In the Distance by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin

In the Distance by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I do so love this series. When the chance to review In the Distance came up I pounced on it. As much as Jamie and Ethan’s story broke my heart and put it back together, I knew there was no way I could pass up the chance to check in on them – at least I was hopeful that this book would include appearances by them. Truth be told, when I reread the blurb before starting the book I couldn’t remember who Tyler and Trevor were, but within mere pages I found myself immersed in the kitchen at Bistro 30 – the kitchen that was not only run by Ethan and Jamie, but also the kitchen in which Tyler has seemed to flourish in the interim. While it took me a little longer to remember who Trevor was and his role in In the Fire, I got a kick out of watching him antagonize Ethan.

While I was glad to see that Jamie and Ethan played huge roles in this book, the focus is clearly on Tyler and Trevor. I don’t remember how much of Tyler’s past was revealed in the previous books, but it absolutely broke my heart to hear what he endured when his parents learned he was gay. Their reaction is what makes his acceptance by the Bistro 30 family so important to him and why he’s worked so hard to prove that he deserved the chance that Ethan gave him, even if he’s come to realize that it may not be exactly what he wants to do. Despite his chosen family, the long hours working, school, and time spent volunteering, Tyler is lonely – he wants what Jamie and Ethan have. When the opportunity arises to spend some time with Trevor, Tyler accepts knowing nothing will ever come of it because they’re from two different worlds. But Tyler offers Trevor something he hasn’t had since his friendship with Jamie – acceptance for who he is and not for his family’s money or name. Disregarding Ethan’s threats of bodily harm and Jamie’s warning, Trevor pursues a friendship with Tyler because with a ten year age difference and two thousand miles between them that’s all there can be. Or is it?

I loved getting to know Tyler and Trevor better and watching them learn that the other’s life wasn’t necessarily what they thought. I really liked that while Trevor’s family has money, he wasn’t raised an elitist; his parents strove to keep him grounded and practical and while he couldn’t relate to Tyler’s financial situation or parental situation, he was able to appreciate their differences without being condescending. As much as I hated what I learned about Tyler’s past, it served to shape him into the person he’s become and his forced maturity obliterated any age difference issues. While it may seem corny, I loved that Tyler was still a virgin because it not only pointed to how much he didn’t let his time on the streets change him, but it also gave him the chance for his first time to be with someone he loved. Because of Tyler’s inexperience, there is a lot of foreplay in In the Distance and it made for some steamy reading, but the actual sex scenes were scorching. Of course Michaels and Griffin made sure that Tyler and Trevor’s journey wasn’t a smooth one, thereby insuring that I would shed a tear or two, but I loved every bit of it. In the Distance was a wonderful addition to the In the Kitchen series – one I know I will read again – and I cannot wait for the next installment.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

Check out the In the Distance (In the Kitchen #3) by Nikka Michaels & Eileen Griffin blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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