Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Safflower
AUTHOR: V.L. Locey
SERIES: A Tales of Bryant Novella #3
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 180 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 5, 2020
BLURB:
Two men are about to discover that dreams really do come true if you have love as your main ingredient.
People say Luis Duton has been incredibly lucky. Luis says that as well, but something’s been missing from his life. Even though he holds a glamorous position as cook/housekeeper/confidant for famed movie producer Caiden Dell, he dreams of attending culinary school. When he finally works up the courage to apply to one of the most prestigious institutes in all of Manhattan, he’s shocked when his application is approved. Overjoyed at first, he soon discovers that the heat is on big time as he battles with his insecurities along with one of his instructors.
With his dream about to go up in smoke, he goes to see a Broadway play to lose himself for a few hours. There he buys a box of candy from another young man with a dream: Fraser Wayne. Fraser’s passion is the theater, but his goal seems as far away as Luis’ at the moment. Drawn to the man’s devotion to his ambitions as well as the beauty of his smile, Luis soon finds himself caught up in a love affair ten times hotter than any kitchen.
REVIEW:
Safflower is a sweet novella in the Tales of Bryant universe. Luis and Fraser are two men trying to make it in the world, against all odds, both individually and then as a couple. Luis is from Ecuador and is now a newly minted U.S. citizen. “I passed my test with zooming colors.” He’s the best friend of Caiden from Fade In and works as a live-in housekeeper and cook in Caiden and fiancé Devon’s home. What he really wants, though, is to be a chef so he’s applied to several schools, not fully expecting to gain entrance.
Luis is living the American Dream, first becoming a citizen and then setting his sights on his career. He values hard work and doesn’t expect handouts, particularly from Caiden who wants nothing more than to assist his friend. But Luis is resilient and he’s a fighter, and he wants to make his deceased father proud. That resiliency serves him well when he comes face to face with a terrible incidence of hate.
One afternoon, Luis meets Fraser at the theater where he sells candy. It’s Fraser’s dream to be an actor. When they meet, Luis is an outrageous flirt and they hit it off, shall we say. Immediately. In the bathroom. Bisexual, biracial Fraser doesn’t match Luis’ colorful and flamboyant personality; he’s likable, just not the star of this show. Luis and Fraser initially engage in a sex only relationship but it quickly develops into more. Unfortunately, Luis has been hurt in the past by men dating him just to get close to Caiden, a renowned movie producer. Now, Luis is very worried that Fraser’s going to ask Caiden for casting favors.
Since English is a second language for Luis, V.L. Locey has written the dialogue accordingly, and some of the things that come out of Luis’ mouth are hilarious. When accidentally cockblocked by Caiden and Devon returning home from a trip early: “They are dead beating my libido like a sick horse.” Another of my favorites: “I forgot about him already like a rotten fish.” Locey must have had a ball devising this dialogue. It’s one of my favorite features of the book.
If you enjoy cooking, you’ll probably relish the culinary aspect of the novella. I’m not a gourmet cook by any means (my go-to meal is take-out), but I’m a Chopped aficionado and found Luis’ experiences at school interesting.
For readers who have been immersed in the Tales of Bryant world, you will be delighted by the appearances of Caiden and Devon, Isamu and Brian, Adrian, and Oleander. These unique and loyal friends, in addition to several friends from culinary school, greatly enrich the story.
Safflower is an appealing addition to the Tales of Bryant series. Luis, in particular, is a doll. The novella can be read as a standalone, but I do recommend going in order if you plan to read the series. This quirky and charming read is well worth the time spent.
RATING: 
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