Well...I waited until the last minute with an ARC again...my bad? Here's Nik Knight's "Gratification in Gluttony." Its the second novel in their Passing Through Cafe series.
["When Jude entered The Passing Through Cafe, Toni thought he’d be nothing more than a fun night, a challenge to win, a fixation to satisfy; Toni didn’t expect Jude to be exactly what he never knew he was looking for.
As the rightful heir to the Maryno family dynasty, Toni grew up with clear expectations of who he was supposed to be, and more importantly, who he wasn’t. Growing up a constant disappointment isn’t a childhood experience he recommends, but he’s come a long way from the little boy who could never measure up to his family’s toxic standards. At twenty-nine, he’s finally proud of the man he’s built himself into, and while the routine of his life is simple and, sure, sometimes lonely, he’s content.
Or so he thought.
Enter Jude, a human from across the veil, who ignites something in him that he’s never allowed himself to indulge, and Toni can’t wait to burn. While the spark of attraction is instantaneous, he knows it’s going to take more than a romp in the hay to win the human over. So Toni quickly sets to work, proving to Jude that home can be found in the most unexpected places, that chosen family is always worth fighting for, and that their love is far from small."]
Oh the crack and utter chaos and mayhem and quirk of these characters. The first chapter was craaaaazy as fuck, but also familiar and endearing (if you knew this cast of found family, you'd understand).
Toni was soooooo gone on Jude from the moment he laid eyes on him. It didn't take Jude all that much longer, to be perfectly honest. But Jude did resist for a loooong while, creating a sort of hurt-comfort anxiety thing that broke my heart (and Toni's a bit) while also fueling Toni's hope (and mine). But when Jude let himself be vulnerable and accept his feelings for Toni?! Perfection.
Soooooo much fluff. There was so much giving of comfort and confidence. I mean seriously, this group of neurodivergent misfits are the most supportive people.
And okay, I can see how, from Toni's POV, the things he (mostly accidentally) said in the first book came across less playful and more asshole-y. He (usually) means well (the wellest in the world (that's Gem coming through)).
I need Gem's HEA now. He's a hot fucking mess, but he's soooooo adorable about it! D: And Rusty?! I don't know what to say about Rusty besides "And Rusty?!"; if you knew him and his antics/history/feelings, it would be enough (though Gem would have a lot more to say on the subject).
Trigger Warnings: nonconsensual drugging of drinks (not between MCs), mention of previous sex work, toxic family dynamics, gaslighting, manipulation, family rejection based on bigotry, homophobia, transphobia, classism, speciesism, bigotry, FtM trans rep and associated discussion, and more.
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