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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
Another enjoyable and indulgent story - I only wish it was longer and more developed.
There’s no need to go into the plot details. Know that there’s doubt and insecurity, plenty of passion and possession, and never short on shenanigans.
I’ve said in the past, Calmes excels at everyday life storytelling. Though that was here, I felt robbed at the seemingly abrupt ending, because apparently, it’s never enough. Hopefully she’ll feel compelled to continue Glenn and Mac’s story so we can see the evolution of their HEA.
Another enjoyable and indulgent story - I only wish it was longer and more developed.
There’s no need to go into the plot details. Know that there’s doubt and insecurity, plenty of passion and possession, and never short on shenanigans.
I’ve said in the past, Calmes excels at everyday life storytelling. Though that was here, I felt robbed at the seemingly abrupt ending, because apparently, it’s never enough. Hopefully she’ll feel compelled to continue Glenn and Mac’s story so we can see the evolution of their HEA.
wrenae's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
justforqueerbooks's review
1.0
i went in expecting a cute cowboy romance but this was just too “mine mine mine; you belong to me” for me to be comfortable with it. :’)
leelee68's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. It was too short though . I hope the series isn't done. I'm glad Glenn got his book.
sophiarose1816's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Years ago, I read the first two books in the Timing series which followed one couple. I thought it was to be a duology and then When the Dust Settles came out years later and featured two secondary characters. I have no idea why I didn’t read it as soon as I got it, right after it released, but the series was hazy in my mind when, for a reading challenge, I took this one up and settled in to finally finish the book and the series.
I really loved the two main characters, Stef and Rand, in the Timing series. Rand’s cousin Glenn, on the other hand, didn’t leave a great impression with me the way he and his side of the family acted, at first, toward Rand and Stef. I remembered that much. I also remembered thinking Rand’s big, stalwart ranch foreman was straight. But, then again, seems to have been a surprise to everyone in the story that Mac had a thing for men.
When the Dust Settles felt more like Glenn’s story with some romance on the side than Glenn and Mac’s romance. Glenn’s got his public life with building his restaurant from scratch to a success and building his staff as his found family all showing he’s good people. But, that all falls apart when it comes to family. Glenn’s got a big chip on his shoulder toward Rand, his cousin who he’s recently learned the family secret that Rand’s really his half-brother. Glenn’s been on the outs with his dad and his brother since he left the ranch to follow his restaurant dream. There was so much to unpack with Glenn’s issues, but the page count (this book was revised and pages were added, but I read an older version I owned- so there might be more development now) meant that much in the story was mentioned and not pursued. One of those things was his choice in the past which he thankfully changed, to use steroids to appear manly and big and beefy like the rest of the men in his family who worked the ranch. There is also his further issues with masculinity when it comes to ‘topping’ or ‘bottoming’ if he ever gets involved with another guy.
What did come out loud and clear was his envy of Rand for having a loving partner in Stef, a son, a family, a successful ranch, and for being the big strong man who stood against family and a whole town to have his own happiness. Glenn seems to think he needs to compete and always comes up short not seeing himself well or that he’s a success too with his restaurant.
Glenn tangles up his attraction to Mac with his envy of Rand so that he’s a big grouch on the cattle drive they are on together. I wanted to thump Glenn for being an ornery cuss, but eventually he gets it all figured out and says what needs saying to Rand, his brother, and very much so with Mac.
There was an unexpected suspense and action moment that focused the emotions of Glenn and the others to what was important. I liked the way it ended though, yes, I do wish that Mac’s part in the romance and the romance itself would have been much more developed.
And, so I bid farewell to the Timing series once again. I loved the reunion with Rand and Stef and I liked seeing Glenn get his feelings about family and the estrangement figured out as well as the promise of what he can have with Glenn. I definitely recommend interested readers to start at the beginning of the Timing series so this book makes sense.
liza5326's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. Glenn was a great character, a caring man who is trying to be happy with all his success when what he really wants is love. We barely get to know Mac, but he is the perfect match for Glenn, helping him realize his relationship with his brothers is not based on pity. I wish the story had been a little longer, but it was still a great way to spend a Saturday night!
csduong's review against another edition
4.0
2023 Rewritten and a lot better. Mary Calmes added 100 pages to the book and fills the story in a lot more
I didn't feel that Mac and Glenn really had a connection. Nice story, felt rushed.
Jan 2017
Re listen Dec 2017
I didn't feel that Mac and Glenn really had a connection. Nice story, felt rushed.
Jan 2017
Re listen Dec 2017
mrnnprsns's review
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? Yes
3.75
anya_doesntmatter's review
4.0
4.5 stars!
As I've stated in other reviews, I fell in love with Steph and Rand long before Jory and Sam stumbled into my greedy little hands. I loved every character in the first two Timing books but none kept creeping into my thoughts (almost as often as Steph and Rand), like Glenn. My how I loved Glenn! I was so giddy when Calmes revealed that she was giving him a novella. I couldn't wait to read his tale. And boy is his story NOT what my brain conjured it to be which is good! Calme's version is so much better! Thanks Mary ;)
Glenn is a tortured hero ( my favorite kind), who has suffered through so much. He has a passion for cooking but he became a cowboy to fit in with his family. After long buried family secrets were revealed in [bc:After the Sunset|12204007|After the Sunset (Timing, #2)|Mary Calmes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347445245s/12204007.jpg|17176766], Glenn steps out on his own and made his restaurant dream a reality. Despite his successful business Glenn is bitter and lonely. He feels he exists in Rand's shadow, He envies Rand's life, he thinks that he has no place/ isn't wanted on the Red Diamond and to add salt to the wound, he feels he's lost Zack, the sibling he grew up with, to Rand.
As if that isn't stressful enough, Glenn is also confused on what he wants sexually. He has stereotypical notions of the role of topping and bottoming implies. He concludes he must be a "top" since he was initially attracted to Seth and so he thinks he should find himself someone like Seth. Glenn, soon realizes there's one teeny problem. Men like Seth, are pretty to look at but they don't do it for Glenn. Glenn is a bottom and it takes the love and care of Mac, Rand's foreman to finally steer our prickly wayward Glenn in the right direction. ... and boy do the sparks fly between these two!.
This is a perfect angsty- light read. Glenn's story was a bit simplistic but I enjoyed it nonetheless because of the tender moments Mary Calmes sprinkles throughout the telling. As a matter of fact, the book opens with a heartbreaking one.
Glenn's story is a great addition to the Timing universe and it felt so good to catch up with characters I consider "old friends".
I wish this installment was not a novella though it is a very well written, no stone was left unturned. God I still wanted more!
As I've stated in other reviews, I fell in love with Steph and Rand long before Jory and Sam stumbled into my greedy little hands. I loved every character in the first two Timing books but none kept creeping into my thoughts (almost as often as Steph and Rand), like Glenn. My how I loved Glenn! I was so giddy when Calmes revealed that she was giving him a novella. I couldn't wait to read his tale. And boy is his story NOT what my brain conjured it to be which is good! Calme's version is so much better! Thanks Mary ;)
Glenn is a tortured hero ( my favorite kind), who has suffered through so much. He has a passion for cooking but he became a cowboy to fit in with his family. After long buried family secrets were revealed in [bc:After the Sunset|12204007|After the Sunset (Timing, #2)|Mary Calmes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1347445245s/12204007.jpg|17176766], Glenn steps out on his own and made his restaurant dream a reality. Despite his successful business Glenn is bitter and lonely. He feels he exists in Rand's shadow, He envies Rand's life, he thinks that he has no place/ isn't wanted on the Red Diamond and to add salt to the wound, he feels he's lost Zack, the sibling he grew up with, to Rand.
As if that isn't stressful enough, Glenn is also confused on what he wants sexually. He has stereotypical notions of the role of topping and bottoming implies. He concludes he must be a "top" since he was initially attracted to Seth and so he thinks he should find himself someone like Seth. Glenn, soon realizes there's one teeny problem. Men like Seth, are pretty to look at but they don't do it for Glenn. Glenn is a bottom and it takes the love and care of Mac, Rand's foreman to finally steer our prickly wayward Glenn in the right direction. ... and boy do the sparks fly between these two!.
This is a perfect angsty- light read. Glenn's story was a bit simplistic but I enjoyed it nonetheless because of the tender moments Mary Calmes sprinkles throughout the telling. As a matter of fact, the book opens with a heartbreaking one.
Glenn's story is a great addition to the Timing universe and it felt so good to catch up with characters I consider "old friends".
I wish this installment was not a novella though it is a very well written, no stone was left unturned. God I still wanted more!
readersincealways's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. All the feels Mary. Glenn is a wonderful hero. Just a sweet and nice guy who feels for the underdog and tries to do the right thing. We first meet his character in After the Sunset as a supporting character and he was flawed and uncertain and added a piquancy and regret to the story. Here, Glenn has come out and has been roundly deserted by his family most notable his macho asshat Dad. We see Stef and Rand and their new baby which is a nice footnote to the series. Quick read. Well written and engrossing. One of Mary's most heartfelt books.