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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Stirring Spurs is a heartwarming, low-angst romance complete with sexy gardening and a horse with a hankering for baked goods. Spurs does get pretty cheesy with the cowboy-themed figurative language and sayings, but I did find a lot of it funny and cute.
You know what they say, save a horse...I enjoyed the bit of spice with just the right amount of silliness. Them boots stay ON.
I'm grateful for the chance to take this ARC for a ride. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
You know what they say, save a horse...I enjoyed the bit of spice with just the right amount of silliness. Them boots stay ON.
I'm grateful for the chance to take this ARC for a ride. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It's about time someone wrote a gay cowboy romance that doesn't emotionally scar everyone who comes within a 100-foot radius of it. If you, like me, watched Brokeback Mountain and immediately considered asking your doctor for a Prozac prescription, may I interest you in Stirring Spurs?
Like M.A. Wardell's previous books, Stirring Spurs is a fun, cozy, low-angst romance full of queer joy and spice.
Set on a queer-inclusive ranch in rural Oklahoma, this book will resonate with those of us who fought to carve out the community we so desperately needed but struggled to find. Boone is the ranch cook and a natural caretaker who goes above and beyond for his family, both found and biological, without asking for anything in return. Wylie is a broody, reserved cowboy with a painful past and a hesitance to open up, which of course made him my favorite. As the two of them become closer and acknowledge their growing feelings for one another, they come to understand the importance of allowing themselves to be cared for and seen by the people who really matter.
They also fuck. Everyone say, "Thank you, Matt!"
Reading if you like:
• food as a love language
• cowboys who don't have to quit each other
• queer sanctuaries
• miniature horses causing problems
• the inherent eroticism of a pickup truck
Thank you to the author and Grey's Promotions for an advanced copy!
Like M.A. Wardell's previous books, Stirring Spurs is a fun, cozy, low-angst romance full of queer joy and spice.
Set on a queer-inclusive ranch in rural Oklahoma, this book will resonate with those of us who fought to carve out the community we so desperately needed but struggled to find. Boone is the ranch cook and a natural caretaker who goes above and beyond for his family, both found and biological, without asking for anything in return. Wylie is a broody, reserved cowboy with a painful past and a hesitance to open up, which of course made him my favorite. As the two of them become closer and acknowledge their growing feelings for one another, they come to understand the importance of allowing themselves to be cared for and seen by the people who really matter.
They also fuck. Everyone say, "Thank you, Matt!"
Reading if you like:
• food as a love language
• cowboys who don't have to quit each other
• queer sanctuaries
• miniature horses causing problems
• the inherent eroticism of a pickup truck
Thank you to the author and Grey's Promotions for an advanced copy!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
ARC REVIEW
I love a rancher/cowboy romance.
I loved this novella so much. It was cute and cozy and a perfect pride month read.
Boone is Rainbow Ranch’s resident cook and Wayne is a cowboy looking for something quick cash, with no intentions to stay beyond what’s needed of him.
This is going to be a series of queer novellas, following the Adam’s siblings.
This is a really cute, quick and cozy romance. I loved the descriptions of the food, and I also loved seeing all the different characters and I can’t wait to read their stories.
Available now 🩷
I love a rancher/cowboy romance.
I loved this novella so much. It was cute and cozy and a perfect pride month read.
Boone is Rainbow Ranch’s resident cook and Wayne is a cowboy looking for something quick cash, with no intentions to stay beyond what’s needed of him.
This is going to be a series of queer novellas, following the Adam’s siblings.
This is a really cute, quick and cozy romance. I loved the descriptions of the food, and I also loved seeing all the different characters and I can’t wait to read their stories.
Available now 🩷
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I only read this book with a country accent. There’s no other way to read it. I know everyone is in their cowboy era (I wonder if we have Beyoncé to thank for that) and I think this connected series is going to give exactly what we need. A ranch house full of Queer people? You might actually get me to go to a rodeo. Let me find my cowboy hat.
Did you know there’s a whole line of therapy done with horses? Wylie & Noodles are proof that sometimes, you just need to bond with a horse and tell them about your life. Boone though, he knows the way to everyone’s heart is through the food they eat. I’ve been known to show love by cooking for someone and Boone takes care of everyone. It was definitely time for these two to meet and take care of each other.
A great read with a hint of cowboy riding 😏.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Stirring Spurs is the first book in a new series called Rainbow Ranch. Each book in the series will focus on one of the Adams siblings. The four siblings, who are each queer, have taken over their late parents' ranch and turned it into a safe haven for LGBTQIA+ people and any other outcasts who need a place to call home.
This first book focuses on Boone Adams, the family cook and caretaker. He falls for the ranch's latest arrival, Wylie Anderson. Wylie is hired to help tame a skittish horse and initially plans for his stay to be short-term. He never stays anywhere too long and is hesitant to make strong connections with anyone. However, his growing relationship with Boone may encourage the lonesome cowboy to finally put down roots.
The romance is very spicy but has a lot of heart. Boone and Wylie are incredibly sweet together, and I loved their dynamic. Every time they mentioned "courting" each other, I swooned a little!
I also love the dynamic between the four siblings. The three brothers and one sister are affectionate and have a teasing yet protective relationship. I loved them all and look forward to reading Beau's, Billie's, and Benny's love stories too.
I've wanted to read an M.A. Wardell for a while now, and I'm so glad I finally did. This was a great introduction to his work, and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As someone who has read and enjoyed the entire Teachers in Love series (so far!) by M.A.Wardell, I was excited to get my hands on an ARC for his latest book. I'm not usually one for cowboy stuff, but the characters in this book were so charming, I found myself hooked (lassoed?) right away. The love story between Boone and Wylie was so sweet, I couldn't help but root for them and fall in love with them as they fell in love with each other. I was surprised by the amount of depth Wardell was able to give his characters in such a short novella. Rather than feeling gratuitous like some other romance novels, the spicy stuff just felt like an added bonus to a heartwarming story.
My only complaint is how much the characters winked at each other. It wasn't always in a suggestive way either. Siblings winked at siblings! I literally found myself googling, "do cowboys wink a lot?" because I was so perplexed by it. A silly gripe, I know, but that speaks to how cute of a book it was overall!
My only complaint is how much the characters winked at each other. It wasn't always in a suggestive way either. Siblings winked at siblings! I literally found myself googling, "do cowboys wink a lot?" because I was so perplexed by it. A silly gripe, I know, but that speaks to how cute of a book it was overall!
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I adored this little novella. It was really fast paced but Wardell really made it into a slow, progressive fall despite the short length. Boone was so, so, so sweet and the caretaking was next level. Wylie was adorably quiet and stoic, but once he fell, OO BABY was it hot and spicy. This was just quiet, queer joy that I feel like everyone needs to experience, especially right now. Also, truck bed shenanigans, duh.
* I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
* I received an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.