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Wild Heart Ranch #2

Good Behavior

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From USA Today Best-Selling Author Kelly Fox comes a spicy forbidden romance between an ex-con and his prison therapist.

There’s not much I miss about prison, save for the buttoned-up therapist who doled out subtle commands and generous praise in equal measure. We never spoke of the crackling tension between us, but every time he straightened my posture or called me a good boy, we knew what was going on.

Now, over a year after my early release for good behavior, we find ourselves in the same small Texas town, connected to the same ranch, appropriately named Wild Heart.

As our sexy, unspoken dynamic fires up again, we become involved with the ranch’s secret mission—to rescue and support people who’ve been trafficked. Between harrowing missions and our escalating passions, there’s no way for us to stop what’s coming next.

And we don’t want to.


Good Behavior is a slightly murderous forbidden romance that features a a heavily tattooed ex-con, a therapist who knows better, and a whole lot of bad behavior.

Wild Heart Ranch is a spin-off of the Rebel Sky Ranch series. All of my series have crossover elements but can be enjoyed on their own. Fair warning—you may find yourself wanting the backstory.

No cliffhangers, and the HEA is always guaranteed. #murderswoon

298 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2023

235 people are currently reading
401 people want to read

About the author

Kelly Fox

56 books787 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
Profile Image for nark.
707 reviews1,786 followers
July 26, 2023
“You are so bad, Dr. Barlowe,” I whisper breathlessly. “Look at you, fucking your patient. How could you?”
He responds by kissing me hard. I pull away, panting.
“It turns you on to be this bad, doesn’t it, Dr. Barlowe?”


✦ 2.5 stars rounded up. i expected to love this more than book 1, but i sadly didn't.
✦ wtf is Aslan doing on the cover? i am forever gonna see that man as Aslan Doyle.
Profile Image for Kati *☆・゚.
1,299 reviews696 followers
July 22, 2023
3.75**** stars


When an ex-con and his prison therapist meet again outside.

[From when they first met in prison]
“I was not made aware of any injuries. I will have the doctor examine you after we’re finished here.”
“You’re a doctor. You’ve got strong-looking hands. Why don’t you examine me?”
“My doctorate is in psychology, with a focus on trauma.”
“So, no prostate exam then? Pity.”



Aw man, I was so so excited for Nacho’s and Bram’s story but I didn’t see their dynamic coming. This is actually the third time that the second book in a Kelly Fox series didn’t really do it for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved these two and I loved their story BUT I am not particularly happy with Kelly Fox choosing to go kinky with her books more often in the past. Not that there is anything wrong with that (neither with her decision to do so nor with the kink she writes, I guess) but as you may know, more often than not kink doesn’t work for me all that well (at least in certain dynamics and when I don’t expect it - it’s always a gamble) and therefore it has high potential to take at least some of the enjoyment out of the story for me. Sadly this happened here as well. *sniff I really didn’t like their special dynamic as Ignacio and Dr. Barlowe. But I very much liked them as Nacho and Bram.

And the plot surrounding what the Wild Heart Ranch men in secret behind the scenes got pretty intense and I loved that Bram and Nacho joined the team against evil.

After two books now in this series I find that the tune has gotten a bit darker than I’m used to with Kelly Fox. But this book still was full of humor, the most lovable characters and a lot of heartfelt moments. This series also centers around Ant’s story secondary to the main romance. He’s the young man they rescued from traffickers after years of abuse in captivity. I can’t wait to get his whole story in the last book and I am beyond happy we don’t have to wait long for its release with KF’s current plan of first writing all the books in a series and then release them in short order. I love that idea, even though it certainly will take longer in the future to get something new but that’s fine by me. ♡



And of course I looooooved seeing Anders, my absolute favorite character, again.

“Oh, you know”—rat-tat-tat-tat—“the usz. Uh…hold up just a sec.” It sounds like he’s sliding his palm over the phone as he yells off in the distance. “Omar, baby, don’t get shot anywhere important—I’ve got plans for you tonight.”


I am very tempted to revisit their story right now. Again. *lol



side note: ever since Nicky James chose him to be her Aslan I am obsessed with this beautiful man on the cover *swoon



*Please heed TWs!

************
Wild Heart Ranch Series

Book 1 - Sworn Enemy - 4.5 stars
Book 2 - Good Behavior - 3.75 stars
Book 3 - Savior Complex - 3.75 stars
Book 4 - Anti-Hero - 4.25 stars


Spin-off to the Rebel Sky Ranch series with references to the Guardians as well as the Mobsters + Billionaires series
Profile Image for Kaity.
2,001 reviews24 followers
June 30, 2023
4 stars

Thank fuck haha I don’t know what about this book worked for me but I am so glad I had a win in this series. I was worried after book one but this book didn’t disappoint! Also the audio just came out if you wanna listen to Declan Winters, he does a great job!

While yes there was mild kink I felt it kinda worked with these two, but should have been more communication initially.

Bram and Nacho were two people who just fit and I am just so happy this Kelly Fox book was a win! Haha I will say it probably had to do with the limited tears shed from the main characters and more focus on the relationship and the vigilante side of the ranch hah!

I am bummed Ant and Erik’s book is last but I am excited for when the audio of Levy’s book comes out! I am hoping for sooner rather than later!
Profile Image for Rin (indefinite hiatus).
595 reviews28 followers
April 14, 2023
This book was like a warm horny blanket.

I have been looking forward to Nacho and Bram’s book for a while. I knew it would be forbidden but holy hell the sexual tension in this starts right off and man it is a good slow burn. 🔥🔥🔥

I absolutely LOVE the forbidden dynamic between these too. And honestly, it’s not THAT forbidden, just enough to keep it spicy and a little taboo.

Their personalities are unique and they complement each other so well that by the end I felt it all and believed in their bond. Both men are both dominant and vulnerable and it is SO endearing and so fun to read.

The signature Kelly found family and characters from past books visiting again makes me even more attached to the storytelling here, and adding in Ant’s story plus all of the action drama that happens…. This is just a hot and really well rounded book. I honestly just want to start it over again.
Profile Image for Marthea.
1,012 reviews16 followers
June 29, 2023
DNF ok. 37 % 😕
Więcej nie dam rady 🤷‍♀️

Zupełnie nie podobała mi się dynamika pomiędzy bohaterami - jestem w stanie łyknąć jakieś lekkie BDSM, pod warunkiem, że dotyczy ono tylko i wyłącznie tej umownej "sypialni". Kiedy pojawia się w każdym aspekcie i momencie życia, to sorry, ale to nie moja bajka już wtedy totalnie...

Retrospekcje... i niech to wystarczy za cały komentarz.

A już nawet nie chce wspominać o zachowaniu Brama w więzieniu jako terapeuty Nacho - nawet, jeżeli Nacho się to podobało i jeżeli do żadnego najniewinniejszego nawet aktu seksualnego między nimi nie doszło, to było to tak nieetyczne, że aż wręcz niesmaczne.
411 reviews31 followers
April 30, 2023
I was excited to read Nacho and Brams story. I really enjoyed the plot and the outside scenes with Ant and gang, and I loved the sensitivity that was given with the trafficking subject which was a little emotional at points.

However, I struggled with this relationship dynamic and how it was written, especially from Bram. It didn’t feel right to me and I struggled to feel that connection with them and this “kink” that they had just didn’t feel right. I know I’m not with the majority but that’s how it felt for me.
Profile Image for ⋆。°✮ Lucy InTheSky ✮°。⋆.
1,183 reviews235 followers
June 4, 2023
I couldn't wait for the next installment in this series and this was, in fact, a terrible way to continue what was a beautiful start with Sworn Enemy .



The only thing that works here is that hot guy on the cover.
Oh, and Anders, stealing the show again.
And Justin and Charlie getting married in Vegas.


This story is about Nacho, Justin's best friend and co-worker. He's a young, very handsome hispanic guy who's an ex-con and appeared to have a somewhat inappropriate non-relationship with his prison therapist - meaning there was a lot of sexual tension and touching that bordered on unethical.

When Nacho starts to work for Justin, who now lives with his husband Charlie on Wild Heart ranch, Bram, the therapist, eventually comes to live and work on this said ranch.

Their initial contact on the ranch sounded very promising, the tension was there and I was intrigued, but that fizzled out very soon, because what should have been the intense character and mostly, the relationship development in the book, turned out to be all about human trafficking and their victims .

Don't get me wrong, it's good to write about the topic, just not in a gay romance book?
60% of the book alone was on that subject, while I wanted to read about Nacho and Bram and maybe a tidbit here and there on their successful rescue ops.

🔵 The kink factor of the power control even wasn't an issue, although in my opinion it wasn't done right, Bram didn't deliver, he started out very promising and then somewhere down the middle he became a total creep, basically telling Nacho what to do with his life and that wasn't sexy at all.

🟢 I didn't get their relationship. And more so, it wasn't interesting.
They've had sex twice and were already having intense feelings for each other and were together or whatnot, I couldn't get invested in their story, because there was none.

Bram should've been a silent, smart, strong daddy-type, not the stalker-creep who's so desperately hung up on the sexy prison guy.

I really thought Nacho was going to be the one agressively coming for Bram, not the other way around, but even so, their dynamic in general wasn't working at all.

🟣 I don't mind reading about the side characters, but at some point there are just too many in a story and this was one of those stories. Too damn many.

🟡 Both Bram and Levi are not well developed characters and I didn't like them at all. They're adult men, and yet they have a weird relationship where Levy is resentful because Bram didn't tell him "everything", I mean, that was so childish, as was their whole exchange about Nacho.


Almost 300 pages of nothing but a bunch of men figuring out where they stand with each other, how badass they are at taking down the bad guys and talking about how unethical Bram is in his relationship with Nacho.




I do like Ant though and I can't wait to read his book and at this point I am absolutely sure I just have to read Anders' book, I just have to!
Profile Image for Crisana.
1,018 reviews46 followers
dnf
May 2, 2023
DNF. Not feeling the kink side of this, so can't connect at all with the characters. To me it does not fit this story at all and to be honest I am a bit fed up of it being on almost every book I read.
Profile Image for Amos24601.
1,287 reviews44 followers
May 2, 2023
Bram and Nacho

After just how much I loved Sworn Enemy, I knew that Bram and Nacho wouldn’t be able to live up to Charlie and Justin. And I was right. That’s not to say that Bram and Nacho weren’t wonderful in their own right, but they had some big shoes to fill.

I had no problem with the “inappropriate” aspect of Bram’s relationship with Nacho. In fact, I loved it. I only wish they hadn’t let it go so long without a conversation. I definitely felt like they had good chemistry. Nacho never came off as overly subby and he wasn’t afraid to truly let Bram know if he overstepped. The sensitive subject matter of human trafficking was approached with care and dignity. Learning more about Ant’s backstory made me extra eager for his story.

Here’s my peeve: all the character cameos. While I can understand an Anders cameo since they live right next door, I can’t get behind the mafia/Hopper connection. The men of the Wild Heart Ranch can stand on their own two feet as independent books without crossover characters bolstering the plot. It would be nice to read a book that didn’t require prior knowledge of previous characters.
Profile Image for Lyndsay TC.
2,245 reviews6 followers
April 27, 2023
I'm going to be honest, I didn't love this book. I couldn't connect with Bram and honestly didn't really enjoy his character. I did love Nacho though. He was sweet and caring and really worked hard for a better life than what he was dealt. I think as a couple these two men worked well together. However I need consent pretty early on in a book to enjoy this type of relationship and I didn't see any until part-way through. It was really hard to finish this book and I hate saying that because I love Kelly Fox as an author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Xanthe.
2,534 reviews46 followers
April 24, 2023
**4.5**
So, it took me a minute to get into this story, but once I did, the simmering chemistry grabbed me and drew me to Nacho and Bram's forbidden romance. As Nacho's therapist when in prison, Bram's ethics should stop him from being anything but professional but from their first meeting, there's an undeniable something that can't be ignored. Months later, long after Nacho's release and Bram has a couple of different jobs, the two are reunited when working at Wild Heart Ranch. What develops between them is seen as a forbidden romance but it's a slow burning mental and emotional relationship for quite a while before anything progresses. I got to really enjoy how the two men work together, the command/praise kink boosting each other's moods and feelings for each other. When they finally cross that line, the heat level explodes and they grow exponentially closer.
What they were unprepared for, especially Nacho, is the extra work that goes on at the ranch, other than the trauma and equine therapy that Bram and his brother, Levy, provide respectively. It gets really quite intense when it comes to rescuing and working with those who are being trafficked. Ant, especially, brings another layer of worry having been one of those rescued, and now on the other side, the team are unsure of how he will react to any part of the situation.
This team is another intense, crazy family just like the Rebel Sky Ranch, which this series spins off from. I loved reading those characters and it's great that we get to meet up with them here again, though not under the best circumstances.
A must read for fans of Kelly Fox, slightly off kilter killers with a heart of gold and those looking to do right and protect and save those that the officials can't or won't.
**Please ensure to read the content warning at the beginning of the book!**
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review.
Profile Image for Maureen.
91 reviews
April 25, 2023
Ignacio “Nacho” and Dr. Barlow “Bram” meet while Nacho is in prison and Bram is a prison therapist. They have a slightly taboo relationship for a minute before Nacho is released early and Bram decides prison therapy isn’t for him. They end up at Wild Heart Ranch.

-Ex-con/Prison therapist
-Slightly taboo
-Light BDSM (power exchange)
-Found family
-Some trigger warnings

First of all, that cover is hot. I would’ve picked up this book just for that. The synopsis really got me, though, as a plot I’ve never read or even thought about before. This is the first Kelly Fox book I’ve read (and I will definitely read more). The power exchange, how Nacho reacted to Bram’s praise and telling him what to do, really got me going.

I’m iffy on whether this is really a forbidden romance because Bram was Nacho’s therapist for such a short time nearly two years prior, but I can see where there could be issues and appreciate the content warnings. It makes the slight BDSM angle even hotter. I really liked the development of their relationship outside of the therapist/patient dynamic and how protective over Nacho Bram was.

I really liked the additional storyline and I’m looking forward to more of these side characters, particularly ANT. I really, really want Ant’s story.

My ONLY issue: says these books can be stand alone, but I don’t think there’s really enough explanation of the ranch, what they do, who these people are, etc. at the beginning to make this fully standaloneable. I feel like I definitely would’ve benefitted from reading at least Wild Heart Ranch Book 1 if not the Rebel Sky Ranch series this is a spin off of. And I absolutely will read them.

@book_nerd_mo
Profile Image for Lauri MissDysfunktion.
1,109 reviews39 followers
July 26, 2023
Good Behaviour is book two in the Wild Heart Ranch series.

Read this if you like:
Small town vibes
Prisoner/therapist
Praise

I was keen to see the dynamic between Nacho and Bram with their interactions in the previous book and this was a different kind of forbidden vibe than I usually read. It didn't have that raw/dark edge, but I was still really hooked in their story. Although it does have elements of crime with Charlie & Erik's business it's not the full focus of this series. It kind of skirts the edges of it.

If you're a praise fan then this is definitely the read for you. The more I read of Kelly's books the more side characters I want to dive into. Once I've finished this series I'll need to go back and work my way through their stories too.
Profile Image for Badh.
3,311 reviews66 followers
April 28, 2023
Muy caliente!

Nacho and Bram are just fire together. I love their interactions and the dynamic they established. It's always nice to see old friends.
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,462 reviews104 followers
April 30, 2023
I didn't love this as much as I thought I would but I still enjoyed it . Very much enjoyed the Hopper cameo and can't freaking wait for Ant and Erik's book!
Profile Image for Holly M.
360 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2023
I was not as bought into their love story but I’m so invested in Ant!!
Profile Image for Krista.
176 reviews
April 26, 2023
I love a happy ending, especially in a Kelly Fox romance. Kelly’s excellent writing, witty banter, and found family vibes are in full force here, and there are some truly great lines in this story.

I love the nature of their slightly kinky relationship and how it was developped. It was slow-ish burn, but absolute fire. The taboo aspect (therapist-guidance councillor and client) was fine with me, because they’re both adults and knew it was kinda not okay but did it anyway. I liked the self-discovery aspect for Bram especially.

I didn’t love the action sequences; I found them confusing and hard to follow, and they seemed a little disconnected from the rest of the story to me. Maybe it’s because I really wasn’t into the action-adventure aspect, or maybe the disconnection was deliberate because they’re both on the periphery of Charlie’s operations.

I probably should’ve re-read the first book (Sworn Enemy) before reading this. I was a bit lost on what happened previously with some of the secondary characters, specifically Charlie’s business, Ant and all that history.
Profile Image for Meg (queer_book_recs).
927 reviews60 followers
April 26, 2023
First of all, I must mention the cover of this book. This model is just gorgeous! He’s also on the covers of Nicky James’s Valor and Doyle mysteries too and … yeah, he’s just beautiful.

Ok, onto the actual review! Once again, Kelly has written a fun, steamy, emotional, and exciting story. I loved that even though there was a taboo aspect to Nacho and Bram’s relationship they just went for it anyway and really didn’t try too hard to stay away from each other. Bram and Nacho are great characters and I loved the side characters too—especially Ant! I need Ant’s story! Loved this and can’t wait for more!

There were some very dark moments in this book—please read the trigger warnings because there are a lot of traumatic events happening as well as some disturbing violence.
Profile Image for Samantha.
1,602 reviews30 followers
Read
May 3, 2023
Dnf.

This author is hit or miss for me. I got 15% through but had to stop because the dialogue was so awkward and stilted.
Profile Image for Jamie Lee Zonneveld.
1,685 reviews50 followers
April 28, 2023
Good Behavior is the second book in the Wild Heart Ranch series by Kelly Fox. It's the story of Ignacio "Nacho" and Dr. Barlowe "Bram". I really liked their story. It was sweet, sexy, full of feels, exciting, thrilling and very well written.
Profile Image for Heather.
879 reviews12 followers
April 29, 2023
This author used to write super emotional books that concentrated on the connection, but the last several books I've read by this author have been....boring. It's all generic storylines and sex now. I didn't feel connected to the characters at all, I didn't care about the storyline, and it was just way too trope-y to be enjoyable. All in all it was a disappointment.
Profile Image for mr_emma.
117 reviews2 followers
Read
April 26, 2023
dnf 47%. 🙄 couldn’t stop rolling my eyes. I remember enjoying the first of this series but this one was just ugh. I’m not even sure how to explain it, I was rooting for this couple but there was just something that made me hate this more and more. I’m not even sure how to explain it. Not for me
653 reviews2 followers
June 19, 2024
3.85⭐
4.6⭐ on the reread/audiobook. Genuinely love this narrator.
Profile Image for Zoë Miranda.
615 reviews10 followers
May 10, 2023
Ignacio/Nacho is slowly, but surely getting his life back in order after being released from prison.
He's working for a fencing company and maintaining distance from the factors that initially led to his incarceration. He never expected to run into his former prison therapist on the outside and it's all too easy to fall into the same routine with him offering guidance and praise in equal measure.

Dr. Barlowe/Bram is a straight-laced therapist who contrary to what other's think, pushes ethical boundaries. He lives by his own moral code and finds himself dreaming of a certain former client he developed an intimate rapport with while acting as his prison therapist. When they cross paths on the outside returning to the rhythm/dynamic they had established and building on it is too irresistible a prospect. It's so wrong, but feels so right.

I loved Nacho, his personality and heart leapt off the page. Bram, I didn't warm up to as easily. The (mild) power exchange kink dynamic in and of itself didn't bother me, but I didn't love that the discussion surrounding the exploration of that kink didn't happen until far too late in my opinion. Heck, Nacho had to resort to Google and then trick Bram into meeting so they could discuss the situation. It wasn't really a great look for someone who is supposed to be a professional and didn't endear Bram to me.

Anyway, after some taboo encounters and a conversation, the relationship progresses and it's... fine. Nothing further to see. Then the action begins, as if the author didn't know what else to do with our star-crossed lovers, so they decided to let all hell break loose and swing the focus away from them and their relationship, which was rather jarring.

This doesn't read great as a standalone... I am not a fan of second-chance romance so I skipped the first book of this series and that was probably to my detriment. There are a lot of side characters and it was difficult trying to figure out/keep track of who everyone is and how they are related to each other. This made following the action scenes/human trafficking plot particularly challenging, though I muddled through. There was also quite a few instances where events were mentioned in passing and the reader had to read between the lines or piece together information, or straight up gloss over things that didn't make sense. One instance is a one-off mention of rebuilding from a fire - I'm assuming it took place in the previous book, but who knows, not enough context is given to clue me in.

Anyway, looking back I had a similar problem with another of the author's books so I think perhaps their writing style is not compatible with my reading preference. I am rooting for Ant to get his HEA, so I might read his story when it comes out, but I'm not going to go out of my way to track it down.
Profile Image for J.L..
Author 14 books72 followers
April 25, 2023
I appreciate that Fox includes a note at the beginning of this book explicitly stating that the origins of the relationship in this book are Not Okay. Bram and Nacho may be consenting adults who forged an instant emotional connection, but they still met in a position of extreme power imbalance. Because of Bram’s profession, this particular origin story is impossible to dismiss even now that they are reconnecting in completely different circumstances. This book isn’t necessarily a “taboo” romance, but Fox has crafted an excellent story that doesn’t attempt to justify the relationship but instead follows an arc in which the heroes prioritize their joint happiness despite the external complications.

Of course, the road toward that happiness isn’t a straight line, and that’s where the fantastic character development also comes in. Bram and Nacho have no desire to erase their origin story when it is intertwined with the connection that continues to draw them together. The resulting dynamic comes from a different angle than I’ve seen in other romances that involve power exchange, but it’s still as hot as it is weirdly romantic.

And as long as the romance element involves nontraditional connections, Fox dives further into the complications by further examining the intricacies of found family in this novel. This book is nominally stand-alone, but it incorporates familiar faces from THREE previous series set in this amazing shared universe. With so many characters enjoying their happily ever after, it makes sense that some relative newcomers might not enjoy the same immediate status. This story addresses the occasional downsides that can occur, both with immediate implications for the two heroes of this book and by teasing future stories that I’m already excited about.

While I’d enjoy reading about all of the aforementioned characters if everyone was just hanging out at the pool, Fox does make sure that her cameos have more of a purpose than fan service. The Wild Heart Ranch series may be set in the Texas countryside, but it includes more of the action-oriented elements previously seen in the Wrecked: Guardians and Mobsters + Billionaires series than the Rebel Sky Ranch series, in a way that results in our favorites doing plenty of what they do best. Nacho and Bram are functionally support-role characters to the external plot of this book, but this allows both their romance to shine brighter and Fox to set up plenty of threads that are sure to be fun future reads of their own.

Disclaimer: I received a digital review copy of this book from the author.
Profile Image for J Good.
118 reviews1 follower
April 2, 2024
Wow. Wow. Wow. Where do I begin? I did not care very much for the first in the series. It started out great but sorta fizzled out. That book was 3/5 for me (mostly because of the parking lot scene. Sweet jesus that was hot) but other than that it was just ok overall. Though it did have a lot of potential.

But this book had everything for me: dark romance, kink, a taboo relationship, a Texas ranch, a vigilante group who is not above murder to rescue sex trafficking survivors. And it all just worked for me.

Ignacio accidentally kills a white supremacist who tries to sexually assault him during his prison stint. He is taken to the prison therapist who initiates an inappropriate relationship of daddy/dom, praise/power exchange kink, edging, etc though there is no physical sexual contact. Again, this is minutes after Ignacio has escaped a sexual assault and accidentally kills a man. It is inappropriate, unethical, and hot af. This goes on for a month before Ignacio gets released early at the benevolence of the therapist and goes to work on a ranch to get his life together.

Dr. Barlowe is restless and disillusioned after Ignacio is released. He and his brother, who is also a therapist, find their way to the ranch where Ignacio works which also houses horse therapy for trauma survivors, as trauma therapists. He and Ignacio reignite their inappropriate relationship which is still unethical and technically illegal bc it has not been 2 full years since Ignacio was his patient. But Ignacio is his “good boy” and they both love it. And I love it too.

I hate to admit this but there was something about their dynamic that was soooo good. The lead up and the sexual tension… good lord. Dr. Barlowe is awful and this was dubcon. He was possessive, controlling, and overbearing. He admits to getting off on the power he had over Ignacio’s freedom. He knew it was unethical and admits that he liked it precisely because it was unethical. He murders on the page and beats people up… but he is so fucking hot. Never a hair out if place and ice water in his veins. (I love awful men as characters on a page) LOL. I listened on audiobook and I LOVED the way he spoke to Ignacio when he was in Dr. Barlowe mode.

Ignacio is great too. He seemed like a good guy who couldn’t help the family he was born into and tried to do the best in whatever circumstances he found himself. I loved that Dr. Barlow saw how great he was from the very start.

Overall this was everything for me. Loved it. 5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Valeria  DePaula.
1,087 reviews6 followers
May 3, 2023
✔ Letto in lingua originale!
Questa è la storia d'amore proibita tra 𝗜𝗴𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗼 "𝗡𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗼" 𝗥𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮, un ex detenuto e 𝗗𝗿. 𝗔𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗮𝗺 "𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗺" 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲 il suo ex terapista carcerario.
Nacho lo abbiamo conosciuto già nel libro di Jason Jennings, è il braccio destro di Justin nei lavori di ristrutturazioni. L'uomo latinoamericano, super tatuato, gay quello che so su di lui è solo del suo passato in prigione e della seconda possibilità di una nuova vita che gli hanno offerto i fratelli Jennings... E lui l'ha afferrata.

Bram insieme a suo fratello 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝘆, sono le nuove aggiunte al progetto di Charlie. Il suo centro di terapia equina. E loro lavoreranno con i pazienti. Già nella prigione dove Nacho scontava la pena, lui e Bram hanno cominciato questa dinamica non sessuale in cui Bram gli dava degli ordini e Nacho era più che intusiasta di eseguire. Si sono persi di vista per l'uscita anticipata di Nacho per buon comportamento e si sono poi ritrovati nel Wild Heart Ranch e Bram questa volta era disposto anche a mettere a rischio la sua licenza per poter restare con Nacho. (Secondo me lui È questo della copertina, vorrei proprio sapere chi non farebbe la stessa cosa🤪)

Come tutti gli altri libri della serie, ognuno di loro ha il suo considerevole bagaglio da portare e convivere. Dovranno trovare il giusto approccio nel vivere assieme.
La serie è direttamente collegata con Rebel Sky Ranch, anche se i nostri cowboy vengono solo nominati, ma in questa si spande di più la lotta contra il traffico e la tratta di essere umani, incluso gravidanze surrogate forzate e rapimenti di neonati.

Qui abbiamo anche una visione più ampia di 𝗔𝗻𝘁 e di tutta la rabbia per quello che ha subito in mano a dei trafficanti per anni, finché è stato tratto in salvo da Charlie ed 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗸 e di delle cose che supostamente sta facendo per vendicarsi o far capire alla sua nuova famiglia che lui sia un adulto, (non vedo l'ora di leggere la sua storia che uscirà a luglio). Nella attesa anche Levy avrà qualcosa da raccontarci nella sua prossima storia in uscita mese prossimo.

Comunque bellissima e emozionante storia d'amore. Due uomini che hanno avuto strade diverse nella vita ma che si sono trovati e adesso combattono insieme a persone come loro per una causa più grande senza negarsi il diritto di amarsi.
Per me è ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
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Profile Image for Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish).
926 reviews184 followers
August 4, 2023
As much as I like Kelly Fox as an author, this book doesnt't really work for me.

That's why I dnf-ef around 50%, and that's the reason for the low rating.

Let me try to explain why.

It's the story of Nacho and Bram. They met sometime back, when Nacho was in prison and Bram was his doctor/psychiatrist. During that time, they developed some kind of an D/s or rather daddy/boy ish relationship. It's hard to pinpoint because they seem to slip into it, without actually talking about it. Bram calls Nacho by his real name, Ignacio, and Nacho calls Bram Dr. Barlow, and while they don't actually touch, it's clear to both of them that the dynamics are arousing for them both.

A while (a year? more?) later, Nacho works for Justin and Jason's fencing business (just look at the previous books/series, they're all somehow interconnected when it comes to the town all the gay cowboys and their partners live in -I swear, it's THE gayest area ever known to mankind, even if you do have the odd homophobe popping in and out).

Bram moves there with his brother, and works as a therapist. There, meeting up with Bram again, and they start with their previous dynamics.

Again, not really talking about it. At least for a while, until things get physical between them.

That's the point where they start talking about it. Up until that very point, Nacho didn't even know about BDSM/power play relationships.

And while I appreciate bringing in that "taboo" aspect about doctor/patient relationships, I felt very uncomfortable about it here, probably because the doctor in question was a psychiatrist. The switch between Bram the counselor who listens to Nacho's mental issues, Bram the "Dr. Barlow"/power play/kink person and Bram the boyfriend (of sorts) felt too smooth, without any clear boundaries. Mind you, I don't have any issues reading about almost any kind of kink, but it somehow feels unsafe here, because there are no real rules in place, no safe words, nothing.

On top of that, the vigilante aspect of this series feels off. While - again - I appreciate the topic, and the fact that it's treated in a way focuses on the rescues and on the positive prospects, it feels like dipping your toes in shallow, murky water and then shrugging it off and focusing on something else.

Anyway. No more analysis. It didn't work for me, despite the pretty good narration, and I don't think I'll continue with this series.
Profile Image for Denise H..
3,246 reviews270 followers
August 13, 2023
The therapist and the ex-con cross the line... Wild Heart is a spinoff of Rebel Sky Ranch series.
Nacho is tattooed, black hair an ex-con

doing his best. What is it that draws him so deeply to his therapist?
Bram (Dr.) is neat, clean, brown hair

and has tattoos of his own. He struggles with himself because he knows it's wrong to crave a patient.
Bram is involved in secret missions where he can support the trafficked victims. Ant is one who he works with, and we'll see him again in the next story.

We get flashbacks that show us

Nacho's and Bram's meetings at the prison. One is in cuffs and the other is a sexy therapy doctor, being inappropriate.
They do not act on anything, but when Nacho is out of prison, they meet again at Charlie and Erik's ranch. They begin to talk about what their relationship may be like. Bram is a Dom type, and that connection flares to life with heavy passion.
We get more explanation of Charlie and Erik's work when they, Bram and his brother, Levy, who is also in therapy that is equine therapy,

are interviewed to work at the ranch.

Everyone in these tales want to help people, along with their other jobs.
We see rescues where folks are saved from sex slavery. Our characters are lively and highly skilled. They walk the line.

In between the daily work, Bram and Nacho fill us with anticipation, before they act on their sex times.

Sex for them is electric, raw, and deep with emotions. They have talked things through and are both on board.

Then there is more ops to complete and plan for, but it's closer to home.

These stories are action packed, full of feeling, and pieces of the puzzles start to fit into place.
ENJOY !

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