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Briar County #2
Sundae's Best
Grady Dalton is in a rut. He’s thirty-eight, without a boyfriend, and has yet to find the place that feels like home. The closest he ever got was his best friend, Nathan. But it’s been seven years since he passed, and life isn’t getting easier. That’s how he ends up in Briar County, hoping to grow roots in the place Nathan had loved.
Deacon Sharpe spends his days serving homemade ice cream at Sundae’s Best and his nights alone, pretending he’s getting by after his wife’s death better than he is. His world is rocked when a man shows up, claiming he’d been his brother-in-law’s best friend, and who seems to miss Nathan as much as Deacon misses Patty.
Their losses connect them, but soon, the weight of their loneliness eases with laughter, making ice cream, and Grady reminding Deacon what it feels like to be held again. Deacon tells himself it’s platonic. How can it be more when he’s forty and has never been with a man, never even been attracted to one. But then, he’d never felt those things about anyone other than Patty either. And when Grady touches him…kisses him…nothing else matters and the rest of the world melts away.
Together they can deal with family drama, small-town gossip, and Deacon’s newly discovered feelings. But as it often does, life has one more curveball to throw their way…
Sundae’s Best is a small-town, bi/demisexual awakening romance, with characters who like to be held, swoony moments, a dog named Moose, and lots of ice cream. Sundae’s Best can be read as a standalone.
Deacon Sharpe spends his days serving homemade ice cream at Sundae’s Best and his nights alone, pretending he’s getting by after his wife’s death better than he is. His world is rocked when a man shows up, claiming he’d been his brother-in-law’s best friend, and who seems to miss Nathan as much as Deacon misses Patty.
Their losses connect them, but soon, the weight of their loneliness eases with laughter, making ice cream, and Grady reminding Deacon what it feels like to be held again. Deacon tells himself it’s platonic. How can it be more when he’s forty and has never been with a man, never even been attracted to one. But then, he’d never felt those things about anyone other than Patty either. And when Grady touches him…kisses him…nothing else matters and the rest of the world melts away.
Together they can deal with family drama, small-town gossip, and Deacon’s newly discovered feelings. But as it often does, life has one more curveball to throw their way…
Sundae’s Best is a small-town, bi/demisexual awakening romance, with characters who like to be held, swoony moments, a dog named Moose, and lots of ice cream. Sundae’s Best can be read as a standalone.
302 pages, Paperback
First published December 8, 2021
295 people are currently reading
760 people want to read
About the author
Riley Hart
116 books7,107 followersRiley Hart is the girl who wears her heart on her sleeve. She's a hopeless romantic. A lover of sexy stories, passionate men, and writing about all the trouble they can get into together. If she's not writing, you'll probably find her reading.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
Riley lives in California with her awesome family, who she is thankful for everyday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
December 15, 2021
This series isn't really doing much for me.
I mean it's fine.
A bit too sunshine-y and rainbow-y if I'm being honest.
Main characters don't really wow me.
Pacing is slower and doesn't really hold my attention.
But at the same time there's nothing that just pisses me off and makes me hate it.
I mean it's fine.
A bit too sunshine-y and rainbow-y if I'm being honest.
Main characters don't really wow me.
Pacing is slower and doesn't really hold my attention.
But at the same time there's nothing that just pisses me off and makes me hate it.
July 5, 2025
4 Stars
This M/M romance about second chances and new beginnings is my idea of healing fiction done right.
At the centre, we have two very sad and lonely men, each hurting over different (adjacently connected) losses that have left them both feeling adrift and disconnected from their places and purposes in life.
When they find each other, a friendship sparks new hope and promise for a better future for both of them—a friendship that slowly, but surely, begins to shift from companionship to romance, taking them and those around them by surprise.
I loved the connection shared between MCs Grady and Deacon. It was pure and easy and honest, making their new (personally reviving) friendship feel not only natural but necessary—their eventual romance absolutely inevitable.
I liked the pacing of the story, the romantic progression, and especially the individual healing that took place across the course of the story. New love was no quick fix to past hurts, but the way these two communicated and became one another’s fiercest champions and steadfast emotional supports, went a long way in helping to heal their open wounds.
In this way, this sequel had way more emotional weight to it than book one (Firefly Lane). I was tearing up by page five, I was so instantly caught up in each of their heartbreaking, tragically relatable backstories—it got me good and it got me fast, and it only got better from there.
Having looked ahead, reading the sequel synopses and some reviews, I have a sneaking suspicion this will be where this series peaks for me personally, but that’s okay. I really enjoyed this particular instalment and I have no doubt it will be a story I will gladly revisit in the future when I crave those hurt-comfort, healing romance vibes.
*****************************
Audio Edition:
I switched between reading the eBook and listening to the dual-style audio narration by Sean Crisden and Kale Williams. Their performances were both perfect for the characters at hand, bringing these men to life in a way that had me desperate to listen to more of the audiobook at every possible opportunity.
This M/M romance about second chances and new beginnings is my idea of healing fiction done right.
At the centre, we have two very sad and lonely men, each hurting over different (adjacently connected) losses that have left them both feeling adrift and disconnected from their places and purposes in life.
When they find each other, a friendship sparks new hope and promise for a better future for both of them—a friendship that slowly, but surely, begins to shift from companionship to romance, taking them and those around them by surprise.
I loved the connection shared between MCs Grady and Deacon. It was pure and easy and honest, making their new (personally reviving) friendship feel not only natural but necessary—their eventual romance absolutely inevitable.
I liked the pacing of the story, the romantic progression, and especially the individual healing that took place across the course of the story. New love was no quick fix to past hurts, but the way these two communicated and became one another’s fiercest champions and steadfast emotional supports, went a long way in helping to heal their open wounds.
In this way, this sequel had way more emotional weight to it than book one (Firefly Lane). I was tearing up by page five, I was so instantly caught up in each of their heartbreaking, tragically relatable backstories—it got me good and it got me fast, and it only got better from there.
Having looked ahead, reading the sequel synopses and some reviews, I have a sneaking suspicion this will be where this series peaks for me personally, but that’s okay. I really enjoyed this particular instalment and I have no doubt it will be a story I will gladly revisit in the future when I crave those hurt-comfort, healing romance vibes.
*****************************
Audio Edition:
I switched between reading the eBook and listening to the dual-style audio narration by Sean Crisden and Kale Williams. Their performances were both perfect for the characters at hand, bringing these men to life in a way that had me desperate to listen to more of the audiobook at every possible opportunity.
December 13, 2021
I liked this book more than the first one, but I'm not really clicking with the Briar County series.
My main issue is that the characters are too perfect. Deacon and Grady are considerate, calm, thoughtful, and polite. I'm not saying people like that don't exist, but most will crack a little under ongoing stress. Here, the MCs never fight. There are no disagreements or tension.
Deacon accepts that he's demisexual (although that doesn't fully explain his attraction to a man). The only conflict is that the town people make Deacon the source of gossip and Deacon's late wife's parents are homophobic.
Sundae's Best is a low-key, mellow story. I thought it was cute that Deacon trusted Grady with his ice cream.
I was leaning closer to 4 stars until the last few chapters, but the reconciliation with Grady's family, never mind the "twist" with the nephew, was too easy.
P.S. The cover model is hot AF!
My main issue is that the characters are too perfect. Deacon and Grady are considerate, calm, thoughtful, and polite. I'm not saying people like that don't exist, but most will crack a little under ongoing stress. Here, the MCs never fight. There are no disagreements or tension.
Deacon accepts that he's demisexual (although that doesn't fully explain his attraction to a man). The only conflict is that the town people make Deacon the source of gossip and Deacon's late wife's parents are homophobic.
Sundae's Best is a low-key, mellow story. I thought it was cute that Deacon trusted Grady with his ice cream.
I was leaning closer to 4 stars until the last few chapters, but the reconciliation with Grady's family, never mind the "twist" with the nephew, was too easy.
P.S. The cover model is hot AF!
October 18, 2022
Less angst and lots of heart. This book was so cozy and heart warming. A perfect comfort read...
December 1, 2021
Loved this so much. Riley's Briar County is somewhere I want to go visit to eat ice-cream with goats :) Can't wait for the next book!
February 12, 2024
Extremely sweet and the most easy angst and everything it's perfect at the end....aaaand sometimes that's just what I need to read , really enjoyed it, cried a little, the sexy times were cute as well, so this is the first favorite of the year 😁
December 13, 2021
I was underwhelmed by the first book in this series and this author has always been really hit or miss for me, so I was hoping the second book might pick up, but unfortunately I didn't love this one.
I thought this concept was interesting, and I actually really appreciated that Grady hadn't been love with/involved with Nathan, the dead best friend he's mourning. So often in books the author feels like they need to add a romantic element to grief as if losing a best friend isn't strong enough, and I really appreciated the author's approach here, and that it was clear that Grady's grief over Nathan was just as real as Deacon's grief over the loss of his wife. I also appreciated the demisexual rep here
Unfortunately that's sort of where my enjoyment ended. Everything about this was just okay. I didn't feel like either Grady or Deacon had any strong/identifiable personality--they felt basically the same to me in a very generic, bland kind of way. The relationship development started out fine, but once they made that leap, things moved way too fast for me. Deacon felt unrealistically chill about the fact that he was attracted to/having sex with/having feelings for a man for the first time in his life, and they both become quite gooey and lovey-dovey quickly, and in a way that just didn't seem believable. I also found the reconciliation with Grady's family at the end to be super OTT and way too rosy. I'm not saying it's not possible for a family who cut off all contact with their queer child to repent and want to mend those bridges, but the way it happened here didn't feel realistic for anybody involved and felt a little frustrating because while I can understand that it was trying to be hopeful, it just felt a bit dismissive of the very real trauma and work that would be involved in a situation like this. Finally, while I really liked having a Black MC, I didn't really feel like the author did their due diligence in integrating that aspect of Deacon's identity. To be honest, I didn't even realize he was Black until a while into the story, and even then only because it was casually mentioned in a line, and not because of anything to do with his experiences. Especially since we get his POV, it felt a bit surface-level, which is disappointing.
I'm thinking I might give the rest of this series a pass, as it doesn't seem like the author's best work.
I thought this concept was interesting, and I actually really appreciated that Grady hadn't been love with/involved with Nathan, the dead best friend he's mourning. So often in books the author feels like they need to add a romantic element to grief as if losing a best friend isn't strong enough, and I really appreciated the author's approach here, and that it was clear that Grady's grief over Nathan was just as real as Deacon's grief over the loss of his wife. I also appreciated the demisexual rep here
Unfortunately that's sort of where my enjoyment ended. Everything about this was just okay. I didn't feel like either Grady or Deacon had any strong/identifiable personality--they felt basically the same to me in a very generic, bland kind of way. The relationship development started out fine, but once they made that leap, things moved way too fast for me. Deacon felt unrealistically chill about the fact that he was attracted to/having sex with/having feelings for a man for the first time in his life, and they both become quite gooey and lovey-dovey quickly, and in a way that just didn't seem believable. I also found the reconciliation with Grady's family at the end to be super OTT and way too rosy. I'm not saying it's not possible for a family who cut off all contact with their queer child to repent and want to mend those bridges, but the way it happened here didn't feel realistic for anybody involved and felt a little frustrating because while I can understand that it was trying to be hopeful, it just felt a bit dismissive of the very real trauma and work that would be involved in a situation like this. Finally, while I really liked having a Black MC, I didn't really feel like the author did their due diligence in integrating that aspect of Deacon's identity. To be honest, I didn't even realize he was Black until a while into the story, and even then only because it was casually mentioned in a line, and not because of anything to do with his experiences. Especially since we get his POV, it felt a bit surface-level, which is disappointing.
I'm thinking I might give the rest of this series a pass, as it doesn't seem like the author's best work.
April 1, 2022
My favourite one so far
I preferred Grady and Deacon's book to the first one in this series as it seemed to have more layers to the narrative.
Both men had lost someone close to them, both had been hurting and hiding away and both were desperately in need of a friend.
I liked the slow burn, the solid growth in friendship before anything remotely romantic happened.
The demisexual rep was done well too, it never felt out of the blue that Deacon would become attracted to Grady.
Low drama, nice secondary plot with the families on both sides and I still really like the small town setting.
I'm hoping book three might be in the plans and Holden's ex Vince might get a HEA with Clint, someone who seems like he's much nicer than the bloke Vince went back to after Holden!
I preferred Grady and Deacon's book to the first one in this series as it seemed to have more layers to the narrative.
Both men had lost someone close to them, both had been hurting and hiding away and both were desperately in need of a friend.
I liked the slow burn, the solid growth in friendship before anything remotely romantic happened.
The demisexual rep was done well too, it never felt out of the blue that Deacon would become attracted to Grady.
Low drama, nice secondary plot with the families on both sides and I still really like the small town setting.
I'm hoping book three might be in the plans and Holden's ex Vince might get a HEA with Clint, someone who seems like he's much nicer than the bloke Vince went back to after Holden!
December 9, 2021
3.5
As much as I loved this book I had a few issues. I loved the connection these two had, both family and chemistry. I love how they had grown up conversations about what they wanted and about who they are. I loved that they didn’t let how others felt effect them, or their relationship and how they stood up for each other. I love that there wasn’t this huge anxiety filled climatic part.
The issues I have are two things about identities. The first got semi worked out out. I know that these are M/M books so much of the concentration in this are about how being male and queer and finding love is the main pov. But when writing POC characters especially black characters you have to know that there are certain experiences they have. Especially when it comes to being hated. When G is talking about never knowing about who’s gonna hate you in certain spaces for who he loves D fully understands that simply by being black. Yes he grew up in a small town and he’s a younger gen that didn’t have to fight as much in that town, he still would have encountered racism. Understood how it worked outside of town. That was touched upon briefly later, but that was the first issue I had. Second I rejoicing that authors are finally adding charters who are in the asexual spectrum, but please please make sure you use it correctly. It wasn’t used correctly here. The character was told he could be Demisexual to explain why he never thought about being attracted to men. Then left it at that. That only explained his sexual attraction, that didn’t explain anything about his romantic attraction. I’m heteroromantic demi/gray. Demi meaning I’m only sexually attracted to a person if I have a emotional connection with them. But when I do have that emotional connection it’s with the opposite sex. D could very well be demi he never settled on it fully, but is he demi queer, demi bi, demi pan. D never went further because he didn’t want boxes but also don’t think he fully understood the correct definition of what being demi was. That felt like an author thing. Like I said I’m ecstatic to see aces being represented, I’m just asking to do more research so that you as the author completely understands what the Ace umbrella means.
Writing was good, smexy was hawt, and I can’t wait to see who we meet next, will it be friend one who use to be an ex or new friend who sold Sasquatch figures?
As much as I loved this book I had a few issues. I loved the connection these two had, both family and chemistry. I love how they had grown up conversations about what they wanted and about who they are. I loved that they didn’t let how others felt effect them, or their relationship and how they stood up for each other. I love that there wasn’t this huge anxiety filled climatic part.
The issues I have are two things about identities. The first got semi worked out out. I know that these are M/M books so much of the concentration in this are about how being male and queer and finding love is the main pov. But when writing POC characters especially black characters you have to know that there are certain experiences they have. Especially when it comes to being hated. When G is talking about never knowing about who’s gonna hate you in certain spaces for who he loves D fully understands that simply by being black. Yes he grew up in a small town and he’s a younger gen that didn’t have to fight as much in that town, he still would have encountered racism. Understood how it worked outside of town. That was touched upon briefly later, but that was the first issue I had. Second I rejoicing that authors are finally adding charters who are in the asexual spectrum, but please please make sure you use it correctly. It wasn’t used correctly here. The character was told he could be Demisexual to explain why he never thought about being attracted to men. Then left it at that. That only explained his sexual attraction, that didn’t explain anything about his romantic attraction. I’m heteroromantic demi/gray. Demi meaning I’m only sexually attracted to a person if I have a emotional connection with them. But when I do have that emotional connection it’s with the opposite sex. D could very well be demi he never settled on it fully, but is he demi queer, demi bi, demi pan. D never went further because he didn’t want boxes but also don’t think he fully understood the correct definition of what being demi was. That felt like an author thing. Like I said I’m ecstatic to see aces being represented, I’m just asking to do more research so that you as the author completely understands what the Ace umbrella means.
Writing was good, smexy was hawt, and I can’t wait to see who we meet next, will it be friend one who use to be an ex or new friend who sold Sasquatch figures?
December 8, 2021
I loved Deacon and Grady’s story!! Stories with characters who are discovering their sexuality and experiencing first times are some of my very favorite to read about. The connection between the characters was without a doubt the best part of Deacon and Grady’s story. Grady’s late best friend, Nathan, was the brother of Deacon’s late wife Patricia. Nathan’s stories about Deacon, Patricia and Briar County brought Grady to Briar Country when he was looking for somewhere to belong and call home. Not only did Grady connect to Briar County, but he connected with Deacon as well. Their friendship grew fast and tight, and it was wonderful to see it develop. Riley Hart really knows how to write about characters exploring and finding their sexuality, and this may be one of her best yet. You could feel the emotion between these two so strongly, it truly pulled me into the story. I loved seeing their relationship go from fast friends, to exploring, to turning into more. Their firsts with each other were so touching, sweet and sexy as well. I loved how thoughtful and accepting Deacon was in finding this side of his sexuality, and it turn how patient Grady was in giving Deacon the space to come to his own conclusions. I loved the way they faced hurdles together. Not just the town’s acceptance of Deacon, but also the hurdles of their families. They were each a wonderful pillar of strength for the other. Their story was a wonderful read, and one not to be missed. This one goes to the top of my favorites books by Riley.
November 17, 2021
You know those books that feel like a warm blanket on a cold day? That book that just lights you up and fills you with happiness and all the squishy feelings you just want to curl up inside of it? This is one of those books. Two men come together through shared grief, grow a positively sweet friendship that slowly eases us into such a lovely love that I just wanted their story to go on and on. These two men are SO special.
They also help heal each other, and support each other through some familial battles… that are actually WORKED through instead of quickly patched up like I’ve read so many times. Things aren’t always easy on the outside, but inside, between these two men, it’s practically perfection. I had been in a huge book slump before this… I’m talkin’ weeks… and I devoured this in one sitting with tears of happiness on my face. I will be re-reading this again and again.
They also help heal each other, and support each other through some familial battles… that are actually WORKED through instead of quickly patched up like I’ve read so many times. Things aren’t always easy on the outside, but inside, between these two men, it’s practically perfection. I had been in a huge book slump before this… I’m talkin’ weeks… and I devoured this in one sitting with tears of happiness on my face. I will be re-reading this again and again.
November 16, 2022
4.25 Stars!
December 23, 2021
Un libro tierno de gente perdida que se encuentra. Bonito.
December 14, 2021
Beautiful love story
I’m so glad we got Deacon’s story. I loved him in book one.
Grady is a bit lost and doesn’t know where home is but decides to take a chance on Briar County. His best friend was from there and it leads him down a path he doesn’t expect.
Deacon and Grady are insta friends but feelings get deeper the more they spend time together.
This was a very mature and loving way to tell a romance. Communication was clear and the way they fell it love was truly something special. This is definitely in my top 10 of favorite books this year.
Even the way Grady dealt with his family was done in a very mature and drama free way. This is a template for how all romances should be written. There was a bit of angst but again they communicated their feelings and worked through it. So beautiful and the love was life affirming. Highly recommend!
I’m so glad we got Deacon’s story. I loved him in book one.
Grady is a bit lost and doesn’t know where home is but decides to take a chance on Briar County. His best friend was from there and it leads him down a path he doesn’t expect.
Deacon and Grady are insta friends but feelings get deeper the more they spend time together.
This was a very mature and loving way to tell a romance. Communication was clear and the way they fell it love was truly something special. This is definitely in my top 10 of favorite books this year.
Even the way Grady dealt with his family was done in a very mature and drama free way. This is a template for how all romances should be written. There was a bit of angst but again they communicated their feelings and worked through it. So beautiful and the love was life affirming. Highly recommend!
December 13, 2021
I love Sundae's Best so much! I was tentative going in, but once Deacon and Grady started hanging out together, something was so moving about their blossoming romance.
Highlights:
•Alternating POVs
•Slow burn
•Friends to lovers
•Chemistry
•Demisexual
•Excellent relationship development
•Great pacing
•Family
•New beginnings
•Hurt/Comfort/Healing
I will say everything wrapped up very neatly; a little too perfect, I'll say. This is not necessarily bad, but I wouldn't have minded a little relationship angst.
All in all, Sundae's Best is a beautiful story.
Highly recommend it.
4.5 Stars
April 16, 2022
The romance seems a bit unnatural, probably it's me that can't understand fully the characters. Their pasts are however really sad, so I appreciated the introspection.
January 9, 2022
Deacon & Grady were the couple I never knew I was waiting for. With all the feels you are used to with Riley Hart and two MC's who know what they want when they find it Sundae's Best is guaranteed to make you feel all the feels!!
Deacon Sharpe is hardly the man he was before his wife passed away. Three years later and he still doesn't smile like he used to or do the things that make him happy. When an unknown man shows up around town seemingly following him Deacon gets a lot more than he bargained for.
Grady has been lost in life for the last seven years. Going to the town where his best friend is from seems like as good of a place as any to start his new life. What he doesn't expect is finding the one other man who knows what it is like to grieve someone so strongly.
At 38- and 40-years old, Deacon and Grady were well past the stage of being shy about what they wanted. This was without a doubt a slow burn, but it was never about their lack of commitment or the lack of feelings they had for another. It was about two people who had been through so much and were taking their relationship as it came rather than letting the small things get out of hand. I've seen several reviews commenting on the pace of this novel and how "false" it seemed. I on the other hand find the exact opposite. Novels give us the chance to get out of our heads and into someone else's story but when you find a book like this that is so raw and real you can't help but embrace it for all that it is.
The power of finding a first love or even a second love is nothing short of magical but for Deacon & Grady their story was as real as it gets. Full of hurt/comfort themes, intense cuddling and even a stray goat or two this is by far one of my favorite Riley Hart novels.
Side note, peep that cover!! FLAWLESS!!!
Deacon Sharpe is hardly the man he was before his wife passed away. Three years later and he still doesn't smile like he used to or do the things that make him happy. When an unknown man shows up around town seemingly following him Deacon gets a lot more than he bargained for.
Grady has been lost in life for the last seven years. Going to the town where his best friend is from seems like as good of a place as any to start his new life. What he doesn't expect is finding the one other man who knows what it is like to grieve someone so strongly.
At 38- and 40-years old, Deacon and Grady were well past the stage of being shy about what they wanted. This was without a doubt a slow burn, but it was never about their lack of commitment or the lack of feelings they had for another. It was about two people who had been through so much and were taking their relationship as it came rather than letting the small things get out of hand. I've seen several reviews commenting on the pace of this novel and how "false" it seemed. I on the other hand find the exact opposite. Novels give us the chance to get out of our heads and into someone else's story but when you find a book like this that is so raw and real you can't help but embrace it for all that it is.
The power of finding a first love or even a second love is nothing short of magical but for Deacon & Grady their story was as real as it gets. Full of hurt/comfort themes, intense cuddling and even a stray goat or two this is by far one of my favorite Riley Hart novels.
Side note, peep that cover!! FLAWLESS!!!
September 7, 2022
3-3.5 stars
I enjoyed book one more, but this was still cute.
I felt like there was something missing and that the relationship was too easy… while yes the same could be said for book one, something about that book worked better for me.. might have been the kids that were present…? Felt like those characters were more fleshed out…?
I will say this book made me want ice cream lol…
Also I think that Deacons no freak out about liking Grady (his first time liking a man) was a little odd to me.. but idk, I did like how his family was accepting or at least didn’t turn their backs on him, especially Granny!
This book was just missing something I can’t put my finger on, but even with that said it was a good read and I enjoyed it from the first page!
I enjoyed book one more, but this was still cute.
I felt like there was something missing and that the relationship was too easy… while yes the same could be said for book one, something about that book worked better for me.. might have been the kids that were present…? Felt like those characters were more fleshed out…?
I will say this book made me want ice cream lol…
Also I think that Deacons no freak out about liking Grady (his first time liking a man) was a little odd to me.. but idk, I did like how his family was accepting or at least didn’t turn their backs on him, especially Granny!
This book was just missing something I can’t put my finger on, but even with that said it was a good read and I enjoyed it from the first page!
February 13, 2023
100000/5
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK!
MY NEW FAVORITE BOOK!
September 17, 2022
LOVED THIS!
Revisited this on audio and what a marvelous experience it was! The audio was sublime! Both Kale Williams and Sean Crisden were just fabulous. Both had the perfect, soothing voice to bring Deacon and Grady's love story to life!
Oh wow! This is at top of my list for my all time favorite book by this author! I absolutely loved it! Deacon and Grady's story just touched my heart in the best way. It's a wonderfully written, slow burn, awakening story that was just perfect. It had everything I hope for in this type of story--a deep connection between the MCs, tenderness, intimacy, trust, honesty, and open communication. But it was so much more than that too. It was about acceptance, finding true happiness, and learning to love again. There was so much for Deacon and Grady to navigate as they grew closer--past loves, family challenges, beginning a life together--and it was all done brilliantly. I was rooting for them from the moment they met and enjoyed every word of their journey to a glorious HEA. Such an amazing book, highest recommendation from me!
Revisited this on audio and what a marvelous experience it was! The audio was sublime! Both Kale Williams and Sean Crisden were just fabulous. Both had the perfect, soothing voice to bring Deacon and Grady's love story to life!
Oh wow! This is at top of my list for my all time favorite book by this author! I absolutely loved it! Deacon and Grady's story just touched my heart in the best way. It's a wonderfully written, slow burn, awakening story that was just perfect. It had everything I hope for in this type of story--a deep connection between the MCs, tenderness, intimacy, trust, honesty, and open communication. But it was so much more than that too. It was about acceptance, finding true happiness, and learning to love again. There was so much for Deacon and Grady to navigate as they grew closer--past loves, family challenges, beginning a life together--and it was all done brilliantly. I was rooting for them from the moment they met and enjoyed every word of their journey to a glorious HEA. Such an amazing book, highest recommendation from me!
January 17, 2022
This book! This book made me cry dammit but happy tears so I guess that's ok.
May 2, 2022
The first book I read on Kindle Unlimited was Firefly Lane, the first in the Briar County series by Riley Hart. I don't recall much about that one except that I liked the small-town vibe. The other day I suddenly discovered that the second in the series, Sundae's Best, had been released back in December... almost five months ago. Oops. Since I liked the first one, of course I had to give it a read.
My thoughts? Uh, it's a series of disappointments. Hart keeps approaching really heavy topics - grief, race, family abandonment - and takes the easiest way out possible for each of them, resulting in what amounts to a bunch of people sitting around a campfire, holding hands while singing kumbaya, their past struggles entirely forgotten. I get that that's kind of the point of this type of cozy romance, but it seems really lazy when every point of drama is neatly tied up by the end with no hard feelings.
I think my biggest issue with this book is possibly more a "me" thing than anything else, but please bear with me. So much of the drama in this book revolves around coming out that it drives me up the wall. I understand why coming out is such a common theme in m/m fiction - it is one of the defining events in the lives of queer people after all - but I am so deathly bored of it being used as a plot point for drama in romances, particularly when everything is resolved in 2.5 seconds. It's lazy, it's dull, and it has been done a hundred thousand times before. You can do better.
Will I read the next book in this series? Maybe. Do I recommend this book? No. There are better romances out there with actual stakes, tension, and moments of emotional connection.
My thoughts? Uh, it's a series of disappointments. Hart keeps approaching really heavy topics - grief, race, family abandonment - and takes the easiest way out possible for each of them, resulting in what amounts to a bunch of people sitting around a campfire, holding hands while singing kumbaya, their past struggles entirely forgotten. I get that that's kind of the point of this type of cozy romance, but it seems really lazy when every point of drama is neatly tied up by the end with no hard feelings.
I think my biggest issue with this book is possibly more a "me" thing than anything else, but please bear with me. So much of the drama in this book revolves around coming out that it drives me up the wall. I understand why coming out is such a common theme in m/m fiction - it is one of the defining events in the lives of queer people after all - but I am so deathly bored of it being used as a plot point for drama in romances, particularly when everything is resolved in 2.5 seconds. It's lazy, it's dull, and it has been done a hundred thousand times before. You can do better.
Will I read the next book in this series? Maybe. Do I recommend this book? No. There are better romances out there with actual stakes, tension, and moments of emotional connection.
December 13, 2021
Another drama free book. These days more and more I appreciate these books quite a lot. I like the character development way more than the 85% breakup or the misunderstanding/lie.
August 11, 2024
¿por que llore como bebe con este libro? dios, parecía loca en el trabajo con las lagrimas corriendo por estos dos personajes, los narradores hicieron un gran trabajo en este libro, me dieron todo los sentimientos y me hicieron enamorar de este par terriblemente. Sin duda mi favorito de esta serie.
December 9, 2021
I was incredibly lucky to beta read this wonderful book and just adore these characters and this town.
Grady and Deacon are simply perfect together and their relationship is such a lovely thing to watch grow. They sparkle and spark together in such a wonderful way. I like how once they are in, they are all in. And that how they feel for each other is not ever really in doubt, that Deke accepts his new-found sexuality and that he only cares for how Grady feels.
I also loved how much Granny immediately supports him also, that it is an elder who leads the way for the rest of the family and the community (as busy-body as some of those members may be).
Nathan’s letter made me cry. How can I mourn for a character that never actually lived and is simply technically a plot device to help form the bones of this story… hooooowwwww????
Goatapalooza cracked me up—I had visuals of goats at a music festival, some wearing floppy hats and short shorts, drinks in hand bopping along to the band on stage… yes, my mind went there!
A simply wonderful MM romance 👬
Grady and Deacon are simply perfect together and their relationship is such a lovely thing to watch grow. They sparkle and spark together in such a wonderful way. I like how once they are in, they are all in. And that how they feel for each other is not ever really in doubt, that Deke accepts his new-found sexuality and that he only cares for how Grady feels.
I also loved how much Granny immediately supports him also, that it is an elder who leads the way for the rest of the family and the community (as busy-body as some of those members may be).
Nathan’s letter made me cry. How can I mourn for a character that never actually lived and is simply technically a plot device to help form the bones of this story… hooooowwwww????
Goatapalooza cracked me up—I had visuals of goats at a music festival, some wearing floppy hats and short shorts, drinks in hand bopping along to the band on stage… yes, my mind went there!
A simply wonderful MM romance 👬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
December 29, 2021There are times when you just have to throw in the towel. It's been 5 days and I haven't even got past the 30% mark in this. I just wanted to be doing something else and watched shows/read fanfics/etc instead of reading this.
I wanted to give it a chance because I've barely got into it but I'm just not feeling this right now. It's SO slow and boring so far. I need more excitement than...hanging out and coming up with some ice cream flavors. I need more chemistry. In the first 27% there's only been on small instance of attraction from Grady toward Deacon, which he pushes down and away.
I do want to come back to this at some point, maybe. Part of the DNF is just me, I think. So I'm not 100% throwing in the towel on this. If one day I'm finding myself without something to read, I'll try to get back into this.
For now though, I'm putting it aside and moving onto other books. Such a shame because I loved the first book. This one has just had a weak beginning for me, unfortunately.
I wanted to give it a chance because I've barely got into it but I'm just not feeling this right now. It's SO slow and boring so far. I need more excitement than...hanging out and coming up with some ice cream flavors. I need more chemistry. In the first 27% there's only been on small instance of attraction from Grady toward Deacon, which he pushes down and away.
I do want to come back to this at some point, maybe. Part of the DNF is just me, I think. So I'm not 100% throwing in the towel on this. If one day I'm finding myself without something to read, I'll try to get back into this.
For now though, I'm putting it aside and moving onto other books. Such a shame because I loved the first book. This one has just had a weak beginning for me, unfortunately.
December 9, 2021
Sundae's Best is an amazing romance. The second book in the Briar County series by Riley Hart, it's easily read as a standalone.
This story! Omg, I absolutely love it!
Deacon and Grady are more than I could have ever asked for. Their story is a sexual awakening story that is unique and emotional throughout. The connection between the two is undeniable, and their journey is unforgettable.
This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It's a story of making amends and moving forward.
This is a reminder that sometimes things happen that we don't expect. It's best not to question or judge. Rather, grab love when you can.
Sundae's Best is another amazing story by Riley Hart. I love everything about their tale. It's wonderfully sweet and heart-warming, with plenty of tearful moments. Just read it.
This story! Omg, I absolutely love it!
Deacon and Grady are more than I could have ever asked for. Their story is a sexual awakening story that is unique and emotional throughout. The connection between the two is undeniable, and their journey is unforgettable.
This is a story of forgiveness and understanding. It's a story of making amends and moving forward.
This is a reminder that sometimes things happen that we don't expect. It's best not to question or judge. Rather, grab love when you can.
Sundae's Best is another amazing story by Riley Hart. I love everything about their tale. It's wonderfully sweet and heart-warming, with plenty of tearful moments. Just read it.
December 13, 2021
Warning: you may ugly cry when reading this book.
December 13, 2021
Sexual discovery and gourmet ice cream!
April 25, 2022
Rating 3.5.
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