When Chef Xander Bridges leaves the warmth and safety of his car on a cold, stormy night and approaches a stranger, the last thing he expects to find is a future. He’s wanted to leave his job for awhile, but with no good opportunities on the horizon, he’s been stuck in a long, painful rut. But when he befriends the stranger viciously tearing up his own vineyard, Xander discovers something … inexplicable. Maybe he’s not the bitter, sarcastic man that everyone, including himself, has endured for years.
Maybe, with someone like Damon in his life, he could be something more. Something better.
Damon Hess doesn’t just want more, he demands it. With his alcoholic past, there are no gray areas for him. Only black and white. In love or not. Sober or drunk. But the chance meeting with Xander opens Damon’s eyes, and gives him a vision full of something he hasn’t experienced in years: hope.
Hope that he can expect companionship and affection, hope that he doesn’t have to grapple with his family’s questionable Napa legacy any longer, and most importantly, hope that there’s a future worth believing in. But the longer he and Xander spend cultivating that future, the more Damon realizes that the key is so much simpler than he ever imagined–it’s Xander.
Savor Me is an 80,000 word contemporary m/m romance starring an irascible man with a soft, gooey marshmallow center and another who knows he likes men, but has never been with one before. It is third in the Kitchen Gods series, but can be read as a standalone.
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I was lucky enough to receive this book from the author for review, and I’m SO glad I did because I’ve been looking forward to Xander’s story since the very first Kitchen Gods book. And I LOVE it. It may be my favorite of the three books in this series. It was a lot sweeter than I expected it to be, because despite being the grumpiest of the roommates, Xander actually has a soft, sweet, chewy center.
So Damon and Xander meet because Xander spots Damon tearing up some vineyard vines on Damon’s property. Damon is heir to a wine legacy, but he’s a recovering alcoholic who doesn’t want that legacy to define him. So Xander suggests Damon do something else with the land Damon’s beloved grandfather left him. And then, after they both feel the beginnings of a connection with each other, Xander walks away. They don’t see each other for another year, but think of each other every day. And it’s SO romantic. Damon and Xander are perfect for each other, and their journey is one that you won’t want to miss. Also the food. All the food talk makes me hungry, and anyone who knows me knows I love the food talk. But it never overwhelms the story, which is has a nice and steady pace throughout.
Highly recommend! (You don’t have to read the first two since they are well-explained, but you should anyway!)
Savor Me is the third book in the Kitchen Gods series, but it works well as a standalone. It’s nice to have read the first two books so you have a better understanding of the supporting characters, but it’s okay if you haven’t.
One night, two angry men meet by chance and this meetings strikes them to the core. A year later with no contact, and they still can’t get the each other out of their heads. Until Damon Hess walks into Terrior with a proposal that will change Xander’s life in the most unexpected way. Damon is a recovering alcoholic and Xander is a chef with a chip on his shoulder. Both men have their demons and triggers, but together they need to work through their problems not just for the new restaurant they are building, but also for the love that’s blooming between them.
I thought the characterization was very well done and I hurt for Xander and Damon when they struggled to come to terms with some difficult issues. Plus, the banter between Xander and Damon was great and their chemistry was sizzling – I just loved how they interacted and fit with each other. Although there was angst in this story, Beth Bolden didn’t have us linger on it for too long, and there were many happy and romantic moments throughout the story. I really enjoyed the descriptions of food and the connection Xander had to all of the recipes and meals that he created.
Wyatt Baker narrated the audiobook and did a fantastic job. His voice for Damon and Xander was PERFECT and I loved how much energy and acting he put into the performance. I found the entire production of this audiobook well done with no issues that would jar me out of the story. Instead, I was able to sit back and relax and lose myself in the story.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are obsessed with cooking shows and romance like I am.
4.75 Stars!
Savor Me is book 3 in the Kitchen Gods series by Beth Bolden and my second favorite of the four installments. For as much as I loved Xander and Damon—and let me tell you, that was quite a surprise for me the first time I read it since Xander was my least favorite of all the guys—Indulge Me (and Bastian and Kian) remains my favorite in the series.
Xander had more layers than I anticipated and it was great seeing him grow so much throughout the book, yes, he made some mistakes, but he owns to them and tried to make things right. Now, Damon, well, while I really liked him and I could understand why he acted the way he did in regards to his alcoholism, there was a point in which I wanted to slap him silly and make him realize what he could lose if he kept trying to push Xander away. They had so much chemistry and just fit well together, be it building their restaurant or becoming friends and then lovers. The progression of their relationship was slow at first, but once they gave in to their growing feelings, it was very natural.
I had a bit of trouble getting into the narration at first, mostly because Xander came off as very aggressive, which, well, he was. It was just a tad jarring to listen to it. Once I got used to it, it was a smoother, enjoyable experience. Wyatt Baker did a great job and his Damon’s voice is melt-worthy!
Overall, I really loved this book and if you haven’t listened to the previous ones, please do yourself a favor and do so before the last one comes out. It’s such a fantastic series that I can’t recommend enough.
Two strong characters, chemistry and LOTS of emotional baggage. All of it in a restaurant kitchen! A recipe for a masterpiece! I was waiting anxiously for Xander’s story and I was not disappointed in the least!
These guys are absolutely perfect for each other and I read the book with emotions running high and with a bated breath! Brilliant and a total must read for lovers of strong characters!
This was my fave read in the series so far! Loved the grittiness of the reasons and the darkness of Damon being overcome and seeing Xander lose some his snarky outer shell! A great read
This is a great series, and I am really happy it was time for Xander to find love. He meets Damon in a very unusual way, and the sparks are certainly there, but it takes a year before Damon is ready to move forward and contact Xander again. I like these guys. Xander is a little arrogant, as I would expect a chef to be, but he also wants to make sure those he loves are taken care of. And Damon is battling his demons and can’t believe that he’s worthy of love, especially from someone as wonderful as Xander. There is some sadness and some anger in this story, but there is also really great conversation, sex, and romance. I enjoy this writer’s stories, and as always, I look forward to more!
This third book in the Kitchen Gods series is a good addition. It’s sweet, sometimes a bit fluffy, then sour and somewhat bitter. Just like the food I like, it’s a bit of everything, which makes it interesting and enticing. This time it’s Xander’s turn, and he definitely needed his own HEA.
Snarky Xander instantly makes a lasting impression on Damon when he comes storming in when Damon is destroying his heritage. But it takes another year before they meet up again. And it is just as sparkling as the first time. Damon and Xander are likable characters, not perfect but very much trying to be the best they can. It comes and goes with self-doubt and feeling unworthy, but also with honesty and understanding.
The story starts at a rather fast speed before slowing down a bit to get a good feeling of the men and what they are feeling. Slowly but steadily we see Damon and Xander growing together. The chemistry is undeniable, and the connection tangible. The best was saved for last. I was so rooting for them, but at some point, I had a hard time believing they would find their HEA. I admired how they solved their problems by compromising and without reneging on their beliefs. I can honestly say I had tears in my eyes reading the last chapters of the book. But there is also room for a lot of laughter, and I loved seeing Xander’s friends, Wyatt, Miles, and Kian, making their appearance.
The food had my mouth watering, and I know from experience you don’t need wine with your dinner.
This is the third installment in the Kitchen Gods series and can be read as a standalone. As there are recurring characters, I recommend reading the books in order.