Title: Strawberries for Dessert
Author: Marie Sexton
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Genre: Contemporary M/M
Length: Novel (237 PDF Pages)
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Summary Review: Jonathan and Cole could not be more different but they both wanted the same thing – each other. Could they speak the same language to understand how to fill the holes in their lives?
THE BLURB
When Jonathan Kechter agrees to a blind date with Cole Fenton, he expects nothing more than dinner and a one-night stand… but he gets more than he bargained for in Cole. Cole is arrogant, flamboyant, and definitely not Jon’s type. Still, when Cole suggests an arrangement of getting together for casual sex whenever they’re both in town, Jon readily agrees.
Their arrangement may be casual, but Jonathan soon learns that when it comes to Cole Fenton, nothing is easy. Between Cole’s fear of intimacy and his wandering lifestyle, Jonathan wonders if their relationship may be doomed from the start—but the more Cole pushes him away, the more determined Jon is to make it work.
THE REVIEW
Strawberries for Dessert is the 4th book in Marie Sexton’s wonderful Coda series and this is Jonathan’s story. Many of you may remember Jon and Cole from some of the other books – Promises, The Letter Z, or A – Z but I don’t believe it’s necessary to read them in order to enjoy Strawberries since the author does a great job of filling in the blanks.
The story starts 18 months before the final resolution of Jon’s and Cole’s romance, when Cole’s ex Jared sets up their first meeting, a blind date. Jon’s expectations of the date were low since with his busy work schedule he didn’t have time for dating or relationships. He had a successful career and spent so much time in the air going from state to state, serving his firm’s clients and climbing the corporate ladder that he didn’t have much of a personal life, and the only sex he had was one night stands or the occasional trip to a bathhouse. Getting a phone call from Cole Fenton with a dinner invitation was certainly a pleasant way to spend an evening with perhaps some sex thrown in at the end of the date. Unfortunately it didn’t work out as he expected – his cell phone kept ringing and he kept answering because he was all about business. Cole became more and more annoyed as the evening progressed at Jon’s lack of attentiveness, until he left in disgust. This didn’t bode well for another encounter but they decided to try again. The second time, while not the charm, was much better and they agreed to meet occasionally when they were both in Phoenix, as Cole’s lifestyle also involved flying, except his travels were around the world and strictly for pleasure.
Although there were no flashbacks or flashforwards in the book, but rather a straight trajectory, the first chapter gives readers a pretty good indication of where matters stood between the couple, as Jon is making a last ditch effort for his and Cole’s happiness:
The flight was six hours long. Six hours to contemplate all the ways this could end…. Every choice I had ever made had led me here, to this airplane. Everything I wanted in the world was at the other end of this unbelievably terrifying cross-country flight. What if it all went wrong? The fear was almost overwhelming. It might even have been crippling, if not for one simple thing: underneath it all was something stronger. Something pure. Something that drove me on. It was hope.
Strawberries for Dessert is told from Jon’s first person POV and the only time there are glimpses of Cole’s real persona, other than through his relationship with Jon, were his emails to Jared with whom he had remained good friends. These emails were initially very brief but became more revealing as the story progressed and they were the keys to what drove Cole and made him such a complex character. What was surprising to me was Cole’s evolution in the book from a flaming queen which it became clear was an assumed personality when he was nervous, to a wonderful character who was fragile, vulnerable, felt unloved and insecure, and someone who did not believe that he was worthy of love.
I thought that at times Cole’s personality was the more dominant, complicated and sensitive, until the end when Jon showed how much he really loved Cole and would do anything for him. Cole kept everyone at a distance, even his lovers. He didn’t believe in kissing, cuddling after sex or other forms of affection. He had lovers all over the world and made it clear to Jon that their relationship was only exclusive when he was in Phoenix, which suited him fine, at first. When his career stumbled Jon realized that perhaps he had made some wrong choices along the way, but pride still stood in the way, especially his. The relationship changed when their feelings became involved but neither used the “L” word nor was prepared to meet the other half way, and eventually everything blew up in their faces. It was then they realized what they had had together and lost.
Both protagonists were three dimensional, engaging and complex, even though Jon was all about his career initially and I had a hard time liking him. He loved his father and tried to spend as much time as possible with him because he knew how lonely he was. At first I couldn’t relate to Cole’s character which seemed fake and over the top, but as he and Jon became a couple, although a very strange one, it was evident that there was a lot more to him than appeared on the surface and I fell in love with him.
The supporting characters were also well drawn. Jon’s father loved him as he was the only family he had left in the world, but he had a difficult time accepting his sexual orientation although he really tried, and eventually he became less judgmental. I did admire the fact that the author did not take the easy way out of the typical homophobic parent but tried to show him as sympathetically but as realistically as possible, and her strategy worked. Julia, Jon’s neighbour and friend, was not the typical fag hag and did a great job of making Jon see that he was guilty of the same crime that he accused others of: discrimination.
The dialogue was excellent and very funny and I think you will like Strawberries for Dessert as much as I did.
Highly recommended.
UPDATE: After re-re4ading this book for the umpteenth time a couple nights ago I decided to change the rating from 4.75 tars to 5 stars because it’s most deserving of the higher rating.
I have enjoyed the other books although have not read book 3 yet. I hear there are “issues” so I may skip to this one and then go back to book 3 later.
Yes, book 3 has some “issues”. But it works, you know. I’m highly against it, and it did make me a little uncomfortable to begin with, but in the end… it fit. I recommend The Letter Z highly, though not as highly as this one.
Strawberries is the best book I have read in a very, very, VERY long time. 😉
It’s not that I’m against what happened (I do know but won’t say), I have this weird little quirk where I don’t always like revisits to characters who then go on to have yet another mountain to surmount when you think they’ve already gotten their HEA. I prefer to just imagine them blissfully living with the white picket fence. I don’t want to have to live through more trials and tribulations all over. It’s kind of a weird trait, but it seems kind of mean to keep putting a couple through hell just to have HEA after HEA. Once they are happy (or happy enough) I’m out. I’m sure I’ll read it, but I have the same issue with the sequal to Faith and Fidelity. It almost seems a bit gratuitious, like we all want to watch them squirm and angst some more for our own pleasure. Let them work out their issues off page, I don’t want to know about it. 🙂
Yes, I know what you’re saying. I feel that way too. But in these two books… I didn’t mind it. Because I didn’t really think that their stories were finished.
When I was done with A to Z I was like ‘this is it?’. And The Letter Z completed their story somewhat, in my opinion. I still feel like it isn’t quite finished, and I do believe they will have a third and final story, which hopefully will complete their HEA.
I felt the same with Faith and Fidelity, that their story wasn’t finished. But the sequel adressed issues that wasn’t dealt with in F&F, and thus completed their true HEA.
But usually I don’t like sequels featuring the same characters, because it usually just messes up the relationship, and I certainly don’t want that. 🙂
Tam
I really liked the characters in this book and there’s no on-page sex with other lovers in Strawberries for Dessert even though they had an open relationship. I became very fond of Jon and Cole. 🙂
Wonderful review!
I loved this book. I bought it the moment it came out, and still the books I’m reading after it pales in comparison. *lol*
I can’t recommend this one highly enough!
Even the fact that they had an open relationship (which I don’t care for at all) couldn’t take away my enjoyment of this book.
It was just brilliant!
Hi TT
This was one of my favourite 4.75 star reads. The author did an excellent job on the characters and for me, if I don’t love the characters I can’t love the book.
Hi Wave,
I second that! Certainly need to love the characters to love the book. *g*
I just wonder about one thing… I couldn’t quite figure out from the review why it was only a 4.75 and not a 5. I don’t think there’s anything mentioned up there about anything dragging the story down. This is me just being curious – because I gave the book a solid five star. *lol*
TT
The main reason I didn’t give the book 5 stars had to do with characterization, mostly Jon’s. Initially I couldn’t warm up to the character because I thought he was flat and one dimensional, and so focused on his career that he was wearing blinders. It wasn’t until later in the book that I felt he was truly well drawn. Cole, on the other hand, was a wonderful flawed character from the very beginning.
I also felt that a strong 4.75 was better than a soft 5 stars, in my book anyway.
Other reviewers might view Jon’s character differently, and as I said, I did feel in the end that he redeemed himself.
Wave,
Yeah, Jon sure was very focused on his job in the beginning. I can agree with that. But he redeemed himself so wonderfully I can just ignore that. 😀
Ah, yeah, Cole. He was wonderful all through the book! *g*
Yeah, true. A strong 4.75 is much better than a soft 5. 😉
Hello Ms Wave!
Thanks again for this book, which I won when it came out!
I knew I would enjoy it since I just love all the other books in this series (and I did love The Letter Z too, including the open relationship idea – as Zach told Jared in the end “We’re not like you” What an intriguing spin on their relationship. Can’t wait for their next story.) Anyway, this book was fantastic all by itself, and I thought the author did such a great job giving Cole such depth when all we saw in the other books is his flamboyant and carefree lifestyle. To me, it all just blared out in that one part when Cole made Jon’s father that surprise dinner! Wow, did I cry and cry during that scene. And the author did a great job redeeming Jon in my eyes, since he was such a jerk in the last book. And was that a cliffhanger at the end???
I totally recommend this book! Fantastic!!
Great review, as always, Wave!
A total cliffhanger, if you ask me! *g* I’m sensing another book about these two in the future. *g*
TT
You could be right because there is a lot of material for a new plot bunny. I only hope if there’s another book that the relationship doesn’t have someone else in their bed, to create additional conflict. There are other ways to create meaningful conflict rather than taking the easy way out of inserting a third party.
Wave,
I really hope so to. I do not want a third person involved with these two.
I do believe the author is writing the next book, where all three couples go to Paris. But I think Zach and Angelo are the main characters – that it’s their last book.
She does have plans to write at least another short with Jon and Cole though, she says so on her website. 😀 I have looked through it thoroughly after reading this book. 😉
Hi TT
Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea. I don’t seem to have any time to visit author sites so I depend on readers like yourself to tell me what’s coming up.
Hi Angelica
I’m so glad that you enjoyed Strawberries. I should mention that it’s always the publishers that donate the books, in this case Dreamspinner. I just get to pick the winners. LOL It’s a lovely book and maybe Jon’s character still rubbed me the wrong way from the other stories, but as I mentioned to TT Kove, he did redeem himself in the end. As for Cole I thought he was incredible and fully three dimensional.
There is so much in this book that was moving – I couldn’t mention one tenth because then I would have written a review that was as long as the book. 🙂 But you’re right about the birthday party. I also thought that when Cole started to open up is when I became putty in his hands. LOL
I just read “Promises” yesterday and fell in love with this author. The rest of the series is on my TBB list.
Well Sherry you won’t be disappointed with Strawberries for Dessert if you liked Promises.
Marie Sexton is a very talented writer and so far I have yet to be disappointed with her stories.
Hi Wave,
This sounds really good. I loved Promises, but never continued the seres. You know, too many other books out there. But your review makes me want to continue on and definitely read Strawberries. Great review. Thanks.
TJ
What I liked about this story was the complicated relationship between the protagonists as well as the complex characterizations, especially Cole. I also liked Jon’s father and Julia a lot, neither of whom were stereotypes.
I really think you will like Strawberries (after you finish Driftwood). 🙂
Funny, I also loved Promises, liked A to Z less than Promises and skipped Letter Z completely, but OMG LOVED this one, Cole is now simply one of my very favorite characters ever. Sorry, just want to squeeee so much I loved this book. Great review Wave.
Hi Sirius
Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
We’re agreed – Promises and Strawberries are the best in the series. I LOVE Cole who is so vulnerable.
Great review, Wave.
At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t a big fan of either Cole or Jonathan. I’d say, Cole is particularly, not our usual m/m romance protagonist (campy characters are usually supporting acts), but Marie Sexton proves that Cole is real and very much worth our affection. I love this book the most, actually, out of all the stories from this universe. I can see her writing has gotten (even) better and her characterisation shows she digs deeper into characters.
I really enjoyed it and even shedded a few tears for them. 🙂
Hi Eve
Thanks for the nice words and it’s great to see you. 🙂
Like you, at first these characters didn’t thrill me but as the story progressed I fell in love with Cole (much more so than Jon who was a prick in the previous books) but then in the end Jon showed he was capable of being redeemed. Great characterizations and writing. I also loved the supporting characters who worked out well.
I think you’re right that Strawberries is the best of the series so far, with Promises coming right up behind it. I shed a few tears for Jon and Cole at the end of the book.
Hi Wave,
>>Thanks for letting me know. I had no idea. I don’t seem to have any time to visit author sites so I depend on readers like yourself to tell me what’s coming up.<<
Hahah, yeah, when I liked a book I search through the author's website top to bottom, left to right to find out everything! *lol*
TT
You can be my eyes and ears on upcoming stories by authors you like whose books are reviewed here. LOL
This was my first book from this writer and I loved it. Therefore I do not have this history with Jon so I was not prejudiced.
I do not know if would have continued after that first dinner!
Ingrid
Of all the other books I think you will like Promises best in this series. Glad you liked Jon – he did redeem himself. 🙂 The book was great!
I read this last week and really loved it. Marie seems to be maturing as a writer and while I have enjoyed all of her books, each subsequent one seems to be better than the one before. I thought this one had the most complex character development–even Jon, once he got a clue. But that was part of his character, too. Anyway, this was a definite 5 star read for me. All of them have been. Even though I might have little niggles, they are not big enough issues to detract from my overall enjoyment of the story.
Great review, Wave!
L
Hi Leslie
I loved this book, and as I said to TT Kove, the only reason I didn’t rate it as 5 stars was because I had some trouble with Jon’s characterization and I much prefer a strong 4.75 stars than a soft 5. In any event it was a wonderful read and I enjoyed Cole a lot.
Did you say that ALL of the books were 5 star reads for you? I would have rated Promises as 4.5, and A – Z and The Letter Z probably lower, but that’s just me.
Who knows, when I do a re-read of Strawberries I might change my rating – it’s been known to happen on rare occasions. 🙂
This is in my tbr pile; looks like I should bump it up!
PD
You really should get to this book soon. It’s a wonderful read and I think it’s the best in the series. The evolution of the two characters was wonderful and I think she handled Jon’s relationship with his dad with delicacy and tact.
I just finished it last night and I enjoyed it so much just as I have enjoyed all her other books.
When a book can make me shed a tear I know it’s extremely well written. Just totally loved Jonathan and Cole and their journey:-)
Becky
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book. I loved it so much and I have re-read it a couple of times because the characters are so great. Cole is one of my favourite characters. 🙂
I have just read this book, and I really enjoyed it! At the beginning, I was reticent about the characters and then,… waouw! I got stuck to this story and was sad when I finished the book!I laughed, I cried… well, that doesn’t happen so often, but I found this story fascinating. I’d like to read more books from Marie Sexton (but it’s difficult to find these books in France)
Hi Mona
I’m so happy you loved this book as much as I did. If yoo want to find other books by this author you can check her out at Dreamspinner Press here:
http://tinyurl.com/4z8f4vg
OR at Allromanceebooks:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/
Finally read and enjoyed the books(need to check now the short stories)
Thank you for these series reviews 🙂
Hi Helena
That’s so great that you enjoyed these books as much as we all did. Marie is a wonderful writer and I’ll be reviewing a lesser known book of hers later this week or early next week that, while sad, shows what a wonderful writer she is. She has a new book coming out shortly so watch for it. 🙂
Really? I´ll be keeping an eye 🙂