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Family Secrets #1
The Carpenter’s Secret
Dean Mathews leads a normal, if boring life. His career, his home, his social life, none of it is really what he wanted for himself, but it's the life he has nonetheless. A small coincidence brings him the opportunity to take ownership of his grandfather's old farm, to bring the place under his wing and careful hand. This choice will lead him from his old life to face a host of new challenges, most of which he expected. The unforeseen comes in the form of Mikael Reed, a simple carpenter - with a few secrets. The friendship that forms between them becomes more, and eventually Mikael's secrets, and the echoes of family legends come to bear, altering Dean's once stale life, forever.
In this paranormal gay romance novel, you will be intrigued by the mysteries behind families, the secrets they keep, and what happens behind closed doors. Sometimes it's hot and sometimes it's sinister - what more can you ask for? Dean gets to do a little digging and shed some light on the things that kept his family up and go bump in the night.
In this paranormal gay romance novel, you will be intrigued by the mysteries behind families, the secrets they keep, and what happens behind closed doors. Sometimes it's hot and sometimes it's sinister - what more can you ask for? Dean gets to do a little digging and shed some light on the things that kept his family up and go bump in the night.
Audiobook
First published May 21, 2017
269 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
Noah Harris
124 books519 followersNoah Harris is a 28-year-old bisexual man currently single and living in a small apartment in New York.
Being a natural introvert with significant extrovert tendencies he expresses himself through the world of writing MM books, often with a darker, paranormal twist. His books are written from the heart of his deep, sensitive and mysterious, but playful and creative, wild spirit.
Noah is dedicated to giving something back to the universe, sharing generously in his successes and inspiring and motivating others through his writing and in any other way he can. He believes in living a natural, healthy lifestyle and has embraced meditation as a way of clearing the 'noise' in his head and allowing his dark creativity to shine through in his books.
He is determined to reach out to as many readers, who he considers his 'friends', as he can through his unique personal touch and through building like-minded communities online. It is this personal touch, with his readers, that sets him apart from most other authors today.
Being a natural introvert with significant extrovert tendencies he expresses himself through the world of writing MM books, often with a darker, paranormal twist. His books are written from the heart of his deep, sensitive and mysterious, but playful and creative, wild spirit.
Noah is dedicated to giving something back to the universe, sharing generously in his successes and inspiring and motivating others through his writing and in any other way he can. He believes in living a natural, healthy lifestyle and has embraced meditation as a way of clearing the 'noise' in his head and allowing his dark creativity to shine through in his books.
He is determined to reach out to as many readers, who he considers his 'friends', as he can through his unique personal touch and through building like-minded communities online. It is this personal touch, with his readers, that sets him apart from most other authors today.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
June 13, 2017
New author for me and I went in blind, no reviews, on the blurb alone.
While there was a bit too much of Dean's inner dialogue that bogged the story down at times, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the sequel. It's not a relationship cliffhanger, but their journey isn't over.
Recommended! My shelves are purposely vague to save you from spoilers. Oh, and there is some good steam. I know some of you will ask! I would! 4.5 out of 5 steam.
I hope you enjoy!
While there was a bit too much of Dean's inner dialogue that bogged the story down at times, I really enjoyed this and am looking forward to the sequel. It's not a relationship cliffhanger, but their journey isn't over.
Recommended! My shelves are purposely vague to save you from spoilers. Oh, and there is some good steam. I know some of you will ask! I would! 4.5 out of 5 steam.
I hope you enjoy!
November 9, 2019
This book was a Wolf shifter (Mikael) and Human (Dean) pairing set in a paranormal universe that ends in a HFN which will continue following the same characters storyline into the next books.
I thought the writing was okay. There was a lot of dialogue and background on Dean compared to the actual storyline happening around these guys. I am hoping that in book two we get some more intense plot since we learned so much about these characters in this first book. I need a lot more action and drama and a little less talking and details. However, the things that we learned about Dean's grandpa and the surrounding towns were pretty interesting and I wouldn't mind hearing just a little bit more about it in the next book. This book kind of felt like it was more of an introduction that could have been reduced by a few pages, since it was a slower build up to the full story I am assuming we will get in the next book.
Audio - I think the narrator Nic Lazar did ok. Not great, but just ok. There were a few words that stood out to me during the story as mispronounced and a few times he ran on a little more monotone without enough emotion when times called for that. But overall for a newer narrator starting out he really didn't do bad. I would still be interested to see how he improves as a narrator as time goes on.
I thought the writing was okay. There was a lot of dialogue and background on Dean compared to the actual storyline happening around these guys. I am hoping that in book two we get some more intense plot since we learned so much about these characters in this first book. I need a lot more action and drama and a little less talking and details. However, the things that we learned about Dean's grandpa and the surrounding towns were pretty interesting and I wouldn't mind hearing just a little bit more about it in the next book. This book kind of felt like it was more of an introduction that could have been reduced by a few pages, since it was a slower build up to the full story I am assuming we will get in the next book.
Audio - I think the narrator Nic Lazar did ok. Not great, but just ok. There were a few words that stood out to me during the story as mispronounced and a few times he ran on a little more monotone without enough emotion when times called for that. But overall for a newer narrator starting out he really didn't do bad. I would still be interested to see how he improves as a narrator as time goes on.
January 26, 2019
3,5 stars
I must admit I enjoyed this one, even if at first I got kind of bored. We don't get much dialogue. We get many childhood memories and back stories... But the second part of the book was way better. I am glad I've read this because it was nicer than I expected. And it was super hot. Not sure I will be reading the next books, but maybe someday.
I must admit I enjoyed this one, even if at first I got kind of bored. We don't get much dialogue. We get many childhood memories and back stories... But the second part of the book was way better. I am glad I've read this because it was nicer than I expected. And it was super hot. Not sure I will be reading the next books, but maybe someday.
June 3, 2017
This is one of those stories that you can see where it is going and you can't wait to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
It had a lot going for it.
I love a coming home story and even more than that, I love a small town some of us are different than the others vibe.
This had all that and was moving on pretty good but then it just tuckered out and completely lost its momentum. Farming and building, farming and building...separation. Gah, I hate a separation. Just when I felt like we got to the meat of where this was going it really did not go there.
I feel no questions were answered and honestly nothing really happened. And then, when something did happen I just don't know why it did or why it happened that way. It made no sense!
This took me forever to finish, I just totally lost interest.
Maybe book 2 will be more of a mover than this one was.
I will have to read it because I just need to know why.
It had a lot going for it.
I love a coming home story and even more than that, I love a small town some of us are different than the others vibe.
This had all that and was moving on pretty good but then it just tuckered out and completely lost its momentum. Farming and building, farming and building...separation. Gah, I hate a separation. Just when I felt like we got to the meat of where this was going it really did not go there.
I feel no questions were answered and honestly nothing really happened. And then, when something did happen I just don't know why it did or why it happened that way. It made no sense!
This took me forever to finish, I just totally lost interest.
Maybe book 2 will be more of a mover than this one was.
I will have to read it because I just need to know why.
October 22, 2017
5% Dialogue/ 95% Narrative . Ugh.
Well, there could have been a story in here somewhere if only I hadn't gotten bogged down by pages and pages of narrative with nary a quotation mark in sight.
I skimmed the heck out to this book looking for something to happen. At the 50% mark, a hand settled on a knee. It took that long. I was just bored by this. Maybe it wasn't as bad as all this and I can chalk it up to being in a very "meh" mood.
But if I were you, I wouldn't waste my time (I only finished it for a challenge that involved a cover tattoo).
Well, there could have been a story in here somewhere if only I hadn't gotten bogged down by pages and pages of narrative with nary a quotation mark in sight.
I skimmed the heck out to this book looking for something to happen. At the 50% mark, a hand settled on a knee. It took that long. I was just bored by this. Maybe it wasn't as bad as all this and I can chalk it up to being in a very "meh" mood.
But if I were you, I wouldn't waste my time (I only finished it for a challenge that involved a cover tattoo).
September 16, 2019
The carpenter and the farmer...
Book one in a shifter series by Noah Harris.
Dean, 27, part Native American, has had a rough time,
losing his folks and now his beloved grandfather. He has a job he dislikes, a great dog, boxer mix Jax, and finicky cat, Nix.
Now, his grandfather left the farm to him, so he heads there to have a new life. It will take extensive work to refurbish the farm, and he gets to it.
Carpenter Mikael “Me-kell” comes highly recommended.
Mikael, 25, tall, hazel-eyed, light brown haired hottie, works to fix the barn, fencing, porch, and house. Dean works the fields and outside areas to be ready for planting.
Slowly the men get close, become friends, and it leads to more. We get heart-pounding, erotic, mind blowing sexiness. There is a strange attack, violence, Jax’s injury, and a carpenter’s secret revealed.
This is Noah Harris at his best. Shifters, mystery, sexy times, and hope for our guys future.
Enjoy !
=======
Thank you sweet Darlene for this rec !
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Book one in a shifter series by Noah Harris.
Dean, 27, part Native American, has had a rough time,
losing his folks and now his beloved grandfather. He has a job he dislikes, a great dog, boxer mix Jax, and finicky cat, Nix.
Now, his grandfather left the farm to him, so he heads there to have a new life. It will take extensive work to refurbish the farm, and he gets to it.
Carpenter Mikael “Me-kell” comes highly recommended.
Mikael, 25, tall, hazel-eyed, light brown haired hottie, works to fix the barn, fencing, porch, and house. Dean works the fields and outside areas to be ready for planting.
Slowly the men get close, become friends, and it leads to more. We get heart-pounding, erotic, mind blowing sexiness. There is a strange attack, violence, Jax’s injury, and a carpenter’s secret revealed.
This is Noah Harris at his best. Shifters, mystery, sexy times, and hope for our guys future.
Enjoy !
=======
Thank you sweet Darlene for this rec !
======
November 7, 2020
This was an okay read. Not bad, not great.
I liked both of the Mc's just well enough.
There's not a lot of dialogue though. Actually the whole book felt like a build up for following books in the series. It ended with a nice little HFN though.
Will I read the other books? Nope I probably won't. There's seven books left in this series. About the same couple. And it's probably just going to be crazier and more violent from here so I am totally contempt at leaving them here with there HFN.
I liked both of the Mc's just well enough.
There's not a lot of dialogue though. Actually the whole book felt like a build up for following books in the series. It ended with a nice little HFN though.
Will I read the other books? Nope I probably won't. There's seven books left in this series. About the same couple. And it's probably just going to be crazier and more violent from here so I am totally contempt at leaving them here with there HFN.
May 24, 2017
Everything I review is from my own opinion of what I read, so take it for what it is. So far I haven’t read a book by Noah Harris I didn’t like, he’s a great author and this one, for me, was a fun and interesting read and really loved it.
Dean Mathews has been alone and lonely for many years and worked for an insurance company after he graduated from college. Dean was studying agriculture to help his grandfather with his farm, but his parents suddenly and felt he should switch his major which lead to his boring job as an insurance adjuster. Then the sad reality that same year after his parent’s death, his grandfather also dies. Dean had been very close to his grandfather and had spent his summers with him up until he had entered college.
Upon his grandfather’s death he had left an envelope address to Dean. Dean had been in shock at the time and the envelope got put away. Dean hated his life and by chance this envelope shows up in a bunch of papers. When he opened it, he discovered a letter from his grandfather that so sweet and endearing it brought tears to his eyes. Also inside that envelope was paperwork for his grandfather’s farm that he left to Dean.
Dean was shocked he hadn’t opened the envelope earlier, but it did say not to open right off. This was a chance at a new life and with the help of his grandfather’s excited attorney he now owned the farm. It had been six years since his death and his grandfather had gotten to where he couldn’t keep the farm in top shape. When Dean arrives he really has his work cut of himself. Harris gives us details of the sorrowful farm house and out buildings that would make you cry.
It’s when Mikael Reed, the carpenter that he hired to do work on his buildings and barn, that makes Dean forget himself. Mikael’s a handsome man with muscles of steel like he lifted weights, but Dean knew those muscles were there from the hard manual labor Mikael did.
Mikael was from The Grove where outsiders were not welcomed, but for some reason his grandfather had been allowed to go there. Dean was considered to be from the Town and the folks from Town didn’t mix with the people from The Grove. It was one of those mysteries’ that come with being new to a small town. Dean never understood why and Mikael and he become friends. As time went on, their friendship turned to lovers and the hot, hot, sex Dean was starving for was embraced.
One night when Dean was walking home from having dinner with his neighbors, a big wolf came out of the brush. I loved all the emotions and talking that Dean said as this wolf did not attack him, in fact, the wolf showed up many times after that chance meeting. So for reader’s the mystery is solved – The Grove was a town of wolf shifters and Mikael is a wolf. Mikael tells Dean to stay in on the full moon and lock his doors, but Dean forgets about those sorts of things and still didn’t know what Mikael really was.
When Mikael’s work is completed he did not want to say good-bye to his lover and friend, but The Grove demanded Mikael not to get involved with a person from Town - too late. That’s when Dean fights for his man, still not knowing why his friend was not showing up anymore and was determined to get him back – that is if Mikael wanted him.
Sure enough with Dean’s persistence Mikael shows up pissed off thinking all these calls to his boss meant there was something wrong with his work and came to find out, but as they talked, Dean and Mikael discover they both want the same thing – a committed relationship and wow did the sparks fly in the bedroom. Then later that week sparks and fur flew after Mikael’s cousin attacked Dean and Mikael rescues his lover.
I really loved the book. For me it had the tone of sadness, but along with soothing happiness. Oh and I forgot to mention the cute pets Dean had – a mixed boxer named Jax and a messy cat name Nix. Overall, for me, it was a wonderful, fun, and adorable read. *** I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. ***
Dean Mathews has been alone and lonely for many years and worked for an insurance company after he graduated from college. Dean was studying agriculture to help his grandfather with his farm, but his parents suddenly and felt he should switch his major which lead to his boring job as an insurance adjuster. Then the sad reality that same year after his parent’s death, his grandfather also dies. Dean had been very close to his grandfather and had spent his summers with him up until he had entered college.
Upon his grandfather’s death he had left an envelope address to Dean. Dean had been in shock at the time and the envelope got put away. Dean hated his life and by chance this envelope shows up in a bunch of papers. When he opened it, he discovered a letter from his grandfather that so sweet and endearing it brought tears to his eyes. Also inside that envelope was paperwork for his grandfather’s farm that he left to Dean.
Dean was shocked he hadn’t opened the envelope earlier, but it did say not to open right off. This was a chance at a new life and with the help of his grandfather’s excited attorney he now owned the farm. It had been six years since his death and his grandfather had gotten to where he couldn’t keep the farm in top shape. When Dean arrives he really has his work cut of himself. Harris gives us details of the sorrowful farm house and out buildings that would make you cry.
It’s when Mikael Reed, the carpenter that he hired to do work on his buildings and barn, that makes Dean forget himself. Mikael’s a handsome man with muscles of steel like he lifted weights, but Dean knew those muscles were there from the hard manual labor Mikael did.
Mikael was from The Grove where outsiders were not welcomed, but for some reason his grandfather had been allowed to go there. Dean was considered to be from the Town and the folks from Town didn’t mix with the people from The Grove. It was one of those mysteries’ that come with being new to a small town. Dean never understood why and Mikael and he become friends. As time went on, their friendship turned to lovers and the hot, hot, sex Dean was starving for was embraced.
One night when Dean was walking home from having dinner with his neighbors, a big wolf came out of the brush. I loved all the emotions and talking that Dean said as this wolf did not attack him, in fact, the wolf showed up many times after that chance meeting. So for reader’s the mystery is solved – The Grove was a town of wolf shifters and Mikael is a wolf. Mikael tells Dean to stay in on the full moon and lock his doors, but Dean forgets about those sorts of things and still didn’t know what Mikael really was.
When Mikael’s work is completed he did not want to say good-bye to his lover and friend, but The Grove demanded Mikael not to get involved with a person from Town - too late. That’s when Dean fights for his man, still not knowing why his friend was not showing up anymore and was determined to get him back – that is if Mikael wanted him.
Sure enough with Dean’s persistence Mikael shows up pissed off thinking all these calls to his boss meant there was something wrong with his work and came to find out, but as they talked, Dean and Mikael discover they both want the same thing – a committed relationship and wow did the sparks fly in the bedroom. Then later that week sparks and fur flew after Mikael’s cousin attacked Dean and Mikael rescues his lover.
I really loved the book. For me it had the tone of sadness, but along with soothing happiness. Oh and I forgot to mention the cute pets Dean had – a mixed boxer named Jax and a messy cat name Nix. Overall, for me, it was a wonderful, fun, and adorable read. *** I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. ***
May 28, 2017
DNF. Draggy and dull. Logic plot holes.
Want to read
June 6, 2017I started this, and it has the exact beginning to a PC game, Stardew Valley. Guy's working an office job that he hates, when he finds a letter from his grandfather, leaving him his farm. Cute enough idea, and I'm sure the book is nice enough, but I'm not in the mood for it right now. Will likely come back to it later.
September 24, 2017
Didn't like the characters or feel even the remotest investment in them.
October 10, 2017
1.5 stars
The characters and story were extremely dull, as was the writing style. This book seemed to do more telling rather than showing. Didn't enjoy it at all.
The characters and story were extremely dull, as was the writing style. This book seemed to do more telling rather than showing. Didn't enjoy it at all.
May 30, 2017
This is book one in this series about Dean and Mikeal .
This is their journey so far.
A gripping story which has both men wanting each other but there is a secret on Mikeal's side which is exceedingly daunting.
His family where he comes from -------
Dean hasn't felt as free as this for such a long time he has found that even being near Mikael makes him exceedingly happy and extremely horny and together everything works as they naturally gravitate to each other.
Family secrets/ Deans neighbours/ Wolves all take a front line ...
It's a beautiful story that I was drawn into- Noah always writes a detailed book that I as a reader feels like I am there in between the pages .
I shall devour book two.
Written as Pat Jay
May 25, 2017
I liked The Carpenter's Secret by Noah Harris. It was well written, and I enjoyed Mikael and Dean. I always like Noah's books about a human and werewolf pairing and this one was great, but it moved a little slow for me. It was still plenty hot, and I liked the chemistry between Mikael and Dean. The book does end in a happy for now ending but this is just the first book in a new series called Family Secrets, and the author has promised that we won't have to wait long for the next book. I'm hoping that we get more of Mikael's background in the next book since we got a lot of Dean's in this one. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
June 7, 2017
Noah Harris just gets better and better each story I read. This is a wonderful story of people from two different worlds who end up working together to build a life for themselves. I loved this story!! It ended with a HFN, so I hope to see more of Dean and Mikael in the future. There are some things that were left unresolved that will make a wonderful second book!!
Read
July 23, 2018Read this a year ago or at least started it but it dragged and I couldn't get into it. I thought it was kind of a lame begiing, the meet cute was meh but everyone gave it fairly good reviews so it may have been me at the time. I hope to revisit it but I did want to capture that I at least gave it a try because I was wondering the other day why I haven't read it and now I remember. Gorgeous gorgeous cover tho!
March 4, 2022
I stumble on this story by surprise , and even if I had to fall in Dean thoughts, which by the way are interesting, I look forward to know more about this story?
I have a thing for paranormal stories with HEA love story you have to fight for.
I have a thing for paranormal stories with HEA love story you have to fight for.
May 26, 2017
I love it, so I want more and more and more. I hope Author "Noah Harris" won't let us wait for next book for long.
It's a perfect start.
It's a perfect start.
October 30, 2017
3.75 stars
November 7, 2018
I definitely didn’t read the synopsis before reading this and was extremely surprised with the paranormal twist🐺 Loved it!
August 7, 2023
Holy narration,
wolf man! Plodding story of
hot blue collar boys.
wolf man! Plodding story of
hot blue collar boys.
November 6, 2017
pleasant read but nothing new or startling. I liked the two main characters and the relationship between them, but found some of the other characters a bit much.
October 28, 2017
This 157 pg story took me 4 days to finish. I couldn't connect with the characters. I found the plot to be boring & predictable. For example: I didn't read the blurb closely so I didn't know before reading the story that it was paranormal but I could predict before the big reveal that
The legends hinted at in the blurb were briefly mentioned when Dean has a storytime during dinner with Mikael once. More time was spent in the story describing Dean's farming practices than anything paranormal.
Also, another pass for editing could have helped as there were a lot of typos and editing errors.
The legends hinted at in the blurb were briefly mentioned when Dean has a storytime during dinner with Mikael once. More time was spent in the story describing Dean's farming practices than anything paranormal.
Also, another pass for editing could have helped as there were a lot of typos and editing errors.
November 13, 2017
DNF at 40%.
I definitely stand in the minority, but I could not persist through this book due to the awkward writing and utter lack of flair for word arrangement. Verbal repetitions especially are so numerous, so inelegant that one shivers and asks rhetorically, "did the author even consider looking in a synonym thesaurus" ? A few quotes will make the disaster plain:
"His grandfather had been a farmer his whole life. During the summers, as a child and teenager, Dean had SPENT a considerable amount of TIME there. As he grew older, he had less TIME to SPEND on the farm, but he had never forgotten that TIME, and that had inevitably led to his decision as to what to study.
"Dean understood THAT the other MAN was trying to subtly and politely inform him THAT the COST was going to be significant. Even if it was just the one MAN, the material COSTS alone were likely to be a pretty penny. Dean didn’t have much choice in the matter, since most of the WORK he needed done was to help get THIS PLACE back in WORKING order. The rest was simply for the sake of having the proper memory of THIS PLACE preserved, which he felt was just as important."
"Dean shook THE MAN’s hand, liking the warmth and strength of his grip. It was only polite to casually watch as THE MAN walked back to his truck. Now there was A MAN who knew how to fill out a pair of slightly dirty jeans just right. Making sure he wasn’t caught ogling, however, he started walking back up to the house as THE MAN reached his truck."
"It was only later when he realized the man had asked if Dean had anybody special. Not girlfriend, or wife, but ‘someone special.’ Had Mikael known somehow? HIS GRANDFATHER had known about Dean’s sexual and romantic inclination of course. HIS GRANDFATHER had been the first person he’d told, actually. The OLD man was definitely the salt of the earth type, traditional, and OLD world in so many ways. Yet, when the young Dean had come to him, trembling all over, and told the man this much-dreaded secret, his reaction had been to wrap the teenager up in a hug. Dean never quite knew what HIS GRANDFATHER thought about all of that, except that he’d been adamant that Dean was who he was and that HIS GRANDFATHER loved him and wanted him happy. But that had been one of the last summers he’d spent here, and he hadn’t told anyone else in the area. He knew full well HIS GRANDFATHER would not have passed that little tidbit on to anyone else. As far as HIS GRANDFATHER was concerned, it was no one’s business but Dean’s.
"He’d shaken the thoughts from his head finally as he dove back into HIS WORK. The mindless but intensive labor had been enough to clear his head and by the time he had finished HIS WORK, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon."
"The next bit of work he had to deal with was removing THE ROCKS from the long stretches of now trimmed fields. He didn’t relish the idea of trying to till the land with THE LARGE ROCKS still on the ground. (...) That project too had TAKEN the better part of the day to make any real progress on, and it was TAKING far longer than he thought it would. It dragged on well into the next day before he was finally satisfied that he wouldn’t break anything when he tilled the field. He also had himself a NICE BIG PILE OF ROCKS that he wasn’t quite sure what TO DO WITH. It was quite a bit of stone, but he was sure he could figure out something TO DO WITH IT, eventually."
Hundreds of pages written in such desultory manner have little right, methinks, to so many five- and four-star reviews.
I definitely stand in the minority, but I could not persist through this book due to the awkward writing and utter lack of flair for word arrangement. Verbal repetitions especially are so numerous, so inelegant that one shivers and asks rhetorically, "did the author even consider looking in a synonym thesaurus" ? A few quotes will make the disaster plain:
"His grandfather had been a farmer his whole life. During the summers, as a child and teenager, Dean had SPENT a considerable amount of TIME there. As he grew older, he had less TIME to SPEND on the farm, but he had never forgotten that TIME, and that had inevitably led to his decision as to what to study.
"Dean understood THAT the other MAN was trying to subtly and politely inform him THAT the COST was going to be significant. Even if it was just the one MAN, the material COSTS alone were likely to be a pretty penny. Dean didn’t have much choice in the matter, since most of the WORK he needed done was to help get THIS PLACE back in WORKING order. The rest was simply for the sake of having the proper memory of THIS PLACE preserved, which he felt was just as important."
"Dean shook THE MAN’s hand, liking the warmth and strength of his grip. It was only polite to casually watch as THE MAN walked back to his truck. Now there was A MAN who knew how to fill out a pair of slightly dirty jeans just right. Making sure he wasn’t caught ogling, however, he started walking back up to the house as THE MAN reached his truck."
"It was only later when he realized the man had asked if Dean had anybody special. Not girlfriend, or wife, but ‘someone special.’ Had Mikael known somehow? HIS GRANDFATHER had known about Dean’s sexual and romantic inclination of course. HIS GRANDFATHER had been the first person he’d told, actually. The OLD man was definitely the salt of the earth type, traditional, and OLD world in so many ways. Yet, when the young Dean had come to him, trembling all over, and told the man this much-dreaded secret, his reaction had been to wrap the teenager up in a hug. Dean never quite knew what HIS GRANDFATHER thought about all of that, except that he’d been adamant that Dean was who he was and that HIS GRANDFATHER loved him and wanted him happy. But that had been one of the last summers he’d spent here, and he hadn’t told anyone else in the area. He knew full well HIS GRANDFATHER would not have passed that little tidbit on to anyone else. As far as HIS GRANDFATHER was concerned, it was no one’s business but Dean’s.
"He’d shaken the thoughts from his head finally as he dove back into HIS WORK. The mindless but intensive labor had been enough to clear his head and by the time he had finished HIS WORK, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon."
"The next bit of work he had to deal with was removing THE ROCKS from the long stretches of now trimmed fields. He didn’t relish the idea of trying to till the land with THE LARGE ROCKS still on the ground. (...) That project too had TAKEN the better part of the day to make any real progress on, and it was TAKING far longer than he thought it would. It dragged on well into the next day before he was finally satisfied that he wouldn’t break anything when he tilled the field. He also had himself a NICE BIG PILE OF ROCKS that he wasn’t quite sure what TO DO WITH. It was quite a bit of stone, but he was sure he could figure out something TO DO WITH IT, eventually."
Hundreds of pages written in such desultory manner have little right, methinks, to so many five- and four-star reviews.
August 11, 2019
Re-read (listened) to the audiobook version of this, two years after reading it. The story is still a solid 4 stars, but Nic Lazar's performed leaves a lot to be desired. Rushed narration, no differentiation in the speaking voices of the characters, and the occasional odd mispronunciation were mild annoyances, however the repeated (like 20% of the time it seemed) mispronunciation of one of the main character's names completely took me out of the story, switching between "Mee-kale" (as the text explicitly says is the pronunciation of Mikael's name) and "Michael", sometimes going back and forth in the same paragraph.
Read the book, by all means! The audiobook? Well, maybe think about that a bit.
Read the book, by all means! The audiobook? Well, maybe think about that a bit.
July 1, 2017
Not for me..Did not finish at 44% This book had good storyline. Unfortunately this is majority of a narrated voice. I couldn't get a connection between Dean and Mikael because of this. My apologies to the author.
Dean worked as a insurance adjuster, he spent time in the summers with his grandfather on the farm. His parents dieing suddenly his grandfather was there for him. Then his grandfather died leaving him with an envelope. 6 yrs later that envelope was still unopened.
A run down house and farm and all had been left to Dean. Moving back to the farm was quickly done.
Mikael was a carpenter (Dean was speachless on seeing him) 25 yrs and was from The Grove outside of town.
Dean worked as a insurance adjuster, he spent time in the summers with his grandfather on the farm. His parents dieing suddenly his grandfather was there for him. Then his grandfather died leaving him with an envelope. 6 yrs later that envelope was still unopened.
A run down house and farm and all had been left to Dean. Moving back to the farm was quickly done.
Mikael was a carpenter (Dean was speachless on seeing him) 25 yrs and was from The Grove outside of town.
March 17, 2020
This was... different.
I think, if I’m being completely honest, the only reason I’m not giving this two stars is because I like the characters. They fall in love quicker than I like but it’s a novella, it was expected.
I’m hoping I might enjoy the rest of the series more, by the sound of it the couple remain an established couple and the plots sound more interesting.
Overall, I’d you like shifter stories you might like this.
I think, if I’m being completely honest, the only reason I’m not giving this two stars is because I like the characters. They fall in love quicker than I like but it’s a novella, it was expected.
I’m hoping I might enjoy the rest of the series more, by the sound of it the couple remain an established couple and the plots sound more interesting.
Overall, I’d you like shifter stories you might like this.
July 6, 2017
Loved it
The prologue was tedious and almost made me give up, but after 15-20% I was so glad I continued. I think it's going to be a great series, not quite up there with Sailing Deep for me yet. But it could get there. This felt like a great leaping off point for more greatness, and really wetted my appetite for more. Can't wait to read the next one!
The prologue was tedious and almost made me give up, but after 15-20% I was so glad I continued. I think it's going to be a great series, not quite up there with Sailing Deep for me yet. But it could get there. This felt like a great leaping off point for more greatness, and really wetted my appetite for more. Can't wait to read the next one!
October 29, 2018
Qué cosa más aburrida!!!
Aparte de que no pase casi nada en todo el libro salvo descripciones y más descripciones, no consigue que la historia sea apetecible y no hace nada interesantes ni la trama ni a los protagonistas.... ni principales ni secundarios. Y para colmo, los diálogos son tan infantiles que chirrían.
Terminar lo terminé, pero no sigo con la serie ni loca!
Aparte de que no pase casi nada en todo el libro salvo descripciones y más descripciones, no consigue que la historia sea apetecible y no hace nada interesantes ni la trama ni a los protagonistas.... ni principales ni secundarios. Y para colmo, los diálogos son tan infantiles que chirrían.
Terminar lo terminé, pero no sigo con la serie ni loca!
May 27, 2017
I'm in the minority here I know, but this book was far too 'wordy'. The author spent so much time waffling about pointless stuff and there were very very little words spoken between the MCs. Sorry to say I was bored for most of the book. I don't think I will continue with this series.
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