Straight Men Can't Cook was written for the M/M Romance Group's Love Has No Boundaries picture prompt event. It's told in first person through the eyes of Russ.



The main characters are Russ, a cute boy next-door type and Tristan who's gorgeous and extroverted. Three years ago they were roommates at college but went their separate ways until they meet again in the grocery store of their college town. Russ has stayed in the same town and Tristan had moved away and was now back.

The story revolves around Russ' conflicted emotions about seeing Tristan again. Russ never admitted to Tristan that he was interested in him even though Russ knew he was bi. Not until later does Russ realize that Tristan had been lusting after the 'straight boy' all through college and still was.

I normally don't like stories told in first person but I enjoyed this one. Russ' personality came across as easily as Tristan's and I thought they made a cute couple.

I loved the way the author paced the story. For me the right words were spoken at the right times with just the right pauses so that I could feel the tension. It was especially obvious when Tristan came over for dinner and Russ was trying to get Tristan drunk. I really loved that scene.

Straight Men Can't Cook is a sweet, quick, fluffy read that I would definitely read over. My only wish is that it was longer because I adored Russ and Tristan as a couple. I can't give this anything less than 5 Stars.

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3.5 Stars

A light, easy, fluffy read. ( )

There's nothing like a good, old-fashioned challenge to bring out the best in people – and, in this case, to set the stage for an exploration of mutual feelings that should have happened three years ago. Told in a humorous way, with lots of funny comments about lack of cooking skills, this short story turns out to be about far more than Russ's disputed abilities in the kitchen.

Russ cannot believe he ran into his old college roommate/crush in the grocery store. Except, he denies the crush part so vehemently, that I kept thinking "Russ, thou dost protest too much". Back in college, Russ still thought he was straight and even now, when he is again faced with the temptation who is his ex-roommate Tristan, he keeps telling himself he is straight. It's the easier option as he sees it, and yet…prolonged exposure over dinner and a movie prove his undoing.

Tristan may mock Russ's ability to cook, and challenge him to prove he knows how to prepare "real food", but he is clearly interested in sampling more than Russ's culinary delights. Even though he has no real reason to suspect anything more behind Russ's sudden interest to keep him around after the meal, he is curious enough to stick around. And when he finally puts two and two together and figures out that Russ is trying to seduce him, he jumps at the opportunity to finally see more than the odd bit of skin.

If you like stories about men who try very hard to pretend they're straight when it’s glaringly obvious they are at the very least bi, if you enjoy reading about old friends meeting up years later under new circumstances, and if you're looking for a read that is as sweet as it is funny, then you will probably like this free short story.
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Collage roommates meet up after a few years apart and cook for one another, rekindling their friendship, which turns to romance. What's not to like? Recommended. ( )

3.5 stars. Not a new premise, but funny and sweet. ( )