Tremble

Significant Brothers #6

by E. Davies

“I don’t want you to be the one. I just want a rebound.”

After getting dumped at his engagement shoot on a dude ranch in Tennessee, Evan’s life is falling apart. The ranch owner, Josh, offers him the chance to live and work here for a few months, and Evan jumps on it—and on him.

There’s no denying what he feels for Josh, but Evan's not sure if he can trust his heart when it’s still broken. Unless it brought him here because he's finally found where he belongs.

Josh has a closet full of skeletons, and even his best friends don’t know about some of them. He took over the ranch when his dad died and left it to him—the memories and the guilt came free.

He knows he shouldn’t risk his heart if Evan’s just here for a good time. But Evan is right for him, and he’s perfect for Evan, in ways that he’s never even imagined before.

Maybe this sudden passion is exactly what they’ve both been missing. What if a so-called rebound is exactly what they need to launch them forward into a future—together?

Tremble is Book 6 of the Significant Brothers, a feel-good MM romance series. Six best friends from high school are reunited to banter—and occasionally give helpful advice—as, one by one, they each find Mr. Right. Each book can be read as a standalone story and has a guaranteed happily-ever-after ending, and no cliffhanger.

Rainbow Awards winner: Best Bisexual Contemporary Romance!

Genres: M M Romance, Audiobook, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Westerns, Gay

205 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2018

About the author

E. Davies writes feel-good, low-angst romance that never fades to black when the going gets good! Born in Canada, after 16 moves and counting, Ed has finally put down roots in north London.

He emerges from his writing nest to coo over fuzzy animals, flee from cute guys, dance through the streets with his chosen family, put together fierce looks, and—most of all—befriend local flowers.

Newsletter: edaviesbooks.com/subscribe
Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/edavies

Reviews

[Erth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew Josh was the butterfly. This is the most touching story of the series and I LOVED them all. Josh was just always the deflector of the group. Quick to make a joke, out drink everyone, put his ranch ahead of everything. He was the most sensitive but still the most emotionally standoffish with the brothers. Then fate dropped Evan on the ranch for a much needed vacation with his fiancee. Then fate had a great big ole laugh on Josh. Evan is a very sweet, stunning guy, who finds himself stranded when his fiancee shows his true colors. This story was absolutely everything you could've wished for the finale. Witty, charming, funny, sexy, with two fantastic characters to fall in love with. Josh and Evan are incredible characters. This series SIGNIFICANT BROTHERS was an AMAZING cast of characters, it was an absolute pleasure to meet. Thank You for this fantastic collection of stories.

[Gustaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread March 2023

This book!

I haven’t taken the time to write much of a review for the other books in this series because I have been so eager to get to the next one. And the next one. And the next one. Six books in four days must be some sort of record. But I just couldn’t stop. Couldn’t and wouldn’t.

But yeah. This book is by far my favorite. It’s beautiful. And heartwarming. And just so real. Josh has the biggest heart. And Evan is the perfect guy for his sweet and tender heart. This might be one of the best matches of characters I have ever read.

If you haven’t read this series, you have to pick it up. I’m going to think about this series for a very long time. Well, I’m off to read the novella, but I’m nowhere near ready to be done with these guys. Yes! I am going to cry. Most likely tomorrow morning on my bike on my way to work. But it’s going to be totally worth it.

[Cadiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super sweet and everything I love about this series. Josh is the last of the Significant Brothers to find his true love but the wait was worth it as Even really is his perfect partner.

I loved how these two interacted, Josh is all protective and comforting, Evan is reluctant at first, having just been dumped by his dick of an ex-fiance while on their engagement photoshoot! But he can't hide his attraction to the rancher and slowly realises he can rely on him.

This is steamy but not overly so, there's some truly sweet moments as Evan takes up his role on the dude ranch and discovers he's not only found a new job but also a new love and a new family as the rest of the gang embrace him fully.

The whole series has just been a joy to read, no annoying angsty dramatics other than where things worked within the plots, each of the pairings unique but with a strong sense of brotherly love running throughout.

I shall be sad to see the end of these men!

#ARC kindly provided by the author in return for an honest and unbiased review

[Trio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this was the sweetest of the series. The characters in Tremble are both 100% ripe for love and all they need is each other. It's a true example of right place-right time, and the rebound romance is a complete success.

When I'm in the mood for funny, sexy, well written romances, E. Davies is a guaranteed winner. The Significant Brothers series is wonderful, and available as an audiobook collection beautifully performed by Greg Boudreaux. Talk about a bang for your buck!

https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Signif...

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know whether to laugh or to cry because this is the last book in the amazing six-book series. These books are all equally wonderful, and this one is no exception. It is the perfect ending in which Josh finally gets his happily ever after. Well, when reading this book, I have done both. E. Davies always manages to make me laugh and cry at the same time.
I have said it before and I say it again. I love E. Davies’s writing. It grabs me from the start and pulls me right into the story. I always have the feeling I am part of the story and that I know these guys. Of course, I know Josh as I have read all the books in the series. He is selfless to a fault and always the first to help people but hesitant to accept it. He helps Evan when he stumbles on Josh’s ranch after his fiancé left him, and get him back on his feet. I also mean that literally because Evan trips and falls more times than he can count. He is adorkable. Shy at first, self-conscious, hurt, but not broken. With just a few strokes of the pen, this author paints a vivid picture who he is, from the outside and inside. And just as quickly as Evan and Josh connected, I did too. With both men.
Josh had to wait a long time to find his significant other, but Evan couldn’t be more perfect for him. They just click. On all levels. Mentally, psychologically, and physically. Oh yes, the scenes in the bedroom and elsewhere are steamy as usual. But in these books, there is always so much more. The silly jokes and hilarious banter, but also the heartbreaking confessions. The understanding of each other’s needs and wants. The support and trust they have for and in each other.
If you have read the previous books in the series, you would know that it is telling how deeply Josh feels for Evan. The brothers know all their secrets, but not Josh’s. Evan is the first one he tells what has been bottled up inside him for a long time. That says it all.
I was a bit disappointed that the brothers don’t make an appearance that much, but that is only because I love them all so much. I know they all have busy lives and can’t come together as much as they would like, but when they do, it certainly counts. And just like that, Evan has gained ten friends, and brothers, for life. No questions asked. If he is with Josh, then he is with all of them.
This is the last book in the Significant Brother series, and while I am happy all the boys found their significant others, I am sad to let them go. I will keep them in my heart forever.

[Kaity · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

i think this has a running spot for my favorite in the series so far.

I think that adding the helping hands of Kev and Adam really made this well rounded.

Also the fact that even though there was still that steamy factor i have gotten used to seeing in these books, this one it wasn't over done like the previous books.

I enjoyed seeing that Josh and Evan taking it "slow" and really getting to not make it seem like a rebound when it did seem that way at first and they acknowledged that.

Can't wait to see what the last novella has in store for these guys, and maybe i will take a look at Kev's book!

[Francisca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*

[Kendra T · Rating 5 out of 5]

We FINALLY get Josh's story! The poor last brother to find happiness. Josh has tried to make it like he is just focusing on work, but seeing all of the brothers find love has left him wanting more in his life beside the Dude Ranch that he owns and runs.

Evan goes to Josh's ranch spend a week on vacation and to get engagement pictures taken with his "fiance". Said JERK treated Evan poorly right from the beginning, and fortunately he did not stick around long. Poor Evan was a little blindsided, but when he took a step back and looked at it all, he saw the signs that they weren't meant to be. Evan was suddenly stranded at the ranch with no job or home to return to.

Josh felt bad for Evan. He hated that he was treated the way he was and didn't want him alone. He offered him a place to stay and eventually work until he could get things situated. There was a definite attraction between the two, but they both decided that if they got involved it would be a short term rebound thing. Until, of course, they both fell head over heels for the other. There were things to work through (the rebound and feelings about the ex, how to work and live together, how soon is too soon to fall in love, etc), but they were worked out and written well.

I can't wait for the wedding. I love seeing all of the significant brothers and their significant others together. Another home run for E. Davies.

Edited to add:
I did a re-read of this by way of the audiobook, and it was just as great the second time around. I love the way that Greg Boudreaux gave these guys life in the whole series. Excellent edition.

I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC provided by the author

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Significant, Indeed

This series is so splendidly constructed, beautifully written, and each book interdependent on the others—and the previous ones in order—that the only justifiable review I can think of is to combine them all into one.

Caveat: I am not kidding that you must read them in order, no matter what the promotions or other reviewers might say. That’s the only way to get the richness of the lives of all six of the Significant Brothers and their eventual intendeds. The great thing about what author Davies has done is include in each book a brief back story of how these six men came together to develop their own family by bonding in high school and staying with each other for another decade through thick and thin.

My only complaint is that some of the covers can lead you to be a bit confused as who is who, but for the big guy is the “brother” in five of them, I think.

All that said, here’s a brief review of each of the tales, each of which I grace with five stars.

Splinter
Nico the ex-astronaut is now a Park Ranger in the Great Smokies, and Deen the jaded rock star is on a hiatus from his infamous debauchery. That they should be thrown together in the forest and no only survive a splinter or two but come together as lovers is a sweet, and sometimes adventurous, tale. This book sets the tone, and introduces us to the other brothers. Nico is quite conflicted about how he lost his career in space, and Deen is getting more and more disillusioned with life on the road. Can Knoxville bring them both down to earth?

Grasp
Maybe the sweetest romance of the books, this one pits the big and sometimes gruff zoo vet Blane against the free spirited and artistic Falcon. They meet at the zoo where Falcon has taken up an artist stance to capture meerkats in action for a series of paintings. Though instantly attracted, both put up physical and emotional barriers until it becomes obvious to friends and families that this is stupid. How their romance progresses is one of the neat stories of the series.

Slick
Roman, the somewhat out international airline pilot, and Oscar, the dynamic and suddenly devastatingly injured classical dancer, run into each other somewhat haphazardly. Very much a one-night stand kind of guy, Roman starts to think a little more domestically (which he’s always longed for) as Oscar starts moving in the opposite direction because they are basically always on the road. How they come together with the help of the brothers, and their own frustrations, is compromised by a jealous jerk in each of their lives. Interesting how they approach the problems and how they are ironed out.

Trace
This one’s MCs are a bit off-the-grid for me, but in the end they seem to fit just as well as the others. Dustin is almost an introvert, which sets him apart from the brothers as much as his physical stature, which is smaller (the cover of this one is very confusing). Leo, on the other hand, is sort of like Nico in the first book—he’s an ex-military (close enough to an astronaut for me), built like a brick outhouse, and trying to find his way after four years in the service. And even though he has (naively and somewhat shockingly) never given much of a thought to his sexuality, his is the only eventual gay-for-you story in the series, and it took me a while to get used to that. The nasty bits of homophobia that dance around this tale are the eventual crises points, but in the end two completely ill-suited men get what they need from the bothers, and each other.

Clutch
This is the conflict-of-interest one wherein brother Tyler, the car racing pro, gets completely wrecked and needs deep physical—if not emotional—therapy. And who would give him that service? Well, openly gay therapist Alec. When they meet all bets are off as they are inflammable to the touch whenever they are near. This leads to a lot of hands-off planning, moist of which doesn’t work until Alec wisely refers Tyler to another therapist. The conflicts don’t end, however, and it takes some kick-butt stuff from the brothers, especially farmer John, whom we get to know here in a sort of prelude to the last book, to get these two together Nice denouement.

Tremble
This one has the best brother IMHO, John, the proprietor of a dude ranch, and the most unconvincing set-up for his get together with Evan. The latter is virtually left at the altar by his seriously nasty, dominant fiancé while Leo (see Trace) is taking their pre-wedding photos at the ranch. John is instantly smitten by the extremely naïve and trusting Evan, and it turns out that John, in his own way, is also naïve and very, very trusting. If you can get past the incongruity of how Evam was dumped and who did it, and wander along with him and John, you might find this one of the better, if not the best, of the series. Which I did.

Have fun with a grand series.

[Ed Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved this series so much. The stories are warm and comfortable. They just make me feel so good. I love that in each book I’ve got to visit with the characters from previous books. I think this book was my favorite. I loved Even and Josh. They were great. I didn’t want their story to end. I wanted to know where they were in 10 years. I’ve taken my time reading these books. I’ve saved them for when I needed to read something I knew I would love. All I have left is the novella about the wedding. I plan to go ahead and read it.

[Marthea · Rating 4 out of 5]

No dobra - Evan i Josh ostro wdali się w bójkę o ulubioną parę z serii z Dustinem i Leo... Na razie nikt nie wygrał 😁 I nie wiem, czy ostatnia książka rozstrzygnie tę walkę, czy będzie remis 😜

[Sue Milkovich · Rating 5 out of 5]

AN ABSOLUTELY DON'T MISS!!!!!

Who knew Josh was the butterfly. This is the most touching story of the series and I LOVED them all. Josh was just always the deflector of the group. Quick to make a joke, out drink everyone, put his ranch ahead of everything. He was the most sensitive but still the most emotionally standoffish with the brothers. Then fate dropped Evan on the ranch for a much needed vacation with his fiancee. Then fate had a great big ole laugh on Josh. Evan is a very sweet, stunning guy, who finds himself stranded when his fiancee shows his true colors. This story was absolutely everything you could've wished for the finale. Witty, charming, funny, sexy, with two fantastic characters to fall in love with. Josh and Evan are incredible characters. This series SIGNIFICANT BROTHERS was an AMAZING cast of characters, it was an absolute pleasure to meet. Thank You for this fantastic collection of stories. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AND THIS INCREDIBLE SERIES!!!!!!

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so this one might be my favorite (I don’t know, it’s too close to call!). But this this book was just so darn sweet, but with enough tension to make it so it wasn’t saccharine. Josh was the significant brother I felt we knew the least about, which makes sense once you know his history and how it’s made him close off his emotions. But while that could turn some people into grade A jerks, it has made him so completely kind and caring, it’s impossible not to love him. And Evan, well I adored Evan, and watching him learn to stand on his own to feet after a terrible relationship is a complete joy. These two needed each other, and it was a perfect way to close out the series, giving us the amazing, sweet, and funny love story you can expect in each book of this series.

[Gabis Laberladen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darum geht’s:

Evan und Monty wollen auf der “Männerranch” ein paar entspannte Tage verbringen und Verlobungsfotos machen. Doch Monty hat andere Pläne und lässt Evan einfach sitzen. Und zwar in jeder Beziehung, denn Evan wohnte auch bei seinem Freund und arbeitete für ihn. Josh, der Besitzer der Ranch, bietet ihm spontan Hilfe an. Denn Josh hat ein großes Herz. Und er findet Evan einfach unwiderstehlich.

Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier

[Kim Stone · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book is about the last Significant Brother finding his love. Josh owns and runs a dude ranch. Evan comes to the ranch to have his engagement photos taken and ends up breaking up with his New York partner and staying and finding love with Josh. Evan's sister Gina makes an awesome visit!! Books best read in order as the other brothers play a part in this story and also included an update on their stories too.

[Pam Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

My heart broke for Evan, he was stranded at the ranch by his fiancée though in the end I am glad Evan deserved better.
Josh who runs the ranch felt sorry but also a connection to Evan and they hit it off. No one is more surprised that Evan at how fast he developed feelings.
It was a sweet story and one I enjoyed
The narration was perfect.

[Stacy Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Josh is the last significant brother to find love, and the saying “saving the best for last” is this book. Josh is fabulous. He always wore a smile even when he wasn’t feeling that emotion. And Evan...sigh.

So glad the two wonderful men found their HEA.

[Don Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done romance story. I read this book first but don't think it matters really. All of the characters were well fleshed out and likeable. I don't think that Gina did much for the story other than add pages. The ebb and flow between Josh and Evan was great.

[Jane (PS) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always an enjoyable story in this friends' group. Great to see Josh find his HEA with Evan. And Evan deserved his own HEA after his cold ex. Would have loved to see some sort of 'comeuppance' for the horrid 'ex' Monty.

Narrated by Greg Boudreaux - great!

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yep, whole series is spectacular.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my favorite of the whole series. It just had a real sweetness that I loved.

[booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is yet another absolutely AMAZING read from Ed!!
In this we get Evan & Josh's story.
Both characters, as usual, were fantastically written and the plot was brilliant too.
After being dumped while at his own engagement photo shoot, Evan is stuck and at a loss of what to do with his life. This is where Josh, one of the kindest souls EVER, steps in.
What starts as a week where they're having some no strings fun, ends up as a lot more than that even though they both agree that that's all it's going to be when it starts.
What follows is a sweet, extremely sexy read with a few surprise along the way, too.
I seriously can never praise this author enough for how he writes. He always somehow manages to keep the story light and sweet even when he's adding angst!
Another absolutely phenomenal read, LOVED IT!!!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great add to the series. Finally we get to read the last brothers book and the wait was worth it. Josh and Evan are adorable as much as they are hot. Josh has been in the background and a mystery since the beginning. A caring man who needs someone to show him he's worth it. Evan is in the worst time of his life and trying to figure out who he is. There are so many layers to Josh and Evan, separately and together as a couple which is what I love most about this series. This was wonderful and sweet. I laughed, cried, blushed and swooned, I can't get enough of these guys. With each book the characters are different but blend together perfectly, in a way that only E. Davies can provide. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy coated sunshine! I love Evan and Josh together….love this entire series! The chosen family aspect is beautiful! The “insta-love” really worked for me. Personally I’m a hopeless romantic so I am really happy I decided to read more by E. Davies because, well, so much sunshine!

[Emily Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all the Significant Brothers, Josh was the one I connected with the most. His kind-hearted, hard-working nature was undeniably attractive, and I wanted to see him find happiness so badly. Evan wasn't the man I expected Josh to fall for, but after seeing how precious their meet-cute was and how ridiculously compatible they were in bed, I was thoroughly convinced there could be something special between them. Initially I wasn't sure how believable it was for Evan to hop from a broken engagement to the next appealing stranger, but E Davies did an excellent job showing his and Josh's inner struggle to come to terms with their lightning-fast attraction. This couple did suffer a little bit from a stereotypical lack of communication, but given both men's backstories it felt fitting that miscommunication would be the root of all their relationship problems. In addition to the sweet romance, I loved getting to learn more about how the ranch operated. Listening to the way Josh interacted with his employees only made me love his compassionate nature even more, especially how he was willing to stick his neck out for those who really needed the help. In every audio I've reviewed from this series, I've praised Greg Boudreaux's narration, and once again I have only good things to say about his performance. I'll certainly miss these light-hearted contemporary romances now that this series has come to a close, but knowing that each Significant Brother is living his happiest life is really all I could ask for.

**I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this book. This review expresses my honest thoughts and opinions.   

[Dixiecowgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story with so much heart and all the feels! I loved the idea of meeting the perfect person at the most imperfect time and how do you handle that. Are you brave and trust yourself or do you protect your heart and not take a chance on love. This story is about learning your heart and trusting yourself. It is about being loved and accepted for who you are and valuing yourself. Just a beautiful story that will warm your soul!

Evan and Josh will just make you smile and want to wrap them up in your arms! I really enjoyed watching them learn each other and take care of each other. Their self discoveries were logical and their love was organic.

It was wonderful to see the rest of the guys and to know that the 'brothers' were there for both their friend with great advise and support as always. I do wish i had a group of friends that diverse and close.

This is an amazing series and this story could be read as a stand-alone. I do however recommend that you read the entire series because it is awesome.

[L.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sixth book in the Significant Brothers series, Tremble is finally when Josh finds his happy ever after. All his other best friends have moved on happily with their lives, but Josh is left alone. Until his perfect match unexpectedly falls right in his lap. Evan is on a romantic vacation with his fiancé, but what was supposed to be a fairy tale moment in his life turns into a soap opera drama when his fiancé dumps him in a middle of the engagement photo shoot. Homeless, jobless, and alone, Evan is ready to drown his sorrows in all the alcohol he can drink. The last thing he expects is for the ranch owner to knock on his door to check on him, and then give him a job after Evan pukes all over his shoes. Evan and Josh have a little bit of forbidden romance going on. Josh is Evan’s boss and decides they can’t date because of that. This resolve does not last long, and soon Josh and Evan are swept up with each other while navigating some tricky issues that popped up on the ranch. It was wonderful to see Josh get his happy ending—Josh and Evan were absolutely perfect for each other.

[Reading*Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overall: 4.5 Stars
Performance: 5 Stars
Story: 4.5 Stars

"Tremble" is my favorite story and audio of the Significant Brothers series. Rancher Josh and marketing specialist Evan meet as Evan's fiance dumps and abandons him at Josh's ranch, where the not-so-happy couple were vacationing to have engagement photos taken. While Josh is initially wary of taking advantage in Evan's vulnerable state, affection-starved Evan is more than eager for a rebound. Theirs is a case of near insta-love, as hookups quickly give way to feelings, and they have a spark and connection that felt genuine and stronger than previous Significant Brothers couples. This is a warm, sweet and hopeful journey with some depth for two very likeable characters that left me smiling.

Narrator Greg Boudreaux delivered a wonderful performance, and I especially enjoyed the country twang in Josh's voice. As with the other audio books in the series, this was an easy and pleasant listen. I received this free review copy audio book by request and have left this honest review voluntarily.

[jennrubenstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book, except that with Josh being the last of the Brothers to find love, the series is ending! I have come to crave E. Davies' new releases like a drug; I can't wait for them to finally arrive, I consume them faster than I'd like but I can't help myself, and when they're over I come crashing down. The anticipation and the experience are well worth it, though. In Tremble, both Josh and Evan have their own issues to deal with, but they are so evenly matched that they each make the other stronger while acting as a partner to lean on. It's such a sweet, love-filled story, I wish Josh's ranch were real so I could visit this gorgeous, welcoming place to experience what his guests get to. (If there is such an LGBTQ-friendly ranch in Tennessee or elsewhere, let me know and I'll start planning my getaway...) Thank you, Ed, for another beautiful book. I can't wait to read the short story in a few weeks! The anticipation is already almost too much to bear...

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this whole series by Ed Davies! This story wraps up the Significant Brothers series with all the brothers finding their HEA. In this edition, Josh finally meets his match in Evan. From the moment they meet they are drawn to each, however Josh feels he isn’t worthy of love and Evan is coming up an unceremonious break-up that *gasps* happens while shooting their engagement photos on Josh’ dude ranch. What these two discover is that life happens and it doesn’t always go according to your plan, what’s meant to be will happen. This book is cute, sweet, sexy and low angst. Everything that I love about this series and Ed Davies’ writing. The brothers and their significant others truly are family. I enjoy seeing them interact with Josh and Evan throughout this book and, as always, watching the brothers accept Evan into their family. My only qualm is that this is the last book. I want more! ;)