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Mangrove Stories #3
Sultry Sunset
Mangrove Stories
Hutch Crowley is well-liked in the small resort town of Mangrove—he’s got friends in his new neighbors, he’s the owner of the town grocery, and he’s building a community center—but he’s still unlucky at love. Every man he’s attracted to is either taken or simply not interested, including his best friend, Mike Rojas.
When Mike came to Mangrove two years ago, Hutch gave him a job and a place to stay in his guesthouse, where Mike has remained ever since. Despite the rumors circulating about them, Hutch knows Mike is straight and looking for the right woman. But his friends disagree, and after some hints to the contrary, even Hutch finally has to admit that maybe the rest of the town sees something he’s been missing. If Hutch wants to spend each sultry sunset with the man of his dreams, it might be time to figure out what’s going on with his best friend’s heart.
Hutch Crowley is well-liked in the small resort town of Mangrove—he’s got friends in his new neighbors, he’s the owner of the town grocery, and he’s building a community center—but he’s still unlucky at love. Every man he’s attracted to is either taken or simply not interested, including his best friend, Mike Rojas.
When Mike came to Mangrove two years ago, Hutch gave him a job and a place to stay in his guesthouse, where Mike has remained ever since. Despite the rumors circulating about them, Hutch knows Mike is straight and looking for the right woman. But his friends disagree, and after some hints to the contrary, even Hutch finally has to admit that maybe the rest of the town sees something he’s been missing. If Hutch wants to spend each sultry sunset with the man of his dreams, it might be time to figure out what’s going on with his best friend’s heart.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2015
38 people are currently reading
353 people want to read
About the author
Mary Calmes
125 books5,015 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 124 reviews
May 6, 2015
Fool me once; fool me a dozen times.
I don't understand the purpose of this book. Sultry Sunset is 1,000 locations on my Kindle (it ends at 92 percent), and approximately 800 of those locations focus on everything BUT the MCs:
- snarky 14-year-old who's left alone at home and just started her period
- her hunky gay (but closeted) dad who happens to be a firemen
- Hutch's grocery store
- long, pointless conversations with various people in town
- small town politics
- and last (but NOT least), Hutch chasing a guy who tries to thwart his recreation center project and ending up in jail
WHY?
The friends-to-lovers and GFY aspects aren't developed at all.
The MCs are barely together on page. Mike pines after his dead wife, screws various women, and then sees the light and declares his love for Hutch.
They go at it once (forget the tentative butt-sex virgin; Mike plows right in), and that's all she wrote.
This book is pointless, save to introduce the various other MCs who will find love in Mangrove, Florida.
Where is the tension? The chemistry? The PLOT?
I wash my hands of this series. REMIND ME when the next one comes out.
Edited to add: This book has shit-all to do with sunsets, sultry or otherwise. The fuck is up with that cover?
~~ RENEE ~ ELEFTHERIA ~ CATHERINE ~~
Bottoms up, ladies!
I'm taking one for the team. Just Desserts was good, so I have HOPE, damn it.
And VODKA.
I don't understand the purpose of this book. Sultry Sunset is 1,000 locations on my Kindle (it ends at 92 percent), and approximately 800 of those locations focus on everything BUT the MCs:
- snarky 14-year-old who's left alone at home and just started her period
- her hunky gay (but closeted) dad who happens to be a firemen
- Hutch's grocery store
- long, pointless conversations with various people in town
- small town politics
- and last (but NOT least), Hutch chasing a guy who tries to thwart his recreation center project and ending up in jail
WHY?
The friends-to-lovers and GFY aspects aren't developed at all.
The MCs are barely together on page. Mike pines after his dead wife, screws various women, and then sees the light and declares his love for Hutch.
They go at it once (forget the tentative butt-sex virgin; Mike plows right in), and that's all she wrote.
This book is pointless, save to introduce the various other MCs who will find love in Mangrove, Florida.
Where is the tension? The chemistry? The PLOT?
I wash my hands of this series. REMIND ME when the next one comes out.
Edited to add: This book has shit-all to do with sunsets, sultry or otherwise. The fuck is up with that cover?
~~ RENEE ~ ELEFTHERIA ~ CATHERINE ~~
Bottoms up, ladies!
I'm taking one for the team. Just Desserts was good, so I have HOPE, damn it.
And VODKA.
June 21, 2015
*** 1.5 Stars ***
In a nutshell: this book was an unfocused mess.
Sultry Sunset was supposed to be about Hutch and Mike going the whole friends-to-lovers / gay for you route. Unfortunately, instead of being able to enjoy the couple's growing sexual tension and that spark that eventually tips the scales, we got the ins and outs of small town life - including mentions and brief rundowns of TWENTY-SEVEN other characters. The story was only SIXTY TWO PAGES long, for heaven's sake! So much time and effort was wasted on people who don't matter that I was never given enough information about our main characters (especially Mike) to give two shits about whether or not they ever got their happily ever after.
I'm too lazy to go into further detail, but for a complete list of this story's whatthefuckery, see Dani's review.
Bottom line, this book was a epic waste of my precious reading time.
In a nutshell: this book was an unfocused mess.
Sultry Sunset was supposed to be about Hutch and Mike going the whole friends-to-lovers / gay for you route. Unfortunately, instead of being able to enjoy the couple's growing sexual tension and that spark that eventually tips the scales, we got the ins and outs of small town life - including mentions and brief rundowns of TWENTY-SEVEN other characters. The story was only SIXTY TWO PAGES long, for heaven's sake! So much time and effort was wasted on people who don't matter that I was never given enough information about our main characters (especially Mike) to give two shits about whether or not they ever got their happily ever after.
I'm too lazy to go into further detail, but for a complete list of this story's whatthefuckery, see Dani's review.
Bottom line, this book was a epic waste of my precious reading time.
May 28, 2017
This was probably more like 2.5 stars, I rounded up because well...it's Mary Calmes and I adore her books...doesn't matter how good or not so good they might be. I love them and read them like the good little crack baby I am. Plus really it's Amy Lane's fault that I even fell into this one quite so soon I was trying to get over my 'Beneath the Stain' heartache and found this on my e-reader so there you go.
'Sultry Sunset' is a short little vignette that takes us back to Mangrove and it's residents. Specifically Hudson and Mike. Along the way we get glimpses at some of the other residents and possible future pairings but Hudson and Mike are our MCs in this brief foray. Hudson, Mike and the new 'community centre'/'rec centre'/whatever it ends up being called centre that Hudson is building/funding for the town of Mangrove. I know way...way more about that building than I do the one right here in my hometown and I have been in it several times. Also Hudson's grocery store...ok, I'll admit I hate grocery shopping so I go into our local grocery stores as little as possible although maybe if we had one as nice as Hudson's I'd enjoy grocery shopping a bit more.
All in all maybe...no definitely not the best Mary Calmes story in my collection but still it did the trick. I'm out of my funk and happily moving on to the next story...yes, Ele, I am reading 'Loving Jay' (psst, and I am loving Jay & Liam. But that's another review, right?)
'Sultry Sunset' is a short little vignette that takes us back to Mangrove and it's residents. Specifically Hudson and Mike. Along the way we get glimpses at some of the other residents and possible future pairings but Hudson and Mike are our MCs in this brief foray. Hudson, Mike and the new 'community centre'/'rec centre'/whatever it ends up being called centre that Hudson is building/funding for the town of Mangrove. I know way...way more about that building than I do the one right here in my hometown and I have been in it several times. Also Hudson's grocery store...ok, I'll admit I hate grocery shopping so I go into our local grocery stores as little as possible although maybe if we had one as nice as Hudson's I'd enjoy grocery shopping a bit more.
All in all maybe...no definitely not the best Mary Calmes story in my collection but still it did the trick. I'm out of my funk and happily moving on to the next story...yes, Ele, I am reading 'Loving Jay' (psst, and I am loving Jay & Liam. But that's another review, right?)
June 1, 2015
I'm not opposed to series that have new couples each book which then ultimately create an entire town of gay couples.But for some reason Mangrove's thriving gay population just doesn't work for me. It feels too forced, too contrived, too easy.
For this book in particular, I just don't know how anything works together. I don't know what this story is supposed to be about. I can't tell the intentions of the author for every new character, every new character trait, every new page.
The couple, Hutch and Mike are semi-likable.
But where does this father-who-leaves-his-14-yr-old-with-a-stranger fit in? And the all the various town people? And...ultimately, why should I care?
Huh...actually...I guess I don't...care, that is.
Not entirely awful, but really not that good either...
January 2, 2016
2.5. stars
I feel like this was more a set up for future novellas than it was a fully realized novella itself. Hutch and Mike don't even realize they're supposed to be together until more than three quarters through, which I wouldn't mind except the sexy times lacked the heat M.C. usually brings to the party.
Still, I didn't dislike it and will continue with the series, mostly because it's Mary Calmes.
I feel like this was more a set up for future novellas than it was a fully realized novella itself. Hutch and Mike don't even realize they're supposed to be together until more than three quarters through, which I wouldn't mind except the sexy times lacked the heat M.C. usually brings to the party.
Still, I didn't dislike it and will continue with the series, mostly because it's Mary Calmes.
July 15, 2015
A Few things you need to know before you read…
The Mangrove series is for rainy days, it’s for lazy days and it’s for days where you want to smile and be caught up in a lovely story.
Mary Calmes is crack (yea I’m stealing that from a few reviewers) and even if the story isn’t your cuppa you’ll still get a smile out of it
There’s a gay-for-you trope and I actually love GFYs because personally I don’t think anyone is fully gay or fully straight, so to me if someone is suddenly gay for the hero/ine that just tells me his or her connection is real and it was the person not the gender. If you liked this trope Logan is gay for Jin in Change of Heart and Rand is gay for Stefan. LOVE IT!
Now on to Sultry Sunsets! Poor Hutch… the book opens with him hearing a young teenager cry and it ends up being a lot of problems (Dad is stuck, Aunt is MIA… or cousin… family members locked her out and she started her period… oh and her mom died three years ago so no one to show her what to do). I think I get why some reviewers were irritated that the story focused on the town as a whole and not just on Hutch and Mike and I think the reason why is that Hutch is the town. He owns a lot, he’s in everyone’s business, and he moves the chess pieces. It makes sense that his story would involve the town and politics that are basically his lifeblood. Having said that I do wish this was longer so we could have had even more time and steam for the two heroes.
It’s also hard when the POV is from one hero to really get inside the other hero’s head, so Mike’s sudden shift seemed sudden to readers, but really it was circling in his probably since the first time he really talked with Hutch. During the bedroom scene Mike admits to having thought about this for a while, but readers don’t really get in his head. That’s the con of having one POV, on the other hand though it really allows readers to fully sink into Hutch’s head and really see the town and Mike from his perspective ☺ I want more though, I feel like this only skimmed their story’s surface and I want more!
The Mangrove series is for rainy days, it’s for lazy days and it’s for days where you want to smile and be caught up in a lovely story.
Mary Calmes is crack (yea I’m stealing that from a few reviewers) and even if the story isn’t your cuppa you’ll still get a smile out of it
There’s a gay-for-you trope and I actually love GFYs because personally I don’t think anyone is fully gay or fully straight, so to me if someone is suddenly gay for the hero/ine that just tells me his or her connection is real and it was the person not the gender. If you liked this trope Logan is gay for Jin in Change of Heart and Rand is gay for Stefan. LOVE IT!
Now on to Sultry Sunsets! Poor Hutch… the book opens with him hearing a young teenager cry and it ends up being a lot of problems (Dad is stuck, Aunt is MIA… or cousin… family members locked her out and she started her period… oh and her mom died three years ago so no one to show her what to do). I think I get why some reviewers were irritated that the story focused on the town as a whole and not just on Hutch and Mike and I think the reason why is that Hutch is the town. He owns a lot, he’s in everyone’s business, and he moves the chess pieces. It makes sense that his story would involve the town and politics that are basically his lifeblood. Having said that I do wish this was longer so we could have had even more time and steam for the two heroes.
It’s also hard when the POV is from one hero to really get inside the other hero’s head, so Mike’s sudden shift seemed sudden to readers, but really it was circling in his probably since the first time he really talked with Hutch. During the bedroom scene Mike admits to having thought about this for a while, but readers don’t really get in his head. That’s the con of having one POV, on the other hand though it really allows readers to fully sink into Hutch’s head and really see the town and Mike from his perspective ☺ I want more though, I feel like this only skimmed their story’s surface and I want more!
December 16, 2018
Short, sweet little novella about best friends to lovers. It was way too short and needed more development of Mike's "I'm bi for Hutch" realization. I really had to suspend my belief for that particular coming out. But otherwise a very sweet, typical Calmes.
May 24, 2015
I like a lot of Mary Calmes' writing, but this was just pointless and abrupt.
July 12, 2015
1.5 stars plus an extra star for Greg Tremblay as narrator.
Seriously? This should have been called An Interlude Between Mangrove's All Gay Male Review or maybe An Introduction to the Other Gay Men in Mangrove. That's was this book was about. All of the gay men that will be eventual characters in this series. I can't even mark this as not meeting my expectations since I knew going in this was going to be disappointing in the romance department. So far, this series isn't really living up to what I expect from Mary Calmes. Because she is my crack, I will continue to read what she writes. Honestly? I am ready for more characters like Sam and Jory A Matter of Time, Rand and Stef Timing, or Miro and Ian All Kinds of Tied Down. Let's get back to them, 'k?
Seriously? This should have been called An Interlude Between Mangrove's All Gay Male Review or maybe An Introduction to the Other Gay Men in Mangrove. That's was this book was about. All of the gay men that will be eventual characters in this series. I can't even mark this as not meeting my expectations since I knew going in this was going to be disappointing in the romance department. So far, this series isn't really living up to what I expect from Mary Calmes. Because she is my crack, I will continue to read what she writes. Honestly? I am ready for more characters like Sam and Jory A Matter of Time, Rand and Stef Timing, or Miro and Ian All Kinds of Tied Down. Let's get back to them, 'k?
January 10, 2018
Mmm, not Calmes' best. The story wasn't very interesting and the characters were pretty blah (though the little girl was good). Thank you Greg Tremblay for getting me through this one, you could read me the dictionary and I'd love it!
June 15, 2017
**Audio**
I gave it four stars when I read it the first time but didn't review it.
I don't feel that way this time.
The revolving door and walk of shame part of the book killed it this time. Funny how things can get by you at times but not at other times.
This felt a little like a set up for what is to come.
I didn't hate it of course, it is Mary after all, and my God could I listen to Greg Tremblay read the phone book if he was so inclined to record that, I just didn't feel all that great about this one.
On to the next!
I gave it four stars when I read it the first time but didn't review it.
I don't feel that way this time.
The revolving door and walk of shame part of the book killed it this time. Funny how things can get by you at times but not at other times.
This felt a little like a set up for what is to come.
I didn't hate it of course, it is Mary after all, and my God could I listen to Greg Tremblay read the phone book if he was so inclined to record that, I just didn't feel all that great about this one.
On to the next!
May 17, 2015
2.5 Stars.
This short story felt very, very rushed. Was there a deadline to make and this was the quick result? Too many storylines going on within...to suddenly end the book without resolving them. Yes, I know there will be more stories to come...but why not just wait and put them all together into one big book? Sorry, as much as I'd like to learn more about the characters we've met to date...I'm done, not buying this series anymore.
AND what's with all the Ads at the end of the book? 14% of the book is ADVERTISING. That is one of my all time Pet Peeves...padding the content count with Ads. Not cool Dreamspinner!
#feelingcheated #disappointed #annoyed
#cranky #milkingthecashcow #droppingthegloves
This short story felt very, very rushed. Was there a deadline to make and this was the quick result? Too many storylines going on within...to suddenly end the book without resolving them. Yes, I know there will be more stories to come...but why not just wait and put them all together into one big book? Sorry, as much as I'd like to learn more about the characters we've met to date...I'm done, not buying this series anymore.
AND what's with all the Ads at the end of the book? 14% of the book is ADVERTISING. That is one of my all time Pet Peeves...padding the content count with Ads. Not cool Dreamspinner!
#feelingcheated #disappointed #annoyed
#cranky #milkingthecashcow #droppingthegloves
March 10, 2016
I am disappointed. I was looking forward to this. I've enjoyed the other books in the series. But with this one, I feel like I missed stuff. There was so much filler material on other characters, and hardly anything at all between the main characters til after the halfway point. And this book isn't very long either.
We didn't really get a whole lot of background on this couple. Heck, we didn't get much actual interaction between them at all. Suddenly, Hutch realizes Mike is the one he wants and he flips out. Next thing we know, Mike is declaring his feelings to Hutch and it's over. Way too much was left out. All the buildup happened off page.
Yeah. Disappointed. Thank you, Grey Trembley, for giving me a reason to keep listening. Your narration kept me going.
We didn't really get a whole lot of background on this couple. Heck, we didn't get much actual interaction between them at all. Suddenly, Hutch realizes Mike is the one he wants and he flips out. Next thing we know, Mike is declaring his feelings to Hutch and it's over. Way too much was left out. All the buildup happened off page.
Yeah. Disappointed. Thank you, Grey Trembley, for giving me a reason to keep listening. Your narration kept me going.
May 16, 2015
This feels like 2/3 of a story. Most of it seemed to have no connection to how the main characters, Hutch and Mike, finally got together but setting up for another story....but I'm not sure what or who that will be about. I like Mary Calmes writing but I am loosing faith in this series.
December 5, 2015
Overall book rating: 3 Stars
Audio book: Narrator - Greg Tremblay 4.5 Stars
Book Cover: 3.5 Stars
This was the story of Hutch Crowley and Mike Rojas the story was sweet and adorable but again to short to connect with the characters
Audio book: Narrator - Greg Tremblay 4.5 Stars
Book Cover: 3.5 Stars
This was the story of Hutch Crowley and Mike Rojas the story was sweet and adorable but again to short to connect with the characters
Want to read
May 16, 2015
nope
April 26, 2015This is to remind me not to accidentally buy this book.
October 7, 2021
3 stars
Audiobook
This series only works as each couple were already friends before they finally get together. I mean in this book the couple are only together for the last 15 minutes of the book, the rest of the time is spent going over their back story and how Hutch was loved by everyone etc.
You definitely have to suspend reality as who in their right mind leaves their 12-13 year old daughter in the care of a person they have never met after only speaking to them on the phone. And how does someone who is meant to be looking after said girl take off without another adult being there to take over.
Being as time was spent as Hutch because friends with Ivy, I didn't feel the connection between Mike and Hutch as they didn't really spend a lot of time together in book.
Audiobook
This series only works as each couple were already friends before they finally get together. I mean in this book the couple are only together for the last 15 minutes of the book, the rest of the time is spent going over their back story and how Hutch was loved by everyone etc.
You definitely have to suspend reality as who in their right mind leaves their 12-13 year old daughter in the care of a person they have never met after only speaking to them on the phone. And how does someone who is meant to be looking after said girl take off without another adult being there to take over.
Being as time was spent as Hutch because friends with Ivy, I didn't feel the connection between Mike and Hutch as they didn't really spend a lot of time together in book.
April 14, 2024
4.5 Stars It took half a page for me to immediately realize I was going to love 'Sultry Sunset'. What's not to love? I'm back in Mangrove, Florida, and this installment focuses on seriously hot, yummy Hutch and his best friend, Mike. It also has a beloved dog, and an adorable teenage girl. Plus I get glimpses of all my favorite people in this series. And if all of that isn't enough…hello, it's Mary Calmes. So, like I said, what's not to love?
Hutch owns the biggest, most awesome grocery store in town. Considering Mangrove isn't very big, this is quite a feat, and I would love to shop there. Mike is his assistant manager, his best friend, and has been staying in Hutch's guest house ever since he moved to town a year ago. Mike used to live in California, but his wife died, he quit his job, sold everything, got in his car, and drove around the country for two years before settling in Mangrove. Now pretty much all Hutch's friends know he's in love with Mike, even though Hutch can't admit it to himself. I mean, Mike is straight, for crying out loud.
“What’s going on with you?”
“A lot,” he said right before he crushed me into the stucco wall and then covered me with his hard, muscular body. I caught my breath, and he stared at me, into my eyes, and as we were both six foot tall, there was nowhere else to look but at each other.
“I have a theory,” he said gruffly before he leaned in and kissed me.
Everything stopped.
I thought Coz and Kelley (in book two) had one of the best friends-to-lovers story, but Hutch and Mike most definitely give it a run for the money. They are decidedly hot, but oh so sweet, and very easy to love. The author has definitely introduced some future characters and I'll be excited to see the next installment. Thank you, Mary, this is delicious!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Hutch owns the biggest, most awesome grocery store in town. Considering Mangrove isn't very big, this is quite a feat, and I would love to shop there. Mike is his assistant manager, his best friend, and has been staying in Hutch's guest house ever since he moved to town a year ago. Mike used to live in California, but his wife died, he quit his job, sold everything, got in his car, and drove around the country for two years before settling in Mangrove. Now pretty much all Hutch's friends know he's in love with Mike, even though Hutch can't admit it to himself. I mean, Mike is straight, for crying out loud.
“What’s going on with you?”
“A lot,” he said right before he crushed me into the stucco wall and then covered me with his hard, muscular body. I caught my breath, and he stared at me, into my eyes, and as we were both six foot tall, there was nowhere else to look but at each other.
“I have a theory,” he said gruffly before he leaned in and kissed me.
Everything stopped.
I thought Coz and Kelley (in book two) had one of the best friends-to-lovers story, but Hutch and Mike most definitely give it a run for the money. They are decidedly hot, but oh so sweet, and very easy to love. The author has definitely introduced some future characters and I'll be excited to see the next installment. Thank you, Mary, this is delicious!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
May 15, 2015
3.25 stars
Enjoyable read, but too short! I felt like it finished too soon and just as it was getting to the romance.
Enjoyable read, but too short! I felt like it finished too soon and just as it was getting to the romance.
August 14, 2015
"I can never get enough of Mary Calmes' books!"
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
May 16, 2015
Yet another formula offering. Yawn! The story is the same as the again as Quiet Nights, Just Desserts, etc. Bromance turned Romance.
April 10, 2018
Fun book. I want to move to Mangrove. I think I'd have to take a straight man with me, and hope he stays that way (or likes to share... ;)
Read
November 28, 2022Another great narration, though I’m still not sure if he is the narrator for me. I definitely preferred the smaller cast, and maybe I just need more time for his style to grow on me.
November 4, 2017
I'm loving this series! These are such comfort reads! Again with the friends to lovers. I admit I love this turf. It's one of my favorites. It's the best kind of love if you ask me. Someone you first consider your best friend before the next (sexual) step is made. it's the same here with Hutch and Mike though what is different is Mike suppose to be straight..
We've met Hutch Crowley in the previous installments. It's fun getting to know the people in this town and see them find their HEA and after having a revisit in the next installment. It makes sense reading these in order but truthfully they all can be read as stand-alones. Hutch runs the grocery store in the small town of Mangrove and building a recreational center. It's easy for him to focus on the new project now that he trusts his best friend Mike to run the grocery store.
Mike Rojas has been in town for the past year. After his wife died he spend two whole years finding himself until he settled in Mangrove. It helped that Hutch offered him a place to stay and a job. After Mike tells Hutch his life's story they also became good friends and after a year together Mike is so much better he is starting to date again, but Mike shouldn't be looking so far away from home..
We only get Hutch's POV but it's obvious how much Mike cares about him from everything he does. They are the sweetest together. I loved the way they came together. I also loved the way Mike's wife reasoning was it's all about finding a person that loves you, it doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman.
There's a little bit more to this one than just their story which was fun, mostly getting to know the hot fireman and his teenage daughter which was one of the hints to the MCs in the two last installments in the series. Can't wait to start reading them.
More Reviews HERE
We've met Hutch Crowley in the previous installments. It's fun getting to know the people in this town and see them find their HEA and after having a revisit in the next installment. It makes sense reading these in order but truthfully they all can be read as stand-alones. Hutch runs the grocery store in the small town of Mangrove and building a recreational center. It's easy for him to focus on the new project now that he trusts his best friend Mike to run the grocery store.
Mike Rojas has been in town for the past year. After his wife died he spend two whole years finding himself until he settled in Mangrove. It helped that Hutch offered him a place to stay and a job. After Mike tells Hutch his life's story they also became good friends and after a year together Mike is so much better he is starting to date again, but Mike shouldn't be looking so far away from home..
We only get Hutch's POV but it's obvious how much Mike cares about him from everything he does. They are the sweetest together. I loved the way they came together. I also loved the way Mike's wife reasoning was it's all about finding a person that loves you, it doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman.
There's a little bit more to this one than just their story which was fun, mostly getting to know the hot fireman and his teenage daughter which was one of the hints to the MCs in the two last installments in the series. Can't wait to start reading them.
More Reviews HERE
May 20, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is the third book in Mary Calmes’s Mangrove Series. Now, I’ve been reading along in the series since the first one, and Hutch has made an appearance in the first two books, so I was happy to see him finally getting his story. So while I can say that this book absolutely works as a standalone and no prior knowledge is needed to understand anything or to feel connected to the characters, I think it adds just a tiny bit extra if you’ve been following along up till now. Sultry Sunset is another friends to lovers story, and it fits in well with the first two. All three books thus far have the same kind of feel, but are individual enough that they stand on their own.
So Hutch is a one of a kind character, and I was really glad to be in his head. I loved the way he thinks, and he had me grinning throughout most of the book. The beginning of the story does take a bit of a leap of faith (why in the heck does Ivy’s father not jump on a plane and come back the instant he finds out his daughter is alone?) but if you can make that jump, then you’re in for a hell of a treat. Hutch is funny and big hearted, a little bit snarky, and an all-around great guy. I loved getting to know him, watching him deal with the people in his life, and move forward. And I have to say that I adored the way he felt about Mike, what he was and wasn’t willing to risk, and how their relationship took that step from friends to lovers. Hutch made this book for me, and his personality alone makes it work the read.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is the third book in Mary Calmes’s Mangrove Series. Now, I’ve been reading along in the series since the first one, and Hutch has made an appearance in the first two books, so I was happy to see him finally getting his story. So while I can say that this book absolutely works as a standalone and no prior knowledge is needed to understand anything or to feel connected to the characters, I think it adds just a tiny bit extra if you’ve been following along up till now. Sultry Sunset is another friends to lovers story, and it fits in well with the first two. All three books thus far have the same kind of feel, but are individual enough that they stand on their own.
So Hutch is a one of a kind character, and I was really glad to be in his head. I loved the way he thinks, and he had me grinning throughout most of the book. The beginning of the story does take a bit of a leap of faith (why in the heck does Ivy’s father not jump on a plane and come back the instant he finds out his daughter is alone?) but if you can make that jump, then you’re in for a hell of a treat. Hutch is funny and big hearted, a little bit snarky, and an all-around great guy. I loved getting to know him, watching him deal with the people in his life, and move forward. And I have to say that I adored the way he felt about Mike, what he was and wasn’t willing to risk, and how their relationship took that step from friends to lovers. Hutch made this book for me, and his personality alone makes it work the read.
Read Kris’ review in its entirety here.
July 14, 2022
I'm on a roll with this series. I really enjoy the small town setting and the MCs' quirky personalities along with their side-kicks. In this book we finally see Hutch Crowley find a partner ~ he's been on the edge of the romances in the prior two books, so it's great to see his HEA.
14 July 2022
The new family (Eissen and Ivy Dodd ~ the new Fire Chief and his hilariously astute daughter) who have moved in next door to Crowley really keep this series moving along, given this is another best friends to lovers story (following on from the prior story, which is the same trope). MC Crowley is front and centre, with MC Mike joining in towards the middle of the story but never really taking up much of the focus.
14 July 2022
The new family (Eissen and Ivy Dodd ~ the new Fire Chief and his hilariously astute daughter) who have moved in next door to Crowley really keep this series moving along, given this is another best friends to lovers story (following on from the prior story, which is the same trope). MC Crowley is front and centre, with MC Mike joining in towards the middle of the story but never really taking up much of the focus.
October 2, 2015
I really like this series. Hutch is an entertaining character - he has been in every story. I love his interaction with Ivy :) She's a delight! Cannot wait for the next story in this series - this is a great series to read as bedtime stories.
Review for the audio version can be found at The Novel Approach
Review for the audio version can be found at The Novel Approach
June 29, 2015
I usually love Mary Calmes' books...so this one was a disappointment.
It felt too easy, and at times, weird. But not in a good way.
A 14 year-old girl spilling everything to a complete stranger, then going with him to buy feminine products - this just really annoyed me.
Additional to that, said stranger chases another man and gets arrested for disturbing the peace? I mean, come on!
All that said, Mike and Hutch were a cute couple. So..2 stars.
It felt too easy, and at times, weird. But not in a good way.
A 14 year-old girl spilling everything to a complete stranger, then going with him to buy feminine products - this just really annoyed me.
Additional to that, said stranger chases another man and gets arrested for disturbing the peace? I mean, come on!
All that said, Mike and Hutch were a cute couple. So..2 stars.
November 25, 2015
Hutch and Michael are the MC’s in Mary Calmes Sultry Sunset, book 3 in her Mangrove series. As usual, she has blown me away with her witty banter, perfect story flow, and exceptional writing. I adore her characters. Every one she writes I get so lost in them. Hutch is the epitome of a wonderful, caring, giving person. Michael was saved by Hutch and that friendship grew into love. This was a beautiful addition to this series.
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