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Rustic #2
Rustic Memory
Third time lucky is too much to hope for. Isn't it?
Tyler Samuels had his reasons for leaving the country town where he grew up. He moved to the city, established a home and a career, and found love. Now Ty is in his early thirties, and as his life takes another tragic turn, he finds himself returning to the place he first ran from.
Mac McGrath has lived in Armidale all his life. He loves his family and his job as an electrician, running the family business. The only thing missing in his life is a relationship. When Ty, his teenage crush, arrives back in town, maybe he has found someone to love at last.
What starts as friends with benefits quickly turns to more for Mac, but Ty will need to let go of his memories if he is to learn to love again. But can Mac wait that long?
Tyler Samuels had his reasons for leaving the country town where he grew up. He moved to the city, established a home and a career, and found love. Now Ty is in his early thirties, and as his life takes another tragic turn, he finds himself returning to the place he first ran from.
Mac McGrath has lived in Armidale all his life. He loves his family and his job as an electrician, running the family business. The only thing missing in his life is a relationship. When Ty, his teenage crush, arrives back in town, maybe he has found someone to love at last.
What starts as friends with benefits quickly turns to more for Mac, but Ty will need to let go of his memories if he is to learn to love again. But can Mac wait that long?
159 pages, ebook
First published January 2, 2017
29 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Nic Starr
44 books366 followersNic Starr lives in Australia where she tries to squeeze as much into her busy life as possible. Balancing the demands of a corporate career with raising a family and writing can be challenging but she wouldn’t give it up for the world.
Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!
When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
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Always a reader, the lure of m/m romance was strong and she devoured hundreds of wonderful m/m romance books before eventually realising she had some stories of her own that needed to be told!
When not writing or reading, she loves to spend time with her family–an understanding husband and two beautiful daughters–and is often found indulging in her love of cooking and planning her dream home in the country.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
January 12, 2020
4.25 stars. Set in Armidale (the same setting as Rustic Melody), Ty Samuels is the new owner of the Central Hotel, having returned from Melbourne to begin a new chapter in his life after a personal tragedy. He reconnects with “little” Robbie (Mac) McGrath, the younger brother of his classmate Lachlan, who is now 6’4″ and gorgeous. Before too long, Ty and Mac are involved, which in Ty’s mind means “friends with benefits” while Mac is hoping his childhood crush on Ty will finally turn into the loving long-term relationship he has always wanted.
The strength of this book is the relationship between Ty and Mac, which is not angst-filled or ridden with miscommunication or misunderstandings. This is about two men who have experienced enough of life (both are in their 30’s) to realize that the small things are worth savoring – good friends, good food, a quiet evening together. The chemistry between Ty and Mac is smokin’ hot and very passionate, and the drama of the story is that Ty needs to decide (as Tennyson wrote) whether “‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
We meet again some of the characters from Rustic Melody (Barry, Steve, Wendy, Dave & Stu) as well as some new folks – Mac’s brother Lachlan and his family, Ty’s best friend Grant – but the story is very much focused on Ty and Mac. The ending wraps everything up fairly quickly, though, and I would have liked to had a bit more time devoted to Ty and Mac coming to terms with their future rather than an insta-ending.
I received an ARC from the author, via GayBook Reviews, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
The strength of this book is the relationship between Ty and Mac, which is not angst-filled or ridden with miscommunication or misunderstandings. This is about two men who have experienced enough of life (both are in their 30’s) to realize that the small things are worth savoring – good friends, good food, a quiet evening together. The chemistry between Ty and Mac is smokin’ hot and very passionate, and the drama of the story is that Ty needs to decide (as Tennyson wrote) whether “‘Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
We meet again some of the characters from Rustic Melody (Barry, Steve, Wendy, Dave & Stu) as well as some new folks – Mac’s brother Lachlan and his family, Ty’s best friend Grant – but the story is very much focused on Ty and Mac. The ending wraps everything up fairly quickly, though, and I would have liked to had a bit more time devoted to Ty and Mac coming to terms with their future rather than an insta-ending.
I received an ARC from the author, via GayBook Reviews, in exchange for an honest review.
Visit my blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
November 28, 2016
I did NOT like this one.
Once upon a time, there was a book where one MC was a complete and total ass to the other MC. Sure, Asshole MC has been through a lot of anguish, but I mean come on, he was kind of a d-bag to Sweetheart MC. There was a lot of back and forth, and general bullshittery. But have no fear, there was a slapdash HEA ... WAY too abrupt after having been wrapped up way too quickly-I-mean-smoothly. THEN the book ended and everyone lived, well, questionably. I mean ... honestly? I thought Mac [i.e. Sweetheart MC] deserved way more than what he got ... or in this case, WHO he got. Nothing endeared me to Asshole MC ... I got too much of his flip-floppy whining and not enough of him being a great match for Sweetheart MC. So yeah, like I said, I did NOT like this one :-/.
Once upon a time, there was a book where one MC was a complete and total ass to the other MC. Sure, Asshole MC has been through a lot of anguish, but I mean come on, he was kind of a d-bag to Sweetheart MC. There was a lot of back and forth, and general bullshittery. But have no fear, there was a slapdash HEA ... WAY too abrupt after having been wrapped up way too quickly-I-mean-smoothly. THEN the book ended and everyone lived, well, questionably. I mean ... honestly? I thought Mac [i.e. Sweetheart MC] deserved way more than what he got ... or in this case, WHO he got. Nothing endeared me to Asshole MC ... I got too much of his flip-floppy whining and not enough of him being a great match for Sweetheart MC. So yeah, like I said, I did NOT like this one :-/.
February 26, 2016
Title:Rustic Memory
Author: Nic Starr
Series: Rustic Series, Book #2
Publisher:
Release Date: February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 159
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
“Mac’s heart did its usual flutter at the sound of Ty’s voice. He didn’t think he would ever get sick of listening to the man or knowing he was in the same room.”
5 hometown stars!! I love second chance romance books, and this one is at the top of my list!
Tyler left Armidale years ago and he’s set up a pretty great life in the city. He has everything he needs in his life, a home, a job and an amazing love. That is until tragedy strikes and Tyler is forced to move back to his hometown. Mac loves Armidale and everything in it, his family and his electrician job. He just hasn’t found the one to call his own yet. That all changes when Ty comes back into town, Mac’s teenage crush. These two ignite a spark between each other and start out a relationship as “friends with benefits.” But neither of these two can ignore the feelings bubbling underneath the surface. As much as Ty wants to let love in he has to let go of his tragic past in order for that to happen. Is Mac willing to wait that long for it to happen?
I’m such a sucker for second chance romances and this relationship between Mac and Tyler had me feeling so many things. I loved them and their story. They were and are perfect for each other. I could feel the struggle of their feelings coming through my kindle. You root for them to be together, I almost felt like a cheerleader at one point! Such a fantastic series! Can’t wait to read more!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
Author: Nic Starr
Series: Rustic Series, Book #2
Publisher:
Release Date: February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M Romance
Page Count: 159
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Blurb:
Tyler Samuels had his reasons for leaving the country town where he grew up. He moved to the city, established a home and a career, and found love. Now Ty is in his early thirties, and as his life takes another tragic turn, he finds himself returning to the place he first ran from.
Mac McGrath has lived in Armidale all his life. He loves his family and his job as an electrician, running the family business. The only thing missing in his life is a relationship. When Ty, his teenage crush, arrives back in town, maybe he has found someone to love at last.
What starts as friends with benefits quickly turns to more for Mac, but Ty will need to let go of his memories if he is to learn to love again. But can Mac wait that long?
“Mac’s heart did its usual flutter at the sound of Ty’s voice. He didn’t think he would ever get sick of listening to the man or knowing he was in the same room.”
5 hometown stars!! I love second chance romance books, and this one is at the top of my list!
Tyler left Armidale years ago and he’s set up a pretty great life in the city. He has everything he needs in his life, a home, a job and an amazing love. That is until tragedy strikes and Tyler is forced to move back to his hometown. Mac loves Armidale and everything in it, his family and his electrician job. He just hasn’t found the one to call his own yet. That all changes when Ty comes back into town, Mac’s teenage crush. These two ignite a spark between each other and start out a relationship as “friends with benefits.” But neither of these two can ignore the feelings bubbling underneath the surface. As much as Ty wants to let love in he has to let go of his tragic past in order for that to happen. Is Mac willing to wait that long for it to happen?
I’m such a sucker for second chance romances and this relationship between Mac and Tyler had me feeling so many things. I loved them and their story. They were and are perfect for each other. I could feel the struggle of their feelings coming through my kindle. You root for them to be together, I almost felt like a cheerleader at one point! Such a fantastic series! Can’t wait to read more!
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Melissa from Alpha Book Club
April 5, 2016
Rustic Memory, the second in Nic Starr’s Rustic series, began so well. Once again we visited the small town of Armidale, where life is slow and friendships run deep—so do memories. Tyler Samuels remembers very few good things about his past—rather it is a time filled with pain and loss. Losing two men he has loved not only makes Ty gun shy, it shrouds his loving heart behind a brick wall where no man will ever have the chance to hurt him again.
Mac McGrath has always harbored a crush on Tyler Samuels. From the time they were teenagers, Mac loved Ty from afar and little has changed in the intervening years since Tyler left their town. Now that he is back, Mac is determined to break the hold on Ty’s heart and show him that love is all about living in the moment and not in the past. When the hotel/bar Tyler owns needs electrical work, Mac steps up to do the job and hopefully win Tyler’s heart.
Picking up from where the first in this series left off, it is so lovely to be back in this sweet town where everyone seems to know each other’s business and is often cheering on the underdog—in this case, Tyler. Life has dealt him a terrible hand thus far, and so it’s completely understandable that he has sworn off any more relationships even though the notion is impractical, to say the least. You see, Tyler is a young man still—somewhere in his thirties and so very wounded by the loss of his partner, Nicholas. Couple that loss with the death of the first love of his life, at the tender age of eighteen, and you can handily see why Tyler is determined never to open himself to the torture of losing another person he loves.
Mac doesn’t know about Nicholas, and hoping Tyler has put the past behind him, he pushes against Tyler’s stubborn stance only to be rebuffed over and over again. Yes, Tyler would love to have a “friends with benefits” relationship, but more than once Mac feels angered and humiliated when Tyler treats him as just an acquaintance and little else. This dynamic between the two men played out so well in this story. The slow burning need for Mac that gripped Tyler at the most surprising of times makes for a tense storyline that keeps the reader involved and rooting for Mac to succeed. Honestly, there was little not to love about Mac, and the way Tyler treated him was really reprehensible. Had author Nic Starr not made sure to give us a window into Tyler’s pain and suffering over the loss of two men he had loved, the character would have come off as an offensive and egotistical ass.
Instead, we are privy to Tyler’s pain, which prompts tender feelings for both Ty and Mac. As they grapple with trying to make their sexy, more than friends relationship work, the reader is on tenterhooks, wondering if they will ever work things out and find a happy-ever-after with each other. The story was on a great trajectory, both entertaining and detailed, with glimpses of the past woven in until the last quarter of the novel where I felt the story began to falter.
I am not sure if it was a desire to finally let Mac off the hook or the need for Tyler to man up and make some decisions that included recognizing Mac’s needs as well as his own, but the story took a bizarre turn with Tyler leaving town and then returning to tell Mac they were definitely finished…or were they? The 360 that happened near the end of this novel was unexpected and, I felt, given short shrift in the end. Too much change in too little time made the ending of this realistic novel simply too easy and now slightly unbelievable. While the events that led up to the end were exciting and definitely warranted a change in Tyler’s demeanor, the abbreviated time frame in which Ty suddenly realized what he needed to do ultimately hurt the storyline overall. I so wish this talented author had given it just a few more chapters—a bit more time for us to see Ty grappling with it all, which would have made the finish of this story just as rich as the rest of it.
All in all, Rustic Memory is a lovely story of healing and second chances that needed just a bit more page time to make it complete. Even with the contrived ending, you cannot help but fall in love with the characters author Nic Starr creates.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Mac McGrath has always harbored a crush on Tyler Samuels. From the time they were teenagers, Mac loved Ty from afar and little has changed in the intervening years since Tyler left their town. Now that he is back, Mac is determined to break the hold on Ty’s heart and show him that love is all about living in the moment and not in the past. When the hotel/bar Tyler owns needs electrical work, Mac steps up to do the job and hopefully win Tyler’s heart.
Picking up from where the first in this series left off, it is so lovely to be back in this sweet town where everyone seems to know each other’s business and is often cheering on the underdog—in this case, Tyler. Life has dealt him a terrible hand thus far, and so it’s completely understandable that he has sworn off any more relationships even though the notion is impractical, to say the least. You see, Tyler is a young man still—somewhere in his thirties and so very wounded by the loss of his partner, Nicholas. Couple that loss with the death of the first love of his life, at the tender age of eighteen, and you can handily see why Tyler is determined never to open himself to the torture of losing another person he loves.
Mac doesn’t know about Nicholas, and hoping Tyler has put the past behind him, he pushes against Tyler’s stubborn stance only to be rebuffed over and over again. Yes, Tyler would love to have a “friends with benefits” relationship, but more than once Mac feels angered and humiliated when Tyler treats him as just an acquaintance and little else. This dynamic between the two men played out so well in this story. The slow burning need for Mac that gripped Tyler at the most surprising of times makes for a tense storyline that keeps the reader involved and rooting for Mac to succeed. Honestly, there was little not to love about Mac, and the way Tyler treated him was really reprehensible. Had author Nic Starr not made sure to give us a window into Tyler’s pain and suffering over the loss of two men he had loved, the character would have come off as an offensive and egotistical ass.
Instead, we are privy to Tyler’s pain, which prompts tender feelings for both Ty and Mac. As they grapple with trying to make their sexy, more than friends relationship work, the reader is on tenterhooks, wondering if they will ever work things out and find a happy-ever-after with each other. The story was on a great trajectory, both entertaining and detailed, with glimpses of the past woven in until the last quarter of the novel where I felt the story began to falter.
I am not sure if it was a desire to finally let Mac off the hook or the need for Tyler to man up and make some decisions that included recognizing Mac’s needs as well as his own, but the story took a bizarre turn with Tyler leaving town and then returning to tell Mac they were definitely finished…or were they? The 360 that happened near the end of this novel was unexpected and, I felt, given short shrift in the end. Too much change in too little time made the ending of this realistic novel simply too easy and now slightly unbelievable. While the events that led up to the end were exciting and definitely warranted a change in Tyler’s demeanor, the abbreviated time frame in which Ty suddenly realized what he needed to do ultimately hurt the storyline overall. I so wish this talented author had given it just a few more chapters—a bit more time for us to see Ty grappling with it all, which would have made the finish of this story just as rich as the rest of it.
All in all, Rustic Memory is a lovely story of healing and second chances that needed just a bit more page time to make it complete. Even with the contrived ending, you cannot help but fall in love with the characters author Nic Starr creates.
Reviewed by Sammy for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
June 27, 2016
“When you choose to let go, you discover more about who you are and what you want out of life, and then you go for it!” ~ Chinonye J. Chidolue
Tyler Samuels has had his share of grief and heartbreak. He has loved and lost not only once, but twice in his life. After losing his second lover, Tyler decides he needs a new start and buys the Central Hotel in his hometown of Armidale. His family and friends are puzzled by his decision to come back to a place that holds so much heartache for him, but he tells them he's there to put some ghosts to rest and begin again. Tyler has sworn never to fall in love again, but finds that he's lonely. When he runs into Mac, the younger brother of a friend, his good intentions go out the window, at least temporarily.
Mac has had a crush on Tyler since he was a boy and is surprised how strong the attraction still is. Under the guise of helping Tyler settle back in, he introduces him to friends Tyler hasn't met before and helps reacquaint him with people he knows like Mac's parents. Mac's parents surprise Tyler when they welcome him with open arms. Tyler thought there would be more negativity thrown his way because of how he was treated before he left. However, a lot of time has passed and people's attitudes and opinions are more open now than they were fifteen years ago.
Tyler is grateful to Mac for making him feel welcome, but tells him that he wants the sex, but doesn't want a relationship. Mac is disappointed and a bit hurt, but being the decent man he is, Mac tries to honor Tyler's request. They decide they will be friends with benefits, but Mac's idea of friendship and Tyler's are not the same. Mac doesn't normally do casual sex but that's all that Tyler seems to want. Because of his physical attraction, Mac ends up in bed with Tyler, but instead of bringing them closer, it seems to put even more distance between them. Even if they aren't in a committed relationship, Mac still expects to be treated with respect. Mac's feelings get hurt when Tyler brushes him off, treating him like the hired help instead of even acknowledging their friendship. Tyler later apologizes, but continues to swing back and forth between wanting to be with Mac and pushing him away. Mac is confused and hurt. He wants a relationship with Tyler and he doesn't know what to do. When Tyler tells Mac that he can't even handle any kind of relationship, Mac has had it. He gives up on trying to read Tyler's mind and tries his best not to associate with him at all.
This story is well written and it was good to see some of the characters from the first book in the series, but it didn't grab me like the first one did. I absolutely loved Mac and couldn't help but feel indignant about the way Tyler treated him. I know Tyler had his reasons, that he'd been hurt before, but it still seemed to be part of his basic personality; when things get tough, he runs. I never understood why Tyler would leave his home, career, and life to go back to a place that already held so many bad memories, in the guise of starting over. I didn't dislike Tyler, I understood that he didn't want to be hurt again, but it seemed to me that he was deliberately putting himself in a place to be hurt and, in this case, to hurt others. Instead of embracing what was obviously a third chance, in his case, regardless of what he said, he was holding on to the pain and anger, sabotaging any chance he had of a happy future and ensuring that Mac wouldn't have one either. I wanted to smack him upside the head and show him how selfish he was being. Perhaps if I knew more about Tyler and his relationship with his partner in Sydney, I would have had more sympathy for him. In any case, one of the main purposes of a book is to make you feel, and this story did exactly that. If you like stories about handsome Aussie men, letting go of the past, embracing the future, and finding yourself, then you may enjoy this book. Thanks, Nic, for the interesting, thought-provoking story.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Tyler Samuels has had his share of grief and heartbreak. He has loved and lost not only once, but twice in his life. After losing his second lover, Tyler decides he needs a new start and buys the Central Hotel in his hometown of Armidale. His family and friends are puzzled by his decision to come back to a place that holds so much heartache for him, but he tells them he's there to put some ghosts to rest and begin again. Tyler has sworn never to fall in love again, but finds that he's lonely. When he runs into Mac, the younger brother of a friend, his good intentions go out the window, at least temporarily.
Mac has had a crush on Tyler since he was a boy and is surprised how strong the attraction still is. Under the guise of helping Tyler settle back in, he introduces him to friends Tyler hasn't met before and helps reacquaint him with people he knows like Mac's parents. Mac's parents surprise Tyler when they welcome him with open arms. Tyler thought there would be more negativity thrown his way because of how he was treated before he left. However, a lot of time has passed and people's attitudes and opinions are more open now than they were fifteen years ago.
Tyler is grateful to Mac for making him feel welcome, but tells him that he wants the sex, but doesn't want a relationship. Mac is disappointed and a bit hurt, but being the decent man he is, Mac tries to honor Tyler's request. They decide they will be friends with benefits, but Mac's idea of friendship and Tyler's are not the same. Mac doesn't normally do casual sex but that's all that Tyler seems to want. Because of his physical attraction, Mac ends up in bed with Tyler, but instead of bringing them closer, it seems to put even more distance between them. Even if they aren't in a committed relationship, Mac still expects to be treated with respect. Mac's feelings get hurt when Tyler brushes him off, treating him like the hired help instead of even acknowledging their friendship. Tyler later apologizes, but continues to swing back and forth between wanting to be with Mac and pushing him away. Mac is confused and hurt. He wants a relationship with Tyler and he doesn't know what to do. When Tyler tells Mac that he can't even handle any kind of relationship, Mac has had it. He gives up on trying to read Tyler's mind and tries his best not to associate with him at all.
This story is well written and it was good to see some of the characters from the first book in the series, but it didn't grab me like the first one did. I absolutely loved Mac and couldn't help but feel indignant about the way Tyler treated him. I know Tyler had his reasons, that he'd been hurt before, but it still seemed to be part of his basic personality; when things get tough, he runs. I never understood why Tyler would leave his home, career, and life to go back to a place that already held so many bad memories, in the guise of starting over. I didn't dislike Tyler, I understood that he didn't want to be hurt again, but it seemed to me that he was deliberately putting himself in a place to be hurt and, in this case, to hurt others. Instead of embracing what was obviously a third chance, in his case, regardless of what he said, he was holding on to the pain and anger, sabotaging any chance he had of a happy future and ensuring that Mac wouldn't have one either. I wanted to smack him upside the head and show him how selfish he was being. Perhaps if I knew more about Tyler and his relationship with his partner in Sydney, I would have had more sympathy for him. In any case, one of the main purposes of a book is to make you feel, and this story did exactly that. If you like stories about handsome Aussie men, letting go of the past, embracing the future, and finding yourself, then you may enjoy this book. Thanks, Nic, for the interesting, thought-provoking story.
NOTE: This book was provided by the author for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
March 7, 2016
Our story begins with Adam and Joey (Rustic #1) driving off into the sunset to begin living their dream which leaves Tyler Samuels in possession of the Central Hotel. Ty grew up in Armidale but left for the city at the first opportunity. Now he’s back to hopefully start a new life (again) for himself.
As soon as Mac hears that Ty has returned he heads straight over to the pub to check out his old crush. Growing up Mac was just the little brother who tagged along everywhere, but now he’s all grown up, and definitely hot enough to catch Tyler’s attention.
I’ve seen a couple of other reviews of this book that claim Rustic Memory is angstier than Nic Starr’s other books. Obviously certain situations create varying levels of angst in different people, but for me at least, there was nothing angsty about this story. This was typical Nic Starr sweetness (which is not a criticism btw) albeit with a little more emotional drama thrown in between the characters.
Although this is not a critique of the author’s writing, I get not every reader can like every character, I feel the need to mention that I wanted to scream at Tyler to sort his shit out, hit him in the head with a big stick, and deliver his unconscious body to Mac. Actually, it’s more a case of I loved Mac so much that I wanted him to have better than the confused bullshit he was getting from Tyler. Tyler annoyed me, and Mac forgave him way too easily…but for all of that, I can’t deny that Tyler had a good reason to be scared. Two dead “true” loves! Seriously Nic Starr!? (And yes, I actually said those words out loud while reading). That’s just some evil authoring right there.
I loved that the story was once again based around the old Central Hotel, and I assume that that location will be popping up in most of this series. It was great to see all the same secondary characters, and again, I’m guessing they’ll continue to make appearances in the Rustic series.
This story could definitely be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you give the whole series a shot. I always enjoy reading Nic Starr’s books when I want my happiness guaranteed throughout most of the story, rather than just at the end.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/03/0...
As soon as Mac hears that Ty has returned he heads straight over to the pub to check out his old crush. Growing up Mac was just the little brother who tagged along everywhere, but now he’s all grown up, and definitely hot enough to catch Tyler’s attention.
I’ve seen a couple of other reviews of this book that claim Rustic Memory is angstier than Nic Starr’s other books. Obviously certain situations create varying levels of angst in different people, but for me at least, there was nothing angsty about this story. This was typical Nic Starr sweetness (which is not a criticism btw) albeit with a little more emotional drama thrown in between the characters.
Although this is not a critique of the author’s writing, I get not every reader can like every character, I feel the need to mention that I wanted to scream at Tyler to sort his shit out, hit him in the head with a big stick, and deliver his unconscious body to Mac. Actually, it’s more a case of I loved Mac so much that I wanted him to have better than the confused bullshit he was getting from Tyler. Tyler annoyed me, and Mac forgave him way too easily…but for all of that, I can’t deny that Tyler had a good reason to be scared. Two dead “true” loves! Seriously Nic Starr!? (And yes, I actually said those words out loud while reading). That’s just some evil authoring right there.
I loved that the story was once again based around the old Central Hotel, and I assume that that location will be popping up in most of this series. It was great to see all the same secondary characters, and again, I’m guessing they’ll continue to make appearances in the Rustic series.
This story could definitely be read as a standalone, but I recommend that you give the whole series a shot. I always enjoy reading Nic Starr’s books when I want my happiness guaranteed throughout most of the story, rather than just at the end.
Reviewed for Love Bytes Reviews
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/03/0...
February 2, 2017
Title: Rustic Memory
Author: Nic Starr
Series:Rustic #2
Publisher: Self Published
Reviewer: Keri Tabor
Release Date:February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M, Romance
Page Count: 159
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
”I’m going to give you your space. I need to protect my own heart...because I’m falling, Ty.”
FOUR CRUSH TO LOVE STARS!!!
Mac has been living his life thinking he didn’t need or want a relationship. Tyler moving back to his hometown after suffering another love loss, is just trying to get by and rebuild his life without the complications of getting his heart involved with someone else again.
Mac had the biggest crush on his brothers best friend growing up, so seeing Tyler again after all these years away awakens the crush from the dead.
Ty pushes and Mac pulls, they eventually find solid ground but is it enough to not get their hearts involved? I really enjoyed the way the author was able to put together such a great story in a short amount of pages. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this little Aussie town. I am hopeful to see Grant and Dave… *wink wink*.
I think it's important to mention, while part of a series, these books can be read as complete stand alone novels. Of course everything is better together!! :)
Review Copy of Rustic Memory provided by the Author for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Keri from Alpha Book Club
Author: Nic Starr
Series:Rustic #2
Publisher: Self Published
Reviewer: Keri Tabor
Release Date:February 26, 2016
Genre(s): M/M, Romance
Page Count: 159
Heat Level: 3 flames out of 5
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
”I’m going to give you your space. I need to protect my own heart...because I’m falling, Ty.”
FOUR CRUSH TO LOVE STARS!!!
Mac has been living his life thinking he didn’t need or want a relationship. Tyler moving back to his hometown after suffering another love loss, is just trying to get by and rebuild his life without the complications of getting his heart involved with someone else again.
Mac had the biggest crush on his brothers best friend growing up, so seeing Tyler again after all these years away awakens the crush from the dead.
Ty pushes and Mac pulls, they eventually find solid ground but is it enough to not get their hearts involved? I really enjoyed the way the author was able to put together such a great story in a short amount of pages. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this little Aussie town. I am hopeful to see Grant and Dave… *wink wink*.
I think it's important to mention, while part of a series, these books can be read as complete stand alone novels. Of course everything is better together!! :)
Review Copy of Rustic Memory provided by the Author for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Keri from Alpha Book Club
February 9, 2017
Aaaw, I think I really found a new go-to author for books that transport me to my happy place.
After reading Rustic Melody I had this big smile on my face and this sweet goey feeling in my stomach. So I was one happy little cmaper when I received the second series in the series.
And while the story contains some darker and more angsty themes, overall it still was a sweet and light read that brought me back to my happy land with all the love and rainbows. Bite me, on some days I need all the fluff I can get.
This installment though, really starts with a bang. Tyler, running wild with his best friend and lover, witnesses the tragic accident that ends his first boyfriend's life. Fast forward, years later he's still feeling the pain, but in addition to that, he has a whole new set of hurt, loss and loneliness he's bringing home with him to Armindale. Mac McGrath spent his whole life in Armindale, leaving his gangly, akward teenage years (in which he had a huge crush on Tyler) behind, growing up and growing strong, only to discover that his crush on Tyler Samuels might not be as long forgotten as he thought it was.
I really enjoyed their journey together, although I might have wanted a little more exploration of the dark side of things. Tyler's grief and pain are present, no doubt about it. And they still influence all his actions greatly. I guess I could have done with a little more grieving and coping. But then that's problably just me, plus: the loss was not exactly completely fresh. So yeah, that one's on me.
Other than that I didn't connect as much to these two guys than two the MCs in the first book - but again: that's on me.
It's still an engaging, sweet and heart-warming read and I definitely recommend it to everyone who is looking something that warms you up from the inside and makes you smile.
*copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
After reading Rustic Melody I had this big smile on my face and this sweet goey feeling in my stomach. So I was one happy little cmaper when I received the second series in the series.
And while the story contains some darker and more angsty themes, overall it still was a sweet and light read that brought me back to my happy land with all the love and rainbows. Bite me, on some days I need all the fluff I can get.
This installment though, really starts with a bang. Tyler, running wild with his best friend and lover, witnesses the tragic accident that ends his first boyfriend's life. Fast forward, years later he's still feeling the pain, but in addition to that, he has a whole new set of hurt, loss and loneliness he's bringing home with him to Armindale. Mac McGrath spent his whole life in Armindale, leaving his gangly, akward teenage years (in which he had a huge crush on Tyler) behind, growing up and growing strong, only to discover that his crush on Tyler Samuels might not be as long forgotten as he thought it was.
I really enjoyed their journey together, although I might have wanted a little more exploration of the dark side of things. Tyler's grief and pain are present, no doubt about it. And they still influence all his actions greatly. I guess I could have done with a little more grieving and coping. But then that's problably just me, plus: the loss was not exactly completely fresh. So yeah, that one's on me.
Other than that I didn't connect as much to these two guys than two the MCs in the first book - but again: that's on me.
It's still an engaging, sweet and heart-warming read and I definitely recommend it to everyone who is looking something that warms you up from the inside and makes you smile.
*copy provided by author in exchange for an honest review*
March 1, 2016
Well Handled Touchy Subject
The second in the series is a bit stronger on the angst, and certainly the tragedy, of the first. It picks up as Joey and Adam leave town after selling the pub to Tyler, who is moving home after a slowly disclosed life altering experience.
The book starts out with a heart breaking, riveting scene from 15 years prior to his return, and after a while we are wandering into deja vu territory, slowly at first but then with tremendous aftershocks. We get to know why Tyler is so apparently cold in slow spurts, and we come to see how Mac reacts and helps heal this man who has been dealt a hand none of us would want.
Author Nic Starr has written a very tight, very gripping follow-up here in which (I would guess) the next book in the series is clearly forecast. But she does it in a way that will eventually lift your spirits and put a nice warm feeling in your belly.
The second in the series is a bit stronger on the angst, and certainly the tragedy, of the first. It picks up as Joey and Adam leave town after selling the pub to Tyler, who is moving home after a slowly disclosed life altering experience.
The book starts out with a heart breaking, riveting scene from 15 years prior to his return, and after a while we are wandering into deja vu territory, slowly at first but then with tremendous aftershocks. We get to know why Tyler is so apparently cold in slow spurts, and we come to see how Mac reacts and helps heal this man who has been dealt a hand none of us would want.
Author Nic Starr has written a very tight, very gripping follow-up here in which (I would guess) the next book in the series is clearly forecast. But she does it in a way that will eventually lift your spirits and put a nice warm feeling in your belly.
March 8, 2016
This is the second book in this series. I enjoyed it as I did the first one. It has a little conflict but was straightened out quickly and rather painlessly. The chemistry between Tyler and Mac was great but would have like more sex scene in this one. Poor Tyler went thru so much loss I felt for his pain and could understand why he pushed Mac away. In the end it all works out and they get there HEA. Hope to see more in this series. Hopefully Tylers best friend and Mac's friend can get together. It was also nice to see Joey and Adam ride into the sunset together. Reviewed by Jodi Marinich from Alpha Book Club
October 23, 2017
Fun. entertaining read. Another story set in small rural town in Austrlia, the second in the Rustic series by Nic Starr. A second/third chance love story. that is very enjoyable and has the reader cheering for the main characters.
January 12, 2017
Wow I think this is the first time I have read this author and absolutely it! Even starting with book 2 I wasn't lost:)
I loved how the story was paced and so well written!
Mac is a sweetheart and Ty is recovering from a great loss. Very little drama. Just two guys meeting again after 15 years and finding friendship and love.
I loved how the story was paced and so well written!
Mac is a sweetheart and Ty is recovering from a great loss. Very little drama. Just two guys meeting again after 15 years and finding friendship and love.
October 23, 2017
A beautiful gay male romance about dealing with loss and moving on with your life.
July 24, 2022
Dolce e delicato, con due protagonisti di cui innamorarsi perdutamente.
Una storia semplice ma toccante, che scorre lieve e accarezza il cuore.
Un secondo volume bello tanto quanto il primo, che può tranquillamente essere letto da solo e che vi consiglio caldamente.
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
Una storia semplice ma toccante, che scorre lieve e accarezza il cuore.
Un secondo volume bello tanto quanto il primo, che può tranquillamente essere letto da solo e che vi consiglio caldamente.
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
February 28, 2016
I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest review. Review first posted on Nautical Star Books .
Tyler (Ty) has had a tragic past. He leaves home after school and spends time in the big city but has returned to small town Armidale to heal his broken heart. He has a strained relationship with his parents and isn’t looking to ever fall in love again.
Mac has lived in Armidale all his life and is running the family electrical business. He was the ‘annoying little brother’ of a friend of Ty’s many years ago and admired Ty from afar when they were younger. He is hoping that now that Ty is home, maybe something can come of his attraction. But, Mac’s heart is involved and Ty is trying not to get hearts involved in their interactions.
I loved both these characters. Ty is hesitant about love and is struggling to settle back into his home town without people digging into his past. Small town people, however, are always nosy! He tries to be evasive, he gets defensive, but eventually details start unfolding as the story progresses about his life in the city. As the reader, you are also left in the dark as to a lot of his past until the story moves along a bit. This really helps keep the reader interested in turning the pages!
Rustic Memory starts out with a prologue featuring Ty’s final year in high school. You witness the tragic death of his secret boyfriend and the absolutely heart wrenching emotions that are experienced as a result. You can feel his grief and unfortunately it makes it blatantly obvious to the town that he is gay. I loved having this insight but it left me a bit confused when we moved into the actual beginning of ‘grownup Ty’s’ story. I would have maybe liked to see a bit more of a transition between the prologue and the story itself….maybe a chapter or two of Ty’s life in the city, just to tie them together a little.
Mac is friendly and outgoing. A great friend and loving son. He denies it but really wants to settle into a relationship and get his happily ever after. He is completely confused by Ty’s hot and cold behavior. Just when he thinks they are starting to connect, Ty pulls away and gives him the cold shoulder. I think he put up with WAY too much from Ty. I know his heart was involved but Ty was a total jerk occasionally and deserved a good smack upside the head.
You get both main characters points of view in this story, although I felt like I got to know Ty better than I did Mac. Many of the secondary characteristics from book one (Rustic Melody) make another appearance here as well. Overall, this is a sweet story that reminds us that the heart wants what the heart wants, no matter what the head tries to tell it. It takes time but these two guys do get their happily ever after.
Tyler (Ty) has had a tragic past. He leaves home after school and spends time in the big city but has returned to small town Armidale to heal his broken heart. He has a strained relationship with his parents and isn’t looking to ever fall in love again.
Mac has lived in Armidale all his life and is running the family electrical business. He was the ‘annoying little brother’ of a friend of Ty’s many years ago and admired Ty from afar when they were younger. He is hoping that now that Ty is home, maybe something can come of his attraction. But, Mac’s heart is involved and Ty is trying not to get hearts involved in their interactions.
I loved both these characters. Ty is hesitant about love and is struggling to settle back into his home town without people digging into his past. Small town people, however, are always nosy! He tries to be evasive, he gets defensive, but eventually details start unfolding as the story progresses about his life in the city. As the reader, you are also left in the dark as to a lot of his past until the story moves along a bit. This really helps keep the reader interested in turning the pages!
Rustic Memory starts out with a prologue featuring Ty’s final year in high school. You witness the tragic death of his secret boyfriend and the absolutely heart wrenching emotions that are experienced as a result. You can feel his grief and unfortunately it makes it blatantly obvious to the town that he is gay. I loved having this insight but it left me a bit confused when we moved into the actual beginning of ‘grownup Ty’s’ story. I would have maybe liked to see a bit more of a transition between the prologue and the story itself….maybe a chapter or two of Ty’s life in the city, just to tie them together a little.
Mac is friendly and outgoing. A great friend and loving son. He denies it but really wants to settle into a relationship and get his happily ever after. He is completely confused by Ty’s hot and cold behavior. Just when he thinks they are starting to connect, Ty pulls away and gives him the cold shoulder. I think he put up with WAY too much from Ty. I know his heart was involved but Ty was a total jerk occasionally and deserved a good smack upside the head.
You get both main characters points of view in this story, although I felt like I got to know Ty better than I did Mac. Many of the secondary characteristics from book one (Rustic Melody) make another appearance here as well. Overall, this is a sweet story that reminds us that the heart wants what the heart wants, no matter what the head tries to tell it. It takes time but these two guys do get their happily ever after.
March 11, 2019
4 stars.
February 23, 2016
I continue to enjoy Nic Starr’s stories – well written, feel good stories that can be read in an afternoon or a couple of days. And while Rustic Memory met that criteria, something was somewhat off for me in this installment. I felt I kept getting bounced out of the story.
At the beginning of the story, we learn that Tyler – Ty – experiences the traumatic loss of his first love. Then the story bounces to Ty’s return to Armidale and in flashbacks, we learn the why fore and where how of his return. Personally, I would have liked the period of time between his departure and return fleshed out more. I never really got the feeling of Tyler’s grief and struggle other than pushing Mac away.
That was one of my struggles with the dynamic of Tyler and Mac – for myself, their relationship came across as a bit too much ‘insta-love’. Yes, Mac had harbored feelings for years, but I didn’t feel Ty’s beyond not wanting to hurt again.
I’m really on the fence about this next bit – this group of guys had a tendency to slip into chick mode. Whole heck of a lotta touching, lots of heart to hearts, and dinners with wine. I could see that with Tyler; it was established he was in the hospitality business and he and Nicholas used to entertain friends on a regular basis.
Where it didn’t fit was with Mac and his group of friends. It’s been established that Armidale is not as urban as Melbourne or Sydney. Guys ride horses and motorbikes. Work as carpenters and electricians. We have salt of the earth guys here wearing cargo shorts, to tight t-shirts and flip-flops while playing pool and drinking beer. Suddenly they are making beef bourguignon casseroles, cracking open Syrah, and well, behaving behaving like I would expect of a group of girls. I know it's possible but given the setting it didn’t quite work for me.
So, while I was entertained over the course of an afternoon, I think Rustic Memory could have benefited from being longer – more of Tyler’s background between finishing school and starting college, more of what Nicolas meant to him, more of the stress of taking on an established business.
Rustic Memory could be read as a stand-alone; there is enough back-fill to bring the reader up-to-speed from book one with a few spoilers.
Overall:
A feel-good story that picks up right where Rustic Melody leaves off. As story about getting extra chances and taking a chance on love after loss. Can be read as a stand-alone, but having read Rustic Melody helps with some of the backstory.
Review cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of book provided by the author for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
At the beginning of the story, we learn that Tyler – Ty – experiences the traumatic loss of his first love. Then the story bounces to Ty’s return to Armidale and in flashbacks, we learn the why fore and where how of his return. Personally, I would have liked the period of time between his departure and return fleshed out more. I never really got the feeling of Tyler’s grief and struggle other than pushing Mac away.
That was one of my struggles with the dynamic of Tyler and Mac – for myself, their relationship came across as a bit too much ‘insta-love’. Yes, Mac had harbored feelings for years, but I didn’t feel Ty’s beyond not wanting to hurt again.
I’m really on the fence about this next bit – this group of guys had a tendency to slip into chick mode. Whole heck of a lotta touching, lots of heart to hearts, and dinners with wine. I could see that with Tyler; it was established he was in the hospitality business and he and Nicholas used to entertain friends on a regular basis.
Where it didn’t fit was with Mac and his group of friends. It’s been established that Armidale is not as urban as Melbourne or Sydney. Guys ride horses and motorbikes. Work as carpenters and electricians. We have salt of the earth guys here wearing cargo shorts, to tight t-shirts and flip-flops while playing pool and drinking beer. Suddenly they are making beef bourguignon casseroles, cracking open Syrah, and well, behaving behaving like I would expect of a group of girls. I know it's possible but given the setting it didn’t quite work for me.
So, while I was entertained over the course of an afternoon, I think Rustic Memory could have benefited from being longer – more of Tyler’s background between finishing school and starting college, more of what Nicolas meant to him, more of the stress of taking on an established business.
Rustic Memory could be read as a stand-alone; there is enough back-fill to bring the reader up-to-speed from book one with a few spoilers.
Overall:
A feel-good story that picks up right where Rustic Melody leaves off. As story about getting extra chances and taking a chance on love after loss. Can be read as a stand-alone, but having read Rustic Melody helps with some of the backstory.
Review cross posted at Gay Book Reviews
Copy of book provided by the author for a fair and honest review. Thank you!
February 26, 2016
This story picks up where book one left off, but is a complete standalone, a fairly nifty and unusual situation that takes diligence on the part of the author. Tyler fled Armidale following the death of his high school boyfriend, and fifteen years later has moved back to Armidale following the death of his partner. He’s purchased a hotel/bar/bistro combo, and is trying to start life over yet again. Robert McGrath, Jr., “Mac” to his friends, is a lifelong Armidale resident, an electrician, and the younger brother of one of Ty’s oldest friends. Having had a crush on Ty in his youth, Mac is more than happy to see the man back in town.
Mac is a sweetheart of a man, a gentle giant willing to take things as they come, and is looking for someone to spend his life with. Ty is closed off, unwilling to open his heart and risk another devastating loss. Can the two find their way to happiness?
This is a much slower-moving book than the first in the series. It also has significantly more angst, the vast majority of which is directly related to Ty. The plot is good, but the pacing is quite slow, and as a result, it never particularly felt like there was much chemistry between the two. The few sexy time encounters between the men felt almost like they were placed haphazardly because they were expected rather than feeling like an organic progression of the story. There are more peripheral characters to this book, and they were written well and definitely added to the story as a whole. I wish some of their spice had been added to the main characters, because they felt somewhat flat and pedantic. This is an okay book. I liked it, and I am looking forward to the next in the series, which was clearly set up in this one. This is not a series breaker for me, but neither is it going to be a favorite. I rate it at three stars - it’s okay.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
Mac is a sweetheart of a man, a gentle giant willing to take things as they come, and is looking for someone to spend his life with. Ty is closed off, unwilling to open his heart and risk another devastating loss. Can the two find their way to happiness?
This is a much slower-moving book than the first in the series. It also has significantly more angst, the vast majority of which is directly related to Ty. The plot is good, but the pacing is quite slow, and as a result, it never particularly felt like there was much chemistry between the two. The few sexy time encounters between the men felt almost like they were placed haphazardly because they were expected rather than feeling like an organic progression of the story. There are more peripheral characters to this book, and they were written well and definitely added to the story as a whole. I wish some of their spice had been added to the main characters, because they felt somewhat flat and pedantic. This is an okay book. I liked it, and I am looking forward to the next in the series, which was clearly set up in this one. This is not a series breaker for me, but neither is it going to be a favorite. I rate it at three stars - it’s okay.
ARC provided by author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
January 30, 2017
The Rustic series continues in this second installment with Ty Samuels taking over the pub/hotel from Joey and Adam. This is a beautiful story and my heart went out to Ty from the start. He’d suffered the loss of two previous loves and was hoping to make a new start by returning to his hometown of Armidale. He soon meets up with a gorgeous electrician. Mac turns out to be the younger brother of a friend who used to hang around with them as kids. Ty hasn’t seen him in years, but likes how Mac has matured nicely with age. They hit it off, make out, and then the two men play a game of will they or won’t they commit to a relationship. Mac wants them to become an item, but Ty blows hot and cold because of his previous heartaches and loss. He’s too frightened to give in to his feelings and maybe get hurt all over again.
As with all Nic’s character pairings, their situation and interaction grabs you from the start and you are soon willing them to sort themselves out. They spend some good times together as friends and also as friends with benefits, but Ty holds back from taking that final step for most of the story.
Mac is a great guy. He wants to settle down and have a meaningful relationship with Ty. Fortunately, Mac is patient and considerate, willing to wait for his boyhood crush to accept that he has feelings for him. And finally, an unexpected incident opens Ty’s eyes and heart to what he could be missing and it’s all wound up pretty swiftly after that. As always with many stories, I would have liked more scenes with the guys as a couple and see how they are together as their relationship grows.
I enjoyed the more somber tone and gentle pace of this story. Having said that, this is not a gloomy tale. Nic’s writing holds your attention and draws you in. Overall, it’s still a feel-good romance with a happy ending. There are only a couple of sex scenes in this story, but they are memorable!
***I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review***
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews:
http://gaybook.reviews/2016/02/24/lil...
February 20, 2016
Rustic Memory is the second installment to the Rustic series and basically opens where the first book ended, when Joey reached the decision to sell his pub to Tyler Samuels. We first see Tyler at the end of the book and are hinted he has a story to tell. This now is Tyler's story and indeed, he has a few tales to tell.
Tyler knew two loves but lost them. It is enough to make one wonder how he could survive through the pain, but he did. When he decides to move back home to Armidale and run the pub, he never expected to meet a man who checked all the boxes. The unexpectedness is hard to ignore and he earns himself a friend in the form of Mac McGrath.
Mac had known Tyler since he was a young boy through his older brother. He was also witness to Tyler's leaving for the loss of his first love. Now that Tyler is back, he is glad they could be friends again but the friendship comes with benefits and at first, Mac is okay with it.
When Tyler's behavior turn hot and cold, Mac is confused. Confronting Tyler is the only way to make the truth come out. However, Tyler is confused as well so all is not going like roses and daisies for these two. What will it take to get them to open their eyes and see the truth before them? The same reality their friends and family sees?
Rustic Memory has a different feel to it. Where the first book echoed the highs and lows of music, this one hits a more somber note. Fortunately, strangely, this pure romantic drama is a fast read and does not drag the reader into depression. There is an air of hope hanging over the read from start to finish. When the resolution is met, it's surprising but expected and finally gets that smile on the face. Yes! Mac and Tyler made it.
Note: eARC provided by author for an honest review.
Tyler knew two loves but lost them. It is enough to make one wonder how he could survive through the pain, but he did. When he decides to move back home to Armidale and run the pub, he never expected to meet a man who checked all the boxes. The unexpectedness is hard to ignore and he earns himself a friend in the form of Mac McGrath.
Mac had known Tyler since he was a young boy through his older brother. He was also witness to Tyler's leaving for the loss of his first love. Now that Tyler is back, he is glad they could be friends again but the friendship comes with benefits and at first, Mac is okay with it.
When Tyler's behavior turn hot and cold, Mac is confused. Confronting Tyler is the only way to make the truth come out. However, Tyler is confused as well so all is not going like roses and daisies for these two. What will it take to get them to open their eyes and see the truth before them? The same reality their friends and family sees?
Rustic Memory has a different feel to it. Where the first book echoed the highs and lows of music, this one hits a more somber note. Fortunately, strangely, this pure romantic drama is a fast read and does not drag the reader into depression. There is an air of hope hanging over the read from start to finish. When the resolution is met, it's surprising but expected and finally gets that smile on the face. Yes! Mac and Tyler made it.
Note: eARC provided by author for an honest review.
January 27, 2017
One of the reasons I love series is the chance to revisit characters and settings. Although the 2 MCs from book1 of this series—Joey and Adam—are no longer there, I loved the way the author has used the Central Hotel and its staff to link the two books together. I also recognised a couple of the other characters from Rustic Melody who have a bigger role in this story too.
Although still a sweet romance, this story has a little more angst in it than book 1. I really felt for Ty at the beginning of the story, and I thought his grief came across very well. Tyler ‘Ty’ Samuels, and Robert ‘Mac’ McGrath carry the story well, and I thought the author did a great job in handling their relationship, especially considering all the baggage Ty carries. I felt for Mac with his frustration but at the same time I could see Ty’s perspective as well.
In other words, I got attached to these characters very quickly, to the point where I stayed up late to finish the book in one sitting. As with the first story, although this is about Ty and Mac, there’s a great ensemble cast supporting them, and it was great to see their storylines progress a little as well. There are a couple of additions to the cast this time around, and I have to mention how much I loved Shadow, Mac’s dog. I’m enjoying seeing this series grow and am looking forward to reading more, especially as I know who book three focuses on—loved them in this story.
I’d recommend Rustic Memory for readers who love a sweet romance, likeable characters who have to work through past experiences in order to move forward, a great supporting cast, and stories set in Australia.
Although still a sweet romance, this story has a little more angst in it than book 1. I really felt for Ty at the beginning of the story, and I thought his grief came across very well. Tyler ‘Ty’ Samuels, and Robert ‘Mac’ McGrath carry the story well, and I thought the author did a great job in handling their relationship, especially considering all the baggage Ty carries. I felt for Mac with his frustration but at the same time I could see Ty’s perspective as well.
In other words, I got attached to these characters very quickly, to the point where I stayed up late to finish the book in one sitting. As with the first story, although this is about Ty and Mac, there’s a great ensemble cast supporting them, and it was great to see their storylines progress a little as well. There are a couple of additions to the cast this time around, and I have to mention how much I loved Shadow, Mac’s dog. I’m enjoying seeing this series grow and am looking forward to reading more, especially as I know who book three focuses on—loved them in this story.
I’d recommend Rustic Memory for readers who love a sweet romance, likeable characters who have to work through past experiences in order to move forward, a great supporting cast, and stories set in Australia.
February 27, 2016
Sometimes you just want to sink into a story and enjoy the reading experience. You want to get to know a couple, find out what makes them who they are and watch while they find joy in life. Rustic Memory allows you to do just that. Tyler has known pain, a lot of it, and love has put him through the wringer. We meet him while he’s adjusting to a new life back, no longer back in the city, but in his home town.
He comes face to face with someone he used to know; the boy he knew as Robbie is now Mac. Mac is an electrician, following in his dad’s footsteps after Parkinson’s has left him an invalid. Mac’s example of love? His parents have been together for forty years, and his mother takes care of his dad, insisting he’s no burden.
That’s a depth of love not everyone finds in life.
Love at first sight? That’s even rarer. For Tyler, when he sees Mac, that’s the last thing on his mind… but lust sure had him in his grip. Mac’s been holding a torch for a lot longer, and he has the upper hand, knowing exactly who Ty is.
Any type of relationship creates its own drama and dynamic, but I loved the pacing of Mac and Tyler’s romance. This story felt like it had a natural arc that didn’t let me down, though I did find the end to be a bit abrupt; I wanted to bask in the love just a little bit longer. I absolutely adored the warm fuzzies I took away from reading Rustic Memory; it sucked me in and kept me reading long past when I should’ve been asleep, but I couldn’t resist the lure of just one more page, and then another and another… until I hit the end before I knew it.
When does the next book come out again?
He comes face to face with someone he used to know; the boy he knew as Robbie is now Mac. Mac is an electrician, following in his dad’s footsteps after Parkinson’s has left him an invalid. Mac’s example of love? His parents have been together for forty years, and his mother takes care of his dad, insisting he’s no burden.
That’s a depth of love not everyone finds in life.
Love at first sight? That’s even rarer. For Tyler, when he sees Mac, that’s the last thing on his mind… but lust sure had him in his grip. Mac’s been holding a torch for a lot longer, and he has the upper hand, knowing exactly who Ty is.
Any type of relationship creates its own drama and dynamic, but I loved the pacing of Mac and Tyler’s romance. This story felt like it had a natural arc that didn’t let me down, though I did find the end to be a bit abrupt; I wanted to bask in the love just a little bit longer. I absolutely adored the warm fuzzies I took away from reading Rustic Memory; it sucked me in and kept me reading long past when I should’ve been asleep, but I couldn’t resist the lure of just one more page, and then another and another… until I hit the end before I knew it.
When does the next book come out again?
February 26, 2016
I knew I was on to a winner when the prologue of this book brought a lump to my throat - and it just got better. I fell in love with this authors writing in Rustic Melody, the first book in thi series, and this story has consummated the relationship!
The MCs in Rustic Memory, Mac and Tyler, are a little older; more mature; a little more...worldly, I think is the right word. Certainly more experienced in the knocks that life likes to send out from time to time. This book has the same beautifully written romance as its predecessor; enormously attractive (and I don't just mean in the physical sense) characters, that draw you in to their lives; but there is a deeper theme in this story, dealing with loss and grief, and the impact that it can have, particularly on future relationships.
Despite the more 'difficult' storyline, this book still gave me the wonderfully emotional love story that I fell for in the first of the series. I didn't think it was possible, but I think I adore Ty and Mac even more than Joey and Adam, (Sorry guys!), and the intimate scenes between these two?....OMG! Hot, hot, hot and then some more heat. Particularly their first time together.
I loved it...if you couldn't tell. I loved the romance, the emotion, the struggle and the healing; the intimacy, the sex, and most of all the love.
I know we are only a couple of months into 2016, but these books are my series of the year -read them!
(Nic....more please!)
Reviewed for divinemagazine.net
The MCs in Rustic Memory, Mac and Tyler, are a little older; more mature; a little more...worldly, I think is the right word. Certainly more experienced in the knocks that life likes to send out from time to time. This book has the same beautifully written romance as its predecessor; enormously attractive (and I don't just mean in the physical sense) characters, that draw you in to their lives; but there is a deeper theme in this story, dealing with loss and grief, and the impact that it can have, particularly on future relationships.
Despite the more 'difficult' storyline, this book still gave me the wonderfully emotional love story that I fell for in the first of the series. I didn't think it was possible, but I think I adore Ty and Mac even more than Joey and Adam, (Sorry guys!), and the intimate scenes between these two?....OMG! Hot, hot, hot and then some more heat. Particularly their first time together.
I loved it...if you couldn't tell. I loved the romance, the emotion, the struggle and the healing; the intimacy, the sex, and most of all the love.
I know we are only a couple of months into 2016, but these books are my series of the year -read them!
(Nic....more please!)
Reviewed for divinemagazine.net
February 25, 2016
“No today was all about fresh starts.” -Ty
Another fantastic addition to the Rustic series by Nic Starr. I think I liked this even more than the first, and I absolutely loved that one!
I have a real soft spot for Ty, I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat only a few pages into the book and you know when you just want to grab someone and wrap them up tight and tell them that it’s going to be okay.
And Mac *sigh* How I fell completely in love/lust with Mac. Not only because he’s gorgeous and tall and a total sweetheart, but also because he’s a contractor who turns up on time, does the job within budget and cares about his customers!
These two together got my heart all squishy and I loved their history, the intense instant attraction and just how real and down to earth they are.
It was all tied around a lovely storyline with interesting and heart-warming supporting characters. I loved the relationship between Mac and his two best mates, David and Stuart, and their antics and conversations provided so many humorous moments throughout.
Just the right amount of anticipation had me on the edge of my seat and then putting my Kindle down with a contented sigh and the world’s worst book hangover.
I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series, Rustic Moment, and I can’t express how much I appreciate that we don’t have to wait too long.
Another fantastic addition to the Rustic series by Nic Starr. I think I liked this even more than the first, and I absolutely loved that one!
I have a real soft spot for Ty, I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat only a few pages into the book and you know when you just want to grab someone and wrap them up tight and tell them that it’s going to be okay.
And Mac *sigh* How I fell completely in love/lust with Mac. Not only because he’s gorgeous and tall and a total sweetheart, but also because he’s a contractor who turns up on time, does the job within budget and cares about his customers!
These two together got my heart all squishy and I loved their history, the intense instant attraction and just how real and down to earth they are.
It was all tied around a lovely storyline with interesting and heart-warming supporting characters. I loved the relationship between Mac and his two best mates, David and Stuart, and their antics and conversations provided so many humorous moments throughout.
Just the right amount of anticipation had me on the edge of my seat and then putting my Kindle down with a contented sigh and the world’s worst book hangover.
I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series, Rustic Moment, and I can’t express how much I appreciate that we don’t have to wait too long.
February 8, 2017
The second book in the Rustic series follows Ty, the new owner of the Central Hotel and Mac, the town’s electrician.
Mac and Ty are more than a decade older than Joey and Adam in the first book and, for Ty especially, time hasn’t always been gentle. This is a more somber, thoughtful book than the first. Ty is confused and defensive, grieving his partner’s death. He has run from the city back to his hometown, but running away hasn’t solved any problems. Mac’s gentle confidence is exactly what Ty needs, but Ty doesn’t want to risk falling in love again.
Despite some heavy subject matter, this is an easy, gentle read. The small town of Armidale is a more familiar, charming place from the perspective of a thirty-something than it was from the perspective of a twenty-one-year-old desperate to escape in the first book. Overall, I think I enjoyed this second story it more than Joey and Adam’s story because I enjoyed the maturity and experiences Mac and Ty bring to their relationships.
Ultimately, this is a simple, feel-good, small-town romance. The writing is excellent and I loved both Mac and Ty.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
Mac and Ty are more than a decade older than Joey and Adam in the first book and, for Ty especially, time hasn’t always been gentle. This is a more somber, thoughtful book than the first. Ty is confused and defensive, grieving his partner’s death. He has run from the city back to his hometown, but running away hasn’t solved any problems. Mac’s gentle confidence is exactly what Ty needs, but Ty doesn’t want to risk falling in love again.
Despite some heavy subject matter, this is an easy, gentle read. The small town of Armidale is a more familiar, charming place from the perspective of a thirty-something than it was from the perspective of a twenty-one-year-old desperate to escape in the first book. Overall, I think I enjoyed this second story it more than Joey and Adam’s story because I enjoyed the maturity and experiences Mac and Ty bring to their relationships.
Ultimately, this is a simple, feel-good, small-town romance. The writing is excellent and I loved both Mac and Ty.
I was given a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review for Inked Rainbow Reviews.
March 1, 2016
4 / 5 Stars
This is a great story that almost made me cry from page one. Not only does have heartbreak but also the hope one can find love and peace when they come to terms with how life has dealt its cards.
Tyler moves back to his hometown after going through some tough experiences. He buys a pub and tries to carry on with his life while avoiding any real feeling he might feel for someone else. However, he comes face to face with Mac, his friend's little brother and whom he had a crush on him when they were young. Mac is not the 'little' brother anymore but a man ready to take action and go after what he wants. And there's no better opportunity to do just that than when Ty appears in his life again.
I felt so bad about what Ty had to suffer not once but twice and how hard it was for him to deal with it. I loved Mac and how he did everything he could to win Ty's over. They are just perfect to each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one in the series! Maybe it'll be about Grant? That's one I'd love to read about.
*I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
This is a great story that almost made me cry from page one. Not only does have heartbreak but also the hope one can find love and peace when they come to terms with how life has dealt its cards.
Tyler moves back to his hometown after going through some tough experiences. He buys a pub and tries to carry on with his life while avoiding any real feeling he might feel for someone else. However, he comes face to face with Mac, his friend's little brother and whom he had a crush on him when they were young. Mac is not the 'little' brother anymore but a man ready to take action and go after what he wants. And there's no better opportunity to do just that than when Ty appears in his life again.
I felt so bad about what Ty had to suffer not once but twice and how hard it was for him to deal with it. I loved Mac and how he did everything he could to win Ty's over. They are just perfect to each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one in the series! Maybe it'll be about Grant? That's one I'd love to read about.
*I received a copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
April 9, 2016
This is a must read! This is a story about a man learning that life is about living and loving and making the most out of life. Ty had some really hard things happen to him and he decided that he would not risk his heart again. Did not want to feel the pain of loss again, what he learns is that it is human to care and no matter how he defines a relationship, it doesn't protect his heart from pain. I loved the Mac character, who was open and honest and a really aware person. This book was about Ty learning to live again and i loved how Mac was there for him. Their chemistry was intense and the loving was hot!
There is an interesting cast of characters that support the main characters and give color and depth to this beautiful story. So many special moments in this book! I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series. This can be read as a stand alone book, however i...recommend the first book to be read also. It is also a great read!
i enjoy this authors writing and look forward to many more of her stories!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
There is an interesting cast of characters that support the main characters and give color and depth to this beautiful story. So many special moments in this book! I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series. This can be read as a stand alone book, however i...recommend the first book to be read also. It is also a great read!
i enjoy this authors writing and look forward to many more of her stories!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
December 13, 2016
Tyler has recently moved back to his hometown and purchased the Central Hotel. Tyler is damaged. He lost his first love in a tragic accident when they were 18 and his second love in a senseless act of violence and now he’s moved back home to live a quiet life with no attachments and certainly no desire to ever love again.
Mac is an electrician. He’s helping take care of his dad and he’s lived in the same town his entire life. He also had a huge crush on Tyler when he was young. Mac is excited when he learns that Tyler has returned to town.
I really enjoyed this book. I understand Tyler’s reluctance to get involved with someone again. I adored Mac’s tenacity.
What I didn’t like….I did not like how often Tyler used Mac and dismissed him as though he were nothing. Frankly, it really made me angry. I also did not like that Mac let him. Mac was written as a strong, romantic and definitely looking for love type of man who I don’t really believe would let someone use him as Tyler did, but that being said, the rest of the book was really good.
Mac is an electrician. He’s helping take care of his dad and he’s lived in the same town his entire life. He also had a huge crush on Tyler when he was young. Mac is excited when he learns that Tyler has returned to town.
I really enjoyed this book. I understand Tyler’s reluctance to get involved with someone again. I adored Mac’s tenacity.
What I didn’t like….I did not like how often Tyler used Mac and dismissed him as though he were nothing. Frankly, it really made me angry. I also did not like that Mac let him. Mac was written as a strong, romantic and definitely looking for love type of man who I don’t really believe would let someone use him as Tyler did, but that being said, the rest of the book was really good.
February 27, 2016
Tyler and Mac knew each other when they were growing up, but circumstances and tragedy made Tyler move away from his hometown.
When Tyler decided to return home, he is once again trying to put his life together.
Mac is not the same young man he remembered.
What started as a friendship with lots of potential eventually changes.
Tyler needs to learn to let himself go ... to let Mac see his true self ... to let Mac introduce him to happiness.
Mac is an excellent man ... good for Tyler and Tyler needs to be open to accepting love ... before it is too late.
I love the idea of friends helping each other ... Mac and Tyler ' s friends were important to the development of the story.
Great book !
http://bikebookreviews.blogspot.com/2...
When Tyler decided to return home, he is once again trying to put his life together.
Mac is not the same young man he remembered.
What started as a friendship with lots of potential eventually changes.
Tyler needs to learn to let himself go ... to let Mac see his true self ... to let Mac introduce him to happiness.
Mac is an excellent man ... good for Tyler and Tyler needs to be open to accepting love ... before it is too late.
I love the idea of friends helping each other ... Mac and Tyler ' s friends were important to the development of the story.
Great book !
http://bikebookreviews.blogspot.com/2...
February 5, 2017
Another lower angst, good read from Ms. Starr.
I absolutely loved Mac...although I thought he let Tyler get away with more than I would have let him get away with. His obvious love for and adoration of Tyler was so sweet I felt bad when Tyler wouldn't open up to him. I also like how close he is to his family.
Tyler went through a couple of devastating events in his life because of which he closed himself off from any feelings in potential relationships. I didn't like the way he treated Mac. I thought he was being a bit selfish. He eventually came around but it was a bit painful to get there.
I'm assuming book 3 is going to be about Grant which should be pretty good after what we learn in this book.
I absolutely loved Mac...although I thought he let Tyler get away with more than I would have let him get away with. His obvious love for and adoration of Tyler was so sweet I felt bad when Tyler wouldn't open up to him. I also like how close he is to his family.
Tyler went through a couple of devastating events in his life because of which he closed himself off from any feelings in potential relationships. I didn't like the way he treated Mac. I thought he was being a bit selfish. He eventually came around but it was a bit painful to get there.
I'm assuming book 3 is going to be about Grant which should be pretty good after what we learn in this book.
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