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Love in Eden #1
Always Mine
I had one reason for never going back to the small town I once called home, but I never guessed it would be the same one that made me want to stay...BrooksI grew up in the small town of Eden, Wyoming, but never really felt like I fit in.Until I met the one boy who changed all that.When we were kids, Xavier Price understood horses, but somehow, he got me too. He'd made me feel like I wasn't just the overdressed, too sensitive fifteen-year-old geek who loved math and didn't always say the right thing. But all that changed the night he threw my trust back in my face and betrayed my family in the worst kind of way.And while I'm back in Eden to make sure my uncle's horse ranch is operating in the black, the one thing I know I won't have to deal with is the man who'd been on the verge of stealing my heart ten years ago.Because Xavier Price is still in prison for what he did and even if he weren't, he wouldn't be foolish enough to show his face in Eden ever again.Right?XavierWrong.That's what returning to Eden after ten years behind bars feels like. But it wasn't like I had a whole lot of choices. And it wasn't like I was going to be handed any decent job offers, let alone my dream one of working with horses.But that's exactly what happened and now that I'm foreman of Black Hills Ranch, I'm not letting this job go for anything.Not even the spoiled little rich kid I'd thought was different when he'd glommed onto me ten years ago.I have no doubt Brooks Cunningham didn't wait long to move on to bigger and better things the second my jail cell was locked behind me, and that's just fine by me. I'd been wrong about the sweet, emotional boy who'd had a habit of wearing his heart on his sleeve anyway.Except fate has decided to have another go at me by tossing Brooks right back into my sometimes too small world. Gone is the scrawny, stars-in-his-eyes nerd who used to do math problems just for fun. In his place is a gorgeous specimen of a man who thinks he can go toe to toe with me and once again destroy everything I've worked for.Not happening.
240 pages, Paperback
First published June 17, 2019
828 people are currently reading
1605 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
June 19, 2019
When I found out that one of my favorite MM authors was coming with a new series... it made me happy as a hippo.
There haven't been so many great MM books out this year...it is slim pickings to be honest and I gotta say, I really needed this.
When I read the blurb, I figured I was in for a world of angst, but this wasn't really the case.
Xavier and Brooks were really good friends when they were in their teens. Different as they could be...they still formed some kind of instant connection. Brooks is a numbers boy, who loves solving math problems and the ranch owner's son. Xavier is more of a hands-on kind of kid and he is the son of the ranch manager.
Where Xavier goes...Brooks goes until the ultimate betrayal happens....but who is the one betrayed ??
Fast forward 10 years and these two will have to face one another again. Both of them are still chocking on their hurt and the betrayal, but neither of them knows the real/full truth...
No matter how much they try to hate and resent each other...their hearts have already chosen years ago...and what the heart wants, it will try to get.
These two have plenty of demons to fight, especially Xavier, but most of his past isn't described in detail. There are mostly hints about why he is the way he is today. As far as triggers go, this is a very mild book, compared to what I have read in the past by this author.
It is mostly about loss, betrayal, overcoming your hurt and learning to trust again.
I really enjoyed reading this one, though I have to be honest and also admit that I am on pins and needles to read the next "protectors" book. I am a sucker for angst, drama and some darkness. Which is why that series (and the spin-off) will always be my favorite.
That said... I am very curious about the second book, and I hope it will be Jules'. I have a feeling I am gonna love that guy....and his love-interest ;)
An ARC was provided to
in exchange for an honest review
May 2, 2025
Always Mine is a scorching enemies-to-lovers, opposites-attract story with a horse ranch setting, strong MCs, and great secondary characters. I loved Uncle Curtis!
There is a crime/suspense element to the plot (Xavier spent a decade in jail for the attempted murder of Brooks' father), which is not entirely believable but believable enough that I didn't care about the technicalities.
The book is very much relationship focused, and while I was frustrated with Brooks for being so blind (There are none so blind as those who will not see), I liked the two men together.
Unfortunately, the angst was ladled heavy-handed. This author has no off switch.
There is a crime/suspense element to the plot (Xavier spent a decade in jail for the attempted murder of Brooks' father), which is not entirely believable but believable enough that I didn't care about the technicalities.
The book is very much relationship focused, and while I was frustrated with Brooks for being so blind (There are none so blind as those who will not see), I liked the two men together.
Unfortunately, the angst was ladled heavy-handed. This author has no off switch.
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September 10, 2020
Always Mine is book one in the Love in Eden series by Sloane Kennedy. This is a M/M second chance romance. This is my very first book by Sloane and I am hooked!
Brooks Cunningham is twenty five years old and has rarely been back to Eden, Wyoming, in the last ten years, ever since “that night.” His Uncle Curtis is having problems with the finances on his horse ranch, Black Hills Ranch, and things are struggling. Brooks might not be cut out for roping horses or cattle, but he is good at numbers. If anyone can figure out the problem, he can.
Xavier Price is twenty six years old and is the ranch foreman of Black Hills Ranch. Curtis Sterling gave him a second chance after Xavier spent ten long years in prison. Now he just wants to do a good job, work with the horses, and stay out of trouble. He wants to prove to Curtis that he was worth taking a chance on.
Ten years ago, when Brooks was fifteen and Xavier was sixteen, Brooks had a huge crush on him. Xavier was so patient with him, taught him how to do things on the ranch. He followed him around constantly. He never thought Xavier could or would do what he did! That he could betray his family like he did. He deserved to be punished and he was. He thought that Xavier was still in prison. But when arrived at his uncle’s ranch, he hadn’t even made it to the front door when there he was. His voice sounded different, but one look into those eyes and he knew it was him.
As Xavier and Brooks try to come to terms with having to share living space, they are forced to face the past that threatens to overcome them both. There are so many secrets, so many unanswered questions. When Brooks walked away, he just closed it all off. What he is finding now is that he shouldn’t have. He should have asked questions. He should have looked further.
One thing that didn’t fade, maybe even grew stronger, was the attraction they both felt when they were teenagers. Only now that attraction comes with so many complications. Mainly that Brooks shouldn’t feel that way at all! How could he feel attracted to him after what he did?!
This is such a good book that kept me turning the pages all the way through. This author has such a beautiful way of telling this story. I couldn’t put it down. These two might have seemed mismatched at the beginning but in reality, they fit perfectly. I loved watching them fall all over again, but this time as grown men, not as naïve teenagers. I will definitely be reading more by this author. Next will be book #1.5 of this series, Tempting Fate: A Love in Eden Short. I can’t wait!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Brooks Cunningham is twenty five years old and has rarely been back to Eden, Wyoming, in the last ten years, ever since “that night.” His Uncle Curtis is having problems with the finances on his horse ranch, Black Hills Ranch, and things are struggling. Brooks might not be cut out for roping horses or cattle, but he is good at numbers. If anyone can figure out the problem, he can.
Xavier Price is twenty six years old and is the ranch foreman of Black Hills Ranch. Curtis Sterling gave him a second chance after Xavier spent ten long years in prison. Now he just wants to do a good job, work with the horses, and stay out of trouble. He wants to prove to Curtis that he was worth taking a chance on.
Ten years ago, when Brooks was fifteen and Xavier was sixteen, Brooks had a huge crush on him. Xavier was so patient with him, taught him how to do things on the ranch. He followed him around constantly. He never thought Xavier could or would do what he did! That he could betray his family like he did. He deserved to be punished and he was. He thought that Xavier was still in prison. But when arrived at his uncle’s ranch, he hadn’t even made it to the front door when there he was. His voice sounded different, but one look into those eyes and he knew it was him.
As Xavier and Brooks try to come to terms with having to share living space, they are forced to face the past that threatens to overcome them both. There are so many secrets, so many unanswered questions. When Brooks walked away, he just closed it all off. What he is finding now is that he shouldn’t have. He should have asked questions. He should have looked further.
One thing that didn’t fade, maybe even grew stronger, was the attraction they both felt when they were teenagers. Only now that attraction comes with so many complications. Mainly that Brooks shouldn’t feel that way at all! How could he feel attracted to him after what he did?!
This is such a good book that kept me turning the pages all the way through. This author has such a beautiful way of telling this story. I couldn’t put it down. These two might have seemed mismatched at the beginning but in reality, they fit perfectly. I loved watching them fall all over again, but this time as grown men, not as naïve teenagers. I will definitely be reading more by this author. Next will be book #1.5 of this series, Tempting Fate: A Love in Eden Short. I can’t wait!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
June 24, 2019
4.5 Silver Spoon Stars
Ten years ago, Brooks (15-year-old) and Xavier (16-year-old) were best friends. Xavier’s father worked in Brooks’s family ranch. Those days Brooks was a quiet, shy, nervous boy. He followed Xavier everywhere and Xavier had had this need to shield him and protect him from everything and everyone. He had always felt the need to keep him close to himself…
Now Brooks is coming back to see if the business is in trouble or not. That was when he sees Xavier again after ten years but now they are more like enemies than friends and their first meeting after these years starts with a punch in the face…
Well, this was my second read by this author and let me tell you that I couldn’t even finish my first read but this? I couldn’t put it down!! It was really good! I loved both characters (albeit sometimes I was frustrated by Brooks), not just them but the secondary ones as well! It’s an emotional angsty read. It’s a second chance novel and an enemies-to-lovers story. Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Love In Eden" series and it can be read as a standalone. Overall, loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Ten years ago, Brooks (15-year-old) and Xavier (16-year-old) were best friends. Xavier’s father worked in Brooks’s family ranch. Those days Brooks was a quiet, shy, nervous boy. He followed Xavier everywhere and Xavier had had this need to shield him and protect him from everything and everyone. He had always felt the need to keep him close to himself…
Now Brooks is coming back to see if the business is in trouble or not. That was when he sees Xavier again after ten years but now they are more like enemies than friends and their first meeting after these years starts with a punch in the face…
Well, this was my second read by this author and let me tell you that I couldn’t even finish my first read but this? I couldn’t put it down!! It was really good! I loved both characters (albeit sometimes I was frustrated by Brooks), not just them but the secondary ones as well! It’s an emotional angsty read. It’s a second chance novel and an enemies-to-lovers story. Told in dual POV, 1st person. It’s the first installment in the "Love In Eden" series and it can be read as a standalone. Overall, loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
November 2, 2019
Audio...4.5 stars
Story....4.25 stars
A new small town series by SK for me to fall in love with. 😍
Story....4.25 stars
A new small town series by SK for me to fall in love with. 😍
August 6, 2019
This book was so heartbreaking and love filled at the same time. Brooks and Xavier were like two puzzle pieces fitting together. Getting to the point of love took quite a journey! The hate sex..Holy Hotness! Hate turned to love and it was an amazing transformation as the story unfolded.
The HEA was perfect. Now I want book 2!!
The HEA was perfect. Now I want book 2!!
June 24, 2019
DNF@37%
I knew it was time to quit when the irritation was so much to handle that the voice in my head became one of Meghan Mccain. That particular voice where she becomes extra jarring and tries to appear like a ‘good student’. Yeah, I knew it was time.
This book has a very desperate plot, you know the kind where the author tries to complicate the story to such a level to make it seem like the telenovela of your life but it ends up being a deep puddle of nothing. I’m sure the plot will ‘progress’ but the most I read was just trying to make up a story and how someone should be feeling and not feeling and honestly, that strategy has never worked for me. Just let it play out. Don’t storytell us like we’re a bunch of kids. I didn’t like this at all!
I knew it was time to quit when the irritation was so much to handle that the voice in my head became one of Meghan Mccain. That particular voice where she becomes extra jarring and tries to appear like a ‘good student’. Yeah, I knew it was time.
This book has a very desperate plot, you know the kind where the author tries to complicate the story to such a level to make it seem like the telenovela of your life but it ends up being a deep puddle of nothing. I’m sure the plot will ‘progress’ but the most I read was just trying to make up a story and how someone should be feeling and not feeling and honestly, that strategy has never worked for me. Just let it play out. Don’t storytell us like we’re a bunch of kids. I didn’t like this at all!
July 29, 2019
Le pongo tres estrellas porque me ha entretenido mucho y sería injusto si le pusiera menos. Pero... madre mía lo que le gusta a esta señora el drama, los lloros y los momentos rolling eyes xD.
June 26, 2019
This was OK. The sex scenes in this were kinda hot but the characters lacked something and the plot was super over the top and stale. We have read this book so many times before. Yes, yes. It's the evil dad. It's always the evil dad with a clueless mom. Who didn't already know from reading the blurb that Xavier was falsely accused and/or protecting someone? And mid book it was telegraphed what he was probably protecting. But It was really hard to like either Xavier or Brooks. Xavier's behavior after their sexual encounters was unforgivable. I really didn't like Brooks; all his excuses and crying just bugged me. I get that he was 15 when everything went down but his refusal to confront difficult situations carried on into his adult life and made me really not feel that he was trustworthy. He felt extremely immature throughout the whole book.
This one wasn't for me. Not sure if I'll pick up with the next book.
This one wasn't for me. Not sure if I'll pick up with the next book.
June 21, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5 second chance stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This book was a nice surprise, I did not know about it until 2 days before release and Sloane Kennedy is one of my favourite m/m authors I discovered last year so I could not wait to buy this.
Always Mine is a beautiful story of two men evolving from being friends to enemies to lovers and having a second chance.
I love a good enemies to lovers story and Brooks and Xavier did not disappoint, these two together with all the tension, arguments and then the angry sex wow they were scorching.
Not knowing what happened that fateful night ten years ago made this a mystery, I had my suspicions and I was half way right but I missed the twist.
I loved Brooks and Xavier together, these two complete each other, I felt so much sadness for Xavier for everything he went through and is still suffering for.
Brooks could be annoying at times with all the tears considering the easy life he had compared to Xavier but he came through in the end and finally had the balls to stand up to his piece of shit father, HATE that f*cker.
I liked Uncle Curtis he is sneaky and I am looking forward to Jules and Flynn's story that should be interesting.
Missed reading this author, this one is less darker than her other series.
This book was a nice surprise, I did not know about it until 2 days before release and Sloane Kennedy is one of my favourite m/m authors I discovered last year so I could not wait to buy this.
Always Mine is a beautiful story of two men evolving from being friends to enemies to lovers and having a second chance.
I love a good enemies to lovers story and Brooks and Xavier did not disappoint, these two together with all the tension, arguments and then the angry sex wow they were scorching.
Not knowing what happened that fateful night ten years ago made this a mystery, I had my suspicions and I was half way right but I missed the twist.
I loved Brooks and Xavier together, these two complete each other, I felt so much sadness for Xavier for everything he went through and is still suffering for.
Brooks could be annoying at times with all the tears considering the easy life he had compared to Xavier but he came through in the end and finally had the balls to stand up to his piece of shit father, HATE that f*cker.
I liked Uncle Curtis he is sneaky and I am looking forward to Jules and Flynn's story that should be interesting.
Missed reading this author, this one is less darker than her other series.
November 17, 2019
The Story: 2.5 Pants Off
While this one wasn’t as annoying or offensive as the last SK book I read I still didn’t really enjoy it. The books are always just too formulaic 😫
The Narration: 3.75
Not bad!!
November 24, 2019
*3.5 stars*
I’m a happy reader...really. Let me explain : I’m a fan of Sloane Kennedy but lately, a couple of her books didn’t worked well for me and it sucked. So, it’s with great joy that I got my mojo back.
A ranch. Brook is 15, the son of the wealthy owner of that ranch, quiet and skittish. Xavier is 18, from a family that has a bad reputation, very good with horses. An unlikely pair, but it clicks… Until one fateful night !!!
Fast forward 10 years later.
Xavier, just out of jail, is back to the ranch. Brooke is taken by surprise, not very welcoming, but the hurt and betrayal he feels for Xavier is nothing compared to his need for him. It’s time for these 2 men to open up, to unleash their secrets and face the truth, so they can put that night behind.
Page turner : once again, I got totally immersed with the addictive tension pure Sloane Kennedy style, the emotions and the hotness I so love from her. It never (well, almost never) fail to grip me hard.
Granted, there was way too much crying for my taste (not from me, from the MCs), and the resolution, yes, dreamy, but too smooth and too fast to be likely, was a tiny bit anticlimactic, therefore the 3.5 stars, but because I’m so glad I got my treat back, I round it up, hehehe.
I’m a happy reader...really. Let me explain : I’m a fan of Sloane Kennedy but lately, a couple of her books didn’t worked well for me and it sucked. So, it’s with great joy that I got my mojo back.
A ranch. Brook is 15, the son of the wealthy owner of that ranch, quiet and skittish. Xavier is 18, from a family that has a bad reputation, very good with horses. An unlikely pair, but it clicks… Until one fateful night !!!
Fast forward 10 years later.
Xavier, just out of jail, is back to the ranch. Brooke is taken by surprise, not very welcoming, but the hurt and betrayal he feels for Xavier is nothing compared to his need for him. It’s time for these 2 men to open up, to unleash their secrets and face the truth, so they can put that night behind.
Page turner : once again, I got totally immersed with the addictive tension pure Sloane Kennedy style, the emotions and the hotness I so love from her. It never (well, almost never) fail to grip me hard.
Granted, there was way too much crying for my taste (not from me, from the MCs), and the resolution, yes, dreamy, but too smooth and too fast to be likely, was a tiny bit anticlimactic, therefore the 3.5 stars, but because I’m so glad I got my treat back, I round it up, hehehe.
July 23, 2019
4 Stars!! 😭😍.. Heart-breaking but I still loved it!!💘 Xavier and Brooks had a second chance love and boy the hate they had for each other which had festered for 10 years was quite something..😳 Made for some angry-hot-sex🔥💕🔥. But the back story was quite heart-breaking and although I immediately realized who the bad guy was, it took Brooks a long time to realize. The misunderstanding from 10 years ago was the dark cloud over their heads even when they started developing feelings for each other. I had a hard time forgiving Brooks, but Xavier didn't and therefore the HEA and Epilogue was well worth it. Highly recommended to all SK fans. 👍👍
May 30, 2025
Re-read on 30th May/25
I wanted to re-read this because it looks like the series picked up and I wanted to get to Jules' book.
This time around I'm rating it with 4⭐.
It's still a somewhat bittersweet and yet quite an emotional story for me. Xavier and Brooks are still good together. The hate sex was fantastic. The kinks were good. I had a problem with half of it being off-page though.
Could have been even better if Xavier had gotten his case resolved and his name cleared up, but that didn't happen on-page.
The ending and the epilogue could've given us more of that instead of just putting them happily together and giving them a house. I definitely needed more resolve there, also some kind of epilogue with Brooks' parents and Sara finding out Brooks was her half-brother, maybe also her father finding out?
All of these important things were completely left out. Why weren't they developed further? This is one of those books where I was actually missing those additional 100 pages.
It's still a good, heartwarming cowboy love story and it's worth the read.
I'll add that I don't like the cover at all. The guys in the book are 25 years old and look completely different.
I'm almost afraid to read Jules' book, since it doesn't really have stellar reviews.
____________________________________
Original review on 22nd Dec/22
4.5⭐ and rounding it up
This was such a wholesome story, I absolutely loved it. Picked it up by accident, I don't know the author and her work, so I said to myself sure, why not, because cowboys.
🟣 Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
🔵 Both gay
🟡 Age 15/16 to 25/26
🟢 A foreman/nerd
🔵 Rich/poor
🟠 Emotional story
🌶️ Good sex, half of it off-page; rough penetrative, rimming, oral, kissing; t/b hinting at vers
Xavier and Brooks first met when they were teenagers, when Brooks' father bought a ranch in a small town of Eden, Wyoming and Xavier and his family started working for them.
They had a crush on each other without the other knowing and it all came to a halt on one terrible evening, when the ranch's barn caught fire and Xavier was convicted for the fire and attempted murder, although wrongly.
When Xavier gets out of prison, he's on parole and is back at the ranch, working for Curtis, Brooks' gay uncle. He's traumatized from prison and fearsome, hardened and closed off, taking on the burden of having the whole town not liking him because of his conviction.
Brooks comes back to Eden to help his uncle sort out his finances and since he's been led to believe Xavier wanted to murder his father, well, them seeing each other again is far from perfect.
Brooks wants Xavier gone and is at the same time dealing with the strong attraction he feels towards him, and has felt since he met him.
The chemistry between these two was amazing. The relationship developed naturally and beautifully and as far as sex goes, I couldn't have wanted more, the author did a great job with it, it was everything I wanted to read.
Xavier and Brooks slowly unveiled the truth about that fateful night and now, a decade later and all grown up, found love that they should've explored and gotten years ago.
There were so many good side characters that I was hoping this was a series, but it appears the series didn't continue, because many of us are still waiting for Jules and Flynn's story, but I myself am also interested in uncle Curtis' story.
I really hope the author will continue the series and we get more of Xavier and Brooks. For now they live on the ranch, have their own house, are both out and very, very happy.
I wanted to re-read this because it looks like the series picked up and I wanted to get to Jules' book.
This time around I'm rating it with 4⭐.
It's still a somewhat bittersweet and yet quite an emotional story for me. Xavier and Brooks are still good together. The hate sex was fantastic. The kinks were good. I had a problem with half of it being off-page though.
Could have been even better if Xavier had gotten his case resolved and his name cleared up, but that didn't happen on-page.
The ending and the epilogue could've given us more of that instead of just putting them happily together and giving them a house. I definitely needed more resolve there, also some kind of epilogue with Brooks' parents and Sara finding out Brooks was her half-brother, maybe also her father finding out?
All of these important things were completely left out. Why weren't they developed further? This is one of those books where I was actually missing those additional 100 pages.
It's still a good, heartwarming cowboy love story and it's worth the read.
I'll add that I don't like the cover at all. The guys in the book are 25 years old and look completely different.
I'm almost afraid to read Jules' book, since it doesn't really have stellar reviews.
____________________________________
Original review on 22nd Dec/22
4.5⭐ and rounding it up
This was such a wholesome story, I absolutely loved it. Picked it up by accident, I don't know the author and her work, so I said to myself sure, why not, because cowboys.
🟣 Childhood friends to enemies to lovers
🔵 Both gay
🟡 Age 15/16 to 25/26
🟢 A foreman/nerd
🔵 Rich/poor
🟠 Emotional story
🌶️ Good sex, half of it off-page; rough penetrative, rimming, oral, kissing; t/b hinting at vers
Xavier and Brooks first met when they were teenagers, when Brooks' father bought a ranch in a small town of Eden, Wyoming and Xavier and his family started working for them.
They had a crush on each other without the other knowing and it all came to a halt on one terrible evening, when the ranch's barn caught fire and Xavier was convicted for the fire and attempted murder, although wrongly.
When Xavier gets out of prison, he's on parole and is back at the ranch, working for Curtis, Brooks' gay uncle. He's traumatized from prison and fearsome, hardened and closed off, taking on the burden of having the whole town not liking him because of his conviction.
Brooks comes back to Eden to help his uncle sort out his finances and since he's been led to believe Xavier wanted to murder his father, well, them seeing each other again is far from perfect.
Brooks wants Xavier gone and is at the same time dealing with the strong attraction he feels towards him, and has felt since he met him.
The chemistry between these two was amazing. The relationship developed naturally and beautifully and as far as sex goes, I couldn't have wanted more, the author did a great job with it, it was everything I wanted to read.
Xavier and Brooks slowly unveiled the truth about that fateful night and now, a decade later and all grown up, found love that they should've explored and gotten years ago.
There were so many good side characters that I was hoping this was a series, but it appears the series didn't continue, because many of us are still waiting for Jules and Flynn's story, but I myself am also interested in uncle Curtis' story.
I really hope the author will continue the series and we get more of Xavier and Brooks. For now they live on the ranch, have their own house, are both out and very, very happy.
dnf
June 11, 2023dnf @ 54%
✦ it's obvious from the start to the readers that Xavier didn't actually kill Brooks’s dad but that's not clear to Brooks. yet he's just oh so attracted to Xavier and starts having sex with him so early on in the book? idk it didn't make sense to me. like this guy killed your dad? okay then. i wish them getting intimate with each other happened a lot later in the story. it would have made this more believable to me.
✦ yes, the sex scenes were hot but i felt absolutely nothing from them because even to the point i got to, there wasn't really any emotional development. so being attracted to him? yes i get. but having sex with the dude who supposedly killed your dad? no. maybe if there was more development between them, it could have felt a little bit more justified i guess? idk.
✦ Xavier was a total dickhead to Brooks after their sexual encounters. Not a likeable character to me imo but he could have gotten better later in the book.
✦ this wasn't a bad book, just not for me. which is too bad because i love the tropes. enemies to lovers, forbidden love, cowboys....also little bit of childhood friends to lovers and second chance as well.
✦ it's obvious from the start to the readers that Xavier didn't actually kill Brooks’s dad but that's not clear to Brooks. yet he's just oh so attracted to Xavier and starts having sex with him so early on in the book? idk it didn't make sense to me. like this guy killed your dad? okay then. i wish them getting intimate with each other happened a lot later in the story. it would have made this more believable to me.
✦ yes, the sex scenes were hot but i felt absolutely nothing from them because even to the point i got to, there wasn't really any emotional development. so being attracted to him? yes i get. but having sex with the dude who supposedly killed your dad? no. maybe if there was more development between them, it could have felt a little bit more justified i guess? idk.
✦ Xavier was a total dickhead to Brooks after their sexual encounters. Not a likeable character to me imo but he could have gotten better later in the book.
✦ this wasn't a bad book, just not for me. which is too bad because i love the tropes. enemies to lovers, forbidden love, cowboys....also little bit of childhood friends to lovers and second chance as well.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2019
I adored this story!! Xavier suffered so much because of Brooks father but in the end he finally got his HEA. I just wish Brooks didn't have his head in the sand regarding his father and didn't jump to conclusions regarding Xavier..
I really enjoyed this story and will look forward to the next!
I really enjoyed this story and will look forward to the next!
June 27, 2019
Xavier and Brooks: HOT! It's Sloane Kennedy...
I loved this.
Xavier is my favorite. He's a victim of such a nasty person. He survived in hell. He came out stronger and just forgave anyone. I admire him.
Brooks on the other hand was so naive. I wanted to smack him through the pages. But he was so in love with Xavier that I just liked him too.
A beautiful couple with a huge story! Great book!
July 8, 2019
NO NO NO NO NO YOU CANT MAKE ME WAIT FOR JULES AND FLYNN NOOOO
July 8, 2019
I wish this book had played out like the promise of the blurb, but sadly for me it didn't. I had a fair few issues with this one, and had to actually check I was reading the correct book because this just didn't "feel" like a Kennedy book.
I didn't feel the connection between the characters, and got frustrated at times with the lack of communication between the main characters. The story felt rushed yet because of all the relentless inner monologues and musings felt like it was going nowhere.
What really got me was there was a few pivotal scenes in the book .... where Brooks confronts his dad; when the big event 10 years before happened (this so needed flashbacks says the flashback hater ha!) .... and they happened off page! What the hell? I had to read through all that IM to be told about what should have been a couple epic scenes. Oh, and don't even get me started on the caricature evil parent, sigh. 🙄
2 frustrated stars
I didn't feel the connection between the characters, and got frustrated at times with the lack of communication between the main characters. The story felt rushed yet because of all the relentless inner monologues and musings felt like it was going nowhere.
What really got me was there was a few pivotal scenes in the book .... where Brooks confronts his dad; when the big event 10 years before happened (this so needed flashbacks says the flashback hater ha!) .... and they happened off page! What the hell? I had to read through all that IM to be told about what should have been a couple epic scenes. Oh, and don't even get me started on the caricature evil parent, sigh. 🙄
2 frustrated stars
June 30, 2019
***** The hate ends and love begins.*****
Brooks has come back to help his Uncle with the horse farm finances. He finds Xavier,
who is an expert trainer, working there, and Brook doesn't like it. Years ago Xavier went to prison for attempted murder of Brook's father, or so he thought. The truth will be told and we are all surprised.
Xavier works hard for Uncle Curtis, and soon,
Brooks has a change of heart.
This tale gets a bit twisted because several things are happening, but we watch the action, the events and the outcome.
Sizzling sexy times are frequent for our lovers, Brooks and Xavier. What Brooks believed all his life wasn't the truth.
A secret is revealed by Uncle Curtis, plus the real story of that fateful night ten years ago, is brought to light.
Our author weaves a spectacular tale, and we find ourselves completely absorbed. Amidst the thunder storm, a flame is rekindled.
ENJOY !
======
Brooks has come back to help his Uncle with the horse farm finances. He finds Xavier,
who is an expert trainer, working there, and Brook doesn't like it. Years ago Xavier went to prison for attempted murder of Brook's father, or so he thought. The truth will be told and we are all surprised.
Xavier works hard for Uncle Curtis, and soon,
Brooks has a change of heart.
This tale gets a bit twisted because several things are happening, but we watch the action, the events and the outcome.
Sizzling sexy times are frequent for our lovers, Brooks and Xavier. What Brooks believed all his life wasn't the truth.
A secret is revealed by Uncle Curtis, plus the real story of that fateful night ten years ago, is brought to light.
Our author weaves a spectacular tale, and we find ourselves completely absorbed. Amidst the thunder storm, a flame is rekindled.
ENJOY !
======
July 16, 2019
3.5 stars
A good enemies to lovers, second chance story, but with the setup and blurb, I was expecting a bit more angst. There were sparks of anger, and plenty of back and forth between the two men at the start. The one thing they didn't have was actual, honest communication. I was happy when they finally pulled it together to start supporting each other, but it took too long for the truth to come out between them.
The story kept me reading, but I thought it all wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly at the end, especially with one person who does a complete 180, seemingly out of nowhere.
A good enemies to lovers, second chance story, but with the setup and blurb, I was expecting a bit more angst. There were sparks of anger, and plenty of back and forth between the two men at the start. The one thing they didn't have was actual, honest communication. I was happy when they finally pulled it together to start supporting each other, but it took too long for the truth to come out between them.
The story kept me reading, but I thought it all wrapped up a bit too quickly and neatly at the end, especially with one person who does a complete 180, seemingly out of nowhere.
June 26, 2019
This was disconcerting. I found it hard to believe that the same author wrote the Protection and Pelican Bay series! In which life? What happened here? The set up had all the pieces it needed to be great but Sloane was phoning in this largely soap operaesque story. The prose was so stilted and tell not show in so many places that it was hard.
This doesn’t mean the story was absolutely awful but the drop in quality is startling.
🤷🏽♀️
This doesn’t mean the story was absolutely awful but the drop in quality is startling.
🤷🏽♀️
June 17, 2019
Boy do I love a when a story starts with the protagonists at war, and that’s basically what we have here in the beginning; Xavier and Brooks at odds in the worst possible way because of past events and then the universe to throw them together 10 years later. Brooks was the quiet, studious boy who trailed after Xavier, the son of his father’s ranch manager. They formed a bond all those years ago that is shot to smithereens and now, Brooks is no longer that sweet boy, he’s a grown man and there’ll be hell to pay now that Xavier is fresh out of prison and managing his Uncle Curtis’s ranch no less.
There’s so much bitterness and misunderstanding and confusion between these men, but the more time they spend in each other’s orbit, the more they remember what it was like before that tragic night. There’s so much tension here that it has to reach a flash point, and when it does, prepare to run because these two will burn up the town.
This was a heart-breaking story of loss and pain, and both men had suffered terribly. To see them navigate a way through and learn to trust and communicate was a wonder to see and no-one deserved it more than Xavier. In typical fashion for the author, we go on an emotional roller-coaster but are gifted at the end with something truly beautiful.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.
There’s so much bitterness and misunderstanding and confusion between these men, but the more time they spend in each other’s orbit, the more they remember what it was like before that tragic night. There’s so much tension here that it has to reach a flash point, and when it does, prepare to run because these two will burn up the town.
This was a heart-breaking story of loss and pain, and both men had suffered terribly. To see them navigate a way through and learn to trust and communicate was a wonder to see and no-one deserved it more than Xavier. In typical fashion for the author, we go on an emotional roller-coaster but are gifted at the end with something truly beautiful.
Review Copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMG Reads.
September 14, 2019
3.5 stars
November 4, 2019
Okay, let's REVIEW THIS BABY.
I was wary going into this because I've checked out some of Sloane Kennedy's other books and they didn't sound like my cup of tea but I'm so glad I picked this one up! It's definitely one of my favorite MM reads of the year and I'm hoping to hear news on the second book soon even though it's not following Xavier and Brooks, SADLY. I need more of them, I need more FLUFF.
I love enemies to lovers stories and this was a great one. I loved how much history they have and it was so sad to hear what Xavier had to go through. A history like theirs I wasn't sure I'd believe their reconciliation, but boy did I. Despite their differences they were perfect for each other, the way they thought about each other, even when didn't want to show it, was adorable. The pet names oh man, I am such a sucker for when they called each other baby and sweetheart.
UNCLE F***ING CURTIS. Oh man, his love story was heartbreaking! I loved how caring he was towards Xavier given his past with the families, and how different he is from Brooks' other family members. He's such a lovely human being.
I'm so glad I read this book, maybe I'll take a look at this author's previous works. READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
I was wary going into this because I've checked out some of Sloane Kennedy's other books and they didn't sound like my cup of tea but I'm so glad I picked this one up! It's definitely one of my favorite MM reads of the year and I'm hoping to hear news on the second book soon even though it's not following Xavier and Brooks, SADLY. I need more of them, I need more FLUFF.
I love enemies to lovers stories and this was a great one. I loved how much history they have and it was so sad to hear what Xavier had to go through. A history like theirs I wasn't sure I'd believe their reconciliation, but boy did I. Despite their differences they were perfect for each other, the way they thought about each other, even when didn't want to show it, was adorable. The pet names oh man, I am such a sucker for when they called each other baby and sweetheart.
UNCLE F***ING CURTIS. Oh man, his love story was heartbreaking! I loved how caring he was towards Xavier given his past with the families, and how different he is from Brooks' other family members. He's such a lovely human being.
I'm so glad I read this book, maybe I'll take a look at this author's previous works. READ THIS BOOK PLEASE.
June 19, 2019
It started out with such potential, but quickly folded into weird and difficult to believe scenarios that felt super daytime soup opera. Ah well.
dnf
July 14, 2025July 13, 2025: DNF 33%
I haven’t read a book by Sloane Kennedy in years. Her Protectors and Barretti Security series were some of my favorites years ago. Someday I’ll reread them and see if I still like them. But I picked this up and somehow missed the fact that it was enemies to lovers, which I abhor. However, I still decided to give it a whirl since it was SK.
Had Brooks been even remotely likable, I may have been able to stick this out. However, I couldn’t stand him. I felt bad for Xavier. The author really should have given them more of an age difference. Xavier is only one year older and some of the things that were said didn’t make sense for that small of a gap. what had happened to the boy I'd followed around like a stray dog looking for its master. AND I hadn't even really considered sex with him because he’d been so damn young. BUT this sentence made my eyes bulge: His father had destroyed my entire family, and Brooks had done nothing to stop it. WHAT on earth could a 15 year-old done about that??? It does say Brooks was only 15 in the next sentence, so REALLY!!! What could he have done??
It also sounded like the ranch that Xavier works on was owned by Brooks’s grandfather: I drove the last little bit to the quarter-horse ranch my maternal grandfather had founded
But then it says regarding Brooks’s father: He’d bought the most expensive pedigreed horse he could find and had built an obscenely large ranch, thinking it would earn him the respect he craved. So which is it? I was confused and it was not made any clearer before I stopped reading 1/3 into the book.
I don’t like it when the big secret is withheld until the very end. After doing a search for “the truth”, I found that it’s not revealed until the either the penultimate or last chapter. I didn’t want to read it.
I haven’t read a book by Sloane Kennedy in years. Her Protectors and Barretti Security series were some of my favorites years ago. Someday I’ll reread them and see if I still like them. But I picked this up and somehow missed the fact that it was enemies to lovers, which I abhor. However, I still decided to give it a whirl since it was SK.
Had Brooks been even remotely likable, I may have been able to stick this out. However, I couldn’t stand him. I felt bad for Xavier. The author really should have given them more of an age difference. Xavier is only one year older and some of the things that were said didn’t make sense for that small of a gap. what had happened to the boy I'd followed around like a stray dog looking for its master. AND I hadn't even really considered sex with him because he’d been so damn young. BUT this sentence made my eyes bulge: His father had destroyed my entire family, and Brooks had done nothing to stop it. WHAT on earth could a 15 year-old done about that??? It does say Brooks was only 15 in the next sentence, so REALLY!!! What could he have done??
It also sounded like the ranch that Xavier works on was owned by Brooks’s grandfather: I drove the last little bit to the quarter-horse ranch my maternal grandfather had founded
But then it says regarding Brooks’s father: He’d bought the most expensive pedigreed horse he could find and had built an obscenely large ranch, thinking it would earn him the respect he craved. So which is it? I was confused and it was not made any clearer before I stopped reading 1/3 into the book.
I don’t like it when the big secret is withheld until the very end. After doing a search for “the truth”, I found that it’s not revealed until the either the penultimate or last chapter. I didn’t want to read it.
June 28, 2019
I love Sloane Kennedy, her writing style pulls me in and her angst filled storylines keep me on edge. Xavier and Brooks did exactly that. This was a second chance story that really pulled at my heartstrings. Xavier treated terribly, paid a heavy price for someone else’s crime. Shunned and isolated he tried to pick up after prison with the help of Curtis. A beautiful man who held onto his own deep secret. Brooks had loved Xavier as a teen but got sucked into the lies... on his return to Eden he was finally reunited with his love and confronted by the truth. Brooks learned a few life lessons and finally found his peace. Angst and more angst.... but extremely enjoyable ❤️
July 14, 2022
4 stars
The first part of the book I had a real hard time liking Brooks, but then I started to warm up to him and by the end I loved them both!
Xavier really got the short end of the stick with Brooks family, but I think if they communicated earlier a lot of their miscommunication and silly things they thought the other was doing would have been resolved faster… I hate miscommunication or lack of communication between characters drives me bonkers haha
But I will say the epilogue 🥰🥰
Now I wish Jules and Flynn’s book was out! But not sure when that is suppose to happen… fingers crossed soon, or if it is someone let me know!
The first part of the book I had a real hard time liking Brooks, but then I started to warm up to him and by the end I loved them both!
Xavier really got the short end of the stick with Brooks family, but I think if they communicated earlier a lot of their miscommunication and silly things they thought the other was doing would have been resolved faster… I hate miscommunication or lack of communication between characters drives me bonkers haha
But I will say the epilogue 🥰🥰
Now I wish Jules and Flynn’s book was out! But not sure when that is suppose to happen… fingers crossed soon, or if it is someone let me know!
July 11, 2019
This was a classic Sloane Kennedy that sucked me right in. There are a few elements at play here, from the backstory of Brooks and Xavier, Xavier’s own past issues involving his incarceration, Brooks’ issues with his father and what is going on at his uncle’s ranch. The events surrounding Xavier’s incarceration also caused the riff between he and Brooks bringing them to the current day enemies. Brooks was not happy to find Xavier as the ranch foreman when he shows up to uncover the financial status/issues of the ranch.
Xavier is just trying to get his life back after spending 10 years in jail. Eden being the only home he knows and where his mother and sister still live make it the only real choice for him, despite how horrible everyone in town actually treats him. Thankfully, Brooks’ uncle, who has a few secrets of his own, gives Xavier the second chance he needs and treats him like a son.
Brooks is a city slicker now, though he never really fit in with ranch life in a small town. He always cherished his time visiting his uncle, so he didn’t hesitate to use his financial skills to help figure out why the ranch was seemingly losing money. The past comes crashing back in spectacular fashion when he is “reunited” with Xavier. The two have some explosive chemistry hidden behind their various issues, but they press forward choosing instead to ignore the past.
These two have some smoking hot sexual encounters, filled with delicious dirty talk and hints of D/S, but unfortunately, when that smoke clears, Xavier treats Brooks pretty badly. Brooks is torn – Xavier is the first guy who seems to totally get his needs, is able to read him and doesn’t make Brooks feel dirty or shameful for having them. But, he also can’t handle the other way Xavier treats him. Thankfully, it doesn’t take too long for the issues to be discussed and cleared.
Likewise, the past is slowly revealed explaining everyone’s actions, much of which involves various people hiding the truth to spare others. Some aspects felt a little slow, but the different angles made it interesting and suspenseful. I really enjoyed watching these Brooks and Xavier reconnect, especially once the truth was revealed. There is a wonderful cast of characters to enjoy as well. It was a nice start to a new series that I’m looking forward to continuing. Everyone ends up in a mostly comfortable and happy place, but there are hints of what’s to come that have me ready to jump into the next book. Recommend if you like stories of second chances and reunions with cowboys and geeks and an array of colorful characters.
Review written for Love Bytes Reviews.
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