S.E.X. Review~ Jesse's Diner~ by Cardeno C.~ Audio Book

Two men with a shared history and a mutual attraction must be honest with themselves and each other so both their dreams come true.

Quiet, unassuming Tanner Sellers spends his time running a diner in Hope, Arizona. Not particularly social, twenty-two-year-old Tanner keeps to himself and enjoys his simple life, but he longs for someone to call his own. In his most secret fantasy, that someone is sexy Steve Faus. But Steve is his friend’s father and mentor’s widower and therefore off-limits.

Despite some challenges, thirty-nine-year-old Steve Faus has had a good life. He’s extremely successful at work, has a great relationship with his college-age son, and lives in a wonderful town. Eighteen months after losing his partner, the one thing Steve lacks is someone to share his life. If Steve is honest with himself, that someone is the young man he has known and cared about for years. Steve and Tanner want one another, all they need is a little push in the right direction to make both their dreams come true.

Jesse’s Diner by Cardeno C. was a sweet read and the second book in her Hope series. Tanner has inherited the local diner from his best buddy’s dad, Jesse, on his passing. Jesse also left behind his partner, Steve, whom Tanner has crushed on since he was sixteen. A wide age gap and a completely shy Tanner are just a few of the obstacles the men will face.

What I loved about this book was the fact that at times I totally forgot that there was such an age difference between Tanner and Steve. Although Tanner was shy and more reclusive, the chemistry between the men was palpable and the author never gave me the feeling of older man robbing the cradle. Steve was patient and loving and genuinely cared for the younger man. Steve saw Tanner for more than just Mike’s friend, but as a second chance at happiness.

Cardeno C. has this uncanny knack of making the reader believe they are entwined in the lives of her characters, and Tanner and Steve are no different. Every emotional nuance Cardeno C. wrote radiated throughout the pages and transported me to the small town where people looked after each other and knew everyone’s name.

Secondary character, Mike was an integral part of the story and his good nature added depth and relief to Tanner and Steve’s relationship.

Narrator Paul Morey was spot on with his rendition of the dialogue, the inflection of voices and the subtle distinctions which drew me into his voice.

Jesse’s Diner is a story of achievement and hope, where life could have easily turned sour. A beautiful story.

Book provided by author/publisher in exchange for an honest review

Definite S.E.X.

A five handcuff review

2015 ©Evelise Archer All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, locations, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or have been used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, locales, or events is entirely coincidental. No portion of this work may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the author.