, but saw the opportunity to begin again rather than allowing himself to wallow in self pity.
Ollie was interesting and a little sassy to be honest, which I liked very much. He isn't afraid to go and get what he wants but he does it in a nice way. He is confident and patient and has the financial backing of rich parents without being spoiled or materialistic.
Hank is also nice but he was born on the other side of the tracks. He's not had a very good time of it and he has a past of drug abuse and prison. Circumstances have him looking after his four year old niece and scraping by on nothing. With no job and no money and a little girl who has gone to sleep hungry yet again, Hank takes desperate steps and gets caught red handed trying to steal from Ollie's car. Instead of calling the police Ollie helps him and there is born the real story.
Together they become a family and everything seems to be about to have a happy ending when, boom, the rug is pulled from under their feet when Hank's sister turns up out of the blue and demands her daughter back, whom she takes that day under extremely distressing circumstances and leaves Ollie and Hank with nothing but themselves and another housemate whom Ollie had also taken under his wing.
In the end it was all very emotional, and I was left feeling a little disappointed that the sister taking Addison kind of overshadowed Ollie and Hank's romance. When Ollie proposed it seemed like an anti-climax really.
I did enjoy reading this story though, despite my dissatisfaction with the end out come (I do think There was enough room in Ollie's heart for another waif and stray in the form of Hank's sister. They could have rented a bigger house). The characters were interesting and real and I would be very willing to read more about them. I wonder if Rick is planning a sequel :)
November 22, 2019
I'd like to take a moment and apologize to the author, Rick R. Reed, that 'Dinner at Home' is the first book of his that I've read. I've heard many good things about his previous works, but I hadn't gotten around to any of them. With that said, let me just say "nom nom" for opening this book with detailed food porn and recipes. I probably shouldn't have read this while I was hungry, but too bad, the grocery store will have to forgive me my midnight run. I'm totally blaming you, Rick!
It was difficult not to like Ollie from the get-go. He's a nice guy. Literally. He's sweet and kind, loving and good. What's not to like? And when his boyfriend breaks up with him on their first anniversary, my heart broke for him. When he goes to work on Monday morning and is let go due to downsizing, well, I thought he probably should've opted for more chocolate and a bigger bottle of wine. In the space of three days, Ollie has lost the man whom he believed was the love of his life, he's lost his home and had to move into a slightly downtrodden apartment, and he's lost his job. What's a guy to do? Start your own business doing what you love. Cooking. Thus, Dinner at Home was created.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
It was difficult not to like Ollie from the get-go. He's a nice guy. Literally. He's sweet and kind, loving and good. What's not to like? And when his boyfriend breaks up with him on their first anniversary, my heart broke for him. When he goes to work on Monday morning and is let go due to downsizing, well, I thought he probably should've opted for more chocolate and a bigger bottle of wine. In the space of three days, Ollie has lost the man whom he believed was the love of his life, he's lost his home and had to move into a slightly downtrodden apartment, and he's lost his job. What's a guy to do? Start your own business doing what you love. Cooking. Thus, Dinner at Home was created.
Please find my full review at Rainbow Book Reviews
July 2, 2014
Readers should be ready to grab their pots and pans and be ready to cook while savoring Rick R. Reed's latest gay romance.
Talk about a bad day. At breakfast, Seattle ad executive Ollie D'Angelo finds his boyfriend has had another lover for six months and now wants Ollie to move out, then when he gets to work, he finds his position has been eliminated.
A perpetually upbeat person and cook at heart, Ollie rallies to decide this is his chance of a lifetime to do something he's always wanted. With his savings, he starts Dinner at Home, a catering service for people who are too busy to cook dinner at night.
As he's unpacking after delivering a meal one evening, down-and-out Hank Mellinger sees Ollie's open car and enters it, bent on stealing something. When the bigger Ollie catches Hank and finds out the man needs money for rent and food for himself and his niece, instead of turning him over to the police, Ollie takes Hank and his niece home with him.
A former crack addict, Hank is now clean and trying desperately to stay that way. His twin sister is in prison on the East Coast and his mother refuses to take responsibility for four-year-old Addison, a swearing, too-old-for-her-age little girl.
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
Talk about a bad day. At breakfast, Seattle ad executive Ollie D'Angelo finds his boyfriend has had another lover for six months and now wants Ollie to move out, then when he gets to work, he finds his position has been eliminated.
A perpetually upbeat person and cook at heart, Ollie rallies to decide this is his chance of a lifetime to do something he's always wanted. With his savings, he starts Dinner at Home, a catering service for people who are too busy to cook dinner at night.
As he's unpacking after delivering a meal one evening, down-and-out Hank Mellinger sees Ollie's open car and enters it, bent on stealing something. When the bigger Ollie catches Hank and finds out the man needs money for rent and food for himself and his niece, instead of turning him over to the police, Ollie takes Hank and his niece home with him.
A former crack addict, Hank is now clean and trying desperately to stay that way. His twin sister is in prison on the East Coast and his mother refuses to take responsibility for four-year-old Addison, a swearing, too-old-for-her-age little girl.
Read the rest of my review at The Romance Reviews: http://glbt.theromancereviews.com/vie...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews