Mini Review: Afternoon Deligh by Anne Calhoun

Title: Afternoon Delight

Author: Anne Calhoun
Date of publication: 16 Sept 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Author's links:
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

My rating: 4 stars

Synopsis

“Anne Calhoun’s romances define the erotic”* and now the national bestselling author of Uncommon Passion serves up a delicious new novella of savory food and hungry men—and one woman’s challenge to get creative with each…

Sarah McCall, food truck co-owner and recent Manhattan transplant, savors each moment of her new job—whether it’s refining the truck's menu, learning the city, or spending afternoons in bed with the hot paramedic who's fast becoming her favorite customer.

Mini Review

This is my second book by Anne Calhoun and I very much enjoy her writing style – brisk, laconic.

This was a nice novella, simple, yet emotional. It didn’t grab me initially since I prefer a bit more detailed and colourful style, yet the story drew me. Ms Calhoun has created an emotionally intense story of finding the right person with whom to enjoy life at a slower pace.

It’s very topical issue, living in a hurry, being always stressed, focusing on the present to avoid the pain of the past and never thinking about the future.

Both main characters were rather interesting, carefully drawn and their personality really did shine through. Sarah was wonderful. Her love of food and cooking, her total emersion in everything were very vivid and emotional. I particularly enjoyed her explorations of New York, which went parallel with her return to life and her growing attachment to Tim.

Tim was more difficult to read. He was closed off, not really living his life, just focusing on his job. In a way he was also on a journey back to life, though his path was more winding, and he did take some detours along the way.

The whole set of food and eating analogies added a very unique flavour to the whole story and made a very delicious reading. I totally subscribe to the idea of the conscious effort it takes to nurture a relationship, to take time to enjoy the good things in life – good food, good company, good love.

The writing is subdued, yet sensual. There are no grand promises or gestures and focus is more on the beauty of simple things. It’s a gentle story which is romantic in its simplicity and honesty. It’d recommend it to all fans of romance, looking for a quick, sensual modern-day story of love and life. 

Purchace links: Amazon / Barnes and Noble