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“If you never try, you'll never know” Former Navy officer Austin's career was ended by a plane crash, sending him back to his hometown. When he catches a guy breaking into the apartment opposite, he’s shocked to find it’s his old buddy's little cousin, all grown up…and stirring feelings that make Austin question his sexuality.
Hale's always had a crush on Austin, but he came to Hidden Creek looking for three things: love, adventure, and his missing cousin. Austin can't return his feelings...or can he? Being with a straight guy is a recipe for disaster, but Hale can't help himself.
Tracking down Hale’s missing cousin may turn out to be the least of their problems. When danger strikes, Austin figures out why he still wants so badly to protect Hale. In Hale, Austin finally sees the light that was missing from his life.
Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains gourmet meals, dangerous liaisons, and plenty of steam.
Hale's always had a crush on Austin, but he came to Hidden Creek looking for three things: love, adventure, and his missing cousin. Austin can't return his feelings...or can he? Being with a straight guy is a recipe for disaster, but Hale can't help himself.
Tracking down Hale’s missing cousin may turn out to be the least of their problems. When danger strikes, Austin figures out why he still wants so badly to protect Hale. In Hale, Austin finally sees the light that was missing from his life.
Welcome to Hidden Creek, Texas, where the heart knows what it wants, and where true love lives happily ever after. Every Men of Hidden Creek novel can be read on its own, but keep an eye out for familiar faces around town! This book contains gourmet meals, dangerous liaisons, and plenty of steam.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2018
227 people are currently reading
247 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
July 2, 2021
While I love this series this might have been my least favorite so far.
It started out great. But it all went too fast for me. I'm usually not a person who looks down on some insta love but this book took place over four days. And we got Austin going from "I'm not gay" to "I'm gayish and I love it". Too fast even for me.
It started out great. But it all went too fast for me. I'm usually not a person who looks down on some insta love but this book took place over four days. And we got Austin going from "I'm not gay" to "I'm gayish and I love it". Too fast even for me.
April 3, 2018
This book had me on the edge of my seat in suspense and anticipation, I couldn’t put it down. The story is fast-paced, well written, and has something for everyone from mystery, suspense, steamy scenes, and love. This is an enjoyable story and a great book to get lost in.
This is one of the books in The Men of Hidden Creek series. Each book is written by a different author and can be read as a stand-alone with appearances from familiar characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
This is one of the books in The Men of Hidden Creek series. Each book is written by a different author and can be read as a stand-alone with appearances from familiar characters.
I received a copy of this book from the author, my review has been voluntarily submitted.
April 5, 2018
****************
Borrowed from Kindle Unlimited.
I will always state when I borrowed something from Kindle Unlimited and whether I purchased it afterward or not! Why? Well, if I've borrowed something from KU, it - by default - means I am very unsure of either the author (if that author is new to me) or that specific book (in general)! I ADORE purchasing and owning my books, BUT for books or authors I'm unsure of, KU is a phenomenal way to try before committing!
Regardless, it means I'm very much on the fence, for whatever reason!
I'll highlight the outcome either way ... I'll either be glad it was on KU so I could give it back, or I'll have ADORED it and will decided to purchase right after borrowing :-)!!
I think it's a nice way to keep track; it might help someone else who's on the fence!
April 5, 2018
Even though I'm not a big fan of GFY, this could have been good story with a little more research, both into sexual identity, and crime story lines. And then, this turned out to not even be GFY, even though the author tried to force it there.
The word is "bi", not "straightish", not "gayish", it's "bi". It is not only a defined thing, it's an ok thing to like both men and women, and finding out you like both does not take you from straight to gay, or any "ish" in between. The story even managed to include the "oh no he's going to leave me for a girl", which pretty much rules out gay, and emphasizes being bi, and leads to a pretty much textbook bi erasure and biphobia in one story.
Also, it is a rather implausible story line that the mobsters took off to buy lunch after capturing two guys spying on them, leaving them in the care of the guy who is being coerced into "working" for them.....
The word is "bi", not "straightish", not "gayish", it's "bi". It is not only a defined thing, it's an ok thing to like both men and women, and finding out you like both does not take you from straight to gay, or any "ish" in between. The story even managed to include the "oh no he's going to leave me for a girl", which pretty much rules out gay, and emphasizes being bi, and leads to a pretty much textbook bi erasure and biphobia in one story.
Also, it is a rather implausible story line that the mobsters took off to buy lunch after capturing two guys spying on them, leaving them in the care of the guy who is being coerced into "working" for them.....
April 26, 2019
My least favorite of the series so far. The characters are a little flat, the action is a little far fetched, and there was a ton of bi-erasure throughout. However, the sex scenes were pretty steamy, so that brought it back up to three stars. Also, possibly the funniest spelling error ever when one MC was disclosed as wearing "sweats and a t-shit" -- obviously would have benefited from a better editor!
April 10, 2018
Decent storyline
The characters were engaging, storyline a bit rushed though. Relationship development between the two main characters was lacking and there where many grammatical errors throughout.
The characters were engaging, storyline a bit rushed though. Relationship development between the two main characters was lacking and there where many grammatical errors throughout.
April 9, 2018
Hale's cousin Michael is missing. He is determined that something is wrong, and he wants to find Michael. Austin is Michael's former friend who lives across the hall. Hale has had a crush on Austin since high school. Hale convinces Austin that he needs help to find Michael, and by some amazing miracle, Austin agrees to help him. The story takes place over a couple of days where Hale is looking for Michael. Austin and Hale end up getting together and eventually get their HEA.
What I loved
--Hale. He was so adorable. He was himself, and he didn't care what anyone else thought of him. He cares greatly about his family, even when he gets pushed aside. I loved his heart and energy. I wanted to smush him.
--Austin. The poor guy had so much trauma. I loved that he was trying to work through it and acknowledged the need for help. It's hard to see what everyone else sees when you are in the pits of depression, and it was clear he was trying even when he really couldn't. He was a total gem, and I was so glad to see him open up to Hale and find love. He deserved it.
--The story itself had an interesting premise. There was a mystery to be solved, and I liked how it didn't go completely the expected route.
--I liked that there wasn't a lot of angst. It was a relatively relaxing book despite the mystery angle. I liked how things weren't dragged out.
What I didn't love
--The story takes place over only a couple of days. Everything moved WAY too fast. I mentioned above that I liked there wasn't a lot of angst and this is true-the mystery was solved quick so there wasn't a lot of angst to go along with it, but then so did the relationship between Austin and Hale. It felt very rushed to me. If it was going to go so fast, I needed a little more depth for me to connect fully with the characters to make it believable.
--Austin goes from "nope-not gay-no way in hell" to "let's go for it and lets move in while we are at it". OK, maybe it wasn't quite like that, but it felt fast like that and came pretty damn close. Austin acknowledges that there is something about Hale that makes him feel again, and that is LOVELY, but there was really no character development along with it that I, as a reader, could really connect with. How did he really deal with his feelings of being gay? Hale is worried about how Austin would react in public when he is out; Austin says not to worry. So it is all fine and dropped, but I wanted to see Austin react in public. I wanted to see him deal with it. I wanted more depth.
--I didn't find any connections to the other books, with the exception of being in the same town. I wanted to see the other characters! There was a paramedic. Was it Chip? No clue. There was a mystery with cops. It would've been cool to pull Axel or Fox in somehow, even if it was the cop answering the call talking with them when it came in. Maybe in helping Austin deal with being out and with Hale, we could've seen them at the bar where the other guys were hanging out. Anything to pull other characters in. This was the one thing I loved most about the other books, and I missed it here.
What I loved
--Hale. He was so adorable. He was himself, and he didn't care what anyone else thought of him. He cares greatly about his family, even when he gets pushed aside. I loved his heart and energy. I wanted to smush him.
--Austin. The poor guy had so much trauma. I loved that he was trying to work through it and acknowledged the need for help. It's hard to see what everyone else sees when you are in the pits of depression, and it was clear he was trying even when he really couldn't. He was a total gem, and I was so glad to see him open up to Hale and find love. He deserved it.
--The story itself had an interesting premise. There was a mystery to be solved, and I liked how it didn't go completely the expected route.
--I liked that there wasn't a lot of angst. It was a relatively relaxing book despite the mystery angle. I liked how things weren't dragged out.
What I didn't love
--The story takes place over only a couple of days. Everything moved WAY too fast. I mentioned above that I liked there wasn't a lot of angst and this is true-the mystery was solved quick so there wasn't a lot of angst to go along with it, but then so did the relationship between Austin and Hale. It felt very rushed to me. If it was going to go so fast, I needed a little more depth for me to connect fully with the characters to make it believable.
--Austin goes from "nope-not gay-no way in hell" to "let's go for it and lets move in while we are at it". OK, maybe it wasn't quite like that, but it felt fast like that and came pretty damn close. Austin acknowledges that there is something about Hale that makes him feel again, and that is LOVELY, but there was really no character development along with it that I, as a reader, could really connect with. How did he really deal with his feelings of being gay? Hale is worried about how Austin would react in public when he is out; Austin says not to worry. So it is all fine and dropped, but I wanted to see Austin react in public. I wanted to see him deal with it. I wanted more depth.
--I didn't find any connections to the other books, with the exception of being in the same town. I wanted to see the other characters! There was a paramedic. Was it Chip? No clue. There was a mystery with cops. It would've been cool to pull Axel or Fox in somehow, even if it was the cop answering the call talking with them when it came in. Maybe in helping Austin deal with being out and with Hale, we could've seen them at the bar where the other guys were hanging out. Anything to pull other characters in. This was the one thing I loved most about the other books, and I missed it here.
May 5, 2018
I really liked getting that short prologue to really get a feel for the MCs when they were younger. It helped shape both of them in my mind as I was reading. Hale was super endearing and an easy character to like. Austin was definitely a more serious character but he brought more gravity to the story.
I felt like the sex was super hot. It was raw and gritty and not what I expected, but it worked for me.
This was the first from this author and I liked the writing style. Though, I felt that some of the dialogue and situations after like 80ish% were not exactly believable. The storyline was interesting but things seemed rushed and far-fetched towards the end. I ended up skimming the last 15% or so.
Overall I still enjoyed the book for the most part and thing others would too.
I felt like the sex was super hot. It was raw and gritty and not what I expected, but it worked for me.
This was the first from this author and I liked the writing style. Though, I felt that some of the dialogue and situations after like 80ish% were not exactly believable. The storyline was interesting but things seemed rushed and far-fetched towards the end. I ended up skimming the last 15% or so.
Overall I still enjoyed the book for the most part and thing others would too.
September 9, 2018
Wish I liked this book, there are some really good ones in this series.
The plot makes no sense, with Austin, ex-Navy officer, following the lead of untrained Hale, to save Hale’s cousin Michael. But Michael isn’t a hostage who’s tied up, and he just goes home with the others.
The sex scenes also don’t fit in with rest of the books, it’s too dominant/submissive, where the other books are more balanced and romantic. Just the wrong genre for this book, I think.
The writing itself is superficial, and though there is depth to the characters, little of it is touched on, let alone explained further.
I would not have finished this book, but it’s part of the series which I’ve been enjoying up to now.
KU
The plot makes no sense, with Austin, ex-Navy officer, following the lead of untrained Hale, to save Hale’s cousin Michael. But Michael isn’t a hostage who’s tied up, and he just goes home with the others.
The sex scenes also don’t fit in with rest of the books, it’s too dominant/submissive, where the other books are more balanced and romantic. Just the wrong genre for this book, I think.
The writing itself is superficial, and though there is depth to the characters, little of it is touched on, let alone explained further.
I would not have finished this book, but it’s part of the series which I’ve been enjoying up to now.
KU
April 6, 2018
3.5 stars
The first 70% of this book was awesome and engaging. I liked how Austin was pulled into Hale's orbit by his energy and refusal to take no for an answer. I liked that Hale not only didn't show pity for Austin's past, but truly didn't feel it at all; he emphasized with Austin, but never pitied him.
The breakdown, for me, was in the last 30%, or so, of the book. I felt that each chapter felt like an unending series of epilogues rather than a natural conclusion to the story. This turned a great book into merely a good one for me and made the last part of the story feel like it would never end.
The first 70% of this book was awesome and engaging. I liked how Austin was pulled into Hale's orbit by his energy and refusal to take no for an answer. I liked that Hale not only didn't show pity for Austin's past, but truly didn't feel it at all; he emphasized with Austin, but never pitied him.
The breakdown, for me, was in the last 30%, or so, of the book. I felt that each chapter felt like an unending series of epilogues rather than a natural conclusion to the story. This turned a great book into merely a good one for me and made the last part of the story feel like it would never end.
September 4, 2019
Moronic lead character
Hale is written to me a moron. I don't know what the author thought they were portraying with him but what I got was a stupid, reckless adult with the mentality of a 14 year old hopped up on spy movies. The logic that the chatacter uses is garbage and by all rights should just end with him getting himself and all the other characters hurt or killed.
Hale is written to me a moron. I don't know what the author thought they were portraying with him but what I got was a stupid, reckless adult with the mentality of a 14 year old hopped up on spy movies. The logic that the chatacter uses is garbage and by all rights should just end with him getting himself and all the other characters hurt or killed.
September 29, 2020
DNF. AWFUL
Supposed straight guy talking like he’s a seasoned Dom gay during sex. Started off with great chemistry then went downhill from there. Such a shame as I enjoyed the other books. Wanted more tenderness and sensitivity as the beginning hinted. Just brutal without actually being sexy. At all. Crap storyline too.
Supposed straight guy talking like he’s a seasoned Dom gay during sex. Started off with great chemistry then went downhill from there. Such a shame as I enjoyed the other books. Wanted more tenderness and sensitivity as the beginning hinted. Just brutal without actually being sexy. At all. Crap storyline too.
April 15, 2018
Juvenile
Wow, I double checked that this was Avery Ford writhing this. It seemed more like a seventeen year old girl wrote it. Very simple and downright SILLY. Would like to return, it was not realistic and not worth the read.
Wow, I double checked that this was Avery Ford writhing this. It seemed more like a seventeen year old girl wrote it. Very simple and downright SILLY. Would like to return, it was not realistic and not worth the read.
September 3, 2018
1.5 This book had me struggeling. I enjoyed the first 25%, but after Hale started the search for his cousin, the plot became unbelievable and over the top. The reactions of both mc's made no sense to me and sadly they were totally lacking chemistry. I won't revisit this part of Hidden creek.
December 18, 2018
Hmm i don’t know ,, kinda meh and like yeah cute at times and definitely fucked up at that one point but otherwise kinda meh really
Even tho some of the books in this series haven’t been very good I’m still determined to get through the whole thing ok
Even tho some of the books in this series haven’t been very good I’m still determined to get through the whole thing ok
April 8, 2018
This book was weird and I don't mean that in a good way...
April 14, 2018
Blah
Not my favorite in the series at all. A lot of filler between characters made it boring. I doubt I read anything else by this author...........
Not my favorite in the series at all. A lot of filler between characters made it boring. I doubt I read anything else by this author...........
April 23, 2018
By far the worst of the Hidden Creek books. Clunky dialogue and terrible sex scenes. I had to force myself to finish it.
April 15, 2019
Hale and Austin
The TL;DR:
Worth a read? Books always are, but I could have skipped this one and not been heartbroken.
Worth reading again? Unfortunately not for me.
Steamy? Yes.
Romance? Debatable.
Spoilers to follow? Maybe, but only lighter ones. Read on forewarned.
I won’t lie, I find myself closing this story disappointed (a first in my Hidden Creek reading) and I wish I could bring myself to offer a more positive review. The other stories in the series have entertained me so much. Instead I’ll endeavour to be honest and constructive.
Part of both Hale and Austin are likeable. Hale’s sass and directness. Austin’s struggle with depression. They are instantly relatable in these regards. Even the dom/sub vibe between them is on point to a degree. They had great potential in all the components available to this story.
The execution offered little fulfilling follow through.
The story, first off, deserved another go around in edits; both in grammar and plot. Confusing name flips make it hard to decipher who is talking in some places. Not enough for me to stop reading, but enough notable typos for definite pauses and furrowed brows in my efforts to decipher certain spots.
Excessive use of the word “kid” and “twerp” from Austin came off demeaning and nothing close to what I feel was the intended effect.
Also, Austin’s denial of being gay. Or anything not entirely straight, is at odds with his easy playfulness the morning after. Though it totally played well with his dominance streak.
But for a dominant, military trained, guy he’s really ready to let the untrained guy he’s suddenly “protective” of take huge potentially life threatening risks because he can’t be bothered. Not to mention Hale’s near ridiculous decisions furthering a questionable plot. He came off almost air-headed in his naïveté. Their decisions concerning the search for Michael don't fit them.
And the whole ‘I have feelings but I’m not gay’ thing killed my immersion. The “-ish.” Straight-ish. Gay-ish. The execution is off.
There is a vast difference between the varying paths of sexuality/identity struggle and what this story portrays. At best it strikes only as half done. Even with depression involved. I cannot reconcile this.
Then there’s the Hidden Creek element. The only notable Hidden Creek regular is Doris from Grind. While this is fine it also gives the book a bubble of sorts away from everything else, series included. And for a small Texas town established in the other books I’ve read in the series, I wasn’t feeling the vibe from this story. Nor was I feeling the romantic vibe so prevalent in the other books. This story tried to be much harder and didn’t get there either.
All in all it leaves me dubious when entertaining the thought of reading this author further.
Though I will continue the Hidden Creek Series. Five books in and none of the others have left me this disappointed.
I offer 3 stars because I did finish, the Series is worthwhile, and despite the disappointment I didn't feel like stopping the book or throwing it accross the room. These are brownie points in Stay's favor.
The TL;DR:
Worth a read? Books always are, but I could have skipped this one and not been heartbroken.
Worth reading again? Unfortunately not for me.
Steamy? Yes.
Romance? Debatable.
Spoilers to follow? Maybe, but only lighter ones. Read on forewarned.
I won’t lie, I find myself closing this story disappointed (a first in my Hidden Creek reading) and I wish I could bring myself to offer a more positive review. The other stories in the series have entertained me so much. Instead I’ll endeavour to be honest and constructive.
Part of both Hale and Austin are likeable. Hale’s sass and directness. Austin’s struggle with depression. They are instantly relatable in these regards. Even the dom/sub vibe between them is on point to a degree. They had great potential in all the components available to this story.
The execution offered little fulfilling follow through.
The story, first off, deserved another go around in edits; both in grammar and plot. Confusing name flips make it hard to decipher who is talking in some places. Not enough for me to stop reading, but enough notable typos for definite pauses and furrowed brows in my efforts to decipher certain spots.
Excessive use of the word “kid” and “twerp” from Austin came off demeaning and nothing close to what I feel was the intended effect.
Also, Austin’s denial of being gay. Or anything not entirely straight, is at odds with his easy playfulness the morning after. Though it totally played well with his dominance streak.
But for a dominant, military trained, guy he’s really ready to let the untrained guy he’s suddenly “protective” of take huge potentially life threatening risks because he can’t be bothered. Not to mention Hale’s near ridiculous decisions furthering a questionable plot. He came off almost air-headed in his naïveté. Their decisions concerning the search for Michael don't fit them.
And the whole ‘I have feelings but I’m not gay’ thing killed my immersion. The “-ish.” Straight-ish. Gay-ish. The execution is off.
There is a vast difference between the varying paths of sexuality/identity struggle and what this story portrays. At best it strikes only as half done. Even with depression involved. I cannot reconcile this.
Then there’s the Hidden Creek element. The only notable Hidden Creek regular is Doris from Grind. While this is fine it also gives the book a bubble of sorts away from everything else, series included. And for a small Texas town established in the other books I’ve read in the series, I wasn’t feeling the vibe from this story. Nor was I feeling the romantic vibe so prevalent in the other books. This story tried to be much harder and didn’t get there either.
All in all it leaves me dubious when entertaining the thought of reading this author further.
Though I will continue the Hidden Creek Series. Five books in and none of the others have left me this disappointed.
I offer 3 stars because I did finish, the Series is worthwhile, and despite the disappointment I didn't feel like stopping the book or throwing it accross the room. These are brownie points in Stay's favor.
January 3, 2019
Hmmm, this one to me was a lot different from the others, I had a hard time getting into it.
We first meet Hale when he’s 14 and going to a high school party with his cousin Michael. It’s then when he meets Austin for the first time and thinks he’s gorgeous but undoubtedly straight. He spends the party with the popular girls, being the resident gay guy, he becomes kind of a hit. I liked that, that he didn’t get bullied because of his orientation, especially in such a small town where we saw from the last book, what that could do for someone’s school experience.
So, cut to, years later when everyone is all grown up, Michael goes missing… It’s not uncommon, but Hale and his family are worried, so they send Hale to his apartment to check things out. They both also happen to work for Michael’s family, so they seem like a pretty close-knit family. I like that too. But, anyway…that’s where he comes face to face with Michael’s neighbor….. Austin.
Austin hasn’t seen Hale since that party all those years ago and there is no denying the attraction there. Unfortunately, he’s struggling pretty hardcore with PTSD from the Navy, where he joined with Michael. They weren’t friends, per se… but old acquaintances and neighbors now, so he didn’t have a clue where Michael could’ve gone. After threatening Hale, they eventually work together to see what they can come up with for finding him.
I wasn’t so sure about them, I didn’t feel a connection to them really. Their sexy time was awkward for me and I found myself skimming a good chunk, which I hated to do, but it just didn't keep my interest like the others in the series has so far.
They eventually find Michael and I thought that whole thing was ridiculous, and they just kind of let him off without saying too much about it…. Like, dude… cousin or not, I would’ve beat the crap out of him for one getting himself into that mess but two, getting Hale and Austin involved. I mean, not that he had a say, they did it on their own, but he just kind of acted like it was ….meh.
I dunno.. maybe I’m being too picky and I’ll come back and try again another time, but for now, this one just wasn’t for me.
3
We first meet Hale when he’s 14 and going to a high school party with his cousin Michael. It’s then when he meets Austin for the first time and thinks he’s gorgeous but undoubtedly straight. He spends the party with the popular girls, being the resident gay guy, he becomes kind of a hit. I liked that, that he didn’t get bullied because of his orientation, especially in such a small town where we saw from the last book, what that could do for someone’s school experience.
So, cut to, years later when everyone is all grown up, Michael goes missing… It’s not uncommon, but Hale and his family are worried, so they send Hale to his apartment to check things out. They both also happen to work for Michael’s family, so they seem like a pretty close-knit family. I like that too. But, anyway…that’s where he comes face to face with Michael’s neighbor….. Austin.
Austin hasn’t seen Hale since that party all those years ago and there is no denying the attraction there. Unfortunately, he’s struggling pretty hardcore with PTSD from the Navy, where he joined with Michael. They weren’t friends, per se… but old acquaintances and neighbors now, so he didn’t have a clue where Michael could’ve gone. After threatening Hale, they eventually work together to see what they can come up with for finding him.
I wasn’t so sure about them, I didn’t feel a connection to them really. Their sexy time was awkward for me and I found myself skimming a good chunk, which I hated to do, but it just didn't keep my interest like the others in the series has so far.
They eventually find Michael and I thought that whole thing was ridiculous, and they just kind of let him off without saying too much about it…. Like, dude… cousin or not, I would’ve beat the crap out of him for one getting himself into that mess but two, getting Hale and Austin involved. I mean, not that he had a say, they did it on their own, but he just kind of acted like it was ….meh.
I dunno.. maybe I’m being too picky and I’ll come back and try again another time, but for now, this one just wasn’t for me.
3
May 12, 2019
This book had me hooked right from the start. Hale develops and instant crush on Austin the moment they meet as teens. It's a crush doomed to failure, until they run into each other as adults. This book had a 'finally cool as an adult' theme that I really enjoyed.
The plot was very amateur sleuth, right up until sh*t got real. It was part mystery, part action, with lots of flirting and, eventually, sex. But some things weren't explained well, especially at the end. I don't exactly have questions about what happened, it's more like I expected to learn more and that didn't happen.
Hale and Austin's relationship was fun to watch. It was like Hale had so much magnetism that Austin couldn't pull himself away even though his brain kept trying to remind him that he was straight. Austin eventually ends up calling himself 'straight-ish' which is a bit annoying. Why not just call it what it is and say he's bi?
I will say that the focus on the action/mystery plot left little time to really get to know the details about Hale and Austin's lives. I know big things about them, but I didn't connect to them the way I've connected to other characters in this series, like Gabriel and Orion. Maybe it's because the story takes place over only a couple of days and it's this crazy whirlwind of activity.
Avery Ford is definitely an author I'll have to read more from and I'm glad this book introduced me to them.
Originally posted on Love is Love Reviews
The plot was very amateur sleuth, right up until sh*t got real. It was part mystery, part action, with lots of flirting and, eventually, sex. But some things weren't explained well, especially at the end. I don't exactly have questions about what happened, it's more like I expected to learn more and that didn't happen.
Hale and Austin's relationship was fun to watch. It was like Hale had so much magnetism that Austin couldn't pull himself away even though his brain kept trying to remind him that he was straight. Austin eventually ends up calling himself 'straight-ish' which is a bit annoying. Why not just call it what it is and say he's bi?
I will say that the focus on the action/mystery plot left little time to really get to know the details about Hale and Austin's lives. I know big things about them, but I didn't connect to them the way I've connected to other characters in this series, like Gabriel and Orion. Maybe it's because the story takes place over only a couple of days and it's this crazy whirlwind of activity.
Avery Ford is definitely an author I'll have to read more from and I'm glad this book introduced me to them.
Originally posted on Love is Love Reviews
April 19, 2018
I would have loved to love this story, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. Perhaps because I really liked and loved the previous two books of the Men of Hidden Creek collection, I read, but this book just didn't meet my expectations. The story mainly focuses on how the two main characters investigated on the apparent kidnapping of Hale's cousin and the romantic side of their collaboration emerged only after 70% of the book! Before that, there was an exchange of a sudden kiss and a hot night between the sheets even though Austin was still convinced to be straighter than an arrow. No flirting, almost no arising feelings, just daydreaming from Hale's side and a few physical reactions to the proximity of the other man from Austin's side. Even the criminal investigation didn't convince me. The best part of the book is really only after the cousin is back home, but this happens around 66% of the book; before that the behaviour of the MCs made little sense to me and given that there was not much introspection and background description, you have to wait until Chapter 20 to start to read about flirting, bonding, and development of a relationship.
It is a pity because I liked the writing style (though in some crucial scenes the characters' names were switched, and I had to re-read it a few time in order to understand who was doing/saying what) and I enjoyed the interaction of Hale and Austin in bed that was nothing like sweet and slow (they talk a lot, go straight to the point and have an almost porn-like dynamic).
It is a pity because I liked the writing style (though in some crucial scenes the characters' names were switched, and I had to re-read it a few time in order to understand who was doing/saying what) and I enjoyed the interaction of Hale and Austin in bed that was nothing like sweet and slow (they talk a lot, go straight to the point and have an almost porn-like dynamic).
April 3, 2018
From the very first word to the very last I was hooked. This book would get more than 5stars if I could. Hale is a beautiful character that hooks the reader in. Austin is so beautifully broken you want to know he's okay.
Hale is a young man who knows who he is and he's gay. He's bullied and kids in school are told to stay away from him by their parents. through all of this Hale remains a beautiful man both inside and out. he had a crush in school on a definitely straight guy. Hale is very loyal to friends and family and although and his cousin Michael have grown apart he still looks out for him.
Austin went into the Navy and never planned to come back to Hidden Creek but here he is. He's a little more broken and he feels he's unfixable. when he sees Hale again the reaction is confusing and the feelings Austin has are unsettling.
Austin and Hale end up working together and their feelings are growing and changing. These two men could finally help each other healbut will they get that far?
The plot behind this love story is gripping and keeps you reading. The author builds a great picture of Hidden Creek and some of the characters who live there.
I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It has everything that a great romance should have and some very hot scenes in the bedroom, kitchen, living room... you get the idea! Really enjoyed this book.
Hale is a young man who knows who he is and he's gay. He's bullied and kids in school are told to stay away from him by their parents. through all of this Hale remains a beautiful man both inside and out. he had a crush in school on a definitely straight guy. Hale is very loyal to friends and family and although and his cousin Michael have grown apart he still looks out for him.
Austin went into the Navy and never planned to come back to Hidden Creek but here he is. He's a little more broken and he feels he's unfixable. when he sees Hale again the reaction is confusing and the feelings Austin has are unsettling.
Austin and Hale end up working together and their feelings are growing and changing. These two men could finally help each other healbut will they get that far?
The plot behind this love story is gripping and keeps you reading. The author builds a great picture of Hidden Creek and some of the characters who live there.
I can't recommend this book strongly enough. It has everything that a great romance should have and some very hot scenes in the bedroom, kitchen, living room... you get the idea! Really enjoyed this book.
April 5, 2022
I might be giving up on this series. Isn't a romance supposed to want to make you have the kind of relationship that the main characters have? Avery Ford went down a very wrong path with this one.
First of all this was a straight romance where for some reason both of the people in the relationship had penises, but this doesn't matter, because one of them could have been a girl and very few sentences would have to have been changed out.
But my main issue is. Hale knows he is being used. He is in love. And he still wants Austin to use him. Him expacting and demanding so little of life, valuing himself so little wanted to make me cry. No I definitely never for one second wanted to imagine myself being in his shoes. Or Austin's for that matter. But that one had more to do with the depression and the self pity.
I almost got to the end. I just didn't want them to end up together. Theirs is a really unhealthy relationship. We can even call it toxic. It's bad enough, that women write to women characters that teach them that they shouldn't respect themselves (we have a LOT of issues there), but when they do the same thing to male characters... I can't even decide which one is worse. But both are very bad, that's for sure.
First of all this was a straight romance where for some reason both of the people in the relationship had penises, but this doesn't matter, because one of them could have been a girl and very few sentences would have to have been changed out.
But my main issue is. Hale knows he is being used. He is in love. And he still wants Austin to use him. Him expacting and demanding so little of life, valuing himself so little wanted to make me cry. No I definitely never for one second wanted to imagine myself being in his shoes. Or Austin's for that matter. But that one had more to do with the depression and the self pity.
I almost got to the end. I just didn't want them to end up together. Theirs is a really unhealthy relationship. We can even call it toxic. It's bad enough, that women write to women characters that teach them that they shouldn't respect themselves (we have a LOT of issues there), but when they do the same thing to male characters... I can't even decide which one is worse. But both are very bad, that's for sure.
October 30, 2019
3,5*
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
PLEASE READ MY RATING SYSTEM!!!
To my ratings:
A 3,5* is clicked with a 4* but in review marked as 3,5*:
5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-Away-book like ‘Jesse's Smile’ or ‘Joey’ from Angelique Jurd, ‘Save the the kids’ series
from EM Leya, ‘Love’s Tethered Heart’ from C.L. Etta or ‘Liberty’ from Seth King),
it's like an A+
4* - very good and will be often reread and is a WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises (like most of Andrew Grey books and Davidson Kings 'Haven Hart'-series)
it's like an A
3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few times (most romances where you can enjoy for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+
3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader (2-3 times a year),
it's like a B
2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-reader (I wouldn't recommend it heartily, but it was ok)
It's like a C-, D
1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an absolute NO-GO). It's like failure in the
whole line, dismissed, repeat the class
January 7, 2020
Hale grew up 'the gay kid' after coming out early in a small Texas town. He thought he got over his crush on the high school jock, Austin... until Austin shows up unexpectedly while Hale is trying to find his missing cousin. Except Austin is different - he seems more subdued and has a tremor left over from an accident that ended his Navy career. But he still definitely seems straight.
Loves & Likes:
⦁ I liked that the characters maturely discussed issues... for the most part.
⦁ SERIOUSLY HOT DIRTY TALK OMFG.
Peeves:
⦁ Austin was a little upsetting at first with his 'no, I'm straight this feels wrong' griping but he got over it quick enough.
Favorite Quote:
Loves & Likes:
⦁ I liked that the characters maturely discussed issues... for the most part.
⦁ SERIOUSLY HOT DIRTY TALK OMFG.
Peeves:
⦁ Austin was a little upsetting at first with his 'no, I'm straight this feels wrong' griping but he got over it quick enough.
Favorite Quote:
“I want you to pound me. I’m yours to do with what you please. I want you to be selfish, Austin. Tonight, I want to be your perfect plaything… the cock sleeve you work your frustrations out into. Do you want to give that to me?”
“Fuck yes, I do.”
“Then don’t be shy.”
April 3, 2018
What a wonderfully AMAZING story!! Love the storyline and the characters are fabulous. Hale has had a crush on Austin, his cousin's friend, since high school but thought Austin was straight, so did Austin! Now Austin's back in town after a plane crash ended his Navy career and Hale needs his help to find his missing cousin. As they work together, feelings start developing and Austin begins to realize that he may not be that straight after all. Tracking down Hale's cousin, Michael, puts them all in danger and brings out Austin's protectiveness towards Hale. Will they survive the danger and get their HEA? What I really love about this story is not only does Austin help Hale with the mystery, but I love seeing how Hale helps Austin start gaining back his confidence and become more of who he used to be. It's a beautiful story that is a MUST READ in the wonderful Men of Hidden Creek series!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
April 13, 2018
Good
3.5 stars. This book does have some editing/proofing mistakes, but it is still a good story.
I liked Hale and Austin. They are both believable characters and written well. Hale is used to being ignored by members of the community since he came out. He has had a crush on Austin since he was 14, but he knew he didn't have a chance with a straight guy.
After surviving a crash and a divorce, Austin has been dealing with physical and mental issues. He has never been interested in guys, but when he meets Hale after so many years, he gets a shock when his body responds. He is tired of feeling weak and having everyone treat him like he is fragile. Hale pushes him and treats him like a normal person who needs to get over himself.
The guys are great together and compliment each other well. I like them working together to find Hale's cousin and to protect each other.
Give this book a try, I'm sure you will like it.
3.5 stars. This book does have some editing/proofing mistakes, but it is still a good story.
I liked Hale and Austin. They are both believable characters and written well. Hale is used to being ignored by members of the community since he came out. He has had a crush on Austin since he was 14, but he knew he didn't have a chance with a straight guy.
After surviving a crash and a divorce, Austin has been dealing with physical and mental issues. He has never been interested in guys, but when he meets Hale after so many years, he gets a shock when his body responds. He is tired of feeling weak and having everyone treat him like he is fragile. Hale pushes him and treats him like a normal person who needs to get over himself.
The guys are great together and compliment each other well. I like them working together to find Hale's cousin and to protect each other.
Give this book a try, I'm sure you will like it.
April 3, 2018
Stay;
This is part of a new series from six fantastic authors! Men of Hidden Creek is a series of men finding their HEA in the small town of Hidden Creek. I had the honor of reading Stay by Avery Ford first. I can’t wait to get my greedy paws on the rest of the series if they are all this good!
From the very first page I feel in love with Hale and with every page I turned I held with that conviction! He is sassy, sweet and bossy as all hell! Austin on the other hand has some serious issues the first being is that he is straight-ish. What a combination and it makes this story work perfect! Can’t forget we even have a little family mystery thrown in to give it a nice twist.
This is part of a new series from six fantastic authors! Men of Hidden Creek is a series of men finding their HEA in the small town of Hidden Creek. I had the honor of reading Stay by Avery Ford first. I can’t wait to get my greedy paws on the rest of the series if they are all this good!
From the very first page I feel in love with Hale and with every page I turned I held with that conviction! He is sassy, sweet and bossy as all hell! Austin on the other hand has some serious issues the first being is that he is straight-ish. What a combination and it makes this story work perfect! Can’t forget we even have a little family mystery thrown in to give it a nice twist.
July 19, 2018
Meh.
They jumped into bed really fast and at a really odd moment. "We just saw that my cousin/your former friend is being held hostage and is possibly being made to do horrible things, LET'S BONE!"
And I hate HATE GFY/BFY books where the guy insists he's straight/"gay-ish" the whole book. By the end he should show some growth and accept the "bi" or "pan" label or at least that he is in a gay relationship. It's right up there as a double GFY where they call each other "Bro" the whole time for me.
Tags:
Disabled - Aaron has some sort of neurological damage from a non-military related plane crash. And also can't get an erection until Miracle of Gay Miracles he sees Hale again.
They jumped into bed really fast and at a really odd moment. "We just saw that my cousin/your former friend is being held hostage and is possibly being made to do horrible things, LET'S BONE!"
And I hate HATE GFY/BFY books where the guy insists he's straight/"gay-ish" the whole book. By the end he should show some growth and accept the "bi" or "pan" label or at least that he is in a gay relationship. It's right up there as a double GFY where they call each other "Bro" the whole time for me.
Tags:
Disabled - Aaron has some sort of neurological damage from a non-military related plane crash. And also can't get an erection until Miracle of Gay Miracles he sees Hale again.
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