Reviewed by Valerie & Becca
TITLE: Jasper’s
AUTHOR: Sammi Cee
SERIES: Takoda Outreach Center #1
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: 116 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 30, 2020
BLURB:
Jasper’s helpful, mysterious… and homeless.
The soup kitchen was the only place I’d felt like I belonged in months, but working under the new, renowned chef had me doubting there was truly a place for me anywhere. He was nice enough, but he really didn’t “get” the people he was cooking for or the battles we faced. But my feelings didn’t matter, I had no home and my options were limited.
Caleb’s talented, successful… and clueless.
I wished I could say I’d pushed to be the main cook at Takoda Outreach Center out of selflessness, but that would be a lie. I knew my parents would never lower themselves to walk into a place like this, and I was counting on that. I was sick of being the perfect son, the celebrated chef—the price was too high, and now I had no social life and no idea who I was. And then I met Jasper, the sweet selfless younger man who opened my eyes to life’s harsher realities.
Just when Jasper thinks he’s found a way to make it through the winter unscathed by the elements, the shelter he’s found is ripped away. When Caleb offers him sanctuary, Jasper accepts the older man’s help.
Will Caleb’s questions about his past send him running back to the streets or has Jasper finally found the place he belongs?
REVIEW:
Three men – Jonathon, Avi, and Fisher – founded the Takoda Outreach Center soup kitchen, and along with several other volunteers, have become family for Jasper. Twenty-two year old Jasper lost his mother as a teenager and his step-father threw him out. Jasper stayed with a friendAfter staying with a friend for a few years, Jasper was taken in by his boss, the grandfatherly Saul, took him in and offered him shelter. A few short years later, though, Saul passed away, leaving Jasper alone and homeless.
Caleb is looking to make a change to his unfulfilling life as a renowned restaurant chef. His wealthy and connected parents have paved the way for everything the thirty-four year-old has achieved and Caleb just wants to escape their expectations and demands. He quits his job, and to his parents absolute horror, becomes the head cook at the homeless outreach center where he works with Jasper. Although the men are attracted to each other immediately, it takes Caleb rescuing Jasper on a night of bitter winter weather before they become friends and more.
I liked both Jasper and Caleb. Jasper, in particular, is a well-developed character with a strong backstory. But I didn’t feel connected to them as a couple. The story is lacking a warm romance and I just don’t feel any chemistry – emotional or physical – between these men. When they eventually utter something romantic, it falls flat because there’s no emotional build-up to the relationship:
“If I’m shining it’s only because your love makes me feel brave enough to expose myself.”
Jasper’s follows the “older, rich guy rescues younger, homeless man” trope, which is one I usually enjoy, but the execution here is too formulaic. Author Sammi Cee brings nothing new to the trope, and ultimately, the story is forgettable.
Jasper’s has a good size cast of secondary characters but while most have strong potential to be engaging characters, we don’t get much more than a cursory glance at most of them. I’m disappointed we didn’t get to know the other volunteers better, and utilizing Jasper’s homeless friends, specifically, would’ve added a greater depth to the story.
If you’re looking for steamy, this isn’t the book for you. Jasper and Caleb don’t even share a kiss until seventy-eight percent through, and the lukewarm sex isn’t until near the end.
On a positive note, Jasper’s did have a great plot twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
Ultimately, Jasper’s didn’t work for me, largely because of the lack of chemistry and connection.
RATING: 
BECCA’S REVIEW:
I loved this story and for so many reasons. The characters in this story will break your heart and cause you to see things that most people take for granted. And if it doesn’t make you see compassion for your fellow man, you need to have your heart checked.
Jasper has been hiding where he’s been spending his nights for a while. Since being kicked out at a young age, after the death of his mom, he got used to being alone. Until the owner of the pizzera took him in and gave him a place to stay again. But after Saul died, Jasper really knew it was best not to get too attached again. But he couldn’t help it with Miss Emma and her two charges, who are also homeless. And they started sticking together. But it wasn’t until Caleb, a renowned chef looking for a fresh start, showed up, that Jasper was a bit panicky. Caleb made Jasper want things he couldn’t have and Caleb made him feel beneath him anyway. But one bad winter night, Jasper snuck out and Caleb knew he had to find him. He eventually did and it set a change in the course of things. Slowly but steady. Because if there was anything Caleb was learning at all, he knew now when he had to be patient and when not to.
The chemistry between Jasper and Caleb was one of those steady burns. They obviously were interested in the other, but both blind to it. And both, in their way, feeling unworthy. One thing I loved about Caleb so much, is even in his blindness, he knew he had to go slow and be careful with Jasper. Jasper was easily spooked and slow to trust, and Caleb knew he needed a steady hand and patience to let Jasper come to him when he was ready. And even then, Caleb took his time, to make sure Jasper was truly ready. See, it’s not about the sex. Anyone can jump into bed together. It’s about the trust, the intimacy, and everything that entails. Jasper had the world ripped out from under him several times. It wasn’t going to be easy for anyone to get to the heart of the matter. But when they did, and it was Caleb, Caleb knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he won the biggest lottery of all. He had the trust of someone who didn’t trust. And the love of someone who was badly hurt.
Jasper is one of the strongest people. Even when he feels so weak and helpless. Because he’s a survivor. And Caleb, is quickly becoming a different person himself. Because he’s finally taken the time to truly see what life is like for those who have no homes or money. For those who only get one meal a day or some place to sleep for only one night. And he knew to appreciate what he had and to help in any way he could. It takes a big man to admit when they’re wrong and an even bigger one to make the necessary changes.
I loved this story and can’t wait to see who is next.
RATING: 
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