Honey and Pepper

Maybe a little slight compared to previous books by this author, notably the [b:Sword Dance 51856712 Sword Dance (Sword Dance, #1) A.J. Demas https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1564091594l/51856712.SX50_SY75.jpg 71873589] trilogy, but still delightful with a side order of food for thought.

I was very excited when AJ Demas announced a new series, because I really enjoy her work. In fact, I was counting down the hours until I could read this, and I'm happy to say that I enjoyed it just as much as I hoped to. This is an m/m romance and it stands alone. You don't need to have read any of her other work. This one only shares a setting (an imaginary version of the ancient Mediterranean, specifically Rome here) with her others. There are a few characters mentioned who were also present in other books. But only the philosopher Lysandros (he was in [b:Strong Wine 58848650 Strong Wine (Sword Dance #3) A.J. Demas https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1629842564l/58848650.SX50.jpg 92695923]) is important here, and he gets fully introduced in relation to the new characters. So, no background required.One of my favorite things about AJ Demas's work is how well she writes character voices, and she does a fantastic job with that here. I loved all the side characters and I can easily imagine (and would read books about!) their lives outside of these pages. But the spotlight is on Nikias and Kallion, and this book is dual PoV, which worked well for the story. They are lovable and complex characters. The story has a fairly leisurely pace, and there's time for a good amount of domestic fluff, which was all fantastic. I also believe completely in their love for each other. Nikias and Kallion have both had difficult pasts, for different reasons, and their experiences have shaped who they are and allowed them to relate to one another. That's all important here, but it isn't the book's only focus. Both MCs truly appreciate each other as they are, both physically and otherwise, and I loved everything about that. Nikias is fat and tall, and his size is definitely part of Kallion's attraction to him. The plot also gives both MCs room to embrace their own skills, to encourage each other, and to grow as people. The non-romance plot has to do with organized crime, which I didn't expect at all from the blurb. I don't know how the plot would seem to someone who's more familiar with those kinds of stories than I am, but I liked it and it kept my attention. There are a few twists and turns as that plot thread progresses, but nothing really shocking. As you might guess from the cover and title, there are some lovely food descriptions. I really could praise this book all day, but I'll leave it here. I was delighted to spend more time in this world and to meet these new and wonderful characters. Looking forward to the next book.Content warnings (to be clear, these are things I noticed, not things I object to or don't object to, and it's not meant to be an exhaustive list):Two characters who start out as slaveowners free their slaves. They're not portrayed as villains for having owned slaves.One MC has experienced past sexual abuse and has complicated feelings about it.There's an on-page attempted sexual assault, other on-page violence, and off-page violence.There's some period-typical internalized homophobia, related to specific sex acts. This issue causes an early conflict between the MCs and it gets resolved.