This is a spin-off series from the Clean Slate Ranch series…I don’t know that you necessarily need to read that series but there are a lot of characteThis is a spin-off series from the Clean Slate Ranch series…I don’t know that you necessarily need to read that series but there are a lot of characters from it in this book and we get to know Hugo in the last couple of books from that series. The premise is a little different but still sort of the same…a struggling ranch that is trying something new that offers help to those who need it when they need it most. And there is a lack of communication between characters which seems to be the theme for all these books.
A couple of times Hugo said he should have stayed in California and I’m kind of with him on that one. He did get to reunite with his childhood friend, Rem, which was good for him. But honestly, he just continued to get kicked while he was down. The Woods family does stand by him when he needs them, like when he was a teenager going through his original troubles.
As for the romance…it was kind of blah. Brand was kind of just blah. He repeatedly reminded Hugo he was an employee and that he was doing what he could to take care of said employee. When his friend tells him what he’s done…he sort of apologizes but it’s all very befuddled and even the lifetime crush thing didn’t feel right. Brand was caveman-ish when he claimed he’d do whatever it took to protect Hugo, but it just didn’t work for me with these two.
And the way Brand was brought out of the closet by his dad and the way his dad reacted was a lot.
I read this because I got it from Netgalley and I’ll read the next one because, same, but I probably will be done once I get through that one because I’m sort of over it. ...more
Like the last couple of books in this series there was a lack of communication which led to a misunderstanding. I’m not a fan of that but these guys wLike the last couple of books in this series there was a lack of communication which led to a misunderstanding. I’m not a fan of that but these guys worked their issues out relatively quickly (at least in page time).
I really like George and Levi together…they suffered similarly in the past and don’t trust easily but find they can trust each other. They truly become friends and then lovers which helps form a better relationship.
We see most of the cast of characters as with all the books and it looks like there is a spin-off series coming up which I’ll probably visit. ...more
Hmmm…I don’t really understand this one. They both claimed to not want a relationship however, their inner dialog was the exact opposite of that and tHmmm…I don’t really understand this one. They both claimed to not want a relationship however, their inner dialog was the exact opposite of that and they both pretty quickly wanted this to be a real relationship. It drove me NUTS again with the lack of communication on this one.
Slater is going through the healing process both physically and emotionally while coming to terms with his past. With Derek’s help, he’s able to mend those fences and get through his pain. These guys have amazing sexual chemistry and get along well, they just couldn’t seem to talk to each other about what really mattered to each other.
Again, there is a great cast of characters from both the ranch and Derek's shared house.
I’m moving on to the next book because I’m seriously curious about George! ...more
I’m up and down with this series. I get it. They’re cowboys and don’t trust easily because they’ve all been hurt before and a3.5 Stars so rounding up.
I’m up and down with this series. I get it. They’re cowboys and don’t trust easily because they’ve all been hurt before and are here to recover and get back at life. The lack of communication is something I truly dislike in books. These two had a lack of communication in SPADES. I did, however, appreciate the slow burn and friendship building of these guys because they needed the time as neither of them was completely healed from past issues.
Robin frustrated me to no end with his lack of communication and the way he left Shawn doubting himself. He was still working through the loss of his husband, and he really should have been honest with Shawn from the beginning. When he finally gets over himself, he still leaves Shawn doubting. I’m glad he worked things out with his family and eventually realized he needed Shawn. The gifts he gives Shawn are amazing.
Shawn went through something very traumatic as a teen and he still hasn’t recovered. Shawn does help him past this…a little bit and Shawn is able to see his family again. Even though he suffers another tragedy, he’s stronger for it.
I’m moving on to the next in the series as I do like the arc of the ranch and its healing powers. ...more
I loved Joe when we met him in Vow Maker, so I was very excited to see him get a book. Some of this book was fantastic and some of it wasn’t. I HATE aI loved Joe when we met him in Vow Maker, so I was very excited to see him get a book. Some of this book was fantastic and some of it wasn’t. I HATE a lack of communication between main characters, especially when that is the cause of the major angst and the really detailed story of other people getting married completely put me off.
I know Joe is a wedding planner, but the details about Erica and Ryan’s wedding went on too much and took away from Joe and Lachlan’s story. I started to skim when we were getting details about their nuptials.
They have a definite meet cute and as much as I liked Lachlan when we meet him and how much he likes Joe, he pissed me off with the way he treated Joe when they get married. I was also frustrated that all the angst happened off-page and we just get pulled in after the fact. And the why was a bit contradictory…he was scared that Joe was pulling away, so he thought a shotgun wedding was the answer but when he had him as a husband he kept him at arm’s length because of how he felt?
When the two of them are together at the few weddings at the beginning they were great together – hot sexual chemistry, great banter, and they seemed to hit it off emotionally, even though Lachlan denied it. Then we skipped to the angst and the boring wedding…but after that when they are snowed in at the hotel in Scotland, they’re back to being great together. And then all is well.
I would have liked a little more between them working well as husbands but I guess we’re OK for now. It looks like this is the start of a series and I’m assuming Jeb/Arthur and then Rafferty will get books which I’m down for…as long as we don’t have a lot of lack of or miscommunication and long wedding details....more
I’ve joined a couple of book challenges this year so I’m reading more books recommended by folks that I don’t know personally. Thi**Audiobook Review**
I’ve joined a couple of book challenges this year so I’m reading more books recommended by folks that I don’t know personally. This is not working out well for me. I had high hopes for this book but alas, it did not work for me.
I listened instead of reading. I don’t know if this helped or hurt my opinion of the book. There are multiple points of view…I’m trying to remember and count in my head, and I think there were six, but I may be forgetting someone. The female vocal performers were fine, but the male(s) drove me crazy with the whispered lines and nasally voices.
There is so much jumping from the day before the wedding to the wedding day to the wedding night to earlier that day and so on that it was EXTREMELY hard to follow. Thankfully, I was just trying to get to the end of the book, so I didn’t care that much about the timing.
Not one character is likable. At all. I thought the wedding planner was a good character for a while, but it turns out she wasn’t in the end. Hannah was OK, I guess. I felt awful for Olivia. Everyone else is completely unredeemable.
I only finished this to see whodunit but honestly, by the end, I didn’t care. I'm glad this was a borrowed book from the library and not one I paid for. ...more
Very detailed stories of what happened to homosexual people during WWII. It is horrible to read about...but I did find my mind wandering quite a bit aVery detailed stories of what happened to homosexual people during WWII. It is horrible to read about...but I did find my mind wandering quite a bit as the stories were repetitive. I definitely think it's critical for anyone wanting to know about homosexual history in the US to read this book....more
Ms. Johnson is an auto read for me, so this was a no brainer. My brain exploded a little bit when it dawned on me that Nora (Luka’s sister) is from NoMs. Johnson is an auto read for me, so this was a no brainer. My brain exploded a little bit when it dawned on me that Nora (Luka’s sister) is from Not So Sincerely Yours…and Andreas and Ethan are briefly mentioned.
This book is heavy and sweet and a couple of my favorite tropes (second chance romance and friends-to-lovers) all wrapped up in a bow. I love that Luka and Rook are rediscovering each other and finding that they’re the same as always where it counts – in their love for each other.
As Rook has his sexual awakening, he reminisces about when they were children through a new lens and discovers what he was looking for was right in front of him the whole time, he just didn’t see it. Luka tried to go live his life away from home and Rook and basically hated it. It was that separation that woke them both up to what they wanted – each other.
Small towns are always a favorite of mine and Luka finds he loves it too…much to his surprise. There are a bunch of great characters that I can’t wait to learn more about in future books....more
This is a cute, quick read typical of Ms. Hayes. The cover is AMAZING.
Scott and Theo have a definite meet cute on the airplane where Theo wedges his This is a cute, quick read typical of Ms. Hayes. The cover is AMAZING.
Scott and Theo have a definite meet cute on the airplane where Theo wedges his way under Scott’s skin. Theo is having a bit of a life crisis and is taking time off to regroup. He’s finding himself and helping Scott live again. Scott has basically been just grumping his way through life for the last few years. Theo brings a smile to his face and gives him a reason to celebrate life, not just move through it.
Thankfully, there isn’t a lack of communication or any misunderstanding. Scott takes the bull by the horns when things could be a mess. The story is predictable but adorable.
I’m looking forward to listening to the audiobook next! ...more
I’ve been a fan of Ms. Grace for years, so I was excited to read this one. It fell a little short of my expectations though.
I have a massive problem wI’ve been a fan of Ms. Grace for years, so I was excited to read this one. It fell a little short of my expectations though.
I have a massive problem with the resolution with Bruce. And yes, I know I must suspend reality when reading but that was a bit much for me.
The story just didn’t seem complete. I’m never a fan of instalove which definitely happens here and with this type of relationship, you definitely need more groundwork.
Everything just falls into place for Jesse which is fine but there was no real substance to the story.
If you’re looking for a quick, sugary sweet story with instalove and a very SMALL brush with daddy/boy kink then you will like this book. ...more
This is a book of second chances. A second chance for family for the twins. A second chance at finding happily ever after for Finn. A second chance atThis is a book of second chances. A second chance for family for the twins. A second chance at finding happily ever after for Finn. A second chance at life for Nash. And somehow even a second chance for a beloved family restaurant. There are some heavy themes in this one but some comfort and healing. I liked these guys together…they balance each other nicely. Having a history makes the getting-to-know-you phase a little easier as well.
My one complaint is the development of the relationship mainly happened off page and we learned about it through ruminations in one of the men’s inner dialogs. I would have liked to read more about their dates (even the family outings).
This can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read any other books in this series and had no issues with this by itself. ...more
I usually devour Ms. Hogan's books and I was super excited to get a book with mature characters. This book took me a week to get through and I think iI usually devour Ms. Hogan's books and I was super excited to get a book with mature characters. This book took me a week to get through and I think it was because of some of my frustrations with major parts of this book.
When Nash and Jed are together and they don’t let all the outside bullsh!t interfere with them, they are great together. Their relationship is real. Their bodies failing and being tired all the time is real. I also liked the opposites attract theme…Jed is a blue-collar mechanic and Jed is an educated, refined character.
Jed’s family PISSED ME OFF. Part of the problem was Jed letting them get away with everything for so long. Scott was a piece of crap. Abbie took advantage of her father and butted in where she shouldn’t have. Tamsin still has her nose in Jed’s business and I was glad she was an ally but it was too much. How did her husband not have a problem with her so in Jed’s business? And the big blow-up was expected and predictable and I did not like it one bit. Why should Jed’s kids have ANY input in his love life?
And what happened with Nash and the board??? I wanted some closure there.
Unfortunately, this was not a big hit for me. :( ...more
I read the This Man series about 9 years ago and I don’t know if I have matured in my reading or I’m just grumpy now, but I didn’t care for t***DNF***
I read the This Man series about 9 years ago and I don’t know if I have matured in my reading or I’m just grumpy now, but I didn’t care for this as much as I seem to have back then. It took me about 10 days to get through this one and I forced myself to finish.
The back and forth between them, initiated by both of them; the ‘f*cking to forget’, Sarah, the other women Jesse interacted with, and the ‘I’m in love even though we haven’t had a conversation and ever interaction has been sexual in nature’ was all just too much.
Yes, Jesse’s past was horrible. Yes, he deserves something good in life. Yes, he needs therapy, not another dependent addiction.
I started skimming around the 30% mark and gave up around 50%. ...more
I've binged 3 of her books on audio in the last couple of months but this one is my favorite. I loved everything about this book and can't wait to reaI've binged 3 of her books on audio in the last couple of months but this one is my favorite. I loved everything about this book and can't wait to read/listen to more from this author. ...more
I wouldn’t call these guys grumpy…more jaded and hurt on/around Christmas. They’ve bo***Audiobook Review***
This is a VERY quick, cute, holiday listen.
I wouldn’t call these guys grumpy…more jaded and hurt on/around Christmas. They’ve both had hurtful experiences on or near the holiday, so they’ve only had bad memories associated with it. They slowly show each other how to make the season bright. And of course, they have a happy ending.
There’s only cursory history of both characters but enough to understand why they hate the holiday. There’s no deep dive into the hurt/comfort theme. The relationship develops quickly but it works for the story. There are a couple of ‘good boys' thrown in which I would have loved to see more about had the book been longer.
Michael Dean does a good job of performing the book.
Overall, this is as good a Christmas read as any I’ve read this season. ...more
My review is going to be all over the place because that’s how I felt about the book.
I listened to Winter Oranges right before l***Audiobook Review***
My review is going to be all over the place because that’s how I felt about the book.
I listened to Winter Oranges right before listening to this one (these are definitely not standalones) and thought it was unique and entertaining. I love Ben and how Jason loves him and that doesn’t change in this book. In fact, I probably like them more now because they were awesome in this book.
I didn’t like Dylan at the beginning of this book, and I can’t put my finger exactly on why. I didn’t like his interactions with Jason and the way he talked about him and Ben was odd until he figures out what he was doing.
Connor is good for Dylan in making him work for his affection. But I didn’t like either of them much until the big reveal near the end. They had moments of both good and bad.
I figured out who Connor’s uncle was pretty early on but there is more to the story that surprised me a little bit.
It took me several days to listen to this and I think that’s because I was frustrated and bored sometimes. I did like the story overall though which is the “all over the place” comment above.
The audio is good…Nick Russo does a fantastic job, especially with Ben. However, I still have a HUGE issue with him adding an ‘L’ to the end of words that don’t have one and it makes me angry every time it happens, to the point it takes me out of the story (draw becomes drawl, saw becomes sawl, etc).
Hmmm…my favorite character in this book wasn’t Dylan or Gabe and that doesn’t seem right.
And I agree with some other reviewers, the title confuses me.Hmmm…my favorite character in this book wasn’t Dylan or Gabe and that doesn’t seem right.
And I agree with some other reviewers, the title confuses me. Gabe and Dylan adamantly agreed NOT to write vows nor did we hear them exchange the standard vows so that’s a little confusing.
I liked seeing these two get married but after such a long engagement I wanted more love or comfort for the reason for the delay of the event, not slapstick angst. There is most definitely some entertaining snark and banter else it wouldn’t be a Lily Morton book.
I’m ready for a book for Joe. When is that happening? ...more
Loading...
