The Missing Ingredient by Brian Lancaster

Jul 27, 2018 Sara added it

Shelves: boys-who-love-boys, angst, bisexual-mc, friends-to-lovers, romance, goo-is-good, arc, review-copy, hurt-comfort, unicorn-reads

4.5 Hearts

There are books that you read that give you a sense of hope and this book did just that. With an organic friends to lovers’ romance that isn’t typical, Brian Lancaster has written a wonderful romance that makes this reader believe in the power of love more than ever.

Told from the POV of famous chef Marcus Vine we quickly learn that Marcus is all about the work and not so much about a relationship. He has the normal hookups to scratch the sexual frustration itch but remains unattached. 4.5 Hearts

There are books that you read that give you a sense of hope and this book did just that. With an organic friends to lovers’ romance that isn’t typical, Brian Lancaster has written a wonderful romance that makes this reader believe in the power of love more than ever.

Told from the POV of famous chef Marcus Vine we quickly learn that Marcus is all about the work and not so much about a relationship. He has the normal hookups to scratch the sexual frustration itch but remains unattached. While out with his friend and manager Tina, he sees Tom Bradford the widower of his best friend Raine out with his daughters. You see, Marcus is the girls’ godfather, but after a sharp and unfair plea from Tom at Raine’s funeral, Marcus has left the Bradford family alone. But seeing how ragged Tom looks, he knows he has to do something. Taking a stand and calling Tom’s mom, Marcus heads over to Tom’s to declare his intentions of being part of the family once again and helping Tom out with the girls.

I call this story organic because that’s how it felt. From the moment Tom and Marcus have a chat about Marcus wanting to help Tom to seeing how their friendship once was with playful banter, it was easy to get lost in the story. Of course it helped to know Marcus always fancied Tom, but with Tom being straight and married to his best friend, there was never a chance to act because Marcus isn’t like that.

So anyway.

Tom accepts Marcus’ help to shuffle the girls to and from school and activities and help out with meals, being a chef and all. He and Tom reconnect as friends and begin to deepen this new relationship they gave as co-caretakers of Charlie and Katie. The foursome go about on outings and are seen as a happy family with two dads a few times which tickles Marcus, but confuses Tom. When Marcus has to go away for a month to open a new restaurant in New York and comes back to a different attitude from Tom, we get to the bottom of what’s going on.

I loved the journey we get with Tom and his sexuality. Tom has always considered himself straight and never looked at a man the way he does now with Marcus. I have always believed that sexuality is fluid and we don’t fall in love with a gender but a person. It made sense for Tom to develop feelings for Marcus and not just because he’s eye candy. Tom and Marcus have a close friendship and taking care of Tom’s girls creates a domesticity that both men crave. The feelings Tom has make him see Marcus in a new light. Plus, his whole speech was amazing. Not as amazing as his moment at the end of the book, but I loved his rambling at how he sees Marcus now and that he needs Marcus to back off so Marcus doesn’t find him repulsive. Ugh. Tom, you are so lovely to read and all I wanted was for you and your girls to be happy and have Marcus in your life.

Marcus, goodness but I adored you. You are smart and cunning in business but so very loyal to your friends. You get to see so much of Tom and even help him to the mystery of where his wife was going the day she was killed in a car accident. You will do anything for Tom including denying your feelings and wants when it comes to Tom, letting him call all the shots. But you sir, are not a doormat and when it comes to being hidden away like a dirty little secret, you stand up for yourself even though you broke your own heart. You are a lovely and forgiving man who knows his own heart even if you are so confused by Tom in that epilogue, I loved being witness to everything you do in this book.

I really loved this book. It had everything that I needed to watch Marcus and Tom fall in love and be a family. The girls were delightful and even Tom’s parents and Jeanette were great additions to the story. I rooted for Marcus and Tom from the beginning, wish I could have seen Marcus in those trunks, would have teased Tom about that tux color and I still go a bit numb thinking of the incident with Katie.

I just adored this slow burn friends to lovers story with a bit of twist. That end, that very last bit was beautiful with what is symbolized.

...more

flag 8 likes · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2018 Sandra rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-publisher-direct, dreamspinner-press, flowers-and-chocolates, homophobia-inside, nailbiters, naughties, 2018-book-challenge, angst-and-drama, contemporary, m-m-yeah-baby

About a year ago, Marcus, a busy chef in London, lost his best friend Raine in a car accident, and in one fell swoop, Raine's husband and their children as well, due to being asked to "give them time to grieve".

Marcus respected Tom's wishes, though he misses his two "nieces", never mind the grief of losing his friend and ersatz family.

But then he runs into them by chance and realizes that Tom doesn't look like's holding it together at all, and it's obvious that Marcus is needed. He immediately ...more

flag 7 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2019 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audible-completed, 2019-books-read

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Full review to follow soonish!

Some ingredients are harder to substitute than others...

Marcus Vine is on the cusp of success as a chef, but finds that having only investors interested in him leaves him with time to spare and following the loss of his best friend Raine, Marcus turns to helping Raine's husband Tom as he struggles to come to grips with losing his wife and the mother of his children...Marcus's godchildren, trying to rebuild their lives to a new no 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Full review to follow soonish!

Some ingredients are harder to substitute than others...

Marcus Vine is on the cusp of success as a chef, but finds that having only investors interested in him leaves him with time to spare and following the loss of his best friend Raine, Marcus turns to helping Raine's husband Tom as he struggles to come to grips with losing his wife and the mother of his children...Marcus's godchildren, trying to rebuild their lives to a new normal.

Marcus days become filled with childcare and he finds himself becoming a part of a family as little by little Tom and his godchildren begin to rely on him for the stability he brings to their lives.

For Marcus what starts as simply helping his deceased best friend's husband care for his daughters and get back to being a family again puts him and Tom in close proximity to each other on a regular basis and Marcus is faced with his feelings for Tom becoming more than just that of a family friend and ultimately Tom also begins to realize that he has an attraction for Marcus that has nothing to do with friendship or gratitude but he's also not willing to step out of the safety of the closet he's been hiding in.

I liked the dynamics between Marcus and Tom. Marcus has an established career and he's confident about his choices. In general I liked Marcus and the fact that while he didn't push Tom nor did he just hide in the closet and hope that things would change. He kept his promises in regards to helping with the children and while he was willing to give Tom time...he wasn't willing to give forever. So while I may not have liked him quite as much as Marcus I did have a lot of empathy for Tom.

While I liked Marcus I wasn't quite as overly taken with Tom. I think he was trying but sometimes pride goes before the fall and that's what happened with Tom. He was so determined to care for his children without anyone's help that he let his pride get in toe way and lost sight of what was truly important...the well being of his children, but I don't think it was because he didn't love them...I think maybe he was just a little misguided about the fact that needing help and being weak aren't the same thing.

One of the best parts of this story for me was that so often in a story like this one MC or the other losses themselves in the life of the other as they try to help but that wasn't the case with Marcus. He didn't lose himself and we were shown more than one side of him as he helped take care of his godchildren, tried to be a friend to Tom and worked to pursue his own career goals.

I liked the story but for the most part it was just a case of like i wasn't until the last 10 or 20% that I really got enchanted by the story...especially the epilogue...it was freaking adorable and definitely added to the overall story for me...seriously cute stuff at the end.

'The Missing Ingredient' is only the second book that I've listened to by Seb Yarrick and once again he's done a solid job of creating an enjoyable audio book making a solid contribution to my enjoyment of this story and certainly keeping him on my radar as a narrator that I'll enjoy hearing more from in the future.

*************************

An audio book of 'The Missing Ingredient' was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Aug 19, 2018 Claude rated it really liked it

Ohh this was so so cute!

Tom lost his wife in a car crash. He’s left with 2 young girls and it’s very very hard on him to look after everything. He’s completely overwhelmed but he’s kind of proud so he doesn’t reach for help.
Fortunately some incredible circumstances made him crossed path with an old-friend Marcus. Marcus was the best friend of Tom’s wife. They've lost contact after Tom decided he needed to be alone with his kids.
Years later, with one look at Tom, Marcus decided to take things i ...more

flag 5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 08, 2019 Melissa rated it liked it

Shelves: hoopla, 201-300, 2019, borrowed, chef-restaurant-etc

This was entertaining but average. If not for the audio I am sure I would have stopped. It had it's great moments but then there were the dramatics that felt unnecessary. I will read this author again and do recommend the story because it has a good message in the end, that love is love and you should and can be proud to who you are. ...more

flag 4 likes · Like · see review

Jan 31, 2019 Annika rated it liked it

Shelves: mm, romance, lgbtq, audio, contemporary, read-2019

Audiobook review

When you, or at least I, pick up a Dreamspun Desires book, I'm not expecting a masterpiece. I'm not expecting anything remotely deep or a book that will keep me on my toes. I pick them for the fluff, the cuteness, to listen to a book where I don't have to engage my mind, but just simply get a way for a moment. This line gives me that, each and every time.

The Missing Ingredient is set in London. We follow Marcus Vine, a rising star in the culinary world. A car accident robbed hi

Audiobook review

When you, or at least I, pick up a Dreamspun Desires book, I'm not expecting a masterpiece. I'm not expecting anything remotely deep or a book that will keep me on my toes. I pick them for the fluff, the cuteness, to listen to a book where I don't have to engage my mind, but just simply get a way for a moment. This line gives me that, each and every time.

The Missing Ingredient is set in London. We follow Marcus Vine, a rising star in the culinary world. A car accident robbed him of his best friend and left his god children without a mother; then the unthinkable happens, Tom, the father and widower asks Marcus to leave them alone. Now a few years later, a chance meeting at a restaurant, makes Marcus go back on that promise as it is clear that the little family of three is still struggling. His offer to help out soon has him elbow deep in homework and cooking meals for the family. He soon realises that the crush he's had on Tom for the past 10 years has not gone away. Not only that, Tom seems to have developed feelings for him too, making the whole situation even more precarious.

The overall story was a good one. No major drama, except for the expected one around Toms newly realised bisexuality. But there is one thing that I just cannot get passed and that's Tom. I never warmed to him, not even a little bit. He was just too self-centred, selfish, rude and so many other adjectives that I'm not even going to try to list them all. The way he treated other people was just horrible, especially Marcus. I truly believed Marcus deserved someone better, someone that knows the meaning of give and take, respect and equal values. So in the end I just couldn't be happy for the two of them, because I feel that there has got to be someone better out there for Marcus, that Tom has more growing and maturing to do - not to mention grovelling, before he's deserving of Marcus.

Seb Yarrick was a new to me narrator, and after a quick search it seems he's kind of new in the field with only a couple of books under his belt. I loved his British accent, which alone brought me to London and made my afternoon a pleasant one. As for the voices, well I could have wished for a distinction between Marcus and Tom, the distinction that he did have were for male / female characters, and while he did mix them up a few times, it was still easy to follow along the story.

The Missing Ingredient was everything that I expected from the series and it wasn't. I was expecting, hoping, for main characters that I'd root for and liked. I didn't quite get that with this book and it did bring down my enjoyment of this book quite a lot. However, Seb did a strong effort with his narration, and with some more books I believe he has the potential to become a really good narrator.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher n exchange for an honest review

...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 16, 2018 Joyfully Jay rated it liked it

Shelves: sue

A Joyfully Jay review.

3 stars

I’m not really sure where to start with this one. On the surface, The Missing Ingredient is an exploration of love after loss and learning to move forward. And it delivers that message well enough. The writing style is fine, though it lacks much true voice. But honestly, The Missing Ingredient just wasn’t very good. The first problem is the plot. At times it reads more like a melodrama than a believable piece of fiction. There is a mystery that never matters, a pred ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2018 Molly Ringle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: lgbtq

A steamy but also genuinely moving friends-to-lovers story--I love such things! Marcus and Tom's transition from family friends to a proper relationship, with all its rough complications and blissful moments, charmed me throughout. Bonus points for yummy British setting and dialect. (Yes, I'm an Anglophile; so rare among Americans, I know.) ;) Brian is an author worth watching and I'll always look forward to more of his books! ...more

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Dec 23, 2018 fandomprincess rated it did not like it

Tom is not only a horrible love interest but he is also a horrible friend. He treated Marcus like garbage the entire book and was just not likable at all.

flag 2 likes · Like · see review

Aug 08, 2018 Lena Grey rated it really liked it

“I believe forgiveness is the best form of love in any relationship. It takes a strong person to say they're sorry and an even stronger person to forgive.” ~ Yolanda Hadid

When Marcus Vine, of 'A Missing Ingredient' by Brian Lancaster, loses his best friend, Raine, in a fatal car crash, he, in essence, loses his two godchildren. Before the accident, he was deeply involved in the little girls' lives. Marcus was more like their uncle than their mother's good friend. At the funeral, their father, To “I believe forgiveness is the best form of love in any relationship. It takes a strong person to say they're sorry and an even stronger person to forgive.” ~ Yolanda Hadid

When Marcus Vine, of 'A Missing Ingredient' by Brian Lancaster, loses his best friend, Raine, in a fatal car crash, he, in essence, loses his two godchildren. Before the accident, he was deeply involved in the little girls' lives. Marcus was more like their uncle than their mother's good friend. At the funeral, their father, Tom, makes it clear that Marcus is no longer welcome in their lives. As much as it hurts, Marcus respects Tom's wishes and stays away A chance meeting makes it apparent that Tom is not able to manage his grief, as well as the childrens' care. Although Marcus is unbelievable busy, he knows that he has to step in before something unfortunate happens.

Although Tom said he didn't want help, he's relieved to have someone to share the burden with. Marcus, Tom, and the girls become like a well-oiled family unit, managing schedules, appointments, and basic care for the girls. They have no idea why he stopped coming around, but they are extremely happy to have “Uncle Marcus” back with them. Marcus has missed the girls dreadfully and is more than happy to have them back. Tom's gratitude and affection slowly but surely morphs into feelings he's afraid to admit even to himself. He has been straight all his life, or so he thought, but emotional and physical feelings are growing and he's not sure what to do about it. After a confusing, frustrating amount of time for both of them, Tom admits his feelings to Marcus who is totally taken back with surprise. Tom takes this to mean that Marcus is disgusted by the entire idea, but Marcus explains that this is so out of the blue that he has to take a while to absorb it. Marcus admits that he often joked with Raine about wishing Tom had a gay twin. Marcus also confessed that he has had a crush on Tom for a long time but it was so improbable that Marcus never seriously considered the possibility of Tom being attracted to him.

Things between them are strained for a while, but the attraction becomes so strong that Tom feels compelled to act upon it and kisses Marcus who quickly takes over the kiss. After some serious discussions, Tom convinces Marcus this is what he wants. Their sexual encounter is a mind-blowing experience, both physically and emotionally. Marcus tries to take it easy, but Tom is eager to do just about everything he has read and seen. The tricky thing is that they have to make time for each other. That amounts to sneaking around because they are concerned about the children's reaction and Tom is not ready to come out. Marcus is happy when Moria, Tom's mother, invites him to her fiftieth wedding anniversary dinner, until Moria announces that Tom is bringing someone. Marcus tries not to show his hurt and confusion, deciding he will wait and see what happens. At the dinner, Marcus meets Jeanette, the woman that Tom has been dating. The more talk there is about Jeanette and Tom's date', the more nauseated Marcus becomes. Broken-hearted, Marcus graciously says his goodbyes and leaves. He's in love with Tom and is not willing to be his dirty little secret.

'The Missing Ingredient' was a great ride on an emotional roller coaster invoking feelings from happiness to anger for me. Marcus is a wonderful character who epitomizes the kind of friend everyone needs; loving, compassionate, talented, and most of all forgiving. I'm still not completely happy with Tom, although I understand his predicament. He needed time for his brain to catch up with his heart. Thank you, Brian for reminding me that listening to my heart is as important as listening to my head.

NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 18, 2019 Barb ~rede-2-read~ rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audiobook, g-f-y-or-o-f-y-or-bi-f-y, read-2019, for-review, hurt-comfort, men-w-children

Audiobook provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.

Chef Marcus Vine is a busy man, running his own popular restaurant in the UK and opening another with an investment partner in New York. But he finds time to step in and help out when he realizes his former best friend’s family needs him. Raine died a year ago and her husband, Tom, is struggling to be everything to his two daughters.

With Marcus’s help and support, their lives take Audiobook provided by the publisher through Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words in exchange for an impartial review.

Chef Marcus Vine is a busy man, running his own popular restaurant in the UK and opening another with an investment partner in New York. But he finds time to step in and help out when he realizes his former best friend’s family needs him. Raine died a year ago and her husband, Tom, is struggling to be everything to his two daughters.

With Marcus’s help and support, their lives take a turn for the better. And along the way, Marcus’s feelings for Tom—unrequited love—take on a renewed life. And then one day, Tom confesses his attraction to Marcus. He’s not gay, of course. That’s reiterated a number of times. So much so, that this reviewer found it distasteful when they went from that declaration to a simple kiss to penetrative sex. If one isn’t gay, why not try frottage or fellatio first? It just felt wrong and rushed.

And then, of course, when Tom realizes Marcus has feelings for him, he backs off, and Marcus finds out he’s seeing a woman. So we have the heartbreak action, and the crisis comes when one of the girls needs medical attention and Marcus saves the day. But is Tom grateful? Nope. Now we have the period of breaking off, cooling down, and then the finale with the grand sweeping gesture. And the ending was… There’s not really a way to describe it. Granted, I was listening to an audiobook, but it seemed really bizarre to me—definitely from the pages of an old-fashioned dime novel romance.

Granted all these stories are based on old tropes. And granted, audiobooks pass quickly and there’s no chance to reread sections for clarity, so I could be wrong in my assessment. However, I will say that Seb Yarrick did a nice job on the narration. With a very British accent, he brought authenticity to the feel of the story. But I’m not a fan of gay for you when the character refuses to identify as anything but straight, even after sex, so I can’t rate this higher than 3 stars. As it is, the 3 stars were mostly earned by the narrator.
...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 21, 2018 Sarah rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is a sweet and angsty romance about a celebrity chef who falls for his best friend’s grieving husband. Marcus’ life might be glamourous but he’s also lonely and missing his friend. A year after his wife’s death, Tom is a mess. When Marcus steps in to help Tom and his daughters restore some order to their lives, he quickly becomes part of the family.

A gay-for-you story that is further complicated by Marcus’ lifelong friend ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 09, 2018 Ami rated it liked it

Shelves: mm-contemporary, new-to-me-authors-2018, mm-romance-or-erotica, mm-family-kids

3.5 stars

At first, I was a bit uncomfortable with the situation -- (view spoiler). But then I thought, heh, I didn't encounter this much issue in M/F romance, so why the attitude, Ami?!? After I settled with the fact, I enjoyed the relationship progress. Loved reading how Marcus bonded with the kids and how he became integral part of the family, not simply as Uncle Marc.

Minus point for Tom being quite a douche near ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Jan 07, 2019 Ed Davis rated it really liked it

What a wonderfully heartwarming story. I know this is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I enjoy a sweet romance with two characters I want to get their happy ever after. Marcus and Tom were two such characters for me. I found this book at the library, but I’m certainly going to be checking for other books by Brian Lancaster.

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Sep 21, 2019 Lori rated it really liked it

I would say that this is a 3.5 stars rounded up because I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was lowish angst and super sweet but I thought it was well written. The only part I didn't like was the slightly abrupt ending. There was an epilogue but it was still not completely satisfying to me. Otherwise, I thought it was well done. ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Oct 16, 2018 Ruthie Taylor rated it it was amazing

~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~

This was a strong four star read until the very end ... the last word tipped it right up to a 5* just like that!

I am a huge fan of chef / restaurant romances, and I really liked how this one managed to combine the very talented, celebrity chef that is Marcus to the outside world, with the caring, friendly, best friend that he is to Tom and his children.

We know from the beginning that Marcus found Tom attractive, but as ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Nov 21, 2018 Nerea rated it liked it

This is a very clear GFY plot. Tom and his discurses about this are a bit confussing ... but the love story is not bad. They have pretty much cute moments together and a HEA !
I wish we had a secondary plot about Marcus friend (the cop) having his own story too! I don't like love triangles because that! Its always one out of the equation! :/ ...more

flag 1 like · Like · see review

Aug 07, 2018 Natosha Wilson rated it it was amazing

I really enjoyed this book. It is sad how the two men got together in the first place but in the end they made one another and the children that are involved happy so that made this an even better read.

Marcus is a famous chef. He loves his business, so much so that he is the process of trying to open another restaurant like the one he owns now but in New York City. Other then his business his personal life is pretty much a couple of short term relationships, if you could call it that. He has no I really enjoyed this book. It is sad how the two men got together in the first place but in the end they made one another and the children that are involved happy so that made this an even better read.

Marcus is a famous chef. He loves his business, so much so that he is the process of trying to open another restaurant like the one he owns now but in New York City. Other then his business his personal life is pretty much a couple of short term relationships, if you could call it that. He has not found the man that makes him want to stick around for the long haul. Besides that he already has two goddaughters that he has not seen in a little over a year.

When he bumps into his goddaughter and their father, Tom, Marcus decides them and there that he is not going to let Tom push him away anymore. After Macus’s best friend and Tom’s wife died tragically in an automobile accident, Tom pushed Marcus away. Tom told Marcus that he wanted to settle in with the kids and start a new normal and then he would get in touch with him. But that time never came and now that Marcus has seen with his own eyes how things are fairing out, he will not be pushed away again.

What Marcus never expected was for Tom to develop feelings for him. Tom has always been very much straight but now it seems that Tom has opened his heart and eyes to someone new in his life and he will not let anyone scare that away for him.

Tom never thought he would be happy again, much less love someone else but now that he knows he wants Marcus, he will not let Marcus go.

These two men have many obstacles ahead of them if they truly want to be together. Will they be able to weather the storm together?

This is a Gay for you read. I really enjoyed how Tom was able to get a second chance at love and that Marcus was finally able to find love. Now if they can hold it together and not let the outside forces come between them, they will have exactly what they have both hoped for but did not dare to think was possible.

Was given this galley copy for free for an open and honest review ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 06, 2018 Lori rated it it was amazing

Total book hangover in progress here… What a touching, beautiful story. Tom was once married to Marcus’ best friend, Raine. Out and proud Marcus always had a thing for straight Tom, but kept it under wraps for over a decade. A year after Raine was killed in an auto accident, Tom and Marcus reconnect and sparks start to fly.

For some reason, I adore the gay-for-you trope and this one does not disappoint. In my opinion, the plot was both original and interesting with enough complexities to keep th ...more

flag Like · see review

Jul 28, 2018 Heather Martin rated it really liked it

**Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by DreamSpinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**

The Missing Ingredient is the first book I’ve read by Brian Lancaster. It’s a friends to lovers with a verrrrrry sloooooow burn. Seriously slow. For the most part, I really liked Marcus. Though he was a chef with multiple restaurants, we wasn’t a jerk. He was grieving the loss of his best friend and her family that he was asked to step away from aft **Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by DreamSpinner Press for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.**

The Missing Ingredient is the first book I’ve read by Brian Lancaster. It’s a friends to lovers with a verrrrrry sloooooow burn. Seriously slow. For the most part, I really liked Marcus. Though he was a chef with multiple restaurants, we wasn’t a jerk. He was grieving the loss of his best friend and her family that he was asked to step away from after her death. He worked hard and when his best friend’s family came back into his life, he added them to his life easily, with no question. I wasn’t a fan of Tom and thought Marcus could do a lot better. Tom was a man in over his head with the death of his wife and really just seemed to be on the verge of drowning and losing his children. Though I could understand his grief, I thought he was selfish in allowing it to consume him to the detriment of his children. Fortunately, Marcus picks up the pieces and puts his life back together.

This story was fast paced and kept me engaged regardless of my feelings for Tom. There was no quick instalove story. Tom and Marcus spent time together with the kids. They became friends. Marcus’ old feelings for Tom came back and Tom found feelings of his own, much to his annoyance. The kids in the story were entertaining and not too involved. Though they were the reason Marcus and Tom are spending time together, it never felt like the story was all about taking care of the kids, or just about the kids. So, if having kids in the story bothers you, I think you’ll enjoy this story. It’s a nice mixture for whatever side of the fence you fall on.

This was a well-written story, with well-fleshed out main and supporting characters. For readers who enjoy friends to lovers, this is a must read story! I loved the epilogue and was completely taken by surprise by it. It really ended the story well and supported the HEA ending.

Rating: 4 stars ...more

flag Like · see review

Jan 23, 2019 Cathy Brockman rated it liked it

Shelves: romance, m-m, friends-to-lovers, chefs, coming-out, gay-for-you

Audio Review-
Marcus is a busy celebrity Chef but he misses his best friend Raine who was killed in a tragic car accident nearly a year ago. Tom her widower asked Marcus to give him and the kids space to grieve and he would call him and let him back in the kids lives but a year later and he hasn't.

Marcus runs into them in a restaurant and his friend encourages him to make the move and approach Tom. Tom looks rough and exhausted and finally agrees to let Marcus help him with the kids. Their friend ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 07, 2018 Melanie rated it really liked it

A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

For the full review, visit https://wp.me/p220KL-ejr

From that review: " The Missing Ingredient by Brian Lancaster is one of those contemporary romances that some normally label Gay For You, a tag I've never liked or been conformable with. This is a heartwarming, sweet romance about a widower who has lost his wife and finds love again with his wife's best friend....a man. It's a slow burn, come to the realization of attraction ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 18, 2018 Carrie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: gay, lgbtqia-plus, romance, half-stars, contemporary, england, friends-to-lovers, new-york-ny, new-york-us, widows-widowers

4.5/5 Definitely enough for me to check out this author's other stuff. I love finding new authors, especially British ones. I'm glad I took a chance and bought this one when my library didn't have it.

Tags- Bi/Pan: Tom is demisexual-ish, Blue Collar: Tom is in construction (seems to be semi-in charge he handles bids and business-y stuff and looks hot in a suit); England: takes place primarily in the London borough of Bromley with a few visits to NYC

I can see the start of a series with this: the h ...more

flag Like · see review

Sep 12, 2018 MariF rated it really liked it

It was a good book but I was left with a feeling that something was missing for me emotionally.
Marcus is too perfect and I hated Tom for giving Marcus hope and keeping him on a side like a dirty secret for no apparent reason except his mental comfort.
His parents were open-minded, his work situation was secure, only his drinking buddies were potentially at risk of not wanting to hang around if they knew he was bisexual but they were not his best friends and true support unlike Marcus.
And super-su ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 16, 2018 Alan Chan rated it it was amazing

Loved this book. It's definitely a slow burn, so not for readers who prefer instant gratification rather than an interesting plot line and a relationship that grows on you. I thought Marcus handled himself with dignity and grace, and while Tom comes across as annoying at times, he can be forgiven because of everything he's been through.

Bravo, again, Mr Lancaster.

Would love to see a sequel to this.

Hint, hint! ...more

flag Like · see review

Feb 12, 2019 blub rated it liked it

Shelves: mm-romance, m-m-family, gay-for-you, friends-to-lover, coming-out, age-gap-5-years-or-more, grieving-character, story-with-kids, cooking-chefs-foodies, audiobook

Nice audio to listen to. Liked the accent and the differentiation between all the voiced characters. It was well paced and brought the characters to life.

The story was nice. It hit the spot for a nice romance. Of course the characters go through a bit of a journey and thinking before they finally arrive where they should be.

Kudos to the author for the twist in the last chapter with Tom's mother. I was all "oh no, not this after all the heartache." Joke was on me, lol. ...more

flag Like · see review

Aug 09, 2018 Sandrutza rated it did not like it

You want to know was is the missing ingredient of this book ? The lack of chemestry between the main characters .. what they fall in love .. when ? They had sex ? Is was to most boring sex scene that I've reas in my life.. ...more

flag Like · see review

Sep 01, 2018 Katy Beth Mckee rated it it was amazing

Shelves: m-m, food-cooking-chef-resturant

This is a new author for me. At times I got frustrated by both of these men. They seemed to have trouble getting their act together. But the ending was so special it made everything come together.

flag Like · see review

Aug 29, 2019 Curtis rated it liked it

Shelves: fiction, reviewed, mm-romance, lgbt, romance, read-in-2019, ch-2019-mm-scavenger-hunt

Talk about finding love in unexpected places. I do think Marcus may have gone along a little too quickly in terms of his character, but the story was ultimately so sweet that I chose to let that go. A charming read.

flag Like · see review