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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Happy Release Day!! ₊˚ෆ
Rating: ★★★★ (4.75)
𝜗𝜚 “It feels easy. Being with Hollis is easy. Loving him feels right. And even though I never saw myself here, there’s no other place I’d rather be.” 𝜗𝜚
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement!! I loved this book so much from the relationship down to the characters!!! I loved how Hollis paid attention to what Ford said he enjoyed doing and brought that enjoyment to him when he was upset without him asking. And let's not get on the moment that Ford realized that he was in love with Hollis! That was my favorite moment of them! I definetly see myself re-reading this book soon!
But pleaseeeeee tell me there's going to be a book for Remi and Hollis' dad?? I've been invested in their little moments since I read Finn. I can't be the only one eating up the little crumbs!
❀ "On paper, you and I make no sense. On paper, we never should’ve happened—or, at the very least, been over long before now. And yet, the more time I spent with you, the more I got to know you—the real you—and the more I let you see me too, the deeper I fell.” ❀
✦MM Romance
✦Small Town
✦Cowboy x Firefighter
✦Age Gap
✦Online Dating
✦Hidden Identity
✦Best Friend’s Boss
✦Sneaking Around
✦Opposites Attract
thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the eARC!!
Rating: ★★★★ (4.75)
𝜗𝜚 “It feels easy. Being with Hollis is easy. Loving him feels right. And even though I never saw myself here, there’s no other place I’d rather be.” 𝜗𝜚
To say I enjoyed this book is an understatement!! I loved this book so much from the relationship down to the characters!!! I loved how Hollis paid attention to what Ford said he enjoyed doing and brought that enjoyment to him when he was upset without him asking. And let's not get on the moment that Ford realized that he was in love with Hollis! That was my favorite moment of them! I definetly see myself re-reading this book soon!
But pleaseeeeee tell me there's going to be a book for Remi and Hollis' dad?? I've been invested in their little moments since I read Finn. I can't be the only one eating up the little crumbs!
❀ "On paper, you and I make no sense. On paper, we never should’ve happened—or, at the very least, been over long before now. And yet, the more time I spent with you, the more I got to know you—the real you—and the more I let you see me too, the deeper I fell.” ❀
✦MM Romance
✦Small Town
✦Cowboy x Firefighter
✦Age Gap
✦Online Dating
✦Hidden Identity
✦Best Friend’s Boss
✦Sneaking Around
✦Opposites Attract
thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the eARC!!
emotional
funny
tense
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I loved this book!
Forbidden Romance/secret relationship
Age Gap
Small Town
Cowboy/Firefighter
Family
Dating App/sexting! 🔥
I loved the struggle they each had when it came to telling people (namely Remi) because the TENSION 🥵
I did want them to have more conversations, it was a bit sex heavy (which I’m always fine with! But I like seeing the emotional connection just as much as the physical)
Hollis is hilarious and cocky and Ford is trying REALLY hard to deny himself what he wants. Hint: it doesn’t go well for him 😉
Excellent addition to the series. I’m not sure Gentry’s book will be able to top Finn’s, but I can’t wait!!
Forbidden Romance/secret relationship
Age Gap
Small Town
Cowboy/Firefighter
Family
Dating App/sexting! 🔥
I loved the struggle they each had when it came to telling people (namely Remi) because the TENSION 🥵
I did want them to have more conversations, it was a bit sex heavy (which I’m always fine with! But I like seeing the emotional connection just as much as the physical)
Hollis is hilarious and cocky and Ford is trying REALLY hard to deny himself what he wants. Hint: it doesn’t go well for him 😉
Excellent addition to the series. I’m not sure Gentry’s book will be able to top Finn’s, but I can’t wait!!
emotional
funny
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:
No
Hollis is the next book in The Moore Men series by author Ashley James. I really enjoyed the first book in the series, Finn, and was looking forward to the next in line and it did not disappoint.
Hollis Moore is Finn’s younger brother. He’s young, outgoing, easy on the eyes, flirty, likes women, likes men, likes to have fun. He works hard and he plays hard. He has close friends but no interest in a relationship. Captain Ford Wesley is the Chief of the Wolf Creek Fire Department, and possibly as different from Hollis as can be. Ford can be fun, he might have even been flirty at one time, but he’s recently divorced from his husband of almost twenty years. At forty-seven he’s wondering what he should do with the rest of his life. Definitely not looking for a relationship; the way he feels right now he might never be ready for another one. But Remi, his young lieutenant and good friend, convinces him to sign up on a dating app. What could it hurt? Ford could just have a little fun for a change, nothing serious, or maybe just some interesting chats. So Ford reluctantly agrees and very carefully creates a profile, being purposely vague, marking his identity private and posts a couple of photos that don’t show his face. He’ll learn later that he wasn’t actually as careful as he thought, but for now he’ll give it a shot.
Wolf Creek isn’t that big, and everybody knows everybody else. Ford knows the Moore men: Finn and his son Tucker and boyfriend Ash, Hollis, their father Gentry and their friend August and his boyfriend Tripp. Paths cross all the time. And Remi is Hollis’s best friend. As Ford is innocently scrolling through the profiles of men who want to match with him, saying no, nope, heck no and looking at the profiles of others on the app, he comes across ‘KnockinBoots’ and is intrigued by the first photo – an ab shot. As he keeps looking at ‘KnockinBoots’ a face he recognizes comes into view. He’s back to no, nope, and heck no . . . . except for some reason he can’t even explain to himself, he swipes right. It will be okay, right? Even though he recognizes Hollis whose profile is not private, Ford’s is, so Hollis won’t know who he’s talking to. Ford knows this could blow up in his face but he just cannot help himself. And their first few encounters are fun and hot and sexy – and anonymous.
Fate has a way of stepping in. No matter how careful you think you are, something can always fall through the cracks. Like the unique tattoo you have that is visible in your profile photo and also visible when your shirt rides up in front of Hollis. Oh, oh. Fun for the reader. Not so much for Ford. He’s a good guy but still shaken by the loss of a marriage he knew wasn’t working for a long time but was afraid to end. He’s embarrassed and panicked. There’s no answer he’s comfortable giving why he knew it was Hollis and swiped right anyway but didn’t reveal who he was.
Hollis is amused and enjoys making Ford uncomfortable, but it’s more than that. He’s always thought this silver fox was sexy, and their chats have been hot and fun and interesting. Since neither of them is looking for anything serious why not take this a little further and have some under-the-radar fun. Not so simple, though. There’s something between them they can’t explain. An age gap, yes, but something else that feels good and somehow right.
Author James has done another fantastic job of taking us back to Wolf Creek, spending more time with the Moore family, giving us a story that’s not only spicy but sweet and tender, filled with humor, about friends and family and taking a chance when your heart is telling you yes even if your head is telling you no. I received an advance copy of Hollis. I thoroughly enjoyed it, recommend it without hesitation and can’t wait for the next book in this satisfying series. And maybe there will be an audiobook?? I voluntarily leave this review; all opinions are my own.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Ashley James and The Author Agency for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I don't know what it is about the way Ashley James writes cowboys, but goodness do I love it. Hollis had the perfect mix of steam and sweetness. I loved seeing Hollis start to care for Cap, even when he wasn't realizing it. And what he did the day of Cap's divorce becoming official? That's what we all want out of a partner. Someone who sees us and goes out of their way to comfort us in the way we need. I also loved how awkward Cap is, both at dating and when he's confronted with his own feelings, either by himself or others.
This was honestly the perfect book, even with being in a major reading slump. I flew through it because I just love the way Hollis and Cap were together. And I also can't get enough of Remi teasing Gentry, which I'm hoping all comes to fruition in Gentry's book, which I think will be next!
Tropes:
- cowboy x firefighter
- age gap
- sneaking around
- MM romance
I don't know what it is about the way Ashley James writes cowboys, but goodness do I love it. Hollis had the perfect mix of steam and sweetness. I loved seeing Hollis start to care for Cap, even when he wasn't realizing it. And what he did the day of Cap's divorce becoming official? That's what we all want out of a partner. Someone who sees us and goes out of their way to comfort us in the way we need. I also loved how awkward Cap is, both at dating and when he's confronted with his own feelings, either by himself or others.
This was honestly the perfect book, even with being in a major reading slump. I flew through it because I just love the way Hollis and Cap were together. And I also can't get enough of Remi teasing Gentry, which I'm hoping all comes to fruition in Gentry's book, which I think will be next!
Tropes:
- cowboy x firefighter
- age gap
- sneaking around
- MM romance
What can I say? I love The Moore Men and Hollis is that charismatic playboy we all love. He doesn't do relationships after his high school love and him had a terrible breakup after graduation. Ford is going through a divorce after 20+ years of marriage to a fellow firefighter. They grew apart and he learned of a meaner side of his husband that's slowly been peaking through. He downloads a dating app after his lieutenant. annoys him into doing so. Matching with Hollis was just for fun, a little harmless flirting.
Hollis finds out who he is and takes their relationship to the next level. They spend more and more time together, growing closer. Hollis is scared of these new feelings, not understanding how he can feel this way.
Together, can they figure out what they mean to each other?
Hollis finds out who he is and takes their relationship to the next level. They spend more and more time together, growing closer. Hollis is scared of these new feelings, not understanding how he can feel this way.
Together, can they figure out what they mean to each other?
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Story: 12/10
Spice: 5/5
Spicer Hierarchy: spicy/smut
ARC Review-Releases 7/17
Ford gives into the recommendation of his co-worker and joins a dating app as his divorce is finalized. He was not expecting to match with his co-worker’s best friend, Hollis. Ford is hesitant to begin anything Hollis since he is a self-proclaimed f*ck-boy. But the appeal of a secret friends with benefits is too much for Ford to resist.
This was a solid good time… the sneaking around aspect just amped everything up. I could feel myself blushing while reading and that almost never happens. I loved Fire Daddy so much-Lordy. While the passion and heat was there between Hollis and Ford from the start, I loved the slow building of their friendship into a relationship. Ford’s grumpy personality was the perfect pairing for Hollis. This was an addictive, funny, low-angst HOT HOT HOT story with a cowboy x firefighter with sneaking around.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“That doesn’t mean you made a mistake by leaving, or that you should’ve stayed in a marriage that brought you pain and misery. It just means that you cared. It’s okay to grieve something that no longer serves you…”
Overall: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
There’s something about Hollis and Ford that drew me in and refused to let me go. I found myself rooting for them so strongly by the end that it was almost surprising. Kind of like our leads, I didn’t expect to care for them as much as I did.
Ford is a beautiful character. Life hasn’t been kind in a lot of ways and he wears his stoic attitude like armor. But there’s a sweet softness to him, to this rugged fire captain who finds solace in nature and befriends a lonely elderly man. He’s so clearly seeking soul-deep connection without ever realizing it and my heart aches for him.
And Hollis? Bottle his sunshine and sell it for a penny because we could all use some of his confidence, sass, and self-assuredness. For all his playboy talk and insistence that he “doesn’t do relationships,” his thoughtfulness and insight are core to who he is and so utterly blatant to those around him.
And the spice? Dear goodness, the spice. James has a way with words when it comes to building delicious tension. Once the fire starts in this one it doesn’t wane, much less go out. It almost felt overwhelming to the plot, particularly when the timeline jumped a week or so ahead and we missed some of the growth happening outside the bedroom (even though you won’t find me complaining about the time spent inside it, lemme tell you).
The internal monologues are thick in this book, fair warning for those who prefer an action-forward writing style. We are all up in Hollis and Ford’s heads from the jump. The pace picks up in the second half, with more active scenes and fewer deep dives, but it’s a consistent theme.
Hollis is also a playboy who doesn’t take no for an answer…taking it nearly too far. This felt true to his character, though, and seemed almost necessary for things to move forward given Ford’s reluctance. Hollis is pushy, but I wouldn’t say he’s forceful.
Overall, I struggled to put this book down. It was my first by James and it absolutely won’t be my last. I’ve already downloaded the first book in the series and fully intend to make my way through the rest of the backlist.
Recommended for fans of small town contemporary MM romance and authors like Jonah Yorke, J.M. Frey, Nordika Night, Willow Dixon, and similar.
📚Fast facts📚
✨ Small town
✨ Firefighter x rancher
✨ Age gap
✨ Best friend’s boss
✨ Secret identity (dating app)
✨ Dating after divorce
✨ Secret relationship
✨ “I shouldn’t want you”
✨ Found family
✨ Very open door
✨ Contemporary MM
✨ Standalone (second in a series)
✨ First person, dual POV, present tense
I am so grateful to the author and The Author Agency to have received an advanced copy of this story! This is my honest and unbiased review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident
Moderate: Homophobia
Another amazing couple from Ashley James. I absolutely loved how silly Hollis was. Ford was perfection as the older firefighter and i just loved what these two did for each other. There was just such fun chemistry and ease with these two. I loved them so much!
So deliciously good!!!! I can’t wait to read more about the rest of the characters
These two brought the heat and the feelings.
After meeting Hollis in book one, I knew he was going to be messy and exciting. His crush on the fire chief was not a secret and his flirtings got him nowhere...that he knew of. It was so exciting seeing him react and confront Ford when the secret identity came to light. I loved how he didn't get mad or act shocked and hurt, he just did...other more productive things. I loved the connection that started because of that secret and the one that kept on growing, because let's be honest, it was never casual.
Ford, my guy, I loved you from page one. He was a little shy and a lot scared, totally understandable, seeing where he just got out of. I loved seeing that double side of him. The anonymity really made him open up, and I feel like thanks to that, the relationship was better, it had the foundation to start something already, because they both knew much more about the other. Ford opening up sexually was also a beauty to behold, hot and sweet.
I loved every aspect of this book and this series, and that little 'something' that was hinted at for the side characters can be so good! I'm looking at you, Daddy Moore, pls find the one...and he can be a young hot man whose name I won't say to not spoil anything.
Beyond thankful to Ashley and TAA for this e-arc!!
Quotes:
Living your truth and being proud about it shouldn't be something that's seen as admirable. It should be standard, you know?
The man I've been talking to-the mystery man with the nice cock—is Captain Ford Wesley. And the best part? I may be just now figuring out who he is, but he's known who I am. Ford's been knowingly flirting with me.
"What a dirty fuckin' man you are, baby,"
Knowing before long, Ford Wesley, the big, gruff fire captain at Station 14 and the mystery man I've been flirting with for over a month, will be putty in my hands.
"Do exactly what you said you wanted to do to me earlier. Fuck my throat. Take control. Lose control on me."
I want Hollis, even though I shouldn't.
Hollis makes me feel seen in a way I've felt invisible for so many years.
My body is thrumming, and it's so easy to lose myself in him. In this moment. I've barely gotten started, and I already know I'm not going to want to stop. His body fits against mine perfectly.
"And ya just don't know how to quit, do ya? Comin' over here unannounced, beggin' for me to fuck you. Is this what you needed, boy?"
The truth is, Hollis fascinates me.
My lips are on his before I can even take my next breath. I'm starving, but he is too,
I can't put my finger on what it is, exactly, about this that feels different, but it does, and I know he feels it too. It's in the way his dark, hooded gaze bleeds into mine, in the way he's holding on to me just as tight as I am, and it's also in the quiet. In the way neither of us has to say anything to know how we're feeling.
Never been a sleepover type of man, and typically, I like it that way, but it felt so natural asking him to stay last night.
Being with Hollis is easy.
Loving him feels right.
And even though I never saw myself here, there's no
other place I'd rather be.
These two brought the heat and the feelings.
After meeting Hollis in book one, I knew he was going to be messy and exciting. His crush on the fire chief was not a secret and his flirtings got him nowhere...that he knew of. It was so exciting seeing him react and confront Ford when the secret identity came to light. I loved how he didn't get mad or act shocked and hurt, he just did...other more productive things. I loved the connection that started because of that secret and the one that kept on growing, because let's be honest, it was never casual.
Ford, my guy, I loved you from page one. He was a little shy and a lot scared, totally understandable, seeing where he just got out of. I loved seeing that double side of him. The anonymity really made him open up, and I feel like thanks to that, the relationship was better, it had the foundation to start something already, because they both knew much more about the other. Ford opening up sexually was also a beauty to behold, hot and sweet.
I loved every aspect of this book and this series, and that little 'something' that was hinted at for the side characters can be so good! I'm looking at you, Daddy Moore, pls find the one...and he can be a young hot man whose name I won't say to not spoil anything.
Beyond thankful to Ashley and TAA for this e-arc!!
Quotes:
Living your truth and being proud about it shouldn't be something that's seen as admirable. It should be standard, you know?
The man I've been talking to-the mystery man with the nice cock—is Captain Ford Wesley. And the best part? I may be just now figuring out who he is, but he's known who I am. Ford's been knowingly flirting with me.
"What a dirty fuckin' man you are, baby,"
Knowing before long, Ford Wesley, the big, gruff fire captain at Station 14 and the mystery man I've been flirting with for over a month, will be putty in my hands.
"Do exactly what you said you wanted to do to me earlier. Fuck my throat. Take control. Lose control on me."
I want Hollis, even though I shouldn't.
Hollis makes me feel seen in a way I've felt invisible for so many years.
My body is thrumming, and it's so easy to lose myself in him. In this moment. I've barely gotten started, and I already know I'm not going to want to stop. His body fits against mine perfectly.
"And ya just don't know how to quit, do ya? Comin' over here unannounced, beggin' for me to fuck you. Is this what you needed, boy?"
The truth is, Hollis fascinates me.
My lips are on his before I can even take my next breath. I'm starving, but he is too,
I can't put my finger on what it is, exactly, about this that feels different, but it does, and I know he feels it too. It's in the way his dark, hooded gaze bleeds into mine, in the way he's holding on to me just as tight as I am, and it's also in the quiet. In the way neither of us has to say anything to know how we're feeling.
Never been a sleepover type of man, and typically, I like it that way, but it felt so natural asking him to stay last night.
Being with Hollis is easy.
Loving him feels right.
And even though I never saw myself here, there's no
other place I'd rather be.