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His Country
Aiden Brooks didn’t want to be found. Fate has other plans…and his name is Ethan Landry.
Aiden Brooks never wanted anything in life. Growing up with a distant mother and a father beaten down from fighting to keep the family farm afloat, he couldn't see much of a future. Especially when he fell in love with his best friend. Terrified and full of shame, Aiden did the only thing he could–he ignored it.
But then his family lost the farm. And his best friend fell in love with another man. And so without a word, Aiden ran.
With nothing but his dog and the echoes of his heartbreak for company, Aiden hides on a cattle farm in Montana. But winter blows in more than just cold weather. The past he left behind arrives on his doorstep, and with it comes pushy veterinarian Ethan Landry. He’s stubborn, annoying, handsome, and reminds Aiden of all the things he told himself he didn’t want. And of all the desires he’s fought so hard to repress.
Grappling with guilt and shame, Aiden finds himself drawn to Ethan in ways he never believed possible. He must find the courage to let go of his past or risk losing Ethan—and a chance at happiness—forever.
His Country is a slow burn MM romance. It features a grumpy cowboy in desperate need of a hug and the snarky veterinarian who isn't afraid to give it to him. There is sex, healing, a persnickety horse, and a loyal dog desperate for another dad.
Aiden Brooks never wanted anything in life. Growing up with a distant mother and a father beaten down from fighting to keep the family farm afloat, he couldn't see much of a future. Especially when he fell in love with his best friend. Terrified and full of shame, Aiden did the only thing he could–he ignored it.
But then his family lost the farm. And his best friend fell in love with another man. And so without a word, Aiden ran.
With nothing but his dog and the echoes of his heartbreak for company, Aiden hides on a cattle farm in Montana. But winter blows in more than just cold weather. The past he left behind arrives on his doorstep, and with it comes pushy veterinarian Ethan Landry. He’s stubborn, annoying, handsome, and reminds Aiden of all the things he told himself he didn’t want. And of all the desires he’s fought so hard to repress.
Grappling with guilt and shame, Aiden finds himself drawn to Ethan in ways he never believed possible. He must find the courage to let go of his past or risk losing Ethan—and a chance at happiness—forever.
His Country is a slow burn MM romance. It features a grumpy cowboy in desperate need of a hug and the snarky veterinarian who isn't afraid to give it to him. There is sex, healing, a persnickety horse, and a loyal dog desperate for another dad.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2024
30 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline McCall
7 books23 followersJacqueline McCall is a displaced Texan, living on a farm in Central Florida. Raised as an only child by a single mother, she was often left alone. To fill her time, she picked up reading. When hyper fixating on characters wasn’t enough, she started creating her own. Like her characters, she never pulls punches. Preferring to write characters that aren’t being rescued by the knight on the white horse, but rather a beaten, bloody, morally grey savior.
Basically nocturnal, she prefers long naps behind blackout curtains and energy drinks. She can never remember keyboard short cuts and hates when her phone updates. When not writing, she enjoys riding her horses, being judged by cats, and cursing.
Basically nocturnal, she prefers long naps behind blackout curtains and energy drinks. She can never remember keyboard short cuts and hates when her phone updates. When not writing, she enjoys riding her horses, being judged by cats, and cursing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 22, 2024
DISCLAIMER – I received a free advance copy of this book. This review is entirely voluntary; I am not being compensated for this review in any way.
Aidan is one of two full-hands on a small ranch. He'd grown up on a ranch in small-town Texas; the ranch had been owned by his father’s family for generations. At age 10 Aiden didn’t really understand ranch finances, but he’d already learned to dread the big white envelopes that sometimes showed up in the mailbox. Some came from the county about taxes due, some from banks about loans that were passed due. Each time a batch of those big white envelopes showed up Aiden lost something, One time it was the line of show horses that his mother bred and he helped train. Another time it meant quitting all of his high school activities because of the fees and because Aiden was the only ranch hand the family could afford to keep. His dad sectioned off pieces of land to sell, but those cash infusions had only bought time. Teenage Aiden could do nothing but watch the ranch go downhill, and watch his dad crawling deeper and deeper into a whiskey bottle.
Near the end of Aiden’s senior year in high school the ranch was foreclosed, Aiden lost everything, including his family. His parents no longer had use for a free ranch hand, especially one who “didn’t do enough or sacrifice enough to save the family legacy.” So right after graduation Aiden left town, In the 5 years since then Aiden has spent every day “putting one boot in front of the other”. He doesn’t date (and in fact is so far in the closet that he can see Narnia), and doesn’t allow himself to make close personal connections with any one person or place. Even now, he doesn’t have friends. His boss and coworker are no more than friendly acquaintances. Aiden doesn’t allow himself to think much beyond the next day, the next week, the next season. He doesn’t believe in hope or love or happiness – after all his own parents had taught him that he didn’t deserve it.
Then, along comes Ethan. Ethan is new in town, having just graduated from vet school not that long ago. He’s joined the local vet practice, as the current vet has an eye towards retirement. Ethan may be young, but his talent is quickly gaining him quite a healthy client list. Ethan doesn’t shout being gay to the whole community, but he’s not in the closet or ashamed of who he is. Ethan and Aiden are attracted to one another pretty much from the first, Aiden is NOT happy about this, as he’s TERRIFIED of having to stop merely existing and maybe even start LIVING. Up to now, anytime Aiden allowed himself to have FEELINGS, it only ended in heartbreak. Being alone was lonely, but it was also safe. Fortunately, Ethan has enough insight to see Aiden’s cold demeanor and anger for what it really is. And, I might add, Ethan has the patience of a saint.
You’ll notice my review was mostly about Aiden. That’s because the book is told from Aiden’s POV, and was as much about Aiden’s right of passage, and Aiden finally letting go of the past before he could live for today and maybe think about the future. With help from Ethan and a few others Aiden does get there, but it takes time. Meanwhile, the book never tells us what’s going on inside Ethan’s head – just Aiden’s. In scoring this book, for me it would fall somewhere between 3 and 4 out of 5, leaning towards 4. The pacing was a bit slow in points but otherwise good, and the story realistic. The downside is that more than once I would have liked to verbally slap Aiden upside his head and tell him that it was about time to extract his head from his nether regions.
Aidan is one of two full-hands on a small ranch. He'd grown up on a ranch in small-town Texas; the ranch had been owned by his father’s family for generations. At age 10 Aiden didn’t really understand ranch finances, but he’d already learned to dread the big white envelopes that sometimes showed up in the mailbox. Some came from the county about taxes due, some from banks about loans that were passed due. Each time a batch of those big white envelopes showed up Aiden lost something, One time it was the line of show horses that his mother bred and he helped train. Another time it meant quitting all of his high school activities because of the fees and because Aiden was the only ranch hand the family could afford to keep. His dad sectioned off pieces of land to sell, but those cash infusions had only bought time. Teenage Aiden could do nothing but watch the ranch go downhill, and watch his dad crawling deeper and deeper into a whiskey bottle.
Near the end of Aiden’s senior year in high school the ranch was foreclosed, Aiden lost everything, including his family. His parents no longer had use for a free ranch hand, especially one who “didn’t do enough or sacrifice enough to save the family legacy.” So right after graduation Aiden left town, In the 5 years since then Aiden has spent every day “putting one boot in front of the other”. He doesn’t date (and in fact is so far in the closet that he can see Narnia), and doesn’t allow himself to make close personal connections with any one person or place. Even now, he doesn’t have friends. His boss and coworker are no more than friendly acquaintances. Aiden doesn’t allow himself to think much beyond the next day, the next week, the next season. He doesn’t believe in hope or love or happiness – after all his own parents had taught him that he didn’t deserve it.
Then, along comes Ethan. Ethan is new in town, having just graduated from vet school not that long ago. He’s joined the local vet practice, as the current vet has an eye towards retirement. Ethan may be young, but his talent is quickly gaining him quite a healthy client list. Ethan doesn’t shout being gay to the whole community, but he’s not in the closet or ashamed of who he is. Ethan and Aiden are attracted to one another pretty much from the first, Aiden is NOT happy about this, as he’s TERRIFIED of having to stop merely existing and maybe even start LIVING. Up to now, anytime Aiden allowed himself to have FEELINGS, it only ended in heartbreak. Being alone was lonely, but it was also safe. Fortunately, Ethan has enough insight to see Aiden’s cold demeanor and anger for what it really is. And, I might add, Ethan has the patience of a saint.
You’ll notice my review was mostly about Aiden. That’s because the book is told from Aiden’s POV, and was as much about Aiden’s right of passage, and Aiden finally letting go of the past before he could live for today and maybe think about the future. With help from Ethan and a few others Aiden does get there, but it takes time. Meanwhile, the book never tells us what’s going on inside Ethan’s head – just Aiden’s. In scoring this book, for me it would fall somewhere between 3 and 4 out of 5, leaning towards 4. The pacing was a bit slow in points but otherwise good, and the story realistic. The downside is that more than once I would have liked to verbally slap Aiden upside his head and tell him that it was about time to extract his head from his nether regions.
July 4, 2024
well now
That was a freaking amazing book. From the beginning you felt Aiden’s emotions and they never let you go. The writing, there is lots of description that matters in this story so if you’re not good with that, this probably isn’t going to be the book for you. All of the description is what moves the story and what makes it such a beautiful story. The smexy was amazing, and thank you for not putting a perfect bow on the ending like many authors do. This ended how it needed to. And yes the MCs get an HEA. It’s the side characters plot I’m referring to.
That was a freaking amazing book. From the beginning you felt Aiden’s emotions and they never let you go. The writing, there is lots of description that matters in this story so if you’re not good with that, this probably isn’t going to be the book for you. All of the description is what moves the story and what makes it such a beautiful story. The smexy was amazing, and thank you for not putting a perfect bow on the ending like many authors do. This ended how it needed to. And yes the MCs get an HEA. It’s the side characters plot I’m referring to.
September 15, 2025
Wow!!!
What an incredible story, and I mean incredible!
First of all, this story begins with the best prologue I’ve ever read. It really sets the stage as to how Aiden creates his own cement casing to emotionally reside in. The rest of the story is not only how Ethan chips away at that casing, but how Aiden finally transforms within that casing and breaks free from it. It’s an absolutely sweet story.
There are also many nuggets within the story, many of them. Aiden’s speech to help save farmland from developers brought tears to my eyes, and so did Aiden’s declaration of love for Ethan near the end. And Ethan’s gentle pursuit of Aiden is exactly the type of wooing I love to read.
The only thing I would have changed was to make this a dual POV story. I guess I’ve become so used to it, I miss it when the POV only comes from one character. I think hearing Ethan’s thoughts would have added to the story, and I would totally buy a rewrite of this story from Ethan’s POV-that’s how good this story is.
I have two things to do now. First, this is my first novel by this author, so I have to see what else she’s written. If she has more novels like this, I’ll be reading them all. Secondly, I’m going to reread this story right now!
What an incredible story, and I mean incredible!
First of all, this story begins with the best prologue I’ve ever read. It really sets the stage as to how Aiden creates his own cement casing to emotionally reside in. The rest of the story is not only how Ethan chips away at that casing, but how Aiden finally transforms within that casing and breaks free from it. It’s an absolutely sweet story.
There are also many nuggets within the story, many of them. Aiden’s speech to help save farmland from developers brought tears to my eyes, and so did Aiden’s declaration of love for Ethan near the end. And Ethan’s gentle pursuit of Aiden is exactly the type of wooing I love to read.
The only thing I would have changed was to make this a dual POV story. I guess I’ve become so used to it, I miss it when the POV only comes from one character. I think hearing Ethan’s thoughts would have added to the story, and I would totally buy a rewrite of this story from Ethan’s POV-that’s how good this story is.
I have two things to do now. First, this is my first novel by this author, so I have to see what else she’s written. If she has more novels like this, I’ll be reading them all. Secondly, I’m going to reread this story right now!
July 1, 2024
I've been reading Jacqueline's books from when she released her first one and she never disappoints. Her writing style is straightforward and the description of places and characters make it as if you are there with them.
Aiden really did a number on my feelings. He's been through the wringer since childhood, as a kid he had to give up all this dreams, quitting school to help on their ranch to keep it from going foreclosure. When that didn't work out and they had to give up the ranch, his father turn to drink, his mother became a distant person. Whilst going through all this, he also looses is his best friend , whom he has secretly loved for years, to another boy. All this turns Aiden into a grumpy person, with low self esteem thinking he's not worthy to be loved. He finds a job on a ranch up north where he lives a very closed off life, happy with just the company of his horse Eagle and his dog Sugar.
Ethan is the new vet, a real sweetheart but never afraid to say things as they are . To Aiden's total shock, he arrives in the company of Aiden's former best friend who's planning to have his marriage on the ranch.
From the moment they meet Ethan starts to break down Aiden's walls. He never gives up, shows Aiden he's worth being loved, that he can let go of all the bitterness he still feels from his childhood. You could literally see Aiden struggling, opening up bit by bit to finally reaching a happiness with Ethan he never thought he deserved. The road there isn't easy though, and it broke my heart at times to see Aiden struggling with his feelings.
Once again Jacqueline managed to write a great story that had me captivated from the start. I can't wait to see what she's got in store next for us.
*ARC kindly received by the author via Booksirens. This is my hones review.*
Aiden really did a number on my feelings. He's been through the wringer since childhood, as a kid he had to give up all this dreams, quitting school to help on their ranch to keep it from going foreclosure. When that didn't work out and they had to give up the ranch, his father turn to drink, his mother became a distant person. Whilst going through all this, he also looses is his best friend , whom he has secretly loved for years, to another boy. All this turns Aiden into a grumpy person, with low self esteem thinking he's not worthy to be loved. He finds a job on a ranch up north where he lives a very closed off life, happy with just the company of his horse Eagle and his dog Sugar.
Ethan is the new vet, a real sweetheart but never afraid to say things as they are . To Aiden's total shock, he arrives in the company of Aiden's former best friend who's planning to have his marriage on the ranch.
From the moment they meet Ethan starts to break down Aiden's walls. He never gives up, shows Aiden he's worth being loved, that he can let go of all the bitterness he still feels from his childhood. You could literally see Aiden struggling, opening up bit by bit to finally reaching a happiness with Ethan he never thought he deserved. The road there isn't easy though, and it broke my heart at times to see Aiden struggling with his feelings.
Once again Jacqueline managed to write a great story that had me captivated from the start. I can't wait to see what she's got in store next for us.
*ARC kindly received by the author via Booksirens. This is my hones review.*
July 18, 2024
The editor needs to be fired - absolutely horrible job; so many typos, a morbid aversion to punctuation, and way too many nonsensical sentences!!
This author needs to learn how to shut the fuck up - way too verbose and holy purple prose, Batman!! The monologues go on and on and ON, and it seems this author neither knows her own point/direction, nor the proper way to write; the way she does it here is fucking obnoxious!!!
I am done with this author (this is the first and LAST book of hers that I will read)!!
OH and if this author didn't use an editor and did it herself, with this being the end result, SHAME ON YOU!!! I don't fucking care if you're an indie author, I don't fucking care if it's expensive, I just don't fucking care!!! If you are SELLING a product to readers [i.e. CONSUMERS] and expect to make a profit of said readers, produce a product that legitimizes the payment!! If you expect payment for your work [which you should], then make sure the product you are selling is perfect and worthy!! THIS book isn't that ... you sold a garbage product and got paid for it, that is unethical in so many ways!!! If you're going to sell a book, and if you're getting money for it, that book better fucking be perfect and 100% what a reader pays for!!! Granted I decided to only borrowed this, but you're still getting paid!!! EARN THE FUCKING MONEY!!!!
P.S. I don't give a fuck how people are used to speaking like fucking illiterates ... at least don't write like one!! It's COUPLE OF something!! The OF is crucial to the COUPLE!! It isn't "couple days", "couple weeks", "couple socks", etc. It is couple OF days, couple OF weeks, couple OF socks, etc.!!! For fuck's sake, the acceptance of the degrading of the English language doesn't mean that the fuckery you write or speak is correct, ESPECIALLY when writing a book!!! STOP ALREADY!!!
This author needs to learn how to shut the fuck up - way too verbose and holy purple prose, Batman!! The monologues go on and on and ON, and it seems this author neither knows her own point/direction, nor the proper way to write; the way she does it here is fucking obnoxious!!!
I am done with this author (this is the first and LAST book of hers that I will read)!!
OH and if this author didn't use an editor and did it herself, with this being the end result, SHAME ON YOU!!! I don't fucking care if you're an indie author, I don't fucking care if it's expensive, I just don't fucking care!!! If you are SELLING a product to readers [i.e. CONSUMERS] and expect to make a profit of said readers, produce a product that legitimizes the payment!! If you expect payment for your work [which you should], then make sure the product you are selling is perfect and worthy!! THIS book isn't that ... you sold a garbage product and got paid for it, that is unethical in so many ways!!! If you're going to sell a book, and if you're getting money for it, that book better fucking be perfect and 100% what a reader pays for!!! Granted I decided to only borrowed this, but you're still getting paid!!! EARN THE FUCKING MONEY!!!!
P.S. I don't give a fuck how people are used to speaking like fucking illiterates ... at least don't write like one!! It's COUPLE OF something!! The OF is crucial to the COUPLE!! It isn't "couple days", "couple weeks", "couple socks", etc. It is couple OF days, couple OF weeks, couple OF socks, etc.!!! For fuck's sake, the acceptance of the degrading of the English language doesn't mean that the fuckery you write or speak is correct, ESPECIALLY when writing a book!!! STOP ALREADY!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2024
ARC review
Aiden Brooks is a lost soul. He has worked on a ranch all his life and knows nothing else. He thinks he doesn't need anyone in his life, as long as he has his horse ‘Eagle’ and his dog ‘Sugar’ he will be fine, but he is drowning in misery. Aiden is angry at having to give up football, because his father said he needed help on the ranch. He is bitter because his friend Billy picked Everett over him.
Ethan Landry is a vet who had been working on the ranch where Aiden works for a while. Could Ethan be the saviour Aiden needs?
Ethan slowly helps to take the bitterness away from Aiden and lets him know it is okay to have what you want in life. Ethan starts to penetrate the walls Aiden has built up around him. Could they have their HEA?
“You saved my life. Not just with your hands. With those late nights we looked up at the sky. With the way you kissed the breath into my lungs and brushed your pinky against mine. You taught me to fight so that even when i lost i could still like my reflection”.
Jacqueline McCall was a new to me author and has such a knack of describing the characters as if i know them well. The surrounding and landscape description made me feel i could be there and know where everything is.
This is a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance featuring a cowboy and a vet. I enjoyed reading this and finding out about why Aiden was the way he was. The is a third person point of view which is not my favourite.
“You started healing me. Ripped off all my half-healed scabs and forced me to treat them. Then you started loving me”.
His Country is released on 1st July.
Aiden Brooks is a lost soul. He has worked on a ranch all his life and knows nothing else. He thinks he doesn't need anyone in his life, as long as he has his horse ‘Eagle’ and his dog ‘Sugar’ he will be fine, but he is drowning in misery. Aiden is angry at having to give up football, because his father said he needed help on the ranch. He is bitter because his friend Billy picked Everett over him.
Ethan Landry is a vet who had been working on the ranch where Aiden works for a while. Could Ethan be the saviour Aiden needs?
Ethan slowly helps to take the bitterness away from Aiden and lets him know it is okay to have what you want in life. Ethan starts to penetrate the walls Aiden has built up around him. Could they have their HEA?
“You saved my life. Not just with your hands. With those late nights we looked up at the sky. With the way you kissed the breath into my lungs and brushed your pinky against mine. You taught me to fight so that even when i lost i could still like my reflection”.
Jacqueline McCall was a new to me author and has such a knack of describing the characters as if i know them well. The surrounding and landscape description made me feel i could be there and know where everything is.
This is a slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance featuring a cowboy and a vet. I enjoyed reading this and finding out about why Aiden was the way he was. The is a third person point of view which is not my favourite.
“You started healing me. Ripped off all my half-healed scabs and forced me to treat them. Then you started loving me”.
His Country is released on 1st July.
June 21, 2024
Jacqueline McCall does it again! What a wonderful story from an absolutely phenomenal storyteller.
“His Country” follows Aiden, a jaded, weary-before-his-time young man worked over by life before he’s hardly even had a chance to live in it. Lost and doing little more than surviving, it’s the new veterinarian in town named Ethan who helps him learn many important lessons, the most important of all being to allow himself to be loved and to in turn love himself.
Aiden is one of those characters who we all have a little of in ourselves. Even if our experiences aren’t exactly the same as his, we all know what it is to struggle or fear or doubt or hate or hope. Which is why his journey of growth is so heartwarming to witness and cathartic to feel. And just the same, in whatever form we might want in reality, Ethan is that person we all wish we had if we don’t have them already, someone who really sees us and cares for us unconditionally, someone who doggedly refuses to leave us behind.
“His Country” is a beautiful story guaranteed to make you ache in a good way and leave you kicking your feet while squeeing because you’re just so happy for these boys.
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes, which I think really sums this tale up so well: “But then Ethan came along. He’d taken one look at Aiden in his self-imposed exile, laying amongst the wreckage of his past and scooted some of the debris aside so he could sit beside him.”
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
“His Country” follows Aiden, a jaded, weary-before-his-time young man worked over by life before he’s hardly even had a chance to live in it. Lost and doing little more than surviving, it’s the new veterinarian in town named Ethan who helps him learn many important lessons, the most important of all being to allow himself to be loved and to in turn love himself.
Aiden is one of those characters who we all have a little of in ourselves. Even if our experiences aren’t exactly the same as his, we all know what it is to struggle or fear or doubt or hate or hope. Which is why his journey of growth is so heartwarming to witness and cathartic to feel. And just the same, in whatever form we might want in reality, Ethan is that person we all wish we had if we don’t have them already, someone who really sees us and cares for us unconditionally, someone who doggedly refuses to leave us behind.
“His Country” is a beautiful story guaranteed to make you ache in a good way and leave you kicking your feet while squeeing because you’re just so happy for these boys.
I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes, which I think really sums this tale up so well: “But then Ethan came along. He’d taken one look at Aiden in his self-imposed exile, laying amongst the wreckage of his past and scooted some of the debris aside so he could sit beside him.”
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*
June 2, 2024
His Country by Jacqueline McCall
The prologue - was vivid and captivating. Emotive language and very descriptive. Aiden’s heartbreak was raw and real.
Poor Aiden - never expected anyone to care for him. To stay for him.
My heart broke for Aiden, his pain, his way of coping, how little he expected for himself. So beaten down but never any self pity. I liked his character arc.
Ethan was a sweetheart. A recently qualified vet, he pitches up in the story, coincidentally at the same time as Aiden’s past friends. We’re not told when he moved to town but we know he is new because his and Aiden’s first meeting happens on page.
Their relationship is slow and sweet.
Aiden finally realises running away doesn’t mean leaving your hurt or your broken life behind - not if you carry it inside with you.
Beautiful story line. No horrid characters, no homophobia just the bigotry in Aiden’s memory that shaped his view of himself.
Single point of view but Ethan was well described and his patience and kindness towards Aiden came across clearly.
Aiden spends more time in his head than talking. This makes for a lot of telling and little showing.
Descriptive language throughout the story. The descriptions were good but seriously overdone.
This book would benefit from another edit. Is the main character’s name spelt Aiden or Aidan? It starts as one and switches back and forth throughout the book. Tenses were often mixed up, and incorrect words used.
The prologue - was vivid and captivating. Emotive language and very descriptive. Aiden’s heartbreak was raw and real.
Poor Aiden - never expected anyone to care for him. To stay for him.
My heart broke for Aiden, his pain, his way of coping, how little he expected for himself. So beaten down but never any self pity. I liked his character arc.
Ethan was a sweetheart. A recently qualified vet, he pitches up in the story, coincidentally at the same time as Aiden’s past friends. We’re not told when he moved to town but we know he is new because his and Aiden’s first meeting happens on page.
Their relationship is slow and sweet.
Aiden finally realises running away doesn’t mean leaving your hurt or your broken life behind - not if you carry it inside with you.
Beautiful story line. No horrid characters, no homophobia just the bigotry in Aiden’s memory that shaped his view of himself.
Single point of view but Ethan was well described and his patience and kindness towards Aiden came across clearly.
Aiden spends more time in his head than talking. This makes for a lot of telling and little showing.
Descriptive language throughout the story. The descriptions were good but seriously overdone.
This book would benefit from another edit. Is the main character’s name spelt Aiden or Aidan? It starts as one and switches back and forth throughout the book. Tenses were often mixed up, and incorrect words used.
July 9, 2024
I try very hard to leave my editor hat at the door when I agree to read and review books by new to me authors. They don't need my advice or my criticism on flow, characterizations or pointing out typos.
Never have I wished more that I'd been the editor of a story that obviously already had one. Not to point out any glaring mistakes-- they're aren't any-- or to fix typos-- there are a few-- but just to be the first one who got to read how beautiful the prose is, to encourage the author for more. To pump them up and make sure they understand just what an amazing job they've done with imagery and empathy.
Their characterizations of Aiden and his hurts, his fears and his troubles are so beautifully rendered. And Ethan's heart, his concern and his devotion is so gorgeously exhibited. I loved the language of this book, the metaphors and the thought the author put into portraying this very specific place and time. Really well done.
I do wish there was more of the reasons that Aiden runs from his life. The author does a good job of telling, but it would have made more sense to who he becomes if we would have seen the struggling with his friendships and the religious bullying that created the self-loathing in him. It could have been done with just a scene or two.
But, that might just be me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Never have I wished more that I'd been the editor of a story that obviously already had one. Not to point out any glaring mistakes-- they're aren't any-- or to fix typos-- there are a few-- but just to be the first one who got to read how beautiful the prose is, to encourage the author for more. To pump them up and make sure they understand just what an amazing job they've done with imagery and empathy.
Their characterizations of Aiden and his hurts, his fears and his troubles are so beautifully rendered. And Ethan's heart, his concern and his devotion is so gorgeously exhibited. I loved the language of this book, the metaphors and the thought the author put into portraying this very specific place and time. Really well done.
I do wish there was more of the reasons that Aiden runs from his life. The author does a good job of telling, but it would have made more sense to who he becomes if we would have seen the struggling with his friendships and the religious bullying that created the self-loathing in him. It could have been done with just a scene or two.
But, that might just be me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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June 6, 2024McCall never disappoints. I loved the characters from other books. Aiden, our protagonist here, seems to actively snarl when anyone dares to think so much as a kind thought of him. He quit every dream he had in high school in a desperate and futile attempt to save his family ranch. Sadly, in the years since, he has never found a new dream. He left his drunk father, distant mother, foreclosed ranch, and other broken dreams in Texas. Putting one boot in front of the other, he went north, looking for ranches hiring experienced hands. He finds one. He settles in. Decides it will do. Doesn't look for happy.
But the football star who has made national headlines with his prowess and his boyfriend have chosen this ranch as their wedding venue. Aiden knows them. They are two of the dreams Aiden lost.
Add in a horse with colic, a nosy veterinarian, a fellow ranch hand who never shuts up, people from the past who seem to want 'closure,' a dog that figures out the good guys before Aiden does, and a lot of stubborn cowboy, and you have a really good story here.
By the end of the first chapter, you may feel that Aiden has been broken. He hasn't. The dreams were broken, he was merely disassembled, waiting for the right person to come along to put the pieces back together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
But the football star who has made national headlines with his prowess and his boyfriend have chosen this ranch as their wedding venue. Aiden knows them. They are two of the dreams Aiden lost.
Add in a horse with colic, a nosy veterinarian, a fellow ranch hand who never shuts up, people from the past who seem to want 'closure,' a dog that figures out the good guys before Aiden does, and a lot of stubborn cowboy, and you have a really good story here.
By the end of the first chapter, you may feel that Aiden has been broken. He hasn't. The dreams were broken, he was merely disassembled, waiting for the right person to come along to put the pieces back together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 12, 2024
Aiden helped his father on the farm that was dying, he met Everett and they became best friends and he fell n love. Billy moved there when a junior was friends with Aiden but then Billy and Everett met they got together and Aiden felt alone. They decided to go to the same college so they could be together so as soon as they all graduated and Aiden’s family lost the farm. He felt that he had nothing there anymore so he packed up with his dog and left, did odd jobs at different ranches until he ended up north. Did a lot of the work no one else wanted to, Ethan started as a veterinarian and was on the farm quite a bit. Everett and Billy decided to have their wedding on the ranch so he had to do a lot of the stuff for that. Billy wanted to talk to him but he took off and Ethan found him hiding behind one of the tractors crying holding Sugar his dog. Went to pack to leave but realized that he was running again so he went out riding came back went to one of the stalls with some moonshine then he was out of it until Ethan found him unconscious and not breathing so he made Aiden gaged up what he drank. Aiden was taken to help Ethan at the clinic was talked into helping a rancher save his farm plus helped the son. Was talked into saying things at the town meeting against the company trying to put the ranchers out of business. He fell for Ethan and had to talk to Billy and Everett.
June 20, 2024
A MM romance filled with family drama, and a closeted gay man running from his past. Aiden had to grow up fast when the family started to lose the farm. He was also made to feel ashamed about being gay and has buried all emotions. Just after graduation, he left home and has been taking ranching jobs trying to bury his past. Ethan became a veterinarian to help animals but one look at Aiden and now he must help him too. As old friends and feelings reappear, Aiden will have to question why he feels shutdown, alone and whether he can act on his feelings for Ethan. Will he be able to accept himself or will he push away everyone that has ever mattered in his life and keep running? The book was written well but wasn’t a standout in any sense. The book felt weighed down because of Aiden’s negativity and although understandable due to the story, it still felt depressing even after he recognized his faults and gave Ethan “thanks” for saving him. I wanted to see more growth and change from him and by not reconciling with his old friends, it felt unfinished. New author to me, not sure I will read any more by them. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 27, 2024
What Can I Say
This book has so many hurts and emotional damages that it takes a patience reader. Jacqueline McCall makes it like it’s you going through these emotions. Well some of us probably have at some point in our life. Aiden is a young man who ran from a life of disappointments. Struggling with his sanity of losing things that were not his responsibility. A child who wanted to help his father with being happy, to a tween learning that there’s responsibility, to a young man who is fighting to keep his family’s farm alive and his attraction to his best friend hidden. When his best friend falls for the new boy in town, who Aiden has somewhat befriended, he’s done. He’s lost his family pretty much, lost his home, and lost the love that he knows goes unrequited. He runs. Years later his past catches up when his friends finally find him by accident but so doesn’t the new Vet. Slowly the Vet rips off the band-aids that have been holding Aiden together. Little does Aiden know that his brown eyed Vet, Ethan, has fell madly in love with him. The slow angst of the two is sweet but also emotional. This book deserves 5 stars ⭐️ So worth the read.
This book has so many hurts and emotional damages that it takes a patience reader. Jacqueline McCall makes it like it’s you going through these emotions. Well some of us probably have at some point in our life. Aiden is a young man who ran from a life of disappointments. Struggling with his sanity of losing things that were not his responsibility. A child who wanted to help his father with being happy, to a tween learning that there’s responsibility, to a young man who is fighting to keep his family’s farm alive and his attraction to his best friend hidden. When his best friend falls for the new boy in town, who Aiden has somewhat befriended, he’s done. He’s lost his family pretty much, lost his home, and lost the love that he knows goes unrequited. He runs. Years later his past catches up when his friends finally find him by accident but so doesn’t the new Vet. Slowly the Vet rips off the band-aids that have been holding Aiden together. Little does Aiden know that his brown eyed Vet, Ethan, has fell madly in love with him. The slow angst of the two is sweet but also emotional. This book deserves 5 stars ⭐️ So worth the read.
June 27, 2024
Five years ago Aiden lost it all, the family farm, the boy he loved, his two best friends as they went off together to live happily ever after. His Dad died and he became a drifter, cowboy for hire. There was so much pain for Aiden, you hurt for him as he became a sour man and then Ethan enters his life. Strong, persistent, caring, outright gay, veterinarian Ethan. It's a beautiful love story but it couldn't happen until Aiden stopped running from the pain in his life and started living it. I felt some dissatisfaction as Aiden did not seem to settle it with his friends but loved Ethan never gave up on him. I really get into Jacqueline's books. I received a copy of this book through Booksirens and this is my voluntary opinion.
June 6, 2024
This is an ARC review.
This is one of the most authentic and beautifully written western romance I’ve read in a long while. The quirky and curmudgeonly characters feel as if they’ve just walked off the farm. Jaqueline McCall’s brings the reader along Aiden’s journey through wilds of Montana as he strives to just “keep putting one boot in front of the other”. A must read for those who love a sad country ballad or John Wayne.
This is one of the most authentic and beautifully written western romance I’ve read in a long while. The quirky and curmudgeonly characters feel as if they’ve just walked off the farm. Jaqueline McCall’s brings the reader along Aiden’s journey through wilds of Montana as he strives to just “keep putting one boot in front of the other”. A must read for those who love a sad country ballad or John Wayne.
June 13, 2024
Aiden had a hard life growing up. His parents lost their home to bankruptcy. He lost his best friend & secret crush to another friend. Ashamed & lost he runs. 5 years later, Aiden is now working on a ranch. His secret crush & boyfriend come to the ranch to have their wedding ceremony. Aiden is crushed when he sees them & tries to runs & hide. Ethan catches him, & tries to calm him down. As Aiden gets to know Ethan we learn that he is the couple's best man & will also be the town vet. Aiden gets to know & like Ethan as more than friends but because of his upbringing fears showing his feelings. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 29, 2024
4.5 stars. Where the previous books by this author had quite complicated plots and multiple characters finding new relationships at the same time, this is the first focussing on one couple and in only one POV. It was just as much a successful book for me as the others. Aiden was a very memorable character, no one ever really saw or loved him so it's really believable that he has no idea how to cope when someone comes into his life and proceeds to do both.
July 7, 2024
This was a new author for me and I have to say I absolutely loved this book. I completely fell in love with Aiden who was such an emotional person. Brilliant word building and descriptive prose really drew me in to the storyline. Ethan is so patient with Aiden which helps Aiden to let go of his past enabling them to get a well deserved hea. Loved the side characters too so hoping we get more soon from them.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 26, 2024
A hard won HEA with heartbreak and some slooooow burn.
Rootless ranch hand Aiden doesn’t believe he deserves much more than work and heartbreak. When his past shows up unexpectedly and rips open old wounds that never healed, a stranger appears just as prickly Aiden is falling apart.
This book pulled me in right off the bat; done in single POV it hits the tropes in a unique way and was truly hard to put down.
This one goes on my 4-star faves list :)
Rootless ranch hand Aiden doesn’t believe he deserves much more than work and heartbreak. When his past shows up unexpectedly and rips open old wounds that never healed, a stranger appears just as prickly Aiden is falling apart.
This book pulled me in right off the bat; done in single POV it hits the tropes in a unique way and was truly hard to put down.
This one goes on my 4-star faves list :)
March 15, 2025
No no no no no no no no - wrong couple
I'm I'm sorry I only gave 3 stars - for a couple of reasons - the book was good and ended up with an HEA - bit with the wrong couple - Everett & Aiden should have been together!!! And then if not Ethan would have told Everett his feelings towards him even if just to give closure - but even if as is in the ending Billy & Everett did end up together nobody gave Aiden a chance?????
I was as heartbroken. As Aiden????????
Lori
I'm I'm sorry I only gave 3 stars - for a couple of reasons - the book was good and ended up with an HEA - bit with the wrong couple - Everett & Aiden should have been together!!! And then if not Ethan would have told Everett his feelings towards him even if just to give closure - but even if as is in the ending Billy & Everett did end up together nobody gave Aiden a chance?????
I was as heartbroken. As Aiden????????
Lori
June 23, 2024
This was a real good book. I truly felt for Aiden growing up. Ethan coming into his life and showing him unconditional friendship and love was so well written. It was nice to see Aiden finally accepting hisself just the way he was.
I received an arc via booksirens and the is my honest opinion.
I received an arc via booksirens and the is my honest opinion.
July 1, 2024
This book blew me away. I fell head over heels for Aidan and Ethan. This is such a perfect hurt/comfort book with a touch of grumpy sunshine. There’s also a splash of unrequited love sprinkled in. Aidan is so guarded and broken, he has only had himself to depend on his whole life and he doesn’t let anyone in easily. He truly believes he isn’t worthy of love and has a lot of self hatred going on and then comes Ethan the confident, smart, and totally hot vet and he takes a sledgehammer to Aidan’s walls. Ethan is persistent and refuses to give up on him. It’s not an easy journey but Ethan is a stead rock for Aidan to lean on. This is such a wonderful story that tells of heartbreak and healing. It’s about accepting yourself and learning to love yourself. Highly recommend it! Id give it 6 stars if I could!
July 20, 2025
True emotion and depth
This story is so heartfelt and incredible. An emotional ride from start to finish. The author paints such beautiful images with her words, I couldn't put it down.
This story is so heartfelt and incredible. An emotional ride from start to finish. The author paints such beautiful images with her words, I couldn't put it down.
November 29, 2025
I loved this. As a religious queer person myself I just found it so beautiful. The atmosphere was lush and the whole book was just so comforting. I related a lot to Aidan, and I'm glad he found his Ethan.
definitely reccomend as a comforting read that also has some hot spice
definitely reccomend as a comforting read that also has some hot spice
July 1, 2024
Aiden & Ethan
This is a good hurt/comfort story. It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did get into it, I didn't put it down.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
This is a good hurt/comfort story. It took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I did get into it, I didn't put it down.
I received an ARC and this is my unbiased opinion
July 2, 2024
This book was filled with inner monologue and less dialogue. If you're looking for a book to have fun with, I think this isn't the type because Aiden was fighting his inner demons.
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September 15, 2024Worth the read
I enjoyed this book. Very contemporary romance, believable plot. I like the characters very much. Hope you give a chance!
I enjoyed this book. Very contemporary romance, believable plot. I like the characters very much. Hope you give a chance!
November 5, 2024
Absolutely fantastic.
March 8, 2025
wow!
What an incredible and artfully crafted story about a broken life repaired. I loved it.
Read it. I dare you!
What an incredible and artfully crafted story about a broken life repaired. I loved it.
Read it. I dare you!
March 21, 2025
Wonderful
I loved this journey. I loved all the words… so many feelings. This was the first I’ve read by Jacqueline McCall but I look forward to many more.
I loved this journey. I loved all the words… so many feelings. This was the first I’ve read by Jacqueline McCall but I look forward to many more.
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