Welcome to Sutton Station: One of the world’s largest working farms in the middle of Australia – where if the animals and heat don’t kill you first, your heart just might.
Book One Charlie Sutton runs Sutton Station the only way he knows how; the way his father did before him. Determined to keep his head down and his heart in check, Charlie swears the red dirt that surrounds him – isolates him – runs through his veins.
American agronomy student Travis Craig arrives at Sutton Station to see how farmers make a living from one of the harshest environments on earth. But it’s not the barren, brutal and totally beautiful landscapes that capture him so completely.
It’s the man with the red dirt heart.
Book Two Up until Travis arrived on his doorstep, Charlie had lived a very solitary life. He had surrounded himself with isolation; a couple million acres of red dirt, scorching sun and loneliness. Six months on, winter has settled over the desert, and Charlie has the life he never dreamed possible. But living and working together, twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, for six months straight starts to take its toll.
Charlie is a stubborn, stubborn man, who tends to have more conversations in his head than what comes out his mouth, whereas Travis has no problem saying what’s on his mind. And even as they both struggle to communicate, struggle to make sense of need versus want, Charlie can see that he’s pushing Travis away - yet seems helpless to stop it.
When it all boils down to whether Travis should stay or go, maybe the decision won’t be theirs to make.
Book Three Life for Charlie Sutton has never been better, or busier.
With Travis now a permanent fixture of Sutton Station, a permanent fixture at Charlie’s side, Charlie’s convinced he couldn’t do anything on his ever-growing to-do list without him. He can run a multimillion-dollar cattle business, finish his degree, try and further the local beef industry, deal with staff issues, Ma’s failing health, and an attention-demanding wombat. He can even deal with an unexpected visitor and some shattering news. He can deal with it all, as long as he has Travis.
But what happens when he doesn’t? Red Dirt Heart 3 is the story of Charlie Sutton finally realising he can be the man Travis Craig deserves, even if he doesn’t have Travis. It’s a story of love, family, holding on, letting go and coming home.
Book Four Moving from a Texas ranch to an Australian Outback station was a life changing decision for Travis Craig. Though it wasn’t really a decision at all. Something in his bones told him to go, though he had no clue as to why. Until he met Sutton Station’s owner, Charlie.
Loving Charlie shouldn’t have been easy. The man was stubborn, and riddled with crippling self-doubt. No, it shouldn’t have been easy at all. Yet somehow, falling in love with Charlie was the easiest thing in the world. Loving him was easy. Living with him, teaching him how to love in return and, more importantly, how to love himself, was not.
But Travis knew all along it’d be worth it. He knew the man with the red dirt heart was destined to be his. Just like he knew the red dirt that surrounded him was where he was supposed to be. In the final installment of the Red Dirt Series, we see Charlie through Travis’ eyes. We see how much he’s grown and how much he loves. We go back to Texas with them, and we see Charlie get everything he truly thought he never deserved.
Red Dirt Heart 4 is Travis’ story. And this is the story of not just one red dirt heart, but two.
Also included: Red Dirt Heart Christmas short story Red Dirt Heart Imago crossover
N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn't have it any other way.
She is many things; a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who she gives them life with words.
She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things...but likes it even more when they fall in love. She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
I’ve been slowly re-reading this one over the past week. One of my favorite series ever.
Light on the dramatics and heavy on the introspection and heart. The story begins with an American agronomy student, Travis, arriving at Sutton Station, Australia. He is shown the station (cattle ranch) by the owner, Charlie.
This story combines some of my favorite book character qualities. Genuine character growth, honesty, vulnerability, humor, and loads of steam. Between the nose nudges, foot holding under the table, and the crinkles of eyes, Travis and Charlie are wrapped around my heart forever.
Do yourselves a favour and grab a copy of this Collection, then sit back and enjoy the ride to the Red Dirt Outback in Australia. Specifically to the Sutton Station which covers an area over 10,000 square miles.
That’s what twenty two year old Travis Craig did for a month, when he finished Uni in Texas. As a student he had studied Agronomy and he wanted to compare farming conditions between Texas and Outback Australia. Well he got more than he bargained for.
When he entered the kitchen of the homestead and met, Ma and George, Billy, Ernie, Trudy and Bacon he was charmed by the warm welcome and friendly faces. Later when the Station (read Farm) owner, 25 year old Charles Sutton, walked in Travis’s heart left his chest, at least that’s what it felt like.
At the end of the month he didn’t want to leave, despite Charles telling him he couldn’t stay. His permit Visa was up. But two stubborn men get to work to make things happen. And things surely do happen that will make you laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time.
Let me just say that this MM Love story is what dreams are made of, and I will never forget this story of a lifetime, where against all stumbling blocks, the heart gets what it wants.
You will fall in love with Travis instantly, then Charlie, then the wider chosen family of secondary characters, plus a wombat called Nugget. Big Plus, you will learn so much about the hardships of living in the Outback environment, it’s beauty, it’s dangers from creatures like deadly snakes and spiders, not to mention the deadly heat.
N.R Walker has written this excellent MM series covering a time period of 20 years at Sutton Station. Treat yourself to this one.
Red Dirt Heart Series will be my measuring stick for future additions to my WTR list.
TW. There is some homophobia here in the Outback among old-timer conservatives. Also, father/son broken relationship.
I eagerly revisited the brilliant Red Dirt Heart series when it was re-released as a collection recently. It’s one of my very favorite MM romance series. It’s quintessential N.R. Walker at her very best, and although I have enjoyed every one of her books, there’s something truly special about this series and its leading men. Red Dirt Heart is an immensely enjoyable epic spanning – with the epilogue – nearly twenty-five years. The collection features stunning world building, deep character development of both primary and secondary characters, and a beautiful love story of two men destined for each other. This is strong on the hurt/comfort theme so my eyes leaked quite a bit during the reading. I might go so far as to admit I wept at times.
Book One introduces us to Charlie and Travis, the station hands, and life and work on Sutton Station. For the first time, we get to experience the beauty of the Outback. Charlie Sutton is a twenty-five-year-old man who inherited one of the largest and most remote stations (ranches) in all of Australia, three hours from the nearest town in the Northern Territory. He’s the most stubborn man who walks the earth but he’s caring, loyal and generous with his staff, and a touch jealous and possessive around Trav. And sadly, he carries a world of insecurity.
For Charlie, being a farmer and living on the land is not a job, it’s a way of life. It’s who Charlie is to his very core. When twenty-three-year-old Travis, an agricultural science exchange student from America, lands on his doorstep for a month to work on the farm, he’s struck by how much they have in common. Trav is a kind, funny, beautiful man who shares his soul deep respect and appreciation for the land, the animals, and the people. Travis is a kind, happy, hard-working guy who’s always smiling. He’s a natural on the station. He has his own streak of stubbornness, as well. He never wants to leave and soon his heart is composed of red dirt, too.
Although communication isn’t Charlie's strong suit, these men are always there for each other, with a hand to hold, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a chest to lean against, and the strength to support each other through difficult times, which are plentiful. Their love isn’t demonstrative; it’s in the tender moments before they fall asleep, the small gestures, how they intertwine their feet under the table, and how they cup each other’s faces before they kiss. It’s in the way they help each other, day in and day out. It feels genuine.
Charlie lives with his deceased, homophobic father's disappointment and has to deal with the secondhand shame instilled in him. He was cruelly told he’d have to live a hard, solitary life on the station without a partner because a gay man could never gain the necessary respect and trust of his employees, other farmers, and business colleagues. It takes lots of time for Trav to help Charlie let go of his father’s ghost in his head.
Book Two is all about the growing pains as the men settle into their six-month-old relationship. Charlie’s out of his depth with no relationship experience. He struggles with the idea of being openly gay. He wants so badly to acknowledge Trav as his boyfriend – even to just hold his hand in public – but he can’t get past the deep-rooted mental block set in place by his father.
Charlie also worries that Trav will grow tired of the simple life on the station. He knows Trav is homesick and has a hard time believing his beloved would choose him over returning to his life and family in Texas. He’s so afraid Trav will leave that he begins to push him away. He worries that he can’t be the man Trav wants him to be. Trav works hard to convince Charlie otherwise, but this is a pervasive theme through to book four.
Trav adopts a precious, orphaned animal who keeps the family entertained.
Book Three amps up the angst as Charlie and Trav deal with major trials and tribulations and support each other throughout. There’s a new star in town when another adorable, spirited, baby animal joins the family after Trav rescues him. Charlie works to be a farmer Trav is proud of by becoming a leader and innovator among area farmers, working toward his college degree, and being more personally involved in the lives of his employees. Trav helps Charlie to better understand his past relationship with his father. And the men must endure an extended separation that causes Charlie’s insecurities to get the better of him. Throughout all of this, Charlie and Trav’s love for each other grows stronger and deeper.
Book Four switches to Trav’s first person POV. The story continues with Charlie finally finding true peace within himself and being secure that Trav is with him forever. Charlie leaves Australia for the first time when the men travel to Texas to visit Trav's family. And the station family expands.
This is Charlie and Travis' story, but it’s also a study of Charlie’s growth after meeting Travis. We first see him as a closed off, self-doubting man who believes his deceased father’s harmful words and doesn't think he deserves happiness. By the end, we’ve witnessed his journey to becoming a self-confident man who is open with friends and family, can communicate well with Trav, and understands that his fate is in his own hands. Charlie learns all about acceptance over time: finally understanding and accepting that he’s not his father and doesn’t have to make the same mistakes; proudly accepting his sexuality and becoming an out and proud gay man; accepting his employees as the family they truly are; and most of all, accepting that Trav isn’t going to leave him.
The Characters
This series wouldn’t be successful without the myriad of supporting roles, beginning with Ma, the cook, caretaker, and heart of Sutton Station, and her husband, George, the lead hand. Charlie was raised by Ma, the only mother he’s ever known, and George is the man Charlie looks up to.
Each and every character – from the station hands to the cantankerous, old-school farmers who hate Charlie, to the younger, I've-always-got-your-back farmer friends, the troubled teenagers Charlie invites onto the farm, Trav’s family, and various children – is well developed with rich personalities and stories of their own. Even the baby animals Trav keeps rescuing bring an abundance of personality and humor to the homestead. This is truly a found family with love, trust, and support all around.
One of the themes of the series is about Charlie moving from being detached from the people he works with because he’s afraid of being hurt and let down, to blurring the lines between boss/employee and accepting his hands as friends and family, too.
Exceptional World Building
I never tired of reading and learning about life and work on the station. It’s far from my way of life so I found it fascinating: the twice-yearly musters of the cattle, the horse riding, working with the newborn calves, the interaction between all the station hands, and so much more. Ms. Walker paints such a vivid picture I felt like I was watching a documentary on life in the Outback where the dust from the red dirt permeates everything. The landscape is “peaceful, dangerous, and beautiful” and we see it all through Charlie’s eyes, whether it’s on horseback, motorbike, or in the helicopter. There’s the natural spring lagoon and the layered limestone ridge casting shadows over the harsh, sweeping terrain where more than 2,000 cattle graze. The imagery is so realistic I could almost feel the 120 degree heat. And then there’s the stillness of the land when night falls and the desert is covered with millions of stars.
The warm, welcoming 1920s homestead, with its wide verandas and iron roof, is the heart of the station. There are the daily meals around the large dining table, conversations in the kitchen with Ma, and lots of intimate time in the bedroom.
The Intimate Times
There’s nothing Trav likes more than to work hard and get dirty all day long and then get dirty and worked over hard all night long. This pair loves sex: hard sex, sleepy sex, comforting sex, just lots of it, but never too much for the books. They’re on fire together, but its sweet, too.
The Epilogue
The ending is a masterpiece of happily ever after. The book itself spans four or five years and then the epilogue adds nineteen more!! For me, a book is not complete if I’m not assured my guys are happy far into the future, and this book delivers. There are no loose ends, no stone unturned. It’s simply perfection.
If you haven’t yet experienced the extraordinary Red Dirt Heart, now is the time you can get it all in one series collection. It’s also the perfect time for a re-read if you already know how special Charlie, Trav, and all of Sutton Station is. Enjoy!
ARC kindly provided to Love Bytes Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Love this series and thoroughly enjoyed purchasing it as the box seat and re-reading it. The characters, the setting, the secondary people, the writing - love it. Highly recommend!
Fun rural love story set in the Australian outback, between the owner of the Station who’s resigned to a lonely life working the land and the cattle with his few employees, and an American who’s come for a few weeks to learn about how things are done differently in the Northern Territory compared to the ranch he’s from in Texas.
The attraction between the two men is instant, but they keep things on the down-low. When Travis’ horse returns without him, Charlie is beside himself with worry and fear, and will not stop looking for his American visitor. Not only is the heat and dryness of the desert a worry; there are also various kinds of deadly snakes in the area, and he and the other workers have to race against the clock to cover vast amounts of land to try and find him.
Quick read, fast paced, lots of longing, some drama, and a few detailed scenes of intimacy. Thoroughly enjoyed this story and will definitely continue the series!
Red Dirt Heart 2: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Excellent continuation of Charlie and Travis’ story! This book is quite tense, with some miscommunication and frustrations, as both men find their feet in their relationship. Tension is further exacerbated when Travis brings home a baby red kangaroo, and a lot of other things happen all at once. Charlie is understandably stressed, and he’s never learnt how to cope with stress other than on his own, which then causes arguments with Travis. But Ma is a great presence in their lives, and with some help from her (and the rest of the Sutton Station crew), both men start to learn how to be a couple.
This is very much a novel that builds and develops the characters, with a few crucial plot developments as well. I look forward to the next book in the series!
Red Dirt Heart 3: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
In this third book in the Red Dirt Heart series, spring has arrived at Sutton station. This book is full of birthing cows and baby calves, a baby wombat still growing strong, and so much life… but also death. There’s a lot of joy in book 3, but also a lot of sadness, scares and heartbreak. But also healing. As the story goes on, I feel like I get to know all the workers on the Station really well, even though so far the whole series has been told from Charlie’s POV. I care deeply about all of these characters, and the animals as well. When they hurt, I hurt, and when they’re happy, I’m happy. Travis has been at the Station for a year now, and I believe there’s a Christmas novella up next, before we see the next year in book 4!
Red Dirt Heart 4: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
A stunning conclusion to the Red Dirt Heart series! ❤️
After 3 books and novella told entirely from Charlie’s POV, we finally get to hear Travis’ voice, and it was beautiful! There were some inconsistencies, considering I read the Christmas novella prior to this book, but I choose to take this book as canon and the novella to be the inconsistent story.
I have a lot of love for these characters and the love they find with each other. There’s hurt/comfort, longing and lust, there were several times where I teared up, but I won’t say why as I want to keep this review spoiler free. The setting is beautiful (even though I’ve never seen it and can only imagine it). The epilogues spanning years were everything I needed to wrap this series up.
All in all, I want to compare this reading experience to that of watching several seasons of a to show. With the first three novels spanning about a year, and book 4 the following year, and then all the epilogues, I really feel like I’ve been in a journey with these characters. Not just Charlie and Travis, but all the minor characters as well; they’re memorable and lovable and I’m so happy to have experienced this story with them!
Red Dirt Heart Christmas (3.5): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Super cute, Christmas-in-the-desert story! It’s Travis’ first Christmas in Australia, and Charlie wants nothing more than to make him happy. In true Red Dirt fashion, injuries occur so the hurt/comfort trope remains present, and speaking of presents, Charlie sure has a good one for Travis!
Edit after reading book 4:
I read this book between 3 and 4 because N.R. Walker said it’s set between the two, as Travis’ first Christmas in Australia: “In RDH1 when Travis arrives, it’s summer, RDH2 is autumn/winter, RDH3 is spring and RDH4, being Trav’s pov, is back to summer and spans another year. Christmas in Australia is in summer, so according to the actual timeline of the series, Travis’ first Christmas falls between RDH3 and RDH4, though it is not mentioned.”
However, I’m confused. A huge plot point of book 4 is that Charlie has never met Travis’ parents and is nervous about that, but that’s for thanksgiving, so the following spring, in Australia, but this novel has them visiting for Travis’ first Christmas. Or was this meant to be set within Book 4, after thanksgiving but before Christmas? But then that doesn’t make sense either, given they talk about it being a year since Travis was last in Texas, which happened in book 3, so a Christmas will have happened within that year…
Timeline wise, I think this story just doesn’t work, because it doesn’t fit with the rest of the novels in the series. It’s still a really cute Christmas novella though, and I absolutely adore Travis and Charlie 🥰
Red Dirt Heart Imago (4.5 - set after 4 but only partially through the epilogue): ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
I’m coming to this novella after having read Imago and Imagines; I’ve not read the Red Dirt series, but I definitely need to now!
I’m obsessed with Lawson and Jack and their life chasing butterflies around Australia. Their love story is beautiful and that was still visible here! In addition, there are chapters from the POV of Charlie, who had a fling with Jack back when they were both in uni in Sydney, and his husband Travis. I’ve got a glimpse into their life together through this novella, and it’s definitely left me wanting more. Before that though, I need to read Imagoes, to finish off Jack and Lawson’s story! 💖
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Rating (All ratings use a Scale of 1-5) = As a whole 4.5. For me, this compilation is so much better than its individual parts. It's a beautiful story of a long term relationship and ranch life.
What stood out (taking in consideration I've completed over 2000 m/m books) = The setting and the animal rescues
Mood Type : Appeal to those looking for... (and /or those who should avoid) Those who like to read about a great relationship that develops and strengthens over time. 2 strong m/c's. Anyone with an interest in ranch life and/or Australia.
Warnings = None HFN/HEA = Definitely
Series Notes = This book is a compilation of the entire series including shorts. *Reading on? N/A *Reading back to back? Yes *Can be easily read without the previous? N/A
Rating Notes = (SubPlots, thoughts, etc... ) I didn't completely love any single story, but I loved it all as a whole. I especially appreciated seeing snippets of their lives over the next 20 years at the end of the last book. There are some heart rigging moments and lots of relationship and desert ranch life issues to overcome, but the author builds a beautiful family including those we choose. The writing is beautifully detailed and flowed smoothly. I was entrenched and invested in these people and the life they'd built.
*************** Below is my philosophy on reviewing! *************** 1. I try to take into account and note common pet peeves noted by other readers 2. "Brain candy' does not necessarily carry a negative connotation. (What is brain candy? Publishing industry 's version of pop music - Typically: formulaic, from a prolific author published often and quickly (like monthly), things escalate fast, and are often solved easily etc..) It has its uses: to pass time when tired, on the beach, etc... The problem comes when "brain candy" is unexpected or even disguised. 3. Why rate the blurbs? : Like many readers, I do not like to think I'm reading one kind of story; just to end up with another. But...I also don't think a book should be docked stars for being as stated. If I don't like stories about "_________", and I choose to read it; I shouldn't give it 2 stars based JUST on my preferences. Unless... it wasn't clear in the blurb. 4. Other Factors that effect my perspective when reviewing: Since 2009, I have exclusively read m/m. My 1st was in 2007. I am a Kindle diehard, and I never do audio for m/m. I read at least 100+ books a year - with an average length of 220± pages. My Goodreads lifetime rating (at the start of 2022) was a 3.60 average for 1715 books. Which considering, one should be better at picking out books the more one reads, I feel is an accurate average. I have over 800 reviews within the m/m genre here on Goodreads. 5. I'm really confused by reviews that consist of just 2 to 3 sentences - with no explanation or evidence. I'm even more baffled when it receives "likes". I'm unsure of how it is useful to others on whether or not to pick a book, for example: "It was a fun read". Umm okay... What made it fun? For that matter, what do you define as fun? Do not even get me started on people who have rated over a 1000 books with a 4.99 rating average. How is that helpful? And there's is absolutely no way that every book is above average great / 5 star read. Why even bother to rate books? 6. I am not a writer nor a wordsmith, but I am a passionate reader. I joined the m/m group years ago, but I mostly lurk. I like to ask questions, debate, and quite possibly play Devil's advocate - which is hard to do online, with unknown people - to whom you are also an unknown- and no body language is available to convey intent. Plus, true debates seems to be a lost art form where respect and even friendliness can be shown between those with fundamentally different opinions.
Oh my god help me I loved this book/ series so much it hurts.
I don’t think reviewing each book separately does the series justice, and I’m so glad I found this late so I didn’t have to wait to read the next- but after nearly 1200 pages and idk how many hours - I have to leave Sutton station & I can I tell you I cried real damn tears.
NR walker my love- this series was IT. The first book I was like ok where is this headed.. I would have given it 4 stars, but phew you took me with you on a ride and I didn’t want it to end. Charlie, Travis, Ma- George. I fell in love with the whole Station crew.
Travis’ POV in book 4! Come on 😍
Now can I be selfish? Why the fast forward through Millie’s life? Why no book 5 in place of the 17 year epilogue? And tell me please that you’re going to give us a Logan / Millie crossover book? Does it exist?
This was everything. Thank you!
**Joel Leslie killed the accents in the audio edition **
I enjoyed all these books and found them uplifting and heartwarming
Spoilers ahead:
My single comment would only be about Charlie's birth father turning out his pregnant wife; what; why ; there is no reason another kid would have been an issue out on a ranch. and wouldn't she have asked ma and George for help or to intercede for her. they'd lived in the same house for years and we're friends. They wouldn't have let her go without a trace like that. That gap in the narrative I found totally unbelievable.
I stumbled upon this book series about a month ago. Since then I have listened to the first 4 books 3 times. I am almost done with the 4th book and I find myself thinking “I should listen again”.
I cannot get enough of Charlie and Travis. They just fit together. The rest of the Sutton Station staff are great also.
Thank you N.R. Walker for such a great series! I loved that you kept it going with the two extra stories.
Charlie and Travis absolutely are the best couple NR Walker has written. I have read this whole series through more than once and I love it so much. There is nothing quite like these two red dirt hearts and the love they share that is even bigger than Sutton Station.
Travis and Charlie's love for each other is palpable and beautifully conveyed through the written word. The story of their healing, growth, and sense of family is truly remarkable. Once you immerse yourself in the world of Sutton Station, you'll find it hard to leave. This tale of two men finding their way to each other will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on your heart and soul.
This series took me on an adventure to another land and was entertaining and moving. It's a journey with two lovers that makes one a part of their family. Loved it and was sad to say goodbye.
Best book series ever. Greatest side and main characters. Funny and dramatic and romantic and very australien 🔥 i recommande it to those who like gay romance and to those who want to enjoy a good romance 🫶🏻
Such a great way to explore the Australian farming way of life .... And to have it all described so wonderfully, along with a M/M romance ...nothing could be better !
Book 1 4.5 stars. Nice start to the series. I liked both Travis & Charlie and they're very cute together, but what I loved most about it is the location. I loved reading about the land, the animals and the work family.
Book 2 4.75 stars. Charlie was a little too much of a moody teenager in the first half of the book, but other than that it's a great continuation of the story. Still love the Outback, the supporting characters and there's a cute little baby kangaroo in this book :)
Book 3 4.75 stars. This series continues to be a joy to read. Loved to see Charlie get so much more confident in himself and who he is and in his relationship with Travis (even though there's still a wobble in the end). And in this book there's Nugget, who's even cuter than Matilda the kangaroo. The only thing I had trouble with in this book is that I still don't completely get what happened between Charlie's parents and why his father wanted his mother to have an abortion or leave. That's never completely explained.
Book 4 4.5 stars. Very romantic and nice to have a book from Travis's perspective, since the other three were from Charlie's. This was the perfect ending to Charlie and Travis's story.