As much as I adored the beginning book in this series? Got Me Wishing just made the series and universe even better.
It brought in heavier themes such as addiction, animal abuse, forgiveness, redemption. It even weaves in kink shaming and how the judgements you make impact others. All done very sensitively and beautifully by the way. All while allowing the romance to remain center stage.
Yes, this story unpacks a lot besides a very romantic and emotionally rewarding love affair turned HEA.
Fulton Meyer, 34 yo vet, BFF to Noah Walters (Got Me Hoping #1), immediately turned into a favorite character of mine out of all the vets and peripheral people in and around the Vet Shop Boys Animal Clinic.
Prone to snarky lines, a funky fashion sense, and a seemingly endless supply of great t-shirts from Etsy that proclaim things like āI Kissed A Pug And I Liked It ~Kitty Purryāššā¦ well there was just something about Fulton!
He needed his HEA! Plus there was some mystery going on as to why no man had ever stuck around.
Now in Got Me Wishing we get Fultonās story. Casey Cox delivers the painful personal history that has made him who he is today, including the fact heās so lonely. Except for all his cats of course. All eight of them.
Into Fultonās crazy life comes Bishop Turner in one adorable āmeet cuteā scene turned lusty!
From poignant to adorable to funny to sexy, this introduces shouts destiny!
Trust me, youāll be into this couple as quickly as they are ā¦ uh hemā¦ into each other.
But the relationship? And actually getting to know one another? Each otherās layers? That take time .
This is a story of trust earned, pasts revealed, and love that comes slowly to those that need and deserve it.
I just love everything about this story. Beautiful elements, new characters, so many thoughtful moments between Fulton and Bishop as they explore their romance and future, as well as open up about their past.
If this is any indication where the rest of the series and romances are headed, I canāt wait.
Next up is poor befuddled, broken hearted Gus.
I highly recommend every story and in the order written. Take the journey with all the Vet Shop Boys. Itās one I myself am eagerly anticipating.
A half-birthday + a second chance = one true love? As. If.
Who needs a man when I’ve got cuddly kittens?
No one’s ever wanted me once they discover my secret. I guess that’s why I’ve thrown myself into my work as a veterinarian, as well as become the proud paw-rent to my eight cat rescues. I’ve even managed to convince myself I’m purr-fectly happy being single.
So when Bishop, a handsome stranger, strikes up a conversation, I don’t expect it to lead to anything else. There’s no way a guy wanting to start over is interested in love. So why has Bishop got me wishing for something more?
You know those books about the professional security agencies with highly trained agents with specialized skills ? Ones who are extremely cool under stress and focused on the job and clients? Even if a romance seems pending, they donāt loose their professional patina or come off as comical.The novels with plots dealing with drug cartels so criminally vile that the scenes and storylines come across as realistically gritty? Those books?
Yeah, this isnāt those.
Hijacked is more a āeye rollā emoji, suspend your belief sort of tale. The type where you canāt believe anyone actually does the jobs theyāre supposedly doing but , hey, the novel is fun so letās just roll with it shall we?
If you can do that, you enjoy this story, otherwise no.
If you canāt put aside your need for any sort of reality check, then this is just one big ā yeah, noā.
The characters, from dialogues that range from ālocal yokel ā cringe worthy (reallyā¦ they sound right out of the Beverly Hillbillies) to South Park cartel style criminals, nothing here says take me seriously.
Scene after scene of situations where nothing feels believable , written by the author, so purposely really bad judgment on everyoneās part, just keeps occurring.
Like , the drug cartels guards who most likely are crazy homophobic are coming down the hall so letās have sex now! SMH!
They, of course, just assume thereās no cameras or listening devices so it must be ok. Because, duhā¦ professional.
So yeahā¦ entertaining on a fun, cartoony way. Quick read . No depth of character and the plot is one that continues into book 2.
Yep, itās a series.
If this sounds like something youād be interested in, you have several books to look forward to.
Synopsis:
Renowned cardiologist Carter Rogers is used to having things under control. His life, his prestigious reputation, his career, his future.
Things he canāt control this time around:
ā¢ His meddling grandfather
ā¢ His annoying gamer cousin
ā¢ Buggy South American jungles
ā¢ Being the meat in a feuding cartel sandwich
ā¢ Getting kidnapped by a monologuing drug lord
ā¢Falling for the very hot, very mouthy ex-soldier from his past
In short, Carterās peaceful, well-planned life has beenā¦ hijacked
Got Me Hoping is the first in Casey Coxās new Vet Shop Boys contemporary romance series and itās a winner.
Sweet, heartwarming, light, and romantic! Plus animals! Because it centers around a veterinary clinic and the vets that work there.
Vet Shop Boys is the name of the clinic, a twist on the 80ās boy band .
I liked the series setup and characters immediately. Each one engaging and adorable. Plus soooo in need of a HEA that you canāt wait for each personās story.
First up is Noah Walters, 34 year old vet with three broken relationships behind him. Heās gorgeous, kind, giving, and uncertain about opening up to another heartbreak.
Heās also owner to the adorable Buddy, a golden retriever!
Itās at the vets favorite bar, where a game of Never Have I Ever reveals that Noahās a complete stranger to one-night stands. Itās not something he would do.
But a meeting that night changes his mind and future.
Haze Adams is at a bar when he sees a gorgeous man and has a one night stand that changes his world. The man is gorgeous, kind, funny, and their connection is unlike anything Haze has ever experienced.
Haze is a terrific character. Full of doubts about himself, his own direction in life, and pain caused by his last relationship, he too is caught unaware by his feelings towards Noah.
This wonderful tale of unexpected love, rearranged goals and a new combined future is just so lovely.
We get to know everyone at the clinic, plus people important to Haze who will, I expect, be popping up in stories down in the seriesā¦.*cough* Tate.
Thereās Gus the clinic owner, what a mess,thereās Chase, and of course, Fulton , Noahās BFF vet with all his hilarious t-shirts. Honestly, the author must have had a great time looking at Etsy and other sites for the sayings and those exact shirts! Plus I need now to know whatās the mystery about Fulton?
Luckily, his story is up next! So I donāt have to wait long.
I love finding new authors and books! Here I get a series too! So happy!
Synopsis: It’s just a one-night stand, they said. It’ll be simple, no-strings fun, they said. They. Lied.
I’m done with love and being broken-hearted. The only dogs I want to deal with are the ones I treat in the veterinary clinic I work at.
But at thirty-four, having my first one-night stand can’t hurt. Right? The rules are pretty simple.
1. Don’t spend the night.
2. Don’t see him again.
3. Don’t share anything personal.
4. Don’t fall in love with him.
But when Haze, the guy I spent a blazing hot night with and haven’t been able to forget about, shows up as our new receptionist, the rules fly out the window.
There’s no way one night could lead to anything more. So why has Haze got me hoping this might just last?
Got Me Hoping is book 1 in the Vet Shop Boys series and can be read as a stand-alone. Expect plenty of humor, found family, an adorable golden retriever, a foul-mouthed parrot, a whole new way of getting clean (as well as very, very dirty) and a heartwarming happily ever after
Hellhounds. If for no other reason to pick these amazing stories up, itās to meet hellhounds.
These are not the beings or species that are coming to mind when the name Hellhound pops up. Nopes.
The Hellhound species here? Welp,that wasnāt originally their name. But turns out itās a racial uh soecist slur that was flung at them sometime around the huge Species War. They thought it humorous so their Species Leader renamed their ENTIRE species! Yep Hellhounds.
Itās just the thing a Hellhound would doā¦ see? I treat them as if the exist!
They and Alistair deserve to be real!
Itās almost painful on a cellular level they donāt.
Alistair Smythe, covert op, top Investigator and part of the inner circle of the Lucifer is 6ā5ā of gorgeous muscular shifter energy!Sure most of the time heās so adorable, whether itās Karaoke nite or doing the Macarena, that we forget how incredibly utterly fantastic Alistair is at his job.
While still being absolutely Alistair, in all his magnificently quirky glory.
Hijinks With a Hellhound is Alistairās time to shine. It also brings him into close working conditions with Aiden Byrne, Felid shifter-Shifter Species Leader. At first what starts out as a clash of personalities turns, upon reflection and a little advice, into a journey of lust, espionage, and eventually love.
Itās a hellā¦hound of a ride!
Plus this incredible adventure introduces a new cast of important characters leading into the finale. Especially one species that will have you going oh no.. them and hellhounds? š±š¤£. The anticipation is off the charts!
Aiden and Alistair are so perfect together, and this story sets the foundation for the revelation and narrative explosions to come.
How could you not love this? And them? Hellhounds!
It goes without sayingā¦ absolutely recommended.
Along with the entire series!
If I only had a magic wandā¦..
Cover notes. Best cover of them all. That is Alistair! Absolute perfection!
š¶Hidden Species series:
Demons Do It Better #1
One Bite with A Vampire #2
Hijinks With A Hellhound #3
Sorcerers Always Satisfy #4
š¶Sequel Series:
Here Be Dragons (happens immediately after the events of Hidden Species)
Dragon Ever After#1
Synopsis: Iām a one-and-done kind of hellhoundā¦ I donāt catch feeeeeeeelingsā¦
Once upon a time, my first and last relationship taught me that romantic love isnāt enough to stop your boyfriend from trying to kill you. Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. My awesomeness is now strictly reserved for one-nighters and casual hookups. Sure, my friends seem to be matching up in romantic bliss, but screw thatāIām not interested.
Besides, things are heating up at the Community of Species Government, and Iām right in the thick of it all. Those bad guys are going downāand not in the good way. They might seem to have the drop on us right now, but weāre going to turn the tables on them. Even if it means going on a mission with Aidan Byrne.
Iām still not happy about the way Aidan handled things with my bestest bestie a few months back, even if he did turn out to be right. Plus, thereās something about him that rubs my fur in the wrong direction. Heās the kind of guy who thinks karaoke is only for college kids and looks down on me for licking my own balls. He also thinks that just because heās the species leader, heās in charge.
Too bad for him, Iāve never backed away from a challengeā¦ even if it is unnervingly sexy and really bendy. A hookup wonāt lead to feelingsā¦ right?
Itās play hockey time so I canāt get enough of my favorite sport, that includes reading about it in my romances.
Amy Aislin is in that top group of authors I recommend who write outstanding hockey romances. Her stories include both great characters but just as importantly the fact that this author loves and understands the game of hockey in all its aspects. And feeds the reader that love and knowledge through various threads of storylines and themes.
Also with Aislin (as with other authors of hockey romances) , her characters, couples and stories are written so they intertwine into a rich satisfying tapestry of hockey, romance, and HEA. People, couples, teams, the Toronto Trailblazers, Glenn Hill College Mountaineers (college team), Burlington, Vermont, Vancouverā¦. People, places, teams that weave together in book after book, a delightful rich and colorful ongoing flow of love that has never ceases to amaze me.
The Play of His Life is a perfect example of this. I even remember when Riley got hurt on the iceā¦. In another story. Then he was a solid member of the Trailblazers. Until his injury took him out of the sport he loved. We sort of wondered what happened to the likable Riley. But never found out.
Until now.
But here we delve into the complicated background and painful history of not just Riley but the man he left behind.
And the second chance at love they both get. Yes, one of my favorite tropes.
With a two person POV that I always find works so well, Aislin gives us the background of both men, all the way to kindergarten through all their formative years, to first love and then the issues that divided them and tore them apart for years.
Itās touching, moving, funny, frustrating, and , raw. I loved it, these men, and their journey back to each other and HEA.
Plus , yes we get to see so many okād friends as well, as usual.
The writing is so good I could free the biting cold coming off the lake, feel my hands freezing in the cold winds, and the absolute joy in a young boy hitting his first pucks. Magic.
Consider this and all the Amy Aislin stories highly recommended.
Synopsis:The last person Christian wants to run into on a visit home to spend time with his mom over the holidays is his former best friend-turned-lover-turned-ex. But there Riley is, in all his tall, chiseled, blondness. The same guy who walked out on him six years ago, breaking his heart in the process. Who knew he’s still in love with the jerk?
Two years ago, Riley was injured out of the NHL, but he’s got his own bakery now and a quiet life selling quiches and cupcakes to his customers. Then Christian unexpectedly walks back into his life, forcing Riley to question his choices. Especially that one choice he made six years ago that walked him out of Christian’s life. Now if only he had the courage to tell a boy how he really feels about him…
The Play of His Life was originally published in 2017. This updated version has a brand new cover, but very little new content aside from grammar and typo updates and the addition of the bonus epilogue that was originally available via subscription to Amy’s newsletter.
Totally sweet college romance. This is one short story that I wish had been expanded a bit in places to give us a firmer foundation of both characters, their history on the campus, and at the end. Especially with them facing the huge upheavals in their lives.
Vincent is the most fully realized of the two characters and I like his snarky self just fine. Could have done with more of him and his crew at the local small print store . They were a great group of found family and made the story more then any of the other people introduced later.
That includes his best friend and ā brotherā who bailed on him and the rent for a tiny apartment, being a nonentity here basically for most of the story , while supposedly a huge part of Vincentās life.
Thatās one issue here. Elements that are foundation components to these characters and to the story just donāt get much narrative time. And it shows. With both boys history and with the big revelation from Carson about his feelings for Vincent. The author just laid no groundwork for it and I wish she had because this is an adorable couple with great potential.
There needed to be more to that ending because as crafted, Vincent was not the sort of person to behave irresponsibly and leave his friends/co workers hanging. We and they needed something more.
So a cute romance that needed a bit more length and closure to feel complete.
Synopsis:About the last thing Vincent Wade expected was for Carson Cress to ask him out. Vince is a dedicated biology student and a bit of a loner. Superstar quarterback Carson is larger than life, and he lives under a public microscope. Thereās no way they should work. But Vince is learning that sometimes people just come steamrolling into your life and all you can do is hang on for the ride or lose your heart in the process. If their relationship can survive the fallout when an injury derails Carsonās future plans, maybe Vince can finally find something to believe in
I truly love Mary Calmes and consider her books comfort reads. Whether itās the latest in her Torus series or Frog, I have an understanding of what characters I might meet, no matter the situation, and the outcome of the passionate romance the main couple falls into. Doesnāt matter if theyāve just met or have known each other for years.
Thereās a remarkable amount of comfort to be derived from this knowledge and yes, love for her guys. We know a Mary Calmes man when we read one.
Theyāre often too perfect for their own good and everyone (mostly) in the novels loves them. Myself included.
However in More Than Life the standard themes Iām used to doesnāt run so smoothly here. Or at all really in parts.
Looking at some of the elements, those with ācriminal aspects ā especially, if the reader takes all the events as they occur and runs out all the ramifications to their logical ends, how they do end here and how they should end are volumes apart.
And that bothers me.
Yes the romance is how one would expect and I like this part of the story. Morganās trauma from his time and abuse in prison is perhaps given too light a treatment but heās going to therapy so ok great.
However, my biggest issues here is that ( spoilers) all those that acted criminally got off basically with no legal repercussions.
With physical assault and battery, especially an attack so vicious that it put its victim in the hospital for an extended stay, if the author writes such a huge element into their story and makes it a pivotal part of the main characterās story and history then thereās an equal responsibility to ensure that the person who inflicted that beating be held accountable. Indeed, as he is shown to be an even more morally bankrupt, devious person whoās likely to repeat his behavior of assault by his own words, for him to be totally let off without even a police report of any type filed against him and his father had me stunned.
For the perpetrators , even one in a novel, of such acts to be let off so lightly and with so little disregard for the future victims to follow is such a irresponsible act that I was just horrified. The character brutalized Hart and the beating he gave Hart scarred and hospitalized him but when he reappeared then then went about victimizing yet another.
All the while expressing his views on rape his fatherās men carried out ( he wasnāt bothered by it FYI) and could see himself attacking more people. SMH.
But no , it doesnāt just stop with one person but others whoās behavior was equally outrageous, murderous, criminal, heinous, or just plain whacked here were , narratively ,story wise , let off the hook, to go live their lives elsewhere as well.
For me this felt utterly irresponsible for the sake of the one character of the main couple seemingly being seen as āgreat guyā about things. So chill and forgiving. Uh no.
Nope I call that being highly idiotic and masochistic and should all this be in RL, he surely would have been responsible for letting a predator get away without any records to follow him. Hart does not come off well in the good judgement department here. Morgan maybe, Hartā¦. Maryās typical āgolden boyā? No.
No this book has its own issues of judgement to solve.
Liked the romance though. Not sure itās enough to overcome the other things Iād had problems with. Probably not.
Synopsis:
Hart Jarrett was only supposed to be passing through Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He wasnāt supposed to get involved, no emotional entanglements to tie him down. Setting down roots was never part of the plan, not until he opened himself up to love. Too bad the man he bet on bailed and left Hart holding the ranch. There were two choices after that: run away, or stay and build something real from nothing.
Nearly six years later, Hart has created a home and a life he never expected, with the help of his best friend and foreman, Morgan Brace. The ranch is thriving thanks to its loyal men and strong ties to the community. But thereās a snake in the garden, and it takes many forms. Thereās a dead man on Hartās property, a man he knows, and the questions are piling up. As if that werenāt enough, his ex has reappeared out of the blue, with plans to reclaim what he willingly gave.
And, to make matters worse, it appears Morgan is finally taking his dating life seriously.
Everything Hart has built is unraveling.
The life Hart wants doesnāt work without Morgan in it. Imagining a future without Morgan, him turning elsewhere for love and coming in second to someone else in Morganās heartāas well as his bedāis almost unbearable. So maybe, just maybe, the answer lies in Hart confessing that he loves Morgan more than life itself.
If Hart gambles and loses, will he even still want the life heās worked so hard to build?
I quite adore this Regency series. After the last romance with the intense and highly intelligent Lord Christmas Gale and several murders at the center, I wasnāt sure what awaited me here with this couple.
Yes we were given glances of the pair in book 2 but I wasnāt quite prepared for the dry and funny opening here. Honestly, it reads like a Tale of Two Twits, albeit very well dressed and well bred ones.
But this is Rock and Henry , so the twits at hand who are about to make their debut and have their first Season , have a rivalry that starts to spiral immediately into a story of personal growth, a bit of sexy romping about, some madcap adventures and finally true love.
Yes our lovely boyish twits of fashion and the Tonne become young vulnerable and often poignant men who, after some introspection and advice, find the lives theyāve lead a bit lacking in kindness and decide on a new path, together. Happily.
Itās really a kind, sweet, story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Plus it sets up one Iāve been dying to read. That of Lord Soulden. Thatās next up in A Sanctuary for Soulden.
This a just a remarkably great and romantic series, each story contains bits of the others and their characters who are truly noteworthy.
Read them in the order they are written for a simply splendid romantic Regency journey. I recommend all those releases to date.
Series – The Lords of Bucknall Club
A Husband for Hartwell #1
A Case for Christmas #2
A Rival for Rivingdon #3
A Sanctuary for Soulden #4. – coming soon
Synopsis.
He must marry well, to secure his fortune.
The Honourable Loftus Rivingdon is poised to make his debut into Society. Heās beautiful, charming, and quite the catch of the Season. If only he could find the right hat. With the zealous assistance of his doting mother, Loftus has one ambition only: to meet and marry a wealthy peer. And Loftus knows just the peerāthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereās nothing standing in his way.
He must also marry well, to secure his fortune.
The Honourable Morgan Notley is poised to make his debut into Society. Heās beautiful, charming, and quite the catch of the Season. And he has just found the perfect hat. With the zealous assistance of his doting mother, Morgan has one ambition only: to meet and marry a wealthy peer. And Morgan knows just the peerāthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereās nothing standing in his wā
Damn it all to hell.
Their ambitions collide.
When Loftus and Morgan both set their sights on Soulden, the rivalry of the Season begins. Their mutual hatred escalates into spite, sabotage, and scandal, as all of Society eagerly waits to see which diamond of the first water will prevail. Except the course of true loathing, just like true love, never did run smooth. The harder they try to destroy each other, the closer they come to uncovering each otherās deepest vulnerabilitiesāand the more difficult it becomes to deny the burning attraction between them.
A Rival for Rivingdon is the third book in the Lords of Bucknall Club series, where the Regency meets m/m romance. The Lords of Bucknall Club can be read in any order.
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?
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 