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The Men of Haven Grove #1
Peaches & Cream
Peaches & Cream is a steamy, age-gap, friends-to-lovers M/M romance between a jack-of-all-trades and his dad’s best friend. This is Book 1 in The Men of Haven Grove.
Hudson’s past left him with some baggage, but he’s happy in the small town of Haven Grove with his family and a variety of jobs to keep him busy. Not willing to touch a relationship with a ten-foot pole, Hudson sticks to quick, easy hookups.
Lance left his hometown eight years ago to take care of unavoidable responsibilities. He’s back home now and he knows himself a lot better than when he left. Hookups aren’t really his thing, but sometimes a guy has to do what he has to do.
Hudson and Lance have a long history together. Can they overcome the messy obstacles and look forward to a long future together as well? Or will they be forced to give up on the unexpected spark smoldering between them and stick with being just friends?
Hudson’s past left him with some baggage, but he’s happy in the small town of Haven Grove with his family and a variety of jobs to keep him busy. Not willing to touch a relationship with a ten-foot pole, Hudson sticks to quick, easy hookups.
Lance left his hometown eight years ago to take care of unavoidable responsibilities. He’s back home now and he knows himself a lot better than when he left. Hookups aren’t really his thing, but sometimes a guy has to do what he has to do.
Hudson and Lance have a long history together. Can they overcome the messy obstacles and look forward to a long future together as well? Or will they be forced to give up on the unexpected spark smoldering between them and stick with being just friends?
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 6, 2024
64 people are currently reading
93 people want to read
About the author
A.D. Ellis
92 books741 followersEscape into addictive, sexy, emotional M/M romance.
A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana as an instructional coach/teacher in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing teens, and wondering how she and her husband of over two decades haven't driven each other insane yet. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.
She loves chocolate, hot tea, sweet wine with friends, pizza, and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.
A.D. uses she/they pronouns.
Sign up at http://www.subscribepage.com/ADEllisN... for a FREE male/male romance book.
A.D. Ellis does not use generative AI to create books or covers.
A.D. Ellis is an Indiana girl, born and raised. She spends much of her time in central Indiana as an instructional coach/teacher in the inner city of Indianapolis, being a mom to two amazing teens, and wondering how she and her husband of over two decades haven't driven each other insane yet. A lot of her time is also devoted to phone call avoidance and her hatred of cooking.
She loves chocolate, hot tea, sweet wine with friends, pizza, and naps along with reading and writing romance. These loves don’t leave much time for housework. Who would pick cleaning the house over a nap or a good book? She uses any extra time to increase her fluency in sarcasm.
A.D. uses she/they pronouns.
Sign up at http://www.subscribepage.com/ADEllisN... for a FREE male/male romance book.
A.D. Ellis does not use generative AI to create books or covers.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 11, 2024
Sweet as peaches🍑
August 13, 2024
I can't stop smiling. Lance is so poetic. I love him. He's just perfect.
He's gentle, kind, and patient. He's prepared to do whatever it takes to sweep Hudson off of his feet.
Hudson is anti relationships and there is nothing his teenage crush can do to change his mind. Things are perfectly fine how they are. Lance worked hard to try and earn Hudsons trust and hopefully his heart. It's was adorable.
The way A.d. creates a world you want to know more about book after book is beyond me. I'm excited to see what happens next in this series.
He's gentle, kind, and patient. He's prepared to do whatever it takes to sweep Hudson off of his feet.
Hudson is anti relationships and there is nothing his teenage crush can do to change his mind. Things are perfectly fine how they are. Lance worked hard to try and earn Hudsons trust and hopefully his heart. It's was adorable.
The way A.d. creates a world you want to know more about book after book is beyond me. I'm excited to see what happens next in this series.
July 18, 2024
I loved Peaches & Cream Book 1 of The Men of Haven Grove. Hudson doesn’t do relationships or love so he’s surprised when he has real conversations with a guy on a hookup app. He’s surprised when he funds out it’s his dad’s best friend, Lance. Lance is back home after many years and surprised to find out his crush is his best friend’s sin who doesn’t believe in love. Lance knows in his heart they are meant to be together and will take all the time Hudson needs to know it’s real and forever. I loved the storyline and the characters. Hudson needs love and Lance is just the person to give it to him. I would definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2025
Loved this book, I now want to read Henry’s romance.
August 5, 2024
Hudson Riggs has taken over the family business. The Juicy Peach store and Riggs family peach orchard are hard work, he rarely has time for himself, as well as having a side hustle as a masseuse. Hudson and his brother Henry are both queer and both have abandonment issues. Henry runs The Roadhouse which is another family business. Hudson is convinced anyone who he gets close to, will leave him, like everyone else does.
Lance Ingram has also been handed the keys to a business by his parents. The Sweet and Creamy Dairy Palace is the number one ice cream parlour in the small town of Haven Grove. After eight years of being away, he cannot wait to get back to his home town, and start his life over, at the age of fifty three, he is looking for some one to date and take care of.
They are both on a hookup app, and without realising they are messaging each other. Lance has known Hudson all his life, as he is best friends with Casey Joe who is Hudson's dad. When they meet, attraction is there, but are they playing with fire?
Hudson prefers for one night stands, so people cannot get close to him, whereas Lance is looking for someone to date, can he convince Hudson to go on a date with him?
This is my first A. D. Ellis novel and I can safely say it won’t be my last. Peaches and Cream was a wonderful, heartwarming story with an age gap and a forbidden romance. The character description flowed effortlessly as did the love which jumped off the page. I really enjoyed this first book in the series, I am hoping we find out about Henry next and then maybe Casey Joe.
“He’s your best friend, but he’s my everything”.
Lance Ingram has also been handed the keys to a business by his parents. The Sweet and Creamy Dairy Palace is the number one ice cream parlour in the small town of Haven Grove. After eight years of being away, he cannot wait to get back to his home town, and start his life over, at the age of fifty three, he is looking for some one to date and take care of.
They are both on a hookup app, and without realising they are messaging each other. Lance has known Hudson all his life, as he is best friends with Casey Joe who is Hudson's dad. When they meet, attraction is there, but are they playing with fire?
Hudson prefers for one night stands, so people cannot get close to him, whereas Lance is looking for someone to date, can he convince Hudson to go on a date with him?
This is my first A. D. Ellis novel and I can safely say it won’t be my last. Peaches and Cream was a wonderful, heartwarming story with an age gap and a forbidden romance. The character description flowed effortlessly as did the love which jumped off the page. I really enjoyed this first book in the series, I am hoping we find out about Henry next and then maybe Casey Joe.
“He’s your best friend, but he’s my everything”.
July 19, 2024
FATHERS BEST FRIEND ROMANCE!💕
“If you want something long-lasting, don’t skip the friendship part.”
We the Urban
“I don’t need anyone” is a statement often made by those who, at some point, needed someone, but no one showed up.” ~ Sara Kuburic
Wow the first story of the Men of Haven Grove series really hits in the feels!
An adolescent crush turns to so much more with a commitment phobe and a patient, caring older friend…
Two old friends walk into a coffee shop for a hook up meet up not knowing they are there to see each other after 8 long years- this is their story…
I loved the patience, commitment and tenacity that Lance Ingram 52 portrayed towards his best friend Casey Joe’s son Hudson Riggs 33 that he was there to stay and not leave like everybody else in his life he got close to did..
I loved their dynamic in business and in the bedroom, they were just meant to meet again on that hookup app and explore their connection but Hudson does not date… how will Lance convince him?…
Hudson was such a golden retriever when his walls came down and a hard worker and Lance was a real clever silver fox… when it came to business and pleasure!
The two of them made a good business partnership together with Henry the older brother!
How will Casey Joe accept their relationship?
Will Hudson give up Lance?
The Easter eggs regarding what to expect in the next books was intriguing and interesting…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“If you want something long-lasting, don’t skip the friendship part.”
We the Urban
“I don’t need anyone” is a statement often made by those who, at some point, needed someone, but no one showed up.” ~ Sara Kuburic
Wow the first story of the Men of Haven Grove series really hits in the feels!
An adolescent crush turns to so much more with a commitment phobe and a patient, caring older friend…
Two old friends walk into a coffee shop for a hook up meet up not knowing they are there to see each other after 8 long years- this is their story…
I loved the patience, commitment and tenacity that Lance Ingram 52 portrayed towards his best friend Casey Joe’s son Hudson Riggs 33 that he was there to stay and not leave like everybody else in his life he got close to did..
I loved their dynamic in business and in the bedroom, they were just meant to meet again on that hookup app and explore their connection but Hudson does not date… how will Lance convince him?…
Hudson was such a golden retriever when his walls came down and a hard worker and Lance was a real clever silver fox… when it came to business and pleasure!
The two of them made a good business partnership together with Henry the older brother!
How will Casey Joe accept their relationship?
Will Hudson give up Lance?
The Easter eggs regarding what to expect in the next books was intriguing and interesting…
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 22, 2025
3.5 stars, rounded up.
Hudson has been forced into the position of trying to save the family’s peach orchard and country store. His uncle Billy was in charge, but when he passed, it was left for Hudson to fix. When I say fix I mean that dear old uncle did a pretty crappy job in his last years of keeping the family biz going. Then there’s Casey Joe, Hudson’s father, who despised his brother Billy. As Casey Joe’s wife was taking off from the marriage and her children, she had to throw out one last eff you, and that was to sleep with her soon-to-be ex’s brother. This left Casey Joe, Hudson, and Henry to pick up all the pieces. Henry is now 35, and Hudson is 33. Missy, their mother, did her disappearing act when they were 4 and 2, I think? Her leaving made a huge impact on the lives of all three men, and obviously not in a good way. Uncle Billy doesn’t count because he screwed around with his brother’s wife, and ended up drinking himself to death, not to mention letting the family business almost go bankrupt. Henry runs the family roadhouse. His story is next, Cake & Cocktails. Henry is more grumpy than anything else, but he adores his brother, even if he doesn’t agree with certain parts of Hudson’s lifestyle.
I didn’t like Casey Joe at all. He was a bad father, a bad friend, and I didn’t see where he did anything AT ALL other than sit around and mope, smoke, and drink his life away. He basically threw his kids to the wolves, expecting them both to keep the family businesses – that he benefited financially from – thriving. If I’m remembering it correctly, the Missy and Billy thing happened over three decades ago. Casey Joe, not just their mother, ensured that Henry and Hudson saw the world in a depressing light. They both became super jaded as a result. Missy is long gone, but Dad is right there where he should be encouraging his sons, not discouraging them as far as their own happiness. It’s easy to see as their past is discussed throughout the book that Lance was more of a parent to those boys than their father. It’s no wonder they’re both so jaded.
Lance is Casey Joe’s best friend who left town eight years ago due to family obligations. His marriage is now over and Lance is finally acting on his attraction to men, though he’s not a virgin. He’s just not been with a bunch of them. At 53, he’s not looking for hookups. He’s wanting to settle down and be with somebody long-term.
Lance starts talking to a guy on a hookup app and they agree to meet. Imagine his surprise when he learns – after a few weird moments – that the man he’s had this great connection with on an app is none other than his best friend’s youngest son, Hudson. Hudson was nice looking at 25, but at 33? Yeah, Lance is no longer seeing him as Casey’s kid and Henry’s brother. There wasn’t any type of ‘that kind’ of attraction before. I mean, he’d watched the guy grow up, but now, it’s game on.
Hudson would like nothing more than to climb his dad’s friend like a tree. 😉
Hudson just wants to have sex. Lance wants a relationship. Neither is willing to compromise. Hudson goes by, “If I don’t stay, they can’t leave,” and has for years. His mom left. Lance left. Now he simply doesn’t allow himself to get close to anybody. There are no repeats with his hookups, and there are definitely no emotions.
Honestly, the ‘if I don’t stay, they can’t leave’ got a bit tiring. It was said or thought way too many times throughout the book.
Lance is bound and determined to prove to Hudson that he’s not going anywhere. He’s back home to run and buy the family’s ice cream shop from his mother, and he doesn’t plan on leaving again. The problem is convincing Hudson of that.
They get closer as they work on business projects together, but still no sex and no relationship. I swear I didn’t think either would ever happen. I felt the book dragged quite a bit, especially with Hudson’s stubbornness and his ‘woe is me, my mom left when I was a kid so I won’t get close to anybody else who could leave me’. It took a while to finally get it together, but they did, obviously. It’s a romance, after all. I was just mostly checked out by that point.
It was also constantly in the forefront of my mind that Casey Joe would be finding out his best friend was having sex with his son and that it wouldn’t end well. When he does find out, it goes about as well as can be expected.
I found this to be a bit too predictable, a little cheesy, and more than a little frustrating. Predictable because I figured out early on exactly how Casey Joe would find out about Lance and Hudson’s relationship. Cheesy because of Lance and some of the words he used or thought. Frustrating because it took so long for them to get where they needed to be as a couple.
I liked Henry okay. I’m not a fan of Casey Joe, as I said, even if he did try to make good later. Missy did her sons dirty. Casey Joe could’ve done a better job with them. I get being depressed over her leaving and then sleeping with his brother, but he still had kids whose mother abandoned them. Anybody who is still hung up on something after three decades like Casey Joe was needs therapy. Seriously. His pity party hurt his sons. That’s my opinion.
Overall, I liked it well enough. I am curious about Henry’s story, which was laid out a little in Peaches & Cream.
I want to say that Lance is bi, but throughout the book he made it clear that he didn’t know what label applied to him. I do know that his decades-long best friend didn’t have a clue he was into men.
Hudson has been forced into the position of trying to save the family’s peach orchard and country store. His uncle Billy was in charge, but when he passed, it was left for Hudson to fix. When I say fix I mean that dear old uncle did a pretty crappy job in his last years of keeping the family biz going. Then there’s Casey Joe, Hudson’s father, who despised his brother Billy. As Casey Joe’s wife was taking off from the marriage and her children, she had to throw out one last eff you, and that was to sleep with her soon-to-be ex’s brother. This left Casey Joe, Hudson, and Henry to pick up all the pieces. Henry is now 35, and Hudson is 33. Missy, their mother, did her disappearing act when they were 4 and 2, I think? Her leaving made a huge impact on the lives of all three men, and obviously not in a good way. Uncle Billy doesn’t count because he screwed around with his brother’s wife, and ended up drinking himself to death, not to mention letting the family business almost go bankrupt. Henry runs the family roadhouse. His story is next, Cake & Cocktails. Henry is more grumpy than anything else, but he adores his brother, even if he doesn’t agree with certain parts of Hudson’s lifestyle.
I didn’t like Casey Joe at all. He was a bad father, a bad friend, and I didn’t see where he did anything AT ALL other than sit around and mope, smoke, and drink his life away. He basically threw his kids to the wolves, expecting them both to keep the family businesses – that he benefited financially from – thriving. If I’m remembering it correctly, the Missy and Billy thing happened over three decades ago. Casey Joe, not just their mother, ensured that Henry and Hudson saw the world in a depressing light. They both became super jaded as a result. Missy is long gone, but Dad is right there where he should be encouraging his sons, not discouraging them as far as their own happiness. It’s easy to see as their past is discussed throughout the book that Lance was more of a parent to those boys than their father. It’s no wonder they’re both so jaded.
Lance is Casey Joe’s best friend who left town eight years ago due to family obligations. His marriage is now over and Lance is finally acting on his attraction to men, though he’s not a virgin. He’s just not been with a bunch of them. At 53, he’s not looking for hookups. He’s wanting to settle down and be with somebody long-term.
Lance starts talking to a guy on a hookup app and they agree to meet. Imagine his surprise when he learns – after a few weird moments – that the man he’s had this great connection with on an app is none other than his best friend’s youngest son, Hudson. Hudson was nice looking at 25, but at 33? Yeah, Lance is no longer seeing him as Casey’s kid and Henry’s brother. There wasn’t any type of ‘that kind’ of attraction before. I mean, he’d watched the guy grow up, but now, it’s game on.
Hudson would like nothing more than to climb his dad’s friend like a tree. 😉
Hudson just wants to have sex. Lance wants a relationship. Neither is willing to compromise. Hudson goes by, “If I don’t stay, they can’t leave,” and has for years. His mom left. Lance left. Now he simply doesn’t allow himself to get close to anybody. There are no repeats with his hookups, and there are definitely no emotions.
Honestly, the ‘if I don’t stay, they can’t leave’ got a bit tiring. It was said or thought way too many times throughout the book.
Lance is bound and determined to prove to Hudson that he’s not going anywhere. He’s back home to run and buy the family’s ice cream shop from his mother, and he doesn’t plan on leaving again. The problem is convincing Hudson of that.
They get closer as they work on business projects together, but still no sex and no relationship. I swear I didn’t think either would ever happen. I felt the book dragged quite a bit, especially with Hudson’s stubbornness and his ‘woe is me, my mom left when I was a kid so I won’t get close to anybody else who could leave me’. It took a while to finally get it together, but they did, obviously. It’s a romance, after all. I was just mostly checked out by that point.
“My heart never left Haven Grove. Just took coming home to figure out I loved you in a whole ‘nother way than way back then.”
“I love you,” Hudson choked out. “It scares the ever-lovin’ shit out of me, but I love you, Lance.”
Tears stung my eyes, and I dotted kisses all over his face. “Forever, Hudson. I wasn’t lyin’ when I said I’m in this forever.”
It was also constantly in the forefront of my mind that Casey Joe would be finding out his best friend was having sex with his son and that it wouldn’t end well. When he does find out, it goes about as well as can be expected.
I found this to be a bit too predictable, a little cheesy, and more than a little frustrating. Predictable because I figured out early on exactly how Casey Joe would find out about Lance and Hudson’s relationship. Cheesy because of Lance and some of the words he used or thought. Frustrating because it took so long for them to get where they needed to be as a couple.
I liked Henry okay. I’m not a fan of Casey Joe, as I said, even if he did try to make good later. Missy did her sons dirty. Casey Joe could’ve done a better job with them. I get being depressed over her leaving and then sleeping with his brother, but he still had kids whose mother abandoned them. Anybody who is still hung up on something after three decades like Casey Joe was needs therapy. Seriously. His pity party hurt his sons. That’s my opinion.
Overall, I liked it well enough. I am curious about Henry’s story, which was laid out a little in Peaches & Cream.
I want to say that Lance is bi, but throughout the book he made it clear that he didn’t know what label applied to him. I do know that his decades-long best friend didn’t have a clue he was into men.
April 24, 2025
Did Hudson call his father Dad or Casey Joe? The weird back and forth had me thinking they were different people and took me out of his long ass expo.
I felt like Hudson's chapters were repetitive. Yes, we need to know the reason why he's so against relationships, but it was repeated so much. Hudson says it like four times in conversation with Henry and Lance. Casey Joe and Lance both mention it when they talk to each other. Henry mentions it to Lance when they talk. Hudson thinks about it during his business meeting with Lance then mentions it again in conversation with Henry. We get it. Hudson doesn't date because he's scared of letting people in. He thinks people will leave so he doesn't want to give them a chance. There wasn't a need to be so explicit about it every single time.
Actuallu, the book in general was a little too explicit about people's feelings. I like that both Lance and Hudson were clear with each other about what they expected from a partner, but Hudson casually mentioning his life's motto of never letting anyone get close was a bit too unrealistic imo. I feel like most people would keep that sort of stuff internal instead of just saying it out loud (unless Hudson did it to get a rise out of people, but it didn't feel like he did) Same thing with Casey Joe randomly blurting out how he feels like he failed his kids in his third sentence to his best friend he hasn't seen in nearly a decade. I get they were close but, I would've assumed that the heavy, introspective discussions would've come after reconnecting. And Lance with his long winded explanations around why he thinks he amd Hudson were perfect. And Henry's warnings about Hudson's anti-relationship stance + Casey Joe's disapproval. So much was just laid out when it would've been better suited of we'd seen things that would've let the reader discover those on their own. So much of the tension was just erased because they talked through everything.
As much as the author tried to explain away the instalove, it still felt like instalove. Especially the way Lance just thinks he and Hudson are meant to be after like two interactions. Sure, they've known each other for a long time, but time alone doesn't magically justify romantic feelings as strong as "Hudson is my future"
TL;DR Story was alright. I feel like the author went so far to avoid miscommunication that the story leaned a bit too far into being to explicit and things kind of felt less exciting because of it. Still, I prefer being too explicit and reasonable over miscommunications that could easily be solved.
I felt like Hudson's chapters were repetitive. Yes, we need to know the reason why he's so against relationships, but it was repeated so much. Hudson says it like four times in conversation with Henry and Lance. Casey Joe and Lance both mention it when they talk to each other. Henry mentions it to Lance when they talk. Hudson thinks about it during his business meeting with Lance then mentions it again in conversation with Henry. We get it. Hudson doesn't date because he's scared of letting people in. He thinks people will leave so he doesn't want to give them a chance. There wasn't a need to be so explicit about it every single time.
Actuallu, the book in general was a little too explicit about people's feelings. I like that both Lance and Hudson were clear with each other about what they expected from a partner, but Hudson casually mentioning his life's motto of never letting anyone get close was a bit too unrealistic imo. I feel like most people would keep that sort of stuff internal instead of just saying it out loud (unless Hudson did it to get a rise out of people, but it didn't feel like he did) Same thing with Casey Joe randomly blurting out how he feels like he failed his kids in his third sentence to his best friend he hasn't seen in nearly a decade. I get they were close but, I would've assumed that the heavy, introspective discussions would've come after reconnecting. And Lance with his long winded explanations around why he thinks he amd Hudson were perfect. And Henry's warnings about Hudson's anti-relationship stance + Casey Joe's disapproval. So much was just laid out when it would've been better suited of we'd seen things that would've let the reader discover those on their own. So much of the tension was just erased because they talked through everything.
As much as the author tried to explain away the instalove, it still felt like instalove. Especially the way Lance just thinks he and Hudson are meant to be after like two interactions. Sure, they've known each other for a long time, but time alone doesn't magically justify romantic feelings as strong as "Hudson is my future"
TL;DR Story was alright. I feel like the author went so far to avoid miscommunication that the story leaned a bit too far into being to explicit and things kind of felt less exciting because of it. Still, I prefer being too explicit and reasonable over miscommunications that could easily be solved.
July 19, 2024
In this sweet age-gap M/M romance, Lance returns to his small hometown after time away in the city. After personal losses as well as a divorce, he's ready to come home where he's always been happiest. His best friend and his friend's sons still live there and he's looking forward to rebuilding those relationships. Since his divorce, he's had some time to really examine himself and his life, discovering his fluid sexuality in the process, so he is a bit nervous about exposing this new facet of himself.
Hudson has faced losses of his own. At a young age, his mother left the family without a word. His father did his best, but has been despondent for years following his wife's abandonment, leaving his sons much of the time to take care of themselves. More recently, he lost a close family member and has had to step up to run the family businesses. He fills his time with work, work, and more work and refuses to allow himself to get close to anyone after experiencing the loss of his mother and the ensuing dysfunctional family.
While Hudson had a crush on Lance as a teen, he never expressed his attraction, as Lance is twenty years his senior. Now, as an adult, neither he nor Lance expect the immediate connection that they feel when they see each other again.
While Hudson tries to limit his relationship with Lance to the physical, Lance is adamant that he wants more. He wants to explore their connection and see what it can build to. Partnering his ice cream shop with Hudson's family's businesses is both a chance to get to know the adult Hudson and a way to torture himself, since he won't engage in a purely physical dalliance. Everything he learns about Hudson just pulls him in more.
Lance is both persistent and sweet. He wants to care for Hudson as well as have a physical relationship with him. He wants everything, even though Hudson continues to push back and refuses to admit his own feelings. He's old enough to know his own mind and patient enough to work for it. Hudson is so incredibly gun-shy of relationships after being left behind so many times. While he is intelligent, funny and hard-working, he doesn't see himself as someone that others will stay for. It's enjoyable watching him face his fears and find a way to move forward.
Throughout the story, you're rooting for Lance to win Hudson over, and the relationship between the two characters is loving and supportive. A really nice M/M romance read.
Four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hudson has faced losses of his own. At a young age, his mother left the family without a word. His father did his best, but has been despondent for years following his wife's abandonment, leaving his sons much of the time to take care of themselves. More recently, he lost a close family member and has had to step up to run the family businesses. He fills his time with work, work, and more work and refuses to allow himself to get close to anyone after experiencing the loss of his mother and the ensuing dysfunctional family.
While Hudson had a crush on Lance as a teen, he never expressed his attraction, as Lance is twenty years his senior. Now, as an adult, neither he nor Lance expect the immediate connection that they feel when they see each other again.
While Hudson tries to limit his relationship with Lance to the physical, Lance is adamant that he wants more. He wants to explore their connection and see what it can build to. Partnering his ice cream shop with Hudson's family's businesses is both a chance to get to know the adult Hudson and a way to torture himself, since he won't engage in a purely physical dalliance. Everything he learns about Hudson just pulls him in more.
Lance is both persistent and sweet. He wants to care for Hudson as well as have a physical relationship with him. He wants everything, even though Hudson continues to push back and refuses to admit his own feelings. He's old enough to know his own mind and patient enough to work for it. Hudson is so incredibly gun-shy of relationships after being left behind so many times. While he is intelligent, funny and hard-working, he doesn't see himself as someone that others will stay for. It's enjoyable watching him face his fears and find a way to move forward.
Throughout the story, you're rooting for Lance to win Hudson over, and the relationship between the two characters is loving and supportive. A really nice M/M romance read.
Four stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 7, 2024
Peaches and Cream is a captivating, easy-to-read, charming, entertaining, and heartwarming romance about two men overcoming an age gap, parental wrath, and their own constraints in pursuit of love and happiness. The plot is simple and linear. However, skillful writing, vibrant narrative, and the dynamic connection between Hudson and Lance, full of surprising developments, situations, and witty dialogues, turn it into an enjoyable, engaging, and never dull read.
Hudson’s abandonment issues are the main cause and source of tension in his relationship with Lance, who is much older, not shy of commitment, and his father’s best friend. He moved away with his wife years ago and returned after a bitter divorce.
Though Hudson protects himself by avoiding emotional connections at all costs for fear of abandonment and heartbreak, Lance does not give up and dismantles his fears and doubts one by one, proving he is the one to stay and ready to fight and compromise for Hudson’s love.
The smooth sail over obstacles towards HEA sometimes feels a bit unreal and over the top. More insight into the MCs’ emotions and thoughts would contribute to the overall dynamic of the story.
However, the combination of smooth, witty, and vibrant narrative, eloquent and fluent writing, and charming and likable characters facing various, sometimes funny and entertaining situations, make this novel a perfect choice for days when you want a simple but effective pick-me-up from gloomy reality.
What to expect? Heartwarming, uplifting, and entertaining romance with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged but not overwhelmed; an easy-to-read and captivating book.
What not to expect? A dark drama with troubled and conflicting characters, violence, abuse, action, and complex, overwhelming topics.
Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal and subjective opinion and should be read as such. I firmly believe that for every book written, there is a reader who will appreciate and enjoy it.
I received an ARC of this book with no obligation to provide a positive review. This is an independent and genuine reflection of my thoughts.
Hudson’s abandonment issues are the main cause and source of tension in his relationship with Lance, who is much older, not shy of commitment, and his father’s best friend. He moved away with his wife years ago and returned after a bitter divorce.
Though Hudson protects himself by avoiding emotional connections at all costs for fear of abandonment and heartbreak, Lance does not give up and dismantles his fears and doubts one by one, proving he is the one to stay and ready to fight and compromise for Hudson’s love.
The smooth sail over obstacles towards HEA sometimes feels a bit unreal and over the top. More insight into the MCs’ emotions and thoughts would contribute to the overall dynamic of the story.
However, the combination of smooth, witty, and vibrant narrative, eloquent and fluent writing, and charming and likable characters facing various, sometimes funny and entertaining situations, make this novel a perfect choice for days when you want a simple but effective pick-me-up from gloomy reality.
What to expect? Heartwarming, uplifting, and entertaining romance with enough twists and turns to keep you engaged but not overwhelmed; an easy-to-read and captivating book.
What not to expect? A dark drama with troubled and conflicting characters, violence, abuse, action, and complex, overwhelming topics.
Disclaimer: This review reflects my personal and subjective opinion and should be read as such. I firmly believe that for every book written, there is a reader who will appreciate and enjoy it.
I received an ARC of this book with no obligation to provide a positive review. This is an independent and genuine reflection of my thoughts.
July 3, 2024
Peaches and Cream is about two businesses finding a common ground by matching peach products with a range of ice creams. That’s all you need to know, not! Hudson Riggs has taken over the running of the Juicy Peach orchard and general store after his uncle passes. As luck would have it, Lance Ingram has returned to Haven Grove after an eight year absence to take ownership of the Sweet & Creamy Dairy Palace after his mother retires.
There are links between the Riggs and the Ingrams in that Lance is Hudson’s father’s best friend. A best friend who did his best to support the Riggs family following a bitter divorce. Unbeknownst to Lance, Hudson had a teenage crush on him and returning home relights that crush in a big way.
This is a ‘bi-awakening’, age gap, father’s best friend romance story. If that isn’t enough there’s a massage service with extras thrown in for good measure. I think the massage side story is a bit unnecessary and a little difficult to fit in with Hudson’s busy life and hook-ups. Hudson doesn’t do relationships and Lance doesn’t do one night stands but against the odds they find themselves in love.
There are a lot of issues for the two guys to deal with and they deal with them in a very believable way so there is a happy ever after to be had. The characters are complex and likeable and the growing attraction between the two main characters is a joy. Enough of a joy to overcome my misgivings well and truly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
There are links between the Riggs and the Ingrams in that Lance is Hudson’s father’s best friend. A best friend who did his best to support the Riggs family following a bitter divorce. Unbeknownst to Lance, Hudson had a teenage crush on him and returning home relights that crush in a big way.
This is a ‘bi-awakening’, age gap, father’s best friend romance story. If that isn’t enough there’s a massage service with extras thrown in for good measure. I think the massage side story is a bit unnecessary and a little difficult to fit in with Hudson’s busy life and hook-ups. Hudson doesn’t do relationships and Lance doesn’t do one night stands but against the odds they find themselves in love.
There are a lot of issues for the two guys to deal with and they deal with them in a very believable way so there is a happy ever after to be had. The characters are complex and likeable and the growing attraction between the two main characters is a joy. Enough of a joy to overcome my misgivings well and truly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 20, 2024
This is book 1 in The Men of Haven Grove series. This is the story of Hudson and Lance. Hudson no longer believes in love nor happy ever after. When his mom walked out on him and his father, it cemented the idea that everyone leaves. So why bother trying for a relationship. Mutual gratification and blowing off steam works just fine, thank you very much. Lance is a local boy who is now a man and is returning back home to take over the family business. He is also the best friend of Hudson's dad. Lance plans to make his ice cream shop a success and knows that he need to unite with both Hudson and Henry and their respective businesses. All three of them can succeed together. On the personal side, Hudson is using a hookup app as their is a limited dating pool in town to choose from. Lance uses the app as well. Of course they get hooked up together without each knowing who the other person is. Lance panics as this is his best friends son and Hudson panics because he has had a crush on Lance since he was a teenager. So they focus on the businesses instead. But while they are doing that, a friendship develops. And their relationship continues to grow. This is their story. Starting a relationship with someone who doesn't believe in relationships is hard enough; but doing it with your best friends son on the down low. That is an entirely new level of stress. The book is written well and is easy to read. This book is heartwarming and sweet. An enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2024
- age gap
- small town
- dad's best friend
- likeable characters
- a bit angsty and yet it felt lighthearted enough all in all
- engaging storyline
- good writing
Oh I love a good age gap romance and if it's dad's best friend it's a bit like the cherry on top.
So we were off to very good start.
I mean in this case not everything is sunshine and roses right from the start. Hudson, the younger MC, was more than reluctant to even try a relationship because of things from his past. So he really needed to come around to give their feelings a chance.
Lance was...perfect. He was solid, dependable, understanding and very very patient since he gave Hudson all the time he needed to understand that he would indeed stay and not break his heart.
It was great watching their relationship change and letting Hudson acknowledge that it wasn't just sex and friendship.
Skilful and solid writing, an easy to follow along story with really likeable characters made this a good and very entertaining as well as engaging read.
I can say I definitely enjoyed this story and was engaged right from the start and couldn't put it down. I really wanted to know what would happen.
I am eager to go back to Haven Grove.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have received a complimentary copy but this is my honest and willingly given opinion
- small town
- dad's best friend
- likeable characters
- a bit angsty and yet it felt lighthearted enough all in all
- engaging storyline
- good writing
Oh I love a good age gap romance and if it's dad's best friend it's a bit like the cherry on top.
So we were off to very good start.
I mean in this case not everything is sunshine and roses right from the start. Hudson, the younger MC, was more than reluctant to even try a relationship because of things from his past. So he really needed to come around to give their feelings a chance.
Lance was...perfect. He was solid, dependable, understanding and very very patient since he gave Hudson all the time he needed to understand that he would indeed stay and not break his heart.
It was great watching their relationship change and letting Hudson acknowledge that it wasn't just sex and friendship.
Skilful and solid writing, an easy to follow along story with really likeable characters made this a good and very entertaining as well as engaging read.
I can say I definitely enjoyed this story and was engaged right from the start and couldn't put it down. I really wanted to know what would happen.
I am eager to go back to Haven Grove.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have received a complimentary copy but this is my honest and willingly given opinion
July 7, 2024
Peaches and Cream is the first book of The Men of Haven Grove series by AD Ellis. This is a standalone MM romance, people that enjoy an bi-awakening, age gap and dad's best friend kind of romance will appreciate this one. Bonus point for those that enjoy small town romances, too.
Hudson is the younger character of this story. He and his family have had a tough time over the years, leaving Hudson, his brother and his father with their own bundle of emotional baggage. Meanwhile, between all that, Hudson is trying to keep the family's orchard running, while his brother keeps the family bar going.
Lance is the older character. He left his hometown some years earlier, leaving behind his best friend and his friend's sons. Lance had been married to a woman, but country life wasn't for her. Their parents also needed help in the city. Now he's divorced, Lance has been able to explore the part of him that is attracted to men.
Being together creates one big mess. But they have great chemistry and they begin to develop a relationship where the years between them don't seem so great. This is the aspect of the book and the relationship that I found most interesting. But Lance and Hudson are also really great, down to earth guys that are easy to like and relate to.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hudson is the younger character of this story. He and his family have had a tough time over the years, leaving Hudson, his brother and his father with their own bundle of emotional baggage. Meanwhile, between all that, Hudson is trying to keep the family's orchard running, while his brother keeps the family bar going.
Lance is the older character. He left his hometown some years earlier, leaving behind his best friend and his friend's sons. Lance had been married to a woman, but country life wasn't for her. Their parents also needed help in the city. Now he's divorced, Lance has been able to explore the part of him that is attracted to men.
Being together creates one big mess. But they have great chemistry and they begin to develop a relationship where the years between them don't seem so great. This is the aspect of the book and the relationship that I found most interesting. But Lance and Hudson are also really great, down to earth guys that are easy to like and relate to.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 19, 2024
A great start to this new series from A.D. Ellis. I love a small town romance and those vibes come through here with the MC's being involved in the main businesses in town. We've also got dad's best friend, age gap, and hurt/comfort as Hudson determined years ago to never fall in love as people only hurt you and leave. Lance is determined to change that, back in town after eight years away and surprised when the guy in town he has been chatting to, and hoping to date, is Hudson, his best friend's son. Shock for both men but Hudson is happy for a quick go round whilst Lance knows they can be so much more.
It becomes an entertaining battle of wills. They can't stay away from each other as they link their businesses up to try and boost profits, something Hudson's family desperately needs for his peach tree farm and store. Henry, Hudson's brother, is an entertaining addition with the occasional comment but I am very interested in his story. Seems like a total sweetheart. Hudson's father becomes one of their stumbling blocks, knowing he won't be happy about things but when things become as intense as it does for these two, there is a choice to be made.
I enjoyed reading this and am excited to get to know more characters from Haven Grove.
**Trigger warning for medical event that happens off page**
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
It becomes an entertaining battle of wills. They can't stay away from each other as they link their businesses up to try and boost profits, something Hudson's family desperately needs for his peach tree farm and store. Henry, Hudson's brother, is an entertaining addition with the occasional comment but I am very interested in his story. Seems like a total sweetheart. Hudson's father becomes one of their stumbling blocks, knowing he won't be happy about things but when things become as intense as it does for these two, there is a choice to be made.
I enjoyed reading this and am excited to get to know more characters from Haven Grove.
**Trigger warning for medical event that happens off page**
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
July 21, 2024
Hudson and Lance have a past. Lance has known Hudson since he was born as Hudson’s dad is Lance’s best friend. Lance is now back in his hometown, ready to take over the family ice cream shop and stay put. When Lance sees Hudson for the first time in 8 years, the 20 year age gap seems daunting, but there is just something about Hudson that calls to him. But Hudson is damaged by a mother who left him years ago, and since he’s been old enough to realize “everybody leaves”, he spends his life without relationships, with hookups only, so he won’t get left again and feel that pain. But then Lance moves back, and there is a connection and strange feelings Hudson doesn’t want, but everybody leaves, so nothing is possible. But Lance won’t give up. Is it possible that not everyone always leaves? Is it possible to trust what you feel? Hudson will need to change his thinking if he doesn’t want a certain someone to leave, but to stay for him. This time, will Lance leave, or is what he says true, will it be forever?
Realistic, relatable characters, a twenty year age gap, blindsided fathers, sneaky not-date dates, peaches, ice cream, thunderstorms and lightening all combine to a tale headed to forever and the HEA. An enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Realistic, relatable characters, a twenty year age gap, blindsided fathers, sneaky not-date dates, peaches, ice cream, thunderstorms and lightening all combine to a tale headed to forever and the HEA. An enjoyable read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 8, 2024
This was just the book to get my mind off my previous read that had left me disappointed added bonus was that it was a dad's best friend, one of my favourite troupes and I enjoyed every second of this book.
Hudson had never left Haven Grove, tasked to run the family business with his brother, He had a jaded understanding of relationships, thanks to what life had thrown at him. Sticking to hook-ups and being constantly busy with work kept him happy.
Lance was Hudson's dad's best friend having left the town married, he has returned ready to make some changes in his life
I liked this pairing straightaway, due to their history their platonic relationship was already established and I loved watching Lance chip away at the no relationship walls Hudson had built to protect him. Their business meeting had me tittering away thanks to the innuendos they came up with for their merch.
This book kept my interest from start to finish, I loved watching their relationship grow and whilst Hudson was the star of the family a shout out to Henry who's story sounds so interesting and Casey Joe who as the dad, had not had an easy life.
If you want a great read, humour and two loveable characters then this is the book for you. Another good read from this author
Hudson had never left Haven Grove, tasked to run the family business with his brother, He had a jaded understanding of relationships, thanks to what life had thrown at him. Sticking to hook-ups and being constantly busy with work kept him happy.
Lance was Hudson's dad's best friend having left the town married, he has returned ready to make some changes in his life
I liked this pairing straightaway, due to their history their platonic relationship was already established and I loved watching Lance chip away at the no relationship walls Hudson had built to protect him. Their business meeting had me tittering away thanks to the innuendos they came up with for their merch.
This book kept my interest from start to finish, I loved watching their relationship grow and whilst Hudson was the star of the family a shout out to Henry who's story sounds so interesting and Casey Joe who as the dad, had not had an easy life.
If you want a great read, humour and two loveable characters then this is the book for you. Another good read from this author
July 10, 2024
Hudson’s past left him with some baggage, but he’s happy in the small town of Haven Grove with his family and a variety of jobs to keep him busy. Not willing to touch a relationship with a ten-foot pole, Hudson sticks to quick, easy hookups. Lance left his hometown eight years ago to take care of unavoidable responsibilities. He’s back home now and he knows himself a lot better than when he left. Hookups aren’t his thing, but sometimes a guy has to do what he has to do. Hudson and Lance have a long history together as Lance is Hudson's father's best friend. Can they overcome the messy obstacles and look forward to a long future together as well? Or will they be forced to give up on the unexpected spark between them and stick with being just friends?
I enjoyed this story of the relationship and the people around them who were either for or against them. In the end, there was no way to deny their love and they got their shot at the HEA that they both deserved. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Easy to read, feel and understand this was an MM story with mature content.
I enjoyed this story of the relationship and the people around them who were either for or against them. In the end, there was no way to deny their love and they got their shot at the HEA that they both deserved. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Easy to read, feel and understand this was an MM story with mature content.
September 18, 2024
𝓽𝓪𝓰𝓼: lgbtq+, age gap, dad’s best friend
𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
Every single person Hudson Riggs has ever loved has left him except his dad and brother.
Lance Ingram has been gone from Haven Grove for 8 years and has recently discovered he may not be “straight.”
Lance is 20+ years older and Hudson’s dad’s best friend.
Hudson doesn’t do relationships and Lance is looking for forever.
What could possibly go wrong…or right?
I loved it.
It was fast-moving but well developed.
Very little filler because the focus was Hudson and Lance and you could FEEL their emotions.
That makes allllll the difference.
These two communicated.
Yessssssss.
Talk about a swoon-worthy older man, y’all.
Lance was the MVP of this story because he was everything.
Patient.
Caretaker.
Steadfast.
Stubborn.
Persistent.
Gentle.
Loving.
Simply, the best.
Hudson did a lot of growing and ended up showing a lot of vulnerability.
I’m eager to read more in this series, especially to see what happens with Henry and, I hope, the mystery “thief.”
Seriously ended up loving this low-angst story and I’m so honored A.D. Ellis trusted me with her book baby. 🥰
𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓶𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼:
Every single person Hudson Riggs has ever loved has left him except his dad and brother.
Lance Ingram has been gone from Haven Grove for 8 years and has recently discovered he may not be “straight.”
Lance is 20+ years older and Hudson’s dad’s best friend.
Hudson doesn’t do relationships and Lance is looking for forever.
What could possibly go wrong…or right?
I loved it.
It was fast-moving but well developed.
Very little filler because the focus was Hudson and Lance and you could FEEL their emotions.
That makes allllll the difference.
These two communicated.
Yessssssss.
Talk about a swoon-worthy older man, y’all.
Lance was the MVP of this story because he was everything.
Patient.
Caretaker.
Steadfast.
Stubborn.
Persistent.
Gentle.
Loving.
Simply, the best.
Hudson did a lot of growing and ended up showing a lot of vulnerability.
I’m eager to read more in this series, especially to see what happens with Henry and, I hope, the mystery “thief.”
Seriously ended up loving this low-angst story and I’m so honored A.D. Ellis trusted me with her book baby. 🥰
January 3, 2025
Beautiful. Heartfelt. Delicious. This book is all of those and yet it is so much more. It is a story told with sincerity, tenderness, compassion and so much love. Not just the love of the two primary protagonists, but the love of family and friends too. This is a story about navigating hurt and trust issues above all else and it takes us to the heart of small town America where the peaches grow, the beers flow and the ice cream is the best you will have ever tasted!
Hudson is happy. He lives in the small town he grew up in with his brother and father. He is now running the family peach orchard and general store whilst his brother runs the local bar. He doesn't date but he does enjoy hookups, and he gets a few more now he has a massage business too - Hudson doesn't know how to rest!
Lance is moving back. He has been away, in the city, for eight years. He was looking after family and his now ex wife's family. After they divorced (she had been cheating on him for years) it gave him time to himself, to explore who he was and to realise that he liked people, men and women. Signing up to a dating app he started having a great conversation with a complete stranger but then, as luck would have it, his decision to go home meant he would have a chance for a date.
When the date, or hookup as it is in Hudson's mind, comes around the men find that they have been attempting to hook up with one another. It gets complicated when we learn Lance is Hudson's father's best friend, has known Hudson and his brother since they were born and was in their lives every day until the day he left for the city. Being 20 years older he never looked at Hudson in any way other than platonically. Now though, now Hudson is 33 to his 53 and he discovers Hudson has had a crush on him since he was 16, now things are very different.
However, Hudson was hurt, his whole family were, when his mother walked away from them all, after being caught sleeping with his uncle. He has vowed not to have relationships, that way he can't get hurt. But Lance is setting out to show him how wrong he is, that he will be staying, they could have something if Hudson would only let them try. A helpful brother, a series of events, a lot of working together as they collaborate on business, a massage, a thunderstorm... These combined with Lance's persistence and Hudson's gradual realisation and acceptance combine to bring us to the most beautiful of happy endings.
I adored this story. It is calm, gentle, loving, so very loving. It also hints at more to come. Now that Hudson and Lance have their HEA I think it will soon be time for Hudson's brother to have his own story and I would love to go back and spend more time with them all in Haven Grove. A.D. Ellis has created a beautiful place with people who make you realise there is a lot of love and a lot of good in the world. I am very happy I found and read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merged review:
Beautiful. Heartfelt. Delicious. This book is all of those and yet it is so much more. It is a story told with sincerity, tenderness, compassion and so much love. Not just the love of the two primary protagonists, but the love of family and friends too. This is a story about navigating hurt and trust issues above all else and it takes us to the heart of small town America where the peaches grow, the beers flow and the ice cream is the best you will have ever tasted!
Hudson is happy. He lives in the small town he grew up in with his brother and father. He is now running the family peach orchard and general store whilst his brother runs the local bar. He doesn't date but he does enjoy hookups, and he gets a few more now he has a massage business too - Hudson doesn't know how to rest!
Lance is moving back. He has been away, in the city, for eight years. He was looking after family and his now ex wife's family. After they divorced (she had been cheating on him for years) it gave him time to himself, to explore who he was and to realise that he liked people, men and women. Signing up to a dating app he started having a great conversation with a complete stranger but then, as luck would have it, his decision to go home meant he would have a chance for a date.
When the date, or hookup as it is in Hudson's mind, comes around the men find that they have been attempting to hook up with one another. It gets complicated when we learn Lance is Hudson's father's best friend, has known Hudson and his brother since they were born and was in their lives every day until the day he left for the city. Being 20 years older he never looked at Hudson in any way other than platonically. Now though, now Hudson is 33 to his 53 and he discovers Hudson has had a crush on him since he was 16, now things are very different.
However, Hudson was hurt, his whole family were, when his mother walked away from them all, after being caught sleeping with his uncle. He has vowed not to have relationships, that way he can't get hurt. But Lance is setting out to show him how wrong he is, that he will be staying, they could have something if Hudson would only let them try. A helpful brother, a series of events, a lot of working together as they collaborate on business, a massage, a thunderstorm... These combined with Lance's persistence and Hudson's gradual realisation and acceptance combine to bring us to the most beautiful of happy endings.
I adored this story. It is calm, gentle, loving, so very loving. It also hints at more to come. Now that Hudson and Lance have their HEA I think it will soon be time for Hudson's brother to have his own story and I would love to go back and spend more time with them all in Haven Grove. A.D. Ellis has created a beautiful place with people who make you realise there is a lot of love and a lot of good in the world. I am very happy I found and read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hudson is happy. He lives in the small town he grew up in with his brother and father. He is now running the family peach orchard and general store whilst his brother runs the local bar. He doesn't date but he does enjoy hookups, and he gets a few more now he has a massage business too - Hudson doesn't know how to rest!
Lance is moving back. He has been away, in the city, for eight years. He was looking after family and his now ex wife's family. After they divorced (she had been cheating on him for years) it gave him time to himself, to explore who he was and to realise that he liked people, men and women. Signing up to a dating app he started having a great conversation with a complete stranger but then, as luck would have it, his decision to go home meant he would have a chance for a date.
When the date, or hookup as it is in Hudson's mind, comes around the men find that they have been attempting to hook up with one another. It gets complicated when we learn Lance is Hudson's father's best friend, has known Hudson and his brother since they were born and was in their lives every day until the day he left for the city. Being 20 years older he never looked at Hudson in any way other than platonically. Now though, now Hudson is 33 to his 53 and he discovers Hudson has had a crush on him since he was 16, now things are very different.
However, Hudson was hurt, his whole family were, when his mother walked away from them all, after being caught sleeping with his uncle. He has vowed not to have relationships, that way he can't get hurt. But Lance is setting out to show him how wrong he is, that he will be staying, they could have something if Hudson would only let them try. A helpful brother, a series of events, a lot of working together as they collaborate on business, a massage, a thunderstorm... These combined with Lance's persistence and Hudson's gradual realisation and acceptance combine to bring us to the most beautiful of happy endings.
I adored this story. It is calm, gentle, loving, so very loving. It also hints at more to come. Now that Hudson and Lance have their HEA I think it will soon be time for Hudson's brother to have his own story and I would love to go back and spend more time with them all in Haven Grove. A.D. Ellis has created a beautiful place with people who make you realise there is a lot of love and a lot of good in the world. I am very happy I found and read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Merged review:
Beautiful. Heartfelt. Delicious. This book is all of those and yet it is so much more. It is a story told with sincerity, tenderness, compassion and so much love. Not just the love of the two primary protagonists, but the love of family and friends too. This is a story about navigating hurt and trust issues above all else and it takes us to the heart of small town America where the peaches grow, the beers flow and the ice cream is the best you will have ever tasted!
Hudson is happy. He lives in the small town he grew up in with his brother and father. He is now running the family peach orchard and general store whilst his brother runs the local bar. He doesn't date but he does enjoy hookups, and he gets a few more now he has a massage business too - Hudson doesn't know how to rest!
Lance is moving back. He has been away, in the city, for eight years. He was looking after family and his now ex wife's family. After they divorced (she had been cheating on him for years) it gave him time to himself, to explore who he was and to realise that he liked people, men and women. Signing up to a dating app he started having a great conversation with a complete stranger but then, as luck would have it, his decision to go home meant he would have a chance for a date.
When the date, or hookup as it is in Hudson's mind, comes around the men find that they have been attempting to hook up with one another. It gets complicated when we learn Lance is Hudson's father's best friend, has known Hudson and his brother since they were born and was in their lives every day until the day he left for the city. Being 20 years older he never looked at Hudson in any way other than platonically. Now though, now Hudson is 33 to his 53 and he discovers Hudson has had a crush on him since he was 16, now things are very different.
However, Hudson was hurt, his whole family were, when his mother walked away from them all, after being caught sleeping with his uncle. He has vowed not to have relationships, that way he can't get hurt. But Lance is setting out to show him how wrong he is, that he will be staying, they could have something if Hudson would only let them try. A helpful brother, a series of events, a lot of working together as they collaborate on business, a massage, a thunderstorm... These combined with Lance's persistence and Hudson's gradual realisation and acceptance combine to bring us to the most beautiful of happy endings.
I adored this story. It is calm, gentle, loving, so very loving. It also hints at more to come. Now that Hudson and Lance have their HEA I think it will soon be time for Hudson's brother to have his own story and I would love to go back and spend more time with them all in Haven Grove. A.D. Ellis has created a beautiful place with people who make you realise there is a lot of love and a lot of good in the world. I am very happy I found and read this book!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 22, 2025
Haven Grove Has My Heart
Peaches and Cream is the perfect small-town, slow-burn MM romance for readers craving low angst and high satisfaction. From the first chapter, I was rooting hard for Lance and Hudson—two men navigating an age gap, complicated friendships, and a whole lot of chemistry in the cozy charm of Haven Grove.
A.D. Ellis delivers tight, purposeful writing that moves the story along beautifully while allowing space for character growth. The dynamic between Lance and Hudson simmers with believable tension, and when that happy ending finally comes (not to be confused with Hudson’s side hustle—wink), it’s well-earned and deeply satisfying.
Side characters like Hudson’s protective brother Henry and his dad-slash-Lance’s best friend, Casey Joe, are fully realized and add both humor and depth to the story. The community feels lived in, layered, and full of heart.
I’m already looking forward to diving into Cake and Cocktails! A warm, heartfelt start to what promises to be a delightful series.
Peaches and Cream is the perfect small-town, slow-burn MM romance for readers craving low angst and high satisfaction. From the first chapter, I was rooting hard for Lance and Hudson—two men navigating an age gap, complicated friendships, and a whole lot of chemistry in the cozy charm of Haven Grove.
A.D. Ellis delivers tight, purposeful writing that moves the story along beautifully while allowing space for character growth. The dynamic between Lance and Hudson simmers with believable tension, and when that happy ending finally comes (not to be confused with Hudson’s side hustle—wink), it’s well-earned and deeply satisfying.
Side characters like Hudson’s protective brother Henry and his dad-slash-Lance’s best friend, Casey Joe, are fully realized and add both humor and depth to the story. The community feels lived in, layered, and full of heart.
I’m already looking forward to diving into Cake and Cocktails! A warm, heartfelt start to what promises to be a delightful series.
July 18, 2024
I’m a fan of father’s best friend romances and this has a really strong couple at its center. Lance and Hudson are what I loved most about this book, it also has some truly exceptional small town vibes happening in Haven Grove. I believed their connection right off and I appreciated how Lance approaches a relationship with his best friend’s son Hudson with purpose. That’s pretty unusual in my experience, father’s best friend romance often has a lot of hiding and resisting. Hudson’s massage business seemed like a bit of an odd choice and there are places where the steamy dialogue didn’t quite work for me personally. However, the characters absolutely did work and I really enjoyed how things evolve for Lance and Hudson. I’m so glad this is a series because I definitely want more of Hudson’s brother Henry’s story, I really enjoyed the relationship between the two brothers.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
July 19, 2024
Another excellent read by one of my favourite authors. An exceptionally well written storyline with absolutely perfect relationship development, paced to perfection! I always find that I always bond well with A.D's books characters and I think this is just due to the fact that the character building is just so good that you feel that you know them. This book was no exception and I loved Hudson and Lance. A beautiful relationship evolves between them from an initial hookup app conversation. Much to Hudson's surprise he funds out it’s his dad’s best friend! Lance has been away for a few years and is surprise finds out his crush is his best friend’s son! Lance is so patient and gives Hudson the time to realise that he wants forever. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 20, 2024
This is a sweet story. You knew it would be because of the title, right? The blurb tells you the basic facts. But these two guys get into our hearts. Lance is 53, the proverbial silver fox. Hudson is a 33-year-old peach farmer in the small town of Haven Grove. They have a long history, but nothing prepares them for the spark that lights up when they begin texting on a hook-up app. The feelings don't go away when they find out who the other is. They become friends as two adults, business partners, and finally lovers. We learn about why each operates as he does and how history has shaped them. Fears, dangers and family are overcome together. Plenty is going on in this story besides the romance, and the author does a good job depicting folks who aren't rich. The small town is good, but we don't meet the busybodies whom I know are there. Maybe as this series progresses, we will meet them.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 20, 2024
So beautiful
Hudson Uses a dating app to find hook ups, but that backfired on him when they planned to meet. His hook up is none of that than Lance, his Dad‘s best friend.
The thing is Hudson is happy with the way his life is, he doesn’t believe in love but Lance is just the man he needs. It is obvious there is an attraction there. But this man has known Hudson since he was born. He is 20 years older, but who cares about numbers.
I’ll tell you two numbers chapter 12 and 13. Oh my gosh, my heart was in my mouth. And what comes from that night is not all good, but Hudson knows that he has found his forever in Lance but can his Dad coming round?
This book is so beautiful, and Lance was not going to let anything stand in his way, because he knew Hudson had changed his life. This is a great book. I’m really looking forward to this series..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hudson Uses a dating app to find hook ups, but that backfired on him when they planned to meet. His hook up is none of that than Lance, his Dad‘s best friend.
The thing is Hudson is happy with the way his life is, he doesn’t believe in love but Lance is just the man he needs. It is obvious there is an attraction there. But this man has known Hudson since he was born. He is 20 years older, but who cares about numbers.
I’ll tell you two numbers chapter 12 and 13. Oh my gosh, my heart was in my mouth. And what comes from that night is not all good, but Hudson knows that he has found his forever in Lance but can his Dad coming round?
This book is so beautiful, and Lance was not going to let anything stand in his way, because he knew Hudson had changed his life. This is a great book. I’m really looking forward to this series..
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 22, 2024
This is the sweetest book! It’s a Dad’s best friend, age gap romance that will absolutely tick all the boxes if you enjoy one MC pining for the other who wants only hookups and is desperately trying to keep feelings out of the equation but, thankfully, having no luck at all.
I loved Lance and Hudson, they were just perfect together. They ‘met’ on a hookup app not realizing who the other was, that they’d known each other all Hudson’s life, but when they came face to face, after eight years, the chemistry between them was incredible.
You do NOT want to miss this book! Some books start slow, making it hard to get into but not this one. Yes, it took a while for Hudson to reconcile certain things but it needed everything before it to make their coming together even better. I loved it and think others will too. 5 awesome stars!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Lance and Hudson, they were just perfect together. They ‘met’ on a hookup app not realizing who the other was, that they’d known each other all Hudson’s life, but when they came face to face, after eight years, the chemistry between them was incredible.
You do NOT want to miss this book! Some books start slow, making it hard to get into but not this one. Yes, it took a while for Hudson to reconcile certain things but it needed everything before it to make their coming together even better. I loved it and think others will too. 5 awesome stars!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 6, 2024
This is another hit story by A.D. Ellis that tugged at all my heart strings and made me love this couple so much. Going from a relationship that was platonic for their entire life and morphing into a romantic relationship takes a lot of trust and faith, but it's written well and addresses those concerns and then some. It's steamy, emotional, impactful and just slightly taboo - in other words, it was just peachy! It also hints at the next story with Henry and the mysterious person going through his trash each night. I can also see that there's a possible third story focusing on Casey Joe that was hinted at and set the groundwork for. I also loved all the tongue in cheek names for combining the businesses that Hudson and Lance come up with. Those were some pretty good ones and there's a few that I'd buy the merch of. Can't wait for more in this series.
July 17, 2024
I loved Lance and Hudson, Lance was patient and wonderful with Hudson. Hudson was scared of relationships, his attitude and mantra was "If I leave first they cant leave me." His mother left him, his brother and their father when he was a small child. Lance was Hudson's fathers best friend and had to leave when his (Lance's) father broke his leg and his father in law got sick. After Lance's father in law passes, he finds out his wife had been cheating on him. She left and he did some soul searching discovered that he wasn't straight after all but fell on the spectrum somewhere. Hudson and Lance have a meet cute to reconnect. This is their story of how they overcame fear and fell in love.
I can's wait for Henry's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I can's wait for Henry's story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 24, 2024
The age gap in this one is pretty big, and the childhood relationship is a bit too close for me personally to be fully on board, but the author does a great job of making it not actually a big deal or an issue, and the story is very well-written, with interesting characters and a good, strong, well-paced, and enjoyable plot. I really did enjoy the story and I DO think that the age gap has less of an impact due to the MM dynamics than it may have had if the characters were MF, but also, our younger character here is well into their thirties and not even close to being a child, so that makes a very big difference in how the dynamics will play out, which I appreciated. It's a good story which I would recommend. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 15, 2024
Loved!
This was a fun, age gap story. I loved that Hudson and Lance were older and knew each other for years before reuniting. Hudson grew up bitter since his mom left him, his brother, and father in the worst way, cheating with his dad's brother. Hudson is adamant that everyone will leave him so he sticks with one night stands. Lance has moved back to town to take over the family ice cream shop. He wants to work with the local businesses run by Hudson (peach orchard) and his brother Henry (bar/food). What starts as a business venture with some light flirting, turns into dating as Lance shows Hudson that not everyone leaves. This book was filled with sweetness, sexiness, and a few emotional moments. I'm looking forward to Henry's story.
This was a fun, age gap story. I loved that Hudson and Lance were older and knew each other for years before reuniting. Hudson grew up bitter since his mom left him, his brother, and father in the worst way, cheating with his dad's brother. Hudson is adamant that everyone will leave him so he sticks with one night stands. Lance has moved back to town to take over the family ice cream shop. He wants to work with the local businesses run by Hudson (peach orchard) and his brother Henry (bar/food). What starts as a business venture with some light flirting, turns into dating as Lance shows Hudson that not everyone leaves. This book was filled with sweetness, sexiness, and a few emotional moments. I'm looking forward to Henry's story.
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