What do you think?
Rate this book
Sagebrush Cowboys #1
Rust and Stardust
A city boy. A small town cowboy. A love that rewrites the rules.
Lucas
At twenty-five, I thought I had my life figured out—steady job, big-city dreams, and a clear path to the top. But one work assignment to Sagebrush, Texas, is all it takes to throw my carefully laid plans off course. My job is to charm the locals, uncover their secrets, and steal prize-winning barbecue recipes for our next line of frozen dinners. Oh, and not a soul can know.
It should’ve been simple. Until Beau Turner came along.
Beau, with his rugged charm, quiet strength, and those piercing blue eyes that see right through me. Beau, whose smile makes my chest ache in ways I can’t explain. Falling for him wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was falling into his bed.
But Beau isn’t just some small-town cowboy I’m having a heated fling with. He’s the reigning barbecue champion whose recipe I’m supposed to steal. Now, I’m trapped between the man I’ve fallen for and the career I’ve worked so hard to build. If I make the wrong choice, I could lose it all.
Beau
I’ve spent my whole life in Sagebrush, keeping things family, ranching, and perfecting my barbecue recipe. Love? Never been in the cards—especially not with someone like Lucas Greene.
Tall, charming, and completely out of place in my world, Lucas is everything I didn’t know I needed. The way he looks at me makes it hard to breathe, and the way he kisses me makes me want to believe in something more. Nights spent under the stars with him in my arms feel like a dream, but I know he wouldn’t choose a dusty place like Sagebrush to call home, not when he’s got so much to live for back in New York.
But when the truth finally comes out, it’s not just my heart that’s on the line—it’s everything I’ve worked for. And I don’t know if love is enough to fix what’s broken between us.
Rust and Stardust is a sweet and spicy swoon-worthy tale of opposites attracting, trust, redemption, coming out, and the kind of love that shines brightest in the darkest moments. Perfect for readers who crave a heartfelt, emotional romance set under the vast Texas sky that will stay with you long after the last page.
Lucas
At twenty-five, I thought I had my life figured out—steady job, big-city dreams, and a clear path to the top. But one work assignment to Sagebrush, Texas, is all it takes to throw my carefully laid plans off course. My job is to charm the locals, uncover their secrets, and steal prize-winning barbecue recipes for our next line of frozen dinners. Oh, and not a soul can know.
It should’ve been simple. Until Beau Turner came along.
Beau, with his rugged charm, quiet strength, and those piercing blue eyes that see right through me. Beau, whose smile makes my chest ache in ways I can’t explain. Falling for him wasn’t part of the plan. Neither was falling into his bed.
But Beau isn’t just some small-town cowboy I’m having a heated fling with. He’s the reigning barbecue champion whose recipe I’m supposed to steal. Now, I’m trapped between the man I’ve fallen for and the career I’ve worked so hard to build. If I make the wrong choice, I could lose it all.
Beau
I’ve spent my whole life in Sagebrush, keeping things family, ranching, and perfecting my barbecue recipe. Love? Never been in the cards—especially not with someone like Lucas Greene.
Tall, charming, and completely out of place in my world, Lucas is everything I didn’t know I needed. The way he looks at me makes it hard to breathe, and the way he kisses me makes me want to believe in something more. Nights spent under the stars with him in my arms feel like a dream, but I know he wouldn’t choose a dusty place like Sagebrush to call home, not when he’s got so much to live for back in New York.
But when the truth finally comes out, it’s not just my heart that’s on the line—it’s everything I’ve worked for. And I don’t know if love is enough to fix what’s broken between us.
Rust and Stardust is a sweet and spicy swoon-worthy tale of opposites attracting, trust, redemption, coming out, and the kind of love that shines brightest in the darkest moments. Perfect for readers who crave a heartfelt, emotional romance set under the vast Texas sky that will stay with you long after the last page.
252 pages, Paperback
Published December 29, 2024
529 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Atreus Rosewood
19 books50 followersAtreus Rosewood is a gay romance author living in Michigan with his two boyfriends, two cats, a spoiled dog, and all the beaches he could ask for. He writes constantly to the detriment of all else and that's just the way he likes it. If you happen to find him wandering a beach and mumbling to himself, iced coffee is how you’ll lure him back to civilization.
Atreus writes under three separate Pen Names:
--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance
--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance
--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy
Atreus writes under three separate Pen Names:
--Blake R. Wolfe -- Gay Paranormal Romance
--Atreus Rosewood -- Gay Contemporary Romance
--Eoghan R. Cunningham -- LGBTQ+ Fantasy
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 6, 2025
It was like a hallmark movie with g*y s*x. Spectacular, give me 14 of them right now.
May 9, 2025
To było żenujące 👀
Pierwszy rozdział ustawił wszystko - w ciemno można było powiedzieć, jak będzie się toczyła akcja, jakie będą wydarzenia, kiedy jednego z głównych bohaterów dopadną wyrzuty sumienia, jaki będzie konflikt, co spowoduje obowiązkowe rozstanie. Ale cóż - w "Colombo" też wiemy od razu, kto zabił, a jednak serial jest interesujący, zatem dałam książce szansę... Kuźwa, niepotrzebnie 🤦♀️
Bohaterowie: Lucas nie do strawienia, Beau to ciepłe kluchy; banał goni banał, dziury, nieścisłości, niekonsekwencje i zwłaszcza idiotyzmy w historii są okrutne, ale wszystko bije na głowę insta 🤦♀️ Powiedzieć, że jest żenująca, to nic nie powiedzieć 🤦♀️ Zatem na tym skończę, bo szkoda mi czasu na wyliczanie, co w tej książce było złe - wystarczająco go już straciłam na czytanie...
Pierwszy rozdział ustawił wszystko - w ciemno można było powiedzieć, jak będzie się toczyła akcja, jakie będą wydarzenia, kiedy jednego z głównych bohaterów dopadną wyrzuty sumienia, jaki będzie konflikt, co spowoduje obowiązkowe rozstanie. Ale cóż - w "Colombo" też wiemy od razu, kto zabił, a jednak serial jest interesujący, zatem dałam książce szansę... Kuźwa, niepotrzebnie 🤦♀️
Bohaterowie: Lucas nie do strawienia, Beau to ciepłe kluchy; banał goni banał, dziury, nieścisłości, niekonsekwencje i zwłaszcza idiotyzmy w historii są okrutne, ale wszystko bije na głowę insta 🤦♀️ Powiedzieć, że jest żenująca, to nic nie powiedzieć 🤦♀️ Zatem na tym skończę, bo szkoda mi czasu na wyliczanie, co w tej książce było złe - wystarczająco go już straciłam na czytanie...
May 27, 2025
Very bland romance. The plot was really good, but the writing is definitely more YA which I'm not crazy about. The leads exhibit insta-love and it's kinda boring, as the tension is manufactured and not all that original. Passing on the rest of this series.
January 28, 2025
Nan, c'était cute !
Une histoire de vols de recettes de viande au barbecue, Lucas qui tombe amoureux de Beau, un Cowboy encore puceau qui n'a pas accepté son homosexualité mais qui ne peut pas rester indifférent face au charme du citadin.. tout ce que j'aime !
J'ai été habitué à plus de cul de la part de l'auteur mais on ne va pas non plus cracher dans la soupe 😌 ils étaient mignons tout plein, c'est l'essentiel !
Une bonne histoire divertissante même si le scénario n'est pas des plus original et que ça va un peu vite parfois. Bah après c'est un instant love, donc faut pas demander plus de psychologie kekeke
Une histoire de vols de recettes de viande au barbecue, Lucas qui tombe amoureux de Beau, un Cowboy encore puceau qui n'a pas accepté son homosexualité mais qui ne peut pas rester indifférent face au charme du citadin.. tout ce que j'aime !
J'ai été habitué à plus de cul de la part de l'auteur mais on ne va pas non plus cracher dans la soupe 😌 ils étaient mignons tout plein, c'est l'essentiel !
Une bonne histoire divertissante même si le scénario n'est pas des plus original et que ça va un peu vite parfois. Bah après c'est un instant love, donc faut pas demander plus de psychologie kekeke
July 26, 2025
This book felt like the queer Hallmark movie I didn’t know I needed… complete with a cozy small town, crackling barbecue tension, and a cowboy with eyes that could melt steel.
Do I usually love instalove? Nope.
Did I still devour this like it was smothered in sweet heat sauce? Absolutely.
Lucas and Beau’s connection builds fast (like, real fast), but something about their dynamic just worked for me. It’s equal parts swoony and spicy, with a whole lot of heart packed into Sagebrush, Texas. If you’re craving a low angst, high heat romance with found love and small town charm, this one delivers.
I’ll definitely be picking up book two.
Vibes: tender, sweet, a little unrealistic, but totally lovable
MMCs: closeted cowboy x city boy reporter
For fans of: MM romance, Hallmark but horny, emotional soft bois
Do I usually love instalove? Nope.
Did I still devour this like it was smothered in sweet heat sauce? Absolutely.
Lucas and Beau’s connection builds fast (like, real fast), but something about their dynamic just worked for me. It’s equal parts swoony and spicy, with a whole lot of heart packed into Sagebrush, Texas. If you’re craving a low angst, high heat romance with found love and small town charm, this one delivers.
I’ll definitely be picking up book two.
Vibes: tender, sweet, a little unrealistic, but totally lovable
MMCs: closeted cowboy x city boy reporter
For fans of: MM romance, Hallmark but horny, emotional soft bois
January 8, 2025
You can never have enough Cowboy!
I loved this story, with two men so opposite that they can't help but fall in love.
Beau is a cowboy who lives in fear of revealing his sexuality, not even admitting it to himself, repressing his desires and urges out of fear of disappointing his family, in this town that seems to have little in the way of open-mindedness. We feel all the pain he feels in continuing to lie to himself, how miserable he feels at not being able to be honest, and yet the fear that anchors him and prevents him from moving forward... Until Lucas arrives.
Lucas is from New York and knows nothing about cowboy life. He's here to do a dirty job. He lies too, but to others, to the whole town and to Beau... We feel all the conflict he's going through. The fear of losing his job, of having no other option but to do what's asked of him, even if it's dishonest and against what he believes. He feels trapped.
And in the midst of the lies, Lucas and Beau experience real things, their growing feelings are real.
A beautiful story, where life isn't always ideal, where sometimes you feel trapped and it can seem hard to get out... And yet, on the outside, happiness awaits.
Two lovable, endearing men whom I loved following throughout this story, amidst the horse, the dust and a small rural village.
I can't wait to return to this town and its inhabitants in a future volume!
-----
On n'a jamais assez de Cowboy !
J'ai adoré cette histoire, avec deux hommes si opposés qu'ils ne peuvent que tomber amoureux.
Beau est un cowboy qui vit dans la crainte de dévoiler sa sexualité, qui ne se l'avoue même pas à lui-même, refoulant ses désirs et ses pulsions, par caintre de décevoir sa famille, dans cette ville qui semble peu ouverte d'esprit. On ressent toute la peine qu'il a en continuant à se mentir, comme il se sent misérable de ne pas pouvoir être honnête et pourtant la peur qui l'ancre et l'empêche d'avancer... Jusqu'à l'arrivée de Lucas.
Lucas vient de New York, il ne connaît rien à la vie de cow boy. Il est là pour faire un sale boulot. Il ment lui aussi, mais aux autres à la ville entière et à Beau... On ressent tout le conflit qu'il vit. La peur de perdre son boulot, de n'avoir pas d'autres options que de faire ce qu'on lui demande même si c'est malhonnête et contre ce qu'il croit. Il se sent au pied du mur.
Et au milieu des mensonges, Lucas et Beau vivent des choses vraies, leurs sentiments grandissent et sont bien réelles.
Une belle histoire, où la vie n'est pas toujours idéale, où parfois on se sent pris au piège et où il peut sembler difficile de s'en extraire... Et pourtant à l'extérieur c'est le bonheur qui attend.
Deux hommes adorables et attachants que j'ai adoré suivre tout au long de cette histoire, au milieu des chevaux, d'un petit village rural et de la poussière.
J'ai hâte de retrouver cette ville et ses habitants dans un prochain tome !
I loved this story, with two men so opposite that they can't help but fall in love.
Beau is a cowboy who lives in fear of revealing his sexuality, not even admitting it to himself, repressing his desires and urges out of fear of disappointing his family, in this town that seems to have little in the way of open-mindedness. We feel all the pain he feels in continuing to lie to himself, how miserable he feels at not being able to be honest, and yet the fear that anchors him and prevents him from moving forward... Until Lucas arrives.
Lucas is from New York and knows nothing about cowboy life. He's here to do a dirty job. He lies too, but to others, to the whole town and to Beau... We feel all the conflict he's going through. The fear of losing his job, of having no other option but to do what's asked of him, even if it's dishonest and against what he believes. He feels trapped.
And in the midst of the lies, Lucas and Beau experience real things, their growing feelings are real.
A beautiful story, where life isn't always ideal, where sometimes you feel trapped and it can seem hard to get out... And yet, on the outside, happiness awaits.
Two lovable, endearing men whom I loved following throughout this story, amidst the horse, the dust and a small rural village.
I can't wait to return to this town and its inhabitants in a future volume!
-----
On n'a jamais assez de Cowboy !
J'ai adoré cette histoire, avec deux hommes si opposés qu'ils ne peuvent que tomber amoureux.
Beau est un cowboy qui vit dans la crainte de dévoiler sa sexualité, qui ne se l'avoue même pas à lui-même, refoulant ses désirs et ses pulsions, par caintre de décevoir sa famille, dans cette ville qui semble peu ouverte d'esprit. On ressent toute la peine qu'il a en continuant à se mentir, comme il se sent misérable de ne pas pouvoir être honnête et pourtant la peur qui l'ancre et l'empêche d'avancer... Jusqu'à l'arrivée de Lucas.
Lucas vient de New York, il ne connaît rien à la vie de cow boy. Il est là pour faire un sale boulot. Il ment lui aussi, mais aux autres à la ville entière et à Beau... On ressent tout le conflit qu'il vit. La peur de perdre son boulot, de n'avoir pas d'autres options que de faire ce qu'on lui demande même si c'est malhonnête et contre ce qu'il croit. Il se sent au pied du mur.
Et au milieu des mensonges, Lucas et Beau vivent des choses vraies, leurs sentiments grandissent et sont bien réelles.
Une belle histoire, où la vie n'est pas toujours idéale, où parfois on se sent pris au piège et où il peut sembler difficile de s'en extraire... Et pourtant à l'extérieur c'est le bonheur qui attend.
Deux hommes adorables et attachants que j'ai adoré suivre tout au long de cette histoire, au milieu des chevaux, d'un petit village rural et de la poussière.
J'ai hâte de retrouver cette ville et ses habitants dans un prochain tome !
January 6, 2025
One of the best written books I've read by this author. The character development of both characters was fantastic. I had a lot of feelings while reading it. The story was intriguing, and I couldn't put it down. The growing love and lust between Lucas and Beau felt not rushed, or forced at all. Just beautiful. I loved their HEA. The whole message behind this book is phenomenal.
January 21, 2025
Lucas is told by his boss to go to Sagebrush and do whatever needs to be done to get the next winning BBQ recipe for the company or lose his job.
Beau is a cowboy, has a winning BBQ recipe and isn’t out about his sexuality’s
Lucas and Beau hit it off however, with the lies and deceit it seems as if things are over before they can start.
Sometimes loving someone is more important than the job.
Beau is a cowboy, has a winning BBQ recipe and isn’t out about his sexuality’s
Lucas and Beau hit it off however, with the lies and deceit it seems as if things are over before they can start.
Sometimes loving someone is more important than the job.
April 17, 2025
A Romance Story A Texas Boy Can Love!
You don’t have to be a Texas boy to love this story - but it helps! Hot small town cowboy falls for a city boy under he wide open West Texas sky. The roads are bumpy for our boys, of course. Will everything work out? Better check it out! And, by the way, not everything is dust covered out there!
You don’t have to be a Texas boy to love this story - but it helps! Hot small town cowboy falls for a city boy under he wide open West Texas sky. The roads are bumpy for our boys, of course. Will everything work out? Better check it out! And, by the way, not everything is dust covered out there!
August 8, 2025
------------- rating: {★★☆☆☆: 2.5/5 stars
this was kinda cringy lol
the plot? where was it?
take a shot everytime anyone says 'cowboy'
i mean, the smut was good but that's the only thing saving the book
not in a hurry to pick logan's story
this was kinda cringy lol
the plot? where was it?
take a shot everytime anyone says 'cowboy'
i mean, the smut was good but that's the only thing saving the book
not in a hurry to pick logan's story
April 17, 2025
Such a sweet story. ❤️
January 19, 2026
2.5 ⭐️
Beau + Lucas
Cowboy and city boy | Closeted cowboy
I first picked this up because I saw it described as a 'hallmark but make it gay' and it was free. I also loved 'Hell Creek Boys' from the same author. But this felt like it was written by someone different.
Some things definitely happened way too easy and quick for someone who's been in the closet for so long.
I was bored off and on and there were some inconsistencies. For example, one minute Lucas somehow just knows that he was Beau's first man. But then quite a bit later they have an actual conversation about it and he acts surprised.
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Country boy + city boy
Closeted cowboy
Small town
Insta love
Diner meet ups
Horse riding lessons
First time with a man
"Cowboy" said as a term of endearment
Cowboy saves city boy off a runaway horse
"You're safe. I've got you."
Truck blow jobs and hand jobs
Pierced nips
Uncut
Thigh squeezes and whispered reassurances when no one is looking
Truck bed picnic under the stars
Dirt road sex
Beau has been celibate since sophomore year of high school
Third act breakup (after Lucas admits the real reason he came to town)
Vers roles but Beau mostly tops on page
Epilogue (doesnt say how much later but doesn't feel like very long. Maybe a year. Lucas gets his own hat and hat hook, he's officially all moved in. He "meets" Beau's mom at her grave. Beau's barbecue is sold now through the diner)
Warnings:
Lucas and his coworker come to town with the intention of gettung the town people to trust them and then betraying them by getting secret recipes to sell for their job back home. He first tries to get with Beau for this intention.
Steer slaughtered for meat (not detailed on page beyond it hanging there and Beau being bloody from slaughtering it)
Beau's mom is dead (she died when he was a baby)
OW drama - theres a woman that proposed to Beau before. He turned her down but she won't give up
Beau + Lucas
Cowboy and city boy | Closeted cowboy
I first picked this up because I saw it described as a 'hallmark but make it gay' and it was free. I also loved 'Hell Creek Boys' from the same author. But this felt like it was written by someone different.
Some things definitely happened way too easy and quick for someone who's been in the closet for so long.
I was bored off and on and there were some inconsistencies. For example, one minute Lucas somehow just knows that he was Beau's first man. But then quite a bit later they have an actual conversation about it and he acts surprised.
⚠️ potential spoilers below in detailed tropes, content and warning lists
Tropes/content:
Country boy + city boy
Closeted cowboy
Small town
Insta love
Diner meet ups
Horse riding lessons
First time with a man
"Cowboy" said as a term of endearment
Cowboy saves city boy off a runaway horse
"You're safe. I've got you."
Truck blow jobs and hand jobs
Pierced nips
Uncut
Thigh squeezes and whispered reassurances when no one is looking
Truck bed picnic under the stars
Dirt road sex
Beau has been celibate since sophomore year of high school
Third act breakup (after Lucas admits the real reason he came to town)
Vers roles but Beau mostly tops on page
Epilogue (doesnt say how much later but doesn't feel like very long. Maybe a year. Lucas gets his own hat and hat hook, he's officially all moved in. He "meets" Beau's mom at her grave. Beau's barbecue is sold now through the diner)
Warnings:
Lucas and his coworker come to town with the intention of gettung the town people to trust them and then betraying them by getting secret recipes to sell for their job back home. He first tries to get with Beau for this intention.
Steer slaughtered for meat (not detailed on page beyond it hanging there and Beau being bloody from slaughtering it)
Beau's mom is dead (she died when he was a baby)
OW drama - theres a woman that proposed to Beau before. He turned her down but she won't give up
October 14, 2025
Our hot couple is Beau and Lucas !
Beau is a rancher and hold the best BBQ recipe around. Lucas and co-worker Logan, come to town with a plan to steal various recipes in Sagebrush and return to New York as heroes.
These two men get along and develop a friendship with benefits.
Lucas is all over town finding recipes to steal, and as he and Beau are getting serious, Lucas is not sure he can do this bad deed.
The town hype is all about the festival and contests. Folks are welcoming, Lucas falls for the town and people. Beau isn’t out, and a sexual virgin.
We learn a lot, get beautiful descriptions of the land and the characters are diverse. The tale is heartfelt and exciting.
What happens when Lucas needs to go home?
ENJOY!
=====
Beau is a rancher and hold the best BBQ recipe around. Lucas and co-worker Logan, come to town with a plan to steal various recipes in Sagebrush and return to New York as heroes.
These two men get along and develop a friendship with benefits.
Lucas is all over town finding recipes to steal, and as he and Beau are getting serious, Lucas is not sure he can do this bad deed.
The town hype is all about the festival and contests. Folks are welcoming, Lucas falls for the town and people. Beau isn’t out, and a sexual virgin.
We learn a lot, get beautiful descriptions of the land and the characters are diverse. The tale is heartfelt and exciting.
What happens when Lucas needs to go home?
ENJOY!
=====
June 24, 2025
Where is my cowboy?!?
January 7, 2026
It gave Hallmark vibes in the best way possible! Lucas and Beau’s story was soo good from start to finish!
March 22, 2025
Sometimes love really can overcome all
This is the first book that I've read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. First, I just have to say that the book cover? GORGEOUS BEYOND BELIEF 😍 The beautiful cover caught my eye, but the blurb made me rush to read this book as soon as I found it, and I'm glad that I did. I mean, who doesn't want to read a book about hot cowboys who find the love of their lives under the endless Texas sky? This was an interesting concept with the book being about Lucas living in New York and working for a frozen food company who asked him and his best friend to steal recipes from good hardworking people or else they were going to be fired. With student loans and the cost of living in New York they felt like they had no other choice but man did I hate knowing what Lucas was in Sagebrush to do and then him meeting the gorgeous, sweet, most down to Earth cowboy who is scared to be who he is in his small town because of the hate he'd get. So many times in my head, I was yelling at Lucas while he was getting to know Beau more to stop being an idiot and to not go through with his betrayal! But that showed how tight of a spot Lucas was in and that he continuously felt bad and in the end he realized that love and Beau was so much more important than a job he hated and a crappy apartment he could barely afford. Lucas and Beau's love story was a bit fast paced and I would have liked to get to know more about Lucas as a person since Beau was so open with his fear of saying he's gay, plus a crazy Amber May (hope I never hear or see that name again ugh) and the weight of living in a small town with his dad's ranch as their legacy. But these two definitely share something super special, and they found a place in each other where they could feel safe and loved and accepted. I absolutely loved Beau's whole family and, of course, Dolly! And I'm so happy that these two beautiful boys found their forever together. I can't wait to visit Sagebrush again!
This is the first book that I've read by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. First, I just have to say that the book cover? GORGEOUS BEYOND BELIEF 😍 The beautiful cover caught my eye, but the blurb made me rush to read this book as soon as I found it, and I'm glad that I did. I mean, who doesn't want to read a book about hot cowboys who find the love of their lives under the endless Texas sky? This was an interesting concept with the book being about Lucas living in New York and working for a frozen food company who asked him and his best friend to steal recipes from good hardworking people or else they were going to be fired. With student loans and the cost of living in New York they felt like they had no other choice but man did I hate knowing what Lucas was in Sagebrush to do and then him meeting the gorgeous, sweet, most down to Earth cowboy who is scared to be who he is in his small town because of the hate he'd get. So many times in my head, I was yelling at Lucas while he was getting to know Beau more to stop being an idiot and to not go through with his betrayal! But that showed how tight of a spot Lucas was in and that he continuously felt bad and in the end he realized that love and Beau was so much more important than a job he hated and a crappy apartment he could barely afford. Lucas and Beau's love story was a bit fast paced and I would have liked to get to know more about Lucas as a person since Beau was so open with his fear of saying he's gay, plus a crazy Amber May (hope I never hear or see that name again ugh) and the weight of living in a small town with his dad's ranch as their legacy. But these two definitely share something super special, and they found a place in each other where they could feel safe and loved and accepted. I absolutely loved Beau's whole family and, of course, Dolly! And I'm so happy that these two beautiful boys found their forever together. I can't wait to visit Sagebrush again!
May 7, 2025
Physical book
3/5 Stars
At first glance, the premise of this book—stealing a BBQ sauce recipe for a company—sounds absurd. But then you remember that corporations absolutely pull stunts like this, and suddenly the plot feels less like a farce and more like late-stage capitalism at work.
Still, there are moments that stretch believability a bit too far. For example, Beau getting so turned on he starts pre-cumming just from a bit of flirting? That’s somehow even more unrealistic than the company sending two marketing employees across the country on their own dime to commit BBQ espionage.
Tonally, the book swings hard. Some scenes feel like cut-and-paste romance moments with very little spark, but then—out of nowhere—you get hit with genuinely beautiful prose. One of my favorite lines comes from page 39:
“But as the sun began to set over the rolling prairie, painting the sky in vivid oranges and pinks, I found my mind drifting back to Lucas despite my best efforts to push them away.”
That kind of vivid, emotional writing stands out in sharp contrast to the otherwise cookie-cutter plot beats.
It all wraps up with a cute, happy ending—satisfying, but not especially memorable. This isn’t a groundbreaking romance, but it’s an easy read with some unexpected moments of beauty.
3/5 Stars
At first glance, the premise of this book—stealing a BBQ sauce recipe for a company—sounds absurd. But then you remember that corporations absolutely pull stunts like this, and suddenly the plot feels less like a farce and more like late-stage capitalism at work.
Still, there are moments that stretch believability a bit too far. For example, Beau getting so turned on he starts pre-cumming just from a bit of flirting? That’s somehow even more unrealistic than the company sending two marketing employees across the country on their own dime to commit BBQ espionage.
Tonally, the book swings hard. Some scenes feel like cut-and-paste romance moments with very little spark, but then—out of nowhere—you get hit with genuinely beautiful prose. One of my favorite lines comes from page 39:
“But as the sun began to set over the rolling prairie, painting the sky in vivid oranges and pinks, I found my mind drifting back to Lucas despite my best efforts to push them away.”
That kind of vivid, emotional writing stands out in sharp contrast to the otherwise cookie-cutter plot beats.
It all wraps up with a cute, happy ending—satisfying, but not especially memorable. This isn’t a groundbreaking romance, but it’s an easy read with some unexpected moments of beauty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2025
DNF @ 40%
Wow, Lucas had absolutely zero boundaries continuing to come onto Beau after he already said no. Very very sleezy considering he was already there to steal recipes.
Beau was also surprisingly very even keel about being propositioned despite the his insistence that nobody could find out he was into men. Where the heck was the hesitation? The internal (and external) resistance towards something he'd been trying to fight his entire life? You're telling me all it took to break through that was a few double entendres from a rando? He even blew Lucas in the back of his car for goodness' sake and was an expert at it.
Plus the way he basically immediately got so comfortable with Lucas, telling him all his problems despite them supposedly haunting him for the past two years, screamed instalove. Ditto for Lucas with the whole "I think I'm falling for him" spiel. It's been like two days bro.
Primarily DNF-ing because of the instalove. I read romances to see the point where two people fall in love, not to have it be shortcutted from strangers to unjustified affection after less than a week.
Wow, Lucas had absolutely zero boundaries continuing to come onto Beau after he already said no. Very very sleezy considering he was already there to steal recipes.
Beau was also surprisingly very even keel about being propositioned despite the his insistence that nobody could find out he was into men. Where the heck was the hesitation? The internal (and external) resistance towards something he'd been trying to fight his entire life? You're telling me all it took to break through that was a few double entendres from a rando? He even blew Lucas in the back of his car for goodness' sake and was an expert at it.
Plus the way he basically immediately got so comfortable with Lucas, telling him all his problems despite them supposedly haunting him for the past two years, screamed instalove. Ditto for Lucas with the whole "I think I'm falling for him" spiel. It's been like two days bro.
Primarily DNF-ing because of the instalove. I read romances to see the point where two people fall in love, not to have it be shortcutted from strangers to unjustified affection after less than a week.
October 27, 2025
4⭐️ 2🌶️ 5🎧
Ok, so the reviews who said this was a gay Hallmark movie were spot on, and I loved that. Classic story of a city slicker from NY out to steal from a small town cowboy but instead falls head over heals 🫶🏻
Yes, a little part cheese and insta-love, but what I appreciated most was there wasn’t any OTT cartoonish or clichéd characters. While it was predictable early on what the “conflict” could be, It was handled very well and I was just so happy for Beau and Lucas to get their HEA 🥰
I’ll definitely read on. Initially I was worried Logan was going to turn out to be a traitor in this story, but it turns out he was a good supportive friend to Lucas and I am excited to see him get his guy, especially back home at a place that made him feel unwelcome as a teenager.
Ok, so the reviews who said this was a gay Hallmark movie were spot on, and I loved that. Classic story of a city slicker from NY out to steal from a small town cowboy but instead falls head over heals 🫶🏻
Yes, a little part cheese and insta-love, but what I appreciated most was there wasn’t any OTT cartoonish or clichéd characters. While it was predictable early on what the “conflict” could be, It was handled very well and I was just so happy for Beau and Lucas to get their HEA 🥰
I’ll definitely read on. Initially I was worried Logan was going to turn out to be a traitor in this story, but it turns out he was a good supportive friend to Lucas and I am excited to see him get his guy, especially back home at a place that made him feel unwelcome as a teenager.
April 18, 2025
This book was awesome!!!!
I do believe I have a new best cowboy romance!!!!!! This is my first with this author I've got the first 3 books & I can't wait to start the next!!! The way the book is written you can almost feel the Texas heat and the dust - and the characters were so very awesome I mean you are right there with them crying and yelling when Lucas screws up - it really is unreal!!!!!
Thank you so ooo much - Lori
I do believe I have a new best cowboy romance!!!!!! This is my first with this author I've got the first 3 books & I can't wait to start the next!!! The way the book is written you can almost feel the Texas heat and the dust - and the characters were so very awesome I mean you are right there with them crying and yelling when Lucas screws up - it really is unreal!!!!!
Thank you so ooo much - Lori
August 3, 2025
It’s fine. It gives off a strong hard-core/Hallmark vibe. At a certain point the sex feels like padding. I mostly enjoyed it, but it does feel a little over-long and I’ll tell you right now that the evil boss gets absolutely no comeuppance. Indeed, he is only in the one scene.
January 13, 2025
4.5 stars
Beau and Lucas connect so beautifully, and deserve their hard earned HEA.
Beau is so deep in the closet he can't even admit it to himself, he's under a lot of pressure with the family ranch, the upcoming competition, and avoiding a certain persistent girl, and meeting Lucas both adds to his troubles and eases them. The attraction is instant, but he fears his response. Fortunately, circumstances - and some friendly interference - push them together more.
Lucas worked so hard to end up in New York, but it's way too expensive so he lives in a crappy little apartment and barely surviving paycheque to paycheque. Now his nasty boss is sending him and his friend on a secret mission to steal prized recipes from the people of Sagebrush, and in return, there just may be a much needed promotion for them. This assignment is twisting him up inside, but he has to do it or face losing his job. Meeting Beau is a double edged sword, the attraction is undeniable, but knowing he'll have to steal from him doesn't sit well.
These men form a friendship that leads to a deep bond between them, despite each man's trepidations. It is beautiful to see them growing closer with each encounter regardless of the inner turmoil each man is struggling with. Their journey was guaranteed to have disappointment and hurt, but because of the strong bond they developed, they are able to eventually work through it, allowing love to prevail, and guiding them to such a sweet HEA.
I really enjoyed this book, it is engaging and entertaining, Beau and Lucas are genuinely likeable and fully developed characters, and there are several secondary characters that add depth to the story. I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this new series - I'm hoping Lucas' friend gets his story.
I received an ARC, this is my honest opinion.
Beau and Lucas connect so beautifully, and deserve their hard earned HEA.
Beau is so deep in the closet he can't even admit it to himself, he's under a lot of pressure with the family ranch, the upcoming competition, and avoiding a certain persistent girl, and meeting Lucas both adds to his troubles and eases them. The attraction is instant, but he fears his response. Fortunately, circumstances - and some friendly interference - push them together more.
Lucas worked so hard to end up in New York, but it's way too expensive so he lives in a crappy little apartment and barely surviving paycheque to paycheque. Now his nasty boss is sending him and his friend on a secret mission to steal prized recipes from the people of Sagebrush, and in return, there just may be a much needed promotion for them. This assignment is twisting him up inside, but he has to do it or face losing his job. Meeting Beau is a double edged sword, the attraction is undeniable, but knowing he'll have to steal from him doesn't sit well.
These men form a friendship that leads to a deep bond between them, despite each man's trepidations. It is beautiful to see them growing closer with each encounter regardless of the inner turmoil each man is struggling with. Their journey was guaranteed to have disappointment and hurt, but because of the strong bond they developed, they are able to eventually work through it, allowing love to prevail, and guiding them to such a sweet HEA.
I really enjoyed this book, it is engaging and entertaining, Beau and Lucas are genuinely likeable and fully developed characters, and there are several secondary characters that add depth to the story. I would definitely recommend this book and I look forward to seeing what happens next in this new series - I'm hoping Lucas' friend gets his story.
I received an ARC, this is my honest opinion.
January 26, 2025
4.25 stars!
This was absolutely the angsty-est low/no angst book I’ve ever read!! I’m still not sure though if it was self induced or if it was carefully hidden amongst all the sweetness by the author. I mean, I tried to find examples of angst to justify my feelings but I can’t really put my finger on any one thing until the very end but almost from the beginning, I had such a sense of dread that I was taking every excuse I could find to lay my Kindle down and take a break.
Not being a huge fan of angst, does that mean I didn’t like the book? Nope; there’s no way anyone could read Beau and Lucas’s (I know I’m probably dating myself but, does that remind anyone else of the Dukes of Hazard?) story and not fall in love with them. They were just so sweet together! And I wanted to hug Beau pretty much every other sentence (was that angst? I don’t THINK so…) he was trying so hard! And oh my gosh, every time he called Lucas darlin’ or beautiful, or compared his eyes to stardust, it made ME melt!
So would I recommend this book? Absolutely! It had a ton of sweetness and steam with just enough drama thrown in to keep it interesting and me picking it back up every time. I give it 4.25 stars (it deserves more than 4 but I can’t round it up to 5 because it DID have more angst than I would have chosen for myself). Still, pick it up today!
I received a copy of this book for free but this is my honest opinion.
This was absolutely the angsty-est low/no angst book I’ve ever read!! I’m still not sure though if it was self induced or if it was carefully hidden amongst all the sweetness by the author. I mean, I tried to find examples of angst to justify my feelings but I can’t really put my finger on any one thing until the very end but almost from the beginning, I had such a sense of dread that I was taking every excuse I could find to lay my Kindle down and take a break.
Not being a huge fan of angst, does that mean I didn’t like the book? Nope; there’s no way anyone could read Beau and Lucas’s (I know I’m probably dating myself but, does that remind anyone else of the Dukes of Hazard?) story and not fall in love with them. They were just so sweet together! And I wanted to hug Beau pretty much every other sentence (was that angst? I don’t THINK so…) he was trying so hard! And oh my gosh, every time he called Lucas darlin’ or beautiful, or compared his eyes to stardust, it made ME melt!
So would I recommend this book? Absolutely! It had a ton of sweetness and steam with just enough drama thrown in to keep it interesting and me picking it back up every time. I give it 4.25 stars (it deserves more than 4 but I can’t round it up to 5 because it DID have more angst than I would have chosen for myself). Still, pick it up today!
I received a copy of this book for free but this is my honest opinion.
January 26, 2025
I can never resist a cowboy story, so I was eager to read this story.
Lucas has been given an ultimation, go to Sagebrush with his best mate and co-worker Logan, steal the best BBQ recipes for the company he works for or else. Well what was Lucas to do. He thought it was going to be easier until he met Beau, ok a slight hitch in plans and then he finds out that Beau makes a mean BBQ. Abort
I liked both Lucas and Beau from the moment I met them. Lucas was only trying to get by, whilst he knew what he was doing was wrong, he needed the money. Now Logan on the other hand I am still undecided on him. As for Beau what was there not to like about him. A cowboy with a heart of gold, does not want to draw attention to himself, whilst denying his sexuality. But when he meets Lucas he knows he can't keep it up for much longer.
This was enjoyable read from start to finish whilst I knew there was going to be some sort of heartbreak, I loved watching Lucas and Beau together, going from strangers to lovers, watching them start build the foundations to their relationship, the tender moments they shared together. It showed how much in love they were.
The small town had the usual eccentric character and I usually find meddling older ladies sometimes annoying but Dolly and Mabel OMG, I liked them as soon as I met them, they were so supportive of Beau and as for Jack, had a tear in my eye when he spoke up.
What a great start to a new series
Lucas has been given an ultimation, go to Sagebrush with his best mate and co-worker Logan, steal the best BBQ recipes for the company he works for or else. Well what was Lucas to do. He thought it was going to be easier until he met Beau, ok a slight hitch in plans and then he finds out that Beau makes a mean BBQ. Abort
I liked both Lucas and Beau from the moment I met them. Lucas was only trying to get by, whilst he knew what he was doing was wrong, he needed the money. Now Logan on the other hand I am still undecided on him. As for Beau what was there not to like about him. A cowboy with a heart of gold, does not want to draw attention to himself, whilst denying his sexuality. But when he meets Lucas he knows he can't keep it up for much longer.
This was enjoyable read from start to finish whilst I knew there was going to be some sort of heartbreak, I loved watching Lucas and Beau together, going from strangers to lovers, watching them start build the foundations to their relationship, the tender moments they shared together. It showed how much in love they were.
The small town had the usual eccentric character and I usually find meddling older ladies sometimes annoying but Dolly and Mabel OMG, I liked them as soon as I met them, they were so supportive of Beau and as for Jack, had a tear in my eye when he spoke up.
What a great start to a new series
December 10, 2025
The story of Beau and Lucas is a magical ride, filled with sweet encounters under a sea of stars on the endless Texas plains. Think learning to bake apple pie or hilarious horseback riding lessons (even after a disastrous first try!).
Between these utterly charming scenes, we witness the characters' deep-seated internal struggles. We follow their beautiful journey as they conquer fears, find their true path in life, and fight for their own happiness.
Beau is a sweet, shy cowboy who spent too long believing he had to sacrifice his own true desires and happiness to care for the family ranch. Reading about his internal conflict seriously clenched my heart! I'm so glad that meeting Lucas helped him gain a new perspective and the courage he needed.
Lucas, despite starting his stay in Sagebush with questionable intentions, completely stole my heart with his amazing sense of humor and how he saw the true beauty in that small town and Beau’s ranch.
Their scenes together were pure magic! The feeling just poured off the pages, and I seriously couldn't put the book down until I got to their happy ending.
Oh, and I definitely want to meet Dolly! I adore her character—she's the best kind of friend, who knows how to cheer you up or give solid advice, sometimes with a joke and sometimes with a bit of trickery.
I am totally hooked on this series and immediately diving into the next book!
Between these utterly charming scenes, we witness the characters' deep-seated internal struggles. We follow their beautiful journey as they conquer fears, find their true path in life, and fight for their own happiness.
Beau is a sweet, shy cowboy who spent too long believing he had to sacrifice his own true desires and happiness to care for the family ranch. Reading about his internal conflict seriously clenched my heart! I'm so glad that meeting Lucas helped him gain a new perspective and the courage he needed.
Lucas, despite starting his stay in Sagebush with questionable intentions, completely stole my heart with his amazing sense of humor and how he saw the true beauty in that small town and Beau’s ranch.
Their scenes together were pure magic! The feeling just poured off the pages, and I seriously couldn't put the book down until I got to their happy ending.
Oh, and I definitely want to meet Dolly! I adore her character—she's the best kind of friend, who knows how to cheer you up or give solid advice, sometimes with a joke and sometimes with a bit of trickery.
I am totally hooked on this series and immediately diving into the next book!
January 27, 2025
In the charming backdrop of a small Texas town, “Rust and Stardust” invites readers into a poignant love story that masterfully intertwines the lives of two remarkably different men. This enchanting romance showcases swoon-worthy cowboys and ambitious New York City boys, setting the stage for an unforgettable love narrative.
At the heart of the story is Beau, a talented cowboy hiding his true self behind the facade of small-town life. With his award-winning barbecue recipe, Beau embodies the essence of Texas pride. On the other hand, we have Lucas, a slick marketing rep from NYC, who is sent on a mission to steal Beau’s coveted recipe. However, what begins as a business endeavor quickly evolves into something more alluring as Lucas uses his big-city charm to woo Beau.
The story artfully captures the evolution of Beau and Lucas’s relationship, as they navigate their feelings amidst the complexities of their worlds. As their passionate romance unfolds, the challenges they face—from the secrecy of their love to the lies that Lucas harbors—add depth to their journey. Readers are treated to an intoxicating mix of angst and heat, culminating in a deeply satisfying happy ever after. The author’s deft storytelling keeps you hooked, ensuring every page turn is worth it.
At the heart of the story is Beau, a talented cowboy hiding his true self behind the facade of small-town life. With his award-winning barbecue recipe, Beau embodies the essence of Texas pride. On the other hand, we have Lucas, a slick marketing rep from NYC, who is sent on a mission to steal Beau’s coveted recipe. However, what begins as a business endeavor quickly evolves into something more alluring as Lucas uses his big-city charm to woo Beau.
The story artfully captures the evolution of Beau and Lucas’s relationship, as they navigate their feelings amidst the complexities of their worlds. As their passionate romance unfolds, the challenges they face—from the secrecy of their love to the lies that Lucas harbors—add depth to their journey. Readers are treated to an intoxicating mix of angst and heat, culminating in a deeply satisfying happy ever after. The author’s deft storytelling keeps you hooked, ensuring every page turn is worth it.
January 24, 2025
A cowboy romance that's as comfortable as a pair of perfectly broke in boots. Lots of tropes, city boy/country boy, first time bi awakening, coming out of the closet. It's a sweet read. Lucas is trapped in a job that barely pays his rent and his student loans, marketing for a big New York City firm. He gets tasked with an unethical job, which includes a promised promotion. He just has to steal some barbeque recipes from a small Texan town. Beau is a cowboy. A gay cowboy, firmly locked in the closet. Sagebrush is a small Texas town and he's afraid that it might be small minded as well.
A nice bit of spicy steam. A few bumps along the way, stolen recipes, and lies. Lucas and Beau have a tender romance. Dolly and Mabel were sweetly supportive and Sagebrush turned out to be a better town than either Lucas and Beau believed.
The HEA was a bit predictable, but the journey to get there was quite fun.
I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my review.
A nice bit of spicy steam. A few bumps along the way, stolen recipes, and lies. Lucas and Beau have a tender romance. Dolly and Mabel were sweetly supportive and Sagebrush turned out to be a better town than either Lucas and Beau believed.
The HEA was a bit predictable, but the journey to get there was quite fun.
I received an advanced copy from the author and this is my review.
January 31, 2025
I was planning on avoiding cowboy narratives for a while (I was a bit burned out) but I adore Atreus Rosewood's other books (I can't recommend "The Deep End" enough). I'm really glad I gave this book a shot and I should have known anything by Rosewood would be an exception to burnout.
This story hinges on a secret and the tension that creates. In many romance novels, there's usually a perfect resolution where everything is solved in moments either because of True Wuv or a deus ex machina situation. Lucas's secret has real consequences for himself, Logan (who I hope gets a romance of his own), and Beau. Beau and Lucas have to learn genuine lessons about themselves and what they value for the resolution to happen; it feels earned. I also like that the end of the book is not a saccharine happily ever after, but balanced and still sweet as heck.
Also: shout out to Dolly. She's the real MVP.
This story hinges on a secret and the tension that creates. In many romance novels, there's usually a perfect resolution where everything is solved in moments either because of True Wuv or a deus ex machina situation. Lucas's secret has real consequences for himself, Logan (who I hope gets a romance of his own), and Beau. Beau and Lucas have to learn genuine lessons about themselves and what they value for the resolution to happen; it feels earned. I also like that the end of the book is not a saccharine happily ever after, but balanced and still sweet as heck.
Also: shout out to Dolly. She's the real MVP.
February 8, 2025
There were some inconsistencies in the plot that bothered me, like Lucus and Logan being too broke to fly so taking a road trip down to Texas, but then having a rental car and flying back to NYC. Most of the plot is ok though, and the characters are fine. I liked that they didn’t have a happily-ever-after where everything all turned out rosy, but had to work to build a life together.
Although, for a man in his 30’s confronting intimacy with another man for the first time, there was a surprising lack of hesitancy, nervousness, and fumbling. No backstory explained if Beau had done any “research” and he was awfully sexually repressed until Lucus came along.
I did notice, and appreciate, that the author is male. We need more male authors in the romance genre.
Although, for a man in his 30’s confronting intimacy with another man for the first time, there was a surprising lack of hesitancy, nervousness, and fumbling. No backstory explained if Beau had done any “research” and he was awfully sexually repressed until Lucus came along.
I did notice, and appreciate, that the author is male. We need more male authors in the romance genre.
February 1, 2025
OH WOW this was a great book. It was a steamy page turner and the suspense was totally intense. I was on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t even put it down. Beau was in denial about his sexuality at time. They sparks between them had ignited something passionate in him. Beau and Lucas were physical attraction to each other in this moment. They couldn’t fight the temptation of being together in a romantic relationship. As his life was about to change in a big way. Love was about to change his life forever.
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
I definitely recommend this book and you won’t be disappointed. I received advance copy of this book via Bookfunnel and am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion. Trina Jones
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews