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Bullheaded
Aging bull rider Cody Grainger needs bullfighter Johnny Arrow for more than just protection in the ring. Their bond of trust goes beyond the professional and into love, but while their relationship holds up to the need for discretion imposed by their sport and repeatedly having to watch each other put themselves in the way of dangerous animals, other barriers still tear them apart.
For one thing, Cody is ten years older than Johnny. But instead of contemplating retirement, he focuses on winning the championship, desperate to stay on top. Johnny is only beginning to find the professional recognition he craves. When frustration leads Johnny to walk away, Cody's season slumps. While they're apart, they both slowly realize they are meant to be together. But machismo abounds in the sport of bull riding, and their pride might be an obstacle too big for love to overcome.
For one thing, Cody is ten years older than Johnny. But instead of contemplating retirement, he focuses on winning the championship, desperate to stay on top. Johnny is only beginning to find the professional recognition he craves. When frustration leads Johnny to walk away, Cody's season slumps. While they're apart, they both slowly realize they are meant to be together. But machismo abounds in the sport of bull riding, and their pride might be an obstacle too big for love to overcome.
340 pages, Paperback
First published April 14, 2013
4 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Catt Ford
33 books207 followersCatt Ford lives in front of the computer monitor, in another world where her imaginary gay friends obey her every command.
She likes cats, chocolate, swing dancing, sleeping, Monty Python, Aussie friends, being silly, spinning other realities with words, and sea glass. She dislikes caterpillars, cigarette smoke, and rude people who think the F-word (as in faggot, or bundle of sticks) is acceptable.
A frustrated perfectionist, she comforts herself with the legend about the weavers of Persian rugs always including one mistake so as not to anger the gods, although she has no need to include a mistake on purpose. One always slips through. Writing fiction has filled a need for clever conversations, only possible when one is in control of both sides, and erotic romances, where everything for the most part turns out happily ever after.
Visit Catt's blog at http://catt-ford.livejournal.com/.
She likes cats, chocolate, swing dancing, sleeping, Monty Python, Aussie friends, being silly, spinning other realities with words, and sea glass. She dislikes caterpillars, cigarette smoke, and rude people who think the F-word (as in faggot, or bundle of sticks) is acceptable.
A frustrated perfectionist, she comforts herself with the legend about the weavers of Persian rugs always including one mistake so as not to anger the gods, although she has no need to include a mistake on purpose. One always slips through. Writing fiction has filled a need for clever conversations, only possible when one is in control of both sides, and erotic romances, where everything for the most part turns out happily ever after.
Visit Catt's blog at http://catt-ford.livejournal.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
September 26, 2013
4 stars.
They are horny all the time. Geez...
The story behind Johnny's tattoo is beautiful...
What an enjoyable and great ride…in every sense of the word! Be forewarned, you should buckle up or you might be thrown off the bull.
The way the author described the bull riding was so vividly and well done. In fact, those thrilling scenes leaped off the pages all the time. Also, I did appreciate it that she included a glossary which was very helpful for someone like me who has no experience when it comes to bull riding.
Great main and secondary characters as well as an exhilarating atmosphere at the rodeos made this book a winner for me. And of course a NA hero--excuse me, a Diné hero--is the icing on the cake. The conflict was very good but maybe a bit too drawn out for my taste. There is something I would love to point out. Cody's parents are AWESOME! And a specific secondary character really grew on me very fast. My oh my, being mature is so damn sexy! He is intelligent and perceptive, such a classy guy. Hats off!
Minor quibbles
After Johnny Call me old-fashioned but that was a hard pill to swallow.
Despite the sex being pretty hot, I could have done with less. Yes, you read that correctly.
The ending was a bit too sappy for my liking. Still, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Recommended read.
FULL REVIEW TO COME...
"Because he's too stupid to know when to quit." Travis spat on the ground.
"Imagine if he knew you were black AND gay," RJ said.
"Oh yeah, I'm not a real cowboy at all," Travis agreed instantly. "Like the bulls care if you're gay or whatever color you are."
"They're equal-opportunity buckers." Johnny snickered as he and Travis knocked knuckles.
At first he'd thought it was lightning, but Johnny had said it was a cloud ladder, something to do with the sky. Cody always thought of it as his own pathway to heaven. When he was finished tracing the zigzag line with his tongue, he kissed Johnny to let him taste himself in his mouth. "Let's get some shut-eye."
They are horny all the time. Geez...
The story behind Johnny's tattoo is beautiful...
What an enjoyable and great ride…in every sense of the word! Be forewarned, you should buckle up or you might be thrown off the bull.
The way the author described the bull riding was so vividly and well done. In fact, those thrilling scenes leaped off the pages all the time. Also, I did appreciate it that she included a glossary which was very helpful for someone like me who has no experience when it comes to bull riding.
Great main and secondary characters as well as an exhilarating atmosphere at the rodeos made this book a winner for me. And of course a NA hero--excuse me, a Diné hero--is the icing on the cake. The conflict was very good but maybe a bit too drawn out for my taste. There is something I would love to point out. Cody's parents are AWESOME! And a specific secondary character really grew on me very fast. My oh my, being mature is so damn sexy! He is intelligent and perceptive, such a classy guy. Hats off!
Minor quibbles
After Johnny Call me old-fashioned but that was a hard pill to swallow.
Despite the sex being pretty hot, I could have done with less. Yes, you read that correctly.
The ending was a bit too sappy for my liking. Still, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.
Recommended read.
FULL REVIEW TO COME...
dnf
February 1, 2020Audio – 5 stars
Story – DNF at 66%
I thought I could handle a different kind of romance but this is not it.
The story features an established couple with a 10-year age gap. Cody is the older, arrogant as fuck, stuck-in-his-way asshole. Johnny is younger and pretty much fed up with Cody’s inability to be flexible (I don’t blame him one bit!).
They break up pretty early on in the story, and from there it’s about them as individuals sleeping with this and that person while they’re missing each other. The monologues are endless and…I’m done. There’s couple separation and there’s this story. No thank you, not for me.
Story – DNF at 66%
I thought I could handle a different kind of romance but this is not it.
The story features an established couple with a 10-year age gap. Cody is the older, arrogant as fuck, stuck-in-his-way asshole. Johnny is younger and pretty much fed up with Cody’s inability to be flexible (I don’t blame him one bit!).
They break up pretty early on in the story, and from there it’s about them as individuals sleeping with this and that person while they’re missing each other. The monologues are endless and…I’m done. There’s couple separation and there’s this story. No thank you, not for me.
April 17, 2013
This was a difficult book for me to rate as some parts I loved and other parts not so much.
The good....I quite liked the story itself. There was a level of realism in the journey that Cody and Johnny found themselves on. It was easy to understand the conflict they faced as they both found themselves at different stages in their lives and looked to find a common ground. The insight into the world of bull riders and bullfighters was interesting.
The not so good....there was perhaps too much explanation of the rides themselves. I wanted more of the story, not so much description of the bull riding event itself. I didn't like the sexual encounters that both Johnny and Cody (Cody more so) had when they were apart. I am not sure how much it added to the story, and I found Cody's actions particularly unappealing. Which brings me to my biggest issue - Cody.
I didn't like the character of Cody. I found him selfish and egotistical. "Cody never thought of himself as manipulative. The word wasn't even in his vocabulary. He just liked getting his way. And his way was good for him and for Johnny." He believed this for most of the book. Yes, I wanted Johnny and Cody to have their happy ending, but found it difficult to believe the changes in Cody or to fully understand why he changed his ways.
I find it difficult to really love a book if I don't love one of the lead characters, or at least like them by the end of the story. For this reason, and the slightly too many and too long descriptions of bull rides, I am only rating this book 3.5 stars.
The good....I quite liked the story itself. There was a level of realism in the journey that Cody and Johnny found themselves on. It was easy to understand the conflict they faced as they both found themselves at different stages in their lives and looked to find a common ground. The insight into the world of bull riders and bullfighters was interesting.
The not so good....there was perhaps too much explanation of the rides themselves. I wanted more of the story, not so much description of the bull riding event itself. I didn't like the sexual encounters that both Johnny and Cody (Cody more so) had when they were apart. I am not sure how much it added to the story, and I found Cody's actions particularly unappealing. Which brings me to my biggest issue - Cody.
I didn't like the character of Cody. I found him selfish and egotistical. "Cody never thought of himself as manipulative. The word wasn't even in his vocabulary. He just liked getting his way. And his way was good for him and for Johnny." He believed this for most of the book. Yes, I wanted Johnny and Cody to have their happy ending, but found it difficult to believe the changes in Cody or to fully understand why he changed his ways.
I find it difficult to really love a book if I don't love one of the lead characters, or at least like them by the end of the story. For this reason, and the slightly too many and too long descriptions of bull rides, I am only rating this book 3.5 stars.
September 15, 2013
Wow, this was good!
Two very interesting, sexy, complex main characters - a cast of partly quirky, partly engaging and also very interesting secondary characters (Cody's parents, R.J. and Travis, Dub and even Zane, Bobby Blue and March...to name a few...).
The romance part here was an exceptional one for your usual romance novel: we have an established couple who have some issues with each other.
What I loved about this: It felt very realistic. The relationship part, the problems the two guys had and how they handled it - it felt true and made for a very enjoyable and entertaining read.
And the boys were hot! VERY HOT.
Two very interesting, sexy, complex main characters - a cast of partly quirky, partly engaging and also very interesting secondary characters (Cody's parents, R.J. and Travis, Dub and even Zane, Bobby Blue and March...to name a few...).
The romance part here was an exceptional one for your usual romance novel: we have an established couple who have some issues with each other.
What I loved about this: It felt very realistic. The relationship part, the problems the two guys had and how they handled it - it felt true and made for a very enjoyable and entertaining read.
And the boys were hot! VERY HOT.
dnf-for-good
January 28, 2020DNF.
NOT FOR ME. No substance.
NOT FOR ME. No substance.
April 27, 2013
If you know nothing about the sport of bull riding, but are interested, and you have a great love of M/M romance this is the book for you. You also need to have patience and a hard case on your e-reader for when you throw it across the room several times.
First, I liked this book. It’s about cowboys and the rodeo, it’s hard not to like it. The author, does a tremendous job of detailing both the side of the bull rider, and that of the bull fighter. I was very impressed with the detail. I could almost smell the dust coming off the shoulders of the bull Cody is riding, and getting thrown off of.
I enjoyed getting to know Johnny and Cody along with Cody’s family. But Cody pissed me off. That man is one selfish prick, and for the majority of the book I wanted to be his mama and so I could get in his face about his behavior.
Johnny is a runner. He is young and falls hard for Cody, but doesn’t trust his heart or his partner. This is where the book takes a crazy turn, one I wasn’t expecting. I know the blurb says he walks away. But he really does. They break up and move on..mostly. It really is the journey of both of them finding their own strengths and weaknesses, accepting them, growing up, and then becoming strong men. Apart.
This book is about two men, not a couple. Cody and Johnny are individuals who have to get their heads straight before they can get their love straight. And I respect that. I love that Johnny doesn’t give in easily and I love that Cody finds humility (finally).
The secondary characters gave this book depth. I became invested in more than Johnny and Cody, but also their friends and family and even their hook-ups. The sex in the book is down and dirty and full of passion. Sometimes the pendulum swings into raunchy, but also to the other side where you see two people connecting emotionally.
It’s a good book. Yes, I cursed them out several times. Yes, I had to put the book down, because if Cody did one more thing I was going to smack him. Yes, I kept picking it back up because I had to see how the story was going to resolve itself.
And resolve itself it did. You just have to be patient and the reward is a satisfying conclusion.
Reviewed by Beans
First, I liked this book. It’s about cowboys and the rodeo, it’s hard not to like it. The author, does a tremendous job of detailing both the side of the bull rider, and that of the bull fighter. I was very impressed with the detail. I could almost smell the dust coming off the shoulders of the bull Cody is riding, and getting thrown off of.
I enjoyed getting to know Johnny and Cody along with Cody’s family. But Cody pissed me off. That man is one selfish prick, and for the majority of the book I wanted to be his mama and so I could get in his face about his behavior.
Johnny is a runner. He is young and falls hard for Cody, but doesn’t trust his heart or his partner. This is where the book takes a crazy turn, one I wasn’t expecting. I know the blurb says he walks away. But he really does. They break up and move on..mostly. It really is the journey of both of them finding their own strengths and weaknesses, accepting them, growing up, and then becoming strong men. Apart.
This book is about two men, not a couple. Cody and Johnny are individuals who have to get their heads straight before they can get their love straight. And I respect that. I love that Johnny doesn’t give in easily and I love that Cody finds humility (finally).
The secondary characters gave this book depth. I became invested in more than Johnny and Cody, but also their friends and family and even their hook-ups. The sex in the book is down and dirty and full of passion. Sometimes the pendulum swings into raunchy, but also to the other side where you see two people connecting emotionally.
It’s a good book. Yes, I cursed them out several times. Yes, I had to put the book down, because if Cody did one more thing I was going to smack him. Yes, I kept picking it back up because I had to see how the story was going to resolve itself.
And resolve itself it did. You just have to be patient and the reward is a satisfying conclusion.
Reviewed by Beans
August 7, 2013
Let me start this review with a shallow comment, hehe! Initially I wanted to read this book because of the gorgeous cover. It's one of the best covers I have seen. However between the cover and the blurb I thought this book would be about Spanish bull fighters. But it's about these guys:
This is a very engaging story about Cody and Johnny. Cody is a 32 yo bull rider that is at the top of his game. He is also an only child and as a result of his success he is a very self-centered and arrogant man. Johnny is a 23 yo bullfighter who is also really good at what he does. Because of his age and background Johnny is always giving in to what Cody wants to do and never stands his ground. This right here is the problem with their relationship and resolving this is the journey this book takes us.
Tired of Cody's selfishness and cockiness and wanting to be something of his own Johnny leaves Cody after two years together. He goes on a very interesting journey of self-discovery where he learns to accept and be proud of who he is and also that is OK to stand his ground.
Cody's journey is a bit slow paced and he remains a self-centered bastard for most of his book. For being a 32 year old he comes off as very immature at times, always blaming others for his mistakes.
I found this book very engaging. It's been a while since I have stayed very late because I couldn't put a book down. But I loved reading about Johnny's journey. Plus I found myself completely grabbed by the Bull riding world and before long I was on Youtube watching bull riding videos. These people have balls!
This is a very engaging story about Cody and Johnny. Cody is a 32 yo bull rider that is at the top of his game. He is also an only child and as a result of his success he is a very self-centered and arrogant man. Johnny is a 23 yo bullfighter who is also really good at what he does. Because of his age and background Johnny is always giving in to what Cody wants to do and never stands his ground. This right here is the problem with their relationship and resolving this is the journey this book takes us.
Tired of Cody's selfishness and cockiness and wanting to be something of his own Johnny leaves Cody after two years together. He goes on a very interesting journey of self-discovery where he learns to accept and be proud of who he is and also that is OK to stand his ground.
Cody's journey is a bit slow paced and he remains a self-centered bastard for most of his book. For being a 32 year old he comes off as very immature at times, always blaming others for his mistakes.
I found this book very engaging. It's been a while since I have stayed very late because I couldn't put a book down. But I loved reading about Johnny's journey. Plus I found myself completely grabbed by the Bull riding world and before long I was on Youtube watching bull riding videos. These people have balls!
September 14, 2013
This is a novel for grown folks.
Cody and Johnny are in a long-term relationship -- they have been dating for the past two years. There are, however, some differences between them that eventually magnify in importance and overwhelm the strength of their love for each other. First of all, there is an age gap. Cody is 32 and Johnny is 23 years old, and Cody has done his fair share of living during his 32 years. Second, they are both a part of the National Bull Riders world, in which Cody is the best rider that people in the world have probably ever seen, and Johnny is an up-and-coming bull fighter, one of the guys in the ring who distracts the bull once the ride is finished and who makes sure that the animal is safely returned to the pen. In their world, the riders are the ones who receive respect, while the fighters are the guys that we might describe in derogatory fashion as the rodeo "clowns," even though there is nothing remotely funny about their jobs -- they play a critical role in ensuring the riders' safety.
As we move through the opening stages of the novel, we see the problem right away. Cody and Johnny love each other, but Cody is older, so he thinks he knows everything. In addition, he's the star in their field, so he often undermines Johnny's professional opinions publicly. Furthermore, Johnny can ride, and Cody encourages him to do so, but he doesn't understand or respect Johnny's preference for fighting, so when Johnny tries to tell him that he wants to make certain professional choices that would develop his bullfighting career, Cody overrides him without actually paying attention to his desires. Finally, because Johnny is so young, and in his first relationship, he doesn't know how to stand up for himself when Cody does little things that hurt him. And that's part of the reason this novel is so mature -- Cody never does anything major to hurt Johnny. He just can't even see the small things that are building up, brick by resentful brick, a wall between him and Johnny. Ultimately, they end up with a relationship that is out of balance because they are not acting as equals within it. So Johnny gets tired and decides to end it.
And this is when we get to the meat of the novel, where both men go on a path of self-discovery. Fair warning: if you don't like a novel where the MCs have sex with other people, this isn't the book for you. They aren't cheating on each other -- they are broken up -- but if you're squeamish, you should know that they are definitely moving on while they are apart. During all of these encounters, however, they are figuring out some things. Johnny, to some extent, is simply sowing some wild oats -- 23 is too young to be settled down without having had sex with anyone else, and looking at a future in which you'll likely be monogamous for the rest of your life. (YMMV.) Having said that, he's also learning that he actually is strong enough to assert his preferences and stick to them, and part of the problem with Cody was his failure to do so. Cody could not be faulted for failing to read his mind.
As for Cody, he was so spoiled, entitled, and used to getting his own way, he had a hard time figuring out what he did wrong. Losing Johnny, though, was a heartbreak for him, and it caused him to lose the joy of bullriding, and he went into a professional slump. Cody's inability to engage in meaningful self-reflection was a significant stumbling block throughout much of the book because it impaired his ability to see something really simple -- that the relationship could not be all about him. Working his way to a realization on this front, and seeing its connection to bullriding, forms a major part of the story.
Ultimately, Johnny and Cody do find their way back to each other. It is a romance novel, after all. And the author does something that I really appreciate -- she not only shows us the work that Cody and Johnny did to get to their happy ending, she shows us the work that they did after the reconciliation, navigating through tough spots, and putting into practice those new lessons they said they were going to implement.
If you've been through a tough relationship, romantic or not, and either lost it or worked through the hard parts and managed to keep it, you'll recognize these characters and understand their issues. Like I said, this is a novel for grown folks, because you'll only really "get" it if you've been through this story, or some variation thereof. This is an extraordinarily good book.
Cody and Johnny are in a long-term relationship -- they have been dating for the past two years. There are, however, some differences between them that eventually magnify in importance and overwhelm the strength of their love for each other. First of all, there is an age gap. Cody is 32 and Johnny is 23 years old, and Cody has done his fair share of living during his 32 years. Second, they are both a part of the National Bull Riders world, in which Cody is the best rider that people in the world have probably ever seen, and Johnny is an up-and-coming bull fighter, one of the guys in the ring who distracts the bull once the ride is finished and who makes sure that the animal is safely returned to the pen. In their world, the riders are the ones who receive respect, while the fighters are the guys that we might describe in derogatory fashion as the rodeo "clowns," even though there is nothing remotely funny about their jobs -- they play a critical role in ensuring the riders' safety.
As we move through the opening stages of the novel, we see the problem right away. Cody and Johnny love each other, but Cody is older, so he thinks he knows everything. In addition, he's the star in their field, so he often undermines Johnny's professional opinions publicly. Furthermore, Johnny can ride, and Cody encourages him to do so, but he doesn't understand or respect Johnny's preference for fighting, so when Johnny tries to tell him that he wants to make certain professional choices that would develop his bullfighting career, Cody overrides him without actually paying attention to his desires. Finally, because Johnny is so young, and in his first relationship, he doesn't know how to stand up for himself when Cody does little things that hurt him. And that's part of the reason this novel is so mature -- Cody never does anything major to hurt Johnny. He just can't even see the small things that are building up, brick by resentful brick, a wall between him and Johnny. Ultimately, they end up with a relationship that is out of balance because they are not acting as equals within it. So Johnny gets tired and decides to end it.
And this is when we get to the meat of the novel, where both men go on a path of self-discovery. Fair warning: if you don't like a novel where the MCs have sex with other people, this isn't the book for you. They aren't cheating on each other -- they are broken up -- but if you're squeamish, you should know that they are definitely moving on while they are apart. During all of these encounters, however, they are figuring out some things. Johnny, to some extent, is simply sowing some wild oats -- 23 is too young to be settled down without having had sex with anyone else, and looking at a future in which you'll likely be monogamous for the rest of your life. (YMMV.) Having said that, he's also learning that he actually is strong enough to assert his preferences and stick to them, and part of the problem with Cody was his failure to do so. Cody could not be faulted for failing to read his mind.
As for Cody, he was so spoiled, entitled, and used to getting his own way, he had a hard time figuring out what he did wrong. Losing Johnny, though, was a heartbreak for him, and it caused him to lose the joy of bullriding, and he went into a professional slump. Cody's inability to engage in meaningful self-reflection was a significant stumbling block throughout much of the book because it impaired his ability to see something really simple -- that the relationship could not be all about him. Working his way to a realization on this front, and seeing its connection to bullriding, forms a major part of the story.
Ultimately, Johnny and Cody do find their way back to each other. It is a romance novel, after all. And the author does something that I really appreciate -- she not only shows us the work that Cody and Johnny did to get to their happy ending, she shows us the work that they did after the reconciliation, navigating through tough spots, and putting into practice those new lessons they said they were going to implement.
If you've been through a tough relationship, romantic or not, and either lost it or worked through the hard parts and managed to keep it, you'll recognize these characters and understand their issues. Like I said, this is a novel for grown folks, because you'll only really "get" it if you've been through this story, or some variation thereof. This is an extraordinarily good book.
August 13, 2013
This book was such a disappointment for me, I wanted to like this so much, because come on, who doesn't like hot cowboys. But it just never clicked for me, and there was just no spark between the two MCs but this IMOP.
Cody who is 32 and a bull rider is cocky, full of himself, and plans his and everyone else's life around what he wants. Jonny on the other hand is 23 and a bullfighter, and he is the quite, steady as you go kind of guy, who is pulled along behind Cody. They have been working and living together for 2 years. But in all that time the author want you to believe they have never talked about family, what a tattoo means on Johnny etc. I don't buy that. Also there is a break-up that made no sense to me. During that time all the one-night stand hook-ups supposedly taught valuable lessons on life, love, and standing on your own two feet. But how, when all your reading is sex scene after sex scene, I don't get it.
IMOP the two characters lacked any kind of spark and why they were together I have no idea. Also, if you only like books where the MC only have sex with each other, this book is not for you. The sex was such a cliché. When they start sleeping with others, it's like the author wanted to put every gay sex hook-up in this one book, from the rest-stop blowjob, glory hole in a random restroom, gay bars, etc.
I guess my biggest complaint is that there was no real growth, no real reason for the MC to be together, and the sex was not hot, because the guilt factor that was added. Just not for me.
Cody who is 32 and a bull rider is cocky, full of himself, and plans his and everyone else's life around what he wants. Jonny on the other hand is 23 and a bullfighter, and he is the quite, steady as you go kind of guy, who is pulled along behind Cody. They have been working and living together for 2 years. But in all that time the author want you to believe they have never talked about family, what a tattoo means on Johnny etc. I don't buy that. Also there is a break-up that made no sense to me. During that time all the one-night stand hook-ups supposedly taught valuable lessons on life, love, and standing on your own two feet. But how, when all your reading is sex scene after sex scene, I don't get it.
IMOP the two characters lacked any kind of spark and why they were together I have no idea. Also, if you only like books where the MC only have sex with each other, this book is not for you. The sex was such a cliché. When they start sleeping with others, it's like the author wanted to put every gay sex hook-up in this one book, from the rest-stop blowjob, glory hole in a random restroom, gay bars, etc.
I guess my biggest complaint is that there was no real growth, no real reason for the MC to be together, and the sex was not hot, because the guilt factor that was added. Just not for me.
January 26, 2018
Story: 9
First MC: 9
Second MC: 9
Secondary characters: 7
Mystery: 3
Sexual tension: 5
Romance: 5
Humor: 5
Hotness: 6
Product placement: 4
Ridiculousness: 3
Annoying: 2
Suspence: 8
Audio: 10 (12h 11min)
To re-read: 7
An established in the closet relationship; their journey towards compromise and acceptance.
The book describes bull-riding in detail; towards the end I felt a fantom pain in my back and knees!
First MC: 9
Second MC: 9
Secondary characters: 7
Mystery: 3
Sexual tension: 5
Romance: 5
Humor: 5
Hotness: 6
Product placement: 4
Ridiculousness: 3
Annoying: 2
Suspence: 8
Audio: 10 (12h 11min)
To re-read: 7
An established in the closet relationship; their journey towards compromise and acceptance.
The book describes bull-riding in detail; towards the end I felt a fantom pain in my back and knees!
April 16, 2013
5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
What a wholesome book, I totally loved it and when the story didn’t go the “predicable” way, instead of putting me down, I loved it even more. For me this novel had it all. Everything you look for in a book was there; realist characters that you fell in love with, with their flaws and insecurities and big egos; a plot that was amazing from start to finish, hooking and griping and interesting beyond words; and an incredible writing skill that left no room for losing concentration or feeling detached to the story. I think I’m going to be a great fan of this author because she really made me live this story, feel every emotion she so generously shared and read a book that seemed as if she picked it up right from the arena of bull riding.
The characters Cody and Johnny were amazing. They have an age gap of ten years and as so they are in different stages of life. They are also completely different men.
Cody is a man whose life has been kind. He is a bull rider and his personality suits his profession. He’s strong-headed, persistent; he never gives up and has a thing of always getting what he wants. Even his family is perfect with a loving father and mother who never batted an eye at his sexuality. He might not be out in the bull fighting world but when he’s home he is truly free. Cody is a winner!
Johnny is Native American, and his life is the opposite of Cody. He has a mother that doesn’t want to hear about his sexuality, and a family he has to support economically due to poverty. He was never a good bull rider but he is great at bull fighting. His ability to “read” the animals is astonishing and that’s what’s making him visible in the NBR world. His career is just starting.
This book explores these characters greatly. I get to see a man’s personality from all points of view; when they’re in love, when they are blind, when they are at their best and their worst. I loved the fact that the pair starts together and then splits up. I loved it that life and their wants came in their way the way life really does, full force. I loved it that they had to work it out and it didn’t happen from one day to the other. These characters learned and grew up in the story and that’s what made them appeal more to me.
But I loved even more the fact that in addition to great characters there was a great, great plot as well that complemented them. The world of NBR, was astonishing. I have read other books referring to bill riding, but the difference here was that this book literally took me there, made me feel as if I was in that arena and behind the stage and in these people’s lives. I got to learn so much and in the end I became a fan as well going online and googling and watching on you-tube and feeling as if I took more from this read than just a love story. It is amazing that this book also made me cry there at the end with Cody’s last performance. It was unexpected for me to feel it so much and therefore more cherished.
So of course I recommend this book to anyone, it’s absolutely brilliant and intense and realistic. It provides enjoyment in all forms and it would be a shame to miss it.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
http://mmgoodbookreviews.wordpress.com/
What a wholesome book, I totally loved it and when the story didn’t go the “predicable” way, instead of putting me down, I loved it even more. For me this novel had it all. Everything you look for in a book was there; realist characters that you fell in love with, with their flaws and insecurities and big egos; a plot that was amazing from start to finish, hooking and griping and interesting beyond words; and an incredible writing skill that left no room for losing concentration or feeling detached to the story. I think I’m going to be a great fan of this author because she really made me live this story, feel every emotion she so generously shared and read a book that seemed as if she picked it up right from the arena of bull riding.
The characters Cody and Johnny were amazing. They have an age gap of ten years and as so they are in different stages of life. They are also completely different men.
Cody is a man whose life has been kind. He is a bull rider and his personality suits his profession. He’s strong-headed, persistent; he never gives up and has a thing of always getting what he wants. Even his family is perfect with a loving father and mother who never batted an eye at his sexuality. He might not be out in the bull fighting world but when he’s home he is truly free. Cody is a winner!
Johnny is Native American, and his life is the opposite of Cody. He has a mother that doesn’t want to hear about his sexuality, and a family he has to support economically due to poverty. He was never a good bull rider but he is great at bull fighting. His ability to “read” the animals is astonishing and that’s what’s making him visible in the NBR world. His career is just starting.
This book explores these characters greatly. I get to see a man’s personality from all points of view; when they’re in love, when they are blind, when they are at their best and their worst. I loved the fact that the pair starts together and then splits up. I loved it that life and their wants came in their way the way life really does, full force. I loved it that they had to work it out and it didn’t happen from one day to the other. These characters learned and grew up in the story and that’s what made them appeal more to me.
But I loved even more the fact that in addition to great characters there was a great, great plot as well that complemented them. The world of NBR, was astonishing. I have read other books referring to bill riding, but the difference here was that this book literally took me there, made me feel as if I was in that arena and behind the stage and in these people’s lives. I got to learn so much and in the end I became a fan as well going online and googling and watching on you-tube and feeling as if I took more from this read than just a love story. It is amazing that this book also made me cry there at the end with Cody’s last performance. It was unexpected for me to feel it so much and therefore more cherished.
So of course I recommend this book to anyone, it’s absolutely brilliant and intense and realistic. It provides enjoyment in all forms and it would be a shame to miss it.
Thommie
August 9, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this. I went to my first real rodeo this summer and it made for the perfect backdrop for this book. For sure I could hear the announcer clear as day. However, despite that, the book wasn't a winner for me. Starting on about page 30 I was just frustrated with it the whole time.
For one, there is just too much sex. I'm not a prude. I like a good sex scene or three. But this book just about literally has one every ten pages like clockwork. It's a 320 page book! The sex definitely got in the way of the plot, cluttered up the narrative and just go old.
What's more, a lot of that sex is actually when the two men are broken up. So, it's not even meaningful sex. It's fucking filler. Yes, the men are supposed to be learning life lessons because of it. But I didn't need every rest-stop hookup and angry anonymous blow job to see this. What's worse, it made Cody look like a total douche, the way he treated his partners. And trust me, Cody didn't need to be made to look like more of an ass. He's a large part of why I disliked the book.
Cody was arrogant, smug and cocky. Johnny left him for legitimate reasons, Cody (at 32) seemed too self-obsessed to understand why, and this never changed. Johnny, the more mature to start with showed growth, Cody did not. He just got his was as always and the author pretended it was a happy ending.
And here-in lies my bigger issue. Johnny left because Cody made everything about himself. He couldn't separate what was good for himself from what was good for anyone else. Then, Johnny came back to Cody because Cody needed him. Making it all about Cody again and pretending there had been some growth that there hadn't actually been. Johnny even said, "You've changed," to Cody. But I saw no evidence of this. Cody never said or did anything that made me think he was any different than when the book started. Thus, I finished the book frustrated and angry.
I didn't understand why Johnny was with Cody to start with. They had no relationship outside of explosive sex and they were supposed to have been together for two years. Two years and Cody is such an narcissist he literally never asked Johnny Arrow what his real name is, his coming out story, what his tattoo means, etc.
Then there were all the repeat conversations. I think there must have been fifteen versions of "When you retire..." "But I don't want to retire..." "When you retire..." "But I don't want to retire..." Then there were all the conversations about these conversations. No, I was bored with it.
All in all, this was not a fun read for me. I finished it through force of will and nostalgia from see my first rodeo in.....Cody, Wyoming.
For one, there is just too much sex. I'm not a prude. I like a good sex scene or three. But this book just about literally has one every ten pages like clockwork. It's a 320 page book! The sex definitely got in the way of the plot, cluttered up the narrative and just go old.
What's more, a lot of that sex is actually when the two men are broken up. So, it's not even meaningful sex. It's fucking filler. Yes, the men are supposed to be learning life lessons because of it. But I didn't need every rest-stop hookup and angry anonymous blow job to see this. What's worse, it made Cody look like a total douche, the way he treated his partners. And trust me, Cody didn't need to be made to look like more of an ass. He's a large part of why I disliked the book.
Cody was arrogant, smug and cocky. Johnny left him for legitimate reasons, Cody (at 32) seemed too self-obsessed to understand why, and this never changed. Johnny, the more mature to start with showed growth, Cody did not. He just got his was as always and the author pretended it was a happy ending.
And here-in lies my bigger issue. Johnny left because Cody made everything about himself. He couldn't separate what was good for himself from what was good for anyone else. Then, Johnny came back to Cody because Cody needed him. Making it all about Cody again and pretending there had been some growth that there hadn't actually been. Johnny even said, "You've changed," to Cody. But I saw no evidence of this. Cody never said or did anything that made me think he was any different than when the book started. Thus, I finished the book frustrated and angry.
I didn't understand why Johnny was with Cody to start with. They had no relationship outside of explosive sex and they were supposed to have been together for two years. Two years and Cody is such an narcissist he literally never asked Johnny Arrow what his real name is, his coming out story, what his tattoo means, etc.
Then there were all the repeat conversations. I think there must have been fifteen versions of "When you retire..." "But I don't want to retire..." "When you retire..." "But I don't want to retire..." Then there were all the conversations about these conversations. No, I was bored with it.
All in all, this was not a fun read for me. I finished it through force of will and nostalgia from see my first rodeo in.....Cody, Wyoming.
April 13, 2013
5 Stars - KAPOW!!
I don’t like the closet or angst-filled books. Logically, I should have hated Bullheaded, by Catt Ford. Logic schmogic, I loved this book. Cody Grainger and Johnny Arrow are madly in love with each other. It’s undeniable. They are also wildly attracted to each other despite having been in a relationship for two years already. They should be completely happy. And they are, sort of. Johnny works as a bullfighter in the same circuit in which Cody is a bull rider. They are able to tour together and their cover story that Johnny works on the Grainger family ranch works just fine. No one is the wiser. When the season breaks for Cody he wants to go home and doesn’t really listen to Johnny who wants to work for the summer. Cody is at the top of his game whereas Johnny has just started his. They also happen to have wildly different cultural backgrounds and sexual histories. They are, however, both alike in idiocy. Cody wants to manage Johnny’s life. He doesn’t get Johnny may have different goals, wants, or needs. Johnny doesn’t tell Cody his goals, wants, or needs. Consequently, neither man understands the other. Johnny walks out....
For Faye's full review go to Live Your Life, Buy The Book
I don’t like the closet or angst-filled books. Logically, I should have hated Bullheaded, by Catt Ford. Logic schmogic, I loved this book. Cody Grainger and Johnny Arrow are madly in love with each other. It’s undeniable. They are also wildly attracted to each other despite having been in a relationship for two years already. They should be completely happy. And they are, sort of. Johnny works as a bullfighter in the same circuit in which Cody is a bull rider. They are able to tour together and their cover story that Johnny works on the Grainger family ranch works just fine. No one is the wiser. When the season breaks for Cody he wants to go home and doesn’t really listen to Johnny who wants to work for the summer. Cody is at the top of his game whereas Johnny has just started his. They also happen to have wildly different cultural backgrounds and sexual histories. They are, however, both alike in idiocy. Cody wants to manage Johnny’s life. He doesn’t get Johnny may have different goals, wants, or needs. Johnny doesn’t tell Cody his goals, wants, or needs. Consequently, neither man understands the other. Johnny walks out....
For Faye's full review go to Live Your Life, Buy The Book
April 24, 2013
O.M.G. I haven't had a character provoke such a visceral reaction in a long while. About 30% in to the book, I legit thought that if Cody was in front of me I would've punched him in the face, and I'm not a violent person. What an entitled, cocky jerk. Ugh.
But then I read on and ended up feeling much better about things. I think this was a really good book. It made me ponder the way we interact with loved ones and how sometimes we do or say things unthinkingly without realizing the consequences of our actions. It also made me super interested in bull riding (for the duration of the book) and wtf??? I never thought that would be possible.
Well done, Catt Ford.
But then I read on and ended up feeling much better about things. I think this was a really good book. It made me ponder the way we interact with loved ones and how sometimes we do or say things unthinkingly without realizing the consequences of our actions. It also made me super interested in bull riding (for the duration of the book) and wtf??? I never thought that would be possible.
Well done, Catt Ford.
April 25, 2013
A great book with a realistic story (even though I know nothing about bull fighting – it all made sense to me) and characters I loved. There were parts I liked more than others, but that doesn’t change the fact, that I really enjoyed this book! I would even love a sequel!
August 27, 2013
So this book hits a little too close to home, of course not in a bad way as it’s just fabulous. But I knew these guys too well growing up. Reminded me of my childhood in so many ways. These were the boys (ok minus the gay bit as far as I knew) that I hung out with every summer. Watched the ego that placed them on the back of bulls week after week keeping their big heads stuck up their asses!
Cody Grainger is at the top of his game. He has a commanding lead in the points for the NBR even at 32. On a bull he can do no wrong. The gold championship buckle looks to be a shoe in for him and he’ll be the first 2 time back to back NBR World Champion. With his boyfriend Johnny beside him Cody’s on cloud nine and there ain’t nothing going to bring him down
Johnny Arrow loves his job and he loves his man. As far as he’s concerned spending his life out there in the ring staring down those 1000-pound beasts as a rodeo bullfighter is the perfect way to spend an evening. Followed quickly of course by getting Cody back to the hotel and into bed. If he feels a twinge every now and again about having to hide their relationship, well that’s just the way it goes. The rodeo ain’t no place for an out cowboy. Still he’s got it all. Yet he still finds himself gritting his teeth more and more these days as Cody makes all the decisions for the two of them and doesn’t seem to listen to a damn word Johnny’s saying. If Cody’s not careful he’s going to end up driving away the best part of his life by doing nothing more than letting his ego do the talking.
First of all the depiction of the rodeo lifestyle here is extremely well done. Ms. Ford incorporated a lot of detail about what it means to be a bull rider and/or a bullfighter in the world of professional rodeo. The aches and pains are all just part of the sport these guys know and love. It’s a hard life on the road and one of those jobs you do because you have to, because you just can’t see yourself doing anything else.
I think that’s why I enjoyed Cody so much even when I wanted to smack him. It’s a hard thing to admit when your body just can’t take the punishment of doing something you love anymore. It’s a very real fact that rodeo is a young man’s sport. There’s only one rider in the Top 10 bull riders in the world at the moment that’s over 30. And he’s certainly not in the Top 5. Cody is certainly not at absolute retirement, but I loved seeing his friends and family trying to get his mule-head thinking and start edging him towards plans for his future. At times his shear stubborn "bullheadedness" makes him seem like the younger man in this relationship. Johnny's decisions often seem to come from a place of more maturity.
Oh Johnny, you run from pain so easily, but damn you had to do something. I was so happy when Johnny finally walked out the door. He’s not Cody’s doormat to walk all over before Cody switches his job title to blow up sex doll. I loved the fact that Ms. Ford gave equal attention to the job the bullfighters do in that ring. She’s right, those cowboys would never survive without the men on the ground risking their lives for them. Rodeo’s a dangerous sport and no event is worse than the bull riding. People love that though, being on the edge of your seat waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
I’m of course waxing on about a sport I love and felt got an honest fair shake by Ms. Ford. But in the end this story is about two men and what they’re going through. Both of these guys had to grow up in this story. Cody needed to learn to give his partner the respect he deserves in and out of bed and Johnny had to learn to be able to stand up for himself. Just because Cody’s the undisputed champion and has in some ways earned that big head, doesn’t mean he gets to walk all over those around him. These guys are both good cowboys at heart and truly love each other.
Personally I enjoyed that aspect of this book. This is an established relationship learning how to grow. These two guys reached the tipping point that can happen in a relationship of any length. People start to change and you either make changes together or you end up splitting there and then. Cody and Johnny had to fight themselves, and each other, to get through this rough patch but in the end their relationship will be the stronger for it. And quite frankly it was nice to see Cody knocked off his high horse and seeing his face end up in the dirt a time or two. Slumps happen in any sport and 9 times out of 10 it’s entirely mental. Lesson in all this, don’t mess with those your love. ;)
One last note about gay cowboys…I loved the way this book dealt with it frankly. Some books in this genre take an unrealistic view, in my opinion, and try to pretty up the opinions these guys would face in this world. Not to say that I think it’s right or anything, but this is an extremely hard world to be “out” in. I enjoyed the fact that both of these guys understood this, had a great support system of the few people they trusted with their secret, and didn’t feel the need in the end to out their love to the rodeo world. Ms. Ford pushes the boundaries nicely I felt with Cody and Johnny’s conversation about the gay rodeo and wanting to walk in that pride parade someday in the distant future. It was the perfect bow on a truly lovely story. These men know the world they live in and aren’t trying to rock the boat just to rock it…maybe just tip it a little.
Cody Grainger is at the top of his game. He has a commanding lead in the points for the NBR even at 32. On a bull he can do no wrong. The gold championship buckle looks to be a shoe in for him and he’ll be the first 2 time back to back NBR World Champion. With his boyfriend Johnny beside him Cody’s on cloud nine and there ain’t nothing going to bring him down
Johnny Arrow loves his job and he loves his man. As far as he’s concerned spending his life out there in the ring staring down those 1000-pound beasts as a rodeo bullfighter is the perfect way to spend an evening. Followed quickly of course by getting Cody back to the hotel and into bed. If he feels a twinge every now and again about having to hide their relationship, well that’s just the way it goes. The rodeo ain’t no place for an out cowboy. Still he’s got it all. Yet he still finds himself gritting his teeth more and more these days as Cody makes all the decisions for the two of them and doesn’t seem to listen to a damn word Johnny’s saying. If Cody’s not careful he’s going to end up driving away the best part of his life by doing nothing more than letting his ego do the talking.
First of all the depiction of the rodeo lifestyle here is extremely well done. Ms. Ford incorporated a lot of detail about what it means to be a bull rider and/or a bullfighter in the world of professional rodeo. The aches and pains are all just part of the sport these guys know and love. It’s a hard life on the road and one of those jobs you do because you have to, because you just can’t see yourself doing anything else.
I think that’s why I enjoyed Cody so much even when I wanted to smack him. It’s a hard thing to admit when your body just can’t take the punishment of doing something you love anymore. It’s a very real fact that rodeo is a young man’s sport. There’s only one rider in the Top 10 bull riders in the world at the moment that’s over 30. And he’s certainly not in the Top 5. Cody is certainly not at absolute retirement, but I loved seeing his friends and family trying to get his mule-head thinking and start edging him towards plans for his future. At times his shear stubborn "bullheadedness" makes him seem like the younger man in this relationship. Johnny's decisions often seem to come from a place of more maturity.
Oh Johnny, you run from pain so easily, but damn you had to do something. I was so happy when Johnny finally walked out the door. He’s not Cody’s doormat to walk all over before Cody switches his job title to blow up sex doll. I loved the fact that Ms. Ford gave equal attention to the job the bullfighters do in that ring. She’s right, those cowboys would never survive without the men on the ground risking their lives for them. Rodeo’s a dangerous sport and no event is worse than the bull riding. People love that though, being on the edge of your seat waiting to see what’s going to happen next.
I’m of course waxing on about a sport I love and felt got an honest fair shake by Ms. Ford. But in the end this story is about two men and what they’re going through. Both of these guys had to grow up in this story. Cody needed to learn to give his partner the respect he deserves in and out of bed and Johnny had to learn to be able to stand up for himself. Just because Cody’s the undisputed champion and has in some ways earned that big head, doesn’t mean he gets to walk all over those around him. These guys are both good cowboys at heart and truly love each other.
Personally I enjoyed that aspect of this book. This is an established relationship learning how to grow. These two guys reached the tipping point that can happen in a relationship of any length. People start to change and you either make changes together or you end up splitting there and then. Cody and Johnny had to fight themselves, and each other, to get through this rough patch but in the end their relationship will be the stronger for it. And quite frankly it was nice to see Cody knocked off his high horse and seeing his face end up in the dirt a time or two. Slumps happen in any sport and 9 times out of 10 it’s entirely mental. Lesson in all this, don’t mess with those your love. ;)
One last note about gay cowboys…I loved the way this book dealt with it frankly. Some books in this genre take an unrealistic view, in my opinion, and try to pretty up the opinions these guys would face in this world. Not to say that I think it’s right or anything, but this is an extremely hard world to be “out” in. I enjoyed the fact that both of these guys understood this, had a great support system of the few people they trusted with their secret, and didn’t feel the need in the end to out their love to the rodeo world. Ms. Ford pushes the boundaries nicely I felt with Cody and Johnny’s conversation about the gay rodeo and wanting to walk in that pride parade someday in the distant future. It was the perfect bow on a truly lovely story. These men know the world they live in and aren’t trying to rock the boat just to rock it…maybe just tip it a little.
March 26, 2023
The first 20% were kind of dull, with too much rodeo explanation for me. Then the story took off and I enjoyed every moment because of the great secondary characters. At 50% I had to bide my time when the Disney Cars trope unfolded. Fine for preschoolers, but too preachy for adults.
The narrator has a great voice. He could add more emotion in the story, but that does not lessen my enjoyment.
Follow my reviews at https://HemmelM.blogspot.com
The narrator has a great voice. He could add more emotion in the story, but that does not lessen my enjoyment.
Follow my reviews at https://HemmelM.blogspot.com
June 11, 2013
3.5
Oh, another one of those love/hate books! Leaning more toward the loving this morning :D
The reason I'm leaning toward loving is the bull riding in this story. Catt Ford completely intrigued me regarding this sport. I've read many bull riding stories, but I never understood it or it's lifestyle until now. Having this knowledge really helped me be more generous and lenient in my feeling toward Johnny and Cody.
Cody had me on constant kindle throwing alert, I really thought he was going to be an irredeemable character for me...but he pulled through.
The alternating point of view really brought home how much these two loved each other regardless of how they acted. They frustrated me and I asked myself why I even cared about them, but I did, somehow I did and I wanted them happy.
Oh, another one of those love/hate books! Leaning more toward the loving this morning :D
The reason I'm leaning toward loving is the bull riding in this story. Catt Ford completely intrigued me regarding this sport. I've read many bull riding stories, but I never understood it or it's lifestyle until now. Having this knowledge really helped me be more generous and lenient in my feeling toward Johnny and Cody.
Cody had me on constant kindle throwing alert, I really thought he was going to be an irredeemable character for me...but he pulled through.
The alternating point of view really brought home how much these two loved each other regardless of how they acted. They frustrated me and I asked myself why I even cared about them, but I did, somehow I did and I wanted them happy.
January 30, 2014
Bullheaded is everything you wanted to know about bull riding, but you were afraid to ask. For those if us raised around it, it can be a little bit overkill. For those that haven't been, you will learn a lot. It also a romance about learning to adjust in a relationship and in life.
May 21, 2015
This was good, it was just really detailed about bullfighting and really really long. It could have ended at least 50 pages sooner and I would have been ok with that. But it was still a good read and I pretty much enjoyed it.
May 1, 2013
I really enjoyed this story, an exploration of the world of rodeo bull riding and its riders, bullfighters and stock contractors. I also really appreciated the introductory definitions provided by the author, without which I would have been lost.
Johnny, a bullfighter, and Cody, a champion bull rider, lived together on Cody’s family’s ranch where they raised horses and bulls specifically for contracting for rodeo work. Cody’s mother had been a world champion bronco rider and now raises horses for rodeo; and Cody, now in his waning years as a rodeo star, has focused on raising and training the best bulls so that when he retires he’ll still be involved in rodeo, just like his mother.
The problem is that Cody doesn’t want to retire and he spends most of the story kicking and screaming and resisting the move toward retirement. In fact, his ego is so huge that he cannot conceive of a time when he wouldn’t be able to jump on a bull and make that 8 second ride.
Johnny and Cody had been in their relationship for two years at the start of the story. Though Johnny, who also happens to be a Native American, started his career as a bull rider, he found that he preferred being a bullfighter, the man in the ring who herds the bulls away from the rider after the rider successfully, or unsuccessfully, completes his ride. Cody can’t really imagine how Johnny can possibly want to devote his career to that job, since he views it as “less than” Johnny’s capabilities and, of course, “less than” a bull rider.
Like many great sports stars, Cody has more ego and self-importance than one man could really harness. His ego was so huge that he didn’t realize that he was cutting Johnny’s self-esteem down constantly through both his words and his actions.
After several instances of put-downs and self-centered comments, as well as treating Johnny like a kid, rather than an equal, in front of young men they were training as bull riders, Johnny decided to leave Cody and he went to work the summer rodeo circuit.
Once Johnny is gone, Cody is both devastated and angry. Over the course of the next few months, both men find themselves lost without the other, yet the time alone is really necessary as each learns valuable insight into their own personalities and into the dysfunction of their relationship.
Some may think the detail in the next section is "spoilerish" so I'm putting it behind tags.
The guys do eventually get their HEA but it’s a long slow process, and I can’t count how many times I wanted to smack Cody in the head and punch down that ego. For me, when this happens, and I become personally involved in the lives of the characters and animated enough to want to punch someone’s lights out, I need give well-deserved praise to the author. She engaged me right from the beginning by helping me learn the sport, and she kept me engaged throughout the very realistic, but heartbreaking, scenes of both men’s lives as they struggled with learning to live without the other, one painful day at a time. Admittedly, even when I wanted to smack Cody, I also felt very sorry for him. He was very lost and lonely without Johnny and came to realize just how important his love for Johnny was to him. When he became willing to do whatever it took to win Johnny back, I was rooting for him.
In thinking over the story, trying to pinpoint what I didn’t like about the story, I realized that there was really nothing I didn’t like, therefore it’s a 5 star story for me. And, in fact, I’m hoping the author decides to write more stories with this rodeo as background. There were certainly enough really engaging secondary characters that deserve their own story, like Johnny’s friend Zane and Cody’s friend Dub. Hint. Hint.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes an angst-filled contemporary m/m romance. I also recommend it to those who love cowboys and rodeos and all things alpha. This one was a very engaging story and you won’t be disappointed.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
Johnny, a bullfighter, and Cody, a champion bull rider, lived together on Cody’s family’s ranch where they raised horses and bulls specifically for contracting for rodeo work. Cody’s mother had been a world champion bronco rider and now raises horses for rodeo; and Cody, now in his waning years as a rodeo star, has focused on raising and training the best bulls so that when he retires he’ll still be involved in rodeo, just like his mother.
The problem is that Cody doesn’t want to retire and he spends most of the story kicking and screaming and resisting the move toward retirement. In fact, his ego is so huge that he cannot conceive of a time when he wouldn’t be able to jump on a bull and make that 8 second ride.
Johnny and Cody had been in their relationship for two years at the start of the story. Though Johnny, who also happens to be a Native American, started his career as a bull rider, he found that he preferred being a bullfighter, the man in the ring who herds the bulls away from the rider after the rider successfully, or unsuccessfully, completes his ride. Cody can’t really imagine how Johnny can possibly want to devote his career to that job, since he views it as “less than” Johnny’s capabilities and, of course, “less than” a bull rider.
Like many great sports stars, Cody has more ego and self-importance than one man could really harness. His ego was so huge that he didn’t realize that he was cutting Johnny’s self-esteem down constantly through both his words and his actions.
After several instances of put-downs and self-centered comments, as well as treating Johnny like a kid, rather than an equal, in front of young men they were training as bull riders, Johnny decided to leave Cody and he went to work the summer rodeo circuit.
Once Johnny is gone, Cody is both devastated and angry. Over the course of the next few months, both men find themselves lost without the other, yet the time alone is really necessary as each learns valuable insight into their own personalities and into the dysfunction of their relationship.
Some may think the detail in the next section is "spoilerish" so I'm putting it behind tags.
The guys do eventually get their HEA but it’s a long slow process, and I can’t count how many times I wanted to smack Cody in the head and punch down that ego. For me, when this happens, and I become personally involved in the lives of the characters and animated enough to want to punch someone’s lights out, I need give well-deserved praise to the author. She engaged me right from the beginning by helping me learn the sport, and she kept me engaged throughout the very realistic, but heartbreaking, scenes of both men’s lives as they struggled with learning to live without the other, one painful day at a time. Admittedly, even when I wanted to smack Cody, I also felt very sorry for him. He was very lost and lonely without Johnny and came to realize just how important his love for Johnny was to him. When he became willing to do whatever it took to win Johnny back, I was rooting for him.
In thinking over the story, trying to pinpoint what I didn’t like about the story, I realized that there was really nothing I didn’t like, therefore it’s a 5 star story for me. And, in fact, I’m hoping the author decides to write more stories with this rodeo as background. There were certainly enough really engaging secondary characters that deserve their own story, like Johnny’s friend Zane and Cody’s friend Dub. Hint. Hint.
I highly recommend this book to everyone who likes an angst-filled contemporary m/m romance. I also recommend it to those who love cowboys and rodeos and all things alpha. This one was a very engaging story and you won’t be disappointed.
Note: This book was provided to me by the publisher through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
May 11, 2013
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AT REVIEWS BY JESSEWAVE WHERE I RECEIVED THE BOOK AS A FREE REVIEWING COPY
Wow, that was a thrilling ride. Keep in mind that my knowledge of bullriding consists of seeing it on TV once or twice in my life and thinking something along the lines ¨C oh wow, these guys are crazy. So obviously I cannot know how well the writer did her research. All I can say is that everything pointed to her researching the setting really well. She gave us a brief vocabulary of the basic terms of what she called ¡°Bullriding 101¡å at the beginning of the book; everything that she used in the story to describe the sport seemed very detailed and very knowledgeable, but if she did make some mistakes then I am not the person to point them out. The setting did not get in the way of the romance, it meshed perfectly with romance and it described why these men love this sport so much. In fact when I read descriptions like this one, I was wondering whether the writer ever rode a bull herself:
¡°But Cody was in the zone. He stayed right with the bull and even started spurring with his outside leg a little to show he was in control. He could feel a grin of pure enjoyment on his face. This was flying! The amazing rush of adrenaline and excitement and physical challenge all rolled into the most astounding, exhilarating, satisfying ride of his life. He never wanted it to end¡±
We see the rides described in details; we see some rather detailed descriptions of what bullfighters do, how much courage and strength they show when they often save bullriders from the potential injuries. I even started to like several bulls and it is not like their antics take a lot of page space, but I thought those animals came alive on the page. So what I am trying to say is if it is done as well as I thought it was done here, those of you who love this sport - not just the romance - will enjoy the book. It was definitely written very convincingly, that much I can tell you.
As you can see from the blurb this romance is about the journey of an established couple. Cody and Johnny have been together for two years and while it is clear that they were much more to each other than just sex buddies, it was also painfully clear that they have a long road to travel before they become a couple who can withstand everything life throws at them and be together for the years to come. I thought the author did such a wonderful job to show that there was nothing over the top that drew the men apart; as Johnny said it was not the big things, but many little things (paraphrase). Mostly we see that the guys temporarily go their separate ways (at that moment it seems very permanent) to do some growing up. There was nothing like a major blow up, misunderstanding, or anything like that. It is just one man was too assertive, too arrogant, a bit too selfish and the other guy was simply having trouble speaking up for himself and at some point he had enough.
Please note for those of you who care, while the guys are broken up, they have sex with other people, more than once. They were very clearly broken up though, so I do not even see how it could be interpreted as cheating, but if you care keep this in mind. I thought that this was also a part of the growing up process, especially for the less experienced man because eventually it just made him realize that he wants his guy back and that he wants him back by choice. I really liked how it was done.
I loved that when they reunited, they still may not have had perfect communication, but they did realize that they needed to listen to each other better and to work at their relationship, and to me it felt believable.
I really loved supporting characters in this book ¨C Cody¡¯s very diverse family (his mom rocked, Travis and RJ were great, but I think I also adored Cajun¡¯s Spice for all the tiny role she had :-) ). I thought Johnny¡¯s teammates also were very interesting and with a potential for their own stories.
Highly recommended.
Wow, that was a thrilling ride. Keep in mind that my knowledge of bullriding consists of seeing it on TV once or twice in my life and thinking something along the lines ¨C oh wow, these guys are crazy. So obviously I cannot know how well the writer did her research. All I can say is that everything pointed to her researching the setting really well. She gave us a brief vocabulary of the basic terms of what she called ¡°Bullriding 101¡å at the beginning of the book; everything that she used in the story to describe the sport seemed very detailed and very knowledgeable, but if she did make some mistakes then I am not the person to point them out. The setting did not get in the way of the romance, it meshed perfectly with romance and it described why these men love this sport so much. In fact when I read descriptions like this one, I was wondering whether the writer ever rode a bull herself:
¡°But Cody was in the zone. He stayed right with the bull and even started spurring with his outside leg a little to show he was in control. He could feel a grin of pure enjoyment on his face. This was flying! The amazing rush of adrenaline and excitement and physical challenge all rolled into the most astounding, exhilarating, satisfying ride of his life. He never wanted it to end¡±
We see the rides described in details; we see some rather detailed descriptions of what bullfighters do, how much courage and strength they show when they often save bullriders from the potential injuries. I even started to like several bulls and it is not like their antics take a lot of page space, but I thought those animals came alive on the page. So what I am trying to say is if it is done as well as I thought it was done here, those of you who love this sport - not just the romance - will enjoy the book. It was definitely written very convincingly, that much I can tell you.
As you can see from the blurb this romance is about the journey of an established couple. Cody and Johnny have been together for two years and while it is clear that they were much more to each other than just sex buddies, it was also painfully clear that they have a long road to travel before they become a couple who can withstand everything life throws at them and be together for the years to come. I thought the author did such a wonderful job to show that there was nothing over the top that drew the men apart; as Johnny said it was not the big things, but many little things (paraphrase). Mostly we see that the guys temporarily go their separate ways (at that moment it seems very permanent) to do some growing up. There was nothing like a major blow up, misunderstanding, or anything like that. It is just one man was too assertive, too arrogant, a bit too selfish and the other guy was simply having trouble speaking up for himself and at some point he had enough.
Please note for those of you who care, while the guys are broken up, they have sex with other people, more than once. They were very clearly broken up though, so I do not even see how it could be interpreted as cheating, but if you care keep this in mind. I thought that this was also a part of the growing up process, especially for the less experienced man because eventually it just made him realize that he wants his guy back and that he wants him back by choice. I really liked how it was done.
I loved that when they reunited, they still may not have had perfect communication, but they did realize that they needed to listen to each other better and to work at their relationship, and to me it felt believable.
I really loved supporting characters in this book ¨C Cody¡¯s very diverse family (his mom rocked, Travis and RJ were great, but I think I also adored Cajun¡¯s Spice for all the tiny role she had :-) ). I thought Johnny¡¯s teammates also were very interesting and with a potential for their own stories.
Highly recommended.
May 11, 2013
Anywhere from 3 to 5 stars
The title is so appropriate as these are some stubborn men. Cody's mom especially must have the patience of a saint as she constantly resists the urge to knock some sense into him.
The blurb mentions that Cody is an aging bull rider which he is at... 32. Read this book and you'll swear he's 102 as he's essentially browbeaten about retirement throughout. I personally think a man or woman should make their own decision about when they're ready to quit the game but whatever. Cody at the point of the story is on the top of his game, a rodeo star. He's got the large ego and confidence it takes to pull this off. Johnny is a bullfighter, the less flashy role of protecting the bull rider in the ring. Read this book & you'll learn what it all means.
Cody & Johnny have been together for 2 years. They're in love but there's some cracks in the relationship. Cody is self centered and talks over Johnny a lot and basically plans things in their life. He's 10 years older than the 22 year old Johnny. Johnny starts to chafe and thinks that Cody doesn't respect him or his profession. Johnny ends up walking out on Cody.
Both these guys have their flaws. Cody with the aforementioned ego and Johnny who likes to run away from problems. Also Johnny says some pretty mean & cruel things on his way out the door. The book then chronicles each of their separate journey to eventually find their way back together.
I have some mixed reactions to some of this. The good part is we get both characters point of view which really helps the story. The bad part is breaking up means they have separate stories for a good portion. Also they both started having casual sex with strangers less than 24 hours after they broke up. Considering they were in a 2 year monogamous relationship and that Cody believed Johnny was going to come back to him & this was not a permanent break, it didn't ring true that they would both instantly pick up restroom trade.
In Johnny's case he's obviously making up for lost time and he goes after it with gusto. He even has an emotional connection with one older guy. Nice enough but I was glad to see the back of him as the story then switches to each of them making a tentative step toward each other again.
This is a story for people who have a tolerance for complicated & frustrating men who stumble around making mistakes before getting to where they're supposed to be all along, back together. This is also a really good sports story. I knew nothing about rodeo bull riding or bullfighting to start with but this book makes you feel like you're right there. There was a scene towards the end that left me smiling & almost teary eyed as it really captured that old sports cliche; "the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory." Just to get there & to their HEA made the journey of Cody & Johnny worthwhile. Recommended!
The title is so appropriate as these are some stubborn men. Cody's mom especially must have the patience of a saint as she constantly resists the urge to knock some sense into him.
The blurb mentions that Cody is an aging bull rider which he is at... 32. Read this book and you'll swear he's 102 as he's essentially browbeaten about retirement throughout. I personally think a man or woman should make their own decision about when they're ready to quit the game but whatever. Cody at the point of the story is on the top of his game, a rodeo star. He's got the large ego and confidence it takes to pull this off. Johnny is a bullfighter, the less flashy role of protecting the bull rider in the ring. Read this book & you'll learn what it all means.
Cody & Johnny have been together for 2 years. They're in love but there's some cracks in the relationship. Cody is self centered and talks over Johnny a lot and basically plans things in their life. He's 10 years older than the 22 year old Johnny. Johnny starts to chafe and thinks that Cody doesn't respect him or his profession. Johnny ends up walking out on Cody.
Both these guys have their flaws. Cody with the aforementioned ego and Johnny who likes to run away from problems. Also Johnny says some pretty mean & cruel things on his way out the door. The book then chronicles each of their separate journey to eventually find their way back together.
I have some mixed reactions to some of this. The good part is we get both characters point of view which really helps the story. The bad part is breaking up means they have separate stories for a good portion. Also they both started having casual sex with strangers less than 24 hours after they broke up. Considering they were in a 2 year monogamous relationship and that Cody believed Johnny was going to come back to him & this was not a permanent break, it didn't ring true that they would both instantly pick up restroom trade.
In Johnny's case he's obviously making up for lost time and he goes after it with gusto. He even has an emotional connection with one older guy. Nice enough but I was glad to see the back of him as the story then switches to each of them making a tentative step toward each other again.
This is a story for people who have a tolerance for complicated & frustrating men who stumble around making mistakes before getting to where they're supposed to be all along, back together. This is also a really good sports story. I knew nothing about rodeo bull riding or bullfighting to start with but this book makes you feel like you're right there. There was a scene towards the end that left me smiling & almost teary eyed as it really captured that old sports cliche; "the agony of defeat and the thrill of victory." Just to get there & to their HEA made the journey of Cody & Johnny worthwhile. Recommended!
April 24, 2013
I loved this book! And there is so much to love about it, also the things I didn't expect to even like just a little bit.
It's a story about bullfighting, and before even buying it (but after I read the first chapter on pre-view) I had to look up bullfighting on the Internet and watch some video-clips on youtube. I was intrigued by the blurb and what I had read in the first chapter, but once I started reading I came to like, and very much enjoy the bull riding parts, by the the riding scenes, the behind the scene scenes, the commentators's comments and everything that belongs to the sport (though I'm not still not quite sure it actually is a sport, it seems it's more like show off, but still ...). If you don't want to read about bull fighting, this is probably not for you, but the author makes it interesting and understandable even for a complete sport nerd like me.
Then there's the characters - I'm just melting. It's been so long since I read about two (one more than the other) such horribly flawed characters. Too many characters in romance come off as too nice, too good, too honorable, and they never ever cheat, not even when broken up. Well, this book and these characters are different. Cody in particular is ... well, I'd call him human, like a real living person. He makes mistakes, he tries to improve himself and then he is making the same mistakes over again, jut like real people would. He has good sides and he has bad sides and they show, no doubt about that.Johnnie has his own flaws, like running from rather than confronting a problem - and they do have problems in their relationship.
And that's another great thing about Bullheaded - it's actually about two men already in an established relationship, again not that common in romance, which is mostly about falling in love and starting a relationship. But everyone who has ever been in a more long-term relationship knows the hard part is to actually to get the love to survive and overcome the problem that undoubtedly will surface when you're living together.
I could go on and on. The age difference. The feeling old, contra feeling too young part. Being at different points in life. Trying to make amends, and failing. Coming to terms with life, and love and who you are, what's worth fighting for and what isn't.
Lately I've been reading a few, for me, new authors, and a read like this will certainly make me take closer look at what else Catt Ford has written.
It's a story about bullfighting, and before even buying it (but after I read the first chapter on pre-view) I had to look up bullfighting on the Internet and watch some video-clips on youtube. I was intrigued by the blurb and what I had read in the first chapter, but once I started reading I came to like, and very much enjoy the bull riding parts, by the the riding scenes, the behind the scene scenes, the commentators's comments and everything that belongs to the sport (though I'm not still not quite sure it actually is a sport, it seems it's more like show off, but still ...). If you don't want to read about bull fighting, this is probably not for you, but the author makes it interesting and understandable even for a complete sport nerd like me.
Then there's the characters - I'm just melting. It's been so long since I read about two (one more than the other) such horribly flawed characters. Too many characters in romance come off as too nice, too good, too honorable, and they never ever cheat, not even when broken up. Well, this book and these characters are different. Cody in particular is ... well, I'd call him human, like a real living person. He makes mistakes, he tries to improve himself and then he is making the same mistakes over again, jut like real people would. He has good sides and he has bad sides and they show, no doubt about that.Johnnie has his own flaws, like running from rather than confronting a problem - and they do have problems in their relationship.
And that's another great thing about Bullheaded - it's actually about two men already in an established relationship, again not that common in romance, which is mostly about falling in love and starting a relationship. But everyone who has ever been in a more long-term relationship knows the hard part is to actually to get the love to survive and overcome the problem that undoubtedly will surface when you're living together.
I could go on and on. The age difference. The feeling old, contra feeling too young part. Being at different points in life. Trying to make amends, and failing. Coming to terms with life, and love and who you are, what's worth fighting for and what isn't.
Lately I've been reading a few, for me, new authors, and a read like this will certainly make me take closer look at what else Catt Ford has written.
October 21, 2017
I want to make one thing perfectly clear before I leave this review here. I did not hate this books. 3 Stars might seem low, but there is one simple yet overbearing reason for the rating.
Cody.
With how much I honestly loved Johnny, it was very VERY hard to even like Cody. I've been in this sort of relationship before. The kind where one person has all the power and they wield it selfishly. With that said, most of Cody's character development happens very last minute. Johnny's love is honest and his views are common and understandable, but it is so very hard to understand Cody and his strange views of the world. The selfishness and arrogance aren't something I could connect with on any levels. I actually found myself wishing rather forcefully that Johnny could find his own happiness far away from Cody, but I wanted Johnny to have what he wanted more. And Johnny did want Cody, till the end, even despite the relationships he attempts to make with another man. He would never have let go of his feeling for Cody. For that reason alone, I wanted their happy ending to become a real thing.
On that note, it was very hard to read. The pain that comes from distancing yourself from someone you love for your own good is something I am very familiar with, and because of this, I felt all of Johnny and Cody's pains. Even when I didn't agree with anything Cody did or thought or said, I felt his pain. I whole heartedly believed that he caused his own problems, but even them I felt his pain acutely. For anyone whose ever made mistakes because they just couldn't see past their own nose, you'll understand Cody at least a little bit. What got me is that even when he was given that coveted second chance, he fucks it up again. Now for me, that would be have been it. Not so for Johnny though.
On that note, despite how hard the story was to read, this is WHY I read. To be moved, to feel something, to be toyed with by the emotions of characters that don't exist outside book pages. So, I did not hate it. But I had a very hard time getting through it, just like someone who is physically going through what Cody and Johnny were, it made me cry and scream and pissed me off and it made me love and it broke my heart and it made me regret even starting it...but at the end I sort of felt okay with it. Like I'd gotten through a horrible storm, no longer had any of my possessions, but I was alive through it. I guess that's why 3 stars.
Cody.
With how much I honestly loved Johnny, it was very VERY hard to even like Cody. I've been in this sort of relationship before. The kind where one person has all the power and they wield it selfishly. With that said, most of Cody's character development happens very last minute. Johnny's love is honest and his views are common and understandable, but it is so very hard to understand Cody and his strange views of the world. The selfishness and arrogance aren't something I could connect with on any levels. I actually found myself wishing rather forcefully that Johnny could find his own happiness far away from Cody, but I wanted Johnny to have what he wanted more. And Johnny did want Cody, till the end, even despite the relationships he attempts to make with another man. He would never have let go of his feeling for Cody. For that reason alone, I wanted their happy ending to become a real thing.
On that note, it was very hard to read. The pain that comes from distancing yourself from someone you love for your own good is something I am very familiar with, and because of this, I felt all of Johnny and Cody's pains. Even when I didn't agree with anything Cody did or thought or said, I felt his pain. I whole heartedly believed that he caused his own problems, but even them I felt his pain acutely. For anyone whose ever made mistakes because they just couldn't see past their own nose, you'll understand Cody at least a little bit. What got me is that even when he was given that coveted second chance, he fucks it up again. Now for me, that would be have been it. Not so for Johnny though.
On that note, despite how hard the story was to read, this is WHY I read. To be moved, to feel something, to be toyed with by the emotions of characters that don't exist outside book pages. So, I did not hate it. But I had a very hard time getting through it, just like someone who is physically going through what Cody and Johnny were, it made me cry and scream and pissed me off and it made me love and it broke my heart and it made me regret even starting it...but at the end I sort of felt okay with it. Like I'd gotten through a horrible storm, no longer had any of my possessions, but I was alive through it. I guess that's why 3 stars.
September 24, 2016
Cela faisait un moment que je n'avais pas lu une romance MM se déroulant avec des cowboys, quoique pour être précise, nos héros sont un peu plus que ça. L'histoire se déroule dans le Monde du rodéo et plus précisément du Bill riding, il n'existe pas d'équivalent chez nous et heureusement que l'auteure a eu la présence d'esprit de mettre un lexique pour les néophytes. Ce terme s’applique à un rodéo très particulier, celui sur les taureaux et je dois dire que je me suis facilement immergée dans ce monde rude et amical. C'est un monde qui n'appartient qu'à la culture américaine, c'est fascinant de voir tout ce qui s'y déroule.
Loin d'être une simple romance se déroulant dans un milieu particulier, il y a derrière toute une analyse de ce que sont ces hommes qui risquent leur vie pour l'amour et l'adrénaline de ce sport. En suivant la relation de Cody et Johnny , on découvre la difficulté de ce milieu, les rivalités et tout un univers vraiment fascinant. Notre couple est lui aussi atypique, Johnny est jeune, posé et Indien ( comme il dit très fièrement) quant à Cody, californien de pur souche, arrogant et dominateur, il m'a fait levé les yeux plus d'une fois, mais lorsqu'il commence à perdre son amant, il en devient vraiment touchant.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié cette romance, d'autant plus que de nombreux obstacles vont s'élever avant le happy end, les deux hommes vont s'aimer, se séparer, s'aimer à nouveau et se séparer encore, un véritable tourbillon.
Loin d'être une simple romance se déroulant dans un milieu particulier, il y a derrière toute une analyse de ce que sont ces hommes qui risquent leur vie pour l'amour et l'adrénaline de ce sport. En suivant la relation de Cody et Johnny , on découvre la difficulté de ce milieu, les rivalités et tout un univers vraiment fascinant. Notre couple est lui aussi atypique, Johnny est jeune, posé et Indien ( comme il dit très fièrement) quant à Cody, californien de pur souche, arrogant et dominateur, il m'a fait levé les yeux plus d'une fois, mais lorsqu'il commence à perdre son amant, il en devient vraiment touchant.
J'ai beaucoup apprécié cette romance, d'autant plus que de nombreux obstacles vont s'élever avant le happy end, les deux hommes vont s'aimer, se séparer, s'aimer à nouveau et se séparer encore, un véritable tourbillon.
June 15, 2016
3.5 Hearts
Cody and Johnny have been together for a while. Cody is a bull rider, and Johnny is a bullfighter. There is an age-gap of ten years, and Cody is resisting retirement, while Johnny is just starting to make a name for himself in the sport.
Over the summer break, Cody starts to discuss his future with Johnny. He wants Johnny to settle down with him, and be his ranch hand, while he goes off and continues to ride, but Johnny has no intentions of giving up his job.
Stubborn as Cody is, he thinks Johnny is being unreasonable, when the reality is, it's Cody. Sick of Cody’s overbearing nature, Johnny leaves to find his way on his own, away from the judgment and pressure that Cody presents.
This story was a serious look at what happens when love isn’t enough. Cody and Johnny clearly love each other, but Cody’s life experience, and domineering nature creates a lot of tension. I found I agreed with Johnny, and wanted to shake Cody often. Cody just seemed so caught up in his own self, and had no ability to see things from someone else’s point of view. I was pleased when Johnny walked out. He could do better on his own.
Cody and Johnny have been together for a while. Cody is a bull rider, and Johnny is a bullfighter. There is an age-gap of ten years, and Cody is resisting retirement, while Johnny is just starting to make a name for himself in the sport.
Over the summer break, Cody starts to discuss his future with Johnny. He wants Johnny to settle down with him, and be his ranch hand, while he goes off and continues to ride, but Johnny has no intentions of giving up his job.
Stubborn as Cody is, he thinks Johnny is being unreasonable, when the reality is, it's Cody. Sick of Cody’s overbearing nature, Johnny leaves to find his way on his own, away from the judgment and pressure that Cody presents.
This story was a serious look at what happens when love isn’t enough. Cody and Johnny clearly love each other, but Cody’s life experience, and domineering nature creates a lot of tension. I found I agreed with Johnny, and wanted to shake Cody often. Cody just seemed so caught up in his own self, and had no ability to see things from someone else’s point of view. I was pleased when Johnny walked out. He could do better on his own.
September 20, 2013
I ultimately really liked this book, although I was frustrated at the beginning. I found it rather unnecessarily detailed about the life in the rodeo. I've read rodeo stories that have nowhere near the detail level, the use of technical terms, the almost limited worldview. I also found Cody to be a pretty odious character. He was pretty much a stuck-up prick throughout and no way did he deserve Johnny, even if he ultimately listened and shared a little. I also found it a bit annoying that the gay lifestyle displayed in the book seemed so focused on sex, getting off quick.
On the other hand, I think my favorite parts were all the inside perspective on the gay lifestyle. I think Ms. Ford probably has had some experience or knows some people with experience. I loved Sister Christian and his sparkly twinks and March the bear... I liked the anonymous hookup spots and truck stops and gay bars. Despite the overabundance of sex, there is some realism to the gay communities and places shown in the book, just like there is a lot of realism in the rodeo. The mention of the gay rodeo was sweet too. And ultimately, Johnny was a very likable character, as was Zane, and I was happy for them in the end. And Dub. And Val. And March. And pretty much everyone except Cody.
On the other hand, I think my favorite parts were all the inside perspective on the gay lifestyle. I think Ms. Ford probably has had some experience or knows some people with experience. I loved Sister Christian and his sparkly twinks and March the bear... I liked the anonymous hookup spots and truck stops and gay bars. Despite the overabundance of sex, there is some realism to the gay communities and places shown in the book, just like there is a lot of realism in the rodeo. The mention of the gay rodeo was sweet too. And ultimately, Johnny was a very likable character, as was Zane, and I was happy for them in the end. And Dub. And Val. And March. And pretty much everyone except Cody.
May 7, 2013
Ugh. 2.75. Cody was a self-centered jackass for far too much of this story. I didn't fully buy his sudden reformation. Another example of men who can't talk to each other, which has become one of my pet peeves of late. I found some of the phrasing to be vaguely homophobic in the way that anything graceful or delicate was described as "(almost) feminine." Really? Men can't be graceful without being feminine?
I dug Zane. I want to know his story.
This was rapidly heading for a 1-star or DNF for me but the emotional impact of the Finals rescued it in the nick of time. The middle half was incredibly boring. I didn't need the non-stop explanation of bull riding, but I'm sure some people did, so it served its purpose but it did irritate me a bit.
I dug Zane. I want to know his story.
This was rapidly heading for a 1-star or DNF for me but the emotional impact of the Finals rescued it in the nick of time. The middle half was incredibly boring. I didn't need the non-stop explanation of bull riding, but I'm sure some people did, so it served its purpose but it did irritate me a bit.
October 24, 2013
This was an interesting reading and I've learned many things about this sports.
Cody and Johnny have a two years relationship, but marked by Cody's selfishness... they have to find some balance in their life, if they want their love to survive.
I really loved that Johnny was a Navajo and the meaning of his tatoo.
Cody and Johnny have a two years relationship, but marked by Cody's selfishness... they have to find some balance in their life, if they want their love to survive.
I really loved that Johnny was a Navajo and the meaning of his tatoo.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews