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Troubled Hearts #1
Finding Home
Blake Stevens has lost everyone he’s ever loved—a boyfriend who betrayed him, family who abandoned him, and a best friend killed in action. No longer willing to hide who he is, Blake gives in to a life of loneliness, filling the void only as needed with temporary, no-strings-attached relationships, as he treks across the country looking for a place to eventually call home.
Asher Collins knows he needs someone in his life, but he’s tired of debilitating break-ups that leave him hurting for months. Nearly a year after his last boyfriend left him, Ash has convinced himself he’s content waiting for the right man to fall into his life, even if he really isn’t.
Ash and Blake’s paths cross on an eastern Arizona former ranch turned campground and within hours, Ash breaks through the first of Blake’s walls, giving him a glimpse of the damaged soul buried within. When Ash tries to help, Blake’s fear of abandonment drives him to push Ash away and run as he’s always done.
Blake’s heart is closed off and broken. Ash’s heart was invested the moment they met. If Ash can find his way in, both might find exactly what they’ve been looking for.
Note: This book was previously published under the title Stay. Some of the original story has been revised and new content has been added (additional 7,700 words).
Asher Collins knows he needs someone in his life, but he’s tired of debilitating break-ups that leave him hurting for months. Nearly a year after his last boyfriend left him, Ash has convinced himself he’s content waiting for the right man to fall into his life, even if he really isn’t.
Ash and Blake’s paths cross on an eastern Arizona former ranch turned campground and within hours, Ash breaks through the first of Blake’s walls, giving him a glimpse of the damaged soul buried within. When Ash tries to help, Blake’s fear of abandonment drives him to push Ash away and run as he’s always done.
Blake’s heart is closed off and broken. Ash’s heart was invested the moment they met. If Ash can find his way in, both might find exactly what they’ve been looking for.
Note: This book was previously published under the title Stay. Some of the original story has been revised and new content has been added (additional 7,700 words).
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 30, 2015
42 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Savannah Brooks
46 books83 followersSavannah Brooks spends her days as a reporting analyst, which is extremely difficult when her imaginary friends are constantly pestering her to come out and play. One of these days, she plans to leave the world of numbers and spreadsheets behind in order to write full-time but for now, late evenings and weekends with the voices in her head will have to do. Even then, her attempts to play in her fictional worlds are often thwarted by her husband, son, or daughter dragging her back to reality.
Aside from reading and writing, Savannah loves video games, football, superhero movies, dragons, coffee, dark chocolate, and all things Disney. She dreams of having a castle on the water, be it ocean cliffs or a mountain lake, and traveling to historic places around the world.
Savannah currently lives in Arizona with her very supportive husband, two children, and ghost dog (the family beagle who passed away a couple years ago, but whose spirit is kept very much alive by her son and daughter).
Aside from reading and writing, Savannah loves video games, football, superhero movies, dragons, coffee, dark chocolate, and all things Disney. She dreams of having a castle on the water, be it ocean cliffs or a mountain lake, and traveling to historic places around the world.
Savannah currently lives in Arizona with her very supportive husband, two children, and ghost dog (the family beagle who passed away a couple years ago, but whose spirit is kept very much alive by her son and daughter).
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
December 13, 2015
This wasn't a bad story, but Blake's trust and abandonment issues got to me after a while, and I'm a sucker for that sort of thing!
It's also a pet peeve of mine anytime , which happened here, but at least that was over fast.
It was also VERY sweet once the guys got together. Lots of sweet reassurances, lots of teary eyes, the works.
It's also a pet peeve of mine anytime , which happened here, but at least that was over fast.
It was also VERY sweet once the guys got together. Lots of sweet reassurances, lots of teary eyes, the works.
March 14, 2016
Kind of sticky sweet
It was a pretty mushy, slow burn romance. Troubled discharged Marine with a history of rejection, meets a compassionate pseudo-cowboy. (There were no cattle involved). There was no excitement, no drama. They took their time falling into bed and into love, so that was good. There were some missed details. One MC was a veteran. If he was deployed for most of his 4year term, he would probably have at least some money. He also had benefits and would not have had to take money from his boyfriend for college. The reunion was pretty facile and if the mother read the letters and re-sealed them, I can't see why she couldn't have gotten her hands on a stamp for 4 years to send one freaking letter back. So, I didn't hate it but it was pretty bland. I'm just using up the last few f my KU subscription, so at least it was free.
It was a pretty mushy, slow burn romance. Troubled discharged Marine with a history of rejection, meets a compassionate pseudo-cowboy. (There were no cattle involved). There was no excitement, no drama. They took their time falling into bed and into love, so that was good. There were some missed details. One MC was a veteran. If he was deployed for most of his 4year term, he would probably have at least some money. He also had benefits and would not have had to take money from his boyfriend for college. The reunion was pretty facile and if the mother read the letters and re-sealed them, I can't see why she couldn't have gotten her hands on a stamp for 4 years to send one freaking letter back. So, I didn't hate it but it was pretty bland. I'm just using up the last few f my KU subscription, so at least it was free.
May 19, 2016
Overall, I liked the story of two men who have both been hurt in the past getting past their respective issues to find their way to each other. But I also had problems with it.
Mostly, I had a big problem with Blake's insecurities. Seemed like whenever he had the slightest doubt about their relationship, he was ready to pack up and leave. Hasn't he heard of communication?
But my biggest problem came at the end.
Mostly, I had a big problem with Blake's insecurities. Seemed like whenever he had the slightest doubt about their relationship, he was ready to pack up and leave. Hasn't he heard of communication?
But my biggest problem came at the end.
January 24, 2025
I was trying so hard to really like this story, but ultimately I found it barely ok. The premise is good and I’ve read other stories with the same theme but were executed much better. The characters are likable but over the course of 30 chapters plus epilogue, it was overly repetitive. Blake would get lost in his head and things would turn sour. Ash would overthink everything he says to Blake. Wash, Rinse, Repeat. Other than that, there wasn’t much in the way of big drama. The whole bit with Ash’s ex, Lucas, was just ridiculous and just provided a slightly different angle for Blake’s self-flagellation.
There were several inconsistencies and other things that bothered me. Early on, it it mentioned that Blake was discharged due to PTSD and given some meds, which he ran out of. Why wasn’t he getting the care he needed? What about therapy? He was quite clearly depressed on top of everything. Then later on, he talks about leaving the service as just not reenlisting. The status of Blake’s mother was confusing. Blake says she just left without a word, but then she was there when his father threw him out and she said nothing. When she reappears and tells the story, a lot of it just didn’t make sense. Oh. and something weird, I’d been reading this on my ipad and iphone, and the end of chapter 30 is different. If I had just read on my phone, I never would have known about what happened to his dad. I also had an issue with them going without condoms. Blake had had a lot of random hook-ups and Ash, while in a committed relationship with Lucas prior to Blake, after meeting Lucas, I suspect he couldn’t be trusted. So what if Ash and Blake are in love, there should have been a paragraph addressing them getting tested and/or using PrEP.
There was a lot of sweetness, to the point of being sappy, and I really wish this novella was written better.
There were several inconsistencies and other things that bothered me. Early on, it it mentioned that Blake was discharged due to PTSD and given some meds, which he ran out of. Why wasn’t he getting the care he needed? What about therapy? He was quite clearly depressed on top of everything. Then later on, he talks about leaving the service as just not reenlisting. The status of Blake’s mother was confusing. Blake says she just left without a word, but then she was there when his father threw him out and she said nothing. When she reappears and tells the story, a lot of it just didn’t make sense. Oh. and something weird, I’d been reading this on my ipad and iphone, and the end of chapter 30 is different. If I had just read on my phone, I never would have known about what happened to his dad. I also had an issue with them going without condoms. Blake had had a lot of random hook-ups and Ash, while in a committed relationship with Lucas prior to Blake, after meeting Lucas, I suspect he couldn’t be trusted. So what if Ash and Blake are in love, there should have been a paragraph addressing them getting tested and/or using PrEP.
There was a lot of sweetness, to the point of being sappy, and I really wish this novella was written better.
October 23, 2018
After a few chapter I got bored. The young marine appeared to be a little fragile for having served the military and whining about "you'll leave me like all the others" a little too much. on the other side, the cowboy, for having been left from all his boyfriends all the time, is too understading, too protective and also too eager to jump into another relationship just a few hours after meeting the "whining marine". The plot on the blurb had my interest but the reading failed almost at the beginning. I read all through the book just to see if it changed at a certain point but unfortunately it got even worse.
March 31, 2020
Ash & Blake
An excellent story of loss and the extreme loneliness it brought. Blake joined the military after being thrown out by his father. There lost the man he loved in war. With no home, no one, and nothing he wanders the country. With his funds dwindling, a random stranger points him toward a local ranch whose summer program for teens may offer him employment. There he finds Ash, who offers him a job and oh, so much more. With Ash, Blake realizes he can have it all: a job, friends, family, and most of all, someone to love and loves him without any doubt. Most of all, Ash is his home. This an uplifting story that will make you believe.
An excellent story of loss and the extreme loneliness it brought. Blake joined the military after being thrown out by his father. There lost the man he loved in war. With no home, no one, and nothing he wanders the country. With his funds dwindling, a random stranger points him toward a local ranch whose summer program for teens may offer him employment. There he finds Ash, who offers him a job and oh, so much more. With Ash, Blake realizes he can have it all: a job, friends, family, and most of all, someone to love and loves him without any doubt. Most of all, Ash is his home. This an uplifting story that will make you believe.
December 22, 2017
[1.5 stars] book was not terrible just not my kind of book. dont connect very well with the author's writing style. blake felt too needy and story development is very fast-paced. probably not continuing the series.
December 16, 2019
Another great book by Savannah Brooks!
Another great book by Savannah Brooks. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Blake and Ash and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!!
Another great book by Savannah Brooks. It drew me in from the very first page and I couldn't put it down. I absolutely loved Blake and Ash and I didn't want their story to end. Loved it!!
March 25, 2020
Excellent!
Amazing how fate brought Blake and Ash together. How hard Ash worked to make Blake believe he loves him.How Blake finds a lifelong home!
Amazing how fate brought Blake and Ash together. How hard Ash worked to make Blake believe he loves him.How Blake finds a lifelong home!
July 28, 2021
Fantastic read
More more I need more of this incredible story. These guys gosh they grabbed my heart and will not let go. So many emotions in this.
More more I need more of this incredible story. These guys gosh they grabbed my heart and will not let go. So many emotions in this.
October 2, 2024
I read the revised version with the name change of "Finding Home."
March 22, 2017
Good but highly unoriginal.
I'm going to try to be nice because there were some positive aspects to this story. Unfortunately, from page 1 the eye rolling started. Cliche after cliche. At 76% I thought to myself we must be due some drama and literally the next turn of the page... It felt like there was hardly an original idea to be found in the story. And yet I just kept on reading. It's that je n'est sais pas that earned the 3 stars.
I'm going to try to be nice because there were some positive aspects to this story. Unfortunately, from page 1 the eye rolling started. Cliche after cliche. At 76% I thought to myself we must be due some drama and literally the next turn of the page... It felt like there was hardly an original idea to be found in the story. And yet I just kept on reading. It's that je n'est sais pas that earned the 3 stars.
October 21, 2016
What are the chances?
A "perfect" match from an accidental contact while Blake tries to find a temporary job to get enough cash to move on, and continuing to run from the demons that have taken everyone he ever loved. Ash is still recovering from a love who left him after college to go to New York. A quiet spot in New Mexico on a summer camp for kids offers enough space for Blake to avoid Ash, but not enough to hide from the scenery and the man in the next bedroom. It takes Ash a while to break through the walks, but even Blake's emotions are pushing for friendship and more. With new friends, family, work, and a place to live, Blake still fights the urge to run when things get tangled, but Ash presses hard with understanding and provides exactly what is needed to show Blake love.
A "perfect" match from an accidental contact while Blake tries to find a temporary job to get enough cash to move on, and continuing to run from the demons that have taken everyone he ever loved. Ash is still recovering from a love who left him after college to go to New York. A quiet spot in New Mexico on a summer camp for kids offers enough space for Blake to avoid Ash, but not enough to hide from the scenery and the man in the next bedroom. It takes Ash a while to break through the walks, but even Blake's emotions are pushing for friendship and more. With new friends, family, work, and a place to live, Blake still fights the urge to run when things get tangled, but Ash presses hard with understanding and provides exactly what is needed to show Blake love.
February 17, 2016
This was a great story and really easy to read. I liked the slow burn of the romance that both MC's fought against despite their immediate attraction to each other and they made a great couple. What did let this down for me was how whiny, Blake was. He was a marine, who'd been through a lot in his time in the services but instead of being a tough guy, he was constantly crying and convinced that he was unloveable. Just a bit pathetic. Other than Blake needing to snap out of it, it was really enjoyable.
June 8, 2016
Rredemption
This was an adorable story -loved it. This was a story that showed the power of truly being patient and sincere. We see how damaging insecurities can be. Blake was extremely insecure as a result of his life experiences. Ash was patient, kind, thoughtful and sincere. Together their relationship worked. The author did a great job of developing both characters and giving them some depth. This story was truly a sweet story.
This was an adorable story -loved it. This was a story that showed the power of truly being patient and sincere. We see how damaging insecurities can be. Blake was extremely insecure as a result of his life experiences. Ash was patient, kind, thoughtful and sincere. Together their relationship worked. The author did a great job of developing both characters and giving them some depth. This story was truly a sweet story.
June 11, 2016
I actually stopped at 81%. It's very sweet which I don't mind and they're in love within two weeks. But the crying and insecurity was just too much at the point I stopped. And maybe it's just me cause I've been in a reading funk lately but it just felt like I was reading a MF book.
August 21, 2016
Good book. Very straight to the point and the story doesn't have a lot of back and forth between the MCs. I like these types of books, let the MCs just deal with their own shit and not bringing unless drama. I would read books form this author again.
November 29, 2015
This just didn't work for me. It had the potential to be a decent book based on the premise, but it was so overly sickingly sweet it was basically completely unrealistic.
April 7, 2017
This was a wonderful, sweet, romantic story. The MC's were very lovable and so were the supporting characters. There was no unnecessary angst, even with the ex. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, low-angst, romantic love story about a broken, beautiful man and the man who puts him back together again.
April 9, 2017
I just discovered this author and I'm so glad I did.
October 5, 2017
Ash is a great guy, helps run a camp for kids on his family's ranch by looking after the horses. Enter Blake, a drifter looking for work.
Ash hires him, and begins to learn that Blake is a deeply scarred guy. He's been rejected all his life, lost everyone he loved, and trusts no one.
As they build their relationship, Blake learns to trust Ash, and opens himself up to loving again.
The story is beautiful, and as in real life, Blake doesn't just turn around and become confident and trusting. But, they work together to make their relationship solid.
For a short book, a lot happens, but the pacing is well done and the characters are likeable.
Ash hires him, and begins to learn that Blake is a deeply scarred guy. He's been rejected all his life, lost everyone he loved, and trusts no one.
As they build their relationship, Blake learns to trust Ash, and opens himself up to loving again.
The story is beautiful, and as in real life, Blake doesn't just turn around and become confident and trusting. But, they work together to make their relationship solid.
For a short book, a lot happens, but the pacing is well done and the characters are likeable.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews