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The Pumpkin Patch
When a family illness delays Max Kirby’s life plans, he finds himself back in his hometown of Riverbush, a quaint mountainside community he’d have been otherwise happy to leave behind. But things have changed since he left for college. Seems all anyone wants to talk about is the brutal murders of a local family that rocked the town a year prior. And the strange rumors about the only surviving son, Dusty Roedell, who took up residence at the old farmhouse after the tragedy.
Now Max needs a job while he’s in town, and Dusty is looking for a night watchman to keep the vandals, pranksters, and crime scene gawkers off his property. Ignoring gossip that makes Dusty sound like a ghoul, Max takes the job, and finds only a grieving man trying to get on with his life. But Dusty is far more intriguing than Max expected, and his night shifts at the murder house lead to lustful thoughts about his new boss, along with shocking discoveries about the night Dusty’s family was killed.
Now Max needs a job while he’s in town, and Dusty is looking for a night watchman to keep the vandals, pranksters, and crime scene gawkers off his property. Ignoring gossip that makes Dusty sound like a ghoul, Max takes the job, and finds only a grieving man trying to get on with his life. But Dusty is far more intriguing than Max expected, and his night shifts at the murder house lead to lustful thoughts about his new boss, along with shocking discoveries about the night Dusty’s family was killed.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 31, 2018
17 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Darien Cox
26 books345 followersAuthor Darien Cox lives in New England and enjoys using romantic fiction to explore the intensity, insanity, humor, and chaos that accompanies cupid’s arrow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
January 27, 2019
~3.5~
This is a fast-paced story cloaked in tension, but I wouldn't say the romance takes a backseat to the mystery. The villain is obvious immediately, but I don't think the who-done-it is the point. The suspense comes from the reader knowing something the MCs don't.
Soren, an autistic teen, murders his parents and drowns in a river. At least that's the official story. Soren's older brother, Dusty, comes home to grieve. The town whispers behind his back and treats him like an outcast.
To keep curiosity seekers and petty vandals off his family's property, Dusty decides to hire a security guard. Max is the only one who shows up for the interview.
Heat simmers between the two men, and they fall into bed soon after they meet. The sex is hot, although the relationship development is somewhat lacking. The story takes place over the course of a few weeks.
The last couple chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. I got annoyed with Dusty's attitude toward Max. Oh ye of little faith!
Thankfully, the epilogue gives us a glimpse of the men's HEA. I just wish we'd seen more of the romance on page.
I found a few minor editing issues, nothing profound (Kade Boehme writes with passion, but editing is not his strong suit; Cox's book are much cleaner grammatically).
Don't be put off by the title; although pumpkins do play a role in the plot, this isn't a ghost story and Halloween is mentioned only in passing.
This is a fast-paced story cloaked in tension, but I wouldn't say the romance takes a backseat to the mystery. The villain is obvious immediately, but I don't think the who-done-it is the point. The suspense comes from the reader knowing something the MCs don't.
Soren, an autistic teen, murders his parents and drowns in a river. At least that's the official story. Soren's older brother, Dusty, comes home to grieve. The town whispers behind his back and treats him like an outcast.
To keep curiosity seekers and petty vandals off his family's property, Dusty decides to hire a security guard. Max is the only one who shows up for the interview.
Heat simmers between the two men, and they fall into bed soon after they meet. The sex is hot, although the relationship development is somewhat lacking. The story takes place over the course of a few weeks.
The last couple chapters kept me on the edge of my seat. I got annoyed with Dusty's attitude toward Max. Oh ye of little faith!
Thankfully, the epilogue gives us a glimpse of the men's HEA. I just wish we'd seen more of the romance on page.
I found a few minor editing issues, nothing profound (Kade Boehme writes with passion, but editing is not his strong suit; Cox's book are much cleaner grammatically).
Don't be put off by the title; although pumpkins do play a role in the plot, this isn't a ghost story and Halloween is mentioned only in passing.
September 15, 2019
***3 - 3.5 Stars***
There's more going on in a pumpkin patch than you would think...
This was a double first for me. I haven't read anything by either of the authors yet and while I enjoyed it - well, parts of it - I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.
This book started slow. By any account. But where there was an undercurrent tension palpable in the storyline that grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let me go, the BAM factor in the romance department came only after the 50% mark and it actually made me jump. I already resigned myself to the fact that there is no romance in this book, other than some pining, but suddenly the guys hit it off in bed in no time flat. Not a bad thing, either, but then it was all about feelings (which I didn't feel, sorry) and I was like WTH? I also didn't like Dusty's thoughts during sex, it sounded like he would break a horse instead of having sex with a guy he liked.
Overall, lots of brownie points from me for the suspense part - even if the culprit was pretty obvious - with a little twist to the story I almost didn't dare to hope I would get and for both guys I felt for individually, it was just the connection between them missing for me.
There's more going on in a pumpkin patch than you would think...
This was a double first for me. I haven't read anything by either of the authors yet and while I enjoyed it - well, parts of it - I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.
This book started slow. By any account. But where there was an undercurrent tension palpable in the storyline that grabbed me from the start and wouldn't let me go, the BAM factor in the romance department came only after the 50% mark and it actually made me jump. I already resigned myself to the fact that there is no romance in this book, other than some pining, but suddenly the guys hit it off in bed in no time flat. Not a bad thing, either, but then it was all about feelings (which I didn't feel, sorry) and I was like WTH? I also didn't like Dusty's thoughts during sex, it sounded like he would break a horse instead of having sex with a guy he liked.
Overall, lots of brownie points from me for the suspense part - even if the culprit was pretty obvious - with a little twist to the story I almost didn't dare to hope I would get and for both guys I felt for individually, it was just the connection between them missing for me.
November 3, 2018
I enjoyed the suspense plot, but the romance was under-developed.
November 6, 2018
This was an entertaining mystery with a side of romance. The main focus of the story are the events surrounding the aftermath of Dustin's return home following the murder of his parents and younger, autistic brother. He hires Max, a recent college grad who has returned home to help his sick mother, as a night watchman to guard his pumpkin patch against vandals. As Max forms a tentative relationship with Dusty, he starts to realize that maybe not everything is as it seems. From vandals to ghosts, to small-town rumors of wild sex magic parties, something definitely isn't right at the Roedell homestead.
The story moves at a good pace and although, with the small cast, it's easy to pick out the big bad, there were some unexpected twists and plenty of tension in lead up to the big reveal. While the romance doesn't really get going until most of the way through the story, I enjoyed both characters and their road from employer/employee to lovers (and there is definitely some heat between the sheets). I also like the way the authors didn't gloss over the reality of the treatments Max's mother was receiving and her attitude towards them.
Once I started the story I was eager to get back to it when I had to put it down. It's a fast-paced, suspenseful story, with a touching happy ending.
The story moves at a good pace and although, with the small cast, it's easy to pick out the big bad, there were some unexpected twists and plenty of tension in lead up to the big reveal. While the romance doesn't really get going until most of the way through the story, I enjoyed both characters and their road from employer/employee to lovers (and there is definitely some heat between the sheets). I also like the way the authors didn't gloss over the reality of the treatments Max's mother was receiving and her attitude towards them.
Once I started the story I was eager to get back to it when I had to put it down. It's a fast-paced, suspenseful story, with a touching happy ending.
November 8, 2018
Pretty good suspense story! RTC
November 9, 2018
This kind of wasn't at all what I expected.
I would even go so far as saying I didn't see it coming.
I think I figured out the big bad pretty early on but not at all what came with that.
Good job, and perfect timing for this time of the year. Pumpkins and frights are always welcome.
I don't know if I bought the connection but this is one of those books that is just better to go with the flow than to sit and criticize. It totally kept my attention even if at times I had to roll my eyes just a bit.
An enjoyable mystery with a hot and spicy side of romance and a splash of just hot and spicy without the romance.
I would even go so far as saying I didn't see it coming.
I think I figured out the big bad pretty early on but not at all what came with that.
Good job, and perfect timing for this time of the year. Pumpkins and frights are always welcome.
I don't know if I bought the connection but this is one of those books that is just better to go with the flow than to sit and criticize. It totally kept my attention even if at times I had to roll my eyes just a bit.
An enjoyable mystery with a hot and spicy side of romance and a splash of just hot and spicy without the romance.
November 4, 2018
3.5
Starts like a late Halloween story: a murder house at the edge of a small town where the surviving son is dealing with his demons and the towns people spreading creepy rumors while Max as our main protagonist accepts a job as the night security for a pumpkin patch. Then there is a shady lawyer distracting the house owner with sex, the nightly humming of his dead brother who's supposed to be the killer of his parents and Max the new human scare crow with his own package of guilt and the lusting over his employer.
I enjoyed it a lot and loved the characters of Max and Dusty. Pity that their connection was nearly instant. The romantic development felt a bit short (can't complain about the steam, though) but I also can't say that it was in favor of the mystery solving because the final solution came quite as fast. So the complain is more about the time the authors gave the plot to develop everything else was just like I wanted it to be.
Starts like a late Halloween story: a murder house at the edge of a small town where the surviving son is dealing with his demons and the towns people spreading creepy rumors while Max as our main protagonist accepts a job as the night security for a pumpkin patch. Then there is a shady lawyer distracting the house owner with sex, the nightly humming of his dead brother who's supposed to be the killer of his parents and Max the new human scare crow with his own package of guilt and the lusting over his employer.
I enjoyed it a lot and loved the characters of Max and Dusty. Pity that their connection was nearly instant. The romantic development felt a bit short (can't complain about the steam, though) but I also can't say that it was in favor of the mystery solving because the final solution came quite as fast. So the complain is more about the time the authors gave the plot to develop everything else was just like I wanted it to be.
August 26, 2021
3.5 stars
October 20, 2019
10/19/19 Currently on sale for 99c via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Pumpkin-Patch-...
December 5, 2018
4.5 Stars. I loved this!
I bought this without even reading the blurb and I still haven’t. Two of my favorite authors wrote this, no-brainer! I had some initial niggles early on, where the narrative wasn’t entirely smooth-flowing but it improved as the plot developed. I’m rating this more on how I felt by the end of the book and I was happy and a bit teary. I did guess who the culprit would be but this was about the romance and finding hope in the face of grief and loss. Dusty was really aggravating sometimes but I felt so badly for him. Loved Max, who was so tenacious and protective of Dusty. This one’s an excellent read.
I bought this without even reading the blurb and I still haven’t. Two of my favorite authors wrote this, no-brainer! I had some initial niggles early on, where the narrative wasn’t entirely smooth-flowing but it improved as the plot developed. I’m rating this more on how I felt by the end of the book and I was happy and a bit teary. I did guess who the culprit would be but this was about the romance and finding hope in the face of grief and loss. Dusty was really aggravating sometimes but I felt so badly for him. Loved Max, who was so tenacious and protective of Dusty. This one’s an excellent read.
November 3, 2018
Great story and characters even if the mystery and plot were pretty obvious. It was a nice seasonal read that I enjoyed.
March 4, 2019
I liked this book, but it needs trigger warnings for sexual assault/abuse of a child because that is being discussed in semi-detailed ways by the child and the perp. Also for discussions of murder and semi-graphic descriptions of the crime.
That said, the writing of both authors has always worked for me and this was no exception. I really liked the characters, the grumpy and the sweet one getting to know each other and bonding in a kind of forced-proximity situation. My rom suspense loving heart was happy about the added twists and the mystery, although I figured out who was the word in sheep's skin very early on.
But then I think that might have been intentional. It was still enjoyable and an emotional Rollercoaster.
That said, the writing of both authors has always worked for me and this was no exception. I really liked the characters, the grumpy and the sweet one getting to know each other and bonding in a kind of forced-proximity situation. My rom suspense loving heart was happy about the added twists and the mystery, although I figured out who was the word in sheep's skin very early on.
But then I think that might have been intentional. It was still enjoyable and an emotional Rollercoaster.
November 3, 2018
Dnf 44%.
Did not connect at all with the characters. Was not sucked into the story.
Did not connect at all with the characters. Was not sucked into the story.
December 30, 2018
This was so good and I enjoyed it a lot!
It had mystery which was very cool and the story for it was nice. It really surprised me after 50% where something happened that I didn't expect!
The sexy scenes between the characters were hot and I liked them though the relationship between the characters could have been a bit better!
I really recommend it.
It had mystery which was very cool and the story for it was nice. It really surprised me after 50% where something happened that I didn't expect!
The sexy scenes between the characters were hot and I liked them though the relationship between the characters could have been a bit better!
I really recommend it.
November 15, 2018
What a fantastic surprise! :)
Max and Dusty were fun together. Their dynamic was what made it interesting. Still grieving his dead family, Dusty is not in the mood for... well, anything really. He's not exactly rude but he has a hard time giving Max a real chance as his employee and friend. A friend I don't think he realizes he needs.
Max though knows what he wants when he sees it, or at least he knows he wants Dusty. Max was my favorite out of the two, mostly because he seemed outgoing and a bit cheeky but also had his shy moments.
The plot here was quite exciting. Suspense with a touch of mystery. At times a little spooky, just the way I like it :)
I can't tell you more or I might give away too much! Let me say this though: I totally dug how the story unfolded, and I'm very pleased with the ending.
I have to thank Darien for the lovely ARC he gifted me with. Thank you, D! I hope you'll continue to enjoy writing those lovely stories! This collab with Kade was a nice surprise as well. I'm excited for more.
PS: What a smmmmexy cover! Beautiful. I'm loving it.
Max and Dusty were fun together. Their dynamic was what made it interesting. Still grieving his dead family, Dusty is not in the mood for... well, anything really. He's not exactly rude but he has a hard time giving Max a real chance as his employee and friend. A friend I don't think he realizes he needs.
Max though knows what he wants when he sees it, or at least he knows he wants Dusty. Max was my favorite out of the two, mostly because he seemed outgoing and a bit cheeky but also had his shy moments.
The plot here was quite exciting. Suspense with a touch of mystery. At times a little spooky, just the way I like it :)
I can't tell you more or I might give away too much! Let me say this though: I totally dug how the story unfolded, and I'm very pleased with the ending.
I have to thank Darien for the lovely ARC he gifted me with. Thank you, D! I hope you'll continue to enjoy writing those lovely stories! This collab with Kade was a nice surprise as well. I'm excited for more.
PS: What a smmmmexy cover! Beautiful. I'm loving it.
November 5, 2018
Good read
This little story touched me in so many ways. A story of trust, honor, acceptance and love. A story that shows the dangers of prejudging anyone, of gossip.
This little story touched me in so many ways. A story of trust, honor, acceptance and love. A story that shows the dangers of prejudging anyone, of gossip.
December 7, 2018
4 stars.
November 5, 2018
“The Pumpkin Patch” is a very engaging Halloween themed love story with the right amount of spooky vibes and hot romance. I was really hooked by the suspense. Though i guessed the true nature of the crime and the culprit long before the ending, the narration and the unveiling kept me glued to my kindle till the very last word. It’s a very short story and thus a very quick read. I Loved the pacing as well as the development of the romance along with the suspense and then it’s ultimate culmination.
As a Halloween read what i enjoyed the most in this book was the ambience. It was spooky with the right backdrop of a tragedy that will chill your bones. The setting was perfect complete with an isolated property in the woods, unknown trespassers and a glorious pumpkin patch. And then to top it all off, the author added some liquid hot passion between the MCs and thus, you have got an eerie romance perfect for this season.
As for the MCs, both Dustin and Max’s characters were very nicely developed, given the length of the book.Dusty’s life has changed for the worse in the year following the horrible tragedy that has rocked the entire Riverbush community. He is grieving his family and battling massive guilt for not being there for them when they needed him the most. People in his community has not been nice to him in the aftermath and he has been living in isolation, trying to relive the happy memories with his family. Max is the only person in the entire year after the accident that treats him with kindness and shows concern for his well-being and that’s what draws him to Max more than ever. It also helped (a lot) that they are both attracted to each other and a felt a deep connection from the moment they met.
Max is a real stand-up guy. He is genuine and his feelings for Dusty though developed in a very short time, were the real deal. He is protective of Dusty and kept on looking out for him till the very end. Max had his entire future planned out but when he meets Dusty, he realizes that Dusty is his true destination in life and he does his very best to protect the man he was falling in love with. Max’s morals, pure heart and especially his razor-sharp instincts enables him in solving the mystery of the “Roedell Pumpkin Patch”. And i enjoyed every minute of it.
The romance is not the principal focus here, meaning Dusty and Max’s romance does not get a lot of page time. They come together almost at the end of the story before all hell breaks loose but IMO it was just the right amount of romance and right amount of heat to start off their relationship. They take their time in the beginning while contending with a of a lot of confusion and hesitancy which i felt was realistic. Their happy ending can be better enjoyed in the epilogue which very beautifully concludes this story.
This is my first Halloween themed read this year and i must say that i thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are looking for a read which will spook you as well as melt your heart with passion filled romance, then be sure to give this book a try.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
As a Halloween read what i enjoyed the most in this book was the ambience. It was spooky with the right backdrop of a tragedy that will chill your bones. The setting was perfect complete with an isolated property in the woods, unknown trespassers and a glorious pumpkin patch. And then to top it all off, the author added some liquid hot passion between the MCs and thus, you have got an eerie romance perfect for this season.
As for the MCs, both Dustin and Max’s characters were very nicely developed, given the length of the book.Dusty’s life has changed for the worse in the year following the horrible tragedy that has rocked the entire Riverbush community. He is grieving his family and battling massive guilt for not being there for them when they needed him the most. People in his community has not been nice to him in the aftermath and he has been living in isolation, trying to relive the happy memories with his family. Max is the only person in the entire year after the accident that treats him with kindness and shows concern for his well-being and that’s what draws him to Max more than ever. It also helped (a lot) that they are both attracted to each other and a felt a deep connection from the moment they met.
Max is a real stand-up guy. He is genuine and his feelings for Dusty though developed in a very short time, were the real deal. He is protective of Dusty and kept on looking out for him till the very end. Max had his entire future planned out but when he meets Dusty, he realizes that Dusty is his true destination in life and he does his very best to protect the man he was falling in love with. Max’s morals, pure heart and especially his razor-sharp instincts enables him in solving the mystery of the “Roedell Pumpkin Patch”. And i enjoyed every minute of it.
The romance is not the principal focus here, meaning Dusty and Max’s romance does not get a lot of page time. They come together almost at the end of the story before all hell breaks loose but IMO it was just the right amount of romance and right amount of heat to start off their relationship. They take their time in the beginning while contending with a of a lot of confusion and hesitancy which i felt was realistic. Their happy ending can be better enjoyed in the epilogue which very beautifully concludes this story.
This is my first Halloween themed read this year and i must say that i thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are looking for a read which will spook you as well as melt your heart with passion filled romance, then be sure to give this book a try.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
August 1, 2020
Jeez this was dark
November 4, 2018
5 stars!!!
I was all excited when The Pumpkin Patch was released.
Darien Cox and Kade Boehme separately are two of my fave M/M authors but when they write together...a fantastic collaboration :)
I just finished the book and I feel kinda empty now :)
It was a page-turner and I did not get bored for one second.
One of my 2018 favourites. I highly recommend it.
I was all excited when The Pumpkin Patch was released.
Darien Cox and Kade Boehme separately are two of my fave M/M authors but when they write together...a fantastic collaboration :)
I just finished the book and I feel kinda empty now :)
It was a page-turner and I did not get bored for one second.
One of my 2018 favourites. I highly recommend it.
October 17, 2021
3.5 - 4 Stars
“And I said yes. Because forever is full of hope.”
This is a great read for spooky season! Max is back in his small home town because his mom is He needs a job while there so why not a job patrolling the house which is surrounded by rumours which has fuelled thieving and acts of vandalism, especially since the murder of Dusty's parents a year ago.
It's not scary scary but the authors do a great job of building the tension especially with the woods surrounding the house and patrolling the area at night. Like if watching a horror movie and the music gets very tense lol.
I'm usually guessing everyone and everything but I did figure it all out early on. I do think we're supposed to though. Well I figured it out except for one thing and just TW for sexual abuse. Considering the context, I'm really conflicted over that plot point. Obviously it's sexual abuse, but it's more layered than that. I don't know. Definitely struggling with that.
Also, because of the shortness of the book, the building of the suspense side of the plot, and the fact that one of the MC's already has a friends with benefit situation happening (this didn't actually bother me as much, it felt natural but the romance once this faded needed more attention and development) the balance is off and the romance is rushed. Things move fast there's really no space to have the getting together, the moment of conflict and getting over it. So it happens lightning fast. It just needed to be stretched out a bit more
Also very much wanted to throttle Lily.
Saying that though I did really like Max & Dusty together. Hello yes they are hot together, the connection between them moves real fast but I truly loved gruff and sad Dusty being cared for by Max, Max getting protective of him. It was so lovely. And a great HEA!
“And I said yes. Because forever is full of hope.”
This is a great read for spooky season! Max is back in his small home town because his mom is He needs a job while there so why not a job patrolling the house which is surrounded by rumours which has fuelled thieving and acts of vandalism, especially since the murder of Dusty's parents a year ago.
It's not scary scary but the authors do a great job of building the tension especially with the woods surrounding the house and patrolling the area at night. Like if watching a horror movie and the music gets very tense lol.
I'm usually guessing everyone and everything but I did figure it all out early on. I do think we're supposed to though. Well I figured it out except for one thing and just TW for sexual abuse. Considering the context, I'm really conflicted over that plot point. Obviously it's sexual abuse, but it's more layered than that. I don't know. Definitely struggling with that.
Also, because of the shortness of the book, the building of the suspense side of the plot, and the fact that one of the MC's already has a friends with benefit situation happening (this didn't actually bother me as much, it felt natural but the romance once this faded needed more attention and development) the balance is off and the romance is rushed. Things move fast there's really no space to have the getting together, the moment of conflict and getting over it. So it happens lightning fast. It just needed to be stretched out a bit more
Also very much wanted to throttle Lily.
Saying that though I did really like Max & Dusty together. Hello yes they are hot together, the connection between them moves real fast but I truly loved gruff and sad Dusty being cared for by Max, Max getting protective of him. It was so lovely. And a great HEA!
October 18, 2020
I've really enjoyed other books I've read from Darien Cox. Kade Boehme averages put to a 2-star read for me. And co-authored books typically aren't my thing. So, I guess the latter two outweighed the former, as this really didn't work for me.
Who the killer was was obvious from the get-go. There was a poor attempt at misdirection that had no follow through.
The editing in this was bad. There were sentences that made no sense.
Jumping from the cab of the old '88 F250 my dad taught me to drive in, preparing to walk into the same hardware store I'd helped him refurbished my mother's ensuite bathroom when I was only a bit older, I was bowled over with a moment of nostalgia.
You helped him refurbish the hardware store... or the bathroom? I assume the sentence was switched around at some point and not reedited.
Who the killer was was obvious from the get-go. There was a poor attempt at misdirection that had no follow through.
The editing in this was bad. There were sentences that made no sense.
Jumping from the cab of the old '88 F250 my dad taught me to drive in, preparing to walk into the same hardware store I'd helped him refurbished my mother's ensuite bathroom when I was only a bit older, I was bowled over with a moment of nostalgia.
You helped him refurbish the hardware store... or the bathroom? I assume the sentence was switched around at some point and not reedited.
October 4, 2020
3.5 stars
November 5, 2018
Entertaining and at times a bit tense, Gay Romantic Suspense set in a conservative small town. Read this with the lights on!
Dusty has been back in his small conservative hometown for nearly a year, since the death of his parents and younger brother. Guilt-ridden that perhaps he could have done something to help his autistic brother and prevent the murder of his parents, he focuses on growing the pumpkins for pies in honor of his mother. His parents had vowed to never sell the farm and he wants to follow their wishes but someone is stealing his pumpkins and destroying his property.
When Dusty advertises for a night watchman/security guard, Max is the first one to actually show up for the interview.
A few years younger than Dusty, Max has also just returned to town after a long absence and is guilt-ridden that he didn't come home sooner. He was so happy to be at college away from the small town that he didn't realize how much he missed his mother until he was called home due to her cancer diagnosis. Now he is home to help care for her and all of his post-college plans are on hold. He needs to regain some semblance of control over his own life. Max needs to earn his way as his "bank account is weeping" and despite all the warnings and gossip about Dusty and the house, He goes for his eventful interview with Dusty.
This story is sexy and suspenseful, the plot becomes somewhat predictable near the end but there are some huge surprises nonetheless. The conclusion is believable and satisfying. Yes, this is a must read!
Dusty has been back in his small conservative hometown for nearly a year, since the death of his parents and younger brother. Guilt-ridden that perhaps he could have done something to help his autistic brother and prevent the murder of his parents, he focuses on growing the pumpkins for pies in honor of his mother. His parents had vowed to never sell the farm and he wants to follow their wishes but someone is stealing his pumpkins and destroying his property.
When Dusty advertises for a night watchman/security guard, Max is the first one to actually show up for the interview.
A few years younger than Dusty, Max has also just returned to town after a long absence and is guilt-ridden that he didn't come home sooner. He was so happy to be at college away from the small town that he didn't realize how much he missed his mother until he was called home due to her cancer diagnosis. Now he is home to help care for her and all of his post-college plans are on hold. He needs to regain some semblance of control over his own life. Max needs to earn his way as his "bank account is weeping" and despite all the warnings and gossip about Dusty and the house, He goes for his eventful interview with Dusty.
This story is sexy and suspenseful, the plot becomes somewhat predictable near the end but there are some huge surprises nonetheless. The conclusion is believable and satisfying. Yes, this is a must read!
June 29, 2020
When a family illness delays Max Kirby’s life plans, he finds himself back in his hometown of Riverbush, a quaint mountainside community he’d have been otherwise happy to leave behind. But things have changed since he left for college. Seems all anyone wants to talk about is the brutal murders of a local family that rocked the town a year prior. And the strange rumors about the only surviving son, Dusty Roedell, who took up residence at the old farmhouse after the tragedy.
Now Max needs a job while he’s in town, and Dusty is looking for a night watchman to keep the vandals, pranksters, and crime scene gawkers off his property. Ignoring gossip that makes Dusty sound like a ghoul, Max takes the job, and finds only a grieving man trying to get on with his life. But Dusty is far more intriguing than Max expected, and his night shifts at the murder house lead to lustful thoughts about his new boss, along with shocking discoveries about the night Dusty’s family was killed.
Heather's Notes
I thought this was an interesting story. It was short, but the author still managed to put a lot of story in it. I will say, I didn't really like at the beginning where Dusty was having sex with lots of other guys, but it was before him and Max got together, so I guess I won't hold it against him. However, this is one time I would have liked to just be told about it, not given a front row seat.
Now Max needs a job while he’s in town, and Dusty is looking for a night watchman to keep the vandals, pranksters, and crime scene gawkers off his property. Ignoring gossip that makes Dusty sound like a ghoul, Max takes the job, and finds only a grieving man trying to get on with his life. But Dusty is far more intriguing than Max expected, and his night shifts at the murder house lead to lustful thoughts about his new boss, along with shocking discoveries about the night Dusty’s family was killed.
Heather's Notes
I thought this was an interesting story. It was short, but the author still managed to put a lot of story in it. I will say, I didn't really like at the beginning where Dusty was having sex with lots of other guys, but it was before him and Max got together, so I guess I won't hold it against him. However, this is one time I would have liked to just be told about it, not given a front row seat.
November 8, 2020
Going into the climax, I was all set to believe this would be a well-written, sexy, exciting page-turner. Then it turns out everything hinges on using the autistic character terribly. I should have been more suspicious as soon as he was mentioned that that he probably wouldn't be treated properly.
I'm certain the writers believe they were sensitive and respectful. A family member of the character specifically says they don't want to "fix" him, and someone else articulates that autistic folks are more likely to be victim than perpetrator of violence. Those were on the right track. But then, the big flashy reveal is the depths to which the autistic character has been terribly victimized. It's salacious exploitation for the sake of a family member's arc. Alongside that, his autism is used as a plot device to manage the speed at which the characters learn the mystery, his communication style withholding key secrets until the most dramatic moment. It's just an awful pile of objectification, the exact sorts of lurid narrative use of neurodivergence that autism activists have been telling us NOT to do for some time now.
I'm certain the writers believe they were sensitive and respectful. A family member of the character specifically says they don't want to "fix" him, and someone else articulates that autistic folks are more likely to be victim than perpetrator of violence. Those were on the right track. But then, the big flashy reveal is the depths to which the autistic character has been terribly victimized. It's salacious exploitation for the sake of a family member's arc. Alongside that, his autism is used as a plot device to manage the speed at which the characters learn the mystery, his communication style withholding key secrets until the most dramatic moment. It's just an awful pile of objectification, the exact sorts of lurid narrative use of neurodivergence that autism activists have been telling us NOT to do for some time now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2018
I had a tiny bit of trouble getting into this story (I'm not really sure why) but I kept on reading and I'm glad I did because I ended up really liking it. I loved the guys, I liked the mystery even though I figured out "who done it" early on and I loved the sweet romance.
This story was a little bit creepy, a little bit weird (can't say why without giving something away) and a bit suspenseful. It was also sexy and sweet with a great HEA put all that together and it makes for one entertaining read! I wish I could say more but I'd end up giving away the mystery and there is nothing worse than knowing how the mystery ends before you even start.
February 5, 2019
3.75 stars
It’s funny how several people can read the same book but feel completely different about it. I thought this book was a decent balance between ‘mystery’ and romance. The villain was fairly easy to figure out as was the mystery of what was happening around the farm. The writing was pretty good with the exception of a couple of paragraphs towards the end of the book that just read a little... weird. I also would have liked for the relationship between Max and Dusty to have been a little more detailed.
*****
POV... multi-first person
Standalone or series... standalone
Hangover... slight
Recommend.... sure
Reread... sure
******
KU read
Max Kirby
Dusty Roedell
It’s funny how several people can read the same book but feel completely different about it. I thought this book was a decent balance between ‘mystery’ and romance. The villain was fairly easy to figure out as was the mystery of what was happening around the farm. The writing was pretty good with the exception of a couple of paragraphs towards the end of the book that just read a little... weird. I also would have liked for the relationship between Max and Dusty to have been a little more detailed.
*****
POV... multi-first person
Standalone or series... standalone
Hangover... slight
Recommend.... sure
Reread... sure
******
KU read
Max Kirby
Dusty Roedell
October 28, 2019
I have read and liked Darien Cox before, but this book wasn't up to his usual standard. I'm not sure whether it has something to do with the other author, which I haven't tried before, but it didn't feel like his usual writing: a lot of time was spent in characters' heads, which became more annoying during the dialogue because it was almost impossible to follow it due the constant internal monologue. When two people talk, they tend to answer almost immediately, they don't have time for all those thoughts to go through their heads.
As for the story itself, it was quite unrealistic but enjoyable nonetheless.
As for the story itself, it was quite unrealistic but enjoyable nonetheless.
December 5, 2018
C'est une excellente surprise que cette petite nouvelle.
J'avoue que j'ai été prise par l'intrigue : fantômes et citrouilles font très bon ménage. Mais l'intrigue, si elle a du sens, demeure tout de même avec une pointe de légèreté, et par-dessus tout, j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé le dénouement de cette histoire.
Il n'est pas fait abstraction de la maladie, du chagrin du deuil, et pourtant j'ai souris plus que de raison en le lisant.
Je suis vraiment contente d'avoir découvert ce petit !
J'avoue que j'ai été prise par l'intrigue : fantômes et citrouilles font très bon ménage. Mais l'intrigue, si elle a du sens, demeure tout de même avec une pointe de légèreté, et par-dessus tout, j'ai vraiment beaucoup aimé le dénouement de cette histoire.
Il n'est pas fait abstraction de la maladie, du chagrin du deuil, et pourtant j'ai souris plus que de raison en le lisant.
Je suis vraiment contente d'avoir découvert ce petit !
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