Welcoming the Recluse

Forestville Silver Foxes #7

by Nora Phoenix

I’m a man on a mission to stay as far away from everyone else as possible. I have too much damage as a veteran, and this is the only way to keep those I love safe—especially Boden, my teenage son, whom I haven’t seen in years.

I find a quiet spot on top of a mountain where no one bothers me. Until Arek shows up, the local doctor and a single dad to teenage twins. I help him with an emergency, but something happens. There’s a spark, a connection between us I’ve never felt before.

We become friends, and slowly but surely, he’s the reason I come down the mountain. Even though I’ve never been attracted to a man, I’m very much into Arek, and our friendship grows into more.

But the past never stays in the past, and if I want a future with Arek, I’ll have to deal with the mistakes I’ve made. Can I repair what I broke, or is it too late to find healing?

Welcoming the Recluse is a super slow burn, friends-to-lovers MM romance set in a small town, featuring two older single dads, a bi awakening, and all the hurt/comfort. This is book 7 in the Forestville Silver Foxes series but can be read as a standalone. Please mind the content warnings in the front of the book.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Slow Burn, Friends To Lovers, LGBT, Mental Health, Fiction

398 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2026

About the author

Would you like the long or the short version of my bio?

The short? You got it.

I write steamy gay romance books and I love it. I also love reading books. Books are everything.

How was that?

A little more detail? Gotcha.

I started writing my first stories when I was a teen…on a freaking typewriter. I still have these, and they’re adorably romantic. And bad, haha. Fear of failing kept me from following my dream to become a romance author, so you can imagine how proud and ecstatic I am that I finally overcame my fears and self doubt and did it. I adore my genre because I love writing and reading about flawed, strong men who are just a tad broken..but find their happy ever after anyway.

My favorite books to read are pretty much all MM/gay romances as long as it has a happy end. Kink is a plus… Aside from that, I also read a lot of nonfiction and not just books on writing. Popular psychology is a favorite topic of mine and so are self help and sociology.

Hobbies? Ain’t nobody got time for that. Just kidding. I love traveling, spending time near the ocean, and hiking. But I love books more.

Come hang out with me in my Facebook Group Nora’s Nook where I share previews, sneak peeks, freebies, fun stuff, and much more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/noras...

Wanna get first dibs on freebies, updates, sales, and more? Sign up for my newsletter (no spamming your inbox full…promise!) here: http://www.noraphoenix.com/newsletter/

You can also stalk me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NoraFromBHR
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nora.phoenix/
On Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nora-...

Reviews

[❀ Jess]

DNF@ 36%
Disclaimer: this is honestly just me ranting at this point.

I'm not going to be throwing out any allegations but i'm going to point out that this writing style is awfully different than the last book i've read by this author. It's not an improvement and it's the same type of writing that's made me lose interest in a lot of books being released recently.

Aside from that, I didn't care for the MCs. I had an extremely hard time empathizing with Mac especially. Contrary to what the author wants us to believe I found Mac to be selfish.

"Five years of voluntary exile from his own child, not out of indifference or selfishness but out of a love so fierce and so terrified that it had consumed itself."

Five years with no contact with his ex wife and his child because he had a flashback and woke from it pining his wife to the bed by her arms while she screamed his name to rouse him. He thinks over and over (multiple chapters) that he left because he can't stomach the thought that he could've hurt his son had he been the one to wake him.

There's no mention of trying to sleep in separate rooms with the door locked, no mentions of getting a divorce and moving to a different apartment but still seeing his kid without sleep overs, no mentions of any alternative things done to try to remain in his child's life. No calling the ex wife to speak to the son, no talking to the ex wife for updates, I just can't see it. He texts the ex wife after FIVE YEARS and she responds with open arms about wanting to let him back into the son's life as long as he's going to stay and be present, there's no animosity between them no reason for him not to at least have been keeping tabs through her.

And this is supposed to be a romance book!I couldn't even tell if Mac loved his wife, if leaving HER was hard for him. I couldn't get a read on him aside from being someone who struggled with PTSD and has abandoned his son for 5 years because of it. 😵‍💫

And Arek, this is the first thing we're told about his love life. My last hookup had been eight months ago at a medical conference in Portland. A man whose name I remembered, for some reason, but whose face I wouldn’t be able to pick out of a crowd. We’d flip-fucked each other’s brains out in his hotel room, and I’d left before the cum on my skin had dried. It had been quick, efficient, and mutually understood to be exactly what it was: a pressure valve. I didn't need these exact details Arek! 😩

Anyway! I loved Jules and Kace (Arek's kids) they were the best part for me. 🥰 I wanted to keep pushing on to see Mac rekindle with his kid but the more I was subjected to his chapters the less empathy I was feeling, the repetition really hammered in FIVE YEARS OF SILENCE,YO. ✌🏻

[Cadiva]

One of my favourites in the series

This was such a lovely romance between two men who needed to learn how to let someone else help shoulder the burdens of life.

I adored the twins, I loved Mac and how he slowly undid all his walls and reached out to try and help himself so he could be better for those around him.

And I loved how Arek learnt that he didn't have to be everything for everyone else at the expense of his own needs.

[ML]

This series is so good. I love the little universe of Forestville.

Since this book is not out yet. Good reads isn’t letting me do the stars ⭐️ I’ll do a RTC as a place holder.
It’s 5 stars ⭐️ very charming and sweet story with many hot scenes because it IS Nora after all 🙌🏻🙌🏻

[Joyfully Jay]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Welcoming the Recluse is the seventh installment in the Forestville Silver Foxes series by Nora Phoenix. While the earlier books featured a close friend group and more interconnected characters, the more recents books have branched out and stand alone quite well. While we do see Fraser appear here occasionally as Mac’s friend, and some of the other silver foxes have cameos, this one works quite well independently. I really enjoy this series and this one turned out to be one of my favorites. There is a warmth and a really lovely tone to this series and Welcoming the Recluse highlights it really well.

This was one of my favorite installments in the series. I loved the dynamic between Arek and Mac, as well as the sweet, warm tone, with plenty of sexiness that is the hallmark of this series.

Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.

[Donna]

This series has totally worked for me, but... I am 65 years old and love to see people in their elder years get their HEA!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[Love Is All Around]

Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI LADY MARMELADE
Questo settimo volume della serie è forse il più completo dal punto di vista della trama, che viaggia sui piani diversi dei due personaggi, che hanno ognuno un percorso da definire e un passato da metabolizzare che rende la psicologia dei personaggi molto ben caratterizzata.
Macallister Heald è un veterano ex paracadutista con un disturbo da stress post traumatico che non ha trovato modo di essere gestito; a causa di ciò è letteralmente scappato dalla sua famiglia, dalla ex moglie dal figlio Boden, per paura di poterli ferire fisicamente durante una delle sue crisi.
Mac si è rifugiato a Forestville e vive come un eremita in un vecchio campeggio composto da bungalow da ristrutturare, che piano piano sta riportando in vita.
Una volta finito lo vedrà e se ne andrà da un’altra parte lontano da tutti.
Scende poco in città, giusto per fare provviste, ma tutti lo hanno notato visto il fisico massiccio e la sua tendenza a stare lontano dalle persone.
A causa di un incidente che ha avuto per protagonista uno dei figli del dottor Arek, anche lui membro relativamente nuovo di Forestville, Mac e Arek entrano in contatto e per entrambi la vita cambia e in meglio.
Prima di incontrare il medico e i suoi figli Mac era contento della sua solitudine e vita da segregato in montagna, ma ora le cose stanno cambiando.
Continua sul nostro blog!

[Lila]

This might be my favourite of the series

Sometimes the quiet can be more powerful than any words spoken. I feel like this came close to perfect for this series. However, once again, I have to mention the same complaints.

For a veteran dealing with PTSD (for at least the last 12 years) the way he got “better” is highly suspect to me. The way Biden reacted (I know it plays like him being angry and whatever at first, but there was not much evidence of that) and how, once again, both him and Mac reacted to him being with another man (wouldn’t it be normal to expect a pause?!). I just can’t get over how tolerant everyone supposedly are (even though apparently homophobia exists in this universe).

[Sarah☀️ Somerville]

I preferred Nora Phoenix’s previous writing style.

[Bear_reads_romance]

This is definitely my favorite of the series, I love Mac. He's trying so hard and its definitely not easy and Arek is just simply there for him and Mac a rock for Arek. I love the relationship Mac has with Jules and Kace, and him getting to repair things with his son had me so emotional.

[Alexis]

OLDER MC's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes pls. Ok, so this was so sweet and so wholesome, I loved getting to see Mac sort of slowly begin to take more initiative in his healing and his relationship with his son!!!!! SO GOOD. I loved Arek too, though I wished we had gotten just a little bit more of where his mind was at when he had his breaking point and sort of his feelings after that? It just seemed a little too clean like he had a breakdown and then was super willing to accept help and make changes in his life? Idk probably just a me thing!! Overall, I loved their relationship a lot, I liked how the whole time Mac was aware he was becoming part of Arek's family with his kids and that made him realize that he needed to sort his own family out and reconnect. I also loved how Mac's ex was still super kind to him after everything and he was welcomed easily to start making his amends with his son.

This was great tbh, idk if i will read any others in the series bc a 7 book series with related books is overwhelming but this one was definitely a winner!!!

[Vfields Don't touch my happy!]

I’ve enjoyed this series but this installment was an absolute winner for me. I was captivated by both protagonists. Their chemistry was simple without unnecessary drama. They each had battles to wage and the way they each assisted the other yet didn’t dominate was charming. The usage of past characters was realistic in the best way. Now, the funniest and most delicious aspect of this tale were the sons. They were the best catalyst for the most human parts of this book. I utterly enjoyed this book.
I know I loved a book when I’m annoyed when it’s over.

[Tonya ✨]

this was just so freaking heartwarming and I love everything about this.

[~BookNeeds~]

I could not put this book down. I’m loving this author. Her stories are so drama free. I loved the openness and communication between the mc’s.

[Marika Schiavone]

Recensione di Marika per Marika.bookblogger

Macallister Heald è un veterano cinquantenne che porta sulle spalle un peso notevole e un Disturbo da Stress Post Traumatico con il quale combatte ogni singolo giorno. Per questo l'uomo ha scelto una vita di solitudine, tenendosi occupato nel corso della ristrutturazione del campeggio in montagna, vicino alla cittadina di Forestville, ormai diventato la sua casa. Attorno a sé Macallister ha eretto alti muri, che sembrano essere invalicabili. Pur di proteggere le persone che ama, Mac ha deciso di allontanarsi da tutto e da tutti, incluso suo figlio Boden. Tuttavia, provare a rimanere soli a lungo in una piccola città come Forestville sembra essere un'impresa difficoltosa. Specie quando, durante un'emergenza, Mac aiuta Arek Jacobson, medico e padre di due adolescenti gemelli. Questo incontro casuale avvicina i due uomini in un modo totalmente inaspettato per entrambi e, poco per volta, una flebile amicizia inizia a sbocciare. Ben presto Mac inizia a scendere dalla sua montagna per Arek e a scoprire nuovi lati di sé, di cui non era a conoscenza, come l'attrazione per il bel dottore. Ma il passato torna sempre a bussare alla porta di ognuno e tutto ciò che resta da fare a Mac è chiudere i conti lasciati a lungo in sospeso. Riuscirà il veterano a ricomporre i pezzi di sé che la guerra ha distrutto, oppure lascerà che il dolore lo trascini lontano in un abisso senza fine? Correte a procurarvi una copia di Un eremita da accogliere di Nora Phoenix, per scoprire la meravigliosa storia di Macallister e Arek.
Mi limito a questi brevi cenni riguardo alla trama di questo Romance Male to Male della serie I Silver Fox di Forestville che sto amando alla follia, per evitare spoiler fastidiosi. Ogni volume, autoconclusivo e perfettamente godibile singolarmente come stand alone, è una nuova scoperta, nonché un crescendo di emozioni che riempiono il cuore e portano il lettore in una dimensione che non ha paragoni. È come se, con ogni libro, l'autrice alzasse un'asticella e, credetemi, anche con questo libro, la mia aspettativa è stata soddisfatta pienamente. La penna di Phoenix, alla quale sono profondamente affezionata e che seguo da anni, oramai, scorre piacevole e coinvolgente, pagina dopo pagina. Il ritmo è incalzante e la narrazione perfettamente equilibrata in ogni sua parte. Lo stile è diretto, appassionante e leggero, senza descrizioni superflue o ampollose. In questi capitoli il lettore viene rapito e trascinato al fianco dei protagonisti, per vivere con loro ogni singolo istante delle loro vite. Dire che ho amato da impazzire sia Mac che Arek è riduttivo e lo stesso vale per Kace, Jules e Boden. Mi hanno letteralmente rubato il cuore, lo hanno stretto in una morsa per poi rilasciarlo gradualmente e, infine, mi hanno fatta sentire parte della loro famiglia. L'amore, l'affetto e il sentimento che traspare da questa storia sono unici e senza metro di paragone. Una volta iniziata la lettura non avrei voluto staccarmi dal kindle per nessuna ragione al mondo, ritrovandomi con i lacrimoni agli occhi, travolta dalla commozione e dalla gioia. Giunta alla fine, però, non mi sentivo per niente pronta a separarmi dai protagonisti, non avrei voluto lasciarli andare. Sono molti anche i sorrisi che mi hanno regalato, insieme a una sensazione di calore e serenità. Ma, come anticipato da Nora Phoenix stessa nei trigger warning (di cui vi invito a prendere visione), non si tratta di un cammino semplice e superficiale, specie per le tematiche affrontate in modo realistico e curato, quali il PTSD e l'esaurimento, quindi problemi legati alla salute psicologica. La relazione fra Mac e Arek nasce in punta di piedi, per fiorire gradualmente a lenta cottura e in modo totalmente realistico e coinvolgente. Le loro sensazioni e i loro sentimenti sono contagiosi, impossibile non emozionarsi insieme a loro. Entrambi i protagonisti sono due uomini maturi, ben caratterizzati, con pregi, difetti e sentimenti, che possiamo conoscere strada facendo, grazie al doppio punto di vista narrativo. Anche Kace, Jules e Boden sono a dir poco fantastici, questi tre adolescenti mi sono entrati sottopelle insieme a Mac e Arek, conquistando un posto speciale in un angolo del mio cuore. Sono tutti e cinque meravigliosi e unici, mi hanno fatta emozionare tantissimo e affezionarsi è stato inevitabile. Quante volte avrei voluto abbracciarli, o semplicemente trascorrere del tempo in loro compagnia per ridere e scherzare insieme. Nora Phoenix è, a parer mio, una maestra nel dar vita a personaggi curati benissimo dal punto di vista psicologico, riuscendo a renderli verosimili, pur essendo parte di un universo narrativo di fantasia. Inoltre, l'intreccio narrativo procede lineare e appassionante, soprattutto grazie alla meticolosa traduzione di Mary Vitrano, che riesce a rendere in modo ottimale lo splendido stile narrativo di Phoenix in italiano. Un altro elemento che amo delle tecniche di scrittura dell'autrice è la scelta di formare la coppia con le giuste tempistiche, non troppo presto, né alla fine del romanzo. In questo modo, i due uomini affrontano, passo dopo passo, i problemi quotidiani così come gli imprevisti, oltre che come singoli individui, anche in coppia. E questo è un fattore che, a gusto personale, non dovrebbe mai mancare in un Romance M/M contemporaneo. Potrei continuare a parlare per ore e ore di quanto io abbia amato profondamente Un eremita da accogliere; il mio coinvolgimento e le sensazioni che ha scatenato in me, sono tali da ammettere che è uno dei migliori romanzi di genere che io abbia letto negli ultimi anni. I Silver Fox di Forestville è una scoperta continua, che non smetterà mai di farmi sognare e vivere momenti bellissimi. A ogni modo, se siete alla ricerca di un volume intenso emotivamente e autoconclusivo, che vi racconti la storia di due uomini maturi e meravigliosi, alle prese con dei ragazzi adolescenti, ma anche con temi delicati e un amore totalizzante a cottura lenta, non potete perdervi per nessuna ragione Un eremita da accogliere di Nora Phoenix. A me non resta che continuare a portare con me il ricordo di questa lettura fantastica, che mi ha riempito il cuore e aspettare curiosa una nuova pubblicazione dell'autrice, che è per me sinonimo di garanzia.
Per me sono 5 stelle, ma solo perché non posso darne molte di più!

[Naia Sterne]

Io vorrei sapere chi ha dato a Nora Phoenix il permesso di prendere due uomini adulti, pieni di problemi, metterli in una cittadina dove apparentemente tutti conoscono tutti e trasformare il tutto in una seduta collettiva di terapia emotiva. Perché Un Eremita da Accogliere è esattamente questo.

Solo che è anche una storia d’amore. E una storia di famiglia. E di seconde possibilità. E di persone che, a un certo punto della propria vita, si rendono conto che continuare a sopravvivere non è esattamente la stessa cosa che vivere. E io, ovviamente, sono qui a fare finta di non essermi commossa in diversi punti.

Da una parte abbiamo Mac.
Mac è un veterano che vive praticamente come un orso in letargo su una montagna, lontano da tutti, perché è convinto che stare lontano dalle persone sia il modo migliore per proteggerle da lui stesso. Ha costruito una vita fatta di silenzio, solitudine e lavori da fare con le mani, probabilmente perché affrontare i propri sentimenti è molto più complicato che ristrutturare un campeggio. Il problema è che Mac non è solo. Ha un figlio che gli manca da morire e una famiglia da cui si è allontanato pensando di fare la cosa giusta.

E qui arriva Arek. Medico, padre single, due figli adolescenti e una quantità di responsabilità che se le avesse messe in una lista probabilmente avrebbe dovuto allegare un secondo foglio. Arek è quello che deve sistemare tutto. Quello che aiuta tutti.
Quello che si accorge se qualcuno ha bisogno di qualcosa prima ancora che quella persona lo sappia. Quello che, naturalmente, non si accorge che forse sarebbe il caso che qualcuno si occupasse ANCHE di lui.

Perché evidentemente nella letteratura MM abbiamo stabilito che due uomini emotivamente distrutti non possono semplicemente incontrarsi e prendere un caffè.
Devono prima passare attraverso il trauma, la paura, il senso di colpa, l'isolamento, la famiglia, l'autodistruzione e una quantità di conversazioni capaci di farmi rivalutare la mia stessa capacità di comunicare con gli esseri umani. E la cosa che ho amato di più è che tra Mac e Arek non succede tutto in cinque minuti.

Niente “ti ho visto dall'altra parte della stanza e adesso sei l'amore della mia vita”. Questi due si conoscono. Si osservano. Diventano amici. Si fanno spazio. Imparano lentamente a fidarsi. E poi, quasi senza accorgersene, si ritrovano a essere importanti l'uno per l'altro.
È una relazione che cresce piano, ma non perché l'autrice stia tirando per le lunghe la storia: perché questi due uomini hanno bisogno di tempo.
Mac deve capire che chiedere aiuto non significa essere pericoloso.
Arek deve capire che prendersi cura degli altri non può significare sparire completamente da se stesso.

E in mezzo ci sono i figli.
Che, grazie al cielo, non sono i classici ragazzini inseriti nella storia solo per creare drammi artificiali. Sono personaggi veri, con le loro reazioni, i loro dubbi, le loro simpatie e soprattutto con una capacità di leggere gli adulti che in certi momenti mi ha fatto pensare che forse dovremmo semplicemente affidare a loro la gestione di qualche relazione sentimentale.
Boden, in particolare, mi ha spezzato il cuore.
Perché il rapporto con Mac non viene risolto con un abbraccio e due frasi strappalacrime.
C'è rabbia. C'è dolore. Ci sono cose che devono essere dette e soprattutto c'è la necessità di ricostruire qualcosa che si è rotto. Ed è proprio questo che ho trovato bello: nessuno viene magicamente “aggiustato” dall'amore.

Mac non guarisce perché arriva Arek. Arek non smette di crollare perché arriva Mac.
Si aiutano, sì, ma devono comunque fare il lavoro difficile su sé stessi. E questa cosa, per me, fa una differenza enorme. Poi c'è il tema della scoperta della propria attrazione per un uomo, che viene trattato con una naturalezza che se da un lato ho apprezzato molto, dall'altro avrei voluto fosse approfondita maggiormente, perché si, Mac accetta di essere bisessuale ma, secondo il mio parere, un uomo che passati i cinquant'anni si scopre bisessuale ci spenderebbe più tempo. Si farebbe qualche pensiero in più nell'analizzarsi.

Nessun melodramma infinito, nessuna crisi esistenziale lunga quanto la Divina Commedia. È semplicemente qualcosa che Mac scopre di sé e che deve imparare a comprendere. E forse è proprio questa la parola che mi viene in mente pensando a tutto il libro: comprendere. Comprendere l'altro. Comprendere se stessi. Comprendere che una persona può aver fatto qualcosa di sbagliato senza essere irrimediabilmente sbagliata. Comprendere che tornare indietro non significa necessariamente tornare a essere quelli di prima.

E sì, a questo punto vi starete chiedendo: ma allora dov'è l'ironia?
Ragazz*, sono due uomini over 40 che hanno bisogno di una quantità industriale di terapia, comunicazione e buon senso e che nel frattempo devono gestire figli adolescenti, lavoro, traumi e una relazione che cresce alla velocità di un bradipo.
L'ironia è già tutta lì.

Ma soprattutto c'è Forestville. È una cittadina che considero praticamente una casa vacanze emotiva. Perché c'è certezza che fra quelle strade qualcuno ci farà affezionare, qualcuno ci farà arrabbiare e qualcuno ci costringerà a tirare fuori i fazzoletti. In questa storia sono stati Mac e Arek. E devo dire che, tra tutti i “broken men” che ho incontrato nei romance, questi due mi sono piaciuti proprio perché non hanno bisogno di essere salvati da qualcun altro. Hanno bisogno di qualcuno che rimanga, hanno bisogno di qualcuno che li spinga a volersi salvare.
E a quanto pare era esattamente quello di cui avevo bisogno anch'io.

Una cosa che non ho apprezzato completamente è la risoluzione del rapporto fra Mac e suo figlio, che ho trovato eccessivamente idilliaca. Trovo estremamente difficile che un ragazzino di sedici anni che si ritrova davanti un uomo che non vede da anni accetti senza alcun tipo di eccesso emotivo che suo padre se ne fosse andato, che ora sia un individuo completamente diverso e che negli anni della sua assenza sia stato vicino ad altri due ragazzini. Secondo me, troppo utopico e questa mancanza, per me, di veridicità, mi ha un po' rovinato il momento finale.

[Kim]

Macallister Heald is an army veteran with PTSD who self-isolates to protect others. He’s been living on the mountain, restoring an old campground and mostly keeping to himself except for necessary trips into town for supplies.

Arek Jacobson is a newer Doctor in town. He's a single dad with two teenage boys. Mac and Arek’s paths crossed once in a very casual way and then in two more intense interactions. And it’s enough to make Arek want to be friends and possibly find ways to help him deal with his issues.

I really felt for Mac because he was basically trapped in his own self-isolation. He wanted to be able to have connections. He missed his son. But he didn’t want to ever do anything to hurt them, so he hurt himself in a self-sacrificing way and stayed out of people's lives.

Arek is kind, empathetic, and also dealing with his own issues he tries to hide. He is an overthinker, caretaker, fixer, and running on empty between work and his home life. I loved his relationships with his twins and enjoyed seeing the differences in the twins' personalities.

As a tenuous friendship and deeper connection develop between Arek and Mac, so does an attraction and need for touch and care. I really liked these two guys together. They were both mature, caring, and really needed the connection, but at the same time were afraid of it. Seeing them be vulnerable and understand each other touched my heart.

It’s a new friends-to-lovers, bisexual awakening, hurt-comfort, small town, romance about healing, connection, and found family. This was such a beautiful and heartfelt story. These two men seemed so opposite, but they both had built up these big walls and put on these façades for others to protect themselves and used coping strategies to just get through life. But as they started to truly see under their facades and their walls just started to crack apart, it’s just so emotional and intense at times.

From the little interactions to a burgeoning friendship to an unexpected attraction, bi-awakening, and relationship, it was just a very organic process. And then when you pulled in the aspects of each of them having teenage sons, it added a whole other layer to their lives. I loved seeing the family moments and seeing Mac's World just open up and change, and seeing Arek finally allow people to help take care of him instead of being the caretaker for everyone else. These men found something meaningful to help take away their loneliness and fear of not being enough, but it also meant a lot to the sons, so the found family and the whole becoming part of the community aspects is as important as the love story. I honestly think this is my favorite of the series, and it took me by surprise how invested in them I was.

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[Isel4books]

Sono arrivata al settimo volume di questa serie che definirla con un semplice aggettivo non le rende giustizia.
Nora Phoenix è un’autrice di cui ho letto tutto ciò che di suo è stato tradotto in lingua italiana, ha uno stile strepitoso che cattura l’attenzione di chi la legge fin dalla prima parola. Ciò che mi piace di lei è che non basa le sue storie solo su uomini giovani e sexy, ma anche su uomini che superano i quarant'anni con i loro capelli striati di grigio e la sofferenza sul corpo per ciò che la vita gli ha fatto affrontare.
Mac e Arek sono questi due uomini che non sono più giovanissimi, ma con alle spalle dolore, sofferenza e decisioni drastiche prese non per egoismo, ma per l’amore che hanno nel cuore.
Entrambi si incontrano in questa meravigliosa cittadina, Forestville, e fin dal loro primo sguardo qualcosa serpeggia non solo nell’aria, ma anche nei loro cuori.

E sotto tutto quello, la forte carica emotiva. Era nel modo in cui gli occhi di Mac continuavano a trovare i miei dall’altra parte del tavolo. Non erano gli sguardi cauti o lanciati di sottecchi a cui mi ero abituato, ma diretti, fissi, quelli di un uomo che guardava qualcuno che voleva guardare senza fingere il contrario. Era nel modo in cui la sua mano era appoggiata sul tavolo, a quindici centimetri dalla mia, così vicina che lo spazio tra le due sembrava elettrico. Era nel modo in cui ascoltava Kace, con quella sua concentrazione intensa, e poi mi guardava, e qualcosa nella sua espressione si ammorbidiva, come se i ragazzi, il cibo e la tavola facessero tutti parte di qualcosa che lui si stava concedendo di desiderare. Lo sentii nella mia pelle. Ogni sguardo, ogni quasi-contatto, ogni momento in cui l’aria tra noi diventava densa e calda. Avevo passato settimane ad allenarmi per non leggere quei segnali, a non fidarmi della mia percezione, a non sperare. Ma in quell’istante i segnali erano così forti che soffocavano ogni mia obiezione razionale, e la speranza che provavo da quando mi ero trovato in sala relax con Fir stava sfociando in qualcosa che riuscivo a malapena a contenere.

Affronteranno momenti che non definiscono qualcosa eppure li portano a diventare amici e da qui sarà tutto uno scoprire ciò che accade o potrebbe accadere. Le parole, i gesti, gli sguardi sono testimoni di un sentimento che è stato lì, forse, da subito, ma che ha avuto bisogno di metabolizzare senza scossoni prima di inchinarsi a lui.
Per me ritornare a Forestville è sempre una meravigliosa gioia e vivere le giornate così come le vivono protagonisti nuovi o quelli già visti negli altri volumi è assolutamente fantastico.
Una lettura che consiglio di non perdere e recuperare i titoli precedenti perché ognuno regalerà pure emozioni.

Alla prossima 😘

[Alchimia DelleParole]

Siamo al settimo libro della serie, a cui vanno aggiunte le novelle correlate, e oramai possiamo festeggiare almeno una dozzina di coppie gay! È sempre bello tornare a casa e oramai, dopo tante pagine lette ambientate a Forestville, sembra davvero di conoscere tutti, dalla panettiera Brianna fino allo sceriffo Frant. La piccola cittadina è il rifugio ideale per chi vuole essere solo e vivere da eremita e per chi cerca la sicurezza dei piccoli centri per crescere dei bambini. Arek con i figli gemelli vive da alcuni anni a forestville ed è uno dei medici della città. Pare che la sua vita si scandita dal dover fare sempre qualcosa per gli altri, a scapito della sua salute. (Piccolo inciso: in una famiglia con figli all’inizio dell’adolescenza è normale svegliarsi già stressati solo all’idea di dover affrontare e contemporaneamente sopportare le nuove trovate della prole.)
Arek vive per i figli e per il lavoro, mai per se stesso. Mac si è messo in disparte dalla vita sociale per paura di se stesso. È un veterano con tutti gli onori della battaglia e gli oneri del disturbo post traumatico. Sta sulla montagna da solo, astioso contro il mondo per paura di essere nel posto sbagliato e di diventare un mostro, di rivivere i momenti che lo hanno fatto fuggire.
Le ragioni dei due uomini, maturi di quarantacinque e cinquantuno, nel vivere la vita in quel modo sono chiare, così come è ben esplicitato quali paure abbiano e quali siano i motivi che li portano a isolarsi dal mondo. Affrontano la stessa solitudine ma in modo diverso: Mac mettendo chilometri di roccia tra sé e il resto del genere umano, Arek immergendosi fino a soffocare nella vita cittadina facendosi fagocitare dai doveri ed estendendoli oltre il loro normale orario.
Il loro è un istant love che impiega qualche settimana per essere riconosciuto, soprattutto da Mac fino a quel momento sicuro di essere etero.
Il loro rapporto cresce piano, è fatto di vicinanza cercata, di umanità che li contagia, di piccoli passi che costano tanta fatica e presa di coscienza profonda. Entrambi devono toccare il fondo per potersi donare all’altro, devono mettere a nudo i loro limiti per superarli sapendo di avere a fianco una figura innamorata e il calore familiare.
L’happy ending è completo e totale, proprio come Nora ci ha abituato e non so se in parte si legga qualcosa di autobiografico (ho letto di recente un post social in cui l’autrice parla della sua famiglia), ma è andato oltre le mie aspettative. Non so se la serie preveda altre novelle o libri… chi lo sa? Ma la certezza è che in questa piccola città vicina a Seattle sia facile trovare l’amore tinto dei colori dell’arcobaleno e sia possibile vivere in modo aperto e senza paura la propria sessualità.
Buona lettura!
Annalisa

[Ana Silva]

Just when I think this series can’t get any better, it does. I’m not fond of slow burns but I will read anything Nora writes and this book was a pure masterpiece.

From the way they met to the point where they blended their families, this story had me glued to each page. It was a baby steps relationship full of deep emotional connection that went beyond the physical attraction.

Mac exiled himself to the mountains in order to keep himself from hurting people the around him. It only took one incident for him to realize he was a danger to his own family. He knew they’d be better off without him but he didn’t count on how much that decision would affect his son.

The fear of not being able to control his PTSD episodes was the catalyst for him to make such a drastic decision. He thought being up on the mountains and away from people would be the cure to his problem. And it was, until he met Arek.

Meeting the town’s doctor was not part of his plans. Not only because Mac didn’t want to mingle with people, but also because he was straight. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine himself being attracted to another man.

But something about Arek made Mac feel seen and understood. When things got too loud, it was Arek the one who helped him quiet them down. Arek grounded him in ways nothing else could.

Arek was gone for Mac from the very first moment their eyes met. Mac’s quiet demeanor and need to be on his own, called out to Arek in a way he couldn’t understand. He recognized the broken man in front of him but also the man who was doing his best to keep afloat.

Having his own demons to battle, Arek was suffering just as much. The difference was that he hid it too well until he couldn’t anymore. And this time it was Mac the one who brought him back from his spiral.

Arek was doing too much for everyone but himself. He was stretching himself out so thing, that eventually he broke. But this time he wasn’t alone to deal with the aftermath.

These two broken men never imagined they could find a way to heal themselves by being together, but they did. Each one was there to support one another when life just seemed to be too much.

I loved that they worked so hard to get better and become the best version of themselves for those they loved. It wasn’t an easy, magic fix, it was a work in progress.

“𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾.” 𝓗𝓲𝓼 𝓱𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓮𝓷𝓮𝓭 𝓸𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓼𝓽. “𝓘 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓼𝓸 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓲𝓽 𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓼 𝓶𝓮 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼.”
“𝓖𝓸𝓸𝓭. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰𝓼 𝔀𝓸𝓻𝓽𝓱 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓾𝓼𝓾𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓭𝓸.”

Thank you Nora for writing such beautiful, relatable characters. Thank you for shining light on the difficult topic of PTSD. It isn’t a choice, it’s a sickness and as such, it needs to be treated.

[Alexandra]

this resonated with my tired little soul in a way no other book in this series managed to. i have such a soft spot for stories where two people the world has written off as "damaged" find each other and slowly help each other heal.

i connected more with mac, mostly because i thought he had the stronger character arc. his story was messy, bittersweet, and painfully human. he's a man with PTSD who, after a flashback causes him to hurt his wife, panics, abandons his family, and disappears into the mountains near Forestville. was it a terrible decision? absolutely. but people are flawed, trauma makes people do irrational things, and not everyone makes the right choice in the worst moment of their life. i'd rather read about imperfect people trying to become better than perfect people making all the right decisions.

call me soft, but i also believe everyone deserves a second chance once they finally pull their head out of their ass.

what i loved most was that his son didn't turn into the stereotypical "i hate you forever!" kid. he didn't magically forgive mac, and he definitely didn't let him off the hook, but he was mature enough to understand that relationships can be repaired if both people are willing to do the work. honestly? that kid had more emotional intelligence than half the adults i've read about.

arek's kids were adorable too. i love it when fictional children are... you know... actual children instead of tiny demons sent to personally ruin my reading experience.

yes, byron, i'm **still** talking about you.

i also really appreciated how the bi awakening was handled. there was no unnecessary internalized homophobia, no endless existential crisis, no "oh no, my entire identity is collapsing!" drama. attraction was treated as... attraction. normal, natural, and not something that needed twenty chapters of self-loathing. weirdly, that felt far more refreshing than turning it into a massive issue.

and arek and mac? i adored them together. the quiet support, the protectiveness, the patience, the gentleness... they loved each other in a way that felt safe. sometimes love isn't grand gestures—sometimes it's just someone making you feel like you can finally put your armor down.

and apparently *that's* what broke me.

[Barb ~rede-2-read~]

This was an outstanding story with an outstanding cast of characters, including three teen boys. Teens are not my usual preference for children in a romance story; however, each of these boys brought something special to the story. Each had a unique personality, and had a different perspective on life. They loved their fathers but didn't fawn all over them, and Boden, age 16, was estranged from his dad for a long time and was not afraid to show his anger.

But I sidetracked there and didn't get to the heart of the story. Our recluse, Mac, plays a pivotal role and as a veteran suffering from PTSD that pushed him to leave his wife and son out of fear he'd hurt them, we witness what that suffering looks like. More importantly, we witness him falling in love with Arik, Fir's new physician partner in town. Arik has two sons, adopted as foster children years ago and has raised them as a single dad up to now. Both are 14 now. Arik does everything for everybody, never taking time for himself, and always ready to lend a hand. Arik is headed for burnout.

Two men, unlikely as friends, never mind lovers, meet and commune with nature on the mountain overlooking town. They help and support each other, they come to grow as friends and respect each other and they eventually fall in love, something neither man saw coming. Mac seeks a new PTSD treatment and reaches out to his estranged son and there's a beautiful reunion that's not all flowers and sunshine but rings true. Both help Arik when he eventually hits the wall of overwork and lack of sleep. Exhaustion doesn't look good on him.

All throughout these little vignettes, Nora Phoenix builds not only a relationship but also solidifies the men's well-being with counseling and support. And then she builds a family of the heart, one that doesn't share genes, but shares love and I felt so very good when I finished this story. Several days have gone by and I hope this time I don't lose the review but this is so worth reading, especially if you've been following the series. But I think it stands well enough alone. I may just read this one again.

[JenCW]

4.75 Stars!

This story was a fantastic read, and I have one word of advice before you start reading: have your tissues ready. That said, I think you could read this as a standalone since Mac and Arek are fairly new to town. However, I would say that the other books in this series have been wonderful reads, and I highly recommend them all.

If you've been reading the series, you might remember Mac from Befriending the Bear when he showed up briefly and talked to Fraser. Mac kept to himself, with only Fraser stopping by occasionally. Arek is the town's new doctor, where he's working hard to fit in with his kids. Both men are struggling with different things. As I got to know each of them, I felt for them in so many ways. I understood what Arek was going through and how hard it was for him to not always be on and helping others. I hurt for Mac and what he lost while believing he was a danger to everyone. I loved that Arek understood Mac's issues early on and was able to help him when Mac needed it. I loved that the two of them slowly got to know each other in a way that allowed them both the peace and space to become friends. Their story is a slow burn, but so worth the wait.

I can't imagine how lonely Mac has been over the last few years. However, I loved how hard he fought his fears and worked to get help. I loved that he reached out to his family and tried to start mending his relationships. I was glad that Mac was there for Arek and helped him see that he didn't have to be there for everyone and that he deserved to be cared for too. I loved seeing the earlier MCs, especially Fir. I loved Arek's sons and how they were able to see the good man that Mac was and accepted him. I was happy when Mac found some peace and accepted the changes in his feelings toward Arek. These two were fantastic for each other; and I loved every moment of this book.

*Copy provided to me by the author for my reading pleasure. A review wasn't a requirement.*

[Simona]

“Intanto inizio ringraziando l’autrice per aver scritto questa storia. Grazie 😘 ”

Recensione

Buon pomeriggio lettori,
Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro UN EREMITA DA ACCOGLIERE della serie I SILVER FOX DI FORESTVILLE #7 di Nora Phoenix. Storia carina, scritta bene e scorrevole un po’ troppo slowburn, per i miei gusti, in questa storia vediamo due papà single, che diventeranno amici ma poi qualcosa dentro di loro cambia, vedremo anche delle tematiche delicate come il disturbo stress post traumatico, di amore e accettazione.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

La scrittura di Nora mia piace molto, è riuscita a rapire l’attenzione del lettore ma ha suscitato anche molta curiosità attorno alla storia. Mi dispiace solo che non ho avuto l’opportunità di leggere i precedenti per fortuna si possono leggere separatamente.

Trama

Sono un uomo la cui missione è quella di stare il più lontano possibile da tutti gli altri. Sono un veterano segnato dalle mie esperienze, e questo è l’unico modo a cui sono riuscito a pensare per proteggere le persone che amo – in particolar modo Boden, il mio figlio adolescente che non vedo da anni.

Per questo ho cercato un posto tranquillo in cima a una montagna, in modo che nessuno possa darmi fastidio. E accade, perlomeno finché non si presenta Arek, il medico della zona nonché padre single di due gemelli adolescenti. Lo aiuto durante un’emergenza, ma succede qualcosa. C’è una scintilla, un legame tra noi, che non avevo mai sperimentato prima.

Diventiamo amici e, lentamente ma inesorabilmente, inizio a scendere dalla montagna per lui. Sebbene non sia mai stato attratto da un uomo, Arek mi piace molto, e la nostra amicizia piano piano diventa qualcosa di più.

Il passato, tuttavia, non resta mai nel passato, e se voglio un futuro con Arek mi toccherà fare i conti con gli errori che ho commesso. Posso riparare ciò che ho rotto o è troppo tardi per trovare una guarigione?

[MNHockeymomreads (Heather)]

This book is so beautifully written, and I loved every single minute I got to spend with Arek and Mac. These two balanced one another out so perfectly-it also helps that we were back in Forestville which is one of my favorite fictional small towns.
These two men found one another in a time where they each needed someone but didn’t actually know it. Mac needed someone to pull him back into the world, and Arek needed someone to help him slow down, learn to take care of himself and enjoy the life he built. I thoroughly enjoyed how they unveiled themselves to one another as they built a friendship. Although Mac was reluctant he still was drawn to Arek in ways that he could not explain to himself. Arek was so drawn to Mac along with his need to help others kept going back every Saturday morning for terrible coffee and an amazing view. While Mac is working through some heavy things he is doing the hard work he also had the realization that what he felt for Arek was more than friendship also made me cry because he was also realizing that he wanted more from life than staying a recluse was so perfectly written.
The way the pair showed up for one another and their family was so heartwarming- I could not gush about how amazing this book is enough. I might go out on a limb and say it might be my favorite in the series….but just for research purposes I jumped back into the series to be sure. If you love an emotional read with the best small town vibes, older main characters and single dads this series and book should most definitely be on your kindle!

[Musingsonbooksandmore]

Welcoming the Recluse, by Nora Phoenix, is book 7 in the Forestville Silver Foxes series and is a hurt/comfort single dads bi awakening romance between local Town doctor Arek and recluse Macallister. Mac is a veteran who has PTSD and has moved to the mountains to isolate from his ex-wife and son, Boden, following a PTSD flashback-related accident. Following a chance encounter with Arek, the father of twin boys, Kace and Jules, the two men develop a gentle friendship which over time turns into a deep and loving relationship.
I found this such a moving story of two older male main characters learning to heal, love and be loved. Mac clearly struggled with his choice to leave and miss out on Boden growing up but felt he had made the best decision at the time. Meeting Arek and the boys, really allowed him to revisit his choices and recognise that he wanted more and to take the steps to make that happen. I liked how both men really saw each other, Arek really cared for Mac very early on but never crowded him while he wanted to keep his distance. The hurt/comfort is reciprocal, and I liked that when Arek had a very visceral and emotional burnout episode that Mac willingly stepped up to be there for him. The two men supported and each other and their care and love for each other was really moving to read. They had good chemistry both emotional and physical and Mac’s bi awakening was beautifully explored within the context of the story. I thought the boy’s, Kace and Jule’s personalities were extremely well written and believable. Mac and Boden had to re-develop and renew their relationship after Mac had left and this was addressed in a realistic way that made sense. I liked the writing style although it felt different to previous books in the series, it really worked for this story. This is an emotional read and deals with quite mature subjects as well as flawed characters learning to do their best and be kind to themselves. I really enjoyed reading this book and think it is a good addition to the series and would recommend it.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

[Chels]

wowie wow wow

This book hit at just the right moment in my life. I typically do not do well reading books with a lot of mental health issues in it as I am in the substance use and mental health field now. And worked with vets in my massage career and seasonal jobs. But this was like being seen and reprocessing much like how Nora described emdr. I related a lot to Arek with the burn out and compassion fatigue which is why I would try to choose books that allow me to dissociate somewhat.
Mac was a beautiful portrayal of the possibility of the deep conditioning that can sometimes keep vets from getting help, being able to be reprocessed too. As well as the very really fear that vets can have surrounding hurting their loved ones.
This was the most relatable portrayal of cptsd I have read based on my experiences with others and my own personal experiences. But what was so beautiful was the continuous journey of healing, the absolute grounding in the mundane of life on the flip side of having gripped onto routines like a lifeline because it was the only way to get through day to day. I like that this book was also not trauma exploitation but 2 really relatable people (to me) who were tryin their best and open to the possibility of healing in the time they needed it.
I have to say I cried a lot not just the sad but how cathartic this was. This story felt hopeful, imperfect and subtle with how love is in actions as well as stillness.

[Amalas]

Our return to Forestville for Mac and Arek's story was like returning home. We had visits from characters from books past, and visited the establishments we're all familiar with. There's a certain comfort when you pick up the next book in a series and feel like you can picture the town and the people.

I was not so patiently waiting for Mac's book after we met him in passing and heard whispers of his story. I won't lie, I cried multiple times during this book- his story is one we hear so often from our veterans when they return home. Learning more about Arek in this story- it becomes clear they are each other's missing piece. The person that they each need to find balance, reassurance, peace and stability.

No Forestville novel is without a little bit of turmoil. This book brings us inner turmoil and struggles for both characters. But, in true Nora fashion there isn't a high level of angst, just life lessons each of her characters have to learn. This book focuses on healing- healing themselves, healing relationships and helping each other heal.

I've read all of the Forestville series, and I really thought that I had found my favorite book and set of characters. Then Nora brought Arek and Mac into our lives. New favorite couple and story unlocked. Please make sure to read the trigger warnings before you start. Your mental health, matters.

[Lyn Solomon-Linville]

This is my favorite book in the whole series so far.
I also think it gives a whole new generation to Forestville if Nora wants it. Hey Nora! WHAT DO YOU THINK???? I am especially interested in Jules. I know we have a couple of years to go.....
Anyway. The book made me cry many many times. The angst of PTSD for Mac just broke my heart. " He was doing what he always did, keeping to the perimeter. Back close to the buildings..." And the delving into the layers of Arek the same. " What was underneath? I wasn't sure but if I had to guess my money was on exhaustion." Nora can really write an angst scene and there were two one for Arek and one for Mac that just grabbed me and overwhelmed me.
There were many many scenes between the two men that showed me who they were and made me hold my breath.
And of course it's Forestville. It's filled with my favorite men Cas, Fraser, Sheriff Frant talk of Calloway and Tiago.
Brianna's bakery still plays a big part and so does Mac's ex and his son who he hasn't spoken to in years for Boden's protection. " The ache hit me slow and deep, rising from somewhere below my ribs. Grief for the version of this I'd had and destroyed."
They are vers and there are some amazing love scenes, especially considering Mac has never been with a man.
So another stupendous Forestville Silver Foxes book. Hopefully they keep on coming.

[Sarah]

I don’t like this at all. DNF @ 30%.

Mac is the whole reason I’m quitting this book. I’m in Chapter 11 and Mac is THINKING about sending a text to his ex-wife asking how his son is doing. A son he has had zero contact with for 5 years. By choice!

He’s a vet with severe PTSD and woke up one night, pinning his wife to the mattress by her arms. He’s absolutely convinced, by this one incident, that he’s a danger to everyone. So he just leaves! No calls, no texts, no nothing. It sounds like his son might not even know if he’s alive or dead. How can you abandon a child and still sleep at night? I’ll never understand. And it makes me dislike Mac a whole helluva lot.

And Arek, as a foster/adoptive parent to twin boys who endured some not so great things before their adoption, seems to be totally A-ok with the fact that this man abandoned his own biological child. No issues there. Great.

Idk how it ends but Mac sucks and I hate him. I don’t care if he gets an HEA and I already know Arek can do better so why finish this?

Also, I wouldn’t have believed that Nora Phoenix wrote this if her name wasn’t on the cover. I read an entire Omegaverse series of hers and this seems like a totally different author and not in a good way. I can’t put my finger on exactly what’s different but it doesn’t make me want to track down other, newer books by her.

[Manon]

This is an amazing book and my absolute favourite in the series. While you have previous characters appearing and you may gain more from the whole world building if you read the other books, the story itself is a stand-alone.

My heart broke first with Mac, the gentle vet with PTSD, who chose being a recluse to avoid hurting others. We read how Mac came to this decision, how his love made him abandon the people he chose to protect and how the last 6 years came to be. We also read bit by bit how one man, without knowing and trying, is the catalyst for Mac to start to unravel this life and learning to accept that his decision doesn't have to be final, that he can seek to change it again.

Then the amazing Nora Phoenix went on and my heart broke again, this time by the single dad to two teens who also chose to change life, again, not for him but for his sons. Slowly it emerges what Arek is hiding and how deep the issues are. And now Mac is stepping in. Thanks to Arek's unwavering help first, now Mac can be the one Arek is leaning on and learning to let go.

It's a slow burn with plenty of discoveries and surprises. Both characters are so well and detailed written, plenty is not said but shown and more through subtle, small things than big gestures.