Grumpy big mouthed Nero doesn't know what happens to him when he meets Lenny.
Smart mouth Lenny finding the shelter he desperate need, in Nero's home and kitchen.
Nero don't ask why and Lenny hesitates to share.
Their interaction is raw and rude but underneath all the sturdy behavior lies a sea of emotions.

And briefly now and than they can laugh and Nero getting softer. Lenny is soft only holding back because Nero is almost impermeable. Lenny just gives Nero some light in his lonely life and it is addictive.
Working for the three man who are living together, from book one in this serie I didn't read, is the best thing happened to Nero. He works hard for them.

Nero and Lenny work and live together they get used to each other and after a while both are desperate to to be in the others company. Nero educates Lenny in the kitchen and restaurant.
He feels safe in the kitchen and four walls of Nero's apartment and knows Neto will protect him at al costs from his stalker.
Their feelings to each other is quickly growing, only Nero can't open himself. There is a lock on his mouth and Lenny tries to find the right key.
Sometimes Nero talks a whole other 'language' and simply doesn't understand what Lenny wants.

Finally he understands he has to open up to keep Lenny and when he does the chills are running down your back. The intimacy when he opens up is emotional.
Nero looks and talks tough and he is, but also not.

“I didn’t know I needed you until you found me, but I do need you, so much"

This story is written in a intriguing way.
Complicated personalities, complicated circumstances, real and genuine.
You could feel the desperation, the powerlessness, the confusion, the resistance the contradiction and the attraction, the positive tension, the unraveling....

Awesome read part of a serie which can easily read as a stand alone.
Sometimes I needed subtitles because of the 'slangly' language but that was my part of being the foreigner :)

~ an ARC received by Netgalley for a honest review ~

4.5 stars - Strays is a follow up to Misfits, which I recommend you read first, although this could be read on its own. The three men from Misfits are the foundation of Urban Soul, the food company, and it’s branches of restaurants, including Misfits. So, you get quite a bit of background by reading Misfits first, and it’s a fabulous story too, so you really can’t go wrong.

Nero, is the sexy Spaniard chef from Misfits and good friend of Cass who plays a part in the setup of the restaurants. When Lenny, a server at Misfits, runs into trouble with a stalker, Cass asks Nero to take him on giving him a place to sort of lay low. Nero is reluctant, but it doesn’t take long before Lenny works his way under Nero’s thick skin. Two men, both damaged in different ways, end up being just what the other needs to help heal.

Garrett is an expert at writing damaged characters, yet no two ever share the same issues. Here, Nero had a horrible childhood, and it still plagues him to this day. Lenny is dealing with anxiety and panic attacks brought on by a crazy stalker from whom he can’t seem to escape. Slowly their trust in each other builds and little by little, they share more details until they find they are relying on each other.

To keep their mind on other things, the guys play a big part in helping to open a new restaurant, from the menu to the designs and a few other things in between. Just as with Misfits, Strays is the perfect ending and perfect fit for everyone involved. I loved seeing Cass, Jake and the especially colorful Tom again as they take on this new endeavor. This is a wonderful family of misfits that Garrett has brought to life, and I highly recommend you get to know them as well. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for these guys next!

**Live 3/27**

It’s been such a long time since I read Misfits. It took me a moment to remember everything that happened and the characters, but once the story really got going it all came back to me. I remember how much I loved Jake in particular. I wasn’t in love with Misfits though. It was only 3 stars, and at the time I believed it was because it was a “couple” made up of three men. I’m all about open love and I don’t judge any kind of relationship, but when it comes to my tastes, I find I prefer love stories that are monogamous.

The main reason I decided to read Strays was because the followup brought us back to Nero, the grumpy chef that was Cass’s best friend and helps with the kitchens in the Urban Soul restaurant franchise. I remember Nero from Misfits, and I remember I was curious about him. That curiosity was why I decided to request this ARC.

It turns out that it wasn’t just the three way love story that I didn’t like. It seems to be the story itself that’s not for me. I can’t say I have major complaints. It was good. Interesting. The characters were both individuals and I enjoyed their chemistry. I think the reason why it’s a 3 star read is mostly because I didn’t feel anything while I was reading. The story wasn’t missing anything except that extra something I needed to care. I know it sounds horrible, like I hated the book. I didn’t hate it. I kept reading. I reached the end. I don’t think it’ll be one that sticks with me. I needed more.

I can’t say for sure I’ll continue with the series, if another is written. I think I have to chalk this one up to it just not being for me.

I'm jumping into Strays not knowing anything about series other than a need to want to read the first book, and it worked out fine. Lenny has a stalker. The police really are not offering him much in the way of assistance but one day, his stalker goes too far and Lenny loses it at his place of work. Running a kitchen in hottest restaurant in Shepherd's Bush, Nero leads a life of work, sleep, repeat. It's lonely but it suits him fine. That is until his friend, Cass, asks him for a favor. Take in Lenny, train him in the kitchen, keep him close, don't let him be scared. Not knowing why but unable to say no to Cass, Nero agrees. As they work together they start to get to know each other and after a month they can't imagine life without each other. But there are things in their lives, Neo's horrible past and Lenny's stalker, may keep them apart.

Nero is a big grouchy bear. I loved him from the get-go, warts and all. Lenny, how can you hate the guy! He's in a scary place and Nero, without knowing why, is a balm to his wounded soul as well as a bodyguard. Equally, Lenny gives Nero someone to care for, to nurture, the ability to love and heal him from his brutal past. Both offer each other friendship and more. For me, it was insta-love for these characters. There's a nice flow between them as they worked, one that had me at times giggling. This is a full-on Brit story with all the lingo to go with it so sometimes I had to think about what they were saying. Actually, it didn't matter because there is something magical between them and once I started their story, I couldn't put the book down.

I've obviously missed out on something when it comes to the secondary characters. Cass, Tom and Jake have multiple appearances in Strays and by peeking at Misfits, I see they have their own book. I need to read it ASAP!! As for Lenny and Nero, yes, of course, they do get their HEA. Their story from start to finish is the type of love story I crave to read and one that leaves me with one heck of a book hanger. You know, one of those that have you crying because the book ended. Yup, that was me at 3am, loving the ending and hating that it had to end. Now the wait is on to see if there's another book to the series and the guessing game on who it will be about.

I've only recently discovered author Garrett Leigh and what I have read left me wanting more. So even though I haven't read the first book in the Urban Soul series, I went ahead and read the second, Strays. Totally. Worth. It. Real characters with real pain, finding the way to heal and find love. Ms. Leigh has now become a must-read author for me and one I will be recommending.

reviewed by Jac

What a great follow up to the first book, Misfits. But (and it’s a big but! Heehee..I like big butts and I cannot lie!) It can also be read as a standalone!! Yes, Jake, Cass, and Tom are featured…. But you won’t be confused in the least if you haven’t read Misfits first. Strays is about Nero, their hard working floating chef, and new comer waiter/apprentice, Lenny.

Lenny is a bright young thing, with his colorful hair, clothes, and sometimes makeup, but something is stealing his shine and forcing him into hiding. His new hiding spot is with Nero. Grumpy, mysterious, Nero.

Our “hero” Nero generally likes to keep to himself. He likes order in his kitchen routines, no matter which one he ends up in, and he likes his space. That is until Lenny shows up. Nero hasn’t felt this way towards a man in quite a long time. Well, his friendship with Cass to be precise. So he is a little weary of what it could all mean.
Lenny is just the person to get Nero to not be “so” grumpy. Maybe to also make him feel like there may be more to life than just floating from restaurant to restaurant keeping his mind busy, so he doesn’t have to dwell on his past. For Nero though, talking is out of the question. He doesn’t want to re-live it and he also feels he isn’t good enough for Lenny and doesn’t want to put Lenny though that. Lenny wants to know Nero though, the good and the bad, and this may be the reason to drive a wedge through their blossoming relationship. It is quite the heart-breaker, that. You kind of wanna slap sense into Nero, but at the same rate, you can’t even be mad at him.

I love the cover, it weaves its way through the story so well. Strays is a perfect representation of all of its characters, and the tattoo idea, just like with Misfits and its cover. It is almost like a character in itself.

The story is very well written and the characters are lovable in all their gruffy (or poshy) glory. To all my American friends, be warned. This is a VERY English story lol. I actually had to look up what a “wine gummy” was. I wish I hadn’t, because now I want some!! But, I would not ask for this any other way, I LOOOVE Nero and Cass’s Cockney accents. I might be on my way to being a bit of an Anglophile though :D

I give this story 4.75 Tiger Stars

I loved this book! This is book two in the Urban Soul series but can be read as a standalone as the characters from book one are well introduced and woven throughout this story too.

Lenny has been struggling to deal with a stalker on his own, he eventually reports this to the police but with the evidence having gone missing there's nothing they can do. Whilst working one evening as a waiter at Misfits (one of Urban Souls restaurants) he sees his stalker again and this pushes him over the edge and he has a meltdown, his boss Cass finds him and offers him a solution.

Nero is Cass' long time best friend and head chef for Urban Souls restaurants. Cass asks him to take Lenny under his wing as an apprentice and look after him and mentor him in the kitchen at one of their restaurants Pippa's. Nero lets him sleep on his settee and he brings his own version of artistic flair to Nero's kitchen at Pippa's. They become firm friends and grow to really care about each other but Nero is holding a big part of himself back. They eventually become lovers and their romance is slow burn and very sweet with Nero accepting the fact he is attracted to a man for the first time since his confusing feelings for Cass.

Both Lenny and Nero are really well developed MCs and I fell in love with them both. They both have baggage and Nero particularly has had a dark past but this all dealt with maturely and without unnecessary misunderstanding or angst. Their love for each other is very believable and adorable.

There is some angst in this story but it is written well and is not over done. I loved the 3 main characters from book 1 and they play a big part in this book too and they bring a lot to this story. I love that these books are set in London, the locations and terminology are all correct throughout. The ending was very satisfying and I hope there will be more from the Urban Soul series!

To me, this was Garrett Leigh lite. It had all the usual components--tortured souls, dark pasts, secrets, and a dramatic twist at the end. However, there were few surprises, and the mysteries and conflicts were resolved quite easily, with less show than tell. I also didn't feel what I was supposed to feel--heightened emotions, pain, and angst. I got that those feelings where there, I just didn't feel them that intensely myself. It could be that for me the writing was a bit too precise and perfect and needed to be a little rawer. It was a pleasure seeing Tom, Jake, and Cass especially again.

Strays was okay to me. Garrett was a new to me author and while I did enjoy the story, it just didn't click for me all the way. I found myself reading but not really connecting with the characters or wanting to see what would happen with them. They just existed but the writing overall was solid for me, just missed connecting with even one of the MCs.

It was great to be back in the Urban Soul world and catch up with Tom, Jake and Cass. This time we get a closer look at Nero, the unstoppable and grumpy chef we met in Misfits.

Nero has reasons to be as gruff and standoffish as he is. His is a dark a bitter past. No one has managed to break through his barriers to learn the truth.

Lenny is a terrified young man at the end of his wits. Cass reaches out with a helping hand and sets him up under Nero's wing.

Nero and Lenny's relationship is a slow build and a slow burn. Both men have a lot to overcome before allowing someone in to their hearts.

This is a low angst, low drama story of two damaged men finding "the one" in each other. It's beautiful to see.

I love Garrett Leigh's writing. It is utterly captivating. In this story, however, there's a selfish part of me that wanted more. I wanted to live through more of the MCs' backgrounds. I wanted to spend more time in their heads while they sorted out their feelings. I definitely wanted to be with Lenny when he was forced to confront his fears.

It's a great love story and it's selfish of me to want more. But, there you have it, *selfish is me*.

Hi Mari

I saw this on the Schedule - it's only OK, not great. Not sure if you can use it, but I thought I'd send it on in case.

I'm feeling so much better today - we've had sun and warmth for the last few days and it feels like spring and changes are in the air.

Thank you!

xx



3* Not too sure what to make of this, as I found all the kitchen-y/restaurant-y stuff TMI and a bit distracting. Sorry!

This book is connected to Misfits, but can be read as a standalone. It's set in the same restaurant/foodie world, as the guys in this, Lenny and Nero, are employed by the trio from the first book. We get to hear that said trio are doing well building their foodie empire, but they appear as individual characters, and there's no interaction between them.

I *think* this tale is meant to be about (a) flawed character/s being given a chance, but tbh, a lot got lost in all the talk of dishes, prep, ingredients, all the food-related stuff. I do love food and eat out often, but this wasn't really that interesting. I did like the mention of London, and of the restaurant scene and food trucks, but I didn't get the depth of intensity that I've come to expect from Garrett Leigh.

There was some danger - or at least, it read as if some danger should have been present and whilst it was told in retrospect, it wasn't heavy enough to cut through all the food stuff. Lenny didn't sound particularly damaged or vulnerable and I didn't quite get the warning that Nero got to keep him close, keep him safe.

Nero himself had a past that was alluded to, that was again told in retrospect and again, it failed to impact on me. Yes, he'd done something shocking at a very young age, but it felt...muted.

The sex in this didn't feel connecting, didn't feel organic or integral to the tale. There lacked passion between the leads, and I couldn't quite believe in Nero - he thought he was attracted to both guys and girls, had had a fleeting encounter with one guy, but hadn't pursued anything and yet he wanted to be full-on with Lenny. It just didn't quite ring true, because the emotional connection didn't seem to be there for me.

There was a small amount of drama at the end, and whilst it provided closure for Lenny's 'issue', it was again muted, and once again, the foodie world took over.

Not sure where the author can take this series, but for me, this wasn't up to par with her emotional, impacting, passionate reads.

ARC courtesy of Riptide Publishing and NetGalley for my reading pleasure.

Strays had a lot to live up to with Misfits as a model. Lenny and Nero fit into the cast of characters perfectly. Lenny being outgoing as well as a bit flamboyant when he isn't being stalked while Nero is his exact opposite. They made the perfect match. There are a few surprises involving them that make the book even more intriguing. I love the cockney vernacular, so if you aren't a fan this book is loaded with it. It gives it a great authenticity and a huge amount of character. It transports me as a reader into that world with such ease this author needs to pat himself on the back. One of my favorite things about this book other than the great romance, plot and characters is that the characters from Misfits played such a large roll in this book as well and yet Misfits does not need to be read to enjoy this book. But just saying if you haven not read it you truely should. It is absolutely fabulous. One thing that I had issues with in this book was a couple parts felt rushed then picked up later and that also felt rushed. It was still a great book and didn't ruin the story, but it did cause pause. That is the only reason this isn't a 5 star like the first book. A few things in this story has made me hope their is a third book but also has made me worry about what will be in that book! I highly recommend this book to all who love a great romance with a dash of suspense.

A beautiful story full of angst, heartache, troubled pasts, dangerous presents, and a love that sneaks up and envelops two exceptional characters.

I loved Garrett Leigh’s deep, rich characterization of these men, both hurt, one hiding from his past, and one from his present. When Lenny first meets Nero, readers may believe that it’s Nero who is going to help Lenny, and that’s true to an extent, but only on the surface. It’s Lenny, and his engaging personality who emerges from his fear once his stalker is behind bars and captures Nero’s heart after guiding him back from the despair he’s lived with his whole life.

The power of love, when applied carefully, can gently heal the deepest of scars.

As a bonus, in addition to introducing us to these two memorable characters, the author gives readers an opportunity to revisit with previous characters—those from Misfits—whose lives are beautifully interwoven with these MCs throughout the story.

I also greatly appreciated the fantastic use of art—from the cover to the tattoos covering Nero’s chest to the artwork and murals created by Lenny to the artisan-crafted jewelry Lenny finds once he has the freedom to wander the markets without fear.

I very highly recommend this story.

This is the second Urban Souls book, which is named after the restaurant group that Cass, Tom and Jake from Misfits own. If you fell in love with the three lads – and their passion for their restaurants, their employees and ethos – like I did in book one, Strays is an absolute must-read.

As with any Garrett Leigh books, the relationship is always center stage. Despite the debilitating fear and anxiety that Lenny lived with on a daily basis, the stalker element for the most part took a back seat (in the sense it didn’t become a cat-and-mouse thriller), and the focus was on Lenny and Nero at all times, which is what I absolutely love about GL books.

Nero and Lenny’s connection wasn’t as immediately electric for me compared to the guys in Misfits or with some of my other favorite GL couples. I think many fans of GL would understand what I mean when I talk about the deeper, unspoken pull that so many of her heroes have, often from the beginning (but it’s so much more than just instalove or instalust when it comes to GL’s characters). In the beginning, with Tom and Nero, I could read it on the page – mostly Nero checking Lenny out, and Lenny lightly flirting back when he let his personality shine through – but it took me a while to feel it, or really get that sense of connection that I do with many of GL’s MCs.

Nero’s a tough nut to crack; he absolutely refused to crack, wouldn’t even entertain the possibility of letting Lenny or anyone in. It was fascinating to see Lenny’s annoyance and frustration turn into a yearning – almost desperation – for Nero when he realizes Nero needed saving even more than Lenny ever did. In that sense, the book really pulled me in about two-thirds of the way in, when their little world tilts and the focus shifts towards Nero.

This was my second story from this author, unfortunately not the first in this series. This one is a stand alone... thank goodness the first one was a mmm and I just cant with three peen!

Any who, this book was alright, I enjoy the writing and the flow of the story, though I jus didn't LOVE it. I liked the characters fine enough but I just felt like I was missing something.

In saying that; hello hotness, the chemistry was pretty good and I would like to see where the series progresses... as long as there is no mmm!

I'm living in a Garrett Leigh world. Her story are always like an addiction to me. I need Garrett's boys in my life, and today, Strays dropped onto my hand and I was giddy to start.
Nero is what I expected him to be. I'd already curious about him in Mischief and what kind of 'relationship' he had with Cass before Cass found his HEA with Jake and Tom.
My mysterious man seemed to be having so much burden in the past.
But I'm too familiar with Garrett's books...

Strays somehow, not as dark and too sad like her books I have reading the past, kinda sweet with a touch of Garrett's special style, angst.
I was glad I can read again about Tom, Cass and my Jake. They're definitely have a big part in Nero and Lenny's life.
It's a slow burn between Lenny and Nero, with Nero's grumpy manners and Lenny did his best to make him 'open' for him.

It was cute knowing that after Lenny entered his life, Nero couldn't stand not seeing Lenny even for a few hours. Actually, that was the most adorable thing from Nero.
He's protective of Lenny. Don't hurt Lenny, or you'll answer to Nero. Ha!
Just my kind of guy. Goals!

This is the second installment of Misfits, and I hope I can read more of this series...The characters are intriguing and interesting. Flawed, imperfect but yet perfect for each other.
Well done Garrett.

Highly recommended!

* I received the ARC from Riptide Publishing through Netgalley in exchange of an honest and unbiased review.*

Strays takes place in the Urban Soul universe, with Cass, Tom and Jake from Misfits playing an important role in the events of Strays. I'm sort of on-the-fence about if this can be read as a stand-alone book, but you'll definitely want to read Misfits in either case to get Cass / Tom / Jake's story and the Urban Soul restaurant group.

Garrett Leigh does a marvelous job of creating flawed characters and Nero and Lenny are no exception. Nero is dark and intense and passionate, and determined to continue balancing on "the precipice of madness [he] walked along each day." Lenny is an artistic soul forced to hide in the shadows, terrified of the outside world for a very good reason. It's a bit of a slow burn, but Lenny and Nero slowly begin to rely upon one another and along the way, these two strays learn they fit together.

"Happy wasn't a place Nero believed was for him, but with Lenny sharing the load of his demons, he was as close as he'd ever been. He felt alive instead of lost in the constant search for oblivion."

We get both Lenny and Nero's POV, and there's some angst along the way thanks to a stalker subplot, and a few sex scenes that are both steamy and deeply tender, but this story grabs you from page one and cradles you all the way to the well-deserved ending. I also loved the behind-the-scenes of getting a restaurant up and running, from Nero's menu to Lenny's creative vision. I highly recommend Strays and give it 4.75 stars rounded up to 5.

Lenny dragged his thumb over Nero's checkbone. "You're different, even since I last saw you." "I'm different because you saw me, Lenny."

Wow. I put this down and couldn't wait to pick up another Garrett Leigh book. I similarly enjoyed Misfits, but it's all a bit of a surprise to me because though I liked the only other book of hers that I've read (What Remains), I didn't fall nearly as hard for it as some of the reviewers I regularly follow. That said, I'm so glad I gave her writing another try because I think this book - and its predecessor Misfits - are terrific.

This story opens in Lenny's PoV. Formerly a dancer at a popular gay nightclub, Lenny's moved, switched jobs (he's now a waiter at Misfits, the restaurant owned by Cass, Jake and Tom), closed all his social media accounts and anything else can think of to shake a man who is stalking him. A visit to the police to lodge a formal complaint proves fruitless, and Lenny is at his limit. Angry, frustrated and miserable, Lenny’s a shadow of the man he was before the the stalker targeted him. Things reach a tipping point when he opens a letter sent to him at Misfits and finds nail clippings - the ones he left in his apartment trash the previous evening. Scared and depressed, he tries to drink away his misery - and that’s when Cass finds him.

Nero, whom we caught enigmatic glimpses of in the previous book, is the man Cass, Tom & Jake turn to when they need an expert in one of their kitchens. A loner by choice, Nero is haunted by demons in his past that he’s never shared with anyone. Handsome, mercurial and a whiz in the kitchen, Nero is Urban Soul’s go-to guy. When Cass asks him to take on a new apprentice in the kitchen - one with no back of house experience, he’s willing but wary. When Cass also asks him to let this new, mysterious employee bunk with him in the apartment upstairs, he knows something is off, but agrees.

When Nero discovers Lenny on his couch a week or so after Cass’s request, he’s intrigued by his attractive new roommate. There’s an instant attraction between them - but both men are battling demons in their pasts & neither is ready/willing to trust the other with his secrets. Nero quickly puts Lenny to work in the kitchen and between shifts and shared nights in the upstairs apartment (Lenny bunks on the living room couch), the two men form a friendship - though their slowly simmering attraction to one another becomes harder and harder to hide. Over smoke breaks and beers late night, they begin to know and like one another and after Nero finally forces a fearful Lenny onto the fire escape, Lenny confesses why he’s hiding away.

Unfortunately, Lenny’s confession doesn’t earn him the same honesty from Nero. And though he finds himself falling for his roommate, he knows there are walls that Nero hides behind; Lenny despairs of ever breaching them. Eventually (and fortunately) mutual lust gives way to passionate kisses and sex...and more significantly, an emotional/physical bond neither one can deny. Both men fall hard and deep for each other - and though they don’t hide their feelings, the invisible wall of Nero’s past and Lenny’s very real fear of leaving the cocoon of their home, keep these two together but apart.

Lurking in the background of this romance is the stalker and Nero’s hidden past. I don’t want to spoil any of these story lines except to say they cast a pall over the pair from start to finish. Ms. Leigh has crafted a sexy, inspiring romance and the opposites attract trope (my current favorite) is used to great effect. Lenny is like a glittering star in Nero’s gloomy world - he’s bright, shiny, out & proud, and lights up Nero’s life. Nero is brooding, solitary, tough - and Lenny represents his first real m/m relationship (he’s bi). The reader totally gets why they are drawn to each other & how the relationship is a balm to both their souls. It’s a slow burn until they give into their physical attraction, but once they do, Ms. Leigh turns up the heat inside the bedroom (and... well, somewhere else!). Lenny worries that Nero will never open up to him about his past, and Nero convinces himself he can’t open up and hold onto Lenny. This is a couple you find yourself rooting so hard for! Both men are so vulnerable and real with each other...you suffer right along side them. Leigh takes her time delivering their HEA and when it finally comes, it’s satisfying emotionally and physically, and it totally works in the context of their relationship.

I loved this story, the principals and the sneak peaks at Cass, Jake & Tom. Have I mentioned I think the series is terrific? Fingers crossed it continues!

Hoping we get Jolen’s story next. Please?!

Two broken souls searching for redemption and a chance at love.

Strays,  Garrett Leigh

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre:  romance, LGBTQIA

One of the reasons I enjoy m/m romance so much is that it tends to be incredibly emotional, real romantic, tender love, wonderfully angsty and the plots are complex but not overcomplicated, no added unnecessary bits but just words central the the story.
I hate those padded out romances, where you feel words, plots, characters get thrown in just to add to the word-count.
I first came across Garret Leigh with the wonderful Misfits, book one to this series. So when I saw this one – well of course I had to read it ;-)

Oddly looking back Cass wasn’t such a main character in that story, and yet he feels so familiar. I adore him here, he’s got the knack of seeing what people need, who they really are, he doesn’t have preconceived notions based on their history but lets everyone have a fresh start.
He and Nero share a similar issue which could make getting work difficult, but he took a chance on Nero despite his past, and Nero’s been a little in love with him since. Of course Cass can see it and in his gentle way he’s made it clear he’s happy with Tom and Jake (Misfits) yet in a way that doesn’t embarrass Nero.
He relies on Nero for the practical side of the kitchen, from designing right from the off to what kind of food and the menus for it. Along with Nero I found I’m a bit in love with Cass too....

Cass sees Lenny, right when he’s reached rock bottom. Haunted for months by a stalker who’s not only followed him constantly but has invaded his workplace and his home. The police can’t help, give him a stack of leaflets but without witnesses, evidence and a name they can’t do much.
Lenny has had enough, you feel his fear, and reading his story I could understand how people give in when they’re that low, decide life isn’t worth it. Before this he was a bright happy guy, intelligent, loved to dance, friendly, very outgoing, and almost flamboyant. He was happy with himself, now he’s like  a wraith.
Cass steps in just at the right time, places him with Nero, in the flat above Pippa’s and working in the kitchens under Nero. His only instructions to Nero? Keep him safe...or words to that effect.

Nero has no idea what has happened to Lenny, but knows if Cass placed him there its for a reason, but he’s not overjoyed at having help in the kitchen who has no experience, and having his flat invaded too. Its tiny, one bed so Lenny gets the sofa.
I love Nero, can’t recall much of him from book one ( one day when i do a back to back read – that way everything marries up nicely while its fresh in my mind) but he’s a real stoic grump type character. Everyone respects him for his brilliance in the kitchen but he’s not the guy you joke around with. Man of very few words that’s Nero.
They get along OK, Lenny trying valiantly to keep his head down, not get in the way, and its soon clear to Nero just how scared Lenny is.
He begins to get glimpses of who Lenny was before, in unguarded moments when he tells Nero things from his past, lets little bits of info slip out and they start to learn about each other. As Lenny trusts him more he ends up telling him everything, and of course he wants Nero to trust him in return, be as open as he is now they’ve got so close, become lovers, but Nero hasn’t had the best experiences when he’s let out his past before and just can’t bring back those nightmares again.

I so felt for both of them, such sad stories, such lovely people. As before Garret has created characters that feel so real, they’re not the stereotypical flaming gays seen far too often, full of clichéd action and phrases, but people who are individuals, where being non heterosexual is just part of who they are, not the sum of them.
The need for Nero to trust him with his story was so clear from Lenny, I could feel how let down he felt, how he thought he’d opened himself up but Nero just didn't trust him enough to do the same. Then of course I could see it from Nero’s POV, how he didn’t want to bring back the nightmares, how he feared Lenny’s reaction, how he was just too scared to let it out.

Then there’s the brilliance of the Urban Soul Kitchens, how they each differ, tailored to fit the need for that area, not a generic franchise type eatery. Everything from the bare bones of the building to the sourcing of the basic food ingredients is carefully worked on, and it pulled together to create wonderful places, full of character, teams of people within them that worked together, and places I’d love to eat at. They felt so real, and I could visualise them as I was reading.

The stalking plot, its kind of low key after the first revelations and then really builds to create some fabulous drama towards the end. It fitted the story so well, let me enjoy so many different sides to each character, without turning it from a romance into a suspense novel.

Its another great read, very British ( hurrah!!) from the places used, the transport, the recipies and of course the language. So many authors try to do British, especialy British slang and cursing, but it ends up an American version of it.
One of my huge bugbears is MS Windows insistence that I can have US English – There’s no such thing, English is English, other countries may have their own take on it, but what they use Is Not English....It might be American, it might be Australian, but it isn’t English. Rant over ;-)
 
Stars: Five, another fantastic read, one to keep.

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers

4.5*

This is the first book I've read by this author and the fact that I read it in one sitting gives you some idea of how much I liked it, I just couldn't put it down.
Since this is the first book I've read I was going purely on the cover and the blurb so I didn't really know what to expect. What I got was more than I imagined and I wished repeatedly that I'd read the previous book 'Misfits' first since I loved Cass, Tom and Jake.
The book opens with Lenny and it's difficult to convey just how fabulous Lenny is but I would imagine it's impossible to read this book and not fall at least a little in love with him.
He's at the police station seeking help for his stalker issue but with no real proof there's not a lot the police can do plus they don't really seem that interested anyway. Lenny is completely alone in the world, his parents disowned him when he came out and so it's just him and it's hard to imagine what it must be like to never feel safe even in your own home, to know someone is watching you, stalking you, getting inside your house. It's driving Lenny to madness and he's no idea what to do, moving only helps for awhile before it starts again, the only life he has left is work and now his stalker is here, at work, work is no longer safe and now Lenny has no one and nowhere to go.
The stalker part was handled really well it never takes over but it's always there, a threat in the background, just enough to ruin Lenny's life.
Luckily for Lenny he has Cass for a boss, he steps in and moves Lenny in with his friend and employee Nero.
Nero again is an amazing yet haunted character, his past controls him and it turns out Nero needs Lenny just as much if not more than Lenny needs him.
Together these two find a balance, Nero is attracted to Lenny (I mean seriously who can blame him) but pushes those feelings down or at least he tries to.
Nero is amazing in the kitchen, he runs a tight ship and controls everything, at first he's not sure what to do with Lenny a kid with no cooking experience but gradually Lenny finds his place and between Nero's amazing cooking and Lenny's natural artistic flare they find they balance each other out perfectly in the kitchen.
The kitchen's one thing, real life is another, Nero never pushes and gradually Lenny learns to trust and open up and a relationship starts to build but a relationship goes both ways and Nero has been an island for so long, barking orders and using his gruff attitude to keep people away but Lenny's getting in there and wanting more but can Nero do that, can he open himself up and willingly relive the horrors of his past.
Lenny is easy to love, he's adorable but Nero isn't far behind as the tortured abused soul. I loved these two and more than anything I wanted everything to work out between them.

I voluntarily read a review copy kindly provided by NetGalley and Riptide Publishing.