Riddles & Rivals

The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club #5

by K. Sterling

One haunted mansion. Two lifelong enemies. Three days to solve one of Bisbee’s most notorious mysteries.

It’s nearly Valentine’s Day but it might as well be Christmas for Baxter Dawson when Bisbee’s mayor, Mercer Hathaway, knocks on his door with an irresistible proposition for the town’s favorite crime solver. Mercer’s planning to tear down The Hathaway House and burn everything inside it to free himself of his family’s dark legacy. But first, Mercer wants to find the answer to a riddle that’s plagued him for decades: who killed Julia Lowell and why does she haunt him every time he’s a guest at The Copper Queen Hotel?

The answer is somewhere inside The Hathaway House but the real mystery is: can these two bitter rivals survive a weekend together in a mansion full of ghosts and Hathaway Family skeletons without killing each other?

Genres: M M Romance

178 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2021

About the author

Author of the popular Nannies of New York and Boys of Lake Cliff book series, K Sterling has self-published dozens of books. K. is known for fast-paced romantic thrillers and touching gay romcoms. There might be goosebumps and some gore but there’s always true love and lots of laughter.

Reviews

[MiaReadsMMBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not going to get into the plot, the mystery, the reveals nor the secrets of Riddles & Rivals because that's something you definitely want to read for yourself to see if you can work out what's going on, who's involved and who's going to blink first. Let me just say it's a cracking read and a lot of fun. You'll get everything you've come to expect from a K Sterling book and you'll come away very happy with the outcomes.

I do, however, want to talk about Dawson and Mercer, and their relationship as it evolves through the book...

What a pair!! Enemy to lovers lovers' meet your dream pairing!

I've loved Baxter 'Bax' Dawson from book one of the Bisbee Bachelor's Club series, he's belligerent, hilarious, loyal, sweet, nosy as hell and definitely on the dishy side of sexy! I'm not ashamed to admit to having a bit of a crush on him. As for Mercer Hathaway: he's secretive, fractious, mysterious, a little bit filthy, and it seems everything that Bax is not. It's definitely a case of not all is as it appears and oh boy, are those still waters deep!

I like that their flaws are exposed, cross examined, re-imagined and owned. I like that these two characters who are at absolute odds are put into a close proximity situation and then flourish within each other's revised version of the other. I adore how much they become a team, a partnership, a couple. I love that they are both passionate individuals, but that the give and take is equally shared, and that they accept that without one, the other is not the man he could and should be.

I could go on... But you need to go read this book for yourself to find out just what it is that makes Bax and Mercer so damned good together.

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Cristy Elizondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite troupes. This book delivered. Who knew one family could have so many secrets. My heart broke for Mercer. This is a perfect example of "don't judge a book by it's cover". Thus book was intriguing, sexy heartbreaking and so full of love.

[Kurandera · Rating 5 out of 5]

K. Sterling has done it again. This book added layers to characters mentioned in the previous books...I would visit Bisbee, but couldn't handle the ghosts...another great example of K. Sterling word wizardry. Waiting to see what she gives us next time..

[Mica ♡Hopeless Deviant♤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 glorious almost friends, maybe more stars!!!

Five months. Five. I have been ready and waiting for Dawson's book like:


Let me start by observing a full minute of silence for those who have ever written this author off, scoffed at her work or just haven't discovered the wonderful K. Sterling yet. Because wtf? Seriously!

Also, the covers for this series are sooo beautifully clean and appropriate! It matches so well with the series title. You definitely get that gentlemanly, classy, bachelor vibe and I love it!

Now...
From the moment I was introduced to the gang I have been painfully awaiting Baxter's book because...
1. Owen was acting all suspect and I thought we was gonna get us some tabboo *wink wink* and;
2. He's a K. Sterling character duh!

BUT THEN-



Enter Mercer. Motherfucking. Hathaway...

"If any man was strong enough to intimidate God, it was Mercer Hathaway."

And I knew (more like prayed) that these two would be paired, only to have it practically confirmed and gawd!

I was not disappointed. My patience was rewarded and then some. This book was everything I wanted and even what I never knew I needed.

I was expecting some violence, a little aggression and then really dirty, angry sexy times- I didn't even care about the mystery (although I personally, this one was way better than the others aside from Noah's book) but it was sooo much more than that.

Instead I got all emotional and teary-eyed because well, I love Mercer and he deserves everything Baxter has to give him. I mean, the connection between these two- gawsh!

I knew I was gonna love this book but damn it this was horrible for my addiction to all things K. Sterling. If it's something I love, it's a gay, mystery-solving, crime-investigating couple who are total opposites and have incredible chemistry and this series is just right up my street!

Can't wait for Russ and Owen and Hadley to find their happiness♡

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

And another man down in the Bisbee Bachelors Club.

Baxter Dawson definitely meets his match in Mercer Hathaway, the Mayor of Bisbee.

The story was a delight to read as these two stubborn men finally put aside their differences and work together.

Was it easy to put their differences aside? Alas, it was fun to read and I am pretty sure they thought it was quite invigorating.

This book is filled with twists and turns, leading you down a path of sorrow and redemption.

I loved these two so much even as they fought their emotions and their beliefs in who they were.

These older gentlemen, with their long embittered rivalry, find a happy ending in the best of ways.

This book is pure Sterling with enough heat and heart to keep you flipping the page.

[K.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for these two together from their first exchange. This book does not disappoint! Another thing I enjoyed was how once they understand what they have, they don't muck about. Thank you Jesus...I hate dithering about in books when both characters know they have good thing. Great book and edition to series.

[WillBookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I...didn't care for this book, except maybe for the steamy/sweet scenes? Okay, I haven't read ANY of the other ones in the series, but frankly this does not make me want to. Why did I pick up this book? Well - I didn't realize it was #5 in a series when someone retweeted the author's promo. The premise sounded great! But...honestly I felt like the writing was sub-par/clumsy, and why would you have 2 MCs with names that were so similar? At least Mercer called Baxter "Dawson" (his last name) when it was his POV, but it was extra confusing when it was Baxter's. I guess I didn't really buy into the backstory of why they hated each other, also the ghost activity was pretty minimal compared to what I was expecting. The idea that the town always elects Mercer's family as mayor because they make great mayors, but they're terrible people was...really strange to me? Like, it seems that NOBODY liked the Hathaways prior to Mercer, yet they're fine with giving them all the power over the city? It was things like that which bothered me. I considered DNF'ing but I wanted to see if we'd get more spooky ghost stuff (meh) and what the mystery was all about (it was disturbing and weird)...I don't think I'll be picking up any more of this author's books! I'm sorry to leave such a negative review.

[LBD · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series has become one of my comfort reads even though it has a lot of the ingredients I usually don’t like! But K Sterling has a way of writing characters and the relationships between them that just hooks me to the page and makes me love them and refuse to stop reading. Baxter and Mercer are no exception.

Honestly, I couldn’t really imagine how well they would fit together, but damn they do fit, and how! 😍 I don’t want to say a lot more about the rest of the story because I want to be mindful of spoilers, but it was fun and intriguing!

[Keith euten euten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with Vibes !!!

Bisbee is a place I want to visit.
I would love to spill on all the things that go on.
But I want everyone to have a chance of your own.
I'm going to upset someone but!!!
This new series my Naughty Girl has going on.
Is gaining ground on Lake Cliff for me.
And everyone knows Sage is my favorite of all time.
Some of these new guys are really close.
You have to read this new series.
Miss Sterling you've done it again.

[Mami Bear · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh.

This was ok but a few things didn't work for me:

- Enemies to lovers: didn't feel like a natural progression to me especially from Baxter's POV.
- Mystery / suspence: I like to be surprised. I realised pretty early on what the big reveal was going to unveil and it was even more underwhelming because it was dragged out so much.

Different horses for different courses I guess as I can only see 5 star reviews for this one. Unfortunately, it didn't do it for me.

[Cariad Dussan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh what an entertaining and imaginatively thrilling ride! Baxter and Mercer, two longtime rivals and enemies join forces to solve a decades old mystery. Sparks fly and the fireworks are just around the corner real to light the sky high above Bisbee. All the boys are back and we find out who Owen has been in love with for years (spoiler alert: I got that one so, so wrong). With more twists and turns than a cork screw pulling out the cork of a bottle of red, fisticuffs, a car wreck, and murder. What else can a boy want?
Looking forward to the other boy's stories.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great addition to the series

I really love these books set in Bisbee! Baxter and Mercer are perfect for each other. I wasn't sure how she was going to make me like Mercer after reading about him in the previous books but she did! I actually like him so much more then I thought I would! There was some good mystery in this book along with some heat between the two main characters. Can't wait for the next in the series.

[Carleigh Leake · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that the mayor finally found happiness!

This is a great series. It really makes me want to visit Bisbee, AZ! Dawson and Hathaway's adventure was a wonderful read. I can't wait for the next book because who doesn't love a little bit of Lake Cliff?

[1tigerlily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes!

I so enjoy this author’s stories, especially the character groups, like the Boys of Lakeview and now the Bisbee Bachelor Club. Each of these men are very different as are their stories. Just enough angst, mystery, occasional danger, romance, sex and of course the HEA. Looking forward to the next one in August.
I’d love to see Mr Sterling narrating again.

[C.j. Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

What about Russ and Owen Talbot

It's not fair if those two are left out. Russ still need to fall in love again over his broken and shattered love and trust and Owen deserves to have someone cause he is too good to be left out

[Julieann Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant love it

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

a highlight of the series and a fabulous read. A must in itself and in the series

Rating: 5🌈

Riddles & Rivals, an enemies to lovers story, was everything I anticipated it to be and more. Involving two of the most compelling and layered individuals in this series, Sterling delves deeply into the men’s heavily woven lives that includes their families connected thru their often dark histories. As the last of the original mine owning founding families of Bisbee, Mercer and Baxter’s animosity started in their adolescence. Fueled by the difference in their backgrounds, the deep religious beliefs, and the disparity climate of the household in which each man was raised.

Riddles & Rivals sees Mayor Mercer Hathaway asking his longtime enemy Baxter Dawson for help. Mercer is tearing down the ominous Hathaway House and wants an answer to the famous old unsolved crime of what really happened to Julia Lowell. A crime that has long been thought to have been committed by a Hathaway. The answers might be in Hathaway House and they have a weekend to find out before it’s torn down.

That’s the bare minimum of this complex, character driven, beautifully crafted mystery. It’s got ghosts determined by their own agendas, ancient passions and two men who find themselves in a strange place where they unravel long held secrets and their own destiny.

Sterling’s forward asks reviewers not to divulge the spoilers of the story and I won’t. They are far too fantastic.

I thought the men, their strengths and struggles with their pasts, especially Mercer’s inner voice as he wrestles with the events and his emotions, are so vivid and powerful.

Riddles & Rivals (The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club Book 5) by K. Sterling is a highlight of the series and a fabulous read. A must in itself and in the series.

Loving the covers.

The Bisbee Bachelors’ Club :
- [x] Haunted Hearts #1
- [x] Moonlight & Madness #2
- [x] Unhappy Medium #3
- [x] Grave Expectations #4
- [x] Riddles & Rivals #5
- [ ] Shadows & Reservations #6
- [ ] Heart & Soulless #7
- [ ] Specters & Sparks # 8

[Lexicdark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baxter Dawson and Bisbee's favorite Mayor Mercer mutually agree to to spend time in Mercer's family home, alone... together..... what could go wrong? More importantly, what could go right? Mercer is tired of being haunted at the Copper Queen whenever he needs to blow off some steam. Baxter has always wanted to crack open the secrets of Hathaway House, Mercer's childhood home. According to Mercer, it should hold the secrets of how one of Bisbee's most famous prostitutes died. Spending Valentine's weekend going through the house before its torn down should fix both their problems. And oh the things Baxter discovers in that line!

Oh the layers of emotion and personality that are revealed. Yes this is an enemies to lovers story, one that has been in the works for awhile in this series. But its so much more than that. And you are going to get it right in the feels with this one. The backstory here is EVERYTHING. This story is pretty explosive and so worth waiting for. I want to say more, I really really really do. But I'm holding to the request at the being of this book. There is a lot of things found in the Hathaway House, and you are going to love everyone of them.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baxter Dawson and Mercer Hathaway have always been rivals. Baxter tried to give Mercer a chance as kids but Mercer was mean to him. Baxter thinks Mercer is spoiled, arrogant and not a good person. Mercer comes to Baxter for help. He's going to tear down his family home and wants Baxter's help trying to figure out what happened to a young prostitute that many think his grandfather killed. Baxter agrees to help. He learns a lot about Mercer's upbringing. He realizes that Mercer is a good man who had terrible family who treated him badly. They begin a relationship and discover who killed the prostitute as well as some other very difficult family secrets. I loved Baxter and felt so sorry for Mercer. It was great to see him open up with Baxter.

[Edga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining romance.

Another good read from this series. I looked forward to this particular one because I'm a fan of the Enemies to Lovers trope, and I had a feeling that it would work out as it did. Mercer and Baxter are so well matched, both slightly crazy, and I'm sure that they're going to rock each others world. Cedric's a hoot, and I'm sure if he ever finds himself at a lose end, he'd find a place with Reginald, I'd love to see them meet. I'm positive that they'd bond. I guessed the mystery well before the reveal, but it didn't spoil my enjoyment. My heart broke for Owen (no spoilers), I look forward to his story, and hope he ends up with someone who's worthy of him. Murder and mystery with a light touch, and an entertaining read.

[joani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1\2 stars

I so happy that Mercer and Baxter were brought together. Their chemistry was apparent I the other books and the series. The love /hate relationships are the hottest. I'm also glad he wasn't paired with Owen because he raised him. That wouldn't sit right at all. Mercer is a great Mayor for Bisbee and Baxter is awesome and a great investigator, they make the perfect couple. There are no spoilers here!!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well... THAT was interesting! So many things revealed and I'd love to tell you all about it, but...



Hope to read Shadows & Reservations in the VERY near future! *grin*

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable enemies to lovers

I loved this. A cosy type mystery, just with a higher heat level. The MC's have been antagonising each other since Kindergarten (and since the beginning of this series), so their chemistry is wicked.

The mystery is entertaining and engaging, even though most things out earlier than I normally do.

Just an all around enjoyable read.

[Denise]

Excellent Mystery Romance

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting Bisbee again. And the mystery was so convoluted with a very satisfying resolution. Can't wait for the next book.