Hugs

by Hannah Morse

Gabriel Luz left town ten years ago to keep his family from killing the person he loves most in all the world. Now that his family’s left town and Gabe is honorably discharged from the Marines, he heads back to Ruidoso, the last place he was happy. He’s learning to live with his PTSD and the fact that he can never forget the boy who meant more than the world to him.

Martin Klein used to be a nerdy high schooler who wanted to move far away from Ruidoso and never look back. He expected to run off to California with his best friend and high school sweetheart Gabriel, but the day after graduation Gabe left with a few cruel words, never to be heard from again. Martin’s world crumbled, but since then he’s built his own salon in the heart of downtown and become an important member of the Demon Dogs Search and Rescue team. There’s just a part of his heart he can’t regrow.

When Gabe walks into a salon to get his hair cut, he can hardly believe that it’s Martin he locks eyes with. Fate has given them a second chance at love. Are they brave enough to take it?

39 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 18, 2022

About the author

Hannah Morse is an author of contemporary and paranormal romance novels. She lives in New Mexico with her high school sweetheart and too many Chihuahuas. She can be found binging Netflix shows or reading steamy novels when she isn't hard at work writing a happily ever after.

Reviews

[Amur Thera · Rating 4 out of 5]

The good
+ Martin's anger at Gabe's return
+ Hugs. He's an awesome dog and I also want one of his doggy hugs
+ Hugs protecting Martin
+ An actual rescue taking place
+ Gabe's response to Martin's competence and how he didn't feel threatened at all
+ Gabe sharing difficult things with Martin and thus preventing a repeat of their separation
+ Gabe casually using make-up
+ Gabe's compliments of Martin's attire

The neutral
o I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. My review remains honest and unbiased
o Their reunion evolved into sex very quickly, a little too quickly for my liking. I thought they needed some time to heal together before jumping into fucking, but I do understand their need to know it was real

The bad
- A lot of information was missing. Martin recalled Gabe telling him make-up was for Martin, not for Gabe. They also alluded to Gabe never wanting to bottom for Martin until now. A lot of these changes were mentioned, but not discussed or explained. If his time with Martin was the only time he was ever happy, why hadn't he felt safe enough to explore those sides of himself around him? They should at least have talked about this, and how they weren't the same people anymore
- There was no "hurt him again and I will haunt you" speech from Will, Martin's friend and boss. I really wanted him to tear into Gabe on Martin's behalf and properly threaten him, but it didn't happen :(


I think Hugs is my favorite dog so far. Both cuddly and protective, he seems perfect. Unfortunately, for me the story between the main characters was my least favorite of the series so far. I really enjoyed myself regardless, but I didn't feel the connection like I did with the other couples. A lot of the connection between these guys was formed off-page, and it seemed like they continued where they left off while they were both completely different people now. I would have liked to feel their bond more. Nonetheless, I recommend this short, just like I do the others in the series.

[Andrea Dalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm really loving the Demon Dogs Search & Rescue series of sweet-and-steamy gay romance. HUGS is a short second-chance romance with plenty of heat and all the feels. It's a good pick-me-up with believable characters and an engaging plot.

Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Roger R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply adore Hannah Morse’s Demon Dogs Search & Rescue series! These stores are short and sweet! And it takes place in Ruidoso, a beautiful town in New Mexico! Hugs is the 3rd book in the series. I always eager anticipate reading the next book in the series.

This sweet and short story focuses on two MCs who had a history prior to the start of the story. Gabriel “Gabe” was in love with Martin but because of the violent way Gabe’s family treated Martin, Gabe had to break Martin’s heart for the sake of his safety. Gabe left the town and joined the marines. After Gabe broke Martin’s heart, Martin was left to deal with his broken heart and his future without Gabe. Eventually, he became the owner of a hair salon and was part of the Demon Dogs Search & Rescue. The story actually starts here…Gabe came back to Ruidoso after being honorably discharged from the marines because Ruidoso was the place that made him happy and because Martin was there. Gabe did not expect to find Martin still living and thriving in Ruidoso. The question is do they get back together or has Martin shut him out for good? That’s for you to pick up the book and read!

[Nina Diab · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series so much and was really excited to read Martin's story. He and Gabe had been dating in high school, but when Gabe's family threatened Martin, Gabe broke up with him with some cruel words and left to protect him. Even after a decade, Martin never got over Gabriel. He has his own salon, and one day Gabe walks in the door. Suffering from PTSD and honorably discharged from the Marines, Gabriel never expects to see Martin when he walks into a salon for a haircut. Is there a possibility of a second chance for these two men whose hearts never forgot each other? The relationship was a little too easily reestablished for me, but being such a short story, there's not much room to slow things down. An enjoyable read. I really liked the bit of action we see at the end, and I loved Hugs! 4 stars.

[Lisa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

All Martin ever wanted in high school was to leave Ruidoso, run away to California with Gabe, his best friend and high school sweetheart. But the day after graduation, Gabe broke his heart.

Ten years later he is still in Ruidoso, owns his own salon and is part of Demon Dogs Search and Rescue team. He has never had another serious relationship since Gabe.

The last person either of them expected to run into was each other, Gabe thought Martin had left town. Gabe came back his hometown as this the last place he was truly happy.

Will Martin give Gabe a second chance? This is such a heart wrenching story, you feel for both of them and what they went thru.

I received an Advance Readers Copy of this book with no obligation to write a review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Love Again . . .

Gabriel Luz left town 10 years ago after graduation, leaving Martin Klein with a broken heart because he was afraid his family would harm Martin. Since Gabe is now out of the Marines, he goes back to his hometown and memories of Martin.

Gabe had assumed Martin left town long ago, but he actually opened his own salon and was very successful. He is part of the Demon Dogs Search and Rescue team and is doing well, although no one ever replaced Gabe in his heart. But when Gabe comes into the salon to get his hair cut, he is stunned to see Martin. Will the two of them talk to each other and find forgiveness? Will they take another chance on love? Or is the anger and hurt still too strong to get over? Maybe Hugs can show them the way…

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is a second-chance romance for Martin and Gabe, one that benefits from the story’s condensed format – we get a sense of why Gabe left, what they’ve both experienced in the decade they’ve been apart, and how their feelings have lingered even as they themselves have changed, without belaboring any of the angst or indulging in any unnecessary misunderstandings. It’s intense and a nice mixture of sweetness and heat, with the bonus, also, of Hugs the dog, who makes everything that much better.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fate Has A Way of Working Out

Martin and Gabriel "Gabe" have a past. What was supposed to be their HEA after high school, ended in heartbreak and unanswered questions.

One day, Gabe up and left. Martin never knew why. Ten years later and affected with PTSD, Gabe returns home. He walks into the salon of his love and into the canine wall of his dog, Hugs. Apparently, neither ever got over the other. Hook-ups here and there were never enough to lift the aches of the past.

Lives forever intertwined, and the date that changed the course of their future.

**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.**

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe and Martin were in love in high school but the course of their romance was interrupted by interfering intolerant family members. Martin leaves town and joins the military and Gabe stays behind. When Martin returns 10 years later he and Gabe meet again. Gabe has built a salon business. They now have a second chance to see if the feelings that linger can grow into the relationship they wanted years before. Short but satisfying second chance read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mags Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hannah Morse’s flash fiction, Hugs is a delightfully romantic tale of second chance love. Martin and Gabe’s lives have moved in different directions but a reunion after many years leads to renewed friendship and rekindling of an affair that had faltered prematurely. The likeable characters are well drawn with an intriguing back story and I was soon rooting for them to get together. It was also good to see the inclusion of familiar characters from the Demon Dogs group and, of course, lovable dog Hugs. Nicely done.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sweet second-chance love story about two guy who were in love as teenagers, but were pulled apart by homophobic family members. When they meet again, will they be able to put aside the secrets, lies, and harsh words from a decade ago in order to move forward together? I loved Martin and Gabe, and of course Hugs (the dog).

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written short story with strong characters in Martin and Gabe. It's a second chance romance when Gage returns to Ruidoso ten years after he left and broke Martin's heart. It's an emotional story with descriptive scenes and is a great read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Hugs by Hannah Morse. It's the third book in the Demon Dogs Search & Rescue series. Aw, what a perfect book for a break or lunch-time read. I loved that Martin gave Gabe a second chance after finding out why he left him in the first place, and I loved Hugs.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jocelyn Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hugs was a wonderful read. It was a second chance love story with all the good feels. I loved the fact that despite Martin's anger he still cared for Gabe. Loved It,.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BusyM3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series called Demon Dogs Search and Rescue. The story is easy to read and follow. The characters are likeable and fit well together. I enjoyed this book and series.

I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cynthia Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabe hurt Martin when he left town ten years ago. Martin pick up the pieces and started to live his life again. Now Gabe is back and he wants Martin. I really enjoyed this short story.

[Shawna (endemictoearth) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the community the author has set up in these books, but I really wish she would write longer stories. They have great moments and good premises, but end up feeling a bit like watching a movie on two times speed.