Cowboys Don't Come Out

Cowboys Don't #1

by Tara Lain

Rand McIntyre settles for good enough. He loves his small California ranch, raising horses, and teaching riding to the kids he adores—but having kids of his own and someone to love means coming out, and that would jeopardize everything he’s built. Then, despite his terror of flying, he goes on a holiday to Hana, Hawaii, with his parents and meets the dark and mysterious Kai Kealoha, a genuine Hawaiian cowboy. Rand takes to Kai’s kid brother and sister as much as he drools over Kai, but the guy sports more prickles than a horned toad and more secrets than the exotic land he comes from.

Kai’s earned his privacy and lives to protect his “kids.” He ought to stay away from the big, handsome cowboy for everyone’s sake—but since the guy’s just a haole on a short vacation, how much damage can he do? When all of Kai’s worst fears and Rand’s darkest nightmares come true at once, there’s not much chance for two cowboys who can’t—or won’t—come out.

Genres: M M Romance, Contemporary, Romance, Westerns, Audiobook, Family, Gay

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2016

About the author

Tara Lain believes in happy ever afters - and magic. Same thing. In fact, she says, she doesn't believe, she knows. Tara shares this passion in her stories that star her unique, charismatic heroes and adventurous heroines. Quarterbacks and cops, werewolves and witches, blue collar or billionaires, Tara's characters, readers say, love deeply, resolve seemingly insurmountable differences, and ultimately live their lives authentically. After many years living in southern California, Tara, her soulmate honey and her soulmate dog decided they wanted less cars and more trees, prompting a move to Ashland, Oregon where Tara's creating new stories and loving living in a small town with big culture. Likely a Gryffindor or maybe a Ravensclaw but possessed of Parseltongue, Tara loves animals of all kinds, diversity, open minds, coconut crunch ice cream from Zoeys, and her readers.

Reviews

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this book because cowboys, and Hawaiian cowboys (panilolos) at that. Or at least Kai is a paniolo. Rand is just a plain ol' California cowboy who runs his own tourist ranch specializing in horse riding lessons.

Rand hates leaving his space (and hates flying even more), but when his parents invite him to spend Christmas with them in Hawaii, he feels obliged to go.

Rand meets Kai on a dance floor, and they spark up a friendship that gets hot and steamy faster than you can say "nudist beach." Soon Rand finds himself spending a lot of time with Kai and Kai's two younger siblings, Lani, who's 12, and Aliki, who's 10.

Kai has been raising the kids on his own and is used to relying on no one but himself. He's prickly and defensive, pushing Rand away even when Rand bends over backwards to help.

I really like the idea of two closeted cowboys falling in love. I don't mind Insta Love stories when they make me believe. This one didn't, not quite. There just wasn't enough spark between the men to justify them falling in love in two weeks.

Even the sex scenes felt kind of rushed and mechanical. I can't remember if the two ever kissed. Probably, but I was missing the romance and tenderness.

Aliki and Lani are sweet kids, but they're a little too perfect, especially Lani who talks like a 30-year-old New Age guru.

In fact, all the secondary characters in this book are AMAZING: Rand's parents, the wise grandma Rand meets on the plane and her daughter, Rand's ranch hands, Julie (a woman Rand invites dancing who won't go away), Kai's two female friends (who serve as dancing props only, minus the time they're naked on the beach, which WHY?).

I could have done without the random melodrama. The scene where Kai and Rand have to fight a crazy ex-husband, and Rand ends up saving Kai from falling to certain death was particularly bizarre and seemed to be there solely to show that Rand would risk his life for Kai. Which he totally does, only to have Kai get all pissy and broody. Kai's good at that.

Despite much eye rolling on my part, this is a mostly sweet story that requires little to no thinking. The HEA is pretty damn sparkling, what with family and togetherness and sacred waterfalls. Also, bamboo forests. (No pandas, though.)

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 1 out of 5]

Audiobook - 3 stars
Story - 1 star

Daammnnn!! This was Oi! The writing is so stiff and the story predictable, cliché, no chemistry..

Anyhoooooo.... It's me not the book.

[BWT · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was excited for this but, to be honest, just didn't feel like the story on the whole worked for me.

I knew from the blurb that the relationship would move quickly, and I understood it would be insta-love, which requires really good writing or the ability of the reader to suspend disbelief...but it moved at such a breakneck pace that I felt like the chemistry between the characters never really developed. Even the sex scenes, to me, didn't really convey more than getting off.

I suppose part of the problem for me with the story was that both characters are deeply closeted and I never really got a good sense why. For me to sympathize with a closeted character I need to know why they feel they can't come out. Is it because they fear disownment, harassment, retribution, abuse? I never got a clear understanding why either Rand or Kai were closeted and hiding by dating women. That just never came clear for me. Then, it was exasperated by when they do finally come out and there's no backlash or problem whatsoever.

The story moved quickly and there was quite a bit of melodrama in the second half to spice things up and keep things moving. Most of the characters were overall likable, even Kai who was a bit Sybil-prickly throughout the story, but came around by the end.

Overall the story was enjoyable, but my suspension of disbelief didn't really stick.

Advanced Review Galley copy of Cowboys Don't Come Out provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.

This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.

[Jewel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

I saw Cowboys Don't Come Out and immediately thought-- "Hawaiian cowboy and California cowboy? Sign me up!" But...well, it didn't work for me as well as I hoped it would. And that makes me sad, because I think it could have been awesome.

The story concept, two cowboys who have stayed closeted for whatever reasons, find each other and discover that they can't live without one another, I really really like. And the setting, in Hawaii, appeals to me quite a lot, I mean, why wouldn't it? So, why didn't this story work for me?

Well, the first half of the book was paced way too slow. All the repetitive inner dialogue, the meddling mom, the distraction of a girl to throw mom off the trail...all that just about killed me. The second half of the book was, in some respects, better for me, but then we get not one, but two huge doses of melodrama. Just when I was enjoying things, too. And they just seemed so pointless, and seemed to serve only to add conflict, where there was already plenty with said stubborn cowboys. And that doesn't even address the insta-love and the wrap up - which was way too much way too fast.

There was potential here, but for me, that potential wasn't met. You might like the story better, though, so if the blurb appeals to you and you like this author, give it a try. Even though it didn't work well for me, it might be better for you.

--------------------
ARC of Cowboys Don't Come Out was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

[Jenni Lea]

Wait. Hold on just a dadgum minute here.

This book is about a cowboy named Rand? Really?

[Lelyana's Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

What's not to love about two closeted cowboys falling in love?
The cover is so gorgeous (ehem, I have a weak knees for cowboys...), the blurb convinced me to read this.
While I really wanted to love the story, I was kinda need to do some protest to the author about 'romantic time' between Kai and Rand.
Sure I loved love at first sight, insta-love in a holiday seasons...Nothing more romantic than that!
But, I can't see any strong 'love chemistry' between Rand and Kai even until the end of the story.
For me, Kai is still skeptical about it.
The lacking of togetherness probably caused it? Because Rand and Kai were busy taking care of the children, and even the dances that supposed to be sexy, didn't give any grip to me. It was just dances, and too many girls around them irritated me a lot. And the sex seemed a little flat to me, sadly.
I liked Julie, but not crazy about her, she seemed oblivious about Rand's reluctance about her.
I loved Mrs.Orwell, I think she's a little bit of clairvoyant, nice lady and determined one.
I liked Rand's father, mother is too pushy imho. I liked Aniki and Lani, but Lani as 12 yo, I think she's too old for her age, even she has an old soul inside her.
I didn't really like the drama, it probably much needed in the story, but imo, way to much for holiday :)
Glad everything settled so great in the end. Everything was perfect. The ending was perfect. I can live with that only.
Though I enjoyed the moment with 'the bamboo' a little too much. Because, I love sex with adrenaline as companion!
This one was pretty much enjoyable if you can put aside the drama and the maturity of Lani.
It's your decision to make.

*I received the ARC from Dreamspinner Press for a fair and unbiased review*

[Diverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book and I was right. I ended up loving it! Cowboys Don’t Come Out is one of those stories where you know what needs to be done and you wait for the characters to figure it out.

This is so much more than a romance; it’s a story about family. Kai lives in Hawaii with his brother and sister. He’s sacrificed his whole life for them and harbors so much guilt, sadness, and low self-esteem. He’s gay and so far in the closet he’s living in Narnia.

Rand is a cowboy from California. He owns a ranch, has amazing parents, lives with a secret that has pretty much ruled him his whole life. He’s also closeted. But he’s also everything Kai and his siblings need…. Love and a family.

This story warmed my heart so much. I was crying and smiling and aching. My heart was a mess and the emotional suspense was so well done. Nothing felt dragged. The author’s timing of character discovery and plot were, in my opinion, spot on. There’s depth to this tale and a lesson too. Times are changing but fear doesn’t go away with the passing years.

Cowboys Don’t Come Out is a story about love being stronger than hate. It can’t erase the past but it can heal your present and smooth out your future. This is a feel good triumphant book and you should absolutely read it!

[Sara]

1 Heart

So this one didn’t work for me.

I am usually a sucker for the closeted MC and when you have two, well color this ginger happy because it’s double the swoon… but it wasn’t.

For me, when a character is so deep in the closet as both Rand and Kai are, I need to know why. I need to know so I can be on the journey with them to coming out. But I never got the depth of need for either of them to hide in this and with that, never came the chance for me to feel any emotion for either of the men.

Rand, doesn’t make sense. Like, ever to me. When someone has as much internal dialogue as he does, I expect to get to know him but I don’t ever think Rand got to know himself. I will never understand why he even went on this forced family holiday with his parents when he is a grown man who runs his own business. The vacation felt like one a teen would be forced to take and beg his parents for a private room so he could feel more adult but Rand, seems to have regressed to a child when he is around his parents. It’s bizarre and then there is his leading so many women on by dating them or pretending to like them because he needs to. Um, dude. I get you are gay and closeted but being a total dick to women and using them to make you feel better about not telling your parent’s you like men, is unacceptable.

But then there is Kai whose POV randomly shows up at 30% and… I dunno. I lived on Maui (Upcountry in Pukalani, just across the highway from Makawao and where the ranches/cowboys are) and knew a lot of gay men out there and there wasn’t a big deal about it even way back when I lived there. Not gay men or women so the fact that Kai is so closeted, again, made zero sense. Yes, I know every situation is different but that just confused me.

Ugh.

The whole repetitious “Cowboy’s Don’t Come Out” deal and the comparison to Brokeback Mountain that kept coming up, just rubbed me the wrong way. The men acted juvenile to me with how they approached one another. That first “I know he is gay!” moment with the flashlights was on the side of ridiculous. Good lord. The sex was really bizarre and not sexy to me at all and that end… really? They are in the closet for how long and when they come out it’s just ‘oh, cool! You wanna sandwich?” deal. No drama, no hate no… nothing so WHY were they so in the closet.

The drama with Kai’s siblings at the end was way OTT and I won’t even go into it. I mean you ask but don’t say anything and then you are all “Oh yeah. Totes dude.” I just… I’m done.

Me and this book, we did not get along. Not even island nostalgia could save this one.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book, and I think the narration increased my enjoyment. K.C. Kelly is a favorite narrator of mine, his voice is sort of unique so I'm not sure if he just choses amazing books to read, but I almost always love them. He seemed to slip in and out of Kai's accent a tad, and sometimes Rand seemed to have a Hawaiian flare, but it didn't really bother me. He did well with the Hawaiin pronunciations and the Hawaiian characters felt believable. Especially Aliki for some reason!

The kids were a great addition, realistic to their age and an important part of the story without over taking over. I loved them both almost as much as I loved Kai and Rand, so it was totally believable that Rand would fall in love with them too. Aliki's innocent exuberance was infectious, and Lani's serious soul was heartbreaking.

The progression of their relationship felt realistic wasn't rushed. Despite being a short time span, it was paced out well and they weren't spending every second together. The sex, to be honest, was a little awkward. The cowboy joke was funny at first, but I found the dirty talk totally awkward. They were hot together and I believed their chemistry, I was just hoping for a tad more steam, although the second scene was better than that awkward first one.

I do wish that more attention had been paid to the cause for Rands fear of heights. After all that buildup and attention to it, at the end he finally told Kai the reason... and then it's dropped with very little fanfare. So much time was spent focusing on Kai and the kids, that I wished we had had that for Rand. I wanted him to open up to his mom about, so she could know hm better. Although I did think that was about one of the best coming-out's I've ever read! "Oh yeah, I'm gay, I really need to talk to Dad now though."

Overall it was fun and sweet and well done, I ended up just sitting around the house listening to it and staying up WAY too late! I'll definitely keep an eye out for the audio versions of the rest of this series.

Received audio version from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire

[Denise H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two different cowboys, yet they discover a need and bond they share.
Kai is 20, a paniolo, a Hawaiian heritage cowboy,

tall, lean, caramel skin, longish dark hair, and dark eyes, a dancer, too, who is struggling, since he was sixteen, to raise his brother, 10, and sister,12.
Rand, 26, chose the cowboy life, he's blonde,

strong, lean muscled, who teaches hose riding lessons on his ranch in California. He's come to Hawaii with his folks for a vacation. The time away is rewarding. He gets to have freedom, explore and be himself. He's a caring man who loves kids, and longs for someone to share his life with, someone who cares about him.



He finds an attraction to a native Hawaiian man who is a mystery. Both men are closeted, and Kai has his secrets he hides from the world. He takes a chance on hooking up with the mainlander, Rand.



Both know it will end after Christmas, but they have needs to be met first.



Rand seems to be aloof and cares for the kids, but his deep thoughts are about Kai. What we learn is that Rand wants Kai and his siblings as a package deal, to come home to California. But what was missing was the men talking about it, or at least using the "L" word. Their sexy times were rough and raw, hot and heavy, and not mushy. More romantic passion would have been nice, but it works for them.

Kai is stubborn and protective and fearful. He doesn't want his half brother and sister taken away.
When some drama hits them, we see them rally. Rand saves Kai's life, and then they find out who their friends are, and combine to make their new journey work out.

Hot cowboys dancing, yum !
ENJOY !

=====

[Mathilda Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die Geschichte um Rand und Kai ist eine sehr ruhige, die sich innerhalb weniger Wochen abspielt und anfangs ein ziemliches Verwirrspiel mit gegenseitigen Geheimnissen ist. Rand hat sich mit einer Farm selbstständig gemacht, führt eigentlich ein gutes Leben und traut sich trotzdem nicht, endlich Klartext mit seinen Eltern zu reden, weil er schwul ist. Stattdessen nimmt er hin, dass seine Mutter ständig von Ehe und Kindern redet und sich auch nicht zu fein ist, heiratswillige Frauen ins Spiel zu bringen.

Kai hingegen ist zurückhaltend, sehr still und kümmert sich liebevoll um seine jüngeren Geschwister. Er und Rand laufen sich in einer Bar beim Tanzen über den Weg und Rand ist sofort fasziniert von dem hawaiianischen Cowboy. Doch Kai ist stachliger als ein Igel und selbst als beide im Bett landen, schiebt er Rand immer wieder von sich, der sich mit jedem Mal mehr fragt, was eigentlich mit Kai los ist.

Die Frage habe ich mir beim Lesen auch gestellt und es dauert eine Weile, bis man wirklich dahinterkommt, welches Geheimnis Kai mit sich herumträgt und warum er sich manchmal aufführt wie ein bockiger Teenager.

Am Ende geht dann alles Holterdiepolter, weil Not am Mann ist und Rand sofort alles stehen und liegen lässt, um Kai und seinen Geschwistern zu helfen. Und eben diese Geschwister sind es auch, die schlussendlich dafür sorgen, dass Kai und Rand ihr Glück finden.

Eine wunderschöne Geschichte, der ich zufriedene 4* und eine Leseempfehlung gebe. Ein dickes Dankeschön geht außerdem an den Dreamspinner Verlag für das Überlassen eines Rezensionsexemplars.

[Amarilli 73 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 - Ecco un libro con un' ambientazione diversa e originale.
Quando ho visto che il protagonista volava alle Hawaii non mi aspettavo una trama così. Invece: ci sono i cowboy alle Hawaii, e con tradizioni consolidate di tutto rispetto. Chi lo avrebbe mai pensato?
Ad esempio, sapete chi è un paniolo?
Io no, per cui con questa lettura ho ampliato i miei orizzonti.
Poi la storia è in sé molto dolce e tenera, con un paio di uomini giovani che tengono all'oscuro i propri segreti, subendo pressioni di vario tipo, sia familiari che sociali, per non uscire allo scoperto.
E se Rand ha imparato bene la lezione ("i cowboy non dicono di essere gay") per poter costruirsi una famiglia in un qualche futuro più o meno lontano, Kai lo fa per il motivo opposto: offrire una percezione esteriore di affidabilità e normalità, per poter conservare la famiglia di cui si prende cura.
Di più non dico, per non rivelare nulla della trama. Nel complesso una lettura godibile, che fa palpitare i cuori e offre anche piccoli colpi di scena, lasciandovi con il cuorino pieno di confettura. Però ogni tanto anche queste pause di buoni sentimenti e speranza sono necessarie e fanno bene.

(P.S. - sul fronte hot rilevo una gran bella scena con Kai che esce dall'acqua in tutto il suo fulgore... anche su questo non rimarrete delusi).

[Linda (un)Conventional Bookworms · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Welcome to my stop on the Cowboys Don't Come Out tour! I just love Tara Lain's stories, and this one was no different - prepare to be swooned!



Cowboys Don't Come Out is such a sweet and tender story! And Lain managed to bring so many truths into it, while using the characters to move the story along, too. Rand and Kai are both cowboys, and they both think they can't let anyone know they're gay - for different reasons. Kai is quite the mystery, and apart from the fact that he works at the stables at the hotel Rand is spending Christmas in Hawaii, it takes a while for both Rand and the readers to get to know him. There are some amazing dancing scenes as well! The first time Rand and Kai really meet they were having a dance-off in the cowboy bar :D

Of course, the fact that Rand's mom was ready for him to get married - to a nice girl - and give her grandchildren made for some humorous scenes. Especially as it was evident from the beginning that Rand had fallen hard for Kai! I really enjoyed the interactions between the different characters, as well as some of the one-liners that were delivered at times. Like one guy who said that being gay made it so that other people always thought about their sex-lives...

I enjoyed both the fact that the story happened in Hawaii, the dancing, the relaxation, and the sweet romance between the guys. And while the story is quite short, and things happen very fast, I still had a great time getting to know Rand and Kai.



A lot of brush and rocks between the path and the sand - not that the pat wasn't sandy. Like with flying, death might be OK, but falling would be crappy. He shuddered.

Rand slowly and nonchalantly crossed his left leg over his right - clearly in an effort to disguise a rising issue. Kai swallowed a smile. Of course, the tingles rippling up his arms seemed to want to diver straight to his balls too.
Cowboys Don't Come Out excerpt:




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About Tara Lain:

Tara Lain writes the Beautiful Boys of Romance in LGBT erotic romance novels that star her unique, charismatic heroes. Her first novel was published in January of 2011 and she’s now somewhere around book 32. Her best-selling novels have garnered awards for Best Series, Best Contemporary Romance, Best Paranormal Romance, Best Ménage, Best LGBT Romance, Best Gay Characters, and Tara has been named Best Writer of the Year in the LRC Awards. In her other job, Tara owns an advertising and public relations firm. She often does workshops on both author promotion and writing craft. She lives with her soul-mate husband and her soul-mate dog near the sea in California where she sets a lot of her books. Passionate about diversity, justice, and new experiences, Tara says on her tombstone it will say “Yes”!
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Where to get your copy of Cowboys Don't Come Out:

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 Thanks for stopping by today! Good luck in the giveaway :)

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was ok. I really liked the ending and actually laughed when Rand came out to his mom. However, I just didn’t connect with Kai. He stayed pretty sullen through most of the book. I also got tired of the closeted cowboy routine. It was a slow read for me. I actually listened to two audiobooks before I could finish this story. I usually prefer to read a book over listening to the audiobook, but I kept drifting away from this one.

[Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I have read by Tara Lain. I was intrigued by the synopsis and not disappointed at all by the the story!

This one has lots of perks! Single "dad" Kai, looking out for his younger siblings, two hot cowboys with very different personalities, vacation romance, and a blossoming love story even though both Rand and Kai believe the story needs to end in Hawaii.

The author does a great job setting the scene for the reader. I was immediately sucked into Rand's life and his need to please his family. Family is a big theme in this story. Our love and our need to protect bring out the best and the worst in us it seems. I enjoyed all the secondary characters, especially the children. When push comes to shove, it is love that helps us keep everything together.

Even though, Rand did not think things would work between him and Kai, I was happy to see they came to an understanding. Great vacation read! Looking forward to delving into more stories by this author.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.

[Elyxyz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voto: 3.5 stelline
Il primo libro che ho letto di quest’autrice mi aveva conquistata, perciò avevo aspettative forse troppo alte per questo volume.
Ci sono parti della trama che mi sono piaciute, ma altre meno. Lo svolgimento è abbastanza lineare, tranne per un paio di imprevisti. Certi pezzi non mi hanno coinvolta più di tanto, anche se questa storia ha il pregio di avere un’ambientazione originale e, in generale, buoni personaggi.
Aliki e Lani sono ragazzini adorabili e ispirano tenerezza per la loro difficile situazione e ci sono anche dei buoni aiutanti dei protagonisti.
Nel complesso, la storia è carina, adatta per qualche ora di intrattenimento, ma secondo me senza troppe pretese.

[Risa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wie ein Kurztrip nach Hawaii das Leben verändern kann, erfahren die Leser im ersten Buch der Cowboy-Serie von Tara Lain.

Zur Handlung. Rand McIntyre hat hart gearbeitet, um sich seinen Traum von einer eigenen Ranch in Kalifornien zu verwirklichen. Da blieb kaum Zeit für einen Urlaub. Doch diesmal lässt er sich von seinen Eltern dazu überreden mit ihnen die Weihnachtfeiertage auf Hawaii zu verbringen. Eine Entscheidung, die ihm besonders schwer fällt, denn Rand hat Höhenangst und deshalb ist für ihn Fliegen der reinste Horror. Doch noch etwas anders bereitet ihm Unbehagen. Er ist schwul und ungeoutet, selbst seine Eltern wissen nicht, dass er heimlich auf Männer steht. Deshalb versucht seine Mutter immer wieder erfolglos, ihn mit einer Frau zu verkuppeln.
Auch Kai Kealohas Leben ist kein Zuckerschlecken. Er ist ein hawaiianischer Cowboy, der auf einer Ranch arbeitet und Ausritte mit Touristen begleitet. Auch er hat seine Homosexualität bisher verheimlicht, da er ganz allein für seine zwei jüngeren Halbgeschwister sorgen muss. Die Mutter ist tot und er hat nicht das Sorgerecht für seine Schwester Lani und seinen Bruder Aliki.
Als die beiden Männer sich in einer Tanzbar kennen lernen, freunden sie sich schnell an. Schließlich haben sie gemeinsame Interessen, tanzen und reiten. Doch erst ein nächtlicher Besuch am FKK-Strand lässt sie erkennen, dass die sexuelle Anziehung auf Gegenseitigkeit beruht.

Tara Lains Story ist viel mehr als nur eine Urlaubsgeschichte. Zwischen all den Touristenattraktionen und anschaulichen Schilderungen Hawaiis, kommen neben der Romantik auch die Probleme von Rand und Kai nicht zu kurz. Denn auch wenn sie sich Hals über Kopf ineinander verlieben, der eine lebt auf der Insel und der andere in Kalifornien. Deshalb sehen sie anfangs keine Chance für eine gemeinsame Zukunft. Erst als das Jugendamt droht, Kais Geschwister in ein Heim zu stecken, müssen die beiden Männer sich entscheiden, wie ihre Beziehung weitergehen soll.

Die Story erhält von mir 5 Sterne und eine Leseempfehlung.

Mein Dank geht an Dreamspinner Press für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review bei der deutschen Ausgabe

[Morgan Skye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, relatively low angst and medium steam-filled romance - with kids and cowboys in Hawaii over the Holidays! So, it's got a little bit of something for everyone.
The reasons for these guys staying in the closet was reasonable, which I was glad to see, because I was worried about that from the blurb. Kai, especially, I understood as needing to be circumspect in all things. Rand had been hurt - badly - in the past, so I saw his reasoning as well.
Things moved quickly - you have to put on your "it's fiction" hat and ride it out - else the insta love might be a bit overwhelming.
While I loved the ending, I did wish I'd gotten to see more of these guys in an actual relationship before they did what they did. The timing was important, I get that, but still... I wanted them to be a couple on page more.
The kids were cute if COMPLETELY UNREALISTIC. Again, I donned my "it's fiction" hat and just enjoyed them for the roles they played in moving the story forward.
All in all, if you're looking for something light, sweet, a little sexy and fun. Give this a go! If you're looking for "real" - keep looking.
4 of 5 stars

Audio

I thought KC Kelly was a good choice for the narrator here. He handles the “cowboy” very well and I think he does a great job with the “Hawaiian” as well. His voice is maybe a bit older than I’d imagine, especially for Kai, but all in all that didn’t really affect my enjoyment.
4.5 of 5 stars for the narration
If you’re a fan of the author and coming out of the closet stories, this is definitely for you!

Overall 4.5 of 5 stars

[Shelby · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I really enjoyed this one. These guys were super sweet. I liked Rand as this big strong cowboy who also had a fear of heights. Kai was so devoted to his family and was determined to be everything for them. Other than the bit of insta-love quality to this relationship, it actually really was very lovely. I adored that the guys both loved to dance, and as a country line dancer and two stepper myself, I enjoyed the dance scenes at the bar a lot.

Really the relationship between these two was cute and the development between them was lovely. They had things they had to face, but they supported each other. There were some crazy developments that were a little much, but they still seemed to play well in the story. Mostly because the connection between these two was so strong. I loved Kai's siblings as well. They had a great energy, and were so different from their brother they just added a great color to the story.

All in all I definitely want to read more of this series. I actually really liked the Hawaii cowboy element. It was a great little piece of history that I didn't really know anything about. So many good elements in this one and a sweet happy ever after.

[Roger - president of NBR United - · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. Rand Mcintyre is a gay cowboy who is afraid to fly but is flying to Hawaii to please his mother for a Christmas Vacation. There he meets a Hawaiian cowboy, Kai. they are attracted but each is a closeted gay cowboy and Cowboys Don't Come Out. but these do and they even marry in the last few scenes. They just work together and try to deny it because they have secrets to keep and people depending on them.

[Chappy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love me some sexy cowboys.

I liked that Rand is not your typical cowboy. He loves to dance and he's a big ole bottom . Poor Kai has a lot of responsibilities on his shoulders and he finally realizes that Rand can take some of that weight.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darum geht’s:

Rand hat den Taum vieler kleiner Jungs wahr gemacht. Er hat eine kleine Farm, gibt Reitstunden, züchtet Pferde und lebt damit seinen Wunschberuf. Dass er immer noch Single und ohne Kinder ist, gefällt ihm weniger. Als seine Eltern ihn zu einem gemeinsamen Urlaub auf Hawaii einladen, sagt Rand nicht nein, auch wenn er schon ahnt, dass seine Mutter das Thema Heiraten und Enkelkinder nicht ruhen lassen wird. Doch Rand fasst nicht genug Mut, um ihr zu sagen, dass er auf Männer steht. Selbst als er den einheimischen hawaiianischen Cowboy Kai kennenlernt, benutzt er Ausreden und verheimlicht, dass Rand und Kai sich näherkommen.

So fand ich’s:

Kai hat von Anfang an eine Wirkung auf Rand, aber beide haben sich nicht geoutet und sind auch beim anderen nicht sicher, ob außer Sympathie noch mehr vorhanden ist. Sie stehen beide auf Tanzen und lieben Pferde und Kais jüngere Geschwister, die für Kai an oberster Stelle stehen, sind auch Rand schnell ans Herz gewachsen. Rand ist Besitzer einer kleinen Ranch und Kai stammt von den Paniolos ab, den hawaiianischen Cowboys, und auch das verbindet die beiden.

Rand scheut die Konfrontation mit seinen Eltern, auch wenn er nicht unbedingt befürchten muss, enterbt zu werden. Und Kai will erst recht keine Aufmerksamkeit auf sich und seine Geschwister lenken, denn die Familie hat ein großes Geheimnis.

Diese Geschichte ist eher von der ruhigeren Sorte und wird von den Charakteren getragen, natürlich hauptsächlich Rand und Kai, aber es gibt auch einige sympathische Nebenfiguren, die die Geschichte sehr bereichern. Als Rand und Kai irgendwann ihr gegenseitiges Interesse erkannt haben, entwickelt sich die Liebesgeschichte zügig und wird schnell ernst. Für manche mag das zu schnell gehen, doch ich fand es glaubwürdig erzählt. Schließlich soll es schon vorgekommen sein, dass man sich nach kürzester Zeit sicher war, sein Gegenstück gefunden zu haben. Problemlos läuft es mit Kai und Rand deswegen aber trotzdem nicht.

Die kleinen dramatischen Zwischenfälle hätte es für meinen Geschmack nicht gebraucht, sie haben mich aber auch nicht gestört. Man lernt ein bisschen was über Hawaii, kommt in Urlaubsstimmung und verfolgt die Lovestory von Rand und Kai. Das bietet schöne romantische Stunden und hat mich gut unterhalten.

„Kein Coming Out für Cowboys“ ist der Start in eine Serie, von der ein zweiter Band bereits auf englisch erschienen ist.

[Tex Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 out of 5 - Sweet Romantic Holiday for 2 Closeted Cowboys

I've had a run of Texas novels, which was where I was born and raised. Well, ok, this wasn't set in Texas, but the MCs ARE cowboys (what if they were from CA and HI), and it was over Christmas. So I still got the feel of it.

Both cowboys are in the closet; and true to the title, like my Texas stories, Tara Lain captrured the fear, and still realistic consequences, of coming out - even today no matter what state or country you're in. Yeah, seeing other reviews, it did lead to what may have seemed unrealistic scenes, but those go with what closeted gays do to stay in. And it helped to magnify the process they had to go through to deal with that in their own way and in their relationship.

And yeah, the secondaries were maybe at tmes a bit too perfect, and there were a couple of melodramatic scenes; but hey. this was a romance novel after all, and I thought it fit right in and gave me that extra feel. I'm usually not big on family stuff, but in this case both families drew me in - the parents of one, the kid siblings of the other and their big brother's protectiveness. And on the latter, I loved learning about paniolos (Hawaiian cowboys).

Overall, for their holiday season, I was rooting for my cowboys to ride off into the sunset together.

[Angelique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oke I was really looking forward too reading this on.
bought it and now,I feel short chanced.
The first part is way too slow paced.
There is barely a spark or really sexy times.
It is drama after drama,but no real angst.
things wraps up to easy and nice.
I did not see ,joy or fun.
It is not a big read,but I did loose several times
interest.not a good thing.

pitty,the blurb was good

[Aure1ia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

[Feel The Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doppia recensione a cura di Cat e Raksha per Feel The Book

Recensione di Cat

*sospiro*
Ho appena terminato di leggere questa storia e… datemi un minuto che devo togliermi i cuoricini dagli occhi.
Romantica, intensa ed emozionante, è stato davvero bello trascorrere queste ore in compagnia di Rand e Kai, con i piccoli Aliki e Lana.
La vacanza organizzata dai genitori per trascorre un po’ di tempo con il figlio, diventa per Rand l’occasione per conoscere un uomo speciale e dei bambini meravigliosi.
Il tempo che trascorreranno insieme creerà dei legami molto più forti di quanto ognuno di loro si sarebbe mai aspettato.
Non sarà facile per Rand oltrepassare il muro che Kai ha eretto intorno a sé per proteggere la sua famiglia. La sua riservatezza e ritrosia nel concedere alle persone di avvicinarsi nascondono in realtà un segreto che custodisce fin dalla giovane età.
Ma sarà difficile resistere al cowboy arrivato dal continente, con quel suo dolce sorriso, una gentilezza fuori dal comune ed il ballo country nel sangue.
Ho adorato la dolcezza di Rand, il suo amore per i bambini e la sua voglia di provarci fino alla fine. E mi si è spezzato il cuore a Banner di Cat per Feelthebookpensare a tutti i sacrifici, alla paura ed alle grandi responsabilità che Kai, Lane e Aliki hanno dovuto affrontare.
Due uomini coraggiosi, eroi ciascuno a modo proprio. Entrambi dovranno fare delle scelte che cambieranno le loro vite per sempre. Per Kai è giunto il momento di aprire il proprio cuore, per Rand di ottenere ciò che ha sempre desiderato.

Recensione a cura di Raksha

All’inizio incontriamo Rand, un cowboy fisicamente grosso e caratterialmente troppo buono, che parte dalla California, dove possiede un ranch, per passare una vacanza con i suoi genitori alle Hawaii. Nella prima parte del libro sono andata a rilento, la mamma di Rand mi è veramente odiosa e mi ha reso le cose piuttosto difficili. La donna è convinta che suo figlio sia troppo solo e bisognoso di una moglie, ma la cosa che veramente mi ha fatto arrabbiare non è l’insistenza della mamma, ma il fatto che lui tenta di accontentarla in ogni modo, evitando a tutti i costi di rivelare se stesso.
Insomma… un paio di sberle a entrambi, mentalmente, le ho tirate.
Con l’arrivo del personaggio di Kai la storia si fa più interessante anche se due sberlette le ho tirate pure a lui.
Kai, cowboy che gestisce i giri a cavallo offerti dall’hotel in cui risiede Rand, è chiuso come un riccio, a volte appare addirittura disinteressato e totalmente piatto. Una maschera costruita con estrema cura la sua, perché andando avanti Kai si rivela un ragazzo di grande coraggio, ricco di passione e forza d’animo. Una giovane anima costretta a sopportare un peso troppo grande, ad assumersi responsabilità e custodire segreti che possono mandare in pezzi un uomo.

Entrambi gli uomini, per motivi diversi, non hanno mai confessato la loro omosessualità e devono tenere sotto controllo l’ossessione che provano l’uno per l’altro. Tutti e due sono stati vittime di crudeltà che li hanno costretti a chiudersi e ad avere paura di essere respinti e feriti.

Insieme sono un’esplosione di passione e vitalità, tutti coloro che li incontrano riescono a capire che tra i due l’alchimia è profonda e il legame che si è creato va ben oltre la semplice amicizia.
S’intendono alla perfezione, amano entrambi danzare e cavalcare, ma soprattutto hanno una vera passione per i bambini.
E Kai è costantemente accompagnato proprio da due bambini: la sua sorellina Lani e il suo fratellino Aliki. Ambedue adorabili, sono prima l’ostacolo e poi la chiave per la risoluzione di tutti i problemi che la vita presenta ai nostri protagonisti.
Il testo è scritto con semplicità, ed è scorrevole e piacevole da leggere.
Banner di Raksha per FeelthebookLa storia è ben articolata e presenta personaggi ben delineati e con forti caratteristiche.
È un perfetto mix di riflessioni e crescita personale, passione e coraggio.
Non posso negare di aver pianto in ben due occasioni e, anche se al momento sono emotivamente instabile e quindi non del tutto affidabile, credo che un romanzo che sappia suscitare emozioni tanto forti vada assolutamente letto.

Editing recensioni a cura di Lilith e TheGoddess per Feel The Book

[Romanticamente Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rand è un ragazzo che ci viene presentato come insicuro, con una paura simile a quella di cadere dall’alto, giustificata da un trauma infantile.
È un ragazzo molto dolce, coraggioso, positivo, aperto, solare, il tipico cowboy della California. Ha voglia di vivere una storia vera, non è gay dichiarato, ma ha paura di farlo perché nell’ambiente cowboy non si deve sapere. Inoltre neanche i suoi genitori lo sanno, e lui continua a mentire fingendo di interessarsi alle donne.

Smetti di lottare, Kai. Ci sono io

Kai è hawaiano, un cowboy che discende da una genealogia di paniolos, e sembra il tipico duro e inavvicinabile, che non concede confidenze. Ma il suo atteggiamento non è legato tanto alla presunzione o all’arroganza, quanto al suo nascondere delle verità scomode e importanti. Dichiara un’età diversa dalla sua, e ha delle responsabilità di famiglia ben al di sopra di ciò che dovrebbe avere un ragazzo della sua età. Questo fa sì che Kai sia costantemente portato a proteggere gli altri e non si aspetti nulla per sé. Per questo motivo, ottenere qualcosa solo per lui, come un ragazzo da amare, lo spaventa a morte.

Kai era affettuoso quanto una lucertola cornuta.

Rand adora i bambini ed è bravissimo con loro. Il fatto che lui non si sia dichiarato né al ranch né con i genitori, lo rende vulnerabile agli “attacchi” della madre, che non perde occasione per ricordargli che non ha ancora una ragazza al suo fianco. Rand fa casualmente amicizia con i fratelli di Kai e instaura con loro un bellissimo rapporto al punto che entrambi, in breve tempo, arrivano ad adorarlo. In ogni occasione lui incarna un ruolo perfetto, a metà tra l’amico e la figura autorevole in grado di guidare un ragazzino durante la crescita. È comprensivo, tenero, capace di ascoltare, di guidare e sa interagire con loro divertendosi.

«Avrei dovuto saperlo che ti saresti innamorato solo di un supereroe»

È il caso di dire che Rand conquista Kai anche tramite il rapporto che ha con i suoi fratelli; ma questo rapporto, che diventa sempre più stretto, per altri aspetti allontana il paniolos, che tenta di essere razionale e di non legarsi a qualcuno che sta per terminare la propria vacanza e che lascerà il cuore spezzato a lui e ai suoi ragazzini.

«Non è stata colpa tua, e hai rischiato davvero molto per salvarmi»
«Allora non dovresti baciarmi invece di trattarmi come se ti avessi ammazzato il cane?»

Il desiderio tra i due scatta in modo feroce, ed è molto bello come viene esplicitato; una passione dialogata tutt’altro che classica.

«Avevi qualcosa di preciso in mente, cowboy?» Sentiva il sangue pulsare nell’inguine, incoraggiandolo a togliersi quei pantaloni.
«Qualche lezione di equitazione?»
«Sei tu l’insegnante»
«No no, io sono il cavallo quarter»
Non mi pare vero. «Vuoi stare sotto?»
«Sì.»
«Porca miseria.»

Molto bella la concentrazione di figure collaterali, sia quelle dei bambini, ben caratterizzati, sia quella della signora O. Forse in alcuni punti i personaggi secondari sembrano un po’ forzati nelle riflessioni, che spingono un po’ troppo la trama verso la direzione che ha pianificato l’autrice in precedenza.
Stilisticamente parlando, ho riscontrato uno strano cambio di punto di vista da un momento all’altro dopo i primi capitoli, dove mi sono ritrovata inaspettatamente nella testa di un altro personaggio. Da quel momento, a tratti si fatica a capire chi è che sta pensando.
Non sono una persona sensibile all’ironia, tuttavia questo libro è riuscito a strapparmi dei sorrisi, per cui posso affermare che la lettura è indubbiamente divertente e piacevole.

Julie avrebbe anche potuto essere un pezzo di arredo, poiché tutto quello che Rand vedeva o percepiva era l’uomo dai jeans attillati.

I personaggi sono ben caratterizzati, la trama segue sviluppi non comuni e piacevoli colpi di scena. C’è però qualche elemento, soprattutto nel finale, o in un paio di forzature legate ai personaggi secondari, che non ho gradito. Per questo ho assegnato solo quattro stelle.

[Jessie G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Evette PMs me and tells me I have to read a book, I rarely hesitate. This time she started with "I'm about halfway through and I'm just waiting for it to break my heart!" Now, a smart girl would run. Me? No, I perked right up. After going back on forth on the dire consequences if this book didn't have an HEA and how I might be able to hear her tears all the way in Florida, I set aside the book I was reading and dived in. And holy buckets of tears. And laughter. And hot cowboys. Did I mention this is all Evette's fault? And possibly Tara's. Maybe half and half.

Anyway...Rand is a closeted cowboy because they don't come out. This seems to be an unwritten rule and one that clearly needs to be rewritten, but we won't go on that tangent. He's preparing for a family vacation with his folks to Hawaii. Now Rand isn't born and bred a cowboy, so his parents don't quite get him, but he's learned everything there is and owns a working ranch (doilies required). Going on vacation with the parents isn't his first choice, but he loves them and doesn't want to disappoint. Reason number 2 why he's in the closet: Mom is constantly pushing marriage and kids down his throat. She's not malicious, but there were moments when I was definitely glaring at her. Dad, on the other hand, wins at everything. Loved him to pieces. Upon arrival at the resort, Rand discovers there's a cowboy bar across from the hotel and things start looking up. Taking Julie the swim instructor might have sent a few wrong signals, but I got that he was keeping up appearances and dancing with her was the perfect opening to bring in Kai.

Wow, Kai. Just an absolutely selfless individual. His entire life is precariously built on a lie in order to keep his siblings with him. That they might be half-siblings or even farther apart than that, doesn't matter. They were raised as such and when Kai is 16, he steps up to be both parents. One mistake could bring child services down on them, so falling for Rand is out of the question and in Kai's mind, improbable. An abusive relationship with his mother and step-father have left him failing like a failure, even though he's the farthest thing from it, so why would Rand want him. Devoting his life to Lani and Aliki is the only thing he believes he's done right and he knows that no one else will see it that way. So while he might not be able to stop wanting Rand, he can't let him in and he certainly can't expect more than a holiday fling.

Only it's not a holiday fling for any of them and though this book takes place in a short period of time, I believed Rand, Kai, Lani and Aliki needed to be a family. I couldn't have been rooting harder (or cursing Evette more). As the worst happens and Kai discovers he doesn't have to fight this battle alone, I was sobbing ugly sobs. And then...well, and then Lani just brings it all home and it was perfect.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 - Okay, let me start by saying that cowboy books are usually immediately crossed off of my potential reading list. However, since this is Tara Lain (she's never let me down before) and I'm a complete sucker for K.C. Kelly (narrator), I decided to give it a go.

And I am oh so happy I did. This book made me happy on all of the levels. I grew up in the midwest, and while that's not technically "the south," I grew up around farmers and ranchers. The part that makes most cowboy books so difficult for me to digest is almost always the forced dialogue. I clicked play on this audiobook and I sat there patiently hoping for the best but preparing for the worst... and then I heard the angel that is K.C. Kelly and I melted into my seat.

Not only did Tara Lain do cowboys justice with this book, but K.C. Kelly took it to a whole nother level and set it on fire. These MC's were hands down two of my favorite Lain characters ever. Rand (that name) and Kai were the perfect combination of sweet, sexy, and guarded. Rand had that whole family drama thing going for him. He was invited to go on vacation with his family and felt obligated to tag along and spend some time with them (really, though, how much of a hassle is Hawaii?). Rand planned on having some fun and then going back home to California to his cozy little ranch and teaching job that he loved - then he met Kai.

Kai is just my kind of character. Of course, I usually find it easiest to connect to the prickly guarded type who will turn around and walk away faster than you can say "hi." Kai kind of has an excuse though. He's been raising his younger siblings (who were amazing support characters, by the way) all by himself and he knew that inviting another person to be around him as much as he really wanted to be around Rand could create some friction with the whole family thing. It's one thing to have a one-nighter with a hot cowboy from out-of-state, but it's another thing entirely to invite him to hang around the kids and let them get attached to him too.

These two lit up the dance floor, set fire to the sheets, and evaporated the ocean with their sizzling sexytimes. I loved loved loved the chemistry between these two. They were both more than a little guarded and reluctant to let anything serious happen, but despite all of their combined efforts, they just couldn't stay way from each other.

And honestly, I can say 100% without a doubt (even though I haven't read the print/e-reader copy, this book is better in audio. K.C. Kelly is hands down my favorite narrator and he brought this book to life in ways I never would have imagined on my own. Plus, he has that sexy gruff voice and he totally pulled out the growls at any and all opportunities. This book, particularly in audio format, comes highly recommended from me.