The Rivals of Copper County

Copper County #2

by May Archer

My childhood friend. My biggest rival. The only man I’ve ever wanted.

If there were a prize for the most contented man in Copper County, I’d win it every time. I’ve got my business. My son. My family. My friends… and no romantic prospects, sure, but only because I don’t need any. My life’s great as it is. Seriously. Could not be better. I’m practically bleeding serenity over here.

At least until Jasper Wrigley shows up in Copper County after twenty years–as my son’s temporary hockey coach, no less, though the man could barely lace up his skates back in the day–and throws my carefully ordered life into chaos.

Once upon a time, magnetic, confident Jasper was my best friend and greatest rival, and his summer visits to town were the best part of my year. Our competitions were fierce. Our dares were thrilling. We talked about everything under the sun, and he made me believe in the possibility of a bright, hazy future somewhere just out of reach.

But then he left, and I grew up. Now the last thing I need is Jasper back in my space, provoking me, challenging me, and making me question… freaking everything.

Like whether my life’s as perfect as I claim.
Like whether I’m as straight as I think.
Like whether there might be something better than “contentment” out there for me if I’m brave enough to look for it.
And whether the man who was always my greatest rival… might just be the love of my life.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, Second Chance, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers

315 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2024

Reviews

[Snjez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

To be honest, I wasn't feeling this when I started it. Jasper and Watt's initial dynamic felt off to me and it really bothered me that you can, apparently, teach history and be competent enough to grade students' papers if someone just gives you their lesson plans. And you can coach hockey after a few conversations with an actual coach and watching a couple YT videos, even though you can't even skate properly.

However, all of that was addressed many times throughout the story and it wasn't like everyone accepted it without a second thought. I liked that. The hockey situation turned out be really fun and Jasper turned out to be a really nice and sweet person.

The relationship develpment between Jasper and Watt didn't entirely work for me. I'm very particular when it comes to childhood friends and I never find friends-with-benefits concept believable. I wish they'd just decided to hang out, get to know each other again as adults and see where it goes, without putting a label to it. Which is kind of what they did, but the label irritated me. 😅

That being said, I actually really liked them together once I got to know them better – their past, the mutual pining and their conversations. Even though they sometimes sounded a lot younger than they are. I really enjoyed the dialogues, the banter and the humor in this one and that's what totally won me over in the end. Bonus points for Chris, Ollie and Delaney for bringing more fun to the story. Looking forward to more of Delaney in the next book!

Rounding the rating up for now.

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING 4.5 STARS

The Rivals of Copper County is book two in the Copper County series by May Archer. This was such a cute story about two childhood best friends finding each other again and in doing that, finally figuring out who and what they really wanted out of life.



Watt Bartlett is thirty seven years old and is a single dad to a seventeen year old son (who is wiser than his years I might add) and owns and runs a huge farm. He has lived in Copper County all his life. He is known as the calmest, kindest man. He has a great son, great friends and a great job. He has no interest at all in dating anyone. But then he looked out the window and saw a light on in the what he thought was the uninhabited house next door. It can’t be who he thinks might be there! Can it?



Jasper Wrigley used to visit his aunt and uncle during the summers twenty years ago and was best friends with the neighbor boy, Watt. They were best friends and rivals. They challenged each other to do all sorts of things. Jasper had such a huge crush on Watt. But then he was forced to leave and never made it back. Now, twenty years later, his life is a mess and his aunt and uncle have passed away. He inherited the house and needs to clean it out and fix it up. He’s gotten a temporary teaching job at the high school and also as temporary hockey coach to the high school team!



Watt and Jasper have not spoken in twenty years. And there are so many things that need to be said. Did their first meeting go well? Not so much! These two were so adorable. Once they were back in each other’s lives again, it was like no time had passed! They resumed their rivalry and while doing so, they found pieces of themselves they had long ago lost. Watt calmed Jasper, showed him what acceptance really felt like. What friendship really felt like. And Jasper helped Watt to accept a part of himself he had long ignored. Together, they were so cute.

“Jasper Wrigley,” I rasped out. “You seduce me by breathing.”



I love this wonderful small community of Copper County and the way the people care about each other. Both books one and two are so much fun. The characters so lovable. Book three is going to be Jasper’s friend, Delaney’s book in The Misfits of Copper County. I can’t wait to read it.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[~✡~Dαni(ela) ♥ ♂♂ love & semicolons~✡~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked:

- former-best-friends-to-lovers (all that pining and longing);
- Watt's conversations with Chris and Ollie (hilarious!);
- Derry, Watt's teenage son, who's just a great kid all around;
- Watt's "battery" going at full charge;
- sweet kisses on the dock.

What I didn't:

- the whole "terrible ex showing up out of the blue" storyline (Jasper tells him off eventually but never confronts him about the clients and money he stole);
- Kayla, who has a crush on Watt, being really fucking annoying and overly present (a nearly 40-year-old woman making an ass out of herself isn't charming or remotely funny);
- Watt's sexuality is casually dismissed (has no one in this gay utpoia heard of demisexuality? Someone? Anyone?);
- constant monologuing;
- rather abrupt ending (epilogue is set just one day after the last chapter).

Also, can we just agree that no high school anywhere, but especially in New York where hockey is huge and town rivalries are a big deal, would hire a hockey coach who:

1. has never played, much less coached, hockey;
2. doesn't understand the most basic rules of the game; and
3. doesn't know how to skate.

Mini Mites? Maybe. High School Varsity? Absolutely not.

Verdict: cute, feel-good romance that lacks true depth, which is what I've come to expect from May Archer; enjoyable but nothing special.

[Cat the bookworm (still at the cottage in AO3 land) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A typical May-Archer-romance, not her best, but far from bad, either.

It’s the classic second chance/childhood friends to lovers theme: Watt is in his mid thirties, divorced, and he has a son about to go to college. He’s not into dating, he’s not even sure if he’s ever truly felt sexually attracted to someone. Except for Jasper, whom he hasn’t seen for 20 years, after a more or less failed attempt to kiss him.

So ofc, as things in small towns tend to go, Jasper returns. Turns out, he hasn’t kept in touch so this time because he thought HE kissed Watt, and thought Watt might have been repulsed. And now he’s the school hockey coach (and history teacher) despite not being able to skate, and he’s quickly becoming extradited with both Coppertians and, ofc, with Watt.

Yeah, I know 😂 but it’s a May Archer romance. There’s no real drama, everyone’s accepting, even the one single mother who’s a bit annoying and who’s set her eyes on Watt turns out to be nice. We meet a few people who we’ve already met before, and have some others being set up for upcoming books.

It’s… fun. Not memorable, but entertaining enough, especially when you switch back and forth from the audio. Michael Dean, the narrator, will never make it to my top 5 narrators list, but he’s good to listen to - I feel like he’s gotten better in his latest books.

Still, well deserved 3.5 stars, tuned up because I’m nice like that. Looking forward to the upcoming couples 🩵 (...next one to get his HEA seems to be Delaney...)

[Em Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was fine I guess? Idk, something has been missing for me in this Copper County series. I don’t know if it’s because unlike her O’Leary and Whispering Key series Copper County is basically a nothing place so the small town charm and gaggle of lovable weirdos feels absent. I mean everything that happens is actually in O’Leary so it feels toned down maybe because this is supposed to be about Copper County, which again, is like a nothing place. I’m rambling, but it just feels like some of the magic is gone 🤷🏻‍♀️

As for the actual storyline…it was pretty standard. Watt and Jasper were fine characters. The only thing that bugged me was the attempt at demisexual representation that is brought up constantly, but never actually named and fundamentally goes nowhere.

Take my opinion with a grain of salt because I’m probably just grumpy 😆

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh so much, the antics of Jasper and Watt as they continued their childhood rivalries were giggle inducing.

Of course, once they'd actually had a chance to talk - after their initial shock reactions and fratching on seeing each other for the first time in two decades - it becomes very clear all those teenage feelings of attraction, affection and hurt, are still fully in play.

Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers or frenemies to lovers, are amongst my most favourite tropes to read in a romance, and here May gives us a really sweet, very cute, and incredibly steamy, one between two men who've never stopped thinking about the other.

A moment between them when they were 17 has prayed on both their minds ever since and it's interesting to see how they both have such a different impression of what went down. I loved that they actually talked about their hurt, and how it had affected them since.

There's no actual further misunderstandings here, although it looks like the two of them might start jumping to conclusions on occasions, and I was very glad May took that route.

People not talking to each other and getting the wrong end of the stick is one thing guaranteed to drive me nuts when there's an easy way of finding out what someone thinks by asking them!

There's so much humour in this narrative too, they tell each other ridiculous jokes, they tease and torment the other with silly dares and daft bets, they're completely wrapped up in each other, and it's incredibly sweet.

Obviously there's some tension, otherwise it would be overly sickly sweet, but that comes from believable outside forces, alongside a little bit of a wobble for Watt when he considers his sexuality - or how he'd describe himself.

Although it's never stated, it seems to me he's likely demi-sexual, but he struggles with finding a label until he and Jasper have a conversation about it and Watt decides he can live with just being himself.

We also have all the same small town vibes, and loose connections with the Love in O'Leary series, from book one, we catch up with Chris and Reed, and there's a few potential people who could have stories of their own to come.

I can't wait to see where this one goes next.

#ARC kindly received from the author via Give Me Books, I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second chance, small-town, rivals/best-friends-to-lovers romance was - despite being quite generic and predictable - really lovely and fun!

Watt and Jasper had been crushing on each other when Jasper spend his summers in Copper County as a teenager until life happened and they moved in completely different directions. They both felt abandoned, lost touch and build up a hefty amount of resentment for each other.
So when Jasper shows up again twenty years later, there were a lot of feelings to work through 😅
They behaved like the teenage rivals they once were (loved their bets and dares), but (for the most part) talked like the grown ass mature adults they'd become and that contradiction was refreshing to read!

Copper County isn’t the Sunday Orchard or Whispering Key, but I have to say, it’s growing on me!
May Archer just knows how to write small town charm, eccentric but lovable characters, chemistry and feelings and the rivals of Copper County is no exception to that. It wasn’t anything new or too special, but I enjoyed myself nonetheless. 3,5 ⭐️

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humour in this book was so, so good and this was a nice easy read that fitted nicely into May Archer's wider story universe. I really loved the rivalry between Watt and Jasper, their snark and banter was hilarious.

Jasper's hockey expertise had me laughing so much, as did Watt's hatred of spreadsheets - can't relate, I love a good spreadsheet! I was also slightly jealous that they got to clear out a house full of interesting memories too, I love a good declutter and organising session 😂

Chris even redeemed himself from book one for me because he came across much better as a side character and there was still a good amount of charcuterie talk, which I loved. I also love the John Ruffian fan club at this point.

Very intrigued by Delaney and Brew and I can't wait to get their story next. I really liked Delaney's personality and I'm looking forward to finding out more about him and his family - I am hoping there'll be a hockey book with his brother Lawson too, because I would love that so much!

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute book. Really enjoyed it.

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another buddy read down the hatch with the always lovely Lilly ❤️

This was a very sweet, very light and fluffy read, as is to be expected with this author by now.

Watt and Jasper had great chemistry and I very much enjoyed them together.

The isn't much in the way of angst in this story, aside from the fact that these two were best friends for years as teens, and then kissed when they were 17, then both misunderstood and thought the other didn't want it/like it, and then Jasper was taken by his mother to LA as his parents were getting a divorce, before Jasper or Watt could talk to each other, and Jasper got scared and never got to contacting Watt. And Watt in response, got angry and bitter about it and didn't contact him either.

Basically 20 years later, Jasper is finally back after his slime ball ex-husband fucked him over in their partnership at the model agency they owned together and took him for almost all the money he had.

Back in Copper County, he takes a job as a history high school teacher as well as the coach of the high school hockey team, as the regular coach is on maternity leave. Only thing is, he doesn't really know squat about hockey.

In comes Watt, who played hockey through to college before he had Derry, his son and then gave it up. So he knows quite a bit about hockey, and so he becomes a sort of volunteer parent-coach to help out Jasper on the finer details.

And it also gives them the chance to work through their baggage from all these years, and the feelings that are still clearly there.

Watt is a bit resistant at first, but he comes around eventually and soon they start a "FWB" arrangement, even though it barely stays that for long. But they call it that as Jasper is supposed to eventually go back to LA once the coach he's taken over for gets back from her maternity leave in a few months.

But of course he doesn't actually want to live there and he doesn't want to leave Copper County and he's actually quite content there, and a big part of that is Watt himself.

These two were very sweet and adorable together, and their connection was strong. But this whole story was very...I guess you could say...by rote? It was fun and enjoyable, but there wasn't much more to it than that. Your very standard rom-com type of story, so I didn't feel like giving this more than 4 stars.

Also, I wished for more steam in this. We got a bit of steam, and what we got I liked, but still I didn't feel like there was enough of it. The romance was very well done, but the sex was a bit...lacking. It could have been more and we could have gotten more. I feel like some authors have been shying away from giving us a lot of a sex and I don't know why. I know this author can do more with sex and has done in the past, and isn't shy about it, so why we only got two blow job scenes and one penetrative scene (and another spicy scene too that was fun) is beyond me. I need more steam in my romances, like that is a huge part of the Romance genre.

So yeah, a bit of a lack of steam and the story just overall being a very standard, usual type of story and not very stand out from this authors other works just lands this at a solid 4 stars.

It's still cute and quaint and it had some laugh out loud moments, and Jasper and Watt are great characters who carry this story well overall, but there isn't anything to really push over the edge to being above 4 stars.

This is still worth a read, for sure. And if you know May Archer's writing and stories by now, you'll still enjoy this one overall as well. Just...I guess, don't expect anything more than the standard either, is all.

I still can't wait for the next in the series, and am definitely looking forward to it.

Until then! 😘

My Ratings for the Copper County Series:

🔸 The Pretenders of Copper County: 4.5 stars (my review)
🔸 The Rivals of Copper County: 4 stars
🔸 The Misfits of Copper County: TBR

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're gonna miss me so much when summer's over, Watt Bartlett."

I totally loved Watt and Jasper. I'm never disappointed in a May Archer romance and this book was no exception. I may also be a teeny bit partial to her because she resides in the beautiful blue state of Massachusetts, and I like to support my fellow peeps. But back to the story. When I finished book 1, I ended my review stating I was hoping for Watt to be next, so you can guess how happy I was when this book was announced! Watt is such a good man, and I enjoyed getting to know him even better in his own romance.

Jasper and Watt grew up as childhood friends. Jasper was a Copperplate, meaning he spent his summers in Copper County, but didn't reside there full time. Every summer those boys looked forward to spending time with each other and daring one another to do stupid stuff. They were thick as thieves which made it that much more frustrating when a silly miscommunication leads to them spending 20 years apart! You read that right. TWENTY YEARS.

"And if there was one thing I'd learned, it was the tighter you tried to hold them, the more it hurt when they left anyway."

I'd classify this book as a second chance romance, however the reason why is part of the plotline, so I'll let readers discover that for themselves. Just know that seeing Jasper and Watt rekindle their friendship, while also falling in love was a wonderful thing to read and I'm already looking forward to more books next in this quirky, yet loveable small town!

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

To the surprise of no one, I loved this small town second chance romance. "Rivals" is a stretch, so don't go into this if you're wanting something with a lot of tension between the two MCs. Challenging each other is definitely just their love language! While the chemistry was there from the beginning, I like that there was at least a tiny bit of friends first to make it more believable when they eventually picked up where they should've left off 20 years ago! As always I laughed a ton and fell in love with the entire town.

[Bekka · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75
Enjoyed.
Son appears surprisingly little, ex-wife is never on page and an epilogue one day after the happenings of the book. Sigh. But we have a lot of pumpkin and some sweet banter.

NSFW infos
- two 37 year old white men, both divorced
- one out and gay
- one has only been interested in the other (allusion to him being demi but no label found in the book)
- top bottom on page (will be vers in future)
- bareback sex without talking about stds

[Marthea · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kiedyś, jak nawet coś mi się nie podobało, to szybko czytałam i kończyłam - pewnie żeby mieć to jak najszybciej z głowy 😜 Ostatnio mam z tym problem - jak nie mogę się wkręcić w książkę, to robię sto tysięcy innych rzeczy, żeby jej nie czytać. Tak właśnie było tym razem...

I miałam w planach się rozpisać, co, jak i dlaczego mi się nie podobało i mnie denerwowało, ale jak już siadłam do pisania, to się okazało, że jednak nawet tego mi się nie chce przy tym tytule 👀🤦‍♀️ Bo nawet epilog mnie rozwalił - byłoby miło, gdyby nie rozgrywał się dzień po ostatnim rozdziale...

Zatem po prostu - to jeden z tych tytułów May Archer, który mi się nie podobał 🤷‍♀️

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s lots to like here but also it was dull enough that my main thought is wondering why authors like May Archer and Lucy Lennox cannot write a non-stereotypical woman to save their lives. One woman is fucking weird and obsessive and annoying. The other woman is pregnant, but coming back to her job after mat leave, except oh my goodness she couldn’t possibly now that she’s had the baby.

[Betty Loves Books Galore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rivals to more second chance romance, featuring Watt and Jasper, and is book two in the Copper County series.

Watt’s quiet life is shaken when his childhood best friend and rival, Jasper, returns as his son’s hockey coach. As old feelings resurface, Watt starts to question everything he thought he knew about himself and what he really wants.

These two were so frigging entertaining. I love a second chance / childhood friends story. Watt and Jasper have great chemistry and banter. I’m loving this small town.

I need to know if Derry’s going to get a book

Things to expect in this book are:
Book 2 in series
MM romance
Small town
Second chance
Childhood friends
Single dad
Hockey coach x Farmer
Secret crush
First love
Bets and dares
Push / Pull
Friends with benefits
Secret relationship
Ace rep
Some spice
Possessive & jealous vibes
Admit feelings
HEA

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

We finally get Watts story! Like many have been in love with him and Derry since since The Secret! Watt has just been living his happy life running his orchard, but when his old bestie returns, life goes sideways rather quickly. Jasper spent his Summers in Coppper County, but when he was taken away by his mom, he wasn't ready to come back. When life goes wrong in LA, it's time to return and set things right with the boy who got away. Twenty years is a long time to let the past come to the light, so it's bound to be a little bumpy.
With Jasper leaving as he did, both sides were hurt but too young to see the other side and reach out to the person that meant most to them. With his return, the past is brought to light, and they learn to communicate and set things the way they should have always been.
These two are those best friends who always egg the other on where you can't tell if they love or hate the other, and I mean that in the best way possible. Their tension is palpable. Their adoration is apparent if you just take the time to really watch them. With a cast of crazy townsfolk that you can't help but love from a May Archer small town story.

[Romance Recs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book so much!! I loved how they treated each other once the misunderstanding was over.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narration 5.0
Story 3.6

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

May Archer's small town romances are always exactly what my heart needs. This friends to rivals to friends with benefits to lovers was another beautiful and sweet love story. Watt, the grump, and Jasper the sunshine one who tries his best and cooks amazingly. Misunderstandings and second chances are not always what I enjoy but I must say that even with that tiny pinch of angst, with me yelling PLEASE TALK, and a sort of mid-slow burn, I didn't mind one bit. In fact I absolutely devoured this book, loving every second of it.
While we didn't get the label spelled on page, we know and see how Watt comes to terms with his demisexuality and I really loved how, even if there's not need to label yourself if you aren't ready or you don't want to, he wanted to be able to say "this is me" and see how perfectly the label fits, feeling like he could finally exhale. I loved that for him and witnessing him opening up and throwing himself from head to toe into feelings territory with Jasper made me giggle shyly like I was the one having a John Ruffian marathon night and chill time afterwards. They tried my patience with all their "it's temporary", "we're only friends with benefits" so there I was screaming YOU FOOLS!! You can't escape the cupid magic that is a small town with an orchard, even more if one of the MCs is the actual owner of one! It was meant to happen, fate! The power of apples! Of charcuterie boards courtesy of delightful Chris from book 1! Of a kiss that changed everything, even if they had to wait 20 freaking years for their well deserved happily ever after! Totally worth it!

Ahhhh, small town romances bring me so much joy!!

[Axalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Watt et Jasper avec un Culomètre à 🍑

Encore bien gâté avec ce nouveau tome de Copper Country !

Quand Watt tombe sur Jasper à la sortie du supermarché, il ne peut pas y croire et fuit. Comment faire face à son ancien meilleur ami, parti du jour au lendemain sans donner de nouvelles après un baiser qui les a laissés sur des non-dits ? Sauf que Jasper est le nouvel entraineur de hockey de son fils et que celui-ci a une méthode assez particulière d'enseignement et que toute la ville souhaite que ce soit Watt qui prenne les rênes avec lui...

Si vous cherchez une romance good vibes et assez basique dans sa réalisation, cette histoire sera parfaite pour vous. Dans la lignée des romances de petites villes que peut nous écrire May Archer, on retrouve ici des protagonistes qui sont restés sur quelque chose d'inachevé, pensant l'un et l'autre avoir foiré après leur premier baiser, ce qui va nous amener sur un léger quiproquo et un bon départ de récit. Malgré l'attirance qui va les mener l'un à l'autre, ils ont toujours été comme chien et chat, ce qui va être également le cas tout le long du tome et qui donne un sous ton léger très appréciable !

Bon, ce n'est pas la romance du siècle, mais, avec la plume fluide et bien construite de l'autrice, on passe un très bon moment et, grâce à des personnages tout de même intéressants, on ne s'ennuie pas un seul moment !

Bref, un histoire sans prise de tête dont on a besoin de temps en temps !

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, I loved the characters... Jasper and Watt (how in the world do you pronounce that?) had a history together, but now they need to figure out their present together!

I loved so much about this story, but what didn't I like, you ask? The hockey... 😭😭😭

Sorry, I am like the one person who just can't get into a "sports" themed book. Derry and Zach certainly made the hockey part interesting, but I think Kip kinda stole the show. When you find out, you will know! But, the first half of the book just had me reading a chapter, then putting it down to go find something else to do... like housework. Yeah, I am as shocked as you are! Lucky for me, the guys finally came off the ice and my interest was definitely peaked!

This was light and fluffy with a bit of drama, because, why not? And, yes, I am glad to see that book #3 will not be a "hockey" inspired story because Delaney is the only brother who doesn't play hockey... yay me!!! 🤣

[Donna]

Dnf

[Sindu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining rivals to lovers, small town romance!

"Maybe I should have focused a little harder on the specifics of how I’d make amends for throwing our friendship in a wood chipper one sunny afternoon a billion years ago and a little less on the happy ever after."

Jasper and Watt were best friends as kids. Every summer they spent their days egging each other on and their nights talking about everything under the sun. But as they grew older their feelings started to change and one kiss led to decades of silence. When Jasper finally sets foot back in Copper County, he wants to set things right. But Watt isn't ready for his content life to be disrupted, even if it is by the love of his life.

"When I looked at him, I saw his strength, his resilience, his warmth, his honesty, and the soul-deep beauty of his heart. And I treasured them."

Jasper and Watt are opposites in a lot of ways. But what ties them together is their competitive spirit. These two turn everything into a competition, constantly one-upping and daring each other to do the most random things. And if one of them fails, they have even more ridiculous consequences. When they were younger, all the arguing and competition just spurred on their friendship, but now it's major foreplay for them.

"Jasper smiled up at me— his genuine, gorgeous smile— and the cold morning air around Copper County had to have grown ten degrees warmer."

As adults, these two are constantly butting heads and trying to out-stubborn each other. Like they would argue about everything, including who kissed whom first. But all that fire just meant that the passion between these two burned twice as hot and the tension keeps building and building until it finally explodes when they finally give into their feelings.

"Best of all, I got to keep Watt. The man who got me, who calmed me, who fired me up. Who loved me."

Just like all of May's books, this one had me laughing so much. Watt and Jasper's moments of jealousy when they were pretending not to care, all the John Ruffian moments that just keep getting better and better, and the rivalry that made these two do the most ridiculous things, all of it just made this book so entertaining and enjoyable.

"That’s exactly how it’s going to be because that’s how it’s always been. You and me. Rivals. Best friends. Lovers. Building a life together in this town. And I bet you’re gonna love it."

We were also introduced to some amazing new characters who I really hope get their own stories! I especially loved the Monroe clan and how they adopted Jasper into their family. It was so sweet and I need to see the brothers find their HEA's too. But before that you should pick up this second chance, single father, small town romance. It's fun, steamy and so very heartwarming!

[Sjoukje · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute read, very lovable characters and fun banter. I am not the biggest fan of second chance romance, especially not when it’s best friends as well. And no contact for 20 years is also not something I like. Especially when it’s like this when they kiss and never talk after. Lots of open ends (plot bunnies I think they’re called), when it came to the aunt, the company, the ex (because why does he turn up? It made no sense at all).
I did appreciate the turn Watt made in feeling who was at fault here. And also how wholesome their relationship was after the first bumps. So to summarize: 5 stars for how the book made me feel while reading and 3 stars for all those unnecessary plot hole. That makes 4 stars all together 😊

Not a reread, and probably recommend.

(The name Watt was a bit weird for me too, might be a language thing though.)

[A🦄🌻🌙 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️


Liked this better than the first though the drama at the end felt a little unrealistic but to be fair I don’t exactly read these books for realism lol. Jasper and Watt had great chemistry and banter and I appreciated how once they started figuring things out they were adults about it and didn’t suddenly start acting like dramatic teenagers. Speaking of teenagers, I love Derry. He’s great and I kinda hope we get a book for him in the future…maybe featuring a certain bff 👀 . Overall a sweet lighthearted romance featuring two men figuring out how to be around each other again with minimal drama other than their difficult “breakup” from their childhood. Coulda done with less Kayla overall but it’s all good.

[Damian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the first but good.

Jasper and Watt were high school friends until Jasper's mother and father got divorced and she dragged him from Copper County. Twenty years later, they meet again but can hurt be replaced with a stronger friendship? Now, what I didn't like was the endless inner mind thinking, exs being brought in, and ex-dates (Kayla). The first book was far more funnier and had a better flow.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was more like a 3.5 but im rounding up because it wasn’t meh enough to be a 3? For me there was nothing really outstanding about this. It was just a cute second chance kind of story between two old friends, but I didn’t particularly find myself attached to Jasper or Watt. Sad there was no Reed cameo :(

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Watt from The Rivals of Copper County is demisexual!

https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...