Review: Table for One by Ava Hayden

Nick DiGiaccomo waits tables at Fortissimo, an exclusive restaurant in Oilton, Alberta. He loathes drama, particularly the kind that makes its appearance on Valentine’s Day.

This Valentine’s Day is especially bitter. Eight months ago Nick’s heart was broken when his lover walked away without a word over a misunderstanding. Too proud to call, Nick’s heard nothing from him since. But on this, the most romantic day of the year, he keeps his feelings well-hidden and his professional smile firmly in place.

That is, until he sees his ex-lover, Mark Mishimoto, at a table for two in his section—and his Valentine’s Day goes from bad to downright horrible.

To make matters worse, a winter storm descends, hours earlier than forecast. When the restaurant closes, Nick finds himself stuck downtown in the middle of a blizzard with no way to get home and nowhere to go. Mark lives conveniently close by, and he’s offering up his couch. Nick could use a place to lay his head—but is it worth risking his heart?


 

Well this was a fun Valentine's romance!

Nick works in a restaurant and has to be there on Valentine's Day. He's not really into Valentine's Day, so it's not a big deal for him to have to work. Plus, he's single and still nursing a broken heart from eight months earlier when his boyfriend left him without word.

Guess who turns up for a romantic dinner for two? And sitting in Nick's section, no less? Yeah, said ex. Mark.

The story goes back and forth between the present and scenes from Nick and Mark's past. I always like flashbacks in a second chance romance. I like being about to see where the couple started. Especially with a novella, it helps build up the relationship for me. 

The restaurant scenes were fun. Nick's obvious discomfort with the whole deal was wonderfully awkward. He clearly did not want to be serving Mark and whoever is date might be (but who would?). Mark was cute. He was a bit sly with his ploy to get Nick back. I loved how everything turned out with his Valentine's Day date and then after.

The story ended a bit too soon. There was barely a HFN. Even one more page would have helped make the ending feel more solid. I really liked these guys and I was left with hope that they'd work out but I want to know.

All in all, Table for One was a really enjoyable, short romance. Perfect for Valentine's Day.


A copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Find out more info on Goodreads.
Dreamspinner Press link: http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=7397

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