Feeding the Soul

Souls of Chicago, Book 1

By: Annabella Michaels

Narrated by: Michael Pauley

Length: 9 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

Giovanni Romero had been dealt his fair share of heartbreak throughout his 30 years, including losing his beloved parents in a horrible car accident. After suffering yet another devastating loss, he decided to chase his dream of opening his own restaurant and was soon the proud owner of Romero’s, a hugely successful and critically acclaimed Italian restaurant, nestled in the heart of Chicago.

Knowing that one more blow to his heart could destroy him, Giovanni had built walls up around his heart to protect himself. He had created strict rules for himself about the men he slept with, which included never exchanging names and absolutely no repeat performances. That was until he met a young man whom he found impossible to forget. 

After spending the last few years traveling throughout Europe and the Mediterranean, working as an apprentice to some of the world’s top chefs, 23-year-old Caleb Greene was finally moving back home. While he had enjoyed his studies, he couldn’t wait to reunite with his big, crazy, loving family, especially his twin brother, Carter. Most importantly, he hoped to finally begin his career working as the head chef for Chicago’s most prestigious Italian restaurant, Romero’s. 

After a night of celebration with Carter, Caleb finds himself in a rare position, going home with a tall, dark, and sexy stranger. Caleb had never had a one-night stand before, but there was something about the man that drew him in. Unfortunately, the man insisted they could be together for only one night.

Unable to get the intriguing young man off his mind, but resolved to let him go, Giovanni was shocked to find that Caleb had been hired as his new head chef. Working in such close proximity to each other, could he keep his carefully erected walls in place and protect his heart, or would Caleb have the strength to tear those walls down, setting Giovanni free?

©2016 Annabella Michaels (P)2017 Annabella Michaels

Sexy and sweet story...amazing narration.

A story of love strong enough to break through walls complete with sexy men, steamy scenes, tender moments and a happy ending...Just my kind of story. And with the Michael Pauley for narrator, this tale of love went from good to great. That man knows how to tell a read a story! Hope the rest of this series comes to audible soon and they keep him on as narrator.

Ugh

If you're looking for sex and a formalitive story line this book is for you. It seems every chapter begins and end with sex, so much so it becomes monotonous. Weak story line thrown in between sex scenes. I actually started fast forwarding through the sex scenes. Boy meets boy in a bar for one night stand, finds out he works for the anonymous hook up. Falls in love, someone from the past shows up. They breakup and get back together. Same old same old, couldn't get invested in either mc. I found both mc unsympathetic.

awesome book

love the series and love that is now on audio Michael did a wonderful job

Great Book But Authir Needs To Stop Using Certain Words

I really enjoyed the book it was narrated well and had good twists and turns.

The main issue I have is that the author uses heterosexual language that gay men or bi men for that matter do not use, there were different terms of endearment the author has used in the book that I do not like nor would I ever use them.

Sweetheart, baby, love ok well maybe love.

The author should take this under advisement as it will bother gay readers but it may not bother straight readers .

More!!!

I always enjoy when Michael Pauley narrates a story and, once again, he had me hooked on the storyline. Having read Feeding The Soul I felt that Pauley brought the characters, their emotions and their personalities to life. Hip and Caleb are soulmate, neither was out looking for love but it found them. Their interactions are real and we get introduced to Greene family. all I can say is, I hope Pauley and Michael's hook up for the next book in the series, "Music of the Soul." Please.

😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍

I just love this book..its an emotional rollercoaster. I love all the characters. it was simply devine and Michael Pauley like always did an amazing job.

if you're looking for fluff - this is it

The narrator is FANTASTIC and really the only reason I wanted to finish this audiobook.

*There are likely Spoilers in this Review because I am frustrated I used a Credit for this **

I was very hopeful when I started this book and I was excited as I started because I love me a book series- it but I quickly became disenchanted. The writing is clever and funny at times but also .... the only word that I can come up with us - unsophisticated. The story could have been great if the author had only done a little research


if you set aside the repetitive phrases (trust me a Beta reader was NOT used and I just don't have the time to type them all out here)

Then you need to set aside believing that a man in his 20's who has never had a head chef job before gets hired as the head chef in a 5 star Chicago restaurant AND then his first day is the equivalent of a first day working at Old Navy - he just walks in at dinner time puts on an apron and starts . I don't think the author has any idea what a Head Chef actually does .. Since not everyone has a working understanding of a restaurant that's not Denny's we can overlook that as a potentially unnecessary world build but then there's Giovanni

I am extremely perplexed , He has decided that he is done with romance, one night stands only, doesn't even want to know your name because he was ruined by his wife leaving with no explanation. I get THAT - but Holy shit really? I wasn't even there and I knew why she left THEN there is the confrontation - said ex-wife is extremely vicious and cruel. (also - she goes to a restaurant called Romeros' (her former last name) and doesn't think "hmmmmm, maybe....." )??Yeah okayyy)
Does he then say "wtf she's nuts and I am right not trust anyone with my heart " nooo he's still all "I'm broken no one can love me". 1. Its extremely illogical that someone who grew up with such loving and accepting parents would default to the "it must be me" and 2. OMG how is he smart enough to be a lawyer and not see how manipulative she was and that she left because she's a selfish t***waffle. THEN he goes to her to say "what did I do wrong?" *wah* and she's sweet and all ' I did it for you" -

but also he's all "no relationships. no second times. no personal involvement" and the day after Caleb convinces him that they should have a friends with benefits situation- he's texting "I miss you" ?

all the author had to do is make a slight twist here and a tweak here & there and it this whole book would have been SO much better ! It could have been great

The whole story reads like a sexed up version of a Lifetime Movie - and if you like that sort of thing. Its perfect . Its not a terrible book. It's ok. But I won't be buying any of the other books.

sweet start

This is a pretty sweet start to the series. I love the cast of characters. There's humour, sass and a whole lot of love. Narration really brings the whole thing to life in a great way.

Feeding the soul

I love this story, Michael Pauley did a great job narrating this book, I like his voice and how each character sound!

Wow

I loved everything about this book. Ok not the fire, but the rest was great. I love how the author ended the book on a good note. I would love to read more about these two guys.

fabulous

brilliant story from start to finish Michael Pauley outstanding perfornance brings the story to life

Amazing and beautiful

Having Caleb and Giovanni journey being brought to life was so amazing and beautiful i felt more of the emotions that Caleb and Giovanni were going through ups downs laughter tears heartbreak heart warming moments was such a wonderful thing to feel

Michael pauley did such a beautiful job of bringing annabella Michaels wonderful characters the storyline and Caleb and Giovanni journey to life

Oh wow!!!

I absolutely loved this. This series is one of my favourites so hearing it come to life by Micheal paley was just fantastic I can wait to listen to the rest of the series.

Michael did a great job bringing Geo and Calab to life.