Pickup Men (Pickup Men, #1) in Riptide Publishing

May 24, 2014 Ery rated it it was ok

I think this one was just not for me- too much drama; didn't pull me in. ...more

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Jun 25, 2013 Shirley Frances rated it liked it

Shelves: 2013, mm-read, mm-series, read-2-review, reviewed, glbt

When I read the blurb for this book, the premise of the story caught my eye. I love my cowboys and I love my drama and this book seemed like it would have plenty of both. However, I have to admit that although I got my cowboys, I didn't get enough of the drama. Well, okay, maybe that's not completely true. There was plenty of drama, I just feel like the wasn't enough 'ufff' behind the story to live up to my expectations. Maybe the story should have been longer, maybe they needed to fight the obs When I read the blurb for this book, the premise of the story caught my eye. I love my cowboys and I love my drama and this book seemed like it would have plenty of both. However, I have to admit that although I got my cowboys, I didn't get enough of the drama. Well, okay, maybe that's not completely true. There was plenty of drama, I just feel like the wasn't enough 'ufff' behind the story to live up to my expectations. Maybe the story should have been longer, maybe they needed to fight the obstacles thrown at them a bit more. I don't know, I just feet like the story lacked something and I can't put my finger on it so bear with me!

Tripp loved Marty, but he was in the closet and afraid to come out. Mind you, his fear was completely understandable. I admired how he admitted to his feelings for Marty and his determination to make things right. I especially enjoyed his time in San Francisco, but I can't help but think that his struggles were neatly wrapped up to give us the HEA that came in the end. He was a mess in the beginning and I find it hard to believe that he could let that fear go so suddenly. Later on he was a bigger mess and still everything was worked out without a lot of fuss.

Marty, on the other hand, was a sight for sore eyes. Openly gay and fully backed by his friends and family, he accepted whatever repercussions came from being openly gay in the rodeo. I admired his strength to give up the man he loved and be himself. He was honest and real and those were the traits that endeared him to me. I loved that he loved Tripp so fiercely, but I loved more that he stood by his decision to let Tripp make his own decision about coming out.

L.C. Chase did a great job of bringing Tripp and Marty's connection to the page in a way that made it feel like these two had a chance to be together, I just wish that she would have approached it differently. There were things that worked for me, but there were just as many things that didn't. Tripp and Marty's interactions were both sincere and emotional which I liked, but sometimes they bordered on unbelievably cheesy. This I could mostly overlook and I did. But although Tripp and Marty's chemistry was clearly palpable through the page (which I also liked!), some of their sex scenes fell flat for me. It was hard for me to believe that Tripp and Marty were the ones participating in them. It was a bit too much for me, especially coming from these two cowboys. It was more like reading and M/F love scene (which I also like), but not when it's between two cowboys.

So as you can see, it's a mix of good and bad.

All in all, Pickup Men was a sweet, romantic story that tells the journey of two men coming together after overcoming some difficult issues. It may not have been everything I was expecting, but it was an okay entertaining read nonetheless. If you like cowboys stories this give one a try. Maybe what didn't work for me, works for you.

I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange of my honest opinion.
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Dec 16, 2015 OkayKim rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: audio

Good narration!

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Jul 15, 2013 Rachel Emily rated it really liked it

Shelves: contemporary-m-m, romance-m-m, cowboys-m-m, coming-out-m-m

I really enjoyed this. Talk about some angst! I really loved the writing, the characters, I loved Marty's friends especially, and I rooted so much for Marty and Tripp from start to finish! ...more

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May 21, 2014 Tj rated it liked it

Shelves: have, have-kindle, read-2014

Nice enough read. It lacked a little something though. Writing was good and descriptions were good. Problem was there was just nothing real outstanding to it either. Still a solid read.

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