Reviewed by Kat
TITLE: Feeding the Soul
SERIES: Souls of Chicago #1
AUTHOR: Annabella Michaels
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 246 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 1, 2016
BLURB:
Giovanni Romero had been dealt his fair share of heartbreak throughout his thirty years, including losing his beloved parents in a horrible car accident. After suffering yet another devastating loss, he decided to chase his dream of opening his own restaurant and was soon the proud owner of Romero’s, a hugely successful and critically acclaimed Italian restaurant, nestled in the heart of Chicago.
Knowing that one more blow to his heart could destroy him, Giovanni had built walls up around his heart to protect himself. He has created strict rules for himself about the men he sleeps with, which include never exchanging names and absolutely no repeat performances. That is until he meets a young man who he finds impossible to forget.
After spending the last few years travelling throughout Europe and The Mediterranean, working as an apprentice to some of the world’s top chefs, 23-year-old Caleb Greene was finally moving back home. While he had enjoyed his studies, he couldn’t wait to reunite with his big, crazy, loving family; especially his twin brother, Carter. Most importantly, he hoped to finally begin his career working as the head chef for Chicago’s most prestigious Italian restaurant, Romero’s.
After a night of celebration with Carter, Caleb finds himself in a rare position, going home with a tall, dark and sexy stranger. Caleb had never had a one night stand before, but there was something about the man that drew him in. Unfortunately, the man insisted they could only be together for one night.
Unable to get the intriguing young man off his mind, but resolved to let him go, Giovanni is shocked to find that Caleb has been hired as his new head chef. Working in such close proximity to each other, could he keep his carefully erect walls in place and protect his heart or would Caleb have the strength to tear those walls down, setting Giovanni free?
REVIEW:
When I met this sweet young woman and bonded over wife swapping stories from my parents and her grandparents era at GLR I had no idea how much I would fall in love with her writing!
Giovanni Romero had his heart torn out and shredded when his wife suddenly disappeared and served him divorce papers. The evil bitch didn’t even show up for their divorce trial, just had her lawyer give him everything and was never seen from again. After that Giovanni erected walls around his fragile heart so strong that no one would ever touch or hurt him again! Then one night, after a week long trip he goes to his favorite bar to do what he does when he needs relief, he picks up a man that catches his eye, no names or phone numbers are exchanged. It’s a one and done! He can’t let himself have more than that.
Now that Caleb has finally returned to his home and family in Chicago, after spending time abroad to train with some of the best chefs in the world, he has an amazing job with one of the best and hottest Italian Restaurants in town. With that new job it’s time to go clubbing with his identical twin brother Carter, who is so thankful that his other half is back, to celebrate. When a gorgeous man accidentally spills a drink on Caleb he doesn’t realize that his life is about to change. Both men know what they want and they want it now! After an amazing night of sex Caleb leaves and, even though he has never had a one night stand, he isn’t sorry for last night. That all changes drastically when he meets his new boss where he is the new executive chef…Mr. Sexy! While Giovanni is trying to figure out how to protect his heart Caleb is working on how to break down those walls. Can a man who avoids relationships at all costs casually date a man who only knows how to be in a relationship?
I will be truthful, I was a bit hesitant at taking a first book out by an author. I have been really lucky with a few of the new authors and how gifted and amazing they have been. Thankfully I have discovered another new one and, if the rest of her books are as great as this one, we are in for an amazing time together. I loved both men but how could anyone not fall in love with Caleb? He is so sweet and an amazing catch. Giovanni is lucky that he was grabbed by this young man that didn’t seem to know no for an answer when he set his sights on what he wanted and Gio is exactly what he had to have.
One of the biggest things I loved about this story is that you got the whole story. This wasn’t just a welcome to the characters book. Yes, we got introduced to all the key players and yes, I can’t wait for each of their individual stories. But more than that, we got the whole story of Gio and Caleb. I dint feel disappointed or felt like I was left hanging. Do I want to see them more, a resounding YES, but I feel like I can move on and enjoy the next book without having to worry if they will be okay. I got the feeling like this author is going to keep us engaged with the ones we have grown fond of as we get to hear the new characters stories. I am hooked and want them all. That’s a great beginning to a wonderful new series!
I am excited to set off on this journey through the Greene family and watch as Love fills the air. I can’t wait for more and I hope you fall for all of them as fast as I have because “belonging to a group of people who will be with you through all of life’s ups and downs” and them becoming your family is what it’s all about! I can’t wait to start Caleb’s twin brother Carter’s story next!
RATING: 
BUY LINK: