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Heart of the South #2
Worth Searching For
Most gay men wouldn’t expect to see their dreams come true in a small town in the Deep South. But the road to true love can lead to the unlikeliest places . . .
Disowned by his conservative Peruvian parents, Lito Apaza headed for gay-friendly Atlanta. Resilient, charismatic, and successful, he’s built a life on his terms—with a new family of friends and the unconditional love of his dog, Spot. Then his job forces him to relocate to tiny Black Lake, Alabama. Here, being fabulous isn’t exactly the town motto. However, Lito can’t help who he is any more than he can curb his feelings for a certain sexy ex-soldier.
A former dog handler in Afghanistan, Dave Schmidt now runs a volunteer K9 search-and-rescue team. Until he met Lito, his nights were free. As their hook-ups grow hotter, Dave and Lito have to admit this could be something nearer to romance. It’s not what Lito expected. And Dave isn’t used to the scrutiny of being visibly gay. Yet everything they’ve been secretly searching for could be right here in Black Lake. If Dave and Lito want a future together, one of them will have to make the first move . . .
Disowned by his conservative Peruvian parents, Lito Apaza headed for gay-friendly Atlanta. Resilient, charismatic, and successful, he’s built a life on his terms—with a new family of friends and the unconditional love of his dog, Spot. Then his job forces him to relocate to tiny Black Lake, Alabama. Here, being fabulous isn’t exactly the town motto. However, Lito can’t help who he is any more than he can curb his feelings for a certain sexy ex-soldier.
A former dog handler in Afghanistan, Dave Schmidt now runs a volunteer K9 search-and-rescue team. Until he met Lito, his nights were free. As their hook-ups grow hotter, Dave and Lito have to admit this could be something nearer to romance. It’s not what Lito expected. And Dave isn’t used to the scrutiny of being visibly gay. Yet everything they’ve been secretly searching for could be right here in Black Lake. If Dave and Lito want a future together, one of them will have to make the first move . . .
ebook
First published February 27, 2018
About the author
Wendy Qualls
10 books82 followersWendy Qualls was a small town librarian until she finished reading everything her library had to offer. At that point she put her expensive and totally unrelated college degree to use by writing smutty romance novels and wasting time on the internet. She lives in Northern Alabama with her husband, two girls, two dogs, and a seasonally fluctuating swarm of unwanted ladybugs. Wendy can be found on Twitter as @wendyqualls. She is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
March 18, 2018
2.5 Stars
This is a well written story but it was a bit too slow for me. The author has written a story that includes people of colour and she did this so well and this aspect of the story was refreshing to read. I didn't mind the slow burning friends to lovers aspect of the story but I don't like the 'big misunderstanding' trope. So even though it is a pleasant read it just wasn't for me.
Lito has been living in Atlanta but he is given a promotion and moves to work for his employees in a different town. It goes without saying that the small town of Black Lake, Alabama is not like Atlanta at all. There are no gay clubs, few eating places or any other forms of entertainment. Lito wonders how he will survive in this small quiet town, but he has his dog with him and so he will find a way.
As Lito settles into his new home and job, he meets a fellow dog owner Dave and finds out that Dave runs a search and rescue volunteer group. Lito joins the group and gets to know everyone. He also gets to know Dave and their attraction is mutual.
The two men get gradually get closer to each other, negotiating differences to find something to hold onto. This is a story about two men who have come from two different worlds and how they find love in each other. Lito is a Latino coming from the big city and obviously gay. Dave is a white American, straight appearing, ex-army guy, who was born and bred in a small town and he is used to small town life.
The real challenge for the two of them is to explore what is possible. Is it possible for these two gay men to have a relationship which is meaningful and satisfying in this remote town, particularly with the demands that are placed on Lito by his job?
It is a nice gentle story with no high drama or unnecessary angst. I enjoyed that aspect of it but I just didn't feel drawn into the story. If you enjoy slow burning, friends to lovers stories then this one is definitely for you.
Copy provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
This is a well written story but it was a bit too slow for me. The author has written a story that includes people of colour and she did this so well and this aspect of the story was refreshing to read. I didn't mind the slow burning friends to lovers aspect of the story but I don't like the 'big misunderstanding' trope. So even though it is a pleasant read it just wasn't for me.
Lito has been living in Atlanta but he is given a promotion and moves to work for his employees in a different town. It goes without saying that the small town of Black Lake, Alabama is not like Atlanta at all. There are no gay clubs, few eating places or any other forms of entertainment. Lito wonders how he will survive in this small quiet town, but he has his dog with him and so he will find a way.
As Lito settles into his new home and job, he meets a fellow dog owner Dave and finds out that Dave runs a search and rescue volunteer group. Lito joins the group and gets to know everyone. He also gets to know Dave and their attraction is mutual.
The two men get gradually get closer to each other, negotiating differences to find something to hold onto. This is a story about two men who have come from two different worlds and how they find love in each other. Lito is a Latino coming from the big city and obviously gay. Dave is a white American, straight appearing, ex-army guy, who was born and bred in a small town and he is used to small town life.
The real challenge for the two of them is to explore what is possible. Is it possible for these two gay men to have a relationship which is meaningful and satisfying in this remote town, particularly with the demands that are placed on Lito by his job?
It is a nice gentle story with no high drama or unnecessary angst. I enjoyed that aspect of it but I just didn't feel drawn into the story. If you enjoy slow burning, friends to lovers stories then this one is definitely for you.
Copy provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 28, 2018
3.5 stars.
This was a sweet, slow-build romance with likeable characters and some cute dogs in an easy, undemanding read. I really enjoyed the search and rescue stuff, especially at the beginning, but it definitely tails off towards the end, which was a shame.
I liked Lito. He is out and proud, if a little touchy about being so because of his past. He’s definitely not the sort to hide who he is, which makes him extra sensitive to his surroundings in small town Alabama. He has to put up with casual homophobia and racism on a regular basis, and it understandably gets under his skin, compounding any issues he already had and making him feel even more isolated in his new town. But not when he’s with Dave and the S+R team, because there he’s just one of them. It’s completely not what he’s used to, but I liked how he settled in.
Dave is the opposite of Lito. He’s not in the closet, but neither is he right out there, because he doesn’t need to be. He spent years as a soldier under don’t-ask-don’t-tell, so he’s used to not exactly hiding who he is, but not making any statements about it either. And since he goes elsewhere for his hook-ups, it’s not an issue for him. At the same time, he doesn’t fuss or freak out when Lito comes along, he just accepts what they have and enjoys it.
Which is all well and good, and I really liked these two together, but after the steady build up between them, more communication would have been good. They just sort of slide into a relationship without really realising it, and likewise, when things go wrong, it’s more because they don’t talk than because there’s a deeper issue. It made both their romance and the fall out (and make up) feel kind of lacklustre. It’s easy until it isn’t, then it’s fine again. Cute enough, but not particularly good at stirring the emotions.
I still enjoyed it, but I would have preferred more search and rescue stuff, better communication between them and, I don’t know, a deeper emotional connection maybe. I don’t need full on angst, but a little something more than this would have been appreciated. I’m also annoyed that Lito never told Dave about Spot’s name. I haven’t read the first book, so maybe it came up there, but still, I want to know. Overall, though, this is cute. It’s easy and undemanding and I liked the characters enough to want to see what this author comes up with next.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
This was a sweet, slow-build romance with likeable characters and some cute dogs in an easy, undemanding read. I really enjoyed the search and rescue stuff, especially at the beginning, but it definitely tails off towards the end, which was a shame.
I liked Lito. He is out and proud, if a little touchy about being so because of his past. He’s definitely not the sort to hide who he is, which makes him extra sensitive to his surroundings in small town Alabama. He has to put up with casual homophobia and racism on a regular basis, and it understandably gets under his skin, compounding any issues he already had and making him feel even more isolated in his new town. But not when he’s with Dave and the S+R team, because there he’s just one of them. It’s completely not what he’s used to, but I liked how he settled in.
Dave is the opposite of Lito. He’s not in the closet, but neither is he right out there, because he doesn’t need to be. He spent years as a soldier under don’t-ask-don’t-tell, so he’s used to not exactly hiding who he is, but not making any statements about it either. And since he goes elsewhere for his hook-ups, it’s not an issue for him. At the same time, he doesn’t fuss or freak out when Lito comes along, he just accepts what they have and enjoys it.
Which is all well and good, and I really liked these two together, but after the steady build up between them, more communication would have been good. They just sort of slide into a relationship without really realising it, and likewise, when things go wrong, it’s more because they don’t talk than because there’s a deeper issue. It made both their romance and the fall out (and make up) feel kind of lacklustre. It’s easy until it isn’t, then it’s fine again. Cute enough, but not particularly good at stirring the emotions.
I still enjoyed it, but I would have preferred more search and rescue stuff, better communication between them and, I don’t know, a deeper emotional connection maybe. I don’t need full on angst, but a little something more than this would have been appreciated. I’m also annoyed that Lito never told Dave about Spot’s name. I haven’t read the first book, so maybe it came up there, but still, I want to know. Overall, though, this is cute. It’s easy and undemanding and I liked the characters enough to want to see what this author comes up with next.
(ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley.)
February 27, 2018
I received a copy to read and review for Wicked Reads
This was a sweet romance and low on angst. To be honest it was super slow and even the few steamy scenes couldn't pick this book up. There was a lot of inner monologue which drives me nuts, I like dialogue. Lito and Dave are good together, it was just too slow, I found myself putting it down and coming back to it hoping I would get more into it.
This was a sweet romance and low on angst. To be honest it was super slow and even the few steamy scenes couldn't pick this book up. There was a lot of inner monologue which drives me nuts, I like dialogue. Lito and Dave are good together, it was just too slow, I found myself putting it down and coming back to it hoping I would get more into it.
Read
January 17, 2018I’m glad I found this book on netgalley! This was such a sweet romance between Dave and Lito. And having dogs play such a big roll was an added bonus! I loved how Lito came back to Dave. It was sweet and swoon worthy. You can tell the struggled with their feelings for each other and they were scared of what it could become. Im glad they are together and happy again!
March 11, 2019
Romance in a Small Town!
Lots of dogs, rescue training and lots of friends are parts of the romance between Lito & Dave. This story lost me about half way in. The connection between the MCs just stopped at mid point. No sweet interactions, no loving thoughts, not even angst thoughts. The story just seemed contrived after the midpoint. It’s readable but...!
Lots of dogs, rescue training and lots of friends are parts of the romance between Lito & Dave. This story lost me about half way in. The connection between the MCs just stopped at mid point. No sweet interactions, no loving thoughts, not even angst thoughts. The story just seemed contrived after the midpoint. It’s readable but...!
February 20, 2018
Misfit –doubtless
Happy in his skin – definitely
Looking for love – debatable
Carlos “Lito” Apaza moves from Atlanta to small town Alabama with a pay raise and increased responsibility BUT he has no idea how or when he will make friends. As he walks through a pet shop in Black Lake he meets a tall manly drool-worthy male. They chat a bit and Dave Schmidt ends up asking Lito and his dog Spot to join the dog-rescue practice happening that week. Both men are attracted to one another but are not sure whether or not that attraction is reciprocated.
There is a slow build to their relationship that is sweet and at times steamy. Their experiences with family, friends and colleagues have varied but neither is “in the closet” and they really begin to care for one another. Well, as with all good romances, there is a problem that causes a rift and yet neither can get the other out of his mind. How they get back together is a delight to read that left me quite happy they managed to work things out.
The supporting characters – human and canine – made me wonder who might show up in a future romance in this series and there was more than one that I would like to know more about, that’s for sure!
This is my first book by this author but I will gladly read more as they are available.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – this is my honest review
4-5 Stars
Happy in his skin – definitely
Looking for love – debatable
Carlos “Lito” Apaza moves from Atlanta to small town Alabama with a pay raise and increased responsibility BUT he has no idea how or when he will make friends. As he walks through a pet shop in Black Lake he meets a tall manly drool-worthy male. They chat a bit and Dave Schmidt ends up asking Lito and his dog Spot to join the dog-rescue practice happening that week. Both men are attracted to one another but are not sure whether or not that attraction is reciprocated.
There is a slow build to their relationship that is sweet and at times steamy. Their experiences with family, friends and colleagues have varied but neither is “in the closet” and they really begin to care for one another. Well, as with all good romances, there is a problem that causes a rift and yet neither can get the other out of his mind. How they get back together is a delight to read that left me quite happy they managed to work things out.
The supporting characters – human and canine – made me wonder who might show up in a future romance in this series and there was more than one that I would like to know more about, that’s for sure!
This is my first book by this author but I will gladly read more as they are available.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books – Lyrical Shine for the ARC – this is my honest review
4-5 Stars
February 24, 2018
3.5 stars - I was given a copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
This is the story of a sweet romance between two interesting and likeable men. Lito and Dave meet in a pet store and get to know each other when Lito and his dog Spot join Dave’s search and rescue squad.
I enjoyed this more than the previous book in the series but it is still a little bit too slow and a bit too cute for me. The search and rescue plot is interesting and I really liked learning about Lito’s job. Outside of his rescue work, Dave’s life is pretty bland and he feels too old to still be so uncomfortable with his sexuality. Lito is a braver, more colourful character but his reactions are a little bit OTT and the miscommunication between Lito and Dave was overdone. There are a couple of steamy scenes in this story but overall it isn’t a terribly sexy romance.
This is a sweet rural romance. It is a simple and fairly predictable story. I didn’t feel much of an emotional connection to either Lito or Dave and I didn’t get very invested in their relationship.
This is the story of a sweet romance between two interesting and likeable men. Lito and Dave meet in a pet store and get to know each other when Lito and his dog Spot join Dave’s search and rescue squad.
I enjoyed this more than the previous book in the series but it is still a little bit too slow and a bit too cute for me. The search and rescue plot is interesting and I really liked learning about Lito’s job. Outside of his rescue work, Dave’s life is pretty bland and he feels too old to still be so uncomfortable with his sexuality. Lito is a braver, more colourful character but his reactions are a little bit OTT and the miscommunication between Lito and Dave was overdone. There are a couple of steamy scenes in this story but overall it isn’t a terribly sexy romance.
This is a sweet rural romance. It is a simple and fairly predictable story. I didn’t feel much of an emotional connection to either Lito or Dave and I didn’t get very invested in their relationship.
February 21, 2018
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
3.5*s
This is the second in the series, but is a stand alone, with a similar theme.
I enjoyed this story, but did feel that it was some how overly long. The pace was very slow, and at times the inner voice arguing with themselves about whether this was something serious or not went on for too long. For a relatively angst free plot, this indecision was at times frustrating and not news. The men were good together, and some reticence was to be expected, given both the location, and their differences. I enjoyed the dog rescue elements, although again I didn't think that the repeated explanations about Lumpy and Woozy were necessary.
A story with an original backstory and plot, just maybe a little slow for my taste.
3.5*s
This is the second in the series, but is a stand alone, with a similar theme.
I enjoyed this story, but did feel that it was some how overly long. The pace was very slow, and at times the inner voice arguing with themselves about whether this was something serious or not went on for too long. For a relatively angst free plot, this indecision was at times frustrating and not news. The men were good together, and some reticence was to be expected, given both the location, and their differences. I enjoyed the dog rescue elements, although again I didn't think that the repeated explanations about Lumpy and Woozy were necessary.
A story with an original backstory and plot, just maybe a little slow for my taste.
June 11, 2018
A formulaic but satisfying romance about a gay couple who meet and find love in rural Alabama. Too relatable not to read. Yee haw.
August 16, 2018
Not as homophobic as I feared. It dealt more with Lito's own concerns about the small town sameness, and actually people were quite okay with him. Yeah his co-workers weren't terribly interested in him, but that's better than being rejected outright.
I loved all the bits with the dogs. I felt the ending was rushed and left a lot of gaps that I would have liked to have read.
But lovely HEA.
I loved all the bits with the dogs. I felt the ending was rushed and left a lot of gaps that I would have liked to have read.
But lovely HEA.
February 27, 2018
Trigger warnings: casual homophobia, casual racism
After Worth Waiting For, I was prepared to read this book, the second in the series, with a box of tissues. Thankfully, it was a lot less emotionally wrenching than the first, though it was still delightfully angsty.
Lito is out of the closet but struggling to find his place in rural Black Lake, Alabama after a promotion that required him to move from Atlanta. He’s worked his way from night clerk to head of design at a family chain of hotels, and as part of his promotion, he’s refreshing the chain’s Alabama location with local flavor. Dave is, well, just plain adorable. He’s the kind of person who signs his texts as if they were from him and his dogs. He’s lived in Black Lake all his life – except for his military tours, and works for the town doing maintenance, as well as helping run the local volunteer search and rescue team. When they meet for the first time, they’re both initially attracted to each other, so Dave invites Lito a practice for the SAR team he’s a part of. It takes time for them to realize the other is interested, and decide to pursue a relationship.
At first, their relationship seemed more of the “only other single gay guy in the entire town”-type, but as they spend more time with each other, the chemistry built up. Unlike the previous book, both Lito and Dave are out, though they’ve both had vastly different experiences as gay men in the south. Lito’s family kicked him out as a teen when they found out he was gay, and part of the impetus behind his initial move from Miami to Atlanta was to get away from those memories. Dave’s family is much more supportive, the sort of big boisterous happy closeness that Lito remembers with regret and wishes he could have from his family. Lito’s also got some of that stereotypical gay fabulousness – the first time he meets Dave at a pet store, he’s wearing a tight pink shirt and rainbow earring. Dave, on the other hand, as a built, white ex-Army guy, easily passes as straight, to the point where some of his acquaintances forget he’s gay. If you can’t guess, it’s these differences, and their inability to reconcile them, that cause a rift in their relationship.
I especially enjoyed the volunteer search and rescue part. I have a soft spot for romance books with dogs, so this was right up my alley. I loved reading about the various training aspects – for both the people and dogs! – and also got a kick out of the school talk that Dave and Lito gave at Dave’s nephew’s school.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series! If you’re interested in a sweet dog-filled romance, this book is for you!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After Worth Waiting For, I was prepared to read this book, the second in the series, with a box of tissues. Thankfully, it was a lot less emotionally wrenching than the first, though it was still delightfully angsty.
“’It’s different here.’ Painfully so. The not-rightness was hard to explain, but Lito tried anyway. ‘I’m the only man at work. Also the only non-white person, the only non-straight one, and the only one who’s ever lived within reasonable shopping distance of an IKEA. Everyone’s been nothing but nice, but it keeps feeling like the old ‘bless his heart’ kind of Southern nice, you know? Like they’re not sure what to make of the strange gay decorator so they’re just faking it.'”
Lito is out of the closet but struggling to find his place in rural Black Lake, Alabama after a promotion that required him to move from Atlanta. He’s worked his way from night clerk to head of design at a family chain of hotels, and as part of his promotion, he’s refreshing the chain’s Alabama location with local flavor. Dave is, well, just plain adorable. He’s the kind of person who signs his texts as if they were from him and his dogs. He’s lived in Black Lake all his life – except for his military tours, and works for the town doing maintenance, as well as helping run the local volunteer search and rescue team. When they meet for the first time, they’re both initially attracted to each other, so Dave invites Lito a practice for the SAR team he’s a part of. It takes time for them to realize the other is interested, and decide to pursue a relationship.
“Figured for my first time seeing your house it’d probably be a bit much for me to just show up at the door and be like ‘Wow, like your place, I brought a bottle of wine and another of lube, what’s for dinner?’”
At first, their relationship seemed more of the “only other single gay guy in the entire town”-type, but as they spend more time with each other, the chemistry built up. Unlike the previous book, both Lito and Dave are out, though they’ve both had vastly different experiences as gay men in the south. Lito’s family kicked him out as a teen when they found out he was gay, and part of the impetus behind his initial move from Miami to Atlanta was to get away from those memories. Dave’s family is much more supportive, the sort of big boisterous happy closeness that Lito remembers with regret and wishes he could have from his family. Lito’s also got some of that stereotypical gay fabulousness – the first time he meets Dave at a pet store, he’s wearing a tight pink shirt and rainbow earring. Dave, on the other hand, as a built, white ex-Army guy, easily passes as straight, to the point where some of his acquaintances forget he’s gay. If you can’t guess, it’s these differences, and their inability to reconcile them, that cause a rift in their relationship.
I especially enjoyed the volunteer search and rescue part. I have a soft spot for romance books with dogs, so this was right up my alley. I loved reading about the various training aspects – for both the people and dogs! – and also got a kick out of the school talk that Dave and Lito gave at Dave’s nephew’s school.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, and I’ll definitely be picking up the next in the series! If you’re interested in a sweet dog-filled romance, this book is for you!
I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 2, 2018
This is a fun book to read and the reader gets to learn about the amazing world of search and rescue. It is a story of a fish out of water, coming from several large city experiences to a small southern town. The character Lito has stated that he cannot hide as straight and is more obvious as a gay man.
The story is a nice story with well rounded characters that you want to know more about. The group of friends from book 1 are also included in this follow-up even though the location is not where the last book took place. This is an easy read and was enjoyed by all the different relationships that are found in this story.
Recommend this book to any fan of a MM romance.
The story is a nice story with well rounded characters that you want to know more about. The group of friends from book 1 are also included in this follow-up even though the location is not where the last book took place. This is an easy read and was enjoyed by all the different relationships that are found in this story.
Recommend this book to any fan of a MM romance.
March 27, 2019
My Recommendation: They're a fun quick release (pun intended) when you're looking for something that's not too challenging, but surprisingly does make you think while entertaining you. Of the three, this is probably my favorite, but like most romance novels I'm not sure how much of this I'll remember 6-12 months from now.
My Response: I grabbed this, along with eight other romance novels Qualls wrote or co-wrote, when Amazon was having a sale in February. I enjoyed Worth Waiting For and figured why not. They're usually pretty short, under 200 pages, and engaging enough to read pretty quickly, especially when laying in a lounge chair on a beach/boat.
Like most romance novels the connection between the two is tangential and almost a friend-of-a-friend connection. It doesn't really bother me, except when I get 3-4 books into a longer series and then I stop and question every new minor character introduction because I'm like ohhhh is that the next one, or ohhhh is it this new person?
Click here to continue reading on my book blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
My Response: I grabbed this, along with eight other romance novels Qualls wrote or co-wrote, when Amazon was having a sale in February. I enjoyed Worth Waiting For and figured why not. They're usually pretty short, under 200 pages, and engaging enough to read pretty quickly, especially when laying in a lounge chair on a beach/boat.
Like most romance novels the connection between the two is tangential and almost a friend-of-a-friend connection. It doesn't really bother me, except when I get 3-4 books into a longer series and then I stop and question every new minor character introduction because I'm like ohhhh is that the next one, or ohhhh is it this new person?
Click here to continue reading on my book blog The Oddness of Moving Things.
July 11, 2022
LGBTQ romance
I enjoyed to search and rescue dog part of the story, but the romance wasn’t as well written as the previous book in the series.
the plot had a good premise country wilderness guy meets big city guy from different cultures and backgrounds. Would have liked to see more contrast there and willingness to visit each other’s old haunts and activities more. As it is big city guy came back ti the country guy’s life and we didn’t get to see how they worked out there differences. By the end, it Seemed like city guy gave a lot more than country guy. the (explicit) sex scenes verged on S& M - not my cup of tea…
I enjoyed to search and rescue dog part of the story, but the romance wasn’t as well written as the previous book in the series.
the plot had a good premise country wilderness guy meets big city guy from different cultures and backgrounds. Would have liked to see more contrast there and willingness to visit each other’s old haunts and activities more. As it is big city guy came back ti the country guy’s life and we didn’t get to see how they worked out there differences. By the end, it Seemed like city guy gave a lot more than country guy. the (explicit) sex scenes verged on S& M - not my cup of tea…
September 7, 2018
3.75 stars
I enjoyed the slower pace and interactions between Dave and Lito because I was not in an angsty mood. I really enjoyed the interactions between the two of them and the rescue group. However, outside of their "dirty talk" during their sexual encounters, there wasn't much emotional exchange between the two of them, and at times I felt that emotional, personal revelations happened off page with these two.
But, still, it was exactly what I needed after reading two intense and angst-fulled books before it.
I enjoyed the slower pace and interactions between Dave and Lito because I was not in an angsty mood. I really enjoyed the interactions between the two of them and the rescue group. However, outside of their "dirty talk" during their sexual encounters, there wasn't much emotional exchange between the two of them, and at times I felt that emotional, personal revelations happened off page with these two.
But, still, it was exactly what I needed after reading two intense and angst-fulled books before it.
January 25, 2022
Loved the dogs and the search-and-rescue aspect of these two opposites meeting and merging. I thought the end, particularly the resolution of the conflicts keeping them apart, was too abrupt, though, compared to the thoughtful pacing of the earlier parts of the book. It felt like the reunion had been truncated due to a page count limitation or something.
Great to see a romance that also tackles the cultural conflicts many people face in the South today without resulting to excessive stereotyping.
Great to see a romance that also tackles the cultural conflicts many people face in the South today without resulting to excessive stereotyping.
August 31, 2020
Quite a sweet story, but I felt I was watching other people's life for months, and not much happened. The cozyness here kept me reading on. Some errors should be corrected: Lito 'didn't know' Dave's name although it was already mentioned. Also, one person's age was suddenly changed. Otherwise all the writing was good and also I liked that many facts of dog training were real. I tend to be critical because I train search dogs, too.
June 15, 2019
Romance + dogs = yes please
This was a novella about men who love their dogs and fall in love with each other while Dave, Lumpy, and Woozy teach Lori and Spot how to do search and rescue. And I loved it. Only complaint was that I wanted more and it seems the other books in the series don't also follow the search and rescue team.
This was a novella about men who love their dogs and fall in love with each other while Dave, Lumpy, and Woozy teach Lori and Spot how to do search and rescue. And I loved it. Only complaint was that I wanted more and it seems the other books in the series don't also follow the search and rescue team.
January 3, 2018
This book was a very sweet romance. The characters were great and well written. I didn’t exactly feel much chemistry between them though, until the climax of the book, after that they had great chemistry. The story was a little slow in some parts for me but overall was a good read.
December 6, 2018
I received this in a Goodreads Giveaway awhile ago. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, but certainly wasn’t the best. The dialogue was cheesy, and the plot moved incredibly quickly with little build up. The storyline wasn’t very original, but the ending was sweet.
March 3, 2018
2.5 stars
June 4, 2018
** 3.5 Stars **
June 6, 2018
A good story.
It was a little slow getting into this story, but I did. I liked the characters. Also the story was well written.
It was a little slow getting into this story, but I did. I liked the characters. Also the story was well written.
Read
July 2, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Racism
Homomisia
Racism
Homomisia
January 23, 2023
Wrapped up too quickly for my taste but I thought it was a sweet story.
November 27, 2022
Just not good
Generally, I don’t read straight up romances as I find them boring, but I decided to give this one a shot as it featured dogs and a gay romance.
First, this book couldn’t have been more clichéd. City guy moves to the boondocks and falls for a country guy? Check.
A small, effeminate guy(Lito) is the bottom and the alpha male(Dave), muscle bound ex-army guy is the top? Check.
Fish out of water? Check?
A misunderstanding that could have been resolved if the characters just talked? Check.
If this weren’t bad enough Lito, Dave, and the rest of the characters have zero personality.
And as for Lito and Dave, they have no chemistry together and I can’t see why they’d be together in the first place.
Dave seems like the type of guy who’d put “masc4masc, no fats, fems, Blacks or Asians” or “Latinos only” on his Grindr profile.
As for Lito, he’s the stereotypical gay guy into fashion/interior design/art and pop devas. And while we’re told he’s Peruvian, aside from a few lines about him being brown and speaking Spanish, he’s whitewashed like crazy.
The story takes forever to get going and there is no conflict until the last 3 or 4 chapters,
Only for the story to wrap up too neatly by the end.
Even the sex scenes, of which there are multiple, drag on, lacking any emotion or sensuality. They’re just a series of insert tab a into slot b.
The story finally picked up at the 80% mark only to abruptly end with a saccharin ending the characters didn’t earn.
Overall, I didn’t like this book and doubt I’ll read any of the others in the series.
I give Worth Searching For ( Heart of the South #2) 2 stars.
Generally, I don’t read straight up romances as I find them boring, but I decided to give this one a shot as it featured dogs and a gay romance.
First, this book couldn’t have been more clichéd. City guy moves to the boondocks and falls for a country guy? Check.
A small, effeminate guy(Lito) is the bottom and the alpha male(Dave), muscle bound ex-army guy is the top? Check.
Fish out of water? Check?
A misunderstanding that could have been resolved if the characters just talked? Check.
If this weren’t bad enough Lito, Dave, and the rest of the characters have zero personality.
And as for Lito and Dave, they have no chemistry together and I can’t see why they’d be together in the first place.
Dave seems like the type of guy who’d put “masc4masc, no fats, fems, Blacks or Asians” or “Latinos only” on his Grindr profile.
As for Lito, he’s the stereotypical gay guy into fashion/interior design/art and pop devas. And while we’re told he’s Peruvian, aside from a few lines about him being brown and speaking Spanish, he’s whitewashed like crazy.
The story takes forever to get going and there is no conflict until the last 3 or 4 chapters,
Only for the story to wrap up too neatly by the end.
Even the sex scenes, of which there are multiple, drag on, lacking any emotion or sensuality. They’re just a series of insert tab a into slot b.
The story finally picked up at the 80% mark only to abruptly end with a saccharin ending the characters didn’t earn.
Overall, I didn’t like this book and doubt I’ll read any of the others in the series.
I give Worth Searching For ( Heart of the South #2) 2 stars.
March 2, 2018
Check out our
Worth Searching For
post on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars
This is the second in the series but is a standalone with a similar theme.
I enjoyed this story, but did feel that it was somehow overly long. The pace was very slow, and at times the inner voice arguing with themselves about whether this was something serious or not went on for too long. For a relatively angst free plot, this indecision was at times frustrating and not news. The men were good together, and some reticence was to be expected, given both the location and their differences. I enjoyed the dog rescue elements, although again I didn't think that the repeated explanations about Lumpy and Woozy were necessary.
A story with an original backstory and plot, just maybe a little slow for my taste.
Sarah – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars
This is the story of a sweet romance between two interesting and likeable men. Lito and Dave meet in a pet store and get to know each other when Lito and his dog, Spot, join Dave’s search and rescue squad.
I enjoyed this more than the previous book in the series, but it is still a little bit too slow and a bit too cute for me. The search and rescue plot is interesting and I really liked learning about Lito’s job. Outside of his rescue work, Dave’s life is pretty bland, and he feels too old to still be so uncomfortable with his sexuality. Lito is a braver, more colourful character but his reactions are a little bit over the top and the miscommunication between Lito and Dave was overdone. There are a couple of steamy scenes in this story but overall it isn’t a terribly sexy romance.
This is a sweet rural romance. It is a simple and fairly predictable story. I didn’t feel much of an emotional connection to either Lito or Dave and I didn’t get very invested in their relationship.
Angie – ☆☆☆
This was a sweet romance and low on angst. To be honest, it was super slow and even the few steamy scenes couldn't pick this book up. There was a lot of inner monologue which drives me nuts, I like dialogue. Lito and Dave are good together, it was just too slow, I found myself putting it down and coming back to it, hoping I would get more into it.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Ruthie – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars
This is the second in the series but is a standalone with a similar theme.
I enjoyed this story, but did feel that it was somehow overly long. The pace was very slow, and at times the inner voice arguing with themselves about whether this was something serious or not went on for too long. For a relatively angst free plot, this indecision was at times frustrating and not news. The men were good together, and some reticence was to be expected, given both the location and their differences. I enjoyed the dog rescue elements, although again I didn't think that the repeated explanations about Lumpy and Woozy were necessary.
A story with an original backstory and plot, just maybe a little slow for my taste.
Sarah – ☆☆☆
3.5 stars
This is the story of a sweet romance between two interesting and likeable men. Lito and Dave meet in a pet store and get to know each other when Lito and his dog, Spot, join Dave’s search and rescue squad.
I enjoyed this more than the previous book in the series, but it is still a little bit too slow and a bit too cute for me. The search and rescue plot is interesting and I really liked learning about Lito’s job. Outside of his rescue work, Dave’s life is pretty bland, and he feels too old to still be so uncomfortable with his sexuality. Lito is a braver, more colourful character but his reactions are a little bit over the top and the miscommunication between Lito and Dave was overdone. There are a couple of steamy scenes in this story but overall it isn’t a terribly sexy romance.
This is a sweet rural romance. It is a simple and fairly predictable story. I didn’t feel much of an emotional connection to either Lito or Dave and I didn’t get very invested in their relationship.
Angie – ☆☆☆
This was a sweet romance and low on angst. To be honest, it was super slow and even the few steamy scenes couldn't pick this book up. There was a lot of inner monologue which drives me nuts, I like dialogue. Lito and Dave are good together, it was just too slow, I found myself putting it down and coming back to it, hoping I would get more into it.
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews