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 â brotherâ 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 Vincentâs life.
Thatâs one issue here. Elements that are foundation components to these characters and to the story just donât 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. Thereâs 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 Carsonâs future plans, maybe Vince can finally find something to believe in
I truly love Mary Calmes and consider her books comfort reads. Whether itâs 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. Doesnât matter if theyâve just met or have known each other for years.
Thereâs 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.
Theyâre 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 Iâm used to doesnât run so smoothly here. Or at all really in parts.
Looking at some of the elements, those with âcriminal aspects â 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. Morganâs trauma from his time and abuse in prison is perhaps given too light a treatment but heâs 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 characterâs story and history then thereâs 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 whoâs 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 fatherâs men carried out ( he wasnât bothered by it FYI) and could see himself attacking more people. SMH.
But no , it doesnât just stop with one person but others whoâs 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 âgreat guyâ 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, HartâŠ. Maryâs typical âgolden boyâ? No.
No this book has its own issues of judgement to solve.
Liked the romance though. Not sure itâs enough to overcome the other things Iâd had problems with. Probably not.
Synopsis:
Hart Jarrett was only supposed to be passing through Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He wasnât 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 thereâs a snake in the garden, and it takes many forms. Thereâs a dead man on Hartâs property, a man he knows, and the questions are piling up. As if that werenât 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 doesnât work without Morgan in it. Imagining a future without Morgan, him turning elsewhere for love and coming in second to someone else in Morganâs heartâas well as his bedâis 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 heâs 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 wasnât sure what awaited me here with this couple.
Yes we were given glances of the pair in book 2 but I wasnât 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 theyâve lead a bit lacking in kindness and decide on a new path, together. Happily.
Itâs really a kind, sweet, story and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Plus it sets up one Iâve been dying to read. That of Lord Soulden. Thatâs 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. Heâs 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 peerâthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereâs 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. Heâs 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 peerâthe dauntingly handsome, infinitely fashionable Viscount Soulden. Good thing thereâs nothing standing in his wâ
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 otherâs deepest vulnerabilitiesâand 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 didnât 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. Thatâs our disabled veterans, and their dire need for support and treatment. Itâs just not from our current wars and engagements but also from Desert Storm and wars past. The effects of war donât cease to exist because the war does, history has taught us that.
Itâs a lesson Iâm not sure weâve learned.
These themes are woven through a years long relationship/romance between two soldiers. Mackie and Xander. Itâs Xander whoâs in need of support and treatment, not that heâs accepting it.
Xanderâs 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 Xanderâs mindset all the times heâs struggling with his emotional and physical âbattlesâ and losing. Xanderâs 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 heâs withheld from Xander is also withheld from the reader. Heâs back in Xanderâs life, after totally realigning his career for Xander and Xanderâs rehabilitation. This after years of apparently a friends with benefits only relationship. Nothing more.
Even with Mackieâs perspective, Iâm not sure I didnât agree with Xander most of the time here and think nope, no clarity. Itâs 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 didnât intend.
Mackie not only never gave Xander any options or opportunity to have any say but even after itâs out, Xander never completely âownsâ 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 âhidden â. 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. Itâs sits across the street from NIH, which Iâm 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. Itâs 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 donât.
I only wish it were so.
While I enjoyed the romance Iâm 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 thatâs 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 Iâd 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 heâs 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, Xanderâs had feelings for Mackey for years, and close quarters only complicates his emotions. Further, Xander doesnât know which is worse: combating his inner demons or dealing with Mackeyâs guilty kindnesses.
Mackeyâs always kept his emotions close to his chest, but now heâs 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 Iâve been reading books with older characters, in their 40âs and one aspect Iâve 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 itâs blunt questions or advice. Itâs still on the open adult communication scale .
Hartâs themes for this story run the gamut from the ability to grow and change oneâs outlook, no matter your age to the notion that finding your true home has no timetable. Even such basics as you arenât your parents. Thereâs 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 thatâs deeply established and well liked in town is that of Monroe âRoeâ 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.
Itâs 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.
Thereâs also a back history of parental abuse ( mentioned , never seen) with Holden and Marileeâs folks as well as Seanâs father Adam, Marileeâs 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 canât 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 heâs got a man who doesnât 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 heâs tried to avoid in life.
Monroe Covington is forty-five and happy. He loves his lifeârunning his store, helping at his familyâs farm, and spending his days with his best friend, Lindsey, and their son, Wyatt. Sure, half the town likes to forget heâs gay, and heâd 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 whoâs renting his cabin, shows up.
The attraction is instant, the friendship not far behind, but between Holdenâs initial relationship status, family complications, and the two of them wanting different things, theyâre a disaster waiting to happenâŠonly it doesnât 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 isnât enough, and Roe begins to see that his life isnât as complete as he thought. Now, if they could only sort out the rest of itâŠ
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 donât want to say goodbye to. Hmmm perhaps the author will give me a path to potentially seeing them all againâŠ.
Anyway⊠back to Drilled . Itâs that wonderful best friends to enemies to lovers story we all love to read.
What? Thatâs 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 groupâs company many pranks, and in the Friday night Wollseyâs 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 heâs building within the company. Not that heâs admitting that.
The new guy? Thatâs forty year old construction builder Ridgeway âRidgeâ Tanner. Heâs recently returned to Wisconsin, a place he formerly called home. Still, heâs shocked to see standing in the office of the company thatâs just hired him a man he hasnât 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 wonât tell Cole and the rest of the company why thereâs bad history between Ridge and himself. Ridge wonât 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 Apolloâs fallback measures. All in full force.Until Ridgeâs efforts to make Apollo listen to him finally make the past and the events that broke them apart make sense.
Itâs a fine line here between what should be revealed and spoilerville. Itâs 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. Iâll just say the anticipation leading up doesnât 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 whoâs not, but all those weâve basically followed from meeting to HEA. Even Miller and Demetriâs childhood camp past was briefly mentioned but happy mostly , puking incident aside.
But this is the first story where the past severely impacts the menâs 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. Itâs 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, itâs not the happiest of environment youâd 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 thereâs 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. Thereâs humor, because this series is full of laughter. Thereâs 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, Watsonâs 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 heâll 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 (Demâs 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. Canât wait to see them again and maybe one will be Porterâs bunny man. I can always hope.
So while normally Iâd be bereft at having to say goodbye to these amazing people and their joy-filled, sweet, heartwarming love stories, Iâm 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. Iâm sure Iâll be revisiting them at some time.
Because as Stoney would sayâŠ
âNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.â
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 itâs just more fun to see the progression that way.
So hereâs the list:
Four Bears Construction series and their animals:
đ”Caulky #1: Cole and Renâs bees
đ”Nailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
đ”Hardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
đ”Screwed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
đ”Stud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
đ”Stripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes tortoises!
đ”Drilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log and family. Iâve been waiting to see a cat tbh.
đ”Goats 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 canât 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 thatâs what I keep telling myself. But when we end up being sent to a remote campground alone to spend a month rebuilding the cabins, itâs 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 otherâs tools.
Itâs 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 Iâm 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 itâs probably not the one character people are going to expect.
No itâs not Miller. Miller is completely at home in his body and identity as a trans man. Heâs had a supportive family and a great therapist to help him through his transitional years and issues, both with his dimorphism and his ADHD. Itâs 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. Heâs 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. Demâs 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 heâs been bullied and hurt. Heâs 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.
Millerâs 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. Itâs gentle, at times humorous , moving, and downright sexy. How I love this couple!
From Dem and Millerâs 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. âNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.â If youâve read these stories, you know that apparently Stone grew up in a household where every well known saying doesnât exactly come out the way everyone else knows it to be. His mother laying down the âlogâ 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 âThereâs more than one way to pet a cat.â Because skinning a cat is plain awful. Why would anyone do that. Why indeed.
So Iâm with Stoney on most of them. And yes totally right. âNonsense makes the heart grow fonder.â 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 itâs 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 thatâs competitive with Dareâs Auto. Itâs equally full of gorgeous men. We get to meet a few here and in the next story. FYI wonât be the last weâve 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. Iâve always had a bit of a thing for the nerdy professor type.
Demetri says he doesnât date. I want to believe that itâs true and not that heâs not interested in a transgender man like me. If all he can offer me is friendship, Iâm more than happy to take it.
Coy looks during sweaty workouts, rainy nights on his couch watching him knit shell cozies for his pet tortoise⊠Iâm 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 wonât want to miss these bearâs antics. This series does not contain any shifters, only the OTHER kind of bears.
Four Bears Construction series:
đ”Caulky #1
đ”Nailed #2
đ”Hardwood #3
đ”Screwed #4
đ”Stud #5
đ”Stripped #6
đ”Drilled #7
đ”Goats Like Cake Too: Four Bears Construction Series Epilogue
Stud, the fifth novel in the Four Bears Construction series, is a great example why one should read these stories in the order they were written.
Over the past four novels and romances, weâve watched the West and Sawyer drama.
Or non drama. Because, although a stone could tell how much in love West has been with the bar owner since the first time they met, Sawyer has firmly kept West in the friend zone, if that. Book after book, glances, even a trip to Hawaii which we get caught up on here, we have seen these two men in serious denial/want about each other.
But in Stud, everything changes. And per this series,the swing in dynamics starts off hilariously. Omg, China dolls! Nope, no spoilers.
West , the nephew of Dareâs (Stoneâs mechanic husband),has been a great character throughout the series. Heâs been supportive, funny, all the while going through his own amount of personal growth as a young man and craftsman. Heâs amazing. So Iâve been waiting for him to get his man and HEA.
Neuhold not only obliges with a funny, warm-hearted romance but an unexpected reunion that gives us all a wonderful closure.
Sawyer has been a peripheral character , one we see at Wooleyâs, the bar he inherited from Gus , itâs previous owner, snd the gangs favorite hangout.
In Stud, Sawyerâs past , as astonishingly does Gusâs in a remarkably poignant story element, comes into focus. We see exactly why heâs held West at a distance for so long despite his feelings, and the turmoil inside him when West declares heâs going to start dating.
That declaration jumpstarts Sawyer and his mixed up heart and mind on a strange, funny and quite wonderful path to HEA with West , a restored Victorian, and a bunch of feathered kids. Oh my.
One element Iâve adored in each book has been the great pet/animal(s) per couple. I have sometimes forgotten to mention it. Shame on me because itâs a terrific part of each story and couple.
So hereâs the list so farâŠ.
Four Bears Construction series animals:
đ”Caulky #1: Cole and Renâs bees
đ”Nailed #2: Stone and Dare: Rudy and Nard Dog
đ”Hardwood #3, Ev and Watson, Hedgehog
đ”Screwed #4 Ollie and Daniel: Monty the Python
đ”Stud #5, West and Sawyer: Huey, Luey, Duey, Darkwing
đ”Stripped #6, Miller and Dem,
Mars and at the end Shelldon, omg so adorable. Yes review to come. Yes tortoises!
đ”Drilled #7 the finale. Apollo and Ridge, cat Log⊠been waiting to see a cat tbh. Review to comeâŠ
How do you not love a series that folds in such great animals along with sensitive and funny romances?
Thatâs easy to answer. I do. I do love them.
Each different and great couple, each amazing path to love and HEA.
I donât have many left. Sort of dreading saying goodbye. But not yet. A few to go.
What a wonderful, heartwarming and joy filled journey itâs been so far.
Like all the others, I hope youâre on this one with me. I highly recommend this one . Stay with me till the end .
Stud: A boss, knob, or nail head…or, you know, the hot guy whoâs way too young to keep asking me out with that adorably earnest smile âŠ
Itâs been three years since West walked into my bar and asked me out for the first time. I was relieved he stopped asking after the first few ânoâs and a way-too-good-to-be-real kiss. Heâs fifteen years younger than I am; it can only lead to trouble.
Of course, now heâs running through people off dating apps like itâs his job and wearing these lace panties that look really unfair on someone as furry and muscular as he is, and, um…what was I talking about?
I probably shouldnât sabotage his dates, but Iâm only human. I might not be ready to admit that I want him, but Iâm definitely not ready to let anyone else have him either.
Heâs too perfect, too hot, and I am in way too much troubleâŠ
*** Stud is a friends-to-lovers, construction-worker-in-panties, omg-so-much-swoon story that happens to be the fifth book in the Four Bears Construction Series. Every book in this series CAN be read as a stand alone, but theyâre a lot more fun together!
Once again this series goes into a different direction with Everett Aldridge and his road to HEA.
We have had Cole who wasnât looking for love when he found Ren, his forever Honeybee. Then there was is hilarious bighearted Stoney who managed to find his true love just next door in his neighbor, Dare.
I did rush ahead to get Ollieâs story in Screwed #4 but I wonât spoil how wonderful that turned out here. But there are definitely inklings about.
Nope. Hardwood, double entrendreâ intended, is all Everett. And what a story it is. Because itâs not just a romance but also Evâs path towards coming out of the closet heâs sealed himself into for decades. Itâs about letting go of his fears, finding himself as a gay man later in life.
Thatâs a lot to unpack.
Especially if youâre also a father to a young daughter, Livi, and still have a ex wife ,Valerie, you maintain a good relationship with who needs to be told.
Thereâs a LGBTGiA crew and work family that are comfortable with themselves and their sexuality youâve known for years thats clueless youâre gay. Now Everett needs to tell them who he really is. Because no one really knows who he is. Maybe even himself.
Thatâs so much pressure and guilt on top of the enormous feelings of insecurity and fear pressing down on Ev that you can almost hear him gasping for air.
The two person POV thatâs a format of this series works beautifully to give us real insight into Everettâs emotional state and situations as he decides to reveal his sexuality and come out as a gay man.
Itâs poignant, frustrating as he vacillates at points on deciding when is exactly the right timing, his fears and excitement on his âgay firstsâ. Nuehold does such an outstanding job bringing us along with him on this journey. We are there standing on the edge with Ev time after time as he works up the courage to finally see what and who his truth self is. Bravery isnât always huge steps but small ones.
And sometimes who need someone to support you and show you the way. That would be Watson.
Watson Bolt, the music teacher, is amazing . From his school interactions with other teachers to his song choices (young tunes and Broadway worthy showstoppers), Wats is a gem of a character. Heâs such a lovely layered person, especially flirty, generous, outgoing, engaging, and vulnerable too. Love his hedgehog too.
I have to mention how much I appreciate the treatment Evâs ex wife , Valerie, gets here. Sheâs a well rounded personality, seen through loving eyes as a great person and good friend. Her part in their marriage and consequent divorce is handled with great sensitivity and love. So well done.
Everettâs journey from closeted divorced perceived âstraight dadâ to happy out gay divorced dad in a new relationship is a path strewn with small pitfalls, a few barriers , some awful dancing and one memorable finale.
I just loved it. It set me to singing.
Not baby shark, but maybe a Broadway musical tune or two.
Snap this story up along with all the others. Yes đ Iâm highly recommending it and the series.
Synopsis:
Iâve spent forty-four years of my life telling the world Iâm a carpet man. Is it too late to admit to myself and everyone else that deep down Iâm really all about the Hardwood?
It took me over thirty-five years to admit to myself that Iâm gay, another seven to find the courage to say it out loud to anyone else, and exactly thirty seconds to develop a massive crush on my daughterâs music teacher. Itâs really not my fault, have you even seen those cute bowties he wears?
After everything itâs taken to get here, am I going to work up the nerve to come out to my ex-wife and my best friends? Am I ready to shake up my comfortable, simple life and take a chance on Watson? Or am I going to throw a wrench in my own chance for happily ever after?
***Hardwood is a steamy, seriously so much delicious tension, single-dad, gay awakening, low angst story, which happens to be the third in the 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.
I mean I have all these other books lined upâŠmysteries, romance adventures, SyFi ⊠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 youâre in need of laughter as well as romance.
And dogs. Such adorable dogs. I â€ïž 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, doesnât understand why everyone wouldnât like him, huge heart.
Youâre going to adore him. Iâm still cracking up over his understanding of traditional âsayings â. I wonât spoil them for you but they leave me in giggles even now, I just love him. I do. Soooo sexy too.
Then thereâs the neighbor,Dare Maslow . A bit grumpy, solitary but all with good reason as we eventually find out. Layers with this one. Heâs 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 âfoughtâ 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 âbearsâ and partners are there. Iâve gotten so fond of them as well.
Iâm actually jumping over to Screwed because I just need that story NOW.
Iâll come back to Evâs immediately after. Honestly, these men.
Anyway, Iâm staying the course. Iâm reading all the stories here until Iâm finished with the series. I need the happiness and laughter these men are bringing into my life at the moment.
Itâs such fun and light hearted joy. Iâm 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 donât have the first clue why⊠But, if he wants to hate me, Iâm 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 heâs driving me crazy right back without even tryingâ 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, Iâll 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
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 