This was cute, the physical chemistry between these two was HOT. Like, there were moments I was literally blushing omg. I did feel like the whirlwind This was cute, the physical chemistry between these two was HOT. Like, there were moments I was literally blushing omg. I did feel like the whirlwind feelings were a little too quick for me? Like im not sure if I necessarily believed in the love declarations at the end but I think that their feelings for each other were definitely strong. I think Harley was entirely in the right given his situation and I wish Darren and Ethan (eric?) had suffered more!!!! I liked how much Claude spoiled Harley tho and I liked that Harley gave back as well and they both just really cared for each other <3...more
“I care about you, West. Your comfort. Your safety. Your happiness.” “Jackson…” “You’re my priority, baby, above anything else.”
This book wrecked m “I care about you, West. Your comfort. Your safety. Your happiness.” “Jackson…” “You’re my priority, baby, above anything else.”
This book wrecked me in the best way. Deeply emotional, slow-burn romance with cowboys, second chances, and an honest, unflinching look at trauma and recovery. It delivers all the hurt/comfort my soul could crave, while also offering one of the most moving representations of complex PTSD I’ve read in a long time.
What hit hardest for me was how raw and real the emotional journey felt, especially for West. Watching him navigate his trauma, make sense of his past, and slowly believe he deserved more was both heartbreaking and hopeful. I was constantly hurting with him, but I was also so proud when he realized he needed to seek real help not just for Jackson, but for himself. I liked how he wasn't doing it *for* Jackson, but because he wanted Jackson and finally believed that he deserved him.
Jackson, oh my heart. I loved how fiercely he stood up for West one he realized what had really happened. His anger wasn’t performative; it was protective. He cared, and he held the adults in West’s life accountable for, in his eyes "failing him". But what made Jackson even more lovable was the way he listened. When West said he'd made peace with the adults (Mickey and Magnolia), Jackson backed down. He wasn't thrilled about it, but he respected West's opinion and didn't want to cause more distress for him.
Jackson’s patience, his quiet nurturing, his desire to care for West was truly just saw beautiful. He would have helped West in anyway he could.
And the letters at the end! There was so much longing, but also so much hope. I loved how both men were on their own recovery journeys but still cheering for each other. It wasn't the easy kind of healing, and that made it all the more meaningful when West finally found a place to feel safe again.
I can’t say enough about how well this book handled trauma, recovery, and love. It didn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff, and that honesty made the ending feel all the more earned.
Also, not to take away from the moving story, but the author has to be a fan of the show 9-1-1 right? I mean, a fire captain character who is an AA sponsor named Bobby…like? Anyone? Just me?
If you love cowboys, second chances, emotional depth, and characters who fight for their future—this one’s for you....more
i wanted to like this because i adored book 1...but there just were a few me-related things that i couldn't get past.
hated the nickname little colt. i wanted to like this because i adored book 1...but there just were a few me-related things that i couldn't get past.
hated the nickname little colt. was floored by the carrot situation.
but most of all i didn't really believe noah and colton liked each other to the point of love declarations? like, there was animosity that stemmed from a miscommunication when they were younger and they do grow to tolerate each other and there's definitely physical chemistry but i felt like they were missing the softer, getting to know you moments that would have solidified their feelings for one another.
idk, i am still interested in the other darling brothers stories, but this was a miss for me :( ...more
“Hey,” Cody said, and when Nate looked over at him, Cody smiled. “When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars.” Nate tried to smile back, but failed “Hey,” Cody said, and when Nate looked over at him, Cody smiled. “When it’s dark enough, you can see the stars.” Nate tried to smile back, but failed. “I only see the dark.” “Me too.” Cody nudged Nate’s knee with his own, and this time, Nate did manage to smile a little. “Guess it gives us a reason to keep looking up.”
OH MYYYYYYYYY GOD.
I don't even know what to say. I binged this in one night. Cody and Nate??????? My heart equally pined and broke for both of them. Their love story was so innocent in a way, just two boys who are not exactly happy with their current situations but don't really find hope until they meet each other. I went through all the emotions with them. There was self discovery, there was acceptance, reluctance, familiarity, and just overall want. A want of a better life with each other.
That plot twist literally had my jaw on the ground and I said out loud, "no fucking way". I could not believe it.
I had mixed feelings about Nate's dad. I think his switch up was kind of meh but I mean, I'm glad he attempted to do what was best for Nate though I wish it hadn't taken hearing someone else talk badly about his son for him to be like "I don't want to be like that".
I think the friendship dynamics were super interesting in terms of the cliques at the school. I think they were sort of realistic about how fickle high schoolers can be. How it truly changes each week who is "cool" and who isn't.
Thrilled that Cody and Nate got their reunion and happy ending. I was rooting for them from the very beginning, I needed to know they were going to be okay and preferably together hence the binge read.
Curious about this authors other books now!!...more
“You are so fucking beautiful.” He gave me a crooked smile. “Not like you.” Not like me, I wanted to tell him, but like himself, which was infinitely “You are so fucking beautiful.” He gave me a crooked smile. “Not like you.” Not like me, I wanted to tell him, but like himself, which was infinitely better.
!!!
This was so fucking cute. I adored Delaney. He truly was my favorite kind of main character. A little insecure, a whole lot stubborn, and just not quite believing in himself enough but when he finds his person he is all in. I loved how stubborn he was but also how almost meek he was? He seemed to never want to feel incompetent or like he didn't know stuff so he went all in on his own opinions even if they weren't correct. I loved how that mixed with Brewer who was such a fixer.
There's one scene in bed where Brewer is like "let me take care of you" and he means it in the most intimate of ways and just wanted to put Delaney's pleasure first but Delaney takes it differently and immediately tries to take control and says "I don't need anyone to take care of me".
That dynamic truly is a kryptonite for me!!! I adored them together, I loved Brewer's patience and how he had his "See the light" moment where he realized there may be a reason why Delaney was a little bossy and stuck to his opinions so strongly. Once they really became familiar with each other it seemed like the easiest thing ever for them to fall even harder.
Also bonus star simply for the Reed & Chris cameos <3 my loves fr...more
I stepped forward and tucked my face into the side of his neck. I was so damned tired, and he looked steady and strong, like he could handle my irrat I stepped forward and tucked my face into the side of his neck. I was so damned tired, and he looked steady and strong, like he could handle my irrational anger and all of my imperfections and hold the weight of the world off my shoulders for a little while.
!!!! Another win in this series omg.
I adored Way and Silas. I loved the dynamic between someone who just wants to fix everything and someone who has the weight of the world on his shoulders. Way accepting Silas' help truly scratched an itch in my brain. As someone who likes to do everything herself and not ask for help, Silas doing whatever he could to make Way's life a little easier was just *chef's kiss*. Like, yes, Way let the tall, rich man help you!! I loved how Silas was not used to the life-style but threw himself into it to help Way. I loved their "cowboy" and "city boy" nicknames for each other. They were really just so cute together <3
Silas. I want Silas. Silas will fix this. The thought was born from the childlike need for comfort after an injury, but it was there nonetheless. I couldn’t stop thinking about him and wanting him here. He was dependable. Confident. Take-charge. He would know what to do. ...more
"We’ll make it work, Xavier, and if we can't make our home here, together, then we’ll find a place wAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
i binged this in one night.
"We’ll make it work, Xavier, and if we can't make our home here, together, then we’ll find a place where we can. Do you hear me? You’re mine, and I'm yours, and from this moment on it's the two of us together against anyone or anything that tries to tear us apart."
Xavier and Brooks have the misunderstanding of a lifetime but fate (and meddling family members) bring them back together and though it starts off rocky, they eventually find their way back to each other. My heart truly broke for Xavier, he was given such shit hand but somehow handled it with a ton of grace. Personally, if I were him I would not have been so kind to the people who made my life hell after the truth was revealed.
I loved the dynamic between Xavier and Brooks. I liked that Brooks let himself go with Xavier and allowed for Xavier to take charge. I thought they had their sweet moments too and every single "baby" made me smile and feel giddy. The ending was a little to quick and convenient for me, but I'm happy they got their happy ending.
Also can I have a prequel about curtis and del please omfg curtis made me so sad...more
This was truly such a sweet read. I don't know if I'd consider Zachary and Bram true rivals, but their prank war was fun and how it transitioned from This was truly such a sweet read. I don't know if I'd consider Zachary and Bram true rivals, but their prank war was fun and how it transitioned from pranking each other to pranking the neighbors was very cute and I loved it as a parallel to their developing relationship.
Bram was the perfect boyfriend. He really had the biggest heart and I loved how open he was with his feelings. I thought he was very good at communicating and recognizing when he sort of needed to be left alone with his feelings. Zachary was the kind of person who didn't really believe in good things, so he never really considered that he and Bram were going to make it to the end, which is why he didn't think telling Bram about his potential move was necessary. I think it was interesting how both were on the same page in terms of their feelings, but both didn't fully express it in a way where the other knew with certainty they were all in.
I loved how soft Bram was for Zachary, and how pleased Zachary was with it, though he didn't outwardly show it. I liked getting more insight into Zachary and Wes' friendship as well and it was funny to see Wes as the voice of reason this time around. Bram really came in to town and immediately befriended basically everyone and I loved the contrast of that vibe to Zachary who mostly kept to himself.
Basically this was super sweet, and this whole series was such a delightful surprise and I am happy to have read it. <3 ...more
Adam wanted to see Wes in every conceivable scenario: getting out of the shower, covered in sweat, sleepy, grouchy, stuffing his face with spaghetti. Adam wanted to see Wes in every conceivable scenario: getting out of the shower, covered in sweat, sleepy, grouchy, stuffing his face with spaghetti. He wanted to know Wes. He wanted to be with Wes.
This was so f*cking cute omg. Gus really was the main character honestly. She was such a pure, wholesome kid and it's entirely thanks to how good of a dad Adam is. Adam may seem a bit naive but he truly had such a good heart, and wanted nothing but to make his kid happy. I loved seeing Wes get more comfortable with Adam and Gus and sort of figuring out how he fit with this family. I thought he was so sweet with Gus, and I loved how he and Adam talked out their feelings at the end but really listened to each other. They want to be a family so bad and understood that they need to be honest with each other in order to make that happen. I wish this had been a little bit longer but it was truly so enjoyable to read. ...more
I read this after reading Book 2, so seeing how Jack and Simon came to be was so sweet but also seeing Charlie's role in this book and how hAHHHHHHH.
I read this after reading Book 2, so seeing how Jack and Simon came to be was so sweet but also seeing Charlie's role in this book and how he grows in Book 2 was so interesting.
Jack turned him and lifted his chin. Simon’s eyes were wide, his cheeks flushed with cold, and his lips red from the wine he drank with dinner. He was the most beautiful thing Jack had ever seen.
10/10, truly. I loved Jack and Simon. I loved how increasingly more comfortable Simon got around Jack and I thought their journey from strangers to lovers was really special. But what I loved most about Simon and Jack's relationship was the conversations they have after Jack has healed. I think that the miscommunication was important because it forced them to talk it out, and I feel like Simon constantly was challenging Jack to rework his inner thoughts and how they are perceived, but also the conversations were important for Simon to realize that he can have this love and not have to feel like he needs to be someone else.
There's one part where Jack tells Simon he doesn't want them to always hide in the house like they're having some sort of secret affair, that he wants Simon to be part of his whole life, but that doesn't mean treating Simon's anxiety like it will suddenly disappear now that he's in a relationship.
This was cute and I liked Gage and Holden together but something about it just felt rushed? Idk, it just didn't stand out to me. This was cute and I liked Gage and Holden together but something about it just felt rushed? Idk, it just didn't stand out to me. ...more
But Charlie’s arm felt so damn good around him. Warm and strong and just so...present. Like Rye could lean into him and be held forever. And, really, But Charlie’s arm felt so damn good around him. Warm and strong and just so...present. Like Rye could lean into him and be held forever. And, really, how terrible could it be if Rye couldn’t stop grinning. He pressed his face into Charlie’s shoulder to hide the grin.
oh my god. Obsessed to say the least!! I adored Rye and Charlie. I loved how 0 to 100 Charlie went after Rye gave him the slightest bit of like "hey you deserve all the things" and Charlie really looked at his past and what he had to give up when he was barely 18. I loved how Charlie and Rye really created a home together. The journey of them fixing up Rye's house I felt like really allowed for them to seriously consider what their future looked like together. I liked how Charlies caution went up against Rye' sort of freedom. Rye allowed Charlie to break the rules a little bit and find himself, and Charlie provided a safe and reliable place for Rye to land. They were just really sweet on each other, and I liked how Rye allowed Charlie to discover himself in ways that most people got to earlier on in life. ...more
listen. I have 45 highlights for this. I don’t know what came over me, I don’t know what Parker St. John put in this book but I ate it the fuck up.
Galisten. I have 45 highlights for this. I don’t know what came over me, I don’t know what Parker St. John put in this book but I ate it the fuck up.
Gage and Wyatt. Yes GOD. GODDDDD. I want more. So much more I don’t know what to do with myself. I’m not going to survive this series I mean???? This was only book one????????
I don’t even have anything coherent to say about this. The protectiveness, the teasing, the taking care of each other?? It was all just so good. I wanna erase my memory of reading this just so I can experience it again for the first time.
Predictions for future couples: - before the epilogue I clocked Silas/Mason - Ben and Colton - Dom and Gideon ????? I mean…right??? ...more
This was fun! I love a good age gap romance, and this was overall super lighthearted. Boaz is precious and deserves the world!! I sort of wish there wThis was fun! I love a good age gap romance, and this was overall super lighthearted. Boaz is precious and deserves the world!! I sort of wish there was more interaction between him and his dad because they seemed close so it felt odd that Boaz wouldn’t confide in him when he was unsure about what he and Ellery were. Also there was far too much use of the word “boy” which made me ...more
This was cute, but I think I did myself a disservice by not having read the first four books. Truly I just saw “firefighter” and went with it. I did tThis was cute, but I think I did myself a disservice by not having read the first four books. Truly I just saw “firefighter” and went with it. I did think it had that whole Hallmark charm meet cute, and I did like both characters a lot! I sort of wished there had been more insight into Rob’s burn out and his big move of leaving his previous job. I know he just couldn’t stand to be in that position anymore but I think it would have been nice if it was talked about more. I also felt like I didn’t really know Soren that well, but I think that’s because I didn’t have the knowledge of the previous book where it seems like he was a prominent side character. ...more
This was more like a 3.5 but im rounding up because it wasn’t meh enough to be a 3? For me there was nothing really outstanding about this. It was jusThis was more like a 3.5 but im rounding up because it wasn’t meh enough to be a 3? For me there was nothing really outstanding about this. It was just a cute second chance kind of story between two old friends, but I didn’t particularly find myself attached to Jasper or Watt. Sad there was no Reed cameo :( ...more
Sunday Brother’s is one of my all time favorite May Archer series, and I guess I didn’t read the summary for this book veREED SUNDAY MY BELOVED<33333
Sunday Brother’s is one of my all time favorite May Archer series, and I guess I didn’t read the summary for this book very well because I was surprised and excited to see this was about Reed!
This was so much fun. I love a low angst, just purely for the vibes kind of book. I found Chris so endearing. Rambling-prone, and full of anxiety characters are my favorites. The bodyguard/protector dynamic was also so good. Chris is perceived as being this innocent and at times naive guy, and I like that Reed brought out more of this feisty side of him.
No one in my life had ever made me feel the way Reed did. Angry and argumentative, but seen. Protected and safe, but frustrated. Wanted—maybe? At least a little?—but also literally aching with want.
Both Reed and Chris had hidden depths that I don’t think they allowed a lot of people to see so it was nice to see them find comfort and safety in each other. Reed is sort of hard and has a lot of walls whereas Chris is a bit softer and kinder and sees the best in everyone. It was a very interesting dynamic, and I do like how when they communicated Reed sort of had to soften himself out and understand that there is no weakness in opening up yourself up to people. I liked how Chris brought down Reed’s walls, Reed was so sure he needed to compartmentalize all his feelings and Chris really made him understand that he us allowed to share all his feelings.
I’m a sucker for first times so I loved how gentle Reed was with Chris. He really made him feel like he was precious and wanted and I just really liked these two together.
His voice held a kind of wonder and disbelief that made my stomach plummet in sympathy while my fingers itched to find every person who’d ever hurt him and show them the error of their ways. Slowly.
And of course I loved the Knox/Gage cameo and the bonus epilogue!! I miss the Sunday family. ...more
If you know me you know some of my kryptonite tropes are: size difference, grumpy/sunshine & experienced/inexperienced. This book has all 3 so it was If you know me you know some of my kryptonite tropes are: size difference, grumpy/sunshine & experienced/inexperienced. This book has all 3 so it was and easy 5 stars for me.
Harper was such an easy character to love. He has a lot of insecurity and considers himself to be a burden due to his epilepsy. He doesn’t believe that he’s worth the effort, or very deserving of love.
Luckily, Jackson disagrees wholeheartedly. Jackson is truly the perfect man. He sees Harper and sees someone a little bit sassy, a little bit cautious, but no less deserving of love than anyone else in the world. He’s enamored to say the least. His interest in Harper is met with a lot of suspicion but that doesn’t deter him at all. His mission is simply to show Harper that it’s easy to love him. It’s easy to want him because of everything that he is. There is nothing that is too much when it comes to Harper.
These two will definitely put you through it, all I wanted was for Harper to accept the love he was being given!! I loved the cameos from Trevor and Eli of course. Seeing the other Sweet Southern boys root for Harper and Jackson was so sweet!
I think was really sealed the deal for me with this couple was that it was a really intense look at how insecurities and lac of self worth can make a person feel like they are less than, and that they don’t deserve to have happiness. It was truly just a really beautiful story to see Harper learn that he’s not too much. That he is worthy of love, and that even outside of Jackson he has so many people who care about him. ...more
Super cute! Loved getting Forrest’s POV! I think this was more of a 3.5 for me because I don’t know that it was really necessary for the characters? ISuper cute! Loved getting Forrest’s POV! I think this was more of a 3.5 for me because I don’t know that it was really necessary for the characters? I’m not the biggest fan of “let’s take a break so you can be sure I’m what you want” but Forrest and Jonathan were cute together, and I like how Forrest is always trying to rile Jonathan up. ...more