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?
Here it is. The final story and the end of a series I really donāt want to say goodbye to. Hmmm perhaps the author will give me a path to potentially seeing them all againā¦.
Anywayā¦ back to Drilled . Itās that wonderful best friends to enemies to lovers story we all love to read.
What? Thatās not a trope? Sure it is. If not perhaps it will be after this book.
Apollo Day, the scowling brooding hunk at the Four Bears Construction Company has always been a bit of a mystery man. While not above joining in ,albeit quietly at night, in the groupās company many pranks, and in the Friday night Wollseyās get togethers, he still has managed to remain a bit of a unknown quantity.
Then the newest hire shows up and that threatens to shatter any calm Apollo has demonstrated and the new home heās building within the company. Not that heās admitting that.
The new guy? Thatās forty year old construction builder Ridgeway āRidgeā Tanner. Heās recently returned to Wisconsin, a place he formerly called home. Still, heās shocked to see standing in the office of the company thatās just hired him a man he hasnāt seen in 15 years. Behind them a shared past in which they were once so close no one knew the other better then themselves. Until he detonated everything in a single day and they both lost it all.
Mini explosions start the story off immediately as Apollo wonāt tell Cole and the rest of the company why thereās bad history between Ridge and himself. Ridge wonāt enlighten the crew either. But both are needed on a special jobsite as all the others now have partners/husbands, increasing responsibilities outside of work.
The special work order includes a month long restoration job at a summer camp that both Apollo and Ridge first think is a prank but is in fact an important and large scale camp renewal. At a remote location.
This is a perfect way for the reader and the men to connect/reconnect. Because at first nothing of their former history is mentioned. But the daily construction work and interaction starts bringing up old memories.
Again, the 2 man POV is an intimate format to share the thoughts and feelings of men not inclined to voice their pain and anger , especially of those struggling with their emotions and memories as these two are.
Stubbornness and silence, the need to escape rather then confront an issue, things that seems to be Apolloās fallback measures. All in full force.Until Ridgeās efforts to make Apollo listen to him finally make the past and the events that broke them apart make sense.
Itās a fine line here between what should be revealed and spoilerville. Itās just not worth it because the central conflict is also a major part of the reveal and a revelation. So it will remain not a part of this review. Iāll just say the anticipation leading up doesnāt disappoint.
All the stories have had such different angles to them. Men needing to earn partners trust who have had been relationships, men overcoming their own mistakes and fears as well as assumptions about true love, men coming out of the closet late in life, age gap, a trans man completely at home in his body but a partner to be whoās not, but all those weāve basically followed from meeting to HEA. Even Miller and Demetriās childhood camp past was briefly mentioned but happy mostly , puking incident aside.
But this is the first story where the past severely impacts the menās present. That their history has caused them both such deep emotional damage over the years becomes obvious. Especially in the stunted romantic areas. Neither has had a committed relationship, and neither has forgotten the other.
Nuehold brings the pain one pleasure of remembered past through so clearly here. Itās in the gestures, frustration that boils over, and the stress and strain of the enforced physical presence of each other. The reader feels it as much as Ridge and Apollo.
When all the secrets are revealed, itās not the happiest of environment youād expect. Because then all the What ifs come naturally into play , all the regrets, guilt, and what it all means now in their current lives.
That the reader wants them together is obvious. They are made for each other. But again thereās some very realistic hurdles to overcome here. Do they? Of course, this is the Four Bears Construction series so we and they get their HEA joyous ending!
All the men and their partners/husbands make a showing here. Of course. Thereās humor, because this series is full of laughter. Thereās animals. Cats this time.
And a HEA finale. No really a link to a story that sees all the couples a few years in the future all together at a birthday party. Simply wonderful way to tie it all up.
I had questions because Nuehold has created some memorable characters here that have lived and moved in and out of the lives of our couples. One has been Porter, a full on vet at the end of this story. Poor Porter, Watsonās bestie, went out on dates with a few of the guys and it never ended well for such a sweet man.
He ends up here swearing heāll marry the next big, hunky bear carrying a box of abandoned bunnies he sees. Be still my heart. Pls give this man his bear and bunnies.
Plus through Demetri ,West and yes Ridge, we got familiar with Auggie (Demās neighbor) and Tallahassee (sometime date of two of the guys) from the Big Bull Mechanics Shop. Great news!
Next up from this author? Yup the Big Bull Mechanics series. Auggie is another great character as is Tallahassee. Canāt wait to see them again and maybe one will be Porterās bunny man. I can always hope.
So while normally Iād be bereft at having to say goodbye to these amazing people and their joy-filled, sweet, heartwarming love stories, Iām looking forward to the next group of bears and hopefully a sighting or two from these books.
Honestly what a lighthearted, happy reads each one is. Iām sure Iāll be revisiting them at some time.
Because as Stoney would sayā¦
āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā
Nonsense, humor, sweetness, and so so much love.
My heart is so fond of these couples and books it feels huge.
Yes highly recommended. I think they should be read in order because itās just more fun to see the progression that way.
So hereās the list:
Four Bears Construction series and their animals:
šµCaulky #1: Cole and Renās bees
šµNailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
šµHardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
šµScrewed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
šµStud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
šµStripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes tortoises!
šµDrilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log and family. Iāve been waiting to see a cat tbh.
šµGoats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue- free story linked on Drilled.
A month in a remote cabin with the last man I ever expected to see again? I canāt decide if I should punch him or drill him. It might end up being both.
After more than a decade, the last person I expected to see walk into the Four Bears Construction offices as a new hire was Ridge.
He was my first crush, and my first heartbreak when he started dating my sister. When he left her at the altar without so much as a note, I wrote him off for good.
No amount of excuses and explanations can erase what he did. At least thatās what I keep telling myself. But when we end up being sent to a remote campground alone to spend a month rebuilding the cabins, itās too easy to remember why I fell for him in the first place.
I know the guys are all taking bets on how long it takes us to start playing with each otherās tools.
Itās going to be a long month.
*** Drilled is a forced proximity, best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, hilarious and steamy, final book in the Four Bears Construction series. It can be read as a stand alone but you won’t want to miss this whole hilarious and hot series. No bear shifters, only the other kind of burly, hairy bears
So Iām finished with the penultimate book, sigh, as as with all the others there are many great elements here, so much fun and great joy. Also unexpected little narrative gems that continue to leave me smiling, even now.
This is, like most of the books in the series, a low angst sexy, full of love and laughter novel. Yes, a main character has some social anxiety and low body imagery to overcome but itās probably not the one character people are going to expect.
No itās not Miller. Miller is completely at home in his body and identity as a trans man. Heās had a supportive family and a great therapist to help him through his transitional years and issues, both with his dimorphism and his ADHD. Itās the later that has Miller at the gym twice a day, working off the energy and allowing the chemistry in his body the outlet it needs for him to settle and focus.
Miller is funny, mature , and his outlook on the people around him gives us an additional window into the various personalities of the Four Bears Construction Company and their partners. Heās part of the family and also one they admire.
No, the adorable man with body issues and social anxiety brought on by years of men making him feel awful about himself and his perhaps rotund bear like shape is Dr. Demetri Rose. Lover of Ancient Rome, knitting, and his pet tortoise Mars. Demās exes have made Dem feel inferior about everything from his body image to the fact that he likes knitting to even the way he has sex. So now Dem has just retreated into his classroom and his house.
We immediately connect with Dem, the way heās been bullied and hurt. Heās such a sweetheart and the reader wants him to go and find love. Now!
All it take to get these two started is a construction job at the university.
Millerās meet/embarrassing moment with Demetri is both awfully funny and hands to the face just let me die now embarrassing. That it ends with Miller looking still embarrassed but also amazing is why I love this series so.
These men feel real, their romance dance dynamics genuine at every step and absolutely relatable. Itās gentle, at times humorous , moving, and downright sexy. How I love this couple!
From Dem and Millerās frank discussions on the elements in their sex life going forward (both blunt and funny) to dancing in the rain magic, this book sings of moments of joy, laughter, and love.
It also has one of my favorite Stoneyisms. āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā If youāve read these stories, you know that apparently Stone grew up in a household where every well known saying doesnāt exactly come out the way everyone else knows it to be. His mother laying down the ālogā to his father about somethings, the explanation behind each being the absolute best. She laying the foundation of her argument. I must say ,,,, um yep.
Another one āThereās more than one way to pet a cat.ā Because skinning a cat is plain awful. Why would anyone do that. Why indeed.
So Iām with Stoney on most of them. And yes totally right. āNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.ā It definitely does,Stoney.
Yep, another must joy filled read. Another highly recommended romance. Love, love this book and series.
Btw? Adore Mars and his knitted cosies. And Shelldon too. Each story and couple have their own pets to accompany them on their journey to HEA. This time itās tortoises to the rescue!
Special note here too. Demetri has a great neighbor, Auggie. A mechanic who was clearly crazy about the oblivious Dem. Auggie works for Big Bull Mechanics, a auto shop thatās competitive with Dareās Auto. Itās equally full of gorgeous men. We get to meet a few here and in the next story. FYI wonāt be the last weāve seen of this group.
Synopsis: A ripped, transgender construction worker and a tweed-wearing, tortoise-shell-cozy-knitting, bear of a professor… Somebody’s getting stripped.
The last place I expected to run into my childhood camp crush was at the local university, looking all kinds of cute in a tweed jacket with a nervous blush. Iāve always had a bit of a thing for the nerdy professor type.
Demetri says he doesnāt date. I want to believe that itās true and not that heās not interested in a transgender man like me. If all he can offer me is friendship, Iām more than happy to take it.
Coy looks during sweaty workouts, rainy nights on his couch watching him knit shell cozies for his pet tortoiseā¦ Iām falling for him whether I want to or not.
Can I break down his walls and prove to him that he can trust me with his heart? And can I trust him with mine?
***Stripped is a swoony, steamy MM romance that is the 6th book in the Four Bears Construction Series. It can be read as a stand alone, but you wonāt want to miss these bearās antics. This series does not contain any shifters, only the OTHER kind of bears.
Four Bears Construction series:
šµCaulky #1
šµNailed #2
šµHardwood #3
šµScrewed #4
šµStud #5
šµStripped #6
šµDrilled #7
šµGoats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 