A Full Plate

~ 4.5 Stars ~
I’m normally not a huge fan of the Dreamspun Desires series of books, because they are usually a pretty low drama and angst, basic romance with nothing that really stands out to make them epic or really truly different from each other. But I wanted to check out this audiobook specifically because I am a huge fan of the narrator Kenneth Obi. And I'm glad I did, he did a great job with this one and I was delighted by the storyline we get in this book as well.

I really appreciated Kenneth’s narration and effort into making this book stand out and separate it from the being just a general romance into something more. He makes this book feel like it’s a true romance story, and his narration gives us the extra feelings we need; like we are right there alongside these characters as they go through and experience everything in their lives. His narration of this book makes me want to check out more in the Dreamspun Desires series to see if maybe this series of books are really just more pleasurable listening to in audio form than they are when just being read.

Tully is a lawyer who seems to have everything he needs in life. The job, the money, the home and cars. The only thing he still needs is to find a solid relationship. Sage is the total opposite of Tully. He’s a line cook (not a chef) and has all kinds of baggage going on in his life, which isn’t really his doing. Life just sucks sometimes and you have to make the best of it, which is what Sage has been doing for years. He ends up moving in with Tully and swaps free rent for some cooking. We get a very, very slow burning lead up to their romance before they even become friends in this book. Then they try to fight their feelings for each other trying to determine what boundaries they still have and will need to bend being friends and roommates. Then they become just a little bit more. And at around 50%, we get a twist in the story that you will NEVER see coming. I was extremely surprised by it and actually gasped out loud when I heard what was going on. I really thought that aspect added more to their story and relationship and finally pushed them in the right direction. We also get a little bit of some “ex” drama thrown in which I actually liked, because it showed these characters had a little more depth to them and their feelings. Also, be prepared when you are reading/listening to this one. There is a lot of really good intense foodie talk going on in this book which made me hungry and want to eat while listening to this book. But, overall, I liked this book and the narration we got along with it.

Tully is used to being a hotshot and has had no interest in being anything but a player. But offering his house to his friends cousin Sage changes his life. I like how they recognize that things will take work. They both get to live out dreams that they didn't even know they had.

A Full Plate is a sweet, romantic story with very little sex which is the norm for the Dreamspun Desire collection.Tully didn't really want to let Sage stay but owed his friend favors and had plenty of room.Plus Sage was going to cook for him in return for the room. There is a spark of attraction right away. But Tully's ex-shows up and wants another chance. He isn't against strong-arming his employer to get him on the job.
The story is lots of fun and I love foodie stories so I adored Sage. The puns on his name made me laugh as well. I could just imagine how good the food was! I even liked Eddy.
If you like opposites attract and a light fluffy romance you will like this!

Review by Annie @ Kimmers' Erotic Book Banter: https://bit.ly/2HJQkW0

Kim Fielding's 'A Full Plate' kept me up past my bedtime despite a very busy next day. While I rarely enjoy light novels, I consumed this one like cotton candy, sweet and airy, yet such an indulgence as the time spun away.

Though Bradford "Tully" Tolliver’s parents were rich, they ignored him. He basically raised himself. And when he came out, while in law school, his parents summarily disowned him. In defiance he took menial jobs and became an attorney on his own.

Student loans killed Tully’s dream of a career with a conscience. Now he's a successful corporate lawyer, with shiny toys and a hollow, reclusive workaholic existence. Even his model-handsome, wealthy ex-boyfriend barely recognizes him. Love is a foreign concept.

So when Tully's only close friend begs him to let her cousin stay rent-free in his never-used guest room, Tully can't say “no.” But he sure hopes they'll stay out of each other’s way. Can he find any meaning in life?

Trouble sticks to Sage Filling like gnats to a sweaty man. He lost his close-knit family’s three-generation restaurant in rural Oregon, paying for cancer treatments that didn’t save his dad’s life. While he’s in grief his mom still needs knee replacements. Plus there are other unknown strains; a full plate, indeed. In order to get out of debt, he’s forced to leave his beloved home and work as a line cook in Portland for a year. Will his luck ever change?

In the interest of full disclosure, I'm a foodie, and Fielding's descriptions of meals were so scrumptious I felt full! It’s not just the gastronomical delights she mentions, but also how she describes Sage’s joy in creating them.

I'm equally a sucker for humor. With a name like "Sage Filling," I expected to roll my eyes at the inevitable chef jokes. Only a gifted writer could set readers up, knowing the punch lines, and still evoke chuckles!

And yet these treats were mere appetizers. Fielding is true to her characters. For example, when Tully realizes he's attracted to Sage, she explains, "Tully wished he could recite some charming poetry to articulate his feelings, but all he could think of was the rule against perpetuities."

I identified when Tully's big realizations came in mundane moments. When Sage discusses the fulfillment of cooking, Tully realizes he'd stopped seeking satisfaction. Except, in true Tully fashion, Fielding dryly explains, "He hadn't realized that making your own cheese could conjure that emotion."

Ms. Fielding manages to dispense pithy observations: "If something's worth it, we pull on our boots and start digging," and "How was it possible to be so heartbroken and heart full at the same time?"

'A Full Plate' pressed all my sensory happy zones, leaving me thoroughly sated. A delectable low-simmer, 4.5 heart read, perfect for spring break. I wish my review could match Fielding's simple eloquence. Instead, I'll steal from advertising and suggest you read a page. Betcha can't read just one!

**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by DreamSpinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**

Tully has a good life that he’s worked hard to achieve. He has a great career as an attorney, owns a condo and a Tesla. He has no social life but that doesn’t matter because he’s focused completely on succeeding at his job. One of his friends and co-worker asks him for a favor. Her cousin needs a place to stay. Tully isn’t excited about the prospect but he says yes. Living with Sage is nothing like he expected, and soon, Tully finds himself wanting something different in his life.

Sage may not have lived an easy life, but he still has the important things, the love of his family. He’s working hard earning money for his family back home in his tiny town. Once he has enough money, he’ll be moving on, but getting to know Tully is not what he expected.

This story is told from Tully’s POV. While I’ve read books from one person’s POV before and felt like I didn’t get to know the second character, I didn’t feel that way with this book. The author does a great job of having Tully and Sage communicate, so we learn about Sage as Tully does. This story really builds the relationship between the two men. We watch them go from strangers to friends, to lovers, to partners and it was fantastic!!

This story does not have angst, it really is a sweet story of two men finding love unexpectedly. Their lives each have strengths and together they’re able to blend those to create something beautiful for themselves. And, I know for the people who think there always needs to be conflict or angst in books that this may be too sweet, but, not every relationship in real life has angst or conflict and it’s nice to have that available in a romance book. Sometimes the romance of two men finding love is enough. I’d highly recommend this book!

Rating: 5 stars!