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Copper County #1
The Pretenders of Copper County
It was supposed to be a straightforward protection job. Remove the target from Vermont, get him to the safehouse, keep him there until his mafia uncle testifies, get back in my employer’s good graces.
Boom, done. Easy.
But it turns out things get complicated real fast when your target is an adorkable, accident-prone cutie with a shockingly low sense of self-preservation, zero clue that he’s related to the Fromadgio crime boss, and 100% too much inclination to chat happily with strangers.
When Chris compromises our safehouse (and accidentally starts a “lowkey, unavoidable” bar fight), our only option is to go undercover… pretending to be campground hosts in Copper County, New York.
Make that married campground hosts. (Long story.)
Now I’m hiding out with a guy who’s obsessed with action-adventure shows and hand-knit sweaters, and whose most fearsome talent is arranging charcuterie boards, all of which is far less helpful in a gunfight than you might think.
And worst of all… the sweet little virgin I rescued is growing on me.
Somehow I find myself listening to his happy chatter when I should be watching the woods, trying to figure out how his mind works when I should be getting us out of this predicament, and appreciating the way he looks in my shirts when I should be focused on getting my career back on track.
But when the Fromadgios’ enemies finally find us, protecting Chris is no longer just a job. I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine… and there’s nothing pretend about it.
Boom, done. Easy.
But it turns out things get complicated real fast when your target is an adorkable, accident-prone cutie with a shockingly low sense of self-preservation, zero clue that he’s related to the Fromadgio crime boss, and 100% too much inclination to chat happily with strangers.
When Chris compromises our safehouse (and accidentally starts a “lowkey, unavoidable” bar fight), our only option is to go undercover… pretending to be campground hosts in Copper County, New York.
Make that married campground hosts. (Long story.)
Now I’m hiding out with a guy who’s obsessed with action-adventure shows and hand-knit sweaters, and whose most fearsome talent is arranging charcuterie boards, all of which is far less helpful in a gunfight than you might think.
And worst of all… the sweet little virgin I rescued is growing on me.
Somehow I find myself listening to his happy chatter when I should be watching the woods, trying to figure out how his mind works when I should be getting us out of this predicament, and appreciating the way he looks in my shirts when I should be focused on getting my career back on track.
But when the Fromadgios’ enemies finally find us, protecting Chris is no longer just a job. I’ll do anything to protect what’s mine… and there’s nothing pretend about it.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2024
853 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 278 reviews
October 12, 2024
3.5 stars
After my last read, I needed something light and fun, and this book was just that. I knew the storyline would be silly and completely unrealistic, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Especially the first half of the book.
I really liked Chris. He is so adorable and funny, and a genuinely lovely person. I didn't even mind how naive he can be. I liked Reed too, though I feel we didn't get to know him as good as Chris. This was definitely Chris's show.
Loved the author's writing style and humor in this one.
After my last read, I needed something light and fun, and this book was just that. I knew the storyline would be silly and completely unrealistic, but I enjoyed it more than I thought I would. Especially the first half of the book.
I really liked Chris. He is so adorable and funny, and a genuinely lovely person. I didn't even mind how naive he can be. I liked Reed too, though I feel we didn't get to know him as good as Chris. This was definitely Chris's show.
Loved the author's writing style and humor in this one.
September 26, 2024
For the first 60% or so, I couldn't stop laughing out loud every few minutes at Reed and Chris's "pickup" adventure. Chris's innocence, coupled with Reed's grumpiness, was comedic gold.
This was a very funny, very joyful book until the plot took a turn down ridiculous lane. I don't mind naive characters, but I do mind stupid ones. And Chris did some stupid, stupid things.
I wish Archer had shown some restraint here, but noooo. The final 30% (beginning with Chris emailing Uncle Danny and especially after Nicky shows up) was a hot mess. The story deteriorated into dumb and dumber.
Archer also couldn't help herself with the name dropping of previous MCs. I've read every Love in O'Leary and Sunday Brothers book and still couldn't keep up with the veritable parade of secondary characters.
Details: quaint small town setting (May Archer doesn't write anything else); distractible twink + secret service agent lumberjack; fake husband trope; forced proximity (one small cabin, one bed); slowish burn with moderate steam; HEA.
P.S. Reed is "tall and broad and bearded and plaid-flannel-shirted" with green eyes, while Chris is described as short and skinny with dark eyes and "enormous, thick-rimmed glasses." So who the hell is the dude on the cover supposed to be?
This was a very funny, very joyful book until the plot took a turn down ridiculous lane. I don't mind naive characters, but I do mind stupid ones. And Chris did some stupid, stupid things.
I wish Archer had shown some restraint here, but noooo. The final 30% (beginning with Chris emailing Uncle Danny and especially after Nicky shows up) was a hot mess. The story deteriorated into dumb and dumber.
Archer also couldn't help herself with the name dropping of previous MCs. I've read every Love in O'Leary and Sunday Brothers book and still couldn't keep up with the veritable parade of secondary characters.
Details: quaint small town setting (May Archer doesn't write anything else); distractible twink + secret service agent lumberjack; fake husband trope; forced proximity (one small cabin, one bed); slowish burn with moderate steam; HEA.
P.S. Reed is "tall and broad and bearded and plaid-flannel-shirted" with green eyes, while Chris is described as short and skinny with dark eyes and "enormous, thick-rimmed glasses." So who the hell is the dude on the cover supposed to be?
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November 19, 2024
The Pretenders of Copper County is book one in the Copper County series by May Archer. I’ve had this on my Kindle since it was released. I was pretty sure I was going to love it but I didn’t realize I would love it SO MUCH! Chris became one of my favorite characters EVER! He is the sweetest, cutest, most adorkable man and he has my whole heart!
Chris Winowski is twenty four years old. He is in Little Pippin Hollow, Vermont staying with a friend of his uncle’s, trying to find a way to fit in. But Chris is a bit of a dreamer. Meaning, he’ll tend to drift off into a fantasy at the most inopportune of times, usually with disastrous results. Chris might seem a bit naive, well, he was. He’s nervous and shy and awkward. But, let me assure you, as the book progresses, we realize that all it took for Chris to realize what he was really capable of was the right man.
Reed Sunday is thirty five years old and is a bodyguard for a company called The Division. His last job didn’t go well so he is considering himself lucky that he was called for this job. It should be easy. Pick up his protectee and go to the safe house and keep him safe. His designated protectee is the nephew of a crime boss who is in custody and has promised to testify against someone else. So until the trial, he needs to keep the nephew safe.
Things didn’t go quite as planned, though. There may have been a bit of a misunderstanding as to exactly “why” Reed was “picking up” Chris! And Reed might have thought Chris’s innocent act, claiming he knows nothing about his uncle being involved in anything illegal, was just that, an act! But the more time he spends with him, the more he realizes this is truly an innocent, honest, trusting, maybe a bit naive, beautiful man whose eyes could melt the coldest hearts. Including his own. He also soon realizes that Chris has quite the talent for not only finding trouble, but also, for making just about everyone fall in love with him. And Chris realizes that he isn’t weak at all. With Reed, he starts to see himself as capable of so much more than he ever realized.
These two together were amazingly adorable. And just about every rule of bodyguard/protectee went right out the window because Reed could not help himself. And when trouble came calling, Reed would do whatever it took to keep Chris safe.
Have I mentioned how much I loved Chris?! He made my heart all soft and squishy! I loved the impact he had on everyone he met. And I loved watching his self confidence grow! This was just a wonderful, heart warming book and now I can’t wait for the next one, book two, The Rivals of Copper County.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Chris Winowski is twenty four years old. He is in Little Pippin Hollow, Vermont staying with a friend of his uncle’s, trying to find a way to fit in. But Chris is a bit of a dreamer. Meaning, he’ll tend to drift off into a fantasy at the most inopportune of times, usually with disastrous results. Chris might seem a bit naive, well, he was. He’s nervous and shy and awkward. But, let me assure you, as the book progresses, we realize that all it took for Chris to realize what he was really capable of was the right man.
Reed Sunday is thirty five years old and is a bodyguard for a company called The Division. His last job didn’t go well so he is considering himself lucky that he was called for this job. It should be easy. Pick up his protectee and go to the safe house and keep him safe. His designated protectee is the nephew of a crime boss who is in custody and has promised to testify against someone else. So until the trial, he needs to keep the nephew safe.
Things didn’t go quite as planned, though. There may have been a bit of a misunderstanding as to exactly “why” Reed was “picking up” Chris! And Reed might have thought Chris’s innocent act, claiming he knows nothing about his uncle being involved in anything illegal, was just that, an act! But the more time he spends with him, the more he realizes this is truly an innocent, honest, trusting, maybe a bit naive, beautiful man whose eyes could melt the coldest hearts. Including his own. He also soon realizes that Chris has quite the talent for not only finding trouble, but also, for making just about everyone fall in love with him. And Chris realizes that he isn’t weak at all. With Reed, he starts to see himself as capable of so much more than he ever realized.
These two together were amazingly adorable. And just about every rule of bodyguard/protectee went right out the window because Reed could not help himself. And when trouble came calling, Reed would do whatever it took to keep Chris safe.
Have I mentioned how much I loved Chris?! He made my heart all soft and squishy! I loved the impact he had on everyone he met. And I loved watching his self confidence grow! This was just a wonderful, heart warming book and now I can’t wait for the next one, book two, The Rivals of Copper County.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
October 1, 2024
I honestly found myself getting frustrated at how stupid and naive Chris was. To the point where I kinda wanted to stop reading, but it was like a car crash you can't look away from?
Reed is definitely my least favourite Sunday brother - we barely find out anything about him, we only see one interaction with his family, and his entire job just felt off.
The whole crime families with a rivalry and the protective custody thing also felt ridiculously far fetched and I just couldn't connect to these characters at all.
My favourite thing was probably the endless talk about charcuterie boards 😂
Hopefully the next book is better!
Reed is definitely my least favourite Sunday brother - we barely find out anything about him, we only see one interaction with his family, and his entire job just felt off.
The whole crime families with a rivalry and the protective custody thing also felt ridiculously far fetched and I just couldn't connect to these characters at all.
My favourite thing was probably the endless talk about charcuterie boards 😂
Hopefully the next book is better!
April 12, 2025
is it me, or does stories not be as good the closer we get to o’leary? because this one started out perfectly when we were in the hollow and close to it but then…..
it is still a fun read if you want something cute and fun and unrealistic that borders on ridiculous by the end. also, insta love but it works or just be ignored.
It’s about the -sadly- final Sunday brother “super spy reed” and his protectee, though I strongly hope we get Webb’s kid story someday.
it is still a fun read if you want something cute and fun and unrealistic that borders on ridiculous by the end. also, insta love but it works or just be ignored.
It’s about the -sadly- final Sunday brother “super spy reed” and his protectee, though I strongly hope we get Webb’s kid story someday.
October 19, 2024
Is it one the best books I’ve read this year? Definitely no.
Did I have a blast with reading it? Definitely!
May Archer is the uncrowned queen of quirky small town romances. It’s not high literature, but it’s usually a lot of fun, even if you have to be in the mud for it, and you need to suspend your disbelief.
This time, we have Reed, one of the Sunday brothers (there’s a series full of them), the elusive one we already suspect he’s not the boring accountant his family believes. And Chris, the sheltered nephew of Danny “The Cheese” Formaggio, a mobster who made a deal with the government and who - as part of that deal - wants his nephew protected from another mob family.
So Reed is assigned to Chris (who didn’t know his uncle is a baddie) and whisks him away to a safe house.
There are SO MANY ridiculous misunderstandings, so many funny situations, it’s like watching an old fashioned screwball comedy. And I had fun, I even laughed out loud while listening to the audiobook (he’s never going to be one of my favourites, but Michael Dean has grown on me for a certain kind of books).
There are some cameos from couples from other books, but it’s not overwhelming like in the CU Sadenverse books. I had a great time, that’s why I’ll rate it with generous 4 stars.
Definitely picking up the next book, too - I’m always there for more mature characters who led a more out less straight life before the right man wanders (back?) into their lives 😍
Did I have a blast with reading it? Definitely!
May Archer is the uncrowned queen of quirky small town romances. It’s not high literature, but it’s usually a lot of fun, even if you have to be in the mud for it, and you need to suspend your disbelief.
This time, we have Reed, one of the Sunday brothers (there’s a series full of them), the elusive one we already suspect he’s not the boring accountant his family believes. And Chris, the sheltered nephew of Danny “The Cheese” Formaggio, a mobster who made a deal with the government and who - as part of that deal - wants his nephew protected from another mob family.
So Reed is assigned to Chris (who didn’t know his uncle is a baddie) and whisks him away to a safe house.
There are SO MANY ridiculous misunderstandings, so many funny situations, it’s like watching an old fashioned screwball comedy. And I had fun, I even laughed out loud while listening to the audiobook (he’s never going to be one of my favourites, but Michael Dean has grown on me for a certain kind of books).
There are some cameos from couples from other books, but it’s not overwhelming like in the CU Sadenverse books. I had a great time, that’s why I’ll rate it with generous 4 stars.
Definitely picking up the next book, too - I’m always there for more mature characters who led a more out less straight life before the right man wanders (back?) into their lives 😍
September 14, 2024
This might be my favourite May Archer romance yet!
I've been dying for the elusive Reed Sunday to get his story and now we do and what an absolute humdinger it is too!
This book had a smile on my face from the off and it just got better the more it went on, with some literal laugh out loud moments that had me almost crying because it just tickled me so much.
Chris is such a character, he's naive to the point of childlike innocence and Reed's got his work cut out not only to try and keep him safe, but also to convince him he's in danger in the first place.
No spoilers but this book just ticked every one of my boxes for what I'd hoped I'd get from Reed's story. He's closed off, he's grumpy, he's alienated from the rest of his family in Little Pippin Hollow because he can't tell them the truth - that he really is a secret agent!
But when he and Chris end up in another small town with all the same kind of vibes as his home, he can't understand why he doesn't feel the same level of disquiet with everyone knowing each other's business or looking out for the community.
Might it have something to do with the fact that everyone loves Chris because he's such a ray of sunshine?!
The fake husbands/forced proximity tropes are used to great effect by May in this narrative and I just couldn't stop myself from cheering each time Reed gets another brick in his wall broken down by the folks of Copper County.
With excellent cameos from Knox and Gage and a promise of more to come, this one's gone right on the favourites list.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Give Me Books, I am voluntarily leaving a review
I've been dying for the elusive Reed Sunday to get his story and now we do and what an absolute humdinger it is too!
This book had a smile on my face from the off and it just got better the more it went on, with some literal laugh out loud moments that had me almost crying because it just tickled me so much.
Chris is such a character, he's naive to the point of childlike innocence and Reed's got his work cut out not only to try and keep him safe, but also to convince him he's in danger in the first place.
No spoilers but this book just ticked every one of my boxes for what I'd hoped I'd get from Reed's story. He's closed off, he's grumpy, he's alienated from the rest of his family in Little Pippin Hollow because he can't tell them the truth - that he really is a secret agent!
But when he and Chris end up in another small town with all the same kind of vibes as his home, he can't understand why he doesn't feel the same level of disquiet with everyone knowing each other's business or looking out for the community.
Might it have something to do with the fact that everyone loves Chris because he's such a ray of sunshine?!
The fake husbands/forced proximity tropes are used to great effect by May in this narrative and I just couldn't stop myself from cheering each time Reed gets another brick in his wall broken down by the folks of Copper County.
With excellent cameos from Knox and Gage and a promise of more to come, this one's gone right on the favourites list.
#ARC kindly received from the author via Give Me Books, I am voluntarily leaving a review
October 5, 2024
4**** stars
Another Sunday brother opening up this new series. And Reed’s and Chris’ story was pretty entertaining. Looking forward to the next one.
Maybe I’m it’s even time I’m visiting Reed’s brothers to get all of their stories too.
************
Copper County Series
Book 1 - The Pretenders of Copper County - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - The Rivals of Copper County - TBR release 11/24
Companion - The Stargazers of Copper Counter
Another Sunday brother opening up this new series. And Reed’s and Chris’ story was pretty entertaining. Looking forward to the next one.
Maybe I’m it’s even time I’m visiting Reed’s brothers to get all of their stories too.
************
Copper County Series
Book 1 - The Pretenders of Copper County - 4.0 stars
Book 2 - The Rivals of Copper County - TBR release 11/24
Companion - The Stargazers of Copper Counter
October 2, 2024
Okay, I first need to get something off my chest, before I’ll dive into the review. Who the actual flying FUCK is the guy on the cover supposed to be?! I legit LOATHE the fact that so many publishers slather like, completely random models on the covers who have no resemblance whatsoever to the characters in the book?!? If you give a detailed description of their looks and talk about their ‘dark hair’ and ‘green eyes’ and ‘beard’ or ‘thick glasses’ on every other page, then WHYYY not choose a fitting cover model?! It can’t be that hard? Ugh, that’s such a pet peeve of mine 🙄
Okay, now that this rant is over, let’s talk about the book: I freaking loved it 🥰
I legit laughed my fucking ass off for the first 30% of the book at the ‘pick up situation’ and fell utterly in love with Chris and all his antics. Yeees, he’s naive and acts a little dumb sometimes but I just couldn’t help myself when he was such a hecking (iykyk) ADORABLE, SWEET SUNSHINE. And Reed’s overprotective, grumpy, totally-smitten-and-grumbling-about-it shtick really did it for me.
Add in the small town charm that May Archer writes best, a well done close proximity/fake husband trope and lovely cameos of the Sunday bros (and O’Learians, but we don’t really like to talk about them too much) and I’m a happy camper.
I wished for a little more of Reed and his story, and a little less of Chris’ greenness, but can’t deny that this book made me smile from ear to ear, laugh out loud and made my heart feel warm. And that’s what it’s all about, innit?
4,5⭐️
‘He fixed my glasses for me so they sat just right on my face, and then he kissed me long and slow and deep, until our every gasp became a promise, our every sigh an affirmation that we were seen and known and loved. That we were home.’ 😭💕
Okay, now that this rant is over, let’s talk about the book: I freaking loved it 🥰
I legit laughed my fucking ass off for the first 30% of the book at the ‘pick up situation’ and fell utterly in love with Chris and all his antics. Yeees, he’s naive and acts a little dumb sometimes but I just couldn’t help myself when he was such a hecking (iykyk) ADORABLE, SWEET SUNSHINE. And Reed’s overprotective, grumpy, totally-smitten-and-grumbling-about-it shtick really did it for me.
Add in the small town charm that May Archer writes best, a well done close proximity/fake husband trope and lovely cameos of the Sunday bros (and O’Learians, but we don’t really like to talk about them too much) and I’m a happy camper.
I wished for a little more of Reed and his story, and a little less of Chris’ greenness, but can’t deny that this book made me smile from ear to ear, laugh out loud and made my heart feel warm. And that’s what it’s all about, innit?
4,5⭐️
‘He fixed my glasses for me so they sat just right on my face, and then he kissed me long and slow and deep, until our every gasp became a promise, our every sigh an affirmation that we were seen and known and loved. That we were home.’ 😭💕
September 4, 2025
Stop! Apparently there is a prequel novella to this series that intros Copper County. It involves Theo Ross and I am not to sure who else. Appears to be an age gap MM romance. It isn’t in KU so I am unable to read it. Amazon doesn’t list it as part of the series directly, it does show up under the authors name. It’s called Stargazers of Copper County. Update: as of Sept. 3, 2025 I now see Stargazers Of Copper County in Kindle Unlimited. The other male character’s name is Bennett apparently.
Thoughts as of 38%:
The cover isn’t either of the main characters.
This book is a tad confusing in the beginning if you haven’t read the Sunday Brothers stories.
This should have been a part of the Sunday Brothers series.
Chris is so sheltered and naive it’s almost unbelievable which also leads him to being annoying and unlikable.
The repetitive use of the following phrases is anger inducing- Powers that Be, High-key, and Low-key.
I hate the replacement of cussing with stupid filler words. “Hecking” sounds idiotic. Just write the character without these if they don’t use curse words. It makes Chris, who is 25!, sound even more childish.
Stop with the John Ruffian tv show references. I can’t take any more of them. How does Chris function in the world? He is again apparently 25?!
FYI- Chris is a virgin and I have no idea how old Reed Sunday is at this point.
Finished (barely)-
Big lull in the story around 50% until about 70%? During this lull there wasn’t any low key, high key, Powers that Be, and hecking. That was great.
Well the Powers that Be, “hecking,” and keying have returned. Oof. Did two different people actually write this book?
Still didn’t care for Chris. I don’t want to hear anymore about charcuterie boards or John Ruffian. The naïveté of Chris was so frustrating to me. Oh references to fresh language as curse words, make it stop.
I didn’t laugh once or find anything particularly humorous in this story. Not sure what other reviewers are talking about.
Am now wondering if a reader should read the O’Leary series first before this as well as the Sunday series. I did feel like I was missing out on who these people in O’Leary were.
I don’t recommend this as a first read to any reader new to this author. This is my least favorite May Archer story.
I am looking forward to Watt’s story, but in the preview the phrase “oh my hecking” was used by a woman. Dear Lord I don’t know if I can do more of that. It’s horrible.
Thoughts as of 38%:
The cover isn’t either of the main characters.
This book is a tad confusing in the beginning if you haven’t read the Sunday Brothers stories.
This should have been a part of the Sunday Brothers series.
Chris is so sheltered and naive it’s almost unbelievable which also leads him to being annoying and unlikable.
The repetitive use of the following phrases is anger inducing- Powers that Be, High-key, and Low-key.
I hate the replacement of cussing with stupid filler words. “Hecking” sounds idiotic. Just write the character without these if they don’t use curse words. It makes Chris, who is 25!, sound even more childish.
Stop with the John Ruffian tv show references. I can’t take any more of them. How does Chris function in the world? He is again apparently 25?!
FYI- Chris is a virgin and I have no idea how old Reed Sunday is at this point.
Finished (barely)-
Big lull in the story around 50% until about 70%? During this lull there wasn’t any low key, high key, Powers that Be, and hecking. That was great.
Well the Powers that Be, “hecking,” and keying have returned. Oof. Did two different people actually write this book?
Still didn’t care for Chris. I don’t want to hear anymore about charcuterie boards or John Ruffian. The naïveté of Chris was so frustrating to me. Oh references to fresh language as curse words, make it stop.
I didn’t laugh once or find anything particularly humorous in this story. Not sure what other reviewers are talking about.
Am now wondering if a reader should read the O’Leary series first before this as well as the Sunday series. I did feel like I was missing out on who these people in O’Leary were.
I don’t recommend this as a first read to any reader new to this author. This is my least favorite May Archer story.
I am looking forward to Watt’s story, but in the preview the phrase “oh my hecking” was used by a woman. Dear Lord I don’t know if I can do more of that. It’s horrible.
September 27, 2024
⭐︎
4.5 stars rounded up!
⭐︎
Read in a buddy read with the always lovely Lilly ❤️
What a fun new story introduced in the May Archer universe, as it were.
One of the most elusive Sunday brothers, Reed, finally gets a book in this launch to a new series, the Copper County series.
Set not too far from the town of O'Leary (the characters who live in Copper County actually have go to O'Leary to get any supplies, since Copper County is even smaller than O'Leary), this new small town has a fresh batch of gay or bi men to fall in love with each other.
Chris, our other MC, has been in Little Pippin Hollow for about the last 6 months or so while his Uncle Danny is apparently in a remote place in Alaska, fishing.
Chris, we come to learn, is a lot naive. Mainly because he grew up very sheltered, and very lied to by his mob boss uncle, who he never knew to be a mob boss.
Because Chris is a very sweet, kind, gentle man. He believes in the best of people, and gives people the benefit of the doubt. He's very interested in designing charcuterie boards, and loves a tv show about John Ruffian. He's a pretty rare person indeed.
Who also happens to be related to some pretty bad people, and Reed Sunday doesn't work for some firm in Washington or whatever it is he told his family, but for an agency in the government called Division, where agents protect people in most likely high profile cases.
Reed is assigned to protect Chris, only Chris was never debriefed, it was all pretty last minute, and Chris has no idea that he even needs to be protected. In fact, he gets in the car with Reed because his boss told him to try to be more adventurous, and he's a virgin and he doesn't want to be anymore, and Reed is a part of the Sunday family, which has a good reputation around town, and Reed is a very handsome, sexy, gruff man who seems to be "picking him up" for a good time.
Of course there's hilarious miscommunication for a short bit, and then hilarity ensues as Chris doesn't think he's the guy Reed needs to be protecting, that his Uncle isn't this scary mob guy. It isn't the Danny he knows.
But when their first safe house is seemingly compromised, they have to head to a different one - and this one happens to be in Copper County, upper state New York, right next to O'Leary. And when Reed's friend, who set up the safe house for him and Chris, tells his cousin who lives in Copper Country that Reed and Chris are married, they have to pretend to be husbands for a time. Not that it takes that long for them to start to form a real relationship anyway 😉
One might say the romance happens quickly between these two, but I didn't mind it. Their chemistry was good and it felt believable that feelings would happen that quickly, especially on Chris' end.
My only reason, actually, for .5 stars off was that this wasn't as spicy as I would have liked. It was pretty lowkey, mild spice on the sex. I definitely wished for more, and it was a bit of a let down overall. Not that these two weren't hot together when it actually focused on sex, but the problem was it wasn't as much as I would have liked, and it glossed over it at times too. It wasn't as detailed with penetrative sex as I would have liked as well.
Everything else was very well done, it just kinda skimped on the sex, unfortunately.
But otherwise, this was just a fun time.
The plot, while a bit silly near the end, fit with the rest of the story. And with who Chris is as a character, his actions made sense, and it didn't make sense to me if he behaved any differently. We get Chris' characterization early on in this, and if he were to change to some crazy badass, ready to kill someone to save himself out of nowhere, it wouldn't have made a lick of sense to me. So seeing some others say that he was "dumb" at the end was silly to me. It was totally in line with his character, what happens at the end.
And yeah, the mob plays a part in this, but it isn't the focus. Neither Reed or Chris are mafiosos, and that world barely touches them, so I really wasn't expecting more than we got.
Also, if you know this author by now, you know she's generally a fairly fluffy writer. Her stories are never too angsty.
I also saw a complaint about this author having all her stories set in small towns and...well, idk it's pretty clear that's what she likes to write, she's written 3 full series in small towns, so why is anyone surprised at this point?
So I definitely recommend this, Lilly and I both adored this book. Can't wait for Watt's story next, I'm sure it'll be just as fun.
Onto the next! 😍
Read in a buddy read with the always lovely Lilly ❤️
What a fun new story introduced in the May Archer universe, as it were.
One of the most elusive Sunday brothers, Reed, finally gets a book in this launch to a new series, the Copper County series.
Set not too far from the town of O'Leary (the characters who live in Copper County actually have go to O'Leary to get any supplies, since Copper County is even smaller than O'Leary), this new small town has a fresh batch of gay or bi men to fall in love with each other.
Chris, our other MC, has been in Little Pippin Hollow for about the last 6 months or so while his Uncle Danny is apparently in a remote place in Alaska, fishing.
Chris, we come to learn, is a lot naive. Mainly because he grew up very sheltered, and very lied to by his mob boss uncle, who he never knew to be a mob boss.
Because Chris is a very sweet, kind, gentle man. He believes in the best of people, and gives people the benefit of the doubt. He's very interested in designing charcuterie boards, and loves a tv show about John Ruffian. He's a pretty rare person indeed.
Who also happens to be related to some pretty bad people, and Reed Sunday doesn't work for some firm in Washington or whatever it is he told his family, but for an agency in the government called Division, where agents protect people in most likely high profile cases.
Reed is assigned to protect Chris, only Chris was never debriefed, it was all pretty last minute, and Chris has no idea that he even needs to be protected. In fact, he gets in the car with Reed because his boss told him to try to be more adventurous, and he's a virgin and he doesn't want to be anymore, and Reed is a part of the Sunday family, which has a good reputation around town, and Reed is a very handsome, sexy, gruff man who seems to be "picking him up" for a good time.
Of course there's hilarious miscommunication for a short bit, and then hilarity ensues as Chris doesn't think he's the guy Reed needs to be protecting, that his Uncle isn't this scary mob guy. It isn't the Danny he knows.
But when their first safe house is seemingly compromised, they have to head to a different one - and this one happens to be in Copper County, upper state New York, right next to O'Leary. And when Reed's friend, who set up the safe house for him and Chris, tells his cousin who lives in Copper Country that Reed and Chris are married, they have to pretend to be husbands for a time. Not that it takes that long for them to start to form a real relationship anyway 😉
One might say the romance happens quickly between these two, but I didn't mind it. Their chemistry was good and it felt believable that feelings would happen that quickly, especially on Chris' end.
My only reason, actually, for .5 stars off was that this wasn't as spicy as I would have liked. It was pretty lowkey, mild spice on the sex. I definitely wished for more, and it was a bit of a let down overall. Not that these two weren't hot together when it actually focused on sex, but the problem was it wasn't as much as I would have liked, and it glossed over it at times too. It wasn't as detailed with penetrative sex as I would have liked as well.
Everything else was very well done, it just kinda skimped on the sex, unfortunately.
But otherwise, this was just a fun time.
The plot, while a bit silly near the end, fit with the rest of the story. And with who Chris is as a character, his actions made sense, and it didn't make sense to me if he behaved any differently. We get Chris' characterization early on in this, and if he were to change to some crazy badass, ready to kill someone to save himself out of nowhere, it wouldn't have made a lick of sense to me. So seeing some others say that he was "dumb" at the end was silly to me. It was totally in line with his character, what happens at the end.
And yeah, the mob plays a part in this, but it isn't the focus. Neither Reed or Chris are mafiosos, and that world barely touches them, so I really wasn't expecting more than we got.
Also, if you know this author by now, you know she's generally a fairly fluffy writer. Her stories are never too angsty.
I also saw a complaint about this author having all her stories set in small towns and...well, idk it's pretty clear that's what she likes to write, she's written 3 full series in small towns, so why is anyone surprised at this point?
So I definitely recommend this, Lilly and I both adored this book. Can't wait for Watt's story next, I'm sure it'll be just as fun.
Onto the next! 😍
October 20, 2024
Forgettable & I read this only two days ago.,
January 8, 2025
I did overall enjoy this, and I always love a camping/campground setting idk why. Also I am such a big fan of May Archers weird quirky small towns (even if she over does it a bit at times).
I'm usually a fan of the himbo "too stupid to live type characters" but at times I found Chris to be a bit too sheltered and naive. At times it made it feel like he wasn't mature enough for a relationship, and made the romance a bit imbalanced I guess. But ignoring that, it was a good book overall. A lot of crossover with the O'Leary series which was also a bit much at times.
I'm usually a fan of the himbo "too stupid to live type characters" but at times I found Chris to be a bit too sheltered and naive. At times it made it feel like he wasn't mature enough for a relationship, and made the romance a bit imbalanced I guess. But ignoring that, it was a good book overall. A lot of crossover with the O'Leary series which was also a bit much at times.
September 24, 2024
Frickin cute.
June 26, 2025
3+
Przez długi czas myślałam, że będzie 5 gwiazdek - przez dłuższą chwilę była to klasyczna komedia pomyłek, uśmiałam się naprawdę nieźle 😁 Bardzo polubiłam Chrisa - pomimo tego, że był w sumie nieśmiały, że nie miał przyjaciół, żadnych interakcji z innymi ludźmi, to jednak chciał widzieć w ludziach to, co najlepsze. To nie była naiwność, on po prostu taki był.
Ale kiedy autorka stwierdziła, że najwyższy czas wątek sensacyjny przenieść na wyższy poziom, to zrobiła z niego patentowanego, naiwnego głupka - i absolutnie mi się to nie podobało 🫤 Bo naprawdę ciągle go lubiłam 🫤 Zastanawiałam się, czy zaokrąglić w górę, czy w dół - zdecydowałam się w górę, bo jednak w sumie dobrze mi się czytało, ale może czasami warto przemyśleć, jak świetnego bohatera poprowadzić...
Dodatkowo - w cholerę było bohaterów innych serii, które czytałam lata temu - musiałam sobie sprawdzać, z której serii kto jest i o co chodziło, co mnie trochę wkurzyło, bo chyba nie o to chodzi, żebym się zastanawiała nad bohaterami drugo-, trzecioplanowymi czy wręcz statystami, którzy gdzieś tam kiedyś się pojawili w jakiejś serii... To rozpraszało 🫤
I okładka - ostatnio takich jest sporo. Fajna, luzik, tylko może by w jakikolwiek sposób odnosiła się do treści??? Bo to, że chłopak fajny, nic nie oznacza, bo też nie ma nic wspólnego z treścią książki 👀
Przez długi czas myślałam, że będzie 5 gwiazdek - przez dłuższą chwilę była to klasyczna komedia pomyłek, uśmiałam się naprawdę nieźle 😁 Bardzo polubiłam Chrisa - pomimo tego, że był w sumie nieśmiały, że nie miał przyjaciół, żadnych interakcji z innymi ludźmi, to jednak chciał widzieć w ludziach to, co najlepsze. To nie była naiwność, on po prostu taki był.
Ale kiedy autorka stwierdziła, że najwyższy czas wątek sensacyjny przenieść na wyższy poziom, to zrobiła z niego patentowanego, naiwnego głupka - i absolutnie mi się to nie podobało 🫤 Bo naprawdę ciągle go lubiłam 🫤 Zastanawiałam się, czy zaokrąglić w górę, czy w dół - zdecydowałam się w górę, bo jednak w sumie dobrze mi się czytało, ale może czasami warto przemyśleć, jak świetnego bohatera poprowadzić...
Dodatkowo - w cholerę było bohaterów innych serii, które czytałam lata temu - musiałam sobie sprawdzać, z której serii kto jest i o co chodziło, co mnie trochę wkurzyło, bo chyba nie o to chodzi, żebym się zastanawiała nad bohaterami drugo-, trzecioplanowymi czy wręcz statystami, którzy gdzieś tam kiedyś się pojawili w jakiejś serii... To rozpraszało 🫤
I okładka - ostatnio takich jest sporo. Fajna, luzik, tylko może by w jakikolwiek sposób odnosiła się do treści??? Bo to, że chłopak fajny, nic nie oznacza, bo też nie ma nic wspólnego z treścią książki 👀
May 18, 2025
Loved it!
Chris is as innocent as they come, and he is totally unaware that his uncle is the head of a crime family. Reed is the agent assigned to protect Chris, but he falls for Chris faster than he thinks. What the two of them go through had me laughing at times and eager to see what happens next. It's a reread for me.
Chris is as innocent as they come, and he is totally unaware that his uncle is the head of a crime family. Reed is the agent assigned to protect Chris, but he falls for Chris faster than he thinks. What the two of them go through had me laughing at times and eager to see what happens next. It's a reread for me.
December 25, 2024
if you told me i’d actually properly hate this i wouldn’t have believed you
November 9, 2025
This is two 5 star books in a row. I can’t remember when that happened before. I have to admit that Chris could be a little thick, but just like he did for Reed he grew on me. I’m afraid that if I sat much more I’ll be giving away plot points. In fact, I erased an entire paragraph when I realized it might be full of spoilers. So I’ll just say that if you’re a fan of May Archer and her crazy small town stories then I highly recommend reading this book. I had so much fun.
I do want to point out that I listened to this book. Michael Dean was incredible as always. In fact, at one point I thought if I were reading this Chris’s rambling might get on my nerves. Michael made it cute.
I do want to point out that I listened to this book. Michael Dean was incredible as always. In fact, at one point I thought if I were reading this Chris’s rambling might get on my nerves. Michael made it cute.
October 6, 2025
4 very sweet stars :)
Exactly what I needed right now as I was going through some serious family issues. Right dose of sweetness, humor, lovable MCs, sex... everything was just right.
Exactly what I needed right now as I was going through some serious family issues. Right dose of sweetness, humor, lovable MCs, sex... everything was just right.
October 6, 2024
There’s so many flaws here but I enjoyed it so much and that’s all I can ask for :) the first bit was absolutely hilarious and it floundered a bit in the end but whatever. At this point I’m just so happy to read something that held my attention.
Also, I didn’t want to include it in my review cuz lots of others did but it’s driving me insane. Who’s on the cover? Is it supposed to be Watt? Ahhahaha
Also, I didn’t want to include it in my review cuz lots of others did but it’s driving me insane. Who’s on the cover? Is it supposed to be Watt? Ahhahaha
October 9, 2024
2.50 ⭐️⭐️
I don’t know why, but I didn’t click with this. The personalities of both Chris and Reed were too cliche for me to enjoy. Like I love May’s books and know there is a classic, formulaic writing style to her romcoms so I know what I’m getting, but this felt more like a L-cy L-nnox book 😬 Like the growling big burly man and small naive “hecking” virgin was a little eye-roll inducing. Maybe I was just in a bad mood idk 😂
Anyway, I’ll be reading the next book for sure!
I don’t know why, but I didn’t click with this. The personalities of both Chris and Reed were too cliche for me to enjoy. Like I love May’s books and know there is a classic, formulaic writing style to her romcoms so I know what I’m getting, but this felt more like a L-cy L-nnox book 😬 Like the growling big burly man and small naive “hecking” virgin was a little eye-roll inducing. Maybe I was just in a bad mood idk 😂
Anyway, I’ll be reading the next book for sure!
October 13, 2024
Nope, love the premise but...nope
Have you ever spent an enforced time period with an extra chatty five year old? Run on thoughts, check. Lack of direction, check. Unwelcome verbal tangents, double check. At several points I would have gladly shot the main character myself if only it would shut him up.
This book wasn't fun it was , eh, exhausting.
Have you ever spent an enforced time period with an extra chatty five year old? Run on thoughts, check. Lack of direction, check. Unwelcome verbal tangents, double check. At several points I would have gladly shot the main character myself if only it would shut him up.
This book wasn't fun it was , eh, exhausting.
March 20, 2025
This was a fun read. Very funny banter and great chemistry. Chris was cute (although I didn’t quite understand how he could be a complete clutch one minute and a great handyman the next), and Reed was a lovely grump. The suspense was a bit too easy, I guessed the plot already after 10% into the book, and the outcome with Bob and Dorothy was way too coincidental.
And the whole virgin thing was a bit too hyped up too, especially since it didn’t play a role at all in any of the smutty scenes following that.
Still four stars though because I had a great time reading it. Would recommend but probably won’t reread.
And the whole virgin thing was a bit too hyped up too, especially since it didn’t play a role at all in any of the smutty scenes following that.
Still four stars though because I had a great time reading it. Would recommend but probably won’t reread.
October 14, 2024
3.5 stars
September 25, 2024
Heartwarming and Funny 😊
A heartwarming, light-hearted romance that will make you smile, and laugh throughout. The beginning of the story can only be described as rocking the whole, 'Oh what a tangled web we weave' vibe. It's hecking hilarious 😂
The story really is charming. It follows the unlikely pairing of the kind-hearted, optimistic Chris and a gruff, brooding bodyguard, Reed.
Cinnamon bun extrordinaire, Chris is a ray of sunshine, bringing warmth and joy to everyone he encounters. His infectious positivity and unwavering belief in the goodness of people is so endearing, everyone he meets falls under his spell. Reed Sunday, (of Sunday Brothers fame), on the other hand, is a man of few words, and trusts no one, initially not even the adorable Chris. Gradually though, Reed begins to thaw under the influence of cinnamon bun Chris' gentle spirit. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable. Their contrasting personalities creates a lovely dynamic that keeps the story engaging and entertaining. It's obvious from the word go that the two fancy one another, and as they navigate the challenges they face, their love for each other grows deeper, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion. More than anything, this is a delightful escape from the everyday. Its charming characters, heartwarming story, and touch of humour make it a must-read for fans of romantic fiction. If you're looking for a feel-good book that will leave you with a smile, this is it.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
A heartwarming, light-hearted romance that will make you smile, and laugh throughout. The beginning of the story can only be described as rocking the whole, 'Oh what a tangled web we weave' vibe. It's hecking hilarious 😂
The story really is charming. It follows the unlikely pairing of the kind-hearted, optimistic Chris and a gruff, brooding bodyguard, Reed.
Cinnamon bun extrordinaire, Chris is a ray of sunshine, bringing warmth and joy to everyone he encounters. His infectious positivity and unwavering belief in the goodness of people is so endearing, everyone he meets falls under his spell. Reed Sunday, (of Sunday Brothers fame), on the other hand, is a man of few words, and trusts no one, initially not even the adorable Chris. Gradually though, Reed begins to thaw under the influence of cinnamon bun Chris' gentle spirit. The chemistry between the two of them is undeniable. Their contrasting personalities creates a lovely dynamic that keeps the story engaging and entertaining. It's obvious from the word go that the two fancy one another, and as they navigate the challenges they face, their love for each other grows deeper, culminating in a satisfying and heartwarming conclusion. More than anything, this is a delightful escape from the everyday. Its charming characters, heartwarming story, and touch of humour make it a must-read for fans of romantic fiction. If you're looking for a feel-good book that will leave you with a smile, this is it.
I received an ARC of this story, which in no way influenced my opinion.
November 6, 2025
I laughed so much; their banter was hilarious. Reed Sunday had always been a mystery, and in this book we finally know why. Even if this is a book about a Sunday brother, it detaches itself from the series and it's the start of a brand new small town romance series set in the lovely Copper County that, as described, is not small, it's tiny. Tiny town romance. It's located near O'Leary so if you've read May's series set there, you'll get all the cameos!
The Pretenders of Copper County is a fake marriage small town romance where a grumpy lumberjacky agent is charged to protect the most adorable charcuterie specialist who you've already heard about if you read Cherry Picked. Reed is as grumpy as his big brothers; he is a 35yo special agent who has kept his working life a secret from his family, overprotective, shows caveman jealousy signs which our Chris is oblivious about, and who, beneath all the grunts that Chris learns to interpret, is a cuddly teddy bear. As much as I loved Reed, big, tall, hairy, BIG Reed, I freaking adored Chris. His love for an action tv show with over the top unbelievable scenes was just adorable, and his charcuterie expertise charmed me and every single inhabitant of Copper County and O'Leary, much to Reed's chagrin who kept asking himself why every single queer man was gorgeous and why were all instantly bffs with his fake husband. I also loved how Reed just couldn't resist Chris's charm and he just gave up and gave in, and Chris was definitely not complaining to have the hot big lumberjacky Reed worshipping his body and caring for him like nobody has ever done before. It was such a sweet and funny story.
I just love small towns because gossips and news just travel fastest than light, and it leads to hilarious situations.
Love love love!!
The Pretenders of Copper County is a fake marriage small town romance where a grumpy lumberjacky agent is charged to protect the most adorable charcuterie specialist who you've already heard about if you read Cherry Picked. Reed is as grumpy as his big brothers; he is a 35yo special agent who has kept his working life a secret from his family, overprotective, shows caveman jealousy signs which our Chris is oblivious about, and who, beneath all the grunts that Chris learns to interpret, is a cuddly teddy bear. As much as I loved Reed, big, tall, hairy, BIG Reed, I freaking adored Chris. His love for an action tv show with over the top unbelievable scenes was just adorable, and his charcuterie expertise charmed me and every single inhabitant of Copper County and O'Leary, much to Reed's chagrin who kept asking himself why every single queer man was gorgeous and why were all instantly bffs with his fake husband. I also loved how Reed just couldn't resist Chris's charm and he just gave up and gave in, and Chris was definitely not complaining to have the hot big lumberjacky Reed worshipping his body and caring for him like nobody has ever done before. It was such a sweet and funny story.
I just love small towns because gossips and news just travel fastest than light, and it leads to hilarious situations.
Love love love!!
December 20, 2024
Reed et Chris avec un Culomètre à 🍑/+18
MAIS QUEL PLAISIR de retrouver May Archer et surtout, un nouveau Sunday ! Cette saga s'annonce encore épique !
Chris travaille dans le bar de Little Pine depuis six mois et est là sans être là. Son oncle l'a envoyé dans la ville pour qu'il se découvre et s'ouvre mais il reste encore timide et maladroit. Quand Van le patron, lui impose de sortir, se faire des amis et plus si affinité, il ne pensait pas se faire kidnapper pour finir à la tête d'un camping à Copper Country avec le sexy Reed.
J'ai un GROS faible pour les protagonistes timides et un peu à côté de la plaque comme Chris, donc j'ai mis deux chapitres avant d'être sûre de mettre cinq étoiles. Qui, à part lui, pourrait embarquer dans la voiture d'un mec sexy avec la promesse de n'être plus vierge à la fin de la ballade ??? Sauf que Reed n'est pas du tout là pour ça et qu'ils vont mettre du temps à s'en rendre compte !
C'est du pur Archer/Lennox (je la mets dans le lot) comme je les aime. Une bonne dose de quiproquos, des personnages complètement à l'opposé, un coup de foudre, un fake dating et évidemment une bonne dose d'amour obligatoire. Même si on sait que Reed fait son grand homme costaux et froid, on suppute assurément qu'il va finir par vouloir quelqu'un à protéger dans sa vie intime comme dans sa vie professionnelle ! Et c'est ça qu'on aime !
En plus de tout ça, on est embarqué dans une cavale avec une histoire de mafieux derrière auquel Chris ne croît pas du tout, ce qui va les amener dans des situations bien rocambolesques et clichées, caractéristiques de ce genre de romance.
Bref, dans la lignée de la série des frères Sunday, passons maintenant à la vie des habitants de Copper Country !
MAIS QUEL PLAISIR de retrouver May Archer et surtout, un nouveau Sunday ! Cette saga s'annonce encore épique !
Chris travaille dans le bar de Little Pine depuis six mois et est là sans être là. Son oncle l'a envoyé dans la ville pour qu'il se découvre et s'ouvre mais il reste encore timide et maladroit. Quand Van le patron, lui impose de sortir, se faire des amis et plus si affinité, il ne pensait pas se faire kidnapper pour finir à la tête d'un camping à Copper Country avec le sexy Reed.
J'ai un GROS faible pour les protagonistes timides et un peu à côté de la plaque comme Chris, donc j'ai mis deux chapitres avant d'être sûre de mettre cinq étoiles. Qui, à part lui, pourrait embarquer dans la voiture d'un mec sexy avec la promesse de n'être plus vierge à la fin de la ballade ??? Sauf que Reed n'est pas du tout là pour ça et qu'ils vont mettre du temps à s'en rendre compte !
C'est du pur Archer/Lennox (je la mets dans le lot) comme je les aime. Une bonne dose de quiproquos, des personnages complètement à l'opposé, un coup de foudre, un fake dating et évidemment une bonne dose d'amour obligatoire. Même si on sait que Reed fait son grand homme costaux et froid, on suppute assurément qu'il va finir par vouloir quelqu'un à protéger dans sa vie intime comme dans sa vie professionnelle ! Et c'est ça qu'on aime !
En plus de tout ça, on est embarqué dans une cavale avec une histoire de mafieux derrière auquel Chris ne croît pas du tout, ce qui va les amener dans des situations bien rocambolesques et clichées, caractéristiques de ce genre de romance.
Bref, dans la lignée de la série des frères Sunday, passons maintenant à la vie des habitants de Copper Country !
April 23, 2025
I absolutely loved this when there are several reasons why I shouldn't. Chris is too naive for words, and Reed doesn't do the best job of protecting his protectee. Even so, I loved them both.
One thing I've always enjoyed about this author's books is the humor she throws in. The Pretenders of Copper County definitely didn't disappoint.
A very good book.
Full review can be found at -
One thing I've always enjoyed about this author's books is the humor she throws in. The Pretenders of Copper County definitely didn't disappoint.
A very good book.
Full review can be found at -
September 27, 2024
OK, Chris just jumped straight to the top of my "just too cute and adorable to be true" list... 🥰
Oh, and Reed (yes, I had to go back and see what his name was) grew on you... eventually!
Had a cute plot twist that I felt was there but couldn't quite put my finger on and it was great to visit with some characters from other books by this author. Overall, I look forward to the next book in this series...
Oh, and Reed (yes, I had to go back and see what his name was) grew on you... eventually!
Had a cute plot twist that I felt was there but couldn't quite put my finger on and it was great to visit with some characters from other books by this author. Overall, I look forward to the next book in this series...
September 24, 2024
a slugfest of unnecessary and exaggerated shenanigans in lieu of plot, pacing, and relationship development. i usually enjoy the way Archer peppers in small town antics and hijinks but this was way off the mark in every way. Chris's character was insufferably naive and Reed's personality didn't come through at all. hope the next one is better
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