And Everything Nice

by Ada Maria Soto

Computer programmer Angelo is as good at baking as he is bad at talking to people—especially guys he finds attractive, like Simon, the new tech writer at work. Falling back on his habit of using his culinary creations as a distraction, Angelo whips up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. But Simon refuses to touch them. Frustrated but not ready to give up, Angelo searches for the perfect recipe to tempt both Simon and his taste buds.

This story was first published as part of the Simmer anthology by Dreamspinner Press. It has three extra recipes from the original

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Fiction, Queer, M M Contemporary

34 pages, ebook

First published January 2, 2020

About the author

A psychologist once told Ada Maria Soto that she has a fantasy prone personality. Fortunately, Ada grew up to become an author, so a life lived deep in her imagination fits her perfectly. As a Mexican-American expat living in the South Pacific with her partner and kid, her life is chaotically divided between being a writer, a publisher, and a parent.

Dysgraphia, phonological dyslexia, and ADHD makes for some exciting editing, but Ada continues to push through with a writing career. She’s a veteran of the theatre and television business, as well as all the lousy jobs that come with two liberal arts degrees.

Ada’s ability to capture the complex inner life of her characters in moving, yet relatable, ways endears readers to her unforgettable characters. Whether writing hot, spicy erotica or “tame” romances about asexual characters, she creates stories that readers return to again and again.

When not buried under manuscripts, Ada is a sports fan dedicated to the Oakland A’s, Auckland Blues, USA Eagles, and New Zealand Black Caps.

Reviews

[Kaje Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, light, sweet read about a guy who only knows how to woo men with baked goods, and the new guy in the office who is apparently immune to the lure of sugar, spice, pies, muffins, and all of his baking wiles.

[Meep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet little short. But wow that's a lot of baking. I might just make the Banana bread one day though!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite cute -- I feel for Angelo, I mean he bakes ALL those cookies/bread/pies etc. and his crush always says "No, Thanks?" Yeah! Good thing Angelo doesn't stop trying, does he? *laugh*

[Smutty Sully · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so fucking hungry now, it's ridiculous! Deliciously awful book. (Awful because it's triggering a sweet tooth I got rid of years ago.)

[Anniek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was short but sweet, literally. It was a really quick, really fluffy read, with a disaster gay and a lot of baking. I just want to know what happened with the banana bread, though!

[Solly · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cute! I would have liked a few more scenes of Angelo/Simon interactions to get a sense of how they were together and who Simon was, but I loved Angelo, the baking, and it made me smile many times for something so short!

[EYLEEN · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me sorprendió mucho la causa del por qué Simon no los comía, ya lo iba sospechando y era una de mis teorías, pero al ver toda su explicación quedé "Wow". Mi momento favorito fue el de los pasteles del Día del Orgullo, fue muy divertida la dinámica y "regla" para poder comer 😂

[Ariadna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful short story that packed a lot of plot, humor, and a compelling romance in less than 50 pages. There are even recipes for some of the things that Angelo bakes (including two vegan ones!) at the end.

My one (1) complaint is that I ardently wish this had been longer. Alas.

Trigger/Content Warnings: I seriously can't think of anything that would warrant a heads up for anyone. This is a v. low-angst short story.

TL;DR: Another fantastic work from an author that's quickly becoming a favorite. I borrowed this short story from the library.

[Alison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but super short. For me it was too short and too superficial to make a nicely developed story. Not a bad way to spend a little time, but I wanted more.

[Heather Novak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorable and Delish!

I cannot WAIT to try out the recipes!
I adored this short story. It was like a dessert in and of itself.


As someone who identifies with Simon’s conflict, I super appreciate the direction the storyline took. Recommended reading!!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't bake or cook, so I didn't read any of the recipes at the 77% point in the kindle edition. I knew early on what the problem was, but this is well written and enjoyable despite that. If you bake, know recipes follow the story.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute and geeky. And poor Simon, all those allergies (wheat, gluten, soy, dairy, egg, Stevia, banana, and ginger).

[PaperMoon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very cute seeing baking extraordinaire Angelo ramp up his workplace offerings in his increasing effort to capture the attention of one particular co-worker.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is a short story about a guy who spends months being pushy and trying to shove his baking at someone who clearly will always say no. He gets more and more obsessed instead of just asking the guy why he says no.

There are office jokes about how his baking is so good that his coworkers got freaky and had to attend a two day sexual harassment seminar, yet apparently this guy still just keeps pushing his baked goods on his coworker who clearly says no thanks and clearly is not going to eat them.

Everyone else seems to find the story cute, but frankly, the main character had absolutely no sensitivity for his new coworker's needs and desires. It was pushy and rude but bc wanting to eat baked goods is considered socially acceptable, it was fine.

The main character didn't even ASK the new coworker about food sensitivities while parading foods for seven months.

Then he baked allergen sensitive food in a non safe kitchen and bam, he is a hero, story over.

The recipes in the back look delicious, though.

[Sandy Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite adorable! Crush on the new co-worker office romance.

All the baking! Baking is Angelo's love and love language. So why does his new co-worker, the competent and very intriguing Simon, refuse to try even one bite of anything Angelo makes for "the office" as he keeps trying to tempt him?

(Though, honestly, like other kinds of consent...he REALLY should have asked Simon! It was...pretty obvious, and hugely important.)

Seeing the two become friends, seeing Angelo pine and wonder...really fun. This novella was part of an anthology, and the author changed nothing for the re-release, FYI.

HFN/HEA vibes, co-worker office romance. Lots of delicious baking and many recipes included! Safe for me, no others at all in the current timeline, though I could have done without all the references to Something happening in the past with Angelo and someone who...REALLY appreciated his banana bread. And we never really find out specifics, and it sounded kinda off. ??? Anyway, recommended because mostly a simple and sweet story!

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only came across this today, and it was just what I needed! A short and very sweet story involving lots of baking - not exactly deep, but considering everything that’s going on right now I wanted something light and happy, and this delivered.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

New author that I randomly discovered one day and I really enjoyed it :) It ends in a HFN but there's lots of yummy drool-worthy moments because Angelo loves baking. I love the way the author ended the story with recipes for the reader to enjoy.

[Songsungblue · Rating 5 out of 5]

happy and feel good

what a little gem of a book. The characters are incredibly engaging and sympathetic. Who hasn't done ridiculous things to attract a mate? and for a free bonus there are the recipes referred to in the story - yummy!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable, funny, sweet. And so happy for another story from her!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

You’re gonna want to have baked goods on hand, because it’s gonna make you want all the baked goods.

[Rhode PVD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute workplace romance story - a little longer than a short story but shorter than a novella. Don’t read if you are hungry for baked sweets and have none at hand. Recipes included.

[LizEtLesLivres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super Cute

[Shelba · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super cute, but I still wanna know about the banana bread situation.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and I'm so glad there's a few recipes at the end.

[E.Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was really good and sweet!! Do not read while hungry though. You will crave pastries.

[... · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars... short, sweet, fluffy.

[May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute, but OMG so short. Definitely leaves you wanting more.

[Jamey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and sweet.

3.5/5 stars, rounded down to 3.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but the "problem" was 1000% avoidable with one simple question. The longer the story went on without it being asked by anyone the more irritating it became.

[Amris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hero #1: Angelo- baking extraordinaire computer programmer

Hero #2: Simon- Angelo’s coworker who won’t eat his desserts

Idk this was so slight and inconsequential to me I’m sure someone would like it but I didn’t even find it cute.

Tropes: workplace