This was a sweet and sad and ultimately happy romance between Miles and Nic. First, though, there is the end of Miles relationship with Ital. I really liked this story, I just wished the recipes were included, they sounded delicious! ( )

First of all, let start with the point that I liked this novel, sex scenes and all, and this was odd for two reasons, one that I usually don’t care much for the sex, unless is good, and second, the sex happens between two men who aren’t the intended romance of the story. Miles is in a dying relationship with Itai, and that is clear, and he meets Nic, who could be the right man. But Miles is not a cheater, and so, while he is still committed to Itai, he will not betray him, if not with the feelings that he is starting to develop for Nic. But Miles and Itai are also young, and they like sex, Miles in particular, and they are healthy young men, and so, during the development of the story, there are intercourses between them, and as I said, they are good, even if unfulfilling from an emotional point of view. Here the odd, I usually don’t care for unemotional sex, but this time it was so natural, that I did, saving sharing the same disappointment as Miles, when, in the aftermath of the sex, he realized that good sex wasn’t enough to satisfy him.

Sweet & Sour is an Hanukkah story, and the Jewish heritage of Miles is an important element of the story, from the more evident aspect, being Miles the owner of a kosher deli, to the little details like the tradition of lighting a candle for each night of the Hanukkah and sharing little gifts with your beloved.

I have always enjoyed these seasonal romances by Astrid Amara, they are now a longed for yearly appointment.

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