What do you think?
Rate this book
A Pathfinders Lake Romance
The Way Home: An MM Forbidden Romance
Ten years ago, when Riley met Jeremy, he fell hard. Jeremy was his first kiss, first love, first…everything. It started as a summer fling after Riley moved to a small town, but the fling came crashing to an end when Riley’s mom announced her impending marriage to Jeremy’s dad.
Riley forced his own feelings aside to put his mom’s happiness first. Being so close to each other but unable to act on it drove a wedge between him and Jeremy.
Now, as adults, Riley and Jeremy have a nonexistent relationship, avoiding each other at all cost. Not knowing their history, the parents decided enough was enough and devised a plan to get the two to spend time together at the family cabin.
Will they be able to move past the connection they once had to form a new kinship, or will their feelings ignite anew?
The Way Home is a second chance, nerd/jock MM romance. It is part of the Pathfinders Lake multi-author series that features forbidden romance. Each book can be read as a standalone but is better enjoyed as a series.
Riley forced his own feelings aside to put his mom’s happiness first. Being so close to each other but unable to act on it drove a wedge between him and Jeremy.
Now, as adults, Riley and Jeremy have a nonexistent relationship, avoiding each other at all cost. Not knowing their history, the parents decided enough was enough and devised a plan to get the two to spend time together at the family cabin.
Will they be able to move past the connection they once had to form a new kinship, or will their feelings ignite anew?
The Way Home is a second chance, nerd/jock MM romance. It is part of the Pathfinders Lake multi-author series that features forbidden romance. Each book can be read as a standalone but is better enjoyed as a series.
- GenresM M Romance
201 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2025
14 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Duckie Mack
31 books211 followersShe loves reading and writing stories that show that love isn't defined by gender. She writes sweet romance with fun heat, adorkable characters, and is a sucker for an HEA.
She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.
Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on instagram @authorduckiemack
Keep up to date on Duckie's book news by subscribing to her newsletter-
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
She lives in Southern California with her family, 2 dogs, and 3 cats, and loves to give out free hugs at pride events.
Duckie loves to interact with readers and is most active on instagram @authorduckiemack
Keep up to date on Duckie's book news by subscribing to her newsletter-
https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/form...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 19, 2025
A forbidden romance with first love's second chance, step brothers, forced proximity in a cabin, aches & sweet feels, small town setting & accidental match-making by the parents 😆.
I devoured my #ARC in 7hrs. I did read the last couple ch in 5-6 am next day as desperation (& got yelled for it) but ugh, let me count it in 1 day 😅 for my efforts 🤣. Adored Jeremy & Riley.
Riley is the smart, nerdy, taller & cautious one who lights up by science (#relatable). Jeremy is the muscled (football) jock, J's persistent, patient, charming flirt. 10yrs ago in High school, they'd a sweet summer love... Until it all crashed down when their parents got together.
Now as adults, they're like strangers. It freaking hurts & is painful in 1st half of book 😭. (It'd be so much more angsty if it hadn't started where it did!) Jeremy was Riley's first, they belonged as Lovers to eachother before being (step) "brothers".
But what if, R can't run anymore... *Cheers to forced proximity*. & J is determined to get R in his life, in any way? Heck ya! The awkwardness 😅, emotional hurt 🥺 made the eventual talk so rewarding! It's slow burn & I liked seeing their relationship heal. So cute! The legend made me cry 😭.
The spice is complimentary to them & hot. Liked demi & pansexual reps! There aren't many side characters so the focus solely on J+R. I do like a shorter top 😉. The little side plot about their jobs & dream was sweet. Loved the parents!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Ya, it's sweet 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels:😯🥺😅😁😭🤭😍😳🤨😆🤓🥰☺️
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.25/5
7) Plot arc: (Second chance love, step bros) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
I devoured my #ARC in 7hrs. I did read the last couple ch in 5-6 am next day as desperation (& got yelled for it) but ugh, let me count it in 1 day 😅 for my efforts 🤣. Adored Jeremy & Riley.
Riley is the smart, nerdy, taller & cautious one who lights up by science (#relatable). Jeremy is the muscled (football) jock, J's persistent, patient, charming flirt. 10yrs ago in High school, they'd a sweet summer love... Until it all crashed down when their parents got together.
Now as adults, they're like strangers. It freaking hurts & is painful in 1st half of book 😭. (It'd be so much more angsty if it hadn't started where it did!) Jeremy was Riley's first, they belonged as Lovers to eachother before being (step) "brothers".
But what if, R can't run anymore... *Cheers to forced proximity*. & J is determined to get R in his life, in any way? Heck ya! The awkwardness 😅, emotional hurt 🥺 made the eventual talk so rewarding! It's slow burn & I liked seeing their relationship heal. So cute! The legend made me cry 😭.
The spice is complimentary to them & hot. Liked demi & pansexual reps! There aren't many side characters so the focus solely on J+R. I do like a shorter top 😉. The little side plot about their jobs & dream was sweet. Loved the parents!
Story Ratings:
POV: 1st person, Dual POV
1) Enjoyed? —> Ya, it's sweet 5/5
2) The Characters: 5/5
3) Top feels:😯🥺😅😁😭🤭😍😳🤨😆🤓🥰☺️
4) Steamy scenes: 2.5/5
5) Levels: Cute+Swoon: 4.25/5
Angst: 2.75/5
Dark: 1/5
6) Creativity + world: 4.25/5
7) Plot arc: (Second chance love, step bros) 4.25/5
8) Writing style + pace: 4.5/5
August 25, 2025
For those familiar with Duckie’s writing, this book is a welcome home. For newbies, this is a familiar hug that envelops you in a world where you feel safe, seen, and loved.
Their characters are friends you’ve just met, but feel like they live within your memory.
While there’s a slight taboo to the step-brother trope featured in this book, it’s never tawdry or unseemly. Just handled with care and love. Always love.
The angst and steam are approached with such reverence that it’s like reading a journal entry. You feel it’s really happened and you’re a part of it.
Every interaction is intentional, has a larger purpose in the bigger picture and you can picture the future for these young men. You want to know more. You can almost imagine future entries from their day to day lives.
The best storytellers leave you writing the next chapter in your head. Duckie Mack does that.
Their characters are friends you’ve just met, but feel like they live within your memory.
While there’s a slight taboo to the step-brother trope featured in this book, it’s never tawdry or unseemly. Just handled with care and love. Always love.
The angst and steam are approached with such reverence that it’s like reading a journal entry. You feel it’s really happened and you’re a part of it.
Every interaction is intentional, has a larger purpose in the bigger picture and you can picture the future for these young men. You want to know more. You can almost imagine future entries from their day to day lives.
The best storytellers leave you writing the next chapter in your head. Duckie Mack does that.
August 19, 2025
story of Riley and Jeremy
This is a second chance/stepbrothers forbidden romance, featuring Riley and Jeremy, and is book five in the Pathfinders Lake series.
Riley and Jeremy were each other’s first love, but their summer fling ended when their parents got engaged, forcing them apart. Years later, a family cabin trip reunites them, and they must decide whether to rebuild a brotherly bond—or reignite the forbidden romance they never truly left behind.
This is a sweet second chance story that mixes a little angst with a lot of heart. The nerd/jock dynamic and the forbidden stepbrothers angle adds the right amount of tension, while the forced proximity gets sparks flying. It’s an easy, emotional read about first loves finding their way back to each other.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 5 in series
MM romance
Second chance
Step brothers
Nerd x Jock
Childhood first love
Pan x Demi
MC wears glasses
Time apart
Both pining
Crop tops
Bit of spice
Coconut oil as lube
Meddling parents
HEA
This is a second chance/stepbrothers forbidden romance, featuring Riley and Jeremy, and is book five in the Pathfinders Lake series.
Riley and Jeremy were each other’s first love, but their summer fling ended when their parents got engaged, forcing them apart. Years later, a family cabin trip reunites them, and they must decide whether to rebuild a brotherly bond—or reignite the forbidden romance they never truly left behind.
This is a sweet second chance story that mixes a little angst with a lot of heart. The nerd/jock dynamic and the forbidden stepbrothers angle adds the right amount of tension, while the forced proximity gets sparks flying. It’s an easy, emotional read about first loves finding their way back to each other.
Things to expect in this book are:
Book 5 in series
MM romance
Second chance
Step brothers
Nerd x Jock
Childhood first love
Pan x Demi
MC wears glasses
Time apart
Both pining
Crop tops
Bit of spice
Coconut oil as lube
Meddling parents
HEA
September 8, 2025
This was cute and quite believable. Didn’t like the early “darling” from Jeremy, but other than that the way they talked to each other was good.
This series is very fluffy and this book was no exception. I would have expected more talk about the stepbrother thing. It was hinted but not explicitly mentioned although it was the whole reason they weren’t together. And I also don’t really understand why Riley never disclosed this very useful information to Jeremy when he broke up with him.
I also didn’t like the meddling parents part. If you care so much about your children getting along, why not have a grownup conversation with them one-on-one to find out what it is they don’t like about each other. I understand that was hard when they were 16. But at 26 there must be better ways than stick them in a cabin together.
The story must have some starting point of course 😄 So I guess there’s that. Wouldn’t like it in real life though.
Don’t need to reread, but do recommend.
This series is very fluffy and this book was no exception. I would have expected more talk about the stepbrother thing. It was hinted but not explicitly mentioned although it was the whole reason they weren’t together. And I also don’t really understand why Riley never disclosed this very useful information to Jeremy when he broke up with him.
I also didn’t like the meddling parents part. If you care so much about your children getting along, why not have a grownup conversation with them one-on-one to find out what it is they don’t like about each other. I understand that was hard when they were 16. But at 26 there must be better ways than stick them in a cabin together.
The story must have some starting point of course 😄 So I guess there’s that. Wouldn’t like it in real life though.
Don’t need to reread, but do recommend.
August 19, 2025
The Way Home by Duckie Mack
Duckie takes on forbidden romance with two stepbrothers. What makes this unique Jem & Ri had something before their parents got together, yet Ri chose to break things off for his mother to get her true happiness. This led to ten years of tension of unrequited young love where both can not move past their first love.
When it's time for a reset to return to Pathfinders Lake, the parents set the boys up to become friends and move past tension. You feel their longing and need for what they had, yet the apprehension and fear of going for something that could be taken as wrong. When they allow themselves to become friends, magic. It was great to see how well these to play off one another, that first date, ugh so dang perfect! The heat was right on for this second chance slow burn style of a story. They didn’t just jump back into the heat. They let the tension simmer until it boiled over into that perfect heated moment. Great addition to the universe, and it was nice to see Duckie spread their wings on something different from their usual, yet still stuck to who they are as an author.
I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
Duckie takes on forbidden romance with two stepbrothers. What makes this unique Jem & Ri had something before their parents got together, yet Ri chose to break things off for his mother to get her true happiness. This led to ten years of tension of unrequited young love where both can not move past their first love.
When it's time for a reset to return to Pathfinders Lake, the parents set the boys up to become friends and move past tension. You feel their longing and need for what they had, yet the apprehension and fear of going for something that could be taken as wrong. When they allow themselves to become friends, magic. It was great to see how well these to play off one another, that first date, ugh so dang perfect! The heat was right on for this second chance slow burn style of a story. They didn’t just jump back into the heat. They let the tension simmer until it boiled over into that perfect heated moment. Great addition to the universe, and it was nice to see Duckie spread their wings on something different from their usual, yet still stuck to who they are as an author.
I’m voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received. My review is solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
August 15, 2025
Quickly becoming a favorite of mine, Duckie has done an amazing job for this stepbro love trope. With this story you can see and just feel the trauma that both boys go through, but neither know it. Thrust together again after so many years of pushing down feelings that never went away, they come rushing back when their parents decide to “parent trap” them. With each emotional reveal, Riley and Jeremy finally find their way back to each other and now they are determined to be together. This is such a great addition to the Pathfinder series!! Love is love and their love is one for the ages. Received as an ARC and highly recommend.
August 16, 2025
The Way Home
A Pathfinders Lake Romance
By Duckie Mack
Moving can be hard when you’re a kid. Especially when you’re in high school and you’re moving to a small town. Lucky for Riley, he meets Jeremy right away.
Riley and Jem meet and fall in love when they’re teens. Then their parents meet and fall in love as well. Riley wants his mom to have all she deserves and so he breaks his own heart and dumps Jem. They grow up and apart never realizing that they’re both in pain and lonely for the other.
Duckie Mack blew me away from the very start of this book. Ri and Jem are absolutely too adorable for words. They may have grown up, but they never grew apart. Their mutual pining for each other was so intense. This book is so romantic, so sweet. I highlighted so many passages, because they melted my heart. Duckie Mack has a way about her writing, to me it is poetic. I even looked up the definition to make sure that poetic is the right word to use and yes it means “having an imaginative or sensitively emotional style of expression.” She made these characters so vulnerable in their own ways and I really found myself cheering for them.
You know that feeling you get when you read a really good book? That moment of wonder and then the drop when you realize it’s over? I feel like I can’t start another book right now, I couldn’t even wait to write this review. The characters are great and I want everyone to read them. I love how Jem told Riley the story of the Pathfinder and his love. There was so much emotion as he realized how much his love was similar to theirs. Each story in this series has been such a good read. I can’t wait for the next book, for the next adventure at Pathfinder’s Lake.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
A Pathfinders Lake Romance
By Duckie Mack
Moving can be hard when you’re a kid. Especially when you’re in high school and you’re moving to a small town. Lucky for Riley, he meets Jeremy right away.
Riley and Jem meet and fall in love when they’re teens. Then their parents meet and fall in love as well. Riley wants his mom to have all she deserves and so he breaks his own heart and dumps Jem. They grow up and apart never realizing that they’re both in pain and lonely for the other.
Duckie Mack blew me away from the very start of this book. Ri and Jem are absolutely too adorable for words. They may have grown up, but they never grew apart. Their mutual pining for each other was so intense. This book is so romantic, so sweet. I highlighted so many passages, because they melted my heart. Duckie Mack has a way about her writing, to me it is poetic. I even looked up the definition to make sure that poetic is the right word to use and yes it means “having an imaginative or sensitively emotional style of expression.” She made these characters so vulnerable in their own ways and I really found myself cheering for them.
You know that feeling you get when you read a really good book? That moment of wonder and then the drop when you realize it’s over? I feel like I can’t start another book right now, I couldn’t even wait to write this review. The characters are great and I want everyone to read them. I love how Jem told Riley the story of the Pathfinder and his love. There was so much emotion as he realized how much his love was similar to theirs. Each story in this series has been such a good read. I can’t wait for the next book, for the next adventure at Pathfinder’s Lake.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
August 11, 2025
Riley never expected a simple church event for kids to change his life, but that’s where he met Jeremy. From the moment they met, there was a spars something neither of them could ignore. They fell for each other quickly. But life can be cruel. When Riley’s mom found love, it came with a twist. Her new partner was Jeremy’s dad. Riley couldn’t stop thinking Jeremy was going to be his stepbrother. Overwhelmed and unsure, Riley ran, leaving Jeremy and their love behind.
Years later, fate stepped in. Their parents brought them together again, and the moment they saw each other, all those feelings came rushing back. This is a tender, beautiful second chance story, and I found myself rooting for them with every page.
And the myth behind the monument of rocks? It wasn’t just a detail it was moving and brought tears to my eyes.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
Years later, fate stepped in. Their parents brought them together again, and the moment they saw each other, all those feelings came rushing back. This is a tender, beautiful second chance story, and I found myself rooting for them with every page.
And the myth behind the monument of rocks? It wasn’t just a detail it was moving and brought tears to my eyes.
I received an ARC for my honest review.
August 19, 2025
This was incredibly adorable! They way Riley goes all nerd with science made my heart happy. Jeremy supporting him and just happy to be in his presence when Riley geeks out was everything I love about a good nerd/jock romance. Duckie Mack brought some unique and loveable scenes into this book. Like the monument scene, this was different than the other books but no less moving. I would even consider this more moving than the others so far. The scene when Jeremy realizes that he actually heard Riley when he's rewatching the football video was probably my favorite. That lightbulb moment of "he still felt it too" was written so well.
While this one didn't have as much spice as the others, I dont feel like anything was left out. The author wrote an incredible love story that tied into what this series is all about.
My favorite quote: "Being with you is easy. Everything else is just noise."
While this one didn't have as much spice as the others, I dont feel like anything was left out. The author wrote an incredible love story that tied into what this series is all about.
My favorite quote: "Being with you is easy. Everything else is just noise."
August 30, 2025
Second chance Step-brother romance.
Swoon
Jeremy and Riley were wonderful characters and I was captivated by both immediately. Meeting as teens and falling fast in love, they were each other’s first everything.
That is until their parents surprised them with news that they were getting married before the boys had had a chance to disclose their relationship.
Cue 10 years later, meddling parents, being at the cabin alone together, a decades worth of pining and a few “caught in the act” moments and you have a sweet, tension filled, forbidden romance.
What you’ll get:
•Step Brothers
•Nerd/Jock
•First Loves (first times)
•Second Chance (10 years later)
•Forced Proximity
•Pining
•Opposites attract
•Mild Hurt/Comfort
•Anxiety Attack Rep
•Demi MC
•Pan MC
Swoon
Jeremy and Riley were wonderful characters and I was captivated by both immediately. Meeting as teens and falling fast in love, they were each other’s first everything.
That is until their parents surprised them with news that they were getting married before the boys had had a chance to disclose their relationship.
Cue 10 years later, meddling parents, being at the cabin alone together, a decades worth of pining and a few “caught in the act” moments and you have a sweet, tension filled, forbidden romance.
What you’ll get:
•Step Brothers
•Nerd/Jock
•First Loves (first times)
•Second Chance (10 years later)
•Forced Proximity
•Pining
•Opposites attract
•Mild Hurt/Comfort
•Anxiety Attack Rep
•Demi MC
•Pan MC
August 15, 2025
This super sweet love story will melt your heart and make you believe that nothing will stand in the way of love.
Riley and Jeremy might have met in the cutest way, but fate had other plans for them. Their relationship started as all puppy love teenage relationships do, spending every waking minute together, learning each other's likes and dislikes and stealing private moments.
However, when Riley's mother begins dating Jeremy's father, Riley ended their relationship as to not take from his mother's happiness. While he pushed Jeremy away to try to get over him, Jeremy moved from one partner to another to try to get over Riley.
After ten years apart, a planned trip home for Riley and a job interview for Jeremy puts them under one roof again. Sparks fly when Riley let's his guard down and allowed his feelings for Jeremy to guide him.
I really enjoyed this book.
Received as an ARC.
Riley and Jeremy might have met in the cutest way, but fate had other plans for them. Their relationship started as all puppy love teenage relationships do, spending every waking minute together, learning each other's likes and dislikes and stealing private moments.
However, when Riley's mother begins dating Jeremy's father, Riley ended their relationship as to not take from his mother's happiness. While he pushed Jeremy away to try to get over him, Jeremy moved from one partner to another to try to get over Riley.
After ten years apart, a planned trip home for Riley and a job interview for Jeremy puts them under one roof again. Sparks fly when Riley let's his guard down and allowed his feelings for Jeremy to guide him.
I really enjoyed this book.
Received as an ARC.
August 24, 2025
Emotionally compelling, second chance romance
Riley and Jem met at a church lock-in and they had an instant connection.
Then reality stepped in and their parents fell in love.
Riley would never stand in the way of his mom's happiness, so he ran.
Now it's been ten years and they absolutely avoid one another like the plague.
Their parents have no inkling of what happened between them so they plot to get them together.
All it takes is being in each other's presence again for everything to come crashing back.
They were so adorable together with Riley being a science geek and Jem just being infatuated with and supporting him.
The rock monument was especially touching.
Riley and Jem met at a church lock-in and they had an instant connection.
Then reality stepped in and their parents fell in love.
Riley would never stand in the way of his mom's happiness, so he ran.
Now it's been ten years and they absolutely avoid one another like the plague.
Their parents have no inkling of what happened between them so they plot to get them together.
All it takes is being in each other's presence again for everything to come crashing back.
They were so adorable together with Riley being a science geek and Jem just being infatuated with and supporting him.
The rock monument was especially touching.
August 20, 2025
I haven’t read this author. But man I love an interconnected series. I love this lake and its lore.
This second chance was just the sweetest and if you want a book that will just make you smile it’s this one. These boys loved eachother as teens but it wasn’t their time. 10 years later-a little older, a little better understanding of the world and these step brothers find their home in each other and on their lake. I loved that they both left, matured, but still lost and finding themselves in each other. Just so sweet!!
This second chance was just the sweetest and if you want a book that will just make you smile it’s this one. These boys loved eachother as teens but it wasn’t their time. 10 years later-a little older, a little better understanding of the world and these step brothers find their home in each other and on their lake. I loved that they both left, matured, but still lost and finding themselves in each other. Just so sweet!!
August 16, 2025
Riley and Jeremy fell for each other as kids but when their parents married, Riley felt they couldn't be together. Now, 10 years later, they meet back at Pathfinder Lake and find they can't be without each other. It's sweet and steamy as Jeremy persists wooing Riley, showing him his concerns are meaningless. It's a lovely book! I received a copy of this and this is my voluntary opinion
August 20, 2025
I absolutely loved this story of a second chance at love. Riley and Jeremy met as teenagers at a church lock-in and it was basically love at first sight.
Ten years later they get a second chance at love.
Duckie Mack has done it again with this book. I highly recommend this book.
Ten years later they get a second chance at love.
Duckie Mack has done it again with this book. I highly recommend this book.
September 3, 2025
Riley and Jeremy first meet and fall in love as teenagers. Then their Mom and Dad meet and fall love. Now what are Riley and Jeremy supposed to do?
The love between these two is so sweet and I adore them so much!
The love between these two is so sweet and I adore them so much!
August 16, 2025
Wow! This stepbrothers/friends to lovers read is part of the multiauthor Pathfinders Lake series and I just loved it! Riley and Jeremy were so sweet together and I so enjoyed this low angst read!
August 15, 2025
Sweet story of two stepbrothers who meet before they became related...break up when their parents end up getting married....and can't seem to forget each other as adults - and get together later in life regardless of being stepbrothers. Great characters!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2025
Probably going down as one of my favorite Duckie Mack stories! It was beautiful, teary, sweet, angsty, steamy and a story with a love that time couldn’t stop!
I really enjoyed these two men and the way they got to their HEA!
Loved it!
(I received an advanced reader copy of this book, it did not affect my opinion of this story)
I really enjoyed these two men and the way they got to their HEA!
Loved it!
(I received an advanced reader copy of this book, it did not affect my opinion of this story)
August 17, 2025
The Way Home by Duckie Mack is part of A Pathfinders Lake Romance series by various authors. This is a second chance love story between two men who meet and fall in love as teenagers but are torn apart when their parents marry and they become stepbrothers. Riley Carpenter had moved to Stony Creek from California when his mother left his abusive father and was looking for a new start. He met Jeremy Rodriguez soon after at a church lock-in where he immediately befriended him and had a love scene in the restroom because they were instantly attracted to each other. They kept seeing each other, had more hot scenes as they experimented with lots of first times, and fell in love. However, their parents had also met and decided to marry which made them step-brothers. Riley immediately backed off his relationship with Jeremy because of this which left him very sad and Jeremy confused as to what had happened. Riley then left for college on the west coast and had been doing seasonal and contract jobs with environmental agencies but it wasn’t enough for him to live on. His mother suggested that he return to Stony Creek to try to figure out his next move which he decided to do. In the meantime, Jeremy had also got his Associate’s degree but was at a loss of what to do when his father mentioned that his high school football coach was retiring and that job could be a good fit for him. He had loved playing football and was good at it and the prospect excited him so he studied up on it, made a book of plays, and was very happy and hopeful when he got called for an interview. Since his parents were trying to get the two of them to resolve their differences, his dad suggested he go to the cabin and stay until the interview. That is how 10 years later the two of them found themselves together again. Riley was flabbergasted and really wanted nothing to do with Jeremy because he still loved him and it hurt to be around him knowing that he could never have him the way he wanted. Riley still loved Jeremy and when he got a vibe that Riley still might want him too, he set out to see if he could get back together with him. This involved walks to Pathfinder Lake and a kiss after, going into town to see what was still there of the things they used to do and seeing new places like Professor Photon’s Science Emporium, watching TV together, and finding out what had happened in the years they had been apart. This also led to some hot love scenes as Riley was falling more in love with Jeremy and decided that being with him was a good thing at that time. Jeremy had gotten a bad hit playing football in high school with a storm coming so storms still got to him. But this time Riley was there to comfort him and this made him even more sure that maybe they could rekindle what they had when they first met. One of the last places they visited was the Pathfinder’s Monument that was built from a tragedy born out of a forbidden love and how people had added to it over the years. When Jeremy said he believed there was a place for unconventional relationships it led Riley to explain that when they became stepbrothers he couldn’t hurt his mother by saying they were in love so he left as soon as he could. But Jeremy wanted everything with Riley as both had loved each other for a very long time. He knew their parents would be accepting, which they were, that they were not going to worry about what other people thought, and that Riley was the only person he ever felt comfortable letting his guard down with and he would never leave him. As the story ends both men got their dream jobs, were very happy, and saw their future together. I really enjoyed this story. There is a lot of longing and want that takes a while to resolve. They both loved each other, almost from the start, but Riley didn’t want the stigma of being stepbrothers and in love to ruin their family. Jeremy didn’t understand why they didn’t have much contact and when their parents finally got them together, he started to see chinks in Riley’s armor that led him to go slowly but finally break through where they could declare their love to everyone. The town and monument also played a role in their reconciliation and there was a very happy ending for them both. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like second chance stories about two men who loved each other but circumstances broke them apart and when they got back together were able to take a chance on finding the happiness that they always wanted.
August 25, 2025
1st person, past tense, dual PoV
Riley Carter (26), chemist
Jeremy Rodriguez (late 20s), interviewing for head football coach at Stony Creek High School
Although this multi-author series is set against the backdrop of Pathfinder's Lake, they all stand alone, this is not a shared universe with character crossover.
This was the book I was most looking forward to of the series and it did not disappoint. I'm a fan of the author so I knew I was going to love this story.
I adored the little meet-cute - Ri was such a cutie patootie as the new kid in town, it's no wonder he caught the attention of Jem and, even though I knew it was coming, the gasp I gasped and way my heart shattered with his when he realized his mother's new boyfriend was his boyfriend's father! *dies a little*
Their reunion was delightful, the tension wasn't overdrawn leaving this a very low-angst book, and the pining that was palpable between them was delicious. The spice was wonderfully done, slightly slower burn, but it was perfectly integrated with the story and didn't overwhelm it. I have to say that while I loved the little moments of repairing and rebuilding their relationship I would have enjoyed a little more heart and vulnerability at times as it occasionally felt like issues were a little too glossed over.
I also felt at times that this was very Jem focused story and while I LOVED his journey, he wound up feeling better developed as a character when compare to Ri, who felt a little like he was just along for the ride at times in his own story. Like Jem, he was at a crossroads with his life and career but that was all but forgotten until the very end of the book, feeling a little slapdash but everything worked out well so I can forgive it with how adorable the epilogue was.
Full disclosure, second chance is not my favourite trope, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how Ri ended things with Jem a decade prior and how it was addressed in the present day. Still, I adored all the little moments that drew them closer together. I found myself grinning like a fool and sighing every couple of pages. I also loved how the legend of the Cheyenne pathfinder and preacher's daughter was integrated into the story.
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Riley Carter (26), chemist
Jeremy Rodriguez (late 20s), interviewing for head football coach at Stony Creek High School
Although this multi-author series is set against the backdrop of Pathfinder's Lake, they all stand alone, this is not a shared universe with character crossover.
This was the book I was most looking forward to of the series and it did not disappoint. I'm a fan of the author so I knew I was going to love this story.
I adored the little meet-cute - Ri was such a cutie patootie as the new kid in town, it's no wonder he caught the attention of Jem and, even though I knew it was coming, the gasp I gasped and way my heart shattered with his when he realized his mother's new boyfriend was his boyfriend's father! *dies a little*
Their reunion was delightful, the tension wasn't overdrawn leaving this a very low-angst book, and the pining that was palpable between them was delicious. The spice was wonderfully done, slightly slower burn, but it was perfectly integrated with the story and didn't overwhelm it. I have to say that while I loved the little moments of repairing and rebuilding their relationship I would have enjoyed a little more heart and vulnerability at times as it occasionally felt like issues were a little too glossed over.
I also felt at times that this was very Jem focused story and while I LOVED his journey, he wound up feeling better developed as a character when compare to Ri, who felt a little like he was just along for the ride at times in his own story. Like Jem, he was at a crossroads with his life and career but that was all but forgotten until the very end of the book, feeling a little slapdash but everything worked out well so I can forgive it with how adorable the epilogue was.
Full disclosure, second chance is not my favourite trope, and I wasn't the biggest fan of how Ri ended things with Jem a decade prior and how it was addressed in the present day. Still, I adored all the little moments that drew them closer together. I found myself grinning like a fool and sighing every couple of pages. I also loved how the legend of the Cheyenne pathfinder and preacher's daughter was integrated into the story.
I was given an ARC and voluntarily wrote an honest review.
August 11, 2025
Riley & Jeremy/Jem
"Love is the way forward."
"I will always be there to help you weather any storm, Jem."
This is the sweetest story I've read in the Pathfinder's Lake series so far (in my opinion, of course). Duckie manages to make all her characters so relatable and so passionate with one another, no matter their past or background.
Riley & Jeremy were stopped from continuing their early relationship because of their parents getting together. Riley never felt that it would be right to continue, even though the things he felt for Jem never went away, despite being without one another for over a decade. He let those feelings turn negative and antagonistic, and the two spent far too long under the impression that they no longer even liked one another.
When they're forced/"heavily encouraged" to spend time with one another, they take that time to hash out the old details and really talk about the whys and who they have grown into. When they let those old feelings take over, they know that their future is each other, even with their initial hesitation with their parents. My favorite moment in the story with that is when Riley's mother says, "So you're telling me... my boys aren't fighting anymore?"🙃😀 I just really enjoyed the all-around love the family shared, beyond the guys' love, but each of the MCs has a loving relationship with their step parent as well, and it made it so sweet.
The Way Home is the best kind of second chance romance, with antagonistic enemies-to-lovers right alongside. I always wonder going into an E2L where the moment of the shift is, and it's always more than one thing that changes the scope of the MC's relationship. I love the way that Duckie writes these moments, because you're just going along enjoying the story, and all of the sudden they're not angry with one another anymore. It's easy to invest in the story when there aren't many starts and stops to the relationship shifts. You can just read all the way through in very little time at all! (OK, I know that's not the case for everyone, but still.) I sincerely loved the book, as I do with any book from Duckie Mack I've read so far.
*I think it'd be fun to see Jeremy's POV from their first meeting, just to capture his initial thoughts of Riley when he first comes to town.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
"Love is the way forward."
"I will always be there to help you weather any storm, Jem."
This is the sweetest story I've read in the Pathfinder's Lake series so far (in my opinion, of course). Duckie manages to make all her characters so relatable and so passionate with one another, no matter their past or background.
Riley & Jeremy were stopped from continuing their early relationship because of their parents getting together. Riley never felt that it would be right to continue, even though the things he felt for Jem never went away, despite being without one another for over a decade. He let those feelings turn negative and antagonistic, and the two spent far too long under the impression that they no longer even liked one another.
When they're forced/"heavily encouraged" to spend time with one another, they take that time to hash out the old details and really talk about the whys and who they have grown into. When they let those old feelings take over, they know that their future is each other, even with their initial hesitation with their parents. My favorite moment in the story with that is when Riley's mother says, "So you're telling me... my boys aren't fighting anymore?"🙃😀 I just really enjoyed the all-around love the family shared, beyond the guys' love, but each of the MCs has a loving relationship with their step parent as well, and it made it so sweet.
The Way Home is the best kind of second chance romance, with antagonistic enemies-to-lovers right alongside. I always wonder going into an E2L where the moment of the shift is, and it's always more than one thing that changes the scope of the MC's relationship. I love the way that Duckie writes these moments, because you're just going along enjoying the story, and all of the sudden they're not angry with one another anymore. It's easy to invest in the story when there aren't many starts and stops to the relationship shifts. You can just read all the way through in very little time at all! (OK, I know that's not the case for everyone, but still.) I sincerely loved the book, as I do with any book from Duckie Mack I've read so far.
*I think it'd be fun to see Jeremy's POV from their first meeting, just to capture his initial thoughts of Riley when he first comes to town.
I received an authorized copy of this book and am volunteering my honest review.
August 11, 2025
3.5 Stars Rounded Up
Duckie Mack is usually a home run hit for me, but this fell a little short for me even though I did enjoy it.
I love a step-sibling forbidden romance when it's done well, and I feel like this one ticked that box. For me to be truly invested, I prefer for the step-siblings to meet before their parents get together and that definitely happened in this book. I liked that they had an established relationship well before their parents announced their relationship.
I also loved the characters themselves. Both Riley and Jeremy were likable characters and it was easy to root for them to get together. I think what was missing for me, however, was seeing them fall for each other. The book started with one strong moment from their past, but other memories and flashbacks were a little lacking. I wanted to see more of what made them fall in love and wanted to really feel that their love was worth fighting for. As it was, I wanted them to be able to work things out, but I wasn't nearly as invested as I usually am when it comes to a Duckie Mack romance.
Overall, this made for an enjoyable quick read and if you're looking for a step-brother romance, this may be perfect for you.
Thank you to the author for an early copy!
Duckie Mack is usually a home run hit for me, but this fell a little short for me even though I did enjoy it.
I love a step-sibling forbidden romance when it's done well, and I feel like this one ticked that box. For me to be truly invested, I prefer for the step-siblings to meet before their parents get together and that definitely happened in this book. I liked that they had an established relationship well before their parents announced their relationship.
I also loved the characters themselves. Both Riley and Jeremy were likable characters and it was easy to root for them to get together. I think what was missing for me, however, was seeing them fall for each other. The book started with one strong moment from their past, but other memories and flashbacks were a little lacking. I wanted to see more of what made them fall in love and wanted to really feel that their love was worth fighting for. As it was, I wanted them to be able to work things out, but I wasn't nearly as invested as I usually am when it comes to a Duckie Mack romance.
Overall, this made for an enjoyable quick read and if you're looking for a step-brother romance, this may be perfect for you.
Thank you to the author for an early copy!
August 26, 2025
I love a good jock/nerd romance and this one didn't disappoint. Riley and Jeremy's story hooked me from the blurb, with their first original meeting and romance, and Riley's self-sacrifice so his mother can be happy, leaving both of them scarred but still tethered together by being family.
The tension between them is delicious, made up of the kind of push and pull that makes every interaction emotionally charged in a way that it jumps off the page. Their parent's meddling to reunite them and force them to work out their relationship is kind of sweet, because they don't know of Riley and Jeremy's past. The author balances tenderness with heat, and makes their reconnection feel inevitable and satisfiying.
Beautifully written, this is a passionate, emotional romance that encapsulates how messy and complex family can be, and how beautiful second chances are.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
The tension between them is delicious, made up of the kind of push and pull that makes every interaction emotionally charged in a way that it jumps off the page. Their parent's meddling to reunite them and force them to work out their relationship is kind of sweet, because they don't know of Riley and Jeremy's past. The author balances tenderness with heat, and makes their reconnection feel inevitable and satisfiying.
Beautifully written, this is a passionate, emotional romance that encapsulates how messy and complex family can be, and how beautiful second chances are.
[I received an advanced copy of this book. All reviews and ratings are my own.]
August 26, 2025
Being with you is easy everything else is noise
What happens when your first love becomes your stepbrother, well if you are Riley, you try and emotionally distance yourself. 10 years on and both Riley and Jeremy still feel the hole in their hearts.
The stepbrother trope is my weakness and I cannot not read a book where the MCs are stepbrothers. However the books I have read usually the stepbrothers have got together after their parents, so this was a pleasant change to what I normally read. As soon as Jeremy steps foot in the cabin I was counting down until one of the snapped and you can feel the sexual tension between them. Even though in their hearts they want each other, them making that final step is not rushed and I loved the build up. As with the other books the scenery plays a big part in the story and I loved that romantic moment by the lake.
This is another good addition to the Pathfinders Lake series and one I will be returning to when I want a stepbrother fix
What happens when your first love becomes your stepbrother, well if you are Riley, you try and emotionally distance yourself. 10 years on and both Riley and Jeremy still feel the hole in their hearts.
The stepbrother trope is my weakness and I cannot not read a book where the MCs are stepbrothers. However the books I have read usually the stepbrothers have got together after their parents, so this was a pleasant change to what I normally read. As soon as Jeremy steps foot in the cabin I was counting down until one of the snapped and you can feel the sexual tension between them. Even though in their hearts they want each other, them making that final step is not rushed and I loved the build up. As with the other books the scenery plays a big part in the story and I loved that romantic moment by the lake.
This is another good addition to the Pathfinders Lake series and one I will be returning to when I want a stepbrother fix
August 18, 2025
Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
I’m with Riley; I would have run too, poor guy. That heartbreak of moving somewhere new as a teenager and finding someone special, only to feel like it’s impossible to be together.
Now they are stuck at the cabin on Pathfinder Lake, thanks to a meddling mom (not cool by the way).
Suddenly finding themselves alone 24-7, it’s hard to keep those feelings locked away. And Jeremy is relentless in trying to embrace the bond.
It’s a sweet story of second chances and acceptance, and I love the future they found for themselves.
I’m with Riley; I would have run too, poor guy. That heartbreak of moving somewhere new as a teenager and finding someone special, only to feel like it’s impossible to be together.
Now they are stuck at the cabin on Pathfinder Lake, thanks to a meddling mom (not cool by the way).
Suddenly finding themselves alone 24-7, it’s hard to keep those feelings locked away. And Jeremy is relentless in trying to embrace the bond.
It’s a sweet story of second chances and acceptance, and I love the future they found for themselves.
August 25, 2025
"The pull tugged at my chest, as if I was connected to a thread and was being drawn by it. We were teetering on the edge of something, Riley and I. Something was building between us. It didn’t have a label, and I didn’t know how it would end, but every fiber of my being told me it was right. Riley and I were right. I’d known it as a teenager and had searched for this feeling my entire life. This thread that stitched us together and pulled us tighter and closer with each step we took.
When the tree line broke to reveal the monument, we both froze. There was power here, an energy that I could feel buzzing beneath my skin. Some force that was woven into the sand and rocks and water. Sacred. It felt sacred. And we had been beckoned by it."
When the tree line broke to reveal the monument, we both froze. There was power here, an energy that I could feel buzzing beneath my skin. Some force that was woven into the sand and rocks and water. Sacred. It felt sacred. And we had been beckoned by it."
August 20, 2025
I adored Riley and Jeremy. Even when I wanted to knock their heads together. Lol.
Riley and Jeremy met when Riley moved to the area. They shared their first kiss, among other things, until the day Riley's mom introduced him to her new man, Jeremy's father. Riley felt he had to break things off, breaking both their hearts. Years later, Jeremy is back applying for a job at his old high school with plans to stay at the family cabin at Pathfinders Lake. And Riley's mom has suggested that he take a vacation at the same cabin.
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. Two guys who had been hurt, who hated to be in the same room, meddling parents, and spice.
Riley and Jeremy met when Riley moved to the area. They shared their first kiss, among other things, until the day Riley's mom introduced him to her new man, Jeremy's father. Riley felt he had to break things off, breaking both their hearts. Years later, Jeremy is back applying for a job at his old high school with plans to stay at the family cabin at Pathfinders Lake. And Riley's mom has suggested that he take a vacation at the same cabin.
There was so much I enjoyed about this book. Two guys who had been hurt, who hated to be in the same room, meddling parents, and spice.
August 19, 2025
rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
feelings: 🥰🥵😍🫠🥹😄
The fifth book in the Pathfinders Lake series is a second chance romance.
Riley and Jeremy are such a sweet couple. The beginning of their love is absolutely swoon-worthy. It broke my heart when they broke up. Following the two of them on the road to their HEA after ten years of separation sent a wave of emotion through me. I love their well-deserved happily ever after!
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
feelings: 🥰🥵😍🫠🥹😄
The fifth book in the Pathfinders Lake series is a second chance romance.
Riley and Jeremy are such a sweet couple. The beginning of their love is absolutely swoon-worthy. It broke my heart when they broke up. Following the two of them on the road to their HEA after ten years of separation sent a wave of emotion through me. I love their well-deserved happily ever after!
August 19, 2025
I am absolutely loving these Pathfinders Lake books! Jeremy and Riley were precious. There was so much hurt in their history, they really had to work through a lot to get their happy ending. Jeremy was such a fun character and I’m glad he was so persistent because Riley was entirely too much in his own head. Low angst, moderate heat, HEA.
This is my honest review of an advanced reader copy.
This is my honest review of an advanced reader copy.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews