Reviewed by Danielle
Title: Learning to Love
Author: Felice Stevens
Publisher: Self Published
Length: 228 pages
Release Date: April 30, 2016
Blurb:
After ten years away from home, bad boy caterer Gideon Marks has a lot to prove. Getting the holiday catering job at his childhood synagogue is the first step in demonstrating to everyone he didn’t turn out to be the failure they predicted. What he doesn’t count on is Rabbi Jonah Fine, his high school nemesis and secret crush, stirring up old feelings Gideon thought long gone and secrets he’s buried deep for years.
An unexpectedly passionate encounter shocks Gideon, but he pushes Jonah away, convinced he isn’t good enough to be in a relationship and would never be accepted by Jonah’s father. But Jonah hangs tough—he won’t allow Gideon to hide or run away from life again. And when it comes to love, Gideon learns the most important lessons aren’t always taught in school.
Review:
I was delighted to hear that author Felice Stevens had decided to take her holiday story from the home for the holidays anthology and expand it to a novel. I was so curious to read more about both Gideon as Jonah and author Felice Stevens doesn’t disappoint. Where the basic structure of the story is there, there are so many additions and reworked scenes that makes it a wonderful new reading experience.
When Gideon gets hired to cater the Shabbos dinner for his former synagogue he wants to prove himself and show that he made something of his life in the years he was away shredding the bad boy image. He wants to show he is worthy of catering the Chanukah dinner. Finding out that Jonah, the man he was had a secret crush on all those years ago, is the new Rabbi and that he lives there shakes Gideon to his core especially when he finds out after an unexpected encounter that he is also openly gay. Gideon has some secrets he isn’t willing to share and thanks to his right hand man “Rico” he has managed to keep them secret for so long.
When Gideon and Jonah meet there is instant chemistry even though Gideon would like to deny it and it feels like it is just waiting for it to blow. When it does it opens up different layers and Gideon struggles with how to deal with Jonah, his feelings and the secret he doesn’t really want to share (yet). Jonah has his ways though and when the secret is out, both men feel that there is so much more there.
Author Felice Stevens really added some great extra interaction between Gideon and Jonah, quit a bit of that sexual, but what captured my heart were the small moments with Jonah and his father or the moments when both guys struggle with different issues.
In the end it comes down to trust and love and working out how to deal with both.
Well worth the read especially now it is a complete novel so the people who don’t like a short story can take a happy breath and dive in 🙂
Felice Stevens drafts a wonderful story about love, acceptance, family and comfort and finding you path in life.
On a side note: I do hope there is a story for Rico there in the future. I would love to see him have his HEA , he is such a kind and sweet man , such an amazing friend and a truly wonderful addition to this story.
Rating: 
Buy Links: