Hearts We Claim

Hearts of Texas #3

by Christina Berry

While jogging with Drusilla, the awkward puppy drags me right into a tangle of leashes with another pooch and his person.

For the dogs, it’s puppy love at first sight. For us humans, well, I’m certainly not complaining when I get a look at who she’s tangled me with.

Tall, dark, and this must be Markus, the town’s new veterinarian.

More than one gossiping granny has suggested he’d be perfect for me. Pump the breaks, Gladys, we don’t even know if Krause’s new resident is gay.

Though the dazzling smile he just gave me sure holds a lot of promise.

Hearts We Claim is a sexy, full-length, small town, male/male dog dads romance. Featuring a sexy firefighter hero and the town's new veterinarian, this is Book Three of the Hearts of Texas series, but it can be listened to as a standalone.

Genres: M M Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Firefighters, Contemporary, LGBT, Found Family

198 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 19, 2024

About the author

Christina Berry is an award-winning author of smart, smutty romance. A citizen of the Cherokee Nation, Christina is originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, and currently resides in Austin, Texas. When not writing, she can be found helping her husband with their never-ending home remodeling adventure or spoiling their amazing dog.

Reviews

[Tara]

Ugh, this story was so sweet and wholesome and beautiful and sexy and OMG I just love Adam and Markus and Rufus and Druscilla so much 😭😭

This story did touch on some sensitive topics so be aware but OMG PLZ read it, even the side characters were hilarious and awesome

Thank you so much for allowing me to arc read your work!

[Ed Davis]

What a wonderful book. I loved Markus and Adam(Rooster). This is one of those books that are just so delightful to read. I could hardly put it down. I especially enjoy stories that include dogs or children so this was a great read for me. Rufus and Drusilla added the perfect touch to a heartwarming tale. If you’re looking for a story to make you just feel good I highly recommend reading this book.

[Kim Merkenhof]

This is such a sweet book te read. I love Adam, he is just so open, positive and funny.
Markus really goes through alot in this book. I really feel for him.

These 2 are perfect for each other.

[Alix]

Audiobook update: This is narrated by Joe Arden (Adam/Rooster) and Tim Paige (Markus). Both voice actors were well cast in their roles! They sounded age appropriate and very believable, respectively, as a firefighter and as a vet from Texas. Both have pleasant voices and expressed emotions so well, including the steamy parts. Female voices were also done really. I very much enjoyed listening to this audio performance and it enhanced the story as well. I am also going to add that I think this may be one of my fave performances by Tim Paige. I love productions from Blue Nose Audio and this one is another winner from them.

This is the third book in the Hearts of Texas series where 3 local firefighters find love. Adam, who is called Rooster by most folks around town, has been watching his friends and co-workers find love and get married. This time, it's Rooster's turn! One day he is out running with his fave rescued pup, Drusilla, and they run into - literally! - another runner and his dog, Rufus. It's puppy love at first sight for these doggies! They eventually decide to start to meet up for running, for you know, the pups. And as they get to know one another, and the community gets to know Markus, the new veterinarian in town, this little town begins to feel like home. This is a very sweet romance between two endearing men set in a town that supports them and welcomes them. I loved the local family dynamics - Adam's sisters and mom were just lovely - as well as the closeness of the firehouse team. The dogs were so cute and loving! This is a slow burn and it felt very naturally for things to progress romantically how they did. And while the focus is of course the romance, the plot is very active with a number of things happening along the way! There's some light miscommunication along the way, but these boys work things out pretty easily once they learn to talk to each other. I enjoyed this very much!

Things to Expect:

*firefighter + veterinarian
*hometown MC + New to town MC
*small town romance/TX
*dog dads
*puppy love
*doggy/running dates
*Rooster has a vlog/SM
*vers dynamic
*found family
*supportive family/community
*mom runs an animal shelter
*check TW/CW - there's a couple of serious things

[✨Wendy✨| downtherabbitholes]

Format: Audiobook
Narrators: Joe Arden and Tim Paige

Non-Spoiler Review:
I. Am. In. (puppy-love) Love.
This was the perfect story to pull me from my reading slump. I think it may even be one of my favorite MM Romance I’ve listened to this year. I swooned, smiled, giggled, and of course, blushed almost the entire time. It was sweetness wrapped in all the best feelings… with emotional vibes that just perfectly. Every character was amazing and lovable; except for Marcus’ mom… she was a twat, and I will die on that hill. From the small Texas town, to the found family, it was an incredible storyline.

Performed in duet, Joe Arden and Tim Paige gave breath to Adam (Rooster) and Markus, and I was all for it. All the carefree moments, unexpected feelings and emotional twists, had me devouring this audio. Did I get a little misty-eyed once or twice? Possibly…

Hearts We Claim is the sweetest kind of MM romance. My heart swelled and broke with the different emotional aspects of the journey, as Adam and Markus’ story unfolded. I loved how close Adam was with his family, their carefree personalities and how the entire town supported their residents. Plus, the cock jokes nearly took me out… Rufus and Druscilla stole the show. They are truly my favorite supporting characters in the history of… ever. Their constant presence was adorable and as an avid dog lover and rescuer myself, I loved and appreciated that the storyline included them so much.

Thank you, Blue Nose Audio, for the ALC.

[Dalegendaryreader]

If you think you have a bad day, Markus got it so much worst than you. Man cannot catch a break.

Markus' new in town and a veterinarian. When he was jogging and walking his dog, he became literally entangled with another dog and its walker, the firefighter Adam.

I love me some firefighter romance and it's MM? Count me in.

Let me go back to my first sentence. Everything bad that you will think will happen to a person, happened to Markus. Poor guy! Every plot twists was wrapped with him, and Adam was just along for the ride.

I love their meet-cute, especially the dogs. They started as jogging buddies while getting to know each other. I love the yearning in both parties which was so endearing to see in their POVs.

We got enough emotional-depth between the characters but I didn't really enjoy the plot twists because it's just one after the other and I wished we just had one and focused on that instead of a lot happening so that kinda hindered the romance a bit imo.

Overall, it's a short and quick read. I read it in one-sitting and I enjoyed some parts of it. All fun, with great vibes!

[Bernice Reads]

✍︎ 𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚇 𝚅𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚗
✍︎ 𝚂𝚖𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚃𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚁𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎
✍︎ 𝙵𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝙵𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢
✍︎ 𝙷𝚞𝚛𝚝/𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝
✍︎ 𝙲𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚝𝚢




✎ This book was all about support,support and support and I love it,the way Adam’s mom and Sisters stood by him and the way his mother chose to protect him over everything was just beautiful.

✎ Adam and Markus are such great match,and they had such good chemistry and moments.They both just needed to communicate with each other and after they got that part locked down,everything was smooth sailing from there on.They were just two people who really enjoyed each other’s company and makes each other happy.They are each other’s breath of fresh air and peace.And they both deserved the happy ending they got.

✎ The community is this book is very beautiful,I loved the way the show up and show out,the way they help each other and stand by each other.It was one of my favorite moment in the book,the way they stood by Adam when he was a child and the way they showed up for Markus after what happened to him was just amazing and admirable.

[ryder deffinbaugh]

dnf’d 1/3 of the way through. it was cute but the characters were so flat and i really just couldn’t handle reading descriptions about how sexy the main character’s laugh was for the millionth time

[Daryn Johnson]

Hearts We Claim ARC Review:

Adam and Markus 💙

Adam, aka Rooster to his small town in Texas, officially meets the new town veterinarian, Markus, after they literally run into each other while jogging with their dogs. Though Drusilla, loved the Buffy reference btw, is actually a resident at Adam’s mothers animal rescue, her and Rufus, Markus’ dog, become obsessed with each other instantly. Adam and Markus are also instantly attracted to the other, but they have a longer road to finding their way!

This was a sweet story that made me laugh just as much as feel for these characters as the story progressed. The town and its cast of endearing, yet overbearing loved ones, that rounded out this story made for a barrel of laughs and lots of heartwarming moments. Adam and Markus are wonderful together throughout the whole book as they figure out how to navigate their feelings alongside the story's events.

Adored the pups too! They were champions of the book, alongside the lovely townsfolk and Adam’s sisters and Mother.

4.5/5🌟

[Kaely Smith]

ALC Review

Hearts We Claim by Christina Berry
Narrated in duet by Tim Paige and Joe Arden
Produced by Blue Nose Audio


Story
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Performance
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Heat
🔥🔥🔥

Christina Berry is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Her stories tug on my heartstrings with the vulnerability and emotional impact her characters have. Hearts We Claim is no different. As I listened to this story, I was completely immersed in the world of Adam and Markus. Christina does such an amazing job describing these characters and the small town of Krause, Texas, that I forgot I was listening to a book. When the book ended, I wanted more. I was sad that it had ended; that’s how I know it was a great book!

Markus is new to Krause and is taking over the vet clinic after the old vet retired. Adam, aka Rooster, is a Krause firefighter who has always called Krause his home. Markus and Adam end up bumping into each other often in the small town of Krause, and their relationship blossoms into something neither of them really expected. It helps that their dogs seem to really enjoy spending time with each other as well! Both men have obstacles to overcome, Markus more so than Adam, but these two characters overcome them together in such a beautiful story. I’ve already recommended this story to so many people, including some close friends who are a part of the alphabet mafia (LGBTQIA).

Tim Paige and Joe Arden are absolutely amazing as Markus and Adam. It was so easy to listen to both of them bring these characters to life. Both brought the chemistry between Adam and Markus to life and really made me feel all of the emotions of this story. This story will definitely make you laugh, maybe make you cry, but it’ll make you feel all warm and fuzzy in the end.

[Christina Sturgill]

Rating: 4 /5 🌟
Spice: 2.5/5 🌶️
Characters: Markus and Adam

[Catarina Águas]

ARC review

This was so good, I loved it.
Markus had a bad childhood and his parents weren't people you could count on. But despite all that, he turned out to be a good man. He was hesitant with Adam because he didn't know if the feelings were mutual or not which is totally understandable.
Adam only was with people that were out of town, he felt like he needed to respect the people in it by not being with anyone. Which couldn't be further from the truth.
They came together and start with friendship but then they can't hide their attraction for long and it all evolves from there.
They were who they were and they weren't afraid or embarassed to be together. And the town was supportive and happy for them

[Mei ☽︎]

2.5 rounded down.

Honestly, it's kind of more of a me thing. I really loved the meet cute and the setup of this one, and the chemistry was definitely there! But there was a lot that happened with one of the MCs that I couldn't fully enjoy the dynamics as it went on since I got a bit stressed out with the external drama and plot twists. Otherwise, I would've enjoyed this a lot more.

Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free via The Author Agency, and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts. Many thanks to The Author Agency and the author for the opportunity!

[Bette]

Heartwarming & Awesome➞Story & Listen🎧

Hearts We Claim
Hearts of Texas
By: Christina Berry
Narrated by: Tim Paige, Joe Arden

Christina Berry welcomes you back to Krause, Texas, for another fabulous novel, the third in her “Hearts of Texas” series. This enthralling small-town romance captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings from start to end. Adam, aka Rooster, became one of my favorite characters in the previous book, so I was happy to see he had his own book, and I was also happy to see it may be his time to find love, since he only does hook-ups, and never in town. Marcus is the new veterinarian in town, and just glimpsing one another sparked their interest, but the genuine sparks were when they ran into each other, not just their own, but their dogs, Drusilla and Rufus, too. What a significant moment and meet-cute, and start to their relationship, a friendship to start that morphs into something so much more, but not without hiccups, bumps, and bruises. Berry puts a lot of heart into her stories and does an amazing job of blending lighthearted moments with serious ones, striking a perfect balance as she crafts a complex, multilayered story. Each had their own issues and baggage, and while they had come to grips with them, they still left scars, and it wasn’t until they opened up that they could be more understanding of one another. I adored Adam’s family, his mom and sisters, and did not care for Marcus’ mother, but he found a home with Adam and a family too, not just blood but with his firefighter family too. The people of the town were welcoming and amazing, too. This beautifully written and plotted story has the perfect balance of drama, angst, charming humor, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Christina Berry, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧And for the fabulous audiobook production performed in duet by  wonderfully talented Tim Paige and Joe Arden, who were amazing at bringing these characters and story to life. Both embodied their characters completely, grasping every facet of their personality and demeanor, with Paige nailing it as Marcus and Arden as Adam. Their expressive delivery conveys all the characters’ emotions, and it has you feeling every single one. It is a pleasure to listen to these two perform; they are entertaining storytellers, and their captivating performance keeps you hooked to the story.  

[Sandy Kay]

Light and entertaining read! Cute, wholesome…umm…mostly…with some edgy twists. It's part of a series of MF books, but I haven't read any of the others and wasn't at all confused.

New vet in a small town strikes sparks with gregarious firefighter when their two dogs meet and decide they’re bestest buddies. 🔥🔥

I enjoyed this a lot! Adam’s the outgoing firefighter ,a man with his own influencer persona and the love of the town. He’s the only gay man in town, as far as he knows, and goes…elsewhere for Things.

New vet Markus was thrilled to find a practice with no competition for miles, with living quarters above the clinic. His quite enthusiastic reception from the town is a bit unexpected and alarming to him…but the townsfolk are delighted to have him. And are kind and fun.

When their dogs Drusilla and Rufus meet, their leashes entangle, their eyes meet, and so starts a series of events that will keep these two crossing paths and becoming susceptible to the chemistry growing between them.

With two matchmaking pooches, one well-timed misunderstanding, well-meaning family members, some traumatic and tragic events, and one timely (but dangerous!) crime, these two don’t stand a chance at staying apart for long.

My favorite part was Markus’s reaction to finding out why Adam has condoms and lube in a go-bag. It was the exact reaction I always want to see and rarely get. Ha ha. It’s not funny, but, was the perfect touch for me, full of conflict and hurt and bad timing. 😱💕

I loved Adam’s family, even when his sisters were kinda OTT and at one point annoying. Still liked them!

It’s mostly a sweet story, but the plot beats have bite, which was an interesting and engaging combo for me.

HEA, small-town, new guy meets firefighter, cute dogs (one of whom is an amazing protector!), family and found family moments. TWs for death of a parent and homophobia, and a touch of violence at one time. NO others or sharing or info on any specific exes (Adam doesn’t have any relationship history; he has only hooked up but doesn’t seem like a man-ho, and nothing’s specified for Markus. The past is the past!). Safe for me! Recommended.

[Brittany]

✨ARC Review ✨
I like to think that there are places out there that are as incredible as Christina describes Krause TX. The way that the community truly cares for each other & all of the residents never hesitate to step up & help out when anyone needs help. They’re not looking for praise, recognition or something they can brag about to others. They’re just there for one another.
As I always say I don’t know exactly how Christina does it but the way she writes always gives me goosebumps because I can FEEL the emotions throughout this book.
Rooster knows that his community accepts him as a gay man but he’s never had strong enough feelings to really show that side of him. That all changes when Markus moves to town as the new Veterinarian. One chance meeting while running/walking their dogs has them meeting up each morning & getting to know each other. It’s clear that the spark is there but neither is quite sure how to go about acting on it. When Markus’s past calls & he needs Rooster to help, our boy drops everything to do just that. Will that open the door for more? Or will it cement them into the “friend zone” ?
There is so much emotion in this book & some parts really hit me square in the chest. Having parents who are more concerned about what they “think” God thinks is right as well as what other people think is not a recipe for a happy family. I really loved seeing Markus get the closure he needed & be able to move forward in life. Rooster’s family helped make him who is & despite the dark parts of his past he can live his life in love knowing he has a Family & a community who are supportive & love him unconditionally.
This story was beautiful & one that I hope is possible for so many. Love is love. No matter where you are or what anyone else thinks. If you have love in your life, be grateful & know how truly lucky you are.
Available on Amazon & Kindle Unlimited December 19th!

[Jenny Talbot]

ALC Review

If you are looking for a small-town MM romance with big heart, this is a listen for you! Hearts We Claim is book three in Christina Berry’s Hearts of Texas series. This audiobook is performed in duet narration by Joe Arden and Tim Paige.

Adam (we know him as Rooster in previous books) is a fireman at the Krause Fire Department who has a sweet meet-cute with Markus, who just happens to be the new-to-town veterinarian. They tangle into each other (literally) while out walking their respective pups, and become further entangled by way of small-town life.

What comes next is a sweet surprise for both of them — their attraction to each other is cautious and full of charm. They form a friendship and discover their compatibility as their friendship develops into a whole lot more.

Adam is played by Joe Arden, and he immediately matches the energy I’d expect Rooster to have. His voice is infectious and playful; one of my favorite part of this book was the way Joe gave Adam a total dog dad voice around the pups.

Adam has a YouTube channel where he freely and positively expresses himself as a gay man. He is known by his close friends and family for his noncommittal “out of town” trysts.

Joe does a great job at masking some of Adam’s insecurities. When he is confronted not only by his attraction to Markus, but the simple fact that Markus lives within town limits, he really has to process if he is ready to settle into that phase of his life.

Tim Paige is Markus, and his voice is perfect as the dog dad/veterinarian trying to, quite plainly, find a way to settle into his new town. Markus has a similar disposition as Adam, and by the way Tim brings him to life you can hear his cautious and curious tone arrive front and center.

Markus has never been surrounded by a found family, and he is immediately enveloped into Adam’s world. Tim allows Adam’s emotion to rise to the surface when it counts — and his ability to construct emotional walls in Markus’s voice during some pivotal scenes had me feeling emotional for him.

This story is mostly lighthearted, however, there are some content warnings that you might want to look at before diving in. Adam and Markus are two men who are proud of their sexuality, and for each of them that peace was hard fought. I appreciate that these two men have been able to rise above some triggering childhood memories to be confident in their sexuality as adults.

Joe and Tim deliver this story with flirty banter, warm and infectious tones, and pointed emotion. I really loved the entirety of their story!

[Twisted Psycho Pages]

⭐ Story: 4/5
🎧 Narration: 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 4/5

Okay, a firefighter and a veterinarian AND make it MM?! Straight away, I knew this was going to be a delicious mix. 😮‍💨🔥

First of all, hands down an incredible performance by Tim Paige and Joe Arden. They brought Markus and Adam to life beautifully. Joe has this way of pulling every emotion straight from the page and making me feel it 10x harder. I absolutely LOVE him in MM audiobooks, and this was no exception. Tim was fantastic alongside him, and together they made these characters and their chemistry feel so real.

And the meet cute?! An accidental tangle of dogs and leashes bringing these two together. Could there be a more perfect way to meet your future love?! NO. It was adorable. 🐶❤️

Markus was such a sweetheart. A little broken by his past, but determined not to let it control his future. I also loved that he was already openly gay, there was no awakening storyline here, which meant we could jump straight into the attraction and chemistry between these two. And the closure Markus eventually gets with his past? So emotional and beautifully written. The way he was able to face it and then walk away from it? Chef's kiss. 🤌

Adam... OOF. I loved this man. A hot firefighter with a YouTube channel posting workout videos?! Excuse me, WHERE CAN I SUBSCRIBE?! 😂🔥 But underneath all of that, Adam has such a huge heart. He endured things in his childhood that no kid should ever have to experience, but the love and support of his family helped shape him into this incredibly loving and emotional man. He deserved the kind of love he found with Markus.

And these two together?! INSANELY HOT. 🥵 Their chemistry was everything, and I honestly would've happily taken a little more spice because I could not get enough of them.

My only other wish was for a little more of a twist or conflict to give the story some extra emotional depth. But overall, this was still such a sweet, sexy and heartfelt love story.

Markus + Adam = hearts ALL OVER. ❤️❤️❤️

[Naito Diamond]

I rarely choose a book based on the cover, but Hearts We Claim earned its spot on my list thanks to the promise of pets and the utterly charming dog featured. I adore animals, but Christina Berry took it to another level, leaving me wondering which couple I should focus on: the endearing Ruffus and Drusilla or their equally lovable owners, vet Markus and firefighter Adam.

This story begins with one of the cutest meet-cutes I've read, as Markus and Adam are brought together when their dogs decided to become a couple first. From jogging buddies to Adam stepping in as a heroic figure after Markus’s accident, their dynamic is wonderfully heartwarming. Markus and Adam’s relationship feels genuine and layered, balancing playful banter with moments of deep vulnerability.

The supporting cast shines just as brightly, particularly the strong, vibrant women in Adam's family. Christina Berry skillfully weaves their individual stories into the narrative, even in cameo roles, giving the small-town community a rich and authentic feel. The town itself is a heartwarming backdrop, filled with people who rally together when one of their own needs help.

The attention to detail is outstanding, whether describing the workings of a dog shelter, the routines of a veterinary clinic, or the challenges and camaraderie in a firefighter department. The emotional depth of the story peaks during Markus's heart-wrenching encounter with his father, adding layers of survival, acceptance, and reconciliation.

This book is a brilliant blend of charm, community, and love. It’s easy to recommend to anyone who enjoys small-town romances, heartfelt character arcs, and the added bonus of adorable pets.

[Jodi]

Hearts We Claim is a small town, MM romance with a firefighter and a veterinarian, and their dogs.

This story was so cute, sweet and emotional. Rooster, or Adam, is a firefighter in his small town. Markus is the new veterinarian, and the two, along with their dogs, run into each other while jogging. They agree to meet up again and their journey begins.

Adam has the best loveable attitude. He's funny, has a YouTube channel to express himself on, and is also a family person. He has a close relationship with his Mom and Sisters. Markus is the new guy in town, who is dealing with some personal issues, but trying to find his place. His parents are not accepting of him and have caused a lot of emotional pain. Adam and Markus have an instant attraction and have to work past some bumps along the way.

This story is emotional, yet fun. From the small moments between Adam and Markus, to the rough side of Markus and his parents relationship. The two manage getting to know each other in such a real way. It also gives a positive and negative side of support, from different directions. I love Christina's stories because they are a mix of lighthearted moments, laughter, romance and everyday conflict within relationships and this one is no different.

Audio: The duet performance with Joe Arden and Tim Paige was fantastic. Adam had such a fun loving, higher energy character that Joe exceeded in delivering. He also easily brought out Adam's uncertainty and insecurities about Markus and their relationship. Tim perfectly brought out Markus's more quiet, new guy in town attitude, but also his playfulness with his dog and towards Adam. The two did a perfect job of bringing these characters and story to life.

[Samantha Fox]

Adam and Markus find themselves starting a new friendship with a dash of flirting when their dogs tangled them up together while while running one day. Adam is the towns only openly gay firefighter ( not that Markus knows that), and Markus is the new vet in town that has everyone’s interest piqued. Realizing their dogs were smitten with one another it only made sense for them to take their morning runs together.. for the dogs of course..and maybe for them as well.

I really enjoyed reading this book it was a wonderful mix of humor and seriousness that highlighted on some of the experiences that gay men face in small southern towns. Despite clearly liking one other they are both reluctant to make a move out of concern of the backlash they would possibly face by the townsfolk. It is a heartfelt story of finding people you can call family and a place you can call home, as well as the pure unconditional love of dogs. Adam and Markus have such a sweet dynamic and Adams patience and understanding towards Markus in his time of need is a great demostration of the kindness of his character, and thankful Markus pulled himself together enough to realize how he was in the wrong.

As much as I adored the MC’s and learning of their history. I would be lying if I said my favorite character in the book was not Adams sister. The introduction of Ava may be hands down of my favorite introduction to side characters. She was down right funny in a way that I do not think she intends, she is someone I would think would be so fun to have around as a friend.

If you are a fan on cinnamon roll characters, dogs in love, energetic firefighters, introverted veterinarians, and nosy matching making family members this is the book for you!.

[Melanie]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🎧 ALC Review | 🌶🌶.5

From the very first chapter, Hearts We Claim completely stole my heart. I had been waiting for Rooster's story since book one and Christina Berry delivered everything I hoped for and more.

Adam "Rooster" is impossible not to love. He's funny, kind, endlessly devoted to both his family and his community.

Markus was the perfect match for Rooster. Their attraction is immediate but it never feels rushed. Watching them go from chance encounters, to morning runs, to breakfast dates felt incredibly natural. Their chemistry is effortless, sweet, flirty and full of genuine respect for one another.

One of my favorite parts of the story was the small-town atmosphere. Markus may be new to Krause but the town embraces him almost immediately, making it easy to understand why this community feels so special. Returning to familiar faces while meeting new ones made the world feel warm, welcoming and wonderfully alive.

The audiobook was outstanding. Joe Arden and Tim Paige were a fantastic pairing, each giving their character a distinct personality while making every emotional and humorous moment feel authentic.

Although this is a lighthearted romance overall, Christina Berry also handles more difficult topics with care and compassion. I appreciated the content warnings provided at the beginning of the book and I thought the balance between heartfelt moments, humor and emotional depth was very well done.

If you love small-town romances, lovable characters, found family, adorable animals and a romance that will make you smile from beginning to end, I highly recommend Hearts We Claim.

Thank you to Blue Nose Audio for the ALC. This was an easy 5-star listen, and one of my favorite books in the Hearts of Texas series.

[Booksbystarlightandshadows]

I think one of my favourite microtropes is when a character has a nickname or an abbreviated version of their first name but their love interest calls them by their full name. The minute Markus called Rooster "Adam" I was invested! I had my money on Markus flustering Adam but they were just as bad as each other in this slow burn romance. This was a relatively quick listen but packed plenty in.

This does tackle some heavy themes surrounding parental figures and homophobia but is relatively low angst on page. There is some definite closure which Markus deserved; I felt Tim Paige's performance in particular was really layered in this plot thread. Not only is he dealing with estrangement but when those feelings are contrasted against Adam's familial interactions it was really easy to understand how in awe Markus was at how easy they made it look.

Adam's sisters very much bring the comedy relief as does their mum with her matchmaking ways (although Rufus and Drusilla are the matchmaking MVPs). There is however a very serious revelation from Adam towards the end (as well as a realisation) that will break your heart and put it back together. I'm not sure if the author plans on a return trip to Krause but I'd love a return visit!

My interpretation of the star system;
3 stars - I enjoyed it; would read the author again
4 stars - I really liked it; I am invested and definitely want more from this author/series
5 stars - I loved it; I engaged with this book completely until I finished it and it is one I will re-read

[Nicole Skinner]

this small town has my heart

Rooster finally finding his person warms my heart! The happy go lucky jokester’s story was a story I was very eager to hear! Markus was a perfect character for Adam. He brought out a side of Adam that no one really got to see. Markus had a tough backstory but I think It was perfect for Adam to find out. I think It helped Adam gain the confidence in claiming what he wants. Adam’s story was also a sad one but it made me love the Newman women even more than I already had. Those women are hilarious and the family bond between all of them was amazing! The way I belly laughed many times when they appeared was amazing. This story was sweet, wholesome, spicy but also powerful in the sense of showing what many struggle with that others may never see or even consider. It was touched upon so gracefully and truly made for a great read. I’m sad this series has come to a close because I really Enjoyed engine 31 shenanigans. I’m also hoping there’s wedding bells for Drusilla and Rufus because those two are the ultimate matchmakers.

Joe Arden and Tim Paige were amazing in this story. The raw emotion you could hear from both of them was outstanding. Joe brought the fun jokester side of Adam(Rooster) to life effortlessly and Tim brought the bashful new comer well! Both narrators were able to shed light on a tough subject with such grace. It was truly a fantastic performance from these two.

[Melissa]

I loved listening to Hearts We Claim by Christina Berry. This small-town M/M romance is full of heart, humor, and so many sweet moments while still touching on some heavier emotional topics. It had me smiling one minute and completely invested in these characters the next.

Adam, better known as Rooster, was already one of my favorite characters before this book, so I was so excited that he finally got his own story. His first meeting with Markus is about as cute as it gets when they literally run into each other while out walking their dogs. Honestly, Druscilla and Rufus deserve almost as much credit for this romance as Adam and Markus do. Their instant connection had me smiling from the very beginning. As an animal lover, I always enjoy it when pets play such a big role in a story, and these two definitely stole a few scenes.

The supporting cast was just as lovable as the main couple. Adam's family, his firefighter brothers, and the people of Krause made this town feel so welcoming. They added so much humor and heart to the story, and I loved seeing Markus slowly become part of their world.

The audiobook was fantastic. Joe Arden and Tim Paige were such a great pairing in duet narration. Joe brought Adam's playful personality to life while also letting his more vulnerable side shine through. Tim Paige was the perfect Markus. You could hear his hesitation, his kindness, and all the emotions he tried to keep buried. Together, they had such natural chemistry, and every conversation felt authentic.

If you're looking for a romance with found family, lovable characters, adorable dogs, emotional healing, and a couple you'll be rooting for from the very beginning, I definitely recommend Hearts We Claim. The audiobook made an already wonderful story even better, and Joe Arden and Tim Paige did an incredible job bringing these characters to life.

[Chantal]

This can absolutely be read as a standalone! I’ve read books one and three (still need to pick up book two 👀) and never felt lost.

Oh my gosh… this book was ridiculously cute. 🥹🐶

From the first meeting to the final chapter, I couldn’t stop smiling. Between the adorable dogs, the small town charm, and the tenderness between Markus and Adam, this story completely stole my heart.

Adam has spent years being the only openly gay man in town, leaving whenever he wanted connection because he never expected to find it at home. Then Markus, the handsome new veterinarian, arrives in town and turns his world upside down.

I loved watching these two figure out what a relationship could look like together despite coming from such different backgrounds. Their connection felt warm, genuine, and incredibly easy to root for.

And poor Markus… that man had the worst week. 😭
Thankfully, Adam was there to step in like his own personal knight in shining reflective firefighting gear.

Even when the story ventured into heavier or more emotional moments, it never lost its cozy, feel good atmosphere. The overall tone stayed charming and hopeful.

🎧 Narration:
Joe Arden and Tim Paige were a fantastic pairing. They brought so much warmth, tenderness, and emotion to Markus and Adam’s relationship, making this audiobook feel like a warm hug from beginning to end.

[Poorvi]

While jogging with Drusilla, the puppy drags Adam right into a tangle of leashes with another pooch and his person. This person was none other than Marcus. The Tall, dark, and handsome, town’s new veterinarian. Both start bonding over their route for dog walks.
It was clear there was a spark but both don’t know how to act upon it. Adam is this cheerful goofy golden retriever energy while Marcus is quite , reserved one. I love how Adam was so supporting of Marcus and didn’t leave him. He is exactly what Marcus needed. Adam is such a caretaker and i love how he took care of Marcus and make him feel protected and wanted. I love their chemistry. I love how nervous they were with each other at start.
Marcus family didn’t accept when he came out. What his mom did was so horrible. I am happy he got the closure with his dad atleast. The townspeople are wonderfully kind and supportive, with both Marcus and Adam. How they immediately make Marcus part of them. Marcus got the acceptance he has never know. I am so happy for him.
I cried at Adam story. They both have gone through something bad. I love that they have each other now. I love Adam’s family and how supportive they are, specially her mom. I love her.

[Jaimie]

I was so excited to get to this one because I really enjoyed the first two in the series. This is actually my first MM romance, and I feel like it was the perfect intro into the genre for me!

I highly recommend listening to this one on audio! This is duet narration with Joe Arden and Tim Paige, and they did such a fantastic job. The emotion that they brought into this story was amazing.

Adam, aka Rooster, is our hot fire fighter that grew up in a small town in Texas. And while the town has embraced him, it hasn't always been easy. Markus is the hot new veterinarian that has moved to town to run the vet clinic.

I really enjoyed all of the characters in this one, including our furry friends too! Adams family and everybody in the town has really embraced Markus which is something he is not used to. I don't want to give any spoilers, but we do have some more emotional moments around the death of a parent and around the struggles of being gay.

Even though this one is a short and quick listen, I really felt like it flowed well and I enjoyed every aspect of it! We have sweet, funny, emotional, and spicy! I definitely recommend you give this one a shot. Huge thank you to Blue Nose Audio for the early copy to listen to.

[Trip]

I adored the initial introductions to Adam & Markus, their attraction and then the meet cute with the dogs was so sweet. There regular meet ups, walking the dogs and getting to know one another - the small town vibes were perfection.

Many fun characters and everyone knowing each other, all the connections was entertaining and I enjoyed the developing feels. The dogs Drusilla & Rufus are so cute too! Their playfulness and affection, how they bring Markus and Adam together.

Sadly it all got rather over dramatic in the second half with events piling on top of each other over the course of literally a couple days it was just way too much. The car crash, grief, burglary, lack of communication and just overall chaos was a lot.

Considering the length of the tale none of these moments were given enough time to be explored properly and took away from the romance for me. I lost interest and their relationship felt rushed in the end, with everything coming together suddenly.

Still I did love the ending, it was such a lovely happy ending. I'm weak to dancing, music and the feels were just perfect ✨


First times
Versatile

Injuries
Death of a parent from Cancer
Mentions of previous Conversion Therapy, Child abuse
Trauma

Robbery
Dog Bite

[Perusing The Pages]

Thank you to Christina Berry & The Author Agency for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Adam is a local firefighter & Markus has recently moved into town to reopen the Vet Clinic, these two meet when their respective furry friends tangle themselves and their dads together when out for a jog one morning and both dogs and humans alike feel an instant attraction they struggle to ignore.

This was my first book by this author and although it is book 3 in a interconnected stand alone series books 1&2 are MF and this is  MM) I never once felt lost within the story and i will be going back to read the previous two books in this series as I really enjoyed Christina's writing. Both MCs have trauma in their past that is briefly mentioned, and  Markus has a pretty rough time throughout this book. They say it comes in threes, right? But Adam is such a caretaker, and that aspect of his character really shines through. There were some really lovely found family moments, good humour and spice and I throughly enjoyed this read it was a great introduction to a new to me author who I'm looking forward to exploring more work from. 🌶🌶