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By Way of Vegan Donuts
In a tourist town in the Canadian Rockies, Simon is spending the summer working at his sister-in-law’s bookstore. Shy around new people, Simon prefers to keep his nose in a book. When Benji, a local who works at a café down the street, hears Simon is vegan, he figures the best way to welcome him is bake him a vegan donut.
Upon their first meeting, there’s an undeniable burst of chemistry. Simon is drawn to Benji’s outgoing personality and wants to get to know him better. All Simon has to do is figure out a way to get over his nervousness and ask the casually flirty Benji on a date.
Upon their first meeting, there’s an undeniable burst of chemistry. Simon is drawn to Benji’s outgoing personality and wants to get to know him better. All Simon has to do is figure out a way to get over his nervousness and ask the casually flirty Benji on a date.
56 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2015
65 people want to read
About the author
Kay Walker
19 books5 followersKay Walker was born and raised on the Canadian Prairies. Growing up in a small, rural town, books not only helped to pass the time but also became a beloved form of entertainment. Reading opened up the world in ways Kay could only dream about. And dream she did! Kay now loves trying to create characters, plots, and entire worlds of her own in hopes to entertain others.
In addition to reading and writing, Kay likes watching movies and television shows – especially anything supernatural, sci-fi, LGBT, or with strong female characters. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and tries to be buddies with the elliptical. (They don’t always get along.)
In addition to reading and writing, Kay likes watching movies and television shows – especially anything supernatural, sci-fi, LGBT, or with strong female characters. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and tries to be buddies with the elliptical. (They don’t always get along.)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 20, 2015
"By Way of Vegan Donuts" was very desert-like, actually. It was light, sweet, fluffy and pretty easy to digest.
My only real issue with the book was that it was a bit 'too' light for my taste, even for a short, 48-page short read. There wasn't any conflict, other than them being nervous about asking none another out on a date.
Both MC's were completely adorable and they went on a few outings together, then after their third date, had themselves a bit of fairly-steamy sex for desert, but for me it wasn't quite enough.
Don't get me wrong, these two boys were extremely cute together and I was rooting for them to overcome their shyness and make a go of it. Which they did. Sort of.
Yes, I get that the only reason for Simon to even be in the small tourist town at the foothills of the Canadian Rockies it to spend time with his sister-in-law and 9 y.0. niece, after Simon's brother passes away from a heart attack six months prior.
Several pages are devoted to that plot point, but they left me feeling a bit "meh." The brother's death felt pretty glossed over.
Yes, I realize the Simon is only in town for his college summer break and that the boys are attracted to one another. Then after sharing an orgasm and a donut (vegan, of course), they agree to do it again.
Right. Got it. Okay. And...?That's mainly the part that left me a bit unfulfilled when the book ended.
Was this headed toward an HFN? I couldn't really tell.
A short one page mini-epilogue with Simon and Benji alluding to their relationship having continued after Simon returns to school, hinting at some genuine feelings, that would have given me everything that I'd hoped for.
The book wasn't sexy enough to fall into the erotic category for me, but there weren't nearly enough feels for me to place it as a romance either.
So this one rates about 3 *more-sprinkles-please* stars for me.
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My ARC copy of the book was provided by the publisher in exchange for a fair, unbiased review.
July 27, 2015
2.75
I liked the style but there was something about the story that didn't quite work for me. I'm from Alberta so I enjoyed reading a romance set there and as much as a love a slow burn this was almost too much of one. Still, if you're looking for a read that's sweet and just two young guys falling for each other this would be a quick cute read for you.
I liked the style but there was something about the story that didn't quite work for me. I'm from Alberta so I enjoyed reading a romance set there and as much as a love a slow burn this was almost too much of one. Still, if you're looking for a read that's sweet and just two young guys falling for each other this would be a quick cute read for you.
August 5, 2015
This novella was a 2 star read for me up until I reached the last scene and it was smoking hot! Ms Walker, you sure know how to write boy on boy hot stuff and I would have been thrilled to read some porn with little plot from you!
PS. I don't know how vegan this story is as the best part of it definitely contained some errr... sausage.
PS. I don't know how vegan this story is as the best part of it definitely contained some errr... sausage.
July 22, 2015
Okay. 3.5 stars for the laid back and adorable story and an extra ½ star for Simon being my vegan twin who loves tea and reading.
This was as sweet as the title implies. Not only is Simon adorable, but I tell you, the man is my twin. The way he used books growing up and how he still feels about them now. I mean, he IS me and then he is Vegan and I want to sit down and make tofu scramble with coconut bacon with him.
Benji again, adorable. The boys were totes adorable and the story if very laid back with absolutely no angst at all, which was exactly what I was looking for. Benji is used to guys telling him how forward he is so he dials it down with Simon, which is what Simon needs though Simon has been told he isn't forward enough with guys but these two fumble and become friends and Benji is so damn thoughtful with Simon, he stole my heart.
But while this is sweet and low with the drama, these two put on a show that is really fitting for them. You know that saying; a saint on the streets, a devil in the sheets? Or whichever 10,000 ways you've heard it put? Yup, totes that these adorable boys...
Simon, I love you, my vegan/book loving/tea drinking twin. But Benji's got ya there.
Anyway. This was adorable and lovely and I would of course, love to read more about Simon and Benji as this was short, but it was good. I am in a happy place right now and will go eat some vegan yogurt since there are no donuts in my town and that is a down right shame.
ETA: Not sure how I had two editions of this and how it all got messed up. BUT... this was my reading progress on the other one as I will delete the duplicate. So weird.
Simon tended to go a little out of focus when he talked about books, more lost in his own head than paying attention to who he was speaking to
This was as sweet as the title implies. Not only is Simon adorable, but I tell you, the man is my twin. The way he used books growing up and how he still feels about them now. I mean, he IS me and then he is Vegan and I want to sit down and make tofu scramble with coconut bacon with him.
Benji again, adorable. The boys were totes adorable and the story if very laid back with absolutely no angst at all, which was exactly what I was looking for. Benji is used to guys telling him how forward he is so he dials it down with Simon, which is what Simon needs though Simon has been told he isn't forward enough with guys but these two fumble and become friends and Benji is so damn thoughtful with Simon, he stole my heart.
“I knew they probably wouldn’t sell a snack you’d eat.” Benji slung off his pack and reached in. “So I brought us stuff. Some fruit and some of those granola bars I made last week. I made more.”
Simon blinked at him. “You brought me vegan food?”
“Uh-huh.”
But while this is sweet and low with the drama, these two put on a show that is really fitting for them. You know that saying; a saint on the streets, a devil in the sheets? Or whichever 10,000 ways you've heard it put? Yup, totes that these adorable boys...
“No retreating in to a shy hipster boy!”
“But I am a shy hipster boy,” Simon protested weakly.
“Maybe,” Benji agreed, “but you’re also an animal in the
sack.”
“Oh goodness, I’m not.”
“You are!”
Simon, I love you, my vegan/book loving/tea drinking twin. But Benji's got ya there.
Anyway. This was adorable and lovely and I would of course, love to read more about Simon and Benji as this was short, but it was good. I am in a happy place right now and will go eat some vegan yogurt since there are no donuts in my town and that is a down right shame.
ETA: Not sure how I had two editions of this and how it all got messed up. BUT... this was my reading progress on the other one as I will delete the duplicate. So weird.
July 27, 2015
This was super cute and adorable, with two young men who are both a bit on the shy side, but figure things out anyway.
No real conflict, just a super sweet, fluffy, adorable romance. One of the MCs is a vegan booknerd, the other is a baker who falls hard and fast. They complement each other. I believed their romance, even if it was compressed into less than 50 pages, and I bought their HFN.
Also, fab SIL for Simon. Great supporting cast.
Just really cute. Good flow, good writing, no insta-love, nicely done.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
No real conflict, just a super sweet, fluffy, adorable romance. One of the MCs is a vegan booknerd, the other is a baker who falls hard and fast. They complement each other. I believed their romance, even if it was compressed into less than 50 pages, and I bought their HFN.
Also, fab SIL for Simon. Great supporting cast.
Just really cute. Good flow, good writing, no insta-love, nicely done.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **
July 22, 2015
3.5 stars
Simon moves to the small town of Canmore, Alberta, to help his sister-in-law after his older brother (her husband) passed away. A week after he arrives, he receives a welcome gift from Benji works at a café down the street: the welcome gift is a package of vegan donuts. Apparently Benji hears from Simon’s sister-in-law about him (and him being a vegan) and he wants to try out some vegan recipes. Simon then visits Benji to say thanks and well, there is attraction and friendship soon follows.
I must admit that the word “Vegan Donuts” on the title was what caught my eyes. It was intriguing. Then I thought the blurb promised a sweet story to go along with it. And I totally got what I expected. The tone of this story was laid-back – there wasn’t huge drama looming over it. Both Simon and Benji were likeable characters. Simon was a bit shy; he loved his books and his tea. While Benji was more outgoing (he said that he used to be one of the jocks in school); he loved his adventure and sports. But the two of them clicked and they enjoyed each other's company. We also had secondary characters in form of Simon’s sister-in-law and his niece, which added to the realistic day-to-day feel to it.
I loved reading the backdrop of a Canadian small town. We had the men hiking the mountain and staring out at the beautiful Lake Louise. I could imagine the beautiful scenery – definitely looked like a postcard in my head – and I wish I could be there myself.
Bottom line, I think By Way of Vegan Donuts is a sweet, light-angst, conflict-free, and low-steam story with two likeable characters. Bonus for the vegan character, although it would be nice to see more vegan-related food or menu (*grin*).
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
Simon moves to the small town of Canmore, Alberta, to help his sister-in-law after his older brother (her husband) passed away. A week after he arrives, he receives a welcome gift from Benji works at a café down the street: the welcome gift is a package of vegan donuts. Apparently Benji hears from Simon’s sister-in-law about him (and him being a vegan) and he wants to try out some vegan recipes. Simon then visits Benji to say thanks and well, there is attraction and friendship soon follows.
I must admit that the word “Vegan Donuts” on the title was what caught my eyes. It was intriguing. Then I thought the blurb promised a sweet story to go along with it. And I totally got what I expected. The tone of this story was laid-back – there wasn’t huge drama looming over it. Both Simon and Benji were likeable characters. Simon was a bit shy; he loved his books and his tea. While Benji was more outgoing (he said that he used to be one of the jocks in school); he loved his adventure and sports. But the two of them clicked and they enjoyed each other's company. We also had secondary characters in form of Simon’s sister-in-law and his niece, which added to the realistic day-to-day feel to it.
I loved reading the backdrop of a Canadian small town. We had the men hiking the mountain and staring out at the beautiful Lake Louise. I could imagine the beautiful scenery – definitely looked like a postcard in my head – and I wish I could be there myself.
Bottom line, I think By Way of Vegan Donuts is a sweet, light-angst, conflict-free, and low-steam story with two likeable characters. Bonus for the vegan character, although it would be nice to see more vegan-related food or menu (*grin*).
A Guest Review for The Blogger Girls
The ARC is provided by the publisher for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.
July 28, 2015
Full of the little adventures that happen when two young men get to know each other during a summer break for one of them, this is a sweet story with lots of entertaining and fun moments. With Simon being a bit of a shy bookworm, and Benji seeming a lot more forward than he turns out to be, the dynamics between them were cute, and I liked the way they carefully approached each other.
Simon is a student, and he spends the summer with his sister-in-law and his niece six months after his older brother died. The small town of Canmore in the Canadian Rockies is a great setting, but Simon is too shy to go exploring on his own. Luckily Benji, who works in the café close-by, is a little less hesitant and they begin to date after Benji sends Simon a vegan donut as welcome-to-town present. It was fun to watch Simon slowly emerge from his shell as he got to know Benji better.
If you like short, entertaining stories about two guys just starting out in life, if you don’t mind a Happy For Now ending, and if you’re looking for a light read that will make you smile, then you will probably enjoy this short novella.
Simon is a student, and he spends the summer with his sister-in-law and his niece six months after his older brother died. The small town of Canmore in the Canadian Rockies is a great setting, but Simon is too shy to go exploring on his own. Luckily Benji, who works in the café close-by, is a little less hesitant and they begin to date after Benji sends Simon a vegan donut as welcome-to-town present. It was fun to watch Simon slowly emerge from his shell as he got to know Benji better.
If you like short, entertaining stories about two guys just starting out in life, if you don’t mind a Happy For Now ending, and if you’re looking for a light read that will make you smile, then you will probably enjoy this short novella.
December 7, 2017
*2,5 stars*
It was a sweet, short , fluffy, mushy story with a unsatisfying ending.
Okay, a bliss sex...and then what?
A holiday hookup only? Or are they going to have another story to come?
This is me, left hanging and unsatisfied.
It was a sweet, short , fluffy, mushy story with a unsatisfying ending.
Okay, a bliss sex...and then what?
A holiday hookup only? Or are they going to have another story to come?
This is me, left hanging and unsatisfied.
August 1, 2015
A sweet little story set in Canada which is always nice. There's not much to it, just two guys dancing around their attraction and finally getting up the nerve to go out. But if you're in the mood for a no-stress read it's a good choice.
July 16, 2019
This is okay, though it doesn't have a ton of depth. Still, it was a fun, quick read.
August 8, 2015
Simon moves to Canmore, Alberta to help his sister-in-law out after his brother’s death. To welcome the newcomer to town, Benji leaves a vegan donut at Simon’s family bookshop.
Simon’s journey from insecurity and grief to HEA is very quick. Benji’s journey from world-travelling adventurer to home-town-settled boyfriend is equally quick. This is a very short story, so I guess the speed is to be expected.
Oddly, however, this starts with the slow build introduction of a good novel. Characters are introduced and built carefully. The Rocky Mountain setting is beautiful. I was actually reading this in a plane flying over the rockies and couldn’t help but appreciate Walker’s language even more as I travelled. I really liked the quiet book-worm Simon and his interactions with his sister-in-law and niece.
But the pace moved very fast once the story started. I can’t help but wish this had been a full novel. Unfortunately, I didn’t ever feel like I really knew Benji - though I wanted to very much. We only see a couple of interactions before the men are attached and there are only a few more moments before they are forever.
I think I’d love this as a novel. As a short story, there are too many gaps and I struggle to believe in the instant HEA.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
Simon’s journey from insecurity and grief to HEA is very quick. Benji’s journey from world-travelling adventurer to home-town-settled boyfriend is equally quick. This is a very short story, so I guess the speed is to be expected.
Oddly, however, this starts with the slow build introduction of a good novel. Characters are introduced and built carefully. The Rocky Mountain setting is beautiful. I was actually reading this in a plane flying over the rockies and couldn’t help but appreciate Walker’s language even more as I travelled. I really liked the quiet book-worm Simon and his interactions with his sister-in-law and niece.
But the pace moved very fast once the story started. I can’t help but wish this had been a full novel. Unfortunately, I didn’t ever feel like I really knew Benji - though I wanted to very much. We only see a couple of interactions before the men are attached and there are only a few more moments before they are forever.
I think I’d love this as a novel. As a short story, there are too many gaps and I struggle to believe in the instant HEA.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2015
Simon moves to Canmore, Alberta to help his sister-in-law out after his brother’s death. To welcome the newcomer to town, Benji leaves a vegan donut at Simon’s family bookshop.
Simon’s journey from insecurity and grief to HEA is very quick. Benji’s journey from world-travelling adventurer to home-town-settled boyfriend is equally quick. This is a very short story, so I guess the speed is to be expected.
Oddly, however, this starts with the slow build introduction of a good novel. Characters are introduced and built carefully. The Rocky Mountain setting is beautiful. I was actually reading this in a plane flying over the rockies and couldn’t help but appreciate Walker’s language even more as I travelled. I really liked the quiet book-worm Simon and his interactions with his sister-in-law and niece.
But the pace moved very fast once the story started. I can’t help but wish this had been a full novel. Unfortunately, I didn’t ever feel like I really knew Benji - though I wanted to very much. We only see a couple of interactions before the men are attached and there are only a few more moments before they are forever.
I think I’d love this as a novel. As a short story, there are too many gaps and I struggle to believe in the instant HEA.
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads***
~Sarah
Simon’s journey from insecurity and grief to HEA is very quick. Benji’s journey from world-travelling adventurer to home-town-settled boyfriend is equally quick. This is a very short story, so I guess the speed is to be expected.
Oddly, however, this starts with the slow build introduction of a good novel. Characters are introduced and built carefully. The Rocky Mountain setting is beautiful. I was actually reading this in a plane flying over the rockies and couldn’t help but appreciate Walker’s language even more as I travelled. I really liked the quiet book-worm Simon and his interactions with his sister-in-law and niece.
But the pace moved very fast once the story started. I can’t help but wish this had been a full novel. Unfortunately, I didn’t ever feel like I really knew Benji - though I wanted to very much. We only see a couple of interactions before the men are attached and there are only a few more moments before they are forever.
I think I’d love this as a novel. As a short story, there are too many gaps and I struggle to believe in the instant HEA.
***I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review from Inked Rainbow Reads***
~Sarah
July 2, 2017
I don't really have any strong feelings one way or another about this short story. I mainly bought it because one of the main characters is vegan, which is something you don't see every day, AND the vegan character's boyfriend actively went out of his way to make sure that the vegan had accessible food, which was pretty awesome.
But the story was very light and fluffy, and I just don't read those very often. I love angst. ;) And there wasn't really much to be had here; yes, Simon's brother had died six months prior, quite unexpectedly, due to a heart attack, but everyone in the story had pretty much moved on from the initial grieving phase. It just felt to me like something was missing from the story, but I'm not quite sure what it is...maybe I am just so used to reading angsty stories that ones that don't contain boatloads of drama feel wrong to me? I don't know.
Overall, it was a nice, fluffy read. There's no "omg soulmates" thing either, which didn't bother me. The novella is probably best classified as "happy for now."
But the story was very light and fluffy, and I just don't read those very often. I love angst. ;) And there wasn't really much to be had here; yes, Simon's brother had died six months prior, quite unexpectedly, due to a heart attack, but everyone in the story had pretty much moved on from the initial grieving phase. It just felt to me like something was missing from the story, but I'm not quite sure what it is...maybe I am just so used to reading angsty stories that ones that don't contain boatloads of drama feel wrong to me? I don't know.
Overall, it was a nice, fluffy read. There's no "omg soulmates" thing either, which didn't bother me. The novella is probably best classified as "happy for now."
August 3, 2015
Benji has moved to town to help his sister-in-law deal with her grief at losing his (much older) brother who has died from a heart attack at a young age. He is in college and a bookworm, so he spends a lot of time with a nose in a book. He’s a bit shy and a vegan, but enjoys the outdoors.
Simon is a local, very outgoing, very outdoorsy and very attracted to Benji. At first he makes it pretty clear he’s attracted, but his past makes him pull back.
Benji mistakes the inattention for dis-interest and figures the two will be friends. Luckily one of them manages to ask the other out and the two end up with a nice HFN.
**
I enjoyed the writing and the characters in this story very much. I was frustrated by the fact that just as the couple finally gets together, the story ends, and we don’t get much input as to how things will go in the future.
I wish this had been longer, but it was a very nice short story.
3.5 of 5 stars
Simon is a local, very outgoing, very outdoorsy and very attracted to Benji. At first he makes it pretty clear he’s attracted, but his past makes him pull back.
Benji mistakes the inattention for dis-interest and figures the two will be friends. Luckily one of them manages to ask the other out and the two end up with a nice HFN.
**
I enjoyed the writing and the characters in this story very much. I was frustrated by the fact that just as the couple finally gets together, the story ends, and we don’t get much input as to how things will go in the future.
I wish this had been longer, but it was a very nice short story.
3.5 of 5 stars
July 28, 2015
3.5
Simon moves to Alberta to help out his widowed sister-in-law at her bookstore. When he is given a welcome gift of a vegan donut, he’s willing to go outside his comfort zone a bit and get to know the baker, an outgoing sweetheart named Benji.
Definitely loved the fact that Simon is a vegan and that Benji is respectful of that. Simon really is sweet, trying to do the right thing for Barbara and his niece, making sure there is no problem with him dating and everything.
This is a fluffy story of two charming men who meet and get to know each other. No angst, no miscommunications. Just sweet. And when Benji surprises Simon at the restaurant, I totally understood how excited he was – I’ve had that experience! The story is just really cute!
Simon moves to Alberta to help out his widowed sister-in-law at her bookstore. When he is given a welcome gift of a vegan donut, he’s willing to go outside his comfort zone a bit and get to know the baker, an outgoing sweetheart named Benji.
Definitely loved the fact that Simon is a vegan and that Benji is respectful of that. Simon really is sweet, trying to do the right thing for Barbara and his niece, making sure there is no problem with him dating and everything.
This is a fluffy story of two charming men who meet and get to know each other. No angst, no miscommunications. Just sweet. And when Benji surprises Simon at the restaurant, I totally understood how excited he was – I’ve had that experience! The story is just really cute!
January 10, 2016
Reviewed for Prism Book Alliance
I love checking out new-to-me authors by reading novellas. They aren't a huge time commitment, and I get a good feel for their writing style. However, Novella's aren't necessarily the easiest format to write. You have to balance backstory, character development, and depth with length. Sometimes it is a win. Sometimes it turns me off an author completely. Sometimes I know I will check out more from an author, even if the novella didn't completely resonate with me.
For Complete review see Prism Book Alliance: http://www.prismbookalliance.com/?pos...
August 2, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. Extremely light and fluffy, but the characters were likeable enough that I wanted more.
The setting of the story sounds amazing. It was refreshing to read a book set in Canada and I would love to visit Lake Louise at some point.
Now if I can just find a cute cafe guy to make me vegan donuts all will be right with the world ;)
The setting of the story sounds amazing. It was refreshing to read a book set in Canada and I would love to visit Lake Louise at some point.
Now if I can just find a cute cafe guy to make me vegan donuts all will be right with the world ;)
Read
August 18, 2015No rating because I thought it was extremly boring and skipped scenes.
August 14, 2015
2.5 stars
July 28, 2015
This is sweet, light romance. For me it was plain boring!
July 25, 2015
3.5 stars
August 1, 2015
Drama-free, easy reading, but the pace was a little slow.
August 9, 2015
3,25stars
November 4, 2015
Cute fun feel good read.
Hopefully she'll write more stories with these characters.
Hopefully she'll write more stories with these characters.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews