Title: Cookies
Author: Teodora Kostova
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: April 21, 2016
Genre(s): Contemporary/Military
Reviewed by: Gigi
Heat Level: 3 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 defense 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.
The blurb for this book is phenomenal. It promises a broken military man who is wounded physically and emotionally. The possibility for hurt/healing/comfort seems endless after Amir loses friends in Afghanistan and his leg.
Unfortunately the emotional payoff was less than stellar. The author missed several opportunities to milk the emotions from Amir and his love interest Jay. And, honestly? Amir came off as a bit of a whiner. Woe is me, etc. etc.
Another thing that turned me off to this book was how jealous and possessive Amir was of Jay. The two men hadn’t even been on a date yet and Amir was already doing the growly thing about Jay being “his”. He instantly hated Jay’s roommate and judged his by his appearance alone, and he was very non-pc with his thoughts. Example, Amir’s inner dialogue when Freddie tells him he’s trying to watch what he eats:
Freddie was stocky, no more than five-foot-nine, with broad shoulders and muscular thighs. I could understand why some people might mistake that for being fat.
Ouch!
And the plot? Pretty much non-existent. Nothing really happened here. It was just Amir and Jay going through their day-to-day lives without any external conflict to shake things up.
I did like the sex here. It was hot and full of emotion, which is always a plus in my book. Amir and Jay were a bit insta-lovey, but not enough to push me over the edge. I also loved the idea of Amir coming home and following his dream of opening a bakery. Plus, he had a big lovable lug of a dog named Flo, but she spent 90% of her time in the care of others so we didn’t see much of her.
So, many missed opportunities for some juicy hurt/healing/comfort here, an inappropriate, whiny, not all that likeable hero and a plot that was dull but good sex and emotions. 50/50 love/hate.
Recommended with caution because of the problems listed above.
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