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The Secret of Hunter's Bog
For Koichi McNab, the shop he and his twin sister Kimmy are opening in Hunter’s Bog Mall is a fresh start after their old one burned down. A way to move on. Especially when he meets the hunky owner of the luxury camping goods store next door. Koichi’s never been an outdoorsy guy, but Will Hood just might change his mind.
Will came to Southern Alabama to establish his own life away from his big, intrusive family—and in hopes of finding Anthony, the lover who vanished two years ago. But meeting Koichi throws everything off-kilter. Anthony was a long time ago. Koichi’s right here, smart and funny and cute, and Will wants him.
As Koichi and Will become friends, then lovers, Will’s past and Koichi’s present tangle into a dangerous knot that brings them face-to-face with secrets, theft, treachery . . . maybe even murder. With their lives on the line, their only way to safety is together.
Will came to Southern Alabama to establish his own life away from his big, intrusive family—and in hopes of finding Anthony, the lover who vanished two years ago. But meeting Koichi throws everything off-kilter. Anthony was a long time ago. Koichi’s right here, smart and funny and cute, and Will wants him.
As Koichi and Will become friends, then lovers, Will’s past and Koichi’s present tangle into a dangerous knot that brings them face-to-face with secrets, theft, treachery . . . maybe even murder. With their lives on the line, their only way to safety is together.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 7, 2016
3 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Ally Blue
90 books449 followersAlly Blue penned her first tale at age eight, relating the breathless terror of her little sister’s not-quite-fatal encounter with a bee in the backyard. That was the beginning of a lifelong love affair with storytelling. She now writes gay romance of all flavors, and has recently branched into writing her first love: horror. She continues her neverending quest to scare herself. She is not a hippie or a brain surgeon, no matter what her kids’ friends say.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 3, 2016
Wasn't really feeling this one.
I read Ally Blue's Untamed Heart a few years back and liked it quite a bit. So when 'The Secret of Hunter's Bog' popped up on NetGalley, I decided to give it a go. Overall, it was just bland.
Koichi and Will are business owners and neighbours in southern Alabama. After Koichi helps Will set-up his store for opening-day, the two decide to go glamping. Yes, I actually do mean glamping, not camping. Will and Koichi quickly become friends, and it isn't long before they give in to their attraction to each other. The relationship is definitely insta-love, or close to it. Within a matter of days these two go from strangers, to friends, to living together. They were sweet, but there was nothing special about them. I just didn't click with either of the characters.
Family plays a part in both the mystery and the hang-ups that the MCs have. But it's all telling, and almost no showing. Koichi is apparently close to his family, but the only member we see is his sister and business partner. Will on the other hand has a strained relationship with his family, but this is only told through inner monologues. In fact, both of the characters' background stories are told through monologues, which made it difficult to actually connect with either of them. I was indifferent to their struggles.
The mystery aspect did keep me interested, though again it wasn't anything special. The twist at the end did surprise me, but by that point I was bored of the story and was just skimming to get it done. Though thinking back, I don't know how realistic the conclusion to the whole affair was. Things just sort of coincidentally fall in to place.
Overall, 'The Secret of Hunter's Bog' was just an okay read, with a sweet romance and slightly-engaging mystery. It's not this author's best work.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
I read Ally Blue's Untamed Heart a few years back and liked it quite a bit. So when 'The Secret of Hunter's Bog' popped up on NetGalley, I decided to give it a go. Overall, it was just bland.
Koichi and Will are business owners and neighbours in southern Alabama. After Koichi helps Will set-up his store for opening-day, the two decide to go glamping. Yes, I actually do mean glamping, not camping. Will and Koichi quickly become friends, and it isn't long before they give in to their attraction to each other. The relationship is definitely insta-love, or close to it. Within a matter of days these two go from strangers, to friends, to living together. They were sweet, but there was nothing special about them. I just didn't click with either of the characters.
Family plays a part in both the mystery and the hang-ups that the MCs have. But it's all telling, and almost no showing. Koichi is apparently close to his family, but the only member we see is his sister and business partner. Will on the other hand has a strained relationship with his family, but this is only told through inner monologues. In fact, both of the characters' background stories are told through monologues, which made it difficult to actually connect with either of them. I was indifferent to their struggles.
The mystery aspect did keep me interested, though again it wasn't anything special. The twist at the end did surprise me, but by that point I was bored of the story and was just skimming to get it done. Though thinking back, I don't know how realistic the conclusion to the whole affair was. Things just sort of coincidentally fall in to place.
Overall, 'The Secret of Hunter's Bog' was just an okay read, with a sweet romance and slightly-engaging mystery. It's not this author's best work.
Review copy provided through NetGalley.
May 4, 2016
A little mystery, a little romance, and probably a fuck-ton of mosquitoes.
Life in a small town in Southern Alabama is pretty normal. For the given values of normal, anyways. There are good people and bad people, gossip and secrets, new comers and families long entrenched in the Alabama dirt. Koichi McNab has lived there his entire life and not felt too bad about that at all. He loves his home, his family. He loves his store, which was passed down from his grandmother to him and his twin sister.
Which is probably why it is all the more galling that someone broke it, looted the place, and then burned it down. Not that that would ever be considered a fun day by anyone in any circumstances (well, I guess unless you were the arsonist. Who knows, that douche might have been having the time of his life). But Koichi has tried to move on. He has opened a new store in the new strip-mall just on the edge of town. It has good traffic, and who knows, maybe this is the start of a good thing.
And that is at least halfway correct, I guess. Since the store’s neighboring business is run by the gorgeous, funny, and slightly off-limits Will Hood. Will has just moved into the area and doesn’t know many people. But he instantly feels a connection with Koichi. Which…is a bit of a problem since he is in town to track down his ex. A man he loves and who disappeared out of his life a couple years ago with no explanation and no forwarding address. So while Will is attracted to Koichi and Koichi is attracted to Will, nothing can happen. Nothing can…ok, well, let’s just say that things in the bog tend to not stay in the bog. They follow you home like a cloud of blood-thirsty insects intent on sucking your yummy yummy body dry of blood.
Unfortunately insects are not the only thing stalking the bog, either.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It was a hell of a lot lighter in style than the last book I read by this author (Down is a good book if you ever feel like you need a good reason to never go into the ocean again) and I found myself instantly drawn to Koichi, Will, and even Koichi’s sister. The hints of something-not-right in the bog, the mystery of who (or what) was stalking Koichi and Will, did a great job of building the tension in this story. It kept me turning pages, that’s for sure.
And the slightly complicated relationship of Will and Koichi turned out really well. I liked how Will was having to choose between who he had now and who he thought he had then. I liked that it wasn’t an easy choice, that–-for all that Koichi wanted a clear deceleration of intent–-Will couldn’t just let go of the past while the past was still such a huge fucking question mark. For all that it would have been easier for all round if Will could have just moved on, that inability to move on was a huge part of the mystery aspect of the book and it made the relationship with Koichi all the more interesting for it.
This was a fun book. It just was. I enjoyed reading it. There was not a lot of muss or fuss. It just told a good story with a couple of interesting characters and a bit of mystery to keep it all uncertain. I like that in a book.
Which leads me to my but….
But…I do have to admit that the last fifth or so of this book was a bit…anticlimactic. Maybe. I guess.
Look, this book had a lot going for it and a big part of that was the whole mystery of what the fuck was going on with Will’s ex. And while I like that the author chose to go a certain way in handling the ending of this book it was just written in such a way that it severely undercut the climax. It fell a bit flat. I’m not going to reveal what it was because that would be a massive spoiler, but let’s just say that the idea was good, but the execution was a bit off. Will just…he let go way too easily. It felt like running into a old high school friend at Walmart, not discovering…well what it is he discovered. After nearly 200 pages of playing Where Is Anthony, I kinda needed more than what I got.
So.
I liked it. I even enjoyed it. But probably not nearly as much as I could have, and that is a bit sad.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
Life in a small town in Southern Alabama is pretty normal. For the given values of normal, anyways. There are good people and bad people, gossip and secrets, new comers and families long entrenched in the Alabama dirt. Koichi McNab has lived there his entire life and not felt too bad about that at all. He loves his home, his family. He loves his store, which was passed down from his grandmother to him and his twin sister.
Which is probably why it is all the more galling that someone broke it, looted the place, and then burned it down. Not that that would ever be considered a fun day by anyone in any circumstances (well, I guess unless you were the arsonist. Who knows, that douche might have been having the time of his life). But Koichi has tried to move on. He has opened a new store in the new strip-mall just on the edge of town. It has good traffic, and who knows, maybe this is the start of a good thing.
And that is at least halfway correct, I guess. Since the store’s neighboring business is run by the gorgeous, funny, and slightly off-limits Will Hood. Will has just moved into the area and doesn’t know many people. But he instantly feels a connection with Koichi. Which…is a bit of a problem since he is in town to track down his ex. A man he loves and who disappeared out of his life a couple years ago with no explanation and no forwarding address. So while Will is attracted to Koichi and Koichi is attracted to Will, nothing can happen. Nothing can…ok, well, let’s just say that things in the bog tend to not stay in the bog. They follow you home like a cloud of blood-thirsty insects intent on sucking your yummy yummy body dry of blood.
Unfortunately insects are not the only thing stalking the bog, either.
For the most part I really enjoyed this book. It was a hell of a lot lighter in style than the last book I read by this author (Down is a good book if you ever feel like you need a good reason to never go into the ocean again) and I found myself instantly drawn to Koichi, Will, and even Koichi’s sister. The hints of something-not-right in the bog, the mystery of who (or what) was stalking Koichi and Will, did a great job of building the tension in this story. It kept me turning pages, that’s for sure.
And the slightly complicated relationship of Will and Koichi turned out really well. I liked how Will was having to choose between who he had now and who he thought he had then. I liked that it wasn’t an easy choice, that–-for all that Koichi wanted a clear deceleration of intent–-Will couldn’t just let go of the past while the past was still such a huge fucking question mark. For all that it would have been easier for all round if Will could have just moved on, that inability to move on was a huge part of the mystery aspect of the book and it made the relationship with Koichi all the more interesting for it.
This was a fun book. It just was. I enjoyed reading it. There was not a lot of muss or fuss. It just told a good story with a couple of interesting characters and a bit of mystery to keep it all uncertain. I like that in a book.
Which leads me to my but….
But…I do have to admit that the last fifth or so of this book was a bit…anticlimactic. Maybe. I guess.
Look, this book had a lot going for it and a big part of that was the whole mystery of what the fuck was going on with Will’s ex. And while I like that the author chose to go a certain way in handling the ending of this book it was just written in such a way that it severely undercut the climax. It fell a bit flat. I’m not going to reveal what it was because that would be a massive spoiler, but let’s just say that the idea was good, but the execution was a bit off. Will just…he let go way too easily. It felt like running into a old high school friend at Walmart, not discovering…well what it is he discovered. After nearly 200 pages of playing Where Is Anthony, I kinda needed more than what I got.
So.
I liked it. I even enjoyed it. But probably not nearly as much as I could have, and that is a bit sad.
3.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
March 19, 2016
This is a pleasant enough feel good story with a very light mystery.
Will moves to Duchene to set up his equipment shop and glamping business. Having finally escaped the clutches of his domineering father and still reeling from the disappearance of his boyfriend Anthony, he is determined to make a new start and succeed at something he has created for himself.
Koichi McNab and his twin sister Kimmy are also making a new start. Their old shop burnt down and they now have a new start in a new shopping mall. When Koichi meets Will he gets a chance for a new relationship, different to the past relationship he had which left him feeling insecure and bruised.
But is it really different?
Will is still dealing with the disappearance of his boyfriend Anthony and he has questions from his past that need to be resolved and yet he finds himself deeply attracted to Will and doesn't want to miss this start to a new beginning. Alas his past is still there hanging over him like a shroud.
So Will and Koichi supported by the lovely supportive Kimmy start getting closer to each other, spending time with each other and glamping together in nearby Hunters Bog. Although they enjoy each others company both of them still battle with their pasts and events that have left them feeling bruised even though they find comfort in each other.
But there are even more strange happenings afoot.
Who are the strange people who meet in the bog? Why was Koichi's house ransacked? Who set fire to their former shop? And what happened to Anthony?
All these questions are eventually answered and everything works out nicely in the end. It is a nice enough story, but rather predictable. It didn't grab me and I cant say either Will or Anthony were particularly appealing. The story is supposed to be a mystery but it just didn't feel edgy or real or even thrilling.
So it is a nice enough story, good writing, pleasant to read but not a favourite for me.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley.
Will moves to Duchene to set up his equipment shop and glamping business. Having finally escaped the clutches of his domineering father and still reeling from the disappearance of his boyfriend Anthony, he is determined to make a new start and succeed at something he has created for himself.
Koichi McNab and his twin sister Kimmy are also making a new start. Their old shop burnt down and they now have a new start in a new shopping mall. When Koichi meets Will he gets a chance for a new relationship, different to the past relationship he had which left him feeling insecure and bruised.
But is it really different?
Will is still dealing with the disappearance of his boyfriend Anthony and he has questions from his past that need to be resolved and yet he finds himself deeply attracted to Will and doesn't want to miss this start to a new beginning. Alas his past is still there hanging over him like a shroud.
So Will and Koichi supported by the lovely supportive Kimmy start getting closer to each other, spending time with each other and glamping together in nearby Hunters Bog. Although they enjoy each others company both of them still battle with their pasts and events that have left them feeling bruised even though they find comfort in each other.
But there are even more strange happenings afoot.
Who are the strange people who meet in the bog? Why was Koichi's house ransacked? Who set fire to their former shop? And what happened to Anthony?
All these questions are eventually answered and everything works out nicely in the end. It is a nice enough story, but rather predictable. It didn't grab me and I cant say either Will or Anthony were particularly appealing. The story is supposed to be a mystery but it just didn't feel edgy or real or even thrilling.
So it is a nice enough story, good writing, pleasant to read but not a favourite for me.
Copy provided by Riptide Publishing via NetGalley.
February 21, 2016
The bog and the boys have some secrets and a string of break-ins and robberies are going to bring them to the light whether Koichi and Will are prepared for it or not. Will Hood is following a random Instagram picture of a boyfriend that left everything without any explanation two years ago. Establishing himself as a business owner in Duchene, Alabama seems like a good way to start a life independent of the father that he is certain had something to do with his abrupt breakup. The guy at the business next door to Will’s new shop could be the push to move on that Will didn’t even know he needed.
Having to relocate the business that burned to the new mall was never in Koichi and Kimmy’s business plans. In fact Koichi is downright put off by being located in a mall. He’s still dealing with the guilt of the fire that put him and his twin into having to move to begin with. In general Koichi is not really happy about life in general. Things are about to change in a big way for Koichi. His life is about to be shaken up and turned loose. At least he’ll have the sexy distraction of Will to help him through the crazy that his life is about to become.
The Secret of Hunter’s Bog is big on mystery and light on the romance. There are several mystery elements here that all lead the ending to the same place. Publisher website shows this as a standalone and I did not see mention of a series anywhere. This leaves several things unanswered and one thing just rushed and pushed off as answered and forgiven. I was disappointed by this. If I knew that we would get more of Will and Koichi’s bog exploring with answers in future books it would be slightly different. Perhaps there was just more unknown to this mystery than I like.
Having to relocate the business that burned to the new mall was never in Koichi and Kimmy’s business plans. In fact Koichi is downright put off by being located in a mall. He’s still dealing with the guilt of the fire that put him and his twin into having to move to begin with. In general Koichi is not really happy about life in general. Things are about to change in a big way for Koichi. His life is about to be shaken up and turned loose. At least he’ll have the sexy distraction of Will to help him through the crazy that his life is about to become.
The Secret of Hunter’s Bog is big on mystery and light on the romance. There are several mystery elements here that all lead the ending to the same place. Publisher website shows this as a standalone and I did not see mention of a series anywhere. This leaves several things unanswered and one thing just rushed and pushed off as answered and forgiven. I was disappointed by this. If I knew that we would get more of Will and Koichi’s bog exploring with answers in future books it would be slightly different. Perhaps there was just more unknown to this mystery than I like.
February 8, 2016
2.75 Stars
First off: beware the effect of reading about po'boys, fried pickles, hush puppies, fried crab claws, crawfish gumbo on top of other mentions of fries and burgers/sandwiches had on you. It got me salivating for those heavenly sound chows.
Typical me to get side-tracked by food in book. Or got smitten by character's cooking skill like Will Hood had here.
This book drew together a pair of young men with betrayed past. For Koichi McNab it made him wary, keeping himself at a distance from others and dreading when (not if) the ax would finally came down and severe whatever 'relationship' he had. While Will Hood left his affluent family behind to build his own life and looking for his once-upon-a-time lover to find closure.
Koichi's family background was mostly told instead of shown between pages. They were described as close-knitted though other than Kimmy, the twin sister he had business with, there wasn't any scene of Koichi with his family in this book. Considering the trouble Koichi had had to do with stuff from his family, I thought this could get explored a bit more.
Talking about sister, I hope Kimmy and Will would make up their mind whether to call him Koichi, Chichi or T (if I were Koichi I'd loose patience with them). And calling a lover by nickname with that sort of meaning was not cool, Will. Not cool at all.
The attractions between Koichi and Will were too sudden - no particular allure asides from, it seemed, the physicals. How they went from knowing each other a few days before jumping each other bones and - security reason notwithstanding - moved in together. The sceptic in me doubted their sort of whirlwind love affair.
I know I probably shouldn't presume but the image I pictured with Will's (physical) description and his emotion just didn't match. For a big guy he's marshmallowy and softy on the inside. Koichi otoh, seemed tougher than his lean form depicted. Granted, this made for an interesting dynamic in a couple both in and out of the bedroom.
I was hoping for a bit of sleuthing with the troubles Koichi and Will had (the arson, the burglar, the bog, the ghost, mysterious people and the missing lover). Alas, the mystery part shoved a bit haphazardly into the storyline with coincidence thrown in. I'm not saying this isn't a good story but I thought it could be better. The plot had potential. I clung on to those yummy dishes mentioned here though, to keep the happy feeling.
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of a fair and honest review.
First off: beware the effect of reading about po'boys, fried pickles, hush puppies, fried crab claws, crawfish gumbo on top of other mentions of fries and burgers/sandwiches had on you. It got me salivating for those heavenly sound chows.
Typical me to get side-tracked by food in book. Or got smitten by character's cooking skill like Will Hood had here.
This book drew together a pair of young men with betrayed past. For Koichi McNab it made him wary, keeping himself at a distance from others and dreading when (not if) the ax would finally came down and severe whatever 'relationship' he had. While Will Hood left his affluent family behind to build his own life and looking for his once-upon-a-time lover to find closure.
Koichi's family background was mostly told instead of shown between pages. They were described as close-knitted though other than Kimmy, the twin sister he had business with, there wasn't any scene of Koichi with his family in this book. Considering the trouble Koichi had had to do with stuff from his family, I thought this could get explored a bit more.
Talking about sister, I hope Kimmy and Will would make up their mind whether to call him Koichi, Chichi or T (if I were Koichi I'd loose patience with them). And calling a lover by nickname with that sort of meaning was not cool, Will. Not cool at all.
The attractions between Koichi and Will were too sudden - no particular allure asides from, it seemed, the physicals. How they went from knowing each other a few days before jumping each other bones and - security reason notwithstanding - moved in together. The sceptic in me doubted their sort of whirlwind love affair.
I know I probably shouldn't presume but the image I pictured with Will's (physical) description and his emotion just didn't match. For a big guy he's marshmallowy and softy on the inside. Koichi otoh, seemed tougher than his lean form depicted. Granted, this made for an interesting dynamic in a couple both in and out of the bedroom.
I was hoping for a bit of sleuthing with the troubles Koichi and Will had (the arson, the burglar, the bog, the ghost, mysterious people and the missing lover). Alas, the mystery part shoved a bit haphazardly into the storyline with coincidence thrown in. I'm not saying this isn't a good story but I thought it could be better. The plot had potential. I clung on to those yummy dishes mentioned here though, to keep the happy feeling.
ARC is kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley for the exchange of a fair and honest review.
March 8, 2016
Koichi McNab and his twin sister Kimmy are opening McNab’s Organic Home Goods in a new location. Koichi is carrying some heavy guilt about this new move: He believes he’s to blame for a fire that burned down the original family store and now, in this new location, they may not get the customers they had before. They are now located in the Hunter’s Bog strip mall near the swamp.
Will Hood made the move from Huston to Alabama in search of a lost love and to escape family conflicts. Will is the outdoorsman type and he’s opening Hood’s Luxury Outdoor Expedition & Supplies in the strip mall, next door to the McNab’s store. Kimmy, who is somewhat of an adventurous and fun meddling sister, encourages Koichi to help Will get his store in order for opening. Will explains his business plan to hire himself out to take people glamping. Even though Koichi and Will are like opposites attract, Koichi is willing to take the leap and go glamping just to be around Will.
Koichi and Will’s relationship is somewhat shaky throughout the story—Will keeps thinking of his lost love, Anthony, and Koichi wants to have more with Will, but there’s always lingering doubt in his mind. And there’s more mystery added to the story as Detective Beauchamp’s investigation of the fire at the McNab family store reveals arson. Then there’s the burglary at Koichi’s house, missing jewelry, an old journal written in French, and an old perfume bottle. And, the glamping trips into Hunter’s Bog where mysterious activity and faces keep appearing.
Ally Blue has created a mystery with suspense, danger, humor and a little heartbreak. The story itself was well written, easy to follow and a nice little page turner. I liked the sibling relationship she created between Koichi and Kimmy. I thought it was portrayed as a special type of connection, with fun teasing, love of family, and the concern they have for each other. Kimmy’s character was very well written—she is a good opposite of Koichi. All in all, I thought The Secret of Hunter’s Bog was a very entertaining mystery. I’d categorize it as a lite mystery that will definitely hold your interest and keep you wondering.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
Will Hood made the move from Huston to Alabama in search of a lost love and to escape family conflicts. Will is the outdoorsman type and he’s opening Hood’s Luxury Outdoor Expedition & Supplies in the strip mall, next door to the McNab’s store. Kimmy, who is somewhat of an adventurous and fun meddling sister, encourages Koichi to help Will get his store in order for opening. Will explains his business plan to hire himself out to take people glamping. Even though Koichi and Will are like opposites attract, Koichi is willing to take the leap and go glamping just to be around Will.
Koichi and Will’s relationship is somewhat shaky throughout the story—Will keeps thinking of his lost love, Anthony, and Koichi wants to have more with Will, but there’s always lingering doubt in his mind. And there’s more mystery added to the story as Detective Beauchamp’s investigation of the fire at the McNab family store reveals arson. Then there’s the burglary at Koichi’s house, missing jewelry, an old journal written in French, and an old perfume bottle. And, the glamping trips into Hunter’s Bog where mysterious activity and faces keep appearing.
Ally Blue has created a mystery with suspense, danger, humor and a little heartbreak. The story itself was well written, easy to follow and a nice little page turner. I liked the sibling relationship she created between Koichi and Kimmy. I thought it was portrayed as a special type of connection, with fun teasing, love of family, and the concern they have for each other. Kimmy’s character was very well written—she is a good opposite of Koichi. All in all, I thought The Secret of Hunter’s Bog was a very entertaining mystery. I’d categorize it as a lite mystery that will definitely hold your interest and keep you wondering.
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach Reviews
http://www.thenovelapproachreviews.co...
February 21, 2016
I received a copy of this title to read and review for Wicked Reads
3 Stars.
The Secret of Hunter's Bog was an easy read, flowed quickly, and was as sugary sweet as the tea. After their store burnt down, a set of fraternal twins are setting up shop in Hunter's Bog strip mall. Situated next door is a new glamping (glamour camping) store, owned and operated by the love interest.
I will admit, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and becoming interested/invested in their story due to so much 'telling' instead of showing. Large portions of backstory are told in inner monologue, and I wasn't sure how much of it I should retain. While this novella was an easy read, this lessened the emotional impact and made it difficult for me to connect to the characters or the story.
While setting up their respective stores, Kimmy pushes her brother to help their new neighbor set up, and Koichi & Will are immediately attracted to one another. While I could understand lust, they also instantaneously develop true feelings in the blink of an eye, without any interactions to connect them. Obviously this has to be this way when written in a novella, as it takes page-length to develop a realistic relationship, but this was fast even by novella terms.
The Secret of Hunter's Bog was a quick, easy, lighthearted read, perfect for a few hours to de-stress without getting too angsty or involved. However, the spooky mystery isn't necessarily resolved by book's end.
Definitely recommend this novella to MM Romance readers who love fluffy and want instantaneous gratification.
3 Stars.
The Secret of Hunter's Bog was an easy read, flowed quickly, and was as sugary sweet as the tea. After their store burnt down, a set of fraternal twins are setting up shop in Hunter's Bog strip mall. Situated next door is a new glamping (glamour camping) store, owned and operated by the love interest.
I will admit, I had a difficult time connecting with the characters and becoming interested/invested in their story due to so much 'telling' instead of showing. Large portions of backstory are told in inner monologue, and I wasn't sure how much of it I should retain. While this novella was an easy read, this lessened the emotional impact and made it difficult for me to connect to the characters or the story.
While setting up their respective stores, Kimmy pushes her brother to help their new neighbor set up, and Koichi & Will are immediately attracted to one another. While I could understand lust, they also instantaneously develop true feelings in the blink of an eye, without any interactions to connect them. Obviously this has to be this way when written in a novella, as it takes page-length to develop a realistic relationship, but this was fast even by novella terms.
The Secret of Hunter's Bog was a quick, easy, lighthearted read, perfect for a few hours to de-stress without getting too angsty or involved. However, the spooky mystery isn't necessarily resolved by book's end.
Definitely recommend this novella to MM Romance readers who love fluffy and want instantaneous gratification.
December 16, 2019
I admit it. I only got through the third chapter of this before deleting it from my Kindle. I shouldn't have even pushed that far... I think I only did because I am a sucker for things Asian (Japanese in particular) and one of the main characters is of Japanese descent -- or his family names things oddly. I should have realized when Koichi thought about promising not to sniff What's-his-name's crotch when they first met that it wasn't likely to get any better. Who, when first meeting someone they find attractive, thinks about sniffing, or not sniffing, their private parts? It's not like Koichi's a shifter of some sort - or at least they hadn't mentioned it by chapter 3. To make things worse, both men acted (and spoke) like they were 13 year-old girls.
On top of that, Kimmy (Koichi's sister) affectionately referred to as him as Chichi, which I thought meant he was rather protective of his sisters (or something), since it means "Dad" in Japanese. But then What's-his-name points out it means "tits" in Spanish (again in the way a 13 year old might "the 't' word", etc. with hand gestures) so "T' becomes Koichi's new nick name. Just too much.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
On top of that, Kimmy (Koichi's sister) affectionately referred to as him as Chichi, which I thought meant he was rather protective of his sisters (or something), since it means "Dad" in Japanese. But then What's-his-name points out it means "tits" in Spanish (again in the way a 13 year old might "the 't' word", etc. with hand gestures) so "T' becomes Koichi's new nick name. Just too much.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me an arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 9, 2016
The Secret of Hunter's Bog
by Ally Blue
A Romance Mystery!
This story is about Koichi McNab and Will Hood, both shop owners and living in Alabama.
Koichi, has lived there his whole live, he loves his store and his family and his twin sister. Will has just recently moved to the town, opening a store right next to Koichi and his sister.
There is an instant connection between Will and Koichi, but Will has secrets. He has moved into town looking for his ex. * dun dun dun* A man who he kind of like loved a lot… so he can’t like be with another man! Wrong he can, and will!
Overall, I did really enjoy the story, just I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I really liked Koichi he was my favourite character and his sister, I liked reading about how close they were. Great amount of sexual tension and the mystery was suspenseful enough to keep me invested to the end.
3.5 stars
An arc copy received by Netgalley
Ang, PNR Book Lover Reviews
by Ally Blue
A Romance Mystery!
This story is about Koichi McNab and Will Hood, both shop owners and living in Alabama.
Koichi, has lived there his whole live, he loves his store and his family and his twin sister. Will has just recently moved to the town, opening a store right next to Koichi and his sister.
There is an instant connection between Will and Koichi, but Will has secrets. He has moved into town looking for his ex. * dun dun dun* A man who he kind of like loved a lot… so he can’t like be with another man! Wrong he can, and will!
Overall, I did really enjoy the story, just I didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. I really liked Koichi he was my favourite character and his sister, I liked reading about how close they were. Great amount of sexual tension and the mystery was suspenseful enough to keep me invested to the end.
3.5 stars
An arc copy received by Netgalley
Ang, PNR Book Lover Reviews
August 13, 2016
This was a disappointment. Loves Evolution is a favorite book but of course it wasn't a mystery. But aside from the very lame, illogical mystery in this story, the romance was shortchanged as well. The characterization was thin and the setting was pretty much confined to the strip mall near a bog. Then there were hints of ghosts or some paranormal element or possibly it was setting up some future mystery story. The romance was kind of shoehorned in and no emotional intimacy was conveyed. Just wasn't worth it.
October 11, 2017
3.5/5
It's cute. It's easily likeable. I seriously disliked that Kiochi didn't want to act crazy 'like a little girl'?! Really?? It was so odd and unnecessary that I had to reread to see if it was his thoughts or his ex's words. Either way I hate that as a derogatory remark. Man, you'd be so lucky to be crazy like a little girl. They have a lot of fun.
I can't give more stars bc the plot was weak and convoluted. I couldn't buy nice guy Anthony. It was a hard sell but I'm passing. Also, bad character development! Bad! No! We don't one chapter change a character and resolve two major relationship problems. It felt very forced and rushed.
Clearly none of this was enough to ruin the book for me. It's good I like cute.
It's cute. It's easily likeable. I seriously disliked that Kiochi didn't want to act crazy 'like a little girl'?! Really?? It was so odd and unnecessary that I had to reread to see if it was his thoughts or his ex's words. Either way I hate that as a derogatory remark. Man, you'd be so lucky to be crazy like a little girl. They have a lot of fun.
I can't give more stars bc the plot was weak and convoluted. I couldn't buy nice guy Anthony. It was a hard sell but I'm passing. Also, bad character development! Bad! No! We don't one chapter change a character and resolve two major relationship problems. It felt very forced and rushed.
Clearly none of this was enough to ruin the book for me. It's good I like cute.
November 7, 2016
I finally finished this one! It couldn't hold my attention and I found myself way more interested in the idea of glamping than the actual book and its story. It wasn't that I didn't like the characters or the story line as a whole but it was just boring. I couldn't connect.
August 24, 2017
I feel like this story couldn't decide what to be: suspense, thriller, romance, humorous? In the end, it was ok.
Bought from kobo
Bought from kobo
February 10, 2019
Enjoyable little mystery.
November 8, 2016
Ally Blue has always been a compelling author. I thoroughly enjoyed her "Bay City Paranormal Investigations"! While "Hunter's Bog" was not on the same level as "Bay City" it was a fun, addictive read.
Living in small town Alabama, and having formerly lived on the gulf coast, I found the books location relatable.
Koichi is dealing with guilt. He feels responsible for burning down the family business. He's concerned the new shop will not have the same traffic as the old. Will is chasing his past. Looking for the one that got away. Koichi and Will's paths collide as their businesses are side-by-side in the new strip mall. It does not take long for the sparks to start flying.
Blue weaves suspense, lite mystery, humor, heartbreak, and danger deftly in "Hunter's Bog".
Reviewer received an NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Living in small town Alabama, and having formerly lived on the gulf coast, I found the books location relatable.
Koichi is dealing with guilt. He feels responsible for burning down the family business. He's concerned the new shop will not have the same traffic as the old. Will is chasing his past. Looking for the one that got away. Koichi and Will's paths collide as their businesses are side-by-side in the new strip mall. It does not take long for the sparks to start flying.
Blue weaves suspense, lite mystery, humor, heartbreak, and danger deftly in "Hunter's Bog".
Reviewer received an NetGalley ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 22, 2016
Secrets of Hunters Bog was an amazing book. It had suspense, intrigue, romance and plot twists that kept me on my toes. The book was so hard to put down. I enjoyed watching the relationship between Koichi and Will evolve as well as the friendship between these two and Kimmy, Koichi's twin sister. The story remained mysterious and kept the reader from really knowing what was going on for a long time and I loved every minute of it. I hadn't ever read a book by Ally Blue before but I believe I will be after this. I loved how she set up the whole book. I loved her characters and how she gave them life, making them feel real. This is a book I highly recommend to suspense romance readers everywhere.
March 1, 2016
3.5 Stars. Overall I did enjoy the book but we are left with a lot of questions by the end. I am hoping there will be a sequel to tie up the mystery portion. Where are the jewels, perfume bottle, journal and the missing pages and the significant of same. Also who is the person that wants it all and where is he/she. I didn't like Will just running off and leaving Koichi like he did. I'm glad that there was closure between Will and Anthony. I would have liked more sleuthing on the parts of Will and Koichi. I love Kimmy she is such a sweetheart & she made me laugh.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2016
3.5*
I quite enjoyed this.
No big trauma, no big drama, no big angst but still I found most of it quite engaging.
Lots of questions raised, some answered and some left so I hope there is at least book 2.
I did find the ending a bit disappointing, it seemed to loose some impetous or something, stemming from when Anthony and Will started talking.
There is obviously a pre-story with Koichi's grams house history and we did learn some of it, including the shop fire but more to come surely!
I quite enjoyed this.
No big trauma, no big drama, no big angst but still I found most of it quite engaging.
Lots of questions raised, some answered and some left so I hope there is at least book 2.
I did find the ending a bit disappointing, it seemed to loose some impetous or something, stemming from when Anthony and Will started talking.
There is obviously a pre-story with Koichi's grams house history and we did learn some of it, including the shop fire but more to come surely!
March 7, 2017
I thought it was...ok. I thought it was a pretty good mystery up until the end when everything was wrapped up in a pretty bow & everyone was forgiven. I think both the explanation given about Will's ex, Anthony, & his subsequent forgiveness of him were to easy. Sorry...Anthony shouldn't've been forgiven that easily & been let off the hook for abandoning Will with no explanation whatsoever! I felt a little letdown & cheated. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable story.
January 27, 2016
ARC received from Netgalley
I liked it except for the ending. The explanation of what happened to Anthony just seemed a little unrealistic to me. FYI the "mystery" isn't fully solved. It isn't a true "to be continued"ending but not everything is resolved. Koichi is really the highlight of the characters
I liked it except for the ending. The explanation of what happened to Anthony just seemed a little unrealistic to me. FYI the "mystery" isn't fully solved. It isn't a true "to be continued"ending but not everything is resolved. Koichi is really the highlight of the characters
April 22, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I thought it was well written and quite a joy to read. I have never read anything by this author before but I plan to check out any others available.
October 28, 2016
The writing is decent, but there's nothing particularly memorable or new.
I feel like I've read the exact story dozens of times before with little details that made them better.
I feel like I've read the exact story dozens of times before with little details that made them better.
March 29, 2016
There are a few loose threads that make me think this book would be a part of series.
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