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Rainbow River #2
Wild Hearts
Nate’s good with his hands…and bad with his heart.
I build things. From furniture to houses, I’m never more at home than with sawdust in my hair and a hammer in my hand.
But when it comes to my heart? I’ve erected a fifty foot wall around it and only the rare few get past. I have my reasons and they’re all good ones. Or so I think.
My work renovating the old Bluebell Inn with my four business partners is a dream come true and while there have been some bumps in the road, things are looking like smooth sailing. And then, we hit a snag.
Or rather, I hit a snag, when this wild-haired literal flower-child waltzes through my construction site without so much as a hard hat and starts making demands about plants of all things.
Danny Wren is the most stubborn, infuriating man I’ve ever met. And all of the sudden, I’m thinking those walls I’ve put up? Might need to come down.
But Danny is not the kind who plays for keeps and once I throw my heart into the mix? It’s there for good. So there’s nothing but trouble waiting for me at the end of the road that is me and him.
But the more time we spend together, the more I’m worried that’s not enough to stop me.
Danny is looking for something rare.
I’m a man on a mission. After seeing a photo of white lavender that I suspect is a strain that many thought had gone extinct, I’m determined acquire cuttings and investigate. It’s a botanist’s dream and I’ve got visions of papers and accolades dancing in my head, not to mention the possibilities for the unique scent the flowers give off.
It should be easy, right? After all, my sister’s best friend is one of the owners of the inn the lavender farm’s on and this funny little town is one step away from sitcom territory.
Problem is, the inn is being renovated and the guy in charge of the renovation? Nate Powers? Well, we kind of got off to a bad start.
What can I say? When men handsome enough to made my toes curl come stomping up to me, all surly and dusty? I kind of go into panicked bossy mode and now he thinks I’m a jerk and I think we’d be better off making out in that patch of wild mint I found on the property.
After a surprising kiss, I’m all for jumping into bed with him (or jumping into that wild mint patch, I’m not picky. I am a bit of a hippie, dirt’s never bothered me) but Nate is the kind of guy who plays for keeps. He doesn’t do casual flings. And casual is kind of all I’ve ever known.
I’ve never slowed down or committed to anyone. But the more I get to know him and the longer I can’t have him?
I’m starting to think that staying in one place and committing to something—and someone—might be the way to go.
WILD HEARTS is 90K and is the second book in the Rainbow River Series, where five very different men receive an unexpected inheritance and come together to bring a beloved friend’s old Inn back to its former glory—while finding love and a new home in the quirky town of Rainbow River, where true love is never lost without being found again.
I build things. From furniture to houses, I’m never more at home than with sawdust in my hair and a hammer in my hand.
But when it comes to my heart? I’ve erected a fifty foot wall around it and only the rare few get past. I have my reasons and they’re all good ones. Or so I think.
My work renovating the old Bluebell Inn with my four business partners is a dream come true and while there have been some bumps in the road, things are looking like smooth sailing. And then, we hit a snag.
Or rather, I hit a snag, when this wild-haired literal flower-child waltzes through my construction site without so much as a hard hat and starts making demands about plants of all things.
Danny Wren is the most stubborn, infuriating man I’ve ever met. And all of the sudden, I’m thinking those walls I’ve put up? Might need to come down.
But Danny is not the kind who plays for keeps and once I throw my heart into the mix? It’s there for good. So there’s nothing but trouble waiting for me at the end of the road that is me and him.
But the more time we spend together, the more I’m worried that’s not enough to stop me.
Danny is looking for something rare.
I’m a man on a mission. After seeing a photo of white lavender that I suspect is a strain that many thought had gone extinct, I’m determined acquire cuttings and investigate. It’s a botanist’s dream and I’ve got visions of papers and accolades dancing in my head, not to mention the possibilities for the unique scent the flowers give off.
It should be easy, right? After all, my sister’s best friend is one of the owners of the inn the lavender farm’s on and this funny little town is one step away from sitcom territory.
Problem is, the inn is being renovated and the guy in charge of the renovation? Nate Powers? Well, we kind of got off to a bad start.
What can I say? When men handsome enough to made my toes curl come stomping up to me, all surly and dusty? I kind of go into panicked bossy mode and now he thinks I’m a jerk and I think we’d be better off making out in that patch of wild mint I found on the property.
After a surprising kiss, I’m all for jumping into bed with him (or jumping into that wild mint patch, I’m not picky. I am a bit of a hippie, dirt’s never bothered me) but Nate is the kind of guy who plays for keeps. He doesn’t do casual flings. And casual is kind of all I’ve ever known.
I’ve never slowed down or committed to anyone. But the more I get to know him and the longer I can’t have him?
I’m starting to think that staying in one place and committing to something—and someone—might be the way to go.
WILD HEARTS is 90K and is the second book in the Rainbow River Series, where five very different men receive an unexpected inheritance and come together to bring a beloved friend’s old Inn back to its former glory—while finding love and a new home in the quirky town of Rainbow River, where true love is never lost without being found again.
- GenresM M RomanceRomance
429 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 2, 2019
40 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Mia Scott
2 books31 followersMia Scott is a queer gal who loves small towns, quirky second chances and happily ever afters for all. She lives on the West Coast with a lot of antique furniture and tins of loose leaf tea.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 24, 2019
“I have a wall you cannot see... It blocks my heart on every side and helps emotions there to hide... I want so much to show myself and love from you will really help... So stone by stone the wall will break as love replaces every ache. Please be the one who cares enough to find the flaws, no matter what.” ~ Emmah
Nate, of ‘Wild Hearts’ by Mia Scott, thinks he is satisfied with his solitary life, that he is not lonely being by himself, until he encounters Danny, who is as free and open as Nate is closed off and distant. Danny throws Nate for a loop and, in spite of his vow to remain alone and aloof, Danny causes Nate to question the wisdom of his conviction.
Danny’s degrees in biochemistry and botany have taken him to jobs all over the world but, so far, he has yet to find a place to call home. When his sister, who used to work with Clay, sends him a picture of Rainbow Island, Danny’s keen eye zooms in on what he thinks is a strain of lavender that is supposed to be extinct. Quickly he finishes up his current assignment in France and takes the next plane to the US, without telling anyone stateside that he is coming. Danny has a harder time finding the town than he expects. It seems that GPSs is useless in the area, but he is persistent and finally makes his way there.
The first place he goes is to the lavender field, which is on the same property as the Bluebell Inn. Danny wanders in unannounced and approaches a group of men who are restoring the building. One of them is Nate, who questions Danny, wanting to know why he is trespassing. Before Danny can explain, he starts to come up the rotten stairs that Nate is working on and falls through! Nate reaches out to grab him and when he lands on top of Danny, Danny kisses him and Nate kisses him back. When Nate comes to his senses he decides that Danny is trouble and the best thing he can do is to stay away from him. That plan is foiled when Danny is given a building right beside Nate’s trailer, in which to grow the lavender, in order to find out if it is the type he hopes it is.
Their approaches to relationships are completely different. Nate is not a one-night stand kind of man and Danny, who has never had a serious relationship, doesn’t understand his attitude. Nate and Danny dance around their mutual attraction, with Nate taking a passive-aggressive approach and Dany trying to go with the flow. One minute Nate acts as if he wants Danny, the next he’s pulling away. Finally Danny gets sick of it and tells Nate that when he makes up his mind to let him know, but that he can’t accept the way Nate is treating him.
Nate and Danny’s story is full of angst, but also a testament to the power of love to help a person heal and accept who they are, in order to be happy. Nat was a hard nut to crack and Danny was just the right “nutcracker” to get the job done. Thanks, Mia, for another wonderful story about Rainbow River. I can hardly wait for the next tale in the series.
Nate, of ‘Wild Hearts’ by Mia Scott, thinks he is satisfied with his solitary life, that he is not lonely being by himself, until he encounters Danny, who is as free and open as Nate is closed off and distant. Danny throws Nate for a loop and, in spite of his vow to remain alone and aloof, Danny causes Nate to question the wisdom of his conviction.
Danny’s degrees in biochemistry and botany have taken him to jobs all over the world but, so far, he has yet to find a place to call home. When his sister, who used to work with Clay, sends him a picture of Rainbow Island, Danny’s keen eye zooms in on what he thinks is a strain of lavender that is supposed to be extinct. Quickly he finishes up his current assignment in France and takes the next plane to the US, without telling anyone stateside that he is coming. Danny has a harder time finding the town than he expects. It seems that GPSs is useless in the area, but he is persistent and finally makes his way there.
The first place he goes is to the lavender field, which is on the same property as the Bluebell Inn. Danny wanders in unannounced and approaches a group of men who are restoring the building. One of them is Nate, who questions Danny, wanting to know why he is trespassing. Before Danny can explain, he starts to come up the rotten stairs that Nate is working on and falls through! Nate reaches out to grab him and when he lands on top of Danny, Danny kisses him and Nate kisses him back. When Nate comes to his senses he decides that Danny is trouble and the best thing he can do is to stay away from him. That plan is foiled when Danny is given a building right beside Nate’s trailer, in which to grow the lavender, in order to find out if it is the type he hopes it is.
Their approaches to relationships are completely different. Nate is not a one-night stand kind of man and Danny, who has never had a serious relationship, doesn’t understand his attitude. Nate and Danny dance around their mutual attraction, with Nate taking a passive-aggressive approach and Dany trying to go with the flow. One minute Nate acts as if he wants Danny, the next he’s pulling away. Finally Danny gets sick of it and tells Nate that when he makes up his mind to let him know, but that he can’t accept the way Nate is treating him.
Nate and Danny’s story is full of angst, but also a testament to the power of love to help a person heal and accept who they are, in order to be happy. Nat was a hard nut to crack and Danny was just the right “nutcracker” to get the job done. Thanks, Mia, for another wonderful story about Rainbow River. I can hardly wait for the next tale in the series.
October 2, 2019
3.5 Stars
For the first half of this book I really wasn’t feeling it, but things picked up in the 2nd half. This is a little longer book than most and there are several secondary characters so there was just lots of dialogue outside our MCs that I think is why it felt draggy to me in the beginning. I may have DNF’d if I’d had something else I was dying to read. Thankfully I didn’t cause I actually enjoyed up enjoying it.
Quite a low angst feel good type read, and I’d be interested in continuing the series. Especially for Ward’s book. Of course that will probably be the last one we get since it’s so heavily hinted at in this story.
For the first half of this book I really wasn’t feeling it, but things picked up in the 2nd half. This is a little longer book than most and there are several secondary characters so there was just lots of dialogue outside our MCs that I think is why it felt draggy to me in the beginning. I may have DNF’d if I’d had something else I was dying to read. Thankfully I didn’t cause I actually enjoyed up enjoying it.
Quite a low angst feel good type read, and I’d be interested in continuing the series. Especially for Ward’s book. Of course that will probably be the last one we get since it’s so heavily hinted at in this story.
September 3, 2019
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing... wonderful.. sexy.. so much fun.. i love this so much.. so so much.. the characters were amazing and fun.. the storyline was very interesting and the emotions were raw and real.
May 10, 2020
Sweet small town romance!
I’m a sucker for small town romance and this one’s pretty high up on my favorite list for small town + M/M. I love the history behind the Bluebell and the original love that brought 5 sweet men together in a partnership for the Inn that will hopefully end up creating HEA for them all. I immediately picked this book up after reading book 1.
I love Nate and I love Danny for him. Nate needed someone to make him want to open up & be ready to settle into a permanent home. Who would have thought that a world traveling botanist would be the one to be that man?! I was a little skeptical at the very beginning but that quickly changed!! Can’t say enough about how sweet and love-able this story is!
Can’t wait for more in this series!!
I’m a sucker for small town romance and this one’s pretty high up on my favorite list for small town + M/M. I love the history behind the Bluebell and the original love that brought 5 sweet men together in a partnership for the Inn that will hopefully end up creating HEA for them all. I immediately picked this book up after reading book 1.
I love Nate and I love Danny for him. Nate needed someone to make him want to open up & be ready to settle into a permanent home. Who would have thought that a world traveling botanist would be the one to be that man?! I was a little skeptical at the very beginning but that quickly changed!! Can’t say enough about how sweet and love-able this story is!
Can’t wait for more in this series!!
August 18, 2020
Rainbow River 2
I absolutely adore this mythical town of Rainbow River and the men who are tasked with restoring Bluebell Inn and all of the weird and wonderful characters that make up the town
I absolutely adore this mythical town of Rainbow River and the men who are tasked with restoring Bluebell Inn and all of the weird and wonderful characters that make up the town
July 25, 2021
Really great book 2
I truly loved Nate and Danny's story. It is a botanical mystery, family drama, more fun with 'population rowdy', puppies, Daisy and lots and lots of love. I can't wait to read Jack's story and opening of the Blue bell Inn. Soon, please??
I truly loved Nate and Danny's story. It is a botanical mystery, family drama, more fun with 'population rowdy', puppies, Daisy and lots and lots of love. I can't wait to read Jack's story and opening of the Blue bell Inn. Soon, please??
May 7, 2020
This series is one of the best I have read in a while. I absolutely love them!!!!
November 12, 2020
Excellent
This was even better than the first book.
How about doing one on Charles and his romance, or even a historical one about Timothy and Bert.
This was even better than the first book.
How about doing one on Charles and his romance, or even a historical one about Timothy and Bert.
September 5, 2019
I quite liked this one. Definitely a lot more than the first book. I think it's because I really liked Nate as a character. I loved how protective he was to the people he considered his family. My heart did break for him when I learned about the grief he had to experience when he was 19.
It did take me awhile to like Danny though. I try not to let a character's past relationships and flings warp my impression of a character, but it was hard not to let that happen with Danny. He certainly went through a whole lot of people at his sister's job. That could be why I struggled with it more. The idea of your sibling sleeping their way through your co-workers has to bother people. It smacked of unprofessionalism and disrespect and he never apologized for that. He grew up, he got older, he learned what that could have down to Leah's job, but that apology never came. I wanted that for some reason because Danny didn't seem to grow as a character for me. He needed to truly own that and he didn't. But that dinner scene made me respect him. That was perfect!
I also think Danny and Nate's romance moved a bit too quickly. Yes, there was that push and pull of will they or won't they but it moved pretty fast to "oh, they are definitely jumping each other". In the end though I think they worked out for them and they both matched each other in a way that let the other truly live in the present more. Danny used to running away from his problems or fucking his way through them. Nate was used to hiding away from it and pushing people away. In their HEA they found a balance and the ability to meet change head on.
I am still super excited to read about a certain Grumpy McGrumperson and his antique's dealer; however, Hunter and Jack are other characters I am intrigued to learn more about.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
It did take me awhile to like Danny though. I try not to let a character's past relationships and flings warp my impression of a character, but it was hard not to let that happen with Danny. He certainly went through a whole lot of people at his sister's job. That could be why I struggled with it more. The idea of your sibling sleeping their way through your co-workers has to bother people. It smacked of unprofessionalism and disrespect and he never apologized for that. He grew up, he got older, he learned what that could have down to Leah's job, but that apology never came. I wanted that for some reason because Danny didn't seem to grow as a character for me. He needed to truly own that and he didn't. But that dinner scene made me respect him. That was perfect!
I also think Danny and Nate's romance moved a bit too quickly. Yes, there was that push and pull of will they or won't they but it moved pretty fast to "oh, they are definitely jumping each other". In the end though I think they worked out for them and they both matched each other in a way that let the other truly live in the present more. Danny used to running away from his problems or fucking his way through them. Nate was used to hiding away from it and pushing people away. In their HEA they found a balance and the ability to meet change head on.
I am still super excited to read about a certain Grumpy McGrumperson and his antique's dealer; however, Hunter and Jack are other characters I am intrigued to learn more about.
*ARC in exchange for honest review*
September 8, 2019
What a wonderful story! Once you have read it, you will google for Rainbow River and hope a city like this does indeed exist.
Nate and Danny’s connection is instantaneous, but even though Nate tries to protect his heart, the flamboyant Danny manages to show him that opening your heart despite the potential future hurt is worth every moment. Danny is very intelligent but humble, funny, tenacious and loving. He might be younger than Nate, but much more grown up than expected.
I loved to read how the Bluebell Inn is being renovated and almost ready for opening. As the renovation works move forward, the relationship between the business partners develops, their bond tightens and their friendship becomes very similar to a family bond. Add to it the San Bernard puppies and you will want to book a room as soon as the inn opens for business.
A special acknowledgement to the research done by the author regarding botany and perfume business. Danny’s work, expectations and personality are greatly influenced by the lavender he was looking for and the growth of the plants and the impact their discovery might have on his relationship with Nate are even more realistic and fascinating thanks to the great descriptions made by the author.
Nate and Danny’s connection is instantaneous, but even though Nate tries to protect his heart, the flamboyant Danny manages to show him that opening your heart despite the potential future hurt is worth every moment. Danny is very intelligent but humble, funny, tenacious and loving. He might be younger than Nate, but much more grown up than expected.
I loved to read how the Bluebell Inn is being renovated and almost ready for opening. As the renovation works move forward, the relationship between the business partners develops, their bond tightens and their friendship becomes very similar to a family bond. Add to it the San Bernard puppies and you will want to book a room as soon as the inn opens for business.
A special acknowledgement to the research done by the author regarding botany and perfume business. Danny’s work, expectations and personality are greatly influenced by the lavender he was looking for and the growth of the plants and the impact their discovery might have on his relationship with Nate are even more realistic and fascinating thanks to the great descriptions made by the author.
September 4, 2019
We continue getting to know the inhabitants or quiant and quirky Rainbow Falls.
Nate is a contractor, a consummate woodworker.
He comes from an old money family, and came to be at odds with his father after the death of his grandfather, who took up raising him and making him the honorable man he is today.
Danny is Leah's sister, who worked with Clay before he came to Rainbow River.
He's a world-renouned botanist and he's on the hunt for a rare, elusive, thought to be extinct strain of lavender he caught sight of in a picture of the BlueBell Inn all the men are restoring.
Nate had a wild youth, and his grandfather's death caused him to maintain control and death grip on his work, life and emotions.
Danny has a reputation as a playboy.
He's never had a serious relationship, and that's all Nate wants.
Together, these men are terrified of their emotions because being vulnerable is the one thing they've never done.
Along with laugh out loud humor I've come to expect from this author, your heart also takes a bit of a beating to come out bruised but whole.
I can't wait to continue this series and get to know all these amazing characters in-depth.
Nate is a contractor, a consummate woodworker.
He comes from an old money family, and came to be at odds with his father after the death of his grandfather, who took up raising him and making him the honorable man he is today.
Danny is Leah's sister, who worked with Clay before he came to Rainbow River.
He's a world-renouned botanist and he's on the hunt for a rare, elusive, thought to be extinct strain of lavender he caught sight of in a picture of the BlueBell Inn all the men are restoring.
Nate had a wild youth, and his grandfather's death caused him to maintain control and death grip on his work, life and emotions.
Danny has a reputation as a playboy.
He's never had a serious relationship, and that's all Nate wants.
Together, these men are terrified of their emotions because being vulnerable is the one thing they've never done.
Along with laugh out loud humor I've come to expect from this author, your heart also takes a bit of a beating to come out bruised but whole.
I can't wait to continue this series and get to know all these amazing characters in-depth.
September 2, 2019
Wild Hearts
If there is one thing is this world I could do without its lavender, but this book might just change my mind! Delightfully sweet and moving, Wild Hearts takes us back to the small Oregon town of Rainbow River and the delicious co-owners of the soon to open Bluebell Inn and Lavender Farm. Glimpsing in a photo what he suspects is a thought to be extinct strain of lavender, botanist Danny Wren rushes to Oregon and falls, quite literally into the lap of grouchy carpenter Nate Powers. Nate has worked hard to be the opposite of his father, loyal, hard-working, rooted. The last thing he needs is a fling with the pretty perfumer he found on his farm but we all know how these things go. We are taken for a beautiful ride by Mia as Danny and Nate find their way together. Wild Hearts is another outstanding release from Mia Scott, available today, take a moment to read Sweet Things first though to enhance your reading experience.
If there is one thing is this world I could do without its lavender, but this book might just change my mind! Delightfully sweet and moving, Wild Hearts takes us back to the small Oregon town of Rainbow River and the delicious co-owners of the soon to open Bluebell Inn and Lavender Farm. Glimpsing in a photo what he suspects is a thought to be extinct strain of lavender, botanist Danny Wren rushes to Oregon and falls, quite literally into the lap of grouchy carpenter Nate Powers. Nate has worked hard to be the opposite of his father, loyal, hard-working, rooted. The last thing he needs is a fling with the pretty perfumer he found on his farm but we all know how these things go. We are taken for a beautiful ride by Mia as Danny and Nate find their way together. Wild Hearts is another outstanding release from Mia Scott, available today, take a moment to read Sweet Things first though to enhance your reading experience.
September 9, 2019
Yet another love story in the quirky town full of exceptional and endearing characters. And yet another love story with two amazingly developed characters that will squeeze your heart more than once, put a smile on your face and make you cry. And you'll love them for it!
I love the world Mia Scott has created within this series and I want more!
I love the world Mia Scott has created within this series and I want more!
September 5, 2019
Highly recommend this book and series!
This was a very good book with just the right amount of humor and seriousness at the right times. It was well written and I couldn't put it down. Danny and Hate are perfect for each other. I'm looking forward to the next book.
This was a very good book with just the right amount of humor and seriousness at the right times. It was well written and I couldn't put it down. Danny and Hate are perfect for each other. I'm looking forward to the next book.
September 11, 2019
Fun small town romance
Danny and Nate don't exactly have love at first sight. Lust, I guess. They don't have a lot in common, but maybe they're each what the other needs.
Again, lots of fun and quirky characters. We learn more about Rainbow River and the Bluebell.
Danny and Nate don't exactly have love at first sight. Lust, I guess. They don't have a lot in common, but maybe they're each what the other needs.
Again, lots of fun and quirky characters. We learn more about Rainbow River and the Bluebell.
September 15, 2019
Quite good. Loved Nate and Danny, loved their dynamic. The will they won't they of the relationship. I do feel like the historical subplot was a smidge wasted though. But anyways, super pumped for Jack's book!
September 16, 2019
Dying inside
I was in a book slump, a really bad one. I have no clue what prompted me to try this author, call it fate, but Mia is one of my new favorites. So I’m dying for the next book...PLEASE HURRY!
I was in a book slump, a really bad one. I have no clue what prompted me to try this author, call it fate, but Mia is one of my new favorites. So I’m dying for the next book...PLEASE HURRY!
October 21, 2019
Good read
I am loving is series and can’t wait for Book #3
I am also hoping there is a book from Amos’ point of view
I am loving is series and can’t wait for Book #3
I am also hoping there is a book from Amos’ point of view
did-not-finished
November 4, 2019dnf 24%
Need to come back to it when in the mood.
Need to come back to it when in the mood.
November 23, 2019
Not gonna lie, my heart hurt a bit thinking it was going to go the opposite of the way it ended but it worked out the way it should have. No spoilers but Danny is my fave. For now ;)
December 14, 2019
Rules were meant to be broken
Rules are important. Our lives are guided by them. But rules should be flexible not rigid. Life is ever changing, rule should be to. Just ask Nate.
Rules are important. Our lives are guided by them. But rules should be flexible not rigid. Life is ever changing, rule should be to. Just ask Nate.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews