Chef's Nutter Half

Vale Valley, Season 5 #12

by Isha Fáng

You cannot run from love, it’ll always find you. Always.

Finnick moved to Vale Valley years ago in the hopes of forgetting the past that still haunts him.
The town provides him the solitude he craves.
The knowledge of pain and loss makes him angry and resentful of life, hesitant to love agin.
Doesn’t want to let anyone in his heart ever again.
But circumstances he can't prevent, stick him and Oscar together.
Unfortunately, his longing for Oscar will challenge his cold heart in a way he never expected.

Oscar’s plan to host a thank you event for the residents of Vale Valley turns into a hissing match between him and peckish Finnick. The older gentleman is nothing more than a grouch and Oscar’s polar opposite, but he can’t deny the attraction he feels.
Or the need to know more about him…

Can a grumpy old honey badger and squirrel shifter get along long enough to fall in love? Can Oscar open Finnick’s heart and teach him to love again?

Genres: M M Romance, Omegaverse, Shapeshifters, Romance, Paranormal

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2020

Reviews

[Flick · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have problems with this book. Big problems. Unfortunately, I had to DNF because I was getting really angry and a character’s actions made me hate him so much that I really didn’t want him to be with the other character and didn’t want to see them together.

The major issue I had I’ll put in a spoiler, but, in short: a character in this book acts with such cavalier, juvenile, callousness that they were ruined as a character. I don’t have a problem with characters making mistakes – often those mistakes make the best stories. I also actually have a love for characters who are ‘evil’ being redeemed. However, where I draw the line is characters who are portrayed as good doing cruel/mean/heartless things and it being left as if nothing has happened. That’s not a redemption plot. That’s not a mistake that is then righted. It’s somebody just being an awful person. I might be blowing it out of proportion and if so, then fair enough – but for me, I just couldn’t keep going.

As an aside, I think there should have been mention of a key plot point in the synopsis. I don’t think there needed to be a formal trigger warning beyond either mention in the synopsis or one quick line, but I think it needed to be there. There is an off-page death of a child. If it was mentioned just once then that’s one thing, but a parent’s grief over losing their child is central to this book and I think something like that should be mentioned as a heads up. There are many people who would deliberately choose to never read a book with this kind of plot for many very personal reasons. I’m sorry if some feel it’s a major spoiler but I really don’t think it ruins the outcome of the book (and to be fair is hinted at relatively early).

This is going to be long and a bit of a rant. I’m sorry for that. Unfortunately, I really just did not react well to Oscar’s actions and it has made me angry. So, because it is the new year and I want to purge the ickiness I will vent, so please bear with me!
Finnick is clearly not the worlds’ most pleasant guy. He is bad tempered, rude and (frankly) a bit of an arse sometimes. However, there is reason for this. His pregnant mate and child were brutally slaughtered when his cete was attacked by hyenas. He came home to find their corpses. He lost his entire family and since then has only coped by becoming a cold, gruff person. There is logic to the way he acts. Not saying he shouldn’t be called on it. Oscar, however, is portrayed as a sweet, bubbly guy who rarely swears (though he certainly seems to happily do so with frequency once he meets Finnick) and is just a great guy all-round. I felt for him initially. Finnick wasn’t very pleasant to him and he really hadn’t done anything to deserve it. Finnick deserved to be told to shove it. However, Oscar then appears to show his true colours. First, he suggests that he and Finnick take a walk in the forest under the full-moon. We later find out that squirrel shifters are changed by the moon and become hyper-sexual and aggressive. They go into a heat that isn’t a heat. He knows that and has previously always locked himself at home on nights with a full moon. He does not warn Finnick of this. There is a genuine question here of consent – Finnick says ‘I’m not me, yet I am. The body is mine, yet it is not’. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that just because an omega is in heat that means that if an Alpha has sex with them the ‘I couldn’t control my urges’ argument works. It doesn’t. However, Oscar himself later says ‘That’s why we don’t come out during a lunar cycle. It’s not safe for us and for those around us’. To me that kind of suggests that he’s saying Finnick wouldn’t have had the ability to say no (or at least stop), that he was almost drugged by pheromones. This isn’t a taboo book and for that reason it felt a bit squicky. Though Finnick does say he was happy to participate, notwithstanding that he wishes he hadn’t, it just still feels a little wrong. Oscar also claims, when asked why he was out that night and suggesting walks in the woods if he was so affected, that he thought the cloud cover would stop it. Really? Your whole life you’ve never had a full moon with cloud cover to test that theory. You though the best time to take a chance was when you were with an alpha who was totally unaware of the phenomenon? It screams juvenile and irresponsible, not sweet guy who just wants to be friends. Secondly, Oscar leaves Finnick naked in the woods in the middle of the night. To his credit he does then try to speak to Finnick and Finnick avoids him but when he does then speak to Finnick he takes the high and mighty approach. To a certain extent, is it any surprise that the person you had sex with then left in the woods doesn’t want to talk to you? Thirdly, Finnick tells Oscar about what happened to his family. He trusts him with that information – which he doesn’t share freely. Oscar then proceeds to ‘tease’ him with the possibility of being pregnant. That is just disgusting. You’ve literally just been told that someone found his slaughtered child and you think teasing about whether you might be pregnant or not is funny? Oscar then agrees to go to the doctor to find out if he is pregnant. I accept, Finnick refusing to go is not okay and whilst I understand why it might be traumatic, he’s stated he willingly participated in the sex (again consent rears its head as was he capable of seeking protection?) and that means he has to step up in respect of the consequences of that sex. However, Oscar then emails Finnick that he’s pregnant as a joke. And then waits five minutes to send a text saying he was just kidding. A little too late as Finnick by that point was already in a full-blown breakdown. The scene was heart wrenching. What kind of monster does that as a joke the day after being told someone lost their child? Who does that? Why would you do that? How is that funny? He then goes to see Finnick (because Finnick unsurprisingly is not responding as he’s too busy being sick in a toilet and sobbing) and gives the world’s worst, barely there, apology for the ‘joke’ he played. Finnick then, despite never having dealt with his loss in the ten years since his family’s death, apparently has managed to move past everything. He tells Oscar this and says that his he heard his mate tell him to move on. It is at this point that I stopped reading because we then get to read about Oscar’s internal jealousy and anger that Finnick has dared to refer to his past mate as his mate. Look, I get feeling insecure about a past love but they’ve literally just agreed to be lovers. They’ve spent approximately several hours with each other. Finnick has apparently just found some closure and you’re jealous because he’s referred to his mate as just that. At that point I just didn’t want to read anything else. Finnick would be better off finding someone who seems to actually have a modicum of caring and respect. Rant over... sorry about that!

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finnick is a grumpy one, he hates drama and people, he wants to be left alone. He came into town years ago, to start a new life in the hope to forget his past, his devastating past. He owns The Chef’s Corner, a restaurant serving lunch, dinner, and events, at Vale Valley. He doesn’t want to interact with customers but has to at times.

When Finnick meets Oscar, an event planner, everything screams MINE! But nooo, he will not, ever, get involved with someone to be left alone afterward again, ever!

Finnick doesn’t talk, he snaps and demands, all the time. Especially at Oscar who he finds irritating. Oscar is getting all flustered and hot around Finnick, he doesn’t even like the arrogant prick.

Working together on an event means forced proximity, after a hot steamy night in the woods everything changes, Oscar could be pregnant. Finnick panics.

The story turned from bickering and battling into something different, more deeper and emotional. We get to know why Finnick left his home and turned to Vale Valley.

The last part of the story is something else and rather unexpected, I wasn’t prepared. I accepted it but that part was, for me, a bit excessive. The very very last part was again something completely different, it was endearing and awfully sweet!

I loved this story, a grumpy old honey badger and squirrel shifter, a perfect match. Imagine their offspring. I was satisfied how all turned out great. Their opposite personalities were fun to watch. The different phases of this story were nicely entwined.

Overall an entertainingly written narrative with a HEA, it was an enjoyable experience.

Reviewed for LoveBytesReviews

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 12 in the " Vale Valley Season 5" series. Finnick moved to the Valley after a tragedy his family was killed he is a honey badger and a grumpy one. He is a chef and he owns a restaurant. Oscar is a squirrel shifter who is introduced to Finnick by Rosemary and Chance. This was a good read I wasn't sure if I was going to like Finnick but as the book went on and his story came out I felt that I understood him more I would be grumpy to if my whole family was killed. When these two first hook up it was hot. I liked that Oscar didn't give up on him. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFUL

This is a wonderful story of loss, love and snarky Omega. Oscar is an event planner in VALE VALLEY. Finnick has a great restaurant in VALE VALLEY. He's not social and he can hardly pull off nice. His restaurant is unique and popular. His first introduction to the snarky Omega Oscar is not a good one. Their second meeting is not any better but it puts them on the path of Fate. I loved these characters. I love the care this Author takes to make us aware of what has shaped them. It's HOT, sad and happily ever after. Thank You for the terrific epilogue. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!!!

[Badh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Finnick

I felt so sorry for Finnick. He really had so many bad things happen, but he was resilient. Oscar was just such a sweetheart.

The descriptive language is awesome in this.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites do attract. Now you have to convince your mate to let you in.

I love Vale Valley! The magic shines through once again. Old friends are here welcoming me back. There is a grumpy alpha, determined omega, meddling Rosemary, steamy full moon & heat sex, and an attraction that is as intense as it is inevitable. Past tragedy, present reality, and future joy. HEA is assured. I won't restate the blurb. Suffice it to say you are gonna love this book! Get. It. Now! Ooh, did I mention babies? Lots of babies.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.

[Jason Collins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Doesn’t even rise to trope level…

The pre-sex portion of the book was a collection of conversations that no human would ever have with another human and hyperbolic descriptions of emotional responses in lieu of characterization, but I had to quit halfway through the book after Grumpy MC decided that the proper reaction to a tonally incoherent email about a pregnancy confirmation appointment was “get someone else to make you tacos”.

There are plenty of other better written entries in the Vale Valley series, so just read those instead.

[SlingShotRockz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Back Away From The Thesaurus.....

Made it exactly 44% of the way through and couldn't take it anymore. Obscure 18th and 19th century words shouldn't be shoved into 21st century everyday people's mouths, especially when half the time they're inaccurate, if not, completely wrong words when taken in context.

Love the series, and wish I could have hung in to find out how Oscar and Finnick finally get it together, but I have the biggest headache already, so will have to give it a miss. 😓

[Becky Vasques · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great storyline but..............

First off I would like to say I really enjoyed this story. Loved Finnick and Oscar as characters. Second I would like to state that I am a borderline genius according to my IQ. The but is that, even as an avid reader and being very smart, there were wwaaayyy too many words that I had to stop reading to find the meaning of.

If all of this authors books are like this, then thanks but no thanks, I have better stories to read.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed Oscar and Finnick's story. Finnick had been through so much loss that he was unable to open up and love again, but Oscar found his way into Finnick's heart. There was some danger in the story but the ending was sweet, beautiful, and touched my heart. Very pleasurable and titillating read.

[Balgair Tod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Beautiful story and strong characters make this a great read. Like a Phoenix rising from the ashes so does the broken spirit of Chef Finnick, it only took the love of his mate to heal him.

Highly recommended.

[Katy Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

This was beautifully written. I have to say definitely an emotional rollercoaster. I loved that a lot of the previous characters popped up through out the book because I missed seeing the residents of Vale valley

[D.]

Ngebosenin..! Kebanyakan monolog yang tidak penting.

[Scooby2]

DNF at 59%-not getting any better. Can't stand Oscar, enough said.

[Kaye · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reading this was hard work.

[Abril · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.7 really cute. I will say it seemed too fast how finny changed but still was very nice. I really liked the ending

[Linda Crandall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grumpy meets cheery
Recensito in Italia il 30 dicembre 2020
The reasons behind the grumpiness of one main character are so sad, and even worse after a plot twist. The reader is made to feel the darkness pulling on him, so much so that the sudden stutter of light from the cheery second main character can seem as irritating as it is a surprise.
Fortunately, being shifters, the spark of being mates, even though a surprise to both, will carry them both through to a happy ever after.