Urban fantasy binge reading continues, this time with a author well established as a terrific writer of fantastical, magical tales and series.
I must have missed Sam Burnsā fantasy fairytale story first time around. So I was happy to make its acquaintance by chance now, lured in by its great cover and evocative title. Why did du Maurierās Rebecca spring to mind? Nevertheless, it pulled me right in.
Told from the pov of Wainwright, a cat and companion to Luke, youngest of three Miller brothers. Parents recently deceased and the older brothers have decided to deprive Luke of his rightful inheritance and chase him from his home, with only the cat and his grandfatherās book in his possession.
Lukeās shaky, uncertain perspective comes in later as the young man struggles to survive on the streets without resources, unwilling to part from Wainwright.
Unaware that Wainwright is trying to provide for them both and just might be more than either of them suspect.
The Cat Returns To Adderly turns into one of those stories that engages your imagination as well as your heart. Sam Burns builds such fascinating characters here! And not just the main characters of Luke and Alastair. But that circle of witches that attend to the Market just cries out for an expanded version or more stories. How powerful a presence were they!
Plus I needed more knowledge of Lukeās grandfather and that book! And poor Elz. And and andā¦ā¦
Itās a parade of intriguing characters here. And all I wanted to know was more more more. Of what came next. Of what happened in the pastā¦ just everything.
Because thereās more elements here that needed a wider universe and plain bigger novel (s).
This? Itās great. But the promise for over the top magnificent? Itās everywhere.
Read it and see if you agree.
Yes Iām definitely c recommending this.
Synopsis:
Orphaned, Luke Miller is left alone and homeless with only his cat for company. But Wentworth is more than an average feline, and when Luke makes a set of leather boots to keep his paws safe, it might help them both find the path to where they belong.
Previously published in Fables Retold under the same title
Resilient Heart is an expanded short story that appeared in an earlier released collection of stories. Here the author has added an additional 10k words to give her characters a closure to their romance.
I didnāt read the first version and love this author so I thought this was a new release and took it that way when reading it.
Albert takes on some very hard, emotionally traumatic themes in Resilient Heart. Very current and tragic ones that are still impacting families and the country today. Thatās our disabled veterans, and their dire need for support and treatment. Itās just not from our current wars and engagements but also from Desert Storm and wars past. The effects of war donāt cease to exist because the war does, history has taught us that.
Itās a lesson Iām not sure weāve learned.
These themes are woven through a years long relationship/romance between two soldiers. Mackie and Xander. Itās Xander whoās in need of support and treatment, not that heās accepting it.
Xanderās life is shattered along with his NETCOM unit when a IED exploded under their truck, killing most, leaving Xander scarred and an amputee. You might say Xander stands in for that population of our disabled vets, angry, depressed, a victim of PTSD and with a body he no longer recognizes.
A two person POV narrative helps the reader get under Xanderās mindset all the times heās struggling with his emotional and physical ābattlesā and losing. Xanderās not comprehending what is happening to him mentally or equipped to deal emotionally with his disability and ending his career with the Army.
Mackey is harder to connect with here for me because much of the information heās withheld from Xander is also withheld from the reader. Heās back in Xanderās life, after totally realigning his career for Xander and Xanderās rehabilitation. This after years of apparently a friends with benefits only relationship. Nothing more.
Even with Mackieās perspective, Iām not sure I didnāt agree with Xander most of the time here and think nope, no clarity. Itās a complete guilt trip for Mackie.
So when the truth does come out, and the climax of the story hits, it works against the romance for me in a way perhaps the author didnāt intend.
Mackie not only never gave Xander any options or opportunity to have any say but even after itās out, Xander never completely āownsā his truth. Calls himself a coward but never tells Mackie the truth, his truth about those decisions. What he, Xander, would have done given the opportunity. Instead, he keeps it āhidden ā. No clarity between them still.
Felt wrong, felt like an imbalance in this relationship. Just my opinion.
The event does get Xander into therapy and medication is realistic. It ends well for him.
Just an aside. Walter Reed or the Naval Medical Hospital as it both known here locally is 243 acres of clinics, doctors and specialists. Itās sits across the street from NIH, which Iām very familiar with. It too is a small city at its head is a certain Dr. Fauci. National Institute of Health is a small city of 300 acres of buildings, clinics, doctors and scientists. Itās not unusual to see uniforms walking between campuses and white jackets scurrying under the lights across 355 as workdays and worlds intertwine.
Albert certainly gets the area right.
However, Walter Reed has just 244 hospital beds available. The local area alone? Home to Fort Derrick , Andrews AFB, Ft McNair, Joint Base Ft Myer-Henderson, Ft Meade, Aberdeen, more than I can name off the top of my head. You have any idea how many military are deployed in and around this area? 244 beds? Do the RL disabled vets get the same type of experience as Xander? Immediate response to the need for assistance, for therapy, and support? Not really, most donāt.
I only wish it were so.
While I enjoyed the romance Iām not sure a short story can unpack all the aspects of the huge themes and emotional elements Albert was trying to deal with here and do them justice.
There was too much left to discuss in what Mackie had done , to them and their relationship as well as what the repercussions had meant going forward. That was sort of brushed off.
As was his depression and PTSD. That was taken care of far more easily then it often happens in RL. The reality I know of the VA and the disabled veterans clashes too much with the rosy picture painted here.
So yes, some lovely things and some things that seem less than realized. I think thatās due primarily to the length and not the author.
If you like Annabeth Albert, you might have already read this story and will enjoy the relationship epilogue.
Her Out of Uniform series are terrific and Iād look there for a great series to start.
Synopsis:
Originally released as part of the Unconditional Surrender bundle, now available as a stand-alone novella complete with BRAND-NEW 10,000 word short story/epilogue. When a wounded soldier is forced to accept help from his former best friend, both men discover the true strength of their entwined hearts.
Army IT specialist Xander keeps his emotions wired as tight as his NETCOM gear, but when heās seriously injured by an IED, his whole life unravels. Running out of options, Xander must accept help from his ex-friend-with-benefits, Mackey. However, Xanderās had feelings for Mackey for years, and close quarters only complicates his emotions. Further, Xander doesnāt know which is worse: combating his inner demons or dealing with Mackeyās guilty kindnesses.
Mackeyās always kept his emotions close to his chest, but now heās got a secret that could destroy his one chance with the man he cares far too much for. Both men will have to heal their wounded hearts to ensure a future together.
Entwined Future: In this new short story, Mackey has news that could change everything for him and Xander, but a visit from Xander’s family jeopardizes Mackey’s plans–and forces Xander to confront some harsh truths
Recently Iāve been reading books with older characters, in their 40ās and one aspect Iāve appreciated about these stories from various authors is the open and adult communication that flows between most of these characters.
Firefly Lane is a great example of this level of open communication. It exists not just among the primary characters but also throughout the community of the town of Harmony, whether itās blunt questions or advice. Itās still on the open adult communication scale .
Hartās themes for this story run the gamut from the ability to grow and change oneās outlook, no matter your age to the notion that finding your true home has no timetable. Even such basics as you arenāt your parents. Thereās a multitude of storylines here. All unpacked with care and intelligence.
At the heart of the story is not a couple of men but more a intersecting triangles of families, all of equal importance to this story and beautifully crafted.
The first family that launches the novel and action is that of two siblings. Holden Barnett, pilot out of Atlanta, and his estranged younger sister, Marilee Young, and her teenage son Sean. The sister and son in deep need, living in Harmony, NC.
The second family, one thatās deeply established and well liked in town is that of Monroe āRoeā Covington of the huge Covington family, his teenage son Wyatt who he had with his best friend Lindsey. Roe is out gay man to all around him and has been since his teenage years, although his closeness to Lindsey has people thinking , wrongly, they still might get together.
The foundation Hart starts to lay down here for the series is solid. We feel a warm, layered community, full of interesting people, some busybodies, many far more intriguing and caring.
And as we see our way around Harmony and get to know the citizens, the past histories and real issues are coming to the surface within the two families.
Itās never just problems with Holden and Marilee and Sean. Because their heavy issues impact Roe, Wyatt, and Lindsey. All as we watch, we see parents/uncles weighing what effect their adult relationships will have on their sons as well as their sons/nephews relationships. Yes, people actually acting as responsible adults. Love it.
All the while, keeping the romance sexy, endearing, and vulnerable.
Thereās also a back history of parental abuse ( mentioned , never seen) with Holden and Marileeās folks as well as Seanās father Adam, Marileeās absent husband. That plays into much of the story here, and finally figures into the personal growth.
I found this to be a terrific story. So many layers, great characters and foundation Town to get acquainted with.
I canāt wait to the next in the series and eagerly look forward to seeing all these people and couples once more.
Synopsis: At forty-three, Holden Barnett is getting along just fine. His job as a pilot keeps him from getting restless, and heās got a man who doesnāt want promises for the future. One phone call from his estranged sister changes everything. She needs his help, so Holden drops everything and heads to Harmony, a small town in Briar County, which represents everything heās tried to avoid in life.
Monroe Covington is forty-five and happy. He loves his lifeārunning his store, helping at his familyās farm, and spending his days with his best friend, Lindsey, and their son, Wyatt. Sure, half the town likes to forget heās gay, and heād love for the queer population to be bigger, but Roe makes do. He misses dating, relationships, and a man to hold at night, but at least he gets new eye candy when Holden, the brother of the woman whoās renting his cabin, shows up.
The attraction is instant, the friendship not far behind, but between Holdenās initial relationship status, family complications, and the two of them wanting different things, theyāre a disaster waiting to happenā¦only it doesnāt feel that way, not with how much time they spend talking, laughing, and eventually, tumbling into bed, a field, or the back of a truck together. The closer they get, the more Holden realizes that just being fine isnāt enough, and Roe begins to see that his life isnāt as complete as he thought. Now, if they could only sort out the rest of itā¦
Firefly Lane is a small town, strangers-to-friends-to-lovers summer romance with no cheating, mature characters who talk out their problems, like to work with their hands, and have amazing chemistry. Did I mention they watch movies in the company of goats?
I mean I have all these other books lined upā¦mysteries, romance adventures, SyFi ā¦ but I keep coming back to these guys and their clumsy, adorable journeys to HEA and true love.
Take Nailed, please. No , really, grab this one right up. Especially if youāre in need of laughter as well as romance.
And dogs. Such adorable dogs. I ā¤ļø Rudy. And Nerd Dog.
I laughed so much here.
One because Stone is one irresistible teddy bear of, well, a gorgeous bear of a man. Sweet, doesnāt understand why everyone wouldnāt like him, huge heart.
Youāre going to adore him. Iām still cracking up over his understanding of traditional āsayings ā. I wonāt spoil them for you but they leave me in giggles even now, I just love him. I do. Soooo sexy too.
Then thereās the neighbor,Dare Maslow . A bit grumpy, solitary but all with good reason as we eventually find out. Layers with this one. Heās also the owner of the adorable Rudy.
This is such a great enemies to lovers story. I laughed so hard in places. I totally enjoyed their antics as they āfoughtā and pranked their way to love. To say that I was thoroughly entertained by every step of their tumultuous relationship is to put it mildly. From highly sexy romps to downright hilarity, this couple kept the story flowing fast and so smoothly I was at the end before I knew it and wanted to be.
Of course, all the other ābearsā and partners are there. Iāve gotten so fond of them as well.
Iām actually jumping over to Screwed because I just need that story NOW.
Iāll come back to Evās immediately after. Honestly, these men.
Anyway, Iām staying the course. Iām reading all the stories here until Iām finished with the series. I need the happiness and laughter these men are bringing into my life at the moment.
Itās such fun and light hearted joy. Iām highly recommending them. Especially this one.
Synopsis:
My new neighbor is a total tool.
He hated me from the second he laid eyes on me, and I donāt have the first clue whyā¦ But, if he wants to hate me, Iām happy to give him a few reasons: mowing the lawn at dawn on the weekend, leaving garbage cans in front of his driveway, renting a petting zoo for my backyard…making a list of ways to drive him crazy is half the fun.
He deserves it with the way heās driving me crazy right back without even tryingā walking around without a shirt on, sweaty rippling muscles on full display, well-worn denim jeans perfectly molded to his…well, you get the idea.
My point is, if he wants a war, Iāll give him one.
***Nailed is an enemies to lovers, neighbors who can’t stand each other, omg the anger banging, drool worthy, low angst story, which happens to be the second in my Four Bears Construction series. It CAN be read as a stand alone. There are NO shifters in this series, only the OTHER kind of bears
Here I am diving back into the Vino and Veritas series and Burlington,Vermont. Itās like coming home.
A bit of a change here in that the main characters are only peripherally connected to V & V instead of working at either establishment.
Caleb Holt, poet and accountant, adorable nerd , goes to live mic night and reads his poetry. Or does on the night he meets Tag.
That would be Titus āTag ā Taylor, former famous rocker now bee keeper and meadery owner. The rocker part of his life is behind him and something heās kept secret since he came to Burlington, giving up. Titus for Tag. An identity he far prefers.
From the moment they spot each other, itās a story of love at first sight or at least first meeting. These two are almost deeply committed to each other within a week.
And while they do a lot of talking, itās not completely honest. While Caleb, virgin that he is, is communicating his need for clarity and openness in a relationship Tag is inwardly justifying why he is hiding a huge part of who he was from Caleb. A huge something that has the potential to disrupt his life once again via the internet and paparazzi.
Once they get together, Tagās inability to tell Caleb is frustrating especially as he is given endless opportunities.
As a reader I far prefer my characters and couples to act like adults. And that means communication. Something missing here.
I love the whole beekeepering and meadery elements. Those just added such richness to this story and depth to the character of Tag. I really could see his love for his craft, the bees, and all the different meads he crafted. In fact, I was ready for a taste testing myself.
I really need to find a meadery.
Calebās family, overbearing and loving. Also a genuine plus. As was his poetry.
Donāt get me started on Queenie. Loved her.
But that relationship was quick, and a bit too instant love for me to commit to it immediately. I just was too wary. For Caleb , and then Tag.
I liked the epilogue. That was sweet and heartwarming.
Overall a sweet romance I put in the win column .
Synopsis:Save the bees, ride a rock star.
Formerly famous . . . and planning to keep it that way.
After my band kicked me out, I ran away to Vermont, changed my name, and kept my head down. So far, itās working and nobody knows who I am. Or who I was. Until I see geeky poet Caleb stumbling through his first open mic night and I canāt help rescuing him. Heās as sweet as the honey my bees make and sexy enough to make me rethink so many things. But I canāt tell him my secret, or Iāll lose the anonymous life I worked so hard to build.
Everyone warns me heās too good to be true.
I canāt believe a gorgeous, successful winemaker like Tag is into shy, geeky little accountant me. But he helps me blossom and believe in my talent, and works his way into my heart and my bedā¦ not necessarily in that order. Iām falling for a man for the first time, and now I know what the missing number in my equation has always been.
When lies are revealed, though, someoneās going to get stung
Iāve so often associated Marshall Thornton with his outstanding but often gritty , and dark stories and series (Boystown series and Pinx Video Mysteries series, both must reads) that I forget this author also writes extremely funny, effervescent novels.
Such as Fathers of the Bride, just released.
Incredibly witty, often with on point dialogue so sharp you could cut a razor thin slice of wagyu to serve up to whom ever is being dissected over an immaculately prepared menu. Talk about spew worthy sentences and comments made! Oh my!
A lovely wine or cocktail at hand and sitting around the table, characters so memorable and utterly charming as to win their way swiftly into your heart.
This book was just what I needed.
It starts off with a sharp little prologue from their daughter, Kelly Kettering-Lane. She begins remarking how much her name sounds more like a street address then an actual person. I immediately love her. It only gets better as she tells us her fathers ruined her wedding. Oh the glee!
Then we jump to Chapter 1 and already the anticipation is high!
We meet one father first, Miles Kettering-Lane . Very flamboyant, very ummm the House and Garden network host you would have in your mindā¦. If it was an updated version of Charles Nelson Reilly.
Not familiar? YouTube or Google him. Heās magnificent. And his commentary on his returned daughter is one for the ages, for framing and one a lot of fathers would agree with.
In other words, heās perfection.
When he says agoraphobia has gotten a bad rap? Spew moment number 1.
Anyway moving on because I could quote this man all day.
This daughter/ father relationship was intimate and so wonderfully built that I pictured them easily.
I had a great surprise coming. Been debating how much I should say.
But when father of the bride 2 shows, Andy Kettering-Lane, itās completely marvelous because Thornton shows us a father/daughter dynamic that works just as deeply and lovingly but in a completely different way.
I was dumbfounded as I how much I adored how the shifts in dynamics felt real and moving. Each man displaying a different knowledge of their daughter and the same for the daughter.
And into this falls a complicated son in law parents uh foursome dynamics. You have to read it, trust me. Then thereās Andyās young influencer boyfriend Raj and his ever present streaming. Yeah we know him.
The wedding zillas start growing, things get immediately and hysterically out of control, including feelings.
Those pesky things.
Miles and Andy are ground in their long personal history, the love that never seemed to have left them, and a house that holds nothing but love and memories.
Ok I really need to start rereading this again. Just writing this review reminds me of all the things I love about the story and want to relive.
Take it from me. You need love and laughter, lively snark, outstanding spew worthy dialogue, and a second chance at love story in your life. Fathers of the Bride is it. Grab it up, start reading now! I highly recommend it!
Synopsis: After more than two decades together, Andrew Lane and Miles Kettering-Lane are going through a nasty divorce. Not only are they unraveling their relationship but also their businessāMiles once had a popular home show on cable with Andrew serving as his producer/managerāthe failure of which they blame on each other. Now, theyād be happy to never, ever see each other again. But the daughter they both adore, Kelly, announces sheās getting married, and that means one very important thing: a wedding.
Thrown together, at event after eventāmeeting the in-laws, planning the wedding, throwing an elaborate engagement partyāthe two clash over everything until, their future in-laws, Bradley and Pudge Lincoln and Terry and Lissa Collins, try to take over the entire wedding. The Lincoln-Collins’ are very wealthy, to quote Pudge, āPeople think weāre in the one percent but thatās so embarrassing. Weāre barely in the two percent!ā
Andrew and Miles realize they have to work together in order to compete with the overbearing Lincoln-Collins’ and give their daughter the wedding she deserves. Along the way, they realize things just might not be over between them
While I started this amazing series with the third book, this incredibly sweet, heartwarming romance is exactly the way to fall into this universe and found family.
Itās a slow burn, first love, first time romance that captures the essence of all that confusing, unsettling overwhelming feelings of true love . Set on a ranch where you can almost smell the wild fragrances coming through the tall meadow grasses, feel the heat pouring down as the men ride and go through their chores, itās an old fashioned slowed down day in a modern world story. One to savor along with the very sweet, almost innocent nature of the relationship thatās beginning to form between Leland and Jamie.
The ranch, itās full time staff which is also a family, itās guests comes across as a real place. From the dining hall to the dusty tack room to the fire pit where the grasses need to be cut back for safety purposes, itās described so clearly, easily such a deep integral part of the people there that it becomes a part of your heart too.
And as a worn, torn Jamie finds himself deposited at the ranch uncertain and almost beaten, you just hope heās finally found home. Which he has.
Jamie is all young vulnerability, openness, and hope waiting for someone to want him. Heās an amazing character and you love him immediately. As the strait laced Leland does, even if heās not sure what to make of his own feelings.
Leland we also understand and adore, in a totally different way. They gently spark, gaze, and as two men whoāve never had relationships, stumble towards each other.
How I love this and them.
Like sitting on that veranda in the summerās evening, sipping root beer, listening to the owls call and holding hands under the blankets.
Sighing now. Perfection.
Iām so in love with this series. On to book two.
Need a new series to read and love? Start here. Iām recommending them all.
Out now:
The Foreman and the Drifter #1
The Blacksmith and the Ex-Con #2
The Ranch Hand and the Single Dad #3
Coming Soon – The newest book in the Farthingdale Ranch Series! soonā¦..
The Wrangler and The Orphan #4
The Cook and the Gangster #5
The Trail Boss and the Brat #6
Synopsis: If only Leland would forget forget that Jamie was a drifter. If only heād give their hearts a chance.ā
With Farthingdale Ranch at risk, Leland Tate, ranch manager, has to get tough and make sure everyone on the ranch follows the rules heās laid out. That means no handouts, no fraternizing, and no drifters.
But what happens when a young drifter comes looking for a job? What happens when that drifter makes Leland want to break all the rules?
A gay, m/m cowboy romance with age gap, hurt/comfort, first time, rescue, sunshine/grumpy, boss/employee, emotional scars, and opposites attract. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.
Buy The Foreman and the Drifter to fall deeply and forever today with the first book in the new Farthingdale Ranch Series
Once again I started a series in the he middle but I donāt think it will make much of a difference here. Itās easy to understand the couples and Iāll be going back to pick up on each of their individual romances after this one.
Why? Because I so thoroughly enjoyed my stay on the Farthingdale Ranch and felt as though Iād actually been there , walking the grounds, riding the trails and being a part of that found family.
This story was so moving. Both men experienced such growth, one in particular had undergone such a bad relationship that heād been badly damaged emotionally and that had resulted in Erectile Dysfunction, a subject matter treated here gently, lovingly, and focusing towards healing the man . It was amazing.
Interwoven with recovery was a remarkable Father/daughter relationship. You canāt help but love Bea. She was a force of nature.
The core is Clay and Austin finding a way towards a healthy, happy HEA ā¦ a true family. Itās a slow tentative path but one made through communication and adjustments. And a respect for each other.
What a great story and remarkable universe. Great characters, marvelous setting, moving plot lines. Thereās three more stories to come and two prior books. Oh what joy!
I love it when I fall in love with a series! I believe you will too.
Head over to the Farthingdale Ranch and grab up all the books!
Synopsis:
“If Austin has forgotten what love is, maybe Clay can show him the way.”
Happy-go-lucky Clay keeps busy with hookups at the local bar after working hard at the ranch. Those hookups used to be fun, but now they leave him empty.
Austin is reeling after a difficult divorce. His wife took everything, including full custody of his daughter, Bea, who is only nine.
Austin doesnāt know where his life is headed, but at least heās got a roof over his head, and a new job as accountant at Farthingdale Ranch.
The job is exactly the kind of work he loves. The only problem is heās distracted by Clay, who is gay. Austin is straight. Thereās no way this can work.
A gay M/M cowboy romance with age gap, hurt/comfort, opposites attract, single dad, out for you, midnight rendezvous, friendship between men. A little sweet, a little steamy, with a guaranteed HEA.
Out now:
The Foreman and the Drifter #1
The Blacksmith and the Ex-Con #2
The Ranch Hand and the Single Dad #3
Coming Soon – The newest book in the Farthingdale Ranch Series! soonā¦..
Lane Hayes continues her Out of series for couple Gabe and Derek post college with two lovely, sweet short stories.
We meet again Hayesā great characters, in tightly plotted storylines filled with romance and hope for their dreams, individually and as a couple.
We follow them through each manās future plans, one for a restaurant and one for an Olympic spot, then to a wonderful romantic conclusion.
Both compliment each other and leave the reader happy and satisfied for the couple and with the stories.
What a lovely way to spend a couple of hours.
Lighthearted, humorous, romantic and sweet. I loved it and recommend both. And Hayes Out of series. Check them all out.
Synopsis:Out for the Holidays
A Dream Come Trueā¦
Derek-
This is it! Iām finally opening my own bistro. Iāve spent the last two years getting ready for this moment. I canāt decide if the holidays are the perfect time to begin a new venture, but Iām excited. It would be nice if my family were on board too.
Gabe-
I play water polo. I donāt know anything about the restaurant business, but I want to make sure Derekās grand opening goes according to plan. Iāll rally our friends, send out invites, and yeahā¦Iāll even deal with his mother. Heās my number one person and Iāll do whatever it takes to be sure weāre out for the holidays.
Out for the Holidays is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deepā¦and a host of friends from the Out in College books!
Out for Gold
Chance of a Lifetimeā¦
Gabe-
Winning a spot on the Olympic water polo team is my lifelong goal and guess what?…I made it! Of course, nothing goes smoothly. This is a bad time for a shoulder injury and an even worse time for my dad to show up out of the blue. I might be doomed.
Derek-
Family isnāt easy. Trust me, I know. But in my experience, ignoring obvious issues only makes them more challenging in the long run. I canāt solve Gabeās problems with his dad, but Iāll help if I can. Win or lose, my man is going out for gold.
Out of Gold is a low-angst MM romance featuring Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep in a full-circle quest for the ultimate prizeā¦love.
*OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS was originally featured in the holiday collection, Gifts for the Season. Since the anthology is no longer available, I wanted to publish it on my own and add new content. OUT FOR GOLD is a brand-new novella that really brings the whole story full-circle. Both shorts feature Derek and Gabe from Out in the Deep.
I just adore this series! After all, how often Is it that I get a 18 book series written by multiple authors that shows no signs of stopping, remains energetic and fresh from couple to couple, plot to plot, and has given me new authors to follow!
Exciting, right?
The main elements remain the bar/bookstore thatās Vino and Veritas, the beautiful town of Burlington, Vermont, the surrounding areas such as smaller villages, farms and woods. From that great foundation, we continually meet and/or revisit the many citizens (established and newly arrived) that intertwine their lives and loves.
Unforgettableās couple is comprised of two men weāve met before.
Thereās Oz Walker, one of the staff at Vino side of V&V. Heās been mentioned fairly often in the other stories. Doesnāt matter the authors, many of these couples and characters make appearances throughput the entire series.
So yes, we superficially know Oz and now get to meet the man in-depth as well as his family. All of them and they rock!
Reeve Hale, temporally āpassing throughā Burlington for the summer is roommates with one of my fav people. Thatās the effervescent Davey Murphy from Undone #17, here busy, supportive and looking for love. While itās great to get a peak at āShowgirlā, the oh so delightful , duty minded adorable Reeve is a real great addicting character.
Add a marvelous fake boyfriend trope between these two and you have a story that just takes off and soars on a flight of romance, sexy romps, some angst, and a ton of heartwarming moments.
Just a heads over heels love fest that you will find so much fun to read. Well written, dialogue that feels real and hits the heart, and yes, filled with outstanding characters, both new and from the other series books.
Oz Walker and Reeve Hale are a great couple and make for a entertaining joyful romance. Add this one to your TBR pile. I definitely recommend it.
See the synopsis and entire series list below as well as the buying link from Goodreads.
Synopsis: One night with Reeve Hale wasnāt enough. I knew it when I kissed him, I knew it when I slept with him, and I was certain of it when I walked out of his motel room the very next day.
So when the shy, gorgeous man is introduced as our newest employee at Vino and Veritas, I canāt help but conjure up all the ridiculous ways to convince him to repeat that unforgettable night. Like asking him to be my fake boyfriend at my sisterās upcoming wedding.
Only, I didnāt expect him to say yes.
Playing pretend shouldnāt feel this real. Especially when Reeve is planning on leaving Vermont after the summer.
We agreed to one night. We negotiated a fake relationship. But Iām the one who broke our terms. I wasnāt supposed to fall in love and he was never supposed to be so unforgettable
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 