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The Cowboys #2
My Heartache Cowboy
Can love conquer all?
Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together. So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey.
Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth.
Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together. So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey.
Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth.
339 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 21, 2014
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609 people want to read
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my-issues-not-yours
November 29, 2014I discovered that this story introduced .
It doesn't sit well with me, especially since . So I'm not going to continue reading it. I'm not going to try finding out how it happens. Others might not find this as an issue at all. Maybe the reason will be VERY convincing and rational. Maybe it happens quickly. Maybe it's essential to the HEA. Maybe it will be well-thought of and moving. Guess it will be my loss if it is *shrugs*.
... still, it's MY reading preference, so please respect it.
It doesn't sit well with me, especially since . So I'm not going to continue reading it. I'm not going to try finding out how it happens. Others might not find this as an issue at all. Maybe the reason will be VERY convincing and rational. Maybe it happens quickly. Maybe it's essential to the HEA. Maybe it will be well-thought of and moving. Guess it will be my loss if it is *shrugs*.
... still, it's MY reading preference, so please respect it.
November 30, 2014
4.25 stars
This is a beautiful follow-up to My Cowboy Heart about two real-life cowboys who are good friends and working companions on a ranch, but don't know each other as well as they think they do.
Eddie is gay but doesn't talk about his personal life with Jimmy, certainly not when Jimmy acts like a homophobic ass. (Jimmy's downhill spiral is showcased in the first book.) Jimmy really struggles with his past and feelings. He's insecure about not being book smart, and the bottle has become his best friend. Eddie hates to see Jimmy destroy himself, so he decides he's going to force him to sober up. With the help of his friend-with-benefits, Don, Eddie drags Jimmy off the ranch so Jimmy can dry out. Of course, Jimmy can't get sober for Eddie, only for himself. He has to find the will to live one day at a time and realize that drinking only buries the pain.
I've read other reviews of this book and want to clarify a couple things:
The MCs in this book are NOT old. They are 38 (Jimmy) and 42 (Eddie) for heaven's sake. That is not even close to being old or mature, people. I'm in my 30s, and I'm feeling insulted. That's hot prime male beef. These are COWBOYS. They're rough around the edges and sexy as fuck, and they become better with age (like fine wine and all that). Feast your eyes and drool (he could totally be 40; I'm telling you it's so):
OK, Don is in his early 50s, but he's caring, handsome, confident, a little bossy, and once you see him play, well, let's just say you'd be stripping at hello.
This book is definitely focused on Eddie and Jimmy's relationship. But it's not that simple. Jimmy is an alcoholic. He has to deal with that before he can truly love Eddie. Yes, there is a threesome between Eddie and Don (who are already lovers) and Jimmy. It's a way for Jimmy to give up control and just do, instead of letting his brain run in circles (Don is very good at taking charge).
At the beginning, Jimmy is not ready for the intimacy a physical relationship with just Eddie would require. He can barely deal with his lust for men and his dawning understanding that he has always loved Ed.
Initially, I was a little spooked by the relationship between Don and Ed, but as the book progressed I realized that their relationship wasn't a threat to Jim/Ed. Don isn't exactly available (his home life is...complicated); he's a "horndog," as Jimmy points out, and while Don has known Eddie for years, their relationship is mostly casual. It's not a partnership, which is what Eddie wants, but doesn't dare hope for, with Jimmy.
Incidentally, the threesome sceneswere hot scorched my eyeballs. Feast and enjoy!
Finally, no, forcing someone to go sober cold turkey in a remote cabin is not a good idea. BUT again: We're talking about cowboys; it's all about the DOING. And, to Eddie's credit, he realizes this right away and knows Jimmy needs more help than he can provide. Don is a physician and a recovering alcoholic, and he's a great help to Jimmy. Jimmy starts going to AA and, after a setback, starts to get sober for himself, not for Eddie. The alcoholism issue wasn't all cuddly or treated lightly. It's serious business, and it was handled as such, with grace and sensitivity.
I one hundred percent believe in the HEA these guys get. Of course, there is a HEA! Yeah, it comes after a struggle, tears, and an emotional breakdown or two, but it's there. Eddie and Jimmy have a solid 15-plus-year friendship and a deep-seated love for one another, so it's easy to see their future and smile.
This is a beautiful follow-up to My Cowboy Heart about two real-life cowboys who are good friends and working companions on a ranch, but don't know each other as well as they think they do.
Eddie is gay but doesn't talk about his personal life with Jimmy, certainly not when Jimmy acts like a homophobic ass. (Jimmy's downhill spiral is showcased in the first book.) Jimmy really struggles with his past and feelings. He's insecure about not being book smart, and the bottle has become his best friend. Eddie hates to see Jimmy destroy himself, so he decides he's going to force him to sober up. With the help of his friend-with-benefits, Don, Eddie drags Jimmy off the ranch so Jimmy can dry out. Of course, Jimmy can't get sober for Eddie, only for himself. He has to find the will to live one day at a time and realize that drinking only buries the pain.
I've read other reviews of this book and want to clarify a couple things:
The MCs in this book are NOT old. They are 38 (Jimmy) and 42 (Eddie) for heaven's sake. That is not even close to being old or mature, people. I'm in my 30s, and I'm feeling insulted. That's hot prime male beef. These are COWBOYS. They're rough around the edges and sexy as fuck, and they become better with age (like fine wine and all that). Feast your eyes and drool (he could totally be 40; I'm telling you it's so):
OK, Don is in his early 50s, but he's caring, handsome, confident, a little bossy, and once you see him play, well, let's just say you'd be stripping at hello.
This book is definitely focused on Eddie and Jimmy's relationship. But it's not that simple. Jimmy is an alcoholic. He has to deal with that before he can truly love Eddie. Yes, there is a threesome between Eddie and Don (who are already lovers) and Jimmy. It's a way for Jimmy to give up control and just do, instead of letting his brain run in circles (Don is very good at taking charge).
At the beginning, Jimmy is not ready for the intimacy a physical relationship with just Eddie would require. He can barely deal with his lust for men and his dawning understanding that he has always loved Ed.
Initially, I was a little spooked by the relationship between Don and Ed, but as the book progressed I realized that their relationship wasn't a threat to Jim/Ed. Don isn't exactly available (his home life is...complicated); he's a "horndog," as Jimmy points out, and while Don has known Eddie for years, their relationship is mostly casual. It's not a partnership, which is what Eddie wants, but doesn't dare hope for, with Jimmy.
Incidentally, the threesome scenes
Finally, no, forcing someone to go sober cold turkey in a remote cabin is not a good idea. BUT again: We're talking about cowboys; it's all about the DOING. And, to Eddie's credit, he realizes this right away and knows Jimmy needs more help than he can provide. Don is a physician and a recovering alcoholic, and he's a great help to Jimmy. Jimmy starts going to AA and, after a setback, starts to get sober for himself, not for Eddie. The alcoholism issue wasn't all cuddly or treated lightly. It's serious business, and it was handled as such, with grace and sensitivity.
I one hundred percent believe in the HEA these guys get. Of course, there is a HEA! Yeah, it comes after a struggle, tears, and an emotional breakdown or two, but it's there. Eddie and Jimmy have a solid 15-plus-year friendship and a deep-seated love for one another, so it's easy to see their future and smile.
January 26, 2014
4.5 stars. I enjoyed the voice of the narrator a lot. Jimmy is in his late thirties, a hard-drinking cowboy whose life has tipped over the edge into unsustainable alcoholism, when the people he depended on for stability began to change around him. An out gay cowboy arrived on the ranch where he works, and his boss fell in love with the man and came out. The ranch owner died. The future of everyone around him is up in the air. The upheaval has also dredged up his own long-hidden sexuality and his fears and self-doubts. And Jimmy's response was to drink more, work less well, and screw things up. Until his long-time best friend Eddie has had enough.
Jimmy finds himself shanghaied into drying out. Ed tell him he's an alcoholic and will lose his job if he can't get sober. Jimmy would rather cut off his arm than lose his place on the ranch, would rather die than lose Ed, even if he can barely admit that to himself. But believing he's that far out of control, and staying on the sober path, is no simple thing. To complicate matters, Ed introduces him to Don, an old friend with more than a casual interest in both of them. And in the process, Jimmy will have to face not only who he is now, but who he has been, and where his life is going.
I did love Jimmy, and Ed. Don was a great character too, one who didn't fall into the obvious romance roles he might have had. I was pleased with the way that worked out, because it felt plausible and real, and fit things I'd heard from other gay men and gay couples. Part of why I read M/M is to avoid having stereotypical romance expectations drive every story.
The sex in this book was hot, perhaps the best I've read from this author. The scenes made emotional sense too, and were critical to the working out of the story. And I loved the moment of crisis for Jimmy. It just plain fit.
My only quibbles were a slight sense that the miscommunication between these guys, though justified for a long time by their situation, dragged a bit too far and too long given the developments they shared. And then the resolution seemed a little easy, given the emotional power behind the climax. Minor quibbles though, in a story I will no doubt reread.
Jimmy finds himself shanghaied into drying out. Ed tell him he's an alcoholic and will lose his job if he can't get sober. Jimmy would rather cut off his arm than lose his place on the ranch, would rather die than lose Ed, even if he can barely admit that to himself. But believing he's that far out of control, and staying on the sober path, is no simple thing. To complicate matters, Ed introduces him to Don, an old friend with more than a casual interest in both of them. And in the process, Jimmy will have to face not only who he is now, but who he has been, and where his life is going.
I did love Jimmy, and Ed. Don was a great character too, one who didn't fall into the obvious romance roles he might have had. I was pleased with the way that worked out, because it felt plausible and real, and fit things I'd heard from other gay men and gay couples. Part of why I read M/M is to avoid having stereotypical romance expectations drive every story.
The sex in this book was hot, perhaps the best I've read from this author. The scenes made emotional sense too, and were critical to the working out of the story. And I loved the moment of crisis for Jimmy. It just plain fit.
My only quibbles were a slight sense that the miscommunication between these guys, though justified for a long time by their situation, dragged a bit too far and too long given the developments they shared. And then the resolution seemed a little easy, given the emotional power behind the climax. Minor quibbles though, in a story I will no doubt reread.
January 29, 2014
2.0 Stars
I'm going to try and explain this in a way that makes sense. I loved Ed; I liked Jimmy; I hated Don; I loathed Tanner. I wanted to like this book but I simply didn't. It wasn't bad, per se. It just wasn't my cuppa for a few reasons: .
Bottom-line: I didn't like it.
I'm going to try and explain this in a way that makes sense. I loved Ed; I liked Jimmy; I hated Don; I loathed Tanner. I wanted to like this book but I simply didn't. It wasn't bad, per se. It just wasn't my cuppa for a few reasons: .
Bottom-line: I didn't like it.
January 1, 2020
This. This is the book that dragged me, kicking and screaming, into the world of M/M/M romance. Honestly, I'm still not sure if threesomes are in my literary wheelhouse, but within the context of this story, it works beautifully.
Please note this book can be read as a stand-alone, but I strongly suggest reading My Cowboy Heart first to get the full emotional impact of Eddie and Jimmy's story, which runs concurrently.
Jimmy and Eddie have been a couple for 15 years, what with living together, working together, drinking together ... the thing is, they don't realize it. It takes the arrival of Crispin at the J-Bar, and his subsequent romance with ranch foreman Malloy for Eddie to come out to everyone at the J-Bar, and for Jimmy to start drinking more in order to tamp down his feelings about all that.
And when things get too much with Jimmy's drunken homophobic rants, Eddie kidnaps Jimmy, taking him to Don's remote mountain cabin to detox him. Don is Eddie's longtime friend-with-benefits - an unapologetic horn dog who has been through the fire with his own alcoholism and come out the other side. Z.A. Maxfield doesn't try to romanticize Don - he and Eddie are friends with some pretty damn good benefits - they don't have a relationship. There is love and respect there, but Don knows that Jimmy is the one that can truly make Eddie happy. But, well ... that doesn't stop him from playing with Jimmy and Eddie and an assortment of toys ...
The threesome worked for me in this story because Don is the catalyst that forces Jimmy to finally coming to terms with his love for Eddie. Don is Jimmy's mentor and guide in all things Eddie - sexually and emotionally.
The entire book is in Jimmy's POV and by golly, he's really an interesting character with some strange but endearing ideas. "Eddie was none too happy with me, but Eddie's attitude was like the government's yellow threat level. On the one hand, I see the words significant risk of terrorist attacks and I think to myself, Sweet mother of God, what is the world coming to? But then I realize ... We're never getting back to green again. We have to learn to live with yellow. Yellow is the green of the new century."
Learning to live with yellow, with the new normal, is at the heart of this story. For Jimmy, it's knowing that "getting sober is the one thing in the world I can't do for you, Eddie. I'm living my life sober because everything I want, everything good in my life - being with you - depends on my sobriety. I'm doing it for me, from now on." For Eddie, it's learning to let go of the past, learning to let go of the worry of Jimmy backsliding.
Maxfield creates deeply flawed characters who may not be perfect, but they are perfect for each other.
Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
Please note this book can be read as a stand-alone, but I strongly suggest reading My Cowboy Heart first to get the full emotional impact of Eddie and Jimmy's story, which runs concurrently.
Jimmy and Eddie have been a couple for 15 years, what with living together, working together, drinking together ... the thing is, they don't realize it. It takes the arrival of Crispin at the J-Bar, and his subsequent romance with ranch foreman Malloy for Eddie to come out to everyone at the J-Bar, and for Jimmy to start drinking more in order to tamp down his feelings about all that.
And when things get too much with Jimmy's drunken homophobic rants, Eddie kidnaps Jimmy, taking him to Don's remote mountain cabin to detox him. Don is Eddie's longtime friend-with-benefits - an unapologetic horn dog who has been through the fire with his own alcoholism and come out the other side. Z.A. Maxfield doesn't try to romanticize Don - he and Eddie are friends with some pretty damn good benefits - they don't have a relationship. There is love and respect there, but Don knows that Jimmy is the one that can truly make Eddie happy. But, well ... that doesn't stop him from playing with Jimmy and Eddie and an assortment of toys ...
The threesome worked for me in this story because Don is the catalyst that forces Jimmy to finally coming to terms with his love for Eddie. Don is Jimmy's mentor and guide in all things Eddie - sexually and emotionally.
Fifteen years of worship, fifteen years of longing and waiting. Fifteen years of wishing I could do this without fear, without shame, without excuses
The entire book is in Jimmy's POV and by golly, he's really an interesting character with some strange but endearing ideas. "Eddie was none too happy with me, but Eddie's attitude was like the government's yellow threat level. On the one hand, I see the words significant risk of terrorist attacks and I think to myself, Sweet mother of God, what is the world coming to? But then I realize ... We're never getting back to green again. We have to learn to live with yellow. Yellow is the green of the new century."
Learning to live with yellow, with the new normal, is at the heart of this story. For Jimmy, it's knowing that "getting sober is the one thing in the world I can't do for you, Eddie. I'm living my life sober because everything I want, everything good in my life - being with you - depends on my sobriety. I'm doing it for me, from now on." For Eddie, it's learning to let go of the past, learning to let go of the worry of Jimmy backsliding.
Maxfield creates deeply flawed characters who may not be perfect, but they are perfect for each other.
Visit my new blog, Sinfully Good Gay Book Reviews
January 23, 2014
Oh, i liked this so much--and so much more than the first one!
I enjoyed the first cowboy book, but didn't think I'd read the second, because cowboys aren't really my thing, blah, blah, et cetera...Then i read the excerpt, and something about Jimmy appealed to me, so i preorderd this one.
I am so glad I did. Yes, at times it is preachy--way preachy. At others it's smoking hot. At still others it is despondent. But there is this thread of hope through the whole thing, this brilliant connection between Eddie and Jimmy which is just lovely. Very, very nice.
I enjoyed the first cowboy book, but didn't think I'd read the second, because cowboys aren't really my thing, blah, blah, et cetera...Then i read the excerpt, and something about Jimmy appealed to me, so i preorderd this one.
I am so glad I did. Yes, at times it is preachy--way preachy. At others it's smoking hot. At still others it is despondent. But there is this thread of hope through the whole thing, this brilliant connection between Eddie and Jimmy which is just lovely. Very, very nice.
January 26, 2014
As usual for ZAM, this is a well-written book that kept me engaged from the start. I didn't love it as much as I loved "My Cowboy Heart", mainly because the themes were ones I don't typically read--alcoholism and some menage action. Nevertheless, the main love story was strong and sweet and I loved the last quarter of the book especially. ZAM is a sure-fire auto-purchase for me. Recommended.
August 5, 2015
I had huge hopes for this book. I can't describe how disappointed I am. I should have read Ami's review before wasting my money and time. I gave up on it around 40% on my Kindle when MC's engage in a lousy threesome. There's no romance and the only relationship so far is that of f*k-buddies between Ed and another character. There's not even a hope for a relationship between MC's... Unless the threesome is supposed to miraculously lead to it. I am not sure what the author was thinking. I lost the interest. Next time I will wait for some GR reviews.
ETA:I skimmed till 77% and the threesome scenes go on for almost whole book. Then BAM! HEA!
ETA:I skimmed till 77% and the threesome scenes go on for almost whole book. Then BAM! HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2023
This is another favourite reread. Two cowboys. Best friends to lovers. Hot MMM. Which is a trope I'm really picky about. But here it's really good. 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 22, 2014
“Home is Ed. Can’t lose that, not now when I finally know what that means.”
I loved the first book in the Cowboys series and I couldn’t wait for this one to come out. In My Cowboy Heart Eddie and Jimmy were a part of the supporting cast and it was crystal clear that their story wouldn’t be an easy ride in the sunset. Jimmy was rude, disrespectful and constantly drunk. He pretty much hurt and offended everyone around him, especially the people closest to him. Eddie on the other hand was such a lovable guy and I wanted nothing more than for him to find the man of his dreams and get the love he deserved.
Eddie (42) and Jimmy (38) have worked and lived together on the J-Bar ranch for fifteen years, bunking, working, camping and drinking together. They have shared a lot of ups and downs, but suddenly they discover how little they really know about each other. At some point Eddie notices that Jimmy has a serious drinking problem, and he is determined to do everything to help him to get away from the booze. He knows that it’s time to take drastic steps, even when Jimmy fights Eddie every step of the way.
There were a mountain of reasons I should have moved away.
A mountain of history had piled up between us, a mountain of fear and uncertainty, and against that, I had only one reason to stay.
Eddie.
He felt like a good goddamn reason.
Eddie kind of kidnaps Jimmy to put him through a cold turkey withdrawal and takes him to an isolated cabin owned by Don, Eddie’s sometime lover. Don is a recovered alcoholic himself, a gorgeous, 52 years old wealthy, married doctor, who has an easy-going and open relationship with his wife, enabling him to enjoy the company of men from time to time.
Eddie and Don don't hide who they are to each other and Jimmy isn’t sure what to make of all this. He feels certain of his attraction, especially to Eddie, but needs some time to realize that Don is just as interested in him. There are several threesome scenes and I loved, loved, loved them. They fit into the plot perfectly and are a vital part of the story. Never sleazy and cheap, but hot as hell, thoughtful and humorously written.
Once upon a time, there was a city mouse and a country mouse. Every so often, the two of them got together to bang a whole ’nother mouse in a hot tub full of water and bubbles and sin...
To those, who don’t like ménage: The plot wouldn’t work without Don, he is the one who guides Jimmy through his first AA meetings and helps him come to terms with his hurtful past. Without Don’s help Jimmy and Eddie wouldn’t have been able to work out their personal issues and fight against Jimmy’s addiction. Anyhow, Jimmy’s alcohol withdrawal isn’t pretty to watch. I wanted to grab him, hold him and never let him go.
Overall, My Heartache Cowboy is a fabulous book for all romance lovers. The pace is gentle and there’s a lot of pain to overcome. It’s a message that no man is an island and that love will find you whether you are looking for it or not. It has the perfect mix of inner struggles, angst, melodrama, humour, friendship, and hot sex, it’s heart wrenching and tear jerking, all wrapped up in a brilliant story.
The book is connected to the first book and I would definitely recommend reading them in order. Recommended (not only) for MM fans who are looking for something different and don’t mind open relationships and threesomes.
February 18, 2014
I really enjoy ZA Maxfield's writing and this one was no exception. Different in tone from My Cowboy Heart, this picks up the story of Jimmy and Eddie basically where it left off in the first book, but it can easily be read as a stand alone.
Although Jimmy and Eddie have been friends and coworkers for many years, the two don't know each other as well as they should. Both have kept secrets and all of it will come out as Eddie helps Jimmy through a forced alcohol detox. Eddie's old friend and lover Don becomes an integral part of the story and Jimmy and Eddie's relationship. To me, Don's behavior was a bit off putting for most of the story. Based on his personal experience, what he knows of Eddie and Jimmy's relationship, and the fact that he is a doctor, I felt he took advantage of Jimmy's weakness, but he did grow on me by the end.
Overall, it was a beautiful story about Jimmy accepting who he is and trying to crawl out from under his addiction. It is not always an easy read, but it was beautifully handled by the author without sugar coating and well worth the read.
Although Jimmy and Eddie have been friends and coworkers for many years, the two don't know each other as well as they should. Both have kept secrets and all of it will come out as Eddie helps Jimmy through a forced alcohol detox. Eddie's old friend and lover Don becomes an integral part of the story and Jimmy and Eddie's relationship. To me, Don's behavior was a bit off putting for most of the story. Based on his personal experience, what he knows of Eddie and Jimmy's relationship, and the fact that he is a doctor, I felt he took advantage of Jimmy's weakness, but he did grow on me by the end.
Overall, it was a beautiful story about Jimmy accepting who he is and trying to crawl out from under his addiction. It is not always an easy read, but it was beautifully handled by the author without sugar coating and well worth the read.
March 15, 2014
This was a winner! This story had a sprinkling of a lot of elements I like in my reads. It had menage (oh yeah), emotional conflict, struggle, characters that grab my heart, and characters i just want to dislike at times. And of course a writer that knows how to keep me interested and following along.
In this story is Jimmy and Eddie are long time friends who work together at the J-Bar ranch. We met these two in the first book in this series My Cowboy Heart, (an excellent read btw). In the first book, i didn’t like Jimmy at all, he was a bully, mean, and just an all around jerk! Jimmy has a drinking problem and Eddie is determined to get his friend sober and off the booze, so he kidnaps him and they go to a cabin where jimmy can dry out. Problem is of course convincing Jimmy he has a problem. So to help him out Eddie enlists his “friend” Don. Now here is where this reader got a little irritated, I didn’t like how “pushy” i thought Don was. Maybe it was just my current emotional state when I read this book, but Don honesty got on my nerves for a while. It was obvious there were feelings and attractions growing between Jimmy and Eddie and I felt like Don was just insinuating himself in the middle to get some hot menage sex. Ok, now don’t get me wrong, i am not complaining about hot menage sex. I am not completely crazy! Hehehe And Don was really helpful navigating the journey to sobriety, part of me just wanted him to back off and let these two find each other. But, in the end I came to really care and understand Don and he definitely earned his own place in my heart. And in the end I got exactly what I wanted, so I was happy happy!
I enjoyed watching the struggle Jimmy endures, and the lessons he has to learn. Sobriety is not something anyone can hand you. Eddie has secrets, he keeps things close to the vest. Despite their long friendship there are things Jimmy doesn’t know about his friend. And despite my feelings about Don in the beginning he is an essential part of this story and the two definitely needed his guidance and “push”, (yes, that was hard for me to admit).
This story was sweet, uplifting and an excellent addition to this series.
In this story is Jimmy and Eddie are long time friends who work together at the J-Bar ranch. We met these two in the first book in this series My Cowboy Heart, (an excellent read btw). In the first book, i didn’t like Jimmy at all, he was a bully, mean, and just an all around jerk! Jimmy has a drinking problem and Eddie is determined to get his friend sober and off the booze, so he kidnaps him and they go to a cabin where jimmy can dry out. Problem is of course convincing Jimmy he has a problem. So to help him out Eddie enlists his “friend” Don. Now here is where this reader got a little irritated, I didn’t like how “pushy” i thought Don was. Maybe it was just my current emotional state when I read this book, but Don honesty got on my nerves for a while. It was obvious there were feelings and attractions growing between Jimmy and Eddie and I felt like Don was just insinuating himself in the middle to get some hot menage sex. Ok, now don’t get me wrong, i am not complaining about hot menage sex. I am not completely crazy! Hehehe And Don was really helpful navigating the journey to sobriety, part of me just wanted him to back off and let these two find each other. But, in the end I came to really care and understand Don and he definitely earned his own place in my heart. And in the end I got exactly what I wanted, so I was happy happy!
I enjoyed watching the struggle Jimmy endures, and the lessons he has to learn. Sobriety is not something anyone can hand you. Eddie has secrets, he keeps things close to the vest. Despite their long friendship there are things Jimmy doesn’t know about his friend. And despite my feelings about Don in the beginning he is an essential part of this story and the two definitely needed his guidance and “push”, (yes, that was hard for me to admit).
This story was sweet, uplifting and an excellent addition to this series.
January 27, 2014
This was better than I could have hoped for. The second in the series made my heart hurt for the sadness, misery that Jimmy Rafferty goes through on his journey of self realization,
Hard lessons are given, heartaches abound, when Jimmy is forced to undergo alcohol rehab by his friend Ed Molina. Ed has been his ranch buddy for 15 years. They have shared all the joys and woes of ranching life. Now Jimmy has to undertake the hardest admission of his 38 years. He's an alcoholic and he's gay. Talk about a double whammy to his psyche. Along the way Jimmy meets Don a surgeon, Ed's long time lover. He proves to be a calming and decisive partner in the Jimmy-Ed relationship.
Having dealt with alcoholism in my life, I marvel at how Z.A.Maxfield provided a primer on the ins and outs of Jimmy's mind as he deals with the disease.
The road is rough, the bumps monumental, but the love they have for each other paves the way to a brighter future. After all where are we without hope.
I give this an Arizona sky full of stars. **To those out there who don't want to read about older men, you are cheating yourself. smh
Hard lessons are given, heartaches abound, when Jimmy is forced to undergo alcohol rehab by his friend Ed Molina. Ed has been his ranch buddy for 15 years. They have shared all the joys and woes of ranching life. Now Jimmy has to undertake the hardest admission of his 38 years. He's an alcoholic and he's gay. Talk about a double whammy to his psyche. Along the way Jimmy meets Don a surgeon, Ed's long time lover. He proves to be a calming and decisive partner in the Jimmy-Ed relationship.
Having dealt with alcoholism in my life, I marvel at how Z.A.Maxfield provided a primer on the ins and outs of Jimmy's mind as he deals with the disease.
The road is rough, the bumps monumental, but the love they have for each other paves the way to a brighter future. After all where are we without hope.
I give this an Arizona sky full of stars. **To those out there who don't want to read about older men, you are cheating yourself. smh
August 25, 2015
This would have been great if there was less Don and more of Jimmy and Ed. The romance just died when Don came into the picture.
January 24, 2014
This was fawesome!!! The brother's name was inconsistent though (Jonas, Jonah, Johan), but Jim's voice sounds real and gritty and true, and I loved seeing him finally pull his head out of his ass and face the truth. He and Eddie have a great journey, and this was a pleasure to read. Full review soon on my blog.
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January 24, 2014This books is m/m/m for like half of the book, I was really disappointed about that. I was hoping to read about Eddie and Jimmy not them getting it on with some older guy. I felt like it would have been better had there not been the threesome's and all that going on while they were trying to get Jimmy off the booze. Adding more stress to a drunks life probably isn't very helpful.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2014
This is a standalone novel but the reading experience is probably enhanced by reading ‘My Cowboy Heart’ first. However, I had not when I read ‘My Heartache Cowboy’. This meant I came to this novel with no preconceived notions other than that I had always enjoyed this author’s work. I do love a cowboy story and usually like my cowboys buff, young and hot. You know the thing, angsty story incorporating hot sex and HEA. So when I started reading this novel, I feared I might be disappointed. The majority of this book is a ‘two hander’ featuring mature cowboys ‘Eddie’ and ‘Jimmy’ who have worked and lived, together on the ‘J-Bar’ ranch for fifteen years. By ‘lived together’ I mean in the ranch hand’s bunkhouse and here lies the crux of this story really.
Events have pushed a decision to a head for Eddie and he ‘kidnaps’ his buddy Jimmy, to put him through a cold turkey withdrawal and detox from alcohol. He takes him to an isolated cabin owned by his very good friend, a urologist, ‘dick doctor’ Don. The novel is written in first person from Jimmy’s point of view, which I think is inspired. It allows the reader to know the devious machinations of the alcoholic mind, from the inside. The novel is about the twists and turns of recovery, not only from the daily struggle against alcoholism but also events that have shaped these cowboys’ pasts and continue to threaten their future.
Eddie is a forty three year old, loving and lovable cowboy, he’s handsome and muscular in a believable way and a lot of his beauty comes from character and is revealed to us through the eyes of his beholders. Who is not beautiful in the eyes of those who love them best? Jimmy is thirty eight and on the gay side of bi and blind to his own problem with drink. He is also blind to the fact that he is hurting his beloved, best friend and to the fact that, his best friend, Eddie is gay. Part of this well written struggle between two flawed but loveable cowboys includes Eddie’s long time friend with benefits, Don. He is a gorgeous, fifty something wealthy, married doctor who is gay and has a very sophisticated relationship with his wife and children, where all parties are accepting and happy.
The relationship between Eddie and Don is long standing and passionate. There is love but not of the partner for life variety, I found it rather refreshing and when Jimmy is introduced to the equation, very hot but also caring and supportive. A complex relationship forms between the three, which is gentle, caring and sometimes unbelievably sexy! Yes, there are several menage scenes and I loved them. They weren’t gratuitous, they weren’t sleazy, I found them hot but also humourous, thoughtful and definitely required for the plot...read full review at www.prismbookalliance
Events have pushed a decision to a head for Eddie and he ‘kidnaps’ his buddy Jimmy, to put him through a cold turkey withdrawal and detox from alcohol. He takes him to an isolated cabin owned by his very good friend, a urologist, ‘dick doctor’ Don. The novel is written in first person from Jimmy’s point of view, which I think is inspired. It allows the reader to know the devious machinations of the alcoholic mind, from the inside. The novel is about the twists and turns of recovery, not only from the daily struggle against alcoholism but also events that have shaped these cowboys’ pasts and continue to threaten their future.
Eddie is a forty three year old, loving and lovable cowboy, he’s handsome and muscular in a believable way and a lot of his beauty comes from character and is revealed to us through the eyes of his beholders. Who is not beautiful in the eyes of those who love them best? Jimmy is thirty eight and on the gay side of bi and blind to his own problem with drink. He is also blind to the fact that he is hurting his beloved, best friend and to the fact that, his best friend, Eddie is gay. Part of this well written struggle between two flawed but loveable cowboys includes Eddie’s long time friend with benefits, Don. He is a gorgeous, fifty something wealthy, married doctor who is gay and has a very sophisticated relationship with his wife and children, where all parties are accepting and happy.
The relationship between Eddie and Don is long standing and passionate. There is love but not of the partner for life variety, I found it rather refreshing and when Jimmy is introduced to the equation, very hot but also caring and supportive. A complex relationship forms between the three, which is gentle, caring and sometimes unbelievably sexy! Yes, there are several menage scenes and I loved them. They weren’t gratuitous, they weren’t sleazy, I found them hot but also humourous, thoughtful and definitely required for the plot...read full review at www.prismbookalliance
January 23, 2014
First, I'm a little baffled as to why the blurb doesn't mention that this story has menage content and a non-monogamous relationship. It's a dealbreaker for so many readers. That being said, I like stories about open relationships and couples that occasionally play with a third partner, so I was pleased with this book.
Z.A. Maxfield does a wonderful job of portraying Eddie and Jimmy's relationship. Their friendship was solid and real, and taking it to the next level felt natural. They're cowboys, a little rough around the edges, and the author didn't try to force them into a traditional relationship. The sex, including the scenes with Don, was great. It felt very earthy and the viewpoint was very masculine.
I didn't warm to Don right away, but I gradually began to appreciate how he advocated for Jimmy's sobriety and served as a touchstone for him. I also appreciated the lack of judgment regarding Don's unusual family situation. Jimmy's alcoholism is also dealt with very thoughtfully in this book. When he stumbles, it's painful but necessary to the character's progression.
Overall, this is a really lovely story about two cowboys who already have a deep love for each other confronting the reality of their relationship, warts and all.
One last thing that I hate to even mention: This book is published by an imprint of a major publisher, so I was dismayed to find some typos and grammatical errors (including one that would have been caught during a simple spellcheck), plus a name mixup where Jimmy's brother is called Jonas, Jonah, and Johan. I'm usually forgiving of these sorts of things, but I hope it's not a sign that Penguin's m/m titles aren't getting the attention they deserve.
Z.A. Maxfield does a wonderful job of portraying Eddie and Jimmy's relationship. Their friendship was solid and real, and taking it to the next level felt natural. They're cowboys, a little rough around the edges, and the author didn't try to force them into a traditional relationship. The sex, including the scenes with Don, was great. It felt very earthy and the viewpoint was very masculine.
I didn't warm to Don right away, but I gradually began to appreciate how he advocated for Jimmy's sobriety and served as a touchstone for him. I also appreciated the lack of judgment regarding Don's unusual family situation. Jimmy's alcoholism is also dealt with very thoughtfully in this book. When he stumbles, it's painful but necessary to the character's progression.
Overall, this is a really lovely story about two cowboys who already have a deep love for each other confronting the reality of their relationship, warts and all.
One last thing that I hate to even mention: This book is published by an imprint of a major publisher, so I was dismayed to find some typos and grammatical errors (including one that would have been caught during a simple spellcheck), plus a name mixup where Jimmy's brother is called Jonas, Jonah, and Johan. I'm usually forgiving of these sorts of things, but I hope it's not a sign that Penguin's m/m titles aren't getting the attention they deserve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
January 22, 2014I was really looking forward to this story and seeing Eddie get his HEA but having learned it has some ménage elements in it, I'm going to skip it :(
March 19, 2014
4.25
There are stories out there that you start reading and then you look up and you notice it's been almost four hours and if you don't get off the train right now, you might end up in a place you never wanted to be.
This series holds such stories for me. My Cowboy Heart and My Heartache Cowboy both find all the right notes. Their protagonists aren't brilliant. They aren't pretty beyond belief. They aren't perfect. I love them for it.
This story isn't easy. Jimmy is an alcoholic, and even if he can't see it, his friends sure can, and Eddie will try anything to sober him up, to really get him on the road to recovery, not only for now, but for the long run, too. With this topic, with the characters' backstories - which aren't exactly pretty - this could have been an absolute angstfest. It wasn't though. It wasn't even a story about romance per se. I think, first and foremost, this was a tale about friendship. About people who catch you when you fall. About trust and second chances and courage and hope. About self-deceit and about which things are worth fighting for and for whom you are willing to do it.
I loved all that. I loved Jimmy and I loved Eddie. I had my doubts about Jimmy in My Cowboy Heart, but he stole his way into my heart pretty quickly here. And I loved Don. Don's the third person in this twosome that is and is not a relationship. Don's doing Jimmy and Eddie a world of good, because he's a true friend and because he's been where Jimmy's at and his help is the help of someone who knows. Who understands.
...And, of course, the sex was damn hot. Oh boy, how I love my threesome scenes.
Still, this isn't a book about a threesome, even if sex includes three people for the most part. And maybe that's the best part about it: because it makes it so clear that there are different kinds of love out there and even if Jimmy and Eddie are the real deal, it's so different from what Eddie and Don, and even Jimmy and Don have, it takes up a whole different space in any of their lives and in their hearts. And it can all co-exist perfectly fine because it's all different, and it's all good, and it's all wanted. I loved that.
And Don's relationship with Millie - let's just say I have a big load of respect for either of them. I'm not saying it's the ne plus ultra. But - I don't really think, there is something like a ne plus ultra that fits everyone. And seeing Millie and Don living their own personal version of it in such an honest and responsible and grownup way - that was fantastic.
Having said all that, I have to admit that while I enjoyed every minute of this book, of this story, and although I thought it was GREAT - it didn't blow my mind. But, who cares, really? It was awesome anyway, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to hear about it. And even to some who don't.
ETA:
There are stories out there that you start reading and then you look up and you notice it's been almost four hours and if you don't get off the train right now, you might end up in a place you never wanted to be.
This series holds such stories for me. My Cowboy Heart and My Heartache Cowboy both find all the right notes. Their protagonists aren't brilliant. They aren't pretty beyond belief. They aren't perfect. I love them for it.
This story isn't easy. Jimmy is an alcoholic, and even if he can't see it, his friends sure can, and Eddie will try anything to sober him up, to really get him on the road to recovery, not only for now, but for the long run, too. With this topic, with the characters' backstories - which aren't exactly pretty - this could have been an absolute angstfest. It wasn't though. It wasn't even a story about romance per se. I think, first and foremost, this was a tale about friendship. About people who catch you when you fall. About trust and second chances and courage and hope. About self-deceit and about which things are worth fighting for and for whom you are willing to do it.
I loved all that. I loved Jimmy and I loved Eddie. I had my doubts about Jimmy in My Cowboy Heart, but he stole his way into my heart pretty quickly here. And I loved Don. Don's the third person in this twosome that is and is not a relationship. Don's doing Jimmy and Eddie a world of good, because he's a true friend and because he's been where Jimmy's at and his help is the help of someone who knows. Who understands.
...And, of course, the sex was damn hot. Oh boy, how I love my threesome scenes.
Still, this isn't a book about a threesome, even if sex includes three people for the most part. And maybe that's the best part about it: because it makes it so clear that there are different kinds of love out there and even if Jimmy and Eddie are the real deal, it's so different from what Eddie and Don, and even Jimmy and Don have, it takes up a whole different space in any of their lives and in their hearts. And it can all co-exist perfectly fine because it's all different, and it's all good, and it's all wanted. I loved that.
And Don's relationship with Millie - let's just say I have a big load of respect for either of them. I'm not saying it's the ne plus ultra. But - I don't really think, there is something like a ne plus ultra that fits everyone. And seeing Millie and Don living their own personal version of it in such an honest and responsible and grownup way - that was fantastic.
Having said all that, I have to admit that while I enjoyed every minute of this book, of this story, and although I thought it was GREAT - it didn't blow my mind. But, who cares, really? It was awesome anyway, and I recommend it wholeheartedly to anyone who wants to hear about it. And even to some who don't.
ETA:
August 10, 2016
I loved the consistent voice that Maxfield builds for Jimmy: Bewildered and bereft for the majority of the book, yet so vulnerable and aching for touch and love and home.
I sympathize with Eddie and I accept he wants to do the right thing for Jimmy, but he came across a little distanced... Also
The mmm doesn't happen the way I thought, and the book was stronger for it. That Don isn't a one night stand really pleased me. His character is quite different to standard mm fare. I enjoyed his role in the narrative.
I also liked that you could read these two cowboy books in either order. Hmm, maybe , but maybe not.
There's a lot of pain here to overcome, but the ending is the best bittersweet mess I have read it a while. It's a HEA, don't worry about that. But it's more.
It's family.
I sympathize with Eddie and I accept he wants to do the right thing for Jimmy, but he came across a little distanced... Also
The mmm doesn't happen the way I thought, and the book was stronger for it. That Don isn't a one night stand really pleased me. His character is quite different to standard mm fare. I enjoyed his role in the narrative.
I also liked that you could read these two cowboy books in either order. Hmm, maybe , but maybe not.
There's a lot of pain here to overcome, but the ending is the best bittersweet mess I have read it a while. It's a HEA, don't worry about that. But it's more.
It's family.
February 11, 2014
This, I preferred to Book 1 in the series. Book 2, "My Heartache Cowboy" is very different. Narrated in the first person by one of the main characters, it reads more like a diary of alcoholism and the fight within the character to remain in control of his drinking and in so doing, win the man he comes to realise he has always loved. This realisation was the eureka moment to this story and the point at which Jimmy realises that he is actually an alcoholic.
The three-way sex threw me somewhat (wasn't expecting that) and I didn't much care for the Dick Doctor Don, with his understanding wife, his guest house in the grounds and his bolt hole cabin in the woods.
The sex is graphic, between three people, a bit of bondage and toy play (whatever floats your boat) but a really interesting story none-the-less.
4.5 stars.
The three-way sex threw me somewhat (wasn't expecting that) and I didn't much care for the Dick Doctor Don, with his understanding wife, his guest house in the grounds and his bolt hole cabin in the woods.
The sex is graphic, between three people, a bit of bondage and toy play (whatever floats your boat) but a really interesting story none-the-less.
4.5 stars.
March 18, 2017
4.1 Stars
Damn, ZAM just has a way with broken & imperfect characters that really does emphasize personal growth, the self-acceptance/awareness. I was all set to keep on disliking Jimmy...and then she went and made him real, made him human. Should have known I was doomed from the start.
And, OMG as much as I hated Eddie and Malloy kind of forcing that whole sobriety situation on Jimmy (informed consent is a big deal for this kind of thing), I really really hated to see him have to start over. Only, it was kind of perfect. Because he can't do that for someone else. Choosing that path really does need to be something he does for himself. So, yeah, glad that whole shebang got dealt with appropriately. And I'm glad Jimmy kind of realized that for himself.
I know a lot of reviews mention it and it's reflected in a few negative ratings...but see, I like that the MCs were obviously in love with each other - even when they wouldn't/couldn't admit it (or even realize it) - but did not close off the option of sex with other people. I don't mind that at all as long as it's consensual and ALL parties enjoy participating. When it becomes doing something your partner wants because you are afraid of losing/disappointing them - or when you want to do that more than you want your partner - is when it makes me uncomfortable. (But hey, Don and his wife make that work, so what do I know?)
Speaking of: Don kind of makes me sad. Like, he's resigned to life he's chosen. If I didn't see him as at least content, if not happy, then I don't know how I'd feel about the character...because I'd want for him what Jeddie and Speepin (?Crispidy?) have. I think even a permanent triad (Jeddien?) would be a nice resolution for him. *sigh* Oh well. At least his situation is kind of realistic for a lot of people.
Damn, ZAM just has a way with broken & imperfect characters that really does emphasize personal growth, the self-acceptance/awareness. I was all set to keep on disliking Jimmy...and then she went and made him real, made him human. Should have known I was doomed from the start.
And, OMG as much as I hated Eddie and Malloy kind of forcing that whole sobriety situation on Jimmy (informed consent is a big deal for this kind of thing), I really really hated to see him have to start over. Only, it was kind of perfect. Because he can't do that for someone else. Choosing that path really does need to be something he does for himself. So, yeah, glad that whole shebang got dealt with appropriately. And I'm glad Jimmy kind of realized that for himself.
I know a lot of reviews mention it and it's reflected in a few negative ratings...but see, I like that the MCs were obviously in love with each other - even when they wouldn't/couldn't admit it (or even realize it) - but did not close off the option of sex with other people. I don't mind that at all as long as it's consensual and ALL parties enjoy participating. When it becomes doing something your partner wants because you are afraid of losing/disappointing them - or when you want to do that more than you want your partner - is when it makes me uncomfortable. (But hey, Don and his wife make that work, so what do I know?)
Speaking of: Don kind of makes me sad. Like, he's resigned to life he's chosen. If I didn't see him as at least content, if not happy, then I don't know how I'd feel about the character...because I'd want for him what Jeddie and Speepin (?Crispidy?) have. I think even a permanent triad (Jeddien?) would be a nice resolution for him. *sigh* Oh well. At least his situation is kind of realistic for a lot of people.
June 24, 2017
This is a different love story. It's not your typical mm romance. I resented it a little at first but then I didn't. The author spinned the story in such a way that I ended up understanding that that's what worked for them.
Even if the alcoholism problem was kind of 'cured' by love, I enjoyed Eddie and Jimmy's story a lot.
Recommend.
Even if the alcoholism problem was kind of 'cured' by love, I enjoyed Eddie and Jimmy's story a lot.
Recommend.
January 29, 2014
4.5 stars
I have been on pins and needles waiting for Jimmy and Eddie's story. From the moment I finished Crispin and Malloy's story and had seen Eddie load Jimmy's drunken ass into his pickup and head off for a hard core detox adventure, I was positive that book two in Z.A. Maxfield's 'The Cowboys' series was going to be amazing. I suspected this book, with its focus on alcoholism and seriously repressed sexuality issues, would be filled with drama and angst. I've put my faith in this author's work many times and I was reassured that she wouldn't steer me wrong. Much like with my opinion about the first book, I wasn't wrong here, either.
The first glance I had of Jimmy and I thought "there's a typical ol' conservative cowboy who drinks too much." That was at the beginning of the first book. By the end of that book I was seeing him in a slightly different light, but I was sure that there was much more to discover about Jimmy. Jimmy is thirty-eight and over the years his drinking has steadily become more and more, until now, when he believes his whole world is coming crashing down, Jimmy has sunk face-first into total alcoholism. With his future at stake, and everything and everyone he's always relied on to keep him centered up in the air, Jimmy's own feelings of shame, insecurity, self-doubt, and his repressed sexuality are coming to the forefront and he's simply not capable of dealing with it. It's up to his best friend, forty-two-year-old Ed, to try to help him get back on track.
Ed's friend, Don, loans his vacation cabin to them for Jimmy's detox. Those first few days aren't pretty and it sure gave me even more respect for Ed. Don is a doctor and a recovering alcoholic, and he's been a good friend and part-time lover to Ed for years. They have a comfortable understanding that works for both of them, particularly since Don's home life is "complicated", and he's a bit of a horn dog. A threesome develops and it was interesting because it could have been a horrible thing to happen for the future of Ed and Jimmy's lives. Instead, the author wrote it in a way that made it very believable for me, and necessary for Jimmy. Jimmy is a man who can't handle the fact that he's an alcoholic, he's gay, and he's loved Ed for fifteen years. This threesome, with Don in charge and Eddie as Jimmy's safety net, allows Jimmy to give up control and just feel. At the time it happens, Jimmy is in no shape to handle sex with just Eddie, and Don provides the buffer that is desperately needed.
Jim is the single point of view in this book and I really liked his voice. Watching his battle with himself and his fight to tamp down on all the emotions he'd been hiding in a bottle, was humbling. His crisis of faith, for lack of a better term, was beautifully written and really had an impact on me. Because when it was all said and done, Jimmy couldn't get sober for Eddie, he had to do it for himself. His love story with Ed, fifteen years of loving each other and basically being partners, but never saying the words, was intense, dramatic, sweet and, oh so loving. There was a whole lot of drama and angst within this book, but the author did right by both Jimmy and Ed in telling their story. Thank you, ZAM, for doing justice to Jimmy and his tale.
I have been on pins and needles waiting for Jimmy and Eddie's story. From the moment I finished Crispin and Malloy's story and had seen Eddie load Jimmy's drunken ass into his pickup and head off for a hard core detox adventure, I was positive that book two in Z.A. Maxfield's 'The Cowboys' series was going to be amazing. I suspected this book, with its focus on alcoholism and seriously repressed sexuality issues, would be filled with drama and angst. I've put my faith in this author's work many times and I was reassured that she wouldn't steer me wrong. Much like with my opinion about the first book, I wasn't wrong here, either.
The first glance I had of Jimmy and I thought "there's a typical ol' conservative cowboy who drinks too much." That was at the beginning of the first book. By the end of that book I was seeing him in a slightly different light, but I was sure that there was much more to discover about Jimmy. Jimmy is thirty-eight and over the years his drinking has steadily become more and more, until now, when he believes his whole world is coming crashing down, Jimmy has sunk face-first into total alcoholism. With his future at stake, and everything and everyone he's always relied on to keep him centered up in the air, Jimmy's own feelings of shame, insecurity, self-doubt, and his repressed sexuality are coming to the forefront and he's simply not capable of dealing with it. It's up to his best friend, forty-two-year-old Ed, to try to help him get back on track.
Ed's friend, Don, loans his vacation cabin to them for Jimmy's detox. Those first few days aren't pretty and it sure gave me even more respect for Ed. Don is a doctor and a recovering alcoholic, and he's been a good friend and part-time lover to Ed for years. They have a comfortable understanding that works for both of them, particularly since Don's home life is "complicated", and he's a bit of a horn dog. A threesome develops and it was interesting because it could have been a horrible thing to happen for the future of Ed and Jimmy's lives. Instead, the author wrote it in a way that made it very believable for me, and necessary for Jimmy. Jimmy is a man who can't handle the fact that he's an alcoholic, he's gay, and he's loved Ed for fifteen years. This threesome, with Don in charge and Eddie as Jimmy's safety net, allows Jimmy to give up control and just feel. At the time it happens, Jimmy is in no shape to handle sex with just Eddie, and Don provides the buffer that is desperately needed.
Jim is the single point of view in this book and I really liked his voice. Watching his battle with himself and his fight to tamp down on all the emotions he'd been hiding in a bottle, was humbling. His crisis of faith, for lack of a better term, was beautifully written and really had an impact on me. Because when it was all said and done, Jimmy couldn't get sober for Eddie, he had to do it for himself. His love story with Ed, fifteen years of loving each other and basically being partners, but never saying the words, was intense, dramatic, sweet and, oh so loving. There was a whole lot of drama and angst within this book, but the author did right by both Jimmy and Ed in telling their story. Thank you, ZAM, for doing justice to Jimmy and his tale.
January 21, 2014
I DNF’d the first book in this series but I’ve liked this author in the past so I thought I’d give this one a try. This series focuses on gay ranchers and that appeals to me so much! But I’ve come to the conclusion this series is just not for me. I set this book down around the 55% mark and had no desire to pick it back up.
The beginning of the book worked pretty well for me. Jimmy and Eddie have been friends and bunk mates at the ranch they work at for quite a long time. Jimmy realizes right at the beginning of the book that Eddie is gay, which surprises him greatly. But being that they are good friends, Jimmy is okay with this –shocked but it doesn’t freak him out that much. Jimmy has a drinking problem and is in danger of losing his job, so Eddie basically kidnaps Jimmy in the middle of the night and takes him to a remote cabin to dry him out. Jimmy is in denial of his drinking, making this a tense situation.
The cabin they go to is Eddie’s lover’s cabin. This guy, a doctor, eventually comes to the cabin to make sure Jimmy’s withdrawal is going okay. As Eddie and the doctor continue their sexy times, Jimmy (who has always thought himself straight) gets pulled into their lovemaking.
The ‘gay for you’ trope has worked for me in the past. There is something sexy about a guy who thinks he is straight and then falls for another guy (Zane from Abigail Roux a great example). This one though made no sense to me. All of a sudden Jimmy is sitting naked in a hot tub with Eddie and the doctor and they all start having sex. What, what, what? I needed more of a progression that leads up to this from Eddie.
But what really clinched this DNF for me is the crassness of the love scenes. I’ll give an example – I tried to find one not too crazy, but it was hard.
His hole was dark and ringed with whorls of hair – a tightly wrinkled bud over which I smeared some of Don’s goo.
That’s just the beginning folks. There are so many other sentences that just made me cringe or laugh rather than got into the romance. I actually felt no romance, just sex that I didn’t find hot.
I’m not giving up on this author, but I am giving up on this series.
The beginning of the book worked pretty well for me. Jimmy and Eddie have been friends and bunk mates at the ranch they work at for quite a long time. Jimmy realizes right at the beginning of the book that Eddie is gay, which surprises him greatly. But being that they are good friends, Jimmy is okay with this –shocked but it doesn’t freak him out that much. Jimmy has a drinking problem and is in danger of losing his job, so Eddie basically kidnaps Jimmy in the middle of the night and takes him to a remote cabin to dry him out. Jimmy is in denial of his drinking, making this a tense situation.
The cabin they go to is Eddie’s lover’s cabin. This guy, a doctor, eventually comes to the cabin to make sure Jimmy’s withdrawal is going okay. As Eddie and the doctor continue their sexy times, Jimmy (who has always thought himself straight) gets pulled into their lovemaking.
The ‘gay for you’ trope has worked for me in the past. There is something sexy about a guy who thinks he is straight and then falls for another guy (Zane from Abigail Roux a great example). This one though made no sense to me. All of a sudden Jimmy is sitting naked in a hot tub with Eddie and the doctor and they all start having sex. What, what, what? I needed more of a progression that leads up to this from Eddie.
But what really clinched this DNF for me is the crassness of the love scenes. I’ll give an example – I tried to find one not too crazy, but it was hard.
His hole was dark and ringed with whorls of hair – a tightly wrinkled bud over which I smeared some of Don’s goo.
That’s just the beginning folks. There are so many other sentences that just made me cringe or laugh rather than got into the romance. I actually felt no romance, just sex that I didn’t find hot.
I’m not giving up on this author, but I am giving up on this series.
May 8, 2017
OK so book 2 is heavy. It's about alcoholism and forgiveness. Despite all that, it was sweet, it was sexy and it was a really strong story. I loved these 2 men. I loved their journey. The story itself takes place around the same time as the first book, from when Eddie drives off with Jimmy.
A beautifully written book and I hope there is more in this series. Maybe Don next?
A beautifully written book and I hope there is more in this series. Maybe Don next?
January 24, 2014
Please tell me there will be more books about these boys. My Heartache Cowboy broke my heart so many times. I love Eddie and Jimmy. I even managed to start liking Don by the end. Jimmy's internal monologue was heart wrenching and depressing. I wanted to grab him and hold on forever. The poor man needed it, let me tell you. I loved it.
April 7, 2015
I'm really loving this series. this second book was well done and addictive as the first one, I missed the strong chemistry between MCs, but Jimmy's journey was really beautiful. most of all their story felt real. can't wait for the next one!
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