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Bears of Firefly Valley #1
One Reason to Stay
Bears with bellies, steamy romps, found family, and a town that will go to extremes for its residents.
I never believed I belonged in Firefly Valley.
Everyone in this town has an opinion on my love life. Mom wants grandkids. The cribbage crew wants to play matchmaker. I know they mean well. But some days I wonder if I’d be happier where nobody knows my name, my obsession with flannel, and that unfortunate incident from second grade.
Then a bear of a man moves to town, hoping to escape the hustle of city life. Chef. Single dad. Belly and tattoos. The rumor mill kicks into overdrive, and half of Firefly is staging a meet-cute. Little do they know, we’ve already christened the back room of my comic shop.
My plans to move falter every time he enters the room. My comic convention is around the corner and my sexy DILF’s past comes waltzing into town. I’m torn between the city and the home that could be. If only Firefly could see me the way he does.
Who knew a small town could be this over the top? Me. I knew.
One Reason to Stay is a M/M, snarky romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. Be warned, there will be bears with bellies, steamy romps, questioning sexuality, found family, and a town that will go to extremes for its residents.
The Bears of Firefly Valley Series
* One Reason to Stay
* More Reason to Stay
* Every Reason to Stay
* One Chance to Stay
* More Chances to Stay
* Every Chance to Stay
I never believed I belonged in Firefly Valley.
Everyone in this town has an opinion on my love life. Mom wants grandkids. The cribbage crew wants to play matchmaker. I know they mean well. But some days I wonder if I’d be happier where nobody knows my name, my obsession with flannel, and that unfortunate incident from second grade.
Then a bear of a man moves to town, hoping to escape the hustle of city life. Chef. Single dad. Belly and tattoos. The rumor mill kicks into overdrive, and half of Firefly is staging a meet-cute. Little do they know, we’ve already christened the back room of my comic shop.
My plans to move falter every time he enters the room. My comic convention is around the corner and my sexy DILF’s past comes waltzing into town. I’m torn between the city and the home that could be. If only Firefly could see me the way he does.
Who knew a small town could be this over the top? Me. I knew.
One Reason to Stay is a M/M, snarky romance with an HEA and no cliffhangers. Be warned, there will be bears with bellies, steamy romps, questioning sexuality, found family, and a town that will go to extremes for its residents.
The Bears of Firefly Valley Series
* One Reason to Stay
* More Reason to Stay
* Every Reason to Stay
* One Chance to Stay
* More Chances to Stay
* Every Chance to Stay
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2024
About the author
Ryder O'Malley
29 books111 followers
Ryder O'Malley Website
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Ryder's Patreon
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Series Reading Order
Ryder acts as if he doesn’t watch sappy movies. He won’t admit to daydreaming about ex-boyfriends and asking “What if…” He’s a closet romantic who gets anxious about first dates. While he calls himself a romance writer, he likes to think of it as fanfic about his life. Someday… it’ll become a reality. Until then, he’ll invent dreamy men that make him tear up at their insistence that love always wins.
Ryder acts as if he doesn’t watch sappy movies. He won’t admit to daydreaming about ex-boyfriends and asking “What if…” He’s a closet romantic who gets anxious about first dates. While he calls himself a romance writer, he likes to think of it as fanfic about his life. Someday… it’ll become a reality. Until then, he’ll invent dreamy men that make him tear up at their insistence that love always wins.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
September 21, 2024
Easy light small town rom com. At first it was cute and I loved the banter but then the MC proved to be incredibly insecure and needy and there was a tone of miscommunication and misunderstandings. The “chummy-cozying” with the other MC’s ex wife was also annoying,OTT and unrealistic. I mean the MC mentioned 100 times what a bombshell was the ex wife. It got exhausting pretty soon. Also, let’s be real, the ex wife could have very well rented something instead of living in her ex’s house. That was weird as hell.
Another irritating thing was their first out of the blue hookup a minute after they met , when they proceeded to have sex without a condom or without at least asking if the other person had a condom or if he was healthy. Not to mention that he assumed the other one was straight and married , with a kid and yet he didn’t care that he was sleeping with a married man.
I have to mention two positive things . The pretty good writing and that hilarious town and its fabulous ppl. The whole comic books theme and the folks in town were the best part of the book. Too bad that the MC was too self absorbed and deep in his pity party to appreciate it. All in all it was a fun fluffy read , it made me laugh at some parts despite the bland romance. Ah, and the title is totally misleading, this is NOT a “gay awakening” .
Another irritating thing was their first out of the blue hookup a minute after they met , when they proceeded to have sex without a condom or without at least asking if the other person had a condom or if he was healthy. Not to mention that he assumed the other one was straight and married , with a kid and yet he didn’t care that he was sleeping with a married man.
I have to mention two positive things . The pretty good writing and that hilarious town and its fabulous ppl. The whole comic books theme and the folks in town were the best part of the book. Too bad that the MC was too self absorbed and deep in his pity party to appreciate it. All in all it was a fun fluffy read , it made me laugh at some parts despite the bland romance. Ah, and the title is totally misleading, this is NOT a “gay awakening” .
September 13, 2024
The afterword got me right in my fucking feelings. Ouch, but also awwww. I just wanna hug the author. That’s still weird for me to say because I’m still not a touch person.
I will also never recover from the Rolodex of local asses comment. My soul left my body for a moment while I caught my breath. There were actually many times where I needed a break to recover from laughing. It was fantastic.
As for the rest of the story, I loved it. I am always going to be here for a good OV story. This one reminded me so much of listening to my friends talk about their relationships and dating lives. Aside from the clearly romanticized bits that border on implausible-to-impossible in all romance books, it was painfully and beautifully accurate to real life. The dialogue, the mechanics of spicy times… it was amazing. The characters were relatable and well developed, I loved Lucas being included instead of used as a plot device and abandoned when unnecessary, and the world that was built left me eager for the next installment so I could keep digging into it.
This is for sure what MM romance should be all the time. Especially the fact that there’s bearS. More than one. In the same pairing. Hella good stuff.
My only gripe would be that the ARC wasn’t a closer-to-final copy, and it got dicey here and there trying to work around the things that will be fixed in the final version. That’s not factoring into the rating, but I’m mentioning it because it just goes to show how much I loved the story. I loved it so much that I had to do some reaching to find anything amiss.
4.5/5. Were there things that didn’t work for me on a personal level? Yes. Of course there were things I wouldn’t vibe with, but that’s just me. And I know what goes on out in the world even if I’m a shut-in with no tangible friends outside of my bestie these days. Will I be recommending this book to all my friends that ask me for OV recs? Absolutely. This book reminded me of the Finn Dixon realness I can’t ever get enough of, and that’s the best kind.
**[I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.]**
I will also never recover from the Rolodex of local asses comment. My soul left my body for a moment while I caught my breath. There were actually many times where I needed a break to recover from laughing. It was fantastic.
As for the rest of the story, I loved it. I am always going to be here for a good OV story. This one reminded me so much of listening to my friends talk about their relationships and dating lives. Aside from the clearly romanticized bits that border on implausible-to-impossible in all romance books, it was painfully and beautifully accurate to real life. The dialogue, the mechanics of spicy times… it was amazing. The characters were relatable and well developed, I loved Lucas being included instead of used as a plot device and abandoned when unnecessary, and the world that was built left me eager for the next installment so I could keep digging into it.
This is for sure what MM romance should be all the time. Especially the fact that there’s bearS. More than one. In the same pairing. Hella good stuff.
My only gripe would be that the ARC wasn’t a closer-to-final copy, and it got dicey here and there trying to work around the things that will be fixed in the final version. That’s not factoring into the rating, but I’m mentioning it because it just goes to show how much I loved the story. I loved it so much that I had to do some reaching to find anything amiss.
4.5/5. Were there things that didn’t work for me on a personal level? Yes. Of course there were things I wouldn’t vibe with, but that’s just me. And I know what goes on out in the world even if I’m a shut-in with no tangible friends outside of my bestie these days. Will I be recommending this book to all my friends that ask me for OV recs? Absolutely. This book reminded me of the Finn Dixon realness I can’t ever get enough of, and that’s the best kind.
**[I received an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews (GRR). All ratings, reviews, and opinions are my own.]**
September 21, 2024
Small town romance between the nerdy comic store owner and the supposedly straight single dad chef Simon. Filled with cute dates, small town shenanigans, an ex-wife who couldn't be more perfect, an kid with a love of superheros, funny mums and best friends and pretty low on angst. And high on heat. Funny, sweet and cosy.
Beware: One pov only, for my 2 pov lovers
Beware: One pov only, for my 2 pov lovers
September 19, 2024
This is a very cute story that I really enjoyed. I love a small town romance and even better when it’s mixed with a single parent. This is small town living to a T, nosy neighbours, complete lack of privacy but everyone having your best interests at heart. Jason is at a crossroads of sorts, he’s not completely happy but does enjoy his life. He’s ready for something more he just isn’t sure what needs to change. Simon has been in a similar position he’s just made his move and is now trying to give his son the best life he can.
Sparks fly at their first meeting, it definitely goes off with a bang!💥 it’s interesting watching their developing friendship blossom into more. Lucas is just wonderful and I love how he interacts with Jason.
The story is packed full of meddling friends and family and I found it all quite amusing. It’s a really fun story and I look forward to reading more.
Sparks fly at their first meeting, it definitely goes off with a bang!💥 it’s interesting watching their developing friendship blossom into more. Lucas is just wonderful and I love how he interacts with Jason.
The story is packed full of meddling friends and family and I found it all quite amusing. It’s a really fun story and I look forward to reading more.
September 21, 2024
It was alright. I didn't love or hate this book. It was just ok. The couple and the townsfolk are fine.
Jason is a mess. I don't think I even like him. Just one conversation would have cleared up his supposed "problem/insecurity". His Mom was right. Normally I like books with 2 POVs but this book would have been even worse that way.
I received a free copy of this book by grr and am voluntarily leaving a review.
angst 1/5
heat 2/5
story 2/5
pov 1 MC
Jason is a mess. I don't think I even like him. Just one conversation would have cleared up his supposed "problem/insecurity". His Mom was right. Normally I like books with 2 POVs but this book would have been even worse that way.
I received a free copy of this book by grr and am voluntarily leaving a review.
angst 1/5
heat 2/5
story 2/5
pov 1 MC
February 6, 2026
Took me a while to get into this one, but once I did, I enjoyed it. I think the main characters were sweet together, and I think because it’s only from one POV, you can’t help but feel emotional for Jason when Simon’s ex-wife comes back, even though logically you know it’s fine because Simon has already talked about this to him. I found the author had a good way of getting you into his mindset, and his upset felt almost justified. I imagine we wouldn’t feel that way if we’d had Simon’s POV because it was an easy explanation in the end.
It was a great setup for the series and introduced us to other characters. Their relationship dynamic once the air is cleared is sweet, and Lucas is a cutey.
My only niggle was I found there to be a few questions left unanswered. Regardless, I thought it was enjoyable.
It was a great setup for the series and introduced us to other characters. Their relationship dynamic once the air is cleared is sweet, and Lucas is a cutey.
My only niggle was I found there to be a few questions left unanswered. Regardless, I thought it was enjoyable.
September 19, 2024
I'm a fan of Ryder O'Malley's work and this book did not disappoint. As a geeky gay/bearish man myself, I greatly appreciate seeing myself represented in romance (spicy or no) novels.
One Reason to Stay is a departure from the Super Hero romance novels that first introduced me to the Ryder O'Malley's writing. What the story lacks in super heroic action, it makes up for in heart, humor, and spicy fun. To put it simply, I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book wanting more (in a good way)!
The main character Jason is very relatable in his insecurity and impostor syndrome for me. This is balanced out well with his other character traits. Those help to make the character endearing and help him avoid being one note and annoying (as some other insecure characters can, at times, be written as). I would have liked to see more of Simon, the MC's love interest, maybe a book from his POV would be a fun revisit to this couple in the future. Get more into his head and see how he navigates Firefly, his boyfriend, his son, and his ex.
The spicy bits. Fun, raunchy, and true to actual gay sex (albeit without the annoying prep work which honestly we don't need to read about). It wasn't every other chapter too...which happens a lot in some M/M romance novels. It was placed where it needed to be and well written.
Speaking of his ex.
The secondary and background characters are hilarious. I think this is the funniest book the author has written so far. Defiantly my kind of humor. The ever present theme of the small town rumor mill really plays will with the writers brand of funny.
The writing is strong and clean. There are a few places where a typo or edit was missed, but nothing annoying or unprofessional feeling. I will say, there are points in the dialogue where I have to reread to check who was speaking, but again...nothing annoying or unprofessional feeling. I've seen the same in other books I've read over the years. I think that's just a result of we all read things differently. I've read things that have been published that give me headaches and make me want to throw my e-reader across the room. This isn't one of those. I'm a fan of the authors writing, so that tells you how little this impacts the work overall for me.
10/10 Cant wait for more!!
One Reason to Stay is a departure from the Super Hero romance novels that first introduced me to the Ryder O'Malley's writing. What the story lacks in super heroic action, it makes up for in heart, humor, and spicy fun. To put it simply, I laughed, I cried, and I finished the book wanting more (in a good way)!
The main character Jason is very relatable in his insecurity and impostor syndrome for me. This is balanced out well with his other character traits. Those help to make the character endearing and help him avoid being one note and annoying (as some other insecure characters can, at times, be written as). I would have liked to see more of Simon, the MC's love interest, maybe a book from his POV would be a fun revisit to this couple in the future. Get more into his head and see how he navigates Firefly, his boyfriend, his son, and his ex.
The spicy bits. Fun, raunchy, and true to actual gay sex (albeit without the annoying prep work which honestly we don't need to read about). It wasn't every other chapter too...which happens a lot in some M/M romance novels. It was placed where it needed to be and well written.
Speaking of his ex.
The secondary and background characters are hilarious. I think this is the funniest book the author has written so far. Defiantly my kind of humor. The ever present theme of the small town rumor mill really plays will with the writers brand of funny.
The writing is strong and clean. There are a few places where a typo or edit was missed, but nothing annoying or unprofessional feeling. I will say, there are points in the dialogue where I have to reread to check who was speaking, but again...nothing annoying or unprofessional feeling. I've seen the same in other books I've read over the years. I think that's just a result of we all read things differently. I've read things that have been published that give me headaches and make me want to throw my e-reader across the room. This isn't one of those. I'm a fan of the authors writing, so that tells you how little this impacts the work overall for me.
10/10 Cant wait for more!!
September 17, 2024
One Reason to Stay by Ryder O'Malley is such a heartwarming and captivating read! I absolutely loved following Jason, the comic geek, as he falls for Simon, the new bistro chef in town. The small-town vibe, complete with nosy neighbors and endless meddling, made the story even more endearing. The chemistry between Jason and Simon is palpable, full of passion, love, and real-life complications that make their journey relatable. This book had me hooked from the start—full of warmth, humor, and just the right amount of heat. A perfect 5-star 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.
September 20, 2024
4.25 stars. The most beautifully realistic MCs that I've read in some time. The whole story felt like you could visit and find the people just as they are written. Having two delightful somewhat older bears was particularly appealing. I am however scared of the people in this town, the amount of detail that all of them know about each other is really appalling to a hermit like myself.
September 22, 2024
This was an absolutely perfect small town, found family, sweet and sexy story with a great balance of geekery. Ryder O'Malley is basically an auto-buy author for me by now. The stories are just excellent and the characters are wonderful.
September 22, 2024
Everyone in town is discussing his lack of a boyfriend, they all want to help. Then a new man comes to move in with a child and everyone wants to set him up. Will it go well? Will it end in disaster? How will they get on? See how it will all go
September 19, 2024
Charming and cuddly bears
I've read all of Ryder's Heroes of Vanguard books and the follow up Villains of Vanguard books too and loved them. This is a bit of a departure from Vanguard but there's a few nods in the story which made me smile.
Jason had me from the very beginning, he was just that sweet. Everything about him, from his comic store, to him helping to get children interested in reading, to his comic con, and to his standing in Firefly Valley where he doesn't realise how much he's loved by all the town, was delightful. He was just lovely and I wanted to give him a big hug.
Simon was perfect for him, as he proved from the moment they met. The chemistry was always there, and the steamy moments were sexy but also quite tender somehow too. I loved his son, Lucas, who was well-written and definitely not a plot device, and the friendship that grew between Lucas and Jason, through their love of comics, was real and believable.
Jason's best friends were really great, and the ensemble cast of the townspeople turned Firefly Valley into a real small town, with all its flaws and foibles but also lots of heart.
I just loved everything about this. It gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings, and some real smiles that haven't left me yet.
I've read all of Ryder's Heroes of Vanguard books and the follow up Villains of Vanguard books too and loved them. This is a bit of a departure from Vanguard but there's a few nods in the story which made me smile.
Jason had me from the very beginning, he was just that sweet. Everything about him, from his comic store, to him helping to get children interested in reading, to his comic con, and to his standing in Firefly Valley where he doesn't realise how much he's loved by all the town, was delightful. He was just lovely and I wanted to give him a big hug.
Simon was perfect for him, as he proved from the moment they met. The chemistry was always there, and the steamy moments were sexy but also quite tender somehow too. I loved his son, Lucas, who was well-written and definitely not a plot device, and the friendship that grew between Lucas and Jason, through their love of comics, was real and believable.
Jason's best friends were really great, and the ensemble cast of the townspeople turned Firefly Valley into a real small town, with all its flaws and foibles but also lots of heart.
I just loved everything about this. It gave me all the warm and fuzzy feelings, and some real smiles that haven't left me yet.
September 17, 2024
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This has everything I love about a quaint small-town romance!
A lovely town that will go above and beyond for one of its own. An out of towner who fits right in. A guy with a dream, but struggling to figure out quite what it is. And really great kid.
Simon and Jason were both really likeable guys. Kind, down-to-earth, and pretty sweet. They are also pretty hot together. That first encounter…damn!
I also really loved the superhero, comic book, comicon narrative. I loved how it highlighted its ability to breach the gap between children and parents; as an entryway to reading, or in this case, bringing a community together. And even if it isn’t your thing, it was super relatable.
Seriously, this one of those warm and cozy stories also made you blush a little!
This has everything I love about a quaint small-town romance!
A lovely town that will go above and beyond for one of its own. An out of towner who fits right in. A guy with a dream, but struggling to figure out quite what it is. And really great kid.
Simon and Jason were both really likeable guys. Kind, down-to-earth, and pretty sweet. They are also pretty hot together. That first encounter…damn!
I also really loved the superhero, comic book, comicon narrative. I loved how it highlighted its ability to breach the gap between children and parents; as an entryway to reading, or in this case, bringing a community together. And even if it isn’t your thing, it was super relatable.
Seriously, this one of those warm and cozy stories also made you blush a little!
September 17, 2024
Lately I have been reading a lot of urban fantasy, so it was a nice change to pick up a small town romance. I always forget how much I laugh when I am reading these books and this book was no different thanks to the busybody side characters, I am talking to you Walter, Abraham and Harvey. I laughed so hard with their antics.
I loved Jason and Simon from the moment I met them. Jason embraced his geek side and you could see the passion he had for comic books and for Firefly. Simon wanted to be a good dad to Lucas and moving to a small town and starting up his own business seemed like a good idea.
This was an easy read for me as I was engrossed in the story. From the moment they met, I like the rest of the town was routing for them, and even when there was an unwanted visitor (well you need a bit of low angst) I was willing Jason to go get his man
I am glad this is the first in the series as I want more from the residents of Firefly
I loved Jason and Simon from the moment I met them. Jason embraced his geek side and you could see the passion he had for comic books and for Firefly. Simon wanted to be a good dad to Lucas and moving to a small town and starting up his own business seemed like a good idea.
This was an easy read for me as I was engrossed in the story. From the moment they met, I like the rest of the town was routing for them, and even when there was an unwanted visitor (well you need a bit of low angst) I was willing Jason to go get his man
I am glad this is the first in the series as I want more from the residents of Firefly
September 19, 2024
One Reason to Stay by Ryder O'Malley is a heartwarming, captivating read that perfectly blends romance, humour, and small-town charm. Jason, the lovable comic geek, falls for Simon, the new bistro chef in town, creating undeniable chemistry between them. The nosy neighbours and constant meddling only add to the endearing small-town vibe of Firefly Valley, making the story even more enjoyable.
The humour throughout had me smiling, while the developing romance between Jason and Simon felt both passionate and realistic. Their journey, filled with relatable insecurities and real-life complications, had a perfect balance of warmth and heat. The book’s setting and chosen family dynamics are strong, making it a delightful read for fans of close-knit communities.
Overall, Jason and Simon’s relationship feels genuine, with a nice mix of adult challenges and emotional depth. This entertaining story will leave readers smiling long after the final page!
The humour throughout had me smiling, while the developing romance between Jason and Simon felt both passionate and realistic. Their journey, filled with relatable insecurities and real-life complications, had a perfect balance of warmth and heat. The book’s setting and chosen family dynamics are strong, making it a delightful read for fans of close-knit communities.
Overall, Jason and Simon’s relationship feels genuine, with a nice mix of adult challenges and emotional depth. This entertaining story will leave readers smiling long after the final page!
September 16, 2024
Unicornum, Boogiebear, greasome, toasted cheese, Mr. Cuddles, culture expedition, StarPony
Awww, this is a warm and fuzzy book with a lot of self-inflicted angst. Just remember this is a book of fiction. As such, you'll have to unplug your logical mind and accept things and events as written. Just because it doesn't make sense in OUR reality doesn’t make this story wrong, unbelievable, or diminish its enjoyability (is that a word?)
Jason and Simon are an adorable, sweet couple. Of course Lucas is cuter. The people of the town of Firefly Valley are a quirky and nosey bunch which, along with Jason's quips, make for a delightful and enjoyable read. The imagery painted by Ryder O'Malley is vibrantly and resplendently stunning. The pages kept turning by itself; it's entirely enchanting. Be prepared for some tear-inducing scenes. I passionately recommend it.
Awww, this is a warm and fuzzy book with a lot of self-inflicted angst. Just remember this is a book of fiction. As such, you'll have to unplug your logical mind and accept things and events as written. Just because it doesn't make sense in OUR reality doesn’t make this story wrong, unbelievable, or diminish its enjoyability (is that a word?)
Jason and Simon are an adorable, sweet couple. Of course Lucas is cuter. The people of the town of Firefly Valley are a quirky and nosey bunch which, along with Jason's quips, make for a delightful and enjoyable read. The imagery painted by Ryder O'Malley is vibrantly and resplendently stunning. The pages kept turning by itself; it's entirely enchanting. Be prepared for some tear-inducing scenes. I passionately recommend it.
September 17, 2024
I adored this book. There was so much humor, I fell in love with all the characters, the world building for small town Firefly Valley was on point, and the comicon story line fit right in with one of the loves of my son and his family. It was a thoroughly entertaining read that had me smiling, chuckling, and laughing out loud all the way through. The growing relationship between Simon and Jason, and the insecurity as challenges developed, was very realistic and relatable. This book deserves so many more stars than just 5 — a very enjoyable read, one I will plan to reread, and one I highly recommend.
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.
September 21, 2024
- small town
- single dad
- older MCs
This is the start of a new series, set in a small town where Jason is attempting to hold the first comic-con, while navigating a new relationship with Simon, a single dad who's just moved to town with his son. I will admit to struggling a little at the start of the story, especially after their first meeting, although it was hot hooking up like that, it just felt ... odd. And then for Jason to continually wonder if Simon was actually gay when the guy was asking him out and them being together, got a little wearing too.
I liked both guys for the most part though, I loved how Jason loved his hometown and wanted to make a go of the convention and his business, and I loved how he rallied the whole town round and got everyone involved. Not that big of a fan of how easily he gave up, though. Both with Simon and with the con when it hit a bump in the road. I did love the town rallying round to support him, and I liked Lucy, the ex-wife too. There was a lovely family dinner at the conclusion too, tying everything together. On the whole I enjoyed this and do look forward to more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
- single dad
- older MCs
This is the start of a new series, set in a small town where Jason is attempting to hold the first comic-con, while navigating a new relationship with Simon, a single dad who's just moved to town with his son. I will admit to struggling a little at the start of the story, especially after their first meeting, although it was hot hooking up like that, it just felt ... odd. And then for Jason to continually wonder if Simon was actually gay when the guy was asking him out and them being together, got a little wearing too.
I liked both guys for the most part though, I loved how Jason loved his hometown and wanted to make a go of the convention and his business, and I loved how he rallied the whole town round and got everyone involved. Not that big of a fan of how easily he gave up, though. Both with Simon and with the con when it hit a bump in the road. I did love the town rallying round to support him, and I liked Lucy, the ex-wife too. There was a lovely family dinner at the conclusion too, tying everything together. On the whole I enjoyed this and do look forward to more.
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
September 19, 2024
An absolutely wonderfully sweet love story. It is also so funny that when I was reading it in the coffee shop I laughed out loud so much that the people beside me kept looking at me so I finally told them they needed to read it. Set In a wonderful community that I would love to live, it has two great main characters in Jason and Simon, and so many other wonderful characters. I loved that everyone was trying to find a partner for Jason so he would happy. It also has enough suspense couple with the sweetness that made it perfect, this is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. I did receive an ARC and leve this honest review.
September 20, 2024
Jason runs Legends Comics in Firefly, a small town with unique characters. He dreams of bigger cities but stays in Firefly. Simon is a chef who has moved to Firefly and opened a bistro. He is the father to Lucas an eight year old with learning disabilities. His ex-wife Lucy, is a doctor who travels where she is needed. Jason is planning Firefly Con a convention for comic book enthusiasts. This storyline shows community support, friendship, romance and found family. Very heartwarming.
September 22, 2024
Jason has always lived in Firefly and now he's thinking of moving to the big city. Simon moves to Firefly to start over after his divorce and so he can have more time with his son. When these two men meet Jason realizes that he might have everything he ever wanted right where he was. I really enjoyed this book.
September 22, 2024
Thank you Ryder for this great read. Looks like it's going to be a brilliant series. A well written small town romance storyline that I absolutely loved. It was everything it should be sweet, funny, low angst with plenty of shenanigans and heat between the MC's. Cannot wait for the next book!
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review.
I received a free arc copy and this is my honest review.
September 21, 2024
I couldn't put this book down I enjoyed reading it. It was well written and I can't wait to read more from this author. I 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.
September 12, 2024
This was a really cozy, low-angst read. Perfect for a cool fall day. I've been reading a lot of books set in small towns and it's really making me contemplate selling my big-city condo and moving to the country. But in practice, I think having this many people all up in your business all the time would probably get real old, real quick! LOL. I really liked how welcoming and accommodating Lucy is in this when she comes back into town. I like seeing stories of people forming healthy, functional coparenting situations like this rather than adversarial, drama-filled ones.
Also, I know this is a very tiny little scene, but at one point Jason ruffles Lucas' hair and he darts away and corrects him, saying "No touching. Dad says you have to ask. I have to give permission." I just love seeing these kind of healthy boundaries and respect for children's bodily autonomy becoming normalized. I don't have children of my own, but I try to remain mindful of stuff like this when I'm interacting with my friends' kids, and it was awesome to see that scene and also the fact that it was a main character that made the mistake and then promptly apologized for crossing Lucas' boundary was great because it shows that even people with good intentions can still learn.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
Also, I know this is a very tiny little scene, but at one point Jason ruffles Lucas' hair and he darts away and corrects him, saying "No touching. Dad says you have to ask. I have to give permission." I just love seeing these kind of healthy boundaries and respect for children's bodily autonomy becoming normalized. I don't have children of my own, but I try to remain mindful of stuff like this when I'm interacting with my friends' kids, and it was awesome to see that scene and also the fact that it was a main character that made the mistake and then promptly apologized for crossing Lucas' boundary was great because it shows that even people with good intentions can still learn.
***
I was provided with an ARC from Gay Romance Reviews and this is my honest review.
December 29, 2025
I liked the small town vibes, the cute cooking scenes and the friendships. The romance part started out rather abruptly and while it was mostly cute, I feel the conflict was a bit forced and could have been solved with a five minute conversation. The fact it wasn't I think is down to the main character being all sorts of wishy washy.
January 27, 2026
I liked this better in the beginning. After they got together I found Jason’s constant worrying to become annoying. I also thought it was strange how close he got with Lucy. It was not very realistic. I love a single dad story, but Lucas doesn’t really have much of a part in this story. Some things just seemed too easy.
September 7, 2024
This was such a good story. Jason loves his small town but he feels like he needs more. Simon just moved to town with his son Lucas and is looking to settle down and be a dad. These two are looking for answers and happen to find the one thing that compliments them perfectly. This is a sweet and a little spicy romance between two adorable bears who just happen to be perfect for each other. This one left me feeling good after reading it.
March 7, 2025
Got to 50% then started skimming. Story was generally fine, if a little fluffy. Characters were alright and distinct enough to keep separate in my head.
Didn't understand the author's insistence that Simon was straight considering he literally hooked up with Jason (no lube or condom either!!!) then asked him out on the next meeting. Like the dude was obviously confident in his sexuality, so having him say later that he was maybe bi was super jarring considering he'd already expressed a very clear attraction to Jason (without any hesitance or confusion)
The idea theat "Simon is a straight guy" sort of sticks around and annoyed the hell out of me, like when Jason lamenting Simon apparently choosing Lucy over him at a bar, he tells the bartender that he'd already had enough straight guys in his life. Again, Simon was very definitely not straight.
I didn’t get the third act breakup thing. Jason and Simon had agreed that Simon would talk to Lucy about their relationship. Jason meets Lucy in his store and she says something about trying to make it work with Simon and that depresses Jason because he thinks that meant that Simon was choosing her? But he never got confirmation directly from Simon? He just assumes, gets sad, and drunk then unloads his spiel at Simon who just sits there and takes it? Why not say something about how he obviously talked to Lucy or was planning on doing it? He knows that Jason is upset about the situation, but he keeps quiet for seemingly no reason other than melodrama. Then time passes and they still don't clear the air for some reason. I don't think the usual "giving him space" could be justified in this situation because it was precisely the lack of information that was causing it. If Simon or Jason had just taken a minute to talk about what was Simon's intentions were with Lucy, then Jason would know definitively if either Simon chose Lucy or he chose him. Sadness if the former and happiness if the latter. Done, and no annoying melodrama.
The fact that it was Lucy who came out and cleared the air just annoyed me even more because it showed that Simon and Lucy already had the stupid conversation but still decided to not tell Jason about it for some reason.
Simon's excuse about not realizing how much his ex-wife was going to affect us" and "forgetting to be a good boyfriend" did not justify anything because how the hell did he not know that Lucy was affecting Jason when they talked about it, the town probably hinted at it, and Jason literally lashed out at him for it. "Forgetting how to be a good boyfriend" also wasn't a satisfying reason considering how obvious the problem and solution was.
TL;DR: Story was fine but a bit too fluffy imo. Conflict in the romance could've 100% been avoided if the MCs just had a conversation though and that's primarily why this gets 2 stars for me.
Didn't understand the author's insistence that Simon was straight considering he literally hooked up with Jason (no lube or condom either!!!) then asked him out on the next meeting. Like the dude was obviously confident in his sexuality, so having him say later that he was maybe bi was super jarring considering he'd already expressed a very clear attraction to Jason (without any hesitance or confusion)
The idea theat "Simon is a straight guy" sort of sticks around and annoyed the hell out of me, like when Jason lamenting Simon apparently choosing Lucy over him at a bar, he tells the bartender that he'd already had enough straight guys in his life. Again, Simon was very definitely not straight.
I didn’t get the third act breakup thing. Jason and Simon had agreed that Simon would talk to Lucy about their relationship. Jason meets Lucy in his store and she says something about trying to make it work with Simon and that depresses Jason because he thinks that meant that Simon was choosing her? But he never got confirmation directly from Simon? He just assumes, gets sad, and drunk then unloads his spiel at Simon who just sits there and takes it? Why not say something about how he obviously talked to Lucy or was planning on doing it? He knows that Jason is upset about the situation, but he keeps quiet for seemingly no reason other than melodrama. Then time passes and they still don't clear the air for some reason. I don't think the usual "giving him space" could be justified in this situation because it was precisely the lack of information that was causing it. If Simon or Jason had just taken a minute to talk about what was Simon's intentions were with Lucy, then Jason would know definitively if either Simon chose Lucy or he chose him. Sadness if the former and happiness if the latter. Done, and no annoying melodrama.
The fact that it was Lucy who came out and cleared the air just annoyed me even more because it showed that Simon and Lucy already had the stupid conversation but still decided to not tell Jason about it for some reason.
Simon's excuse about not realizing how much his ex-wife was going to affect us" and "forgetting to be a good boyfriend" did not justify anything because how the hell did he not know that Lucy was affecting Jason when they talked about it, the town probably hinted at it, and Jason literally lashed out at him for it. "Forgetting how to be a good boyfriend" also wasn't a satisfying reason considering how obvious the problem and solution was.
TL;DR: Story was fine but a bit too fluffy imo. Conflict in the romance could've 100% been avoided if the MCs just had a conversation though and that's primarily why this gets 2 stars for me.
December 29, 2025
This was a Stuff Your Kindle Day grab that I was excited about because we can always use more bear rep and body positivity in general, and in that narrow scope, I loved this book for that. Another highlight was Simon's kid, it's super hit or miss whether I'll like the kids that come into a single dad storyline, and Luca was adorable. With that said, there were way more misses than hits here.
First and foremost, the book says it's a gay awakening book. Who was awakened??? Was it the man who, upon meeting someone for the first time, immediately and wordlessly took him to the back room to hook up bareback?? Was it the man whose ex-wife openly knows about the entire man he dated before meeting her that she referred to as his boyfriend?? Like this entire element of the story read like some biphobic nonsense of Jason seeing that Simon has previously been in love with a woman and therefore could not possibly be interested in anything serious with a man. Also while we're on that immediate and wordless bareback hookup (that also didn't use lube or anything of that nature), that probably needed to be a conversation about health statuses first, my god.
And then we're back to the ex-wife, who shows up and right away starts talking like she's trying to get Simon back, which only feeds into Jason's insecurities. Like to be fair, Jason would've thought himself into a problem without her help, but still, she was a menace from the first second she got to town. Only for her to turn around a few chapters later, declare the whole thing and oopsie-doodle, and suddenly be the biggest champion for the relationship? Please pick a side...
I don't think I'm going to continue this series, the writing was very surface level for me, and also the series having a naming convention of "...To Stay" for the books sounds like at least one of the characters in each book is gonna be pulling the whole "but I can't stay in this town" forever storyline, and that's sometimes fun once, but not for a whole series.
First and foremost, the book says it's a gay awakening book. Who was awakened??? Was it the man who, upon meeting someone for the first time, immediately and wordlessly took him to the back room to hook up bareback?? Was it the man whose ex-wife openly knows about the entire man he dated before meeting her that she referred to as his boyfriend?? Like this entire element of the story read like some biphobic nonsense of Jason seeing that Simon has previously been in love with a woman and therefore could not possibly be interested in anything serious with a man. Also while we're on that immediate and wordless bareback hookup (that also didn't use lube or anything of that nature), that probably needed to be a conversation about health statuses first, my god.
And then we're back to the ex-wife, who shows up and right away starts talking like she's trying to get Simon back, which only feeds into Jason's insecurities. Like to be fair, Jason would've thought himself into a problem without her help, but still, she was a menace from the first second she got to town. Only for her to turn around a few chapters later, declare the whole thing and oopsie-doodle, and suddenly be the biggest champion for the relationship? Please pick a side...
I don't think I'm going to continue this series, the writing was very surface level for me, and also the series having a naming convention of "...To Stay" for the books sounds like at least one of the characters in each book is gonna be pulling the whole "but I can't stay in this town" forever storyline, and that's sometimes fun once, but not for a whole series.
December 29, 2024
Things that were NOT in the book and seriously?
Safe sex talk
Condoms
Prep
Lube
Things that were in the book and seriously?
Monster cock, ( see above )
The cutest, sweetest, most OTT and unrealistic relationship with the ex wife who looks like a supermodel but is a superhero for working in hospitals in third world countries. Which yes, absolutely, except she left her young son who just got a medical diagnosis and needed her. So yeah.
Safe sex talk
Condoms
Prep
Lube
Things that were in the book and seriously?
Monster cock, ( see above )
The cutest, sweetest, most OTT and unrealistic relationship with the ex wife who looks like a supermodel but is a superhero for working in hospitals in third world countries. Which yes, absolutely, except she left her young son who just got a medical diagnosis and needed her. So yeah.
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