⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A sizzlin’ five stars to Bruce Spydar’s latest book, Refining My Dining: The Changing Tastes of Megan Turner! Whew… This one is smokin’ hot! 😆
Find it on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09VH9DJ74/
Wicked Grins – When Not Laughing Out Loud
For the past week I’ve said to my husband every evening: I’ll talk to you later. I’m going to bed with Mr. Spydar.
“Refining My Dining: The Changing Tastes of Megan Turner,” a spinoff of author Bruce Spydar’s Shy Backpacker series, has kept me company in the delicate space between daily life and sweet dreams. My mouth has watered over the delectable dishes described, and the spicier corners of my brain have feasted on the author’s tales of mischief between the sheets.
I came to Spydar’s Shy Backpacker series late and had only read the first installment (Diary of a Shy Backpacker: Awakening Down Under) by the time “Refining My Dining” was published. I REALLY wanted to read this latest book, so I skipped ahead since it was from a different character’s perspective (Megan Turner’s) versus B.J.’s (the main character in the first three Shy Backpacker books).
I’d hoped my decision wouldn’t leave me confused with the general arc of Spydar’s overall storyline for the series and spinoff.
Guess what? It worked. During the first half of “Refining My Dining,” when Megan referred to her experience with meeting and spending time with B.J. in Australia, it was a hoot to see the scenes from Megan’s perspective. Just beyond halfway through “Refining My Dining” there were some references to a couple of scenes from books two and three in the Shy Backpackers series, but it was quite minimal. I did not feel like I missed anything AND I didn’t feel like I was reading a spoiler.
In fact, it wet my whistle to go back and read those earlier books from the author.
My point: If you have only read the first book in the Shy Backpacker series – you can DEFINITELY read “Refining My Dining” and still enjoy it. Also, if you haven’t read any of Bruce Spydar’s other books, you can read this one. I believe it can be read as a standalone – but I’d be holding back the goodies if I didn’t encourage you to at least read “Diary of a Shy Backpacker: Awakening Down Under.” It definitely made the storyline in “Refining My Dining” … tastier.
Now let’s get to the really good stuff.
Author Bruce Spydar freely admits he has a spicier side – and by that I mean he’s naughty when he’s writing his characters. Very, very naughty. But he creates charming, loveable, and down-to-earth characters you can’t help but like. Oh sure, Megan might make you squirm with some of her antics or with some of the dirty words that tumble out of her mouth, but you can’t help but laugh and cheer her on anyway. She is genuine. She says some of the things we’re all thinking.
And Megan is honest and DOES spend a lot of time thinking about relationships and sex. She IS questioning as she seeks both fulfillment as a person who wants a meaningful relationship AND as a sexual being desiring physical gratification. Throughout this book, she talks directly to the reader about these subjects. In fact, I was put in mind of the hit TV show “Fleabag” starring Phoebe Waller-Bridge. While “Refining My Dining’s” Megan Turner is NOT as, shall we say ‘romantically active’ as “Fleabag,” you really DO feel you are a friend along for the ride with Bruce Spydar’s saucy star as she prepares dinner and reminisces about scrumptious food and racy rendezvous while abroad. You feel like you are being let in on it all.
The book itself spans (for the most part) just one day and night with Megan as she puts together a lovely feast – and herself – for her dinner guest (B.J.). From deciding on ingredients in the trifle, to selecting the evening’s knickers, you are part of the night with a fun – and funny – character.
The truth: I grinned my way through most of this book. I laughed out loud more times than I counted. I had a great time.
There *are* some graphic descriptions of sex (I’m okay with that!) and some are pretty funny… like having sex in a bunkbed. I literally snorted with laughter when I read that scene. But don’t dismay, the author also penned in some very steamy and NOT funny scenarios. He’s got you covered.
While I would say this book is a fantastic, humorous, feel-good read, I would be remiss if I didn’t applaud the author for sprinkling in lovely sentiments that we all can appreciate.
In Megan Turner’s words: “If there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the last year, it’s just how much of a role luck plays in our lives. You can never tell what awaits you around the next corner … but you’ll also never find out, unless you go and take a look.”
Indeed. And now it’s your turn – go take a look! Go pick up your copy of “Refining My Dining” and prepare to grin wickedly while you devour this delightful feast brought to you by the shy backpacker himself, author Bruce Spydar.
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