What do you think?
Rate this book
Irons and Works #3
American Traditional
Traumatized by a complicated childhood and losing the love of his life, Sage Osbourne pours everything he’s got into keeping his routine, and trying to avoid the not-dates he keeps getting set up on, content to be single and determined to keep it that way. He attempts to maintain that decision when a gorgeous newcomer opens up a new café just doors down from the tattoo shop. It doesn’t help that Will is not only perfect for him, but seems to be interested in taking their relationship further than just friends.
Prior to opening up Masala, Will Rahman’s life had been carefully plotted out by his overbearing parents. He was to graduate medical school, become a doctor, and make everyone proud. Will threw a wrench in those plans when he dropped out and took what little he had across the country to start a café. Disinherited and attempting to escape a toxic relationship, Will’s determined to live life his own way: without the influence of anyone else. However, things don’t ever happen the way Will plans them. A phone call one night, just hours before Masala opens its doors, changes Will’s life forever. Now the guardian of his seven-year-old sister, Molly, Will tries to keep his head above water, all the while navigating his blossoming feelings for the tattooed man next door.
Will anything go to plan, and will both men find a way to be happy together, or will the trauma of their recent past keep them apart?
American Traditional is third in the series of Irons and Works. Each book is a stand-alone novel with guaranteed HEA.
Prior to opening up Masala, Will Rahman’s life had been carefully plotted out by his overbearing parents. He was to graduate medical school, become a doctor, and make everyone proud. Will threw a wrench in those plans when he dropped out and took what little he had across the country to start a café. Disinherited and attempting to escape a toxic relationship, Will’s determined to live life his own way: without the influence of anyone else. However, things don’t ever happen the way Will plans them. A phone call one night, just hours before Masala opens its doors, changes Will’s life forever. Now the guardian of his seven-year-old sister, Molly, Will tries to keep his head above water, all the while navigating his blossoming feelings for the tattooed man next door.
Will anything go to plan, and will both men find a way to be happy together, or will the trauma of their recent past keep them apart?
American Traditional is third in the series of Irons and Works. Each book is a stand-alone novel with guaranteed HEA.
213 pages, ebook
First published June 2, 2019
403 people are currently reading
652 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Lindsey
143 books1,382 followersE.M. Lindsey is the author of MM contemporary romance. She presently lives and works in the southeastern United States.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
EM Lindsey also writes MM Paranormal Romance under the pseudonym Ariel Millar.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews
January 17, 2020
Hmmm, I really hoped I would love this one but nope - both Sage and Will are just plain ridiculous and really annoyed me at times.
I still feel the writing is mechanical and is definitely lacking in the details. This needs way more fleshing out instead of half arsed info that is dropped in now and then.
I'm thinking I'm done with this series, as much as I wanted to see it through I'm calling it.
I still feel the writing is mechanical and is definitely lacking in the details. This needs way more fleshing out instead of half arsed info that is dropped in now and then.
I'm thinking I'm done with this series, as much as I wanted to see it through I'm calling it.
June 10, 2019
3.5 stars for Will & Sages story. There was a lot of emotion in this one as both men suffered with angst and pain from their past. This hit on an important issue of domestic violence/ bullying and highlighted the fact that Will couldn’t see it clearly while he was in the thick of it. Sage had many issues of guilt and angst, which got a bit repetitive at times, but I loved his character. Really enjoying this series
November 27, 2019
So many wrong, missing or misspelled words. It was a struggle to stay focused on the story.
Sage and Will's relationship was a slow burn of a slow burn. My goodness, glacier speed is faster. But they became friends when both needed a friend so I enjoyed that aspect of it.
But to be perfectly honest, I wasn't very engaged in the story. I had to really push to get to the end. I'm sad because I really wanted the twins' story to move me. The background is certainly there to make it poignant. But I just didn't get enough emotion to be really invested. Sage's story in particular left me wanting so much more.
Sage and Will's relationship was a slow burn of a slow burn. My goodness, glacier speed is faster. But they became friends when both needed a friend so I enjoyed that aspect of it.
But to be perfectly honest, I wasn't very engaged in the story. I had to really push to get to the end. I'm sad because I really wanted the twins' story to move me. The background is certainly there to make it poignant. But I just didn't get enough emotion to be really invested. Sage's story in particular left me wanting so much more.
June 9, 2019
3 stars
Ack!! Sage and Will’s story was one teased in Book 2 and I was looking forward to it because it held so much promise and sweetness. Unfortunately, the actual story line here was rather underwhelming ☹️
I get slowburn and when done right, I’m often salivating for it. But this slowburn...was basically just slow and I can’t help but find myself losing track of the plot altogether.
In the previous book, Sage was such a mysterious and complex character. In this book, I see no hints of his complex character. I mean, wasn’t he touch averse or something? What happened to that?
I feel like the first 60% of the book was setting up Will’s backstory. Then the next 20% was focussed on Will’s ex. Then the last 20% was where they finally got it together but just barely. I’m really, really disappointed 💔
Ack!! Sage and Will’s story was one teased in Book 2 and I was looking forward to it because it held so much promise and sweetness. Unfortunately, the actual story line here was rather underwhelming ☹️
I get slowburn and when done right, I’m often salivating for it. But this slowburn...was basically just slow and I can’t help but find myself losing track of the plot altogether.
In the previous book, Sage was such a mysterious and complex character. In this book, I see no hints of his complex character. I mean, wasn’t he touch averse or something? What happened to that?
I feel like the first 60% of the book was setting up Will’s backstory. Then the next 20% was focussed on Will’s ex. Then the last 20% was where they finally got it together but just barely. I’m really, really disappointed 💔
September 12, 2019
4-4.5 stars
LOVE this series. These guys are just great. I kind of wish the beginning of each novel didn't "go back" through different times we have seen, though I understand why it does. This was slowest of the slow burns, but it also fit with the characters. There was a little drama, but not too much. Will continue this series. Have the next one all lined up
LOVE this series. These guys are just great. I kind of wish the beginning of each novel didn't "go back" through different times we have seen, though I understand why it does. This was slowest of the slow burns, but it also fit with the characters. There was a little drama, but not too much. Will continue this series. Have the next one all lined up
August 13, 2019
*2.5 stars*
Disappointed....Sage seemed so intriguing in the previous book but here, he was running so hot and cold he gave me whiplash. But the biggest problem for me was Will. There are not enough words to describe how big of a doormat he was (regarding his ex). No excuses for him, not when there's a kid in the mix. Also, his relationship with his little sister was left unexplored.
All in all, I find that this overlapping style with these books is problematic. If you haven't read the previous books, you 're missing stuff while important things that happened in the other books don't appear in the next ones. Does this make sense? For example, in the previous book Nico became an important person in Sage's life. Where was Nico now, in Sage's book?
Anyway, I have higher hopes for the next one...
Disappointed....Sage seemed so intriguing in the previous book but here, he was running so hot and cold he gave me whiplash. But the biggest problem for me was Will. There are not enough words to describe how big of a doormat he was (regarding his ex). No excuses for him, not when there's a kid in the mix. Also, his relationship with his little sister was left unexplored.
All in all, I find that this overlapping style with these books is problematic. If you haven't read the previous books, you 're missing stuff while important things that happened in the other books don't appear in the next ones. Does this make sense? For example, in the previous book Nico became an important person in Sage's life. Where was Nico now, in Sage's book?
Anyway, I have higher hopes for the next one...
July 12, 2025
I had been looking forward to Sage's story, but I felt a little... meh.
I don't even know what it was about it, I just know that I didn't like it as much as the others.
Oh well. I still think I'm going to keep going with this series. Hopefully I'll like the next book more.
I don't even know what it was about it, I just know that I didn't like it as much as the others.
Oh well. I still think I'm going to keep going with this series. Hopefully I'll like the next book more.
June 12, 2023
Maybe Sage and Will is my fave couple in the series so far? 🤔 Of course, it's just the 3rd book but it hurt me for these damaged babies too much 🥺
June 3, 2019
I'm sad to say that I found myself a little bored with this installment.. A lot happens off-page, and at times it felt like I was missing some essential events or thought processes.
At the same time, I don't feel like Sage behaved the way I would expect. I would have expected him to grieve and push Will away, but then he kinda does a 180 all of a sudden and everything is peachy. At the same time, I had a hard time seeing Will's personality with someone like Joe.
Lastly, having read the previous installments, I was excited to see pining, UST, and Will coming together with Molly, but my expectations weren't really met.
At the same time, I don't feel like Sage behaved the way I would expect. I would have expected him to grieve and push Will away, but then he kinda does a 180 all of a sudden and everything is peachy. At the same time, I had a hard time seeing Will's personality with someone like Joe.
Lastly, having read the previous installments, I was excited to see pining, UST, and Will coming together with Molly, but my expectations weren't really met.
October 11, 2021
I've quite enjoyed this series so far, this however fell short for me. It was slow, so slow and took all these side roads to get to the final hea. Some of the beats felt off as well, for example it took the MC's a long time to get together and when they finally did, the author threw in a ton of sex scenes at the last 80 percent.
The worst part was how confusing this book felt after reading the first two books. They are all happening at the same time so events from the previous books haven't yet happened in this one. I couldn't really wrap my hand around that throughout the book.
The worst part was how confusing this book felt after reading the first two books. They are all happening at the same time so events from the previous books haven't yet happened in this one. I couldn't really wrap my hand around that throughout the book.
July 28, 2023
3 Stars
I have very mixed feelings about this series and the author's books in general. I've determined that their writing style just doesn't seem to work for me, no matter how many second chances I give it.
That doesn't mean any of their books are bad - because they're not. I do find them frustrating, though. This one in particular was so fucking slow that it drove me up a wall. I hate how each book in this series is happening at the same time because it means that at the beginning of each book, we go back in time in order to "catch up" to where the last book ended.
They also give off a distinct "trying too hard" vibe that doesn't work for me. I liked both Will and Sage (except for wishy washy back and forth part) but not enough to outweigh the poor pacing of the plot.
Will's ex, Joe, can go choke on rocks.
I'd like to finish this series, as I own some of them, but I'm going to have to save them for when I can better tolerate the writing style.
Standalone - Read series in order:
Book 1: Free Hand → 3 Stars
Book 2: Blank Canvas → 3.5 Stars
Book 3: American Traditional → 3 Stars
Book 4: Bio-Mechanical → did not read
Book 5: Stick and Poke → did not read
Book 6: Scarification → did not read
Book 7: Scratcher → did not read
Book 8: Ornamental → did not read
I have very mixed feelings about this series and the author's books in general. I've determined that their writing style just doesn't seem to work for me, no matter how many second chances I give it.
That doesn't mean any of their books are bad - because they're not. I do find them frustrating, though. This one in particular was so fucking slow that it drove me up a wall. I hate how each book in this series is happening at the same time because it means that at the beginning of each book, we go back in time in order to "catch up" to where the last book ended.
They also give off a distinct "trying too hard" vibe that doesn't work for me. I liked both Will and Sage (except for wishy washy back and forth part) but not enough to outweigh the poor pacing of the plot.
Will's ex, Joe, can go choke on rocks.
I'd like to finish this series, as I own some of them, but I'm going to have to save them for when I can better tolerate the writing style.
Standalone - Read series in order:
Book 1: Free Hand → 3 Stars
Book 2: Blank Canvas → 3.5 Stars
Book 3: American Traditional → 3 Stars
Book 4: Bio-Mechanical → did not read
Book 5: Stick and Poke → did not read
Book 6: Scarification → did not read
Book 7: Scratcher → did not read
Book 8: Ornamental → did not read
July 15, 2019
Just not my favorite
This volume runs mostly concurrent with book two and I highly recommend reading at least that one first. The narrative is a tad crowded with the other characters from the shop. I still can’t remember who the heII Wyatt is or where he came from. I confess up front that the mourning widower trope is not a favorite of mine, especially someone clinging to it for years. It may only be my perspective but it felt as if the back and forth from Sage went on way too long. He needed a better therapist or something. I was able to identify better with Will, especially when it came to his handling of Joe. If you really like slow burn, this story provides it in super slo-mo. I can’t say I sensed the UST between them well, with Sage blowing hot and cold and so many other events going on. The really solid romantic content was mostly confined to the last 20% and there’s a HEA epilogue. Everything I’ve mentioned is simply personal and subjective; the quality of the writing remains as good as ever and I’m likely in the minority for ratings!
This volume runs mostly concurrent with book two and I highly recommend reading at least that one first. The narrative is a tad crowded with the other characters from the shop. I still can’t remember who the heII Wyatt is or where he came from. I confess up front that the mourning widower trope is not a favorite of mine, especially someone clinging to it for years. It may only be my perspective but it felt as if the back and forth from Sage went on way too long. He needed a better therapist or something. I was able to identify better with Will, especially when it came to his handling of Joe. If you really like slow burn, this story provides it in super slo-mo. I can’t say I sensed the UST between them well, with Sage blowing hot and cold and so many other events going on. The really solid romantic content was mostly confined to the last 20% and there’s a HEA epilogue. Everything I’ve mentioned is simply personal and subjective; the quality of the writing remains as good as ever and I’m likely in the minority for ratings!
May 10, 2024
I recently read Lindsey's Eight Dates, and I think it skewed my view of the rest of their work. In Eight Dates one of the MCs has a succession of awful blind dates, set up by his brother. And by awful, I mean stuff like bodily harm: Each time the bartender saves him, and things go from there.
After a while the MC suffering through these dates puts his foot down - I will suffer no more! But the bartender asks him to finish out the dates, to go through more of these awful situations, so that the bartender can rush in and save him. And guess what - the MC says, 'sure'.
What I took away from this is that Lindsey will put their characters through the wringer for the sake of drama, or more pages, even when it doesn't make emotional sense. What kind of romance MC says, 'please willingly suffer more to boost my ego'?
Now, American Traditional doesn't go that far. But there are still some points where I took a figurative step back and thought, what is the point of this new round of suffering? Is it furthering the relationship, illuminating how a character ticks, helping the plot get from A to B? A few too many times I didn't see the point of the heartache, which made me think of Eight Dates all over again.
I may come back to this series and Lindsey at some point, but I think it's time for a break.
After a while the MC suffering through these dates puts his foot down - I will suffer no more! But the bartender asks him to finish out the dates, to go through more of these awful situations, so that the bartender can rush in and save him. And guess what - the MC says, 'sure'.
What I took away from this is that Lindsey will put their characters through the wringer for the sake of drama, or more pages, even when it doesn't make emotional sense. What kind of romance MC says, 'please willingly suffer more to boost my ego'?
Now, American Traditional doesn't go that far. But there are still some points where I took a figurative step back and thought, what is the point of this new round of suffering? Is it furthering the relationship, illuminating how a character ticks, helping the plot get from A to B? A few too many times I didn't see the point of the heartache, which made me think of Eight Dates all over again.
I may come back to this series and Lindsey at some point, but I think it's time for a break.
February 6, 2022
~~~~
Sie hielten den Blick des anderen fest, nur wenige Zentimeter voneinander entfernt, und Sage biss sich auf die Unterlippe. Schmetterlinge tanzten in seinem Bauch, als er sah, wie sich Wills Pupillen weiteten und seine Lippen brannten unter der Sehnsucht, den Abstand zwischen ihnen zu verringern. „Sage“, murmelte Will.
*seufz 🥰❤️*
~~~~
Und wieder einmal hat die Autorin mich, diesmal mit Sages & Wills Story, total gefangen genommen. Sages Lebensgeschichte, war ja schon durch die ersten beiden Bände bekannt und auch Will wurde schon erwähnt… jetzt auch seine Story zu erfahren und mitzuerleben, wie die beiden ihren beschwerlichen Weg ins Glück finden, war unglaublich berührend, traurig und hat auch ein wenig Wut erzeugt.. denn Will’s Nachgiebigkeit und Naivität, hat mich soooo sauer gemacht! Ich wollte ihn echt schütteln und ihn anmotzen, wie er auf das schmale Brett kommt…🤯😤
…naja, lest selbst. Ich will euch ja nicht zu viel verraten! 🤐😌😂❤️
Auch der dritte Band, aus der Irons and Works Reihe war wunderschön und ich kann euch die dramatischen und ans Herz gehenden Geschichten der Jungs nur empfehlen! 🥰
Sie hielten den Blick des anderen fest, nur wenige Zentimeter voneinander entfernt, und Sage biss sich auf die Unterlippe. Schmetterlinge tanzten in seinem Bauch, als er sah, wie sich Wills Pupillen weiteten und seine Lippen brannten unter der Sehnsucht, den Abstand zwischen ihnen zu verringern. „Sage“, murmelte Will.
*seufz 🥰❤️*
~~~~
Und wieder einmal hat die Autorin mich, diesmal mit Sages & Wills Story, total gefangen genommen. Sages Lebensgeschichte, war ja schon durch die ersten beiden Bände bekannt und auch Will wurde schon erwähnt… jetzt auch seine Story zu erfahren und mitzuerleben, wie die beiden ihren beschwerlichen Weg ins Glück finden, war unglaublich berührend, traurig und hat auch ein wenig Wut erzeugt.. denn Will’s Nachgiebigkeit und Naivität, hat mich soooo sauer gemacht! Ich wollte ihn echt schütteln und ihn anmotzen, wie er auf das schmale Brett kommt…🤯😤
…naja, lest selbst. Ich will euch ja nicht zu viel verraten! 🤐😌😂❤️
Auch der dritte Band, aus der Irons and Works Reihe war wunderschön und ich kann euch die dramatischen und ans Herz gehenden Geschichten der Jungs nur empfehlen! 🥰
January 26, 2024
Qui conosciamo meglio Sage Osbourne, il fratello gemello di Derek.
Sage insieme a suo fratello sono usciti da un infanzia complicata e traumatica, da parte del loro padre, ha perso anche l'amore della sua vita. Non cerca una relazione fissa però da quando ha conosciuto Will si sente diverso.
Will Rahman è stato diseredato e disconosciuto dai propri genitori dispotici e trasferendosi in un'altro paese ha aperto una caffetteria.
Per un incidente accorso ai suoi genitori è diventato tutore della sua sorellina Molly.
Tra Sage e Will non sarà tutto rose e fiori, anche perché Will vive una relazione tossica, violenta e abusiva e Sage non vuole soffrire ancora.
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖
Sage insieme a suo fratello sono usciti da un infanzia complicata e traumatica, da parte del loro padre, ha perso anche l'amore della sua vita. Non cerca una relazione fissa però da quando ha conosciuto Will si sente diverso.
Will Rahman è stato diseredato e disconosciuto dai propri genitori dispotici e trasferendosi in un'altro paese ha aperto una caffetteria.
Per un incidente accorso ai suoi genitori è diventato tutore della sua sorellina Molly.
Tra Sage e Will non sarà tutto rose e fiori, anche perché Will vive una relazione tossica, violenta e abusiva e Sage non vuole soffrire ancora.
Consigliato 💖💖💖💖
May 30, 2021
3.5 von 5 *
Sage scheint seine Vergangenheit überwunden zu haben, doch er trauert noch immer um seinen Verlobten. Das macht es ihm unmöglich sich auf einen neuen Mann einzulassen. Es gibt da jedoch Will, den er sehr gern mag. Und er würde ihm auch gern näher kommen. Doch auch Will hat eine Vergangenheit. Und diese holt ihn immer wieder ein, auch wenn er sie versucht abzuschütteln.
Die Geschichte von Sage und Will wird in den vorigen Bänden der Serie ja schon angedeutet. Leider konnte sie für mich nicht das halten, was sie versprochen hat. Die Autorin begibt sich in die Vergangenheit der Männer um so ihre gegenwärtige Verfassung, ihre Ängste und Sorgen besser zu erklären. Leider hängen sie beide noch sehr in ihrer Vergangenheit und machen sich damit die Gegenwart und auch die Zukunft sehr schwer.
Generell fand ich beide Helden sehr schwerfällig und teilweise unfassbar anstrengend. Dabei kann ich gar nicht sagen, wer mir da mehr auf die Nerven gegangen ist. Grundsätzlich habe ich kein Problem mit 'schweren' Stoffen und Slow Burn. Hier jedoch musste ich mich zeitweise wirklich zwingen weiterzulesen. Einige Handlungsstränge hätten etwas Spannung bringen können, wurden dann aber nicht weiterverfolgt. Das hat die Geschichte nicht unbedingt vorangebracht oder spannender gemacht. Da wurde Potential vergeben.
Die Übersetzung ist wieder gut gelungen und es gab ja auch ein Wiedersehen mit der 'Familie', was das Buch am Ende für mich noch gerettet hat. Als Paar konnten Sage und Will mich aber nur bedingt überzeugen.
Sage scheint seine Vergangenheit überwunden zu haben, doch er trauert noch immer um seinen Verlobten. Das macht es ihm unmöglich sich auf einen neuen Mann einzulassen. Es gibt da jedoch Will, den er sehr gern mag. Und er würde ihm auch gern näher kommen. Doch auch Will hat eine Vergangenheit. Und diese holt ihn immer wieder ein, auch wenn er sie versucht abzuschütteln.
Die Geschichte von Sage und Will wird in den vorigen Bänden der Serie ja schon angedeutet. Leider konnte sie für mich nicht das halten, was sie versprochen hat. Die Autorin begibt sich in die Vergangenheit der Männer um so ihre gegenwärtige Verfassung, ihre Ängste und Sorgen besser zu erklären. Leider hängen sie beide noch sehr in ihrer Vergangenheit und machen sich damit die Gegenwart und auch die Zukunft sehr schwer.
Generell fand ich beide Helden sehr schwerfällig und teilweise unfassbar anstrengend. Dabei kann ich gar nicht sagen, wer mir da mehr auf die Nerven gegangen ist. Grundsätzlich habe ich kein Problem mit 'schweren' Stoffen und Slow Burn. Hier jedoch musste ich mich zeitweise wirklich zwingen weiterzulesen. Einige Handlungsstränge hätten etwas Spannung bringen können, wurden dann aber nicht weiterverfolgt. Das hat die Geschichte nicht unbedingt vorangebracht oder spannender gemacht. Da wurde Potential vergeben.
Die Übersetzung ist wieder gut gelungen und es gab ja auch ein Wiedersehen mit der 'Familie', was das Buch am Ende für mich noch gerettet hat. Als Paar konnten Sage und Will mich aber nur bedingt überzeugen.
January 14, 2020
Slow slow slow burn. Dont get me wrong i love a slow buring relationship. I think my brain got hung up on just wanting these guys to be friends. Idk. Something just didnt flip in my head to have them together. I enjoyed both of them, i loved Molly and liked when they were all together but something was missing.
June 10, 2019
The overlapping style in this series can get frustrating at times expecially if you have read the previous books. Overall I liked it and I enjoyed the development of the relationship. There is nothing rushed. It was good.
January 29, 2020
... I don't really know why I'm still reading these.
October 30, 2023
4.75/5 Stars
American Traditional is the third book in E.M. Lindsey's Irons and Works series. It takes place in a small Colorado town, and centers around characters that work in an inclusive tattoo shop. It's a M/M slowburn romance with a guaranteed happily ever after, no cheating, and mental health and disability representation. Please review the content and trigger warnings, and take care of yourself while reading. Although I do think these could be read as standalones, they're best enjoyed in order as there's overlapping timelines and details.
Although Sage still carries the trauma that him and his twin Derek share from their childhood, Sage Osbourne carries something else - grief. After losing Teddy, the love of his life, he's rebuilt an existence at Irons and Works and resigned himself to being alone. Will Rahman is estranged from his family after he changed career paths. While he desperately tries to escape his abusive ex-boyfriend, he finally opens his dream café down the street from Irons and Works. When they first meet, something shifts in Sage. Something that feels awfully like hope. Sage tutors Will's little sister, and the two men grow closer. Both are held back by the pain they carry from their pasts, but with some honest conversations and vulnerability, perhaps they can build a future together.
Although this has been the slowest burning story in the series yet, it's probably my favourite so far! E.M. Lindsey has gifted us another beautiful story with two protagonists you can't help but love. This books continues to have hurt/comfort vibes (seriously, when Sage details his trips back to Arizona to visit Teddy's grave, my heart physically hurt for him) and found family. This book takes place during the same time as the first two (we get a lovely little meeting with Sam and Will at the child services building) and I always enjoy getting the perspective from other characters.
After meeting Sage in Derek's book, I was so excited to read his story and I wasn't disappointed. He couldn't be more different than Derek which I enjoyed. His grief was so palpable and felt so realistically portrayed. That's one thing I really like about Lindsey's books - they feel messy and realistic, and of course her diversity and representation is always on point. Will was an awesome new character, and we got a quick meeting with him in Sam's book when they went to have a coffee in his café that I wish was a real place I could go to. Will is struggling to fully rid himself of an abusive relationship. Although I was definitely wanting to shake him when he started seeing that awful man again, I do think it was another realistic portrayal of the different ways domestic violence can present itself.
This was slower burn, with the couple not truly coming together until closer to the end of the book. Given the challenges they were facing, I think this was fitting for the story. I really enjoyed this one, and I had a hard time getting it down. We got to meet Wyatt a little more, and I'm really looking forward to his story in a couple books. When he snarked Will's horrible ex in French-Canadian? Yes! I was cheering. This series is great!
American Traditional is the third book in E.M. Lindsey's Irons and Works series. It takes place in a small Colorado town, and centers around characters that work in an inclusive tattoo shop. It's a M/M slowburn romance with a guaranteed happily ever after, no cheating, and mental health and disability representation. Please review the content and trigger warnings, and take care of yourself while reading. Although I do think these could be read as standalones, they're best enjoyed in order as there's overlapping timelines and details.
Although Sage still carries the trauma that him and his twin Derek share from their childhood, Sage Osbourne carries something else - grief. After losing Teddy, the love of his life, he's rebuilt an existence at Irons and Works and resigned himself to being alone. Will Rahman is estranged from his family after he changed career paths. While he desperately tries to escape his abusive ex-boyfriend, he finally opens his dream café down the street from Irons and Works. When they first meet, something shifts in Sage. Something that feels awfully like hope. Sage tutors Will's little sister, and the two men grow closer. Both are held back by the pain they carry from their pasts, but with some honest conversations and vulnerability, perhaps they can build a future together.
"Can you come with me back to my place?" Will asked. "I just need to be somewhere else. With you."
It was absolutely no struggle for Sage to say yes.
Although this has been the slowest burning story in the series yet, it's probably my favourite so far! E.M. Lindsey has gifted us another beautiful story with two protagonists you can't help but love. This books continues to have hurt/comfort vibes (seriously, when Sage details his trips back to Arizona to visit Teddy's grave, my heart physically hurt for him) and found family. This book takes place during the same time as the first two (we get a lovely little meeting with Sam and Will at the child services building) and I always enjoy getting the perspective from other characters.
After meeting Sage in Derek's book, I was so excited to read his story and I wasn't disappointed. He couldn't be more different than Derek which I enjoyed. His grief was so palpable and felt so realistically portrayed. That's one thing I really like about Lindsey's books - they feel messy and realistic, and of course her diversity and representation is always on point. Will was an awesome new character, and we got a quick meeting with him in Sam's book when they went to have a coffee in his café that I wish was a real place I could go to. Will is struggling to fully rid himself of an abusive relationship. Although I was definitely wanting to shake him when he started seeing that awful man again, I do think it was another realistic portrayal of the different ways domestic violence can present itself.
This was slower burn, with the couple not truly coming together until closer to the end of the book. Given the challenges they were facing, I think this was fitting for the story. I really enjoyed this one, and I had a hard time getting it down. We got to meet Wyatt a little more, and I'm really looking forward to his story in a couple books. When he snarked Will's horrible ex in French-Canadian? Yes! I was cheering. This series is great!
December 29, 2023
La storia di Sage e Will mi ha colpita su molto fronti. Li ho amati tutti e due tantissimo, ma se per Sage quel sentimento è stato solido e marmoreo, senza mai cedimenti, con Will mi sono arrabbiata, l'ho biasimato, così come, poi, l'ho perdonato.
Ancora una volta questə autorə ha saputo catturare tutta la mia attenzione, portandomi nel cuore di una piccolissima comunità, che ha fatto dell'amicizia, dell'amore e del supporto reciproco il suo credo.
La narrazione è fluida e coinvolgente, il passare del tempo è scandito da mille piccoli e grandi eventi, mentre i sentimenti hanno il tempo di svilupparsi e crescere e gli animi quello di guarite.
Splendida la figura della piccola Molly, così vera e credibile con i suoi sbalzi di umore e la sua dolcezza.
Il tema delle relazioni tossiche e dell'abuso emotivo è affrontato con chiarezza dura, priva di indulgenza e, proprio grazie a questo, la carica emotiva che mi ha colpita è stata simile ad un piccolo terremoto.
Un bellissimo romanzo e una bellissima serie, che tratta sempre argomenti diversi, lasciando ampio spazio alle riflessioni personali. Davvero grazie alla @quixoteedizioni per averla portata in Italia.
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
Ancora una volta questə autorə ha saputo catturare tutta la mia attenzione, portandomi nel cuore di una piccolissima comunità, che ha fatto dell'amicizia, dell'amore e del supporto reciproco il suo credo.
La narrazione è fluida e coinvolgente, il passare del tempo è scandito da mille piccoli e grandi eventi, mentre i sentimenti hanno il tempo di svilupparsi e crescere e gli animi quello di guarite.
Splendida la figura della piccola Molly, così vera e credibile con i suoi sbalzi di umore e la sua dolcezza.
Il tema delle relazioni tossiche e dell'abuso emotivo è affrontato con chiarezza dura, priva di indulgenza e, proprio grazie a questo, la carica emotiva che mi ha colpita è stata simile ad un piccolo terremoto.
Un bellissimo romanzo e una bellissima serie, che tratta sempre argomenti diversi, lasciando ampio spazio alle riflessioni personali. Davvero grazie alla @quixoteedizioni per averla portata in Italia.
4 stelle e mezzo
Hugs&kisses
April 23, 2021
»Unser Glück auf deiner Haut« ist der 3. Band der »Irons and Works«-Reihe und ich muss sagen, die Bücher gefallen mir bisher ausnahmslos gut. Vielleicht liegt es an der Ruhe, mit der sie erzählt werden, was auch immer es ist, ich hoffe, die Autorin bleibt dabei.
Denn auch die Geschichte um Sage und Will kommt, mal abgesehen von Will stalkendem Ex, fast ganz ohne Drama aus und legt viel Wert auf die Charaktere und ihre Geschichten. Sowohl Sages Verlust als auch Wills Ex hindern beide lange Zeit daran, dem, was sich zwischen ihnen entwickelt, wirklich zu vertrauen, aber wie auch schon in den ersten Bänden sind die Freunde und Familie zur Stelle, um ihnen dezente Schubser in die richtige Richtung zu geben und den Männern damit zu zeigen, dass sie ihren Gefühlen ruhig vertrauen dürfen.
Die beiden brauchen viel Zeit, um sich zu finden, und sie treten auch beide das ein ums andere Mal aus Angst in Fettnäpfchen, doch ihre gegenseitige Anziehung ist am Ende stärker und schließlich finden sie den Mut, den Weg in Zukunft gemeinsam zu gehen. Oder besser gesagt zu dritt. ;-)
Fazit: Wieder mal eine wunderschöne Geschichte um Trauer, Angst und vor allem um die Liebe und um das Erkennen, dass man nicht blutsverwandt sein muss, um zu einer Familie zu gehören.
Denn auch die Geschichte um Sage und Will kommt, mal abgesehen von Will stalkendem Ex, fast ganz ohne Drama aus und legt viel Wert auf die Charaktere und ihre Geschichten. Sowohl Sages Verlust als auch Wills Ex hindern beide lange Zeit daran, dem, was sich zwischen ihnen entwickelt, wirklich zu vertrauen, aber wie auch schon in den ersten Bänden sind die Freunde und Familie zur Stelle, um ihnen dezente Schubser in die richtige Richtung zu geben und den Männern damit zu zeigen, dass sie ihren Gefühlen ruhig vertrauen dürfen.
Die beiden brauchen viel Zeit, um sich zu finden, und sie treten auch beide das ein ums andere Mal aus Angst in Fettnäpfchen, doch ihre gegenseitige Anziehung ist am Ende stärker und schließlich finden sie den Mut, den Weg in Zukunft gemeinsam zu gehen. Oder besser gesagt zu dritt. ;-)
Fazit: Wieder mal eine wunderschöne Geschichte um Trauer, Angst und vor allem um die Liebe und um das Erkennen, dass man nicht blutsverwandt sein muss, um zu einer Familie zu gehören.
February 14, 2023
This one was good for the most part, but man was it slow. Like super uber slow. Part of it was we went back in time with Sage. We already knew a lot of this from Sam and Niko's book, so rehashing it just didn't work well for me.
Will I liked but there were parts I just wanted to scream at him some. Like taking Joe back again??? Really?? By this point in the book, I really felt like he was more mature, or grown-up or whatever word you want to add in there.
I don't mind angst in books, but at some point, these characters have to pull up their boxers and grow the hell up. They did that at the 85% mark or so...Sigh
The epilogue was good, but I wanted more after feeling like I was deprived so much during the actual book.
Will I liked but there were parts I just wanted to scream at him some. Like taking Joe back again??? Really?? By this point in the book, I really felt like he was more mature, or grown-up or whatever word you want to add in there.
I don't mind angst in books, but at some point, these characters have to pull up their boxers and grow the hell up. They did that at the 85% mark or so...Sigh
The epilogue was good, but I wanted more after feeling like I was deprived so much during the actual book.
May 14, 2021
3,5 Sterne, aufgerundet weil ich die Serie insgesamt so mag.
Darum geht's:
Es ist schon sechs Jahre her, dass Sages Verlobter gestorben ist und doch trauert er noch immer. Eine neue Liebe kann er sich nicht vorstellen, bis er Will kennenlernt, der in der Nähe des Tattoostudios ein Cafe eröffnet hat. Will selbst hat mit der Eröffnung des Cafes und einem Exfreund, der ein Nein nicht akzeptieren kann, eigentlich genug zu tun. Plötzlich soll er sich auch noch um eine viel jüngere Schwester kümmern, die er noch nie getroffen hat. Und Sage, der Wills Interesse geweckt hat, sendet einmal heiße und einmal kalte Signale in Richtung Will.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
Darum geht's:
Es ist schon sechs Jahre her, dass Sages Verlobter gestorben ist und doch trauert er noch immer. Eine neue Liebe kann er sich nicht vorstellen, bis er Will kennenlernt, der in der Nähe des Tattoostudios ein Cafe eröffnet hat. Will selbst hat mit der Eröffnung des Cafes und einem Exfreund, der ein Nein nicht akzeptieren kann, eigentlich genug zu tun. Plötzlich soll er sich auch noch um eine viel jüngere Schwester kümmern, die er noch nie getroffen hat. Und Sage, der Wills Interesse geweckt hat, sendet einmal heiße und einmal kalte Signale in Richtung Will.
Meine Meinung dazu gibt’s hier
November 12, 2022
I've been waiting for Sage's book since I read the first one in this series and I am so happy he got to find his happy ending <3 Will was an absolute joy to read too.
The only thing I didn't entire vibe with was the same thing with the second book, for most of the book the couple is not exactly together so I feel like there was more build up than moments of them together which isn't something I like. I like reading stories where the couple is established earlier. It was still a good read though!!
The only thing I didn't entire vibe with was the same thing with the second book, for most of the book the couple is not exactly together so I feel like there was more build up than moments of them together which isn't something I like. I like reading stories where the couple is established earlier. It was still a good read though!!
July 2, 2020
Ruhig erzählte Geschichte.
Es ist sehr berührnd, wie Sage, der nach außen so stark wirkt, an sich zweifelt. Will versucht sein Bestes, macht aber einmal einen fatalen Fehler. Die beiden brauchen ihre Zeit, um zueinander zu finden.
Es ist sehr berührnd, wie Sage, der nach außen so stark wirkt, an sich zweifelt. Will versucht sein Bestes, macht aber einmal einen fatalen Fehler. Die beiden brauchen ihre Zeit, um zueinander zu finden.
October 15, 2022
3.5 🌟
Tw: grief, abusive relationship
Tw: grief, abusive relationship
June 8, 2020
I liked Sage, but there were a few reasons why I didn't really care for Will.
And of course, this book also takes place during the same overlapping time period as the previous two books, so it was a little repetitive reading about Sage's life, especially pertaining to his father.
Also, it tells us that James and Rowan have been seeing each other for a while, which was a bit of a spoiler alert, since their book is the next book in the series and they haven't really had any page time together up to this point.
The editing was also a little messy, compared to other books I've read from EM Lindsey. Not a lot, but enough that I took note.
I'm going to take a break from this series for a bit, because I honestly am a bit annoyed at having a series that all takes place at approximately the same point in time, so that you end up reading so much of the same stuff over and over and over and over.
And of course, this book also takes place during the same overlapping time period as the previous two books, so it was a little repetitive reading about Sage's life, especially pertaining to his father.
Also, it tells us that James and Rowan have been seeing each other for a while, which was a bit of a spoiler alert, since their book is the next book in the series and they haven't really had any page time together up to this point.
The editing was also a little messy, compared to other books I've read from EM Lindsey. Not a lot, but enough that I took note.
I'm going to take a break from this series for a bit, because I honestly am a bit annoyed at having a series that all takes place at approximately the same point in time, so that you end up reading so much of the same stuff over and over and over and over.
March 30, 2020
I think I'm in an abusive relationship with this series. They are so sweet to at times (characters, hurt/comfort, relationships, sex scenes, found/chosen family), but other times they ignore me (missing scenes, weird transitions, odd characterizations) and hurt me (bad writing, dropped story lines, characters that we are supposed to know that drop in and say something and then are never heard from again). I hate these books. I love these books. I hate this author. I love this author.
I can't keep doing this. Yet I can't walk away...
I can't keep doing this. Yet I can't walk away...
February 17, 2023
I liked the first half of American Traditional a lot more than the second half... There were a few issues I couldn't get past, but the most shocking thing to me was a spoiler about the relationship in the next book. Why would you mention they've been seeing each other for a while before we get to their story?
That might be a personal preference, but I'm also getting tired of the overlaps between each book - the stories happen pretty much at the same time instead of picking up where the last book left off.
The good: Sage and Will's meeting and subsequent interactions were promising and held my attention. I didn't want to stop reading. I also enjoyed the epilogue. Just like in the last book, it ended on a good note (and I don't mean the HEA... more like despite the things I didn't enjoy in the book, I felt content when it ended). Oh, I also really liked the tutoring sessions between Sage and Molly, and how she immediately felt comfortable with him. It was heartwarming.
The bad: Despite a promising start, this was the slowest of slow burns. I don't mind a slow burn. But in this case, I didn't feel the unresolved tension and passion... It was just frustrating to see Sage and Will make choices that didn't make sense. Then when we got around the 85% mark, things got going pretty fast?! It felt weird to me, like the timing wasn't quite right for this sudden change in their relationship. Also, can we talk about Joe? I was annoyed at Will for not listening to Molly and trusting his instincts.
There's a few books I want to read next before picking up book 4 in the series, but I'm still curious to see how the next couple get together. I also can't wait to see what happens with Mat the straight guy (book 5)!
That might be a personal preference, but I'm also getting tired of the overlaps between each book - the stories happen pretty much at the same time instead of picking up where the last book left off.
The good: Sage and Will's meeting and subsequent interactions were promising and held my attention. I didn't want to stop reading. I also enjoyed the epilogue. Just like in the last book, it ended on a good note (and I don't mean the HEA... more like despite the things I didn't enjoy in the book, I felt content when it ended). Oh, I also really liked the tutoring sessions between Sage and Molly, and how she immediately felt comfortable with him. It was heartwarming.
The bad: Despite a promising start, this was the slowest of slow burns. I don't mind a slow burn. But in this case, I didn't feel the unresolved tension and passion... It was just frustrating to see Sage and Will make choices that didn't make sense. Then when we got around the 85% mark, things got going pretty fast?! It felt weird to me, like the timing wasn't quite right for this sudden change in their relationship. Also, can we talk about Joe? I was annoyed at Will for not listening to Molly and trusting his instincts.
There's a few books I want to read next before picking up book 4 in the series, but I'm still curious to see how the next couple get together. I also can't wait to see what happens with Mat the straight guy (book 5)!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 229 reviews