What do you think?
Rate this book
Shielded Hearts #7
His Best Man
Rod Beton and Travis Walker have known each other almost all their lives; since the second grade when Rod was the new kid in town and Travis befriended him with Pokémon trading cards and a fruit snack. Apparently Rod’s easy. Since that day they've had each other's back's, bread and butter, biscuit and gravy...and so on.
Along the way, Rod fell in love with Travis. He's been hoping for some kind of signal from Travis that he returns Rod's feelings. When Travis announces his surprise engagement over Thanksgiving dinner Rod decides he's done waiting for the impossible. He packs his belongings and heads for Skagit and a new life. Even if Travis suddenly decided Rod was the man for him would Rod be able to put aside his insecurities?
Travis always knew he was destined to take over the family business. As the only boy he’s expected to take the helm of the Walker farming operation, and he’s good at it. An engagement to a local girl he’s pals with seems like the perfect solution, gets him mom off his back and ensures the family line -- eventually. When his best friend abruptly leaves town Travis’s eyes are finally opened to the difference between what is expected of him and what he could expect for himself.
His Best Man is a standalone in the Accidental Roots series, a friends to lovers mm romance with an HEA. Bisexual/gay.
Along the way, Rod fell in love with Travis. He's been hoping for some kind of signal from Travis that he returns Rod's feelings. When Travis announces his surprise engagement over Thanksgiving dinner Rod decides he's done waiting for the impossible. He packs his belongings and heads for Skagit and a new life. Even if Travis suddenly decided Rod was the man for him would Rod be able to put aside his insecurities?
Travis always knew he was destined to take over the family business. As the only boy he’s expected to take the helm of the Walker farming operation, and he’s good at it. An engagement to a local girl he’s pals with seems like the perfect solution, gets him mom off his back and ensures the family line -- eventually. When his best friend abruptly leaves town Travis’s eyes are finally opened to the difference between what is expected of him and what he could expect for himself.
His Best Man is a standalone in the Accidental Roots series, a friends to lovers mm romance with an HEA. Bisexual/gay.
Kindle Edition
First published September 28, 2018
140 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Elle Keaton
50 books550 followersElle Keaton is a writer, avid reader, and amateur cat-wrangler. Her love of romance novels has led her to a life of creating her own happy ever afters. She is the author of the best selling series' Shielded Hearts and Veiled Intentions. Keaton hails from the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her husband and cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
December 7, 2018
***3.5 - 4 Stars***
Seems like all criminal elements of Skagit, WA, took some time off and left the rest of this little town to live in peace for a short time. Okay, peace might stretch it a bit when you count in psychotic family members passing through, but overall the 7th installment in the Accidental Roots series was a cute little slow-burn friends-to-lovers story between Travis and Rod, ...
... the two sexy firefighters who already made an appearance in the previous book, with some bumps in the road on their journey. But it was also about all the good, the bad and the ugly the word 'family' can stand for.
I already liked both guys in Unforgivable and it didn't change here, although I could have smacked Travis something fierce in the beginning for being so dense. I really felt for Rod and I can't even begin to imagine how it must feel when your best friend who you had a crush on since third grade invites you to his wedding - well, not as the groom, obviously - and asks you to be his best man. What really turned my heart around was the hard fate of little Jasper, though, and what he had been through. Even if the conclusion felt a bit like the ending of a fairy tale, I was glad that his story got a happy ending, too.
The stunt Travis's mother pulled was laying it on a bit too thick for me, but overall I enjoyed this book way more than the last one and I'm really looking forward to the next story, hopefully about Otto and Jorgensen.
Seems like all criminal elements of Skagit, WA, took some time off and left the rest of this little town to live in peace for a short time. Okay, peace might stretch it a bit when you count in psychotic family members passing through, but overall the 7th installment in the Accidental Roots series was a cute little slow-burn friends-to-lovers story between Travis and Rod, ...
... the two sexy firefighters who already made an appearance in the previous book, with some bumps in the road on their journey. But it was also about all the good, the bad and the ugly the word 'family' can stand for.
I already liked both guys in Unforgivable and it didn't change here, although I could have smacked Travis something fierce in the beginning for being so dense. I really felt for Rod and I can't even begin to imagine how it must feel when your best friend who you had a crush on since third grade invites you to his wedding - well, not as the groom, obviously - and asks you to be his best man. What really turned my heart around was the hard fate of little Jasper, though, and what he had been through. Even if the conclusion felt a bit like the ending of a fairy tale, I was glad that his story got a happy ending, too.
The stunt Travis's mother pulled was laying it on a bit too thick for me, but overall I enjoyed this book way more than the last one and I'm really looking forward to the next story, hopefully about Otto and Jorgensen.
October 7, 2018
I am sorry to say that this book just didn't really work for me. I think it was mostly due to the author's writing style (this is the first book I have read from this author), but plenty of other people seem to enjoy this story and this series, so I might chalk this up to a "it's not you, it's me" type of story.
I felt like I was being told what was going on through this whole story - that it was more of a summary of what was going on between Rod and Travis, rather than letting us get to experience their moments and time apart and together. There were entire conversations, texts, interactions that we didn't get to actually see and experience, we were just told about it after the fact.
Travis' mother was also waaaaayyyyy over the top, and it seemed more soap opera than real life to me. And there was just a disconnect between the characters and my caring about them...I just never really did. I don't know if it's because I came into the series at book 7, even though I felt like this stood on its own pretty well, I just didn't fully engage with the story.
Hope that people who give this author/series/story a shot enjoy it much more than I did!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I felt like I was being told what was going on through this whole story - that it was more of a summary of what was going on between Rod and Travis, rather than letting us get to experience their moments and time apart and together. There were entire conversations, texts, interactions that we didn't get to actually see and experience, we were just told about it after the fact.
Travis' mother was also waaaaayyyyy over the top, and it seemed more soap opera than real life to me. And there was just a disconnect between the characters and my caring about them...I just never really did. I don't know if it's because I came into the series at book 7, even though I felt like this stood on its own pretty well, I just didn't fully engage with the story.
Hope that people who give this author/series/story a shot enjoy it much more than I did!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 27, 2018
It started out ok, but it soon became obvious that the blurb for this book is a bit misleading.
I had hoped for some kind of pining and slow burn and maybe some major heart searching on Travis's part and a story line that actually had something to do with a wedding, but got a complete pick-and-mix plot with no real romance.
An accident, an adopted granny and child, an FBI agent, a mother gone suddenly deranged, a robbery, a family reunited ... are only some of the people and events that keep the two MCs busy. I have no idea what the author is trying to do here.
I am afraid that for me this was simply too much. I could not connect to the MCs and there was no discernible relationship development. The guys just get together and five minutes later they have a home with a family. Yikes!
I had hoped for some kind of pining and slow burn and maybe some major heart searching on Travis's part and a story line that actually had something to do with a wedding, but got a complete pick-and-mix plot with no real romance.
An accident, an adopted granny and child, an FBI agent, a mother gone suddenly deranged, a robbery, a family reunited ... are only some of the people and events that keep the two MCs busy. I have no idea what the author is trying to do here.
I am afraid that for me this was simply too much. I could not connect to the MCs and there was no discernible relationship development. The guys just get together and five minutes later they have a home with a family. Yikes!
October 27, 2018
This story ticked most of my boxes. It had flaws but in the end I was grinning like a fool. The writing could have been smoother for me. I have not read any of the other books in this series so am not truly tuned in to Ms Keaton's writing style. Wonderful characters throughout that held my interest. I loved Otto and Michael. Gloria was my granma all over again.
February 11, 2019
3.5 Stars
Rod and Travis showed up at the Loft in book 6, forest firefighters and Rod has decided to stay in Skagit. Travis is heading home because he’s a total twit. Yeah, Travis annoyed me quite a bit until he finally pulled his head out to realize he really did love Rod. That was close to half the book. Then it picks up the pace. Several events and people appear, doing a lot hold my interest. Families and kids and friends offer all kinds of heartwarming feels, except for Travis’s mother. She was written as too over the top for me to take seriously. Steam levels aren’t too high but it suited the story better that way. The manuscript could have used just a little more polish by an editor; it wasn’t bad, just some small things. I still enjoyed it as a part of the series and like the other books, it stands alone.
Rod and Travis showed up at the Loft in book 6, forest firefighters and Rod has decided to stay in Skagit. Travis is heading home because he’s a total twit. Yeah, Travis annoyed me quite a bit until he finally pulled his head out to realize he really did love Rod. That was close to half the book. Then it picks up the pace. Several events and people appear, doing a lot hold my interest. Families and kids and friends offer all kinds of heartwarming feels, except for Travis’s mother. She was written as too over the top for me to take seriously. Steam levels aren’t too high but it suited the story better that way. The manuscript could have used just a little more polish by an editor; it wasn’t bad, just some small things. I still enjoyed it as a part of the series and like the other books, it stands alone.
March 15, 2019
Ugh, Travis pissed me off. That boy was sooooooo frustrating. Seriously dense. And then he made all these decisions for Rod while he was still in the hospital. Like canceling Rod's lease and buying a house. I mean he meant well, but at this point Rod didn't even know Travis had called off the wedding let alone that he was sticking around. Rod was all "I can't afford a house" and Travis was like "well I'm gonna live in it with you duh." Well no, never was it mentioned to Rod that Travis had left Walla Walla for Skagit permanently.
And don't get me started on the random homicidal homophobic mother. That was bizarre. Also, Lisa tries to pepper-spray Travis for breaking up with her but is forced to drive across state for hours with a crazy person but does nothing?!
And don't get me started on the random homicidal homophobic mother. That was bizarre. Also, Lisa tries to pepper-spray Travis for breaking up with her but is forced to drive across state for hours with a crazy person but does nothing?!
August 18, 2021
Definitely more fluffy than angsty but exactly what I needed !
August 22, 2021
I love a “friends to lovers” trope and this did not disappoint!! A good read indeed.
February 18, 2019
Empezó bien y acabó bastante wtf
February 19, 2019
Adorable
Two best friends grew up together, college together firefighters together. One of the two decides he is going to get married. The other becomes upset and realizes he has no chance. It takes a little bit but these two besties finally got it together. I really liked all their friends and family and the make shift family they formed along the way. Cute, adorable story !!
Two best friends grew up together, college together firefighters together. One of the two decides he is going to get married. The other becomes upset and realizes he has no chance. It takes a little bit but these two besties finally got it together. I really liked all their friends and family and the make shift family they formed along the way. Cute, adorable story !!
December 20, 2020
Cheesey & over the top in every way imaginable.
April 17, 2019
I was nervous about reading this one. I wasn’t nervous because it was likely to be bad in any way, but because I’ve been on this hockey-or-murder kick for a while and this cover didn’t suggest that either would be part of this particular work of fiction. And you all know how much I need my violence quotient in my entertainment.
There was no hockey. There was no murder. Well okay there was one murder but it wasn’t an essential part of the story, it bordered on fridging but we can talk about that later. The point is, the book didn’t contain either of the things I’ve craved like oxygen lately and I still loved it.
Rod and Travis are both great characters. Travis comes from a mostly great family, with one notable exception. (There’s more I want to say about that but it’s a spoiler so I’ll just shut my trap.) He comes from money, but he’s not the classic Rich Jerk. He’s a normal guy and he works his ass off. He’s attached to his family, to his friends, and to his sense of responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong. He’s guilty, sometimes, of rampant dipshittery. Sorry for the use of bad language, but it’s the only way I can explain his behavior sometimes. The only way he wouldn’t know something was hurtful would be by being a dipshit. He’s not deliberately hurtful, but you just want to smack him with a clue by four.
Rod’s a little different. He doesn’t have quite the same drive as Travis, but he’s a sweet guy with a lot of both book smarts and emotional intelligence. He’s been through a lot, and he’s so in love with Travis it’s just part of the very fabric of his being. On the one hand, I wish I had a love like that. On the other, it seems to cause him a lot of pain, so maybe not.
This is a stand-alone book in a series, but I wasn’t familiar with the series before this, so I didn’t know the big not-so-secret about Skagit. While small towns like this tend to make my city girl soul run screaming* I did love seeing this one, and meeting all the characters.
My biggest issue with the book – which didn’t really detract from my enjoyment, to be fair – was that His Best Man is kind of unfriendly to the women characters. Travis’ sister comes off okay. Rod’s stepmother, when she shows up, does well in the few lines she has. Rod’s mother pulled a disappearing act and was never seen again, and this is never explained. Travis’ mother is one of the worst human beings I’ve seen in genre fiction, with no redeeming qualities at all. Travis’ fiancée is simply terrible, even taking into account the fact that Travis kind of flakes out on her.
There’s one child character who does get a happily ever after, but in order for that to happen his mother has to die. And that isn’t even addressed. She just kind of gets killed off, off-screen, so the kid gets a happy ending.
Keep in mind that Travis and Rod are the main characters and I’m in no way suggesting the book should have centered women. If I were looking for that, I wouldn’t have been reading a m/m book. I liked the book and went on to buy another book in the series. And maybe a few years ago I might not have even noticed the way women were shown here. In the current environment, it stuck out, kind of like a pulled thread on a new shirt.
Anyway, I highly recommend His Best Man. It’s a great story that will make you feel warm inside, and that’s what contemporary romance is all about.
There was no hockey. There was no murder. Well okay there was one murder but it wasn’t an essential part of the story, it bordered on fridging but we can talk about that later. The point is, the book didn’t contain either of the things I’ve craved like oxygen lately and I still loved it.
Rod and Travis are both great characters. Travis comes from a mostly great family, with one notable exception. (There’s more I want to say about that but it’s a spoiler so I’ll just shut my trap.) He comes from money, but he’s not the classic Rich Jerk. He’s a normal guy and he works his ass off. He’s attached to his family, to his friends, and to his sense of responsibility.
Don’t get me wrong. He’s guilty, sometimes, of rampant dipshittery. Sorry for the use of bad language, but it’s the only way I can explain his behavior sometimes. The only way he wouldn’t know something was hurtful would be by being a dipshit. He’s not deliberately hurtful, but you just want to smack him with a clue by four.
Rod’s a little different. He doesn’t have quite the same drive as Travis, but he’s a sweet guy with a lot of both book smarts and emotional intelligence. He’s been through a lot, and he’s so in love with Travis it’s just part of the very fabric of his being. On the one hand, I wish I had a love like that. On the other, it seems to cause him a lot of pain, so maybe not.
This is a stand-alone book in a series, but I wasn’t familiar with the series before this, so I didn’t know the big not-so-secret about Skagit. While small towns like this tend to make my city girl soul run screaming* I did love seeing this one, and meeting all the characters.
My biggest issue with the book – which didn’t really detract from my enjoyment, to be fair – was that His Best Man is kind of unfriendly to the women characters. Travis’ sister comes off okay. Rod’s stepmother, when she shows up, does well in the few lines she has. Rod’s mother pulled a disappearing act and was never seen again, and this is never explained. Travis’ mother is one of the worst human beings I’ve seen in genre fiction, with no redeeming qualities at all. Travis’ fiancée is simply terrible, even taking into account the fact that Travis kind of flakes out on her.
There’s one child character who does get a happily ever after, but in order for that to happen his mother has to die. And that isn’t even addressed. She just kind of gets killed off, off-screen, so the kid gets a happy ending.
Keep in mind that Travis and Rod are the main characters and I’m in no way suggesting the book should have centered women. If I were looking for that, I wouldn’t have been reading a m/m book. I liked the book and went on to buy another book in the series. And maybe a few years ago I might not have even noticed the way women were shown here. In the current environment, it stuck out, kind of like a pulled thread on a new shirt.
Anyway, I highly recommend His Best Man. It’s a great story that will make you feel warm inside, and that’s what contemporary romance is all about.
June 8, 2019
Travis and Rod. You tempt me with your hot cover!
I went into this hating Travis. Period.
What kind of person could hurt their best friend so badly? Rod had been in love with Travis for literally as long as he could remember. It was obvious to everyone, except Travis? Didn’t seem likely, mostly because he was supposedly this really smart guy with a head for numbers, but apparently he was clueless when it came to his best friend. The best friend who was rarely without him by phone or in person for a single day… he kind of messed up when he asked the neighbor girl to marry him to shut his parents up and take over his family’s farm….. good plan, right? Even if he is bi and leans closer to men. It’s the next step, right?
So, when Travis announces their engagement at Thanksgiving, Rod tucks tail and runs….and I didn’t blame him. I would’ve been so hurt… and the death of a dream hurts, doesn’t it? Unrequited love, especially when it’s your best friend… your other half since you were literally a child. Over 20 years. Rod needed time away, to lick his wounds and get over Travis, so he could be his best man…. Because of course, Travis asked, and of course he said yes. Skagit seemed like the place to do that…
Rod needed space and Travis had no choice but to give it to him, especially with his psychotic mother dictating every minute of his time. You will HATE her… I was so disappointed that she got off without jail time even though she kidnapped someone at gun point and took them across state lines… I mean, hello…. A number of felonies there that were just ignored… but, besides that, she was just a terrible persona and I am such a stickler for people getting away with being terrible people. It ruins everything for me. I need justice!
What I did love though, was both guys’ fathers. They both really surprised me, and I was so glad that they both had families willing to back them up and accept them for they were. Their love wasn’t conditional and I wish everyone had that. I loved that when Rod was in an accident, it lit a fire under Travis and he realized what was most important in his life and he made no bones about making sure they had a life together. He went from 0-60, really quick, but it was so needed. Once he decided, neither wavered. Finally!
Jasper also broke my heart. I was so hoping that the guys would take him in. It just added another part to the story that checks one of my boxes, because I love a hot dad…
So, overall, there were some bumps along the way, but they got through it together and came out happier and stronger together in the end. Who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers story?!
Can’t wait to see who’s next, and I really hope for something with Jorgenson and Otto, and maybe even something with Theo?? Fingers crossed!
4 stars from me!
I went into this hating Travis. Period.
What kind of person could hurt their best friend so badly? Rod had been in love with Travis for literally as long as he could remember. It was obvious to everyone, except Travis? Didn’t seem likely, mostly because he was supposedly this really smart guy with a head for numbers, but apparently he was clueless when it came to his best friend. The best friend who was rarely without him by phone or in person for a single day… he kind of messed up when he asked the neighbor girl to marry him to shut his parents up and take over his family’s farm….. good plan, right? Even if he is bi and leans closer to men. It’s the next step, right?
So, when Travis announces their engagement at Thanksgiving, Rod tucks tail and runs….and I didn’t blame him. I would’ve been so hurt… and the death of a dream hurts, doesn’t it? Unrequited love, especially when it’s your best friend… your other half since you were literally a child. Over 20 years. Rod needed time away, to lick his wounds and get over Travis, so he could be his best man…. Because of course, Travis asked, and of course he said yes. Skagit seemed like the place to do that…
Rod needed space and Travis had no choice but to give it to him, especially with his psychotic mother dictating every minute of his time. You will HATE her… I was so disappointed that she got off without jail time even though she kidnapped someone at gun point and took them across state lines… I mean, hello…. A number of felonies there that were just ignored… but, besides that, she was just a terrible persona and I am such a stickler for people getting away with being terrible people. It ruins everything for me. I need justice!
What I did love though, was both guys’ fathers. They both really surprised me, and I was so glad that they both had families willing to back them up and accept them for they were. Their love wasn’t conditional and I wish everyone had that. I loved that when Rod was in an accident, it lit a fire under Travis and he realized what was most important in his life and he made no bones about making sure they had a life together. He went from 0-60, really quick, but it was so needed. Once he decided, neither wavered. Finally!
Jasper also broke my heart. I was so hoping that the guys would take him in. It just added another part to the story that checks one of my boxes, because I love a hot dad…
So, overall, there were some bumps along the way, but they got through it together and came out happier and stronger together in the end. Who doesn’t love a good friends-to-lovers story?!
Can’t wait to see who’s next, and I really hope for something with Jorgenson and Otto, and maybe even something with Theo?? Fingers crossed!
4 stars from me!
October 17, 2018
5 Stars
I’ve been (im)patiently waiting for Travis and Rod’s story and Ms. Keaton didn’t disappoint me! I loved these guys, they may actually be my favorite couple from this series so far. While I wanted to knock their heads together in the beginning, I still absolutely adored them.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and His Best Man was a great one. Travis and Rod fit together so well, and their chemistry was out of this world. I loved that after Travis finally made up his mind to take their relationship to the next level, he was all in. I also understood Rod being wary of Travis’ confession of his feelings, essentially giving Rod what he’d always wanted, Travis.
I loved the secondary characters, Jasper and Gloria, as well as Rod’s dad and his family and I absolutely loved Michael, Travis’ father. He was an amazing support system for both Travis and Rod. I also loved getting to catch up with a couple of the couples from the previous installments in the series.
I love this little town of Skagit, and I’m hoping we get more of its residents' stories in the future. This was a sweet and funny story with a swoon-worthy ending that was well-written and left me with all the feels. Definitely recommendable!!
*copy purchased by reviewer*
I’ve been (im)patiently waiting for Travis and Rod’s story and Ms. Keaton didn’t disappoint me! I loved these guys, they may actually be my favorite couple from this series so far. While I wanted to knock their heads together in the beginning, I still absolutely adored them.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and His Best Man was a great one. Travis and Rod fit together so well, and their chemistry was out of this world. I loved that after Travis finally made up his mind to take their relationship to the next level, he was all in. I also understood Rod being wary of Travis’ confession of his feelings, essentially giving Rod what he’d always wanted, Travis.
I loved the secondary characters, Jasper and Gloria, as well as Rod’s dad and his family and I absolutely loved Michael, Travis’ father. He was an amazing support system for both Travis and Rod. I also loved getting to catch up with a couple of the couples from the previous installments in the series.
I love this little town of Skagit, and I’m hoping we get more of its residents' stories in the future. This was a sweet and funny story with a swoon-worthy ending that was well-written and left me with all the feels. Definitely recommendable!!
*copy purchased by reviewer*
September 28, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
5 stars
I was so excited to read this latest Accidental Roots series story. I’ve been reading and reviewing them here on the blog and I love everything about these books. I’ve often said I wished I could move to Skagit and become friends with all of the residents. While this is called an Accidental Roots book, it’s actually a stand alone taking place in the Accidental Roots universe. I think this is a great idea on the part of Elle Keaton, the author. Taking a successful series and branching out is an excellent choice.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
5 stars
I was so excited to read this latest Accidental Roots series story. I’ve been reading and reviewing them here on the blog and I love everything about these books. I’ve often said I wished I could move to Skagit and become friends with all of the residents. While this is called an Accidental Roots book, it’s actually a stand alone taking place in the Accidental Roots universe. I think this is a great idea on the part of Elle Keaton, the author. Taking a successful series and branching out is an excellent choice.
Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.
September 4, 2025
I would have given the story four stars. I liked Rod a lot and once Travis started his journey of self awareness I liked him as well. There isn't much angst but it was sweet. I felt the side story of Jasper fit well into the story. Lenore, well, everyone has crappy family members.
The problem was the audio edition. The narrator, Nicholas Santasier, has a slightly nasal voice. This didn't bother me. What did bother me was how often Nicholas ended phrases or sentences in an uptick, making everything sound like a question. Even in the middle of the sentence it would happen and it was so nails on a chalkboard for me.
The problem was the audio edition. The narrator, Nicholas Santasier, has a slightly nasal voice. This didn't bother me. What did bother me was how often Nicholas ended phrases or sentences in an uptick, making everything sound like a question. Even in the middle of the sentence it would happen and it was so nails on a chalkboard for me.
November 22, 2018
I enjoyed this one when I read it and gave it 4.5 stars. I was excited to see the author was dipping a toe into audio books... While I still liked the story, I didn't care for the narration, unfortunately. The enjoyment of voices is subjective, like all things, and I had a hard time with the tone of the narrator's voice. He was also on the fast side and I ended up slowing down the speed of the narration in the Audible app on my phone, when I usually like the speed a little faster.
But just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it wouldn't work for someone else!
But just because it didn't work for me, doesn't mean it wouldn't work for someone else!
March 27, 2019
The characters were flat and felt like they were written by someone who subscribes to the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" theory. The men felt 2 dimensional, most of the complex emotional plot was glossed over or outright ignored because as guys, they 'aren't good at the emotional stuff' (my paraphrasing but that's the jist).
Felt like it could have been fun or sexy and instead was shallow and more synopsis than story.
Felt like it could have been fun or sexy and instead was shallow and more synopsis than story.
July 12, 2019
I really enjoyed this story.
When I started reading I thought I had an idea what was going to happen, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. There were twists and turns along the way that I really didn't expect and side characters that I would love to hear more about. The epilogue was perfect and made me cry happy tears. Elle Keaton is a new author to me and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.
When I started reading I thought I had an idea what was going to happen, but I was pleasantly proved wrong. There were twists and turns along the way that I really didn't expect and side characters that I would love to hear more about. The epilogue was perfect and made me cry happy tears. Elle Keaton is a new author to me and I'm looking forward to reading more from her.
March 11, 2019
This one was pretty damn sweet. Less mystery and more get-your-head-out-of-your-ass-because-you're-in-love-with-your-best-friend.
July 1, 2019
His Best Man (Book 7)- 4 Stars: [Rod and Travis] I was wondering when Rod and Travis would get their crap together, while I hated how it happened I was so happy when it all was ok.
April 27, 2024
Some people can be so oblivious to what's staring them right in the face. Travis admitted to his best friend Rod that he was bisexual after Rod came out as gay but has been blind to Rod's infatuation with him. Announcing his engagement to the girl next door to satisfy his mother and sense of duty to the family devastates Rod. Once Travis's sister knocks some sense into him Travis does his best to right the wrong. Travis's mother loses it over the broken engagement bringing more drama into the mix.
October 21, 2018
4,5 heart review by Tori (Vicki)
Oh Rod and Travis… You drove me crazy!
These guys first appeared in another book in this series, as they hung out at The Loft, a gay bar in Skagit Washington. Cam, the bartender, watched the train wreck as an outsider and could see what these two didn’t see. Or at least what Travis didn’t see. What Travis failed to see was that his best friend Rod had been in love with him for years.
Travis is from an old farming family in Walla Walla (a city so nice they named it twice!) Washington, who befriends Rod when his family moves to town. Travis is bold and outgoing, Rod more shy. Travis’s family is wealthy and well known, Rod’s family not so much. The two are friends despite their differences, and once Rod comes out, still friends despite Travis’s mom’s lack of acceptance of Rod’s sexuality. Travis’s bisexuality is known to Rod, but not Travis’s family. Rod knows that Travis plans to marry a woman, make babies, and eventually take over the family farm, so even though he sees him with men, he keeps his feelings to himself. Until it comes to a head at Thanksgiving. Where Travis casually announces he is marrying the girl next door. Rod is brokenhearted and sneaks out, leaving a note for Travis. Rod heads back to Skagit, on the other side of the state, to nurse his wounds.
Both men separately have issues to work through (Travis I’m looking at YOU!), until they can get their shit together and BE in love! It does take some time for that to happen, and takes a potentially catastrophic event to bring them together. Also a small boy, and old lady, and some family support! And family drama…
I really liked this book! Travis made me nuts, but in a good way. He’s just so damn clueless! How he didn’t see Rod’s love for what it was years ago baffled me. Rod is so patient for so long, until he finally had enough. I loved how their story slowly developed, and how their family situations changed so drastically over the book. I loved the extra characters, the old lady Rod befriends, and the young boy he rescues. Cam makes an appearance or two, as well as Adam, Kon, Otto and Jorgensen the cop. Travis makes new friends who inspire him to start a new project. There was a couple of moments of drama that added some excitement and concerned me quite a bit, but luckily it all worked out! Oh, was that a spoiler? Shhhhhh…… don’t tell anyone, but this book has a happy ending!
It also has S.E.X. Not a ton, since these two are idiots for half of the book, but eventually they do get together and get it on! And it was nice and sweet, and sexy. They have been friends for so long, I loved seeing their sexy sides come out.
So yea! Another great book by Elle Keaton! She’s become such a solid writer this last year and a half, and I’ve loved watching her develop as an author. I look forward to seeing where she takes this series, and what else she gives us!
This is the seventh book in a series, but I bet you could read it without having read the others. There’s a few characters that come and go, but I don’t think you’d miss anything not knowing who they are. Give this one a try, then go buy the others!
Oh Rod and Travis… You drove me crazy!
These guys first appeared in another book in this series, as they hung out at The Loft, a gay bar in Skagit Washington. Cam, the bartender, watched the train wreck as an outsider and could see what these two didn’t see. Or at least what Travis didn’t see. What Travis failed to see was that his best friend Rod had been in love with him for years.
Travis is from an old farming family in Walla Walla (a city so nice they named it twice!) Washington, who befriends Rod when his family moves to town. Travis is bold and outgoing, Rod more shy. Travis’s family is wealthy and well known, Rod’s family not so much. The two are friends despite their differences, and once Rod comes out, still friends despite Travis’s mom’s lack of acceptance of Rod’s sexuality. Travis’s bisexuality is known to Rod, but not Travis’s family. Rod knows that Travis plans to marry a woman, make babies, and eventually take over the family farm, so even though he sees him with men, he keeps his feelings to himself. Until it comes to a head at Thanksgiving. Where Travis casually announces he is marrying the girl next door. Rod is brokenhearted and sneaks out, leaving a note for Travis. Rod heads back to Skagit, on the other side of the state, to nurse his wounds.
Both men separately have issues to work through (Travis I’m looking at YOU!), until they can get their shit together and BE in love! It does take some time for that to happen, and takes a potentially catastrophic event to bring them together. Also a small boy, and old lady, and some family support! And family drama…
I really liked this book! Travis made me nuts, but in a good way. He’s just so damn clueless! How he didn’t see Rod’s love for what it was years ago baffled me. Rod is so patient for so long, until he finally had enough. I loved how their story slowly developed, and how their family situations changed so drastically over the book. I loved the extra characters, the old lady Rod befriends, and the young boy he rescues. Cam makes an appearance or two, as well as Adam, Kon, Otto and Jorgensen the cop. Travis makes new friends who inspire him to start a new project. There was a couple of moments of drama that added some excitement and concerned me quite a bit, but luckily it all worked out! Oh, was that a spoiler? Shhhhhh…… don’t tell anyone, but this book has a happy ending!
It also has S.E.X. Not a ton, since these two are idiots for half of the book, but eventually they do get together and get it on! And it was nice and sweet, and sexy. They have been friends for so long, I loved seeing their sexy sides come out.
So yea! Another great book by Elle Keaton! She’s become such a solid writer this last year and a half, and I’ve loved watching her develop as an author. I look forward to seeing where she takes this series, and what else she gives us!
This is the seventh book in a series, but I bet you could read it without having read the others. There’s a few characters that come and go, but I don’t think you’d miss anything not knowing who they are. Give this one a try, then go buy the others!
0-mm-books-i-own-and-to-be-read
November 5, 2023I am beginning to despise and detest authors who are fucking ignorant and stupid, and obnoxious enough to, from an entire universe of beautiful and wonderful, and unique and special and interesting and stunning names, their stunted minds insist on including some of the fucking ugliest, blandest, most common, most generic, most boring, most irritating, most off-putting names that are out there, as names for their MCs!! Not only is it fucking obnoxious and unimaginative, it’s really fucking pathetic!!!
This author comes up with some of the most weird and bland and obnoxiously, generic and ugly names for her main characters and it just shows how stunted her imagination and uniqueness both are!! She writes like a 13-year-old dweeb who doesn’t know how to write, and for her to heap praise on anyone that has helped her edit this fucking drivel is entirely laughable!! More to the point, is she an idiot? She must be, because she acts like if you break your phone and get a new one, that also means you have to get a new number! The retardation is just absurd!!! If you break your phone, you just get a new fucking phone, you don’t have to change your fucking number, you fucking idiot!! The reason I am so angry is because authors like this pass off this garbage sloppy lazy subpar drivel, expect to get paid as if this is a final product, which does happen - because we the readers DO buy these books, only for readers to discover that this is just garbage and a complete waste of money!! Authors like this also act like they are above criticism when they must be the most criticized, because holy fuck … If this were the first book I’ve ever read by this author, I would never read anything by this author ever again, because I would say that the author is absolute garbage, trash, nonsense, and obnoxious bullshit!!! I am furious, because as a paying customer I feel completely cheated by authors like this!!!
This author comes up with some of the most weird and bland and obnoxiously, generic and ugly names for her main characters and it just shows how stunted her imagination and uniqueness both are!! She writes like a 13-year-old dweeb who doesn’t know how to write, and for her to heap praise on anyone that has helped her edit this fucking drivel is entirely laughable!! More to the point, is she an idiot? She must be, because she acts like if you break your phone and get a new one, that also means you have to get a new number! The retardation is just absurd!!! If you break your phone, you just get a new fucking phone, you don’t have to change your fucking number, you fucking idiot!! The reason I am so angry is because authors like this pass off this garbage sloppy lazy subpar drivel, expect to get paid as if this is a final product, which does happen - because we the readers DO buy these books, only for readers to discover that this is just garbage and a complete waste of money!! Authors like this also act like they are above criticism when they must be the most criticized, because holy fuck … If this were the first book I’ve ever read by this author, I would never read anything by this author ever again, because I would say that the author is absolute garbage, trash, nonsense, and obnoxious bullshit!!! I am furious, because as a paying customer I feel completely cheated by authors like this!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2018
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
I’ve been looking forward to Rod and Travis’ story since the first time they popped up in this series and it was worth the wait. Rod has been trying to work up the courage to tell his best friend Travis that he is in love with him. But when Travis suddenly announces his engagement to the girl next door, Rod pulls away from Travis and tries to get over him.
At first I loved how clueless Travis was. Everyone seems to be aware that Rod is in love with Travis except Travis. Travis is a really intelligent guy but when it comes to people he is clueless and it did start to bug me a little because I was getting impatient waiting to Travis to man up, clue in and go after what he wants.
On the other side of this friendship Rod is a good guy. Firefighter during the summer and now driving a school bus, he is great with kids and a really good guy. I was torn between cheering for him to move on from Travis and find someone new and wanting him to run into Travis’ arms and confess his feelings. But going in I knew that was only one ending this this story, it was just a matter of how we got there.
His Best Man is a really lovely story and I enjoyed all the journey of seeing Rod and Travis work themselves out as a couple but also as men by pursuing a future that they want, making a life for themselves and fixing straining family relationships. I think the ending the story is really sweet and I was left wanting to spend more time with this couple. Hopefully we will see them again.
I’ve been looking forward to Rod and Travis’ story since the first time they popped up in this series and it was worth the wait. Rod has been trying to work up the courage to tell his best friend Travis that he is in love with him. But when Travis suddenly announces his engagement to the girl next door, Rod pulls away from Travis and tries to get over him.
At first I loved how clueless Travis was. Everyone seems to be aware that Rod is in love with Travis except Travis. Travis is a really intelligent guy but when it comes to people he is clueless and it did start to bug me a little because I was getting impatient waiting to Travis to man up, clue in and go after what he wants.
On the other side of this friendship Rod is a good guy. Firefighter during the summer and now driving a school bus, he is great with kids and a really good guy. I was torn between cheering for him to move on from Travis and find someone new and wanting him to run into Travis’ arms and confess his feelings. But going in I knew that was only one ending this this story, it was just a matter of how we got there.
His Best Man is a really lovely story and I enjoyed all the journey of seeing Rod and Travis work themselves out as a couple but also as men by pursuing a future that they want, making a life for themselves and fixing straining family relationships. I think the ending the story is really sweet and I was left wanting to spend more time with this couple. Hopefully we will see them again.
June 14, 2022
In His Best Man we finally get to see Rod Beton and Travis Walker, who we briefly met in Unforgivable when they came into the bar where Cam worked, have their story told. As you can imagine it isn't all roses and rainbows for the pair(it would be a pretty dull and short pamphlet if it was easy😉).
Poor Rod has long since been in love with his friend Travis and just as he's worked up the courage to talk to him about it he finds himself being asked to be Travis' best man. You just want to bundle Rod in bubblewrap to keep his heart safe and I'll admit I wanted to throttle Travis on more than one occasion but there has to be some drama in the seventh entry in Accidental Roots series or it wouldn't fit the Skagit, Washington crew we've come to know and love.
His Best Man is definitely a tale of timing, acceptance, and being who you were born to be. Whether Rod and Travis came find that right timing is something you'll have to read for yourself. Again, this entry has even less to no mystery crime-wise than the previous entries but that lack of who-done-it didn't keep me from devouring the boys' journey. You'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll cry some more, but most of all your heart will be warmed by that last page.
Once again, this entry is a standalone but personally I am glad I read them in order. Mostly its just some secondary character mentions and cameos from the earlier stories that made it flow better for me knowing where their journey took them but if you start with His Best Man you won't be lost. However you choose to read Accidental Roots, I highly recommend giving this series the time because they are all wonderfully written tales that keep you entertained from beginning to end.
Poor Rod has long since been in love with his friend Travis and just as he's worked up the courage to talk to him about it he finds himself being asked to be Travis' best man. You just want to bundle Rod in bubblewrap to keep his heart safe and I'll admit I wanted to throttle Travis on more than one occasion but there has to be some drama in the seventh entry in Accidental Roots series or it wouldn't fit the Skagit, Washington crew we've come to know and love.
His Best Man is definitely a tale of timing, acceptance, and being who you were born to be. Whether Rod and Travis came find that right timing is something you'll have to read for yourself. Again, this entry has even less to no mystery crime-wise than the previous entries but that lack of who-done-it didn't keep me from devouring the boys' journey. You'll cry, you'll laugh, you'll cry some more, but most of all your heart will be warmed by that last page.
Once again, this entry is a standalone but personally I am glad I read them in order. Mostly its just some secondary character mentions and cameos from the earlier stories that made it flow better for me knowing where their journey took them but if you start with His Best Man you won't be lost. However you choose to read Accidental Roots, I highly recommend giving this series the time because they are all wonderfully written tales that keep you entertained from beginning to end.
September 28, 2018
A wonderful contemporary romance. From the first page you're drawn into the characters and the emotions that they are going through.
Rod's unrequited love for his best friend and the surprise engagement announcement by Travis causes Rod to run back home, ignoring contact and trying to just move on with life. Travis has no idea what's going on with his relationships both with his best friend and his "fiancee". After taking time, and advice from his sister, he finally decides what is right for him and his future.
I love that for the first few chapters, we get to spend time with the characters separately. Each man going through daily life but dealing with the separation from their best friend. The pacing of the story is really good as we're not hanging around and just take time to focus in on important moments until it comes time for the two men to meet again.
There are a lot of emotions that we go through with the MC's ranging from the negative at the beginning to the happier, together moments towards the end. There are a couple of hard moments to read, coming more from secondary characters but it helps the story and bringing our MC's together. We do have some characters from the previous books pop up but if this is the first you've read in the series, it doesn't detract from your enjoyment and it's not confusing in any way.
I recommend this read and this series. Elle is a wonderful author, bringing characters to life and enhancing their lives with other people and the world around them.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Rod's unrequited love for his best friend and the surprise engagement announcement by Travis causes Rod to run back home, ignoring contact and trying to just move on with life. Travis has no idea what's going on with his relationships both with his best friend and his "fiancee". After taking time, and advice from his sister, he finally decides what is right for him and his future.
I love that for the first few chapters, we get to spend time with the characters separately. Each man going through daily life but dealing with the separation from their best friend. The pacing of the story is really good as we're not hanging around and just take time to focus in on important moments until it comes time for the two men to meet again.
There are a lot of emotions that we go through with the MC's ranging from the negative at the beginning to the happier, together moments towards the end. There are a couple of hard moments to read, coming more from secondary characters but it helps the story and bringing our MC's together. We do have some characters from the previous books pop up but if this is the first you've read in the series, it doesn't detract from your enjoyment and it's not confusing in any way.
I recommend this read and this series. Elle is a wonderful author, bringing characters to life and enhancing their lives with other people and the world around them.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
February 19, 2019
This is the first book of Elle Keaton’s that I’ve read and I’m always a bit skeptical when starting with a new author. His Best Man had a slow start and I wasn’t sure I was going to stick with it. However, once the characters were in the same location, the pacing and plot picked up and became much more engaging.
Travis and Rod have been friends since childhood and they have always harbored a romantic love for each other. However, due to a number of circumstances and insecurities, they have never confessed these feelings to each other. When an accident happens and Travis is faced with the possibility of having lost his best friend and the man he loves, he knows that it’s time to finally be courageous enough for the both of them.
Travis and Rod’s relationship was well developed and it was easy to connect with and love each of the characters, especially when they were together and I could see how well they knew and loved each other.
Keaton also did a good job of creating a world in Skagit and incorporating dynamic minor characters and subplots. While I haven’t yet read any of the other books in the Accidental Roots series, I am definitely interested in exploring them a bit further.
Overall, while this book did get a bit of a slow start, it improved mid-way through and offers a feel-good relationship, a focus on the meaning of family, and a great happily ever after for Travis and Rod.
Travis and Rod have been friends since childhood and they have always harbored a romantic love for each other. However, due to a number of circumstances and insecurities, they have never confessed these feelings to each other. When an accident happens and Travis is faced with the possibility of having lost his best friend and the man he loves, he knows that it’s time to finally be courageous enough for the both of them.
Travis and Rod’s relationship was well developed and it was easy to connect with and love each of the characters, especially when they were together and I could see how well they knew and loved each other.
Keaton also did a good job of creating a world in Skagit and incorporating dynamic minor characters and subplots. While I haven’t yet read any of the other books in the Accidental Roots series, I am definitely interested in exploring them a bit further.
Overall, while this book did get a bit of a slow start, it improved mid-way through and offers a feel-good relationship, a focus on the meaning of family, and a great happily ever after for Travis and Rod.
August 22, 2023
This book was very sweet, not much in the angst department, and mystery free.
We begin with Rod leaving his best friends house after he announces his engagement. He has been in love with Travis for years, and that was the final straw for him. He leaves a note, but of course it stays unread. Rod tries to move on, and Travis finally starts to figure out his own feelings for Rod. He had his head up his arse in that department, but with a mother like that who could blame him.
When they get together it is pretty much plain sailing and everything gets drawn up in a pretty bow! The only blip is Travis's mum, she was plain nasty! Their relationship, and everything round them, just too easy. Most problems got resolved to easily, like Rod and his dad. I did love them together, they have great chemistry, but Travis drove me mad a times.
I loved the secondary characters, the story just wasn't as great as other books. I did enjoy it, just felt that many things got overlooked. I didn't understand the kid really either, he was sweet, just seemed a bit odd to add him in. It was like an insta-family!
We begin with Rod leaving his best friends house after he announces his engagement. He has been in love with Travis for years, and that was the final straw for him. He leaves a note, but of course it stays unread. Rod tries to move on, and Travis finally starts to figure out his own feelings for Rod. He had his head up his arse in that department, but with a mother like that who could blame him.
When they get together it is pretty much plain sailing and everything gets drawn up in a pretty bow! The only blip is Travis's mum, she was plain nasty! Their relationship, and everything round them, just too easy. Most problems got resolved to easily, like Rod and his dad. I did love them together, they have great chemistry, but Travis drove me mad a times.
I loved the secondary characters, the story just wasn't as great as other books. I did enjoy it, just felt that many things got overlooked. I didn't understand the kid really either, he was sweet, just seemed a bit odd to add him in. It was like an insta-family!
March 20, 2021
Romance, A dog, A kid - lots of drama who could ask for more?
Travis & Rod have been best friends since third grade. They live in a small town and been through most milestones together from college, firefighting to escapades. Travis the oldest son future plan take over the family farm, "when he not playing firefighter with his Best Friend". Marry a girl & settle down & produce an hier. Rod family divorce left him without an anchor except his best friend. Adults now Travis takes on proposing to the girl next door. Rod has to face best friends is all there will be so he decides to leave n lick his wounds. Then life happens fast paced and these gentlemen will habe too many decisions in front of them. This is for the reader with crush & fear to take the step, ones that think there family dysfunctional, or whom feel broken because love and " the one" can make all the difference even with lots of drama in your life - one has to have that person in your corner "has your back"! V2, S2 more reviews & opinions please check me & my followers @my2centsbooklover Thank you!
Travis & Rod have been best friends since third grade. They live in a small town and been through most milestones together from college, firefighting to escapades. Travis the oldest son future plan take over the family farm, "when he not playing firefighter with his Best Friend". Marry a girl & settle down & produce an hier. Rod family divorce left him without an anchor except his best friend. Adults now Travis takes on proposing to the girl next door. Rod has to face best friends is all there will be so he decides to leave n lick his wounds. Then life happens fast paced and these gentlemen will habe too many decisions in front of them. This is for the reader with crush & fear to take the step, ones that think there family dysfunctional, or whom feel broken because love and " the one" can make all the difference even with lots of drama in your life - one has to have that person in your corner "has your back"! V2, S2 more reviews & opinions please check me & my followers @my2centsbooklover Thank you!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews