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Green Tea and Pink Apples
To most people, Matt Del Prete is the charming, unambitious youngest son of a wine-growing dynasty, who sleeps around and is useless for anything practical. Matt has spent years creating that reputation to keep his controlling family from pushing him into the life they want for him. But Matt’s getting older. His family is starting to push harder and the act is wearing him down.
During an engagement party for a cousin, Matt finds himself once again doing his family’s bidding. Only this time, it fills him with both dread and anticipation when his mother pulls him aside and tells him he is supposed to spend the evening watching over the other outcast in their social circle—his childhood friend, Santi. Santi is the one person who sees through Matt’s act, although he’s never called Matt out on it. Matt still isn’t sure why. He’s not even sure what he is to Santi. Not family. Not friends, not really these days, since Matt is the family failure and Santi is a successful artist. Matt isn’t even certain what Santi is to him. He learned long ago not to admit to his dreams, not even to himself, so his family can’t tear them down.
But tonight, Matt is sick of pretending. And Santi seems to want to hear his dreams. Escaping the party to sit beneath the stars, Matt is almost convinced that Santi might even want to share them. Can Matt finally reach for what he wants?
During an engagement party for a cousin, Matt finds himself once again doing his family’s bidding. Only this time, it fills him with both dread and anticipation when his mother pulls him aside and tells him he is supposed to spend the evening watching over the other outcast in their social circle—his childhood friend, Santi. Santi is the one person who sees through Matt’s act, although he’s never called Matt out on it. Matt still isn’t sure why. He’s not even sure what he is to Santi. Not family. Not friends, not really these days, since Matt is the family failure and Santi is a successful artist. Matt isn’t even certain what Santi is to him. He learned long ago not to admit to his dreams, not even to himself, so his family can’t tear them down.
But tonight, Matt is sick of pretending. And Santi seems to want to hear his dreams. Escaping the party to sit beneath the stars, Matt is almost convinced that Santi might even want to share them. Can Matt finally reach for what he wants?
ebook
First published November 7, 2018
About the author
R. Cooper
83 books1,017 followersI'm R. Cooper, a somewhat absentminded, often distracted, writer of queer romance. I'm probably most known for the Being(s) in Love series and The Suitable 'Verse stories. Also the occasional story about witches or firefighters in love.
You can visit my website for updates or sign up for my newsletter . My newsletter is free! And comes out once a month or once every two months or so.
Otherwise... have some social media links if you want updates and whatever the hell else I am talking about.
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Instagram and Threads
You can also support me on Patreon if you like
If you just want book release updates, I have a BookBub profile.
Also, I now have a Storygraph where I will try to track my reading in an organized fashion.
You can visit my website for updates or sign up for my newsletter . My newsletter is free! And comes out once a month or once every two months or so.
Otherwise... have some social media links if you want updates and whatever the hell else I am talking about.
Tumblr
BlueSky
**With Meta's current policies, I do not use FB or Insta or Threads for anything but the bare minimum.**
Instagram and Threads
You can also support me on Patreon if you like
If you just want book release updates, I have a BookBub profile.
Also, I now have a Storygraph where I will try to track my reading in an organized fashion.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
January 26, 2025
Reread 01/2025
One of my favourite comfort reads.
Heartbreaking but so, so heartwarming. Argh I don't have the words to express how much I love this little story, how much I love Matt and Santi.
It's awesome that R.Cooper is able to let me feel so deeply in only 63 pages.
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Reread 09/2024.
Love Matty and Santi so much. This little novella is special and one I'm going to reread again and again.
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Read 7/2024.
5 stars.
This novella was perfection.
My new favorite by R. Cooper and one of the most beautiful queer romance novellas for me.
The author's writing is amazing. We get one pov (Matt), and oh so slowly we learn more and more about Matt, Santi and their families.
I didn't even mind that there wasn't any sex! Instead the author lets us see step by step, carefully and subtly, past Matt's walls and defences. I loved every minute of discovering more about him (and Santi).
As for side characters, the adults in their families were mostly annoying, but the kids/tweens were awesome. I adored the chapter when Matt stole away from the party and stayed with his nephew and nieces and discussed his dreams with them, and Santi joined them later on.
Can't recommend this enough, it's simply wonderful.
One of my favourite comfort reads.
Heartbreaking but so, so heartwarming. Argh I don't have the words to express how much I love this little story, how much I love Matt and Santi.
It's awesome that R.Cooper is able to let me feel so deeply in only 63 pages.
----------------
Reread 09/2024.
Love Matty and Santi so much. This little novella is special and one I'm going to reread again and again.
------
Read 7/2024.
5 stars.
This novella was perfection.
My new favorite by R. Cooper and one of the most beautiful queer romance novellas for me.
The author's writing is amazing. We get one pov (Matt), and oh so slowly we learn more and more about Matt, Santi and their families.
I didn't even mind that there wasn't any sex! Instead the author lets us see step by step, carefully and subtly, past Matt's walls and defences. I loved every minute of discovering more about him (and Santi).
As for side characters, the adults in their families were mostly annoying, but the kids/tweens were awesome. I adored the chapter when Matt stole away from the party and stayed with his nephew and nieces and discussed his dreams with them, and Santi joined them later on.
Can't recommend this enough, it's simply wonderful.
January 2, 2026
This was sooooo beautiful. The tears just poured out.
I think it's one of those books that you can't even put into words.
I've tried to write a review three times now, but I don't know how to express how I feel.
As always with this author, the characters only fully reveal themselves at the end and you understand why you didn't understand them before. Yes, that is frustrating. But now that I know the reward comes at the end, I can't stop myself from reading every sentence twice and reading between the lines as much as possible.
Probably the most amazing thing here, I wanted to be totally mad at this stupid family and their stupid insults. But somehow I couldn't. The atmosphere of this book simply wouldn't allow it. Even when Matt himself addresses the verbal abuse at some point, the anger failed to materialize and I gave in to tears.
Matt is such an enduring calm character, I am completely blown away. Of course the story breaks off at the best point, but at least there was a kiss, and what a wonderful scene it was.
Anytime I tell them anything about me, they insist on showing me how I’m doing it wrong and how I could be better. And I’m not driven like them, or brilliant and talented like you. It’s better to be nice and go along with things until I can get away and do what I want. 😭😭💔😭😭
I think it's one of those books that you can't even put into words.
I've tried to write a review three times now, but I don't know how to express how I feel.
As always with this author, the characters only fully reveal themselves at the end and you understand why you didn't understand them before. Yes, that is frustrating. But now that I know the reward comes at the end, I can't stop myself from reading every sentence twice and reading between the lines as much as possible.
Probably the most amazing thing here, I wanted to be totally mad at this stupid family and their stupid insults. But somehow I couldn't. The atmosphere of this book simply wouldn't allow it. Even when Matt himself addresses the verbal abuse at some point, the anger failed to materialize and I gave in to tears.
Matt is such an enduring calm character, I am completely blown away. Of course the story breaks off at the best point, but at least there was a kiss, and what a wonderful scene it was.
Anytime I tell them anything about me, they insist on showing me how I’m doing it wrong and how I could be better. And I’m not driven like them, or brilliant and talented like you. It’s better to be nice and go along with things until I can get away and do what I want. 😭😭💔😭😭
February 27, 2025
I've been having a bit of a weird week where my brain hasn't wanted to settle and read anything and this has left me out of sorts.
Trust R. Cooper to write a little joy of a novella to remind me why I love reading. The amount of quiet romance and love that they are able to build into this little story is a wonderful gift.
A heart warming and emotional, childhood friends to lovers story that occurs over the course of one evening
Trust R. Cooper to write a little joy of a novella to remind me why I love reading. The amount of quiet romance and love that they are able to build into this little story is a wonderful gift.
A heart warming and emotional, childhood friends to lovers story that occurs over the course of one evening
July 21, 2024
"I want... my bedroom, and house makeover shows, and a cup of tea. I want a kitchen table with a bowl of Meyer lemons in the summer and a bowl of apples in the fall. It's small and stupid but it would be just for me."
Can I just say how much and how instantly I felt connected to Matt? How does such a short novella do that? His descriptions of his future dream home actually almost brought me to tears. It's written in such a melancholic and wistful tone it immediately tugged at my emotions.
It's been a long time since I swooned at a love confession - that a novella managed that is a bit mind-blowing to me. And on the last page, I giggled like mad, absolutely delighted. Who even am I 👀
Making Santi go soft and quiet was as small and real a happiness as a bowl of pink apples on a kitchen table.
Just go and read it, do yourself a favor ❤️
Can I just say how much and how instantly I felt connected to Matt? How does such a short novella do that? His descriptions of his future dream home actually almost brought me to tears. It's written in such a melancholic and wistful tone it immediately tugged at my emotions.
It's been a long time since I swooned at a love confession - that a novella managed that is a bit mind-blowing to me. And on the last page, I giggled like mad, absolutely delighted. Who even am I 👀
Making Santi go soft and quiet was as small and real a happiness as a bowl of pink apples on a kitchen table.
Just go and read it, do yourself a favor ❤️
January 9, 2025
Oh my god what a gut wrenchingly beautiful, profoundly romantic, wonderfully written, deeply moving, atmospheric, melancholic, unique novella that managed to make me feel immersed and connected in such a strong way and in such a short amount of time.
I’m absolutely blown away. I have tears in my eyes, butterflies in my stomach and a smile on my face.
I’m simply enchanted. Do yourself a favour and read this, you won’t be sorry, I promise. 🥹
I’m absolutely blown away. I have tears in my eyes, butterflies in my stomach and a smile on my face.
I’m simply enchanted. Do yourself a favour and read this, you won’t be sorry, I promise. 🥹
„You are dreams, and practicality, and secrets. I want to see your castle. I want to visit it and paint the loft like it’s the Sistine Chapel. You see how predictable I am? I don’t need big fucking gestures and brilliance. I am all of that and I am a mess. There is enough drive and ambition in the world. You can be quiet, gentle Matty and be loved by this disaster. You have been for years already. There’s no changing it now.“😭
January 14, 2025
“You can be quiet, gentle Matty and be loved by this disaster. You have been for years already. There’s no changing it now.”
For a novella this length, it said way more than what was expected. Matt and Santi finally found their beginning and in some ways, I'm glad this was a novella because if a novella could feel this much like a slowburn, just imagine the story of their early ages - all the pining and the almosts and the pain - especially the pain! I would've been in so much pain.
I wish I could see a glimpse into their future together as well. In my mind, they are already in that cozy cabin that Matt had build and Santi has painted and it is lovely!
The writing is fantastic, the setting is festive and tense, but the only reason I gave a 3 star is because of how little we get to see of Matt and Santi. I'd still recommend it though.
For a novella this length, it said way more than what was expected. Matt and Santi finally found their beginning and in some ways, I'm glad this was a novella because if a novella could feel this much like a slowburn, just imagine the story of their early ages - all the pining and the almosts and the pain - especially the pain! I would've been in so much pain.
I wish I could see a glimpse into their future together as well. In my mind, they are already in that cozy cabin that Matt had build and Santi has painted and it is lovely!
The writing is fantastic, the setting is festive and tense, but the only reason I gave a 3 star is because of how little we get to see of Matt and Santi. I'd still recommend it though.
July 17, 2024
Wah!!! That was way too short!
I cried. I love this.
I cried. I love this.
August 28, 2025
I think this story is quite special. I just wish it was longer. Because, honestly, I didn't get enough depth. And this is definitely one of those stories with these types of characters that deserved so much more. And I wish the emotions at the end of Matt and Santi's evening had more room to just be. The few paragraphs weren't nearly enough.
October 12, 2024
4.5
Only a few sentence in and I already get that R. Cooper vibe that I like so much, wistful and melancholy without being gloomy. The story is only about a short timespan, the evening of an engagement party when Matt is tasked to look after Santi. Matt, the supposedly ambition-less son, and Santi, the openly gay son of Matt mother's best friend. It's the same situation as for other such parties and it's also not. This time Santi is determined not to get drunk enough to be able to ignore that he doesn't fit into the elite crowd and forget his pinning which leads Matt to recognize that he can't hide behind elusive niceness or bland indifference, not if it comes to Santi. There's nothing emotionally explosive, no grand drama but at the end of the party both guys are changed.
R. Cooper doesn't tell or preach, she (mostly) shows and that's enough to understand both guys. I also liked that she didn't blame the families for their abusively good intentions or let the guys appear as weak because they dealt with the situation as best as they could without making obvious resistance. Life is as it is until you suddenly see that it doesn't have to be and you already have everything you need to keep going your way.
Only a few sentence in and I already get that R. Cooper vibe that I like so much, wistful and melancholy without being gloomy. The story is only about a short timespan, the evening of an engagement party when Matt is tasked to look after Santi. Matt, the supposedly ambition-less son, and Santi, the openly gay son of Matt mother's best friend. It's the same situation as for other such parties and it's also not. This time Santi is determined not to get drunk enough to be able to ignore that he doesn't fit into the elite crowd and forget his pinning which leads Matt to recognize that he can't hide behind elusive niceness or bland indifference, not if it comes to Santi. There's nothing emotionally explosive, no grand drama but at the end of the party both guys are changed.
R. Cooper doesn't tell or preach, she (mostly) shows and that's enough to understand both guys. I also liked that she didn't blame the families for their abusively good intentions or let the guys appear as weak because they dealt with the situation as best as they could without making obvious resistance. Life is as it is until you suddenly see that it doesn't have to be and you already have everything you need to keep going your way.
January 15, 2020
Sometimes love comes quietly, and nests in your heart silently, waiting for you to realise it is already there...
Matt Del Prete has never considered his relationship with Santi. Old family friend, their relationship is at the same time closer and more distant than what they friends and family think. But the night of the engagement party of his cousin, tasked with looking after a somehow distant Santi, Matt realises that, deep inside, he has been harbouring feelings for Santi, feelings that may be reciprocated…
Beautiful. Like an old film or a Monet painting. Fills you with nostalgia and a contentment feeling.
I loved it.
Matt Del Prete has never considered his relationship with Santi. Old family friend, their relationship is at the same time closer and more distant than what they friends and family think. But the night of the engagement party of his cousin, tasked with looking after a somehow distant Santi, Matt realises that, deep inside, he has been harbouring feelings for Santi, feelings that may be reciprocated…
Beautiful. Like an old film or a Monet painting. Fills you with nostalgia and a contentment feeling.
I loved it.
November 9, 2018
Every single time I read one of R. Coopers books/stories, I want to go back and re-read every single thing they've written.
This is no exception.
A sweet, lovely story that utterly enchanted me.
This is no exception.
A sweet, lovely story that utterly enchanted me.
February 9, 2019
3.75 ⭐️
Enjoyable short.
I liked Matt and Santi and their path to getting through to each other.
I didn’t really understand Matt’s family and their need to pick on him, but I enjoyed that Danti was protective.
I liked that Matt’s dreams were achievable and quite simple.
Enjoyable short.
I liked Matt and Santi and their path to getting through to each other.
I didn’t really understand Matt’s family and their need to pick on him, but I enjoyed that Danti was protective.
I liked that Matt’s dreams were achievable and quite simple.
April 23, 2019
I think this is my favorite of R. Cooper's yet, and that's saying something. <3
February 25, 2025
Bit of a weird reading experience. I didn't take to the characters right away, the viewpoint mc being honestly fairly off-putting for multiple reasons. I initially read more out of a sense of skeptical intrigue at the author's writing choices. It won me over by the end though.
I think I've only read one other thing by the author, which I remember liking. I think part of the reason I haven't read more is they put out a lot of stuff that's very not my thing, so I guess I'll have to take some time to sort through their stuff and see which others might look interesting.
I think I've only read one other thing by the author, which I remember liking. I think part of the reason I haven't read more is they put out a lot of stuff that's very not my thing, so I guess I'll have to take some time to sort through their stuff and see which others might look interesting.
Read
April 5, 2020This was a lovely and understated story about people who have grown up together and know each other well -- but yet don't understand each other, not where it matters. Cooper is at her best with this type of characterization that relies on assumptions (sometimes erroneous) and things unsaid, and it works especially well in this context of well-off families who care a lot about the presentation and don't want to see or hear what's going sour beneath the surface.
May 11, 2020
I enjoyed this. It was really nice. I read this a few weeks ago when I was in a bad mood about the world and I wanted something nice and easy to cheer me up. This is a nice short one and it did the trick. When I want something nice and easy, I go to R. Cooper and I am always satisfied. I took a couple of hours and drifted off into this story and it was lovely and brought me out of my grump. Not my favourite by this author, but a really pleasant story.
April 21, 2024
Another lovely Sad Boy TM short from Cooper.
March 19, 2023
Sad to not leave a better review. This story is short, but it felt like we walked into everything mid-scene and never quite found our footing. Didn’t particularly care for either MMC
March 9, 2022
I don't know why R. Cooper's writing works for me as much as it does. It shouldn't, honestly; it's very wordy, full of overthinking, and you have to read between the lines to fully enjoy her books. Usually, I don't have patience for that and my people-reading skills are abysmal. And yet. It had worked for me in the past and it worked for me in this story as well. It's so soft and full of tension. I want to reread certain parts of it right now.
I wish I could buy it in physical form.
I wish I could buy it in physical form.
November 9, 2018
Cute! I wish there was more after the end, but I always do with short stories.
February 8, 2021
It would have been more stars but it felt very much unfinished, like a movie that had been cut off when it started to be interesting.
December 13, 2019
I'm not really sure about this one. I feel like I didn't really get to know the characters, which made it hard to care for them. Also, can Matt stop running away?
February 11, 2025
I’m sorry but I didn’t get this book? Glad other people do though!
June 10, 2023
The first half dragged enough to make the story kind of boring. But the synopsis says that Matt keeps up this front to keep his family from interfering. Correction: he actually believes that he’s the lazy, aloof, unambitious, unintelligent one of the whole family. So he does just enough to get by, working in his family’s shop & living in the guest house. It wasn’t hard to figure out early on that Santi usually got drunk at the family events because it was the only way to be around the man he wants but can’t have, and his pretentious family. For some reason, Santi stays sober, and Matt finally admits he has dreams his family doesn’t know about, and admits he’s not straight.
January 29, 2019
As always R. Cooper is able to create beautiful story about relationship between two people in seemingly everyday situation. Story was slow building, but I found this unhurried pace necessary for the story to be at it's best and believable. Warm, very human (because really, grand passion and huge courage as well as world where everything is clean cut and all decisions are easy is all good in Hollywood, but not how people usually interact and live). Enjoyed it thoroughly. Hope it was a good birthday for the author! Thank you for giving another sweet story to the world!
Did Not Finish
June 15, 2026this book has such a beautiful cover art and that's what caught my attention -- unfortunately this story wasn't for me at all
like another person said in their review, it feels like we're being thrown inside this story right in the middle of it and we don't reaaally get to know these people or even understand what's going on lol
the two main characters just didn't really make me feel anything
i also found the writing to be a little bit repetitive
i wasn't enjoying my time with this one
sadly this will be a dnf for me
like another person said in their review, it feels like we're being thrown inside this story right in the middle of it and we don't reaaally get to know these people or even understand what's going on lol
the two main characters just didn't really make me feel anything
i also found the writing to be a little bit repetitive
i wasn't enjoying my time with this one
sadly this will be a dnf for me
Read
May 9, 2020R. Cooper is a writer that deeply understands the way families, loving or otherwise, can affect how we see the world and ourselves, our behaviours and thoughts, whether we know it or not. This is a book about that, and about two pining friends re-connecting over the course of an evening. I was beyond invested and charmed.
March 9, 2022
I liked the story and character, it's a book i will keep on my ereader and definitely will read again sometime.
One remark though: i have read more books from R. Cooper, and as a non native English reader it seems to take a bit more effort to read. More often than usual i need to re-read paragraphs because I felt I didn't completely got it and that's blocking the flow a bit when reading.
One remark though: i have read more books from R. Cooper, and as a non native English reader it seems to take a bit more effort to read. More often than usual i need to re-read paragraphs because I felt I didn't completely got it and that's blocking the flow a bit when reading.
Read
February 17, 2024Pull quote/note
"Matt and Santi were toward one end of the long table, not quite huddled together, not quite engaging with Nonna Louise who was the closest person to them at the moment. She was half-asleep and would only wake up to rant about the younger generation anyway. The rant had stayed the same through several younger generations." (24/72)
November 20, 2018
I don't know... Nothing even happened, and yet it totally hit the spot for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews