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The Darling Brothers #2
Brim Over Boot
He may be a King, but I’ll never kneel.
Colton
If asked to list all the folks in Darling, Montana I can’t stand, I’d have a single name.
Noah King.
He’s the second-best farrier in town (me being the first). A royal pain in my behind. And an all-around smug pest I wouldn’t mind knocking down a peg or two.
It’s no surprise after so many years, our animosity has come to a head. I just never in my wildest, hate-fueled fantasies expected Noah’s attack to involve his lips on mine.
It was a mistake, no question. But apparently I still have some things to figure out about myself.
One thing I do know? Noah King and I have been bitter rivals from the start. And nothing, not even the fire he lights under my skin, makes a lick of difference in the end.
Surrendering to my enemy isn’t an option.
Brim Over Boot is a small town, enemies-to-lovers romance between rival farriers, with a double bi-awakening, tension and banter galore, scorching encounters, a slow fall from hate to love, and one very HEA. It’s book 2 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.
Colton
If asked to list all the folks in Darling, Montana I can’t stand, I’d have a single name.
Noah King.
He’s the second-best farrier in town (me being the first). A royal pain in my behind. And an all-around smug pest I wouldn’t mind knocking down a peg or two.
It’s no surprise after so many years, our animosity has come to a head. I just never in my wildest, hate-fueled fantasies expected Noah’s attack to involve his lips on mine.
It was a mistake, no question. But apparently I still have some things to figure out about myself.
One thing I do know? Noah King and I have been bitter rivals from the start. And nothing, not even the fire he lights under my skin, makes a lick of difference in the end.
Surrendering to my enemy isn’t an option.
Brim Over Boot is a small town, enemies-to-lovers romance between rival farriers, with a double bi-awakening, tension and banter galore, scorching encounters, a slow fall from hate to love, and one very HEA. It’s book 2 in The Darling Brothers series but can be read as a standalone.
330 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 22, 2025
370 people are currently reading
2102 people want to read
About the author
Emmy Sanders
24 books1,675 followersEmmy Sanders, author of sweet, steamy, swoony MM romance, would describe herself as a lover of love. She's obsessed with both reading and writing romance and believes everyone deserves their happy ending. Queer herself, Emmy has a soft spot for LGBTQ+ fiction, but MM is where her heart lies. Her debut novel, Fool Hearts, released in 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 581 reviews
May 13, 2025
The way I saw Steph’s TikTok about this last night. Ran to Emmy’s DMs to ask for an arc (because I am both charming and shameless). Then promptly read the entire thing in a day. AND LOVED IT.
THE PREMISE: small town MM romance where two rivals are obsessed with each other for deeply *heterosexual* reasons.
TROPES & VIBES:
- Double biawakening
- Rivals to lovers
- MCs in late 30s
- Possessive handling of throats
- Tattoos with meanings
- I learnt so much about horses
- Also. One horse trope
- “I hate you” sounds like: “I love you”
- The epilogue had me smiling like an actual idiot
5⭐️ 3.5🌶️
THE PREMISE: small town MM romance where two rivals are obsessed with each other for deeply *heterosexual* reasons.
TROPES & VIBES:
- Double biawakening
- Rivals to lovers
- MCs in late 30s
- Possessive handling of throats
- Tattoos with meanings
- I learnt so much about horses
- Also. One horse trope
- “I hate you” sounds like: “I love you”
- The epilogue had me smiling like an actual idiot
5⭐️ 3.5🌶️
May 23, 2025
Safety info, content warnings and tropes down below.
ARC review.
This book managed to do something very few books have done before it — made me like it after making me dislike it.
Once I start being annoyed by a character or a plot, there’s usually no going back, and the characters and plot in this annoyed me plenty. There’s something about grown men being rivals that is annoying more than the funny and endearing it’s supposed to be. Like, just grow up, right? Both MCs take turns being dickheads and generally unpleasant people — until they suddenly aren’t. I can’t pinpoint exactly where, when or why the shift happened. I’m not a fan of little boys in the school playground teasing and pushing the girls or boys they like, and I’m not a fan of adult men doing the same thing — which is what a lot of this book felt like.
“I’m thirty-eight years old, Colt,” I say with a huff. “I’m tired of bickering like kids.”
I’m tired of it too, y’all.
Even though I’m (surprisingly) giving this four stars, it’s not a very complimentary review. I liked it more and more as the book went on and thought it ended strong. There was enough drama and a touch of angst to keep me invested even through a slump, and the dynamic between Colton and Noah was amazing once it fell into place. It was really nice to see that slow shift from heated tension and lust to caring and love. It actually felt believable, which is so important with enemies to lovers.
“I want to hate you.” “I know.” “I don’t want to hate you at all.” My heart kicks. My cock, too. “I know, baby.”
The author also made me tear up on Colton’s behalf while I was actively complaining about him in the group chat, which impressed and annoyed me in equal measure.
This one took me on a personal emotional roller coaster, and even tho I had complaints, I really did end up enjoying it. I will never be the target audience for rivals/enemies to lovers, and I’m a difficult and unsympathetic reader, so the fact that I went from nearly hating Colton to really liking him deserves some sort of award.
It also made me laugh with this scene:
“You know…boyfriends or whatever.” He looks downright amused at my sour expression. “Does it pain you to say that?” “You know damn well it does. Number one, I’m thirty-fucking-seven, thank you. The word feels ridiculous. Number two…it’s you.” “Mhm,” Noah hums, sliding our plate out of the way. “My salami,” I mumble.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Rivals to lovers
Farriers
Small town
Cowboys
Double sexual awakening
Loves being manhandled
Tattooed MC
Hand-collaring
Root vegetable violation
Lotsa hand-on-dick action
Dom/brat vibes
Spitter
Only one horse
Jealousy and possessiveness
Flip-fucking
Multiple orgasms
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of death of parents (past)
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Shoving between MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Both MCs go to a gay club — separately — after their first hookup. Colton is there to see if he’s attracted to other men. Noah’s intentions aren’t mentioned. He’s got someone else’s hand up his shirt when they see each other in the club. There’s a few scenes with MCs being hit on by women, and some that cause jealousy, but it’s lighthearted and the MCs aren’t interested in anyone else.
Breakup: Almost
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 37 and 38
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 315
Happy ending: Yes
Jackson scowls, and Ash laughs, reaching up to pull my brother down into a quick kiss. It’s so cute I want to fling myself into the fire.
Relatable.
“Colt,” he says in warning. “I want to know why you’re stuck in my head. In my life,” I growl, shoving the man again. “I want—” Noah grabs my arm and spins me bodily into his workbench. I scramble to grab ahold of it, catching my weight, the wooden edge digging into my ass as Noah’s hand grips the front of my throat.
“I don’t like you,” I remind him. “You don’t have to. Not for this.”
“I like that moment you give in,” he practically whispers. “When you stop fighting yourself.”
“No running,” I remind him, brushing his hair back, letting my thumb stroke down his cheek to his jawline. I pluck up his chin, raising an eyebrow. He swallows, but he doesn’t look away, and, slowly, I bring my mouth to his.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
ARC review.
This book managed to do something very few books have done before it — made me like it after making me dislike it.
Once I start being annoyed by a character or a plot, there’s usually no going back, and the characters and plot in this annoyed me plenty. There’s something about grown men being rivals that is annoying more than the funny and endearing it’s supposed to be. Like, just grow up, right? Both MCs take turns being dickheads and generally unpleasant people — until they suddenly aren’t. I can’t pinpoint exactly where, when or why the shift happened. I’m not a fan of little boys in the school playground teasing and pushing the girls or boys they like, and I’m not a fan of adult men doing the same thing — which is what a lot of this book felt like.
“I’m thirty-eight years old, Colt,” I say with a huff. “I’m tired of bickering like kids.”
I’m tired of it too, y’all.
Even though I’m (surprisingly) giving this four stars, it’s not a very complimentary review. I liked it more and more as the book went on and thought it ended strong. There was enough drama and a touch of angst to keep me invested even through a slump, and the dynamic between Colton and Noah was amazing once it fell into place. It was really nice to see that slow shift from heated tension and lust to caring and love. It actually felt believable, which is so important with enemies to lovers.
“I want to hate you.” “I know.” “I don’t want to hate you at all.” My heart kicks. My cock, too. “I know, baby.”
The author also made me tear up on Colton’s behalf while I was actively complaining about him in the group chat, which impressed and annoyed me in equal measure.
This one took me on a personal emotional roller coaster, and even tho I had complaints, I really did end up enjoying it. I will never be the target audience for rivals/enemies to lovers, and I’m a difficult and unsympathetic reader, so the fact that I went from nearly hating Colton to really liking him deserves some sort of award.
It also made me laugh with this scene:
“You know…boyfriends or whatever.” He looks downright amused at my sour expression. “Does it pain you to say that?” “You know damn well it does. Number one, I’m thirty-fucking-seven, thank you. The word feels ridiculous. Number two…it’s you.” “Mhm,” Noah hums, sliding our plate out of the way. “My salami,” I mumble.
Blanket spoiler warning ⬇️
⚠️ Tropes & content tags ⚠️
Rivals to lovers
Farriers
Small town
Cowboys
Double sexual awakening
Loves being manhandled
Tattooed MC
Hand-collaring
Root vegetable violation
Lotsa hand-on-dick action
Dom/brat vibes
Spitter
Only one horse
Jealousy and possessiveness
Flip-fucking
Multiple orgasms
⚠️ Content warning ⚠️
Mentions of death of parents (past)
Alcohol consumption
Explicit sexual content
Shoving between MCs
⚠️Book safety ⚠️
Cheating: No
Other person drama: Both MCs go to a gay club — separately — after their first hookup. Colton is there to see if he’s attracted to other men. Noah’s intentions aren’t mentioned. He’s got someone else’s hand up his shirt when they see each other in the club. There’s a few scenes with MCs being hit on by women, and some that cause jealousy, but it’s lighthearted and the MCs aren’t interested in anyone else.
Breakup: Almost
POV: 1st person, dual
Genre: Contemporary romance
Pairing: M/M
Strict roles or versatile: Versatile
Main characters’ age: 37 and 38
Series: Interconnected standalone
Kindle Unlimited: Yes
Pages: 315
Happy ending: Yes
Jackson scowls, and Ash laughs, reaching up to pull my brother down into a quick kiss. It’s so cute I want to fling myself into the fire.
Relatable.
“Colt,” he says in warning. “I want to know why you’re stuck in my head. In my life,” I growl, shoving the man again. “I want—” Noah grabs my arm and spins me bodily into his workbench. I scramble to grab ahold of it, catching my weight, the wooden edge digging into my ass as Noah’s hand grips the front of my throat.
“I don’t like you,” I remind him. “You don’t have to. Not for this.”
“I like that moment you give in,” he practically whispers. “When you stop fighting yourself.”
“No running,” I remind him, brushing his hair back, letting my thumb stroke down his cheek to his jawline. I pluck up his chin, raising an eyebrow. He swallows, but he doesn’t look away, and, slowly, I bring my mouth to his.
You can find most of my reviews on Instagram as well: https://www.instagram.com/booksafety?...
May 28, 2025
Colton + Noah 🖤
True enemies | Double awakening | Makes him beg
"If I were going to test- drive dick for the first time, it would not be with Noah fucking King. Of all the men in Darling or any- goddamn- where, he would be my absolute last choice. Literal bottom of the barrel. Last two men on Earth? Hard pass."
"I shift my hips, an unconscious action that has me rubbing against Colton’s ass, and he moans, his head dropping forward. “Is this what you want?” I ask in disbelief. We’re so close his hair is tickling my face, the waves spilling forward to hide his features. “You want me to keep you pinned?” “No,” he says halfheartedly, the word barely audible. I look down over Colton’s shoulder. “Your dick says otherwise.”
"Oh, my dick likes this a hell of a lot, apparently. Colton Darling, at my mercy, trembling beneath me like a lamb waiting for slaughter."
“Do you want me to touch you?” I whisper against his ear. He grunts, not a no, and I pull one of his hands off the table, pressing it over his crotch with my own. Colton’s breath shudders out of him. “Beg me for it, little Colt.” “Fuck you.” I let out a contemplative hum. “Not this time.” Colton stills, but it only lasts until I press his palm harder against his dick. He moans, his body sagging. “I want to hear you beg,” I tell him, running my nose through the hair near his ear. “Tell me to touch you.” “Hate you,” he mutters. “So you say,” I soothe, rubbing his hand up and down over the denim of his jeans. Up and down. “But I’m still not going to touch you unless you beg for it.” “God,” he spits, some of that fire returning. “You’re insufferable. I don’t…” He cuts off, and I still the motion of our hands, waiting for more words that don’t come. “Do you want me to stop?” I ask, entirely serious. “Fuck. Fuck,” he nearly shouts. “Put your hand on my dick already.” “The magic word?” “Please, you fucker.” My smile is a slow thing. “There we go. Was that so difficult?”
"Who realizes at thirty- seven fucking years old that they might have a little untriggered thing for dudes? And why did it have to be Noah? Of all the people in the goddamn world to wake up this side of me, why did it have to be him? “Fuck!”
“Fuck. You,” I say again, with feeling. My eyes slip shut when Noah’s body presses to mine, the weight of him impossible to ignore, the way he grinds slowly against me proof I’m not fooling anyone. Least of all him. “I think you were jealous,” he says at my ear, his hand slipping from the front of my throat to the back of my neck. He holds me tightly. Possessively. “I think I like you jealous.”
“You tell me to stop, and I will,” I make sure he knows, needing him to know. “But you wanna fight this a little? I’m all for it, Colt. I have no problem making you mine.” “I’m not yours,” he grits out. “Will never be yours.” “We’ll see about that.”
"Me: Keep talking like that, little Colt, and I’ll put you on your back the next time I see you.
Colt: There won’t be a next time.
Colt: And you can’t say shit like that.
Colt: Jesus.
Me: Would you rather I put you on your front instead? Colt: You’re such a dick.
Me: If you want my dick, Colt, baby, all you have to do is ask."
"The way I want him is different. It’s harsher, like freshly juiced lemonade versus prepackaged mix. He’s tart, damn near irresistible. How do I go back to anything else having tasted him?"
“Beautiful Colt. How could you possibly think you’re not mine?”
"I love your passion. Your fight. I love the way you care so deeply and how that’s extended to me and mine. I love how soft you are in the mornings and the way your kiss feels like coming home. I’ve loved every moment of finding out who you are. I love you because, well… because you’re you.”
....
⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed content list and trigger warnings
Tropes/content:
Farriers
Rivals
Hate to love
True enemies
Double awakening
Small town
First times
37 and 38 years old
Small size difference
ASL use (Colton's brother is deaf)
Constantly antagonizing each other
Always running into each other around town
Nearly fist fighting every time they cross each others paths
Angry kiss to "shut him up" during one of their fights
Banter
"Friendly" competition
Childish behaviors towards each other (flipping him off when he's not looking, name calling, "takes one to know one")
Fighting leading to fucking
Angry handjobs
Frotting
Makes him beg for it and say please
Manhandling
"I hate you but how dare you let that other guy touch you"
Jealousy
Throws him over his shoulder when he's bratty
"Baby"
Inappropriate use of carrots 😏
Accidental phone sex
Taunting
Noah calls colt to pick him up after he wrecks
Only one horse
Works together on town treasure hunt
"Make me"
Showering together
"Kneel"
Marking
Biting
Special tattoo
Possessivness
Mine
Flipfuck
Supportive family
Gives him a horse
"Little Colt" (turned from a taunt to endearment)
Butt plug
Sex in barns, parking lots, places they could easily get caught
TWs:
Chronic pain in side character
Mentions of dead parents
Motorcycle wreck, only minor injuries
History of perceived bullying and miscommunication
Mild violence between MCs
True enemies | Double awakening | Makes him beg
"If I were going to test- drive dick for the first time, it would not be with Noah fucking King. Of all the men in Darling or any- goddamn- where, he would be my absolute last choice. Literal bottom of the barrel. Last two men on Earth? Hard pass."
"I shift my hips, an unconscious action that has me rubbing against Colton’s ass, and he moans, his head dropping forward. “Is this what you want?” I ask in disbelief. We’re so close his hair is tickling my face, the waves spilling forward to hide his features. “You want me to keep you pinned?” “No,” he says halfheartedly, the word barely audible. I look down over Colton’s shoulder. “Your dick says otherwise.”
"Oh, my dick likes this a hell of a lot, apparently. Colton Darling, at my mercy, trembling beneath me like a lamb waiting for slaughter."
“Do you want me to touch you?” I whisper against his ear. He grunts, not a no, and I pull one of his hands off the table, pressing it over his crotch with my own. Colton’s breath shudders out of him. “Beg me for it, little Colt.” “Fuck you.” I let out a contemplative hum. “Not this time.” Colton stills, but it only lasts until I press his palm harder against his dick. He moans, his body sagging. “I want to hear you beg,” I tell him, running my nose through the hair near his ear. “Tell me to touch you.” “Hate you,” he mutters. “So you say,” I soothe, rubbing his hand up and down over the denim of his jeans. Up and down. “But I’m still not going to touch you unless you beg for it.” “God,” he spits, some of that fire returning. “You’re insufferable. I don’t…” He cuts off, and I still the motion of our hands, waiting for more words that don’t come. “Do you want me to stop?” I ask, entirely serious. “Fuck. Fuck,” he nearly shouts. “Put your hand on my dick already.” “The magic word?” “Please, you fucker.” My smile is a slow thing. “There we go. Was that so difficult?”
"Who realizes at thirty- seven fucking years old that they might have a little untriggered thing for dudes? And why did it have to be Noah? Of all the people in the goddamn world to wake up this side of me, why did it have to be him? “Fuck!”
“Fuck. You,” I say again, with feeling. My eyes slip shut when Noah’s body presses to mine, the weight of him impossible to ignore, the way he grinds slowly against me proof I’m not fooling anyone. Least of all him. “I think you were jealous,” he says at my ear, his hand slipping from the front of my throat to the back of my neck. He holds me tightly. Possessively. “I think I like you jealous.”
“You tell me to stop, and I will,” I make sure he knows, needing him to know. “But you wanna fight this a little? I’m all for it, Colt. I have no problem making you mine.” “I’m not yours,” he grits out. “Will never be yours.” “We’ll see about that.”
"Me: Keep talking like that, little Colt, and I’ll put you on your back the next time I see you.
Colt: There won’t be a next time.
Colt: And you can’t say shit like that.
Colt: Jesus.
Me: Would you rather I put you on your front instead? Colt: You’re such a dick.
Me: If you want my dick, Colt, baby, all you have to do is ask."
"The way I want him is different. It’s harsher, like freshly juiced lemonade versus prepackaged mix. He’s tart, damn near irresistible. How do I go back to anything else having tasted him?"
“Beautiful Colt. How could you possibly think you’re not mine?”
"I love your passion. Your fight. I love the way you care so deeply and how that’s extended to me and mine. I love how soft you are in the mornings and the way your kiss feels like coming home. I’ve loved every moment of finding out who you are. I love you because, well… because you’re you.”
....
⚠️potential spoilers below in detailed content list and trigger warnings
Tropes/content:
Farriers
Rivals
Hate to love
True enemies
Double awakening
Small town
First times
37 and 38 years old
Small size difference
ASL use (Colton's brother is deaf)
Constantly antagonizing each other
Always running into each other around town
Nearly fist fighting every time they cross each others paths
Angry kiss to "shut him up" during one of their fights
Banter
"Friendly" competition
Childish behaviors towards each other (flipping him off when he's not looking, name calling, "takes one to know one")
Fighting leading to fucking
Angry handjobs
Frotting
Makes him beg for it and say please
Manhandling
"I hate you but how dare you let that other guy touch you"
Jealousy
Throws him over his shoulder when he's bratty
"Baby"
Inappropriate use of carrots 😏
Accidental phone sex
Taunting
Noah calls colt to pick him up after he wrecks
Only one horse
Works together on town treasure hunt
"Make me"
Showering together
"Kneel"
Marking
Biting
Special tattoo
Possessivness
Mine
Flipfuck
Supportive family
Gives him a horse
"Little Colt" (turned from a taunt to endearment)
Butt plug
Sex in barns, parking lots, places they could easily get caught
TWs:
Chronic pain in side character
Mentions of dead parents
Motorcycle wreck, only minor injuries
History of perceived bullying and miscommunication
Mild violence between MCs
![Profile Image for moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645500038i%2F37448930._UX200_CR0%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
December 19, 2025
4.5 stars ☆
He raises an eyebrow. “Stubborn man I’ve ever met. And pulling you in has been the exact opposite of easy.”
I squirm as he holds my eye, confused by the wash of disappointment I feel at those words. What? Like I care if Noah thinks I’m too… difficult?
“Colt,” the man says, tone far gentler than I would’ve thought him capable of in the past. He seems to read what’s on my mind, because his hand clasps my neck, and he squeezes tight. “I never asked for easy. I don’t need it. But if you ever get tired of fighting, it won’t change anything, alright?”
i loved the tension and angst between them. 🥹 but i also loved seeing Noah determined to pursue Colton the moment he saw there was a possibility Colton may reciprocate how he felt. the way Colton would try to pull away and run bc he was scared of facing his feelings and Noah not giving up on him?? ahhh. the jealousy scenes omg. i loved seeing both get jealous, but i especially loved a feral Noah 😭 the family scenes between Colton and his family and Noah and his uncle were also so precious! i’m definitely keeping an eye on Lawson’s story. 👀
my other fav scenes/quotes (warning: i kinda went overboard and added a lot lol oops-)
He raises an eyebrow. “Stubborn man I’ve ever met. And pulling you in has been the exact opposite of easy.”
I squirm as he holds my eye, confused by the wash of disappointment I feel at those words. What? Like I care if Noah thinks I’m too… difficult?
“Colt,” the man says, tone far gentler than I would’ve thought him capable of in the past. He seems to read what’s on my mind, because his hand clasps my neck, and he squeezes tight. “I never asked for easy. I don’t need it. But if you ever get tired of fighting, it won’t change anything, alright?”
i loved the tension and angst between them. 🥹 but i also loved seeing Noah determined to pursue Colton the moment he saw there was a possibility Colton may reciprocate how he felt. the way Colton would try to pull away and run bc he was scared of facing his feelings and Noah not giving up on him?? ahhh. the jealousy scenes omg. i loved seeing both get jealous, but i especially loved a feral Noah 😭 the family scenes between Colton and his family and Noah and his uncle were also so precious! i’m definitely keeping an eye on Lawson’s story. 👀
my other fav scenes/quotes (warning: i kinda went overboard and added a lot lol oops-)
June 13, 2025
I enjoyed this so much!! Enemies/Rivals to Lovers is possibly my favourite trope, but throw in cowboys, a double bi awakening and small town life and it's a winner for me.
The rivalry between Colt and Noah was so silly, but it entertained me thoroughly. The reveal for what actually sparked their animosity was so sad too.
I loved seeing their relationship develop though, and the way Colt slowly came to realise he could rely on Noah. When he went to plead with Noah for a second chance 🥹🥹🥹 Noah knowing exactly what Colt needed though was just everything! I loved how he was so certain in the changing relationship that he was able to give Colt all the reassurance he needed.
I just had so much fun reading this and I'm looking forward to the stories of the last two Darling brothers!
The rivalry between Colt and Noah was so silly, but it entertained me thoroughly. The reveal for what actually sparked their animosity was so sad too.
I loved seeing their relationship develop though, and the way Colt slowly came to realise he could rely on Noah. When he went to plead with Noah for a second chance 🥹🥹🥹 Noah knowing exactly what Colt needed though was just everything! I loved how he was so certain in the changing relationship that he was able to give Colt all the reassurance he needed.
I just had so much fun reading this and I'm looking forward to the stories of the last two Darling brothers!
July 4, 2025
Emmy Sanders at her best: a lighthearted, emotional and hot cowboy romance 💗
Is it perfect? Not quite, but it hit a nerve, and was exactly what I needed right now, especially in the audio version narrated by Kale Williams.
It’s enemies/rivals to lovers (Colton Darling and Noah King are, after all, both farriers in the small town of Darling - named after the Darling family), and they always try to be better than the other. They’re both mature men (in their late thirties), and they’re both straight. Or so they think, until an angry kiss changes everything.
You don’t get any huge freakouts or homophobia (internalised or otherwise). Yes, there’s a slightly cringey scene involving a carrot and saddle butter (don’t ask 😂) but other than that, the steamy scenes are steamingly well written.
If you’re looking for an excellently narrated, feel good, small town romance with quite a few cowboy puns (one of the characters is conveniently called Colt after all…), then you can’t go wrong here.
Loved the cameos of the other Darling brothers, but it can be read as standalone. No idea which brother is next (probably Lawson, and it will probably be some childhood best friends to lovers/serving chance romance), but I’ll definitely pick it up when it comes out!
Is it perfect? Not quite, but it hit a nerve, and was exactly what I needed right now, especially in the audio version narrated by Kale Williams.
It’s enemies/rivals to lovers (Colton Darling and Noah King are, after all, both farriers in the small town of Darling - named after the Darling family), and they always try to be better than the other. They’re both mature men (in their late thirties), and they’re both straight. Or so they think, until an angry kiss changes everything.
You don’t get any huge freakouts or homophobia (internalised or otherwise). Yes, there’s a slightly cringey scene involving a carrot and saddle butter (don’t ask 😂) but other than that, the steamy scenes are steamingly well written.
If you’re looking for an excellently narrated, feel good, small town romance with quite a few cowboy puns (one of the characters is conveniently called Colt after all…), then you can’t go wrong here.
Loved the cameos of the other Darling brothers, but it can be read as standalone. No idea which brother is next (probably Lawson, and it will probably be some childhood best friends to lovers/serving chance romance), but I’ll definitely pick it up when it comes out!
May 26, 2025
Yeesh! The back and forth between these two was exhausting. Noah was a bit stubborn, but it was mostly Colt, huffing and puffing every time he was in Noah's vicinity, who carried the grudge.
The MCs were pushing 40 but still acting like toddlers whose favorite toy was taken away. Actually, scratch that. Children are much more capable of forgiveness.
When the reasoning for the animosity was revealed in the last few chapters, which is when the men finally communicated for real, it was so silly, I facepalmed.
Also, the lubed, condomed carrot scene was one of the unsexiest things I've ever read in MM romance. Just say no to abusing root vegetables.
Oh, and the tattoo thing? More facepalming. No way in hell would Colt have had his . This happens off page, and even though we're privy to Colt's internal musings, it's a secret until Noah discovers it. I think we're supposed to believe it's prophetic or whatever, but I didn't buy it.
Hey, Emmy, it's not remotely believable when characters keep things hidden from themselves because how does that work exactly? 🙄
What I liked:
the horses,
the descriptions of ferriering,
the treasure hunt,
Noah's Uncle Walt,
Colt's youngest brother Remi,
the many smolderin' kisses,
the Shoein',
and, according to Remi, the worst yes in history.
Still reading book 3, but this series is not up to par with what I've come to expect from Emmy Sanders.
The MCs were pushing 40 but still acting like toddlers whose favorite toy was taken away. Actually, scratch that. Children are much more capable of forgiveness.
When the reasoning for the animosity was revealed in the last few chapters, which is when the men finally communicated for real, it was so silly, I facepalmed.
Also, the lubed, condomed carrot scene was one of the unsexiest things I've ever read in MM romance. Just say no to abusing root vegetables.
Oh, and the tattoo thing? More facepalming. No way in hell would Colt have had his . This happens off page, and even though we're privy to Colt's internal musings, it's a secret until Noah discovers it. I think we're supposed to believe it's prophetic or whatever, but I didn't buy it.
Hey, Emmy, it's not remotely believable when characters keep things hidden from themselves because how does that work exactly? 🙄
What I liked:
the horses,
the descriptions of ferriering,
the treasure hunt,
Noah's Uncle Walt,
Colt's youngest brother Remi,
the many smolderin' kisses,
the Shoein',
and, according to Remi, the worst yes in history.
Still reading book 3, but this series is not up to par with what I've come to expect from Emmy Sanders.
May 29, 2025
After finishing Sweet Like Whiskey, I was very curious about the tension between these two — it could only go one of two ways: hate-sex-to-full-on-romance-to-HEA 💥💘 And honestly? That’s exactly the ride Brim Over Boot delivers. and this cover is 🤌 delicious 🤤
So, this one follows Colton Darling and Noah King, rival farriers in the small town of Darling, Montana. These two have supposedly hated each other for over 15 years, but one heated argument and an unexpected kiss later… things start to shift 👀
Noah fucking King and Colton goddamn Darling. Wonders never cease.
What follows is a slow-burn, double bi-awakening journey, with lots of banter, sexual tension, and some surprisingly tender moments. Think: grumpy sunshine meets “what the hell is happening to me?” and cowboys rubbing up on each other 🐎🔥
And let’s not forget the aesthetic perfection of this place 😍 Wide open skies, barns, horses, the whole rustic Montana vibe — I’m in love. Also, the fact that they both do manual work?? Absolutely obsessed. There's something so grounding and quietly intimate about it. LOVE that.
I love rivals/enemies-to-lovers, I do! I love the hate sex and seeing it get more and more tender, and this is exactly that — but done right, because their animosity lingers in the best way.
But listen — their bi-awakening? Fun and hot . Two hot cowboys figuring things out and rubbing all over each other? Yes please. Noah is such a tease (maybe a bit too much sometimes), and Colton just blushes and melts and gives in 😌 Their dynamic is fire, and the way Noah takes the reins is sooooo hot — and Colton just melts into it. Grab a fan to read Noah taking control 🤠 Giddy up indeed 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵 spoiler alert they’re vers and there’s a flip fuck💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Also… the carrot scene. I was laughing way more than I was fanning myself. Completely ridiculous, but in a way that made it even better 🥕😂 And omg that king tattoo — I almost died. Their whole “experimenting” approach felt kinda “baby gays at summer camp.” It was not missing the giggles 😅
And people, EVERY TIME THEY KISS I SWEAR… You feel it!
“Come here,” he says, not waiting for me to move, simply tugging me in by the back of my neck.
His lips meet mine again, less forceful this time but no less terrifying. There’s a stutter in my chest I’m starting to worry is permanent around this man, and Noah only makes it worse when he rumbles low in his throat like I’m the best thing he’s ever had the honor of sampling.
When he pulls back, I feel exposed.
The side characters are all incredible — Walter and all those Darlings are just so good . I love small-town vibes (it’s all envy but whatever). And Noah meeting Hazel is just the sweetest thing. Little Colt, you did good 🫶
Now, that said… When you tell me these two have hated each other for 15 years, I kinda need some context. We get told they’ve been professional rivals forever, but there's no real backstory or flashbacks to show me why. I wanted some petty grudges or dramatic shoeing competitions or something to back it up 😅
The ending was lameness overload and I loved it 😍 Can’t wait for Lawson’s story and of course… baby Remi 🥰🥰🥰
So, this one follows Colton Darling and Noah King, rival farriers in the small town of Darling, Montana. These two have supposedly hated each other for over 15 years, but one heated argument and an unexpected kiss later… things start to shift 👀
Noah fucking King and Colton goddamn Darling. Wonders never cease.
What follows is a slow-burn, double bi-awakening journey, with lots of banter, sexual tension, and some surprisingly tender moments. Think: grumpy sunshine meets “what the hell is happening to me?” and cowboys rubbing up on each other 🐎🔥
And let’s not forget the aesthetic perfection of this place 😍 Wide open skies, barns, horses, the whole rustic Montana vibe — I’m in love. Also, the fact that they both do manual work?? Absolutely obsessed. There's something so grounding and quietly intimate about it. LOVE that.
I love rivals/enemies-to-lovers, I do! I love the hate sex and seeing it get more and more tender, and this is exactly that — but done right, because their animosity lingers in the best way.
But listen — their bi-awakening? Fun and hot . Two hot cowboys figuring things out and rubbing all over each other? Yes please. Noah is such a tease (maybe a bit too much sometimes), and Colton just blushes and melts and gives in 😌 Their dynamic is fire, and the way Noah takes the reins is sooooo hot — and Colton just melts into it. Grab a fan to read Noah taking control 🤠 Giddy up indeed 🔥🥵🔥🥵🔥🥵 spoiler alert they’re vers and there’s a flip fuck💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥
Also… the carrot scene. I was laughing way more than I was fanning myself. Completely ridiculous, but in a way that made it even better 🥕😂 And omg that king tattoo — I almost died. Their whole “experimenting” approach felt kinda “baby gays at summer camp.” It was not missing the giggles 😅
And people, EVERY TIME THEY KISS I SWEAR… You feel it!
“Come here,” he says, not waiting for me to move, simply tugging me in by the back of my neck.
His lips meet mine again, less forceful this time but no less terrifying. There’s a stutter in my chest I’m starting to worry is permanent around this man, and Noah only makes it worse when he rumbles low in his throat like I’m the best thing he’s ever had the honor of sampling.
When he pulls back, I feel exposed.
The side characters are all incredible — Walter and all those Darlings are just so good . I love small-town vibes (it’s all envy but whatever). And Noah meeting Hazel is just the sweetest thing. Little Colt, you did good 🫶
Now, that said… When you tell me these two have hated each other for 15 years, I kinda need some context. We get told they’ve been professional rivals forever, but there's no real backstory or flashbacks to show me why. I wanted some petty grudges or dramatic shoeing competitions or something to back it up 😅
The ending was lameness overload and I loved it 😍 Can’t wait for Lawson’s story and of course… baby Remi 🥰🥰🥰
May 8, 2025
I love this entertaining rivals-to-lovers romance between Colton and Noah. They are both incredibly stubborn and competitive while having endless witty banter. What I enjoyed most about their story is how they are both so unaware of each other's true feelings. There is one huge misunderstanding that definitely caught me by surprise and explains so much about their dynamic. I loved being back with the Darling brothers and getting to see more from Remi and Lawson.
Colton was hilarious in his quest to ruin Noah's life, while at the same time being inexplicably drawn to this man who is his sworn enemy. But is he really? I also enjoyed learning more about Noah's backstory, what he values, and his relationship with his uncle. Seeing his bond with animals was so moving as well.
Overall, these two are a perfect match; they keep one another grounded while pushing one another to grow. I could not get enough of their story and look forward to Lawson's journey next.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
Colton was hilarious in his quest to ruin Noah's life, while at the same time being inexplicably drawn to this man who is his sworn enemy. But is he really? I also enjoyed learning more about Noah's backstory, what he values, and his relationship with his uncle. Seeing his bond with animals was so moving as well.
Overall, these two are a perfect match; they keep one another grounded while pushing one another to grow. I could not get enough of their story and look forward to Lawson's journey next.
*** I reviewed a complimentary copy of this story.***
May 22, 2025
tbh i generally didn’t like it, but it was over once dude stuck a carrot lubed with saddle grease up his ass and i wanted to die
May 15, 2025
4.5⭐️
Never in my life have I read a book about farriers but I regret NOTHING!
Tropes:
- rival farriers/ enemies to lovers
- double bi awakening
- one horse😏
- ALL THE BANTER
- cowboys/ ranchers
- “your name is tattooed on my ass… literally”
- showering together
- small town
- flip f*ck scene
- biting/ marking (poor Colt had to cover up a lot of hickeys🤣)
Quick description:
The two farriers in town now have their own rivals to lovers story! Although this is an interconnected standalone, we see a little bit of their story in book 1 and some of the rivalry between them.
Both are very competitive, especially when it comes to each other. Colton has stole clients from Noah and in return Noah puts ads in the newspaper promoting his own business and trying to prove his business is better than Colton’s. What Noah doesn’t know is that Colton collects all of these newspaper ads as hate mementos😂
The two are always going back and forth (for 15 years!) with their banter until one day, something finally snaps. A kiss is all it takes for the two of them to get sucked into a spiral of questioning their sexuality and dealing with the fact the person they have feelings for (aka each other) is the one person on the planet they can’t stand to be around.
They hate each other but they cant resist each other, no matter how hard they try. Colton is definitely the one who tries to resists his feelings the most, but he can’t ignore the fact he loves when his enemy throws him around and dominates him in the bedroom.
My thoughts:
Compared to the first book, this one takes the cake for being the funniest. I mean, how can you not laugh at a carrot being used as a dildo🙊 In the end, Colton and Noah were able to work things out, but they never fully let go of their rivalry which I enjoyed😂
Out of all of the brothers, I think Remi’s book will be my favorite. I LOVE his character and I can’t wait to see who he is paired up with. Lawson’s book is up next and I’m thinking it may be a (ex?) best friends to lovers trope? I’m excited either way!
Safety info:
- no virgins and they didn’t seem like manwhores
- no real OW but a few girls are persistent and hit on the MMCs. Mention of an ex Colton had from last year that he may have (i think it was implied) slept with again a few nights ago at the start of the book. One mention and it wasn’t on page. This was before Colton and Noah kissed or began having feelings for each other.
- OM: both go to a gay club (separately) to try and find guys to mess around with (to explore their sexuality), but they do not do anything with anyone. Colton saw Noah dancing with a guy and the guy had a hand up Noah’s shirt but Colton sent the guy away.
- both only with each other after they start to get together
- both have never kissed or done anything with a man before. They are each other’s first and only when it comes to experiences with guys. Noah had anal sex with women in the past but that is his extent of experience in that department.
- no heavy detail about past relationships/ hookups, only light mentions here and there. I don’t think either have ever been in a serious relationship or loved before.
- one switch scene (flip f*ck)
- condoms >> ?? I don’t remember if they stopped using them but they definitely used them the first time
Thank you so much to GRR and the author for giving me an ARC of this book!
Never in my life have I read a book about farriers but I regret NOTHING!
Tropes:
- rival farriers/ enemies to lovers
- double bi awakening
- one horse😏
- ALL THE BANTER
- cowboys/ ranchers
- “your name is tattooed on my ass… literally”
- showering together
- small town
- flip f*ck scene
- biting/ marking (poor Colt had to cover up a lot of hickeys🤣)
Quick description:
The two farriers in town now have their own rivals to lovers story! Although this is an interconnected standalone, we see a little bit of their story in book 1 and some of the rivalry between them.
Both are very competitive, especially when it comes to each other. Colton has stole clients from Noah and in return Noah puts ads in the newspaper promoting his own business and trying to prove his business is better than Colton’s. What Noah doesn’t know is that Colton collects all of these newspaper ads as hate mementos😂
The two are always going back and forth (for 15 years!) with their banter until one day, something finally snaps. A kiss is all it takes for the two of them to get sucked into a spiral of questioning their sexuality and dealing with the fact the person they have feelings for (aka each other) is the one person on the planet they can’t stand to be around.
They hate each other but they cant resist each other, no matter how hard they try. Colton is definitely the one who tries to resists his feelings the most, but he can’t ignore the fact he loves when his enemy throws him around and dominates him in the bedroom.
My thoughts:
Compared to the first book, this one takes the cake for being the funniest. I mean, how can you not laugh at a carrot being used as a dildo🙊 In the end, Colton and Noah were able to work things out, but they never fully let go of their rivalry which I enjoyed😂
Out of all of the brothers, I think Remi’s book will be my favorite. I LOVE his character and I can’t wait to see who he is paired up with. Lawson’s book is up next and I’m thinking it may be a (ex?) best friends to lovers trope? I’m excited either way!
Safety info:
- no virgins and they didn’t seem like manwhores
- no real OW but a few girls are persistent and hit on the MMCs. Mention of an ex Colton had from last year that he may have (i think it was implied) slept with again a few nights ago at the start of the book. One mention and it wasn’t on page. This was before Colton and Noah kissed or began having feelings for each other.
- OM: both go to a gay club (separately) to try and find guys to mess around with (to explore their sexuality), but they do not do anything with anyone. Colton saw Noah dancing with a guy and the guy had a hand up Noah’s shirt but Colton sent the guy away.
- both only with each other after they start to get together
- both have never kissed or done anything with a man before. They are each other’s first and only when it comes to experiences with guys. Noah had anal sex with women in the past but that is his extent of experience in that department.
- no heavy detail about past relationships/ hookups, only light mentions here and there. I don’t think either have ever been in a serious relationship or loved before.
- one switch scene (flip f*ck)
- condoms >> ?? I don’t remember if they stopped using them but they definitely used them the first time
Thank you so much to GRR and the author for giving me an ARC of this book!
May 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ // “Actually, no. I’m not calling it that. Kisses are tender and sweet. That was an attack. A mauling. It was all brute force and angry grappling and goddamn biting and—“ If this quote doesn’t convince you to read this, idk what will 🫣
We all know that Emmy does an exquisite job at friends to lovers, but her craft doesn’t stop there because I think she dominated this rivals to lovers. The tension these two had throughout the book and their relationship development was amazing and well thought out 🤌 Also, it’s the way that these two were obsessed with each other for years, I truly don’t know how they didn’t kiss sooner 😂
From the tension, the rivalry and bickering, the banter, and the Darling family, I truly and utterly loved this book. One of the things that Emmy truly excels at, is giving her characters depth and simply just making them seem like true people. So much so that I am basically a Darling myself now.
The scene with the carrot, saddle butter, and the butt dial quite literally took me out because I had to reread it to make sure I was reading it correctly 😂 Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this series/book if you’re ever in the mood to feel good.
P.S. Ok so I was wrong because after reading Sweet Like Whiskey, I really thought Lawson’s book would be last but by the last few chapters of this book, I just knew that Lawson’s book would be the next one in the series and Remi’s book would end up being last, but regardless I’m squealing for both!
What to expect:
-Small town
-Rivals to lovers
-Hand necklaces
-Double bi-awakening
We all know that Emmy does an exquisite job at friends to lovers, but her craft doesn’t stop there because I think she dominated this rivals to lovers. The tension these two had throughout the book and their relationship development was amazing and well thought out 🤌 Also, it’s the way that these two were obsessed with each other for years, I truly don’t know how they didn’t kiss sooner 😂
From the tension, the rivalry and bickering, the banter, and the Darling family, I truly and utterly loved this book. One of the things that Emmy truly excels at, is giving her characters depth and simply just making them seem like true people. So much so that I am basically a Darling myself now.
The scene with the carrot, saddle butter, and the butt dial quite literally took me out because I had to reread it to make sure I was reading it correctly 😂 Anyway, do yourself a favor and read this series/book if you’re ever in the mood to feel good.
P.S. Ok so I was wrong because after reading Sweet Like Whiskey, I really thought Lawson’s book would be last but by the last few chapters of this book, I just knew that Lawson’s book would be the next one in the series and Remi’s book would end up being last, but regardless I’m squealing for both!
What to expect:
-Small town
-Rivals to lovers
-Hand necklaces
-Double bi-awakening
November 4, 2025
There were so many moments in this book where I was sure it was going to be a five-star read. But somewhere between Sanders’ obsessive use of the word “f*ck” (like 400 times… really, girl??) and a bizarre third-act conflict, I lost sight of everything that made this book so good.
The story is what it is. It’s absurd in a fun way and full of moments that demand total suspension of disbelief, but it never crosses into too much. At least not until that third-act twist, which hinges on a reveal delivered by a character we’ve literally never met before.
Noah King, though, is everything you want in an MMC. The soft, bantery moments between him and Colt are everything, and the spice is top tier. Noah’s perspective is so strong, I almost wish the whole thing had been told solely from his POV.
Ultimately, Emmy remains a little inconsistent across her books. This one doesn’t quite reach the heights of Sweet Like Whiskey, but it’s still a charming entry if you can overlook a few small, yet seriously grating, issues. That said, Sanders delivers one of the most cohesive and satisfying rivals-to-lovers storylines I’ve read in a long time.
The story is what it is. It’s absurd in a fun way and full of moments that demand total suspension of disbelief, but it never crosses into too much. At least not until that third-act twist, which hinges on a reveal delivered by a character we’ve literally never met before.
Noah King, though, is everything you want in an MMC. The soft, bantery moments between him and Colt are everything, and the spice is top tier. Noah’s perspective is so strong, I almost wish the whole thing had been told solely from his POV.
Ultimately, Emmy remains a little inconsistent across her books. This one doesn’t quite reach the heights of Sweet Like Whiskey, but it’s still a charming entry if you can overlook a few small, yet seriously grating, issues. That said, Sanders delivers one of the most cohesive and satisfying rivals-to-lovers storylines I’ve read in a long time.
May 13, 2025
⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️
𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽 — 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝐵𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓈 𝒷𝓎 𝒥𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑀𝒶𝒸
🎵I'll treat you like "your majesty"
Bow down to you so happily
Swear you will always be my fantasy 🎵
TROPES:
℧ Cowboys
℧ Hate/rivalry to love
℧ Double queer awakening
[Warning: slightly off-topic rambling, I’m sorry in advance]
Sometimes I come across those ASMR horseshoe makeover videos, and I’ve always found them soothing, ‘cause yayy, the horsey is getting new shoes!
And this book gave me that same feeling, even if Noah and Colton sort of hate each other for most of it. It was sweet and romantic, lighthearted comfort.
On a similar note, but maybe not really, after starting this book I am suddenly on horsetok? And I’m not talking sexy cowboys but just… pretty horses being spooked and being cute.
I’m not mad at it, but it’s a little weird.
Let’s get back to the book, starting with how sexy these two were together. Fighting turns to fucking? Hot. Angry kissing? Hot. Noah going all dominant on Colton? HOTT.
The rivalry might’ve begun for the stupidest reason I’ve ever heard, but it doesn’t negate the amazing tension and passion between these two. And I loved seeing them fall for each other, Colton maybe a little more reluctantly.
In short, sexy cowboys falling in love with their rival. What’s not to love?
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Mention of past parental death
- Deaf side character
- MC w/ tattoos
- Sort of hate sex
- Semi-public sex
- Frotting
- Brief rimming
- ‘Wait, that’s not a dildo!’ (spoiler, carrot)
- Phone sex
- Coming hands-free
- Mostly top/bottom
- Flip-fuck scene
𝓈𝑜𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽 — 𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝐵𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓈 𝒷𝓎 𝒥𝒶𝒹𝑒 𝐿𝑒𝑀𝒶𝒸
🎵I'll treat you like "your majesty"
Bow down to you so happily
Swear you will always be my fantasy 🎵
Of all the people in the goddamn world to wake up this side of me, why did it have to be him?
TROPES:
℧ Cowboys
℧ Hate/rivalry to love
℧ Double queer awakening
[Warning: slightly off-topic rambling, I’m sorry in advance]
Sometimes I come across those ASMR horseshoe makeover videos, and I’ve always found them soothing, ‘cause yayy, the horsey is getting new shoes!
And this book gave me that same feeling, even if Noah and Colton sort of hate each other for most of it. It was sweet and romantic, lighthearted comfort.
On a similar note, but maybe not really, after starting this book I am suddenly on horsetok? And I’m not talking sexy cowboys but just… pretty horses being spooked and being cute.
I’m not mad at it, but it’s a little weird.
“I like having your reins in my hand, little Colt. Tell me. If I tug, will you come to heel?”
Let’s get back to the book, starting with how sexy these two were together. Fighting turns to fucking? Hot. Angry kissing? Hot. Noah going all dominant on Colton? HOTT.
“Beautiful Colt. How could you possibly think you’re not mine?”
The rivalry might’ve begun for the stupidest reason I’ve ever heard, but it doesn’t negate the amazing tension and passion between these two. And I loved seeing them fall for each other, Colton maybe a little more reluctantly.
In short, sexy cowboys falling in love with their rival. What’s not to love?
“Against all goddamn sense and reason, you made me fall brim over boot, Noah King. And now I don’t know which way is up unless it’s with you.”
I received a copy of this book from Gay Romance Reviews, and this is my honest review.
CW and NSFW info (spoilers):
- Mention of past parental death
- Deaf side character
- MC w/ tattoos
- Sort of hate sex
- Semi-public sex
- Frotting
- Brief rimming
- ‘Wait, that’s not a dildo!’ (spoiler, carrot)
- Phone sex
- Coming hands-free
- Mostly top/bottom
- Flip-fuck scene
December 19, 2025
Brim Over Boot was recommended by a friend and I’m so glad I gave this author a try! This is a small town western with hate to love vibes and a mm romance between two farriers (horse shoes and equine hoof care work) competing for work in the same town!
Colton and Noah are both farriers living and working in Darling, Montana and the town is definitely not big enough for the book of them. Colton keeps listing customers to Noah and is feeling a certain kind of way about that. They end up with a bet to see who the best farrier in town is (and the loser has to get a tattoo somewhere specific)!
This was fast paced and I thought the author’s writing was solid. I’m curious about some of the family and other characters we see make appearances in this book. I will say the heroes felt interchangeable to me and it was difficult to differentiate them from one another at times, that was honestly my only issue with the book. Otherwise it was fun, I liked seeing glimpses of the small town and other characters, there is a scene with a carrot (!!!), and I’d definitely read more from this series and author in the future.
CW: mentions of past parental death
Colton and Noah are both farriers living and working in Darling, Montana and the town is definitely not big enough for the book of them. Colton keeps listing customers to Noah and is feeling a certain kind of way about that. They end up with a bet to see who the best farrier in town is (and the loser has to get a tattoo somewhere specific)!
This was fast paced and I thought the author’s writing was solid. I’m curious about some of the family and other characters we see make appearances in this book. I will say the heroes felt interchangeable to me and it was difficult to differentiate them from one another at times, that was honestly my only issue with the book. Otherwise it was fun, I liked seeing glimpses of the small town and other characters, there is a scene with a carrot (!!!), and I’d definitely read more from this series and author in the future.
CW: mentions of past parental death
May 16, 2025
So happy to go back to the Darling Ranch, I’m loving this series and this family. I completely devoured Colton and Noah’s story, I couldn’t put it down. This small town, rivals to lovers book had me hooked from chapter one and kept me invested until the very end. I’m already looking forward to the next one!
June 14, 2025
3 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the side characters, and the setting/occupations.
The Not-So-Good: The believability and the ending.
The Bad: The H1, Colt, was super immature for an almost 40 year old.
Overall: This was cute for what it was. I still think it stands out to me with these series when the whole family is gay/bi/pan and the Montana rancher parents (and the town) are so unconditionally supportive. I always seem to wonder how realistic that is. While I know that this is the way we should want it to be because I have a gay brother that has been outwardly gay all my life, I still do feel a little...questioning. I hope that makes sense. I guess it just feels a little too easy. I did like that at least Colt struggled with this new preference and I feel like that was realistic, because going almost 40 years believing one thing about yourself to just change would be disorienting for anyone. I liked Noah, but Colt got on my nerves a good bit. I also would've liked to see them having a little more closure on page. Otherwise, it was cute at times but probably just okay for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Colt and Noah's story. They live in a small Montana town as the only two farriers in town and have been in competition for ~15 years. They have hated each other for so long, neither of them are really sure why all the hate started. One day during a heated encounter, Noah kisses Colt and everything changes. Neither of them have ever been interested in a man before, so life gets pretty complicated quickly. There are some cute moments, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Colt and Noah's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, more like hate-to-lust-to-love
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3 stars. Colt. He bugged me a good bit with his immaturity, especially because he was supposed to be in is late thirties.
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 4 stars. Noah. I liked him and how he was comfortable in his own skin and confident in a way that wasn't off putting.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes, but mild
Closure: This ends in a good place but with what I would call a HFN ending , but I'm sure others would be fine calling this a HEA ending.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the side characters, and the setting/occupations.
The Not-So-Good: The believability and the ending.
The Bad: The H1, Colt, was super immature for an almost 40 year old.
Overall: This was cute for what it was. I still think it stands out to me with these series when the whole family is gay/bi/pan and the Montana rancher parents (and the town) are so unconditionally supportive. I always seem to wonder how realistic that is. While I know that this is the way we should want it to be because I have a gay brother that has been outwardly gay all my life, I still do feel a little...questioning. I hope that makes sense. I guess it just feels a little too easy. I did like that at least Colt struggled with this new preference and I feel like that was realistic, because going almost 40 years believing one thing about yourself to just change would be disorienting for anyone. I liked Noah, but Colt got on my nerves a good bit. I also would've liked to see them having a little more closure on page. Otherwise, it was cute at times but probably just okay for me.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Colt and Noah's story. They live in a small Montana town as the only two farriers in town and have been in competition for ~15 years. They have hated each other for so long, neither of them are really sure why all the hate started. One day during a heated encounter, Noah kisses Colt and everything changes. Neither of them have ever been interested in a man before, so life gets pretty complicated quickly. There are some cute moments, some sexy times, and some secrets revealed...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Colt and Noah's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I thought it flowed well and I never skimmed.
Instalove: No, more like hate-to-lust-to-love
H1 (Hero #1) rating: 3 stars. Colt. He bugged me a good bit with his immaturity, especially because he was supposed to be in is late thirties.
H2 (Hero #2) rating: 4 stars. Noah. I liked him and how he was comfortable in his own skin and confident in a way that wasn't off putting.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: No
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: No
Possible Triggers: Yes, but mild
Closure: This ends in a good place but with what I would call a HFN ending , but I'm sure others would be fine calling this a HEA ending.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
October 1, 2025
4.75 ⭐️
I had so much fun reading about Noah and “Little Colt”, their banter was top tier, and their sexual awakening was believable and heartfelt. Lots of side character interactions, I loved Remi’s character. Looking forward to book 3.
I had so much fun reading about Noah and “Little Colt”, their banter was top tier, and their sexual awakening was believable and heartfelt. Lots of side character interactions, I loved Remi’s character. Looking forward to book 3.
May 23, 2025
content warning (the author forgot to mention): No harm was done to anyone or anything except for ONE carrot (butt stuff, nothing too brutal, imo), so if you're a root veggie lover, please skip chapter 19
P.S. I adored Colton goddamn Darling and Noah fucking King, their chemistry was sizzling, the spice was spicing but the story? Kinda meh, given that i loved book one. Anyhoo, still looking fwd to Lawson's book
P.S. I adored Colton goddamn Darling and Noah fucking King, their chemistry was sizzling, the spice was spicing but the story? Kinda meh, given that i loved book one. Anyhoo, still looking fwd to Lawson's book
May 22, 2025
2.5* This was not love. No no no. This was simply lust and nothing more. These two mcs could tell you very little about each other that was actually meaningful. Also the reason that they originally hated each other was so. fucking. stupid. Like genuinely. And it happened 20 YEARS AGO. AND one of the mcs didn’t even remember it. Jesus. Anyway this had great potential, but was an unfortunate letdown
August 10, 2025
4.5 Stars
A few cringey parts but mostly this was just fucking fantastic. Excellent enemies-to-lovers with perfect pacing, a fuck ton of chemistry, and a fun little twist on the hatred that I actually really liked.
It was hot and sweet and so damn enjoyable for me after a sea of DNFs, including the first book in this series. I find I either love or hate this author’s work and I definitely loved this one!
A few cringey parts but mostly this was just fucking fantastic. Excellent enemies-to-lovers with perfect pacing, a fuck ton of chemistry, and a fun little twist on the hatred that I actually really liked.
It was hot and sweet and so damn enjoyable for me after a sea of DNFs, including the first book in this series. I find I either love or hate this author’s work and I definitely loved this one!
June 25, 2025
Loved this book! So much better than book 1 in the series! Very predictable story already from the second we read their names in the first book, but very enjoyable nonetheless.
King has so much more depth than I expected. And Colt was such a sweet insecure guy. I didn’t understand why it took them fifteen years to blow up. This book could have taken place a full decade earlier.
In the end it didn’t matter. I liked their backstories. They were very nicely done. I loved the character development, for both of them. I could have used a bit more about young King and Colton. The surprise effect was good too though. And their little kinky side was fun to read about too.
Anyway: five stars, probably will reread at some point and definitely recommend.
Ps: small spoiler: why didn’t they ever think of merging their companies? Would have made so much more sense!
King has so much more depth than I expected. And Colt was such a sweet insecure guy. I didn’t understand why it took them fifteen years to blow up. This book could have taken place a full decade earlier.
In the end it didn’t matter. I liked their backstories. They were very nicely done. I loved the character development, for both of them. I could have used a bit more about young King and Colton. The surprise effect was good too though. And their little kinky side was fun to read about too.
Anyway: five stars, probably will reread at some point and definitely recommend.
Ps: small spoiler: why didn’t they ever think of merging their companies? Would have made so much more sense!
May 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Saddle up, babies. We’re heading back to Darling! If you haven’t read book 1 in the Darling Brothers series, now is the time, because although you can read them separately, you’ll enjoy Colt & Noah even more if you read book 1 first. 🙂↕️
Colton Darling & Noah King have been rivals, competitors, and enemies for years. These two really, REALLY dislike one another. Neither of them is quite sure why 🤣 well they THINK they know why, but really they have no idea. It’s complicated. Just trust the process 🫡
Colt has had enough of Noah always one upping him in the newspaper, taking out his crappy attitude on him, and just downright being rude. Well Noah feels the same. He can’t understand what Colts problem with him is. Best to just stay far, far away.
Until one night, everything changes. Feelings start shifting, mistakes are made, and no matter WHAT they can’t, under NO circumstances, happen again. Never. Nope. 🙂
Emmy has such a beautiful way of bringing you in to the story, experiencing every day life, and living alongside her characters. You’re fully immersed in the world of Darling, and man, is it a beautiful place to be.
You get all the Darling family goodness and meddling. You get the sweet moments between brothers. You learn so much about Noah and his past, his uncle, and his hobby. You get a little friendly competition (Shoe’n good time), a lot of laughs (NOT THE CARROTS 🤣💀), and some delicious, dirty talking spice. And of course the sweetest of HEAs. Always. Guaranteed.
It was such a joy to be back in town with these two, and if anyone could turn two straight men (who also really hate each other) into lovers.. well, it’s Emmy. In Emmy we trust ✊🏻 always.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Saddle up, babies. We’re heading back to Darling! If you haven’t read book 1 in the Darling Brothers series, now is the time, because although you can read them separately, you’ll enjoy Colt & Noah even more if you read book 1 first. 🙂↕️
Colton Darling & Noah King have been rivals, competitors, and enemies for years. These two really, REALLY dislike one another. Neither of them is quite sure why 🤣 well they THINK they know why, but really they have no idea. It’s complicated. Just trust the process 🫡
Colt has had enough of Noah always one upping him in the newspaper, taking out his crappy attitude on him, and just downright being rude. Well Noah feels the same. He can’t understand what Colts problem with him is. Best to just stay far, far away.
Until one night, everything changes. Feelings start shifting, mistakes are made, and no matter WHAT they can’t, under NO circumstances, happen again. Never. Nope. 🙂
Emmy has such a beautiful way of bringing you in to the story, experiencing every day life, and living alongside her characters. You’re fully immersed in the world of Darling, and man, is it a beautiful place to be.
You get all the Darling family goodness and meddling. You get the sweet moments between brothers. You learn so much about Noah and his past, his uncle, and his hobby. You get a little friendly competition (Shoe’n good time), a lot of laughs (NOT THE CARROTS 🤣💀), and some delicious, dirty talking spice. And of course the sweetest of HEAs. Always. Guaranteed.
It was such a joy to be back in town with these two, and if anyone could turn two straight men (who also really hate each other) into lovers.. well, it’s Emmy. In Emmy we trust ✊🏻 always.
May 28, 2025
Rating: ♾️/5 🌟
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Colton and Noah
This is enemies to lovers done right. The banter was so good and kept up even after they got together and worked out their issues. I am a sucker for hate/dislike to love. I eat it up every single time and this book shot right up my list as one of my favorites.
Both are tough, strong willed, a bit stubborn, but also vulnerable and incredibly soft in the right situation. Colton's blushing had me literally giggling like an idiot and Noah's "why does he only scowl at me" inner dialogue had me aching for him. There was so much chemistry and connection that you could feel right from the start. And the spice between these two? Yeah, perfect.
I loved every single second of this. I finished it and wanted to reread it immediately afterwards.
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Characters: Colton and Noah
This is enemies to lovers done right. The banter was so good and kept up even after they got together and worked out their issues. I am a sucker for hate/dislike to love. I eat it up every single time and this book shot right up my list as one of my favorites.
Both are tough, strong willed, a bit stubborn, but also vulnerable and incredibly soft in the right situation. Colton's blushing had me literally giggling like an idiot and Noah's "why does he only scowl at me" inner dialogue had me aching for him. There was so much chemistry and connection that you could feel right from the start. And the spice between these two? Yeah, perfect.
I loved every single second of this. I finished it and wanted to reread it immediately afterwards.
August 28, 2025
2.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oof talk about taking a nose dive. The first half of this book I was thoroughly enjoying, and then it just completely went off the rails for me. I’ve come to the conclusion that outside of one book (shout out to 10 Ways to Accidently Fall in Love) Emmy is not the author for me. Some spoilers ahead….
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
The story follows 37 year-old Colton Darling, who is straight, and has had a 15+ year hatred for 38 year-old equally straight Noah King. Their rivalry is in part because they both are farriers in the town of Darling, Montana, but it’s mostly in part to some “unknown thing” that happened when they were young. When it’s revealed in the last 10% of this book, what this “thing“ is I was thoroughly irritated. Classic case of weird misunderstanding, that did not make sense how neither of them had heard about it living in such a small town all those years.
This book is also categorized as a double bi-awakening, and like…sure. Personally, this was very much a GFY story in my opinion, but whatever. I’m mostly not a fan of GFY so that aspect of the book didn’t really work for me either.
The first half of the book I found very entertaining because their rivalry seemed silly in a fun way, and there was some growing tension there that was enjoyable to read. When things started to escalate between them, it was still enjoyable to read because I didn’t know yet how the author was going to have their romance unfold. But then…they have a scene where Colton f-cks himself with a lubed up carrot (lubed with saddle grease!) while he has phone sex with Noah where it just went off the rails.
The latter half of the book never went anywhere. It continued on in the same fashion of repeated sex scenes, with no romance, and total miscommunication until the very last bit of the book. I also did not anticipate that the sex scenes would all have a flavor of a being dominated kink so that wasn’t really my bag either. The “Little Colt” nickname got extremely annoying and both characters just remained mostly one dimensional. There continued to be hints like something deeper was there that the author just did not explore.
Anyway, this clearly was just not for me. The only other book I would be interested in reading is Remi, but even now I’m even more unsure. Rounding up my rating because while the plot wasn’t for me, the book kept me engaged and I loved Remi and Colton’s relationship.
Oof talk about taking a nose dive. The first half of this book I was thoroughly enjoying, and then it just completely went off the rails for me. I’ve come to the conclusion that outside of one book (shout out to 10 Ways to Accidently Fall in Love) Emmy is not the author for me. Some spoilers ahead….
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️ SPOILERS ⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️⚠️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
⛔️
The story follows 37 year-old Colton Darling, who is straight, and has had a 15+ year hatred for 38 year-old equally straight Noah King. Their rivalry is in part because they both are farriers in the town of Darling, Montana, but it’s mostly in part to some “unknown thing” that happened when they were young. When it’s revealed in the last 10% of this book, what this “thing“ is I was thoroughly irritated. Classic case of weird misunderstanding, that did not make sense how neither of them had heard about it living in such a small town all those years.
This book is also categorized as a double bi-awakening, and like…sure. Personally, this was very much a GFY story in my opinion, but whatever. I’m mostly not a fan of GFY so that aspect of the book didn’t really work for me either.
The first half of the book I found very entertaining because their rivalry seemed silly in a fun way, and there was some growing tension there that was enjoyable to read. When things started to escalate between them, it was still enjoyable to read because I didn’t know yet how the author was going to have their romance unfold. But then…they have a scene where Colton f-cks himself with a lubed up carrot (lubed with saddle grease!) while he has phone sex with Noah where it just went off the rails.
The latter half of the book never went anywhere. It continued on in the same fashion of repeated sex scenes, with no romance, and total miscommunication until the very last bit of the book. I also did not anticipate that the sex scenes would all have a flavor of a being dominated kink so that wasn’t really my bag either. The “Little Colt” nickname got extremely annoying and both characters just remained mostly one dimensional. There continued to be hints like something deeper was there that the author just did not explore.
Anyway, this clearly was just not for me. The only other book I would be interested in reading is Remi, but even now I’m even more unsure. Rounding up my rating because while the plot wasn’t for me, the book kept me engaged and I loved Remi and Colton’s relationship.
July 13, 2025
This author... THIS AUTHOR.
EMMA WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?
I started to read without even noticing it was one of her books and after eating it up and enjoying every single moment of it, I saw the author. This woman never disappoints. It's my second book by hers and it's absolutely brilliant.
It's been forever since I enjoyed a book this much.
Can't wait to read other books in this series! Remi I hope you're next eheh
EMMA WHAT DID YOU DO TO ME?
I started to read without even noticing it was one of her books and after eating it up and enjoying every single moment of it, I saw the author. This woman never disappoints. It's my second book by hers and it's absolutely brilliant.
It's been forever since I enjoyed a book this much.
Can't wait to read other books in this series! Remi I hope you're next eheh
May 31, 2025
Tropes: Rivals / enemies to lovers, small town vibes, secret relationship (just for a few months)
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: submission, mild degradation/praise kink, markings
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representations: Loss of parents in past, deaf minor character
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: after they hook up the first time, they both go out to a gay bar and run into each other there. There is the odd moment of jealousy, but no interest in the other people, so there's no real opd. Neither are with anyone else after they hook up.
4.5 stars
Colton and Noah are 37 and 38. They are rival farriers in a rural town. They have been in competition and hating each other for 15 years. They think a lot about each other, they are preoccupied a lot with each other over those years. They both thought they were straight, so there was never any romantic tension or sexual tension between them. But then one day, Noah decides to shut Colton up with his mouth. And about sexual awareness starts festering and turns into a hookup. And that turns into secret meetups to hook up. Colton discovers his love of being manhandled and submitting. And Noah just thrives on Colton's attention and getting to be the one to make Colton submit and come. They both get possessive of each other, but Noah in particular knows his feelings earlier and you can really feel his affection for Colton, it's a palpable thing.
Neither of them have a problem with being bisexual, though Colton initially resents that it's Noah inspiring these feelings in him. There was a lot of resentment between them initially built up over so many years. There was a mild miscommunication trope at play as well for them to overcome.
This was really a delightful book. I loved the history and long-term true hate between them. They occupied so much mental space in each other's heads for so long, it made sense for the feelings to develop. I loved seeing the reluctant sexual attraction on Colton's side. And Noah's quick acceptance and how he embraced his feelings for Colton. It just made me kick my feet with happiness whenever Noah made involuntary happy rumblings thinking of Colton, and had to see or touch the tattoo of his name on Colton's ass. I liked how their families reacted to them getting together.
One tiny thing I didn't love was how at the end it just was slipped in that Colton's parents split up. There was no lead up or context or purpose to the plot, it was just a one-line drop at the end of the book, and left me thinking why. Why break up that happy likeable couple if you aren't going to have it serve a purpose?
Some notable moments:
I love when an MMC confides in someone and evokes this kind of reaction. "“Do you think it’s possible to have latent masochistic tendencies?” Jackson looks at me slowly, the laptop in front of him all but forgotten. We’re sitting in the dining room, the late morning sun brightening the space. “I don’t wanna ask. I really, really don’t.”"
Lol to the running joke about senior citizen Evelyn perhaps being responsible for his hickeys. "“Thanks,” I mumble, snapping a link off in my mouth. She hums again before clearing her throat. “You, uh, see Evelyn Jacobs again last night?” It takes me a second—a long second—to figure out what she’s talking about. I cough around my bite of sausage, slapping a hand over the goddamn hickey Noah left on my neck. “What? No! It wasn’t…” My mom’s lips twitch, and I heave a defeated breath."
I absolutely love how much Noah loves the tattoo of his name on Colton's ass. He keeps asking to see it, and he lovingly pets it. "Noah rumbles, his hand slipping down between us until it’s covering my ass. He makes a sound of approval, and I realize he’s petting my tattoo again."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: submission, mild degradation/praise kink, markings
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings/representations: Loss of parents in past, deaf minor character
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: after they hook up the first time, they both go out to a gay bar and run into each other there. There is the odd moment of jealousy, but no interest in the other people, so there's no real opd. Neither are with anyone else after they hook up.
4.5 stars
Colton and Noah are 37 and 38. They are rival farriers in a rural town. They have been in competition and hating each other for 15 years. They think a lot about each other, they are preoccupied a lot with each other over those years. They both thought they were straight, so there was never any romantic tension or sexual tension between them. But then one day, Noah decides to shut Colton up with his mouth. And about sexual awareness starts festering and turns into a hookup. And that turns into secret meetups to hook up. Colton discovers his love of being manhandled and submitting. And Noah just thrives on Colton's attention and getting to be the one to make Colton submit and come. They both get possessive of each other, but Noah in particular knows his feelings earlier and you can really feel his affection for Colton, it's a palpable thing.
Neither of them have a problem with being bisexual, though Colton initially resents that it's Noah inspiring these feelings in him. There was a lot of resentment between them initially built up over so many years. There was a mild miscommunication trope at play as well for them to overcome.
This was really a delightful book. I loved the history and long-term true hate between them. They occupied so much mental space in each other's heads for so long, it made sense for the feelings to develop. I loved seeing the reluctant sexual attraction on Colton's side. And Noah's quick acceptance and how he embraced his feelings for Colton. It just made me kick my feet with happiness whenever Noah made involuntary happy rumblings thinking of Colton, and had to see or touch the tattoo of his name on Colton's ass. I liked how their families reacted to them getting together.
One tiny thing I didn't love was how at the end it just was slipped in that Colton's parents split up. There was no lead up or context or purpose to the plot, it was just a one-line drop at the end of the book, and left me thinking why. Why break up that happy likeable couple if you aren't going to have it serve a purpose?
Some notable moments:
I love when an MMC confides in someone and evokes this kind of reaction. "“Do you think it’s possible to have latent masochistic tendencies?” Jackson looks at me slowly, the laptop in front of him all but forgotten. We’re sitting in the dining room, the late morning sun brightening the space. “I don’t wanna ask. I really, really don’t.”"
Lol to the running joke about senior citizen Evelyn perhaps being responsible for his hickeys. "“Thanks,” I mumble, snapping a link off in my mouth. She hums again before clearing her throat. “You, uh, see Evelyn Jacobs again last night?” It takes me a second—a long second—to figure out what she’s talking about. I cough around my bite of sausage, slapping a hand over the goddamn hickey Noah left on my neck. “What? No! It wasn’t…” My mom’s lips twitch, and I heave a defeated breath."
I absolutely love how much Noah loves the tattoo of his name on Colton's ass. He keeps asking to see it, and he lovingly pets it. "Noah rumbles, his hand slipping down between us until it’s covering my ass. He makes a sound of approval, and I realize he’s petting my tattoo again."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2025
Emmy Sanders never - NEVER - lets me down 𐚁𓄀✮⋆˙
Brim Over Boot was chef kiss, spectacular, OUT OF THIS WORLD. I flew through it because I couldn't stop reading it. I feel like I loved it more than book one but book one also has a special place in my heart. It's just - Colton and Noah were so good and their dynamic ... oh my god I ATE IT UPPP ♡ I seriously loved every second I spent reading this book and I cannot wait for the next one. I know it's going to have my heart as well.
If you love cowboy romance books featuring enemies who actually hate each other turn to the softest lovers, read this one. The way Noah wanted to shut up Colton so he kissed him?!?!! PLEASE SIR. THIS IS THE BEST TROPE!!! How they couldn't stop kissing and making out and being close even though they couldn't stand each other?? Oh goated moments, goated book, I am literally recommending this to every single person.
Brim Over Boot was chef kiss, spectacular, OUT OF THIS WORLD. I flew through it because I couldn't stop reading it. I feel like I loved it more than book one but book one also has a special place in my heart. It's just - Colton and Noah were so good and their dynamic ... oh my god I ATE IT UPPP ♡ I seriously loved every second I spent reading this book and I cannot wait for the next one. I know it's going to have my heart as well.
If you love cowboy romance books featuring enemies who actually hate each other turn to the softest lovers, read this one. The way Noah wanted to shut up Colton so he kissed him?!?!! PLEASE SIR. THIS IS THE BEST TROPE!!! How they couldn't stop kissing and making out and being close even though they couldn't stand each other?? Oh goated moments, goated book, I am literally recommending this to every single person.
May 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
This is enemies-to-lovers done right. The hate between Colton and Noah felt real and the tension was palpable. Emmy Sanders’ writing is better than ever in this book, the details, the story, the characters, the families…I felt like I was right there in Darling with all of them.
I loved the banter, the obsession, the rivalry, but most of all, I loved the feelings. Once Colton and Noah started to truly understand each other, I was smitten. They’re just adorable together! I’m really enjoying this series so far and I can’t wait for Remi’s book because he’s my favourite!
This is enemies-to-lovers done right. The hate between Colton and Noah felt real and the tension was palpable. Emmy Sanders’ writing is better than ever in this book, the details, the story, the characters, the families…I felt like I was right there in Darling with all of them.
I loved the banter, the obsession, the rivalry, but most of all, I loved the feelings. Once Colton and Noah started to truly understand each other, I was smitten. They’re just adorable together! I’m really enjoying this series so far and I can’t wait for Remi’s book because he’s my favourite!
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