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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty
3.5 Stars
Tender Mercies is the second book in Eli Easton's wonderfulMen of Lancaster County series. And while I definitely enjoyed [b:A Second Harvest|29827939|A Second Harvest (Men of Lancaster County, #1)|Eli Easton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464754000s/29827939.jpg|50191643] more, Tender Mercies was a worthy addition to the series. It's a feel-good, heartwarming story.
Samuel Miller was a breath of fresh air. He's someone that has gotten lemons from life, between his club foot, being gay, (which got him beaten, tossed out, and shunned) and suddenly finding himself without any kind of support system. But instead of fretting over it, he bucks up and makes the best of everything. He may not have a lot of formal education, but Sam is a smart man and a problem solver. Problem solving skills will get you far in life and they're difficult to teach, but Sam sees a problem and breaks it down and figures it out.
Eddie Graber, I was far more slow to warm to. He was a bit of a whiner, and rather than asking for help when he desperately needed it, he fretted and worried and felt like a failure. Eddie has always had a dream of opening an animal sanctuary. But I've got to say, I don't think he could have been less prepared. He didn't really know how to care for a farm, or livestock animals and he set himself up for failure by not having people involved who had half a clue. And when his boyfriend, Alex, bailed on him and left him financially in a bind, everything got worse. I think Eddie's only preparation was reading a few books and visiting a sanctuary or two. That's not a lot of knowledge or preparation for something like that. Eddie would have failed without Samuel, I have no doubt. Sam not only helped save the sanctuary, but he also saved this story for me, hands down.
I enjoyed the story and the romance (though I would have loved a bit more steam), but there were some things that didn't much gel with me. There were more references to god and higher power than I prefer in my books. It kind of felt preachy. And while I would have expected them to come from Samuel, they mostly came from Eddie, who said he was agnostic. I dunno, that's a bit of a disconnect for me. I really don't think anything happens "for a reason" and I don't believe in fate, so when someone so readily (and repeatedly) credits fate or god for some bit of good luck or circumstance or actually doing something themselves, it kind of turns me off. I don't think this will be an issue for most people, though.
I also think that the money problems were resolved way too seamlessly and easily, but this story is supposed to make you feel good and end on a happy note, and it does manage that. Eddie and Sam get each other and the future they want on their sanctuary farm.
Overall, I'd give Tender Mercies 3.5 "make some lemonade" stars.
----------------
ARC of Tender Mercies was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
Tender Mercies is the second book in Eli Easton's wonderfulMen of Lancaster County series. And while I definitely enjoyed [b:A Second Harvest|29827939|A Second Harvest (Men of Lancaster County, #1)|Eli Easton|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1464754000s/29827939.jpg|50191643] more, Tender Mercies was a worthy addition to the series. It's a feel-good, heartwarming story.
Samuel Miller was a breath of fresh air. He's someone that has gotten lemons from life, between his club foot, being gay, (which got him beaten, tossed out, and shunned) and suddenly finding himself without any kind of support system. But instead of fretting over it, he bucks up and makes the best of everything. He may not have a lot of formal education, but Sam is a smart man and a problem solver. Problem solving skills will get you far in life and they're difficult to teach, but Sam sees a problem and breaks it down and figures it out.
Eddie Graber, I was far more slow to warm to. He was a bit of a whiner, and rather than asking for help when he desperately needed it, he fretted and worried and felt like a failure. Eddie has always had a dream of opening an animal sanctuary. But I've got to say, I don't think he could have been less prepared. He didn't really know how to care for a farm, or livestock animals and he set himself up for failure by not having people involved who had half a clue. And when his boyfriend, Alex, bailed on him and left him financially in a bind, everything got worse. I think Eddie's only preparation was reading a few books and visiting a sanctuary or two. That's not a lot of knowledge or preparation for something like that. Eddie would have failed without Samuel, I have no doubt. Sam not only helped save the sanctuary, but he also saved this story for me, hands down.
I enjoyed the story and the romance (though I would have loved a bit more steam), but there were some things that didn't much gel with me. There were more references to god and higher power than I prefer in my books. It kind of felt preachy. And while I would have expected them to come from Samuel, they mostly came from Eddie, who said he was agnostic. I dunno, that's a bit of a disconnect for me. I really don't think anything happens "for a reason" and I don't believe in fate, so when someone so readily (and repeatedly) credits fate or god for some bit of good luck or circumstance or actually doing something themselves, it kind of turns me off. I don't think this will be an issue for most people, though.
I also think that the money problems were resolved way too seamlessly and easily, but this story is supposed to make you feel good and end on a happy note, and it does manage that. Eddie and Sam get each other and the future they want on their sanctuary farm.
Overall, I'd give Tender Mercies 3.5 "make some lemonade" stars.
----------------
ARC of Tender Mercies was generously provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book safety, content warnings, and tropes down below.
I really enjoyed the first 50% (probably less) of this one. There was lots of hurting and a good setup for an emotional romance. Sadly, it all went downhill after that.
I didn’t actually buy into a romance between these guys at all. They both thought the other was hot, but the romance was nonexistent.
However, my main issue was the entire animal sanctuary plot and how fucking terrible Eddie was at it. He’s an incredibly priviliged man who has so many people willing to help him make the sanctuary a success, including financially if he’d just ask, but instead he chooses to not tell a fucking soul that the farm is struggling, putting himself before the animals because he doesn’t want to fucking ask for help. It pissed me off. Why would you want to run a sanctuary if you’re not gonna prioritize the animals? He also, for some goddamn reason, doesn’t tell his employee turned boyfriend about it, doesn’t make any effort to use social media for help, and doesn’t want to implement any of Samuel’s suggestions of ways to bring in more money. Got no one to blame but yourself, then. Samuel barely tolerates animals either so I don’t know why these two think they can pull it off.
A strange book that felt like it didn’t go anywhere. Enjoyed book 1 way more.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Animal sanctuary
Virgin MC
First times
Disability rep
Amish MC
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Age gap
Boss/employee
Slow burn
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page physical abuse by parent (MC whipped/lashed)
Graphic violence
Injured MC
Homophobic parent (religion based)
Internalized homophobia
MC disowned/shunned on page
Homelessness
Mentions of past bullying of MC
Themes of animal suffering (off page, food industry)
MC kicking pig (lightly, cultural, one time)
Graphic details of animal abuse and neglect
Injured rescue animals (no death)
Alcohol consumption
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Almost
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 19 and 28
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 284
Happy ending: Yes
Sometimes Samuel wished he could be like the animals, expecting nothing from life except food and sunshine and another day. They didn’t have the ache of knowing what they could never have.
“No one knows what God thinks, Samuel, no matter what they say. But I believe in love and in following the purest instincts of your heart. God gave us those instincts for a reason. He wouldn’t expect a cow or a goat to act against their instincts, so it doesn’t make sense to me that we’re supposed to.”
Still, Samuel craved touch so badly he thought he might die. It didn’t even have to be sexual, just… he needed to feel like he was worthy of being held, that he was visible and real, young and alive. Not ugly. Not unlovable. Not forgotten.
I really enjoyed the first 50% (probably less) of this one. There was lots of hurting and a good setup for an emotional romance. Sadly, it all went downhill after that.
I didn’t actually buy into a romance between these guys at all. They both thought the other was hot, but the romance was nonexistent.
However, my main issue was the entire animal sanctuary plot and how fucking terrible Eddie was at it. He’s an incredibly priviliged man who has so many people willing to help him make the sanctuary a success, including financially if he’d just ask, but instead he chooses to not tell a fucking soul that the farm is struggling, putting himself before the animals because he doesn’t want to fucking ask for help. It pissed me off. Why would you want to run a sanctuary if you’re not gonna prioritize the animals? He also, for some goddamn reason, doesn’t tell his employee turned boyfriend about it, doesn’t make any effort to use social media for help, and doesn’t want to implement any of Samuel’s suggestions of ways to bring in more money. Got no one to blame but yourself, then. Samuel barely tolerates animals either so I don’t know why these two think they can pull it off.
A strange book that felt like it didn’t go anywhere. Enjoyed book 1 way more.
⬇️ Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Animal sanctuary
Virgin MC
First times
Disability rep
Amish MC
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Age gap
Boss/employee
Slow burn
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
On-page physical abuse by parent (MC whipped/lashed)
Graphic violence
Injured MC
Homophobic parent (religion based)
Internalized homophobia
MC disowned/shunned on page
Homelessness
Mentions of past bullying of MC
Themes of animal suffering (off page, food industry)
MC kicking pig (lightly, cultural, one time)
Graphic details of animal abuse and neglect
Injured rescue animals (no death)
Alcohol consumption
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: No
Breakup: Almost
POV: 3rd person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Strict roles
Main characters’ age: 19 and 28
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 284
Happy ending: Yes
Sometimes Samuel wished he could be like the animals, expecting nothing from life except food and sunshine and another day. They didn’t have the ache of knowing what they could never have.
“No one knows what God thinks, Samuel, no matter what they say. But I believe in love and in following the purest instincts of your heart. God gave us those instincts for a reason. He wouldn’t expect a cow or a goat to act against their instincts, so it doesn’t make sense to me that we’re supposed to.”
Still, Samuel craved touch so badly he thought he might die. It didn’t even have to be sexual, just… he needed to feel like he was worthy of being held, that he was visible and real, young and alive. Not ugly. Not unlovable. Not forgotten.
Very sweet and entertaining story.
I loved Samuel and enjoyed watching him open up. Eddie was sweet and perfect for Sam. Benny of course stole the show.
I loved Samuel and enjoyed watching him open up. Eddie was sweet and perfect for Sam. Benny of course stole the show.
I fell in love with the first book in this series and I was looking forward to more. Eli Easton is an incredibly talented writer and she brought Lancaster County right into my home and my heart. Just from reading the blurb for ‘Tender Mercies’ I knew I was going to love Eddie and Samuel, and totally fall head over heels for Meadow Lake Farm and all of its animals needing sanctuary. Because when it’s all said and done, I really do prefer animals to the majority of people, so the author basically had me from the description.
“Samuel walked to the pocket door but turned before heading upstairs. His face was serious. “I know I don’t look like much, but I promise you won’t be sorry.”
Eddie sat down at the counter and sipped his cold coffee. He blinked back a sudden dampness, touched by Samuel’s words. Good God, Eddie Graber, you are one grade-A sucker.”
Had I been in Eddie’s shoes I would have taken Samuel on, too. Eddie has no idea what to make of this young Amish man who shows up on his doorstep, after having walked all the way there with nothing but the clothes on his back, a clubfoot, and determination shining out of his eyes. Over the course of time Samuel begins to show Eddie all the things about having the farm that were Eddie’s dreams in the first place, but staying inside to work and fretting over money, because his boyfriend of six years backed out the day the sale was final, has meant Eddie not getting to experience his own dream firsthand. It doesn’t take long for these two men to start a wary friendship, wary on Eddie’s side anyway, seeing as he’s attracted to Samuel plus he is his employee.
“His finances were still underwater, his savings account draining like a tub with a pulled plug. As awful as it was to contemplate, the farm probably wasn’t going to make it. And he didn’t want to promise Samuel a life, security, he couldn’t deliver.”
I felt so horrible for Eddie when he realizes that he can’t make this work, he’s losing too much money every month with not enough coming in, and the idea of selling his beautiful farm, rehoming his beloved animals, and losing Samuel, is a reality that he can’t avoid. Eddie grew up in a family where if you were starving you still didn’t ask for help, so he hasn’t wanted to burden Samuel with his problems. Unfortunately, when Samuel does find out, he’s unbearably hurt that Eddie didn’t trust him enough to talk about his concerns because Samuel, having grown up Amish, certainly knows about hard times and things that can be done to raise money. When it’s all said and done, however, it’s Benny, their little pot-bellied pig (who found them, by the way), who has a hoof in helping them to save the farm.
Loved every single thing about this book, Eli. I would live on that farm in a heartbeat and enjoy the rest of my days rescuing animals. Eddie and Samuel are wonderful men and I adored their slow-burn romance. I have an idea in my head as to who might be next in the lineup but I’ll have to wait and see. Until then, though, I can reminisce about my guys in Lancaster County.
“Samuel walked to the pocket door but turned before heading upstairs. His face was serious. “I know I don’t look like much, but I promise you won’t be sorry.”
Eddie sat down at the counter and sipped his cold coffee. He blinked back a sudden dampness, touched by Samuel’s words. Good God, Eddie Graber, you are one grade-A sucker.”
Had I been in Eddie’s shoes I would have taken Samuel on, too. Eddie has no idea what to make of this young Amish man who shows up on his doorstep, after having walked all the way there with nothing but the clothes on his back, a clubfoot, and determination shining out of his eyes. Over the course of time Samuel begins to show Eddie all the things about having the farm that were Eddie’s dreams in the first place, but staying inside to work and fretting over money, because his boyfriend of six years backed out the day the sale was final, has meant Eddie not getting to experience his own dream firsthand. It doesn’t take long for these two men to start a wary friendship, wary on Eddie’s side anyway, seeing as he’s attracted to Samuel plus he is his employee.
“His finances were still underwater, his savings account draining like a tub with a pulled plug. As awful as it was to contemplate, the farm probably wasn’t going to make it. And he didn’t want to promise Samuel a life, security, he couldn’t deliver.”
I felt so horrible for Eddie when he realizes that he can’t make this work, he’s losing too much money every month with not enough coming in, and the idea of selling his beautiful farm, rehoming his beloved animals, and losing Samuel, is a reality that he can’t avoid. Eddie grew up in a family where if you were starving you still didn’t ask for help, so he hasn’t wanted to burden Samuel with his problems. Unfortunately, when Samuel does find out, he’s unbearably hurt that Eddie didn’t trust him enough to talk about his concerns because Samuel, having grown up Amish, certainly knows about hard times and things that can be done to raise money. When it’s all said and done, however, it’s Benny, their little pot-bellied pig (who found them, by the way), who has a hoof in helping them to save the farm.
Loved every single thing about this book, Eli. I would live on that farm in a heartbeat and enjoy the rest of my days rescuing animals. Eddie and Samuel are wonderful men and I adored their slow-burn romance. I have an idea in my head as to who might be next in the lineup but I’ll have to wait and see. Until then, though, I can reminisce about my guys in Lancaster County.
3.75 stars or something. I can't quite put it into words, but while I do really enjoy Eli Easton's books, there's almost always something that doesn't feel quite right. And that something doesn't ruin the book per se, but it nudges the scale more towards "okay" rather than "great".
4.5. Very cute. I wanted to see another book with Devin and Samuel’s brother.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the way that Samuel was so committed to Eddie even though he didn't really believe in his cause as much, and I loved how Eddie thought Samuel was so beautiful and that his foot didn't even faze him. But I wish we would have seen Matthew again. I know that book 1 and 2 had no connection, but Devin and Matthew for book 3?
J'ai une fascination pour les Anabaptistes, alors il était plus que probable que j'achète ce roman ! Je n'ai pas autant aimé qu'Une nouvelle moisson, mais c'était très chouette. Oh, Samuel... ♥