Harlow

McKenzie River Boys #2

by Aja Foxx

~ Harlow ~
I spent my life in the small town of McKenzie River, known to many as the gentle giant due to a childhood head injury. Some called me slow, but I was strong, kind-hearted, and fiercely protective of my loved ones. My family, while loving, is often stifling and overly protective. When Deputy Sheriff Daniel Latham arrived in town to work at the local sheriff’s department, I felt an instant attraction. Daniel is so beautiful that it makes me ache, yet fearing my mother's disapproval, I tried to avoid him…until my feelings became undeniable.

~ Daniel ~
I moved to McKenzie River to escape my overbearing parents, who incessantly tried to set me up with women despite knowing I’m gay. I quickly adapted to the quirky small-town life and its residents. From the moment I met Harlow McKenzie, I was captivated by him. However, another deputy warned me to steer clear of Harlow because of his reputation as "the dumb one" in the McKenzie family. Despite this warning, my interest in the sexy giant only grew stronger.

Everything changed when I was injured responding to a police call and Harlow found me hurt in the woods. He carried me back to his home to care for my wounds. As I recovered, an undeniable attraction simmered between us. Yet, trouble loomed not just from Harlow’s overprotective mother, but from a risky case I’m working on. If I can navigate these challenges and win the McKenzie family blessing, I might just find a way to be with Harlow.

Genres: Gay, M M Romance

265 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 21, 2026

Reviews

[tricia]

Truly inspirational.

This is an important subject that never gets spoken about even within the mental health care system that is supposed to advocate for them. I worked with this population for years and this was the one thing that frustrated me to no end. But this isn't about me. In the world where love is love is love, Aja wrote about two individuals who happened to fall in love, in a way that is truly humanizing and poetic, heartbreaking, and transformative. When Harlow asks his Ma why are his feelings of love towards another different from his brothers and she answers because you're special and don't understand the complexities of love and adult relationships, your heart breaks for both of them. Hallows inner monologue throughout the book is inspirational.

[Carla3jg]

¡Qué libro más bonito! ¡No he podido dejar de leerlo! ¡Qué delicadeza a la hora de narrar la historia y trabajar el desarrollo personal de los protagonistas! La ambientación también me encanta y podía sentir que estaba en esa granja, en mitad del bosque. Además, está muy bien tratado el personaje con diversidad funcional y como hace algo tan simple como romper los estereotipos que tienen asociados por su condición mental, en este caso, y nos demuestra que también es un personaje fuerte y válido, aunque su cuerpo y su mente funcionen de una manera divergente. Sin duda alguna ¡Se ha convertido en uno de mis libros favoritos!

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews)]

Harlow, the gentle giant of McKenzie River, has spent his life underestimated and overprotected, even as he quietly longs for Deputy Daniel Latham. Daniel, escaping his own controlling parents, is instantly drawn to Harlow despite warnings about his reputation. When Daniel is injured on a call, Harlow finds him, carries him to safety, and cares for him, deepening the bond between them. As their attraction grows, they must navigate Harlow’s protective family and the dangerous case Daniel is working, hoping they can earn a chance at a future together.

The connection between Harlow and Daniel is impossible to miss — gentle, steady, and growing stronger every time life throws something new at them. Their biggest battle isn’t with each other but with the world around them, especially Harlow’s fiercely protective family, who struggle to accept that someone new might love him just as deeply as they do. Watching the two men fight for the right to be together gives the story a heartfelt emotional core. Layered into their romance is the danger surrounding Daniel’s ongoing case, which slowly tightens around them until both men — and the McKenzie family — are pulled into the centre of the action. The mix of tenderness, tension, and genuine affection makes their journey gripping and full of feeling, and seeing them stand together through it all is incredibly satisfying. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Victoria Olmos]

Quede con el corazón blandito , es una lectura linda y rapida. Harlow es lo más dulce que existe , me dolió el corazon los primeros capítulos de como invalida su propio sentir porque toda la vida fue llamado el "especial, lento" entre otras cosas , solo porque no seguía el patrón normal , o porque se le dificultaba cierta cosas, por esta razón tambien me encanto el otro protagonista Dan , logró verlo a "él" desde el inicio, y le resaltaba lo maravilloso que era .La verdad disfrute mucho su historia y como se fue desarrollando, me agrada que esta autora ( de lo que yo he leído hasta el momento) haga bastante hincapié en el consentimiento y validación de los sentimientos que surgen , que muchas veces los autores lo pasan por encima sobretodo en libros donde surgen romances entre personas del mismo sexo.
Para mi totalmente recomendado es muy soft, con lindo final, el found family de esta serie esta precioso y para ser un libro cortito para mi esta bien llevado.!!!

[Becky A]

Stopped reading at 43%. Loved the characters and the premise, but each POV shift started with the same scene as the previous chapter just told in the new POV. (NOT a fan. It pulls me out of the story EVERY time.) Also, things would be said in one chapter then repeated in the following chapter as if the characters forgot they had discussed it already. Frustrating!

[Rebecca]

a twist of fate

Harlow the gentle giant. Slaying all who underestimate him and tending small animals with care.
Deputy Dan…the wild card that will shine a loving light on Harlow and give the world the finger. A claim that defies doubt and goes straight to the heart.

[Reina González]

Acabo de terminar este libro y tengo que decir: Es mi favorito de esta saga y la más hermosa ❤️. Desde el anterior Harlow me llamó bastante la atención, y tuve curiosidad de saber qué le había pasado. Dan y él son mi pareja #1 me encanta como ambos fueron honestos con sus sentimientos desde el inicio y hacen todo para protegerse entre sí. 😍

[Christopher Babick]

excellent

There was so much detail on this novel. It made for complete understanding of what the characters are feeling and what was going on. I enjoyed it.

[D.]

Nah~

[Aly Jones]

Really good

[William J Fice]

Wow! Great Read!

Wonderful story about love, family, inclusion, being true to your heart, and going for when it comes to love. I can’t wait to read the next book of the series!