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Planting Dreams #1
Planting His Dream
Length: 6 hrs and 37 mins
Foster dreams of getting away, but after his father’s death, he has to take over the family dairy farm. It soon becomes clear his father hasn’t been doing the best job of running it, so not only does Foster need to take over the day-to-day operations, he also needs to find new ways of bringing in revenue.
Javi has no time to dream. He and his family are migrant workers, and daily survival is a struggle, so they travel to anywhere they can get work. When they arrive in their old van, Foster arranges for Javi to help him on the farm.
To Javi’s surprise, Foster listens to his ideas and actually puts them into action. Over days that turn into weeks, they grow to like and then care for each other, but they come from two very different worlds, and they both have responsibilities to their families that neither can walk away from. Is it possible for them to discover a dream they can share? Perhaps they can plant their own and nurture it together to see it grow, if their different backgrounds don’t separate them forever.
Foster dreams of getting away, but after his father’s death, he has to take over the family dairy farm. It soon becomes clear his father hasn’t been doing the best job of running it, so not only does Foster need to take over the day-to-day operations, he also needs to find new ways of bringing in revenue.
Javi has no time to dream. He and his family are migrant workers, and daily survival is a struggle, so they travel to anywhere they can get work. When they arrive in their old van, Foster arranges for Javi to help him on the farm.
To Javi’s surprise, Foster listens to his ideas and actually puts them into action. Over days that turn into weeks, they grow to like and then care for each other, but they come from two very different worlds, and they both have responsibilities to their families that neither can walk away from. Is it possible for them to discover a dream they can share? Perhaps they can plant their own and nurture it together to see it grow, if their different backgrounds don’t separate them forever.
7 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 11, 2016
12 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
August 6, 2016
Foster has spent his entire life working the family dairy farm. He's given up parties, spending time with friends, and being a "kid" in order to work side by side with his father to make their farm viable. When Foster's father dies unexpectedly it creates a strain of finances and work.
Putting the advice of a neighboring farmer into action Foster begins to treat the farm like a business and expand crops and the family's personal garden in order to sell their goods at the local farmer's market for more income. When a migrant family who had helped the year before returns early, Foster is able to use the oldest son, Javi's, strong back and work ethic to help with some of the mounting chores and responsibility of running the operation.
Foster's attraction to Javi is his biggest secret, but when Javi expresses his own feelings to Foster, the two begin a relationship based on mutual respect and attraction. But Javi comes from a different world than Foster and they have a lot to work through in order to be together.
The reader gets a good inside look into the sweat and backbreaking work involved in running a small farm, and a smaller snapshot into the lives of one of the migrant families who seasonally works there. While there is a lot of focus into the day to day work, it doesn't come at the expense of the slow-burn romance that finally heats up quite well.
Charmingly narrated by Derrick McClain Planting His Dream is a sweet, low angst, romance with some heat and with no real conflict or big blow ups...It's just an easy, pleasurable listen.
Audio copy of Planting His Dream provided by Dreamspinner Press in exchange of an honest review.
This review has been cross-posted at Gay Book Reviews.
September 19, 2018
Romantic but not mushy, this is the story of 23 year old Foster who ends up running his family farm when his father unexpectedly passes away. Seasonal help comes in the form of the Ramos family, including their eldest son Javi. When Foster and Javi find themselves attracted to each other they have the dual issues of families who are unaware of their sexuality and a situation that means they may not have the opportunity to stay together. But things can change. Short and sweet, and nicely written.
November 12, 2021
Audiobook rating 3.5 stars. Andrew Grey audiobooks are my go-to when I have a long drive and I’m traveling solo. The stories are always relatable & without a lot of drama or over the top angst.
This one was perfect for the 6+ hour round trip to an out of town wedding. The narrator did a decent job and the story, while not anything especially memorable, was enjoyable and helped pass the time there and back.
This one was perfect for the 6+ hour round trip to an out of town wedding. The narrator did a decent job and the story, while not anything especially memorable, was enjoyable and helped pass the time there and back.
October 31, 2017
For some reason I keep picking up books by Andrew Grey, but I have yet to discover even one book that was beyond meh or ok for me. I keep thinking that I will find a book that I'll like, but sadly I strike out time and again. Don't get me wrong, there was absolutely nothing wrong with this book. in fact I liked it better than most of his other works. but it still wasn't a particularly good read. It dragged at times and I never really got into the story.
Who knows, maybe some day I'll find a Grey book that will wow me. But this wasn't it.
If you are a Grey fan this book is for you, but if you are like me - skip this book and move along to another author, cause this won't be the book to convert you.
Who knows, maybe some day I'll find a Grey book that will wow me. But this wasn't it.
If you are a Grey fan this book is for you, but if you are like me - skip this book and move along to another author, cause this won't be the book to convert you.
July 17, 2016
4.5 stars
September 30, 2017
OK, I loved this one!
I´m going to start the second book of this series today, I really hope to find another good series here *_*! Andrew´s Carlisle series is one of my favs!
His farm books are some of my favorites and this one is totally my kind of story! Slow burn with cute and very nice characters -good human being-!! It barely has any angst, some sad, touching moments and a lovely HEA ending!!
I´m going to start the second book of this series today, I really hope to find another good series here *_*! Andrew´s Carlisle series is one of my favs!
His farm books are some of my favorites and this one is totally my kind of story! Slow burn with cute and very nice characters -good human being-!! It barely has any angst, some sad, touching moments and a lovely HEA ending!!
October 2, 2020
Farm fresh
Enjoyable story with feels and family drama. First loves are special and when they happen, let the ride begin. Great characters and the writing makes you feel like you’re on the farm. I would have like to know more about Javi’s mom and siblings. 3.75 for knowing grandmas.
Enjoyable story with feels and family drama. First loves are special and when they happen, let the ride begin. Great characters and the writing makes you feel like you’re on the farm. I would have like to know more about Javi’s mom and siblings. 3.75 for knowing grandmas.
June 15, 2017
This was a nice steady moving story about Foster whose lost his father and must take over the reins of the family farm and Javi, a migrant farm picker whose doesn't believe in dreams anymore.
September 15, 2016
Note: This audiobook was provided to me through Hearts on Fire Reviews in exchange for an impartial review.
When Foster discovers the debt his recently deceased father leaves behind, he takes the advice of a neighboring farmer who’s doing quite well and looks for areas to diversify and to make use of every available acre and every available crop. Together with his mother and grandmother, he works from sunup to sundown to keep the farm operational. He can’t afford additional help, but he does honor a contract that his father made with a migrant family to harvest his asparagus crop.
When they show up a week early, he feels sorry for them and hires their oldest son, Javi, to help with his daily chores. Javi suggests they sell some of their produce at the end of their lane and that they take advantage of selling at the local farmer’s market—both ideas that pay off. Foster and Javi become friends and then more as they grow to respect and eventually come to care deeply for one another. But Javi’s father is not reliable due to his drinking and authoritarian ways so Javi feels he needs to stay with them to make sure his mother and brother and sister have enough money to survive, and he breaks Foster’s heart when he leaves with his family.
Andrew Grey uses this novel to alert readers to the very real plight of migrant families. In the way he has of weaving a social issue with a romantic pairing, this was a sweet story at the same time it illustrated the lack of available health care, education, and often food resources for families who travel from farm to farm and state to state. I normally enjoy this type of story, but whether it was due to having it narrated or the topic itself, I just couldn’t warm up to this one. Both Foster and Javi seemed very innocent and naïve, and though I have no doubt Foster, who spent most of his time on the farm since childhood, would be naïve, I found it hard to believe that twenty-year-old Javi would be.
I didn’t care for the narration on this story either. The narrator, Derrick McLain, didn’t distinguish clearly between the voices he gave Foster and Javi, though I did enjoy Grandma’s voice. The major issue I had with Javi’s voice is the lack of an accent. Living with a mother who only spoke Spanish in a van with siblings and a father who spoke only Spanish 99% of the time, how did he not have at least a minimal Spanish accent in the narrative? I’m happy that the author didn’t write his dialogue the way some writers do for someone with broken English, but still, it didn’t feel realistic to listen to him speak as if he was born and raised on the same farm as Foster.
I’d give the narration a two and the story a four, so I’m knocking down the overall rating a notch to 3.5 to make up for the narration. Those enjoy Andrew Grey will enjoy this one, but I recommend the e-book over the audiobook version.
When Foster discovers the debt his recently deceased father leaves behind, he takes the advice of a neighboring farmer who’s doing quite well and looks for areas to diversify and to make use of every available acre and every available crop. Together with his mother and grandmother, he works from sunup to sundown to keep the farm operational. He can’t afford additional help, but he does honor a contract that his father made with a migrant family to harvest his asparagus crop.
When they show up a week early, he feels sorry for them and hires their oldest son, Javi, to help with his daily chores. Javi suggests they sell some of their produce at the end of their lane and that they take advantage of selling at the local farmer’s market—both ideas that pay off. Foster and Javi become friends and then more as they grow to respect and eventually come to care deeply for one another. But Javi’s father is not reliable due to his drinking and authoritarian ways so Javi feels he needs to stay with them to make sure his mother and brother and sister have enough money to survive, and he breaks Foster’s heart when he leaves with his family.
Andrew Grey uses this novel to alert readers to the very real plight of migrant families. In the way he has of weaving a social issue with a romantic pairing, this was a sweet story at the same time it illustrated the lack of available health care, education, and often food resources for families who travel from farm to farm and state to state. I normally enjoy this type of story, but whether it was due to having it narrated or the topic itself, I just couldn’t warm up to this one. Both Foster and Javi seemed very innocent and naïve, and though I have no doubt Foster, who spent most of his time on the farm since childhood, would be naïve, I found it hard to believe that twenty-year-old Javi would be.
I didn’t care for the narration on this story either. The narrator, Derrick McLain, didn’t distinguish clearly between the voices he gave Foster and Javi, though I did enjoy Grandma’s voice. The major issue I had with Javi’s voice is the lack of an accent. Living with a mother who only spoke Spanish in a van with siblings and a father who spoke only Spanish 99% of the time, how did he not have at least a minimal Spanish accent in the narrative? I’m happy that the author didn’t write his dialogue the way some writers do for someone with broken English, but still, it didn’t feel realistic to listen to him speak as if he was born and raised on the same farm as Foster.
I’d give the narration a two and the story a four, so I’m knocking down the overall rating a notch to 3.5 to make up for the narration. Those enjoy Andrew Grey will enjoy this one, but I recommend the e-book over the audiobook version.
August 23, 2017
"Sweet Heartwaming Story"
If you could sum up Planting His Dream in three words, what would they be?
Heartwarming, Romance, Responsibility
Foster & Javi are both in the position of having a lot of responsibility and duties to provide for their family. Their somewhat coming of age story of finding love and how to live life to make each other happy is very sweet.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Planting His Dream?
When Foster & Javi part ways & say goodbye. That was a very grown up decision for the two of them to make & might've made me tear up a little...
Have you listened to any of Derrick McClain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have listened to many books narrated by Derrick McClain. His performances are usually a joy to listen to. This one was good but it would have been slightly better if he had made Javi sound more Hispanic, but no accents are better than bad accents so that's ok.
If you could sum up Planting His Dream in three words, what would they be?
Heartwarming, Romance, Responsibility
Foster & Javi are both in the position of having a lot of responsibility and duties to provide for their family. Their somewhat coming of age story of finding love and how to live life to make each other happy is very sweet.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Planting His Dream?
When Foster & Javi part ways & say goodbye. That was a very grown up decision for the two of them to make & might've made me tear up a little...
Have you listened to any of Derrick McClain’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I have listened to many books narrated by Derrick McClain. His performances are usually a joy to listen to. This one was good but it would have been slightly better if he had made Javi sound more Hispanic, but no accents are better than bad accents so that's ok.
September 5, 2019
Wieder eine Farm-Story von Andrew Grey, die ich unbedingt lesen wollte.
Foster ist nach dem Tod seines Vaters gezwungen, die heimatliche Farm zu übernehmen. Zwischen täglicher Pflicht und harter Arbeit bleibt ihm keine Zeit für seine Träume. Als eine Wanderarbeiterfamilie erneut zur Spargelernte anreist, ist er erfreut über das Wiedersehen mit Javi, dem ältesten Sohn. Die beiden jungen Männer kommen sich näher, denn beide sind schwul, aber ungeoutet. Sie verlieben sich ineinander, doch das Leben hat andere Pläne für sie.
Realistisch schildert der Autor das Leben auf einer Farm, das kein Zuckerschlecken ist. Leider ist meiner Meinung nach die Geschichte entschieden zu problemlastig und die Beziehung von Foster und Javi kam dabei leider viel zu kurz.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
Foster ist nach dem Tod seines Vaters gezwungen, die heimatliche Farm zu übernehmen. Zwischen täglicher Pflicht und harter Arbeit bleibt ihm keine Zeit für seine Träume. Als eine Wanderarbeiterfamilie erneut zur Spargelernte anreist, ist er erfreut über das Wiedersehen mit Javi, dem ältesten Sohn. Die beiden jungen Männer kommen sich näher, denn beide sind schwul, aber ungeoutet. Sie verlieben sich ineinander, doch das Leben hat andere Pläne für sie.
Realistisch schildert der Autor das Leben auf einer Farm, das kein Zuckerschlecken ist. Leider ist meiner Meinung nach die Geschichte entschieden zu problemlastig und die Beziehung von Foster und Javi kam dabei leider viel zu kurz.
Mein Dank geht an den Cursed Verlag für das erhaltene Rezensionsexemplar
March 23, 2018
Rating: 3 stars
This story was a bit slow for me in places. I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it at first. Farming stories aren’t really my thing. I do think that the author did a good job portraying the hard life of the farmer and the even harsher life of a migrant worker. The story was told exclusively from Foster’s point of view and that was okay, but I think I would have liked to see things from Javi’s perspective also.
All in all, it was a good slice of life story about a farmer falling in love with a migrant worker and the struggles they went through coming to terms with their love and different life styles.
This story was a bit slow for me in places. I wasn’t sure I was going to finish it at first. Farming stories aren’t really my thing. I do think that the author did a good job portraying the hard life of the farmer and the even harsher life of a migrant worker. The story was told exclusively from Foster’s point of view and that was okay, but I think I would have liked to see things from Javi’s perspective also.
All in all, it was a good slice of life story about a farmer falling in love with a migrant worker and the struggles they went through coming to terms with their love and different life styles.
June 12, 2016
This was a sweet book set in the part of Michigan that I'm from and is not only a charming coming out/coming of age story, but also contains a strong message about racial prejudice.
June 11, 2017
3.75 stars
February 7, 2019
Andrew Grey's Planting His Dream, is a superb, riveting romance.
Foster finds himself in charge of the family farm after his father dies. He meets Javi when he shows up to work the farm.
Life for these two young men is not easy. Foster's trying to revive the farm and keep it running, while Javi is stuck living under his father's thumb. To say his dad is controlling is putting it lightly.
As tough as Foster's life is, he realizes how much he has, how lucky he is, and all the things he took for granted. His supportive family is absolutely delightful.
Both young men are used to putting their own goals aside for their family, trying to provide for them. They are living by their obligations to take care of, protect, and provide for their families.
I love this story. These are two young men who have intense longing and chemistry, but struggle to be together because of their circumstances. It's a tale of courage and strength, and the importance of being true to yourself.
The farm and the land are wonderfully described, allowing the reader to become engrossed in the atmosphere. We experience the struggles, weather, and harness of farm life along with these characters.
Planting His Dream is full of attraction, struggles and allowing yourself to love. It's a fantastic romance, with all the ambiance of the farm and life of the farm. I truly enjoyed this book!
Foster finds himself in charge of the family farm after his father dies. He meets Javi when he shows up to work the farm.
Life for these two young men is not easy. Foster's trying to revive the farm and keep it running, while Javi is stuck living under his father's thumb. To say his dad is controlling is putting it lightly.
As tough as Foster's life is, he realizes how much he has, how lucky he is, and all the things he took for granted. His supportive family is absolutely delightful.
Both young men are used to putting their own goals aside for their family, trying to provide for them. They are living by their obligations to take care of, protect, and provide for their families.
I love this story. These are two young men who have intense longing and chemistry, but struggle to be together because of their circumstances. It's a tale of courage and strength, and the importance of being true to yourself.
The farm and the land are wonderfully described, allowing the reader to become engrossed in the atmosphere. We experience the struggles, weather, and harness of farm life along with these characters.
Planting His Dream is full of attraction, struggles and allowing yourself to love. It's a fantastic romance, with all the ambiance of the farm and life of the farm. I truly enjoyed this book!
March 18, 2024
Responsibility can come suddenly as Foster finds out. He's been working on the family farm with the hopes of getting away. A family of migrants arrives to help harvest a secondary crop and their eldest son Javi draws a little more than just a little attention from Foster. Through separation and difficulty the two grow stronger and when they are finally reunited they have grown a love to last. A very great read.
April 22, 2018
What a beautiful story with realistic family drama and sweet warm romance between two different characters. I enjoyed Foster and Javi's friendship and romance. I just wish we had the second book in audiobook edition.
March 4, 2019
This book was a story of a young man that after is Father death. Working to grow his family Cow farm. He falls in love with a young mexican travelling farm worker. The two find each other while fighting family and abuse. A wonderful story of finding true love
April 17, 2018
Pulling story plot with troublesome future.
September 29, 2018
Foster was such an irritating character.
April 13, 2019
New Adult romance between farmer Foster and migrant worker Javi on a dairy and asparagus farm in Michigan.
June 22, 2019
Rural Love
I love the setting of a rural farming community. Sure there are some stereotypes but there is also a lot of community, love and sharing. In the end, love wins out.
I love the setting of a rural farming community. Sure there are some stereotypes but there is also a lot of community, love and sharing. In the end, love wins out.
April 4, 2016
***Four Stars for First Love***
Foster was trying to figure out what to do with his life and whether or not he wanted his family’s dairy farm when decisions suddenly became not an option upon the death of his father. Javi is a realist who doesn’t think dreams are for him, but he very much wants to provide them for his younger brother and sister. Their first meeting was with Foster’s dad still running the show, but Javi certainly made an impression on Foster’s eager brain.
A year later, meeting the affable Foster presents the pair with an opportunity to explore their attraction to each other while also making changes that should benefit the farm. Unfortunately, despite Javi’s adult status, his father is the head of the family and what he says goes, so when Javi bucks the system, he pays for it. Can the farmer and the itinerant find a way to be together, or are their worlds just too different to mesh?
I’m not a fan of new adult, and because I received this as an ARC, I wasn’t aware that it was such a story. However, while there is plenty of angst and drama as is generally appropriate for new adult men (and women, to be completely fair), Mr. Grey handled this from a refreshing perspective. While Foster was vaguely aware of the difficulty of farming, he actually lived a fairly sheltered life until the entirety was thrust upon him, but at that point, he stepped up and (without whining!) jumped in with both feet, displaying a maturity that I appreciated. The same goes for Javi - despite the miserable life he’s led, the constant travel and sharing a camper van with four other people with not enough to eat and an alcoholic ruling the roost, he sucks it up and does what he needs to do to ensure his mother and his siblings are taken care of.
The plot was fun for me - as a grandchild of a dairy farmer, I know exactly what it’s like to struggle every single day and to live a life that is literally on repeat - clean the milking barn, clean the cows, milk the cows, clean the milking barn, go take care of whatever else needs to be taken care of, then do it all over again 10-12 hours later. I was thrilled with how Mr. Grey depicted the struggles that all farmers face, and dairy farmers especially. The pacing was on point, and the two primary peripheral characters, Foster’s mother and grandmother, were a joy to read, enriching the storyline and injecting love and support in an untenable position even if they weren’t aware it was happening.
The chemistry is strong between the two young men, and except for the slight glossing over of the pain involved in their first time together (which is a serious pet peeve of mine - that first time *always* hurts, and there’s no reason to not say so), the scenes were sweet and tender. While the end was fairly predictable, Mr. Grey wrote a twist in the circumstances that closed the circle firmly, allowing peace of mind for all characters, not just Foster and Javi. I hope that there will be more in this setting, that Foster and Javi will be able to build a community of support around them. Definitely pick this one up - as expected, Mr. Grey has written another winner!
Review Copy of Planting His Dream provided by the Author, Andrew Grey for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
Foster was trying to figure out what to do with his life and whether or not he wanted his family’s dairy farm when decisions suddenly became not an option upon the death of his father. Javi is a realist who doesn’t think dreams are for him, but he very much wants to provide them for his younger brother and sister. Their first meeting was with Foster’s dad still running the show, but Javi certainly made an impression on Foster’s eager brain.
A year later, meeting the affable Foster presents the pair with an opportunity to explore their attraction to each other while also making changes that should benefit the farm. Unfortunately, despite Javi’s adult status, his father is the head of the family and what he says goes, so when Javi bucks the system, he pays for it. Can the farmer and the itinerant find a way to be together, or are their worlds just too different to mesh?
I’m not a fan of new adult, and because I received this as an ARC, I wasn’t aware that it was such a story. However, while there is plenty of angst and drama as is generally appropriate for new adult men (and women, to be completely fair), Mr. Grey handled this from a refreshing perspective. While Foster was vaguely aware of the difficulty of farming, he actually lived a fairly sheltered life until the entirety was thrust upon him, but at that point, he stepped up and (without whining!) jumped in with both feet, displaying a maturity that I appreciated. The same goes for Javi - despite the miserable life he’s led, the constant travel and sharing a camper van with four other people with not enough to eat and an alcoholic ruling the roost, he sucks it up and does what he needs to do to ensure his mother and his siblings are taken care of.
The plot was fun for me - as a grandchild of a dairy farmer, I know exactly what it’s like to struggle every single day and to live a life that is literally on repeat - clean the milking barn, clean the cows, milk the cows, clean the milking barn, go take care of whatever else needs to be taken care of, then do it all over again 10-12 hours later. I was thrilled with how Mr. Grey depicted the struggles that all farmers face, and dairy farmers especially. The pacing was on point, and the two primary peripheral characters, Foster’s mother and grandmother, were a joy to read, enriching the storyline and injecting love and support in an untenable position even if they weren’t aware it was happening.
The chemistry is strong between the two young men, and except for the slight glossing over of the pain involved in their first time together (which is a serious pet peeve of mine - that first time *always* hurts, and there’s no reason to not say so), the scenes were sweet and tender. While the end was fairly predictable, Mr. Grey wrote a twist in the circumstances that closed the circle firmly, allowing peace of mind for all characters, not just Foster and Javi. I hope that there will be more in this setting, that Foster and Javi will be able to build a community of support around them. Definitely pick this one up - as expected, Mr. Grey has written another winner!
Review Copy of Planting His Dream provided by the Author, Andrew Grey for an honest Review.
Reviewed by Cat from Alpha Book Club
February 19, 2023
Andrew's writing always grabs my attention. There are quite a few similarities between Foster and Javi if you look closely but the differences are pretty big. I liked the way that these two opened up to each other, revealing their dreams and pasts. Tentative steps exploring their attraction lead to much more but sometimes love doesn't fix things. I loved that when Javi lost everything it is Ford he runs to.
June 9, 2017
Farmers lead a hard life, especially the ones with fairly small holdings. While I know this in theory, ‘Planting His Dream’, with its detailed descriptions of all the never-ending work and the constant threat from unpredictable weather catastrophes, really brought it home to me. Coupled with some fascinating characters and their struggle for survival and their hope for love, this story made for very emotional reading. Yet again Andrew Grey has managed to capture my imagination by presenting a deceptively simple situation in a light that made it interesting, revealing, and very moving. Bravo!
Foster never really wanted to be a farmer. He grew up helping his father, day in and day out, but he had big dreams of getting away and doing something else. But when his father dies unexpectedly and much too young, Foster is stuck. He doesn’t want his mother and grandmother to lose their home, and he has no other career lined up himself, so what can he do? Figuring out how to get rid of the debt his father has amassed and the daily struggle for survival that follows keep Foster occupied, and he does better than anyone expected. Meeting Javi, the oldest son of a migrant workers family, makes Foster happy and while he doesn’t quite dare dream they can be together the way they both soon want, he does irrationally hope they can find a way.
Javi has given up dreaming a long time ago. He leads a harsh life, with a father who wants to control everything, yet constantly gets drunk using the money the family needs to eat. Javi never had the opportunity to get an education, so he can’t see a way out for himself, but he feels responsible for his two younger siblings and wants to protect them as much as he can. He has never admitted to anyone that he is gay, but when he meets and starts working with Foster, the attraction is undeniable. For a few short weeks Javi learns what it is to be happy, but he can’t desert his family no matter how much he loves Foster.
Both young men in this story have dreams, and neither of them knows how to make them happen. In fact, they have pretty much given up on ever getting what they need – an emotional connection with a partner they can love and who loves them back. It sounds so simple, but in the context of a homophobic small town for Foster, and a traditional, religious family for Javi, hope quickly dies. Except this is an Andrew Grey novel, so fate finds a way to give Javi and Foster what they want. It isn’t easy – and I liked the realism of the resolution as much as the rest of the book.
If you like deceptively simple stories with a deep emotional resonance, if two young men who try to find and define their way in life make you curious, and if you’re looking for a read that is as revealing about life on a farm as it is touching, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Foster never really wanted to be a farmer. He grew up helping his father, day in and day out, but he had big dreams of getting away and doing something else. But when his father dies unexpectedly and much too young, Foster is stuck. He doesn’t want his mother and grandmother to lose their home, and he has no other career lined up himself, so what can he do? Figuring out how to get rid of the debt his father has amassed and the daily struggle for survival that follows keep Foster occupied, and he does better than anyone expected. Meeting Javi, the oldest son of a migrant workers family, makes Foster happy and while he doesn’t quite dare dream they can be together the way they both soon want, he does irrationally hope they can find a way.
Javi has given up dreaming a long time ago. He leads a harsh life, with a father who wants to control everything, yet constantly gets drunk using the money the family needs to eat. Javi never had the opportunity to get an education, so he can’t see a way out for himself, but he feels responsible for his two younger siblings and wants to protect them as much as he can. He has never admitted to anyone that he is gay, but when he meets and starts working with Foster, the attraction is undeniable. For a few short weeks Javi learns what it is to be happy, but he can’t desert his family no matter how much he loves Foster.
Both young men in this story have dreams, and neither of them knows how to make them happen. In fact, they have pretty much given up on ever getting what they need – an emotional connection with a partner they can love and who loves them back. It sounds so simple, but in the context of a homophobic small town for Foster, and a traditional, religious family for Javi, hope quickly dies. Except this is an Andrew Grey novel, so fate finds a way to give Javi and Foster what they want. It isn’t easy – and I liked the realism of the resolution as much as the rest of the book.
If you like deceptively simple stories with a deep emotional resonance, if two young men who try to find and define their way in life make you curious, and if you’re looking for a read that is as revealing about life on a farm as it is touching, then you will probably like this novel as much as I did.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 12, 2016
Blog Post: http://lovebytesreviews.com/2016/04/1...
Foster has every intention of leaving the family farm. His father has been acting more of an ass than usual, it’s like he thinks he’s a drill sergeant all the damn time. Right up until his father dies and leaves him to look after not only the farm but his mother and grandmother Foster is making plans to leave. Whilst his father was alive when it came time to harvest they would use itinerant workers. When the family turned up to work and Foster met their eldest son Javi, Foster had all of these unexplainable feelings awaken. After Javi and his family left Foster couldn’t get him off his mind.
Thankfully Javi and his family come back looking for work as Foster, his mother and grandmother certainly can’t handle harvesting on their own. Things are different this year with Javi’s family. Foster notices that Javi’s father is drunk almost all the time and then he notices the scars on Javi. When he finds out they were from his father in his drunken rages Foster decides to let Javi’s father know his behaviour won’t be tolerated on Foster’s farm. Not only does this backfire it’s almost like Javi’s father decides to “go hard or go home”, he not only drinks more he takes off for days on end and comes back covered in bruises from the fights he’s been in.
One good thing that comes from Javi spending so much time with Foster and his family is the brilliant ideas Javi has about expanding not only the milking and produce side of the business but grandma’s vegetable garden. Javi is overwhelmed when Foster implements his ideas for everything and they work so well that Javi is told that all surplus money’s are his to keep!
All good things must come to an end and Javi and his family have to move on to the next farm. Foster is devastated even though he understands that Javi can’t just abandon his family, he’s the only person keeping his family fed. Foster spends as much time making sure he stays as busy as he can so that maybe his heart won’t realise it’s broken and lonely. After weeks of moping around Foster’s Grandmother confronts him with the fact that she knows he’s hurting but he as to admit that he’s fallen in love with Javi and it’s, ok to be gay! She doesn’t have a problem with it. His mother however has a harder time accepting it, she doesn’t get angry but she does have to take some time to come to terms with the fact that she will be getting a son-in-law not a daughter-in-law!
All-in-all, Planting His Dream is a feel good story about how you can have just about anything you dream about if you have the love and support of your family and friends. I love the way the major disparities in their upbringing and lifestyle’s doesn’t make any difference to Foster, Javi or Foster’s family. The overall love and acceptance is something everyone struggles to attain but only the lucky achieve.
Foster has every intention of leaving the family farm. His father has been acting more of an ass than usual, it’s like he thinks he’s a drill sergeant all the damn time. Right up until his father dies and leaves him to look after not only the farm but his mother and grandmother Foster is making plans to leave. Whilst his father was alive when it came time to harvest they would use itinerant workers. When the family turned up to work and Foster met their eldest son Javi, Foster had all of these unexplainable feelings awaken. After Javi and his family left Foster couldn’t get him off his mind.
Thankfully Javi and his family come back looking for work as Foster, his mother and grandmother certainly can’t handle harvesting on their own. Things are different this year with Javi’s family. Foster notices that Javi’s father is drunk almost all the time and then he notices the scars on Javi. When he finds out they were from his father in his drunken rages Foster decides to let Javi’s father know his behaviour won’t be tolerated on Foster’s farm. Not only does this backfire it’s almost like Javi’s father decides to “go hard or go home”, he not only drinks more he takes off for days on end and comes back covered in bruises from the fights he’s been in.
One good thing that comes from Javi spending so much time with Foster and his family is the brilliant ideas Javi has about expanding not only the milking and produce side of the business but grandma’s vegetable garden. Javi is overwhelmed when Foster implements his ideas for everything and they work so well that Javi is told that all surplus money’s are his to keep!
All good things must come to an end and Javi and his family have to move on to the next farm. Foster is devastated even though he understands that Javi can’t just abandon his family, he’s the only person keeping his family fed. Foster spends as much time making sure he stays as busy as he can so that maybe his heart won’t realise it’s broken and lonely. After weeks of moping around Foster’s Grandmother confronts him with the fact that she knows he’s hurting but he as to admit that he’s fallen in love with Javi and it’s, ok to be gay! She doesn’t have a problem with it. His mother however has a harder time accepting it, she doesn’t get angry but she does have to take some time to come to terms with the fact that she will be getting a son-in-law not a daughter-in-law!
All-in-all, Planting His Dream is a feel good story about how you can have just about anything you dream about if you have the love and support of your family and friends. I love the way the major disparities in their upbringing and lifestyle’s doesn’t make any difference to Foster, Javi or Foster’s family. The overall love and acceptance is something everyone struggles to attain but only the lucky achieve.
May 4, 2016
A Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words Review An Alisa Review:
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Foster dreams of getting away, but after his father’s death, he has to take over the family dairy farm. It soon becomes clear his father hasn’t been doing the best job of running it, so not only does Foster need to take over the day-to-day operations, he also needs to find new ways of bringing in revenue.
Javi has no time to dream. He and his family are migrant workers, and daily survival is a struggle, so they travel to anywhere they can get work. When they arrive in their old van, Foster arranges for Javi to help him on the farm.
To Javi’s surprise, Foster listens to his ideas and actually puts them into action. Over days that turn into weeks, they grow to like and then care for each other, but they come from two very different worlds, and they both have responsibilities to their families that neither can walk away from. Is it possible for them to discover a dream they can share? Perhaps they can plant their own and nurture it together to see it grow, if their different backgrounds don’t separate them forever.
I have enjoyed all the stories I have read by Andrew Grey and when I saw he had another story with a farm setting I definitely wanted to read it. It really makes me want to go back and read more in the author’s other series that I haven’t gotten to yet.
Foster is working hard to get his father to see him as an equal on their family farm and after his father passes away he is left to take the reins. Javi worked the farm with his family the previous year and Foster was drawn to him then, but when they come back when Foster is by himself he gets more of an opportunity to get to know Javi one on one when he offers to help when they arrive early for the picking season.
I quickly understood Foster and the fears he had in regards to keeping the farm afloat and making changes to make it his own. The story is told from Foster’s point of view, but the author really helps you understand the struggle that Javi is going through wanting to have something for himself but feeling responsible for his family. They both discover their love for the other during their short time together while it feels that most of the book is spent with them apart before and after relationship.
I really enjoyed this story and it was very sweet and even the sex scenes were more on the sweet side than being “hot”. I just wish that more time would have been spent on how their relationship grew after Javi came back, it was just a jump ahead in time where everything is going well, but other than Javi showing up on Foster’s doorstep you don’t really get much else.
Cover art by LC Chase really gives you a visual for the setting of the book and the items that are shown are reflected accurately in the book.
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Foster dreams of getting away, but after his father’s death, he has to take over the family dairy farm. It soon becomes clear his father hasn’t been doing the best job of running it, so not only does Foster need to take over the day-to-day operations, he also needs to find new ways of bringing in revenue.
Javi has no time to dream. He and his family are migrant workers, and daily survival is a struggle, so they travel to anywhere they can get work. When they arrive in their old van, Foster arranges for Javi to help him on the farm.
To Javi’s surprise, Foster listens to his ideas and actually puts them into action. Over days that turn into weeks, they grow to like and then care for each other, but they come from two very different worlds, and they both have responsibilities to their families that neither can walk away from. Is it possible for them to discover a dream they can share? Perhaps they can plant their own and nurture it together to see it grow, if their different backgrounds don’t separate them forever.
I have enjoyed all the stories I have read by Andrew Grey and when I saw he had another story with a farm setting I definitely wanted to read it. It really makes me want to go back and read more in the author’s other series that I haven’t gotten to yet.
Foster is working hard to get his father to see him as an equal on their family farm and after his father passes away he is left to take the reins. Javi worked the farm with his family the previous year and Foster was drawn to him then, but when they come back when Foster is by himself he gets more of an opportunity to get to know Javi one on one when he offers to help when they arrive early for the picking season.
I quickly understood Foster and the fears he had in regards to keeping the farm afloat and making changes to make it his own. The story is told from Foster’s point of view, but the author really helps you understand the struggle that Javi is going through wanting to have something for himself but feeling responsible for his family. They both discover their love for the other during their short time together while it feels that most of the book is spent with them apart before and after relationship.
I really enjoyed this story and it was very sweet and even the sex scenes were more on the sweet side than being “hot”. I just wish that more time would have been spent on how their relationship grew after Javi came back, it was just a jump ahead in time where everything is going well, but other than Javi showing up on Foster’s doorstep you don’t really get much else.
Cover art by LC Chase really gives you a visual for the setting of the book and the items that are shown are reflected accurately in the book.
June 19, 2017
"Seeds of Love"
Would you listen to Planting His Dream again? Why?
Maybe, I'm not sure. It's rare I have occasion to listen to books more than once, but I might.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Planting His Dream?
Watching the seeds of love, these two men's hearts, grow and become one solid unit.
Which scene was your favorite?
Their special place and subsequent events, in the back of the truck.
Who was the most memorable character of Planting His Dream and why?
Javi was so endearing. I was choked up listening to him struggle with his feelings for Foster and how that was affected by his father's bigotry and his duty to his family that fell on his shoulders when he was born into his culture.
Any additional comments?
Tams E-book review...
Foster wanted a life away from the Dairy Farm his family owns, but when his father dies, Foster has to step up and accept responsibility for a Farm that is far from debt free. Javi is a seasonal worker on the Farm, he and his family travel to Farms across the country, following the work as it's needed. Though Foster doesn't have the money to pay Javi, he recognizes the dire need the young man and his family are in so he hires him on for the season. The two click straight away, both having great ideas that could increase the revenue for the Farm and hopefully, pull it out of the red. When the friendship slowly evolves into something more, both men are scared. While there lives are very different, sadly, there is one thing that is exactly the same to spite their different cultures... bigotry.
The start of a new series for Mr. Grey and it's off to a great start. I really enjoyed the slowly evolving relationship between Foster and Javi. They've actually known each other for several years, Javi's family coming back to the Dairy Farm every year for work. They are both adults now and are searching to find their place in the world. Foster already decided to take on the Farm and make sure his family legacy thrives and grows. Javi is far more torn. His culture alone negates him leaving his family, it's all he knows, his responsibility as far as he is concerned. Both men will have to decide what is important, what is right.
If you are a fan of Grey's Farm or Ranch series, you'll love this new series he is starting. The flow of the story was slow and steady, not too fast and everything happened at just the right time. There was a lot of dialogue, more so than I remember in previous books from the Author, but it was refreshing to get both guys POV within their conversations when the story is told from Foster's viewpoint. Definitely a must read, I can't wait for more from this exciting new world.
Would you listen to Planting His Dream again? Why?
Maybe, I'm not sure. It's rare I have occasion to listen to books more than once, but I might.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Planting His Dream?
Watching the seeds of love, these two men's hearts, grow and become one solid unit.
Which scene was your favorite?
Their special place and subsequent events, in the back of the truck.
Who was the most memorable character of Planting His Dream and why?
Javi was so endearing. I was choked up listening to him struggle with his feelings for Foster and how that was affected by his father's bigotry and his duty to his family that fell on his shoulders when he was born into his culture.
Any additional comments?
Tams E-book review...
Foster wanted a life away from the Dairy Farm his family owns, but when his father dies, Foster has to step up and accept responsibility for a Farm that is far from debt free. Javi is a seasonal worker on the Farm, he and his family travel to Farms across the country, following the work as it's needed. Though Foster doesn't have the money to pay Javi, he recognizes the dire need the young man and his family are in so he hires him on for the season. The two click straight away, both having great ideas that could increase the revenue for the Farm and hopefully, pull it out of the red. When the friendship slowly evolves into something more, both men are scared. While there lives are very different, sadly, there is one thing that is exactly the same to spite their different cultures... bigotry.
The start of a new series for Mr. Grey and it's off to a great start. I really enjoyed the slowly evolving relationship between Foster and Javi. They've actually known each other for several years, Javi's family coming back to the Dairy Farm every year for work. They are both adults now and are searching to find their place in the world. Foster already decided to take on the Farm and make sure his family legacy thrives and grows. Javi is far more torn. His culture alone negates him leaving his family, it's all he knows, his responsibility as far as he is concerned. Both men will have to decide what is important, what is right.
If you are a fan of Grey's Farm or Ranch series, you'll love this new series he is starting. The flow of the story was slow and steady, not too fast and everything happened at just the right time. There was a lot of dialogue, more so than I remember in previous books from the Author, but it was refreshing to get both guys POV within their conversations when the story is told from Foster's viewpoint. Definitely a must read, I can't wait for more from this exciting new world.
April 11, 2016
Planting His Dream is a story that contains a romance but is also a description of what it is like to run a family farm and what the realities are for migrant farm workers. Both are unrelentingly difficult work. Owning a family farm, in this case a dairy farm that grows feed for the dairy cattle and a truck farm for the family, has inherent with it the opportunity and hope to grow more profitable and pass the heritage of the land down to the next generation. Migrant farm workers own very little, often just the vehicle they travel from farm to farm in. Their lives can be so hopeless and frightening for day to day sustenance that the workers sometimes self-medicate their depression with alcohol and drugs, which only compounds the problems. The children of migrant workers are often seen as free labor when they are working small farms, out of sight of government representatives.
Foster has come home to his family’s farm after his father’s sudden death to help his mother and grandmother. His father had hidden the fact that he had mismanaged the farm’s finances and it was now in deep debt, unknown to the rest of the family. It is up to Foster to find ways to increase income and pay down that debt. He becomes quite creative in ways to increase income.
Javi, his parents, and his younger siblings arrive at Foster’s farm to pick the asparagus crop, which Foster’s father planted with the intention of it being a cash crop. They arrive early, nearly starving and out of money. Javi looks to Foster for work until the asparagus crop is ready. This family has secrets, terrible secrets. One of Javi’s secrets is that he is gay. Foster has the same secret, and when they find comfort in each other love begins to blossom.
In the end, though, Javi must move on with his family as he is the glue that holds them together through his father’s drinking binges and aggressive violence. I thought this was going to be a very unusual Andrew Grey story without an HEA at the end, but Mr. Grey writes stories that he would want to read and he always wants an HEA at the end of the stories he enjoys. How Foster and Javi get their HEA is heartbreaking. You may need a few tissues.
I loved this book so much. It is achingly real and shows what being a farmer and a farm worker are like. It isn’t something people can do for a hobby. It is backbreaking work and they are at the mercy of the weather, crop prices, middlemen, and other things out of their control. Highly recommended as a book that truly earns its HEA.
Foster has come home to his family’s farm after his father’s sudden death to help his mother and grandmother. His father had hidden the fact that he had mismanaged the farm’s finances and it was now in deep debt, unknown to the rest of the family. It is up to Foster to find ways to increase income and pay down that debt. He becomes quite creative in ways to increase income.
Javi, his parents, and his younger siblings arrive at Foster’s farm to pick the asparagus crop, which Foster’s father planted with the intention of it being a cash crop. They arrive early, nearly starving and out of money. Javi looks to Foster for work until the asparagus crop is ready. This family has secrets, terrible secrets. One of Javi’s secrets is that he is gay. Foster has the same secret, and when they find comfort in each other love begins to blossom.
In the end, though, Javi must move on with his family as he is the glue that holds them together through his father’s drinking binges and aggressive violence. I thought this was going to be a very unusual Andrew Grey story without an HEA at the end, but Mr. Grey writes stories that he would want to read and he always wants an HEA at the end of the stories he enjoys. How Foster and Javi get their HEA is heartbreaking. You may need a few tissues.
I loved this book so much. It is achingly real and shows what being a farmer and a farm worker are like. It isn’t something people can do for a hobby. It is backbreaking work and they are at the mercy of the weather, crop prices, middlemen, and other things out of their control. Highly recommended as a book that truly earns its HEA.
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