Reviewed by Dan
TITLE: Dinner at Fiorello’s
AUTHOR: Rick R. Reed
PUBLISHER: Dreamspinner Press
LENGTH: 210 Pages
BLURB:
Henry Appleby has an appetite for life. As a recent high school graduate and the son of a wealthy family in one of Chicago’s affluent North Shore suburbs, his life is laid out for him. Unfortunately, though, he’s being forced to follow in the footsteps of his successful attorney father instead of living his dream of being a chef. When an opportunity comes his way to work in a real kitchen the summer after graduation, at a little Italian joint called Fiorello’s, Henry jumps at the chance, putting his future in jeopardy.
Years ago, life was a plentiful buffet for Vito Carelli. But a tragic turn of events now keeps the young chef at Fiorello’s quiet and secretive, preferring to let his amazing Italian peasant cuisine do his talking. When the two cooks meet over an open flame, sparks fly. Both need a taste of something more—something real, something true—to separate the good from the bad and find the love—and the hope—that just might be their salvation.
REVIEW:
I can’t believe this is only the second work I’ve read by Rick R. Reed. The first one “Matches” his Christmas Story, left me devastated. I’ve been waiting since then to snag another one, and this was a perfect choice.
Henry Appleby is your typical spoiled rich kid, growing up in one of Chicago’s wealthier suburbs. He hasn’t wanted for anything growing up….well, except for a little parental love. His dad is a cold Chicago attorney, who thinks his son will follow in his footsteps and become an attorney, go to work for the firm, have 2.5 children and be happy. His mother is the stereotypical rich housewife, who looks flawless due to a great colorist and liberal use of botox, who has always been cold and a little distant. Luckily he had the cook / housekeeper to talk to! She has always been like a mother to him, but even she he doesn’t know anything about outside of her time at their house. Her personal life is vague to him, even though he knows he should know more. But after all he is only eighteen and the world is still all about him.
Henry’s life is about to wobble. Henry, while fooling around at the beach with his best friend, somehow ended up on his knees getting his first mouthful of cum. Why is his friend so distant? And what about that intern gig that his dad has set up for the summer, prior to him starting pre-law at university? Henry has other ideas. He wants to be a chef, not an attorney. When he finds a Craigslist ad for an all-around helper at a local restaurant, paying minimum wage, he decides it is something he wants to pursue.
What will happen if his dad finds out? Why is he seeing his mom in the slightly rough neighborhood around the restaurant? What will happen when Henry comes out to his parents not only about the job, but also about being gay? Can his life ever be the same? And finally, what is up with that hot, super hairy, sexy Italian chef named Vito? Does he hate Henry for some reason?
Vito Carelli is a closed book. He doesn’t let anyone in. He has closed himself down to allowing only work, his dogs, eating and sleeping in his life. We know something bad happened to Vito, but don’t find out what until part way through the story. Can Henry break through his icy shell to see who the real Vito is, and why he is so closed and hostile?
I loved this book. I had a serious book hangover from a book I finished yesterday that I didn’t like much, and when I went to my kindle, the cover of this book jumped out at me. I hadn’t scheduled it for a few more days, but I moved it forward anyway, and I’m so glad I did. I read most of it last night, and then finished this morning.
I very highly recommend it!
RATING: 
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