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The Charred Grape: A Short Story
Rachael, a hardworking single mom, juggles the chaos of making ends meet as a waitress at the beloved restaurant The Charred Grape and always strives to be the best mother she can for her young son, Leo.
When the restaurant is bought out and taken over by a new owner, Rachael and the rest of the staff are understandably more than a little nervous. Will they lose their jobs? Will new management be so unbearable they'll be forced to quit? Will their loyal customers accept this change of hands?
Those nerves turn into something else entirely as the days pass and Rachael learns more about her new boss and also becomes friends with the new chef. What starts as an easy and carefree back-of-the-house and afterhours friendship quickly seems to be turning into something else, but can Rachael find space in her busy, high-stress life for romance?
This short story originally appeared in Recipes for A Sweet Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in January 2025. This ebook contains small edits from the author.
When the restaurant is bought out and taken over by a new owner, Rachael and the rest of the staff are understandably more than a little nervous. Will they lose their jobs? Will new management be so unbearable they'll be forced to quit? Will their loyal customers accept this change of hands?
Those nerves turn into something else entirely as the days pass and Rachael learns more about her new boss and also becomes friends with the new chef. What starts as an easy and carefree back-of-the-house and afterhours friendship quickly seems to be turning into something else, but can Rachael find space in her busy, high-stress life for romance?
This short story originally appeared in Recipes for A Sweet Valentine's Day Anthology published by And You Press, an imprint of Nicole Frail Books, released in January 2025. This ebook contains small edits from the author.
36 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 5, 2025
15 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 26, 2025
A nice short story while decompressing after the Xmas chaos of joy.
Rachael is your atypical hardworking and single moms. She is juggling her job and her private life. When the restaurant she is working at is bought out and taken over by a new owner, Rachael and the staff are concerned for their jobs. However, things turn to hope when she is offered a promotion and she becomes close to the new chef.
This was short and sweet. Lovely to read over a couple of coffee like me.
Rachael was a sweet pea. She deserves the best.
The chef (I can't remember his name) was meh. I didn't like his reaction at the bar. He just jumped to the worst conclusions even though she had mentioned her son before. Like...what?
Rachael is a gem and deserved better. I hope he groveled at some point. We didn't really get to see that. It was a quick fix and next thing we know it was the epilogue. I would've liked to see him grovel JUST a teeny bit.
I'll give this 3 stars.
Short and sweet to read over your coffee.
Rachael is your atypical hardworking and single moms. She is juggling her job and her private life. When the restaurant she is working at is bought out and taken over by a new owner, Rachael and the staff are concerned for their jobs. However, things turn to hope when she is offered a promotion and she becomes close to the new chef.
This was short and sweet. Lovely to read over a couple of coffee like me.
Rachael was a sweet pea. She deserves the best.
The chef (I can't remember his name) was meh. I didn't like his reaction at the bar. He just jumped to the worst conclusions even though she had mentioned her son before. Like...what?
Rachael is a gem and deserved better. I hope he groveled at some point. We didn't really get to see that. It was a quick fix and next thing we know it was the epilogue. I would've liked to see him grovel JUST a teeny bit.
I'll give this 3 stars.
Short and sweet to read over your coffee.
February 3, 2026
Short stories are hard to write. To put a whole novel-worthy story into 28-30 pages (that page number is specific to this story) is really hard! I was actually surprised and really pleased reading this story. I thought the story was well paced, and I fell for the FMC by the end who is a single mom. I wish we had learned a little more about the MMC, but we had enough for me to support the workplace romance in this restaurant.
June 22, 2025
love this short and sweet
Easy, feel good read. Even though it was short, the characters were lovable and I got invested in them. I actually like the shortness because I could finish it in between things.
Easy, feel good read. Even though it was short, the characters were lovable and I got invested in them. I actually like the shortness because I could finish it in between things.
September 1, 2025
Aweeeeee
Yesssss another cute story! I love when they're original and whilst this one had a minor misunderstanding I am happy it was resolved quickly and ended with a kiss and then with a lil something more ;)
Yesssss another cute story! I love when they're original and whilst this one had a minor misunderstanding I am happy it was resolved quickly and ended with a kiss and then with a lil something more ;)
April 26, 2025
Sweet romance short story
This is a cute story that draws you in. The characters were well enough developed that I would have enjoyed a little more from them!
This is a cute story that draws you in. The characters were well enough developed that I would have enjoyed a little more from them!
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April 30, 2025No rating⭐️
May 21, 2025
such a cute, adorable short story! perfect for a plane ride!
July 27, 2025
Cute short story!!
July 31, 2025
Very good for a short story
November 1, 2025
I’m sure this story is fine but I can’t read a damn thing with the grey text on my black background.
July 30, 2025
Short sweet romantic story with a happily ever after. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews