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Plum Valley Cowboys #4
Swan Hearts: Plum Valley Cowboys, Book 4
Longtime friends. Blurred lines. And the secret that threatens it all.
Jake
There are three things my best friend Nash Dupree and I are good at. Fishing. Fighting. And another F-word that sure isn’t friendship.
Nash has been by my side for the last thirty years, but despite our long, complicated history, there are some things the town bartender still keeps close to his chest. And now those secrets are threatening to tear us apart.
That friend of mine may be running from his feelings and tackling ghosts only he can see, but I refuse to let him run away from me just because he’s scared.
I love that stubborn fool, and after everything we’ve been through, I’m not giving him up without a fight.
Nash
Since the moment I set eyes on Jake Hanson, he’s had his hook in me. No matter how hard I tried to keep the lines of our friendship from being muddled, I was powerless to resist his pull.
But the big-hearted veterinarian deserves more than I can give. And if he found out the truths I’ve been hiding, he’d see me as another pet project to doctor and mend.
I never meant for us to get so tangled together, and if we could go back to those simple days spent fishing out on my dock, oblivious to what the future had in store, maybe I could do things differently. Maybe then, I wouldn’t keep hurting Jake.
But I can’t erase my past mistakes. All I can do now is make things right. And hopefully, when I’m long gone from Plum Valley, Texas, Jake will finally understand the truth.
That he’s better off without me and always has been.
Swan Hearts is a friends-to-lovers romance spanning three decades and told in dual, alternating timelines of present and past. There’s mutual pining, an on-again/off-again dynamic, a good dose of angst, and one hard-fought HEA. It’s book 4 in the Plum Valley Cowboys series but can be listened to as a standalone.
Jake
There are three things my best friend Nash Dupree and I are good at. Fishing. Fighting. And another F-word that sure isn’t friendship.
Nash has been by my side for the last thirty years, but despite our long, complicated history, there are some things the town bartender still keeps close to his chest. And now those secrets are threatening to tear us apart.
That friend of mine may be running from his feelings and tackling ghosts only he can see, but I refuse to let him run away from me just because he’s scared.
I love that stubborn fool, and after everything we’ve been through, I’m not giving him up without a fight.
Nash
Since the moment I set eyes on Jake Hanson, he’s had his hook in me. No matter how hard I tried to keep the lines of our friendship from being muddled, I was powerless to resist his pull.
But the big-hearted veterinarian deserves more than I can give. And if he found out the truths I’ve been hiding, he’d see me as another pet project to doctor and mend.
I never meant for us to get so tangled together, and if we could go back to those simple days spent fishing out on my dock, oblivious to what the future had in store, maybe I could do things differently. Maybe then, I wouldn’t keep hurting Jake.
But I can’t erase my past mistakes. All I can do now is make things right. And hopefully, when I’m long gone from Plum Valley, Texas, Jake will finally understand the truth.
That he’s better off without me and always has been.
Swan Hearts is a friends-to-lovers romance spanning three decades and told in dual, alternating timelines of present and past. There’s mutual pining, an on-again/off-again dynamic, a good dose of angst, and one hard-fought HEA. It’s book 4 in the Plum Valley Cowboys series but can be listened to as a standalone.
Audible Audio
First published November 3, 2022
198 people are currently reading
1112 people want to read
About the author
Emmy Sanders
21 books1,764 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 310 reviews
April 15, 2023
Wowwwww that was a frustrating read!!! Still enjoyed it but wow!!! And despite being annoyed and vexed by these two I must say - I enjoyed this installment more than book two and three for sure. My love for book one knows no bounds and I’m utterly obsessed with it but after that one I’ve been let down with each new book in the series and well it’s happened again lol.😅 Some really sweet moments and the beginning had me reeled in but I got sick of the same old routine. This book is literally Groundhog Day. They get together, they break up, rinse and repeat. Nash puts distance between them. They go back to being friends. They don’t communicate in an effective way. They wallow and argue. And truthfully once we find out why Nash has been treating Jake the way he is / why he’s been so hot and cold with the relationship I’m not all like ok yeah that makes up for stringing him along for 30 YEARS. 30. YEARS. ?!?!!?
*SPOILERS* Nash is scared that the family curse will kill him like it has all the other men in his family so time and time again he tries putting distance between himself and Jake so Jake doesn’t end up like many of Nash’s family members - a devastated and grieving swan who mated for life and will never feel happy again. So in his eyes he’s been protecting Jake all these years but I’m sorry if someone strung me along for 30 years and didn’t tell me this information sooner as to why they were doing it I would simply not be nearly as accepting!!! I really REALLY feel like Jake deserved better. Like damn.
So it might sound like I hated this one but I really didn’t!!! I found it more engaging than book two and three (even if I was frustrated immensely at times). And as I said - the beginning was great. And I really loved the time jumps (unpopular opinion idk?) but I’m a big fan of a back and forth time line. Keeps me on my toes!! So I also think that’s why I was as interested in this one as I was and why it held my attention more than previous installments. I just really dig a back and forth story! Emmy’s writing is always stellar and I flew through this one and read it in a few sittings. Love the side characters and while I’m not in love with the romance here, I don’t hate it or anything. I see where both people are coming from (KINDA?!?!) even if I personally was like ?????!??!!??!! But to each their own!!! Ugh this is all over the place but that’s just how I feel about this one lol. And it also made me cry!!!! When Nash finally told Jake he didn’t want him to be his swan (so Jake wasn’t torn to bits when the curse killed Nash)!!! Oh I was a mess. Tears abound. Yeah the swan aspect really got me lol. Maybe this hit me harder because I saw these two swans swimming around each other yesterday. 🥹 And they do get their HEA!!! Happy ever after for these two swans.❤️
*SPOILERS* Nash is scared that the family curse will kill him like it has all the other men in his family so time and time again he tries putting distance between himself and Jake so Jake doesn’t end up like many of Nash’s family members - a devastated and grieving swan who mated for life and will never feel happy again. So in his eyes he’s been protecting Jake all these years but I’m sorry if someone strung me along for 30 years and didn’t tell me this information sooner as to why they were doing it I would simply not be nearly as accepting!!! I really REALLY feel like Jake deserved better. Like damn.
So it might sound like I hated this one but I really didn’t!!! I found it more engaging than book two and three (even if I was frustrated immensely at times). And as I said - the beginning was great. And I really loved the time jumps (unpopular opinion idk?) but I’m a big fan of a back and forth time line. Keeps me on my toes!! So I also think that’s why I was as interested in this one as I was and why it held my attention more than previous installments. I just really dig a back and forth story! Emmy’s writing is always stellar and I flew through this one and read it in a few sittings. Love the side characters and while I’m not in love with the romance here, I don’t hate it or anything. I see where both people are coming from (KINDA?!?!) even if I personally was like ?????!??!!??!! But to each their own!!! Ugh this is all over the place but that’s just how I feel about this one lol. And it also made me cry!!!! When Nash finally told Jake he didn’t want him to be his swan (so Jake wasn’t torn to bits when the curse killed Nash)!!! Oh I was a mess. Tears abound. Yeah the swan aspect really got me lol. Maybe this hit me harder because I saw these two swans swimming around each other yesterday. 🥹 And they do get their HEA!!! Happy ever after for these two swans.❤️
October 22, 2022
Imagine falling and staying in love with the same person for over 3 decades. Imagine pining after them, measuring everyone else against them and finding that they all fall short. Imagine being so irrevocably enraptured that no matter their flaws, no matter their mistakes, no matter their shortcomings, you choose them. You choose them every. single. day. Because there's no one else, because there'll never be anyone else. Imagine that 🥲🥲 Imagine finding your Swan.
Only a few of us will ever have that privilege. The privilege of consistently being put first. The privilege of being loved by a Jake Hanson. A strong, loyal, beautiful creature. Real life men COULD NEVER 🤌🏾
And Nash Dupree. That stubborn broken fool. UGH. He deserved every single piece of that love. A love he'd never received from his family. I was mad at Nash for like 65% of this book. I couldn't understand why he was so vehemently against receiving Jake's heart, I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact even while rejecting Jake, he wouldn't let him go. While it didn't make a lick of sense to me, I recognized and deeply resonated with Nash's brokenness. I know that sometimes we readers get mad when characters act in ways they shouldn't. When they make us want to throw our very expensive kindle devices against the wall. We get angry, forgetting that that these aren't portrayals of perfect people. They shouldn't always be the model for good decisions. If all our fictional besties were perfect, it would honestly be boring as f*ck. So yeah, my anger towards Nash ran so deep but I understood him. And also the way I see it, if Jake Hanson had determined and decided within himself to keep fighting for Nash, who tf am I to be offended or hurt on his behalf?
"It feels like history keeps repeating. We fuck. We fight. I hurt him. I cave."
I loved them together. Jake, with his propensity to take care of broken creatures, wanting to take of his bestfriend in the more than a friend kinda way. Nash, being a broken creature, fighting tooth and nail to push that burden off Jake. Bruhhhhh.
"I may not have much in this world— a simple life, a simple job, not much family to speak of anymore— but I have Jake. And that’s worth more than anything."
This gem is what you get when you mix a hard headed, borderline emotionally stunted, super possessive, grumpy fool and another stubborn, talkative, obsessive, wears-his-heart-on-his-sleeve, sunshine fool. And with all that, you get a whole lotta me pulling my hair out and wanting to murder someone. But most significantly, you get a whole lotta pushing and pulling and fighting and sexy sexy times (cause hellooo decades of unresolved sexual tension) and a whole lotta all consuming love 💜💜
"Every year with this man has made my life full. He’s my home. The love of my life."
Nahh but the way this book had me bawling my eyes out toward the end was so wrong. So wrong in the best way imaginable 😭😭
Only a few of us will ever have that privilege. The privilege of consistently being put first. The privilege of being loved by a Jake Hanson. A strong, loyal, beautiful creature. Real life men COULD NEVER 🤌🏾
And Nash Dupree. That stubborn broken fool. UGH. He deserved every single piece of that love. A love he'd never received from his family. I was mad at Nash for like 65% of this book. I couldn't understand why he was so vehemently against receiving Jake's heart, I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact even while rejecting Jake, he wouldn't let him go. While it didn't make a lick of sense to me, I recognized and deeply resonated with Nash's brokenness. I know that sometimes we readers get mad when characters act in ways they shouldn't. When they make us want to throw our very expensive kindle devices against the wall. We get angry, forgetting that that these aren't portrayals of perfect people. They shouldn't always be the model for good decisions. If all our fictional besties were perfect, it would honestly be boring as f*ck. So yeah, my anger towards Nash ran so deep but I understood him. And also the way I see it, if Jake Hanson had determined and decided within himself to keep fighting for Nash, who tf am I to be offended or hurt on his behalf?
"It feels like history keeps repeating. We fuck. We fight. I hurt him. I cave."
I loved them together. Jake, with his propensity to take care of broken creatures, wanting to take of his bestfriend in the more than a friend kinda way. Nash, being a broken creature, fighting tooth and nail to push that burden off Jake. Bruhhhhh.
"I may not have much in this world— a simple life, a simple job, not much family to speak of anymore— but I have Jake. And that’s worth more than anything."
This gem is what you get when you mix a hard headed, borderline emotionally stunted, super possessive, grumpy fool and another stubborn, talkative, obsessive, wears-his-heart-on-his-sleeve, sunshine fool. And with all that, you get a whole lotta me pulling my hair out and wanting to murder someone. But most significantly, you get a whole lotta pushing and pulling and fighting and sexy sexy times (cause hellooo decades of unresolved sexual tension) and a whole lotta all consuming love 💜💜
"Every year with this man has made my life full. He’s my home. The love of my life."
Nahh but the way this book had me bawling my eyes out toward the end was so wrong. So wrong in the best way imaginable 😭😭
May 29, 2024
Ughhhh!!!! Fuck this book for making me feel so much, I was not expecting it 😂😂😂
I HATED Nash. Absolutely hated him. He was downright cruel to Jake for over thirty years. I spent most of the book thinking this twat does not deserve a happy ending, and he sure as shit does not deserve Jake. He is the ultimate martyr character and that shit just doesn't fly with me. I hate when one person thinks they can make the decisions for everyone because they're protecting the other person from pain. Wake up dumbass!!!!
I needed that rant 😂
Jake deserves to be made a Saint. Personally I think he should have ditched Nash and found someone who worshipped him instead of dicking him around for three decades. I get why he stays though, and I cried far too much for his pain.
That all probably makes it weird that I five starred this book 😂 but there was no other option. If you can make me feel that strongly about the characters then I can't give less than five stars!! I also spent the whole book shouting advice to Jake, but as my mum always says, I make a sledgehammer look like a tickling feather with my bluntness 😂😂 I'd make a terrible relationship counsellor!!
I HATED Nash. Absolutely hated him. He was downright cruel to Jake for over thirty years. I spent most of the book thinking this twat does not deserve a happy ending, and he sure as shit does not deserve Jake. He is the ultimate martyr character and that shit just doesn't fly with me. I hate when one person thinks they can make the decisions for everyone because they're protecting the other person from pain. Wake up dumbass!!!!
I needed that rant 😂
Jake deserves to be made a Saint. Personally I think he should have ditched Nash and found someone who worshipped him instead of dicking him around for three decades. I get why he stays though, and I cried far too much for his pain.
That all probably makes it weird that I five starred this book 😂 but there was no other option. If you can make me feel that strongly about the characters then I can't give less than five stars!! I also spent the whole book shouting advice to Jake, but as my mum always says, I make a sledgehammer look like a tickling feather with my bluntness 😂😂 I'd make a terrible relationship counsellor!!
November 27, 2022
I've enjoyed this series thus far, but this book wasn't a win for me for two reasons:
- The entire story, minus the last few chapters, is a series of flashbacks. I can handle a few pages of flashbacks now and again, but I usually skim through them. That was impossible to do here. Three decades were summarized. I was mostly bored and frustrated.
- So three decades, yeah? 30 bloody years. THIRTY. YEARS. That's how long Nash pushed Jake away, pretending he was straight, never letting Jake in, never sharing that he (Nash) was terrified of dying young.
Holy shit, y'all. Really think about that. Some of you haven't even been alive for that long. That is an insane amount of time to string someone along, and Jake is an absolute masochist to put up with it.
I can't get behind a relationship like that. What Nash did to Jake was unforgivable, but the second Nash pulled his head out of his ass, Jake was just waiting to lick it.
No amount of pretty HEAs can make up for that.
- The entire story, minus the last few chapters, is a series of flashbacks. I can handle a few pages of flashbacks now and again, but I usually skim through them. That was impossible to do here. Three decades were summarized. I was mostly bored and frustrated.
- So three decades, yeah? 30 bloody years. THIRTY. YEARS. That's how long Nash pushed Jake away, pretending he was straight, never letting Jake in, never sharing that he (Nash) was terrified of dying young.
Holy shit, y'all. Really think about that. Some of you haven't even been alive for that long. That is an insane amount of time to string someone along, and Jake is an absolute masochist to put up with it.
I can't get behind a relationship like that. What Nash did to Jake was unforgivable, but the second Nash pulled his head out of his ass, Jake was just waiting to lick it.
No amount of pretty HEAs can make up for that.
November 2, 2022
There's something about this Plum Valley Cowboys series that speaks to me. I have loved all books so far (with the first still being my favorite) and I think that's because of Emmy's excellent way of creating the world within these books. The small town vibes, the way people know each other and know ABOUT each other. The way everyone cares and is empathetic to their neighbors, always ready to help out when someone needs it. I love how the author describes the town, the landscape, the people living in it. And reading this 4th book in this series felt like coming home. It felt like a renewed meeting with the people I already knew about, heard about. And it felt like a warm blanket.
It made me feel good.
So, this book is about Nash and Jake. Befriended each other when they were just nineteen years old, but both felt like there was a lot more between them than just friendship. Jake pines after his friend and keeps pining because he thinks Nash is straight. Nash almost immediately falls in love with his friend at first sight, but he doesn't allow himself for reasons he doesn't talk about, and so he suffers in silence and pretends to be as straight as Jake thinks he is.
But they're both only human and they can't always pretend like there's nothing else going on between them, as if they are always strong enough to deny the physical attraction. It results in them fooling around. And that lasts for over thirty years. Can you imagine being so in love with someone, spending time with them as much as Jake and Nash do together, knowing that the other one is supposed to be your life partner, your other half, and not being able to truly act on it, to truly make it real?! To never be able to find someone else because there will always only be this one person that you already trusted with your heart, even if they didn't dare to take it?
Jake was such a loyal, beautiful man. Always there for when Nash needed him, always ready to forgive him for putting a distance between them without really telling why. He did everything to keep Nash in his life, to keep hoping there would ever come a day where Nash would admit his feelings for him. Trying to have faith in their happily ever after.
Until Nash pushes him away one last time. Fiercely this time too. And Jake demands answers.
I thought he had the patience of a saint. How could he accept this push and pull and still come out without his heart shattered into pieces? How did he manage to keep himself together? Pull himself off the floor once again and do it all over when Nash wanted him close again? I'm not sure if anyone would ever be able to do this without going crazy over it.
And Nash...I'm still not sure how I feel about him. He sure had his reasons for this push and pull and dancing around he did with Jake. And to him his reasons were valid. But by doing so, I believe he dismissed the feelings Jake had for him. He must have been blind to not see what he meant to Jake. He must have known all along that it wasn't just fooling around for his friend, that there were feelings involved from the beginning. Jake wasn't that good in hiding them - if he loved Nash as much as he did -waiting 30 years, forgiving him - I don't believe anyone will be able to hide that kind of love.
Nash dismissed Jake's feeling for too long, fooling himself and fooling Jake. And even if Jake forgave him quite easily, I'm not sure that I can. I felt so sorry for Jake at times! I really would have liked for Nash to communicate his fears sooner, and I would have liked to see Jake to not forgive him so easily.
But then again, true love is magical, it heals all wounds and it mends every broken heart. So who am I to judge Jake? I'm truly happy Nash overwon his fears and understood there was no way in denying how much he wanted Jake any longer. That it truly was better to be loved and have loved until the end, whenever that might be. I just wished he could have opened his eyes to that a little sooner.
All in all, I did love spending time in Plum Valley again, to witness Jake and Nash finally reach their well deserved happily ever after. I loved how close they were just being friends, the things they bonded over (fishing) and how they matured and grew into adulthood.
This book is a wonderful addition into this already wonderful series, and I would totally recommend both. And though they all can be read as stand alones, you would miss out on this great series if you would do just that.
I kindly received an advanced copy from the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
It made me feel good.
So, this book is about Nash and Jake. Befriended each other when they were just nineteen years old, but both felt like there was a lot more between them than just friendship. Jake pines after his friend and keeps pining because he thinks Nash is straight. Nash almost immediately falls in love with his friend at first sight, but he doesn't allow himself for reasons he doesn't talk about, and so he suffers in silence and pretends to be as straight as Jake thinks he is.
But they're both only human and they can't always pretend like there's nothing else going on between them, as if they are always strong enough to deny the physical attraction. It results in them fooling around. And that lasts for over thirty years. Can you imagine being so in love with someone, spending time with them as much as Jake and Nash do together, knowing that the other one is supposed to be your life partner, your other half, and not being able to truly act on it, to truly make it real?! To never be able to find someone else because there will always only be this one person that you already trusted with your heart, even if they didn't dare to take it?
Jake was such a loyal, beautiful man. Always there for when Nash needed him, always ready to forgive him for putting a distance between them without really telling why. He did everything to keep Nash in his life, to keep hoping there would ever come a day where Nash would admit his feelings for him. Trying to have faith in their happily ever after.
Until Nash pushes him away one last time. Fiercely this time too. And Jake demands answers.
I thought he had the patience of a saint. How could he accept this push and pull and still come out without his heart shattered into pieces? How did he manage to keep himself together? Pull himself off the floor once again and do it all over when Nash wanted him close again? I'm not sure if anyone would ever be able to do this without going crazy over it.
And Nash...I'm still not sure how I feel about him. He sure had his reasons for this push and pull and dancing around he did with Jake. And to him his reasons were valid. But by doing so, I believe he dismissed the feelings Jake had for him. He must have been blind to not see what he meant to Jake. He must have known all along that it wasn't just fooling around for his friend, that there were feelings involved from the beginning. Jake wasn't that good in hiding them - if he loved Nash as much as he did -waiting 30 years, forgiving him - I don't believe anyone will be able to hide that kind of love.
Nash dismissed Jake's feeling for too long, fooling himself and fooling Jake. And even if Jake forgave him quite easily, I'm not sure that I can. I felt so sorry for Jake at times! I really would have liked for Nash to communicate his fears sooner, and I would have liked to see Jake to not forgive him so easily.
But then again, true love is magical, it heals all wounds and it mends every broken heart. So who am I to judge Jake? I'm truly happy Nash overwon his fears and understood there was no way in denying how much he wanted Jake any longer. That it truly was better to be loved and have loved until the end, whenever that might be. I just wished he could have opened his eyes to that a little sooner.
All in all, I did love spending time in Plum Valley again, to witness Jake and Nash finally reach their well deserved happily ever after. I loved how close they were just being friends, the things they bonded over (fishing) and how they matured and grew into adulthood.
This book is a wonderful addition into this already wonderful series, and I would totally recommend both. And though they all can be read as stand alones, you would miss out on this great series if you would do just that.
I kindly received an advanced copy from the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
November 13, 2022
I was hooked from the very first sentence. It could’ve helped that I’ve been impatiently waiting for it, we need more mm romance about older men and this fed all those needs.
Jake and Nash have known each other for thirty years, due to Jake’s insistence they���ve been best friends the entire time. Jake has always found Nash attractive but knew he was out of bounds as a straight man.
Unbeknownst to him Nash has wanted him just as long but he has a secret that’s keeping him at arm’s length.
I’m not gonna let the cat out of the bag but the secret wasn’t very secretive to me. Perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be but it didn’t take away from the story knowing why.
Even though Nash knew he needed to keep a clear line between them it eventually blurred more and more throughout the decades. I mean mutual attraction equates to human nature at the best of times.
I’m not typically a fan of angst, especially at the expense of clear cut communication but honestly I could find no wrong with either of these men.
I was in love, verging on obsessed with both of them. Sure there were times I found frustrating but it never dulled my affection or hope that they would get their HEA.
I hated to see this end, I read it in one sitting and it left me wanting more and more.
Jake and Nash have known each other for thirty years, due to Jake’s insistence they���ve been best friends the entire time. Jake has always found Nash attractive but knew he was out of bounds as a straight man.
Unbeknownst to him Nash has wanted him just as long but he has a secret that’s keeping him at arm’s length.
I’m not gonna let the cat out of the bag but the secret wasn’t very secretive to me. Perhaps it wasn’t supposed to be but it didn’t take away from the story knowing why.
Even though Nash knew he needed to keep a clear line between them it eventually blurred more and more throughout the decades. I mean mutual attraction equates to human nature at the best of times.
I’m not typically a fan of angst, especially at the expense of clear cut communication but honestly I could find no wrong with either of these men.
I was in love, verging on obsessed with both of them. Sure there were times I found frustrating but it never dulled my affection or hope that they would get their HEA.
I hated to see this end, I read it in one sitting and it left me wanting more and more.
December 30, 2025
How do you rate a book where you like the message, but you’re REALLY frustrated by one of the characters?
Case and point: this book. And while I’m trying to stay spoiler free, one thing I need to mention, because it’s something you need to know going in.
It’s the story of Nash and Jake. Nash, the (present day) silver fox whom Matteo immediately pegged in book 2 as “probably had seen some Elite8 stuff”, and Jake, Plum Valleys’s resident veterinarian (whom we met in book 1 and 3).
Both met in their early 20s and have been best friends ever since. And while I usually hate time jumps, the author did it well here: we keep jumping back from present day, where Nash and Jake seem to have some sort of fallout, and get to know the two of them through the years, as well as their shared history.
And boy did I hate that history. Jake is gay, even though he had to keep it hidden from everyone but his best friend Nash - back in the day, homophobia was a lot more present than now. And Jake is such a genuinely good guy, always facing whatever gets thrown at him with optimism and a smile.
Nash is… well. He inherited Plum Valley’s only bar and restaurant from his gay uncle, who got shunned by Nash’s family for his gayness. All would be well if Nash wouldn’t believe that the men in his family are cursed, and will inevitably die around the age of 50.
Yes, you read that right. And we’re not talking about some fantasy novel where curses are thrown around in the middle of the night, only to be broken by true love. No, it’s mid west in the 1990s (I think). And a man (and apparently his family) are convinced they’re cursed, and that there’s nothing to do about it.
And because he’s also a martyr, he can’t let Jake (whom he secretly loves) too close, because then, he will inevitably hurt Jake when he dies.
Ufff.
So frustrating.
If I would have been Jake, I would have packed my bags and left, and never looked back with all the back and forth and emotional backlash he got from Nash.
But we’re not here to love or even understand all the characters we read about, right? And what I really loved about the book (apart from Blake Lockheart’s narration) was the message: we never know how long our lives will be. But what we can do, is make every day count.
And that, dear friends, is why I stayed and didn’t dnf.
Still: if you do pick it up, be prepared to want to throw your kindle at the wall at times.
Case and point: this book. And while I’m trying to stay spoiler free, one thing I need to mention, because it’s something you need to know going in.
It’s the story of Nash and Jake. Nash, the (present day) silver fox whom Matteo immediately pegged in book 2 as “probably had seen some Elite8 stuff”, and Jake, Plum Valleys’s resident veterinarian (whom we met in book 1 and 3).
Both met in their early 20s and have been best friends ever since. And while I usually hate time jumps, the author did it well here: we keep jumping back from present day, where Nash and Jake seem to have some sort of fallout, and get to know the two of them through the years, as well as their shared history.
And boy did I hate that history. Jake is gay, even though he had to keep it hidden from everyone but his best friend Nash - back in the day, homophobia was a lot more present than now. And Jake is such a genuinely good guy, always facing whatever gets thrown at him with optimism and a smile.
Nash is… well. He inherited Plum Valley’s only bar and restaurant from his gay uncle, who got shunned by Nash’s family for his gayness. All would be well if Nash wouldn’t believe that the men in his family are cursed, and will inevitably die around the age of 50.
Yes, you read that right. And we’re not talking about some fantasy novel where curses are thrown around in the middle of the night, only to be broken by true love. No, it’s mid west in the 1990s (I think). And a man (and apparently his family) are convinced they’re cursed, and that there’s nothing to do about it.
And because he’s also a martyr, he can’t let Jake (whom he secretly loves) too close, because then, he will inevitably hurt Jake when he dies.
Ufff.
So frustrating.
If I would have been Jake, I would have packed my bags and left, and never looked back with all the back and forth and emotional backlash he got from Nash.
But we’re not here to love or even understand all the characters we read about, right? And what I really loved about the book (apart from Blake Lockheart’s narration) was the message: we never know how long our lives will be. But what we can do, is make every day count.
And that, dear friends, is why I stayed and didn’t dnf.
Still: if you do pick it up, be prepared to want to throw your kindle at the wall at times.
November 2, 2022
I loved being back in Plum Valley and was beyond thrilled to finally get Nash and Jake’s story - and what a story! A truly remarkable read filled with tension, angst and a ton of push and pull between the characters.
I just keep falling in love with Emmy’s characters, and while Nash frustrated me to no end at times, I was still impressed with how real and flawed he was as a character. I spent a lot of the book wanting to shake some sense into him… It wasn’t until the ending that I felt like I could understand him and his reasoning - and by then I was crying my heart out.
Jake on the other hand was nothing but patient and sweet, he was so careful with Nash and their fragile relationship. Their connection and friendship was beautiful and I loved seeing them together, they were absolutely perfect for each other.
My heart still aches when I think about the paths their story could have taken, these guys had to go through a lot to reach their happily ever after. While their struggles and all the back and forth made for an incredible story, it was also sad and heartbreaking in a lot of ways.
Swan Hearts is the kind of story that I’ll carry with me for a long time and I feel like there’s a swan shaped hole in my heart after these guys. This whole series is amazing and I can’t recommend it enough!
I just keep falling in love with Emmy’s characters, and while Nash frustrated me to no end at times, I was still impressed with how real and flawed he was as a character. I spent a lot of the book wanting to shake some sense into him… It wasn’t until the ending that I felt like I could understand him and his reasoning - and by then I was crying my heart out.
Jake on the other hand was nothing but patient and sweet, he was so careful with Nash and their fragile relationship. Their connection and friendship was beautiful and I loved seeing them together, they were absolutely perfect for each other.
My heart still aches when I think about the paths their story could have taken, these guys had to go through a lot to reach their happily ever after. While their struggles and all the back and forth made for an incredible story, it was also sad and heartbreaking in a lot of ways.
Swan Hearts is the kind of story that I’ll carry with me for a long time and I feel like there’s a swan shaped hole in my heart after these guys. This whole series is amazing and I can’t recommend it enough!
November 6, 2022
I just finished my most recent hate read. Usually when a book doesn't work for me, I DNF it. I am in total support of DNF'ing, and do it all the time. But occasionally I have books that piss me off so much that I have to finish just so I can see for myself how bad it gets, and so I can give it the 1 or 2 star review it deserves (I don't rate books I DNF). Anyway, on to the book. It wasn't just that it had several of my biggest pet peeves: lack of communication, making decisions about what's best for the other person w/o their input or knowledge, hurting the other MC to "save them from hurt down the road," and ending the friendship so that you don't have to tell the other person something that might end the friendship. Basing an entire book on these premises is bad enough. To have the book span 30 years?!?! WTAF. And the one MC was the absolute worst kind of asshole. Gives in and starts fucking around with the friend he loves (but says it's just sex). Decides its getting too serious (after several YEARS), tells the other guy it's over, because it's just sex and the other guy is getting too serious. Then starts it up again only to end it in an even worse way years later. Then tries to end the entire friendship (because after 30 years of friendship and off-and-on sex, that's so much less painful than hearing the truth 🙄). Oh, man, I'm getting pissed again just thinking about it. But, just to make sure it never got better, when MC2 finds out real reason, he immediately forgives MC1. 🤬 And I liked the author's other books, but I'm gonna be hesitant to read any more of hers from now on. (Book in comments)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2022
emmy sanders is the only author that i trust with time jumps in a book.
it amazes me how she managed to write 30 years, jumping from past to present to another past but it honestly doesn’t feel dizzying or confusing. it’s cohesive and the story flows so well this way.
there’s a little cloud of sadness from the beginning, but there’s also simmering hope. it keeps on you toes and makes you want to keep reading.
but i have to say that overall it was a bit too much sadness. that’s my only problem with this. i feel like some happiness is missing at the end. it has an happy ending but to me, not enough to counterbalance all the sadness and the hurt that came before.
i definitely would have preferred a longer epilogue or an epilogue set way later in time.
can’t wait for the next one.
it amazes me how she managed to write 30 years, jumping from past to present to another past but it honestly doesn’t feel dizzying or confusing. it’s cohesive and the story flows so well this way.
there’s a little cloud of sadness from the beginning, but there’s also simmering hope. it keeps on you toes and makes you want to keep reading.
but i have to say that overall it was a bit too much sadness. that’s my only problem with this. i feel like some happiness is missing at the end. it has an happy ending but to me, not enough to counterbalance all the sadness and the hurt that came before.
i definitely would have preferred a longer epilogue or an epilogue set way later in time.
can’t wait for the next one.
July 20, 2023
Oh my god this was something
Nash was so stubborn and stupid from the beginning I was getting so frustrated with him like my guy just admit you love Jake already omg
while I absolutely did not like the last book, this made up for it. I was surprised at how well Emmy wrote their story with all the time jumps. It shouldn’t have worked bc it was over a 30 year span, but she made it work.
These two drove me mad. They were so in love from the beginning but Nash was being dumb. I felt so bad for Jake at times.
“How long have you loved me, Nash?” I ask again.
He lets out a shaky breath, looking up at the night sky for a moment. When his head comes back down, his eyes are glistening once more, but he blinks away the moisture. “Thirty years?”
MY GOD YOU IDIOT😫
Anyways, Bo’s book was one of the ones I read before I decided to read the series and I wasn’t expecting the scenes with them and Nash but they were sweet and made me emotional🥹
Nash was so stubborn and stupid from the beginning I was getting so frustrated with him like my guy just admit you love Jake already omg
while I absolutely did not like the last book, this made up for it. I was surprised at how well Emmy wrote their story with all the time jumps. It shouldn’t have worked bc it was over a 30 year span, but she made it work.
These two drove me mad. They were so in love from the beginning but Nash was being dumb. I felt so bad for Jake at times.
“How long have you loved me, Nash?” I ask again.
He lets out a shaky breath, looking up at the night sky for a moment. When his head comes back down, his eyes are glistening once more, but he blinks away the moisture. “Thirty years?”
MY GOD YOU IDIOT😫
Anyways, Bo’s book was one of the ones I read before I decided to read the series and I wasn’t expecting the scenes with them and Nash but they were sweet and made me emotional🥹
March 10, 2024
This was painful! The first book in this series made me cry, but this? THIS! Almost destroyed me, I wanted to DNF so many times. Glad I finished it and yes, the whole swan thing was so romantic and I understand why Nash did what he did but still, this was so so angsty for me.
February 26, 2023
Dlaczego??? Co tutaj się właściwie stało??? Dlaczego było TAK źle???
*walenie głową w stół*
Ostrzegam - będą spoilery 🤷♀️
Mam dwa główne problemy z tą książką - ale są to problemy naprawdę duże, obok których nie jestem w stanie przejść obojętnie, na które nie mogę przymknąć oka...
Pierwszy - retrospekcje.
Ta książka to jedna wielka, cholerna retrospekcja.
Nie znoszę retrospekcji, rzadko mi dobrze wchodzą. A tutaj na 38 rozdziałów + epilog, 27 to retrospekcje 👀 Nie rozumiem tego zabiegu, bo w tym wszystkim wrzucane raz na jakiś czas rozdziały dziejące się w czasie obecnym - z czego kilka jest na samym końcu - gubiły się. Traciły znaczenie. Układ chronologiczny byłby o wiele bardziej logiczny i trzymający historię jakoś w kupie.
Drugi - Nash.
OMFG - jak ja go nie cierpiałam... Był zlepkiem całej masy rzeczy, których w bohaterach nie znoszę i nie miał w sobie choć jednej cechy, która by to złe wrażenie choć odrobinę zatarła.
Miał niezmiernie dziwne i pokręcone pojęcie przyjaźni. Dla swojego ukochanego przyjaciela - którego kochał niemalże od samego początku - zrobiłby właściwie wszystko. Wszystko dla jego dobra... nie dyskutując z nim o tym. Wszystkie ważne decyzje podejmował za niego... dla jego dobra oczywiście. Nie rozmawiał z nim o swoich uczuciach i emocjach... dla jego dobra. Pozwalał mu wierzyć, że wstydzi się być z mężczyzną i że nie może dojść do ładu ze swoją seksualnością - pomimo iż wiedział od bardzo dawna, że jest biseksualny... dla jego dobra. Przez długi, długi czas podczas wspólnych ekscesów seksualnych nie patrzył mu w oczy, nie całował, nie robił mu loda (choć sam chętnie przyjmował), nie zostawał na noc i nie rozmawiał od tym... dla jego dobra. Dwa razy nagle i niespodziewanie powracał do bycia przyjaciółmi (w tym raz po 8 latach spędzania każdej nocy ze sobą), dając miesiącami Jake'owi chłodne traktowanie i pozwalał mu wierzyć, że to był tylko seks... dla jego dobra. Ranił go raz za razem w ważnych sprawach, by nie zranić go w przyszłości... oczywiście, że dla jego dobra, itd.
A dlaczego? Bo wierzył, że mężczyźni z jego rodziny są przeklęci - szybko umierają. Nikomu nie udało się dotrwać do 52 urodzin, a większość zmarła dużo szybciej. Wierzył, że jego czas jest policzony. Że nie może sobie pozwolić na żaden związek, żeby nie zostawić za sobą kogoś, kto będzie rozpaczał po jego śmierci. I tymi informacjami nie podzielił się ze swoim najlepszym przyjacielem i miłością swego życia. Wolał go ranić i trzymać w nieświadomości... dla jego dobra. I tak przez 30 lat...
I o tym jest ta książka - o pieprzonych, zmarnowanych 30 latach...
I właściwie o niczym więcej.
Na pewno są osoby, którym ta historia się niezmiernie podobała - ja niestety się do nich nie zaliczam.
Daję kurtuazyjne dwie gwiazdki - ze względu na trzy wcześniejsze książki w serii...
*walenie głową w stół*
Ostrzegam - będą spoilery 🤷♀️
Mam dwa główne problemy z tą książką - ale są to problemy naprawdę duże, obok których nie jestem w stanie przejść obojętnie, na które nie mogę przymknąć oka...
Pierwszy - retrospekcje.
Ta książka to jedna wielka, cholerna retrospekcja.
Nie znoszę retrospekcji, rzadko mi dobrze wchodzą. A tutaj na 38 rozdziałów + epilog, 27 to retrospekcje 👀 Nie rozumiem tego zabiegu, bo w tym wszystkim wrzucane raz na jakiś czas rozdziały dziejące się w czasie obecnym - z czego kilka jest na samym końcu - gubiły się. Traciły znaczenie. Układ chronologiczny byłby o wiele bardziej logiczny i trzymający historię jakoś w kupie.
Drugi - Nash.
OMFG - jak ja go nie cierpiałam... Był zlepkiem całej masy rzeczy, których w bohaterach nie znoszę i nie miał w sobie choć jednej cechy, która by to złe wrażenie choć odrobinę zatarła.
Miał niezmiernie dziwne i pokręcone pojęcie przyjaźni. Dla swojego ukochanego przyjaciela - którego kochał niemalże od samego początku - zrobiłby właściwie wszystko. Wszystko dla jego dobra... nie dyskutując z nim o tym. Wszystkie ważne decyzje podejmował za niego... dla jego dobra oczywiście. Nie rozmawiał z nim o swoich uczuciach i emocjach... dla jego dobra. Pozwalał mu wierzyć, że wstydzi się być z mężczyzną i że nie może dojść do ładu ze swoją seksualnością - pomimo iż wiedział od bardzo dawna, że jest biseksualny... dla jego dobra. Przez długi, długi czas podczas wspólnych ekscesów seksualnych nie patrzył mu w oczy, nie całował, nie robił mu loda (choć sam chętnie przyjmował), nie zostawał na noc i nie rozmawiał od tym... dla jego dobra. Dwa razy nagle i niespodziewanie powracał do bycia przyjaciółmi (w tym raz po 8 latach spędzania każdej nocy ze sobą), dając miesiącami Jake'owi chłodne traktowanie i pozwalał mu wierzyć, że to był tylko seks... dla jego dobra. Ranił go raz za razem w ważnych sprawach, by nie zranić go w przyszłości... oczywiście, że dla jego dobra, itd.
A dlaczego? Bo wierzył, że mężczyźni z jego rodziny są przeklęci - szybko umierają. Nikomu nie udało się dotrwać do 52 urodzin, a większość zmarła dużo szybciej. Wierzył, że jego czas jest policzony. Że nie może sobie pozwolić na żaden związek, żeby nie zostawić za sobą kogoś, kto będzie rozpaczał po jego śmierci. I tymi informacjami nie podzielił się ze swoim najlepszym przyjacielem i miłością swego życia. Wolał go ranić i trzymać w nieświadomości... dla jego dobra. I tak przez 30 lat...
I o tym jest ta książka - o pieprzonych, zmarnowanych 30 latach...
I właściwie o niczym więcej.
Na pewno są osoby, którym ta historia się niezmiernie podobała - ja niestety się do nich nie zaliczam.
Daję kurtuazyjne dwie gwiazdki - ze względu na trzy wcześniejsze książki w serii...
November 2, 2022
“He kisses me and kisses me until my lips are sore, until I’m smiling so hard my cheeks hurt with the force of it.”
I absolutely adore best friends to lovers. And this one was done so well. It had everything I could possibly want - the sweetest friendship, mutual pining (is there anything better?!), grumpy/sunshine men, angst, and a beautiful HEA.
One of my favorite things in Emmy’s books is how she shows us the love between her characters in the small, quiet moments - the little things that happen in daily life between two people. That coupled with small town life and the vibes here were so good.
Now let’s talk about Jake Hanson - truly what a man! We could only dream to be so lucky to find ourselves a man like him. He deserves the entire world. A strong,stubborn, gentle soul, fun-hearted, loyal man who loves with his entire heart. He fell in love with Nash early on in their friendship and realized that no one else could compare. Time and time again he actively chooses Nash, putting him first, being there for him, and is willing to settle for having him in his life in whatever way he can.
Nash is a broken, grumpy, introverted soul. There were times when he completely frustrated me but in the end I understood him. He is a very real (and flawed) character. Near the end I felt completely torn up for Nash and some tears were definitely shed.
Overall, I loved this. Not many books make you believe in soulmates but this one did. 30 years of loving your best friend so intensely and settling for any bit and piece of them (be it friends or more) because you cannot live without them. *sigh*
“I let myself love Jake the way I always wanted to. And it was goddamn everything.”
I absolutely adore best friends to lovers. And this one was done so well. It had everything I could possibly want - the sweetest friendship, mutual pining (is there anything better?!), grumpy/sunshine men, angst, and a beautiful HEA.
One of my favorite things in Emmy’s books is how she shows us the love between her characters in the small, quiet moments - the little things that happen in daily life between two people. That coupled with small town life and the vibes here were so good.
Now let’s talk about Jake Hanson - truly what a man! We could only dream to be so lucky to find ourselves a man like him. He deserves the entire world. A strong,stubborn, gentle soul, fun-hearted, loyal man who loves with his entire heart. He fell in love with Nash early on in their friendship and realized that no one else could compare. Time and time again he actively chooses Nash, putting him first, being there for him, and is willing to settle for having him in his life in whatever way he can.
Nash is a broken, grumpy, introverted soul. There were times when he completely frustrated me but in the end I understood him. He is a very real (and flawed) character. Near the end I felt completely torn up for Nash and some tears were definitely shed.
Overall, I loved this. Not many books make you believe in soulmates but this one did. 30 years of loving your best friend so intensely and settling for any bit and piece of them (be it friends or more) because you cannot live without them. *sigh*
“I let myself love Jake the way I always wanted to. And it was goddamn everything.”
October 28, 2022
Going back to Plum Valley honestly feels like coming home, I am utterly obsessed with this town and every single character in it.
Now if you’ve read fool hearts you’ll know that Emmy has the knack for putting us through decades of pining and Jake & Nash are no exception!! These two are besties and lovers… and second… and third chance lovers and omg just be ready for a whole world of upset to get to their HEA.
I will say, I believe we all need a Jake Hanson in our lives, he is steadfast and loyal and just this utterly beautiful man with unwavering loyalty to the man he has loved for DECADES.. even when it was this love that hurt him the most. This small town vet deserves the world.. and I will protect him at all costs.
Now to my dear Nash Dupree, this man was not as easy to love.. but I will say without spoilers you will learn to. In fact, my heart changed completely for him in the end. His vulnerability and inability to see what was right in front of him was kind of sad, if that’s the right word. I felt he needed a gentle love in the end and that is exactly what Jake gives him.
These two really are swan hearts, soul mates that are just meant to be for life. If you haven’t started this series, you definitely should!!
Now if you’ve read fool hearts you’ll know that Emmy has the knack for putting us through decades of pining and Jake & Nash are no exception!! These two are besties and lovers… and second… and third chance lovers and omg just be ready for a whole world of upset to get to their HEA.
I will say, I believe we all need a Jake Hanson in our lives, he is steadfast and loyal and just this utterly beautiful man with unwavering loyalty to the man he has loved for DECADES.. even when it was this love that hurt him the most. This small town vet deserves the world.. and I will protect him at all costs.
Now to my dear Nash Dupree, this man was not as easy to love.. but I will say without spoilers you will learn to. In fact, my heart changed completely for him in the end. His vulnerability and inability to see what was right in front of him was kind of sad, if that’s the right word. I felt he needed a gentle love in the end and that is exactly what Jake gives him.
These two really are swan hearts, soul mates that are just meant to be for life. If you haven’t started this series, you definitely should!!
October 28, 2022
There were a lot of things I really loved about this book.
-Jake
-A decades long romance
-Friends-to-lovers
-Jake and Nash's friendship
-The way Jake and Nash had their own traditions with each other after their families fell apart. I loved that they always showed up for each other. Even when things were rocky in their relationship they treasured their traditions.
The things I didn't like about this book.
-Nash
That's it. I know there was a reason for his jerking Jake around for 30 years. I just don't think it was a good excuse.
I have a very low tolerance for MCs who don't communicate. Jake was open and honest the entire time. I still feel like I don't really know Nash. I'd have liked a bit more groveling. Some more apologies. I wanted Nash to work for Jake's forgiveness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
-Jake
-A decades long romance
-Friends-to-lovers
-Jake and Nash's friendship
-The way Jake and Nash had their own traditions with each other after their families fell apart. I loved that they always showed up for each other. Even when things were rocky in their relationship they treasured their traditions.
The things I didn't like about this book.
-Nash
That's it. I know there was a reason for his jerking Jake around for 30 years. I just don't think it was a good excuse.
I have a very low tolerance for MCs who don't communicate. Jake was open and honest the entire time. I still feel like I don't really know Nash. I'd have liked a bit more groveling. Some more apologies. I wanted Nash to work for Jake's forgiveness.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and this is my honest review.
November 27, 2022
3.5 rounded down
Mixed feelings on this one. I mostly enjoyed it, but was annoyed.
My biggest issue is one I should have seen coming based on the blurb, as it was a big issue in the first book as well, which is that this book largely takes place over flashbacks. The friendship/relationship spans 30 years, so we spend a large chunk of time skipping through the past to get us to the point of the book and it's just... not a narrative style I particularly enjoy or connect with. I don't love flashbacks, and I don't love when the entire story is entirely reliant on flashbacks to tell it. I know I like a lot here, but I was so annoyed and distracted by the way that the story was told that it was hard to focus on that. I also thought the reason for Nash pulling away was pretty thin. I appreciate the author was trying to be unique, but it didn't quite hold water for me.
Mixed feelings on this one. I mostly enjoyed it, but was annoyed.
My biggest issue is one I should have seen coming based on the blurb, as it was a big issue in the first book as well, which is that this book largely takes place over flashbacks. The friendship/relationship spans 30 years, so we spend a large chunk of time skipping through the past to get us to the point of the book and it's just... not a narrative style I particularly enjoy or connect with. I don't love flashbacks, and I don't love when the entire story is entirely reliant on flashbacks to tell it. I know I like a lot here, but I was so annoyed and distracted by the way that the story was told that it was hard to focus on that. I also thought the reason for Nash pulling away was pretty thin. I appreciate the author was trying to be unique, but it didn't quite hold water for me.
November 5, 2022
4.5⭐️ Woof, this book hurt. Such an emotional and angsty story, spanning 30 years of ups and downs. Emmy Sanders writing is so good—how she switches back and forth from present day to the past—and she has this way of sucking you into this small Texas town. It feels like a real place that I’d want to visit.
Truthfully, I hated Nash’s reason for stringing Jake along for decades and not admitting his true feelings, but I have to concede that it was fairly realistic. Not all people think the same way or believe the same things, so I can see how this story could play out in real life. It’s just so damn frustrating when you want to shake someone and tell them they’re being stupid.
Overall, a great read if you love angst, heartbreak, and a hard-earned HEA.
Truthfully, I hated Nash’s reason for stringing Jake along for decades and not admitting his true feelings, but I have to concede that it was fairly realistic. Not all people think the same way or believe the same things, so I can see how this story could play out in real life. It’s just so damn frustrating when you want to shake someone and tell them they’re being stupid.
Overall, a great read if you love angst, heartbreak, and a hard-earned HEA.
June 10, 2024
This book was painful, and I loved it. Jake is a saint that deserved the world and Nash was an idiot that pissed me off, but oh my god did I want them to have their HEA.
And those damn swans, they may have been the most devastating part of the book 😭.
And those damn swans, they may have been the most devastating part of the book 😭.
November 13, 2022
Just to say, I love this series, I was super-excited for this book (older MCs) and I really enjoy what I've read from this author but I feel like I may well be in the minority on this one.
Jake and Nash have been friends for 30 years because Jake decided it would be so the moment he met Nash (they were in their early 20s). Jake has had unrequited feelings for Nash who is presumed to be straight. There is clearly mutual attraction though and inevitably they both succumb to it. Nash has secrets (though they did not feel very secret and I suspect this was deliberate) as to why he wouldn't be with Jake.
This story is told in flashbacks which I'm not really a fan of but it worked well enough in this context. There is certainly plenty of angst and longing from both MCs but in the end I just found myself overwhelmingly frustrated and then ultimately sad with the whole thing, especially with Nash. I get his reasoning and I'm not going to give it away but I just felt like it was bs. If that was going to be the reason, I wanted more to substantiate the reason because. It. Was. BS!
I wanted to love Nash and I was predisposed to. He's a somewhat grumpy, stoic, big, bearded bartender / business owner but I just completely failed to connect with him. There was so much I wanted to love but I just didn't get the feelings with this one. Having said that, my girl Debbie that I BR it with absolutely did.
So, I have bumped my rating from a 2 to a 3 because I think others will love it, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Jake and Nash have been friends for 30 years because Jake decided it would be so the moment he met Nash (they were in their early 20s). Jake has had unrequited feelings for Nash who is presumed to be straight. There is clearly mutual attraction though and inevitably they both succumb to it. Nash has secrets (though they did not feel very secret and I suspect this was deliberate) as to why he wouldn't be with Jake.
This story is told in flashbacks which I'm not really a fan of but it worked well enough in this context. There is certainly plenty of angst and longing from both MCs but in the end I just found myself overwhelmingly frustrated and then ultimately sad with the whole thing, especially with Nash. I get his reasoning and I'm not going to give it away but I just felt like it was bs. If that was going to be the reason, I wanted more to substantiate the reason because. It. Was. BS!
I wanted to love Nash and I was predisposed to. He's a somewhat grumpy, stoic, big, bearded bartender / business owner but I just completely failed to connect with him. There was so much I wanted to love but I just didn't get the feelings with this one. Having said that, my girl Debbie that I BR it with absolutely did.
So, I have bumped my rating from a 2 to a 3 because I think others will love it, it just didn't quite hit the mark for me.
November 7, 2022
By now I know that I like Emmy Sanders's stories so I'm always excited to read anything new she writes. But still I wasn't prepared for Swan Hearts.
I knew it was a story about two friends and that we would follow them across many decades (my favorite kind of story!) but I wasn't expecting what I got in the end.
Nash is hands down the most stubborn character I've read. Luckily though Jake isn't one to give up easily either.
Their story is beautiful. It has happy moments, sad moments, stubborn ones (of course), it's got everything. It's three decades and some change from their lives spread across the pages.
I liked the flashbacks and the unraveling of their past. I liked the glimpses into events from the previous books, this time from Nash's or Jake's pov. I liked the cameos from the other characters, and I liked how things changed as time passed–not only in relation to the MCs and their relationship but with other people too or with Jake's animals.
At first I didn't really understand the title. But once I caught on I realised how fitting it was. How romantic and tragic at the same time.
Some scenes have an air of melancholy. Some others are hopeful and joyful. I think that there was a good balance between those moments.
Nash and Jake really were the best kept secret of Plum Valley. The reasons for that are revealed through the years that pass. They are happy and they're always together in one way or another. Their story has many ups and downs but the one constant through all the years is that they're always together.
I knew it was a story about two friends and that we would follow them across many decades (my favorite kind of story!) but I wasn't expecting what I got in the end.
Nash is hands down the most stubborn character I've read. Luckily though Jake isn't one to give up easily either.
Their story is beautiful. It has happy moments, sad moments, stubborn ones (of course), it's got everything. It's three decades and some change from their lives spread across the pages.
I liked the flashbacks and the unraveling of their past. I liked the glimpses into events from the previous books, this time from Nash's or Jake's pov. I liked the cameos from the other characters, and I liked how things changed as time passed–not only in relation to the MCs and their relationship but with other people too or with Jake's animals.
At first I didn't really understand the title. But once I caught on I realised how fitting it was. How romantic and tragic at the same time.
Some scenes have an air of melancholy. Some others are hopeful and joyful. I think that there was a good balance between those moments.
Nash and Jake really were the best kept secret of Plum Valley. The reasons for that are revealed through the years that pass. They are happy and they're always together in one way or another. Their story has many ups and downs but the one constant through all the years is that they're always together.
November 7, 2022
I loved the previous books in the series, but unfortunately this one was not for me. I found Nash’s behavior to be beyond frustrating. He dragged out his issues, suffered alone, and was a dick to his best friend for thirty years instead of just confiding in him. Way too frustrating and repetitive for me! Jake deserved better.
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November 6, 2022Nie wiem jak ocenić ta książkę, napisana była świetnie, ale tego co się działo pomiędzy Jackiem i Nashem nie rozumiem. Jak ja Nasha nie znoszę, nie tak zachowują się przyjaciele, chyba, że słowo przyjaciel jest inaczej postrzegane na świecie.
October 19, 2022
How exciting it was to return to Plum Valley where Emmy yet again draws you into that bubble that you don’t want to leave. I genuinely believe Plum Valley is real.
So, if Plum Valley was real, I would travel there to slap Nash with a wet rag and to beg Jake to pass along his phenomenal skill of patience 😂
This is not going to be an in depth review as there would be too much to spoil, but the story Emmy has told, yet again, is a unique set of circumstances that is pretty intense but genius. I just love how all the stories in this series are so individual but yet blend seamlessly.
This story takes you on a lot of highs and lows. We get to see these guys story from past to present in dual POV, it was so engaging, angsty at points where you think if you shout your opinion at the book it will change things.
Their love story is a long road but it is written so well, the relief makes the struggle so worth it. Nash and Jake are literal soulmates, bonded together, and even though it’s tough, it’s so special to read about such a devoted connection between 2 people.
I also loved to see the couple older too, it just puts that love into a different kind of perspective, gives it that longevity that you crave happens beyond the ending of the book. Loved it.
So, if Plum Valley was real, I would travel there to slap Nash with a wet rag and to beg Jake to pass along his phenomenal skill of patience 😂
This is not going to be an in depth review as there would be too much to spoil, but the story Emmy has told, yet again, is a unique set of circumstances that is pretty intense but genius. I just love how all the stories in this series are so individual but yet blend seamlessly.
This story takes you on a lot of highs and lows. We get to see these guys story from past to present in dual POV, it was so engaging, angsty at points where you think if you shout your opinion at the book it will change things.
Their love story is a long road but it is written so well, the relief makes the struggle so worth it. Nash and Jake are literal soulmates, bonded together, and even though it’s tough, it’s so special to read about such a devoted connection between 2 people.
I also loved to see the couple older too, it just puts that love into a different kind of perspective, gives it that longevity that you crave happens beyond the ending of the book. Loved it.
October 21, 2022
I’ve been waiting for Nash and Jake’s book since the last Plum Valley book was published. Swan Hearts takes place over a span of 30+ years and the story kept me on pins and needles the entire time. It keeps changing between present time and the main charachters story from the past 30 years, but it never feels like the story suffer from it. It’s a build up of a relationship that matches the first book of the series. The book broke me and put me together again several times, and yes I cried. At times I wanted to jump into the story and slap or hug the characthers for reasons I won’t spoil here. In some books this is a bad thing for me, in this story? Definetly not.
As always with a book from Emmy Sanders are there a large group of side charachters and some of those I hope will get a book of their own one day. This fourth book in the series is in many ways intertwined with the others and book 1-3 should be read before you start this. It’ll give you the background you need to fully understand Nash and Jake
As always with a book from Emmy Sanders are there a large group of side charachters and some of those I hope will get a book of their own one day. This fourth book in the series is in many ways intertwined with the others and book 1-3 should be read before you start this. It’ll give you the background you need to fully understand Nash and Jake
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November 3, 2022I’m not gonna rate this book because I think it’s a me problem.
Nash pissed me off. Doing what he did for 30years, because of something so irrational and letting miscommunication go on for so long was really bad. I understand that fears are irrational but what I don’t understand is hurting someone you love for so long because of it.
Nash pissed me off. Doing what he did for 30years, because of something so irrational and letting miscommunication go on for so long was really bad. I understand that fears are irrational but what I don’t understand is hurting someone you love for so long because of it.
November 7, 2022
This one gets 4.5 absolutely brilliant stars. I haven't caught up with book 2 and 3 of the Plum Valley Cowboys but as soon as I saw the blurb for this one I had to read it immediately and oh how I have loved everything about this book ❤️.
"𝑨 𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆."
Emmy Sanders gives us an emotionally captivating 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 love story that spans thirty years. Jake and Nash are Soulmates and from the very beginning of this book this much was clear .
Swan Hearts has it all...the romance the angst, the breakups the tears, the pining. I was in tears at some point, heartbroken .. frustrated, wanting to hit Nash so bloody much 🤦🏾♀️ and so effin happy to just bask in Jake and Nash's Romance.
We rarely find stories where both characters are in their fifties and I loved that this story starts there and goes back ....Emmy please keep writing... we'll continue to drown ourselves in your stories 💜.
P.S. Please let there be a book about Bo😘.
"𝑨 𝒔𝒘𝒂𝒏 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕, 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆."
Emmy Sanders gives us an emotionally captivating 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀-𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀 love story that spans thirty years. Jake and Nash are Soulmates and from the very beginning of this book this much was clear .
Swan Hearts has it all...the romance the angst, the breakups the tears, the pining. I was in tears at some point, heartbroken .. frustrated, wanting to hit Nash so bloody much 🤦🏾♀️ and so effin happy to just bask in Jake and Nash's Romance.
We rarely find stories where both characters are in their fifties and I loved that this story starts there and goes back ....Emmy please keep writing... we'll continue to drown ourselves in your stories 💜.
P.S. Please let there be a book about Bo😘.
August 10, 2025
"Fuck or fight?"
That pretty much sums up the dynamics between these two! 😍
Initially, this felt very similar to the first in the Plum Valley Cowboys series. Best friends. Unrequited love. Story told over decades. You could say exactly this for Fool Hearts. Here the angst is different though, dealing with a family illness. And I still loved it - Sanders has a knack for getting you to feel all the feels...But I couldn't help comparing it to her first and it came up just a little bit shy.
Jake and Nash are a beautiful pair though and gave us a lot of Brokeback Mountain feels.
While I understand the intent, as it was instrumental to the plot, I found the jumping back and forth between the past and the present frustrating and lost the flow for me.
But let's give credit for one of the hottest "I need you now" sex scenes I've ever read. 🔥
Sanders' central theme of "There's no one right way to be" supporting all members of the LGBQT spectrum rang beautifully loud and clear here. 🏳️🌈
Still very worthy of a solid 4 🌟 as I love this series. Just not quite as strong as the others.
That pretty much sums up the dynamics between these two! 😍
Initially, this felt very similar to the first in the Plum Valley Cowboys series. Best friends. Unrequited love. Story told over decades. You could say exactly this for Fool Hearts. Here the angst is different though, dealing with a family illness. And I still loved it - Sanders has a knack for getting you to feel all the feels...But I couldn't help comparing it to her first and it came up just a little bit shy.
Jake and Nash are a beautiful pair though and gave us a lot of Brokeback Mountain feels.
While I understand the intent, as it was instrumental to the plot, I found the jumping back and forth between the past and the present frustrating and lost the flow for me.
But let's give credit for one of the hottest "I need you now" sex scenes I've ever read. 🔥
Sanders' central theme of "There's no one right way to be" supporting all members of the LGBQT spectrum rang beautifully loud and clear here. 🏳️🌈
Still very worthy of a solid 4 🌟 as I love this series. Just not quite as strong as the others.
October 21, 2022
"My heart was gone for this man, and come hell or high water, there's nothing on this earth that could make me fall out of love with Jake Hanson"
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
"It feels like a physical blow, piercing and ragged, tearing through my insides nd leaving a burning, gaping hole behind. I'm breaking his heart. And I'm breaking mine."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I am and always will be a stan for Emmy Sanders' books, and I swear each one just gets better and better! From the very first book, I have been intriqued by the town's vet Jake Hanson and when I found out he was getting his story, I couldn't help but scream with excitement. Nash is the stoic bartender, forever haunted by the time frame on his life who from the moment he met Jake at 21, has been in love with his best friend. Jake is Plum Valley's only veterinarian who has been pining after his best friend Nash for the last 30 years and is not willing to give up fighting for them.
These two absolutely killed me with everything that went on, the pining was soooo strong and emotional, I couldn't help but get teary eyed. I wanted to slap Nash so many times, and I was stunned at how patient Jake was through it all. The chemistry was off the charts, and didn't take away from the emotional story that takes place, weaving its way into your soul and leaving you wanting more. Emmy knows exactly how to hook you in with unique plots, charismatic characters, and love stories that make you swoon. Overall this was my favourite so far in the series, and I am looking forward to coming back to Plum Valley and getting Bo's story next!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Small Town Charm
❣️ Best Friends to Lovers
❣️ Mutual Pining
❣️ A 30 Year Story
❣️ HEA
Star Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
POV: Dual
HEA: Yes
Spice Rating: 3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️
"It feels like a physical blow, piercing and ragged, tearing through my insides nd leaving a burning, gaping hole behind. I'm breaking his heart. And I'm breaking mine."
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
Overall Opinion
I am and always will be a stan for Emmy Sanders' books, and I swear each one just gets better and better! From the very first book, I have been intriqued by the town's vet Jake Hanson and when I found out he was getting his story, I couldn't help but scream with excitement. Nash is the stoic bartender, forever haunted by the time frame on his life who from the moment he met Jake at 21, has been in love with his best friend. Jake is Plum Valley's only veterinarian who has been pining after his best friend Nash for the last 30 years and is not willing to give up fighting for them.
These two absolutely killed me with everything that went on, the pining was soooo strong and emotional, I couldn't help but get teary eyed. I wanted to slap Nash so many times, and I was stunned at how patient Jake was through it all. The chemistry was off the charts, and didn't take away from the emotional story that takes place, weaving its way into your soul and leaving you wanting more. Emmy knows exactly how to hook you in with unique plots, charismatic characters, and love stories that make you swoon. Overall this was my favourite so far in the series, and I am looking forward to coming back to Plum Valley and getting Bo's story next!
Read if you like:
❣️ M/M Romance
❣️ Small Town Charm
❣️ Best Friends to Lovers
❣️ Mutual Pining
❣️ A 30 Year Story
❣️ HEA
December 1, 2022
Ahhh! Ok this was so sweet! I cannot BELIEVE these two have been dancing around each other FOR THIRTY YEARS????? Jake was SO patient and kind the entire time, he was willing to wait for Nash, however long it took to be comfortable with coming out meanwhile Nash was living his life thinking he was on borrowed time and actually didn't have a problem being with another man. For part of the story I was like Jake when he found out about Nash's curse where I was sort of like "no way is he pushing away the love of his life for this" but obviously Nash really believed in it and thought he was doing the right thing. And the part with the swans absolutely broke my heart omg.
I don't think I've ever highlighted so many lines in a book before either but here are my top 3:
"How long have you loved me, Nash?" I ask again. He lets out a shaky breath, looking up at the night sky for a moment. When his head comes back down, his eyes are glistening once more, but he blinks away the moisture. "Thirty years?"
"You're the only thing I've every truly wanted", he says
And as I pull myself up, following the inevitable draw that leads me toward Jake - always Jake - I can hear it. A swan song. The other half of my heart, calling me home.
brb crying
I don't think I've ever highlighted so many lines in a book before either but here are my top 3:
"How long have you loved me, Nash?" I ask again. He lets out a shaky breath, looking up at the night sky for a moment. When his head comes back down, his eyes are glistening once more, but he blinks away the moisture. "Thirty years?"
"You're the only thing I've every truly wanted", he says
And as I pull myself up, following the inevitable draw that leads me toward Jake - always Jake - I can hear it. A swan song. The other half of my heart, calling me home.
brb crying
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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