Sergeant Delicious

by Annabeth Albert

alternate cover edition of ASIN B085RCXRGM

This military man is delicious, but does he have long-term potential?

Soon to be ex-marine Xavier has a bright future as a firefighter. But stationed far from home, he’s lonely and homesick for more than just his favorite foods. Thinking ahead to his homecoming, he responds to an ad seeking a date for a special gourmet dinner, but he doesn’t anticipate an immediate connection with the intriguing foodie who placed the ad.

Food writer Damien is looking for his big break, and reviewing an uber-exclusive secret restaurant may be exactly what he needs if he can score a date to go with him. He doesn’t expect to enjoy corresponding with Xavier quite so much, nor is he prepared for his powerful surge of lust for the hot marine.

However, Damien’s had more than his share of bad luck when it comes to romance, but Xavier is determined to win Damien over. Course-by-course, they fall deeper into like. When they finally give into their passion, sparks fly. But is it a flash in the pan or the recipe for lasting love?

Sergeant Delicious was originally published in the Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 3 and has been expanded with a new bonus spicy epilogue. It’s a stand-alone foodie novella with sweet, low-angst feels and a quirky Oregon setting with a dash of military romance flavor.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Military Fiction, LGBT, Novella, Short Stories

89 pages, ebook

First published October 1, 2019

About the author

Frequent tweeter, professional grammar nerd, and obsessive reader, Annabeth Albert is also a Pacific Northwest romance writer in a variety of subgenres.

Emotionally complex, sexy, and funny stories are her favorites both to read and to write. In between searching out dark heroes to redeem, she works a rewarding day job and wrangles two toddlers.

Reviews

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, I adored this novella from Annabeth Albert.

I've had fairly bad luck with Annabeth Albert books recently, but Sergeant Delicious was sweet, fairly angst free, and just a lovely read. Plus, food porn!

I'm a total high-end restaurant-lover, and I'm very critical of romance that involve food or chefs, so I was expecting to have some issues with Sergeant Delicious, but I was pleasantly surprised. Not only were the food details cute, but the sex was steamy and the characters were surprisingly well developed for a novella.

I wish the story was longer, and all of those epilogues were a bit strange to tack on at the end, but I truly enjoyed this entire book. More of this, please.

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[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️ 3 stars ⭐️

This was a sweet & quick little romantic novella.
Cute and with a hint of spice, but not deep enough to be more than a 3.

Tropes and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Marine vs Foodie/blogger
- Light restraints
- Intercrural
- Strict top/bottom (one scene)

[Barb ~rede-2-read~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read. The story had an upbeat feel throughout--something I greatly appreciate right now. Military man meets foodie geek equals a very pleasant story.

Xavier is getting out of the military and he's cruising personal ads, looking for a roommate while he gets settled. His plans include EMT training and hopefully, full time work for a fire department. A date with a cute guy would be nice too, so when he spots the ad from the guy looking for a date for Valentine's Day with no expectations other than that the guy wants someone to attend a gourmet dinner at a fine dining establishment with him, he can't resist.

Damien is a food lover and has recently landed a job as a food critic. He doesn't want to go to the elegant restaurant alone and finds it hard to believe a few good candidates answered his ad. Intrigued by Xavier's response, the two begin corresponding and finally meet the night of the dinner. From there, it's one lovely moment after another. Is it insta-love? Some may say so, but IMHO, the author was trying for a short Valentine's Day story to fit an anthology when it was written so pretty much, yeah--there's going to be romance. And sometime afterward, love.

The characters are really different and each brings a unique perspective to their relationship. The story alternates POVs and both guys are so much fun I loved each one to pieces. I wish they had a full book but maybe they can show up in the future since they have settled in the Portland area, a favorite location for this author.

[Achim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Perfectly sweet Valentine story with adorable guys with a huge food and light bondage kink. I probably was able to appreciate it more now that that day has long passed (you know how it is with that day and its place on the story sweet-o-meter).

[Caz · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A sweet and sexy short story previously published in a charity anthology, Sergeant Delicious begins with soon-to-be demobbed Xavier answering an ad from "fun foodie guy" (a food writer) who wants someone to go with him to an upmarket dinner on Valentine's day. The first part of this short story/novella shows the pair getting to know each other a bit via email, which makes the attraction they experience when they meet more believable. Both men are likeable and down-to-earth, and one of the things I really appreciate about novellas when they're done well, is that the shorter page count doesn't leave room for silly misunderstandings and other distracting plot points; and this is one of those that's done well. The author doesn't allow Damien's hang-ups to get in the way (in fact, making good use of them! *wink*) and devotes all her page time to building the relationship between the leads.

A quick, fun (and did I mention sexy?) read.

[Maygirl7 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute

[Alex (HEABookNerd) · Rating 4 out of 5]

SERGEANT DELICIOUS was a cute, funny, and sweet read. Damien needs a date to get into an exclusive Valentine's Day dinner but he wants to avoid sex because he's convinced he's bad at it due to a track record of klutzy incidents. Xavier is just looking for a way to avoid set ups by his family but once he meets Damien he's attracted and intrigued. These two were really sweet together and I loved watching them go from friends to lovers. This was very enjoyable with its delicious food descriptions, light kink, and endearing MCs.

[Emily Seelye · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sexy little short.

While looking for someplace to live after getting discharged from the marines, Xavier comes across an ad for a Valentine’s date.

The guys strike up a friendship and love blossoms.

*I read an ARC

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet and short.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and cute. Sweet and sexy. Definitely delicious.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as an ARC! I'll make this short and sweet because that is what this book was. If your looking for a quick little story full of cutesy romance and humor then this is the book for you! Very enjoyable and ya can't go wrong with an Annabeth Albert book!

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The idea is cute -- I loved the way Damien and Xavier exchanged message before they met. All conversations about foods were good. They did connect nicely. But the sex part was too much for me, and it became boring.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite stories from the Heart2Heart anthology and the bonus epilogue adds so much. <3

Also, I love the Easter egg mention of the guys from Mr. Right Now.

[UltraMeital · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Sweet novella. I would have loved getting a full novel of these two. The idea behind it was really cool. Food writer Damien publishes an ad looking for someone to share a special (and free) meal with him on Valentine's Day with no strings attached. Soon to be ex-marine Xavier jumps on the offer to have "plans" so none of his family or friends be even tempted to hook him up..

After the first email Damien explains he got the exclusive invite to this restaurant and besides wanting to taste the food he wants to write a review about it, but coming alone on Valentine's might look a bit suspicious so he was looking for someone to share the food with and like Xavier he didn't feel like taking someone his friends set him up with..

After sharing quite a few emails, both men are excited to meet the other. Their coffee meet before Valentine's feels almost like meeting an actual friend and though they haven't talked about what's going to happen after, they both want more than dinner and even more than just friendship.

Unlike the rather insecure Damien, Xavier is VERY sure of himself as well as how much he wants Damien and so he makes the first move and from there on shows Damien with words and actions that he is there to stay. Damien finds it hard to believe but in the end he does.

I liked this one, though it was a bit too short for me to truly feel the whole relationship buildup. But I really couldn't complain - it was sweet and endearing.

This novella was originally published in the Heart2Heart anthology. In the new kindle version it also contains a bonus epilogue.

More Reviews HERE

[Emalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

~ Arc provided by author in exchange for my honest opinion

This is my first time reading it, I had not had the pleasure to read it while it was in the Heart2Heart anthology. It was a nice, quick read for an afternoon. It was a bit fast-paced but that's to be expected from a novella so I didn't mind. Both characters were really likeable and I totally got Damien's fears.
If you are looking for something quick, happy and low-angst, I recommend that you give Sergeant Delicious a chance. Also it made me hungry lol

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet and loving story of two men who find each other through email. Xavier is a marine coming home for good. On a impulse and he finds a man, Damien who is sweet, clumsy and needs his dominating personality. A perfect match. Now Xavier has to convince Damien that is wants to stay. Will Damien be able to let go of his fears...and his worry about his clumsiness. Will he be able to avoid tripping over himself and getting what he wants?

[Nile Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed. Fun, cute, and feel good, but HAWT! Loved that Damien was a little clumsy and Xavier's solution for that, in bed!

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot and Sweet

I like how this story went from sweet to hot without being too fast or slow. The pace was great. Xavier and Damien made a cute couple.

[Ligaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

3'25 🌟
Una historia con mucho potencial, puro excesivamente corta. Es un tentempié que te deja con ganas de más

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was short and sweet, but I would rather have not known some things than get so much telling instead of showing.

[Patricia Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic, charming, engaging, grab-you-by-the-feels, endearing, sweet, delightfully delicious, smoking hot, poignant, tender, and totally awesome story. I would DEFINITELY recommend getting this marvelous gem immediately. Make sure you have a snack handy before you start reading this, because by the time you finish, you'll be hungry. (In more ways than one.😁)

[Cee Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´When Xavier met the foodie...

A cute, sweet story that kept my attention. I liked the person that Damien was. Unsure of himself, but confident in his job as a food blogger. He quickly came to care for the big, sexy, retiring marine and Xavier challenged him unlike others. And Xavier was so sweet taking charge and proving to Damien that he was worth it regardless.

This was a quick story, but the author filled the time frame perfectly and told a good story. I love coming back to Portland and her men.

[Tina J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally read (and thoroughly enjoyed) as part of the Heart2Heart charity anthology, I wanted to read the revised and expanded story as well.

[Tinnean · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet!

[Bluebelle-the-Inquisitive (Catherine) · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Hey. How is it I’m about to be naked and you’re still completely clothed?” he asked as Xavier added his pants to the chair, leaving him in just his boxer briefs.
“I know.” Xavier wiggled his eyebrows at him. “And I’m digging it. So, so much.” — Damien and Xavier

Warnings: food, pining

It has been way too long since I read any Annabeth. I'm happy I chose to read this. The plot of Sargent Delicious is simple enough. It is what it says on the tin. Single up-and-coming food blog writer, Damien, gets an invitation to an underground dinner in Portland on Valentine's Day, for couples. He needs a 'date' enter Heart2Heart, he posts an ad asking for someone to join him, no romance, no sex just good food and good conversation. Through this ad, he meets soon-to-be former Marine Xavier, fellow foodie and adrenaline junkie. Their sparks are uncontrollable. The inferno scorching once they do choose to act. Pining is perfect for them and so very well executed. I like their instant connection. And those emails are super cute. I like both characters I like Damiems nevousness and clumsiness and passion. Xavier's determination and passion are also likable. The foodie and the adrenaline junkie is an interesting combo, not one I've seen for a while.

This was originally published in Heart2Heart: A Charity Anthology, Volume 3 as The Date, it is for the most part unchanged. Although Annabeth Albert has added an additional epilogue. I hated it, so much. It goes from simple pining to multiple kinks including bondage, cum play, and dirty talk. I honestly wish I had skipped it. If you did read the anthology I would save your money here.

I do have a recommendation. If you like stories that include foodies and food I wholeheartedly recommend Marie Sinclair's Chef's Kiss. While this uses food as an element of their story in Chef's Kiss food is used as seduction, both of Becks and of the reader.

A representative gif:

[Samuel Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Short, sweet and flowed rather nicely. I liked how the story progressed over emails to the physical meeting then beyond. The bond between the two main characters felt real and I could get into it as I followed Xavier and Damien along their journey together. Also, food makes everything better so this being a partial foodie romance made it that much more entertaining.

My only real sticking point was Damien’s doubts. Not that he had them, but how he behaved about having them. With all the signs clearly pointing to a love connection the better and definitely more dramatic option would be to go with it and still have all the self-doubt and worry and hope that it’s just paranoia and things work out. It came off more like he didn’t want a relationship instead of him being afraid that Damien didn’t want one. It didn’t sell well. Thankfully this didn’t pop up often enough to matter.

The other thing was after it did pop up the last time the readers don’t get a chance to see the relationship evolve past that. It’s like all that worry and then months have passed. The couple grew to a point but there wasn’t one chapter to show them growing beyond it. They were suddenly past it and at some new more settle in together couple stage.

I did enjoy this book quite a bit even with the slight irritation with Damien’s character. It made me smile and laugh at some points, and I’m definitely hoping Xavier’s mom offers up at least one recipe if the two of them get married. Damien will have earned that recipe by that point. Unfortunately, the story kinda left you hanging after their first real night together. One or two more chapters would not have bumped this story into normal length. It still would have been short and the readers would’ve got a bit of that in-between growth that calmed Damien’s fears and made us like Xavier more cause he’s just all sorts of sexy. Don’t get me wrong he’s a good human too but, yeah, he’s stupid sexy.

Because of the missed opportunity to give the relationship a chance to shine combined with Damien’s awkwardly handled insecurities this book gets 4 stars. Otherwise, this was a good read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a short romance with a satisfying HEA and a dash of the best gingerbread cookies known to mankind.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute IR story. Xavier is a soldier (Seal? Marine? Can't remember) who is planning to leave the military and while searching for an apartment runs across an ad for someone looking for a dinner companion on Valentine's for a "secret" restaurant. Something Xavier has been missing since being in the military is good food, so he answers on a whim and he and Damian start chatting and hit it off. When they finally meet, they still get along but Damian is reticent about starting a relationship and claims he's bad at sex and regales Xavier with stories of falling off a bunk bed, kneeing a partner in the head and other exploits. Xavier is determined to try anyway, and Damian (a food blogger/magazine contributor) has issues figuring big ripped Xavier wouldn't want scrawny white-boy. But it's a cute little novella and Xavier uses his toppy tendencies to make sure there are no knees to sensitive areas.

Sweet with Xavier's supportive family and lots of talk about food and cookies and restaurants. So it was a fun short feel-good read.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet, before I want to get into the latest release by this author, either the burn zone firefighter one or the geeks romance at a convention. This was about a Marine about to discharge and become a firefighter, answering ad about a food writer wanting someone to go on fancy dinner with for his assignment, they form a friendship and later inevitable romance. Xavier the military man was black but it's not a big deal in this, Damien is a geekier white guy very passionate about food and is unrealistically cutesily clumsy- and this was mostly sex scenes and how the two have fun. This was nice, breezy read, not amazing but was just perfectly fine and a quick way to recharge my reading batteries/attention span to switch to really long-ass books.

[LGO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me ha gustado mucho la trama porque me ha parecido muy original el planteamiento de un crítico culinario, Damien, que busca un acompañante para una cena con menú degustación el día de San Valentín, sin sexo ni complicaciones. Xavier es un marine que termina su despliegue y vuelve a casa, y le parece una fantástica idea acudir a cenar a un buen restaurante y no tener que pasar San Valentín solo.
Lo que no esperan ninguno de los dos es la inmediata conexión y atracción que iban a sentir el uno por el otro.
Hasta llegar al 75% del libro leído estaba enganchadísima y le he iba a dar cinco estrellas. El final, en cambio, me ha parecido que se resuelve demasiado rápida y precipitadamente.
Incluye un poco de bondage suave.

#M-M-romance

[Edga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet romance.

I'm a sucker for a happy ending, and this one certainly delivered. It's a lovely story about happiness, which is brought about by the reading of an ad posted by 'Funny Foodie Guy'. I absolutely loved the MCS, Xavier and Damien, they're both well written, funny and sympathetic characters.

For such a short story, both the depth of characterisation and the plotting were very good, a testament to Ms Albert's writing. Both Damien and Xavier are likeable and real. Damien is adorable, and the way in which his self esteem blossomed through his relationship with Xavier was so sweet.

One of the highlights of the story was the growth of Damien's inner strength and self assurance. This is reflected in the incredibly hot connection between the two MCs, they are sizzling hot together. Reading about Damien in the throes of passion is awesome.

This is truly a feel good romance, and the fact that it's about amazing food is right up my street! The story has a big dose of love throughout. My only complaint is that I wish the story had been longer, I'd have loved to see what the long term future held for our heroes.