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The Hired Man
Reverend Ian Kenyon knows the harsh sting of life and how a man can suffer a loss of faith. The death of his wife and newborn son shook him to his foundations, and he's been drifting ever since. Bryn Morgan has returned home from prison to the only family he has--an abusive father who abandoned him to the law when Bryn was unjustly accused of rape. Still poor, lost, and shunned, Bryn searches for work, any work that will allow him to survive. Reluctantly moved by Bryn's plight, Ian hires the young man to work on his farm despite Bryn's prickly, defensive nature. Soon Ian fears his growing feelings of grace and compassion might be something else, something more... heated. Whatever the cause, he knows they are impossible to pursue, because Heaven only knows what would happen if a man of God began to have forbidden feelings for his hired man.
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First published October 1, 2009
5 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
About the author
Jan Irving
51 books199 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
romance author
Jan Irving has worked in all kinds of creative fields, from painting silk to making porcelain ceramics, to interior design, but writing was always her passion.
She feels you can’t fully understand characters until you follow their journey through a story world. Many kinds of worlds interest her, fantasy, historical, science fiction and suspense—but all have one thing in common, people finding a way to live together—in the most emotional and erotic fashion possible, of course!
Visit Jan's blog at http://jan-revealed.livejournal.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
January 11, 2016
Posted at Outlaw Reviews
I loved this captivating and beautiful love story about two lonely and broken men, one released from prison for a crime he did not commit, and the other a minister who is suffering a crisis in his faith. The story takes place in a rural western town in 1898. While both men deal with their growing feelings for each other, they must also deal with their own emotional traumas, town prejudice, and moral and religious conflicts.
Bryn and Ian were wonderfully drawn characters, and I enjoyed every moment with them, through their hardships and joys. There were strong supporting characters too, especially Ian’s housekeeper, Mrs. Robson.
The setting was vividly described and effectively captured the rugged landscape, harsh living conditions and violence of the American West. So even though the relationship between Bryn and Ian moved at a leisurely pace, there was plenty here to keep me interested.
There were many gripping and heart wrenching moments that made me wonder whether Bryn and Ian would have their happily-ever-after, but love does find a way.
I loved this captivating and beautiful love story about two lonely and broken men, one released from prison for a crime he did not commit, and the other a minister who is suffering a crisis in his faith. The story takes place in a rural western town in 1898. While both men deal with their growing feelings for each other, they must also deal with their own emotional traumas, town prejudice, and moral and religious conflicts.
Bryn and Ian were wonderfully drawn characters, and I enjoyed every moment with them, through their hardships and joys. There were strong supporting characters too, especially Ian’s housekeeper, Mrs. Robson.
The setting was vividly described and effectively captured the rugged landscape, harsh living conditions and violence of the American West. So even though the relationship between Bryn and Ian moved at a leisurely pace, there was plenty here to keep me interested.
There were many gripping and heart wrenching moments that made me wonder whether Bryn and Ian would have their happily-ever-after, but love does find a way.
June 19, 2018
I give this 4 stars because I enjoyed it and read through to the end.
I adored the set up of the story - a grieving widower looking for a reason to continue on, and the young man, mistreated by nearly everyone he's ever met, looking for a place to rest and belong. Together they dance around the subjects of love, desire, physical satisfaction... and how to achieve all of these.
There were the expected road blocks of "what will people think" that you would expect from a story set in 1898, including the disapproving housekeeper. Surprisingly I enjoyed the concept of neither man really knowing what to do physically. But there was one thing that was certain, the two men loved each other deeply. And that's what a romance should be about.
There were moments of sheer beauty and breathlessness, parts that broke your heart, and then characters that made you want to rip your hair out.
The misgivings I have on the story is that I feel there were plot points that needed to be fleshed out a lot more. It was almost as if there were scenes cut from the story, or an editor said "You need something more" so the author inserted another random scene. Parts were sometimes repeated or confusing when it came to the timeline. Other times you were left wondering what just happened. There were a lot of personality traits and themes that were pushed in without reason. I would've liked the story slow down and explore some of them.
It had a lovely build up and smoulder, but was somewhat rushed in the end - but hey, that happens in life too.
On the whole, an enjoyable read and one that I'm sure I'll reread at another date. Lovely smexy cover that gives someone a lot of ideas. Editing bang-on as expected from DSP.
4 solid stars. Thanks for the story!
I adored the set up of the story - a grieving widower looking for a reason to continue on, and the young man, mistreated by nearly everyone he's ever met, looking for a place to rest and belong. Together they dance around the subjects of love, desire, physical satisfaction... and how to achieve all of these.
There were the expected road blocks of "what will people think" that you would expect from a story set in 1898, including the disapproving housekeeper. Surprisingly I enjoyed the concept of neither man really knowing what to do physically. But there was one thing that was certain, the two men loved each other deeply. And that's what a romance should be about.
There were moments of sheer beauty and breathlessness, parts that broke your heart, and then characters that made you want to rip your hair out.
The misgivings I have on the story is that I feel there were plot points that needed to be fleshed out a lot more. It was almost as if there were scenes cut from the story, or an editor said "You need something more" so the author inserted another random scene. Parts were sometimes repeated or confusing when it came to the timeline. Other times you were left wondering what just happened. There were a lot of personality traits and themes that were pushed in without reason. I would've liked the story slow down and explore some of them.
It had a lovely build up and smoulder, but was somewhat rushed in the end - but hey, that happens in life too.
On the whole, an enjoyable read and one that I'm sure I'll reread at another date. Lovely smexy cover that gives someone a lot of ideas. Editing bang-on as expected from DSP.
4 solid stars. Thanks for the story!
September 26, 2010
^^SOMETIMES GOOD HELP, IS NOT HARD TO FIND!^^
4.5
What can I say I loved it. Jan Irving is now on my automatic buy list, liked her work from when I read The Janitor and this one was no disappointment. My first historical M/M loving, and that just makes it all the more enjoyable. Lets just say I will be reading this genre in the future.
Reverend Ian Kenyon is having it hard, slowly drifting through life without actually seeing it. Suffering years after from the loss of his wife and young son, he feels like an imposter going around and preaching the word of God to his townfolks, when he has lost his faith. How horrible is that he has lived to serve him and in the end all that he loved was taken away. He has lost his faith and sees no way that he will redeem it. Until Bryn Morgan returns to town and he finds him sitting on his doorstep.
Bryn knows what a hard life is, he has lived it. Growing up with an abusive father, dirt poor, the town thinking he's trash and to later be charged with a crime he did not commit. After spending four years in prison he is back and just as lonely and unwanted as when he left. He thinks of one person that might be able to help him, and thats the Reverend. What he never expected was to find complete acceptance and love with the man.
Man this book was a beautiful romance, so sweet and yet laced with pain. You get a glimpse of life for Bryn when he was in prison, and a person who had to face something like that should be covered and cloaked in bitterness; yet Bryn is compassionate and able to see the beauty in everything. By no way is he a pushover, but a fighter who just wants to be loved. What Ian suffered broke my damn heart, for him to get through that speaks highly of his character. He is suffering, but he is also caring and has a deeply rooted dominant and protective nature. The chemistry between both Ian and Bryn was just downright perfection.
Yet as sweet as it was both characters had a lot to overcome, and had to reach an acceptance for their budding relationship.
The writing was a little hard to understand at times, I dont know if it was faulty editing or it was just the speak at the time. That was one of the small problems with the book, the other was just some unusual encounters between the lead male characters and other people in the book. I felt that all those little interludes was unnecessary and instead of adding drama it took away from the book. Otherwise a solid read, with interesting characters and sexy dialogue which I truly enjoyed. The love scenes were few and not overly explicit but I find that made them extra sexy. This Hired Man was a good investment.
4.5
What can I say I loved it. Jan Irving is now on my automatic buy list, liked her work from when I read The Janitor and this one was no disappointment. My first historical M/M loving, and that just makes it all the more enjoyable. Lets just say I will be reading this genre in the future.
Reverend Ian Kenyon is having it hard, slowly drifting through life without actually seeing it. Suffering years after from the loss of his wife and young son, he feels like an imposter going around and preaching the word of God to his townfolks, when he has lost his faith. How horrible is that he has lived to serve him and in the end all that he loved was taken away. He has lost his faith and sees no way that he will redeem it. Until Bryn Morgan returns to town and he finds him sitting on his doorstep.
Bryn knows what a hard life is, he has lived it. Growing up with an abusive father, dirt poor, the town thinking he's trash and to later be charged with a crime he did not commit. After spending four years in prison he is back and just as lonely and unwanted as when he left. He thinks of one person that might be able to help him, and thats the Reverend. What he never expected was to find complete acceptance and love with the man.
Man this book was a beautiful romance, so sweet and yet laced with pain. You get a glimpse of life for Bryn when he was in prison, and a person who had to face something like that should be covered and cloaked in bitterness; yet Bryn is compassionate and able to see the beauty in everything. By no way is he a pushover, but a fighter who just wants to be loved. What Ian suffered broke my damn heart, for him to get through that speaks highly of his character. He is suffering, but he is also caring and has a deeply rooted dominant and protective nature. The chemistry between both Ian and Bryn was just downright perfection.
Yet as sweet as it was both characters had a lot to overcome, and had to reach an acceptance for their budding relationship.
The writing was a little hard to understand at times, I dont know if it was faulty editing or it was just the speak at the time. That was one of the small problems with the book, the other was just some unusual encounters between the lead male characters and other people in the book. I felt that all those little interludes was unnecessary and instead of adding drama it took away from the book. Otherwise a solid read, with interesting characters and sexy dialogue which I truly enjoyed. The love scenes were few and not overly explicit but I find that made them extra sexy. This Hired Man was a good investment.
January 13, 2016
This is one of those wonderful feel good books that you can't seem to stop thinking about long after you've finished. I loved everything about it. The romance between Ian and Bryn was just so sweet, and it was great to have a nice little touch of angst as well.
November 5, 2012
Audiobook ~ November 2012
Read
November 1, 2009I'm an old romance reader, old since I like the romances of the '70 and '80; I'm not that old of age, but in Italy those romance arrived more or less 10-15 years after their officially release in the United States. And so, when in America the Western Romance was becoming a passed fashion, I discovered it. There is one that was and still is, one of my favorite, Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer, the story of an ex con (framed for the murder of a prostitute) who is hired by a widow with two little sons and a third arriving. It's a wonderful romance and it was later made into a movie with late Christopher Reeves as the hero. But more than Morning Glory, my favorite, that I read and read again, was The Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory. Probably to many of you the name Lisa Gregory says nothing, but she is now more famous and read, as one of the queen of Regency Romances as Candace Camp. But sincerely I think that the Rainbow Season, the love story set at the end of the XIX century between the bad boy, and ex con, of the town, with the young spinster who is in love with her brother in law and decides to marry the hired man of her late father, is and will always be her best novel. There is only another one that can compete, Satan's Angel by Kristin James, the story of a lawless who falls in love for the woman he kidnapped, a woman who was traumatized when she was still a child, and now she is maybe too simple, unable to see the evil in other people... but Kristin James is Lisa Gregory, so, you see, it's obvious why I like that romance as much as the other one.
Why this long introduction? To pay my compliments to Jan Irving to be able to make me feeling again as the teenager of so many years ago, reading a story that is able to take me in another world, a place where your dreams come true. The Hired Man is a perfect Western Romance, as seldom you find today. The Historical Western Romance are strange, since you can read of a recent past history: you can enjoy an historical romance without feeling too far from their characters, escaping in that world is like taking a short trip over the weekend, you are far from the city, but the city is not so far from you. The feeling is the same, the world at the end of the XIX century had still a quiet pace, it was a world of baking cakes at home and doing chores in the barn, actually not so different from the life you can see in some places in the world.
Bryn is the bad boy of this novel: young and pretty, he had the bad luck to be born in the house of a drunken man who never cares for him, and when his mother died, Bryn was all alone. Nobody wondered when he was framed for raping a young girl and sent to prison. To the great surprise of the townfolks, when his conviction ends, Bryn comes back home. The only person who is willing to hire him is Reverend Ian, a man that even before Bryn always looked upon as a good man. But while Bryn was in prison, Ian changed: his wife killed herself soon after murdering their newborn child, and Ian was never the same after that. He lost his faith, and only the cares of Mrs Robson, his housekeeper, keep him going. Despite that Ian hires Bryn, since he sees in the boy's eyes the desperation of not having anything and anyone in the world.
It's a mutual need that brings Ian and Bryn together: Ian is searching for the family he lost, and Bryn for the lover he always dreamed. Even before going in prison, Bryn had "unclean" thoughts on the pious reverend, and his experience in prison only let him with the knowledge that sex between men is possible, but that is a dirty act. Bryn can't possible believe that the perfect Ian is willing to have a relationship with him.
Actually I think that, from Ian's side, there is more the need to protect and having someone to care of than love; it's strong, I know, but I felt like Ian was more a pater familiae than a lover for Bryn. He wants to protect Bryn, he wants to hide him from the ugly thing that is the outside world, and if to do so he has to be Bryn's lover, to fulfill even that side of Bryn's need, than so it be. There is an hole in Ian's past, something I didn't catch quite well: why he became a Reverend? he was from a wealthy family, from what I gathered he had a strict upbringing, but actually I didn't find in him the fire that usually lit a man of faith, even if that fire is smothered by a tragic event. To me Ian seemed more like a man with an extreme need to love and care for people, but not in a religious way, but actually in a very personally way, he needs the feeling to be part of a family, to be whole again. In a way Ian is too selfish to be a good reverend.
On the other hand, Bryn is eager as well, but not for something he lost, but for something he never had; Bryn wants a family, and at first he is willing to barter his body for that. All he knows is that his body is the only worthy thing he has, and that using it he can have shelter and protection. I really think that, with his behavior, in a way he corrupted Ian. I don't think Ian would have ever thought to that possible evolution of their relationship if not for Bryn's attempt to "pay" him for his kindness. Or at least not so soon. I think it's an obvious conclusion of both men's predisposition: Bryn is gay, and he is young, and he has needs; Ian wants to take care of Bryn, and of Bryn's needs, any of them.
I like also how the author dealt with the townfolks, not like they were living in a fairy land where the good Reverend can do everything he wants. There is not easy acceptance from who find out, but more a resignation, like they understand that is not something they can fight. I think this is a righter attitude than some other quite unbelievable situation I read in similar gay historical romances. Said that, the author is quite conscious that she is writing a romance, and a romance has to be romantic, even if it's not realistic. Again, I think that Jan Irving does know well the art of writing a romance with that old fashioned taste of my teenager memories.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1615810706/?...
Why this long introduction? To pay my compliments to Jan Irving to be able to make me feeling again as the teenager of so many years ago, reading a story that is able to take me in another world, a place where your dreams come true. The Hired Man is a perfect Western Romance, as seldom you find today. The Historical Western Romance are strange, since you can read of a recent past history: you can enjoy an historical romance without feeling too far from their characters, escaping in that world is like taking a short trip over the weekend, you are far from the city, but the city is not so far from you. The feeling is the same, the world at the end of the XIX century had still a quiet pace, it was a world of baking cakes at home and doing chores in the barn, actually not so different from the life you can see in some places in the world.
Bryn is the bad boy of this novel: young and pretty, he had the bad luck to be born in the house of a drunken man who never cares for him, and when his mother died, Bryn was all alone. Nobody wondered when he was framed for raping a young girl and sent to prison. To the great surprise of the townfolks, when his conviction ends, Bryn comes back home. The only person who is willing to hire him is Reverend Ian, a man that even before Bryn always looked upon as a good man. But while Bryn was in prison, Ian changed: his wife killed herself soon after murdering their newborn child, and Ian was never the same after that. He lost his faith, and only the cares of Mrs Robson, his housekeeper, keep him going. Despite that Ian hires Bryn, since he sees in the boy's eyes the desperation of not having anything and anyone in the world.
It's a mutual need that brings Ian and Bryn together: Ian is searching for the family he lost, and Bryn for the lover he always dreamed. Even before going in prison, Bryn had "unclean" thoughts on the pious reverend, and his experience in prison only let him with the knowledge that sex between men is possible, but that is a dirty act. Bryn can't possible believe that the perfect Ian is willing to have a relationship with him.
Actually I think that, from Ian's side, there is more the need to protect and having someone to care of than love; it's strong, I know, but I felt like Ian was more a pater familiae than a lover for Bryn. He wants to protect Bryn, he wants to hide him from the ugly thing that is the outside world, and if to do so he has to be Bryn's lover, to fulfill even that side of Bryn's need, than so it be. There is an hole in Ian's past, something I didn't catch quite well: why he became a Reverend? he was from a wealthy family, from what I gathered he had a strict upbringing, but actually I didn't find in him the fire that usually lit a man of faith, even if that fire is smothered by a tragic event. To me Ian seemed more like a man with an extreme need to love and care for people, but not in a religious way, but actually in a very personally way, he needs the feeling to be part of a family, to be whole again. In a way Ian is too selfish to be a good reverend.
On the other hand, Bryn is eager as well, but not for something he lost, but for something he never had; Bryn wants a family, and at first he is willing to barter his body for that. All he knows is that his body is the only worthy thing he has, and that using it he can have shelter and protection. I really think that, with his behavior, in a way he corrupted Ian. I don't think Ian would have ever thought to that possible evolution of their relationship if not for Bryn's attempt to "pay" him for his kindness. Or at least not so soon. I think it's an obvious conclusion of both men's predisposition: Bryn is gay, and he is young, and he has needs; Ian wants to take care of Bryn, and of Bryn's needs, any of them.
I like also how the author dealt with the townfolks, not like they were living in a fairy land where the good Reverend can do everything he wants. There is not easy acceptance from who find out, but more a resignation, like they understand that is not something they can fight. I think this is a righter attitude than some other quite unbelievable situation I read in similar gay historical romances. Said that, the author is quite conscious that she is writing a romance, and a romance has to be romantic, even if it's not realistic. Again, I think that Jan Irving does know well the art of writing a romance with that old fashioned taste of my teenager memories.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1615810706/?...
July 20, 2024
DNF @ 75%
This is a late DNF but I had lost all hope that things would improve and I couldn't be bothered to skim to the end. This story was published in 2009 and the author took inspiration from the popular historical Western romances written in the 80s and 90s, which is something that would appeal to certain romance readers but not to me. Most of my issues with the story stem from this, as well as other issues. I'll discuss my issues in separate sections but they're in no particular order.
Modern Language
To the author's credit, a lot of the dialog sounded like it would fit the late 1890s era that the story was taking place in. Unfortunately, the effect was ruined by the constant inclusion of modern profanity and modern phrases.
Ian = Terrible Reverend
I have no idea why the author chose to make Ian a Reverend because the guy was the most unintentionally terrible Reverend I've ever come across in historicals. The guy swears constantly, he frequently uses the no-no God-related phrases (ex. Jesus Christ! Oh my God!) that people weren't supposed to use, he has no problem threatening violence when he's dealing with somebody he dislikes and he has no problem telling the people close to him that he no longer believes in God. Not only that, but we rarely see the guy doing his job. The only times he goes to do Reverend things is conveniently when he wants to run away from his problems with Bryn, but that's not how jobs like that go. The guy was supposed to be preaching at church every Sunday and regularly leading funerals/weddings/baptisms etc. The town seems to have quite a few people so you'd think the guy would be busy but he spends the majority of his time being a farmer. Ian was the least religious person in the entire book and that's why I thought it was hilarious and also dumb that he was chosen to be a Reverend. The story would have gone the same way if he was just a farmer or had some other job so I don't know why the author decided to go with that profession when it was clear Ian wasn't going to represent it properly.
An Uncomfortable Romance Dynamic
While I liked Ian and Bryn individually, certain choices the author made resulted in me not feeling comfortable with their romance. Bryn is 22 and Ian is 29 and this age gap is made worse at the beginning by having Ian be a lot more mature and experienced in all things (except sex) than Bryn. Ian is an established member of the community, he's comfortable with his career, he was married and had a child. On the other hand, Bryn has been raised by a neglectful, abusive father and due to the addition of extreme poverty, Bryn has no education, few social skills and is much less emotionally mature than Ian. At the start of the story, Bryn constantly displays childish behavior and Ian takes on a parental role with him, which made their growing attraction towards each other feel icky. The worst example of this was a conversation where Bryn is eagerly telling Ian that Ian's housekeeper had made Bryn chocolate cake 3 times while Ian had been gone and a short while later, Bryn pleads with Ian to be allowed to keep his special chicken in the barn instead of the hen house (where the little chicken was constantly being bullied by the bigger chickens). Ian responds the way a parent would and the whole thing made me uncomfortable.
To the author's credit, Ian stops thinking of Bryn/treating Bryn as a replacement son at about the halfway mark but only because he suddenly becomes as emotionally immature as Bryn. It made the romance more palatable but it still wasn't enjoyable.
Repetitive Emotional Conflict
For the majority of the story, the main conflict between the MCs is always the same: Bryn's lack of self-confidence makes him doubt Ian's feelings for him and Ian struggles to accept his homosexual urges. Both of these conflicts were built on solid foundations since they strongly connect with the MCs' pasts (Bryn's abusive upbringing and Ian being a Reverend) but I ended up disliking both because the plotlines became very repetitive. Every single time somebody did something nice for Bryn, he went into OTT internal angsting - wondering if the person can truly like him, fearing that the person will abandon him etc. Every single time anything remotely sexual happened between the MCs or whenever Ian thought about it, Ian would melt down in OTT internal angsting regarding how bad his homosexual urges were. It was boring and very, very repetitive.
Not only was the internal angsting boring, but I also got tired of the MCs constantly being drama-llamas. The two of them would constantly misinterpret what the other guy meant or make assumptions about the other person and then literally run off in a dramatic fit. There would be dramatic yelling and crying and when they ran off, sometimes they'd stay gone for days. It wasn't realistic that men their age and in that time period would behave like that but it was the strongest indication that the author was heavily inspired by the 1980s and 1990s historicals that featured similar interactions.
Uneven Pacing
For the first half of the story, the only conflict was the repetitive angsting that I mentioned above, as well as Ian grieving for his deceased baby son . Things improved at the halfway mark when the author introduced some external conflict that was interesting and well paced . Unfortunately, the story seemed to be taking place on a runaway train that had started out way too slow but then gained speed at a constant acceleration. By the 70% mark, tons of other plotlines had been introduced , while the previously mentioned plotlines were all still in play which resulted in an overwhelming mess. None of the plotlines were getting the attention they needed and the characters were bouncing from one to the other so there was no chance for readers to connect with the things that were happening.
Weird Writing Style
A lot of reviewers have pointed out that the story suffers from terrible transitions and this is true, but not to the extent people say. The author doesn't use traditional scene break indicators but the first word of every new scene is always capitalized, which made it easy to determine if a new scene starts. That being said, the author had a tendency to switch POVs way too often and this meant having way too many scene breaks during certain interactions. Sometimes a character would only have a few lines of dialog before the author did a scene break and switched to another character for the next few lines and so on. It was a bit exhausting to read but I did get used to it.
But that didn't address the weird way the author randomly ended scenes whenever they felt like it. Often, characters would be in the middle of conversations and then BOOM - scene break and the MCs are now in a different location, doing something new. First of all - the prior scene needed to have a proper ending. Second of all - there was no attempt to transition from one scene to the next. Third of all - the author rarely bothers filling in the blanks of what happened after the abrupt ending of the initial scene. It felt like the author just didn't want to finish certain scenes. In some cases, the author skips over material in order to make reveals more impactful, but it was still done in an amateur way that made the reading experience not enjoyable.
Unsexy Smut Scenes
I have no idea why the author's preferred term for male genitals in this story was penis but it didn't work for me. I don't like that word, I don't find it sexy and having it constantly appear in every single smut scene didn't work for me. In addition, the MCs don't know what they're doing when it comes to sexy times and Bryn's lack of confidence and Ian's shame result in their sexy times lacking emotion and not being sexy. Everything was clinical, crude and blunt and that's not my cup of tea when it comes to reading smut. There was also Ian's weird decision to call Bryn his concubine...? Bryn thinks the word means prostitute for a while and that leads to the predictable internal angsting on his end but then Ian explains that being a concubine is a position of honor and it indicates how much he cares about Bryn...? I didn't get it. It was weird and it added to my dislike of the smut scenes.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a massive miss for me. Many of the issues with it are sadly related to the era when it was written. Prior to 2010, the for-profit MM romance genre was in its infancy so authors were trying out all kinds of different formulas and approaches to see what they liked and what readers liked. This particular story obviously followed a formula that the author enjoyed but it's not my thing.
This is a late DNF but I had lost all hope that things would improve and I couldn't be bothered to skim to the end. This story was published in 2009 and the author took inspiration from the popular historical Western romances written in the 80s and 90s, which is something that would appeal to certain romance readers but not to me. Most of my issues with the story stem from this, as well as other issues. I'll discuss my issues in separate sections but they're in no particular order.
Modern Language
To the author's credit, a lot of the dialog sounded like it would fit the late 1890s era that the story was taking place in. Unfortunately, the effect was ruined by the constant inclusion of modern profanity and modern phrases.
Ian = Terrible Reverend
I have no idea why the author chose to make Ian a Reverend because the guy was the most unintentionally terrible Reverend I've ever come across in historicals. The guy swears constantly, he frequently uses the no-no God-related phrases (ex. Jesus Christ! Oh my God!) that people weren't supposed to use, he has no problem threatening violence when he's dealing with somebody he dislikes and he has no problem telling the people close to him that he no longer believes in God. Not only that, but we rarely see the guy doing his job. The only times he goes to do Reverend things is conveniently when he wants to run away from his problems with Bryn, but that's not how jobs like that go. The guy was supposed to be preaching at church every Sunday and regularly leading funerals/weddings/baptisms etc. The town seems to have quite a few people so you'd think the guy would be busy but he spends the majority of his time being a farmer. Ian was the least religious person in the entire book and that's why I thought it was hilarious and also dumb that he was chosen to be a Reverend. The story would have gone the same way if he was just a farmer or had some other job so I don't know why the author decided to go with that profession when it was clear Ian wasn't going to represent it properly.
An Uncomfortable Romance Dynamic
While I liked Ian and Bryn individually, certain choices the author made resulted in me not feeling comfortable with their romance. Bryn is 22 and Ian is 29 and this age gap is made worse at the beginning by having Ian be a lot more mature and experienced in all things (except sex) than Bryn. Ian is an established member of the community, he's comfortable with his career, he was married and had a child. On the other hand, Bryn has been raised by a neglectful, abusive father and due to the addition of extreme poverty, Bryn has no education, few social skills and is much less emotionally mature than Ian. At the start of the story, Bryn constantly displays childish behavior and Ian takes on a parental role with him, which made their growing attraction towards each other feel icky. The worst example of this was a conversation where Bryn is eagerly telling Ian that Ian's housekeeper had made Bryn chocolate cake 3 times while Ian had been gone and a short while later, Bryn pleads with Ian to be allowed to keep his special chicken in the barn instead of the hen house (where the little chicken was constantly being bullied by the bigger chickens). Ian responds the way a parent would and the whole thing made me uncomfortable.
To the author's credit, Ian stops thinking of Bryn/treating Bryn as a replacement son at about the halfway mark but only because he suddenly becomes as emotionally immature as Bryn. It made the romance more palatable but it still wasn't enjoyable.
Repetitive Emotional Conflict
For the majority of the story, the main conflict between the MCs is always the same: Bryn's lack of self-confidence makes him doubt Ian's feelings for him and Ian struggles to accept his homosexual urges. Both of these conflicts were built on solid foundations since they strongly connect with the MCs' pasts (Bryn's abusive upbringing and Ian being a Reverend) but I ended up disliking both because the plotlines became very repetitive. Every single time somebody did something nice for Bryn, he went into OTT internal angsting - wondering if the person can truly like him, fearing that the person will abandon him etc. Every single time anything remotely sexual happened between the MCs or whenever Ian thought about it, Ian would melt down in OTT internal angsting regarding how bad his homosexual urges were. It was boring and very, very repetitive.
Not only was the internal angsting boring, but I also got tired of the MCs constantly being drama-llamas. The two of them would constantly misinterpret what the other guy meant or make assumptions about the other person and then literally run off in a dramatic fit. There would be dramatic yelling and crying and when they ran off, sometimes they'd stay gone for days. It wasn't realistic that men their age and in that time period would behave like that but it was the strongest indication that the author was heavily inspired by the 1980s and 1990s historicals that featured similar interactions.
Uneven Pacing
For the first half of the story, the only conflict was the repetitive angsting that I mentioned above, as well as Ian grieving for his deceased baby son . Things improved at the halfway mark when the author introduced some external conflict that was interesting and well paced . Unfortunately, the story seemed to be taking place on a runaway train that had started out way too slow but then gained speed at a constant acceleration. By the 70% mark, tons of other plotlines had been introduced , while the previously mentioned plotlines were all still in play which resulted in an overwhelming mess. None of the plotlines were getting the attention they needed and the characters were bouncing from one to the other so there was no chance for readers to connect with the things that were happening.
Weird Writing Style
A lot of reviewers have pointed out that the story suffers from terrible transitions and this is true, but not to the extent people say. The author doesn't use traditional scene break indicators but the first word of every new scene is always capitalized, which made it easy to determine if a new scene starts. That being said, the author had a tendency to switch POVs way too often and this meant having way too many scene breaks during certain interactions. Sometimes a character would only have a few lines of dialog before the author did a scene break and switched to another character for the next few lines and so on. It was a bit exhausting to read but I did get used to it.
But that didn't address the weird way the author randomly ended scenes whenever they felt like it. Often, characters would be in the middle of conversations and then BOOM - scene break and the MCs are now in a different location, doing something new. First of all - the prior scene needed to have a proper ending. Second of all - there was no attempt to transition from one scene to the next. Third of all - the author rarely bothers filling in the blanks of what happened after the abrupt ending of the initial scene. It felt like the author just didn't want to finish certain scenes. In some cases, the author skips over material in order to make reveals more impactful, but it was still done in an amateur way that made the reading experience not enjoyable.
Unsexy Smut Scenes
I have no idea why the author's preferred term for male genitals in this story was penis but it didn't work for me. I don't like that word, I don't find it sexy and having it constantly appear in every single smut scene didn't work for me. In addition, the MCs don't know what they're doing when it comes to sexy times and Bryn's lack of confidence and Ian's shame result in their sexy times lacking emotion and not being sexy. Everything was clinical, crude and blunt and that's not my cup of tea when it comes to reading smut. There was also Ian's weird decision to call Bryn his concubine...? Bryn thinks the word means prostitute for a while and that leads to the predictable internal angsting on his end but then Ian explains that being a concubine is a position of honor and it indicates how much he cares about Bryn...? I didn't get it. It was weird and it added to my dislike of the smut scenes.
Conclusion
Overall, this was a massive miss for me. Many of the issues with it are sadly related to the era when it was written. Prior to 2010, the for-profit MM romance genre was in its infancy so authors were trying out all kinds of different formulas and approaches to see what they liked and what readers liked. This particular story obviously followed a formula that the author enjoyed but it's not my thing.
August 30, 2013
Not sure what it was about this book but I kept thinking this was based in England instead of the US. I felt for Bryn and his plight and was happy to see Ian give him a chance. The Dandelion development took me by surprise; was so not expecting that.
I did not like how the chapters ended so abruptly as if in mid-thought. You're expecting more dialogue and it just ends and doesn't pick up with the next chapter. That was very distracting. I felt the end was very rushed with too much going on.
For some reason I never really felt like Ian was a Reverend and the fact he was having same sex relations being a Reverend did not freak me out. I guess since we never really got to see him preach and he didn't have any faith left anyway.
With Bryn's abuse I was expecting more of an emotional read and I didn't get that but I did enjoy the story, hence 3 stars.
P.S. I loved when Bryn got all aggressive and take charge with Ian!
I did not like how the chapters ended so abruptly as if in mid-thought. You're expecting more dialogue and it just ends and doesn't pick up with the next chapter. That was very distracting. I felt the end was very rushed with too much going on.
For some reason I never really felt like Ian was a Reverend and the fact he was having same sex relations being a Reverend did not freak me out. I guess since we never really got to see him preach and he didn't have any faith left anyway.
With Bryn's abuse I was expecting more of an emotional read and I didn't get that but I did enjoy the story, hence 3 stars.
P.S. I loved when Bryn got all aggressive and take charge with Ian!
August 12, 2013
A very solid 3.5 stars. This was my first venture in to a historical MM romance and it didn't disappoint except I found that it ended a bit too soon, so soon in fact that as I got it from Audible on audio I thought it might be abridged, but nope that's just how it is.
Except for it's brevity at times the story was really good with well developed characters and the setting was beautiful. I found myself looking for household chores to do so I could carry on listening in peace. I'll most likely look for more work by this author.
5 stars for the audio book narrator too, very good!
Except for it's brevity at times the story was really good with well developed characters and the setting was beautiful. I found myself looking for household chores to do so I could carry on listening in peace. I'll most likely look for more work by this author.
5 stars for the audio book narrator too, very good!
September 5, 2021
Originally read this in 2011. Just re-read it (August 2014) and still love it sooooo much. This books makes me teary eyed every time. Such a feel good read and a realistic exploration of male-male love from two men struggling to come to terms with it. Loved the pacing and the familial feel that Mrs. Robson and Dandelion brought to the book. Classic Jan Irving. One of my favorites by her.
October 8, 2011
I'm not usually into historicals, but I picked this book up because of the interesting summary and I didn't regret it one minute! Slowly unfolding, thoughtful love story of two very different men with nicely done historical settings and amazing supportive characters. I just love mrs. Robson so much!! :)
May 10, 2012
A sweet, romantic story, marred somewhat by men who are over-emotional and histrionic. But I was engrossed in the characters and the story, and ultimately I found it very enjoyable.
One note that has nothing to do with the author or the story: I listened to this on audio and found the narrator to be good, but his choice of a voice for Bryn drove me up a wall.
One note that has nothing to do with the author or the story: I listened to this on audio and found the narrator to be good, but his choice of a voice for Bryn drove me up a wall.
February 18, 2013
It was ok. Biggest problem was the abrupt change of scene. In addition often times the last statement warranted more discussion. I finally figured out the all caps word at the beginning of a sentence was the change in scene. I am not a fan. The MC's were ok. I wasn't overly attached to either. The memory of Big Ed was overly used or maybe it just got tiring for me.
January 10, 2013
I haven’t been reading many historicals lately, and hadn’t realised how much I missed the genre until I came across this (it’s set in 1898). I suppose in the end the historical really is my favourite genre of gay-themed novel, with fantasy coming in a very close second.
Oh, there’s nothing too surprising here; the story progresses much as one would expect. But the plot features one of my favourite set-ups for this sort of book, where two rather damaged individuals (who have suffered some hard knocks from life) come together and experience a sort of emotional healing with one another. I enjoyed the story well enough---it was a pleasant diversion---and can recommend it for those who like historicals.
Though---now about that cover---heh, heh, heh… I can’t help but think that it looks a bit goofy; it’s very difficult to take a book seriously with artwork like that. On the other hand---this isn’t a serious tome, is it---it’s an unabashed romance. So, I don’t know what I’m complaining about. It’s just that a more polished cover would lend the tale a bit more credibility or something….
Oh, there’s nothing too surprising here; the story progresses much as one would expect. But the plot features one of my favourite set-ups for this sort of book, where two rather damaged individuals (who have suffered some hard knocks from life) come together and experience a sort of emotional healing with one another. I enjoyed the story well enough---it was a pleasant diversion---and can recommend it for those who like historicals.
Though---now about that cover---heh, heh, heh… I can’t help but think that it looks a bit goofy; it’s very difficult to take a book seriously with artwork like that. On the other hand---this isn’t a serious tome, is it---it’s an unabashed romance. So, I don’t know what I’m complaining about. It’s just that a more polished cover would lend the tale a bit more credibility or something….
March 6, 2014
The setting was interesting and it was different to have one of the guys be a minister in the late 1800's in a tiny farming community. But there was just something about it all that kept me from truly liking it. It was one calamity after another for these folks. People dying, things burning, animals dying, beatings, prison, rape, influenza epidemic, mentally disabled child, wife killing herself and her baby. By the end I would not have been surprised if a tornado had popped up and swept everyone away. Before love conquered all of course. The other thing that drove me crazy was how incredibly high-strung both guys were. I love you, I hate you, get away from me, no I love you, wait, I never want to see you again, I can't bear to live without you....and on it went. Within a few pages of each other usually. I have no patience with this type of person in real life and would prefer to not have to read about them either. They both needed a Xanax. However, like I already said, the premise was unique and there were no crazy spelling errors or punctuation silliness going on, which I've come to realize is NOT a given in the M/M world.
January 28, 2013
I really loved this book, it dealt with so many things, self conflict, abuse, prejudice, coming out/exposed, expectations, acceptance and on an on. I enjoyed watching Ian, Brynn and Mrs. whats her name grow and learn as individuals. I think eventually they would have to move only because of the small few that mush pick and abuse others but will be ok in the long run. It helps that Ian is loaded and can afford to move where ever they want when and if they decide. Great book.
May 11, 2012
It was nice, but the inconsistency of the characters made it a lot less enjoyable than it would have otherwise been. The book felt like it was written spontaneously, as opposed to having much forethought or plan behind it. Not always, of course, but often enough that it really annoyed me. That said, I liked Ian. A lot.
August 31, 2010
Great read!!!
May 28, 2014
I liked this very much. I was just bothered with the the butter thing, you know, when they used it as a lubricant? Damn, I'll never look at a butter the same way ever again.
July 25, 2017
I really did like this book until almost the end and then it felt a little off for reasons that would all be spoilers. The storyline became stressed and all over the place but generally I really liked the book. Slow romance, very good scenes, developed characters, a bit too much illness and about 6 stupid mistakes😊
April 6, 2010
Most people know I'm a huge Little House on the Prairie fan. As a child, I watched the show religiously and my mother, trying to keep her daughter in the "good book" encouraged me to read the series. I fell in love with life on the prairie with the Ingalls and with two younger sisters of my own, I could "see" myself in the story easily. [Book: The Hired Man] reminded me of life on the prairie... and the way I would've LIKED the series to go. ;)
What I liked about this book: Life on the farm in the 17th and 18th centuries was not easy. Bigotry, racism and the influence of the Church made things very black and white for people regardless of the circumstance and if you were considered "bad" there was little you could do to redeem yourself. Jan Irving doesn't sugarcoat this era and while taking you on a journey to an unforgiving time, makes no qualms about how difficult loving another man can be. There were so many times that I wanted to cry with Bryn. Irving makes you fall for her characters so quickly that you don't even realize the minute you're championing their cause... you're just excited to be doing so.
There were times where I got a little lost in the book with positioning, context and at times using names like Bryn Morgan who chooses a Morgan for a plow horse was difficult to keep up with in a quick read. None of these things took away from the message or the story though. I'm so glad I picked up this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Summary: Reverend Ian Kenyon knows the harsh sting of life and how a man can suffer a loss of faith. The death of his wife and newborn son shook him to his foundations, and he's been drifting ever since. Bryn Morgan has returned home from prison to the only family he has-an abusive father who abandoned him to the law when Bryn was unjustly accused of rape. Still poor, lost, and shunned, Bryn searches for work, any work that will allow him to survive. Reluctantly moved by Bryn's plight, Ian hires the young man to work on his farm despite Bryn's prickly, defensive nature. Soon Ian fears his growing feelings of grace and compassion might be something else, something more... heated. Whatever the cause, he knows they are impossible to pursue, because Heaven only knows what would happen if a man of God began to have forbidden feelings for his hired man.
What I liked about this book: Life on the farm in the 17th and 18th centuries was not easy. Bigotry, racism and the influence of the Church made things very black and white for people regardless of the circumstance and if you were considered "bad" there was little you could do to redeem yourself. Jan Irving doesn't sugarcoat this era and while taking you on a journey to an unforgiving time, makes no qualms about how difficult loving another man can be. There were so many times that I wanted to cry with Bryn. Irving makes you fall for her characters so quickly that you don't even realize the minute you're championing their cause... you're just excited to be doing so.
There were times where I got a little lost in the book with positioning, context and at times using names like Bryn Morgan who chooses a Morgan for a plow horse was difficult to keep up with in a quick read. None of these things took away from the message or the story though. I'm so glad I picked up this book. I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Excerpt: “Ian?” he whispered.
“You’re… beautiful, Bryn,” Ian said in a choked voice, as if the words were being torn from him.
Bryn’s penis thickened at the buried honey and need in Ian’s tone. It had been days since they’d been able to touch or even look at each other freely. They had to be so careful around the little one and Mrs. Robson. But at night, Bryn dreamed. Dreamed of all manner of things, such as lying under Ian, feeling him pound inside his body. He didn’t think it would hurt quite so much if it were Ian.
In fact, he wanted Ian there, wanted it so much!
“I used to draw things when I was younger. Just scribbles,” Ian confessed in a soft voice, as if he felt what he had to say should be in a whisper even though they were alone. He leaned against an empty stall door. “Sometimes the branch of a tree or some wild orchids…. I stopped, since my father didn’t think it was an appropriate pastime for a young man.”
“And you always did what folks expected of you,” Bryn guessed.
Ian swallowed, reaching out to touch Bryn’s hair. At the last moment, his hand dropped. His fingers were shaking, Bryn noticed.
“Yes, I always do what’s expected of me.”
Bryn studied him, aching. “I’d love to see those drawings some time.”
“Bryn….” Reverend Ian’s face worked, and Bryn waited, lips parted.
Ian’s hand was white where it was wrapped around a support post. He closed his eyes before continuing, low, tortured, “God, I want to see you! All I’ve thought about for days is… is you. Your body, the way your hair falls around your face so I want to touch it. Your eyes in direct sunlight, when I can see flecks of gray in with the blue.” His eyes opened, and somehow they were standing close, leaning toward each other. “Will you come up to the hayloft with me?”
January 20, 2015
This is a book of contrasts.
At times the writing is beautiful, even poetic in its metaphors. At other times the metaphors are awkward and clumsy, belonging more to cliches of inelegant writing (Bryn as a 'freed, wild beast' was one such that had me wincing).
The sexual language is conservative, fitting with the times and rural state as well as the inexperience of the characters. Then there are dips into modern m/m romance terms that are so at odds with the tone of the story.
The characters are everywhere. While they have distinct voices, their motivations range so far, more interchangeable to the angst needed or plot than to real people.
Then the novel just... ends. It's like the author got tired and just decided .
I grew tired of the repetitive 'but this is so wrong' that plagues the characters throughout the book. It's an understandable issue, but the characters one note moping became dull after a while.
Considering that, I'm surprised the ratings are as low as they are. It's not a bad novel considering the narrow scope of the genre. I've read worse with higher ratings. It's sweet, and the time reading it isn't wasted.
At times the writing is beautiful, even poetic in its metaphors. At other times the metaphors are awkward and clumsy, belonging more to cliches of inelegant writing (Bryn as a 'freed, wild beast' was one such that had me wincing).
The sexual language is conservative, fitting with the times and rural state as well as the inexperience of the characters. Then there are dips into modern m/m romance terms that are so at odds with the tone of the story.
The characters are everywhere. While they have distinct voices, their motivations range so far, more interchangeable to the angst needed or plot than to real people.
Then the novel just... ends. It's like the author got tired and just decided .
I grew tired of the repetitive 'but this is so wrong' that plagues the characters throughout the book. It's an understandable issue, but the characters one note moping became dull after a while.
Considering that, I'm surprised the ratings are as low as they are. It's not a bad novel considering the narrow scope of the genre. I've read worse with higher ratings. It's sweet, and the time reading it isn't wasted.
May 29, 2011
It was a sweet story. I was a bit surprised by the period. I didn't expect it to be at the turn of the 20th century but it proved a good setting to focus on the strained relationship between the two men, uncertainties and insecurities as well as social acceptance and perceived notions of respectability mixed together.
Both men suffered through hardships which left their mark on them. Ian seemed without a cause, having lost his wife, newborn child and faith all at the same time. A man without a purpose, roused back to life by a wild young man with rebellion and sadness in his eyes. Bryn had faced only hate and resentment from his family. He was even more confused once he was sent to prison, as he realised his desires.
Their coming together was not easy, blocked by lack of knowledge, social etiquette, mistrust and not enough communication. But in the end, passion and love pushed them together enough to break all walls.
The story could have been developed more, as some scenes seemed rushed (for example the whole issue with Jervish, or how they found and dealt with raising Dandelion). But overall, it was a nice story of two people coming together to overcome their loss and have another shot at happiness.
Both men suffered through hardships which left their mark on them. Ian seemed without a cause, having lost his wife, newborn child and faith all at the same time. A man without a purpose, roused back to life by a wild young man with rebellion and sadness in his eyes. Bryn had faced only hate and resentment from his family. He was even more confused once he was sent to prison, as he realised his desires.
Their coming together was not easy, blocked by lack of knowledge, social etiquette, mistrust and not enough communication. But in the end, passion and love pushed them together enough to break all walls.
The story could have been developed more, as some scenes seemed rushed (for example the whole issue with Jervish, or how they found and dealt with raising Dandelion). But overall, it was a nice story of two people coming together to overcome their loss and have another shot at happiness.
May 28, 2012
Is it so important to know the motivations of people that want to help?
Isn't it hard enough to hold your hand out and ask for help when you need it?
Why worry about why they want to help you and just accept it.
This is a tender redemption romance that happens between two men.
I did like the slow build in the relationship between Ian the Pastor and the Hired Man Bryn. It felt real with all the real fears and problems of being homosexual a hundred years ago in the American West.
I was surprised about Dandelion, I thought it was a dog or a horse or some sort of animal hidden in the hills that Bryn was visiting on his time off.
I was surprised that he got engaged with Ellie Mae, but then again, people do stupid things when they find themselves in love with the 'wrong' person. Ian was running from the truth and it made him more miserable, that is a learning lesson to all people.
Sometimes, you just have to accept that something is your fate.
I would put this down as romance instead of erotica because there is mostly an attempt to please and care between the two lovers.
234 pages and I bought this on All Romance ebook site for 6.99$. This was an expensive M/M romance!
3 stars for great character development
Isn't it hard enough to hold your hand out and ask for help when you need it?
Why worry about why they want to help you and just accept it.
This is a tender redemption romance that happens between two men.
I did like the slow build in the relationship between Ian the Pastor and the Hired Man Bryn. It felt real with all the real fears and problems of being homosexual a hundred years ago in the American West.
I was surprised about Dandelion, I thought it was a dog or a horse or some sort of animal hidden in the hills that Bryn was visiting on his time off.
I was surprised that he got engaged with Ellie Mae, but then again, people do stupid things when they find themselves in love with the 'wrong' person. Ian was running from the truth and it made him more miserable, that is a learning lesson to all people.
Sometimes, you just have to accept that something is your fate.
I would put this down as romance instead of erotica because there is mostly an attempt to please and care between the two lovers.
234 pages and I bought this on All Romance ebook site for 6.99$. This was an expensive M/M romance!
3 stars for great character development
June 11, 2011
I really liked the storyline behind this book – Reverend takes in ex-con and a relationship begins to develop. The characters were well developed, so I felt like I got to know Ian and Bryn quite thoroughly and they both really grew on me.
The angst level felt very appropriate given the backgrounds of the two main characters and the historical period. Historicals in general tend to be one of my least favorite genres, so kudos to the author for making this story historically accurate but without the heavy historical feel which made it much more enjoyable for me.
A couple things I did find a bit challenging were the flow of the book and the lack of details for some elements of the story. These weren’t big issues, but took me out of the story a bit.
While this was my first official book by this author, it won’t be my last!
The angst level felt very appropriate given the backgrounds of the two main characters and the historical period. Historicals in general tend to be one of my least favorite genres, so kudos to the author for making this story historically accurate but without the heavy historical feel which made it much more enjoyable for me.
A couple things I did find a bit challenging were the flow of the book and the lack of details for some elements of the story. These weren’t big issues, but took me out of the story a bit.
While this was my first official book by this author, it won’t be my last!
January 25, 2011
This is my first read (audiobook) by Jan Irving.
Brenn is an ex-con and Ethan is a small town preacher. Bren goes to Ethan looking for work. Ethan decides to take a chance and hired him on as a farm hand to help him with his farm.
Bren has always known he was attracted to men and he has been attracted to the Reverend for a long time. Ethan lost his faith in God after his wife took their son and drown him and then herself. He has been going through the motions ever since. When Bren offers himself to Ethan, he doesn't quite know what to do. How can something that's so wrong, be so right?
A complicated, yet intriguing story of how a preacher and an ex-con come together live and love. I really enjoyed this read and I will be looking for more of this authors books.
Brenn is an ex-con and Ethan is a small town preacher. Bren goes to Ethan looking for work. Ethan decides to take a chance and hired him on as a farm hand to help him with his farm.
Bren has always known he was attracted to men and he has been attracted to the Reverend for a long time. Ethan lost his faith in God after his wife took their son and drown him and then herself. He has been going through the motions ever since. When Bren offers himself to Ethan, he doesn't quite know what to do. How can something that's so wrong, be so right?
A complicated, yet intriguing story of how a preacher and an ex-con come together live and love. I really enjoyed this read and I will be looking for more of this authors books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2014
I was not impressed at all. The best part of this story was that the little girl's name was Dandelion...cute!
Ian was never believable as a reverend to me and he was all too quick to jump into some D/s behavior for the innocent he was supposed to portray.
I felt the author just couldn't decide how she wanted to characterize either Ian or Bryn and was rather all over the place.
There were definitely a couple of times when it seemed a scene was pulled out of nowhere simply for smut's sake. Hey, if that's your kind of thing, I'm not knockin' it...just a head's up to those of us who don't care for it.
Ian was never believable as a reverend to me and he was all too quick to jump into some D/s behavior for the innocent he was supposed to portray.
I felt the author just couldn't decide how she wanted to characterize either Ian or Bryn and was rather all over the place.
There were definitely a couple of times when it seemed a scene was pulled out of nowhere simply for smut's sake. Hey, if that's your kind of thing, I'm not knockin' it...just a head's up to those of us who don't care for it.
May 7, 2016
This is one of those books that I come back to again and again. I love this story. I love the plot. I love how it's written. This is perfection. Jan Irving got a period love story about two broken men so beyond right.
Spoilers.
I usually have no patience for religious gay characters but I loved Ian. He is a man who has all but lost his faith and through Bryn and the love they give each other he begins to see God in his life again. And I love that when he does it's not limited to Byrn. I love that he loves Mrs. Robson and his animals.
This is such a sensitive story that just hits me every time.
Spoilers.
I usually have no patience for religious gay characters but I loved Ian. He is a man who has all but lost his faith and through Bryn and the love they give each other he begins to see God in his life again. And I love that when he does it's not limited to Byrn. I love that he loves Mrs. Robson and his animals.
This is such a sensitive story that just hits me every time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2016
3,5*
This book is... very emotional. And angsty.
I enjoyed reading it and I really liked the characters - especially Ian - but... sometimes there were too many exclamation marks. And everyone was soooooo damn dramatiiiic. Like I understand, this era is not exactly lgtb+ friendly, but sometimes character's reaction were getting ridiculous even for my tastes. And the book was cut into really small parts.
However, the sexy parts were truly hot and it's not badly written. It's just... less exclamation marks next time, author, please?
This book is... very emotional. And angsty.
I enjoyed reading it and I really liked the characters - especially Ian - but... sometimes there were too many exclamation marks. And everyone was soooooo damn dramatiiiic. Like I understand, this era is not exactly lgtb+ friendly, but sometimes character's reaction were getting ridiculous even for my tastes. And the book was cut into really small parts.
However, the sexy parts were truly hot and it's not badly written. It's just... less exclamation marks next time, author, please?
March 1, 2014
3.5 stars.
I gobbled this up, it definately kept me interested but there were plot points that bothered me enought to knock it down a star. This is a historical and I am a contemporary reader so that also had me struggling with how to rate this. The Hired Man was not heavy on historical fact, which I was glad for. It's mostly a story about 2 men who have complete opposite backgrounds and fall in love in a time when men do not have sexual relationship in public.
I gobbled this up, it definately kept me interested but there were plot points that bothered me enought to knock it down a star. This is a historical and I am a contemporary reader so that also had me struggling with how to rate this. The Hired Man was not heavy on historical fact, which I was glad for. It's mostly a story about 2 men who have complete opposite backgrounds and fall in love in a time when men do not have sexual relationship in public.
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