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Down Home #4
Down in Flames
Old enough to know better. Straight enough to know better. But this rugged cowboy can’t rein it in around his innocent young ranch hand…
Michael Whittaker survived two military tours and more tragedy than any man could bear, but it was his wife’s death that broke him. The rugged widower has sworn off relationships. Celibacy might make him cranky, but it keeps everyone safe.
Especially young West Owens, his new ranch hand.
West is wholesome and untouched. Only twenty-eight to Michael’s hard-earned forty-six. A man, when Michael has only ever wanted women.
When West begs for experience between the sheets, Michael can’t resist the temptation. Celibacy is overrated, and being with another man? Underrated.
But West is looking for more than a roll in the sheets. He’s looking for love…and that’s one thing Michael will never give.
His heart can’t take any more pain.
Ugly duckling West Owens knows a thing or two about survival, and despite being a virgin, he’s far from innocent.
He isn’t the sickly boy he once was, but every day is a battle in the small town that’s coddled him since birth. When the man he secretly pines for is injured, West leaps at the chance to move out from his oppressive family’s thumb and into another man’s bed.
Michael Whittaker might be old enough to be West’s daddy, but there’s nothing fatherly about the way the sinful, flint-eyed cowboy looks at him.
Nothing paternal in his rough hands and weathered face.
But as West’s confidence grows, he gives Michael an ultimatum. He won’t be satisfied with scraps of affection.
West wants all of him…and he’ll be merciless until he gets it.
Boy-next-door gets the hottie in this age gap, first time, gay-for-you romance between a hard-as-nails cowboy and a sunshine hero looking for redemption. This is the fourth book in the “Down Home” series but can be read as a standalone.
Happy Ever After guaranteed!
Michael Whittaker survived two military tours and more tragedy than any man could bear, but it was his wife’s death that broke him. The rugged widower has sworn off relationships. Celibacy might make him cranky, but it keeps everyone safe.
Especially young West Owens, his new ranch hand.
West is wholesome and untouched. Only twenty-eight to Michael’s hard-earned forty-six. A man, when Michael has only ever wanted women.
When West begs for experience between the sheets, Michael can’t resist the temptation. Celibacy is overrated, and being with another man? Underrated.
But West is looking for more than a roll in the sheets. He’s looking for love…and that’s one thing Michael will never give.
His heart can’t take any more pain.
Ugly duckling West Owens knows a thing or two about survival, and despite being a virgin, he’s far from innocent.
He isn’t the sickly boy he once was, but every day is a battle in the small town that’s coddled him since birth. When the man he secretly pines for is injured, West leaps at the chance to move out from his oppressive family’s thumb and into another man’s bed.
Michael Whittaker might be old enough to be West’s daddy, but there’s nothing fatherly about the way the sinful, flint-eyed cowboy looks at him.
Nothing paternal in his rough hands and weathered face.
But as West’s confidence grows, he gives Michael an ultimatum. He won’t be satisfied with scraps of affection.
West wants all of him…and he’ll be merciless until he gets it.
Boy-next-door gets the hottie in this age gap, first time, gay-for-you romance between a hard-as-nails cowboy and a sunshine hero looking for redemption. This is the fourth book in the “Down Home” series but can be read as a standalone.
Happy Ever After guaranteed!
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2023
125 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Parker St. John
19 books508 followersGay romance author living in the rainy Pacific Northwest who adores strong alpha men, rugged cowboys, blue collar smokeshows, mortal enemies and childhood friends who will make you SWOON when they fall in love!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
March 22, 2023
This was definitely my least favorite couple and book in the series and yet…I still pretty much loved it. I just adore this series. Beautiful writing, beautiful men!!! The beginning portion of the book is where the story shines. West is still pining for Michael, there’s so much unresolved tension and you’re left wondering how we’re going to get from point A to point B. But then things just sort of get repeated and resolved a little too easily. Yes yes yes. We know West has a heart condition. We do. I promise! Lots of broken heart metaphors. I really wanted to see more of their relationship instead of rehashing the same drama time and time again. But despite my issues with this one, I still loved it. I really did. I will never get over how brilliant of a writer Parker is and how much these books make me feel. Michael saying “good boy” will live in my head rent free forever. I wish we got more dominant Michael because it was hot as hell🥵 I love an overprotective love interest and Michael was that and more. Michael and West are such a great couple and by far my biggest complaint is I just wanted more from them!! Because I love them and their moments!🥺 But overall this was another solid entry in one of my favorite series.❤️
February 26, 2023
I can’t believe I didn’t remember how much drama this series has. I was excited for this one and it was good enough but not as good as the others or as expected. First of all this book relies on the previous books for the context and relationships building and even in the previous books, since they were side characters, everything about them happened off page so I couldn’t connect with them at all.Not to mention that it’s been a while since the last book and I don’t have the details fresh in my mind anymore. This book felt like a spin off, to be honest. Everything felt anticlimactic and sudden. I can’t say I like the MC a great deal either and that’s because I’m not a fan of the martyr MC . West was too proud, immature reckless and self flagellating for my taste and oh boy, his family was terrible at times with their guilt trips. And yet, there were a lot of ways to prove he was a man other than break his bones willingly(and for free) .I’ll never understand that idiotic pride some MC have in MM books. He preferred to lie even to Michael rather than admit he had a heart condition or that he was in pain . And I know,he had a life time of coddling in his past and he had enough of being belittled, still, he had a heart condition, that was NO joke. Michael’s character was dull and bland (he was way more intriguing in the previous books) and I didn’t even care about their relationship-I was more interested in West’s family dynamics than the actual romance. Also, I understood his opposition to West’s rodeo exploits but dropping him like a hot potato because he didn’t get his way was kind of childish.
The smut scenes were unimaginative and equally dull.
It was a rather short-ish book and yet I felt it started to drag and towards the end the cheesiness was eye rolling (again, that’s because their relationship came out of nowhere and I didn’t buy the sugar, it felt gratuitous) . I loved the writing, as always and I loved West’s puppy love for Michael ..
I am VERY intrigued by Derek though (when I didn’t wanna punch him) and I can’t wait to read his story next.
The smut scenes were unimaginative and equally dull.
It was a rather short-ish book and yet I felt it started to drag and towards the end the cheesiness was eye rolling (again, that’s because their relationship came out of nowhere and I didn’t buy the sugar, it felt gratuitous) . I loved the writing, as always and I loved West’s puppy love for Michael ..
I am VERY intrigued by Derek though (when I didn’t wanna punch him) and I can’t wait to read his story next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2023
Cowboys, age-gap and bisexual discovery? Yes please!
This was delicious and full of feelings. It was also full of half truths, miscommunications, and overbearing family members. All things I hate. But the feelings won.
I loved Michael so much. I was worried from the blurb he would be the widower who can never love again after losing his perfect beautiful wife, but thank god it wasn’t. He was strong, caring, loving and (over) protective. Sexy. So hot. With a bit of daddy vibes, and I wouldn’t have minded more of that. A little spanking or something, you know? 😉🔥
I loved West too. He wants to prove to himself that he isn’t as helpless and fragile as everyone thinks he is. And he is not afraid to lie to protect his independence. I grew up with overprotective parents (although I wasn’t sick, it’s just the way they were) and I totally understood his fierce need to be independent. You might hate him, think he is being stupid and selfish. I don’t know.
Things that didn’t work:
-Derek. His bitterness towards West was too much. Although I can’t wait to see his asshole ass falling for sparkly Briar.
- West throwing his rides. No. Nobody will purposely lose again and again, risking his life. No.
- Did I miss the proposal? Was that the proposal?
- I don’t want the dead wife to be perfect, but I also don’t like when the new love interest is seen as better suited, more loving, etc. Can’t they both be the loves of his life?
Despite all that, I really loved it. 🥰
This was delicious and full of feelings. It was also full of half truths, miscommunications, and overbearing family members. All things I hate. But the feelings won.
I loved Michael so much. I was worried from the blurb he would be the widower who can never love again after losing his perfect beautiful wife, but thank god it wasn’t. He was strong, caring, loving and (over) protective. Sexy. So hot. With a bit of daddy vibes, and I wouldn’t have minded more of that. A little spanking or something, you know? 😉🔥
I loved West too. He wants to prove to himself that he isn’t as helpless and fragile as everyone thinks he is. And he is not afraid to lie to protect his independence. I grew up with overprotective parents (although I wasn’t sick, it’s just the way they were) and I totally understood his fierce need to be independent. You might hate him, think he is being stupid and selfish. I don’t know.
Things that didn’t work:
-Derek. His bitterness towards West was too much. Although I can’t wait to see his asshole ass falling for sparkly Briar.
- West throwing his rides. No. Nobody will purposely lose again and again, risking his life. No.
- Did I miss the proposal? Was that the proposal?
- I don’t want the dead wife to be perfect, but I also don’t like when the new love interest is seen as better suited, more loving, etc. Can’t they both be the loves of his life?
Despite all that, I really loved it. 🥰
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
Boy this checked so many of my boxes! Only complaint is I wish Michael's deflowering took many more pages than just the one paragraph. But at least I got a snippet. I was going to stage a protest if I didn't.
I LOVE MMs that are about two real MEN. Michael takes the cake. THAT MAN! 45 yrs old. Prime of his life. rock hard abs and everything else. (but I get the sense at least his dick isn't too massive, that would be almost too perfect. I'm inferring West has a bigger one).
Single father. Married to his sweetheart and widowed. 2 tours of duty. Cowboy. Celibate since his wife's death... I mean, THAT MAN!! I want to tie him up and marry him myself!
And he's sooooo MANLY. KNows what he wants, confident in himself, hella protective. So what if he loves a gay man? Who cares? He doesn't hide, faces the facts head on. He's just SUCH A MAN!!!
West I have to say I'm okay with but felt he gave Michael a harder time than he should have. I get why he did it. But often I thought he was too selfish. I'm glad he played dirty to get Michael back on the hook after M broke up with him for being reckless. But I feel like he should have begged and groveled and had a real TALK instead of just letting M walk away from him.
Don't know who the cover model is, but he doesn't do it for me.
Anywho... wonder if the next book is about Derrek. I always like a grouchy big man. Hope so! But how long do I have to wait????
Wahhhhhaaaahhhh
I LOVE MMs that are about two real MEN. Michael takes the cake. THAT MAN! 45 yrs old. Prime of his life. rock hard abs and everything else. (but I get the sense at least his dick isn't too massive, that would be almost too perfect. I'm inferring West has a bigger one).
Single father. Married to his sweetheart and widowed. 2 tours of duty. Cowboy. Celibate since his wife's death... I mean, THAT MAN!! I want to tie him up and marry him myself!
And he's sooooo MANLY. KNows what he wants, confident in himself, hella protective. So what if he loves a gay man? Who cares? He doesn't hide, faces the facts head on. He's just SUCH A MAN!!!
West I have to say I'm okay with but felt he gave Michael a harder time than he should have. I get why he did it. But often I thought he was too selfish. I'm glad he played dirty to get Michael back on the hook after M broke up with him for being reckless. But I feel like he should have begged and groveled and had a real TALK instead of just letting M walk away from him.
Don't know who the cover model is, but he doesn't do it for me.
Anywho... wonder if the next book is about Derrek. I always like a grouchy big man. Hope so! But how long do I have to wait????
Wahhhhhaaaahhhh
February 27, 2023
⭐︎
4.25 Stars Rounded Down!
⭐︎
Been waiting about a year for this and overall, it didn't disappoint.
West and Michael have been best friends for years now. West has been pining for Michael basically before they even really knew each other, back when Michael was married to his wife, who died years ago in a freak accident.
Then, it was just a crush, but West is full on, head over heels in love with Michael now.
But West has been keeping secrets. Like how he was born with a congenital heart condition, and had six surgeries by the time he was like 6 years old, and he was the first generation with this heart condition to live to adulthood because of medical advancements.
But being born with this, his parents and four other siblings have treated him like he's made of glass, and has to be protected at all costs, and he can't do much in life because he has to be careful with his heart.
West, obviously, wants to live instead of just survive. But he's also riding broncos in secret, under a different name. It's dangerous, and if he's family found out, he feels they'd freak.
But West doesn't want to give it up.
And doesn't want to be treated unequal, like he has to be protected and looked after. He wants to be seen as an adult. Especially with Michael.
West is 30 years old, but Michael is 45 and almost old enough to be his father. Michael has a hard time not calling him "kid."
But Michael has his own hang ups that stem from losing his wife and others in his life. He doesn't want to lose anyone else, and that fear makes Michael a little too overprotective at times, and with a need to be in control.
That's where these their problems stem from, and they are very believable. The angst in this was well done. It wasn't just these two characters being melodramatic or coming up with problems where there are none.
I liked how the conflict was done, and how they came to resolve it. West had to not take so many risks that it'd land him in the hospital, but also Michael had to let go of some of his overprotectiveness and let West stand on his own two feet.
I do wish they'd had a more in depth conversation about it, but I liked what they did talk about. They were able to open up with each other, even if it wasn't as much as I'd like.
My reasons for giving this a .75 stars off, is mainly because of two things. One, there wasn't enough steam. And this author is *really* good at steam, so I don't get why she held back in this book. These two had one good steamy scene and the rest was fairly vague. Even their first penetrative time wasn't all that descriptive.
And West sounded like he'd never had penetrative sex before but Michale just kinda....got inside him and it was all hunky-dory? It was like they were having sex while having a conversation and the scene focused more on the convo than the sex and that was a bummer.
Then after that it was just...mentions of them doing it. I don't get why we didn't get detailed sex scenes? It honestly baffled me when this author doesn't shy away from them usually. I really wanted more on the steam end between these two. Because what little we did get was really good. So I just wonder why *shrug*
Second, the epilogue was rushed, in my opinion. Again, we read that these two get married - yay! - but it's just vaguely described, we don't actually get to see it in detail. Why? Also, not any real interaction between West and Michael, as West is getting ready to do another bronco ride. They look at each other, but that's it. I wanted more for the epilogue.
Or maybe, more for the end. A chapter or two more with them getting married or something. Or just having a longer epilogue, showing them getting married and then at the very end having West about to ride the bronco. It just didn't feel like enough. I wanted more West and Michael.
Also, idk why this author has like...a kink for all her MC's being in bad shape physically in this series lol. Honestly, basically all of them are in bad shape because of the bull riding or bronco riding and they're really battered and yet they keep doing the thing shattering their bodies. It's like a requirement at this point to me an MC in this series, at least one of them. Mainly the POV MC.
So, for the most part, this was what I was waiting for and the romance was top notch in this. I just wanted more steam and a more detailed ending, is all. Maybe a chapter or two longer with more of West and Michael just being happy and together. That'd have been nice.
So, 4.25 stars for me. Just needed a few more elements to be perfect. Otherwise, this was a solid installment and I loved it. Can't wait for the next. Wonder what Derek, West's older and very rough around the edges brother, will be like as an MC, falling for the local vet, Briar? Guess we'll see!
My Ratings for the Down Home Series:
🔆 Down Low: 4.5 stars (my review)
🔆 Down and Dirty: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 Down and Out: 4.25 stars (my review)
🔆 Down in Flames: 4.25 stars
Been waiting about a year for this and overall, it didn't disappoint.
West and Michael have been best friends for years now. West has been pining for Michael basically before they even really knew each other, back when Michael was married to his wife, who died years ago in a freak accident.
Then, it was just a crush, but West is full on, head over heels in love with Michael now.
But West has been keeping secrets. Like how he was born with a congenital heart condition, and had six surgeries by the time he was like 6 years old, and he was the first generation with this heart condition to live to adulthood because of medical advancements.
But being born with this, his parents and four other siblings have treated him like he's made of glass, and has to be protected at all costs, and he can't do much in life because he has to be careful with his heart.
West, obviously, wants to live instead of just survive. But he's also riding broncos in secret, under a different name. It's dangerous, and if he's family found out, he feels they'd freak.
But West doesn't want to give it up.
And doesn't want to be treated unequal, like he has to be protected and looked after. He wants to be seen as an adult. Especially with Michael.
West is 30 years old, but Michael is 45 and almost old enough to be his father. Michael has a hard time not calling him "kid."
But Michael has his own hang ups that stem from losing his wife and others in his life. He doesn't want to lose anyone else, and that fear makes Michael a little too overprotective at times, and with a need to be in control.
That's where these their problems stem from, and they are very believable. The angst in this was well done. It wasn't just these two characters being melodramatic or coming up with problems where there are none.
I liked how the conflict was done, and how they came to resolve it. West had to not take so many risks that it'd land him in the hospital, but also Michael had to let go of some of his overprotectiveness and let West stand on his own two feet.
I do wish they'd had a more in depth conversation about it, but I liked what they did talk about. They were able to open up with each other, even if it wasn't as much as I'd like.
My reasons for giving this a .75 stars off, is mainly because of two things. One, there wasn't enough steam. And this author is *really* good at steam, so I don't get why she held back in this book. These two had one good steamy scene and the rest was fairly vague. Even their first penetrative time wasn't all that descriptive.
And West sounded like he'd never had penetrative sex before but Michale just kinda....got inside him and it was all hunky-dory? It was like they were having sex while having a conversation and the scene focused more on the convo than the sex and that was a bummer.
Then after that it was just...mentions of them doing it. I don't get why we didn't get detailed sex scenes? It honestly baffled me when this author doesn't shy away from them usually. I really wanted more on the steam end between these two. Because what little we did get was really good. So I just wonder why *shrug*
Second, the epilogue was rushed, in my opinion. Again, we read that these two get married - yay! - but it's just vaguely described, we don't actually get to see it in detail. Why? Also, not any real interaction between West and Michael, as West is getting ready to do another bronco ride. They look at each other, but that's it. I wanted more for the epilogue.
Or maybe, more for the end. A chapter or two more with them getting married or something. Or just having a longer epilogue, showing them getting married and then at the very end having West about to ride the bronco. It just didn't feel like enough. I wanted more West and Michael.
Also, idk why this author has like...a kink for all her MC's being in bad shape physically in this series lol. Honestly, basically all of them are in bad shape because of the bull riding or bronco riding and they're really battered and yet they keep doing the thing shattering their bodies. It's like a requirement at this point to me an MC in this series, at least one of them. Mainly the POV MC.
So, for the most part, this was what I was waiting for and the romance was top notch in this. I just wanted more steam and a more detailed ending, is all. Maybe a chapter or two longer with more of West and Michael just being happy and together. That'd have been nice.
So, 4.25 stars for me. Just needed a few more elements to be perfect. Otherwise, this was a solid installment and I loved it. Can't wait for the next. Wonder what Derek, West's older and very rough around the edges brother, will be like as an MC, falling for the local vet, Briar? Guess we'll see!
My Ratings for the Down Home Series:
🔆 Down Low: 4.5 stars (my review)
🔆 Down and Dirty: 5 stars (my review)
🔆 Down and Out: 4.25 stars (my review)
🔆 Down in Flames: 4.25 stars
March 11, 2023
3,5 stars
I have read all the books in the series so far, and really enjoyed them.
We met Whit (Michael) before, most notable when his ranch was burnt down, losing almost everything. To my chagrin, I could not remember West as it’s been quite a while since book 3.
I loved the UST, the yearning, the supressed want in the first third of the book and was surprised how quickly the situation resolved itself once the two men talk. It somehow felt that I’d missed most of their relationship development as it happens before the book starts.
Also, I really would have loved Michael’s POV. And a little more emphasis on his bi-sexual awakening and firsts. It was all so easy and without any hick-ups.
Most of the book deals with how West and Michael manage their relationship once they get together, and the clash between Michael’s fear of losing someone else he loves and West’s need to prove himself by breaking broncos in rodeos. I also have to say that West's family is absolutely appalling, particularly his brother.
I liked these guys, I liked how the author dealt with the big hurdle between them, but somehow this was my least favourite book in the series so far.
I have read all the books in the series so far, and really enjoyed them.
We met Whit (Michael) before, most notable when his ranch was burnt down, losing almost everything. To my chagrin, I could not remember West as it’s been quite a while since book 3.
I loved the UST, the yearning, the supressed want in the first third of the book and was surprised how quickly the situation resolved itself once the two men talk. It somehow felt that I’d missed most of their relationship development as it happens before the book starts.
Also, I really would have loved Michael’s POV. And a little more emphasis on his bi-sexual awakening and firsts. It was all so easy and without any hick-ups.
Most of the book deals with how West and Michael manage their relationship once they get together, and the clash between Michael’s fear of losing someone else he loves and West’s need to prove himself by breaking broncos in rodeos. I also have to say that West's family is absolutely appalling, particularly his brother.
I liked these guys, I liked how the author dealt with the big hurdle between them, but somehow this was my least favourite book in the series so far.
February 27, 2023
Meh. I loved the other 3 but this one was not for me.
Story from West’s POV only
This book should have been called Pride and how it kills relationships
“West was sick to fucking death of being saved.”
AND West’s heart was the third MC
“He felt tired. Weary down to the bone of fighting for every step he took out of the living grave he'd been stuck in since birth.” WE GET IT.
West hid his heart condition and his rodeo riding from Michael his alleged best friend and crush. This plot line got tiresome for me. And I hate when characters don’t communicate. It’s a lazy plot device.
Both MCs were immature despite their age. They had chemistry but the sex scenes weren’t anything. Using no lube and no condom with zero discussion is also an odd choice. Can you tell this book wasn’t for me?? Lol
West’s self esteem was super low too. It just became very whiny and the way conflicts were resolved finally was meh to me.
I’m not sure there will be other books in this series. Maybe Derek’s book? This book had a lot of his backstory already in it told at very odd times.
Ehh.
Story from West’s POV only
This book should have been called Pride and how it kills relationships
“West was sick to fucking death of being saved.”
AND West’s heart was the third MC
“He felt tired. Weary down to the bone of fighting for every step he took out of the living grave he'd been stuck in since birth.” WE GET IT.
West hid his heart condition and his rodeo riding from Michael his alleged best friend and crush. This plot line got tiresome for me. And I hate when characters don’t communicate. It’s a lazy plot device.
Both MCs were immature despite their age. They had chemistry but the sex scenes weren’t anything. Using no lube and no condom with zero discussion is also an odd choice. Can you tell this book wasn’t for me?? Lol
West’s self esteem was super low too. It just became very whiny and the way conflicts were resolved finally was meh to me.
I’m not sure there will be other books in this series. Maybe Derek’s book? This book had a lot of his backstory already in it told at very odd times.
Ehh.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2023
You know when you read a book and it’s so bad? Like, impressively bad? Like, there’s so much going on and absolutely none of it works, on any level? Anyway I DNFed this at 94% because I physically couldn’t force myself to skim another page so please note there will be spoilers throughout.
Just… wow! Wow!! Okay, I just need to make a list of what’s bad:
(1) STORY: The amount of exposition/backstory - laughable. The first chapter is just describing plot points, like for a second I really thought “did this author accidentally upload their outline to Kindle Unlimited.” And it just… continues. In lieu of plot, this book mostly just describes events that happened at other times, that the main character is remembering. This hits its low point at the end of the book when the MC is getting hate crimed (why not I guess) and then has a memory of his older brother teaching him to fight when he was a kid, and then instantly subdues his attacker. I actually laughed out loud. Sure, fine!!
(2) PROTAGONIST: The main character West is so passive… show me a single action he takes during the course of this entire book! He does not change, he does not grow, he does not initiate anything. A bold choice for your protagonist.
(3) LOVE INTEREST: Now I know you’re thinking…. But then how does literally anything in the book actually happen. Luckily for us as readers (well…) the love interest, Whit, has had what seems to be a personality transplant from the past books in this series where he was a side character. In those, he was a pillar of the community normal widower who loved his daughter type dude. Here, he’s suddenly an aggressive, sexually free guy who couldn’t care less about the people in town or what they think of him. (For the record when I say sexually free I mean totally down to make out with the younger dude who helps out around the ranch for free in front of all his ranch employees on the regular, a weird move from any boss and frankly a red flag from a romance novel love interest when the relationship-defining conversation has not yet been had with the MC and btw they’re both semi-closeted… but maybe that’s just me.)
(4) DEAD WIFE: Now the love interest is a widower which is a convenient move - but what I thought was fascinating was this author’s choice to make the tragic dead wife and mother of the love interest’s daughter… titillating?? She was apparently down for numerous threesomes with women and men, she scandalously ordered sex toys via the mail, and just when you’re thinking “hey, she seems like my kinda gal!” turns out she was probably a cheating whore and that’s why she and the love interest had to move to this small town, to get away from “all that.”
(Is she the secret MVP? Yes one million percent yes. If I had written this book she would have risen from the dead, snapped neck and all, and cut a bloody swath through this godforsaken town.)
(5) HEALTH: And speaking of this godforsaken town, it’s WILD that the central plot conflict is the MC hiding his heart condition from people in the small town he’s lived his entire life. Has this author even spoken to anyone from a small town??? Other people’s medical issues are the number ONE source of conversation fodder. I can’t get out of a single conversation with my grandma without hearing the exact diagnosis, prognosis, list of recent procedures, and current emotional state of at MINIMUM five people I’ve never heard of before. (The number of times I’ve heard about the rando priest with the leg issue…. honestly die already!! Except that then my grandma would probably mail me a copy of the funeral program with some bonus notes handwritten in cursive about the importance of being pro-life, so…. maybe continue living in agony, priest-I’ve-never-met.)
(6) SEX: I’m just going to say… the sex stuff in this book is weird. It’s both minimal and gratuitous, which I hadn’t realized was possible. Also kinda icky imo, the vibes were just not good at all (and weren’t even bad in a consistent way!). I don’t know what’s going on there but I don’t want to mull over it either.
(7) EVERYTHING ELSE: Hmm did I not mention the secret bronco riding? The purposeful losing? The mean family? The cruel also-apparently-gay brother? (Justice for him! He was right to bully the MC and he should have done it!) The cute/annoying (ymmv) daughter? The age difference? The height difference? The tiny MC’s huge dick? The arson? All the ranch coworkers? All the auto body shop (?) coworkers? Gus the meddling old guy?The hot tub in California? The OTHER hot tub? The debilitating injuries that magically come and go? The scene where the MC insists he’s going to sleep outside in the bed of his truck like THAT’S normal? The bad guy who attacks the MC out of nowhere at the end of the book despite appearing on page only once before in a tiny scene??
Look I’m not asking for much, just give me a competent romance novel about some cowboys, it doesn’t need to be a masterpiece! But god it doesn’t need to be this.
I’m really torn on the rating because honestly like… it was ALMOST so bad it’s good, and I do weirdly think the country/redneck/cowboy/western writing was entertaining and only slightly too over-the-top. But I didn’t really like the way the surprise hate crime played out, so I’m going with 1 star.
(Will I read this author’s next book? Absolutely. Frankly the only way for them to go is up.)
Just… wow! Wow!! Okay, I just need to make a list of what’s bad:
(1) STORY: The amount of exposition/backstory - laughable. The first chapter is just describing plot points, like for a second I really thought “did this author accidentally upload their outline to Kindle Unlimited.” And it just… continues. In lieu of plot, this book mostly just describes events that happened at other times, that the main character is remembering. This hits its low point at the end of the book when the MC is getting hate crimed (why not I guess) and then has a memory of his older brother teaching him to fight when he was a kid, and then instantly subdues his attacker. I actually laughed out loud. Sure, fine!!
(2) PROTAGONIST: The main character West is so passive… show me a single action he takes during the course of this entire book! He does not change, he does not grow, he does not initiate anything. A bold choice for your protagonist.
(3) LOVE INTEREST: Now I know you’re thinking…. But then how does literally anything in the book actually happen. Luckily for us as readers (well…) the love interest, Whit, has had what seems to be a personality transplant from the past books in this series where he was a side character. In those, he was a pillar of the community normal widower who loved his daughter type dude. Here, he’s suddenly an aggressive, sexually free guy who couldn’t care less about the people in town or what they think of him. (For the record when I say sexually free I mean totally down to make out with the younger dude who helps out around the ranch for free in front of all his ranch employees on the regular, a weird move from any boss and frankly a red flag from a romance novel love interest when the relationship-defining conversation has not yet been had with the MC and btw they’re both semi-closeted… but maybe that’s just me.)
(4) DEAD WIFE: Now the love interest is a widower which is a convenient move - but what I thought was fascinating was this author’s choice to make the tragic dead wife and mother of the love interest’s daughter… titillating?? She was apparently down for numerous threesomes with women and men, she scandalously ordered sex toys via the mail, and just when you’re thinking “hey, she seems like my kinda gal!” turns out she was probably a cheating whore and that’s why she and the love interest had to move to this small town, to get away from “all that.”
(Is she the secret MVP? Yes one million percent yes. If I had written this book she would have risen from the dead, snapped neck and all, and cut a bloody swath through this godforsaken town.)
(5) HEALTH: And speaking of this godforsaken town, it’s WILD that the central plot conflict is the MC hiding his heart condition from people in the small town he’s lived his entire life. Has this author even spoken to anyone from a small town??? Other people’s medical issues are the number ONE source of conversation fodder. I can’t get out of a single conversation with my grandma without hearing the exact diagnosis, prognosis, list of recent procedures, and current emotional state of at MINIMUM five people I’ve never heard of before. (The number of times I’ve heard about the rando priest with the leg issue…. honestly die already!! Except that then my grandma would probably mail me a copy of the funeral program with some bonus notes handwritten in cursive about the importance of being pro-life, so…. maybe continue living in agony, priest-I’ve-never-met.)
(6) SEX: I’m just going to say… the sex stuff in this book is weird. It’s both minimal and gratuitous, which I hadn’t realized was possible. Also kinda icky imo, the vibes were just not good at all (and weren’t even bad in a consistent way!). I don’t know what’s going on there but I don’t want to mull over it either.
(7) EVERYTHING ELSE: Hmm did I not mention the secret bronco riding? The purposeful losing? The mean family? The cruel also-apparently-gay brother? (Justice for him! He was right to bully the MC and he should have done it!) The cute/annoying (ymmv) daughter? The age difference? The height difference? The tiny MC’s huge dick? The arson? All the ranch coworkers? All the auto body shop (?) coworkers? Gus the meddling old guy?The hot tub in California? The OTHER hot tub? The debilitating injuries that magically come and go? The scene where the MC insists he’s going to sleep outside in the bed of his truck like THAT’S normal? The bad guy who attacks the MC out of nowhere at the end of the book despite appearing on page only once before in a tiny scene??
Look I’m not asking for much, just give me a competent romance novel about some cowboys, it doesn’t need to be a masterpiece! But god it doesn’t need to be this.
I’m really torn on the rating because honestly like… it was ALMOST so bad it’s good, and I do weirdly think the country/redneck/cowboy/western writing was entertaining and only slightly too over-the-top. But I didn’t really like the way the surprise hate crime played out, so I’m going with 1 star.
(Will I read this author’s next book? Absolutely. Frankly the only way for them to go is up.)
February 26, 2023
SO WORTH THE WAIT!
I devoured this book today, setting aside everything but laundry to get lost in the world Parker St. John has created. Michael and West won my heart and I am so happy for them.
You don't have to have read the first three books to enjoy this one, but you'll be cheating yourself if you don't. They're just as immersive and emotional as this one, and the events of the third book sets up part of the premise of this one. They're described well enough not to make you feel lost, I don't think, but I highly recommend reading them in order.
I'm gonna have a hangover, and I'm not mad about it at all!
I devoured this book today, setting aside everything but laundry to get lost in the world Parker St. John has created. Michael and West won my heart and I am so happy for them.
You don't have to have read the first three books to enjoy this one, but you'll be cheating yourself if you don't. They're just as immersive and emotional as this one, and the events of the third book sets up part of the premise of this one. They're described well enough not to make you feel lost, I don't think, but I highly recommend reading them in order.
I'm gonna have a hangover, and I'm not mad about it at all!
March 4, 2023
This is one of those book I have really been waiting for. Due to personal circumstances of the author, its release was almost a year overdue, but I never lost faith that it would be released eventually. This series has established itself as a favorite. The ruggedness of these men, the cowboys, the rodeoriders, the circumstances under which they do their jobs, and above all, there's also second chance romance. This series finally made me see how much I love that trope!
So, this is the 4th book in the series and it's about Michael ('Whit') and West. Both characters have been present in the previous books, but this book can be perfectly read as a stand alone, even though some characters from said previous books are present too. All I want to say is that it's not necessary to have read this series in order, but I would highly recommend reading the other books.
Let's get back to Michael and West. There's quite an age gap between those two men, who have been friends ever since Michael came to live in town and started ranching. Michael was married back then, he had a daughter too. But that didn't keep West from pining after the man who easily became his best friend.
Now it's a few years later and Michael has widowed. He is the kind of man who's very protective of the ones he loves, and one of them is West. I loved how easily he accepted that what he felt for West turned into a deep affection, turning into an even deeper love.
But West has some secrets he is not willing, nor prepared, to share. Not even with Michael. Or maybe specially not with Michael. Always having been the weak, needy child he desperately feels the need to show everyone that he can stand his own, that he doesn't need everyone to come running when something is going on. He's capable of doing what needs to be done. And like his father in his older days, rodeo is having one undeniable pull at him. But if people knew he was riding, they would simply forbid him to. So keeping it a secret is the only choice he has.
I understood both men - after Michael lost his wife by an accident with a horse, I understood how he was scared to lose another person he loved. I understood how he wanted to protect West at all costs. He didn't mean to be suffocating, or controlling. It was his fear speaking.
West was something different. All his life he had to deal with something life threatening. But he was a survivor, he proofed that much. Still didn't mean he wasn't vulnerable and invincible, like everyone is. And I think he lost a little sight of that while proofing to everyone he could be like everybody else. Because he could not be an ostrich and put his face down, pretending he didn't barely survive as a young child, pretending he had every right to put his life in danger. I think he was wrong there. He forgot about the genuine fear he put the people who loved him through. They didn't want him to keep from living his life, they just wanted him safe. And being reckless meant they couldn't trust him to keep himself safe. He didn't go to the doctor's appointments on a regular base, didn't take the medication he needed to take. There's a difference between wanting to lead a normal life and being reckless. I thought West was a bit too reckless.
But I did love these two men together. I would have loved to see a little more heated scenes between these men, because Michael had potential to be a very bossy top! The love between them ran deep, though, and I really wanted to slap West when he hurt Michael by making the wrong choices. Because, how could he?! How could he put the things he wanted before the man he had loved almost all of his life, the man who finally noticed him, who loved him back just as fiercely?! I really didn't understand how he could do that. So, yes, someone needed to slap some sense in him right there and then! Nothing was worth losing the man he loved, hurting him while he promised he wouldn't ever do so.
I was happy to see West's blank mind came back on line in time to find his happy ever after with Michael. Because it was what both men deserved.
I loved the epilogue, it was something this book really needed!
Now I can't help but look forward to the next book again. That promises to be something else!
I kindly received a complementary copy by the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
So, this is the 4th book in the series and it's about Michael ('Whit') and West. Both characters have been present in the previous books, but this book can be perfectly read as a stand alone, even though some characters from said previous books are present too. All I want to say is that it's not necessary to have read this series in order, but I would highly recommend reading the other books.
Let's get back to Michael and West. There's quite an age gap between those two men, who have been friends ever since Michael came to live in town and started ranching. Michael was married back then, he had a daughter too. But that didn't keep West from pining after the man who easily became his best friend.
Now it's a few years later and Michael has widowed. He is the kind of man who's very protective of the ones he loves, and one of them is West. I loved how easily he accepted that what he felt for West turned into a deep affection, turning into an even deeper love.
But West has some secrets he is not willing, nor prepared, to share. Not even with Michael. Or maybe specially not with Michael. Always having been the weak, needy child he desperately feels the need to show everyone that he can stand his own, that he doesn't need everyone to come running when something is going on. He's capable of doing what needs to be done. And like his father in his older days, rodeo is having one undeniable pull at him. But if people knew he was riding, they would simply forbid him to. So keeping it a secret is the only choice he has.
I understood both men - after Michael lost his wife by an accident with a horse, I understood how he was scared to lose another person he loved. I understood how he wanted to protect West at all costs. He didn't mean to be suffocating, or controlling. It was his fear speaking.
West was something different. All his life he had to deal with something life threatening. But he was a survivor, he proofed that much. Still didn't mean he wasn't vulnerable and invincible, like everyone is. And I think he lost a little sight of that while proofing to everyone he could be like everybody else. Because he could not be an ostrich and put his face down, pretending he didn't barely survive as a young child, pretending he had every right to put his life in danger. I think he was wrong there. He forgot about the genuine fear he put the people who loved him through. They didn't want him to keep from living his life, they just wanted him safe. And being reckless meant they couldn't trust him to keep himself safe. He didn't go to the doctor's appointments on a regular base, didn't take the medication he needed to take. There's a difference between wanting to lead a normal life and being reckless. I thought West was a bit too reckless.
But I did love these two men together. I would have loved to see a little more heated scenes between these men, because Michael had potential to be a very bossy top! The love between them ran deep, though, and I really wanted to slap West when he hurt Michael by making the wrong choices. Because, how could he?! How could he put the things he wanted before the man he had loved almost all of his life, the man who finally noticed him, who loved him back just as fiercely?! I really didn't understand how he could do that. So, yes, someone needed to slap some sense in him right there and then! Nothing was worth losing the man he loved, hurting him while he promised he wouldn't ever do so.
I was happy to see West's blank mind came back on line in time to find his happy ever after with Michael. Because it was what both men deserved.
I loved the epilogue, it was something this book really needed!
Now I can't help but look forward to the next book again. That promises to be something else!
I kindly received a complementary copy by the author and this is my honest, unbiased review
June 14, 2024
I did enjoy this book to an extent, but I was getting frustrated at all the lies by omission. How Michael/Whit has lived in that tiny town for all these years and never heard anything about West's health felt so completely unbelievable that I couldn't take it seriously at all. This town gossips about literally everything, so for no one to know about West's health or his participation in rodeo's felt too far reaching. Even when it came out that basically all of his family already knew about it, it just fell flat because nothing really happened! All that fretting about people finding out and what it would do to his mum, but then nothing...
I did like how Michael fully embraced his relationship with West though, and I liked seeing the characters from previous books pop up too.
I do have to say this was definitely my least favourite book in the series, purely because the plot was just unbelievable, and not in a good way!
Also the blurb is so inaccurate! West is described as untouched and begging for experience in sex, but that isn't what happened at all - no idea who wrote that but it didn't match up to the story that was told.
I did like how Michael fully embraced his relationship with West though, and I liked seeing the characters from previous books pop up too.
I do have to say this was definitely my least favourite book in the series, purely because the plot was just unbelievable, and not in a good way!
Also the blurb is so inaccurate! West is described as untouched and begging for experience in sex, but that isn't what happened at all - no idea who wrote that but it didn't match up to the story that was told.
January 22, 2025
First of all- twice this book said "sew your wild oats" instead of sow and as someone who sews a lot it made me laugh so much. I need to open a spicy embroidery shop and name it sew your wild oats immediately.
On to the actual review, this book was kind of weird. I guess Michael & West had something happen, were both hospitalized and during their hospitalization they looked after each other and bonded together and got feelings for each other- and then West ended up running away. But the book doesn't start until after all that, once West is gone and Michael goes to track him down. The entire part of them in the hospital and growing close is not even in the book. Not even a single flash back chapter. Why would the author start the book in the middle of the story? Didn't she think maybe the audience would like to know what happened while they were in the hospital that started this all? I had a hard time connecting to the romance because most of it happened off page. I kept waiting for a flashback chapter that never came. Oh well.
Guess I better run, I have a lot of commissions so I need to go sew my wild oats 😂😂😂
On to the actual review, this book was kind of weird. I guess Michael & West had something happen, were both hospitalized and during their hospitalization they looked after each other and bonded together and got feelings for each other- and then West ended up running away. But the book doesn't start until after all that, once West is gone and Michael goes to track him down. The entire part of them in the hospital and growing close is not even in the book. Not even a single flash back chapter. Why would the author start the book in the middle of the story? Didn't she think maybe the audience would like to know what happened while they were in the hospital that started this all? I had a hard time connecting to the romance because most of it happened off page. I kept waiting for a flashback chapter that never came. Oh well.
Guess I better run, I have a lot of commissions so I need to go sew my wild oats 😂😂😂
February 27, 2023
This book grabbed me by the heart and didn't let me go until it was over! I stayed up all night reading and devoured it in one sitting!
Rating: 4 stars
I loved (almost) everything about this story... but I also feel robbed 😑
West was born with a congenital heart condition, HLHS (Hypolastic Left Heart Syndrome). In a healthy heart, the Left ventricle is a thick-walled muscular chamber that contracts strongly to send freshly oxygenated blood out through the Aorta to the rest of your body. In HLHS patients the ventricle is underdeveloped and very weak; they may also have deformed or missing heart valves*. TLDR: it's a very serious condition and is almost always fatal without multiple complicated reconstructive surgeries. We learn that West had 6 Surgeries at a young age and is very fortunate to be walking this earth. The impact of being an HLHS survivor, both real and theoretical, has ruled West's whole life and his family was nearly ruined both financially by the hospital bills and emotionally by what they had to give up - dreams, opportunities, and their own happiness - for West.
West carries profound guilt over the way his family sacrificed their own futures and financial well being to Keep Him Safe. His aggressively over-protective family is smothering him and, unintentionally, preventing him from truly living. Even though he's nearly 30, everyone - friends, family, the whole town - still treats him as though he should be kept behind tempered glass:
West NEEDS to be seen as a strong, independent Man that can handle his own shit. He's so desperate for some sort of control over his life that he's created an alternate identity that lets him sneak off to ride in local rodeos under an alias. He flies under the radar by dressing plainly and making sure to (carefully) throw the matches so he doesn't garner too much attention; winning would get him noticed and he can't have that.
Riding broncs is both freedom and punishment; he needs this outlet for his frustration and this unique form of self-flagellation for the endless guilt that's slowly crushing him. And while he might not be directly harming himself, letting the broncs wreck his body on the regular gets the job done:
Only Michael, who came to town and therefore into West's life well after the public hub-bub surrounding his health condition had died down, treats West with relative equality. Because Michael doesn't know about his condition and has never seen West through the Sick Child lens, West has been able shape his own identity in Michael's eyes by demonstrating his value in his own way. He's done everything he can to ensure Michael sees him as a reliable, trustworthy, confident, supportive friend and not someone to be coddled and protected at every turn.
Michael is one of those men. A Man who's self assurance, integrity, life experience, and generosity of spirit draw people to him like the sun. He's a combat vet, a widower, and now a single father, and at 45 he is in his prime. To West, he seems utterly untouchable. When a terrible accident lands Michael in the hospital the snow globe West has carefully constructed around his feelings for All Things Michael shatters and West runs straight into the arms of self-destruction.
This is where we start to find out just how much Michael actually cares about West and sees him for the man he is.
West and Michael really are beautiful together. I think they're a very well matched couple and deeply fulfill one another emotionally. I loved them together and felt their relationship was exactly the right balance of sexual attraction and deep love.
I'm very happy that Parker St John kept the focus primarily on the main couple and let us see their journey from close friends to together forever without too much side-show activity, while still giving us poignant moments with others from the Down Home family. I particularly liked Cal's role in this story. It felt supplemental, not distracting, and that can be a difficult balance to strike.
HOWEVER. I'm very put out by what we got in terms of their physical intimacy. I was thrilled to find out that Michael In general, much more of their physical intimacy should have been on page. I needed WAY MORE DETAIL and more time with them connecting in this way, and I feel cheated by what I did get.
Their chemistry is undeniable and it started off well; their initial connection (the hot tub, holy shit 🥵) and that first scene in the barn (which ALMOST had me screaming because anyone whose ever fooled around in hay knows what a BAD IDEA that is... thankfully that was salvaged by the reasonably realistic way it went down... ) were actually fantastic. And then, we get the NO LUBE shower scene 😠 (which is supposedly West's first time being penetrated???!!! In the shower, while banged up and already sore, with no lube? WHAT??).
After that, all we get is some vague hand-wave-y theymadeloveallnight, and down the line another TWO. SENTENCES. implying West's first time inside Michael. Are you fucking kidding me. This felt incredibly lazy and took it down a whole star. If I'm going to get this emotionally invested in two characters' LOVE STORY then you better give me all the details of what goes on between the sheets. And WITH LUBE ffs!
When it comes to their communication, I do think that West should have been more open with Michael about his health condition when he was given the opportunity. I also think it was wrong of Michael to ask West to give up bronc busting... but the resolution came in a reasonably timely fashion and in a way that felt authentic to the characters.
Overall, I did love it, and I'm glad West and Michael got their HEA, together. I just hope they eventually made it to a CVS.
The next book was teased at the end and it is Derek & Briar... yesss!!!
Probably have to wait 5 years though lol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*here's a good summary of the condition if you're interested in learning more about it: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-disea...
Rating: 4 stars
I loved (almost) everything about this story... but I also feel robbed 😑
West was born with a congenital heart condition, HLHS (Hypolastic Left Heart Syndrome). In a healthy heart, the Left ventricle is a thick-walled muscular chamber that contracts strongly to send freshly oxygenated blood out through the Aorta to the rest of your body. In HLHS patients the ventricle is underdeveloped and very weak; they may also have deformed or missing heart valves*. TLDR: it's a very serious condition and is almost always fatal without multiple complicated reconstructive surgeries. We learn that West had 6 Surgeries at a young age and is very fortunate to be walking this earth. The impact of being an HLHS survivor, both real and theoretical, has ruled West's whole life and his family was nearly ruined both financially by the hospital bills and emotionally by what they had to give up - dreams, opportunities, and their own happiness - for West.
West carries profound guilt over the way his family sacrificed their own futures and financial well being to Keep Him Safe. His aggressively over-protective family is smothering him and, unintentionally, preventing him from truly living. Even though he's nearly 30, everyone - friends, family, the whole town - still treats him as though he should be kept behind tempered glass:
He'd lived his whole damn life like one of his mother's geegaws, set up on a shelf somewhere collecting dust.
West NEEDS to be seen as a strong, independent Man that can handle his own shit. He's so desperate for some sort of control over his life that he's created an alternate identity that lets him sneak off to ride in local rodeos under an alias. He flies under the radar by dressing plainly and making sure to (carefully) throw the matches so he doesn't garner too much attention; winning would get him noticed and he can't have that.
Riding broncs is both freedom and punishment; he needs this outlet for his frustration and this unique form of self-flagellation for the endless guilt that's slowly crushing him. And while he might not be directly harming himself, letting the broncs wreck his body on the regular gets the job done:
Only Michael, who came to town and therefore into West's life well after the public hub-bub surrounding his health condition had died down, treats West with relative equality. Because Michael doesn't know about his condition and has never seen West through the Sick Child lens, West has been able shape his own identity in Michael's eyes by demonstrating his value in his own way. He's done everything he can to ensure Michael sees him as a reliable, trustworthy, confident, supportive friend and not someone to be coddled and protected at every turn.
Michael is one of those men. A Man who's self assurance, integrity, life experience, and generosity of spirit draw people to him like the sun. He's a combat vet, a widower, and now a single father, and at 45 he is in his prime. To West, he seems utterly untouchable. When a terrible accident lands Michael in the hospital the snow globe West has carefully constructed around his feelings for All Things Michael shatters and West runs straight into the arms of self-destruction.
This is where we start to find out just how much Michael actually cares about West and sees him for the man he is.
West and Michael really are beautiful together. I think they're a very well matched couple and deeply fulfill one another emotionally. I loved them together and felt their relationship was exactly the right balance of sexual attraction and deep love.
[West] needed to look him in the eye to make sure his words landed when he said, "I want to protect you, too. It doesn't matter that you're the strongest person I know. I don't want you to go through the pain of losing someone you love ever again. I want to be the one you can lean on. The one where you know your heart is safe".
I'm very happy that Parker St John kept the focus primarily on the main couple and let us see their journey from close friends to together forever without too much side-show activity, while still giving us poignant moments with others from the Down Home family. I particularly liked Cal's role in this story. It felt supplemental, not distracting, and that can be a difficult balance to strike.
HOWEVER. I'm very put out by what we got in terms of their physical intimacy. I was thrilled to find out that Michael In general, much more of their physical intimacy should have been on page. I needed WAY MORE DETAIL and more time with them connecting in this way, and I feel cheated by what I did get.
Their chemistry is undeniable and it started off well; their initial connection (the hot tub, holy shit 🥵) and that first scene in the barn (which ALMOST had me screaming because anyone whose ever fooled around in hay knows what a BAD IDEA that is... thankfully that was salvaged by the reasonably realistic way it went down... ) were actually fantastic. And then, we get the NO LUBE shower scene 😠 (which is supposedly West's first time being penetrated???!!! In the shower, while banged up and already sore, with no lube? WHAT??).
After that, all we get is some vague hand-wave-y theymadeloveallnight, and down the line another TWO. SENTENCES. implying West's first time inside Michael. Are you fucking kidding me. This felt incredibly lazy and took it down a whole star. If I'm going to get this emotionally invested in two characters' LOVE STORY then you better give me all the details of what goes on between the sheets. And WITH LUBE ffs!
When it comes to their communication, I do think that West should have been more open with Michael about his health condition when he was given the opportunity. I also think it was wrong of Michael to ask West to give up bronc busting... but the resolution came in a reasonably timely fashion and in a way that felt authentic to the characters.
Overall, I did love it, and I'm glad West and Michael got their HEA, together. I just hope they eventually made it to a CVS.
The next book was teased at the end and it is Derek & Briar... yesss!!!
Probably have to wait 5 years though lol
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*here's a good summary of the condition if you're interested in learning more about it: https://www.chop.edu/conditions-disea...
March 3, 2023
4.5 stars
I love this series and I’m so glad Parker St John was finally able to release this book. I’ve waited for this story and it was incredibly sweet.
West didn’t impress me in the previous books and there’s a reason for that, he stays quiet in the background and doesn’t draw attention to himself. He has to prove he’s strong enough to do anything but he’s still overlooked because of his heart condition. He sets out to prove to himself he’s tougher than everyone thinks. He has also been madly in love with his best friend who is straight so he has distanced himself from him.
Michael has been a character I was hoping we’d get a story about from his first introduction. He’s the epitome of a cowboy and he takes care of his workers, his daughter and his friends. He lost his wife to a riding accident and since then he keeps himself guarded. He looks out for everyone else and he doesn’t take West ghosting him well.
I love how Michael owned his feelings, he wasn’t afraid to be with a man. I do wish the sex scenes were better, I was disappointed in them. There was a glimpse of how commanding Michael could be but it wasn’t enough for me.
We’re told things in the epilogue and I wish we could’ve experienced them. That’s why I’m taking off a half star.
I understood why West hid certain things from Michael and why when Michael finds out he’s angry. That part didn’t bother me at all. Of course the communication could’ve been better but we’re dealing with some stubborn men.
This book was so easy to read, I whisked through it way too fast. I love how St John writes, I felt immediately comfortable in the book and it flowed beautifully.
Abby, Michael’s daughter, is one of the best children I’ve read in a book. She’s funny and sweet and precocious. I wish we got even more of her with both Michael and West, maybe going family things together.
I hope everything is ok again with the author after a rough year. I’m happy she was able to release this book and has another one coming. This series is so good!!!!
**ARC received for review
I love this series and I’m so glad Parker St John was finally able to release this book. I’ve waited for this story and it was incredibly sweet.
West didn’t impress me in the previous books and there’s a reason for that, he stays quiet in the background and doesn’t draw attention to himself. He has to prove he’s strong enough to do anything but he’s still overlooked because of his heart condition. He sets out to prove to himself he’s tougher than everyone thinks. He has also been madly in love with his best friend who is straight so he has distanced himself from him.
Michael has been a character I was hoping we’d get a story about from his first introduction. He’s the epitome of a cowboy and he takes care of his workers, his daughter and his friends. He lost his wife to a riding accident and since then he keeps himself guarded. He looks out for everyone else and he doesn’t take West ghosting him well.
I love how Michael owned his feelings, he wasn’t afraid to be with a man. I do wish the sex scenes were better, I was disappointed in them. There was a glimpse of how commanding Michael could be but it wasn’t enough for me.
We’re told things in the epilogue and I wish we could’ve experienced them. That’s why I’m taking off a half star.
I understood why West hid certain things from Michael and why when Michael finds out he’s angry. That part didn’t bother me at all. Of course the communication could’ve been better but we’re dealing with some stubborn men.
This book was so easy to read, I whisked through it way too fast. I love how St John writes, I felt immediately comfortable in the book and it flowed beautifully.
Abby, Michael’s daughter, is one of the best children I’ve read in a book. She’s funny and sweet and precocious. I wish we got even more of her with both Michael and West, maybe going family things together.
I hope everything is ok again with the author after a rough year. I’m happy she was able to release this book and has another one coming. This series is so good!!!!
**ARC received for review
February 16, 2024
“You smell like a man,” Michael said roughly. “My man.”
"I'm yours for as long as you'll have me," West admitted.
"I don't think you know what those words mean," Michael said, breathing heavily. "But, by God, you're going to learn."
I mean Michael was ugh, he had so much more to give, let me tell you. He wasn't utilised to his full potential, let's just leave it at that!
3.9 - 4⭐ - and I'm rating it as high only because I really like the characters and Sweetwater, I'll say it again - the books in this series demand a double POV and it's a major flaw that it's not included, completely tones down the reading experience, at least for me.
But I did like the story.
🔵 Best friends to lovers
🟢 Age gap - 15/16 years
🟣 Size difference
🟡 Single dad (the kid is not too obnoxious)
🟠 Dead wife (I hate this, but thankfully it's not that prominent, it still irked me though)
🟢 Riding Broncs
🔵 One MMC has a serious heart condition
🟡 A very good new side character - Derek, who's a MMC in the next book (still coming)
🌶️ Good smut, but not that descriptive and yet not FTB, quite romantic, I definitely wanted more of it in this dynamic; both vers, but t/b on-page
Reading this book felt bittersweet. I think the author could've done much more with the dynamic presented here. You know when you have something on your hands that needs just a little more tweaking to make it perfect? Yeah, that's the books in this series and this one is no exception.
This was a sweet age gap story of a 45-year old rancher Michael Whittaker, who's an ex-military guy, came to Sweetwater with his family and is now a single dad since his wife died. He has a very successful ranch Triple M, where a lot of local cowboys find work, and one of those cowboys is West, a young guy in his late 20's, who's from a poorer, average working class family, where his health problems have left a toll on everyone. His brothers, sister, parents, they're all worn out from the hard life they've all lived, trying to keep West alive with his serious heart condition.
Michael and West have become great friends, where West is always busy on Michael's ranch, he helps out and hangs out with Michael's daughter and is, of course, in love with the guy.
"Looking back, it was love from the start. From that very first day when the little bell over the shop door had jingled and West glanced up, right into the eye of a hurricane that sucked him up and never let him get his feet back on the ground."
Michael
Michael had no idea how West felt about him until the ranch burned down in the previous installment and Michael ended up in the hospital, where West couldn't hold back anymore. West stood by Michael all the time, acting like an overprotective lover keeping others at bay, but then West pulled away simply because he knew he's gone over the line, that limit that he always had about Michael, where he kept his feelings to himself. The poor guy's been pining for years, yet did nothing, because he felt like he wasn't a man enough for anything or anyone, much less for Michael.
“You must think I’m blind,” Michael gritted out between his teeth.
“No,” West gasped. His heart felt like it was seconds away from jackhammering right out of his chest. He couldn’t catch his breath. “But I hoped you were.”
West's self-loathing comes simply from his family treating him like he's made of glass, yet at the same time he's not an equal to any of them, he's not allowed to live a grown-up life and that's one of the reasons he's moved away from home and lives a double life of also being a bronc rider. His internal turmoil about finding his masculinity and a place amongst other men surrounding him was almost heartbreaking, but I absolutely loved West's tenaciousness, his perseverance, a will to live, his eternal fight to show to himself and the world he's just as much of a man as any of them.
West
Michael has been with men before even though he was married since he was a very young man, so he's not new to being with a man and West is gay. So that transition to them being now lovers wasn't earth shattering for neither, but it was unexpected. Michael never thought he would end up with a man so much younger and West never in a million years thought he had a shot with Michael. Them being lovers was easy, because they've been best friends for years, their dynamic was those of two people meant for each other finally coming together and it came from a very serious place inside both of them. None of them were messing around, they were very serious about each other.
They did have a bit of a break up, but I didn't see it as such, I wouldn't qualify that as a third act break up. They were just waiting on each other, trying to make sense of things. Michael did surprise me by being that stubborn, but again, it felt like even though they were apart, they weren't really separated.
I didn't think their relationship fully developed to its true potential on-page, but the ending was sweet and the epilogue had them married and connected to the bone. Yes, their connection was strong and palpable, I absolutely loved it, but would like to know more about them living together as a family and West's life changing completely. So, a chapter more or an ending not as quick would be welcomed.
The side characters in this story were Eli and Cal and who doesn't love Eli, right? He simply has to be in every installment, otherwise it's no Sweetwater, he's the face of it.
I think Aiden is going to get his book too.
🟢 West's family was a simple, real working class family, I loved the brothers and especially Derek, he's my new special interest in this series (besides Tucker) - yes, I love a bad boy and Derek appears to have that nailed down.
"Nothing in Derek’s body language invited familiarity. He was more like a statue carved from raw, jagged sandstone than a man of flesh and blood. In a family with only middling looks at best, he’d drawn the short end of the stick. His face looked like it had been hammered into all raw edges, and his permanent scowl didn’t help."
And
"Derek wasn’t unfeeling; far from it. He’d spent his whole life trying to protect everyone and everything around him, and it had nearly killed him when he failed. He’d hardened his heart a long time ago, just to survive."
I can't wait for his love story with Briar and hopefully the author will finally give us THAT DOUBLE POV. Not only that, I feel like the smut could be a bit more prominent, I remember Down Low and even though there wasn't that much of it, it was hot and descriptive, but the other books don't have that.
This book left me wanting for so much more, a lot of the intimate scenes were off-page or FTB and I didn't appreciate that, so hopefully with Derek the author does a complete turnaround.
"I'm yours for as long as you'll have me," West admitted.
"I don't think you know what those words mean," Michael said, breathing heavily. "But, by God, you're going to learn."
I mean Michael was ugh, he had so much more to give, let me tell you. He wasn't utilised to his full potential, let's just leave it at that!
3.9 - 4⭐ - and I'm rating it as high only because I really like the characters and Sweetwater, I'll say it again - the books in this series demand a double POV and it's a major flaw that it's not included, completely tones down the reading experience, at least for me.
But I did like the story.
🔵 Best friends to lovers
🟢 Age gap - 15/16 years
🟣 Size difference
🟡 Single dad (the kid is not too obnoxious)
🟠 Dead wife (I hate this, but thankfully it's not that prominent, it still irked me though)
🟢 Riding Broncs
🔵 One MMC has a serious heart condition
🟡 A very good new side character - Derek, who's a MMC in the next book (still coming)
🌶️ Good smut, but not that descriptive and yet not FTB, quite romantic, I definitely wanted more of it in this dynamic; both vers, but t/b on-page
Reading this book felt bittersweet. I think the author could've done much more with the dynamic presented here. You know when you have something on your hands that needs just a little more tweaking to make it perfect? Yeah, that's the books in this series and this one is no exception.
This was a sweet age gap story of a 45-year old rancher Michael Whittaker, who's an ex-military guy, came to Sweetwater with his family and is now a single dad since his wife died. He has a very successful ranch Triple M, where a lot of local cowboys find work, and one of those cowboys is West, a young guy in his late 20's, who's from a poorer, average working class family, where his health problems have left a toll on everyone. His brothers, sister, parents, they're all worn out from the hard life they've all lived, trying to keep West alive with his serious heart condition.
Michael and West have become great friends, where West is always busy on Michael's ranch, he helps out and hangs out with Michael's daughter and is, of course, in love with the guy.
"Looking back, it was love from the start. From that very first day when the little bell over the shop door had jingled and West glanced up, right into the eye of a hurricane that sucked him up and never let him get his feet back on the ground."
Michael
Michael had no idea how West felt about him until the ranch burned down in the previous installment and Michael ended up in the hospital, where West couldn't hold back anymore. West stood by Michael all the time, acting like an overprotective lover keeping others at bay, but then West pulled away simply because he knew he's gone over the line, that limit that he always had about Michael, where he kept his feelings to himself. The poor guy's been pining for years, yet did nothing, because he felt like he wasn't a man enough for anything or anyone, much less for Michael.
“You must think I’m blind,” Michael gritted out between his teeth.
“No,” West gasped. His heart felt like it was seconds away from jackhammering right out of his chest. He couldn’t catch his breath. “But I hoped you were.”
West's self-loathing comes simply from his family treating him like he's made of glass, yet at the same time he's not an equal to any of them, he's not allowed to live a grown-up life and that's one of the reasons he's moved away from home and lives a double life of also being a bronc rider. His internal turmoil about finding his masculinity and a place amongst other men surrounding him was almost heartbreaking, but I absolutely loved West's tenaciousness, his perseverance, a will to live, his eternal fight to show to himself and the world he's just as much of a man as any of them.
West
Michael has been with men before even though he was married since he was a very young man, so he's not new to being with a man and West is gay. So that transition to them being now lovers wasn't earth shattering for neither, but it was unexpected. Michael never thought he would end up with a man so much younger and West never in a million years thought he had a shot with Michael. Them being lovers was easy, because they've been best friends for years, their dynamic was those of two people meant for each other finally coming together and it came from a very serious place inside both of them. None of them were messing around, they were very serious about each other.
They did have a bit of a break up, but I didn't see it as such, I wouldn't qualify that as a third act break up. They were just waiting on each other, trying to make sense of things. Michael did surprise me by being that stubborn, but again, it felt like even though they were apart, they weren't really separated.
I didn't think their relationship fully developed to its true potential on-page, but the ending was sweet and the epilogue had them married and connected to the bone. Yes, their connection was strong and palpable, I absolutely loved it, but would like to know more about them living together as a family and West's life changing completely. So, a chapter more or an ending not as quick would be welcomed.
The side characters in this story were Eli and Cal and who doesn't love Eli, right? He simply has to be in every installment, otherwise it's no Sweetwater, he's the face of it.
I think Aiden is going to get his book too.
🟢 West's family was a simple, real working class family, I loved the brothers and especially Derek, he's my new special interest in this series (besides Tucker) - yes, I love a bad boy and Derek appears to have that nailed down.
"Nothing in Derek’s body language invited familiarity. He was more like a statue carved from raw, jagged sandstone than a man of flesh and blood. In a family with only middling looks at best, he’d drawn the short end of the stick. His face looked like it had been hammered into all raw edges, and his permanent scowl didn’t help."
And
"Derek wasn’t unfeeling; far from it. He’d spent his whole life trying to protect everyone and everything around him, and it had nearly killed him when he failed. He’d hardened his heart a long time ago, just to survive."
I can't wait for his love story with Briar and hopefully the author will finally give us THAT DOUBLE POV. Not only that, I feel like the smut could be a bit more prominent, I remember Down Low and even though there wasn't that much of it, it was hot and descriptive, but the other books don't have that.
This book left me wanting for so much more, a lot of the intimate scenes were off-page or FTB and I didn't appreciate that, so hopefully with Derek the author does a complete turnaround.
December 29, 2024
This was like a stake to the heart
March 10, 2023
I don’t recall much of West or Michael from previous books, but I know I wasn’t too excited for this book (I just wanted Briar’s book). So, I was quite pleased when I found the book to be very enjoyable. It was a 5-star read for me, all the way through to the 90% mark. I didn’t hate the last 10%… it just wasn’t the direction I saw it going (and I still hate epilogues).
March 8, 2023
Overall book rating: 4.5 (But it could have been a solid 5)
Audio book: N/A
Book cover: 4 Stars
This book was my favorite of the series so far.
It made me two things : Ecstatically happy and... Downright slap to the ground disappointed.
Lets start with Ecstatically Happy.
Michael and West is my favorite couple so far. And I really
liked the other guys but dammit.. I didn't see this one coming.
West was so much MORE that I thought he was. There was
nothing wrong with him as a side character but she brought
him front and center in such a epic way in this story that I
felt like a kid getting a early Christmas present!
He unfolded into someone I did not expect and
in such a good way!
Michael has always had my attention. He just is that
kind of character and when I got these two together
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it.
I love Michael. He also had a thing or two up his
sleeve I didn't see coming and oh goody gumdrops
it made me smile like a loon.
I underestimated West in the previous books and
oh what a great surprise I got.
I have an soft spot for this series.
I just really enjoy it but this one takes the cake
and the chocolate and the milkshake ect.
Then the Downright disappointed part:
The story had so much potential! So so much. Why would
you want to cut it short? Why not add a few more chapters
and do them justice?
We got so much of the important moments of their lives OFF PAGE?
Why? I'm totally baffled.
Their intimate scenes were few and far between and dammit
that one scene made me sit up and pay attention like a
puppy scenting a snack. But it fizzled out.
Michael got all Alpha with a hint of age gap dominance and
that could have been given a little more focus in my humble
opinion. I loved it.
(Ps. when I say age gap dominance I DON'T mean
age play.. not my scene at all.)
I wanted MORE of their special moments. Dammit I wanted
their first switch NOT to be mentioned casually in a
off page way.. I wanted more talk more touch time.
Why didn't we get that because it would have made
a really really good book PERFECT.
It was like at the end there, there was some fire
that needed to be put out and the book needed
to be published so they couldn't wait for a more
detailed ending. I'm saying this with love.
Because I LOVED this book... it just didn't get
the time and detail it deserved.
NEXT... I WANT DERICK! I need Derick and
it better not be cut short and it better not be
off page or there is going to be a international
disaster in EPIC proportions.
Parker St. John is just getting better and better
so I'm having high hopes here people!
Audio book: N/A
Book cover: 4 Stars
This book was my favorite of the series so far.
It made me two things : Ecstatically happy and... Downright slap to the ground disappointed.
Lets start with Ecstatically Happy.
Michael and West is my favorite couple so far. And I really
liked the other guys but dammit.. I didn't see this one coming.
West was so much MORE that I thought he was. There was
nothing wrong with him as a side character but she brought
him front and center in such a epic way in this story that I
felt like a kid getting a early Christmas present!
He unfolded into someone I did not expect and
in such a good way!
Michael has always had my attention. He just is that
kind of character and when I got these two together
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it.
I love Michael. He also had a thing or two up his
sleeve I didn't see coming and oh goody gumdrops
it made me smile like a loon.
I underestimated West in the previous books and
oh what a great surprise I got.
I have an soft spot for this series.
I just really enjoy it but this one takes the cake
and the chocolate and the milkshake ect.
Then the Downright disappointed part:
The story had so much potential! So so much. Why would
you want to cut it short? Why not add a few more chapters
and do them justice?
We got so much of the important moments of their lives OFF PAGE?
Why? I'm totally baffled.
Their intimate scenes were few and far between and dammit
that one scene made me sit up and pay attention like a
puppy scenting a snack. But it fizzled out.
Michael got all Alpha with a hint of age gap dominance and
that could have been given a little more focus in my humble
opinion. I loved it.
(Ps. when I say age gap dominance I DON'T mean
age play.. not my scene at all.)
I wanted MORE of their special moments. Dammit I wanted
their first switch NOT to be mentioned casually in a
off page way.. I wanted more talk more touch time.
Why didn't we get that because it would have made
a really really good book PERFECT.
It was like at the end there, there was some fire
that needed to be put out and the book needed
to be published so they couldn't wait for a more
detailed ending. I'm saying this with love.
Because I LOVED this book... it just didn't get
the time and detail it deserved.
NEXT... I WANT DERICK! I need Derick and
it better not be cut short and it better not be
off page or there is going to be a international
disaster in EPIC proportions.
Parker St. John is just getting better and better
so I'm having high hopes here people!
March 13, 2023
Not going to lie, I found this one the hardest in the series so far to fall in love with. Mostly because for a lot of it, I really wanted to give West a clip round the head and I'm not normally a violent person!
But, while I could understand how he'd felt like a burden to his family because of all they'd had to sacrifice due to his heart condition, I also could not understand how he could then put all that at risk by his actions at the rodeos.
I got his need to be independent, to prove he wasn't the fragile child who'd had to have multiple heart operations, I could empathise with his desire to get out from under the gaze of his overprotective family.
The willingness to chuck it all away with the risk of a bucking bronco ending his life or crippling him in any way - that was just way too selfish for me and it took me a long time to be able to feel like I wanted him and Michael to succeed.
Michael's the widowed owner of the Triple M ranch where most of the other books have seen some sort of action take place, most notably when his ranch was burnt down at the end of book three!
Him and West have been best friends for years, but West's had a crush/love for the older man which leads to him ghosting Michael for months.
The first we see them together in this book is when Michael comes to collect him from a rodeo after he's managed to discover West's secret (as he's been riding under an assumed name and throwing his rides - another thing I really struggled with!)
Parker handles the angst between the two of them well, that was utterly believable to me. Michael can't stand the thought of losing someone else, having seen his wife die after breaking her neck in a freak horse fall. West needs to assert his independent control of his life somehow.
it's inevitable there will be a clash of epic proportions and there is. This side of the book was done brilliantly for me.
The relationship development, not as much.
Also the sexy times here weren't very sexy. Usually this author totally brings it with the heat, but here there's not many of them, their first time isn't particularly detailed and Michael seems to have zero qualms about what he's doing, even though he's never considered himself to be gay or particularly bisexual.
Then mostly everything else is off page mentions, that really disappointed me. Having had years of pining, then there's zero issues with them actually getting together at first, we don't get to see most of their intimacy. Nah, not down for that.
Overall though, this series has been an absolute triumph for me and I am now looking forward to Derek and Briar's book because if there's anyone who needs a wake-up call it's West's oldest brother and the twinky veterinary assistant sounds like just the man for the job!
But, while I could understand how he'd felt like a burden to his family because of all they'd had to sacrifice due to his heart condition, I also could not understand how he could then put all that at risk by his actions at the rodeos.
I got his need to be independent, to prove he wasn't the fragile child who'd had to have multiple heart operations, I could empathise with his desire to get out from under the gaze of his overprotective family.
The willingness to chuck it all away with the risk of a bucking bronco ending his life or crippling him in any way - that was just way too selfish for me and it took me a long time to be able to feel like I wanted him and Michael to succeed.
Michael's the widowed owner of the Triple M ranch where most of the other books have seen some sort of action take place, most notably when his ranch was burnt down at the end of book three!
Him and West have been best friends for years, but West's had a crush/love for the older man which leads to him ghosting Michael for months.
The first we see them together in this book is when Michael comes to collect him from a rodeo after he's managed to discover West's secret (as he's been riding under an assumed name and throwing his rides - another thing I really struggled with!)
Parker handles the angst between the two of them well, that was utterly believable to me. Michael can't stand the thought of losing someone else, having seen his wife die after breaking her neck in a freak horse fall. West needs to assert his independent control of his life somehow.
it's inevitable there will be a clash of epic proportions and there is. This side of the book was done brilliantly for me.
The relationship development, not as much.
Also the sexy times here weren't very sexy. Usually this author totally brings it with the heat, but here there's not many of them, their first time isn't particularly detailed and Michael seems to have zero qualms about what he's doing, even though he's never considered himself to be gay or particularly bisexual.
Then mostly everything else is off page mentions, that really disappointed me. Having had years of pining, then there's zero issues with them actually getting together at first, we don't get to see most of their intimacy. Nah, not down for that.
Overall though, this series has been an absolute triumph for me and I am now looking forward to Derek and Briar's book because if there's anyone who needs a wake-up call it's West's oldest brother and the twinky veterinary assistant sounds like just the man for the job!
March 12, 2023
Rating: 3 ♥️
Steam: 2 🔥
PoV: single, 3rd person
This series has been on my TBR for ages so I was really excited to pick up this one! Down in Flames was an emotional read, with a fair share of drama and angst.
The story about West and Michael had a lot of potential and it seemed like a great read with cowboys, age gap, hurt / comfort and friends to lovers. Sadly a lot of the drama in the story was due to lack of communication and I struggled with that aspect, as well as the characters acting a bit immature.
I loved the beginning of the story when the relationship between them was new and there were some sweet moments. Michael was really my kind of character and I was a bit sad that I never got to read from his PoV. It was easy to tell that they had history together though, and how much they cared for each other. West pain was palpable at times, and while he didn’t have the best outlet for it, I could understand his reasons and frustration. While their relationship felt somewhat inevitable, the chemistry and connection between them was great.
I definitely felt like this was a series where it would have been beneficial to have read the books in order, it felt like I was missing context and background knowledge of the characters from the previous books. However, Down in Flames left me even more curious about this series, and hopefully I might appreciate West and Michael’s story more after reading the other books and getting a little more background.
Steam: 2 🔥
PoV: single, 3rd person
This series has been on my TBR for ages so I was really excited to pick up this one! Down in Flames was an emotional read, with a fair share of drama and angst.
The story about West and Michael had a lot of potential and it seemed like a great read with cowboys, age gap, hurt / comfort and friends to lovers. Sadly a lot of the drama in the story was due to lack of communication and I struggled with that aspect, as well as the characters acting a bit immature.
I loved the beginning of the story when the relationship between them was new and there were some sweet moments. Michael was really my kind of character and I was a bit sad that I never got to read from his PoV. It was easy to tell that they had history together though, and how much they cared for each other. West pain was palpable at times, and while he didn’t have the best outlet for it, I could understand his reasons and frustration. While their relationship felt somewhat inevitable, the chemistry and connection between them was great.
I definitely felt like this was a series where it would have been beneficial to have read the books in order, it felt like I was missing context and background knowledge of the characters from the previous books. However, Down in Flames left me even more curious about this series, and hopefully I might appreciate West and Michael’s story more after reading the other books and getting a little more background.
October 21, 2023
After really enjoying the rest of the series this one didn’t quite hit the spot for me. Probably more me not the book. Otherwise a great series.
April 30, 2025
Age Gap romances have always been a sensitive topic for me. I hate it when the age difference is too big or one of the main characters is barely legal. I simply don't feel comfortable reading them.
But romances like this one, where both parties are actual adults? Those are kinda nice.
I really enjoyed West and Michael's story, especially that they were actually friends first before becoming lovers. Definitely gonna continue with this series!
ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ:
1.) Down Low | 4.5 stars
2.) Down and Dirty | 4.0 stars
3.) Down and Out | 3.0 stars
4.) Down in Flames | 4.0 stars
5.) Throw Down | 3.0 stars
6.) Downfall | 4.5 stars
But romances like this one, where both parties are actual adults? Those are kinda nice.
I really enjoyed West and Michael's story, especially that they were actually friends first before becoming lovers. Definitely gonna continue with this series!
ᴅᴏᴡɴ ʜᴏᴍᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ:
1.) Down Low | 4.5 stars
2.) Down and Dirty | 4.0 stars
3.) Down and Out | 3.0 stars
4.) Down in Flames | 4.0 stars
5.) Throw Down | 3.0 stars
6.) Downfall | 4.5 stars
March 13, 2023
Quel plaisir de retourner dans cette saga, j'attendais ce quatrième tome avec impatience !
Dans ce tome, l'auteur nous offre l'histoire de Michael et de West. Ces deux hommes sont amis depuis très longtemps. West a toujours été là pour épauler Michael, de 15 ans son aîné. Jusqu'à un drame, où West s'est rendu compte qu'il n'arrivait plus à cacher ses sentiments envers cet homme qu'il vénère, qu'il aime depuis si longtemps. Volontairement, il a du mettre de la distance, mais, contre toute attente, Michael l'a rattrapé...
J'aime ce genre de romance. Ici, on a deux amis, meilleurs amis même, qui se connaissent depuis de longues années. Michael, ayant perdu sa femme, a du élever seul sa petite fille. Il a toujours vu West comme un jeune homme, qu'il surnomme « kid » d'ailleurs, même si ce dernier a trente ans. Le lien qui les relie est spécial, j'ai beaucoup aimé la façon dont l'auteur l'a décrit.
On attend la fameuse confrontation, celle où West doit s'expliquer et pfiouuu je ne m'y attendais pas ! Michael est un homme qui ne mâche pas ses mots, il est assez carré aussi, dit ce qu'il pense. Même s'il a ouvert tardivement les yeux au sujet de West et de ses sentiments, il n'est pas le genre de cow boy à nier, et j'ai adoré ce trait de caractère. Il n'en a rien à faire du qu'en-dira-t-on.
West, lui, a du mal à croire à ce qu'il lui arrive... C'est un personnage vraiment très touchant en fait... Seulement West cache ses petits secrets, deux assez gros en fait, des secrets qui peuvent ne pas être acceptés par Michael.
Je comprenais d'ailleurs le comportement des deux personnages, au sujet de ces deux secrets. D'un côté, je trouvais West un peu égoïste, de ne pas vouloir prendre un peu plus soin de lui, de sa santé, mais d'une autre côté, je comprenais son désir de vivre, plutôt que de survivre.
West est quelqu'un qu'on a toujours voulu protéger, et ça se ressent dans son caractère et sa volonté de prouver aux autres mais également à lui-même de sa valeur.
Ce roman aurait pu être un coup de cœur en fait, il s'en est fallu de peu... L'auteur, dans certains points, survole, ne va pas au bout des choses. J'ai eu un sentiment de pas assez par moment, ce qui est contradictoire, car, malgré tout, les sentiments sont là, la sincérité de ce couple, ces deux hommes ont déjà attendu trop de temps avant de se trouver, et ce n'est pas pour le gâcher à nouveau dans du superflu.
Je serai bien évidemment au rendez-vous pour le tome suivant !
Dans ce tome, l'auteur nous offre l'histoire de Michael et de West. Ces deux hommes sont amis depuis très longtemps. West a toujours été là pour épauler Michael, de 15 ans son aîné. Jusqu'à un drame, où West s'est rendu compte qu'il n'arrivait plus à cacher ses sentiments envers cet homme qu'il vénère, qu'il aime depuis si longtemps. Volontairement, il a du mettre de la distance, mais, contre toute attente, Michael l'a rattrapé...
J'aime ce genre de romance. Ici, on a deux amis, meilleurs amis même, qui se connaissent depuis de longues années. Michael, ayant perdu sa femme, a du élever seul sa petite fille. Il a toujours vu West comme un jeune homme, qu'il surnomme « kid » d'ailleurs, même si ce dernier a trente ans. Le lien qui les relie est spécial, j'ai beaucoup aimé la façon dont l'auteur l'a décrit.
On attend la fameuse confrontation, celle où West doit s'expliquer et pfiouuu je ne m'y attendais pas ! Michael est un homme qui ne mâche pas ses mots, il est assez carré aussi, dit ce qu'il pense. Même s'il a ouvert tardivement les yeux au sujet de West et de ses sentiments, il n'est pas le genre de cow boy à nier, et j'ai adoré ce trait de caractère. Il n'en a rien à faire du qu'en-dira-t-on.
West, lui, a du mal à croire à ce qu'il lui arrive... C'est un personnage vraiment très touchant en fait... Seulement West cache ses petits secrets, deux assez gros en fait, des secrets qui peuvent ne pas être acceptés par Michael.
Je comprenais d'ailleurs le comportement des deux personnages, au sujet de ces deux secrets. D'un côté, je trouvais West un peu égoïste, de ne pas vouloir prendre un peu plus soin de lui, de sa santé, mais d'une autre côté, je comprenais son désir de vivre, plutôt que de survivre.
West est quelqu'un qu'on a toujours voulu protéger, et ça se ressent dans son caractère et sa volonté de prouver aux autres mais également à lui-même de sa valeur.
Ce roman aurait pu être un coup de cœur en fait, il s'en est fallu de peu... L'auteur, dans certains points, survole, ne va pas au bout des choses. J'ai eu un sentiment de pas assez par moment, ce qui est contradictoire, car, malgré tout, les sentiments sont là, la sincérité de ce couple, ces deux hommes ont déjà attendu trop de temps avant de se trouver, et ce n'est pas pour le gâcher à nouveau dans du superflu.
Je serai bien évidemment au rendez-vous pour le tome suivant !
March 12, 2023
Michael and West have both been present in previous books in the series but I have to say that West was a surprise.
He has many secrets he hid behind, many issues with his self-worth to deal with and a very hard start in his life that shaped him.
Michael was a strong character that didn't let anything keep him down but had cut himself off from romantic relationships after he lost his wife. He dedicated his time to his daughter, his friends and his ranch.
West had a crush on Michael from the start but was sure he could control his feelings and not let them become anything deeper. They were very good friends and spent a lot of time together but never crossed any lines. When Michael ended up in the hospital injured, West realized that his feelings had grown to something more serious than a crush and decided to distance himself in an effort to save their friendship.
I'm not sure about the first stages of their relationship and Michael's thoughts about it. Their conversations confused me but they went on to start dating so I guess they were on the same page about their feelings.
West's secrets and omissions were the main conflict in the story. Michael wanted something stable and safe, not willing to take any risks with his heart but West needed to be wild from time to time and prove to himself that he could be his own person and achieve things his overprotective family didn't think he could try.
I like the setting of this series and the characters of the small town it takes place in. I hope there will be more books coming in the future and many interesting characters to read about.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
He has many secrets he hid behind, many issues with his self-worth to deal with and a very hard start in his life that shaped him.
Michael was a strong character that didn't let anything keep him down but had cut himself off from romantic relationships after he lost his wife. He dedicated his time to his daughter, his friends and his ranch.
West had a crush on Michael from the start but was sure he could control his feelings and not let them become anything deeper. They were very good friends and spent a lot of time together but never crossed any lines. When Michael ended up in the hospital injured, West realized that his feelings had grown to something more serious than a crush and decided to distance himself in an effort to save their friendship.
I'm not sure about the first stages of their relationship and Michael's thoughts about it. Their conversations confused me but they went on to start dating so I guess they were on the same page about their feelings.
West's secrets and omissions were the main conflict in the story. Michael wanted something stable and safe, not willing to take any risks with his heart but West needed to be wild from time to time and prove to himself that he could be his own person and achieve things his overprotective family didn't think he could try.
I like the setting of this series and the characters of the small town it takes place in. I hope there will be more books coming in the future and many interesting characters to read about.
~ I read an ARC of this book. ~
August 27, 2023
3.50 stars rounded down.
It was 4 stars for me initially but then I remember why West was doing what he was doing. All I want to ask is ... Why do men? It reminded me of that Fleabag scene about men seeking out pain. I mean I get it but no need to make everyone worry too much! I was stressed out whenever he came back home blue and bloody. You need to calm down, tough guy. The only consolation for me is Micheal being soooo caring. The man did not fail to make me swoon. I understand his worries and it was totally valid. In the end
Cowboys will never not make me emotional bro. It's just how it is for me. The ending was good. I'm just happy they cleared things out. It's not as angsty or as spicy as I expected it to be. But the shemxy scenes were mostly subtle but did the job. It was good and Michael Whittaker was def my favorite part of this story.
It was 4 stars for me initially but then I remember why West was doing what he was doing. All I want to ask is ... Why do men? It reminded me of that Fleabag scene about men seeking out pain. I mean I get it but no need to make everyone worry too much! I was stressed out whenever he came back home blue and bloody. You need to calm down, tough guy. The only consolation for me is Micheal being soooo caring. The man did not fail to make me swoon. I understand his worries and it was totally valid. In the end
Cowboys will never not make me emotional bro. It's just how it is for me. The ending was good. I'm just happy they cleared things out. It's not as angsty or as spicy as I expected it to be. But the shemxy scenes were mostly subtle but did the job. It was good and Michael Whittaker was def my favorite part of this story.
February 28, 2023
HOLY WOW!
My first five star read of 2023!!! I was SO excited when I found out Parker St. John was back (and okay!) and that the 4th Down Home book was going to be out!
And it was NOT a disappointment. The furthest thing from it. These cowboys broke my heart! I haven’t been so emotionally invested in a fictional couple in a LONG time (since I read the first 3 books back at the end of Dec/early Jan).
This one just pushed ALL my buttons. Michael and West are EVERYTHING. I’m obsessed with the absolute ROMANCE between the main characters. Like I haven’t read such time-stills-until-I-forget-I’m-reading books like this in ages. Just absolutely stunning.
My first five star read of 2023!!! I was SO excited when I found out Parker St. John was back (and okay!) and that the 4th Down Home book was going to be out!
And it was NOT a disappointment. The furthest thing from it. These cowboys broke my heart! I haven’t been so emotionally invested in a fictional couple in a LONG time (since I read the first 3 books back at the end of Dec/early Jan).
This one just pushed ALL my buttons. Michael and West are EVERYTHING. I’m obsessed with the absolute ROMANCE between the main characters. Like I haven’t read such time-stills-until-I-forget-I’m-reading books like this in ages. Just absolutely stunning.
March 6, 2023
Another winner.
Can’t wait for Derek and Briar. I can feel the tension already.. even though they haven’t met yet 😅
Can’t wait for Derek and Briar. I can feel the tension already.. even though they haven’t met yet 😅
February 26, 2023
I waited for this book for a year. Saying that, it disappointed greatly. First, the synopsis here in Goodreads has nothing in common with the book itself. And that's a good thing. It was obviously written before the book took shape. Not that it's any shape. The "story" developed fast, and a bit ... Underwhelming. There was not enough heat or even angst. There was the inkling of something that didn't realize itself. I didn't warm up to West. At all. He was a liar and his love seemed not for a man, but a god -like figure, and that sat sour in my gut. It didn't seem realistic, haha. And then, there was the sloppy writing. Anal sex in the shower without ANY lube?! Do you even imagine how much that hurts?! Ms Parker's characters are always in so much physical pain when having sex, that they don't need the "no prep" situation. Then, it's freezing cold, but Michael is always barefoot and in a "threadbare t-shirt" outside?! Even their wedding night is outside on New Year's eve?! Why? We know they are strong cowboys and all, but... Give them a denim jacket, please.
I adore this series, but it needs to buckle up. Now I want Derek's story, but...
I adore this series, but it needs to buckle up. Now I want Derek's story, but...
March 11, 2023
This was absolutely wonderful! Angsty, emotionally charged and full of familiar characters! I liked West's inner strength and Michael's patience while they figured out their feelings towards each other. The amount of steam was just enough to make this book deliciously spicy. I think the disability angle was handled with grace. I enjoyed it a lot.
July 7, 2023
5 stars
“Feel that? I may have been born with only half a heart, but it’s all yours.”
Holy shit, this book made me feel things.
I had this book sitting in my Kindle library for what feels like forever, because while I'd enjoyed the previous books in this series, I wasn't in love with them and I wasn't ready to delve into a book I wasn't expecting to love. But man, was I wrong about this one.
This book made me cry on multiple occasions. I was slightly surprised that I was told solely from West's perspective - if there was one thing I'd wish for in this book, it would be to read certain chapters from Michael's point of view - but all that did was made my heart ache for him every single time he was treated like he was too fragile to know his own limits.
Quiet, selfless West Owens. Permanent wallpaper.
I love that a large portion of this book focused on West realising that while he could push himself and show his family and the town of Sweetwater that he wasn't going to break, he didn't have to take unnecessary risks to make his point. I also loved seeing Michael's character growing from wanting to stuff West in a safety harness so that he could never get hurt by the big, bad world to letting him have a bit of breathing room and trusting him to take care of himself.
[This one made me cry omg] “Go to hell, Michael,” he said softly. He headed for the door, and he didn’t look back.
“Feel that? I may have been born with only half a heart, but it’s all yours.”
Holy shit, this book made me feel things.
I had this book sitting in my Kindle library for what feels like forever, because while I'd enjoyed the previous books in this series, I wasn't in love with them and I wasn't ready to delve into a book I wasn't expecting to love. But man, was I wrong about this one.
This book made me cry on multiple occasions. I was slightly surprised that I was told solely from West's perspective - if there was one thing I'd wish for in this book, it would be to read certain chapters from Michael's point of view - but all that did was made my heart ache for him every single time he was treated like he was too fragile to know his own limits.
Quiet, selfless West Owens. Permanent wallpaper.
I love that a large portion of this book focused on West realising that while he could push himself and show his family and the town of Sweetwater that he wasn't going to break, he didn't have to take unnecessary risks to make his point. I also loved seeing Michael's character growing from wanting to stuff West in a safety harness so that he could never get hurt by the big, bad world to letting him have a bit of breathing room and trusting him to take care of himself.
[This one made me cry omg] “Go to hell, Michael,” he said softly. He headed for the door, and he didn’t look back.
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