Talya Andor

For a foodie like myself, this book, with all its descriptions of individual dishes, delicious meals, and inventive cuisine, was as much pure heaven (I wanted to try all of them), as it was hell (I was hungry most of the time!). But I think anyone who enjoys eating and is interested in the chefs in charge of preparing the kind meals we all dream of eating at restaurants will be able to enjoy this "course 1" of the series. With characters as colorful as their productions, and the fierce competition and passion between them, this book is a true delight for all the senses.

Alex comes from money, so they say, but he didn’t want to stay there. He's decided to become a chef, under his own steam, and has successfully survived the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He managed to get a job at a prestigious restaurant, and expects great things. Nothing could be further from the truth. He is put to work as a kitchen boy, doing everyone else's prep work. He is not amused, but he makes enough blunders to begin to see that maybe he isn’t as ready as he thought he was. The biggest problem in all this is that Nik, his classmate and erstwhile rival at the institute, is a sous chef already. That just rankles!

Nik is a big enigma. I loved seeing him though Alex's eyes and learning more about him as the first few months of Alex's employment pass by. There is definitely an attraction between the two, but there is also rivalry and quite some bad blood. Alex cannot figure out why for the longest time, but when the explanation finally emerges, it makes sense. From then on things work out better between the two, even if Alex, who has asked Nik out and been rebuffed before, doesn't really know how to go about getting closer to Nik. The hot/cold act is enough to drive anyone crazy!

If you like stories with lots of background detail in the very interesting setting of a fine dining restaurant's kitchen, if you enjoy slow-moving relationships between men who clearly have a history they need to get over first, and if you're looking for a read that follows a young, ambitious man in his first steps of building a career, then you will probably like this novella. I definitely look forward to the next course of the series!



NOTE: This book was provided by Less Than Three Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (mais)

This second book in the series had all the excellent qualities of the first, but it was a whole lot more intense on top. I was chewing my fingernails by the second "recipe" (read: chapter) and didn't let go until the very end. Maybe it's just foodies like me who will follow the cooking and details about food so closely, but the second element of the suspense was purely emotional. I don’t think you need to even like food to enjoy this book. I think the high-level competition of the reality TV cooking show accompanied by the intensity of Alex's feelings for Nik and watching how they suffer and blossom at the same time will do you in. They certainly made me sweat! I can honestly say that "course 2" of the series was another huge success for me.

Alex has come a long way in the first book, and he builds on that in this sequel. While he's a little more established and well on his way to creating a place in the cooking world for himself, he still struggles. He is determined to gain Nik as his lover and boyfriend, and highly frustrated by the man's continuous cold shoulder. But the glimpses of real feeling he gets, even during the competition – which he is more determined than ever to win – are enough to keep him hoping they can somehow figure out a way to be together. If only Nik's emotional walls were less secure!

Nik continues to be somewhat of an enigma, but there are a few chinks in his armor now and, early in the book, I got a few more hints about the reasons for his hesitancy. He has clearly been wounded deeply, possibly several times, and is finding it extremely difficult to let anyone come close to him. He seemed to want Alex to come closer, but then keeps pushing him away throughout. The fact they're competing professionally certainly does nothing for the way they relate as men.

If you like stories full of professional and personal suspense on every level, if you enjoy romantic tension that builds and builds and builds, and if you're looking for a read that will make you as hungry as it will make you want to see these guys give in to their feelings, then you will probably like this novel. I definitely loved it and am curious to find out what the third volume will add to this delight for my senses.



NOTE: This book was provided by Less Than Three Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (mais)

The third book in this excellent trilogy, which I am extremely sad to see end, truly is the crowning achievement in the series. The title is entirely justified, and not just because of the ending – that, of course, I will not give away. No, it is more than that. The entire story was a true "surfeit" for my reading senses as well. With an "overabundant supply, yield, or amount of something", it fulfills the dictionary definition rather well.

First, like in both other books, the food descriptions are delicious, the detail of food preparation and working as a chef are wonderful, and I was hungry throughout most of the "recipes" or chapters. Second, the characters of Nik and Alex come into their full right here, as each searches for and finds his place in the cooking world; not an easy feat after the upheaval of the reality cooking show in the second book, by any means. And third, and this is the part I enjoyed most, their relationship is truly front and center as everything they have struggled with and fought for finally comes to fruition.

Alex changed a lot in the second book, as he gained professional self-confidence as a chef, and personal certainty he wants to be with Nik, to share his life with him. He is ready for the final fight for Nik's heart and complete trust, and let me tell you, it is quite the fight! Not just are they both working long hours and end up too exhausted to date, they have some deeper issues to deal with, and Alex isn’t always the best at expressing his feelings or saying things without causing misunderstandings or hurting Nik. Inadvertently, of course, but still. Alex remains true to his feelings, and fights hard. It’s quite the ride to watch!

Nik also has come a long way over the course of the first two books, and has yet farther to go in this volume. While he clearly loves Alex, he still finds it very hard to trust, and Alex (and with that, me) finally finds out why. The emotional baggage he carries is heavy and even though he wants to get rid of it, that doesn’t make the pain and fear go away. He works hard at it, and Alex helps, and I was fascinated by the whole process.

If you like stories full of professional cooking and food detail, challenges and successes, if you enjoy romantic tension interweaves nicely and seamlessly with an interesting plot, and if you're looking for a read that will make you as hungry as it will make you want to see these guys finally acknowledge the full depth of their feelings for each other, then you will probably like this novel. I definitely loved it and am sorry there will be no more "Nik and Alex stories" in the foreseeable future. Unless I am wrong – and boy, do I want to be wrong this time! After all, there have been other "trilogies" with four volumes, right, Talya?



NOTE: This book was provided by Less Than Three Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
… (mais)

3.5 star review by Lily, posted at http://www.scuttlebuttreviews.com/2014/03/02/talya-andor-the-fall-guide/

My review is mixed with the synopsis because I felt that you needed the synopsis to understand where I am coming from…

The Fall Guide is really about a financially struggling beauty blogger, Eric, who is trying to launch his own make-up range for men. Eric has been dating a guy for seven months, but this spoilt brattish male was not much into Eric, and Eric catches him in the bed with another man. Suddenly I thought “oohh…yeahhh…hello angst, pain to deepen this story!” But no, they break up and Eric moves on quite healthily and quickly. Don’t get me wrong, I am happy for him, but I am also disappointed that this part of the story finished so quickly.

Anyway, back to the story. He starts dating rich, handsome, clever, successful, gorgeous, and down-to-earth Devon. Devon wants to help his boyfriend, Eric, launch his business, so he offers financial aid. But Eric has self-respect and pride, so he refuses Devon’s financial assistance…I then jump to the conclusion again, “oohh…yeah…! Now there is some angst! They will fight and work realllyyyy hard to learn to compromise considering they are from very different backgrounds!” Alas, this was not the case. These two lovers resolve their issues quickly again. Don’t get me wrong; I am happy for Eric and Devon, but again…issues resolve rather fast and nicely…

Andor focuses so much on Eric’s struggling business, to the point I think a first year business student can use it as general reading to understand how tricky setting up a business is. It really would give basic insight to anyone who wants to set up a business around fashion and beauty.

For me, this story is about decadence, wealth, fashion, beauty, diligence, creative thinking, and really “a lot of good luck” for meeting the right man and his family.

I find Eric rather likable. He is a fighter no matter what the obstacles are. I only wish he be less dramatic and hot-headed. I adore stories involving twinks, but have never met a twink as frustrating as Eric! OMG…sometimes, I found him so irritating. I think he is so lucky to meet Devon, who is a patient man.

I guess I may enjoy this more if the writer did not go on and on about Eric’s business issues. While reading, I often ask myself, “Why? Why go on and on?” I wish this story focused more on relationship issues, I mean, Eric must be the only person who did not experience rebound issues; he moved on so quickly, despite finding his ex-boyfriend in a very compromising situation after 7 months of relationship.

The Fall Guide is a good read for escapism, all in all, it was pretty enjoyable story. If you are interested in fashion, beautiful men, wealth, wonderful in-laws, wonderful friends, and a selfish brat for an ex-boyfriend (who briefly appear), an amazingly perfect HEA ending, then this is the book for you.… (mais)