Feeling the Heat

Career Men, Book 1

By: Austin Bates, Jill Haven

Narrated by: Aleks Esquire

Who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too?

After nearly two decades in the business chef and restaurateur Ewin Storm knows which ingredients mix well. And a relationship with an employee is a recipe for disaster. But when August catches his eye at a local culinary school, he knows he needs to taste the intriguing omega. Maybe it’s time for an old alpha to learn something new about love?

Things are getting hot in the kitchen....

It’s a dream come true to work for Ewin Storm, but August is determined to keep things strictly professional with the older alpha. It doesn’t matter that he’s had a crush on the celebrity chef for years. He’s going to nail his new job and cement his place as a talented chef in his own right. But Ewin’s hands-on approach means they’re spending more and more time together - and soon the oven isn’t the only thing heating up.

A driven older alpha, a beautiful young omega, and a relationship that’s too intense to ignore. The ingredients shouldn’t mix, but some recipes break all the rules and taste better for it. Ewin and August will need to decide whether their passion is a one-night-only special, or if it should be added to the menu permanently.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2019 Special Fiction Books (P)2020 Special Fiction Books

More please!

I really want more of this series right now. I really liked this story. I felt like I was watching a cooking show on tv. I highly recommend this book. The narration was AWESOME. I hope to hear more from Aleks Esquire

Have Fun - Take Care - And Put Your Heart Into It

“Have fun - take care - and put your heart into it” is internationally renowned chef Ewin Storm’s motto in ‘Feeling the Heat' by Jill Haven and Austin Bates.

August is a young culinary student who has idolized Ewin’s talents from afar. His dreams of working with Ewin come true when Ewin returns to their home town of Cedar Falls to open a new restaurant and care for his mother.

Ewin, August, and most of the characters in this audiobook version of the romance novel nicely narrated by Aleks Esquire, are easy to like. Unfortunately, and I know that not everyone shares this view, I have never understood the need to classify wonderfully written characters as alphas and omega - and mpreg novels are definitely not among the books I typically seek out. That bias has undoubtedly influenced my rating.

Having said that, I should also note that every other element of ‘Feeling the Heat’ is cleverly constructed, and, for the most party, the story is ultimately satisfying. If the alpha/omega concept is not off-putting to you, this will be a audiobook to enjoy.

A Nice Burn

Feeling the Heat is a delicious story of culinary students putting the sharp edge to their skills, and graduating to jobs in premier restaurants.

The competition for the tops spots is fierce, not unlike the reality TV chef shows. Both Jared and August are chosen for the new restaurant, both have different skill sets. One has an unhealthy jealous streak.

Opening night serves up disaster after disaster, bringing the anger of the owner into the kitchen. It doesn't take long to ruin the reputation of a restaurant, and the owner is facing that moment.

There are a lot of secondary characters in the story, and various plot points that enrich the tale, including a heartbreaking family illness. With so much going on, I feel that the ending was rushed to have all the players lined up for an HEA.

Narrator Aleks Esquire is a pleasure to listen to, with a voice that is smooth and easy.

Great start to the series

Its a good little angsty lighthearted story. My only annoyance was the non resolution to the little sub plot involving August's brother. Why even include it if you just let it fizzle out? Hopefully it comes up in a future book. Narration was done really well.

Feeling the Heat

Feeling the Heat is book 1 in the Career Men series. This was an enjoyable story but I think Ewin got off too easy after completely humiliating August. August is an aspiring chef and Ewin is looking for people to work in the kitchen of the new restaurant he's opening. It should be a win win.....
Narrator Aleks Esquire does a wonderful job.

A good story

Okay, this was entertaining, and if you like books with a lot of heat, then you're for a treat.

But the thing is, I don't like Ewin Storm. The way he presents himself, as someone unable to restraint himself, and perving on an employee he just met and with whom he had exchanged maybe ten words creeped me out. And his treatment of August didn't make me like him more, either.

Having the horrible situation in which August finds himself (jobless, homeless, alone and pregnant) as the reasons why they end together... well, not the best solution to their relationship's problems.

But it held my attention for almost eight hours, so you can say that the storytelling is good :P

Aleks Esquire did a good job with the narration

the heart wins

I liked Ewin's morales and how he tried to stay true to his moral compass with August despite his passion. I appreciated each man supporting the other. I loved the employees sticking up for August against Ewin. Lots of challenges and misunderstandings to overcome. Great feels and ending.

enjoyed it

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes

Story comment: Engaging, well written characters and a good pace. I enjoyed this mentor/mentee relationship and watching it grow.

Aleks Esquire is a new narrator for me and I think he's done a good job on Feeling the Heat. I had no problem distinguishing characters and the rhythm, inflections and intonations all worked to bring the book to life. I will happily pickup further titles from him going forward.

Ewin and August

Ewin is definitely drawn to August and fights it big time. He has a lot on his plate and he's been burnt by romancing a coworker before. August had a crappy childhood filled with neglect and abandonment. I liked that his past has driven him to reach for a better life. Once they give in to their attraction it just gets better. They fit together and complement one another's personalities. I was so disappointed in Ewin when he lost his temper and wouldn't listen or give August a chance to explain. The ending was satisfying.

Audiobook: I really enjoyed this narrator.

Heat in the kitchen

Aleks Esquire does a good job narrating this auio. He adds great inflection in different characters that bring them to life.
Overall the story has a good feeling to it and the flow is good. The latter part of the story felt a little bit rushed.

Thank you Austin for letting me listen to this audio.