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Wellspring
When Erick von Hellerman sails from Prussia to Texas, he leaves behind an estate, a title, a fortune, and the rigid expectations of society in the hope of finally taking control of his life. But Texas has rules of its own, and he'll have to learn to play by them if he wants the life–and the love–of his dreams.
Raised by the Comanche and still struggling to adapt to life in the white man's world, ranch hand Cade Webster has learned the hard way not to expect good things in his life. Then, on an errand to Galveston, he's intrigued to see Erick calm a panicked horse on the docks. Since Cade's foreman is looking for a new bronc buster, he offers to let Erick accompany him back to Wellspring Ranch, a haven for misfits and outcasts, despite his doubts that the European dandy knows what he's getting himself into.
Watching Erick adapt to hunting for food, sleeping under the stars, extreme weather, and unfamiliar predators convinces Cade that he just might make a cowboy after all. But a corrupt sheriff and a potential range war put their growing attraction—and their very lives—at risk.
"Wellspring delivers a big thumping historical cowboy romance with all the tropes and a brawling, sprawling vibe. With every saddle creak, hot breeze, and hard glance the book brings to life an entire living, working ranch outfit in 19th century Texas. It's a slow-burn, worlds-collide western, serving up plenty of frontier feels with queer swagger. These aren't stick figures, but complicated adults wrangling with love, vulnerability, and identity in a world that doesn't make space for them."
Damon Suede, author of Hot Head
Raised by the Comanche and still struggling to adapt to life in the white man's world, ranch hand Cade Webster has learned the hard way not to expect good things in his life. Then, on an errand to Galveston, he's intrigued to see Erick calm a panicked horse on the docks. Since Cade's foreman is looking for a new bronc buster, he offers to let Erick accompany him back to Wellspring Ranch, a haven for misfits and outcasts, despite his doubts that the European dandy knows what he's getting himself into.
Watching Erick adapt to hunting for food, sleeping under the stars, extreme weather, and unfamiliar predators convinces Cade that he just might make a cowboy after all. But a corrupt sheriff and a potential range war put their growing attraction—and their very lives—at risk.
"Wellspring delivers a big thumping historical cowboy romance with all the tropes and a brawling, sprawling vibe. With every saddle creak, hot breeze, and hard glance the book brings to life an entire living, working ranch outfit in 19th century Texas. It's a slow-burn, worlds-collide western, serving up plenty of frontier feels with queer swagger. These aren't stick figures, but complicated adults wrangling with love, vulnerability, and identity in a world that doesn't make space for them."
Damon Suede, author of Hot Head
- GenresQueer
310 pages, Paperback
Published August 5, 2025
17 people want to read
About the author
Nicki Bennett
40 books68 followersGrowing up in Chicago, Nicki Bennett spent every Saturday at the central library, losing herself in the world of books. A voracious reader, she eventually found it difficult to find enough of the kind of stories she liked to read and decided to start writing them herself.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 27, 2025
✰ 2.25 stars ✰
Kind of a dud to be honest. 😪 I mean, I get believing that love triumphs all, but for Texas 1867, Wellspring was too much of an idyllic progressive haven for me to take seriously or believe in. an amalgamation of strays for different backgrounds who'd made a sanctuary for misfits and outcasts, where there was no prejudice, no judgment - everyone's welcome here - almost too unrealistic considering the time period. Which fine, I'll let it slide, as it certainly beats the prejudice in the present-day world. 🥺
“I scarce dared to hope such a strong, capable man would return my regard.”
Right upon Erick's arrival in Texas from Prussia, trading his noble rank for newly-hired bronc buster he and ranch hand Cade were both lust-asizing over each other. He was the wet dream Cade never knew he had. 😍 Considering the dangerous ramifications that could occur if they confessed their attraction to one another, for 50% of the plot, it was the two of them going through the mating dance, until one of them caved and from there on it was smooth sailing. heck, not even any of the farm hands raised an eyebrow; and this is fresh from the Civil War, mind you. 🤔
So, I was kind of thrown off guard at the ease to which their romance continued. The dialogue wasn't quite modern, but --- maybe because Erick still carried his German roots, and Cade always considered himself an outsider in the white man's world, having been raised by the Comanche - their interactions might seem out of place. But I was not feeling their chemistry; it was not stale - just... like, even the declarations of love didn't make me swoon or make my heart go dokidoki. 😔
“You are a gift beyond price, one I will spend the rest of my life cherishing if you will let me.”
See, nothing. Not even a flutter. 🦋🙂↔️
I think I'll just regard this as me being thrown off for how instantly attracted they were both to each other from the first meeting; there was no slow build to their want, but only the uncertainty of being acknowledged -even if the white man’s world doesn’t accept our love; which once that barrier broke - there was no real resistance - just smooth talking and loving —wholeheartedly and without hesitation. 😮💨
There was a plot existing of tension and harassment from neighboring ranch owners, corrupt politics at play, nighttime attacks that persisted with a looming danger that threatened their way of life and existence. 🤠 Very outlaw-ish and all, but I just was not feeling the seriousness of it - even when lives were in danger - nor the intensity of how sweet and sexy their relationship was - until all I smell, all I taste, all I feel, all I am is you. 🙃
The authors have been in the mm romance ccircle for quite some time, but this was my first and last attempt with them. The editing was decent and the story flowed, but maybe everything just played out too perfectly for me to care enough for it. 😣 Even the supporting cast did not have enough presence to have me feel drawn into their interactions. It was - just there. 😑
“You are too fine a gift to partake in haste.”
sigh Nothing... 🥱
Oh well, can't love them all. 🤷🏻♀️
“You were everything I wanted and everything I dreamed to become.”
Kind of a dud to be honest. 😪 I mean, I get believing that love triumphs all, but for Texas 1867, Wellspring was too much of an idyllic progressive haven for me to take seriously or believe in. an amalgamation of strays for different backgrounds who'd made a sanctuary for misfits and outcasts, where there was no prejudice, no judgment - everyone's welcome here - almost too unrealistic considering the time period. Which fine, I'll let it slide, as it certainly beats the prejudice in the present-day world. 🥺
“I scarce dared to hope such a strong, capable man would return my regard.”
Right upon Erick's arrival in Texas from Prussia, trading his noble rank for newly-hired bronc buster he and ranch hand Cade were both lust-asizing over each other. He was the wet dream Cade never knew he had. 😍 Considering the dangerous ramifications that could occur if they confessed their attraction to one another, for 50% of the plot, it was the two of them going through the mating dance, until one of them caved and from there on it was smooth sailing. heck, not even any of the farm hands raised an eyebrow; and this is fresh from the Civil War, mind you. 🤔
So, I was kind of thrown off guard at the ease to which their romance continued. The dialogue wasn't quite modern, but --- maybe because Erick still carried his German roots, and Cade always considered himself an outsider in the white man's world, having been raised by the Comanche - their interactions might seem out of place. But I was not feeling their chemistry; it was not stale - just... like, even the declarations of love didn't make me swoon or make my heart go dokidoki. 😔
“You are a gift beyond price, one I will spend the rest of my life cherishing if you will let me.”
See, nothing. Not even a flutter. 🦋🙂↔️
I think I'll just regard this as me being thrown off for how instantly attracted they were both to each other from the first meeting; there was no slow build to their want, but only the uncertainty of being acknowledged -even if the white man’s world doesn’t accept our love; which once that barrier broke - there was no real resistance - just smooth talking and loving —wholeheartedly and without hesitation. 😮💨
There was a plot existing of tension and harassment from neighboring ranch owners, corrupt politics at play, nighttime attacks that persisted with a looming danger that threatened their way of life and existence. 🤠 Very outlaw-ish and all, but I just was not feeling the seriousness of it - even when lives were in danger - nor the intensity of how sweet and sexy their relationship was - until all I smell, all I taste, all I feel, all I am is you. 🙃
The authors have been in the mm romance ccircle for quite some time, but this was my first and last attempt with them. The editing was decent and the story flowed, but maybe everything just played out too perfectly for me to care enough for it. 😣 Even the supporting cast did not have enough presence to have me feel drawn into their interactions. It was - just there. 😑
“You are too fine a gift to partake in haste.”
sigh Nothing... 🥱
Oh well, can't love them all. 🤷🏻♀️
August 12, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
Enjoyable well paced story with pretty great MCs. There was slow burn and tension and a well developed relationship arc.
The conflict in the ranch was a bit contrived and at times a bit unbelievable.
Some of the characters sounds like they might have a story of their own (Kit and Mac maybe?) but since both authors are new to me hopefully there are some connected stories I can catch up on.
Enjoyable well paced story with pretty great MCs. There was slow burn and tension and a well developed relationship arc.
The conflict in the ranch was a bit contrived and at times a bit unbelievable.
Some of the characters sounds like they might have a story of their own (Kit and Mac maybe?) but since both authors are new to me hopefully there are some connected stories I can catch up on.
September 1, 2025
4 stars. Enjoyable book with great characters. I like slow burn and this one was very slow. Almost too slow. The setting and Western/Cowboy theme was exactly what I was in the mood for. Some suspension of disbelief is needed but I was able to roll with it pretty easily. Wouldn’t mind another book centered around Wellspring.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews