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Crooked Rock #2
Lovesick Braves
The future of the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center remains uncertain.
Ester Parker has it under control. She's committed to her work with tribal people, she manages an untrustworthy roommate, and on the side she's developing the skills to go after a new love—filmmaking. If only she had the courage to approach her secret heartthrob.
Theo Dunn left rez life behind long ago. Now, he juggles jobs and sacrifices sleep, doing whatever it takes to finish college and make his family proud. When the irresistible Ester shows up at not one, but two, of his jobs, Theo finds himself frustratingly—and pleasantly—distracted. But the more he gets to know Ester and the crew at the urban Indian center, the less he sees a place for himself in that world.
Ester knows Theo is the one, but can she convince him that he needs her, too?
This is book #2 in the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Series.
Ester Parker has it under control. She's committed to her work with tribal people, she manages an untrustworthy roommate, and on the side she's developing the skills to go after a new love—filmmaking. If only she had the courage to approach her secret heartthrob.
Theo Dunn left rez life behind long ago. Now, he juggles jobs and sacrifices sleep, doing whatever it takes to finish college and make his family proud. When the irresistible Ester shows up at not one, but two, of his jobs, Theo finds himself frustratingly—and pleasantly—distracted. But the more he gets to know Ester and the crew at the urban Indian center, the less he sees a place for himself in that world.
Ester knows Theo is the one, but can she convince him that he needs her, too?
This is book #2 in the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Series.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2017
4 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Sanderson
6 books61 followersSupport a Native Author!
Crooked Rock Book #4
Urban Indian romance continues.
Book 4 is the story of Linda running out of options as the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center struggles to keep going. Arnie is distracted by his own troubles when his leadership is questioned. These two have never been able to figure out whether they're friends, colleagues, or something more and now they need each other more than ever before.
There's a sample first chapter from Book 1 Heartbeat Braves available at www.pamelasanderson.com.
Visit my website for links to a free teaser story about Arnie and Linda.
Book #1 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "...one of the best overall books I’ve read this year." - Jayne, Dear Author.
Book #3 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "What I’ve really loved about these books is that they are rooted in Native/Indian/Ind’n culture and traditions." Jayne, Dear Author.
About the Author
I'm a citizen of the Karuk Tribe. I've been a legal assistant specializing in tribal affairs for over twenty years. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, Bob. I am a Major League Soccer fan. My favorite food is freshly baked apple pie.
Crooked Rock Book #4
Urban Indian romance continues.
Book 4 is the story of Linda running out of options as the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center struggles to keep going. Arnie is distracted by his own troubles when his leadership is questioned. These two have never been able to figure out whether they're friends, colleagues, or something more and now they need each other more than ever before.
There's a sample first chapter from Book 1 Heartbeat Braves available at www.pamelasanderson.com.
Visit my website for links to a free teaser story about Arnie and Linda.
Book #1 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "...one of the best overall books I’ve read this year." - Jayne, Dear Author.
Book #3 was a Recommended Read from Dear Author - "What I’ve really loved about these books is that they are rooted in Native/Indian/Ind’n culture and traditions." Jayne, Dear Author.
About the Author
I'm a citizen of the Karuk Tribe. I've been a legal assistant specializing in tribal affairs for over twenty years. I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband, Bob. I am a Major League Soccer fan. My favorite food is freshly baked apple pie.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 22, 2021
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars
A sweet romance about two financially unstable 20-somethings finding love and purpose! This was really cute and also continues the larger plot of the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center's search for a home and fight with the city. This series does a great job of blending important topics (such as microagressions and stereotyping) with really great romance, representing the lives of indigenous people living in urban settings. I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to continue with the series! In Lovesick Braves specifically, we get a look at what life is like when you are financially unstable, working multiple jobs, struggling to buy food or pay rent and trying to juggle that with going to school. Not something we see a lot but very real for many people.
My only real complaint was with the steamy scenes, which generally were okay and somewhat vague, but I couldn't get past using the term "man-thing" for genitals! It felt so childish and out of place. Otherwise, this was very good.
A sweet romance about two financially unstable 20-somethings finding love and purpose! This was really cute and also continues the larger plot of the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center's search for a home and fight with the city. This series does a great job of blending important topics (such as microagressions and stereotyping) with really great romance, representing the lives of indigenous people living in urban settings. I really enjoyed this book and definitely want to continue with the series! In Lovesick Braves specifically, we get a look at what life is like when you are financially unstable, working multiple jobs, struggling to buy food or pay rent and trying to juggle that with going to school. Not something we see a lot but very real for many people.
My only real complaint was with the steamy scenes, which generally were okay and somewhat vague, but I couldn't get past using the term "man-thing" for genitals! It felt so childish and out of place. Otherwise, this was very good.
July 7, 2018
The second volume has the same strengths as the first one. It does follow a very similar structure, and this similarity is the reason I give it one star less.
As a reading experience the story was equally enjoyable. I was completely sucked in and always in danger of missing my train or the bus stop.
A third volume is promised and I cannot wait!
PS. I love how the movie being made about the center gives the reader a good example on different ways of looking at a subject. The pro movie maker has a fixed idea about the struggles she wants to show, and totally misses what it’s all about.
As a reading experience the story was equally enjoyable. I was completely sucked in and always in danger of missing my train or the bus stop.
A third volume is promised and I cannot wait!
PS. I love how the movie being made about the center gives the reader a good example on different ways of looking at a subject. The pro movie maker has a fixed idea about the struggles she wants to show, and totally misses what it’s all about.
November 3, 2017
4.5 stars, actually.
I have to admit, I am kind of in love with all the main characters of Sanderson's Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center series. And this contemporary romance series is really its own flavor. All of the characters feel so real to me in the ways they are reluctant to talk about their feelings, in their focus on work and getting by, and especially in the ways they risk loving each other.
This is the second in the series, but you wouldn't need to read the first book to appreciate this one, although you would miss that little thrill when Rayanne and Henry have guest appearances.
This story continues both threads from the first book of the ongoing struggle for Crooked Rock to find a home as well as the understated beta romance between the head of the center and a board member.
But really it focuses on Theo and Esther. And Theo is another romantic hero (like Henry from the first book) who isn't your typical Alpha. Oh don't get me wrong, he's big and burly and works as a bouncer in a bar, but he's also trying to complete a degree at the same time as working like three different jobs.
He doesn't have time for a romance.
But then there's Esther, and the two of them find a kind of home in each other as they work together on making a film about Crooked Rock.
Half a star got lost because at some points in the story there's a kind of vagueness to the point of view character's perception of the action that threw me occasionally, but really its a sweet, very interesting, realistic portrayal of the way modern love sometimes unfolds.
I have to admit, I am kind of in love with all the main characters of Sanderson's Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center series. And this contemporary romance series is really its own flavor. All of the characters feel so real to me in the ways they are reluctant to talk about their feelings, in their focus on work and getting by, and especially in the ways they risk loving each other.
This is the second in the series, but you wouldn't need to read the first book to appreciate this one, although you would miss that little thrill when Rayanne and Henry have guest appearances.
This story continues both threads from the first book of the ongoing struggle for Crooked Rock to find a home as well as the understated beta romance between the head of the center and a board member.
But really it focuses on Theo and Esther. And Theo is another romantic hero (like Henry from the first book) who isn't your typical Alpha. Oh don't get me wrong, he's big and burly and works as a bouncer in a bar, but he's also trying to complete a degree at the same time as working like three different jobs.
He doesn't have time for a romance.
But then there's Esther, and the two of them find a kind of home in each other as they work together on making a film about Crooked Rock.
Half a star got lost because at some points in the story there's a kind of vagueness to the point of view character's perception of the action that threw me occasionally, but really its a sweet, very interesting, realistic portrayal of the way modern love sometimes unfolds.
April 12, 2019
Officially one of my favorite romance series ❤️ so so smart with such great dry humor! And yes, you need to start the series at the beginning ;-)
April 7, 2024
Note to self: stop waiting so long to read the next book in the series when you loved the first one! Ester works for the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center and once Theo meets her, he gets brought into the fold in some life-changing ways. I love the folks working at Center and getting to see them find their person while being connected to the Native community.
It’s not her fault but Ester is the kind of character I struggle with. She ignores problems, which means they only get worse. On the one hand, I can understand how she felt frozen due to her financial precarity. On the other hand, how My personal frustrations aside, Ester is passionate about the Center and the work she does. I loved watching her edit video and grow in her skills, which mirrors her growth in other areas. It’s a solid emotional arc.
Theo is trying to balance college with a million side jobs and not doing well in his classes. He doesn’t have time for a relationship but he makes up excuses to see Ester anyway, until they both throw caution to the wind. I really enjoyed the two of them together. They both have real life stressors and we get to see how they navigate it all. Sometimes not very well but that’s also true to life. I have a strong sense of how their relationship will operate for years to come as a result. At the same time,
This story isn’t just about Theo and Ester. It’s about the Native community, from the other team members to the elders who come to their programs. The focus always goes beyond the individual. In addition to Theo and Ester’s romance, there’s a romantic subplot for Linda and Arnie. We won’t see how it resolves until book 4. As it stands, I’m rooting for Linda to find someone better. Arnie was the WORST. He walks all over Linda and the rest of the employees. I hope he starts being a more thoughtful, considerate boss if we’re going to eventually buy a relationship between them.
While I loved Rayanne in the first book, she contracted the Smug Couple Disease, which turned her into someone who stridently pushes relationships on everyone else and is extremely unprofessional, to the point of bringing them her condom stash. It was truly unfortunate and I wish Ester and Linda had done more to push back or even address her actions at all. Especially Linda since she’s the boss! I really wish there hadn’t been such a strong thread of compulsory sexuality.
I loved getting to know Tommy better and I’m looking forward to reading his book soon!
Characters: Ester is a 25 year old Shoshone manager of health programs and amateur documentarian at Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center. Theo is a 25 year old Jicarilla Apache college student, rideshare driver, bouncer, and jack-of-all-trades.
Content notes: anti-Indigenous bigotry and racism, microaggressions by professor, poverty, past homelessness (FMC lived in her car), past teenage delinquency, sober secondary character (helping other family member get sober), past parental opiate addiction, FMC was adopted as a baby by Native parents (birth mom was Shoshone), on page sex, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), past recreational drug use, compulsory sexuality, gendered euphemisms for genitalia, gender essentialism, ableist language
It’s not her fault but Ester is the kind of character I struggle with. She ignores problems, which means they only get worse. On the one hand, I can understand how she felt frozen due to her financial precarity. On the other hand, how My personal frustrations aside, Ester is passionate about the Center and the work she does. I loved watching her edit video and grow in her skills, which mirrors her growth in other areas. It’s a solid emotional arc.
Theo is trying to balance college with a million side jobs and not doing well in his classes. He doesn’t have time for a relationship but he makes up excuses to see Ester anyway, until they both throw caution to the wind. I really enjoyed the two of them together. They both have real life stressors and we get to see how they navigate it all. Sometimes not very well but that’s also true to life. I have a strong sense of how their relationship will operate for years to come as a result. At the same time,
This story isn’t just about Theo and Ester. It’s about the Native community, from the other team members to the elders who come to their programs. The focus always goes beyond the individual. In addition to Theo and Ester’s romance, there’s a romantic subplot for Linda and Arnie. We won’t see how it resolves until book 4. As it stands, I’m rooting for Linda to find someone better. Arnie was the WORST. He walks all over Linda and the rest of the employees. I hope he starts being a more thoughtful, considerate boss if we’re going to eventually buy a relationship between them.
While I loved Rayanne in the first book, she contracted the Smug Couple Disease, which turned her into someone who stridently pushes relationships on everyone else and is extremely unprofessional, to the point of bringing them her condom stash. It was truly unfortunate and I wish Ester and Linda had done more to push back or even address her actions at all. Especially Linda since she’s the boss! I really wish there hadn’t been such a strong thread of compulsory sexuality.
I loved getting to know Tommy better and I’m looking forward to reading his book soon!
Characters: Ester is a 25 year old Shoshone manager of health programs and amateur documentarian at Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center. Theo is a 25 year old Jicarilla Apache college student, rideshare driver, bouncer, and jack-of-all-trades.
Content notes: anti-Indigenous bigotry and racism, microaggressions by professor, poverty, past homelessness (FMC lived in her car), past teenage delinquency, sober secondary character (helping other family member get sober), past parental opiate addiction, FMC was adopted as a baby by Native parents (birth mom was Shoshone), on page sex, alcohol, inebriation (secondary characters), past recreational drug use, compulsory sexuality, gendered euphemisms for genitalia, gender essentialism, ableist language
June 15, 2021
Lovesick Braves just didn't click for me as much as the first Crooked Rock book did. Ester and Theo were compelling as characters but I wasn't particularly invested in their romance. It would have been great to see more of Ester and Theo in a relationship together, which we only got a bit of towards the end of the book. I also found the language used in some of the sex scenes -- "man-thing", really? -- a bit cringe-y but that may just be personal preference.
That said, I enjoyed seeing more of the many characters I loved from book 1. This series brims with complex characters, which makes the non-romance plot lines even more interesting. I definitely plan to give Crooked Rock #3 a try even though Lovesick Braves wasn't my cup of tea.
C/W:
That said, I enjoyed seeing more of the many characters I loved from book 1. This series brims with complex characters, which makes the non-romance plot lines even more interesting. I definitely plan to give Crooked Rock #3 a try even though Lovesick Braves wasn't my cup of tea.
C/W:
November 23, 2021
The fact that I gave this romance 4 stars despite not caring at all about the romantic relationship is a testament to how much I enjoyed everything else!
I was really invested in Ester and Theo as characters separately, but I just didn't feel any chemistry or interest when they were together. Plus I just personally don't find it an interesting build to a love story when both parties are interested in each other from the beginning and we're waiting around for them to realize it. Not that it took too long for that to happen - I just don't like that set-up. You can tell my go-to trope is generally hate-to-love 😂 But other reviewers loved their relationship so don't take my word for it! And it's also worth noting that when I read the premises for all 4 books in the series, this is the one that intrigued me least - so if that still got 4 stars from me, that bodes well for the series overall!
On to the things I loved! I love the way Sanderson builds characters and group dynamics, I love the humor, and I love the plot elements of this series. As I mentioned in an update, I was WAY more invested in the Urban Indian Center securing their funding and new location than I was in Theo and Ester's romance! 😅 I did want things to work out between them, but in a distant, 'you're both good people and I want you to be happy' kind of way rather than a romance I got excited about. Also, the conflicts were SUPER well-written!
And something I really appreciate about the 2 books I've read in this series so far is that the Big Misunderstanding™ is 1) not actually big, 2) very brief, and 3) happens near the end of the book so we don't waste chapters and chapters while the characters resolve it.
And as with book 1, we get a lot of focus on current Native issues, particularly the differences in Native people living on a reservation versus those living in cities and the different kinds of community engagement and support they might want or need.
Really, really excited to read book 3! I already love Tommy and am so looking forward to his story. Side note, but as the book summaries say I would definitely recommend reading this series in order.
CW: Microaggressions, poverty, references to alcoholism
I was really invested in Ester and Theo as characters separately, but I just didn't feel any chemistry or interest when they were together. Plus I just personally don't find it an interesting build to a love story when both parties are interested in each other from the beginning and we're waiting around for them to realize it. Not that it took too long for that to happen - I just don't like that set-up. You can tell my go-to trope is generally hate-to-love 😂 But other reviewers loved their relationship so don't take my word for it! And it's also worth noting that when I read the premises for all 4 books in the series, this is the one that intrigued me least - so if that still got 4 stars from me, that bodes well for the series overall!
On to the things I loved! I love the way Sanderson builds characters and group dynamics, I love the humor, and I love the plot elements of this series. As I mentioned in an update, I was WAY more invested in the Urban Indian Center securing their funding and new location than I was in Theo and Ester's romance! 😅 I did want things to work out between them, but in a distant, 'you're both good people and I want you to be happy' kind of way rather than a romance I got excited about. Also, the conflicts were SUPER well-written!
And something I really appreciate about the 2 books I've read in this series so far is that the Big Misunderstanding™ is 1) not actually big, 2) very brief, and 3) happens near the end of the book so we don't waste chapters and chapters while the characters resolve it.
And as with book 1, we get a lot of focus on current Native issues, particularly the differences in Native people living on a reservation versus those living in cities and the different kinds of community engagement and support they might want or need.
Really, really excited to read book 3! I already love Tommy and am so looking forward to his story. Side note, but as the book summaries say I would definitely recommend reading this series in order.
CW: Microaggressions, poverty, references to alcoholism
November 13, 2025
I read this for my monthly romance book club and I liked it a lot. Learned about native culture and enjoyed the upholding of customs and traditions against the backdrop of an urban environment where that can be especially challenging, but where community becomes that much more important. The romantic leads were easy to root for and supported and challenged one another in good ways. The insta attraction part was less interesting but a small note in an otherwise slow build romance.
March 1, 2024
I went straight from book 1 to book 2 in this Native American romance and community building series. This installment felt a little less compelling, but it upped its game towards the end.
The book touches on addiction and homelessness, and doesn't shy away from the trauma of living in scarcity/poverty, but it emphasizes that these issues don't define the community (which a white filmmaker in the story failed to understand and convey). The joy and power of the community - both multigenerational and multitribal - really shows through.
I can't wait to see what these characters will be accomplishing together in the next installment!
The book touches on addiction and homelessness, and doesn't shy away from the trauma of living in scarcity/poverty, but it emphasizes that these issues don't define the community (which a white filmmaker in the story failed to understand and convey). The joy and power of the community - both multigenerational and multitribal - really shows through.
I can't wait to see what these characters will be accomplishing together in the next installment!
February 10, 2019
I liked it so much but I can’t seam to get the next one. It’s so nice to read about stories with indigenous peoples as the story line.
January 22, 2022
I love this series so much!
Aside from my personal connection to it (I am a Native woman that worked for a Native non-profit in the Pacific Northwest in the years immediately following college), there's just so much to love about it.
It's so Native - from the humor, to the values, to the different approaches that people take to work that benefits the community. I appreciate that there are elders in each of these books, community building for prep, and endless fighting with the local government to get the needs of the Native people taken care of. So many things that make the urban Indian communities special and interesting that you very rarely see in the mostly-historic popular narratives about Native people.
This doesn't even speak to the actual plots of these books, which are great! In addition to the running plot of whether or not the center will be built, each book has had driven and robust main characters that have real goals for themselves but are doing so without the benefits that come from inherited wealth and privilege. These feel like real couples with actual stakes to their relationships.
For me, this series is the Baby Bear of spice - not prude, but also not explicit or exploitative. It does a good job of settling into the genre but also standing out as its own thing. I love this.
Finally, this is just a technical praise - one of the things that bugs me the most about romance novels is that even if they have a strong plot, it feels like the world is only happening to the couple. As a result tend to get bored about 150 pages in, no matter what the story, because of the lack of variety. The decision to include a parallel multi-book slow burn love story alongside the primaries has kept me really engaged at all points. I can't wait to see what happens with this couple in the next two books.
I learned about this series from a Book Riot article. It's been out for several years, and I don't know anybody in real life that's read it. I'm definitely doing my best to try to share it, and I hope it gains popularity and that this empowers the author to write more.
We need more of this type of book in the world.
Aside from my personal connection to it (I am a Native woman that worked for a Native non-profit in the Pacific Northwest in the years immediately following college), there's just so much to love about it.
It's so Native - from the humor, to the values, to the different approaches that people take to work that benefits the community. I appreciate that there are elders in each of these books, community building for prep, and endless fighting with the local government to get the needs of the Native people taken care of. So many things that make the urban Indian communities special and interesting that you very rarely see in the mostly-historic popular narratives about Native people.
This doesn't even speak to the actual plots of these books, which are great! In addition to the running plot of whether or not the center will be built, each book has had driven and robust main characters that have real goals for themselves but are doing so without the benefits that come from inherited wealth and privilege. These feel like real couples with actual stakes to their relationships.
For me, this series is the Baby Bear of spice - not prude, but also not explicit or exploitative. It does a good job of settling into the genre but also standing out as its own thing. I love this.
Finally, this is just a technical praise - one of the things that bugs me the most about romance novels is that even if they have a strong plot, it feels like the world is only happening to the couple. As a result tend to get bored about 150 pages in, no matter what the story, because of the lack of variety. The decision to include a parallel multi-book slow burn love story alongside the primaries has kept me really engaged at all points. I can't wait to see what happens with this couple in the next two books.
I learned about this series from a Book Riot article. It's been out for several years, and I don't know anybody in real life that's read it. I'm definitely doing my best to try to share it, and I hope it gains popularity and that this empowers the author to write more.
We need more of this type of book in the world.
May 14, 2023
Lovesick Braves is the second book in a four book series about the love lives of workers at the fictional Crooked Rock Urban Indian center, set in California. It picks almost immediately after the first book left off. This contemporary romance series is really its own flavor, focusing on the lives of the urban native Americans who are struggling to find a permanent home for the Urban Indian center.
Our main couple is Ester and Theo. Ester, the IT expert, is taking advantage of their current one room location at a community college to slip into the computer lab and work on some film clips she wants to turn into promo spots for their social media. Theo has noticed the shy, pretty woman working in the lab but he’ stretched thin with classes and his financially necessary part time jobs that he feels he’s got nothing to offer her. But never fear, this is a romance.
There's not a lot of action and the narrative got a little bogged down in center's details and the trivia of non-profit distress. I enjoyed the characters, group dynamics and the humor but it just wasn't a book I'll ever think of again. It fulfilled a challenge in a quick easy way but it's unlikely I will continue the series.
Our main couple is Ester and Theo. Ester, the IT expert, is taking advantage of their current one room location at a community college to slip into the computer lab and work on some film clips she wants to turn into promo spots for their social media. Theo has noticed the shy, pretty woman working in the lab but he’ stretched thin with classes and his financially necessary part time jobs that he feels he’s got nothing to offer her. But never fear, this is a romance.
There's not a lot of action and the narrative got a little bogged down in center's details and the trivia of non-profit distress. I enjoyed the characters, group dynamics and the humor but it just wasn't a book I'll ever think of again. It fulfilled a challenge in a quick easy way but it's unlikely I will continue the series.
March 3, 2025
I don’t know if it was just the story or the author hitting her stride or what, but I enjoyed this way more than book one (which I already enjoyed). Ester and Theo are a couple to root for, both with some insecurities and awkwardness and a lot of stress (Theo works 4-ish jobs to try to support himself through college, Ester’s roommate has brought home the world’s worst girlfriend and the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center continues to struggle). They are both financially unstable in a real way, not an 80s-teen-film kind of way, and their stresses are real, but they’re kind of delightful together.
As before, my favorite part of the book was the dynamic between the coworkers at the struggling nonprofit. Their banter is genuinely hilarious and I loved Rayanne, Tommy and Linda as well as Ester. Anyone who’s ever worked at a struggling nonprofit with a clueless person all the way at the top, like me, will find Arnie deeply irritating. However, this time I found myself tolerating him a little better, even though I was disappointed that Linda didn’t get to tell him off or slap him. Here’s hoping for book three?
As before, my favorite part of the book was the dynamic between the coworkers at the struggling nonprofit. Their banter is genuinely hilarious and I loved Rayanne, Tommy and Linda as well as Ester. Anyone who’s ever worked at a struggling nonprofit with a clueless person all the way at the top, like me, will find Arnie deeply irritating. However, this time I found myself tolerating him a little better, even though I was disappointed that Linda didn’t get to tell him off or slap him. Here’s hoping for book three?
Read
June 9, 2019"It's an honor to be on a watch list with you," Ester said.
This was pretty fantastic, and I think I liked it even more than the first one; the story here felt tighter. I liked the dynamic between awkward, plans-ahead Ester and the less-awkward, scraps-things-together Theo, and I liked them as individuals as well.
Sanderson has such an enjoyably flexible tone. She's able to do humor and thoughtfulness in equally deft strokes, and it's all under the umbrella of actually realistic contemporary realism; there is no fairy tale spin to the financial situations of individual characters or the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center. But the romance is no less believable or heartsoaring.
This was pretty fantastic, and I think I liked it even more than the first one; the story here felt tighter. I liked the dynamic between awkward, plans-ahead Ester and the less-awkward, scraps-things-together Theo, and I liked them as individuals as well.
Sanderson has such an enjoyably flexible tone. She's able to do humor and thoughtfulness in equally deft strokes, and it's all under the umbrella of actually realistic contemporary realism; there is no fairy tale spin to the financial situations of individual characters or the Crooked Rock Urban Indian Center. But the romance is no less believable or heartsoaring.
April 7, 2021
4.5 stars
I really like this second installment in the series. It's even better than the first book. The character dynamics in this series seem so real. There is no exaggeration in what characters are feeling, how they are reacting and even in the bedroom scenes, which I really appreciate. It seems like a romance people you know might have. It's a straightforward story with a few hiccups on the way, due to people guarding their hearts and being unsure of themselves. The ending is a bit abrupt, so that's why I deducted half a star.
The Crooked Rock plot line is also really interesting, so I'm definitely continuing with the series.
I really like this second installment in the series. It's even better than the first book. The character dynamics in this series seem so real. There is no exaggeration in what characters are feeling, how they are reacting and even in the bedroom scenes, which I really appreciate. It seems like a romance people you know might have. It's a straightforward story with a few hiccups on the way, due to people guarding their hearts and being unsure of themselves. The ending is a bit abrupt, so that's why I deducted half a star.
The Crooked Rock plot line is also really interesting, so I'm definitely continuing with the series.
July 5, 2020
Excellent characters and story
I thoroughly enjoyed the second book of the Crooked Rock series. Ms. Sanderson has created a realistic cast of characters who interact with warmth, humor and angst. I have learned a new perspective of the Native American people. It is wonderful to read about characters and situations that explore the diversity of our world. I look forward to reading more books in this series as the characters grab you and make you want to find out more!
I thoroughly enjoyed the second book of the Crooked Rock series. Ms. Sanderson has created a realistic cast of characters who interact with warmth, humor and angst. I have learned a new perspective of the Native American people. It is wonderful to read about characters and situations that explore the diversity of our world. I look forward to reading more books in this series as the characters grab you and make you want to find out more!
August 16, 2021
Fantastic!
I'm loving this series so much. I love getting to know more about Indian life, other than the tragedy p0rn we're force-fed by white media.
All the characters are so well written and diverse, I love them so much. (Though I am seriously annoyed with Arnie right now.) Can't wait to start the next book!
I'm loving this series so much. I love getting to know more about Indian life, other than the tragedy p0rn we're force-fed by white media.
All the characters are so well written and diverse, I love them so much. (Though I am seriously annoyed with Arnie right now.) Can't wait to start the next book!
March 4, 2024
I enjoyed this second of the series very much. I had some trouble keeping track of things, probably because I read the first novel a while ago. Ms. Sanderson presents a very believable picture of an urban Native American situation, with great characters and convincing conflicts. Looking forward to book #3.
August 28, 2025
I don't know why, but I really love this series. Maybe it's the normal lives and struggles of the characters, maybe it's the dry wit? I can only say for sure that I enjoy Sanderson's voice in these books so far. Lovesick Braves was no exception.
P.S. I know I'm coming to this series late--but I can't believe we're going to get a three-book slow burn between Linda and Arnie, lol.
P.S. I know I'm coming to this series late--but I can't believe we're going to get a three-book slow burn between Linda and Arnie, lol.
July 28, 2022
While I loved the MC & LI in this book, I feel like it focused too much on certain characters outside of the novel. I would have loved to see their relationship blossom outside the documentary and work. Very sweet.
January 15, 2024
I wasn't overly invested in the romance even though I liked Ester and Theo as individuals. I liked them as a couple too but there was so much on the movie it took away. I adore the Native American representation
Read
September 28, 2025DNF, could not take the obnoxious continually boundary stomping and matchmaking friend trope (Rayanne from the first book) who was trying to force two couples to get together, no matter how much they told her no or to back off.
March 5, 2018
So enjoyable.
November 19, 2020
4.5 stars
January 29, 2022
Ester and Theo are so cute!
January 12, 2023
I remember liking this one... I wish I still had my review GR :/
February 9, 2023
so sweet
February 24, 2025
3.5 stars! This was so sweet.
Read
September 20, 2025I tried -- just couldn't.
This series is clearly not for me.
This series is clearly not for me.
November 30, 2020
Ester is committed to her work with tribal people and is developing her skills for her newfound love - filmography. She also has a huge crush on Theo, who works in the computer lab where Ester edits videos. Theo left rez life behind in order to attend college and juggles multiple jobs to make ends meet. When Theo and Ester end up working together on a favor for one of his professors, sparks fly, but does he have room in his life for Ester?
I really enjoy the whole cast of characters in this series! This is book 2 and I was glad to see my library had 3, and immediately requested that they buy 4 once I was done. I like that the romances are realistic about juggling multiple commitments - school, work, family, and the characters are likable. It also helps that the side plots are interesting, and I assume the struggle for the Center to find a building will span over all four books.
Recommended to: friends to lovers and forced proximity fans, anyone looking for #ownvoices books by Indigenous authors.
I really enjoy the whole cast of characters in this series! This is book 2 and I was glad to see my library had 3, and immediately requested that they buy 4 once I was done. I like that the romances are realistic about juggling multiple commitments - school, work, family, and the characters are likable. It also helps that the side plots are interesting, and I assume the struggle for the Center to find a building will span over all four books.
Recommended to: friends to lovers and forced proximity fans, anyone looking for #ownvoices books by Indigenous authors.
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