Welcome to the Rose and Thorn restaurant where steamy romance is always on the menu. Set in the funkiest of funky restaurants in the rad pre-internet 1990s, before cells, social media and streaming, and featuring a quirky cast of chefs, waiters and customers who fall in and out of love (and bed), the Restaurantland Romance novels crackle with off-beat humor, joy and passion. Sometimes, true love requires handcuffs. Roz is getting her life back on track. She’s sober, writing poetry again and spending her free time supporting her beloved sister who’s in prison after getting caught up in an environmental protest gone horribly wrong. Between all that and working double shifts at The Rose and Thorn, Roz has no time for romance. But a little harmless flirting never hurt anyone, right? Then Roz meets Hudson, the new line cook. He's tall, handsome and mysterious. The only thing loner Hudson will reveal about his past is that he picked up his rad cooking skills in prison. Hudson seems to enjoy Roz's flirting, but he's guarded. Of course, love won't be denied, and Roz and Hudson soon find themselves breathlessly swept away in a magical romance—a once-in-a-lifetime certainty that they are meant only for each other. All that passion explodes when they discover a shared past, a shocking coincidence and a secret that threatens to rip their future apart. A furious Roz swears never to speak to heartbroken Hudson again. But when they end up handcuffed together at an eco-protest, the truth will come out—for better or worse. From the tops of majestic trees deep in the wilderness to a fiery May Day protest in Portland, from the pressures of prison life to the demands of working in a chaotic restaurant, Poetic Justice tells a story of the revolutionary act of falling in love. Poetic Justice is a dual-timeline, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity romance. This is the second book in the Restaurantland Romance series. The books in this series can be read as stand-alone. Midwest Book Review Reminiscent of the hit TV show Friends, with its constantly evolving romances and relationships ... much more than the usual falling-in-love story. Poetic Justice is very highly recommended for its full-bodied review of life within the restaurant world, depicting the changing hearts and minds of characters that make the most of their relationships ... and occasionally stumble in the effort to reach their goals. Sable Thorp, Reviewer McFall and Hays have crafted a love story with strong chemistry, clever and meaningful conversations, and true character development. Roz's path to healing and Hudson's caring nature are fully explored in a genuine (but not depressing) way. I love how the story jumps back and forth in time. The format really sets this book apart from the standard linear format in the genre and added to my '90s nostalgia when reading. Perfect for anyone who enjoys heartfelt romances with a dose of '90s nostalgia, social awareness, and a bit of day-to-day restaurant life. Five stars. Nancy Miller, English/Literature educator Settle into this binge read about two people who have to relearn to live in a world that challenges their sobriety and freedom. Set against the backdrop of environmental activism in Portland, Oregon, the tension unfolds in both personal relationships and groups fighting to preserve the environment. And then there is the secret that keeps you reading into those early morning hours. L.E. Sterling, author of the Born Trilogy I absolutely devoured this love story set in 1990s Oregon between a gentle environmental activist and a soul-wounded poet. The writing is exquisite, with a deep attention to detail that brings the world to sharp, vivid life. As a result, the characters are multi-dimensional and oh-so human... This is not your typical romance - it's so much more!! Renee Struthers, EO Magazin e McFall and Hays return to the world of the Rose and Thorn in Portland, circa the 1990s, and the restaurant's eclectic mix of misfits epitomizing Oregon's most (in)famous of cities ... Those of us who grew up in the Pacific Northwest in that era well remember the spotted owl debate and the widespread dichotomy between the ecologically minded and timber interests. Hays and McFall personalize the battle and its fallout in a story of eco-warriors, small-town timber families and government entities engaged in a no-holds-barred fight for supremacy. Kathleen McFall is an American author and artist. Previously, she was a geologist, journalist and academic communications officer. She was born, raised and educated in Washington D.C., after which she moved to Portland, Oregon where she lives with her writing and life partner Clark Hays. Her eleven books have received several distinguished awards, and she is the recipient of a fiction fellowship from Oregon Literary Arts. Clark Hays is the coauthor of many books, some award-winning, in multiple genres including Western Gothic, alt-history, science fictio