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Touch Me Gently
Always hiding his tormented past along with his scarred body, Kaden James finds it difficult to keep a job. Luck finally turns his way when he finds work as a cook on a Montana ranch, where he meets terrifyingly handsome Logan Michaels. Logan is different from any man Kaden’s ever met, and before long, he finds himself falling in love with the big cowboy. But Kaden’s nightmares won’t let go of him so easily, and he’s not just jumping at shadows. He has nearly a lifetime of abuse, horrifying memories, and pain addiction to overcome. Can Logan's gentle touch help Kaden heal inside?
216 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2010
162 people are currently reading
1696 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Loveless
19 books373 followersJ.R. Loveless began her adventure in writing romance at the young age of twelve. Her foray into creating her own worlds and telling her characters’ life stories was triggered by her own love of reading. She currently resides in South Florida with her dog and two cats, volunteers for an animal rescue in her spare time, and works as a manager for a financial lending institute. Someday she hopes to begin writing as a full-time career and bringing more of her ideas to life.
Her journey into gay romance began in 2005 when she began posting her original fiction on a forum for feedback and readers’ pleasure. In 2010, a good friend urged her to submit to a publishing company, and the day she received the acceptance and contract was the best day of her life. Since then, she has been noted to be one of the most purchased audio books after Fifty Shades of Grey on Audiobook.com, received best gay romantic fiction for Touch Me Gently in the 2011 TLA Gaybies, and even received an award for Chasing Seth in 2012.
J.R. adores her fans and loves hearing from them.
Please subscribe to her website for Newsletters, Blog Post updates, and more! Receive a free short friends to lovers novelette titled White Rain just for subscribing! www.jrloveless.com
Also, if you're on Facebook, her reader group receives exclusive first looks, exclusive WIP snippets, and general interaction with polls, questions, pics, and even some giveaways! http://www.facebook.com/groups/justre...
Her journey into gay romance began in 2005 when she began posting her original fiction on a forum for feedback and readers’ pleasure. In 2010, a good friend urged her to submit to a publishing company, and the day she received the acceptance and contract was the best day of her life. Since then, she has been noted to be one of the most purchased audio books after Fifty Shades of Grey on Audiobook.com, received best gay romantic fiction for Touch Me Gently in the 2011 TLA Gaybies, and even received an award for Chasing Seth in 2012.
J.R. adores her fans and loves hearing from them.
Please subscribe to her website for Newsletters, Blog Post updates, and more! Receive a free short friends to lovers novelette titled White Rain just for subscribing! www.jrloveless.com
Also, if you're on Facebook, her reader group receives exclusive first looks, exclusive WIP snippets, and general interaction with polls, questions, pics, and even some giveaways! http://www.facebook.com/groups/justre...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 388 reviews
June 9, 2015
DNF
This is just too sweet, even for me.
I don't know what exactly is my problem, I was expecting an emotional story, but for some reason, I felt like the story was forcing me to be emotional with the constant crying and shocks of the main guy.
Yeah I know he has a terrible background and I'm obviously a heartless b*tch, but he was just too sensitive to every single damn thing that happened in this book, so it kinda started to get on my nerves :D Yep, heartless all right
And everything else in the book is too sweet, too too sweet.
I may have to stop eating chocolate for the next few days.
Anyway, off to the next one
Sorry K
January 9, 2012
Ode To Pure Melodrama
The story starts with Kaden,
a young man who's scarred inside and out.
He's had some trauma and is scared of big men,
so he gets fired from jobs again and again.
(I don't know how he lives in NYC where even crap apartments cost like $1000 a month and a kidney)
Someone takes pity on Kaden and sends him to Montana
where he's hired to be the ranch cook.
He meets his new boss Logan
Who's big but has tasty looks.
(the soap opera names should have clued me in to all of the melodrama that was about to smack me in the face)
The drama in this book starts out slow
with Kaden getting harassed by a big rat-faced cowboy slob,
but Kaden tries to keep it together
because he refuses to let Rat Face lead to him losing his job.
(I really liked Kaden and wanted him to keep his job because Montana's much cheaper than NYC)
Right from the beginning Logan is attracted to Kaden
and this doesn't seem to bother Logan much
even though Logan thinks himself straight
and sees Kaden as really young which is weird, just a touch.
(because Logan calls Kaden "the teen" all the time and that makes me think of someone who's like 15. Eww.)
The drama ramps up a bit when in the middle of the night
Kaden helps Logan deliver a baby horse
because apparently Kaden is something of a horse whisperer
Of course, of course, of course.
(how did I not guess that Kaden had a little Robert Redford in him? I must not have been paying attention.)
The drama keeps on going when Kaden has a panic attack
because he kind of has PTSD.
This is when we find out that Kaden's a cutter
and reading about him hurting himself really got to me.
(Oh, Kaden, you kind of had my heart breaking even though I felt like I was choking on the drama)
If you think the drama stops there then you'd be oh so wrong
because there's more panic, abuse, murder/suicide, and a vicious attack.
I think the author wanted to throw every horrible thing into this book
and it's my opinion that she should have pulled some of the craziness back.
(I swear that all this book was missing was some explosions, animal abuse and a beheading or something)
But wait things reached the pinnacle when a dying child gets slipped in
with some possibly permanent paralysis.
Then there are visions and a physical therapist who gives tough love
and I thought to myself "Is there no end to this?"
(seriously, I was OD'ing on drama by this time. I had to give myself a shock to start my heart back up)
Fortunately there was an end and it was a happy one.
Kaden and Logan build a family, surround themselves with friends
and there are surprises and sex in between.
The last few pages made me smile with the implausibility of the scene.
(I was all "Really? Are you serious? Oh, screw it. Whatever, I'll go with it.")
So, if you don't mind and overload of drama
then I would say to go ahead and read this.
I can't exactly recommend this book
but it's better than a hit-and-miss.
The story starts with Kaden,
a young man who's scarred inside and out.
He's had some trauma and is scared of big men,
so he gets fired from jobs again and again.
(I don't know how he lives in NYC where even crap apartments cost like $1000 a month and a kidney)
Someone takes pity on Kaden and sends him to Montana
where he's hired to be the ranch cook.
He meets his new boss Logan
Who's big but has tasty looks.
(the soap opera names should have clued me in to all of the melodrama that was about to smack me in the face)
The drama in this book starts out slow
with Kaden getting harassed by a big rat-faced cowboy slob,
but Kaden tries to keep it together
because he refuses to let Rat Face lead to him losing his job.
(I really liked Kaden and wanted him to keep his job because Montana's much cheaper than NYC)
Right from the beginning Logan is attracted to Kaden
and this doesn't seem to bother Logan much
even though Logan thinks himself straight
and sees Kaden as really young which is weird, just a touch.
(because Logan calls Kaden "the teen" all the time and that makes me think of someone who's like 15. Eww.)
The drama ramps up a bit when in the middle of the night
Kaden helps Logan deliver a baby horse
because apparently Kaden is something of a horse whisperer
Of course, of course, of course.
(how did I not guess that Kaden had a little Robert Redford in him? I must not have been paying attention.)
The drama keeps on going when Kaden has a panic attack
because he kind of has PTSD.
This is when we find out that Kaden's a cutter
and reading about him hurting himself really got to me.
(Oh, Kaden, you kind of had my heart breaking even though I felt like I was choking on the drama)
If you think the drama stops there then you'd be oh so wrong
because there's more panic, abuse, murder/suicide, and a vicious attack.
I think the author wanted to throw every horrible thing into this book
and it's my opinion that she should have pulled some of the craziness back.
(I swear that all this book was missing was some explosions, animal abuse and a beheading or something)
But wait things reached the pinnacle when a dying child gets slipped in
with some possibly permanent paralysis.
Then there are visions and a physical therapist who gives tough love
and I thought to myself "Is there no end to this?"
(seriously, I was OD'ing on drama by this time. I had to give myself a shock to start my heart back up)
Fortunately there was an end and it was a happy one.
Kaden and Logan build a family, surround themselves with friends
and there are surprises and sex in between.
The last few pages made me smile with the implausibility of the scene.
(I was all "Really? Are you serious? Oh, screw it. Whatever, I'll go with it.")
So, if you don't mind and overload of drama
then I would say to go ahead and read this.
I can't exactly recommend this book
but it's better than a hit-and-miss.
April 11, 2014
Re-read, April 2014
What a load of unreadable crap! I gave this 4 stars in 2011. What was I thinking??
Original review Oct 19, 2011
This book is written terribly, but at the end of a really bad day it was like a big dish of over-sweet ice cream with canned whipped cream and syrup: waaaay too sweet but just what I needed.
Not one aspect of the story is believeable, the sex is an amalgam of every m/m cliche, the hero is a Mary-Sue, plus it gets all Christian at the end (huge turn-off for me). BUT, it's light and floofy, there's an HEA, no one makes anyone else suffer through weeks of orgasm denial (I'm looking at you, Billy and Tanny), and there are horses, yay.
Engage brain in escapist mode and enjoy.
What a load of unreadable crap! I gave this 4 stars in 2011. What was I thinking??
Original review Oct 19, 2011
This book is written terribly, but at the end of a really bad day it was like a big dish of over-sweet ice cream with canned whipped cream and syrup: waaaay too sweet but just what I needed.
Not one aspect of the story is believeable, the sex is an amalgam of every m/m cliche, the hero is a Mary-Sue, plus it gets all Christian at the end (huge turn-off for me). BUT, it's light and floofy, there's an HEA, no one makes anyone else suffer through weeks of orgasm denial (I'm looking at you, Billy and Tanny), and there are horses, yay.
Engage brain in escapist mode and enjoy.
August 17, 2016
The narration by Jeff Gelder was very good, as I have come to expect and enjoy from him. Unfortunately, the story in no way, shape or form worked for me. This story requires the complete and total suspension of disbelief for every single part, which is impossible. You can have one or two things require suspension of disbelief in a story, and still have it work, but EVERY element? NO. Just...no.
Click on the spoiler tag to see a breakdown of exactly what went wrong for me in this story. Be advised - there is ranting, expletives and MASSIVE spoilers. You should be over eighteen to click on the spoiler tag, because no child should be subjected to this kind of language.
There is too much happening. It makes me sad, because there is so much potential with the character of Kaden and all the possibilities for this to have been a hurt/comfort story of substance. It just wasn’t. There was no focus. There was no real heart to me. This was like a Jackson Pollock painting – all the angst and suffering splattered against a canvas.
Even though the narration is good I cannot recommend it.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2010
The angsty premise - badly abused young man coming to the country, finding a family, learning he deserves to be loved, etc. etc. - is alluring, no doubt, as is the setting, but unfortunately, that's not enough to make up for the woefully poor execution. There's the lack of emotional realism; in particular, the fact that Kaden comes to the ranch so terribly traumatized that he can't even have a single lustful thought or feeling without having a panic attack - and having been this way for years and years - and yet within three months he's having sex, apparently without a single moment of trauma or fear once the barrier is breached, so to speak. That felt so inappropriate, and so untimely, that I couldn't get past it - and it's just one example, the biggest one, of a pervasive lack of realism, what another commenter described well as the author taking the easy way out for herself and her characters: Kaden just got over his problems way, way too easily.
And the sex scenes read like - well, like sex scenes from just about any m/m romance I could pull out of my e-reader, same cliched phrases and descriptions, with nothing whatsoever to make it evident that this wasn't just same-old same-old sex, but sex with someone who had been badly abused and was not really recovered.
Then there were the pages of exposition, of telling-not-showing, in which the author described the characters' feelings, what was going on in their heads, their motivations and desires, rather than illustrating these with actions and conversations. There was the lack of clear, much less consistent, point of view.
And the constant reference to Kaden, by both the author and by Logan, as "the teenager" or "the teen" went beyond annoying (why not just use his name? epithets like these are a sign, to my mind, of sloppy writing) to downright creepy, especially given his past. He was 19 - hardly the age typically referred to as a "teenager" - and if he was old enough to be establishing a permanent relationship with Logan, he was old enough at least to be referred to as a man.
I could barely finish this book, mostly because of the emotional heavy-handedness and the clumsy and un-nuanced dealing with difficult issues; once I got to the sex, I was hard put to keep going. Everything is extreme: the most extreme abuse possible, but then an extreme and unrealistic recovery, and a relationship that serves as a total fix-all with no real issues whatsoever (and I haven't even mentioned Logan's extreme switch from straight to gay, with apparently not even a single moment of distress). All this, combined with the stylistic issues, made it impossible for me to have any emotional connection with the characters, despite the good set-up.
I'm hoping the author can learn from these comments - and all the negative ones are fairly consistent - because her writing style is solid enough to show the capacity for improvement. And a good editor to rigorously point out and help address the telling-not-showing problem, to tone down the emotional extremism, and to act as a check for emotional realism, could make a huge difference.
And the sex scenes read like - well, like sex scenes from just about any m/m romance I could pull out of my e-reader, same cliched phrases and descriptions, with nothing whatsoever to make it evident that this wasn't just same-old same-old sex, but sex with someone who had been badly abused and was not really recovered.
Then there were the pages of exposition, of telling-not-showing, in which the author described the characters' feelings, what was going on in their heads, their motivations and desires, rather than illustrating these with actions and conversations. There was the lack of clear, much less consistent, point of view.
And the constant reference to Kaden, by both the author and by Logan, as "the teenager" or "the teen" went beyond annoying (why not just use his name? epithets like these are a sign, to my mind, of sloppy writing) to downright creepy, especially given his past. He was 19 - hardly the age typically referred to as a "teenager" - and if he was old enough to be establishing a permanent relationship with Logan, he was old enough at least to be referred to as a man.
I could barely finish this book, mostly because of the emotional heavy-handedness and the clumsy and un-nuanced dealing with difficult issues; once I got to the sex, I was hard put to keep going. Everything is extreme: the most extreme abuse possible, but then an extreme and unrealistic recovery, and a relationship that serves as a total fix-all with no real issues whatsoever (and I haven't even mentioned Logan's extreme switch from straight to gay, with apparently not even a single moment of distress). All this, combined with the stylistic issues, made it impossible for me to have any emotional connection with the characters, despite the good set-up.
I'm hoping the author can learn from these comments - and all the negative ones are fairly consistent - because her writing style is solid enough to show the capacity for improvement. And a good editor to rigorously point out and help address the telling-not-showing problem, to tone down the emotional extremism, and to act as a check for emotional realism, could make a huge difference.
July 2, 2019
This was a sweet hurt-comfort story. Kaden has been horribly abused by his step-father physically and sexually. He has scars. Ones you can see, but also the deep rooted emotional ones you can’t. But working as a cook on Logan’s ranch begins to heal him. Not to mention the man himself.
I really liked this. This is the type of hurt-comfort story I love. My only niggle was, Kaden is 19 when the story begins. Logan continually refers to him as “teen, teenager or boy” throughout the story. Even after they get together. EVEN AFTER THEY’VE BEEN TOGETHER 2 YEARS which would make Kaden 21 *sigh*. Don’t think that makes him a teen anymore.
Other than that, it was a really sweet read. I’ll be checking out more of this author’s work.
I really liked this. This is the type of hurt-comfort story I love. My only niggle was, Kaden is 19 when the story begins. Logan continually refers to him as “teen, teenager or boy” throughout the story. Even after they get together. EVEN AFTER THEY’VE BEEN TOGETHER 2 YEARS which would make Kaden 21 *sigh*. Don’t think that makes him a teen anymore.
Other than that, it was a really sweet read. I’ll be checking out more of this author’s work.
September 7, 2010
Whereas I should be starting on the next book to read unfortunately my mind kept playing back to this one and even though I was only going to rate it I felt the urge, the need to write up my thoughts on this story in question. I’ll guess it’s considered therapeutic to get it out in the open when a story niggles or torments you and speak about it while forgoing my own recovery. This is it for me.
It’s with great debate that I had rated this story a 4* and it was sitting at a 4.5 until a certain point. There are many factors I found disturbing within this story that perhaps the timing in reading this one was off for me, but I started it so I was going to see it through and damn well finish it even at the warning bells going off on stop reading it. It’s very sensitive in many topics to read this one and caution to future readers on the content that may be very disturbing. I found it just so.
For me if it wasn’t for Shea and Logan in this book I wouldn’t have been able to deal, but frankly this is what I saw when reading it: Kaden who is referred to and reminding us repeatedly as a ‘teenager’ is a severely abused, traumatized young man. He’s scarred not only externally but internally starting from the age of 8 years old and even though by his own hand it ends at the young age of 15. He has so much to deal with in life that I found it incredible he even made it to the point he had in the book without having tried to commit suicide but rather he becomie a cutter as an alternative to sever any emotional pain that deems to stressful for him to handle or cope. I was more than ecstatic to read when he’d met the kind gentle cowboy Logan and final this ‘teenager’ could start building a life he deserved, to feel for the first time in his young life love and get a sense of normality in his young life. Experience and see what life is all about.
This is where it bombed for me. Most have given this story a 4 or 5 star, but have not much or nothing to stay so I’m stepping up to the plate and expressing my opinion. I will admit the story is excellently written, but I can assure you if I had beta’d this book my concern to the author would be: When was enough, enough? Hadn’t this young man gone through enough pain, hurt, trauma inside and out in his short life that an extra wedge had to be thrown into the mix just when he’d found happiness? At what point was happiness and joy of life going to begin? I couldn’t find the balance.
Other than Kaden and Logan meeting and their first time making love, a very tender touching momentI might add, Kaden finally coming out of his shell, that had me feel what they’d felt for each other and some other joyous moments but the bombshell was every time the guild of happiness and joy set into Kaden's life there it would spiral downwards into something bleak, morbid and depressing tempered with more black moments than ones filled with laughter and sunshine. It did nothing for the black threatening cloud spiraling above not only the character's heads but the reader's as well.
Having said all I have to say, now I can move on, up and forward to the next book that a good friend has dissected as the proper read for me at this time in my life after berating me for having read this one. Kisses go out to him.
~ S ~
It’s with great debate that I had rated this story a 4* and it was sitting at a 4.5 until a certain point. There are many factors I found disturbing within this story that perhaps the timing in reading this one was off for me, but I started it so I was going to see it through and damn well finish it even at the warning bells going off on stop reading it. It’s very sensitive in many topics to read this one and caution to future readers on the content that may be very disturbing. I found it just so.
For me if it wasn’t for Shea and Logan in this book I wouldn’t have been able to deal, but frankly this is what I saw when reading it: Kaden who is referred to and reminding us repeatedly as a ‘teenager’ is a severely abused, traumatized young man. He’s scarred not only externally but internally starting from the age of 8 years old and even though by his own hand it ends at the young age of 15. He has so much to deal with in life that I found it incredible he even made it to the point he had in the book without having tried to commit suicide but rather he becomie a cutter as an alternative to sever any emotional pain that deems to stressful for him to handle or cope. I was more than ecstatic to read when he’d met the kind gentle cowboy Logan and final this ‘teenager’ could start building a life he deserved, to feel for the first time in his young life love and get a sense of normality in his young life. Experience and see what life is all about.
This is where it bombed for me. Most have given this story a 4 or 5 star, but have not much or nothing to stay so I’m stepping up to the plate and expressing my opinion. I will admit the story is excellently written, but I can assure you if I had beta’d this book my concern to the author would be: When was enough, enough? Hadn’t this young man gone through enough pain, hurt, trauma inside and out in his short life that an extra wedge had to be thrown into the mix just when he’d found happiness? At what point was happiness and joy of life going to begin? I couldn’t find the balance.
Other than Kaden and Logan meeting and their first time making love, a very tender touching momentI might add, Kaden finally coming out of his shell, that had me feel what they’d felt for each other and some other joyous moments but the bombshell was every time the guild of happiness and joy set into Kaden's life there it would spiral downwards into something bleak, morbid and depressing tempered with more black moments than ones filled with laughter and sunshine. It did nothing for the black threatening cloud spiraling above not only the character's heads but the reader's as well.
Having said all I have to say, now I can move on, up and forward to the next book that a good friend has dissected as the proper read for me at this time in my life after berating me for having read this one. Kisses go out to him.
~ S ~
August 12, 2016
2.5
This was rather corny and got all super spiritual toward the end; there was a lot of pain and crying and healing. The dialogue was crazy cheesy, like bad-poetry in motion.
Kaden had a shit life, so I'm not sure why the author chose to throw more crap at him toward the end of the story. Logan was too good to be true, and the insta love happened quicker than two magnets colliding.
I enjoy a dose of sentimental, and I have a soft spot for HEAs, but I wish certain aspects of the story had been explored, like Kaden's awareness of his sexuality (was he conflicted about being gay since his abuser was a man?) and Logan's apparently seamless acceptance of being gay (or gay just for Kaden?).
There was a lot of POV switching, from sentence to sentence sometimes, like a fly flitting around the room getting into everyone's head. Plus, Logan, only nine years Kaden's senior, referred to Kaden as "boy," "little one," "teen," and "kid," and that was disconcerting, bordering on creepy. Because Kaden was so broken and emotionally stunted, I felt like Logan was a big brother/father figure to him vs. a lover.
Fortunately, the power balance between the two men shifts to something more equal in the epilogue.
This was rather corny and got all super spiritual toward the end; there was a lot of pain and crying and healing. The dialogue was crazy cheesy, like bad-poetry in motion.
Kaden had a shit life, so I'm not sure why the author chose to throw more crap at him toward the end of the story. Logan was too good to be true, and the insta love happened quicker than two magnets colliding.
I enjoy a dose of sentimental, and I have a soft spot for HEAs, but I wish certain aspects of the story had been explored, like Kaden's awareness of his sexuality (was he conflicted about being gay since his abuser was a man?) and Logan's apparently seamless acceptance of being gay (or gay just for Kaden?).
There was a lot of POV switching, from sentence to sentence sometimes, like a fly flitting around the room getting into everyone's head. Plus, Logan, only nine years Kaden's senior, referred to Kaden as "boy," "little one," "teen," and "kid," and that was disconcerting, bordering on creepy. Because Kaden was so broken and emotionally stunted, I felt like Logan was a big brother/father figure to him vs. a lover.
Fortunately, the power balance between the two men shifts to something more equal in the epilogue.
June 24, 2013
M/M. The sort of romance that starts – and I mean the very first sentence – with a rape. Because that way we can get to all the saccharine declarations of love by hot cowboy and repeated instances of trauma being healed by the application of cock. This book is abysmally awful on nearly every front, and dangerously so on matters of sexual trauma, queer identities, and disability. But I am weary, so let's talk about the ways this book is hilarious awful, as opposed to really unfunny awful.
The protagonist of this book: has "violet eyes," is named Kaden, writes his feelings in song lyrics in a series of notebooks, is "delicate" and "tiny" and "feminine," can tame abused horses because he understaaaaaands their pain, is a cutter, can cook for twenty with no preparation or recipes, weeps at the drop of a dime, and did I mention the violet eyes?
Any one of those things, if written well, could be interesting or funny. Taken together, and written by this author? Utter hilarity.
The protagonist of this book: has "violet eyes," is named Kaden, writes his feelings in song lyrics in a series of notebooks, is "delicate" and "tiny" and "feminine," can tame abused horses because he understaaaaaands their pain, is a cutter, can cook for twenty with no preparation or recipes, weeps at the drop of a dime, and did I mention the violet eyes?
Any one of those things, if written well, could be interesting or funny. Taken together, and written by this author? Utter hilarity.
November 13, 2025
A scarred young man finds security in the arms of a sexy cowboy with a big heart.
This is Kaden's and Logan's story. Kaden is a young man who survived horrible abuse in his childhood. He struggles with that and is barely able to function outside of his little New York apartment. He is constantly trying new temporary jobs, but they never work out because of his anxiety. The job agency manager feels sorry for him and takes a chance and offers Kaden a job as cook at his cousin's ranch in Montana, hoping this will work out for him.
Kaden, who is running out of options takes the job. As soon as Kaden sees Logan the ranch owner, he is cautious of the large man. Kaden is fearful of big men due to his past trauma. Logan, although not gay, is instantly drawn to Kaden...he sees Kaden's anxiety and very slowly starts to draw him out. Logan's love and caring ways slowly erase Kaden's fears, and he knows that he's found a new home and family with Logan and his sister.
It's a good story...BUT there were several things bothered me... 1. The way that the author kept referring to Kaden as "boy" or the "teenager". He was 19, nearly 20 years old...he wasn't a "kid". 2. Logan kept calling him "little one"... This was a "man". not a "child". A man that he was considering having a sexual relationship with. Yes, there was a significant age difference... but that didn't need to keep being brought up. 3. Logan was way too relaxed about falling in love with a man. He had NEVER been even attracted to men before. I don't know any supposedly straight men that would approach a gay relationship that quickly or that easily. In his defense, perhaps he had always been bi and never explored it until meeting Kaden. 3. The end threw me off a bit. It felt like it was thrown in to tie up the loose ends. I could have easily done without the last ten pages. This may be just me being extra picky, but I felt like I should mention it...it's number 4. I have a couple of good friends that live in Montana and believe me, Montana is a wonderful, beautiful state... but it is NOT that liberal when it comes to this type of relationship.
It's by no means a bad story. I don't want to, nor do I like to be critical of any book, but I have read so very much better by this author.
This is Kaden's and Logan's story. Kaden is a young man who survived horrible abuse in his childhood. He struggles with that and is barely able to function outside of his little New York apartment. He is constantly trying new temporary jobs, but they never work out because of his anxiety. The job agency manager feels sorry for him and takes a chance and offers Kaden a job as cook at his cousin's ranch in Montana, hoping this will work out for him.
Kaden, who is running out of options takes the job. As soon as Kaden sees Logan the ranch owner, he is cautious of the large man. Kaden is fearful of big men due to his past trauma. Logan, although not gay, is instantly drawn to Kaden...he sees Kaden's anxiety and very slowly starts to draw him out. Logan's love and caring ways slowly erase Kaden's fears, and he knows that he's found a new home and family with Logan and his sister.
It's a good story...BUT there were several things bothered me... 1. The way that the author kept referring to Kaden as "boy" or the "teenager". He was 19, nearly 20 years old...he wasn't a "kid". 2. Logan kept calling him "little one"... This was a "man". not a "child". A man that he was considering having a sexual relationship with. Yes, there was a significant age difference... but that didn't need to keep being brought up. 3. Logan was way too relaxed about falling in love with a man. He had NEVER been even attracted to men before. I don't know any supposedly straight men that would approach a gay relationship that quickly or that easily. In his defense, perhaps he had always been bi and never explored it until meeting Kaden. 3. The end threw me off a bit. It felt like it was thrown in to tie up the loose ends. I could have easily done without the last ten pages. This may be just me being extra picky, but I felt like I should mention it...it's number 4. I have a couple of good friends that live in Montana and believe me, Montana is a wonderful, beautiful state... but it is NOT that liberal when it comes to this type of relationship.
It's by no means a bad story. I don't want to, nor do I like to be critical of any book, but I have read so very much better by this author.
September 5, 2010
I just finished and I had to write and say how much I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story builds so slowly and is so well crafted that you feel as though you are healing right along with Kaden. It doesn't rush and I loved that. And Logan...love him, as well as his sister Shea. I hope there will be more, I can't wait. I would love to go back over and over to visit. Or maybe Mitchell's story could be next. This book should not be missed.
October 5, 2015
Final rating: 4/5 stars
Warning: Prepare a tissue box or something similar, unless your heart is made of stone.
Wow, this book was just...loveable. I seriously loveeeeed this one, and i couldn't stop reading it! It's heartbreaking, funny and sweet romance. Don't get me wrong, i cried like hell in some scenes. And writing is beautiful, told from different povs, and in third person.
____________________________________________
Story :
____________________________________________
Story is about a seriously broken 19 years old Kaden. He is terrified of the men who are bigger than him, and that often caused him to lose his jobs. Just when he thought that he was hopeless in finding a decent job, or finding any job at all, another opportunity came when the manager of the labor agency told Kaden that he has a cousin who needs a cook. The problem was that his cousin lived in Montana, which meant that Kaden would have to leave New York. He accepted, because there was nothing to lose in trying. When he comes over to Montana, he meets Logan and his sister Shea, his new employeers. Throw in some horses, around 20 other workers on the ranch and .... find out the rest yourselves :D
There was a scene near the end that shocked me, and i was like....HELL F*CKING NO....why the hell did this have to happen?? WHYYYYYYY????
BUT, fear not, ending is still
____________________________________________
Characters :
____________________________________________
Kaden is a survivor, but surviving left some horrible side effects. He was abused as a child, both sexually and physically (concerning that, there are only two short scenes about his past, and all the rest is said by him). He suffers PTSD and severe phobia of men. He has scars on his body, but the worst are the scars on his soul. Because of the scar on his face, he thought that no one would ever want him. He is shy, rarely speaks and he is absolutely terrified of men in general. He gets panic attacks, and he shows little of emotions except for one: fear. It was drilled in him and he can't escape that. He has no one in the world, no support, no family, he is so terribly alone, but then everything changes when he meets Logan and his sister.
He is afraid of letting people get close to him. He had to deal with so many things in his life, and since he wanted to live, instead of committing suicide, he became a cutter. It was the only thing he could do to save himself from emotional pain. And it pained me to read every time he does that. The other thing he does to avoid being hurt is writing songs about everything he sees and feels.
But, after a while, he starts trusting Logan and Shea, because they helped him by offering unconditional love, and he slowly starts to heal. Another thing that catches his attention is the horse Mantacor, who is wild and distrustful of humans. He manages to connect with him because to Kaden, they are the same.
P.s. he is incredibly cute, and incredibly huggable type - you just want to hold him and squeeze him to death mwahahhaa!
Logan is the sexy, sexy, terribly sexy cowboy with green eyes and sexy sandy hair *i noticed i used sexy many many times*. He and his sister Shea have some traumatic experiences concering marriages, but nothing as severe as what Kaden endured. Logan is straight,btw, but he can't help but feel attracted to newcomer. He is extremely gentle person, he cares about everyone, and he just can't deny the feelings that he started to get when he met Kaden. He is protective, fair and he is also strong character. Logan helps Kaden in many ways, he shows him how to trust people again and teaches him that passion is not something to be afraid of. He thinks that Kaden beautiful, because to him, there was nothing more beautiful than him. No matter how scarred he was. I liked him a lot.
Shea is Logan's absolutely crazy sister (in positive way) and she has a lot of influence on Kaden. She likes him a lot, and she tries to help him in every way she can :D. She is just seriously awesome :)
____________________________________________
Overall :
____________________________________________
I feel sooooooo soooooooooooooo much sad that this is stand alone book. I would have loved that either it had sequels or that it was longer. I just can't get enough of Logan and Kaden, because they were so cute :D
"How did you stop a heart from breaking? How can you change someone's past?"
Warning: Prepare a tissue box or something similar, unless your heart is made of stone.
Wow, this book was just...loveable. I seriously loveeeeed this one, and i couldn't stop reading it! It's heartbreaking, funny and sweet romance. Don't get me wrong, i cried like hell in some scenes. And writing is beautiful, told from different povs, and in third person.
____________________________________________
Story :
____________________________________________
Story is about a seriously broken 19 years old Kaden. He is terrified of the men who are bigger than him, and that often caused him to lose his jobs. Just when he thought that he was hopeless in finding a decent job, or finding any job at all, another opportunity came when the manager of the labor agency told Kaden that he has a cousin who needs a cook. The problem was that his cousin lived in Montana, which meant that Kaden would have to leave New York. He accepted, because there was nothing to lose in trying. When he comes over to Montana, he meets Logan and his sister Shea, his new employeers. Throw in some horses, around 20 other workers on the ranch and .... find out the rest yourselves :D
There was a scene near the end that shocked me, and i was like....HELL F*CKING NO....why the hell did this have to happen?? WHYYYYYYY????
BUT, fear not, ending is still
____________________________________________
Characters :
____________________________________________
Kaden is a survivor, but surviving left some horrible side effects. He was abused as a child, both sexually and physically (concerning that, there are only two short scenes about his past, and all the rest is said by him). He suffers PTSD and severe phobia of men. He has scars on his body, but the worst are the scars on his soul. Because of the scar on his face, he thought that no one would ever want him. He is shy, rarely speaks and he is absolutely terrified of men in general. He gets panic attacks, and he shows little of emotions except for one: fear. It was drilled in him and he can't escape that. He has no one in the world, no support, no family, he is so terribly alone, but then everything changes when he meets Logan and his sister.
Was it true? Would they miss him? No one had ever missed him before, and it caused an uncomfortable feeling to settle over his heart. If you listened really hard, you probably could have heard the ice cracking as it slowly melted a tiny bit more.
He is afraid of letting people get close to him. He had to deal with so many things in his life, and since he wanted to live, instead of committing suicide, he became a cutter. It was the only thing he could do to save himself from emotional pain. And it pained me to read every time he does that. The other thing he does to avoid being hurt is writing songs about everything he sees and feels.
But, after a while, he starts trusting Logan and Shea, because they helped him by offering unconditional love, and he slowly starts to heal. Another thing that catches his attention is the horse Mantacor, who is wild and distrustful of humans. He manages to connect with him because to Kaden, they are the same.
P.s. he is incredibly cute, and incredibly huggable type - you just want to hold him and squeeze him to death mwahahhaa!
Logan is the sexy, sexy, terribly sexy cowboy with green eyes and sexy sandy hair *i noticed i used sexy many many times*. He and his sister Shea have some traumatic experiences concering marriages, but nothing as severe as what Kaden endured. Logan is straight,btw, but he can't help but feel attracted to newcomer. He is extremely gentle person, he cares about everyone, and he just can't deny the feelings that he started to get when he met Kaden. He is protective, fair and he is also strong character. Logan helps Kaden in many ways, he shows him how to trust people again and teaches him that passion is not something to be afraid of. He thinks that Kaden beautiful, because to him, there was nothing more beautiful than him. No matter how scarred he was. I liked him a lot.
Shea is Logan's absolutely crazy sister (in positive way) and she has a lot of influence on Kaden. She likes him a lot, and she tries to help him in every way she can :D. She is just seriously awesome :)
____________________________________________
Overall :
____________________________________________
I feel sooooooo soooooooooooooo much sad that this is stand alone book. I would have loved that either it had sequels or that it was longer. I just can't get enough of Logan and Kaden, because they were so cute :D
September 21, 2010
I picked this one up when I was in the mood for a pretty angsty, dramatic story. Unfortunately while Touch Me Gently tries hard to invoke emotion and a strong reaction due to the subject matter, I never connected to the story or the characters. I kept feeling as though the actions and emotions were artificial and manipulated by the author and story versus being authentic and real to the situations. The subject matter is a good choice for an intense romantic story but it never quite delivered on the execution for me. In a field littered with moving, dramatic romances there are unfortunately better options but the author has some good ideas so I’d probably give her another try.
The story revolves around nineteen year old Kaden’s traumatic past and his struggles to deal with his present. Kaden comes from a long, serious history of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. He’s littered with scars, both external and internal, and freaks out near constantly. With careful attention and patience, Kaden starts to heal on an isolated Montana ranch. He gets involved with the owner, a large man named Logan, and finally triumphs over his demons.
The plot is character driven and relies on Kaden’s traumatized past to add the emotional intensity. This isn’t bad but for me, I never could connect with the characters and felt Kaden’s actions and comments to be hollow. He says and does all the typical things – jumping at loud noises, fearing large men, crying when he’s overwhelmed – but I always knew I was reading the manipulations of a story. I never got sucked into the drama and tension with this story like I have with other, better options. Part of this is that Kaden is a little too extreme. He supposedly faked his way out of the mental institution but he never really displays that kind of strength. He’s constantly described as fragile and he acts that way as well. Kaden eventually does mature but I found it hard to believe the initial set up and the depth of Kaden’s issues.
Furthermore the writing didn’t do much for me. The point of view bounces frequently from character to character, paragraph to paragraph. Every person has an included point of view from the most minor side character to the main characters and the story jumps from the various heads within the same scene. This head hopping isn’t confusing but it’s tiresome since the goal is to reiterate the same information (such as Kaden is beautiful, ethereal, and damaged and everyone wants to protect him). Furthermore no matter how much Kaden ages, he’s always referred to as “the teenager.” He starts the story at nineteen and he’s at least two years older by the end but everyone’s internal thoughts still label him as “the teen” thus it keeps him in an immature, damaged box that he supposedly grows out of.
Although the subject matter is good and ending rather heart warming, the story just didn’t do much for me. The characters feel cardboard and rather predictable, always doing and saying the perfect things with the typical evil villain popping up at the end. I’m not sure why this later plot line is included since it adds a weird element that isn’t needed. Additionally I couldn’t ever really connect and sink into the story, though it’s fast and easy to read. There’s drama, angst, and intensity but they feel very manufactured in obvious ways with easy solutions. It’s not a bad story, inoffensive to read but I think there are better emotionally intense stories to read.
The story revolves around nineteen year old Kaden’s traumatic past and his struggles to deal with his present. Kaden comes from a long, serious history of physical, mental, and sexual abuse. He’s littered with scars, both external and internal, and freaks out near constantly. With careful attention and patience, Kaden starts to heal on an isolated Montana ranch. He gets involved with the owner, a large man named Logan, and finally triumphs over his demons.
The plot is character driven and relies on Kaden’s traumatized past to add the emotional intensity. This isn’t bad but for me, I never could connect with the characters and felt Kaden’s actions and comments to be hollow. He says and does all the typical things – jumping at loud noises, fearing large men, crying when he’s overwhelmed – but I always knew I was reading the manipulations of a story. I never got sucked into the drama and tension with this story like I have with other, better options. Part of this is that Kaden is a little too extreme. He supposedly faked his way out of the mental institution but he never really displays that kind of strength. He’s constantly described as fragile and he acts that way as well. Kaden eventually does mature but I found it hard to believe the initial set up and the depth of Kaden’s issues.
Furthermore the writing didn’t do much for me. The point of view bounces frequently from character to character, paragraph to paragraph. Every person has an included point of view from the most minor side character to the main characters and the story jumps from the various heads within the same scene. This head hopping isn’t confusing but it’s tiresome since the goal is to reiterate the same information (such as Kaden is beautiful, ethereal, and damaged and everyone wants to protect him). Furthermore no matter how much Kaden ages, he’s always referred to as “the teenager.” He starts the story at nineteen and he’s at least two years older by the end but everyone’s internal thoughts still label him as “the teen” thus it keeps him in an immature, damaged box that he supposedly grows out of.
Although the subject matter is good and ending rather heart warming, the story just didn’t do much for me. The characters feel cardboard and rather predictable, always doing and saying the perfect things with the typical evil villain popping up at the end. I’m not sure why this later plot line is included since it adds a weird element that isn’t needed. Additionally I couldn’t ever really connect and sink into the story, though it’s fast and easy to read. There’s drama, angst, and intensity but they feel very manufactured in obvious ways with easy solutions. It’s not a bad story, inoffensive to read but I think there are better emotionally intense stories to read.
May 7, 2014
I've read this book twice now ... mainly to make sure that it was as awful as I remembered ... and it was. The following will contain spoilers so beware...
WTF-ery...
1. Kaden was a chick with a dick ... plus he was constantly referred to as "little one" or "the boy" or "the teen"...it was really annoying and not a little bit icky.
2. Violet eyes!!!! Nuf said!!!!
3. Kaden is at a Montana ranch ... not the most gay-friendly environment...he finds a m/m romance and doesn't question it despite the supposedly 'straight' man living in the house!
4. Franklin ... a married man ... a butch cowboy ... grabs Kaden in a public bar and starts dancing with him? Was this book set in an alternate universe? Why was no one in this book worried about exposing their gayness? Is Montana really that accepting or do all the other books that portray cowboys as homophobic arsehats have it wrong?!
5. And finally we come to Logan ... a ladies man who falls in lust with Kaden without the slightest qualm or introspection ... really?
My initial rating was ★★ ... I won't be changing that because I can't leave a ★☆ rating.
If you like chicks with dicks ... if you like fairytale romances ... if you like cinderfellas ... you might be able to tolerate the WTF-ery in this book.
WTF-ery...
1. Kaden was a chick with a dick ... plus he was constantly referred to as "little one" or "the boy" or "the teen"...it was really annoying and not a little bit icky.
2. Violet eyes!!!! Nuf said!!!!
3. Kaden is at a Montana ranch ... not the most gay-friendly environment...he finds a m/m romance and doesn't question it despite the supposedly 'straight' man living in the house!
4. Franklin ... a married man ... a butch cowboy ... grabs Kaden in a public bar and starts dancing with him? Was this book set in an alternate universe? Why was no one in this book worried about exposing their gayness? Is Montana really that accepting or do all the other books that portray cowboys as homophobic arsehats have it wrong?!
5. And finally we come to Logan ... a ladies man who falls in lust with Kaden without the slightest qualm or introspection ... really?
My initial rating was ★★ ... I won't be changing that because I can't leave a ★☆ rating.
If you like chicks with dicks ... if you like fairytale romances ... if you like cinderfellas ... you might be able to tolerate the WTF-ery in this book.
October 27, 2010
"I… uh… want to tell you about my past. Tonight. Um… I… just promise me that you won't hate me,” he pleaded.
As I read these words I lowered my head and cried. I have said these same words before. I was so touched by this book. This book shows the strength of an 19 year old boy abused and broken climb and claw his way back to trust again. I can not put into words how I feel about this book. If you have ever had to repeat those words then know you how hard and afraid it is to let someone else see the real you.
As I read these words I lowered my head and cried. I have said these same words before. I was so touched by this book. This book shows the strength of an 19 year old boy abused and broken climb and claw his way back to trust again. I can not put into words how I feel about this book. If you have ever had to repeat those words then know you how hard and afraid it is to let someone else see the real you.
January 14, 2015
I’m giving this an extra star for the possibility of the story. The actual story idea is decent, young damaged boy goes to Montana ranch, which helps him heal. The execution though is beyond AWFUL! I didn’t enjoy this story at all. Unrealistic characterization and ridiculous plot devices take this story out of the realm of the plausible and just make it painful.
Kaden James can’t keep a job. Tortured and abused for years his scared body and fear of larger men make life really difficult for Kaden. Panic attacks have cost him multiple jobs in the last couple of weeks. When he goes in to his employment agency he knows he’s coming down to his last option. Then he’s offered the job as a cook on a ranch in Montana. It means leaving New York, but that may just be what he needs.
Logan Michaels is surprised at how young and delicate his new chef looks. As the owner of a cattle ranch he’s used to being surrounded by big tough men. The vulnerability and fear that linger in the boy’s eyes brings out all his protective instincts. He’s never been attracted to a man before, but he can’t believe how drawn to Kaden he is. As more of Kaden’s past is revealed Logan realizes he can’t let this boy go.
I have so many issues with this book I don’t know where to start. The prose is terrible, there are so many questionable plot devices, I liked the characters well enough even if I didn’t find them all that believable I guess.
Ok, so first of all Kaden is such a girl in this, and an insult to girls really. He has no backbone; I don’t feel like he was even really trying to gain one. He never stands up for himself anywhere in the book. I got so irritated with the references to him as a teen too. I have no issues with the age gap between these two, but when you pound it into my head that Kaden is a teen and that’s how Logan sees him it makes it seem more questionable. I don’t have problems with the “boy” references since that is a common term in the genre for a younger guy, even one in his twenties. But constantly saying “teen” makes it feel like Kaden is 15 or 16 and isn’t a man in his own right. Not to mention in the epilogue, which supposedly takes place 2 years later, you still refer to him as a teen and he was supposed to be 18 to start the book. Sorry 20 is no longer a teen. Again it just makes it seem like this is a case of a kid and not a young man. Then the age difference becomes more of an ick factor.
Then we come to Logan…I’m sorry, but he’s total straight guy in Montana, I find it hard to believe he’s going to fall for a guy so instantly and then just be TOTALLY OK WITH IT! He doesn’t question, he barely resists. He’s never once been tempted by a guy before, not even considered it, but hey Kaden’s feminine and all. And those “violet” eyes…yeah that’s it. :-p Stupid, stupid, stupid! There’s not even any internal debate really. He’s just goes all protective, possessive, alpha guy.
And this brings up another issue, one that is frankly a double issue really. You’re in MONTANA! On a RANCH! Hello recipe for some of the most HOMOPHOBIC types ever, and yet there’s not one person who has an issue with this turn of events?!?!?! Not to mention of course Franklin…married, butch cowboy who becomes OBSESSED with the “oh so strangely straight man converting” Kaden. He grabs Kaden in the middle of a hick town bar and drags him onto the dance floor. Sure, that’s not gonna start a brawl. No one even blinks. Apparently this isn’t the Montana/cowboy books I know, or maybe that writing is all completely wrong and there’s no homophobia left anywhere in America. Every guy should feel free to claim his man with no hesitation or fear of reprisal.
So this one is minor in the scheme of things, but as someone who grew up on a horse ranch I have an issue with this. You have a guy, who has never been around horses, never ridden a horse before in his life, and you’re going to teach him to ride by putting him up on a 2-YEAR OLD?!?!?!?! Are you crazy?!?!?! I don’t care how docile the horse is, a 2-year old is still too unpredictable for a new rider. My mare had the sweetest personality in the world; she still tried to buck me off while she was still learning. It takes a couple of years before you can really trust that the horse is going to react in a predictable manner and where you’d CHOOSE that horse as a training horse for new rider. Such a simple thing, but adds to the idea that the author just doesn’t understand the genre.
I absolutely loathed the writing style here. Overly simplistic prose and preachy descriptions irritated me throughout. Often times the head skipping had me unsure whose head I was in at any given time or I was being told things that the character would have no way of knowing. There’s something about the tone this Ms. Loveless writes with that I found objectionable. It just feels clunky. Add in a character who has severe mental issues, who really needs professional help (understandably) and this relationship doesn’t seem like it should even exist. It doesn’t feel healthy. There’s too much dependence here and a slight mistake (being upset and eating dinner with the ranch hands instead of talking with Kaden) causes a breakdown of epic proportions. Kaden needs a therapist not a relationship.
In the end I liked the potential of this idea. I didn’t like the author’s execution at all. I was just happy when the book ended.
Kaden James can’t keep a job. Tortured and abused for years his scared body and fear of larger men make life really difficult for Kaden. Panic attacks have cost him multiple jobs in the last couple of weeks. When he goes in to his employment agency he knows he’s coming down to his last option. Then he’s offered the job as a cook on a ranch in Montana. It means leaving New York, but that may just be what he needs.
Logan Michaels is surprised at how young and delicate his new chef looks. As the owner of a cattle ranch he’s used to being surrounded by big tough men. The vulnerability and fear that linger in the boy’s eyes brings out all his protective instincts. He’s never been attracted to a man before, but he can’t believe how drawn to Kaden he is. As more of Kaden’s past is revealed Logan realizes he can’t let this boy go.
I have so many issues with this book I don’t know where to start. The prose is terrible, there are so many questionable plot devices, I liked the characters well enough even if I didn’t find them all that believable I guess.
Ok, so first of all Kaden is such a girl in this, and an insult to girls really. He has no backbone; I don’t feel like he was even really trying to gain one. He never stands up for himself anywhere in the book. I got so irritated with the references to him as a teen too. I have no issues with the age gap between these two, but when you pound it into my head that Kaden is a teen and that’s how Logan sees him it makes it seem more questionable. I don’t have problems with the “boy” references since that is a common term in the genre for a younger guy, even one in his twenties. But constantly saying “teen” makes it feel like Kaden is 15 or 16 and isn’t a man in his own right. Not to mention in the epilogue, which supposedly takes place 2 years later, you still refer to him as a teen and he was supposed to be 18 to start the book. Sorry 20 is no longer a teen. Again it just makes it seem like this is a case of a kid and not a young man. Then the age difference becomes more of an ick factor.
Then we come to Logan…I’m sorry, but he’s total straight guy in Montana, I find it hard to believe he’s going to fall for a guy so instantly and then just be TOTALLY OK WITH IT! He doesn’t question, he barely resists. He’s never once been tempted by a guy before, not even considered it, but hey Kaden’s feminine and all. And those “violet” eyes…yeah that’s it. :-p Stupid, stupid, stupid! There’s not even any internal debate really. He’s just goes all protective, possessive, alpha guy.
And this brings up another issue, one that is frankly a double issue really. You’re in MONTANA! On a RANCH! Hello recipe for some of the most HOMOPHOBIC types ever, and yet there’s not one person who has an issue with this turn of events?!?!?! Not to mention of course Franklin…married, butch cowboy who becomes OBSESSED with the “oh so strangely straight man converting” Kaden. He grabs Kaden in the middle of a hick town bar and drags him onto the dance floor. Sure, that’s not gonna start a brawl. No one even blinks. Apparently this isn’t the Montana/cowboy books I know, or maybe that writing is all completely wrong and there’s no homophobia left anywhere in America. Every guy should feel free to claim his man with no hesitation or fear of reprisal.
So this one is minor in the scheme of things, but as someone who grew up on a horse ranch I have an issue with this. You have a guy, who has never been around horses, never ridden a horse before in his life, and you’re going to teach him to ride by putting him up on a 2-YEAR OLD?!?!?!?! Are you crazy?!?!?! I don’t care how docile the horse is, a 2-year old is still too unpredictable for a new rider. My mare had the sweetest personality in the world; she still tried to buck me off while she was still learning. It takes a couple of years before you can really trust that the horse is going to react in a predictable manner and where you’d CHOOSE that horse as a training horse for new rider. Such a simple thing, but adds to the idea that the author just doesn’t understand the genre.
I absolutely loathed the writing style here. Overly simplistic prose and preachy descriptions irritated me throughout. Often times the head skipping had me unsure whose head I was in at any given time or I was being told things that the character would have no way of knowing. There’s something about the tone this Ms. Loveless writes with that I found objectionable. It just feels clunky. Add in a character who has severe mental issues, who really needs professional help (understandably) and this relationship doesn’t seem like it should even exist. It doesn’t feel healthy. There’s too much dependence here and a slight mistake (being upset and eating dinner with the ranch hands instead of talking with Kaden) causes a breakdown of epic proportions. Kaden needs a therapist not a relationship.
In the end I liked the potential of this idea. I didn’t like the author’s execution at all. I was just happy when the book ended.
August 5, 2011
This was an amazing and beautiful story about a nineteen year old man struggling to live after a childhood of mental and sexual abuse that started at age eight. Kaden is barely getting by in New York City. He can't hold down a job because of his mental state and his fear of big men which stems back to his step-father raping and torturing him. Being a slightly built young man doesn't help him either. It almost seems that the author went overboard with the abuse yet this really does happen. Kaden became a cutter at some point in his life just to deal with the emotional pain. What is revealed by the cutting is that Kaden knows that he's hurting himself physically and that he is crying out for help. The guy that runs the labor agency that Kaden has been finding work through takes pity on Kaden and puts in a call to his cousin in Montana. The cousin, Logan, owns a large cattle ranch and is in need of a cook for a three month stint. Logan is damaged himself by his parent's bitter marriage but hires Kaden on. It was panic at first sight when the Kaden meets the big cowboy and much of Kaden's time is spent either cooking or hiding out in his room. Logan and his sister, Shea, see that Kaden is troubled but gently let the young man do his work and allow nature to help heal Kaden. A bond of sorts forms between the three and with the unconditional love freely given by Shea and Logan, Kaden slowly builds his self-esteem and trust. The love that forms between Logan and Kaden is a surprise to Logan but not to many of Logan's friends so I'm assuming that Logan is gay but repressed. Ms Loveless did a terrific job of pouring emotion and hope into the story. What takes years to build inside Kaden cannot be just wiped away quickly so some readers may be put off by Kaden and think the story drags. My only problem with the story was the over used word "teen" used to describe Kaden. I liked all three main characters and the way Ms Loveless portrayed the three as family. The story had a good flow and there was outside action that broke up some of the heavier scenes but the story revolved around Kaden as he slowly bloomed into a healthy and fairly secure man. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for something different to read that will touch their hearts.
July 8, 2012
This was an audio book, sweet and easy listen to break the tedium of household chores.
September 10, 2010
I really enjoyed this book for two reasons: One, I am a self-proclaimed angst whore and this book is a complete angst fest. Two, I love young (but legal!), small, feminine characters and Kaden fits the bill nicely.
The story is a bit over the top, both in the way Kaden is put through the wringer time and time again, and in the way the relationship between Kaden and Logan develops without a hitch. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it very much because I am one of those readers that can easily suspend disbelief and be swept away by the story, and the fantasy of it all.
The writing style is OK, a little clunky in parts but not enough to disrupt the flow of the story for me. It makes me want to pick up another book by this author to see if the style is consistent.
The epilogue was very nice, a sweet ending that allowed me to turn the last page with a smile on my face secure in Kaden and Logan's HEA.
I recommend this book for readers who love heart wrenching, utterly romantic stories and can enjoy a good yarn without dwelling on the believability of all the details.
3.5 Stars
The story is a bit over the top, both in the way Kaden is put through the wringer time and time again, and in the way the relationship between Kaden and Logan develops without a hitch. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it very much because I am one of those readers that can easily suspend disbelief and be swept away by the story, and the fantasy of it all.
The writing style is OK, a little clunky in parts but not enough to disrupt the flow of the story for me. It makes me want to pick up another book by this author to see if the style is consistent.
The epilogue was very nice, a sweet ending that allowed me to turn the last page with a smile on my face secure in Kaden and Logan's HEA.
I recommend this book for readers who love heart wrenching, utterly romantic stories and can enjoy a good yarn without dwelling on the believability of all the details.
3.5 Stars
March 12, 2013
This story was harder for me to rate than most other books. It wasn't a bad book, there are just things that you think.. 'Seriously...it's just that easy, huh?'. I just decided to read and not think to much into some things and just enjoyed the relationship grow with trust and love between the MCs and to get to see how much Kaden changes from the 1st few pages is a joy to see. He pulled at my heartstrings and I just wanted him to finally get his HEA.
January 11, 2013
This is a story about overcoming the debilitating impacts of abuse. I enjoyed the gentle pace of the story and the slow development of the relationship between Logan and Kaden as they slowly learned to trust one another and open their hearts. Admittedly Kaden did appear to make huge steps forward without professional help but this could be forgiven in the context of the story. I am giving it 4 stars as I was really in the mood for a story about hope and healing so it hit the mark!
hahaha-no-no-no
March 29, 2013if it's too sweet for Blacky, then i would probably kill myself...
May 4, 2013
When I first read this book I was not expecting to be brought on an emotional journey I ended up on. I fell in love with the two MC's and Shay as well as the story and build up to the love story that was told here. I'm the first to admit this will not be everyone's cup of tea. There was a lot of "unrealistic" parts, but I don't read everything to learn, sometimes I just want to feel.
Kayden is an abused teenager, He is nervous around people and self-harms because of his past. Kayden is a very soft, gentle young man. I fell in love with him as he continued to struggle with his demons.
When he needs a job he is sent to Montana to work for Logan on his ranch. It builds from there and they become friends. Logan is straight and he dates women. We also have his sister Shay, who was an important character to the story.
The romance in this slowly built. But Logan falls in love with Kayden and after some time they begin something special. It takes time and some confessions before they are able to go very far with their relationship. I adored watching them fall in love and Logan was so gentle with Kayden, it really did melt my heart.
The last few chapters were tough and I felt really bad for Kayden, he was already suffering and then The epilogue was especially nice and I found the story could not have ended any better if it had tried.
Highly recommend this beautiful story!
Kayden is an abused teenager, He is nervous around people and self-harms because of his past. Kayden is a very soft, gentle young man. I fell in love with him as he continued to struggle with his demons.
When he needs a job he is sent to Montana to work for Logan on his ranch. It builds from there and they become friends. Logan is straight and he dates women. We also have his sister Shay, who was an important character to the story.
The romance in this slowly built. But Logan falls in love with Kayden and after some time they begin something special. It takes time and some confessions before they are able to go very far with their relationship. I adored watching them fall in love and Logan was so gentle with Kayden, it really did melt my heart.
The last few chapters were tough and I felt really bad for Kayden, he was already suffering and then The epilogue was especially nice and I found the story could not have ended any better if it had tried.
Highly recommend this beautiful story!
November 16, 2010
This had such potential. It started well, good premise, interesting characters, but deteriorated as it went on. It got completely unrealistic and way too melodramatic.
In the beginning the characters were all compelling and believable, but about 2/3 of the way through the book it all went down hill. I don't know any straight men who's reaction to finding themselves attracted to a guy for the first time in their lives would be to shrug and just go with it without freaking out in the least, tiniest little bit. Just a tiny freak out? A single moment of WTF? No? Ok, then.
Also, at the end of the book the dialog got too sappy even for me. I don't know any women who talk like that, much less men. "You are my life without you I'm nothing?" Really? Only place I've ever seen dialog like that is really bad soap operas.
I was just disappointed. It was almost like the author lost control of the characters and they ran off to Dramatic Declaration Land.
Oh, and constantly referring to Kaden as "the teenager" just made it kinda creepy.
I will try other JR Loveless books because I did like the way the book started and I like damaged characters.
In the beginning the characters were all compelling and believable, but about 2/3 of the way through the book it all went down hill. I don't know any straight men who's reaction to finding themselves attracted to a guy for the first time in their lives would be to shrug and just go with it without freaking out in the least, tiniest little bit. Just a tiny freak out? A single moment of WTF? No? Ok, then.
Also, at the end of the book the dialog got too sappy even for me. I don't know any women who talk like that, much less men. "You are my life without you I'm nothing?" Really? Only place I've ever seen dialog like that is really bad soap operas.
I was just disappointed. It was almost like the author lost control of the characters and they ran off to Dramatic Declaration Land.
Oh, and constantly referring to Kaden as "the teenager" just made it kinda creepy.
I will try other JR Loveless books because I did like the way the book started and I like damaged characters.
April 26, 2013
This is the story of an abuse teenager that lands on a ranch in Montana. Kaden James can't keep a job for long due to his abuse issues. He takes a job in Montana at the urging of his counselor. This becomes Kaden's lifeline. He meets a giant gentle cowboy in the owner Logan Micheals. His life changes forever. This is a very gentle loving romance. The best part of this story though is how the author understands the dynamics of abuse, not just sexual but any type. It makes the reader want to hold and hug Kaden time after time. Sometimes it gets a little cheesy, but I can forgive that, since the story as a whole is well done. If you have never dealt with abuse, this will give you a good insight into it's victims. I would also like to say if age difference makes you uneasy, you might want to pass. However, Kaden is legal, even though younger than most stories I read.
I give it a hug full of stars.
I give it a hug full of stars.
October 25, 2010
I just finished reading and really loved this book. It is slow-paced and holds your heart from the beginning. Kaden is so traumatised from his child abuse, suffering PTSD, and with each page of the book he is slowly healing. Logan and Shea help him by offering unconditional love, caring for him and giving him a family.
I hope there will be a sequel 'cause I really would love to read more about this couple.
I hope there will be a sequel 'cause I really would love to read more about this couple.
March 6, 2013
too much forced drama and corny dialogue in this book.
November 13, 2023
Starts out decently enough, I thought, but maybe I was just willfully ignoring the problems out of desperation. Hurt/comfort cowboy mlm isn’t the most popular genre, and in a lot of cases I’m happy to just take what I can get.
This isn’t written very well. Dialogue is forced and robotic and there’s a hell of a lot more telling than showing *especially* the closer you get to the end. You know that once you’ve introduced a sick kid in a hospital, it’s all over.
Suspension of belief is par for the course in this kinda thing, but it is really hard for me to buy that Logan somehow immediately knows all of the ins and outs of gay sex with zero experience.
This isn’t written very well. Dialogue is forced and robotic and there’s a hell of a lot more telling than showing *especially* the closer you get to the end. You know that once you’ve introduced a sick kid in a hospital, it’s all over.
Suspension of belief is par for the course in this kinda thing, but it is really hard for me to buy that Logan somehow immediately knows all of the ins and outs of gay sex with zero experience.
Read
March 14, 2011For sure the purpose of this story is to touch deeply and strongly the emotions of the reader; Kaden is a traumatized young man, at only 19 years old he has already a past of years of abuses and also violence, and so, even if only one time the author will explicitly say that, we are dealing with a case of pedophilia. All of this will make clear to the reader that this is not an easy story and so some of the feelings you can have for the characters have to be weighted with that.
Kaden is young, lithe and very feminine; adding to that he is also deeply scared by anyone who is stronger than him, and so basically by all men. In this condition it’s clear that he cannot have a normal relationship, above all since he cannot have a normal life. When he loses yet another job, the owner of the body rental agency offers him a three months contract as cook in a Montana ranch; of course the reader will immediately think, but it’s really necessary to go and search a cook in New York City if you are in Montana? And of course there is probably a good explanation for that, Logan, the ranch owner, doesn’t really need a cook, but his cousin, the owner of the body rental agency, asks him a personal favour, he wants to find a nice and safe place for the young man. At first I though he had some personal agenda for the boy, but then I realized that he really wanted the best for Kaden.
And no, if you are thinking he was matchmaking, it’s not like that; Logan is not gay, he is only a very good man and good to the core; he will never ever hurt someone else, man or animal. When he finds himself with a skittish Kaden around, he understands that he needs to give him space, to heal and gain stability and courage. The love that blossoms between them is probably fuelled by Logan’s good heart, by his need to take care of who is weaker.
Of course the sexual relationship between Kaden and Logan will not be immediate, and Logan will wait patiently and carefully for his little one, as he nicknamed Kaden, to be ready for him; Kaden will set the pace and Logan will never once try to rush him.
I’m not sure everyone will like this novel, Kaden is really a difficult character, he is troubled, scared, mentally and physically abused; to some people he can appear weak, but I think he is everything other than weak, even when he knows he is hurting himself, he is aware of why he is doing so. Kaden needs only time to repossess his life, body and mind. Logan is easier to like since he is basically perfect, maybe a little too touchy when someone misunderstands his actions (even if he hadn’t explained them), but sincerely nothing huge or inexcusable.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1615815740/?...
Kaden is young, lithe and very feminine; adding to that he is also deeply scared by anyone who is stronger than him, and so basically by all men. In this condition it’s clear that he cannot have a normal relationship, above all since he cannot have a normal life. When he loses yet another job, the owner of the body rental agency offers him a three months contract as cook in a Montana ranch; of course the reader will immediately think, but it’s really necessary to go and search a cook in New York City if you are in Montana? And of course there is probably a good explanation for that, Logan, the ranch owner, doesn’t really need a cook, but his cousin, the owner of the body rental agency, asks him a personal favour, he wants to find a nice and safe place for the young man. At first I though he had some personal agenda for the boy, but then I realized that he really wanted the best for Kaden.
And no, if you are thinking he was matchmaking, it’s not like that; Logan is not gay, he is only a very good man and good to the core; he will never ever hurt someone else, man or animal. When he finds himself with a skittish Kaden around, he understands that he needs to give him space, to heal and gain stability and courage. The love that blossoms between them is probably fuelled by Logan’s good heart, by his need to take care of who is weaker.
Of course the sexual relationship between Kaden and Logan will not be immediate, and Logan will wait patiently and carefully for his little one, as he nicknamed Kaden, to be ready for him; Kaden will set the pace and Logan will never once try to rush him.
I’m not sure everyone will like this novel, Kaden is really a difficult character, he is troubled, scared, mentally and physically abused; to some people he can appear weak, but I think he is everything other than weak, even when he knows he is hurting himself, he is aware of why he is doing so. Kaden needs only time to repossess his life, body and mind. Logan is easier to like since he is basically perfect, maybe a little too touchy when someone misunderstands his actions (even if he hadn’t explained them), but sincerely nothing huge or inexcusable.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1615815740/?...
August 30, 2022
First Read January 20 to 22, 2015,
Second Read July 15 2016
Third read August 25-26 2022
This book was so wonderful and I loved Kaden from page one. Logan was just as great and even though he was a tough cowboy he was the best thing ever for Kaden.
Kaden had a horrible childhood after his mother got remarried. The guy would abuse and molest him. It got worse after his mom died of cancer leaving him with his step dad. When he was fifteen he got out of it all, but the wounds and pain had already been done to him.
Logan's cousin Terry sent Kaden to him as a cook because he felt bad for Kaden. Kaden couldn't keep a job more than a week because he's terrified of big men. The ranch does him wonders and so does his cooking for the ranch hands.
There are a few problems one being his fear and a ranch hand named Franklin who before the end of the book has Kaden hurt. It was awful what the man did, but luckily he was saved by Logan.
It wasn't just from Franklin that Logan saved him though. He pulled him from his fear, from his panic attacks that had him hurting his self to keep from the memories of his past.
Shea, Logan's sister who's the same age as Kaden helps Kaden and becomes his friend. She's so happy for her Kaden and her brother who finally make their way to each other before the book is over.
The nickname that Logan uses makes me smile because he shows through out the book that Kaden is loved and for the first time since his mother died he is cared about.
I'd love to read more books by J.R. Loveless because she is an excellent author and I fell for this book and the way she wrote it. The way she gave details was perfect and I could see it unfolding on the page.
Second Read July 15 2016
Third read August 25-26 2022
This book was so wonderful and I loved Kaden from page one. Logan was just as great and even though he was a tough cowboy he was the best thing ever for Kaden.
Kaden had a horrible childhood after his mother got remarried. The guy would abuse and molest him. It got worse after his mom died of cancer leaving him with his step dad. When he was fifteen he got out of it all, but the wounds and pain had already been done to him.
Logan's cousin Terry sent Kaden to him as a cook because he felt bad for Kaden. Kaden couldn't keep a job more than a week because he's terrified of big men. The ranch does him wonders and so does his cooking for the ranch hands.
There are a few problems one being his fear and a ranch hand named Franklin who before the end of the book has Kaden hurt. It was awful what the man did, but luckily he was saved by Logan.
It wasn't just from Franklin that Logan saved him though. He pulled him from his fear, from his panic attacks that had him hurting his self to keep from the memories of his past.
Shea, Logan's sister who's the same age as Kaden helps Kaden and becomes his friend. She's so happy for her Kaden and her brother who finally make their way to each other before the book is over.
The nickname that Logan uses makes me smile because he shows through out the book that Kaden is loved and for the first time since his mother died he is cared about.
I'd love to read more books by J.R. Loveless because she is an excellent author and I fell for this book and the way she wrote it. The way she gave details was perfect and I could see it unfolding on the page.
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