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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
tense
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:
Yes
This was a short and sweet little filler story. Not much in the way of plot, it's barely there and more relationship focused than anything, but definitely sets the tone for the other books.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Spice: 3/5š¶ļø
*spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
The Catalog: MM, grumpy x sunshine, ranch cook x horse whisperer, Gay cowboys, forced proximity on a ranch, food as a love language, found family, low angst
Synopsis: Boone is Rainbow Ranchās cook, the one that takes care of everyone through food, but all that work leaves him little time for love. Wylie is a traveling cowboy, going from ranch to ranch to help out without ever putting down roots, but when he gets hired at Rainbow Ranch to help with a particularly stubborn horse, he starts to believe he could stay.
Thoughts:
Howdy partner, and welcome to Rainbow Ranch, a beautiful, queer-normative bubble of love and acceptance where animals and humans alike can find safety and care! Rainbow Ranch is so adorable and I am obsessed with the Adams siblings and their sanctuary! There is something so incredibly emotional about a community like this one. This book follows Boone and his untethered cowboy, Wiley.
Stirring Spurs is a soothing mix of low angst and high romance, creating a quick story as warm as a cozy flannel blanket. There is humor and heat, cooking as a love language, star gazing, and an ornery mini horse to keep everyone on their toes.
Wiley and Booneās story is so cute and swoony! Boone is the sibling that does so much for others that he doesnāt always take time for himself. Wiley is the perfect brooding cowboy to cherish Boone and all of his incredible cooking (I was so hungry the entire book, lmao). Together they are everything I could have wanted in a cozy cowboy romance & as M.A. Wardell promised, I do feel healed from the trauma of Brokeback Mountain. The feel good fuzzies are so sweet.
I adore this introduction to Rainbow Ranch, definitely recommend, and cannot wait to read the others in this series as they release!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
emotional
lighthearted
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:
N/A
Thank you to the author for kindly giving me an ARC.
I absolutely loved this book as I knew I would! It was the defintion of queer joy, it felt like a warm hug after a rough day, and it had me smiling all throughout.
Both Boone and Wylie resonated with me and I felt an emotional connection to them both. Boone having the responsibility of caretaker looking after the ranch and his younger siblings was admirable, but it begged the question who looks after Boone. He was constantly putting his family first, which was extremely heartwarming, but he needed time to be his own person and look after his own life. Wylie being detached and a loner coming to a family queer ranch was so lovely to see. At first, he was understandably anxious and out of his depth, but I love that he gradually came to love the ranch as much as the others did.
The dynamic between the family was so wholesome and lovely. I loved the teasing of Boone and the tender moments where we saw that his family just wanted him to be happy. Wylie letting himself be vulnerable with them was great.
I wish I could live at Rainbow Ranch.
I absolutely loved this book as I knew I would! It was the defintion of queer joy, it felt like a warm hug after a rough day, and it had me smiling all throughout.
Both Boone and Wylie resonated with me and I felt an emotional connection to them both. Boone having the responsibility of caretaker looking after the ranch and his younger siblings was admirable, but it begged the question who looks after Boone. He was constantly putting his family first, which was extremely heartwarming, but he needed time to be his own person and look after his own life. Wylie being detached and a loner coming to a family queer ranch was so lovely to see. At first, he was understandably anxious and out of his depth, but I love that he gradually came to love the ranch as much as the others did.
The dynamic between the family was so wholesome and lovely. I loved the teasing of Boone and the tender moments where we saw that his family just wanted him to be happy. Wylie letting himself be vulnerable with them was great.
I wish I could live at Rainbow Ranch.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I got the chance to get this e-ARC.
I always enjoy M.A. Wardell books because there isn't a lot of angst and if there is, there are also tons of cute moments that make up for it.
I knew this was a novella, so I was prepared for a quick read. Even though this is shorter than other stuff I've read from him, you still have a chance to get to know the characters and fall for them. I loved the dynamic among the Adams siblings. I know this is Wardell's entry to this series and I hope the bond among the siblings will continue with the other novellas by the other authors. Also, please do give us more from Dennis, the menace mini horse!
You gotta love a soft 'cookie' and a tough cowboy who only needed to feel welcomed so that he could finally get a sense of belonging. This story shows why representation and acceptance are so important; giving all people places where they can feel seen and safe is vital, even more so in situations that for long have been considered as 'macho' places.
Guess I'm gonna have to read the other entries to go back into Rainbow Ranch life.
I always enjoy M.A. Wardell books because there isn't a lot of angst and if there is, there are also tons of cute moments that make up for it.
I knew this was a novella, so I was prepared for a quick read. Even though this is shorter than other stuff I've read from him, you still have a chance to get to know the characters and fall for them. I loved the dynamic among the Adams siblings. I know this is Wardell's entry to this series and I hope the bond among the siblings will continue with the other novellas by the other authors. Also, please do give us more from Dennis, the menace mini horse!
You gotta love a soft 'cookie' and a tough cowboy who only needed to feel welcomed so that he could finally get a sense of belonging. This story shows why representation and acceptance are so important; giving all people places where they can feel seen and safe is vital, even more so in situations that for long have been considered as 'macho' places.
Guess I'm gonna have to read the other entries to go back into Rainbow Ranch life.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
No
I have loved everything I've read by Wardell before but this one just didn't hit for me. I'm not sure why. The spice was spicing and the characters were fun and loveable and I love the concept of all 4 siblings being queer. lol. Also love that a different author wrote the next book! Cool concept.
This pairing just didn't have the magic or the spark that the Teachers series had for me. But we need more unapologetically queer stories so everyone should definitely read it.
This pairing just didn't have the magic or the spark that the Teachers series had for me. But we need more unapologetically queer stories so everyone should definitely read it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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:
No
I want to protect Boone at all costs!
I didn't realize how much I wanted a queer story taking place on an openly queer and inclusive ranch with cowboys. This was adorably sweet and M.A. Wardell's writing is as easily digestible as ever; playful, sweet, and thoughtful. Writing styles can make a huge difference for a book and I think can sometimes be the difference between a good book and a great book.
The one thing I found was that it felt a little insta-love, I know that we're working in a novella format and it being part of a series with other authors, but in general insta-love is not something I gravitate towards. I like the pining, the slow-to-medium burn, and just wanted a tiny bit of friction. That being said, I think this enamates the cozy, low-stakes genre perfectly, so I think if you go into it with those expectations, you'll love it even more than I did!
I didn't realize how much I wanted a queer story taking place on an openly queer and inclusive ranch with cowboys. This was adorably sweet and M.A. Wardell's writing is as easily digestible as ever; playful, sweet, and thoughtful. Writing styles can make a huge difference for a book and I think can sometimes be the difference between a good book and a great book.
The one thing I found was that it felt a little insta-love, I know that we're working in a novella format and it being part of a series with other authors, but in general insta-love is not something I gravitate towards. I like the pining, the slow-to-medium burn, and just wanted a tiny bit of friction. That being said, I think this enamates the cozy, low-stakes genre perfectly, so I think if you go into it with those expectations, you'll love it even more than I did!
emotional
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:
Complicated
Stirring Spurs is my first encounter with M.A. Wardell, and this book might just be the most endearing cowboy romance Iāve ever read. Wardell roped me in from the first chapter with his vibrant cast of characters and expressive, playful style.
I adore MMCs Boone and Wylie. Hardworking, gorgeous, and sweeter than frosting, these two cowboys are the ultimate sugar rush with their steamy chemistry and swoon-worthy romance. Boone is sunshine incarnateāvibrant, caring, and with a heart bigger than Oklahoma itself, his energy brought me so much joy as he coaxed Wylie out of his shell. And Wylieāgosh, Wylie. Heās had a rough few years, but allowing himself to be captivated by Booneās infectious smiles and enthusiasm was the push he needed to open his heart and start his healing journey. Iām so glad he found happiness and a home at Rainbow Ranch.
Stirring Spurs is the first in the four book, mixed author Rainbow Ranch series, a beautiful celebration of queer joy, love, and belonging thatās set to release next month in July. Iām so excited to read the full seriesāso much so, Iāll probably end up reading Stirring Spurs again!
~
Ratings:
5ā ~ 3š¶ļø ~ 1š
Tropes:
ā¤ļø Grumpy x Sunshine
š§” Found family
š Only one bed
š Fresh start
š Care taking
š Wear the hat š
What I loved:
ā¤ļø All the queer joy!
š§” Close, openly affectionate siblings
š The perfect blend of sweet and spicy~
š Great supporting cast
š Noodles the horse and Dennis the mini-horse!
š First in a series
I adore MMCs Boone and Wylie. Hardworking, gorgeous, and sweeter than frosting, these two cowboys are the ultimate sugar rush with their steamy chemistry and swoon-worthy romance. Boone is sunshine incarnateāvibrant, caring, and with a heart bigger than Oklahoma itself, his energy brought me so much joy as he coaxed Wylie out of his shell. And Wylieāgosh, Wylie. Heās had a rough few years, but allowing himself to be captivated by Booneās infectious smiles and enthusiasm was the push he needed to open his heart and start his healing journey. Iām so glad he found happiness and a home at Rainbow Ranch.
Stirring Spurs is the first in the four book, mixed author Rainbow Ranch series, a beautiful celebration of queer joy, love, and belonging thatās set to release next month in July. Iām so excited to read the full seriesāso much so, Iāll probably end up reading Stirring Spurs again!
~
Ratings:
5ā ~ 3š¶ļø ~ 1š
Tropes:
ā¤ļø Grumpy x Sunshine
š§” Found family
š Only one bed
š Fresh start
š Care taking
š Wear the hat š
What I loved:
ā¤ļø All the queer joy!
š§” Close, openly affectionate siblings
š The perfect blend of sweet and spicy~
š Great supporting cast
š Noodles the horse and Dennis the mini-horse!
š First in a series
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This novella was like a balm for my soul! It was so sweet and adorable with no angst and sometimes you just need that. I giggled so much reading this, especially all the subtle innuendos.
I loved both Boone and Wylie and how they complimented each other perfectly. Boone was a man who took care of everyone else but never let himself be on the receiving end and Wylie was a man that just wanted to find somewhere he would belong and he found it on Rainbow Ranch. The found family and acceptance were beautiful. Everyone got to be their authentic selves.
As with every other book Iāve read by M.A. Wardell the spice was top tier! And I just love when a character is obsessed with a dimple or freckles and this one had that and I couldnāt stop smiling whenever it was mentioned. Canāt wait to read the other novellas in this series and I hope Dennis appears in them as well because he is a hoot!
I loved both Boone and Wylie and how they complimented each other perfectly. Boone was a man who took care of everyone else but never let himself be on the receiving end and Wylie was a man that just wanted to find somewhere he would belong and he found it on Rainbow Ranch. The found family and acceptance were beautiful. Everyone got to be their authentic selves.
As with every other book Iāve read by M.A. Wardell the spice was top tier! And I just love when a character is obsessed with a dimple or freckles and this one had that and I couldnāt stop smiling whenever it was mentioned. Canāt wait to read the other novellas in this series and I hope Dennis appears in them as well because he is a hoot!
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The feel good, gay cowboy romance of the summer.
First off, partners, letās be clear: Iām not a cowboy fan. Never have been; never will be. And there arenāt many people who could get me to read a cowboy romance. But M.A. Wardell is on that list. Heās established that trust and he didnāt lose it after I finished Stirring Spurs.
This is both a short and a quick read, a 180 page novella (so almost kissing novel length) that has a zippy pace. The story of Boone (the ācookieā at the Rainbow Ranch, an all queer, working ranch) and Wylie (a cowboy passing through, working for his bed and grub) is ālow-angstā and not very plotty. Theyāre both out gay men who are available to each other and are immediately attracted and we follow them as they get closer and then really close.
The book is pretty slice of life and Wardell focuses on the daily lives of our heroes and their allies-queer friends and family. Whether Wylie will end up staying is the biggest issue of their relationship but the biggest issue of the plot is if Wylie can tame a wild horse, which he does through cake baked by Boone. This, friends, is what we call a metaphor.
Stirring Spurs is charming and easy to love. Itās deeply LGBTQ-affirming and displays a level of care with gay male relationships that is surprisingly rare in MM romance. If you already love to see cowboys wrestling around with each other, then you oughta giddy up and lasso this one on to your TBR. And if (like me), youāre not real keen on those cowpokes, you still will probably get a thrill out of seeing them cowboys poke. Wait, donāt take the keyboard away, I didnāt do any jokes about beansā¦
First off, partners, letās be clear: Iām not a cowboy fan. Never have been; never will be. And there arenāt many people who could get me to read a cowboy romance. But M.A. Wardell is on that list. Heās established that trust and he didnāt lose it after I finished Stirring Spurs.
This is both a short and a quick read, a 180 page novella (so almost kissing novel length) that has a zippy pace. The story of Boone (the ācookieā at the Rainbow Ranch, an all queer, working ranch) and Wylie (a cowboy passing through, working for his bed and grub) is ālow-angstā and not very plotty. Theyāre both out gay men who are available to each other and are immediately attracted and we follow them as they get closer and then really close.
The book is pretty slice of life and Wardell focuses on the daily lives of our heroes and their allies-queer friends and family. Whether Wylie will end up staying is the biggest issue of their relationship but the biggest issue of the plot is if Wylie can tame a wild horse, which he does through cake baked by Boone. This, friends, is what we call a metaphor.
Stirring Spurs is charming and easy to love. Itās deeply LGBTQ-affirming and displays a level of care with gay male relationships that is surprisingly rare in MM romance. If you already love to see cowboys wrestling around with each other, then you oughta giddy up and lasso this one on to your TBR. And if (like me), youāre not real keen on those cowpokes, you still will probably get a thrill out of seeing them cowboys poke. Wait, donāt take the keyboard away, I didnāt do any jokes about beansā¦