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Copper Lake #4
The History Between Us
There are some things you just don’t do…
Don’t lie.
Don’t steal.
Don’t break the law.
And absolutely do not, under any circumstance, sleep with your best friend’s son.
I’ve always prided myself on being a good man. I am a doctor after all.
I consider myself to be a by the book man.
A man with strong morals and a clear conscience.
That is until a night out of town with too many drinks finds me naked and sweaty with the one person I shouldn’t be rolling around in the sheets with…
Colt Bishop.
Professional bull rider. Son of my very best friend. And now my most sordid memory. A memory that, despite my very best efforts, refuses to leave my mind.
After my father retires, I make the decision to move back to Copper Lake and take over the family practice. Avoiding Colt and every erotic memory that follows becomes impossible.
He’s flirty. Shameless. Suggestive.
He’s also half my age.
Keeping my distance and keeping my clothes on should be easy… So why does it feel like anything but?
Don’t lie.
Don’t steal.
Don’t break the law.
And absolutely do not, under any circumstance, sleep with your best friend’s son.
I’ve always prided myself on being a good man. I am a doctor after all.
I consider myself to be a by the book man.
A man with strong morals and a clear conscience.
That is until a night out of town with too many drinks finds me naked and sweaty with the one person I shouldn’t be rolling around in the sheets with…
Colt Bishop.
Professional bull rider. Son of my very best friend. And now my most sordid memory. A memory that, despite my very best efforts, refuses to leave my mind.
After my father retires, I make the decision to move back to Copper Lake and take over the family practice. Avoiding Colt and every erotic memory that follows becomes impossible.
He’s flirty. Shameless. Suggestive.
He’s also half my age.
Keeping my distance and keeping my clothes on should be easy… So why does it feel like anything but?
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 30, 2024
227 people are currently reading
1424 people want to read
About the author
Ashley James
30 books1,415 followersAshley James is a romance author who enjoys writing (and reading) LGBTQIA+ books. She is from Washington State—and no, not Seattle—and currently resides in South Carolina with her two kids and hairless kitties, Goose, Maverick, and Houston. Ashley is introverted and slightly (okay, majorly) awkward. She refuses to make this section sound like a tacky dating app profile, so she won't be telling you how much she enjoys music, how she thoroughly enjoys dancing and singing in her kitchen, despite not being able to carry a tune, and she won't be telling you about her love of toxic and broken fictional men.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 381 reviews
September 3, 2024
"Part of me wants to push him to see if he'll acknowledge the history between us or if he's going to keep pretending like it never happened."
There are certain unspoken rules in life.
Things you just shouldn't do.
Things that cross your mind but you don't act on.
Until Colt Bishop.
When William Andino saw his best friend's son in that bar two years ago…
All bets were off.
But that was two years ago.
It was a mistake. It will never happen again.
But now that he moved back to Copper Lake, he can't seem to shake Colt Bishop.
And it doesn't help that Colt doesn't want to stay away.
Keeping distance from Colt should be the right thing to do.
So why does William want to do anything but?
"Everything about him drives me wild, and I can't seem to help myself."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💛
"Cole ignites something fierce inside of me, something I have a hard time ignoring."
This series has my heart. There I said it because with each book it just keeps getting better and better (and I didn't think that was possible). I know I have said this before but Ashley James has created this Bull Riding world with the most addictive books that you absolutely CANNOT put down and this one is no exception. I was so ready for Colt and William's story since the last book and it delivered. Colt's cockiness and William trying to be the "good guy" OMFG I was such a sucker for them and I am not apologizing!!! OMGGGG I cannot WAIT for the next book because I already know it's going to be amazing just like this one 💫💛
"What the hell is wrong with me, and how does he have this kind of pull over me?"
Colt Bishop is getting over a shoulder injury and he wants to get back to bull riding as soon as possible - so to do that he has to go to the doctor right? But of course his doctor is his dad's best friend AKA the guy he had a one night stand with two years ago!! I was absolutely obsessed with this from the second I heard the plot because how could I not be? Colt is the sunshine in this story and he is absolutely cocky, flirty, and knows what he wants and I loved that so much!!
"Whether he wants to admit it or not, there's something between us."
On the other side you have William Andino who came back to Copper Lake to take over his dad's practice - he thought his and his best friend's son's paths won't cross because why wouldn't they in a small town in Wyoming? That is until that day where Colt Bishop had an appointment to get his shoulder checked!! William is trying to stay away from Colt as much as he can but Colt is not making it easy and does William really want to?
Ashley James you did it again and I hope your pillow is cold on both sides 💛💛
"With Colt, though, he throws me off my axis."
You ready for another (mostly) country playlist? Because I certainly was 🤠🤠
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3mT... )
🎶 "Summertime Blues" - Alan Jackson
🎶 "Hurricane" - Luke Combs
🎶 "I Like It" - Alesso, Nate Smith
🎶 "greedy acoustic" - Tate McRae
🎶 "A Bar Song (Tipsy)[Remix]" - Shaboozey, David Guetta
🎶 "Cologne" - SM6
🎶 "Guess" - Charli xcx, Billie Eilish
🎶 "Rush" - Troye Sivan
🎶 "Smoke" - Connor Price, Walker Hayes
🎶 "Our Way" - Mark Ambor
🎶 "Dead End Road" - Jelly Roll
🎶 "Death Wish Love" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Dance Mix" - Big & Rich
🎶 "older" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Your Heart Or Mine" - Jon Pardi
🎶 "Monaco" - Jude York
🎶 "Ride the Lightning - 717 Tapes" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Good Lookin'" - Dixon Dallas
🎶 "Colt 45 (Country Remix)" - Cooper Alan, Rvshvd
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma" - Luke Combs
🎶 "Color (Remix)" - Todrick Hall, wiidope, Jeeve
🎶 "Natural" - THE DRIVER ERA
🎶 "Leave a Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" - Papa Roach, Carrie Underwood
🎶 "I Had Some Help" - Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
🎶 "I Want Crazy - Encore" - Hunter Hayes
🎶 "You Proof" - Morgan Allen
🎶 "Bulletproof" - Nate Smith
🎶 "Lose Control" - Teddy Swims
🎶 "Take A Chance On Me" - ABBA
🎶 "WHYBMWL" - HARDY
🎶 "Power Over Me - Acoustic" - Dermot Kennedy
🎶 "World on Fire" - Nate Smith
🎶 "Espresso (Acoustic)" - Madilyn Bailey
🎶 "You Are Enough" - Sleeping At Last
🎶 "Control - Acoustic Guitar Version" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Sin So Sweet" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Light Switch - Acoustic" - Charlie Puth
🎶 "Irresistible" - Fall Out Boy
🎶 "Friction" - Imagine Dragons
🎶 "Sleepless" - Dutch Melrose
🎶 "Love You Again" - Chase Matthew
🎶 "One More Night" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Teenage Dream - Acoustic" - Darren Smith
🎶 "Drive Me, Crazy" - Orville Peck
🎶 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎶 "Shivers - Acoustic Version" - Ed Sheeran
🎶 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎶 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - Dolly Parton, P!nk, Brandi Carlile
🎶 "Lose It - Acoustic" - Kane Brown
🎶 "Up To No Good" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "fOoL fOr YoU" - ZAYN
🎶 "Make It To Me" - Sam Smith
🎶 "Tongue Tied" - GROUPLOVE
🎶 "One Of Us" - Ava Max
🎶 "Consequences" - Camila Cabello
🎶 "Unstoppable" - Eva Under Fire, Cory Marks
🎶 "Midnight Ride" - Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue, Diplo
🎶 "The Heart Wants What It Wants" - Selena Gomez
🎶 "I miss you, I'm sorry" - Gracie Abrams
🎶 "Die A Happy Man" - Thomas Rhett
🎶 "Side Effects Of The Heart" - Alex Hall
🎶 "Flawless" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "One And Only" - Adele
🎶 "Under the Tree" - Sam Palladio
🎶 "Fancy Like" - Walker Hayes, Kesha
🎶 "Ours (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "golden hour - Orchestral Version (Instrumental)" - JVKE
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "Sunday Crossword" - J. Maya
🎶 "Share Your Address" - Ben Platt
🎶 "Like Whiskey" - Dixon Dallas
🎶 "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" - Orville Peck, Elton John
🎶 "Imagine - Acoustic" - Ben Platt
And you just know Ashley James is gifting us with some masterpiece cowboy smut 🌶️🌶️
"You're a forbidden fruit that I shouldn't be tasting, yet here I am. Fucking consumed by you."
"Choking on the cock of your best friend's son. What a filthy fucking man you are."
"Fuck, you look damn good on your knees for me, D."
🩺 Tropes 🩺
🤠 One Night Stand
🤠 Dad's Best Friend
🤠 Forbidden Romance
🤠 Secret Romance
🤠 Doctor x Bull Rider
🤠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠 Age Gap
🤠 Small Town Romance
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-xL9_tAt...
There are certain unspoken rules in life.
Things you just shouldn't do.
Things that cross your mind but you don't act on.
Until Colt Bishop.
When William Andino saw his best friend's son in that bar two years ago…
All bets were off.
But that was two years ago.
It was a mistake. It will never happen again.
But now that he moved back to Copper Lake, he can't seem to shake Colt Bishop.
And it doesn't help that Colt doesn't want to stay away.
Keeping distance from Colt should be the right thing to do.
So why does William want to do anything but?
"Everything about him drives me wild, and I can't seem to help myself."
I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review 💛
"Cole ignites something fierce inside of me, something I have a hard time ignoring."
This series has my heart. There I said it because with each book it just keeps getting better and better (and I didn't think that was possible). I know I have said this before but Ashley James has created this Bull Riding world with the most addictive books that you absolutely CANNOT put down and this one is no exception. I was so ready for Colt and William's story since the last book and it delivered. Colt's cockiness and William trying to be the "good guy" OMFG I was such a sucker for them and I am not apologizing!!! OMGGGG I cannot WAIT for the next book because I already know it's going to be amazing just like this one 💫💛
"What the hell is wrong with me, and how does he have this kind of pull over me?"
Colt Bishop is getting over a shoulder injury and he wants to get back to bull riding as soon as possible - so to do that he has to go to the doctor right? But of course his doctor is his dad's best friend AKA the guy he had a one night stand with two years ago!! I was absolutely obsessed with this from the second I heard the plot because how could I not be? Colt is the sunshine in this story and he is absolutely cocky, flirty, and knows what he wants and I loved that so much!!
"Whether he wants to admit it or not, there's something between us."
On the other side you have William Andino who came back to Copper Lake to take over his dad's practice - he thought his and his best friend's son's paths won't cross because why wouldn't they in a small town in Wyoming? That is until that day where Colt Bishop had an appointment to get his shoulder checked!! William is trying to stay away from Colt as much as he can but Colt is not making it easy and does William really want to?
Ashley James you did it again and I hope your pillow is cold on both sides 💛💛
"With Colt, though, he throws me off my axis."
You ready for another (mostly) country playlist? Because I certainly was 🤠🤠
(Link - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3mT... )
🎶 "Summertime Blues" - Alan Jackson
🎶 "Hurricane" - Luke Combs
🎶 "I Like It" - Alesso, Nate Smith
🎶 "greedy acoustic" - Tate McRae
🎶 "A Bar Song (Tipsy)[Remix]" - Shaboozey, David Guetta
🎶 "Cologne" - SM6
🎶 "Guess" - Charli xcx, Billie Eilish
🎶 "Rush" - Troye Sivan
🎶 "Smoke" - Connor Price, Walker Hayes
🎶 "Our Way" - Mark Ambor
🎶 "Dead End Road" - Jelly Roll
🎶 "Death Wish Love" - Benson Boone
🎶 "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy) - Dance Mix" - Big & Rich
🎶 "older" - Isabel LaRosa
🎶 "Your Heart Or Mine" - Jon Pardi
🎶 "Monaco" - Jude York
🎶 "Ride the Lightning - 717 Tapes" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Good Lookin'" - Dixon Dallas
🎶 "Colt 45 (Country Remix)" - Cooper Alan, Rvshvd
🎶 "Play With Fire" - Sam Tinnesz, Yacht Money
🎶 "HONEY (ARE U COMING?)" - Maneskin
🎶 "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma" - Luke Combs
🎶 "Color (Remix)" - Todrick Hall, wiidope, Jeeve
🎶 "Natural" - THE DRIVER ERA
🎶 "Leave a Light On (Talk Away The Dark)" - Papa Roach, Carrie Underwood
🎶 "I Had Some Help" - Post Malone, Morgan Wallen
🎶 "I Want Crazy - Encore" - Hunter Hayes
🎶 "You Proof" - Morgan Allen
🎶 "Bulletproof" - Nate Smith
🎶 "Lose Control" - Teddy Swims
🎶 "Take A Chance On Me" - ABBA
🎶 "WHYBMWL" - HARDY
🎶 "Power Over Me - Acoustic" - Dermot Kennedy
🎶 "World on Fire" - Nate Smith
🎶 "Espresso (Acoustic)" - Madilyn Bailey
🎶 "You Are Enough" - Sleeping At Last
🎶 "Control - Acoustic Guitar Version" - Zoe Wees
🎶 "Sin So Sweet" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Light Switch - Acoustic" - Charlie Puth
🎶 "Irresistible" - Fall Out Boy
🎶 "Friction" - Imagine Dragons
🎶 "Sleepless" - Dutch Melrose
🎶 "Love You Again" - Chase Matthew
🎶 "One More Night" - Maroon 5
🎶 "Teenage Dream - Acoustic" - Darren Smith
🎶 "Drive Me, Crazy" - Orville Peck
🎶 "Drinking With Cupid" - VOILA
🎶 "Shivers - Acoustic Version" - Ed Sheeran
🎶 "I Feel You" - Depeche Mode
🎶 "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" - Dolly Parton, P!nk, Brandi Carlile
🎶 "Lose It - Acoustic" - Kane Brown
🎶 "Up To No Good" - Warren Zeiders
🎶 "Bones" - MOD SUN
🎶 "fOoL fOr YoU" - ZAYN
🎶 "Make It To Me" - Sam Smith
🎶 "Tongue Tied" - GROUPLOVE
🎶 "One Of Us" - Ava Max
🎶 "Consequences" - Camila Cabello
🎶 "Unstoppable" - Eva Under Fire, Cory Marks
🎶 "Midnight Ride" - Orville Peck, Kylie Minogue, Diplo
🎶 "The Heart Wants What It Wants" - Selena Gomez
🎶 "I miss you, I'm sorry" - Gracie Abrams
🎶 "Die A Happy Man" - Thomas Rhett
🎶 "Side Effects Of The Heart" - Alex Hall
🎶 "Flawless" - The Neighbourhood
🎶 "One And Only" - Adele
🎶 "Under the Tree" - Sam Palladio
🎶 "Fancy Like" - Walker Hayes, Kesha
🎶 "Ours (Taylor's Version)" - Taylor Swift
🎶 "golden hour - Orchestral Version (Instrumental)" - JVKE
🎶 "Coffee In The Morning" - Jeremy Jordan
🎶 "Sunday Crossword" - J. Maya
🎶 "Share Your Address" - Ben Platt
🎶 "Like Whiskey" - Dixon Dallas
🎶 "Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)" - Orville Peck, Elton John
🎶 "Imagine - Acoustic" - Ben Platt
And you just know Ashley James is gifting us with some masterpiece cowboy smut 🌶️🌶️
"You're a forbidden fruit that I shouldn't be tasting, yet here I am. Fucking consumed by you."
"Choking on the cock of your best friend's son. What a filthy fucking man you are."
"Fuck, you look damn good on your knees for me, D."
🩺 Tropes 🩺
🤠 One Night Stand
🤠 Dad's Best Friend
🤠 Forbidden Romance
🤠 Secret Romance
🤠 Doctor x Bull Rider
🤠 Grumpy x Sunshine
🤠 Age Gap
🤠 Small Town Romance
Book Edit - https://www.instagram.com/p/C-xL9_tAt...
September 4, 2024
4.5 stars- Age gap is one of my favorite tropes and this was in my opinion very well done, I throughly enjoyed the whole story, I liked both Colt and William, their connection was strong, I enjoyed Colt tempting Will and taking charge of things (so sexy) and once Will acknowledged his true feelings I was gone for him.
Side characters were also enjoyable, Roger, Max, Trish, Shooter and we got to know a bit more about Conrad and Whit (so excited for their book next)
Cant wait for November so I can go back to Copper Lake!
Side characters were also enjoyable, Roger, Max, Trish, Shooter and we got to know a bit more about Conrad and Whit (so excited for their book next)
Cant wait for November so I can go back to Copper Lake!
January 21, 2025
3.5*** stars
audio: 5 stars
Yeah, the story itself (Dad’s best friend) didn’t do all that much for me but having Aiden Snow (and Teddy Hamilton) keeping me company while I kept working on the DIY for my daughter has been a pleasure still.
And this scene was pretty funny though:
So far this series doesn’t really seem to be for me but hell, if I don’t look forward to the next one. Whit and Conrad, the two ex-husbands, have me super intrigued and I hope the author brings at least Aiden Snow back for their audio. He’d be perfect for Conrad.
*************
Copper Lake Series
Book 1 - Eight Seconds to Ride - dropped
Book 2 - Dirt Road Secrets
Book 3 - Burning the Midnight Oil
Book 4 - The History Between Us - 3.5 stars
Book 5 - Every Promise Broken - 4.25 stars
audio: 5 stars
Yeah, the story itself (Dad’s best friend) didn’t do all that much for me but having Aiden Snow (and Teddy Hamilton) keeping me company while I kept working on the DIY for my daughter has been a pleasure still.
And this scene was pretty funny though:
“Don’t fucking stop,” he growls.
“Colt, we can’t keep going. Your friend just walked in on us.”“Don’t mind me!” Shooter calls out, words muffled by the door. “I’ll wait right here. You two finish whatever the hell that was.”
“This is not funny, Colt.”
“Yes, the fuck, it is.”“One question before I let you guys get back to doing the nasty,” Shooter hollers out again. “Why the fuck didn’t I know you were getting dicked down by our doctor, Colt? I thought we were buddies!”
So far this series doesn’t really seem to be for me but hell, if I don’t look forward to the next one. Whit and Conrad, the two ex-husbands, have me super intrigued and I hope the author brings at least Aiden Snow back for their audio. He’d be perfect for Conrad.
*************
Copper Lake Series
Book 1 - Eight Seconds to Ride - dropped
Book 2 - Dirt Road Secrets
Book 3 - Burning the Midnight Oil
Book 4 - The History Between Us - 3.5 stars
Book 5 - Every Promise Broken - 4.25 stars
May 6, 2025
Colt + William 🖤
Age gap | Best friends son
This whole series was great and this book was no different. Love the whole Copper Lake crew.
More detailed review to come
Age gap | Best friends son
This whole series was great and this book was no different. Love the whole Copper Lake crew.
More detailed review to come
September 3, 2024
❝ I watch them interact for a moment, their closeness, and it's like I finally understand William's hesitancy. What would my father say if he knew I slept with one of his best friends? What does that say about me? ❞
This one got me on choke hold. It grabbed my throat and didn't let go. Loved the tension and chemistry between Colt and his doctor, William, but it was so fucking frustrating for the majority of the book. The nonstop push-and-pull between the mcs? The sketchy sex scenes? I ate it all up. Like, I was there. My spirit was there. My eyes were laser-focused. So for me this book lived up to its 'forbidden' tagline. Colt getting railed up by his 'pseudo' uncle basically. Gagged me so much. The last chapters solidified my rating!
March 22, 2025
Really enjoyed the chemistry between Colt and Will and the way they just couldn't stay away from each other.
Will's dad, Roger, was so funny! The way he lets them know that he knows about them 😂😂😂
It did feel like not a lot really happened in this book though. When they weren't meeting up to give in and have sex, it was as though they didn't exist and nothing really happened in the story world? Like we don't even really get updates from the rest of the rodeo guys at all and the only thing Colt seems to do for the entire book is mope, volunteer every other Saturday and find ways to run into Will. No wonder he was going stir crazy and was fed up of being injured - he wasn't doing anything for months!!
I did love the way Shooter is the guy to walk in on yet another couple though 😂 he has the best/worst timing ever...
Really hopeful that the last book in the series is going to be a good one!
Will's dad, Roger, was so funny! The way he lets them know that he knows about them 😂😂😂
It did feel like not a lot really happened in this book though. When they weren't meeting up to give in and have sex, it was as though they didn't exist and nothing really happened in the story world? Like we don't even really get updates from the rest of the rodeo guys at all and the only thing Colt seems to do for the entire book is mope, volunteer every other Saturday and find ways to run into Will. No wonder he was going stir crazy and was fed up of being injured - he wasn't doing anything for months!!
I did love the way Shooter is the guy to walk in on yet another couple though 😂 he has the best/worst timing ever...
Really hopeful that the last book in the series is going to be a good one!
August 23, 2024
This was an angsty, secret relationship with a bit of a forbidden factor. We have a dad's Best Friend, a cowboy, and a sexy secret of a romance.
This was my first read in the series but I didn't feel lost at all. I saw that this was an Age Gap MM Romance and I was sold. Throw in some horses and a doctor and we have a scenario I can't say no to.
The story mostly held up to that for me. These two meet out of town and have a hot and heavy night, which they never plan to talk about again. Now, a few years later, there are consequences to those moments of pleasure. And there are risks to a lifelong friendship.
I think I was missing a bit of the romance I wanted to see. But if you like your romance secret and angsty, then you'll be really happy. I think it didn't have to be quite as dragged out as it was, yet the book also wasn't that long... so maybe it's just me.
I would read another from this author though, so I consider that a win too.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to The Author Agency & the author for an ARC of this title.*
This was my first read in the series but I didn't feel lost at all. I saw that this was an Age Gap MM Romance and I was sold. Throw in some horses and a doctor and we have a scenario I can't say no to.
The story mostly held up to that for me. These two meet out of town and have a hot and heavy night, which they never plan to talk about again. Now, a few years later, there are consequences to those moments of pleasure. And there are risks to a lifelong friendship.
I think I was missing a bit of the romance I wanted to see. But if you like your romance secret and angsty, then you'll be really happy. I think it didn't have to be quite as dragged out as it was, yet the book also wasn't that long... so maybe it's just me.
I would read another from this author though, so I consider that a win too.
4 stars
3 on the spice scale
*Thank you to The Author Agency & the author for an ARC of this title.*
August 23, 2024
I am REALLY enjoying this series. It's got this found family vibe with cowboys/bull riders and SPICE! I was lucky enough to get an ARC and was beyond excited. While I have only read book 1, I felt comfortable reading this one out of order and did not feel like I was missing on any of previous plots. This book was HOT! We have dad's best friend, steamy one night stand, a hot young bull rider, an older put together doctor, the temptress if you will and of course all of the side characters. I LOVED Colt. He had so much swagger. Not an ounce of self doubt. Just confident in his abilities and himself. He has been around. He doesn't think about settling down until he can't stop thinking about it. Then we have William. His exact opposite. The "older" man who has been married and divorced. The new town doctor who has settled with where he is in life. Colt's dad's best friend. GAHHH the tension between these two was palpable. The build up was done WELL Ashley! We kept getting these snippets of William about to give in and then he wouldn't. I think Ashley did a really good job describing the emotions both of these guys were feeling throughout all of this as well. Colt has been injured and is not able to do what he loves most. While William is feeling shameful for his behavior and not sure how to get around that.
Colt is going crazy. He had to have surgery after falling off of a bull and is having a hard time relearning how to do everything with his other hands. He can't drive. He can't get dressed. He feels helpless. All of his buddies are off for the rodeo while he is stuck at his parent's house. The one shiny thing is that William has moved back to town and is his new doctor. The same William who has none literally his whole life. The same William who he had a STEAMY drunken night with two years ago. The same William who he now wants to see unravel again. But William has drawn a line in the sand. He won't go there again with Colt. It was a mistake is what he says, but Colt can read people pretty well. And the way that William's body is responding is saying other things. Which is why Colt makes it his mission to explore more with William. But when William turns him down again the self doubt comes into play. Maybe he cared about him more than William did. Maybe he isn't worth it, but then William surprises him by making an effort. They are going to have a go at this and see what happens. But will that last if Colt's dad finds out before they tell him? Will William stick to his promises given the history between them?
William feels like a terrible person. He had a moment a few years ago with the one person he shouldn't have...his best friend's son. And MAN what a moment it was. And now, two years later, he finds himself back in Colt's orbit. William has moved home to take care of his dad. He absolutely will NOT go down the road that is Colt. Even if his body is telling him something different. He will be strong in this one thing. But Colt is trying REALLY hard to break down his walls. And William is only a man so he decides one night. One night to get this tension out. Then he will be able to move on but he can't...move on that is. He finds himself thinking a lot about Colt and what he feels for him. He wants more but can he get over himself in order to be who Colt deserves? Can he look Colt's dad in the eye and not feel ashamed over his feelings?
I really enjoyed watching both of these characters navigate uncharted territory. Their feelings. The taboo that is their relationship. Their friends. It was all sooo juicy. The spice in this one was off the charts. Just HOT yall. I loved watching William be there for Colt after he had been pushing him away for so long. I loved watching Colt embrace that. They were just so great together! I can't wait to read the other books in this series. But I REALLY can't wait for Whit and Conrad. I just KNOW their book is going to break my heart and then mend it right along with those two.
Thank you to Ashley for the ARC for this one in exchange for an honest review! It was truly a pleasure :)
Colt is going crazy. He had to have surgery after falling off of a bull and is having a hard time relearning how to do everything with his other hands. He can't drive. He can't get dressed. He feels helpless. All of his buddies are off for the rodeo while he is stuck at his parent's house. The one shiny thing is that William has moved back to town and is his new doctor. The same William who has none literally his whole life. The same William who he had a STEAMY drunken night with two years ago. The same William who he now wants to see unravel again. But William has drawn a line in the sand. He won't go there again with Colt. It was a mistake is what he says, but Colt can read people pretty well. And the way that William's body is responding is saying other things. Which is why Colt makes it his mission to explore more with William. But when William turns him down again the self doubt comes into play. Maybe he cared about him more than William did. Maybe he isn't worth it, but then William surprises him by making an effort. They are going to have a go at this and see what happens. But will that last if Colt's dad finds out before they tell him? Will William stick to his promises given the history between them?
William feels like a terrible person. He had a moment a few years ago with the one person he shouldn't have...his best friend's son. And MAN what a moment it was. And now, two years later, he finds himself back in Colt's orbit. William has moved home to take care of his dad. He absolutely will NOT go down the road that is Colt. Even if his body is telling him something different. He will be strong in this one thing. But Colt is trying REALLY hard to break down his walls. And William is only a man so he decides one night. One night to get this tension out. Then he will be able to move on but he can't...move on that is. He finds himself thinking a lot about Colt and what he feels for him. He wants more but can he get over himself in order to be who Colt deserves? Can he look Colt's dad in the eye and not feel ashamed over his feelings?
I really enjoyed watching both of these characters navigate uncharted territory. Their feelings. The taboo that is their relationship. Their friends. It was all sooo juicy. The spice in this one was off the charts. Just HOT yall. I loved watching William be there for Colt after he had been pushing him away for so long. I loved watching Colt embrace that. They were just so great together! I can't wait to read the other books in this series. But I REALLY can't wait for Whit and Conrad. I just KNOW their book is going to break my heart and then mend it right along with those two.
Thank you to Ashley for the ARC for this one in exchange for an honest review! It was truly a pleasure :)
September 3, 2024
While I definitely enjoyed this I was also a disappointed. I didn’t understand why these two wanted a more serious relationship because we never saw them interact more than hooking up a few times and Colt making William uncomfortable with his flirting. They didn’t have any moments showing more, we were just told they have feelings and that’s it.
I loved both Colt’s and William’s relationships with Will’s dad Roger. That was a highlight of the book along with Winnie. She’s a sweet dog who I loved reading about!
I wish that in one book the coming out to the person that the couple is hiding from, in this book Colt’s dad, was done without being caught in the act of kissing or having sex. I know it’s done for dramatic purposes but I think seeing the couple having that control would be a refreshing change. I also hate it when the “I love yous” happen when a character is telling someone else in front of the significant other. I don’t understand how that’s romantic in any way.
I did love seeing Shooter again being his cocky self, he’s just so much funnier in everyone else’s book! The friendships in this series are fantastic and I wish we got to see everyone together more.
Colt was a great character, he’s fun and very caring. I do feel like we only scratched the surface with him and almost every time he was with William he was smirking. He never had a relationship before and I wanted to watch him grown more instead of being told about it.
One overall see phrase in this book is “I bit down on my molars”. The same phrase is even used in the sneak peak of Whit and Conrad’s book. It’s overused and now it is definitely going to jump out at me every time I read this author. Between that and all the smirking.
One other thing that has bothered me in this series is the women. They are seen as housewives only. Colt’s mom always had an apron on and was in the kitchen. I don’t know many people who constantly wear aprons, it’s such an old fashioned way of describing a “good little housewife”. The women of this town need to be portrayed as more independent and not just in the background so the men can have all the fun.
I wish this book delivered more but it was definitely just ok. I have high hopes for Whit and Conrad and I hope we get some really good time on page for them to reconnect.
This book was filled with the characters spending time with everyone else and I felt like the relationship was secondary.
I loved both Colt’s and William’s relationships with Will’s dad Roger. That was a highlight of the book along with Winnie. She’s a sweet dog who I loved reading about!
I wish that in one book the coming out to the person that the couple is hiding from, in this book Colt’s dad, was done without being caught in the act of kissing or having sex. I know it’s done for dramatic purposes but I think seeing the couple having that control would be a refreshing change. I also hate it when the “I love yous” happen when a character is telling someone else in front of the significant other. I don’t understand how that’s romantic in any way.
I did love seeing Shooter again being his cocky self, he’s just so much funnier in everyone else’s book! The friendships in this series are fantastic and I wish we got to see everyone together more.
Colt was a great character, he’s fun and very caring. I do feel like we only scratched the surface with him and almost every time he was with William he was smirking. He never had a relationship before and I wanted to watch him grown more instead of being told about it.
One overall see phrase in this book is “I bit down on my molars”. The same phrase is even used in the sneak peak of Whit and Conrad’s book. It’s overused and now it is definitely going to jump out at me every time I read this author. Between that and all the smirking.
One other thing that has bothered me in this series is the women. They are seen as housewives only. Colt’s mom always had an apron on and was in the kitchen. I don’t know many people who constantly wear aprons, it’s such an old fashioned way of describing a “good little housewife”. The women of this town need to be portrayed as more independent and not just in the background so the men can have all the fun.
I wish this book delivered more but it was definitely just ok. I have high hopes for Whit and Conrad and I hope we get some really good time on page for them to reconnect.
This book was filled with the characters spending time with everyone else and I felt like the relationship was secondary.
August 30, 2024
*FULL ARC REVIEW *
I love a good age gap, forbidden, dad best friend all wrapped in one. The history between us was definitely that book. I love a good "will they, won't they" moment. I thought Colt was super funny when I got snippets of him from other books so I was so excited to read this one. I love him & William together, although William tried his hardest to resist Colt. IYKYK.
Overall I really enjoyed this book & can't wait for the next one. Although I'm not ready for this series to be over.
Let's just say how Ashley's writes some of the best first kiss scenes I've ever read 🥵🥵
Add this to your TBR if you like >>>
-Small Town
-Dads Best Friend
-Age Gap
-Forbidden
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Doctor x Bull Rider
4 ⭐
3 🌶️
I love a good age gap, forbidden, dad best friend all wrapped in one. The history between us was definitely that book. I love a good "will they, won't they" moment. I thought Colt was super funny when I got snippets of him from other books so I was so excited to read this one. I love him & William together, although William tried his hardest to resist Colt. IYKYK.
Overall I really enjoyed this book & can't wait for the next one. Although I'm not ready for this series to be over.
Let's just say how Ashley's writes some of the best first kiss scenes I've ever read 🥵🥵
Add this to your TBR if you like >>>
-Small Town
-Dads Best Friend
-Age Gap
-Forbidden
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Doctor x Bull Rider
4 ⭐
3 🌶️
August 15, 2024
Colt + William
-mm romance
-cowboy romance
-small town
-dads best friend
-secret relationship
-second chance
omgggg these two were so hottt!! but they also got me all up in my feelers!! my heart really felt for colt a couple times & im glad it didn’t give out from the tension!! but him also being daddy? that was a little unexpected & i am here! for! it!!
-mm romance
-cowboy romance
-small town
-dads best friend
-secret relationship
-second chance
omgggg these two were so hottt!! but they also got me all up in my feelers!! my heart really felt for colt a couple times & im glad it didn’t give out from the tension!! but him also being daddy? that was a little unexpected & i am here! for! it!!
September 2, 2024
So, because this book isn't properly labeled - does not even have a cover yet on here - I had no idea this was a part of the Copper Lake series until I was already reading it. So....I'm a little out of order, as I haven't read the first three yet. Ah, oh well. Reading this, aside from mentions of the past MC's, I was able to read this as a standalone easily.
So this actually, for me, instead of being really good in the first half and dropping off in the second, was the opposite.
This took me some time to get into. Mainly, because of Colt. I didn't warm up to him as a character for quite awhile.
I don't think I'm much of a fan of characters who never take anything seriously, or almost never. Even in real life, if people never take anything seriously, ever, I get annoyed with that. I get that life shouldn't always be taken seriously, but at the same time some things should be taken seriously and be handled in a mature, serious way. It's just the way it is.
So aside from like...2 or 3 instances of very short lived guilt from Colt, he was absolutely shameless, and not in a good or endearing way. He didn't start to show another side to him until well into the book. I started to warm up to him then, as he calmed down a little, started to take some things more seriously, and showed the good heart he has beneath all the bluster and bravado.
Really, if he hadn't improved as a character, I probably would have left this at 3 stars. But what was probably a 3 star first half, turned into a 5 star second half, thus rounding that out to 4 stars. Because Colt improved, and we also got to see why these two fell in love as well.
That was another thing about the first half. Because Colt was being, honestly, annoying as fuck, and very persistent (in a non-charming way tbh) and also William, Colt's father's best friend, was being so resistant because he was actually taking it seriously and felt very guilt ridden, I wasn't really understanding the pull between them.
Or more accurately, the pull William felt toward Colt. It felt like purely sex between them for a good while there - even as William resisted for at least 50ish percent of this - especially on Colt's end, and they didn't have much of any bonding moments or moments to build a real connection, so I was wondering why William was finding it so hard to resist Colt and why William was so special that Colt was breaking his pattern of one and done for him.
Thankfully, when Max, Colt's dad, eventually finds out, he does react negatively and I like that it took time for him to come around, too. It wasn't just an easy reveal and easy fix. He even punches William once, too.
But everyone else reacted way too easily and calmly for my tastes. In fact, the only ones who had a real problem, moral dilemma, who freaked out about it all, was William and Max. They honestly had appropriate, understandable reactions - and in William's case, resistance - because yeah, they're both legal, consenting adults, but at the end of the day he's over 20 years older than Colt, and he HAS known Colt since he was a baby - even if he did move to Seattle for about 10 years when Colt was a preteen - and he IS his father's best friend.
Honestly, the way people react to complete strangers' relationships on the internet - more often celebs - the fact that people in town wouldn't have much of an opinion or reaction? (We get nothing about how people react to them out and about in town once it's known to friends and family) I didn't buy it for one second. And aside from Max, the mother at least should have had a strong reaction too, at least at first, but nothing from her. I think William's father could have had some reaction, any reaction, but nada there.
Like? It doesn't ring true to me. Not that it has to be a constant angst fest with everyone hating on their relationship all the time, but at least initial reactions should have been bigger - more than just Max, although his being the biggest negative reaction makes sense.
But instead we barely get anything and it's found out way too late in the book so things get resolved fairly quickly and it's just a tad disappointing. All that, and being annoyed with Colt's character in the first half, means a star off from me.
BUT not to say I didn't enjoy this, because I did. Especially in the second half. We really got to see much more of William and Colt together outside of sex - as hot as the sex was on top of that, which damn yes they were (also I loved how William remained the top and they didn't switch) - and see why these two would fall for each other. I really started to feel the connection then and warm up to Colt a lot, so I was really happy, overall, with the second half of this book.
I also love juicy drama, so I loved the way Max found out about them.
I also love people walking in on a couple, whether it's kissing or much more, discovering they're a thing or even if they already know they're a thing - idk why, I just do - and Colt's friend walking in on them fucking was so great (even though...why would you just walk into someone's house without knocking, even if you are close friends? 😭) and hot, even if it ruined the mood. But I love that shit, so that was a big plus for me too 😂
So overall, this was very good, and I definitely recommend it. And maybe people won't be as put off by Colt at first as I was (even though his blase attitude about potentially ruining a decades long friendship by getting with his dad's best friend is still something I can't get over) and so you'll love this even more than I did.
So definitely an overall win, and I can't wait to read the next one and see how Whit and Conrad make their way back to each other (although maybe I should read the first three first...we'll see).
Can't wait for more! 😘
So this actually, for me, instead of being really good in the first half and dropping off in the second, was the opposite.
This took me some time to get into. Mainly, because of Colt. I didn't warm up to him as a character for quite awhile.
I don't think I'm much of a fan of characters who never take anything seriously, or almost never. Even in real life, if people never take anything seriously, ever, I get annoyed with that. I get that life shouldn't always be taken seriously, but at the same time some things should be taken seriously and be handled in a mature, serious way. It's just the way it is.
So aside from like...2 or 3 instances of very short lived guilt from Colt, he was absolutely shameless, and not in a good or endearing way. He didn't start to show another side to him until well into the book. I started to warm up to him then, as he calmed down a little, started to take some things more seriously, and showed the good heart he has beneath all the bluster and bravado.
Really, if he hadn't improved as a character, I probably would have left this at 3 stars. But what was probably a 3 star first half, turned into a 5 star second half, thus rounding that out to 4 stars. Because Colt improved, and we also got to see why these two fell in love as well.
That was another thing about the first half. Because Colt was being, honestly, annoying as fuck, and very persistent (in a non-charming way tbh) and also William, Colt's father's best friend, was being so resistant because he was actually taking it seriously and felt very guilt ridden, I wasn't really understanding the pull between them.
Or more accurately, the pull William felt toward Colt. It felt like purely sex between them for a good while there - even as William resisted for at least 50ish percent of this - especially on Colt's end, and they didn't have much of any bonding moments or moments to build a real connection, so I was wondering why William was finding it so hard to resist Colt and why William was so special that Colt was breaking his pattern of one and done for him.
Thankfully, when Max, Colt's dad, eventually finds out, he does react negatively and I like that it took time for him to come around, too. It wasn't just an easy reveal and easy fix. He even punches William once, too.
But everyone else reacted way too easily and calmly for my tastes. In fact, the only ones who had a real problem, moral dilemma, who freaked out about it all, was William and Max. They honestly had appropriate, understandable reactions - and in William's case, resistance - because yeah, they're both legal, consenting adults, but at the end of the day he's over 20 years older than Colt, and he HAS known Colt since he was a baby - even if he did move to Seattle for about 10 years when Colt was a preteen - and he IS his father's best friend.
Honestly, the way people react to complete strangers' relationships on the internet - more often celebs - the fact that people in town wouldn't have much of an opinion or reaction? (We get nothing about how people react to them out and about in town once it's known to friends and family) I didn't buy it for one second. And aside from Max, the mother at least should have had a strong reaction too, at least at first, but nothing from her. I think William's father could have had some reaction, any reaction, but nada there.
Like? It doesn't ring true to me. Not that it has to be a constant angst fest with everyone hating on their relationship all the time, but at least initial reactions should have been bigger - more than just Max, although his being the biggest negative reaction makes sense.
But instead we barely get anything and it's found out way too late in the book so things get resolved fairly quickly and it's just a tad disappointing. All that, and being annoyed with Colt's character in the first half, means a star off from me.
BUT not to say I didn't enjoy this, because I did. Especially in the second half. We really got to see much more of William and Colt together outside of sex - as hot as the sex was on top of that, which damn yes they were (also I loved how William remained the top and they didn't switch) - and see why these two would fall for each other. I really started to feel the connection then and warm up to Colt a lot, so I was really happy, overall, with the second half of this book.
I also love juicy drama, so I loved the way Max found out about them.
I also love people walking in on a couple, whether it's kissing or much more, discovering they're a thing or even if they already know they're a thing - idk why, I just do - and Colt's friend walking in on them fucking was so great (even though...why would you just walk into someone's house without knocking, even if you are close friends? 😭) and hot, even if it ruined the mood. But I love that shit, so that was a big plus for me too 😂
So overall, this was very good, and I definitely recommend it. And maybe people won't be as put off by Colt at first as I was (even though his blase attitude about potentially ruining a decades long friendship by getting with his dad's best friend is still something I can't get over) and so you'll love this even more than I did.
So definitely an overall win, and I can't wait to read the next one and see how Whit and Conrad make their way back to each other (although maybe I should read the first three first...we'll see).
Can't wait for more! 😘
August 30, 2024
"Something so wrong has never felt so damn good."⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶️🌶️🌶️
10/10! This book is age gap, dad’s best friend, forbidden romance perfection!! Ashley has done it again, making this my new favourite of the bunch (I still love you Xander & Cope 🫶🏻) But seriously, how can you top a young injured bull rider lusting after an older doctor, who also happens to be his dad’s best friend? Go ahead.. I’ll wait 😄
Colt is such a confident, shameless flirt, always stirring the pot (in a rather Shooter-esque fashion one might say), but he is also endlessly caring and mature. The glimpses of a vulnerable young man that we see through the book make him so endearing and I loved how he pushed William out of his comfort zone.
I ADORED William’s character so much! His internal battle with his desires vs his morals, and responsibilities as a friend to Colt’s dad, felt so real! His continued concerns about setting boundaries, and his hard stance on never repeating their one night, only helped to ratchet up the tension between the two!
And let me tell you, the tension was TENSIONING in this book!!!! It’s a feast for anyone who loves a torturous teasing, flirty banter, and hot as hell “we can’t/shouldn’t do this” moments! Despite the forbidden nature of their relationship, I loved the mutual respect that Colt & Will had for each other through it all, even when things get tough.
I also have to honourably mention that it has a few of my favourite Shooter moments of the whole damn series! I know I say that every time, but ASHLEY.. how do you keep making them better?! 😂🙌🏻
A phenomenal read for Copper Lake fans with so many familiar faces, forbidden age gap goodness, hilarious exchanges and spicy stolen moments!!
October 14, 2024
2+
Przyzwoite, ale przeciętne.
Duży age gap - jakieś 22-23 lata. Syn najlepszego przyjaciela. Wielkie poczucie winy starszego (Will), pogoń młodszego (Colt). Stereotypy znowu, choć przyznaję, że ten tom lepiej napisany niż tom nr 3. Ale autorka nie darowała sobie większości klasycznych punktów w tego typu romansie, łącznie z tym, na który już naprawdę przewracam oczami, czyli
Zaokrąglam do trzech gwiazdek, bo Colt to całkiem fajny bohater.
Przyzwoite, ale przeciętne.
Duży age gap - jakieś 22-23 lata. Syn najlepszego przyjaciela. Wielkie poczucie winy starszego (Will), pogoń młodszego (Colt). Stereotypy znowu, choć przyznaję, że ten tom lepiej napisany niż tom nr 3. Ale autorka nie darowała sobie większości klasycznych punktów w tego typu romansie, łącznie z tym, na który już naprawdę przewracam oczami, czyli
Zaokrąglam do trzech gwiazdek, bo Colt to całkiem fajny bohater.
August 22, 2024
So good! I loved Colt and William’s story, there’s something so hot about a secret forbidden relationship. The tension and chemistry between these two was incredible. Not only was this one hot and spicy it was also super sweet and had me swooning. This series is so good and I can’t wait for the next book!
May 28, 2025
idk what these books do to me but I am just obsessed with this series. The found family and hot cowboys are just everything.
September 9, 2024
The Doc and the Bull Rider
The setting is Copper Lake a small friendly town with lovely side characters. Again I’ve read this one without knowing what number it is in the series or if it matters.
What does matter to me is that I loved this story of Cole the Rodeo Bull Rider and William the town Doctor. This relationship has quite a big age gap between them. That is not the issue for either of the. Their relationship is explosively hot. 🥵 🧨
The problem is William is Max’s best friend since grade school, and Max is Cole’s dad. 🥺😱
What kept me turning the pages was waiting for William to finally accept that age doesn’t matter here, and to stop worrying that his best friend will kill him for loving his son.
All of this happens while Cole is recuperating from an accident in the Arena when a bull stomped on his shoulder which took him out of the running in Rodeo events for nearly a year.
Even though William is much older, I loved how Cole was the one with the most optimistic attitude and didn’t allow miscommunications or disagreements to grow and fester.
Yep, I enjoyed this a lot, particularly as the ‘shoe dropping’ at 80% wasn’t between the MC’s this time. Can’t wait to get more reads set at Copper Lake. Hope the MC’s are as adorable as Cole and William. There are a few side characters here whose stories I want to know more about, especially Conrad and Whit, who were once married but now divorced, both involved with new men, but methinks one is still pining for what was lost. 😞 💔
This was a lovely weekend d read for me and I suggest adding it to your TBR, you won’t regret it. There are no TW’s needed here unless you are scared of the Bulls. However there is mention in passing, of the death of an MC’s parent.
The setting is Copper Lake a small friendly town with lovely side characters. Again I’ve read this one without knowing what number it is in the series or if it matters.
What does matter to me is that I loved this story of Cole the Rodeo Bull Rider and William the town Doctor. This relationship has quite a big age gap between them. That is not the issue for either of the. Their relationship is explosively hot. 🥵 🧨
The problem is William is Max’s best friend since grade school, and Max is Cole’s dad. 🥺😱
What kept me turning the pages was waiting for William to finally accept that age doesn’t matter here, and to stop worrying that his best friend will kill him for loving his son.
All of this happens while Cole is recuperating from an accident in the Arena when a bull stomped on his shoulder which took him out of the running in Rodeo events for nearly a year.
Even though William is much older, I loved how Cole was the one with the most optimistic attitude and didn’t allow miscommunications or disagreements to grow and fester.
Yep, I enjoyed this a lot, particularly as the ‘shoe dropping’ at 80% wasn’t between the MC’s this time. Can’t wait to get more reads set at Copper Lake. Hope the MC’s are as adorable as Cole and William. There are a few side characters here whose stories I want to know more about, especially Conrad and Whit, who were once married but now divorced, both involved with new men, but methinks one is still pining for what was lost. 😞 💔
This was a lovely weekend d read for me and I suggest adding it to your TBR, you won’t regret it. There are no TW’s needed here unless you are scared of the Bulls. However there is mention in passing, of the death of an MC’s parent.
August 19, 2024
4.5 stars
I am absolutely in love with the Cooper Lake Series. The fictional town created by the author and the characters are just so captivating. The forbidden romance between Colt and William had me hooked, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Colt, a happy-go-lucky person we met in the previous books, is now recovering from an injury at his parents' home. William, who moved to Cooper Lake to take over his father's practice, happens to be Colt's new doctor. They share a steamy past, but William is hesitant to rekindle their relationship because he is also his best friend's son.
I loved how Colt relentlessly pursued William and how their push-and-pull dynamic unfolded. When William finally gave in, their intimate scenes were intense and satisfying. Despite their concerns about societal judgment and Colt's parents, it was rewarding to see them find happiness together.
Roger's supportive role and Shooter's hilarious presence added richness to the story. Although the next book featuring Conrad and Whit will be the series finale, I can't wait to dive into their story and savor every moment of it. I highly recommend checking out this series.
* I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency and this is my honest review *
I am absolutely in love with the Cooper Lake Series. The fictional town created by the author and the characters are just so captivating. The forbidden romance between Colt and William had me hooked, and I enjoyed every bit of it.
Colt, a happy-go-lucky person we met in the previous books, is now recovering from an injury at his parents' home. William, who moved to Cooper Lake to take over his father's practice, happens to be Colt's new doctor. They share a steamy past, but William is hesitant to rekindle their relationship because he is also his best friend's son.
I loved how Colt relentlessly pursued William and how their push-and-pull dynamic unfolded. When William finally gave in, their intimate scenes were intense and satisfying. Despite their concerns about societal judgment and Colt's parents, it was rewarding to see them find happiness together.
Roger's supportive role and Shooter's hilarious presence added richness to the story. Although the next book featuring Conrad and Whit will be the series finale, I can't wait to dive into their story and savor every moment of it. I highly recommend checking out this series.
* I received an ARC copy from The Author Agency and this is my honest review *
February 5, 2025
DNF @ 66%. I was all set for a great age gap, dad's best friend romance, but between Colt's smirking, William's constant waffling, and a story that just seemed to drag on for no good reason, I had to throw in the towel. The only secondary characters I cared about were Roger and Winnie (the dog). There was no need for all these extra people to be thrown in just to fill pages. Skim, skim, skim. Colt kind of annoyed me and, after a while, William stopped being sexy and just became uninteresting. I was trying to hold out for Colt's father to find out about them, but I don't care enough.
August 30, 2024
3.5⭐️ While I found the inner monologues a little wordy, I was really wanting to get back to this book every time I set it down. The spice was everything❤️
June 2, 2025
Rating: 4/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: William and Colt
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: William and Colt
October 3, 2024
Audio re-read
Loved the narrators, very appropriate for the characters.
4.5 stars
This was very good. I loved Colt and William. And I can't wait for the final story.
Loved the narrators, very appropriate for the characters.
4.5 stars
This was very good. I loved Colt and William. And I can't wait for the final story.
September 26, 2024
In my opinion - these are the MM version of Elsie Silver western romance books and I usually love them; however, this was my least favorite so far. Loved Colt, but I got very bored and the Dad finding out was very anti-climatic. There were also grammatical errors and even a few timeline errors that just took me out of the book.
-In one part William stops by the house to check on Colt's injury (because Colt's father / Will's best friend) asked him to after Colt overdid it by working out. The very next chapter William mentions it's the "first time" he's seen Colt since he reassigned him to the other Dr. in his practice... but he JUST saw him when he stopped at his parent's house.
- "Listen, Doc, I'm sure you're plenty used to being the boss in your world, both at work and in your professional life"... I'm sure it was supposed to be "personal life" because work and professional are the same thing?
- "Will made eggs Benedict for breakfast. Colt's gaze drags over to mine, that cocky smirk sliding into place again. "I love French toast," he drawls.
Anyway, that is just a few examples. I absolutely know grammar errors slip by, but this seemed an abnormal amount.
2.5 stars ⭐️
-In one part William stops by the house to check on Colt's injury (because Colt's father / Will's best friend) asked him to after Colt overdid it by working out. The very next chapter William mentions it's the "first time" he's seen Colt since he reassigned him to the other Dr. in his practice... but he JUST saw him when he stopped at his parent's house.
- "Listen, Doc, I'm sure you're plenty used to being the boss in your world, both at work and in your professional life"... I'm sure it was supposed to be "personal life" because work and professional are the same thing?
- "Will made eggs Benedict for breakfast. Colt's gaze drags over to mine, that cocky smirk sliding into place again. "I love French toast," he drawls.
Anyway, that is just a few examples. I absolutely know grammar errors slip by, but this seemed an abnormal amount.
2.5 stars ⭐️
September 9, 2024
⭐️ 3,5
November 18, 2024
3☆
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭
ᗰᑕᔑ: Colt William
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st dual
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Small Town, Age Gap, Dad's Best Friend.
Seguire amando el libro 1 este me psrece muy flojo esperaba más
ᔑᑭᏆᑕᗴ: 🔥🔥
しᗩᑌᏀᕼᔑ: 🤣🤣
Ꭲᗴᗩᖇᔑ:😭
ᗰᑕᔑ: Colt William
ᑭᝪᐯ: 1st dual
Ꭲᖇᝪᑭᗴᔑ: Small Town, Age Gap, Dad's Best Friend.
Seguire amando el libro 1 este me psrece muy flojo esperaba más
May 18, 2025
Okay, so The History Between Us? Yeah. That book? Ate. Left no crumbs. Imagine your dad’s best friend—yes, that trope—coming back to town all broody, emotionally shut down, wearing responsibility like a second skin, and then there’s you: sassy, unbothered, and hot as hell. That’s Colt and William in a nutshell, and babe, I devoured every second of it. Colt is everything I love in a main character—confident, flirty, completely shameless in the way he pursues William. And William? Oh, the emotional constipation was so real. The man was in deep denial, gripping his morals like they’d save him from Colt’s relentless charm. Spoiler: they didn’t.
The tension was so thick, Like, I was holding my breath waiting for someone to finally crack. And when they did? When Colt pushed just the right button? Whew. The steam had me clutching my headphones like a Victorian maiden seeing ankle. But it’s not just spice. The emotional undercurrent? Mmm, yes. William battling guilt, Colt craving something real for once—it hit. Especially watching William finally choose himself, choose them.
Did I yell when they had their first real moment of honesty? Maybe. Did I scream a little when people in town started whispering? Absolutely. And the way Colt didn’t care, just kept showing up, kept choosing William? Chef’s kiss.
So yeah. If you love age gaps, forbidden longing, small-town nosiness, and a cocky younger guy who flirts like it’s his full-time job—The History Between Us is your next obsession.
10/10 would re-listen just to hear Colt flirt again. That man is my Roman Empire now.
The tension was so thick, Like, I was holding my breath waiting for someone to finally crack. And when they did? When Colt pushed just the right button? Whew. The steam had me clutching my headphones like a Victorian maiden seeing ankle. But it’s not just spice. The emotional undercurrent? Mmm, yes. William battling guilt, Colt craving something real for once—it hit. Especially watching William finally choose himself, choose them.
Did I yell when they had their first real moment of honesty? Maybe. Did I scream a little when people in town started whispering? Absolutely. And the way Colt didn’t care, just kept showing up, kept choosing William? Chef’s kiss.
So yeah. If you love age gaps, forbidden longing, small-town nosiness, and a cocky younger guy who flirts like it’s his full-time job—The History Between Us is your next obsession.
10/10 would re-listen just to hear Colt flirt again. That man is my Roman Empire now.
August 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and read it at one go in just a day. While this is a slow burn William and Colt’s attraction is white hot and push and pull is scorching. William is Max’s best friend who happens to be Colt’s dad. This and the age gap are two major hurdles these two need to overcome to get to their HEA. And it’s not a linear path let me tell you. I liked both characters and the age gap isn’t apparent other than the fact that Colt is a bit cocky, but that’s honestly to be expected being at the top of his Rodeo game. William is more a sweet steady presence except when it comes to Colt where his self control goes out the window. They have more in common than you’d think with having big parental shoes to fill from a young age and they bond well over that
These two are a little all over the place with the attraction they feel pushing them hither tither and the will they won’t they gives an amazing slow burn but they also oscillate quite a bit between guilt and giving in with some changing their mind thrown in to the mix to make this an even more twisty journey to an HEA. I’m not sure how I feel about Max being kept in the dark even as they decide to give in and are exploring their connection but I can see where they were coming from and that ending was so sweet.
Expect
* Slow burn
* Dirty talk
* Dad’s Best Friend
* Small Town
* Doctor x Bull Rider
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Age Gap
* MM romance
* Forbidden vibes
* One Night Stand
These two are a little all over the place with the attraction they feel pushing them hither tither and the will they won’t they gives an amazing slow burn but they also oscillate quite a bit between guilt and giving in with some changing their mind thrown in to the mix to make this an even more twisty journey to an HEA. I’m not sure how I feel about Max being kept in the dark even as they decide to give in and are exploring their connection but I can see where they were coming from and that ending was so sweet.
Expect
* Slow burn
* Dirty talk
* Dad’s Best Friend
* Small Town
* Doctor x Bull Rider
* Grumpy Sunshine
* Age Gap
* MM romance
* Forbidden vibes
* One Night Stand
August 27, 2024
4/5 ⭐️ 3/5 🌶️
- Bull rider X doctor
- Age gap
- Best friend’s son
- Small town
- One night stand
Colt and Will’s story was just adorable. I enjoyed the roller coaster of emotions that they went through starting from their one night stand to finally getting their happy ending. Colt constantly pushing Will’s buttons was just as fun as Will’s dirty talk when things got steamy. I loved how possessive he was of Colt with all that ‘mine’ talk. You could see the specific moments each one fell more in love with each other.
Will was pretty hesitant to take the step to explore his relationship with Colt, but once he realised how much happier and freer he was with him, he was all in. Their chemistry was insane in and out of the bedroom.
The forbidden nature of their relationship made it all the more hotter and intense, especially trying to hide it from people. It was expected that Colt’s dad would be shocked and mad when he found out but the surprising reaction came from Will’s father, Roger. I adored the bond between Colt and Roger, it was so special and warm, he was the number one supporter for their relationship.
Anyone that is a fan of a forbidden, age gap, MM romance would eat this right up!
- Bull rider X doctor
- Age gap
- Best friend’s son
- Small town
- One night stand
Colt and Will’s story was just adorable. I enjoyed the roller coaster of emotions that they went through starting from their one night stand to finally getting their happy ending. Colt constantly pushing Will’s buttons was just as fun as Will’s dirty talk when things got steamy. I loved how possessive he was of Colt with all that ‘mine’ talk. You could see the specific moments each one fell more in love with each other.
Will was pretty hesitant to take the step to explore his relationship with Colt, but once he realised how much happier and freer he was with him, he was all in. Their chemistry was insane in and out of the bedroom.
The forbidden nature of their relationship made it all the more hotter and intense, especially trying to hide it from people. It was expected that Colt’s dad would be shocked and mad when he found out but the surprising reaction came from Will’s father, Roger. I adored the bond between Colt and Roger, it was so special and warm, he was the number one supporter for their relationship.
Anyone that is a fan of a forbidden, age gap, MM romance would eat this right up!
August 20, 2024
The History Between Us is book four in the Copper Lake series. This MM dad's best friend small town romance story is about Colt and William.
Colt Bishop is a professional bull rider. He is flirty, cocky, and in his early twenties. William Andino is a doctor. He is a by the book kind of man and in his mid-forties. William is also best friends with Colt's dad. William was living in Seattle for the past ten years and recently moved back to Copper Lake to take over his father's practice. Colt was in a rodeo accident and had shoulder surgery. During his recovery, he went to see his primary doctor, Roger Andino. At his appointment, Colt was shocked when William walked in. He wasn't aware that Roger had retired and that William was taking over for him. William realized he was not going to be able to keep Colt as a patient given the history between them. Two years ago when William was living in Seattle, Colt went there to visit a buddy. It just so happened that Colt ran into William at a bar. They hooked up that night and had not been in touch about it since.
There was so much tension with these two, and I was excited to see what would happen. William was adamant that their hook up was a mistake and that it could not happen again. Although he was attracted to Colt, he had a hard time giving in because of the age difference and the fact that Colt's dad was his best friend. But Colt doesn't make it easy on him, and when William finally gives in, these two were hot together. Their chemistry was amazing and I couldn't get enough of the dirty talk from both of them. I enjoyed seeing Colt and William fall for each other, and I couldn’t wait to find out how their story would end.
Since Colt's friends were gone on the rodeo circuit, we didn't get to see much of the gang from the previous books. We did get to meet and fall in love with William's father, Roger. He was such a sweet old man. There were a couple of scenes with Conrad and Whit, and it definitely made me even more eager for their book next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Colt Bishop is a professional bull rider. He is flirty, cocky, and in his early twenties. William Andino is a doctor. He is a by the book kind of man and in his mid-forties. William is also best friends with Colt's dad. William was living in Seattle for the past ten years and recently moved back to Copper Lake to take over his father's practice. Colt was in a rodeo accident and had shoulder surgery. During his recovery, he went to see his primary doctor, Roger Andino. At his appointment, Colt was shocked when William walked in. He wasn't aware that Roger had retired and that William was taking over for him. William realized he was not going to be able to keep Colt as a patient given the history between them. Two years ago when William was living in Seattle, Colt went there to visit a buddy. It just so happened that Colt ran into William at a bar. They hooked up that night and had not been in touch about it since.
There was so much tension with these two, and I was excited to see what would happen. William was adamant that their hook up was a mistake and that it could not happen again. Although he was attracted to Colt, he had a hard time giving in because of the age difference and the fact that Colt's dad was his best friend. But Colt doesn't make it easy on him, and when William finally gives in, these two were hot together. Their chemistry was amazing and I couldn't get enough of the dirty talk from both of them. I enjoyed seeing Colt and William fall for each other, and I couldn’t wait to find out how their story would end.
Since Colt's friends were gone on the rodeo circuit, we didn't get to see much of the gang from the previous books. We did get to meet and fall in love with William's father, Roger. He was such a sweet old man. There were a couple of scenes with Conrad and Whit, and it definitely made me even more eager for their book next.
I received an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
September 3, 2024
3.75⭐️
I’m such a sucker for forbidden romance because the tension is always so intense 🔥🔥🔥
Colt is such a little sh*t so it’s no surprise Will couldn’t resist him. They’re great together and I loved how Will becomes all possessive and dominant during sex (it’s always the quiet ones, right?).
I was really nervous about how things would go with Colt’s dad and his friendship with Will. In the end, I think Will and Colt handled it all pretty well and I can totally see them being happy together forever. The “reveal” was too cliché for my liking though and the issue with Max was resolved too fast.
The first part of the book was awesome but I did feel like some parts got a bit repetitive. Even so, I’m loving this series! Book 1 is still my favorite but I’m really excited to read Whit and Conrad’s story. We’ve waited long enough!
I’m such a sucker for forbidden romance because the tension is always so intense 🔥🔥🔥
Colt is such a little sh*t so it’s no surprise Will couldn’t resist him. They’re great together and I loved how Will becomes all possessive and dominant during sex (it’s always the quiet ones, right?).
I was really nervous about how things would go with Colt’s dad and his friendship with Will. In the end, I think Will and Colt handled it all pretty well and I can totally see them being happy together forever. The “reveal” was too cliché for my liking though and the issue with Max was resolved too fast.
The first part of the book was awesome but I did feel like some parts got a bit repetitive. Even so, I’m loving this series! Book 1 is still my favorite but I’m really excited to read Whit and Conrad’s story. We’ve waited long enough!
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