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bitchie's review
5.0
Emotional and VERY romantic. A couple minor editing mistakes, but not enough to get on your nerves. Slow burn relationship that played all the emotional beats and never felt rushed.
I really want to hear Brett's music.
I really want to hear Brett's music.
a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Hearts!
This was a classic second chance romance made all the better by having it feature a likeable, brooding cowboy and the young stranger who captures his heart.
Brett has been wallowing in grief and guilt over the death of his partner 3 years ago. He’s functional but barely, often drowning his sorrows in good ole Jack Daniels. When his overbearing, meddling mom brings home a guy she found on the highway, Brett is none too happy nor impressed.
JT hasn’t really had it easy either. He’s long been searching for something. What exactly, he’s not quite sure. He just knows that he’s his own person and because his family couldn’t accept that, there was no reason to stick around. Somehow, JT finds himself on Brett’s ranch, and he’s willing to try it out for awhile. Why not, right? He never anticipates falling for his gentle grieving boss.
Both these men are attracted to each other, and both fall hard and fast, but that doesn't mean those feelings are easily accepted. There’s definitely too many obstacles and issues standing in their way, so their dance is quite a long one. JT is patient, understanding, and willing to do whatever is needed so as to not spook Brett further into more self destruction. Brett’s internal struggle is a big one, as he tries to reconcile his conflicting feelings about wanting happiness and moving on.
These two together were very, very nice. I enjoyed their banter and interactions - tentative at times, uncontrolled at others. The UST, the foreplay, the culmination? Yep. No complaints here! There is of course the obligatory plot reveal that causes all sorts of drama. You know it’s gonna happen, there’s many hints at it coming, and it explodes quite messily. Of course it does. However, this is fiction and romantic fiction at that. After a cathartic painful reveal, things are finally allowed to heal.
This is one of those instances where the audio actually raised the rating for me, as Nick J. Russo excels at bringing out the charismatic, subtle southern charm that is all Brett. This is a highly emotional story, one that is full of grief, self recrimination, and reticence, all the way to hope, lust, happiness and eventually love. Russo gets every single one of these nuanced emotions just right, along with showcasing Brett’s rawness in his devastation, his anger, along with all his vulnerabilities and doubts. Know too that JT and the other supporting characters are richly portrayed as well, their personalities distinct and fully realized. I’m truly impressed.
So yes, this was definitely a story about second chances, however scary and thrilling they may be. Emotionally touching and sexy, this was made all the better by a truly heartfelt narration.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
This was a classic second chance romance made all the better by having it feature a likeable, brooding cowboy and the young stranger who captures his heart.
Brett has been wallowing in grief and guilt over the death of his partner 3 years ago. He’s functional but barely, often drowning his sorrows in good ole Jack Daniels. When his overbearing, meddling mom brings home a guy she found on the highway, Brett is none too happy nor impressed.
JT hasn’t really had it easy either. He’s long been searching for something. What exactly, he’s not quite sure. He just knows that he’s his own person and because his family couldn’t accept that, there was no reason to stick around. Somehow, JT finds himself on Brett’s ranch, and he’s willing to try it out for awhile. Why not, right? He never anticipates falling for his gentle grieving boss.
Both these men are attracted to each other, and both fall hard and fast, but that doesn't mean those feelings are easily accepted. There’s definitely too many obstacles and issues standing in their way, so their dance is quite a long one. JT is patient, understanding, and willing to do whatever is needed so as to not spook Brett further into more self destruction. Brett’s internal struggle is a big one, as he tries to reconcile his conflicting feelings about wanting happiness and moving on.
These two together were very, very nice. I enjoyed their banter and interactions - tentative at times, uncontrolled at others. The UST, the foreplay, the culmination? Yep. No complaints here! There is of course the obligatory plot reveal that causes all sorts of drama. You know it’s gonna happen, there’s many hints at it coming, and it explodes quite messily. Of course it does. However, this is fiction and romantic fiction at that. After a cathartic painful reveal, things are finally allowed to heal.
This is one of those instances where the audio actually raised the rating for me, as Nick J. Russo excels at bringing out the charismatic, subtle southern charm that is all Brett. This is a highly emotional story, one that is full of grief, self recrimination, and reticence, all the way to hope, lust, happiness and eventually love. Russo gets every single one of these nuanced emotions just right, along with showcasing Brett’s rawness in his devastation, his anger, along with all his vulnerabilities and doubts. Know too that JT and the other supporting characters are richly portrayed as well, their personalities distinct and fully realized. I’m truly impressed.
So yes, this was definitely a story about second chances, however scary and thrilling they may be. Emotionally touching and sexy, this was made all the better by a truly heartfelt narration.
Thank you to the author/publisher for the audio in exchange for a honest review
leelee68's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this. There were some parts that broke my heart. Brett and JT were perfect for each other. This was their journey to finding love with each other.
nicola949's review
5.0
4.5 stars
This is quite an emotional story as one of the MCs is dealing with grief, compounded by a tremendous sense of guilt. It takes the love of a younger man to bring him back to life.
The secondary characters were wonderful - everyone needs a mum like Millie and a friend like Ray.
The highlight was the heart-wrenching letters written by Brett to his lost love.
This is quite an emotional story as one of the MCs is dealing with grief, compounded by a tremendous sense of guilt. It takes the love of a younger man to bring him back to life.
The secondary characters were wonderful - everyone needs a mum like Millie and a friend like Ray.
The highlight was the heart-wrenching letters written by Brett to his lost love.
papercranestitches's review
4.0
This book is a total a gem. It had fantastic characters, genuine emotion and struggle, and dialogue that resonated. It was... quietly lovely and authentic.
Full (gushing) review to come.
Warning: the words "suckle" and "moist" DO appear in the text. ("Flutter" does too, but I give that one a pass since the author was talking about stomach muscles and not... other muscles).
Full (gushing) review to come.
Warning: the words "suckle" and "moist" DO appear in the text. ("Flutter" does too, but I give that one a pass since the author was talking about stomach muscles and not... other muscles).
crtsjffrsn's review
3.0
For the past three years, Brett Taylor has put everything he has into his ranch. After losing the man who meant everything to him, the ranch seemed like all he had left. And while Brett would say he's doing just fine, those around him can see that he's struggling to let go, to move on. And Brett's mother has no reservations about making her opinion known. So when she brings JT Campbell to the ranch after finding him along the road, it's clear she has more in mind than Brett giving him a job. And through her machinations, the two men grow closer. But JT has some baggage from his own past, and there are secrets that Brett isn't very willing to share. Can they find a way to get past it and see if they can each truly be what the other needs?
This is one of those stories where the only obstacles the characters face are themselves. Brett is in his own way, but it's not something he can see. And JT can't find his way in, even though his professional training should give him some good ideas of how to approach the situation. Even with everyone around them rooting for the two of them to make it, they still struggle to make it through. But it's a charming and endearing read, that I recommend for a cold or rainy day when just want something comforting and sweet. (And as long as you don't mind wanting to shake Brett repeatedly throughout the book.)
This is one of those stories where the only obstacles the characters face are themselves. Brett is in his own way, but it's not something he can see. And JT can't find his way in, even though his professional training should give him some good ideas of how to approach the situation. Even with everyone around them rooting for the two of them to make it, they still struggle to make it through. But it's a charming and endearing read, that I recommend for a cold or rainy day when just want something comforting and sweet. (And as long as you don't mind wanting to shake Brett repeatedly throughout the book.)
jaimesamms's review
3.0
I liked this one. I wanted to chuck Brett across the back f the head a few times, but he was hurting, so I guess he can have a pass.
If you like hurt-comfort and second chances, and son't mind an age gap, this is a great book for you.
If you like hurt-comfort and second chances, and son't mind an age gap, this is a great book for you.
shile87's review
3.0
2.5 stars for the book.
5 stars for the Audio, Nick J. Russo's narration prevented this book from being a dnf.
I believe IT is ME! not the book! so many of my GR friends loved this, i summed it up to, if i read it when it was first published the results would have been different. I guess my tastes have changed.
I liked some parts of the story like the letters Brett wrote to Walt those ones broke my heart,they were sweet, sad and depressing.
The first 4 hours were a snooze fest and i found myself zoning out.
I liked the characters but for some reasons couldn't fully connect with them and at some i felt like i was reading [b:Chase the Storm|17796311|Chase the Storm|V.M. Waitt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1365896527s/17796311.jpg|24893850].
The side characters were ok, Brett's Mum and Ray(Brett's foreman, then again at some point they became too meddling and annoying.
I saw the cause of the of the infamous 80% conflict at 30% into the book, that really pissed me off, because it happened, i was hoping i was wrong.
IMO Brett needed some serious therapy and go to rehab for alcohol treatment program, he was numbing his pain at the expense of his liver, his Mother and Ray knew this but didn't even try to help but were quick to push Brett towards JT like he was the answer to all Brett's problem.
JT had no personality at all or maybe it was just me.
The ending was rushed and i didn't buy it.
Overall i enjoyed NJR's narration but the story was a major let down.
5 stars for the Audio, Nick J. Russo's narration prevented this book from being a dnf.
I believe IT is ME! not the book! so many of my GR friends loved this, i summed it up to, if i read it when it was first published the results would have been different. I guess my tastes have changed.
I liked some parts of the story like the letters Brett wrote to Walt those ones broke my heart,they were sweet, sad and depressing.
The first 4 hours were a snooze fest and i found myself zoning out.
I liked the characters but for some reasons couldn't fully connect with them and at some i felt like i was reading [b:Chase the Storm|17796311|Chase the Storm|V.M. Waitt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1365896527s/17796311.jpg|24893850].
The side characters were ok, Brett's Mum and Ray(Brett's foreman, then again at some point they became too meddling and annoying.
I saw the cause of the of the infamous 80% conflict at 30% into the book, that really pissed me off, because it happened, i was hoping i was wrong.
IMO Brett needed some serious therapy and go to rehab for alcohol treatment program, he was numbing his pain at the expense of his liver, his Mother and Ray knew this but didn't even try to help but were quick to push Brett towards JT like he was the answer to all Brett's problem.
JT had no personality at all or maybe it was just me.
The ending was rushed and i didn't buy it.
Overall i enjoyed NJR's narration but the story was a major let down.
suze_1624's review
4.0
I enjoyed this story, felt the story line was good - Brett has a mystery background (which is slowly revealed) but is in deep mourning for his dead partner, Walt, even after 3 years. He is just existing. JT arrives on the ranch after being picked up by Brett's mother. JT is kind of drifting through his life in reaction to his controlling parents. The story is how JT, and Ray the ranch foreman and Brett's long term friend, gradually thaw Brett's heart. It is a heart warming (!) story, despite the sad sub plot it is not a sad story, with enough banter and hope to keep it going. It is well written and it definitely moves along at a pace. I wasnt overly invested in Brett and didnt get too much of a feel for JT so I would rate this one at 3.5 but with enough umph to score 4. I did like the small glimpses of Brett's mama and Ray had a great wit and didnt let either MC get away with anything. One that I'll probably reread when I need a nice warm read to put a smile on my face.