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rjordan19's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from only the heroine (I think??)
More character focused or plot focused? a mix, but more character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Pretty soon in with the prologue
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No, but the last chapter takes place a week or so later and wraps everything up
Format: listened to bought audiobook
Should I read in order?
This is the second generation from books 1 and 2 of the series, specifically the daughter of the characters from Heart and Hand. The family has some page time together so I think ideally getting their story would heighten your enjoyment of this story.
Basic plot:
Seylah has given up on August ever noticing her, but he perks up when she shows signs of moving on.
Give this a try if you want:
- early 1900s Western America – 1910
- Montana setting
- size difference (she’s tall but he’s taller)
- I don’t want you until I can’t have you (hero)
- childhood friends to lovers / family friend to lovers
- small town/close knit community
- working women – Seylah shuffles papers for the Sheriff’s Department but desires to be deputized
- lower steam – I could have missed some but I have this at 1 scene
Ages:
- Both are mid 20s (they are similar age and heroine is 14 in the prologue, main story is a decade later)
First line:
Seylah had never been a particularly elegant girl.
My thoughts:
I ended up enjoying a lot about this third installment to Carter’s Gold Sky series.
I liked that it was so character focused – it’s a big thing that deters me from Westerns, because I’ve read some with non stop action and I get bored. I didn’t find that here – I liked the character focus and the close community and family. I loved how August was such a concrete part of their group.
I was hoping for more angst – especially with the set up in prologue – I felt like it kind of worked out a bit too easily with August’s sudden motivation and steadfastness after the buildup of hurt and uncertainty. (I also was sad that there wasn’t a big resolution to the hurt of the prologue too)
There were some minor things that were a bit refreshing to me in this one and things that didn’t go quite like I expected. Reading romance for so many decades can definitely make some things predictable but I found myself seeing things go a bit differently than predicted in this one and I liked that!
I was hoping for a bit more steam, but it felt shorter than a lot of the other HR I have been reading lately. The audio is less than 7 hours and my usual listens are 9-11 hours.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- some scenes of danger, violence, and death on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: My chapters might be off from the actual book because I just looked at my audible screen...(might be one off because of the intro/prologue?? I can’t recall how it counted it)
Safe sex: No
Hows the consent? It’s good!
Chapter 10 of 17 – kiss
Chapter 12 of 17 – kiss
Chapter 15 of 17 – oral for her, missionary
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞
Sensuality: 💋💋💋
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥
Humor: A bit
Perspective: Third person from only the heroine (I think??)
More character focused or plot focused? a mix, but more character
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: Pretty soon in with the prologue
Cliffhanger: No, this ends with a happily ever after
Epilogue: No, but the last chapter takes place a week or so later and wraps everything up
Format: listened to bought audiobook
Should I read in order?
This is the second generation from books 1 and 2 of the series, specifically the daughter of the characters from Heart and Hand. The family has some page time together so I think ideally getting their story would heighten your enjoyment of this story.
Basic plot:
Seylah has given up on August ever noticing her, but he perks up when she shows signs of moving on.
Give this a try if you want:
- early 1900s Western America – 1910
- Montana setting
- size difference (she’s tall but he’s taller)
- I don’t want you until I can’t have you (hero)
- childhood friends to lovers / family friend to lovers
- small town/close knit community
- working women – Seylah shuffles papers for the Sheriff’s Department but desires to be deputized
- lower steam – I could have missed some but I have this at 1 scene
Ages:
- Both are mid 20s (they are similar age and heroine is 14 in the prologue, main story is a decade later)
First line:
Seylah had never been a particularly elegant girl.
My thoughts:
I ended up enjoying a lot about this third installment to Carter’s Gold Sky series.
I liked that it was so character focused – it’s a big thing that deters me from Westerns, because I’ve read some with non stop action and I get bored. I didn’t find that here – I liked the character focus and the close community and family. I loved how August was such a concrete part of their group.
I was hoping for more angst – especially with the set up in prologue – I felt like it kind of worked out a bit too easily with August’s sudden motivation and steadfastness after the buildup of hurt and uncertainty. (I also was sad that there wasn’t a big resolution to the hurt of the prologue too)
There were some minor things that were a bit refreshing to me in this one and things that didn’t go quite like I expected. Reading romance for so many decades can definitely make some things predictable but I found myself seeing things go a bit differently than predicted in this one and I liked that!
I was hoping for a bit more steam, but it felt shorter than a lot of the other HR I have been reading lately. The audio is less than 7 hours and my usual listens are 9-11 hours.
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
- some scenes of danger, violence, and death on page
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes: My chapters might be off from the actual book because I just looked at my audible screen...(might be one off because of the intro/prologue?? I can’t recall how it counted it)
Safe sex:
Hows the consent?
Chapter 10 of 17 – kiss
Chapter 12 of 17 – kiss
Chapter 15 of 17 – oral for her, missionary
katieandrews658's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
I never thought I wanted a romance novel with a gun on the cover, but when I saw this book I was like, I stand corrected. It turns out I want nothing more than a strong black woman sheriff’s deputy in Old West Montana who’s a crack shot with a rifle. Okay, technically Seylah is a secretary for the sheriff’s department, but she often steps in when the department is short-handed, and if that includes making an arrest or two, well, so be it. She’s known August since they were children and at one time even had a crush on him, but he burned that bridge and they’ve always kept things platonic. Until a handsome stranger comes to town with designs on sweeping Seylah off her feet--then all of a sudden, August wants to throw his hat into the ring. Seylah is a hard-headed, capable woman in the style of some of my favorite Beverly Jenkins characters--she knows she can do “man’s work” and rejects the attempts of men in her life to stifle her under the guise of protecting her safety. And seriously, come ON with that cover, have you ever seen anything so perfect in your life?
veva85's review against another edition
5.0
my fave
I loved Julie’s story but Seylah’s story for me has surpassed it. The friends to lovers with some good bickering thrown in the mix is chefs kiss. I just absolutely adored Seylah’s character she’s smart and fights for what she wants and what she believes is right.
I loved Julie’s story but Seylah’s story for me has surpassed it. The friends to lovers with some good bickering thrown in the mix is chefs kiss. I just absolutely adored Seylah’s character she’s smart and fights for what she wants and what she believes is right.
wlarianna's review
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Murder
alzeller99's review against another edition
3.0
this had a really strong start but I don't think there was enough tension and enough resolution to the main conflict. a little disappointed ngl :/
blairleigh's review against another edition
5.0
I would die for Seylah. Is that a lot? Too much? OH WELL. She’s badass, she’s fearless, she’s a lover, and she holds her loved ones so closely to her heart. She’s exactly the character you would expect, and yet she surprises you with how rich her personality is. And August? Take. Me. Away. Sir.
This book is delicious and beautiful and I am SO grateful to be on earth the same time as Rebel Carter. This book is one of my FAVORITES from her—if not my favorite.
This book is delicious and beautiful and I am SO grateful to be on earth the same time as Rebel Carter. This book is one of my FAVORITES from her—if not my favorite.
littlebookterror's review
slow-paced
3.0
Cannot believe Carter made me root for a friends-to-lovers romance.
You can tell from the start how much they both cared for one another.
You can tell from the start how much they both cared for one another.
taylordmccabe's review
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
candidceillie's review
4.0
If you read my reviews of the first two books in the Gold Sky series, you’ll know I’m a fan of the books about the Wilkes-Barnes family. Honor and Desire was no different.
For as long as anyone can remember Seylah Wickes-Barnes has been at the side of August Leclaire, her best friend and the boy her fathers took under their wing.
Honor and Desire CoverNow a grown woman and looking for love, Seylah’s deepest regret, and secret, is quickly coming to surface: She has been in love with August for as long as she can remember.
For years she has been content in her role as secretary to the Sheriff’s department in Gold Sky, Montana. Mostly for the opportunity to be around the men of her family, and the one who still owns her heart. But there is no denying that the woman behind the desk is far more suited to wielding a gun and keeping the peace. If only she could convince her fathers to see her in a new light, as a person worthy of a deputy’s badge.
Determined to put her past behind her, Seylah gives her attentions to a handsome new arrival. One who sweeps Seylah off her feet-quite literally. Things are almost perfect until August suddenly declares his intent to court her. Can she trust that August’s affections are true and not inspired by jealousy?
Amongst gun fights and forbidden kisses, childhood friendships mature into a love built on forever and intimate desire in this tale of friends-to-prickly-allies-to-lovers romance. (Goodreads)
Goodreads
I received an eARC of Honor and Desire from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Honor and Desire wasn’t my favorite of the books so far, but it was a great addition to the Gold Sky series that led us into the stories of the next generation.
You can read my full review here!
For as long as anyone can remember Seylah Wickes-Barnes has been at the side of August Leclaire, her best friend and the boy her fathers took under their wing.
Honor and Desire CoverNow a grown woman and looking for love, Seylah’s deepest regret, and secret, is quickly coming to surface: She has been in love with August for as long as she can remember.
For years she has been content in her role as secretary to the Sheriff’s department in Gold Sky, Montana. Mostly for the opportunity to be around the men of her family, and the one who still owns her heart. But there is no denying that the woman behind the desk is far more suited to wielding a gun and keeping the peace. If only she could convince her fathers to see her in a new light, as a person worthy of a deputy’s badge.
Determined to put her past behind her, Seylah gives her attentions to a handsome new arrival. One who sweeps Seylah off her feet-quite literally. Things are almost perfect until August suddenly declares his intent to court her. Can she trust that August’s affections are true and not inspired by jealousy?
Amongst gun fights and forbidden kisses, childhood friendships mature into a love built on forever and intimate desire in this tale of friends-to-prickly-allies-to-lovers romance. (Goodreads)
Goodreads
I received an eARC of Honor and Desire from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Honor and Desire wasn’t my favorite of the books so far, but it was a great addition to the Gold Sky series that led us into the stories of the next generation.
You can read my full review here!