Wild Secrets

Wyoming Wilds #1

by Jason Collins

DAVID:

Skipped town? Check. Fake name? Double check. Hiding out in Wyoming isn’t how a singer spends his best years, but when the fame becomes too much, I need to get away. The moment I arrive in Wild, I run into Brock. His sprawling ranch should be the perfect place to focus on my music.

But music isn’t nearly as enticing as Brock, and I’m suddenly faced with two problems. One, he’s straight. And two, he has no idea who I really am. I’ve lied to an honest man, and coming clean might mean losing him.

BROCK:

Ranching keeps me rough—my hands, my voice, my thoughts. Never guessed I’d find myself distracted by David, the mysterious stranger in town who needs a place to crash. A man has never turned my head, but the more we cross paths, the more I know he’s different from any man I’ve ever met.

We can’t leave each other alone, but the deeper we go, the stronger my feeling he’s got a secret. The chemistry between us is undeniable, but he’s holding something back, and I don’t think he’ll stay here forever. If I can’t meet the real David now, I don’t know if I ever will.

This is the first book in the Wyoming Wilds series. It can be read as a standalone with no cliffhanger.

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

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2021

Reviews

[Jerecho · Rating 2 out of 5]

Come on!!! Do you expect me to give it a three if the character hate liars...

This story is unrealistic. I just don't get it when someone that popular can't be recognized by anyone even if he roam around in a festival venue. Or someone that is zero gay became an instant gay... I know that there are cases that love develops in guys to gays but it takes time, not instant. But the world now is not what the world I know so maybe there is an instant gay... 😊😅

Comments, suggestions, violent reactions???

Keep safe everyone 😉

[Ed Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok story, but it was so unbelievable and yet predictable. I’ve been around a long time and I’ve never met a straight man who fell instantly in love with another man. Brock had no hesitation having sex with David. He just plunged in from the first second. Also, if David was really that famous why did no one in Wild recognize him. He was going to town all the time and his disappearance was all over the news. I don’t read romance books for realism, but this was just too much.

The predictability of the story was also a problem for me. The minute talked about his old girlfriend lying to him I knew that would be the thing that broke them up at 80% or so. 2 and 1/2 stars rounded up.

[LauraSt · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

This book was an ARC. Which makes this review even more painful. This book was absolutely not for me. I pretty much skimmed from 40% to the end, only reading conversations and skipping the eternal monologues.
David is a musician tired to being controlled by his label. He disappears to Wild, trying to find clarity, and he finds it in the form of Brock, a hot straight cowboy that turned gay faster than you can say, well, gay.
Everything felt so unrealistic and fast. Like a lot of steps were ignored. Brock barely talked to David and suddenly he’s all for the D and kissing him.
David is also supposed to be super famous but he’s in the middle of a festival and no one recognizes him.
David’s angst about lying to Brock, it was all just so predictable and scripted and cliche. I had no patience for it.
Not even the steamy scenes could hold my attention, and THAT’S saying something.
And don’t even get me started on David’s manager. It was just ridiculous.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

You ran away... straight into the arms of a sexy cowboy. But he's straight... Right?

What a fantastic start to a new series! I was pulled in from the first pages. There will be steamy scenes, an awakening, an attraction is as intense as it is inevitable, and a secret that threatens everything. You will love this book! If the blurb & cover don't tempt you to get this book, something's wrong. This world will envelope you with it's vibrant characters and scenery. You will come to know the cut- throat world of music. Come. Join Brock & David on their journey to HEA. You will be glad you did. I, for one, can't wait for the second book.
This book contains adult themes and language, mm sex and is intended for mature readers only.

[msbjbxb · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Let's face it, I only read this book because of the cover.
Short and sweet. The romance is kind of unbelievable - MC had no prior gay experience and jumped into everything with zero hesitation. But I'm not really reading m/m for realism..

[Moumita Roy]

Didn't like the writing style

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun start of a new series from Jason Collins! I was really looking forward to seeing where this story was going to go, famous musician disappears, hides out on unsuspecting dude ranch, and I think Jason really delivers. I really liked David and Brock and their journey was just the right mix of sweet and a bit of angsty nervousness.

David is a famous country music star, but he's burnt out and unable to find his creativity. He feels so managed and pressured and is flat out miserable, but the final straw, finding out he's losing control of his music to the label. He hits that breaking point and disappears. He gets on a bus and gets as far away as he can. The one friend he reaches out to sets him up to stay at a dude ranch for a while, somewhere he can lay low. Brock, one of the owners of the dude ranch is there to pick him up, and while he's gorgeous, he's also pretty grumpy and suspicious. They really don't have a great initial interaction, but soon the two start to spend more time together and a friendship develops as do other feelings.

One of the key elements of this story is David's secret. Brock and his family have no idea who he really is and why he's there. To them, he's just an awesome guest. Brock, who always thought he was straight, is experiencing all new feelings with David and it's easy to see how fast things develop. But, Brock hates secrets and lies, it's his big no no so it's easy to see where the issues will start. Of course, David's secret is exposed and both David and Brock end up hurt.

What's really special about this book though, is how these two work it out. These two really come to understand just how much they love each other and what that means for them. A bit of forgiveness and a lot of love. It was very heartwarming and sweet and I definitely enjoyed this book and am looking forward to more!

[Stephanie Bonsall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted an ARC of this book for an honest review and it is also the first book I have read written by this author and I loved it!

David is a successful musician but is being controlled in every way by his management. The last straw is when he finds out that he has to sing and record songs written by others for his new album, as the management company no longer like the look he portrays and want to change it in order to make more money out of him. After a concert, he decides to run away from it all, withdraws cash, changes his phone and with help from an old friend elopes to a ranch in Wyoming where he hopes he will neither be recognised or traced.

Brock runs the family ranch in Wild, Wyoming, but is bitter that they now have to run it as a Dude ranch to make ends meet. He is sent to pick up a man from the bus stop and although he has always considered himself as straight, he feels an instant attraction David, a feeling that is mutual. As David starts to settle into life at the ranch, Brock feels that something isn't quite right but can't put his finger on why. Their relationship grows but then the inevitable happens. David is recognised whilst teaching in town. The next morning the press descend and he has to come clean to Brock about who he really is. However, before he can do this Bock storms off feeling betrayed.

Many months later and after much soul searching on Brocks part, they meet again at one of Davids concerts and are able to find their HEA.

I really enjoyed this book, though I did find Brocks dialogue a bit stilted at times and he was very stubborn! Davids story was totally believable as I'm sure some musicians are treated the way he was. I definitely recommend reading this book and I look forward to the next instalment in the series.

[Sara Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What's in a name? That question would almost seem to be the crux of this story. David is a burnt out star needing to get away from the bright lights to find himself and that he does with a cowboy he wasn't looking for, but is this the real David or the one who ran away? Brock has a problem with liars and has a hard time coming to terms with the man he loves being a man who lied to him. Which David is real? This is a question for both David and Brock to come to terms with so that they can come through the other side better men, whole men and not just labels.
I received Wild Secrets as an ARC from the author and am happily leaving a review of my own opinions. I have read several books by Jason Collins and appreciate the heart in each of them and Wild Secrets is no different. I appreciated the juxtaposition of lies and being true to yourself in this story. David was at a loss in his career that should bring him so much joy and yet that very artistry is being usurped so that he is not free to be himself. When he makes his escape he should be able to finally be himself and create the music he loves but ironically is caught up in a lie that could make him lose everything...again.

[C.B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smooth! David Turner was a successful singer/songwriter. Was experiencing a bit of writer's block. Theresa, his agent from heck controlled him. He had an epiphany, recognizing the agendas of Theresa and Gino, the head of the label and took a runner. He contacted his friend, Carlton for hideout suggestions. Carlton suggested a dude ranch. When David first met Brock, he was smitten. He wasn't sure if Brock played on his team, but he could still look. When Brock first met David, he was surprisingly attracted. As a heterosexual, he didn't understand, but he knew he was attracted. Brock, didn't like the financial circumstances that forced the Evanston family to need to take in vacationers and he initially took his displeasure out on David. They had a very rocky path to walk, considering their secrets and baggage. David, had to decide on how he would and if he could salvage his career. What was he doing on the ranch? Can Brock put aside his attitude and make a friend? What will Theresa do? Excellent story. This is a good story to read more than once. Nice group of family and friends. Good start to a series. Well done! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review. Excellent cover art!

[Julianne Macneil · Rating 5 out of 5]

i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the first book in the new Wyoming Wilds series. In this book David is a famous singer who is burned out and having issues with his label about writing his own songs. One night, David walks away and calls an old friend from college to ask for help disappearing for a while. David goes into hiding at a dude ranch owned by friends of his college friend. David is scared he will be found out and made to go back to his life. Brock owns the ranch with his brother Jake and is very shaken when he meets David. Brock was never attracted to men before, but he is drawn to David and can't stay away from him. Brock and David begin seeing each other while David is at the ranch, but David worries Brock will hate him if he learns he lied about who he is and why he is at the ranch. I loved this story. I loved Brock and David together. I think they both really cared for the other and i think they belonged together. I love how Brock accepted his feelings for David and never questioned about being with a man. This was a good story and i love how they developed their relationship. Brock was so loving and caring for David. Great one.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked Wild Secrets by Jason Collins. It's the first book in the Wyoming Wilds series. I liked Brock and David. Brock was the type of male who didn't like to talk about when something was wrong or wondered about something. Instead of asking about it, he would make assumptions and apologize for getting it wrong. I liked how decisive he was on coming out as gay and having no problem with public displays of affection. I liked David also. He makes an impulsive decision to disappear from touring and ends up at a dude ranch in Wild, Wyoming. I also liked how he didn't back down from stating what he wanted to his record label and living with his ultimatum's consequences. The only thing that I didn't think was real was how easy he got out of his contract and how he still had so much money at the end. There would have been some heavy fines from breaking his contract and paying back any money he had got from presales of his concert dates, and he probably would have been sued for breach of contract. Other than that, I liked the book. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Truitt_T · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wild Secrets was disappointing. The MCs, Brock and David, never felt fully fleshed out to me, so I never connected with them, nor did I find the connection between them plausible. Shallow was the word that kept coming to mind; it felt as if the entire work was just skimming over the surface of much more interesting possible depths.

Beyond that, there was a point that truly bothered me, which may be a minor spoiler.

Who allows an adult to volunteer with minors in a teaching capacity in a school (or with any organization for that matter) without running a background check? Seriously? Yeah, yeah, willing suspension of disbelief and all that, but this really annoyed me. It jolted me right out of the story (to the extent I was engaged in it at all) and left me fuming a bit.

Brief rant over.

[Bo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stereotype Central

Here we go again with the Wyoming-straight-rancher vs. gay outsider, and if you read the book closely to find out what they look like, you can't figure out who's on the overly stylistic cover.

So, you plug on with seemingly lost and poor (to the ranch folk) David and the uptight and somewhat resentful manager Brock, who is trying to make a go as a new dude ranch for his family's heritage with his sister and brother-in-law.

So there are misunderstandings and misrepresentations and secrets. David (Smith to the ranch folks, Turner to the world of I think country music where he is a megastar) is in the middle of all of the secrets. He runs away from his concert tour and takes a friend's recommendation of the ranch as a potential hiding place from his obnoxious manager and vicious record label owners and you know what? Not a single person on the ranch of in the town recognize him for three-quarters of the book even though he is gorgeous, can sing and write music and such and such.

And then Brock, who is supposedly straight (to himself at least) warms up to David and they get warmer and warmer and warmer until all the lies and cover ups and heart aches and heart bruises come home to roost.

I might look up the sequel, but this one left me a little flat.

[Shelley Chastagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set aside time because you aren’t going to want to put this one down. I felt for David and didn’t blame him for running. It seemed like he had no one in his corner. He’d sold himself for fame and the price was way higher than he anticipated. In his world everyone uses him so hiding who he is from strangers made sense. Brock, I just had to shake my head at the man. He’s been hurt but what a judgmental jerk he could be. He wants to control every encounter and set all the parameters in his relationship with David. He makes sweeping generalities about his ex and is all upset when David isn’t willing to open up to him. I loved, loved, loved his sister-in-law. That is one smart girl. Brock’s grand gesture to David is wonderful and the way he backed David up made me cheer. Seeing them a bit down the road with David happy and fulfilled and Brock loving him made for a terrific ending.

[DENICE · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVE CAN MAKE FORGIVENESS EASY

I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.

David is running away from becoming lost in the music business when he realizes that his songwriting is about to be taken away from him. He flees to Wild, Wyoming and weaves lies to keep his identity a secret.

Brock is the owner of the Evanston ranch where David has run to hide. Brock’s attraction makes him hostile towards David. They talk and truths are revealed.

I like the way Brock accepted the fact that he was gay (although I think it’s bi) and is open about it. David’s insistence on lying is the one thing that will turn Brock away. When David is ready to tell the truth, everything goes into the toilet.
Brock stands by his man and David becomes true to himself and Brock.

[Siobhan Flynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic story about the pressure of fame and all it entails. David is suffering from fatigue and just being worn down by fame and seeks refuge with Brock and his family in the ranch. Brock was very strong and slightly caustic but with good reason, he did get a bit woe is me at the end and I couldn't help but roll my eyes alot at him but he was afraid of being hurt and lashed out never thinking about David and his heart. David was really affable and a total sweetheart with a greedy and evil team behind him but settled in to small town life. I enjoyed the passion between the two and David's turmoil at keeping his secret from Brock. My heart broke for both men when the inevitable happened and the harpies descended, Brock finally threw down his walls and made a leap of faith towards happiness.

[Amber Antus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brock and David had such instant chemistry that it created for a quick romance. I always enjoy that when Jason write's straight characters who fell a sudden attraction to a man that there is no prolonged bout of gay panic. While I don't know if that's realistic I do like seeing characters who are secure enough in who they are that a sudden change in attraction doesn't make them start questioning everything that they knew about themselves. I loved all of the steamy scenes between the two. While I don't condone lying in a relationship, I do understand why David did it, especially given Brock's history. I really loved Emily and Jake, I thought that they were great supporting characters. I hated Teresa and Gino, they were toxic to David. I really liked everything about this book. I would definitely recommend this book.

[E.Muddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the beginning of this new series. Famous singer meets smoking hot cowboy? Yeah, I can definitely get behind that. David is running away before he slowly loses all control in his life, and Brock is still bitter over the changes he and his brother have had to make to his family ranch. Although there’s some initial animosity between them when David arrives on the ranch, there is also some serious attraction. What follows is some steamy exploration, a lot of unfounded assumptions, predictable misunderstandings, and a very sweet and happy ending. Loving this gorgeous setting in Wild, Wyoming!

[ANNBOOKSHELF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Country vs. City in this romance - deciding between if fame & fortune or love?

Famous singer & song writer David escapes to Wild Wyoming to take a break before he falls apart. Cowboy Broke lost a defiance to lies & deception. Now David is repeating that same lies & deception. Broke thought he was straight but David seems to have changed his perspective. Will they be able to bridge the divide? Country life & City life is not something you can force someone to live, it has to be in their soul. V1 (abuse emotional or physical is still abusive) S2 MM Romance more reviews please check out @My2centsbooklover thanks!

[Tim]

I dislike filing books as DNF. However I was hating it simply because I didn't buy the story. Sorry, I didn't bother to remember the characters names, that's how flat it was for me. Family decides to turn their ranch into a dude ranch to make money. Cowboy character acts mad and flabbergasted about this like he was told about the dude ranch plan five minutes before he picked up the other lead character, a passive, wimpy singer in hiding. Cowboy was suspicious, rude, antagonistic from get go. Sorry, does not compute. Meanwhile the singer character could barely register a presence. I bailed after the second chapter.

[Janice Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I have read hundreds of MM fiction stories and I know a good MM romance when I read one. My only two beefs about this book: 1) It jumps into the story (David's 1st chapter) very quickly without much back story at first, which kinda leaves you scrambling to catch up, and 2) Brock seems very easily persuaded to jump right in bed with a man, regardless of his inexperience. Other than those two things, I loved reading this book. It was well-written, passionate, and easy to get into. The grammar was spot on, which I really appreciated. It had just the right amount of sexy times, and said times were described very well. All in all, well worth the read.

[Justine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Secrets is book 1 in the Wyoming Wilds series. This is an enjoyable book about David, a famous singer, and Brock, a ranch owner. David was in need of some major time off so he decided to run to a Wyoming ranch and decompress for awhile without telling anyone where he was. Brock took a liking to David, without knowing his true identity, even though he always thought of himself as straight. David and Brock's relationship came on fast but was just what the other needed. This is a good start to this series and I look forward to more.

*I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not one that likes stories with music stars but I am glad I read this one. David was being taken advantage of and the person that should have been in his corner, his manager, was more concerned about money than David's wishes. He was so better off without her. Brock lived on a ranch in Wyoming as was unhappy that they had to turn their family ranch into a dude ranch. David ran away from his life to decide what he should do. He meets Brock and it is instalove. The emotion and the storyline was what held my attention. Thoroughly loved the ending.

[Fernanda Parente · Rating 4 out of 5]

David is a popular singer and songwriter with a writer's block. So he decided to hide in Brock's ranch under a false name
Brock is a cowboy on his family ranch, a ranch that has been in his family for several generations but is now with financial troubles so he's brother decides to change the ranch into a dude ranch, decision that Brock's doesn't like.
And then David and Brock meet...
I really enjoyed Wild Secrets!! It was the first book I read from this author but I want to keep reading his books

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion

[Esther Alayeto · Rating 4 out of 5]

David is hiding out on Brock's ranch trying to get over his writer's block. Even though Brock is wary at the start, they become friends and then sparks start to fly and their chemistry is hard to deny. They definitely have a lot of obstacles to overcome, completely different backgrounds, David's demanding career, Brock trying to save the ranch just for starters, and they're not sure if they can actually make it work beyond just the physical. They both need to open up to great, new possibilities. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Stuart W. Bullock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Secrets

Jason Collins did it to me again. Read this,book in two days. Two really well defined characters that grab you as they come together each not sure where they are headed at first. As they begin to realize where they're headed they realize things they should have done differently from the beginning. Has you rooting for their happy ending as it all begins to fall into place.

[Audrey Pott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jason has done it again another great read. A well written storyline, great characters kept me captivated, humour, some angst and a heartwarming story between David and Brock with some hot sexy times, very addictive.

I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book for my honest opinions of which I’m under no obligation to do so. I definitely recommend this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need to get away, what's better than a dude ranch. David is a well known singer with no passion for that life anymore. Brock has a dude ranch that David ends up. Wanting to be an unknown, David is not using his real name, Brock & David click. Great read & for me excellent chemistry between the main characters

[Rielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted this book to be better and I thought it would get better, but I skimmed a lot of it after the first hookup. The idea of the plot and a few of the sex scenes were decent. It definitely felt like plot thrown in among the sex to keep it going, which I can totally get behind if it’s not so distracting.