Big Man Blue

Big Man Blue #1

by Nicole R. Locker

"High heat, high emotions, and as much drama as your romantic little heart can handle. A winning romance for Nicole R. Locker."   How far would you go to get him back? Blue Brigham was barely a man when he first got his chance with the girl he'd loved all his life. He made her laugh, and he made her love, but he couldn't make her stay. Legal wasn't enough for their older woman-younger man relationship, not in a town like theirs, so before he knew it, she'd left town to marry another man her own age and took his heart with her.

Ten years later, Harper Haley is back and looking better than ever, but even a rocking body and a smile as sweet as he remembered isn't enough to melt his defenses. She won't have the chance to break his heart a second time. Trouble is, she's staying here in his house since he moved his sister in after her recent divorce, and Harper's not going easy on him. Not even a little bit.   Either he'll take his revenge, or she'll take what's left of his heart. Either way, someone's going down.    Fans of enemies to lovers, older woman/younger man, best friend's brother, return to hometown, second chance, cowboy romance will enjoy Big Man Blue. Written in Third Person, dual character POV. Soon to be narrated in Audio by Tor Thom and Charley Ongel,coming September 2018!

Genres: Contemporary

202 pages, Paperback

First published April 19, 2018

About the author

Nicole R. Locker is a social worker by day and author by night, writing about strong women and the hunky Heroes brave enough to take them on. She's an avid lover of pit bull softies, Scottish accents, and audiobooks. She lives in Lubbock, Texas, with her nephew and three dogs. Find her at www.nicolerlocker.com.

♥ Exclusive Reader News: http://bit.ly/nrl-subscribe
♥ Twitter: http://bit.ly/nrl-twitter
♥ Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/nrl-fb-page
♥ Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/nrl-fb-group

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time he dared to kiss her, he was a brash teen, full of himself, yet also certain of who and what he wanted. Harper was his “older woman,” beautiful and all his, or so he thought until the day she left him and married another, more suitable choice. Their secret romance was clearly just a lie, a pain Blue could never get over.

Ten years later and Harper is back, his sister’s best friend, there to give her support after a heartbreaking divorce. And. Blue. Is. Fuming. Is it because he still loves her or the nerve she has to waltz back into his life, into his home, acting like nothing was ever between them?

Saddle up, ladies, Nicole R. Locker’s BIG MAN BLUE is living proof that a day or a decade can make a huge difference in how people see life, but not how their hearts react to love. Some guilt, some anger and some smoldering passion plays havoc on two souls as they must face the mistakes of the past to have any hope of finding a future together!

Is there a villain? Who is the one hurt the most? Does it matter when two people are branded for love by Cupid? Ms. Locker has created an angst and anger-filled romance that stops just short of making me want to tell Blue to finish growing up a little and Harper to TELL THE TRUTH!

I admit, I do love me some conflict almost as much as I love those second chance romances home, home on the range!

I received a complimentary copy from Nicole R. Locker!

Publisher: Nicole R. Locker (April 26, 2018)
Publication Date: April 26, 2018
Genre: Second Chance Romance | Contemporary Western Romance
Print Length: 202 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Cynthia Villarreal Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Read!!
I instantly felt both of their emotions throughout the book.
Harper returns to help Blue's sister, knowing her heart and mind are divided, she still feels what she felt all those years ago. Blue is also fighting his emotions.
Feelings from so long ago are still present.
This book made me cry, laugh, it made me have all the feelings.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Star Review of Big Man Blue By Nicole R Locker

An older woman and a younger man. Big Man Blue is a friends to lovers/enemies/lovers story that drew me in when I read the blurb.

Blue Brigham won my heart from the start and that did not change throughout the book although there were a couple of times where I felt he crossed a line. When his teenage love, Harper Haley, the woman who suddenly disappeared from his life for 10 years comes back to town, all the resentment, anger and hurts of the past come flooding back.

However all is not as it appears and soon Blue learns that not all decisions Harper made were her own. As they struggle to get past their hurt and anger their love slowly re blooms.

The narration was great and the narrators were able to convey all the emotions I was feeling as I listened to this book.

This was am emotional roller coaster of a story at times and was my first book from Nicole R Locker and it won’t be my last.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest and voluntary review of an ARC.

All little girls have thought about their Prince Charming. It was no different for Harper. Her Prince Charming just so happened to be her best friend Blake's brother. There was an "evil" in her life, and that turned out to he her very own father. Harper was a few years older than Blue, but that didn't stop any of their chemistry. But that was ten years ago and a loss of something so meaningful to Harper, and a marriage she was forced into, then the demise of that marriage. That demise was due to her loss and the unable to again. Oh yes, her father did a real number on her. But she is back to stay with her best friend and help her through the demise of that marriage. It also just so happens Harper will have to face the one man who meant anything to her and the one she hurt the most....Prince Charming.

His sister's best friend was always hanging around, and Blue was rather sweet on her. He worked hard on the farm, helped his parents out, was good to his sister. He also had fallen hard for her. Scrimping and saving everything he could to by that little promise ring for her. The night he found out she was gone and getting married, to someone else, without even a word to him was the night that Blue was going to give her that promise ring. Blue has changed a lot in the last ten years. Now his sister is living with him, in their parents old house, due to that heartless jerk she was married to. Walking into his house he spots the one person he never wanted to see again.....her.

Anger does a number on a person. Hold onto it long enough and it can erode the happiness from within. Blue was normally a happy go lucky kind of a guy, except about that and about her. She broke him, in too many ways. His anger came rolling off of him and rolling inside of him the moment he saw her standing in HIS living room. How dare she? What could she possibly want to take from him now? Blue realized his sister was still good friends with this woman, but that didn't make it any easier. Harper caught on immediately that this was not going to be easy to forgive and forget. She has secrets, painful ones, and seeing Blue was the worst kind of pain, because she saw hatred for her. She put those thoughts and feelings aside, stayed out of his way as much as possible.

She would sit inside the room she was staying in, just down the hall from Blue. She wrote in her journal, ran, and cooked. Some things never change. A girls night out between Harper and Blake find Blue and Harper dancing together. Blue has stumbled into her room, and happened to see some of what Harper had written. So while he is dancing with her he says some angry things and walks away. He means them too. After that night, Harper knows that forgiveness is hopeless. She is resolved about it, but still holds out hope. All the while there is the farm hand throwing mixed communication with Blue. Thinking that this guy is asking about Harper, Blue feels pulled in different directions. Thinking the farm hand is asking about Harper, when turns out that is not who he is asking about at all.

A hair appointment for Blue's sister has turned into a massive cry-fest and spilled feelings between the friends. More journaling from Harper, more reading her journal from Blue. It also leads to secrets coming out both to Blake about her brother and best friend from Harper herself. It also has the writing spilling secrets to Blue. Even angrier at what he has read, he leaves the house. Going to the local bar Blue discovers the mystery man his sister has been secretly seeing, and also sees his sister crying. Her ex and his new dingie are sharing pregnancy news. The one thing her ex wouldn't give her. Blue has enough anger between his sister's ex husband and Harper to blow this city sky high. Martin, good old ex hubby just so happens to still be at the bar and apparently first in line for the take down. Which Blue does, only to be stopped by his ranch hand and his sister.

Ending up at home, Harper is next. Only she has had a horrible day already. Met up with dear old dad of hers, but finally spoke her peace. Now she will move on without that in her life. She is not sure what cyclone hit until Blue storms in, yells and accuses and then leaves. In tears, Harper realizes it is time to move on all together. Her friend is healing quite well, even has someone new in her life, it is time to leave. As Harper, Blake and Chase (ranch hand) packing her up. Blue pulls in, witnesses what is happening and needs to have the final say. He has heard what Harper told him a few nights ago against his rage. He needs to have his final say. Her apology and final explanation is his undoing. He can't win this battle any longer. He doesn't stay angry, he has a complete change of heart, the one person that still holds his heart is who is caring into the house. Making up has never been so good.

In the next year a lot has changed, and there is something up with Harper. Blue can sense it, he asks, she is shying away, he asks again. Only this time she shows him what is causing her to ask the question she did. Never doubt the man your heart has always belonged to, because he surprises her and this set of surprises is where their happy ending begins.

[Erin Daniels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner winner! Disclaimer: I love cowboy romances. Like no, seriously, I freaking love cowboy romances so I was already prepared to love this but omg I wasn’t prepared fir this mature, complicated love story - perfection in a pair of dusty boots! You would think that a sexy, brooding cowboy and a sweet, patient heroine would be fool-proof for a romance writer to turn into an amazing love story but I can’t tell you how many times writers have gotten it wrong by burying a promising narrative in a ton of country clichés. This was not the case with Big Man Blue and the book pulled me in page by page. Blue and Harper felt real to me, their world was familiar and even the issues keeping them apart were heartbreakingly real. The result? You guessed it - an ending that makes you literally close your eyes and sigh with relief and happiness. This, folks, is why I read romance! I’ll end by saying that I hope there’s a sequel. There’s no way Harper’s dad is goung to let them go riding off into the sunset. Highly recommend!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
This is a second chance older woman/younger man love story. Blue is a cowboy living on his ranch when his sister, Blake, shows up after the breakup of her marriage. In order to cope, Blake calls her best friend Harper to come and stay with her for a while. Blake has no idea about her brother and her best friend. Blue and Harper were in love ten years ago and having a secret affair when she up and left him to marry another man because of her father. Harper never loved the man she was marrying and Blue was devastated. The last thing he wants is for Harper to stay and all Harper can think about is if she has another chance with Blue. Can Blue get past his bitterness and anger to let Harper back in? Can they both move past the hurt to have their happily ever after? This is one inviting cowboy story that will pull at a reader’s heartstrings.
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.

[Daniella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes timing is key, even when chemistry is amazing. Harper and Blue have such incredible chemistry, but things didn't work out. It's beautiful to see them get a second chance. Blue is Harper's brother's best friend, and their romance is emotional, engaging and I couldn't put it down. The author does a great job of inviting us in to the story, and creating strong characters. I got a fantastic sense of Harper and Blue, although I reacted to them both differently. Excited for them to find their happily ever after. Very highly recommend romance for sure. This is a voluntary review of an advance reader copy.

[Erin Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Boy Blue is all grown up. And he holds a grudge.

It’s hard to categorize this book. Friends-to-lovers? Yes. Enemies-to-lovers? Yes. Second chance? Yes. Throw in some cowboy and a little May-December and you get this charming book.

In Big Man Blue, Nicole leads you on a journey of young love and broken hearts; two people who are reconnecting after many years apart and prolonged bitterness. It was a nice change of pace to the more explicit stories I’ve read as of late. It was also refreshing to read about a relationship between an older woman and a younger man.

If you like sweet cowboys who wear their hearts on their sleeves, this book is for you.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this second chance story. It is amazing with some twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. It pulls you in and doesn’t let go. I loved Blue and Haley together. The is so much pain but love in their relationship. They are both strong and amazing characters that were extremely well developed. The flow of the story is amazing and honestly I couldn’t stop reading it until I found out what happed with them. It is most definitely worth reading and it will not disappoint. I voluntarily review an advanced reader copy of this book.

[BookSnuggle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Man Blue by Nicole R. Locker. This is Blue Brigham and Harper Haley’s story.

Blue and Haley have a past and their paths cross again. The love and chemistry is still there between them. Will they be able to overcome the heartbreak from their past?

This story pulled me in and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I loved that this story was an older woman/younger man troupe. Blue and Haley’s characters were relatable and I felt a connection to them.

I throughly enjoyed Blue and Haley’s story. Their emotions felt so real. I look forward to read other books by this author.

FYI, contains mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Louise Norton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally read older woman/younger man books but I really enjoyed this story. It's well written with plenty of Steamy moments. It's a second chance romance that has harper working extra hard in the hopes of breaking down the walls her cowboy built after she broke his heart can she prove she's always loved him and won't leave again. Can he learn to forgive and trust her again without his gear being broken a second time.
I voluntarily reviewed a reader copy

[Taina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really interesting story, not at all like others I've read. Harper and Blake are best friends and Blue is Blake's younger brother. One day while on break from college Harper and Blue start an affair. No body knew and no body would know because Harper gets married to another. Ten years pass and they are thrust back into each others lives. Can they get past what happened or is there just to much to forgive. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced review copy of this book.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll find yourself getting emotionally involved in the love story of Harper and Blue. A younger man, older woman romance that ended when Harper left town to marry another man. Blue was upset and now she was back in town. She is his sister's best friend. They have another chance at love, but no spoiler here. The characters are complex, likeable and well developed. A great story that will have you page turning. I read a reader copy and voluntarily chose to write a review.

[Sarah Justi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story! Blue & Harper were so real they just pulled you into the book. Harper was so full of secrets & Blue so much anger. They were an amazing couple. The only thing I didn't care for was how it went into the past. Everything else about this book was great. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. Harper and Blue had great chemistry and had me rooting for them to get their second chance. It was well written with characters that were relatable. This was an older woman/younger man romance, which was nice for a change. There aren't enough of these types of storylines out there.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*

[Aliana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue and Harper

This was a sweet friends-to-lovers story. When Harper returns, there is so much tension between these. You don't know all the details, just yet, but you know something big went down. On top of that, there's Blake's heartbreak. In this house of woes, they're trying to comfort her while avoiding each other. It was a little sneaky but I'm glad Blue confronted Harper about the truth. I hope Blake gets her HEA.

[Rickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first time read from this author and glad I did. This story was based around a second chance romance between Blue and Harper. There was such great character based around these two. The scenario that though Harper loved Blue more than anything else in her life she still felt obligated to have her father's approval. The one thing that comes across only to well is that we need to live our own lives. I loved this HEA storyline and it was heart warming to see that sometimes a second chance needs a second look. Kudos to Locker!

[Heather Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blue loved the ranch his family own but his heart had always belonged to the woman who broke it. He never thought he'd see her again as she married another man 10 years ago, but his sister had split with her husband and Hayley the woman he loved was here to see her. Hayley had always love Blue even though she was older but to please her father she married the man he chose and it only ended in heartbreak. Now Blue just looked as if he hated her. Touching story that you will need a tissue to dab you eyes with as they work through the past with a few hiccups along the way.

[Laurie Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book by Nicole R. Locker. It’s an older woman/younger man lost love. HEA of course. This deserves more than 5 stars.
This is my honest, voluntary review of an ARC.

[Lori Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book it is so well written and the storyline is great how two people get their signs crossed by not telling each other about what is going on

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

An older woman younger man story which I did enjoy second chance romance told from both Pov a well written story great characters no spoilers but it's worth reading. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[tabitha bradshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won’t let you fall anymore.

When Harper walked away from Blue, she knew it was her only choice. Now that she’s back, she has no idea what she’s supposed to do. Lots of emotions and some tender stuff too. Great characters! Loved it! Amazing read! Enjoy!!!

[Suez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This gripping, fast paced story simply grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Blue and Harper’s characters are complex, witty and most definitely infuriating .. they have history and with it comes ... secrets, pain, loss and sooo much anger. You definitely don't want to miss anything. This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy

[Renee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great second-chance romance story. Blue holds a grudge against Harper for a number of years based on assumptions. A beautifully written emotional story which tugs at the heart-strings. I loved the story & I think you will too! I recommend this book as your next read. This is my first book that I read by Nicole Locker & I'm looking forward in reading more of her stories!

This is my honest, voluntary review of an ARC.

[Dolores 💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book for Free to Give My True & Honest Review

This is my first book by Nicole & I thoroughly enjoyed. Harper the older woman & best mate to Blue's Sister Blake.
Here is where 2 young love haven't seen each other in a decade & haven't known what each other have been up to in that time. But NO matter how they are towards each other after all this time, as they're both heart broken in their own ways, but heck you do want them both to open up & talk properly to each other.
Lovely HEA

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slightly bittersweet second chance romance with a wonderful ending. I liked and empathized with both characters. Pretty rare for me, I almost always take a side and have trouble liking the other party. I can definitely recommend this book.

***I decided to review an ARC of this book.***

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This was a second chance romance between an older woman and a younger man. Harper was Blue's sister Blake's best friend and has not been back to visit her in ten years. When Blake goes through a bad divorce, Harper returns to see her and also sees Blue. Blue and Harper were in love when Harper was in college and Blue was in his last year of high school. They had a secret relationship because she was older than him and then it ended when she suddenly married another man without telling Blue. Blue was angry and has never had a serious relationship since, instead he spends most of his time on his ranch. When he sees Harper again, feelings return and he is even angrier about that. Harper tries to stay away from Blue because she knows he hates her and if he ever found out the truth about her marriage, he would only be hurt more. As the time Harper stays with Blake and Blue continues, feelings come to light and secrets from the past are revealed. I liked this book and thought they were good together. Harper had to marry someone she didn't love and had to get over Blue, even though she couldn't. I liked everything about this story. Good one.

[Samantha Love HEA Romance Book Blog · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This story was such a quick and easy read. The storyline is enjoyable and interesting, I felt that maybe it needed to have a little more story to it. It seemed to just be over so quickly that I felt like a little bit was missing.

Blue and Harper have a past, a quick but meaningful past. I think we needed to know more about their past relationship to feel the connection better between them. Harper was older than Blue by 8 years. So when Blue was 18, Harper would have been 26 and in college? I’m assuming she didn’t go straight to collage from High School? I’m just a little confused about the timeline of the events that happened. The story is a good enemies to lovers, second chance romance. Blue is really sweet, I liked his character. Reading the end gave me tear filled eyes! It was good to see their happy ending.

[Agnes Parlocha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is book was given to me. I am leaving this review freely. I hope you guys give this book a try. It is a great and sweet read. It keeps you tangled in the story to the end. Don't miss out.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Second chance story and Great narration! I love Nicole R Locker's writing. This is a second chance love story with an older woman and a younger man (and best friend's brother)! I loved this story! It's sweet, heartbreaking and heartwarming. The chemistry between Blue and Harper is really strong. I love Blue (I also love his name!). He's a sweet and handsome cowboy. Harper is a sweet and beautiful woman. I love how they finally find their happily ever after. The epilogue is so heartwarming. The secondary characters are also interesting and I'm looking forward for the next book in this Series about Blake's story! The narration was really well done and easy to listen to, as always with Tor Thom and Charley Ongel. Charley done such an impressive interpretation in a particular scene by the end! She makes me shiver! I have read it before and I can tell that the narration brings so much intensity to the story! I received this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.