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Shielded Hearts #3
Spring Break
Sometimes a guy needs a break. Carroll Weir got one--but it wasn't what he expected.
All he dreams of is escaping dreary, damp Skagit, WA, for a warmer climate. Instead, Federal Investigator Carroll Weir is assigned to a cross-agency case involving geoduck smugglers and a very dead Fish and Wildlife Detective.
Sterling Bailey, the regular bartender at the Loft, likes to think of his customers and employees as family since he doesn’t have one of his own. Exhausted and tense, Carroll Weir wanders in one night and one thing leads to another. All in a night’s work, right?
Who murdered Fish and Wildlife Detective Peter Krystad? Does the killer have Weir in his sights? Things begin to heat up between them but Sterling and Weir will have to move past their personal history in order to change the course of their future.
The spark burning between them is hot enough to scald unless they’re careful somebody’s going to get burned.
*HEA No cliffhanger
*Intended for a mature audience, 18+
All he dreams of is escaping dreary, damp Skagit, WA, for a warmer climate. Instead, Federal Investigator Carroll Weir is assigned to a cross-agency case involving geoduck smugglers and a very dead Fish and Wildlife Detective.
Sterling Bailey, the regular bartender at the Loft, likes to think of his customers and employees as family since he doesn’t have one of his own. Exhausted and tense, Carroll Weir wanders in one night and one thing leads to another. All in a night’s work, right?
Who murdered Fish and Wildlife Detective Peter Krystad? Does the killer have Weir in his sights? Things begin to heat up between them but Sterling and Weir will have to move past their personal history in order to change the course of their future.
The spark burning between them is hot enough to scald unless they’re careful somebody’s going to get burned.
*HEA No cliffhanger
*Intended for a mature audience, 18+
258 pages, ebook
First published June 6, 2017
141 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
About the author
Elle Keaton
52 books547 followersElle Keaton is a writer, avid reader, and amateur cat-wrangler. Her love of romance novels has led her to a life of creating her own happy ever afters. She is the author of the best selling series' Shielded Hearts and Veiled Intentions. Keaton hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
December 8, 2018
How the hell do you end up from blowing an FBI-Agent in the backroom of a bar...
... to being his babysitter and then lover within a few weeks??? And, what is more, when you did not even deign him a second glance so far, much less like him particularly? Well, it happens faster than you think...
Sterling Bailey, outwardly gruff, but at the bottom of his heart caring bartender at The Loft in Skagit, WA, has his own problems, even without help from the outside to make it worse.
Turned adrift by his own parents at a very young age due to his sexual orientation and being forced to do everything to survive on the streets, he had landed on his feet again. But this betrayal of confidence comes at a price. Trusting someone is not easy for him and why doing the whole commitment thing when you can just do hookups with no strings attached? When a blowjob at his bar leads to another one -which is dead against his own life philosophy- and he suddenly seems to be the only person under the sun who is able to take care of said hookup when he is severely injured, his resolve gets rattled with each day he spends with the man and slow but steady he develops feelings he never wanted to feel.
FBI-Agent Carroll Weir -yes, there are a million jokes about his name out there and believe me, he has heard them all- is so done with this rainy dump called Skagit and cannot wait to get the hell out of dodge after the case he worked on for months is mostly wrapped up. His bags are packed, his flight to SoCal almost booked and he already sees himself on a surfboard again and basking in the sun.
A phone call from his boss shatters his daydream and he never would have thought that the murder of a Fish and Wildlife Detective and the possible poaching of a cock-shaped clam would fall under his duties, but so much for his luck. Oh, Weir likes cock, but the real deal, not such nightmare-inducing, running-him-into-the-ground thing that ends up in a case without any lead. A hookup at a bar seems to be just the right cure, but what was supposed to be a stress relief makes for an experience he cannot get out of his head, or rather he cannot get the guy out of his head. Sterling Bailey with his goth appearance and his judgmental behavior is a guy who is so not on his bucket list, but a hell of a surprise when it comes down to it.
But Weir does not do relationships. He has built up a protective barrier around his heart due to his own past, so he would not get hurt again. A tragedy in form of the disappearance of his sister ripped his family apart when he was a kid and instead of holding onto the child who was still there, both parents blamed him and abandoned him one way or the other, which left Weir with a feeling of never being good enough.
When the case or rather the murderer comes too close for comfort to Weir and nearly costs him his life, both men are forced to spend more time together than they prefer, and they discover gradually that they are more alike than they think.
Their somewhat love-hate relationship turns into deeper feelings neither of them can ignore, until the disappearance of Sterling's sister reopens old sores for Weir and threatens to destroy their tentative chance for love.
Slowly but surely I feel at home in this town, despite the sordid details that come to light bit by bit. The atmosphere is so vivid, I can virtually visualize the scenery and feel like I would know each resident inside out. Elle Keaton once again managed that I fell in love with both main characters right from the start. Granted, I already liked Weir in the previous books, but now that I came to know more about his past, I loved him even more. After the second book I already shipped him with another character, namely Buck's friend Miguel, but the author did a great job in making me believe that due to their past Weir and Sterling are a match made in heaven. The relationship development once again left nothing to be desired and what I love in particular is that it was a different approach in each book so far, from insta-love in the first one to friends to lovers in the second and now this love-hate relationship in the third story.
The mystery part was a bit too muddled and also a tad OTT for me this time. Don't get me wrong, the author de-muddled it perfectly in the end and it was interesting to get to know more about "conversion" therapy. It is still hard for me to believe that some people revert to such drastic measures, although it is proven that they fail spectacularly. I just wish the solving of the case, or rather of both cases, would have been not so overly dramatic and did not exude the feeling of watching a B-movie sometimes. But overall the romance was once again in the focus of the story and that is all that matters to me.
... to being his babysitter and then lover within a few weeks??? And, what is more, when you did not even deign him a second glance so far, much less like him particularly? Well, it happens faster than you think...
Sterling Bailey, outwardly gruff, but at the bottom of his heart caring bartender at The Loft in Skagit, WA, has his own problems, even without help from the outside to make it worse.
Turned adrift by his own parents at a very young age due to his sexual orientation and being forced to do everything to survive on the streets, he had landed on his feet again. But this betrayal of confidence comes at a price. Trusting someone is not easy for him and why doing the whole commitment thing when you can just do hookups with no strings attached? When a blowjob at his bar leads to another one -which is dead against his own life philosophy- and he suddenly seems to be the only person under the sun who is able to take care of said hookup when he is severely injured, his resolve gets rattled with each day he spends with the man and slow but steady he develops feelings he never wanted to feel.
FBI-Agent Carroll Weir -yes, there are a million jokes about his name out there and believe me, he has heard them all- is so done with this rainy dump called Skagit and cannot wait to get the hell out of dodge after the case he worked on for months is mostly wrapped up. His bags are packed, his flight to SoCal almost booked and he already sees himself on a surfboard again and basking in the sun.
A phone call from his boss shatters his daydream and he never would have thought that the murder of a Fish and Wildlife Detective and the possible poaching of a cock-shaped clam would fall under his duties, but so much for his luck. Oh, Weir likes cock, but the real deal, not such nightmare-inducing, running-him-into-the-ground thing that ends up in a case without any lead. A hookup at a bar seems to be just the right cure, but what was supposed to be a stress relief makes for an experience he cannot get out of his head, or rather he cannot get the guy out of his head. Sterling Bailey with his goth appearance and his judgmental behavior is a guy who is so not on his bucket list, but a hell of a surprise when it comes down to it.
His first impression that Sterling judged and found the rest of the world lacking had been replaced by the understanding that Sterling held his true self aloof out of self-preservation. Sterling was most comfortable feeling separate from the crowd; it had become his safe place.
But Weir does not do relationships. He has built up a protective barrier around his heart due to his own past, so he would not get hurt again. A tragedy in form of the disappearance of his sister ripped his family apart when he was a kid and instead of holding onto the child who was still there, both parents blamed him and abandoned him one way or the other, which left Weir with a feeling of never being good enough.
When the case or rather the murderer comes too close for comfort to Weir and nearly costs him his life, both men are forced to spend more time together than they prefer, and they discover gradually that they are more alike than they think.
Leaving Skagit, Sterling hoped, had been a self-protective measure. If Weir didn't allow himself to get attached, then he wouldn't get hurt. And, yeah, Sterling knew that because it was one of his own classic moves.
Their somewhat love-hate relationship turns into deeper feelings neither of them can ignore, until the disappearance of Sterling's sister reopens old sores for Weir and threatens to destroy their tentative chance for love.
Slowly but surely I feel at home in this town, despite the sordid details that come to light bit by bit. The atmosphere is so vivid, I can virtually visualize the scenery and feel like I would know each resident inside out. Elle Keaton once again managed that I fell in love with both main characters right from the start. Granted, I already liked Weir in the previous books, but now that I came to know more about his past, I loved him even more. After the second book I already shipped him with another character, namely Buck's friend Miguel, but the author did a great job in making me believe that due to their past Weir and Sterling are a match made in heaven. The relationship development once again left nothing to be desired and what I love in particular is that it was a different approach in each book so far, from insta-love in the first one to friends to lovers in the second and now this love-hate relationship in the third story.
The mystery part was a bit too muddled and also a tad OTT for me this time. Don't get me wrong, the author de-muddled it perfectly in the end and it was interesting to get to know more about "conversion" therapy. It is still hard for me to believe that some people revert to such drastic measures, although it is proven that they fail spectacularly. I just wish the solving of the case, or rather of both cases, would have been not so overly dramatic and did not exude the feeling of watching a B-movie sometimes. But overall the romance was once again in the focus of the story and that is all that matters to me.
This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession
June 21, 2019
**3.5 stars**
First time I read from this author and I picked up this one as it looked like the kind of story I would enjoy : a mystery MM Romance. Even if it is part of a series, I had no trouble following the book so yes, it can be read as a standalone, and this story kept me enough engaged that I’m thinking about picking up other instalments.
Carroll Weir, FBI Agent, is a loner and not pleased to have to stay longer than anticipated in Skagitt on temporary assignment, and he’s even more unhappy that he’s just been badly injured in a car accident, having no choice but to depend on somebody. And this somebody turns out to be Sterling, a bartender he recently met.
Sterling, trying to buy the bar he manages, is a loner but does everything he can to be close to his teenage sister, Raven. Having to care for Carroll is not ideal, but better make the best of the situation.
Both know their flaws and deeply starve for giving and receiving affection. With or despite their close proximity and own ordeals, their no-string-attached relationship slowly becomes much, much more.
Family issues, commitment issues, an investigation in the back were nicely intertwined into this sexy and hot romance at a pace I appreciated. And of course, I got my HEA, that Carroll and Sterling needed and deserved.
In 3 words, I was sold !!!
ARC of “Spring Break” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
First time I read from this author and I picked up this one as it looked like the kind of story I would enjoy : a mystery MM Romance. Even if it is part of a series, I had no trouble following the book so yes, it can be read as a standalone, and this story kept me enough engaged that I’m thinking about picking up other instalments.
Carroll Weir, FBI Agent, is a loner and not pleased to have to stay longer than anticipated in Skagitt on temporary assignment, and he’s even more unhappy that he’s just been badly injured in a car accident, having no choice but to depend on somebody. And this somebody turns out to be Sterling, a bartender he recently met.
Sterling, trying to buy the bar he manages, is a loner but does everything he can to be close to his teenage sister, Raven. Having to care for Carroll is not ideal, but better make the best of the situation.
Both know their flaws and deeply starve for giving and receiving affection. With or despite their close proximity and own ordeals, their no-string-attached relationship slowly becomes much, much more.
Family issues, commitment issues, an investigation in the back were nicely intertwined into this sexy and hot romance at a pace I appreciated. And of course, I got my HEA, that Carroll and Sterling needed and deserved.
In 3 words, I was sold !!!
ARC of “Spring Break” was generously provided by the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
August 28, 2022
I read book and then bought books 1 & 2 and soon joined book 3 to them...this time before I read it:) I couldn't wait to read Weir's story, even though he was sure he didn't have one, but that was before he met bartender and owner, Sterling Bailey. I liked that this book was less focused on the crime that Weir was investing and more on the characters...even some from the first two books. Joey and Buck from book 2 have a very touching moment at the end of this one, and Adam and Micah from book 1 play a big part also. You really get pulled in by the characters and the small Washington town. I enjoyed seeing the process of getting them to a happy ending. If the next 5 books are like the first 3...they'll all be back. The only thing that is a bit confusing is the title of the series. In some places the books are listed under the series title "Shielded Hearts" and in others they're listed as "Accidental Roots". Makes it a bit hard to find the next one.
April 2, 2019
Two confirmed bachelors with commitment phobia, family issues that still haunt their lives, sassy teenager named Raven and all of Skagit equals fantastic time! I loved the time both Carroll and Sterling spent together and slowly became friends. Their feelings snuck up on them but both men needed time to search for answers: What did they want from their lives?
Carroll Weir is a federal agent. He is smart, resourceful and ready for his next case... anywhere but in Skagit. But before he can escape the rain and the mountains, new unsolved case lands at his feet. There is nothing extraordinary about it except for the fact that someone will go to great lengths to make sure the truth stays hidden. Carroll's past makes him wary of people, commitment and relationships. So when a mutual no strings attached agreement is struck with the local bartender Sterling Bailey, he does not yet know that this man will be his future.
Sterling is a loner. All that he is and all that he has is the proof of his strength and resilience, and he does not owe anyone anything. The only bright spots in his life are his sister Raven and his work at the bar Loft. Carroll never made an impression on him until one unguarded moment shows there is more to the man that meets the eye. Couple of encounters and Sterling thinks that will be the end of it until unexpected tragedy strikes and threatens Carroll's life. From that moment on the ever insistent feelings of protectiveness reluctantly drive Sterling into helping Carroll to heal. From then on starts their mutual journey to friendship, passion and eventually love.
Both men know they are not perfect, and they accept each other as they are. I liked how they got to know each other, how Carroll let Raven into his life. It was easy to see that he was starved for affection, and Sterling despite saying he does not need anyone had so much to give. The case itself was not intense. The answer came to Carroll by accident. The major issue of the book was family ties, the reprehensible parents that Sterling and Raven had to face, the repercussions of all the lies told for years. It was rather emotional.
What I like about this book and the series in general is that every couple gets a good start in their relationship. We know that when the book is over they will make it because the bonds they've built are strong, the feelings run deep and the family they chose will be there for them. Carroll aka Evan and Sterling are just darlings in the end! *le sigh* Another wonderful story! I highly recommend it!
Carroll Weir is a federal agent. He is smart, resourceful and ready for his next case... anywhere but in Skagit. But before he can escape the rain and the mountains, new unsolved case lands at his feet. There is nothing extraordinary about it except for the fact that someone will go to great lengths to make sure the truth stays hidden. Carroll's past makes him wary of people, commitment and relationships. So when a mutual no strings attached agreement is struck with the local bartender Sterling Bailey, he does not yet know that this man will be his future.
Sterling is a loner. All that he is and all that he has is the proof of his strength and resilience, and he does not owe anyone anything. The only bright spots in his life are his sister Raven and his work at the bar Loft. Carroll never made an impression on him until one unguarded moment shows there is more to the man that meets the eye. Couple of encounters and Sterling thinks that will be the end of it until unexpected tragedy strikes and threatens Carroll's life. From that moment on the ever insistent feelings of protectiveness reluctantly drive Sterling into helping Carroll to heal. From then on starts their mutual journey to friendship, passion and eventually love.
Both men know they are not perfect, and they accept each other as they are. I liked how they got to know each other, how Carroll let Raven into his life. It was easy to see that he was starved for affection, and Sterling despite saying he does not need anyone had so much to give. The case itself was not intense. The answer came to Carroll by accident. The major issue of the book was family ties, the reprehensible parents that Sterling and Raven had to face, the repercussions of all the lies told for years. It was rather emotional.
What I like about this book and the series in general is that every couple gets a good start in their relationship. We know that when the book is over they will make it because the bonds they've built are strong, the feelings run deep and the family they chose will be there for them. Carroll aka Evan and Sterling are just darlings in the end! *le sigh* Another wonderful story! I highly recommend it!
June 9, 2017
Carroll Weir, federal agent, is packed and ready to leave the boring life of Skagit for sand, sun and surf. Well, almost… His boss, Mohammad Azaya, calls and tells Carroll to go undercover for the Department of Fish and Wildlife after Peter Krystad, a detective, was murdered. Carroll is teamed up with Krystad’s partner, Thomas Poole, who was working on a case of geoduck smuggling. There’s lots of investigating and late hours in the patrol boat with Poole, as Weir gets wrapped up in his cases—this one isn’t any different—and he forgets to take care of himself.
Wanting time to himself, but not having many places in Skagit where a gay man can go to hook up, Weir finds himself heading to The Loft. The one doubt Weir has about going there, though, is Sterling Bailey. He and Sterling have seen each other around, and talked briefly but never seemed to hit it off.
It’s The Loft’s tenth anniversary, plus Valentine’s Day; Sterling is slammed, and people just keep pouring in. Sterling waits on Weir, and after a while notices that Weir is having a problem. The crowd and noise level has sent Weir into a panic attack, so with the help of his bouncer, Sterling gets Weir to his office where they have a brief encounter. It’s nothing major to either man, but now Sterling has broken one of his rules—no hookups with customers. Days later, returning to The Loft, Weir is not looking all that great to Sterling. He gets Weir fed and Weir shares some personal information about his life.
When Weir is almost killed, it starts a crazy chain of events. Weir thinks Sterling found him at the scene, but Sterling hides a secret. Before Weir is taken to the hospital, he tells Sterling to call Adam Klay. Adam is not a happy camper, being called back to Skagit. He’s still trying to get some time alone with Micah. Thanks to Joey, Sterling has all of a sudden become Weir’s boyfriend, in order to see him. Weir’s going to need someone to take care of him when he gets out of the hospital, and Adam and Micah come up with the perfect solution for them, but not necessarily for Weir and Sterling.
As Weir is recovering, Sterling has to do some serious juggling, and deal with some major family issues. Putting Weir and Sterling together has both men sharing what their lives were like when they were young, and it’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. As the danger escalates for both Sterling and Weir, their perception of the events are looked at differently. When the time comes, both men have to decide if being alone is what they really want.
Spring Break is a very emotional story of two men—one who carries the burden of fault for losing family, and the other who feels he can survive without companionship. Carroll Weir has been a favorite character since the beginning of the Accidental Roots series, and this story really brings out his entire personality. Sterling was a surprise; he’s really nurturing and knows how to take care of Weir.
Elle Keaton brings the characters of Skagit to life, and shows the support, love and humor that this small town shares. The plot itself has danger, action, mystery, money laundering, kidnapping and makes for a page-turner. With each installment, this series has gotten better and better. There are some new investigators who have come on the scene, and a few interesting surprises in the Epilogue-ish final bit of the book. The author has left me curious, as well—I don’t have any idea who will be featured in the next installment.
If you want get to know all the citizens of Skagit start with Storm Season and then No Pressure. And, I absolutely like the cover on this one!
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
Wanting time to himself, but not having many places in Skagit where a gay man can go to hook up, Weir finds himself heading to The Loft. The one doubt Weir has about going there, though, is Sterling Bailey. He and Sterling have seen each other around, and talked briefly but never seemed to hit it off.
It’s The Loft’s tenth anniversary, plus Valentine’s Day; Sterling is slammed, and people just keep pouring in. Sterling waits on Weir, and after a while notices that Weir is having a problem. The crowd and noise level has sent Weir into a panic attack, so with the help of his bouncer, Sterling gets Weir to his office where they have a brief encounter. It’s nothing major to either man, but now Sterling has broken one of his rules—no hookups with customers. Days later, returning to The Loft, Weir is not looking all that great to Sterling. He gets Weir fed and Weir shares some personal information about his life.
When Weir is almost killed, it starts a crazy chain of events. Weir thinks Sterling found him at the scene, but Sterling hides a secret. Before Weir is taken to the hospital, he tells Sterling to call Adam Klay. Adam is not a happy camper, being called back to Skagit. He’s still trying to get some time alone with Micah. Thanks to Joey, Sterling has all of a sudden become Weir’s boyfriend, in order to see him. Weir’s going to need someone to take care of him when he gets out of the hospital, and Adam and Micah come up with the perfect solution for them, but not necessarily for Weir and Sterling.
As Weir is recovering, Sterling has to do some serious juggling, and deal with some major family issues. Putting Weir and Sterling together has both men sharing what their lives were like when they were young, and it’s a roller coaster ride of emotions. As the danger escalates for both Sterling and Weir, their perception of the events are looked at differently. When the time comes, both men have to decide if being alone is what they really want.
Spring Break is a very emotional story of two men—one who carries the burden of fault for losing family, and the other who feels he can survive without companionship. Carroll Weir has been a favorite character since the beginning of the Accidental Roots series, and this story really brings out his entire personality. Sterling was a surprise; he’s really nurturing and knows how to take care of Weir.
Elle Keaton brings the characters of Skagit to life, and shows the support, love and humor that this small town shares. The plot itself has danger, action, mystery, money laundering, kidnapping and makes for a page-turner. With each installment, this series has gotten better and better. There are some new investigators who have come on the scene, and a few interesting surprises in the Epilogue-ish final bit of the book. The author has left me curious, as well—I don’t have any idea who will be featured in the next installment.
If you want get to know all the citizens of Skagit start with Storm Season and then No Pressure. And, I absolutely like the cover on this one!
Reviewed by Maryann for The Novel Approach
November 15, 2017
4/5 - This book was good but whoa! Bartender becomes one-nighter becomes live-in caretaker becomes boyfriend, whaatt? This book went so quickly through a line of unlikely scenarios but somehow it just worked together.
The MC's in this book really pull it all together. Carroll, or Weir as he prefers to be called, is a little bit of a hermit-detective whose sick of being stuck in Skagit but got reassigned to a new case... in Skagit. When he keeps coming up empty, he takes regular trips to the local bar to drink away his frustrations. Alcohol plus a huge crowd plus panic/anxiety obviously equals a panic attack but it also equals... a blow job?
As I was reading this book I was staring at the pages, reading very intently, very focused, but everytime I would take a reading break I would bust out laughing over what I'd actually read. So then, after the blow-job, the killer he's investigating hits a little too close to home and Carroll almost gets run over by a car. He ends up in the hospital and is unable to walk or properly take care of himself while he is recovering.
Enter Sterling, Weir's incredibly sweet and patient love interest that he also hates. Sterling agreed to take on a responsibility that he has to obligation to do and take care of Weir while he was recovering, despite the fact that Weir has treated him like dog poo the entire time he's known him. The conglomeration of all of these unlikely and sometimes hilarious events made this book incredibly enjoying to read.
The suspense/mystery part of the book wasn't put on the back burner for the romance (thank heavens) and Sterling and Weir didn't just fall into eachother's hearts after he got injured. They may have fallen into each other's beds, but they fought and bickered and they still had that love/hate kind of relationship going on for a while. Both of these men are the kind of people to keep themselves guarded and not let anyone in out of fear of hurting them or causing them to get hurt.
I absolutely adored this story, I just wish it were a little longer and more detailed into some of the investigation parts. I would highly recommend this book, which can be read as a standalone, but the other two books in the series are also really great! I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
The MC's in this book really pull it all together. Carroll, or Weir as he prefers to be called, is a little bit of a hermit-detective whose sick of being stuck in Skagit but got reassigned to a new case... in Skagit. When he keeps coming up empty, he takes regular trips to the local bar to drink away his frustrations. Alcohol plus a huge crowd plus panic/anxiety obviously equals a panic attack but it also equals... a blow job?
As I was reading this book I was staring at the pages, reading very intently, very focused, but everytime I would take a reading break I would bust out laughing over what I'd actually read. So then, after the blow-job, the killer he's investigating hits a little too close to home and Carroll almost gets run over by a car. He ends up in the hospital and is unable to walk or properly take care of himself while he is recovering.
Enter Sterling, Weir's incredibly sweet and patient love interest that he also hates. Sterling agreed to take on a responsibility that he has to obligation to do and take care of Weir while he was recovering, despite the fact that Weir has treated him like dog poo the entire time he's known him. The conglomeration of all of these unlikely and sometimes hilarious events made this book incredibly enjoying to read.
The suspense/mystery part of the book wasn't put on the back burner for the romance (thank heavens) and Sterling and Weir didn't just fall into eachother's hearts after he got injured. They may have fallen into each other's beds, but they fought and bickered and they still had that love/hate kind of relationship going on for a while. Both of these men are the kind of people to keep themselves guarded and not let anyone in out of fear of hurting them or causing them to get hurt.
I absolutely adored this story, I just wish it were a little longer and more detailed into some of the investigation parts. I would highly recommend this book, which can be read as a standalone, but the other two books in the series are also really great! I can't wait to get my hands on the next one.
January 24, 2018
3.5 Stars
January 3, 2021
2.5 irritated stars
Strong opening let down by poor plotting and writing that is rarely more than workmanlike. There's an overarching plot from the previous book in the series, which is resolved , for what it's worth. There's a secondary plot, . There's a bunch of pesky kids who...well, I'm not sure why they are there. And, struggling to breathe under all this, a faintly sweet romance which was why I read to the end. Won't make that mistake again.
Strong opening let down by poor plotting and writing that is rarely more than workmanlike. There's an overarching plot from the previous book in the series, which is resolved , for what it's worth. There's a secondary plot, . There's a bunch of pesky kids who...well, I'm not sure why they are there. And, struggling to breathe under all this, a faintly sweet romance which was why I read to the end. Won't make that mistake again.
November 28, 2020
Even better
This series gets better with each book and I loved Weir and Sterling’s story. I already really liked Weir from book 1 but not much about Sterling. They are very self-contained men, pretty much loners with some similar experiences in their past. They hook up a couple of times, briefly but Weir gets injured, so Micah & the ever-cranky Adam manage to get them both staying in their house while Weir recuperates. Sterling does have a sister who visits and she is the subject of the suspense plot that develops. Sterling and Weir are smoking hot together but scenes are paced very well. The romance develops fairly smoothly, with a few nudges from friends. I really got pulled in by the characters, enjoying the process of getting them to a happily ending epilogue.
This series gets better with each book and I loved Weir and Sterling’s story. I already really liked Weir from book 1 but not much about Sterling. They are very self-contained men, pretty much loners with some similar experiences in their past. They hook up a couple of times, briefly but Weir gets injured, so Micah & the ever-cranky Adam manage to get them both staying in their house while Weir recuperates. Sterling does have a sister who visits and she is the subject of the suspense plot that develops. Sterling and Weir are smoking hot together but scenes are paced very well. The romance develops fairly smoothly, with a few nudges from friends. I really got pulled in by the characters, enjoying the process of getting them to a happily ending epilogue.
December 10, 2020
This was my favorite in the series so far. Much more relationship development. There is a murder mystery but it's secondary.
Available on KU
Available on KU
June 11, 2017
*Copy provided to Bayou Book Junkie by Signal Boost Promotions for my reading pleasure in hopes of an unbiased opinion, a review was not a requirement.*
Spring Break is book 3 in Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series. I think you would enjoy this book better if you read the whole series in the appropriate order.
Carroll Weir has been in Skagit finishing the investigation into trafficking when he's given the case of investigating the death of Fish and Wildlife Officer. Carroll never thought he would end up investigating geoduck smuggling and is ready to get out of Skagit and get back to his life. Then his life really gets complicated when he's hit by a vehicle and left on the side of the road.
Sterling doesn't do relationships and wants no complications in his life but finds himself taking care of Carroll after he's released from the hospital, then moving his sister in with him and then pulled into an investigation. Sterling and Carroll had only a few interactions together before they're forced into an intimate relationship, living together. It doesn't take long before the men are acting on their attraction to each other.
I've been interested in Carroll's story since the beginning. Even though Adam was always a jerk to him, I wanted to know more. He's thorough in his job and detailed oriented. He seems to be able to make friends easy but he's lonely. Sterling comes across as a jerk at first, but he quickly shows the inner Sterling, who is just as lonely as Carroll. Sterling is a good, fair boss with a loyal staff. He has crappy parents and has made a success of his life despite them.
This book is also a mystery, like the others in the series, and I give the author credit for having a geoduck case. Not something I ever thought I'd read about. If you've never seen a geoduck, you should really search for an image!
Rating: 4 stars
Spring Break is book 3 in Elle Keaton's Accidental Roots series. I think you would enjoy this book better if you read the whole series in the appropriate order.
Carroll Weir has been in Skagit finishing the investigation into trafficking when he's given the case of investigating the death of Fish and Wildlife Officer. Carroll never thought he would end up investigating geoduck smuggling and is ready to get out of Skagit and get back to his life. Then his life really gets complicated when he's hit by a vehicle and left on the side of the road.
Sterling doesn't do relationships and wants no complications in his life but finds himself taking care of Carroll after he's released from the hospital, then moving his sister in with him and then pulled into an investigation. Sterling and Carroll had only a few interactions together before they're forced into an intimate relationship, living together. It doesn't take long before the men are acting on their attraction to each other.
I've been interested in Carroll's story since the beginning. Even though Adam was always a jerk to him, I wanted to know more. He's thorough in his job and detailed oriented. He seems to be able to make friends easy but he's lonely. Sterling comes across as a jerk at first, but he quickly shows the inner Sterling, who is just as lonely as Carroll. Sterling is a good, fair boss with a loyal staff. He has crappy parents and has made a success of his life despite them.
This book is also a mystery, like the others in the series, and I give the author credit for having a geoduck case. Not something I ever thought I'd read about. If you've never seen a geoduck, you should really search for an image!
Rating: 4 stars
January 29, 2022
So glad I came back to give this series a second chance!
It's getting better with every book. 😊
It's getting better with every book. 😊
June 9, 2017
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.25 stars
I’m a big fan of the Accidental Roots series. All the books are absorbing, atmospheric, and captivating. They’re romances, but they’re also mysteries with action and well-written bad guys. The main characters are strong, sweet, and sexy, and their chemistry is always off the charts. This latest installment, Spring Break, keeps in that tradition.
Weir and Sterling were both pretty stoic guys. I would go so far as to call them grumpy. At the beginning, Weir is so fussy and miserable. He’s tense as well, and that leads to our heroes’ first trip down smexytime lane. I wouldn’t call this an enemies to lovers story simply because they didn’t really know each other enough to be more than blips on each other’s radar. Weir and Sterling came across each other briefly in the last book, No Pressure, but it wasn’t that much of an issue. I have to admit, I wasn’t exactly crazy about the men at first. Frankly, they were bringing me down. It’s all good, though. I had to be brought down to be lifted up, and I did become attached to them. They were there for each other. A lot was going on and they eventually were able to count on each other for support. Weir was hurt badly and Sterling took care of him during his recovery. Sterling’s sister disappeared and Weir was right there, using his official credentials to get to the bottom of what happened. Their sexual relationship was more of a slow burn than an explosion. Part of that was Weir’s injuries, but the other part was how both men were afraid of intimacy. If they didn’t fall in love, they couldn’t be hurt if it didn’t work out. Their road to happily ever after was slow and difficult, and that made it all the more satisfying when they finally got it.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
July 11, 2020
3.5 stars
I liked it. I liked both of the guys but if I’m honest I don’t feel like I know either of them that well. The storyline kept me entertained so that I dint really realise that I didn’t know then until near the end of the book.
I felt for Sterling, and I think that it is the age old saying of “you never know what someone else is going through”. Joey had issues with a Sterling and a deep dislike that originated in high school, but we found out that Sterling had his own issues at home he was dealing with. I actually really liked that he owned his past, made no excuses for it. When Weir needed help he went no questions asked.
Weir was a little bit harder to like, he had a weird sense of humour and really kept to himself. I was glad to see he did something for himself at the end. I enjoyed seeing him make friends and his prickly relationship with Adam was fun.
The storyline was good and a little different as we took a step away from the human trafficking storyline of the previous books.
I liked it. I liked both of the guys but if I’m honest I don’t feel like I know either of them that well. The storyline kept me entertained so that I dint really realise that I didn’t know then until near the end of the book.
I felt for Sterling, and I think that it is the age old saying of “you never know what someone else is going through”. Joey had issues with a Sterling and a deep dislike that originated in high school, but we found out that Sterling had his own issues at home he was dealing with. I actually really liked that he owned his past, made no excuses for it. When Weir needed help he went no questions asked.
Weir was a little bit harder to like, he had a weird sense of humour and really kept to himself. I was glad to see he did something for himself at the end. I enjoyed seeing him make friends and his prickly relationship with Adam was fun.
The storyline was good and a little different as we took a step away from the human trafficking storyline of the previous books.
June 8, 2017
This right here. This is why I love Elle Keaton's books. She amped it up again. So much emotion, drama, and suspense while stole packing a ton of heat. Plus, she has my thoughts swirling on who will be the next couple. Though I'm leaning on maybe a polyamorous one is in the future. I was given the privilege and opportunity to receive an advanced reader copy and am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I love this series so much and can't wait until the next one comes out.
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September 16, 2025💝 FREE on Amazon today (3/19/2018)!💝
June 24, 2017
4.5 heart review for Love Bytes Reviews!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
Wow! I loved this book!
Our first main character is Carroll Weir. Weir has some issues in his past, his sister vanished when he was a kid, his mother ran away, his father was an asshole and then died. Weir was partially raised by a man named Ben, who was a cop and killed on the job. Pretty much everyone Weir has known has abandoned him, intentionally or not. He is the perfect tortured character, dark and lonely on the inside, smart and snarky on the outside. He’s highly educated, young for his job, and physically active. Weir is from SoCal, and is not happy to be is Skagit Washington. He’s stuck there working through a human trafficking case, with Adam, and can not wait to get the hell out. He actually has his bags packed, when his boss calls to tell him he’s got to stay a little longer. A Fish and Wildlife Detective has managed to get himself murdered. Weir is the best option to take the case. So he stays.
Our other main character, Sterling Bailey, is equally interesting. Sterling manages a bar called the Loft, and lives over the bar in a small apartment. He’s grown up in Skagit, and has his own family drama. He was outed against his will by an asshole from school, and his conservative parents freaked out. He was kicked out, and headed to Seattle. He spent a very bad few months on the streets, until he was recognized and rescued by a fellow Skagit resident. Eventually he gets his shit together, and ends up at the Loft, hoping to buy it. He has a younger sister now, also gay, much to the horror of his parents. He helps her when he can, and avoids his parents as much as possible. He’s emotionally stunted and reluctant to let anyone in.
So Weir goes into the Loft, looking for some companionship, and picks the wrooooong day. The bar is packed for Valentine’s Day. Weir finds a spot to sit, and has a couple of drinks. He’s never been impressed by Sterling, the bartender, but Sterling actually comes to his rescue when he has a panic attack. Which leads to a blowjob in the office….. as you do! Their next encounter is not so good, as Sterling comes to Weir’s rescue after he has been hit by a car. This gets the two men in the same circle, and eventually starts us off with two plot lines, a kidnapping and the murder of the Fish and Wildlife Detective. There is lots going on, I won’t give it all away, but it involves Sterling’s family, Adam and Micah, some surgery, a lot of sex, and the bonding of two fucked up men.
I liked the first book in this series, I loved the second book, and I’m happy to say I loved this one too! It’s so cool to see how Elle Keaton has developed so quickly, just over these three books. I live in Washington, as does the author so I particularly loved how she sets the scenes. The weather is mentioned, but not harped on. She includes geoducks, which I have not seen used in a romance book before! I thought that was very cool. She gets the feeling of the pacific northwest just right. I found the plot of the kidnapping interesting, and the drama it causes for Weir and Sterling forces them together, giving them the push they need. I was concerned that the murder plot line had been forgotten, as so much focus was put on the kidnapping plot, but it wrapped up nicely at the end as well. I loved that both of these man have so much shit in their pasts, yet are able to eventually find love. It’s not easy, it’s not instant, it’s not smooth, but there is a good ending for them. I love me some tortured men, and this book gave me two! My only issue was how fast Weir heals from his injuries… I thought to myself, “Hmmmm, really?” several times. But other than that, I think this is a well written, fantastic book!
I very much recommend this book, but you need to read the others first to get the background.
I am so happy I read these books, I can’t wait to see what Elle gives us next!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. This review was originally posted at Love Bytes Reviews, please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, interviews, and giveaways!
Wow! I loved this book!
Our first main character is Carroll Weir. Weir has some issues in his past, his sister vanished when he was a kid, his mother ran away, his father was an asshole and then died. Weir was partially raised by a man named Ben, who was a cop and killed on the job. Pretty much everyone Weir has known has abandoned him, intentionally or not. He is the perfect tortured character, dark and lonely on the inside, smart and snarky on the outside. He’s highly educated, young for his job, and physically active. Weir is from SoCal, and is not happy to be is Skagit Washington. He’s stuck there working through a human trafficking case, with Adam, and can not wait to get the hell out. He actually has his bags packed, when his boss calls to tell him he’s got to stay a little longer. A Fish and Wildlife Detective has managed to get himself murdered. Weir is the best option to take the case. So he stays.
Our other main character, Sterling Bailey, is equally interesting. Sterling manages a bar called the Loft, and lives over the bar in a small apartment. He’s grown up in Skagit, and has his own family drama. He was outed against his will by an asshole from school, and his conservative parents freaked out. He was kicked out, and headed to Seattle. He spent a very bad few months on the streets, until he was recognized and rescued by a fellow Skagit resident. Eventually he gets his shit together, and ends up at the Loft, hoping to buy it. He has a younger sister now, also gay, much to the horror of his parents. He helps her when he can, and avoids his parents as much as possible. He’s emotionally stunted and reluctant to let anyone in.
So Weir goes into the Loft, looking for some companionship, and picks the wrooooong day. The bar is packed for Valentine’s Day. Weir finds a spot to sit, and has a couple of drinks. He’s never been impressed by Sterling, the bartender, but Sterling actually comes to his rescue when he has a panic attack. Which leads to a blowjob in the office….. as you do! Their next encounter is not so good, as Sterling comes to Weir’s rescue after he has been hit by a car. This gets the two men in the same circle, and eventually starts us off with two plot lines, a kidnapping and the murder of the Fish and Wildlife Detective. There is lots going on, I won’t give it all away, but it involves Sterling’s family, Adam and Micah, some surgery, a lot of sex, and the bonding of two fucked up men.
I liked the first book in this series, I loved the second book, and I’m happy to say I loved this one too! It’s so cool to see how Elle Keaton has developed so quickly, just over these three books. I live in Washington, as does the author so I particularly loved how she sets the scenes. The weather is mentioned, but not harped on. She includes geoducks, which I have not seen used in a romance book before! I thought that was very cool. She gets the feeling of the pacific northwest just right. I found the plot of the kidnapping interesting, and the drama it causes for Weir and Sterling forces them together, giving them the push they need. I was concerned that the murder plot line had been forgotten, as so much focus was put on the kidnapping plot, but it wrapped up nicely at the end as well. I loved that both of these man have so much shit in their pasts, yet are able to eventually find love. It’s not easy, it’s not instant, it’s not smooth, but there is a good ending for them. I love me some tortured men, and this book gave me two! My only issue was how fast Weir heals from his injuries… I thought to myself, “Hmmmm, really?” several times. But other than that, I think this is a well written, fantastic book!
I very much recommend this book, but you need to read the others first to get the background.
I am so happy I read these books, I can’t wait to see what Elle gives us next!
December 3, 2020
~ Page-Turner ~ Action Packed ~ Witty ~ Happily Ever After ~ Great World Building ~ Wonderful Characters ~ Unpredictable ~ Easy To Read ~ Steamy ~ Entertaining ~ Romantic ~ Funny ~
This series just keeps getting better and better. It is definitely one of my favorite series I have ever read. I love that each book features a new couple, but I also love that you still get appearances from other characters you know from the other books. It really adds to feel of this being a small town and building the world in which these characters live.
The main two characters Sterling and Weir are wonderful. I had already liked Weir from the other books I've read and was glad he was being featured in this one. I am really glad that the author did not jump to insta love with them which I guess is one of my pet peeves with some of the books I read these days. Yes they jumped to sex quickly but it was well into the book before either of these men let down their guard. They both have been hurt by so many things in their lives and it was good to see the build up for both of them.
I loved the supporting characters -- the ones we already knew and the new ones with this story. The action and mystery never took a back seat and motivated so much of the character development and the romance between the two men. And I really loved the family aspect of things and how it was involved in both men's lives.
I look forward to finishing this series and reading more the mind of Elle Keaton.
This series just keeps getting better and better. It is definitely one of my favorite series I have ever read. I love that each book features a new couple, but I also love that you still get appearances from other characters you know from the other books. It really adds to feel of this being a small town and building the world in which these characters live.
The main two characters Sterling and Weir are wonderful. I had already liked Weir from the other books I've read and was glad he was being featured in this one. I am really glad that the author did not jump to insta love with them which I guess is one of my pet peeves with some of the books I read these days. Yes they jumped to sex quickly but it was well into the book before either of these men let down their guard. They both have been hurt by so many things in their lives and it was good to see the build up for both of them.
I loved the supporting characters -- the ones we already knew and the new ones with this story. The action and mystery never took a back seat and motivated so much of the character development and the romance between the two men. And I really loved the family aspect of things and how it was involved in both men's lives.
I look forward to finishing this series and reading more the mind of Elle Keaton.
June 14, 2022
Carroll Weir can't wait to leave soggy Skagit behind now that everything that brought him there is wrapped up but as we all know life doesn't always work how we want, Skagit is not done with Agent Weir. Sterling Bailey sees so much as the bartender of The Loft but nothing surprises him because of his past and the love he has for his little sister is what brought him home to Skagit. When their paths cross in a late night hook-up, we all know it's going to become more and boy does it ever!
The mystery and drama that fills the pages of Spring Break may have nothing to do with what was in books one and two, so it is readable by itself and not necessary to have read them first. Personally, I am glad that I read Storm Season and No Pressure first, the main characters from those two stories pop up as secondary characters and it just made it flow better having known their story. But I will admit that had I not, I wouldn't have been lost.
Weir and Bailey's journey is a wonderful tale of lust, fighting, friendship, mystery, but mostly it is filled with heart that had me hooked from beginning to end. With Spring Break, Elle Keaton has cemented her place on my author's to watch list and I can't wait to see what she brings next to the Accidental Roots series.
The mystery and drama that fills the pages of Spring Break may have nothing to do with what was in books one and two, so it is readable by itself and not necessary to have read them first. Personally, I am glad that I read Storm Season and No Pressure first, the main characters from those two stories pop up as secondary characters and it just made it flow better having known their story. But I will admit that had I not, I wouldn't have been lost.
Weir and Bailey's journey is a wonderful tale of lust, fighting, friendship, mystery, but mostly it is filled with heart that had me hooked from beginning to end. With Spring Break, Elle Keaton has cemented her place on my author's to watch list and I can't wait to see what she brings next to the Accidental Roots series.
June 10, 2017
I have been hoping to get Agent Carroll Weir's story since first meeting him in Storm Season. I could not wait to find out what was underneath the surface of this young, brilliant FBI agent, and I was not disappointed! I honestly could not be happier with this book. Weir and Sterling's story is my absolute favorite of the series so far. Both men have pasts that keep them from looking for anything other than hookups with anyone, but when they are thrown together for longer than a night things start to change for them both. Weir and Sterling's road to their HEA is a bit rocky, but so worth it. Their story is sexy, sweet and yes, snarky, with a good dose of suspense and action thrown in. It is also full of great secondary characters, some new and some from the previous books. I really enjoyed seeing the couples from the first two books (and the last scene in this book - YAY!).
Spring Break can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning and enjoying the entire series so far. I cannot wait to see who is next!
Spring Break can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting from the beginning and enjoying the entire series so far. I cannot wait to see who is next!
January 8, 2019
4.5 Stars
It’s only taken me a little over a year, but I’ve finally read the last book, well book three, but the last one I hadn’t read, in the Accidental Roots series. It took so long because I couldn’t stand to not have one available to me at all times to fall back on, but I have to say, I think Weir and Sterling are my favorite of all the couples so far.
I absolutely loved both Sterling and Weir and I loved the progression of their relationship. Although they hook up in the beginning, they also take their time getting to know each other. They had amazing chemistry and were smoking hot together.
I thought the story was well-written and you can see the vast improvement in Ms. Keaton’s writing. The story had a bit of everything: Romance, mystery and suspense. This was an enjoyable read that I’d definitely recommend and I can’t wait for more to come!
It’s only taken me a little over a year, but I’ve finally read the last book, well book three, but the last one I hadn’t read, in the Accidental Roots series. It took so long because I couldn’t stand to not have one available to me at all times to fall back on, but I have to say, I think Weir and Sterling are my favorite of all the couples so far.
I absolutely loved both Sterling and Weir and I loved the progression of their relationship. Although they hook up in the beginning, they also take their time getting to know each other. They had amazing chemistry and were smoking hot together.
I thought the story was well-written and you can see the vast improvement in Ms. Keaton’s writing. The story had a bit of everything: Romance, mystery and suspense. This was an enjoyable read that I’d definitely recommend and I can’t wait for more to come!
July 9, 2018
This is an emotionally charged book that quickly drew me in. The author has created complex, interesting, believable characters that had me wanting to know more about them. There is plenty of suspense, a bit of mystery, and love within the pages. I look forward to reading what happens next.
July 1, 2019
Spring Break (Book 3)- 4 Stars: [Weir and Sterling] These two! The hate to love works so well for them. Weir is smart and grouchy and Sterling is sweet but kind of standoffish. But when they finally come together, I love the dynamic that happens.
February 20, 2019
I’m really enjoying this series, but damn, there always seem to be threads left dangling without resolution at the end... the author’s beta-readers are not doing her any favors.
June 8, 2019
Weir and Sterling….
I was so excited about this one, because I really wanted to see what all the fuss with Weir was about, and why he put Adam in such a bad mood. Reading the last couple of stories in this series though, I just realized that Adam is just always in a bad mood. This one was no different.
So, since Weir is already in town wrapping up a case, Mohammad puts him on another one on the DL after a game and wildlife dude gets murdered. They think it has something to do with a fish of some kind, I don’t really remember because the story is rather long and the subject quickly turns to something else for most of the book, though they do come back and solve the case at the very end.
While in town, Adam and Micah go out of town, so Weir is left to his own devices and ends up at The Loft where a panic attack gets the attention of bartender/owner (kind of), Sterling. What starts out as a couple of random hookups, turns into something more when Sterling's little sister finds Weir after being hit by a car. With Micah and Adam needing to get back to where they were, Adam somehow talks Sterling into keeping an eye on Weir, though both men are incredibly blah about it.
Now, something about these two men….neither of them want a relationship and that’s so annoying. Like, it’s the guys who protest so much that end up falling hard for each other. I know that, and even though I did enjoy watching the walls come down a little bit around both guys, it was annoying how stubborn and pigheaded they both were.
I felt badly for both of them because I understood where their reservations were coming from. I mean, Weir had had a terrible childhood with mountains of problems with people leaving him and feeling abandoned, and you’ll meet Sterling’s family because they’re Mike Pence level of crazy, what with having two gay children… So, I got it, but still… it felt hard for me to feel a connection between them because they both were so adamant that what they were doing was more than hooking up. When Sterling finally admitted it and told Weir that he loved him, it seemed out of nowhere, because he was doing so well at convincing himself that he didn’t even miss him. I dunno, that part bugged me.
So, what started out as the wildlife case and murdered guy, turns into Sterlings sister finding trouble and where she went and who was responsible. I can absolutely say with absolute certainty, I knew exactly who it was the whole time and I wasn’t a bit surprised. It will keep you flipping pages though, because I had to make sure that she and her friend ended up okay, and I hoped that Sterling would pull his head out and realize his feelings for Weir…. Because full disclosure, I still swooned over Weir…
Overall though, just like the others, this is like a mini-action movie and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Good addition, but definitely not my favorite. Looking forward to seeing who’s next!
3 stars from me
I was so excited about this one, because I really wanted to see what all the fuss with Weir was about, and why he put Adam in such a bad mood. Reading the last couple of stories in this series though, I just realized that Adam is just always in a bad mood. This one was no different.
So, since Weir is already in town wrapping up a case, Mohammad puts him on another one on the DL after a game and wildlife dude gets murdered. They think it has something to do with a fish of some kind, I don’t really remember because the story is rather long and the subject quickly turns to something else for most of the book, though they do come back and solve the case at the very end.
While in town, Adam and Micah go out of town, so Weir is left to his own devices and ends up at The Loft where a panic attack gets the attention of bartender/owner (kind of), Sterling. What starts out as a couple of random hookups, turns into something more when Sterling's little sister finds Weir after being hit by a car. With Micah and Adam needing to get back to where they were, Adam somehow talks Sterling into keeping an eye on Weir, though both men are incredibly blah about it.
Now, something about these two men….neither of them want a relationship and that’s so annoying. Like, it’s the guys who protest so much that end up falling hard for each other. I know that, and even though I did enjoy watching the walls come down a little bit around both guys, it was annoying how stubborn and pigheaded they both were.
I felt badly for both of them because I understood where their reservations were coming from. I mean, Weir had had a terrible childhood with mountains of problems with people leaving him and feeling abandoned, and you’ll meet Sterling’s family because they’re Mike Pence level of crazy, what with having two gay children… So, I got it, but still… it felt hard for me to feel a connection between them because they both were so adamant that what they were doing was more than hooking up. When Sterling finally admitted it and told Weir that he loved him, it seemed out of nowhere, because he was doing so well at convincing himself that he didn’t even miss him. I dunno, that part bugged me.
So, what started out as the wildlife case and murdered guy, turns into Sterlings sister finding trouble and where she went and who was responsible. I can absolutely say with absolute certainty, I knew exactly who it was the whole time and I wasn’t a bit surprised. It will keep you flipping pages though, because I had to make sure that she and her friend ended up okay, and I hoped that Sterling would pull his head out and realize his feelings for Weir…. Because full disclosure, I still swooned over Weir…
Overall though, just like the others, this is like a mini-action movie and I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. Good addition, but definitely not my favorite. Looking forward to seeing who’s next!
3 stars from me
September 1, 2021
Wow, these two guys have baggage coming out the wazoo. Weir (Carroll/Ethan) is stuck in Skagit investigating the death of a fish and game officer and he just wants to go back to sunny California. After a rough day he has an interlude with Sterling, the local bar tender. Sterling has no interest in dating. When Weird is struck by a car and his friends need someone to look after him, Sterling is sort-of blackmailed into helping him out. They grow closer, sharing what shit lives they had and when Sterling's shitty parents basically threaten to send his little sister to conversion camp, he takes her in and then she and her Trans friend are kidnapped.
I liked Weir and how he had a sense of humour despite what he'd endured since he was 5. He wasn't quite the ass you get to see in the first books and he's young (but has a Ph.D.). The fact that Sterling survived his teen years and came out on the better side is remarkable. This is quite complicated with two cases and horrid parents and two guys who don't trust anyone to not leave them.
I wasn't sure about bringing the sister into it. Sometimes I get a bit frustrated with the whole sibling who must care for his younger spunky/troublemaking sibling, but it didn't play too large of a part here. I thought Sterlings mother needed to receive more comeuppance than she did but ... Oh yeah and I liked that Weir was actually injured. He had a broken leg and arm and collar bone and he wasn't up running after criminals 2 days later.
I enjoyed the series and was glad to see Adam was as much of an asshole as ever. :-)
I liked Weir and how he had a sense of humour despite what he'd endured since he was 5. He wasn't quite the ass you get to see in the first books and he's young (but has a Ph.D.). The fact that Sterling survived his teen years and came out on the better side is remarkable. This is quite complicated with two cases and horrid parents and two guys who don't trust anyone to not leave them.
I wasn't sure about bringing the sister into it. Sometimes I get a bit frustrated with the whole sibling who must care for his younger spunky/troublemaking sibling, but it didn't play too large of a part here. I thought Sterlings mother needed to receive more comeuppance than she did but ... Oh yeah and I liked that Weir was actually injured. He had a broken leg and arm and collar bone and he wasn't up running after criminals 2 days later.
I enjoyed the series and was glad to see Adam was as much of an asshole as ever. :-)
April 6, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Weir is Skargit investigating the death of a wildlife officer that is believed to be connected to the smuggling of geoducks. Now before I read this book I’d never heard of a geoduck and naively assumed it was some sort of duck. So when Weir described a geoduck I went straight to Google to see for myself and had a good laugh. Needless to say geoduck – not a duck. But on to the story.
Sterling and Weir’s romance is set against the back drop of Weir’s investigation and the drama happening in Sterling’s family. They get thrown together and a relationship slowly develops. But neither man has ever been in a relationship so they don’t realise what is happening. And when they do it terrifies them.
I loved plenty about this story. I loved seeing these two lonely men find each other. I loved the action and drama, it kept the story moving along at a good pace. I loved seeing the characters and couples from the previous books in the series.
Spring Break is book 3 in the Accidental Roots series and is another strong story. This is an excellent series and I’m looking forward to reading book 4, As Sure as the Sun, in the coming weeks.
Weir is Skargit investigating the death of a wildlife officer that is believed to be connected to the smuggling of geoducks. Now before I read this book I’d never heard of a geoduck and naively assumed it was some sort of duck. So when Weir described a geoduck I went straight to Google to see for myself and had a good laugh. Needless to say geoduck – not a duck. But on to the story.
Sterling and Weir’s romance is set against the back drop of Weir’s investigation and the drama happening in Sterling’s family. They get thrown together and a relationship slowly develops. But neither man has ever been in a relationship so they don’t realise what is happening. And when they do it terrifies them.
I loved plenty about this story. I loved seeing these two lonely men find each other. I loved the action and drama, it kept the story moving along at a good pace. I loved seeing the characters and couples from the previous books in the series.
Spring Break is book 3 in the Accidental Roots series and is another strong story. This is an excellent series and I’m looking forward to reading book 4, As Sure as the Sun, in the coming weeks.
July 19, 2017
Two guys are perfect for each other, and though though neither want a relationship, circumstances (a convalescence) force them together. I enjoyed the mystery, action, and romance.
What I didn't like so much was frequent reference to characters and events in prior books (that's what I get for reading out of order). The epilogue was entirely devoted to some other book. What is it even doing here?
While most loose ends were tied up, I missed the explanation to the tire slashing incident. Some other mundane mechanical problem would have worked in the plot if it wasn't meant to be a deliberate hostile action.
The author also frequently interrupted the dialogue with reminiscences and descriptions of furniture and clothing. "How are you? [twelve pages later] I'm fine, thanks." (This might be a SLIGHT exaggeration on my part. )
One of the characters had a name change towards the end. That was weird for me as a reader.
I was pleased to find no typos...except for one or two sentence fragments after quotes. Auto-correct mistakenly causes that. I made a note of one (see my notes).
Now I'll have to go back and read the previous books to make complete sense of this one.
What I didn't like so much was frequent reference to characters and events in prior books (that's what I get for reading out of order). The epilogue was entirely devoted to some other book. What is it even doing here?
While most loose ends were tied up, I missed the explanation to the tire slashing incident. Some other mundane mechanical problem would have worked in the plot if it wasn't meant to be a deliberate hostile action.
The author also frequently interrupted the dialogue with reminiscences and descriptions of furniture and clothing. "How are you? [twelve pages later] I'm fine, thanks." (This might be a SLIGHT exaggeration on my part. )
One of the characters had a name change towards the end. That was weird for me as a reader.
I was pleased to find no typos...except for one or two sentence fragments after quotes. Auto-correct mistakenly causes that. I made a note of one (see my notes).
Now I'll have to go back and read the previous books to make complete sense of this one.
November 10, 2017
Sterling bartends at the Loft (pretty much the only gay bar in small town Skagit, Washington). He is everyone's confidante, but never gets too involved with anyone. Skagit is just too insular.
Carroll Weir is a federal investigator on assignment to Skagit investigating the human trafficking ring exposed in book 2. He is also Adam's current partner but is more than ready to leave the surly man and rainy town in his rear view mirror. Sea and surf beckon this California native.
Unfortunately, JUST as he's about to head to the airport, his boss calls. An investigator from Fish and Wildlife is murdered near Skagit and his boss wants Weir to investigate covertly. Apparently, the murdered man was investigating illegal export of geoducks to China. Now, he is trapped in Skagit for the foreseeable future.
At wits end, he drowns his sorrows in alcohol at the Loft and attracts the reluctant attention of Sterling...who finds himself inexplicably drawn to the moody, young agent.
This book gets 4 stars for introducing geoducks into m/m romance. Google it if you don't know what they are...'nuff said.
Carroll Weir is a federal investigator on assignment to Skagit investigating the human trafficking ring exposed in book 2. He is also Adam's current partner but is more than ready to leave the surly man and rainy town in his rear view mirror. Sea and surf beckon this California native.
Unfortunately, JUST as he's about to head to the airport, his boss calls. An investigator from Fish and Wildlife is murdered near Skagit and his boss wants Weir to investigate covertly. Apparently, the murdered man was investigating illegal export of geoducks to China. Now, he is trapped in Skagit for the foreseeable future.
At wits end, he drowns his sorrows in alcohol at the Loft and attracts the reluctant attention of Sterling...who finds himself inexplicably drawn to the moody, young agent.
This book gets 4 stars for introducing geoducks into m/m romance. Google it if you don't know what they are...'nuff said.
April 26, 2020
A story of lost souls drawn to those missing & fiding closure for the victims and themselves-a moving mystery & romance!
Sterling endured a lift that would had many given up or unable to recover from - a life on the streets as a child. FBI Agent Weirs has been called to support his ex partner whom he idolized until he called him out. Now they are working another case. This time his partner Adam is completely changed because of Micah. Weir s really liked Micah and his relationship with his partner. The case involves human trafficking, gambling debts and parents not having unconditional love but throwing theirs kids away like trash when they find out they are gay. Horrific. The story is a terrific fast pace mystery n FBI case. You will love the character's. More reviews @my2centsbooklover Thanks for following!
Sterling endured a lift that would had many given up or unable to recover from - a life on the streets as a child. FBI Agent Weirs has been called to support his ex partner whom he idolized until he called him out. Now they are working another case. This time his partner Adam is completely changed because of Micah. Weir s really liked Micah and his relationship with his partner. The case involves human trafficking, gambling debts and parents not having unconditional love but throwing theirs kids away like trash when they find out they are gay. Horrific. The story is a terrific fast pace mystery n FBI case. You will love the character's. More reviews @my2centsbooklover Thanks for following!
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