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Scorched Earth: An MM Hurt/Comfort Novel
Not yet published
Expected 17 Apr 26
Cooper “LB” Sorenson
The boy I used to be.
The home I used to know.
The happiness I used to feel.
Everything is gone.
Destroyed by the person that was meant to keep me safe.
With nothing left to keep me going, I give in to the demons screaming in my head. That decision lands me back in the arms of the boy, now a man, who has always been everything to me, but I don’t belong here anymore.
I’m damaged.
Broken.
Tainted.
Everett “Teddy” Davenport
The boy I used to know.
The house he made a home.
The joy he used to spread.
All of it disappeared.
In the blink of an eye, I lost him.
Life goes on, but it is a pale comparison to what used to be. When he comes barreling back into my life, I know I can’t lose him again. He doesn’t feel worthy, but I plan to show him that in my arms is where he was always meant to be.
The past tried to incinerate us, but together we can extinguish the flames and revive what once was.
Hostile Exchange is an MM hurt/comfort novel. Intended for mature (18+) audiences only.
The boy I used to be.
The home I used to know.
The happiness I used to feel.
Everything is gone.
Destroyed by the person that was meant to keep me safe.
With nothing left to keep me going, I give in to the demons screaming in my head. That decision lands me back in the arms of the boy, now a man, who has always been everything to me, but I don’t belong here anymore.
I’m damaged.
Broken.
Tainted.
Everett “Teddy” Davenport
The boy I used to know.
The house he made a home.
The joy he used to spread.
All of it disappeared.
In the blink of an eye, I lost him.
Life goes on, but it is a pale comparison to what used to be. When he comes barreling back into my life, I know I can’t lose him again. He doesn’t feel worthy, but I plan to show him that in my arms is where he was always meant to be.
The past tried to incinerate us, but together we can extinguish the flames and revive what once was.
Hostile Exchange is an MM hurt/comfort novel. Intended for mature (18+) audiences only.
Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review: Scorched Earth by Rowan Oliver
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Story with 5-Star Heart
There is something incredibly special about Scorched Earth. It’s a short, intense read that resonated with me on a level that felt deeply personal. It isn't just a romance; it’s a story about survival, loyalty, and the people who become your entire world when the rest of the world fails you.
The Foundations: Parentification and Protection
The book spends a significant portion of the beginning following the MCs as children. While some might find their dialogue mature for their age—like a seven-year-old using phrases like "radiating like the sun"—it made perfect sense to me. Given their family situations, that forced elegance in speech is a hallmark of parentified children. If you can’t relate to why a child would speak that way, consider yourself lucky. As someone who was also parentified, I felt an instant, fierce need to protect Cooper at all costs.
The Dynamic: Short King vs. Teddy Bear
When they finally reunite, the payoff is excellent. I loved the "hate at first sight" energy of their reunion. The character archetypes here are top-tier:
Cooper: Our feisty short king.
Everett: The tall, ginger "Teddy Bear" a literal gay teddy bear who I now adore.
The Romance: It was so refreshing to see no sexuality crisis. They were open-minded and ready to try dating, which is a beautiful change of pace.
Pacing and Structure
This is a lean read with absolutely no filler. While I appreciated that there were no sagging middle parts, the pacing is a whirlwind. At times, the transitions in the character arcs feel a bit instant, moving from one "pinch point" to the next without much breathing room.
Rowan Oliver calls herself a "baby author," and you can see that raw potential here. While it’s not the most flowery writing and the structure isn't "perfect," it’s a great story that understands exactly what it needs to be to move the reader. I found myself flipping pages, completely engrossed, even when my "editor brain" wished for a bit more transition time to sit with these characters.
Final Thoughts
I could not put this book down. The side characters Nyla, Max, and Lane felt necessary and made the world better. If you want a story with high emotional stakes and a "protect them at all costs" vibe, pick this up.
It might not be a "perfect" 5-star technical masterpiece yet, but it is a great story told with a lot of soul. I’m deep in my feelings for Everett and Cooper, and I can't wait to see how this author evolves.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A Story with 5-Star Heart
There is something incredibly special about Scorched Earth. It’s a short, intense read that resonated with me on a level that felt deeply personal. It isn't just a romance; it’s a story about survival, loyalty, and the people who become your entire world when the rest of the world fails you.
The Foundations: Parentification and Protection
The book spends a significant portion of the beginning following the MCs as children. While some might find their dialogue mature for their age—like a seven-year-old using phrases like "radiating like the sun"—it made perfect sense to me. Given their family situations, that forced elegance in speech is a hallmark of parentified children. If you can’t relate to why a child would speak that way, consider yourself lucky. As someone who was also parentified, I felt an instant, fierce need to protect Cooper at all costs.
The Dynamic: Short King vs. Teddy Bear
When they finally reunite, the payoff is excellent. I loved the "hate at first sight" energy of their reunion. The character archetypes here are top-tier:
Cooper: Our feisty short king.
Everett: The tall, ginger "Teddy Bear" a literal gay teddy bear who I now adore.
The Romance: It was so refreshing to see no sexuality crisis. They were open-minded and ready to try dating, which is a beautiful change of pace.
Pacing and Structure
This is a lean read with absolutely no filler. While I appreciated that there were no sagging middle parts, the pacing is a whirlwind. At times, the transitions in the character arcs feel a bit instant, moving from one "pinch point" to the next without much breathing room.
Rowan Oliver calls herself a "baby author," and you can see that raw potential here. While it’s not the most flowery writing and the structure isn't "perfect," it’s a great story that understands exactly what it needs to be to move the reader. I found myself flipping pages, completely engrossed, even when my "editor brain" wished for a bit more transition time to sit with these characters.
Final Thoughts
I could not put this book down. The side characters Nyla, Max, and Lane felt necessary and made the world better. If you want a story with high emotional stakes and a "protect them at all costs" vibe, pick this up.
It might not be a "perfect" 5-star technical masterpiece yet, but it is a great story told with a lot of soul. I’m deep in my feelings for Everett and Cooper, and I can't wait to see how this author evolves.
February 28, 2026
Highlight of the year ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Before going into this, please check the trigger warnings!
This is heavy, but also very healing! ❤️🩹
At the start of this book, you get an inside look at how Everett “Teddy” and Cooper “LB” meet and how they grow up together. The friendship between the two boys at a young age is filled with so much love, happiness, and laughter, even though both of them had rough and difficult childhoods. From the very beginning, they are like brothers.
At the beginning, you’re introduced to how the boys behave and what kind of personalities they have.
Everett is all about love, saying things like: “I promise to spend the rest of our lives loving you enough for the whole world.” [tears 😭 Teddy, you can’t say things like that.]
At the same time, you have Cooper saying: “Parenting grown-ups, as a child, really freaking sucks.” [Tell me about it, my love… tell me about it.]
Prepare yourself for this ride. I mean it.. because I started crying at chapter 7. It just hit me. The way Rowan writes completely pulled me in. All the way in.
And speaking of all the way in! I cried even more throughout the next chapters and the rest of the story. Thank you for destroying me like that! It reminded me again: a hurt/comfort romance hurts you too when it’s written right - damn.. Sometimes I need books like this to give my own feelings an outlet. But I also know there will be comfort and healing along the way, and I need that too.
The internal monologues from LB made me laugh out loud, cringe at times, and cry. Honestly, everything you could hope for.
The way Teddy helps LB heal healed a little piece of my soul too. “I see the most beautiful thing in the world - your survival.” And damn, if that didn’t hit home… 😭
Please, please, please, please, please!!!!!
Read this absolute masterpiece of a book!! I dare you. Read it! I’m serious! 🤔
Thank you! 🫶🏻🥹💖
💝 healing
❤️🩹 hurt/comfort
💝 slow burn
❤️🩹 Ace Rep
💝 sassy internalized monologues
❤️🩹 childhood friends to lovers
February 27, 2026
This was perfection. Our MMCs are so beautifully written in their understanding of each other. LB’s trauma is so heavy and hard to get through so definitely make sure to read the trigger warnings as the author has made it very easy to skip those parts if you wish to. I do feel it adds so much to their story, but also understand why some wouldn’t be able to get through it. Teddy is the greenest of green flags and everything that Teddy needed in his worst moments.
I absolutely loved getting to see their dynamic as children and watch their relationship change from the beginning. “Promise to be nice to each other forever.” I CAN’T. I’m going to start crying again😭 The found family is amazing and hilarious. Mom is everything that baby needed and I’m so happy he got her back.
I know it’s still very early, but I really hope we get to see more of LB and Teddy🖤
I absolutely loved getting to see their dynamic as children and watch their relationship change from the beginning. “Promise to be nice to each other forever.” I CAN’T. I’m going to start crying again😭 The found family is amazing and hilarious. Mom is everything that baby needed and I’m so happy he got her back.
I know it’s still very early, but I really hope we get to see more of LB and Teddy🖤
March 1, 2026
Wow! I had to collect myself before I could write this. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, I cried! This was such a heartfelt story that hit on so many different issues. If I could have read this in one sitting, I would have. The author did a fantastic job at developing the characters. There was a variety of representation in the characters and their own stories themes. I highly recommend reading this.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I started this book in the middle of the night, in hopes that it would help get me back to sleep. Then I read the whole thing.
This book proves that sometimes people come crashing into your life for the better. This book explores romantic love, platonic love, & the importance of found family. This book is full of love, through the good times and the bad times.
This book proves that sometimes people come crashing into your life for the better. This book explores romantic love, platonic love, & the importance of found family. This book is full of love, through the good times and the bad times.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews