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One Step Forward
Sam Becker, a horse whisperer, agrees to take one last job before retiring to his Texas ranch. It’s clear as soon as he meets the Taylor family in Kentucky that he’s in for a challenge. What he doesn’t expect is the way his own wounds reopen. He never really dealt with the suicide of his mentally ill wife, and he won’t be able to ignore that hurt forever.
Joshua Taylor and his horse, Calla, were a force to be reckoned with on the eventing circuit until an accident ended their careers. Most of the pain is on the inside, however, and Sam knows those injuries are the slowest to mend. Sam’s unique methods help Calla and, surprisingly, Josh, but he’s still lost without riding. Their feelings for each other come hard and fast, and Josh starts his first steps of recovery, but Sam needs to return to Texas eventually. Even if Josh is able to move past the accident, they’ll still have a long and difficult journey to make before they can be together.
Joshua Taylor and his horse, Calla, were a force to be reckoned with on the eventing circuit until an accident ended their careers. Most of the pain is on the inside, however, and Sam knows those injuries are the slowest to mend. Sam’s unique methods help Calla and, surprisingly, Josh, but he’s still lost without riding. Their feelings for each other come hard and fast, and Josh starts his first steps of recovery, but Sam needs to return to Texas eventually. Even if Josh is able to move past the accident, they’ll still have a long and difficult journey to make before they can be together.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 8, 2016
17 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Tia Fielding
68 books229 followersTia Fielding is a Finnish author who loves witty people, words, peppermint, sarcasm, autumn, and the tiny beautiful things in life.
Tia identifies as genderqueer but isn’t strict about pronouns. Why? Because luckily, in her native language there aren’t gender-specific pronouns.
These days, preferring to live in the middle of nowhere with her fur babies is as big of a part of her psyche as writing. Tia likes to recharge in nature and tends to watch where she’s going through her cell phone’s camera.
In 2013 Tia’s novel Falling Into Place was recognized by the industry’s Rainbow Awards in the Best LGBT Erotic Romance (Bobby Michaels Award) category.
In 2019, her novel Four (Love by Numbers #2) won a Rainbow Award in the Best Transgender Contemporary category.
Facebook Reader Group: facebook.com/groups/spoondrawer/
Twitter: @tiafielding
Email: tiafielding@gmail.com
Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/tiafielding
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 7, 2016
This is the second attempt at a Tia Fielding book that’s gone wrong. At this point, I think I’ll have to cry uncle and accept the fact this author’s writing style is not for me.
I like the idea of this story: The horse whisperer and the broken rider. And I have to say, the first chapter describing Joshua’s depression had me hooked. Pretty riveting stuff. I have read a lot about mental illnesses, in a professional capacity and within the context of a romance novel and this stood out to me. Joshua’s dark time after the accident that left his horse and himself damaged in more ways than the physical was described in a very original, fresh way.
And that’s about all the positives I can say about this book.
As soon as Sam, the horse whisperer, shows up, Joshua is starting to heal. There wasn’t even a case of the magic dick to spice things up. People asked Joshua to eat and he pretended he did not even hear them. Sam asked and bam! Joshua is getting over his eating disorder. His family asked him to socialise with them and leave the 4 walls of his room and he flat out ignored them. Sam asked and Joshua practically ran to join the festivities.
What?
Oh but wait, THERE’S MORE. Sam decides he loves Joshua. See, all his knows about Joshua is that he is skin and bones, scarred physically and mentally from the accident, and that he likes puppies. Who’s to say that’s not enough information to decide you love someone? So there’s insta-love and super cheesy flirting, along with the slow process of rehabilitating the horse.
It got boring very quickly, I’ll admit.
The sex scenes were not very inspiring to put it mildly when they came around 60% into the story. And then something completely unnecessary happens to create some extra drama and fill the page with updates on secondary characters pretty much until the end.
No bueno.
Cannot recommend.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
I like the idea of this story: The horse whisperer and the broken rider. And I have to say, the first chapter describing Joshua’s depression had me hooked. Pretty riveting stuff. I have read a lot about mental illnesses, in a professional capacity and within the context of a romance novel and this stood out to me. Joshua’s dark time after the accident that left his horse and himself damaged in more ways than the physical was described in a very original, fresh way.
And that’s about all the positives I can say about this book.
As soon as Sam, the horse whisperer, shows up, Joshua is starting to heal. There wasn’t even a case of the magic dick to spice things up. People asked Joshua to eat and he pretended he did not even hear them. Sam asked and bam! Joshua is getting over his eating disorder. His family asked him to socialise with them and leave the 4 walls of his room and he flat out ignored them. Sam asked and Joshua practically ran to join the festivities.
What?
Oh but wait, THERE’S MORE. Sam decides he loves Joshua. See, all his knows about Joshua is that he is skin and bones, scarred physically and mentally from the accident, and that he likes puppies. Who’s to say that’s not enough information to decide you love someone? So there’s insta-love and super cheesy flirting, along with the slow process of rehabilitating the horse.
It got boring very quickly, I’ll admit.
The sex scenes were not very inspiring to put it mildly when they came around 60% into the story. And then something completely unnecessary happens to create some extra drama and fill the page with updates on secondary characters pretty much until the end.
No bueno.
Cannot recommend.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. See this review on Gay Book Reviews.
December 11, 2019
Insta-love, cheesy, one mc saved by the love and magic dick of the other, unnecessary separation.
Not at all my thing.
Not at all my thing.
September 2, 2016
This is an easy going romance first and foremost. That's not exactly a great thing. I'd picked this one up as part of a challenge. Although initially digging it, my enthusiasm soon fizzled out. :|
What I liked
+ Horses everywhere (You want a pony?)
I'm not someone who's incredibly familiar with horseback riding or the care of horses. Still I felt that the author did a lot of research regarding what life in a horse ranch was like, what people's opinions and thoughts about horses would be, etc. None of it sounded didactic.
The scenes where the horses interacted with humans were some of the best parts of the book, imo.
+ Pop Culture done right.
There are several references to bands and TV shows all over the story, but they weren't done in an obnoxious way. Rather than the, perhaps expected country music, there was a lot of pop-rock and classic rock mentions.
+ A much needed distance
It was also neat that, at one point after Joshua and Sam get together, they decide that they need a little bit of time apart so that they can get their individual lives in order. At least, if they want to have a future together. Both of them were v. mature about this and I appreciated that.
+ Secondary cast of yays
Everyone from Joshua's family to Sam's friends and sister had their own lives. They would appear and disappear from the plot in a natural way. There was no misogyny either--which is something I'll always give props to.
What I didn't like
- A new version of the Magical Healing Cock
At the beginning of the book, Joshua is in a deep depression. Like to the point he's barely surviving. Then Sam appears and, all of the sudden, he gets Joshua to eat and be social again. In a span of a week and a half tops?
It can be explained as, because Sam is someone new in his life, Joshua doesn't feel need to fulfill any kind of expectations from "the way he used to be." To me, both men (but especially Joshua) needed to deal with a lot of things but that wasn't addressed until the last part of the book.
- Predictability
This story was simple in the full sense of the word. The lack of creativity when it came to the plot
made it an easy read, but overall 'meh'.
- Sam/Joshua
They're a v. bland couple. It was cool that Sam was an out bisexual guy. But I did think it was a bit odd that Joshua's family was so eager to pair them up (considering Sam was working for them at the time.)
One thing that kept throwing me off was Joshua and Sam's actual ages vs. how old the story made them appear. The way people interact with Sam made him sound like someone who's 59+. Like, at the beginning of the story, we hear that he needs to retire from horse-whispering because he's so tired (etc.) And I was, like, "bro, you're 29! Chill."
Oh, and I did sideeyed how, the closer or more serious Joshua and Sam's relationship got, the more dismissive Sam became about his marriage. As in he went from missing Gina so much because he'd loved her to thinking and saying that his main reason for being with her was because he'd wanted to heal her pain.
I saw that as an about face that was v. insulting. For one thing, she was a person with bipolar disorder who committed suicide. What happened to her was tragic and Sam deffo has survivor's guilt. That doesn't quite excuses him from diminishing his relationship with her. I dunno, it all just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
- Deja vu (all over again)
This was my biggest pet peeve.
I'd be reading along and would get two chapters from Sam's pov about the goings on. Then, the next chapter would be from Joshua's perspective talking about everything that Sam had just chatted up about. This happened twice and, to me, it was two times too many.
Not only does it read like filler, but it doesn't add anything to the story.
- The clean conversation
Sam and Joshua's growing stronger and more intimate. Just as they're about to have sex, they have the "we don't need condoms because we're both clean." *eyeroll*
- The ending zoomed by
I felt that there were so many things that we're told about instead of shown. From v. interesting new characters including a bisexual woman and her girlfriend, a demi-sexual queer dude, and the late addition of a character I wanted to spend more time with.
Also, something happens to one of the side characters and the way it's brought into the story makes it sound like it was a rather sinister incident. However, we're never told what exactly happened, just that the character "got better".
TL;DR: First time reading this author and I'm unimpressed. At best, this a basic story that might be a good novel to check out after finishing an intense or angsty read.
What I liked
+ Horses everywhere (You want a pony?)
I'm not someone who's incredibly familiar with horseback riding or the care of horses. Still I felt that the author did a lot of research regarding what life in a horse ranch was like, what people's opinions and thoughts about horses would be, etc. None of it sounded didactic.
The scenes where the horses interacted with humans were some of the best parts of the book, imo.
+ Pop Culture done right.
There are several references to bands and TV shows all over the story, but they weren't done in an obnoxious way. Rather than the, perhaps expected country music, there was a lot of pop-rock and classic rock mentions.
+ A much needed distance
It was also neat that, at one point after Joshua and Sam get together, they decide that they need a little bit of time apart so that they can get their individual lives in order. At least, if they want to have a future together. Both of them were v. mature about this and I appreciated that.
+ Secondary cast of yays
Everyone from Joshua's family to Sam's friends and sister had their own lives. They would appear and disappear from the plot in a natural way. There was no misogyny either--which is something I'll always give props to.
What I didn't like
- A new version of the Magical Healing Cock
At the beginning of the book, Joshua is in a deep depression. Like to the point he's barely surviving. Then Sam appears and, all of the sudden, he gets Joshua to eat and be social again. In a span of a week and a half tops?
It can be explained as, because Sam is someone new in his life, Joshua doesn't feel need to fulfill any kind of expectations from "the way he used to be." To me, both men (but especially Joshua) needed to deal with a lot of things but that wasn't addressed until the last part of the book.
- Predictability
This story was simple in the full sense of the word. The lack of creativity when it came to the plot
made it an easy read, but overall 'meh'.
- Sam/Joshua
They're a v. bland couple. It was cool that Sam was an out bisexual guy. But I did think it was a bit odd that Joshua's family was so eager to pair them up (considering Sam was working for them at the time.)
One thing that kept throwing me off was Joshua and Sam's actual ages vs. how old the story made them appear. The way people interact with Sam made him sound like someone who's 59+. Like, at the beginning of the story, we hear that he needs to retire from horse-whispering because he's so tired (etc.) And I was, like, "bro, you're 29! Chill."
Oh, and I did sideeyed how, the closer or more serious Joshua and Sam's relationship got, the more dismissive Sam became about his marriage. As in he went from missing Gina so much because he'd loved her to thinking and saying that his main reason for being with her was because he'd wanted to heal her pain.
I saw that as an about face that was v. insulting. For one thing, she was a person with bipolar disorder who committed suicide. What happened to her was tragic and Sam deffo has survivor's guilt. That doesn't quite excuses him from diminishing his relationship with her. I dunno, it all just left a really bad taste in my mouth.
- Deja vu (all over again)
This was my biggest pet peeve.
I'd be reading along and would get two chapters from Sam's pov about the goings on. Then, the next chapter would be from Joshua's perspective talking about everything that Sam had just chatted up about. This happened twice and, to me, it was two times too many.
Not only does it read like filler, but it doesn't add anything to the story.
- The clean conversation
Sam and Joshua's growing stronger and more intimate. Just as they're about to have sex, they have the "we don't need condoms because we're both clean." *eyeroll*
- The ending zoomed by
I felt that there were so many things that we're told about instead of shown. From v. interesting new characters including a bisexual woman and her girlfriend, a demi-sexual queer dude, and the late addition of a character I wanted to spend more time with.
Also, something happens to one of the side characters and the way it's brought into the story makes it sound like it was a rather sinister incident. However, we're never told what exactly happened, just that the character "got better".
TL;DR: First time reading this author and I'm unimpressed. At best, this a basic story that might be a good novel to check out after finishing an intense or angsty read.
August 24, 2016
Great story, loved it. :)
August 1, 2016
I'm reading this, and thinking whoa my goodness, here comes the cheesiness. A horse whisperer?? Really? Okay, I was able to set aside my side eye for that. I'm journeying through it, and then I literally wanted it to stop with the over the top stuff. I figured okay I'm reading it might as well suspend reality and climb into a place with bubbles and hearts. That's what I felt like 95% of the book. I thought it dragged forever at times, and then the last 20% you want to skip feelings and thoughts. Why? I mean every other basic nuisance was mentioned.
Of course, 2 weeks later It's I love you.
Thanks Harry. That's exactly how I felt with the magical Sam, and his love for Josh. It was so much stuff happening in the story and then the ending was kaput. Basically thrown together. Josh being magically better because of Sam was total b.s. BUT, I was able to suspend reality and be okay with him wanting to get better. I don't believe it. I don't really understand Sam either. His character development was all over the place. He never felt like a real person. His actions at the end showed that very well. I don't care how much heartache it'll be he pulled a coward move, and I could never like him again. His reasons meant nothing to me. Being apart should had both characters evaluating if this was even real between them. It didn't leave me satisfied at all. The holes at the end was to big to overlook, and I didn't feel better once finishing it.
November 29, 2019
I’ve read this author before. This is a mm contemporary story set in the USA. Sam a horse whisperer is called into help the mare Calle and Joshua her rider after they had a major fall and sustained physical and mental injuries. Slow burn.
March 5, 2021
The blurb was interesting with a broken young man and a horse whisperer. Loved the cover of Sam with those lovely tattoos!
But after about 35 % I was disappointed with the instalove and the abrupt way of healing both man and his horse. I was really looking forward to how Sam was going to bring about a change in the depressed boy! I was also put off by the overall sappiness in the story.
Maybe this book is better enjoyed by those who are a fan of fluff and instalove.
July 29, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through Wicked Reads.
I really enjoyed this book! It was so heart-felt and sentimental. It really left a warm, lovey feeling in my heart.
After Josh and his horse are in a riding accident, his life and all he has ever know falls apart. He can't find the will to cope and is barely surviving. His horse, Calla, isn't much better and Josh's parents are willing to do anything to help them. They enlist the help of horse whisperer Sam, and they may finally have the right man for the job.
Sam was retired from whispering, but something about this case stuck with him and wouldn't let him say no. He has enough of his own problems to deal with, but he just can't let this one go, so he finds himself on a ranch in Kentucky with his reputation and heart on the line with two very unique beings in dire need of his help. He doesn't even know if he can do it, but he has to try.
Sam and Josh's relationship is full of pain and healing on both ends. I really like that the Calla, Sam's family, and Josh's family are tied in so well. I could really feel the love. I also liked how bold and out-right Sam treated Josh. He didn't beat around the bush or walk on eggshells.
The one negative I have with the book is the time gaps toward the end. I understand what the author was doing, but to me it felt like holes full of filler that didn't quite match up to the quality of the rest of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It left me content and I had no problem finishing it quickly. I would recommend it to M/M and romance fans alike.
*Wicked Reads Review Team*
I really enjoyed this book! It was so heart-felt and sentimental. It really left a warm, lovey feeling in my heart.
After Josh and his horse are in a riding accident, his life and all he has ever know falls apart. He can't find the will to cope and is barely surviving. His horse, Calla, isn't much better and Josh's parents are willing to do anything to help them. They enlist the help of horse whisperer Sam, and they may finally have the right man for the job.
Sam was retired from whispering, but something about this case stuck with him and wouldn't let him say no. He has enough of his own problems to deal with, but he just can't let this one go, so he finds himself on a ranch in Kentucky with his reputation and heart on the line with two very unique beings in dire need of his help. He doesn't even know if he can do it, but he has to try.
Sam and Josh's relationship is full of pain and healing on both ends. I really like that the Calla, Sam's family, and Josh's family are tied in so well. I could really feel the love. I also liked how bold and out-right Sam treated Josh. He didn't beat around the bush or walk on eggshells.
The one negative I have with the book is the time gaps toward the end. I understand what the author was doing, but to me it felt like holes full of filler that didn't quite match up to the quality of the rest of the book.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It left me content and I had no problem finishing it quickly. I would recommend it to M/M and romance fans alike.
*Wicked Reads Review Team*
July 31, 2016
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Wicked Reads.
This is a slow, tender story of growth and healing. When grieving horse whisperer Sam arrives to care for Joshua’s scarred horse, Calla, he soon realises that Calla will never fully recover until Joshua does.
Sam and Joshua both very broken at the start, but Sam’s gentle ways and Joshua’s warm, loving family stop this from ever becoming too angsty or depressing. This is as much a horse story, a family drama and a story of personal recovery as it is a romance. The romance between Sam and Joshua develops painfully slowly.
I found myself really enjoying the relationship building in this story, but readers wanting a sexy cowboy romance might need to look elsewhere for sex and excitement. While the chemistry between Sam and Joshua is fantastic, there is a long wait for any physical contact between the two leading men and the focus remains on the lives being rebuilt rather than the romance or sex.
This is a warm, fuzzy, feel-good story. It is a gentler, sweeter style and storyline than I usually read, but I really enjoyed the cast of well developed characters and the idyllic Kentucky ranch. I loved the patience Sam applies as he works carefully with both Calla and Joshua and I loved the personalities afforded to each of the animals.
This is a slow, tender story of growth and healing. When grieving horse whisperer Sam arrives to care for Joshua’s scarred horse, Calla, he soon realises that Calla will never fully recover until Joshua does.
Sam and Joshua both very broken at the start, but Sam’s gentle ways and Joshua’s warm, loving family stop this from ever becoming too angsty or depressing. This is as much a horse story, a family drama and a story of personal recovery as it is a romance. The romance between Sam and Joshua develops painfully slowly.
I found myself really enjoying the relationship building in this story, but readers wanting a sexy cowboy romance might need to look elsewhere for sex and excitement. While the chemistry between Sam and Joshua is fantastic, there is a long wait for any physical contact between the two leading men and the focus remains on the lives being rebuilt rather than the romance or sex.
This is a warm, fuzzy, feel-good story. It is a gentler, sweeter style and storyline than I usually read, but I really enjoyed the cast of well developed characters and the idyllic Kentucky ranch. I loved the patience Sam applies as he works carefully with both Calla and Joshua and I loved the personalities afforded to each of the animals.
July 19, 2016
I have not read anything from Tia before but this book really got my attention from the first page. The writing was descriptive and I felt for this family from the start. Sam had been through so much with his wife and Joshua's accident almost torn his family apart. His parents never gave up on him and when they bring Sam in to help his horse Calla, he winds up helping them all. Sam is bi and Joshua is gay and even though Joshua is trying to come out of his depression the chemistry between these 2 are off the charts. Joshua is 21 and Sam is about 10 years older but I really didn't feel the age gap play a part in the story. The supporting characters in the book are great from Joshua's parents to his cousin and best friend too. Sam had his sister. I really enjoyed the way this family pulled together and supported all of their effects to help when ever needed. It was a feel good story with really no conflict. The love scenes were good but not as often as I would have liked. I found myself smiling at how these 2 men helped each other become better people and over come their issues. All in all a good read and I was impressed with Tia's storytelling. Received an ARC for a review. Review by Jodi for Alpha Book Club.
July 27, 2016
When I first picked up One Step Forward, I was a bit weary of it being a very sad story - two main characters with insurmountable obstacles in their way. But this book surprised me - it was anything but sad. Fielding did a masterful job at creating two main characters with so much heart and depth - they were the shining stars of this story.
Throughout the story, both characters developed and grew in ways that were unexpected - as did Calla, the horse. There were parts I was crying along with the characters, and other times I was rooting for them like no one else. Joshua and Sam were unique, but so good together.
I did feel that are certain parts of the story, the plot was drawn out a little more than necessary and then my least favorite thing was the ending. It felt like there was so much leading to the ending… and then it just ended. That’s why I’m at four stars instead of five stars - but the story is a great read for anyone who loves a great love story, characters overcoming huge obstacles to be together, and of course, horses. I hope there’s another to add to this series!
Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club.
Throughout the story, both characters developed and grew in ways that were unexpected - as did Calla, the horse. There were parts I was crying along with the characters, and other times I was rooting for them like no one else. Joshua and Sam were unique, but so good together.
I did feel that are certain parts of the story, the plot was drawn out a little more than necessary and then my least favorite thing was the ending. It felt like there was so much leading to the ending… and then it just ended. That’s why I’m at four stars instead of five stars - but the story is a great read for anyone who loves a great love story, characters overcoming huge obstacles to be together, and of course, horses. I hope there’s another to add to this series!
Review Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review. Reviewed by Mel from Alpha Book Club.
September 29, 2016
3 heart review for Love Bytes Reviews
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
This book centers around Joshua the injured human, and Calla, the injured horse, and how Sam heals them both. Joshua’s life up to 21 years old has been dedicated to all thing horse, until he and Calla are in a horrible accident, ending both of their careers, and nearly their lives. Joshua has been barely living his life since, physically injured, but mostly emotionally traumatized. Calla as well, she has sustained an injury, but mostly is suffering emotionally. Joshua’s family have tried everything, brought in many trainers, and nothing helps either the man or the horse. Until Sam, a horse trainer from Texas, who is ready to retire, but agrees to take on one last case. Not only does he need to heal the horse, but the man and family as well. Of course it turns in to more than that, this is a romance novel afterall!
So let me start with what I liked about this book. The basic storyline was ok. Joshua and Calla are both in need of help and healing after a catastrophic accident, and Sam is the man to do it. There is some light drama and angst, and a happy ending. I basically liked both men as characters, Sam is the strong, older, cowboy, Joshua the younger, needier character. I liked the family interaction, and loved all of the animals. I liked the friendship and romance that grew between Joshua and Sam, and the care they took in letting it play out. Unfortunately there was quite a bit I didn’t like as well. This story had potential, but it dragged for vast amounts of time. It was soooo slow, and just rambled along with nothing interesting happening for pages and pages. Although I liked Sam and Joshua, there were very odd things about them. Sam plays guitar and sings to Calla, lots of current songs, with no explanation of how he learned to play, or how he knows all of this music by heart. He’s a horse trainer from Texas, yet is an accomplished musician, and covered in tattoos. Joshua is also a piano player. He’s spent all of his time with his horses, eventing and such, has no education past high school because all of his time was spent on horses, yet he plays piano and sings, also current music, with no explanation how he got so good at it. Both sing and play several times early in the story, then it’s never mentioned again. There are lots of characters that don’t seem to add anything to the story, and I’m not sure why they are even mentioned. We are told how traumatized Joshua and Calla both are, but it just never really worked for me. I never saw it. I didn’t understand Joshua’s issue and WHY he was so traumatized. Not to mention the easy and near instant healing of both Joshua and Calla. We don’t see any of the attempts by past trainers, but suddenly Sam gets through to the horse and Joshua in a few weeks. I say I liked the slow burn between them, but then the ending just went to shit. I totally didn’t get why Sam does what he does, and then the even more vast amounts of rambling and time we had to get through to get a very rushed ending. Sam’s issues are touched on, but I didn’t see enough of his background to get why he was so damaged. I get that what happened to him would leave someone emotionally wrecked, but I we don’t spend enough time in his head to really understand what his problem is. Basically the same issue I had with Joshua and his trauma, we are told they are both damaged men,but we don’t SEE the damage or the trauma that causes it. If that makes any sense…
Tia Fielding is a new author for me, and I can see that there is some skill there, I just wish there had been someone to trim some of this down. I think if fifty pages had been cut, if the story had been tightened up, some explanations added or things removed that needed explanations, and the ending redone a bit it would have been a much better story. Her writing isn’t bad, the basic plot line was ok, the dialogue flowed well, I liked the characters, I liked her descriptions of the people, animals, setting and such, and her sex scenes were pretty good. I see what she was trying to do with this story, but it didn’t work as well as it could have. I didn’t hate it, it was an average story for me, but it could have been a great story with some help.
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
This book centers around Joshua the injured human, and Calla, the injured horse, and how Sam heals them both. Joshua’s life up to 21 years old has been dedicated to all thing horse, until he and Calla are in a horrible accident, ending both of their careers, and nearly their lives. Joshua has been barely living his life since, physically injured, but mostly emotionally traumatized. Calla as well, she has sustained an injury, but mostly is suffering emotionally. Joshua’s family have tried everything, brought in many trainers, and nothing helps either the man or the horse. Until Sam, a horse trainer from Texas, who is ready to retire, but agrees to take on one last case. Not only does he need to heal the horse, but the man and family as well. Of course it turns in to more than that, this is a romance novel afterall!
So let me start with what I liked about this book. The basic storyline was ok. Joshua and Calla are both in need of help and healing after a catastrophic accident, and Sam is the man to do it. There is some light drama and angst, and a happy ending. I basically liked both men as characters, Sam is the strong, older, cowboy, Joshua the younger, needier character. I liked the family interaction, and loved all of the animals. I liked the friendship and romance that grew between Joshua and Sam, and the care they took in letting it play out. Unfortunately there was quite a bit I didn’t like as well. This story had potential, but it dragged for vast amounts of time. It was soooo slow, and just rambled along with nothing interesting happening for pages and pages. Although I liked Sam and Joshua, there were very odd things about them. Sam plays guitar and sings to Calla, lots of current songs, with no explanation of how he learned to play, or how he knows all of this music by heart. He’s a horse trainer from Texas, yet is an accomplished musician, and covered in tattoos. Joshua is also a piano player. He’s spent all of his time with his horses, eventing and such, has no education past high school because all of his time was spent on horses, yet he plays piano and sings, also current music, with no explanation how he got so good at it. Both sing and play several times early in the story, then it’s never mentioned again. There are lots of characters that don’t seem to add anything to the story, and I’m not sure why they are even mentioned. We are told how traumatized Joshua and Calla both are, but it just never really worked for me. I never saw it. I didn’t understand Joshua’s issue and WHY he was so traumatized. Not to mention the easy and near instant healing of both Joshua and Calla. We don’t see any of the attempts by past trainers, but suddenly Sam gets through to the horse and Joshua in a few weeks. I say I liked the slow burn between them, but then the ending just went to shit. I totally didn’t get why Sam does what he does, and then the even more vast amounts of rambling and time we had to get through to get a very rushed ending. Sam’s issues are touched on, but I didn’t see enough of his background to get why he was so damaged. I get that what happened to him would leave someone emotionally wrecked, but I we don’t spend enough time in his head to really understand what his problem is. Basically the same issue I had with Joshua and his trauma, we are told they are both damaged men,but we don’t SEE the damage or the trauma that causes it. If that makes any sense…
Tia Fielding is a new author for me, and I can see that there is some skill there, I just wish there had been someone to trim some of this down. I think if fifty pages had been cut, if the story had been tightened up, some explanations added or things removed that needed explanations, and the ending redone a bit it would have been a much better story. Her writing isn’t bad, the basic plot line was ok, the dialogue flowed well, I liked the characters, I liked her descriptions of the people, animals, setting and such, and her sex scenes were pretty good. I see what she was trying to do with this story, but it didn’t work as well as it could have. I didn’t hate it, it was an average story for me, but it could have been a great story with some help.
July 2, 2017
One Step Forward by Tia Fielding is a sweet book about the power of love and connection in overcoming a crisis of self. When Joshua Taylor, a world-renowned jokey, got severely injured during a competition, as did his horse Calla. Sam Becker is called in to help. Neither Sam nor Joshua originally predicted the way Sam’s efforts would change both of their lives.
Fielding wrote an amazingly deep book. The characters were fleshed out to the point where the reader could almost crawl inside their skins and see life from their perspective. The “tar pit” of depression Joshua lay under in the beginning of the story threatened to take the reader down with him. But it didn’t because Sam came and brought light to Joshua’s world. Their love story was beautiful and heart wrenching. Sam put aside his own pain and sense of loss, almost selflessly, to give Joshua what he needed. Luckily, it turned out that Sam needed the same this.
The only negative aspect of One Step Forward is its pacing. At times, it moved rather slowly, but perhaps that was needed to make the characters as realistic as they were. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how two imperfect people enrich each other’s lives.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
Fielding wrote an amazingly deep book. The characters were fleshed out to the point where the reader could almost crawl inside their skins and see life from their perspective. The “tar pit” of depression Joshua lay under in the beginning of the story threatened to take the reader down with him. But it didn’t because Sam came and brought light to Joshua’s world. Their love story was beautiful and heart wrenching. Sam put aside his own pain and sense of loss, almost selflessly, to give Joshua what he needed. Luckily, it turned out that Sam needed the same this.
The only negative aspect of One Step Forward is its pacing. At times, it moved rather slowly, but perhaps that was needed to make the characters as realistic as they were. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to see how two imperfect people enrich each other’s lives.
Reviewed by Liz Cat for Crystal's Many Reviewers
*Copy provided for review*
March 11, 2019
Tia Fielding once again impresses me with One Step Forward. The writing is sharp, the flow is perfect, and the story is superb.
Wow! Josh. Poor, broken Josh. Josh has been extremely broken for the past year, not talking, not eating, etc. When Sam's hired to help with Joshua's horse, Calla, he ends up helping with Josh as well. Josh has been avoiding Calla, but deeply needs her. It's beautiful the way that Sam recognizes this and acts upon it. He's impressive with Calla, working in an amazing and inspirational way.
Sam's older than Josh, and has some serious and complicated baggage, which has left him a broken man as well. Together they're able to heal and make each other happy to actually live again.
It's a beautiful story of opening one's heart and taking chances. Two broken men who are trying to fix themselves and each other. It's wonderful as they take things slow, just trying to go one day at a time.
One Step Forward is an extra emotional tale demonstrating the power of love. Tia Fielding expertly combines this amazing love story with some sweet moments and some extra sad moments. It will leave you thrilled to have discovered these men and to have followed their journey.
September 6, 2017
Character driven story (not my favourite genre) about Sam who proves to be a catalyst that brings new life to Joshua, his horse Calla and his family.
Whilst the writing is good and moved along quite well, it is a gentle story, very much character driven, so I tend to get a bit 'get on with it' after a while without something else going on.
Whilst the writing is good and moved along quite well, it is a gentle story, very much character driven, so I tend to get a bit 'get on with it' after a while without something else going on.
April 10, 2020
4.5 stars
I can’t believe I’ve had this book sitting in my library for God knows how long. It’s such a great story and beautifully written. I loved every character, the horses and the dogs. Seriously this book is rollercoaster. The best part is the sexual chemistry that simmers between Sam and Josh but it doesn’t steal the storyline. I would absolutely recommend this book.
I can’t believe I’ve had this book sitting in my library for God knows how long. It’s such a great story and beautifully written. I loved every character, the horses and the dogs. Seriously this book is rollercoaster. The best part is the sexual chemistry that simmers between Sam and Josh but it doesn’t steal the storyline. I would absolutely recommend this book.
August 24, 2016
Als Pferdeflüsterer hat sich der Rancher Sam Becker einen guten Ruf erarbeitet. Doch nun ist Schluss mit dem Herumreisen. Die Stute Calla soll sein letzter Job sein, der ihn von seiner Ranch in Texas fortführt. Calla ist nach einem schweren Unfall zutiefst verstört, verunsichert und nicht mehr händelbar. Auch für ihren Besitzer und Reiter Joshua Taylor hat dieser Unfall alles verändert.
Schon bevor Sam auf der Farm der Familie Taylor ankommt, weiß er dass nicht nur das Pferd, sondern auch sein Besitzer seine Hilfe brauchen wird. Doch Mensch, wie Tier sind verstört, verletzt und verunsichert. Und sie haben ihre Verbindung zueinander verloren, was jedoch an Joshuas Ängsten und Einsiedelei liegt.
Josh ist nach dem Unfall körperlich beeinträchtigt. Er hat stark abgenommen, schottet sich von seiner Familie ab, spricht nur noch selten und aus einem durchtrainiertem Sportler ist ein ausgezehrter und viel zu dünner Eremit geworden. Seit dem Unfall, der ihm seine Träume gekostet hat, war er nicht mehr bei seinem Pferd und kommt kaum noch aus seinem Zimmer. Sam ist für seine Eltern die letzte Hoffnung den Jungen und das Pferd zu heilen und wieder zusammenzubringen.
Tia Fielding erzählt die Geschichte von Sam, Josh und Calla sehr bedächtig und ruhig. Sensibel gibt sie den Protagonisten Zeit und Raum um ihre Vergangenheit und die schlimmen Erlebnisse aufzuarbeiten. Josh ist zerbrochen, doch Sam gibt ihm Hoffnung. Erst ist es Faszination, die sich steigert. Dann ist es Zuneigung, aber auch Begehren. Beides hatte er irgendwie im vergangenen Jahr verloren.
Sam wirkt sehr selbstsicher und ich sich ruhend. Doch auch er kämpft mit der Vergangenheit; dem Selbstmord seiner Frau, den er weder vorhersehen, noch verhindern konnte. Und jetzt, wo er Josh kennenlernt und auch näherkommt, rückt auch sein eigener Verlust wieder in den Fokus. Denn seine verstorbene Frau hat Sam ähnlich kennengelernt und er will nicht die Fehler der Vergangenheit wiederholen.
One Step Forward ist eine wunderbare, sehr eindrucksvolle und liebevolle Geschichte. Es gibt zwar viel Drama, doch es verläuft still und sehr intensiv. Beide Protagonisten werden sehr gut beleuchtet und auch beschrieben. Auch Josh Familie und ein enger Freund bekommen viel Raum und Platz und sie runden Geschichte sehr schön ab.
Schon bevor Sam auf der Farm der Familie Taylor ankommt, weiß er dass nicht nur das Pferd, sondern auch sein Besitzer seine Hilfe brauchen wird. Doch Mensch, wie Tier sind verstört, verletzt und verunsichert. Und sie haben ihre Verbindung zueinander verloren, was jedoch an Joshuas Ängsten und Einsiedelei liegt.
Josh ist nach dem Unfall körperlich beeinträchtigt. Er hat stark abgenommen, schottet sich von seiner Familie ab, spricht nur noch selten und aus einem durchtrainiertem Sportler ist ein ausgezehrter und viel zu dünner Eremit geworden. Seit dem Unfall, der ihm seine Träume gekostet hat, war er nicht mehr bei seinem Pferd und kommt kaum noch aus seinem Zimmer. Sam ist für seine Eltern die letzte Hoffnung den Jungen und das Pferd zu heilen und wieder zusammenzubringen.
Tia Fielding erzählt die Geschichte von Sam, Josh und Calla sehr bedächtig und ruhig. Sensibel gibt sie den Protagonisten Zeit und Raum um ihre Vergangenheit und die schlimmen Erlebnisse aufzuarbeiten. Josh ist zerbrochen, doch Sam gibt ihm Hoffnung. Erst ist es Faszination, die sich steigert. Dann ist es Zuneigung, aber auch Begehren. Beides hatte er irgendwie im vergangenen Jahr verloren.
Sam wirkt sehr selbstsicher und ich sich ruhend. Doch auch er kämpft mit der Vergangenheit; dem Selbstmord seiner Frau, den er weder vorhersehen, noch verhindern konnte. Und jetzt, wo er Josh kennenlernt und auch näherkommt, rückt auch sein eigener Verlust wieder in den Fokus. Denn seine verstorbene Frau hat Sam ähnlich kennengelernt und er will nicht die Fehler der Vergangenheit wiederholen.
One Step Forward ist eine wunderbare, sehr eindrucksvolle und liebevolle Geschichte. Es gibt zwar viel Drama, doch es verläuft still und sehr intensiv. Beide Protagonisten werden sehr gut beleuchtet und auch beschrieben. Auch Josh Familie und ein enger Freund bekommen viel Raum und Platz und sie runden Geschichte sehr schön ab.
August 7, 2016
2.5 stars
This story was so not what I expected when I requested it for a review. I am a sucker for any healing story with damaged heroes and this book��s blurb piqued my interest very much. And then I started reading and I am like WTF??? There was nothing real about this story. Sam Becker is treated as a GOD who can work miracles not only with a horse but also with the emotionally closed off rider and he accomplishes everything by showing off his abs and tattoos and by singing songs whole day long.
There was actually no healing process here. Joshua Taylor’s insta love for Sam was too fast and unreal to make up for a good romance. Joshua is shown as a mess at the start and he magically heals himself and regains his zeal for life by falling for a guy who he barely knows, which is unbelievable and STUPID. I could not get over the insta romance to go through the entire story without a bad taste in my mouth. The plot was nothing but some hearts and rainbows and singing and rescuing some puppies. The entire healing part felt like a farce. The character development was a mess. Sam’s past and then his current feelings for Josh were too disconnected and I could not connect or sympathize with his character at all.
The ending was not that great and I was left unsatisfied at the end. A little bit more believable healing and a gradual build up to the romance would have made this story so much better. I cannot recommend this book.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
This story was so not what I expected when I requested it for a review. I am a sucker for any healing story with damaged heroes and this book��s blurb piqued my interest very much. And then I started reading and I am like WTF??? There was nothing real about this story. Sam Becker is treated as a GOD who can work miracles not only with a horse but also with the emotionally closed off rider and he accomplishes everything by showing off his abs and tattoos and by singing songs whole day long.
There was actually no healing process here. Joshua Taylor’s insta love for Sam was too fast and unreal to make up for a good romance. Joshua is shown as a mess at the start and he magically heals himself and regains his zeal for life by falling for a guy who he barely knows, which is unbelievable and STUPID. I could not get over the insta romance to go through the entire story without a bad taste in my mouth. The plot was nothing but some hearts and rainbows and singing and rescuing some puppies. The entire healing part felt like a farce. The character development was a mess. Sam’s past and then his current feelings for Josh were too disconnected and I could not connect or sympathize with his character at all.
The ending was not that great and I was left unsatisfied at the end. A little bit more believable healing and a gradual build up to the romance would have made this story so much better. I cannot recommend this book.
*This review has been cross posted at GayBookReviews*
August 10, 2016
*** Copy provided by Dreamspinner Press to Bayou Book Junkie in exchange for a fair and honest review. ***
Sam Becker is a 29 year old Horse Whisperer. He is able to help both horse and rider overcome trauma and heal one another's spirit. This will ultimately be his last job, to help Joshua Taylor and his horse Calla who were injured at a competition. Most people who've tried to help Calla have labeled her a lost cause, but Sam believes he might be able to help her. One of the biggest challenges though will be helping Joshua—who is so deeply depressed he's just basically waiting to die—to heal so that he and Calla can support each other.
Sam has his methods for helping horse and man, but he didn't plan on falling for Joshua. Josh finally begins to heal with Sam's help, but they both have a lot to overcome before they'll be able to get their happy ending.
♘
One Step Forward can definitely be labeled insta-love, which sometimes works and other times it doesn't and in this case it does not. Making it harder really was the fact that I felt nothing for the characters either. As sad as it sounds I think my favorite part was actually Cala.
This is my second Tia Fielding book, the first one I absolutely fell in love with and so when I saw the blurb for One Step Forward I was excited. Unfortunately, though, it didn't live up to my expectations. While I'll probably give the author another chance, I'm not sure I'd recommend this particular book.
3 Stars
Sam Becker is a 29 year old Horse Whisperer. He is able to help both horse and rider overcome trauma and heal one another's spirit. This will ultimately be his last job, to help Joshua Taylor and his horse Calla who were injured at a competition. Most people who've tried to help Calla have labeled her a lost cause, but Sam believes he might be able to help her. One of the biggest challenges though will be helping Joshua—who is so deeply depressed he's just basically waiting to die—to heal so that he and Calla can support each other.
Sam has his methods for helping horse and man, but he didn't plan on falling for Joshua. Josh finally begins to heal with Sam's help, but they both have a lot to overcome before they'll be able to get their happy ending.
♘
One Step Forward can definitely be labeled insta-love, which sometimes works and other times it doesn't and in this case it does not. Making it harder really was the fact that I felt nothing for the characters either. As sad as it sounds I think my favorite part was actually Cala.
This is my second Tia Fielding book, the first one I absolutely fell in love with and so when I saw the blurb for One Step Forward I was excited. Unfortunately, though, it didn't live up to my expectations. While I'll probably give the author another chance, I'm not sure I'd recommend this particular book.
3 Stars
August 1, 2016
One Step Forward by Tia Fielding
4 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Accident, death
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This was a very sweet story. Somewhat slow at times, but sweet overall.
You have two characters who are struggling - one outwardly and one inwardly. They learn from each other, lean on each other and each has to learn how to trust themselves again.
Josh is struggling - he was once a horse rider who was capable of going to the Olympics. When an accident claims his confidence and his horses' ability to trust, it's up to Sam to bring these two back to life. The way that Sam works with both Calla and Josh, even Josh's close friends and family is somewhat of a miracle. He's patient, kind, pushy and loving all wrapped in to one hot package.
You can really feel the distress that this family is under - Fielding is descriptive in both the surroundings and character analysis. Without those descriptors, I don't think that we would have gotten the full colored picture - it would have been a fuzzy, black and white photograph.
I really enjoyed this story - the secondary characters helped to move the story along. I hope that they get their own stories.
While I really did enjoy this story, I felt that it was both missing details that would have been nice but it also dragged on in certain parts - maybe too many descriptors. That being said, I enjoyed this story a lot.
4 stars
M/M Romance
Triggers: Accident, death
I was given this book for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
This was a very sweet story. Somewhat slow at times, but sweet overall.
You have two characters who are struggling - one outwardly and one inwardly. They learn from each other, lean on each other and each has to learn how to trust themselves again.
Josh is struggling - he was once a horse rider who was capable of going to the Olympics. When an accident claims his confidence and his horses' ability to trust, it's up to Sam to bring these two back to life. The way that Sam works with both Calla and Josh, even Josh's close friends and family is somewhat of a miracle. He's patient, kind, pushy and loving all wrapped in to one hot package.
You can really feel the distress that this family is under - Fielding is descriptive in both the surroundings and character analysis. Without those descriptors, I don't think that we would have gotten the full colored picture - it would have been a fuzzy, black and white photograph.
I really enjoyed this story - the secondary characters helped to move the story along. I hope that they get their own stories.
While I really did enjoy this story, I felt that it was both missing details that would have been nice but it also dragged on in certain parts - maybe too many descriptors. That being said, I enjoyed this story a lot.
August 8, 2016
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
Sitting down to write this review, I’m sort of torn. It’s a well written book. Fielding’s writing style is smooth, and she paints a picture that is so detailed I was able to see everything in my mind…and it was all beautiful. The characters are fleshed out, even the background ones. I liked all of them very much.
I wouldn’t call One Step Forward an insta-love story. Sam and Joshua fell quickly, but it wasn’t really in your face. They fell hard, and I was happy about that. Those men needed each other, and I was anxious to get started on their road to happiness.
I don’t want to give away spoilers because there is a lot going on here. I’m trying to figure out how much to say. I’ll give you this. Sam meets Joshua and feels a strong pull toward him. Not only does he want to heal Calla, but he wants to heal Joshua as well. Through kind words, music, and a little bit of tough love, Joshua begins to come out of his self imposed prison. Loving Joshua drags up some terrible memories for Sam. He had a wife, but there was a (big) problem, and she died. Sam had never really faced that, but he eventually comes to terms with the situation. Sam and Joshua are good for each other. Joshua’s family is wonderful and treats Sam like their own. It all seems very ideal.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
4.25 stars
Sitting down to write this review, I’m sort of torn. It’s a well written book. Fielding’s writing style is smooth, and she paints a picture that is so detailed I was able to see everything in my mind…and it was all beautiful. The characters are fleshed out, even the background ones. I liked all of them very much.
I wouldn’t call One Step Forward an insta-love story. Sam and Joshua fell quickly, but it wasn’t really in your face. They fell hard, and I was happy about that. Those men needed each other, and I was anxious to get started on their road to happiness.
I don’t want to give away spoilers because there is a lot going on here. I’m trying to figure out how much to say. I’ll give you this. Sam meets Joshua and feels a strong pull toward him. Not only does he want to heal Calla, but he wants to heal Joshua as well. Through kind words, music, and a little bit of tough love, Joshua begins to come out of his self imposed prison. Loving Joshua drags up some terrible memories for Sam. He had a wife, but there was a (big) problem, and she died. Sam had never really faced that, but he eventually comes to terms with the situation. Sam and Joshua are good for each other. Joshua’s family is wonderful and treats Sam like their own. It all seems very ideal.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
August 27, 2016
This book completely lost me about halfway through. Until that point the author was building an interesting romance that was developing because of an injured horse. About halfway through the book it started to feel more like the author was rambling instead of developing the plot. It really made me lose interest and I couldn’t regain it even though the writing was strong outside of the plot/narrative.
After the initial plot was set up it seemed like the attraction between the characters was kind of forced and sudden. After they realized they both were interested in the other, they kept announcing their interest in each other in really awkward ways combined with lots of “oh gosh I can’t believe he likes me.” It was very middle school/naive and made me roll my eyes.
Another thing that drove me absolutely nuts was that the whole book was in first person narrative that switched between Sam’s and Joshua’s perspectives. Absolutely distracting and nearly impossible to figure out who was talking.
All in all the book was made up of a lot of people talking about how they were perfect for each other, and not enough showing how they were perfect for each other. I could have just read the blurb instead.
Originally posted over at Just Love Romance: https://justloveromance.wordpress.com...
After the initial plot was set up it seemed like the attraction between the characters was kind of forced and sudden. After they realized they both were interested in the other, they kept announcing their interest in each other in really awkward ways combined with lots of “oh gosh I can’t believe he likes me.” It was very middle school/naive and made me roll my eyes.
Another thing that drove me absolutely nuts was that the whole book was in first person narrative that switched between Sam’s and Joshua’s perspectives. Absolutely distracting and nearly impossible to figure out who was talking.
All in all the book was made up of a lot of people talking about how they were perfect for each other, and not enough showing how they were perfect for each other. I could have just read the blurb instead.
Originally posted over at Just Love Romance: https://justloveromance.wordpress.com...
August 25, 2016
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
This was a nice story. Sam knows he is in for a challenge when he meets Calla and Josh. They are both lost without the other, so in order to help one he must work with both.
Sam and Josh are both pulled to each other when they meet, but hold themselves apart until an injured dog causes them to live together. As they grow closer to each other they discover they both have more healing to do before they can move forward together. Their time apart will tell if they are meant to be.
This story is told from both Sam and Josh’s point of view, which helps to know what they characters are feeling. This story is well written, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Most of this story Sam and Josh were apart from each other and had the belief that if it is meant to be it will happen. That is a mindset I have a hard time to connect to, but it seems to work with these characters. I still enjoyed the story and ending, it’s just not what I usually go for.
Cover art by AngstyG is nice and works well for this story.
This was a nice story. Sam knows he is in for a challenge when he meets Calla and Josh. They are both lost without the other, so in order to help one he must work with both.
Sam and Josh are both pulled to each other when they meet, but hold themselves apart until an injured dog causes them to live together. As they grow closer to each other they discover they both have more healing to do before they can move forward together. Their time apart will tell if they are meant to be.
This story is told from both Sam and Josh’s point of view, which helps to know what they characters are feeling. This story is well written, but I had a hard time connecting with the characters. Most of this story Sam and Josh were apart from each other and had the belief that if it is meant to be it will happen. That is a mindset I have a hard time to connect to, but it seems to work with these characters. I still enjoyed the story and ending, it’s just not what I usually go for.
Cover art by AngstyG is nice and works well for this story.
August 31, 2016
3.5 stars
I liked the build up in the story and that readers got to gt to know the Sam, Joshua and Joshua's family. We get to see the relation between all the characters and the animals.
I didn't like how the POV would change from Sam to Joshua and vice versa without warning. It actually threw me off since I wasn't sure whose POV I would get chapter to chapter until I started the chapter or if the chapter would switch from Sam to Joshua mid-chapter.
I liked the build up in the story and that readers got to gt to know the Sam, Joshua and Joshua's family. We get to see the relation between all the characters and the animals.
I didn't like how the POV would change from Sam to Joshua and vice versa without warning. It actually threw me off since I wasn't sure whose POV I would get chapter to chapter until I started the chapter or if the chapter would switch from Sam to Joshua mid-chapter.
August 14, 2016
Sam is a horse whisperer. He's also bisexual, which I thought was a great bonus to the story. He's a widower. His wife committed suicide after suffering from her mental disorder. This was an integral point in the story and in my opinion really helped Sam understand Joshua.
You can see my full review on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/SwSN10-8aHo
You can see my full review on my YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/SwSN10-8aHo
September 28, 2019
Quite the Emotional Roller Coaster
A well written storyline with strong emotional episodes, some present, some in the past, and two complicated main characters. Good character development with a insight to depression and trauma. Slow developing relationship and a well defined ending.
A well written storyline with strong emotional episodes, some present, some in the past, and two complicated main characters. Good character development with a insight to depression and trauma. Slow developing relationship and a well defined ending.
August 10, 2016
This is a beautiful story about healing, feeling comfortable again, getting your life back together and falling in love. I loved it. There are some great secondary characters in this book and i hope we get Riley's story too. And maybe a bit more closure on Sam and Joshua.
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