Title: Cookies
Author: Teodora Kostova
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 21st 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary
Reviewed by: Ele
Heat Level: 4 flames out of 5
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Blurb:
I went to war, running away from myself. I came back in pieces to find out who I really was…
It took me nearly ten years, two tours in Afghanistan and losing a leg to come to terms with who I really am.
Two years after coming back from war, I can say that I’m finally content. I’m as fit as ever, my prosthetic leg allowing me the freedom of moving and exercising as if nothing has changed. I own a small bakery in the centre of Cambridge, and I have a loyal circle of friends that I can always count on.
And yet…
Yet, there’s something missing. A part of me craves the intimacy, the deep connection to another human being. But another – bigger – part of me is terrified of letting anyone in.
My internal conflict didn’t stand a chance when I met Jay. He stormed through my defence walls like a hurricane, wrapping around me with gentle force until I had no choice but to surrender.
Surrendering has never felt so good.
Will Jay want to stay when he sees the real me? When he sees the nightmares and insecurities clawing at my soul?
My name is Amir Gopal and this is my story.
Teodora Kostova’s stories are unapologetically insta-lovey. That’s not my thing, but she’s one of the few authors that make it work or me, and Cookies was no exception.
I feel a litte torn, because there were things that I really liked, but at the same time there were others that almost brought the story down for me.
What I liked.
This was a story that had every potential to be a big angst-fest, but it didn’t. Amir’s amputation and PTSD were not downplayed but they didn’t override the story either. His situation and his self consciousness about his injuries was portrayed quite realistically, at least for me (note that I’m NOT an expert or familiar with army veteran PTSD in any way.)
Although we only get Amir’s POV, I really liked Jay. He was a sweet, simple, and very likeable character.
The chemistry between the MCs was off the charts! That first glance they shared, their flirting and the first kisses were amazing. The sex was pretty hot too. Plenty of steam here.
There were moments that were all about the feels! Like Jay’s presentation in the end or the hospital scene.
I loved the cameo appearance of Fenix and Jared from Dance. I had missed these guys.
What didn’t work.
There were quite a few editing issues here, like errors and typos. Now I’m not one to complain about bad editing, but what drives me nuts is when things don’t add up, like when the MC is calling the other by his name in his head, BEFORE he actually learns his name.
I got tired of Amir always treating Jay like he was fragile, or a damsel in distress. Or being judgemental about the guys that had an one-night stand, or a sex-only relatioship with Jay. Why?
The book felt unecessarily long and I admit I got bored. For a while it seemed like nothing was happening and there was zero conflict. And at some point I coudn’t understand Amir anymore. I felt for him at first, but towards the end I couldn’t justify his hesitation to admit his feelings for Jay.
There were some pretty interesting secondary characters too, and I’d like to read their story if this turns out to be a series.
Overall, this was a sweet, slow-paced romance, with a strong comfort-healing theme.
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