Rating: 3.75 (rounded up to 4) stars out of 5
When his lover Jason’s drug addiction spiraled out of control, TV celebrity chef and cookbook author Adam de Leon walked away from him. Adam also abandoned his renowned restaurant in San Francisco to start a small bistro in the Sierra Foothills.
Five years later Adam is battling the conservative leaders of Stone Acres, California, to open a new restaurant in historic Old Town when Jason turns up on his doorstep—a recovered Jason, now going by the name David and claiming he’s overcome his addictions. What’s more, he begs Adam to take him back and says he’s ready for their happily ever after.
Adam has enough on his plate with problems plaguing the opening of his restaurant. And now he’s having a hard time deciding which to follow—his head or his heart.
Another in the wonderful Foothills Pride series, When Adam Fell brings us the broken love affair of celebrity chief Adam de Leon and his lover Jason, two men together since childhood who allowed the past and fame to destroy their love and relationship. Now its five years later and Adam has removed his restaurant and home to the foothills, and closed down his heart. Then Jason reappears asking for a second chance.
Pat, Pat, Pat. You only give us 92 pages when this story cries out for double that! These are such complicated, wounded men and you have given them a wonderfully layered past, one you could pick at from so many angles. I loved that. The “beautiful boy” stuff? Great! I could have sunk myself into chapters alone with their past history and relationship. But that was not to be. Sigh.
The Jason that reappears has remade himself down to a new name. Its a shakeup for Adam and the reader who now have to adjust their perspective on this man. To Pat Henshaw’s credit as a writer, we do. She makes the case that Adam has never lost the feelings he had for Jason and is now rebuilding them in a new, healthier way. And this time Adam has a strong support system (Stone, Fredi and the rest of his friends) to help him make the transition.
As much as I loved this story (and make no mistake, I do), I felt that some parts were still missing for me, more of their past perhaps, more of Jason, I’m not sure, but there’s a hole here somewhere. Its too short for the scope of the story and the men involved. And that restaurant, the new one? Loved that. I hope we see more of it and the new people they are hiring to work there So many great possibilities for new stories on the horizon.
I love this series and each couple that has come about. The Foothills Pride series is rich with wonderful stories, believable people and moving romance. When Adam Fell is the fourth, grab them all up! I highly recommend them all.
Cover art by AngstyG is perfect for the story, characters and place.
Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | ARe | Amazon
Book Details:
ebook, 92 pages
Expected publication: February 24th 2016 by Dreamspinner Press
ISBN139781634769709
Edition LanguageEnglish
Series Foothills Pride
- What’s in a Name? (Foothills Pride #1)
- Redesigning Max (Foothills Pride, #2)
- Behr Facts (Foothills Pride, #3)
- When Adam Fell (Foothills Pride, #4)
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 